Note 3 — ON THE TRACK OF THE REVIEWER. A TRUE STORY OF REVENGE, CONNECTED WITH THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF “JANE EYRE.” By Doctor William Wright.
Reading edition
The December number of the “Quarterly Review” of 1848 is perhaps the most famous of the entire series. Its fame rests on a mystery which has baffled literary curiosity for close on half a century. “Who wrote the review of ‘Jane Eyre’?” is a question that has been asked by every contributor to English literature since the critique appeared. But thus far the question has been asked in vain.
The descendant and namesake of the eminent projector and proprietor of “The Quarterly” does not feel at liberty to solve the mystery by revealing the writer. I admire the loyalty of John Murray to a servant whose work has attained an evil pre-eminence. It is interesting to know, in these prying and babbling times, that in the house of Murray the secret of even a supposed ruffian is safe to the third generation.