590 Sir Walter Scott. 



rary speculations in 1800, he certainly gave himself up to them in 

 1803, when, finding that his neglected profession neglected him, he 

 entered into terms of partnership with Ballantyne, a connexion, 

 whose " influence on his literary exertions and worldly fortunes was 

 productive of much good and not a little evil." The connexion, 

 indeed, of these two individuals forms one of the most curious pas- 

 sages in the history of literature, creditable to neither party, but fur- 

 nishing an useful lesson to posterity. 



The letter which we extract as the last for our present number is, 

 as we think, quite conclusive as to the extent to which the poet was 

 embarked with the printer. The only objection that can reasonably 

 be made to such a procedure is, that it was kept a secret; and 

 " wherever there is a secret there must be something wrong." The 

 sequel too fully verified the suspicion.* But to the extract : 



" Dear Ballantyne, 



" I have duly received your two favours also Foster's. He still howls 

 about the expense of printing, but I think we shall finally settle. His argu- 

 ment is that you print too fine, alias too dear. I intend to stick to ray 

 answer, that I know nothing of the matter ; but that settle it how you and he 

 will, it must be printed by you, or can be no concern of mine. This gives 

 you an advantage in driving the bargain. As to every thing else, I think we 

 shall do, and I will endeavour to set a few volumes agoing on the plan you 

 propose. 



" I have imagined a very superb work. What think you of a complete edi- 

 tion of British poets, ancient and modern ? Johnson's is imperfect and out 

 of print ; so is Bell's, which is a Lilliputian thing ; and Anderson's, the most 

 complete in point of number, is most contemptible in execution both of the 

 editor and printer. There is a scheme for you ! At least a hundred volumes, 

 to be published at the rate of ten a-year. I cannot, however, be ready till 

 midsummer. If the booksellers will give me a decent allowance per volume, 

 say thirty guineas, I shall hold myself well paid on the writing hand. This 

 is a dead secret. 



" I think it quite right to let Doig have a share of Thomson ; but he is 

 hard and slippery, so settle your bargain fast and firm no loop-holes ! I am 

 glad you have got some elbow-room at last. Cowan will come to, or we will 

 find some fit place in time. If not we must build necessity has no law. I 

 see nothing to hinder you from doing Tacitus with your correctness of eye, 

 and I congratulate you on the fair prospect before us. When you have time 

 you will make out a list of the debts to be discharged at Whitsunday, that we 

 may see what cash we shall have in bank. Our book-keeping may be very 

 simple an accurate cash book and ledger is all that is necessary ; and I think 

 I know enough of the matter to assist at making the balance sheet. 



" In short, with the assistance of a little cash I have no doubt things will 

 go on a merveille. If you could take a little pleasuring, I wish you could 

 come here and see us in all the glories of a Scottish spring. Yours truly, 



"W. SCOTT." 

 Vol. ii. p. 4345. 



(To le continued.) 



* We trust, that in the ensuing number we shall be able to afford room for those 

 poetical criticisms, to which we feel ourselves pledged. The overwhelming quantity 

 of biographical matter has entirely precluded the possibility of criticism. ED. 



