During Murray’s visit to Ashestiel No. 26 of the Edinburgh Review arrived.  It contained an article entitled “Don Cevallos on the Occupation of Spain.”  It was long supposed that the article was written by Brougham, but it has since been ascertained that Jeffrey himself was the author of it.  This article gave great offence to the friends of rational liberty and limited monarchy in this country.  Scott forthwith wrote to Constable:  “The Edinburgh Review had become such as to render it impossible for me to become a contributor to it; now it is such as I can no longer continue to receive or read it.”

“The list of the then subscribers,” said Mr. Cadell to Mr. Lockhart, “exhibits, in an indignant dash of Constable’s pen opposite Mr. Scott’s name, the word ‘STOPT!’”

Mr. Murray never forgot his visit to Ashestiel.  Scott was kindness itself; Mrs. Scott was equally cordial and hospitable.  Richard Heber was there at the time, and the three went out daily to explore the scenery of the neighbourhood.  They visited Melrose Abbey, the Tweed, and Dryburgh Abbey, not very remote from Melrose, where Scott was himself to lie; they ascended the Eildon Hills, Scott on his sheltie often stopping by the way to point out to Murray and Heber, who were on foot, some broad meadow or heather-clad ground, as a spot where some legend held its seat, or some notable deed had been achieved during the wars of the Borders.  Scott thus converted the barren hillside into a region of interest and delight.  From the top of the Eildons he pointed out the scene of some twenty battles.

Very soon after his return to London, Murray addressed the following letter to Mr. Scott: 

John Murray to Mr. Scott.

October 26, 1808.

DEAR SIR,

Although the pressure of business since my return to London has prevented me writing to you sooner, yet my thoughts have, I assure you, been almost completely employed upon the important subjects of the conversation with which you honoured me during the time I was experiencing the obliging hospitality of Mrs. Scott and yourself at Ashestiel.

Then, after a reference to the Novelists’ Library mentioned in the last chapter, the letter continues: 

“I have seen Mr. William Gifford, hinting distantly at a Review; he admitted the most imperious necessity for one, and that too in a way that leads me to think that he has had very important communications upon the subject....  I feel more than ever confident that the higher powers are exceedingly desirous for the establishment of some counteracting publication; and it will, I suspect, remain only for your appearance in London to urge some very formidable plan into activity.”

This letter was crossed in transit by the following: 

Mr. Scott to John Murray.

ASHESTIEL, BY SELKIRK, October 30, 1808.

DEAR SIR,