It is now difficult to understand the profound secrecy with which the projection of the new Review was carried on until within a fortnight of the day of its publication.  In these modern times widespread advertisements announce the advent of a new periodical, whereas then both publisher and editor enjoined the utmost secrecy upon all with whom they were in correspondence.  Still, the day of publication was very near, when the Quarterly was, according to Scott, to “burst like a bomb” among the Whigs of Edinburgh.  The only explanation of the secrecy of the preliminary arrangements is that probably down to the last it was difficult to ascertain whether enough materials could be accumulated to form a sufficiently good number before the first Quarterly Review was launched into the world.

CHAPTER VI

THE “QUARTERLY” LAUNCHED

While Mr. Gifford was marshalling his forces and preparing for the issue of the first number of the Quarterly, Mr. Murray was corresponding with James Ballantyne of Edinburgh as to the works they were jointly engaged in bringing out, and also with respect to the northern agency of the new Review.  An arrangement was made between them that they should meet at Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire, at the beginning of January 1809, for the purpose of concocting their plans.  Ballantyne proposed to leave Edinburgh on January 5, and Murray was to set out from London on the same day, both making for Boroughbridge.  A few days before Ballantyne left Edinburgh he wrote to Murray: 

“I shall not let a living soul know of my intended journey.  Entire secrecy seems necessary at present.  I dined yesterday tete-a-tete with Mr. Scott, and had a great deal of highly important conversation with him.  He showed me a letter bidding a final farewell to the house of Constable.”

It was mid-winter, and there were increasing indications of a heavy storm brewing.  Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, however, both determined to set out for their place of meeting in Yorkshire.  Two days before Ballantyne left Edinburgh, he wrote as follows: 

Mr. Ballantyne to John Murray. January 4, 1809.

Dear Murray, It is blowing the devil’s weather here; but no matter—­if the mail goes, I go.  I shall travel by the mail, and shall, instantly on arriving, go to the “Crown,” hoping to find you and an imperial dinner.  By the bye, you had better, on your arrival, take places north and south for the following day.  In four or five hours after your receiving this, I expect to shake your princely paw.

Thine, J.B.

Scott also sent a note by the hand of Ballantyne to tell of his complete rupture with Constable owing to “Mr. Hunter’s extreme incivility.”

As a result of these negotiations the Ballantynes were appointed publishers of the new Review in Edinburgh, and, with a view to a more central position, they took premises in South Hanover Street.  Scott wrote with reference to this: