heartily wish it had never commenced; but two volumes are nearly printed, so I conclude it will now go on.  If this work had not stood in the way, I should have liked Beaumont and Fletcher much better.  It would not have required half the research, and occupied much less time.  I plainly see that, according to Mr. Gifford’s view, I should have almost all the trouble of a co-editor, both in collecting and revising the articles which are to come from Scotland, as well as in supplying all deficiencies from my own stores.

These considerations cannot, however, operate upon the first number, so pray send me a list of books, and perhaps you may send some on a venture.  You know the department I had in the Edinburgh Review.  I will sound Southey, agreeable to Mr. Gifford’s wishes, on the Spanish affairs.  The last number of the Edinburgh Review has given disgust beyond measure, owing to the tone of the article on Cevallos’ expose.  Subscribers are falling off like withered leaves.

I retired my name among others, after explaining the reasons both to Mr. Jeffrey and Mr. Constable, so that there never was such an opening for a new Review.  I shall be glad to hear what you think on the subject of terms, for my Northern troops will not move without pay; but there is no hurry about fixing this point, as most of the writers in the first number will be more or less indifferent on the subject.  For my own share, I care not what the conditions are, unless the labour expected from me is to occupy a considerable portion of time, in which case they might become an object.  While we are on this subject, I may as well mention that as you incur so large an outlay in the case of the Novels, I would not only be happy that my remuneration should depend on the profits of the work, but I also think I could command a few hundreds to assist in carrying it on.

By the way, I see “Notes on Don Quixote” advertised.  This was a plan I had for enriching our collection, having many references by me for the purpose.  I shall be sorry if I am powerfully anticipated.  Perhaps the book would make a good article in the Review.  Can you get me “Gaytoun’s Festivous Notes on Don Quixote”?

I think our friend Ballantyne is grown an inch taller on the subjects of the “Romances.”

Believe me, dear Sir, Yours very truly, Walter Scott.

Gifford is much pleased with you personally.

John Murray to Mr. Scott.

November 19, 1808.

“Mr. Gifford has communicated to me an important piece of news.  He met his friend, Lord Teignmouth, and learned from him that he and the Wilberforce party had some idea of starting a journal to oppose the Edinburgh Review, that Henry Thornton and Mr. [Zachary] Macaulay were to be the conductors, that they had met, and that some able men were mentioned.  Upon sounding Lord T. as to their giving us their assistance, he thought this might be adopted in preference to their