[News from Portugal, Russia, and Ireland]

First published Edinburgh Evening Post, 12 July 1828, p. 77. Never reprinted. The strongest evidence is the allusion to the article on ‘Mr. O’Connell and the Clare Election’ (above, pp. 217–22), in the words ‘We have spoken upon this subject in another part of the paper’. Since that other article includes an anecdote about Wordsworth, and other signs of De Quincey, it seems clear that both pieces are De Quincey’s. Moreover, the present article continues the reporting of Portuguese and Russian affairs, from the end of the manuscript on ‘Mr. Huskisson’s “Resignation”’ (see below, pp. 302–7). The last two paragraphs of that manuscript of 31 May indicate (as Professor Tave points out) that ‘De Quincey must have been doing more work for the Post’ on Portuguese and Russian politics ‘than it is possible to identify’ (Tave, p. 356). As co-editor of the Evening Post, with special responsibility for its political department, De Quincey would not have appreciated an article which would appear to be his (to Blackwood, Wilson, and other friends who knew his situation), unless it was indeed his. Other apparent signs include the phrase ‘It is certain’, the interest in ‘Newgate’ and ‘English lawyers’, the use of ‘1st.’ and ‘2nd.’, and the Latin phrase in the final sentence. Finally, this leading article appears immediately beneath the paper’s masthead, in the usual place for De Quincey’s last-minute observations on the news of the week.