Mr. Scott to John Murray.

Edinburgh, March 27, 1809.

I have only time to give a very short answer to your letter.  Some very important business detains me here till Monday or Tuesday, on the last of which days at farthest I will set off for town, and will be with you of course at the end of the week.  As to my travelling expenses, if Government pay me, good and well; if they do not, depend on it I will never take a farthing from you.  You have, my good friend, enough of expense to incur in forwarding this great and dubious undertaking, and God forbid I should add so unreasonable a charge as your liberality points at.  I am very frank in money matters, and always take my price when I think I can give money’s worth for money, but this is quite extravagant, and you must think no more of it.  Should I want money for any purpose I will readily make you my banker and give you value in reviews.  John Ballantyne’s last remittance continues to go off briskly; the devil’s in you in London, you don’t know good writing when you get it.  All depends on our cutting in before the next Edinburgh, when instead of following their lead they shall follow ours.

Mrs. Scott is my fellow-traveller in virtue of an old promise.  I am, dear Sir, yours truly,

Walter Scott.

April 4, at night.

I have been detained a day later than I intended, but set off to-morrow at mid-day.  I believe I shall get franked, so will have my generosity for nothing.  I hope to be in London on Monday.

In sending out copies of the first number, Mr. Murray was not forgetful of one friend who had taken a leading part in originating the Review.

In 1808 Mr. Stratford Canning, when only twenty years of age, had been selected to accompany Mr. Adair on a special mission to Constantinople.  The following year, on Mr. Adair being appointed H.B.M.  Minister to the Sublime Porte, Stratford Canning became Secretary of Legation.  Mr. Murray wrote to him: 

John Murray to Mr. Stratford Canning.

32, Fleet St., London, March 12, 1809.

Dear Sir,

It is with no small degree of pleasure that I send, for the favour of your acceptance, the first number of the Quarterly Review, a work which owes its birth to your obliging countenance and introduction of me to Mr. Gifford.  I flatter myself that upon the whole you will not be dissatisfied with our first attempt, which is universally allowed to be so very respectable.  Had you been in London during its progress, it would, I am confident, have been rendered more deserving of public attention.

The letter goes on to ask for information on foreign works of importance or interest.

Mr. Stratford Canning replied: