The most important point in connection with the proposed journal was to find the editor.  Mr. Murray had been so ably assisted by Sir Walter Scott in the projection of the Quarterly Review, that he resolved to consult him on the subject; and this mission was undertaken by Benjamin Disraeli, part proprietor of the intended daily journal, though he was then only twenty years old.  It was hoped that Mr. Lockhart, Sir Walter Scott’s son-in-law, might be induced to undertake the editorship.  The following are Mr. Disraeli’s letters to Mr. Murray, giving an account of the progress of his negotiations.  It will be observed that he surrounds the subject with a degree of mystery, through the names which he gives to the gentlemen whom he interviewed.  Thus the Chevalier is Sir Walter Scott; M. is Mr. Lockhart; X. is Mr. Canning; O. is the political Puck (could this be himself?); and Chronometer is Mr. Barrow.

On reaching Edinburgh, Mr. Disraeli wrote to Mr. Murray the following account of his first journey across the Border: 

Mr. B. Disraeli to John Murray.

ROYAL HOTEL, EDINBURGH. September 21, 1825.

MY DEAR SIR,

I arrived in Edinburgh yesterday night at 11 o’clock.  I slept at Stamford, York, and Newcastle, and by so doing felt quite fresh at the end of my journey.  I never preconceived a place better than Edinburgh.  It is exactly what I fancied it, and certainly is the most beautiful town in the world.  You can scarcely call it a city; at least, it has little of the roar of millions, and at this time is of course very empty.  I could not enter Scotland by the route you pointed out, and therefore was unable to ascertain the fact of the Chevalier being at his Castellum.  I should in that case have gone by Carlisle.  I called on the gentleman to whom Wright [Footnote:  A solicitor in London, and friend of both parties, who had been consulted in the negotiations.] gave me a letter this morning.  He is at his country house; he will get a letter from me this morning.  You see, therefore, that I have lost little time.

I called at Oliver & Boyd’s this morning, thinking that you might have written.  You had not, however.  When you write to me, enclose to them, as they will forward, wherever I may be, and my stay at an hotel is always uncertain.  Mr. Boyd was most particularly civil.  Their establishment is one of the completest I have ever seen.  They are booksellers, bookbinders, and printers, all under the same roof; everything but making paper.  I intend to examine the whole minutely before I leave, as it may be useful.  I never thought of binding.  Suppose you were to sew, etc., your own publications?