Wright, the publisher of the _Anti-Jacobin_, lived at 169. Piccadilly, and
his shop was the general morning resort of the friends of the ministry, as
Debrell's was of the oppositionists. About the time when the _Anti-Jacobin_
was contemplated, Owen, who had been the publisher of Burke's pamphlets,
failed. The editors of the _Anti-Jacobin_ took his house, paying the rent,
taxes, &c., and gave it up to Wright, reserving to themselves the first
floor, to which a communication was opened through Wright's house. Being
thus enabled to pass to their own rooms through Wright's shop, where their
frequent visits did not excite any remarks, they contrived to escape
particular observation.
Their meetings were most regular on Sundays, but they not unfrequently met
on other days of the week, and in their rooms were chiefly written the
poetical portions of the work. What was written was generally left open
upon the table, and as others of the party dropped in, hints or suggestions
were made; sometimes whole passages were contributed by some of the parties
present, and afterwards altered by others, so that it is almost impossible
to ascertain the names of the authors. Where, in the above notes, a piece
is ascribed to different authors, the conflicting statements may arise from
incorrect information, but sometimes they arise from the whole authorship
being assigned to one person, when in fact both may have contributed. If we
look at the references, vol. ii. pp. 420. 532. 623., we shall see Mr.
Canning naming several authors, whereas Lord Burghersh assigns all to one
author. Mr. Canning's authority is here more to be relied upon. "New
Morality" Mr. Canning assigns generally to the four contributors; Mr.
Wright has given some interesting particulars by appropriating to each his
peculiar portion.
Gifford was the working editor, and wrote most of the refutations and
corrections of the "Lies," "Mistakes," and "Misrepresentations."
The papers on finance were chiefly by Pitt: the first column was frequently
for what he might send; but his contributions were uncertain, and generally
very late, so that the space reserved for him was sometimes filled up by
other matter. He only once met the editors at Wright's.
Upcott, who was at the time assistant in Wright's shop, was employed as
amanuensis, to copy out for the printer the various contributions, that the
authors' handwriting might not be detected.