In a letter of August 25, 1811, we find Gifford writing to a correspondent:  “Since the hour I was born I never enjoyed, as far as I can recollect, what you call health for a single day.”  In November, after discussing in a letter the articles which were about to appear in the next Review, he concluded:  “I write in pain and must break off.”  In the following month Mr. Murray, no doubt in consideration of the start which his Review had made, sent him a present of L500.  “I thank you,” he answered (December 6), “very sincerely for your magnificent present; but L500 is a vast sum.  However, you know your own business.”

Yet Mr. Murray was by no means abounding in wealth.  There were always those overdrawn bills from Edinburgh to be met, and Ballantyne and Constable were both tugging at him for accommodation at the same time.

The business arrangements with Constable & Co., which, save for the short interruption which has already been related, had extended over many years, were now about to come to an end.  The following refers to the purchase of Mr. Miller’s stock and the removal of Mr. Murray’s business to Albemarle Street.

John Murray to Mr. Constable.

ALBEMARLE ST., October 27, 1812.

“I do not see any existing reason why we, who have so long been so very intimate, should now be placed in a situation of negative hostility.  I am sure that we are well calculated to render to each other great services; you are the best judge whether your interests were ever before so well attended to as by me ...  The great connexion which I have for the last two years been maturing in Fleet Street I am now going to bring into action here; and it is not with any view to, or with any reliance upon, what Miller has done, but upon what I know I can do in such a situation, that I had long made up my mind to move.  It is no sudden thing, but one long matured; and it is only from the accident of Miller’s moving that I have taken his house; so that the notions which, I am told, you entertain respecting my plans are totally outside the ideas upon which it was formed....  I repeat, it is in my power to do you many services; and, certainly, I have bought very largely of you, and you never of me; and you know very well that I will serve you heartily if I can deal with you confidentially.”

A truce was, for a time, made between the firms, but it proved hollow.  The never-ending imposition of accommodation bills sent for acceptance had now reached a point beyond endurance, having regard to Murray’s credit.  The last letter from Murray to Constable & Co. was as follows: 

John Murray to Constable & Co.

April 30, 1813.

GENTLEMEN,