EDINBURGH, February 20, 1819.

MY DEAR SIR,

I arrived here the day before yesterday for my spring campaign in literature, drinking whiskey, etc., and as I have not heard a word of you or from you since we parted on the top of the hill above Abbotsford, I dedicate my first letter from the metropolis to you.  And first of all, I was rather disappointed in getting so little cracking with you at that time.  Scott and you had so much and so many people to converse about, whom nobody knew anything of but yourselves, that you two got all to say, and some of us great men, who deem we know everything at home, found that we knew nothing.  You did not even tell me what conditions you were going to give me for my “Jacobite Relics of Scotland,” the first part of which will make its appearance this spring, and I think bids fair to be popular....

Believe me, yours very faithfully,

JAMES HOGG.

After the discontinuance of Murray’s business connection with Blackwood, described in the preceding chapter, James Hogg wrote in great consternation: 

Mr. James Hogg to John Murray,

ELTRIVE, by SELKIRK, December 9, 1829.

MY DEAR SIR,

By a letter from Blackwood to-day, I have the disagreeable intelligence that circumstances have occurred which I fear will deprive me of you as a publisher—­I hope never as a friend; for I here attest, though I have heard some bitter things against you, that I never met with any man whatever who, on so slight an acquaintance, has behaved to me so much like a gentleman.  Blackwood asks to transfer your shares of my trifling works to his new agents.  I answered, “Never! without your permission.”  As the “Jacobite Relics” are not yet published, and as they would only involve you further with one with whom you are going to close accounts, I gave him liberty to transfer the shares you were to have in them to Messrs. Cadell & Davies.  But when I consider your handsome subscription for “The Queen’s Wake,” if you have the slightest inclination to retain your shares of that work and “The Brownie,” as your name is on them, along with Blackwood, I would much rather, not only from affection, but interest, that you should continue to dispose of them.

I know these books are of no avail to you; and that if you retain them, it will be on the same principle that you published them, namely, one of friendship for your humble poetical countryman.  I’ll never forget your kindness; for I cannot think that I am tainted with the general vice of authors’ ingratitude; and the first house that I call at in London will be the one in Albemarle Street.

I remain, ever yours most truly,

JAMES HOGG.

Murray did not cease to sell the Shepherd’s works, and made arrangements with Blackwood to continue his agency for them, and to account for the sales in the usual way.