likely write more; and should we not take this, we might have it in our power afterwards to do something with him, provided we acted with delicacy in the transaction, as he had no doubt we would do.  I hope you will be able to write to me soon, and as fully as you can.  If I have time tomorrow, or I should rather say this day, as it is now near one o’clock, I will write you about other matters; and if I have no letter from you, will perhaps give you another scolding.

Yours most truly,

W. BLACKWOOD.

A long correspondence took place between Blackwood and Murray on Ballantyne’s proposal.  Blackwood was inclined to accept, notwithstanding the odd nature of the proposal, in the firm belief that “the heart’s desire” of Ballantyne was to get rid of Constable.  He sent Murray a list of Ballantyne’s stock, from which the necessary value of books was to be selected.  It appeared, however, that there was one point on which Blackwood had been mistaken, and that was, that the copyright of the new novel was not to be absolutely conveyed, and that all that Ballantyne meant, or had authority to offer, was an edition, limited to six thousand copies, of the proposed work.  Although Murray considered it “a blind bargain,” he was disposed to accept it, as it might lead to something better.  Blackwood accordingly communicated to Ballantyne that he and Murray accepted his offer.

Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray.

April 27, 1816.

“Everything is settled, and on Tuesday Ballantyne is to give a letter specifying the whole terms of the transaction.  He could not do it sooner, he said, as he had to consult the author.  This, I think, makes it clear that it is Walter Scott, who is at Abbotsford just now.  What surprised me a good deal was, James Ballantyne told me that his brother John had gone out there with Constable, and Godwin (author of ’Caleb Williams’), whom Scott was anxious to see.  They are really a strange set of people....  I am not over fond of all these mysteries, but they are a mysterious set of personages, and we must manage with them in the best way that we can.”

A letter followed from James Ballantyne to Murray (May I, 1816), congratulating him upon concluding the bargain through Blackwood, and saying: 

“I have taken the liberty of drawing upon you at twelve months for L300 for your share....  It will be a singularly great accommodation if you can return the bill in course of post.”

Although Ballantyne had promised that the first edition of the proposed work should be ready by October 1, 1816, Blackwood found that in June the printing of the work had not yet commenced.  Ballantyne said he had not yet got any part of the manuscript from the author, but that he would press him again on the subject.  The controversy still continued as to the authorship of the Waverley Novels.  “For these six months past,” wrote Blackwood (June 6, 1816), “there have been various rumours with