It was a great chance for a young man entering life with a moderate amount of capital, to be virtually offered an intimate connection with one of the principal publishing houses of the day.  It was one of those chances which, “taken at the flood, lead on to fortune,” but there was also the question of honour, and Mr. Murray, notwithstanding his desire for opening out a splendid new connection in business, would do nothing inconsistent with the strictest honour.  He was most unwilling to thrust himself in between Constable and Longman.  Instead, therefore, of jumping at Constable’s advantageous offer, his feelings induced him to promote a reconciliation between the parties; and he continued to enjoin forbearance on the part of both firms, so that they might carry on their business transactions as before.  Copies of the correspondence between Constable and the Longmans were submitted to referees (Murray and Davies), and the following was Mr. Murray’s reply, addressed to Messrs. Constable & Co.: 

John Murray to Messrs. Constable & Co.

December 14, 1805.

GENTLEMEN,

Mr. Hunter’s obliging letter to me arrived this morning.  That which he enclosed with yours to his brother last night, Charles gave me to read.  The contents were very flattering.  Indeed, I cannot but agree with Mr. H. that his brother has displayed very honourable feelings, upon hearing of the probable separation of your house, and that of Messrs. Longman & Co.  Mr. Longman was the first who mentioned this to him, and indeed from the manner in which Charles related his conversation upon the affair, I could not but feel renewed sensations of regret at the unpleasant termination of a correspondence, which, had it been conducted upon Mr. Longman’s own feelings, would have borne, I think, a very different aspect.  Longman spoke of you both with kindness, and mildly complained that he had perceived a want of confidence on your part, ever since his junction with Messrs. Hurst & Orme.  He confessed that the correspondence was too harsh for him to support any longer; but, he added, “if we must part, let us part like friends.”  I am certain, from what Charles reported to me, that Mr. L. and I think Mr. R. [Rees] are hurt by this sudden disunion.

Recollect how serious every dispute becomes upon paper, when a man writes a thousand asperities merely to show or support his superior ability.  Things that would not have been spoken, or perhaps even thought of in conversation, are stated and horribly magnified upon paper.  Consider how many disputes have arisen in the world, in which both parties were so violent in what they believed to be the support of truth, and which to the public, and indeed to themselves a few years afterwards, appeared unwise, because the occasion or cause of it was not worth contending about.  Consider that you are, all of you, men who can depend upon each other’s probity and honour, and where