I saw Lord Holland today looking very well.  I wish I could send you Gifford’s “Ben Jonson”; it is full of fun and interest, and allowed on all hands to be most ably done; would, I am sure, amuse you.  I have very many new important and interesting works of all kinds in the press, which I should be happy to know any means of sending.  My Review is improving in sale beyond my most sanguine expectations.  I now sell nearly 9,000.  Even Perry says the Edinburgh, Review is going to the devil.  I was with Mrs. Leigh today, who is very well; she leaves town on Saturday.  Her eldest daughter, I fancy, is a most engaging girl; but yours, my Lord, is unspeakably interesting and promising, and I am happy to add that Lady B. is looking well.  God bless you! my best wishes and feelings are always with you, and I sincerely wish that your happiness may be as unbounded as your genius, which has rendered me so much,

My Lord, your obliged Servant,

J.M.

The negotiations for the purchase of the third canto were left in the hands of Mr. Kinnaird, who demurred to Mr. Murray’s first offer of 1,500 guineas, and eventually L2,000 was fixed as the purchase price.

Mr. Murray wrote to Lord Byron on December 13, 1816, informing him that, at a dinner at the Albion Tavern, he had sold to the assembled booksellers 7,000 of his third canto of “Childe Harold” and 7,000 of his “Prisoner of Chillon.”  He then proceeds: 

John Murray to Lord Byron.

“In literary affairs I have taken the field in great force—­opening with the Third Canto and “Chillon,” and, following up my blow, I have since published ‘Tales of my Landlord,’ another novel, I believe (but I really don’t know) by the author of ‘Waverley’; but much superior to what has already appeared, excepting the character of Meg Merrilies.  Every one is in ecstasy about it, and I would give a finger if I could send it you, but this I will contrive.  Conversations with your friend Buonaparte at St. Helena, amusing, but scarce worth sending.  Lord Holland has just put forth a very improved edition of the Life of Lope de Vega and Inez de Castro.’  Gifford’s ‘Ben Jonson’ has put to death all former editions, and is very much liked.”

At Mr. Murray’s earnest request, Scott had consented to review the third canto of “Childe Harold” in the Quarterly.  In forwarding the MS. he wrote as follows: 

Mr. Scott to John Murray.

EDINBURGH, January 10, 1817.

My Dear Sir,

I have this day sent under Croker’s cover a review of Lord Byron’s last poems.  You know how high I hold his poetical reputation, but besides, one is naturally forced upon so many points of delicate consideration, that really I have begun and left off several times, and after all send the article to you with full power to cancel it if you think any part of it has the least chance of hurting his feelings.  You know him better than I do, and you also know the