On December 19, 1827, the copyright of the Novels from Waverley to Quentin Durward was acquired, as mentioned in the text, for L8400 as a joint purchase.  Five years later, viz., in 1832, Mr. Cadell purchased from Sir Walter’s representatives, for about L40,000, the author’s share in stock and entire copyrights!

Nineteen years afterwards, viz., on the 26th March 1851 (after Mr. Cadell’s death), the stock and copyrights were exposed for sale by auction in London, regarding which a Trade Journal of the date says—­

“Mr. Hodgson offered for sale the whole of the copyrights of Sir Walter Scott’s works, including stereotypes, steels, woodcuts, etc., to a very large meeting of the publishers of this country.  After one or two of our leading firms had retired from the contest, the lot was bought in for, we believe, L15,500.  This sum did not include the stock on hand, valued at L10,000.  However, the fact is that the Trustees have virtually refused L25,000 for the stock, copyrights, etc., of Scott’s works.”

Messrs. A. & C. Black in 1851 purchased the property at nearly the same price, viz.:—­Copyright, L17,000; stock, L10,000—­in all, L27,000.  Mr. Francis Black, who has kindly given me information regarding the sale of these works, tells me that of the volumes of one of the cheaper issues about three millions have been sold since 1851.  This, of course, is independent of other publishers’ editions in Great Britain, the Continent, and America.

[113] In Henry IV., Act v.  Sc. 3.

[114] In an interesting letter to Scott from Fenimore Cooper, dated Sept. 12th, 1827, he tells him “that the French abuse you a little, but as they began to do this, to my certain knowledge, five months before the book was published, you have no great reason to regard their criticism.

It would be impossible to write the truth on such a subject and please this nation.  One frothy gentleman denounced you in my presence as having a low, vulgar style, very much such an one as characterised the pen of Shakespeare!”

[115] A proverb having its rise from an exclamation made by Mr. David Dick, a Covenanter, on witnessing the execution of some of Montrose’s followers.—­Wishart’s Montrose, quoting from Guthrie’s Memoirs, p. 182.

[116] Scott’s biographer records his admiration for the manner in which all his dependants met the reverse of their master’s fortunes.  The butler, instead of being the easy chief of a large establishment, was now doing half the work of the house at probably half his former wages.  Old Peter, who had been for five-and-twenty years a dignified coachman, was now ploughman in ordinary; only putting his horses to the carriage on high and rare occasions; and so on with all that remained of the ancient train, and all seemed happier.

[117] Ante, vol. i. p. 120.

[118] Twelfth Night, Act II.  Sc. 3.