Scott being about to publish a ‘History of Scotland’ with his name, and further asked him if Mr. Scott was now ready to make any arrangements with us about it (for it never occurred to me that he could make arrangements with any one else), he solemnly assured me that he knew nothing about it!  Now, after this, what confidence can we have in anything that this man will say or profess!  I confess I am sadly mortified at my own credulousness.  John I always considered as no better than a swindler, but James I put some trust and confidence in.  You judged more accurately, for you always said that ’he was a damned cunning fellow!’ Well, there is every appearance of your being right; but his cunning (as it never does) will not profit him.  Within these three years I have given him nearly L1,400 for printing, and in return have only received empty professions, made, to be sure, in the most dramatic manner.  Trite as the saying is, honesty is always the best policy; and if we live a little longer, we shall see what will be the end of all their cunning, never-ending labyrinths of plots and schemes.  Constable is the proper person for them; set a thief to catch a thief:  Jonathan Wild will be fully a match for any of the heroes of the ‘Beggar’s Opera.’  My blood boils when I think of them, and still more when I think of my allowing myself so long to keep my eyes shut to what I ought to have seen long ago.  But the only apology I make to myself is, that one does not wish to think so ill of human nature.  There is an old Scotch proverb, ‘He has need o’ a lang spoon that sups wi’ the De’il,’ and since we are engaged, let us try if we can partake of the broth without scalding ourselves.  I still hope that we may; and however much my feelings revolt at having any connection in future with them, yet I shall endeavour to the best of my power to repress my bile, and to turn their own tricks against themselves.  One in business must submit to many things, and swallow many a bitter pill, when such a man as Walter Scott is the object in view.  You will see, by this day’s Edinburgh papers, that the copartnery of John Ballantyne & Co. is formally dissolved.  Miller told me that, before James Ballantyne could get his wife’s friends to assent to the marriage, Walter Scott was obliged to grant bonds and securities, taking upon himself all the engagements of John Ballantyne & Co., as well as of James Ballantyne & Co.; [Footnote:  Lockhart says, in his “Life of Scott,” that “in Feb., 1816, when James Ballantyne married, it is clearly proved, by letters in his handwriting, that he owed to Scott more than L3,000 of personal debt.”] so that, if there was any difficulty on their part, he bound himself to fulfil the whole.  When we consider the large sums of money Walter Scott has got for his works, the greater part of which has been thrown into the hands of the Ballantynes, and likewise the excellent printing business J.B. has had for so many years, it is quite incomprehensible what has become of all the money.  Miller says, ’It is just a jaw hole which swallows up all,’ and from what he has heard he does not believe Walter Scott is worth anything.”