In the preceding volumes have been given the history of the founding of ‘Blackwood's Magazine’ and the publishing house by William Blackwood, and the story of the life and work of himself and of the sons who immediately succeeded him. In this volume it was the intention of their late lamented biographer, Mrs Oliphant, to trace the life and work of John Blackwood, the youngest of the sons to follow their father's profession, and the one to whom was granted & longer span of life in which to develop the talents and industry that distinguished them all. His association with most of the best known writers of our day has invested his name with a special interest, which his nephew and surviving partner, William Blackwood, has thought demanded a more detailed account of his life and work and of the many happy social relations which subsisted between him and his contributors.

The able and graceful pen which should have furnished this memoir is, alas! laid aside for ever, and the task has fallen to her who was to have aided Mrs Oliphant, by supplying a daughter's recollections of the years spent in daily companionship with the subject of the narrative, and whose knowledge of his character and aims has grown with her life.