Off the cuff

‘An editor is a man of the first consequence in the republic of letters—equal at least to any theatrical manager. Has he not, like the latter, to furnish a pleasing variety, to hold the balance even between rival individuals? Must not his entertainments be according to nature; nay, must he not occasionally throw about his squibs and crackers to please air balloon politicians; or, as it were, have writers of tumbling— wire dancing—and hurly burly description?’