LIFE AT ELLERAY. 103 



magnitude, I feel my own character deeply concerned, and will 

 therefore insert nothing that does not please myself. The volume 

 might in size l'esemble the octavo edition of the Lady of the Lake y 

 and sell for the same price. 



" If you are willing to purchase from me the copyright of 400 

 pages, such as I have described, I am ready to listen to your terms. 

 I may, without presumption, say that at Oxford my name would 

 sell many copies, nor am I unknown either in Cambridge or London. 

 But you will judge for yourself. I am not a man who would 

 thoughtlessly risk his reputation by a trivial or careless publication. 



" I would prefer disposing entirely of the copyright to any other 

 plan, as I wish to be free from all trouble or anxiety about it. In 

 the case of a first publication I know that booksellers ought to be 

 cautious. But I am now 7 past the days of boyhood, and I feel that 

 I shall come before the world, if not in the fulness of my strength, 

 at least with few youthful weaknesses. 



" As I am uncertain of being soon in Glasgow, I shall expect an 

 answer to this as quickly as convenient to yourself. Should we 

 agree about this volume, I have other works in contemplation that 

 I know w T ill attract public notice. I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



" John Wilson." 



A few days subsequently he replied to Mr. Smith's proposals ; part 

 of which was that the work should be printed by Ballantyne : — 



" My dear Sir : — Your proposals seem perfectly reasonable and 

 honorable, and I have no objection to agree to them. I have to 

 mention, however, that it w r ill be impossible for me to have my 

 poems ready for publication as soon as you wish. I was indeed 

 ignorant of the season of publication, and also imagined that the 

 printing would take much more time than I understand it will do. 



" For a few months to come my time will not, I fear, be at my own 

 disposal ; for besides several important engagements, I have been 

 very unwell lately, and may perhaps be obliged to take a short voy- 

 age somewhere. Considering all these circumstances, it would 

 seem that the publication of my poems must be deferred for a 

 considerable time. Perhaps, on the whole, this may be of advan- 

 tage. 



" I cannot believe that a volume of that size could be printed in 

 less than four months from the commencement of printing it. You 



