Murray was nevertheless willing to go on until the terms of his bargain with Ballantyne were fulfilled, and wrote to Blackwood that he was “resolved to swallow the pill, bitter though it was,” but he expressed his surprise that “Mr. Scott should have allowed his property to be squandered as it has been by these people.”

Blackwood, however, was in great anxiety about the transaction, fearing the result of the engagement which he and Murray had entered into.

Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray.

July 2, 1816.

“This morning I got up between five and six, but instead of sitting down to write to you, as I had intended, I mounted my pony and took a long ride to collect my thoughts.  Sitting, walking, or riding is all the same.  I feel as much puzzled as ever, and undetermined whether or not to cut the Gordian knot.  Except my wife, there is not a friend whom I dare advise with.  I have not once ventured to mention the business at all to my brother, on account of the cursed mysteries and injunctions of secrecy connected with it.  I know he would blame me for ever engaging in it, for he has a very small opinion of the Ballantynes.  I cannot therefore be benefited by his advice.  Mrs. Blackwood, though she always disliked my having any connection with the Ballantynes, rather thinks we should wait a few weeks longer, till we see what is produced.  I believe, after all, this is the safest course to pursue.  I would beg of you, however, to think maturely upon the affair, taking into account Mr. Scott’s usefulness to the Review.  Take a day or two to consider the matter fully, and then give me your best advice....  As to Constable or his triumphs, as he will consider them, I perfectly agree with you that they are not to be coveted by us, and that they should not give us a moment’s thought.  Thank God, we shall never desire to compass any of our ends by underhand practices.”

Meanwhile correspondence with Ballantyne about the work of fiction—­the name of which was still unknown-was still proceeding.  Ballantyne said that the author “promised to put the first volume in his hands by the end of August, and that the whole would be ready for publication by Christmas.”  Blackwood thought this reply was “humbug, as formerly.”  Nevertheless, he was obliged to wait.  At last he got the first sight of the manuscript.

Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray.

August 23, 1816. Midnight.

“MY DEAR MURRAY,—­I have this moment finished the reading of 192 pages of our book—­for ours it must be,—­and I cannot go to bed without telling you what is the strong and most favourable impression it has made upon me.  If the remainder be at all equal—­which it cannot fail to be, from the genius displayed in what is now before me—­we have been most fortunate indeed.  The title as, TALKS OF MY LANDLORD; collected and reported by Jedediah Cleishbotham, Pariah Clerk and Schoolmaster of Gandercleugh.”