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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10884-0.txt b/10884-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..71a85a2 --- /dev/null +++ b/10884-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17823 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10884 *** + +A PUBLISHER AND HIS FRIENDS + +MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN MURRAY + +WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE, 1768-1843 + +BY THE LATE SAMUEL SMILES, LL.D. + +CONDENSED AND EDITED BY THOMAS MACKAY + +_WITH PORTRAITS_ + + + + +1911 + + + +PREFACE + + +When my Grandfather's Memoirs were published, twenty years ago, they met +with a most favourable and gratifying reception at the hands of the +public. Interest was aroused by the struggle and success of a man who +had few advantages at the outset save his own shrewd sense and generous +nature, and who, moreover, was thrown on his own resources to fight the +battle of life when he was little more than a child. + +The chief value of these volumes, however, consists in the fact that +they supply an important, if not an indispensable, chapter in the +literary history of England during the first half of the nineteenth +century. Byron and Scott, Lockhart, Croker, George Borrow, Hallam, +Canning, Gifford, Disraeli, Southey, Milman are but a few of the names +occurring in these pages, the whole list of which it would be tedious to +enumerate. + +It may be admitted that a pious desire to do justice to the memory of +John Murray the Second--"the Anax of Publishers," as Byron called +him--led to the inclusion in the original volumes of some material of +minor importance which may now well be dispensed with. + +I find, however, that the work is still so often quoted and referred to +that I have asked my friend Mr. Thomas Mackay to prepare a new edition +for the press. I am convinced that the way in which he has discharged +his task will commend itself to the reading public. He has condensed the +whole, has corrected errors, and has rewritten certain passages in a +more concise form. + +I desire to acknowledge my debt to him for what he has done, and to +express a hope that the public may extend a fresh welcome to "an old +friend with a new face." + +JOHN MURRAY. + +_December_, 1910. + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER I + +JOHN MACMURRAY OR MURRAY + +The first John Murray--An Officer of Marines--Retires from Active +Service--His marriage--Correspondence with William Falconer--Falconer's +death--Murray purchases Sandby's business--John Murray's first +publications--His writings--Mr. Kerr--Thomas Cumming goes to Ireland on +behalf of Murray--Prof. J. Millar--Mr. Whitaker--Defence of Sir R. +Gordon--Ross estate--His controversy with Mr. Mason--The Edinburgh +booksellers--Creech and Elliot--Dr. Cullen--The second John Murray--His +education--Accident to his eye--Illness and death of the elder John +Murray + +CHAPTER II + +JOHN MURRAY (II.)--BEGINNING OF HIS PUBLISHING CAREER--ISAAC D'ISRAELI, +ETC. + +John Murray the Second--"The Anax of Publishers"--His start in +business--Murray and Highley--Dissolution of the partnership--Colman's +"John Bull"--Mr. Joseph Hume--Archibald Constable--John Murray a +Volunteer--The D'Israeli family--Isaac D'Israeli's early +works--"Flim-Flams"--Birth of Benjamin D'Israeli--Projected periodical +the "Institute"--The "Miniature"--Murray's acquaintance with Canning and +Frere + +CHAPTER III + +MURRAY AND CONSTABLE--HUNTER AND THE FORFARSHIRE LAIRDS--MARRIAGE OF +JOHN MURRAY + +Archibald Constable & Co.--Alexander Gibson Hunter--The _Edinburgh +Review_--Murray's early associations with Constable--Dispute between +Longman and Constable--Murray appointed London Agent--He urges +reconciliation between Constable and Longman--Mr. Murray visits +Edinburgh--Engaged to Miss Elliot--Goes into Forfarshire--Rude +Hospitality--Murray's marriage--The D'Israelis + +CHAPTER IV + +"MARMION"--CONSTABLES AND BALLANTYNES--THE "EDINBURGH REVIEW" + +Murray's business prospects--Acquires a share of "Marmion"--Becomes London +publisher of the _Edinburgh Review_--Acquaintance with Walter +Scott--Constable's money transactions--Murray's remonstrance--He +separates from Constable--The Ballantynes--Scott joins their printing +business--Literary themes + +CHAPTER V + +ORIGIN OF THE "QUARTERLY REVIEW" + +Canning's early schemes for a Penny Newspaper--The _Anti-Jacobin_--The +_Edinburgh Review_--John Murray's letter to Mr. Canning--Walter Scott's +assistance--Southey's letter to Scott--Review of "Marmion" in the +_Edinburgh_--Murray's conditions--Meeting with James Ballantyne at +Ferrybridge--Visit to Scott at Ashestiel--Letters to Scott--Scott's +letters to Murray, Ellis, and Gifford on the _Quarterly_--Arrangements for +the first number--Articles by Scott--James Mill--Mrs. Inchbald--Dr. Thomas +Young + +CHAPTER VI + +THE "QUARTERLY" LAUNCHED + +Meeting of Murray and Ballantyne at Boroughbridge--Walter Scott's interest +in the new _Review_--Publication of the first number of the _Quarterly_ +--Scott's proposed "Secret History of the Court of James I."--_Portcullis_ +copies--"Old English Froissart"--Opinions of the _Quarterly_--Scott's +energy and encouragement--Murray's correspondence with Mr. Stratford +Canning--Murray's energy--Leigh Hunt--James Mill--Gifford's +unpunctuality--Appearance of the second number--Mr. Canning's +contributions--Appearance of No. 3--Letters from Mr. Ellis to Isaac +D'Israeli--John Barrow's first connection with the _Quarterly_--Robert +Southey--Appearance of No. 4 + +CHAPTER VII + +CONSTABLE AND BALLANTYNE + +Murray's and Ballantyne's joint enterprises--Financial +difficulties--Murray's remonstrances--Ballantyne's reckless +speculations--And disregard of Murray's advice--Revival of Murray's +business with Constable--Publication of the "Lady of the Lake"--Murray +excluded from his promised share of it--Transfers his Edinburgh agency +to Mr. William Blackwood--Publication of No. 5 of the _Quarterly_ +--Southey's articles and books--Unpunctuality of the _Review_ +--Gifford's review of "The Daughters of Isenberg"--His letter to +Miss Palmer--Dispute between Murray and Gifford--Attacks on the +_Edinburgh Review_ by the _Quarterly_--Murray's disapproval of them--The +Ballantynes and Constables applying for money--Nos. 8 and 9 of the +_Review_--Southey's Publications--Letters from Scott--His review of the +"Curse of Kehama"--Southey's dependence on the _Quarterly_--His letter +to Mr. Wynn + +CHAPTER VIII + +MURRAY AND GIFFORD--RUPTURE WITH CONSTABLE--PROSPERITY OF THE +"QUARTERLY" + +Increasing friendship between Murray and Gifford--Gifford's opinion of +humorous articles--Mr. Pillans--Gifford's feeble health--Murray's +financial difficulties--Remonstrates with Constable--Correspondence with +and dissociation from Constable--_Quarterly Review_ No. 12--Gifford's +severe remarks on Charles Lamb--His remorse--_Quarterly Review_ No. +14--Murray's offer to Southey of 1,000 guineas for his poem + +CHAPTER IX + +LORD BYRON'S WORKS, 1811 TO 1814 + +Lord Byron's first acquaintance with Mr. Murray--Mr. Dallas's offer to +Cawthorn and Miller--Murray's acceptance of "Childe Harold"--Byron's +visits to Fleet Street--Murray's letters to Byron--Gifford's opinion of +the Poem--Publication of "Childe Harold"--Its immediate success--Byron's +presentation to the Prince of Wales--Murray effects a reconciliation +between Byron and Scott--Letters to and from Scott--Publication of "The +Giaour," "Bride of Abydos" and "Corsair"--Correspondence with +Byron--"Ode to Napoleon"--"Lara" and "Jacqueline" + +CHAPTER X + +MR. MURRAY'S REMOVAL TO 50, ALBEMARLE STREET + +Murray's removal to Albemarle Street--Miller's unfriendly +behaviour--Progress of the _Quarterly_--Miscellaneous publications +--D'Israeli's "Calamities of Authors"--Letters from Scott +and Southey--Southey's opinions on the patronage of literature--Scott's +embarrassments--Recklessness of the Ballantynes--Scott applies to Murray +for a loan--Publication of "Waverley"--Mystery of the authorship--Mr. +Murray's proposed trip to France--His letters to Mrs. Murray--Education +of his son--Announcement of Lord Byron's engagement--Mr. Murray's visit +to Newstead Abbey--Murray in Edinburgh--Mr. William Blackwood--Visit to +Abbotsford--Letter to Lord Byron--Letters from Blackwood--The "Vision of +Don Roderick" + +CHAPTER XI + +MURRAY'S DRAWING-ROOM--BYRON AND SCOTT--WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1815 + +Murray's drawing-room in Albemarle Street--A literary centre--George +Ticknor's account of it--Letter from Gifford--Death of his housekeeper +Nancy--First meeting of Byron and Scott--Recollections of John Murray +III.--Napoleon's escape from Elba--Waterloo--Mr. Blackwood's +letter--Suppression of an article written for the _Edinburgh_--Mr. +Murray's collection of portraits of authors--Mr. Scott's visit to +Brussels, Waterloo, etc.--Mr. Murray's visit to Paris--Return +home--Important diplomatic correspondence offered by Miss Waldie--Miss +Austen--"Emma"--Mr. Malthus's works--Letters from W. Scott + +CHAPTER XII + +VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS--CHARLES MATURIN--S.T. COLERIDGE--LEIGH HUNT + +Charles Maturin--His early career--His early publications--And +application to W. Scott--Performance of "Bertram" at Drury +Lane--Published by Murray--"Manuel, a Tragedy"--Murray's letter to +Byron--Death of Maturin--S.T. Coleridge--Correspondence about his +translation of "Faust"--"Glycine," "Remorse," "Christabel," "Zapolya," +and other works--Further correspondence--Leigh Hunt--Asked to contribute +to the _Quarterly_--"Story of Rimini"--Murray's letters to Byron and +Hunt--Negotiations between Murray and Leigh Hunt + +CHAPTER XIII + +THOMAS CAMPBELL--JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE--J.W. CROKER--JAMES HOGG, ETC. + +Thomas Campbell--His early works--Acquaintance with Murray--"Selections +from the British Poets"--Letters to Murray--Proposed Magazine--And +Series of Ancient Classics--Close friendship between Campbell and +Murray--Murray undertakes to publish the "Selections from British +Poets"--Campbell's explanation of the work--"Gertrude of Wyoming"--Scott +reviews Campbell's poems in the _Quarterly_--Campbell's Lectures at the +Royal Institution--Campbell's satisfaction with Murray's treatment of +him--"Now Barabbas was a publisher"--Increase of Murray's +business--Dealings with Gifford--Mr. J.C. Hobhouse--His "Journey to +Albania"--Isaac D'Israeli's "Character of James I."--Croker's "Stories +for Children"--The division of profits--Sir John Malcolm--Increasing +number of poems submitted to Mr. Murray--James Hogg--His works--And +letters to Murray--The "Repository"--Correspondence with Murray--Hogg +asks Murray to find a wife for him + +CHAPTER XIV + +LORD BYRON'S DEALINGS WITH MR. MURRAY--_continued_ + +Lord Byron's marriage--Letters from Mr. Murray during the honeymoon--Mr. +Fazakerly's interview with Bonaparte--Byron's pecuniary +embarrassments--Murray's offers of assistance--"Siege of +Corinth"--"Parisina"--Byron refuses remuneration--Pressed to give the +money to Godwin, Maturin, and Coleridge--Murray's remonstrance +--Gifford's opinion of the "Siege of Corinth" and Mr. D'Israeli's +--Byron leaves England--Sale of his Library--The "Sketch from +Private Life"--Mr. Sharon Turner's legal opinion--Murray's letter on the +arrival of the MS. of "Childe Harold," Canto III. + +[Transcriber's Note: two pages missing from source document] + +CHAPTER XIX + +WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1817-18--CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. + +Works published by Murray and Blackwood jointly--Illness of +Scott--Efforts to help the Ettrick Shepherd--Murray's offers of +assistance--Scott reviews the "Wake"--Hogg's house at Eltrive--Scott and +the _Quarterly_--"Rob Roy"--The "Scottish Regalia"--"The Heart of +Midlothian"--Appeal to Scott for an article--"Lord Orford's +Letters"--Murray and James Hogg at Abbotsford--Conclusion of Hogg's +correspondence--Robert Owen--Increased number of would-be poets--Sharon +Turner--Gifford's illness--Croker and Barrow edit _Quarterly Review_ + +CHAPTER XX + +HALLAM--BASIL HALL.--CRABBE--HOPE--HORACE AND JAMES SMITH + +Mr. Hallam--Sir H. Ellis's "Embassy to China"--Correspondence with Lady +Abercorn about new books--Proposed _Monthly Register_--Mr. Croker's +condemnation of the scheme--Crabbe's Works--Mr. Murray's offer--Mr. +Rogers's negotiations--Hope's "Anastasius"--"Rejected Addresses" +--Colonel Macirone's action against the _Quarterly_--Murray's +entertainments--Mrs. Bray's account of them + +CHAPTER XXI + +MEMOIRS OF LADY HERVEY AND HORACE +WALPOLE--BELZONI--MILMAN--SOUTHEY--MRS. RUNDELL, ETC. + +Lady Hervey's Letters--Mr. Croker's letter about the editing of +them--Horace Walpole's Memoirs--Mr. Murray's correspondence with Lord +Holland--The Suffolk papers, edited by Mr. Croker--Mrs. Delany's +Letters--Letter from Mr. Croker--Horace Walpole's "Reminiscences," +edited by Miss Berry--Tomline's "Life of Pitt"--Giovanni Belzoni--His +early career and works--His sensitiveness--His death--Examples of his +strength--Rev. H.H. Milman's Works, "Fazio," "Samor," "The Fall of +Jerusalem," "Martyr of Antioch," "Belshazzar"--Murray's dealings with +Milman--Benjamin Disraeli--Letters from Southey about his articles on +Cromwell--The New Churches, etc.--"The Book of the Church"--Warren +Hastings, etc--The Carbonari--Mr. Eastlake--Mrs. Graham--Galignani's +pirated edition of Byron--Mrs. Rundell's "Cookery Book"--Dispute with +Longman's--An injunction obtained + +CHAPTER XXII + +WASHINGTON IRVING--UGO FOSCOLO--LADY CAROLINE LAMB--"HAJJI BABA"--MRS. +MARKHAM'S HISTORIES + +Washington Irving--His early dealings with Murray--He comes to +England--His description of a dinner at Murray's--"The Sketch +Book"--Published in England by Miller--Afterwards undertaken by +Murray--Terms of purchase--Irving's ill-success in business +--"Bracebridge Hall"--James Fenimore Cooper--Ugo Foscolo--His +early career--First article in the _Quarterly_--Letter from Mr. T. +Mitchell--Foscolo's peculiarities--Digamma Cottage--His Lectures--Death +of Foscolo--Lady C. Lamb--"Glenarvon"--"Penruddock"--"Ada Reis"--Letter +from the Hon. Wm. Lamb--Lord J. Russell--His proposed History of +Europe--Mr. James Morier's "Hajji Baba"--Letter of Mirza Abul +Hassan--Mrs. Markham's "History of England"--Allan Cunningham + +CHAPTER XXIII + +GIFFORD'S RETIREMENT FROM THE EDITORSHIP OF THE "QUARTERLY"--AND DEATH + +Gifford's failing health--Difficulty of finding a successor--Barrow's +assistance--Gifford's letter to Mr. Canning--Irregularity of the +numbers--Southey's views as to the Editorship--Gifford's letter to Mr. +Canning--Appointment of Mr. J.T. Coleridge--Murray's announcement of the +appointment to Gifford--Close of Mr. Gifford's career--His +correspondence with Murray--Letter from Mr. R. Hay to the present Mr. +Murray about Gifford + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE "REPRESENTATIVE" + +Murray's desire to start a new periodical--Benjamin Disraeli--Projected +morning paper--Benjamin Disraeli's early career and writings--Letters to +Murray about "Aylmer Papillon"--Benjamin Disraeli's increasing intimacy +with Murray--Origin of the scheme to start a daily paper--South American +speculation--Messrs. Powles--Agreement to start a daily paper--the +_Representative_--Benjamin Disraeli's journey to consult Sir W. Scott +about the editorship--His letters to Murray--Visit to Chiefswood +--Progress of the negotiation-Mr. Lockhart's reluctance to +assume the editorship--Letter from Mr. I. D'Israeli to Murray--Mr. +Lockhart's first introduction to Murray--His letter about the +editorship--Sir W. Scott's letter to Murray--Editorship of _Quarterly_ +offered to Lockhart--Murray's letter to Sir W. Scott--Mr. Lockhart +accepts the editorship of the _Quarterly_--Disraeli's activity in +promoting the _Representative_--His letters to Murray--Premises +taken--Arrangements for foreign correspondence--Letters to Mr. +Maas--Engagement of Mr. Watts and Mr. S.C. Hall--Mr. Disraeli ceases to +take part in the undertaking--Publication of the _Representative_--Dr. +Maginn--Failure of the _Representative_--Effect of the strain on +Murray's health--Letters from friends--The financial crisis--Failure of +Constable and Ballantyne--The end of the _Representative_--Coolness +between Murray and Mr. D'Israeli + +CHAPTER XXV + +MR. LOCKHART AS EDITOR OF THE "QUARTERLY"--HALLAM WORDSWORTH--DEATH OF +CONSTABLE + +The editorship of the _Quarterly_--Mr. Lockhart appointed--Letter from +Sir W. Scott, giving his opinion of Lockhart's abilities and +character--Letters from Mr. Lockhart--Mr. Croker's article on "Paroles +d'un Croyant"--Charles Butler--Blanco White--Controversies, +etc.--Wordsworth's Works--Letter from Mr. Lockhart--Renewed intercourse +between Murray and Constable + +CHAPTER XXVI + +SIR WALTER'S LAST YEARS + +South American speculation--Captain Head, R.E.--His rapid rides across +the Pampas--His return home and publication of his work--Results of his +mission--Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Powles--Letter from Mr. B. +Disraeli--Irving's "Life of Columbus"--His agent, Col. Aspinwall--Letter +of warning from Mr. Sharon Turner--Southey's opinion--"The Conquest of +Granada"--Lockhart's and Croker's opinions--The financial result of +their publication--Correspondence between Irving and Murray--"Tales of +the Alhambra"--Murray's subsequent lawsuit with Bonn about the +copyrights--Review of Hallam's "Constitutional History" in the +_Quarterly_--Mr. Hallam's remonstrance--Letter from Murray--Letter from +Mr. Mitchell--Southey's discontent--Sir W. Scott and Lockhart--Scott's +articles for the _Quarterly_--Sir H. Davy's "Salmonia"--Anecdote of Lord +Nelson--The Duke of Wellington--Murray's offer to Scott for a History of +Scotland--Sale of Sir W. Scott's copyrights--Murray's offer for "Tales +of a Grandfather"--Scott's reply--Scott's closing years--Murray's +resignation of his one-fourth share of "Marmion"--Scott's last +contributions to the _Quarterly_--His death--Mr. John Murray's account +of the Theatrical Fund Dinner + +CHAPTER XXVII + +NAPIER'S "PENINSULAR WAR"--CROKER'S "BOSWELL"--"THE FAMILY LIBRARY" ETC. + +Napier's "History of the Peninsular War"--Origin of the work--Col. +Napier's correspondence with Murray--Publication of Vol. I.--Controversy +aroused by it--Murray ceases to publish the work--His letter to the +_Morning Chronicle_--The Duke of Wellington's Despatches--Croker's +edition of "Boswell's Johnson"--Correspondence with Croker, Lockhart, +etc.--Publication of the book--Its value--Letter from Mrs. Shelley--Mr. +Henry Taylor's "Isaac Comnenus"--"Philip van Artevelde"--"The Family +Library" and the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge--The +progress of "The Family Library"--Milman's "History of the +Jews"--Controversy aroused by it--Opinion of the Jews + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +MOORE'S "LIFE OF BYRON" + +Murray purchases the remainder of Byron's Poems--Leigh Hunt's +"Recollections"--Moore selected as the biographer of Byron--Collection +of Letters and Papers--Lockhart and Scott's opinion of the +work--Publication of the first volume of Byron's "Life"--Mrs. Shelley's +letter--Publication of the second volume--Letters from Mrs. Somerville +and Croker--Capt. Medwin's Conversations--Pecuniary results of Lord +Byron's "Life"--Reviews of Moore's works in the _Quarterly_--Moore on +Editors--Complete edition of "Byron's Works"--Letters from Countess +Guiccioli and Sir R. Peel--Thorwaldsen's statue of Lord Byron--Refused +at Westminster Abbey, but erected in Trinity College Library, Cambridge + + + + +MEMOIRS OF JOHN MURRAY + + + + +CHAPTER I + +JOHN MACMURRAY OR MURRAY + + +The publishing house of Murray dates from the year 1768, in which year +John MacMurray, a lieutenant of Marines, having retired from the service +on half-pay, purchased the bookselling business of William Sandby, at +the sign of the "Ship," No. 32, Fleet Street, opposite St. Dunstan's +Church. + +John MacMurray was descended from the Murrays of Athol. His uncle, +Colonel Murray, was "out" in the rising of 1715, under the Earl of Mar, +served under the Marquis of Tullibardine, the son of his chief, the Duke +of Athol, and led a regiment in the abortive fight of Sheriffmuir. After +the rebellion Colonel Murray retired to France, where he served under +the exiled Duke of Ormonde, who had attached himself to the Stuart +Court. + +The Colonel's brother Robert followed a safer course. He prefixed the +"Mac" to his name; settled in Edinburgh; adopted the law as a +profession, and became a Writer to the Signet. He had a family of three +daughters, Catherine, Robina, and Mary Anne; and two sons, Andrew and +John. + +John, the younger of Robert MacMurray's sons, was born at Edinburgh in +1745. After receiving a good general education, he entered the Royal +Marines under the special patronage of Sir George Yonge, Bart., +[Footnote: Sir George Yonge was Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and +subsequently Secretary at War; he died in 1812.] a well-known official +of the last century, and his commission as second lieutenant was dated +June 24, 1762. Peace was signed at the treaty of Paris in 1763, and +young MacMurray found himself quartered at Chatham, where the monotony +of the life to a young man of an active and energetic temperament became +almost intolerable. He determined therefore to retire on half-pay at the +age of twenty-three, and become a London bookseller! + +It is not improbable that he was induced to embark on his proposed +enterprise by his recent marriage with Nancy Wemyss, daughter of Captain +Wemyss, then residing at Brompton, near Chatham. + +While residing at Chatham, MacMurray renewed his acquaintance with +William Falconer, the poet, and author of "The Shipwreck," who, like +himself, was a native of Edinburgh. + +To this friend, who was then on the eve of sailing to India, he wrote: + +BROMPTON, KENT, _October_ 16, 1768. + +DEAR WILL, + +Since I saw you, I have had the intention of embarking in a scheme that +I think will prove successful, and in the progress of which I had an eye +towards your participating. Mr. Sandby, Bookseller, opposite St. +Dunstan's Church, Fleet Street, has entered into company with Snow and +Denne, Bankers. I was introduced to this gentleman about a week ago, +upon an advantageous offer of succeeding him in his old business; which, +by the advice of my friends, I propose to accept. Now, although I have +little reason to fear success by myself in this undertaking, yet I think +so many additional advantages would accrue to us both, were your forces +and mine joined, that I cannot help mentioning it to you, and making you +the offer of entering into company. + +He resigns to me the lease of the house, the goodwill, etc.; and I only +take his bound stock, and fixtures, at a fair appraisement, which will +not amount to much beyond £400, and which, if ever I mean to part with, +cannot fail to bring in nearly the same sum. The shop has been long +established in the Trade; it retains a good many old customers; and I am +to be ushered immediately into public notice by the sale of a new +edition of "Lord Lyttelton's Dialogues"; and afterwards by a like +edition of his "History." These Works I shall sell by commission, upon a +certain profit, without risque; and Mr. Sandby has promised to continue +to me, always, his good offices and recommendations. + +These are the general outlines; and if you entertain a notion that the +conjunction will suit you, advise me, and you shall be assumed upon +equal terms; for I write to you before the affair is finally settled; +not that I shall refuse it if you don't concur (for I am determined on +the trial by myself); but that I think it will turn out better were we +joined; and this consideration alone prompts me to write to you. Many +Blockheads in the Trade are making fortunes; and did we not succeed as +well as they, I think it must be imputed only to ourselves. Make Mrs. +McMurray's compliments and mine to Mrs. Falconer; we hope she has reaped +much benefit from the saltwater bath. Consider what I have proposed; and +send me your answer soon. Be assured in the meantime, that I remain, +Dear Sir, + +Your affectionate and humble servant, + +JOHN McMURRAY. + +P.S.--My advisers and directors in this affair have been Thomas Cumming, +Esq., Mr. Archibald Paxton, Mr. James Paterson of Essex House, and +Messrs. J. and W. Richardson, Printers. These, after deliberate +reflection, have unanimously thought that I should accept Mr. Sandby's +offer. + +Falconer's answer to this letter has not been preserved. It did not +delay his departure from Dover in the _Aurora_ frigate. The vessel +touched at the Cape; set sail again, and was never afterwards heard of. +It is supposed that she was either burnt at sea, or driven northward by +a storm and wrecked on the Madagascar coast. Falconer intended to have +prefixed some complimentary lines to Mr. Murray to the third edition of +"The Shipwreck," but they were omitted in the hurry of leaving London +and England for India. + +Notwithstanding the failure of MacMurray to obtain the aid of Falconer +in his partnership, he completed alone his contract with Mr. Sandby. His +father at Edinburgh supplied him with the necessary capital, and he +began the bookselling business in November 1768. He dropped the prefix +"Mac" from his surname; put a ship in full sail at the head of his +invoices; and announced himself to the public in the following terms: + +"John Murray (successor to Mr. Sandby), Bookseller and Stationer, at No. +32, over against St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleet Street, London, sells +all new Books and Publications. Fits up Public or Private Libraries in +the neatest manner with Books of the choicest Editions, the best Print, +and the richest Bindings. Also, executes East India or foreign +Commissions by an assortment of Books and Stationary suited to the +Market or Purpose for which it is destined; all at the most reasonable +rates." + +Among the first books he issued were new editions of Lord Lyttelton's +"Dialogues of the Dead," and of his "History of King Henry the Second," +in stately quarto volumes, as well as of Walpole's "Castle of Otranto." +He was well supported by his friends, and especially by his old brother +officers, and we find many letters from all parts of the world +requesting him to send consignments of books and magazines, the choice +of which was, in many cases, left entirely to his own discretion. In +1769 he received a letter from General Sir Robert Gordon, then in India, +who informed him that he had recommended him to many of his comrades. + +_Sir R. Gordon to John Murray_. + +"Brigadier-General Wedderburn has not forgotten his old school-fellow, +J. McMurray. Send me British news, and inform me of all political and +other affairs at home." [He also added that Colonel Mackenzie, another +old friend, is to be his patron.] "I hope," says Sir E. Gordon, in +another letter, "that you find more profit and pleasure from your new +employment than from that of the sword, which latter, you may remember, +I endeavoured to dissuade you from returning to; but a little trial, and +some further experience, at your time of life, cannot hurt you.... My +best compliments to Mrs. Murray, who I suppose will not be sorry for +your laying aside the wild Highland 'Mac' as unfashionable and even +dangerous in the circuit of Wilkes's mob; but that, I am convinced, was +your smallest consideration." + +The nature of Mr. Murray's business, and especially his consignments to +distant lands, rendered it necessary for him to give long credit, while +the expense and the risk of bringing out new books added a fresh strain +on his resources. In these circumstances, he felt the need of fresh +capital, and applied to his friend Mr. William Kerr, Surveyor of the +General Post Office for Scotland, for a loan. Mr. Kerr responded in a +kindly letter. Though he could not lend much at the time, he sent Mr. +Murray £150, "lest he might be prejudiced for want of it," and added a +letter of kind and homely advice. + +In order to extend his business to better advantage, Mr. Murray +endeavoured to form connections with booksellers in Scotland and +Ireland. In the first of these countries, as the sequel will show, the +firm established permanent and important alliances. To push the trade in +Ireland he employed Thomas Cumming, a Quaker mentioned in Boswell's +"Life of Johnson," who had been one of his advisers as to the purchase +of Mr. Sandby's business. + +_Mr. T. Gumming to John Murray_. + +"On receipt of thine I constantly applied to Alderman Faulkener, and +showed him the first Fable of Florian, but he told me that he would not +give a shilling for any original copy whatever, as there is no law or +even custom to secure any property in books in this kingdom [Ireland]. +From him, I went directly to Smith and afterwards to Bradley, etc. They +all gave me the same answer.... Sorry, and very sorry I am, that I +cannot send a better account of the first commission thou hast favoured +me with here. Thou may'st believe that I set about it with a perfect +zeal, not lessened from the consideration of the troubles thou hast on +my account, and the favours I so constantly receive from thee; nor +certainly that my good friend Dr. Langhorne was not altogether out of +the question. None of the trade here will transport books at their own +risque. This is not a reading, but a hard-drinking city; 200 or 250 are +as many as a bookseller, except it be an extraordinary work indeed, ever +throws off at an impression." + +Mr. Murray not only published the works of others, but became an author +himself. He wrote two letters in the _Morning Chronicle_ in defence of +his old friend Colonel (afterwards Sir) Robert Gordon, who had been +censured for putting an officer under arrest during the siege of Broach, +in which Gordon had led the attack. The Colonel's brother, Gordon of +Gordonstown, wrote to Murray, saying, "Whether you succeed or not, your +two letters are admirably written; and you have obtained great merit and +reputation for the gallant stand you have made for your friend." The +Colonel himself wrote (August 20,1774): "I cannot sufficiently thank +you, my dear sir, for the extraordinary zeal, activity, and warmth of +friendship, with which you so strenuously supported and defended my +cause, and my honour as a soldier, when attacked so injuriously by +Colonel Stuart, especially when he was so powerfully supported." + +Up to this time Mr. Murray's success had been very moderate. He had +brought out some successful works; but money came in slowly, and his +chief difficulty was the want of capital. He was therefore under the +necessity of refusing to publish works which might have done something +to establish his reputation. + +At this juncture, i.e. in 1771, an uncle died leaving a fortune of +£17,000, of which Mr. Murray was entitled to a fourth share. On the +strength of this, his friend Mr. Kerr advanced to him a further sum of +£500. The additional capital was put into the business, but even then +his prosperity did not advance with rapid strides; and in 1777 we find +him writing to his friend Mr. Richardson at Oxford. + +_John Murray to Mr. Richardson_. + +DEAR JACK, + +I am fatigued from morning till night about twopenny matters, if any of +which is forgotten I am complained of as a man who minds not his +business. I pray heaven for a lazy and lucrative office, and then I +shall with alacrity turn my shop out of the window. + +A curious controversy occurred in 1778 between Mr. Mason, executor of +Thomas Gray the poet, and Mr. Murray, who had published a "Poetical +Miscellany," in which were quoted fifty lines from three passages in +Gray's works. + +Mr. Murray wrote a pamphlet in his own defence, and the incident is +mentioned in the following passage from Boswell's "Life": + +"Somebody mentioned the Rev. Mr. Mason's prosecution of Mr. Murray, the +bookseller, for having inserted in a collection only fifty lines of +Gray's Poems, of which Mr. Mason had still the exclusive property, under +the Statute of Queen Anne; and that Mr. Mason had persevered, +notwithstanding his being requested to name his own terms of +compensation. Johnson signified his displeasure at Mr. Mason's conduct +very strongly; but added, by way of showing that he was not surprised at +it, 'Mason's a Whig.' Mrs. Knowles (not hearing distinctly): 'What! a +prig, Sir?' Johnson: 'Worse, Madam; a Whig! But he is both!'" + +Mr. Murray had considerable intercourse with the publishers of +Edinburgh, among the chief of whom were Messrs. Creech & Elliot, and by +their influence he soon established a connection with the professors of +Edinburgh University. Creech, who succeeded Mr. Kincaid in his business +in 1773, occupied a shop in the Luckenbooths, facing down the High +Street, and commanding a prospect of Aberlady Bay and the north coast of +Haddingtonshire. Being situated near the Parliament House--the centre of +literary and antiquarian loungers, as well as lawyers--Creech's place of +business was much frequented by the gossipers, and was known as +_Creech's Levee_. Creech himself, dressed in black-silk breeches, with +powdered hair and full of humorous talk, was one of the most conspicuous +members of the group. He was also an author, though this was the least +of his merits. He was an appreciative patron of literature, and gave +large sums for the best books of the day. + +Mr. Elliot, whose place of business was in the Parliament Close, and +whose daughter subsequently married Mr. Murray's son the subject of this +biography, was a publisher of medical and surgical works, and Mr. Murray +was his agent for the sale of these in London. We find from Mr. Elliot's +letters that he was accustomed to send his parcels of books to London by +the Leith fleet, accompanied by an armed convoy. In June 1780 he wrote: +"As the fleet sails this evening, and the schooner carries 20 guns, I +hope the parcel will be in London in four or five days"; and shortly +afterwards: "I am sending you four parcels of books by the _Carran_, +which mounts 22 guns, and sails with the _Glasgow_ of 20 guns." The +reason of the Edinburgh books being conveyed to London guarded by armed +ships, was that war was then raging, and that Spain, France, and Holland +were united against England. The American Colonies had also rebelled, +and Paul Jones, holding their commission, was hovering along the East +Coast with three small ships of war and an armed brigantine. It was +therefore necessary to protect the goods passing between Leith and +London by armed convoys. Sometimes the vessels on their return were +quarantined for a time in Inverkeithing Bay. + +The first Mrs. Murray died, leaving her husband childless, and he +married again. By his second wife he had three sons and two daughters, +two of the sons, born in 1779 and 1781 respectively, died in infancy, +while the third, John, born in 1778, is the subject of this Memoir. In +1782 he writes to his friend the Rev. John Whitaker: "We have one son +and daughter, the son above four years, and the daughter above two +years, both healthy and good-natured." + +In June 1782 Mr. Murray had a paralytic stroke, by which he, for a time, +lost the use of his left side, and though he shortly recovered, and +continued his work as before, he was aware of his dangerous position. To +a friend going to Madeira in September 1791 he wrote: "Whether we shall +ever meet again is a matter not easily determined. The stroke by which I +suffered in 1782 is only suspended; it will be repeated, and I must +fall in the contest." + +In the meantime Mr. Murray made arrangements for the education of his +son. He was first sent for a year to the High School of Edinburgh. While +there he lived with Mr. Robert Kerr, author of several works on +Chemistry and Natural History, published by Mr. Murray. Having passed a +year in Edinburgh, the boy returned to London, and after a time was sent +to a school at Margate. There he seems to have made some progress. To a +friend Mr. Murray wrote: "He promises, I think, to write well, although +his master complains a little of his indolence, which I am afraid he +inherits from me. If he does not overcome it, _it_ will overcome him." +In a later letter he said: "The school is not the best, but the people +are kind to him, and his health leaves no alternative. He writes a good +hand, is fond of figures, and is coming forward both in Latin and +French. Yet he inherits a spice of indolence, and is a little impatient +in his temper. His appearance--open, modest, and manly--is much in his +favour. He is grown a good deal, and left us for Margate (after his +holiday) as happy as could be expected." + +In the course of the following year Mr. Murray sent the boy to a +well-known school at Gosport, kept by Dr. Burney, one of his old Mends. +Burney was a native of the North of Ireland, and had originally been +called MacBurney, but, like Murray, he dropped the Mac. + +While at Dr. Burney's school, young Murray had the misfortune to lose +the sight of his right eye. The writing-master was holding his penknife +awkwardly in his hand, point downwards, and while the boy, who was +showing up an exercise, stooped to pick up the book which had fallen, +the blade ran into his eye and entirely destroyed the sight. To a friend +about to proceed to Gosport, Mr. Murray wrote: "Poor John has met with a +sad accident, which you will be too soon acquainted with when you reach +Gosport. His mother is yet ignorant of it, and I dare not tell her." + +Eventually the boy was brought to London for the purpose of ascertaining +whether something might be done by an oculist for the restoration of his +sight. But the cornea had been too deeply wounded; the fluid of the eye +had escaped; nothing could be done for his relief, and he remained blind +in that eye to the end of his life. [Footnote: Long afterwards Chantrey +the sculptor, who had suffered a similar misfortune, exclaimed, "What! +are you too a brother Cyclops?" but, as the narrator of the story used +to add, Mr. Murray could see better with one eye than most people with +two.] His father withdrew him from Dr. Burney's school, and sent him in +July 1793 to the Rev. Dr. Roberts, at Loughborough House, Kennington. In +committing him to the schoolmaster's charge, Mr. Murray sent the +following introduction: + +"Agreeable to my promise, I commit to you the charge of my son, and, as +I mentioned to you in person, I agree to the terms of fifty guineas. The +youth has been hitherto well spoken of by the gentleman he has been +under. You will find him sensible and candid in the information you may +want from him; and if you are kind enough to bestow pains upon him, the +obligation on my part will be lasting. The branches to be learnt are +these: Latin, French, Arithmetic, Mercantile Accounts, Elocution, +History, Geography, Geometry, Astronomy, the Globes, Mathematics, +Philosophy, Dancing, and Martial Exercise." + +Certainly, a goodly array of learning, knowledge, and physical training! + +To return to the history of Mr. Murray's publications. Some of his best +books were published after the stroke of paralysis which he had +sustained, and among them must be mentioned Mitford's "History of +Greece," Lavater's work on Physiognomy, and the first instalment of +Isaac D'Israeli's "Curiosities of Literature." + +The following extract from a letter to the Rev. Mr. Whitaker, dated +December 20, 1784, takes us back to an earlier age. + +"Poor Dr. Johnson's remains passed my door for interment this afternoon. +They were accompanied by thirteen mourning coaches with four horses +each; and after these a cavalcade of the carriages of his friends. He +was about to be buried in Westminster Abbey." + +In the same year the Rev. Alexander Fraser of Kirkhill, near Inverness, +communicated to Mr. Murray his intention of publishing the Memoirs of +Lord Lovat, the head of his clan. Mr. Eraser's father had received the +Memoirs in manuscript from Lord Lovat, with an injunction to publish +them after his death. "My father," he said, "had occasion to see his +Lordship a few nights before his execution, when he again enjoined him +to publish the Memoirs." General Fraser, a prisoner in the Castle of +Edinburgh, had requested, for certain reasons, that the publication +should be postponed; but the reasons no longer existed, and the Memoirs +were soon after published by Mr. Murray, but did not meet with any +success. + +The distressed state of trade and the consequent anxieties of conducting +his business hastened Mr. Murray's end. On November 6, 1793, Samuel +Highley, his principal assistant, wrote to a correspondent: "Mr. Murray +died this day after a long and painful illness, and appointed as +executors Dr. G.A. Paxton, Mrs. Murray, and Samuel Highley. The business +hereafter will be conducted by Mrs. Murray." The Rev. Donald Grant, +D.D., and George Noble, Esq., were also executors, but the latter did +not act. + +The income of the property was divided as follows: one half to the +education and maintenance of Mr. Murray's three children, and the other +half to his wife so long as she remained a widow. But in the event of +her marrying again, her share was to be reduced by one-third and her +executorship was to cease. + +John Murray began his publishing career at the age of twenty-three. He +was twenty-five years in business, and he died at the comparatively +early age of forty-eight. That publishing books is not always a +money-making business may be inferred from the fact that during these +twenty-five years he did not, with all his industry, double his capital. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +JOHN MURRAY (II.)--BEGINNING OF HIS PUBLISHING CAREER--ISAAC D'ISRAELI, +ETC. + + +John Murray the Second--the "Anax of Publishers," according to Lord +Byron--was born on November 27, 1778. He was his father's only surviving +son by his second marriage, and being only fifteen at his father's +death, was too young to enter upon the business of the firm, which was +carried on by Samuel Highley--the "faithful shopman" mentioned in the +elder Murray's will--for the benefit of his widow and family. What his +father thought of him, of his health, spirits, and good nature, will +have been seen from the preceding chapter. + +Young Murray returned to school, and remained there for about two years +longer, until the marriage of his mother to Lieutenant Henry Paget, of +the West Norfolk Militia, on September 28, 1795, when he returned to 32, +Meet Street, to take part in the business. Mrs. Paget ceased to be an +executor, retired from Fleet Street, and went to live at Bridgenorth +with her husband, taking her two daughters--Jane and Mary Anne +Murray--to live with her, and receiving from time to time the money +necessary for their education. + +The executors secured the tenancy of No. 32, Fleet Street, part of the +stock and part of the copyrights, for the firm of Murray & Highley, +between whom a partnership was concluded in 1795, though Murray was +still a minor. In the circumstances Mr. Highley of course took the +principal share of the management, but though a very respectable person, +he was not much of a business man, and being possessed by an almost +morbid fear of running any risks, he brought out no new works, took no +share in the new books that were published, and it is doubtful whether +he looked very sharply after the copyrights belonging to the firm. He +was mainly occupied in selling books brought out by other publishers. + +The late Mr. Murray had many good friends in India, who continued to +send home their orders to the new firm of Murray & Highley. Amongst them +were Warren Hastings and Joseph Hume. Hume had taken out with him an +assortment of books from the late Mr. Murray, which had proved very +useful; and he wrote to Murray and Highley for more. Indeed, he became a +regular customer for books. + +Meanwhile Murray fretted very much under the careless and indifferent +management of Highley. The executors did not like to be troubled with +his differences with his partner, and paid very little attention to him +or his affairs. Since his mother's remarriage and removal to +Bridgenorth, the young man had literally no one to advise with, and was +compelled to buffet with the troubles and difficulties of life alone. +Though inexperienced, he had, however, spirit and common sense enough to +see that he had but little help to expect from his partner, and the +difficulties of his position no doubt contributed to draw forth and +develop his own mental energy. He was not a finished scholar, but had +acquired a thorough love of knowledge and literature, and a keen +perception of the beauties of our great English classics. By acquiring +and cultivating a purity of taste, he laid the foundations of that quick +discrimination which, combined with his rapidly growing knowledge of men +and authors, rendered him afterwards so useful, and even powerful, in +the pursuit of his profession. + +Mr. Murray came of age on November 27, 1799; but he was prudent enough +to continue with Highley for a few years longer. After four years more, +he determined to set himself free to follow his own course, and the +innumerable alterations and erasures in his own rough draft of the +following letter testify to the pains and care which he bestowed on this +momentous step. + +_John Murray to Mr. Highley_. + +GREAT QUEEN STREET, _Friday, November 19, 1802._ + +MR. HIGHLEY, + +I propose to you that our partnership should be dissolved on the +twenty-fifth day of March next: + +That the disposal of the lease of the house and every other matter of +difference that may arise respecting our dissolution shall be determined +by arbitrators--each of us to choose one--and that so chosen they shall +appoint a third person as umpire whom they may mutually agree upon +previous to their entering upon the business: + +I am willing to sign a bond to this effect immediately, and I think that +I shall be able to determine my arbitrator some day next week. + +As I know this proposal to be as fair as one man could make to another +in a like situation, and in order to prevent unpleasant altercation or +unnecessary discussion, I declare it to be the last with which I intend +to trouble you. + +I take this opportunity of saying that, however much we may differ upon +matters of business, I most sincerely wish you well. + +JOHN MURRAY. + +In the end they agreed to draw lots for the house, and Murray had the +good fortune to remain at No. 32, Fleet Street. Mr. Highley removed to +No. 24 in the same street, and took with him, by agreement, the +principal part of the medical works of the firm. Mr. Murray now started +on his own account, and began a career of publication almost unrivalled +in the history of letters. + +Before the dissolution of partnership, Mr. Murray had seen the first +representation of Column's Comedy of "John Bull" at Covent Garden +Theatre, and was so fascinated by its "union of wit, sentiment, and +humour," that the day after its representation he wrote to Mr. Colman, +and offered him £300 for the copyright. No doubt Mr. Highley would have +thought this a rash proceeding. + +_John Murray to Mr. Colman_. + +"The truth is that during my minority I have been shackled to a drone of +a partner; but the day of emancipation is at hand. On the twenty-fifth +of this month [March 1803] I plunge alone into the depths of literary +speculation. I am therefore honestly ambitious that my first appearance +before the public should be such as will at once stamp my character and +respectability. On this account, therefore, I think that your Play would +be more advantageous to me than to any other bookseller; and as 'I am +not covetous of Gold,' I should hope that no trifling consideration +will be allowed to prevent my having the honour of being Mr. Colman's +publisher. You see, sir, that I am endeavouring to interest your +feelings, both as a Poet and as a Man." + +Mr. Colman replied in a pleasant letter, thanking Mr. Murray for his +liberal offer. The copyright, however, had been sold to the proprietor +of the theatre, and Mr. Murray was disappointed in this, his first +independent venture in business. + +The times were very bad. Money was difficult to be had on any terms, and +Mr. Murray had a hard task to call in the money due to Murray & Highley, +as well as to collect the sums due to himself. + +Mr. Joseph Hume, not yet the scrupulous financier which he grew to be, +among others, was not very prompt in settling his accounts; and Mr. +Murray wrote to him, on July 11, 1804: + +"On the other side is a list of books (amount £92 8s. 6d.), containing +all those for which you did me the favour to write: and I trust that +they will reach you safely.... If in future you could so arrange that my +account should be paid by some house in town within six months after the +goods are shipped, I shall be perfectly satisfied, and shall execute +your orders with much more despatch and pleasure. I mention this, not +from any apprehension of not being paid, but because my circumstances +will not permit me to give so large an extent of credit. It affords me +great pleasure to hear of your advancement; and I trust that your health +will enable you to enjoy all the success to which your talents entitle +you." + +He was, for the same reason, under the necessity of declining to publish +several new works offered to him, especially those dealing with medical +and poetical subjects. + +Mr. Archibald Constable of Edinburgh, and Messrs. Bell & Bradfute, Mr. +Murray's agents in Edinburgh, were also communicated with as to the +settlement of their accounts with Murray & Highley. "I expected," he +said, "to have been able to pay my respects to you both this summer +[1803], but my _military duties_, and the serious aspect of the times, +oblige me to remain at home." It was the time of a patriotic volunteer +movement, and Mr. Murray was enrolled as an ensign in the 3rd Regiment +of Royal London Volunteers. + +It cannot now be ascertained what was the origin of the acquaintance +between the D'Israeli and Murray families, but it was of old standing. +The first John Murray published the first volumes of Isaac D'Israeli's +"Curiosities of Literature" (1791), and though no correspondence between +them has been preserved, we find frequent mention of the founder of the +house in Isaac D'Israeli's letters to John Murray the Second. His +experiences are held up for his son's guidance, as for example, when +Isaac, urging the young publisher to support some petition to the East +India Company, writes, "It was a ground your father trod, and I suppose +that connection cannot do you any harm"; or again, when dissuading him +from undertaking some work submitted to him, "You can mention to Mr. +Harley the fate of Professor Musaeus' 'Popular Tales,' which never sold, +and how much your father was disappointed." On another occasion we find +D'Israeli, in 1809, inviting his publisher to pay a visit to a yet older +generation, "to my father, who will be very glad to see you at Margate." + +Besides the "Curiosities of Literature," and "Flim-Flams," the last a +volume not mentioned by Lord Beaconsfield in the "Life" of his father +prefixed to the 1865 edition of the "Curiosities of Literature," Mr. +D'Israeli published through Murray, in 1803, a small volume of +"Narrative Poems" in 4to. They consisted of "An Ode to his Favourite +Critic"; "The Carder and the Currier, a Story of Amorous Florence"; +"Cominge, a Story of La Trappe"; and "A Tale addressed to a Sybarite." +The verses in these poems run smoothly, but they contain no wit, no +poetry, nor even any story. They were never reprinted. + +The following letter is of especial interest, as fixing the date of an +event which has given rise to much discussion--the birth of Benjamin +Disraeli. + +_Mr. Isaac D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +_December_ 22, 1804. [Footnote: Mr. D'Israeli was living at this time in +King's Road (now 1, John Street), Bedford Row, in a corner house +overlooking Gray's Inn Gardens.] + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Mrs. D'Israeli will receive particular gratification from the +interesting note you have sent us on the birth of our boy--when she +shall have read it. In the meanwhile accept my thanks, and my best +compliments to your sister. The mother and infant are both doing well. + +Ever yours. + +I. D'I. + +Some extracts from their correspondence will afford an insight into the +nature of the friendship and business relations which existed between +Isaac D'Israeli and his young publisher as well as into the characters +of the two men themselves. + +From a letter dated Brighton, August 5, 1805, from Mr. D'Israeli to John +Murray: + +"Your letter is one of the repeated specimens I have seen of your happy +art of giving interest even to commonplace correspondence, and I, who am +so feelingly alive to the 'pains and penalties' of postage, must +acknowledge that such letters, ten times repeated, would please me as +often. + +We should have been very happy to see you here, provided it occasioned +no intermission in your more serious occupations, and could have added +to your amusements. + +With respect to the projected 'Institute,' [Footnote: This was a work at +one time projected by Mr. Murray, but other more pressing literary +arrangements prevented the scheme being carried into effect.] if that +title be English--doubtless the times are highly favourable to patronize +a work skilfully executed, whose periodical pages would be at once +useful information, and delightful for elegant composition, embellished +by plates, such as have never yet been given, both for their subjects +and their execution. Literature is a perpetual source opened to us; but +the Fine Arts present an unploughed field, and an originality of +character ... But Money, Money must not be spared in respect to rich, +beautiful, and interesting Engravings. On this I have something to +communicate. Encourage Dagley, [Footnote: The engraver of the +frontispiece of "Flim-Flams."] whose busts of Seneca and Scarron are +pleasingly executed; but you will also want artists of name. I have a +friend, extremely attached to literature and the fine arts, a gentleman +of opulent fortune; by what passed with him in conversation, I have +reason to believe that he would be ready to assist by money to a +considerable extent. Would that suit you? How would you arrange with +him? Would you like to divide your work in _Shares_? He is an intimate +friend of West's, and himself too an ingenious writer. + +How came you to advertise 'Domestic Anecdotes'? Kearsley printed 1,250 +copies. I desire that no notice of the authors of that work may be known +from _your_ side. + + * * * * * + +At this moment I receive your packet of poems, and Shee's letter. I +perceive that he is impressed by your attentions and your ability. It +will always afford me one of my best pleasures to forward your views; I +claim no merit from this, but my discernment in discovering your +talents, which, under the genius of Prudence (the best of all Genii for +human affairs), must inevitably reach the goal. The literary productions +of I.D['Israeli] and others may not augment the profits o£ your trade in +any considerable degree; but to get the talents of such writers at your +command is a prime object, and others will follow. + +I had various conversations with Phillips [Footnote: Sir Richard +Phillips, bookseller. This is the publisher whose book on philosophy +George Borrow was set to translate into German, and who recommended him +to produce something in the style of "The Dairyman's Daughter"!] here; +he is equally active, but more _wise_. He owns his _belles-lettres_ +books have given no great profits; in my opinion he must have lost even +by some. But he makes a fortune by juvenile and useful compilations. You +know I always told you he wanted _literary taste_--like an atheist, who +is usually a disappointed man, he thinks all _belles lettres_ are +nonsense, and denies the existence of _taste_; but it exists! and I +flatter myself you will profit under that divinity. I have much to say +on this subject and on him when we meet. + +At length I have got through your poetry: it has been a weary task! The +writer has a good deal of fire, but it is rarely a very bright flame. +Here and there we see it just blaze, and then sink into mediocrity. He +is too redundant and tiresome.... 'Tis a great disadvantage to read them +in MS., as one cannot readily turn to passages; but life is too short to +be peeping into other peoples' MSS. _I prefer your prose to your verse_. +Let me know if you receive it safely, and pray give no notion to any one +that I have seen the MS." + + +_Mr. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +"It is a most disagreeable office to give opinions on MSS.; one reads +them at a moment when one has other things in one's head--then one is +obliged to fatigue the brain with _thinking_; but if I can occasionally +hinder you from publishing nugatory works, I do not grudge the pains. At +the same time I surely need not add, how very _confidential_ such +communications ought to be." + + +_Mr. I. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +I am delighted by your apology for not having called on me after I had +taken my leave of you the day before; but you can make an unnecessary +apology as agreeable as any other act of kindness.... + +You are sanguine in your hope of a good sale of "Curiosities," it will +afford us a mutual gratification; but when you consider it is not a new +work, though considerably improved I confess, and that those kinds of +works cannot boast of so much novelty as they did about ten years ago, I +am somewhat more moderate in my hopes. + +What you tell me of F.F. from Symond's, is _new_ to me. I sometimes +throw out in the shop _remote hints_ about the sale of books, all the +while meaning only _mine_; but they have no skill in construing the +timid wishes of a modest author; they are not aware of his suppressed +sighs, nor see the blushes of hope and fear tingling his cheek; they are +provokingly silent, and petrify the imagination.... + +Believe me, with the truest regard, + +Yours ever, + +I. D'ISRAELI. + +_Mr. D'Israeli to John Murray_. _Saturday, May_ 31, 1806. KING'S ROAD. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +It is my wish to see you for five minutes this day, but as you must be +much engaged, and I am likely to be prevented reaching you this morning, +I shall only trouble you with a line. + +Most warmly I must impress on your mind the _necessity_ of taking the +advice of a physician. Who? You know many. We have heard extraordinary +accounts of Dr. Baillie, and that (what is more extraordinary) he is not +mercenary.... + +I have written this to impress on your mind this point. Seeing you as we +see you, and your friend at a fault, how to decide, and you without some +relative or domestic friend about you, gives Mrs. D'I. and myself very +serious concerns--for you know we do take the warmest interest in your +welfare--and your talents and industry want nothing but health to make +you yet what it has always been one of my most gratifying hopes to +conceive of you. + +Yours very affectionately, + +I. D'ISRAELI. + +A circumstance, not without influence on Murray's future, occurred about +this time with respect to the "Miniature," a volume of comparatively +small importance, consisting of essays written by boys at Eton, and +originally published at Windsor by Charles Knight. Through Dr. Kennell, +Master of the Temple, his friend and neighbour, who lived close at hand, +Murray became acquainted with the younger Kennell, Mr. Stratford +Canning, Gally Knight, the two sons of the Marquis Wellesley, and other +young Etonians, who had originated and conducted this School magazine. +Thirty-four numbers appeared in the course of a year, and were then +brought out in a volume by Mr. Knight at the expense of the authors. The +transaction had involved them in debt. "Whatever chance of success our +hopes may dictate," wrote Stratford Canning, "yet our apprehensions +teach us to tremble at the possibility of additional expenses," and the +sheets lay unsold on the bookseller's hands. Mr. Murray, who was +consulted about the matter, said to Dr. Rennell, "Tell them to send the +unsold sheets to me, and I will pay the debt due to the printer." The +whole of the unsold sheets were sent by the "Windsor Waggon" to Mr. +Murray's at Fleet Street. He made waste-paper of the whole bundle--there +were 6,376 numbers in all,--brought out a new edition of 750 copies, +printed in good type, and neatly bound, and announced to Stratford +Canning that he did this at his own cost and risk, and would make over +to the above Etonians half the profits of the work. The young authors +were highly pleased by this arrangement, and Stratford Canning wrote to +Murray (October 20, 1805): "We cannot sufficiently thank you for your +kind attention to our concerns, and only hope that the success of the +_embryo_ edition may be equal to your care." How great was the +importance of the venture in his eyes may be judged from the naïve +allusion with which he proceeds: "It will be a week or two before we +commit it to the press, for amidst our other occupations the business of +the school must not be neglected, and that by itself is no trivial +employment." + +By means of this transaction Murray had the sagacity to anticipate an +opportunity of making friends of Canning and Frere, who were never tired +of eulogizing the spirit and enterprise of the young Fleet Street +publisher. Stratford Canning introduced him to his cousin George, the +great minister, whose friendship and support had a very considerable +influence in promoting and establishing his future prosperity. It is +scarcely necessary to add that the new edition of the "Miniature" +speedily became waste paper. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +MURRAY AND CONSTABLE--HUNTER AND THE FORFARSHIRE LAIRDS--MARRIAGE OF +JOHN MURRAY + +The most important publishing firm with which Mr. Murray was connected +at the outset of his career was that of Archibald Constable & Co., of +Edinburgh. This connection had a considerable influence upon Murray's +future fortunes. + +Constable, who was about four years older than Murray, was a man of +great ability, full of spirit and enterprise. He was by nature generous, +liberal, and far-seeing. The high prices which he gave for the best kind +of literary work drew the best authors round him, and he raised the +publishing trade of Scotland to a height that it had never before +reached, and made Edinburgh a great centre of learning and literature. + +In 1800 he commenced the _Farmer's Magazine_, and in the following year +acquired the property of the _Scots Magazine,_ a venerable repertory of +literary, historical, and antiquarian matter; but it was not until the +establishment of the _Edinburgh Review_, in October 1802, that +Constable's name became a power in the publishing world. + +In the year following the first issue of the _Review_, Constable took +into partnership Alexander Gibson Hunter, eldest son of David Hunter, of +Blackness, a Forfarshire laird. The new partner brought a considerable +amount of capital into the firm, at a time when capital was greatly +needed in that growing concern. His duties were to take charge of the +ledger and account department, though he never took much interest in his +work, but preferred to call in the help of a clever arithmetical clerk. + +It is unnecessary to speak of the foundation of the _Edinburgh Review_. +It appeared at the right time, and was mainly supported by the talents +of Jeffrey, Brougham, Sydney Smith, Francis Horner, Dr. Thomas Brown, +Lord Murray, and other distinguished writers. The first number +immediately attracted public attention. Mr. Joseph Mawman was the London +agent, but some dissatisfaction having arisen with respect to his +management, the London sale was transferred to the Messrs. Longman, with +one half share in the property of the work. + +During the partnership of Murray and Highley, they had occasional +business transactions with Constable of Edinburgh. Shortly after the +partnership was dissolved in March 1803, Murray wrote as follows to Mr. +Constable: + +_April_ 25, 1803. + +"I have several works in the press which I should be willing to consign +to your management in Edinburgh, but that I presume you have already +sufficient business upon your hands, and that you would not find mine +worth attending to. If so, I wish that you would tell me of some +vigorous young bookseller, like myself, just starting into business, +upon whose probity, punctuality, and exertion you think I might rely, +and I would instantly open a correspondence with him; and in return it +will give me much pleasure to do any civil office for you in London. I +should be happy if any arrangement could be made wherein we might prove +of reciprocal advantage; and were you from your superabundance to pick +me out any work of merit of which you would either make me the publisher +in London, or in which you would allow me to become a partner, I dare +say the occasion would arise wherein I could return the compliment, and +you would have the satisfaction of knowing that your book was in the +hands of one who has not yet so much business as to cause him to neglect +any part of it." + +Mr. Constable's answer was favourable. In October 1804 Mr. Murray, at +the instance of Constable, took as his apprentice Charles Hunter, the +younger brother of A. Gibson Hunter, Constable's partner. The +apprenticeship was to be for four or seven years, at the option of +Charles Hunter. These negotiations between the firms, and their +increasing interchange of books, showed that they were gradually drawing +nearer to each other, until their correspondence became quite friendly +and even intimate. Walter Scott was now making his appearance as an +author; Constable had published his "Sir Tristram" in May 1804, and his +"Lay of the Last Minstrel" in January 1805. Large numbers of these works +were forwarded to London and sold by Mr. Murray. + +At the end of 1805 differences arose between the Constable and Longman +firms as to the periodical works in which they were interested. The +editor and proprietors of the _Edinburgh Review_ were of opinion that +the interest of the Longmans in two other works of a similar +character--the _Annual Review_ and the _Eclectic_--tended to lessen +their exertions on behalf of the _Edinburgh_. It was a matter that might +easily have been arranged; but the correspondents were men of hot +tempers, and with pens in their hands, they sent stinging letters from +London to Edinburgh, and from Edinburgh to London. Rees, Longman's +partner, was as bitter in words on the one side as Hunter, Constable's +partner, was on the other. At length a deadly breach took place, and it +was resolved in Edinburgh that the publication of the _Edinburgh Review_ +should be transferred to John Murray, Fleet Street. Alexander Gibson +Hunter, Constable's partner, wrote to Mr. Murray to tell of the rupture +and to propose a closer alliance with him. + +Mr. Murray replied: + +_John Murray to Mr. A.G. Hunter. + +December 7, 1805_. + +"With regard to the important communication of your last letter, I +confess the surprise with which I read it was not without some mixture +of regret. The extensive connections betwixt your house and Longman's +cannot be severed at once without mutual inconvenience, and perhaps +mutual disadvantages, your share of which a more protracted +dismemberment might have prevented. From what I had occasion to observe, +I did not conceive that your concerns together would ever again move +with a cordiality that would render them lasting; but still, I imagined +that mutual interest and forbearance would allow them to subside into +that indifference which, without animosity or mischief, would leave +either party at liberty to enter upon such new arrangements as offered +to their separate advantage. I do not, however, doubt but that all +things have been properly considered, and perhaps finally settled for +the best; but Time, the only arbitrator in these cases, must decide. + +"In your proposed engagements with Mr. Davies, you will become better +acquainted with a man of great natural talents, and thoroughly versed in +business, which he regulates by the most honourable principles. As for +myself, you will find me exceedingly assiduous in promoting your views, +into which I shall enter with feelings higher than those of mere +interest. Indeed, linked as our houses are at present, we have a natural +tendency to mutual good understanding, which will both prevent and +soften those asperities in business which might otherwise enlarge into +disagreement. Country orders [referring to Constable & Co.'s 'general +order'] are a branch of business which I have ever totally declined as +incompatible with my more serious plans as a publisher. But _your_ +commissions I shall undertake with pleasure, and the punctuality with +which I have attempted to execute _your first order_ you will, I hope, +consider as a specimen of my disposition to give you satisfaction in +every transaction in which we may hereafter be mutually engaged." + +It was a great chance for a young man entering life with a moderate +amount of capital, to be virtually offered an intimate connection with +one of the principal publishing houses of the day. It was one of those +chances which, "taken at the flood, lead on to fortune," but there was +also the question of honour, and Mr. Murray, notwithstanding his desire +for opening out a splendid new connection in business, would do nothing +inconsistent with the strictest honour. He was most unwilling to thrust +himself in between Constable and Longman. Instead, therefore, of jumping +at Constable's advantageous offer, his feelings induced him to promote a +reconciliation between the parties; and he continued to enjoin +forbearance on the part of both firms, so that they might carry on their +business transactions as before. Copies of the correspondence between +Constable and the Longmans were submitted to referees (Murray and +Davies), and the following was Mr. Murray's reply, addressed to Messrs. +Constable & Co.: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Constable & Co_. + +_December_ 14, 1805. + +GENTLEMEN, + +Mr. Hunter's obliging letter to me arrived this morning. That which he +enclosed with yours to his brother last night, Charles gave me to read. +The contents were very flattering. Indeed, I cannot but agree with Mr. +H. that his brother has displayed very honourable feelings, upon hearing +of the probable separation of your house, and that of Messrs. Longman & +Co. Mr. Longman was the first who mentioned this to him, and indeed from +the manner in which Charles related his conversation upon the affair, I +could not but feel renewed sensations of regret at the unpleasant +termination of a correspondence, which, had it been conducted upon Mr. +Longman's own feelings, would have borne, I think, a very different +aspect. Longman spoke of you both with kindness, and mildly complained +that he had perceived a want of confidence on your part, ever since his +junction with Messrs. Hurst & Orme. He confessed that the correspondence +was too harsh for him to support any longer; but, he added, "_if we must +part, let us part like friends_." I am certain, from what Charles +reported to me, that Mr. L. and I think Mr. R. [Rees] are hurt by this +sudden disunion. + +Recollect how serious every dispute becomes upon paper, when a man +writes a thousand asperities merely to show or support his superior +ability. Things that would not have been spoken, or perhaps even thought +of in conversation, are stated and horribly magnified _upon paper_. +Consider how many disputes have arisen in the world, in which both +parties were so violent in what they believed to be the support of +truth, and which to the public, and indeed to themselves a few years +afterwards, appeared unwise, because the occasion or cause of it was not +worth contending about. Consider that you are, all of you, men who can +depend upon each other's probity and honour, and where these essentials +are not wanting, surely in mere matters of business the rest may be +palliated by mutual bearance and forbearance. Besides, you are so +connected by various publications, your common property, and some of +them such as will remain so until the termination of your lives, that +you cannot effect an entire disunion, and must therefore be subject to +eternal vexations and regrets which will embitter every transaction and +settlement between you. + +You know, moreover, that it is one of the misfortunes of our nature, +that disputes are always the most bitter in proportion to former +intimacy. And how much dissatisfaction will it occasion if either of you +are desirous in a year or two of renewing that intimacy which you are +now so anxious to dissolve--to say nothing of your relative utility to +each other--a circumstance which is never properly estimated, except +when the want of the means reminds us of what we have been at such pains +to deprive ourselves. Pause, my dear sirs, whilst to choose be yet in +your power; show yourselves superior to common prejudice, and by an +immediate exercise of your acknowledged pre-eminence of intellect, +suffer arrangements to be made for an accommodation and for a renewal of +that connexion which has heretofore been productive of honour and +profit. I am sure I have to apologize for having ventured to say so much +to men so much my superiors in sense and knowledge of the world and +their own interest; but sometimes the meanest bystander may perceive +disadvantages in the movements of the most skilful players. + +You will not, I am sure, attribute anything which I have said to an +insensibility to the immediate advantages which will arise to myself +from a determination opposite to that which I have taken the liberty of +suggesting. It arises from a very different feeling. I should be very +little worthy of your great confidence and attention to my interest upon +this occasion, if I did not state freely the result of my humble +consideration of this matter; and having done so, I do assure you that +if the arrangements which you now propose are carried into effect, I +will apply the most arduous attention to your interest, to which I will +turn the channel of my own thoughts and business, which, I am proud to +say, is rising in proportion to the industry and honourable principles +which have been used in its establishment. I am every day adding to a +most respectable circle of literary connexions, and I hope, a few months +after the settlement of your present affairs, to offer shares to you of +works in which you will feel it advantageous to engage. Besides, as I +have at present no particular bias, no enormous works of my own which +would need all my care, I am better qualified to attend to any that you +may commit to my charge; and, being young, my business may be formed +with a disposition, as it were, towards yours; and thus growing up with +it, we are more likely to form a durable connexion than can be expected +with persons whose views are imperceptibly but incessantly diverging +from each other. + +Should you be determined--_irrevocably_ determined (but consider!) upon +the disunion with Messrs. Longman, I will just observe that when persons +have been intimate, they have discovered each other's vulnerable points; +it therefore shows no great talent to direct at them shafts of +resentment. It is easy both to write and to say ill-natured, harsh, and +cutting things of each other. But remember that this power is _mutual_, +and in proportion to the poignancy of the wound which you would inflict +will be your own feelings when it is returned. It is therefore a maxim +which I laid down soon after a separation which I _had_, never to say or +do to my late colleague what he could say or do against me in return. I +knew that I had the personal superiority, but what his own ingenuity +could not suggest, others could write for him. + +I must apologise again for having been so tedious, but I am sure that +the same friendliness on your part which has produced these hasty but +well-meant expostulations will excuse them. After this, I trust it is +unnecessary for me to state with how much sincerity, + +I am, dear sirs, + +Your faithful friend, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Ten days after this letter was written, Mr. Murray sent a copy of it to +Messrs. Longman & Co., and wrote: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Longman & Co_, + +_December_ 24, 1805. + +GENTLEMEN, + +The enclosed letter will show that I am not ignorant that a +misunderstanding prevails betwixt your house and that of Messrs. +Constable & Co. With the cause, however, I am as yet unacquainted; +though I have attempted, but in vain, to obviate a disunion which I most +sincerely regret. Whatever arrangements with regard to myself may take +place in consequence will have arisen from circumstances which it was +not in my power to prevent; and they will not therefore be suffered to +interfere in any way with those friendly dispositions which will +continue, I trust, to obtain between you and, gentlemen, + +Your obedient servant, + +J. MURRAY. + +But the split was not to be avoided. It appears, however, that by the +contract entered into by Constable with Longmans in 1803, the latter had +acquired a legal right precluding the publication of the _Edinburgh +Review_ by another publisher without their express assent. Such assent +was not given, and the London publication of the _Edinburgh_ continued +in Longman's hands for a time; but all the other works of Constable were +at once transferred to Mr. Murray. + +Mr. Constable invited Murray to come to Edinburgh to renew their +personal friendship, the foundations of which had been laid during Mr. +Murray's visit to Edinburgh in the previous year; and now that their +union was likely to be much closer, he desired to repeat the visit. Mr. +Murray had another, and, so far as regarded his personal happiness, a +much more important object in view. This arose out of the affection +which he had begun to entertain for Miss Elliot, daughter of the late +Charles Elliot, publisher, with whom Mr. Murray's father had been in +such constant correspondence. The affection was mutual, and it seemed +probable that the attachment would ripen into a marriage. + +Now that his reputation as a publisher was becoming established, Mr. +Murray grew more particular as to the guise of the books which he +issued. He employed the best makers of paper, the best printers, and the +best book-binders. He attended to the size and tone of the paper, and +quality of the type, the accuracy of the printing, and the excellence of +the illustrations. All this involved a great deal of correspondence. We +find his letters to the heads of departments full of details as to the +turn-out of his books. Everything, from the beginning to the end of the +issue of a work--the first inspection of the MS., the consultation with +confidential friends as to its fitness for publication, the form in +which it was to appear, the correction of the proofs, the binding, +title, and final advertisement--engaged his closest attention. Besides +the elegant appearance of his books, he also aimed at raising the +standard of the literature which he published. He had to criticize as +well as to select; to make suggestions as to improvements where the +manuscript was regarded with favour, and finally to launch the book at +the right time and under the best possible auspices. It might almost be +said of the publisher, as it is of the poet, that he is born, not made. +And Mr. Murray appears, from the beginning to the end of his career, to +have been a born publisher. + +In August 1806, during the slack season in London, Mr. Murray made his +promised visit to Edinburgh. He was warmly received by Constable and +Hunter, and enjoyed their hospitality for some days. After business +matters had been disposed of, he was taken in hand by Hunter, the junior +partner, and led off by him to enjoy the perilous hospitality of the +Forfarshire lairds. + +Those have been called the days of heroic drinking. Intemperance +prevailed to an enormous extent. It was a time of greater +licentiousness, perhaps, in all the capitals of Europe, and this +northern one among the rest, than had been known for a long period. Men +of the best education and social position drank like the Scandinavian +barbarians of olden times. Tavern-drinking, now almost unknown among the +educated and professional classes of Edinburgh, was then carried by all +ranks to a dreadful excess. + +Murray was conducted by Hunter to his father's house of Eskmount in +Forfarshire, where he was most cordially received, and in accordance +with the custom of the times the hospitality included invitations to +drinking bouts at the neighbouring houses. + +An unenviable notoriety in this respect attached to William Maule +(created Baron Panmure 1831). He was the second son of the eighth Earl +of Dalhousie, but on succeeding, through his grandmother, to the estates +of the Earls of Panmure, he had assumed the name of Maule in lieu of +that of Ramsay. + +Much against his will, Murray was compelled to take part in some of +these riotous festivities with the rollicking, hard-drinking Forfarshire +lairds, and doubtless he was not sorry to make his escape at length +uninjured, if not unscathed, and to return to more congenial society in +Edinburgh. His attachment to Miss Elliot ended in an engagement. + +In the course of his correspondence with Miss Elliot's trustees, Mr. +Murray gave a statement of his actual financial position at the time: + +"When I say," he wrote, "that my capital in business amounts to five +thousand pounds, I meant it to be understood that if I quitted business +to-morrow, the whole of my property being sold, even disadvantageously, +it would leave a balance in my favour, free from debt or any +incumbrance, of the sum above specified. But you will observe that, +continuing it as I shall do in business, I know it to be far more +considerable and productive. I will hope that it has not been thought +uncandid in me if I did not earlier specify the amount of my +circumstances, for I considered that I had done this in the most +delicate and satisfactory way when I took the liberty of referring you +to Mr. Constable to whom I consequently disclosed my affairs, and whose +knowledge of my connexions in business might I thought have operated +more pleasingly to Miss Elliot's friends than any communication from +myself." + +The correspondence with Miss Elliot went on, and at length it was +arranged that Mr. Murray should proceed to Edinburgh for the marriage. +He went by mail in the month of February. A tremendous snowstorm set in +on his journey north. From a village near Doncaster he wrote to +Constable: "The horses were twice blown quite round, unable to face the +horrid blast of cold wind, the like of which I have never known before. +There was at the same time a terrible fall of snow, which completely +obscured everything that could be seen from the coach window. The snow +became of great depth, and six strong horses could scarcely pull us +through. We are four hours behind time." From Doncaster he went to +Durham in a postchaise; and pushing onward, he at last reached Edinburgh +after six days' stormy travelling. + +While at Edinburgh, Mr. Murray resided with Mr. Sands, one of the late +Charles Elliot's trustees. The marriage took place on March 6, 1807, and +the newly married pair at once started for Kelso, in spite of the roads +being still very bad, and obstructed by snow. Near Blackshields the +horses fell down and rolled over and over. The postboy's leg was broken, +and the carriage was sadly damaged. A neighbouring blacksmith was called +to the rescue, and after an hour and a half the carriage was +sufficiently repaired to be able to proceed. A fresh pair of horses was +obtained at the next stage, and the married couple reached Kelso in +safety. They remained there a few days, waiting for Mrs. Elliot, who +was to follow them; and on her arrival, they set out at once for the +south. + +The intimacy which existed between Mr. Murray and Mr. D'Israeli will be +observed from the fact that the latter was selected as one of the +marriage trustees. A few days after the arrival of the married pair in +London, they were invited to dine with Mr. D'Israeli and his friends. +Mr. Alexander Hunter, whom Mr. Murray had invited to stay with him +during his visit to London, thus describes the event: + +"Dressed, and went along with the Clan Murray to dine at Mr. +D'Israeli's, where we had a most sumptuous banquet, and a very large +party, in honour of the newly married folks. There was a very beautiful +woman there, Mrs. Turner, wife of Sharon Turner, the Anglo-Saxon +historian, who, I am told, was one of the Godwin school! If they be all +as beautiful, accomplished, and agreeable as this lady, they must be a +deuced dangerous set indeed, and I should not choose to trust myself +amongst them. + +"Our male part of the company consisted mostly of literary +men--Cumberland, Turner, D'Israeli, Basevi, Prince Hoare, and Cervetto, +the truly celebrated violoncello player. Turner was the most able and +agreeable of the whole by far; Cumberland, the most talkative and +eccentric perhaps, has a good sprinkling of learning and humour in his +conversation and anecdote, from having lived so long amongst the eminent +men of his day, such as Johnson, Foote, Garrick, and such like. But his +conversation is sadly disgusting, from his tone of irony and detraction +conveyed in a cunning sort of way and directed constantly against the +_Edinburgh Review_, Walter Scott (who is a 'poor ignorant boy, and no +poet,' and never wrote a five-feet line in his life), and such other +d----d stuff." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +"MARMION"--CONSTABLES AND BALLANTYNES--THE "EDINBURGH REVIEW" + + +Mr. Murray was twenty-nine years old at the time of his marriage. That +he was full of contentment as well as hope at this time may be inferred +from his letter to Constable three weeks after his marriage: + +_John Murray to Mr. Constable_. + +_March 27, 1807_. + +"I declare to you that I am every day more content with my lot. Neither +my wife nor I have any disposition for company or going out; and you may +rest assured that I shall devote all my attention to business, and that +your concerns will not be less the object of my regard merely because +you have raised mine so high. Every moment, my dear Constable, I feel +more grateful to you, and I trust that you will over find me your +faithful friend.--J.M." + +Some of the most important events in Murray's career occurred during the +first year of his married life. Chief among them may perhaps be +mentioned his part share in the publication of "Marmion" (in February +1808)--which brought him into intimate connection with Walter Scott--and +his appointment for a time as publisher in London of the _Edinburgh +Review_; for he was thus brought into direct personal contact with those +forces which ultimately led to the chief literary enterprise of his +life--the publication of the _Quarterly Review_. + +Mr. Scott called upon Mr. Murray in London shortly after the return of +the latter from his marriage in Edinburgh. + +"Mr. Scott called upon me on Tuesday, and we conversed for an hour.... +He appears very anxious that 'Marmion' should be published by the +King's birthday.... He said he wished it to be ready by that time for +very particular reasons; and yet he allows that the poem is not +completed, and that he is yet undetermined if he shall make his hero +happy or otherwise." + +The other important event, to which allusion has been made, was the +transfer to Mr. Murray of part of the London agency for the _Edinburgh +Review_. At the beginning of 1806 Murray sold 1,000 copies of the +_Review_ on the day of its publication, and the circulation was steadily +increasing. Constable proposed to transfer the entire London publication +to Murray, but the Longmans protested, under the terms of their existing +agreement. In April 1807 they employed as their attorney Mr. Sharon +Turner, one of Murray's staunchest allies. Turner informed him, through +a common friend, of his having been retained by the Longmans; but Murray +said he could not in any way "feel hurt at so proper and indispensable a +pursuit of his profession." The opinion of counsel was in favour of the +Messrs. Longman's contention, and of their "undisputable rights to +one-half of the _Edinburgh Review_ so long as it continues to be +published under that title." + +Longman & Co. accordingly obtained an injunction to prevent the +publication of the _Edinburgh Review_ by any other publisher in London +without their express consent. + +Matters were brought to a crisis by the following letter, written by the +editor, Mr. Francis Jeffrey, to Messrs. Constable & Co.: + +_June 1_, 1807. + +GENTLEMEN, + +I believe you understand already that neither I nor any of the original +and regular writers in the _Review_ will ever contribute a syllable to a +work belonging to booksellers. It is proper, however, to announce this +to you distinctly, that you may have no fear of hardship or +disappointment in the event of Mr. Longman succeeding in his claim to +the property of this work. If that claim be not speedily rejected or +abandoned, it is our fixed resolution to withdraw entirely from the +_Edinburgh Review_; to publish to all the world that the conductor and +writers of the former numbers have no sort of connection with those that +may afterwards appear; and probably to give notice of our intention to +establish a new work of a similar nature under a different title. + +I have the honour to be, gentlemen, + +Your very obedient servant, + +F. JEFFREY. + +A copy of this letter was at once forwarded to Messrs. Longman. +Constable, in his communication accompanying it, assured the publishers +that, in the event of the editor and contributors to the _Edinburgh +Review_ withdrawing from the publication and establishing a new +periodical, the existing _Review_ would soon be of no value either to +proprietors or publishers, and requested to be informed whether they +would not be disposed to transfer their interest in the property, and, +if so, on what considerations. Constable added: "We are apprehensive +that the editors will not postpone for many days longer that public +notification of their secession, which we cannot help anticipating as +the death-blow of the publication." + +Jeffrey's decision seems to have settled the matter. Messrs. Longman +agreed to accept £1,000 for their claim of property in the title and +future publication of the _Edinburgh Review_. The injunction was +removed, and the London publication of the _Review_ was forthwith +transferred to John Murray, 32, Fleet Street, under whose auspices No. +22 accordingly appeared. + +Thus far all had gone on smoothly. But a little cloud, at first no +bigger than a man's hand, made its appearance, and it grew and grew +until it threw a dark shadow over the friendship of Constable and +Murray, and eventually led to their complete separation. This was the +system of persistent drawing of accommodation bills, renewals of bills, +and promissory notes. Constable began to draw heavily upon Murray in +April 1807, and the promissory notes went on accumulating until they +constituted a mighty mass of paper money. Murray's banker cautioned him +against the practice. But repeated expostulation was of no use against +the impetuous needs of Constable & Co. Only two months after the +transfer of the publication of the _Review_ to Mr. Murray, we find him +writing to "Dear Constable" as follows: + +_John Murray to Mr. Archd. Constable_. + +_October 1, 1807_. + +"I should not have allowed myself time to write to you to-day, were not +the occasion very urgent. Your people have so often of late omitted to +give you timely notice of the day when my acceptances fell due, that I +have suffered an inconvenience too great for me to have expressed to +you, had it not occurred so often that it is impossible for me to +undergo the anxiety which it occasions. A bill of yours for £200 was due +yesterday, and I have been obliged to supply the means for paying it, +without any notice for preparation.... I beg of you to insist upon this +being regulated, as I am sure you must desire it to be, so that I may +receive the cash for your bills two days at least before they are due." + +Mr. Murray then gives a list of debts of his own (including some of +Constable's) amounting to £1,073, which he has to pay in the following +week. From a cash account made out by Mr. Murray on October 3, it +appears that the bill transactions with Constable had become enormous; +they amounted to not less than £10,000. + +The correspondence continued in the same strain, and it soon became +evident that this state of things could not be allowed to continue. +Reconciliations took place from time to time, but interruptions again +occurred, mostly arising from the same source--a perpetual flood of +bills and promissory notes, from one side and the other--until Murray +found it necessary to put an end to it peremptorily. Towards the end of +1808 Messrs. Constable established at No. 10 Ludgate Street a London +house for the sale of the _Edinburgh Review_, and the other works in +which they were concerned, under the title of Constable, Hunter, Park & +Hunter. This, doubtless, tended to widen the breach between Constable +and Murray, though it left the latter free to enter into arrangements +for establishing a Review of his own, an object which he had already +contemplated. + +There were many books in which the two houses had a joint interest, and, +therefore, their relations could not be altogether discontinued. +"Marmion" was coming out in successive editions; but the correspondence +between the publishers grew cooler and cooler, and Constable had +constant need to delay payments and renew bills. + +Mr. Murray had also considerable bill transactions with Ballantyne & Co. +of Edinburgh. James and John Ballantyne had been schoolfellows of Walter +Scott at Kelso, and the acquaintance there formed was afterwards +renewed. James Ballantyne established the _Kelso Mail_ in 1796, but at +the recommendation of Scott, for whom he had printed a collection of +ballads, he removed to Edinburgh in 1802. There he printed the "Border +Minstrelsy," for Scott, who assisted him with money. Ballantyne was in +frequent and intimate correspondence with Murray from the year 1806, and +had printed for him Hogg's "Ettrick Shepherd," and other works. + +It was at this time that Scott committed the great error of his life. +His professional income was about £1,000 a year, and with the profits of +his works he might have built Abbotsford and lived in comfort and +luxury. But in 1805 he sacrificed everything by entering into +partnership with James Ballantyne, and embarking in his printing concern +almost the whole of the capital which he possessed. He was bound to the +firm for twenty years, and during that time he produced his greatest +works. It is true that but for the difficulties in which he was latterly +immersed, we might never have known the noble courage with which he met +and rose superior to misfortune. + +In 1808 a scheme of great magnitude was under contemplation by Murray +and the Ballantynes. It was a uniform edition of the "British +Novelists," beginning with De Foe, and ending with the novelists at the +close of last century; with biographical prefaces and illustrative notes +by Walter Scott. A list of the novels, written in the hand of John +Murray, includes thirty-six British, besides eighteen foreign authors. +The collection could not have been completed in less than two hundred +volumes. The scheme, if it did not originate with Walter Scott, had at +least his cordial support. + +Mr. Murray not unreasonably feared the cost of carrying such an +undertaking to completion. It could not have amounted to less than +twenty thousand pounds. Yet the Ballantynes urged him on. They furnished +statements of the cost of printing and paper for each volume. "It really +strikes me," said James Ballantyne, "the more I think of and examine it, +to be the happiest speculation that has ever been thought of." + +This undertaking eventually fell through. Only the works of De Foe were +printed by the Messrs. Ballantyne, and published by Mr. Murray. The +attention of the latter became absorbed by a subject of much greater +importance to him--the establishment of the _Quarterly Review_. This for +a time threw most of his other schemes into the shade. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +ORIGIN OF THE "QUARTERLY REVIEW" + + +The publication of a Tory Review was not the result of a sudden +inspiration. The scheme had long been pondered over. Mr. Canning had +impressed upon Mr. Pitt the importance of securing the newspaper press, +then almost entirely Whiggish or Revolutionary, on the side of his +administration. To combat, in some measure, the democratic principles +then in full swing, Mr. Canning, with others, started, in November 1797, +the _Anti-Jacobin, or Weekly Examiner_. + +The _Anti-Jacobin_ ceased to be published in 1798, when Canning, having +been appointed Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, found his +time fully occupied by the business of his department, as well as by his +parliamentary duties, and could no longer take part in that clever +publication. + +Four years later, in October 1802, the first number of the _Edinburgh +Review_ was published. It appeared at the right time, and, as the first +quarterly organ of the higher criticism, evidently hit the mark at which +it aimed. It was conducted by some of the cleverest literary young men +in Edinburgh--Jeffrey, Brougham, Sydney Smith, Francis Horner, Dr. +Thomas Brown, and others. Though Walter Scott was not a founder of the +_Review_, he was a frequent contributor. + +In its early days the criticism was rude, and wanting in delicate +insight; for the most part too dictatorial, and often unfair. Thus +Jeffrey could never appreciate the merits of Wordsworth, Southey, and +Coleridge. "This will never do!" was the commencement of his review of +Wordsworth's noblest poem. Jeffrey boasted that he had "crushed the +'Excursion.'" "He might as well say," observed Southey, "that he could +crush Skiddaw." Ignorance also seems to have pervaded the article +written by Brougham, in the second number of the _Edinburgh_, on Dr. +Thomas Young's discovery of the true principles of interferences in the +undulatory theory of light. Sir John Herschell, a more competent +authority, said of Young's discovery, that it was sufficient of itself +to have placed its author in the highest rank of scientific immortality. + +The situation seemed to Mr. Murray to warrant the following letter: + +_John Murray to the Right Hon. George Canning_. + +_September 25, 1807._ + +Sir, + +I venture to address you upon a subject that is not, perhaps, +undeserving of one moment of your attention. There is a work entitled +the _Edinburgh Review_, written with such unquestionable talent that it +has already attained an extent of circulation not equalled by any +similar publication. The principles of this work are, however, so +radically bad that I have been led to consider the effect that such +sentiments, so generally diffused, are likely to produce, and to think +that some means equally popular ought to be adopted to counteract their +dangerous tendency. But the publication in question is conducted with so +much ability, and is sanctioned with such high and decisive authority by +the party of whose opinions it is the organ, that there is little hope +of producing against it any effectual opposition, unless it arise from +you, Sir, and your friends. Should you, Sir, think the idea worthy of +encouragement, I should, with equal pride and willingness, engage my +arduous exertions to promote its success; but as my object is nothing +short of producing a work of the greatest talent and importance, I shall +entertain it no longer if it be not so fortunate as to obtain the high +patronage which I have thus taken the liberty to solicit. + +Permit me, Sir, to add that the person who addresses you is no +adventurer, but a man of some property, and inheriting a business that +has been established for nearly a century. I therefore trust that my +application will be attributed to its proper motives, and that your +goodness will at least pardon its obtrusion. + +I have the honour to be, Sir, Your must humble and obedient Servant, + +John Murray. + +So far as can be ascertained, Mr. Canning did not answer this letter in +writing. But a communication was shortly after opened with him through +Mr. Stratford Canning, whose acquaintance Mr. Murray had made through +the publication of the "Miniature," referred to in a preceding chapter. +Mr. Canning was still acting as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, +and was necessarily cautious, but Mr. Stratford Canning, his cousin, was +not bound by any such official restraints. In January 1808 he introduced +Mr. Gifford to Mr. Murray, and the starting of the proposed new +periodical was the subject of many consultations between them. + +Walter Scott still continued to write for the _Edinburgh_, +notwithstanding the differences of opinion which existed between himself +and the editor as to political questions. He was rather proud of the +_Review_, inasmuch as it was an outgrowth of Scottish literature. Scott +even endeavoured to enlist new contributors, for the purpose of +strengthening the _Review_. He wrote to Robert Southey in 1807, inviting +him to contribute to the _Edinburgh_. The honorarium was to be ten +guineas per sheet of sixteen pages. This was a very tempting invitation +to Southey, as he was by no means rich at the time, and the pay was more +than he received for his contributions to the _Annual Register_, but he +replied to Scott as follows: + +_Mr. Southey to Mr. Scott_. + +_December, 1807_. + +"I have scarcely one opinion in common with it [the _Edinburgh Review_] +upon any subject.... Whatever of any merit I might insert there would +aid and abet opinions hostile to my own, and thus identify me with a +system which I thoroughly disapprove. This is not said hastily. The +emolument to be derived from writing at ten guineas a sheet, Scotch +measure, instead of seven pounds for the _Annual_, would be +considerable; the pecuniary advantage resulting from the different +manner in which my future works would be handled [by the _Review_] +probably still more so. But my moral feelings must not be compromised. +To Jeffrey as an individual I shall ever be ready to show every kind of +individual courtesy; but of Judge Jeffrey of the _Edinburgh Review_ I +must ever think and speak as of a bad politician, a worse moralist, and +a critic, in matters of taste, equally incompetent and unjust." +[Footnote: "The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey," iii. pp. +124-5.] Walter Scott, before long, was led to entertain the same opinion +of the _Edinburgh Review_ as Southey. A severe and unjust review of +"Marmion," by Jeffrey, appeared in 1808, accusing Scott of a mercenary +spirit in writing for money (though Jeffrey himself was writing for +money in the same article), and further irritating Scott by asserting +that he "had neglected Scottish feelings and Scottish characters." +"Constable," writes Scott to his brother Thomas, in November 1808, "or +rather that Bear, his partner [Mr. Hunter], has behaved by me of late +not very civilly, and I owe Jeffrey a flap with a foxtail on account of +his review of 'Marmion,' and thus doth the whirligig of time bring about +my revenges." + +Murray, too, was greatly annoyed by the review of "Marmion." "Scott," he +used to say, "may forgive but he can never forget this treatment"; and, +to quote the words of Mr. Lockhart: "When he read the article on +'Marmion,' and another on foreign politics, in the same number of the +_Edinburgh Review_, Murray said to himself, 'Walter Scott has feelings, +both as a gentleman and a Tory, which these people must now have +wounded; the alliance between him and the whole clique of the _Edinburgh +Review_ is now shaken'"; and, as far at least as the political part of +the affair was concerned, John Murray's sagacity was not at fault. + +Mr. Murray at once took advantage of this opening to draw closer the +bonds between himself and Ballantyne, for he well knew who was the +leading spirit in the firm, and showed himself desirous of obtaining the +London agency of the publishing business, which, as he rightly +discerned, would soon be started in connection with the Canongate Press, +and in opposition to Constable. The large increase of work which Murray +was prepared to place in the hands of the printers induced Ballantyne to +invite him to come as far as Ferrybridge in Yorkshire for a personal +conference. At this interview various new projects were discussed--among +them the proposed Novelists' Library--and from the information which he +then obtained as to Scott's personal feelings and literary projects, +Murray considered himself justified in at once proceeding to Ashestiel, +in order to lay before Scott himself, in a personal interview, his great +scheme for the new Review. He arrived there about the middle of October +1808, and was hospitably welcomed and entertained. He stated his plans, +mentioned the proposed editor of the Review, the probable contributors, +and earnestly invited the assistance of Scott himself. + +During Murray's visit to Ashestiel No. 26 of the _Edinburgh Review_ +arrived. It contained an article entitled "Don Cevallos on the +Occupation of Spain." It was long supposed that the article was written +by Brougham, but it has since been ascertained that Jeffrey himself was +the author of it. This article gave great offence to the friends of +rational liberty and limited monarchy in this country. Scott forthwith +wrote to Constable: "The _Edinburgh Review had_ become such as to render +it impossible for me to become a contributor to it; _now_ it is such as +I can no longer continue to receive or read it." + +"The list of the then subscribers," said Mr. Cadell to Mr. Lockhart, +"exhibits, in an indignant dash of Constable's pen opposite Mr. Scott's +name, the word 'STOPT!'" + +Mr. Murray never forgot his visit to Ashestiel. Scott was kindness +itself; Mrs. Scott was equally cordial and hospitable. Richard Heber was +there at the time, and the three went out daily to explore the scenery +of the neighbourhood. They visited Melrose Abbey, the Tweed, and +Dryburgh Abbey, not very remote from Melrose, where Scott was himself to +lie; they ascended the Eildon Hills, Scott on his sheltie often stopping +by the way to point out to Murray and Heber, who were on foot, some +broad meadow or heather-clad ground, as a spot where some legend held +its seat, or some notable deed had been achieved during the wars of the +Borders. Scott thus converted the barren hillside into a region of +interest and delight. From the top of the Eildons he pointed out the +scene of some twenty battles. + +Very soon after his return to London, Murray addressed the following +letter to Mr. Scott: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_October_ 26, 1808. + +DEAR SIR, + +Although the pressure of business since my return to London has +prevented me writing to you sooner, yet my thoughts have, I assure you, +been almost completely employed upon the important subjects of the +conversation with which you honoured me during the time I was +experiencing the obliging hospitality of Mrs. Scott and yourself at +Ashestiel. + +Then, after a reference to the Novelists' Library mentioned in the last +chapter, the letter continues: + +"I have seen Mr. William Gifford, hinting distantly at a Review; he +admitted the most imperious necessity for one, and that too in a way +that leads me to think that he has had very important communications +upon the subject.... I feel more than ever confident that the higher +powers are exceedingly desirous for the establishment of some +counteracting publication; and it will, I suspect, remain only for your +appearance in London to urge some very formidable plan into activity." + +This letter was crossed in transit by the following: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +ASHESTIEL, BY SELKIRK, _October_ 30, 1808. + +DEAR SIR, + +"Since I had the pleasure of seeing you I have the satisfaction to find +that Mr. Gifford has accepted the task of editing the intended Review. +This was communicated to me by the Lord Advocate, who at the same time +requested me to write Mr. Gifford on the subject. I have done so at +great length, pointing out whatever occurred to me on the facilities or +difficulties of the work in general, as well as on the editorial +department, offering at the same time all the assistance in my power to +set matters upon a good footing and to keep them so. I presume he will +have my letter by the time this reaches you, and that he will +communicate with you fully upon the details. I am as certain as of my +existence that the plan will answer, provided sufficient attention is +used in procuring and selecting articles of merit." + +What Scott thought of Murray's visit to Ashestiel may be inferred from +his letter to his political confidant, George Ellis, of which, as it has +already appeared in Scott's Life, it is only necessary to give extracts +here: + +_Mr. Scott to Mr. George Ellis_. + +_November_ 2, 1808. + +DEAR ELLIS, + +"We had, equally to our joy and surprise, a flying visit from Heber +about three weeks ago. He staid but three days, but, between old stories +and new, we made them very merry in their passage. During his stay, John +Murray, the bookseller in Fleet Street, who has more real knowledge of +what concerns his business than any of his brethren--at least, than any +of them that I know--came to canvass a most important plan, of which I +am now, in "dern privacie," to give you the outline. I had most strongly +recommended to our Lord Advocate (the Right Hon. J.C. Colquhoun) to +think of some counter measures against the _Edinburgh Review_. which, +politically speaking, is doing incalculable damage. I do not mean this +in a party way; the present ministry are not all I could wish them, for +(Canning excepted) I doubt there is among them too much +_self-seeking...._ But their political principles are sound English +principles, and, compared to the greedy and inefficient horde which +preceded them, they are angels of light and purity. It is obvious, +however, that they want defenders, both in and out of doors. Pitt's + + "Love and fear glued many friends to him; + And now he's fallen, those tough co-mixtures melt." + +Then, after a reference to the large circulation (9,000) and mischievous +politics of the _Edinburgh Review_, he proceeds: + +"Now, I think there is balm in Gilead for all this, and that the cure +lies in instituting such a Review in London as should be conducted +totally independent of bookselling influence, on a plan as liberal as +that of the _Edinburgh_, its literature as well supported, and its +principles English and constitutional. Accordingly, I have been given to +understand that Mr. William Gifford is willing to become the conductor +of such a work, and I have written to him, at the Lord Advocate's +desire, a very voluminous letter on the subject. Now, should this plan +succeed, you must hang your birding-piece on its hook, take down your +old Anti-Jacobin armour, and "remember your swashing blow." It is not +that I think this projected Review ought to be exclusively or +principally political; this would, in my opinion, absolutely counteract +its purpose, which I think should be to offer to those who love their +country, and to those whom we would wish to love it, a periodical work +of criticism conducted with equal talent, but upon sounder principles. +Is not this very possible? In point of learning, you Englishmen have ten +times our scholarship; and, as for talent and genius, "Are not Abana and +Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than any of the rivers in Israel?" +Have we not yourself and your cousin, the Roses, Malthus, Matthias, +Gifford, Heber, and his brother? Can I not procure you a score of +blue-caps who would rather write for us than for the _Edinburgh Review_ +if they got as much pay by it? "A good plot, good friends, and full of +expectation--an excellent plot, very good friends!" + +Heber's fear was lest we should fail in procuring regular steady +contributors; but I know so much of the interior discipline of reviewing +as to have no apprehension of that. Provided we are once set a-going by +a few dashing numbers, there would be no fear of enlisting regular +contributors; but the amateurs must bestir themselves in the first +instance. From the Government we should be entitled to expect +confidential communications as to points of fact (so far as fit to be +made public) in our political disquisitions. With this advantage, our +good cause and St. George to boot, we may at least divide the field with +our formidable competitors, who, after all, are much better at cutting +than parrying, and whose uninterrupted triumph has as much unfitted them +for resisting a serious attack as it has done Buonaparte for the Spanish +war. Jeffrey is, to be sure, a man of the most uncommon versatility of +talent, but what then? + + +"General Howe is a gallant commander, +There are others as gallant as he." + + +Think of all this, and let me hear from you very soon on the subject. +Canning is, I have good reason to know, very anxious about the plan. I +mentioned it to Robert Dundas, who was here with his lady for a few days +on a pilgrimage to Melrose, and he highly approved of it. Though no +literary man, he is judicious, _clair-voyant_, and uncommonly +sound-headed, like his father, Lord Melville. With the exceptions I have +mentioned, the thing continues a secret.... + +Ever yours, + +Walter Scott." + + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_November_ 2, 1808. + +I transmitted my letter to Mr. Gifford through the Lord Advocate, and +left it open that Mr. Canning might read it if he thought it worth +while. I have a letter from the Advocate highly approving my views, so I +suppose you will very soon hear from Mr. Gifford specifically on the +subject. It is a matter of immense consequence that something shall be +set about, and that without delay.... + +The points on which I chiefly insisted with Mr. Gifford were that the +Review should be independent both as to bookselling and ministerial +influences--meaning that we were not to be advocates of party through +thick and thin, but to maintain constitutional principles. Moreover, I +stated as essential that the literary part of the work should be as +sedulously attended to as the political, because it is by means of that +alone that the work can acquire any firm and extended reputation. + +Moreover yet, I submitted that each contributor should draw money for +his article, be his rank what it may. This general rule has been of +great use to the _Edinburgh Review_. Of terms I said nothing, except +that your views on the subject seemed to me highly liberal. I do not add +further particulars because I dare say Mr. Gifford will show you the +letter, which is a very long one. Believe me, my dear Sir, with sincere +regard, + +Your faithful, humble Servant, + +Walter Scott. + + +In a subsequent letter to Mr. Ellis, Scott again indicates what he +considers should be the proper management of the proposed Review. + +"Let me touch," he says, "a string of much delicacy--the political +character of the Review. It appears to me that this should be of a +liberal and enlarged nature, resting upon principles--indulgent and +conciliatory as far as possible upon mere party questions, but stern in +detecting and exposing all attempts to sap our constitutional fabric. +Religion is another slippery station; here also I would endeavour to be +as impartial as the subject will admit of.... The truth is, there is +policy, as well as morality, in keeping our swords clear as well as +sharp, and not forgetting the Gentleman in the Critic. The public +appetite is soon gorged with any particular style. The common Reviews, +before the appearance of the _Edinburgh_, had become extremely mawkish; +and, unless when prompted by the malice of the bookseller or reviewer, +gave a dawdling, maudlin sort of applause to everything that reached +even mediocrity. The _Edinburgh_ folks squeezed into their sauce plenty +of acid, and were popular from novelty as well as from merit. The minor +Reviews, and other periodical publications, have _outréd_ the matter +still further, and given us all abuse and no talent.... This, therefore, +we have to trust to, that decent, lively, and reflecting criticism, +teaching men not to abuse books, but to read and to judge them, will +have the effect of novelty upon a public wearied with universal efforts +at blackguard and indiscriminating satire. I have a long and very +sensible letter [Footnote: Given below, under date November 15, 1808.] +from John Murray, the bookseller, in which he touches upon this point +very neatly." + +Scott was most assiduous in his preparations for the first number. He +wrote to his brother, Thomas Scott, asking him to contribute an article; +to Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, of Christ Church, Oxford; to Mr. Morritt, +of Rokeby Park, Yorkshire; and to Robert Southey, of Keswick, asking +them for contributions. To Mr. Sharpe he says: + +"The Hebers are engaged, item Rogers, Southey, Moore (Anacreon), and +others whose reputations Jeffrey has murdered, and who are rising to cry +woe upon him, like the ghosts in 'King Richard.'" + +Scott's letter to Gilford, the intended editor, was full of excellent +advice. It was dated "Edinburgh, October 25, 1808." We quote from it +several important passages: + +"John Murray, of Fleet Street," says Scott, "a young bookseller of +capital and enterprise, and with more good sense and propriety of +sentiment than fall to the share of most of the trade, made me a visit +at Ashestiel a few weeks ago; and as I found he had had some +communication with you upon the subject, I did not hesitate to +communicate my sentiments to him on this and some other points of the +plan, and I thought his ideas were most liberal and satisfactory. + +"The office of Editor is of such importance, that had you not been +pleased to undertake it, I fear the plan would have fallen wholly to the +ground. The full power of control must, of course, be vested in the +editor for selecting, curtailing, and correcting the contributions to +the Review. But this is not all; for, as he is the person immediately +responsible to the bookseller that the work (amounting to a certain +number of pages, more or less) shall be before the public at a certain +time, it will be the editor's duty to consider in due turn the articles +of which each number ought to consist, and to take measures for +procuring them from the persons best qualified to write upon such and +such subjects. But this is sometimes so troublesome, that I foresee with +pleasure you will soon be obliged to abandon your resolution of writing +nothing yourself. At the same time, if you will accept of my services as +a sort of jackal or lion's provider, I will do all in my power to assist +in this troublesome department of editorial duty. + +"But there is still something behind, and that of the last consequence. +One great resource to which the _Edinburgh_ editor turns himself, and by +which he gives popularity even to the duller articles of his _Review_, +is accepting contributions from persons of inferior powers of writing, +provided they understand the books to which their criticisms relate; and +as such are often of stupefying mediocrity, he renders them palatable by +throwing in a handful of spice, namely, any lively paragraph or +entertaining illustration that occurs to him in reading them over. By +this sort of veneering he converts, without loss of time or hindrance to +business, articles, which in their original state might hang in the +market, into such goods as are not likely to disgrace those among which +they are placed. This seems to be a point in which an editor's +assistance is of the last consequence, for those who possess the +knowledge necessary to review books of research or abstruse +disquisitions, are very often unable to put the criticisms into a +readable, much more a pleasant and captivating form; and as their +science cannot be attained 'for the nonce,' the only remedy is to supply +their deficiencies, and give their lucubrations a more popular turn. + +"There is one opportunity possessed by you in a particular degree--that +of access to the best sources of political information. It would not, +certainly, be advisable that the work should assume, especially at the +outset, a professed political character. On the contrary, the articles +on science and miscellaneous literature ought to be of such a quality as +might fairly challenge competition with the best of our contemporaries. +But as the real reason of instituting the publication is the disgusting +and deleterious doctrine with which the most popular of our Reviews +disgraces its pages, it is essential to consider how this warfare should +be managed. On this ground, I hope it is not too much to expect from +those who have the power of assisting us, that they should on topics of +great national interest furnish the reviewers, through the medium of +their editor, with accurate views of points of fact, so far as they are +fit to be made public. This is the most delicate and yet most essential +part of our scheme. + +"On the one hand, it is certainly not to be understood that we are to be +held down to advocate upon all occasions the cause of administration. +Such a dereliction of independence would render us entirely useless for +the purpose we mean to serve. On the other hand, nothing will render the +work more interesting than the public learning, not from any vaunt of +ours, but from their own observation, that we have access to early and +accurate information on points of fact. The _Edinburgh Review_ has +profited much by the pains which the Opposition party have taken to +possess the writers of all the information they could give them on +public matters. Let me repeat that you, my dear sir, from enjoying the +confidence of Mr. Canning, and other persons in power, may easily obtain +the confidential information necessary to give credit to the work, and +communicate it to such as you may think proper to employ in laying it +before the public." + +Mr. Scott further proceeded, in his letter to Mr. Gifford, to discuss +the mode and time of publication, the choice of subjects, the persons to +be employed as contributors, and the name of the proposed Review, thus +thoroughly identifying himself with it. + +"Let our forces," he said, "for a number or two, consist of volunteers +or amateurs, and when we have acquired some reputation, we shall soon +levy and discipline our forces of the line. After all, the matter is +become very serious--eight or nine thousand copies of the _Edinburgh +Review_ are regularly distributed, merely because there is no other +respectable and independent publication of the kind. In this city +(Edinburgh), where there is not one Whig out of twenty men who read the +work, many hundreds are sold; and how long the generality of readers +will continue to dislike politics, so artfully mingled with information +and amusement, is worthy of deep consideration. But it is not yet too +late to stand in the breach; the first number ought, if possible, to be +out in January, and if it can burst among them like a bomb, without +previous notice, the effect will be more striking. + +"Of those who might be intrusted in the first instance you are a much +better judge than I am. I think I can command the assistance of a friend +or two here, particularly William Erskine, the Lord Advocate's +brother-in-law and my most intimate friend. In London, you have Malthus, +George Ellis, the Roses, _cum pluribus aliis_. Richard Heber was with me +when Murray came to my farm, and, knowing his zeal for the good cause, I +let him into our counsels. In Mr. Frere we have the hopes of a potent +ally. The Rev. Reginald Heber would be an excellent coadjutor, and when +I come to town I will sound Matthias. As strict secrecy would of course +be observed, the diffidence of many might be overcome. For scholars you +can be at no loss while Oxford stands where it did; and I think there +will be no deficiency in the scientific articles." + +Thus instructed, Gifford proceeded to rally his forces. There was no +want of contributors. Some came invited, some came unsought; but, as the +matter was still a secret, the editor endeavoured to secure +contributions through his personal friends. For instance, he called upon +Mr. Rogers to request him to secure the help of Moore. + +"I must confess," said Rogers to Moore, "I heard of the new quarterly +with pleasure, as I thought it might correct an evil we had long +lamented together. Gifford wishes much for contributors, and is +exceedingly anxious that you should assist him as often as you can +afford time.... All this in _confidence_ of course, as the secret is not +my own." + +Gifford also endeavoured to secure the assistance of Southey, through +his friend, Mr. Grosvenor Bedford. Southey was requested to write for +the first number an article on the Affairs of Spain. This, however, he +declined to do; but promised to send an article on the subject of +Missionaries. + +"Let not Gifford," he wrote to Bedford, in reply to his letter, "suppose +me a troublesome man to deal with, pertinacious about trifles, or +standing upon punctilios of authorship. No, Grosvenor, I am a quiet, +patient, easy-going hack of the mule breed; regular as clockwork in my +pace, sure-footed, bearing the burden which is laid on me, and only +obstinate in choosing my own path. If Gifford could see me by this +fireside, where, like Nicodemus, one candle suffices me in a large room, +he would see a man in a coat 'still more threadbare than his own' when +he wrote his 'Imitation,' working hard and getting little--a bare +maintenance, and hardly that; writing poems and history for posterity +with his whole heart and soul; one daily progressive in learning, not so +learned as he is poor, not so poor as proud, not so proud as happy." + +_Mr. James Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +_October_ 28, 1808. + +"Well, you have of course heard from Mr. Scott of the progress of the +'Great Plan.' Canning bites at the hook eagerly. A review termed by Mr. +Jeffrey _a tickler_, is to appear of Dryden in this No. of the +_Edinburgh_. By the Lord! they will rue it. You know Scott's present +feelings, excited by the review of 'Marmion.' What will they be when +that of Dryden appears?" + +It was some time, however, before arrangements could be finally made for +bringing out the first number of the _Quarterly_. Scott could not as yet +pay his intended visit to London, and after waiting for about a month, +Murray sent him the following letter, giving his further opinion as to +the scope and object of the proposed Review: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_November_ 15, 1808. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have been desirous of writing to you for nearly a week past, as I +never felt more the want of a personal conversation. I will endeavour, +however, to explain myself to you, and will rely on your confidence and +indulgence for secrecy and attention in what I have to communicate. I +have before told you that the idea of a new Review has been revolving in +my mind for nearly two years, and that more than twelve months ago I +addressed Mr. Canning on the subject. The propriety, if not the +necessity, of establishing a journal upon principles opposite to those +of the _Edinburgh Review_ has occurred to many men more enlightened than +myself; and I believe the same reason has prevented others, as it has +done myself, from attempting it, namely, the immense difficulty of +obtaining talent of sufficient magnitude to render success even +_doubtful_. + +By degrees my plan has gradually floated up to this height. But there +exists at least an equal difficulty yet--that peculiar talent in an +editor of rendering our other great resources advantageous to the best +possible degree. This, I think, may be accomplished, but it must be +effected by your arduous assistance, at least for a little time. Our +friend Mr. Gifford, whose writings show him to be both a man of learning +and wit, has lived too little in the world lately to have obtained that +delicacy and tact whereby he can feel at one instant, and habitually, +whatever may gratify public desire and excite public attention and +curiosity. But this you know to be a leading feature in the talents of +Mr. Jeffrey and his friends; and that, without the most happy choice of +subjects, as well as the ability to treat them well--catching the +"manners living as they rise"--the _Edinburgh Review_ could not have +attained the success it has done; and no other Review, however +preponderating in solid merit, will obtain sufficient attention without +them. Entering the field too, as we shall do, against an army commanded +by the most skilful generals, it will not do for us to leave any of our +best officers behind as a reserve, for they would be of no use if we +were defeated at first. We must enter with our most able commanders at +once, and we shall then acquire confidence, if not reputation, and +increase in numbers as we proceed. + +Our first number must contain the most valuable and striking information +in politics, and the most interesting articles of general literature and +science, written by our most able friends. If our plan appears to be so +advantageous to the ministers whose measures, to a certain extent, we +intend to justify, to support, to recommend and assist, that they have +promised their support; when might that support be so advantageously +given, either for their own interests or ours, as at the commencement, +when we are most weak, and have the most arduous onset to make, and when +we do and must stand most in need of help? If our first number be not +written with the greatest ability, upon the most interesting topics, it +will not excite public attention. No man, even the friend of the +principles we adopt, will leave the sprightly pages of the _Edinburgh +Review_ to read a dull detail of staid morality, or dissertations on +subjects whose interest has long fled. + +I do not say this from any, even the smallest doubt, of our having all +that we desire in these respects in our power; but because I am +apprehensive that without your assistance it will not be drawn into +action, and my reason for this fear I will thus submit to you. You +mentioned in your letter to Mr. Gifford, that our Review should open +with a grand article on Spain--meaning a display of the political +feeling of the people, and the probable results of this important +contest. I suggested to Mr. Gifford that Mr. Frere should be written to, +which he said was easy, and that he thought he would do it; for Frere +could not only give the facts upon the subject, but could write them +better than any other person. But having, in my project, given the name +of Southey as a person who might assist occasionally in a number or two +hence, I found at our next interview that Mr. Gifford, who does not know +Mr. Southey, had spoken to a friend to ask Mr. S. to write the article +upon Spain. It is true that Mr. Southey knows a great deal about Spain, +and on another occasion would have given a good article upon the +subject; but at present _his_ is not the kind of knowledge which we +want, and it is, moreover, trusting our secret to a stranger, who has, +by the way, a directly opposite bias in politics. + +Mr. Gifford also told me, with very great stress, that among the +articles he had submitted to you was [one on] Hodgson's Translation of +Juvenal, which at no time could be a very interesting article for us, +and having been published more than six months ago, would probably be a +very stupid one. Then, you must observe, that it would necessarily +involve a comparison with Mr. Gifford's own translation, which must of +course be praised, and thus show an _individual_ feeling--the least +spark of which, in our early numbers, would both betray and ruin us. He +talks of reviewing _himself_ a late translation of "Persius," for +(_entre nous_) a similar reason. He has himself nearly completed a +translation, which will be published in a few months. + +In what I have said upon this most exceedingly delicate point, and which +I again submit to your most honourable confidence, I have no other +object but just to show you without reserve how we stand, and to +exemplify what I set out with--that without skilful and judicious +management we shall totally mistake the road to the accomplishment of +the arduous task which we have undertaken, and involve the cause and +every individual in not merely defeat, but disgrace. I must at the same +time observe that Mr. Gifford is the most obliging and well-meaning man +alive, and that he is perfectly ready to be instructed in those points +of which his seclusion renders him ignorant; and all that I wish and +mean is, that we should strive to open clearly the view which is so +obvious to us--that our first number must be a most brilliant one in +every respect; and to effect this, we must avail ourselves of any +valuable political information we can command. Those persons who have +the most interest in supporting the Review must be called upon +immediately for their strenuous personal help. The fact must be obvious +to you,--that if Mr. Canning, Mr. Frere, Mr. Scott, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. +Gifford, with their immediate and true friends, will exert themselves +heartily in every respect, so as to produce with secrecy only _one_ +remarkably attractive number, their further labour would be +comparatively light. With such a number in our hands, we might select +and obtain every other help that we required; and then the persons named +would only be called upon for their information, facts, hints, advice, +and occasional articles. But without this--without producing a number +that shall at least equal, if not excel, the best of the _Edinburgh +Review_, it were better not to be attempted. We should do more harm to +our cause by an unsuccessful attempt; and the reputation of the +_Edinburgh Review_ would be increased inversely to our fruitless +opposition.... With respect to bookselling interference with the Review, +I am equally convinced with yourself of its total incompatibility with a +really respectable and valuable critical journal. I assure you that +nothing can be more distant from my views, which are confined to the +ardour which I feel for the cause and principles which it will be our +object to support, and the honour of professional reputation which would +obviously result to the publisher of so important a work. It were silly +to suppress that I shall not be sorry to derive from it as much profit +as I can satisfactorily enjoy, consistent with the liberal scale upon +which it is my first desire to act towards every writer and friend +concerned in the work. Respecting the terms upon which the editor shall +be placed at first, I have proposed, and it appears to be satisfactory +to Mr. Gifford, that he shall receive, either previous to, or +immediately after, the publication of each number, the sum of 160 +guineas, which he is to distribute as he thinks proper, without any +question or interference on my part; and that in addition to this, he +shall receive from me the sum of £200 annually, merely as the editor. +This, Sir, is much more than I can flatter myself with the return of, +for the first year at least; but it is my intention that his salary +shall ever increase proportionately to the success of the work under his +management. The editor has a most arduous office to perform, and the +success of the publication must depend in a great measure upon his +activity. + +I am, dear Sir, Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +John Murray. + +It will be observed from this letter, that Mr. Murray was aware that, +besides skilful editing, sound and practical business management was +necessary to render the new Review a success. The way in which he +informs Mr. Scott about Gifford's proposed review of "Juvenal" and +"Persius," shows that he fully comprehended the situation, and the +dangers which would beset an editor like Gifford, who lived for the most +part amongst his books, and was, to a large extent, secluded from the +active world. + +On the same day Scott was writing to Murray: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. Edinburgh, _November_ 15, 1808. + +Dear Sir, + +I received two days ago a letter from Mr. Gifford highly approving of +the particulars of the plan which I had sketched for the _Review_. But +there are two points to be considered. In the first place, I cannot be +in town as I proposed, for the Commissioners under the Judicial Bill, to +whom I am to act as clerk, have resolved that their final sittings shall +be held _here_, so that I have now no chance of being in London before +spring. This is very unlucky, as Mr. Gifford proposes to wait for my +arrival in town to set the great machine a-going. I shall write to him +that this is impossible, and that I wish he would, with your assistance +and that of his other friends, make up a list of the works which the +first number is to contain, and consider what is the extent of the aid +he will require from the North. The other circumstance is, that Mr. +Gifford pleads the state of his health and his retired habits as +sequestrating him from the world, and rendering him less capable of +active exertion, and in the kindest and most polite manner he expresses +his hope that he should receive very extensive assistance and support +from me, without which he is pleased to say he would utterly despair of +success. Now between ourselves (for this is strictly confidential) I am +rather alarmed at this prospect. I am willing, and anxiously so, to do +all in my power to serve the work; but, my dear sir, you know how many +of our very ablest hands are engaged in the _Edinburgh Review_, and what +a dismal work it will be to wring assistance from the few whose +indolence has left them neutral. I can, to be sure, work like a horse +myself, but then I have two heavy works on my hands already, namely, +"Somers" and "Swift." Constable had lately very nearly relinquished the +latter work, and I now 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' _exposé_. +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 own plans.... It +will happen fortunately that we intend opening with an article on the +missionaries, which, as it will be written in opposition to the +sentiments in the _Edinburgh Review_, is very likely to gain that large +body of which Wilberforce is the head. I have collected from every +Missionary Society in London, of which there are no less than five, all +their curious reports, proceedings and history, which, I know, Sydney +Smith never saw; and which I could only procure by personal application. +Southey will give a complete view of the subject, and if he will enter +heartily into it, and do it well, it will be as much as he can do for +the first number. These transactions contain, amidst a great deal of +fanaticism, the most curious information you can imagine upon the +history, literature, topography and manners of nations and countries of +which we are otherwise totally ignorant.... If you have occasion to +write to Southey, pray urge the vast importance of this subject, and +entreat him to give it all his ability. I find that a new volume of +Burns' ('The Reliques') will be published by the end of this month, +which will form the subject of another capital article under your hands. +I presume 'Sir John Carr (Tour in Scotland)' will be another article, +which even you, I fancy, will like; 'Mrs. Grant of Laggan,' too, and +perhaps your friend Mr. Cumberland's 'John de Lancaster' .... Are you +not sufficiently well acquainted with Miss (Joanna) Baillie, both to +confide in her, and command her talents? If so, you will probably think +of what may suit her, and what may apply to her. Mr. Heber, too, would +apply to his brother at your request, and his friend Coplestone, who +will also be written to by a friend of Gifford's...." + +Scott was very desirous of enlisting George Canning among the +contributors to the Quarterly. He wrote to his friend Ellis: + +_Mr. Scott to Mr. G. Ellis_. + +"As our start is of such immense consequence, don't you think Mr. +Canning, though unquestionably our Atlas, might for a day find a +Hercules on whom to devolve the burden of the globe, while he writes for +us a review? I know what an audacious request this is, but suppose he +should, as great statesmen sometimes do, take a political fit of the +gout, and absent himself from a large ministerial dinner which might +give it him in good earnest--dine at three on a chicken and pint of +wine, and lay the foundation of at least one good article? Let us but +once get afloat, and our labour is not worth talking about; but, till +then, all hands must work hard." + +This suggestion was communicated by George Ellis to Gifford, the chosen +editor, and on December 1, Murray informed Scott that the article on +Spain was proceeding under Mr. Canning's immediate superintendence. +Canning and Gifford went down to Mr. Ellis's house at Sunninghill, where +the three remained together for four days, during which time the article +was hatched and completed. + +On receiving the celebrated "Declaration of Westminster" on the Spanish +War, Scott wrote to Ellis: + +"Tell Mr. Canning that the old women of Scotland will defend the country +with their distaffs, rather than that troops enough be not sent to make +good so noble a pledge. Were the thousands that have mouldered away in +petty conquests or Lilliputian expeditions united to those we have now +in that country, what a band would Sir John Moore have under him!... +Jeffrey has offered terms of pacification, engaging that no party +politics should again appear in his _Review_. I told him I thought it +was now too late, and reminded him that I had often pointed out to him +the consequences of letting his work become a party tool. He said 'he +did not fear for the consequences--there were but four men he feared as +opponents.' 'Who are these?' 'Yourself for one.' 'Certainly you pay me a +great compliment; depend upon it I will endeavour to deserve it.' 'Why, +you would not join against me?' 'Yes, I would, if I saw a proper +opportunity: not against you personally, but against your politics.' +'You are privileged to be violent.' 'I don't ask any privilege for undue +violence. But who are your other foemen?' 'George Ellis and Southey.' +The other he did not name. All this was in great good humour; and next +day I had a very affecting note from him, in answer to an invitation to +dinner. He has no suspicion of the _Review_ whatever." + +In the meantime, Mr. Murray continued to look out for further +contributors. Mr. James Mill, of the India House, in reply to a request +for assistance, wrote: + +"You do me a great deal of honour in the solicitude you express to have +me engaged in laying the foundation stone of your new edifice, which I +hope will be both splendid and durable; and it is no want of zeal or +gratitude that delays me. But this ponderous Geography, a porter's, or +rather a horse's load, bears me down to a degree you can hardly +conceive. What I am now meditating from under it is to spare time to do +well and leisurely the Indian article (my favourite subject) for your +next number. Besides, I shall not reckon myself less a founder from its +having been only the fault of my previous engagements that my first +article for you appears only in the second number, and not in the first +part of your work." + +Another contributor whom Mr. Murray was desirous to secure was Mrs. +Inchbald, authoress of the "Simple Story." The application was made to +her through one of Murray's intimate friends, Mr. Hoppner, the artist. +Her answer was as follows: + +_Mrs. Inchbald to Mr. Hoppner_. _December_ 31, 1808. + +My dear Sir, As I wholly rely upon your judgment for the excellency of +the design in question, I wish you to be better acquainted with my +abilities as a reviewer before I suffer my curiosity to be further +gratified in respect to the plan of the work you have undertaken, or the +names of those persons who, with yourself, have done me the very great +honour to require my assistance. Before I see you, then, and possess +myself of your further confidence, it is proper that I should acquaint +you that there is only one department of a Review for which I am in the +least qualified, and that one combines plays and novels. Yet the very +few novels I have read, of later publications, incapacitates me again +for detecting plagiary, or for making such comparisons as proper +criticism may demand. You will, perhaps, be surprised when I tell you +that I am not only wholly unacquainted with the book you have mentioned +to me, but that I never heard of it before. If it be in French, there +will be another insurmountable difficulty; for, though I read French, +and have translated some French comedies, yet I am not so perfectly +acquainted with the language as to dare to write remarks upon a French +author. If Madame Cottin's "Malvina" be in English, you wish it speedily +reviewed, and can possibly have any doubt of the truth of my present +report, please to send it me; and whatever may be the contents, I will +immediately essay my abilities on the work, or immediately return it as +a hopeless case. + +Yours very faithfully, + +E. Inchbald. + +On further consideration, however, Mrs. Inchbald modestly declined to +become a contributor. Notwithstanding her great merits as an author, she +had the extremest diffidence in her own abilities. + +_Mrs. Inchbald to John Murray_. + +"The more I reflect on the importance of the contributions intended for +this work, the more I am convinced of my own inability to become a +contributor. The productions in question must, I am convinced, be of a +certain quality that will demand far more acquaintance with books, and +much more general knowledge, than it has ever been my good fortune to +attain. Under these circumstances, finding myself, upon mature +consideration, wholly inadequate to the task proposed, I beg you will +accept of this apology as a truth, and present it to Mr. Hoppner on the +first opportunity; and assure him that it has been solely my reluctance +to yield up the honour he intended me which has tempted me, for an +instant, to be undecided in my reply to his overture.--I am, Sir, with +sincere acknowledgments for the politeness of your letter to me, + +"E. Inchbald." + +And here the correspondence dropped. + +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 _tête-à -tête_ 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: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_February_, 1809. + +I enclose the promised "Swift," and am now, I think, personally out of +your debt, though I will endeavour to stop up gaps if I do not receive +the contributions I expect from others. Were I in the neighbourhood of +your shop in London I could soon run up half a sheet of trifling +articles with a page or two to each, but that is impossible here for +lack of materials. + +When the Ballantynes open shop you must take care to have them supplied +with food for such a stop-gap sort of criticism. I think we will never +again feel the pressure we have had for this number; the harvest has +literally been great and the labourers few. + +Yours truly, + +W.S. + + +_Mr. James Ballantyne. to John Murray_. + +_January_ 27, 1809. + +"I see or hear of nothing but good about the _Review_. Mr. Scott is at +this moment busy with two articles, besides the one he has sent. In +conversation a few days since, I heard a gentleman ask him, 'Pray, sir, +do you think the _Quarterly Review_ will be equal to the _Edinburgh_?' +His answer was, 'I won't be quite sure of the first number, because of +course there are difficulties attending the commencement of every work +which time and habit can alone smooth away. But I think the first number +will be a good one, and in the course of three or four, _I think we'll +sweat them!_'" + +The first number of the _Quarterly Review_ was published at the end of +February, 1809. Like most first numbers, it did not entirely realize the +sanguine views of its promoters. It did not burst like a thunder-clap on +the reading public; nor did it give promise to its friends that a new +political power had been born into the world. The general tone was more +literary than political; and though it contained much that was well +worth reading, none of its articles were of first-rate quality. + +Walter Scott was the principal contributor, and was keenly interested in +its progress, though his mind was ever teeming with other new schemes. +The allusion in the following letter to his publication of "many +unauthenticated books," if unintentional, seems little less than +prophetic. + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +Edinburgh, _February_ 25, 1809. + +Dear Sir, + +I see with pleasure that you will be out on the first. Yet I wish I +could have seen my articles in proof, for I seldom read over my things +in manuscript, and always find infinite room for improvement at the +printer's expense. I hope our hurry will not be such another time as to +deprive me of the chance of doing the best I can, which depends greatly +on my seeing the proofs. Pray have the goodness to attend to this. + +I have made for the Ballantynes a little selection of poetry, to be +entitled "English Minstrelsy"; I also intend to arrange for them a first +volume of English Memoirs, to be entitled--"Secret History of the Court +of James I." To consist of: + +Osborne's "Traditional Memoirs." + +Sir Anthony Welldon's "Court and Character of James I." + +Heylin's "Aulicus Coquinariae." + +Sir Edward Peyton's "Rise and Fall of the House of Stewart." + +I will add a few explanatory notes to these curious memoirs, and hope to +continue the collection, as (thanks to my constant labour on "Somers") +it costs me no expense, and shall cost the proprietors none. You may +advertise the publications, and Ballantyne, equally agreeable to his own +wish and mine, will let you choose your own share in them. I have a +commission for you in the way of art. I have published many +unauthenticated books, as you know, and may probably bring forward many +more. Now I wish to have it in my power to place on a few copies of each +a decisive mark of appropriation. I have chosen for this purpose a +device borne by a champion of my name in a tournament at Stirling! It +was a gate and portcullis, with the motto CLAUSUS TUTUS ERO. I have it +engraved on a seal, as you may remark on the enclosure, but it is done +in a most blackguard style. Now what I want is to have this same gateway +and this same portcullis and this same motto of _clausus tutus ero_, +which is an anagram of _Walterus Scotus_ (taking two single _U_'s for +the _W_), cut upon wood in the most elegant manner, so as to make a +small vignette capable of being applied to a few copies of every work +which I either write or publish. This fancy of making _portcullis_ +copies I have much at heart, and trust to you to get it accomplished for +me in the most elegant manner. I don't mind the expense, and perhaps Mr. +Westall might be disposed to make a sketch for me. + +I am most anxious to see the _Review_. God grant we may lose no ground; +I tremble when I think of my own articles, of two of which I have but an +indefinite recollection. + +What would you think of an edition of the "Old English Froissart," say +500 in the small _antique quarto_, a beautiful size of book; the +spelling must be brought to an uniformity, the work copied (as I could +not promise my beautiful copy to go to press), notes added and +illustrations, etc., and inaccuracies corrected. I think Johnes would be +driven into most deserved disgrace, and I can get the use of a most +curious MS. of the French Froissart in the Newbattle Library, probably +the finest in existence after that of Berlin. I am an enthusiast about +Berners' Froissart, and though I could not undertake the drudgery of +preparing the whole for the press, yet Weber [Footnote: Henry Weber, +Scott's amanuensis.] would do it under my eye upon the most reasonable +terms. I would revise every part relating to English history. + +I have several other literary schemes, but defer mentioning them till I +come to London, which I sincerely hope will be in the course of a month +or six weeks. I hear Mr. Canning is anxious about our _Review_. +Constable says it is a Scotch job. I could not help quizzing Mr. Robert +Miller, who asked me in an odd sort of way, as I thought, why it was not +out? I said very indifferently I knew nothing about it, but heard a +vague report that the Edition was to be much enlarged on account of the +expected demand. I also inclose a few lines to my brother, and am, dear +Sir, + +Very truly yours, + +W. Scott. + +It is universally agreed here that Cumberland is five hundred degrees +beneath contempt. + +Ballantyne, Scott's partner, and publisher of the _Review_ in Edinburgh, +hastened to communicate to Murray their joint views as to the success of +the work. + +_Mr. Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +_February_ 28, 1809. + +My dear Murray, + +I received the _Quarterly_ an hour ago. Before taking it to Mr. Scott, I +had just time to look into the article on Burns, and at the general +aspect of the book. It looks uncommonly well.... The view of Burns' +character is better than Jeffrey's. It is written in a more congenial +tone, with more tender, kindly feeling. Though not perhaps written with +such elaborate eloquence as Jeffrey's, the thoughts are more original, +and the style equally powerful. The two first articles (and perhaps the +rest are not inferior) will confer a name on the _Review_. But why do I +trouble you with _my_ opinions, when I can give you Mr. Scott's? He has +just been reading the Spanish article beside me, and he again and again +interrupted himself with expressions of the strongest admiration. + +Three days later, Ballantyne again wrote: + +"I have now read 'Spain,' 'Burns,' 'Woman,' 'Curran,' 'Cid,' 'Carr,' +'Missionaries.' Upon the whole, I think these articles most excellent. +Mr. Scott is in high spirits; but he says there are evident marks of +haste in most of them. With respect to his own articles, he much regrets +not to have had the opportunity of revising them. He thinks the +'Missionaries' very clever; but he shakes his head at 'Sidney,' 'Woman,' +and 'Public Characters.' Our copies, which we expected this morning, +have not made their appearance, which has given us no small anxiety. We +are panting to hear the public voice. Depend upon it, _if_ our exertions +are continued, the thing will do. Would G. were as active as Scott and +Murray!" + +Murray had plenty of advisers. Gifford said he had too many. His friend, +Sharon Turner, was ready with his criticism on No. 1. He deplored the +appearance of the article by Scott on "Carr's Tour in Scotland." +[Footnote: Scott himself had written to Murray about this, which he +calls "a whisky-frisky article," on June 30. "I take the advantage of +forwarding Sir John's _Review_, to send you back his letters under the +same cover. He is an incomparable goose, but as he is innocent and +good-natured, I would not like it to be publicly known that the +flagellation comes from my hand. Secrecy therefore will oblige me."] + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to John Murray_. + +"I cannot endure the idea of an individual being wounded merely because +he has written a book. If, as in the case of the authors attacked in the +'Baviad,' the works censured were vitiating our literature--or, as in +the case of Moore's Poems, corrupting our morals--if they were +denouncing our religious principles, or attacking those political +principles on which our Government subsists--let them be criticised +without mercy. The _salus publica_ demands the sacrifice. But to make an +individual ridiculous merely because he has written a foolish, if it be +a harmless book, is not, I think, justifiable on any moral principle ... +I repeat my principle. Whatever tends to vitiate our literary taste, our +morals, our religious or political principles, may be fairly at the +mercy of criticism. So, whatever tends to introduce false science, false +history, indeed, falsehood in any shape, exposes itself to the censor's +rod. But harmless, inoffensive works should be passed by. Where is the +bravery of treading on a worm or crushing a poor fly? Where the utility? +Where the honour?" + +An edition of 4,000 copies had been printed; this was soon exhausted, +and a second edition was called for. + +Mr. Scott was ample in his encouragements. + +"I think," he wrote to Murray, "a firm and stable sale will be settled +here, to the extent of 1,000 or 1,500 even for the next number.... I am +quite pleased with my ten guineas a sheet for my labour in writing, and +for additional exertions. I will consider them as overpaid by success in +the cause, especially while that success is doubtful." + +Ballantyne wrote to Murray in March: + +"Constable, I am told, has consulted Sir Samuel Romilly, and means, +after writing a book against me, to prosecute me for _stealing his +plans!_ Somebody has certainly stolen his brains!" + +The confederates continued to encourage each other and to incite to +greater effort the procrastinating Gifford. The following rather +mysterious paragraph occurs in a letter from Scott to Murray dated March +19, 1809. + +"I have found means to get at Mr. G., and have procured a letter to be +written to him, which may possibly produce one to you signed Rutherford +or Richardson, or some such name, and dated from the North of England; +or, if he does not write to you, enquiry is to be made whether he would +choose you should address him. The secrecy to be observed in this +business must be most profound, even to Ballantyne and all the world. If +you get articles from him (which will and must draw attention) you must +throw out a false scent for enquirers. I believe this unfortunate man +will soon be in London." + +In reply, Mr. Murray wrote on March 24 to Mr. Scott, urging him to come +to London, and offering, "if there be no plea for charging your expenses +to Government," to "undertake that the _Review_ shall pay them as far as +one hundred guineas." To this Scott replied: + +_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: + +"With regard to the comission which you have given me, it is, I fear, +completely out of my power to execute it. Literature neither resides at +Constantinople nor passes through it. Even were I able to obtain the +publications of France and Germany by way of Vienna, the road is so +circuitous, that you would have them later than others who contrive to +smuggle them across the North Sea. Every London newspaper that retails +its daily sixpennyworth of false reports, publishes the French, the +Hamburgh, the Vienna, the Frankfort, and other journals, full as soon as +we receive any of them here. This is the case at all times; at present +it is much worse. We are entirely insulated. The Russians block up the +usual road through Bucharest, and the Servians prevent the passage of +couriers through Bosnia. And in addition to these difficulties, the +present state of the Continent must at least interrupt all literary +works. You will not, I am sure, look upon these as idle excuses. Things +may probably improve, and I will not quit this country without +commissioning some one here to send you anything that may be of use to +so promising a publication as your _Review_." + +No sooner was one number published, than preparations were made for the +next. Every periodical is a continuous work--never ending, still +beginning. New contributors must be gained; new books reviewed; new +views criticised. Mr. Murray was, even more than the editor, the +backbone of the enterprise: he was indefatigable in soliciting new +writers for the _Quarterly_, and in finding the books fit for review, +and the appropriate reviewers of the books. Sometimes the reviews were +printed before the editor was consulted, but everything passed under the +notice of Gifford, and received his emendations and final approval. + +Mr. Murray went so far as to invite Leigh Hunt to contribute an article +on Literature or Poetry for the _Quarterly_. The reply came from John +Hunt, Leigh's brother. He said: + +_Mr. John Hunt to John Murray_. + +"My brother some days back requested me to present to you his thanks for +the polite note you favoured him with on the subject of the _Review_, to +which he should have been most willing to have contributed in the manner +you propose, did he not perceive that the political sentiments contained +in it are in direct opposition to his own." + +This was honest, and it did not interfere with the personal intercourse +of the publisher and the poet. Murray afterwards wrote to Scott: "Hunt +is most vilely wrong-headed in politics, which he has allowed to turn +him away from the path of elegant criticism, which might have led him to +eminence and respectability." + +James Mill, author of the "History of British India," sent an article +for the second number; but the sentiments and principles not being in +accordance with those of the editor, it was not at once accepted. On +learning this, he wrote to Mr. Murray as follows: + +_Mr. James Mill to John Murray_. + +My dear Sir, + +I can have no objection in the world to your delaying the article I have +sent you till it altogether suits your arrangements to make use of it. +Besides this point, a few words of explanation may not be altogether +useless with regard to another. I am half inclined to suspect that the +objection of your Editor goes a little farther than you state. If so, I +beg you will not hesitate a moment about what you are to do with it. I +wrote it solely with a view to oblige and to benefit _you personally_, +but with very little idea, as I told you at our first conversation on +the subject, that it would be in my power to be of any use to you, as +the views which I entertained respecting what is good for our country +were very different from the views entertained by the gentlemen with +whom in your projected concern you told me you were to be connected. To +convince you, however, of my good-will, I am perfectly ready to give you +a specimen, and if it appears to be such as likely to give offence to +your friends, or not to harmonise with the general style of your work, +commit it to the flames without the smallest scruple. Be assured that it +will not make the smallest difference in my sentiments towards you, or +render me in the smallest degree less disposed to lend you my aid (such +as it is) on any other occasion when it may be better calculated to be +of use to you. + +Yours very truly, + +J. Mill. + +Gifford was not a man of business; he was unpunctual. The second number +of the _Quarterly_ appeared behind its time, and the publisher felt +himself under the necessity of expostulating with the editor. + +_John Murray to Mr. Gifford_. + +_May_ 11, 1809. + +Dear Mr. Gifford, + +I begin to suspect that you are not aware of the complete misery which +is occasioned to me, and the certain ruin which must attend the +_Review_, by our unfortunate procrastination. Long before this, every +line of copy for the present number ought to have been in the hands of +the printer. Yet the whole of the _Review_ is yet to print. I know not +what to do to facilitate your labour, for the articles which you have +long had he scattered without attention, and those which I ventured to +send to the printer undergo such retarding corrections, that even by +this mode we do not advance. I entreat the favour of your exertion. For +the last five months my most imperative concerns have yielded to this, +without the hope of my anxiety or labour ceasing. + +"Tanti miserere laboris," + +in my distress and with regret from + +John Murray. + +Mr. Gifford's reply was as follows: + +"The delay and confusion which have arisen must be attributed to a want +of confidential communication. In a word, you have too many advisers, +and I too many masters." + +At last the second number of the _Quarterly_ appeared, at the end of May +instead of at the middle of April. The new contributors to this number +were Dr. D'Oyley, the Rev. Mr. Walpole, and George Canning, who, in +conjunction with Sharon Turner, contributed the last article on Austrian +State Papers. + +As soon as the second number was published, Mr. Gifford, whose health +was hardly equal to the constant strain of preparing and editing the +successive numbers, hastened away, as was his custom, to the seaside. He +wrote to Mr. Murray from Ryde: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +_June_ 18, 1809. + +"I rejoice to hear of our success, and feel very anxious to carry it +further. A fortnight's complete abstraction from all sublunary cares has +done me much good, and I am now ready to put on my spectacles and look +about me.... Hoppner is here, and has been at Death's door. The third +day after his arrival, he had an apoplectic fit, from which blisters, +etc., have miraculously recovered him.... This morning I received a +letter from Mr. Erskine. He speaks very highly of the second number, and +of the Austrian article, which is thought its chief attraction. +Theology, he says, few people read or care about. On this, I wish to say +a word seriously. I am sorry that Mr. E. has fallen into that notion, +too general I fear in Scotland; but this is his own concern. I differ +with him totally, however, as to the few readers which such subjects +find; for as far as my knowledge reaches, the reverse is the fact. The +strongest letter which I have received since I came down, in our favour, +points out the two serious articles as masterly productions and of +decided superiority. We have taught the truth I mention to the +_Edinburgh Review_, and in their last number they have also attempted to +be serious, and abstain from their flippant impiety. It is not done with +the best grace, but it has done them credit, I hear.... When you make up +your parcel, pray put in some small cheap 'Horace,' which I can no more +do without than Parson Adams _ex_ 'Aeschylus.' I have left it somewhere +on the road. Any common thing will do." + +Mr. Murray sent Gifford a splendid copy of "Horace" in the next parcel +of books and manuscripts. In his reply Gifford, expostulating, "Why, my +dear Sir, will you do these things?" thanked him warmly for his gift. + +Mr. George Ellis was, as usual, ready with his criticism. Differing from +Gifford, he wrote: + +"I confess that, to my taste, the long article on the New Testament is +very tedious, and that the progress of Socinianism is, to my +apprehension, a bugbear which _we_ have no immediate reason to be scared +by; but it may alarm some people, and what I think a dull prosing piece +of orthodoxy may have its admirers, and promote our sale." + +Even Constable had a good word to say of it. In a letter to his partner, +Hunter, then in London, he said: + +"I received the _Quarterly Review_ yesterday, and immediately went and +delivered it to Mr. Jeffrey himself. It really seems a respectable +number, but what then? Unless theirs improves and ours falls off it +cannot harm us, I think. I observe that Nos. 1 and 2 extend to merely +twenty-nine sheets, so that, in fact, ours is still the cheaper of the +two. Murray's waiting on you with it is one of the wisest things I ever +knew him do: you will not be behindhand with him in civility." + +No. 3 of the _Quarterly_ was also late, and was not published until the +end of August. The contributors were behindhand; an article was expected +from Canning on Spain, and the publication was postponed until this +article had been received, printed and corrected. The foundations of it +were laid by George Ellis, and it was completed by George Canning. + +Of this article Mr. Gifford wrote: + +"In consequence of my importunity, Mr. Canning has exerted himself and +produced the best article that ever yet appeared in any Review." + +Although Mr. Gifford was sometimes the subject of opprobrium because of +his supposed severity, we find that in many cases he softened down the +tone of the reviewers. For instance, in communicating to Mr. Murray the +first part of Dr. Thomson's article on the "Outlines of Mineralogy," by +Kidd, he observed: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"It is very splenitick and very severe, and much too wantonly so. I +hope, however, it is just. Some of the opprobrious language I shall +soften, for the eternal repetitions of _ignorance, absurdity, +surprising,_ etc., are not wanted. I am sorry to observe so much +Nationality in it. Let this be a secret between us, for I will not have +my private opinions go beyond yourself. As for Kidd, he is a modest, +unassuming man, and is not to be attacked with sticks and stones like a +savage. Remember, it is only the epithets which I mean to soften; for as +to the scientific part, it shall not be meddled with." + +His faithful correspondent, Mr. Ellis, wrote as to the quality of this +third number of the _Quarterly_. He agreed with Mr. Murray, that though +profound, it was "most notoriously and unequivocally _dull_.... We must +veto ponderous articles; they will simply sink us." + +Isaac D'Israeli also tendered his advice. He was one of Mr. Murray's +most intimate friends, and could speak freely and honestly to him as to +the prospects of the _Review_. He was at Brighton, preparing his third +volume of the "Curiosities of Literature." + +_Mr. I. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +"I have bought the complete collection of Memoirs written by individuals +of the French nation, amounting to sixty-five volumes, for fifteen +guineas.... What can I say about the _Q.R.?_ Certainly nothing new; it +has not yet invaded the country. Here it is totally unknown, though as +usual the _Ed. Rev._ is here; but among private libraries, I find it +equally unknown. It has yet its fortune to make. You must appeal to the +_feelings_ of Gifford! Has he none then? Can't you get a more active and +vigilant Editor? But what can I say at this distance? The disastrous +finale of the Austrians, received this morning, is felt here as deadly. +Buonaparte is a tremendous Thaumaturgus!... I wish you had such a genius +in the _Q.R._.... My son Ben assures me you are in Brighton. He saw you! +Now, he never lies." [Footnote: Mr. Murray was in Brighton at the time.] + +Thus pressed by his correspondents, Mr. Murray did his best to rescue +the _Quarterly_ from failure. Though it brought him into prominent +notice as a publisher, it was not by any means paying its expenses. Some +thought it doubtful whether "the play was worth the candle." Yet Murray +was not a man to be driven back by comparative want of success. He +continued to enlist a band of competent contributors. Amongst these were +some very eminent men: Mr. John Barrow of the Admiralty; the Rev. +Reginald Heber, Mr. Robert Grant (afterwards Sir Robert, the Indian +judge), Mr. Stephens, etc. How Mr. Barrow was induced to become a +contributor is thus explained in his Autobiography. [Footnote: +"Autobiographical Memoir of Sir John Barrow," Murray, 1847.] + +"One morning, in the summer of the year 1809, Mr. Canning looked in upon +me at the Admiralty, said he had often troubled me on business, but he +was now about to ask me a favour. 'I believe you are acquainted with my +friend William Gifford?' 'By reputation,' I said, 'but not personally.' +'Then,' says he, 'I must make you personally acquainted; will you come +and dine with me at Gloucester Lodge any day, the sooner the more +agreeable--say to-morrow, if you are disengaged?' On accepting, he said, +'I will send for Gifford to meet you; I know he will be too glad to +come.' + +"'Now,' he continued, 'it is right I should tell you that, in the +_Review_ of which two numbers have appeared, under the name of the +_Quarterly_, I am deeply, both publicly and personally, interested, and +have taken a leading part with Mr. George Ellis, Hookham Frere, Walter +Scott, Rose, Southey, and some others; our object in that work being to +counteract the _virus_ scattered among His Majesty's subjects through +the pages of the _Edinburgh Review_. Now, I wish to enlist you in our +corps, not as a mere advising idler, but as an efficient labourer in our +friend Gifford's vineyard.'" + +Mr. Barrow modestly expressed a doubt as to his competence, but in the +sequel, he tells us, Mr. Canning carried his point, and "I may add, once +for all, that what with Gifford's eager and urgent demands, and the +exercise becoming habitual and not disagreeable, I did not cease writing +for the _Quarterly Review_ till I had supplied no less, rather more, +than 190 articles." + +The fourth number of the _Quarterly_, which was due in November, was not +published until the end of December 1809. Gifford's excuse was the want +of copy. He wrote to Mr. Murray: "We must, upon the publication of this +number, enter into some plan for ensuring regularity." + +Although it appeared late, the fourth number was the best that had yet +been issued. It was more varied in its contents; containing articles by +Scott, Southey, Barrow, and Heber. But the most important article was +contributed by Robert Grant, on the "Character of the late C.J. Fox." +This was the first article in the _Quarterly_, according to Mr. Murray, +which excited general admiration, concerning which we find a memorandum +in Mr. Murray's own copy; and, what was an important test, it largely +increased the demand for the _Review_. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CONSTABLE AND BALLANTYNE + + +During the year in which the _Quarterly_ was first given to the world, +the alliance between Murray and the Ballantynes was close and intimate: +their correspondence was not confined to business matters, but bears +witness to warm personal friendship. + +Murray was able to place much printing work in their hands, and amongst +other books, "Mrs. Rundell's Cookery," a valuable property, which had +now reached a very large circulation, was printed at the Canongate +Press. + +They exerted themselves to promote the sale of one another's +publications and engaged in various joint works, such, for example, as +Grahame's "British Georgics" and Scott's "English Minstrelsy." + +In the midst of all these transactions, however, there were not wanting +symptoms of financial difficulties, which, as in a previous instance, +were destined in time to cause a severance between Murray and his +Edinburgh agents. It was the old story--drawing bills for value _not_ +received. Murray seriously warned the Ballantynes of the risks they were +running in trading beyond their capital. James Ballantyne replied on +March 30, 1809: + +_Mr. James Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +"Suffer me to notice one part of your letter respecting which you will +be happy to be put right. We are by no means trading beyond our capital. +It requires no professional knowledge to enable us to avoid so fatal an +error as that. For the few speculations we have entered into our means +have been carefully calculated and are perfectly adequate." + +Yet at the close of the same letter, referring to the "British +Novelists"--a vast scheme, to which Mr. Murray had by no means pledged +himself--Ballantyne continues: + +"For this work permit me to state I have ordered a font of types, cut +expressly on purpose, at an expense of near £1,000, and have engaged a +very large number of compositors for no other object." + +On June 14, James Ballantyne wrote to Murray: + +"I can get no books out yet, without interfering in the printing office +with business previously engaged for, and that puts me a little about +for cash. Independent of _this_ circumstance, upon which we reckoned, a +sum of £1,500 payable to us at 25th May, yet waiting some cursed legal +arrangements, but which we trust to have very shortly [_sic_]. This is +all preliminary to the enclosures which I hope will not be disagreeable +to you, and if not, I will trust to their receipt _accepted_, by return +of post." + +Mr. Murray replied on June 20: + +"I regret that I should be under the necessity of returning you the two +bills which you enclosed, unaccepted; but having settled lately a very +large amount with Mr. Constable, I had occasion to grant more bills than +I think it proper to allow to be about at the same time." + +This was not the last application for acceptances, and it will be found +that in the end it led to an entire separation between the firms. + +The Ballantynes, however, were more sanguine than prudent. In spite of +Mr. Murray's warning that they were proceeding too rapidly with the +publication of new works, they informed him that they had a "gigantic +scheme" in hand--the "Tales of the East," translated by Henry Weber, +Walter Scott's private secretary--besides the "Edinburgh Encyclopaedia," +and the "Secret Memoirs of the House of Stewart." They said that Scott +was interested in the "Tales of the East," and in one of their hopeful +letters they requested Mr. Murray to join in their speculations. His +answer was as follows: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Ballantyne & Co_. + +_October_ 31, 1809. + +"I regret that I cannot accept a share in the 'Edinburgh Encyclopaedia.' +I am obliged to decline by motives of prudence. I do not know anything +of the agreement made by the proprietors, except in the palpable +mismanagement of a very exclusive and promising concern. I am therefore +fearful to risk my property in an affair so extremely unsuitable. + +"You distress me sadly by the announcement of having put the 'Secret +Memoirs' to press, and that the paper for it was actually purchased six +months ago! How can you, my good sirs, act in this way? How can you +imagine that a bookseller can afford to pay eternal advances upon almost +every work in which he takes a share with you? And how can you continue +to destroy every speculation by entering upon new ones before the +previous ones are properly completed?... Why, with your influence, will +you not urge the completion of the 'Minstrelsy'? Why not go on with and +complete the series of De Foe?... For myself, I really do not know what +to do, for when I see that you will complete nothing of your own, I am +unwillingly apprehensive of having any work of mine in your power. What +I thus write is in serious friendship for you. I entreat you to let us +complete what we have already in hand, before we begin upon any other +speculation. You will have enough to do to sell those in which we are +already engaged. As to your mode of exchange and so disposing of your +shares, besides the universal obloquy which attends the practice in the +mind of every respectable bookseller, and the certain damnation which it +invariably causes both to the book and the author, as in the case of +Grahame, if persisted in, it must end in serious loss to the +bookseller.... If you cannot give me your solemn promise not to exchange +a copy of Tasso, I trust you will allow me to withdraw the small share +which I propose to take, for the least breath of this kind would blast +the work and the author too--a most worthy man, upon whose account alone +I engaged in the speculation." + +Constable, with whom Murray had never entirely broken, had always looked +with jealousy at the operations of the house of Ballantyne. Their firm +had indeed been started in opposition to himself; and it was not without +a sort of gratification that he heard of their pecuniary difficulties, +and of the friction between them and Murray. Scott's "Lady of the Lake" +had been announced for publication. At the close of a letter to Murray, +Constable rather maliciously remarks: + +_January_ 20, 1810. + +"I have no particular anxiety about promulgating the folly (to say the +least of it) of certain correspondents of yours in this quarter; but if +you will ask our friend Mr. Miller if he had a letter from a shop nearly +opposite the Royal Exchange the other day, he will, I dare say, tell you +of the contents. I am mistaken if their game is not well up! Indeed I +doubt much if they will survive the 'Lady of the Lake.' She will +probably help to drown them!" + +An arrangement had been made with the Ballantynes that, in +consideration of their being the sole agents for Mr. Murray in Scotland, +they should give him the opportunity of taking shares in any of their +publications. Instead, however, of offering a share of the "Lady of the +Lake" to Mr. Murray, according to the understanding between the firms, +the Ballantynes had already parted with one fourth share of the work to +Mr. Miller, of Albemarle Street, London, whose business was afterwards +purchased by Mr. Murray. Mr. Murray's letter to Ballantyne & Co. thus +describes the arrangement: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Ballantyne & Co_. + +_March_ 26, 1810. + +"Respecting my _Review_, you appear to forget that your engagement was +that I should be your sole agent here, and that you were to publish +nothing but what I was to have the offer of a share in. Your deviation +from this must have led me to conclude that you did not desire or expect +to continue my agent any longer. You cannot suppose that my estimation +of Mr. Scott's genius can have rendered me indifferent to my exclusion +from a share in the 'Lady of the Lake.' I mention this as well to +testify that I am not indifferent to this conduct in you as to point it +out to you, that if you mean to withhold from me that portion which you +command of the advantages of our connexion, you must surely mean to +resign any that might arise from me. The sole agency for my publications +in Edinburgh is worth to any man who understands his business £300 a +year; but this requires zealous activity and deference on one side, and +great confidence on both, otherwise the connexion cannot be advantageous +or satisfactory to either party. For this number of the _Review_ I have +continued your name solely in it, and propose to make you as before sole +publisher in Scotland; but as you have yourself adopted the plan of +drawing upon me for the amount of each transaction, you will do me the +favour to consider what quantity you will need, and upon your remitting +to me a note at six months for the amount, I shall immediately ship the +quantity for you." + +_Mr. James Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +"Your agency hitherto has been productive of little or no advantage to +us, and the fault has not lain with us. We have persisted in offering +you shares of everything begun by us, till we found the hopelessness of +waiting any return; and in dividing Mr. Scott's poem, we found it our +duty to give what share we had to part with to those by whom we were +chiefly benefited both as booksellers and printers." + +This letter was accompanied with a heavy bill for printing the works of +De Foe for Mr. Murray. A breach thus took place with the Ballantynes; +the publisher of the _Quarterly_ was compelled to look out for a new +agent for Scotland, and met with a thoroughly competent one in Mr. +William Blackwood, the founder of the well-known publishing house in +Edinburgh. + +To return to the progress of the _Quarterly_. The fifth number, which +was due in February 1810, but did not appear until the end of March, +contained many excellent articles, though, as Mr. Ellis said, some of +them were contributed by "good and steady but marvellously heavy +friends." Yet he found it better than the _Edinburgh_, which on that +occasion was "reasonably dull." + +It contained one article which became the foundation of an English +classic, that of Southey on the "Life of Nelson." Of this article Murray +wrote to its author: + +"I wish it to be made such a book as shall become the heroic text of +every midshipman in the Navy, and the association of Nelson and Southey +will not, I think, be ungrateful to you. If it be worth your attention +in this way I am disposed to think that it will enable me to treble the +sum I first offered as a slight remuneration." + +Mr. Murray, writing to Mr. Scott (August 28, 1810) as to the appearance +of the new number, which did not appear till a month and a half after it +was due, remarked on the fourth article. "This," he said, "is a review +of the 'Daughters of Isenberg, a Bavarian Romance,' by Mr. Gifford, to +whom the authoress (Alicia T. Palmer) had the temerity to send three £1 +notes!" Gifford, instead of sending back the money with indignation, as +he at first proposed, reviewed the romance, and assumed that the +authoress had sent him the money for charitable purposes. + +_Mr. Gifford to Miss A.T. Palmer_. + +"Our avocations leave us but little leisure for extra-official +employment; and in the present case she has inadvertently added to our +difficulties by forbearing to specify the precise objects of her bounty. +We hesitated for some time between the Foundling and Lying-in Hospitals: +in finally determining for the latter, we humbly trust that we have not +disappointed her expectations, nor misapplied her charity. Our publisher +will transmit the proper receipt to her address." + +One of the principal objections of Mr. Murray to the manner in which +Mr. Gifford edited the _Quarterly_ was the war which he waged with the +_Edinburgh_. This, he held, was not the way in which a respectable +periodical should be conducted. It had a line of its own to pursue, +without attacking its neighbours. "Publish," he said, "the best +information, the best science, the best literature; and leave the public +to decide for themselves." Relying on this opinion he warned Gifford and +his friends against attacking Sydney Smith, and Leslie, and Jeffrey, +because of their contributions to the _Edinburgh_. He thought that such +attacks had only the effect of advertising the rival journal, and +rendering it of greater importance. With reference to the article on +Sydney Smith's "Visitation Sermon" in No. 5, Mr. George Ellis privately +wrote to Mr. Murray: + +"Gifford, though the best-tempered man alive, is _terribly_ severe with +his pen; but S.S. would suffer ten times more by being turned into +ridicule (and never did man expose himself so much as he did in that +sermon) than from being slashed and cauterized in that manner." + +The following refers to a difference of opinion between Mr. Murray and +his editor. Mr. Gifford had resented some expression of his friend's as +savouring of intimidation. + +_John Murray to Mr. Gifford_. + +_September_ 25, 1810. + +"I entreat you to be assured that the term 'intimidation' can never be +applied to any part of my conduct towards you, for whom I entertain the +highest esteem and regard, both as a writer and as a friend. If I am +over-anxious, it is because I have let my hopes of fame as a bookseller +rest upon the establishment and celebrity of this journal. My character, +as well with my professional brethren as with the public, is at stake +upon it; for I would not be thought silly by the one, or a mere +speculator by the other. I have a very large business, as you may +conclude by the capital I have been able to throw into this one +publication, and yet my mind is so entirely engrossed, my honour is so +completely involved in this one thing, that I neither eat, drink, nor +sleep upon anything else. I would rather it excelled all other journals +and I gained nothing by it, than gain £300 a year by it without trouble +if it were thought inferior to any other. This, sir, is true." + +Meanwhile, Mr. Murray was becoming hard pressed for money. To conduct +his increasing business required a large floating capital, for long +credits were the custom, and besides his own requirements, he had to +bear the constant importunities of the Ballantynes to renew their bills. +On July 25, 1810, he wrote to them: "This will be the last renewal of +the bill (£300); when it becomes due, you will have the goodness to +provide for it." It was, however, becoming impossible to continue +dealing with them, and he gradually transferred his printing business to +other firms. We find him about this time ordering Messrs. George Ramsay +& Co., Edinburgh, to print 8,000 of the "Domestic Cookery," which was +still having a large sale. + +The Constables also were pressing him for renewals of bills. The +correspondence of this date is full of remonstrances from Murray against +the financial unpunctuality of his Edinburgh correspondents. + +On March 21, 1811, he writes: "With regard to myself, I will engage in +no new work of any kind"; and again, on April 4, 1811: + +Dear Constable, + +You know how much I have distressed myself by entering heedlessly upon +too many engagements. You must not urge me to involve myself in renewed +difficulties. + +To return to the _Quarterly_ No. 8. Owing to the repeated delay in +publication, the circulation fell off from 5,000 to 4,000, and Mr. +George Ellis had obviously reason when he wrote: "Hence I infer that +_punctuality_ is, in our present situation, our great and only +desideratum." + +Accordingly, increased efforts were made to have the _Quarterly_ +published with greater punctuality, though it was a considerable time +before success in this respect was finally reached. Gifford pruned and +pared down to the last moment, and often held back the publication until +an erasure or a correction could be finally inserted. + +No. 9, due in February 1811, was not published until March. From this +time Southey became an almost constant contributor to the _Review_. He +wrote with ease, grace, and rapidity, and there was scarcely a number +without one, and sometimes two and even three articles from his pen. +His prose style was charming--clear, masculine, and to the point. The +public eagerly read his prose, while his poetry remained unnoticed on +the shelves. The poet could not accept this view of his merits. Of the +"Curse of Kehama" he wrote: + +"I was perfectly aware that I was planting acorns while my +contemporaries were setting Turkey beans. The oak will grow, and though +I may never sit under its shade, my children will. Of the 'Lady of the +Lake,' 25,000 copies have been printed; of 'Kehama', 500; and if they +sell in seven years I shall be surprised." + +Scott wrote a kindly notice of Southey's poem. It was not his way to cut +up his friend in a review. He pointed out the beauties of the poem, in +order to invite purchasers and readers. Yet his private opinion to his +friend George Ellis was this: + +_Mr. Scott to Mr. G. Ellis_. + +"I have run up an attempt on the 'Curse of Kehama' for the _Quarterly_: +a strange thing it is--the 'Curse,' I mean--and the critique is not, as +the blackguards say, worth a damn; but what I could I did, which was to +throw as much weight as possible upon the beautiful passages, of which +there are many, and to slur over its absurdities, of which there are not +a few. It is infinite pity for Southey, with genius almost to +exuberance, so much learning and real good feeling of poetry, that, with +the true obstinacy of a foolish papa, he _will_ be most attached to the +defects of his poetical offspring. This said 'Kehama' affords cruel +openings to the quizzers, and I suppose will get it roundly in the +_Edinburgh Review_. I could have made a very different hand of it +indeed, had the order of the day been _pour déchirer_." + +It was a good thing for Southey that he could always depend upon his +contributions to the _Quarterly_ for his daily maintenance, for he could +not at all rely upon the income from his poetry. + +The failure of the _Edinburgh Annual Register_, published by Ballantyne, +led to a diminution of Southey's income amounting to about £400 a year. +He was thus led to write more and more for the _Quarterly_. His +reputation, as well as his income, rose higher from his writings there +than from any of his other works. In April 1812 he wrote to his friend +Mr. Wynn: + + +_Mr. Southey to Mr. Wynn_. + +"By God's blessing I may yet live to make all necessary provision +myself. My means are now improving every year. I am up the hill of +difficulty, and shall very soon get rid of the burthen which has impeded +me in the ascent. I have some arrangements with Murray, which are likely +to prove more profitable than any former speculations ... Hitherto I +have been highly favoured. A healthy body, an active mind, and a +cheerful heart, are the three best boons Nature can bestow, and, God be +praised, no man ever enjoyed these more perfectly." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +MURRAY AND GIFFORD--RUPTURE WITH CONSTABLE--PROSPERITY OF THE +"QUARTERLY" + + +A good understanding was now established between Mr. Murray and his +editor, and the _Quarterly_ went on improving and gradually increased in +circulation. Though regular in the irregularity of its publication, the +subscribers seem to have become accustomed to the delay, and when it did +make its appearance it was read with eagerness and avidity. The interest +and variety of its contents, and the skill of the editor in the +arrangement of his materials, made up for many shortcomings. + +Murray and Gifford were in constant communication, and it is interesting +to remember that the writer of the following judicious criticism had +been editor of the _Anti-Jacobin_ before he was editor of the +_Quarterly_. + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +_May_ 17, 1811. + +"I have seldom been more pleased and vexed at a time than with the +perusal of the enclosed MS. It has wit, it has ingenuity, but both are +absolutely lost in a negligence of composition which mortifies me. Why +will your young friend fling away talent which might so honourably +distinguish him? He might, if be chose, be the ornament of our _Review_, +instead of creating in one mingled regret and admiration. It is utterly +impossible to insert such a composition as the present; there are +expressions which would not be borne; and if, as you say, it will be +sent to Jeffrey's if I do not admit it, however I may grieve, I must +submit to the alternative. Articles of pure humour should be written +with extraordinary attention. A vulgar laugh is detestable. I never saw +much merit in writing rapidly. You will believe me when I tell you that +I have been present at the production of more genuine wit and humour +than almost any person of my time, and that it was revised and polished +and arranged with a scrupulous care which overlooked nothing. I have +not often seen fairer promises of excellence in this department than in +your correspondent; but I tell you frankly that they will all be +blighted and perish prematurely unless sedulously cultivated. It is a +poor ambition to raise a casual laugh in the unreflecting. + +The article did not appear in the _Quarterly_, and Mr. Pillans, the +writer, afterwards became a contributor to the _Edinburgh Review_. + +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 £500. "I thank +you," he answered (December 6), "very sincerely for your magnificent +present; but £500 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, + +I did not answer the letter to which the enclosed alludes, because its +impropriety in all respects rendered it impossible for me to do so +without involving myself in a personal dispute, which it is my anxious +resolution to avoid: and because my determination was fully taken to +abide by what I told you in my former letter, to which alone I can or +could have referred you. You made an express proposition to me, to +which, as you have deviated from it, it is not my intention to accede. +The books may remain with me upon sale or return, until you please to +order them elsewhere; and in the meantime I shall continue to avail +myself of every opportunity to sell them. I return, therefore, an +account and bills, with which I have nothing to do, and desire to have a +regular invoice. + +I am, gentlemen, yours truly, + +J. MURRAY. + + +Constable & Co. fired off a final shot on May 28 following, and the +correspondence and business between the firms then terminated. + +No. 12 of the _Quarterly_ appeared in December 1811, and perhaps the +most interesting article in the number was that by Canning and Ellis, on +Trotter's "Life of Fox." Gifford writes to Murray about this article: + +"I have not seen Canning yet, but he is undoubtedly at work by this +time. Pray take care that no one gets a sight of the slips. It will be a +delightful article, but say not a word till it comes out." + +A pamphlet had been published by W.S. Landor, dedicated to the President +of the United States, entitled, "Remarks upon Memoirs of Mr. Fox lately +published." Gifford was furious about it. He wrote to Murray: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"I never read so rascally a thing as the Dedication. It is almost too +bad for the Eatons and other publishers of mad democratic books. In the +pamphlet itself there are many clever bits, but there is no taste and +little judgment. His attacks on private men are very bad. Those on Mr. +C. are too stupid to do much harm, or, indeed, any. The Dedication is +the most abject piece of business that I ever read. It shows Landor to +have a most rancorous and malicious heart. Nothing but a rooted hatred +of his country could have made him dedicate his Jacobinical book to the +most contemptible wretch that ever crept into authority, and whose only +recommendation to him is his implacable enmity to his country. I think +you might write to Southey; but I would not, on any account, have you +publish such a scoundrel address." + +The only entire article ever contributed to the _Review_ by Gifford +himself was that which he wrote, in conjunction with Barron Field, on +Ford's "Dramatic Works." It was an able paper, but it contained a +passage, the publication of which occasioned Gifford the deepest regret. +Towards the conclusion of the article these words occurred: The Editor +"has polluted his pages with the blasphemies of a poor maniac, who, it +seems, once published some detached scenes of the 'Broken Heart.'" This +referred to Charles Lamb, who likened the "transcendent scene [of the +Spartan boy and Calantha] in imagination to Calvary and the Cross." Now +Gifford had never heard of the personal history of Lamb, nor of the +occasional fits of lunacy to which his sister Mary was subject; and when +the paragraph was brought to his notice by Southey, through Murray, it +caused him unspeakable distress. He at once wrote to Southey [Footnote: +When the subject of a memoir of Charles Lamb by Serjeant Talfourd was +under consideration, Southey wrote to a friend: "I wish that I had +looked out for Mr. Talfourd the letter which Gifford wrote in reply to +one in which I remonstrated with him upon his designation of Lamb as a +poor maniac. The words were used in complete ignorance of their peculiar +bearings, and I believe nothing in the course of Gifford's life ever +occasioned him so much self-reproach. He was a man with whom I had no +literary sympathies; perhaps there was nothing upon which we agreed, +except great political questions; but I liked him the better ever after +for his conduct on this occasion."] the following letter: + +_Mr. W. Gifford to Mr. Southey_. + +_February_ 13, 1812. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I break off here to say that I have this moment received your last +letter to Murray. It has grieved and shocked me beyond expression; but, +my dear friend, I am innocent so far as the intent goes. I call God to +witness that in the whole course of my life I never heard one syllable +of Mr. Lamb or his family. I knew not that he ever had a sister, or that +he had parents living, or that he or any person connected with him had +ever manifested the slightest tendency to insanity. In a word, I declare +to you _in the most solemn manner_ that all I ever knew or ever heard of +Mr. Lamb was merely his name. Had I been aware of one of the +circumstances which you mention, I would have lost my right arm sooner +than have written what I have. The truth is, that I was shocked at +seeing him compare the sufferings and death of a person who just +continues to dance after the death of his lover is announced (for this +is all his merit) to the pangs of Mount Calvary; and not choosing to +attribute it to folly, because I reserved that charge for Weber, I +unhappily in the present case ascribed it to madness, for which I pray +God to forgive me, since the blow has fallen heavily when I really +thought it would not be felt. I considered Lamb as a thoughtless +scribbler, who, in circumstances of ease, amused himself by writing on +any subject. Why I thought so, I cannot tell, but it was the opinion I +formed to myself, for I now regret to say I never made any inquiry upon +the subject; nor by any accident in the whole course of my life did I +hear him mentioned beyond the name. + +I remain, my dear Sir, + +Yours most sincerely, + +W. GIFFORD. + +It is unnecessary to describe in detail the further progress of the +_Quarterly_. The venture was now fairly launched. Occasionally, when +some friction arose from the editorial pruning of Southey's articles, or +when Mr. Murray remonstrated with the exclusion or inclusion of some +particular article, Mr. Gifford became depressed, or complained, "This +business begins to get too heavy for me, and I must soon have done, I +fear." Such discouragement was only momentary. Gifford continued to edit +the _Review_ for many years, until and long after its complete success +had become assured. + +The following extract, from a letter of Southey's to his friend Bedford, +describes very happily the position which Mr. Murray had now attained. + +"Murray offers me a thousand guineas for my intended poem in blank +verse, and begs it may not be a line longer than "Thomson's Seasons"! I +rather think the poem will be a post obit, and in that case, twice that +sum, at least, may be demanded for it. What his real feelings may be +towards me, I cannot tell; but he is a happy fellow, living in the light +of his own glory. The _Review_ is the greatest of all works, and it is +all his own creation; he prints 10,000, and fifty times ten thousand +read its contents, in the East and in the West. Joy be with him and his +journal!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +LORD BYRON'S WORKS, 1811 TO 1814 + + +The origin of Mr. Murray's connection with Lord Byron was as follows. +Lord Byron had made Mr. Dallas [Footnote: Robert Charles Dallas +(1754-1824). His sister married Captain George Anson Byron, and her +descendants now hold the title.] a present of the MS. of the first two +cantos of "Childe Harold," and allowed him to make arrangements for +their publication. Mr. Dallas's first intention was to offer them to the +publisher of "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers," but Cawthorn did not +rank sufficiently high among his brethren of the trade. He was precluded +from offering them to Longman & Co. because of their refusal to publish +the Satire. He then went to Mr. Miller, of Albemarle Street, and left +the manuscript with him, "enjoining the strictest secrecy as to the +author." After a few days' consideration Miller declined to publish the +poem, principally because of the sceptical stanzas which it contained, +and also because of its denunciation as a "plunderer" of his friend and +patron the Earl of Elgin, who was mentioned by name in the original +manuscript of the poem. + +After hearing from Dallas that Miller had declined to publish "Childe +Harold," Lord Byron wrote to him from Reddish's Hotel: + +_Lord Byron to Mr. Miller_. + +_July_ 30, 1811. + +SIR, + +I am perfectly aware of the justice of your remarks, and am convinced +that if ever the poem is published the same objections will be made in +much stronger terms. But, as it was intended to be a poem on _Ariosto's +plan_, that is to say on _no plan_ at all, and, as is usual in similar +cases, having a predilection for the worst passages, I shall retain +those parts, though I cannot venture to defend them. Under these +circumstances I regret that you decline the publication, on my own +account, as I think the book would have done better in your hands; the +pecuniary part, you know, I have nothing to do with.... But I can +perfectly conceive, and indeed approve your reasons, and assure you my +sensations are not _Archiepiscopal_ enough as yet to regret the +rejection of my Homilies. + +I am, Sir, your very obedient, humble servant, + +BYRON. + +"Next to these publishers," proceeds Dallas, in his "Recollections of +the Life of Lord Byron," "I wished to oblige Mr. Murray, who had then a +shop opposite St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleet Street. Both he and his +father before him had published for myself. He had expressed to me his +regret that I did not carry him the 'English Bards and Scotch +Reviewers.' But this was after its success; I think he would have +refused it in its embryo state. After Lord Byron's arrival I had met +him, and he said he wished I would obtain some work of his Lordship's +for him. I now had it in my power, and I put 'Childe Harold's +Pilgrimage' into his hands, telling him that Lord Byron had made me a +present of it, and that I expected he would make a very liberal +arrangement with me for it. + +"He took some days to consider, during which time he consulted +his literary advisers, among whom, no doubt, was Mr. Gifford, +who was Editor of the _Quarterly Review_. That Mr. Gifford gave +a favourable opinion I afterwards learned from Mr. Murray himself; but +the objections I have stated stared him in the face, and he was kept in +suspense between the desire of possessing a work of Lord Byron's and the +fear of an unsuccessful speculation. We came to this conclusion: that he +should print, at his expense, a handsome quarto edition, the profits of +which I should share equally with him, and that the agreement for the +copyright should depend upon the success of this edition. When I told +this to Lord Byron he was highly pleased, but still doubted the +copyright being worth my acceptance, promising, however, if the poem +went through the edition, to give me other poems to annex to 'Childe +Harold.'" + +Mr. Murray had long desired to make Lord Byron's acquaintance, and now +that Mr. Dallas had arranged with him for the publication of the first +two cantos of "Childe Harold," he had many opportunities of seeing Byron +at his place of business. The first time that he saw him was when he +called one day with Mr. Hobhouse in Fleet Street. He afterwards looked +in from time to time, while the sheets were passing through the press, +fresh from the fencing rooms of Angelo and Jackson, and used to amuse +himself by renewing his practice of "Carte et Tierce," with his +walking-cane directed against the book-shelves, while Murray was reading +passages from the poem, with occasional ejaculations of admiration; on +which Byron would say, "You think that a good idea, do you, Murray?" +Then he would fence and lunge with his walking-stick at some special +book which he had picked out on the shelves before him. As Murray +afterwards said, "I was often very glad to get rid of him!" + +A correspondence took place with regard to certain omissions, +alterations, and improvements which were strongly urged both by Mr. +Dallas and the publisher. Mr. Murray wrote as follows: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_September_ 4, 1811. + +MY LORD, + +An absence of some days, passed in the country, has prevented me from +writing earlier, in answer to your obliging letters. [Footnote: These +letters are given in Moore's "Life and Letters of Lord Byron."] I have +now, however, the pleasure of sending you, under a separate cover, the +first proof sheets of your poem; which is so good as to be entitled to +all your care in rendering it perfect. Besides its general merits, there +are parts which, I am tempted to believe, far excel anything that you +have hitherto published; and it were therefore grievous indeed if you do +not condescend to bestow upon it all the improvements of which your mind +is so capable. Every correction already made is valuable, and this +circumstance renders me more confident in soliciting your further +attention. There are some expressions concerning Spain and Portugal +which, however just at the time they were conceived, yet, as they do not +harmonise with the now prevalent feeling, I am persuaded would so +greatly interfere with the popularity which the poem is, in other +respects, certainly calculated to excite, that, in compassion to your +publisher, who does not presume to reason upon the subject, otherwise +than as a mere matter of business, I hope your goodness will induce you +to remove them; and with them perhaps some religious sentiments which +may deprive me of some customers amongst the Orthodox. Could I flatter +myself that these suggestions were not obtrusive, I would hazard +another,--that you would add the two promised cantos, and complete the +poem. It were cruel indeed not to perfect a work which contains so much +that is excellent. Your fame, my Lord, demands it. You are raising a +monument that will outlive your present feelings; and it should +therefore be constructed in such a manner as to excite no other +association than that of respect and admiration for your character and +genius. I trust that you will pardon the warmth of this address, when I +assure you that it arises, in the greatest degree, from a sincere regard +for your best reputation; with, however, some view to that portion of it +which must attend the publisher of so beautiful a poem as you are +capable of rendering in the 'Romaunt of Childe Harold.'" + +In compliance with the suggestions of the publisher, Byron altered and +improved the stanzas relating to Elgin and Wellington. With respect to +the religious, or anti-religious sentiments, Byron wrote to Murray: "As +for the 'orthodox,' let us hope they will buy on purpose to abuse--you +will forgive the one if they will do the other." Yet he did alter Stanza +VIII, and inserted what Moore calls a "magnificent stanza" in place of +one that was churlish and sneering, and in all respects very much +inferior. + +Byron then proceeded to another point. "Tell me fairly, did you show the +MS. to some of your corps?" "I will have no traps for applause," he +wrote to Mr. Murray, at the same time forbidding him to show the +manuscript of "Childe Harold" to his Aristarchus, Mr. Gifford, though he +had no objection to letting it be seen by any one else. But it was too +late. Mr. Gifford had already seen the manuscript, and pronounced a +favourable opinion as to its great poetic merits. Byron was not +satisfied with this assurance, and seemed, in his next letter, to be +very angry. He could not bear to have it thought that he was +endeavouring to ensure a favourable review of his work in the +_Quarterly_. To Mr. Dallas he wrote (September 23, 1811): + +"I _will_ be angry with Murray. It was a book-selling, back-shop, +Paternoster Row, paltry proceeding; and if the experiment had turned out +as it deserved, I would have raised all Fleet Street, and borrowed the +giant's staff from St. Dunstan's Church, to immolate the betrayer of +trust. I have written to him as he was never written to before by an +author, I'll be sworn; and I hope you will amplify my wrath, till it has +an effect upon him." + +Byron at first objected to allow the new poem to be published with his +name, thinking that this would bring down upon him the enmity of his +critics in the North, as well as the venom of the southern scribblers, +whom he had enraged by his Satire. At last, on Mr. Murray's strong +representation, he consented to allow his name to be published on the +title-page as the author. Even to the last, however, his doubts were +great as to the probable success of the poem; and he more than once +talked of suppressing it. + +In October 1811 Lord Byron wrote from Newstead Abbey to his friend Mr. +Hodgson: [Footnote: The Rev. Francis Hodgson was then residing at +Cambridge as Fellow and Tutor of King's College. He formed an intimate +friendship with Byron, who communicated with him freely as to his +poetical as well as his religious difficulties. Hodgson afterwards +became Provost of Eton.] + +"'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage' must wait till Murray's is finished. He is +making a tour in Middlesex, and is to return soon, when high matter may +be expected. He wants to have it in quarto, which is a cursed unsaleable +size; but it is pestilent long, and one must obey one's publisher." + +The whole of the sheets were printed off in the following month of +January; and the work was published on March 1, 1812. Of the first +edition only 500 copies, demy quarto, were printed. + +It is unnecessary to say with what applause the book was received. The +impression it produced was as instantaneous as it proved to be lasting. +Byron himself briefly described the result of the publication in his +memoranda: "I awoke one morning and found myself famous." The publisher +had already taken pains to spread abroad the merits of the poem. Many of +his friends had re-echoed its praises. The attention of the public was +fixed upon the work; and in three days after its appearance the whole +edition was disposed of. When Mr. Dallas went to see Lord Byron at his +house in St. James's Street, he found him loaded with letters from +critics, poets, and authors, all lavish of their raptures. A handsome +new edition, in octavo, was proposed, to which his Lordship agreed. + +Eventually Mr. Murray consented to give Mr. Dallas £600 for the +copyright of the poem; although Mr. Gifford and others were of opinion +that it might prove a bad bargain at that price. There was, however, one +exception, namely Mr. Rogers, who told Mr. Murray not to be +disheartened, for he might rely upon its turning out the most fortunate +purchase he had ever made; and so it proved. Three thousand copies of +the second and third editions of the poem in octavo were printed; and +these went off in rapid succession. + +On the appearance of "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" Lord Byron became an +object of interest in the fashionable world of London. His poem was the +subject of conversation everywhere, and many literary, noble, and royal +personages desired to make his acquaintance. In the month of June he was +invited to a party at Miss Johnson's, at which His Royal Highness the +Prince Regent was present. As Lord Byron had not yet been to Court, it +was not considered etiquette that he should appear before His Royal +Highness. He accordingly retired to another room. But on the Prince +being informed that Lord Byron was in the house, he expressed a desire +to see him. Lord Byron was sent for, and the following is Mr. Murray's +account of the conversation that took place. + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_June_ 27, 1812. + +DEAR SIR, + +I cannot refrain, notwithstanding my fears of intrusion, from mentioning +to you a conversation which Lord Byron had with H.R.H. the Prince +Regent, and of which you formed the leading subject. He was at an +evening party at Miss Johnson's this week, when the Prince, hearing that +Lord Byron was present, expressed a desire to be introduced to him; and +for more than half an hour they conversed on poetry and poets, with +which the Prince displayed an intimacy and critical taste which at once +surprised and delighted Lord Byron. But the Prince's great delight was +Walter Scott, whose name and writings he dwelt upon and recurred to +incessantly. He preferred him far beyond any other poet of the time, +repeated several passages with fervour, and criticized them faithfully. +He spoke chiefly of the 'Lay of the Last Minstrel,' which he expressed +himself as admiring most of the three poems. He quoted Homer, and even +some of the obscurer Greek poets, and appeared, as Lord Byron supposes, +to have read more poetry than any prince in Europe. He paid, of course, +many compliments to Lord Byron, but the greatest was "that he ought to +be offended with Lord B., for that he had thought it impossible for any +poet to equal Walter Scott, and that he had made him find himself +mistaken." Lord Byron called upon me, merely to let off the raptures of +the Prince respecting you, thinking, as he said, that if I were likely +to have occasion to write to you, it might not be ungrateful for you to +hear of his praises. + +In reply Scott wrote to Mr. Murray as follows, enclosing a letter to +Lord Byron, which has already been published in the Lives of both +authors: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _July 2_, 1812. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have been very silent, partly through pressure of business and partly +from idleness and procrastination, but it would be very ungracious to +delay returning my thanks for your kindness in transmitting the very +flattering particulars of the Prince Regent's conversation with Lord +Byron. I trouble you with a few lines to his Lordship expressive of my +thanks for his very handsome and gratifying communication, and I hope he +will not consider it as intrusive in a veteran author to pay my debt of +gratitude for the high pleasure I have received from the perusal of +'Childe Harold,' which is certainly the most original poem which we have +had this many a day.... + +Your obliged, humble Servant, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +This episode led to the opening of an agreeable correspondence between +Scott and Byron, and to a lasting friendship between the two poets. + +The fit of inspiration was now on Lord Byron. In May 1813 appeared "The +Giaour," and in the midst of his corrections of successive editions of +it, he wrote in four nights his second Turkish story, "Zuleika," +afterwards known as "The Bride of Abydos." + +With respect to the business arrangement as to the two poems, Mr. Murray +wrote to Lord Byron as follows: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_November_ 18, 1813. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +I am very anxious that our business transactions should occur +frequently, and that they should be settled immediately; for short +accounts are favourable to long friendships. + +I restore "The Giaour" to your Lordship entirely, and for it, the "Bride +of Abydos," and the miscellaneous poems intended to fill up the volume +of the small edition, I beg leave to offer you the sum of One Thousand +Guineas; and I shall be happy if you perceive that my estimation of your +talents in my character of a man of business is not much under my +admiration of them as a man. + +I do most heartily accept the offer of your portrait, as the most noble +mark of friendship with which you could in any way honour me. I do +assure you that I am truly proud of being distinguished as your +publisher, and that I shall ever continue, + +Your Lordship's faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +With reference to the foregoing letter we read in Lord Byron's Diary: + +"Mr. Murray has offered me one thousand guineas for 'The Giaour' and +'The Bride of Abydos.' I won't. It is too much: though I am strongly +tempted, merely for the say of it. No bad price for a fortnight's (a +week each) what?--the gods know. It was intended to be called poetry." + +The "Bride of Abydos" was received with almost as much applause as the +"Giaour." "Lord Byron," said Sir James Mackintosh, "is the author of the +day; six thousand of his 'Bride of Abydos' have been sold within a +month." + +"The Corsair" was Lord Byron's next poem, written with great vehemence, +literally "struck off at a heat," at the rate of about two hundred lines +a day,--"a circumstance," says Moore, "that is, perhaps, wholly without +a parallel in the history of genius." "The Corsair" was begun on the +18th, and finished on the 31st of December, 1813. + +A sudden impulse induced Lord Byron to present the copyright of this +poem also to Mr. Dallas, with the single stipulation that he would offer +it for publication to Mr. Murray, who eventually paid Mr. Dallas five +hundred guineas for the copyright, and the work was published in +February 1814. The following letters will give some idea of the +reception it met with. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_February_ 3, 1814. + +MY LORD, + +I have been unwilling to write until I had something to say, an occasion +to which I do not always restrict myself. I am most happy to tell you +that your last poem _is_--what Mr. Southey's is _called_--_a Carmen +Triumphale_. Never, in my recollection, has any work, since the "Letter +of Burke to the Duke of Bedford," excited such a ferment--a ferment +which, I am happy to say, will subside into lasting fame. I sold, on the +day of publication--a thing perfectly unprecedented--10,000 copies.... +Gifford did what I never knew him do before--he repeated several +passages from memory." + +The "Ode to Napoleon Bonaparte," which appeared in April 1814, was on +the whole a failure. It was known to be Lord Byron's, and its +publication was seized upon by the press as the occasion for many bitter +criticisms, mingled with personalities against the writer's genius and +character. He was cut to the quick by these notices, and came to the +determination to buy back the whole of the copyrights of his works, and +suppress every line he had ever written. On April 29, 1814, he wrote to +Mr. Murray: + +_Lord Byron to John Murray_. + +_April_ 29, 1814. + +I enclose a draft for the money; when paid, send the copyrights. I +release you from the thousand pounds agreed on for "The Giaour" and +"Bride," and there's an end.... For all this, it might be well to assign +some reason. I have none to give, except my own caprice, and I do not +consider the circumstance of consequence enough to require +explanation.... It will give me great pleasure to preserve your +acquaintance, and to consider you as my friend. Believe me very truly, +and for much attention, + +Yours, etc., + +BYRON. + +Mr. Murray was of course very much concerned at this decision, and +remonstrated. Three days later Lord Byron revoked his determination. To +Mr. Murray he wrote (May 1, 1814): + +"If your present note is serious, and it really would be inconvenient, +there is an end of the matter; tear my draft, and go on as usual: in +that case, we will recur to our former basis." + +Before the end of the month Lord Byron began the composition of his next +poem, "Lara," usually considered a continuation of "The Corsair." It was +published conjointly with Mr. Rogers's "Jacqueline." "Rogers and I," +said Lord Byron to Moore, "have almost coalesced into a joint invasion +of the public. Whether it will take place or not, I do not yet know, and +I am afraid 'Jacqueline' (which is very beautiful) will be in bad +company. But in this case, the lady will not be the sufferer." + +The two poems were published anonymously in the following August (1814): +Murray allowed 500 guineas for the copyright of each. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +MR. MURRAY'S REMOVAL TO 50, ALBEMARLE STREET + +We must now revert to the beginning of 1812, at which time Mr. William +Miller, who commenced business in Bond Street in 1791, and had in 1804 +removed to 50, Albemarle Street, desired to retire from "the Trade." He +communicated his resolve to Mr. Murray, who had some time held the +intention of moving westward from Fleet Street, and had been on the +point of settling in Pall Mall. Murray at once entered into an +arrangement with Miller, and in a letter to Mr. Constable of Edinburgh +he observed: + +_John Murray to Mr. A. Constable_. + +_May_ 1, 1812. + +"You will probably have heard that Miller is about to retire, and that I +have ventured to undertake to succeed him. I had for some time +determined upon moving, and I did not very long hesitate about accepting +his offer. I am to take no part of his stock but such as I may deem +expedient, and for it and the rest I shall have very long credit. How +far it may answer, I know not; but if I can judge of my own views, I +think it may prove an advantageous opening. Miller's retirement is very +extraordinary, for no one in the trade will believe that he has made a +fortune; but from what he has laid open to me, it is clear that he has +succeeded. In this arrangement, I propose of course to dispose of my +present house, and my medical works, with other parts of my business. I +have two offers for it, waiting my decision as to terms.... I am to +enter at Miller's on September 29th next." [Footnote: The Fleet Street +business was eventually purchased by Thomas and George Underwood. It +appears from the "Memoirs of Adam Black" that Black was for a short time +a partner with the Underwoods. Adam Black quitted the business in 1813. +Upon the failure of the Underwoods in 1831, Mr. Samuel Highley, son of +Mr. Murray's former partner, took possession, and the name of Highley +again appeared over the door.] + +The terms arranged with Mr. Miller were as follows: The lease of the +house, No. 50, Albemarle Street, was purchased by Mr. Murray, together +with the copyrights, stock, etc., for the sum of £3,822 12_s_. 6_d_.; +Mr. Miller receiving as surety, during the time the purchase money +remained unpaid, the copyright of "Domestic Cookery," of the _Quarterly +Review_, and the one-fourth share in "Marmion." The debt was not finally +paid off until the year 1821. + +Amongst the miscellaneous works which Mr. Murray published shortly after +his removal to Albemarle Street were William Sotheby's translation of +the "Georgies of Virgil"--the most perfect translation, according to +Lord Jeffrey, of a Latin classic which exists in our language; Robert +Bland's "Collection from the Greek Anthology"; Prince Hoare's "Epochs of +the Arts"; Lord Glenbervie's work on the "Cultivation of Timber"; +Granville Penn's "Bioscope, or Dial of Life explained"; John Herman +Merivale's "Orlando in Roncesvalles"; and Sir James Hall's splendid work +on "Gothic Architecture." Besides these, there was a very important +contribution to our literature--in the "Miscellaneous Works of Gibbon" +in 5 volumes, for the copyright of which Mr. Murray paid Lord Sheffield +the sum of £1,000. + +In 1812 he published Sir John Malcolm's "Sketch of the Sikhs," and in +the following year Mr. Macdonald Kinneir's "Persia." Mr. D'Israeli's +"Calamities of Authors" appeared in 1812, and Murray forwarded copies of +the work to Scott and Southey. + + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_July_ 2,1812. + +I owe you best thanks for the 'Calamities of Authors,' which has all the +entertaining and lively features of the 'Amenities of Literature.' I am +just packing them up with a few other books for my hermitage at +Abbotsford, where my present parlour is only 12 feet square, and my +book-press in Lilliputian proportion. Poor Andrew Macdonald I knew in +days of yore, and could have supplied some curious anecdotes respecting +him. He died of a poet's consumption, viz. want of food. + +"The present volume of 'Somers' [Footnote: Lord Somers' "Tracts," a new +edition in 12 volumes.] will be out immediately; with whom am I to +correspond on this subject since the secession of Will. Miller? I shall +be happy to hear you have succeeded to him in this department, as well +as in Albemarle Street. What has moved Miller to retire? He is surely +too young to have made a fortune, and it is uncommon to quit a thriving +trade. I have had a packet half finished for Gifford this many a day." + +Southey expressed himself as greatly interested in the "Calamities of +Authors," and proposed to make it the subject of an article for the +_Quarterly_. + + +_Mr. Southey to John Murray_. + +_August_ 14, 1812. + +"I should like to enlarge a little upon the subject of literary +property, on which he has touched, in my opinion, with proper feeling. +Certainly I am a party concerned. I should like to say something upon +the absurd purposes of the Literary Fund, with its despicable +ostentation of patronage, and to build a sort of National Academy in the +air, in the hope that Canning might one day lay its foundation in a more +solid manner. [Footnote: Canning had his own opinion on the subject. +When the Royal Society of Literature was about to be established, an +application was made to him to join the committee. He refused, for +reasons "partly general, partly personal." He added, "I am really of +opinion, with Dr. Johnson, that the multitudinous personage, called The +Public, is after all, the best patron of literature and learned men."] +And I could say something on the other side of the picture, showing that +although literature in almost all cases is the worst trade to which a +man can possibly betake himself, it is the best and wisest of all +pursuits for those whose provision is already made, and of all +amusements for those who have leisure to amuse themselves. It has long +been my intention to leave behind me my own Memoirs, as a post-obit for +my family--a wise intention no doubt, and one which it is not very +prudent to procrastinate. Should this ever be completed, it would +exhibit a case directly in contrast to D'Israeli's view of the subject. +I chose literature for my own profession, with every advantage of +education it is true, but under more disadvantages perhaps of any other +kind than any of the persons in his catalogue. I have never repented the +choice. The usual censure, ridicule, and even calumnies, which it has +drawn on me never gave me a moment's pain; but on the other hand, +literature has given me friends; among the best and wisest and most +celebrated of my contemporaries it has given me distinction. If I live +twenty years longer, I do not doubt that it will give me fortune, and if +it pleases God to take me before my family are provided for, I doubt as +little that in my name and in my works they will find a provision. I +want to give you a 'Life of Wesley.' The history of the Dissenters must +be finished by that time, and it will afford me opportunity." + +During the year 1813 the recklessness of the younger Ballantyne, +combined with the formation of the incipient estate at Abbotsford, were +weighing heavily on Walter Scott. This led to a fresh alliance with +Constable, "in which," wrote Scott, "I am sensible he has gained a great +advantage"; but in accordance with the agreement Constable, in return +for a share in Scott's new works, was to relieve the Ballantynes of some +of their heavy stock, and in May Scott was enabled "for the first time +these many weeks to lay my head on a quiet pillow." But nothing could +check John Ballantyne. "I sometimes fear," wrote Scott to him, "that +between the long dates of your bills and the tardy settlements of the +Edinburgh trade, some difficulties will occur even in June; and July I +always regard with deep anxiety." How true this forecast proved to be is +shown by the following letter: + + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_, + +EDINBURGH, _July 5_, 1813. + +I delayed answering your favour, thinking I could have overtaken the +"Daemonology" for the _Review_, but I had no books in the country where +it found me, and since that Swift, who is now nearly finished, has kept +me incessantly labouring. When that is off my hand I will have plenty of +leisure for reviewing, though you really have no need of my assistance. +The volume of "Somers" being now out of my hands I take the liberty to +draw at this date as usual for £105. Now I have a favour to ask which I +do with the more confidence because, if it is convenient and agreeable +to you to oblige me in the matter, it will be the means of putting our +connection as author and publisher upon its former footing, which I +trust will not be disagreeable to you. I am making up a large sum of +money to pay for a late purchase, and as part of my funds is secured on +an heritable bond which cannot be exacted till Martinmas, I find myself +some hundreds short, which the circumstances of the money market here +renders it not so easy to supply as formerly. Now if you will oblige me +by giving me a lift with your credit and accepting the enclosed bills, +[Footnote: Three bills for £300 each at three, four, and six months +respectively.] it will accommodate me particularly at this moment, and +as I shall have ample means of putting you in cash to replace them as +they fall due, will not, I should hope, occasion you any inconvenience. +Longmans' house on a former occasion obliged me in this way, and I hope +found their account in it. But I entreat you will not stand on the +least ceremony should you think you could not oblige me without +inconveniencing yourself. The property I have purchased cost about +£6,000, so it is no wonder I am a little out for the moment. Will you +have the goodness to return an answer in course of post, as, failing +your benevolent aid, I must look about elsewhere? + +You will understand distinctly that I do not propose that you should +advance any part of the money by way of loan or otherwise, but only the +assistance of your credit, the bills being to be retired by cash +remitted by me before they fall due. + +Believe me, very truly, + +Your obedient Servant, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +Mr. Murray at once replied: + + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_July_ 8, 1813. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have the pleasure of returning accepted the bills which I received +from you this morning. In thus availing myself of your confidential +application, I trust that you will do me the justice to believe that it +is done for kindness already received, and not with the remotest view +towards prospective advantages. I shall at all times feel proud of being +one of your publishers, but this must be allowed to arise solely out of +your own feelings and convenience when the occasions shall present +themselves. I am sufficiently content in the belief that even negative +obstacles to our perfect confidence have now subsided. + +When weightier concerns permit we hope that you will again appear in our +_Review_. In confidence I may tell you that your long silence led us to +avail ourselves of your friend Mr. Rose's offer to review Ferriar, +[Footnote: Dr. Ferriar on "Apparitions."] and his article is already +printing. + +I will send you a new edition of the "Giaour," in which there are one or +two stanzas added of peculiar beauty. + +I trust that your family are well, and remain, dear Sir, + +Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + + +Within a few months of this correspondence, Scott was looking into an +old writing-desk in search of some fishing-tackle, when his eye chanced +to light upon the Ashestiel fragment of "Waverley," begun several years +before. He read over the introductory chapters, and then determined to +finish the story. It is said that he first offered it anonymously to Sir +R. Phillips, London, who refused to publish it. "Waverley" was +afterwards accepted by Constable & Co., and published on half profits, +on July 7, 1814. When it came out, Murray got an early copy of the +novel; he read it, and sent it to Mr. Canning, and wrote upon the +title-page, "By Walter Scott." The reason why he fixed upon Scott as the +author was as follows. When he met Ballantyne at Boroughbridge, in 1809, +to settle some arrangements as to the works which Walter Scott proposed +to place in his hands for publication, he remembered that among those +works were three--1st, an edition of "Beaumont and Fletcher"; 2nd, a +poem; and 3rd, a novel. Now, both the edition of "Beaumont and Fletcher" +(though edited by Weber) and the poem, the "Lady of the Lake," had been +published; and now, at last, appeared _the novel_. [Footnote: Indeed, in +Ballantyne & Co.'s printed list of "New Works and Publications for +1809-10," issued August 1810 (now before us), we find the following +entry: "Waverley; or, 'Tis Sixty Years Since; a novel in 3 vols. 12mo." +The work was not, however, published until July 1814.] He was confirmed +in his idea that Walter Scott was the author after carefully reading the +book. Canning called on Murray next day; said he had begun it, found it +very dull, and concluded: "You are quite mistaken; it cannot be by +Walter Scott." But a few days later he wrote to Murray: "Yes, it is so; +you are right: Walter Scott, and no one else." + +In the autumn of 1814 Mrs. Murray went to Leith by sailing-ship from the +Thames, to visit her mother and friends in Edinburgh. She was +accompanied by her son John and her two daughters. During her absence, +Mr. Murray wrote to her two or three times a week, and kept her _au +courant_ with the news of the day. In his letter of August 9 he +intimated that he had been dining with D'Israeli, and that he afterwards +went with him to Sadler's Wells Theatre to see the "Corsair," at which +he was "woefully disappointed and enraged.... They have actually omitted +his wife altogether, and made him a mere ruffian, ultimately overcome by +the Sultan, and drowned in the New River!" + +Mr. Blackwood, of Edinburgh, was then in London, spending several days +with Mr. Murray over their accounts and future arrangements. The latter +was thinking of making a visit to Paris, in the company of his friend +D'Israeli, during the peace which followed the exile of Napoleon to +Elba. D'Israeli had taken a house at Brighton, from which place the +voyagers intended to set sail, and make the passage to Dieppe in about +fourteen hours. On August 13 Mr. Murray informs his wife that "Lord +Byron was here yesterday, and I introduced him to Blackwood, to whom he +was very civil. They say," he added, "that Madame de Staël has been +ordered to quit Paris, for writing lightly respecting the Bourbons." Two +days later he wrote to Mrs. Murray: + + +_August_ 15, 1814. + +"I dined yesterday with D'Israeli, and in the afternoon we partly walked +and partly rode to Islington, to drink tea with Mrs. Lindo, who, with +Mr. L. and her family, were well pleased to see me. Mr. Cervetto was +induced to accompany the ladies at the piano with his violoncello, which +he did delightfully. We walked home at 10 o'clock. On Saturday we passed +a very pleasant day at Petersham with Turner and his family.... + +"I have got at last Mr. Eagle's 'Journal of Penrose, the Seaman,' for +which, as you may remember, I am to pay £200 in twelve months for 1,000 +copies: too dear perhaps; but Lord Byron sent me word this morning by +letter (for he borrowed the MS. last night): 'Penrose is most amusing. I +never read so much of a book at one sitting in my life. He kept me up +half the night, and made me dream of him the other half. It has all the +air of truth, and is most entertaining and interesting in every point of +view.'" + +Writing again on August 24, 1814, he says: + +"Lord Byron set out for Newstead on Sunday. It is finally settled to be +his again, the proposed purchaser forfeiting £25,000. 'Lara' and +'Jacqueline' are nearly sold off, to the extent of 6,000, which leaves +me £130, and the certain sale of 10,000 more in the 8vo form. Mr. +Canning called upon Gifford yesterday, and from their conversation I +infer very favourably for my _Review_. We shall now take a decided tone +in Politics, and we are all in one boat. Croker has gone down to the +Prince Regent, at Brighton, where I ought to have been last night, to +have witnessed the rejoicings and splendour of the Duke of Clarence's +birthday. But I am ever out of luck. 'O, indolence and indecision of +mind! if not in yourselves vices, to how much exquisite misery do you +frequently prepare the way!' Have you come to this passage in 'Waverley' +yet? Pray read 'Waverley'; it is excellent." + +On September 5, 1814, Mr. Murray communicated with Mrs. Murray as to +the education of his son John, then six-and-a-half years old: + + +_John Murray to Mrs. Murray_. + +"I am glad that you venture to say something about the children, for it +is only by such minutiae that I can judge of the manner in which they +amuse or behave themselves. I really do not see the least propriety in +leaving John, at an age when the first impressions are so deep and +lasting, to receive the rudiments and foundation of his education in +Scotland. If learning English, his native language, mean anything, it is +not merely to read it correctly and understand it grammatically, but to +speak and pronounce it like the most polished native. But how can you +expect this to be effected, even with the aid of the best teachers, when +everybody around him, with whom he can practise his instructions, speaks +in a totally different manner? No! I rather think it better that he +should go to Edinburgh after he has passed through the schools here, and +when he is sixteen or seventeen. He should certainly go to some school +next spring, and I most confidingly trust that you are unremitting in +your duty to give him daily lessons of preparation, or he may be so far +behind children of his age when he does go to school, that the derision +he may meet there may destroy emulation. All this, however, is matter +for serious consideration and for future consultation, in which your +voice shall have its rightful influence...." + + +Mr. Murray was under the necessity of postponing his visit to France. He +went to Brighton instead, and spent a few pleasant days with Mr. +D'Israeli and his friends. + +On September 24 Mr. Murray, having returned to London, informed his +wife, still at Edinburgh, of an extraordinary piece of news. + + +_John Murray to Mrs. Murray_. + +"I was much surprised to learn from Dallas, whom I accidentally met +yesterday, that Lord Byron was expected in town every hour. I +accordingly left my card at his house, with a notice that I would attend +him as soon as he pleased; and it pleased him to summon my attendance +about seven in the evening. He had come to town on business, and +regretted that he would not be at Newstead until a fortnight, as he +wished to have seen me there on my way to Scotland. Says he, 'Can you +keep a secret?' 'Certainly--positively--my wife's out of town!' 'Then--I +am going to be MARRIED!' 'The devil! I shall have no poem this winter +then?' 'No.' 'Who is the lady who is to do me this injury?' 'Miss +Milbanke--do you know her?' 'No, my lord.' + +"So here is news for you! I fancy the lady is rich, noble, and +beautiful; but this shall be my day's business to enquire about. Oh! +how he did curse poor Lady C---- as the fiend who had interrupted all +his projects, and who would do so now if possible. I think he hinted +that she had managed to interrupt this connexion two years ago. He +thought she was abroad, and, to his torment and astonishment, he finds +her not only in England, but in London. He says he has written some +small poems which his friends think beautiful, particularly one of eight +lines, his very best--all of which, I believe, I am to have; and, +moreover, he gives me permission to publish the octavo edition of 'Lara' +with his name, which secures, I think, £700 to you and me. So Scott's +poem is announced ['Lord of the Isles'], and I am cut out. I wish I had +been in Scotland six weeks ago, and I might have come in for a share. +Should I apply for one to him, it would oblige me to be a partner with +Constable, who is desperately in want of money. He has applied to Cadell +& Davies (the latter told me in confidence) and they refused." + + +At the beginning of October Mr. Murray set out for Edinburgh, journeying +by Nottingham for the purpose of visiting Newstead Abbey. + +The following is Mr. Murray's account of his visit to Newstead. His +letter is dated Matlock, October 5, 1814: + + +"I got to Newstead about 11 o'clock yesterday and found the steward, my +namesake, and the butler waiting for me. The first, who is good-looking +and a respectable old man of about sixty-five years, showed me over the +house and grounds, which occupied two hours, for I was anxious to +examine everything. But never was I more disappointed, for my notions, I +suppose, had been raised to the romantic. I had surmised the possibly +easy restoration of this once famous abbey, the mere skeleton of which +is now fast crumbling to ruin. Lord Byron's immediate predecessor +stripped the whole place of all that was splendid and interesting; and +you may judge of what he must have done to the mansion when inform you +that he converted the ground, which used to be covered with the finest +trees, like a forest, into an absolute desert. Not a tree is left +standing, and the wood thus shamefully cut down was sold in one day for +£60,000. The hall of entrance has about eighteen large niches, which had +been filled with statues, and the side walls covered with family +portraits and armour. All these have been mercilessly torn down, as well +as the magnificent fireplace, and sold. All the beautiful paintings +which filled the galleries--valued at that day at £80,000--have +disappeared, and the whole place is crumbling into dust. No sum short of +£100,000 would make the place habitable. Lord Byron's few apartments +contain some modern upholstery, but serve only to show what ought to +have been there. They are now digging round the cloisters for a +traditionary cannon, and in their progress, about five days ago, they +discovered a corpse in too decayed a state to admit of removal. I saw +the drinking-skull [Footnote: When the father of the present Mr. Murray +was a student in Edinburgh, he wrote to his father (April 10,1827): "I +saw yesterday at a jeweller's shop in Edinburgh a great curiosity, no +less than Lord Byron's skull cup, upon which he wrote the poem. It is +for sale; the owner, whose name I could not learn (it appears he does +not wish it known), wants £200 for it."] and the marble mausoleum erected +over Lord Byron's dog. I came away with my heart aching and full of +melancholy reflections--producing a lowness of spirits which I did not +get the better of until this morning, when the most enchanting scenery I +have ever beheld has at length restored me. I am far more surprised that +Lord Byron should ever have lived at Newstead, than that he should be +inclined to part with it; for, as there is no possibility of his being +able, by any reasonable amount of expense, to reinstate it, the place +can present nothing but a perpetual memorial of the wickedness of his +ancestors. There are three, or at most four, domestics at board wages. +All that I was asked to taste was a piece of bread-and-butter. As my +foot was on the step of the chaise, when about to enter it, I was +informed that his lordship had ordered that I should take as much game +as I liked. What makes the steward, Joe Murray, an interesting object to +me, is that the old man has seen the abbey in all its vicissitudes of +greatness and degradation. Once it was full of unbounded hospitality and +splendour, and now it is simply miserable. If this man has feelings--of +which, by the way, he betrays no symptom--he would possibly be miserable +himself. He has seen three hundred of the first people in the county +filling the gallery, and seen five hundred deer disporting themselves in +the beautiful park, now covered with stunted offshoots of felled trees. +Again I say it gave me the heartache to witness all this ruin, and I +regret that my romantic picture has been destroyed by the reality." + + +Among the friends that welcomed Mr. Murray to Edinburgh was Mr. William +Blackwood, who then, and for a long time after, was closely connected +with him in his business transactions. Blackwood was a native of +Edinburgh; having served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Bell & +Bradfute, booksellers, he was selected by Mundell & Company to take +charge of a branch of their extensive publishing business in Glasgow. He +returned to Edinburgh, and again entered the service of Bell et +Bradfute; but after a time went to London to master the secrets of the +old book trade under the well-known Mr. Cuthill. Returning to Edinburgh, +he set up for himself in 1804, at the age of twenty-eight, at a shop in +South Bridge Street--confining himself, for the most part, to old books. +He was a man of great energy and decision of character, and his early +education enabled him to conduct his correspondence with a remarkable +degree of precision and accuracy. Mr. Murray seems to have done business +with him as far back as June 1807, and was in the habit of calling upon +Blackwood, who was about his own age, whenever he visited Edinburgh. The +two became intimate, and corresponded frequently; and at last, when +Murray withdrew from the Ballantynes, in August 1810 he transferred the +whole of his Scottish agency to the house of William Blackwood. In +return for the publishing business sent to him from London, Blackwood +made Murray his agent for any new works published by him in Edinburgh. +In this way Murray became the London publisher for Hogg's new poems, and +"The Queen's Wake," which had reached its fourth edition. + +Mr. Murray paid at this time another visit to Abbotsford. Towards the +end of 1814 Scott had surrounded the original farmhouse with a number of +buildings--kitchen, laundry, and spare bedrooms--and was able to +entertain company. He received Murray with great cordiality, and made +many enquiries as to Lord Byron, to whom Murray wrote on his return to +London: + + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +"Walter Scott commissioned me to be the bearer of his warmest greetings +to you. His house was full the day I passed with him; and yet, both in +corners and at the surrounded table, he talked incessantly of you. +Unwilling that I should part without bearing some mark of his love (a +poet's love) for you, he gave me a superb Turkish dagger to present to +you, as the only remembrance which, at the moment, he could think of to +offer you. He was greatly pleased with the engraving of your portrait, +which I recollected to carry with me; and during the whole dinner--when +all were admiring the taste with which Scott had fitted up a sort of +Gothic cottage--he expressed his anxious wishes that you might honour +him with a visit, which I ventured to assure him you would feel no less +happy than certain in effecting when you should go to Scotland; and I am +sure he would hail your lordship as 'a very brother.'" + + +After all his visits had been paid, and he had made his arrangements +with his printers and publishers, Mr. Murray returned to London with his +wife and family. Shortly after his arrival he received a letter from Mr. +Blackwood. + + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_November 8_, 1814. + +"I was much gratified by your letter informing me of your safe arrival. +How much you must be overwhelmed just now, and your mind distracted by +so many calls upon your attention at once. I hope that you are now in +one of your best frames of mind, by which you are enabled, as you have +told me, to go through, with more satisfaction to yourself, ten times +the business you can do at other times. While you are so occupied with +your great concerns, I feel doubly obliged to you for your remembrance +of my small matters." + + +After referring to his illness, he proceeds: + + +"Do not reflect upon your visit to the bard (Walter Scott). You would +have blamed yourself much more if you had not gone. The advance was made +by him through Ballantyne, and you only did what was open and candid. We +shall be at the bottom of these peoples' views by-and-bye; at present I +confess I only see very darkly--but let us have patience; a little time +will develop all these mysteries. I have not seen Ballantyne since, and +when I do see him I shall say very little indeed. If there really is a +disappointment in not being connected with Scott's new poem, you should +feel it much less than any man living--having such a poet as Lord +Byron." + + +Although Murray failed to obtain an interest in "The Lady of the Lake," +he was offered and accepted, at Scott's desire, a share in a new edition +of "Don Roderick." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +MURRAY'S DRAWING-ROOM--BYRON AND SCOTT--WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1815 + + +During Mrs. Murray's absence in Edinburgh, the dwelling-house at 50, +Albemarle Street was made over to the carpenters, painters, and house +decorators. "I hope," said Mr. Murray to his wife, "to leave the +drawing-room entirely at your ladyship's exclusive command." But the +drawing-room was used for other purposes than the reception of ordinary +visitors. It became for some time the centre of literary friendship and +intercommunication at the West End. In those days there was no Athenaeum +Club for the association of gentlemen known for their literary, +artistic, or scientific attainments. That institution was only +established in 1823, through the instrumentality of Croker, Lawrence, +Chantrey, Sir Humphry Davy, and their friends. Until then, Murray's +drawing-room was the main centre of literary intercourse in that quarter +of London. Men of distinction, from the Continent and America, presented +their letters of introduction to Mr. Murray, and were cordially and +hospitably entertained by him; meeting, in the course of their visits, +many distinguished and notable personages. + +In these rooms, early in 1815, young George Ticknor, from Boston, in +America, then only twenty-three, met Moore, Campbell, D'Israeli, +Gifford, Humphry Davy, and others. He thus records his impressions of +Gifford: + +"Among other persons, I brought letters to Gifford, the satirist, but +never saw him till yesterday. Never was I so mistaken in my +anticipations. Instead of a tall and handsome man, as I had supposed him +from his picture--a man of severe and bitter remarks in conversation, +such as I had good reason to believe him from his books, I found him a +short, deformed, and ugly little man, with a large head sunk between +his shoulders, and one of his eyes turned outward, but withal, one of +the best-natured, most open and well-bred gentlemen I have ever met. He +is editor of the _Quarterly Review_, and was not a little surprised and +pleased to hear that it was reprinted with us, which I told him, with an +indirect allusion to the review of 'Inchiquen's United States.'.... He +carried me to a handsome room over Murray's book-store, which he has +fitted up as a sort of literary lounge, where authors resort to read +newspapers, and talk literary gossip. I found there Elmsley, Hallam, +Lord Byron's 'Classic Hallam, much renowned for Greek,' now as famous as +being one of his lordship's friends, Boswell, a son of Johnson's +biographer, etc., so that I finished a long forenoon very pleasantly." +[Footnote: "Life, Letters, and Journal of George Ticknor," i. 48.] + +The following letter and Ticknor's reference to Gifford only confirm the +testimony of all who knew him that in private life the redoubtable +editor and severe critic was an amiable and affectionate man. + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_, + +JAMES STREET, _October_ 20, 1814. + +My DEAR SIR, + +What can I say in return for your interesting and amusing letter? I live +here quite alone, and see nobody, so that I have not a word of news for +you. I delight in your visit to Scotland, which I am sure would turn to +good, and which I hope you will, as you say, periodically repeat. It +makes me quite happy to find you beating up for recruits, and most +ardently do I wish you success. Mention me kindly to Scott, and tell him +how much I long to renew our wonted acquaintance. Southey's article is, +I think, excellent. I have softened matters a little. Barrow is hard at +work on Flinders [_Q. R_. 23]. I have still a most melancholy house. My +poor housekeeper is going fast. Nothing can save her, and I lend all my +care to soften her declining days. She has a physician every second day, +and takes a world of medicines, more for their profit than her own, poor +thing. She lives on fruit, grapes principally, and a little game, which +is the only food she can digest. Guess at my expenses; but I owe in some +measure the extension of my feeble life to her care through a long +succession of years, and I would cheerfully divide my last farthing with +her. I will not trouble you again on this subject, which is a mere +concern of my own; but you have been very kind to her, and she is +sensible of it." + + +With respect to this worthy woman, it may be added that she died on +February 6, 1815, carefully waited on to the last by her affectionate +master. She was buried in South Audley Churchyard, where Gifford erected +a tomb over her, and placed on it a very touching epitaph, concluding +with these words: "Her deeply-affected master erected this stone to her +memory, as a faithful testimony of her uncommon worth, and of his +gratitude, respect, and affection for her long and meritorious +services." [Footnote: It will serve to connect the narrative with one of +the famous literary quarrels of the day, if we remind the reader that +Hazlitt published a cruel and libellous pamphlet in 1819, entitled "A +Letter to William Gifford," in which he hinted that some improper +connection had subsisted between himself and his "frail memorial." +Hazlitt wrote this pamphlet because of a criticism on the "Round Table" +in the _Quarterly_, which Gifford did not write, and of a criticism of +Hunt's "Rimini," published by Mr. Murray, which was also the work of +another writer. But Gifford never took any notice of these libellous +attacks upon him. He held that secrecy between himself and the +contributors to the _Quarterly_ was absolutely necessary. Hazlitt, in +the above pamphlet, also attacks Murray, Croker, Canning, Southey, and +others whom he supposed to be connected with the _Review_.] + +Murray's own description of his famous drawing-room may also be given, +from a letter to a relative: + + +"I have lately ventured on the bold step of quitting the old +establishment to which I have been so long attached, and have moved to +one of the best, in every respect, that is known in my business, where I +have succeeded in a manner the most complete and flattering. My house is +excellent; and I transact all the departments of my business in an +elegant library, which my drawing-room becomes during the morning; and +there I am in the habit of seeing persons of the highest rank in +literature and talent, such as Canning, Frere, Mackintosh, Southey, +Campbell, Walter Scott, Madame de Staël, Gifford, Croker, Barrow, Lord +Byron, and others; thus leading the most delightful life, with means of +prosecuting my business with the highest honour and emolument." + + +It was in Murray's drawing-room that Walter Scott and Lord Byron first +met. They had already had some friendly intercourse by letter and had +exchanged gifts, but in the early part of 1815 Scott was summoned to +London on matters connected with his works. Mr. Murray wrote to Lord +Byron on April 7: + + +"Walter Scott has this moment arrived, and will call to-day between +three and four, for the chance of having the pleasure of seeing you +before he sets out for Scotland. I will show you a beautiful caricature +of Buonaparte." + +Lord Byron called at the hour appointed, and was at once introduced to +Mr. Scott, who was in waiting. They greeted each other in the most +affectionate manner, and entered into a cordial conversation. How +greatly Mr. Murray was gratified by a meeting which he had taken such +pains to bring about, is shown by the following memorandum carefully +preserved by him: + +"1815. _Friday, April_ 7.--This day Lord Byron and Walter Scott met for +the first time and were introduced by me to each other. They conversed +together for nearly two hours. There were present, at different times, +Mr. William Gifford, James Boswell (son of the biographer of Johnson), +William Sotheby, Robert Wilmot, Richard Heber, and Mr. Dusgate." + +Mr. Murray's son--then John Murray, Junior--gives his recollections as +follows: + +"I can recollect seeing Lord Byron in Albemarle Street. So far as I can +remember, he appeared to me rather a short man, with a handsome +countenance, remarkable for the fine blue veins which ran over his pale, +marble temples. He wore many rings on his fingers, and a brooch in his +shirt-front, which was embroidered. When he called, he used to be +dressed in a black dress-coat (as we should now call it), with grey, and +sometimes nankeen trousers, his shirt open at the neck. Lord Byron's +deformity in his foot was very evident, especially as he walked +downstairs. He carried a stick. After Scott and he had ended their +conversation in the drawing-room, it was a curious sight to see the two +greatest poets of the age--both lame--stumping downstairs side by side. +They continued to meet in Albemarle Street nearly every day, and +remained together for two or three hours at a time. Lord Byron dined +several times at Albemarle Street, On one of these occasions, he met Sir +John Malcolm--a most agreeable and accomplished man--who was all the +more interesting to Lord Byron, because of his intimate knowledge of +Persia and India. After dinner, Sir John observed to Lord Byron, how +much gratified he had been to meet him, and how surprised he was to find +him so full of gaiety and entertaining conversation. Byron replied, +'Perhaps you see me now at my best.' Sometimes, though not often, Lord +Byron read passages from his poems to my father. His voice and manner +were very impressive. His voice, in the deeper tones, bore some +resemblance to that of Mrs. Siddons." + +Shortly before this first interview between Scott and Byron the news had +arrived that Bonaparte had escaped from Elba, and landed at Cannes on +March 1, 1815. + +A few days before--indeed on the day the battle was fought--Blackwood +gave great praise to the new number of the _Quarterly_, containing the +contrast of Bonaparte and Wellington. It happened that Southey wrote the +article in No. 25, on the "Life and Achievements of Lord Wellington," in +order to influence public opinion as much as possible, and to encourage +the hearts of men throughout the country for the great contest about to +take place in the Low Countries. About the same time Sir James +Mackintosh had written an able and elaborate article for the +_Edinburgh_, to show that the war ought to have been avoided, and that +the consequences to England could only be unfortunate and inglorious. +The number was actually printed, stitched, and ready for distribution in +June; but it was thought better to wait a little, for fear of accidents, +and especially for the purpose of using it instantly after the first +reverse should occur, and thus to give it the force of prophecy. The +Battle of Waterloo came like a thunderclap. The article was suppressed, +and one on "Gall and his Craniology" substituted. "I think," says +Ticknor, "Southey said he had seen the repudiated article." [Footnote: +"Life, Letters, and Journals of George Ticknor "(2nd ed.), i. p. 41.] + +Lord Byron did not write another "Ode on Napoleon." He was altogether +disappointed in his expectations. Nevertheless, he still, like Hazlitt, +admired Napoleon, and hated Wellington. When he heard of the result of +the Battle of Waterloo, and that Bonaparte was in full retreat upon +Paris, he said, "I'm d----d sorry for it!" + +Mr. Murray, about this time, began to adorn his dining-room with +portraits of the distinguished men who met at his table. His portraits +include those of Gifford, [Footnote: This portrait was not painted for +Mr. Murray, but was purchased by him.] by Hoppner, R.A.; Byron and +Southey, by Phillips; Scott and Washington Irving, by Stewart Newton; +Croker, by Eddis, after Lawrence; Coleridge, Crabbe, Mrs. Somerville, +Hallam, T. Moore, Lockhart, and others. In April 1815 we find Thomas +Phillips, afterwards R.A., in communication with Mr. Murray, offering to +paint for him a series of Kit-cat size at eighty guineas each, and in +course of time his pictures, together with those of John Jackson, R.A., +formed a most interesting gallery of the great literary men of the +time, men and women of science, essayists, critics, Arctic voyagers, and +discoverers in the regions of Central Africa. + +Byron and Southey were asked to sit for their portraits to Phillips. +Though Byron was willing, and even thought it an honour, Southey +pretended to grumble. To Miss Barker he wrote (November 9, 1815): + + +"Here, in London, I can find time for nothing; and, to make things +worse, the Devil, who owes me an old grudge, has made me sit to Phillips +for a picture for Murray. I have in my time been tormented in this +manner so often, and to such little purpose, that I am half tempted to +suppose the Devil was the inventor of portrait painting." + + +Meanwhile Mr. Murray was again in treaty for a share in a further work +by Walter Scott. No sooner was the campaign of 1815 over, than a host of +tourists visited France and the Low Countries, and amongst them Murray +succeeded in making his long-intended trip to Paris, and Scott set out +to visit the battlefields in Belgium. Before departing, Scott made an +arrangement with John Ballantyne to publish the results of his travels, +and he authorized him to offer the work to Murray, Constable, and the +Longmans, in equal shares. + +In 1815 a very remarkable collection of documents was offered to Mr. +Murray for purchase and publication. They were in the possession of one +of Napoleon's generals, a friend of Miss Waldie. [Footnote: Afterwards +Mrs. Eaton, author of "Letters from Italy."] The collection consisted of +the personal correspondence of Bonaparte, when in the height of his +power, with all the crowned heads and leading personages of Europe, upon +subjects so strictly confidential that they had not even been +communicated to their own ministers or private secretaries. They were +consequently all written by their own hands. + +As regards the contents of these letters, Mr. Murray had to depend upon +his memory, after making a hurried perusal of them. He was not allowed +to copy any of them, but merely took a rough list. No record was kept of +the dates. Among them was a letter from the King of Bavaria, urging his +claims as a true and faithful ally, and claiming for his reward the +dominion of Wurtemberg. + +There were several letters from the Prussian Royal family, including +one from the King, insinuating that by the cession of Hanover to him his +territorial frontier would be rendered more secure. The Emperor Paul, in +a letter written on a small scrap of paper, proposed to transfer his +whole army to Napoleon, to be employed in turning the English out of +India, provided he would prevent them passing the Gut and enclosing the +Baltic. + +The Empress of Austria wrote an apology for the uncultivated state of +mind of her daughter, Marie Louise, about to become Napoleon's bride; +but added that her imperfect education presented the advantage of +allowing Napoleon to mould her opinions and principles in accordance +with his own views and wishes. + +This correspondence would probably have met with an immense sale, but +Mr. Murray entertained doubts as to the propriety of publishing +documents so confidential, and declined to purchase them for the sum +proposed. The next day, after his refusal, he ascertained that Prince +Lieven had given, on behalf of his government, not less than £10,000 for +the letters emanating from the Court of Russia alone. Thus the public +missed the perusal of an important series of international scandals. + +In December 1815 Mr. Murray published "Emma" for Miss Jane Austen, and +so connected his name with another English classic. Miss Austen's first +novel had been "Northanger Abbey." It remained long in manuscript, and +eventually she had succeeded in selling it to a bookseller at Bath for +£10. He had not the courage to publish it, and after it had remained in +his possession for some years, Miss Austen bought it back for the same +money he had paid for it. She next wrote "Sense and Sensibility," and +"Pride and Prejudice." The latter book was summarily rejected by Mr. +Cadell. At length these two books were published anonymously by Mr. +Egerton, and though they did not make a sensation, they gradually +attracted attention and obtained admirers. No one could be more +surprised than the authoress, when she received no less than £150 from +the profits of her first published work--"Sense and Sensibility." + +When Miss Austen had finished "Emma," she put herself in communication +with Mr. Murray, who read her "Pride and Prejudice," and sent it to +Gifford. Gifford replied as follows: + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"I have for the first time looked into 'Pride and Prejudice'; and it is +really a very pretty thing. No dark passages; no secret chambers; no +wind-howlings in long galleries; no drops of blood upon a rusty +dagger--things that should now be left to ladies' maids and sentimental +washerwomen." + + +In a later letter he said: + + +_September_ 29, 1815. + +"I have read 'Pride and Prejudice' _again_--'tis very good--wretchedly +printed, and so pointed as to be almost unintelligible. Make no apology +for sending me anything to read or revise. I am always happy to do +either, in the thought that it may be useful to you. + + * * * * * + +"Of 'Emma,' I have nothing but good to say. I was sure of the writer +before you mentioned her. The MS., though plainly written, has yet some, +indeed many little omissions; and an expression may now and then be +amended in passing through the press. I will readily undertake the +revision." + + +Miss Austen's two other novels, "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion," +were also published by Murray, but did not appear until after her death +in 1818. The profits of the four novels which had been published before +her death did not amount to more than seven hundred pounds. + +Mr. Murray also published the works of Mr. Malthus on "Rent," the "Corn +Laws," and the "Essay on Population." His pamphlet on Rent appeared in +March 1815. + +Murray's correspondence with Scott continued. On December 25, 1815, he +wrote: + + +"I was about to tell you that Croker was so pleased with the idea of a +Caledonian article from you, that he could not refrain from mentioning +it to the Prince Regent, who is very fond of the subject, and he said he +would be delighted, and is really anxious about it. Now, it occurs to +me, as our _Edinburgh_ friends choose on many occasions to bring in the +Prince's name to abuse it, this might offer an equally fair opportunity +of giving him that praise which is so justly due to his knowledge of the +history of his country.... + +"I was with Lord Byron yesterday. He enquired after you, and bid me say +how much he was indebted to your introduction of your poor Irish friend +Maturin, who had sent him a tragedy, which Lord Byron received late in +the evening, and read through, without being able to stop. He was so +delighted with it that he sent it immediately to his fellow-manager, the +Hon. George Lamb, who, late as it came to him, could not go to bed +without finishing it. The result is that they have laid it before the +rest of the Committee; they, or rather Lord Byron, feels it his duty to +the author to offer it himself to the managers of Covent Garden. The +poor fellow says in his letter that his hope of subsistence for his +family for the next year rests upon what he can get for this play. I +expressed a desire of doing something, and Lord Byron then confessed +that he had sent him fifty guineas. I shall write to him tomorrow, and I +think if you could draw some case for him and exhibit his merits, +particularly if his play succeeds, I could induce Croker and Peel to +interest themselves in his behalf, and get him a living. + +".... Have you any fancy to dash off an article on 'Emma'? It wants +incident and romance, does it not? None of the author's other novels +have been noticed, and surely 'Pride and Prejudice' merits high +commendation." + +Scott immediately complied with Murray's request. He did "dash off an +article on 'Emma,'" which appeared in No. 27 of the _Quarterly_. In +enclosing his article to Murray, Scott wrote as follows: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_January_ 19, 1816. + +Dear Sir, + +Enclosed is the article upon "Emma." I have been spending my holidays in +the country, where, besides constant labour in the fields during all the +hours of daylight, the want of books has prevented my completing the +Highland article. (The "Culloden Papers," which appeared in next +number.) It will be off, however, by Tuesday's post, as I must take +Sunday and Monday into the account of finishing it. It will be quite +unnecessary to send proofs of "Emma," as Mr. Gifford will correct all +obvious errors, and abridge it where necessary. + +_January_, 25, 1816. + +"My article is so long that I fancy you will think yourself in the +condition of the conjuror, who after having a great deal of trouble in +raising the devil, could not get rid of him after he had once made his +appearance. But the Highlands is an immense field, and it would have +been much more easy for me to have made a sketch twice as long than to +make it shorter. There still wants eight or nine pages, which you will +receive by tomorrow's or next day's post; but I fancy you will be glad +to get on." + +The article on the "Culloden Papers," which occupied fifty pages of the +_Review_ (No. 28), described the clans of the Highlands, their number, +manners, and habits; and gave a summary history of the Rebellion of '45. +It was graphically and vigorously written, and is considered one of +Scott's best essays. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS--CHARLES MATURIN--S.T. COLERIDGE--LEIGH HUNT + + +Scott's "poor Irish friend Maturin," referred to in the previous +chapter, was a young Irish clergyman, who was under the necessity of +depending upon his brains and pen for the maintenance of his family. +Charles Maturin, after completing his course of education at Trinity +College, married Miss Harriet Kinsburg. His family grew, but not his +income. He took orders, and obtained the curacy of St. Peter's Church, +Dublin, but owing to his father's affairs having become embarrassed, he +was compelled to open a boarding-school, with the view of assisting the +family. Unfortunately, he became bound for a friend, who deceived him, +and eventually he was obliged to sacrifice his interest in the school. +Being thus driven to extremities, he tried to live by literature, and +produced "The Fatal Revenge; or, the Family of Montorio," the first of a +series of romances, in which he outdid Mrs. Radcliffe and Monk Lewis. +"The Fatal Revenge" was followed by "The Wild Irish Boy," for which +Colburn gave him £80, and "The Milesian Chief," all full of horrors and +misty grandeur. These works did not bring him in much money; but, in +1815, he determined to win the height of dramatic fame in his "Bertram; +or, the Castle of St. Aldebrand," a tragedy. He submitted the drama to +Walter Scott, as from an "obscure Irishman," telling him of his +sufferings as an author and the father of a family, and imploring his +kind opinion. Scott replied in the most friendly manner, gave him much +good advice, spoke of the work as "grand and powerful, the characters +being sketched with masterly enthusiasm"; and, what was practically +better, sent him £50 as a token of his esteem and sympathy, and as a +temporary stop-gap until better times came round. He moreover called the +attention of Lord Byron, then on the Committee of Management of Drury +Lane Theatre, to the play, and his Lordship strongly recommended a +performance of it. Thanks to the splendid acting of Kean, it succeeded, +and Maturin realized about £1,000. + +"Bertram" was published by Murray, a circumstance which brought him into +frequent communication with the unfortunate Maturin. The latter offered +more plays, more novels, and many articles for the _Quarterly_. With +reference to one of his articles--a review of Sheil's "Apostate" +--Gifford said, "A more potatoe-headed arrangement, or rather +derangement, I have never seen. I have endeavoured to bring some order +out of the chaos. There is a sort of wild eloquence in it that makes it +worth preserving." + +Maturin continued to press his literary work on Murray, who however, +though he relieved him by the gift of several large sums of money, +declined all further offers of publication save the tragedy of "Manuel." + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_March_ 15, 1817. + +"Maturin's new tragedy, 'Manuel,' appeared on Saturday last, and I am +sorry to say that the opinion of Mr. Gifford was established by the +impression made on the audience. The first act very fine, the rest +exhibiting a want of judgment not to be endured. It was brought out with +uncommon splendour, and was well acted. Kean's character as an old +man--a warrior--was new and well sustained, for he had, of course, +selected it, and professed to be--and he acted as if he were--really +pleased with it.... I have undertaken to print the tragedy at my own +expense, and to give the poor Author the whole of the profit." + +In 1824 Maturin died, in Dublin, in extreme poverty. + +The following correspondence introduces another great name in English +literature. It is not improbable that it was Southey who suggested to +Murray the employment of his brother-in-law, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, +from his thorough knowledge of German, as the translator of Goethe's +"Faust." The following is Mr. Coleridge's first letter to Murray: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +JOSIAH WADE'S, Esq., 2, QUEEN'S SQUARE, BRISTOL. _[August_ 23, 1814.] + +Dear Sir, + +I have heard, from my friend Mr. Charles Lamb, writing by desire of Mr. +Robinson, that you wish to have the justly-celebrated "Faust" of Goethe +translated, and that some one or other of my partial friends have +induced you to consider me as the man most likely to execute the work +adequately, those excepted, of course, whose higher power (established +by the solid and satisfactory ordeal of the wide and rapid sale of their +works) it might seem profanation to employ in any other manner than in +the development of their own intellectual organization. I return my +thanks to the recommender, whoever he be, and no less to you for your +flattering faith in the recommendation; and thinking, as I do, that +among many volumes of praiseworthy German poems, the "Louisa" of Voss, +and the "Faust" of Goethe, are the two, if not the only ones, that are +emphatically _original_ in their conception, and characteristic of a new +and peculiar sort of thinking and imagining, I should not be averse from +exerting my best efforts in an attempt to import whatever is importable +of either or of both into our own language. + +But let me not be suspected of a presumption of which I am not +consciously guilty, if I say that I feel two difficulties; one arising +from long disuse of versification, added to what I know, better than the +most hostile critic could inform me, of my comparative weakness; and the +other, that _any_ work in Poetry strikes me with more than common awe, +as proposed for realization by myself, because from long habits of +meditation on language, as the symbolic medium of the connection of +Thought with Thought, and of Thoughts as affected and modified by +Passion and Emotion, I should spend days in avoiding what I deemed +faults, though with the full preknowledge that their admission would not +have offended perhaps three of all my readers, and might be deemed +Beauties by 300--if so many there were; and this not out of any respect +for the Public (_i.e._ the persons who might happen to purchase and look +over the Book), but from a hobby-horsical, superstitious regard to my +own feelings and sense of Duty. Language is the sacred Fire in this +Temple of Humanity, and the Muses are its especial and vestal +Priestesses. Though I cannot prevent the vile drugs and counterfeit +Frankincense, which render its flame at once pitchy, glowing, and +unsteady, I would yet be no voluntary accomplice in the Sacrilege. With +the commencement of a PUBLIC, commences the degradation of the GOOD and +the BEAUTIFUL--both fade and retire before the accidentally AGREEABLE. +"Othello" becomes a hollow lip-worship; and the "CASTLE SPECTRE," or any +more recent thing of Froth, Noise, and Impermanence, that may have +overbillowed it on the restless sea of curiosity, is the _true_ Prayer +of Praise and Admiration. + +I thought it right to state to you these opinions of mine, that you +might know that I think the Translation of the "Faust" a task demanding +(from _me_, I mean), no ordinary efforts--and why? This--that it is +painful, very painful, and even odious to me, to attempt anything of a +literary nature, with any motive of _pecuniary_ advantage; but that I +bow to the all-wise Providence, which has made me a _poor_ man, and +therefore compelled me by other duties inspiring feelings, to bring +_even my Intellect to the Market_. And the finale is this. I should like +to attempt the Translation. If you will mention your terms, at once and +irrevocably (for I am an idiot at bargaining, and shrink from the very +thought), I will return an answer by the next Post, whether in my +present circumstances, I can or cannot undertake it. If I do, I will do +it immediately; but I must have all Goethe's works, which I cannot +procure in Bristol; for to give the "Faust" without a preliminary +critical Essay would be worse than nothing, as far as regards the +PUBLIC. If you were to ask me as a Friend, whether I think it would suit +_the General Taste_, I should reply that I cannot calculate on caprice +and accident (for instance, some fashionable man or review happening to +take it up favourably), but that otherwise my fears would be stronger +than my hopes. Men of genius will admire it, of necessity. Those most, +who think deepest and most imaginatively. The "Louisa" would delight +_all_ of good hearts. + +I remain, dear Sir, With due respect, S.T. COLERIDGE. + +To this letter Mr. Murray replied as follows: + +_John Murray to Mr. Coleridge_. + +_August_ 29, 1814. + +Dear Sir, + +I feel greatly obliged by the favour of your attention to the request +which I had solicited our friend Mr. Robinson to make to you for the +translation of Goethe's extraordinary drama of "Faust," which I suspect +that no one could do justice to besides yourself. It will be the first +attempt to render into classical English a German work of peculiar but +certainly of unquestionable Genius; and you must allow that its effects +upon the public must be doubtful. I am desirous however of making the +experiment, and this I would not do under a less skilful agent than the +one to whom I have applied. I am no less anxious that you should +receive, as far as I think the thing can admit, a fair remuneration; and +trusting that you will not undertake it unless you feel disposed to +execute the labour perfectly _con amore_, and in a style of +versification equal to "Remorse," I venture to propose to you the sum of +One Hundred Pounds for the Translation and the preliminary Analysis, +with such passages translated as you may judge proper of the works of +Goethe, with a copy of which I will have the pleasure of supplying you +as soon as I have your final determination. The sum which I mention +shall be paid to you in two months from the day on which you place the +complete Translation and Analysis in my hands; this will allow a +reasonable time for your previous correction of the sheets through the +press. I shall be glad to hear from you by return of Post, if +convenient, as I propose to set out this week for the Continent. If this +work succeeds, I am in hopes that it will lead to many similar +undertakings. + +With sincere esteem, I am, dear Sir, Your faithful Servant, J. Murray + +I should hope that it might not prove inconvenient to you to complete +the whole for Press in the course of November next. + +Mr. Coleridge replied as follows, from the same address: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +_August_ 31, 1814. + +Dear Sir, + +I have received your letter. Considering the necessary labour, and (from +the questionable nature of the original work, both as to its fair claims +to Fame--the diction of the good and wise according to unchanging +principles--and as to its chance for Reputation, as an accidental result +of local and temporary taste), the risk of character on the part of the +Translator, who will assuredly have to answer for any disappointment of +the reader, the terms proposed are humiliatingly low; yet such as, under +modifications, I accede to. I have received testimonials from men not +merely of genius according to my belief, but of the highest accredited +reputation, that my translation of "Wallenstein" was in language and in +metre superior to the original, and the parts most admired were +substitutions of my own, on a principle of compensation. Yet the whole +work went for waste-paper. I was abused--nay, my own remarks in the +Preface were transferred to a Review, as the Reviewer's sentiments +_against_ me, without even a hint that he had copied them from my own +Preface. Such was the fate of "Wallenstein"! And yet I dare appeal to +any number of men of Genius--say, for instance, Mr. W. Scott, Mr. +Southey, Mr. Wordsworth, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sotheby, Sir G. Beaumont, etc., +whether the "Wallenstein" with all its defects (and it has grievous +defects), is not worth all Schiller's other plays put together. But I +wonder not. It was _too_ good, and not good enough; and the advice of +the younger Pliny: "Aim at pleasing either _all_, or _the few,"_ is as +prudentially good as it is philosophically accurate. I wrote to Mr. +Longman before the work was published, and foretold its fate, even to a +detailed accuracy, and advised him to put up with the loss from the +purchase of the MSS and of the Translation, as a much less evil than the +publication. I went so far as to declare that its success was, in the +state of public Taste, impossible; that the enthusiastic admirers of +"The Robbers," "Cabal and Love," etc., would lay the blame on me; and +that he himself would suspect that if he had only lit on _another_ +Translator then, etc. Everything took place as I had foretold, even his +own feelings--so little do Prophets gain from the fulfilment of their +Prophecies! + +On the other hand, though I know that executed as alone I can or dare do +it--that is, to the utmost of my power (for which the intolerable Pain, +nay the far greater Toil and Effort of doing otherwise, is a far safer +Pledge than any solicitude on my part concerning the approbation of the +PUBLIC), the translation of so very difficult a work as the "Faustus," +will be most inadequately remunerated by the terms you propose; yet they +very probably are the highest it may be worth your while to offer to +_me_. I say this as a philosopher; for, though I have now been much +talked of, and written of, for evil and not for good, but for suspected +capability, yet none of my works have ever sold. The "Wallenstein" went +to the waste. The "Remorse," though acted twenty times, rests quietly on +the shelves in the second edition, with copies enough for seven years' +consumption, or seven times seven. I lost £200 by the non-payment, from +forgetfulness, and under various pretences, by "The Friend"; [Footnote: +Twenty-seven numbers of _The Friend_ were published by Coleridge at +Penrith in Cumberland in 1809-10, but the periodical proved a failure, +principally from the irregularity of its appearance. It was about this +time that he was addicted to opium-eating.] and for my poems I _did_ get +from £10 to £15. And yet, forsooth, the _Quarterly Review_ attacks me +for neglecting and misusing my powers! I do not quarrel with the +Public--all is as it must be--but surely the Public (if there be such a +Person) has no right to quarrel with _me_ for not getting into jail by +publishing what they will not read! + +The "Faust," you perhaps know, is only a _Fragment_. Whether Goethe ever +will finish it, or whether it is ever his object to do so, is quite +unknown. A large proportion of the work cannot be rendered in blank +verse, but must be given in wild _lyrical_ metres; and Mr. Lamb informs +me that the Baroness de Staël has given a very unfavourable account of +the work. Still, however, I will undertake it, and that instantly, so as +to let you have the last sheet by the middle of November, on the +following terms: + +1. That on the delivery of the last MS. sheet you remit 100 guineas to +Mrs. Coleridge, or Mr. Robert Southey, at a bill of five weeks. 2. That +I, or my widow or family, may, any time after two years from the first +publication, have the privilege of reprinting it in any collection of +all my poetical writings, or of my works in general, which set off with +a Life of me, might perhaps be made profitable to my widow. And 3rd, +that if (as I long ago meditated) I should re-model the whole, give it a +finale, and be able to bring it, thus re-written and re-cast, on the +stage, it shall not be considered as a breach of the engagement between +us, I on my part promising that you shall, for an equitable +consideration, have the copy of this new work, either as a separate +work, or forming a part of the same volume or both, as circumstances may +dictate to you. When I say that I am confident that in this _possible_ +and not probable case, I should not repeat or retain one fifth of the +original, you will perceive that I consult only my dread of appearing +to act amiss, as it would be even more easy to compose the whole anew. + +If these terms suit you I will commence the Task as soon as I receive +Goethe's works from you. If you could procure Goethe's late Life of +himself, which extends but a short way, or any German biographical work +of the Germans living, it would enable me to render the preliminary +Essay more entertaining. + +Respectfully, dear Sir, + +S.T. COLERIDGE. + +Mr. Murray's reply to this letter has not been preserved. At all events, +nothing further was done by Coleridge with respect to the translation of +"Faust," which is to be deplored, as his exquisite and original melody +of versification might have produced a translation almost as great as +the original. + +Shortly after Coleridge took up his residence with the Gillmans at +Highgate, and his intercourse with Murray recommenced. Lord Byron, while +on the managing committee of Drury Lane Theatre, had been instrumental +in getting Coleridge's "Remorse" played upon the stage, as he +entertained a great respect for its author. He was now encouraging Mr. +Murray to publish other works by Coleridge--among others, "Zapolya" and +"Christabel." + +On April 12, 1816, Coleridge gave the following lines to Mr. Murray, +written in his own hand: [Footnote: The "Song, by Glycine" was first +published in "Zapolya: A Christmas Tale," 1817, Part II., Act ii., Scene +I. It was set to music by W. Patten in 1836; and again, with the title +"May Song," in 1879, by B.H. Loehr.] + +GLYCINE: Song. + +"A sunny shaft did I behold, + From sky to earth it slanted, +And pois'd therein a Bird so bold-- + Sweet bird! thou wert enchanted! +He sank, he rose, he twinkled, he troll'd, + Within that shaft of sunny mist: +His Eyes of Fire, his Beak of Gold, + All else of Amethyst! +And thus he sang: Adieu! Adieu! + Love's dreams prove seldom true. +Sweet month of May! we must away! + Far, far away! + Today! today!" + +In the following month (May 8, 1816) Mr. Coleridge offered Mr. Murray +his "Remorse" for publication, with a Preface. He also offered his poem +of "Christabel," still unfinished. For the latter Mr. Murray agreed to +give him seventy guineas, "until the other poems shall be completed, +when the copyright shall revert to the author," and also £20 for +permission to publish the poem entitled "Kubla Khan." + +Next month (June 6) Murray allowed Coleridge £50 for an edition of +"Zapolya: A Christmas Tale," which was then in MS.; and he also +advanced him another £50 for a play which was still to be written. +"Zapolya" was afterwards entrusted to another publisher (Rest Fenner), +and Coleridge repaid Murray £50. Apparently (see _letter_ of March 29, +1817) Murray very kindly forewent repayment of the second advance of +£50. There was, of course, no obligation to excuse a just debt, but the +three issues of "Christabel" had resulted in a net profit of a little +over £100 to the publisher. + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +HIGHGATE, _July_ 4, 1816. + +I have often thought that there might be set on foot a review of old +books, _i.e.,_ of all works important or remarkable, the authors of +which are deceased, with a probability of a tolerable sale, if only the +original _plan_ were a good one, and if no articles were admitted but +from men who understood and recognized the Principles and Rules of +Criticism, which should form the first number. I would not take the +works chronologically, but according to the likeness or contrast of the +_kind_ of genius--_ex. gr_. Jeremy Taylor, Milton (his prose works), and +Burke--Dante and Milton--Scaliger and Dr. Johnson. Secondly, if +especial attention were paid to all men who had produced, or aided in +producing, any great revolution in the Taste or opinions of an age, as +Petrarch, Ulrich von Hutten, etc. (here I will dare risk the charge of +self-conceit by referring to my own parallel of Voltaire and Erasmus, of +Luther and Rousseau in the seventh number of "The Friend "). Lastly, if +proper care was taken that in every number of the _Review_ there should +be a fair proportion of positively _amusing_ matter, such as a review of +Paracelsus, Cardan, Old Fuller; a review of Jest Books, tracing the +various metempsychosis of the same joke through all ages and countries; +a History of Court Fools, for which a laborious German has furnished +ample and highly interesting materials; foreign writers, though alive, +not to be excluded, if only their works are of established character in +their own country, and scarcely heard of, much less translated, in +English literature. Jean Paul Richter would supply two or three +delightful articles. + +Any works which should fall in your way respecting the Jews since the +destruction of the Temple, I should of course be glad to look through. +Above all, Mezeray's (no! that is not the name, I think) "History of the +Jews," that I _must_ have. + +I shall be impatient for the rest of Mr. Frere's sheets. Most +unfeignedly can I declare that I am unable to decide whether the +_admiration_ which the _excellence_ inspires, or the wonder which the +knowledge of the countless _difficulties_ so happily overcome, never +ceases to excite in my mind during the re-perusal and collation of them +with the original Greek, be the greater. I have not a moment's +hesitation in fixing on Mr. Frere as the man of the correctest and most +genial taste among all our contemporaries whom I have ever met with, +personally or in their works. Should choice or chance lead you to sun +and air yourself on Highgate Hill during any of your holiday excursions, +my worthy friend and his amiable and accomplished wife will be happy to +see you. We dine at four, and drink tea at six. + +Yours, dear Sir, respectfully, S.T. COLERIDGE. + +Mr. Murray did not accept Mr. Coleridge's proposal to publish his works +in a collected form or his articles for the _Quarterly_, as appears from +the following letter: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +HIGHGATE, _March_ 26, 1817. + +DEAR SIR, + +I cannot be offended by your opinion that my talents are not adequate to +the requisites of matter and manner for the _Quarterly Review,_ nor +should I consider it as a disgrace to fall short of Robert Southey in +any department of literature. I owe, however, an honest gratification to +the conversation between you and Mr. Gillman, for I read Southey's +article, on which Mr. Gillman and I have, it appears, formed very +different opinions. It is, in my judgment, a very masterly article. +[Footnote: This must have been Southey's article on Parliamentary Reform +in No. 31, which, though due in October 1816, was not, published until +February 1817.] I would to heaven, my dear sir, that the opinions of +Southey, Walter Scott, Lord Byron, Mr. Frere, and of men like these in +learning and genius, concerning my comparative claims to be a man of +letters, were to be received as the criterion, instead of the wretched, +and in deed and in truth mystical jargon of the _Examiner_ and +_Edinburgh Review_. + +Mr. Randall will be so good as to repay you the £50, and I understand +from Mr. Gillman that you are willing to receive this as a settlement +respecting the "Zapolya." The corrections and additions to the two first +books of the "Christabel" may become of more value to you when the work +is finished, as I trust it will be in the course of the spring, than +they are at present. And let it not be forgotten, that while I had the +utmost malignity of personal enmity to cry down the work, with the +exception of Lord Byron, there was not one of the many who had so many +years together spoken so warmly in its praise who gave it the least +positive furtherance after its publication. It was openly asserted that +the _Quarterly Review_ did not wish to attack it, but was ashamed to say +a word in its favor. Thank God! these things pass from me like drops +from a duck's back, except as far as they take the bread out of my +mouth; and this I can avoid by consenting to publish only for the +_present_ times whatever I may write. You will be so kind as to +acknowledge the receipt of the £50 in such manner as to make all matters +as clear between us as possible; for, though you, I am sure, could not +have intended to injure my character, yet the misconceptions, and +perhaps misrepresentations, of your words have had that tendency. By a +letter from R. Southey I find that he will be in town on the 17th. The +article in Tuesday's _Courier_ was by me, and two other articles on +Apostacy and Renegadoism, which will appear this week. + +Believe me, with respect, your obliged, + +S.T. COLERIDGE. + +The following letter completes Coleridge's correspondence with Murray on +this subject: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +[Highgate], _March_ 29, 1817. + +Dear Sir, + +From not referring to the paper dictated by yourself, and signed by me +in your presence, you have wronged yourself in the receipt you have been +so good as to send me, and on which I have therefore written as +follows--"A mistake; I am still indebted to Mr. Murray £20 _legally_ +(which I shall pay the moment it is in my power), and £30 from whatever +sum I may receive from the 'Christabel' when it is finished. Should Mr. +Murray decline its publication, I conceive myself bound _in honor_ to +repay." I strive in vain to discover any single act or expression of my +own, or for which I could be directly or indirectly responsible as a +moral being, that would account for the change in your mode of thinking +respecting me. But with every due acknowledgment of the kindness and +courtesy that I received from you on my first coming to town, + +I remain, dear Sir, your obliged, S.T. COLERIDGE. + +Leigh Hunt was another of Murray's correspondents. When the _Quarterly_ +was started, Hunt, in his Autography, says that "he had been invited, +nay pressed by the publisher, to write in the new Review, which +surprised me, considering its politics and the great difference of my +own." Hunt adds that he had no doubt that the invitation had been made +at the instance of Gifford himself. Murray had a high opinion of Hunt as +a critic, but not as a politician. Writing to Walter Scott in 1810 he +said: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_, + +"Have you got or seen Hunt's critical essays, prefixed to a few novels +that he edited. Lest you should not, I send them. Hunt is most vilely +wrongheaded in politics, and has thereby been turned away from the path +of elegant criticism, which might have led him to eminence and +respectability." + +Hunt was then, with his brother, joint editor of the _Examiner_, and +preferred writing for the newspaper to contributing articles to the +_Quarterly_. + +On Leigh Hunt's release from Horsemonger Lane Gaol, where he had been +imprisoned for his libel on the Prince Regent, he proceeded, on the +strength of his reputation, to compose the "Story of Rimini," the +publication of which gave the author a place among the poets of the day. +He sent a portion of the manuscript to Mr. Murray before the poem was +finished, saying that it would amount to about 1,400 lines. Hunt then +proceeded (December 18, 1815) to mention the terms which he proposed to +be paid for his work when finished. "Booksellers," he said, "tell me +that I ought not to ask less than £450 (which is a sum I happen to want +just now); and my friends, not in the trade, say I ought not to ask less +than £500, with such a trifling acknowledgment upon the various editions +after the second and third, as shall enable me to say that I am still +profiting by it." + +Mr. Murray sent his reply to Hunt through their common friend, Lord +Byron: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_December_ 27, 1815. + +"I wish your lordship to do me the favour to look at and to consider +with your usual kindness the accompanying note to Mr. Leigh Hunt +respecting his poem, for which he requests £450. This would presuppose a +sale of, at least, 10,000 copies. Now, if I may trust to my own +experience in these matters, I am by no means certain that the sale +would do more than repay the expenses of paper and print. But the poem +is peculiar, and may be more successful than I imagine, in which event +the proposition which I have made to the author will secure to him all +the advantages of such a result, I trust that you will see in this an +anxious desire to serve Mr. Hunt, although as a mere matter of business +I cannot avail myself of his offer. I would have preferred calling upon +you today were I not confined by a temporary indisposition; but I think +you will not be displeased at a determination founded upon the best +judgment I can form of my own business. I am really uneasy at your +feelings in this affair, but I think I may venture to assume that you +know me sufficiently well to allow me to trust my decision entirely to +your usual kindness." + +_John Murray to Mr. Leigh Hunt_. + +_December_ 27, 1815. + +"I have now read the MS. poem, which you confided to me, with particular +attention, and find that it differs so much from any that I have +published that I am fearful of venturing upon the extensive speculation +to which your estimate would carry it. I therefore wish that you would +propose its publication and purchase to such houses as Cadell, Longman, +Baldwin, Mawman, etc., who are capable of becoming and likely to become +purchasers, and then, should you not have found any arrangement to your +mind, I would undertake to print an edition of 500 or 750 copies as a +trial at my own risk, and give you one half of the profits. After this +edition the copyright shall be entirely your own property. By this +arrangement, in case the work turn out a prize, as it may do, I mean +that you should have every advantage of its success, for its popularity +once ascertained, I am sure you will find no difficulty in procuring +purchasers, even if you should be suspicious of my liberality from this +specimen of fearfulness in the first instance. I shall be most happy to +assist you with any advice which my experience in these matters may +render serviceable to you." + +Leigh Hunt at once accepted the offer. + +After the poem was printed and published, being pressed for money, he +wished to sell the copyright. After a recitation of his pecuniary +troubles, Hunt concluded a lengthy letter as follows: + +"What I wanted to ask you then is simply this--whether, in the first +instance, you think well enough of the "Story of Rimini" to make you +bargain with me for the copyright at once; or, in the second instance, +whether, if you would rather wait a little, as I myself would do, I +confess, if it were convenient, you have still enough hopes of the work, +and enough reliance on myself personally, to advance me £450 on +security, to be repaid in case you do not conclude the bargain, or +merged in the payment of the poem in case you do." + +Mr. Murray's reply was not satisfactory, as will be observed from the +following letter of Leigh Hunt: + +_Mr. Leigh Hunt to John Murray_, + +_April_ 12, 1816. + +Dear Sir, + +I just write to say something which I had omitted in my last, and to add +a word or two on the subject of an expression in your answer to it. I +mean the phrase "plan of assistance." I do not suppose that you had the +slightest intention of mortifying me by that phrase; but I should wish +to impress upon you, that I did not consider my application to you as +coming in the shape of what is ordinarily termed an application for +assistance. Circumstances have certainly compelled me latterly to make +requests, and resort to expedients, which, however proper in themselves, +I would not willingly have been acquainted with; but I have very good +prospects before me, and you are mistaken (I beg you to read this in the +best and most friendly tone you can present to yourself) if you have at +all apprehended that I should be in the habit of applying to you for +assistance, or for anything whatsoever, for which I did not conceive the +work in question to be more than a security. + +I can only say, with regard to yourself, that I am quite contented and +ought to be so, as long as you are sincere with me, and treat me in the +same gentlemanly tone. + +Very sincerely yours, + +LEIGH HUNT. + +This negotiation was ultimately brought to a conclusion by Mr. Hunt, at +Mr. Murray's suggestion, disposing of the copyright of "Rimini" to +another publisher. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THOMAS CAMPBELL--JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE--J.W. CROKER-JAMES HOGG, ETC. + + +Thomas Campbell appeared like a meteor as early as 1799, when, in his +twenty-second year, he published his "Pleasures of Hope." The world was +taken by surprise at the vigour of thought and richness of fancy +displayed in the poem. Shortly after its publication, Campbell went to +Germany, and saw, from the Benedictine monastery of Scottish monks at +Ratisbon, a battle which was not, as has often been said, the Battle of +Hohenlinden. What he saw, however, made a deep impression on his mind, +and on his return to Scotland he published the beautiful lines +beginning, "On Linden when the sun was low." In 1801 he composed "The +Exile of Erin" and "Ye Mariners of England." The "Battle of the Baltic" +and "Lochiel's Warning" followed; and in 1803 he published an edition of +his poems. To have composed such noble lyrics was almost unprecedented +in so young a man; for he was only twenty-six years of age when his +collected edition appeared. He was treated as a lion, and became +acquainted with Walter Scott and the leading men in Edinburgh. In +December 1805 we find Constable writing to Murray, that Longman & Co. +had offered the young poet £700 for a new volume of his poems. + +One of the earliest results of the association of Campbell with Murray +was a proposal to start a new magazine, which Murray had long +contemplated. This, it will be observed, was some years before the +communications took place between Walter Scott and Murray with respect +to the starting of the _Quarterly_. + +The projected magazine, however, dropped out of sight, and Campbell +reverted to his proposed "Lives of the British Poets, with Selections +from their Writings." Toward the close of the year he addressed the +following letter to Mr. Scott: + +_Mr. T. Campbell to Mr. Scott_. + +_November 5_, 1806. + +My Dear Scott, + +A very excellent and gentlemanlike man--albeit a bookseller--Murray, of +Fleet Street, is willing to give for our joint "Lives of the Poets," on +the plan we proposed to the trade a twelvemonth ago, a thousand pounds. +For my part, I think the engagement very desirable, and have no +uneasiness on the subject, except my fear that you may be too much +engaged to have to do with it, as five hundred pounds may not be to you +the temptation that it appears to a poor devil like myself. Murray is +the only gentleman, except Constable, in the trade;--I may also, +perhaps, except Hood. I have seldom seen a pleasanter man to deal with. +.... Our names are what Murray principally wants--_yours_ in +particular.... I will not wish, even in confidence, to say anything ill +of the London booksellers _beyond their deserts_; but I assure you that, +to compare this offer of Murray's with their usual offers, it is +magnanimous indeed.... The fallen prices of literature-which is getting +worse by the horrible complexion of the times-make me often rather +gloomy at the life I am likely to lead. + +Scott entered into Campbell's agreement with kindness and promptitude, +and it was arranged, under certain stipulations, that the plan should +have his zealous cooperation; but as the number and importance of his +literary engagements increased, he declined to take an active part +either in the magazine or the other undertaking. "I saw Campbell two +days ago," writes Murray to Constable, "and he told me that Mr. Scott +had declined, and modestly asked if it would do by _himself_ alone; but +this I declined in a way that did not leave us the less friends." + +At length, after many communications and much personal intercourse, +Murray agreed with Campbell to bring out his work, without the +commanding name of Walter Scott, and with the name of Thomas Campbell +alone as Editor of the "Selections from the British Poets." The +arrangement seems to have been made towards the end of 1808. In January +1809 Campbell writes of his intention "to devote a year exclusively to +the work," but the labour it involved was perhaps greater than he had +anticipated. It was his first important prose work; and prose requires +continuous labour. It cannot, like a piece of poetry, be thrown off at a +heat while the fit is on. Campbell stopped occasionally in the midst of +his work to write poems, among others, his "Gertrude of Wyoming," which +confirmed his poetical reputation. Murray sent a copy of the volume to +Walter Scott, and requested a review for the _Quarterly_, which was then +in its first year. What Campbell thought of the review will appear from +the following letter: + +_Mr. T. Campbell to John Murray_. + +_June 2_, 1809. + +My Dear Murray, + +I received the review, for which I thank you, and beg leave through you +to express my best acknowledgments to the unknown reviewer. I do not by +this mean to say that I think every one of his censures just. On the +contrary, if I had an opportunity of personal conference with so candid +and sensible a man, I think I could in some degree acquit myself of a +part of the faults he has found. But altogether I am pleased with his +manner, and very proud of his approbation. He reviews like a gentleman, +a Christian, and a scholar. + +Although the "Lives of the Poets" had been promised within a year from +January 1809, four years passed, and the work was still far from +completion. + +In the meantime Campbell undertook to give a course of eleven Lectures +on Poetry at the Royal Institution, for which he received a hundred +guineas. He enriched his Lectures with the Remarks and Selections +collected for the "Specimens," for which the publisher had agreed to pay +a handsome sum. The result was a momentary hesitation on the part of Mr. +Murray to risk the publication of the work. On this, says Campbell's +biographer, a correspondence ensued between the poet and the publisher, +which ended to the satisfaction of both. Mr. Murray only requested that +Mr. Campbell should proceed with greater alacrity in finishing the long +projected work. + +At length, about the beginning of 1819, fourteen years after the project +had been mentioned to Walter Scott, and about ten years after the book +should have appeared, according to Campbell's original promise, the +"Essays and Selections of English Poetry" were published by Mr. Murray. +The work was well received. The poet was duly paid for it, and Dr. +Beattie, Campbell's biographer, says he "found himself in the novel +position of a man who has money to lay out at interest." This statement +must be received with considerable deduction, for, as the correspondence +shows, Campbell's pecuniary difficulties were by no means at an end. + +It appears that besides the £1,000, which was double the sum originally +proposed to be paid to Campbell for the "Selections," Mr. Murray, in +October 1819, paid him £200 "for books," doubtless for those he had +purchased for the "Collections," and which he desired to retain. + +We cannot conclude this account of Campbell's dealing with Murray +without referring to an often-quoted story which has for many years +sailed under false colours. It was Thomas Campbell who wrote "Now +Barabbas was a publisher," whether in a Bible or otherwise is not +authentically recorded, and forwarded it to a friend; but Mr. Murray was +not the publisher to whom it referred, nor was Lord Byron, as has been +so frequently stated, the author of the joke. + +The great burden of the correspondence entailed by the _Quarterly +Review_ now fell on Mr. Murray, for Gifford had become physically +incapable of bearing it. Like the creaking gate that hangs long on its +hinges, Gifford continued to live, though painfully. He became gradually +better, and in October 1816 Mr. Murray presented him with a chariot, by +means of which he might drive about and take exercise in the open air. +Gifford answered: + +"I have a thousand thanks to give you for the pains you have taken about +the carriage, without which I should only have talked about it, and died +of a cold. It came home yesterday, and I went to Fulham in it. It is +everything that I could wish, neat, easy, and exceedingly comfortable." + +Among the other works published by Mr. Murray in 1816 may be mentioned, +"The Last Reign of Napoleon," by Mr. John Cam Hobhouse, afterwards Lord +Broughton. Of this work the author wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_January_, 1816. + +"I must have the liberty of cancelling what sheets I please, for a +reason that I now tell you in the strictest confidence: the letters are +to go to Paris previously to publication, and are to be read carefully +through by a most intimate friend of mine, who was entirely in the +secrets of the late Imperial Ministry, and who will point out any +statements as to facts, in which he could from his _knowledge_ make any +necessary change." + +The first edition, published without the author's name, was rapidly +exhausted, and Hobhouse offered a second to Murray, proposing at the +same time to insert his name as author on the title-page. + +"If I do," he said, "I shall present the book to Lord Byron in due form, +not for his talents as a poet, but for his qualities as a companion and +a friend. I should not write 'My dear Byron,' _à la Hunt_." [Footnote: +Leigh Hunt had dedicated his "Rimini" to the noble poet, addressing him +as "My dear Byron."] + +Mr. D'Israeli also was busy with his "Inquiry into the Literary and +Political Character of James the First." He wrote to his publisher as +follows: "I am sorry to say every one, to whom I have mentioned the +subject, revolts from it as a thing quite untenable, and cares nothing +about 'James.' This does not stop me from finishing." + +Mr. Croker, in the midst of his work at the Admiralty, his articles for +the _Quarterly_, and his other literary labours, found time to write his +"Stories for Children from the History of England." In sending the later +stories Mr. Croker wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_The Rt. Hon. J.W. Croker to John Murray_. + +"I send you seven stories, which, with eleven you had before, brings us +down to Richard III., and as I do not intend to come down beyond the +Revolution, there remain nine stories still. I think you told me that +you gave the first stories to your little boy to read. Perhaps you or +Mrs. Murray would be so kind as to make a mark over against such words +as he may not have understood, and to favour me with any criticism the +child may have made, for on this occasion I should prefer a critic of 6 +years old to one of 60." + +Thus John Murray's son, John Murray the Third, was early initiated into +the career of reading for the press. When the book came out it achieved +a great success, and set the model for Walter Scott in his charming +"Tales of a Grandfather." + +It may be mentioned that "Croker's Stories for Children" were published +on the system of division of profits. Long after, when Mr. Murray was in +correspondence with an author who wished him to pay a sum of money down +before he had even seen the manuscript, the publisher recommended the +author to publish his book on a division of profits, in like manner as +Hallam, Milman, Mahon, Croker, and others had done. "Under this system," +he said, "I have been very successful. For Mr. Croker's 'Stories from +the History of England,' selling for 2_s_. _6d_., if I had offered the +small sum of twenty guineas, he would have thought it liberal. However, +I printed it to divide profits, and he has already received from me the +moiety of £1,400. You will perhaps be startled at my assertion; for +woeful experience convinces me that not more than one publication in +fifty has a sale sufficient to defray its expenses." + +The success of Scott's, and still more of Byron's Poems, called into +existence about this time a vast array of would-be poets, male and +female, and from all ranks and professions. Some wrote for fame, some +for money; but all were agreed on one point--namely, that if Mr. Murray +would undertake the publication of the poems, the authors' fame was +secured. + +When in doubt about any manuscript, he usually conferred with Croker, +Campbell, or Gifford, who always displayed the utmost kindness in +helping him with their opinions. Croker was usually short and pithy. Of +one poem he said: "Trash--the dullest stuff I ever read." This was +enough to ensure the condemnation of the manuscript. Campbell was more +guarded, as when reporting on a poem entitled "Woman," he wrote, "In my +opinion, though there are many excellent lines in it, the poem is not +such as will warrant a great sum being speculated upon it. But, as it is +short, I think the public, not the author or publisher, will be in fault +if it does not sell one edition." + +Of a poem sent for his opinion, Gifford wrote: + +"Honestly, the MS. is totally unfit for the press. Do not deceive +yourself: this MS. is not the production of a male. A man may write as +great nonsense as a woman, and even greater; but a girl may pass through +those execrable abodes of ignorance, called boarding schools, without +learning whether the sun sets in the East or in the West, whereas a boy +can hardly do this, even at Parson's Green." + +James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, was another of Murray's +correspondents. + +The publication of "The Queen's Wake" in 1813 immediately brought Hogg +into connection with the leading authors and publishers of the day, Hogg +sent a copy of the volume to Lord Byron, his "brother poet," whose +influence he desired to enlist on behalf of a work which Hogg wished +Murray to publish. + +The poem which the Ettrick Shepherd referred to was "The Pilgrims of the +Sun," and the result of Lord Byron's conversation with Mr. Murray was, +that the latter undertook to publish Hogg's works. The first letter from +him to Murray, December 26, 1814, begins: + +"What the deuce have you made of my excellent poem that you are never +publishing it, while I am starving for want of money, and cannot even +afford a Christmas goose to my friends?" + +To this and many similar enquiries Mr. Murray replied on April 10, 1815: + +My Dear Friend, + +I entreat you not to ascribe to inattention the delay which has occurred +in my answer to your kind and interesting letter. Much more, I beg you +not for a moment to entertain a doubt about the interest which I take in +your writings, or the exertions which I shall ever make to promote their +sale and popularity.... They are selling every day. + +I have forgotten to tell you that Gifford tells me that he would +receive, with every disposition to favour it, any critique which you +like to send of new Scottish works. If I had been aware of it in time I +certainly would have invited your remarks on "Mannering." Our article is +not good and our praise is by no means adequate, I allow, but I suspect +you very greatly overrate the novel. "Meg Merrilies" is worthy of +Shakespeare, but all the rest of the novel might have been written by +Scott's brother or any other body. + +The next letter from the Shepherd thanks Murray for some "timeous" aid, +and asks a novel favour. + +_May_ 7, 1815. + +I leave Edinburgh on Thursday for my little farm on Yarrow. I will have +a confused summer, for I have as yet no home that I can dwell in; but I +hope by-and-by to have some fine fun there with you, fishing in Saint +Mary's Loch and the Yarrow, eating bull-trout, singing songs, and +drinking whisky. This little possession is what I stood much in need +of--a habitation among my native hills was what of all the world I +desired; and if I had a little more money at command, I would just be as +happy a man as I know of; but that is an article of which I am ever in +want. I wish you or Mrs. Murray would speer me out a good wife with a +few thousands. I dare say there is many a romantic girl about London who +would think it a fine ploy to become a Yarrow Shepherdess! Believe me, +dear Murray, + +Very sincerely yours, JAMES HOGG. + +Here, for the present, we come to an end of the Shepherd's letters; but +we shall find him turning up again, and Mr. Murray still continuing his +devoted friend and adviser. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +LORD BYRON'S DEALINGS WITH MR. MURRAY--continued_ + + +On January 2, 1815, Lord Byron was married to Miss Milbanke, and during +the honeymoon, while he was residing at Seaham, the residence of his +father-in-law Sir Ralph Milbanke, he wrote to Murray desiring him to +make occasional enquiry at his chambers in the Albany to see if they +were kept in proper order. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_February_ 17, 1815. + +MY LORD, + +I have paid frequent attention to your wish that I should ascertain if +all things appeared to be safe in your chambers, and I am happy in being +able to report that the whole establishment carries an appearance of +security, which is confirmed by the unceasing vigilance of your faithful +and frigid Duenna [Mrs. Mule]. + +Every day I have been in expectation of receiving a copy of "Guy +Mannering," of which the reports of a friend of mine, who has read the +first two volumes, is such as to create the most extravagant +expectations of an extraordinary combination of wit, humour and pathos. +I am certain of one of the first copies, and this you may rely upon +receiving with the utmost expedition. + +I hear many interesting letters read to me from the Continent, and one +in particular from Mr. Fazakerly, describing his interview of four hours +with Bonaparte, was particularly good. He acknowledged at once to the +poisoning of the sick prisoners in Egypt; they had the plague, and would +have communicated it to the rest of his army if he had carried them on +with him, and he had only to determine if he should leave them to a +cruel death by the Turks, or to an easy one by poison. When asked his +motive for becoming a Mahomedan, he replied that there were great +political reasons for this, and gave several; but he added, the Turks +would not admit me at first unless I submitted to two indispensable +ceremonies.... They agreed at length to remit the first and to commute +the other for a solemn vow, for every offence to give expiation by the +performance of some good action. "Oh, gentlemen," says he, "for good +actions, you know you may command me," and his first good action was to +put to instant death an hundred of their priests, whom he suspected of +intrigues against him. Not aware of his summary justice, they sent a +deputation to beg the lives of these people on the score of his +engagement. He answered that nothing would have made him so happy as +this opportunity of showing his zeal for their religion; but that they +had arrived too late; their friends had been dead nearly an hour. + +He asked Lord Ebrington of which party he was, in Politics. "The +Opposition." "The Opposition? Then can your Lordship tell me the reason +why the Opposition are so unpopular in England?" With something like +presence of mind on so delicate a question, Lord Ebrington instantly +replied: "Because, sir, we always insisted upon it, that you would be +successful in Spain." + +During the spring and summer of 1815 Byron was a frequent visitor at +Albemarle Street, and in April, as has been already recorded, he first +met Walter Scott in Murray's drawing-room. + +In March, Lord and Lady Byron took up their residence at 13, Piccadilly +Terrace. The following letter is undated, but was probably written in +the autumn of 1815. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +My Lord, + +I picked up, the other day, some of Napoleon's own writing paper, all +the remainder of which has been burnt; it has his portrait and eagle, as +you will perceive by holding a sheet to the light either of sun or +candle: so I thought I would take a little for you, hoping that you will +just write me a poem upon any twenty-four quires of it in return. + +By the autumn of 1815 Lord Byron found himself involved in pecuniary +embarrassments, which had, indeed, existed before his marriage, but were +now considerably increased and demanded immediate settlement. His first +thought was to part with his books, though they did not form a very +valuable collection. He mentioned the matter to a book collector, who +conferred with other dealers on the subject. The circumstances coming to +the ears of Mr. Murray, he at once communicated with Lord Byron, and +forwarded him a cheque for £1,500, with the assurance that an equal sum +should be at his service in the course of a few weeks, offering, at the +same time, to dispose of all the copyrights of his poems for his +Lordship's use. + +Lord Byron could not fail to be affected by this generous offer, and +whilst returning the cheque, he wrote: + +_November_ 14, 1815. + +"Your present offer is a favour which I would accept from you, if I +accepted such from any man ... The circumstances which induce me to part +with my books, though sufficiently, are not _immediately_, pressing. I +have made up my mind to this, and there's an end. Had I been disposed to +trespass upon your kindness in this way, it would have been before now; +but I am not sorry to have an opportunity of declining it, as it sets my +opinion of you, and indeed of human nature, in a different light from +that in which I have been accustomed to consider it." + +Meanwhile Lord Byron had completed his "Siege of Corinth" and +"Parisina," and sent the packet containing them to Mr. Murray. They had +been copied in the legible hand of Lady Byron. On receiving the poems +Mr. Murray wrote to Lord Byron as follows: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_December_, 1815. + +My Lord, + +I tore open the packet you sent me, and have found in it a Pearl. It is +very interesting, pathetic, beautiful--do you know, I would almost say +moral. I am really writing to you before the billows of the passions you +excited have subsided. I have been most agreeably disappointed (a word I +cannot associate with the poem) at the story, which--what you hinted to +me and wrote--had alarmed me; and I should not have read it aloud to my +wife if my eye had not traced the delicate hand that transcribed it. + +Mr. Murray enclosed to Lord Byron two notes, amounting to a thousand +guineas, for the copyright of the poems, but Lord Byron refused the +notes, declaring that the sum was too great. + +"Your offer," he answered (January 3, 1816), "is _liberal_ in the +extreme, and much more than the poems can possibly be worth; but I +cannot accept it, and will not. You are most welcome to them as +additions to the collected volumes, without any demand or expectation on +my part whatever.... I am very glad that the handwriting was a +favourable omen of the _morale_ of the piece; but you must not trust to +that, as my copyist would write out anything I desired in all the +ignorance of innocence--I hope, however, in this instance, with no great +peril to either." + +The money, therefore, which Murray thought the copyright of the "Siege +of Corinth" and "Parisina" was worth, remained untouched in the +publisher's hands. It was afterwards suggested, by Mr. Rogers and Sir +James Mackintosh, to Lord Byron, that a portion of it (£600) might be +applied to the relief of Mr. Godwin, the author of "An Enquiry into +Political Justice," who was then in difficulties; and Lord Byron himself +proposed that the remainder should be divided between Mr. Maturin and +Mr. Coleridge. This proposal caused the deepest vexation to Mr. Murray, +who made the following remonstrance against such a proceeding. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _Monday_, 4 o'clock. + +My Lord, + +I did not like to detain you this morning, but I confess to you that I +came away impressed with a belief that you had already reconsidered this +matter, as it refers to me--Your Lordship will pardon me if I cannot +avoid looking upon it as a species of cruelty, after what has passed, to +take from me so large a sum--offered with no reference to the marketable +value of the poems, but out of personal friendship and gratitude +alone,--to cast it away on the wanton and ungenerous interference of +those who cannot enter into your Lordship's feelings for me, upon, +persons who have so little claim upon you, and whom those who so +interested themselves might more decently and honestly enrich from their +own funds, than by endeavouring to be liberal at the cost of another, +and by forcibly resuming from me a sum which you had generously and +nobly resigned. + +I am sure you will do me the justice to believe that I would strain +every nerve in your service, but it is actually heartbreaking to throw +away my earnings on others. I am no rich man, abounding, like Mr. +Rogers, in superfluous thousands, but working hard for independence, and +what would be the most grateful pleasure to me if likely to be useful to +you personally, becomes merely painful if it causes me to work for +others for whom I can have no such feelings. + +This is a most painful subject for me to address you upon, and I am ill +able to express my feelings about it. I commit them entirely to your +liberal construction with a reference to your knowledge of my character. + +I have the honour to be, etc., + +JOHN MURRAY. + +This letter was submitted to Gifford before it was despatched, and he +wrote: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"I have made a scratch or two, and the letter now expresses my genuine +sentiments on the matter. But should you not see Rogers? It is evident +that Lord Byron is a little awkward about this matter, and his officious +friends have got him into a most _unlordly_ scrape, from which they can +only relieve him by treading back their steps. The more I consider their +conduct, the more I am astonished at their impudence. A downright +robbery is honourable to it. If you see Rogers, do not be shy to speak: +he trembles at report, and here is an evil one for him." + +In the end Lord Byron was compelled by the increasing pressure of his +debts to accept the sum offered by Murray and use it for his own +purposes. + +It is not necessary here to touch upon the circumstances of Lord Byron's +separation from his wife; suffice it to say that early in 1816 he +determined to leave England, and resolved, as he had before contemplated +doing, to sell off his books and furniture. He committed the +arrangements to Mr. Murray, through Mr. Hanson, his solicitor, in +Bloomsbury Square. A few months before, when Lord Byron was in straits +for money, Mr. Hanson communicated with Mr. Murray as follows: + +_Mr. Hanson to John Murray_. + +_November_ 23, 1815. + +"Mr. Hanson's compliments to Mr. Murray. He has seen Lord Byron, and his +Lordship has no objection to his Library being taken at a valuation. Mr. +Hanson submits to Mr. Murray whether it would not be best to name one +respectable bookseller to set a value on them. In the meantime, Mr. +Hanson has written to Messrs. Crook & Armstrong, in whose hands the +books now are, not to proceed further in the sale." + +On December 28, 1815, Mr. Murray received the following valuation: + +"Mr. Cochrane presents respectful compliments to Mr. Murray, and begs to +inform him that upon carefully inspecting the books in Skinner Street, +he judges the fair value of them to be £450." + +Mr. Murray sent Lord Byron a bill of £500 for the books as a temporary +accommodation. But the books were traced and attached by the sheriff. On +March 6, 1816, Lord Byron wrote to Murray: + +"I send to you to-day for this reason: the books you purchased are again +seized, and, as matters stand, had much better be sold at once by public +auction. I wish to see you to-morrow to return your bill for them, +which, thank Heaven, is neither due nor paid. _That_ part, so far as +_you_ are concerned, being settled (which it can be, and shall be, when +I see you tomorrow), I have no further delicacy about the matter. This +is about the tenth execution in as many months; so I am pretty well +hardened; but it is fit I should pay the forfeit of my forefathers' +extravagance as well as my own; and whatever my faults may be, I suppose +they will be pretty well expiated in time--or eternity." + +A letter was next received by Mr. Murray's solicitor, Mr. Turner, from +Mr. Gunn, to the following effect: + +_Mr. Gunn to Mr. Turner_. + +_March_ 16, 1816. + +Sir, + +Mr. Constable, the plaintiff's attorney, has written to say he will +indemnify the sheriff to sell the books under the execution; as such, we +must decline taking your indemnity. + +The result was, that Lord Byron, on March 22, paid to Crook & Armstrong +£231 15_s_., "being the amount of three levies, poundage, and expenses," +and also £25 13_s_. 6_d_., the amount of Crook & Armstrong's account. +Crook & Armstrong settled with Levy, the Jew, who had lent Byron money; +and also with the officer, who had been in possession twenty-three days, +at 5_s_. a day. The books were afterwards sold by Mr. Evans at his +house, 26, Pall Mall, on April 5, 1816, and the following day. The +catalogue describes them as "A collection of books, late the property of +a nobleman, about to leave England on a tour." + +Mr. Murray was present at the sale, and bought a selection of books for +Mrs. Leigh, for Mr. Rogers, and for Mr. J.C. Hobhouse, as well as for +himself. He bought the large screen, with the portraits of actors and +pugilists, which is still at Albemarle Street. There was also a silver +cup and cover, nearly thirty ounces in weight, elegantly chased. These +articles realised £723 12_s_. 6_d_., and after charging the costs, +commission, and Excise duty, against the sale of the books, the balance +was handed over to Lord Byron. + +The "Sketch from Private Life" was one of the most bitter and satirical +things Byron had ever written. In sending it to Mr. Murray (March 30, +1816), he wrote: "I send you my last night's dream, and request to have +fifty copies struck off for private distribution. I wish Mr. Gifford to +look at it; it is from life." Afterwards, when Lord Byron called upon +Mr. Murray, he said: "I could not get to sleep last night, but lay +rolling and tossing about until this morning, when I got up and wrote +that; and it is very odd, Murray, after doing that, I went to bed again, +and never slept sounder in my life." + +The lines were printed and sent to Lord Byron. But before publishing +them, Mr. Murray took advice of his special literary adviser and +solicitor, Mr. Sharon Turner. His reply was as follows: + +_Mr. Turner to John Murray_. + +_April_ 3, 1816. + +There are some expressions in the Poem that I think are libellous, and +the severe tenor of the whole would induce a jury to find them to be so. +The question only remains, to whom it is applicable. It certainly does +not itself name the person. But the legal pleadings charge that innuendo +must mean such a person. How far evidence extrinsic to the work might be +brought or received to show that the author meant a particular person, I +will not pretend to affirm. Some cases have gone so far on this point +that I should not think it safe to risk. And if a libel, it is a libel +not only by the author, but by the printer, the publisher, and every +circulator. + +I am, dear Murray, yours most faithfully, + +SHN. TURNER. + +Mr. Murray did not publish the poems, but after their appearance in the +newspapers, they were announced by many booksellers as "Poems by Lord +Byron on his Domestic Circumstances." Among others, Constable printed +and published them, whereupon Blackwood, as Murray's agent in Edinburgh, +wrote to him, requesting the suppression of the verses, and threatening +proceedings. Constable, in reply, said he had no wish to invade literary +property, but the verses had come to him without either author's name, +publisher's name, or printer's name, and that there was no literary +property in publications to which neither author's, publisher's, nor +printer's name was attached. Blackwood could proceed no farther. In his +letter to Murray (April 17, 1816), he wrote: + +"I have distributed copies of 'Fare Thee Well' and 'A Sketch' to Dr. +Thomas Brown, Walter Scott, and Professor Playfair. One cannot read +'Fare Thee Well' without crying. The other is 'vigorous hate,' as you +say. Its power is really terrible; one's blood absolutely creeps while +reading it." + +Byron left England in April 1816, and during his travels he corresponded +frequently with Mr. Murray. + +The MSS. of the third canto of "Childe Harold" and "The Prisoner of +Chillon" duly reached the publisher. Mr. Murray acknowledged the MSS.: + +_Mr. Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_September_ 12, 1816. + +My Lord, + +I have rarely addressed you with more pleasure than upon the present +occasion. I was thrilled with delight yesterday by the announcement of +Mr. Shelley with the MS. of "Childe Harold." I had no sooner got the +quiet possession of it than, trembling with auspicious hope about it, I +carried it direct to Mr. Gifford. He has been exceedingly ill with +jaundice, and unable to write or do anything. He was much pleased by my +attention. I called upon him today. He said he was unable to leave off +last night, and that he had sat up until he had finished every line of +the canto. It had actually agitated him into a fever, and he was much +worse when I called. He had persisted this morning in finishing the +volume, and he pronounced himself infinitely more delighted than when he +first wrote to me. He says that what you have heretofore published is +nothing to this effort. He says also, besides its being the most +original and interesting, it is the most finished of your writings; and +he has undertaken to correct the press for you. + +Never, since my intimacy with Mr. Gifford, did I see him so heartily +pleased, or give one-fiftieth part of the praise, with one-thousandth +part of the warmth. He speaks in ecstasy of the Dream--the whole volume +beams with genius. I am sure he loves you in his heart; and when he +called upon me some time ago, and I told him that you were gone, he +instantly exclaimed in a full room, "Well! he has not left his equal +behind him--that I will say!" Perhaps you will enclose a line for +him.... + +Respecting the "Monody," I extract from a letter which I received this +morning from Sir James Mackintosh: "I presume that I have to thank you +for a copy of the 'Monody' on Sheridan received this morning. I wish it +had been accompanied by the additional favour of mentioning the name of +the writer, at which I only guess: it is difficult to read the poem +without desiring to know." + +Generally speaking it is not, I think, popular, and spoken of rather for +fine passages than as a whole. How could you give so trite an image as +in the last two lines? Gifford does not like it; Frere does. _A-propos_ +of Mr. Frere: he came to me while at breakfast this morning, and between +some stanzas which he was repeating to me of a truly original poem of +his own, he said carelessly, + +"By the way, about _half-an-hour ago_ I was so silly (taking an immense +pinch of snuff and priming his nostrils with it) as to get _married I_ +"Perfectly true. He set out for Hastings about an hour after he left me, +and upon my conscience I verily believe that, if I had had your MS. to +have put into his hands, as sure as fate he would have sat with me +reading it [Footnote: He had left his wife at the church so as to bring +his poem to Murray.] all the morning and totally forgotten his little +engagement. + +I saw Lord Holland today looking very well. I wish I could send you +Gifford's "Ben Jonson"; it is full of fun and interest, and allowed on +all hands to be most ably done; would, I am sure, amuse you. I have very +many new important and interesting works of all kinds in the press, +which I should be happy to know any means of sending. My Review is +improving in sale beyond my most sanguine expectations. I now sell +nearly 9,000. Even Perry says the _Edinburgh, Review_ is going to the +devil. I was with Mrs. Leigh today, who is very well; she leaves town on +Saturday. Her eldest daughter, I fancy, is a most engaging girl; but +yours, my Lord, is unspeakably interesting and promising, and I am happy +to add that Lady B. is looking well. God bless you! my best wishes and +feelings are always with you, and I sincerely wish that your happiness +may be as unbounded as your genius, which has rendered me so much, + +My Lord, your obliged Servant, + +J.M. + +The negotiations for the purchase of the third canto were left in the +hands of Mr. Kinnaird, who demurred to Mr. Murray's first offer of 1,500 +guineas, and eventually £2,000 was fixed as the purchase price. + +Mr. Murray wrote to Lord Byron on December 13, 1816, informing him that, +at a dinner at the Albion Tavern, he had sold to the assembled +booksellers 7,000 of his third canto of "Childe Harold" and 7,000 of his +"Prisoner of Chillon." He then proceeds: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +"In literary affairs I have taken the field in great force--opening with +the Third Canto and "Chillon," and, following up my blow, I have since +published 'Tales of my Landlord,' another novel, I believe (but I really +don't know) by the author of 'Waverley'; but much superior to what has +already appeared, excepting the character of Meg Merrilies. Every one is +in ecstasy about it, and I would give a finger if I could send it you, +but this I will contrive. Conversations with your friend Buonaparte at +St. Helena, amusing, but scarce worth sending. Lord Holland has just put +forth a very improved edition of the Life of Lope de Vega and Inez de +Castro.' Gifford's 'Ben Jonson' has put to death all former editions, +and is very much liked." + +At Mr. Murray's earnest request, Scott had consented to review the third +canto of "Childe Harold" in the _Quarterly_. In forwarding the MS. he +wrote as follows: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _January_ 10, 1817. + +My Dear Sir, + +I have this day sent under Croker's cover a review of Lord Byron's last +poems. You know how high I hold his poetical reputation, but besides, +one is naturally forced upon so many points of delicate consideration, +that really I have begun and left off several times, and after all send +the article to you with full power to cancel it if you think any part of +it has the least chance of hurting his feelings. You know him better +than I do, and you also know the public, and are aware that to make any +successful impression on them the critic must appear to speak with +perfect freedom. I trust I have not abused this discretion. I am sure I +have not meant to do so, and yet during Lord Byron's absence, and under +the present circumstances, I should feel more grieved than at anything +that ever befell me if there should have slipped from my pen anything +capable of giving him pain. + +There are some things in the critique which are necessarily and +unavoidably personal, and sure I am if he attends to it, which is +unlikely, he will find advantage from doing so. I wish Mr. Gifford and +you would consider every word carefully. If you think the general tenor +is likely to make any impression on him, if you think it likely to hurt +him either in his feelings or with the public, in God's name fling the +sheets in the fire and let them be as _not written_. But if it appears, +I should wish him to get an early copy, and that you would at the same +time say I am the author, at your opportunity. No one can honour Lord +Byron a genius more than I do, and no one had so great a wish to love +him personally, though personally we had not the means of becoming very +intimate. In his family distress (deeply to be deprecated, and in which +probably he can yet be excused) I still looked to some moment of +reflection when bad advisers (and, except you were one, I have heard of +few whom I should call good) were distant from the side of one who is so +much the child of feeling and emotion. An opportunity was once afforded +me of interfering, but things appeared to me to have gone too far; yet, +even after all, I wish I had tried it, for Lord Byron always seemed to +give me credit for wishing him sincerely well, and knew me to be +superior to what Commodore Trunnion would call "the trash of literary +envy and petty rivalry." + +Lord Byron's opinion of the article forms so necessary a complement to +Walter Scott's sympathetic criticism of the man and the poet, that we +make no excuse for reproducing it, as conveyed in a letter to Mr. Murray +(March 3, 1817). + +"In acknowledging the arrival of the article from the _Quarterly_, which +I received two days ago, I cannot express myself better than in the +words of my sister Augusta, who (speaking of it) says, that it is +written in a spirit 'of the most feeling and kind nature.' + +"It is, however, something more. It seems to me (as far as the subject +of it may be permitted to judge) to be very well written as a +composition, and I think will do the journal no discredit, because even +those who condemn its partiality, must praise its generosity. The +temptations to take another and a less favourable view of the question +have been so great and numerous, that, what with public opinion, +politics, etc., he must be a gallant as well as a good man who has +ventured in that place, and at this time, to write such an article, even +anonymously. Such things, however, are their own reward; and I even +flatter myself that the writer, whoever he may be (and I have no guess), +will not regret that the perusal of this has given me as much +gratification as any composition of that nature could give, and more +than any has given--and I have had a good many in my time of one kind or +the other. It is not the mere praise, but there is a _tact_ and a +_delicacy_ throughout, not only with regard to me but to _others_, +which, as it had not been observed _elsewhere_, I had till now doubted +whether it could be observed _anywhere_." + +"When I tell you," Lord Byron wrote to Moore a week later, "that Walter +Scott is the author of the article in the _Quarterly_, you will agree +with me that such an article is still more honourable to him than to +myself." + +We conclude this episode with the following passage from a letter from +Scott to Murray: + +"I am truly happy Lord Byron's article meets your ideas of what may make +some impression on his mind. In genius, poetry has seldom had his equal, +and if he has acted very wrong in some respects, he has been no worse +than half the men of his rank in London who have done the same, and are +not spoken of because not worth being railed against." + +Lady Byron also wrote to Mr. Murray: + +I am inclined to ask a question, which I hope you will not decline +answering, if not contrary to your engagements. Who is the author of the +review of "Childe Harold" in the _Quarterly_? Your faithful Servant, A. +I. BYRON. + +Among other ladies who wrote on the subject of Lord Byron's works was +Lady Caroline Lamb, who had caricatured him (as he supposed) in her +"Glenarvon." Her letter is dated Welwyn, franked by William Lamb: + +_Lady Caroline Lamb to John Murray_. + +_November_ 5, 1816. + +"You cannot need my assuring you that if you will entrust me with the +new poems, none of the things you fear shall occur, in proof of which I +ask you to enquire with yourself, whether, if a person in constant +correspondence and friendship with another, yet keeps a perfect silence +on one subject, she cannot do so when at enmity and at a distance." + +This letter, to which no reply seems to have been sent, is followed by +another, in which her Ladyship says: + +I wish to ask you one question: are you offended with me or my letter? +If so, I am sorry, but depend upon it if after seven years' acquaintance +you choose to cut off what you ever termed your left hand, I have too +much gratitude towards you to allow of it. Accept therefore every +apology for every supposed fault. I always write eagerly and in haste, I +never read over what I have written. If therefore I said anything I +ought not, pardon it--it was not intended; and let me entreat you to +remember a maxim I have found very useful to me, that there is nothing +in this life worth quarrelling about, and that half the people we are +offended with never intended to give us cause. + +Thank you for Holcroft's "Life," which is extremely curious and +interesting. I think you will relent and send me "Childe Harold" before +any one has it--this is the first time you have not done so--and the +_Quarterly Review_; and pray also any other book that is curious.... I +quite pine to see the _Quarterly Review_ and "Childe Harold." Have mercy +and send them, or I shall gallop to town to see you. Is 450 guineas too +dear for a new barouche? If you know this let me know, as we of the +country know nothing. + +Yours sincerely, C.L. + +In sending home the MS. of the first act of "Manfred," Lord Byron wrote, +giving but unsatisfactory accounts of his own health. Mr. Murray +replied: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_March_ 20, 1817. + +My Lord, + +I have to acknowledge your kind letter, dated the 3rd, received this +hour; but I am sorry to say that it has occasioned, me great anxiety +about your health. You are not wont to cry before you are hurt; and I am +apprehensive that you are worse even than you allow. Pray keep quiet and +take care of yourself. My _Review_ shows you that you are worth +preserving and that the world yet loves you. If you become seriously +worse, I entreat you to let me know it, and I will fly to you with a +physician; an Italian one is only a preparation for the anatomist. I +will not tell your sister of this, if you will tell me true. I had hopes +that this letter would have confirmed my expectations of your speedy +return, which has been stated by Mr. Kinnaird, and repeated to me by Mr. +Davies, whom I saw yesterday, and who promises to write. We often +indulge our recollections of you, and he allows me to believe that I am +one of the few who really know you. + +Gifford gave me yesterday the first act of "Manfred" with a delighted +countenance, telling me it was wonderfully poetical, and desiring me to +assure you that it well merits publication. I shall send proofs to you +with his remarks, if he have any; it is a wild and delightful thing, and +I like it myself hugely.... + +I have just received, in a way perfectly unaccountable, a MS. from St. +Helena--with not a word. I suppose it to be originally written by +Buonaparte or his agents.--It is very curious--his life, in which each +event is given in almost a word--a battle described in a short sentence. +I call it therefore simply _Manuscrit venu de Ste. Helene d'une maniere +inconnue_. [Footnote: This work attracted a considerable amount of +attention in London, but still more in Paris, as purporting to be a +chapter of autobiography by Napoleon, then a prisoner in St. Helena. It +was in all probability the work of some of the deposed Emperor's friends +and adherents in Paris, issued for the purpose of keeping his name +prominently before the world. M. de Meneval, author of several books on +Napoleon's career, has left it on record that the "M.S. venu de Sainte +Helene" was written by M. Frederic Lullin de Chateauvieux, "genevois +deja connu dans le monde savant. Cet ecrivain a avoue, apres vingt cinq +ans de silence, qu'il avait compose l'ouvrage en 1816, qu'il avait porte +lui-meme a Londres, et l'avait mis a la poste, a l'adresse du Libraire +Murray."] Lord Holland has a motion on our treatment of Buonaparte at +St. Helena for Wednesday next; and on Monday I shall publish. You will +have seen Buonaparte's Memorial on this subject, complaining bitterly of +all; pungent but very injudicious, as it must offend all the other +allied powers to be reminded of their former prostration. + +_April_ 12, 1817. + +Our friend Southey has got into a confounded scrape. Some twenty years +ago, when he knew no better and was a Republican, he wrote a certain +drama, entitled, "Wat Tyler," in order to disseminate wholesome doctrine +amongst the _lower_ orders. This he presented to a friend, with a +fraternal embrace, who was at that time enjoying the cool reflection +generated by his residence in Newgate. This friend, however, either +thinking its publication might prolong his durance, or fancying that it +would not become profitable as a speculation, quietly put it into his +pocket; and now that the author has most manfully laid about him, +slaying Whigs and Republicans by the million, this cursed friend +publishes; but what is yet worse, the author, upon sueing for an +injunction, to proceed in which he is obliged to swear that he is the +author, is informed by the Chancellor that it is seditious--and that for +sedition there is no copyright. I will inclose either now or in my next +a second copy, for as there is no copyright, everyone has printed it, +which will amuse you. + +On July 15th and 20th Lord Byron wrote to Mr. Murray that the fourth +canto of "Childe Harold" was completed, and only required to be "copied +and polished," but at the same time he began to "barter" for the price +of the canto, so completely had his old scruples on this score +disappeared. Mr. Murray replied, offering 1,500 guineas for the +copyright. + +Mr. Hobhouse spent a considerable part of the year 1817 travelling about +in Italy, whither he had gone principally to see Lord Byron. He wrote to +Mr. Murray on the subject of Thorwaldsen's bust of the poet: + +"I shall conclude with telling you about Lord B.'s bust. It is a +masterpiece by Thorwaldsen [Footnote: The bust was made for Mr. +Hobhouse, at his expense. Lord Byron said, "I would not pay the price of +a Thorwaldsen bust for any head and shoulders, except Napoleon's or my +children's, or some 'absurd womankind's,' as Monkbarns calls them, or my +sister's."] who is thought by most judges to surpass Canova in this +branch of sculpture. The likeness is perfect: the artist worked _con +amore_, and told me it was the finest head he had ever under his hand. I +would have had a wreath round the brows, but the poet was afraid of +being mistaken for a king or a conqueror, and his pride or modesty made +him forbid the band. However, when the marble comes to England I shall +place a golden laurel round it in the ancient style, and, if it is +thought good enough, suffix the following inscription, which may serve +at least to tell the name of the portrait and allude to the excellence +of the artist, which very few lapidary inscriptions do; + +'In vain would flattery steal a wreath from fame, + And Rome's best sculptor only half succeed, +If England owned no share in Byron's name + Nor hailed the laurel she before decreed.' + +Of course you are very welcome to a copy--I don't mean of the verses, +but of the bust. But, with the exception of Mr. Kinnaird, who has +applied, and Mr. Davies, who may apply, no other will be granted. +Farewell, dear Sir." + +The fourth canto duly reached London in Mr. Hobhouse's portmanteau, and +was published in the spring of 1818. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +LORD BYRON'S DEALINGS WITH MR. MURRAY--_continued_--THE DEATH OF +ALLEGRA, ETC. + + +Lord Byron informed Mr. Murray, on October 12, 1817, that he had written +"a poem in or after the excellent manner of Mr. Whistlecraft (whom I +take to be Frere)"; and in a subsequent letter he said, "Mr. +Whistlecraft has no greater admirer than myself. I have written a story +in eighty-nine stanzas in imitation of him, called 'Beppo,' the short +name for Giuseppe, that is the Joe of the Italian Joseph." Lord Byron +required that it should be printed anonymously, and in any form that Mr. +Murray pleased. The manuscript of the poem was not, however, sent off +until the beginning of 1818; and it reached the publisher about a month +later. + +Meanwhile the friendly correspondence between the poet and his publisher +continued: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_September_ 22, 1818. + +"I was much pleased to find, on my arrival from Edinburgh on Saturday +night, your letter of August 26. The former one of the 21st I received +whilst in Scotland. The Saturday and Sunday previous I passed most +delightfully with Walter Scott, who was incessant in his inquiries after +your welfare. He entertains the noblest sentiments of regard towards +you, and speaks of you with the best feelings. I walked about ten miles +with him round a very beautiful estate, which he has purchased by +degrees, within two miles of his favourite Melrose. He has nearly +completed the centre and one wing of a castle on the banks of the Tweed, +where he is the happiness as well as pride of the whole neighbourhood. +He is one of the most hospitable, merry, and entertaining of mortals. He +would, I am confident, do anything to serve you; and as the Paper +[Footnote: The review of the fourth canto of "Childe Harold," _Q.R.,_ +No.37.] which I now enclose is a second substantial proof of the +interest he takes in your literary character, perhaps it may naturally +enough afford occasion for a letter from you to him. I sent you by Mr. +Hanson four volumes of a second series of 'Tales of my Landlord,' and +four others are actually in the press. Scott does not yet avow them, but +no one doubts his being their author.... I sent also by Mr. Hanson a +number or two of _Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine,_ and I have in a +recent parcel sent the whole. I think that you will find in it a very +great share of talent, and some most incomparable fun.... John Wilson, +who wrote the article on Canto IV. of 'Childe Harold' (of which, by the +way, I am anxious to know your opinion), has very much interested +himself in the journal, and has communicated some most admirable papers. +Indeed, he possesses very great talents and a variety of knowledge. I +send you a very well-constructed kaleidoscope, a newly-invented toy +which, if not yet seen in Venice, will I trust amuse some of your female +friends." + +The following letter is inserted here, as it does not appear in Moore's +"Biography": + +_Lord Byron to John Murray_. + +VENICE, _November_ 24, 1818, + +DEAR. MR. MURRAY, + +Mr. Hanson has been here a week, and went five days ago. He brought +nothing but his papers, some corn-rubbers, and a kaleidoscope. "For what +we have received the Lord make us thankful"! for without His aid I shall +not be so. He--Hanson-left everything else in _Chancery Lane_ whatever, +except your copy-papers for the last Canto, [Footnote: Of "Childe +Harold."] etc., which having a degree of parchment he brought with him. +You may imagine his reception; he swore the books were a "waggon-load"; +if they were, he should have come in a waggon; he would in that case +have come quicker than he did. + +Lord Lauderdale set off from hence twelve days ago accompanied by a +cargo of Poesy directed to Mr. Hobhouse, all spick and span, and in MS.; +you will see what it is like. I have given it to Master Southey, and he +shall have more before I have done with him. + +You may make what I say here as public as you please, more particularly +to Southey, whom I look upon--and will say so publicly-to be a dirty, +lying rascal, and will prove it in ink--or in his blood, if I did not +believe him to be too much of a poet to risk it! If he has forty reviews +at his back, as he has the _Quarterly_, I would have at him in his +scribbling capacity now that he has begun with me; but I will do nothing +underhand; tell him what I say from _me_ and every one else you please. + +You will see what I have said, if the parcel arrives safe. I understand +Coleridge went about repeating Southey's lie with pleasure. I can +believe it, for I had done him what is called a favour.... I can +understand Coleridge's abusing me--but how or why _Southey_, whom I had +never obliged in any sort of way, or done him the remotest service, +should go about fibbing and calumniating is more than I readily +comprehend. Does he think to put me down with his _Canting_, not being +able to do it with his poetry? We will try the question. I have read his +review of Hunt, where he has attacked Shelley in an oblique and shabby +manner. Does he know what that review has done? I will tell you; it has +_sold_ an edition of the "Revolt of Islam" which otherwise nobody would +have thought of reading, and few who read can understand, I for one. + +Southey would have attacked me too there, if he durst, further than by +hints about Hunt's friends in general, and some outcry about an +"Epicurean System" carried on by men of the most opposite habits and +tastes and opinions in life and poetry (I believe) that ever had their +names in the same volume--Moore, Byron, Shelley, Hazlitt, Haydon, Leigh +Hunt, Lamb. What resemblance do ye find among all or any of these men? +And how could any sort of system or plan be carried on or attempted +amongst them? However, let Mr. Southey look to himself; since the wine +is tapped, he shall drink it. + +I got some books a few weeks ago--many thanks. Amongst them is Israeli's +new edition; it was not fair in you to show him my copy of his former +one, with all the marginal notes and nonsense made in Greece when I was +not two-and-twenty, and which certainly were not meant for his perusal, +nor for that of his readers. + +I have a great respect for Israeli and his talents, and have read his +works over and over and over repeatedly, and been amused by them +greatly, and instructed often. Besides, I hate giving pain, unless +provoked; and he is an author, and must feel like his brethren; and +although his Liberality repaid my marginal flippancies with a +compliment--the highest compliment--that don't reconcile me to +myself--nor to _you_. It was a breach of confidence to do this without +my leave; I don't know a living man's book I take up so often or lay +down more reluctantly than Israeli's, and I never will forgive you--that +is, for many weeks. If he had got out of humour I should have been less +sorry; but even then I should have been sorry; but really he has heaped +his "coals of fire" so handsomely upon my head that they burn +unquenchably. + +You ask me of the two reviews [Footnote: Of "Childe Harold" in the +_Quarterly_ and _Blackwood._]--I will tell you. Scott's is the review +of one poet on another--his friend; Wilson's, the review of a poet too, +on another--his _Idol_; for he likes me better than he chooses to avow +to the public with all his eulogy. I speak judging only from the +article, for I don't know him personally. + +Here is a long letter--can you read it? + +Yours ever, + +B. + +In the course of September 1818 Lord Byron communicated to Mr. Moore +that he had finished the first canto of a poem in the style and manner +of "Beppo." "It is called," he said, "'Don Juan,' and is meant to be a +little quietly facetious upon everything; but," he added, "I doubt +whether it is not--at least so far as it has yet gone--too free for +these very modest days." In January 1819 Lord Byron requested Mr. Murray +to print for private distribution fifty copies of "Don Juan." Mr. Murray +urged him to occupy himself with some great work worthy of his +reputation. "This you have promised to Gifford long ago, and to Hobhouse +and Kinnaird since." Lord Byron, however, continued to write out his +"Don Juan," and sent the second canto in April 1819, together with the +"Letter of Julia," to be inserted in the first canto. + +Mr. Murray, in acknowledging the receipt of the first and second cantos, +was not so congratulatory as he had formerly been. The verses contained, +no doubt, some of the author's finest poetry, but he had some objections +to suggest. "I think," he said, "you may modify or substitute other +words for the lines on Romilly, whose death should save him." But Byron +entertained an extreme detestation for Romilly, because, he said, he had +been "one of my assassins," and had sacrificed him on "his legal altar"; +and the verse [Footnote: St. 16, First Canto.] was allowed to stand +over. "Your history," wrote Murray, "of the plan of the progress of 'Don +Juan' is very entertaining, but I am clear for sending him to hell, +because he may favour us with a description of some of the characters +whom he finds there." Mr. Murray suggested the removal of some offensive +words in Canto II. "These," he said, "ladies may not read; the Shipwreck +is a little too particular, and out of proportion to the rest of the +picture. But if you do anything it must be done with extreme caution; +think of the effects of such seductive poetry! It probably surpasses in +talent anything that you ever wrote. Tell me if you think seriously of +completing this work, or if you have sketched the story. I am very sorry +to have occasioned you the trouble of writing again the "Letter of +Julia"; but you are always very forgiving in such cases." The lines in +which the objectionable words appeared were obliterated by Lord Byron. + +From the following letter we see that Mr. Murray continued his +remonstrances: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_May 3_, 1819. + +"I find that 'Julia's Letter' has been safely received, and is with the +printer. The whole remainder of the second canto will be sent by +Friday's post. The inquiries after its appearance are not a few. Pray +use your most tasteful discretion so as to wrap up or leave out certain +approximations to indelicacy." + +Mr. Douglas Kinnaird, who was entrusted with the business portion of +this transaction, wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Douglas Kinnaird to John Murray_. + +_June 7_, 1819. + +My Dear Sir, + +Since I had the pleasure of seeing you, I have received from Lord Byron +a letter in which he expresses himself as having left to Mr. Hobhouse +and myself the sole and whole discretion and duty of settling with the +publisher of the MSS. which are now in your hands the consideration to +be given for them. Observing that you have advertised "Mazeppa," I feel +that it is my duty to request you will name an early day--of course +previous to your publishing that or any other part of the MSS.--when we +may meet and receive your offer of such terms as you may deem proper for +the purchase of the copyright of them. The very liberal footing on which +Lord Byron's intercourse with you in your character of publisher of his +Lordship's works has hitherto been placed, leaves no doubt in my mind +that our interview need be but very short, and that the terms you will +propose will be met by our assent. + +The parties met, and Mr. Murray agreed to give £525 for "Mazeppa," and +£1,575 for the first and second cantos of "Don Juan," with "The Ode to +Venice" thrown in. + +In accordance with Lord Byron's directions to his publisher to "keep the +anonymous," Cantos I. and II. of "Don Juan" appeared in London, in +quarto, in July 1819, without the name of either author, publisher, or +bookseller. The book was immediately pounced upon by the critics; but it +is unnecessary to quote their reviews, as they are impartially given in +the latest accredited editions of Lord Byron's poems. A few criticisms +from Mr. Murray's private correspondence may be given. + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +RYDE, _July_ 1, 1819. + +"Lord B.'s letter is shockingly amusing. [Footnote: Probably that +written in May; printed in the "Life."] He must be mad; but then there's +method in his madness. I dread, however, the end. He is, or rather might +be, the most extraordinary character of his age. I have lived to see +three great men--men to whom none come near in their respective +provinces--Pitt, Nelson, Wellington. Morality and religion would have +placed our friend among them as the fourth boast of the time; even a +decent respect for the good opinion of mankind might have done much now; +but all is tending to displace him." + +Mr. Murray, who was still in communication with Mr. Blackwood, found +that he refused to sell "Don Juan" because it contained personalities +which he regarded as even more objectionable than those of which Murray +had complained in the _Magazine_. + +When the copyright of "Don Juan" was infringed by other publishers, it +became necessary to take steps to protect it at law, and Mr. Sharon +Turner was consulted on the subject. An injunction was applied for in +Chancery, and the course of the negotiation will be best ascertained +from the following letters: + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to John Murray_. + +_October_ 21, 1819. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +... on "Don Juan" I have much apprehension. I had from the beginning, +and therefore advised the separate assignment. The counsel who is +settling the bill also doubts if the Chancellor will sustain the +injunction. I think, when Mr. Bell comes to town, it will be best to +have a consultation with him on the subject. The counsel, Mr. Loraine, +shall state to him his view on the subject, and you shall hear what Mr. +Bell feels upon it. Shall I appoint the consultation? The evil, if not +stopped, will be great. It will circulate in a cheap form very +extensively, injuring society wherever it spreads. Yet one consideration +strikes me. You could wish Lord Byron to write less objectionably. You +may also wish him to return you part of the £1,625. If the Chancellor +should dissolve the injunction on this ground, that will show Lord B. +that he must expect no more copyright money for such things, and that +they are too bad for law to uphold. Will not this affect his mind and +purify his pen? It is true that to get this good result you must +encounter the risk and expense of the injunction and of the argument +upon it. Will you do this? If I laid the case separately before three of +our ablest counsel, and they concurred in as many opinions that it +could not be supported, would this equally affect his Lordship's mind, +and also induce him to return you an adequate proportion of the purchase +money? Perhaps nothing but the Court treating him as it treated Southey +[Footnote: In the case of "Wat Tyler," see Murray's letter to Byron in +preceding chapter, April 12, 1817.] may sufficiently impress Lord B. +After the consultation with Bell you will better judge. Shall I get it +appointed as soon as he comes to town? + +Ever yours faithfully, + +SHARON TURNER. + +Mr. Bell gave his opinion that the Court would not afford protection to +the book. He admitted, however, that he had not had time to study it. + +The next letter relates to the opinion of Mr. Shadwell, afterwards +Vice-Chancellor: + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to John Murray_. + +_November_ 12, 1819. + +Dear Murray, + +I saw Mr. Shadwell to-day on "Don Juan." He has gone through the book +with more attention than Mr. Bell had time to do. He desires me to say +that he does not think the Chancellor would refuse an injunction, or +would overturn it if obtained.... + +Yours most faithfully, + +SHARON TURNER. + +In the event the injunction to restrain the publication of "Don Juan" by +piratical publishers was granted. + +Towards the end of 1819 Byron thought of returning to England. On +November 8 he wrote to Mr. Murray: + +"If she [the Countess Guiccioli] and her husband make it up, you will +perhaps see me in England sooner than you expect. If not, I will retire +with her to France or America, change my name, and lead a quiet +provincial life. If she gets over this, and I get over my Tertian ague, +I will perhaps look in at Albemarle Street _en passant_ to Bolivar." + +When Mr. Hobhouse, then living at Ramsbury, heard of Byron's intention +to go to South America, he wrote to Mr. Murray as follows: + +" ... To be sure it is impossible that Lord B. should seriously +contemplate, or, if he does, he must not expect us to encourage, this +mad scheme. I do not know what in the world to say, but presume some one +has been talking nonsense to him. Let Jim Perry go to Venezuela if he +will--he may edit his 'Independent Gazette' amongst the Independents +themselves, and reproduce his stale puns and politics without let or +hindrance. But our poet is too good for a planter--too good to sit down +before a fire made of mare's legs, to a dinner of beef without salt and +bread. It is the wildest of all his meditations--pray tell him. The +plague and Yellow Jack, and famine and free quarter, besides a thousand +other ills, will stare him in the face. No tooth-brushes, no +corn-rubbers, no _Quarterly Reviews_. In short, plenty of all he +abominates and nothing of all he loves. I shall write, but you can tell +facts, which will be better than my arguments." + +Byron's half-formed intention was soon abandoned, and the Countess +Guiccioli's serious illness recalled him to Ravenna, where he remained +for the next year and a half. + +Hobhouse's next letter to Murray (January 1820), in which he reported +"Bad news from Ravenna--a great pity indeed," is dated _Newgate_, where +he had been lodged in consequence of his pamphlet entitled "A Trifling +Mistake in Thomas Lord Erskine's Recent Pamphlet," containing several +very strong reflections on the House of Commons as then constituted. + +During his imprisonment, Mr. Hobhouse was visited by Mr. Murray and Ugo +Foscolo, as well as by many of his political friends. + +Lady Caroline Lamb also wrote to Mr. Murray from Brockett Hall, asking +for information about Byron and Hobhouse. + +_Lady Caroline Lamb to John Murray_. + +You have never written to tell me about him. Now, did you know the pain +and agony this has given me, you had not been so remiss. If you could +come here on Wednesday for one night, I have a few people and a supper. +You could come by the Mail in two hours, much swifter than even in your +swift carriage; and I have one million of things to say and ask also. Do +tell me how that dear Radical Hob is, and pray remember me to him. I +really hope you will be here at dinner or supper on Wednesday. Your +bedroom shall be ready, and you can be back in Town before most people +are up, though I rise here at seven. + +Yours quite disturbed my mind, for want of your telling me how he +[Byron] looks, what he says, if he is grown fat, if he is no uglier than +he used to be, if he is good-humoured or cross-grained, putting his +brows down--if his hair curls or is straight as somebody said, if he has +seen Hobhouse, if he is going to stay long, if you went to Dover as you +intended, and a great deal more, which, if you had the smallest tact or +aught else, you would have written long ago; for as to me, I shall +certainly not see him, neither do I care he should know that I ever +asked after him. It is from mere curiosity I should like to hear all you +can tell me about him. Pray come here immediately. + +Yours, + +C.L. + +Notwithstanding the remarkable sale of "Don Juan," Murray hesitated +about publishing any more of the cantos. After the fifth canto was +published, Lord Byron informed Murray that it was "hardly the beginning +of the work," that he intended to take Don Juan through the tour of +Europe, put him through the Divorce Court, and make him finish as +Anacharsis Clootz in the French Revolution. Besides being influenced by +his own feelings, it is possible that the following letter of Mr. Croker +may have induced Mr. Murray to have nothing further to do with the work: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +MUNSTER HOUSE, _March_ 26, 1820. + +_A rainy Sunday_. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I have to thank you for letting me see your two new cantos [the 3rd and +4th], which I return. What sublimity! what levity! what boldness! what +tenderness! what majesty! what trifling! what variety! what +_tediousness_!--for tedious to a strange degree, it must be confessed +that whole passages are, particularly the earlier stanzas of the fourth +canto. I know no man of such general powers of intellect as Brougham, +yet I think _him_ insufferably tedious; and I fancy the reason to be +that he has such _facility_ of expression that he is never recalled to a +_selection_ of his thoughts. A more costive orator would be obliged to +choose, and a man of his talents could not fail to choose the best; but +the power of uttering all and everything which passes across his mind, +tempts him to say all. He goes on without thought--I should rather say, +without pause. His speeches are poor from their richness, and dull from +their infinite variety. An impediment in his speech would make him a +perfect Demosthenes. Something of the same kind, and with something of +the same effect, is Lord Byron's wonderful fertility of thought and +facility of expression; and the Protean style of "Don Juan," instead of +checking (as the fetters of rhythm generally do) his natural activity, +not only gives him wider limits to range in, but even generates a more +roving disposition. I dare swear, if the truth were known, that his +digressions and repetitions generate one another, and that the happy +jingle of some of his comical rhymes has led him on to episodes of which +he never originally thought; and thus it is that, with the most +extraordinary merit, _merit of all kinds_, these two cantos have been +to _me_, in several points, tedious and even obscure. + +As to the PRINCIPLES, all the world, and you, Mr. Murray, _first of +all_, have done this poem great injustice. There are levities here and +there, more than good taste approves, but nothing to make such a +terrible rout about--nothing so bad as "Tom Jones," nor within a hundred +degrees of "Count Fathom." + +The writer goes on to remark that the personalities in the poem are more +to be deprecated than "its imputed looseness of principle": + +I mean some expressions of political and personal feelings which, I +believe, he, in fact, never felt, and threw in wantonly and _de gaieté +de coeur_, and which he would have omitted, advisedly and _de bonté de +coeur_, if he had not been goaded by indiscreet, contradictory, and +urgent _criticisms_, which, in some cases, were dark enough to be called +_calumnies_. But these are blowing over, if not blown over; and I cannot +but think that if Mr. Gifford, or some friend in whose taste and +disinterestedness Lord Byron could rely, were to point out to him the +cruelty to individuals, the injury to the national character, the +offence to public taste, and the injury to his own reputation, of such +passages as those about Southey and Waterloo and the British Government +and the head of that Government, I cannot but hope and believe that +these blemishes in the first cantos would be wiped away in the next +edition; and that some that occur in the two cantos (which you sent me) +would never see the light. What interest can Lord Byron have in being +the poet of a party in politics?... In politics, he cannot be what he +appears, or rather what Messrs. Hobhouse and Leigh Hunt wish to make him +appear. A man of his birth, a man of his taste, a man of his talents, a +man of his habits, can have nothing in common with such miserable +creatures as we now call _Radicals_, of whom I know not that I can +better express the illiterate and blind ignorance and vulgarity than by +saying that the best informed of them have probably never heard of Lord +Byron. No, no, Lord Byron may be indulgent to these jackal followers of +his; he may connive at their use of his name--nay, it is not to be +denied that he has given them too, too much countenance--but he never +can, I should think, now that he sees not only the road but the rate +they are going, continue to take a part so contrary to all his own +interests and feelings, and to the feelings and interests of all the +respectable part of his country.... But what is to be the end of all +this rigmarole of mine? To conclude, this--to advise you, for your own +sake as a tradesman, for Lord Byron's sake as a poet, for the sake of +good literature and good principles, which ought to be united, to take +such measures as you may be able to venture upon to get Lord Byron to +revise these two cantos, and not to make another step in the odious path +which Hobhouse beckons him to pursue.... + +Yours ever, + +J.W. CROKER. + +But Byron would alter nothing more in his "Don Juan." He accepted the +corrections of Gifford in his "Tragedies," but "Don Juan" was never +submitted to him. Hobhouse was occasionally applied to, because he knew +Lord Byron's handwriting; but even his suggestions of alterations or +corrections of "Don Juan" were in most cases declined, and moreover +about this time a slight coolness had sprung up between him and Byron. +When Hobhouse was standing for Westminster with Sir Francis Burdett, +Lord Byron sent a song about him in a letter to Mr. Murray. It ran to +the tune of "My Boy Tammy? O!" + +"Who are now the People's men? + My boy Hobby O! +Yourself and Burdett, Gentlemen, + And Blackguard Hunt and Cobby O! + +"When to the mob you make a speech, + My boy Hobby O! +How do you keep without their reach + The watch without your fobby O?" +[Footnote: The rest of the song is printed in _Murray's Magazine_, No. 3.] + +Lord Byron asked Murray to show the song not only to some of his +friends--who got it by heart and had it printed in the newspapers--but +also to Hobhouse himself. "I know," said his Lordship, "that he will +never forgive me, but I really have no patience with him for letting +himself be put in quod by such a set of ragamuffins." Mr. Hobhouse, +however, was angry with Byron for his lampoon and with Murray for +showing it to his friends. He accordingly wrote the following letter, +which contains some interesting particulars of the Whig Club at +Cambridge in Byron's University days: + +_Mr. Hobhouse to John Murray_. + +2, HANOVER SQUARE, _November_, 1820. + +I have received your letter, and return to you Lord Byron's. I shall +tell you very frankly, because I think it much better to speak a little +of a man to his face than to say a great deal about him behind his back, +that I think you have not treated me as I deserved, nor as might have +been expected from that friendly intercourse which has subsisted between +us for so many years. Had Lord Byron transmitted to me a lampoon on you, +I should, if I know myself at all, either have put it into the fire +without delivery, or should have sent it at once to you. I should not +have given it a circulation for the gratification of all the small wits +at the great and little houses, where no treat is so agreeable as to +find a man laughing at his friend. In this case, the whole coterie of +the very shabbiest party that ever disgraced and divided a nation--I +mean the Whigs--are, I know, chuckling over that silly charge made by +Mr. Lamb on the hustings, and now confirmed by Lord Byron, of my having +belonged to a Whig club at Cambridge. Such a Whig as I then was, I am +now. I had no notion that the name implied selfishness and subserviency, +and desertion of the most important principles for the sake of the least +important interest. I had no notion that it implied anything more than +an attachment to the principles the ascendency of which expelled the +Stuarts from the Throne. Lord Byron belonged to this Cambridge club, and +desired me to scratch out his name, on account of the criticism in the +_Edinburgh Review_ on his early poems; but, exercising my discretion on +the subject, I did not erase his name, but reconciled him to the said +Whigs. + +The members of the club were but few, and with those who +have any marked politics amongst them, I continue to agree at +this day. They were but ten, and you must know most of them--Mr. +W. Ponsonby, Mr. George O'Callaghan, the Duke of Devonshire, +Mr. Dominick Browne, Mr. Henry Pearce, Mr. Kinnaird, Lord +Tavistock, Lord Ellenborough, Lord Byron, and myself. I was +not, as Lord Byron says in the song, the founder of this Club; +[Footnote: + +"But when we at Cambridge were +My boy Hobbie O! +If my memory do not err, +You founded a Whig Clubbie O!" + +] +on the contrary, thinking myself of mighty importance +in those days, I recollect very well that some difficulty attended my +consenting to belong to the club, and I have by me a letter from +Lord Tavistock, in which the distinction between being a Whig +_party_ man and a Revolution Whig is strongly insisted upon. + +I have troubled you with this detail in consequence of Lord Byron's +charge, which he, who despises and defies, and has lampooned the Whigs +all round, only invented out of wantonness, and for the sake of annoying +me--and he has certainly succeeded, thanks to your circulating this +filthy ballad. As for his Lordship's vulgar notions about the _mob_, +they are very fit for the Poet of the _Morning Post_, and for nobody +else. Nothing in the ballad annoyed me but the charge about the +Cambridge club, because nothing else had the semblance of truth; and I +own it has hurt me very much to find Lord Byron playing into the hands +of the Holland House sycophants, for whom he has himself the most +sovereign contempt, and whom in other days I myself have tried to induce +him to tolerate. + +I shall say no more on this unpleasant subject except that, by a letter +which I have just received from Lord Byron, I think he is ashamed of his +song. I shall certainly speak as plainly to him as I have taken the +liberty to do to you on this matter. He was very wanton and you very +indiscreet; but I trust neither one nor the other meant mischief, and +there's an end of it. Do not aggravate matters by telling how much I +have been annoyed. Lord Byron has sent me a list of his new poems and +some prose, all of which he requests me to prepare for the press for +him. The monied arrangement is to be made by Mr. Kinnaird. When you are +ready for me, the materials may be sent to me at this place, where I +have taken up my abode for the season. + +I remain, very truly yours, JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE. + +Towards the end of 1820 Lord Byron wrote a long letter to Mr. Murray on +Mr. Bowles's strictures on the "Life and Writings of Pope." It was a +subject perhaps unworthy of his pen, but being an ardent admirer of +Pope, he thought it his duty to "bowl him [Bowles] down." "I mean to lay +about me," said Byron, "like a dragon, till I make manure of Bowles for +the top of Parnassus." + +After some revision, the first and second letters to Bowles were +published, and were well received. + +The tragedy of "Sardanapalus," the last three acts of which had been +written in a fortnight, was despatched to Murray on May 30, 1821, and +was within a few weeks followed by "The Two Foscari: an Historical +Tragedy"--which had been composed within a month--and on September 10 +by "Cain, a Mystery." The three dramas, "Sardanapalus," "The Two +Foscari," and "Cain, a Mystery," were published together in December +1821, and Mr. Murray paid Lord Byron for them the sum of £2,710. + +"Cain" was dedicated, by his consent, to Sir Walter Scott, who, in +writing to Mr. Murray, described it as "a very grand and tremendous +drama." On its first appearance it was reprinted in a cheap form by two +booksellers, under the impression that the Court of Chancery would not +protect it, and it therefore became necessary to take out an injunction +to restrain these piratical publishers. + +The case came before Lord Chancellor Eldon on February 9. Mr. Shadwell, +Mr. Spence, and Sergeant Copley were retained by Mr. Murray, and after +considerable discussion the injunction was refused, the Lord Chancellor +intimating that the publisher must establish his right to the +publication at law, and obtain the decision of a jury, on which he would +grant the injunction required. This was done accordingly, and the +copyright in "Cain" was thus secured. + +On the death of Allegra, his natural daughter, Lord Byron entrusted to +Mr. Murray the painful duty of making arrangements for the burial of the +remains in Harrow Church. Mr. Cunningham, the clergyman of Harrow, wrote +in answer to Mr. Murray: + +_Rev. J.W. Cunningham to John Murray_. + +_August_ 20, 1822. + +Sir, + +Mr. Henry Drury was so good as to communicate to me a request conveyed +to you by Lord Byron respecting the burial of a child in this church. +Mr. H. Drury will probably have also stated to you my willingness to +comply with the wish of Lord Byron. Will you forgive me, however, for so +far trespassing upon you (though a stranger) as to suggest an inquiry +whether it might not be practicable and desirable to fulfil for the +_present_ only a _part_ of his Lordship's wish--by burying the child, +and putting up a tablet with simply its name upon the tablet; and thus +leaving Lord B. more leisure to reflect upon the character of the +inscription he may wish to be added. It does seem to me that whatever he +may wish in the moment of his distress about the loss of this child, he +will afterwards regret that he should have taken pains to proclaim to +the world what he will not, I am sure, consider as honourable to his +name. And if this be probable, then it appears to me the office of a +true friend not to suffer him to commit himself but to allow his mind an +opportunity of calm deliberation. I feel constrained to say that the +inscription he proposed will be felt by every man of refined taste, to +say nothing of sound morals, to be an offence against taste and +propriety. My correspondence with his Lordship has been so small that I +can scarcely venture myself to urge these objections. You perhaps will +feel no such scruple. I have seen no person who did not concur in the +propriety of stating them. I would entreat, however, that should you +think it right to introduce my name into any statement made to Lord +Byron, you will not do it without assuring him of my unwillingness to +oppose the smallest obstacle to his wishes, or give the slightest pain +to his mind. The injury which, in my judgment, he is from day to day +inflicting upon society is no justification for measures of retaliation +and unkindness. + +Your obedient and faithful Servant, J.W. CUNNINGHAM. + +No communication having been received by the Rector, he placed the +application from Lord Byron before the churchwardens. + +_Rev. J.W. Cunningham to John Murray_. + +"The churchwardens have been urged to issue their prohibition by several +leading and influential persons, laymen, in the parish. You are aware +that as to _ex-parishioners_ the consent of the churchwardens is no less +necessary than my own; and that therefore the enclosed prohibition is +decisive as to the putting up of the monument. You will oblige me by +making known to Lord Byron the precise circumstances of the case. + +I am, your obedient Servant, J.W. CUNNINGHAM. + +The prohibition was as follows: + +HARROW, _September_ 17, 1822. + +Honored Sir, + +I object on behalf of the parish to admit the tablet of Lord Byron's +child into the church. + +JAMES WINKLEY, _Churchwarden_. + +The remains of Allegra, after long delay, were at length buried in the +church, just under the present door mat, over which the congregation +enter the church; but no memorial tablet or other record of her appears +on the walls of Harrow Church. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +BYRON'S DEATH AND THE DESTRUCTION OF HIS MEMOIRS + + +No attempt has here been made to present a strictly chronological record +of Mr. Murray's life; we have sought only so to group his correspondence +as to lay before our readers the various episodes which go to form the +business life of a publisher. In pursuance of this plan we now proceed +to narrate the closing incidents of his friendship with Lord Byron, +reserving to subsequent chapters the various other transactions in which +he was engaged. + +During the later months of Byron's residence in Italy this friendship +had suffered some interruption, due in part perhaps to questions which +had arisen out of the publication of "Don Juan," and in part to the +interference of the Hunts. With the activity aroused by his expedition +to Greece, Byron's better nature reasserted itself, and his last letter +to his publisher, though already printed in Moore's Life, cannot be +omitted from these pages: + +_Lord Byron to John Murray_. + +MISSOLONGHI, _February_ 25, 1824. + +I have heard from Mr. Douglas Kinnaird that you state "a report of a +satire on Mr. Gifford having arrived from Italy, _said_ to be written by +_me_! but that _you_ do not believe it." I dare say you do not, nor any +body else, I should think. Whoever asserts that I am the author or +abettor of anything of the kind on Gifford lies in his throat. I always +regarded him as my literary father, and myself as his prodigal son; if +any such composition exists, it is none of mine. _You_ know as well as +anybody upon _whom_ I have or have not written; and _you_ also know +whether they do or did not deserve that same. And so much for such +matters. You will perhaps be anxious to hear some news from this part +of Greece (which is the most liable to invasion); but you will hear +enough through public and private channels. I will, however, give you +the events of a week, mingling my own private peculiar with the public; +for we are here jumbled a little together at present. + +On Sunday (the 15th, I believe) I had a strong and sudden convulsive +attack, which left me speechless, though not motionless-for some strong +men could not hold me; but whether it was epilepsy, catalepsy, cachexy, +or apoplexy, or what other _exy_ or _epsy_ the doctors have not decided; +or whether it was spasmodic or nervous, etc.; but it was very +unpleasant, and nearly carried me off, and all that. On Monday, they put +leeches to my temples, no difficult matter, but the blood could not be +stopped till eleven at night (they had gone too near the temporal artery +for my temporal safety), and neither styptic nor caustic would cauterise +the orifice till after a hundred attempts. + +On Tuesday a Turkish brig of war ran on shore. On Wednesday, great +preparations being made to attack her, though protected by her consorts, +the Turks burned her and retired to Patras. On Thursday a quarrel ensued +between the Suliotes and the Frank guard at the arsenal: a Swedish +officer was killed, and a Suliote severely wounded, and a general fight +expected, and with some difficulty prevented. On Friday, the officer was +buried; and Captain Parry's English artificers mutinied, under pretence +that their lives were in danger, and are for quitting the country:--they +may. + +On Saturday we had the smartest shock of an earthquake which I remember +(and I have felt thirty, slight or smart, at different periods; they are +common in the Mediterranean), and the whole army discharged their arms, +upon the same principle that savages beat drums, or howl, during an +eclipse of the moon:--it was a rare scene altogether--if you had but +seen the English Johnnies, who had never been out of a cockney workshop +before!--or will again, if they can help it--and on Sunday, we heard +that the Vizier is come down to Larissa, with one hundred and odd +thousand men. + +In coming here, I had two escapes; one from the Turks _(one_ of my +vessels was taken but afterwards released), and the other from +shipwreck. We drove twice on the rocks near the Scrofes (islands near +the coast). + +I have obtained from the Greeks the release of eight-and-twenty Turkish +prisoners, men, women, and children, and sent them to Patras and Prevesa +at my own charges. One little girl of nine years old, who prefers +remaining with me, I shall (if I live) send, with her mother, probably, +to Italy, or to England, and adopt her. Her name is Hato, or Hatagée. +She is a very pretty lively child. All her brothers were killed by the +Greeks, and she herself and her mother merely spared by special favour +and owing to her extreme youth, she being then but five or six years +old. + +My health is now better, and I ride about again. My office here is no +sinecure, so many parties and difficulties of every kind; but I will do +what I can. Prince Mavrocordato is an excellent person, and does all in +his power; but his situation is perplexing in the extreme. Still we have +great hopes of the success of the contest. You will hear, however, more +of public news from plenty of quarters: for I have little time to write. + +Believe me, yours, etc., etc., + +N. BN. + +The fierce lawlessness of the Suliotes had now risen to such a height +that it became necessary, for the safety of the European population, to +get rid of them altogether; and, by some sacrifices on the part of Lord +Byron, this object was at length effected. The advance of a month's pay +by him, and the discharge of their arrears by the Government (the +latter, too, with money lent for that purpose by the same universal +paymaster), at length induced these rude warriors to depart from the +town, and with them vanished all hopes of the expedition against +Lepanto. + +Byron died at Missolonghi on April 19, 1824, and when the body arrived +in London, Murray, on behalf of Mr. Hobhouse, who was not personally +acquainted with Dr. Ireland, the Dean of Westminster, wrote to him, +conveying "the request of the executors and nearest relatives of the +deceased for permission that his Lordship's remains may be deposited in +Westminster Abbey, in the most private manner, at an early hour in the +morning." + +Dr. _Ireland to John Murray_. ISLIP, OXFORD, _July_ 8, 1824. + +Dear Sir, + +No doubt the family vault is the most proper place for the remains of +Lord Byron. It is to be wished, however, that nothing had been said +_publicly_ about Westminster Abbey before it was known whether the +remains could be received there. In the newspapers, unfortunately, it +has been proclaimed by somebody that the Abbey was to be the spot, and, +on the appearance of this article, I have been questioned as to the +truth of it from Oxford. My answer has been that the proposal has been +made, but civilly declined. I had also informed the members of the +church at Westminster (after your first letter) that I could not grant +the favour asked. I cannot, therefore, answer now that the case will not +be mentioned (as it has happened) by some person or other who knows it. +The best thing to be done, however, by the executors and relatives, is +to carry away the body, and say as little about it as possible. Unless +the subject is provoked by some injudicious parade about the remains, +perhaps the matter will draw little or no notice. + +Yours very truly, + +J. IRELAND, + +The death of Byron brought into immediate prominence the question of +his autobiographical memoirs, the MS. of which he had given to Moore, +who was at that time his guest at La Mira, near Venice, in 1819. + +"A short time before dinner," wrote Moore, "he left the room, and in a +minute or two returned carrying in his hand a white-leather bag. 'Look +here,' he said, holding it up, 'this would be worth something to Murray, +though _you_, I daresay, would not give sixpence for it.' 'What is it?' +I asked. 'My Life and Adventures,' he answered. On hearing this I raised +my hands in a gesture of wonder. 'It is not a thing,' he continued, +'that can be published during my lifetime, but you may have it if you +like: there, do whatever you please with it.'" + +Moore was greatly gratified by the gift, and said the Memoirs would make +a fine legacy for his little boy. Lord Byron informed Mr. Murray by +letter what he had done. "They are not," he said, "for publication +during my life, but when I am cold you may do what you please." In a +subsequent letter to Mr. Murray, Lord Byron said: "As you say my _prose_ +is good, why don't you treat with Moore for the reversion of my +Memoirs?--conditionally recollect; not to be published before decease. +He has the permission to dispose of them, and I advised him to do so." +Moore thus mentions the subject in his Memoirs: + +"_May_ 28, 1820.--Received a letter at last from Lord Byron, through +Murray, telling me he had informed Lady B. of his having given me his +Memoirs for the purpose of their being published after his death, and +offering her the perusal of them in case she might wish to confute any +of his statements. Her note in answer to this offer (the original of +which he enclosed me) is as follows": + +KIRKBY MALLORY, _March_ 10, 1820. + +I received your letter of January 1st, offering for my perusal a Memoir +of part of my life. I decline to inspect it. I consider the publication +or circulation of such a composition at any time is prejudicial to Ada's +future happiness. For my own sake I have no reason to shrink from +publication; but notwithstanding the injuries which I have suffered, I +should lament more of the _consequences._ + +A. BYRON. + +To LORD BYRON. [Footnote: For Byron's reply to this letter, see Moore's +Memoirs, iii. 115.] + +Moore received the continuation of Lord Byron's Memoirs on December 26, +1820, the postage amounting to forty-six francs and a half. "He advises +me," said Moore in his Diary, "to dispose of the reversion of the MS. +now." Accordingly, Moore, being then involved in pecuniary +responsibilities by the defalcations of his deputy in Bermuda, +endeavoured to dispose of the "Memoirs of Lord Byron." He first wrote to +the Messrs. Longman, who did not offer him enough; and then to Mr. +Murray, who offered him the sum of 2,000 guineas, on condition that he +should be the editor of the Memoirs, and write the Life of Lord Byron. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. _July_ 24, 1821. + +Dear Lord Byron, + +I have just received a letter from Mr. Moore--the subject of it is every +way worthy of your usual liberality--and I had not a moment's hesitation +in acceding to a proposal which enabled me in any way to join in +assisting so excellent a fellow. I have told him--which I suppose you +will think fair--that he should give me all additions that you may from +time to time make--and in case of survivorship edit the whole--and I +will leave it as an heirloom to my son. + +I have written to accede to Mr. Moore's proposal. I remain, dear Lord +Byron, Your grateful and faithful Servant, JOHN MURRAY. + +Mr. Moore accepted the proposal, and then proceeded to draw upon Mr. +Murray for part of the money. It may be added that the agreement between +Murray and Moore gave the former the right of publishing the Memoirs +three months after his Lordship's death. When that event was +authenticated, the manuscript remained at Mr. Murray's absolute disposal +if Moore had not previously redeemed it by the repayment of the 2,000 +guineas. + +During the period that Mr. Moore had been in negotiation with the +Longmans and Murray respecting the purchase of the Memoirs, he had given +"Lady Holland the MS. to read." Lord John Russell also states, in his +"Memoirs of Moore," that he had read "the greater part, if not the +whole," and that he should say that some of it was too gross for +publication. When the Memoirs came into the hands of Mr. Murray, he +entrusted the manuscript to Mr. Gifford, whose opinion coincided with +that of Lord John Russell. A few others saw the Memoirs, amongst them +Washington Irving and Mr. Luttrell. Irving says, in his "Memoirs," that +Moore showed him the Byron recollections and that they were quite +unpublishable. + +Mr. Moore himself seems to have been thrown into some doubt as to the +sale of the manuscript by the opinion of his friends. "Lord Holland," he +said, "expressed some scruples as to the sale of Lord Byron's Memoirs, +and he wished that I could have got the 2,000 guineas in any other way; +he seemed to think it was in cold blood, depositing a sort of quiver of +poisoned arrows for a future warfare upon private character." [Footnote: +Lord John Russell's "Memoirs, Journals, and Correspondence of Thomas +Moore," iii. p. 298.] Mr. Moore had a long conversation on the subject +with Mr. J.C. Hobhouse, "who," he says in his Journal, "is an upright +and honest man." When speaking of Lord Byron, Hobhouse said, "I know +more about Lord Byron than any one else, and much more than I should +wish any one else to know." + +Lady Byron offered, through Mr. Kinnaird, to advance 2,000 guineas for +the redemption of the Memoirs from Mr. Murray, but the negotiation was +not brought to a definite issue. Moore, when informed of the offer, +objected to Lady Byron being consulted about the matter, "for this would +be treachery to Lord Byron's intentions and wishes," but he agreed to +place the Memoirs at the disposal of Lord Byron's sister, Mrs. Leigh, +"to be done with exactly as she thought proper." Moore was of opinion +that those parts of the manuscript should be destroyed which were found +objectionable; but that those parts should be retained which were not, +for his benefit and that of the public. + +At the same time it must be remembered that Moore's interest in the +Memoirs had now entirely ceased, for in consequence of the death of Lord +Byron they had become Mr. Murray's absolute property, in accordance with +the terms of his purchase. But although Mr. Murray had paid so large a +sum for the manuscript, and would probably have made a considerable +profit by its publication, he was nevertheless willing to have it +destroyed, if it should be the deliberate opinion of his Lordship's +friends and relatives that such a step was desirable. + +Mr. Murray therefore put himself into communication with Lord Byron's +nearest friends and relations with respect to the disposal of the +Memoirs. His suggestion was at first strongly opposed by some of them; +but he urged his objections to publication with increased zeal, even +renouncing every claim to indemnification for what he had paid to Mr. +Moore. A meeting of those who were entitled to act in the matter was at +length agreed upon, and took place in Murray's drawing-room, on May 17, +1824. There were present Mr. Murray, Mr. Moore, Mr. J.C. Hobhouse, +Colonel Doyle representing Lady Byron, Mr. Wilmot Horton representing +Mrs. Leigh, and Mr. Luttrell, a friend of Moore's. Young Mr. +Murray--then sixteen; the only person of those assembled now living +[1891]--was also in the room. The discussion was long and stormy before +the meeting broke up, and nearly led to a challenge between Moore and +Hobhouse. A reference to the agreement between Moore and Murray became +necessary, but for a long time that document could not be found; it was +at length discovered, but only after the decision to commit the +manuscript to the flames had been made and carried out, and the party +remained until the last sheet of Lord Byron's Memoirs had vanished in +smoke up the Albemarle Street chimney. + +Immediately after the burning, Mrs. Leigh wrote the following account to +her friend, the Rev. Mr. Hodgson, an old friend of Byron's: + +_The Hon. Mrs. Leigh to the Rev. f. Hodgson_. + +"The parties, Messrs. Moore, Murray, Hobhouse, Col. Doyle for Lady B., +and Mr. Wilmot for me, and Mr. Luttrell, a friend of Mr. Moore's, met at +Mr. Murray's; and after a long dispute and nearly quarrelling, upon Mr. +Wilmot stating what was my wish and opinion, the MS. was burnt, and +Moore paid Murray the 2,000 guineas. Immediately almost _after_ this was +done, the legal agreement between Moore and Murray (which had been +mislaid), was found, and, strange to say, it appeared from it (what both +had forgotten), that the property of the MS. was Murray's _bond fide_. +Consequently _he_ had the right to dispose of it as he pleased; and as +he had behaved most handsomely upon the occasion ... it was desired by +our family that he should receive the 2,000 guineas back." [Footnote: +"Memoir of the Rev. F. Hodgson," ii. 139-40.] + +But the Byrons did not repay the money. Mr. Moore would not permit it. +He had borrowed the 2,000 guineas from the Messrs. Longman, and before +he left the room, he repaid to Mr. Murray the sum he had received for +the Memoirs, together with the interest during the time that the +purchase-money had remained in his possession. + +The statements made in the press, as to Lord Byron's Memoirs having been +burnt, occasioned much public excitement, and many applications were +made to Mr. Murray for information on the subject. Amongst those who +made particular inquiry was Mr. Jerdan, of the _Literary Gazette,_ who +inclosed to Mr. Murray the paragraph which he proposed to insert in his +journal. Mr. Murray informed him that the account was so very erroneous, +that he desired him either to condense it down to the smallest compass, +or to omit it altogether. Mr. Jerdan, however, replied that the subject +was of so much public interest, that he could not refuse to state the +particulars, and the following was sent to him, prepared by Mr. Murray: + +"A general interest having been excited, touching the fate of Lord +Byron's Memoirs, written by himself, and reports, confused and +incorrect, having got into circulation upon the subject, it has been +deemed requisite to signify the real particulars. The manuscript of +these Memoirs was purchased by Mr. Murray in the year 1821 for the sum +of two thousand guineas, under certain stipulations which gave him the +right of publishing them three months after his Lordship's demise. When +that event was authenticated, the Manuscript consequently remained at +Mr. Murray's absolute disposal; and a day or two after the melancholy +intelligence reached London, Mr. Murray submitted to the near +connections of the family that the MSS. should be destroyed. In +consequence of this, five persons variously concerned in the matter were +convened for discussion upon it. As these Memoirs were not calculated to +augment the fame of the writer, and as some passages were penned in a +spirit which his better feelings since had virtually retracted, Mr. +Murray proposed that they should be destroyed, considering it a duty to +sacrifice every view of profit to the noble author, by whose confidence +and friendship he had been so long honoured. The result has been, that +notwithstanding some opposition, he obtained the desired decision, and +the Manuscript was forthwith committed to the flames. Mr. Murray was +immediately reimbursed in the purchase-money by Mr. Moore, although Mr. +Murray had previously renounced every claim to repayment." + +The particulars of the transaction are more fully expressed in the +following letter written by Mr. Murray to Mr. (afterwards Sir) Robert +Wilmot Horton, two days after the destruction of the manuscript. It +seems that Mr. Moore had already made a representation to Mr. Horton +which was not quite correct. [Footnote: Lord J. Russell's " Memoirs, +etc., of Thomas Moore," iv. p. 188.] + +_John Murray to Mr. R. Wilmot Horton_. ALBEMARLE STREET, _May_ 19, 1824. + +Dear Sir, + +On my return home last night I found your letter, dated the 17th, +calling on me for a specific answer whether I acknowledged the accuracy +of the statement of Mr. Moore, communicated in it. However unpleasant it +is to me, your requisition of a specific answer obliges me to say that I +cannot, by any means, admit the accuracy of that statement; and in order +to explain to you how Mr. Moore's misapprehension may have arisen, and +the ground upon which my assertion rests, I feel it necessary to trouble +you with a statement of all the circumstances of the case, which will +enable you to judge for yourself. + +Lord Byron having made Mr. Moore a present of his Memoirs, Mr. Moore +offered them for sale to Messrs. Longman & Co., who however declined to +purchase them; Mr. Moore then made me a similar offer, which I accepted; +and in November 1821, a joint assignment of the Memoirs was made to me +by Lord Byron and Mr. Moore, with all legal technicalities, in +consideration of a sum of 2,000 guineas, which, on the execution of the +agreement by Mr. Moore, I paid to him. Mr. Moore also covenanted, in +consideration of the said sum, to act as Editor of the Memoirs, and to +supply an account of the subsequent events of Lord Byron's life, etc. + +Some months after the execution of this assignment, Mr. Moore requested +me, as a great personal favour to himself and to Lord Byron, to enter +into a second agreement, by which I should resign the absolute property +which I had in the Memoirs, and give Mr. Moore and Lord Byron, or any of +their friends, a power of redemption _during the life of Lord Byron_. As +the reason pressed upon me for this change was that their friends +thought there were some things in the Memoirs that might be injurious to +both, I did not hesitate to make this alteration at Mr. Moore's request; +and, accordingly, on the 6th day of May, 1822, a second deed was +executed, stating that, "Whereas Lord Byron and Mr. Moore are now +inclined to wish the said work not to be published, it is agreed that, +if either of them shall, _during the life of the said Lord Byron_, repay +the 2,000 guineas to Mr. Murray, the latter shall redeliver the Memoirs; +but that, if the sum be not repaid _during the lifetime of Lord Byron_, +Mr. Murray shall be at full liberty to print and publish the said +Memoirs within Three Months [Footnote: The words "within Three Months " +were substituted for "immediately," at Mr. Moore's request--and they +appear in pencil, in his own handwriting, upon the original draft of the +deed, which is still in existence.] after the death of the said Lord +Byron." I need hardly call your particular attention to the words, +carefully inserted twice over in this agreement, which limited its +existence to the _lifetime of Lord Byron_; the reason of such limitation +was obvious and natural--namely that, although I consented to restore +the work, _while Lord Byron should be alive_ to direct the ulterior +disposal of it, I would by no means consent to place it _after his +death_ at the disposal of any other person. + +I must now observe that I had never been able to obtain possession of +the original assignment, which was my sole lien on this property, +although I had made repeated applications to Mr. Moore to put me into +possession of the deed, which was stated to be in the hands of Lord +Byron's banker. Feeling, I confess, in some degree alarmed at the +withholding the deed, and dissatisfied at Mr. Moore's inattention to my +interests in this particular, I wrote urgently to him in March 1823, to +procure me the deed, and at the same time expressed my wish that the +second agreement should either be cancelled or _at once executed_. + +Finding this application unavailing, and becoming, by the greater lapse +of time, still more doubtful as to what the intentions of the parties +might be, I, in March 1824, repeated my demand to Mr. Moore in a more +peremptory manner, and was in consequence at length put into possession +of the original deed. But, not being at all satisfied with the course +that had been pursued towards me, I repeated to Mr. Moore my uneasiness +at the terms on which I stood under the second agreement, and renewed my +request to him that he would either cancel it, or execute its provisions +by the immediate redemption of the work, in order that I might exactly +know what my rights in the property were. He requested time to consider +this proposition. In a day or two he called, and told me that he would +adopt the latter alternative--namely, the redemption of the Memoirs--as +he had found persons who were ready to advance the money on _his +injuring his life_; and he promised to conclude the business on the +first day of his return to town, by paying the money and giving up the +agreement. Mr. Moore did return to town, but did not, that I have heard +of, take any proceedings for insuring his life; he positively neither +wrote nor called upon me as he had promised to do (though he was +generally accustomed to make mine one of his first houses of call);--nor +did he take any other step, that I am aware of, to show that he had any +recollection of the conversation which had passed between us previous to +his leaving town, until _the death of Lord Byron_ had, _ipso facto_, +cancelled the agreement in question, and completely restored my absolute +rights over the property of the Memoirs. + +You will therefore perceive that there was no verbal agreement in +existence between Mr. Moore and me, at the time I made a verbal +agreement with you to deliver the Memoirs to be destroyed. Mr. Moore +might undoubtedly, _during Lord Byron's life_, have obtained possession +of the Memoirs, if he had pleased to do so; he however neglected or +delayed to give effect to our verbal agreement, which, as well as the +written instrument to which it related, being cancelled by the death of +Lord Byron, there was no reason whatsoever why I was not at that instant +perfectly at liberty to dispose of the MS. as I thought proper. Had I +considered only my own interest as a tradesman, I would have announced +the work for immediate publication, and I cannot doubt that, under all +the circumstances, the public curiosity about these Memoirs would have +given me a very considerable profit beyond the large sum I originally +paid for them; but you yourself are, I think, able to do me the justice +of bearing witness that I looked at the case with no such feelings, and +that my regard for Lord Byron's memory, and my respect for his surviving +family, made me more anxious that the Memoirs should be immediately +destroyed, since it was surmised that the publication might be injurious +to the former and painful to the latter. + +As I myself scrupulously refrained from looking into the Memoirs, I +cannot, from my own knowledge, say whether such an opinion of the +contents was correct or not; it was enough for me that the friends of +Lord and Lady Byron united in wishing for their destruction. Why Mr. +Moore should have wished to preserve them I did not nor will I inquire; +but, having satisfied myself that he had no right whatever in them, I +was happy in having an opportunity of making, by a pecuniary sacrifice +on my part, some return for the honour, and I must add, the profit, +which I had derived from Lord Byron's patronage and friendship. You will +also be able to bear witness that--although I could not presume to +impose an obligation on the friends of Lord Byron or Mr. Moore, by +refusing to receive the repayment of the 2,000 guineas advanced by +me--yet I had determined on the destruction of the Memoirs without any +previous agreement for such repayment:--and you know the Memoirs were +actually destroyed without any stipulation on my part, but even with a +declaration that I had destroyed my own private property--and I +therefore had no claim upon any party for remuneration. + +I remain, dear Sir, + +Your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +After the burning of the manuscript Sir Walter Scott wrote in his diary: +"It was a pity that nothing save the total destruction of Byron's +Memoirs would satisfy his executors; but there was a reason--_premat nox +alta."_ + +Shortly after the burning of the Memoirs, Mr. Moore began to meditate +writing a Life of Lord Byron; "the Longmans looking earnestly and +anxiously to it as the great source of my means of repaying them their +money." [Footnote: Moore's Memoirs, iv. 253.] Mr. Moore could not as +yet, however, proceed with the Life, as the most important letters of +Lord Byron were those written to Mr. Murray, which were in his exclusive +possession. Lord John Russell also was against his writing the Life of +Byron. + +"If you write," he wrote to Moore, "write poetry, or, if you can find a +good subject, write prose; but do not undertake to write the life of +another reprobate [referring to Moore's "Life of Sheridan"]. In short, +do anything but write the life of Lord Byron." [Footnote: Moore's +Memoirs, v. 51.] + +Yet Moore grievously wanted money, and this opportunity presented itself +to him with irresistible force as a means of adding to his resources. At +length he became reconciled to Mr. Murray through the intercession of +Mr. Hobhouse. Moore informed the Longmans of the reconciliation, and, in +a liberal and considerate manner, they said to him, "Do not let us stand +in the way of any arrangements you may make; it is our wish to see you +free from debt; and it would be only in this one work that we should be +separated." It was in this way that Mr. Moore undertook to write for Mr. +Murray the Life of Lord Byron. Mr. Murray agreed to repay Moore the +2,000 guineas he had given for the burned Memoirs and £2,000 extra for +editing the letters and writing the Life, and Moore in his diary says +that he considered this offer perfectly liberal. Nothing, he adds, could +be more frank, gentleman-like, and satisfactory than the manner in which +this affair had been settled on all sides. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +SCOTT'S NOVELS--BLACKWOOD AND MURRAY + + +The account of Mr. Murray's dealings with Lord Byron has carried us +considerably beyond the date at which we left the history of his general +business transactions, and compels us to go back to the year 1814, when, +as is related in a previous chapter, he had associated himself with +William Blackwood as his Edinburgh agent. + +Blackwood, like Murray, was anxious to have a share in the business of +publishing the works of Walter Scott--especially the novels teeming from +the press by "The Author of 'Waverley.'" Although Constable and the +Ballantynes were necessarily admitted to the knowledge of their +authorship, to the world at large they were anonymous, and the author +still remained unknown. Mr. Murray had, indeed, pointed out to Mr. +Canning that "Waverley" was by Walter Scott; but Scott himself trailed +so many red herrings across the path, that publishers as well as the +public were thrown off the scent, and both Blackwood and Murray +continued to be at fault with respect to the authorship of the "Waverley +Novels." + +In February 1816 Ballantyne assured Blackwood that in a very few weeks +he would have something very important to propose. On April 12 +following, Blackwood addressed the following letter to Murray, "most +strictly confidential"; and it contained important proposals: + +_Mr. W. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR MURRAY, + +Some time ago I wrote to you that James Ballantyne had dined with me, +and from what then passed I expected that I would soon have something +very important to communicate. He has now fully explained himself to me, +with liberty to inform you of anything he has communicated. This, +however, he entreats of us to keep most strictly to ourselves, trusting +to our honour that we will not breathe a syllable of it to the dearest +friends we have. + +He began by telling me that he thought he had it now in his power to +show me how sensible he was of the services I had done him, and how +anxious he was to accomplish that union of interests which I had so long +been endeavouring to bring about. Till now he had only made professions; +now he would act. He said that he was empowered to offer me, along with +you, a work of fiction in four volumes, such as Waverley, etc.; that he +had read a considerable part of it; and, knowing the plan of the whole, +he could answer for its being a production of the very first class; but +that he was not at liberty to mention its title, nor was he at liberty +to 'give the author's name. I naturally asked him, was it by the author +of "Waverley"? He said it was to have no reference to any other work +whatever, and everyone would be at liberty to form their own conjectures +as to the author. He only requested that, whatever we might suppose from +anything that might occur afterwards, we should keep strictly to +ourselves that we were to be the publishers. The terms he was empowered +by the author to offer for it were: + +1. The author to receive one-half of the profits of each edition; these +profits to be ascertained by deducting the paper and printing from the +proceeds of the book sold at sale price; the publishers to be at the +whole of the expense of advertising. 2. The property of the book to be +the publishers', who were to print such editions as they chose. 3. The +only condition upon which the author would agree to these terms is, that +the publisher should take £600 of John Ballantyne's stock, selected from +the list annexed, deducting 25 per cent, from the affixed sale prices. +4. If these terms are agreed to, the stock to the above amount to be +immediately delivered, and a bill granted at twelve months. 5. That in +the course of six or eight weeks, J.B. expected to be able to put into +my hands the first two volumes printed, and that if on perusal we did +not like the bargain, we should be at liberty to give it up. This he +considered to be most unlikely; but if it should be the case, he would +bind himself to repay or redeliver the bill on the books being returned. +6. That the edition, consisting of 2,000 copies, should be printed and +ready for delivery by the 1st of October next. + +I have thus stated to you as nearly as I can the substance of what +passed. I tried in various ways to learn something with regard to the +author; but he was quite impenetrable. My own impression now is, that it +must be Walter Scott, for no one else would think of burdening us with +such trash as John B.'s wretched stock. This is such a burden, that I am +puzzled not a little. I endeavoured every way I could to get him to +propose other terms, but he told me they could not be departed from in a +single part; and the other works had been taken on the same conditions, +and he knew they would be greedily accepted again in the same quarter. +Consider the matter seriously, and write to me as soon as you can. After +giving it my consideration, and making some calculations. I confess I +feel inclined to hazard the speculation; but still I feel doubtful until +I hear what you think of it. Do not let my opinion, which may be +erroneous, influence you, but judge for yourself. From the very strong +terms in which Jas. B. spoke of the work, I am sanguine enough to expect +it will equal if not surpass any of the others. I would not lay so much +stress upon what he says if I were not assured that his great interest, +as well as Mr. Scott's, is to stand in the very best way both with you +and me. They are anxious to get out of the clutches of Constable, and +Ballantyne is sensible of the favour I have done and may still do him by +giving so much employment, besides what he may expect from you. From +Constable he can expect nothing. I had almost forgotten to mention that +he assured me in the most solemn manner that we had got the first offer, +and he ardently hoped we would accept of it. If, however, we did not, he +trusted to our honour that we would say nothing of it; that the author +of this work would likely write more; and should we not take this, we +might have it in our power afterwards to do something with him, provided +we acted with delicacy in the transaction, as he had no doubt we would +do. I hope you will be able to write to me soon, and as fully as you +can. If I have time tomorrow, or I should rather say this day, as it is +now near one o'clock, I will write you about other matters; and if I +have no letter from you, will perhaps give you another scolding. + +Yours most truly, + +W. BLACKWOOD. + +A long correspondence took place between Blackwood and Murray on +Ballantyne's proposal. Blackwood was inclined to accept, notwithstanding +the odd nature of the proposal, in the firm belief that "the heart's +desire" of Ballantyne was to get rid of Constable. He sent Murray a list +of Ballantyne's stock, from which the necessary value of books was to be +selected. It appeared, however, that there was one point on which +Blackwood had been mistaken, and that was, that the copyright of the new +novel was not to be absolutely conveyed, and that all that Ballantyne +meant, or had authority to offer, was an edition, limited to six +thousand copies, of the proposed work. Although Murray considered it "a +blind bargain," he was disposed to accept it, as it might lead to +something better. Blackwood accordingly communicated to Ballantyne that +he and Murray accepted his offer. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_April_ 27, 1816. + +"Everything is settled, and on Tuesday Ballantyne is to give a letter +specifying the whole terms of the transaction. He could not do it +sooner, he said, as he had to consult the author. This, I think, makes +it clear that it is Walter Scott, who is at Abbotsford just now. What +surprised me a good deal was, James Ballantyne told me that his brother +John had gone out there with Constable, and Godwin (author of 'Caleb +Williams'), whom Scott was anxious to see. They are really a strange set +of people.... I am not over fond of all these mysteries, but they are a +mysterious set of personages, and we must manage with them in the best +way that we can." + +A letter followed from James Ballantyne to Murray (May I, 1816), +congratulating him upon concluding the bargain through Blackwood, and +saying: + +"I have taken the liberty of drawing upon you at twelve months for £300 +for your share.... It will be a singularly great accommodation if you +can return the bill in course of post." + +Although Ballantyne had promised that the first edition of the proposed +work should be ready by October 1, 1816, Blackwood found that in June +the printing of the work had not yet commenced. Ballantyne said he had +not yet got any part of the manuscript from the author, but that he +would press him again on the subject. The controversy still continued as +to the authorship of the Waverley Novels. "For these six months past," +wrote Blackwood (June 6, 1816), "there have been various rumours with +regard to Greenfield being the author of these Novels, but I never paid +much attention to it; the thing appeared to me so very improbable.... +But from what I have heard lately, and from what you state, I now begin +to think that Greenfield may probably be the author." On the other hand, +Mr. Mackenzie called upon Blackwood, and informed him that "he was now +quite convinced that Thomas Scott, Walter's brother in Canada, writes +all the novels." The secret, however, was kept for many years longer. + +Blackwood became quite provoked at the delay in proceeding with the +proposed work. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_June_ 21, 1816. + +"I begin to fear that S.B. and Cy. are a nest of----. There is neither +faith nor truth in them. In my last letter I mentioned to you that there +was not the smallest appearance of the work being yet begun, and there +is as little still. James Ballantyne shifts this off his own shoulders +by saying that he cannot help it. Now, my own belief is that at the time +he made such solemn promises to me that the first volume would be in my +hands in a month, he had not the smallest expectation of this being the +case; but he knew that he would not have got our bills, which he +absolutely wanted, without holding this out. It is now seven weeks since +the bills were granted, and it is five weeks since I gave him the list +of books which were to be delivered. I have applied to him again and +again for them, and on Tuesday last his man at length called on me to +say that John Ballantyne & Co. could not deliver fifty sets of 'Kerr's +Voyages'--that they had only such quantities of particular odd volumes +of which he showed me a list." + +Blackwood called upon Ballantyne, but he could not see him, and instead +of returning Blackwood's visit, he sent a note of excuse. Next time they +met was at Hollingworth's Hotel, after which Ballantyne sent Blackwood a +letter "begging for a loan of £50 till next week, but not a word of +business in it." Next time they met was at the same hotel, when the two +dined with Robert Miller. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +"After dinner I walked home with J.B. Perhaps from the wine he had +drunk, he was very communicative, and gave me a great deal of very +curious and interesting private history. Would you believe it, that +about six weeks ago--at the very time our transaction was going +on--these worthies, Scott, Ballantyne & Co., concluded a transaction +with Constable for 10,000 copies of this said 'History of Scotland' +[which had been promised to Blackwood and Murray] in 4 vols., and +actually received bills for the profits expected to be realized from +this large number! Yet, when I put James Ballantyne in mind on Tuesday +of what he had formally proposed by desire of Mr. Scott, and assured us +we were positively to get the work, and asked him if there was any truth +in the rumour I had heard, and even that you had heard, about Mr. Scott +being about to publish a 'History of Scotland' with his name, and +further asked him if Mr. Scott was now ready to make any arrangements +with us about it (for it never occurred to me that he could make +arrangements with any one else), he solemnly assured me that he knew +nothing about it! Now, after this, what confidence can we have in +anything that this man will say or profess! I confess I am sadly +mortified at my own credulousness. John I always considered as no better +than a swindler, but James I put some trust and confidence in. You +judged more accurately, for you always said that 'he was a damned +cunning fellow!' Well, there is every appearance of your being right; +but his cunning (as it never does) will not profit him. Within these +three years I have given him nearly £1,400 for printing, and in return +have only received empty professions, made, to be sure, in the most +dramatic manner. Trite as the saying is, honesty is always the best +policy; and if we live a little longer, we shall see what will be the +end of all their cunning, never-ending labyrinths of plots and schemes. +Constable is the proper person for them; set a thief to catch a thief: +Jonathan Wild will be fully a match for any of the heroes of the +'Beggar's Opera.' My blood boils when I think of them, and still more +when I think of my allowing myself so long to keep my eyes shut to what +I ought to have seen long ago. But the only apology I make to myself is, +that one does not wish to think so ill of human nature. There is an old +Scotch proverb, 'He has need o' a lang spoon that sups wi' the De'il,' +and since we are engaged, let us try if we can partake of the broth +without scalding ourselves. I still hope that we may; and however much +my feelings revolt at having any connection in future with them, yet I +shall endeavour to the best of my power to repress my bile, and to turn +their own tricks against themselves. One in business must submit to many +things, and swallow many a bitter pill, when such a man as Walter Scott +is the object in view. You will see, by this day's Edinburgh papers, +that the copartnery of John Ballantyne & Co. is formally dissolved. +Miller told me that, before James Ballantyne could get his wife's +friends to assent to the marriage, Walter Scott was obliged to grant +bonds and securities, taking upon himself all the engagements of John +Ballantyne & Co., as well as of James Ballantyne & Co.; [Footnote: +Lockhart says, in his "Life of Scott," that "in Feb., 1816, when James +Ballantyne married, it is clearly proved, by letters in his handwriting, +that he owed to Scott more than £3,000 of personal debt."] so that, if +there was any difficulty on their part, he bound himself to fulfil the +whole. When we consider the large sums of money Walter Scott has got for +his works, the greater part of which has been thrown into the hands of +the Ballantynes, and likewise the excellent printing business J.B. has +had for so many years, it is quite incomprehensible what has become of +all the money. Miller says, 'It is just a jaw hole which swallows up +all,' and from what he has heard he does not believe Walter Scott is +worth anything." + +Murray was nevertheless willing to go on until the terms of his bargain +with Ballantyne were fulfilled, and wrote to Blackwood that he was +"resolved to swallow the pill, bitter though it was," but he expressed +his surprise that "Mr. Scott should have allowed his property to be +squandered as it has been by these people." + +Blackwood, however, was in great anxiety about the transaction, fearing +the result of the engagement which he and Murray had entered into. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_July 2_, 1816. + +"This morning I got up between five and six, but instead of sitting down +to write to you, as I had intended, I mounted my pony and took a long +ride to collect my thoughts. Sitting, walking, or riding is all the +same. I feel as much puzzled as ever, and undetermined whether or not to +cut the Gordian knot. Except my wife, there is not a friend whom I dare +advise with. I have not once ventured to mention the business at all to +my brother, on account of the cursed mysteries and injunctions of +secrecy connected with it. I know he would blame me for ever engaging in +it, for he has a very small opinion of the Ballantynes. I cannot +therefore be benefited by his advice. Mrs. Blackwood, though she always +disliked my having any connection with the Ballantynes, rather thinks we +should wait a few weeks longer, till we see what is produced. I believe, +after all, this is the safest course to pursue. I would beg of you, +however, to think maturely upon the affair, taking into account Mr. +Scott's usefulness to the _Review_. Take a day or two to consider the +matter fully, and then give me your best advice.... As to Constable or +his triumphs, as he will consider them, I perfectly agree with you that +they are not to be coveted by us, and that they should not give us a +moment's thought. Thank God, we shall never desire to compass any of our +ends by underhand practices." + +Meanwhile correspondence with Ballantyne about the work of fiction--the +name of which was still unknown-was still proceeding. Ballantyne said +that the author "promised to put the first volume in his hands by the +end of August, and that the whole would be ready for publication by +Christmas." Blackwood thought this reply was "humbug, as formerly." +Nevertheless, he was obliged to wait. At last he got the first sight of +the manuscript. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_August_ 23, 1816. _Midnight_. + +"MY DEAR MURRAY,--I have this moment finished the reading of 192 pages +of our book--for ours it must be,--and I cannot go to bed without +telling you what is the strong and most favourable impression it has +made upon me. If the remainder be at all equal--which it cannot fail to +be, from the genius displayed in what is now before me--we have been +most fortunate indeed. The title as, TALKS OF MY LANDLORD; _collected +and reported by Jedediah Cleishbotham, Pariah Clerk and Schoolmaster of +Gandercleugh_." + +Mr. Blackwood then proceeds to give an account of the Introduction, the +commencement of "The Black Dwarf," the first of the tales, and the +general nature of the story, to the end of the fourth chapter. His +letter is of great length, and extends to nine quarto pages. He +concludes: + +"There cannot be a doubt as to the splendid merit of the work. It would +never have done to have hesitated and higgled about seeing more volumes. +In the note which accompanied the sheets, Ballantyne says, 'each volume +contains a Tale,' so there will be four in all. [Footnote: This, the +original intention, was departed from.] The next relates to the period +of the Covenanters. I have now neither doubts nor fears with regard to +the whole being good, and I anxiously hope that you will have as little. +I am so happy at the fortunate termination of all my pains and +anxieties, that I cannot be in bad humour with you for not writing me +two lines in answer to my last letters. I hope I shall hear from you +to-morrow; but I entreat of you to write me in course of post, as I wish +to hear from you before I leave this [for London], which I intend to do +on this day se'nnight by the smack." + +At length the principal part of the manuscript of the novel was in the +press, and, as both the author and the printer were in sore straits for +money, they became importunate on Blackwood and Murray for payment on +account. They had taken Ballantyne's "wretched stock" of books, as +Blackwood styled them, and Lockhart, in his "Life of Scott," infers that +Murray had consented to anticipate the period of his payments. At all +events, he finds in a letter of Scott's, written in August, these words +to John Ballantyne: "Dear John,--I have the pleasure to enclose Murray's +acceptances. I earnestly recommend you to push, realising as much as you +can. + +"Consider weel, gude mon, + We hae but borrowed gear, +The horse that I ride on, + It is John Murray's mear." + +Scott was at this time sorely pressed for ready money. He was buying one +piece of land after another, usually at exorbitant prices, and having +already increased the estate of Abbotsford from 150 to nearly 1,000 +acres, he was in communication with Mr. Edward Blore as to the erection +of a dwelling adjacent to the cottage, at a point facing the Tweed. This +house grew and expanded, until it became the spacious mansion of +Abbotsford. The Ballantynes also were ravenous for more money; but they +could get nothing from Blackwood and Murray before the promised work was +finished. + +At last the book was completed, printed, and published on December 1, +1816; but without the magical words, "by the Author of 'Waverley,'" on +the title-page. All doubts as to the work being by the author of +"Waverley," says Lockhart, had worn themselves out before the lapse of a +week. + +_John Murray to Mr. Wm. Blackwood_. + +_December_ 13, 1816. + +"Having now heard every one's opinion about our 'Tales of my Landlord,' +I feel competent to assure you that it is universally in their favour. +There is only 'Meg Merrilies' in their way. It is even, I think, +superior to the other three novels. You may go on printing as many and +as fast as you can; for we certainly need not stop until we come to the +end of our, unfortunately, limited 6,000.... My copies are more than +gone, and if you have any to spare pray send them up instantly." + +On the following day Mr. Murray wrote to Mr. Scott: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_December_ 14, 1816. + +DEAR SIR, + +Although I dare not address you as the author of certain Tales--which, +however, must be written either by Walter Scott or the devil--yet +nothing can restrain me from thinking that it is to your influence with +the author of them that I am indebted for the essential honour of being +one of their publishers; and I must intrude upon you to offer my most +hearty thanks, not divided but doubled, alike for my worldly gain +therein, and for the great acquisition of professional reputation which +their publication has already procured me. As to delight, I believe I +could, under any oath that could be proposed, swear that I never +experienced such great and unmixed pleasure in all my life as the +reading of this exquisite work has afforded me; and if you witnessed the +wet eyes and grinning cheeks with which, as the author's chamberlain, I +receive the unanimous and vehement praise of them from every one who has +read them, or heard the curses of those whose needs my scanty supply +would not satisfy, you might judge of the sincerity with which I now +entreat you to assure the author of the most complete success. After +this, I could throw all the other books which I have in the press into +the Thames, for no one will either read them or buy. Lord Holland said, +when I asked his opinion: "Opinion? we did not one of us go to bed all +night, and nothing slept but my gout." Frere, Hallam, and Boswell; Lord +Glenbervie came to me with tears in his eyes. "It is a cordial," he +said, "which has saved Lady Glenbervie's life." Heber, who found it on +his table on his arrival from a journey, had no rest till he had read +it. He has only this moment left me, and he, with many others, agrees +that it surpasses all the other novels. Wm. Lamb also; Gifford never +read anything like it, he says; and his estimate of it absolutely +increases at each recollection of it. Barrow with great difficulty was +forced to read it; and he said yesterday, "Very good, to be sure, but +what powerful writing is _thrown away_." Heber says there are only two +men in the world, Walter Scott and Lord Byron. Between you, you have +given existence to a third. + +Ever your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +This letter did not effectually "draw the badger." Scott replied in the +following humorous but Jesuitical epistle: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_December 18, 1816_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I give you hearty joy of the success of the Tales, although I do not +claim that paternal interest in them which my friends do me the credit +to assign to me. I assure you I have never read a volume of them till +they were printed, and can only join with the rest of the world in +applauding the true and striking portraits which they present of old +Scottish manners. + +I do not expect implicit reliance to be placed on my disavowal, because +I know very well that he who is disposed not to own a work must +necessarily deny it, and that otherwise his secret would be at the mercy +of all who chose to ask the question, since silence in such a case must +always pass for consent, or rather assent. But I have a mode of +convincing you that I am perfectly serious in my denial--pretty similar +to that by which Solomon distinguished the fictitious from the real +mother--and that is by reviewing the work, which I take to be an +operation equal to that of quartering the child.... Kind compliments to +Heber, whom I expected at Abbotsford this summer; also to Mr. Croker and +all your four o'clock visitors. I am just going to Abbotsford, to make a +small addition to my premises there. I have now about seven hundred +acres, thanks to the booksellers and the discerning public. + +Yours truly, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +The happy chance of securing a review of the Tales by the author of +"Waverley" himself exceeded Murray's most sanguine expectations, and +filled him with joy. He suggested that the reviewer, instead of sending +an article on the Gypsies, as he proposed, should introduce whatever he +had to say about that picturesque race in his review of the Tales, by +way of comment on the character of Meg Merrilies. The review was +written, and appeared in No. 32 of the _Quarterly_, in January 1817, by +which time the novel had already gone to a third edition. It is curious +now to look back upon the author reviewing his own work. He adopted +Murray's view, and besides going over the history of "Waverley," and the +characters introduced in that novel, he introduced a disquisition about +Meg Merrilies and the Gypsies, as set forth in his novel of "Guy +Mannering." He then proceeded to review the "Black Dwarf" and "Old +Mortality," but with the utmost skill avoided praising them, and rather +endeavoured to put his friends off the scent by undervaluing them, and +finding fault. The "Black Dwarf," for example, was full of "violent +events which are so common in romance, and of such rare occurrence in +real life." Indeed, he wrote, "the narrative is unusually artificial; +neither hero nor heroine excites interest of any sort, being just that +sort of _pattern_ people whom nobody cares a farthing about." + +"The other story," he adds, "is of much deeper interest." He describes +the person who gave the title to the novel--Robert Paterson, of the +parish of Closeburn, in Dumfriesshire--and introduces a good deal of +historical knowledge, but takes exception to many of the circumstances +mentioned in the story, at the same time quoting some of the best +passages about Cuddie Headrigg and his mother. In respect to the +influence of Claverhouse and General Dalzell, the reviewer states that +"the author has cruelly falsified history," and relates the actual +circumstances in reference to these generals. "We know little," he says, +"that the author can say for himself to excuse these sophistications, +and, therefore, may charitably suggest that he was writing a romance, +and not a history." In conclusion, the reviewer observed, "We intended +here to conclude this long article, when a strong report reached us of +certain trans-Atlantic confessions, which, if genuine (though of this we +know nothing), assign a different author to these volumes than the party +suspected by our Scottish correspondents. Yet a critic may be excused +seizing upon the nearest suspicious person, on the principle happily +expressed by Claverhouse in a letter to the Earl of Linlithgow. He had +been, it seems, in search of a gifted weaver who used to hold forth at +conventicles. "I sent to seek the webster (weaver); they brought in his +_brother_ for him; though he maybe cannot preach like his brother, I +doubt not but he is as well-principled as he, wherefore I thought it +would be no great fault to give him the trouble to go to the jail with +the rest." + +Mr. Murray seems to have accepted the suggestion and wrote in January +1817 to Mr. Blackwood: + +"I can assure you, but _in the greatest confidence_, that I have +discovered the author of all these Novels to be Thomas Scott, Walter +Scott's brother. He is now in Canada. I have no doubt but that Mr. +Walter Scott did a great deal to the first 'Waverley Novel,' because of +his anxiety to serve his brother, and his doubt about the success of the +work. This accounts for the many stories about it. Many persons had +previously heard from Mr. Scott, but you may rely on the certainty of +what I have told you. The whole country is starving for want of a +complete supply of the 'Tales of my Landlord,' respecting the interest +and merit of which there continues to be but one sentiment." + +A few weeks later Blackwood wrote to Murray: + +_January_ 22, 1817. + +"It is an odd story here, that Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Scott are the authors +of all these Novels. I, however, still think, as Mr. Croker said to me +in one of his letters, that if they were not by Mr. Walter Scott, the +only alternative is to give them to the devil, as by one or the other +they must be written." + +On the other hand, Bernard Barton wrote to Mr. Murray, and said that he +had "heard that James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, was the author of +'Tales of my Landlord,' and that he had had intimation from himself to +that effect," by no means an improbable story considering Hogg's vanity. +Lady Mackintosh also wrote to Mr. Murray: "Did you hear who this _new_ +author of 'Waverley' and 'Guy Mannering' is? Mrs. Thomas Scott, as Mr. +Thomas Scott assured Lord Selkirk (who had been in Canada), and his +lordship, like Lord Monboddo, believes it." Murray again wrote to +Blackwood (February 15, 1817): "What is your theory as to the author of +'Harold the Dauntless'? I will believe, till within an inch of my life, +that the author of 'Tales of my Landlord' is Thomas Scott." + +Thus matters remained until a few years later, when George IV. was on +his memorable visit to Edinburgh. Walter Scott was one of the heroes of +the occasion, and was the selected cicerone to the King. One day George +IV., in the sudden and abrupt manner which is peculiar to our Royal +Family, asked Scott point-blank: "By the way, Scott, are you the author +of 'Waverley'?" Scott as abruptly answered: "No, Sire!" Having made this +answer (said Mr. Thomas Mitchell, who communicated the information to +Mr. Murray some years later), "it is supposed that he considered it a +matter of honour to keep the secret during the present King's reign. If +the least personal allusion is made to the subject in Sir Walter's +presence, Matthews says that his head gently drops upon his breast, and +that is a signal for the person to desist." + +With respect to the first series of the "Tales of my Landlord," so soon +as the 6,000 copies had been disposed of which the author, through +Ballantyne, had covenanted as the maximum number to be published by +Murray and Blackwood, the work reverted to Constable, and was published +uniformly with the other works by the author of "Waverley." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ALLIANCE WITH BLACKWOOD--BLACKWOOD'S "EDINBURGH MAGAZINE"--TERMINATION +OF PARTNERSHIP + + +We have already seen that Mr. Murray had some correspondence with Thomas +Campbell in 1806 respecting the establishment of a monthly magazine; +such an undertaking had long been a favourite scheme of his, and he had +mentioned the subject to many friends at home as well as abroad. When, +therefore, Mr. Blackwood started his magazine, Murray was ready to enter +into his plans, and before long announced to the public that he had +become joint proprietor and publisher of Blackwood's _Edinburgh +Magazine_. + +There was nothing very striking in the early numbers of the _Magazine_, +and it does not appear to have obtained a considerable circulation. The +first editors were Thomas Pringle, who--in conjunction with a +friend--was the author of a poem entitled "The Institute," and James +Cleghorn, best known as a contributor to the _Farmers' Magazine_. +Constable, who was himself the proprietor of the _Scots Magazine_ as +well as of the _Farmers' Magazine_, desired to keep the monopoly of the +Scottish monthly periodicals in his own hands, and was greatly opposed +to the new competitor. At all events, he contrived to draw away from +Blackwood Pringle and Cleghorn, and to start a new series of the _Scots +Magazine_ under the title of the _Edinburgh Magazine_. Blackwood +thereupon changed the name of his periodical to that by which it has +since been so well known. He undertook the editing himself, but soon +obtained many able and indefatigable helpers. + +There were then two young advocates walking the Parliament House in +search of briefs. These were John Wilson (Christopher North) and John +Gibson Lockhart (afterwards editor of the _Quarterly_). Both were +West-countrymen--Wilson, the son of a wealthy Paisley manufacturer, and +Lockhart, the son of the minister of Cambusnethan, in Lanarkshire--and +both had received the best of educations, Wilson, the robust Christian, +having carried off the Newdigate prize at Oxford, and Lockhart, having +gained the Snell foundation at Glasgow, was sent to Balliol, and took a +first class in classics in 1813. These, with Dr. Maginn--under the +_sobriquet_ of "Morgan O'Dogherty,"--Hogg--the Ettrick Shepherd,--De +Quincey--the Opium-eater,--Thomas Mitchell, and others, were the +principal writers in _Blackwood_. + +No. 7, the first of the new series, created an unprecedented stir in +Edinburgh. It came out on October 1, 1817, and sold very rapidly, but +after 10,000 had been struck off it was suppressed, and could be had +neither for love nor money. The cause of this sudden attraction was an +article headed "Translation from an Ancient Chaldee Manuscript," +purporting to be an extract from some newly discovered historical +document, every paragraph of which contained a special hit at some +particular person well known in Edinburgh society. There was very little +ill-nature in it; at least, nothing like the amount which it excited in +those who were, or imagined themselves to be, caricatured in it. +Constable, the "Crafty," and Pringle and Cleghorn, editors of the +_Edinburgh Magazine_, as well as Jeffrey, editor of the _Edinburgh +Review_, came in for their share of burlesque description. + +Among the persons delineated in the article were the publisher of +Blackwood's _Edinburgh Magazine_, whose name "was as it had been, the +colour of Ebony": indeed the name of Old Ebony long clung to the +journal. The principal writers of the article were themselves included +in the caricature. Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, was described as "the +great wild boar from the forest of Lebanon, and he roused up his spirit, +and I saw him whetting his dreadful tusks for the battle." Wilson was +"the beautiful leopard," and Lockhart "the scorpion,"--names which were +afterwards hurled back at them with interest. Walter Scott was described +as "the great magician who dwelleth in the old fastness, hard by the +river Jordan, which is by the Border." Mackenzie, Jameson, Leslie, +Brewster, Tytler, Alison, M'Crie, Playfair, Lord Murray, the Duncans--in +fact, all the leading men of Edinburgh were hit off in the same fashion. + +Mrs. Garden, in her "Memorials of James Hogg," says that "there is no +doubt that Hogg wrote the first draft; indeed, part of the original is +still in the possession of the family.... Some of the more irreverent +passages were not his, or were at all events largely added to by others +before publication." [Footnote: Mrs. Garden's "Memorials of James Hogg," +p. 107.] In a recent number of _Blackwood_ it is said that: + +"Hogg's name is nearly associated with the Chaldee Manuscript. Of course +he claimed credit for having written the skit, and undoubtedly he +originated the idea. The rough draft came from his pen, and we cannot +speak with certainty as to how it was subsequently manipulated. But +there is every reason to believe that Wilson and Lockhart, probably +assisted by Sir William Hamilton, went to work upon it, and so altered +it that Hogg's original offspring was changed out of all knowledge." +[Footnote: _Blackwood's Magazine_, September 1882, pp. 368-9.] + +The whole article was probably intended as a harmless joke; and the +persons indicated, had they been wise, might have joined in the laugh or +treated the matter with indifference. On the contrary, however, they +felt profoundly indignant, and some of them commenced actions in the +Court of Session for the injuries done to their reputation. + +The same number of _Blackwood_ which contained the "Translation from an +Ancient Chaldee Manuscript," contained two articles, one probably by +Wilson, on Coleridge's "Biographia Literaria," the other, signed "Z," by +Lockhart, being the first of a series on "The Cockney School of Poetry." +They were both clever, but abusive, and exceedingly personal in their +allusions. + +Murray expostulated with Blackwood on the personality of the articles. +He feared lest they should be damaging to the permanent success of the +journal. Blackwood replied in a long letter, saying that the journal was +prospering, and that it was only Constable and his myrmidons who were +opposed to it, chiefly because of its success. + +In August 1818, Murray paid £1,000 for a half share in the magazine, +and from this time he took a deep and active interest in its progress, +advising Blackwood as to its management, and urging him to introduce +more foreign literary news, as well as more scientific information. He +did not like the idea of two editors, who seem to have taken the +management into their own hands. + +Subsequent numbers of _Blackwood_ contained other reviews of "The +Cockney School of Poetry": Leigh Hunt, "the King of the Cockneys," was +attacked in May, and in August it was the poet Keats who came under the +critic's lash, four months after Croker's famous review of "Endymion" in +the _Quarterly_. [Footnote: It was said that Keats was killed by this +brief notice, of four pages, in the _Quarterly_; and Byron, in his "Don +Juan," gave credit to this statement: + + "Poor Keats, who was killed off by one critique, + Just as he really promised something great,... + 'Tis strange, the mind, that very fiery particle, + Should let itself be snuffed out by an article." + +Leigh Hunt, one of Keats' warmest friends, when in Italy, told Lord +Byron (as he relates in his Autobiography) the real state of the case, +proving to him that the supposition of Keats' death being the result of +the review was a mistake, and therefore, if printed, would be a +misrepresentation. But the stroke of wit was not to be given up. Either +Mr. Gifford, or "the poet-priest Milman," has generally, but +erroneously, been blamed for being the author of the review in the +_Quarterly_, which, as is now well known, was written by Mr. Croker.] + +The same number of _Blackwood_ contained a short article about +Hazlitt--elsewhere styled "pimpled Hazlitt." It was very short, and +entitled "Hazlitt cross-questioned." Hazlitt considered the article full +of abuse, and commenced an action for libel against the proprietors of +the magazine. Upon this Blackwood sent Hazlitt's threatening letter to +Murray, with his remarks: + +_Mr. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_September_ 22, 1818. + +"I suppose this fellow merely means to make a little bluster, and try if +he can pick up a little money. There is nothing whatever actionable in +the paper.... The article on Hazlitt, which will commence next number, +will be a most powerful one, and this business will not deprive it of +any of its edge." + +_September_ 25, 1818. + +"What are people saying about that fellow Hazlitt attempting to +prosecute? There was a rascally paragraph in the _Times_ of Friday last +mentioning the prosecution, and saying the magazine was a work filled +with private slander. My friends laugh at the idea of his prosecution." + +Mr. Murray, however, became increasingly dissatisfied with this state of +things; he never sympathised with the slashing criticisms of +_Blackwood_, and strongly disapproved of the personalities, an opinion +which was shared by most of his literary friends. At the same time his +name was on the title-page of the magazine, and he was jointly +responsible with Blackwood for the articles which appeared there. + +In a long letter dated September 28, 1818, Mr. Murray deprecated the +personality of the articles in the magazine, and entreated that they be +kept out. If not, he begged that Blackwood would omit his name from the +title-page of the work. + +A long correspondence took place during the month of October between +Murray and Blackwood: the former continuing to declaim against the +personality of the articles; the latter averring that there was nothing +of the sort in the magazine. If Blackwood would only keep out these +personal attacks, Murray would take care to send him articles by Mr. +Frere, Mr. Barrow, and others, which would enhance the popularity and +respectability of the publication. + +In October of this year was published an anonymous pamphlet, entitled +"Hypocrisy Unveiled," which raked up the whole of the joke contained in +the "Translation from an Ancient Chaldee Manuscript," published a year +before. The number containing it had, as we have already seen, been +suppressed, because of the offence it had given to many persons of +celebrity, while the general tone of bitterness and personality had been +subsequently modified, if not abandoned. Murray assured Blackwood that +his number for October 1818 was one of the best he had ever read, and he +desired him to "offer to his friends his very best thanks and +congratulations upon the production of so admirable a number." "With +this number," he said, "you have given me a fulcrum upon which I will +move heaven and earth to get subscribers and contributors." Indeed, +several of the contributions in this surpassingly excellent number had +been sent to the Edinburgh publisher through the instrumentality of +Murray himself. + +"Hypocrisy Unveiled" was a lampoon of a scurrilous and commonplace +character, in which the leading contributors to and the publishers of +the magazine were violently attacked. Both Murray and Blackwood, who +were abused openly, by name, resolved to take no notice of it; but +Lockhart and Wilson, who were mentioned under the thin disguise of "the +Scorpion" and "the Leopard," were so nettled by the remarks on +themselves, that they, in October 1818, both sent challenges to the +anonymous author, through the publisher of the pamphlet. This most +injudicious step only increased their discomfiture, as the unknown +writer not only refused to proclaim his identity, but published and +circulated the challenges, together with a further attack on Lockhart +and Wilson. + +This foolish disclosure caused bitter vexation to Murray, who wrote: + +_John Murray to Mr. Blackwood_. + +_October_ 27, 1818. + +My DEAR BLACKWOOD, + +I really can recollect no parallel to the palpable absurdity of your two +friends. If they had planned the most complete triumph to their +adversaries, nothing could have been so successfully effective. They +have actually given up their names, as the authors of the offences +charged upon them, by implication only, in the pamphlet. How they could +possibly conceive that the writer of the pamphlet would be such an idiot +as to quit his stronghold of concealment, and allow his head to be +chopped off by exposure, I am at a loss to conceive.... + +I declare to God that had I known what I had so incautiously engaged in, +I would not have undertaken what I have done, or have suffered what I +have in my feelings and character--which no man had hitherto the +slightest cause for assailing--I would not have done so for any sum.... + +In answer to these remonstrances Blackwood begged him to dismiss the +matter from his mind, to preserve silence, and to do all that was +possible to increase the popularity of the magazine. The next number, +he said, would be excellent and unexceptionable; and it proved to be so. + +The difficulty, however, was not yet over. While the principal editors +of the Chaldee Manuscript had thus revealed themselves to the author of +"Hypocrisy Unveiled," the London publisher of _Blackwood_ was, in +November 1818, assailed by a biting pamphlet, entitled "A Letter to Mr. +John Murray, of Albemarle Street, occasioned by his having undertaken +the publication, in London, of _Blackwood's Magazine_." "The curse of +his respectability," he was told, had brought the letter upon him. "Your +name stands among the very highest in the department of Literature which +has fallen to your lot: the eminent persons who have confided in you, +and the works you have given to the world, have conduced to your +establishment in the public favour; while your liberality, your +impartiality, and your private motives, bear testimony to the justice of +your claims to that honourable distinction." + +Other criticisms of the same kind reached Mr. Murray's ear. Moore, in +his Diary (November 4, 1818), writes: "Received two most civil and +anxious letters from the great 'Bibliopola Tryphon' Murray, expressing +his regret at the article in _Blackwood_, and his resolution to give up +all concern in it if it contained any more such personalities." +[Footnote: "Memoirs, Journal, and Correspondence of Thomas Moore," ii. +210. By Lord John Russell.] + +Finally the Hazlitt action was settled. Blackwood gave to Murray the +following account of the matter: + +_December_ 16, 1818. + +"I have had two letters from Mr. Patmore, informing me that Mr. Hazlitt +was to drop the prosecution. His agent has since applied to mine +offering to do this, if the expenses and a small sum for some charity +were paid. My agent told him he would certainly advise any client of his +to get out of court, but that he would never advise me to pay anything +to be made a talk of, as a sum for a charity would be. He would advise +me, he said, to pay the expenses, and a trifle to Hazlitt himself +privately. Hazlitt's agent agreed to this." [Footnote: I have not been +able to discover what sum, if any, was paid to Hazlitt privately.] + +Notwithstanding promises of amendment, Murray still complained of the +personalities, and of the way in which the magazine was edited. He also +objected to the "echo of the _Edinburgh Review's_ abuse of Sharon +Turner. It was sufficient to give pain to me, and to my most valued +friend. There was another ungentlemanly and uncalled-for thrust at +Thomas Moore. That just makes so many more enemies, unnecessarily; and +you not only deprive me of the communications of my friends, but you +positively provoke them to go over to your adversary." + +It seemed impossible to exercise any control over the editors, and +Murray had no alternative left but to expostulate, and if his +expostulations were unheeded, to retire from the magazine. The last +course was that which he eventually decided to adopt, and the end of the +partnership in _Blackwood's Magazine_, which had long been anticipated, +at length arrived. Murray's name appeared for the last time on No. 22, +for January 1819; the following number bore no London publisher's name; +but on the number for March the names of T. Cadell and W. Davies were +advertised as the London agents for the magazine. + +On December 17, 1819, £1,000 were remitted to Mr. Murray in payment of +the sum which he had originally advanced to purchase his share, and his +connection with _Blackwood's Magazine_ finally ceased. He thereupon +transferred his agency for Scotland to Messrs. Oliver & Boyd, with whose +firm it has ever since remained. The friendly correspondence between +Murray and Blackwood nevertheless continued, as they were jointly +interested in several works of importance. + +In the course of the following year, "Christopher North" made the +following statement in _Blackwood's Magazine_ in "An Hour's Tête-à -tête +with the Public": + +"The Chaldee Manuscript, which appeared in our seventh number, gave us +both a lift and a shove. Nothing else was talked of for a long while; +and after 10,000 copies had been sold, it became a very great rarity, +quite a desideratum.... The sale of the _Quarterly_ is about 14,000, of +the _Edinburgh_ upwards of 7,000.... It is not our intention, at +present, to suffer our sale to go beyond 17,000.... Mr. Murray, under +whose auspices our _magnum opus_ issued for a few months from Albemarle +Street, began to suspect that we might be eclipsing the _Quarterly +Review_. No such eclipse had been foretold; and Mr. Murray, being no +great astronomer, was at a loss to know whether, in the darkness that +was but too visible, we were eclipsing the _Quarterly_, or the +_Quarterly_ eclipsing us. We accordingly took our pen, and erased his +name from our title-page, and he was once more happy. Under our present +publishers we carry everything before us in London." + +Mr. Murray took no notice of this statement, preferring, without any +more words, to be quit of his bargain. + +It need scarcely be added that when Mr. Blackwood had got his critics +and contributors well in hand--when his journal had passed its frisky +and juvenile life of fun and frolic--when the personalities had ceased +to appear in its columns, and it had reached the years of judgment and +discretion--and especially when its principal editor, Mr. John Wilson +(Christopher North), had been appointed to the distinguished position of +Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh--the +journal took that high rank in periodical literature which it has ever +since maintained. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1817-18--CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-- + + +Scott was now beginning to suffer from the terrible mental and bodily +strain to which he had subjected himself, and was shortly after seized +with the illness to which reference has been made in a previous chapter, +and which disabled him for some time. Blackwood informed Murray (March +7, 1817) that Mr. Scott "has been most dangerously ill, with violent +pain arising from spasmodic action in the stomach; but he is gradually +getting better." + +For some time he remained in a state of exhaustion, unable either to +stir for weakness and giddiness; or to read, for dazzling in his eyes; +or to listen, for a whizzing sound in his ears--all indications of too +much brain-work and mental worry. Yet, as soon as he was able to resume +his labours, we find him characteristically employed in helping his +poorer friends. + +_Mr. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_May_ 28, 1817. + +"Mr. Scott and some of his friends, in order to raise a sum of money to +make the poor Shepherd comfortable, have projected a fourth edition of +"The Queen's Wake," with a few plates, to be published by subscription. +We have inserted your name, as we have no doubt of your doing everything +you can for the poor poet. The advertisement, which is excellent, is +written by Mr. Scott." + +Hogg was tempted by the Duke of Buccleuch's gift of a farm on Eltrive +Lake to build himself a house, as Scott was doing, and applied to Murray +for a loan of £50, which was granted. In acknowledging the receipt of +the money he wrote: + +_Mr. James Hogg to John Murray_. + +_August_ 11, 1818. + +.... I am told Gifford has a hard prejudice against me, but I cannot +believe it. I do not see how any man can have a prejudice against me. He +may, indeed, consider me an intruder in the walks of literature, but I +am only a saunterer, and malign nobody who chooses to let me pass.... I +was going to say before, but forgot, and said quite another thing, that +if Mr. Gifford would point out any light work for me to review for him, +I'll bet a MS. poem with him that I'll write it better than he expects. + +Yours ever most sincerely, + +JAMES HOGG. + +As Scott still remained the Great Unknown, Murray's correspondence with +him related principally to his articles in the _Quarterly_, to which he +continued an occasional contributor. Murray suggested to him the +subjects of articles, and also requested him to beat up for a few more +contributors. He wanted an article on the Gypsies, and if Scott could +not muster time to do it, he hoped that Mr. Erskine might be persuaded +to favour him with an essay. + +Scott, however, in the midst of pain and distress, was now busy with his +"Rob Roy," which was issued towards the end of the year. + +A short interruption of his correspondence with Murray occurred--Scott +being busy in getting the long buried and almost forgotten "Regalia of +Scotland" exposed to light; he was also busy with one of his best +novels, the "Heart of Midlothian." Murray, knowing nothing of these +things, again endeavoured to induce him to renew his correspondence, +especially his articles for the _Review_. In response Scott contributed +articles on Kirkton's "History of the Church of Scotland," on Military +Bridges, and on Lord Orford's Memoirs. + +Towards the end of the year, Mr. Murray paid a visit to Edinburgh on +business, and after seeing Mr. Blackwood, made his way southward, to pay +his promised visit to Walter Scott at Abbotsford, an account of which +has already been given in the correspondence with Lord Byron. + +James Hogg, who was present at the meeting of Scott and Murray at +Abbotsford, wrote to Murray as follows: + +_James Hogg to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _February_ 20, 1819. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I arrived here the day before yesterday for my spring campaign in +literature, drinking whiskey, etc., and as I have not heard a word of +you or from you since we parted on the top of the hill above Abbotsford, +I dedicate my first letter from the metropolis to you. And first of all, +I was rather disappointed in getting so little cracking with you at that +time. Scott and you had so much and so many people to converse about, +whom nobody knew anything of but yourselves, that you two got all to +say, and some of us great men, who deem we know everything at home, +found that we knew nothing. You did not even tell me what conditions you +were going to give me for my "Jacobite Relics of Scotland," the first +part of which will make its appearance this spring, and I think bids +fair to be popular.... + +Believe me, yours very faithfully, + +JAMES HOGG. + +After the discontinuance of Murray's business connection with Blackwood, +described in the preceding chapter, James Hogg wrote in great +consternation: + +_Mr. James Hogg to John Murray_, + +ELTRIVE, by SELKIRK, _December_ 9, 1829. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +By a letter from Blackwood to-day, I have the disagreeable intelligence +that circumstances have occurred which I fear will deprive me of you as +a publisher--I hope never as a friend; for I here attest, though I have +heard some bitter things against you, that I never met with any man +whatever who, on so slight an acquaintance, has behaved to me so much +like a gentleman. Blackwood asks to transfer your shares of my trifling +works to his new agents. I answered, "Never! without your permission." +As the "Jacobite Relics" are not yet published, and as they would only +involve you further with one with whom you are going to close accounts, +I gave him liberty to transfer the shares you were to have in them to +Messrs. Cadell & Davies. But when I consider your handsome subscription +for "The Queen's Wake," if you have the slightest inclination to retain +your shares of that work and "The Brownie," as your name is on them, +_along with Blackwood_, I would much rather, not only from affection, +but interest, that you should continue to dispose of them. + +I know these books are of no avail to you; and that if you retain them, +it will be on the same principle that you published them, namely, one of +friendship for your humble poetical countryman. I'll never forget your +kindness; for I cannot think that I am tainted with the general vice of +authors' _ingratitude_; and the first house that I call at in London +will be the one in Albemarle Street. + +I remain, ever yours most truly, + +JAMES HOGG. + +Murray did not cease to sell the Shepherd's works, and made arrangements +with Blackwood to continue his agency for them, and to account for the +sales in the usual way. + +The name of Robert Owen is but little remembered now, but at the early +part of the century he attained some notoriety from his endeavours to +reform society. He was manager of the Lanark Cotton Mills, but in 1825 +he emigrated to America, and bought land on the Wabash whereon to start +a model colony, called New Harmony. This enterprise failed, and he +returned to England in 1827. The following letter is in answer to his +expressed intention of adding Mr. Murray's name to the title-page of the +second edition of his "New View of Society." + +_John Murray to Mr. Robert Owen_. + +_September_ 9, 1817. + +DEAR SIR, + +As it is totally inconsistent with my plans to allow my name to be +associated with any subject of so much political notoriety and debate as +your New System of Society, I trust that you will not consider it as any +diminution of personal regard if I request the favour of you to cause my +name to be immediately struck out from every sort of advertisement that +is likely to appear upon this subject. I trust that a moment's +reflection will convince which I understand you talked of sending to my +house. I beg leave again to repeat that I retain the same sentiments of +personal esteem, and that I am, dear Sir, + +Your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Among the would-be poets was a young Quaker gentleman of +Stockton-on-Tees who sent Mr. Murray a batch of poems. The publisher +wrote an answer to his letter, which fell into the hands of the poet's +father, who bore the same name as his son. The father answered: + +_Mr. Proctor to Mr. Murray_. + +ESTEEMED FRIEND, + +I feel very much obliged by thy refusing to _publish_ the papers sent +thee by my son. I was entirely ignorant of anything of the kind, or +should have nipt it in the bud. On receipt of this, please burn the +whole that was sent thee, and at thy convenience inform me that it has +been done. With thanks for thy highly commendable care. + +I am respectfully, thy friend, + +JOHN PROCTOR. + +The number of persons who desired to publish poetry was surprising, even +Sharon Turner, Murray's solicitor, whose valuable historical works had +been published by the Longmans, wrote to him about the publication of +poems, which he had written "to idle away the evenings as well as he +could." Murray answered his letter: + +_John Murray to Mr. Sharon Turner_. + +_November_ 17, 1817. + +I do not think it would be creditable to your name, or advantageous to +your more important works, that the present one should proceed from a +different publisher. Many might fancy that Longman had declined it. +Longman might suspect me of interference; and thus, in the uncertainty +of acting with propriety myself, I should have little hope of giving +satisfaction to you. I therefore refer the matter to your own feelings +and consideration. It has afforded me great pleasure to learn frequently +of late that you are so much better. I hope during the winter, if we +have any, to send you many amusing books to shorten the tediousness of +time, and charm away your indisposition. Mrs. Murray is still up and +well, and desires me to send her best compliments to you and Mrs. +Turner. + +Ever yours faithfully, + +J. MURRAY. + +Mr. Turner thanked Mr. Murray for his letter, and said that if he +proceeded with his intentions he would adopt his advice. "I have always +found Longman very kind and honourable, but I will not offer him now +what you think it right to decline." + +During Gifford's now almost incessant attacks of illness, Mr. Croker +took charge of the _Quarterly Review_. The following letter embodies +some of his ideas as to editing: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +BRIGHTON, _March_ 29, 1823. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +As I shall not be in Town in time to see you to-morrow, I send you some +papers. I return the _Poor_ article [Footnote: "On the Poor Laws," by +Mr. Gleig.] with its additions. Let the author's amendments be attended +to, and let his termination be inserted _between_ his former conclusion +and that which I have written. It is a good article, not overdone and +yet not dull. I return, to be set up, the article [by Captain Procter] +on Southey's "Peninsular War." It is very bad--a mere _abstracted +history of the war itself_, and not in the least a _review of the book_. +I have taken pains to remove some part of this error, but you must feel +how impossible it is to change the whole frame of such an article. A +touch thrown in here and there will give some relief, and the character +of a _review_ will be in some small degree preserved. This cursed system +of writing dissertations will be the death of us, and if I were to edit +another number, I should make a great alteration in that particular. But +for this time I must be satisfied with plastering up what I have not +time to rebuild. One thing I would do immediately if I were you. I would +pay for articles of _one_ sheet as much as for articles of two and +three, and, in fact, I would _scarcely_ permit an article to exceed one +sheet. I would reserve such extension for matters of great and immediate +interest and importance. I am delighted that W. [Footnote: Probably +Blanco White.] undertakes one, he will do it well; but remember the +necessity of _absolute secrecy_ on this point, and indeed on all others. +If you were to publish such names as Cohen and Croker and Collinson and +Coleridge, the magical WE would have little effect, and your _Review_ +would be absolutely despised--_omne ignotum pro mirifico_. I suppose I +shall see you about twelve on Tuesday. Could you not get me a gay light +article or two? If I am to _edit_ for you, I cannot find time to +_contribute_. Madame Campan's poem will more than expend my leisure. I +came here for a little recreation, and I am all day at the desk as if I +were at the Admiralty. This Peninsular article has cost me two days' +hard work, and is, after all, not worth the trouble; but we must have +something about it, and it is, I suppose, too late to expect anything +better. Mr. Williams's article on Sir W. Scott [Lord Stowell] is +contemptible, and would expose your _Review_ to the ridicule of the +whole bar; but it may be made something of, and I like the subject. I +had a long and amusing talk with the Chancellor the night before last, +on his own and his brother's judgments; I wish I had time to embody our +conversation in an article. + +Yours ever, + +J.W.C. + +Southey is _very_ long, but as good as he is long--I have nearly done +with him. I write _very slowly_, and cannot write long. This letter is +written at three sittings. + +No sooner had Croker got No. 56 of the _Review_ out of his hands than he +made a short visit to Paris. On this Mr. Barrow writes to Murray; + +_Mr. Barrow to John Murray_. + +_April_ 2, 1823. + +"Croker has run away to Paris, and left poor Gifford helpless. What will +become of the _Quarterly?_ ... Poor Gifford told me yesterday that he +felt he _must_ give up the Editorship, and that the doctors had +_ordered_ him to do so." + +Some months later, Barrow wrote to Murray saying that he had seen +Gifford that morning: + +_Mr. Barrow to John Murray_. + +_August_ 18, 1823. + +"I told him to look out for some one to conduct the _Review_, but he +comes to no decision. I told him that you very naturally looked to him +for naming a proper person. He replied he had--Nassau Senior--but that +you had taken some dislike to him. [Footnote: This, so far as can be +ascertained, was a groundless assumption on Mr. Gifford's part.] I then +said, 'You are now well; go on, and let neither Murray nor you trouble +yourselves about a future editor yet; for should you even break down in +the midst of a number, I can only repeat that Croker and myself will +bring it round, and a second number if necessary, to give him time to +look out for and fix upon a proper person, but that the work should not +stop.' I saw he did not like to continue the subject, and we talked of +something else." + +Croker also was quite willing to enter into this scheme, and jointly +with Barrow to undertake the temporary conduct of the _Review_. They +received much assistance also from Mr. J.T. Coleridge, then a young +barrister. Mr. Coleridge, as will be noticed presently, became for a +time editor of the _Quarterly_. "Mr. C. is too long," Gifford wrote to +Murray, "and I am sorry for it. But he is a nice young man, and should +be encouraged." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +HALLAM BASIL HALL--CRABBE--HOPE--HORACE AND JAMES SMITH + + +In 1817 Mr. Murray published for Mr. Hallam his "View of the State of +Europe during the Middle Ages." The acquaintance thus formed led to a +close friendship, which lasted unbroken till Mr. Murray's death. + +Mr. Murray published at this time a variety of books of travel. Some of +these were sent to the Marquess of Abercorn--amongst them Mr. +(afterwards Sir) Henry Ellis's "Proceedings of Lord Amherst's Embassy to +China," [Footnote: "Journal of the Proceedings of the late Embassy to +China, comprising a Correct Narrative of the Public Transactions of the +Embassy, of the Voyage to and from China, and of the Journey from the +Mouth of the Peiho to the Return to Canton." By Henry Ellis, Esq., +Secretary of the Embassy, and Third Commissioner.] about which the +Marchioness, at her husband's request, wrote to the publisher as +follows: + +_Marchioness of Abercorn to John Murray_, + +_December_ 4, 1817. + +"He returns Walpole, as he says since the age of fifteen he has read so +much Grecian history and antiquity that he has these last ten years been +sick of the subject. He does not like Ellis's account of 'The Embassy to +China,' [Footnote: Ellis seems to have been made very uncomfortable by +the publication of his book. It was severely reviewed in the _Times_, +where it was said that the account (then in the press) by Clark Abel, +M.D., Principal Medical Officer and Naturalist to the Embassy, would be +greatly superior. On this Ellis wrote to Murray (October 19, 1817): "An +individual has seldom committed an act so detrimental to his interests +as I have done in this unfortunate publication; and I shall be too happy +when the lapse of time will allow of my utterly forgetting the +occurrence. I am already indifferent to literary criticism, and had +almost forgotten Abel's approaching competition." The work went through +two editions.] but is pleased with Macleod's [Footnote: "Narrative of a +Voyage in His Majesty's late ship _Alceste_ to the Yellow Sea, along the +Coast of Corea, and through its numerous hitherto undiscovered Islands +to the Island of Lewchew, with an Account of her Shipwreck in the +Straits of Gaspar." By John MacLeod, surgeon of the _Alceste_.] +narrative. He bids me tell you to say the best and what is least +obnoxious of the [former] book. The composition and the narrative are so +thoroughly wretched that he should be ashamed to let it stand in his +library. He will be obliged to you to send him Leyden's 'Africa.' Leyden +was a friend of his, and desired leave to dedicate to him while he +lived." + +Mr. Murray, in his reply, deprecated the severity of the Marquess of +Abercorn's criticism on the work of Sir H. Ellis, who had done the best +that he could on a subject of exceeding interest. + +_John Murray to Lady Abercorn_. + +"I am now printing Captain Hall's account (he commanded the _Lyra_), and +I will venture to assure your Ladyship that it is one of the most +delightful books I ever read, and it is calculated to heal the wound +inflicted by poor Ellis. I believe I desired my people to send you +Godwin's novel, which is execrably bad. But in most cases book readers +must balance novelty against disappointment. + +And in reply to a request for more books to replace those condemned or +dull, he asks dryly: + +"Shall I withhold 'Rob Roy' and 'Childe Harold' from your ladyship until +their merits have been ascertained? Even if an indifferent book, it is +something to be amongst the first to _say_ that it is bad. You will be +alarmed, I fear, at having provoked so many reasons for sending you dull +publications.... I am printing two short but very clever novels by poor +Miss Austen, the author of 'Pride and Prejudice.' I send Leyden's +'Africa' for Lord Abercorn, who will be glad to hear that the 'Life and +Posthumous Writings' will be ready soon." + +The Marchioness, in her answer to the above letter, thanked Mr. Murray +for his entertaining answer to her letter, and said: + +_Marchioness of Abercorn to John Murray_. + +"Lord Abercorn says he thinks your conduct with respect to sending books +back that he does not like is particularly liberal. He bids me tell you +how very much he likes Mr. Macleod's book; we had seen some of it in +manuscript before it was published. We are very anxious for Hall's +account, and I trust you will send it to us the moment you can get a +copy finished. + +"No, indeed! you must not (though desirous you may be to punish us for +the severity of the criticism on poor Ellis) keep back for a moment 'Rob +Roy' or the fourth canto of 'Childe Harold.' I have heard a good deal +from Scotland that makes me continue _surmising_ who is the author of +these novels. Our friend Walter paid a visit last summer to a gentleman +on the banks of Loch Lomond--the scene of Rob Roy's exploits--and was at +great pains to learn all the traditions of the country regarding him +from the clergyman and old people of the neighbourhood, of which he got +a considerable stock. I am very glad to hear of a 'Life of Leyden.' He +was a very surprising young man, and his death is a great loss to the +world. Pray send us Miss Austen's novels the moment you can. Lord +Abercorn thinks them next to W. Scott's (if they are by W. Scott); it is +a great pity that we shall have no more of hers. Who are the _Quarterly +Reviewers_? I hear that Lady Morgan suspects Mr. Croker of having +reviewed her 'France,' and intends to be revenged, etc. + +"Believe me to be yours, with great regard, + +"A.J. ABERCORN." + +From many communications addressed to Mr. Murray about the beginning of +1818, it appears that he had proposed to start a _Monthly Register_, +[Footnote: The announcement ran thus: "On the third Saturday in January, +1818, will be published the first number of a NEW PERIODICAL JOURNAL, +the object of which will be to convey to the public a great variety of +new, original, and interesting matter; and by a methodical arrangement +of all Inventions in the Arts, Discoveries in the Sciences, and +Novelties in Literature, to enable the reader to keep pace with human +knowledge. To be printed uniformly with the QUARTERLY REVIEW. The price +by the year will be £2 2s."] and he set up in print a specimen copy. +Many of his correspondents offered to assist him, amongst others Mr. J. +Macculloch, Lord Sheffield, Dr. Polidori, then settled at St. Peter's, +Norwich, Mr. Bulmer of the British Museum, and many other contributors. +He sent copies of the specimen number to Mr. Croker and received the +following candid reply: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_January_ 11, 1818. + +MY DEAR MURRAY, + +Our friend Sepping [Footnote: A naval surveyor.] says, "Nothing is +stronger than its weakest part," and this is as true in book-making as +in shipbuilding. I am sorry to say your _Register_ has, in my opinion, a +great many weak parts. It is for nobody's use; it is too popular and +trivial for the learned, and too abstruse and plodding for the +multitude. The preface is not English, nor yet Scotch or Irish. It must +have been written by Lady Morgan. In the body of the volume, there is +not _one_ new nor curious article, unless it be Lady Hood's "Tiger +Hunt." In your Mechanics there is a miserable want of information, and +in your Statistics there is a sad superabundance of American hyperbole +and dulness mixed together, like the mud and gunpowder which, when a +boy, I used to mix together to make a fizz. Your Poetry is so bad that I +look upon it as your personal kindness to me that you did not put my +lines under that head. Your criticism on Painting begins by calling +West's very pale horse "an extraordinary effort of human _genius_." Your +criticism on Sculpture begins by applauding _beforehand_ Mr. Wyatt's +_impudent_ cenotaph. Your criticism on the Theatre begins by +_denouncing_ the best production of its kind, 'The Beggar's Opera.' Your +article on Engraving puts under the head of Italy a stone drawing made +in Paris. Your own engraving of the Polar Regions is confused and dirty; +and your article on the Polar Seas sets out with the assertion of a fact +of which I was profoundly ignorant, namely, that the Physical +Constitution of the Globe is subject to _constant changes_ and +revolution. Of _constant changes_ I never heard, except in one of +Congreve's plays, in which the fair sex is accused of _constant +inconstancy_; but suppose that for _constant_ you read _frequent_. I +should wish you, for my own particular information, to add in a note a +few instances of the Physical Changes in the Constitution of the Globe, +which have occurred since the year 1781, in which I happened to be born. +I know of none, and I should be sorry to go out of the world ignorant of +what has passed in my own time. You send me your proof "for my boldest +criticism." I have hurried over rather than read through the pages, and +I give you honestly, and as plainly as an infamous pen (the same, I +presume, which drew your polar chart) will permit, my hasty impression. +If you will call here to-morrow between twelve and one, I will talk with +you on the subject. + +Yours, + +J.W.C. + +The project was eventually abandoned. Murray entered into the +arrangement, already described, with Blackwood, of the _Edinburgh +Magazine_. The article on the "Polar Ice" was inserted in the +_Quarterly_. + +Towards the end of 1818, Mr. Crabbe called upon Mr. Murray and offered +to publish through him his "Tales of the Hall," consisting of about +twelve thousand lines. He also proposed to transfer to him from Mr. +Colburn his other poems, so that the whole might be printed uniformly. +Mr. Crabbe, who up to this period had received very little for his +writings, was surprised when Mr. Murray offered him no less than £3,000 +for the copyright of his poems. It seemed to him a mine of wealth +compared to all that he had yet received. The following morning +(December 6) he breakfasted with Mr. Rogers, and Tom Moore was present. +Crabbe told them of his good fortune, and of the magnificent offer he +had received. Rogers thought it was not enough, and that Crabbe should +have received £3,000 for the "Tales of the Hall" alone, and that he +would try if the Longmans would not give more. He went to Paternoster +Row accordingly, and tried the Longmans; but they would not give more +than £1,000 for the new work and the copyright of the old poems--that +is, only one-third of what Murray had offered. [Footnote: "Memoirs, +Journals, Correspondence, of Thomas Moore," by Lord John Russell, ii. +237.] + +When Crabbe was informed of this, he was in a state of great +consternation. As Rogers had been bargaining with another publisher for +better terms, the matter seemed still to be considered open; and in the +meantime, if Murray were informed of the event, he might feel umbrage +and withdraw his offer. Crabbe wrote to Murray on the subject, but +received no answer. He had within his reach a prize far beyond his most +sanguine hopes, and now, by the over-officiousness of his friends, he +was in danger of losing it. In this crisis Rogers and Moore called upon +Murray, and made enquiries on the subject of Crabbe's poems. "Oh, yes," +he said, "I have heard from Mr. Crabbe, and look upon the matter as +settled." Crabbe was thus released from all his fears. When he received +the bills for £3,000, he insisted on taking them with him to Trowbridge +to show them to his son John. + +It proved after all that the Longmans were right in their offer to +Rogers; Murray was far too liberal. Moore, in his Diary (iii. 332), +says, "Even if the whole of the edition (3,000) were sold, Murray would +still be £1,900 minus." Crabbe had some difficulty in getting his old +poems out of the hands of his former publisher, who wrote to him in a +strain of the wildest indignation, and even threatened him with legal +proceedings, but eventually the unsold stock, consisting of 2,426 +copies, was handed over by Hatchard & Colburn to Mr. Murray, and nothing +more was heard of this controversy between them and the poet. + +"Anastasius, or Memoirs of a Modern Greek, written at the Close of the +18th Century," was published anonymously, and was confidently asserted +to be the work of Lord Byron, as the only person capable of having +produced it. When the author was announced to be Mr. Thomas Hope, of +Deepdene, some incredulity was expressed by the _literati_. + +The Countess of Blessington, in her "Conversations with Lord Byron," +says: "Byron spoke to-day in terms of high commendation of Hope's +'Anastasius'; said he had wept bitterly over many pages of it, and for +two reasons--first, that he had not written it; and, secondly, that Hope +had; for that it was necessary to like a man excessively to pardon his +writing such a book--a book, he said, excelling all recent productions +as much in wit and talent as in true pathos. He added that he would have +given his two most approved poems to have been the author of +'Anastasius.'" The work was greatly read at the time, and went through +many large editions. + +The refusal of the "Rejected Addresses," by Horace and James Smith, was +one of Mr. Murray's few mistakes. Horace was a stockbroker, and James a +solicitor. They were not generally known as authors, though they +contributed anonymously to the _New Monthly Magazine_, which was +conducted by Campbell the poet. In 1812 they produced a collection +purporting to be "Rejected Addresses, presented for competition at the +opening of Drury Lane Theatre." They offered the collection to Mr. +Murray for £20, but he declined to purchase the copyright. The Smiths +were connected with Cadell the publisher, and Murray, thinking that the +MS. had been offered to and rejected by him, declined to look into it. +The "Rejected Addresses" were eventually published by John Miller, and +excited a great deal of curiosity. They were considered to be the best +imitations of living poets ever made. Byron was delighted with them. He +wrote to Mr. Murray that he thought them "by far the best thing of the +kind since the 'Rolliad.'" Crabbe said of the verses in imitation of +himself, "In their versification they have done me admirably." When he +afterwards met Horace Smith, he seized both hands of the satirist, and +said, with a good-humoured laugh, "Ah! my old enemy, how do you do?" +Jeffrey said of the collection, "I take them, indeed, to be the very +best imitations (and often of difficult originals) that ever were made, +and, considering their extent and variety, to indicate a talent to which +I do not know where to look for a parallel." Murray had no sooner read +the volume than he spared no pains to become the publisher, but it was +not until after the appearance of the sixteenth edition that he was able +to purchase the copyright for £131. + +Towards the end of 1819, Mr. Murray was threatened with an action on +account of certain articles which had appeared in Nos. 37 and 38 of the +_Quarterly_ relative to the campaign in Italy against Murat, King of +Naples. The first was written by Dr. Reginald (afterwards Bishop) Heber, +under the title of "Military and Political Power of Russia, by Sir +Robert Wilson"; the second was entitled "Sir Robert Wilson's Reply." +Colonel Macirone occupied a very unimportant place in both articles. He +had been in the service of Murat while King of Naples, and acted as his +aide-de-camp, which post he retained after Murat became engaged in +hostilities with Austria, then in alliance with England. Macirone was +furnished with a passport for _himself_ as envoy of the Allied Powers, +and provided with another passport for Murat, under the name of Count +Lipona, to be used by him in case he abandoned his claim to the throne +of Naples. Murat indignantly declined the proposal, and took refuge in +Corsica. Yet Macirone delivered to Murat the passport. Not only so, but +he deliberately misled Captain Bastard, the commander of a small English +squadron which had been stationed at Bastia to intercept Murat in the +event of his embarking for the purpose of regaining his throne at +Naples. Murat embarked, landed in Italy without interruption, and was +soon after defeated and taken prisoner. He thereupon endeavoured to use +the passport which Macirone had given him, to secure his release, but it +was too late; he was tried and shot at Pizzo. The reviewer spoke of +Colonel Macirone in no very measured terms. "For Murat," he said, "we +cannot feel respect, but we feel very considerable pity. Of Mr. Macirone +we are tempted to predict that he has little reason to apprehend the +honourable mode of death which was inflicted on his master. _His_ +vocation seems to be another kind of exit." + +Macirone gave notice of an action for damages, and claimed no less than +£10,000. Serjeant Copley (afterwards Lord Lyndhurst), then +Solicitor-General, and Mr. Gurney, were retained for Mr. Murray by his +legal adviser Mr. Sharon Turner. + +The case came on, and on the Bench were seated the Duke of Wellington, +Lord Liverpool, and other leading statesmen, who had been subpoenaed as +witnesses for the defence. One of the Ridgways, publishers, had also +been subpoenaed with an accredited copy of Macirone's book; but it was +not necessary to produce him as a witness, as Mr. Ball, the counsel for +Macirone, _quoted_ passages from it, and thus made the entire book +available as evidence for the defendant, a proceeding of which Serjeant +Copley availed himself with telling effect. He substantiated the facts +stated in the _Quarterly_ article by passages quoted from Colonel +Macirone's own "Memoirs." Before he had concluded his speech, it became +obvious that the Jury had arrived at the conclusion to which he wished +to lead them; but he went on to drive the conclusion home by a splendid +peroration. [Footnote: Given in Sir Theodore Martin's "Life of Lord +Lyudhurst," p. 170.] The Jury intimated that they were all agreed; but +the Judge, as a matter of precaution, proceeded to charge them on the +evidence placed before them; and as soon as he had concluded, the Jury, +without retiring from the box, at once returned their verdict for the +defendant. + +Although Mr. Murray had now a house in the country, he was almost +invariably to be found at Albemarle Street. We find, in one of his +letters to Blackwood, dated Wimbledon, May 22, 1819, the following: "I +have been unwell with bile and rheumatism, and have come to a little +place here, which I have bought lately, for a few days to recruit." + +The following description of a reception at Mr. Murray's is taken from +the "Autobiography" of Mrs. Bray, the novelist. She relates that in the +autumn of 1819 she made a visit to Mr. Murray, with her first husband, +Charles Stothard, son of the well-known artist, for the purpose of +showing him the illustrations of his "Letters from Normandy and +Brittany." + + +"We did not know," she says, "that Mr. Murray held daily from about +three to five o'clock a literary levée at his house. In this way he +gathered round him many of the most eminent men of the time. On calling, +we sent up our cards, and finding he was engaged, proposed to retreat, +when Mr. Murray himself appeared and insisted on our coming up. I was +introduced to him by my husband, and welcomed by him with all the +cordiality of an old acquaintance. He said Sir Walter Scott was there, +and he thought that we should like to see him, and to be introduced to +him. 'You will know him at once,' added Mr. Murray, 'he is sitting on +the sofa near the fire-place.' We found Sir Walter talking to Mr. +Gifford, then the Editor of the _Quarterly Review_. The room was filled +with men and women, and among them several of the principal authors and +authoresses of the day; but my attention was so fixed on Sir Walter and +Mr. Gifford that I took little notice of the rest. Many of those present +were engaged in looking at and making remarks upon a drawing, which +represented a Venetian Countess (Guiccioli), the favourite, but not very +respectable friend of Lord Byron. Mr. Murray made his way through the +throng in order to lead us up to Sir Walter. We were introduced. Mr. +Murray, anxious to remove the awkwardness of a first introduction, +wished to say something which would engage a conversation between +ourselves and Sir Walter Scott, and asked Charles if he happened to have +about him his drawing of the Bayeux tapestry to show to Sir Walter. +Charles smiled and said 'No'; but the saying answered the desired end; +something had been said that led to conversation, and Sir Walter, +Gifford, Mr. Murray, and Charles chatted on, and I listened. + +"Gifford looked very aged, his face much wrinkled, and he seemed to be +in declining health; his dress was careless, and his cravat and +waistcoat covered with snuff. There was an antique, philosophic cast +about his head and countenance, better adapted to exact a feeling of +curiosity in a stranger than the head of Sir Walter Scott; the latter +seemed more a man of this world's mould. Such, too, was his character; +for, with all his fine genius, Sir Walter would never have been so +successful an author, had he not possessed so large a share of common +sense, united to a business-like method of conducting his affairs, even +those which perhaps I might venture to call the affairs of imagination. +We took our leave; and before we got further than the first landing, we +met Mr. Murray conducting Sir Walter downstairs; they were going to have +a private chat before the departure of the latter." [Footnote: "Mrs. +Bray's Autobiography," pp. 145-7.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +MEMOIRS OF LADY HERVEY AND HORACE WALPOLE--BELZONI--MILMAN--SOUTHEY +--MRS. RUNDELL, ETC. + + +About the beginning of 1819 the question of publishing the letters and +reminiscences of Lady Hervey, grandmother of the Earl of Mulgrave, was +brought under the notice of Mr. Murray. Lady Hervey was the daughter of +Brigadier-General Lepel, and the wife of Lord Hervey of Ickworth, author +of the "Memoirs of the Court of George II. and Queen Caroline." Her +letters formed a sort of anecdotal history of the politics and +literature of her times. A mysterious attachment is said to have existed +between her and Lord Chesterfield, who, in his letters to his son, +desired him never to mention her name when he could avoid it, while she, +on the other hand, adopted all Lord Chesterfield's opinions, as +afterwards appeared in the aforesaid letters. Mr. Walter Hamilton, +author of the "Gazetteer of India," an old and intimate friend of Mr. +Murray, who first brought the subject under Mr. Murray's notice, said, +"Lady Hervey writes more like a man than a woman, something like Lady +M.W. Montagu, and in giving her opinion she never minces matters." Mr. +Hamilton recommended that Archdeacon Coxe, author of the "Lives of Sir +Robert and Horace Walpole," should be the editor. Mr. Murray, however, +consulted his _fidus Achates_, Mr. Croker; and, putting the letters in +his hands, asked him to peruse them, and, if he approved, to edit them. +The following was Mr. Croker's answer: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_November_ 22, 1820. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I shall do more than you ask. I shall give you a biographical +sketch--sketch, do you hear?--of Lady Hervey, and notes on her letters, +in which I shall endeavour to enliven a little the _sameness_ of my +author. Don't think that I say _sameness_ in derogation of dear Mary +Lepel's _powers_ of entertainment. I have been _in love_ with her a long +time; which, as she was dead twenty years before I was born, I may +without indiscretion avow; but all these letters being written in a +journal style and to one person, there is a want of that variety which +Lady Hervey's mind was capable of giving. I have applied to her family +for a little assistance; hitherto without success; and I think, as a +_lover_ of Lady Hervey's, I might reasonably resent the little +enthusiasm I find that her descendants felt about her. In order to +enable me to do this little job for you, I wish you would procure for me +a file, if such a thing exists, of any newspaper from about 1740 to +1758, at which latter date the _Annual Register_ begins, as I remember. +So many little circumstances are mentioned in letters, and forgotten in +history, that without some such guide, I shall make but blind work of +it. If it be necessary, I will go to the Museum and _grab_ them, as my +betters have done before me. My dear little Nony [Footnote: Mr. Croker's +adopted daughter, afterwards married to Sir George Barrow.] was worse +last night, and not better all to-day; but this evening they make me +happy by saying that she is decidedly improved. + +Yours ever, + +J.W. CROKER. + +Send me "Walpoliana," I have lost or mislaid mine. Are there any memoirs +about the date of 1743, or later, beside Bubb's? + +That Mr. Croker made all haste and exercised his usual painstaking +industry in doing "this little job" for Mr. Murray will be evident from +the following letters: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_December_ 27, 1820. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I have done "Lady Hervey." I hear that there is a Mr. Vincent in the +Treasury, the son of a Mr. and Mrs. Vincent, to whom the late General +Hervey, the favourite son of Lady Hervey, left his fortune and his +papers. Could you find out who they are? Nothing is more surprising than +the ignorance in which I find all Lady Hervey's descendants about her. +Most of them never heard her maiden name. It reminds one of Walpole +writing to George Montagu, to tell him who his grandmother was! I am +anxious to knock off this task whilst what little I know of it is fresh +in my recollection; for I foresee that much of the entertainment of the +work must depend on the elucidations in the Notes. + +Yours, + +J.W.C. + +The publication of Lady Hervey's letters in 1821 was so successful that +Mr. Croker was afterwards induced to edit, with great advantage, letters +and memorials of a similar character. [Footnote: As late as 1848, Mr. +Croker edited Lord Hervey's "Memoirs of the Court of George II. and +Queen Caroline," from the family archives at Ickworth. The editor in his +preface said that Lord Hervey was almost the Boswell of George II. and +Queen Caroline.] + +The next important _mémoires pour servir_ were brought under Mr. +Murray's notice by Lord Holland, in the following letter: + + +_Lord Holland to John Murray_. + +HOLLAND HOUSE, _November_ 1820. + +SIR, + +I wrote a letter to you last week which by some accident Lord +Lauderdale, who had taken charge of it, has mislaid. The object of it +was to request you to call here some morning, and to let me know the +hour by a line by two-penny post. I am authorized to dispose of two +historical works, the one a short but admirably written and interesting +memoir of the late Lord Waldegrave, who was a favourite of George II., +and governor of George III. when Prince of Wales. The second consists of +three close-written volumes of "Memoirs by Horace Walpole" (afterwards +Lord Orford), which comprise the last nine years of George II.'s reign. +I am anxious to give you the refusal of them, as I hear you have already +expressed a wish to publish anything of this kind written by Horace +Walpole, and had indirectly conveyed that wish to Lord Waldegrave, to +whom these and many other MSS. of that lively and laborious writer +belong. Lord Lauderdale has offered to assist me in adjusting the terms +of the agreement, and perhaps you will arrange with him; he lives at +Warren's Hotel, Waterloo Place, where you can make it convenient to meet +him. I would meet you there, or call at your house; but before you can +make any specific offer, you will no doubt like to look at the MSS., +which are here, and which (not being mine) I do not like to expose +unnecessarily to the risk even of a removal to London and back again. + +I am, Sir, your obedient humble Servant, etc., + +VASSALL HOLLAND. + + +It would appear that Mr. Murray called upon Lord Holland and looked over +the MSS., but made no proposal to purchase the papers. The matter lay +over until Lord Holland again addressed Mr. Murray. + + +_Lord Holland to John Murray_. + +"It appears that you are either not aware of the interesting nature of +the MSS. which I showed you, or that the indifference produced by the +present frenzy about the Queen's business [Footnote: The trial of Queen +Caroline was then occupying public attention.] to all literary +publications, has discouraged you from an undertaking in which you would +otherwise engage most willingly. However, to come to the point. I have +consulted Lord Waldegrave on the subject, and we agree that the two +works, viz. his grandfather, Lord Waldegrave's "Memoirs," and Horace +Walpole's "Memoirs of the Last Nine Years of George II.," should not be +sold for less than 3,000 guineas. If that sum would meet your ideas, or +if you have any other offer to make, I will thank you to let me know +before the second of next month." + +Three thousand guineas was certainly a very large price to ask for the +Memoirs, and Mr. Murray hesitated very much before acceding to Lord +Holland's proposal. He requested to have the MSS. for the purpose of +consulting his literary adviser--probably Mr. Croker, though the +following remarks, now before us, are not in his handwriting. + +"This book of yours," says the critic, "is a singular production. It is +ill-written, deficient in grammar, and often in English; and yet it +interests and even amuses. Now, the subjects of it are all, I suppose, +gone _ad plures_; otherwise it would be intolerable. The writer richly +deserves a licking or a cudgelling to every page, and yet I am ashamed +to say I have travelled unwearied with him through the whole, divided +between a grin and a scowl. I never saw nor heard of such an animal as a +splenetic, bustling kind of a poco-curante. By the way, if you happen to +hear of any plan for making me a king, be so good as to say that I am +deceased; or tell any other good-natured lie to put the king-makers off +their purpose. I really cannot submit to be the only slave in the +nation, especially when I have a crossing to sweep within five yards of +my door, and may gain my bread with less ill-usage than a king is +obliged to put up with. If half that is here told be true, Lord Holland +seems to me to tread on + + + 'ignes + Suppositos cineri doloso' + + +in retouching any part of the manuscript. He is so perfectly kind and +good-natured, that he will feel more than any man the complaints of +partiality and injustice; and where he is to stop, I see not. There is +so much abuse that little is to be gained by an occasional erasure, +while suspicion is excited. He would have consulted his quiet more by +leaving the author to bear the blame of his own scandal." + +Notwithstanding this adverse judgment, Mr. Murray was disposed to buy +the Memoirs. Lord Holland drove a very hard bargain, and endeavoured to +obtain better terms from other publishers, but he could not, and +eventually Mr. Murray paid to Lord Waldegrave, through Lord Holland, the +sum of £2,500 on November 1, 1821, for the Waldegrave and Walpole +Memoirs. They were edited by Lord Holland, who wrote a preface to each, +and were published in the following year, but never repaid their +expenses. After suffering considerable loss by this venture, Mr. +Murray's rights were sold, after his death, to Mr. Colburn. + +The last of the _mémoires pour servir_ to which we shall here refer was +the Letters of the Countess of Suffolk, bedchamber woman to the Princess +of Wales (Caroline of Anspach), and a favourite of the Prince of Wales, +afterwards George II. The Suffolk papers were admirably edited by Mr. +Croker. Thackeray, in his "Lecture on George the Second," says of his +work: "Even Croker, who edited her letters, loves her, and has that +regard for her with which her sweet graciousness seems to have inspired +almost all men, and some women, who came near her." The following letter +of Croker shows the spirit in which he began to edit the Countess's +letters: + + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_May_ 29, 1822. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +As you told me that you are desirous of publishing the Suffolk volume by +November, and as I have, all my life, had an aversion to making any one +wait for me, I am anxious to begin my work upon them, and, if we are to +be out by November, I presume it is high time. I must beg of you to +answer me the following questions. + +1st. What shape will you adopt? I think the correspondence of a nature +rather too light for a quarto, and yet it would look well on the same +shelf with Horace Walpole's works. If you should prefer an octavo, like +Lady Hervey's letters, the papers would furnish two volumes. I, for my +part, should prefer the quarto size, which is a great favourite with me, +and the letters of such persons as Pope, Swift, and Gay, the Duchesses +of Buckingham, Queensberry, and Marlbro', Lords Peterborough, +Chesterfield, Bathurst, and Lansdowne, Messrs. Pitt, Pulteney, Pelham, +Grenville, and Horace Walpole, seem to me almost to justify the +magnificence of the quarto; though, in truth, all their epistles are, in +its narrowest sense, _familiar_, and treat chiefly of tittle-tattle. + +Decide, however, on your own view of your interests, only recollect that +these papers are not to cost you more than "Belshazzar," [Footnote: Mr. +Milman's poem, for which Mr. Murray paid 500 guineas.] which I take to +be of about the intrinsic value of the _writings on the walls_, and not +a third of what you have given Mr. Crayon for his portrait of Squire +Bracebridge. + +2nd. Do you intend to have any portraits? One of Lady Suffolk is almost +indispensable, and would be enough. There are two of her at Strawberry +Hill; one, I think, a print, and neither, if I forget not, very good. +There is also a print, an unassuming one, in Walpole's works, but a good +artist would make something out of any of these, if even we can get +nothing better to make our copy from. If you were to increase your +number of portraits, I would add the Duchess of Queensberry, from a +picture at Dalkeith which is alluded to in the letters; Lady Hervey and +her beautiful friend, Mary Bellenden. They are in Walpole's works; Lady +Hervey rather mawkish, but the Bellenden charming. I dare say these +plates could now be bought cheap, and retouched from the originals, +which would make them better than ever they were. Lady Vere (sister of +Lady Temple, which latter is engraved in Park's edition of the "Noble +Authors") was a lively writer, and is much distinguished in this +correspondence. Of the men, I should propose Lord Peterborough, whose +portraits are little known; Lord Liverpool has one of him, not, however, +very characteristic. Mr. Pulteney is also little known, but he has been +lately re-published in the Kit-cat Club. Of _our Horace_ there is not a +decent engraving anywhere. I presume that there must be a good original +of him somewhere. Whatever you mean to do on this point, you should come +to an early determination and put the works in hand. + +3rd. I mean, if you approve, to prefix a biographical sketch of Mrs. +Howard and two or three of those beautiful characters with which, in +prose and verse, the greatest wits of the last century honoured her and +themselves. To the first letter of each remarkable correspondent I would +also affix a slight notice, and I would add, at the foot of the page, +notes in the style of those on Lady Hervey. Let me know whether this +plan suits your fancy. + +4th. All the letters of Swift, except one or two, in this collection are +printed (though not always accurately) in Scott's edition of his works. +Yet I think it would be proper to reprint them from the originals, +because they elucidate much of Lady Suffolk's history, and her +correspondence could not be said to be complete without them. Let me +know your wishes on this point. + +5th. My materials are numerous, though perhaps the pieces of great merit +are not many. I must therefore beg of you to set up, in the form and +type you wish to adopt, the sheet which I send you, and you must say +about how many pages you wish your volume, or volumes, to be. I will +then select as much of the most interesting as will fill the space which +you may desire to occupy. + +Yours truly, + +J.W. CROKER. + + +Mr. Croker also consented to edit the letters of Mrs. Delany to Mr. +Hamilton, 1779-88, containing many anecdotes relating to the Royal +Family. + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +"I have shown Mrs. Delany's MS. letters to the Prince Regent; he was +much entertained with this revival of old times in his recollection, and +_he says that every word of it is true_. You know that H.R.H. has a +wonderful memory, and particularly for things of that kind. His +certificate of Mrs. Delany's veracity will therefore be probably of some +weight with you. As to the letter-writing powers of Mrs. Delany, the +specimen inclines me to doubt. Her style seems stiff and formal, and +though these two letters, which describe a peculiar kind of scene, have +a good deal of interest in them, I do not hope for the same amusement +from the rest of the collection. Poverty, obscurity, general ill-health, +and blindness are but unpromising qualifications for making an agreeable +volume of letters. If a shopkeeper at Portsmouth were to write his life, +the extracts of what relates to the two days of the Imperial and Royal +visit of 1814 would be amusing, though all the rest of the half century +of his life would be intolerably tedious. I therefore counsel you not to +buy the pig in Miss Hamilton's bag (though she is a most respectable +lady), but ask to see the whole collection before you bid." + +The whole collection was obtained, and, with some corrections and +elucidations, the volume of letters was given to the world by Mr. Murray +in 1821. + +In May 1820 Mr. Murray requested Mr. Croker to edit Horace Walpole's +"Reminiscences." Mr. Croker replied, saying: "I should certainly like +the task very well if I felt a little better satisfied of my ability to +perform it. Something towards such a work I would certainly contribute, +for I have always loved that kind of tea-table history." Not being able +to undertake the work himself, Mr. Croker recommended Mr. Murray to +apply to Miss Berry, the editor of Lady Russell's letters. "The Life," +he said, "by which those letters were preceded, is a beautiful piece of +biography, and shows, besides higher qualities, much of that taste which +a commentator on the 'Reminiscences' ought to have." The work was +accordingly placed in the hands of Miss Berry, who edited it +satisfactorily, and it was published by Mr. Murray in the course of the +following year. + +Dr. Tomline, while Bishop of Winchester, entered into a correspondence +with Mr. Murray respecting the "Life of William Pitt." In December +1820, Dr. Tomline said he had brought the Memoirs down to the +Declaration of War by France against Great Britain on February I, 1793, +and that the whole would make two volumes quarto. Until he became Bishop +of Lincoln, Dr. Tomline had been Pitt's secretary, and from the +opportunities he had possessed, there was promise here of a great work; +but it was not well executed, and though a continuation was promised, it +never appeared. When the work was sent to Mr. Gifford, he wrote to Mr. +Murray that it was not at all what he expected, for it contained nothing +of Pitt's private history. "He seems to be uneasy until he gets back to +his Parliamentary papers. Yet it can hardly fail to be pretty widely +interesting; but I would not have you make yourself too uneasy about +these things. Pitt's name, and the Bishop's, will make the work sell." +Gifford was right. The "Life" went to a fourth edition in the following +year. + +Among Mr. Murray's devoted friends and adherents was Giovanni Belzoni, +who, born at Padua in 1778, had, when a young man at Rome, intended to +devote himself to the monastic life, but the French invasion of the city +altered his purpose, and, instead of being a monk, he became an athlete. +He was a man of gigantic physical power, and went from place to place, +gaining his living in England, as elsewhere, as a posture-master, and by +exhibiting at shows his great feats of strength. He made enough by this +work to enable him to visit Egypt, where he erected hydraulic machines +for the Pasha, and, through the influence of Mr. Salt, the British +Consul, was employed to remove from Thebes, and ship for England, the +colossal bust commonly called the Young Memnon. His knowledge of +mechanics enabled him to accomplish this with great dexterity, and the +head, now in the British Museum, is one of the finest specimens of +Egyptian sculpture. + +Belzoni, after performing this task, made further investigations among +the Egyptian tombs and temples. He was the first to open the great +temple of Ipsambul, cut in the side of a mountain, and at that time shut +in by an accumulation of sand. Encouraged by these successes, he, in +1817, made a second journey to Upper Egypt and Nubia, and brought to +light at Carnac several colossal heads of granite, now in the British +Museum. After some further explorations among the tombs and temples, for +which he was liberally paid by Mr. Salt, Belzoni returned to England +with numerous drawings, casts, and many important works of Egyptian art. +He called upon Mr. Murray, with the view of publishing the results of +his investigations, which in due course were issued under the title of +"Narrative of the Operations and recent Discoveries within the Pyramids, +Temples, Tombs, and Excavations in Egypt and Nubia." + +It was a very expensive book to arrange and publish, but nothing daunted +Mr. Murray when a new and original work was brought under his notice. +Although only 1,000 copies were printed, the payments to Belzoni and his +translators, as well as for plates and engravings, amounted to over +£2,163. The preparation of the work gave rise to no little difficulty, +for Belzoni declined all help beyond that of the individual who was +employed to copy out or translate his manuscript and correct the press. +"As I make my discoveries alone," he said, "I have been anxious to write +my book by myself, though in so doing the reader will consider me, with +great propriety, guilty of temerity; but the public will, perhaps, gain +in the fidelity of my narration what it loses in elegance." Lord Byron, +to whom Mr. Murray sent a copy of his work, said: "Belzoni _is_ a grand +traveller, and his English is very prettily broken." + +Belzoni was a very interesting character, and a man of great natural +refinement. After the publication of his work, he became one of the +fashionable lions of London, but was very sensitive about his early +career, and very sedulous to sink the posture-master in the traveller. +He was often present at Mr. Murray's receptions; and on one particular +occasion he was invited to join the family circle in Albemarle Street on +the last evening of 1822, to see the Old Year out and the New Year in. +All Mr. Murray's young people were present, as well as the entire +D'Israeli family and Crofton Croker. After a merry game of Pope Joan, +Mr. Murray presented each of the company with a pocket-book as a New +Year's gift. A special bowl of punch was brewed for the occasion, and, +while it was being prepared, Mr. Isaac D'Israeli took up Crofton +Croker's pocket-book, and with his pencil wrote the following impromptu +words: + +"Gigantic Belzoni at Pope Joan and tea. +What a group of mere puppets we seem beside thee; +Which, our kind host perceiving, with infinite zest, +Gives us Punch at our supper, to keep up the jest." + +The lines were pronounced to be excellent, and Belzoni, wishing to share +in the enjoyment, desired to see the words. He read the last line twice +over, and then, his eyes flashing fire, he exclaimed, "I am betrayed!" +and suddenly left the room. Crofton Croker called upon Belzoni to +ascertain the reason for his abrupt departure from Mr. Murray's, and was +informed that he considered the lines to be an insulting allusion to his +early career as a showman. Croker assured him that neither Murray nor +D'Israeli knew anything of his former life; finally he prevailed upon +Belzoni to accompany him to Mr. Murray's, who for the first time learnt +that the celebrated Egyptian explorer had many years before been an +itinerant exhibitor in England. + +In 1823 Belzoni set out for Morocco, intending to penetrate thence to +Eastern Africa; he wrote to Mr. Murray from Gibraltar, thanking him for +many acts of kindness, and again from Tangier. + + +_M.G. Belzoni to John Murray_. + +_April_ 10, 1823. + +"I have just received permission from H.M. the Emperor of Morocco to go +to Fez, and am in hopes to obtain his approbation to enter the desert +along with the caravan to Soudan. The letter of introduction from Mr. +Wilmot to Mr. Douglas has been of much importance to me; this gentleman +fortunately finds pleasure in affording me all the assistance in his +power to promote my wishes, a circumstance which I have not been +accustomed to meet in some other parts of Africa. I shall do myself the +pleasure to acquaint you of my further progress at Fez, if not from some +other part of Morocco." + + +Belzoni would appear to have changed his intention, and endeavoured to +penetrate to Timbuctoo from Benin, where, however, he was attacked by +dysentery, and died a short time after the above letter was written. + +Like many other men of Herculean power, he was not eager to exhibit his +strength; but on one occasion he gave proof of it in the following +circumstances. Mr. Murray had asked him to accompany him to the +Coronation of George IV. They had tickets of admittance to Westminster +Hall, but on arriving there they found that the sudden advent of Queen +Caroline, attended by a mob claiming admission to the Abbey, had alarmed +the authorities, who caused all the doors to be shut. That by which they +should have entered was held close and guarded by several stalwart +janitors. Belzoni thereupon advanced to the door, and, in spite of the +efforts of these guardians, including Tom Crib and others of the +pugilistic corps who had been engaged as constables, opened it with +ease, and admitted himself and Mr. Murray. + +In 1820 Mr. Murray was invited to publish "The Fall of Jerusalem, a +Sacred Tragedy," by the Rev. H.H. Milman, afterwards Dean of St. Paul's. +As usual, he consulted Mr. Gifford, whose opinion was most favourable. +"I have been more and more struck," he said, "with the innumerable +beauties in Milman's 'Fall of Jerusalem.'" + +Mr. Murray requested the author to state his own price for the +copyright, and Mr. Milman wrote: + +"I am totally at a loss to fix one. I think I might decide whether an +offer were exceedingly high or exceedingly low, whether a Byron or Scott +price, or such as is given to the first essay of a new author. Though +the 'Fall of Jerusalem' might demand an Israelitish bargain, yet I shall +not be a Jew further than my poetry. Make a liberal offer, such as the +prospect will warrant, and I will at once reply, but I am neither able +nor inclined to name a price.... As I am at present not very far +advanced in life, I may hereafter have further dealings with the Press, +and, of course, where I meet with liberality shall hope to make a return +in the same way. It has been rather a favourite scheme of mine, though +this drama cannot appear on the boards, to show it before it is +published to my friend Mrs. Siddons, who perhaps might like to read it, +either at home or abroad. I have not even hinted at such a thing to her, +so that this is mere uncertainty, and, before it is printed, it would be +in vain to think of it, as the old lady's eyes and MS. could never agree +together. + +"P.S.--I ought to have said that I am very glad of Aristarchus' +[Grifford's] approval. And, by the way, I think, if I help you in +redeeming your character from 'Don Juan,' the 'Hetaerse' in the +_Quarterly_, [Footnote: Mitchell's article on "Female Society in +Greece," _Q.R._ No. 43.] etc., you ought to estimate that very highly." + +Mr. Murray offered Mr. Milman five hundred guineas for the copyright, +to which the author replied: "Your offer appears to me very fair, and I +shall have no scruple in acceding to it." + +Milman, in addition to numerous plays and poems, became a contributor to +the _Quarterly_, and one of Murray's historians. He wrote the "History +of the Jews" and the "History of Christianity"; he edited Gibbon and +Horace, and continued during his lifetime to be one of Mr. Murray's most +intimate and attached friends. + +In 1820 we find the first mention of a name afterwards to become as +celebrated as any of those with which Mr. Murray was associated. Owing +to the warm friendship which existed between the Murrays and the +D'Israelis, the younger members of both families were constantly brought +together on the most intimate terms. Mr. Murray was among the first to +mark the abilities of the boy, Benjamin Disraeli, and, as would appear +from the subjoined letter, his confidence in his abilities was so firm +that he consulted him as to the merits of a MS. when he had scarcely +reached his eighteenth year. + +_Mr. Benjamin Disraeli to John Murray_. _August_ 1822. + +Dear Sir, + +I ran my eye over three acts of "Wallace," [Footnote: "Wallace: a +Historical Tragedy," in five acts, was published in 1820. Joanna Baillie +spoke of the author, C.E. Walker, as "a very young and promising +dramatist."] and, as far as I could form an opinion, I cannot conceive +these acts to be as effective on the stage as you seemed to expect. +However, it is impossible to say what a very clever actor like Macready +may make of some of the passages. Notwithstanding the many erasures the +diction is still diffuse, and sometimes languishing, though not +inelegant. I cannot imagine it a powerful work as far as I have read. +But, indeed, running over a part of a thing with people talking around +is too unfair. I shall be anxious to hear how it succeeds. Many thanks, +dear sir, for lending it to me. Your note arrives. If on so slight a +knowledge of the play I could venture to erase either of the words you +set before me, I fear it would be _Yes_, but I feel cruel and wicked in +saying so. I hope you got your dinner in comfort when you got rid of me +and that gentle pyramid [Belzoni]. + +Yours truly, + +B.D. + +Mr. Southey was an indefatigable and elaborate correspondent, and, as +his letters have already been published, it is not necessary to quote +them. He rarely wrote to Mr. Gifford, who cut down his articles, and, as +Southey insisted, generally emasculated them by omitting the best +portions. Two extracts may be given from those written to Mr. Murray in +1820, which do not seem yet to have been given to the world, the first +in reference to a proposed Life of Warren Hastings: + +"It appears to me that the proper plan will be to publish a selection +from Warren Hastings's papers and correspondence, accompanying it with +his Life. That Life requires a compendious view of our Indian history +down to the time of his administration, and in its progress it embraces +the preservation of our Indian empire and the establishment of the +existing system. Something must be interwoven concerning the history of +the native powers, Mahomedan, Moor, Mahratta, etc., and their +institutions. I see how all this is to be introduced, and see also that +no subject can afford materials more important or more various. And what +a pleasure it will be to read the triumph of such a man as Hastings over +the tremendous combination of his persecutors at home! I had a noble +catastrophe in writing the Life of Nelson, but the latter days of +Hastings afford a scene more touching, and perhaps more sublime, because +it is more uncommon. Let me have the works of Orme and Bruce and Mill, +and I will set apart a portion of every day to the course of reading, +and begin my notes accordingly." + +The second touches on his perennial grievance against Gifford: + +"You will really serve as well as oblige me, if you will let me have a +duplicate set of proofs of my articles, that I may not _lose_ the +passages which Mr. Gifford, in spite of repeated promises, always will +strike out. In the last paper, among many other mutilations, the most +useful _fact_ in the essay, for its immediate practical application, has +been omitted, and for no imaginable reason (the historical fact that it +was the reading a calumnious libel which induced Felton to murder the +Duke of Buckingham). When next I touch upon public affairs for you, I +will break the Whigs upon the wheel." + +Mrs. Graham, afterwards Lady Callcott, then the wife of Captain Graham, +R.N., an authoress and friend of the Murray family, wrote to introduce +Mr. (afterwards Sir) Charles Eastlake, who had translated Baron +Bartholdy's "Memoirs of the Carbonari." + + +_Mrs. Graham to John Murray_. + +_February_ 24, 1821. + +All great men have to pay the penalty of their greatness, and you, +_arch-bookseller_ as you are, must now and then be entreated to do many +things you only half like to do. I shall half break my heart if you and +Bartholdy do not agree. + + * * * * * + +Now, whether you publish "The Carbonari" or not, I bespeak your +acquaintance for the translator, Mr. Eastlake. I want him to see the +sort of thing that one only sees in your house, at your morning +_levées_--the traffic of mind and literature, if I may call it so. To a +man who has lived most of his grown-up life out of England, it is both +curious and instructive, and I wish for this advantage for my friend. +And in return for what I want you to benefit him, by giving him the +_entrée_ to your rooms, I promise you great pleasure in having a +gentleman of as much modesty as real accomplishment, and whose taste and +talents as an artist must one day place him very high among our native +geniuses. You and Mrs. Murray would, I am sure, love him as much as +Captain Graham and I do. We met him at Malta on his return from Athens, +where he had been with Lord Ruthven's party. Thence he went to Sicily +with Lord Leven. In Rome, we lived in the same house. He was with us at +Poli, and last summer at Ascoli with Lady Westmoreland. I have told him +that, when he goes to London, he must show you two beautiful pictures he +has done for Lord Guilford, views taken in Greece. You will see that his +pictures and Lord Byron's poetry tell the same story of the "Land of the +Unforgotten Brave." I envy you your morning visitors. I am really hungry +for a new book. If you are so good as to send me any _provision fresh +from Murray's shambles_, as Mr. Rose says, address it to me, care of Wm. +Eastlake, Esq., Plymouth. Love to Mrs. Murray and children. + +Yours very gratefully and truly, + +MARIA GRAHAM. + +P.S.--If Graham has a ship given him at the time, and at the station +promised, I shall be obliged to visit London towards the end of March or +the beginning of April. + + +Mr. Murray accepted and published the book. + +Lord Byron's works continued to be in great demand at home, and were +soon pounced upon by the pirates in America and France. The Americans +were beyond Murray's reach, but the French were, to a certain extent, in +his power. Galignani, the Paris publisher, wrote to Lord Byron, +requesting the assignment to him of the right of publishing his poetry +in France. Byron replied that his poems belonged to Mr. Murray, and were +his "property by purchase, right, and justice," and referred Galignani +to him, "washing his hands of the business altogether." M. Galignani +then applied to Mr. Murray, who sent him the following answer: + + +_John Murray to M. Galignani_. + +_January_ 16, 1821. + +SIR, + +I have received your letter requesting me to assign to you exclusively +the right of printing Lord Byron's works in France. In answer I shall +state what you do not seem to be aware of, that for the copyright of +these works you are printing for nothing, I have given the author +upwards of £10,000. Lord Byron has sent me the assignment, regularly +made, and dated April 20, 1818; and if you will send me £250 I will make +it over to you. I have just received a Tragedy by Lord Byron, for the +copyright of which I have paid £1,050, and also three new cantos of "Don +Juan," for which I have paid £2,100. What can you afford to give me for +the exclusive right of printing them in France upon condition that you +receive them before any other bookseller? Your early reply will oblige. + +Your obedient Servant, + +J. MURRAY. + +M. Galignani then informed Mr. Murray that a pirated edition of Lord +Byron's works had been issued by another publisher, and was being sold +for 10 francs; and that, if he would assign him the new Tragedy and the +new cantos of "Don Juan," he would pay him £100, and be at the expense +of the prosecution of the surreptitious publisher. But nothing was said +about the payment of £250 for the issue of Lord Byron's previous work. + +Towards the end of 1821 Mr. Murray received a letter from Messrs. +Longman & Co., intimating, in a friendly way, "you will see in a day or +two, in the newspapers, an advertisement of Mrs. Rundell's improved +edition of her 'Cookery Book,' which she has placed in our hands for +publication." Now, the "Domestic Cookery," as enlarged and improved by +Mr. Murray, was practically a new work, and one of his best properties. +When he heard of Mrs. Rundell's intention to bring out her Cookery Book +through the Longmans, he consulted his legal adviser, Mr. Sharon Turner, +who recommended that an injunction should at once be taken out to +restrain the publication, and retained Mr. Littledale and Mr. Serjeant +Copley for Mr. Murray. The injunction was duly granted. + +After some controversy and litigation the matter was arranged. Mr. +Murray voluntarily agreed to pay to Mrs. Rundell £2,000, in full of all +claims, and her costs and expenses. The Messrs. Longman delivered to Mr. +Murray the stereotype plates of the Cookery Book, and stopped all +further advertisements of Mrs. Rundell's work. Mr. Sharon Turner, when +writing to tell Mr. Murray the result of his negotiations, concludes +with the recommendation: "As Home and Shadwell [Murray's counsel] took +much pains, I think if you were to send them each a copy of the Cookery +Book, and (as a novelty) of 'Cain,' it would please them." + +Moore, in his Diary, notes: [Footnote: "Moore: Memoirs, Journal, and +Correspondence," v. p. 119.] "I called at Pickering's, in Chancery Lane, +who showed me the original agreement between Milton and Symonds for the +payment of five pounds for 'Paradise Lost.' The contrast of this sum +with the £2,000 given by Mr. Murray for Mrs. Rundell's 'Cookery' +comprises a history in itself. Pickering, too, gave forty-five guineas +for this agreement, nine times as much as the sum given for the poem." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +WASHINGTON IRVING--UGO FOSCOLO--LADY CAROLINE LAMB--"HAJJI BABA"--MRS. +MARKHAM'S HISTORIES. + + +The book trade between England and America was in its infancy at the, +time of which we are now writing, and though Mr. Murray was frequently +invited to publish American books, he had considerable hesitation in +accepting such invitations. + +Mr. Washington Irving, who was already since 1807 favourably known as an +author in America, called upon Mr. Murray, and was asked to dine, as +distinguished Americans usually were. He thus records his recollections +of the event in a letter to his brother Peter at Liverpool: + + +_Mr. Washington Irving to Mr. Peter Irving_. + +_August_ 19, 1817. + +"I had a very pleasant dinner at Murray's. I met there D'Israeli and an +artist [Brockedon] just returned from Italy with an immense number of +beautiful sketches of Italian scenery and architecture. D'Israeli's wife +and daughter came in in the course of the evening, and we did not +adjourn until twelve o'clock. I had a long _tête-à -tête_ with old +D'Israeli in a corner. He is a very pleasant, cheerful old fellow, +curious about America, and evidently tickled at the circulation his +works have had there, though, like most authors just now, he groans at +not being able to participate in the profits. Murray was very merry and +loquacious. He showed me a long letter from Lord Byron, who is in Italy. +It is written with some flippancy, but is an odd jumble. His Lordship +has written some 104 stanzas of the fourth canto ('Childe Harold'). He +says it will be less metaphysical than the last canto, but thinks it +will be at least equal to either of the preceding. Murray left town +yesterday for some watering-place, so that I have had no further talk +with him, but am to keep my eye on his advertisements and write to him +when anything offers that I may think worth republishing in America. I +shall find him a most valuable acquaintance on my return to London." + +A business in Liverpool, in which, with his brother, he was a partner, +proved a failure, and in 1818 he was engaged on his famous "Sketch +Book," which he wrote in England, and sent to his brother Ebenezer in +New York to be published there. The work appeared in three parts in the +course of the year 1819. Several of the articles were copied in English +periodicals and were read with great admiration. A writer in _Blackwood_ +expressed surprise that Mr. Irving had thought fit to publish his +"Sketch Book" in America earlier than in Britain, and predicted a large +and eager demand for such a work. On this encouragement, Irving, who was +still in England, took the first three numbers, which had already +appeared in America, to Mr. Murray, and left them with him for +examination and approval. Murray excused himself on the ground that he +did not consider the work in question likely to form the basis of +"satisfactory accounts," and without this he had no "satisfaction" in +undertaking to publish. + +Irving thereupon sought (but did not take) the advice of Sir W. Scott, +and entered into an arrangement with Miller of the Burlington Arcade, +and in February 1820 the first four numbers were published in a volume. +Miller shortly after became bankrupt, the sale of the book (of which one +thousand had been printed) was interrupted, and Irving's hopes of profit +were dashed to the ground. At this juncture, Walter Scott, who was then +in London, came to his help. + + +"I called to him for help as I was sticking in the mire, and, more +propitious than Hercules, he put his own shoulder to the wheel. Through +his favourable representations Murray was quickly induced to undertake +the future publication of the work which he had previously declined. A +further edition of the first volume was put to press, and from that time +Murray became my publisher, conducting himself in all his dealings with +that fair, open, and liberal spirit which had obtained for him the +well-merited appellation of the Prince of Booksellers." [Footnote: +Preface to the revised edition of "The Sketch Book."] + +Irving, being greatly in want of money, offered to dispose of the work +entirely to the publisher, and Murray, though he had no legal protection +for his purchase, not only gave him £200 for it, but two months later +he wrote to Irving, stating that his volumes had succeeded so much +beyond his commercial estimate that he begged he would do him the favour +to draw on him at sixty-five days for one hundred guineas in addition to +the sum agreed upon. And again, eight months later, Murray made Irving a +second gratuitous contribution of a hundred pounds, to which the author +replied, "I never knew any one convey so much meaning in so concise and +agreeable a manner." The author's "Bracebridge Hall" and other works +were also published by Mr. Murray. + +In 1822 Irving, who liked to help his literary fellow-countrymen, tried +to induce Mr. Murray to republish James Fenimore Cooper's novels in +England. Mr. Murray felt obliged to decline, as he found that these +works were pirated by other publishers; American authors were then +beginning to experience the same treatment in England which English +authors have suffered in America. The wonder was that Washington +Irving's works so long escaped the same doom. + +In 1819 Mr. Murray first made the acquaintance of Ugo Foscolo. A native +of Zante, descended from a Venetian family who had settled in the Ionian +Islands, Foscolo studied at Padua, and afterwards took up his residence +at Venice. The ancient aristocracy of that city had been banished by +Napoleon Bonaparte, and the conqueror gave over Venice to Austria. +Foscolo attacked Bonaparte in his "Lettere di Ortis." After serving as a +volunteer in the Lombard Legion through the disastrous campaign of 1799, +Foscolo, on the capitulation of Genoa, retired to Milan, where he +devoted himself to literary pursuits. He once more took service--under +Napoleon--and in 1805 formed part of the army of England assembled at +Boulogne; but soon left the army, went to Pavia (where he had been +appointed Professor of Eloquence), and eventually at the age of forty +took refuge in England. Here he found many friends, who supported him in +his literary efforts. Among others he called upon Mr. Murray, who +desired his co-operation in writing for the _Quarterly_. An article, on +"The Poems of the Italians" was his first contribution. Mr. Thomas +Mitchell, the translator of "Aristophanes," desired Mr. Murray to give +Foscolo his congratulations upon his excellent essay, as well as on his +acquaintance with our language. + + +_Mr. Thomas Mitchell to John Murray_. + +"The first time I had the pleasure of seeing M. Foscolo was at a _table +d'hôte_ at Berne. There was something in his physiognomy which very much +attracted nay notice; and, for some reason or another, I thought that I +seemed to be an object of his attention. At table, Foscolo was seated +next to a young Hanoverian, between whom and me a very learned +conversation had passed on the preceding evening, and a certain degree +of acquaintance was cemented in consequence. The table was that day +graced with the appearance of some of the Court ladies of Stuttgard, and +all passed off with the decorum usually observed abroad, when suddenly, +towards the conclusion of the feast a violent hubbub was heard between +M. Foscolo and his Hanoverian neighbour, who, in angry terms and with +violent gestures, respectively asserted the superior harmonies of Greek +and Latin. This ended with the former's suddenly producing a card, +accompanied with the following annunciation: 'Sir, my name is Ugo +Foscolo; I am a native of Greece, and I have resided thirty years in +Italy; I therefore think I ought to know something of the matter. This +card contains my address, and if you have anything further to say, you +know where I am to be found.' Whether Foscolo's name or manner daunted +the young Hanoverian, or whether he was only a bird of passage, I don't +know, but we saw nothing more of him after that day. Foscolo, after the +ladies had retired, made an apology, directed a good deal to me, who, by +the forms of the place, happened to be at the head of the table; a +considerable degree of intimacy took place between us, and an excellent +man I believe him to be, in spite of these little ebullitions." + + +Ugo Foscolo, who was eccentric to an excess, and very extravagant, had +many attached friends, though he tried them sorely. To Mr. Murray he +became one of the troubles of private as well as publishing life. He had +a mania for building, and a mania for ornamentation, but he was very +short of money for carrying out his freaks. He thought himself at the +same time to be perfectly moderate, simple, and sweet-tempered. He took +a house in South Bank, Regent's Park, which he named Digamma +Cottage--from his having contributed to the _Quarterly Review_ an +article on the Digamma--and fitted it up in extravagant style. + +Foscolo could scarcely live at peace with anybody, and, as the result of +one of his numerous altercations, he had to fight a duel. "We are," Lady +Dacre wrote to Murray (December 1823), "to have the whole of Foscolo's +duel to-morrow. He tells me that it is not about a 'Fair lady': thank +heaven!" + +Foscolo was one of Mr. Murray's inveterate correspondents--about +lectures, about translations, about buildings, about debts, about loans, +and about borrowings. On one occasion Mr. Murray received from him a +letter of thirteen pages quarto. A few sentences of this may be worth +quoting: + +_Mr. Foscolo to John Murray_. + +SOUTH BANK, _August_ 20, 1822. + +"During six years (for I landed in England the 10th September, 1816) I +have constantly laboured under difficulties the most distressing; no one +knows them so well as yourself, because no one came to my assistance +with so warm a friendship or with cares so constant and delicate. My +difficulties have become more perplexing since the Government both of +the Ionian Islands and Italy have precluded even the possibility of my +returning to the countries where a slender income would be sufficient, +and where I would not be under the necessity of making a degrading use +of my faculties. I was born a racehorse; and after near forty years of +successful racing, I am now drawing the waggon--nay, to be the teacher +of French to my copyists, and the critic of English to my +translators!-to write sophistry about criticism, which I always +considered a sort of literary quackery, and to put together paltry +articles for works which I never read. Indeed, if I have not undergone +the doom of almost all individuals whose situation becomes suddenly +opposed to their feelings and habits, and if I am not yet a lunatic, I +must thank the mechanical strength of my nerves. My nerves, however, +will not withstand the threatenings of shame which I have always +contemplated with terror. Time and fortune have taught me to meet all +other evils with fortitude; but I grow every day more and more a coward +at the idea of the approach of a stigma on my character; and as now I +must live and die in England, and get the greater part of my subsistence +from my labour, I ought to reconcile, if not labour with literary +reputation, at least labour and life with a spotless name." + +He then goes on to state that his debts amount to £600 or thereabouts, +including a sum of £20 which he owed to Mr. Murray himself. Then he must +have the money necessary for his subsistence, and he "finds he cannot +live on less than £400 per annum." + +"My apartments," he continues, "decently furnished, encompass me with an +atmosphere of ease and respectability; and I enjoy the illusion of not +having fallen into the lowest circumstances. + +I always declare that I will die like a gentleman, on a decent bed, +surrounded by casts (as I cannot buy the marbles) of the Venuses, of the +Apollos, and of the Graces, and the busts of great men; nay, even among +flowers, and, if possible, with some graceful innocent girl playing an +old pianoforte in an adjoining room. And thus dies the hero of my novel. +Far from courting the sympathy of mankind, I would rather be forgotten +by posterity than give it the gratification of ejaculating preposterous +sighs because I died like Camoens and Tasso on the bed of an hospital. +And since I must be buried in your country, I am happy in having insured +for me the possession during the remains of my life of a cottage built +after my plan, surrounded by flowering shrubs, almost within the +tumpikes of the town, and yet as quiet as a country-house, and open to +the free air. Whenever I can freely dispose of a hundred pounds, I will +also build a small dwelling for my corpse, under a beautiful Oriental +plane-tree, which I mean to plant next November, and cultivate _con +amore_. So far I am indeed an epicure; in all other things I am the most +moderate of men." + +The upshot of the letter is, that he wishes Mr. Murray to let him have +£1,000, to be repaid in five years, he meanwhile writing articles for +the _Quarterly_--one-half of the payment to be left with the publisher, +and the remaining half to be added to his personal income. He concludes: + +"In seeking out a way of salvation, I think it incumbent on me to +prevent the tyranny of necessity, that I might not be compelled by it to +endanger my character and the interest of a friend whose kindness I have +always experienced, and whose assistance I am once more obliged to +solicit." + +Mr. Murray paid off some of his more pressing embarrassments--£30 to +Messrs. Bentley for bills not taken up; £33 7_s_. to Mr. Kelly the +printer; £14 to Mr. Antonini; and £50 to Foscolo's builder--besides +becoming security for £300 to his bankers (with whom Foscolo did +business), in order to ensure him a respite for six months. On the other +hand, Foscolo agreed to insure his life for £600 as a sort of guarantee. +"Was ever" impecunious author "so trusted before"? At this crisis in his +affairs many friends came about him and took an interest in the patriot; +Mr. Hallam and Mr. Wilbraham offered him money, but he would not accept +"gratuities" from them, though he had no objection to accepting their +"loans." Arrangements were then made for Foscolo to deliver a series of +lectures on Italian Literature. Everything was settled, the day +arrived, the room was crowded with a distinguished assembly, when at the +last moment Foscolo appeared without his MS., which he had forgotten. + +The course of lectures, however, which had been designed to relieve him +from the pressure of his debts, proved successful, and brought him in, +it is said, as much as £1,000; whereupon he immediately set to work to +squander his earnings by giving a public breakfast to his patrons, for +which purpose he thought it incumbent on him, amongst other expenses, to +make a new approach and a gravelled carriage road to Digamma Cottage. + +Ugo Foscolo lived on credit to the end of his life, surrounded by all +that was luxurious and beautiful. How he contrived it, no one knew, for +his resources remained at the lowest ebb. Perhaps his friends helped +him, for English Liberals of good means regarded him as a martyr in the +cause of freedom, one who would never bow the knee to Baal, and who had +dared the first Napoleon when his very word was law. But Foscolo's +friends without doubt became tired of his extravagance and his +licentious habits, and fell away from him. Disease at last found him +out; he died of dropsy at Turnham Green, near Hammersmith, in 1827, when +only in the fiftieth year of his age, and was buried in Chiswick +churchyard; but in June 1871 his body was exhumed and conveyed to +Florence, where he was buried in Santa Croce, between the tomb of +Alfieri and the monument of Dante. + +Lady Caroline Lamb had continued to keep up her intimacy with Mr. +Murray; and now that she was preparing a new work for the press, her +correspondence increased. While he was at Wimbledon during summer, she +occasionally met literary friends at his house. She had already +published "Glenarvon," the hero of which was supposed to represent Lord +Byron, and was now ready with "Penruddock." "I am in great anxiety," she +wrote to Mr. Murray, "about your not informing me what Gifford says. I +think it might be a civil way of giving me my death-warrant--if +'Penruddock' does not." + +Whether the criticism of Mr. Gifford was too severe, or whether Mr. +Murray was so much engaged in business and correspondence as to take no +notice of Lady Caroline Lamb's communication, does not appear; but she +felt the neglect, and immediately followed it up with another letter as +follows: + +_Lady Caroline Lamb to John Murray_. + +_December 8, 1822_. + +MY DEAR AND MOST OBSTINATELY SILENT SIR, + +From one until nine upon Tuesday I shall be at Melbourne House waiting +for you; but if you wish to see the prettiest woman in England,--besides +myself and William--be at Melbourne House at quarter to six, at which +hour we dine; and if you will come at half-past one, or two, or three, +to say you will dine and to ask me to forgive your inexorable and +inhuman conduct, pray do, for I arrive at twelve in that said home and +leave it at nine the ensuing morning. What can have happened to you that +you will not write? + +The following letter from William Lamb (afterwards Lord Melbourne), the +long-suffering and generous husband of this wayward lady, refers to a +novel entitled "Ada Reis." + +_The Honble. William Lamb to John Murray_. + +_December 20, 1822_. + +"The incongruity of, and objections to, the story of 'Ada Reis' can only +be got over by power of writing, beauty of sentiment, striking and +effective situation, etc. If Mr. Gifford thinks there is in the first +two volumes anything of excellence sufficient to overbalance their +manifest faults, I still hope that he will press upon Lady Caroline the +absolute necessity of carefully reconsidering and revising the third +volume, and particularly the conclusion of the novel. + +"Mr. Gifford, I dare say, will agree with me that since the time of +Lucian all the representations of the infernal regions, which have been +attempted by satirical writers, such as 'Fielding's Journey from this +World to the Next,' have been feeble and flat. The sketch in "Ada Reis" +is commonplace in its observations and altogether insufficient, and it +would not do now to come with a decisive failure in an attempt of +considerable boldness. I think, if it were thought that anything could +be done with the novel, and that the faults of its design and structure +can be got over, that I could put her in the way of writing up this part +a little, and giving it something of strength, spirit, and novelty, and +of making it at once more moral and more interesting. I wish you would +communicate these my hasty suggestions to Mr. Gifford, and he will see +the propriety of pressing Lady Caroline to take a little more time to +this part of the novel. She will be guided by his authority, and her +fault at present is to be too hasty and too impatient of the trouble of +correcting and recasting what is faulty." + +"Ada Reis" was published in March 1823. + +Another of England's Prime Ministers, Lord John Russell, had in +contemplation a History of Europe, and consulted Mr. Murray on the +subject. A first volume, entitled "The Affairs of Europe," was published +without the author's name on the title-page, and a few years later +another volume was published, but it remained an unfinished work. Lord +John was an ambitious and restless author; without steady perseverance +in any branch of literature; he went from poems to tragedies, from +tragedies to memoirs, then to history, tales, translations of part of +the "Odyssey," essays (by the Gentleman who left his Lodgings), and then +to memoirs and histories again. Mr. Croker said of his "Don Carlos": "It +is not easy to find any poetry, or even oratory, of the present day +delivered with such cold and heavy diction, such distorted tropes and +disjointed limbs of similes worn to the bones long ago." + +Another work that excited greater interest than Lord John Russell's +anonymous history was Mr. James Morier's "Hajji Baba." Mr. Morier had in +his youth travelled through the East, especially in Persia, where he +held a post under Sir Gore Ouseley, then English Ambassador. On his +return to England, he published accounts of his travels; but his "Hajji +Baba" was more read than any other of his works. Sir Walter Scott was +especially pleased with it, and remarked that "Hajji Baba" might be +termed the Oriental "Gil Bias." Mr. Morier afterwards published "The +Adventures of Hajji Baba in England," as well as other works of an +Eastern character. The following letter, written by the Persian Envoy in +England, Miiza Abul Hassan, shows the impression created by English +society on a foreigner in April 1824: + +_Letter from the Persian Envoy, Mirza Abul Hassan, to the London +Gentleman without, who lately wrote letter to him and ask very much to +give answer_. + +_April 3, 1824._ + +SIR, MY LORD, + +When you write to me some time ago to give my thought of what I see good +and bad this country, that time I not speak English very well. Now I +read, I write much little better. Now I give to you my think. In this +country bad not too much, everything very good. But suppose I not tell +something little bad, then you say I tell all flattery--therefore I tell +most bad thing. I not like such crowd in evening party every night. In +cold weather not very good, now hot weather, much too bad. I very much +astonish every day now much hot than before, evening parties much crowd +than before. Pretty beautiful ladies come sweat, that not very good. I +always afraid some old lady in crowd come dead, that not very good, and +spoil my happiness. I think old ladies after 85 years not come to +evening party, that much better. Why for take so much trouble? Some +other thing rather bad. Very beautiful young lady she got ugly fellow +for husband, that not very good, very shocking. I ask Sr Gore [Sir Gore +Ouseley] why for this. He says me--"perhaps he very good man, not +handsome; no matter, perhaps he got too much money, perhaps got title." +I say I not like that, all very shocking. This all bad I know. Now I say +good. English people all very good people. All very happy. Do what they +like, say what like, write in newspaper what like. I love English people +very much, they very civil to me. I tell my King English love Persian +very much. English King best man in world, he love his people very good +much; he speak very kind to me, I love him very much. Queen very best +woman I ever saw. Prince of Wales such a fine elegant beautiful man. I +not understand English enough proper to praise him, he too great for my +language. I respect him same as my own King. I love him much better, his +manner all same as talisman and charm. All the Princes very fine men, +very handsome men, very sweet words, very affable. I like all too much. +I think the ladies and gentlemen this country most high rank, high +honour, very rich, except two or three most good, very kind to inferior +peoples. This very good. I go to see Chelsea. All old men sit on grass +in shade of fine tree, fine river run by, beautiful place, plenty to +eat, drink, good coat, everything very good. Sir Gore he tell me King +Charles and King Jame. I say Sir Gore, They not Musselman, but I think +God love them very much. I think God he love the King very well for +keeping up that charity. Then I see one small regiment of children go to +dinner, one small boy he say thanks to God for eat, for drink, for +clothes, other little boys they all answer Amen. Then I cry a little, my +heart too much pleased. This all very good for two things--one thing, +God very much please; two things, soldiers fight much better, because +see their good King take care of old wounded fathers and little +children. Then I go to Greenwich, that too good place, such a fine sight +make me a little sick for joy. All old men so happy, eat dinner, so +well, fine house, fine beds--all very good. This very good country. +English ladies very handsome, very beautiful. I travel great deal. I go +Arabia, I go Calcutta, Hyderabad, Poonah, Bombay, Georgia, Armenia, +Constantinople, Malta, Gibraltar. I see best Georgia, Circassian, +Turkish, Greek ladies, but nothing not so beautiful as English ladies, +all very clever, speak French, speak English, speak Italian, play music +very well, sing very good. Very glad for me if Persian ladies like them. +But English ladies speak such sweet words. I think tell a little +story--that not very good. + +One thing more I see but I not understand that thing good or bad. Last +Thursday I see some fine horses, fine carriages, thousand people go to +look that carriages. I ask why for? They say me, that gentleman on boxes +they drive their own carriages. I say why for take so much trouble? They +say me he drive very well; that very good thing. It rain very hard, some +lord some gentleman he get very wet. I say why he not go inside? They +tell me good coachman not mind get wet every day, will be much ashamed +if go inside; that I not understand. + +Sir, my Lord, good-night, + +ABUL HASSAN. + + +Mr. Murray invariably consulted Mr. Barrow as to any works on voyages or +travels he was required to publish, and found him a faithful adviser. +The following expression of opinion, from one with so large an +experience, is interesting: + +_Mr. J. Barrow to John Murray_. + +_March 28, 1823._ + +"I need not tell you that caprice rather than merit governs the sale of +a work. If instances are wanting, I might quote those of Belzoni and +Hamilton. [Footnote: This reference probably refers to Walter Hamilton's +"Description of Hindostan and adjacent Countries," published a few years +before.] The first absolute trumpery when put in competition with the +second; yet the former, I believe, sold about ten times the number of +the latter." + +Another little book published about this time has a curious history, and +illustrates the lottery of book publishing. Mrs. Markham's [Footnote: +This lady's real name was Mrs. Penrose.] "History of England" was first +published by Constable, but it fell still-born from the press. Mr. +Murray, discerning the merit of the work in 1824, bought the remainder +of 333 copies from Constable, and had it revised, corrected, and +enlarged, and brought out in an entirely new form. He placed it in his +list of school books, and pushed it among the teachers throughout the +country, until at length it obtained a very large and regular +circulation. The book has subsequently undergone frequent revision, and +down to the present date it continues to be a great favourite, +especially in ladies' schools. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +GIFFORD'S RETIREMENT FROM THE EDITORSHIP OF THE "QUARTERLY"--AND DEATH + + +It had for some time been evident, as has been shown in a previous +chapter, that Gifford was becoming physically incapable of carrying on +the Editorship of the _Quarterly Review_, but an occasional respite from +the pressure of sickness, as well as his own unwillingness to abandon +his connection with a work which he regarded with paternal affection, +and Murray's difficulty in finding a worthy successor, combined to +induce him to remain at his post. + +He accordingly undertook to carry on his editorial duties till the +publication of the 60th number, aided and supported by the active energy +of Barrow and Croker, who, in conjunction with the publisher, did most +of the necessary drudgery. + +In December 1823 Canning had written to say that he was in bed with the +gout; to this Gifford replied: + + +MY DEAR CANNING, + +I wish you had a pleasanter bedfellow; but here am I on the sofa with a +cough, and a very disagreeable associate I find it. Old Moore, I think, +died all but his voice, and my voice is nearly dead before me; in other +respects, I am much as I was when you saw me, and this weather is in my +favour.... I have promised Murray to try to carry on the _Review_ to the +60th number; the 58th is now nearly finished. This seems a desperate +promise, and beyond it I will not, cannot go; for, at best, as the old +philosopher said, I am dying at my ease, as my complaint has taken a +consumptive turn. The vultures already scent the carcase, and three or +four _Quarterly Reviews_ are about to start. One is to be set up by +Haygarth, whom I think I once mentioned to you as talked of to succeed +me, but he is now in open hostility to Murray; another is to be called +the _Westminster Quarterly Review_, and will, if I may judge from the +professions of impartiality, be a decided Opposition Journal. They will +all have their little day, perhaps, and then drop into the grave of +their predecessors. The worst is that we cannot yet light upon a fit and +promising successor. + +Ever, my dear Canning, + +Faithfully and affectionately yours, + +WILLIAM GIFFORD. + +This state of matters could not be allowed to go on much longer; +sometimes a quarter passed without a number appearing; in 1824 only two +_Quarterlies_ appeared--No. 60, due in January, but only published in +August; and No. 61, due in April, but published in December. An +expostulation came from Croker to Murray (January 23, 1824): + +"Have you made up _your mind_ about an editor? Southey has written to me +on the subject, as if you had, and as if he knew your choice; I do not +like to answer him before I know what I am to say. Will you dine at +Kensington on Sunday at 6?" + +Southey had long been meditating about the editorship. It never appears +to have been actually offered to him, but his name, as we have already +seen, was often mentioned in connection with it. He preferred, however, +going on with his own works and remaining a contributor only. Politics, +too, may have influenced him, for we find him writing to Mr. Murray on +December 15, 1824: "The time cannot be far distant when the _Q.R._ must +take its part upon a most momentous subject, and choose between Mr. +Canning and the Church. I have always considered it as one of the +greatest errors in the management of the _Review_ that it should have +been silent upon that subject so long." So far as regarded his position +as a contributor, Southey expressed his opinion to Murray explicitly: + +_Mr. Southey to John Murray_. + +_October 25, 1824_. + +"No future Editor, be he who he may, must expect to exercise the same +discretion over my papers which Mr. Gifford has done. I will at any time +curtail what may be deemed too long, and consider any objections that +may be made, with a disposition to defer to them when it can be done +without sacrificing my own judgment upon points which may seem to me +important. But my age and (I may add without arrogance) the rank which I +hold in literature entitle me to say that I will never again write under +the correction of any one." + +Gifford's resignation is announced in the following letter to Canning +(September 8, 1824): + +_Mr. W. Gifford to the Rt. Hon. G. Canning_. + +_September 8, 1824_. + +MY DEAR CANNING, + +I have laid aside my Regalia, and King Gifford, first of the name, is +now no more, as Sir Andrew Aguecheek says, "than an ordinary mortal or a +Christian." It is necessary to tell you this, for, with the exception of +a dark cloud which has come over Murray's brow, no prodigies in earth or +air, as far as I have heard, have announced it. + +It is now exactly sixteen years ago since your letter invited or +encouraged me to take the throne. I did not mount it without a trembling +fit; but I was promised support, and I have been nobly supported. As far +as regards myself, I have borne my faculties soberly, if not meekly. I +have resisted, with undeviating firmness, every attempt to encroach upon +me, every solicitation of publisher, author, friend, or friend's friend, +and turned not a jot aside for power or delight. In consequence of this +integrity of purpose, the Review has long possessed a degree of +influence, not only in this, but in other countries hitherto unknown; +and I have the satisfaction, at this late hour, of seeing it in its most +palmy state. No number has sold better than the sixtieth. + +But there is a sad tale to tell. For the last three years I have +perceived the mastery which disease and age were acquiring over a +constitution battered and torn at the best, and have been perpetually +urging Murray to look about for a successor, while I begged Coplestone, +Blomfield, and others to assist the search. All has been ineffectual. +Murray, indeed, has been foolishly flattering himself that I might be +cajoled on from number to number, and has not, therefore, exerted +himself as he ought to have done; but the rest have been in earnest. Do +you know any one? I once thought of Robert Grant; but he proved timid, +and indeed his saintly propensities would render him suspected. Reginald +Heber, whom I should have preferred to any one, was snatched from me for +a far higher object. + +I have been offered a Doctor's Degree, and when I declined it, on +account of my inability to appear in public, my own college (Exeter) +most kindly offered to confer it on me in private; that is, at the +Rector's lodgings. This, too, I declined, and begged the Dean of +Westminster, who has a living in the neighbourhood, to excuse me as +handsomely as he could. It might, for aught I know, be a hard race +between a shroud and a gown which shall get me first; at any rate, it +was too late for honours. + +Faithfully and affectionately yours, + +WILLIAM GIFFORD. + +Mr. J.T. Coleridge had long been regarded as the most eligible +successor to Mr. Gifford, and on him the choice now fell. Mr. Murray +forwarded the reply of Mr. Coleridge which contained his acceptance of +the editorship to Mr. Gifford, accompanied by the following note: + +_John Murray to Mr. Gifford_. + +WHITEHALL PLACE, + +_December 11, 1824_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I shall not attempt to express the feelings with which I communicate the +enclosed answer to the proposal which I suspect it would have been +thought contemptible in me any longer to have delayed, and all that I +can find to console myself with is the hope that I may be able to evince +my gratitude to you during life, and to your memory, if it so please the +Almighty that I am to be the survivor. + +I am your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Mr. Murray lost no time in informing his friends of the new arrangement. + +Gifford lived for about two years more, and continued to entertain many +kind thoughts of his friends and fellow-contributors: his intercourse +with his publisher was as close and intimate as ever to the end. + +The last month of Gifford's life was but a slow dying. He was sleepless, +feverish, oppressed by an extreme difficulty of breathing, which often +entirely deprived him of speech; and his sight had failed. Towards the +end of his life he would sometimes take up a pen, and after a vain +attempt to write, would throw it down, saying, "No, my work is done!" +Even thinking caused him pain. As his last hour drew near, his mind +began to wander. "These books have driven me mad," he once said, "I must +read my prayers." He passed gradually away, his pulse ceasing to beat +five hours before his death. And then he slept out of life, on December +31, 1826, in his 68th year--a few months before the death of Canning. + +Mr. Gifford desired that he should be buried in the ground attached to +Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street, where he had interred Annie +Davies, his faithful old housekeeper, but his friends made application +for his interment in Westminster Abbey, which was acceded to, and he was +buried there accordingly on January 8, 1827, immediately under the +monuments of Camden and Garrick. He was much richer at the time of his +death than he was at all aware of, for he was perfectly indifferent +about money. Indeed, he several times returned money to Mr. Murray, +saying that "he had been too liberal." He left £25,000 of personal +property, a considerable part of which he left to the relatives of Mr. +Cookesley, the surgeon of Ashburton, who had been to him so faithful and +self-denying a friend in his early life. To Mr. Murray he left £100 as a +memorial, and also 500 guineas, to enable him to reimburse a military +gentleman, to whom, jointly with Mr. Cookesley, he appears to have been +bound for that sum at a former period. + +Gifford has earned, but it is now generally recognised that he has +unjustly earned, the character of a severe, if not a bitter critic. +Possessing an unusually keen discernment of genuine excellence, and a +scathing power of denunciation of what was false or bad in literature, +he formed his judgments in accordance with a very high standard of +merit. Sir Walter Scott said of his "Baviad and Mæviad, that "he +squashed at one blow a set of coxcombs who might have humbugged the +world long enough." His critical temper, however, was in truth +exceptionally equable; regarding it as his duty to encourage all that +was good and elevating, and relentlessly to denounce all that was bad or +tended to lower the tone of literature, he conscientiously acted up to +the standard by which he judged others, and never allowed personal +feeling to intrude upon his official judgments. + +It need scarcely be said that he proved himself an excellent editor, and +that he entertained a high idea of the duties of that office. William +Jerdan, who was introduced to Gifford by Canning, said: "I speak of him +as he always was to me--full of gentleness, a sagacious adviser and +instructor, upon so comprehensive a scale, that I never met his superior +among the men of the age most renowned for vast information, and his +captivating power in communicating it." His sagacity and quickness of +apprehension were remarkable, as was also the extraordinary rapidity +with which he was able to eviscerate a work, and summarize its contents +in a few pages. + +The number of articles which he himself wrote was comparatively small, +for he confined himself for the most part to revising and improving the +criticisms of others, and though in thus dealing with articles submitted +to him he frequently erased what the writers considered some of their +best criticisms, he never lost their friendship and support. He disliked +incurring any obligation which might in any degree shackle the +expression of his free opinions. In conjunction with Mr. Murray, he laid +down a rule, which as we have already seen was advocated by Scott, and +to which no exception has ever been made, that every writer in the +_Quarterly_ should receive payment for his contribution. On one +occasion, when a gentleman in office would not receive the money, the +article was returned. "I am not more certain of many conjectures," says +Jerdan, "than I am of this, that he never propagated a dishonest opinion +nor did a dishonest act." + +Gifford took no notice of the ferocious attacks made upon him by Hunt +and Hazlitt. Holding, as he did, that inviolable secrecy was one of the +prime functions of an editor--though the practice has since become very +different--he never attempted to vindicate himself, or to reveal the +secret as to the writers of the reviews. In accordance with his plan of +secrecy, he desired Dr. Ireland, his executor, to destroy all +confidential letters, especially those relating to the _Review_, so that +the names of the authors, as well as the prices paid for each article, +might never be known. + +In society, of which he saw but little, except at Mr. Murray's, he was +very entertaining. He told a story remarkably well; and had an +inexhaustible supply; the archness of his eyes and countenance making +them all equally good. + +He had never been married; but although he had no children, he had an +exceeding love for them. When well, he delighted in giving juvenile +parties, and rejoiced at seeing the children frisking about in the +happiness of youth--a contrast which threw the misery of his own early +life into strange relief. His domestic favourites were his dog and his +cat, both of which he dearly loved. He was also most kind and generous +to his domestic servants; and all who knew him well, sorrowfully +lamented his death. + +Many years after Gifford's death, a venomous article upon him appeared +in a London periodical. The chief point of this anonymous attack was +contained in certain extracts from the writings of Sir W. Scott, +Southey, and other eminent contemporaries of Mr. Gifford. Mr. R.W. Hay, +one of the oldest contributors to the _Quarterly_, was at that time +still living, and, in allusion to the article in question, he wrote to +Mr. Murray's son: + +_Mr. R.W. Hay to Mr. Murray_. + +_July 7, 1856_. + +It is wholly worthless, excepting as it contains strictures of Sir W. +Scott, Southey, and John Wilson on the critical character of the late +Wm. Gifford. I by no means subscribe to all that is said by these +distinguished individuals on the subject, and I cannot help suspecting +that the high station in literature which they occupied rendered them +more than commonly sensitive to the corrections and erasures which were +proposed by the editor. Sir Walter (great man as he was) was perfectly +capable of writing so carelessly as to require correction, and both +Southey and John Wilson might occasionally have brought forth opinions, +on political and other matters, which were not in keeping with the +general tone of the _Quarterly Review_. That poor Gifford was deformed +in figure, feeble in health, unhappily for him there can be no denying, +but that he had any pleasure in tormenting, as asserted by some, that he +indulged in needless criticism without any regard to the feelings of +those who were under his lash, I am quite satisfied cannot justly be +maintained. In my small dealings with the _Review_, I only found the +editor most kind and considerate. His amendments and alterations I +generally at once concurred in, and I especially remember in one of the +early articles, that he diminished the number of Latin quotations very +much to its advantage; that his heart was quite in the right place I +have had perfect means of knowing from more than one circumstance, +_e.g._, his anxiety for the welfare of his friend Hoppner the painter's +children was displayed in the variety of modes which he adopted to +assist them, and when John Gait was sorely maltreated in the _Review_ in +consequence of his having attributed to me, incorrectly, an article +which occasioned his wrath and indignation, and afterwards was exposed +to many embarrassments in life, Gifford most kindly took up his cause, +and did all he could to further the promotion of his family. That our +poor friend should have been exposed throughout the most part of his +life to the strong dislike of the greatest part of the community is not +unnatural. As the _redacteur_ of the _Anti-Jacobin_, etc., he, in the +latter part of the last century, drew upon himself the hostile attacks +of all the modern philosophers of the age, and of all those who hailed +with applause the dawn of liberty in the French Revolution; as editor of +the _Quarterly Review_, he acquired in addition to the former hosts of +enemies, the undisguised hatred of all the Whigs and Liberals, who were +for making peace with Bonaparte, and for destroying the settled order of +things in this country. In the present generation, when the feeling of +national hatred against France has entirely subsided, and party feelings +have so much gone by that no man can say to which party any public man +belongs, it is impossible for anyone to comprehend the state of public +feeling which prevailed during the great war of the Revolution, and for +some years after its termination. Gifford was deeply imbued with all the +sentiments on public matters which prevailed in his time, and, as some +people have a hatred of a cat, and others of a toad, so our friend felt +uneasy when a Frenchman was named; and buckled on his armour of +criticism whenever a Liberal or even a Whig was brought under his +notice; and although in the present day there appears to be a greater +indulgence to crime amongst judges and juries, and perhaps a more +lenient system of criticism is adopted by reviewers, I am not sure that +any public advantage is gained by having Ticket of Leave men, who ought +to be in New South Wales, let loose upon the English world by the +unchecked appearance of a vast deal of spurious literature, which ought +to have withered under the severe blasts of Criticism. + +Believe yours very truly, + +R.W. HAY. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE "REPRESENTATIVE" + + +Mr. Murray had for long been desirous of publishing a journal which +should appear more frequently than once a quarter, more especially after +the discontinuance of his interest in Blackwood's magazine. In 1825 he +conceived the more ambitious design of publishing a daily morning paper, +a project now chiefly interesting from the fact that in this venture he +had the assistance of the future Lord Beaconsfield. The intimacy which +existed between the Murrays and D'Israelis had afforded Mr. Murray +exceptional opportunities of forming an opinion of Benjamin's character, +and he saw with delight the rapidly developing capacities of his old +friend's son. Even in his eighteenth year Benjamin was consulted by Mr. +Murray as to the merits of a MS., and two years later he wrote a novel +entitled "Aylmer Papillon," which did not see the light. He also edited +a "History of Paul Jones, Admiral in the Russian Navy," written by +Theophilus Smart, an American, and originally published in the United +States. + +Young Disraeli was already gifted with a power of influencing others, +unusual in a man of his age. He was eloquent, persuasive, and ingenious, +and even then, as in future years, when he became a leading figure in +the political world, he had the power of drawing others over to the +views which he entertained, however different they might be from their +own. Looking merely to his literary career as a successful novel writer, +his correspondence with Mr. Murray about his proposed work of "Aylmer +Papillon" is not without interest. + +_Mr. Benjamin Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_May_, 1824. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Your very kind letter induces me to trouble you with this most trivial +of trifles. My plan has been in these few pages so to mix up any +observations which I had to make on the present state of society with +the bustle and hurry of a story, that my satire should never be +protruded on my reader. If you will look at the last chapter but one, +entitled "Lady Modeley's," you will see what I mean better than I can +express it. The first pages of that chapter I have written in the same +manner as I would a common novel, but I have endeavoured to put in +_action_ at the _end_, the present fashion of getting on in the world. I +write no humbug about "candidly giving your opinion, etc., etc." You +must be aware that you cannot do me a greater favour than refusing to +publish it, if you think _it won't do_; and who should be a better judge +than yourself? + +Believe me ever to be, my dear Sir, + +Your most faithful and obliged, + +B. DISRAELI. [Footnote: It will be observed that while the father +maintained the older spelling of the name, the son invariably writes it +thus.] + +P.S.--The second and the last chapters are unfortunately mislaid, but +they have no particular connection with the story. They are both very +short, the first contains an adventure on the road, and the last Mr. +Papillon's banishment under the Alien Act from a ministerial +misconception of a metaphysical sonnet. + +Thursday morn.: Excuse want of seal, as we're doing a bit of summer +to-day, and there is not a fire in the house. + + +FREDERICK PLACE, _May_ 25, 1824. + +1/2 past 1 o'clock A.M. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +The travels, to which I alluded this morning, would not bind up with +"Parry," since a moderate duodecimo would contain the adventures of a +certain Mr. Aylmer Papillon in a _terra incognita_. I certainly should +never have mentioned them had I been aware that you were so very much +engaged, and I only allude to them once more that no confusion may arise +from the half-explanations given this morning. You will oblige me by not +mentioning this to anybody. + +Believe me to be, my dear Sir, + +Your very faithful and obliged Servant, + +B. DISRAELI. + + +FREDERICK PLACE, _June_ 1824. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Until I received your note this morning I had flattered myself that my +indiscretion had been forgotten. It is to me a matter of great regret +that, as appears by your letter, any more trouble should be given +respecting this unfortunate MS., which will, most probably, be +considered too crude a production for the public, and which, if it is +even imagined to possess any interest, is certainly too late for this +season, and will be obsolete in the next. I think, therefore, that the +sooner it be put behind the fire the better, and as you have some small +experience in burning MSS., [Footnote: Byron's Memoirs had been burnt at +Albemarle Street during the preceding month.] you will be perhaps so +kind as to consign it to the flames. Once more apologising for all the +trouble I have given you, I remain ever, my dear Sir, + +Yours very faithfully, + +B. DISRAELI. + +Murray had a special regard for the remarkable young man, and by degrees +had thoroughly taken him into his confidence; had related to him his +experiences of men and affairs, and ere long began to consult him about +a variety of schemes and projects. These long confidential +communications led eventually to the suggestion of a much more ambitious +and hazardous scheme, the establishment of a daily paper in the +Conservative interest. Daring as this must appear, Murray was encouraged +in it by the recollection of the success which had attended the +foundation of the _Quarterly_, and believed, rashly, that his personal +energy and resources, aided by the abilities displayed by his young +counsellor, would lead to equal success. He evidently had too +superficially weighed the enormous difficulties of this far greater +undertaking, and the vast difference between the conduct of a _Quarterly +Review_ and a daily newspaper. + +Intent upon gaining a position in the world, Benjamin Disraeli saw a +prospect of advancing his own interests-by obtaining the influential +position of director of a Conservative daily paper, which he fully +imagined was destined to equal the _Times_, and he succeeded in imbuing +Murray with the like fallacious hopes. + +The emancipation of the Colonies of Spain in South America in 1824-25 +gave rise to much speculation in the money market in the expectation of +developing the resources of that country, especially its mines. Shares, +stocks, and loans were issued to an unlimited extent. + +Mr. Benjamin Disraeli seems to have thrown himself into the vortex, for +he became connected with at least one financial firm in the City, that +of Messrs. Powles, and employed his abilities in writing several +pamphlets on the subject. This led to his inducing Messrs. Powles to +embark with him in the scheme of a daily paper. At length an arrangement +was entered into, by which John Murray, J.D. Powles, and Benjamin +Disraeli were to become the joint proprietors of the proposed new +journal. The arrangement was as follows: + +MEMORANDUM. + +LONDON, _August_ 3, 1825. + +The undersigned parties agree to establish a Morning Paper, the property +in which is to be in the following proportions, viz.: + +Mr. Murray.... One-half. Mr. Powles.... One-quarter. Mr. Disraeli.... +One-quarter. + +Each party contributing to the expense, capital, and risk, in those +proportions. + +The paper to be published by, and be under the management of Mr. Murray. + +JOHN MURRAY. + +J.D. POWLES. + +B. DISRAELI. + +Such was the memorandum of agreement entered into with a view to the +publication of the new morning paper, eventually called the +_Representative_. As the first number was to appear in January 1826, +there was little time to be lost in making the necessary arrangements +for its publication. In the first place, an able editor had to be found; +and, perhaps of almost equal importance, an able subeditor. Trustworthy +reporters had to be engaged; foreign and home correspondents had also to +be selected with care; a printing office had to be taken; all the +necessary plant and apparatus had to be provided, and a staff of men +brought together preliminary to the opening day. + +The most important point in connection with the proposed journal was to +find the editor. Mr. Murray had been so ably assisted by Sir Walter +Scott in the projection of the _Quarterly Review_, that he resolved to +consult him on the subject; and this mission was undertaken by Benjamin +Disraeli, part proprietor of the intended daily journal, though he was +then only twenty years old. It was hoped that Mr. Lockhart, Sir Walter +Scott's son-in-law, might be induced to undertake the editorship. The +following are Mr. Disraeli's letters to Mr. Murray, giving an account of +the progress of his negotiations. It will be observed that he surrounds +the subject with a degree of mystery, through the names which he gives +to the gentlemen whom he interviewed. Thus the Chevalier is Sir Walter +Scott; M. is Mr. Lockhart; X. is Mr. Canning; O. is the political Puck +(could this be himself?); and Chronometer is Mr. Barrow. + +On reaching Edinburgh, Mr. Disraeli wrote to Mr. Murray the following +account of his first journey across the Border: + +_Mr. B. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +ROYAL HOTEL, EDINBURGH. _September_ 21, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I arrived in Edinburgh yesterday night at 11 o'clock. I slept at +Stamford, York, and Newcastle, and by so doing felt quite fresh at the +end of my journey. I never preconceived a place better than Edinburgh. +It is exactly what I fancied it, and certainly is the most beautiful +town in the world. You can scarcely call it a city; at least, it has +little of the roar of millions, and at this time is of course very +empty. I could not enter Scotland by the route you pointed out, and +therefore was unable to ascertain the fact of the Chevalier being at his +Castellum. I should in that case have gone by Carlisle. I called on the +gentleman to whom Wright [Footnote: A solicitor in London, and friend of +both parties, who had been consulted in the negotiations.] gave me a +letter this morning. He is at his country house; he will get a letter +from me this morning. You see, therefore, that I have lost little time. + +I called at Oliver & Boyd's this morning, thinking that you might have +written. You had not, however. When you write to me, enclose to them, as +they will forward, wherever I may be, and my stay at an hotel is always +uncertain. Mr. Boyd was most particularly civil. Their establishment is +one of the completest I have ever seen. They are booksellers, +bookbinders, and printers, all under the same roof; everything but +making paper. I intend to examine the whole minutely before I leave, as +it may be useful. I never thought of binding. Suppose you were to sew, +etc., your own publications? + +I arrived at York in the midst of the Grand [Musical] Festival. It was +late at night when I arrived, but the streets were crowded, and +continued so for hours. I never witnessed a city in such an extreme +bustle, and so delightfully gay. It was a perfect carnival. I postponed +my journey from five in the morning to eleven, and by so doing got an +hour for the Minster, where I witnessed a scene which must have far +surpassed, by all accounts, the celebrated commemoration in Westminster +Abbey. York Minster baffles all conception. Westminster Abbey is a toy +to it. I think it is impossible to conceive of what Gothic architecture +is susceptible until you see York. I speak with cathedrals of the +Netherlands and the Rhine fresh in my memory. I witnessed in York +another splendid sight--the pouring in of all the nobility and gentry of +the neighbourhood and the neighbouring counties. The four-in-hands of +the Yorkshire squires, the splendid rivalry in liveries and outriders, +and the immense quantity of gorgeous equipages--numbers with four +horses--formed a scene which you can only witness in the mighty and +aristocratic county of York. It beat a Drawing Room hollow, as much as +an oratorio in York Minster does a concert in the Opera House. This +delightful stay at York quite refreshed me, and I am not the least +fatigued by my journey. + +As I have only been in Edinburgh a few hours, of course I have little to +say. I shall write immediately that anything occurs. Kindest +remembrances to Mrs. Murray and all. + +Ever yours, + +B.D. + +I find Froissart a most entertaining companion, just the fellow for a +traveller's evening; and just the work too, for it needs neither books +of reference nor accumulations of MS. + + +ROYAL HOTEL, EDINBURGH, _Sunday_. + +_September_ 22, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I sent a despatch by Saturday night's post, directed to Mr. Barrow. You +have doubtless received it safe. As I consider you are anxious to hear +minutely of the state of my operations, I again send you a few lines. I +received this morning a very polite letter from L[ockhart]. He had just +received that morning (Saturday) Wright's letter. I enclose you a copy +of L.'s letter, as it will be interesting to you to see or judge what +effect was produced on his mind by its perusal. I have written to-day to +say that I will call at Chiefswood [Footnote: Chiefswood, where Lockhart +then lived, is about two miles distant from Abbotsford. Sir Walter Scott +describes it as "a nice little cottage, in a glen belonging to this +property, with a rivulet in front, and a grove of trees on the east side +to keep away the cold wind."] on Tuesday. I intend to go to Melrose +tomorrow, but as I will not take the chance of meeting him the least +tired, I shall sleep at Melrose and call on the following morning. I +shall, of course, accept his offer of staying there. I shall call again +at B[oyd]'s before my departure to-morrow, to see if there is any +despatch from you.... I shall continue to give you advice of all my +movements. You will agree with me that I have at least not lost any +time, but that all things have gone very well as yet. There is of course +no danger in our communications of anything unfairly transpiring; but +from the very delicate nature of names interested, it will be expedient +to adopt some cloak. + +_The Chevalier_ will speak for itself. + +M., from Melrose, for Mr. L. + +X. for a certain personage on whom we called one day, who lives a slight +distance from town, and who was then unwell. + +O. for the political Puck. + +MR. CHRONOMETER will speak for itself, at least to all those who give +African dinners. + +I think this necessary, and try to remember it. I am quite delighted +with Edinburgh, Its beauties become every moment more apparent. The view +from the Calton Hill finds me a frequent votary. In the present state of +affairs, I suppose it will not be expedient to leave the letter for Mrs. +Bruce. It will seem odd; p.p.c. at the same moment I bring a letter of +introduction. If I return to Edinburgh, I can avail myself of it. If the +letter contains anything which would otherwise make Mrs. Murray wish it +to be left, let me know. I revel in the various beauties of a Scotch +breakfast. Cold grouse and marmalade find me, however, constant. + +Ever yours, + +B.D. + + +The letter of Mr. Lockhart, to which Mr. Disraeli refers, ran as +follows: + +_Mr. J.G. Lockhart to Mr. B. Disraeli_. + +"The business to which the letter [of Mr. Wright] refers entitles it to +much consideration. As yet I have had no leisure nor means to form even +an approximation towards any opinion as to the proposal Mr. W. mentions, +far less to commit my friend. In a word, I am perfectly in the dark as +to everything else, except that I am sure it will give Mrs. Lockhart and +myself very great pleasure to see Mr. Disraeli under this roof.... If +you had no other object in view, I flatter myself that this +neighbourhood has, in Melrose and Abbotsford, some attractions not +unworthy of your notice." + +Mr. Disraeli paid his promised visit to Chiefswood. It appeared that Mr. +Lockhart expected to receive Mr. Isaac D'Israeli, the well-known author +of "The Curiosities of Literature"; instead of which, the person who +appeared before him was Mr. D'Israeli's then unknown son Benjamin. + + +_Mr. B, Disraeli to John Murray_. + +CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 25, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I arrived at Chiefswood yesterday. M. [Lockhart] had conceived that it +was my father who was coming. He was led to believe this through +Wright's letter. In addition, therefore, to his natural reserve, there +was, of course, an evident disappointment at seeing me. Everything +looked as black as possible. I shall not detain you now by informing you +of fresh particulars. I leave them for when we meet. Suffice it to say +that in a few hours we completely understood each other, and were upon +the most intimate terms. M. enters into our views with a facility and +readiness which were capital. He thinks that nothing can be more +magnificent or excellent; but two points immediately occurred: First, +the difficulty of his leaving Edinburgh without any ostensible purpose; +and, secondly, the losing caste in society by so doing. He is fully +aware that he may end by making his situation as important as any in the +empire, but the primary difficulty is insurmountable. + +As regards his interest, I mentioned that he should be guaranteed, for +three years, £1,000 per annum, and should take an eighth of every paper +which was established, without risk, his income ceasing on his so doing. +These are much better terms than we had imagined we could have made. The +agreement is thought extremely handsome, both by him and the Chevalier; +but the income is not imagined to be too large. However, I dropped that +point, as it should be arranged with you when we all meet. + +The Chevalier breakfasted here to-day, and afterwards we were all three +closeted together. The Chevalier entered into it excellently. He +thought, however, that we could not depend upon Malcolm, Barrow, etc., +_keeping to it_; but this I do not fear. He, of course, has no idea of +your influence or connections. With regard to the delicate point I +mentioned, the Chevalier is willing to make any sacrifice in his +personal comforts for Lockhart's advancement; but he feels that his +son-in-law will "lose caste" by going to town without anything +ostensible. He agrees with me that M. cannot accept an official +situation of any kind, as it would compromise his independence, but he +thinks _Parliament for M. indispensable_, and also very much to _our +interest_. I dine at Abbotsford to-day, and we shall most probably again +discuss matters. + +Now, these are the points which occur to me. When M. comes to town, it +will be most important that it should be distinctly proved to him that +he _will_ be supported by the great interests I have mentioned to him. +He must see that, through Powles, all America and the Commercial +Interest is at our beck; that Wilmot H., etc., not as mere +under-secretary, but as our private friend, is most staunch; that the +Chevalier is firm; that the West India Interest will pledge themselves +that such men and in such situations as Barrow, etc., etc., are +_distinctly in our power_; and finally, that he is coming to London, not +to be an Editor of a Newspaper, but the Director-General of an immense +organ, and at the head of a band of high-bred gentlemen and important +interests. + +The Chevalier and M. have unburthened themselves to me in a manner the +_most confidential_ that you can possibly conceive. Of M.'s capability, +_perfect complete capability_, there is no manner of doubt. Of his sound +principles, and of his real views in life, I could in a moment satisfy +you. Rest assured, however, that you are dealing with a _perfect +gentleman_. There has been no disguise to me of what has been done, and +the Chevalier had a private conversation with me on the subject, of a +nature _the most satisfactory_. With regard to other plans of ours, if +we could get him up, we should find him invaluable. I have a most +singular and secret history on this subject when we meet. + +Now, on the grand point--Parliament. M. cannot be a representative of a +Government borough. It is impossible. He must be free as air. I am sure +that if this could be arranged, all would be settled; but it is +"_indispensable_," without you can suggest anything else. M. was two +days in company with X. this summer, as well as X.'s and our friend, but +nothing transpired of our views. This is a most favourable time to make +a parliamentary arrangement. What do you think of making a confidant of +Wilmot H[orton]? He is the kind of man who would be right pleased by +such conduct. There is no harm of Lockhart's coming in for a Tory +borough, because he is a Tory; but a Ministerial borough is impossible +to be managed. + +If this point could be arranged, I have no doubt that I shall be able to +organise, in the interest with which I am now engaged, a most _immense +party_, and a _most serviceable one_. Be so kind as not to leave the +vicinity of London, in case M. and myself come up _suddenly_; but I pray +you, if you have any real desire to establish a mighty engine, to exert +yourself at this present moment, and assist me to your very utmost. +Write as soon as possible, to give me some idea of your movements, and +direct to me here, as I shall then be sure to obtain your communication. +The Chevalier and all here have the highest idea of Wright's _nous_, and +think it most important that he should be at the head of the legal +department. I write this despatch in the most extreme haste. + +Ever yours, + +B.D. + +On receiving the above letter and the previous communications, Mr. +Murray sent them to Mr. Isaac D'Israeli for his perusal. + +_Mr. Isaac D'Israeli to Mr. Murray_. + +HYDE HOUSE, AMERSHAM, + +_September_ 29, 1825. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +How deeply I feel obliged and gratified by your confidential +communication! I read repeatedly the third letter of our young +plenipotentiary. I know nothing against him but his youth--a fault which +a few seasons of experience will infallibly correct; but I have observed +that the habits and experience he has acquired as a lawyer often greatly +serve him in matters o£ business. His views are vast, but they are baaed +on good sense, and he is most determinedly serious when he sets to work. +The Chevalier and M. seem to have received him with all the open +confidence of men struck by a stranger, yet a stranger not wholly +strange, and known enough to them to deserve their confidence if he +could inspire it. I flatter myself he has fully--he must, if he has +really had confidential intercourse with the Chevalier, and so +confidently impresses you with so high and favourable a character of M. +On your side, my dear Murray, no ordinary exertions will avail. You, +too, have faith and confidence to inspire in them. You observe how the +wary Northern Genius attempted to probe whether certain friends of yours +would stand together; no doubt they wish to ascertain that point. Pardon +me if I add, that in satisfying their cautious and anxious inquiries as +to your influence with these persons, it may be wise to throw a little +shade of mystery, and not to tell everything too openly at first; +because, when objects are clearly defined, they do not affect our +imaginations as when they are somewhat concealed.... Vast as the project +seems, held up as it will be by personages of wealth, interests, +politics, etc., whenever it is once set up, I should have no fears for +the results, which are indeed the most important that one can well +conceive.... Had the editor of "Paul Jones" consulted me a little, I +could probably have furnished him with the account of the miserable end +of his hero; and I am astonished it is not found, as you tell me, in +your American biography. [Footnote: The last paragraph in Mr. +D'Israeli's letter refers to "The Life of Paul Jones," which has been +already mentioned. As the novel "Aylmer Papillon," written in 1824, was +never published, the preface to "Paul Jones" was Benjamin's first +appearance as an author.] + +Meanwhile, young Disraeli still remained with Mr. Lockhart at +Chiefswood. + +_Mr. B, Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_September_, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am quite sure, that upon the business I am upon now every line will be +acceptable, and I therefore make no apology for this hurried despatch. I +have just received a parcel from Oliver & Boyd. I transmitted a letter +from M. to Wright, and which [Footnote: This is an ungrammatical +construction which Lord Beaconsfield to the end of his days never +abandoned. _Vide_ letter on p. 318 and Lothair _passim_.--T.M.] was for +your mutual consideration, to you, _viá Chronometer_, last Friday. I +afterwards received a note from you, dated Chichester, and fearing from +that circumstance that some confusion would arise, I wrote a few lines +to you at Mr. Holland's. [Footnote: The Rev. W. Holland, Mr. Murray's +brother-in-law, was a minor canon of Chichester.] I now find that you +will be in town on Monday, on which day I rather imagine the said +letter from M. to Wright will arrive. I therefore trust that the +suspected confusion will not arise. + +I am very much obliged to you for your letters; but I am very sorry that +you have incurred any trouble, when it is most probable that I shall not +use them. The Abbotsford and Chiefswood families have placed me on such +a friendly and familiar footing, that it is utterly impossible for me to +leave them while there exists any chance of M.'s going to England. M. +has introduced me to most of the neighbouring gentry, and receives with +a loud laugh any mention of my return to Edinburgh. I dined with Dr. +Brewster the other day. He has a pretty place near Melrose. It is +impossible for me to give to you any written idea of the beauty and +unique character of Abbotsford. _Adio!_ + +B.D. + + +Mr. Murray continued to transmit the correspondence to Mr. Isaac +D'Israeli, whose delight may be conceived from the following: + +_Mr. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +_October_ 9, 1825. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +Thanks! My warmest ones are poor returns for the ardent note you have so +affectionately conveyed to me by him on whom we now both alike rest our +hopes and our confidence. The more I think of this whole affair, from +its obscure beginnings, the more I am quite overcome by what he has +already achieved; never did the finest season of blossoms promise a +richer gathering. But he has not the sole merit, for you share it with +him, in the grand view you take of the capability of this new +intellectual steam engine. + + +In the following letter Lockhart definitely declined the editorship of +the _Representative_. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_October_ 7, 1825. + +"I am afraid, that in spite of my earnest desire to be clear and +explicit, you have not after all fully understood the inexpressible +feeling I entertain in regard to the _impossibility_ of my ever entering +into the career of London in the capacity of a newspaper editor. I +confess that you, who have adorned and raised your own profession so +highly, may feel inclined, and justly perhaps, to smile at some of my +scruples; but it is enough to say that every hour that has elapsed since +the idea was first started has only served to deepen and confirm the +feeling with which I at the first moment regarded it; and, in short, +that if such a game _ought_ to be played, I am neither young nor poor +enough to be the man that takes the hazard." + +Sir Walter Scott also expressed his views on the subject as follows: + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_. + +ABBOTSFORD, _Sunday_, + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Lockhart seems to wish that I would express my opinion of the plan which +you have had the kindness to submit to him, and I am myself glad of an +opportunity to express my sincere thanks for the great confidence you +are willing to repose in one so near to me, and whom I value so highly. +There is nothing in life that can be more interesting to me than his +prosperity, and should there eventually appear a serious prospect of his +bettering his fortunes by quitting Scotland, I have too much regard for +him to desire him to remain, notwithstanding all the happiness I must +lose by his absence and that of my daughter. The present state, however, +of the negotiation leaves me little or no reason to think that I will be +subjected to this deprivation, for I cannot conceive it advisable that +he should leave Scotland on the speculation of becoming editor of a +newspaper. It is very true that this department of literature may and +ought to be rendered more respectable than it is at present, but I think +this is a reformation more to be wished than hoped for, and should think +it rash for any young man, of whatever talent, to sacrifice, nominally +at least, a considerable portion of his respectability in society in +hopes of being submitted as an exception to a rule which is at present +pretty general. This might open the door to love of money, but it would +effectually shut it against ambition. + +To leave Scotland, Lockhart must make very great sacrifices, for his +views here, though moderate, are certain, his situation in public +estimation and in private society is as high as that of any one at our +Bar, and his road to the public open, if he chooses to assist his income +by literary resources. But of the extent and value of these sacrifices +he must himself be a judge, and a more unprejudiced one, probably, than +I am. + +I am very glad he meets your wishes by going up to town, as this, though +it should bear no further consequences, cannot but serve to show a +grateful sense of the confidence and kindness of the parties concerned, +and yours in particular. + +I beg kind compliments to Mr. D'Israeli, and am, dear sir, with best +wishes for the success of your great national plan. + +Yours very truly, + +WALTER SCOTT. + + +Although Mr. Lockhart hung back from the proposed editorship, he +nevertheless carried out his intention of visiting Mr. Murray in London +a few weeks after the date of the above letter. Mr. J.T. Coleridge had +expressed his desire to resign the editorship of the _Quarterly_, in +consequence of his rapidly increasing practice on the western circuit, +and Mr. Lockhart was sounded as to his willingness to become his +successor. Mr. Murray entertained the hope that he might be able to give +a portion of his time to rendering some assistance in the management of +the proposed newspaper. As Sir Walter Scott had been taken into their +counsels, through the medium of Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Murray proceeded to +correspond with him on the subject. From the draft of one of Mr. +Murray's letters we extract the following: + +_John Murray to Sir Walter Scott_. + +_October_ 13, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR WALTER, + +I feel greatly obliged by the favour of your kind letter, and for the +good opinion which you are disposed to entertain of certain plans, of +which you will by degrees be enabled to form, I hope, a still more +satisfactory estimate. At present, I will take the liberty of assuring +you, that after your confidence in me, I will neither propose nor think +of anything respecting Mr. Lockhart that has not clearly for its basis +the honour of his family. With regard to our Great Plan--which really +ought not to be designated a newspaper, as that department of literature +has hitherto been conducted--Mr. Lockhart was never intended to have +anything to do as editor: for we have already secured two most efficient +and respectable persons to fill that department. I merely wished to +receive his general advice and assistance. And Mr. Lockhart would only +be known or suspected to be the author of certain papers of grave +national importance. The more we have thought and talked over our plans, +the more certain are we of their inevitable success, and of their +leading us to certain power, reputation, and fortune. For myself, the +heyday of my youth is passed, though I may be allowed certain experience +in my profession. I have acquired a moderate fortune, and have a certain +character, and move now in the first circles of society; and I have a +family: these, I hope, may be some fair pledge to you that I would not +engage in this venture with any hazard, when all that is dearest to man +would be my loss. + +In order, however, to completely obviate any difficulties which have +been urged, I have proposed to Mr. Lockhart to come to London as the +editor of the _Quarterly_--an appointment which, I verily believe, is +coveted by many of the highest literary characters in the country, and +which, of itself, would entitle its possessor to enter into and mix with +the first classes of society. For this, and without writing a line, but +merely for performing the duties of an editor, I shall have the pleasure +of allowing him a thousand pounds a year; and this, with contributions +of his own, might easily become £1,500, and take no serious portion of +his time either. Then, for his connection with the paper, he will become +permanently interested in a share we can guarantee to him for three +years, and which, I am confident, will be worth, at the end of that +period, at least £3,000; and the profits from that share will not be +less than £1,500 per annum. I have lately heard, from good authority, +that the annual profit of the _Times_ is £40,000, and that a share in +the _Courier_ sold last week (wretchedly conducted, it seems) at the +rate of £100,000 for the property. + +But this is not all. You know well enough that the business of a +publishing bookseller is not in his shop or even his connection, but in +his brains; and we can put forward together a series of valuable +literary works, and without, observe me, in any of these plans, the +slightest risk to Mr. Lockhart. And I do most solemnly assure you that +if I may take any credit to myself for possessing anything like sound +judgment in my profession, the things which we shall immediately begin +upon, as Mr. Lockhart will explain to you, are as perfectly certain of +commanding a great sale as anything I ever had the good fortune to +engage in. + +Lockhart finally accepted the editorship of the _Quarterly_, after +negotiations which brought Mr. Disraeli on a second visit to Scotland, +but he undertook no formal responsibility for the new daily paper. + +In London Disraeli was indefatigable. He visited City men, for the +purpose of obtaining articles on commercial subjects. He employed an +architect, Mr. G. Basevi, jun., his cousin, with a view to the planning +of offices and printing premises. A large house was eventually taken in +Great George Street, Westminster, and duly fitted up as a printing +office. + +He then proceeded, in common with Mr. Murray, to make arrangements for +the foreign correspondence. In the summer of 1824--before the new +enterprise was thought of--he had travelled in the Rhine country, and +made some pleasant acquaintances, of whom he now bethought himself when +making arrangements for the new paper. One of them was Mr. Maas, of the +Trierscher Hof, Coblentz, and Mr. Disraeli addressed him as follows: + +_Mr. B. Disraeli to Mr. Maas_. + +_October_ 25, 1825. + +DEAR SIR, + +Your hospitality, which I have twice enjoyed, convinces me that you will +not consider this as an intrusion. My friend, Mr. Murray, of Albemarle +Street, London, the most eminent publisher that we have, is about to +establish a daily journal of the first importance. With his great +influence and connections, there is no doubt that he will succeed in his +endeavour to make it the focus of the information of the whole world. +Among other places at which he wishes to have correspondents is the +Rhine, and he has applied to me for my advice upon this point. It has +struck me that Coblentz is a very good situation for intelligence. Its +proximity to the Rhine and the Moselle, its contiguity to the beautiful +baths of the Taunus, and the innumerable travellers who pass through it, +and spread everywhere the fame of your admirable hotel, all conduce to +make it a place from which much interesting intelligence might be +procured. + +The most celebrated men in Europe have promised their assistance to Mr. +Murray in his great project. I wish to know whether you can point out +any one to him who will occasionally write him a letter from your city. +Intelligence as to the company at Wiesbaden and Ems, and of the persons +of eminence, particularly English, who pass through Coblentz, of the +travellers down the Rhine, and such topics, are very interesting to us. +You yourself would make a most admirable correspondent. The labour would +be very light and very agreeable; and Mr. Murray would take care to +acknowledge your kindness by various courtesies. If you object to say +anything about politics you can omit mentioning the subject. I wish you +would undertake it, as I am sure you would write most agreeable letters. +Once a month would be sufficient, or rather write whenever you have +anything that you think interesting. Will you be so kind as to write me +in answer what you think of this proposal? The communication may be +carried on in any language you please. + +Last year when I was at Coblentz you were kind enough to show me a very +pretty collection of ancient glass. Pray is it yet to be purchased? I +think I know an English gentleman who would be happy to possess it. I +hope this will not be the last letter which passes between us. + +I am, dear Sir, + +Yours most truly, + +B. DISRAELI. + +Mr. Maas agreed to Mr. Disraeli's proposal, and his letter was handed to +Mr. Murray, who gave him further instructions as to the foreign +correspondence which he required. Mr. Murray himself wrote to +correspondents at Hamburg, Maestricht, Genoa, Trieste, Gibraltar, and +other places, with the same object. + +The time for the publication of the newspaper was rapidly approaching, +and Mr. B. Disraeli's correspondence on the subject of the engagement of +a staff became fast and furious. + +By the end of December Mr. Lockhart had arrived in London, for the +purpose of commencing his editorship of the _Quarterly Review_. The name +of the new morning paper had not then been yet fixed on; from the +correspondence respecting it, we find that some spoke of it as the +_Daily Review_, others as the _Morning News_, and so on; but that Mr. +Benjamin Disraeli settled the matter appears from the following letter +of Mr. Lockhart to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_December_ 21, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am delighted, and, what is more, satisfied with Disraeli's title--the +_Representative_. If Mr. Powles does not produce some thundering +objection, let this be fixed, in God's name. + +Strange to say, from this time forward nothing more is heard of Mr. +Benjamin Disraeli in connection with the _Representative_. After his two +Journeys to Scotland, his interviews with Sir Walter Scott and Mr. +Lockhart, his activity in making arrangements previous to the starting +of the daily paper, his communications with the architect as to the +purchase and fitting up of the premises in Great George Street, and with +the solicitors as to the proposed deed of partnership, he suddenly drops +out of sight; and nothing more is heard of him in connection with the +business. + +It would appear that when the time arrived for the proprietors of the +new paper to provide the necessary capital under the terms of the +memorandum of agreement dated August 3, 1825, both Mr. Disraeli and Mr. +Powles failed to contribute their several proportions. Mr. Murray had +indeed already spent a considerable sum, and entered into agreements for +the purchase of printing-offices, printing-machines, types, and all the +paraphernalia of a newspaper establishment. He had engaged reporters, +correspondents, printers, sub-editors, though he still wanted an +efficient editor. He was greatly disappointed at not being able to +obtain the services of Mr. Lockhart. Mr. Disraeli was too young--being +then only twenty-one, and entirely inexperienced in the work of +conducting a daily paper--to be entrusted with the editorship. Indeed, +it is doubtful whether he ever contemplated occupying that position, +though he had engaged himself most sedulously in the preliminary +arrangements in one department, his endeavours to obtain the assistance +of men of commerce in the City; however, he was by no means successful. +Nevertheless, Mr. Murray was so far committed that he felt bound to go +on with the enterprise, and he advertised the publication of the new +morning paper. Some of his friends congratulated him on the +announcement, trusting that they might see on their breakfast-table a +paper which their wives and daughters might read without a blush. + +The first number of the _Representative_ accordingly appeared on January +25, 1826, price 7_d_.; the Stamp Tax was then 4_d_. In politics it was a +supporter of Lord Liverpool's Government; but public distress, the +currency, trade and commerce were subjects of independent comment. + +Notwithstanding the pains which had been taken, and the money which had +been spent, the _Representative_ was a failure from the beginning. It +was badly organized, badly edited, and its contents--leading articles, +home and foreign news--were ill-balanced. Failing Lockhart, an editor, +named Tyndale, had been appointed on short notice, though he was an +obscure and uninfluential person. He soon disappeared in favour of +others, who were no better. Dr. Maginn [Footnote: Dr. Maginn's papers in +_Blackwood_ are or should be known to the reader. The Murray +correspondence contains many characteristic letters from this jovial and +impecunious Irishman. He is generally supposed to have been the +prototype of Thackeray's Captain Shandon.--T.M.] had been engaged--the +Morgan O'Doherty of _Blackwood's Magazine_--wit, scholar, and Bohemian. +He was sent to Paris, where he evidently enjoyed himself; but the +results, as regarded the _Representative_, were by no means +satisfactory. He was better at borrowing money than at writing articles. + +Mr. S.C. Hall, one of the parliamentary reporters of the paper, says, +in his "Retrospect of a Long Life," that: + +"The day preceding the issue of the first number, Mr. Murray might have +obtained a very large sum for a shore of the copyright, of which he was +the sole proprietor; the day after that issue, the copyright was worth +comparatively nothing.... Editor there was literally none, from the +beginning to the end. The first number supplied conclusive evidence of +the utter ignorance of editorial tact on the part of the person +entrusted with the duty.... In short, the work was badly done; if not a +snare, it was a delusion; and the reputation of the new journal fell +below zero in twenty-four hours." [Footnote: "Retrospect of a Long Life, +from 1815 to 1883." By S.C. Hall, F.S.A., i. p. 126.] + +An inspection of the file of the _Representative_ justifies Mr. Hall's +remarks. The first number contained an article by Lockhart, four columns +in length, on the affairs of Europe. It was correct and scholar-like, +but tame and colourless. Incorrectness in a leading article may be +tolerated, but dulness amounts to a literary crime. The foreign +correspondence consisted of a letter from Valetta, and a communication +from Paris, more than a column in length, relating to French opera. In +the matter of news, for which the dailies are principally purchased, the +first number was exceedingly defective. It is hard to judge of the +merits of a new journal from the first number, which must necessarily +labour under many disadvantages, but the _Representative_ did not from +the first exhibit any element of success. + +Mr. Murray found his new enterprise an increasing source of annoyance +and worry. His health broke down under the strain, and when he was +confined to his bed by illness things went worse from day to day. The +usual publishing business was neglected; letters remained unanswered, +manuscripts remained unread, and some correspondents became excessively +angry at their communications being neglected. + +Mr. Murray's worries were increased by the commercial crisis then +prevailing, and by the downfall of many large publishing houses. It was +feared that Mr. Murray might be implicated in the failures. At the end +of January, the great firm of Archibald Constable & Co., of Edinburgh +publishers of Sir Walter Scott's novels, was declared bankrupt; shortly +after, the failure was announced of James Ballantyne & Co., in which Sir +Walter Scott was a partner; and with these houses, that of Hurst, +Kobinson & Co., of London, was hopelessly involved. The market was +flooded with the dishonoured paper of all these concerns, and mercantile +confidence in the great publishing houses was almost at an end. We find +Washington Irving communicating the following intelligence to A.H. +Everett, United States Minister at Madrid (January 31, 1826): + +"You will perceive by the papers the failure of Constable & Co., at +Edinburgh, and Hurst, Robinson & Co., at London. These are severe shocks +in the trading world of literature. Pray Heaven, Murray may stand +unmoved, and not go into the _Gazette_, instead of publishing one!" + +Mr. Murray held his ground. He was not only able to pay his way, but to +assist some of the best-known London publishers through the pressure of +their difficulties. One of these was Mr. Robert Baldwin, of Paternoster +Row, who expressed his repeated obligations to Mr. Murray for his help +in time of need. The events of this crisis clearly demonstrated the +wisdom and foresight of Murray in breaking loose from the Ballantyne and +Constable connection, in spite of the promising advantages which it had +offered him. + +Murray still went on with the _Representative_, though the result was +increasing annoyance and vexation. Mr. Milman wrote to him, "Do get a +new editor for the lighter part of your paper, and look well to the +_Quarterly_." The advice was taken, and Dr. Maginn was brought over from +Paris to take charge of the lighter part of the paper at a salary of +£700 a year, with a house. The result was, that a number of clever _jeux +d'esprit_ were inserted by him, but these were intermingled with some +biting articles, which gave considerable offence. + +At length the strain became more than he could bear, and he sought the +first opportunity for stopping the further publication of the paper. +This occurred at the end of the general election, and the +_Representative_ ceased to exist on July 29, 1826, after a career of +only six months, during which brief period it had involved Mr. Murray in +a loss of not less than £26,000. [Footnote: The _Representative_ was +afterwards incorporated with the _New Times_, another unfortunate +paper.] + +Mr. Murray bore his loss with much equanimity, and found it an +inexpressible relief to be rid of the _Representative_ even at such a +sacrifice. To Washington Irving he wrote: + +_John Murray to Mr. Irving_. + +"One cause of my not writing to you during one whole year was my +'entanglement,' as Lady G---- says, with a newspaper, which absorbed my +money, and distracted and depressed my mind; but I have cut the knot of +evil, which I could not untie, and am now, by the blessing of God, again +returned to reason and the shop." + +One of the unfortunate results of the initiation and publication of the +_Representative_ was that it disturbed the friendship which had so long +existed between Mr. Murray and Mr. Isaac D'Israeli. The real cause of +Benjamin's sudden dissociation from an enterprise of which in its +earlier stages he had been the moving spirit, can only be matter of +conjecture. The only mention of his name in the later correspondence +regarding the newspaper occurs in the following letter: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +THURSDAY, _February_ 14, 1826. + +I think Mr. B. Disraeli ought to tell you what it is that he wishes to +say to Mr. Croker on a business _of yours_ ere he asks of you a letter +to the Secretary. If there really be something worth saying, I certainly +know nobody that would say it better, but I confess I think, all things +considered, you have no need of anybody to come between you and Mr. +Croker. What can it be? + +Yours, + +J.G.L. + +But after the _Representative_, had ceased to be published, the elder +D'Israeli thought he had a cause of quarrel with Mr. Murray, and +proposed to publish a pamphlet on the subject. The matter was brought +under the notice of Mr. Sharon Turner, the historian and solicitor, and +the friend of both. Mr. Turner strongly advised Mr. Isaac D'Israeli to +abstain from issuing any such publication. + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to Mr. D'Israeli._ + +_October_ 6, 1826. + +"Fame is pleasant, if it arise from what will give credit or do good. +But to make oneself notorious only to be the football of all the +dinner-tables, tea-tables, and gossiping visits of the country, will be +so great a weakness, that until I see you actually committing yourself +to it, I shall not believe that you, at an age like my own, can wilfully +and deliberately do anything that will bring the evil on you. Therefore +I earnestly advise that whatever has passed be left as it is.... If you +give it any further publicity, you will, I think, cast a shade over a +name that at present stands quite fair before the public eye. And +nothing can dim it to you that will not injure all who belong to you. +Therefore, as I have said to Murray, I say to you: Let Oblivion absorb +the whole question as soon as possible, and do not stir a step to rescue +it from her salutary power.... If I did not gee your words before me, I +could not have supposed that after your experience of these things and +of the world, you could deliberately intend to write--that is, to +publish in print--anything on the differences between you, Murray, and +the _Representative_, and your son.... If you do, Murray will be driven +to answer. To him the worst that can befall will be the public smile +that he could have embarked in a speculation that has cost him many +thousand pounds, and a criticism on what led to it.... The public know +it, and talk as they please about it, but in a short time will say no +more upon it. It is now dying away. Very few at present know that you +were in any way concerned about it. To you, therefore, all that results +will be new matter for the public discussion and censure. And, after +reading Benjamin's agreement of the 3rd August, 1825, and your letters +to Murray on him and the business, of the 27th September, the 29th +September, and the 9th October, my sincere opinion is that you cannot, +with a due regard to your own reputation, _write_ or _publish_ anything +about it. I send you hastily my immediate thoughts, that he whom I have +always respected may not, by publishing what will be immediately +contradicted, diminish or destroy in others that respect which at +present he possesses, and which I hope he will continue to enjoy." + +Mr. D'Israeli did not write his proposed pamphlet. What Mr. Murray +thought of his intention may be inferred from the following extract from +his letter to Mr. Sharon Turner: + +_John Murray to Mr. Sharon Turner_. + +_October_ 16, 1826. + +"Mr. D'Israeli is totally wrong in supposing that my indignation against +his son arises in the smallest degree from the sum which I have lost by +yielding to that son's unrelenting excitement and importunity; this +loss, whilst it was in weekly operation, may be supposed, and naturally +enough, to have been sufficiently painful, [Footnote: See note at the +end of the chapter.] but now that it has ceased, I solemnly declare that +I neither care nor think about it, more than one does of the +long-suffered agonies of an aching tooth the day after we have summoned +resolution enough to have it extracted. On the contrary, I am disposed +to consider this apparent misfortune as one of that chastening class +which, if suffered wisely, may be productive of greater good, and I feel +confidently that, as it has re-kindled my ancient ardour in business, a +very few months will enable me to replace this temporary loss, and make +me infinitely the gainer, if I profit by the prudential lesson which +this whole affair is calculated to teach.... From me his son had +received nothing but the most unbounded confidence and parental +attachment; my fault was in having loved, not wisely, but too well." + +To conclude the story, as far as Mr. Disraeli was concerned, we may +print here a letter written some time later. Mr. Powles had availed +himself of Disraeli's literary skill to recommend his mining +speculations to the public. In March 1825, Mr. Murray had published, on +commission, "American Mining Companies," and the same year "Present +State of Mexico," and "Lawyers and Legislators," all of them written by, +or under the superintendence of, Mr. Disraeli. Mr. Powles, however, +again proved faithless, and although the money for the printing had been +due for some time, he paid nothing; and at length Mr. Disraeli addressed +Mr. Murray in the following letter: + +_Mr. Benjamin Disraeli to John Murray_. + +6 BLOOMSBURY SQUARE, _March_ 19, 1827. + +SIR, + +I beg to enclose you the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, which I +believe to be the amount due to you for certain pamphlets published +respecting the American Mining Companies, as stated in accounts sent in +some time since. I have never been able to obtain a settlement of these +accounts from the parties originally responsible, and it has hitherto +been quite out of my power to exempt myself from the liability, which, I +have ever been conscious, on their incompetency, resulted from the +peculiar circumstances of the case to myself. In now enclosing you what +I consider to be the amount, I beg also to state that I have fixed upon +it from memory, having been unsuccessful in my endeavours to obtain even +a return of the accounts from the original parties, and being unwilling +to trouble you again for a second set of accounts, which had been so +long and so improperly kept unsettled. In the event, therefore, of there +being any mistake, I will be obliged by your clerk instantly informing +me of it, and it will be as instantly rectified; and I will also thank +you to enclose me a receipt, in order to substantiate my claims and +enforce my demands against the parties originally responsible. I have to +express my sense of your courtesy in this business, and + +I am, sir, yours truly, + +BENJAMIN DISRAELI. + +Fortunately, the misunderstanding between the two old friends did not +last long, for towards the end of the year we find Mr. Isaac D'Israeli +communicating with Mr. Murray respecting Wool's "Life of Joseph Warton," +and certain selected letters by Warton which he thought worthy of +republication; and with respect to his son, Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, +although he published his first work, "Vivian Grey," through Colburn, +he returned to Albemarle Street a few years later, and published his +"Contarini Fleming" through Mr. Murray. + +NOTE.--It appears from the correspondence that Mr. Murray had been led +by the "unrelenting excitement and importunity" of his young friend to +make some joint speculation in South American mines. The same financial +crisis which prevented Mr. Powles from fulfilling his obligations +probably swept away all chance of profit from this investment. The +financial loss involved in the failure of the _Representative_ was more +serious, but Mr. Murray's resentment against young Mr. Disraeli was not +due to any such considerations. Justly or unjustly he felt bitterly +aggrieved at certain personalities which, he thought, were to be +detected in "Vivian Grey." Mr. Disraeli was also suspected of being +concerned in an ephemeral publication called _The Star Chamber_, to +which he undoubtedly contributed certain articles, and in which +paragraphs appeared giving offence in Albemarle Street. The story of +Vivian Grey (as it appeared in the first edition) is transposed from the +literary to the political key. It is undoubtedly autobiographical, but +the identification of Mr. Murray with the Marquis of Carabas must seem +very far-fetched. It is, at all times, difficult to say within what +limits the novelist is entitled to resort to portraiture in order to +build up the fabric of his romance. Intention of offence was vehemently +denied by the D'Israeli family, which, as the correspondence shows, +rushed with one accord to the defence of the future Lord Beaconsfield. +It was really a storm in a teacup, and but for the future eminence of +one of the friends concerned would call for no remark. Mr. Disraeli's +bitter disappointment at the failure of his great journalistic +combination sharpened the keen edge of his wit and perhaps magnified the +irksomeness of the restraint which his older fellow-adventurer tried to +put on his "unrelenting excitement," and it is possible that his +feelings found vent in the novel which he then was composing. It is +pleasing to remark that at a later date his confidence and esteem for +his father's old friend returned to him, and that the incident ended in +a way honourable to all concerned.--T.M. + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +MR. LOCKHART AS EDITOR OF THE "QUARTERLY"--HALLAM--WORDSWORTH--DEATH OF +CONSTABLE + + +The appointment of a new editor naturally excited much interest among +the contributors and supporters of the _Quarterly Review_. Comments were +made, and drew from Scott the following letter: + +_Sir Walter Scott to John Murray_. + +ABBOTSFORD, _November_ 17, 1825. + +My Dear Sir, + +I was much surprised to-day to learn from Lockhart by letter that some +scruples were in circulation among some of the respectable among the +supporters of the _Quarterly Review_ concerning his capacity to +undertake that highly responsible task. In most cases I might not be +considered as a disinterested witness on behalf of so near a connection, +but in the present instance I have some claim to call myself so. The +plan (I need not remind you) of calling Lockhart to this distinguished +situation, far from being favoured by me, or in any respect advanced or +furthered by such interest as I might have urged, was not communicated +to me until it was formed; and as it involved the removal of my daughter +and of her husband, who has always loved and honoured me as a son, from +their native country and from my vicinity, my private wish and that of +all the members of my family was that such a change should not take +place. But the advantages proposed were so considerable, that it removed +all title on my part to state my own strong desire that he should remain +in Scotland. Now I do assure you that if in these circumstances I had +seen anything in Lockhart's habits, cast of mind, or mode of thinking or +composition which made him unfit for the duty he had to undertake, I +should have been the last man in the world to permit, without the +strongest expostulation not with him alone but with you, his exchanging +an easy and increasing income in his own country and amongst his own +friends for a larger income perhaps, but a highly responsible situation +in London. I considered this matter very attentively, and recalled to my +recollection all I had known of Mr. Lockhart both before and since his +connection with my family. I have no hesitation in saying that when he +was paying his addresses in my family I fairly stated to him that +however I might be pleased with his general talents and accomplishments, +with his family, which is highly respectable, and his views in life, +which I thought satisfactory, I did decidedly object to the use he and +others had made of their wit and satirical talent in _Blackwood's +Magazine_, which, though a work of considerable power, I thought too +personal to be in good taste or to be quite respectable. Mr. Lockhart +then pledged his word to me that he would withdraw from this species of +warfare, and I have every reason to believe that he has kept his word +with me. In particular I _know_ that he had not the least concern with +the _Beacon_ newspaper, though strongly urged by his young friends at +the Bar, and I also know that while he has sometimes contributed an +essay to _Blackwood_ on general literature, or politics, which can be +referred to if necessary, he has no connection whatever with the +satirical part of the work or with its general management, nor was he at +any time the Editor of the publication. + +It seems extremely hard (though not perhaps to be wondered at) that the +follies of three--or four and twenty should be remembered against a man +of thirty, who has abstained during the interval from giving the least +cause of offence. There are few men of any rank in letters who have not +at some time or other been guilty of some abuse of their satirical +powers, and very few who have not seen reason to wish that they had +restrained their vein of pleasantry. Thinking over Lockhart's offences +with my own, and other men's whom either politics or literary +controversy has led into such effusions, I cannot help thinking that +five years' proscription ought to obtain a full immunity on their +account. There were none of them which could be ascribed to any worse +motive than a wicked wit, and many of the individuals against whom they +were directed were worthy of more severe chastisement. The blame was in +meddling with such men at all. Lockhart is reckoned an excellent +scholar, and Oxford has said so. He is born a gentleman, has always kept +the best society, and his personal character is without a shadow of +blame. In the most unfortunate affair of his life he did all that man +could do, and the unhappy tragedy was the result of the poor sufferer's +after-thought to get out of a scrape. [Footnote: This refers, without +doubt, to the unfortunate death of John Scott, the editor of the _London +Magazine_, in a duel with Lockhart's friend Christie, the result of a +quarrel in which Lockhart himself had been concerned.] Of his general +talents I will not presume to speak, but they are generally allowed to +be of the first order. This, however, I _will_ say, that I have known +the most able men of my time, and I never met any one who had such ready +command of his own mind, or possessed in a greater degree the power of +making his talents available upon the shortest notice, and upon any +subject. He is also remarkably docile and willing to receive advice or +admonition from the old and experienced. He is a fond husband and almost +a doating father, seeks no amusement out of his own family, and is not +only addicted to no bad habits, but averse to spending time in society +or the dissipations connected with it. Speaking upon my honour as a +gentleman and my credit as a man of letters, I do not know a person so +well qualified for the very difficult and responsible task he has +undertaken, and I think the distinct testimony of one who must know the +individual well ought to bear weight against all vague rumours, whether +arising from idle squibs he may have been guilty of when he came from +College--and I know none of these which indicate a bad heart in the +jester--or, as is much more likely, from those which have been rashly +and falsely ascribed to him. + +Had any shadow of this want of confidence been expressed in the +beginning of the business I for one would have advised Lockhart to have +nothing to do with a concern for which his capacity was called in +question. But _now_ what can be done? A liberal offer, handsomely made, +has been accepted with the same confidence with which it was offered. +Lockhart has resigned his office in Edinburgh, given up his business, +taken a house in London, and has let, or is on the eve of letting, his +house here. The thing is so public, that about thirty of the most +respectable gentlemen in Edinburgh have proposed to me that a dinner +should be given in his honour. The ground is cut away behind him for a +retreat, nor can such a thing be proposed as matters now stand. + +Upon what grounds or by whom Lockhart was first recommended to you I +have no right or wish to inquire, having no access whatsoever to the +negotiation, the result of which must be in every wise painful enough to +me. But as their advice must in addition to your own judgment have had +great weight with you, I conceive they will join with me in the +expectation that the other respectable friends of this important work +will not form any decision to Lockhart's prejudice till they shall see +how the business is conducted. By a different conduct they may do harm +to the Editor, Publisher, and the work itself, as far as the withdrawing +of their countenance must necessarily be prejudicial to its currency. +But if it shall prove that their suspicions prove unfounded, I am sure +it will give pain to them to have listened to them for a moment. + +It has been my lot twice before now to stand forward to the best of my +power as the assistant of two individuals against whom a party run was +made. The one case was that of Wilson, to whom a thousand idle pranks +were imputed of a character very different and far more eccentric than +anything that ever attached to Lockhart. We carried him through upon the +fair principle that in the case of good morals and perfect talents for a +situation, where vice or crimes are not alleged, the follies of youth +should not obstruct the fair prospects of advanced manhood. God help us +all if some such modification of censure is not extended to us, since +most men have sown wild oats enough! Wilson was made a professor, as you +know, has one of the fullest classes in the University, lectures most +eloquently, and is much beloved by his pupils. The other was the case of +John Williams, now Rector of our new Academy here, who was opposed most +violently upon what on examination proved to be exaggerated rumours of +old Winchester stories. He got the situation chiefly, I think, by my +own standing firm and keeping others together. And the gentlemen who +opposed him most violently have repeatedly told me that I did the utmost +service to the Academy by bringing him in, for never was a man in such a +situation so eminently qualified for the task of education. + +I only mention these things to show that it is not in my son-in-law's +affairs alone that I would endeavour to remove that sort of prejudice +which envy and party zeal are always ready to throw in the way of rising +talent. Those who are interested in the matter may be well assured that +with whatever prejudice they may receive Lockhart at first, all who have +candour enough to wait till he can afford them the means of judging will +be of opinion that they have got a person possibly as well situated for +the duties of such an office as any man that England could afford them. + +I would rather have written a letter of this kind concerning any other +person than one connected with myself, but it is every word true, were +there neither son nor daughter in the case; but as such I leave it at +your discretion to show it, not generally, but to such friends and +patrons of the _Review_ as in your opinion have a title to know the +contents. + +Believe me, dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant, WALTER SCOTT. + +Mr. Lockhart himself addressed the two following letters to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +Chiefswood, _November_ 19, 1825. + +My Dear Sir, I am deeply indebted to Disraeli for the trouble he has +taken to come hither again at a time when he has so many matters of real +importance to attend to in London. The sort of stuff that certain grave +gentlemen have been mincing at, was of course thoroughly foreseen by Sir +W. Scott and by myself from the beginning of the business. Such +prejudices I cannot hope to overcome, except by doing well what has been +entrusted to me, and after all I should like to know what man could have +been put at the head of the _Quarterly Review_ at my time of life +without having the Doctors uttering doctorisms on the occasion. If you +but knew it, you yourself personally could in one moment overcome and +silence for ever the whole of these people. As for me, nobody has more +sincere respect for them in their own different walks of excellence than +myself; and if there be one thing that I may promise for myself, it is, +that age, experience, and eminence, shall never find fair reason to +accuse me of treating them with presumption. I am much more afraid of +falling into the opposite error. I have written at some length on these +matters to Mr. Croker, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. Rose--and to no one else; nor +will I again put pen to paper, unless someone, having a right to put a +distinct question to me, does put it. + + + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_Sunday_, CHIEFSWOOD, _November_ 27, 1825. + +My Dear Murray, + +I have read the letter I received yesterday evening with the greatest +interest, and closed it with the sincerest pleasure. I think we now +begin to understand each other, and if we do that I am sure _I_ have no +sort of apprehension as to the result of the whole business. But in +writing one must come to the point, therefore I proceed at once to your +topics in their order, and rely on it I shall speak as openly on every +one of them as I would _to my brother_. + +Mr. Croker's behaviour has indeed distressed me, for I had always +considered him as one of those bad enemies who make excellent friends. I +had not the least idea that he had ever ceased to regard you personally +with friendship, even affection, until B.D. told me about his +trafficking with Knight; for as to the little hints you gave me when in +town, I set all that down to his aversion for the notion of your setting +up a paper, and thereby dethroning him from his invisible predominance +over the Tory daily press, and of course attached little importance to +it. I am now satisfied, more particularly after hearing how he behaved +himself in the interview with you, that there is some deeper feeling in +his mind. The correspondence that has been passing between him and me +may have been somewhat imprudently managed on my part. I may have +_committed_ myself to a certain extent in it in more ways than one. It +is needless to regret what cannot be undone; at all events, I perceive +that it is now over with us for the present. I do not, however, believe +but that he will continue to do what he has been used to do for the +_Review_; indeed, unless he makes the newspaper business his excuse, he +stands completely pledged to me to adhere to that. + +But with reverence be it spoken, even this does not seem to me a matter +of very great moment. On the contrary, I believe that his papers in the +_Review_ have (with a few exceptions) done the work a great deal more +harm than good. I cannot express what I feel; but there was always the +bitterness of Gifford without his dignity, and the bigotry of Southey +without his _bonne-foi._ His scourging of such poor deer as Lady Morgan +was unworthy of a work of that rank. If we can get the same +_information_ elsewhere, no fear that we need equally regret the +secretary's quill. As it is, we must be contented to watch the course of +things and recollect the Roman's maxim, "quae casus obtullerint ad +sapientiam vertenda." + +I an vexed not a little at Mr. Barrow's imprudence in mentioning my name +to Croker and to Rose as in connection with the paper; and for this +reason that I was most anxious to have produced at least one number of +the _Review_ ere that matter should have been at all suspected. As it +is, I hope you will still find means to make Barrow, Rose, and Croker +(at all events the two last) completely understand that you had, indeed, +wished me to edit the paper, but that I had declined that, and that +_then_ you had offered me the _Review_. + +No matter what you say as to the firm belief I have expressed that the +paper _will_ answer, and the resolutions I have made to assist you by +writing political articles in it. It is of the highest importance that +in our anxiety about a new affair one should not lose sight of the old +and established one, and I _can_ believe that if the real state of the +case were known at the outset of my career in London, a considerable +feeling detrimental to the _Quarterly might_ be excited. We have enough +of adverse feelings to meet, without unnecessarily swelling their number +and aggravating their quality. + +I beg you to have a serious conversation with Mr. Barrow on this head, +and in the course of it take care to make him thoroughly understand that +the prejudices or doubts he gave utterance to in regard to me were heard +of by me without surprise, and excited no sort of angry feeling +whatever. He could know nothing of me but from flying rumours, for the +nature of which _he_ could in no shape be answerable. As for poor Rose's +well-meant hints about my "identifying myself perhaps in the mind of +society with the scavengers of the press," "the folly of _your_ risking +your name on a _paper_," etc., etc., of course we shall equally +appreciate all this. Rose is a timid dandy, and a bit of a Whig to boot. +I shall make some explanation to him when I next have occasion to write +to him, but that sort of thing would come surely with a better grace +from you than from me. I have not a doubt that he will be a daily +scribbler in your paper ere it is a week old. + +To all these people--Croker as well as the rest--John Murray is of much +more importance than they ever can be to him if he will only _believe_ +what I _know_, viz. that his own name in _society_ stands miles above +any of theirs. Croker _cannot_ form the nucleus of a literary +association which you have any reason to dread. He is hated by the +higher Tories quite as sincerely as by the Whigs: besides, he has not +_now-a-days_ courage to strike an effective blow; he will not come +forward. + +I come to pleasanter matters. Nothing, indeed, can be more handsome, +more generous than Mr. Coleridge's whole behaviour. I beg of you to +express to him the sense I have of the civility with which he has been +pleased to remember and allude to _me_, and assure him that I am most +grateful for the assistance he offers, and accept of it to any extent he +chooses. + +In this way Mr. Lockhart succeeded to the control of what his friend +John Wilson called "a National Work"; and he justified the selection +which Mr. Murray had made of him as editor: not only maintaining and +enhancing the reputation of the _Review_, by securing the friendship of +the old contributors, but enlisting the assistance of many new ones. Sir +Walter Scott, though "working himself to pieces" to free himself from +debt, came to his help, and to the first number which Lockhart edited he +contributed an interesting article on "Pepys' Memoirs." + +Lockhart's literary taste and discernment were of the highest order; and +he displayed a moderation and gentleness, even in his adverse +criticism, for which those who knew him but slightly, or by reputation +only, scarce gave him credit. There soon sprang up between him and his +publisher an intimacy and mutual confidence which lasted till Murray's +death; and Lockhart continued to edit the _Quarterly_ till his own death +in 1854. In truth there was need of mutual confidence between editor and +publisher, for they were called upon to deal with not a few persons +whose deep interest in the _Quarterly_ tempted them at times to assume a +somewhat dictatorial tone in their comments on and advice for the +management of the _Review_. When an article written by Croker, on +Lamennais' "Paroles d'un Croyant," [Footnote: The article by J.W. +Croker was afterwards published in No. 104 of the _Quarterly_.] was +under consideration, Lockhart wrote to the publisher: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_November 8_, 1826. + +My Dear Murray, + +It is always agreeable and often useful for us to hear what you think of +the articles in progress. Croker and I both differ from you as to the +general affair, for this reason simply, that Lamennais is to Paris what +Benson or Lonsdale is to London. His book has produced and is producing +a very great effect. Even religious people there applaud him, and they +are re-echoed here by old Jerdan, who pronounces that, be he right or +wrong, he has produced "a noble sacred poem." It is needful to caution +the English against the course of France by showing up the audacious +extent of her horrors, political, moral, and religious; and you know +what _was_ the result of our article on those vile tragedies, the +extracts of which were more likely to offend a family circle than +anything in the "Paroles d'un Croyant," and which even I was afraid of. +Mr. Croker, however, will modify and curtail the paper so as to get rid +of your specific objections. It had already been judged advisable to put +the last and only blasphemous extract in French in place of English. +Depend upon it, if we were to lower our scale so as to run no risk of +offending any good people's delicate feelings, we should soon lower +ourselves so as to rival "My Grandmother the British" in want of +interest to the world at large, and even (though they would not say so) +to the saints themselves.--_Verb. sap_. + +Like most sagacious publishers, Murray was free from prejudice, and was +ready to publish for all parties and for men of opposite opinions. For +instance, he published Malthus's "Essay on Population," and Sadler's +contradiction of the theory. He published Byron's attack on Southey, +and Southey's two letters against Lord Byron. He published Nugent's +"Memorials of Hampden," and the _Quarterly Review's_ attack upon it. +Southey's "Book of the Church" evoked a huge number of works on the +Roman Catholic controversy, most of which were published by Mr. Murray. +Mr. Charles Butler followed with his "Book on the Roman Catholic +Church." And the Rev. Joseph Blanco White's "Practical and Internal +Evidence against Catholicism," with occasional strictures on Mr. +Butler's "Book on the Roman Catholic Church." Another answer to Mr. +Butler came from Dr. George Townsend, in his "Accusations of History +against the Church of Rome." Then followed the Divines, of whom there +were many: the Rev. Dr. Henry Phillpotts (then of Stanhope Rectory, +Durham, but afterwards Bishop of Exeter), in his "Letter to Charles +Butler on the Theological Parts of his Book on the Roman Catholic +Church"; the Rev. G.S. Faber's "Difficulties of Romanism"; and many +others. + +While most authors are ready to take "cash down" for their manuscripts, +there are others who desire to be remunerated in proportion to the sale +of their works. This is especially the case with works of history or +biography, which are likely to have a permanent circulation. Hence, when +the judicious Mr. Hallam--who had sold the first three editions of +"Europe during the Middle Ages" to Mr. Murray for £1,400--had completed +his "Constitutional History of England," he made proposals which +resulted in Mr. Murray's agreeing to print and publish at his own cost +and risk the "Constitutional History of England," and pay to the author +two-thirds of the net profits. And these were the terms on which Mr. +Murray published all Mr. Hallam's subsequent works. + +Mr. Wordsworth about this time desired to republish his Poems, and made +application with that object to Mr. Murray, who thereupon consulted +Lockhart. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. _July_ 9, 1826. + +"In regard to Wordsworth I certainly cannot doubt that it must be +creditable to any publisher to publish the works _of_ one who is and +must continue to be a classic Poet of England. Your adventure with +Crabbe, however, ought to be a lesson of much caution. On the other +hand, again, W.'s poems _must_ become more popular, else why so many +editions in the course of the last few years. There have been _two_ of +the 'Excursion' alone, and I know that those have not satisfied the +public. Everything, I should humbly say, depends on the terms proposed +by the great Laker, whose vanity, be it whispered, is nearly as +remarkable as his genius." + +The following is the letter in which Mr. Wordsworth made his formal +proposal to Mr. Murray to publish his collected poems: + +_Mr. Wordsworth to John Murray_. + +RYDAL MOUNT, NEAR AMBLESIDE + +_December_ 4, 1826. + +Dear Sir, + +I have at last determined to go to the Press with my Poems as early as +possible. Twelve months ago the were to have been put into the hands of +Messrs. Robinson & Hurst, upon the terms of payment of a certain sum, +independent of expense on my part; but the failure of that house +prevented the thing going forward. Before I offer the publication to any +one but yourself, upon the different principle agreed on between you and +me, as you may recollect, viz.; the author to meet two-thirds of the +expenses and risk, and to share two-thirds of the profit, I think it +proper to renew that proposal to you. If you are not inclined to accept +it, I shall infer so from your silence; if such an arrangement suits +you, pray let me _immediately_ know; and all I have to request is, that +without loss of time, when I have informed you of the intended quantity +of letter-press, you will then let me know what my share of the expense +will amount to. + +I am, dear Sir, + +Your obedient servant, + +WM. WORDSWORTH. + +As Mr. Murray did not answer this letter promptly, Mr. H. Crabb Robinson +called upon him to receive his decision, and subsequently wrote: + +_Mr. H.G. Robinson to John Murray_. + +_February_ 1827. + +"I wrote to Mr. Wordsworth the day after I had the pleasure of seeing +you. I am sorry to say that my letter came too late. Mr. Wordsworth +interpreted your silence into a rejection of his offer; and his works +will unfortunately lose the benefit of appearing under you auspices. +They have been under the press some weeks." + +For about fifteen years there had been no business transactions between +Murray and Constable. On the eve of the failure of the Constables, the +head of the firm, Mr. Archibald Constable (October 1825), was paying a +visit at Wimbledon, when Mr. Murray addressed his host--Mr. Wright, +whose name has already occurred in the _Representative_ +correspondence--as follows: + +My Dear Wright, + +Although I intend to do myself the pleasure of calling upon Mr. +Constable at your house tomorrow immediately after church (for it is our +charity sermon at Wimbledon, and I must attend), yet I should be most +happy, if it were agreeable to you and to him, to favour us with your +company at dinner at, I will say, five tomorrow. Mr. Constable is +godfather to my son, who will be at home, and I am anxious to introduce +him to Mr. C., who may not be long in town. + +Mr. Constable and his friend accordingly dined with Murray, and that the +meeting was very pleasant may be inferred from Mr. Constable's letter of +a few days later, in which he wrote to Murray, "It made my heart glad to +be once more happy together as we were the other evening." The rest of +Mr. Constable's letter referred to Hume's Philosophical Writings, which +were tendered to Murray, but which he declined to publish. + +Constable died two years later, John Ballantyne, Scott's partner, a few +years earlier; and Scott entered in his diary, "It is written that +nothing shall flourish under my shadow." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +SIR WALTER'S LAST YEARS + + +Owing to the intimate relations which were now established between +Murray and Lockhart, the correspondence is full of references to Sir +Walter Scott and to the last phases of his illustrious career. + +Lockhart had often occasion to be at Abbotsford to see Sir Walter Scott, +who was then carrying on, single-handed, that terrible struggle with +adversity, which has never been equalled in the annals of literature. +His son-in-law went down in February 1827 to see him about further +articles, but wrote to Murray: "I fear we must not now expect Sir W. +S.'s assistance ere 'Napoleon' be out of hand." In the following month +of June Lockhart wrote from Portobello: "Sir W. Scott has got 'Napoleon' +out of his hands, and I have made arrangements for three or four +articles; and I think we may count for a paper of his every quarter." +Articles accordingly appeared from Sir Walter Scott on diverse subjects, +one in No. 71, June 1827, on the "Works of John Home "; another in No. +72, October 1827, on "Planting Waste Lands "; a third in No. 74, March +1828, on "Plantation and Landscape Gardening "; and a fourth in No. 76, +October 1828, on Sir H. Davy's "Salmonia, or Days of Fly-Fishing." The +last article was cordial and generous, like everything proceeding from +Sir Walter's pen. Lady Davy was greatly pleased with it. "It must always +be a proud and gratifying distinction," she said, "to have the name of +Sir Walter Scott associated with that of my husband in the review of +'Salmonia.' I am sure Sir Humphry will like his bairn the better for the +public opinion given of it by one whose immortality renders praise as +durable as it seems truly felt." + +With respect to "Salmonia" the following anecdote may be mentioned, as +related to Mr. Murray by Dr. Gooch, a valued contributor to the +_Quarterly_. + +"At page 6 of Salmonia," said Dr. Gooch, "it is stated that 'Nelson was +a good fly-fisher, and continued the pursuit even with his left hand.' I +can add that one of his reasons for regretting the loss of his right arm +was that it deprived him of the power of pursuing this amusement +efficiently, as is shown by the following incident, which is, I think, +worth preserving in that part of his history which relates to his +talents as a fly-fisher. I was at the Naval Hospital at Yarmouth on the +morning when Nelson, after the battle of Copenhagen (having sent the +wounded before him), arrived in the Roads and landed on the Jetty. The +populace soon surrounded him, and the military were drawn up in the +marketplace ready to receive him; but making his way through the crowd, +and the dust and the clamour, he went straight to the Hospital. I went +round the wards with him, and was much interested in observing his +demeanour to the sailors. He stopped at every bed, and to every man he +had something kind and cheering to say. At length he stopped opposite a +bed in which a sailor was lying who had lost his right arm close to the +shoulder joint, and the following short dialogue passed between them. +_Nelson_: 'Well, Jack, what's the matter with you?' _Sailor_: 'Lost my +right arm, your Honour.' Nelson paused, looked down at his own empty +sleeve, then at the sailor, and then said playfully, 'Well, Jack, then +you and I are spoiled for fishermen; but cheer up, my brave fellow.' He +then passed quickly on to the next bed, but these few words had a +magical effect upon the poor fellow, for I saw his eyes sparkle with +delight as Nelson turned away and pursued his course through the wards. +This was the only occasion on which I ever saw Lord Nelson." + +In the summer of 1828 Mr. Lockhart went down to Brighton, accompanied by +Sir Walter Scott, Miss Scott, Mrs. Lockhart and her son John--the +Littlejohn to whom Scott's charming "Tales of a Grandfather," which +were at that time in course of publication, had been addressed. It was +on the boy's account the party went to Brighton; he was very ill and +gradually sinking. + +While at Brighton, Lockhart had an interview with the Duke of +Wellington, and wrote to Murray on the subject. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. _May_ 18, 1828. + +"I have a message from the D. of W. to say that he, on the whole, highly +approves the paper on foreign politics, but has some criticisms to +offer on particular points, and will send for me some day soon to hear +them. I have of course signified my readiness to attend him any time he +is pleased to appoint, and expect it will be next week." + +That the Duke maintained his interest in the _Quarterly_ is shown by a +subsequent extract: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +AUCHENRAITH, _January_ 19, 1829. + +"Sir Walter met me here yesterday, and he considered the Duke's epistle +as an effort of the deepest moment to the _Quarterly_ and all concerned. +He is sure no minister ever gave a more distinguished proof of his +feeling than by this readiness to second the efforts of a literary +organ. Therefore, no matter about a week sooner or later, let us do the +thing justice." + +Before his departure for Brighton, Mr. Lockhart had been commissioned by +Murray to offer Sir Walter Scott £1,250 for the copyright of his +"History of Scotland," a transaction concerning which some informal +communications had already passed. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR _SIR_, + +Sir W. Scott has already agreed to furnish Dr. Lardner's "Cyclopaedia" +with one vol.--"History of Scotland"--for £1,000, and he is now at this +work. This is grievous, but you must not blame me, for he has acted in +the full knowledge of my connection with and anxiety about the Family +Library. I answered him, expressing my great regret and reminding him of +Peterborough. I suppose, as I never mentioned, nor well could, _money_, +that Dr. Lardner's matter appeared more a piece of business. Perhaps you +may think of something to be done. It is a great loss to us and gain to +them. + +Yours truly, + +J.G.L. + +After the failure of Ballantyne and Constable, Cadell, who had in former +years been a partner in Constable's house, became Scott's publisher, and +at the close of 1827 the principal copyrights of Scott's works, +including the novels from "Waverley" to "Quentin Durward," and most of +the poems, were put up to auction, and purchased by Cadell and Scott +jointly for £8,500. At this time the "Tales of a Grandfather" were +appearing by instalments, and Murray wrote to the author, begging to be +allowed to become the London publisher of this work. Scott replied: + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray._ + +6, Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, + +_November _26, 1828. + +My Dear Sir, + +I was favoured with your note some time since, but could not answer it +at the moment till I knew whether I was like to publish at Edinburgh or +not. The motives for doing so are very strong, for I need not tell you +that in literary affairs a frequent and ready communication with the +bookseller is a very necessary thing. + +As we have settled, with advice of those who have given me their +assistance in extricating my affairs, to publish in Edinburgh, I do not +feel myself at liberty to dictate to Cadell any particular selection of +a London publisher. If I did so, I should be certainly involved in any +discussions or differences which might occur between my London and +Edinburgh friends, which would be adding an additional degree of +perplexity to my affairs. I feel and know the value of your name as a +publisher, but if we should at any time have the pleasure of being +connected with you in that way, it must be when it is entirely on your +own account. The little history designed for Johnnie Lockhart was long +since promised to Cadell. + +I do not, in my conscience, think that I deprive you of anything of +consequence in not being at present connected with you in literary +business. My reputation with the world is something like a high-pressure +engine, which does very well while all lasts stout and tight, but is +subject to sudden explosion, and I would rather that another than an old +friend stood the risk of suffering by the splinters. + +I feel all the delicacy of the time and mode of your application, and +you cannot doubt I would greatly prefer you personally to men of whom I +know nothing. But they are not of my choosing, nor are they in any way +responsible to me. I transact with the Edinburgh bookseller alone, and +as I must neglect no becoming mode of securing myself, my terms are +harder than I think you, in possession of so well established a trade, +would like to enter upon, though they may suit one who gives up his time +to them as almost his sole object of expense and attention. I hope this +necessary arrangement will make no difference betwixt us, being, with +regard, + +Your faithful, humble Servant, + +Walter Scott. + +On his return to London, Lockhart proceeded to take a house, No. 24, +Sussex Place, Regent's Park; for he had been heretofore living in the +furnished apartments provided for him in Pall Mall. Mr. Murray wrote to +him on the subject: + +_John Murray to Mr. Lockhart_. + +_July_ 31, 1828. + +As you are about taking or retaking a house, I think it right to inform +you now that the editor's dividend on the _Quarterly Review_ will be in +future £325 on the publication of each number; and I think it very hard +if you do not get £200 or £300 more for your own contributions. + +Most truly yours, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +At the beginning of the following year Lockhart went down to Abbotsford, +where he found his father-in-law working as hard as ever. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_January_ 4, 1820. + +"I have found Sir Walter Scott in grand health and spirits, and have had +much conversation with him on his hill-side about all our concerns. I +shall keep a world of his hints and suggestions till we meet; but +meanwhile he has agreed to write _almost immediately_ a one volume +biography of the great Earl of Peterborough, and I think you will agree +with me in considering the choice of this, perhaps the last of our +romantic heroes, as in all respects happy. ... He will also write _now_ +an article on some recent works of Scottish History (Tytler's, etc.) +giving, he promises, a complete and gay summary of all that controversy; +and next Nov. a general review of the Scots ballads, whereof some twenty +volumes have been published within these ten years, and many not +published but only printed by the Bannatyne club of Edinburgh, and +another club of the same order at Glasgow.... I am coaxing him to make a +selection from Crabbe, with a preface, and think he will be persuaded." + +_January_ 8, 1829. + +"Sir Walter Scott suggests overhauling Caulfield's portraits of +remarkable characters (3 vols., 1816), and having roughish woodcuts +taken from that book and from others, and the biographies newly done, +whenever they are not in the words of the old original writers. He says +the march of intellect will never put women with beards and men with +horns out of fashion--Old Parr, Jenkins, Venner, Muggleton, and Mother +Souse, are immortal, all in their several ways." + +By 1829 Scott and Cadell had been enabled to obtain possession of all +the principal copyrights, with the exception of two one-fourth shares +of "Marmion," held by Murray and Longman respectively. Sir Walter Scott +applied to Murray through Lockhart, respecting this fourth share. The +following was Murray's reply to Sir Walter Scott: + +_John Murray to Sir Walter Scott_. + +_June_ 8, 1829. + +My Dear Sir, + +Mr. Lockhart has at this moment communicated to me your letter +respecting my fourth share of the copyright of "Marmion." I have already +been applied to by Messrs. Constable and by Messrs. Longman, to know +what sum I would sell this share for; but so highly do I estimate the +honour of being, even in so small a degree, the publisher of the author +of the poem, that no pecuniary consideration whatever can induce me to +part with it. But there is a consideration of another kind, which, until +now, I was not aware of, which would make it painful to me if I were to +retain it a moment longer. I mean, the knowledge of its being required +by the author, into whose hands it was spontaneously resigned in the +same instant that I read his request. This share has been profitable to +me fifty-fold beyond what either publisher or author could have +anticipated; and, therefore, my returning it on such an occasion, you +will, I trust, do me the favour to consider in no other light than as a +mere act of grateful acknowledgment for benefits already received by, my +dear sir, + +Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +P.S.--It will be proper for your man of business to prepare a regular +deed to carry this into effect, which I will sign with the greatest +self-satisfaction, as soon as I receive it. + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _June_ 12, 1829. + +My Dear Sir, + +Nothing can be more obliging or gratifying to me than the very kind +manner in which you have resigned to me the share you held in "Marmion," +which, as I am circumstanced, is a favour of real value and most +handsomely rendered. I hope an opportunity may occur in which I may more +effectually express my sense of the obligation than by mere words. I +will send the document of transference when it can be made out. In the +meantime I am, with sincere regard and thanks, + +Your most obedient and obliged Servant, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +At the end of August 1829 Lockhart was again at Abbotsford; and sending +the slips of Sir Walter's new article for the next _Quarterly_. He had +already written for No. 77 the article on "Hajji Baba," and for No. 81 +an article on the "Ancient History of Scotland." The slips for the new +article were to be a continuation of the last, in a review of Tytler's +"History of Scotland." The only other articles he wrote for the +_Quarterly_ were his review of Southey's "Life of John Bunyan," No. 86, +in October 1830; and his review--the very last--of Pitcairn's "Criminal +Trials of Scotland," No. 88, in February 1831. + +His last letter to Mr. Murray refers to the payment for one of these +articles: + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_. + +ABBOTSFORD, _Monday_, 1830. + +My Dear Sir, + +I acknowledge with thanks your remittance of £100, and I will be happy +to light on some subject which will suit the _Review_, which may be +interesting and present some novelty. But I have to look forward to a +very busy period betwixt this month and January, which may prevent my +contribution being ready before that time. You may be assured that for +many reasons I have every wish to assist the _Quarterly_, and will be +always happy to give any support which is in my power. + +I have inclosed for Moore a copy of one of Byron's letters to me. I +received another of considerable interest, but I do not think it right +to give publicity without the permission of a person whose name is +repeatedly mentioned. I hope the token of my good wishes will not come +too late. These letters have been only recovered after a long search +through my correspondence, which, as usual with literary folks, is sadly +confused. + +I beg my kind compliments to Mrs. Murray and the young ladies, and am, +yours truly, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +Scott now began to decline rapidly, and was suffering much from his +usual spasmodic attacks; yet he had Turner with him, making drawings for +the new edition of his poems. Referring to his last article in the +_Quarterly_ on Pitcairn's "Criminal Trials," he bids Lockhart to inform +Mr. Murray that "no one knows better your liberal disposition, and he is +aware that £50 is more than his paper is worth." Scott's illness +increased, and Lockhart rarely left his side. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 16, 1831. + +"Yesterday determined Sir W. Scott's motions. He owes to Croker the +offer of a passage to Naples in a frigate which sails in about a +fortnight. He will therefore proceed southwards by land next week, +halting at Rokeby, and with his son at Notts, by the way. We shall leave +Edinburgh by next Tuesday's steamer, so as to be in town before him, and +ready for his reception. We are all deeply obliged to Croker on this +occasion, for Sir Walter is quite unfit for the fatigues of a long land +journey, and the annoyances innumerable of Continental inns; and, above +all, he will have a good surgeon at hand, in case of need. The +arrangement has relieved us all of a great burden of annoyances and +perplexities and fears." + +Another, and the last of Lockhart's letters on this subject, may be +given: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 19, 1831. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +In consequence of my sister-in-law, Annie Scott, being taken unwell, +with frequent fainting fits, the result no doubt of over anxieties of +late, I have been obliged to let my wife and children depart by +tomorrow's steamer without me, and I remain to attend to Sir Walter +thro' his land progress, which will begin on Friday, and end, I hope +well, on Wednesday. If this should give any inconvenience to you, God +knows I regret it, and God knows also I couldn't do otherwise without +exposing Sir W. and his daughter to a feeling that I had not done my +duty to them. On the whole, public affairs seem to be so dark, that I am +inclined to think our best course, in the _Quarterly_, may turn out to +have been and to be, that of not again appearing until the fate of this +Bill has been quite settled. My wife will, if you are in town, be much +rejoiced with a visit; and if you write to me, so as to catch me at +Rokeby Park, Greta Bridge, next Saturday, 'tis well. + +Yours, + +J.G. LOCKHART. + +P.S.--But I see Rokeby Park would not do. I shall be at Major Scott's, +15th Hussars, Nottingham, on Monday night. + +It would be beyond our province to describe in these pages the closing +scenes of Sir Walter Scott's life: his journey to Naples, his attempt to +write more novels, his failure, and his return home to Abbotsford to +die. His biography, by his son-in-law Lockhart, one of the best in the +whole range of English literature, is familiar to all our readers; and +perhaps never was a more faithful memorial erected, in the shape of a +book, to the beauty, goodness, and faithfulness of a noble literary +character. + +In this work we are only concerned with Sir Walter's friendship and +dealings with Mr. Murray, and on these the foregoing correspondence, +extending over nearly a quarter of a century, is sufficient comment. +When a committee was formed in Sir Walter's closing years to organize +and carry out some public act of homage and respect to the great genius, +Mr. Murray strongly urged that the money collected, with which +Abbotsford was eventually redeemed, should be devoted to the purchase of +all the copyrights for the benefit of Scott and his family: it cannot +but be matter of regret that this admirable suggestion was not adopted. + +During the year 1827 Mr. Murray's son, John Murray the Third, was +residing in Edinburgh as a student at the University, and attended the +memorable dinner at which Scott was forced to declare himself the author +of the "Waverley Novels." + +His account of the scene, as given in a letter to his father, forms a +fitting conclusion to this chapter. + +"I believe I mentioned to you that Mr. Allan had kindly offered to take +me with him to a Theatrical Fund dinner, which took place on Friday +last. There were present about 300 persons--a mixed company, many of +them not of the most respectable order. Sir Walter Scott took the chair, +and there was scarcely another person of any note to support him except +the actors. The dinner, therefore, would have been little better than +endurable, had it not been remarkable for the confession of Sir Walter +Scott that he was the author of the 'Waverley Novels.' + +"This acknowledgment was forced from him, I believe, contrary to his own +wish, in this manner. Lord Meadowbank, who sat on his left hand, +proposed his health, and after paying him many compliments, ended his +speech by saying that the clouds and mists which had so long surrounded +the Great Unknown were now revealed, and he appeared in his true +character (probably alluding to the _expose_ made before Constable's +creditors, for I do not think there was any preconcerted plan). Upon +this Sir Walter rose, and said, 'I did not expect on coming here today +that I should have to disclose before 300 people a secret which, +considering it had already been made known to about thirty persons, had +been tolerably well kept. I am not prepared to give my reasons for +preserving it a secret, caprice had certainly a great share in the +matter. Now that it is out, I beg leave to observe that I am sole and +undivided author of those novels. Every part of them has originated with +me, or has been suggested to me in the course of my reading. I confess +I am guilty, and am almost afraid to examine the extent of my +delinquency. "Look on't again, I dare not!" The wand of Prospero is now +broken, and my book is buried, but before I retire I shall propose the +health of a person who has given so much delight to all now present, The +Bailie Nicol Jarvie.' + +"I report this from memory. Of course it is not quite accurate in words, +but you will find a tolerable report of it in the _Caledonian Mercury_ +of Saturday. This declaration was received with loud and long applause. +As this was gradually subsiding, a voice from the end of the room was +heard [Footnote: The speaker on this occasion was the actor Mackay, who +had attained considerable celebrity by his representation of Scottish +characters, and especially of that of the famous Bailie in "Rob Roy."] +exclaiming in character,' Ma conscience! if my father the Bailie had +been alive to hear that ma health had been proposed by the Author of +Waverley,' etc., which, as you may suppose, had a most excellent +effect." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +NAPIER'S "PENINSULAR WAR"--CHOKER'S "BOSWELL"--"THE FAMILY LIBRARY," +ETC. + + +The public has long since made up its mind as to the merits of Colonel +Napier's "History of the Peninsular War." It is a work which none but a +soldier who had served through the war as he had done, and who, +moreover, combined with practical experience a thorough knowledge of the +science of war, could have written. + +At the outset of his work he applied to the Duke of Wellington for his +papers. This rather abrupt request took the Duke by surprise. The +documents in his possession were so momentous, and the great part of +them so confidential in their nature, that he felt it to be impossible +to entrust them indiscriminately to any man living. He, however, +promised Napier to put in his hands any specified paper or document he +might ask for, provided no confidence would be broken by its +examination. He also offered to answer any question Napier might put to +him, and with this object invited him to Stratfieldsaye, where the two +Generals discussed many points connected with the campaign. + +_Colonel W. Napier to John Murray_. + +BROMHAM, WILTS, + +_December_ 5, 1828. + +Dear Sir, + +My first volume is now nearly ready for the press, and as I think that +in matters of business a plain straightforward course is best, I will at +once say what I conceive to be the valuable part of my work, and leave +you to make a proposition relative to publication of the single volume, +reserving further discussion about the whole until the other volumes +shall be in a more forward state. + +The volume in question commences with the secret treaty of +Fontainebleau concluded in 1809, and ends with the battle of Corunna. It +will have an appendix of original documents, many of which are extremely +interesting, and there will also be some plans of the battles. My +authorities have been: + +1. All the original papers of Sir Hew Dalrymple. + +2. Those of Sir John Moore. + +3. King Joseph's correspondence taken at the battle of Vittoria, and +placed at my disposal by the Duke of Wellington. Among other papers are +several notes and detailed instructions by Napoleon which throw a +complete light upon his views and proceedings in the early part of the +war. + +4. Notes of conversations held with the Duke of Wellington for the +especial purpose of connecting my account of his operations. + +5. Notes of conversation with officers of high rank in the French, +English, and Spanish services. + +6. Original journals, and the most unreserved communications with +Marshal Soult. + +7. My own notes of affairs in which I have been present. + +8. Journals of regimental officers of talent, and last but not least, +copies taken by myself from the original muster rolls of the French army +as they were transmitted to the Emperor. + +Having thus distributed all my best wares in the bow window, I shall +leave you to judge for yourself; and, as the diplomatists say, will be +happy to treat upon a suitable basis. In the meantime, + +I remain, your very obedient Servant, + +W. NAPIER. + +About a fortnight later (December 25, 1827) he again wrote that he would +have the pleasure of putting a portion of his work into Mr. Murray's +hands in a few days; but that "it would be disagreeable to him to have +it referred to Mr. Southey for an opinion." Murray, it should be +mentioned, had published Southey's "History of the War in Spain." Some +negotiations ensued, in the course of which Mr. Murray offered 500 +guineas for the volume. This proposal, however, was declined by Colonel +Napier. + +Murray after fuller consideration offered a thousand guineas, which +Colonel Napier accepted, and the volume was accordingly published in the +course of 1828. Notwithstanding the beauty of its style and the grandeur +of its descriptions, the book gave great offence by the severity of its +criticism, and called forth a multitude of replies and animadversions. +More than a dozen of these appeared in the shape of pamphlets bearing +their authors' names, added to which the _Quarterly Review_, departing +from the general rule, gave no less than four criticisms in succession. +This innovation greatly disgusted the publisher, who regarded them as so +much lead weighing down his _Review_, although they proceeded from the +pen of the Duke's right-hand man, the Rt. Hon. Sir George Murray. They +were unreadable and produced no effect. It is needless to add the Duke +had nothing to do with them. + +Mr. Murray published no further volumes of the "History of the +Peninsular War," but at his suggestion Colonel Napier brought out the +second and succeeding volumes on his own account. In illustration of the +loss which occurred to Mr. Murray in publishing the first volume of the +history, the following letter may be given, as addressed to the editor +of the _Morning Chronicle_: + +_John Murray to the Editor of the Morning Chronicle_. + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _February_ 13, 1837. + +SIR, + +My attention has been called to an article in your paper of the 14th of +January, containing the following extract from Colonel Napier's reply to +the third article in the _Quarterly Review_, on his "History of the +Peninsular War." [Footnote: The article appeared in No. 111 of +_Quarterly_, April 1836.] + +"Sir George Murray only has thrown obstacles in my way, and if I am +rightly informed of the following circumstances, his opposition has not +been confined to what I have stated above. Mr. Murray, the bookseller, +purchased my first volume, with the right of refusal for the second +volume. When the latter was nearly ready, a friend informed me that he +did not think Murray would purchase, because he had heard him say that +Sir George Murray had declared it was not 'The Book.' He did not point +out any particular error, but it was not 'The Book,' meaning, doubtless, +that his own production, when it appeared, would be 'The Book.' My +friend's prognostic was not false. I was offered just half of the sum +given for the first volume. I declined it, and published on my own +account, and certainly I have had no reason to regret that Mr. +Bookseller Murray waited for 'The Book,' indeed, he has since told me +very frankly that he had mistaken his own interest." + +In answer to the first part of this statement, I beg leave to say, that +I had not, at the time to which Colonel Napier refers, the honour of any +acquaintance with Sir George Murray, nor have I held any conversation or +correspondence with him on the subject of Colonel Napier's book, or of +any other book on the Peninsular War. In reply to the second part of the +statement, regarding the offer for Colonel Napier's second volume of +half the sum (viz. 500 guineas) that I gave for the first volume +(namely, 1,000 guineas), I have only to beg the favour of your insertion +of the following letter, written by me to Colonel Napier, upon the +occasion referred to. + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _May_ 13, 1829. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Upon making up the account of the sale of the first volume of "The +History of the War in the Peninsula" I find that I am at this time minus +£545 12s. At this loss I do by no means in the present instance repine, +for I have derived much gratification from being the publisher of a work +which is so intrinsically valuable, and which has been so generally +admired, and it is some satisfaction to me to find by this result that +my own proposal to you was perfectly just. I will not, however, venture +to offer you a less sum for the second volume, but recommend that you +should, in justice to yourself, apply to some other publishers; if you +should obtain from them the sum which you are right in expecting, it +will afford me great pleasure, and, if you do not, you will find me +perfectly ready to negotiate; and in any case I shall continue to be, +with the highest esteem, dear Sir, + +Your obliged and faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +I am confident you will do me the justice to insert this letter, and +have no doubt its contents will convince Colonel Napier that his +recollection of the circumstances has been incomplete. + +I have the honour to be, sir, + +Your obedient humble Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +It may not be generally known that we owe to Colonel Napier's work the +publication of the Duke of Wellington's immortal "Despatches." The Duke, +upon principle, refused to read Napier's work; not wishing, as he said, +to quarrel with its author. But he was made sufficiently acquainted with +the contents from friends who had perused it, and who, having made the +campaigns with him, could point to praise and blame equally undeserved, +to designs misunderstood and misrepresented, as well as to supercilious +criticism and patronizing approval, which could not but be painful to +the great commander. His nature was too noble to resent this; but he +resolved, in self-defence, to give the public the means of ascertaining +the truth, by publishing all his most important and secret despatches, +in order, he said, to give the world a correct account not only of what +he did, but of what he intended to do. + +Colonel Gurwood was appointed editor of the "Despatches" and, during +their preparation, not a page escaped the Duke's eye, or his own careful +revision. Mr. Murray, who was honoured by being chosen as the publisher, +compared this wonderful collection of documents to a watch: hitherto the +general public had only seen in the successful and orderly development +of his campaigns, as it were the hands moving over the dial without +fault or failure, but now the Duke opened the works, and they were +enabled to inspect the complicated machinery--the wheels within +wheels--which had produced this admirable result. It is enough to state +that in these despatches the _whole_ truth relating to the Peninsular +War is fully and elaborately set forth. + +At the beginning of 1829 Croker consulted Murray on the subject of an +annotated edition of "Boswell's Johnson." Murray was greatly pleased +with the idea of a new edition of the work by his laborious friend, and +closing at once with Croker's proposal, wrote, "I shall be happy to +give, as something in the way of remuneration, the sum of one thousand +guineas." Mr. Croker accepted the offer, and proceeded immediately with +the work. + +Mr. Murray communicated to Mr. Lockhart the arrangement he had made with +Croker. His answer was: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_January_ 19, 1829. + +"I am heartily rejoiced that this 'Johnson,' of which we had so often +talked, is in such hands at whatever cost. Pray ask Croker whether +Boswell's account of the Hebridean Tour ought not to be melted into the +book. Sir Walter has many MS. annotations in his 'Boswell,' both 'Life' +and 'Tour,' and will, I am sure, give them with hearty good will.... He +will write down all that he has heard about Johnson when in Scotland; +and, in particular, about the amusing intercourse between him and Lord +Auchinleck--Boswell's father--if Croker considers it worth his while." + +Sir Walter Scott's offer of information, [Footnote: Sir Walter's letter +to Croker on the subject will be found in the "Croker Correspondence," +ii. 28.] to a certain extent, delayed Croker's progress with the work. +He wrote to Mr. Murray (November 17, 1829): "The reference to Sir +Walter Scott delays us a little as to the revises, but his name is well +worth the delay. My share of the next volume (the 2nd) is quite done; +and I could complete the other two in a fortnight." + +While the work was passing through the press Lockhart again wrote: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +"I am reading the new 'Boswell' with great pleasure, though, I think, +the editor is often wrong. A prodigious flood of light is thrown on the +book assuredly; and the incorporation of the 'Tour' is a great +advantage. Now, do have a really good Index. That to the former edition +I have continually found inadequate and faulty. The book is a dictionary +of wisdom and wit, and one should know exactly where to find the _dictum +magistri_. Many of Croker's own remarks and little disquisitions will +also be hereafter among the choicest of _quotabilia_." + +Croker carried out the work with great industry and vigour, and it +appeared in 1831. It contained numerous additions, notes, explanations, +and memoranda, and, as the first attempt to explain the difficulties and +enigmas which lapse of time had created, it may not unfairly be said to +have been admirably edited; and though Macaulay, according to his own +account, "smashed" it in the _Edinburgh_, [Footnote: The correspondence +on the subject, and the criticism on the work by Macaulay, will be found +in the "Croker Correspondence," vol. ii. pp. 24-49.] some fifty thousand +of the "Life" have been sold. + +It has been the fashion with certain recent editors of "Boswell's +Johnson" to depreciate Croker's edition; but to any one who has taken +the pains to make himself familiar with that work, and to study the vast +amount of information there collected, such criticism cannot but appear +most ungenerous. Croker was acquainted with, or sought out, all the +distinguished survivors of Dr. Johnson's own generation, and by his +indefatigable efforts was enabled to add to the results of his own +literary research, oral traditions and personal reminiscences, which but +for him would have been irrevocably lost. + +The additions of subsequent editors are but of trifling value compared +with the information collected by Mr. Croker, and one of his successors +at least has not hesitated slightly to transpose or alter many of Mr. +Croker's notes, and mark them as his own. + +Mrs. Shelley, widow of the poet, on receiving a present of Croker's +"Boswell," from Mr. Murray, said: + +_Mrs. Shelley to John Murray_. + +"I have read 'Boswell's Journal' ten times: I hope to read it many more. +It is the most amusing book in the world. Beside that, I do love the +kind-hearted, wise, and gentle Bear, and think him as lovable and kind a +friend as a profound philosopher." + +Mr. Henry Taylor submitted his play of "Isaac Comnenus"--his first +work--to Mr. Murray, in February 1827. Lockhart was consulted, and, +after perusing the play, he wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +"There can be no sort of doubt that this play is everyway worthy of +coming out from Albemarle Street. That the author might greatly improve +it by shortening its dialogue often, and, once at least, leaving out a +scene, and by dramatizing the scene at the Synod, instead of narrating +it, I think sufficiently clear: but, probably, the author has followed +his own course, upon deliberation, in all these matters. I am of +opinion, certainly, that _no poem_ has been lately published of anything +like the power or promise of this." + +Lockhart's suggestion was submitted to Mr. Taylor, who gratefully +acknowledged his criticism, and amended his play. + +Mr. Taylor made a very unusual request. He proposed to divide the loss +on his drama with the publisher! He wrote to Mr. Murray: + +"I have been pretty well convinced, for some time past, that my book +will never sell, and, under these circumstances, I cannot think it +proper that you should be the sole sufferer. Whenever, therefore, you +are of opinion that the book has had a fair trial, I beg you to +understand that I shall be ready to divide the loss equally with you, +that being, I conceive, the just arrangement in the case." + +Though Mr. Lockhart gave an interesting review of "Isaac Comnenus" in +the _Quarterly_, it still hung fire, and did not sell. A few years +later, however, Henry Taylor showed what he could do, as a poet, by his +"Philip van Artevelde," which raised his reputation to the highest +point. Moore, after the publication of this drama, wrote in his "Diary": +"I breakfasted in the morning at Rogers's, to meet the new poet, Mr. +Taylor, author of 'Philip van Artevelde': our company, besides, being +Sydney Smith and Southey. 'Van Artevelde' is a tall, handsome young +fellow. Conversation chiefly about the profits booksellers make of us +scribblers. I remember Peter Pindar saying, one of the few times I ever +met him, that the booksellers drank their wine in the manner of the +heroes in the hall of Odin, out of authors' skulls." This was a sharp +saying; but Rogers, if he had chosen to relate his own experiences when +he negotiated with Mr. Murray about the sale of Crabbe's works, and the +result of that negotiation, might have proved that the rule was not of +universal application. + +"The Family Library" has already been mentioned. Mr. Murray had long +contemplated a serial publication, by means of which good literature and +copyright works might be rendered cheaper and accessible to a wider +circle of readers than they had hitherto been. + +The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge was established in +1828, with Henry Brougham as Chairman. Mr. Murray subscribed £10 to this +society, and agreed to publish their "Library of Entertaining +Knowledge." Shortly afterwards, however, he withdrew from this +undertaking, which was transferred to Mr. Knight, and reverted to his +own proposed publication of cheap works. + +The first volume of "The Family Library" appeared in April 1829. Murray +sent a copy to Charles Knight, who returned him the first volume of the +"Library of Entertaining Knowledge." + +_Mr. Charles Knight to John Murray_. + +"We each launch our vessels on the same day, and I most earnestly hope +that both will succeed, for good must come of that success. We have +plenty of sea-room and need never run foul of each other. My belief is +that, in a very few years, scarcely any other description of books will +be published, and in that case we that are first in the field may hope +to win the race." + +Mr. Murray's intention was to include in the Library works on a variety +of subjects, including History, Biography, Voyages and Travels, Natural +History, Science, and general literature. They were to be written by the +best-known authors of the day--Sir Walter Scott, Southey, Milman, +Lockhart, Washington Irving, Barrow, Allan Cunningham, Dr. Brewster, +Captain Head, G.R. Gleig, Palgrave, and others. The collection was +headed by an admirable "Life of Napoleon," by J.G. Lockhart, partly +condensed from Scott's "Life of Napoleon Bonaparte," and illustrated by +George Cruikshank. When Lockhart was first invited to undertake this +biography he consulted Sir Walter Scott as to the propriety of his doing +so. Sir Walter replied: + +_Sir W. Scott to Mr. Lockhart_. + +_October_ 30, 1828. + +"Your scruples about doing an epitome of the 'Life of Boney' for the +Family Library that is to be, are a great deal over delicate. My book in +nine thick volumes can never fill the place which our friend Murray +wants you to fill, and which if you don't some one else will right soon. +Moreover, you took much pains in helping me when I was beginning my +task, and I afterwards greatly regretted that Constable had no means of +remunerating you, as no doubt he intended when you were giving him so +much good advice in laying down his grand plans about the Miscellany. By +all means do what the Emperor [Footnote: From the time of his removal to +Albemarle Street, Mr. Murray was universally known among "the Trade" as +"The Emperor of the West."] asks. He is what the Emperor Napoleon was +not, much a gentleman, and knowing our footing in all things, would not +have proposed anything that ought to have excited scruples on your +side." [Footnote: Lockhart's "Life of Scott."] + +The book met with a warm reception from the public, and went through +many editions. + +Among other works published in "The Family Library" was the Rev. H.H. +Milman's "History of the Jews," in three vols., which occasioned much +adverse criticism and controversy. It is difficult for us who live in +such different times to understand or account for the tempest of +disapprobation with which a work, which now appears so innocent, was +greeted, or the obloquy with which its author was assailed. The "History +of the Jews" was pronounced _unsound_; it was alleged that the miracles +had been too summarily disposed of; Abraham was referred to as an Arab +sheik, and Jewish history was too sacred to be submitted to the laws of +ordinary investigation. Hence Milman was preached against, from Sunday +to Sunday, from the University and other pulpits. Even Mr. Sharon Turner +expostulated with Mr. Murray as to the publication of the book. He said +he had seen it in the window of Carlile, the infidel bookseller, "as if +he thought it suited his purpose." The following letter is interesting +as indicating what the Jews themselves thought of the history. + +_Mr. Magnus to John Murray_. _March_ 17, 1834. + +Sir, + +Will you have the goodness to inform me of the Christian name of the +Rev. Mr. Milman, and the correct manner of spelling his name; as a +subscription is about to be opened by individuals of the Jewish nation +for the purpose of presenting him with a piece of plate for the liberal +manner in which he has written their history. + +The piece of plate was duly subscribed for and presented, with every +demonstration of acknowledgment and thanks. Milman's "History of the +Jews" did not prevent his preferment, as he was promoted from the +vicarage of St. Mary's, Reading, to the rectorship of St. Margaret's, +Westminster, and a canonry in the Collegiate Church of St. Peter; after +which, in 1849, he was made Dean of St. Paul's. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +MOORE'S "LIFE OF BYRON" + + +In 1827 or 1828 Mr. Hanson, the late Lord Byron's solicitor, wrote to +Murray, enquiring, on behalf of the executors, whether he would be +willing to dispose of his interest in the first five cantos of "Don +Juan." Mr. Murray, however, had long been desirous of publishing a +complete edition of the works of Lord Byron, "for the public," he wrote, +"are absolutely indignant at not being able to obtain a complete edition +of Lord Byron's works in this country; and at least 15,000 copies have +been brought here from France." Murray proposed that those copyrights of +Lord Byron, which were the property of his executors, should be valued +by three respectable publishers, and that he should purchase them at +their valuation. Mr. Hobhouse, to whom as one of the executors this +proposal was made, was anxious that the complete edition should be +published in England with as little delay as possible, but he stated +that "some obstacles have arisen in consequence of the Messrs. Hunt +having upon hand some hundred copies of their two volumes, which they +have asked a little time to get rid of, and for which they are now +accounting to the executors." + +Murray requested Mr. Hanson to apply to the executors, and inform him +what sum they required for the works of Lord Byron, the copyrights of +which were in their possession. This they refused to state, but after +considerable delay, during which the Hunts were disposing of the two +volumes, the whole of the works of Lord Byron which were not in Mr. +Murray's possession were put up to auction, and bought by him for the +sum of £3,885. These included the "Hours of Idleness," eleven cantos of +"Don Juan," the "Age of Bronze," and other works--all of which had +already been published. + +Notwithstanding the destruction of Lord Byron's Memoirs, described in a +previous chapter, Murray had never abandoned the intention of bringing +out a Biography of his old friend the poet, for which he possessed +plenteous materials in the mass of correspondence which had passed +between them. Although his arrangement with Thomas Moore had been +cancelled by that event, his eye rested on him as the fittest person, +from his long intimacy with the poet, to be entrusted with the task, for +which, indeed, Lord Byron had himself selected him. + +Accordingly in 1826 author and publisher seem to have drawn together +again, and begun the collection of materials, which was carried on in a +leisurely way, until Leigh Hunt's scandalous attack on his old patron +and benefactor [Footnote: "Recollections of Lord Byron and some of his +Contemporaries," 1828. 4to.] roused Murray's ardour into immediate +action. + +It was eventually resolved to publish the Life and Correspondence +together; and many letters passed between Murray and Moore on the +subject. + +From the voluminous correspondence we retain the following extract from +a letter from Moore to Murray: + +"One of my great objects, as you will see in reading me, is to keep my +style down to as much simplicity as I am capable of; for nothing could +be imagined more discordant than the mixture of any of our +Asiatico-Hibernian eloquence with the simple English diction of Byron's +letters." + +Murray showed the early part of "Byron's Life" to Lockhart, who replied +to him at once: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_February_ 23, 1829. + +"I can't wait till tomorrow to say that I think the beginning of 'Byron' +quite perfect in every way--the style simple, and unaffected, as the +materials are rich, and how sad. It will be Moore's greatest work--at +least, next to the 'Melodies,' and will be a fortune to you. My wife +says it is divine. By all means engrave the early miniature. Never was +anything so drearily satisfactory to the imagination as the whole +picture of the lame boy's start in life." + +Moore was greatly touched by this letter. He wrote from Sloperton: + +_Mr. Moore to John Murray_. + +"Lockhart's praise has given me great pleasure, and his wife's even +still greater; but, after all, the merit is in my subject--in the man, +not in me. He must be a sad bungler who would spoil such a story." + +As the work advanced, Sir Walter Scott's opinion also was asked. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_September_ 29, 1829. + +"Sir Walter has read the first 120 pages of Moore's 'Life of Byron'; and +he says they are charming, and not a syllable _de trop_. He is now busy +at a grand rummage among his papers, and has already found one of Lord +Byron's letters which shall be at Mr. Moore's service forthwith. He +expects to find more of them. This is curious, as being the first of +'Byron' to Scott." + +The first volume of "Lord Byron's Life and Letters," published on +January 1, 1830, was read with enthusiasm, and met with a very +favourable reception. Moore says in his Diary that "Lady Byron was +highly pleased with the 'Life,'" but among the letters received by Mr. +Murray, one of the most interesting was from Mrs. Shelley, to whom a +presentation copy had been sent. + +_Mrs. Shelley to John Murray_. + +_January_ 19, 1830. + +Except the occupation of one or two annoyances, I have done nothing but +read, since I got "Lord Byron's Life." I have no pretensions to being a +critic, yet I know infinitely well what pleases me. Not to mention the +judicious arrangement and happy _tact_ displayed by Mr. Moore, which +distinguish the book, I must say a word concerning the style, which is +elegant and forcible. I was particularly struck by the observations on +Lord Byron's character before his departure to Greece, and on his +return. There is strength and richness, as well as sweetness. + +The great charm of the work to me, and it will have the same to you, is +that the Lord Byron I find there is _our_ Lord Byron--the fascinating, +faulty, philosophical being--daring the world, docile to a private +circle, impetuous and indolent, gloomy, and yet more gay than any other. +I live with him again in these pages--getting reconciled (as I used in +his lifetime) to those waywardnesses which annoyed me when he was away, +through the delightful tone of his conversation and manners. + +His own letters and journals mirror himself as he was, and are +invaluable. There is something cruelly kind in this single volume. When +will the next come? Impatient before, how tenfold more so am I now. +Among its many other virtues, this book is accurate to a miracle. I have +not stumbled on one mistake with regard either to time, place, or +feeling. + +I am, dear Sir, + +Your obedient and obliged Servant, + +MARY SHELLEY. + +The preparation of the second volume proceeded more rapidly than the +first, for Lord Byron's letters to Murray and Moore during the later +years of his life covered the whole period, and gave to the record an +almost autobiographical character. It appeared in January 1831, and +amongst many other readers of it Mrs. Somerville, to whom Mr. Murray +sent a present of the book, was full of unstinted praise. + +_Mrs. Somerville to John Murray_. + +_January_ 13, 1831. + +You have kindly afforded me a source of very great interest and pleasure +in the perusal of the second volume of Moore's "Life of Byron." In my +opinion, it is very superior to the first; there is less repetition of +the letters; they are better written, abound more in criticism and +observation, and make the reader better acquainted with Lord Byron's +principles and character. His morality was certainly more suited to the +meridian of Italy than England; but with all his faults there is a charm +about him that excites the deepest interest and admiration. His letter +to Lady Byron is more affecting and beautiful than anything I have read; +it must ever be a subject of regret that it was not sent; it seems +impossible that it should not have made a lasting impression, and might +possibly have changed the destinies of both. With kind remembrances to +Mrs. Murray and the young people, + +Believe me, truly yours, + +MARY SOMERVILLE. + +Mr. Croker's opinion was as follows: + +"As to what you say of Byron's volume, no doubt there are _longueurs_, +but really not many. The most teasing part is the blanks, which perplex +without concealing. I also think that Moore went on a wrong principle, +when, publishing _any_ personality, he did not publish _all_. It is like +a suppression of evidence. When such horrors are published of Sir S. +Romilly, it would have been justice to his memory to show that, on the +_slightest_ provocation, Byron would treat his dearest friend in the +same style. When his sneers against Lady Byron and her mother are +recorded, it would lessen their effect if it were shown that he sneered +at all man and womankind in turn; and that the friend of his choicest +selection, or the mistress of his maddest love, were served no better, +when the maggot (selfishness) bit, than his wife or his mother-in-law." + +The appearance of the Life induced Captain Medwin to publish his +"Conversations with Lord Byron," a work now chiefly remembered as having +called forth from Murray, who was attacked in it, a reply which, as a +crashing refutation of personal charges, has seldom been surpassed. +[Footnote: Mr. Murray's answer to Medwin's fabrications is published in +the Appendix to the 8vo edition of "Lord Byron's Poems."] + +Amongst the reviews of the biography was one by Lockhart in the +_Quarterly_ (No. 87), which was very favourable; but an article, by Mr. +Croker in No. 91, on another of Moore's works--the "Life of Lord Edward +Fitzgerald"--was of a very different character. Murray told Moore of the +approaching appearance of the article in the next number, and Moore +enters in his Diary, "Saw my 'Lord Edward Fitzgerald' announced as one +of the articles in the _Quarterly_, to be abused of course; and this too +immediately after my dinings and junketings with both author and +publisher." + +_Mr. Moore to John Murray_. + +_October_ 25, 1831. + +... I see that what I took for a joke of yours is true, and that you are +_at_ me in this number of the _Quarterly_. I have desired Power to send +you back my copy when it comes, not liking to read it just now for +reasons. In the meantime, here's some _good_-humoured doggerel for you: + +THOUGHTS ON EDITORS. + +_Editur et edit_. + +No! Editors don't care a button, + What false and faithless things they do; +They'll let you come and cut their mutton, + And then, they'll have a cut at you. + +With Barnes I oft my dinner took, + Nay, met e'en Horace Twiss to please him: +Yet Mister Barnes traduc'd my Book, + For which may his own devils seize him! + +With Doctor Bowring I drank tea, + Nor of his cakes consumed a particle; +And yet th' ungrateful LL.D. + Let fly at me, next week, an article! + +John Wilson gave me suppers hot, + With bards of fame, like Hogg and Packwood; +A dose of black-strap then I got, + And after a still worse of Blackwood. + +Alas! and must I close the list + With thee, my Lockhart of the _Quarterly?_ +So kind, with bumper in thy fist,-- + With pen, so very gruff and tartarly. + +Now in thy parlour feasting me, + Now scribbling at me from your garret,-- +Till, 'twixt the two, in doubt I be, + Which sourest is, thy wit or claret? + +Should you again see the Noble Scott before he goes, remember me most +affectionately to him. Ever yours, + +Thomas Moore. + + +Mr. Murray now found himself at liberty to proceed with his cherished +scheme of a complete edition of Lord Byron's works. + + +_John Murray to Mr. Moore._ + +February 28, 1832. + +When I commenced this complete edition of Byron's works I was so out of +heart by the loss upon the first edition of the "Life," and by the +simultaneous losses from the failure of three booksellers very largely +in my debt, that I had little if any hopes of its success, and I felt +myself under the necessity of declining your kind offer to edit it, +because I did not think that I should have had it in my power to offer +you an adequate remuneration. But now that the success of this +speculation is established, if you will do me the favour to do what you +propose, I shall have great satisfaction in giving you 500 guineas for +your labours. + +Most sincerely yours, + +John Murray. + +In 1837, the year in which the work now in contemplation was published, +the Countess Guiccioli was in London, and received much kindness from +Mr. Murray. After her return to Rome, she wrote to him a long letter, +acknowledging the beautifully bound volume of the landscape and portrait +illustrations of Lord Byron's works. She complained, however, of +Brockedon's portrait of herself. + +_Countess Guiccioli to John Murray_. + +"It is not resembling, and to tell you the truth, my dear Mr. Murray, I +wish it was so; not on account of the ugliness of features (which is +also remarkable), but particularly for having this portrait an +expression of _stupidity_, and for its being _molto antipatico_, as we +say in our language. But perhaps it is not the fault of the painter, but +of the original, and I am sorry for that. What is certain is that +towards such a creature nobody may feel inclined to be indulgent; and if +she has faults and errors to be pardoned for, she will never be so on +account of her _antipatia_! But pray don't say that to Mr. Brockedon." + +A copy was likewise sent to Sir R. Peel with the following letter: + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _April_ 17, 1837. + +DEAR SIR, + +As the invaluable instructions which you addressed to the students of +the University of Glasgow have as completely associated your name with +the literature of this country, as your political conduct has with its +greatest statesmen, I trust that I shall be pardoned for having +inscribed to you (without soliciting permission) the present edition of +the works of one of our greatest poets, "your own school-and +form-fellow," _Byron_. + +I have the honour to be, etc., + +JOHN MURRAY. + +_The Right Hon. Sir R. Peel to John Murray_. + +WHITEHALL, _April_ 18, 1837. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am much flattered by the compliment which you have paid to me in +dedicating to me a beautiful edition of the works of my distinguished +"school-and form-fellow." + +I was the next boy to Lord Byron at Harrow for three or four years, and +was always on very friendly terms with him, though not living in +particular intimacy out of school. + +I do not recollect ever having a single angry word with him, or that +there ever was any the slightest jealousy or coldness between us. + +It is a gratification to me to have my name associated with his in the +manner in which you have placed it in friendly connection; and I do not +believe, if he could have foreseen, when we were boys together at +school, this continuance of a sort of amicable relation between us after +his death, the idea would have been otherwise than pleasing to him. + +Believe me, + +My dear Sir, + +Very faithfully yours, + +ROBERT PEEL. + +A few words remain to be added respecting the statue of Lord Byron, +which had been so splendidly executed by Thorwaldsen at Rome. Mr. +Hobhouse wrote to Murray: "Thorwaldsen offers the completed work for +£1,000, together with a bas-relief for the pedestal, suitable for the +subject of the monument." The sculptor's offer was accepted, and the +statue was forwarded from Rome to London. Murray then applied to the +Dean of Westminster, on behalf of the subscribers, requesting to know +"upon what terms the statue now completed could be placed in some +suitable spot in Westminster Abbey." The Dean's answer was as follows: + +_The Dean of Westminster to John Murray_. + +DEANERY, WESTMINSTER, _December_ 17, 1834. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have not had the opportunity, till this morning, of consulting with +the Chapter on the subject of your note. When you formerly applied to me +for leave to inter the remains of Lord Byron within this Abbey, I stated +to you the principle on which, as Churchmen, we were compelled to +decline the proposal. The erection of a monument in honour of his memory +which you now desire is, in its proportion, subject to the same +objection. I do indeed greatly wish for a figure by Thorwaldsen here; +but no taste ought to be indulged to the prejudice of a duty. + +With my respectful compliments to the Committee, I beg you to believe +me, + +Yours truly, + +JOHN IRELAND. + +The statue was for some time laid up in a shed on a Thames wharf. An +attempt was made in the House of Commons to alter the decision of the +Dean and Chapter, but it proved of no avail. "I would do my best," said +Mr. Hobhouse, "to prevail upon Sir Robert Peel to use his influence with +the Dean. It is a national disgrace that the statue should lie neglected +in a carrier's ware-house, and it is so felt by men of all parties. I +have had a formal application from Trinity College, Cambridge, for leave +to place the monument in their great library, and it has been intimated +to me that the French Government desire to have it for the Louvre." The +result was that the subscribers, in order to retain the statue in +England, forwarded it to Trinity College, Cambridge, whose noble library +it now adorns. + +The only memorial to Byron in London is the contemptible leaning bronze +statue in Apsley House Gardens, nearly opposite the statue of Achilles. +Its pedestal is a block of Parian marble, presented by the Greek +Government as a national tribute to the memory of Byron. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +BENJAMIN DISRAELI--THOMAS CARLYLE--AND OTHERS + + +Me. Disraeli's earliest appearance as an author had been with the novel +of "Vivian Grey," published after a brief visit to Germany while he was +still in his eighteenth year. Two volumes were published in 1826, and a +third volume, or continuation, in the following year. The work brought +the author some notoriety, but, as already noticed, it contained matter +which gave offence in Albemarle Street. After the publication of the +first part, which was contemporaneous with the calamitous affair of the +_Representative_, Mr. Murray saw but little of the Disraeli family, but +at the commencement of 1830, Mr. Benjamin Disraeli once more applied to +him for an interview. Mr. Murray, however, in whose mind the former +episode was still fresh, was unwilling to accede to this request, and +replied in the third person. + +_John Murray to Mr. B. Disraeli_. + +"Mr. Murray is obliged to decline at present any personal interview; but +if Mr. Benjamin Disraeli is disposed to confide his MS. to Mr. Murray as +a man of business, Mr. Disraeli is assured that the proposal will be +entertained in every respect with the strictest honour and +impartiality." + +_Mr. B. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +UNION HOTEL, COCKSPUR STREET, 1830. + +The object of my interview with you is _purely literary_. It has always +been my wish, if it ever were my fate to write anything calculated to +arrest public attention, that you should be the organ of introducing it +to public notice. A letter I received this morning from my elected +critic was the reason of my addressing myself to you. + +I am sorry that Mr. Mitchell is out of town, because he is a person in +whom you rightly have confidence; but from some observations he made to +me the other day it is perhaps not to be regretted that he does not +interfere in this business. As he has overrated some juvenile +indiscretions of mine, I fear he is too friendly a critic. + +I am thus explicit because I think that candour, for all reasons, is +highly desirable. If you feel any inclination to pursue this affair, act +as you like, and fix upon any critic you please. I have no objection to +Mr. Lockhart, who is certainly an able one, and is, I believe, +influenced by no undue partiality towards me. + +At all events, this is an affair of no great importance--and whatever +may be your determination, it will not change the feelings which, on my +part, influenced this application. I have the honour to be, Sir, + +Your obedient Servant, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +P.S.--I think it proper to observe that I cannot crudely deliver my MS. +to any one. I must have the honour of seeing you or your critic. I shall +keep this negotiation open for a couple of days--that is, I shall wait +for your answer till Tuesday morning, although, from particular +circumstances, time is important to me. + +Mr. Disraeli was about to make a prolonged journey abroad. Before he set +out he again wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +BRADENHAM, BERKS, _May_ 27, 1830. + +SIR, + +I am unwilling to leave England, which I do on Saturday, without +noticing your last communication, because I should regret very much if +you were to misconceive the motives which actuated me in not complying +with the suggestion therein contained. I can assure you I leave in +perfect confidence both in your "honour" and your "impartiality," for +the first I have never doubted, and the second it is your interest to +exercise. + +The truth is, my friend and myself differed in the estimate of the MS. +alluded to, and while I felt justified, from his opinion, in submitting +it to your judgment, I felt it due to my own to explain verbally the +contending views of the case, for reasons which must be obvious. + +As you forced me to decide, I decided as I thought most prudently. The +work is one which, I dare say, would neither disgrace you to publish, +nor me to write; but it is not the kind of production which should +recommence our connection, or be introduced to the world by the +publisher of Byron and Anastasius. + +I am now about to leave England for an indefinite, perhaps a long +period. When I return, if I do return, I trust it will be in my power +for the _third time_ to endeavour that you should be the means of +submitting my works to the public. For this I shall be ever ready to +make great sacrifices, and let me therefore hope that when I next offer +my volumes to your examination, like the Sibylline books, their +inspiration may at length be recognised. + +I am, Sir, + +Your obedient Servant, + +B. DISRAELI. + +_John Murray to Mr. Disraeli_. + +_May_ 29, 1830. + +Mr. Murray acknowledges the receipt of Mr. Benjamin Disraeli's polite +letter of the 27th. Mr. Murray will be ready at all times to receive any +MS. which Mr. B. Disraeli may think proper to confide to him. Mr. Murray +hopes the result of Mr. Disraeli's travels will complete the restoration +of his health, and the gratification of his expectations." + +Nearly two years passed before Mr. Disraeli returned to England from +those travels in Spain, the Mediterranean and the Levant, which are so +admirably described in his "Home Letters," [Footnote: "Home Letters," +written by the late Earl of Beaconsfield in 1830 and 1831. London, +1885.] and which appear to have exercised so powerful an influence on +his own character, and his subsequent career. Shortly after his return, +he wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +BRADENHAM HOUSE, WYCOMBE, + +_February_ 10, 1832. + +Sir, + +I have at length completed a work which I wish to submit to your +consideration. In so doing, I am influenced by the feelings I have +already communicated to you. + +If you retain the wish expressed in a note which I received at Athens in +the autumn of 1830, I shall have the honour of forwarding the MS, to +you. Believe me, Sir, whatever may be the result, + +Very cordially yours, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +The MS. of the work was at once forwarded to Mr. Murray, who was, +however, averse to publishing it without taking the advice of his +friends. He first sent it to Mr. Lockhart, requesting him to read it and +pronounce his opinion. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_March_ 3, 1832. + +"I can't say what ought to be done with this book. To me, knowing whose +it is, it is full of interest; but the affectations and absurdities are +such that I can't but think they would disgust others more than the life +and brilliancy of many of the descriptions would please them. You should +send it to Milman without saying who is the author.--J.G.L." + +The MS. was accordingly sent to Mr. Milman, but as he was very ill at +the time, and could not read it himself, but transferred it to his wife, +much delay occurred in its perusal. Meanwhile, Mr. Disraeli became very +impatient about the publication, and again wrote: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_March_ 4, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I wish that I could simplify our arrangements by a stroke by making you +a present of "The Psychological Romance"; but at present you must indeed +take the will for the deed, although I hope the future will allow us to +get on more swimmingly. That work has, in all probability, cost me more +than I shall ever obtain by it, and indeed I may truly say that to write +that work I have thrown to the winds all the obvious worldly prospects +of life. + +I am ready to make every possible sacrifice on my part to range myself +under your colours. I will willingly give up the immediate and positive +receipt of a large sum of money for the copyright, and by publishing the +work anonymously renounce that certain sale which, as a successful, +although I confess not very worthy author, I can command. But in +quitting my present publisher, I incur, from the terms of our last +agreement, a _virtual penalty_, which I have no means to pay excepting +from the proceeds of my pen. Have you, therefore, any objection to +advance me a sum on the anticipated profits of the edition, not +exceeding two hundred pounds? + +It grieves me much to appear exacting to you, but I frankly tell you the +reason, and, as it will enable me to place myself at your disposal, I +hope you will not consider me mercenary, when I am indeed influenced by +the most sincere desire to meet your views. + +If this modification of your arrangement will suit you, as I fervently +trust it will, I shall be delighted to accede to your wishes. In that +case let me know without loss of time, and pray let us meet to talk over +minor points, as to the mode of publication, etc. I shall be at home all +the morning; my time is very much occupied, and on Thursday or Friday I +must run down, for a day or two, to Wycombe to attend a public meeting. +[Footnote: Mr. Disraeli was then a candidate, on the Radical side, for +the borough of Wycombe.] + +Fervently trusting that this arrangement will meet your wishes, + +Believe me, yours, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +While the MS. was still in Mr. Milman's hands, Mr. Disraeli followed +this up with another letter: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_ + +35 DUKE STREET, ST. JAMES'S. + +MY DEAR SIR, I am very sensible that you have conducted yourself, with +regard to my MS., in the most honourable, kind, and judicious manner; +and I very much regret the result of your exertions, which neither of us +deserve. + +I can wait no longer. The delay is most injurious to me, and in every +respect very annoying. I am therefore under the painful necessity of +requesting you to require from your friend the return of my work without +a moment's delay, but I shall not deny myself the gratification of +thanking you for your kindness and subscribing myself, with regard, + +Your faithful Servant, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +At length Mr. Milman's letter arrived, expressing his judgment on the +work, which was much more satisfactory than that of Mr. Lockhart. + +_The Rev. H.H. Milman to John Murray_. + +READING, _March_ 5, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have been utterly inefficient for the last week, in a state of almost +complete blindness; but am now, I trust, nearly restored. Mrs. Milman, +however, has read to me the whole of the MS. It is a very remarkable +production--very wild, very extravagant, very German, very powerful, +very poetical. It will, I think, be much read--as far as one dare +predict anything of the capricious taste of the day--much admired, and +much abused. It is much more in the Macaulay than in the Croker line, +and the former is evidently in the ascendant. Some passages will startle +the rigidly orthodox; the phrenologists will be in rapture. I tell you +all this, that you may judge for yourself. One thing insist upon, if you +publish it-that the title be changed. The whole beauty, of the latter +part especially, is its truth. It is a rapid volume of travels, a +"Childe Harold" in prose; therefore do not let it be called "a Romance" +on any account. Let those who will, believe it to be a real history, and +those who are not taken in, dispute whether it is truth or fiction. If +it makes any sensation, this will add to its notoriety. "A Psychological +Auto-Biography" would be too sesquipedalian a title; but "My Life +Psychologically Related," or "The Psychology of my Life," or some such +title, might be substituted. + +H.H. MILMAN. + +Before Mr. Milman's communication had been received, another pressing +letter arrived from Mr. Disraeli. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +It is with deep regret and some mortification that I appear to press +you. It is of the highest importance to me that the "P.R." should +appear without loss of time. I have an impending election in the +country, which a single and not improbable event may precipitate. It is +a great object with me, that my work should be published before that +election. + +Its rejection by you will only cause me sorrow. I have no desire that +you should become its publisher, unless you conceive it may be the first +of a series of works, which may support your name, and sustain your +fortunes. There is no question of pecuniary matters between us; I leave +all these with you, with illimitable trust. + +Pray, pray, my dear Sir, do not let me repent the feelings which impel +me to seek this renewal of our connection. I entreat therefore your +attention to this subject, and request that you will communicate your +decision. + +Believe me, as I have already said, that whatever that decision may be, +I shall not the less consider myself, + +Very cordially yours, + +B. DISRAELI. + +And again, in a subsequent letter, Mr. Disraeli said: + +"There is no work of fiction on whose character I could not decide in +four-and-twenty hours, and your critic ought not to be less able than +your author. Pray, therefore, to communicate without loss of time to +your obedient faithful servant. + +"B.D." + +On receiving Mr. Milman's approval, Mr. Murray immediately made up his +mind to publish the work. He wrote to Mr. Disraeli: + +_John Murray to Mr. Disraeli_. + +_March_ 6, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Your MS. has this moment been returned to me, accompanied by a +commendation which enables me to say that I should be proud of being its +publisher. But in these times I am obliged to refrain from speculation, +and I cannot offer any sum for it that is likely to be equal to its +probable value. + +I would, however, if it so please you, print at my expense an edition of +1,200 or 1,500 copies, and give you half the profits; and after the sale +of this edition, the copyright shall be entirely your own; so that if +the work prove as successful as I anticipate, you will ensure all the +advantages of it without incurring any risque. If this proposal should +not suit you, I beg to add that I shall, for the handsome offer of your +work in the first instance, still remain, + +Your obedient Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Some further correspondence took place as to the title of the work. +"What do you think," said Mr. Disraeli, "of the 'Psychological Memoir'? +I hesitate between this and 'Narrative,' but discard 'History' or +'Biography.' On survey, I conceive the MS. will make four Byronic tomes, +according to the pattern you were kind enough to show me." The work was +at length published in 4 vols., foolscap 8vo, with the title of +"Contarini Fleming: a Psychological Biography." + +Before the appearance of the work, Mr. Disraeli wrote to Mr. Murray as +follows: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +BRADENHAM HOUSE, _May_ 6, 1832. + +DEAR SIR, + +From the notice of "C.F." in the _Literary Gazette_, which I received +this morning, I imagine that Jerdan has either bribed the printer, or +purloined some sheets. It is evident that he has only seen the last +volume. It is unnecessary for me to observe that such premature notice, +written in such complete ignorance of the work, can do no good. I think +that he should be reprimanded, and his petty larceny arrested. I shall +be in town on Tuesday. + +Yours, B.D. + +The work, when it appeared in 1833, excited considerable sensation, and +was very popular at the time of its publication. It is now included in +the uniform edition of Lord Beaconsfield's works. + +During his travels in the East, Mr. Disraeli was attended by Lord +Byron's faithful gondolier, who had accompanied his master to +Missolonghi, and remained with him till his death. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +DUKE STREET, _July 5_, 1832. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have just returned to town, and will call in Albemarle Street as soon +as I can. Tita, Lord Byron's faithful servant, and [Footnote: See note, +p. 259.] who was also my travelling companion in the East, called upon +me this morning. I thought you might wish to see one so intimately +connected with the lost bard, and who is himself one of the most +deserving creatures in the world. + +Yours faithfully, + +B. DISRAELI. + +At the same time that Mr. Disraeli was engaged on his novel, he was busy +with another, but this time a political work entitled "England and +France: a Cure for the Ministerial Gallomania," dedicated to Lord Grey. +The first letter on the subject--after Mr. Murray had agreed to publish +the work--appears to have been the following, from Bradenham, Monday +night, but without date: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +DEAR SIR, + +By to-morrow's coach, at your desire, I send you one-half of the volume, +which, however, is not in the finished state I could have wished. I have +materials for any length, but it is desirable to get out without a +moment's loss of time. It has been suggested to publish a volume +periodically, and let this come out as No. 1; so as to establish a +journal of general foreign politics, for which there are ample means of +first-rate information. I have not been able even to revise what is +sent, but it will sufficiently indicate the work. + +I am to meet a personage on Thursday evening in town, and read over the +whole to him. It is therefore absolutely necessary that the MS. should +be returned to you on Thursday morning, and I will call in Albemarle +Street the moment of my arrival, which will be about four o'clock. If in +time, acknowledge the receipt by return of post. + +The remaining portion of the volume consists of several more dramatic +scenes in Paris, a view of the character and career of L.P., [Footnote: +Louis Philippe.] a most curious chapter on the conduct of the +Diplomatists, and a general view of the state of Europe at the moment of +publication. Pray be cautious, and above all let me depend upon your +having the MS. on Thursday, otherwise, as Liston says in "Love, Law and +Physic," "_we shall get all shot_." + +B.D. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_, + +_Friday_, 11 o'clock. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I much regret that I missed you yesterday, but I called upon you the +instant I arrived. I very much wish to talk over the "Gallomania," and +will come on to you, if it be really impossible for you to pay me a +visit. I have so much at this moment on my hands, that I should esteem +such an incident, not only an honour, but a convenience. + +B.D. + +There seems to have been a difference of opinion between the author and +the publisher respecting the title of the book: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have a great respect for your judgment, especially on the subject of +titles, as I have shown in another instance, one which I shall ever +regret. In the present, I shall be happy to receive from you any +suggestion, but I can offer none. To me the _Gallomania_ (or _mania_ for +what is French) appears to be one of the most felicitous titles ever +devised. It is comprehensive, it is explicit, it is poignant and +intelligible, as I should suppose, to learned and unlearned. The word +_Anglomania_ is one of the commonest on the other side of the channel, +is repeated daily in almost every newspaper; has been the title of one +or two works; and of the best farce in the French language. It is here +also common and intelligible. + +There is no objection to erasing the epithet "New," if you think it +loads the title. + +Yours truly, + +B.D. + +The three following letters were written on the same day: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. DUKE STREET, _March_ 30, 1832. + +DEAR SIR, + +I am going to dine with Baron D'Haussez, Baron de Haber, _et hoc genus_, +today, and must report progress, otherwise they will think I am trifling +with them. Have you determined on a title? What think you of "A Cure for +the Ministerial Gallomania," and advertise, dedicated to Lord Grey? Pray +decide. You are aware I have not yet received a proof. Affairs look +awkward in France. Beware lest we are a day after the fair, and only +annalists instead of prophets. + +Your very faithful Servant, B. DISRAELI. + +_March_ 30. + +DEAR SIR, + +I think it does very well, and I hope you are also satisfied. I shall +send you the rest of the MS. tomorrow morning. There is a very +remarkable chapter on Louis Philippe which is at present with Baron +D'Haussez; and this is the reason I have not forwarded it to you. I keep +the advertisement to show them. + +B.D. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +In further answer to your note received this evening, I think it proper +to observe that I entirely agree with you that I "am bound to make as +few alterations as possible," coming as they do from such a quarter; and +I have acted throughout in such a spirit. All alterations and omissions +of consequence are in this first sheet, and I have retained in the +others many things of which I do not approve, merely on account of my +respect for the source from whence they are derived. + +While you remind me of what I observed to your son, let me also remind +you of the condition with which my permission was accompanied, viz.: +that everything was to be submitted to my approval, and subject to my +satisfaction. On this condition I have placed the proofs in the hands of +several persons not less distinguished than your friend, [Footnote: Mr. +Croker, with Mr. B. Disraeli's knowledge, revised the proofs.] and +superior even in rank and recent office. Their papers are on my table, +and I shall be happy to show them to you. I will mention one: the +chapter on Belgium was originally written by the Plenipotentiary of the +King of Holland to the Conference, Baron Van Zuylen. Scarcely a line of +the original composition remains, although a very able one, because it +did not accord with the main design of the book. + +With regard to the omission, pp. 12, 13, I acknowledge its felicity; but +it is totally at variance with every other notice of M. de Talleyrand in +the work, and entirely dissonant with the elaborate mention of him in +the last chapter. When the reviser introduced this pungent remark, he +had never even read the work he was revising. + +With regard to the authorship of this work, I should never be ashamed of +being considered the author, I should be _proud to be_; but I am not. It +is written by Legion, but I am one of them, and I bear the +responsibility. If it be supposed to be written by a Frenchman, all its +good effects must be marred, as it seeks to command attention and +interest by its purely British spirit. + +I have no desire to thrust my acquaintance on your critic. More than +once, I have had an opportunity to form that acquaintance, and more than +once I have declined it, but I am ready to bear the _brunt of +explanation_, if you desire me. + +It is quite impossible that anything adverse to the general measure of +Reform can issue from my pen or from anything to which I contribute. +Within these four months I have declined being returned for a Tory +borough, and almost within these four hours, to mention slight affairs, +I have refused to inscribe myself a member of "The Conservative Club." I +cannot believe that you will place your critic's feelings for a few +erased passages against my permanent interest. + +But in fact these have nothing to do with the question. To convenience +you, I have no objection to wash my hands of the whole business, and put +you in direct communication with my coadjutors. I can assure you that it +is from no regard for my situation that Reform was omitted, but because +they are of opinion that its notice would be unwise and injurious. For +myself, I am ready to do anything that you can desire, except entirely +change my position in life. + +I will see your critic, if you please, or you can give up the +publication and be reimbursed, which shall make no difference in our +other affairs. All I ask in this and all other affairs, are candour and +decision. + +The present business is most pressing. At present I am writing a chapter +on Poland from intelligence just received, and it will be ready for the +printer tomorrow morning, as I shall finish it before I retire. I await +your answer with anxiety. + +Yours truly, + +B.D. + +Mr. Disraeli was evidently intent upon the immediate publication of his +work. On the following day he wrote again to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_March_ 31, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +We shall have an opportunity of submitting the work to Count Orloff +tomorrow morning, in case you can let me have a set of the proofs +tonight, I mean as far as we have gone. I do not like to send mine, +which are covered with corrections. + +Yours truly, B.D. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. _Monday morning_, 9 _o'clock [April_ 2]. + +DEAR SIR, + +Since I had the honour of addressing you the note of last night, I have +seen the Baron. Our interview was intended to have been a final one, and +it was therefore absolutely necessary that I should apprize him of all +that had happened, of course concealing the name of your friend. The +Baron says that the insertion of the obnoxious passages is fatal to all +his combinations; that he has devoted two months of the most valuable +time to this affair, and that he must hold me personally responsible for +the immediate fulfilment of my agreement, viz.: to ensure its +publication when finished. + +We dine at the same house today, and I have pledged myself to give him a +categorical reply at that time, and to ensure its publication by some +mode or other. + +Under these principal circumstances, my dear sir, I can only state that +the work must be published at once, and with the omission of all +passages hostile to Reform; and that if you are unwilling to introduce +it in that way, I request from your friendliness such assistance as you +can afford me about the printer, etc., to occasion its immediate +publication in some other quarter. + +After what took place between myself and my coadjutor last night, I +really can have for him only one answer or one alternative, and as I +wish to give him the first, and ever avoid the second, I look forward +with confidence to your answer. + +B.D. + +Mr. Disraeli next desires to have a set of the proofs to put into the +hands of the Duke of Wellington: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_, + +_April_ 6, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have just received a note, that if I can get a set of clean proofs by +Sunday, they will be put in the Duke's hands preliminary to the debate. +I thought you would like to know this. Do you think it impossible? Let +this be between us. I am sorry to give you all this trouble, but I know +your zeal, and the interest you take in these affairs. I myself will +never keep the printer, and engage when the proofs are sent me to +prepare them for the press within an hour. + +Yours, + +B.D. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am very glad to receive the copy. I think that one should be sent to +the editor of the _Times_ as quickly as possible; that at least he +should not be anticipated in the receipt, even if in the _notice_, by a +Sunday paper. But I leave all this to your better judgment. You will +send copies to Duke Street as soon as you have them. + +B.D. + +After the article in the _Times_ had appeared, Baron de Haber, a +mysterious German gentleman of Jewish extraction, who had taken part in +the production of "Gallomania," wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Baron de Haber to John Murray_. + +2 _Mai_, 1832. + +MON CHER MONSIEUR, + +J'espère que vous serez content de l'article de _Times_ sur la +"Gallomania." C'est un grand pas de fait. Il serait utile que le +_Standard_ et le _Morning Post_ le copie en entier, avec des +observations dans son sens. C'est a vous, mon cher Monsieur Murray, de +soigner cet objet. J'ai infiniment regrette de ne m'etre pas trouve chez +moi hier, lorsque vous etes venu me voir, avec l'aimable Mr. Lockhart. + +Tout a vous, + +DE H. + +_Baron de Haber to John Murray_. + +_Vendredi_. + +MON CHER MONSIEUR MURRAY, + +Vous desirez dans l'intèrêt de l'ouvrage faire mentionner dans le +_Standard_ que le _Times_ d'aujourd'hui paroît etre assez d'accord avec +l'auteur de la "Gallomania" sur M. Thiers, espérant que de jour en jour +il reviendra aux idees de cet auteur. + +Il seroit aussi convenable de dire que la _prophétie_ dans la lettre à +_My Lord Grey_ était assez juste: Allusion--"In less than a month we +shall no doubt hear of their _warm_ reception in the Provinces, and of +some gratifying, perhaps startling, demonstrations of national +gratitude." Voyez, mon cher Monsieur, comme depuis 8 jours ces pauvres +Députés qui ont voté pour le Ministre sont traités, Si vous étes à la +maison ce soir, dites-le-moi, je désire vous parler. Dinez-vous +chez-vous? + +Votre dévoué, + +DE H. + +The following announcement was published by Mr. Disraeli in reply to +certain criticisms of his work: + +"I cannot allow myself to omit certain observations of my able critic +without remarking that those omissions are occasioned by no +insensibility to their acuteness. + +"Circumstances of paramount necessity render it quite impossible that +anything can proceed from my pen hostile to the general question of +_Reform_. + +"Independent however of all personal considerations, and viewing the +question of Reform for a moment in the light in which my critic +evidently speculates, I would humbly suggest that the cause which he +advocates would perhaps be more united in the present pages by being +passed over _in silence_. It is important that this work should be a +work not of _party_ but of national interest, and I am induced to +believe that a large class in this country, who think themselves bound +to support the present administration from a superficial sympathy with +their domestic measures, have long viewed their foreign policy with +distrust and alarm. + +"If the public are at length convinced that Foreign Policy, instead of +being an abstract and isolated division of the national interests, is in +fact the basis of our empire and present order, and that this basis +shakes under the unskilful government of the Cabinet, the public may be +induced to withdraw their confidence from that Cabinet altogether. + +"With this exception, I have adopted all the additions and alterations +that I have yet had the pleasure of seeing without reserve, and I seize +this opportunity of expressing my sense of their justness and their +value. + +"_The Author of 'Gallomania_.'" [Footnote: Several references are made +to "Contarini Fleming" and "Gallomania" in "Lord Beaconsfield's Letters +to his Sister," published in 1887.] + +The next person whom we shall introduce to the reader was one who had +but little in common with Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, except that, like him, +he had at that time won little of that world-wide renown which he was +afterwards to achieve. This "writer of books," as he described himself, +was no other than Thomas Carlyle, who, when he made the acquaintance of +Mr. Murray, had translated Goethe's "Wilhelm Meister," written the "Life +of Schiller," and several articles in the Reviews; but was not yet known +as a literary man of mark. He was living among the bleak, bare moors of +Dumfriesshire at Craigenputtock, where he was consoled at times by +visits from Jeffrey and Emerson, and by letters from Goethe, and where +he wrote that strange and rhapsodical book "Sartor Resartus," containing +a considerable portion of his own experience. After the MS. was nearly +finished, he wrapt it in a piece of paper, put in it his pocket, and +started for Dumfries, on his way to London. + +Mr. Francis Jeffrey, then Lord Advocate, recommended Carlyle to try +Murray, because, "in spite of its radicalism, he would be the better +publisher." Jeffrey wrote to Mr. Murray on the subject, without +mentioning Carlyle's name: + +_Mr. Jeffrey to John Murray_. _May_ I, 1831. + +"Lord Jeffrey [Footnote: Jeffrey writes thus, although he did not become +a Lord of Session till 1834.] understands that the earlier chapters of +this work (which is the production of a friend of his) were shown some +months ago to Mr. Murray (or his reader), and were formally judged of; +though, from its incomplete state, no proposal for its publication could +then be entertained. What is now sent completes it; the earlier chapters +being now under the final perusal of the author. + +"Lord Jeffrey, who thinks highly of the author's abilities, ventures to +beg Mr. Murray to look at the MS. now left with him, and to give him, as +soon as possible, his opinion as to its probable success on publication; +and also to say whether he is willing to undertake it, and on what +terms." + +Carlyle, who was himself at the time in London, called upon Mr. Murray, +and left with him a portion of the manuscript, and an outline of the +proposed volume. + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +6 WOBURN BUILDINGS, TAVISTOCK SQUARE, + +_Wednesday, August_ 10, 1831. + +DEAR SIR, + +I here send you the MS. concerning which I have, for the present, only +to repeat my urgent request that no time may be lost in deciding on it. +At latest, next Wednesday I shall wait upon you, to see what further, or +whether anything further is to be done. + +In the meanwhile, it is perhaps unnecessary to say, that the whole +business is strictly confidential; the rather, as I wish to publish +anonymously. + +I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +Be so kind as to write, by the bearer, these two words, "MS. received." + +When Carlyle called a second time Murray was not at home, but he found +that the parcel containing the MS. had not been opened. He again wrote +to the publisher on the following Friday: + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +DEAR SIR, + +As I am naturally very anxious to have this little business that lies +between us off my hands--and, perhaps, a few minutes' conversation would +suffice to settle it all--I will again request, in case I should be so +unlucky as to miss you in Albemarle Street, that you would have the +goodness to appoint me a short meeting at any, the earliest, hour that +suits your convenience. + +I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +This was followed up by a letter from Mr. Jeffrey: + +_Mr. Jeffrey to John Murray_. + +_Sunday, August_ 28, 1831. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Will you favour me with a few minutes' conversation, any morning of this +week (the early part of it, if possible), on the subject of my friend +Carlyle's projected publication. I have looked a little into the MS. and +can tell you something about it. Believe me, always, very faithfully +yours, + +F. JEFFREY. + +The interview between Jeffrey and Murray led to an offer for the MS. + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +TUESDAY. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have seen the Lord Advocate [Jeffrey], who informs me that you are +willing to print an edition of 750 copies of my MS., at your own cost, +on the principle of what is called "half profits"; the copyright of the +book after that to belong to myself. I came down at present to say +that, being very anxious to have you as a publisher, and to see my book +put forth soon, I am ready to accede to these terms; and I should like +much to meet you, or hear from you, at your earliest convenience, that +the business might be actually put in motion. I much incline to think, +in contrasting the character of my little speculation with the character +of the times, that _now_ (even in these months, say in November) were +the best season for emitting it. Hoping soon to see all this pleasantly +settled, + +I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +Mr. Murray was willing to undertake the risk of publishing 750 copies, +and thus to allow the author to exhibit his literary wares to the +public. Even if the whole edition had sold, the pecuniary results to +both author and publisher would have been comparatively trifling, but as +the copyright was to remain in the author's possession, and he would +have been able to make a much better bargain with the future editions, +the terms may be considered very liberal, having regard to the +exceptional nature of the work. Mr. Carlyle, however, who did not know +the usual custom of publishers, had in the meantime taken away his MS. +and offered it to other publishers in London, evidently to try whether +he could not get a better bid for his book. Even Jeffrey thought it "was +too much of the nature of a rhapsody, to command success or respectful +attention." The publishers thought the same. Carlyle took the MS. to +Fraser of Regent Street, who offered to publish it if Carlyle would +_give him_ a sum not exceeding £150 sterling. He had already been to +Longmans & Co., offering them his "German Literary History," but they +declined to publish the work, and he now offered them his "Sartor +Resartus," with a similar result. He also tried Colburn and Bentley, but +without success. When Murray, then at Ramsgate, heard that Carlyle had +been offering his book to other publishers, he wrote to him: + +_John Murray to Mr. Carlyle_. + +_September_ 17, 1831. + +DEAR SIR, + +Your conversation with me respecting the publication of your MS. led me +to infer that you had given me the preference, and certainly not that +you had already submitted it to the greatest publishers in London, who +had declined to engage in it. Under these circumstances it will be +necessary for me also to get it read by some literary friend, before I +can, in justice to myself, engage in the printing of it. + +I am, dear Sir, your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +To this Mr. Carlyle replied: + +_September_ 19, 1831 + +SIR, + +I am this moment favoured with your note of the 17th, and beg to say, in +reply,: + +_First_.--That your idea, derived from conversation with me, of my +giving you the preference to all other Publishers, was perfectly +correct. I had heard you described as a man of honour, frankness, and +even generosity, and knew you to have the best and widest connexions; on +which grounds, I might well say, and can still well say, that a +transaction with you would please me better than a similar one with any +other member of the Trade. + +_Secondly_.--That your information, of my having submitted my MS. to the +greatest publishers in London, if you mean that, after coming out of +your hands, it lay two days in those of Messrs. Longman & Rees, and was +from them delivered over to the Lord Advocate, is also perfectly +correct: if you mean anything else, incorrect. + +_Thirdly_.--That if you wish the Bargain, which I had understood myself +to have made with you, unmade, you have only to cause your Printer, who +is now working on my MS., to return the same, without damage or delay, +and consider the business as finished. I remain, Sir, your obedient +servant, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +In the meantime Murray submitted the MS. to one of his literary +advisers, probably Lockhart, whose report was not very encouraging. +Later, as Mr. Carlyle was unwilling to entertain the idea of taking his +manuscript home with him, and none of the other publishers would accept +it, he urgently requested Mr. Murray again to examine it, and come to +some further decision. "While I, with great readiness," he said, "admit +your views, and shall cheerfully release you from all engagement, or +shadow of engagement, with me in regard to it: the rather, as it seems +reasonable for me to expect some higher remuneration for a work that has +cost me so much effort, were it once fairly examined, such remuneration +as was talked of between _us_ can, I believe, at all times, be +procured." He then proposed "a quite new negotiation, if you incline to +enter on such"; and requested his decision. "If not, pray have the +goodness to cause my papers to be returned with the least possible +delay." The MS. was at once returned; and Carlyle acknowledged its +receipt: + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +_October_ 6, 1831. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have received the MS., with your note and your friend's criticism, and +I find it all safe and right. In conclusion, allow me to thank you for +your punctuality and courtesy in this part of the business; and to join +cordially in the hope you express that, in some fitter case, a closer +relation may arise between us. I remain, my dear Sir, faithfully yours, + +T. CARLYLE. + +Mr. Carlyle returned to Craigenputtock with his manuscript in his +pocket; very much annoyed and disgusted by the treatment of the London +publishers. Shortly after his arrival at home, he wrote to Mr. Macvey +Napier, then editor of the _Edinburgh Review_: + +"All manner of perplexities have occurred in the publishing of my poor +book, which perplexities I could only cut asunder, not unloose; so the +MS., like an unhappy ghost, still lingers on the wrong side of Styx: the +Charon of Albemarle Street durst not risk it in his _sutilis cymba_, so +it leaped ashore again. Better days are coming, and new trials will end +more happily." + +A little later (February 6, 1832) he said: + +"I have given up the notion of hawking my little manuscript book about +any further. For a long time it has lain quiet in its drawer, waiting +for a better day. The bookselling trade seems on the edge of +dissolution; the force of puffing can go no further; yet bankruptcy +clamours at every door: sad fate! to serve the Devil, and get no wages +even from him! The poor bookseller Guild, I often predict to myself, +will ere long be found unfit for the strange part it now plays in our +European World; and give place to new and higher arrangements, of which +the coming shadows are already becoming visible." + +The "Sartor Resartus" was not, however, lost. Two years after Carlyle's +visit to London, it came out, bit by bit, in _Fraser's Magazine_. +Through the influence of Emerson, it was issued, as a book, at Boston, +in the United States, and Carlyle got some money for his production. It +was eventually published in England, and, strange to say, has had the +largest sale in the "People's Edition of Carlyle's Works." Carlyle, +himself, created the taste to appreciate "Sartor Resartus." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +MR. GLADSTONE AND OTHERS + + +In July 1838 Mr. W.E. Gladstone, then Tory member of Parliament for +Newark-upon-Trent, wrote to Mr. Murray from 6 Carlton Gardens, informing +him that he has written and thinks of publishing some papers on the +subject of the relationship of the "Church and the State," which would +probably fill a moderate octavo volume, and that he would be glad to +know if Mr. Murray would be inclined to see them. Mr. Murray saw the +papers, and on August 9 he agreed with Mr. Gladstone to publish 750 or +1,000 copies of the work on "Church and State," on half profits, the +copyright to remain with the author after the first edition was sold. +The work was immediately sent to press, and proofs were sent to Mr. +Gladstone, about to embark for Holland. A note was received by Mr. +Murray from the author (August 17, 1838): + +"I write a line from Rotterdam to say that sea-sickness prevented my +correcting the proofs on the passage." + +This was Mr. Gladstone's first appearance in the character of an author, +and the work proved remarkably successful, four editions being called +for in the course of three years. It was reviewed by Macaulay in the +_Edinburgh_ for April 1839, and in the _Quarterly_ by the Rev. W. Sewell +in December. "Church Principles," published in 1840, did not meet with +equal success. Two years later we find a reference to the same subject. + +_Mr. W.E. Gladstone to John Murray_. + +13 CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE, _April_ 6, 1842. + +My DEAR SIR, + +I thank you very much for your kindness in sending me the new number of +the _Quarterly_. As yet I have only read a part of the article on the +Church of England, which seems to be by a known hand, and to be full of +very valuable research: I hope next to turn to Lord Mahon's "Joan of +Arc." + +Amidst the pressure of more urgent affairs, I have held no consultation +with you regarding my books and the sale or no sale of them. As to the +third edition of the "State in its Relations," I should think the +remaining copies had better be got rid of in whatever summary or +ignominious mode you may deem best. They must be dead beyond recall. As +to the others, I do not know whether the season of the year has at all +revived the demand; and would suggest to you whether it would be well to +advertise them a little. I do not think they find their way much into +the second-hand shops. + +With regard to the fourth edition, I do not know whether it would be +well to procure any review or notice of it, and I am not a fair judge of +its merits even in comparison with the original form of the work; but my +idea is, that it is less defective both in the theoretical and in the +historical development, and ought to be worth the notice of those who +deemed the earlier editions worth their notice and purchase: that it +would really put a reader in possession of the view it was intended to +convey, which I fear is more than can with any truth be said of its +predecessors. + +I am not, however, in any state of anxiety or impatience: and I am +chiefly moved to refer these suggestions to your judgment from +perceiving that the Fourth Edition is as yet far from having cleared +itself. + +I remain always, + +Very faithfully yours, + +W.E. GLADSTONE. + +In the same year another author of different politics and strong +anti-slavery views appeared to claim Mr. Murray's assistance as a +publisher. It was Mr. Thomas Fowell Buxton, M.P., who desired him to +publish his work upon the "Slave Trade and its Remedy." + +_Mr. Buxton to John Murray_. + +_December_ 31, 1837. + +"The basis of my proposed book has already been brought before the +Cabinet Ministers in a confidential letter addressed to Lord +Melbourne.... It is now my purpose to publish a portion of the work, on +the nature, extent, and horrors of the slave trade, and the failure of +the efforts hitherto made to suppress it, [Footnote: See "Life of W.E. +Forster," ch. iv.] reserving the remainder for another volume to be +published at a future day. I should like to have 1,500 copies of the +first volume thrown off without delay." + +The book was published, and was followed by a cheaper volume in the +following year, of which a large number was sold and distributed. + +The following letter illustrates the dangerous results of reading sleepy +books by candle-light in bed: + +_Mr. Longman to John Murray_. + +2 HANOVER TERRACE, 1838. + +MY DEAR MURRAY, + +Can you oblige me by letting me have a third volume of "Wilberforce"? +The fact is, that in reading that work, my neighbour, Mr. Alexander, +fell fast asleep from exhaustion, and, setting himself on fire, burnt +the volume and his bed, to the narrow escape of the whole Terrace. Since +that book has been published, premiums of fire assurance are up, and not +having already insured my No. 2, now that the fire has broken out near +my own door, no office will touch my house nor any others in the Terrace +until it is ascertained that Mr. Alexander has finished with the book. +So pray consider our position, and let me have a third volume to make up +the set as soon as possible. + +Mr. Murray had agreed with the Bishop of Llandaff to publish Lord +Dudley's posthumous works, but the Bishop made certain complaints which +led to the following letter from Mr. Murray: + +_John Murray to the Bishop of Llandaff_. + +_December_ 31, 1839. + +MY LORD, + +I am told that your Lordship continues to make heavy complaints of the +inconvenience you incur by making me the publisher of "Lord Dudley's +Letters," in consequence of the great distance between St. Paul's +Churchyard and Albemarle Street, and that you have discovered another +cause for dissatisfaction in what you consider the inordinate profits of +a publisher. + +My Lord, when I had the honour to publish for Sir Walter Scott and Lord +Byron, the one resided in Edinburgh, the other in Venice; and, with +regard to the supposed advantages of a publisher, they were only such as +custom has established, and experience proved to be no more than +equivalent to his peculiar trouble and the inordinate risque which he +incurs. + +My long acquaintance with Lord Dudley, and the kindness and friendship +with which he honoured me to the last, made me, in addition to my +admiration of his talents, desire, and, indeed, expect to become the +publisher of his posthumous works, being convinced that he would have +had no other. After what has passed on your Lordship's side, however, I +feel that it would be inconsistent with my own character to embarrass +you any longer, and I therefore release your Lordship at once from any +promise or supposed understanding whatever regarding this publication, +and remain, my Lord, + +Your Lordship's humble Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +The Bishop of Llandaff seems to have thought better of the matter, and +in Mr. Murray's second letter to him (January 1, 1840) he states that, +after his Lordship's satisfactory letter, he "renews his engagement as +publisher of Lord Dudley's 'Letters' with increased pleasure." The +volume was published in the following year, but was afterwards +suppressed; it is now very scarce. + +Mrs. Jameson proposed to Mr. Murray to publish a "Guide to the +Picture-Galleries of London." He was willing to comply with her request, +provided she submitted her manuscript for perusal and approval. But as +she did not comply with his request, Mr. Murray wrote to her as follows: + +_John Murray to Mrs. Jameson_. + +_July_ 14, 1840 + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +It is with unfeigned regret that I perceive that you and I are not +likely to understand each other. The change from a Publisher, to whose +mode of conducting business you are accustomed, to another of whom you +have heard merely good reports, operates something like second +marriages, in which, whatever occurs that is different from that which +was experienced in the first, is always considered wrong by the party +who has married a second time. If, for a particular case, you have been +induced to change your physician, you should not take offence, or feel +even surprise, at a different mode of treatment. + +My rule is, never to engage in the publication of any work of which I +have not been allowed to form a judgment of its merits and chances of +success, by having the MSS. left with me a reasonable time, in order to +form such opinion; and from this habit of many years' exercise, I +confess to you that it will not, even upon the present occasion, suit me +to deviate. + +I am well aware that you would not wish to publish anything derogatory +to the high reputation which you have so deservedly acquired; but +Shakespeare, Byron, and Scott have written works that do not sell; and, +as you expect money for the work which you wish to allow me the honour +of publishing, how am I to judge of its value if I am not previously +allowed to read it? + +Mrs. Jameson at length submitted her work for Mr. Murray's inspection; +and after some negotiation, her Guide-Book was purchased for £400. + +Mr. Murray, it may here be mentioned, had much communication with Sir +Robert Peel during his parliamentary career. He published many of Peel's +speeches and addresses--his Address to the Students of Glasgow +University; his Speeches on the Irish Disturbances Bill, the Coercion +Bill, the Repeal of the Union, and the Sugar Bills--all of which were +most carefully revised before being issued. Sugar had become so cloying +with Sir Robert, that he refused to read his speeches on the subject. "I +am so sick of Sugar," he wrote to Murray, "and of the eight nights' +debate, that I have not the courage to look at any report of my +speech--at least at present." A later letter shows that the connection +continued. + +_The Rt. Hon. Sir R. Peel to John Murray_. + +_July_ or _August_, 1840. + +DEAR SIR, + +Your printer must be descended from him who omitted _not_ from the +seventh Commandment, and finding a superfluous "not" in his possession, +is anxious to find a place for it. + +I am sorry he has bestowed it upon me, and has made me assure my +constituents that I do _not_ intend to support my political principles. +Pray look at the 4th line of the second page of the enclosed. + +Faithfully yours, + +ROBERT PEEL. + +No account of Mr. Murray's career would be complete without some mention +of the "Handbooks," with which his name has been for sixty years +associated; for though this series was in reality the invention of his +son, it was Mr. Murray who provided the means and encouragement for the +execution of the scheme, and by his own experience was instrumental in +ensuring its success. + +As early as 1817 Hobhouse had remarked on the inadequate character of +most books of European travel. In later years Mrs. Starke made a +beginning, but her works were very superficial and inadequate, and after +personally testing them on their own ground, Mr. John Murray decided +that something better was needed. + +Of the origin of the Guide-books Mr. John Murray the Third has given +the following account in Murray's Magazine for November 1889. + +"Since so many thousands of persons have profited by these books, it may +be of some interest to the public to learn their origin, and the cause +which led me to prepare them. Having from my early youth been possessed +by an ardent desire to travel, my very indulgent father acceded to my +request, on condition that I should prepare myself by mastering the +language of the country I was to travel in. Accordingly, in 1829, having +brushed up my German, I first set foot on the Continent at Rotterdam, +and my 'Handbook for Holland' gives the results of my personal +observations and private studies of that wonderful country. + +"At that time such a thing as a Guide-book for Germany, France, or Spain +did not exist. The only Guides deserving the name were: Ebel, for +Switzerland; Boyce, for Belgium; and Mrs. Starke, for Italy. Hers was a +work of real utility, because, amidst a singular medley of classical +lore, borrowed from Lemprière's Dictionary, interwoven with details +regulating the charges in washing-bills at Sorrento and Naples, and an +elaborate theory on the origin of _Devonshire Cream_, in which she +proves that it was brought by Phoenician colonists from Asia Minor into +the West of England, it contained much practical information gathered on +the spot. But I set forth for the North of Europe unprovided with any +guide, excepting a few manuscript notes about towns and inns, etc., in +Holland, furnished me by my good friend Dr. Somerville, husband of the +learned Mrs. Somerville. These were of the greatest use. Sorry was I +when, on landing at Hamburg, I found myself destitute of such friendly +aid. It was this that impressed on my mind the value of practical +information gathered on the spot, and I set to work to collect for +myself all the facts, information, statistics, etc., which an English +tourist would be likely to require or find useful. + +The first of Mr. John Murray's Handbooks to the Continent, published +1836, included Holland, Belgium, and North Germany, and was followed at +short intervals by South Germany, Switzerland--in which he was assisted +by his intimate friend and fellow-traveller, William Brockedon, the +artist, who was then engaged in preparing his own splendid work on "The +Peaks, Passes, and Glaciers of the Alps"--and France. These were all +written by Mr. Murray himself; but, as the series proceeded, it was +necessary to call in the aid of other writers and travellers. +Switzerland, which appeared in 1838, was followed in 1839 by Norway, +Sweden, and Denmark, and in 1840 by the Handbook to the East, the work +of Mr. H. Parish, aided by Mr. Godfrey Levinge. In 1842 Sir Francis +Palgrave completed the Guide to Northern Italy, while Central and +Southern Italy were entrusted to Mr. Octavian Blewitt, for many years +Secretary of the Royal Literary Fund. + +In later years, as well as at the earlier period, the originator of the +Handbooks was fortunate enough to secure very able colleagues, among +whom it is sufficient to mention Richard Ford for Spain, Sir Gardner +Wilkinson for Egypt, Dr. Porter for Palestine, Sir George Bowen for +Greece, Sir Lambert Playfair for Algiers and the Mediterranean, and Mr. +George Dennis for Sicily. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +GEORGE BORROW--RICHARD FORD--HORACE TWISS--JOHN STERLING--MR. +GLADSTONE--DEATH OF SOUTHEY, ETC. + + +In November 1840 a tall athletic gentleman in black called upon Mr. +Murray offering a MS. for perusal and publication. George Borrow had +been a travelling missionary of the Bible Society in Spain, though in +early life he had prided himself on being an athlete, and had even taken +lessons in pugilism from Thurtell, who was a fellow-townsman. He was a +native of Dereham, Norfolk, but had wandered much in his youth, first +following his father, who was a Captain of Militia. He went from south +to north, from Kent to Edinburgh, where he was entered as pupil in the +High School, and took part in the "bickers" so well described by Sir +Walter Scott. Then the boy followed the regiment to Ireland, where he +studied the Celtic dialect. From early youth he had a passion, and an +extraordinary capacity, for learning languages, and on reaching manhood +he was appointed agent to the Bible Society, and was sent to Russia to +translate and introduce the Scriptures. While there he mastered the +language, and learnt besides the Solavonian and the gypsy dialects. He +translated the New Testament into the Tartar Mantchow, and published +versions from English into thirty languages. He made successive visits +into Russia, Norway, Turkey, Bohemia, Spain and Barbary. In fact, the +sole of his foot never rested. While an agent for the Bible Society in +Spain, he translated the New Testament into Spanish, Portuguese, Romany, +and Basque--which language, it is said, the devil himself never could +learn--and when he had learnt the Basque he acquired the name of +Lavengro, or word-master. + +Such was George Borrow when he called upon Murray to offer him the MSS. +of his first book, "The Gypsies in Spain." Mr. Murray could not fail to +be taken at first sight with this extraordinary man. He had a splendid +physique, standing six feet two in his stockings, and he had brains as +well as muscles, as his works sufficiently show. The book now submitted +was of a very uncommon character, and neither the author nor the +publisher was very sanguine about its success. Mr. Murray agreed, after +perusal, to print and publish 750 copies of "The Gypsies in Spain," and +divide the profits with the author. But this was only the beginning, and +Borrow reaped much better remuneration from future editions of the +volume. Indeed, the book was exceedingly well received, and met with a +considerable sale; but not so great as his next work, "The Bible in +Spain," which he was now preparing. + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. _August_ 23, 1841. + +"A queer book will be this same 'Bible in Spain,' containing all my +queer adventures in that queer country whilst engaged in distributing +the Gospel, but neither learning, nor disquisition, fine writing, or +poetry. A book with such a Bible and of this description can scarcely +fail of success. It will make two nice foolscap octavo volumes of about +500 pages each. I have not heard from Ford since I had last the pleasure +of seeing you. Is his book out? I hope that he will not review the +'Zincali' until the Bible is forthcoming, when he may, if he please, +kill two birds with one stone. I hear from Saint Petersburg that there +is a notice of the 'Zincali' in the _Revue Britannique_; it has been +translated into Russian. Do you know anything about it?" + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT, _January_ +1842. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +We are losing time. I have corrected seven hundred consecutive pages of +MS., and the remaining two hundred will be ready in a fortnight. I do +not think there will be a dull page in the whole book, as I have made +one or two very important alterations; the account of my imprisonment at +Madrid cannot fail, I think, of being particularly interesting.... +During the last week I have been chiefly engaged in horse-breaking. A +most magnificent animal has found his way to this neighbourhood--a +half-bred Arabian. He is at present in the hands of a low horse-dealer, +and can be bought for eight pounds, but no one will have him. It is said +that he kills everybody who mounts him. I have been _charming_ him, and +have so far succeeded that he does not fling me more than once in five +minutes. What a contemptible trade is the author's compared with that of +the jockey's! + +Mr. Borrow prided himself on being a horse-sorcerer, an art he learned +among the gypsies, with whose secrets he claimed acquaintance. He +whispered some unknown gibberish into their ears, and professed thus to +tame them. + +He proceeded with "The Bible in Spain." In the following month he sent +to Mr. Murray the MS. of the first volume. To the general information as +to the contents and interest of the volume, he added these words: + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_February_, 1842. + +"I spent a day last week with our friend Dawson Turner at Yarmouth. What +capital port he keeps! He gave me some twenty years old, and of nearly +the finest flavour that I ever tasted. There are few better things than +old books, old pictures, and old port, and he seems to have plenty of +all three." + +_May_ 10, 1842. + +"I am coming up to London tomorrow, and intend to call at Albemarle +Street.... I make no doubt that we shall be able to come to terms; I +like not the idea of applying to second-rate people. I have been +dreadfully unwell since I last heard from you--a regular nervous attack; +at present I have a bad cough, caught by getting up at night in pursuit +of poachers and thieves. A horrible neighbourhood this--not a magistrate +that dares to do his duty. + +"P.S.--Ford's book not out yet?" + +There seems to have been some difficulty about coming to terms. Borrow +had promised his friends that his book should be out by October 1, and +he did not wish them to be disappointed: + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_July_ 4, 1842. + +Why this delay? Mr. Woodfall [the printer] tells me that the state of +trade is wretched. Well and good! But you yourself told me so two months +ago, when you wrote requesting that I would give you the preference, +provided I had not made arrangements with other publishers. Between +ourselves, my dear friend, I wish the state of the trade were ten times +worse than it is, and then things would find their true level, and an +original work would be properly appreciated, and a set of people who +have no pretensions to write, having nothing to communicate but +tea-table twaddle, could no longer be palmed off upon the public as +mighty lions and lionesses. But to the question: What are your +intentions with respect to "The Bible in Spain"? I am a frank man, and +frankness never offends me. Has anybody put you out of conceit with the +book? There is no lack of critics, especially in your neighbourhood. +Tell me frankly, and I will drink your health in Rommany. Or, would the +appearance of "The Bible" on the first of October interfere with the +Avatar, first or second, of some very Lion or Divinity, to whom George +Borrow, who is neither, must, of course, give place? Be frank with me, +my dear sir, and I will drink your health in Rommany and Madeira. + +In case of either of the above possibilities being the fact, allow me to +assure you that I am quite willing to release you from your share of the +agreement into which we entered. At the same time, I do not intend to +let the work fall to the ground, as it has been promised to the public. +Unless you go on with it, I shall remit Woodfall the necessary money for +the purchase of paper, and when it is ready offer it to the world. If it +be but allowed fair play, I have no doubt of its success. It is an +original book, on an original subject. Tomorrow, July 5, I am +thirty-nine. Have the kindness to drink my health in Madeira. + +Ever most sincerely yours, + +GEORGE BORROW. + +Terms were eventually arranged to the satisfaction of both parties. +Borrow informed Murray that he had sent the last proofs to the printer, +and continued: + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_November_ 25, 1842. + +Only think, poor Allan Cunningham dead! A young man, only fifty-eight, +strong and tall as a giant, might have lived to a hundred and one; but +he bothered himself about the affairs of this world far too much. That +statue shop [of Chantrey's] was his bane! Took to bookmaking +likewise--in a word, was too fond of Mammon. Awful death--no +preparation--came literally upon him like a thief in the dark. I'm +thinking of writing a short life of him; old friend of twenty years' +standing. I know a good deal about him; "Traditional Tales," his best +work, first appeared in _London Magazine_, Pray send Dr. Bowring a copy +of the Bible-another old friend. Send one to Ford, a capital fellow. God +bless you--feel quite melancholy. + +Ever yours, + +G. BORROW. + +"The Bible in Spain" was published towards the end of the year, and +created a sensation. It was praised by many critics, and condemned by +others, for Borrow had his enemies in the press. + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray, Junior_. + +LOWESTOFT, _December_ 1, 1842. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I received your kind letter containing the bills. It was very friendly +of you, and I thank you, though, thank God, I have no Christmas bills to +settle. Money, however, always acceptable. I dare say I shall be in +London with the entrance of the New Year; I shall be most happy to see +you, and still more your father, whose jokes do one good. I wish all the +world were as gay as he; a gentleman drowned himself last week on my +property, I wish he had gone somewhere else. I can't get poor Allan out +of my head. When I come up, intend to go and see his wife. What a woman! +I hope our book will be successful. If so, shall put another on the +stocks. Capital subject; early life, studies, and adventures; some +account of my father, William Taylor, Whiter, Big Ben, etc., etc. Had +another letter from Ford; wonderful fellow; seems in high spirits. +Yesterday read "Letters from the Baltic"; much pleased with it; very +clever writer; critique in _Despatch_ harsh and unjust; quite uncalled +for; blackguard affair altogether. + +I remain, dear Sir, ever yours, + +GEORGE BORROW, + +_December_ 31, 1842. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have great pleasure in acknowledging your very kind letter of the +28th, and am happy to hear that matters are going on so prosperously. It +is quite useless to write books unless they sell, and the public has of +late become so fastidious that it is no easy matter to please it. With +respect to the critique in the _Times_, I fully agree with you that it +was harsh and unjust, and the passages selected by no means calculated +to afford a fair idea of the contents of the work. A book, however, like +"The Bible in Spain" can scarcely be published without exciting +considerable hostility, and I have been so long used to receiving hard +knocks that they make no impression upon me. After all, the abuse of the +_Times_ is better than its silence; it would scarcely have attacked the +work unless it had deemed it of some importance, and so the public will +think. All I can say is, that I did my best, never writing but when the +fit took me, and never delivering anything to my amanuensis but what I +was perfectly satisfied with. You ask me my opinion of the review in the +_Quarterly_. Very good, very clever, very neatly done. Only one fault to +find--too laudatory. I am by no means the person which the reviewer had +the kindness to represent me. I hope you are getting on well as to +health; strange weather this, very unwholesome, I believe, both for man +and beast: several people dead, and great mortality amongst the cattle. +Am tolerably well myself, but get but little rest--disagreeable +dreams--digestion not quite so good as I could wish; been on the water +system--won't do; have left it off, and am now taking lessons in +singing. I hope to be in London towards the end of next month, and +reckon much upon the pleasure of seeing you. On Monday I shall mount my +horse and ride into Norwich to pay a visit to a few old friends. +Yesterday the son of our excellent Dawson Turner rode over to see me; +they are all well, it seems. Our friend Joseph Gurney, however, seems to +be in a strange way--diabetes, I hear. I frequently meditate upon "The +Life," and am arranging the scenes in my mind. With best remembrances to +Mrs. M. and all your excellent family, + +Truly and respectfully yours, + +GEORGE BORROW. + +Mr. Richard Ford's forthcoming work--"The Handbook for Spain"--about +which Mr. Borrow had been making so many enquiries, was the result of +many years' hard riding and constant investigation throughout Spain, one +of the least known of all European countries at that time. Mr. Ford +called upon Mr. Murray, after "The Bible in Spain" had been published, +and a copy of the work was presented to him. He was about to start on +his journey to Heavitree, near Exeter. A few days after his arrival Mr. +Murray received the following letter from him: + +_Mr. Richard Ford to John Murray_. + +"I read Borrow with great delight all the way down per rail, and it +shortened the rapid flight of that velocipede. You may depend upon it +that the book will sell, which, after all, is the rub. It is the +antipodes of Lord Carnarvon, and yet how they tally in what they have in +common, and that is much--the people, the scenery of Galicia, and the +suspicions and absurdities of Spanish Jacks-in-office, who yield not in +ignorance or insolence to any kind of red-tapists, hatched in the +hot-beds of jobbery and utilitarian mares-nests ... Borrow spares none +of them. I see he hits right and left, and floors his man wherever he +meets him. I am pleased with his honest sincerity of purpose and his +graphic abrupt style. It is like an old Spanish ballad, leaping in _res +medias_, going from incident to incident, bang, bang, bang, hops, steps, +and jumps like a cracker, and leaving off like one, when you wish he +would give you another touch or _coup de grâce_ ... He really sometimes +puts me in mind of Gil Blas; but he has not the sneer of the Frenchman, +nor does he gild the bad. He has a touch of Bunyan, and, like that +enthusiastic tinker, hammers away, _à la Gitano_, whenever he thinks he +can thwack the Devil or his man-of-all-work on earth--the Pope. Therein +he resembles my friend and everybody's friend--_Punch_--who, amidst all +his adventures, never spares the black one. However, I am not going to +review him now; for I know that Mr. Lockhart has expressed a wish that I +should do it for the _Quarterly Review_. Now, a wish from my liege +master is a command. I had half engaged myself elsewhere, thinking that +he did not quite appreciate such a _trump_ as I know Borrow to be. He is +as full of meat as an egg, and a fresh laid one--not one of your Inglis +breed, long addled by over-bookmaking. Borrow will lay you golden eggs, +and hatch them after the ways of Egypt; put salt on his tail and secure +him in your coop, and beware how any poacher coaxes him with 'raisins' +or reasons out of the Albemarle preserves. When you see Mr. Lockhart +tell him that I will do the paper. I owe my entire allowance to the _Q. +R_. flag ... Perhaps my understanding the _full force_ of this 'gratia' +makes me over partial to this wild Missionary; but I have ridden over +the same tracks without the tracts, seen the same people, and know that +_he_ is true, and I believe that he believes all that he writes to be +true." + +Mr. Lockhart himself, however, wrote the review for the _Quarterly_ (No. +141, December 1842). It was a temptation that he could not resist, and +his article was most interesting. "The Gypsies in Spain" and "The Bible +in Spain" went through many editions, and there is still a large demand +for both works. Before we leave George Borrow we will give a few +extracts from his letters, which, like his books, were short, abrupt, +and graphic. He was asked to become a member of the Royal Institution. + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_February_ 26, 1843. + +"I should like to become a member. The thing would just suit me, more +especially as they do not want _clever_ men, but _safe_ men. Now, I am +safe enough; ask the Bible Society, whose secrets I have kept so much to +their satisfaction, that they have just accepted at my hands an English +Gypsy Gospel gratis. What would the Institution expect me to write? I +have exhausted Spain and the Gypsies, though an essay on Welsh language +and literature might suit, with an account of the Celtic tongue. Or, +won't something about the ancient North and its literature be more +acceptable? I have just received an invitation to join the Ethnological +Society (who are they?), which I have declined. I am at present in great +demand; a bishop has just requested me to visit him. The worst of these +bishops is that they are skin-flints, saving for their families. Their +cuisine is bad, and their port wine execrable, and as for their +cigars!--I say, do you remember those precious ones of the Sanctuary? A +few days ago one of them turned up again. I found it in my great-coat +pocket, and thought of you. I have seen the article in the _Edinburgh_ +about the Bible--exceedingly brilliant and clever, but rather too +epigrammatic, quotations scanty and not correct. Ford is certainly a +most astonishing fellow; he quite flabbergasts me--handbooks, review's, +and I hear that he has just been writing a 'Life of Velasquez' for the +'Penny Cyclopaedia'!" + + +OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT, _March_ 13, 1843. + +"So the second edition is disposed of. Well and good. Now, my dear +friend, have the kindness to send me an account of the profits of it and +let us come to a settlement. Up to the present time do assure you I have +not made a penny by writing, what with journeys to London and tarrying +there. Basta! I hate to talk of money matters. + +"Let them call me a nonentity if they will; I believe that some of those +who say I am a phantom would alter their tone provided they were to ask +me to a good dinner; bottles emptied and fowls devoured are not exactly +the feats of a phantom: no! I partake more of the nature of a Brownie or +Robin Goodfellow--goblins, 'tis true, but full of merriment and fun, and +fond of good eating and drinking. Occasionally I write a page or two of +my life. I am now getting my father into the Earl of Albemarle's +regiment, in which he was captain for many years. If I live, and my +spirits keep up tolerably well, I hope that within a year I shall be +able to go to press with something which shall beat the 'Bible in +Spain.'" + +And a few days later: + +"I have received your account for the two editions. I am perfectly +satisfied. We will now, whenever you please, bring out a third edition. + +"The book which I am at present about will consist, if I live to finish +it, of a series of Rembrandt pictures, interspersed here and there with +a Claude. I shall tell the world of my parentage, my early thoughts and +habits, how I become a _sap-engro,_ or viper-catcher: my wanderings with +the regiment in England, Scotland, and Ireland, in which last place my +jockey habits first commenced: then a great deal about Norwich, Billy +Taylor, Thurtell, etc.: how I took to study and became a _lav-engro._ +What do you think of this for a bill of fare? I am now in a blacksmith's +shop in the south of Ireland taking lessons from the Vulcan in horse +charming and horse-shoe making. By the bye, I wish I were acquainted +with Sir Robert Peel. I could give him many a useful hint with respect +to Ireland and the Irish. I know both tolerably well. Whenever there's a +row, I intend to go over with Sidi Habesmith and put myself at the head +of a body of volunteers." + +During the negotiations for the publication of Mr. Horace Twiss's "Life +of the Earl of Eldon," Mr. Murray wrote to Mr. Twiss: + +_John Murray to Mr. Twiss_. + +_May_ 11, 1842. + +"I am very sorry to say that the publishing of books at this time +involves nothing but loss, and that I have found it absolutely +necessary to withdraw from the printers every work that I had in the +press, and to return to the authors any MS. for which they required +immediate publication." + +Mr. Murray nevertheless agreed to publish the "Life of Eldon" on +commission, and it proved very successful, going through several +editions. + +Another work offered to Mr. Murray in 1841 was "The Moor and the Loch," +by John Colquhoun, of Luss. He had published the first edition at +Edinburgh through Mr. Blackwood; and, having had some differences with +that publisher, he now proposed to issue the second edition in London. +He wrote to Mr. Murray desiring him to undertake the work, and received +the following reply: + +_John Murray to Mr. Colquhoun_. + +_March_ 16, 1841. + +SIR, + +I should certainly have had much pleasure in being the original +publisher of your very interesting work "The Moor and the Loch," but I +have a very great dislike to the _appearance even_ of interfering with +any other publisher. Having glass windows, I must not throw stones. With +Blackwood, indeed, I have long had particular relations, and they for +several years acted as my agents in Edinburgh; so pray have the kindness +to confide to me the cause of your misunderstanding with that house, and +let me have the satisfaction of at least trying in the first place to +settle the matter amicably. In any case, however, you may rely upon all +my means to promote the success of your work, the offer of which has +made me, dear Sir, + +Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +_Mr. Colquhoun to John Murray_. + +_March_ 20, 1841. + +DEAR SIR, + +I am much obliged by your note which I received yesterday. I shall +endeavour to see you directly, and when I explain the cause of my +dissatisfaction with Messrs. Blackwood, I am sure you will at once see +that it would be impossible for us to go on comfortably together with my +second edition; and even if any adjustment was brought about, I feel +convinced that the book would suffer. I do not mean to imply anything +against the Messrs. Blackwood as men of business, and should be sorry to +be thus understood; but this case has been a peculiar one, and requires +too long an explanation for a letter. In the meantime I have written to +you under the strictest confidence, as the Messrs. B. are not aware of +my intention of bringing out a second edition at the present time, or of +my leaving them. My reasons, however, are such that my determination +cannot be altered; and I hope, after a full explanation with you, that +we shall at once agree to publish the book with the least possible +delay. I shall be most happy to return your note, which you may +afterwards show to Messrs. B., and I may add that had you altogether +refused to publish my book, it could in no way have affected my decision +of leaving them. + +I remain, dear Sir, faithfully yours, + +JOHN COLQUHOUN. + +Mr. Colquhoun came up expressly to London, and after an interview with +Mr. Murray, who again expressed his willingness to mediate with the +Edinburgh publishers, Mr. Colquhoun repeated his final decision, and Mr. +Murray at length agreed to publish the second edition of "The Moor and +the Loch." It may be added that in the end Mr. Colquhoun did, as urged +by Murray, return to the Blackwoods, who still continue to publish his +work. + +Allan Cunningham ended his literary life by preparing the "Memoirs" of +his friend Sir David Wilkie. Shortly before he undertook the work he had +been prostrated by a stroke of paralysis, but on his partial recovery he +proceeded with the memoirs, and the enfeebling effects of his attack may +be traced in portions of the work. Towards the close of his life Wilkie +had made a journey to the East, had painted the Sultan at +Constantinople, and afterwards made his way to Smyrna, Rhodes, Beyrout, +Jaffa, and Jerusalem. He returned through Egypt, and at Alexandria he +embarked on board the _Oriental_ steamship for England. While at +Alexandria, he had complained of illness, which increased, partly in +consequence of his intense sickness at sea, and he died off Gibraltar on +June 1, 1841, when his body was committed to the deep. Turner's splendid +picture of the scene was one of Wilkie's best memorials. A review of +Allan Cunningham's work, by Mr. Lockhart, appeared in the _Quarterly_, +No. 144. Previous to its appearance he wrote to Mr. Murray as follows: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_February_ 25, 1843. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I don't know if you have read much of "The Life of Wilkie." All +Cunningham's part seems to be wretched, but in the "Italian and Spanish +Journals and Letters" Wilkie shines out in a comparatively new +character. He is a very eloquent and, I fancy, a deep and instructive +critic on painting; at all events, Vol. ii. is full of very high +interest.... Is there anywhere a good criticism on the alteration that +Wilkie's style exhibited after his Italian and Spanish tours? The +general impression always was, and I suppose will always be, that the +change was for the worse. But it will be a nice piece of work to account +for an unfortunate change being the result of travel and observation, +which we now own to have produced such a stock of admirable theoretical +disquisition on the principles of the Art. I can see little to admire or +like in the man Wilkie. Some good homely Scotch kindness for kith and +kin, and for some old friends too perhaps; but generally the character +seems not to rise above the dull prudentialities of a decent man in awe +of the world and the great, and awfully careful about No. 1. No genuine +enjoyment, save in study of Art, and getting money through that study. +He is a fellow that you can't suppose ever to have been drunk or in +love--too much a Presbyterian Elder for either you or me. + +Mr. Murray received a communication (December 16, 1841), from Mr. John +Sterling, Carlyle's friend, with whom he had had transactions on his own +account. "Not," he said, "respecting his own literary affairs, but those +of a friend." The friend was Mr. John Stuart Mill, son of the historian +of British India. He had completed his work on Logic, of which Mr. +Sterling had the highest opinion. He said it had been the "labour of +many years of a singularly subtle, patient, and comprehensive mind. It +will be our chief speculative monument of this age." Mr. Mill himself +addressed Mr. Murray, first on December 20, 1841, while he was preparing +the work for the press, and again in January and February, 1842, when he +had forwarded the MS. to the publisher, and requested his decision. We +find, however, that Mr. Murray was very ill at the time; that he could +not give the necessary attention to the subject; and that the MS. was +eventually returned. + +When Copyright became the subject of legislation in 1843, Mr. Murray +received a letter from Mr. Gladstone. + +_Mr. Gladstone to John Murray_. + +WHITEHALL, _February_ 6, 1843. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I beg leave to thank you for the information contained in and +accompanying your note which reached me on Saturday. The view with which +the clauses relating to copyright in the Customs Act were framed was +that those interested in the exclusion of pirated works would take care +to supply the Board of Customs from time to time with lists of all works +under copyright which were at all likely to be reprinted abroad, and +that this would render the law upon the whole much more operative and +more fair than an enormous catalogue of all the works entitled to the +privilege, of which it would be found very difficult for the officers at +the ports to manage the use. + +Directions in conformity with the Acts of last Session will be sent to +the Colonies. + +But I cannot omit to state that I learn from your note with great +satisfaction, that steps are to be taken here to back the recent +proceedings of the Legislature. I must not hesitate to express my +conviction that what Parliament has done will be fruitless, unless the +_law_ be seconded by the adoption of such modes of publication, as will +allow the public here and in the colonies to obtain possession of new +and popular English works at moderate prices. If it be practicable for +authors and publishers to make such arrangements, I should hope to see a +great extension of our book trade, as well as much advantage to +literature, from the measures that have now been taken and from those +which I trust we shall be enabled to take in completion of them; but +unless the proceedings of the trade itself adapt and adjust themselves +to the altered circumstances, I can feel no doubt that we shall relapse +into or towards the old state of things; the law will be first evaded +and then relaxed. + +I am, my dear Sir, + +Faithfully yours, + +W.E. GLADSTONE. + +Here it is fitting that a few paragraphs should be devoted to the +closing years of Robert Southey, who for so many years had been the +friend and coadjutor of the publisher of the _Quarterly_. + +Between 1808 and 1838, Southey had written ninety-four articles for the +_Quarterly_; the last was upon his friend Thomas Telford, the engineer, +who left him a legacy. He had been returned Member of Parliament for +Downton (before the Reform Bill passed), but refused the honour--a +curious episode not often remembered in the career of this distinguished +man of letters. When about fifty-five years old, his only certain source +of income was from his pension, from which he received £145, and from +his laureateship, which was £90. But the larger portion of these sums +went in payment for his life insurance, so that not more than £100 could +be calculated on as available. His works were not always profitable. In +one year he only received £26 for twenty-one of his books, published by +Longman. + +Murray gave him £1,000 for the copyright of the "Peninsular War"; but +his "Book of the Church" and his "Vindiciae" produced nothing. + +Southey's chief means of support was the payments (generally £100 for +each article) which he received for his contributions to the +_Quarterly_; but while recognizing this, as he could not fail to do, as +well as Murray's general kindness towards him, he occasionally allowed a +vein of discontent to show itself even in his acknowledgment of favours +received. + +In 1835 Southey received a pension of £300 from the Government of Sir +Robert Peel. He was offered a Baronetcy at the same time, but he +declined it, as his circumstances did not permit him to accept the +honour. + +_Mr. Southey to John Murray_. + +_June_ 17, 1835. + +"What Sir Robert Peel has done for me will enable me, when my present +engagements are completed, to employ the remainder of my life upon those +works for which inclination, peculiar circumstances, and long +preparation, have best qualified me. They are "The History of Portugal," +"The History of the Monastic Orders," and "The History of English +Literature," from the time when Wharton breaks off. The possibility of +accomplishing three such works at my age could not be dreamt of, if I +had not made very considerable progress with one, and no little, though +not in such regular order, with the others." + +Shortly after his second marriage, Southey's intellect began to fail +him, and he soon sank into a state of mental imbecility. He would wander +about his library, take down a book, look into it, and then put it back +again, but was incapable of work. When Mr. Murray sent him the octavo +edition of the "Peninsular War," his wife answered: + +_Mrs. Southey to John Murray_. + +GRETA HALL, _May_ 15, 1840. + +If the word _pleasure_ were not become to me as a _dead letter, I_ +should tell you with how much I took possession of your kind gift. But I +_may_ tell you truly that it gratified, and more than gratified me, by +giving pleasure to my dear husband, as a token of your regard for him, +so testified towards myself. The time is not far passed when we should +have rejoiced together like children over such an acquisition. + +Yours very truly and thankfully, + +CAR. SOUTHEY. + +_May_ 23, 1840. + +DEAR SIR, + +Very cordially I return your friendly salutations, feeling, as I do, +that every manifestation of kindness for my husband's sake is more +precious to me than any I could receive for my own exclusively. +Two-and-twenty years ago, when he wished to put into your hands, as +publisher, a first attempt of mine, of which he thought better than it +deserved, he little thought in that so doing he was endeavouring to +forward the interests of his future wife; of her for whom it was +appointed (a sad but honoured lot) to be the companion of his later +days, over which it has pleased God to cast the "shadow before" of that +"night in which no man can work." But twelve short months ago he was +cheerfully anticipating (in the bright buoyancy of his happy nature) a +far other companionship for the short remainder of our earthly sojourn; +never forgetting, however, that ours must be short at the longest, and +that "in the midst of life we are in death." He desires me to thank you +for your kind expressions towards him, and to be most kindly remembered +to you. Your intimation of the favourable progress of his 8vo "Book of +the Church" gave him pleasure, and he thanks you for so promptly +attending to his wishes about a neatly bound set of his "Peninsular +War." Accept my assurances of regard, and believe me to be, dear Sir, + +Yours very truly, + +CAROLINE SOUTHEY. + +On September 17, 1840, Mr. Murray sent to Mr. Southey a draft for £259, +being the balance for his "Book of the Church," and informed him that he +would be pleased to know that another edition was called for. Mrs. +Southey replied: + +_Mrs. Southey to John Murray_. + +"He made no remark on your request to be favoured with any suggestions +he might have to offer. _My_ sad persuasion is that Robert Southey's +works have received their last revision and correction from his mind and +pen." + +GRETA HALL, _October 5_, 1840. + +DEAR SIR, + +I will not let another post go out, without conveying to you my thanks +for your very kind letter last night received. It will gratify you to +know that its contents (the copy of the critique included), aroused and +fixed Mr. Southey's attention more than anything that has occurred for +months past--gratifying him, I believe, far more than anything more +immediately concerning himself could have done. "Tell Murray," he said, +"I am very much obliged to him." It is long since he has sent a message +to friend or relation. + +Now let me say for myself that I am very thankful to _you_--very +thankful to my indulgent reviewer--and that if I could yet feel interest +about anything of my own writing, I should be pleased and encouraged by +his encomium--as well as grateful for it. But if it did _not sound +thanklessly_, I should say, "too late--too late--it comes too late!" +and that bitter feeling came upon me so suddenly, as my eyes fell upon +the passage in question, that they overflowed with tears before it was +finished. + +But he _did take interest in_ it, at least for a few moments, and so it +was not _quite_ too late; and (doing as I _know he would have me)_, I +shall act upon your most _kind_ and _friendly_ advice, and transmit it +to Blackwood, who will, I doubt not, be willingly guided by it. + +It was one of my husband's pleasant visions before our marriage, and his +favourite prospect, to publish a volume of poetry conjointly with me, +not weighing the disproportion of talent. + +I must tell you that immediately on receiving the _Review_, I should +have written to express my sense of your kindness, and of the flattering +nature of the critique; but happening to _tell_ Miss Southey and her +brother that you had sent it me, as I believed, as an obliging personal +attention, they assured me I was mistaken, and that the numbers were +only intended for "their set." Fearing, therefore, to arrogate to myself +more than was designed for me, I kept silence; and now expose _my +simplicity_ rather than _leave_ myself _open_ to the imputation of +unthankfulness. Mr. Southey desires to be very kindly remembered to you, +and I am, my dear Sir, + +Very thankfully and truly yours, Car. Southey. + +P.S.--I had almost forgotten to thank you for so kindly offering to send +the _Review_ to any friends of mine, I may wish to gratify. I _will_ +accept the proffered favour, and ask you to send one addressed to Miss +Burnard, Shirley, Southampton, Hants. The other members of my family and +most of my friends take the _Q.R._, or are sure of seeing it. This last +number is an excellent one. + +Southey died on March 21, 1843. The old circle of friends was being +sadly diminished. "Disease and death," his old friend Thomas Mitchell, +one of the survivors of the early contributors to the _Quarterly_, wrote +to Murray, "seem to be making no small havoc among our literary +men--Maginn, Cunningham, Basil Hall, and poor Southey, worst of all. +Lockhart's letters of late have made me very uneasy, too, about him. Has +he yet returned from Scotland, and is he at all improved?" Only a few +months later Mr. Murray himself was to be called away from the scene of +his life's activity. In the autumn of 1842 his health had already begun +to fail rapidly, and he had found it necessary to live much out of +London, and to try various watering-places; but although he rallied at +times sufficiently to return to his business for short periods, he never +recovered, and passed away in sleep on June 27, 1843, at the age of +sixty-five. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +JOHN MURRAY AS A PUBLISHER + + +In considering the career of John Murray, the reader can hardly fail to +be struck with the remarkable manner in which his personal qualities +appeared to correspond with the circumstances out of which he built his +fortunes. + +When he entered his profession, the standard of conduct in every +department of life connected with the publishing trade was determined by +aristocratic ideas. The unwritten laws which regulated the practice of +bookselling in the eighteenth century were derived from the Stationers' +Company. Founded as it had been on the joint principles of commercial +monopoly and State control, this famous organization had long lost its +old vitality. But it had bequeathed to the bookselling community a large +portion of its original spirit, both in the practice of cooperative +publication which produced the "Trade Books," so common in the last +century, and in that deep-rooted belief in the perpetuity of copyright, +which only received its death-blow from the celebrated judgment of the +House of Lords in the case of Donaldson _v_. Becket in 1774. Narrow and +exclusive as they may have been in their relation to the public +interest, there can be no doubt that these traditions helped to +constitute, in the dealings of the booksellers among themselves, a +standard of honour which put a certain curb on the pursuit of private +gain. It was this feeling which provoked such intense indignation in the +trade against the publishers who took advantage of their strict legal +rights to invade what was generally regarded as the property of their +brethren; while the sense of what was due to the credit, as well as to +the interest, of a great organized body, made the associated +booksellers zealous in the promotion of all enterprises likely to add to +the fame of English literature. + +Again, there was something, in the best sense of the word, aristocratic +in the position of literature itself. Patronage, indeed, had declined. +The patron of the early days of the century, who, like Halifax, sought +in the Universities or in the London Coffee-houses for literary talent +to strengthen the ranks of political party, had disappeared, together +with the later and inferior order of patron, who, after the manner of +Bubb Dodington, nattered his social pride by maintaining a retinue of +poetical clients at his country seat. The nobility themselves, absorbed +in politics or pleasure, cared far less for letters than their fathers +in the reigns of Anne and the first two Georges. Hence, as Johnson said, +the bookseller had become the Maecenas of the age; but not the +bookseller of Grub Street. To be a man of letters was no longer a +reproach. Johnson himself had been rewarded with a literary pension, and +the names of almost all the distinguished scholars of the latter part of +the eighteenth century--Warburton, the two Wartons, Lowth, Burke, Hume, +Gibbon, Robertson--belong to men who either by birth or merit were in a +position which rendered them independent of literature as a source of +livelihood. The author influenced the public rather than the public the +author, while the part of the bookseller was restricted to introducing +and distributing to society the works which the scholar had designed. + +Naturally enough, from such conditions arose a highly aristocratic +standard of taste. The centre of literary judgment passed from the +half-democratic society of the Coffee-house to the dining-room of +scholars like Cambridge or Beauclerk; and opinion, formed from the +brilliant conversation at such gatherings as the Literary Club; +afterwards circulated among the public either in the treatises of +individual critics, or in the pages of the two leading Monthly Reviews. +The society from which it proceeded, though not in the strict sense of +the word fashionable, was eminently refined and widely representative; +it included the politician, the clergyman, the artist, the connoisseur, +and was permeated with the necessary leaven of feminine intuition, +ranging from the observation of Miss Burney or the vivacity of Mrs. +Thrale, to the stately morality of Mrs. Montagu and Mrs. Hannah More. + +On the other hand, the whole period of Murray's life as a publisher, +extending, to speak broadly, from the first French Revolution to almost +the eve of the French Revolution of 1848, was characterized in a marked +degree by the advance of Democracy. In all directions there was an +uprising of the spirit of individual liberty against the prescriptions +of established authority. In Politics the tendency is apparent in the +progress of the Reform movement. In Commerce it was marked by the +inauguration of the Free Trade movement. In Literature it made itself +felt in the great outburst of poetry at the beginning of the century, +and in the assertion of the superiority of individual genius to the +traditional laws of form. + +The effect produced by the working of the democratic spirit within the +aristocratic constitution of society and taste may without exaggeration +be described as prodigious. At first sight, indeed, there seems to be a +certain abruptness in the transition from the highly organized society +represented in Boswell's "Life of Johnson," to the philosophical +retirement of Wordsworth and Coleridge. It is only when we look beneath +the surface that we see the old traditions still upheld by a small class +of Conservative writers, including Campbell, Rogers, and Crabbe, and, as +far as style is concerned, by some of the romantic innovators, Byron, +Scott, and Moore. But, generally speaking, the age succeeding the first +French Revolution exhibits the triumph of individualism. Society itself +is penetrated by new ideas; literature becomes fashionable; men of +position are no longer ashamed to be known as authors, nor women of +distinction afraid to welcome men of letters in their drawing-rooms. On +all sides the excitement and curiosity of the times is reflected in the +demand for poems, novels, essays, travels, and every kind of imaginative +production, under the name of _belles lettres_. + +A certain romantic spirit of enterprise shows itself in Murray's +character at the very outset of his career. Tied to a partner of a petty +and timorous disposition, he seizes an early opportunity to rid himself +of the incubus. With youthful ardour he begs of a veteran author to be +allowed the privilege of publishing, as his first undertaking, a work +which he himself genuinely admired. He refuses to be bound by mere +trading calculations. "The business of a publishing bookseller," he +writes to a correspondent, "is not in his shop, or even in his +connections, but in his brains." In all his professional conduct a +largeness of view is apparent. A new conception of the scope of his +trade seems early to have risen in his mind, and he was perhaps the +first member of the Stationers' craft to separate the business of +bookselling from that of publishing. When Constable in Edinburgh sent +him "a miscellaneous order of books from London," he replied: "Country +orders are a branch of business which I have ever totally declined as +incompatible with my more serious plans as a publisher." + +With ideas of this kind, it may readily be imagined that Murray was not +what is usually called "a good man of business," a fact of which he was +well aware, as the following incident, which occurred in his later +years, amusingly indicates. + +The head of one of the larger firms with which he dealt came in person +to Albemarle Street to receive payment of his account. This was duly +handed to him in bills, which, by some carelessness, he lost on his way +home, He thereupon wrote to Mr. Murray, requesting him to advertise in +his own name for the lost property. Murray's reply was as follows: + +TWICKENHAM, _October_ 26, 1841. + +MY DEAR-----, + +I am exceedingly sorry for the vexatious, though, I hope, only temporary +loss which you have met with; but I have so little character for being a +man of business, that if the bills were advertised in _my_ name it would +be publicly confirming the suspicion--but in your own name, it will be +only considered as a very extraordinary circumstance, and I therefore +give my impartial opinion in favour of the latter mode. Remaining, my +dear-----, + +Most truly yours, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +The possession of ordinary commercial shrewdness, however, was by no +means the quality most essential for successful publishing at the +beginning of the nineteenth century. Both Constable and Ballantyne were +men of great cleverness and aptitude for business; but, wanting certain +higher endowments, they were unable to resist the whirl of excitement +accompanying an unprecedented measure of financial success. Their ruin +was as rapid as their rise. To Murray, on the other hand, perhaps their +inferior in the average arts of calculation, a vigorous native sense, +tempering a genuine enthusiasm for what was excellent in literature, +gave precisely that mixture of dash and steadiness which was needed to +satisfy the complicated requirements of the public taste. + +A high sense of rectitude is apparent in all his business transactions; +and Charles Knight did him no more than justice in saying that he had +"left an example of talent and honourable conduct which would long be a +model for those who aim at distinction in the profession." He would have +nothing to do with what was poor and shabby. When it was suggested to +him, as a young publisher, that his former partner was ready to bear +part of the risk in a contemplated undertaking, he refused to associate +his fortunes with a man who conducted his business on methods that he +did not approve. "I cannot allow my name to stand with his, because he +undersells all other publishers at the regular and advertised prices." +Boundless as was his admiration for the genius of Scott and Byron, he +abandoned one of the most cherished objects of his ambition-to be the +publisher of new works by the author of "Waverley"--rather than involve +himself further in transactions which he foresaw must lead to discredit +and disaster; and, at the risk of a quarrel, strove to recall Byron to +the ways of sound literature, when through his wayward genius he seemed +to be drifting into an unworthy course. + +In the same way, when the disagreement between the firms of Constable +and Longmans seemed likely to turn to his own advantage, instead of +making haste to seize the golden opportunity, he exerted himself to +effect a reconciliation between the disputants, by pointing out what he +considered the just and reasonable view of their mutual interests. The +letters which, on this occasion, he addressed respectively to Mr. A.G. +Hunter, to the Constables, and to the Longmans, are models of good sense +and manly rectitude. Nor was his conduct to Constable, after the +downfall of the latter, less worthy of admiration. Deeply as Constable +had injured him by the reckless conduct of his business, Murray not +only retained no ill-feeling against him, but, anxious simply to help a +brother in misfortune, resigned in his favour, in a manner full of the +most delicate consideration, his own claim to a valuable copyright. The +same warmth of heart and disinterested friendship appears in his efforts +to re-establish the affairs of the Robinsons after the failure of that +firm. Yet, remarkable as he was for his loyalty to his comrades, he was +no less distinguished by his spirit and independence. No man without a +very high sense of justice and self-respect could have conducted a +correspondence on a matter of business in terms of such dignified +propriety as Murray employed in addressing Benjamin Disraeli after the +collapse of the _Representative_. It is indeed a proof of power to +appreciate character, remarkable in so young a man, that Disraeli +should, after all that had passed between them, have approached Murray +in his capacity of publisher with complete confidence. He knew that he +was dealing with a man at once shrewd and magnanimous, and he gave him +credit for understanding how to estimate his professional interest apart +from his sense of private injury. + +Perhaps his most distinguishing characteristic as a publisher was his +unfeigned love of literature for its own sake. His almost romantic +admiration for genius and its productions raised him above the +atmosphere of petty calculation. Not unfrequently it of course led him +into commercial mistakes, and in his purchase of Crabbe's "Tales" he +found to his cost that his enthusiastic appreciation of that author's +works and the magnificence of his dealings with him were not the measure +of the public taste. Yet disappointments of this kind in no way +embittered his temper, or affected the liberality with which he treated +writers like Washington Irving, of whose powers he had himself once +formed a high conception. The mere love of money indeed was never an +absorbing motive in Murray's commercial career, otherwise it is certain +that his course in the suppression of Byron's Memoirs would have been +something very different to that which he actually pursued. On the +perfect letter which he wrote to Scott, presenting him with his fourth +share in "Marmion," the best comment is the equally admirable letter in +which Scott returned his thanks. The grandeur--for that seems the +appropriate word--of his dealings with men of high genius, is seen in +his payments to Byron, while his confidence in the solid value of +literary excellence appears from the fact that, when the _Quarterly_ was +not paying its expenses, he gave Southey for his "Life of Nelson" double +the usual rate of remuneration. No doubt his lavish generosity was +politic as well as splendid. This, and the prestige which he obtained as +Byron's publisher, naturally drew to him all that was vigorous and +original in the intellect of the day, so that there was a general desire +among young authors to be introduced to the public under his auspices. +The relations between author and publisher which had prevailed in the +eighteenth century were, in his case, curiously inverted, and, in the +place of a solitary scholar like Johnson, surrounded by an association +of booksellers, the drawing-room of Murray now presented the remarkable +spectacle of a single publisher acting as the centre of attraction to a +host of distinguished writers. + +In Murray the spirit of the eighteenth century seemed to meet and +harmonize with the spirit of the nineteenth. Enthusiasm, daring, +originality, and freedom from conventionality made him eminently a man +of his time, and, in a certain sense, he did as much as any of his +contemporaries to swell that movement in his profession towards complete +individual liberty which had been growing almost from the foundation of +the Stationers' Company. On the other hand, in his temper, taste, and +general principles, he reflected the best and most ancient traditions of +his craft. Had his life been prolonged, he would have witnessed the +disappearance in the trade of many institutions which he reverenced and +always sought to develop. Some of them, indeed, vanished in his own +life-time. The old association of booksellers, with its accompaniment of +trade-books, dwindled with the growth of the spirit of competition and +the greater facility of communication, so that, long before his death, +the co-operation between the booksellers of London and Edinburgh was no +more than a memory. Another institution which had his warm support was +the Sale dinner, but this too has all but succumbed, of recent years, to +the existing tendency for new and more rapid methods of conducting +business. The object of the Sale dinner was to induce the great +distributing houses and the retail booksellers to speculate, and buy an +increased supply of books on special terms. Speculation has now almost +ceased in consequence of the enormous number of books published, which +makes it difficult for a bookseller to keep a large stock of any single +work, and renders the life of a new book so precarious that the demand +for it may at any moment come to a sudden stop. + +The country booksellers--a class in which Murray was always deeply +interested--are dying out. Profits on books being cut down to a minimum, +these tradesmen find it almost impossible to live by the sale of books +alone, and are forced to couple this with some other kind of business. + +The apparent risk involved in Murray's extraordinary spirit of adventure +was in reality diminished by the many checks which in his day operated +on competition, and by the high prices then paid for ordinary books. Men +were at that time in the habit of forming large private libraries, and +furnishing them with the sumptuous editions of travels and books of +costly engraving issued from Murray's press. The taste of the time has +changed. Collections of books have been superseded, as a fashion, by +collections of pictures, and the circulating library encourages the +habit of reading books without buying them. Cheap bookselling, the +characteristic of the age, has been promoted by the removal of the tax +on paper, and by the fact that paper can now be manufactured out of +refuse at a very low cost. This cheapness, the ideal condition for which +Charles Knight sighed, has been accompanied by a distinct deterioration +in the taste and industry of the general reader. The multiplication of +reviews, magazines, manuals, and abstracts has impaired the love of, and +perhaps the capacity for, study, research, and scholarship on which the +general quality of literature must depend. Books, and even knowledge, +like other commodities, may, in proportion to the ease with which they +are obtained, lose at once both their external value and their intrinsic +merit. + +Murray's professional success is sufficient evidence of the extent of +his intellectual powers. The foregoing Memoir has confined itself almost +exclusively to an account of his life as a publisher, and it has been +left to the reader's imagination to divine from a few glimpses how much +of this success was due to force of character and a rare combination of +personal qualities. A few concluding words on this point may not be +inappropriate. + +Quick-tempered and impulsive, he was at the same time warm-hearted and +generous to a fault, while a genuine sense of humour, which constantly +shows itself in his letters, saved him many a time from those troubles +into which the hasty often fall. "I wish," wrote George Borrow, within a +short time of the publisher's death, "that all the world were as gay as +he." + +He was in some respects indolent, and not infrequently caused serious +misunderstandings by his neglect to answer letters; but when he did +apply himself to work, he achieved results more solid than most of his +compeers. He had, moreover, a wonderful power of attraction, and both in +his conversation and correspondence possessed a gift of felicitous +expression which rarely failed to arouse a sympathetic response in those +whom he addressed. Throughout "the trade" he was beloved, and he rarely +lost a friend among those who had come within his personal influence. + +He was eager to look for, and quick to discern, any promise of talent in +the young. "Every one," he would say, "has a book in him, or her, if one +only knew how to extract it," and many was the time that he lent a +helping hand to those who were first entering on a literary career. + +To his remarkable powers as a host, the many descriptions of his dinner +parties which have been preserved amply testify; he was more than a mere +entertainer, and took the utmost pains so to combine and to place his +guests as best to promote sympathetic conversation and the general +harmony of the gathering. Among the noted wits and talkers, moreover, +who assembled round his table he was fully able to hold his own in +conversation and in repartee. + +On one occasion Lady Bell was present at one of these parties, and +wrote: "The talk was of wit, and Moore gave specimens. Charles thought +that our host Murray said the best things that brilliant night." + +Many of the friends whose names are most conspicuous in these pages had +passed away before him, but of those who remained there was scarcely one +whose letters do not testify to the general affection with which he was +regarded. We give here one or two extracts from letters received during +his last illness. + +Thomas Mitchell wrote to Mr. Murray's son: + +"Give my most affectionate remembrances to your father. More than once I +should have sunk under the ills of life but for his kind support and +countenance, and so I believe would many others say besides myself. Be +his maladies small or great, assure him that he has the earnest +sympathies of one who well knows and appreciates his sterling merits." + +Sir Francis Palgrave, who had known Mr. Murray during the whole course +of his career, wrote to him affectionately of "the friendship and +goodwill which," said he, "you have borne towards me during a period of +more than half my life. I am sure," he added, "as we grow older we find +day by day the impossibility of finding _any_ equivalent for old +friends." Sharon Turner also, the historian, was most cordial in his +letters. + +"Our old friends," he said, "are dropping off so often that it becomes +more and more pleasing to know that some still survive whom we esteem +and by whom we are not forgotten.... Certainly we can look back on each +other now for forty years, and I can do so as to you with great pleasure +and satisfaction, when, besides the grounds of private satisfaction and +esteem, I think of the many works of great benefit to society which you +have been instrumental in publishing, and in some instances of +suggesting and causing. You have thus made your life serviceable to the +world as well as honourable to yourself.... You are frequently in my +recollections, and always with those feelings which accompanied our +intercourse in our days of health and activity. May every blessing +accompany you and yours, both here and hereafter." + +It was not only in England that his loss was felt, for the news of his +death called forth many tokens of respect and regard from beyond the +seas, and we will close these remarks with two typical extracts from the +letters of American correspondents. + +To Mr. Murray's son, Dr. Robinson of New York summed up his qualities in +these words: + +"I have deeply sympathised with the bereaved family at the tidings of +the decease of one of whom I have heard and read from childhood, and to +whose kindness and friendship I had recently been myself so much +indebted. He has indeed left you a rich inheritance, not only by his +successful example in business and a wide circle of friends, but also +in that good name which is better than all riches. He lived in a +fortunate period--his own name is inseparably connected with one of the +brightest eras of English literature--one, too, which, if not created, +was yet developed and fostered by his unparalleled enterprise and +princely liberality. I counted it a high privilege to be connected with +him as a publisher, and shall rejoice in continuing the connection with +his son and successor." + + +Mrs. L.H. Sigourney wrote from Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.: + +"Your father's death is a loss which is mourned on this side of the +Atlantic. His powerful agency on the patronage of a correct literature, +which he was so well qualified to appreciate, has rendered him a +benefactor in that realm of intellect which binds men together in all +ages, however dissevered by political creed or local prejudice. His +urbanity to strangers is treasured with gratitude in many hearts. To me +his personal kindness was so great that I deeply regretted not having +formed his acquaintance until just on the eve of my leaving London. But +his parting gifts are among the chief ornaments of my library, and his +last letter, preserved as a sacred autograph, expresses the kindness of +a friend of long standing, and promises another 'more at length,' which, +unfortunately, I had never the happiness of receiving." + + +THE END + + + + +INDEX + + +Abercorn, Marq. and Marchioness of, +Allegra, death of; buried at Harrow, +Athenaeum Club, +Austen, Miss Jane, "Northanger + Abbey,"; Novels published + by Murray, +Austria, Empress of, + +Baillie, Miss Joanna, +Ballantyne & Co. (John & James), + bill transactions with Murray; + partnership with + Scott; proposed edition of + "British Novelists,"; Works + of De Foe; James B. meets + Murray at Boroughbridge; + appointed Edinburgh agents for + _Q.R._; views on _Q.R._; + close alliance with Murray; + financial difficulties; + breach with Murray; failure + of _Edinburgh Ann. Reg_.; + "Waverley,"; "Lord of the + Isles,"; "Don Roderick,"; + Scott's proposed letters + from the Continent; proposal + to Murray and Blackwood + about Scott's works; in + debt to Scott; "Tales of + my Landlord," "The Black + Dwarf,"; bankruptcy; + death of John Ballantyne, +Barker, Miss, +Barrow, Sir John, induced by + Canning to write for _Q. R_.; + visit to Gifford; consulted + by Murray about voyages or + travels; nicknamed "Chronometer" + by B. Disraeli, +Bartholdy, Baron, +Barton, Bernard, +Basevi, junr., George, +Bastard, Capt., +Beattie, Dr., +Bedford, Grosvenor, +Bell, Lady, +Bell & Bradfute, +Bellenden, Mary, +Belzoni, Giovanni, +Berry, Miss, edits "Horace Walpole's + Reminiscences," +Blackwood, William, appointed + Murray's Agent for Scotland; + visits Murray; intimacy with + Murray; early career; + threatens Constable with proceedings + for printing Byron's + "Poems,"; refuses to sell + "Don Juan,"; alliance and + correspondence with Murray; + Ballantyne's proposals + about Scott's works; _Blackwood's + Magazine_ started; + Murray's remonstrance about the + personality of articles; + Hazlitts libel action; + interested with Murray in various + works, +_Blackwood's Magazine_ started + (first called _Edinburgh Magazine_); + article attacking + Byron; "Ancient Chaldee + MS.,"; "The Cockney + School of Poetry,"; personality + of articles,; + "Hypocrisy Unveiled," etc.; + Murray retires from--Cadell and + Davies appointed London Agents + for, +Blessington, Countess of, "Conversations + with Lord Byron," +Blewitt, Octavian, +Borrow, George, + his youth; + capacity for learning languages; + appointed Agent to the Bible Society--Russia, Norway, Turkey and Spain, + his translation of the Bible; + called Lavengro, + his splendid physique, + "Gypsies of Spain," + "The Bible in Spain," + as a horse-breaker, + remarks on Allan Cunningham's death, + asked to become a member of the Royal Institution, +"Boswell's Johnson," + Croker's edition of, +Bray, Mrs., +Brockedon, William, + his portrait of the Countess Guiccioli, + his help in Murray's Handbooks, +Brougham, Lord, + his article in _Ed. Rev._ on Dr. Young's theory of light, + Chairman of the Society for the diffusion of Useful Knowledge, +Broughton, Lord, _see_ Hobhouse. +Buccleuch, Duke of, + his present of a farm to James Hogg, +Butler, Charles, + "Books on the R. Cath. Church," +Burney, Dr., +Buxton, Thos. Powell, + "Slave Trade and its Remedy," +Byron, Lord, + first association and meeting with Murray, + "Childe Harold," + presented to Prince Regent, + friendship with Scott, + "Giaour," "Bride of Abydos," + "Corsair," + "Ode to Napoleon," + "Lara," + marriage, + meets Scott at Murray's house, + remarks on Battle of Waterloo, + portrait by Phillips, + kindness to Maturin, + dealings with Murray, + residence in Piccadilly, + pecuniary embarrassments, + Murray's generous offer, + Murray's remonstrance, + "Siege of Corinth" and "Parisina," + separation from wife, + sale of effects, + "Sketch from Private Life," + leaves England, + "Childe Harold" and "Prisoner of Chillon," + remarks on Scott's Review of "Childe Harold," Canto III., + "Manfred," + attack of fever at Venice, + "Childe Harold," Canto IV., + visit from Hobhouse, + his bust by Thorwaldsen, + correspondence with Murray in 1817 to 1822, + "Beppo," + Frere's "Whistlecraft," + at Venice, + opinion of Southey, + "Don Juan," Cantos I. and II.; + Murray's suggestions as to, + hatred of Romilly, + "Letter of Julia," + "Mazeppa," "Ode to Venice," + Copyright of "Don Juan," + Countess Guiccioli: proposal to visit S. America, + "Don Juan," Cantos III. and IV., + "Don Juan," Canto V., + Murray's refusal to publish further Cantos of "Don Juan," + "My boy Hobby O!" + Hobhouse's anger, + Whig Club at Cambridge, + pamphlet on "Bowles' strictures," + "Sardanapalus," + "The Two Foscari," "Cain, a Mystery," + injunction in case of "Cain," + death and burial of Allegra, + illness, and last letter to Murray, + adopts Hato or Hatagée, + the Suliotes incident, + death: Murray's application for his burial in Westminster Abbey refused, + Memoirs and Moore, + destruction of Memoirs, + agreement between Moore and Murray, + Moore undertakes to write "Life," + Murray's negotiations with Moore as to "Life," + agreement as to "Life," + Vol. I. of "Life" published, + Vol. II., + Murray's proposed edition of his works, + Thorwaldsen's statue refused by Dean of Westminster, + attempt to alter Dean's decision; + the statue placed in library of Trinity College, Cambridge, +Byron, Lady, her offer to Murray + for redemption of Byron's Memoirs, + +Cadell & Davies, appointed London Agents + for _Blackwood's Magazine_, +Callcott, Lady, _see_ Graham, Mrs. +Campbell, Thomas, "Pleasures o + Hope," "Hohenlinden," "The + Exile of Erin," "Ye Mariners of + England," "Battle of the Baltic," + "Lochiel's Warning"; correspondence + with Scott; intimacy + with Murray; + proposed "Selection from British + Poets"; "Gertrude + of Wyoming"; Lectures on + Poetry; "Now Barabbas + was a Publisher"; his + opinion of Mrs. Hemans's "Records + of Woman," +Canning, George, starts _Anti-Jacobin_; + assists in starting _Quarterly Review_; + article in _Q.R._ on "Austrian + State Papers"; on Spain; + views on the Royal Society + of Literature; opinion of + "Waverley"; letters from + Gifford; called "X." + by Benjamin Disraeli, +Canning, Stratford, "The Miniature"; + connection with + _Q.R._; introduces Gifford + to Murray; his mission to + Constantinople, +Carlyle, Thomas, recommended to + Murray by Lord Jeffrey; + correspondence with Murray + about "Sartor Resartus"; + "Sartor Resartus" declined + by other publishers; + returns to Craigenputtock; + "Sartor Resartus" published in + _Fraser's Magazine_, and, through + Emerson's influence, in United + States, +Cawthorn, publisher of "English + Bards and Scotch Reviewers," +Cervetto, +Chantrey, Sir F., calls Murray "a + brother Cyclops," _note_ +Chesterfield, Lord, +Cleghorn, James, Editor of _Blackwood's + Magazine_, +Colburn, the publisher, "Vivian + Grey"; declines "Sartor + Resartus," +Coleridge, John Taylor; appointed + Editor to _Quarterly + Review_; wishes to resign + editorship, +Coleridge, Samuel Taylor; + correspondence with Murray; + Goethe's "Faust"; + "Wallenstein"; "The + Friend"; "Remorse," + "Glycine," "Christabel," + "Christmas Tale," "Zapolya"; + opinion of Frere, +Colman's Comedy, "John Bull," +Colquhoun, Rt. Hon. J.C. (Lord + Advocate), +Colquhoun, John, "The Moor and + the Loch"; correspondence + with Murray; dissatisfaction + with Blackwood; visit to + London and interview with + Murray, +Constable, Archibald (Constable & + Co.); _Farmer's Magazine, + Scots Magazine, Edinburgh + Review_; his partner, + A.G. Hunter; appointed + Murray's agent; "Sir Tristram" + and "Lay of the Last + Minstrel"; breach with + Longman; injunction as to + _Edin. Rev._ obtained by Longman; + letter from Jeffrey; + Murray's remonstrances as to + drawing bills; + establishes London House; + breach with Murray; + final breach with Murray; + fresh alliance with Scott; + Campbell's "Selections from the British Poets"; + Poems by Byron on his Domestic Circumstances; + Mrs. Markham's "History of England"; + bankruptcy; + renews friendship with Murray; + death, +Cooper, James Fenimore, +Coplestone, +Copyright Bill, the, Mr. Gladstone's remarks on, +Coxe, Archdeacon, +Crabbe, "Tales of the Hall," and other poems, +Creech and Elliot +Croker, Crofton +Croker, John Wilson, + visit to Prince Regent, + portrait by Eddis, + "Stories for Children on Hist. of England", + on "Don Juan" and Byron, + takes charge of _Q.R._ during Gifford's illness, + views on the _Monthly Register_, + edits Lady Hervey's Letters, + opinion of the Waldegrave and Walpole Memoirs, + edits the Suffolk Papers, + edits Mrs. Delany's Letters, + Lockhart's opinion of him, + "Boswell's Johnson", + opinion of Moore's "Life of Byron", + Moore's "Life of Lord Fitzgerald" +Cumberland, Richard, + "John de Lancaster" +Cumming, Thomas +Cunningham, Allan, + "Paul Jones: a Romance", + his death, + "Memoirs of Sir D. Wilkie", + Lockhart's article in _Q.R._ on the "Memoirs" +Cunningham, Rev. J.W., + and the burial of Allegra at Harrow +Cuthill + +Dacre, Lady (Mrs. Wilmot) +Dagley (the engraver) +Dallas, Mr. +Davies, Annie, + Gifford's housekeeper +Davy, Sir Humphry, + "Salmonia, or Days of Fly-Fishing" +D'Haussez, Baron +Delany, Mrs. +De Quincy +De Staël, Madame, + ordered to quit Paris, + a frequenter of Murray's drawing-room +Disraeli, Benjamin, + "Aylmer Papillon," "History of Paul Jones", + correspondence with Murray, + pamphlets on Mining Speculations, + connection with Messrs. Powles, + partner with Murray and Powles in _Representative_, + letters to Murray on the _Representative_ negotiations, + description of York Cathedral, + visits Lockhart, + interview with Scott at Chiefswood, + second visit to Scotland, and exertions on behalf of _Representative_ + drops his connection with _Representative_, + "Vivian Grey" and "Contarini Fleming", + renewal of correspondence with Murray, + travels in Spain, etc., + Radical candidate for Wycombe, + attended by Tita (Byron's Gondolier), + "Gallomania", + publishes reply to criticisms on "Gallomania" +D'Israeli, Isaac, + "Curiosities of Literature", + friendship with Murray, + "Flim-Flams", + birth of his son Benjamin, + Murray's marriage-settlement, + Trustee, + advice about _Q.R._, + "Calamities of Authors", + "Character of James I.", + impromptu on Belzoni, + meets Washington Irving at Murray's, + consulted by Murray as to _Representative_, + proposed pamphlet on his misunderstanding with Murray +D'Oyley, Rev. Dr. +Dudley, Lord, + his "Letters" + +Eastlake, Sir Charles L., + "Translation of Memoirs of the Carbonari", + Mrs. Graham's interest in +Eaton, Mrs. +Ebrington, Lord +_Edinburgh Annual Register_ +_Edinburgh Magazine_ and _Review_ +_Edinburgh Review_ started, + published by Murray, + its great success, + injunction obtained by Longman, + Jeffrey, editor of, + articles on "Marmion", + on "Don Cevallos on the Occupation of Spain" +Eldon, Lord, + on copyright of "Cain" +Elliot, Miss; + marries John Murray II. +Elliot, Charles +Ellis, George; letters from + Scott; friendship with + Scott; contributes to _Q.R._; + constant critic of the _Q. R_.; + article on Spain; + on ponderous articles in _Q.R._; + advice as to punctuality in + issuing _Q. R_. +Ellis, Sir Henry, "Embassy to China" +Emerson, friendship with Carlyle +Erskine, William +Everett, A.H. + +Faber, Rev. G.S. +Falconer, William, "The Shipwreck"; + lost at sea + "Family Library," works comprising +Fazakerly's interview with Napoleon +Ferriar, Dr., on "Apparitions" +Field, Barron +Ford's "Dramatic Works" +Ford, Richard, "Handbook to + Spain"; opinion of + Borrow +Foscolo, Ugo +Fraser, Rev. Alexander +Fraser, Mr., offers £150 for "Sartor + Resartus" +Frere, John Hookham; + Coleridge's opinion of; + his marriage; "Whistle-craft" +Froissart + +Galignani +Garden, Mrs., "Memorials of James Hogg" +Gifford, William, introduced to + Murray; accepts editorship + of _Q. R_.; advice from Scott + on _Q. R_.; Southey and + the _Q. R_.; unpunctuality as + editor; at Ryde; + George Canning and the _Q. R_.; + Southey's "Life of Nelson"; + Miss A.T. Palmer's bribe; + disagreement with Murray; + wages war with _Edin. Rev._; + relations with Murray; + opinion of Pillans; bad health; + Murray's present; + opinion of W.S. Landor; + review of Ford's "Dramatic + Works"; on Charles + Lamb--his deep grief; + opinion of "Childe Harold"; + illness and death of his + housekeeper; opinion of + Southey; memorial to his + housekeeper; libellous attack + on him; opinion of Miss + Austen's novels; of Maturin; + illness at Dover; Murray + gives him a carriage; + Byron's "unlordly scrape"; + edition of "Ben Jonson"; + illness; Croker + akes charge of _Q. R_.; + opinion of Milman's "Fall of + Jerusalem"; letter to George + Canning; resigns editorship; + declines Oxford degree; + his death and burial in + Westminster Abbey; will; + character; love for + children; venomous attack + upon him +Gladstone, Rt. Hon. W.E., Tory + member for Newark; proposal + to Murray about "Church + and State"; visit to Holland; + "Church and State" published, + and "Church Principles"; + letter to Murray on Copyright + Bill +Gleig, Rev. George +Glenbervie, Lord +Gooch, Dr., anecdote of Lord Nelson +Gordon, General Sir Robert +Graham, Mrs. (Lady Callcott); + intimacy with Murray +Grahame's "British Georgies" +Grant, Sir Robert; his articles + in _Q.R._ on "Character of the late + C.J. Fox" +Greenfield +Guiccioli, Countess; Murray's + kindness to; Brockedon's + portrait of +Gurney, Joseph +Gurwood, Col., editor of Wellington + "Despatches" + +Haber, Baron de +Hall, Capt. Basil +Hall, Sir James, +Hall, S.C., +Hallam, Henry, + friendship with Murray, + "Middle Ages," + "Constitutional History," +Hamilton, Walter, + "East India Gazetteer," + "Description of Hindostan and Adjacent Countries," +Hamilton, Sir William, +"Handbooks," Murray's, +Hanson, Mr. (Byron's solicitor), +Hastings, Warren, +Hato, or Hatagée, + Greek child adopted by Byron, +Hay, R.W., +Hazlitt, William, + his libellous pamphlet on Gifford, + action for libel against Blackwood and Murray, +Heber, Bishop (Rev. Reginald), +Heber, Richard, +Hemans, Mrs., + "Records of Woman," +Herschell, Sir John, + on Dr. Young's theory of light, +Hervey, Lady, + "Letters, etc.," +Highley, Samuel, +Hoare, Prince, + "Epochs of the Arts," +Hobhouse, John Cam (Lord Broughton), + "Journey through Albania, etc., with Lord Byron," + "Last Reign of Napoleon," + visits Byron at Venice, + his inscription for Thorwaldsen's bust of Byron, + on Byron's intention to visit S. America, + imprisoned for breach of privilege, + "My boy Hobby O!"--his account of the Whig Club at Cambridge, + Byron's executor, + anxiety about a complete edition of Byron's Works, +Hodgson, Rev. Francis, +Hogg, James, + "Ettrick Shepherd," + "The Queen's Wake," + "The Pilgrims of the Sun," + correspondence with Murray, + Duke of Buccleuch gives him a farm, + supposed to be author of "Tales of my Landlord," + contributor to _Blackwood's Magazine_, + said to be author of the "Chaldee Manuscript," + helped by Scott and Murray, + "Jacobite Relics of Scotland," +Holland, Lord, + "Life of Lope de Vega and Inez de Castro," + on Napoleon's treatment at St. Helena, + opinion of "Tales of my Landlord," + proposals to Murray about the Waldegrave and Walpole Memoirs, +Holland, Rev. W. (Canon of Chichester), +Hope, Thomas, + "Anastasius, or Memoirs of a Modern Greek, etc.," +Hoppner, Mr., +Horton, Sir Robert Wilmot, + letter from Murray with particulars of the destruction of +Byron's Memoirs, +Howard, Mrs., +Hume, Joseph, +Hunt, John, +Hunt, Leigh, + joint Editor of the _Examiner_, + in gaol for libelling Prince Regent, + correspondence with Murray about "Story of Rimini," + "Recollections of Lord Byron and some of his Contemporaries," +Hunter, Alexander G., +Hunter, Charles, +Hurst, Rohinson & Co., + +Inchbald, Mrs., +Ireland, Dr. John (Dean of Westminster), + proposed burial of Byron in the Abbey, + Gifford's executor, + Byron's statue, +Irving, Peter, +Irving, Washington, + account of a dinner at Murray's, + "Sketch Book," + "Bracebridge Hall," + letter from Murray as to _Representative_, + +Jameson, Mrs., + "Guide to the Picture Galleries of London," +Jeffrey, Francis, + Editor of _Edinburgh Review,_ + opinion of Wordsworth, Southey, and Coleridge, + Southey's opinion of him, + "Don Cevallos on the Occupation of Spain," + party politics in _Ed. Rev_., + recommends Carlyle to Murray, + his interview with Murray, +Jerdan, William + his erroneous account in _Literary Gazette_ of destruction + of Byron's Memoirs, + on Gifford, + +Kean, Charles, + in "Bertram," + in "Manuel," +Keats' "Endymion" reviewed in _Q.R._, +Kerr, William, +Kerr, Robert, +Kinnaird, Honble. Douglas, and "Childe Harold," + letter to Murray, +Kinneir, Macdonald, "Persia," +Kingsburg, Miss Harriet (Mrs. Maturin), +Knight, Charles, + "Library of Entertaining Knowledge," + remarks on Murray's honourable conduct, +Knight, H. Gally, + +Lamb, Lady Caroline, + "Glenarvon," + opinion of Byron's works, + correspondence with Murray, + "Penruddock," + "Ada Reis," +Lamb, Charles, +Lamb, Honble. George, +Lamb, Honble. William (Lord Melbourne), +Lamennais' "Paroles d'un Croyant," +Landor, W.S., "Remarks upon C.J. Fox's Memoirs," +Lauderdale, Lord, +Lavater on Physiognomy, +Leigh, Honble. Augusta, her wish that Byron's Memoirs should be + destroyed, +Levinge, Godfrey, +Leyden's "Africa," +Lieven, Prince, +Lindo, Mr. and Mrs., +Llandaff, Bishop of, "Lord Dudley's Letters," +Lockhart, John, the "Littlejohn," to whom Scott's "Tales of a +Grandfather" were addressed, +Lockhart, John Gibson, contributor to _Blackwood's Magazine_, + article on "The Cockney School of Poetry," + challenges the anonymous author of "Hypocrisy Unveiled, etc.," + called "M." by B. Disraeli, + at Chiefswood, + B. Disraeli's visit, + editorship of _Representative_ offered to him, + Scott's opinion of him, 261, 273 + accepts editorship of _Q.R._, + his success as Editor of _Q.R._, + relations with Murray, + opinion of Wordsworth's poems, + visit to Brighton with Scott, + interview with Duke of Wellington, + at Abbotsford, + Scott's death: writes his "Life," + remarks on Croker's edition of "Boswell's Johnson," + on Taylor's "Isaac Comnenus," + "Life of Napoleon," + opinion of early part of Moore's "Life of Byron," + opinion of "Contarini Fleming," + article on Borrow's "Bible in Spain," + on Wilkie, + his illness, +Longman & Co., + breach with Constable, + Murray's intervention, + injunction as to _Edin. Rev_., + accept £1,000 for claim on _Edin. Rev_., + Coleridge's "Wallenstein," + offer to Campbell, + Crabbe's poems declined, + advertise an edition of Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic Cookery," + injunction granted to Murray, + refuse to publish "Sartor Resartus," +Longman, Thos., on the danger of reading in bed, +Lyndhurst, Lord, +Lyttelton, Lord, "Dialogues of the Dead," "History of King Henry II.," + +Maas, of Coblentz, +Macaulay, Lord, his articles in _Edin. Rev_., on Crokers's "Boswell's +Johnson," + Gladstone's "Church and State," +Macirone, Col. +Mackay, the actor +Mackintosh, Sir James +Macleod, John, + "Voyage of H.M.S. _Alceste_ to Loochoo" +Macready, W.C. +Maginn, Dr. +Magnus, Samuel, + his testimonial to Dean Milman +Mahon, Lord (Earl Stanhope) +Malcolm, Sir John + "Sketch of the Sikhs" +Malthus, + "Rent," "Corn-Laws," "Essay on Population" +Markham, Mrs., + "History of England" +Mason, Rev. William (T. Gray's executor) + controversy with Murray +Maturin, Rev. Chas. Robert + his early life and marriage; "The Fatal Revenge," "The Wild Irish +Boy," "The Milesian Chief," "Bertram" + "Bertram" at Drury Lane + "Manuel" + his death +Maule, William +Mavrocordato, Prince +Mawman, Joseph +Medwin, Capt. Thomas, + "Conversations of Lord Byron" +Melbourne, Lord (_see_ Lamb) +Mémoires pour servir +Milbanke, Miss +Mill, James, + "History of British India" +Mill, John Stuart +Miller, John +Miller, Robert +Miller, William, + of Albemarle Street +Mills, James +Milman, Dean (Rev. H.H.) + "Fall of Jerusalem" + one of Murray's Historians + "History of Christianity" + "History of the Jews" received with disapprobation; his remarks +on Sharon Turner's Expostulation; testimonial from the Jews + opinion of "Contarini Fleming" +Mirza, Abul Hassan, + impressions of English Society +Mitchell, Thomas + impressions of Ugo Foscolo + opinion of Murray +Mitford, + "History of Greece" +_Monthly Register_ +Moore, Thomas + opinion of "The Corsair" + presented with Byron's Memoirs + offers them to Longman + accepted by Murray + their destruction + reconciled to Murray and undertakes "Life of Byron" + his views on Cookery Books and on Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic +Cookery" + agreement with Murray as to "Life of Byron," receives £3,000 +from Murray for "Life" + Lockhart's opinion of the "Life" + Vol. I. of "Life" published + Vol. II. of "Life" published; Mrs. Somerville's opinion of it + "Thoughts on Editors" + Murray's proposal as to a complete edition of Byron's works +Morgan, Lady +Morier, James, + "Hajji Baba" +Morritt, + of Rokeby Park +Murat, King of Naples +Murray, Sir George +Murray, Joe (Byron's Steward) +Murray I., John. + 1745-68--His birth and early years + 1768--Marriage and retirement from Royal Marines + offers partnership to W. Falconer + purchases W. Sandby's business + early publications + 1769-70--Support from Sir R. Gordon and his old comrades + money difficulties + agents in Ireland and Scotland + 1771--Defence of Sir R. Gordon + 1777-78--Second marriage + controversy with Rev. W. Mason + 1782-93--Paralytic stroke + his son's education and character + Dr. Johnson's funeral + illness and death +Murray II., John + called by Lord Byron "The Anax of Publishers," + nicknamed "The Emperor of the West," + 1778-92--Birth, + at Edinburgh High School, + at school at Margate, + at school at Gosport, + sight of one eye destroyed, + 1793--At school at Kennington, + 1795--Enters his father's business firm of Murray & Highley, + 1802--Dissolves partnership with Highley and starts business + alone, + 1803--Offers to publish Colman's Comedy "John Bull," + money difficulties, + military duties, + friendship with Isaac D'Israeli, + Isaac D'Israeli's "Narrative Poems," + business transactions with Constable, + appoints Constable his agent in Edinburgh; + pushes sale of _Edinburgh Review_, + 1804--Birth of Benjamin Disraeli, + takes Charles Hunter as apprentice, + 1805--Isaac D'Israeli's letters to him, + attempts to reconcile Constable and Longman, + expedition to Edinburgh, + attachment to Miss Elliot, + 1806--The "Miniature" and Stratford Canning, + introduced to George Canning, + close attention to business, + visits Edinburgh, + engagement to Miss Elliot, + financial position, + appointed publisher of _Edinburgh Review_, + Campbell's proposed Magazine and "Selection from British Poets," + 1807--Marries Miss Elliot, + I. D'Israeli one of his Trustees, + friendship with Sharon Turner, + injunction in the matter of the _Edinburgh Review_, + remonstrates with Constable about drawing bills, + breach with Constable, + bill transactions with Ballantyne, + writes to George Canning proposing a new Review, + 1808--"Marmion" and friendship with Scott, + proposed edition of the "British Novelists," + De Foe's works, + introduced to Gifford by Stratford Canning, + visits Scott at Ashestiel, + correspondence about _Quarterly Review_, + Gifford accepts editorship, + Missionary Reports and Southey's article in + _Q.R._, + article on Spain for _Q.R._ by Canning, Gifford, and Ellis, + correspondence with Mrs. Inchbald, + 1809--Meets Ballantyne at Boroughbridge, + appoints Ballantyne Edinburgh publisher + of _Q.R._, + Scott's _Life of Swift_, + _Q.R._, No. 1 published, + urges Scott to visit London, + letter to Stratford Canning, + exertions to procure contributors, + Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic Cookery," + close alliance with Ballantyne, + Grahame's "British Georgies" and Scott's "English Ministrelsy," + financial difficulties with Ballantyne, + letter from Campbell on "Selection from British Poets," + Campbell's Gertrude of "Wyoming," + 1810--Breach with Ballantyne, + appoints W. Blackwood his agent in Scotland, + Southey's "Life of Nelson," + money difficulties--Ballantyne's bills, + transfers printing business, + Constable's bills, + decrease in circulation of _Q.R._, + 1811--Relations with Gifford, + improvement of _Q.R._, + generosity to Gifford, + origin of his connection with Byron, + "Childe Harold," + 1812--Ballantyne's bills again, + purchases stock of Miller, + of Albemarle Street, + removes to Albemarle Street, + Constable's bills, + final breach with Constable, + complete success of _Q.R._ + refuses "The Rejected Addresses," + 1813--"The Giaour," and "The Bride of Abydos," + Sir J. Malcolm, + I. D'Israeli's "Calamities of Authors," + Scott's bill transactions, + Mme. de Staël at Albemarle Street, + other books published by him during the year, + 1814--"The Corsair," + "Ode to Napoleon," + "Lara and Jacqueline," + Mrs. Murray's visit to Leith, + letters to Mrs. Murray, + visit from Blackwood, + dines with I. D'Israeli, + education of his son John, + visit to D'Israeli at Brighton, + description of Newstead Abbey, + Byron's skull-cup, + trip to Edinburgh, + alliance with Blackwood, + visit to Abbotsford, + shares in Scott's "Don Roderick," + correspondence with Coleridge, + 1815--Drawing-room in Albemarle Street, + Mme. de Staël, + first meeting of Scott and Byron, + Napoleon's escape from Elba, + sends first news of Battle of Waterloo to Blackwood, + literary parties, + portraits of distinguished men, + trip to Paris, + Scott's proposed letters from the Continent, + Napoleon's personal correspondence with crowned heads, etc., of + Europe, + publishes Miss Austen's "Emma," + begins to publish Malthus' works, + correspondence with Leigh Hunt as to the "Story of Rimini," + correspondence with James Hogg, + dealings with Byron, + his liberal offer to Byron, + "Siege of Corinth" and "Parisina," + remonstrates with Byron, + correspondence with Blackwood, + other books published by him during the year, + 1816--Kindness to Rev. C.R. Maturin, + Coleridge's "Glycine: a Song," "Remorse," "Zapolya," "Christabel," +and "Christmas Tale," + correspondence with Leigh Hunt, + Gifford's illness, + gives Gifford a carriage, + entrusted with sale of Byron's books and furniture, + buys some of Byron's books, the large screen (now at Albemarle +Street), and silver cup, + Byron's "Sketch from Private Life," + Byron leaves England, + "Childe Harold" and "The Prisoner of Chillon," + letter to Byron on the "Monody on Sheridan," + "Tales of my Landlord," + correspondence with Lady Byron and Lady C. Lamb, + Ballantyne's proposal about Scott's works, + his assistance to Hogg, + other books published by him during the year, + 1817--Correspondence with Coleridge, + Scott's review of "Childe Harold," Canto III., + letters from Lady C. Lamb, + "Manfred," + "Manuscrit venu de Ste. Hèléne," + "Childe Harold," Canto IV., + Captain Basil Hall's "Fragments of Voyages and Travels," + correspondence with Lady Abercorn, + Giovanni Belzoni, + Washington Irving at Albemarle Street, + other books published by him during the year, + 1818--"Beppo," + visit to Scott, + "Don Juan," Canto I., + takes share in + _Blackwood's Magazine_, + remonstrances with Blackwood on the personality of the Magazine +Articles, + the anonymous pamphlet "Hypocrisy Unveiled," + assailed by a pamphlet, entitled "A Letter to Mr. John Murray +of Albemarle Street, etc.," + Hazlitt's libel action, + correspondence with Scott, + friendship with Hallam--publishes "Middle Ages," + the proposed _Monthly Register_, + Crabbe's "Tales of the Hall," and other poems, + Rev. H.H. Milman + 1819--Campbell's "Selections from British Poets," + suggestions to Byron about "Don Juan," Canto II., + "Mazeppa" and "The Ode to Venice," + Blackwood refuses to sell "Don Juan," + copyright of "Don Juan" infringed--injunction applied for and +granted; + retires from _Blackwood's Magazine_, + transfers his Scottish Agency to Oliver and Boyd, + Thomas Hope's "Anastasius," + threatened by Colonel Macirone with libel action, + verdict in his favour, + buys house at Wimbledon, + literary levées at Albemarle Street, + his acquaintance with Ugo Foscolo + 1820--"Don Juan, Cantos III. and IV.," + Hobhouse's anger--the "My boy Hobby O!" incident, + Milman's "Fall of Jerusalem," + B. Disraeli first mentioned, + Washington Irving's "Sketch-Book," + other books published by him during the year + 1821--Cantos III., IV., and V. of "Don Juan," + refuses to publish further cantos of "Don Juan," + Byron's pamphlet on Bowles, + "Sardanapalus," + "The Two Foscari," "Cain, a Mystery," + present with Scott at Coronation of George IV., + injunction in case of "Cain," + accepts Byron's "Memoirs," + Mrs. Graham's letter to him about Sir Charles Eastlake, + pirated copies of Byron's works in America and France, + injunction obtained restraining sale by Longman of Mrs. Rundell's +"Domestic Cookery," + 1822--Death of Allegra, + Milman's "Fall of Jerusalem," + intimacy with Milman, + "Bracebridge Hall," + declines James Fenimore Cooper's novels, + Ugo Foscolo + 1823--Giflord's serious illness--difficulty in choosing new Editor +for the _Q.R._, + other books published by him during the year + 1824--Closing incidents of friendship with Byron, + Byron's last letter and illness, + Byron's death, + correspondence with Dr. Ireland (Dean of Westminster) about Byron's +burial in Westminster Abbey, + destruction of Byron's Memoirs, + Moore undertakes "Life of Byron," + Mrs. Markham's "History of England," + a crisis in the _Q.R._, + John Taylor Coleridge appointed Editor of _Q.R._; + correspondence with B. Disraeli about "Aylmer Papillon" +1825--Agreement and arrangements regarding proposed morning paper, +_Representative_, + letters from B. Disraeli as to _Representative_, + I. D'Israeli's views on the _Representative_, + offers editorship of _Representative_ to Lockhart; + Scott's opinion of the scheme, + secures foreign + correspondents for _Representative_, + bears the whole expense, + appoints Lockhart Editor of _Q.R._ on Coleridge's resignation, + letters to him from Scott on Lockhart's fitness for the _Q.R._ +editorship, + letters from Lockhart, + Hallam's "Constitutional History," + renews friendship with Constable after fifteen years' interval, + other books published by him during the year, + 1826--_Representative_ started--its utter failure, + health breaks down, + commercial crisis and failure of large publishing houses, Constable + & Co., Ballantyne & Co., Hurst, Robinson & Co., and others, + helps London publishers in their difficulties, + _Representative_ ceases to exist after career of six months, + misunderstanding with I. D'Israeli, + intimacy with Lockhart, + Wordsworth's proposal to him, + 1827--Letter from his son describing Scott's acknowledgement of +the authorship of "Waverley Novels" at the Theatrical Fund dinner in +Edinburgh, + Henry Taylor's "Isaac Comnenus," + buys all Byron's works, + 1828--Offers Scott £1,250 for copyright of "History of Scotland," + "Tales of a Grandfather," + Napier's "History of Peninsular War," + the "Wellington Despatches," + "Library of Entertaining Knowledge," + negotiations with Moore as to "Life of Byron," + 1829--Resigns his share in "Marmion" to Scott, + Croker's edition of "Boswell's Johnson," + "The Family Library," + 1830--Milman's "History of the Jews," + Moore's "Life of Byron," Vol. I., + renewal of correspondence with B. Disraeli and negotiations with +him as to "Contarini Fleming: a Psychological Biography," + 1831--Moore's "Life of Byron," Vol. II., + Moore's "Thoughts on Editors," + Thomas Carlyle recommended to him by Lord Jeffrey, + "Sartor Resartus"--which he ultimately declines to publish, + 1832--Complete edition of Byron's works, + correspondence with Benjamin Disraeli about "Gallomania," + 1834--Dean of Westminster refuses his request that Thorwaldsen's +statue of Byron should be placed in Westminster Abbey, + 1836--The first Handbook to the Continent (Holland, Belgium, and + North Germany), published, + 1837--Letter to _Morning Chronicle_ on Napier's "History of the +Peninsular War," + 1838--Mr. Gladstone's "Church and State," + T. Powell Buxton's "Slave Trade and its Remedy," + Handbook to Switzerland, + 1839--Handbook to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, + 1840--Mrs. Jameson and her "Guide to the Picture Galleries of +London," + Handbook to the East, + George Borrow, + Borrow's "Gypsies of Spain," + Southey's death, + 1841--Bishop of Llandaff and "Lord Dudley's Letters," + correspondence with John Colquhoun on "The Moor and the Loch," + 1842--Handbook to Italy, + letters from George Borrow, + "The Bible in Spain" published, + Horace + Horace Twiss's "Life of Lord Eldon," + his illness, + 1843--In constant communication with Sir Robert Peel, + many of whose speeches, etc., he published, + Richard Ford's Handbook of Spain, + Mr. Gladstone on the Copyright Bill, + his failing health and death, + his dinner-parties an institution, + tokens of respect from all parts--extracts from letters + of sympathy from the Americans, Dr. Robinson and Mrs. + L.H. Sigourney, +Murray, III., John, a reader for the press at six years + old, + recollections of Scott and Byron at Albemarle Street, + present at the destruction of Byron's Memoirs, + letter from R.W. Hay on the anonymous attack on Gifford's + memory, + present at the Theatrical Fund Dinner in Edinburgh when + Scott declared himself the author of the "Waverley Novels," + the originator and author of the "Guides," + extract from his article in Murray's Magazine on the + "Handbooks," + +Napier, Macvey, +Napier, Col. W., "History of the Peninsular War," + at Strathfieldsaye with Duke of Wellington, + negotiations with Murray, +Napoleon Buonaparte, escapes from Elba, + private correspondence with crowned heads, etc., of + Europe declined by Murray, +Nelson, Lord, anecdote of, +Newton (the artist), +Nugent's "Memorials of Hampden," + +Oliver & Boyd, +Orloff, Count, +Ouseley, Sir Gore, +Owen, Robert, + his "New View of Society," + +Paget, Lieut. Henry (Murray's stepfather), +Palgrave, Sir Francis, Murray's Guide to Northern Italy, + on Murray's friendship, +Palmer, Miss Alicia T., +Parish, H., +Paul, Emperor, proposal to assist Napoleon in turning + English out of India, +Paxton, Dr. G.A., +Peel, Sir Robert, on Byron, + publishes his speeches, etc., +Perry, James, _Independent Gazette_, +Phillips, Sir Richard, 17 + "Waverley" offered to, 97 +Phillips, Thomas, his portraits, +Phillpotts, Rev. Dr. Henry (Bishop of Exeter), +Pillans, Mr., +Pindar, Peter, +Pitcairn's "Criminal Trials of Scotland," +Polidori, Dr., +Powles, J.D., +Pringle, Thomas, Editor of _Blackwood's Magazine_, +Proctor, John, + +_Quarterly Review_, proposals by Murray + to Canning, + to Scott, + Gifford accepts editorship, + letters from Scott, + his advice + to Gifford, + general arrangements, + launched, + first number appears, + first edition exhausted, + its unpunctual appearance, + Southey a constant contributor to, + its prosperity, + Sir J. Barrow's connection with, + Croker takes charge of it during Gifford's illness, + Gifford's illness and resignation, + crisis--only two numbers in 1824, + J.T. Coleridge appointed Editor, + Coleridge resigns, + Lockhart appointed Editor, + +Ramsay & Co., George, +Regent, Prince, +_Representative_, The, Murray's daily newspaper; its + projection, + first appearance and complete + failure, + ceases to exist, +Roberts, Rev. Dr. +Robinson, Dr. +Robinson, H. Crabb +Rogers, Samuel, + on _Q.R._ + opinion of "Childe Harold" + "Jacqueline" + on Crabbe's poems +Romilly, Sir S. +Royal Society of Literature +Rundell, Mrs., "Domestic Cookery" + history of the book and injunction obtained by Murray +Russell, Lord John, "Memoirs, Journals, and + Correspondence of T. Moore" + "The Affairs of Europe" + +Sandby, William +Scott, Sir Walter + "Sir Tristram," and "Lay of the Last Minstrel" + "Marmion" + "Border Minstrelsy" + partnership with Ballantyne + proposed edition of "British Novelists" + asks Southey to contribute to _Edin. Rev._ + severs his connection with Constable and _Edin. Rev._ + visit from Murray + correspondence with Murray about _Q.R._ + letter to George Ellis on Murray, etc. + views as to management of _Q.R._ + advice to Gifford + friendship with George Ellis + "Life of Swift" + a principal contributor to first number of _Q.R._ + proposed "Secret History of the Court of James I." + "Portcullis Copies" + "English Minstrelsy" + "Lady of the Lake" + Prince Regent's opinion of his poems, etc. + opinion of "Calamities of Authors" + new edition of "Lord Somers's Tracts" + Ballantyne's recklessness + at Abbotsford + fresh alliance with Constable + his writing-desk; "Waverley" (Great Unknown) + "The Lord of the Isles" + additions to Abbotsford + "Don Roderick" + meets Byron at Murray's house + portrait by Newton + trip to Belgium + proposed letters from the Continent + visit from Murray + opinion of "Cain" + "Tales of my Landlord," "The Black Dwarf" + cicerone to George IV. in Edinburgh + serious illness + assists Hogg + "Heart of Midlothian," "Rob Roy" + assists Washington Irving + nicknamed "The Chevalier" by B. Disraeli + bankruptcy of his publishers + on Lockhart's fitness for the _Q.R._ editorship + at Brighton with Lockhart; illness of his grandson + "Littlejohn" + "History of Scotland" + Cadell appointed his publisher; purchases, jointly with + Cadell, all principal copyrights of his works + Murray's transfer of his share of "Marmion" + last letter to Murray + rapid decline + death + account of his acknowledgment of the authorship of + "Waverley Novels" at the Theatrical Fund dinner + opinion of "Murray, the Emperor of the West" + advises Lockhart to undertake "Life of Napoleon" + opinion of Moore's "Life of Byron" + some of the articles he wrote for _Q.R._: Carr's + "Tour in Scotland"; "Curse of Kehama" + "Daemonology"; Miss Austen's "Emma" + "Culloden Papers"; Campbell's "Gertrude of + Wyoming"; "Childe Harold" Canto III.; + "Tales of my Grandfather"; "Lord Orford's + Letters"; "Pepys' Memoirs"; "Works + of John Home," "Planting Waste Lands," "Plantation + and Landscape Gardening," Sir Humphry Davy's + "Salmonia"; "Hajji Baba," "Ancient History + of Scotland," Southey's "Life of John Bunyan" + Pitcairn's "Criminal Trials of Scotland" +Scott, Thomas + reported to be author of "Tales of my Landlord" +Senior, Nassau, +Sewell, Rev. W., + his articles in _Q.R._ on Gladstone's "Church and State," +Shadwell, Vice-Chancellor, + on copyright of "Don Juan," + on copyright of "Cain," +Sharpe, Charles K., +Sheffield, Lord, +Shelley, Mrs., + opinion of Croker's "Boswell's Johnson," + on Moore's "Life of Byron," +Shelley's "Revolt of Islam," + Southey's attack on, +Sigourney, Mrs. L.H., + on Murray's death, +Smart, Theophilus, +Smith, Horace and James, + "Rejected Addresses," +Smith, Sydney, + "Visitation Sermon," +Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, +Somerville, Mrs., + her portrait, + opinion of Moore's "Life of Byron," +Somerville, Dr., +Sotheby, Wm., +Soult, Marshal, +Southey, Robert + Jeffrey's boast about his "Excursion," + asked by Scott to write for _Edin. Rev_., + opinion of Jeffrey, + asked to contribute to the _Q.R._, + "Life of Nelson," + "Madoc," "Thalaba," and "Curse of Kehama," + constant contributor to _Q.R._, + his income diminished by failure of _Edinburgh Annual Register_, + opinion of "Calamities of Authors," + intention about his own Memoirs, + portrait by Phillips, + asks Murray to employ Coleridge to translate Goethe's "Faust," + "Wat Tyler" ruled by Chancellor to be seditious, + "History of Peninsular War," + extracts from his letters to Murray, + "Book of the Church," + literary work, + advice as to Gifford's successor, + "Life of John Bunyan," + returned M.P. for Downton, + his _Q.R._ articles his chief means of support, + receives pension from Government, + his intellect failing, + his death, + had written ninety-four articles for _Q.R._, some of which are: + "Missionary Enterprise," + "Life of Nelson," + "Life and Achievements of Lord Wellington," + "Parliamentary Reform," + "Thomas Telford," +Southey, Mrs. (Southey's second wife), + on her husband's state, +Spanish Colonies, + emancipation of, + effect on English money market, +Staël, Madame de, _see_ De Staël. +Starke, Mrs., +Stationers' Co. in 18th century, +Sterling, John, + opinion of Mill's "Logic," +Stothard, Charles, +Suffolk, Countess of, + "The Suffolk Papers," +Suliotes, the, + +Taylor, Henry, + "Isaac Comnenus," + proposes to divide loss on his drama with Murray, + "Philip van Artevelde," +Talfourd, Serjeant, +Teignmouth, Lord, +Thackeray, W.M., + his opinion of the "Suffolk Papers," +Thomson, Dr. Thomas, + article on Kidd's "Outlines of Mineralogy," +Thorwaldsen's bust of Byron, + statue of Byron, +Ticknor, George, + impressions of Gifford, +Tita (Byron's Gondolier), +Tomline, Bishop, + "Life of William Pitt," +Townsend, Dr. George, +"Trade Books" of 18th century, +Turner, Dawson, +Turner, Sharon, + retained by Longman, + Murray's staunch friend, + criticises _Q.R._ No. 1, + on "Austrian State Papers," + opinion of Byron's "Sketch from Private Life," + copyright of "Don Juan," + poems declined by Murray, + advice + on Macirone's libel suit, + an injunction in the case of Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic Cookery," + consulted by Isaac D'Israeli as to pamphlet on quarrel with Murray, + expostulates with Murray about Milman's "History of Jews," + expression of his affection for Murray, +Turner, Mrs. Sharon, +Twiss, Horace, + "Life of the Earl of Eldon," +Tyndale, +Tytler's "History of Scotland," + +Underwood, T. and G., + +Van Zuylen, Baron, +Vere, Lady, +Volunteers, + Review of, in Hyde Park--Murray an Ensign in 3rd Regiment of Royal +London Volunteers, + +Waldegrave Memoirs, +Waldie, Miss Jane (Mrs. Eaton), + "Letters from Italy," +Walker, C.E., + "Wallace: a Historical Tragedy," +Walpole Memoirs, +Walpole, Rev. R., +Walpole's "Castle of Otranto," +Weber, Henry, + Scott's amanuensis, + "Tales of the East," +Wellington, Duke of, + witness in Macirone's libel suit, + interest in the _Q.R._, + connection with Napier's "History of Peninsular War," + "Despatches," +Whistlecraft, by J.H. Frere, +Whitaker, Rev. John, +White, Rev. J. Blanco, +Wilkie, Sir David, + his journey to the East; paints the Sultan at Constantinople, + death off Gibraltar; + Turner's picture of his funeral at sea, +Wilmot, Mrs. _see_ Dacre, Lady. +Wilson, John (Christopher North) + connection with _Blackwood's Magazine_, + article on "Childe Harold," Canto IV., + a principal writer in _Blackwood's Magazine_, + challenges anonymous author of "Hypocrisy Unveiled, etc.," + "An Hour's Tête-a-Tête with the Public" in _Blackwood's Magazine_, +Wool, Rev. J., + "Life of Joseph Wharton," +Wordsworth, William, +Wright, Mr., + his connection with the _Representative_, + +Young, Dr. Thomas, + his theory of light. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's A Publisher and His Friends, by Samuel Smiles + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10884 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d0c4fb5 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10884 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10884) diff --git a/old/10884-8.txt b/old/10884-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d011b6c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10884-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18247 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Publisher and His Friends, by Samuel Smiles + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Publisher and His Friends + Memoir and Correspondence of John Murray; With an + Account of the Origin and Progress of the House, 1768-1843 + +Author: Samuel Smiles + +Release Date: January 31, 2004 [EBook #10884] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PUBLISHER AND HIS FRIENDS *** + + + + +Produced by Eric Hutton, Juliet Sutherland, Wilelmina Malliere and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +A PUBLISHER AND HIS FRIENDS + +MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN MURRAY + +WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE, 1768-1843 + +BY THE LATE SAMUEL SMILES, LL.D. + +CONDENSED AND EDITED BY THOMAS MACKAY + +_WITH PORTRAITS_ + + + + +1911 + + + +PREFACE + + +When my Grandfather's Memoirs were published, twenty years ago, they met +with a most favourable and gratifying reception at the hands of the +public. Interest was aroused by the struggle and success of a man who +had few advantages at the outset save his own shrewd sense and generous +nature, and who, moreover, was thrown on his own resources to fight the +battle of life when he was little more than a child. + +The chief value of these volumes, however, consists in the fact that +they supply an important, if not an indispensable, chapter in the +literary history of England during the first half of the nineteenth +century. Byron and Scott, Lockhart, Croker, George Borrow, Hallam, +Canning, Gifford, Disraeli, Southey, Milman are but a few of the names +occurring in these pages, the whole list of which it would be tedious to +enumerate. + +It may be admitted that a pious desire to do justice to the memory of +John Murray the Second--"the Anax of Publishers," as Byron called +him--led to the inclusion in the original volumes of some material of +minor importance which may now well be dispensed with. + +I find, however, that the work is still so often quoted and referred to +that I have asked my friend Mr. Thomas Mackay to prepare a new edition +for the press. I am convinced that the way in which he has discharged +his task will commend itself to the reading public. He has condensed the +whole, has corrected errors, and has rewritten certain passages in a +more concise form. + +I desire to acknowledge my debt to him for what he has done, and to +express a hope that the public may extend a fresh welcome to "an old +friend with a new face." + +JOHN MURRAY. + +_December_, 1910. + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER I + +JOHN MACMURRAY OR MURRAY + +The first John Murray--An Officer of Marines--Retires from Active +Service--His marriage--Correspondence with William Falconer--Falconer's +death--Murray purchases Sandby's business--John Murray's first +publications--His writings--Mr. Kerr--Thomas Cumming goes to Ireland on +behalf of Murray--Prof. J. Millar--Mr. Whitaker--Defence of Sir R. +Gordon--Ross estate--His controversy with Mr. Mason--The Edinburgh +booksellers--Creech and Elliot--Dr. Cullen--The second John Murray--His +education--Accident to his eye--Illness and death of the elder John +Murray + +CHAPTER II + +JOHN MURRAY (II.)--BEGINNING OF HIS PUBLISHING CAREER--ISAAC D'ISRAELI, +ETC. + +John Murray the Second--"The Anax of Publishers"--His start in +business--Murray and Highley--Dissolution of the partnership--Colman's +"John Bull"--Mr. Joseph Hume--Archibald Constable--John Murray a +Volunteer--The D'Israeli family--Isaac D'Israeli's early +works--"Flim-Flams"--Birth of Benjamin D'Israeli--Projected periodical +the "Institute"--The "Miniature"--Murray's acquaintance with Canning and +Frere + +CHAPTER III + +MURRAY AND CONSTABLE--HUNTER AND THE FORFARSHIRE LAIRDS--MARRIAGE OF +JOHN MURRAY + +Archibald Constable & Co.--Alexander Gibson Hunter--The _Edinburgh +Review_--Murray's early associations with Constable--Dispute between +Longman and Constable--Murray appointed London Agent--He urges +reconciliation between Constable and Longman--Mr. Murray visits +Edinburgh--Engaged to Miss Elliot--Goes into Forfarshire--Rude +Hospitality--Murray's marriage--The D'Israelis + +CHAPTER IV + +"MARMION"--CONSTABLES AND BALLANTYNES--THE "EDINBURGH REVIEW" + +Murray's business prospects--Acquires a share of "Marmion"--Becomes London +publisher of the _Edinburgh Review_--Acquaintance with Walter +Scott--Constable's money transactions--Murray's remonstrance--He +separates from Constable--The Ballantynes--Scott joins their printing +business--Literary themes + +CHAPTER V + +ORIGIN OF THE "QUARTERLY REVIEW" + +Canning's early schemes for a Penny Newspaper--The _Anti-Jacobin_--The +_Edinburgh Review_--John Murray's letter to Mr. Canning--Walter Scott's +assistance--Southey's letter to Scott--Review of "Marmion" in the +_Edinburgh_--Murray's conditions--Meeting with James Ballantyne at +Ferrybridge--Visit to Scott at Ashestiel--Letters to Scott--Scott's +letters to Murray, Ellis, and Gifford on the _Quarterly_--Arrangements for +the first number--Articles by Scott--James Mill--Mrs. Inchbald--Dr. Thomas +Young + +CHAPTER VI + +THE "QUARTERLY" LAUNCHED + +Meeting of Murray and Ballantyne at Boroughbridge--Walter Scott's interest +in the new _Review_--Publication of the first number of the _Quarterly_ +--Scott's proposed "Secret History of the Court of James I."--_Portcullis_ +copies--"Old English Froissart"--Opinions of the _Quarterly_--Scott's +energy and encouragement--Murray's correspondence with Mr. Stratford +Canning--Murray's energy--Leigh Hunt--James Mill--Gifford's +unpunctuality--Appearance of the second number--Mr. Canning's +contributions--Appearance of No. 3--Letters from Mr. Ellis to Isaac +D'Israeli--John Barrow's first connection with the _Quarterly_--Robert +Southey--Appearance of No. 4 + +CHAPTER VII + +CONSTABLE AND BALLANTYNE + +Murray's and Ballantyne's joint enterprises--Financial +difficulties--Murray's remonstrances--Ballantyne's reckless +speculations--And disregard of Murray's advice--Revival of Murray's +business with Constable--Publication of the "Lady of the Lake"--Murray +excluded from his promised share of it--Transfers his Edinburgh agency +to Mr. William Blackwood--Publication of No. 5 of the _Quarterly_ +--Southey's articles and books--Unpunctuality of the _Review_ +--Gifford's review of "The Daughters of Isenberg"--His letter to +Miss Palmer--Dispute between Murray and Gifford--Attacks on the +_Edinburgh Review_ by the _Quarterly_--Murray's disapproval of them--The +Ballantynes and Constables applying for money--Nos. 8 and 9 of the +_Review_--Southey's Publications--Letters from Scott--His review of the +"Curse of Kehama"--Southey's dependence on the _Quarterly_--His letter +to Mr. Wynn + +CHAPTER VIII + +MURRAY AND GIFFORD--RUPTURE WITH CONSTABLE--PROSPERITY OF THE +"QUARTERLY" + +Increasing friendship between Murray and Gifford--Gifford's opinion of +humorous articles--Mr. Pillans--Gifford's feeble health--Murray's +financial difficulties--Remonstrates with Constable--Correspondence with +and dissociation from Constable--_Quarterly Review_ No. 12--Gifford's +severe remarks on Charles Lamb--His remorse--_Quarterly Review_ No. +14--Murray's offer to Southey of 1,000 guineas for his poem + +CHAPTER IX + +LORD BYRON'S WORKS, 1811 TO 1814 + +Lord Byron's first acquaintance with Mr. Murray--Mr. Dallas's offer to +Cawthorn and Miller--Murray's acceptance of "Childe Harold"--Byron's +visits to Fleet Street--Murray's letters to Byron--Gifford's opinion of +the Poem--Publication of "Childe Harold"--Its immediate success--Byron's +presentation to the Prince of Wales--Murray effects a reconciliation +between Byron and Scott--Letters to and from Scott--Publication of "The +Giaour," "Bride of Abydos" and "Corsair"--Correspondence with +Byron--"Ode to Napoleon"--"Lara" and "Jacqueline" + +CHAPTER X + +MR. MURRAY'S REMOVAL TO 50, ALBEMARLE STREET + +Murray's removal to Albemarle Street--Miller's unfriendly +behaviour--Progress of the _Quarterly_--Miscellaneous publications +--D'Israeli's "Calamities of Authors"--Letters from Scott +and Southey--Southey's opinions on the patronage of literature--Scott's +embarrassments--Recklessness of the Ballantynes--Scott applies to Murray +for a loan--Publication of "Waverley"--Mystery of the authorship--Mr. +Murray's proposed trip to France--His letters to Mrs. Murray--Education +of his son--Announcement of Lord Byron's engagement--Mr. Murray's visit +to Newstead Abbey--Murray in Edinburgh--Mr. William Blackwood--Visit to +Abbotsford--Letter to Lord Byron--Letters from Blackwood--The "Vision of +Don Roderick" + +CHAPTER XI + +MURRAY'S DRAWING-ROOM--BYRON AND SCOTT--WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1815 + +Murray's drawing-room in Albemarle Street--A literary centre--George +Ticknor's account of it--Letter from Gifford--Death of his housekeeper +Nancy--First meeting of Byron and Scott--Recollections of John Murray +III.--Napoleon's escape from Elba--Waterloo--Mr. Blackwood's +letter--Suppression of an article written for the _Edinburgh_--Mr. +Murray's collection of portraits of authors--Mr. Scott's visit to +Brussels, Waterloo, etc.--Mr. Murray's visit to Paris--Return +home--Important diplomatic correspondence offered by Miss Waldie--Miss +Austen--"Emma"--Mr. Malthus's works--Letters from W. Scott + +CHAPTER XII + +VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS--CHARLES MATURIN--S.T. COLERIDGE--LEIGH HUNT + +Charles Maturin--His early career--His early publications--And +application to W. Scott--Performance of "Bertram" at Drury +Lane--Published by Murray--"Manuel, a Tragedy"--Murray's letter to +Byron--Death of Maturin--S.T. Coleridge--Correspondence about his +translation of "Faust"--"Glycine," "Remorse," "Christabel," "Zapolya," +and other works--Further correspondence--Leigh Hunt--Asked to contribute +to the _Quarterly_--"Story of Rimini"--Murray's letters to Byron and +Hunt--Negotiations between Murray and Leigh Hunt + +CHAPTER XIII + +THOMAS CAMPBELL--JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE--J.W. CROKER--JAMES HOGG, ETC. + +Thomas Campbell--His early works--Acquaintance with Murray--"Selections +from the British Poets"--Letters to Murray--Proposed Magazine--And +Series of Ancient Classics--Close friendship between Campbell and +Murray--Murray undertakes to publish the "Selections from British +Poets"--Campbell's explanation of the work--"Gertrude of Wyoming"--Scott +reviews Campbell's poems in the _Quarterly_--Campbell's Lectures at the +Royal Institution--Campbell's satisfaction with Murray's treatment of +him--"Now Barabbas was a publisher"--Increase of Murray's +business--Dealings with Gifford--Mr. J.C. Hobhouse--His "Journey to +Albania"--Isaac D'Israeli's "Character of James I."--Croker's "Stories +for Children"--The division of profits--Sir John Malcolm--Increasing +number of poems submitted to Mr. Murray--James Hogg--His works--And +letters to Murray--The "Repository"--Correspondence with Murray--Hogg +asks Murray to find a wife for him + +CHAPTER XIV + +LORD BYRON'S DEALINGS WITH MR. MURRAY--_continued_ + +Lord Byron's marriage--Letters from Mr. Murray during the honeymoon--Mr. +Fazakerly's interview with Bonaparte--Byron's pecuniary +embarrassments--Murray's offers of assistance--"Siege of +Corinth"--"Parisina"--Byron refuses remuneration--Pressed to give the +money to Godwin, Maturin, and Coleridge--Murray's remonstrance +--Gifford's opinion of the "Siege of Corinth" and Mr. D'Israeli's +--Byron leaves England--Sale of his Library--The "Sketch from +Private Life"--Mr. Sharon Turner's legal opinion--Murray's letter on the +arrival of the MS. of "Childe Harold," Canto III. + +[Transcriber's Note: two pages missing from source document] + +CHAPTER XIX + +WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1817-18--CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. + +Works published by Murray and Blackwood jointly--Illness of +Scott--Efforts to help the Ettrick Shepherd--Murray's offers of +assistance--Scott reviews the "Wake"--Hogg's house at Eltrive--Scott and +the _Quarterly_--"Rob Roy"--The "Scottish Regalia"--"The Heart of +Midlothian"--Appeal to Scott for an article--"Lord Orford's +Letters"--Murray and James Hogg at Abbotsford--Conclusion of Hogg's +correspondence--Robert Owen--Increased number of would-be poets--Sharon +Turner--Gifford's illness--Croker and Barrow edit _Quarterly Review_ + +CHAPTER XX + +HALLAM--BASIL HALL.--CRABBE--HOPE--HORACE AND JAMES SMITH + +Mr. Hallam--Sir H. Ellis's "Embassy to China"--Correspondence with Lady +Abercorn about new books--Proposed _Monthly Register_--Mr. Croker's +condemnation of the scheme--Crabbe's Works--Mr. Murray's offer--Mr. +Rogers's negotiations--Hope's "Anastasius"--"Rejected Addresses" +--Colonel Macirone's action against the _Quarterly_--Murray's +entertainments--Mrs. Bray's account of them + +CHAPTER XXI + +MEMOIRS OF LADY HERVEY AND HORACE +WALPOLE--BELZONI--MILMAN--SOUTHEY--MRS. RUNDELL, ETC. + +Lady Hervey's Letters--Mr. Croker's letter about the editing of +them--Horace Walpole's Memoirs--Mr. Murray's correspondence with Lord +Holland--The Suffolk papers, edited by Mr. Croker--Mrs. Delany's +Letters--Letter from Mr. Croker--Horace Walpole's "Reminiscences," +edited by Miss Berry--Tomline's "Life of Pitt"--Giovanni Belzoni--His +early career and works--His sensitiveness--His death--Examples of his +strength--Rev. H.H. Milman's Works, "Fazio," "Samor," "The Fall of +Jerusalem," "Martyr of Antioch," "Belshazzar"--Murray's dealings with +Milman--Benjamin Disraeli--Letters from Southey about his articles on +Cromwell--The New Churches, etc.--"The Book of the Church"--Warren +Hastings, etc--The Carbonari--Mr. Eastlake--Mrs. Graham--Galignani's +pirated edition of Byron--Mrs. Rundell's "Cookery Book"--Dispute with +Longman's--An injunction obtained + +CHAPTER XXII + +WASHINGTON IRVING--UGO FOSCOLO--LADY CAROLINE LAMB--"HAJJI BABA"--MRS. +MARKHAM'S HISTORIES + +Washington Irving--His early dealings with Murray--He comes to +England--His description of a dinner at Murray's--"The Sketch +Book"--Published in England by Miller--Afterwards undertaken by +Murray--Terms of purchase--Irving's ill-success in business +--"Bracebridge Hall"--James Fenimore Cooper--Ugo Foscolo--His +early career--First article in the _Quarterly_--Letter from Mr. T. +Mitchell--Foscolo's peculiarities--Digamma Cottage--His Lectures--Death +of Foscolo--Lady C. Lamb--"Glenarvon"--"Penruddock"--"Ada Reis"--Letter +from the Hon. Wm. Lamb--Lord J. Russell--His proposed History of +Europe--Mr. James Morier's "Hajji Baba"--Letter of Mirza Abul +Hassan--Mrs. Markham's "History of England"--Allan Cunningham + +CHAPTER XXIII + +GIFFORD'S RETIREMENT FROM THE EDITORSHIP OF THE "QUARTERLY"--AND DEATH + +Gifford's failing health--Difficulty of finding a successor--Barrow's +assistance--Gifford's letter to Mr. Canning--Irregularity of the +numbers--Southey's views as to the Editorship--Gifford's letter to Mr. +Canning--Appointment of Mr. J.T. Coleridge--Murray's announcement of the +appointment to Gifford--Close of Mr. Gifford's career--His +correspondence with Murray--Letter from Mr. R. Hay to the present Mr. +Murray about Gifford + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE "REPRESENTATIVE" + +Murray's desire to start a new periodical--Benjamin Disraeli--Projected +morning paper--Benjamin Disraeli's early career and writings--Letters to +Murray about "Aylmer Papillon"--Benjamin Disraeli's increasing intimacy +with Murray--Origin of the scheme to start a daily paper--South American +speculation--Messrs. Powles--Agreement to start a daily paper--the +_Representative_--Benjamin Disraeli's journey to consult Sir W. Scott +about the editorship--His letters to Murray--Visit to Chiefswood +--Progress of the negotiation-Mr. Lockhart's reluctance to +assume the editorship--Letter from Mr. I. D'Israeli to Murray--Mr. +Lockhart's first introduction to Murray--His letter about the +editorship--Sir W. Scott's letter to Murray--Editorship of _Quarterly_ +offered to Lockhart--Murray's letter to Sir W. Scott--Mr. Lockhart +accepts the editorship of the _Quarterly_--Disraeli's activity in +promoting the _Representative_--His letters to Murray--Premises +taken--Arrangements for foreign correspondence--Letters to Mr. +Maas--Engagement of Mr. Watts and Mr. S.C. Hall--Mr. Disraeli ceases to +take part in the undertaking--Publication of the _Representative_--Dr. +Maginn--Failure of the _Representative_--Effect of the strain on +Murray's health--Letters from friends--The financial crisis--Failure of +Constable and Ballantyne--The end of the _Representative_--Coolness +between Murray and Mr. D'Israeli + +CHAPTER XXV + +MR. LOCKHART AS EDITOR OF THE "QUARTERLY"--HALLAM WORDSWORTH--DEATH OF +CONSTABLE + +The editorship of the _Quarterly_--Mr. Lockhart appointed--Letter from +Sir W. Scott, giving his opinion of Lockhart's abilities and +character--Letters from Mr. Lockhart--Mr. Croker's article on "Paroles +d'un Croyant"--Charles Butler--Blanco White--Controversies, +etc.--Wordsworth's Works--Letter from Mr. Lockhart--Renewed intercourse +between Murray and Constable + +CHAPTER XXVI + +SIR WALTER'S LAST YEARS + +South American speculation--Captain Head, R.E.--His rapid rides across +the Pampas--His return home and publication of his work--Results of his +mission--Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Powles--Letter from Mr. B. +Disraeli--Irving's "Life of Columbus"--His agent, Col. Aspinwall--Letter +of warning from Mr. Sharon Turner--Southey's opinion--"The Conquest of +Granada"--Lockhart's and Croker's opinions--The financial result of +their publication--Correspondence between Irving and Murray--"Tales of +the Alhambra"--Murray's subsequent lawsuit with Bonn about the +copyrights--Review of Hallam's "Constitutional History" in the +_Quarterly_--Mr. Hallam's remonstrance--Letter from Murray--Letter from +Mr. Mitchell--Southey's discontent--Sir W. Scott and Lockhart--Scott's +articles for the _Quarterly_--Sir H. Davy's "Salmonia"--Anecdote of Lord +Nelson--The Duke of Wellington--Murray's offer to Scott for a History of +Scotland--Sale of Sir W. Scott's copyrights--Murray's offer for "Tales +of a Grandfather"--Scott's reply--Scott's closing years--Murray's +resignation of his one-fourth share of "Marmion"--Scott's last +contributions to the _Quarterly_--His death--Mr. John Murray's account +of the Theatrical Fund Dinner + +CHAPTER XXVII + +NAPIER'S "PENINSULAR WAR"--CROKER'S "BOSWELL"--"THE FAMILY LIBRARY" ETC. + +Napier's "History of the Peninsular War"--Origin of the work--Col. +Napier's correspondence with Murray--Publication of Vol. I.--Controversy +aroused by it--Murray ceases to publish the work--His letter to the +_Morning Chronicle_--The Duke of Wellington's Despatches--Croker's +edition of "Boswell's Johnson"--Correspondence with Croker, Lockhart, +etc.--Publication of the book--Its value--Letter from Mrs. Shelley--Mr. +Henry Taylor's "Isaac Comnenus"--"Philip van Artevelde"--"The Family +Library" and the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge--The +progress of "The Family Library"--Milman's "History of the +Jews"--Controversy aroused by it--Opinion of the Jews + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +MOORE'S "LIFE OF BYRON" + +Murray purchases the remainder of Byron's Poems--Leigh Hunt's +"Recollections"--Moore selected as the biographer of Byron--Collection +of Letters and Papers--Lockhart and Scott's opinion of the +work--Publication of the first volume of Byron's "Life"--Mrs. Shelley's +letter--Publication of the second volume--Letters from Mrs. Somerville +and Croker--Capt. Medwin's Conversations--Pecuniary results of Lord +Byron's "Life"--Reviews of Moore's works in the _Quarterly_--Moore on +Editors--Complete edition of "Byron's Works"--Letters from Countess +Guiccioli and Sir R. Peel--Thorwaldsen's statue of Lord Byron--Refused +at Westminster Abbey, but erected in Trinity College Library, Cambridge + + + + +MEMOIRS OF JOHN MURRAY + + + + +CHAPTER I + +JOHN MACMURRAY OR MURRAY + + +The publishing house of Murray dates from the year 1768, in which year +John MacMurray, a lieutenant of Marines, having retired from the service +on half-pay, purchased the bookselling business of William Sandby, at +the sign of the "Ship," No. 32, Fleet Street, opposite St. Dunstan's +Church. + +John MacMurray was descended from the Murrays of Athol. His uncle, +Colonel Murray, was "out" in the rising of 1715, under the Earl of Mar, +served under the Marquis of Tullibardine, the son of his chief, the Duke +of Athol, and led a regiment in the abortive fight of Sheriffmuir. After +the rebellion Colonel Murray retired to France, where he served under +the exiled Duke of Ormonde, who had attached himself to the Stuart +Court. + +The Colonel's brother Robert followed a safer course. He prefixed the +"Mac" to his name; settled in Edinburgh; adopted the law as a +profession, and became a Writer to the Signet. He had a family of three +daughters, Catherine, Robina, and Mary Anne; and two sons, Andrew and +John. + +John, the younger of Robert MacMurray's sons, was born at Edinburgh in +1745. After receiving a good general education, he entered the Royal +Marines under the special patronage of Sir George Yonge, Bart., +[Footnote: Sir George Yonge was Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and +subsequently Secretary at War; he died in 1812.] a well-known official +of the last century, and his commission as second lieutenant was dated +June 24, 1762. Peace was signed at the treaty of Paris in 1763, and +young MacMurray found himself quartered at Chatham, where the monotony +of the life to a young man of an active and energetic temperament became +almost intolerable. He determined therefore to retire on half-pay at the +age of twenty-three, and become a London bookseller! + +It is not improbable that he was induced to embark on his proposed +enterprise by his recent marriage with Nancy Wemyss, daughter of Captain +Wemyss, then residing at Brompton, near Chatham. + +While residing at Chatham, MacMurray renewed his acquaintance with +William Falconer, the poet, and author of "The Shipwreck," who, like +himself, was a native of Edinburgh. + +To this friend, who was then on the eve of sailing to India, he wrote: + +BROMPTON, KENT, _October_ 16, 1768. + +DEAR WILL, + +Since I saw you, I have had the intention of embarking in a scheme that +I think will prove successful, and in the progress of which I had an eye +towards your participating. Mr. Sandby, Bookseller, opposite St. +Dunstan's Church, Fleet Street, has entered into company with Snow and +Denne, Bankers. I was introduced to this gentleman about a week ago, +upon an advantageous offer of succeeding him in his old business; which, +by the advice of my friends, I propose to accept. Now, although I have +little reason to fear success by myself in this undertaking, yet I think +so many additional advantages would accrue to us both, were your forces +and mine joined, that I cannot help mentioning it to you, and making you +the offer of entering into company. + +He resigns to me the lease of the house, the goodwill, etc.; and I only +take his bound stock, and fixtures, at a fair appraisement, which will +not amount to much beyond £400, and which, if ever I mean to part with, +cannot fail to bring in nearly the same sum. The shop has been long +established in the Trade; it retains a good many old customers; and I am +to be ushered immediately into public notice by the sale of a new +edition of "Lord Lyttelton's Dialogues"; and afterwards by a like +edition of his "History." These Works I shall sell by commission, upon a +certain profit, without risque; and Mr. Sandby has promised to continue +to me, always, his good offices and recommendations. + +These are the general outlines; and if you entertain a notion that the +conjunction will suit you, advise me, and you shall be assumed upon +equal terms; for I write to you before the affair is finally settled; +not that I shall refuse it if you don't concur (for I am determined on +the trial by myself); but that I think it will turn out better were we +joined; and this consideration alone prompts me to write to you. Many +Blockheads in the Trade are making fortunes; and did we not succeed as +well as they, I think it must be imputed only to ourselves. Make Mrs. +McMurray's compliments and mine to Mrs. Falconer; we hope she has reaped +much benefit from the saltwater bath. Consider what I have proposed; and +send me your answer soon. Be assured in the meantime, that I remain, +Dear Sir, + +Your affectionate and humble servant, + +JOHN McMURRAY. + +P.S.--My advisers and directors in this affair have been Thomas Cumming, +Esq., Mr. Archibald Paxton, Mr. James Paterson of Essex House, and +Messrs. J. and W. Richardson, Printers. These, after deliberate +reflection, have unanimously thought that I should accept Mr. Sandby's +offer. + +Falconer's answer to this letter has not been preserved. It did not +delay his departure from Dover in the _Aurora_ frigate. The vessel +touched at the Cape; set sail again, and was never afterwards heard of. +It is supposed that she was either burnt at sea, or driven northward by +a storm and wrecked on the Madagascar coast. Falconer intended to have +prefixed some complimentary lines to Mr. Murray to the third edition of +"The Shipwreck," but they were omitted in the hurry of leaving London +and England for India. + +Notwithstanding the failure of MacMurray to obtain the aid of Falconer +in his partnership, he completed alone his contract with Mr. Sandby. His +father at Edinburgh supplied him with the necessary capital, and he +began the bookselling business in November 1768. He dropped the prefix +"Mac" from his surname; put a ship in full sail at the head of his +invoices; and announced himself to the public in the following terms: + +"John Murray (successor to Mr. Sandby), Bookseller and Stationer, at No. +32, over against St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleet Street, London, sells +all new Books and Publications. Fits up Public or Private Libraries in +the neatest manner with Books of the choicest Editions, the best Print, +and the richest Bindings. Also, executes East India or foreign +Commissions by an assortment of Books and Stationary suited to the +Market or Purpose for which it is destined; all at the most reasonable +rates." + +Among the first books he issued were new editions of Lord Lyttelton's +"Dialogues of the Dead," and of his "History of King Henry the Second," +in stately quarto volumes, as well as of Walpole's "Castle of Otranto." +He was well supported by his friends, and especially by his old brother +officers, and we find many letters from all parts of the world +requesting him to send consignments of books and magazines, the choice +of which was, in many cases, left entirely to his own discretion. In +1769 he received a letter from General Sir Robert Gordon, then in India, +who informed him that he had recommended him to many of his comrades. + +_Sir R. Gordon to John Murray_. + +"Brigadier-General Wedderburn has not forgotten his old school-fellow, +J. McMurray. Send me British news, and inform me of all political and +other affairs at home." [He also added that Colonel Mackenzie, another +old friend, is to be his patron.] "I hope," says Sir E. Gordon, in +another letter, "that you find more profit and pleasure from your new +employment than from that of the sword, which latter, you may remember, +I endeavoured to dissuade you from returning to; but a little trial, and +some further experience, at your time of life, cannot hurt you.... My +best compliments to Mrs. Murray, who I suppose will not be sorry for +your laying aside the wild Highland 'Mac' as unfashionable and even +dangerous in the circuit of Wilkes's mob; but that, I am convinced, was +your smallest consideration." + +The nature of Mr. Murray's business, and especially his consignments to +distant lands, rendered it necessary for him to give long credit, while +the expense and the risk of bringing out new books added a fresh strain +on his resources. In these circumstances, he felt the need of fresh +capital, and applied to his friend Mr. William Kerr, Surveyor of the +General Post Office for Scotland, for a loan. Mr. Kerr responded in a +kindly letter. Though he could not lend much at the time, he sent Mr. +Murray £150, "lest he might be prejudiced for want of it," and added a +letter of kind and homely advice. + +In order to extend his business to better advantage, Mr. Murray +endeavoured to form connections with booksellers in Scotland and +Ireland. In the first of these countries, as the sequel will show, the +firm established permanent and important alliances. To push the trade in +Ireland he employed Thomas Cumming, a Quaker mentioned in Boswell's +"Life of Johnson," who had been one of his advisers as to the purchase +of Mr. Sandby's business. + +_Mr. T. Gumming to John Murray_. + +"On receipt of thine I constantly applied to Alderman Faulkener, and +showed him the first Fable of Florian, but he told me that he would not +give a shilling for any original copy whatever, as there is no law or +even custom to secure any property in books in this kingdom [Ireland]. +From him, I went directly to Smith and afterwards to Bradley, etc. They +all gave me the same answer.... Sorry, and very sorry I am, that I +cannot send a better account of the first commission thou hast favoured +me with here. Thou may'st believe that I set about it with a perfect +zeal, not lessened from the consideration of the troubles thou hast on +my account, and the favours I so constantly receive from thee; nor +certainly that my good friend Dr. Langhorne was not altogether out of +the question. None of the trade here will transport books at their own +risque. This is not a reading, but a hard-drinking city; 200 or 250 are +as many as a bookseller, except it be an extraordinary work indeed, ever +throws off at an impression." + +Mr. Murray not only published the works of others, but became an author +himself. He wrote two letters in the _Morning Chronicle_ in defence of +his old friend Colonel (afterwards Sir) Robert Gordon, who had been +censured for putting an officer under arrest during the siege of Broach, +in which Gordon had led the attack. The Colonel's brother, Gordon of +Gordonstown, wrote to Murray, saying, "Whether you succeed or not, your +two letters are admirably written; and you have obtained great merit and +reputation for the gallant stand you have made for your friend." The +Colonel himself wrote (August 20,1774): "I cannot sufficiently thank +you, my dear sir, for the extraordinary zeal, activity, and warmth of +friendship, with which you so strenuously supported and defended my +cause, and my honour as a soldier, when attacked so injuriously by +Colonel Stuart, especially when he was so powerfully supported." + +Up to this time Mr. Murray's success had been very moderate. He had +brought out some successful works; but money came in slowly, and his +chief difficulty was the want of capital. He was therefore under the +necessity of refusing to publish works which might have done something +to establish his reputation. + +At this juncture, i.e. in 1771, an uncle died leaving a fortune of +£17,000, of which Mr. Murray was entitled to a fourth share. On the +strength of this, his friend Mr. Kerr advanced to him a further sum of +£500. The additional capital was put into the business, but even then +his prosperity did not advance with rapid strides; and in 1777 we find +him writing to his friend Mr. Richardson at Oxford. + +_John Murray to Mr. Richardson_. + +DEAR JACK, + +I am fatigued from morning till night about twopenny matters, if any of +which is forgotten I am complained of as a man who minds not his +business. I pray heaven for a lazy and lucrative office, and then I +shall with alacrity turn my shop out of the window. + +A curious controversy occurred in 1778 between Mr. Mason, executor of +Thomas Gray the poet, and Mr. Murray, who had published a "Poetical +Miscellany," in which were quoted fifty lines from three passages in +Gray's works. + +Mr. Murray wrote a pamphlet in his own defence, and the incident is +mentioned in the following passage from Boswell's "Life": + +"Somebody mentioned the Rev. Mr. Mason's prosecution of Mr. Murray, the +bookseller, for having inserted in a collection only fifty lines of +Gray's Poems, of which Mr. Mason had still the exclusive property, under +the Statute of Queen Anne; and that Mr. Mason had persevered, +notwithstanding his being requested to name his own terms of +compensation. Johnson signified his displeasure at Mr. Mason's conduct +very strongly; but added, by way of showing that he was not surprised at +it, 'Mason's a Whig.' Mrs. Knowles (not hearing distinctly): 'What! a +prig, Sir?' Johnson: 'Worse, Madam; a Whig! But he is both!'" + +Mr. Murray had considerable intercourse with the publishers of +Edinburgh, among the chief of whom were Messrs. Creech & Elliot, and by +their influence he soon established a connection with the professors of +Edinburgh University. Creech, who succeeded Mr. Kincaid in his business +in 1773, occupied a shop in the Luckenbooths, facing down the High +Street, and commanding a prospect of Aberlady Bay and the north coast of +Haddingtonshire. Being situated near the Parliament House--the centre of +literary and antiquarian loungers, as well as lawyers--Creech's place of +business was much frequented by the gossipers, and was known as +_Creech's Levee_. Creech himself, dressed in black-silk breeches, with +powdered hair and full of humorous talk, was one of the most conspicuous +members of the group. He was also an author, though this was the least +of his merits. He was an appreciative patron of literature, and gave +large sums for the best books of the day. + +Mr. Elliot, whose place of business was in the Parliament Close, and +whose daughter subsequently married Mr. Murray's son the subject of this +biography, was a publisher of medical and surgical works, and Mr. Murray +was his agent for the sale of these in London. We find from Mr. Elliot's +letters that he was accustomed to send his parcels of books to London by +the Leith fleet, accompanied by an armed convoy. In June 1780 he wrote: +"As the fleet sails this evening, and the schooner carries 20 guns, I +hope the parcel will be in London in four or five days"; and shortly +afterwards: "I am sending you four parcels of books by the _Carran_, +which mounts 22 guns, and sails with the _Glasgow_ of 20 guns." The +reason of the Edinburgh books being conveyed to London guarded by armed +ships, was that war was then raging, and that Spain, France, and Holland +were united against England. The American Colonies had also rebelled, +and Paul Jones, holding their commission, was hovering along the East +Coast with three small ships of war and an armed brigantine. It was +therefore necessary to protect the goods passing between Leith and +London by armed convoys. Sometimes the vessels on their return were +quarantined for a time in Inverkeithing Bay. + +The first Mrs. Murray died, leaving her husband childless, and he +married again. By his second wife he had three sons and two daughters, +two of the sons, born in 1779 and 1781 respectively, died in infancy, +while the third, John, born in 1778, is the subject of this Memoir. In +1782 he writes to his friend the Rev. John Whitaker: "We have one son +and daughter, the son above four years, and the daughter above two +years, both healthy and good-natured." + +In June 1782 Mr. Murray had a paralytic stroke, by which he, for a time, +lost the use of his left side, and though he shortly recovered, and +continued his work as before, he was aware of his dangerous position. To +a friend going to Madeira in September 1791 he wrote: "Whether we shall +ever meet again is a matter not easily determined. The stroke by which I +suffered in 1782 is only suspended; it will be repeated, and I must +fall in the contest." + +In the meantime Mr. Murray made arrangements for the education of his +son. He was first sent for a year to the High School of Edinburgh. While +there he lived with Mr. Robert Kerr, author of several works on +Chemistry and Natural History, published by Mr. Murray. Having passed a +year in Edinburgh, the boy returned to London, and after a time was sent +to a school at Margate. There he seems to have made some progress. To a +friend Mr. Murray wrote: "He promises, I think, to write well, although +his master complains a little of his indolence, which I am afraid he +inherits from me. If he does not overcome it, _it_ will overcome him." +In a later letter he said: "The school is not the best, but the people +are kind to him, and his health leaves no alternative. He writes a good +hand, is fond of figures, and is coming forward both in Latin and +French. Yet he inherits a spice of indolence, and is a little impatient +in his temper. His appearance--open, modest, and manly--is much in his +favour. He is grown a good deal, and left us for Margate (after his +holiday) as happy as could be expected." + +In the course of the following year Mr. Murray sent the boy to a +well-known school at Gosport, kept by Dr. Burney, one of his old Mends. +Burney was a native of the North of Ireland, and had originally been +called MacBurney, but, like Murray, he dropped the Mac. + +While at Dr. Burney's school, young Murray had the misfortune to lose +the sight of his right eye. The writing-master was holding his penknife +awkwardly in his hand, point downwards, and while the boy, who was +showing up an exercise, stooped to pick up the book which had fallen, +the blade ran into his eye and entirely destroyed the sight. To a friend +about to proceed to Gosport, Mr. Murray wrote: "Poor John has met with a +sad accident, which you will be too soon acquainted with when you reach +Gosport. His mother is yet ignorant of it, and I dare not tell her." + +Eventually the boy was brought to London for the purpose of ascertaining +whether something might be done by an oculist for the restoration of his +sight. But the cornea had been too deeply wounded; the fluid of the eye +had escaped; nothing could be done for his relief, and he remained blind +in that eye to the end of his life. [Footnote: Long afterwards Chantrey +the sculptor, who had suffered a similar misfortune, exclaimed, "What! +are you too a brother Cyclops?" but, as the narrator of the story used +to add, Mr. Murray could see better with one eye than most people with +two.] His father withdrew him from Dr. Burney's school, and sent him in +July 1793 to the Rev. Dr. Roberts, at Loughborough House, Kennington. In +committing him to the schoolmaster's charge, Mr. Murray sent the +following introduction: + +"Agreeable to my promise, I commit to you the charge of my son, and, as +I mentioned to you in person, I agree to the terms of fifty guineas. The +youth has been hitherto well spoken of by the gentleman he has been +under. You will find him sensible and candid in the information you may +want from him; and if you are kind enough to bestow pains upon him, the +obligation on my part will be lasting. The branches to be learnt are +these: Latin, French, Arithmetic, Mercantile Accounts, Elocution, +History, Geography, Geometry, Astronomy, the Globes, Mathematics, +Philosophy, Dancing, and Martial Exercise." + +Certainly, a goodly array of learning, knowledge, and physical training! + +To return to the history of Mr. Murray's publications. Some of his best +books were published after the stroke of paralysis which he had +sustained, and among them must be mentioned Mitford's "History of +Greece," Lavater's work on Physiognomy, and the first instalment of +Isaac D'Israeli's "Curiosities of Literature." + +The following extract from a letter to the Rev. Mr. Whitaker, dated +December 20, 1784, takes us back to an earlier age. + +"Poor Dr. Johnson's remains passed my door for interment this afternoon. +They were accompanied by thirteen mourning coaches with four horses +each; and after these a cavalcade of the carriages of his friends. He +was about to be buried in Westminster Abbey." + +In the same year the Rev. Alexander Fraser of Kirkhill, near Inverness, +communicated to Mr. Murray his intention of publishing the Memoirs of +Lord Lovat, the head of his clan. Mr. Eraser's father had received the +Memoirs in manuscript from Lord Lovat, with an injunction to publish +them after his death. "My father," he said, "had occasion to see his +Lordship a few nights before his execution, when he again enjoined him +to publish the Memoirs." General Fraser, a prisoner in the Castle of +Edinburgh, had requested, for certain reasons, that the publication +should be postponed; but the reasons no longer existed, and the Memoirs +were soon after published by Mr. Murray, but did not meet with any +success. + +The distressed state of trade and the consequent anxieties of conducting +his business hastened Mr. Murray's end. On November 6, 1793, Samuel +Highley, his principal assistant, wrote to a correspondent: "Mr. Murray +died this day after a long and painful illness, and appointed as +executors Dr. G.A. Paxton, Mrs. Murray, and Samuel Highley. The business +hereafter will be conducted by Mrs. Murray." The Rev. Donald Grant, +D.D., and George Noble, Esq., were also executors, but the latter did +not act. + +The income of the property was divided as follows: one half to the +education and maintenance of Mr. Murray's three children, and the other +half to his wife so long as she remained a widow. But in the event of +her marrying again, her share was to be reduced by one-third and her +executorship was to cease. + +John Murray began his publishing career at the age of twenty-three. He +was twenty-five years in business, and he died at the comparatively +early age of forty-eight. That publishing books is not always a +money-making business may be inferred from the fact that during these +twenty-five years he did not, with all his industry, double his capital. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +JOHN MURRAY (II.)--BEGINNING OF HIS PUBLISHING CAREER--ISAAC D'ISRAELI, +ETC. + + +John Murray the Second--the "Anax of Publishers," according to Lord +Byron--was born on November 27, 1778. He was his father's only surviving +son by his second marriage, and being only fifteen at his father's +death, was too young to enter upon the business of the firm, which was +carried on by Samuel Highley--the "faithful shopman" mentioned in the +elder Murray's will--for the benefit of his widow and family. What his +father thought of him, of his health, spirits, and good nature, will +have been seen from the preceding chapter. + +Young Murray returned to school, and remained there for about two years +longer, until the marriage of his mother to Lieutenant Henry Paget, of +the West Norfolk Militia, on September 28, 1795, when he returned to 32, +Meet Street, to take part in the business. Mrs. Paget ceased to be an +executor, retired from Fleet Street, and went to live at Bridgenorth +with her husband, taking her two daughters--Jane and Mary Anne +Murray--to live with her, and receiving from time to time the money +necessary for their education. + +The executors secured the tenancy of No. 32, Fleet Street, part of the +stock and part of the copyrights, for the firm of Murray & Highley, +between whom a partnership was concluded in 1795, though Murray was +still a minor. In the circumstances Mr. Highley of course took the +principal share of the management, but though a very respectable person, +he was not much of a business man, and being possessed by an almost +morbid fear of running any risks, he brought out no new works, took no +share in the new books that were published, and it is doubtful whether +he looked very sharply after the copyrights belonging to the firm. He +was mainly occupied in selling books brought out by other publishers. + +The late Mr. Murray had many good friends in India, who continued to +send home their orders to the new firm of Murray & Highley. Amongst them +were Warren Hastings and Joseph Hume. Hume had taken out with him an +assortment of books from the late Mr. Murray, which had proved very +useful; and he wrote to Murray and Highley for more. Indeed, he became a +regular customer for books. + +Meanwhile Murray fretted very much under the careless and indifferent +management of Highley. The executors did not like to be troubled with +his differences with his partner, and paid very little attention to him +or his affairs. Since his mother's remarriage and removal to +Bridgenorth, the young man had literally no one to advise with, and was +compelled to buffet with the troubles and difficulties of life alone. +Though inexperienced, he had, however, spirit and common sense enough to +see that he had but little help to expect from his partner, and the +difficulties of his position no doubt contributed to draw forth and +develop his own mental energy. He was not a finished scholar, but had +acquired a thorough love of knowledge and literature, and a keen +perception of the beauties of our great English classics. By acquiring +and cultivating a purity of taste, he laid the foundations of that quick +discrimination which, combined with his rapidly growing knowledge of men +and authors, rendered him afterwards so useful, and even powerful, in +the pursuit of his profession. + +Mr. Murray came of age on November 27, 1799; but he was prudent enough +to continue with Highley for a few years longer. After four years more, +he determined to set himself free to follow his own course, and the +innumerable alterations and erasures in his own rough draft of the +following letter testify to the pains and care which he bestowed on this +momentous step. + +_John Murray to Mr. Highley_. + +GREAT QUEEN STREET, _Friday, November 19, 1802._ + +MR. HIGHLEY, + +I propose to you that our partnership should be dissolved on the +twenty-fifth day of March next: + +That the disposal of the lease of the house and every other matter of +difference that may arise respecting our dissolution shall be determined +by arbitrators--each of us to choose one--and that so chosen they shall +appoint a third person as umpire whom they may mutually agree upon +previous to their entering upon the business: + +I am willing to sign a bond to this effect immediately, and I think that +I shall be able to determine my arbitrator some day next week. + +As I know this proposal to be as fair as one man could make to another +in a like situation, and in order to prevent unpleasant altercation or +unnecessary discussion, I declare it to be the last with which I intend +to trouble you. + +I take this opportunity of saying that, however much we may differ upon +matters of business, I most sincerely wish you well. + +JOHN MURRAY. + +In the end they agreed to draw lots for the house, and Murray had the +good fortune to remain at No. 32, Fleet Street. Mr. Highley removed to +No. 24 in the same street, and took with him, by agreement, the +principal part of the medical works of the firm. Mr. Murray now started +on his own account, and began a career of publication almost unrivalled +in the history of letters. + +Before the dissolution of partnership, Mr. Murray had seen the first +representation of Column's Comedy of "John Bull" at Covent Garden +Theatre, and was so fascinated by its "union of wit, sentiment, and +humour," that the day after its representation he wrote to Mr. Colman, +and offered him £300 for the copyright. No doubt Mr. Highley would have +thought this a rash proceeding. + +_John Murray to Mr. Colman_. + +"The truth is that during my minority I have been shackled to a drone of +a partner; but the day of emancipation is at hand. On the twenty-fifth +of this month [March 1803] I plunge alone into the depths of literary +speculation. I am therefore honestly ambitious that my first appearance +before the public should be such as will at once stamp my character and +respectability. On this account, therefore, I think that your Play would +be more advantageous to me than to any other bookseller; and as 'I am +not covetous of Gold,' I should hope that no trifling consideration +will be allowed to prevent my having the honour of being Mr. Colman's +publisher. You see, sir, that I am endeavouring to interest your +feelings, both as a Poet and as a Man." + +Mr. Colman replied in a pleasant letter, thanking Mr. Murray for his +liberal offer. The copyright, however, had been sold to the proprietor +of the theatre, and Mr. Murray was disappointed in this, his first +independent venture in business. + +The times were very bad. Money was difficult to be had on any terms, and +Mr. Murray had a hard task to call in the money due to Murray & Highley, +as well as to collect the sums due to himself. + +Mr. Joseph Hume, not yet the scrupulous financier which he grew to be, +among others, was not very prompt in settling his accounts; and Mr. +Murray wrote to him, on July 11, 1804: + +"On the other side is a list of books (amount £92 8s. 6d.), containing +all those for which you did me the favour to write: and I trust that +they will reach you safely.... If in future you could so arrange that my +account should be paid by some house in town within six months after the +goods are shipped, I shall be perfectly satisfied, and shall execute +your orders with much more despatch and pleasure. I mention this, not +from any apprehension of not being paid, but because my circumstances +will not permit me to give so large an extent of credit. It affords me +great pleasure to hear of your advancement; and I trust that your health +will enable you to enjoy all the success to which your talents entitle +you." + +He was, for the same reason, under the necessity of declining to publish +several new works offered to him, especially those dealing with medical +and poetical subjects. + +Mr. Archibald Constable of Edinburgh, and Messrs. Bell & Bradfute, Mr. +Murray's agents in Edinburgh, were also communicated with as to the +settlement of their accounts with Murray & Highley. "I expected," he +said, "to have been able to pay my respects to you both this summer +[1803], but my _military duties_, and the serious aspect of the times, +oblige me to remain at home." It was the time of a patriotic volunteer +movement, and Mr. Murray was enrolled as an ensign in the 3rd Regiment +of Royal London Volunteers. + +It cannot now be ascertained what was the origin of the acquaintance +between the D'Israeli and Murray families, but it was of old standing. +The first John Murray published the first volumes of Isaac D'Israeli's +"Curiosities of Literature" (1791), and though no correspondence between +them has been preserved, we find frequent mention of the founder of the +house in Isaac D'Israeli's letters to John Murray the Second. His +experiences are held up for his son's guidance, as for example, when +Isaac, urging the young publisher to support some petition to the East +India Company, writes, "It was a ground your father trod, and I suppose +that connection cannot do you any harm"; or again, when dissuading him +from undertaking some work submitted to him, "You can mention to Mr. +Harley the fate of Professor Musaeus' 'Popular Tales,' which never sold, +and how much your father was disappointed." On another occasion we find +D'Israeli, in 1809, inviting his publisher to pay a visit to a yet older +generation, "to my father, who will be very glad to see you at Margate." + +Besides the "Curiosities of Literature," and "Flim-Flams," the last a +volume not mentioned by Lord Beaconsfield in the "Life" of his father +prefixed to the 1865 edition of the "Curiosities of Literature," Mr. +D'Israeli published through Murray, in 1803, a small volume of +"Narrative Poems" in 4to. They consisted of "An Ode to his Favourite +Critic"; "The Carder and the Currier, a Story of Amorous Florence"; +"Cominge, a Story of La Trappe"; and "A Tale addressed to a Sybarite." +The verses in these poems run smoothly, but they contain no wit, no +poetry, nor even any story. They were never reprinted. + +The following letter is of especial interest, as fixing the date of an +event which has given rise to much discussion--the birth of Benjamin +Disraeli. + +_Mr. Isaac D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +_December_ 22, 1804. [Footnote: Mr. D'Israeli was living at this time in +King's Road (now 1, John Street), Bedford Row, in a corner house +overlooking Gray's Inn Gardens.] + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Mrs. D'Israeli will receive particular gratification from the +interesting note you have sent us on the birth of our boy--when she +shall have read it. In the meanwhile accept my thanks, and my best +compliments to your sister. The mother and infant are both doing well. + +Ever yours. + +I. D'I. + +Some extracts from their correspondence will afford an insight into the +nature of the friendship and business relations which existed between +Isaac D'Israeli and his young publisher as well as into the characters +of the two men themselves. + +From a letter dated Brighton, August 5, 1805, from Mr. D'Israeli to John +Murray: + +"Your letter is one of the repeated specimens I have seen of your happy +art of giving interest even to commonplace correspondence, and I, who am +so feelingly alive to the 'pains and penalties' of postage, must +acknowledge that such letters, ten times repeated, would please me as +often. + +We should have been very happy to see you here, provided it occasioned +no intermission in your more serious occupations, and could have added +to your amusements. + +With respect to the projected 'Institute,' [Footnote: This was a work at +one time projected by Mr. Murray, but other more pressing literary +arrangements prevented the scheme being carried into effect.] if that +title be English--doubtless the times are highly favourable to patronize +a work skilfully executed, whose periodical pages would be at once +useful information, and delightful for elegant composition, embellished +by plates, such as have never yet been given, both for their subjects +and their execution. Literature is a perpetual source opened to us; but +the Fine Arts present an unploughed field, and an originality of +character ... But Money, Money must not be spared in respect to rich, +beautiful, and interesting Engravings. On this I have something to +communicate. Encourage Dagley, [Footnote: The engraver of the +frontispiece of "Flim-Flams."] whose busts of Seneca and Scarron are +pleasingly executed; but you will also want artists of name. I have a +friend, extremely attached to literature and the fine arts, a gentleman +of opulent fortune; by what passed with him in conversation, I have +reason to believe that he would be ready to assist by money to a +considerable extent. Would that suit you? How would you arrange with +him? Would you like to divide your work in _Shares_? He is an intimate +friend of West's, and himself too an ingenious writer. + +How came you to advertise 'Domestic Anecdotes'? Kearsley printed 1,250 +copies. I desire that no notice of the authors of that work may be known +from _your_ side. + + * * * * * + +At this moment I receive your packet of poems, and Shee's letter. I +perceive that he is impressed by your attentions and your ability. It +will always afford me one of my best pleasures to forward your views; I +claim no merit from this, but my discernment in discovering your +talents, which, under the genius of Prudence (the best of all Genii for +human affairs), must inevitably reach the goal. The literary productions +of I.D['Israeli] and others may not augment the profits o£ your trade in +any considerable degree; but to get the talents of such writers at your +command is a prime object, and others will follow. + +I had various conversations with Phillips [Footnote: Sir Richard +Phillips, bookseller. This is the publisher whose book on philosophy +George Borrow was set to translate into German, and who recommended him +to produce something in the style of "The Dairyman's Daughter"!] here; +he is equally active, but more _wise_. He owns his _belles-lettres_ +books have given no great profits; in my opinion he must have lost even +by some. But he makes a fortune by juvenile and useful compilations. You +know I always told you he wanted _literary taste_--like an atheist, who +is usually a disappointed man, he thinks all _belles lettres_ are +nonsense, and denies the existence of _taste_; but it exists! and I +flatter myself you will profit under that divinity. I have much to say +on this subject and on him when we meet. + +At length I have got through your poetry: it has been a weary task! The +writer has a good deal of fire, but it is rarely a very bright flame. +Here and there we see it just blaze, and then sink into mediocrity. He +is too redundant and tiresome.... 'Tis a great disadvantage to read them +in MS., as one cannot readily turn to passages; but life is too short to +be peeping into other peoples' MSS. _I prefer your prose to your verse_. +Let me know if you receive it safely, and pray give no notion to any one +that I have seen the MS." + + +_Mr. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +"It is a most disagreeable office to give opinions on MSS.; one reads +them at a moment when one has other things in one's head--then one is +obliged to fatigue the brain with _thinking_; but if I can occasionally +hinder you from publishing nugatory works, I do not grudge the pains. At +the same time I surely need not add, how very _confidential_ such +communications ought to be." + + +_Mr. I. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +I am delighted by your apology for not having called on me after I had +taken my leave of you the day before; but you can make an unnecessary +apology as agreeable as any other act of kindness.... + +You are sanguine in your hope of a good sale of "Curiosities," it will +afford us a mutual gratification; but when you consider it is not a new +work, though considerably improved I confess, and that those kinds of +works cannot boast of so much novelty as they did about ten years ago, I +am somewhat more moderate in my hopes. + +What you tell me of F.F. from Symond's, is _new_ to me. I sometimes +throw out in the shop _remote hints_ about the sale of books, all the +while meaning only _mine_; but they have no skill in construing the +timid wishes of a modest author; they are not aware of his suppressed +sighs, nor see the blushes of hope and fear tingling his cheek; they are +provokingly silent, and petrify the imagination.... + +Believe me, with the truest regard, + +Yours ever, + +I. D'ISRAELI. + +_Mr. D'Israeli to John Murray_. _Saturday, May_ 31, 1806. KING'S ROAD. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +It is my wish to see you for five minutes this day, but as you must be +much engaged, and I am likely to be prevented reaching you this morning, +I shall only trouble you with a line. + +Most warmly I must impress on your mind the _necessity_ of taking the +advice of a physician. Who? You know many. We have heard extraordinary +accounts of Dr. Baillie, and that (what is more extraordinary) he is not +mercenary.... + +I have written this to impress on your mind this point. Seeing you as we +see you, and your friend at a fault, how to decide, and you without some +relative or domestic friend about you, gives Mrs. D'I. and myself very +serious concerns--for you know we do take the warmest interest in your +welfare--and your talents and industry want nothing but health to make +you yet what it has always been one of my most gratifying hopes to +conceive of you. + +Yours very affectionately, + +I. D'ISRAELI. + +A circumstance, not without influence on Murray's future, occurred about +this time with respect to the "Miniature," a volume of comparatively +small importance, consisting of essays written by boys at Eton, and +originally published at Windsor by Charles Knight. Through Dr. Kennell, +Master of the Temple, his friend and neighbour, who lived close at hand, +Murray became acquainted with the younger Kennell, Mr. Stratford +Canning, Gally Knight, the two sons of the Marquis Wellesley, and other +young Etonians, who had originated and conducted this School magazine. +Thirty-four numbers appeared in the course of a year, and were then +brought out in a volume by Mr. Knight at the expense of the authors. The +transaction had involved them in debt. "Whatever chance of success our +hopes may dictate," wrote Stratford Canning, "yet our apprehensions +teach us to tremble at the possibility of additional expenses," and the +sheets lay unsold on the bookseller's hands. Mr. Murray, who was +consulted about the matter, said to Dr. Rennell, "Tell them to send the +unsold sheets to me, and I will pay the debt due to the printer." The +whole of the unsold sheets were sent by the "Windsor Waggon" to Mr. +Murray's at Fleet Street. He made waste-paper of the whole bundle--there +were 6,376 numbers in all,--brought out a new edition of 750 copies, +printed in good type, and neatly bound, and announced to Stratford +Canning that he did this at his own cost and risk, and would make over +to the above Etonians half the profits of the work. The young authors +were highly pleased by this arrangement, and Stratford Canning wrote to +Murray (October 20, 1805): "We cannot sufficiently thank you for your +kind attention to our concerns, and only hope that the success of the +_embryo_ edition may be equal to your care." How great was the +importance of the venture in his eyes may be judged from the naïve +allusion with which he proceeds: "It will be a week or two before we +commit it to the press, for amidst our other occupations the business of +the school must not be neglected, and that by itself is no trivial +employment." + +By means of this transaction Murray had the sagacity to anticipate an +opportunity of making friends of Canning and Frere, who were never tired +of eulogizing the spirit and enterprise of the young Fleet Street +publisher. Stratford Canning introduced him to his cousin George, the +great minister, whose friendship and support had a very considerable +influence in promoting and establishing his future prosperity. It is +scarcely necessary to add that the new edition of the "Miniature" +speedily became waste paper. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +MURRAY AND CONSTABLE--HUNTER AND THE FORFARSHIRE LAIRDS--MARRIAGE OF +JOHN MURRAY + +The most important publishing firm with which Mr. Murray was connected +at the outset of his career was that of Archibald Constable & Co., of +Edinburgh. This connection had a considerable influence upon Murray's +future fortunes. + +Constable, who was about four years older than Murray, was a man of +great ability, full of spirit and enterprise. He was by nature generous, +liberal, and far-seeing. The high prices which he gave for the best kind +of literary work drew the best authors round him, and he raised the +publishing trade of Scotland to a height that it had never before +reached, and made Edinburgh a great centre of learning and literature. + +In 1800 he commenced the _Farmer's Magazine_, and in the following year +acquired the property of the _Scots Magazine,_ a venerable repertory of +literary, historical, and antiquarian matter; but it was not until the +establishment of the _Edinburgh Review_, in October 1802, that +Constable's name became a power in the publishing world. + +In the year following the first issue of the _Review_, Constable took +into partnership Alexander Gibson Hunter, eldest son of David Hunter, of +Blackness, a Forfarshire laird. The new partner brought a considerable +amount of capital into the firm, at a time when capital was greatly +needed in that growing concern. His duties were to take charge of the +ledger and account department, though he never took much interest in his +work, but preferred to call in the help of a clever arithmetical clerk. + +It is unnecessary to speak of the foundation of the _Edinburgh Review_. +It appeared at the right time, and was mainly supported by the talents +of Jeffrey, Brougham, Sydney Smith, Francis Horner, Dr. Thomas Brown, +Lord Murray, and other distinguished writers. The first number +immediately attracted public attention. Mr. Joseph Mawman was the London +agent, but some dissatisfaction having arisen with respect to his +management, the London sale was transferred to the Messrs. Longman, with +one half share in the property of the work. + +During the partnership of Murray and Highley, they had occasional +business transactions with Constable of Edinburgh. Shortly after the +partnership was dissolved in March 1803, Murray wrote as follows to Mr. +Constable: + +_April_ 25, 1803. + +"I have several works in the press which I should be willing to consign +to your management in Edinburgh, but that I presume you have already +sufficient business upon your hands, and that you would not find mine +worth attending to. If so, I wish that you would tell me of some +vigorous young bookseller, like myself, just starting into business, +upon whose probity, punctuality, and exertion you think I might rely, +and I would instantly open a correspondence with him; and in return it +will give me much pleasure to do any civil office for you in London. I +should be happy if any arrangement could be made wherein we might prove +of reciprocal advantage; and were you from your superabundance to pick +me out any work of merit of which you would either make me the publisher +in London, or in which you would allow me to become a partner, I dare +say the occasion would arise wherein I could return the compliment, and +you would have the satisfaction of knowing that your book was in the +hands of one who has not yet so much business as to cause him to neglect +any part of it." + +Mr. Constable's answer was favourable. In October 1804 Mr. Murray, at +the instance of Constable, took as his apprentice Charles Hunter, the +younger brother of A. Gibson Hunter, Constable's partner. The +apprenticeship was to be for four or seven years, at the option of +Charles Hunter. These negotiations between the firms, and their +increasing interchange of books, showed that they were gradually drawing +nearer to each other, until their correspondence became quite friendly +and even intimate. Walter Scott was now making his appearance as an +author; Constable had published his "Sir Tristram" in May 1804, and his +"Lay of the Last Minstrel" in January 1805. Large numbers of these works +were forwarded to London and sold by Mr. Murray. + +At the end of 1805 differences arose between the Constable and Longman +firms as to the periodical works in which they were interested. The +editor and proprietors of the _Edinburgh Review_ were of opinion that +the interest of the Longmans in two other works of a similar +character--the _Annual Review_ and the _Eclectic_--tended to lessen +their exertions on behalf of the _Edinburgh_. It was a matter that might +easily have been arranged; but the correspondents were men of hot +tempers, and with pens in their hands, they sent stinging letters from +London to Edinburgh, and from Edinburgh to London. Rees, Longman's +partner, was as bitter in words on the one side as Hunter, Constable's +partner, was on the other. At length a deadly breach took place, and it +was resolved in Edinburgh that the publication of the _Edinburgh Review_ +should be transferred to John Murray, Fleet Street. Alexander Gibson +Hunter, Constable's partner, wrote to Mr. Murray to tell of the rupture +and to propose a closer alliance with him. + +Mr. Murray replied: + +_John Murray to Mr. A.G. Hunter. + +December 7, 1805_. + +"With regard to the important communication of your last letter, I +confess the surprise with which I read it was not without some mixture +of regret. The extensive connections betwixt your house and Longman's +cannot be severed at once without mutual inconvenience, and perhaps +mutual disadvantages, your share of which a more protracted +dismemberment might have prevented. From what I had occasion to observe, +I did not conceive that your concerns together would ever again move +with a cordiality that would render them lasting; but still, I imagined +that mutual interest and forbearance would allow them to subside into +that indifference which, without animosity or mischief, would leave +either party at liberty to enter upon such new arrangements as offered +to their separate advantage. I do not, however, doubt but that all +things have been properly considered, and perhaps finally settled for +the best; but Time, the only arbitrator in these cases, must decide. + +"In your proposed engagements with Mr. Davies, you will become better +acquainted with a man of great natural talents, and thoroughly versed in +business, which he regulates by the most honourable principles. As for +myself, you will find me exceedingly assiduous in promoting your views, +into which I shall enter with feelings higher than those of mere +interest. Indeed, linked as our houses are at present, we have a natural +tendency to mutual good understanding, which will both prevent and +soften those asperities in business which might otherwise enlarge into +disagreement. Country orders [referring to Constable & Co.'s 'general +order'] are a branch of business which I have ever totally declined as +incompatible with my more serious plans as a publisher. But _your_ +commissions I shall undertake with pleasure, and the punctuality with +which I have attempted to execute _your first order_ you will, I hope, +consider as a specimen of my disposition to give you satisfaction in +every transaction in which we may hereafter be mutually engaged." + +It was a great chance for a young man entering life with a moderate +amount of capital, to be virtually offered an intimate connection with +one of the principal publishing houses of the day. It was one of those +chances which, "taken at the flood, lead on to fortune," but there was +also the question of honour, and Mr. Murray, notwithstanding his desire +for opening out a splendid new connection in business, would do nothing +inconsistent with the strictest honour. He was most unwilling to thrust +himself in between Constable and Longman. Instead, therefore, of jumping +at Constable's advantageous offer, his feelings induced him to promote a +reconciliation between the parties; and he continued to enjoin +forbearance on the part of both firms, so that they might carry on their +business transactions as before. Copies of the correspondence between +Constable and the Longmans were submitted to referees (Murray and +Davies), and the following was Mr. Murray's reply, addressed to Messrs. +Constable & Co.: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Constable & Co_. + +_December_ 14, 1805. + +GENTLEMEN, + +Mr. Hunter's obliging letter to me arrived this morning. That which he +enclosed with yours to his brother last night, Charles gave me to read. +The contents were very flattering. Indeed, I cannot but agree with Mr. +H. that his brother has displayed very honourable feelings, upon hearing +of the probable separation of your house, and that of Messrs. Longman & +Co. Mr. Longman was the first who mentioned this to him, and indeed from +the manner in which Charles related his conversation upon the affair, I +could not but feel renewed sensations of regret at the unpleasant +termination of a correspondence, which, had it been conducted upon Mr. +Longman's own feelings, would have borne, I think, a very different +aspect. Longman spoke of you both with kindness, and mildly complained +that he had perceived a want of confidence on your part, ever since his +junction with Messrs. Hurst & Orme. He confessed that the correspondence +was too harsh for him to support any longer; but, he added, "_if we must +part, let us part like friends_." I am certain, from what Charles +reported to me, that Mr. L. and I think Mr. R. [Rees] are hurt by this +sudden disunion. + +Recollect how serious every dispute becomes upon paper, when a man +writes a thousand asperities merely to show or support his superior +ability. Things that would not have been spoken, or perhaps even thought +of in conversation, are stated and horribly magnified _upon paper_. +Consider how many disputes have arisen in the world, in which both +parties were so violent in what they believed to be the support of +truth, and which to the public, and indeed to themselves a few years +afterwards, appeared unwise, because the occasion or cause of it was not +worth contending about. Consider that you are, all of you, men who can +depend upon each other's probity and honour, and where these essentials +are not wanting, surely in mere matters of business the rest may be +palliated by mutual bearance and forbearance. Besides, you are so +connected by various publications, your common property, and some of +them such as will remain so until the termination of your lives, that +you cannot effect an entire disunion, and must therefore be subject to +eternal vexations and regrets which will embitter every transaction and +settlement between you. + +You know, moreover, that it is one of the misfortunes of our nature, +that disputes are always the most bitter in proportion to former +intimacy. And how much dissatisfaction will it occasion if either of you +are desirous in a year or two of renewing that intimacy which you are +now so anxious to dissolve--to say nothing of your relative utility to +each other--a circumstance which is never properly estimated, except +when the want of the means reminds us of what we have been at such pains +to deprive ourselves. Pause, my dear sirs, whilst to choose be yet in +your power; show yourselves superior to common prejudice, and by an +immediate exercise of your acknowledged pre-eminence of intellect, +suffer arrangements to be made for an accommodation and for a renewal of +that connexion which has heretofore been productive of honour and +profit. I am sure I have to apologize for having ventured to say so much +to men so much my superiors in sense and knowledge of the world and +their own interest; but sometimes the meanest bystander may perceive +disadvantages in the movements of the most skilful players. + +You will not, I am sure, attribute anything which I have said to an +insensibility to the immediate advantages which will arise to myself +from a determination opposite to that which I have taken the liberty of +suggesting. It arises from a very different feeling. I should be very +little worthy of your great confidence and attention to my interest upon +this occasion, if I did not state freely the result of my humble +consideration of this matter; and having done so, I do assure you that +if the arrangements which you now propose are carried into effect, I +will apply the most arduous attention to your interest, to which I will +turn the channel of my own thoughts and business, which, I am proud to +say, is rising in proportion to the industry and honourable principles +which have been used in its establishment. I am every day adding to a +most respectable circle of literary connexions, and I hope, a few months +after the settlement of your present affairs, to offer shares to you of +works in which you will feel it advantageous to engage. Besides, as I +have at present no particular bias, no enormous works of my own which +would need all my care, I am better qualified to attend to any that you +may commit to my charge; and, being young, my business may be formed +with a disposition, as it were, towards yours; and thus growing up with +it, we are more likely to form a durable connexion than can be expected +with persons whose views are imperceptibly but incessantly diverging +from each other. + +Should you be determined--_irrevocably_ determined (but consider!) upon +the disunion with Messrs. Longman, I will just observe that when persons +have been intimate, they have discovered each other's vulnerable points; +it therefore shows no great talent to direct at them shafts of +resentment. It is easy both to write and to say ill-natured, harsh, and +cutting things of each other. But remember that this power is _mutual_, +and in proportion to the poignancy of the wound which you would inflict +will be your own feelings when it is returned. It is therefore a maxim +which I laid down soon after a separation which I _had_, never to say or +do to my late colleague what he could say or do against me in return. I +knew that I had the personal superiority, but what his own ingenuity +could not suggest, others could write for him. + +I must apologise again for having been so tedious, but I am sure that +the same friendliness on your part which has produced these hasty but +well-meant expostulations will excuse them. After this, I trust it is +unnecessary for me to state with how much sincerity, + +I am, dear sirs, + +Your faithful friend, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Ten days after this letter was written, Mr. Murray sent a copy of it to +Messrs. Longman & Co., and wrote: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Longman & Co_, + +_December_ 24, 1805. + +GENTLEMEN, + +The enclosed letter will show that I am not ignorant that a +misunderstanding prevails betwixt your house and that of Messrs. +Constable & Co. With the cause, however, I am as yet unacquainted; +though I have attempted, but in vain, to obviate a disunion which I most +sincerely regret. Whatever arrangements with regard to myself may take +place in consequence will have arisen from circumstances which it was +not in my power to prevent; and they will not therefore be suffered to +interfere in any way with those friendly dispositions which will +continue, I trust, to obtain between you and, gentlemen, + +Your obedient servant, + +J. MURRAY. + +But the split was not to be avoided. It appears, however, that by the +contract entered into by Constable with Longmans in 1803, the latter had +acquired a legal right precluding the publication of the _Edinburgh +Review_ by another publisher without their express assent. Such assent +was not given, and the London publication of the _Edinburgh_ continued +in Longman's hands for a time; but all the other works of Constable were +at once transferred to Mr. Murray. + +Mr. Constable invited Murray to come to Edinburgh to renew their +personal friendship, the foundations of which had been laid during Mr. +Murray's visit to Edinburgh in the previous year; and now that their +union was likely to be much closer, he desired to repeat the visit. Mr. +Murray had another, and, so far as regarded his personal happiness, a +much more important object in view. This arose out of the affection +which he had begun to entertain for Miss Elliot, daughter of the late +Charles Elliot, publisher, with whom Mr. Murray's father had been in +such constant correspondence. The affection was mutual, and it seemed +probable that the attachment would ripen into a marriage. + +Now that his reputation as a publisher was becoming established, Mr. +Murray grew more particular as to the guise of the books which he +issued. He employed the best makers of paper, the best printers, and the +best book-binders. He attended to the size and tone of the paper, and +quality of the type, the accuracy of the printing, and the excellence of +the illustrations. All this involved a great deal of correspondence. We +find his letters to the heads of departments full of details as to the +turn-out of his books. Everything, from the beginning to the end of the +issue of a work--the first inspection of the MS., the consultation with +confidential friends as to its fitness for publication, the form in +which it was to appear, the correction of the proofs, the binding, +title, and final advertisement--engaged his closest attention. Besides +the elegant appearance of his books, he also aimed at raising the +standard of the literature which he published. He had to criticize as +well as to select; to make suggestions as to improvements where the +manuscript was regarded with favour, and finally to launch the book at +the right time and under the best possible auspices. It might almost be +said of the publisher, as it is of the poet, that he is born, not made. +And Mr. Murray appears, from the beginning to the end of his career, to +have been a born publisher. + +In August 1806, during the slack season in London, Mr. Murray made his +promised visit to Edinburgh. He was warmly received by Constable and +Hunter, and enjoyed their hospitality for some days. After business +matters had been disposed of, he was taken in hand by Hunter, the junior +partner, and led off by him to enjoy the perilous hospitality of the +Forfarshire lairds. + +Those have been called the days of heroic drinking. Intemperance +prevailed to an enormous extent. It was a time of greater +licentiousness, perhaps, in all the capitals of Europe, and this +northern one among the rest, than had been known for a long period. Men +of the best education and social position drank like the Scandinavian +barbarians of olden times. Tavern-drinking, now almost unknown among the +educated and professional classes of Edinburgh, was then carried by all +ranks to a dreadful excess. + +Murray was conducted by Hunter to his father's house of Eskmount in +Forfarshire, where he was most cordially received, and in accordance +with the custom of the times the hospitality included invitations to +drinking bouts at the neighbouring houses. + +An unenviable notoriety in this respect attached to William Maule +(created Baron Panmure 1831). He was the second son of the eighth Earl +of Dalhousie, but on succeeding, through his grandmother, to the estates +of the Earls of Panmure, he had assumed the name of Maule in lieu of +that of Ramsay. + +Much against his will, Murray was compelled to take part in some of +these riotous festivities with the rollicking, hard-drinking Forfarshire +lairds, and doubtless he was not sorry to make his escape at length +uninjured, if not unscathed, and to return to more congenial society in +Edinburgh. His attachment to Miss Elliot ended in an engagement. + +In the course of his correspondence with Miss Elliot's trustees, Mr. +Murray gave a statement of his actual financial position at the time: + +"When I say," he wrote, "that my capital in business amounts to five +thousand pounds, I meant it to be understood that if I quitted business +to-morrow, the whole of my property being sold, even disadvantageously, +it would leave a balance in my favour, free from debt or any +incumbrance, of the sum above specified. But you will observe that, +continuing it as I shall do in business, I know it to be far more +considerable and productive. I will hope that it has not been thought +uncandid in me if I did not earlier specify the amount of my +circumstances, for I considered that I had done this in the most +delicate and satisfactory way when I took the liberty of referring you +to Mr. Constable to whom I consequently disclosed my affairs, and whose +knowledge of my connexions in business might I thought have operated +more pleasingly to Miss Elliot's friends than any communication from +myself." + +The correspondence with Miss Elliot went on, and at length it was +arranged that Mr. Murray should proceed to Edinburgh for the marriage. +He went by mail in the month of February. A tremendous snowstorm set in +on his journey north. From a village near Doncaster he wrote to +Constable: "The horses were twice blown quite round, unable to face the +horrid blast of cold wind, the like of which I have never known before. +There was at the same time a terrible fall of snow, which completely +obscured everything that could be seen from the coach window. The snow +became of great depth, and six strong horses could scarcely pull us +through. We are four hours behind time." From Doncaster he went to +Durham in a postchaise; and pushing onward, he at last reached Edinburgh +after six days' stormy travelling. + +While at Edinburgh, Mr. Murray resided with Mr. Sands, one of the late +Charles Elliot's trustees. The marriage took place on March 6, 1807, and +the newly married pair at once started for Kelso, in spite of the roads +being still very bad, and obstructed by snow. Near Blackshields the +horses fell down and rolled over and over. The postboy's leg was broken, +and the carriage was sadly damaged. A neighbouring blacksmith was called +to the rescue, and after an hour and a half the carriage was +sufficiently repaired to be able to proceed. A fresh pair of horses was +obtained at the next stage, and the married couple reached Kelso in +safety. They remained there a few days, waiting for Mrs. Elliot, who +was to follow them; and on her arrival, they set out at once for the +south. + +The intimacy which existed between Mr. Murray and Mr. D'Israeli will be +observed from the fact that the latter was selected as one of the +marriage trustees. A few days after the arrival of the married pair in +London, they were invited to dine with Mr. D'Israeli and his friends. +Mr. Alexander Hunter, whom Mr. Murray had invited to stay with him +during his visit to London, thus describes the event: + +"Dressed, and went along with the Clan Murray to dine at Mr. +D'Israeli's, where we had a most sumptuous banquet, and a very large +party, in honour of the newly married folks. There was a very beautiful +woman there, Mrs. Turner, wife of Sharon Turner, the Anglo-Saxon +historian, who, I am told, was one of the Godwin school! If they be all +as beautiful, accomplished, and agreeable as this lady, they must be a +deuced dangerous set indeed, and I should not choose to trust myself +amongst them. + +"Our male part of the company consisted mostly of literary +men--Cumberland, Turner, D'Israeli, Basevi, Prince Hoare, and Cervetto, +the truly celebrated violoncello player. Turner was the most able and +agreeable of the whole by far; Cumberland, the most talkative and +eccentric perhaps, has a good sprinkling of learning and humour in his +conversation and anecdote, from having lived so long amongst the eminent +men of his day, such as Johnson, Foote, Garrick, and such like. But his +conversation is sadly disgusting, from his tone of irony and detraction +conveyed in a cunning sort of way and directed constantly against the +_Edinburgh Review_, Walter Scott (who is a 'poor ignorant boy, and no +poet,' and never wrote a five-feet line in his life), and such other +d----d stuff." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +"MARMION"--CONSTABLES AND BALLANTYNES--THE "EDINBURGH REVIEW" + + +Mr. Murray was twenty-nine years old at the time of his marriage. That +he was full of contentment as well as hope at this time may be inferred +from his letter to Constable three weeks after his marriage: + +_John Murray to Mr. Constable_. + +_March 27, 1807_. + +"I declare to you that I am every day more content with my lot. Neither +my wife nor I have any disposition for company or going out; and you may +rest assured that I shall devote all my attention to business, and that +your concerns will not be less the object of my regard merely because +you have raised mine so high. Every moment, my dear Constable, I feel +more grateful to you, and I trust that you will over find me your +faithful friend.--J.M." + +Some of the most important events in Murray's career occurred during the +first year of his married life. Chief among them may perhaps be +mentioned his part share in the publication of "Marmion" (in February +1808)--which brought him into intimate connection with Walter Scott--and +his appointment for a time as publisher in London of the _Edinburgh +Review_; for he was thus brought into direct personal contact with those +forces which ultimately led to the chief literary enterprise of his +life--the publication of the _Quarterly Review_. + +Mr. Scott called upon Mr. Murray in London shortly after the return of +the latter from his marriage in Edinburgh. + +"Mr. Scott called upon me on Tuesday, and we conversed for an hour.... +He appears very anxious that 'Marmion' should be published by the +King's birthday.... He said he wished it to be ready by that time for +very particular reasons; and yet he allows that the poem is not +completed, and that he is yet undetermined if he shall make his hero +happy or otherwise." + +The other important event, to which allusion has been made, was the +transfer to Mr. Murray of part of the London agency for the _Edinburgh +Review_. At the beginning of 1806 Murray sold 1,000 copies of the +_Review_ on the day of its publication, and the circulation was steadily +increasing. Constable proposed to transfer the entire London publication +to Murray, but the Longmans protested, under the terms of their existing +agreement. In April 1807 they employed as their attorney Mr. Sharon +Turner, one of Murray's staunchest allies. Turner informed him, through +a common friend, of his having been retained by the Longmans; but Murray +said he could not in any way "feel hurt at so proper and indispensable a +pursuit of his profession." The opinion of counsel was in favour of the +Messrs. Longman's contention, and of their "undisputable rights to +one-half of the _Edinburgh Review_ so long as it continues to be +published under that title." + +Longman & Co. accordingly obtained an injunction to prevent the +publication of the _Edinburgh Review_ by any other publisher in London +without their express consent. + +Matters were brought to a crisis by the following letter, written by the +editor, Mr. Francis Jeffrey, to Messrs. Constable & Co.: + +_June 1_, 1807. + +GENTLEMEN, + +I believe you understand already that neither I nor any of the original +and regular writers in the _Review_ will ever contribute a syllable to a +work belonging to booksellers. It is proper, however, to announce this +to you distinctly, that you may have no fear of hardship or +disappointment in the event of Mr. Longman succeeding in his claim to +the property of this work. If that claim be not speedily rejected or +abandoned, it is our fixed resolution to withdraw entirely from the +_Edinburgh Review_; to publish to all the world that the conductor and +writers of the former numbers have no sort of connection with those that +may afterwards appear; and probably to give notice of our intention to +establish a new work of a similar nature under a different title. + +I have the honour to be, gentlemen, + +Your very obedient servant, + +F. JEFFREY. + +A copy of this letter was at once forwarded to Messrs. Longman. +Constable, in his communication accompanying it, assured the publishers +that, in the event of the editor and contributors to the _Edinburgh +Review_ withdrawing from the publication and establishing a new +periodical, the existing _Review_ would soon be of no value either to +proprietors or publishers, and requested to be informed whether they +would not be disposed to transfer their interest in the property, and, +if so, on what considerations. Constable added: "We are apprehensive +that the editors will not postpone for many days longer that public +notification of their secession, which we cannot help anticipating as +the death-blow of the publication." + +Jeffrey's decision seems to have settled the matter. Messrs. Longman +agreed to accept £1,000 for their claim of property in the title and +future publication of the _Edinburgh Review_. The injunction was +removed, and the London publication of the _Review_ was forthwith +transferred to John Murray, 32, Fleet Street, under whose auspices No. +22 accordingly appeared. + +Thus far all had gone on smoothly. But a little cloud, at first no +bigger than a man's hand, made its appearance, and it grew and grew +until it threw a dark shadow over the friendship of Constable and +Murray, and eventually led to their complete separation. This was the +system of persistent drawing of accommodation bills, renewals of bills, +and promissory notes. Constable began to draw heavily upon Murray in +April 1807, and the promissory notes went on accumulating until they +constituted a mighty mass of paper money. Murray's banker cautioned him +against the practice. But repeated expostulation was of no use against +the impetuous needs of Constable & Co. Only two months after the +transfer of the publication of the _Review_ to Mr. Murray, we find him +writing to "Dear Constable" as follows: + +_John Murray to Mr. Archd. Constable_. + +_October 1, 1807_. + +"I should not have allowed myself time to write to you to-day, were not +the occasion very urgent. Your people have so often of late omitted to +give you timely notice of the day when my acceptances fell due, that I +have suffered an inconvenience too great for me to have expressed to +you, had it not occurred so often that it is impossible for me to +undergo the anxiety which it occasions. A bill of yours for £200 was due +yesterday, and I have been obliged to supply the means for paying it, +without any notice for preparation.... I beg of you to insist upon this +being regulated, as I am sure you must desire it to be, so that I may +receive the cash for your bills two days at least before they are due." + +Mr. Murray then gives a list of debts of his own (including some of +Constable's) amounting to £1,073, which he has to pay in the following +week. From a cash account made out by Mr. Murray on October 3, it +appears that the bill transactions with Constable had become enormous; +they amounted to not less than £10,000. + +The correspondence continued in the same strain, and it soon became +evident that this state of things could not be allowed to continue. +Reconciliations took place from time to time, but interruptions again +occurred, mostly arising from the same source--a perpetual flood of +bills and promissory notes, from one side and the other--until Murray +found it necessary to put an end to it peremptorily. Towards the end of +1808 Messrs. Constable established at No. 10 Ludgate Street a London +house for the sale of the _Edinburgh Review_, and the other works in +which they were concerned, under the title of Constable, Hunter, Park & +Hunter. This, doubtless, tended to widen the breach between Constable +and Murray, though it left the latter free to enter into arrangements +for establishing a Review of his own, an object which he had already +contemplated. + +There were many books in which the two houses had a joint interest, and, +therefore, their relations could not be altogether discontinued. +"Marmion" was coming out in successive editions; but the correspondence +between the publishers grew cooler and cooler, and Constable had +constant need to delay payments and renew bills. + +Mr. Murray had also considerable bill transactions with Ballantyne & Co. +of Edinburgh. James and John Ballantyne had been schoolfellows of Walter +Scott at Kelso, and the acquaintance there formed was afterwards +renewed. James Ballantyne established the _Kelso Mail_ in 1796, but at +the recommendation of Scott, for whom he had printed a collection of +ballads, he removed to Edinburgh in 1802. There he printed the "Border +Minstrelsy," for Scott, who assisted him with money. Ballantyne was in +frequent and intimate correspondence with Murray from the year 1806, and +had printed for him Hogg's "Ettrick Shepherd," and other works. + +It was at this time that Scott committed the great error of his life. +His professional income was about £1,000 a year, and with the profits of +his works he might have built Abbotsford and lived in comfort and +luxury. But in 1805 he sacrificed everything by entering into +partnership with James Ballantyne, and embarking in his printing concern +almost the whole of the capital which he possessed. He was bound to the +firm for twenty years, and during that time he produced his greatest +works. It is true that but for the difficulties in which he was latterly +immersed, we might never have known the noble courage with which he met +and rose superior to misfortune. + +In 1808 a scheme of great magnitude was under contemplation by Murray +and the Ballantynes. It was a uniform edition of the "British +Novelists," beginning with De Foe, and ending with the novelists at the +close of last century; with biographical prefaces and illustrative notes +by Walter Scott. A list of the novels, written in the hand of John +Murray, includes thirty-six British, besides eighteen foreign authors. +The collection could not have been completed in less than two hundred +volumes. The scheme, if it did not originate with Walter Scott, had at +least his cordial support. + +Mr. Murray not unreasonably feared the cost of carrying such an +undertaking to completion. It could not have amounted to less than +twenty thousand pounds. Yet the Ballantynes urged him on. They furnished +statements of the cost of printing and paper for each volume. "It really +strikes me," said James Ballantyne, "the more I think of and examine it, +to be the happiest speculation that has ever been thought of." + +This undertaking eventually fell through. Only the works of De Foe were +printed by the Messrs. Ballantyne, and published by Mr. Murray. The +attention of the latter became absorbed by a subject of much greater +importance to him--the establishment of the _Quarterly Review_. This for +a time threw most of his other schemes into the shade. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +ORIGIN OF THE "QUARTERLY REVIEW" + + +The publication of a Tory Review was not the result of a sudden +inspiration. The scheme had long been pondered over. Mr. Canning had +impressed upon Mr. Pitt the importance of securing the newspaper press, +then almost entirely Whiggish or Revolutionary, on the side of his +administration. To combat, in some measure, the democratic principles +then in full swing, Mr. Canning, with others, started, in November 1797, +the _Anti-Jacobin, or Weekly Examiner_. + +The _Anti-Jacobin_ ceased to be published in 1798, when Canning, having +been appointed Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, found his +time fully occupied by the business of his department, as well as by his +parliamentary duties, and could no longer take part in that clever +publication. + +Four years later, in October 1802, the first number of the _Edinburgh +Review_ was published. It appeared at the right time, and, as the first +quarterly organ of the higher criticism, evidently hit the mark at which +it aimed. It was conducted by some of the cleverest literary young men +in Edinburgh--Jeffrey, Brougham, Sydney Smith, Francis Horner, Dr. +Thomas Brown, and others. Though Walter Scott was not a founder of the +_Review_, he was a frequent contributor. + +In its early days the criticism was rude, and wanting in delicate +insight; for the most part too dictatorial, and often unfair. Thus +Jeffrey could never appreciate the merits of Wordsworth, Southey, and +Coleridge. "This will never do!" was the commencement of his review of +Wordsworth's noblest poem. Jeffrey boasted that he had "crushed the +'Excursion.'" "He might as well say," observed Southey, "that he could +crush Skiddaw." Ignorance also seems to have pervaded the article +written by Brougham, in the second number of the _Edinburgh_, on Dr. +Thomas Young's discovery of the true principles of interferences in the +undulatory theory of light. Sir John Herschell, a more competent +authority, said of Young's discovery, that it was sufficient of itself +to have placed its author in the highest rank of scientific immortality. + +The situation seemed to Mr. Murray to warrant the following letter: + +_John Murray to the Right Hon. George Canning_. + +_September 25, 1807._ + +Sir, + +I venture to address you upon a subject that is not, perhaps, +undeserving of one moment of your attention. There is a work entitled +the _Edinburgh Review_, written with such unquestionable talent that it +has already attained an extent of circulation not equalled by any +similar publication. The principles of this work are, however, so +radically bad that I have been led to consider the effect that such +sentiments, so generally diffused, are likely to produce, and to think +that some means equally popular ought to be adopted to counteract their +dangerous tendency. But the publication in question is conducted with so +much ability, and is sanctioned with such high and decisive authority by +the party of whose opinions it is the organ, that there is little hope +of producing against it any effectual opposition, unless it arise from +you, Sir, and your friends. Should you, Sir, think the idea worthy of +encouragement, I should, with equal pride and willingness, engage my +arduous exertions to promote its success; but as my object is nothing +short of producing a work of the greatest talent and importance, I shall +entertain it no longer if it be not so fortunate as to obtain the high +patronage which I have thus taken the liberty to solicit. + +Permit me, Sir, to add that the person who addresses you is no +adventurer, but a man of some property, and inheriting a business that +has been established for nearly a century. I therefore trust that my +application will be attributed to its proper motives, and that your +goodness will at least pardon its obtrusion. + +I have the honour to be, Sir, Your must humble and obedient Servant, + +John Murray. + +So far as can be ascertained, Mr. Canning did not answer this letter in +writing. But a communication was shortly after opened with him through +Mr. Stratford Canning, whose acquaintance Mr. Murray had made through +the publication of the "Miniature," referred to in a preceding chapter. +Mr. Canning was still acting as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, +and was necessarily cautious, but Mr. Stratford Canning, his cousin, was +not bound by any such official restraints. In January 1808 he introduced +Mr. Gifford to Mr. Murray, and the starting of the proposed new +periodical was the subject of many consultations between them. + +Walter Scott still continued to write for the _Edinburgh_, +notwithstanding the differences of opinion which existed between himself +and the editor as to political questions. He was rather proud of the +_Review_, inasmuch as it was an outgrowth of Scottish literature. Scott +even endeavoured to enlist new contributors, for the purpose of +strengthening the _Review_. He wrote to Robert Southey in 1807, inviting +him to contribute to the _Edinburgh_. The honorarium was to be ten +guineas per sheet of sixteen pages. This was a very tempting invitation +to Southey, as he was by no means rich at the time, and the pay was more +than he received for his contributions to the _Annual Register_, but he +replied to Scott as follows: + +_Mr. Southey to Mr. Scott_. + +_December, 1807_. + +"I have scarcely one opinion in common with it [the _Edinburgh Review_] +upon any subject.... Whatever of any merit I might insert there would +aid and abet opinions hostile to my own, and thus identify me with a +system which I thoroughly disapprove. This is not said hastily. The +emolument to be derived from writing at ten guineas a sheet, Scotch +measure, instead of seven pounds for the _Annual_, would be +considerable; the pecuniary advantage resulting from the different +manner in which my future works would be handled [by the _Review_] +probably still more so. But my moral feelings must not be compromised. +To Jeffrey as an individual I shall ever be ready to show every kind of +individual courtesy; but of Judge Jeffrey of the _Edinburgh Review_ I +must ever think and speak as of a bad politician, a worse moralist, and +a critic, in matters of taste, equally incompetent and unjust." +[Footnote: "The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey," iii. pp. +124-5.] Walter Scott, before long, was led to entertain the same opinion +of the _Edinburgh Review_ as Southey. A severe and unjust review of +"Marmion," by Jeffrey, appeared in 1808, accusing Scott of a mercenary +spirit in writing for money (though Jeffrey himself was writing for +money in the same article), and further irritating Scott by asserting +that he "had neglected Scottish feelings and Scottish characters." +"Constable," writes Scott to his brother Thomas, in November 1808, "or +rather that Bear, his partner [Mr. Hunter], has behaved by me of late +not very civilly, and I owe Jeffrey a flap with a foxtail on account of +his review of 'Marmion,' and thus doth the whirligig of time bring about +my revenges." + +Murray, too, was greatly annoyed by the review of "Marmion." "Scott," he +used to say, "may forgive but he can never forget this treatment"; and, +to quote the words of Mr. Lockhart: "When he read the article on +'Marmion,' and another on foreign politics, in the same number of the +_Edinburgh Review_, Murray said to himself, 'Walter Scott has feelings, +both as a gentleman and a Tory, which these people must now have +wounded; the alliance between him and the whole clique of the _Edinburgh +Review_ is now shaken'"; and, as far at least as the political part of +the affair was concerned, John Murray's sagacity was not at fault. + +Mr. Murray at once took advantage of this opening to draw closer the +bonds between himself and Ballantyne, for he well knew who was the +leading spirit in the firm, and showed himself desirous of obtaining the +London agency of the publishing business, which, as he rightly +discerned, would soon be started in connection with the Canongate Press, +and in opposition to Constable. The large increase of work which Murray +was prepared to place in the hands of the printers induced Ballantyne to +invite him to come as far as Ferrybridge in Yorkshire for a personal +conference. At this interview various new projects were discussed--among +them the proposed Novelists' Library--and from the information which he +then obtained as to Scott's personal feelings and literary projects, +Murray considered himself justified in at once proceeding to Ashestiel, +in order to lay before Scott himself, in a personal interview, his great +scheme for the new Review. He arrived there about the middle of October +1808, and was hospitably welcomed and entertained. He stated his plans, +mentioned the proposed editor of the Review, the probable contributors, +and earnestly invited the assistance of Scott himself. + +During Murray's visit to Ashestiel No. 26 of the _Edinburgh Review_ +arrived. It contained an article entitled "Don Cevallos on the +Occupation of Spain." It was long supposed that the article was written +by Brougham, but it has since been ascertained that Jeffrey himself was +the author of it. This article gave great offence to the friends of +rational liberty and limited monarchy in this country. Scott forthwith +wrote to Constable: "The _Edinburgh Review had_ become such as to render +it impossible for me to become a contributor to it; _now_ it is such as +I can no longer continue to receive or read it." + +"The list of the then subscribers," said Mr. Cadell to Mr. Lockhart, +"exhibits, in an indignant dash of Constable's pen opposite Mr. Scott's +name, the word 'STOPT!'" + +Mr. Murray never forgot his visit to Ashestiel. Scott was kindness +itself; Mrs. Scott was equally cordial and hospitable. Richard Heber was +there at the time, and the three went out daily to explore the scenery +of the neighbourhood. They visited Melrose Abbey, the Tweed, and +Dryburgh Abbey, not very remote from Melrose, where Scott was himself to +lie; they ascended the Eildon Hills, Scott on his sheltie often stopping +by the way to point out to Murray and Heber, who were on foot, some +broad meadow or heather-clad ground, as a spot where some legend held +its seat, or some notable deed had been achieved during the wars of the +Borders. Scott thus converted the barren hillside into a region of +interest and delight. From the top of the Eildons he pointed out the +scene of some twenty battles. + +Very soon after his return to London, Murray addressed the following +letter to Mr. Scott: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_October_ 26, 1808. + +DEAR SIR, + +Although the pressure of business since my return to London has +prevented me writing to you sooner, yet my thoughts have, I assure you, +been almost completely employed upon the important subjects of the +conversation with which you honoured me during the time I was +experiencing the obliging hospitality of Mrs. Scott and yourself at +Ashestiel. + +Then, after a reference to the Novelists' Library mentioned in the last +chapter, the letter continues: + +"I have seen Mr. William Gifford, hinting distantly at a Review; he +admitted the most imperious necessity for one, and that too in a way +that leads me to think that he has had very important communications +upon the subject.... I feel more than ever confident that the higher +powers are exceedingly desirous for the establishment of some +counteracting publication; and it will, I suspect, remain only for your +appearance in London to urge some very formidable plan into activity." + +This letter was crossed in transit by the following: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +ASHESTIEL, BY SELKIRK, _October_ 30, 1808. + +DEAR SIR, + +"Since I had the pleasure of seeing you I have the satisfaction to find +that Mr. Gifford has accepted the task of editing the intended Review. +This was communicated to me by the Lord Advocate, who at the same time +requested me to write Mr. Gifford on the subject. I have done so at +great length, pointing out whatever occurred to me on the facilities or +difficulties of the work in general, as well as on the editorial +department, offering at the same time all the assistance in my power to +set matters upon a good footing and to keep them so. I presume he will +have my letter by the time this reaches you, and that he will +communicate with you fully upon the details. I am as certain as of my +existence that the plan will answer, provided sufficient attention is +used in procuring and selecting articles of merit." + +What Scott thought of Murray's visit to Ashestiel may be inferred from +his letter to his political confidant, George Ellis, of which, as it has +already appeared in Scott's Life, it is only necessary to give extracts +here: + +_Mr. Scott to Mr. George Ellis_. + +_November_ 2, 1808. + +DEAR ELLIS, + +"We had, equally to our joy and surprise, a flying visit from Heber +about three weeks ago. He staid but three days, but, between old stories +and new, we made them very merry in their passage. During his stay, John +Murray, the bookseller in Fleet Street, who has more real knowledge of +what concerns his business than any of his brethren--at least, than any +of them that I know--came to canvass a most important plan, of which I +am now, in "dern privacie," to give you the outline. I had most strongly +recommended to our Lord Advocate (the Right Hon. J.C. Colquhoun) to +think of some counter measures against the _Edinburgh Review_. which, +politically speaking, is doing incalculable damage. I do not mean this +in a party way; the present ministry are not all I could wish them, for +(Canning excepted) I doubt there is among them too much +_self-seeking...._ But their political principles are sound English +principles, and, compared to the greedy and inefficient horde which +preceded them, they are angels of light and purity. It is obvious, +however, that they want defenders, both in and out of doors. Pitt's + + "Love and fear glued many friends to him; + And now he's fallen, those tough co-mixtures melt." + +Then, after a reference to the large circulation (9,000) and mischievous +politics of the _Edinburgh Review_, he proceeds: + +"Now, I think there is balm in Gilead for all this, and that the cure +lies in instituting such a Review in London as should be conducted +totally independent of bookselling influence, on a plan as liberal as +that of the _Edinburgh_, its literature as well supported, and its +principles English and constitutional. Accordingly, I have been given to +understand that Mr. William Gifford is willing to become the conductor +of such a work, and I have written to him, at the Lord Advocate's +desire, a very voluminous letter on the subject. Now, should this plan +succeed, you must hang your birding-piece on its hook, take down your +old Anti-Jacobin armour, and "remember your swashing blow." It is not +that I think this projected Review ought to be exclusively or +principally political; this would, in my opinion, absolutely counteract +its purpose, which I think should be to offer to those who love their +country, and to those whom we would wish to love it, a periodical work +of criticism conducted with equal talent, but upon sounder principles. +Is not this very possible? In point of learning, you Englishmen have ten +times our scholarship; and, as for talent and genius, "Are not Abana and +Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than any of the rivers in Israel?" +Have we not yourself and your cousin, the Roses, Malthus, Matthias, +Gifford, Heber, and his brother? Can I not procure you a score of +blue-caps who would rather write for us than for the _Edinburgh Review_ +if they got as much pay by it? "A good plot, good friends, and full of +expectation--an excellent plot, very good friends!" + +Heber's fear was lest we should fail in procuring regular steady +contributors; but I know so much of the interior discipline of reviewing +as to have no apprehension of that. Provided we are once set a-going by +a few dashing numbers, there would be no fear of enlisting regular +contributors; but the amateurs must bestir themselves in the first +instance. From the Government we should be entitled to expect +confidential communications as to points of fact (so far as fit to be +made public) in our political disquisitions. With this advantage, our +good cause and St. George to boot, we may at least divide the field with +our formidable competitors, who, after all, are much better at cutting +than parrying, and whose uninterrupted triumph has as much unfitted them +for resisting a serious attack as it has done Buonaparte for the Spanish +war. Jeffrey is, to be sure, a man of the most uncommon versatility of +talent, but what then? + + +"General Howe is a gallant commander, +There are others as gallant as he." + + +Think of all this, and let me hear from you very soon on the subject. +Canning is, I have good reason to know, very anxious about the plan. I +mentioned it to Robert Dundas, who was here with his lady for a few days +on a pilgrimage to Melrose, and he highly approved of it. Though no +literary man, he is judicious, _clair-voyant_, and uncommonly +sound-headed, like his father, Lord Melville. With the exceptions I have +mentioned, the thing continues a secret.... + +Ever yours, + +Walter Scott." + + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_November_ 2, 1808. + +I transmitted my letter to Mr. Gifford through the Lord Advocate, and +left it open that Mr. Canning might read it if he thought it worth +while. I have a letter from the Advocate highly approving my views, so I +suppose you will very soon hear from Mr. Gifford specifically on the +subject. It is a matter of immense consequence that something shall be +set about, and that without delay.... + +The points on which I chiefly insisted with Mr. Gifford were that the +Review should be independent both as to bookselling and ministerial +influences--meaning that we were not to be advocates of party through +thick and thin, but to maintain constitutional principles. Moreover, I +stated as essential that the literary part of the work should be as +sedulously attended to as the political, because it is by means of that +alone that the work can acquire any firm and extended reputation. + +Moreover yet, I submitted that each contributor should draw money for +his article, be his rank what it may. This general rule has been of +great use to the _Edinburgh Review_. Of terms I said nothing, except +that your views on the subject seemed to me highly liberal. I do not add +further particulars because I dare say Mr. Gifford will show you the +letter, which is a very long one. Believe me, my dear Sir, with sincere +regard, + +Your faithful, humble Servant, + +Walter Scott. + + +In a subsequent letter to Mr. Ellis, Scott again indicates what he +considers should be the proper management of the proposed Review. + +"Let me touch," he says, "a string of much delicacy--the political +character of the Review. It appears to me that this should be of a +liberal and enlarged nature, resting upon principles--indulgent and +conciliatory as far as possible upon mere party questions, but stern in +detecting and exposing all attempts to sap our constitutional fabric. +Religion is another slippery station; here also I would endeavour to be +as impartial as the subject will admit of.... The truth is, there is +policy, as well as morality, in keeping our swords clear as well as +sharp, and not forgetting the Gentleman in the Critic. The public +appetite is soon gorged with any particular style. The common Reviews, +before the appearance of the _Edinburgh_, had become extremely mawkish; +and, unless when prompted by the malice of the bookseller or reviewer, +gave a dawdling, maudlin sort of applause to everything that reached +even mediocrity. The _Edinburgh_ folks squeezed into their sauce plenty +of acid, and were popular from novelty as well as from merit. The minor +Reviews, and other periodical publications, have _outréd_ the matter +still further, and given us all abuse and no talent.... This, therefore, +we have to trust to, that decent, lively, and reflecting criticism, +teaching men not to abuse books, but to read and to judge them, will +have the effect of novelty upon a public wearied with universal efforts +at blackguard and indiscriminating satire. I have a long and very +sensible letter [Footnote: Given below, under date November 15, 1808.] +from John Murray, the bookseller, in which he touches upon this point +very neatly." + +Scott was most assiduous in his preparations for the first number. He +wrote to his brother, Thomas Scott, asking him to contribute an article; +to Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, of Christ Church, Oxford; to Mr. Morritt, +of Rokeby Park, Yorkshire; and to Robert Southey, of Keswick, asking +them for contributions. To Mr. Sharpe he says: + +"The Hebers are engaged, item Rogers, Southey, Moore (Anacreon), and +others whose reputations Jeffrey has murdered, and who are rising to cry +woe upon him, like the ghosts in 'King Richard.'" + +Scott's letter to Gilford, the intended editor, was full of excellent +advice. It was dated "Edinburgh, October 25, 1808." We quote from it +several important passages: + +"John Murray, of Fleet Street," says Scott, "a young bookseller of +capital and enterprise, and with more good sense and propriety of +sentiment than fall to the share of most of the trade, made me a visit +at Ashestiel a few weeks ago; and as I found he had had some +communication with you upon the subject, I did not hesitate to +communicate my sentiments to him on this and some other points of the +plan, and I thought his ideas were most liberal and satisfactory. + +"The office of Editor is of such importance, that had you not been +pleased to undertake it, I fear the plan would have fallen wholly to the +ground. The full power of control must, of course, be vested in the +editor for selecting, curtailing, and correcting the contributions to +the Review. But this is not all; for, as he is the person immediately +responsible to the bookseller that the work (amounting to a certain +number of pages, more or less) shall be before the public at a certain +time, it will be the editor's duty to consider in due turn the articles +of which each number ought to consist, and to take measures for +procuring them from the persons best qualified to write upon such and +such subjects. But this is sometimes so troublesome, that I foresee with +pleasure you will soon be obliged to abandon your resolution of writing +nothing yourself. At the same time, if you will accept of my services as +a sort of jackal or lion's provider, I will do all in my power to assist +in this troublesome department of editorial duty. + +"But there is still something behind, and that of the last consequence. +One great resource to which the _Edinburgh_ editor turns himself, and by +which he gives popularity even to the duller articles of his _Review_, +is accepting contributions from persons of inferior powers of writing, +provided they understand the books to which their criticisms relate; and +as such are often of stupefying mediocrity, he renders them palatable by +throwing in a handful of spice, namely, any lively paragraph or +entertaining illustration that occurs to him in reading them over. By +this sort of veneering he converts, without loss of time or hindrance to +business, articles, which in their original state might hang in the +market, into such goods as are not likely to disgrace those among which +they are placed. This seems to be a point in which an editor's +assistance is of the last consequence, for those who possess the +knowledge necessary to review books of research or abstruse +disquisitions, are very often unable to put the criticisms into a +readable, much more a pleasant and captivating form; and as their +science cannot be attained 'for the nonce,' the only remedy is to supply +their deficiencies, and give their lucubrations a more popular turn. + +"There is one opportunity possessed by you in a particular degree--that +of access to the best sources of political information. It would not, +certainly, be advisable that the work should assume, especially at the +outset, a professed political character. On the contrary, the articles +on science and miscellaneous literature ought to be of such a quality as +might fairly challenge competition with the best of our contemporaries. +But as the real reason of instituting the publication is the disgusting +and deleterious doctrine with which the most popular of our Reviews +disgraces its pages, it is essential to consider how this warfare should +be managed. On this ground, I hope it is not too much to expect from +those who have the power of assisting us, that they should on topics of +great national interest furnish the reviewers, through the medium of +their editor, with accurate views of points of fact, so far as they are +fit to be made public. This is the most delicate and yet most essential +part of our scheme. + +"On the one hand, it is certainly not to be understood that we are to be +held down to advocate upon all occasions the cause of administration. +Such a dereliction of independence would render us entirely useless for +the purpose we mean to serve. On the other hand, nothing will render the +work more interesting than the public learning, not from any vaunt of +ours, but from their own observation, that we have access to early and +accurate information on points of fact. The _Edinburgh Review_ has +profited much by the pains which the Opposition party have taken to +possess the writers of all the information they could give them on +public matters. Let me repeat that you, my dear sir, from enjoying the +confidence of Mr. Canning, and other persons in power, may easily obtain +the confidential information necessary to give credit to the work, and +communicate it to such as you may think proper to employ in laying it +before the public." + +Mr. Scott further proceeded, in his letter to Mr. Gifford, to discuss +the mode and time of publication, the choice of subjects, the persons to +be employed as contributors, and the name of the proposed Review, thus +thoroughly identifying himself with it. + +"Let our forces," he said, "for a number or two, consist of volunteers +or amateurs, and when we have acquired some reputation, we shall soon +levy and discipline our forces of the line. After all, the matter is +become very serious--eight or nine thousand copies of the _Edinburgh +Review_ are regularly distributed, merely because there is no other +respectable and independent publication of the kind. In this city +(Edinburgh), where there is not one Whig out of twenty men who read the +work, many hundreds are sold; and how long the generality of readers +will continue to dislike politics, so artfully mingled with information +and amusement, is worthy of deep consideration. But it is not yet too +late to stand in the breach; the first number ought, if possible, to be +out in January, and if it can burst among them like a bomb, without +previous notice, the effect will be more striking. + +"Of those who might be intrusted in the first instance you are a much +better judge than I am. I think I can command the assistance of a friend +or two here, particularly William Erskine, the Lord Advocate's +brother-in-law and my most intimate friend. In London, you have Malthus, +George Ellis, the Roses, _cum pluribus aliis_. Richard Heber was with me +when Murray came to my farm, and, knowing his zeal for the good cause, I +let him into our counsels. In Mr. Frere we have the hopes of a potent +ally. The Rev. Reginald Heber would be an excellent coadjutor, and when +I come to town I will sound Matthias. As strict secrecy would of course +be observed, the diffidence of many might be overcome. For scholars you +can be at no loss while Oxford stands where it did; and I think there +will be no deficiency in the scientific articles." + +Thus instructed, Gifford proceeded to rally his forces. There was no +want of contributors. Some came invited, some came unsought; but, as the +matter was still a secret, the editor endeavoured to secure +contributions through his personal friends. For instance, he called upon +Mr. Rogers to request him to secure the help of Moore. + +"I must confess," said Rogers to Moore, "I heard of the new quarterly +with pleasure, as I thought it might correct an evil we had long +lamented together. Gifford wishes much for contributors, and is +exceedingly anxious that you should assist him as often as you can +afford time.... All this in _confidence_ of course, as the secret is not +my own." + +Gifford also endeavoured to secure the assistance of Southey, through +his friend, Mr. Grosvenor Bedford. Southey was requested to write for +the first number an article on the Affairs of Spain. This, however, he +declined to do; but promised to send an article on the subject of +Missionaries. + +"Let not Gifford," he wrote to Bedford, in reply to his letter, "suppose +me a troublesome man to deal with, pertinacious about trifles, or +standing upon punctilios of authorship. No, Grosvenor, I am a quiet, +patient, easy-going hack of the mule breed; regular as clockwork in my +pace, sure-footed, bearing the burden which is laid on me, and only +obstinate in choosing my own path. If Gifford could see me by this +fireside, where, like Nicodemus, one candle suffices me in a large room, +he would see a man in a coat 'still more threadbare than his own' when +he wrote his 'Imitation,' working hard and getting little--a bare +maintenance, and hardly that; writing poems and history for posterity +with his whole heart and soul; one daily progressive in learning, not so +learned as he is poor, not so poor as proud, not so proud as happy." + +_Mr. James Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +_October_ 28, 1808. + +"Well, you have of course heard from Mr. Scott of the progress of the +'Great Plan.' Canning bites at the hook eagerly. A review termed by Mr. +Jeffrey _a tickler_, is to appear of Dryden in this No. of the +_Edinburgh_. By the Lord! they will rue it. You know Scott's present +feelings, excited by the review of 'Marmion.' What will they be when +that of Dryden appears?" + +It was some time, however, before arrangements could be finally made for +bringing out the first number of the _Quarterly_. Scott could not as yet +pay his intended visit to London, and after waiting for about a month, +Murray sent him the following letter, giving his further opinion as to +the scope and object of the proposed Review: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_November_ 15, 1808. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have been desirous of writing to you for nearly a week past, as I +never felt more the want of a personal conversation. I will endeavour, +however, to explain myself to you, and will rely on your confidence and +indulgence for secrecy and attention in what I have to communicate. I +have before told you that the idea of a new Review has been revolving in +my mind for nearly two years, and that more than twelve months ago I +addressed Mr. Canning on the subject. The propriety, if not the +necessity, of establishing a journal upon principles opposite to those +of the _Edinburgh Review_ has occurred to many men more enlightened than +myself; and I believe the same reason has prevented others, as it has +done myself, from attempting it, namely, the immense difficulty of +obtaining talent of sufficient magnitude to render success even +_doubtful_. + +By degrees my plan has gradually floated up to this height. But there +exists at least an equal difficulty yet--that peculiar talent in an +editor of rendering our other great resources advantageous to the best +possible degree. This, I think, may be accomplished, but it must be +effected by your arduous assistance, at least for a little time. Our +friend Mr. Gifford, whose writings show him to be both a man of learning +and wit, has lived too little in the world lately to have obtained that +delicacy and tact whereby he can feel at one instant, and habitually, +whatever may gratify public desire and excite public attention and +curiosity. But this you know to be a leading feature in the talents of +Mr. Jeffrey and his friends; and that, without the most happy choice of +subjects, as well as the ability to treat them well--catching the +"manners living as they rise"--the _Edinburgh Review_ could not have +attained the success it has done; and no other Review, however +preponderating in solid merit, will obtain sufficient attention without +them. Entering the field too, as we shall do, against an army commanded +by the most skilful generals, it will not do for us to leave any of our +best officers behind as a reserve, for they would be of no use if we +were defeated at first. We must enter with our most able commanders at +once, and we shall then acquire confidence, if not reputation, and +increase in numbers as we proceed. + +Our first number must contain the most valuable and striking information +in politics, and the most interesting articles of general literature and +science, written by our most able friends. If our plan appears to be so +advantageous to the ministers whose measures, to a certain extent, we +intend to justify, to support, to recommend and assist, that they have +promised their support; when might that support be so advantageously +given, either for their own interests or ours, as at the commencement, +when we are most weak, and have the most arduous onset to make, and when +we do and must stand most in need of help? If our first number be not +written with the greatest ability, upon the most interesting topics, it +will not excite public attention. No man, even the friend of the +principles we adopt, will leave the sprightly pages of the _Edinburgh +Review_ to read a dull detail of staid morality, or dissertations on +subjects whose interest has long fled. + +I do not say this from any, even the smallest doubt, of our having all +that we desire in these respects in our power; but because I am +apprehensive that without your assistance it will not be drawn into +action, and my reason for this fear I will thus submit to you. You +mentioned in your letter to Mr. Gifford, that our Review should open +with a grand article on Spain--meaning a display of the political +feeling of the people, and the probable results of this important +contest. I suggested to Mr. Gifford that Mr. Frere should be written to, +which he said was easy, and that he thought he would do it; for Frere +could not only give the facts upon the subject, but could write them +better than any other person. But having, in my project, given the name +of Southey as a person who might assist occasionally in a number or two +hence, I found at our next interview that Mr. Gifford, who does not know +Mr. Southey, had spoken to a friend to ask Mr. S. to write the article +upon Spain. It is true that Mr. Southey knows a great deal about Spain, +and on another occasion would have given a good article upon the +subject; but at present _his_ is not the kind of knowledge which we +want, and it is, moreover, trusting our secret to a stranger, who has, +by the way, a directly opposite bias in politics. + +Mr. Gifford also told me, with very great stress, that among the +articles he had submitted to you was [one on] Hodgson's Translation of +Juvenal, which at no time could be a very interesting article for us, +and having been published more than six months ago, would probably be a +very stupid one. Then, you must observe, that it would necessarily +involve a comparison with Mr. Gifford's own translation, which must of +course be praised, and thus show an _individual_ feeling--the least +spark of which, in our early numbers, would both betray and ruin us. He +talks of reviewing _himself_ a late translation of "Persius," for +(_entre nous_) a similar reason. He has himself nearly completed a +translation, which will be published in a few months. + +In what I have said upon this most exceedingly delicate point, and which +I again submit to your most honourable confidence, I have no other +object but just to show you without reserve how we stand, and to +exemplify what I set out with--that without skilful and judicious +management we shall totally mistake the road to the accomplishment of +the arduous task which we have undertaken, and involve the cause and +every individual in not merely defeat, but disgrace. I must at the same +time observe that Mr. Gifford is the most obliging and well-meaning man +alive, and that he is perfectly ready to be instructed in those points +of which his seclusion renders him ignorant; and all that I wish and +mean is, that we should strive to open clearly the view which is so +obvious to us--that our first number must be a most brilliant one in +every respect; and to effect this, we must avail ourselves of any +valuable political information we can command. Those persons who have +the most interest in supporting the Review must be called upon +immediately for their strenuous personal help. The fact must be obvious +to you,--that if Mr. Canning, Mr. Frere, Mr. Scott, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. +Gifford, with their immediate and true friends, will exert themselves +heartily in every respect, so as to produce with secrecy only _one_ +remarkably attractive number, their further labour would be +comparatively light. With such a number in our hands, we might select +and obtain every other help that we required; and then the persons named +would only be called upon for their information, facts, hints, advice, +and occasional articles. But without this--without producing a number +that shall at least equal, if not excel, the best of the _Edinburgh +Review_, it were better not to be attempted. We should do more harm to +our cause by an unsuccessful attempt; and the reputation of the +_Edinburgh Review_ would be increased inversely to our fruitless +opposition.... With respect to bookselling interference with the Review, +I am equally convinced with yourself of its total incompatibility with a +really respectable and valuable critical journal. I assure you that +nothing can be more distant from my views, which are confined to the +ardour which I feel for the cause and principles which it will be our +object to support, and the honour of professional reputation which would +obviously result to the publisher of so important a work. It were silly +to suppress that I shall not be sorry to derive from it as much profit +as I can satisfactorily enjoy, consistent with the liberal scale upon +which it is my first desire to act towards every writer and friend +concerned in the work. Respecting the terms upon which the editor shall +be placed at first, I have proposed, and it appears to be satisfactory +to Mr. Gifford, that he shall receive, either previous to, or +immediately after, the publication of each number, the sum of 160 +guineas, which he is to distribute as he thinks proper, without any +question or interference on my part; and that in addition to this, he +shall receive from me the sum of £200 annually, merely as the editor. +This, Sir, is much more than I can flatter myself with the return of, +for the first year at least; but it is my intention that his salary +shall ever increase proportionately to the success of the work under his +management. The editor has a most arduous office to perform, and the +success of the publication must depend in a great measure upon his +activity. + +I am, dear Sir, Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +John Murray. + +It will be observed from this letter, that Mr. Murray was aware that, +besides skilful editing, sound and practical business management was +necessary to render the new Review a success. The way in which he +informs Mr. Scott about Gifford's proposed review of "Juvenal" and +"Persius," shows that he fully comprehended the situation, and the +dangers which would beset an editor like Gifford, who lived for the most +part amongst his books, and was, to a large extent, secluded from the +active world. + +On the same day Scott was writing to Murray: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. Edinburgh, _November_ 15, 1808. + +Dear Sir, + +I received two days ago a letter from Mr. Gifford highly approving of +the particulars of the plan which I had sketched for the _Review_. But +there are two points to be considered. In the first place, I cannot be +in town as I proposed, for the Commissioners under the Judicial Bill, to +whom I am to act as clerk, have resolved that their final sittings shall +be held _here_, so that I have now no chance of being in London before +spring. This is very unlucky, as Mr. Gifford proposes to wait for my +arrival in town to set the great machine a-going. I shall write to him +that this is impossible, and that I wish he would, with your assistance +and that of his other friends, make up a list of the works which the +first number is to contain, and consider what is the extent of the aid +he will require from the North. The other circumstance is, that Mr. +Gifford pleads the state of his health and his retired habits as +sequestrating him from the world, and rendering him less capable of +active exertion, and in the kindest and most polite manner he expresses +his hope that he should receive very extensive assistance and support +from me, without which he is pleased to say he would utterly despair of +success. Now between ourselves (for this is strictly confidential) I am +rather alarmed at this prospect. I am willing, and anxiously so, to do +all in my power to serve the work; but, my dear sir, you know how many +of our very ablest hands are engaged in the _Edinburgh Review_, and what +a dismal work it will be to wring assistance from the few whose +indolence has left them neutral. I can, to be sure, work like a horse +myself, but then I have two heavy works on my hands already, namely, +"Somers" and "Swift." Constable had lately very nearly relinquished the +latter work, and I now 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' _exposé_. +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 own plans.... It +will happen fortunately that we intend opening with an article on the +missionaries, which, as it will be written in opposition to the +sentiments in the _Edinburgh Review_, is very likely to gain that large +body of which Wilberforce is the head. I have collected from every +Missionary Society in London, of which there are no less than five, all +their curious reports, proceedings and history, which, I know, Sydney +Smith never saw; and which I could only procure by personal application. +Southey will give a complete view of the subject, and if he will enter +heartily into it, and do it well, it will be as much as he can do for +the first number. These transactions contain, amidst a great deal of +fanaticism, the most curious information you can imagine upon the +history, literature, topography and manners of nations and countries of +which we are otherwise totally ignorant.... If you have occasion to +write to Southey, pray urge the vast importance of this subject, and +entreat him to give it all his ability. I find that a new volume of +Burns' ('The Reliques') will be published by the end of this month, +which will form the subject of another capital article under your hands. +I presume 'Sir John Carr (Tour in Scotland)' will be another article, +which even you, I fancy, will like; 'Mrs. Grant of Laggan,' too, and +perhaps your friend Mr. Cumberland's 'John de Lancaster' .... Are you +not sufficiently well acquainted with Miss (Joanna) Baillie, both to +confide in her, and command her talents? If so, you will probably think +of what may suit her, and what may apply to her. Mr. Heber, too, would +apply to his brother at your request, and his friend Coplestone, who +will also be written to by a friend of Gifford's...." + +Scott was very desirous of enlisting George Canning among the +contributors to the Quarterly. He wrote to his friend Ellis: + +_Mr. Scott to Mr. G. Ellis_. + +"As our start is of such immense consequence, don't you think Mr. +Canning, though unquestionably our Atlas, might for a day find a +Hercules on whom to devolve the burden of the globe, while he writes for +us a review? I know what an audacious request this is, but suppose he +should, as great statesmen sometimes do, take a political fit of the +gout, and absent himself from a large ministerial dinner which might +give it him in good earnest--dine at three on a chicken and pint of +wine, and lay the foundation of at least one good article? Let us but +once get afloat, and our labour is not worth talking about; but, till +then, all hands must work hard." + +This suggestion was communicated by George Ellis to Gifford, the chosen +editor, and on December 1, Murray informed Scott that the article on +Spain was proceeding under Mr. Canning's immediate superintendence. +Canning and Gifford went down to Mr. Ellis's house at Sunninghill, where +the three remained together for four days, during which time the article +was hatched and completed. + +On receiving the celebrated "Declaration of Westminster" on the Spanish +War, Scott wrote to Ellis: + +"Tell Mr. Canning that the old women of Scotland will defend the country +with their distaffs, rather than that troops enough be not sent to make +good so noble a pledge. Were the thousands that have mouldered away in +petty conquests or Lilliputian expeditions united to those we have now +in that country, what a band would Sir John Moore have under him!... +Jeffrey has offered terms of pacification, engaging that no party +politics should again appear in his _Review_. I told him I thought it +was now too late, and reminded him that I had often pointed out to him +the consequences of letting his work become a party tool. He said 'he +did not fear for the consequences--there were but four men he feared as +opponents.' 'Who are these?' 'Yourself for one.' 'Certainly you pay me a +great compliment; depend upon it I will endeavour to deserve it.' 'Why, +you would not join against me?' 'Yes, I would, if I saw a proper +opportunity: not against you personally, but against your politics.' +'You are privileged to be violent.' 'I don't ask any privilege for undue +violence. But who are your other foemen?' 'George Ellis and Southey.' +The other he did not name. All this was in great good humour; and next +day I had a very affecting note from him, in answer to an invitation to +dinner. He has no suspicion of the _Review_ whatever." + +In the meantime, Mr. Murray continued to look out for further +contributors. Mr. James Mill, of the India House, in reply to a request +for assistance, wrote: + +"You do me a great deal of honour in the solicitude you express to have +me engaged in laying the foundation stone of your new edifice, which I +hope will be both splendid and durable; and it is no want of zeal or +gratitude that delays me. But this ponderous Geography, a porter's, or +rather a horse's load, bears me down to a degree you can hardly +conceive. What I am now meditating from under it is to spare time to do +well and leisurely the Indian article (my favourite subject) for your +next number. Besides, I shall not reckon myself less a founder from its +having been only the fault of my previous engagements that my first +article for you appears only in the second number, and not in the first +part of your work." + +Another contributor whom Mr. Murray was desirous to secure was Mrs. +Inchbald, authoress of the "Simple Story." The application was made to +her through one of Murray's intimate friends, Mr. Hoppner, the artist. +Her answer was as follows: + +_Mrs. Inchbald to Mr. Hoppner_. _December_ 31, 1808. + +My dear Sir, As I wholly rely upon your judgment for the excellency of +the design in question, I wish you to be better acquainted with my +abilities as a reviewer before I suffer my curiosity to be further +gratified in respect to the plan of the work you have undertaken, or the +names of those persons who, with yourself, have done me the very great +honour to require my assistance. Before I see you, then, and possess +myself of your further confidence, it is proper that I should acquaint +you that there is only one department of a Review for which I am in the +least qualified, and that one combines plays and novels. Yet the very +few novels I have read, of later publications, incapacitates me again +for detecting plagiary, or for making such comparisons as proper +criticism may demand. You will, perhaps, be surprised when I tell you +that I am not only wholly unacquainted with the book you have mentioned +to me, but that I never heard of it before. If it be in French, there +will be another insurmountable difficulty; for, though I read French, +and have translated some French comedies, yet I am not so perfectly +acquainted with the language as to dare to write remarks upon a French +author. If Madame Cottin's "Malvina" be in English, you wish it speedily +reviewed, and can possibly have any doubt of the truth of my present +report, please to send it me; and whatever may be the contents, I will +immediately essay my abilities on the work, or immediately return it as +a hopeless case. + +Yours very faithfully, + +E. Inchbald. + +On further consideration, however, Mrs. Inchbald modestly declined to +become a contributor. Notwithstanding her great merits as an author, she +had the extremest diffidence in her own abilities. + +_Mrs. Inchbald to John Murray_. + +"The more I reflect on the importance of the contributions intended for +this work, the more I am convinced of my own inability to become a +contributor. The productions in question must, I am convinced, be of a +certain quality that will demand far more acquaintance with books, and +much more general knowledge, than it has ever been my good fortune to +attain. Under these circumstances, finding myself, upon mature +consideration, wholly inadequate to the task proposed, I beg you will +accept of this apology as a truth, and present it to Mr. Hoppner on the +first opportunity; and assure him that it has been solely my reluctance +to yield up the honour he intended me which has tempted me, for an +instant, to be undecided in my reply to his overture.--I am, Sir, with +sincere acknowledgments for the politeness of your letter to me, + +"E. Inchbald." + +And here the correspondence dropped. + +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 _tête-à-tête_ 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: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_February_, 1809. + +I enclose the promised "Swift," and am now, I think, personally out of +your debt, though I will endeavour to stop up gaps if I do not receive +the contributions I expect from others. Were I in the neighbourhood of +your shop in London I could soon run up half a sheet of trifling +articles with a page or two to each, but that is impossible here for +lack of materials. + +When the Ballantynes open shop you must take care to have them supplied +with food for such a stop-gap sort of criticism. I think we will never +again feel the pressure we have had for this number; the harvest has +literally been great and the labourers few. + +Yours truly, + +W.S. + + +_Mr. James Ballantyne. to John Murray_. + +_January_ 27, 1809. + +"I see or hear of nothing but good about the _Review_. Mr. Scott is at +this moment busy with two articles, besides the one he has sent. In +conversation a few days since, I heard a gentleman ask him, 'Pray, sir, +do you think the _Quarterly Review_ will be equal to the _Edinburgh_?' +His answer was, 'I won't be quite sure of the first number, because of +course there are difficulties attending the commencement of every work +which time and habit can alone smooth away. But I think the first number +will be a good one, and in the course of three or four, _I think we'll +sweat them!_'" + +The first number of the _Quarterly Review_ was published at the end of +February, 1809. Like most first numbers, it did not entirely realize the +sanguine views of its promoters. It did not burst like a thunder-clap on +the reading public; nor did it give promise to its friends that a new +political power had been born into the world. The general tone was more +literary than political; and though it contained much that was well +worth reading, none of its articles were of first-rate quality. + +Walter Scott was the principal contributor, and was keenly interested in +its progress, though his mind was ever teeming with other new schemes. +The allusion in the following letter to his publication of "many +unauthenticated books," if unintentional, seems little less than +prophetic. + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +Edinburgh, _February_ 25, 1809. + +Dear Sir, + +I see with pleasure that you will be out on the first. Yet I wish I +could have seen my articles in proof, for I seldom read over my things +in manuscript, and always find infinite room for improvement at the +printer's expense. I hope our hurry will not be such another time as to +deprive me of the chance of doing the best I can, which depends greatly +on my seeing the proofs. Pray have the goodness to attend to this. + +I have made for the Ballantynes a little selection of poetry, to be +entitled "English Minstrelsy"; I also intend to arrange for them a first +volume of English Memoirs, to be entitled--"Secret History of the Court +of James I." To consist of: + +Osborne's "Traditional Memoirs." + +Sir Anthony Welldon's "Court and Character of James I." + +Heylin's "Aulicus Coquinariae." + +Sir Edward Peyton's "Rise and Fall of the House of Stewart." + +I will add a few explanatory notes to these curious memoirs, and hope to +continue the collection, as (thanks to my constant labour on "Somers") +it costs me no expense, and shall cost the proprietors none. You may +advertise the publications, and Ballantyne, equally agreeable to his own +wish and mine, will let you choose your own share in them. I have a +commission for you in the way of art. I have published many +unauthenticated books, as you know, and may probably bring forward many +more. Now I wish to have it in my power to place on a few copies of each +a decisive mark of appropriation. I have chosen for this purpose a +device borne by a champion of my name in a tournament at Stirling! It +was a gate and portcullis, with the motto CLAUSUS TUTUS ERO. I have it +engraved on a seal, as you may remark on the enclosure, but it is done +in a most blackguard style. Now what I want is to have this same gateway +and this same portcullis and this same motto of _clausus tutus ero_, +which is an anagram of _Walterus Scotus_ (taking two single _U_'s for +the _W_), cut upon wood in the most elegant manner, so as to make a +small vignette capable of being applied to a few copies of every work +which I either write or publish. This fancy of making _portcullis_ +copies I have much at heart, and trust to you to get it accomplished for +me in the most elegant manner. I don't mind the expense, and perhaps Mr. +Westall might be disposed to make a sketch for me. + +I am most anxious to see the _Review_. God grant we may lose no ground; +I tremble when I think of my own articles, of two of which I have but an +indefinite recollection. + +What would you think of an edition of the "Old English Froissart," say +500 in the small _antique quarto_, a beautiful size of book; the +spelling must be brought to an uniformity, the work copied (as I could +not promise my beautiful copy to go to press), notes added and +illustrations, etc., and inaccuracies corrected. I think Johnes would be +driven into most deserved disgrace, and I can get the use of a most +curious MS. of the French Froissart in the Newbattle Library, probably +the finest in existence after that of Berlin. I am an enthusiast about +Berners' Froissart, and though I could not undertake the drudgery of +preparing the whole for the press, yet Weber [Footnote: Henry Weber, +Scott's amanuensis.] would do it under my eye upon the most reasonable +terms. I would revise every part relating to English history. + +I have several other literary schemes, but defer mentioning them till I +come to London, which I sincerely hope will be in the course of a month +or six weeks. I hear Mr. Canning is anxious about our _Review_. +Constable says it is a Scotch job. I could not help quizzing Mr. Robert +Miller, who asked me in an odd sort of way, as I thought, why it was not +out? I said very indifferently I knew nothing about it, but heard a +vague report that the Edition was to be much enlarged on account of the +expected demand. I also inclose a few lines to my brother, and am, dear +Sir, + +Very truly yours, + +W. Scott. + +It is universally agreed here that Cumberland is five hundred degrees +beneath contempt. + +Ballantyne, Scott's partner, and publisher of the _Review_ in Edinburgh, +hastened to communicate to Murray their joint views as to the success of +the work. + +_Mr. Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +_February_ 28, 1809. + +My dear Murray, + +I received the _Quarterly_ an hour ago. Before taking it to Mr. Scott, I +had just time to look into the article on Burns, and at the general +aspect of the book. It looks uncommonly well.... The view of Burns' +character is better than Jeffrey's. It is written in a more congenial +tone, with more tender, kindly feeling. Though not perhaps written with +such elaborate eloquence as Jeffrey's, the thoughts are more original, +and the style equally powerful. The two first articles (and perhaps the +rest are not inferior) will confer a name on the _Review_. But why do I +trouble you with _my_ opinions, when I can give you Mr. Scott's? He has +just been reading the Spanish article beside me, and he again and again +interrupted himself with expressions of the strongest admiration. + +Three days later, Ballantyne again wrote: + +"I have now read 'Spain,' 'Burns,' 'Woman,' 'Curran,' 'Cid,' 'Carr,' +'Missionaries.' Upon the whole, I think these articles most excellent. +Mr. Scott is in high spirits; but he says there are evident marks of +haste in most of them. With respect to his own articles, he much regrets +not to have had the opportunity of revising them. He thinks the +'Missionaries' very clever; but he shakes his head at 'Sidney,' 'Woman,' +and 'Public Characters.' Our copies, which we expected this morning, +have not made their appearance, which has given us no small anxiety. We +are panting to hear the public voice. Depend upon it, _if_ our exertions +are continued, the thing will do. Would G. were as active as Scott and +Murray!" + +Murray had plenty of advisers. Gifford said he had too many. His friend, +Sharon Turner, was ready with his criticism on No. 1. He deplored the +appearance of the article by Scott on "Carr's Tour in Scotland." +[Footnote: Scott himself had written to Murray about this, which he +calls "a whisky-frisky article," on June 30. "I take the advantage of +forwarding Sir John's _Review_, to send you back his letters under the +same cover. He is an incomparable goose, but as he is innocent and +good-natured, I would not like it to be publicly known that the +flagellation comes from my hand. Secrecy therefore will oblige me."] + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to John Murray_. + +"I cannot endure the idea of an individual being wounded merely because +he has written a book. If, as in the case of the authors attacked in the +'Baviad,' the works censured were vitiating our literature--or, as in +the case of Moore's Poems, corrupting our morals--if they were +denouncing our religious principles, or attacking those political +principles on which our Government subsists--let them be criticised +without mercy. The _salus publica_ demands the sacrifice. But to make an +individual ridiculous merely because he has written a foolish, if it be +a harmless book, is not, I think, justifiable on any moral principle ... +I repeat my principle. Whatever tends to vitiate our literary taste, our +morals, our religious or political principles, may be fairly at the +mercy of criticism. So, whatever tends to introduce false science, false +history, indeed, falsehood in any shape, exposes itself to the censor's +rod. But harmless, inoffensive works should be passed by. Where is the +bravery of treading on a worm or crushing a poor fly? Where the utility? +Where the honour?" + +An edition of 4,000 copies had been printed; this was soon exhausted, +and a second edition was called for. + +Mr. Scott was ample in his encouragements. + +"I think," he wrote to Murray, "a firm and stable sale will be settled +here, to the extent of 1,000 or 1,500 even for the next number.... I am +quite pleased with my ten guineas a sheet for my labour in writing, and +for additional exertions. I will consider them as overpaid by success in +the cause, especially while that success is doubtful." + +Ballantyne wrote to Murray in March: + +"Constable, I am told, has consulted Sir Samuel Romilly, and means, +after writing a book against me, to prosecute me for _stealing his +plans!_ Somebody has certainly stolen his brains!" + +The confederates continued to encourage each other and to incite to +greater effort the procrastinating Gifford. The following rather +mysterious paragraph occurs in a letter from Scott to Murray dated March +19, 1809. + +"I have found means to get at Mr. G., and have procured a letter to be +written to him, which may possibly produce one to you signed Rutherford +or Richardson, or some such name, and dated from the North of England; +or, if he does not write to you, enquiry is to be made whether he would +choose you should address him. The secrecy to be observed in this +business must be most profound, even to Ballantyne and all the world. If +you get articles from him (which will and must draw attention) you must +throw out a false scent for enquirers. I believe this unfortunate man +will soon be in London." + +In reply, Mr. Murray wrote on March 24 to Mr. Scott, urging him to come +to London, and offering, "if there be no plea for charging your expenses +to Government," to "undertake that the _Review_ shall pay them as far as +one hundred guineas." To this Scott replied: + +_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: + +"With regard to the comission which you have given me, it is, I fear, +completely out of my power to execute it. Literature neither resides at +Constantinople nor passes through it. Even were I able to obtain the +publications of France and Germany by way of Vienna, the road is so +circuitous, that you would have them later than others who contrive to +smuggle them across the North Sea. Every London newspaper that retails +its daily sixpennyworth of false reports, publishes the French, the +Hamburgh, the Vienna, the Frankfort, and other journals, full as soon as +we receive any of them here. This is the case at all times; at present +it is much worse. We are entirely insulated. The Russians block up the +usual road through Bucharest, and the Servians prevent the passage of +couriers through Bosnia. And in addition to these difficulties, the +present state of the Continent must at least interrupt all literary +works. You will not, I am sure, look upon these as idle excuses. Things +may probably improve, and I will not quit this country without +commissioning some one here to send you anything that may be of use to +so promising a publication as your _Review_." + +No sooner was one number published, than preparations were made for the +next. Every periodical is a continuous work--never ending, still +beginning. New contributors must be gained; new books reviewed; new +views criticised. Mr. Murray was, even more than the editor, the +backbone of the enterprise: he was indefatigable in soliciting new +writers for the _Quarterly_, and in finding the books fit for review, +and the appropriate reviewers of the books. Sometimes the reviews were +printed before the editor was consulted, but everything passed under the +notice of Gifford, and received his emendations and final approval. + +Mr. Murray went so far as to invite Leigh Hunt to contribute an article +on Literature or Poetry for the _Quarterly_. The reply came from John +Hunt, Leigh's brother. He said: + +_Mr. John Hunt to John Murray_. + +"My brother some days back requested me to present to you his thanks for +the polite note you favoured him with on the subject of the _Review_, to +which he should have been most willing to have contributed in the manner +you propose, did he not perceive that the political sentiments contained +in it are in direct opposition to his own." + +This was honest, and it did not interfere with the personal intercourse +of the publisher and the poet. Murray afterwards wrote to Scott: "Hunt +is most vilely wrong-headed in politics, which he has allowed to turn +him away from the path of elegant criticism, which might have led him to +eminence and respectability." + +James Mill, author of the "History of British India," sent an article +for the second number; but the sentiments and principles not being in +accordance with those of the editor, it was not at once accepted. On +learning this, he wrote to Mr. Murray as follows: + +_Mr. James Mill to John Murray_. + +My dear Sir, + +I can have no objection in the world to your delaying the article I have +sent you till it altogether suits your arrangements to make use of it. +Besides this point, a few words of explanation may not be altogether +useless with regard to another. I am half inclined to suspect that the +objection of your Editor goes a little farther than you state. If so, I +beg you will not hesitate a moment about what you are to do with it. I +wrote it solely with a view to oblige and to benefit _you personally_, +but with very little idea, as I told you at our first conversation on +the subject, that it would be in my power to be of any use to you, as +the views which I entertained respecting what is good for our country +were very different from the views entertained by the gentlemen with +whom in your projected concern you told me you were to be connected. To +convince you, however, of my good-will, I am perfectly ready to give you +a specimen, and if it appears to be such as likely to give offence to +your friends, or not to harmonise with the general style of your work, +commit it to the flames without the smallest scruple. Be assured that it +will not make the smallest difference in my sentiments towards you, or +render me in the smallest degree less disposed to lend you my aid (such +as it is) on any other occasion when it may be better calculated to be +of use to you. + +Yours very truly, + +J. Mill. + +Gifford was not a man of business; he was unpunctual. The second number +of the _Quarterly_ appeared behind its time, and the publisher felt +himself under the necessity of expostulating with the editor. + +_John Murray to Mr. Gifford_. + +_May_ 11, 1809. + +Dear Mr. Gifford, + +I begin to suspect that you are not aware of the complete misery which +is occasioned to me, and the certain ruin which must attend the +_Review_, by our unfortunate procrastination. Long before this, every +line of copy for the present number ought to have been in the hands of +the printer. Yet the whole of the _Review_ is yet to print. I know not +what to do to facilitate your labour, for the articles which you have +long had he scattered without attention, and those which I ventured to +send to the printer undergo such retarding corrections, that even by +this mode we do not advance. I entreat the favour of your exertion. For +the last five months my most imperative concerns have yielded to this, +without the hope of my anxiety or labour ceasing. + +"Tanti miserere laboris," + +in my distress and with regret from + +John Murray. + +Mr. Gifford's reply was as follows: + +"The delay and confusion which have arisen must be attributed to a want +of confidential communication. In a word, you have too many advisers, +and I too many masters." + +At last the second number of the _Quarterly_ appeared, at the end of May +instead of at the middle of April. The new contributors to this number +were Dr. D'Oyley, the Rev. Mr. Walpole, and George Canning, who, in +conjunction with Sharon Turner, contributed the last article on Austrian +State Papers. + +As soon as the second number was published, Mr. Gifford, whose health +was hardly equal to the constant strain of preparing and editing the +successive numbers, hastened away, as was his custom, to the seaside. He +wrote to Mr. Murray from Ryde: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +_June_ 18, 1809. + +"I rejoice to hear of our success, and feel very anxious to carry it +further. A fortnight's complete abstraction from all sublunary cares has +done me much good, and I am now ready to put on my spectacles and look +about me.... Hoppner is here, and has been at Death's door. The third +day after his arrival, he had an apoplectic fit, from which blisters, +etc., have miraculously recovered him.... This morning I received a +letter from Mr. Erskine. He speaks very highly of the second number, and +of the Austrian article, which is thought its chief attraction. +Theology, he says, few people read or care about. On this, I wish to say +a word seriously. I am sorry that Mr. E. has fallen into that notion, +too general I fear in Scotland; but this is his own concern. I differ +with him totally, however, as to the few readers which such subjects +find; for as far as my knowledge reaches, the reverse is the fact. The +strongest letter which I have received since I came down, in our favour, +points out the two serious articles as masterly productions and of +decided superiority. We have taught the truth I mention to the +_Edinburgh Review_, and in their last number they have also attempted to +be serious, and abstain from their flippant impiety. It is not done with +the best grace, but it has done them credit, I hear.... When you make up +your parcel, pray put in some small cheap 'Horace,' which I can no more +do without than Parson Adams _ex_ 'Aeschylus.' I have left it somewhere +on the road. Any common thing will do." + +Mr. Murray sent Gifford a splendid copy of "Horace" in the next parcel +of books and manuscripts. In his reply Gifford, expostulating, "Why, my +dear Sir, will you do these things?" thanked him warmly for his gift. + +Mr. George Ellis was, as usual, ready with his criticism. Differing from +Gifford, he wrote: + +"I confess that, to my taste, the long article on the New Testament is +very tedious, and that the progress of Socinianism is, to my +apprehension, a bugbear which _we_ have no immediate reason to be scared +by; but it may alarm some people, and what I think a dull prosing piece +of orthodoxy may have its admirers, and promote our sale." + +Even Constable had a good word to say of it. In a letter to his partner, +Hunter, then in London, he said: + +"I received the _Quarterly Review_ yesterday, and immediately went and +delivered it to Mr. Jeffrey himself. It really seems a respectable +number, but what then? Unless theirs improves and ours falls off it +cannot harm us, I think. I observe that Nos. 1 and 2 extend to merely +twenty-nine sheets, so that, in fact, ours is still the cheaper of the +two. Murray's waiting on you with it is one of the wisest things I ever +knew him do: you will not be behindhand with him in civility." + +No. 3 of the _Quarterly_ was also late, and was not published until the +end of August. The contributors were behindhand; an article was expected +from Canning on Spain, and the publication was postponed until this +article had been received, printed and corrected. The foundations of it +were laid by George Ellis, and it was completed by George Canning. + +Of this article Mr. Gifford wrote: + +"In consequence of my importunity, Mr. Canning has exerted himself and +produced the best article that ever yet appeared in any Review." + +Although Mr. Gifford was sometimes the subject of opprobrium because of +his supposed severity, we find that in many cases he softened down the +tone of the reviewers. For instance, in communicating to Mr. Murray the +first part of Dr. Thomson's article on the "Outlines of Mineralogy," by +Kidd, he observed: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"It is very splenitick and very severe, and much too wantonly so. I +hope, however, it is just. Some of the opprobrious language I shall +soften, for the eternal repetitions of _ignorance, absurdity, +surprising,_ etc., are not wanted. I am sorry to observe so much +Nationality in it. Let this be a secret between us, for I will not have +my private opinions go beyond yourself. As for Kidd, he is a modest, +unassuming man, and is not to be attacked with sticks and stones like a +savage. Remember, it is only the epithets which I mean to soften; for as +to the scientific part, it shall not be meddled with." + +His faithful correspondent, Mr. Ellis, wrote as to the quality of this +third number of the _Quarterly_. He agreed with Mr. Murray, that though +profound, it was "most notoriously and unequivocally _dull_.... We must +veto ponderous articles; they will simply sink us." + +Isaac D'Israeli also tendered his advice. He was one of Mr. Murray's +most intimate friends, and could speak freely and honestly to him as to +the prospects of the _Review_. He was at Brighton, preparing his third +volume of the "Curiosities of Literature." + +_Mr. I. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +"I have bought the complete collection of Memoirs written by individuals +of the French nation, amounting to sixty-five volumes, for fifteen +guineas.... What can I say about the _Q.R.?_ Certainly nothing new; it +has not yet invaded the country. Here it is totally unknown, though as +usual the _Ed. Rev._ is here; but among private libraries, I find it +equally unknown. It has yet its fortune to make. You must appeal to the +_feelings_ of Gifford! Has he none then? Can't you get a more active and +vigilant Editor? But what can I say at this distance? The disastrous +finale of the Austrians, received this morning, is felt here as deadly. +Buonaparte is a tremendous Thaumaturgus!... I wish you had such a genius +in the _Q.R._.... My son Ben assures me you are in Brighton. He saw you! +Now, he never lies." [Footnote: Mr. Murray was in Brighton at the time.] + +Thus pressed by his correspondents, Mr. Murray did his best to rescue +the _Quarterly_ from failure. Though it brought him into prominent +notice as a publisher, it was not by any means paying its expenses. Some +thought it doubtful whether "the play was worth the candle." Yet Murray +was not a man to be driven back by comparative want of success. He +continued to enlist a band of competent contributors. Amongst these were +some very eminent men: Mr. John Barrow of the Admiralty; the Rev. +Reginald Heber, Mr. Robert Grant (afterwards Sir Robert, the Indian +judge), Mr. Stephens, etc. How Mr. Barrow was induced to become a +contributor is thus explained in his Autobiography. [Footnote: +"Autobiographical Memoir of Sir John Barrow," Murray, 1847.] + +"One morning, in the summer of the year 1809, Mr. Canning looked in upon +me at the Admiralty, said he had often troubled me on business, but he +was now about to ask me a favour. 'I believe you are acquainted with my +friend William Gifford?' 'By reputation,' I said, 'but not personally.' +'Then,' says he, 'I must make you personally acquainted; will you come +and dine with me at Gloucester Lodge any day, the sooner the more +agreeable--say to-morrow, if you are disengaged?' On accepting, he said, +'I will send for Gifford to meet you; I know he will be too glad to +come.' + +"'Now,' he continued, 'it is right I should tell you that, in the +_Review_ of which two numbers have appeared, under the name of the +_Quarterly_, I am deeply, both publicly and personally, interested, and +have taken a leading part with Mr. George Ellis, Hookham Frere, Walter +Scott, Rose, Southey, and some others; our object in that work being to +counteract the _virus_ scattered among His Majesty's subjects through +the pages of the _Edinburgh Review_. Now, I wish to enlist you in our +corps, not as a mere advising idler, but as an efficient labourer in our +friend Gifford's vineyard.'" + +Mr. Barrow modestly expressed a doubt as to his competence, but in the +sequel, he tells us, Mr. Canning carried his point, and "I may add, once +for all, that what with Gifford's eager and urgent demands, and the +exercise becoming habitual and not disagreeable, I did not cease writing +for the _Quarterly Review_ till I had supplied no less, rather more, +than 190 articles." + +The fourth number of the _Quarterly_, which was due in November, was not +published until the end of December 1809. Gifford's excuse was the want +of copy. He wrote to Mr. Murray: "We must, upon the publication of this +number, enter into some plan for ensuring regularity." + +Although it appeared late, the fourth number was the best that had yet +been issued. It was more varied in its contents; containing articles by +Scott, Southey, Barrow, and Heber. But the most important article was +contributed by Robert Grant, on the "Character of the late C.J. Fox." +This was the first article in the _Quarterly_, according to Mr. Murray, +which excited general admiration, concerning which we find a memorandum +in Mr. Murray's own copy; and, what was an important test, it largely +increased the demand for the _Review_. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CONSTABLE AND BALLANTYNE + + +During the year in which the _Quarterly_ was first given to the world, +the alliance between Murray and the Ballantynes was close and intimate: +their correspondence was not confined to business matters, but bears +witness to warm personal friendship. + +Murray was able to place much printing work in their hands, and amongst +other books, "Mrs. Rundell's Cookery," a valuable property, which had +now reached a very large circulation, was printed at the Canongate +Press. + +They exerted themselves to promote the sale of one another's +publications and engaged in various joint works, such, for example, as +Grahame's "British Georgics" and Scott's "English Minstrelsy." + +In the midst of all these transactions, however, there were not wanting +symptoms of financial difficulties, which, as in a previous instance, +were destined in time to cause a severance between Murray and his +Edinburgh agents. It was the old story--drawing bills for value _not_ +received. Murray seriously warned the Ballantynes of the risks they were +running in trading beyond their capital. James Ballantyne replied on +March 30, 1809: + +_Mr. James Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +"Suffer me to notice one part of your letter respecting which you will +be happy to be put right. We are by no means trading beyond our capital. +It requires no professional knowledge to enable us to avoid so fatal an +error as that. For the few speculations we have entered into our means +have been carefully calculated and are perfectly adequate." + +Yet at the close of the same letter, referring to the "British +Novelists"--a vast scheme, to which Mr. Murray had by no means pledged +himself--Ballantyne continues: + +"For this work permit me to state I have ordered a font of types, cut +expressly on purpose, at an expense of near £1,000, and have engaged a +very large number of compositors for no other object." + +On June 14, James Ballantyne wrote to Murray: + +"I can get no books out yet, without interfering in the printing office +with business previously engaged for, and that puts me a little about +for cash. Independent of _this_ circumstance, upon which we reckoned, a +sum of £1,500 payable to us at 25th May, yet waiting some cursed legal +arrangements, but which we trust to have very shortly [_sic_]. This is +all preliminary to the enclosures which I hope will not be disagreeable +to you, and if not, I will trust to their receipt _accepted_, by return +of post." + +Mr. Murray replied on June 20: + +"I regret that I should be under the necessity of returning you the two +bills which you enclosed, unaccepted; but having settled lately a very +large amount with Mr. Constable, I had occasion to grant more bills than +I think it proper to allow to be about at the same time." + +This was not the last application for acceptances, and it will be found +that in the end it led to an entire separation between the firms. + +The Ballantynes, however, were more sanguine than prudent. In spite of +Mr. Murray's warning that they were proceeding too rapidly with the +publication of new works, they informed him that they had a "gigantic +scheme" in hand--the "Tales of the East," translated by Henry Weber, +Walter Scott's private secretary--besides the "Edinburgh Encyclopaedia," +and the "Secret Memoirs of the House of Stewart." They said that Scott +was interested in the "Tales of the East," and in one of their hopeful +letters they requested Mr. Murray to join in their speculations. His +answer was as follows: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Ballantyne & Co_. + +_October_ 31, 1809. + +"I regret that I cannot accept a share in the 'Edinburgh Encyclopaedia.' +I am obliged to decline by motives of prudence. I do not know anything +of the agreement made by the proprietors, except in the palpable +mismanagement of a very exclusive and promising concern. I am therefore +fearful to risk my property in an affair so extremely unsuitable. + +"You distress me sadly by the announcement of having put the 'Secret +Memoirs' to press, and that the paper for it was actually purchased six +months ago! How can you, my good sirs, act in this way? How can you +imagine that a bookseller can afford to pay eternal advances upon almost +every work in which he takes a share with you? And how can you continue +to destroy every speculation by entering upon new ones before the +previous ones are properly completed?... Why, with your influence, will +you not urge the completion of the 'Minstrelsy'? Why not go on with and +complete the series of De Foe?... For myself, I really do not know what +to do, for when I see that you will complete nothing of your own, I am +unwillingly apprehensive of having any work of mine in your power. What +I thus write is in serious friendship for you. I entreat you to let us +complete what we have already in hand, before we begin upon any other +speculation. You will have enough to do to sell those in which we are +already engaged. As to your mode of exchange and so disposing of your +shares, besides the universal obloquy which attends the practice in the +mind of every respectable bookseller, and the certain damnation which it +invariably causes both to the book and the author, as in the case of +Grahame, if persisted in, it must end in serious loss to the +bookseller.... If you cannot give me your solemn promise not to exchange +a copy of Tasso, I trust you will allow me to withdraw the small share +which I propose to take, for the least breath of this kind would blast +the work and the author too--a most worthy man, upon whose account alone +I engaged in the speculation." + +Constable, with whom Murray had never entirely broken, had always looked +with jealousy at the operations of the house of Ballantyne. Their firm +had indeed been started in opposition to himself; and it was not without +a sort of gratification that he heard of their pecuniary difficulties, +and of the friction between them and Murray. Scott's "Lady of the Lake" +had been announced for publication. At the close of a letter to Murray, +Constable rather maliciously remarks: + +_January_ 20, 1810. + +"I have no particular anxiety about promulgating the folly (to say the +least of it) of certain correspondents of yours in this quarter; but if +you will ask our friend Mr. Miller if he had a letter from a shop nearly +opposite the Royal Exchange the other day, he will, I dare say, tell you +of the contents. I am mistaken if their game is not well up! Indeed I +doubt much if they will survive the 'Lady of the Lake.' She will +probably help to drown them!" + +An arrangement had been made with the Ballantynes that, in +consideration of their being the sole agents for Mr. Murray in Scotland, +they should give him the opportunity of taking shares in any of their +publications. Instead, however, of offering a share of the "Lady of the +Lake" to Mr. Murray, according to the understanding between the firms, +the Ballantynes had already parted with one fourth share of the work to +Mr. Miller, of Albemarle Street, London, whose business was afterwards +purchased by Mr. Murray. Mr. Murray's letter to Ballantyne & Co. thus +describes the arrangement: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Ballantyne & Co_. + +_March_ 26, 1810. + +"Respecting my _Review_, you appear to forget that your engagement was +that I should be your sole agent here, and that you were to publish +nothing but what I was to have the offer of a share in. Your deviation +from this must have led me to conclude that you did not desire or expect +to continue my agent any longer. You cannot suppose that my estimation +of Mr. Scott's genius can have rendered me indifferent to my exclusion +from a share in the 'Lady of the Lake.' I mention this as well to +testify that I am not indifferent to this conduct in you as to point it +out to you, that if you mean to withhold from me that portion which you +command of the advantages of our connexion, you must surely mean to +resign any that might arise from me. The sole agency for my publications +in Edinburgh is worth to any man who understands his business £300 a +year; but this requires zealous activity and deference on one side, and +great confidence on both, otherwise the connexion cannot be advantageous +or satisfactory to either party. For this number of the _Review_ I have +continued your name solely in it, and propose to make you as before sole +publisher in Scotland; but as you have yourself adopted the plan of +drawing upon me for the amount of each transaction, you will do me the +favour to consider what quantity you will need, and upon your remitting +to me a note at six months for the amount, I shall immediately ship the +quantity for you." + +_Mr. James Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +"Your agency hitherto has been productive of little or no advantage to +us, and the fault has not lain with us. We have persisted in offering +you shares of everything begun by us, till we found the hopelessness of +waiting any return; and in dividing Mr. Scott's poem, we found it our +duty to give what share we had to part with to those by whom we were +chiefly benefited both as booksellers and printers." + +This letter was accompanied with a heavy bill for printing the works of +De Foe for Mr. Murray. A breach thus took place with the Ballantynes; +the publisher of the _Quarterly_ was compelled to look out for a new +agent for Scotland, and met with a thoroughly competent one in Mr. +William Blackwood, the founder of the well-known publishing house in +Edinburgh. + +To return to the progress of the _Quarterly_. The fifth number, which +was due in February 1810, but did not appear until the end of March, +contained many excellent articles, though, as Mr. Ellis said, some of +them were contributed by "good and steady but marvellously heavy +friends." Yet he found it better than the _Edinburgh_, which on that +occasion was "reasonably dull." + +It contained one article which became the foundation of an English +classic, that of Southey on the "Life of Nelson." Of this article Murray +wrote to its author: + +"I wish it to be made such a book as shall become the heroic text of +every midshipman in the Navy, and the association of Nelson and Southey +will not, I think, be ungrateful to you. If it be worth your attention +in this way I am disposed to think that it will enable me to treble the +sum I first offered as a slight remuneration." + +Mr. Murray, writing to Mr. Scott (August 28, 1810) as to the appearance +of the new number, which did not appear till a month and a half after it +was due, remarked on the fourth article. "This," he said, "is a review +of the 'Daughters of Isenberg, a Bavarian Romance,' by Mr. Gifford, to +whom the authoress (Alicia T. Palmer) had the temerity to send three £1 +notes!" Gifford, instead of sending back the money with indignation, as +he at first proposed, reviewed the romance, and assumed that the +authoress had sent him the money for charitable purposes. + +_Mr. Gifford to Miss A.T. Palmer_. + +"Our avocations leave us but little leisure for extra-official +employment; and in the present case she has inadvertently added to our +difficulties by forbearing to specify the precise objects of her bounty. +We hesitated for some time between the Foundling and Lying-in Hospitals: +in finally determining for the latter, we humbly trust that we have not +disappointed her expectations, nor misapplied her charity. Our publisher +will transmit the proper receipt to her address." + +One of the principal objections of Mr. Murray to the manner in which +Mr. Gifford edited the _Quarterly_ was the war which he waged with the +_Edinburgh_. This, he held, was not the way in which a respectable +periodical should be conducted. It had a line of its own to pursue, +without attacking its neighbours. "Publish," he said, "the best +information, the best science, the best literature; and leave the public +to decide for themselves." Relying on this opinion he warned Gifford and +his friends against attacking Sydney Smith, and Leslie, and Jeffrey, +because of their contributions to the _Edinburgh_. He thought that such +attacks had only the effect of advertising the rival journal, and +rendering it of greater importance. With reference to the article on +Sydney Smith's "Visitation Sermon" in No. 5, Mr. George Ellis privately +wrote to Mr. Murray: + +"Gifford, though the best-tempered man alive, is _terribly_ severe with +his pen; but S.S. would suffer ten times more by being turned into +ridicule (and never did man expose himself so much as he did in that +sermon) than from being slashed and cauterized in that manner." + +The following refers to a difference of opinion between Mr. Murray and +his editor. Mr. Gifford had resented some expression of his friend's as +savouring of intimidation. + +_John Murray to Mr. Gifford_. + +_September_ 25, 1810. + +"I entreat you to be assured that the term 'intimidation' can never be +applied to any part of my conduct towards you, for whom I entertain the +highest esteem and regard, both as a writer and as a friend. If I am +over-anxious, it is because I have let my hopes of fame as a bookseller +rest upon the establishment and celebrity of this journal. My character, +as well with my professional brethren as with the public, is at stake +upon it; for I would not be thought silly by the one, or a mere +speculator by the other. I have a very large business, as you may +conclude by the capital I have been able to throw into this one +publication, and yet my mind is so entirely engrossed, my honour is so +completely involved in this one thing, that I neither eat, drink, nor +sleep upon anything else. I would rather it excelled all other journals +and I gained nothing by it, than gain £300 a year by it without trouble +if it were thought inferior to any other. This, sir, is true." + +Meanwhile, Mr. Murray was becoming hard pressed for money. To conduct +his increasing business required a large floating capital, for long +credits were the custom, and besides his own requirements, he had to +bear the constant importunities of the Ballantynes to renew their bills. +On July 25, 1810, he wrote to them: "This will be the last renewal of +the bill (£300); when it becomes due, you will have the goodness to +provide for it." It was, however, becoming impossible to continue +dealing with them, and he gradually transferred his printing business to +other firms. We find him about this time ordering Messrs. George Ramsay +& Co., Edinburgh, to print 8,000 of the "Domestic Cookery," which was +still having a large sale. + +The Constables also were pressing him for renewals of bills. The +correspondence of this date is full of remonstrances from Murray against +the financial unpunctuality of his Edinburgh correspondents. + +On March 21, 1811, he writes: "With regard to myself, I will engage in +no new work of any kind"; and again, on April 4, 1811: + +Dear Constable, + +You know how much I have distressed myself by entering heedlessly upon +too many engagements. You must not urge me to involve myself in renewed +difficulties. + +To return to the _Quarterly_ No. 8. Owing to the repeated delay in +publication, the circulation fell off from 5,000 to 4,000, and Mr. +George Ellis had obviously reason when he wrote: "Hence I infer that +_punctuality_ is, in our present situation, our great and only +desideratum." + +Accordingly, increased efforts were made to have the _Quarterly_ +published with greater punctuality, though it was a considerable time +before success in this respect was finally reached. Gifford pruned and +pared down to the last moment, and often held back the publication until +an erasure or a correction could be finally inserted. + +No. 9, due in February 1811, was not published until March. From this +time Southey became an almost constant contributor to the _Review_. He +wrote with ease, grace, and rapidity, and there was scarcely a number +without one, and sometimes two and even three articles from his pen. +His prose style was charming--clear, masculine, and to the point. The +public eagerly read his prose, while his poetry remained unnoticed on +the shelves. The poet could not accept this view of his merits. Of the +"Curse of Kehama" he wrote: + +"I was perfectly aware that I was planting acorns while my +contemporaries were setting Turkey beans. The oak will grow, and though +I may never sit under its shade, my children will. Of the 'Lady of the +Lake,' 25,000 copies have been printed; of 'Kehama', 500; and if they +sell in seven years I shall be surprised." + +Scott wrote a kindly notice of Southey's poem. It was not his way to cut +up his friend in a review. He pointed out the beauties of the poem, in +order to invite purchasers and readers. Yet his private opinion to his +friend George Ellis was this: + +_Mr. Scott to Mr. G. Ellis_. + +"I have run up an attempt on the 'Curse of Kehama' for the _Quarterly_: +a strange thing it is--the 'Curse,' I mean--and the critique is not, as +the blackguards say, worth a damn; but what I could I did, which was to +throw as much weight as possible upon the beautiful passages, of which +there are many, and to slur over its absurdities, of which there are not +a few. It is infinite pity for Southey, with genius almost to +exuberance, so much learning and real good feeling of poetry, that, with +the true obstinacy of a foolish papa, he _will_ be most attached to the +defects of his poetical offspring. This said 'Kehama' affords cruel +openings to the quizzers, and I suppose will get it roundly in the +_Edinburgh Review_. I could have made a very different hand of it +indeed, had the order of the day been _pour déchirer_." + +It was a good thing for Southey that he could always depend upon his +contributions to the _Quarterly_ for his daily maintenance, for he could +not at all rely upon the income from his poetry. + +The failure of the _Edinburgh Annual Register_, published by Ballantyne, +led to a diminution of Southey's income amounting to about £400 a year. +He was thus led to write more and more for the _Quarterly_. His +reputation, as well as his income, rose higher from his writings there +than from any of his other works. In April 1812 he wrote to his friend +Mr. Wynn: + + +_Mr. Southey to Mr. Wynn_. + +"By God's blessing I may yet live to make all necessary provision +myself. My means are now improving every year. I am up the hill of +difficulty, and shall very soon get rid of the burthen which has impeded +me in the ascent. I have some arrangements with Murray, which are likely +to prove more profitable than any former speculations ... Hitherto I +have been highly favoured. A healthy body, an active mind, and a +cheerful heart, are the three best boons Nature can bestow, and, God be +praised, no man ever enjoyed these more perfectly." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +MURRAY AND GIFFORD--RUPTURE WITH CONSTABLE--PROSPERITY OF THE +"QUARTERLY" + + +A good understanding was now established between Mr. Murray and his +editor, and the _Quarterly_ went on improving and gradually increased in +circulation. Though regular in the irregularity of its publication, the +subscribers seem to have become accustomed to the delay, and when it did +make its appearance it was read with eagerness and avidity. The interest +and variety of its contents, and the skill of the editor in the +arrangement of his materials, made up for many shortcomings. + +Murray and Gifford were in constant communication, and it is interesting +to remember that the writer of the following judicious criticism had +been editor of the _Anti-Jacobin_ before he was editor of the +_Quarterly_. + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +_May_ 17, 1811. + +"I have seldom been more pleased and vexed at a time than with the +perusal of the enclosed MS. It has wit, it has ingenuity, but both are +absolutely lost in a negligence of composition which mortifies me. Why +will your young friend fling away talent which might so honourably +distinguish him? He might, if be chose, be the ornament of our _Review_, +instead of creating in one mingled regret and admiration. It is utterly +impossible to insert such a composition as the present; there are +expressions which would not be borne; and if, as you say, it will be +sent to Jeffrey's if I do not admit it, however I may grieve, I must +submit to the alternative. Articles of pure humour should be written +with extraordinary attention. A vulgar laugh is detestable. I never saw +much merit in writing rapidly. You will believe me when I tell you that +I have been present at the production of more genuine wit and humour +than almost any person of my time, and that it was revised and polished +and arranged with a scrupulous care which overlooked nothing. I have +not often seen fairer promises of excellence in this department than in +your correspondent; but I tell you frankly that they will all be +blighted and perish prematurely unless sedulously cultivated. It is a +poor ambition to raise a casual laugh in the unreflecting. + +The article did not appear in the _Quarterly_, and Mr. Pillans, the +writer, afterwards became a contributor to the _Edinburgh Review_. + +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 £500. "I thank +you," he answered (December 6), "very sincerely for your magnificent +present; but £500 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, + +I did not answer the letter to which the enclosed alludes, because its +impropriety in all respects rendered it impossible for me to do so +without involving myself in a personal dispute, which it is my anxious +resolution to avoid: and because my determination was fully taken to +abide by what I told you in my former letter, to which alone I can or +could have referred you. You made an express proposition to me, to +which, as you have deviated from it, it is not my intention to accede. +The books may remain with me upon sale or return, until you please to +order them elsewhere; and in the meantime I shall continue to avail +myself of every opportunity to sell them. I return, therefore, an +account and bills, with which I have nothing to do, and desire to have a +regular invoice. + +I am, gentlemen, yours truly, + +J. MURRAY. + + +Constable & Co. fired off a final shot on May 28 following, and the +correspondence and business between the firms then terminated. + +No. 12 of the _Quarterly_ appeared in December 1811, and perhaps the +most interesting article in the number was that by Canning and Ellis, on +Trotter's "Life of Fox." Gifford writes to Murray about this article: + +"I have not seen Canning yet, but he is undoubtedly at work by this +time. Pray take care that no one gets a sight of the slips. It will be a +delightful article, but say not a word till it comes out." + +A pamphlet had been published by W.S. Landor, dedicated to the President +of the United States, entitled, "Remarks upon Memoirs of Mr. Fox lately +published." Gifford was furious about it. He wrote to Murray: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"I never read so rascally a thing as the Dedication. It is almost too +bad for the Eatons and other publishers of mad democratic books. In the +pamphlet itself there are many clever bits, but there is no taste and +little judgment. His attacks on private men are very bad. Those on Mr. +C. are too stupid to do much harm, or, indeed, any. The Dedication is +the most abject piece of business that I ever read. It shows Landor to +have a most rancorous and malicious heart. Nothing but a rooted hatred +of his country could have made him dedicate his Jacobinical book to the +most contemptible wretch that ever crept into authority, and whose only +recommendation to him is his implacable enmity to his country. I think +you might write to Southey; but I would not, on any account, have you +publish such a scoundrel address." + +The only entire article ever contributed to the _Review_ by Gifford +himself was that which he wrote, in conjunction with Barron Field, on +Ford's "Dramatic Works." It was an able paper, but it contained a +passage, the publication of which occasioned Gifford the deepest regret. +Towards the conclusion of the article these words occurred: The Editor +"has polluted his pages with the blasphemies of a poor maniac, who, it +seems, once published some detached scenes of the 'Broken Heart.'" This +referred to Charles Lamb, who likened the "transcendent scene [of the +Spartan boy and Calantha] in imagination to Calvary and the Cross." Now +Gifford had never heard of the personal history of Lamb, nor of the +occasional fits of lunacy to which his sister Mary was subject; and when +the paragraph was brought to his notice by Southey, through Murray, it +caused him unspeakable distress. He at once wrote to Southey [Footnote: +When the subject of a memoir of Charles Lamb by Serjeant Talfourd was +under consideration, Southey wrote to a friend: "I wish that I had +looked out for Mr. Talfourd the letter which Gifford wrote in reply to +one in which I remonstrated with him upon his designation of Lamb as a +poor maniac. The words were used in complete ignorance of their peculiar +bearings, and I believe nothing in the course of Gifford's life ever +occasioned him so much self-reproach. He was a man with whom I had no +literary sympathies; perhaps there was nothing upon which we agreed, +except great political questions; but I liked him the better ever after +for his conduct on this occasion."] the following letter: + +_Mr. W. Gifford to Mr. Southey_. + +_February_ 13, 1812. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I break off here to say that I have this moment received your last +letter to Murray. It has grieved and shocked me beyond expression; but, +my dear friend, I am innocent so far as the intent goes. I call God to +witness that in the whole course of my life I never heard one syllable +of Mr. Lamb or his family. I knew not that he ever had a sister, or that +he had parents living, or that he or any person connected with him had +ever manifested the slightest tendency to insanity. In a word, I declare +to you _in the most solemn manner_ that all I ever knew or ever heard of +Mr. Lamb was merely his name. Had I been aware of one of the +circumstances which you mention, I would have lost my right arm sooner +than have written what I have. The truth is, that I was shocked at +seeing him compare the sufferings and death of a person who just +continues to dance after the death of his lover is announced (for this +is all his merit) to the pangs of Mount Calvary; and not choosing to +attribute it to folly, because I reserved that charge for Weber, I +unhappily in the present case ascribed it to madness, for which I pray +God to forgive me, since the blow has fallen heavily when I really +thought it would not be felt. I considered Lamb as a thoughtless +scribbler, who, in circumstances of ease, amused himself by writing on +any subject. Why I thought so, I cannot tell, but it was the opinion I +formed to myself, for I now regret to say I never made any inquiry upon +the subject; nor by any accident in the whole course of my life did I +hear him mentioned beyond the name. + +I remain, my dear Sir, + +Yours most sincerely, + +W. GIFFORD. + +It is unnecessary to describe in detail the further progress of the +_Quarterly_. The venture was now fairly launched. Occasionally, when +some friction arose from the editorial pruning of Southey's articles, or +when Mr. Murray remonstrated with the exclusion or inclusion of some +particular article, Mr. Gifford became depressed, or complained, "This +business begins to get too heavy for me, and I must soon have done, I +fear." Such discouragement was only momentary. Gifford continued to edit +the _Review_ for many years, until and long after its complete success +had become assured. + +The following extract, from a letter of Southey's to his friend Bedford, +describes very happily the position which Mr. Murray had now attained. + +"Murray offers me a thousand guineas for my intended poem in blank +verse, and begs it may not be a line longer than "Thomson's Seasons"! I +rather think the poem will be a post obit, and in that case, twice that +sum, at least, may be demanded for it. What his real feelings may be +towards me, I cannot tell; but he is a happy fellow, living in the light +of his own glory. The _Review_ is the greatest of all works, and it is +all his own creation; he prints 10,000, and fifty times ten thousand +read its contents, in the East and in the West. Joy be with him and his +journal!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +LORD BYRON'S WORKS, 1811 TO 1814 + + +The origin of Mr. Murray's connection with Lord Byron was as follows. +Lord Byron had made Mr. Dallas [Footnote: Robert Charles Dallas +(1754-1824). His sister married Captain George Anson Byron, and her +descendants now hold the title.] a present of the MS. of the first two +cantos of "Childe Harold," and allowed him to make arrangements for +their publication. Mr. Dallas's first intention was to offer them to the +publisher of "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers," but Cawthorn did not +rank sufficiently high among his brethren of the trade. He was precluded +from offering them to Longman & Co. because of their refusal to publish +the Satire. He then went to Mr. Miller, of Albemarle Street, and left +the manuscript with him, "enjoining the strictest secrecy as to the +author." After a few days' consideration Miller declined to publish the +poem, principally because of the sceptical stanzas which it contained, +and also because of its denunciation as a "plunderer" of his friend and +patron the Earl of Elgin, who was mentioned by name in the original +manuscript of the poem. + +After hearing from Dallas that Miller had declined to publish "Childe +Harold," Lord Byron wrote to him from Reddish's Hotel: + +_Lord Byron to Mr. Miller_. + +_July_ 30, 1811. + +SIR, + +I am perfectly aware of the justice of your remarks, and am convinced +that if ever the poem is published the same objections will be made in +much stronger terms. But, as it was intended to be a poem on _Ariosto's +plan_, that is to say on _no plan_ at all, and, as is usual in similar +cases, having a predilection for the worst passages, I shall retain +those parts, though I cannot venture to defend them. Under these +circumstances I regret that you decline the publication, on my own +account, as I think the book would have done better in your hands; the +pecuniary part, you know, I have nothing to do with.... But I can +perfectly conceive, and indeed approve your reasons, and assure you my +sensations are not _Archiepiscopal_ enough as yet to regret the +rejection of my Homilies. + +I am, Sir, your very obedient, humble servant, + +BYRON. + +"Next to these publishers," proceeds Dallas, in his "Recollections of +the Life of Lord Byron," "I wished to oblige Mr. Murray, who had then a +shop opposite St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleet Street. Both he and his +father before him had published for myself. He had expressed to me his +regret that I did not carry him the 'English Bards and Scotch +Reviewers.' But this was after its success; I think he would have +refused it in its embryo state. After Lord Byron's arrival I had met +him, and he said he wished I would obtain some work of his Lordship's +for him. I now had it in my power, and I put 'Childe Harold's +Pilgrimage' into his hands, telling him that Lord Byron had made me a +present of it, and that I expected he would make a very liberal +arrangement with me for it. + +"He took some days to consider, during which time he consulted +his literary advisers, among whom, no doubt, was Mr. Gifford, +who was Editor of the _Quarterly Review_. That Mr. Gifford gave +a favourable opinion I afterwards learned from Mr. Murray himself; but +the objections I have stated stared him in the face, and he was kept in +suspense between the desire of possessing a work of Lord Byron's and the +fear of an unsuccessful speculation. We came to this conclusion: that he +should print, at his expense, a handsome quarto edition, the profits of +which I should share equally with him, and that the agreement for the +copyright should depend upon the success of this edition. When I told +this to Lord Byron he was highly pleased, but still doubted the +copyright being worth my acceptance, promising, however, if the poem +went through the edition, to give me other poems to annex to 'Childe +Harold.'" + +Mr. Murray had long desired to make Lord Byron's acquaintance, and now +that Mr. Dallas had arranged with him for the publication of the first +two cantos of "Childe Harold," he had many opportunities of seeing Byron +at his place of business. The first time that he saw him was when he +called one day with Mr. Hobhouse in Fleet Street. He afterwards looked +in from time to time, while the sheets were passing through the press, +fresh from the fencing rooms of Angelo and Jackson, and used to amuse +himself by renewing his practice of "Carte et Tierce," with his +walking-cane directed against the book-shelves, while Murray was reading +passages from the poem, with occasional ejaculations of admiration; on +which Byron would say, "You think that a good idea, do you, Murray?" +Then he would fence and lunge with his walking-stick at some special +book which he had picked out on the shelves before him. As Murray +afterwards said, "I was often very glad to get rid of him!" + +A correspondence took place with regard to certain omissions, +alterations, and improvements which were strongly urged both by Mr. +Dallas and the publisher. Mr. Murray wrote as follows: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_September_ 4, 1811. + +MY LORD, + +An absence of some days, passed in the country, has prevented me from +writing earlier, in answer to your obliging letters. [Footnote: These +letters are given in Moore's "Life and Letters of Lord Byron."] I have +now, however, the pleasure of sending you, under a separate cover, the +first proof sheets of your poem; which is so good as to be entitled to +all your care in rendering it perfect. Besides its general merits, there +are parts which, I am tempted to believe, far excel anything that you +have hitherto published; and it were therefore grievous indeed if you do +not condescend to bestow upon it all the improvements of which your mind +is so capable. Every correction already made is valuable, and this +circumstance renders me more confident in soliciting your further +attention. There are some expressions concerning Spain and Portugal +which, however just at the time they were conceived, yet, as they do not +harmonise with the now prevalent feeling, I am persuaded would so +greatly interfere with the popularity which the poem is, in other +respects, certainly calculated to excite, that, in compassion to your +publisher, who does not presume to reason upon the subject, otherwise +than as a mere matter of business, I hope your goodness will induce you +to remove them; and with them perhaps some religious sentiments which +may deprive me of some customers amongst the Orthodox. Could I flatter +myself that these suggestions were not obtrusive, I would hazard +another,--that you would add the two promised cantos, and complete the +poem. It were cruel indeed not to perfect a work which contains so much +that is excellent. Your fame, my Lord, demands it. You are raising a +monument that will outlive your present feelings; and it should +therefore be constructed in such a manner as to excite no other +association than that of respect and admiration for your character and +genius. I trust that you will pardon the warmth of this address, when I +assure you that it arises, in the greatest degree, from a sincere regard +for your best reputation; with, however, some view to that portion of it +which must attend the publisher of so beautiful a poem as you are +capable of rendering in the 'Romaunt of Childe Harold.'" + +In compliance with the suggestions of the publisher, Byron altered and +improved the stanzas relating to Elgin and Wellington. With respect to +the religious, or anti-religious sentiments, Byron wrote to Murray: "As +for the 'orthodox,' let us hope they will buy on purpose to abuse--you +will forgive the one if they will do the other." Yet he did alter Stanza +VIII, and inserted what Moore calls a "magnificent stanza" in place of +one that was churlish and sneering, and in all respects very much +inferior. + +Byron then proceeded to another point. "Tell me fairly, did you show the +MS. to some of your corps?" "I will have no traps for applause," he +wrote to Mr. Murray, at the same time forbidding him to show the +manuscript of "Childe Harold" to his Aristarchus, Mr. Gifford, though he +had no objection to letting it be seen by any one else. But it was too +late. Mr. Gifford had already seen the manuscript, and pronounced a +favourable opinion as to its great poetic merits. Byron was not +satisfied with this assurance, and seemed, in his next letter, to be +very angry. He could not bear to have it thought that he was +endeavouring to ensure a favourable review of his work in the +_Quarterly_. To Mr. Dallas he wrote (September 23, 1811): + +"I _will_ be angry with Murray. It was a book-selling, back-shop, +Paternoster Row, paltry proceeding; and if the experiment had turned out +as it deserved, I would have raised all Fleet Street, and borrowed the +giant's staff from St. Dunstan's Church, to immolate the betrayer of +trust. I have written to him as he was never written to before by an +author, I'll be sworn; and I hope you will amplify my wrath, till it has +an effect upon him." + +Byron at first objected to allow the new poem to be published with his +name, thinking that this would bring down upon him the enmity of his +critics in the North, as well as the venom of the southern scribblers, +whom he had enraged by his Satire. At last, on Mr. Murray's strong +representation, he consented to allow his name to be published on the +title-page as the author. Even to the last, however, his doubts were +great as to the probable success of the poem; and he more than once +talked of suppressing it. + +In October 1811 Lord Byron wrote from Newstead Abbey to his friend Mr. +Hodgson: [Footnote: The Rev. Francis Hodgson was then residing at +Cambridge as Fellow and Tutor of King's College. He formed an intimate +friendship with Byron, who communicated with him freely as to his +poetical as well as his religious difficulties. Hodgson afterwards +became Provost of Eton.] + +"'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage' must wait till Murray's is finished. He is +making a tour in Middlesex, and is to return soon, when high matter may +be expected. He wants to have it in quarto, which is a cursed unsaleable +size; but it is pestilent long, and one must obey one's publisher." + +The whole of the sheets were printed off in the following month of +January; and the work was published on March 1, 1812. Of the first +edition only 500 copies, demy quarto, were printed. + +It is unnecessary to say with what applause the book was received. The +impression it produced was as instantaneous as it proved to be lasting. +Byron himself briefly described the result of the publication in his +memoranda: "I awoke one morning and found myself famous." The publisher +had already taken pains to spread abroad the merits of the poem. Many of +his friends had re-echoed its praises. The attention of the public was +fixed upon the work; and in three days after its appearance the whole +edition was disposed of. When Mr. Dallas went to see Lord Byron at his +house in St. James's Street, he found him loaded with letters from +critics, poets, and authors, all lavish of their raptures. A handsome +new edition, in octavo, was proposed, to which his Lordship agreed. + +Eventually Mr. Murray consented to give Mr. Dallas £600 for the +copyright of the poem; although Mr. Gifford and others were of opinion +that it might prove a bad bargain at that price. There was, however, one +exception, namely Mr. Rogers, who told Mr. Murray not to be +disheartened, for he might rely upon its turning out the most fortunate +purchase he had ever made; and so it proved. Three thousand copies of +the second and third editions of the poem in octavo were printed; and +these went off in rapid succession. + +On the appearance of "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" Lord Byron became an +object of interest in the fashionable world of London. His poem was the +subject of conversation everywhere, and many literary, noble, and royal +personages desired to make his acquaintance. In the month of June he was +invited to a party at Miss Johnson's, at which His Royal Highness the +Prince Regent was present. As Lord Byron had not yet been to Court, it +was not considered etiquette that he should appear before His Royal +Highness. He accordingly retired to another room. But on the Prince +being informed that Lord Byron was in the house, he expressed a desire +to see him. Lord Byron was sent for, and the following is Mr. Murray's +account of the conversation that took place. + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_June_ 27, 1812. + +DEAR SIR, + +I cannot refrain, notwithstanding my fears of intrusion, from mentioning +to you a conversation which Lord Byron had with H.R.H. the Prince +Regent, and of which you formed the leading subject. He was at an +evening party at Miss Johnson's this week, when the Prince, hearing that +Lord Byron was present, expressed a desire to be introduced to him; and +for more than half an hour they conversed on poetry and poets, with +which the Prince displayed an intimacy and critical taste which at once +surprised and delighted Lord Byron. But the Prince's great delight was +Walter Scott, whose name and writings he dwelt upon and recurred to +incessantly. He preferred him far beyond any other poet of the time, +repeated several passages with fervour, and criticized them faithfully. +He spoke chiefly of the 'Lay of the Last Minstrel,' which he expressed +himself as admiring most of the three poems. He quoted Homer, and even +some of the obscurer Greek poets, and appeared, as Lord Byron supposes, +to have read more poetry than any prince in Europe. He paid, of course, +many compliments to Lord Byron, but the greatest was "that he ought to +be offended with Lord B., for that he had thought it impossible for any +poet to equal Walter Scott, and that he had made him find himself +mistaken." Lord Byron called upon me, merely to let off the raptures of +the Prince respecting you, thinking, as he said, that if I were likely +to have occasion to write to you, it might not be ungrateful for you to +hear of his praises. + +In reply Scott wrote to Mr. Murray as follows, enclosing a letter to +Lord Byron, which has already been published in the Lives of both +authors: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _July 2_, 1812. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have been very silent, partly through pressure of business and partly +from idleness and procrastination, but it would be very ungracious to +delay returning my thanks for your kindness in transmitting the very +flattering particulars of the Prince Regent's conversation with Lord +Byron. I trouble you with a few lines to his Lordship expressive of my +thanks for his very handsome and gratifying communication, and I hope he +will not consider it as intrusive in a veteran author to pay my debt of +gratitude for the high pleasure I have received from the perusal of +'Childe Harold,' which is certainly the most original poem which we have +had this many a day.... + +Your obliged, humble Servant, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +This episode led to the opening of an agreeable correspondence between +Scott and Byron, and to a lasting friendship between the two poets. + +The fit of inspiration was now on Lord Byron. In May 1813 appeared "The +Giaour," and in the midst of his corrections of successive editions of +it, he wrote in four nights his second Turkish story, "Zuleika," +afterwards known as "The Bride of Abydos." + +With respect to the business arrangement as to the two poems, Mr. Murray +wrote to Lord Byron as follows: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_November_ 18, 1813. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +I am very anxious that our business transactions should occur +frequently, and that they should be settled immediately; for short +accounts are favourable to long friendships. + +I restore "The Giaour" to your Lordship entirely, and for it, the "Bride +of Abydos," and the miscellaneous poems intended to fill up the volume +of the small edition, I beg leave to offer you the sum of One Thousand +Guineas; and I shall be happy if you perceive that my estimation of your +talents in my character of a man of business is not much under my +admiration of them as a man. + +I do most heartily accept the offer of your portrait, as the most noble +mark of friendship with which you could in any way honour me. I do +assure you that I am truly proud of being distinguished as your +publisher, and that I shall ever continue, + +Your Lordship's faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +With reference to the foregoing letter we read in Lord Byron's Diary: + +"Mr. Murray has offered me one thousand guineas for 'The Giaour' and +'The Bride of Abydos.' I won't. It is too much: though I am strongly +tempted, merely for the say of it. No bad price for a fortnight's (a +week each) what?--the gods know. It was intended to be called poetry." + +The "Bride of Abydos" was received with almost as much applause as the +"Giaour." "Lord Byron," said Sir James Mackintosh, "is the author of the +day; six thousand of his 'Bride of Abydos' have been sold within a +month." + +"The Corsair" was Lord Byron's next poem, written with great vehemence, +literally "struck off at a heat," at the rate of about two hundred lines +a day,--"a circumstance," says Moore, "that is, perhaps, wholly without +a parallel in the history of genius." "The Corsair" was begun on the +18th, and finished on the 31st of December, 1813. + +A sudden impulse induced Lord Byron to present the copyright of this +poem also to Mr. Dallas, with the single stipulation that he would offer +it for publication to Mr. Murray, who eventually paid Mr. Dallas five +hundred guineas for the copyright, and the work was published in +February 1814. The following letters will give some idea of the +reception it met with. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_February_ 3, 1814. + +MY LORD, + +I have been unwilling to write until I had something to say, an occasion +to which I do not always restrict myself. I am most happy to tell you +that your last poem _is_--what Mr. Southey's is _called_--_a Carmen +Triumphale_. Never, in my recollection, has any work, since the "Letter +of Burke to the Duke of Bedford," excited such a ferment--a ferment +which, I am happy to say, will subside into lasting fame. I sold, on the +day of publication--a thing perfectly unprecedented--10,000 copies.... +Gifford did what I never knew him do before--he repeated several +passages from memory." + +The "Ode to Napoleon Bonaparte," which appeared in April 1814, was on +the whole a failure. It was known to be Lord Byron's, and its +publication was seized upon by the press as the occasion for many bitter +criticisms, mingled with personalities against the writer's genius and +character. He was cut to the quick by these notices, and came to the +determination to buy back the whole of the copyrights of his works, and +suppress every line he had ever written. On April 29, 1814, he wrote to +Mr. Murray: + +_Lord Byron to John Murray_. + +_April_ 29, 1814. + +I enclose a draft for the money; when paid, send the copyrights. I +release you from the thousand pounds agreed on for "The Giaour" and +"Bride," and there's an end.... For all this, it might be well to assign +some reason. I have none to give, except my own caprice, and I do not +consider the circumstance of consequence enough to require +explanation.... It will give me great pleasure to preserve your +acquaintance, and to consider you as my friend. Believe me very truly, +and for much attention, + +Yours, etc., + +BYRON. + +Mr. Murray was of course very much concerned at this decision, and +remonstrated. Three days later Lord Byron revoked his determination. To +Mr. Murray he wrote (May 1, 1814): + +"If your present note is serious, and it really would be inconvenient, +there is an end of the matter; tear my draft, and go on as usual: in +that case, we will recur to our former basis." + +Before the end of the month Lord Byron began the composition of his next +poem, "Lara," usually considered a continuation of "The Corsair." It was +published conjointly with Mr. Rogers's "Jacqueline." "Rogers and I," +said Lord Byron to Moore, "have almost coalesced into a joint invasion +of the public. Whether it will take place or not, I do not yet know, and +I am afraid 'Jacqueline' (which is very beautiful) will be in bad +company. But in this case, the lady will not be the sufferer." + +The two poems were published anonymously in the following August (1814): +Murray allowed 500 guineas for the copyright of each. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +MR. MURRAY'S REMOVAL TO 50, ALBEMARLE STREET + +We must now revert to the beginning of 1812, at which time Mr. William +Miller, who commenced business in Bond Street in 1791, and had in 1804 +removed to 50, Albemarle Street, desired to retire from "the Trade." He +communicated his resolve to Mr. Murray, who had some time held the +intention of moving westward from Fleet Street, and had been on the +point of settling in Pall Mall. Murray at once entered into an +arrangement with Miller, and in a letter to Mr. Constable of Edinburgh +he observed: + +_John Murray to Mr. A. Constable_. + +_May_ 1, 1812. + +"You will probably have heard that Miller is about to retire, and that I +have ventured to undertake to succeed him. I had for some time +determined upon moving, and I did not very long hesitate about accepting +his offer. I am to take no part of his stock but such as I may deem +expedient, and for it and the rest I shall have very long credit. How +far it may answer, I know not; but if I can judge of my own views, I +think it may prove an advantageous opening. Miller's retirement is very +extraordinary, for no one in the trade will believe that he has made a +fortune; but from what he has laid open to me, it is clear that he has +succeeded. In this arrangement, I propose of course to dispose of my +present house, and my medical works, with other parts of my business. I +have two offers for it, waiting my decision as to terms.... I am to +enter at Miller's on September 29th next." [Footnote: The Fleet Street +business was eventually purchased by Thomas and George Underwood. It +appears from the "Memoirs of Adam Black" that Black was for a short time +a partner with the Underwoods. Adam Black quitted the business in 1813. +Upon the failure of the Underwoods in 1831, Mr. Samuel Highley, son of +Mr. Murray's former partner, took possession, and the name of Highley +again appeared over the door.] + +The terms arranged with Mr. Miller were as follows: The lease of the +house, No. 50, Albemarle Street, was purchased by Mr. Murray, together +with the copyrights, stock, etc., for the sum of £3,822 12_s_. 6_d_.; +Mr. Miller receiving as surety, during the time the purchase money +remained unpaid, the copyright of "Domestic Cookery," of the _Quarterly +Review_, and the one-fourth share in "Marmion." The debt was not finally +paid off until the year 1821. + +Amongst the miscellaneous works which Mr. Murray published shortly after +his removal to Albemarle Street were William Sotheby's translation of +the "Georgies of Virgil"--the most perfect translation, according to +Lord Jeffrey, of a Latin classic which exists in our language; Robert +Bland's "Collection from the Greek Anthology"; Prince Hoare's "Epochs of +the Arts"; Lord Glenbervie's work on the "Cultivation of Timber"; +Granville Penn's "Bioscope, or Dial of Life explained"; John Herman +Merivale's "Orlando in Roncesvalles"; and Sir James Hall's splendid work +on "Gothic Architecture." Besides these, there was a very important +contribution to our literature--in the "Miscellaneous Works of Gibbon" +in 5 volumes, for the copyright of which Mr. Murray paid Lord Sheffield +the sum of £1,000. + +In 1812 he published Sir John Malcolm's "Sketch of the Sikhs," and in +the following year Mr. Macdonald Kinneir's "Persia." Mr. D'Israeli's +"Calamities of Authors" appeared in 1812, and Murray forwarded copies of +the work to Scott and Southey. + + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_July_ 2,1812. + +I owe you best thanks for the 'Calamities of Authors,' which has all the +entertaining and lively features of the 'Amenities of Literature.' I am +just packing them up with a few other books for my hermitage at +Abbotsford, where my present parlour is only 12 feet square, and my +book-press in Lilliputian proportion. Poor Andrew Macdonald I knew in +days of yore, and could have supplied some curious anecdotes respecting +him. He died of a poet's consumption, viz. want of food. + +"The present volume of 'Somers' [Footnote: Lord Somers' "Tracts," a new +edition in 12 volumes.] will be out immediately; with whom am I to +correspond on this subject since the secession of Will. Miller? I shall +be happy to hear you have succeeded to him in this department, as well +as in Albemarle Street. What has moved Miller to retire? He is surely +too young to have made a fortune, and it is uncommon to quit a thriving +trade. I have had a packet half finished for Gifford this many a day." + +Southey expressed himself as greatly interested in the "Calamities of +Authors," and proposed to make it the subject of an article for the +_Quarterly_. + + +_Mr. Southey to John Murray_. + +_August_ 14, 1812. + +"I should like to enlarge a little upon the subject of literary +property, on which he has touched, in my opinion, with proper feeling. +Certainly I am a party concerned. I should like to say something upon +the absurd purposes of the Literary Fund, with its despicable +ostentation of patronage, and to build a sort of National Academy in the +air, in the hope that Canning might one day lay its foundation in a more +solid manner. [Footnote: Canning had his own opinion on the subject. +When the Royal Society of Literature was about to be established, an +application was made to him to join the committee. He refused, for +reasons "partly general, partly personal." He added, "I am really of +opinion, with Dr. Johnson, that the multitudinous personage, called The +Public, is after all, the best patron of literature and learned men."] +And I could say something on the other side of the picture, showing that +although literature in almost all cases is the worst trade to which a +man can possibly betake himself, it is the best and wisest of all +pursuits for those whose provision is already made, and of all +amusements for those who have leisure to amuse themselves. It has long +been my intention to leave behind me my own Memoirs, as a post-obit for +my family--a wise intention no doubt, and one which it is not very +prudent to procrastinate. Should this ever be completed, it would +exhibit a case directly in contrast to D'Israeli's view of the subject. +I chose literature for my own profession, with every advantage of +education it is true, but under more disadvantages perhaps of any other +kind than any of the persons in his catalogue. I have never repented the +choice. The usual censure, ridicule, and even calumnies, which it has +drawn on me never gave me a moment's pain; but on the other hand, +literature has given me friends; among the best and wisest and most +celebrated of my contemporaries it has given me distinction. If I live +twenty years longer, I do not doubt that it will give me fortune, and if +it pleases God to take me before my family are provided for, I doubt as +little that in my name and in my works they will find a provision. I +want to give you a 'Life of Wesley.' The history of the Dissenters must +be finished by that time, and it will afford me opportunity." + +During the year 1813 the recklessness of the younger Ballantyne, +combined with the formation of the incipient estate at Abbotsford, were +weighing heavily on Walter Scott. This led to a fresh alliance with +Constable, "in which," wrote Scott, "I am sensible he has gained a great +advantage"; but in accordance with the agreement Constable, in return +for a share in Scott's new works, was to relieve the Ballantynes of some +of their heavy stock, and in May Scott was enabled "for the first time +these many weeks to lay my head on a quiet pillow." But nothing could +check John Ballantyne. "I sometimes fear," wrote Scott to him, "that +between the long dates of your bills and the tardy settlements of the +Edinburgh trade, some difficulties will occur even in June; and July I +always regard with deep anxiety." How true this forecast proved to be is +shown by the following letter: + + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_, + +EDINBURGH, _July 5_, 1813. + +I delayed answering your favour, thinking I could have overtaken the +"Daemonology" for the _Review_, but I had no books in the country where +it found me, and since that Swift, who is now nearly finished, has kept +me incessantly labouring. When that is off my hand I will have plenty of +leisure for reviewing, though you really have no need of my assistance. +The volume of "Somers" being now out of my hands I take the liberty to +draw at this date as usual for £105. Now I have a favour to ask which I +do with the more confidence because, if it is convenient and agreeable +to you to oblige me in the matter, it will be the means of putting our +connection as author and publisher upon its former footing, which I +trust will not be disagreeable to you. I am making up a large sum of +money to pay for a late purchase, and as part of my funds is secured on +an heritable bond which cannot be exacted till Martinmas, I find myself +some hundreds short, which the circumstances of the money market here +renders it not so easy to supply as formerly. Now if you will oblige me +by giving me a lift with your credit and accepting the enclosed bills, +[Footnote: Three bills for £300 each at three, four, and six months +respectively.] it will accommodate me particularly at this moment, and +as I shall have ample means of putting you in cash to replace them as +they fall due, will not, I should hope, occasion you any inconvenience. +Longmans' house on a former occasion obliged me in this way, and I hope +found their account in it. But I entreat you will not stand on the +least ceremony should you think you could not oblige me without +inconveniencing yourself. The property I have purchased cost about +£6,000, so it is no wonder I am a little out for the moment. Will you +have the goodness to return an answer in course of post, as, failing +your benevolent aid, I must look about elsewhere? + +You will understand distinctly that I do not propose that you should +advance any part of the money by way of loan or otherwise, but only the +assistance of your credit, the bills being to be retired by cash +remitted by me before they fall due. + +Believe me, very truly, + +Your obedient Servant, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +Mr. Murray at once replied: + + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_July_ 8, 1813. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have the pleasure of returning accepted the bills which I received +from you this morning. In thus availing myself of your confidential +application, I trust that you will do me the justice to believe that it +is done for kindness already received, and not with the remotest view +towards prospective advantages. I shall at all times feel proud of being +one of your publishers, but this must be allowed to arise solely out of +your own feelings and convenience when the occasions shall present +themselves. I am sufficiently content in the belief that even negative +obstacles to our perfect confidence have now subsided. + +When weightier concerns permit we hope that you will again appear in our +_Review_. In confidence I may tell you that your long silence led us to +avail ourselves of your friend Mr. Rose's offer to review Ferriar, +[Footnote: Dr. Ferriar on "Apparitions."] and his article is already +printing. + +I will send you a new edition of the "Giaour," in which there are one or +two stanzas added of peculiar beauty. + +I trust that your family are well, and remain, dear Sir, + +Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + + +Within a few months of this correspondence, Scott was looking into an +old writing-desk in search of some fishing-tackle, when his eye chanced +to light upon the Ashestiel fragment of "Waverley," begun several years +before. He read over the introductory chapters, and then determined to +finish the story. It is said that he first offered it anonymously to Sir +R. Phillips, London, who refused to publish it. "Waverley" was +afterwards accepted by Constable & Co., and published on half profits, +on July 7, 1814. When it came out, Murray got an early copy of the +novel; he read it, and sent it to Mr. Canning, and wrote upon the +title-page, "By Walter Scott." The reason why he fixed upon Scott as the +author was as follows. When he met Ballantyne at Boroughbridge, in 1809, +to settle some arrangements as to the works which Walter Scott proposed +to place in his hands for publication, he remembered that among those +works were three--1st, an edition of "Beaumont and Fletcher"; 2nd, a +poem; and 3rd, a novel. Now, both the edition of "Beaumont and Fletcher" +(though edited by Weber) and the poem, the "Lady of the Lake," had been +published; and now, at last, appeared _the novel_. [Footnote: Indeed, in +Ballantyne & Co.'s printed list of "New Works and Publications for +1809-10," issued August 1810 (now before us), we find the following +entry: "Waverley; or, 'Tis Sixty Years Since; a novel in 3 vols. 12mo." +The work was not, however, published until July 1814.] He was confirmed +in his idea that Walter Scott was the author after carefully reading the +book. Canning called on Murray next day; said he had begun it, found it +very dull, and concluded: "You are quite mistaken; it cannot be by +Walter Scott." But a few days later he wrote to Murray: "Yes, it is so; +you are right: Walter Scott, and no one else." + +In the autumn of 1814 Mrs. Murray went to Leith by sailing-ship from the +Thames, to visit her mother and friends in Edinburgh. She was +accompanied by her son John and her two daughters. During her absence, +Mr. Murray wrote to her two or three times a week, and kept her _au +courant_ with the news of the day. In his letter of August 9 he +intimated that he had been dining with D'Israeli, and that he afterwards +went with him to Sadler's Wells Theatre to see the "Corsair," at which +he was "woefully disappointed and enraged.... They have actually omitted +his wife altogether, and made him a mere ruffian, ultimately overcome by +the Sultan, and drowned in the New River!" + +Mr. Blackwood, of Edinburgh, was then in London, spending several days +with Mr. Murray over their accounts and future arrangements. The latter +was thinking of making a visit to Paris, in the company of his friend +D'Israeli, during the peace which followed the exile of Napoleon to +Elba. D'Israeli had taken a house at Brighton, from which place the +voyagers intended to set sail, and make the passage to Dieppe in about +fourteen hours. On August 13 Mr. Murray informs his wife that "Lord +Byron was here yesterday, and I introduced him to Blackwood, to whom he +was very civil. They say," he added, "that Madame de Staël has been +ordered to quit Paris, for writing lightly respecting the Bourbons." Two +days later he wrote to Mrs. Murray: + + +_August_ 15, 1814. + +"I dined yesterday with D'Israeli, and in the afternoon we partly walked +and partly rode to Islington, to drink tea with Mrs. Lindo, who, with +Mr. L. and her family, were well pleased to see me. Mr. Cervetto was +induced to accompany the ladies at the piano with his violoncello, which +he did delightfully. We walked home at 10 o'clock. On Saturday we passed +a very pleasant day at Petersham with Turner and his family.... + +"I have got at last Mr. Eagle's 'Journal of Penrose, the Seaman,' for +which, as you may remember, I am to pay £200 in twelve months for 1,000 +copies: too dear perhaps; but Lord Byron sent me word this morning by +letter (for he borrowed the MS. last night): 'Penrose is most amusing. I +never read so much of a book at one sitting in my life. He kept me up +half the night, and made me dream of him the other half. It has all the +air of truth, and is most entertaining and interesting in every point of +view.'" + +Writing again on August 24, 1814, he says: + +"Lord Byron set out for Newstead on Sunday. It is finally settled to be +his again, the proposed purchaser forfeiting £25,000. 'Lara' and +'Jacqueline' are nearly sold off, to the extent of 6,000, which leaves +me £130, and the certain sale of 10,000 more in the 8vo form. Mr. +Canning called upon Gifford yesterday, and from their conversation I +infer very favourably for my _Review_. We shall now take a decided tone +in Politics, and we are all in one boat. Croker has gone down to the +Prince Regent, at Brighton, where I ought to have been last night, to +have witnessed the rejoicings and splendour of the Duke of Clarence's +birthday. But I am ever out of luck. 'O, indolence and indecision of +mind! if not in yourselves vices, to how much exquisite misery do you +frequently prepare the way!' Have you come to this passage in 'Waverley' +yet? Pray read 'Waverley'; it is excellent." + +On September 5, 1814, Mr. Murray communicated with Mrs. Murray as to +the education of his son John, then six-and-a-half years old: + + +_John Murray to Mrs. Murray_. + +"I am glad that you venture to say something about the children, for it +is only by such minutiae that I can judge of the manner in which they +amuse or behave themselves. I really do not see the least propriety in +leaving John, at an age when the first impressions are so deep and +lasting, to receive the rudiments and foundation of his education in +Scotland. If learning English, his native language, mean anything, it is +not merely to read it correctly and understand it grammatically, but to +speak and pronounce it like the most polished native. But how can you +expect this to be effected, even with the aid of the best teachers, when +everybody around him, with whom he can practise his instructions, speaks +in a totally different manner? No! I rather think it better that he +should go to Edinburgh after he has passed through the schools here, and +when he is sixteen or seventeen. He should certainly go to some school +next spring, and I most confidingly trust that you are unremitting in +your duty to give him daily lessons of preparation, or he may be so far +behind children of his age when he does go to school, that the derision +he may meet there may destroy emulation. All this, however, is matter +for serious consideration and for future consultation, in which your +voice shall have its rightful influence...." + + +Mr. Murray was under the necessity of postponing his visit to France. He +went to Brighton instead, and spent a few pleasant days with Mr. +D'Israeli and his friends. + +On September 24 Mr. Murray, having returned to London, informed his +wife, still at Edinburgh, of an extraordinary piece of news. + + +_John Murray to Mrs. Murray_. + +"I was much surprised to learn from Dallas, whom I accidentally met +yesterday, that Lord Byron was expected in town every hour. I +accordingly left my card at his house, with a notice that I would attend +him as soon as he pleased; and it pleased him to summon my attendance +about seven in the evening. He had come to town on business, and +regretted that he would not be at Newstead until a fortnight, as he +wished to have seen me there on my way to Scotland. Says he, 'Can you +keep a secret?' 'Certainly--positively--my wife's out of town!' 'Then--I +am going to be MARRIED!' 'The devil! I shall have no poem this winter +then?' 'No.' 'Who is the lady who is to do me this injury?' 'Miss +Milbanke--do you know her?' 'No, my lord.' + +"So here is news for you! I fancy the lady is rich, noble, and +beautiful; but this shall be my day's business to enquire about. Oh! +how he did curse poor Lady C---- as the fiend who had interrupted all +his projects, and who would do so now if possible. I think he hinted +that she had managed to interrupt this connexion two years ago. He +thought she was abroad, and, to his torment and astonishment, he finds +her not only in England, but in London. He says he has written some +small poems which his friends think beautiful, particularly one of eight +lines, his very best--all of which, I believe, I am to have; and, +moreover, he gives me permission to publish the octavo edition of 'Lara' +with his name, which secures, I think, £700 to you and me. So Scott's +poem is announced ['Lord of the Isles'], and I am cut out. I wish I had +been in Scotland six weeks ago, and I might have come in for a share. +Should I apply for one to him, it would oblige me to be a partner with +Constable, who is desperately in want of money. He has applied to Cadell +& Davies (the latter told me in confidence) and they refused." + + +At the beginning of October Mr. Murray set out for Edinburgh, journeying +by Nottingham for the purpose of visiting Newstead Abbey. + +The following is Mr. Murray's account of his visit to Newstead. His +letter is dated Matlock, October 5, 1814: + + +"I got to Newstead about 11 o'clock yesterday and found the steward, my +namesake, and the butler waiting for me. The first, who is good-looking +and a respectable old man of about sixty-five years, showed me over the +house and grounds, which occupied two hours, for I was anxious to +examine everything. But never was I more disappointed, for my notions, I +suppose, had been raised to the romantic. I had surmised the possibly +easy restoration of this once famous abbey, the mere skeleton of which +is now fast crumbling to ruin. Lord Byron's immediate predecessor +stripped the whole place of all that was splendid and interesting; and +you may judge of what he must have done to the mansion when inform you +that he converted the ground, which used to be covered with the finest +trees, like a forest, into an absolute desert. Not a tree is left +standing, and the wood thus shamefully cut down was sold in one day for +£60,000. The hall of entrance has about eighteen large niches, which had +been filled with statues, and the side walls covered with family +portraits and armour. All these have been mercilessly torn down, as well +as the magnificent fireplace, and sold. All the beautiful paintings +which filled the galleries--valued at that day at £80,000--have +disappeared, and the whole place is crumbling into dust. No sum short of +£100,000 would make the place habitable. Lord Byron's few apartments +contain some modern upholstery, but serve only to show what ought to +have been there. They are now digging round the cloisters for a +traditionary cannon, and in their progress, about five days ago, they +discovered a corpse in too decayed a state to admit of removal. I saw +the drinking-skull [Footnote: When the father of the present Mr. Murray +was a student in Edinburgh, he wrote to his father (April 10,1827): "I +saw yesterday at a jeweller's shop in Edinburgh a great curiosity, no +less than Lord Byron's skull cup, upon which he wrote the poem. It is +for sale; the owner, whose name I could not learn (it appears he does +not wish it known), wants £200 for it."] and the marble mausoleum erected +over Lord Byron's dog. I came away with my heart aching and full of +melancholy reflections--producing a lowness of spirits which I did not +get the better of until this morning, when the most enchanting scenery I +have ever beheld has at length restored me. I am far more surprised that +Lord Byron should ever have lived at Newstead, than that he should be +inclined to part with it; for, as there is no possibility of his being +able, by any reasonable amount of expense, to reinstate it, the place +can present nothing but a perpetual memorial of the wickedness of his +ancestors. There are three, or at most four, domestics at board wages. +All that I was asked to taste was a piece of bread-and-butter. As my +foot was on the step of the chaise, when about to enter it, I was +informed that his lordship had ordered that I should take as much game +as I liked. What makes the steward, Joe Murray, an interesting object to +me, is that the old man has seen the abbey in all its vicissitudes of +greatness and degradation. Once it was full of unbounded hospitality and +splendour, and now it is simply miserable. If this man has feelings--of +which, by the way, he betrays no symptom--he would possibly be miserable +himself. He has seen three hundred of the first people in the county +filling the gallery, and seen five hundred deer disporting themselves in +the beautiful park, now covered with stunted offshoots of felled trees. +Again I say it gave me the heartache to witness all this ruin, and I +regret that my romantic picture has been destroyed by the reality." + + +Among the friends that welcomed Mr. Murray to Edinburgh was Mr. William +Blackwood, who then, and for a long time after, was closely connected +with him in his business transactions. Blackwood was a native of +Edinburgh; having served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Bell & +Bradfute, booksellers, he was selected by Mundell & Company to take +charge of a branch of their extensive publishing business in Glasgow. He +returned to Edinburgh, and again entered the service of Bell et +Bradfute; but after a time went to London to master the secrets of the +old book trade under the well-known Mr. Cuthill. Returning to Edinburgh, +he set up for himself in 1804, at the age of twenty-eight, at a shop in +South Bridge Street--confining himself, for the most part, to old books. +He was a man of great energy and decision of character, and his early +education enabled him to conduct his correspondence with a remarkable +degree of precision and accuracy. Mr. Murray seems to have done business +with him as far back as June 1807, and was in the habit of calling upon +Blackwood, who was about his own age, whenever he visited Edinburgh. The +two became intimate, and corresponded frequently; and at last, when +Murray withdrew from the Ballantynes, in August 1810 he transferred the +whole of his Scottish agency to the house of William Blackwood. In +return for the publishing business sent to him from London, Blackwood +made Murray his agent for any new works published by him in Edinburgh. +In this way Murray became the London publisher for Hogg's new poems, and +"The Queen's Wake," which had reached its fourth edition. + +Mr. Murray paid at this time another visit to Abbotsford. Towards the +end of 1814 Scott had surrounded the original farmhouse with a number of +buildings--kitchen, laundry, and spare bedrooms--and was able to +entertain company. He received Murray with great cordiality, and made +many enquiries as to Lord Byron, to whom Murray wrote on his return to +London: + + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +"Walter Scott commissioned me to be the bearer of his warmest greetings +to you. His house was full the day I passed with him; and yet, both in +corners and at the surrounded table, he talked incessantly of you. +Unwilling that I should part without bearing some mark of his love (a +poet's love) for you, he gave me a superb Turkish dagger to present to +you, as the only remembrance which, at the moment, he could think of to +offer you. He was greatly pleased with the engraving of your portrait, +which I recollected to carry with me; and during the whole dinner--when +all were admiring the taste with which Scott had fitted up a sort of +Gothic cottage--he expressed his anxious wishes that you might honour +him with a visit, which I ventured to assure him you would feel no less +happy than certain in effecting when you should go to Scotland; and I am +sure he would hail your lordship as 'a very brother.'" + + +After all his visits had been paid, and he had made his arrangements +with his printers and publishers, Mr. Murray returned to London with his +wife and family. Shortly after his arrival he received a letter from Mr. +Blackwood. + + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_November 8_, 1814. + +"I was much gratified by your letter informing me of your safe arrival. +How much you must be overwhelmed just now, and your mind distracted by +so many calls upon your attention at once. I hope that you are now in +one of your best frames of mind, by which you are enabled, as you have +told me, to go through, with more satisfaction to yourself, ten times +the business you can do at other times. While you are so occupied with +your great concerns, I feel doubly obliged to you for your remembrance +of my small matters." + + +After referring to his illness, he proceeds: + + +"Do not reflect upon your visit to the bard (Walter Scott). You would +have blamed yourself much more if you had not gone. The advance was made +by him through Ballantyne, and you only did what was open and candid. We +shall be at the bottom of these peoples' views by-and-bye; at present I +confess I only see very darkly--but let us have patience; a little time +will develop all these mysteries. I have not seen Ballantyne since, and +when I do see him I shall say very little indeed. If there really is a +disappointment in not being connected with Scott's new poem, you should +feel it much less than any man living--having such a poet as Lord +Byron." + + +Although Murray failed to obtain an interest in "The Lady of the Lake," +he was offered and accepted, at Scott's desire, a share in a new edition +of "Don Roderick." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +MURRAY'S DRAWING-ROOM--BYRON AND SCOTT--WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1815 + + +During Mrs. Murray's absence in Edinburgh, the dwelling-house at 50, +Albemarle Street was made over to the carpenters, painters, and house +decorators. "I hope," said Mr. Murray to his wife, "to leave the +drawing-room entirely at your ladyship's exclusive command." But the +drawing-room was used for other purposes than the reception of ordinary +visitors. It became for some time the centre of literary friendship and +intercommunication at the West End. In those days there was no Athenaeum +Club for the association of gentlemen known for their literary, +artistic, or scientific attainments. That institution was only +established in 1823, through the instrumentality of Croker, Lawrence, +Chantrey, Sir Humphry Davy, and their friends. Until then, Murray's +drawing-room was the main centre of literary intercourse in that quarter +of London. Men of distinction, from the Continent and America, presented +their letters of introduction to Mr. Murray, and were cordially and +hospitably entertained by him; meeting, in the course of their visits, +many distinguished and notable personages. + +In these rooms, early in 1815, young George Ticknor, from Boston, in +America, then only twenty-three, met Moore, Campbell, D'Israeli, +Gifford, Humphry Davy, and others. He thus records his impressions of +Gifford: + +"Among other persons, I brought letters to Gifford, the satirist, but +never saw him till yesterday. Never was I so mistaken in my +anticipations. Instead of a tall and handsome man, as I had supposed him +from his picture--a man of severe and bitter remarks in conversation, +such as I had good reason to believe him from his books, I found him a +short, deformed, and ugly little man, with a large head sunk between +his shoulders, and one of his eyes turned outward, but withal, one of +the best-natured, most open and well-bred gentlemen I have ever met. He +is editor of the _Quarterly Review_, and was not a little surprised and +pleased to hear that it was reprinted with us, which I told him, with an +indirect allusion to the review of 'Inchiquen's United States.'.... He +carried me to a handsome room over Murray's book-store, which he has +fitted up as a sort of literary lounge, where authors resort to read +newspapers, and talk literary gossip. I found there Elmsley, Hallam, +Lord Byron's 'Classic Hallam, much renowned for Greek,' now as famous as +being one of his lordship's friends, Boswell, a son of Johnson's +biographer, etc., so that I finished a long forenoon very pleasantly." +[Footnote: "Life, Letters, and Journal of George Ticknor," i. 48.] + +The following letter and Ticknor's reference to Gifford only confirm the +testimony of all who knew him that in private life the redoubtable +editor and severe critic was an amiable and affectionate man. + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_, + +JAMES STREET, _October_ 20, 1814. + +My DEAR SIR, + +What can I say in return for your interesting and amusing letter? I live +here quite alone, and see nobody, so that I have not a word of news for +you. I delight in your visit to Scotland, which I am sure would turn to +good, and which I hope you will, as you say, periodically repeat. It +makes me quite happy to find you beating up for recruits, and most +ardently do I wish you success. Mention me kindly to Scott, and tell him +how much I long to renew our wonted acquaintance. Southey's article is, +I think, excellent. I have softened matters a little. Barrow is hard at +work on Flinders [_Q. R_. 23]. I have still a most melancholy house. My +poor housekeeper is going fast. Nothing can save her, and I lend all my +care to soften her declining days. She has a physician every second day, +and takes a world of medicines, more for their profit than her own, poor +thing. She lives on fruit, grapes principally, and a little game, which +is the only food she can digest. Guess at my expenses; but I owe in some +measure the extension of my feeble life to her care through a long +succession of years, and I would cheerfully divide my last farthing with +her. I will not trouble you again on this subject, which is a mere +concern of my own; but you have been very kind to her, and she is +sensible of it." + + +With respect to this worthy woman, it may be added that she died on +February 6, 1815, carefully waited on to the last by her affectionate +master. She was buried in South Audley Churchyard, where Gifford erected +a tomb over her, and placed on it a very touching epitaph, concluding +with these words: "Her deeply-affected master erected this stone to her +memory, as a faithful testimony of her uncommon worth, and of his +gratitude, respect, and affection for her long and meritorious +services." [Footnote: It will serve to connect the narrative with one of +the famous literary quarrels of the day, if we remind the reader that +Hazlitt published a cruel and libellous pamphlet in 1819, entitled "A +Letter to William Gifford," in which he hinted that some improper +connection had subsisted between himself and his "frail memorial." +Hazlitt wrote this pamphlet because of a criticism on the "Round Table" +in the _Quarterly_, which Gifford did not write, and of a criticism of +Hunt's "Rimini," published by Mr. Murray, which was also the work of +another writer. But Gifford never took any notice of these libellous +attacks upon him. He held that secrecy between himself and the +contributors to the _Quarterly_ was absolutely necessary. Hazlitt, in +the above pamphlet, also attacks Murray, Croker, Canning, Southey, and +others whom he supposed to be connected with the _Review_.] + +Murray's own description of his famous drawing-room may also be given, +from a letter to a relative: + + +"I have lately ventured on the bold step of quitting the old +establishment to which I have been so long attached, and have moved to +one of the best, in every respect, that is known in my business, where I +have succeeded in a manner the most complete and flattering. My house is +excellent; and I transact all the departments of my business in an +elegant library, which my drawing-room becomes during the morning; and +there I am in the habit of seeing persons of the highest rank in +literature and talent, such as Canning, Frere, Mackintosh, Southey, +Campbell, Walter Scott, Madame de Staël, Gifford, Croker, Barrow, Lord +Byron, and others; thus leading the most delightful life, with means of +prosecuting my business with the highest honour and emolument." + + +It was in Murray's drawing-room that Walter Scott and Lord Byron first +met. They had already had some friendly intercourse by letter and had +exchanged gifts, but in the early part of 1815 Scott was summoned to +London on matters connected with his works. Mr. Murray wrote to Lord +Byron on April 7: + + +"Walter Scott has this moment arrived, and will call to-day between +three and four, for the chance of having the pleasure of seeing you +before he sets out for Scotland. I will show you a beautiful caricature +of Buonaparte." + +Lord Byron called at the hour appointed, and was at once introduced to +Mr. Scott, who was in waiting. They greeted each other in the most +affectionate manner, and entered into a cordial conversation. How +greatly Mr. Murray was gratified by a meeting which he had taken such +pains to bring about, is shown by the following memorandum carefully +preserved by him: + +"1815. _Friday, April_ 7.--This day Lord Byron and Walter Scott met for +the first time and were introduced by me to each other. They conversed +together for nearly two hours. There were present, at different times, +Mr. William Gifford, James Boswell (son of the biographer of Johnson), +William Sotheby, Robert Wilmot, Richard Heber, and Mr. Dusgate." + +Mr. Murray's son--then John Murray, Junior--gives his recollections as +follows: + +"I can recollect seeing Lord Byron in Albemarle Street. So far as I can +remember, he appeared to me rather a short man, with a handsome +countenance, remarkable for the fine blue veins which ran over his pale, +marble temples. He wore many rings on his fingers, and a brooch in his +shirt-front, which was embroidered. When he called, he used to be +dressed in a black dress-coat (as we should now call it), with grey, and +sometimes nankeen trousers, his shirt open at the neck. Lord Byron's +deformity in his foot was very evident, especially as he walked +downstairs. He carried a stick. After Scott and he had ended their +conversation in the drawing-room, it was a curious sight to see the two +greatest poets of the age--both lame--stumping downstairs side by side. +They continued to meet in Albemarle Street nearly every day, and +remained together for two or three hours at a time. Lord Byron dined +several times at Albemarle Street, On one of these occasions, he met Sir +John Malcolm--a most agreeable and accomplished man--who was all the +more interesting to Lord Byron, because of his intimate knowledge of +Persia and India. After dinner, Sir John observed to Lord Byron, how +much gratified he had been to meet him, and how surprised he was to find +him so full of gaiety and entertaining conversation. Byron replied, +'Perhaps you see me now at my best.' Sometimes, though not often, Lord +Byron read passages from his poems to my father. His voice and manner +were very impressive. His voice, in the deeper tones, bore some +resemblance to that of Mrs. Siddons." + +Shortly before this first interview between Scott and Byron the news had +arrived that Bonaparte had escaped from Elba, and landed at Cannes on +March 1, 1815. + +A few days before--indeed on the day the battle was fought--Blackwood +gave great praise to the new number of the _Quarterly_, containing the +contrast of Bonaparte and Wellington. It happened that Southey wrote the +article in No. 25, on the "Life and Achievements of Lord Wellington," in +order to influence public opinion as much as possible, and to encourage +the hearts of men throughout the country for the great contest about to +take place in the Low Countries. About the same time Sir James +Mackintosh had written an able and elaborate article for the +_Edinburgh_, to show that the war ought to have been avoided, and that +the consequences to England could only be unfortunate and inglorious. +The number was actually printed, stitched, and ready for distribution in +June; but it was thought better to wait a little, for fear of accidents, +and especially for the purpose of using it instantly after the first +reverse should occur, and thus to give it the force of prophecy. The +Battle of Waterloo came like a thunderclap. The article was suppressed, +and one on "Gall and his Craniology" substituted. "I think," says +Ticknor, "Southey said he had seen the repudiated article." [Footnote: +"Life, Letters, and Journals of George Ticknor "(2nd ed.), i. p. 41.] + +Lord Byron did not write another "Ode on Napoleon." He was altogether +disappointed in his expectations. Nevertheless, he still, like Hazlitt, +admired Napoleon, and hated Wellington. When he heard of the result of +the Battle of Waterloo, and that Bonaparte was in full retreat upon +Paris, he said, "I'm d----d sorry for it!" + +Mr. Murray, about this time, began to adorn his dining-room with +portraits of the distinguished men who met at his table. His portraits +include those of Gifford, [Footnote: This portrait was not painted for +Mr. Murray, but was purchased by him.] by Hoppner, R.A.; Byron and +Southey, by Phillips; Scott and Washington Irving, by Stewart Newton; +Croker, by Eddis, after Lawrence; Coleridge, Crabbe, Mrs. Somerville, +Hallam, T. Moore, Lockhart, and others. In April 1815 we find Thomas +Phillips, afterwards R.A., in communication with Mr. Murray, offering to +paint for him a series of Kit-cat size at eighty guineas each, and in +course of time his pictures, together with those of John Jackson, R.A., +formed a most interesting gallery of the great literary men of the +time, men and women of science, essayists, critics, Arctic voyagers, and +discoverers in the regions of Central Africa. + +Byron and Southey were asked to sit for their portraits to Phillips. +Though Byron was willing, and even thought it an honour, Southey +pretended to grumble. To Miss Barker he wrote (November 9, 1815): + + +"Here, in London, I can find time for nothing; and, to make things +worse, the Devil, who owes me an old grudge, has made me sit to Phillips +for a picture for Murray. I have in my time been tormented in this +manner so often, and to such little purpose, that I am half tempted to +suppose the Devil was the inventor of portrait painting." + + +Meanwhile Mr. Murray was again in treaty for a share in a further work +by Walter Scott. No sooner was the campaign of 1815 over, than a host of +tourists visited France and the Low Countries, and amongst them Murray +succeeded in making his long-intended trip to Paris, and Scott set out +to visit the battlefields in Belgium. Before departing, Scott made an +arrangement with John Ballantyne to publish the results of his travels, +and he authorized him to offer the work to Murray, Constable, and the +Longmans, in equal shares. + +In 1815 a very remarkable collection of documents was offered to Mr. +Murray for purchase and publication. They were in the possession of one +of Napoleon's generals, a friend of Miss Waldie. [Footnote: Afterwards +Mrs. Eaton, author of "Letters from Italy."] The collection consisted of +the personal correspondence of Bonaparte, when in the height of his +power, with all the crowned heads and leading personages of Europe, upon +subjects so strictly confidential that they had not even been +communicated to their own ministers or private secretaries. They were +consequently all written by their own hands. + +As regards the contents of these letters, Mr. Murray had to depend upon +his memory, after making a hurried perusal of them. He was not allowed +to copy any of them, but merely took a rough list. No record was kept of +the dates. Among them was a letter from the King of Bavaria, urging his +claims as a true and faithful ally, and claiming for his reward the +dominion of Wurtemberg. + +There were several letters from the Prussian Royal family, including +one from the King, insinuating that by the cession of Hanover to him his +territorial frontier would be rendered more secure. The Emperor Paul, in +a letter written on a small scrap of paper, proposed to transfer his +whole army to Napoleon, to be employed in turning the English out of +India, provided he would prevent them passing the Gut and enclosing the +Baltic. + +The Empress of Austria wrote an apology for the uncultivated state of +mind of her daughter, Marie Louise, about to become Napoleon's bride; +but added that her imperfect education presented the advantage of +allowing Napoleon to mould her opinions and principles in accordance +with his own views and wishes. + +This correspondence would probably have met with an immense sale, but +Mr. Murray entertained doubts as to the propriety of publishing +documents so confidential, and declined to purchase them for the sum +proposed. The next day, after his refusal, he ascertained that Prince +Lieven had given, on behalf of his government, not less than £10,000 for +the letters emanating from the Court of Russia alone. Thus the public +missed the perusal of an important series of international scandals. + +In December 1815 Mr. Murray published "Emma" for Miss Jane Austen, and +so connected his name with another English classic. Miss Austen's first +novel had been "Northanger Abbey." It remained long in manuscript, and +eventually she had succeeded in selling it to a bookseller at Bath for +£10. He had not the courage to publish it, and after it had remained in +his possession for some years, Miss Austen bought it back for the same +money he had paid for it. She next wrote "Sense and Sensibility," and +"Pride and Prejudice." The latter book was summarily rejected by Mr. +Cadell. At length these two books were published anonymously by Mr. +Egerton, and though they did not make a sensation, they gradually +attracted attention and obtained admirers. No one could be more +surprised than the authoress, when she received no less than £150 from +the profits of her first published work--"Sense and Sensibility." + +When Miss Austen had finished "Emma," she put herself in communication +with Mr. Murray, who read her "Pride and Prejudice," and sent it to +Gifford. Gifford replied as follows: + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"I have for the first time looked into 'Pride and Prejudice'; and it is +really a very pretty thing. No dark passages; no secret chambers; no +wind-howlings in long galleries; no drops of blood upon a rusty +dagger--things that should now be left to ladies' maids and sentimental +washerwomen." + + +In a later letter he said: + + +_September_ 29, 1815. + +"I have read 'Pride and Prejudice' _again_--'tis very good--wretchedly +printed, and so pointed as to be almost unintelligible. Make no apology +for sending me anything to read or revise. I am always happy to do +either, in the thought that it may be useful to you. + + * * * * * + +"Of 'Emma,' I have nothing but good to say. I was sure of the writer +before you mentioned her. The MS., though plainly written, has yet some, +indeed many little omissions; and an expression may now and then be +amended in passing through the press. I will readily undertake the +revision." + + +Miss Austen's two other novels, "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion," +were also published by Murray, but did not appear until after her death +in 1818. The profits of the four novels which had been published before +her death did not amount to more than seven hundred pounds. + +Mr. Murray also published the works of Mr. Malthus on "Rent," the "Corn +Laws," and the "Essay on Population." His pamphlet on Rent appeared in +March 1815. + +Murray's correspondence with Scott continued. On December 25, 1815, he +wrote: + + +"I was about to tell you that Croker was so pleased with the idea of a +Caledonian article from you, that he could not refrain from mentioning +it to the Prince Regent, who is very fond of the subject, and he said he +would be delighted, and is really anxious about it. Now, it occurs to +me, as our _Edinburgh_ friends choose on many occasions to bring in the +Prince's name to abuse it, this might offer an equally fair opportunity +of giving him that praise which is so justly due to his knowledge of the +history of his country.... + +"I was with Lord Byron yesterday. He enquired after you, and bid me say +how much he was indebted to your introduction of your poor Irish friend +Maturin, who had sent him a tragedy, which Lord Byron received late in +the evening, and read through, without being able to stop. He was so +delighted with it that he sent it immediately to his fellow-manager, the +Hon. George Lamb, who, late as it came to him, could not go to bed +without finishing it. The result is that they have laid it before the +rest of the Committee; they, or rather Lord Byron, feels it his duty to +the author to offer it himself to the managers of Covent Garden. The +poor fellow says in his letter that his hope of subsistence for his +family for the next year rests upon what he can get for this play. I +expressed a desire of doing something, and Lord Byron then confessed +that he had sent him fifty guineas. I shall write to him tomorrow, and I +think if you could draw some case for him and exhibit his merits, +particularly if his play succeeds, I could induce Croker and Peel to +interest themselves in his behalf, and get him a living. + +".... Have you any fancy to dash off an article on 'Emma'? It wants +incident and romance, does it not? None of the author's other novels +have been noticed, and surely 'Pride and Prejudice' merits high +commendation." + +Scott immediately complied with Murray's request. He did "dash off an +article on 'Emma,'" which appeared in No. 27 of the _Quarterly_. In +enclosing his article to Murray, Scott wrote as follows: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_January_ 19, 1816. + +Dear Sir, + +Enclosed is the article upon "Emma." I have been spending my holidays in +the country, where, besides constant labour in the fields during all the +hours of daylight, the want of books has prevented my completing the +Highland article. (The "Culloden Papers," which appeared in next +number.) It will be off, however, by Tuesday's post, as I must take +Sunday and Monday into the account of finishing it. It will be quite +unnecessary to send proofs of "Emma," as Mr. Gifford will correct all +obvious errors, and abridge it where necessary. + +_January_, 25, 1816. + +"My article is so long that I fancy you will think yourself in the +condition of the conjuror, who after having a great deal of trouble in +raising the devil, could not get rid of him after he had once made his +appearance. But the Highlands is an immense field, and it would have +been much more easy for me to have made a sketch twice as long than to +make it shorter. There still wants eight or nine pages, which you will +receive by tomorrow's or next day's post; but I fancy you will be glad +to get on." + +The article on the "Culloden Papers," which occupied fifty pages of the +_Review_ (No. 28), described the clans of the Highlands, their number, +manners, and habits; and gave a summary history of the Rebellion of '45. +It was graphically and vigorously written, and is considered one of +Scott's best essays. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS--CHARLES MATURIN--S.T. COLERIDGE--LEIGH HUNT + + +Scott's "poor Irish friend Maturin," referred to in the previous +chapter, was a young Irish clergyman, who was under the necessity of +depending upon his brains and pen for the maintenance of his family. +Charles Maturin, after completing his course of education at Trinity +College, married Miss Harriet Kinsburg. His family grew, but not his +income. He took orders, and obtained the curacy of St. Peter's Church, +Dublin, but owing to his father's affairs having become embarrassed, he +was compelled to open a boarding-school, with the view of assisting the +family. Unfortunately, he became bound for a friend, who deceived him, +and eventually he was obliged to sacrifice his interest in the school. +Being thus driven to extremities, he tried to live by literature, and +produced "The Fatal Revenge; or, the Family of Montorio," the first of a +series of romances, in which he outdid Mrs. Radcliffe and Monk Lewis. +"The Fatal Revenge" was followed by "The Wild Irish Boy," for which +Colburn gave him £80, and "The Milesian Chief," all full of horrors and +misty grandeur. These works did not bring him in much money; but, in +1815, he determined to win the height of dramatic fame in his "Bertram; +or, the Castle of St. Aldebrand," a tragedy. He submitted the drama to +Walter Scott, as from an "obscure Irishman," telling him of his +sufferings as an author and the father of a family, and imploring his +kind opinion. Scott replied in the most friendly manner, gave him much +good advice, spoke of the work as "grand and powerful, the characters +being sketched with masterly enthusiasm"; and, what was practically +better, sent him £50 as a token of his esteem and sympathy, and as a +temporary stop-gap until better times came round. He moreover called the +attention of Lord Byron, then on the Committee of Management of Drury +Lane Theatre, to the play, and his Lordship strongly recommended a +performance of it. Thanks to the splendid acting of Kean, it succeeded, +and Maturin realized about £1,000. + +"Bertram" was published by Murray, a circumstance which brought him into +frequent communication with the unfortunate Maturin. The latter offered +more plays, more novels, and many articles for the _Quarterly_. With +reference to one of his articles--a review of Sheil's "Apostate" +--Gifford said, "A more potatoe-headed arrangement, or rather +derangement, I have never seen. I have endeavoured to bring some order +out of the chaos. There is a sort of wild eloquence in it that makes it +worth preserving." + +Maturin continued to press his literary work on Murray, who however, +though he relieved him by the gift of several large sums of money, +declined all further offers of publication save the tragedy of "Manuel." + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_March_ 15, 1817. + +"Maturin's new tragedy, 'Manuel,' appeared on Saturday last, and I am +sorry to say that the opinion of Mr. Gifford was established by the +impression made on the audience. The first act very fine, the rest +exhibiting a want of judgment not to be endured. It was brought out with +uncommon splendour, and was well acted. Kean's character as an old +man--a warrior--was new and well sustained, for he had, of course, +selected it, and professed to be--and he acted as if he were--really +pleased with it.... I have undertaken to print the tragedy at my own +expense, and to give the poor Author the whole of the profit." + +In 1824 Maturin died, in Dublin, in extreme poverty. + +The following correspondence introduces another great name in English +literature. It is not improbable that it was Southey who suggested to +Murray the employment of his brother-in-law, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, +from his thorough knowledge of German, as the translator of Goethe's +"Faust." The following is Mr. Coleridge's first letter to Murray: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +JOSIAH WADE'S, Esq., 2, QUEEN'S SQUARE, BRISTOL. _[August_ 23, 1814.] + +Dear Sir, + +I have heard, from my friend Mr. Charles Lamb, writing by desire of Mr. +Robinson, that you wish to have the justly-celebrated "Faust" of Goethe +translated, and that some one or other of my partial friends have +induced you to consider me as the man most likely to execute the work +adequately, those excepted, of course, whose higher power (established +by the solid and satisfactory ordeal of the wide and rapid sale of their +works) it might seem profanation to employ in any other manner than in +the development of their own intellectual organization. I return my +thanks to the recommender, whoever he be, and no less to you for your +flattering faith in the recommendation; and thinking, as I do, that +among many volumes of praiseworthy German poems, the "Louisa" of Voss, +and the "Faust" of Goethe, are the two, if not the only ones, that are +emphatically _original_ in their conception, and characteristic of a new +and peculiar sort of thinking and imagining, I should not be averse from +exerting my best efforts in an attempt to import whatever is importable +of either or of both into our own language. + +But let me not be suspected of a presumption of which I am not +consciously guilty, if I say that I feel two difficulties; one arising +from long disuse of versification, added to what I know, better than the +most hostile critic could inform me, of my comparative weakness; and the +other, that _any_ work in Poetry strikes me with more than common awe, +as proposed for realization by myself, because from long habits of +meditation on language, as the symbolic medium of the connection of +Thought with Thought, and of Thoughts as affected and modified by +Passion and Emotion, I should spend days in avoiding what I deemed +faults, though with the full preknowledge that their admission would not +have offended perhaps three of all my readers, and might be deemed +Beauties by 300--if so many there were; and this not out of any respect +for the Public (_i.e._ the persons who might happen to purchase and look +over the Book), but from a hobby-horsical, superstitious regard to my +own feelings and sense of Duty. Language is the sacred Fire in this +Temple of Humanity, and the Muses are its especial and vestal +Priestesses. Though I cannot prevent the vile drugs and counterfeit +Frankincense, which render its flame at once pitchy, glowing, and +unsteady, I would yet be no voluntary accomplice in the Sacrilege. With +the commencement of a PUBLIC, commences the degradation of the GOOD and +the BEAUTIFUL--both fade and retire before the accidentally AGREEABLE. +"Othello" becomes a hollow lip-worship; and the "CASTLE SPECTRE," or any +more recent thing of Froth, Noise, and Impermanence, that may have +overbillowed it on the restless sea of curiosity, is the _true_ Prayer +of Praise and Admiration. + +I thought it right to state to you these opinions of mine, that you +might know that I think the Translation of the "Faust" a task demanding +(from _me_, I mean), no ordinary efforts--and why? This--that it is +painful, very painful, and even odious to me, to attempt anything of a +literary nature, with any motive of _pecuniary_ advantage; but that I +bow to the all-wise Providence, which has made me a _poor_ man, and +therefore compelled me by other duties inspiring feelings, to bring +_even my Intellect to the Market_. And the finale is this. I should like +to attempt the Translation. If you will mention your terms, at once and +irrevocably (for I am an idiot at bargaining, and shrink from the very +thought), I will return an answer by the next Post, whether in my +present circumstances, I can or cannot undertake it. If I do, I will do +it immediately; but I must have all Goethe's works, which I cannot +procure in Bristol; for to give the "Faust" without a preliminary +critical Essay would be worse than nothing, as far as regards the +PUBLIC. If you were to ask me as a Friend, whether I think it would suit +_the General Taste_, I should reply that I cannot calculate on caprice +and accident (for instance, some fashionable man or review happening to +take it up favourably), but that otherwise my fears would be stronger +than my hopes. Men of genius will admire it, of necessity. Those most, +who think deepest and most imaginatively. The "Louisa" would delight +_all_ of good hearts. + +I remain, dear Sir, With due respect, S.T. COLERIDGE. + +To this letter Mr. Murray replied as follows: + +_John Murray to Mr. Coleridge_. + +_August_ 29, 1814. + +Dear Sir, + +I feel greatly obliged by the favour of your attention to the request +which I had solicited our friend Mr. Robinson to make to you for the +translation of Goethe's extraordinary drama of "Faust," which I suspect +that no one could do justice to besides yourself. It will be the first +attempt to render into classical English a German work of peculiar but +certainly of unquestionable Genius; and you must allow that its effects +upon the public must be doubtful. I am desirous however of making the +experiment, and this I would not do under a less skilful agent than the +one to whom I have applied. I am no less anxious that you should +receive, as far as I think the thing can admit, a fair remuneration; and +trusting that you will not undertake it unless you feel disposed to +execute the labour perfectly _con amore_, and in a style of +versification equal to "Remorse," I venture to propose to you the sum of +One Hundred Pounds for the Translation and the preliminary Analysis, +with such passages translated as you may judge proper of the works of +Goethe, with a copy of which I will have the pleasure of supplying you +as soon as I have your final determination. The sum which I mention +shall be paid to you in two months from the day on which you place the +complete Translation and Analysis in my hands; this will allow a +reasonable time for your previous correction of the sheets through the +press. I shall be glad to hear from you by return of Post, if +convenient, as I propose to set out this week for the Continent. If this +work succeeds, I am in hopes that it will lead to many similar +undertakings. + +With sincere esteem, I am, dear Sir, Your faithful Servant, J. Murray + +I should hope that it might not prove inconvenient to you to complete +the whole for Press in the course of November next. + +Mr. Coleridge replied as follows, from the same address: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +_August_ 31, 1814. + +Dear Sir, + +I have received your letter. Considering the necessary labour, and (from +the questionable nature of the original work, both as to its fair claims +to Fame--the diction of the good and wise according to unchanging +principles--and as to its chance for Reputation, as an accidental result +of local and temporary taste), the risk of character on the part of the +Translator, who will assuredly have to answer for any disappointment of +the reader, the terms proposed are humiliatingly low; yet such as, under +modifications, I accede to. I have received testimonials from men not +merely of genius according to my belief, but of the highest accredited +reputation, that my translation of "Wallenstein" was in language and in +metre superior to the original, and the parts most admired were +substitutions of my own, on a principle of compensation. Yet the whole +work went for waste-paper. I was abused--nay, my own remarks in the +Preface were transferred to a Review, as the Reviewer's sentiments +_against_ me, without even a hint that he had copied them from my own +Preface. Such was the fate of "Wallenstein"! And yet I dare appeal to +any number of men of Genius--say, for instance, Mr. W. Scott, Mr. +Southey, Mr. Wordsworth, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sotheby, Sir G. Beaumont, etc., +whether the "Wallenstein" with all its defects (and it has grievous +defects), is not worth all Schiller's other plays put together. But I +wonder not. It was _too_ good, and not good enough; and the advice of +the younger Pliny: "Aim at pleasing either _all_, or _the few,"_ is as +prudentially good as it is philosophically accurate. I wrote to Mr. +Longman before the work was published, and foretold its fate, even to a +detailed accuracy, and advised him to put up with the loss from the +purchase of the MSS and of the Translation, as a much less evil than the +publication. I went so far as to declare that its success was, in the +state of public Taste, impossible; that the enthusiastic admirers of +"The Robbers," "Cabal and Love," etc., would lay the blame on me; and +that he himself would suspect that if he had only lit on _another_ +Translator then, etc. Everything took place as I had foretold, even his +own feelings--so little do Prophets gain from the fulfilment of their +Prophecies! + +On the other hand, though I know that executed as alone I can or dare do +it--that is, to the utmost of my power (for which the intolerable Pain, +nay the far greater Toil and Effort of doing otherwise, is a far safer +Pledge than any solicitude on my part concerning the approbation of the +PUBLIC), the translation of so very difficult a work as the "Faustus," +will be most inadequately remunerated by the terms you propose; yet they +very probably are the highest it may be worth your while to offer to +_me_. I say this as a philosopher; for, though I have now been much +talked of, and written of, for evil and not for good, but for suspected +capability, yet none of my works have ever sold. The "Wallenstein" went +to the waste. The "Remorse," though acted twenty times, rests quietly on +the shelves in the second edition, with copies enough for seven years' +consumption, or seven times seven. I lost £200 by the non-payment, from +forgetfulness, and under various pretences, by "The Friend"; [Footnote: +Twenty-seven numbers of _The Friend_ were published by Coleridge at +Penrith in Cumberland in 1809-10, but the periodical proved a failure, +principally from the irregularity of its appearance. It was about this +time that he was addicted to opium-eating.] and for my poems I _did_ get +from £10 to £15. And yet, forsooth, the _Quarterly Review_ attacks me +for neglecting and misusing my powers! I do not quarrel with the +Public--all is as it must be--but surely the Public (if there be such a +Person) has no right to quarrel with _me_ for not getting into jail by +publishing what they will not read! + +The "Faust," you perhaps know, is only a _Fragment_. Whether Goethe ever +will finish it, or whether it is ever his object to do so, is quite +unknown. A large proportion of the work cannot be rendered in blank +verse, but must be given in wild _lyrical_ metres; and Mr. Lamb informs +me that the Baroness de Staël has given a very unfavourable account of +the work. Still, however, I will undertake it, and that instantly, so as +to let you have the last sheet by the middle of November, on the +following terms: + +1. That on the delivery of the last MS. sheet you remit 100 guineas to +Mrs. Coleridge, or Mr. Robert Southey, at a bill of five weeks. 2. That +I, or my widow or family, may, any time after two years from the first +publication, have the privilege of reprinting it in any collection of +all my poetical writings, or of my works in general, which set off with +a Life of me, might perhaps be made profitable to my widow. And 3rd, +that if (as I long ago meditated) I should re-model the whole, give it a +finale, and be able to bring it, thus re-written and re-cast, on the +stage, it shall not be considered as a breach of the engagement between +us, I on my part promising that you shall, for an equitable +consideration, have the copy of this new work, either as a separate +work, or forming a part of the same volume or both, as circumstances may +dictate to you. When I say that I am confident that in this _possible_ +and not probable case, I should not repeat or retain one fifth of the +original, you will perceive that I consult only my dread of appearing +to act amiss, as it would be even more easy to compose the whole anew. + +If these terms suit you I will commence the Task as soon as I receive +Goethe's works from you. If you could procure Goethe's late Life of +himself, which extends but a short way, or any German biographical work +of the Germans living, it would enable me to render the preliminary +Essay more entertaining. + +Respectfully, dear Sir, + +S.T. COLERIDGE. + +Mr. Murray's reply to this letter has not been preserved. At all events, +nothing further was done by Coleridge with respect to the translation of +"Faust," which is to be deplored, as his exquisite and original melody +of versification might have produced a translation almost as great as +the original. + +Shortly after Coleridge took up his residence with the Gillmans at +Highgate, and his intercourse with Murray recommenced. Lord Byron, while +on the managing committee of Drury Lane Theatre, had been instrumental +in getting Coleridge's "Remorse" played upon the stage, as he +entertained a great respect for its author. He was now encouraging Mr. +Murray to publish other works by Coleridge--among others, "Zapolya" and +"Christabel." + +On April 12, 1816, Coleridge gave the following lines to Mr. Murray, +written in his own hand: [Footnote: The "Song, by Glycine" was first +published in "Zapolya: A Christmas Tale," 1817, Part II., Act ii., Scene +I. It was set to music by W. Patten in 1836; and again, with the title +"May Song," in 1879, by B.H. Loehr.] + +GLYCINE: Song. + +"A sunny shaft did I behold, + From sky to earth it slanted, +And pois'd therein a Bird so bold-- + Sweet bird! thou wert enchanted! +He sank, he rose, he twinkled, he troll'd, + Within that shaft of sunny mist: +His Eyes of Fire, his Beak of Gold, + All else of Amethyst! +And thus he sang: Adieu! Adieu! + Love's dreams prove seldom true. +Sweet month of May! we must away! + Far, far away! + Today! today!" + +In the following month (May 8, 1816) Mr. Coleridge offered Mr. Murray +his "Remorse" for publication, with a Preface. He also offered his poem +of "Christabel," still unfinished. For the latter Mr. Murray agreed to +give him seventy guineas, "until the other poems shall be completed, +when the copyright shall revert to the author," and also £20 for +permission to publish the poem entitled "Kubla Khan." + +Next month (June 6) Murray allowed Coleridge £50 for an edition of +"Zapolya: A Christmas Tale," which was then in MS.; and he also +advanced him another £50 for a play which was still to be written. +"Zapolya" was afterwards entrusted to another publisher (Rest Fenner), +and Coleridge repaid Murray £50. Apparently (see _letter_ of March 29, +1817) Murray very kindly forewent repayment of the second advance of +£50. There was, of course, no obligation to excuse a just debt, but the +three issues of "Christabel" had resulted in a net profit of a little +over £100 to the publisher. + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +HIGHGATE, _July_ 4, 1816. + +I have often thought that there might be set on foot a review of old +books, _i.e.,_ of all works important or remarkable, the authors of +which are deceased, with a probability of a tolerable sale, if only the +original _plan_ were a good one, and if no articles were admitted but +from men who understood and recognized the Principles and Rules of +Criticism, which should form the first number. I would not take the +works chronologically, but according to the likeness or contrast of the +_kind_ of genius--_ex. gr_. Jeremy Taylor, Milton (his prose works), and +Burke--Dante and Milton--Scaliger and Dr. Johnson. Secondly, if +especial attention were paid to all men who had produced, or aided in +producing, any great revolution in the Taste or opinions of an age, as +Petrarch, Ulrich von Hutten, etc. (here I will dare risk the charge of +self-conceit by referring to my own parallel of Voltaire and Erasmus, of +Luther and Rousseau in the seventh number of "The Friend "). Lastly, if +proper care was taken that in every number of the _Review_ there should +be a fair proportion of positively _amusing_ matter, such as a review of +Paracelsus, Cardan, Old Fuller; a review of Jest Books, tracing the +various metempsychosis of the same joke through all ages and countries; +a History of Court Fools, for which a laborious German has furnished +ample and highly interesting materials; foreign writers, though alive, +not to be excluded, if only their works are of established character in +their own country, and scarcely heard of, much less translated, in +English literature. Jean Paul Richter would supply two or three +delightful articles. + +Any works which should fall in your way respecting the Jews since the +destruction of the Temple, I should of course be glad to look through. +Above all, Mezeray's (no! that is not the name, I think) "History of the +Jews," that I _must_ have. + +I shall be impatient for the rest of Mr. Frere's sheets. Most +unfeignedly can I declare that I am unable to decide whether the +_admiration_ which the _excellence_ inspires, or the wonder which the +knowledge of the countless _difficulties_ so happily overcome, never +ceases to excite in my mind during the re-perusal and collation of them +with the original Greek, be the greater. I have not a moment's +hesitation in fixing on Mr. Frere as the man of the correctest and most +genial taste among all our contemporaries whom I have ever met with, +personally or in their works. Should choice or chance lead you to sun +and air yourself on Highgate Hill during any of your holiday excursions, +my worthy friend and his amiable and accomplished wife will be happy to +see you. We dine at four, and drink tea at six. + +Yours, dear Sir, respectfully, S.T. COLERIDGE. + +Mr. Murray did not accept Mr. Coleridge's proposal to publish his works +in a collected form or his articles for the _Quarterly_, as appears from +the following letter: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +HIGHGATE, _March_ 26, 1817. + +DEAR SIR, + +I cannot be offended by your opinion that my talents are not adequate to +the requisites of matter and manner for the _Quarterly Review,_ nor +should I consider it as a disgrace to fall short of Robert Southey in +any department of literature. I owe, however, an honest gratification to +the conversation between you and Mr. Gillman, for I read Southey's +article, on which Mr. Gillman and I have, it appears, formed very +different opinions. It is, in my judgment, a very masterly article. +[Footnote: This must have been Southey's article on Parliamentary Reform +in No. 31, which, though due in October 1816, was not, published until +February 1817.] I would to heaven, my dear sir, that the opinions of +Southey, Walter Scott, Lord Byron, Mr. Frere, and of men like these in +learning and genius, concerning my comparative claims to be a man of +letters, were to be received as the criterion, instead of the wretched, +and in deed and in truth mystical jargon of the _Examiner_ and +_Edinburgh Review_. + +Mr. Randall will be so good as to repay you the £50, and I understand +from Mr. Gillman that you are willing to receive this as a settlement +respecting the "Zapolya." The corrections and additions to the two first +books of the "Christabel" may become of more value to you when the work +is finished, as I trust it will be in the course of the spring, than +they are at present. And let it not be forgotten, that while I had the +utmost malignity of personal enmity to cry down the work, with the +exception of Lord Byron, there was not one of the many who had so many +years together spoken so warmly in its praise who gave it the least +positive furtherance after its publication. It was openly asserted that +the _Quarterly Review_ did not wish to attack it, but was ashamed to say +a word in its favor. Thank God! these things pass from me like drops +from a duck's back, except as far as they take the bread out of my +mouth; and this I can avoid by consenting to publish only for the +_present_ times whatever I may write. You will be so kind as to +acknowledge the receipt of the £50 in such manner as to make all matters +as clear between us as possible; for, though you, I am sure, could not +have intended to injure my character, yet the misconceptions, and +perhaps misrepresentations, of your words have had that tendency. By a +letter from R. Southey I find that he will be in town on the 17th. The +article in Tuesday's _Courier_ was by me, and two other articles on +Apostacy and Renegadoism, which will appear this week. + +Believe me, with respect, your obliged, + +S.T. COLERIDGE. + +The following letter completes Coleridge's correspondence with Murray on +this subject: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +[Highgate], _March_ 29, 1817. + +Dear Sir, + +From not referring to the paper dictated by yourself, and signed by me +in your presence, you have wronged yourself in the receipt you have been +so good as to send me, and on which I have therefore written as +follows--"A mistake; I am still indebted to Mr. Murray £20 _legally_ +(which I shall pay the moment it is in my power), and £30 from whatever +sum I may receive from the 'Christabel' when it is finished. Should Mr. +Murray decline its publication, I conceive myself bound _in honor_ to +repay." I strive in vain to discover any single act or expression of my +own, or for which I could be directly or indirectly responsible as a +moral being, that would account for the change in your mode of thinking +respecting me. But with every due acknowledgment of the kindness and +courtesy that I received from you on my first coming to town, + +I remain, dear Sir, your obliged, S.T. COLERIDGE. + +Leigh Hunt was another of Murray's correspondents. When the _Quarterly_ +was started, Hunt, in his Autography, says that "he had been invited, +nay pressed by the publisher, to write in the new Review, which +surprised me, considering its politics and the great difference of my +own." Hunt adds that he had no doubt that the invitation had been made +at the instance of Gifford himself. Murray had a high opinion of Hunt as +a critic, but not as a politician. Writing to Walter Scott in 1810 he +said: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_, + +"Have you got or seen Hunt's critical essays, prefixed to a few novels +that he edited. Lest you should not, I send them. Hunt is most vilely +wrongheaded in politics, and has thereby been turned away from the path +of elegant criticism, which might have led him to eminence and +respectability." + +Hunt was then, with his brother, joint editor of the _Examiner_, and +preferred writing for the newspaper to contributing articles to the +_Quarterly_. + +On Leigh Hunt's release from Horsemonger Lane Gaol, where he had been +imprisoned for his libel on the Prince Regent, he proceeded, on the +strength of his reputation, to compose the "Story of Rimini," the +publication of which gave the author a place among the poets of the day. +He sent a portion of the manuscript to Mr. Murray before the poem was +finished, saying that it would amount to about 1,400 lines. Hunt then +proceeded (December 18, 1815) to mention the terms which he proposed to +be paid for his work when finished. "Booksellers," he said, "tell me +that I ought not to ask less than £450 (which is a sum I happen to want +just now); and my friends, not in the trade, say I ought not to ask less +than £500, with such a trifling acknowledgment upon the various editions +after the second and third, as shall enable me to say that I am still +profiting by it." + +Mr. Murray sent his reply to Hunt through their common friend, Lord +Byron: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_December_ 27, 1815. + +"I wish your lordship to do me the favour to look at and to consider +with your usual kindness the accompanying note to Mr. Leigh Hunt +respecting his poem, for which he requests £450. This would presuppose a +sale of, at least, 10,000 copies. Now, if I may trust to my own +experience in these matters, I am by no means certain that the sale +would do more than repay the expenses of paper and print. But the poem +is peculiar, and may be more successful than I imagine, in which event +the proposition which I have made to the author will secure to him all +the advantages of such a result, I trust that you will see in this an +anxious desire to serve Mr. Hunt, although as a mere matter of business +I cannot avail myself of his offer. I would have preferred calling upon +you today were I not confined by a temporary indisposition; but I think +you will not be displeased at a determination founded upon the best +judgment I can form of my own business. I am really uneasy at your +feelings in this affair, but I think I may venture to assume that you +know me sufficiently well to allow me to trust my decision entirely to +your usual kindness." + +_John Murray to Mr. Leigh Hunt_. + +_December_ 27, 1815. + +"I have now read the MS. poem, which you confided to me, with particular +attention, and find that it differs so much from any that I have +published that I am fearful of venturing upon the extensive speculation +to which your estimate would carry it. I therefore wish that you would +propose its publication and purchase to such houses as Cadell, Longman, +Baldwin, Mawman, etc., who are capable of becoming and likely to become +purchasers, and then, should you not have found any arrangement to your +mind, I would undertake to print an edition of 500 or 750 copies as a +trial at my own risk, and give you one half of the profits. After this +edition the copyright shall be entirely your own property. By this +arrangement, in case the work turn out a prize, as it may do, I mean +that you should have every advantage of its success, for its popularity +once ascertained, I am sure you will find no difficulty in procuring +purchasers, even if you should be suspicious of my liberality from this +specimen of fearfulness in the first instance. I shall be most happy to +assist you with any advice which my experience in these matters may +render serviceable to you." + +Leigh Hunt at once accepted the offer. + +After the poem was printed and published, being pressed for money, he +wished to sell the copyright. After a recitation of his pecuniary +troubles, Hunt concluded a lengthy letter as follows: + +"What I wanted to ask you then is simply this--whether, in the first +instance, you think well enough of the "Story of Rimini" to make you +bargain with me for the copyright at once; or, in the second instance, +whether, if you would rather wait a little, as I myself would do, I +confess, if it were convenient, you have still enough hopes of the work, +and enough reliance on myself personally, to advance me £450 on +security, to be repaid in case you do not conclude the bargain, or +merged in the payment of the poem in case you do." + +Mr. Murray's reply was not satisfactory, as will be observed from the +following letter of Leigh Hunt: + +_Mr. Leigh Hunt to John Murray_, + +_April_ 12, 1816. + +Dear Sir, + +I just write to say something which I had omitted in my last, and to add +a word or two on the subject of an expression in your answer to it. I +mean the phrase "plan of assistance." I do not suppose that you had the +slightest intention of mortifying me by that phrase; but I should wish +to impress upon you, that I did not consider my application to you as +coming in the shape of what is ordinarily termed an application for +assistance. Circumstances have certainly compelled me latterly to make +requests, and resort to expedients, which, however proper in themselves, +I would not willingly have been acquainted with; but I have very good +prospects before me, and you are mistaken (I beg you to read this in the +best and most friendly tone you can present to yourself) if you have at +all apprehended that I should be in the habit of applying to you for +assistance, or for anything whatsoever, for which I did not conceive the +work in question to be more than a security. + +I can only say, with regard to yourself, that I am quite contented and +ought to be so, as long as you are sincere with me, and treat me in the +same gentlemanly tone. + +Very sincerely yours, + +LEIGH HUNT. + +This negotiation was ultimately brought to a conclusion by Mr. Hunt, at +Mr. Murray's suggestion, disposing of the copyright of "Rimini" to +another publisher. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THOMAS CAMPBELL--JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE--J.W. CROKER-JAMES HOGG, ETC. + + +Thomas Campbell appeared like a meteor as early as 1799, when, in his +twenty-second year, he published his "Pleasures of Hope." The world was +taken by surprise at the vigour of thought and richness of fancy +displayed in the poem. Shortly after its publication, Campbell went to +Germany, and saw, from the Benedictine monastery of Scottish monks at +Ratisbon, a battle which was not, as has often been said, the Battle of +Hohenlinden. What he saw, however, made a deep impression on his mind, +and on his return to Scotland he published the beautiful lines +beginning, "On Linden when the sun was low." In 1801 he composed "The +Exile of Erin" and "Ye Mariners of England." The "Battle of the Baltic" +and "Lochiel's Warning" followed; and in 1803 he published an edition of +his poems. To have composed such noble lyrics was almost unprecedented +in so young a man; for he was only twenty-six years of age when his +collected edition appeared. He was treated as a lion, and became +acquainted with Walter Scott and the leading men in Edinburgh. In +December 1805 we find Constable writing to Murray, that Longman & Co. +had offered the young poet £700 for a new volume of his poems. + +One of the earliest results of the association of Campbell with Murray +was a proposal to start a new magazine, which Murray had long +contemplated. This, it will be observed, was some years before the +communications took place between Walter Scott and Murray with respect +to the starting of the _Quarterly_. + +The projected magazine, however, dropped out of sight, and Campbell +reverted to his proposed "Lives of the British Poets, with Selections +from their Writings." Toward the close of the year he addressed the +following letter to Mr. Scott: + +_Mr. T. Campbell to Mr. Scott_. + +_November 5_, 1806. + +My Dear Scott, + +A very excellent and gentlemanlike man--albeit a bookseller--Murray, of +Fleet Street, is willing to give for our joint "Lives of the Poets," on +the plan we proposed to the trade a twelvemonth ago, a thousand pounds. +For my part, I think the engagement very desirable, and have no +uneasiness on the subject, except my fear that you may be too much +engaged to have to do with it, as five hundred pounds may not be to you +the temptation that it appears to a poor devil like myself. Murray is +the only gentleman, except Constable, in the trade;--I may also, +perhaps, except Hood. I have seldom seen a pleasanter man to deal with. +.... Our names are what Murray principally wants--_yours_ in +particular.... I will not wish, even in confidence, to say anything ill +of the London booksellers _beyond their deserts_; but I assure you that, +to compare this offer of Murray's with their usual offers, it is +magnanimous indeed.... The fallen prices of literature-which is getting +worse by the horrible complexion of the times-make me often rather +gloomy at the life I am likely to lead. + +Scott entered into Campbell's agreement with kindness and promptitude, +and it was arranged, under certain stipulations, that the plan should +have his zealous cooperation; but as the number and importance of his +literary engagements increased, he declined to take an active part +either in the magazine or the other undertaking. "I saw Campbell two +days ago," writes Murray to Constable, "and he told me that Mr. Scott +had declined, and modestly asked if it would do by _himself_ alone; but +this I declined in a way that did not leave us the less friends." + +At length, after many communications and much personal intercourse, +Murray agreed with Campbell to bring out his work, without the +commanding name of Walter Scott, and with the name of Thomas Campbell +alone as Editor of the "Selections from the British Poets." The +arrangement seems to have been made towards the end of 1808. In January +1809 Campbell writes of his intention "to devote a year exclusively to +the work," but the labour it involved was perhaps greater than he had +anticipated. It was his first important prose work; and prose requires +continuous labour. It cannot, like a piece of poetry, be thrown off at a +heat while the fit is on. Campbell stopped occasionally in the midst of +his work to write poems, among others, his "Gertrude of Wyoming," which +confirmed his poetical reputation. Murray sent a copy of the volume to +Walter Scott, and requested a review for the _Quarterly_, which was then +in its first year. What Campbell thought of the review will appear from +the following letter: + +_Mr. T. Campbell to John Murray_. + +_June 2_, 1809. + +My Dear Murray, + +I received the review, for which I thank you, and beg leave through you +to express my best acknowledgments to the unknown reviewer. I do not by +this mean to say that I think every one of his censures just. On the +contrary, if I had an opportunity of personal conference with so candid +and sensible a man, I think I could in some degree acquit myself of a +part of the faults he has found. But altogether I am pleased with his +manner, and very proud of his approbation. He reviews like a gentleman, +a Christian, and a scholar. + +Although the "Lives of the Poets" had been promised within a year from +January 1809, four years passed, and the work was still far from +completion. + +In the meantime Campbell undertook to give a course of eleven Lectures +on Poetry at the Royal Institution, for which he received a hundred +guineas. He enriched his Lectures with the Remarks and Selections +collected for the "Specimens," for which the publisher had agreed to pay +a handsome sum. The result was a momentary hesitation on the part of Mr. +Murray to risk the publication of the work. On this, says Campbell's +biographer, a correspondence ensued between the poet and the publisher, +which ended to the satisfaction of both. Mr. Murray only requested that +Mr. Campbell should proceed with greater alacrity in finishing the long +projected work. + +At length, about the beginning of 1819, fourteen years after the project +had been mentioned to Walter Scott, and about ten years after the book +should have appeared, according to Campbell's original promise, the +"Essays and Selections of English Poetry" were published by Mr. Murray. +The work was well received. The poet was duly paid for it, and Dr. +Beattie, Campbell's biographer, says he "found himself in the novel +position of a man who has money to lay out at interest." This statement +must be received with considerable deduction, for, as the correspondence +shows, Campbell's pecuniary difficulties were by no means at an end. + +It appears that besides the £1,000, which was double the sum originally +proposed to be paid to Campbell for the "Selections," Mr. Murray, in +October 1819, paid him £200 "for books," doubtless for those he had +purchased for the "Collections," and which he desired to retain. + +We cannot conclude this account of Campbell's dealing with Murray +without referring to an often-quoted story which has for many years +sailed under false colours. It was Thomas Campbell who wrote "Now +Barabbas was a publisher," whether in a Bible or otherwise is not +authentically recorded, and forwarded it to a friend; but Mr. Murray was +not the publisher to whom it referred, nor was Lord Byron, as has been +so frequently stated, the author of the joke. + +The great burden of the correspondence entailed by the _Quarterly +Review_ now fell on Mr. Murray, for Gifford had become physically +incapable of bearing it. Like the creaking gate that hangs long on its +hinges, Gifford continued to live, though painfully. He became gradually +better, and in October 1816 Mr. Murray presented him with a chariot, by +means of which he might drive about and take exercise in the open air. +Gifford answered: + +"I have a thousand thanks to give you for the pains you have taken about +the carriage, without which I should only have talked about it, and died +of a cold. It came home yesterday, and I went to Fulham in it. It is +everything that I could wish, neat, easy, and exceedingly comfortable." + +Among the other works published by Mr. Murray in 1816 may be mentioned, +"The Last Reign of Napoleon," by Mr. John Cam Hobhouse, afterwards Lord +Broughton. Of this work the author wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_January_, 1816. + +"I must have the liberty of cancelling what sheets I please, for a +reason that I now tell you in the strictest confidence: the letters are +to go to Paris previously to publication, and are to be read carefully +through by a most intimate friend of mine, who was entirely in the +secrets of the late Imperial Ministry, and who will point out any +statements as to facts, in which he could from his _knowledge_ make any +necessary change." + +The first edition, published without the author's name, was rapidly +exhausted, and Hobhouse offered a second to Murray, proposing at the +same time to insert his name as author on the title-page. + +"If I do," he said, "I shall present the book to Lord Byron in due form, +not for his talents as a poet, but for his qualities as a companion and +a friend. I should not write 'My dear Byron,' _à la Hunt_." [Footnote: +Leigh Hunt had dedicated his "Rimini" to the noble poet, addressing him +as "My dear Byron."] + +Mr. D'Israeli also was busy with his "Inquiry into the Literary and +Political Character of James the First." He wrote to his publisher as +follows: "I am sorry to say every one, to whom I have mentioned the +subject, revolts from it as a thing quite untenable, and cares nothing +about 'James.' This does not stop me from finishing." + +Mr. Croker, in the midst of his work at the Admiralty, his articles for +the _Quarterly_, and his other literary labours, found time to write his +"Stories for Children from the History of England." In sending the later +stories Mr. Croker wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_The Rt. Hon. J.W. Croker to John Murray_. + +"I send you seven stories, which, with eleven you had before, brings us +down to Richard III., and as I do not intend to come down beyond the +Revolution, there remain nine stories still. I think you told me that +you gave the first stories to your little boy to read. Perhaps you or +Mrs. Murray would be so kind as to make a mark over against such words +as he may not have understood, and to favour me with any criticism the +child may have made, for on this occasion I should prefer a critic of 6 +years old to one of 60." + +Thus John Murray's son, John Murray the Third, was early initiated into +the career of reading for the press. When the book came out it achieved +a great success, and set the model for Walter Scott in his charming +"Tales of a Grandfather." + +It may be mentioned that "Croker's Stories for Children" were published +on the system of division of profits. Long after, when Mr. Murray was in +correspondence with an author who wished him to pay a sum of money down +before he had even seen the manuscript, the publisher recommended the +author to publish his book on a division of profits, in like manner as +Hallam, Milman, Mahon, Croker, and others had done. "Under this system," +he said, "I have been very successful. For Mr. Croker's 'Stories from +the History of England,' selling for 2_s_. _6d_., if I had offered the +small sum of twenty guineas, he would have thought it liberal. However, +I printed it to divide profits, and he has already received from me the +moiety of £1,400. You will perhaps be startled at my assertion; for +woeful experience convinces me that not more than one publication in +fifty has a sale sufficient to defray its expenses." + +The success of Scott's, and still more of Byron's Poems, called into +existence about this time a vast array of would-be poets, male and +female, and from all ranks and professions. Some wrote for fame, some +for money; but all were agreed on one point--namely, that if Mr. Murray +would undertake the publication of the poems, the authors' fame was +secured. + +When in doubt about any manuscript, he usually conferred with Croker, +Campbell, or Gifford, who always displayed the utmost kindness in +helping him with their opinions. Croker was usually short and pithy. Of +one poem he said: "Trash--the dullest stuff I ever read." This was +enough to ensure the condemnation of the manuscript. Campbell was more +guarded, as when reporting on a poem entitled "Woman," he wrote, "In my +opinion, though there are many excellent lines in it, the poem is not +such as will warrant a great sum being speculated upon it. But, as it is +short, I think the public, not the author or publisher, will be in fault +if it does not sell one edition." + +Of a poem sent for his opinion, Gifford wrote: + +"Honestly, the MS. is totally unfit for the press. Do not deceive +yourself: this MS. is not the production of a male. A man may write as +great nonsense as a woman, and even greater; but a girl may pass through +those execrable abodes of ignorance, called boarding schools, without +learning whether the sun sets in the East or in the West, whereas a boy +can hardly do this, even at Parson's Green." + +James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, was another of Murray's +correspondents. + +The publication of "The Queen's Wake" in 1813 immediately brought Hogg +into connection with the leading authors and publishers of the day, Hogg +sent a copy of the volume to Lord Byron, his "brother poet," whose +influence he desired to enlist on behalf of a work which Hogg wished +Murray to publish. + +The poem which the Ettrick Shepherd referred to was "The Pilgrims of the +Sun," and the result of Lord Byron's conversation with Mr. Murray was, +that the latter undertook to publish Hogg's works. The first letter from +him to Murray, December 26, 1814, begins: + +"What the deuce have you made of my excellent poem that you are never +publishing it, while I am starving for want of money, and cannot even +afford a Christmas goose to my friends?" + +To this and many similar enquiries Mr. Murray replied on April 10, 1815: + +My Dear Friend, + +I entreat you not to ascribe to inattention the delay which has occurred +in my answer to your kind and interesting letter. Much more, I beg you +not for a moment to entertain a doubt about the interest which I take in +your writings, or the exertions which I shall ever make to promote their +sale and popularity.... They are selling every day. + +I have forgotten to tell you that Gifford tells me that he would +receive, with every disposition to favour it, any critique which you +like to send of new Scottish works. If I had been aware of it in time I +certainly would have invited your remarks on "Mannering." Our article is +not good and our praise is by no means adequate, I allow, but I suspect +you very greatly overrate the novel. "Meg Merrilies" is worthy of +Shakespeare, but all the rest of the novel might have been written by +Scott's brother or any other body. + +The next letter from the Shepherd thanks Murray for some "timeous" aid, +and asks a novel favour. + +_May_ 7, 1815. + +I leave Edinburgh on Thursday for my little farm on Yarrow. I will have +a confused summer, for I have as yet no home that I can dwell in; but I +hope by-and-by to have some fine fun there with you, fishing in Saint +Mary's Loch and the Yarrow, eating bull-trout, singing songs, and +drinking whisky. This little possession is what I stood much in need +of--a habitation among my native hills was what of all the world I +desired; and if I had a little more money at command, I would just be as +happy a man as I know of; but that is an article of which I am ever in +want. I wish you or Mrs. Murray would speer me out a good wife with a +few thousands. I dare say there is many a romantic girl about London who +would think it a fine ploy to become a Yarrow Shepherdess! Believe me, +dear Murray, + +Very sincerely yours, JAMES HOGG. + +Here, for the present, we come to an end of the Shepherd's letters; but +we shall find him turning up again, and Mr. Murray still continuing his +devoted friend and adviser. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +LORD BYRON'S DEALINGS WITH MR. MURRAY--continued_ + + +On January 2, 1815, Lord Byron was married to Miss Milbanke, and during +the honeymoon, while he was residing at Seaham, the residence of his +father-in-law Sir Ralph Milbanke, he wrote to Murray desiring him to +make occasional enquiry at his chambers in the Albany to see if they +were kept in proper order. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_February_ 17, 1815. + +MY LORD, + +I have paid frequent attention to your wish that I should ascertain if +all things appeared to be safe in your chambers, and I am happy in being +able to report that the whole establishment carries an appearance of +security, which is confirmed by the unceasing vigilance of your faithful +and frigid Duenna [Mrs. Mule]. + +Every day I have been in expectation of receiving a copy of "Guy +Mannering," of which the reports of a friend of mine, who has read the +first two volumes, is such as to create the most extravagant +expectations of an extraordinary combination of wit, humour and pathos. +I am certain of one of the first copies, and this you may rely upon +receiving with the utmost expedition. + +I hear many interesting letters read to me from the Continent, and one +in particular from Mr. Fazakerly, describing his interview of four hours +with Bonaparte, was particularly good. He acknowledged at once to the +poisoning of the sick prisoners in Egypt; they had the plague, and would +have communicated it to the rest of his army if he had carried them on +with him, and he had only to determine if he should leave them to a +cruel death by the Turks, or to an easy one by poison. When asked his +motive for becoming a Mahomedan, he replied that there were great +political reasons for this, and gave several; but he added, the Turks +would not admit me at first unless I submitted to two indispensable +ceremonies.... They agreed at length to remit the first and to commute +the other for a solemn vow, for every offence to give expiation by the +performance of some good action. "Oh, gentlemen," says he, "for good +actions, you know you may command me," and his first good action was to +put to instant death an hundred of their priests, whom he suspected of +intrigues against him. Not aware of his summary justice, they sent a +deputation to beg the lives of these people on the score of his +engagement. He answered that nothing would have made him so happy as +this opportunity of showing his zeal for their religion; but that they +had arrived too late; their friends had been dead nearly an hour. + +He asked Lord Ebrington of which party he was, in Politics. "The +Opposition." "The Opposition? Then can your Lordship tell me the reason +why the Opposition are so unpopular in England?" With something like +presence of mind on so delicate a question, Lord Ebrington instantly +replied: "Because, sir, we always insisted upon it, that you would be +successful in Spain." + +During the spring and summer of 1815 Byron was a frequent visitor at +Albemarle Street, and in April, as has been already recorded, he first +met Walter Scott in Murray's drawing-room. + +In March, Lord and Lady Byron took up their residence at 13, Piccadilly +Terrace. The following letter is undated, but was probably written in +the autumn of 1815. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +My Lord, + +I picked up, the other day, some of Napoleon's own writing paper, all +the remainder of which has been burnt; it has his portrait and eagle, as +you will perceive by holding a sheet to the light either of sun or +candle: so I thought I would take a little for you, hoping that you will +just write me a poem upon any twenty-four quires of it in return. + +By the autumn of 1815 Lord Byron found himself involved in pecuniary +embarrassments, which had, indeed, existed before his marriage, but were +now considerably increased and demanded immediate settlement. His first +thought was to part with his books, though they did not form a very +valuable collection. He mentioned the matter to a book collector, who +conferred with other dealers on the subject. The circumstances coming to +the ears of Mr. Murray, he at once communicated with Lord Byron, and +forwarded him a cheque for £1,500, with the assurance that an equal sum +should be at his service in the course of a few weeks, offering, at the +same time, to dispose of all the copyrights of his poems for his +Lordship's use. + +Lord Byron could not fail to be affected by this generous offer, and +whilst returning the cheque, he wrote: + +_November_ 14, 1815. + +"Your present offer is a favour which I would accept from you, if I +accepted such from any man ... The circumstances which induce me to part +with my books, though sufficiently, are not _immediately_, pressing. I +have made up my mind to this, and there's an end. Had I been disposed to +trespass upon your kindness in this way, it would have been before now; +but I am not sorry to have an opportunity of declining it, as it sets my +opinion of you, and indeed of human nature, in a different light from +that in which I have been accustomed to consider it." + +Meanwhile Lord Byron had completed his "Siege of Corinth" and +"Parisina," and sent the packet containing them to Mr. Murray. They had +been copied in the legible hand of Lady Byron. On receiving the poems +Mr. Murray wrote to Lord Byron as follows: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_December_, 1815. + +My Lord, + +I tore open the packet you sent me, and have found in it a Pearl. It is +very interesting, pathetic, beautiful--do you know, I would almost say +moral. I am really writing to you before the billows of the passions you +excited have subsided. I have been most agreeably disappointed (a word I +cannot associate with the poem) at the story, which--what you hinted to +me and wrote--had alarmed me; and I should not have read it aloud to my +wife if my eye had not traced the delicate hand that transcribed it. + +Mr. Murray enclosed to Lord Byron two notes, amounting to a thousand +guineas, for the copyright of the poems, but Lord Byron refused the +notes, declaring that the sum was too great. + +"Your offer," he answered (January 3, 1816), "is _liberal_ in the +extreme, and much more than the poems can possibly be worth; but I +cannot accept it, and will not. You are most welcome to them as +additions to the collected volumes, without any demand or expectation on +my part whatever.... I am very glad that the handwriting was a +favourable omen of the _morale_ of the piece; but you must not trust to +that, as my copyist would write out anything I desired in all the +ignorance of innocence--I hope, however, in this instance, with no great +peril to either." + +The money, therefore, which Murray thought the copyright of the "Siege +of Corinth" and "Parisina" was worth, remained untouched in the +publisher's hands. It was afterwards suggested, by Mr. Rogers and Sir +James Mackintosh, to Lord Byron, that a portion of it (£600) might be +applied to the relief of Mr. Godwin, the author of "An Enquiry into +Political Justice," who was then in difficulties; and Lord Byron himself +proposed that the remainder should be divided between Mr. Maturin and +Mr. Coleridge. This proposal caused the deepest vexation to Mr. Murray, +who made the following remonstrance against such a proceeding. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _Monday_, 4 o'clock. + +My Lord, + +I did not like to detain you this morning, but I confess to you that I +came away impressed with a belief that you had already reconsidered this +matter, as it refers to me--Your Lordship will pardon me if I cannot +avoid looking upon it as a species of cruelty, after what has passed, to +take from me so large a sum--offered with no reference to the marketable +value of the poems, but out of personal friendship and gratitude +alone,--to cast it away on the wanton and ungenerous interference of +those who cannot enter into your Lordship's feelings for me, upon, +persons who have so little claim upon you, and whom those who so +interested themselves might more decently and honestly enrich from their +own funds, than by endeavouring to be liberal at the cost of another, +and by forcibly resuming from me a sum which you had generously and +nobly resigned. + +I am sure you will do me the justice to believe that I would strain +every nerve in your service, but it is actually heartbreaking to throw +away my earnings on others. I am no rich man, abounding, like Mr. +Rogers, in superfluous thousands, but working hard for independence, and +what would be the most grateful pleasure to me if likely to be useful to +you personally, becomes merely painful if it causes me to work for +others for whom I can have no such feelings. + +This is a most painful subject for me to address you upon, and I am ill +able to express my feelings about it. I commit them entirely to your +liberal construction with a reference to your knowledge of my character. + +I have the honour to be, etc., + +JOHN MURRAY. + +This letter was submitted to Gifford before it was despatched, and he +wrote: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"I have made a scratch or two, and the letter now expresses my genuine +sentiments on the matter. But should you not see Rogers? It is evident +that Lord Byron is a little awkward about this matter, and his officious +friends have got him into a most _unlordly_ scrape, from which they can +only relieve him by treading back their steps. The more I consider their +conduct, the more I am astonished at their impudence. A downright +robbery is honourable to it. If you see Rogers, do not be shy to speak: +he trembles at report, and here is an evil one for him." + +In the end Lord Byron was compelled by the increasing pressure of his +debts to accept the sum offered by Murray and use it for his own +purposes. + +It is not necessary here to touch upon the circumstances of Lord Byron's +separation from his wife; suffice it to say that early in 1816 he +determined to leave England, and resolved, as he had before contemplated +doing, to sell off his books and furniture. He committed the +arrangements to Mr. Murray, through Mr. Hanson, his solicitor, in +Bloomsbury Square. A few months before, when Lord Byron was in straits +for money, Mr. Hanson communicated with Mr. Murray as follows: + +_Mr. Hanson to John Murray_. + +_November_ 23, 1815. + +"Mr. Hanson's compliments to Mr. Murray. He has seen Lord Byron, and his +Lordship has no objection to his Library being taken at a valuation. Mr. +Hanson submits to Mr. Murray whether it would not be best to name one +respectable bookseller to set a value on them. In the meantime, Mr. +Hanson has written to Messrs. Crook & Armstrong, in whose hands the +books now are, not to proceed further in the sale." + +On December 28, 1815, Mr. Murray received the following valuation: + +"Mr. Cochrane presents respectful compliments to Mr. Murray, and begs to +inform him that upon carefully inspecting the books in Skinner Street, +he judges the fair value of them to be £450." + +Mr. Murray sent Lord Byron a bill of £500 for the books as a temporary +accommodation. But the books were traced and attached by the sheriff. On +March 6, 1816, Lord Byron wrote to Murray: + +"I send to you to-day for this reason: the books you purchased are again +seized, and, as matters stand, had much better be sold at once by public +auction. I wish to see you to-morrow to return your bill for them, +which, thank Heaven, is neither due nor paid. _That_ part, so far as +_you_ are concerned, being settled (which it can be, and shall be, when +I see you tomorrow), I have no further delicacy about the matter. This +is about the tenth execution in as many months; so I am pretty well +hardened; but it is fit I should pay the forfeit of my forefathers' +extravagance as well as my own; and whatever my faults may be, I suppose +they will be pretty well expiated in time--or eternity." + +A letter was next received by Mr. Murray's solicitor, Mr. Turner, from +Mr. Gunn, to the following effect: + +_Mr. Gunn to Mr. Turner_. + +_March_ 16, 1816. + +Sir, + +Mr. Constable, the plaintiff's attorney, has written to say he will +indemnify the sheriff to sell the books under the execution; as such, we +must decline taking your indemnity. + +The result was, that Lord Byron, on March 22, paid to Crook & Armstrong +£231 15_s_., "being the amount of three levies, poundage, and expenses," +and also £25 13_s_. 6_d_., the amount of Crook & Armstrong's account. +Crook & Armstrong settled with Levy, the Jew, who had lent Byron money; +and also with the officer, who had been in possession twenty-three days, +at 5_s_. a day. The books were afterwards sold by Mr. Evans at his +house, 26, Pall Mall, on April 5, 1816, and the following day. The +catalogue describes them as "A collection of books, late the property of +a nobleman, about to leave England on a tour." + +Mr. Murray was present at the sale, and bought a selection of books for +Mrs. Leigh, for Mr. Rogers, and for Mr. J.C. Hobhouse, as well as for +himself. He bought the large screen, with the portraits of actors and +pugilists, which is still at Albemarle Street. There was also a silver +cup and cover, nearly thirty ounces in weight, elegantly chased. These +articles realised £723 12_s_. 6_d_., and after charging the costs, +commission, and Excise duty, against the sale of the books, the balance +was handed over to Lord Byron. + +The "Sketch from Private Life" was one of the most bitter and satirical +things Byron had ever written. In sending it to Mr. Murray (March 30, +1816), he wrote: "I send you my last night's dream, and request to have +fifty copies struck off for private distribution. I wish Mr. Gifford to +look at it; it is from life." Afterwards, when Lord Byron called upon +Mr. Murray, he said: "I could not get to sleep last night, but lay +rolling and tossing about until this morning, when I got up and wrote +that; and it is very odd, Murray, after doing that, I went to bed again, +and never slept sounder in my life." + +The lines were printed and sent to Lord Byron. But before publishing +them, Mr. Murray took advice of his special literary adviser and +solicitor, Mr. Sharon Turner. His reply was as follows: + +_Mr. Turner to John Murray_. + +_April_ 3, 1816. + +There are some expressions in the Poem that I think are libellous, and +the severe tenor of the whole would induce a jury to find them to be so. +The question only remains, to whom it is applicable. It certainly does +not itself name the person. But the legal pleadings charge that innuendo +must mean such a person. How far evidence extrinsic to the work might be +brought or received to show that the author meant a particular person, I +will not pretend to affirm. Some cases have gone so far on this point +that I should not think it safe to risk. And if a libel, it is a libel +not only by the author, but by the printer, the publisher, and every +circulator. + +I am, dear Murray, yours most faithfully, + +SHN. TURNER. + +Mr. Murray did not publish the poems, but after their appearance in the +newspapers, they were announced by many booksellers as "Poems by Lord +Byron on his Domestic Circumstances." Among others, Constable printed +and published them, whereupon Blackwood, as Murray's agent in Edinburgh, +wrote to him, requesting the suppression of the verses, and threatening +proceedings. Constable, in reply, said he had no wish to invade literary +property, but the verses had come to him without either author's name, +publisher's name, or printer's name, and that there was no literary +property in publications to which neither author's, publisher's, nor +printer's name was attached. Blackwood could proceed no farther. In his +letter to Murray (April 17, 1816), he wrote: + +"I have distributed copies of 'Fare Thee Well' and 'A Sketch' to Dr. +Thomas Brown, Walter Scott, and Professor Playfair. One cannot read +'Fare Thee Well' without crying. The other is 'vigorous hate,' as you +say. Its power is really terrible; one's blood absolutely creeps while +reading it." + +Byron left England in April 1816, and during his travels he corresponded +frequently with Mr. Murray. + +The MSS. of the third canto of "Childe Harold" and "The Prisoner of +Chillon" duly reached the publisher. Mr. Murray acknowledged the MSS.: + +_Mr. Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_September_ 12, 1816. + +My Lord, + +I have rarely addressed you with more pleasure than upon the present +occasion. I was thrilled with delight yesterday by the announcement of +Mr. Shelley with the MS. of "Childe Harold." I had no sooner got the +quiet possession of it than, trembling with auspicious hope about it, I +carried it direct to Mr. Gifford. He has been exceedingly ill with +jaundice, and unable to write or do anything. He was much pleased by my +attention. I called upon him today. He said he was unable to leave off +last night, and that he had sat up until he had finished every line of +the canto. It had actually agitated him into a fever, and he was much +worse when I called. He had persisted this morning in finishing the +volume, and he pronounced himself infinitely more delighted than when he +first wrote to me. He says that what you have heretofore published is +nothing to this effort. He says also, besides its being the most +original and interesting, it is the most finished of your writings; and +he has undertaken to correct the press for you. + +Never, since my intimacy with Mr. Gifford, did I see him so heartily +pleased, or give one-fiftieth part of the praise, with one-thousandth +part of the warmth. He speaks in ecstasy of the Dream--the whole volume +beams with genius. I am sure he loves you in his heart; and when he +called upon me some time ago, and I told him that you were gone, he +instantly exclaimed in a full room, "Well! he has not left his equal +behind him--that I will say!" Perhaps you will enclose a line for +him.... + +Respecting the "Monody," I extract from a letter which I received this +morning from Sir James Mackintosh: "I presume that I have to thank you +for a copy of the 'Monody' on Sheridan received this morning. I wish it +had been accompanied by the additional favour of mentioning the name of +the writer, at which I only guess: it is difficult to read the poem +without desiring to know." + +Generally speaking it is not, I think, popular, and spoken of rather for +fine passages than as a whole. How could you give so trite an image as +in the last two lines? Gifford does not like it; Frere does. _A-propos_ +of Mr. Frere: he came to me while at breakfast this morning, and between +some stanzas which he was repeating to me of a truly original poem of +his own, he said carelessly, + +"By the way, about _half-an-hour ago_ I was so silly (taking an immense +pinch of snuff and priming his nostrils with it) as to get _married I_ +"Perfectly true. He set out for Hastings about an hour after he left me, +and upon my conscience I verily believe that, if I had had your MS. to +have put into his hands, as sure as fate he would have sat with me +reading it [Footnote: He had left his wife at the church so as to bring +his poem to Murray.] all the morning and totally forgotten his little +engagement. + +I saw Lord Holland today looking very well. I wish I could send you +Gifford's "Ben Jonson"; it is full of fun and interest, and allowed on +all hands to be most ably done; would, I am sure, amuse you. I have very +many new important and interesting works of all kinds in the press, +which I should be happy to know any means of sending. My Review is +improving in sale beyond my most sanguine expectations. I now sell +nearly 9,000. Even Perry says the _Edinburgh, Review_ is going to the +devil. I was with Mrs. Leigh today, who is very well; she leaves town on +Saturday. Her eldest daughter, I fancy, is a most engaging girl; but +yours, my Lord, is unspeakably interesting and promising, and I am happy +to add that Lady B. is looking well. God bless you! my best wishes and +feelings are always with you, and I sincerely wish that your happiness +may be as unbounded as your genius, which has rendered me so much, + +My Lord, your obliged Servant, + +J.M. + +The negotiations for the purchase of the third canto were left in the +hands of Mr. Kinnaird, who demurred to Mr. Murray's first offer of 1,500 +guineas, and eventually £2,000 was fixed as the purchase price. + +Mr. Murray wrote to Lord Byron on December 13, 1816, informing him that, +at a dinner at the Albion Tavern, he had sold to the assembled +booksellers 7,000 of his third canto of "Childe Harold" and 7,000 of his +"Prisoner of Chillon." He then proceeds: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +"In literary affairs I have taken the field in great force--opening with +the Third Canto and "Chillon," and, following up my blow, I have since +published 'Tales of my Landlord,' another novel, I believe (but I really +don't know) by the author of 'Waverley'; but much superior to what has +already appeared, excepting the character of Meg Merrilies. Every one is +in ecstasy about it, and I would give a finger if I could send it you, +but this I will contrive. Conversations with your friend Buonaparte at +St. Helena, amusing, but scarce worth sending. Lord Holland has just put +forth a very improved edition of the Life of Lope de Vega and Inez de +Castro.' Gifford's 'Ben Jonson' has put to death all former editions, +and is very much liked." + +At Mr. Murray's earnest request, Scott had consented to review the third +canto of "Childe Harold" in the _Quarterly_. In forwarding the MS. he +wrote as follows: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _January_ 10, 1817. + +My Dear Sir, + +I have this day sent under Croker's cover a review of Lord Byron's last +poems. You know how high I hold his poetical reputation, but besides, +one is naturally forced upon so many points of delicate consideration, +that really I have begun and left off several times, and after all send +the article to you with full power to cancel it if you think any part of +it has the least chance of hurting his feelings. You know him better +than I do, and you also know the public, and are aware that to make any +successful impression on them the critic must appear to speak with +perfect freedom. I trust I have not abused this discretion. I am sure I +have not meant to do so, and yet during Lord Byron's absence, and under +the present circumstances, I should feel more grieved than at anything +that ever befell me if there should have slipped from my pen anything +capable of giving him pain. + +There are some things in the critique which are necessarily and +unavoidably personal, and sure I am if he attends to it, which is +unlikely, he will find advantage from doing so. I wish Mr. Gifford and +you would consider every word carefully. If you think the general tenor +is likely to make any impression on him, if you think it likely to hurt +him either in his feelings or with the public, in God's name fling the +sheets in the fire and let them be as _not written_. But if it appears, +I should wish him to get an early copy, and that you would at the same +time say I am the author, at your opportunity. No one can honour Lord +Byron a genius more than I do, and no one had so great a wish to love +him personally, though personally we had not the means of becoming very +intimate. In his family distress (deeply to be deprecated, and in which +probably he can yet be excused) I still looked to some moment of +reflection when bad advisers (and, except you were one, I have heard of +few whom I should call good) were distant from the side of one who is so +much the child of feeling and emotion. An opportunity was once afforded +me of interfering, but things appeared to me to have gone too far; yet, +even after all, I wish I had tried it, for Lord Byron always seemed to +give me credit for wishing him sincerely well, and knew me to be +superior to what Commodore Trunnion would call "the trash of literary +envy and petty rivalry." + +Lord Byron's opinion of the article forms so necessary a complement to +Walter Scott's sympathetic criticism of the man and the poet, that we +make no excuse for reproducing it, as conveyed in a letter to Mr. Murray +(March 3, 1817). + +"In acknowledging the arrival of the article from the _Quarterly_, which +I received two days ago, I cannot express myself better than in the +words of my sister Augusta, who (speaking of it) says, that it is +written in a spirit 'of the most feeling and kind nature.' + +"It is, however, something more. It seems to me (as far as the subject +of it may be permitted to judge) to be very well written as a +composition, and I think will do the journal no discredit, because even +those who condemn its partiality, must praise its generosity. The +temptations to take another and a less favourable view of the question +have been so great and numerous, that, what with public opinion, +politics, etc., he must be a gallant as well as a good man who has +ventured in that place, and at this time, to write such an article, even +anonymously. Such things, however, are their own reward; and I even +flatter myself that the writer, whoever he may be (and I have no guess), +will not regret that the perusal of this has given me as much +gratification as any composition of that nature could give, and more +than any has given--and I have had a good many in my time of one kind or +the other. It is not the mere praise, but there is a _tact_ and a +_delicacy_ throughout, not only with regard to me but to _others_, +which, as it had not been observed _elsewhere_, I had till now doubted +whether it could be observed _anywhere_." + +"When I tell you," Lord Byron wrote to Moore a week later, "that Walter +Scott is the author of the article in the _Quarterly_, you will agree +with me that such an article is still more honourable to him than to +myself." + +We conclude this episode with the following passage from a letter from +Scott to Murray: + +"I am truly happy Lord Byron's article meets your ideas of what may make +some impression on his mind. In genius, poetry has seldom had his equal, +and if he has acted very wrong in some respects, he has been no worse +than half the men of his rank in London who have done the same, and are +not spoken of because not worth being railed against." + +Lady Byron also wrote to Mr. Murray: + +I am inclined to ask a question, which I hope you will not decline +answering, if not contrary to your engagements. Who is the author of the +review of "Childe Harold" in the _Quarterly_? Your faithful Servant, A. +I. BYRON. + +Among other ladies who wrote on the subject of Lord Byron's works was +Lady Caroline Lamb, who had caricatured him (as he supposed) in her +"Glenarvon." Her letter is dated Welwyn, franked by William Lamb: + +_Lady Caroline Lamb to John Murray_. + +_November_ 5, 1816. + +"You cannot need my assuring you that if you will entrust me with the +new poems, none of the things you fear shall occur, in proof of which I +ask you to enquire with yourself, whether, if a person in constant +correspondence and friendship with another, yet keeps a perfect silence +on one subject, she cannot do so when at enmity and at a distance." + +This letter, to which no reply seems to have been sent, is followed by +another, in which her Ladyship says: + +I wish to ask you one question: are you offended with me or my letter? +If so, I am sorry, but depend upon it if after seven years' acquaintance +you choose to cut off what you ever termed your left hand, I have too +much gratitude towards you to allow of it. Accept therefore every +apology for every supposed fault. I always write eagerly and in haste, I +never read over what I have written. If therefore I said anything I +ought not, pardon it--it was not intended; and let me entreat you to +remember a maxim I have found very useful to me, that there is nothing +in this life worth quarrelling about, and that half the people we are +offended with never intended to give us cause. + +Thank you for Holcroft's "Life," which is extremely curious and +interesting. I think you will relent and send me "Childe Harold" before +any one has it--this is the first time you have not done so--and the +_Quarterly Review_; and pray also any other book that is curious.... I +quite pine to see the _Quarterly Review_ and "Childe Harold." Have mercy +and send them, or I shall gallop to town to see you. Is 450 guineas too +dear for a new barouche? If you know this let me know, as we of the +country know nothing. + +Yours sincerely, C.L. + +In sending home the MS. of the first act of "Manfred," Lord Byron wrote, +giving but unsatisfactory accounts of his own health. Mr. Murray +replied: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_March_ 20, 1817. + +My Lord, + +I have to acknowledge your kind letter, dated the 3rd, received this +hour; but I am sorry to say that it has occasioned, me great anxiety +about your health. You are not wont to cry before you are hurt; and I am +apprehensive that you are worse even than you allow. Pray keep quiet and +take care of yourself. My _Review_ shows you that you are worth +preserving and that the world yet loves you. If you become seriously +worse, I entreat you to let me know it, and I will fly to you with a +physician; an Italian one is only a preparation for the anatomist. I +will not tell your sister of this, if you will tell me true. I had hopes +that this letter would have confirmed my expectations of your speedy +return, which has been stated by Mr. Kinnaird, and repeated to me by Mr. +Davies, whom I saw yesterday, and who promises to write. We often +indulge our recollections of you, and he allows me to believe that I am +one of the few who really know you. + +Gifford gave me yesterday the first act of "Manfred" with a delighted +countenance, telling me it was wonderfully poetical, and desiring me to +assure you that it well merits publication. I shall send proofs to you +with his remarks, if he have any; it is a wild and delightful thing, and +I like it myself hugely.... + +I have just received, in a way perfectly unaccountable, a MS. from St. +Helena--with not a word. I suppose it to be originally written by +Buonaparte or his agents.--It is very curious--his life, in which each +event is given in almost a word--a battle described in a short sentence. +I call it therefore simply _Manuscrit venu de Ste. Helene d'une maniere +inconnue_. [Footnote: This work attracted a considerable amount of +attention in London, but still more in Paris, as purporting to be a +chapter of autobiography by Napoleon, then a prisoner in St. Helena. It +was in all probability the work of some of the deposed Emperor's friends +and adherents in Paris, issued for the purpose of keeping his name +prominently before the world. M. de Meneval, author of several books on +Napoleon's career, has left it on record that the "M.S. venu de Sainte +Helene" was written by M. Frederic Lullin de Chateauvieux, "genevois +deja connu dans le monde savant. Cet ecrivain a avoue, apres vingt cinq +ans de silence, qu'il avait compose l'ouvrage en 1816, qu'il avait porte +lui-meme a Londres, et l'avait mis a la poste, a l'adresse du Libraire +Murray."] Lord Holland has a motion on our treatment of Buonaparte at +St. Helena for Wednesday next; and on Monday I shall publish. You will +have seen Buonaparte's Memorial on this subject, complaining bitterly of +all; pungent but very injudicious, as it must offend all the other +allied powers to be reminded of their former prostration. + +_April_ 12, 1817. + +Our friend Southey has got into a confounded scrape. Some twenty years +ago, when he knew no better and was a Republican, he wrote a certain +drama, entitled, "Wat Tyler," in order to disseminate wholesome doctrine +amongst the _lower_ orders. This he presented to a friend, with a +fraternal embrace, who was at that time enjoying the cool reflection +generated by his residence in Newgate. This friend, however, either +thinking its publication might prolong his durance, or fancying that it +would not become profitable as a speculation, quietly put it into his +pocket; and now that the author has most manfully laid about him, +slaying Whigs and Republicans by the million, this cursed friend +publishes; but what is yet worse, the author, upon sueing for an +injunction, to proceed in which he is obliged to swear that he is the +author, is informed by the Chancellor that it is seditious--and that for +sedition there is no copyright. I will inclose either now or in my next +a second copy, for as there is no copyright, everyone has printed it, +which will amuse you. + +On July 15th and 20th Lord Byron wrote to Mr. Murray that the fourth +canto of "Childe Harold" was completed, and only required to be "copied +and polished," but at the same time he began to "barter" for the price +of the canto, so completely had his old scruples on this score +disappeared. Mr. Murray replied, offering 1,500 guineas for the +copyright. + +Mr. Hobhouse spent a considerable part of the year 1817 travelling about +in Italy, whither he had gone principally to see Lord Byron. He wrote to +Mr. Murray on the subject of Thorwaldsen's bust of the poet: + +"I shall conclude with telling you about Lord B.'s bust. It is a +masterpiece by Thorwaldsen [Footnote: The bust was made for Mr. +Hobhouse, at his expense. Lord Byron said, "I would not pay the price of +a Thorwaldsen bust for any head and shoulders, except Napoleon's or my +children's, or some 'absurd womankind's,' as Monkbarns calls them, or my +sister's."] who is thought by most judges to surpass Canova in this +branch of sculpture. The likeness is perfect: the artist worked _con +amore_, and told me it was the finest head he had ever under his hand. I +would have had a wreath round the brows, but the poet was afraid of +being mistaken for a king or a conqueror, and his pride or modesty made +him forbid the band. However, when the marble comes to England I shall +place a golden laurel round it in the ancient style, and, if it is +thought good enough, suffix the following inscription, which may serve +at least to tell the name of the portrait and allude to the excellence +of the artist, which very few lapidary inscriptions do; + +'In vain would flattery steal a wreath from fame, + And Rome's best sculptor only half succeed, +If England owned no share in Byron's name + Nor hailed the laurel she before decreed.' + +Of course you are very welcome to a copy--I don't mean of the verses, +but of the bust. But, with the exception of Mr. Kinnaird, who has +applied, and Mr. Davies, who may apply, no other will be granted. +Farewell, dear Sir." + +The fourth canto duly reached London in Mr. Hobhouse's portmanteau, and +was published in the spring of 1818. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +LORD BYRON'S DEALINGS WITH MR. MURRAY--_continued_--THE DEATH OF +ALLEGRA, ETC. + + +Lord Byron informed Mr. Murray, on October 12, 1817, that he had written +"a poem in or after the excellent manner of Mr. Whistlecraft (whom I +take to be Frere)"; and in a subsequent letter he said, "Mr. +Whistlecraft has no greater admirer than myself. I have written a story +in eighty-nine stanzas in imitation of him, called 'Beppo,' the short +name for Giuseppe, that is the Joe of the Italian Joseph." Lord Byron +required that it should be printed anonymously, and in any form that Mr. +Murray pleased. The manuscript of the poem was not, however, sent off +until the beginning of 1818; and it reached the publisher about a month +later. + +Meanwhile the friendly correspondence between the poet and his publisher +continued: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_September_ 22, 1818. + +"I was much pleased to find, on my arrival from Edinburgh on Saturday +night, your letter of August 26. The former one of the 21st I received +whilst in Scotland. The Saturday and Sunday previous I passed most +delightfully with Walter Scott, who was incessant in his inquiries after +your welfare. He entertains the noblest sentiments of regard towards +you, and speaks of you with the best feelings. I walked about ten miles +with him round a very beautiful estate, which he has purchased by +degrees, within two miles of his favourite Melrose. He has nearly +completed the centre and one wing of a castle on the banks of the Tweed, +where he is the happiness as well as pride of the whole neighbourhood. +He is one of the most hospitable, merry, and entertaining of mortals. He +would, I am confident, do anything to serve you; and as the Paper +[Footnote: The review of the fourth canto of "Childe Harold," _Q.R.,_ +No.37.] which I now enclose is a second substantial proof of the +interest he takes in your literary character, perhaps it may naturally +enough afford occasion for a letter from you to him. I sent you by Mr. +Hanson four volumes of a second series of 'Tales of my Landlord,' and +four others are actually in the press. Scott does not yet avow them, but +no one doubts his being their author.... I sent also by Mr. Hanson a +number or two of _Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine,_ and I have in a +recent parcel sent the whole. I think that you will find in it a very +great share of talent, and some most incomparable fun.... John Wilson, +who wrote the article on Canto IV. of 'Childe Harold' (of which, by the +way, I am anxious to know your opinion), has very much interested +himself in the journal, and has communicated some most admirable papers. +Indeed, he possesses very great talents and a variety of knowledge. I +send you a very well-constructed kaleidoscope, a newly-invented toy +which, if not yet seen in Venice, will I trust amuse some of your female +friends." + +The following letter is inserted here, as it does not appear in Moore's +"Biography": + +_Lord Byron to John Murray_. + +VENICE, _November_ 24, 1818, + +DEAR. MR. MURRAY, + +Mr. Hanson has been here a week, and went five days ago. He brought +nothing but his papers, some corn-rubbers, and a kaleidoscope. "For what +we have received the Lord make us thankful"! for without His aid I shall +not be so. He--Hanson-left everything else in _Chancery Lane_ whatever, +except your copy-papers for the last Canto, [Footnote: Of "Childe +Harold."] etc., which having a degree of parchment he brought with him. +You may imagine his reception; he swore the books were a "waggon-load"; +if they were, he should have come in a waggon; he would in that case +have come quicker than he did. + +Lord Lauderdale set off from hence twelve days ago accompanied by a +cargo of Poesy directed to Mr. Hobhouse, all spick and span, and in MS.; +you will see what it is like. I have given it to Master Southey, and he +shall have more before I have done with him. + +You may make what I say here as public as you please, more particularly +to Southey, whom I look upon--and will say so publicly-to be a dirty, +lying rascal, and will prove it in ink--or in his blood, if I did not +believe him to be too much of a poet to risk it! If he has forty reviews +at his back, as he has the _Quarterly_, I would have at him in his +scribbling capacity now that he has begun with me; but I will do nothing +underhand; tell him what I say from _me_ and every one else you please. + +You will see what I have said, if the parcel arrives safe. I understand +Coleridge went about repeating Southey's lie with pleasure. I can +believe it, for I had done him what is called a favour.... I can +understand Coleridge's abusing me--but how or why _Southey_, whom I had +never obliged in any sort of way, or done him the remotest service, +should go about fibbing and calumniating is more than I readily +comprehend. Does he think to put me down with his _Canting_, not being +able to do it with his poetry? We will try the question. I have read his +review of Hunt, where he has attacked Shelley in an oblique and shabby +manner. Does he know what that review has done? I will tell you; it has +_sold_ an edition of the "Revolt of Islam" which otherwise nobody would +have thought of reading, and few who read can understand, I for one. + +Southey would have attacked me too there, if he durst, further than by +hints about Hunt's friends in general, and some outcry about an +"Epicurean System" carried on by men of the most opposite habits and +tastes and opinions in life and poetry (I believe) that ever had their +names in the same volume--Moore, Byron, Shelley, Hazlitt, Haydon, Leigh +Hunt, Lamb. What resemblance do ye find among all or any of these men? +And how could any sort of system or plan be carried on or attempted +amongst them? However, let Mr. Southey look to himself; since the wine +is tapped, he shall drink it. + +I got some books a few weeks ago--many thanks. Amongst them is Israeli's +new edition; it was not fair in you to show him my copy of his former +one, with all the marginal notes and nonsense made in Greece when I was +not two-and-twenty, and which certainly were not meant for his perusal, +nor for that of his readers. + +I have a great respect for Israeli and his talents, and have read his +works over and over and over repeatedly, and been amused by them +greatly, and instructed often. Besides, I hate giving pain, unless +provoked; and he is an author, and must feel like his brethren; and +although his Liberality repaid my marginal flippancies with a +compliment--the highest compliment--that don't reconcile me to +myself--nor to _you_. It was a breach of confidence to do this without +my leave; I don't know a living man's book I take up so often or lay +down more reluctantly than Israeli's, and I never will forgive you--that +is, for many weeks. If he had got out of humour I should have been less +sorry; but even then I should have been sorry; but really he has heaped +his "coals of fire" so handsomely upon my head that they burn +unquenchably. + +You ask me of the two reviews [Footnote: Of "Childe Harold" in the +_Quarterly_ and _Blackwood._]--I will tell you. Scott's is the review +of one poet on another--his friend; Wilson's, the review of a poet too, +on another--his _Idol_; for he likes me better than he chooses to avow +to the public with all his eulogy. I speak judging only from the +article, for I don't know him personally. + +Here is a long letter--can you read it? + +Yours ever, + +B. + +In the course of September 1818 Lord Byron communicated to Mr. Moore +that he had finished the first canto of a poem in the style and manner +of "Beppo." "It is called," he said, "'Don Juan,' and is meant to be a +little quietly facetious upon everything; but," he added, "I doubt +whether it is not--at least so far as it has yet gone--too free for +these very modest days." In January 1819 Lord Byron requested Mr. Murray +to print for private distribution fifty copies of "Don Juan." Mr. Murray +urged him to occupy himself with some great work worthy of his +reputation. "This you have promised to Gifford long ago, and to Hobhouse +and Kinnaird since." Lord Byron, however, continued to write out his +"Don Juan," and sent the second canto in April 1819, together with the +"Letter of Julia," to be inserted in the first canto. + +Mr. Murray, in acknowledging the receipt of the first and second cantos, +was not so congratulatory as he had formerly been. The verses contained, +no doubt, some of the author's finest poetry, but he had some objections +to suggest. "I think," he said, "you may modify or substitute other +words for the lines on Romilly, whose death should save him." But Byron +entertained an extreme detestation for Romilly, because, he said, he had +been "one of my assassins," and had sacrificed him on "his legal altar"; +and the verse [Footnote: St. 16, First Canto.] was allowed to stand +over. "Your history," wrote Murray, "of the plan of the progress of 'Don +Juan' is very entertaining, but I am clear for sending him to hell, +because he may favour us with a description of some of the characters +whom he finds there." Mr. Murray suggested the removal of some offensive +words in Canto II. "These," he said, "ladies may not read; the Shipwreck +is a little too particular, and out of proportion to the rest of the +picture. But if you do anything it must be done with extreme caution; +think of the effects of such seductive poetry! It probably surpasses in +talent anything that you ever wrote. Tell me if you think seriously of +completing this work, or if you have sketched the story. I am very sorry +to have occasioned you the trouble of writing again the "Letter of +Julia"; but you are always very forgiving in such cases." The lines in +which the objectionable words appeared were obliterated by Lord Byron. + +From the following letter we see that Mr. Murray continued his +remonstrances: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_May 3_, 1819. + +"I find that 'Julia's Letter' has been safely received, and is with the +printer. The whole remainder of the second canto will be sent by +Friday's post. The inquiries after its appearance are not a few. Pray +use your most tasteful discretion so as to wrap up or leave out certain +approximations to indelicacy." + +Mr. Douglas Kinnaird, who was entrusted with the business portion of +this transaction, wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Douglas Kinnaird to John Murray_. + +_June 7_, 1819. + +My Dear Sir, + +Since I had the pleasure of seeing you, I have received from Lord Byron +a letter in which he expresses himself as having left to Mr. Hobhouse +and myself the sole and whole discretion and duty of settling with the +publisher of the MSS. which are now in your hands the consideration to +be given for them. Observing that you have advertised "Mazeppa," I feel +that it is my duty to request you will name an early day--of course +previous to your publishing that or any other part of the MSS.--when we +may meet and receive your offer of such terms as you may deem proper for +the purchase of the copyright of them. The very liberal footing on which +Lord Byron's intercourse with you in your character of publisher of his +Lordship's works has hitherto been placed, leaves no doubt in my mind +that our interview need be but very short, and that the terms you will +propose will be met by our assent. + +The parties met, and Mr. Murray agreed to give £525 for "Mazeppa," and +£1,575 for the first and second cantos of "Don Juan," with "The Ode to +Venice" thrown in. + +In accordance with Lord Byron's directions to his publisher to "keep the +anonymous," Cantos I. and II. of "Don Juan" appeared in London, in +quarto, in July 1819, without the name of either author, publisher, or +bookseller. The book was immediately pounced upon by the critics; but it +is unnecessary to quote their reviews, as they are impartially given in +the latest accredited editions of Lord Byron's poems. A few criticisms +from Mr. Murray's private correspondence may be given. + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +RYDE, _July_ 1, 1819. + +"Lord B.'s letter is shockingly amusing. [Footnote: Probably that +written in May; printed in the "Life."] He must be mad; but then there's +method in his madness. I dread, however, the end. He is, or rather might +be, the most extraordinary character of his age. I have lived to see +three great men--men to whom none come near in their respective +provinces--Pitt, Nelson, Wellington. Morality and religion would have +placed our friend among them as the fourth boast of the time; even a +decent respect for the good opinion of mankind might have done much now; +but all is tending to displace him." + +Mr. Murray, who was still in communication with Mr. Blackwood, found +that he refused to sell "Don Juan" because it contained personalities +which he regarded as even more objectionable than those of which Murray +had complained in the _Magazine_. + +When the copyright of "Don Juan" was infringed by other publishers, it +became necessary to take steps to protect it at law, and Mr. Sharon +Turner was consulted on the subject. An injunction was applied for in +Chancery, and the course of the negotiation will be best ascertained +from the following letters: + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to John Murray_. + +_October_ 21, 1819. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +... on "Don Juan" I have much apprehension. I had from the beginning, +and therefore advised the separate assignment. The counsel who is +settling the bill also doubts if the Chancellor will sustain the +injunction. I think, when Mr. Bell comes to town, it will be best to +have a consultation with him on the subject. The counsel, Mr. Loraine, +shall state to him his view on the subject, and you shall hear what Mr. +Bell feels upon it. Shall I appoint the consultation? The evil, if not +stopped, will be great. It will circulate in a cheap form very +extensively, injuring society wherever it spreads. Yet one consideration +strikes me. You could wish Lord Byron to write less objectionably. You +may also wish him to return you part of the £1,625. If the Chancellor +should dissolve the injunction on this ground, that will show Lord B. +that he must expect no more copyright money for such things, and that +they are too bad for law to uphold. Will not this affect his mind and +purify his pen? It is true that to get this good result you must +encounter the risk and expense of the injunction and of the argument +upon it. Will you do this? If I laid the case separately before three of +our ablest counsel, and they concurred in as many opinions that it +could not be supported, would this equally affect his Lordship's mind, +and also induce him to return you an adequate proportion of the purchase +money? Perhaps nothing but the Court treating him as it treated Southey +[Footnote: In the case of "Wat Tyler," see Murray's letter to Byron in +preceding chapter, April 12, 1817.] may sufficiently impress Lord B. +After the consultation with Bell you will better judge. Shall I get it +appointed as soon as he comes to town? + +Ever yours faithfully, + +SHARON TURNER. + +Mr. Bell gave his opinion that the Court would not afford protection to +the book. He admitted, however, that he had not had time to study it. + +The next letter relates to the opinion of Mr. Shadwell, afterwards +Vice-Chancellor: + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to John Murray_. + +_November_ 12, 1819. + +Dear Murray, + +I saw Mr. Shadwell to-day on "Don Juan." He has gone through the book +with more attention than Mr. Bell had time to do. He desires me to say +that he does not think the Chancellor would refuse an injunction, or +would overturn it if obtained.... + +Yours most faithfully, + +SHARON TURNER. + +In the event the injunction to restrain the publication of "Don Juan" by +piratical publishers was granted. + +Towards the end of 1819 Byron thought of returning to England. On +November 8 he wrote to Mr. Murray: + +"If she [the Countess Guiccioli] and her husband make it up, you will +perhaps see me in England sooner than you expect. If not, I will retire +with her to France or America, change my name, and lead a quiet +provincial life. If she gets over this, and I get over my Tertian ague, +I will perhaps look in at Albemarle Street _en passant_ to Bolivar." + +When Mr. Hobhouse, then living at Ramsbury, heard of Byron's intention +to go to South America, he wrote to Mr. Murray as follows: + +" ... To be sure it is impossible that Lord B. should seriously +contemplate, or, if he does, he must not expect us to encourage, this +mad scheme. I do not know what in the world to say, but presume some one +has been talking nonsense to him. Let Jim Perry go to Venezuela if he +will--he may edit his 'Independent Gazette' amongst the Independents +themselves, and reproduce his stale puns and politics without let or +hindrance. But our poet is too good for a planter--too good to sit down +before a fire made of mare's legs, to a dinner of beef without salt and +bread. It is the wildest of all his meditations--pray tell him. The +plague and Yellow Jack, and famine and free quarter, besides a thousand +other ills, will stare him in the face. No tooth-brushes, no +corn-rubbers, no _Quarterly Reviews_. In short, plenty of all he +abominates and nothing of all he loves. I shall write, but you can tell +facts, which will be better than my arguments." + +Byron's half-formed intention was soon abandoned, and the Countess +Guiccioli's serious illness recalled him to Ravenna, where he remained +for the next year and a half. + +Hobhouse's next letter to Murray (January 1820), in which he reported +"Bad news from Ravenna--a great pity indeed," is dated _Newgate_, where +he had been lodged in consequence of his pamphlet entitled "A Trifling +Mistake in Thomas Lord Erskine's Recent Pamphlet," containing several +very strong reflections on the House of Commons as then constituted. + +During his imprisonment, Mr. Hobhouse was visited by Mr. Murray and Ugo +Foscolo, as well as by many of his political friends. + +Lady Caroline Lamb also wrote to Mr. Murray from Brockett Hall, asking +for information about Byron and Hobhouse. + +_Lady Caroline Lamb to John Murray_. + +You have never written to tell me about him. Now, did you know the pain +and agony this has given me, you had not been so remiss. If you could +come here on Wednesday for one night, I have a few people and a supper. +You could come by the Mail in two hours, much swifter than even in your +swift carriage; and I have one million of things to say and ask also. Do +tell me how that dear Radical Hob is, and pray remember me to him. I +really hope you will be here at dinner or supper on Wednesday. Your +bedroom shall be ready, and you can be back in Town before most people +are up, though I rise here at seven. + +Yours quite disturbed my mind, for want of your telling me how he +[Byron] looks, what he says, if he is grown fat, if he is no uglier than +he used to be, if he is good-humoured or cross-grained, putting his +brows down--if his hair curls or is straight as somebody said, if he has +seen Hobhouse, if he is going to stay long, if you went to Dover as you +intended, and a great deal more, which, if you had the smallest tact or +aught else, you would have written long ago; for as to me, I shall +certainly not see him, neither do I care he should know that I ever +asked after him. It is from mere curiosity I should like to hear all you +can tell me about him. Pray come here immediately. + +Yours, + +C.L. + +Notwithstanding the remarkable sale of "Don Juan," Murray hesitated +about publishing any more of the cantos. After the fifth canto was +published, Lord Byron informed Murray that it was "hardly the beginning +of the work," that he intended to take Don Juan through the tour of +Europe, put him through the Divorce Court, and make him finish as +Anacharsis Clootz in the French Revolution. Besides being influenced by +his own feelings, it is possible that the following letter of Mr. Croker +may have induced Mr. Murray to have nothing further to do with the work: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +MUNSTER HOUSE, _March_ 26, 1820. + +_A rainy Sunday_. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I have to thank you for letting me see your two new cantos [the 3rd and +4th], which I return. What sublimity! what levity! what boldness! what +tenderness! what majesty! what trifling! what variety! what +_tediousness_!--for tedious to a strange degree, it must be confessed +that whole passages are, particularly the earlier stanzas of the fourth +canto. I know no man of such general powers of intellect as Brougham, +yet I think _him_ insufferably tedious; and I fancy the reason to be +that he has such _facility_ of expression that he is never recalled to a +_selection_ of his thoughts. A more costive orator would be obliged to +choose, and a man of his talents could not fail to choose the best; but +the power of uttering all and everything which passes across his mind, +tempts him to say all. He goes on without thought--I should rather say, +without pause. His speeches are poor from their richness, and dull from +their infinite variety. An impediment in his speech would make him a +perfect Demosthenes. Something of the same kind, and with something of +the same effect, is Lord Byron's wonderful fertility of thought and +facility of expression; and the Protean style of "Don Juan," instead of +checking (as the fetters of rhythm generally do) his natural activity, +not only gives him wider limits to range in, but even generates a more +roving disposition. I dare swear, if the truth were known, that his +digressions and repetitions generate one another, and that the happy +jingle of some of his comical rhymes has led him on to episodes of which +he never originally thought; and thus it is that, with the most +extraordinary merit, _merit of all kinds_, these two cantos have been +to _me_, in several points, tedious and even obscure. + +As to the PRINCIPLES, all the world, and you, Mr. Murray, _first of +all_, have done this poem great injustice. There are levities here and +there, more than good taste approves, but nothing to make such a +terrible rout about--nothing so bad as "Tom Jones," nor within a hundred +degrees of "Count Fathom." + +The writer goes on to remark that the personalities in the poem are more +to be deprecated than "its imputed looseness of principle": + +I mean some expressions of political and personal feelings which, I +believe, he, in fact, never felt, and threw in wantonly and _de gaieté +de coeur_, and which he would have omitted, advisedly and _de bonté de +coeur_, if he had not been goaded by indiscreet, contradictory, and +urgent _criticisms_, which, in some cases, were dark enough to be called +_calumnies_. But these are blowing over, if not blown over; and I cannot +but think that if Mr. Gifford, or some friend in whose taste and +disinterestedness Lord Byron could rely, were to point out to him the +cruelty to individuals, the injury to the national character, the +offence to public taste, and the injury to his own reputation, of such +passages as those about Southey and Waterloo and the British Government +and the head of that Government, I cannot but hope and believe that +these blemishes in the first cantos would be wiped away in the next +edition; and that some that occur in the two cantos (which you sent me) +would never see the light. What interest can Lord Byron have in being +the poet of a party in politics?... In politics, he cannot be what he +appears, or rather what Messrs. Hobhouse and Leigh Hunt wish to make him +appear. A man of his birth, a man of his taste, a man of his talents, a +man of his habits, can have nothing in common with such miserable +creatures as we now call _Radicals_, of whom I know not that I can +better express the illiterate and blind ignorance and vulgarity than by +saying that the best informed of them have probably never heard of Lord +Byron. No, no, Lord Byron may be indulgent to these jackal followers of +his; he may connive at their use of his name--nay, it is not to be +denied that he has given them too, too much countenance--but he never +can, I should think, now that he sees not only the road but the rate +they are going, continue to take a part so contrary to all his own +interests and feelings, and to the feelings and interests of all the +respectable part of his country.... But what is to be the end of all +this rigmarole of mine? To conclude, this--to advise you, for your own +sake as a tradesman, for Lord Byron's sake as a poet, for the sake of +good literature and good principles, which ought to be united, to take +such measures as you may be able to venture upon to get Lord Byron to +revise these two cantos, and not to make another step in the odious path +which Hobhouse beckons him to pursue.... + +Yours ever, + +J.W. CROKER. + +But Byron would alter nothing more in his "Don Juan." He accepted the +corrections of Gifford in his "Tragedies," but "Don Juan" was never +submitted to him. Hobhouse was occasionally applied to, because he knew +Lord Byron's handwriting; but even his suggestions of alterations or +corrections of "Don Juan" were in most cases declined, and moreover +about this time a slight coolness had sprung up between him and Byron. +When Hobhouse was standing for Westminster with Sir Francis Burdett, +Lord Byron sent a song about him in a letter to Mr. Murray. It ran to +the tune of "My Boy Tammy? O!" + +"Who are now the People's men? + My boy Hobby O! +Yourself and Burdett, Gentlemen, + And Blackguard Hunt and Cobby O! + +"When to the mob you make a speech, + My boy Hobby O! +How do you keep without their reach + The watch without your fobby O?" +[Footnote: The rest of the song is printed in _Murray's Magazine_, No. 3.] + +Lord Byron asked Murray to show the song not only to some of his +friends--who got it by heart and had it printed in the newspapers--but +also to Hobhouse himself. "I know," said his Lordship, "that he will +never forgive me, but I really have no patience with him for letting +himself be put in quod by such a set of ragamuffins." Mr. Hobhouse, +however, was angry with Byron for his lampoon and with Murray for +showing it to his friends. He accordingly wrote the following letter, +which contains some interesting particulars of the Whig Club at +Cambridge in Byron's University days: + +_Mr. Hobhouse to John Murray_. + +2, HANOVER SQUARE, _November_, 1820. + +I have received your letter, and return to you Lord Byron's. I shall +tell you very frankly, because I think it much better to speak a little +of a man to his face than to say a great deal about him behind his back, +that I think you have not treated me as I deserved, nor as might have +been expected from that friendly intercourse which has subsisted between +us for so many years. Had Lord Byron transmitted to me a lampoon on you, +I should, if I know myself at all, either have put it into the fire +without delivery, or should have sent it at once to you. I should not +have given it a circulation for the gratification of all the small wits +at the great and little houses, where no treat is so agreeable as to +find a man laughing at his friend. In this case, the whole coterie of +the very shabbiest party that ever disgraced and divided a nation--I +mean the Whigs--are, I know, chuckling over that silly charge made by +Mr. Lamb on the hustings, and now confirmed by Lord Byron, of my having +belonged to a Whig club at Cambridge. Such a Whig as I then was, I am +now. I had no notion that the name implied selfishness and subserviency, +and desertion of the most important principles for the sake of the least +important interest. I had no notion that it implied anything more than +an attachment to the principles the ascendency of which expelled the +Stuarts from the Throne. Lord Byron belonged to this Cambridge club, and +desired me to scratch out his name, on account of the criticism in the +_Edinburgh Review_ on his early poems; but, exercising my discretion on +the subject, I did not erase his name, but reconciled him to the said +Whigs. + +The members of the club were but few, and with those who +have any marked politics amongst them, I continue to agree at +this day. They were but ten, and you must know most of them--Mr. +W. Ponsonby, Mr. George O'Callaghan, the Duke of Devonshire, +Mr. Dominick Browne, Mr. Henry Pearce, Mr. Kinnaird, Lord +Tavistock, Lord Ellenborough, Lord Byron, and myself. I was +not, as Lord Byron says in the song, the founder of this Club; +[Footnote: + +"But when we at Cambridge were +My boy Hobbie O! +If my memory do not err, +You founded a Whig Clubbie O!" + +] +on the contrary, thinking myself of mighty importance +in those days, I recollect very well that some difficulty attended my +consenting to belong to the club, and I have by me a letter from +Lord Tavistock, in which the distinction between being a Whig +_party_ man and a Revolution Whig is strongly insisted upon. + +I have troubled you with this detail in consequence of Lord Byron's +charge, which he, who despises and defies, and has lampooned the Whigs +all round, only invented out of wantonness, and for the sake of annoying +me--and he has certainly succeeded, thanks to your circulating this +filthy ballad. As for his Lordship's vulgar notions about the _mob_, +they are very fit for the Poet of the _Morning Post_, and for nobody +else. Nothing in the ballad annoyed me but the charge about the +Cambridge club, because nothing else had the semblance of truth; and I +own it has hurt me very much to find Lord Byron playing into the hands +of the Holland House sycophants, for whom he has himself the most +sovereign contempt, and whom in other days I myself have tried to induce +him to tolerate. + +I shall say no more on this unpleasant subject except that, by a letter +which I have just received from Lord Byron, I think he is ashamed of his +song. I shall certainly speak as plainly to him as I have taken the +liberty to do to you on this matter. He was very wanton and you very +indiscreet; but I trust neither one nor the other meant mischief, and +there's an end of it. Do not aggravate matters by telling how much I +have been annoyed. Lord Byron has sent me a list of his new poems and +some prose, all of which he requests me to prepare for the press for +him. The monied arrangement is to be made by Mr. Kinnaird. When you are +ready for me, the materials may be sent to me at this place, where I +have taken up my abode for the season. + +I remain, very truly yours, JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE. + +Towards the end of 1820 Lord Byron wrote a long letter to Mr. Murray on +Mr. Bowles's strictures on the "Life and Writings of Pope." It was a +subject perhaps unworthy of his pen, but being an ardent admirer of +Pope, he thought it his duty to "bowl him [Bowles] down." "I mean to lay +about me," said Byron, "like a dragon, till I make manure of Bowles for +the top of Parnassus." + +After some revision, the first and second letters to Bowles were +published, and were well received. + +The tragedy of "Sardanapalus," the last three acts of which had been +written in a fortnight, was despatched to Murray on May 30, 1821, and +was within a few weeks followed by "The Two Foscari: an Historical +Tragedy"--which had been composed within a month--and on September 10 +by "Cain, a Mystery." The three dramas, "Sardanapalus," "The Two +Foscari," and "Cain, a Mystery," were published together in December +1821, and Mr. Murray paid Lord Byron for them the sum of £2,710. + +"Cain" was dedicated, by his consent, to Sir Walter Scott, who, in +writing to Mr. Murray, described it as "a very grand and tremendous +drama." On its first appearance it was reprinted in a cheap form by two +booksellers, under the impression that the Court of Chancery would not +protect it, and it therefore became necessary to take out an injunction +to restrain these piratical publishers. + +The case came before Lord Chancellor Eldon on February 9. Mr. Shadwell, +Mr. Spence, and Sergeant Copley were retained by Mr. Murray, and after +considerable discussion the injunction was refused, the Lord Chancellor +intimating that the publisher must establish his right to the +publication at law, and obtain the decision of a jury, on which he would +grant the injunction required. This was done accordingly, and the +copyright in "Cain" was thus secured. + +On the death of Allegra, his natural daughter, Lord Byron entrusted to +Mr. Murray the painful duty of making arrangements for the burial of the +remains in Harrow Church. Mr. Cunningham, the clergyman of Harrow, wrote +in answer to Mr. Murray: + +_Rev. J.W. Cunningham to John Murray_. + +_August_ 20, 1822. + +Sir, + +Mr. Henry Drury was so good as to communicate to me a request conveyed +to you by Lord Byron respecting the burial of a child in this church. +Mr. H. Drury will probably have also stated to you my willingness to +comply with the wish of Lord Byron. Will you forgive me, however, for so +far trespassing upon you (though a stranger) as to suggest an inquiry +whether it might not be practicable and desirable to fulfil for the +_present_ only a _part_ of his Lordship's wish--by burying the child, +and putting up a tablet with simply its name upon the tablet; and thus +leaving Lord B. more leisure to reflect upon the character of the +inscription he may wish to be added. It does seem to me that whatever he +may wish in the moment of his distress about the loss of this child, he +will afterwards regret that he should have taken pains to proclaim to +the world what he will not, I am sure, consider as honourable to his +name. And if this be probable, then it appears to me the office of a +true friend not to suffer him to commit himself but to allow his mind an +opportunity of calm deliberation. I feel constrained to say that the +inscription he proposed will be felt by every man of refined taste, to +say nothing of sound morals, to be an offence against taste and +propriety. My correspondence with his Lordship has been so small that I +can scarcely venture myself to urge these objections. You perhaps will +feel no such scruple. I have seen no person who did not concur in the +propriety of stating them. I would entreat, however, that should you +think it right to introduce my name into any statement made to Lord +Byron, you will not do it without assuring him of my unwillingness to +oppose the smallest obstacle to his wishes, or give the slightest pain +to his mind. The injury which, in my judgment, he is from day to day +inflicting upon society is no justification for measures of retaliation +and unkindness. + +Your obedient and faithful Servant, J.W. CUNNINGHAM. + +No communication having been received by the Rector, he placed the +application from Lord Byron before the churchwardens. + +_Rev. J.W. Cunningham to John Murray_. + +"The churchwardens have been urged to issue their prohibition by several +leading and influential persons, laymen, in the parish. You are aware +that as to _ex-parishioners_ the consent of the churchwardens is no less +necessary than my own; and that therefore the enclosed prohibition is +decisive as to the putting up of the monument. You will oblige me by +making known to Lord Byron the precise circumstances of the case. + +I am, your obedient Servant, J.W. CUNNINGHAM. + +The prohibition was as follows: + +HARROW, _September_ 17, 1822. + +Honored Sir, + +I object on behalf of the parish to admit the tablet of Lord Byron's +child into the church. + +JAMES WINKLEY, _Churchwarden_. + +The remains of Allegra, after long delay, were at length buried in the +church, just under the present door mat, over which the congregation +enter the church; but no memorial tablet or other record of her appears +on the walls of Harrow Church. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +BYRON'S DEATH AND THE DESTRUCTION OF HIS MEMOIRS + + +No attempt has here been made to present a strictly chronological record +of Mr. Murray's life; we have sought only so to group his correspondence +as to lay before our readers the various episodes which go to form the +business life of a publisher. In pursuance of this plan we now proceed +to narrate the closing incidents of his friendship with Lord Byron, +reserving to subsequent chapters the various other transactions in which +he was engaged. + +During the later months of Byron's residence in Italy this friendship +had suffered some interruption, due in part perhaps to questions which +had arisen out of the publication of "Don Juan," and in part to the +interference of the Hunts. With the activity aroused by his expedition +to Greece, Byron's better nature reasserted itself, and his last letter +to his publisher, though already printed in Moore's Life, cannot be +omitted from these pages: + +_Lord Byron to John Murray_. + +MISSOLONGHI, _February_ 25, 1824. + +I have heard from Mr. Douglas Kinnaird that you state "a report of a +satire on Mr. Gifford having arrived from Italy, _said_ to be written by +_me_! but that _you_ do not believe it." I dare say you do not, nor any +body else, I should think. Whoever asserts that I am the author or +abettor of anything of the kind on Gifford lies in his throat. I always +regarded him as my literary father, and myself as his prodigal son; if +any such composition exists, it is none of mine. _You_ know as well as +anybody upon _whom_ I have or have not written; and _you_ also know +whether they do or did not deserve that same. And so much for such +matters. You will perhaps be anxious to hear some news from this part +of Greece (which is the most liable to invasion); but you will hear +enough through public and private channels. I will, however, give you +the events of a week, mingling my own private peculiar with the public; +for we are here jumbled a little together at present. + +On Sunday (the 15th, I believe) I had a strong and sudden convulsive +attack, which left me speechless, though not motionless-for some strong +men could not hold me; but whether it was epilepsy, catalepsy, cachexy, +or apoplexy, or what other _exy_ or _epsy_ the doctors have not decided; +or whether it was spasmodic or nervous, etc.; but it was very +unpleasant, and nearly carried me off, and all that. On Monday, they put +leeches to my temples, no difficult matter, but the blood could not be +stopped till eleven at night (they had gone too near the temporal artery +for my temporal safety), and neither styptic nor caustic would cauterise +the orifice till after a hundred attempts. + +On Tuesday a Turkish brig of war ran on shore. On Wednesday, great +preparations being made to attack her, though protected by her consorts, +the Turks burned her and retired to Patras. On Thursday a quarrel ensued +between the Suliotes and the Frank guard at the arsenal: a Swedish +officer was killed, and a Suliote severely wounded, and a general fight +expected, and with some difficulty prevented. On Friday, the officer was +buried; and Captain Parry's English artificers mutinied, under pretence +that their lives were in danger, and are for quitting the country:--they +may. + +On Saturday we had the smartest shock of an earthquake which I remember +(and I have felt thirty, slight or smart, at different periods; they are +common in the Mediterranean), and the whole army discharged their arms, +upon the same principle that savages beat drums, or howl, during an +eclipse of the moon:--it was a rare scene altogether--if you had but +seen the English Johnnies, who had never been out of a cockney workshop +before!--or will again, if they can help it--and on Sunday, we heard +that the Vizier is come down to Larissa, with one hundred and odd +thousand men. + +In coming here, I had two escapes; one from the Turks _(one_ of my +vessels was taken but afterwards released), and the other from +shipwreck. We drove twice on the rocks near the Scrofes (islands near +the coast). + +I have obtained from the Greeks the release of eight-and-twenty Turkish +prisoners, men, women, and children, and sent them to Patras and Prevesa +at my own charges. One little girl of nine years old, who prefers +remaining with me, I shall (if I live) send, with her mother, probably, +to Italy, or to England, and adopt her. Her name is Hato, or Hatagée. +She is a very pretty lively child. All her brothers were killed by the +Greeks, and she herself and her mother merely spared by special favour +and owing to her extreme youth, she being then but five or six years +old. + +My health is now better, and I ride about again. My office here is no +sinecure, so many parties and difficulties of every kind; but I will do +what I can. Prince Mavrocordato is an excellent person, and does all in +his power; but his situation is perplexing in the extreme. Still we have +great hopes of the success of the contest. You will hear, however, more +of public news from plenty of quarters: for I have little time to write. + +Believe me, yours, etc., etc., + +N. BN. + +The fierce lawlessness of the Suliotes had now risen to such a height +that it became necessary, for the safety of the European population, to +get rid of them altogether; and, by some sacrifices on the part of Lord +Byron, this object was at length effected. The advance of a month's pay +by him, and the discharge of their arrears by the Government (the +latter, too, with money lent for that purpose by the same universal +paymaster), at length induced these rude warriors to depart from the +town, and with them vanished all hopes of the expedition against +Lepanto. + +Byron died at Missolonghi on April 19, 1824, and when the body arrived +in London, Murray, on behalf of Mr. Hobhouse, who was not personally +acquainted with Dr. Ireland, the Dean of Westminster, wrote to him, +conveying "the request of the executors and nearest relatives of the +deceased for permission that his Lordship's remains may be deposited in +Westminster Abbey, in the most private manner, at an early hour in the +morning." + +Dr. _Ireland to John Murray_. ISLIP, OXFORD, _July_ 8, 1824. + +Dear Sir, + +No doubt the family vault is the most proper place for the remains of +Lord Byron. It is to be wished, however, that nothing had been said +_publicly_ about Westminster Abbey before it was known whether the +remains could be received there. In the newspapers, unfortunately, it +has been proclaimed by somebody that the Abbey was to be the spot, and, +on the appearance of this article, I have been questioned as to the +truth of it from Oxford. My answer has been that the proposal has been +made, but civilly declined. I had also informed the members of the +church at Westminster (after your first letter) that I could not grant +the favour asked. I cannot, therefore, answer now that the case will not +be mentioned (as it has happened) by some person or other who knows it. +The best thing to be done, however, by the executors and relatives, is +to carry away the body, and say as little about it as possible. Unless +the subject is provoked by some injudicious parade about the remains, +perhaps the matter will draw little or no notice. + +Yours very truly, + +J. IRELAND, + +The death of Byron brought into immediate prominence the question of +his autobiographical memoirs, the MS. of which he had given to Moore, +who was at that time his guest at La Mira, near Venice, in 1819. + +"A short time before dinner," wrote Moore, "he left the room, and in a +minute or two returned carrying in his hand a white-leather bag. 'Look +here,' he said, holding it up, 'this would be worth something to Murray, +though _you_, I daresay, would not give sixpence for it.' 'What is it?' +I asked. 'My Life and Adventures,' he answered. On hearing this I raised +my hands in a gesture of wonder. 'It is not a thing,' he continued, +'that can be published during my lifetime, but you may have it if you +like: there, do whatever you please with it.'" + +Moore was greatly gratified by the gift, and said the Memoirs would make +a fine legacy for his little boy. Lord Byron informed Mr. Murray by +letter what he had done. "They are not," he said, "for publication +during my life, but when I am cold you may do what you please." In a +subsequent letter to Mr. Murray, Lord Byron said: "As you say my _prose_ +is good, why don't you treat with Moore for the reversion of my +Memoirs?--conditionally recollect; not to be published before decease. +He has the permission to dispose of them, and I advised him to do so." +Moore thus mentions the subject in his Memoirs: + +"_May_ 28, 1820.--Received a letter at last from Lord Byron, through +Murray, telling me he had informed Lady B. of his having given me his +Memoirs for the purpose of their being published after his death, and +offering her the perusal of them in case she might wish to confute any +of his statements. Her note in answer to this offer (the original of +which he enclosed me) is as follows": + +KIRKBY MALLORY, _March_ 10, 1820. + +I received your letter of January 1st, offering for my perusal a Memoir +of part of my life. I decline to inspect it. I consider the publication +or circulation of such a composition at any time is prejudicial to Ada's +future happiness. For my own sake I have no reason to shrink from +publication; but notwithstanding the injuries which I have suffered, I +should lament more of the _consequences._ + +A. BYRON. + +To LORD BYRON. [Footnote: For Byron's reply to this letter, see Moore's +Memoirs, iii. 115.] + +Moore received the continuation of Lord Byron's Memoirs on December 26, +1820, the postage amounting to forty-six francs and a half. "He advises +me," said Moore in his Diary, "to dispose of the reversion of the MS. +now." Accordingly, Moore, being then involved in pecuniary +responsibilities by the defalcations of his deputy in Bermuda, +endeavoured to dispose of the "Memoirs of Lord Byron." He first wrote to +the Messrs. Longman, who did not offer him enough; and then to Mr. +Murray, who offered him the sum of 2,000 guineas, on condition that he +should be the editor of the Memoirs, and write the Life of Lord Byron. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. _July_ 24, 1821. + +Dear Lord Byron, + +I have just received a letter from Mr. Moore--the subject of it is every +way worthy of your usual liberality--and I had not a moment's hesitation +in acceding to a proposal which enabled me in any way to join in +assisting so excellent a fellow. I have told him--which I suppose you +will think fair--that he should give me all additions that you may from +time to time make--and in case of survivorship edit the whole--and I +will leave it as an heirloom to my son. + +I have written to accede to Mr. Moore's proposal. I remain, dear Lord +Byron, Your grateful and faithful Servant, JOHN MURRAY. + +Mr. Moore accepted the proposal, and then proceeded to draw upon Mr. +Murray for part of the money. It may be added that the agreement between +Murray and Moore gave the former the right of publishing the Memoirs +three months after his Lordship's death. When that event was +authenticated, the manuscript remained at Mr. Murray's absolute disposal +if Moore had not previously redeemed it by the repayment of the 2,000 +guineas. + +During the period that Mr. Moore had been in negotiation with the +Longmans and Murray respecting the purchase of the Memoirs, he had given +"Lady Holland the MS. to read." Lord John Russell also states, in his +"Memoirs of Moore," that he had read "the greater part, if not the +whole," and that he should say that some of it was too gross for +publication. When the Memoirs came into the hands of Mr. Murray, he +entrusted the manuscript to Mr. Gifford, whose opinion coincided with +that of Lord John Russell. A few others saw the Memoirs, amongst them +Washington Irving and Mr. Luttrell. Irving says, in his "Memoirs," that +Moore showed him the Byron recollections and that they were quite +unpublishable. + +Mr. Moore himself seems to have been thrown into some doubt as to the +sale of the manuscript by the opinion of his friends. "Lord Holland," he +said, "expressed some scruples as to the sale of Lord Byron's Memoirs, +and he wished that I could have got the 2,000 guineas in any other way; +he seemed to think it was in cold blood, depositing a sort of quiver of +poisoned arrows for a future warfare upon private character." [Footnote: +Lord John Russell's "Memoirs, Journals, and Correspondence of Thomas +Moore," iii. p. 298.] Mr. Moore had a long conversation on the subject +with Mr. J.C. Hobhouse, "who," he says in his Journal, "is an upright +and honest man." When speaking of Lord Byron, Hobhouse said, "I know +more about Lord Byron than any one else, and much more than I should +wish any one else to know." + +Lady Byron offered, through Mr. Kinnaird, to advance 2,000 guineas for +the redemption of the Memoirs from Mr. Murray, but the negotiation was +not brought to a definite issue. Moore, when informed of the offer, +objected to Lady Byron being consulted about the matter, "for this would +be treachery to Lord Byron's intentions and wishes," but he agreed to +place the Memoirs at the disposal of Lord Byron's sister, Mrs. Leigh, +"to be done with exactly as she thought proper." Moore was of opinion +that those parts of the manuscript should be destroyed which were found +objectionable; but that those parts should be retained which were not, +for his benefit and that of the public. + +At the same time it must be remembered that Moore's interest in the +Memoirs had now entirely ceased, for in consequence of the death of Lord +Byron they had become Mr. Murray's absolute property, in accordance with +the terms of his purchase. But although Mr. Murray had paid so large a +sum for the manuscript, and would probably have made a considerable +profit by its publication, he was nevertheless willing to have it +destroyed, if it should be the deliberate opinion of his Lordship's +friends and relatives that such a step was desirable. + +Mr. Murray therefore put himself into communication with Lord Byron's +nearest friends and relations with respect to the disposal of the +Memoirs. His suggestion was at first strongly opposed by some of them; +but he urged his objections to publication with increased zeal, even +renouncing every claim to indemnification for what he had paid to Mr. +Moore. A meeting of those who were entitled to act in the matter was at +length agreed upon, and took place in Murray's drawing-room, on May 17, +1824. There were present Mr. Murray, Mr. Moore, Mr. J.C. Hobhouse, +Colonel Doyle representing Lady Byron, Mr. Wilmot Horton representing +Mrs. Leigh, and Mr. Luttrell, a friend of Moore's. Young Mr. +Murray--then sixteen; the only person of those assembled now living +[1891]--was also in the room. The discussion was long and stormy before +the meeting broke up, and nearly led to a challenge between Moore and +Hobhouse. A reference to the agreement between Moore and Murray became +necessary, but for a long time that document could not be found; it was +at length discovered, but only after the decision to commit the +manuscript to the flames had been made and carried out, and the party +remained until the last sheet of Lord Byron's Memoirs had vanished in +smoke up the Albemarle Street chimney. + +Immediately after the burning, Mrs. Leigh wrote the following account to +her friend, the Rev. Mr. Hodgson, an old friend of Byron's: + +_The Hon. Mrs. Leigh to the Rev. f. Hodgson_. + +"The parties, Messrs. Moore, Murray, Hobhouse, Col. Doyle for Lady B., +and Mr. Wilmot for me, and Mr. Luttrell, a friend of Mr. Moore's, met at +Mr. Murray's; and after a long dispute and nearly quarrelling, upon Mr. +Wilmot stating what was my wish and opinion, the MS. was burnt, and +Moore paid Murray the 2,000 guineas. Immediately almost _after_ this was +done, the legal agreement between Moore and Murray (which had been +mislaid), was found, and, strange to say, it appeared from it (what both +had forgotten), that the property of the MS. was Murray's _bond fide_. +Consequently _he_ had the right to dispose of it as he pleased; and as +he had behaved most handsomely upon the occasion ... it was desired by +our family that he should receive the 2,000 guineas back." [Footnote: +"Memoir of the Rev. F. Hodgson," ii. 139-40.] + +But the Byrons did not repay the money. Mr. Moore would not permit it. +He had borrowed the 2,000 guineas from the Messrs. Longman, and before +he left the room, he repaid to Mr. Murray the sum he had received for +the Memoirs, together with the interest during the time that the +purchase-money had remained in his possession. + +The statements made in the press, as to Lord Byron's Memoirs having been +burnt, occasioned much public excitement, and many applications were +made to Mr. Murray for information on the subject. Amongst those who +made particular inquiry was Mr. Jerdan, of the _Literary Gazette,_ who +inclosed to Mr. Murray the paragraph which he proposed to insert in his +journal. Mr. Murray informed him that the account was so very erroneous, +that he desired him either to condense it down to the smallest compass, +or to omit it altogether. Mr. Jerdan, however, replied that the subject +was of so much public interest, that he could not refuse to state the +particulars, and the following was sent to him, prepared by Mr. Murray: + +"A general interest having been excited, touching the fate of Lord +Byron's Memoirs, written by himself, and reports, confused and +incorrect, having got into circulation upon the subject, it has been +deemed requisite to signify the real particulars. The manuscript of +these Memoirs was purchased by Mr. Murray in the year 1821 for the sum +of two thousand guineas, under certain stipulations which gave him the +right of publishing them three months after his Lordship's demise. When +that event was authenticated, the Manuscript consequently remained at +Mr. Murray's absolute disposal; and a day or two after the melancholy +intelligence reached London, Mr. Murray submitted to the near +connections of the family that the MSS. should be destroyed. In +consequence of this, five persons variously concerned in the matter were +convened for discussion upon it. As these Memoirs were not calculated to +augment the fame of the writer, and as some passages were penned in a +spirit which his better feelings since had virtually retracted, Mr. +Murray proposed that they should be destroyed, considering it a duty to +sacrifice every view of profit to the noble author, by whose confidence +and friendship he had been so long honoured. The result has been, that +notwithstanding some opposition, he obtained the desired decision, and +the Manuscript was forthwith committed to the flames. Mr. Murray was +immediately reimbursed in the purchase-money by Mr. Moore, although Mr. +Murray had previously renounced every claim to repayment." + +The particulars of the transaction are more fully expressed in the +following letter written by Mr. Murray to Mr. (afterwards Sir) Robert +Wilmot Horton, two days after the destruction of the manuscript. It +seems that Mr. Moore had already made a representation to Mr. Horton +which was not quite correct. [Footnote: Lord J. Russell's " Memoirs, +etc., of Thomas Moore," iv. p. 188.] + +_John Murray to Mr. R. Wilmot Horton_. ALBEMARLE STREET, _May_ 19, 1824. + +Dear Sir, + +On my return home last night I found your letter, dated the 17th, +calling on me for a specific answer whether I acknowledged the accuracy +of the statement of Mr. Moore, communicated in it. However unpleasant it +is to me, your requisition of a specific answer obliges me to say that I +cannot, by any means, admit the accuracy of that statement; and in order +to explain to you how Mr. Moore's misapprehension may have arisen, and +the ground upon which my assertion rests, I feel it necessary to trouble +you with a statement of all the circumstances of the case, which will +enable you to judge for yourself. + +Lord Byron having made Mr. Moore a present of his Memoirs, Mr. Moore +offered them for sale to Messrs. Longman & Co., who however declined to +purchase them; Mr. Moore then made me a similar offer, which I accepted; +and in November 1821, a joint assignment of the Memoirs was made to me +by Lord Byron and Mr. Moore, with all legal technicalities, in +consideration of a sum of 2,000 guineas, which, on the execution of the +agreement by Mr. Moore, I paid to him. Mr. Moore also covenanted, in +consideration of the said sum, to act as Editor of the Memoirs, and to +supply an account of the subsequent events of Lord Byron's life, etc. + +Some months after the execution of this assignment, Mr. Moore requested +me, as a great personal favour to himself and to Lord Byron, to enter +into a second agreement, by which I should resign the absolute property +which I had in the Memoirs, and give Mr. Moore and Lord Byron, or any of +their friends, a power of redemption _during the life of Lord Byron_. As +the reason pressed upon me for this change was that their friends +thought there were some things in the Memoirs that might be injurious to +both, I did not hesitate to make this alteration at Mr. Moore's request; +and, accordingly, on the 6th day of May, 1822, a second deed was +executed, stating that, "Whereas Lord Byron and Mr. Moore are now +inclined to wish the said work not to be published, it is agreed that, +if either of them shall, _during the life of the said Lord Byron_, repay +the 2,000 guineas to Mr. Murray, the latter shall redeliver the Memoirs; +but that, if the sum be not repaid _during the lifetime of Lord Byron_, +Mr. Murray shall be at full liberty to print and publish the said +Memoirs within Three Months [Footnote: The words "within Three Months " +were substituted for "immediately," at Mr. Moore's request--and they +appear in pencil, in his own handwriting, upon the original draft of the +deed, which is still in existence.] after the death of the said Lord +Byron." I need hardly call your particular attention to the words, +carefully inserted twice over in this agreement, which limited its +existence to the _lifetime of Lord Byron_; the reason of such limitation +was obvious and natural--namely that, although I consented to restore +the work, _while Lord Byron should be alive_ to direct the ulterior +disposal of it, I would by no means consent to place it _after his +death_ at the disposal of any other person. + +I must now observe that I had never been able to obtain possession of +the original assignment, which was my sole lien on this property, +although I had made repeated applications to Mr. Moore to put me into +possession of the deed, which was stated to be in the hands of Lord +Byron's banker. Feeling, I confess, in some degree alarmed at the +withholding the deed, and dissatisfied at Mr. Moore's inattention to my +interests in this particular, I wrote urgently to him in March 1823, to +procure me the deed, and at the same time expressed my wish that the +second agreement should either be cancelled or _at once executed_. + +Finding this application unavailing, and becoming, by the greater lapse +of time, still more doubtful as to what the intentions of the parties +might be, I, in March 1824, repeated my demand to Mr. Moore in a more +peremptory manner, and was in consequence at length put into possession +of the original deed. But, not being at all satisfied with the course +that had been pursued towards me, I repeated to Mr. Moore my uneasiness +at the terms on which I stood under the second agreement, and renewed my +request to him that he would either cancel it, or execute its provisions +by the immediate redemption of the work, in order that I might exactly +know what my rights in the property were. He requested time to consider +this proposition. In a day or two he called, and told me that he would +adopt the latter alternative--namely, the redemption of the Memoirs--as +he had found persons who were ready to advance the money on _his +injuring his life_; and he promised to conclude the business on the +first day of his return to town, by paying the money and giving up the +agreement. Mr. Moore did return to town, but did not, that I have heard +of, take any proceedings for insuring his life; he positively neither +wrote nor called upon me as he had promised to do (though he was +generally accustomed to make mine one of his first houses of call);--nor +did he take any other step, that I am aware of, to show that he had any +recollection of the conversation which had passed between us previous to +his leaving town, until _the death of Lord Byron_ had, _ipso facto_, +cancelled the agreement in question, and completely restored my absolute +rights over the property of the Memoirs. + +You will therefore perceive that there was no verbal agreement in +existence between Mr. Moore and me, at the time I made a verbal +agreement with you to deliver the Memoirs to be destroyed. Mr. Moore +might undoubtedly, _during Lord Byron's life_, have obtained possession +of the Memoirs, if he had pleased to do so; he however neglected or +delayed to give effect to our verbal agreement, which, as well as the +written instrument to which it related, being cancelled by the death of +Lord Byron, there was no reason whatsoever why I was not at that instant +perfectly at liberty to dispose of the MS. as I thought proper. Had I +considered only my own interest as a tradesman, I would have announced +the work for immediate publication, and I cannot doubt that, under all +the circumstances, the public curiosity about these Memoirs would have +given me a very considerable profit beyond the large sum I originally +paid for them; but you yourself are, I think, able to do me the justice +of bearing witness that I looked at the case with no such feelings, and +that my regard for Lord Byron's memory, and my respect for his surviving +family, made me more anxious that the Memoirs should be immediately +destroyed, since it was surmised that the publication might be injurious +to the former and painful to the latter. + +As I myself scrupulously refrained from looking into the Memoirs, I +cannot, from my own knowledge, say whether such an opinion of the +contents was correct or not; it was enough for me that the friends of +Lord and Lady Byron united in wishing for their destruction. Why Mr. +Moore should have wished to preserve them I did not nor will I inquire; +but, having satisfied myself that he had no right whatever in them, I +was happy in having an opportunity of making, by a pecuniary sacrifice +on my part, some return for the honour, and I must add, the profit, +which I had derived from Lord Byron's patronage and friendship. You will +also be able to bear witness that--although I could not presume to +impose an obligation on the friends of Lord Byron or Mr. Moore, by +refusing to receive the repayment of the 2,000 guineas advanced by +me--yet I had determined on the destruction of the Memoirs without any +previous agreement for such repayment:--and you know the Memoirs were +actually destroyed without any stipulation on my part, but even with a +declaration that I had destroyed my own private property--and I +therefore had no claim upon any party for remuneration. + +I remain, dear Sir, + +Your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +After the burning of the manuscript Sir Walter Scott wrote in his diary: +"It was a pity that nothing save the total destruction of Byron's +Memoirs would satisfy his executors; but there was a reason--_premat nox +alta."_ + +Shortly after the burning of the Memoirs, Mr. Moore began to meditate +writing a Life of Lord Byron; "the Longmans looking earnestly and +anxiously to it as the great source of my means of repaying them their +money." [Footnote: Moore's Memoirs, iv. 253.] Mr. Moore could not as +yet, however, proceed with the Life, as the most important letters of +Lord Byron were those written to Mr. Murray, which were in his exclusive +possession. Lord John Russell also was against his writing the Life of +Byron. + +"If you write," he wrote to Moore, "write poetry, or, if you can find a +good subject, write prose; but do not undertake to write the life of +another reprobate [referring to Moore's "Life of Sheridan"]. In short, +do anything but write the life of Lord Byron." [Footnote: Moore's +Memoirs, v. 51.] + +Yet Moore grievously wanted money, and this opportunity presented itself +to him with irresistible force as a means of adding to his resources. At +length he became reconciled to Mr. Murray through the intercession of +Mr. Hobhouse. Moore informed the Longmans of the reconciliation, and, in +a liberal and considerate manner, they said to him, "Do not let us stand +in the way of any arrangements you may make; it is our wish to see you +free from debt; and it would be only in this one work that we should be +separated." It was in this way that Mr. Moore undertook to write for Mr. +Murray the Life of Lord Byron. Mr. Murray agreed to repay Moore the +2,000 guineas he had given for the burned Memoirs and £2,000 extra for +editing the letters and writing the Life, and Moore in his diary says +that he considered this offer perfectly liberal. Nothing, he adds, could +be more frank, gentleman-like, and satisfactory than the manner in which +this affair had been settled on all sides. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +SCOTT'S NOVELS--BLACKWOOD AND MURRAY + + +The account of Mr. Murray's dealings with Lord Byron has carried us +considerably beyond the date at which we left the history of his general +business transactions, and compels us to go back to the year 1814, when, +as is related in a previous chapter, he had associated himself with +William Blackwood as his Edinburgh agent. + +Blackwood, like Murray, was anxious to have a share in the business of +publishing the works of Walter Scott--especially the novels teeming from +the press by "The Author of 'Waverley.'" Although Constable and the +Ballantynes were necessarily admitted to the knowledge of their +authorship, to the world at large they were anonymous, and the author +still remained unknown. Mr. Murray had, indeed, pointed out to Mr. +Canning that "Waverley" was by Walter Scott; but Scott himself trailed +so many red herrings across the path, that publishers as well as the +public were thrown off the scent, and both Blackwood and Murray +continued to be at fault with respect to the authorship of the "Waverley +Novels." + +In February 1816 Ballantyne assured Blackwood that in a very few weeks +he would have something very important to propose. On April 12 +following, Blackwood addressed the following letter to Murray, "most +strictly confidential"; and it contained important proposals: + +_Mr. W. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR MURRAY, + +Some time ago I wrote to you that James Ballantyne had dined with me, +and from what then passed I expected that I would soon have something +very important to communicate. He has now fully explained himself to me, +with liberty to inform you of anything he has communicated. This, +however, he entreats of us to keep most strictly to ourselves, trusting +to our honour that we will not breathe a syllable of it to the dearest +friends we have. + +He began by telling me that he thought he had it now in his power to +show me how sensible he was of the services I had done him, and how +anxious he was to accomplish that union of interests which I had so long +been endeavouring to bring about. Till now he had only made professions; +now he would act. He said that he was empowered to offer me, along with +you, a work of fiction in four volumes, such as Waverley, etc.; that he +had read a considerable part of it; and, knowing the plan of the whole, +he could answer for its being a production of the very first class; but +that he was not at liberty to mention its title, nor was he at liberty +to 'give the author's name. I naturally asked him, was it by the author +of "Waverley"? He said it was to have no reference to any other work +whatever, and everyone would be at liberty to form their own conjectures +as to the author. He only requested that, whatever we might suppose from +anything that might occur afterwards, we should keep strictly to +ourselves that we were to be the publishers. The terms he was empowered +by the author to offer for it were: + +1. The author to receive one-half of the profits of each edition; these +profits to be ascertained by deducting the paper and printing from the +proceeds of the book sold at sale price; the publishers to be at the +whole of the expense of advertising. 2. The property of the book to be +the publishers', who were to print such editions as they chose. 3. The +only condition upon which the author would agree to these terms is, that +the publisher should take £600 of John Ballantyne's stock, selected from +the list annexed, deducting 25 per cent, from the affixed sale prices. +4. If these terms are agreed to, the stock to the above amount to be +immediately delivered, and a bill granted at twelve months. 5. That in +the course of six or eight weeks, J.B. expected to be able to put into +my hands the first two volumes printed, and that if on perusal we did +not like the bargain, we should be at liberty to give it up. This he +considered to be most unlikely; but if it should be the case, he would +bind himself to repay or redeliver the bill on the books being returned. +6. That the edition, consisting of 2,000 copies, should be printed and +ready for delivery by the 1st of October next. + +I have thus stated to you as nearly as I can the substance of what +passed. I tried in various ways to learn something with regard to the +author; but he was quite impenetrable. My own impression now is, that it +must be Walter Scott, for no one else would think of burdening us with +such trash as John B.'s wretched stock. This is such a burden, that I am +puzzled not a little. I endeavoured every way I could to get him to +propose other terms, but he told me they could not be departed from in a +single part; and the other works had been taken on the same conditions, +and he knew they would be greedily accepted again in the same quarter. +Consider the matter seriously, and write to me as soon as you can. After +giving it my consideration, and making some calculations. I confess I +feel inclined to hazard the speculation; but still I feel doubtful until +I hear what you think of it. Do not let my opinion, which may be +erroneous, influence you, but judge for yourself. From the very strong +terms in which Jas. B. spoke of the work, I am sanguine enough to expect +it will equal if not surpass any of the others. I would not lay so much +stress upon what he says if I were not assured that his great interest, +as well as Mr. Scott's, is to stand in the very best way both with you +and me. They are anxious to get out of the clutches of Constable, and +Ballantyne is sensible of the favour I have done and may still do him by +giving so much employment, besides what he may expect from you. From +Constable he can expect nothing. I had almost forgotten to mention that +he assured me in the most solemn manner that we had got the first offer, +and he ardently hoped we would accept of it. If, however, we did not, he +trusted to our honour that we would say nothing of it; that the author +of this work would likely write more; and should we not take this, we +might have it in our power afterwards to do something with him, provided +we acted with delicacy in the transaction, as he had no doubt we would +do. I hope you will be able to write to me soon, and as fully as you +can. If I have time tomorrow, or I should rather say this day, as it is +now near one o'clock, I will write you about other matters; and if I +have no letter from you, will perhaps give you another scolding. + +Yours most truly, + +W. BLACKWOOD. + +A long correspondence took place between Blackwood and Murray on +Ballantyne's proposal. Blackwood was inclined to accept, notwithstanding +the odd nature of the proposal, in the firm belief that "the heart's +desire" of Ballantyne was to get rid of Constable. He sent Murray a list +of Ballantyne's stock, from which the necessary value of books was to be +selected. It appeared, however, that there was one point on which +Blackwood had been mistaken, and that was, that the copyright of the new +novel was not to be absolutely conveyed, and that all that Ballantyne +meant, or had authority to offer, was an edition, limited to six +thousand copies, of the proposed work. Although Murray considered it "a +blind bargain," he was disposed to accept it, as it might lead to +something better. Blackwood accordingly communicated to Ballantyne that +he and Murray accepted his offer. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_April_ 27, 1816. + +"Everything is settled, and on Tuesday Ballantyne is to give a letter +specifying the whole terms of the transaction. He could not do it +sooner, he said, as he had to consult the author. This, I think, makes +it clear that it is Walter Scott, who is at Abbotsford just now. What +surprised me a good deal was, James Ballantyne told me that his brother +John had gone out there with Constable, and Godwin (author of 'Caleb +Williams'), whom Scott was anxious to see. They are really a strange set +of people.... I am not over fond of all these mysteries, but they are a +mysterious set of personages, and we must manage with them in the best +way that we can." + +A letter followed from James Ballantyne to Murray (May I, 1816), +congratulating him upon concluding the bargain through Blackwood, and +saying: + +"I have taken the liberty of drawing upon you at twelve months for £300 +for your share.... It will be a singularly great accommodation if you +can return the bill in course of post." + +Although Ballantyne had promised that the first edition of the proposed +work should be ready by October 1, 1816, Blackwood found that in June +the printing of the work had not yet commenced. Ballantyne said he had +not yet got any part of the manuscript from the author, but that he +would press him again on the subject. The controversy still continued as +to the authorship of the Waverley Novels. "For these six months past," +wrote Blackwood (June 6, 1816), "there have been various rumours with +regard to Greenfield being the author of these Novels, but I never paid +much attention to it; the thing appeared to me so very improbable.... +But from what I have heard lately, and from what you state, I now begin +to think that Greenfield may probably be the author." On the other hand, +Mr. Mackenzie called upon Blackwood, and informed him that "he was now +quite convinced that Thomas Scott, Walter's brother in Canada, writes +all the novels." The secret, however, was kept for many years longer. + +Blackwood became quite provoked at the delay in proceeding with the +proposed work. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_June_ 21, 1816. + +"I begin to fear that S.B. and Cy. are a nest of----. There is neither +faith nor truth in them. In my last letter I mentioned to you that there +was not the smallest appearance of the work being yet begun, and there +is as little still. James Ballantyne shifts this off his own shoulders +by saying that he cannot help it. Now, my own belief is that at the time +he made such solemn promises to me that the first volume would be in my +hands in a month, he had not the smallest expectation of this being the +case; but he knew that he would not have got our bills, which he +absolutely wanted, without holding this out. It is now seven weeks since +the bills were granted, and it is five weeks since I gave him the list +of books which were to be delivered. I have applied to him again and +again for them, and on Tuesday last his man at length called on me to +say that John Ballantyne & Co. could not deliver fifty sets of 'Kerr's +Voyages'--that they had only such quantities of particular odd volumes +of which he showed me a list." + +Blackwood called upon Ballantyne, but he could not see him, and instead +of returning Blackwood's visit, he sent a note of excuse. Next time they +met was at Hollingworth's Hotel, after which Ballantyne sent Blackwood a +letter "begging for a loan of £50 till next week, but not a word of +business in it." Next time they met was at the same hotel, when the two +dined with Robert Miller. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +"After dinner I walked home with J.B. Perhaps from the wine he had +drunk, he was very communicative, and gave me a great deal of very +curious and interesting private history. Would you believe it, that +about six weeks ago--at the very time our transaction was going +on--these worthies, Scott, Ballantyne & Co., concluded a transaction +with Constable for 10,000 copies of this said 'History of Scotland' +[which had been promised to Blackwood and Murray] in 4 vols., and +actually received bills for the profits expected to be realized from +this large number! Yet, when I put James Ballantyne in mind on Tuesday +of what he had formally proposed by desire of Mr. Scott, and assured us +we were positively to get the work, and asked him if there was any truth +in the rumour I had heard, and even that you had heard, about Mr. Scott +being about to publish a 'History of Scotland' with his name, and +further asked him if Mr. Scott was now ready to make any arrangements +with us about it (for it never occurred to me that he could make +arrangements with any one else), he solemnly assured me that he knew +nothing about it! Now, after this, what confidence can we have in +anything that this man will say or profess! I confess I am sadly +mortified at my own credulousness. John I always considered as no better +than a swindler, but James I put some trust and confidence in. You +judged more accurately, for you always said that 'he was a damned +cunning fellow!' Well, there is every appearance of your being right; +but his cunning (as it never does) will not profit him. Within these +three years I have given him nearly £1,400 for printing, and in return +have only received empty professions, made, to be sure, in the most +dramatic manner. Trite as the saying is, honesty is always the best +policy; and if we live a little longer, we shall see what will be the +end of all their cunning, never-ending labyrinths of plots and schemes. +Constable is the proper person for them; set a thief to catch a thief: +Jonathan Wild will be fully a match for any of the heroes of the +'Beggar's Opera.' My blood boils when I think of them, and still more +when I think of my allowing myself so long to keep my eyes shut to what +I ought to have seen long ago. But the only apology I make to myself is, +that one does not wish to think so ill of human nature. There is an old +Scotch proverb, 'He has need o' a lang spoon that sups wi' the De'il,' +and since we are engaged, let us try if we can partake of the broth +without scalding ourselves. I still hope that we may; and however much +my feelings revolt at having any connection in future with them, yet I +shall endeavour to the best of my power to repress my bile, and to turn +their own tricks against themselves. One in business must submit to many +things, and swallow many a bitter pill, when such a man as Walter Scott +is the object in view. You will see, by this day's Edinburgh papers, +that the copartnery of John Ballantyne & Co. is formally dissolved. +Miller told me that, before James Ballantyne could get his wife's +friends to assent to the marriage, Walter Scott was obliged to grant +bonds and securities, taking upon himself all the engagements of John +Ballantyne & Co., as well as of James Ballantyne & Co.; [Footnote: +Lockhart says, in his "Life of Scott," that "in Feb., 1816, when James +Ballantyne married, it is clearly proved, by letters in his handwriting, +that he owed to Scott more than £3,000 of personal debt."] so that, if +there was any difficulty on their part, he bound himself to fulfil the +whole. When we consider the large sums of money Walter Scott has got for +his works, the greater part of which has been thrown into the hands of +the Ballantynes, and likewise the excellent printing business J.B. has +had for so many years, it is quite incomprehensible what has become of +all the money. Miller says, 'It is just a jaw hole which swallows up +all,' and from what he has heard he does not believe Walter Scott is +worth anything." + +Murray was nevertheless willing to go on until the terms of his bargain +with Ballantyne were fulfilled, and wrote to Blackwood that he was +"resolved to swallow the pill, bitter though it was," but he expressed +his surprise that "Mr. Scott should have allowed his property to be +squandered as it has been by these people." + +Blackwood, however, was in great anxiety about the transaction, fearing +the result of the engagement which he and Murray had entered into. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_July 2_, 1816. + +"This morning I got up between five and six, but instead of sitting down +to write to you, as I had intended, I mounted my pony and took a long +ride to collect my thoughts. Sitting, walking, or riding is all the +same. I feel as much puzzled as ever, and undetermined whether or not to +cut the Gordian knot. Except my wife, there is not a friend whom I dare +advise with. I have not once ventured to mention the business at all to +my brother, on account of the cursed mysteries and injunctions of +secrecy connected with it. I know he would blame me for ever engaging in +it, for he has a very small opinion of the Ballantynes. I cannot +therefore be benefited by his advice. Mrs. Blackwood, though she always +disliked my having any connection with the Ballantynes, rather thinks we +should wait a few weeks longer, till we see what is produced. I believe, +after all, this is the safest course to pursue. I would beg of you, +however, to think maturely upon the affair, taking into account Mr. +Scott's usefulness to the _Review_. Take a day or two to consider the +matter fully, and then give me your best advice.... As to Constable or +his triumphs, as he will consider them, I perfectly agree with you that +they are not to be coveted by us, and that they should not give us a +moment's thought. Thank God, we shall never desire to compass any of our +ends by underhand practices." + +Meanwhile correspondence with Ballantyne about the work of fiction--the +name of which was still unknown-was still proceeding. Ballantyne said +that the author "promised to put the first volume in his hands by the +end of August, and that the whole would be ready for publication by +Christmas." Blackwood thought this reply was "humbug, as formerly." +Nevertheless, he was obliged to wait. At last he got the first sight of +the manuscript. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_August_ 23, 1816. _Midnight_. + +"MY DEAR MURRAY,--I have this moment finished the reading of 192 pages +of our book--for ours it must be,--and I cannot go to bed without +telling you what is the strong and most favourable impression it has +made upon me. If the remainder be at all equal--which it cannot fail to +be, from the genius displayed in what is now before me--we have been +most fortunate indeed. The title as, TALKS OF MY LANDLORD; _collected +and reported by Jedediah Cleishbotham, Pariah Clerk and Schoolmaster of +Gandercleugh_." + +Mr. Blackwood then proceeds to give an account of the Introduction, the +commencement of "The Black Dwarf," the first of the tales, and the +general nature of the story, to the end of the fourth chapter. His +letter is of great length, and extends to nine quarto pages. He +concludes: + +"There cannot be a doubt as to the splendid merit of the work. It would +never have done to have hesitated and higgled about seeing more volumes. +In the note which accompanied the sheets, Ballantyne says, 'each volume +contains a Tale,' so there will be four in all. [Footnote: This, the +original intention, was departed from.] The next relates to the period +of the Covenanters. I have now neither doubts nor fears with regard to +the whole being good, and I anxiously hope that you will have as little. +I am so happy at the fortunate termination of all my pains and +anxieties, that I cannot be in bad humour with you for not writing me +two lines in answer to my last letters. I hope I shall hear from you +to-morrow; but I entreat of you to write me in course of post, as I wish +to hear from you before I leave this [for London], which I intend to do +on this day se'nnight by the smack." + +At length the principal part of the manuscript of the novel was in the +press, and, as both the author and the printer were in sore straits for +money, they became importunate on Blackwood and Murray for payment on +account. They had taken Ballantyne's "wretched stock" of books, as +Blackwood styled them, and Lockhart, in his "Life of Scott," infers that +Murray had consented to anticipate the period of his payments. At all +events, he finds in a letter of Scott's, written in August, these words +to John Ballantyne: "Dear John,--I have the pleasure to enclose Murray's +acceptances. I earnestly recommend you to push, realising as much as you +can. + +"Consider weel, gude mon, + We hae but borrowed gear, +The horse that I ride on, + It is John Murray's mear." + +Scott was at this time sorely pressed for ready money. He was buying one +piece of land after another, usually at exorbitant prices, and having +already increased the estate of Abbotsford from 150 to nearly 1,000 +acres, he was in communication with Mr. Edward Blore as to the erection +of a dwelling adjacent to the cottage, at a point facing the Tweed. This +house grew and expanded, until it became the spacious mansion of +Abbotsford. The Ballantynes also were ravenous for more money; but they +could get nothing from Blackwood and Murray before the promised work was +finished. + +At last the book was completed, printed, and published on December 1, +1816; but without the magical words, "by the Author of 'Waverley,'" on +the title-page. All doubts as to the work being by the author of +"Waverley," says Lockhart, had worn themselves out before the lapse of a +week. + +_John Murray to Mr. Wm. Blackwood_. + +_December_ 13, 1816. + +"Having now heard every one's opinion about our 'Tales of my Landlord,' +I feel competent to assure you that it is universally in their favour. +There is only 'Meg Merrilies' in their way. It is even, I think, +superior to the other three novels. You may go on printing as many and +as fast as you can; for we certainly need not stop until we come to the +end of our, unfortunately, limited 6,000.... My copies are more than +gone, and if you have any to spare pray send them up instantly." + +On the following day Mr. Murray wrote to Mr. Scott: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_December_ 14, 1816. + +DEAR SIR, + +Although I dare not address you as the author of certain Tales--which, +however, must be written either by Walter Scott or the devil--yet +nothing can restrain me from thinking that it is to your influence with +the author of them that I am indebted for the essential honour of being +one of their publishers; and I must intrude upon you to offer my most +hearty thanks, not divided but doubled, alike for my worldly gain +therein, and for the great acquisition of professional reputation which +their publication has already procured me. As to delight, I believe I +could, under any oath that could be proposed, swear that I never +experienced such great and unmixed pleasure in all my life as the +reading of this exquisite work has afforded me; and if you witnessed the +wet eyes and grinning cheeks with which, as the author's chamberlain, I +receive the unanimous and vehement praise of them from every one who has +read them, or heard the curses of those whose needs my scanty supply +would not satisfy, you might judge of the sincerity with which I now +entreat you to assure the author of the most complete success. After +this, I could throw all the other books which I have in the press into +the Thames, for no one will either read them or buy. Lord Holland said, +when I asked his opinion: "Opinion? we did not one of us go to bed all +night, and nothing slept but my gout." Frere, Hallam, and Boswell; Lord +Glenbervie came to me with tears in his eyes. "It is a cordial," he +said, "which has saved Lady Glenbervie's life." Heber, who found it on +his table on his arrival from a journey, had no rest till he had read +it. He has only this moment left me, and he, with many others, agrees +that it surpasses all the other novels. Wm. Lamb also; Gifford never +read anything like it, he says; and his estimate of it absolutely +increases at each recollection of it. Barrow with great difficulty was +forced to read it; and he said yesterday, "Very good, to be sure, but +what powerful writing is _thrown away_." Heber says there are only two +men in the world, Walter Scott and Lord Byron. Between you, you have +given existence to a third. + +Ever your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +This letter did not effectually "draw the badger." Scott replied in the +following humorous but Jesuitical epistle: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_December 18, 1816_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I give you hearty joy of the success of the Tales, although I do not +claim that paternal interest in them which my friends do me the credit +to assign to me. I assure you I have never read a volume of them till +they were printed, and can only join with the rest of the world in +applauding the true and striking portraits which they present of old +Scottish manners. + +I do not expect implicit reliance to be placed on my disavowal, because +I know very well that he who is disposed not to own a work must +necessarily deny it, and that otherwise his secret would be at the mercy +of all who chose to ask the question, since silence in such a case must +always pass for consent, or rather assent. But I have a mode of +convincing you that I am perfectly serious in my denial--pretty similar +to that by which Solomon distinguished the fictitious from the real +mother--and that is by reviewing the work, which I take to be an +operation equal to that of quartering the child.... Kind compliments to +Heber, whom I expected at Abbotsford this summer; also to Mr. Croker and +all your four o'clock visitors. I am just going to Abbotsford, to make a +small addition to my premises there. I have now about seven hundred +acres, thanks to the booksellers and the discerning public. + +Yours truly, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +The happy chance of securing a review of the Tales by the author of +"Waverley" himself exceeded Murray's most sanguine expectations, and +filled him with joy. He suggested that the reviewer, instead of sending +an article on the Gypsies, as he proposed, should introduce whatever he +had to say about that picturesque race in his review of the Tales, by +way of comment on the character of Meg Merrilies. The review was +written, and appeared in No. 32 of the _Quarterly_, in January 1817, by +which time the novel had already gone to a third edition. It is curious +now to look back upon the author reviewing his own work. He adopted +Murray's view, and besides going over the history of "Waverley," and the +characters introduced in that novel, he introduced a disquisition about +Meg Merrilies and the Gypsies, as set forth in his novel of "Guy +Mannering." He then proceeded to review the "Black Dwarf" and "Old +Mortality," but with the utmost skill avoided praising them, and rather +endeavoured to put his friends off the scent by undervaluing them, and +finding fault. The "Black Dwarf," for example, was full of "violent +events which are so common in romance, and of such rare occurrence in +real life." Indeed, he wrote, "the narrative is unusually artificial; +neither hero nor heroine excites interest of any sort, being just that +sort of _pattern_ people whom nobody cares a farthing about." + +"The other story," he adds, "is of much deeper interest." He describes +the person who gave the title to the novel--Robert Paterson, of the +parish of Closeburn, in Dumfriesshire--and introduces a good deal of +historical knowledge, but takes exception to many of the circumstances +mentioned in the story, at the same time quoting some of the best +passages about Cuddie Headrigg and his mother. In respect to the +influence of Claverhouse and General Dalzell, the reviewer states that +"the author has cruelly falsified history," and relates the actual +circumstances in reference to these generals. "We know little," he says, +"that the author can say for himself to excuse these sophistications, +and, therefore, may charitably suggest that he was writing a romance, +and not a history." In conclusion, the reviewer observed, "We intended +here to conclude this long article, when a strong report reached us of +certain trans-Atlantic confessions, which, if genuine (though of this we +know nothing), assign a different author to these volumes than the party +suspected by our Scottish correspondents. Yet a critic may be excused +seizing upon the nearest suspicious person, on the principle happily +expressed by Claverhouse in a letter to the Earl of Linlithgow. He had +been, it seems, in search of a gifted weaver who used to hold forth at +conventicles. "I sent to seek the webster (weaver); they brought in his +_brother_ for him; though he maybe cannot preach like his brother, I +doubt not but he is as well-principled as he, wherefore I thought it +would be no great fault to give him the trouble to go to the jail with +the rest." + +Mr. Murray seems to have accepted the suggestion and wrote in January +1817 to Mr. Blackwood: + +"I can assure you, but _in the greatest confidence_, that I have +discovered the author of all these Novels to be Thomas Scott, Walter +Scott's brother. He is now in Canada. I have no doubt but that Mr. +Walter Scott did a great deal to the first 'Waverley Novel,' because of +his anxiety to serve his brother, and his doubt about the success of the +work. This accounts for the many stories about it. Many persons had +previously heard from Mr. Scott, but you may rely on the certainty of +what I have told you. The whole country is starving for want of a +complete supply of the 'Tales of my Landlord,' respecting the interest +and merit of which there continues to be but one sentiment." + +A few weeks later Blackwood wrote to Murray: + +_January_ 22, 1817. + +"It is an odd story here, that Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Scott are the authors +of all these Novels. I, however, still think, as Mr. Croker said to me +in one of his letters, that if they were not by Mr. Walter Scott, the +only alternative is to give them to the devil, as by one or the other +they must be written." + +On the other hand, Bernard Barton wrote to Mr. Murray, and said that he +had "heard that James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, was the author of +'Tales of my Landlord,' and that he had had intimation from himself to +that effect," by no means an improbable story considering Hogg's vanity. +Lady Mackintosh also wrote to Mr. Murray: "Did you hear who this _new_ +author of 'Waverley' and 'Guy Mannering' is? Mrs. Thomas Scott, as Mr. +Thomas Scott assured Lord Selkirk (who had been in Canada), and his +lordship, like Lord Monboddo, believes it." Murray again wrote to +Blackwood (February 15, 1817): "What is your theory as to the author of +'Harold the Dauntless'? I will believe, till within an inch of my life, +that the author of 'Tales of my Landlord' is Thomas Scott." + +Thus matters remained until a few years later, when George IV. was on +his memorable visit to Edinburgh. Walter Scott was one of the heroes of +the occasion, and was the selected cicerone to the King. One day George +IV., in the sudden and abrupt manner which is peculiar to our Royal +Family, asked Scott point-blank: "By the way, Scott, are you the author +of 'Waverley'?" Scott as abruptly answered: "No, Sire!" Having made this +answer (said Mr. Thomas Mitchell, who communicated the information to +Mr. Murray some years later), "it is supposed that he considered it a +matter of honour to keep the secret during the present King's reign. If +the least personal allusion is made to the subject in Sir Walter's +presence, Matthews says that his head gently drops upon his breast, and +that is a signal for the person to desist." + +With respect to the first series of the "Tales of my Landlord," so soon +as the 6,000 copies had been disposed of which the author, through +Ballantyne, had covenanted as the maximum number to be published by +Murray and Blackwood, the work reverted to Constable, and was published +uniformly with the other works by the author of "Waverley." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ALLIANCE WITH BLACKWOOD--BLACKWOOD'S "EDINBURGH MAGAZINE"--TERMINATION +OF PARTNERSHIP + + +We have already seen that Mr. Murray had some correspondence with Thomas +Campbell in 1806 respecting the establishment of a monthly magazine; +such an undertaking had long been a favourite scheme of his, and he had +mentioned the subject to many friends at home as well as abroad. When, +therefore, Mr. Blackwood started his magazine, Murray was ready to enter +into his plans, and before long announced to the public that he had +become joint proprietor and publisher of Blackwood's _Edinburgh +Magazine_. + +There was nothing very striking in the early numbers of the _Magazine_, +and it does not appear to have obtained a considerable circulation. The +first editors were Thomas Pringle, who--in conjunction with a +friend--was the author of a poem entitled "The Institute," and James +Cleghorn, best known as a contributor to the _Farmers' Magazine_. +Constable, who was himself the proprietor of the _Scots Magazine_ as +well as of the _Farmers' Magazine_, desired to keep the monopoly of the +Scottish monthly periodicals in his own hands, and was greatly opposed +to the new competitor. At all events, he contrived to draw away from +Blackwood Pringle and Cleghorn, and to start a new series of the _Scots +Magazine_ under the title of the _Edinburgh Magazine_. Blackwood +thereupon changed the name of his periodical to that by which it has +since been so well known. He undertook the editing himself, but soon +obtained many able and indefatigable helpers. + +There were then two young advocates walking the Parliament House in +search of briefs. These were John Wilson (Christopher North) and John +Gibson Lockhart (afterwards editor of the _Quarterly_). Both were +West-countrymen--Wilson, the son of a wealthy Paisley manufacturer, and +Lockhart, the son of the minister of Cambusnethan, in Lanarkshire--and +both had received the best of educations, Wilson, the robust Christian, +having carried off the Newdigate prize at Oxford, and Lockhart, having +gained the Snell foundation at Glasgow, was sent to Balliol, and took a +first class in classics in 1813. These, with Dr. Maginn--under the +_sobriquet_ of "Morgan O'Dogherty,"--Hogg--the Ettrick Shepherd,--De +Quincey--the Opium-eater,--Thomas Mitchell, and others, were the +principal writers in _Blackwood_. + +No. 7, the first of the new series, created an unprecedented stir in +Edinburgh. It came out on October 1, 1817, and sold very rapidly, but +after 10,000 had been struck off it was suppressed, and could be had +neither for love nor money. The cause of this sudden attraction was an +article headed "Translation from an Ancient Chaldee Manuscript," +purporting to be an extract from some newly discovered historical +document, every paragraph of which contained a special hit at some +particular person well known in Edinburgh society. There was very little +ill-nature in it; at least, nothing like the amount which it excited in +those who were, or imagined themselves to be, caricatured in it. +Constable, the "Crafty," and Pringle and Cleghorn, editors of the +_Edinburgh Magazine_, as well as Jeffrey, editor of the _Edinburgh +Review_, came in for their share of burlesque description. + +Among the persons delineated in the article were the publisher of +Blackwood's _Edinburgh Magazine_, whose name "was as it had been, the +colour of Ebony": indeed the name of Old Ebony long clung to the +journal. The principal writers of the article were themselves included +in the caricature. Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, was described as "the +great wild boar from the forest of Lebanon, and he roused up his spirit, +and I saw him whetting his dreadful tusks for the battle." Wilson was +"the beautiful leopard," and Lockhart "the scorpion,"--names which were +afterwards hurled back at them with interest. Walter Scott was described +as "the great magician who dwelleth in the old fastness, hard by the +river Jordan, which is by the Border." Mackenzie, Jameson, Leslie, +Brewster, Tytler, Alison, M'Crie, Playfair, Lord Murray, the Duncans--in +fact, all the leading men of Edinburgh were hit off in the same fashion. + +Mrs. Garden, in her "Memorials of James Hogg," says that "there is no +doubt that Hogg wrote the first draft; indeed, part of the original is +still in the possession of the family.... Some of the more irreverent +passages were not his, or were at all events largely added to by others +before publication." [Footnote: Mrs. Garden's "Memorials of James Hogg," +p. 107.] In a recent number of _Blackwood_ it is said that: + +"Hogg's name is nearly associated with the Chaldee Manuscript. Of course +he claimed credit for having written the skit, and undoubtedly he +originated the idea. The rough draft came from his pen, and we cannot +speak with certainty as to how it was subsequently manipulated. But +there is every reason to believe that Wilson and Lockhart, probably +assisted by Sir William Hamilton, went to work upon it, and so altered +it that Hogg's original offspring was changed out of all knowledge." +[Footnote: _Blackwood's Magazine_, September 1882, pp. 368-9.] + +The whole article was probably intended as a harmless joke; and the +persons indicated, had they been wise, might have joined in the laugh or +treated the matter with indifference. On the contrary, however, they +felt profoundly indignant, and some of them commenced actions in the +Court of Session for the injuries done to their reputation. + +The same number of _Blackwood_ which contained the "Translation from an +Ancient Chaldee Manuscript," contained two articles, one probably by +Wilson, on Coleridge's "Biographia Literaria," the other, signed "Z," by +Lockhart, being the first of a series on "The Cockney School of Poetry." +They were both clever, but abusive, and exceedingly personal in their +allusions. + +Murray expostulated with Blackwood on the personality of the articles. +He feared lest they should be damaging to the permanent success of the +journal. Blackwood replied in a long letter, saying that the journal was +prospering, and that it was only Constable and his myrmidons who were +opposed to it, chiefly because of its success. + +In August 1818, Murray paid £1,000 for a half share in the magazine, +and from this time he took a deep and active interest in its progress, +advising Blackwood as to its management, and urging him to introduce +more foreign literary news, as well as more scientific information. He +did not like the idea of two editors, who seem to have taken the +management into their own hands. + +Subsequent numbers of _Blackwood_ contained other reviews of "The +Cockney School of Poetry": Leigh Hunt, "the King of the Cockneys," was +attacked in May, and in August it was the poet Keats who came under the +critic's lash, four months after Croker's famous review of "Endymion" in +the _Quarterly_. [Footnote: It was said that Keats was killed by this +brief notice, of four pages, in the _Quarterly_; and Byron, in his "Don +Juan," gave credit to this statement: + + "Poor Keats, who was killed off by one critique, + Just as he really promised something great,... + 'Tis strange, the mind, that very fiery particle, + Should let itself be snuffed out by an article." + +Leigh Hunt, one of Keats' warmest friends, when in Italy, told Lord +Byron (as he relates in his Autobiography) the real state of the case, +proving to him that the supposition of Keats' death being the result of +the review was a mistake, and therefore, if printed, would be a +misrepresentation. But the stroke of wit was not to be given up. Either +Mr. Gifford, or "the poet-priest Milman," has generally, but +erroneously, been blamed for being the author of the review in the +_Quarterly_, which, as is now well known, was written by Mr. Croker.] + +The same number of _Blackwood_ contained a short article about +Hazlitt--elsewhere styled "pimpled Hazlitt." It was very short, and +entitled "Hazlitt cross-questioned." Hazlitt considered the article full +of abuse, and commenced an action for libel against the proprietors of +the magazine. Upon this Blackwood sent Hazlitt's threatening letter to +Murray, with his remarks: + +_Mr. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_September_ 22, 1818. + +"I suppose this fellow merely means to make a little bluster, and try if +he can pick up a little money. There is nothing whatever actionable in +the paper.... The article on Hazlitt, which will commence next number, +will be a most powerful one, and this business will not deprive it of +any of its edge." + +_September_ 25, 1818. + +"What are people saying about that fellow Hazlitt attempting to +prosecute? There was a rascally paragraph in the _Times_ of Friday last +mentioning the prosecution, and saying the magazine was a work filled +with private slander. My friends laugh at the idea of his prosecution." + +Mr. Murray, however, became increasingly dissatisfied with this state of +things; he never sympathised with the slashing criticisms of +_Blackwood_, and strongly disapproved of the personalities, an opinion +which was shared by most of his literary friends. At the same time his +name was on the title-page of the magazine, and he was jointly +responsible with Blackwood for the articles which appeared there. + +In a long letter dated September 28, 1818, Mr. Murray deprecated the +personality of the articles in the magazine, and entreated that they be +kept out. If not, he begged that Blackwood would omit his name from the +title-page of the work. + +A long correspondence took place during the month of October between +Murray and Blackwood: the former continuing to declaim against the +personality of the articles; the latter averring that there was nothing +of the sort in the magazine. If Blackwood would only keep out these +personal attacks, Murray would take care to send him articles by Mr. +Frere, Mr. Barrow, and others, which would enhance the popularity and +respectability of the publication. + +In October of this year was published an anonymous pamphlet, entitled +"Hypocrisy Unveiled," which raked up the whole of the joke contained in +the "Translation from an Ancient Chaldee Manuscript," published a year +before. The number containing it had, as we have already seen, been +suppressed, because of the offence it had given to many persons of +celebrity, while the general tone of bitterness and personality had been +subsequently modified, if not abandoned. Murray assured Blackwood that +his number for October 1818 was one of the best he had ever read, and he +desired him to "offer to his friends his very best thanks and +congratulations upon the production of so admirable a number." "With +this number," he said, "you have given me a fulcrum upon which I will +move heaven and earth to get subscribers and contributors." Indeed, +several of the contributions in this surpassingly excellent number had +been sent to the Edinburgh publisher through the instrumentality of +Murray himself. + +"Hypocrisy Unveiled" was a lampoon of a scurrilous and commonplace +character, in which the leading contributors to and the publishers of +the magazine were violently attacked. Both Murray and Blackwood, who +were abused openly, by name, resolved to take no notice of it; but +Lockhart and Wilson, who were mentioned under the thin disguise of "the +Scorpion" and "the Leopard," were so nettled by the remarks on +themselves, that they, in October 1818, both sent challenges to the +anonymous author, through the publisher of the pamphlet. This most +injudicious step only increased their discomfiture, as the unknown +writer not only refused to proclaim his identity, but published and +circulated the challenges, together with a further attack on Lockhart +and Wilson. + +This foolish disclosure caused bitter vexation to Murray, who wrote: + +_John Murray to Mr. Blackwood_. + +_October_ 27, 1818. + +My DEAR BLACKWOOD, + +I really can recollect no parallel to the palpable absurdity of your two +friends. If they had planned the most complete triumph to their +adversaries, nothing could have been so successfully effective. They +have actually given up their names, as the authors of the offences +charged upon them, by implication only, in the pamphlet. How they could +possibly conceive that the writer of the pamphlet would be such an idiot +as to quit his stronghold of concealment, and allow his head to be +chopped off by exposure, I am at a loss to conceive.... + +I declare to God that had I known what I had so incautiously engaged in, +I would not have undertaken what I have done, or have suffered what I +have in my feelings and character--which no man had hitherto the +slightest cause for assailing--I would not have done so for any sum.... + +In answer to these remonstrances Blackwood begged him to dismiss the +matter from his mind, to preserve silence, and to do all that was +possible to increase the popularity of the magazine. The next number, +he said, would be excellent and unexceptionable; and it proved to be so. + +The difficulty, however, was not yet over. While the principal editors +of the Chaldee Manuscript had thus revealed themselves to the author of +"Hypocrisy Unveiled," the London publisher of _Blackwood_ was, in +November 1818, assailed by a biting pamphlet, entitled "A Letter to Mr. +John Murray, of Albemarle Street, occasioned by his having undertaken +the publication, in London, of _Blackwood's Magazine_." "The curse of +his respectability," he was told, had brought the letter upon him. "Your +name stands among the very highest in the department of Literature which +has fallen to your lot: the eminent persons who have confided in you, +and the works you have given to the world, have conduced to your +establishment in the public favour; while your liberality, your +impartiality, and your private motives, bear testimony to the justice of +your claims to that honourable distinction." + +Other criticisms of the same kind reached Mr. Murray's ear. Moore, in +his Diary (November 4, 1818), writes: "Received two most civil and +anxious letters from the great 'Bibliopola Tryphon' Murray, expressing +his regret at the article in _Blackwood_, and his resolution to give up +all concern in it if it contained any more such personalities." +[Footnote: "Memoirs, Journal, and Correspondence of Thomas Moore," ii. +210. By Lord John Russell.] + +Finally the Hazlitt action was settled. Blackwood gave to Murray the +following account of the matter: + +_December_ 16, 1818. + +"I have had two letters from Mr. Patmore, informing me that Mr. Hazlitt +was to drop the prosecution. His agent has since applied to mine +offering to do this, if the expenses and a small sum for some charity +were paid. My agent told him he would certainly advise any client of his +to get out of court, but that he would never advise me to pay anything +to be made a talk of, as a sum for a charity would be. He would advise +me, he said, to pay the expenses, and a trifle to Hazlitt himself +privately. Hazlitt's agent agreed to this." [Footnote: I have not been +able to discover what sum, if any, was paid to Hazlitt privately.] + +Notwithstanding promises of amendment, Murray still complained of the +personalities, and of the way in which the magazine was edited. He also +objected to the "echo of the _Edinburgh Review's_ abuse of Sharon +Turner. It was sufficient to give pain to me, and to my most valued +friend. There was another ungentlemanly and uncalled-for thrust at +Thomas Moore. That just makes so many more enemies, unnecessarily; and +you not only deprive me of the communications of my friends, but you +positively provoke them to go over to your adversary." + +It seemed impossible to exercise any control over the editors, and +Murray had no alternative left but to expostulate, and if his +expostulations were unheeded, to retire from the magazine. The last +course was that which he eventually decided to adopt, and the end of the +partnership in _Blackwood's Magazine_, which had long been anticipated, +at length arrived. Murray's name appeared for the last time on No. 22, +for January 1819; the following number bore no London publisher's name; +but on the number for March the names of T. Cadell and W. Davies were +advertised as the London agents for the magazine. + +On December 17, 1819, £1,000 were remitted to Mr. Murray in payment of +the sum which he had originally advanced to purchase his share, and his +connection with _Blackwood's Magazine_ finally ceased. He thereupon +transferred his agency for Scotland to Messrs. Oliver & Boyd, with whose +firm it has ever since remained. The friendly correspondence between +Murray and Blackwood nevertheless continued, as they were jointly +interested in several works of importance. + +In the course of the following year, "Christopher North" made the +following statement in _Blackwood's Magazine_ in "An Hour's Tête-à-tête +with the Public": + +"The Chaldee Manuscript, which appeared in our seventh number, gave us +both a lift and a shove. Nothing else was talked of for a long while; +and after 10,000 copies had been sold, it became a very great rarity, +quite a desideratum.... The sale of the _Quarterly_ is about 14,000, of +the _Edinburgh_ upwards of 7,000.... It is not our intention, at +present, to suffer our sale to go beyond 17,000.... Mr. Murray, under +whose auspices our _magnum opus_ issued for a few months from Albemarle +Street, began to suspect that we might be eclipsing the _Quarterly +Review_. No such eclipse had been foretold; and Mr. Murray, being no +great astronomer, was at a loss to know whether, in the darkness that +was but too visible, we were eclipsing the _Quarterly_, or the +_Quarterly_ eclipsing us. We accordingly took our pen, and erased his +name from our title-page, and he was once more happy. Under our present +publishers we carry everything before us in London." + +Mr. Murray took no notice of this statement, preferring, without any +more words, to be quit of his bargain. + +It need scarcely be added that when Mr. Blackwood had got his critics +and contributors well in hand--when his journal had passed its frisky +and juvenile life of fun and frolic--when the personalities had ceased +to appear in its columns, and it had reached the years of judgment and +discretion--and especially when its principal editor, Mr. John Wilson +(Christopher North), had been appointed to the distinguished position of +Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh--the +journal took that high rank in periodical literature which it has ever +since maintained. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1817-18--CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-- + + +Scott was now beginning to suffer from the terrible mental and bodily +strain to which he had subjected himself, and was shortly after seized +with the illness to which reference has been made in a previous chapter, +and which disabled him for some time. Blackwood informed Murray (March +7, 1817) that Mr. Scott "has been most dangerously ill, with violent +pain arising from spasmodic action in the stomach; but he is gradually +getting better." + +For some time he remained in a state of exhaustion, unable either to +stir for weakness and giddiness; or to read, for dazzling in his eyes; +or to listen, for a whizzing sound in his ears--all indications of too +much brain-work and mental worry. Yet, as soon as he was able to resume +his labours, we find him characteristically employed in helping his +poorer friends. + +_Mr. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_May_ 28, 1817. + +"Mr. Scott and some of his friends, in order to raise a sum of money to +make the poor Shepherd comfortable, have projected a fourth edition of +"The Queen's Wake," with a few plates, to be published by subscription. +We have inserted your name, as we have no doubt of your doing everything +you can for the poor poet. The advertisement, which is excellent, is +written by Mr. Scott." + +Hogg was tempted by the Duke of Buccleuch's gift of a farm on Eltrive +Lake to build himself a house, as Scott was doing, and applied to Murray +for a loan of £50, which was granted. In acknowledging the receipt of +the money he wrote: + +_Mr. James Hogg to John Murray_. + +_August_ 11, 1818. + +.... I am told Gifford has a hard prejudice against me, but I cannot +believe it. I do not see how any man can have a prejudice against me. He +may, indeed, consider me an intruder in the walks of literature, but I +am only a saunterer, and malign nobody who chooses to let me pass.... I +was going to say before, but forgot, and said quite another thing, that +if Mr. Gifford would point out any light work for me to review for him, +I'll bet a MS. poem with him that I'll write it better than he expects. + +Yours ever most sincerely, + +JAMES HOGG. + +As Scott still remained the Great Unknown, Murray's correspondence with +him related principally to his articles in the _Quarterly_, to which he +continued an occasional contributor. Murray suggested to him the +subjects of articles, and also requested him to beat up for a few more +contributors. He wanted an article on the Gypsies, and if Scott could +not muster time to do it, he hoped that Mr. Erskine might be persuaded +to favour him with an essay. + +Scott, however, in the midst of pain and distress, was now busy with his +"Rob Roy," which was issued towards the end of the year. + +A short interruption of his correspondence with Murray occurred--Scott +being busy in getting the long buried and almost forgotten "Regalia of +Scotland" exposed to light; he was also busy with one of his best +novels, the "Heart of Midlothian." Murray, knowing nothing of these +things, again endeavoured to induce him to renew his correspondence, +especially his articles for the _Review_. In response Scott contributed +articles on Kirkton's "History of the Church of Scotland," on Military +Bridges, and on Lord Orford's Memoirs. + +Towards the end of the year, Mr. Murray paid a visit to Edinburgh on +business, and after seeing Mr. Blackwood, made his way southward, to pay +his promised visit to Walter Scott at Abbotsford, an account of which +has already been given in the correspondence with Lord Byron. + +James Hogg, who was present at the meeting of Scott and Murray at +Abbotsford, wrote to Murray as follows: + +_James Hogg to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _February_ 20, 1819. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I arrived here the day before yesterday for my spring campaign in +literature, drinking whiskey, etc., and as I have not heard a word of +you or from you since we parted on the top of the hill above Abbotsford, +I dedicate my first letter from the metropolis to you. And first of all, +I was rather disappointed in getting so little cracking with you at that +time. Scott and you had so much and so many people to converse about, +whom nobody knew anything of but yourselves, that you two got all to +say, and some of us great men, who deem we know everything at home, +found that we knew nothing. You did not even tell me what conditions you +were going to give me for my "Jacobite Relics of Scotland," the first +part of which will make its appearance this spring, and I think bids +fair to be popular.... + +Believe me, yours very faithfully, + +JAMES HOGG. + +After the discontinuance of Murray's business connection with Blackwood, +described in the preceding chapter, James Hogg wrote in great +consternation: + +_Mr. James Hogg to John Murray_, + +ELTRIVE, by SELKIRK, _December_ 9, 1829. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +By a letter from Blackwood to-day, I have the disagreeable intelligence +that circumstances have occurred which I fear will deprive me of you as +a publisher--I hope never as a friend; for I here attest, though I have +heard some bitter things against you, that I never met with any man +whatever who, on so slight an acquaintance, has behaved to me so much +like a gentleman. Blackwood asks to transfer your shares of my trifling +works to his new agents. I answered, "Never! without your permission." +As the "Jacobite Relics" are not yet published, and as they would only +involve you further with one with whom you are going to close accounts, +I gave him liberty to transfer the shares you were to have in them to +Messrs. Cadell & Davies. But when I consider your handsome subscription +for "The Queen's Wake," if you have the slightest inclination to retain +your shares of that work and "The Brownie," as your name is on them, +_along with Blackwood_, I would much rather, not only from affection, +but interest, that you should continue to dispose of them. + +I know these books are of no avail to you; and that if you retain them, +it will be on the same principle that you published them, namely, one of +friendship for your humble poetical countryman. I'll never forget your +kindness; for I cannot think that I am tainted with the general vice of +authors' _ingratitude_; and the first house that I call at in London +will be the one in Albemarle Street. + +I remain, ever yours most truly, + +JAMES HOGG. + +Murray did not cease to sell the Shepherd's works, and made arrangements +with Blackwood to continue his agency for them, and to account for the +sales in the usual way. + +The name of Robert Owen is but little remembered now, but at the early +part of the century he attained some notoriety from his endeavours to +reform society. He was manager of the Lanark Cotton Mills, but in 1825 +he emigrated to America, and bought land on the Wabash whereon to start +a model colony, called New Harmony. This enterprise failed, and he +returned to England in 1827. The following letter is in answer to his +expressed intention of adding Mr. Murray's name to the title-page of the +second edition of his "New View of Society." + +_John Murray to Mr. Robert Owen_. + +_September_ 9, 1817. + +DEAR SIR, + +As it is totally inconsistent with my plans to allow my name to be +associated with any subject of so much political notoriety and debate as +your New System of Society, I trust that you will not consider it as any +diminution of personal regard if I request the favour of you to cause my +name to be immediately struck out from every sort of advertisement that +is likely to appear upon this subject. I trust that a moment's +reflection will convince which I understand you talked of sending to my +house. I beg leave again to repeat that I retain the same sentiments of +personal esteem, and that I am, dear Sir, + +Your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Among the would-be poets was a young Quaker gentleman of +Stockton-on-Tees who sent Mr. Murray a batch of poems. The publisher +wrote an answer to his letter, which fell into the hands of the poet's +father, who bore the same name as his son. The father answered: + +_Mr. Proctor to Mr. Murray_. + +ESTEEMED FRIEND, + +I feel very much obliged by thy refusing to _publish_ the papers sent +thee by my son. I was entirely ignorant of anything of the kind, or +should have nipt it in the bud. On receipt of this, please burn the +whole that was sent thee, and at thy convenience inform me that it has +been done. With thanks for thy highly commendable care. + +I am respectfully, thy friend, + +JOHN PROCTOR. + +The number of persons who desired to publish poetry was surprising, even +Sharon Turner, Murray's solicitor, whose valuable historical works had +been published by the Longmans, wrote to him about the publication of +poems, which he had written "to idle away the evenings as well as he +could." Murray answered his letter: + +_John Murray to Mr. Sharon Turner_. + +_November_ 17, 1817. + +I do not think it would be creditable to your name, or advantageous to +your more important works, that the present one should proceed from a +different publisher. Many might fancy that Longman had declined it. +Longman might suspect me of interference; and thus, in the uncertainty +of acting with propriety myself, I should have little hope of giving +satisfaction to you. I therefore refer the matter to your own feelings +and consideration. It has afforded me great pleasure to learn frequently +of late that you are so much better. I hope during the winter, if we +have any, to send you many amusing books to shorten the tediousness of +time, and charm away your indisposition. Mrs. Murray is still up and +well, and desires me to send her best compliments to you and Mrs. +Turner. + +Ever yours faithfully, + +J. MURRAY. + +Mr. Turner thanked Mr. Murray for his letter, and said that if he +proceeded with his intentions he would adopt his advice. "I have always +found Longman very kind and honourable, but I will not offer him now +what you think it right to decline." + +During Gifford's now almost incessant attacks of illness, Mr. Croker +took charge of the _Quarterly Review_. The following letter embodies +some of his ideas as to editing: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +BRIGHTON, _March_ 29, 1823. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +As I shall not be in Town in time to see you to-morrow, I send you some +papers. I return the _Poor_ article [Footnote: "On the Poor Laws," by +Mr. Gleig.] with its additions. Let the author's amendments be attended +to, and let his termination be inserted _between_ his former conclusion +and that which I have written. It is a good article, not overdone and +yet not dull. I return, to be set up, the article [by Captain Procter] +on Southey's "Peninsular War." It is very bad--a mere _abstracted +history of the war itself_, and not in the least a _review of the book_. +I have taken pains to remove some part of this error, but you must feel +how impossible it is to change the whole frame of such an article. A +touch thrown in here and there will give some relief, and the character +of a _review_ will be in some small degree preserved. This cursed system +of writing dissertations will be the death of us, and if I were to edit +another number, I should make a great alteration in that particular. But +for this time I must be satisfied with plastering up what I have not +time to rebuild. One thing I would do immediately if I were you. I would +pay for articles of _one_ sheet as much as for articles of two and +three, and, in fact, I would _scarcely_ permit an article to exceed one +sheet. I would reserve such extension for matters of great and immediate +interest and importance. I am delighted that W. [Footnote: Probably +Blanco White.] undertakes one, he will do it well; but remember the +necessity of _absolute secrecy_ on this point, and indeed on all others. +If you were to publish such names as Cohen and Croker and Collinson and +Coleridge, the magical WE would have little effect, and your _Review_ +would be absolutely despised--_omne ignotum pro mirifico_. I suppose I +shall see you about twelve on Tuesday. Could you not get me a gay light +article or two? If I am to _edit_ for you, I cannot find time to +_contribute_. Madame Campan's poem will more than expend my leisure. I +came here for a little recreation, and I am all day at the desk as if I +were at the Admiralty. This Peninsular article has cost me two days' +hard work, and is, after all, not worth the trouble; but we must have +something about it, and it is, I suppose, too late to expect anything +better. Mr. Williams's article on Sir W. Scott [Lord Stowell] is +contemptible, and would expose your _Review_ to the ridicule of the +whole bar; but it may be made something of, and I like the subject. I +had a long and amusing talk with the Chancellor the night before last, +on his own and his brother's judgments; I wish I had time to embody our +conversation in an article. + +Yours ever, + +J.W.C. + +Southey is _very_ long, but as good as he is long--I have nearly done +with him. I write _very slowly_, and cannot write long. This letter is +written at three sittings. + +No sooner had Croker got No. 56 of the _Review_ out of his hands than he +made a short visit to Paris. On this Mr. Barrow writes to Murray; + +_Mr. Barrow to John Murray_. + +_April_ 2, 1823. + +"Croker has run away to Paris, and left poor Gifford helpless. What will +become of the _Quarterly?_ ... Poor Gifford told me yesterday that he +felt he _must_ give up the Editorship, and that the doctors had +_ordered_ him to do so." + +Some months later, Barrow wrote to Murray saying that he had seen +Gifford that morning: + +_Mr. Barrow to John Murray_. + +_August_ 18, 1823. + +"I told him to look out for some one to conduct the _Review_, but he +comes to no decision. I told him that you very naturally looked to him +for naming a proper person. He replied he had--Nassau Senior--but that +you had taken some dislike to him. [Footnote: This, so far as can be +ascertained, was a groundless assumption on Mr. Gifford's part.] I then +said, 'You are now well; go on, and let neither Murray nor you trouble +yourselves about a future editor yet; for should you even break down in +the midst of a number, I can only repeat that Croker and myself will +bring it round, and a second number if necessary, to give him time to +look out for and fix upon a proper person, but that the work should not +stop.' I saw he did not like to continue the subject, and we talked of +something else." + +Croker also was quite willing to enter into this scheme, and jointly +with Barrow to undertake the temporary conduct of the _Review_. They +received much assistance also from Mr. J.T. Coleridge, then a young +barrister. Mr. Coleridge, as will be noticed presently, became for a +time editor of the _Quarterly_. "Mr. C. is too long," Gifford wrote to +Murray, "and I am sorry for it. But he is a nice young man, and should +be encouraged." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +HALLAM BASIL HALL--CRABBE--HOPE--HORACE AND JAMES SMITH + + +In 1817 Mr. Murray published for Mr. Hallam his "View of the State of +Europe during the Middle Ages." The acquaintance thus formed led to a +close friendship, which lasted unbroken till Mr. Murray's death. + +Mr. Murray published at this time a variety of books of travel. Some of +these were sent to the Marquess of Abercorn--amongst them Mr. +(afterwards Sir) Henry Ellis's "Proceedings of Lord Amherst's Embassy to +China," [Footnote: "Journal of the Proceedings of the late Embassy to +China, comprising a Correct Narrative of the Public Transactions of the +Embassy, of the Voyage to and from China, and of the Journey from the +Mouth of the Peiho to the Return to Canton." By Henry Ellis, Esq., +Secretary of the Embassy, and Third Commissioner.] about which the +Marchioness, at her husband's request, wrote to the publisher as +follows: + +_Marchioness of Abercorn to John Murray_, + +_December_ 4, 1817. + +"He returns Walpole, as he says since the age of fifteen he has read so +much Grecian history and antiquity that he has these last ten years been +sick of the subject. He does not like Ellis's account of 'The Embassy to +China,' [Footnote: Ellis seems to have been made very uncomfortable by +the publication of his book. It was severely reviewed in the _Times_, +where it was said that the account (then in the press) by Clark Abel, +M.D., Principal Medical Officer and Naturalist to the Embassy, would be +greatly superior. On this Ellis wrote to Murray (October 19, 1817): "An +individual has seldom committed an act so detrimental to his interests +as I have done in this unfortunate publication; and I shall be too happy +when the lapse of time will allow of my utterly forgetting the +occurrence. I am already indifferent to literary criticism, and had +almost forgotten Abel's approaching competition." The work went through +two editions.] but is pleased with Macleod's [Footnote: "Narrative of a +Voyage in His Majesty's late ship _Alceste_ to the Yellow Sea, along the +Coast of Corea, and through its numerous hitherto undiscovered Islands +to the Island of Lewchew, with an Account of her Shipwreck in the +Straits of Gaspar." By John MacLeod, surgeon of the _Alceste_.] +narrative. He bids me tell you to say the best and what is least +obnoxious of the [former] book. The composition and the narrative are so +thoroughly wretched that he should be ashamed to let it stand in his +library. He will be obliged to you to send him Leyden's 'Africa.' Leyden +was a friend of his, and desired leave to dedicate to him while he +lived." + +Mr. Murray, in his reply, deprecated the severity of the Marquess of +Abercorn's criticism on the work of Sir H. Ellis, who had done the best +that he could on a subject of exceeding interest. + +_John Murray to Lady Abercorn_. + +"I am now printing Captain Hall's account (he commanded the _Lyra_), and +I will venture to assure your Ladyship that it is one of the most +delightful books I ever read, and it is calculated to heal the wound +inflicted by poor Ellis. I believe I desired my people to send you +Godwin's novel, which is execrably bad. But in most cases book readers +must balance novelty against disappointment. + +And in reply to a request for more books to replace those condemned or +dull, he asks dryly: + +"Shall I withhold 'Rob Roy' and 'Childe Harold' from your ladyship until +their merits have been ascertained? Even if an indifferent book, it is +something to be amongst the first to _say_ that it is bad. You will be +alarmed, I fear, at having provoked so many reasons for sending you dull +publications.... I am printing two short but very clever novels by poor +Miss Austen, the author of 'Pride and Prejudice.' I send Leyden's +'Africa' for Lord Abercorn, who will be glad to hear that the 'Life and +Posthumous Writings' will be ready soon." + +The Marchioness, in her answer to the above letter, thanked Mr. Murray +for his entertaining answer to her letter, and said: + +_Marchioness of Abercorn to John Murray_. + +"Lord Abercorn says he thinks your conduct with respect to sending books +back that he does not like is particularly liberal. He bids me tell you +how very much he likes Mr. Macleod's book; we had seen some of it in +manuscript before it was published. We are very anxious for Hall's +account, and I trust you will send it to us the moment you can get a +copy finished. + +"No, indeed! you must not (though desirous you may be to punish us for +the severity of the criticism on poor Ellis) keep back for a moment 'Rob +Roy' or the fourth canto of 'Childe Harold.' I have heard a good deal +from Scotland that makes me continue _surmising_ who is the author of +these novels. Our friend Walter paid a visit last summer to a gentleman +on the banks of Loch Lomond--the scene of Rob Roy's exploits--and was at +great pains to learn all the traditions of the country regarding him +from the clergyman and old people of the neighbourhood, of which he got +a considerable stock. I am very glad to hear of a 'Life of Leyden.' He +was a very surprising young man, and his death is a great loss to the +world. Pray send us Miss Austen's novels the moment you can. Lord +Abercorn thinks them next to W. Scott's (if they are by W. Scott); it is +a great pity that we shall have no more of hers. Who are the _Quarterly +Reviewers_? I hear that Lady Morgan suspects Mr. Croker of having +reviewed her 'France,' and intends to be revenged, etc. + +"Believe me to be yours, with great regard, + +"A.J. ABERCORN." + +From many communications addressed to Mr. Murray about the beginning of +1818, it appears that he had proposed to start a _Monthly Register_, +[Footnote: The announcement ran thus: "On the third Saturday in January, +1818, will be published the first number of a NEW PERIODICAL JOURNAL, +the object of which will be to convey to the public a great variety of +new, original, and interesting matter; and by a methodical arrangement +of all Inventions in the Arts, Discoveries in the Sciences, and +Novelties in Literature, to enable the reader to keep pace with human +knowledge. To be printed uniformly with the QUARTERLY REVIEW. The price +by the year will be £2 2s."] and he set up in print a specimen copy. +Many of his correspondents offered to assist him, amongst others Mr. J. +Macculloch, Lord Sheffield, Dr. Polidori, then settled at St. Peter's, +Norwich, Mr. Bulmer of the British Museum, and many other contributors. +He sent copies of the specimen number to Mr. Croker and received the +following candid reply: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_January_ 11, 1818. + +MY DEAR MURRAY, + +Our friend Sepping [Footnote: A naval surveyor.] says, "Nothing is +stronger than its weakest part," and this is as true in book-making as +in shipbuilding. I am sorry to say your _Register_ has, in my opinion, a +great many weak parts. It is for nobody's use; it is too popular and +trivial for the learned, and too abstruse and plodding for the +multitude. The preface is not English, nor yet Scotch or Irish. It must +have been written by Lady Morgan. In the body of the volume, there is +not _one_ new nor curious article, unless it be Lady Hood's "Tiger +Hunt." In your Mechanics there is a miserable want of information, and +in your Statistics there is a sad superabundance of American hyperbole +and dulness mixed together, like the mud and gunpowder which, when a +boy, I used to mix together to make a fizz. Your Poetry is so bad that I +look upon it as your personal kindness to me that you did not put my +lines under that head. Your criticism on Painting begins by calling +West's very pale horse "an extraordinary effort of human _genius_." Your +criticism on Sculpture begins by applauding _beforehand_ Mr. Wyatt's +_impudent_ cenotaph. Your criticism on the Theatre begins by +_denouncing_ the best production of its kind, 'The Beggar's Opera.' Your +article on Engraving puts under the head of Italy a stone drawing made +in Paris. Your own engraving of the Polar Regions is confused and dirty; +and your article on the Polar Seas sets out with the assertion of a fact +of which I was profoundly ignorant, namely, that the Physical +Constitution of the Globe is subject to _constant changes_ and +revolution. Of _constant changes_ I never heard, except in one of +Congreve's plays, in which the fair sex is accused of _constant +inconstancy_; but suppose that for _constant_ you read _frequent_. I +should wish you, for my own particular information, to add in a note a +few instances of the Physical Changes in the Constitution of the Globe, +which have occurred since the year 1781, in which I happened to be born. +I know of none, and I should be sorry to go out of the world ignorant of +what has passed in my own time. You send me your proof "for my boldest +criticism." I have hurried over rather than read through the pages, and +I give you honestly, and as plainly as an infamous pen (the same, I +presume, which drew your polar chart) will permit, my hasty impression. +If you will call here to-morrow between twelve and one, I will talk with +you on the subject. + +Yours, + +J.W.C. + +The project was eventually abandoned. Murray entered into the +arrangement, already described, with Blackwood, of the _Edinburgh +Magazine_. The article on the "Polar Ice" was inserted in the +_Quarterly_. + +Towards the end of 1818, Mr. Crabbe called upon Mr. Murray and offered +to publish through him his "Tales of the Hall," consisting of about +twelve thousand lines. He also proposed to transfer to him from Mr. +Colburn his other poems, so that the whole might be printed uniformly. +Mr. Crabbe, who up to this period had received very little for his +writings, was surprised when Mr. Murray offered him no less than £3,000 +for the copyright of his poems. It seemed to him a mine of wealth +compared to all that he had yet received. The following morning +(December 6) he breakfasted with Mr. Rogers, and Tom Moore was present. +Crabbe told them of his good fortune, and of the magnificent offer he +had received. Rogers thought it was not enough, and that Crabbe should +have received £3,000 for the "Tales of the Hall" alone, and that he +would try if the Longmans would not give more. He went to Paternoster +Row accordingly, and tried the Longmans; but they would not give more +than £1,000 for the new work and the copyright of the old poems--that +is, only one-third of what Murray had offered. [Footnote: "Memoirs, +Journals, Correspondence, of Thomas Moore," by Lord John Russell, ii. +237.] + +When Crabbe was informed of this, he was in a state of great +consternation. As Rogers had been bargaining with another publisher for +better terms, the matter seemed still to be considered open; and in the +meantime, if Murray were informed of the event, he might feel umbrage +and withdraw his offer. Crabbe wrote to Murray on the subject, but +received no answer. He had within his reach a prize far beyond his most +sanguine hopes, and now, by the over-officiousness of his friends, he +was in danger of losing it. In this crisis Rogers and Moore called upon +Murray, and made enquiries on the subject of Crabbe's poems. "Oh, yes," +he said, "I have heard from Mr. Crabbe, and look upon the matter as +settled." Crabbe was thus released from all his fears. When he received +the bills for £3,000, he insisted on taking them with him to Trowbridge +to show them to his son John. + +It proved after all that the Longmans were right in their offer to +Rogers; Murray was far too liberal. Moore, in his Diary (iii. 332), +says, "Even if the whole of the edition (3,000) were sold, Murray would +still be £1,900 minus." Crabbe had some difficulty in getting his old +poems out of the hands of his former publisher, who wrote to him in a +strain of the wildest indignation, and even threatened him with legal +proceedings, but eventually the unsold stock, consisting of 2,426 +copies, was handed over by Hatchard & Colburn to Mr. Murray, and nothing +more was heard of this controversy between them and the poet. + +"Anastasius, or Memoirs of a Modern Greek, written at the Close of the +18th Century," was published anonymously, and was confidently asserted +to be the work of Lord Byron, as the only person capable of having +produced it. When the author was announced to be Mr. Thomas Hope, of +Deepdene, some incredulity was expressed by the _literati_. + +The Countess of Blessington, in her "Conversations with Lord Byron," +says: "Byron spoke to-day in terms of high commendation of Hope's +'Anastasius'; said he had wept bitterly over many pages of it, and for +two reasons--first, that he had not written it; and, secondly, that Hope +had; for that it was necessary to like a man excessively to pardon his +writing such a book--a book, he said, excelling all recent productions +as much in wit and talent as in true pathos. He added that he would have +given his two most approved poems to have been the author of +'Anastasius.'" The work was greatly read at the time, and went through +many large editions. + +The refusal of the "Rejected Addresses," by Horace and James Smith, was +one of Mr. Murray's few mistakes. Horace was a stockbroker, and James a +solicitor. They were not generally known as authors, though they +contributed anonymously to the _New Monthly Magazine_, which was +conducted by Campbell the poet. In 1812 they produced a collection +purporting to be "Rejected Addresses, presented for competition at the +opening of Drury Lane Theatre." They offered the collection to Mr. +Murray for £20, but he declined to purchase the copyright. The Smiths +were connected with Cadell the publisher, and Murray, thinking that the +MS. had been offered to and rejected by him, declined to look into it. +The "Rejected Addresses" were eventually published by John Miller, and +excited a great deal of curiosity. They were considered to be the best +imitations of living poets ever made. Byron was delighted with them. He +wrote to Mr. Murray that he thought them "by far the best thing of the +kind since the 'Rolliad.'" Crabbe said of the verses in imitation of +himself, "In their versification they have done me admirably." When he +afterwards met Horace Smith, he seized both hands of the satirist, and +said, with a good-humoured laugh, "Ah! my old enemy, how do you do?" +Jeffrey said of the collection, "I take them, indeed, to be the very +best imitations (and often of difficult originals) that ever were made, +and, considering their extent and variety, to indicate a talent to which +I do not know where to look for a parallel." Murray had no sooner read +the volume than he spared no pains to become the publisher, but it was +not until after the appearance of the sixteenth edition that he was able +to purchase the copyright for £131. + +Towards the end of 1819, Mr. Murray was threatened with an action on +account of certain articles which had appeared in Nos. 37 and 38 of the +_Quarterly_ relative to the campaign in Italy against Murat, King of +Naples. The first was written by Dr. Reginald (afterwards Bishop) Heber, +under the title of "Military and Political Power of Russia, by Sir +Robert Wilson"; the second was entitled "Sir Robert Wilson's Reply." +Colonel Macirone occupied a very unimportant place in both articles. He +had been in the service of Murat while King of Naples, and acted as his +aide-de-camp, which post he retained after Murat became engaged in +hostilities with Austria, then in alliance with England. Macirone was +furnished with a passport for _himself_ as envoy of the Allied Powers, +and provided with another passport for Murat, under the name of Count +Lipona, to be used by him in case he abandoned his claim to the throne +of Naples. Murat indignantly declined the proposal, and took refuge in +Corsica. Yet Macirone delivered to Murat the passport. Not only so, but +he deliberately misled Captain Bastard, the commander of a small English +squadron which had been stationed at Bastia to intercept Murat in the +event of his embarking for the purpose of regaining his throne at +Naples. Murat embarked, landed in Italy without interruption, and was +soon after defeated and taken prisoner. He thereupon endeavoured to use +the passport which Macirone had given him, to secure his release, but it +was too late; he was tried and shot at Pizzo. The reviewer spoke of +Colonel Macirone in no very measured terms. "For Murat," he said, "we +cannot feel respect, but we feel very considerable pity. Of Mr. Macirone +we are tempted to predict that he has little reason to apprehend the +honourable mode of death which was inflicted on his master. _His_ +vocation seems to be another kind of exit." + +Macirone gave notice of an action for damages, and claimed no less than +£10,000. Serjeant Copley (afterwards Lord Lyndhurst), then +Solicitor-General, and Mr. Gurney, were retained for Mr. Murray by his +legal adviser Mr. Sharon Turner. + +The case came on, and on the Bench were seated the Duke of Wellington, +Lord Liverpool, and other leading statesmen, who had been subpoenaed as +witnesses for the defence. One of the Ridgways, publishers, had also +been subpoenaed with an accredited copy of Macirone's book; but it was +not necessary to produce him as a witness, as Mr. Ball, the counsel for +Macirone, _quoted_ passages from it, and thus made the entire book +available as evidence for the defendant, a proceeding of which Serjeant +Copley availed himself with telling effect. He substantiated the facts +stated in the _Quarterly_ article by passages quoted from Colonel +Macirone's own "Memoirs." Before he had concluded his speech, it became +obvious that the Jury had arrived at the conclusion to which he wished +to lead them; but he went on to drive the conclusion home by a splendid +peroration. [Footnote: Given in Sir Theodore Martin's "Life of Lord +Lyudhurst," p. 170.] The Jury intimated that they were all agreed; but +the Judge, as a matter of precaution, proceeded to charge them on the +evidence placed before them; and as soon as he had concluded, the Jury, +without retiring from the box, at once returned their verdict for the +defendant. + +Although Mr. Murray had now a house in the country, he was almost +invariably to be found at Albemarle Street. We find, in one of his +letters to Blackwood, dated Wimbledon, May 22, 1819, the following: "I +have been unwell with bile and rheumatism, and have come to a little +place here, which I have bought lately, for a few days to recruit." + +The following description of a reception at Mr. Murray's is taken from +the "Autobiography" of Mrs. Bray, the novelist. She relates that in the +autumn of 1819 she made a visit to Mr. Murray, with her first husband, +Charles Stothard, son of the well-known artist, for the purpose of +showing him the illustrations of his "Letters from Normandy and +Brittany." + + +"We did not know," she says, "that Mr. Murray held daily from about +three to five o'clock a literary levée at his house. In this way he +gathered round him many of the most eminent men of the time. On calling, +we sent up our cards, and finding he was engaged, proposed to retreat, +when Mr. Murray himself appeared and insisted on our coming up. I was +introduced to him by my husband, and welcomed by him with all the +cordiality of an old acquaintance. He said Sir Walter Scott was there, +and he thought that we should like to see him, and to be introduced to +him. 'You will know him at once,' added Mr. Murray, 'he is sitting on +the sofa near the fire-place.' We found Sir Walter talking to Mr. +Gifford, then the Editor of the _Quarterly Review_. The room was filled +with men and women, and among them several of the principal authors and +authoresses of the day; but my attention was so fixed on Sir Walter and +Mr. Gifford that I took little notice of the rest. Many of those present +were engaged in looking at and making remarks upon a drawing, which +represented a Venetian Countess (Guiccioli), the favourite, but not very +respectable friend of Lord Byron. Mr. Murray made his way through the +throng in order to lead us up to Sir Walter. We were introduced. Mr. +Murray, anxious to remove the awkwardness of a first introduction, +wished to say something which would engage a conversation between +ourselves and Sir Walter Scott, and asked Charles if he happened to have +about him his drawing of the Bayeux tapestry to show to Sir Walter. +Charles smiled and said 'No'; but the saying answered the desired end; +something had been said that led to conversation, and Sir Walter, +Gifford, Mr. Murray, and Charles chatted on, and I listened. + +"Gifford looked very aged, his face much wrinkled, and he seemed to be +in declining health; his dress was careless, and his cravat and +waistcoat covered with snuff. There was an antique, philosophic cast +about his head and countenance, better adapted to exact a feeling of +curiosity in a stranger than the head of Sir Walter Scott; the latter +seemed more a man of this world's mould. Such, too, was his character; +for, with all his fine genius, Sir Walter would never have been so +successful an author, had he not possessed so large a share of common +sense, united to a business-like method of conducting his affairs, even +those which perhaps I might venture to call the affairs of imagination. +We took our leave; and before we got further than the first landing, we +met Mr. Murray conducting Sir Walter downstairs; they were going to have +a private chat before the departure of the latter." [Footnote: "Mrs. +Bray's Autobiography," pp. 145-7.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +MEMOIRS OF LADY HERVEY AND HORACE WALPOLE--BELZONI--MILMAN--SOUTHEY +--MRS. RUNDELL, ETC. + + +About the beginning of 1819 the question of publishing the letters and +reminiscences of Lady Hervey, grandmother of the Earl of Mulgrave, was +brought under the notice of Mr. Murray. Lady Hervey was the daughter of +Brigadier-General Lepel, and the wife of Lord Hervey of Ickworth, author +of the "Memoirs of the Court of George II. and Queen Caroline." Her +letters formed a sort of anecdotal history of the politics and +literature of her times. A mysterious attachment is said to have existed +between her and Lord Chesterfield, who, in his letters to his son, +desired him never to mention her name when he could avoid it, while she, +on the other hand, adopted all Lord Chesterfield's opinions, as +afterwards appeared in the aforesaid letters. Mr. Walter Hamilton, +author of the "Gazetteer of India," an old and intimate friend of Mr. +Murray, who first brought the subject under Mr. Murray's notice, said, +"Lady Hervey writes more like a man than a woman, something like Lady +M.W. Montagu, and in giving her opinion she never minces matters." Mr. +Hamilton recommended that Archdeacon Coxe, author of the "Lives of Sir +Robert and Horace Walpole," should be the editor. Mr. Murray, however, +consulted his _fidus Achates_, Mr. Croker; and, putting the letters in +his hands, asked him to peruse them, and, if he approved, to edit them. +The following was Mr. Croker's answer: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_November_ 22, 1820. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I shall do more than you ask. I shall give you a biographical +sketch--sketch, do you hear?--of Lady Hervey, and notes on her letters, +in which I shall endeavour to enliven a little the _sameness_ of my +author. Don't think that I say _sameness_ in derogation of dear Mary +Lepel's _powers_ of entertainment. I have been _in love_ with her a long +time; which, as she was dead twenty years before I was born, I may +without indiscretion avow; but all these letters being written in a +journal style and to one person, there is a want of that variety which +Lady Hervey's mind was capable of giving. I have applied to her family +for a little assistance; hitherto without success; and I think, as a +_lover_ of Lady Hervey's, I might reasonably resent the little +enthusiasm I find that her descendants felt about her. In order to +enable me to do this little job for you, I wish you would procure for me +a file, if such a thing exists, of any newspaper from about 1740 to +1758, at which latter date the _Annual Register_ begins, as I remember. +So many little circumstances are mentioned in letters, and forgotten in +history, that without some such guide, I shall make but blind work of +it. If it be necessary, I will go to the Museum and _grab_ them, as my +betters have done before me. My dear little Nony [Footnote: Mr. Croker's +adopted daughter, afterwards married to Sir George Barrow.] was worse +last night, and not better all to-day; but this evening they make me +happy by saying that she is decidedly improved. + +Yours ever, + +J.W. CROKER. + +Send me "Walpoliana," I have lost or mislaid mine. Are there any memoirs +about the date of 1743, or later, beside Bubb's? + +That Mr. Croker made all haste and exercised his usual painstaking +industry in doing "this little job" for Mr. Murray will be evident from +the following letters: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_December_ 27, 1820. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I have done "Lady Hervey." I hear that there is a Mr. Vincent in the +Treasury, the son of a Mr. and Mrs. Vincent, to whom the late General +Hervey, the favourite son of Lady Hervey, left his fortune and his +papers. Could you find out who they are? Nothing is more surprising than +the ignorance in which I find all Lady Hervey's descendants about her. +Most of them never heard her maiden name. It reminds one of Walpole +writing to George Montagu, to tell him who his grandmother was! I am +anxious to knock off this task whilst what little I know of it is fresh +in my recollection; for I foresee that much of the entertainment of the +work must depend on the elucidations in the Notes. + +Yours, + +J.W.C. + +The publication of Lady Hervey's letters in 1821 was so successful that +Mr. Croker was afterwards induced to edit, with great advantage, letters +and memorials of a similar character. [Footnote: As late as 1848, Mr. +Croker edited Lord Hervey's "Memoirs of the Court of George II. and +Queen Caroline," from the family archives at Ickworth. The editor in his +preface said that Lord Hervey was almost the Boswell of George II. and +Queen Caroline.] + +The next important _mémoires pour servir_ were brought under Mr. +Murray's notice by Lord Holland, in the following letter: + + +_Lord Holland to John Murray_. + +HOLLAND HOUSE, _November_ 1820. + +SIR, + +I wrote a letter to you last week which by some accident Lord +Lauderdale, who had taken charge of it, has mislaid. The object of it +was to request you to call here some morning, and to let me know the +hour by a line by two-penny post. I am authorized to dispose of two +historical works, the one a short but admirably written and interesting +memoir of the late Lord Waldegrave, who was a favourite of George II., +and governor of George III. when Prince of Wales. The second consists of +three close-written volumes of "Memoirs by Horace Walpole" (afterwards +Lord Orford), which comprise the last nine years of George II.'s reign. +I am anxious to give you the refusal of them, as I hear you have already +expressed a wish to publish anything of this kind written by Horace +Walpole, and had indirectly conveyed that wish to Lord Waldegrave, to +whom these and many other MSS. of that lively and laborious writer +belong. Lord Lauderdale has offered to assist me in adjusting the terms +of the agreement, and perhaps you will arrange with him; he lives at +Warren's Hotel, Waterloo Place, where you can make it convenient to meet +him. I would meet you there, or call at your house; but before you can +make any specific offer, you will no doubt like to look at the MSS., +which are here, and which (not being mine) I do not like to expose +unnecessarily to the risk even of a removal to London and back again. + +I am, Sir, your obedient humble Servant, etc., + +VASSALL HOLLAND. + + +It would appear that Mr. Murray called upon Lord Holland and looked over +the MSS., but made no proposal to purchase the papers. The matter lay +over until Lord Holland again addressed Mr. Murray. + + +_Lord Holland to John Murray_. + +"It appears that you are either not aware of the interesting nature of +the MSS. which I showed you, or that the indifference produced by the +present frenzy about the Queen's business [Footnote: The trial of Queen +Caroline was then occupying public attention.] to all literary +publications, has discouraged you from an undertaking in which you would +otherwise engage most willingly. However, to come to the point. I have +consulted Lord Waldegrave on the subject, and we agree that the two +works, viz. his grandfather, Lord Waldegrave's "Memoirs," and Horace +Walpole's "Memoirs of the Last Nine Years of George II.," should not be +sold for less than 3,000 guineas. If that sum would meet your ideas, or +if you have any other offer to make, I will thank you to let me know +before the second of next month." + +Three thousand guineas was certainly a very large price to ask for the +Memoirs, and Mr. Murray hesitated very much before acceding to Lord +Holland's proposal. He requested to have the MSS. for the purpose of +consulting his literary adviser--probably Mr. Croker, though the +following remarks, now before us, are not in his handwriting. + +"This book of yours," says the critic, "is a singular production. It is +ill-written, deficient in grammar, and often in English; and yet it +interests and even amuses. Now, the subjects of it are all, I suppose, +gone _ad plures_; otherwise it would be intolerable. The writer richly +deserves a licking or a cudgelling to every page, and yet I am ashamed +to say I have travelled unwearied with him through the whole, divided +between a grin and a scowl. I never saw nor heard of such an animal as a +splenetic, bustling kind of a poco-curante. By the way, if you happen to +hear of any plan for making me a king, be so good as to say that I am +deceased; or tell any other good-natured lie to put the king-makers off +their purpose. I really cannot submit to be the only slave in the +nation, especially when I have a crossing to sweep within five yards of +my door, and may gain my bread with less ill-usage than a king is +obliged to put up with. If half that is here told be true, Lord Holland +seems to me to tread on + + + 'ignes + Suppositos cineri doloso' + + +in retouching any part of the manuscript. He is so perfectly kind and +good-natured, that he will feel more than any man the complaints of +partiality and injustice; and where he is to stop, I see not. There is +so much abuse that little is to be gained by an occasional erasure, +while suspicion is excited. He would have consulted his quiet more by +leaving the author to bear the blame of his own scandal." + +Notwithstanding this adverse judgment, Mr. Murray was disposed to buy +the Memoirs. Lord Holland drove a very hard bargain, and endeavoured to +obtain better terms from other publishers, but he could not, and +eventually Mr. Murray paid to Lord Waldegrave, through Lord Holland, the +sum of £2,500 on November 1, 1821, for the Waldegrave and Walpole +Memoirs. They were edited by Lord Holland, who wrote a preface to each, +and were published in the following year, but never repaid their +expenses. After suffering considerable loss by this venture, Mr. +Murray's rights were sold, after his death, to Mr. Colburn. + +The last of the _mémoires pour servir_ to which we shall here refer was +the Letters of the Countess of Suffolk, bedchamber woman to the Princess +of Wales (Caroline of Anspach), and a favourite of the Prince of Wales, +afterwards George II. The Suffolk papers were admirably edited by Mr. +Croker. Thackeray, in his "Lecture on George the Second," says of his +work: "Even Croker, who edited her letters, loves her, and has that +regard for her with which her sweet graciousness seems to have inspired +almost all men, and some women, who came near her." The following letter +of Croker shows the spirit in which he began to edit the Countess's +letters: + + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_May_ 29, 1822. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +As you told me that you are desirous of publishing the Suffolk volume by +November, and as I have, all my life, had an aversion to making any one +wait for me, I am anxious to begin my work upon them, and, if we are to +be out by November, I presume it is high time. I must beg of you to +answer me the following questions. + +1st. What shape will you adopt? I think the correspondence of a nature +rather too light for a quarto, and yet it would look well on the same +shelf with Horace Walpole's works. If you should prefer an octavo, like +Lady Hervey's letters, the papers would furnish two volumes. I, for my +part, should prefer the quarto size, which is a great favourite with me, +and the letters of such persons as Pope, Swift, and Gay, the Duchesses +of Buckingham, Queensberry, and Marlbro', Lords Peterborough, +Chesterfield, Bathurst, and Lansdowne, Messrs. Pitt, Pulteney, Pelham, +Grenville, and Horace Walpole, seem to me almost to justify the +magnificence of the quarto; though, in truth, all their epistles are, in +its narrowest sense, _familiar_, and treat chiefly of tittle-tattle. + +Decide, however, on your own view of your interests, only recollect that +these papers are not to cost you more than "Belshazzar," [Footnote: Mr. +Milman's poem, for which Mr. Murray paid 500 guineas.] which I take to +be of about the intrinsic value of the _writings on the walls_, and not +a third of what you have given Mr. Crayon for his portrait of Squire +Bracebridge. + +2nd. Do you intend to have any portraits? One of Lady Suffolk is almost +indispensable, and would be enough. There are two of her at Strawberry +Hill; one, I think, a print, and neither, if I forget not, very good. +There is also a print, an unassuming one, in Walpole's works, but a good +artist would make something out of any of these, if even we can get +nothing better to make our copy from. If you were to increase your +number of portraits, I would add the Duchess of Queensberry, from a +picture at Dalkeith which is alluded to in the letters; Lady Hervey and +her beautiful friend, Mary Bellenden. They are in Walpole's works; Lady +Hervey rather mawkish, but the Bellenden charming. I dare say these +plates could now be bought cheap, and retouched from the originals, +which would make them better than ever they were. Lady Vere (sister of +Lady Temple, which latter is engraved in Park's edition of the "Noble +Authors") was a lively writer, and is much distinguished in this +correspondence. Of the men, I should propose Lord Peterborough, whose +portraits are little known; Lord Liverpool has one of him, not, however, +very characteristic. Mr. Pulteney is also little known, but he has been +lately re-published in the Kit-cat Club. Of _our Horace_ there is not a +decent engraving anywhere. I presume that there must be a good original +of him somewhere. Whatever you mean to do on this point, you should come +to an early determination and put the works in hand. + +3rd. I mean, if you approve, to prefix a biographical sketch of Mrs. +Howard and two or three of those beautiful characters with which, in +prose and verse, the greatest wits of the last century honoured her and +themselves. To the first letter of each remarkable correspondent I would +also affix a slight notice, and I would add, at the foot of the page, +notes in the style of those on Lady Hervey. Let me know whether this +plan suits your fancy. + +4th. All the letters of Swift, except one or two, in this collection are +printed (though not always accurately) in Scott's edition of his works. +Yet I think it would be proper to reprint them from the originals, +because they elucidate much of Lady Suffolk's history, and her +correspondence could not be said to be complete without them. Let me +know your wishes on this point. + +5th. My materials are numerous, though perhaps the pieces of great merit +are not many. I must therefore beg of you to set up, in the form and +type you wish to adopt, the sheet which I send you, and you must say +about how many pages you wish your volume, or volumes, to be. I will +then select as much of the most interesting as will fill the space which +you may desire to occupy. + +Yours truly, + +J.W. CROKER. + + +Mr. Croker also consented to edit the letters of Mrs. Delany to Mr. +Hamilton, 1779-88, containing many anecdotes relating to the Royal +Family. + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +"I have shown Mrs. Delany's MS. letters to the Prince Regent; he was +much entertained with this revival of old times in his recollection, and +_he says that every word of it is true_. You know that H.R.H. has a +wonderful memory, and particularly for things of that kind. His +certificate of Mrs. Delany's veracity will therefore be probably of some +weight with you. As to the letter-writing powers of Mrs. Delany, the +specimen inclines me to doubt. Her style seems stiff and formal, and +though these two letters, which describe a peculiar kind of scene, have +a good deal of interest in them, I do not hope for the same amusement +from the rest of the collection. Poverty, obscurity, general ill-health, +and blindness are but unpromising qualifications for making an agreeable +volume of letters. If a shopkeeper at Portsmouth were to write his life, +the extracts of what relates to the two days of the Imperial and Royal +visit of 1814 would be amusing, though all the rest of the half century +of his life would be intolerably tedious. I therefore counsel you not to +buy the pig in Miss Hamilton's bag (though she is a most respectable +lady), but ask to see the whole collection before you bid." + +The whole collection was obtained, and, with some corrections and +elucidations, the volume of letters was given to the world by Mr. Murray +in 1821. + +In May 1820 Mr. Murray requested Mr. Croker to edit Horace Walpole's +"Reminiscences." Mr. Croker replied, saying: "I should certainly like +the task very well if I felt a little better satisfied of my ability to +perform it. Something towards such a work I would certainly contribute, +for I have always loved that kind of tea-table history." Not being able +to undertake the work himself, Mr. Croker recommended Mr. Murray to +apply to Miss Berry, the editor of Lady Russell's letters. "The Life," +he said, "by which those letters were preceded, is a beautiful piece of +biography, and shows, besides higher qualities, much of that taste which +a commentator on the 'Reminiscences' ought to have." The work was +accordingly placed in the hands of Miss Berry, who edited it +satisfactorily, and it was published by Mr. Murray in the course of the +following year. + +Dr. Tomline, while Bishop of Winchester, entered into a correspondence +with Mr. Murray respecting the "Life of William Pitt." In December +1820, Dr. Tomline said he had brought the Memoirs down to the +Declaration of War by France against Great Britain on February I, 1793, +and that the whole would make two volumes quarto. Until he became Bishop +of Lincoln, Dr. Tomline had been Pitt's secretary, and from the +opportunities he had possessed, there was promise here of a great work; +but it was not well executed, and though a continuation was promised, it +never appeared. When the work was sent to Mr. Gifford, he wrote to Mr. +Murray that it was not at all what he expected, for it contained nothing +of Pitt's private history. "He seems to be uneasy until he gets back to +his Parliamentary papers. Yet it can hardly fail to be pretty widely +interesting; but I would not have you make yourself too uneasy about +these things. Pitt's name, and the Bishop's, will make the work sell." +Gifford was right. The "Life" went to a fourth edition in the following +year. + +Among Mr. Murray's devoted friends and adherents was Giovanni Belzoni, +who, born at Padua in 1778, had, when a young man at Rome, intended to +devote himself to the monastic life, but the French invasion of the city +altered his purpose, and, instead of being a monk, he became an athlete. +He was a man of gigantic physical power, and went from place to place, +gaining his living in England, as elsewhere, as a posture-master, and by +exhibiting at shows his great feats of strength. He made enough by this +work to enable him to visit Egypt, where he erected hydraulic machines +for the Pasha, and, through the influence of Mr. Salt, the British +Consul, was employed to remove from Thebes, and ship for England, the +colossal bust commonly called the Young Memnon. His knowledge of +mechanics enabled him to accomplish this with great dexterity, and the +head, now in the British Museum, is one of the finest specimens of +Egyptian sculpture. + +Belzoni, after performing this task, made further investigations among +the Egyptian tombs and temples. He was the first to open the great +temple of Ipsambul, cut in the side of a mountain, and at that time shut +in by an accumulation of sand. Encouraged by these successes, he, in +1817, made a second journey to Upper Egypt and Nubia, and brought to +light at Carnac several colossal heads of granite, now in the British +Museum. After some further explorations among the tombs and temples, for +which he was liberally paid by Mr. Salt, Belzoni returned to England +with numerous drawings, casts, and many important works of Egyptian art. +He called upon Mr. Murray, with the view of publishing the results of +his investigations, which in due course were issued under the title of +"Narrative of the Operations and recent Discoveries within the Pyramids, +Temples, Tombs, and Excavations in Egypt and Nubia." + +It was a very expensive book to arrange and publish, but nothing daunted +Mr. Murray when a new and original work was brought under his notice. +Although only 1,000 copies were printed, the payments to Belzoni and his +translators, as well as for plates and engravings, amounted to over +£2,163. The preparation of the work gave rise to no little difficulty, +for Belzoni declined all help beyond that of the individual who was +employed to copy out or translate his manuscript and correct the press. +"As I make my discoveries alone," he said, "I have been anxious to write +my book by myself, though in so doing the reader will consider me, with +great propriety, guilty of temerity; but the public will, perhaps, gain +in the fidelity of my narration what it loses in elegance." Lord Byron, +to whom Mr. Murray sent a copy of his work, said: "Belzoni _is_ a grand +traveller, and his English is very prettily broken." + +Belzoni was a very interesting character, and a man of great natural +refinement. After the publication of his work, he became one of the +fashionable lions of London, but was very sensitive about his early +career, and very sedulous to sink the posture-master in the traveller. +He was often present at Mr. Murray's receptions; and on one particular +occasion he was invited to join the family circle in Albemarle Street on +the last evening of 1822, to see the Old Year out and the New Year in. +All Mr. Murray's young people were present, as well as the entire +D'Israeli family and Crofton Croker. After a merry game of Pope Joan, +Mr. Murray presented each of the company with a pocket-book as a New +Year's gift. A special bowl of punch was brewed for the occasion, and, +while it was being prepared, Mr. Isaac D'Israeli took up Crofton +Croker's pocket-book, and with his pencil wrote the following impromptu +words: + +"Gigantic Belzoni at Pope Joan and tea. +What a group of mere puppets we seem beside thee; +Which, our kind host perceiving, with infinite zest, +Gives us Punch at our supper, to keep up the jest." + +The lines were pronounced to be excellent, and Belzoni, wishing to share +in the enjoyment, desired to see the words. He read the last line twice +over, and then, his eyes flashing fire, he exclaimed, "I am betrayed!" +and suddenly left the room. Crofton Croker called upon Belzoni to +ascertain the reason for his abrupt departure from Mr. Murray's, and was +informed that he considered the lines to be an insulting allusion to his +early career as a showman. Croker assured him that neither Murray nor +D'Israeli knew anything of his former life; finally he prevailed upon +Belzoni to accompany him to Mr. Murray's, who for the first time learnt +that the celebrated Egyptian explorer had many years before been an +itinerant exhibitor in England. + +In 1823 Belzoni set out for Morocco, intending to penetrate thence to +Eastern Africa; he wrote to Mr. Murray from Gibraltar, thanking him for +many acts of kindness, and again from Tangier. + + +_M.G. Belzoni to John Murray_. + +_April_ 10, 1823. + +"I have just received permission from H.M. the Emperor of Morocco to go +to Fez, and am in hopes to obtain his approbation to enter the desert +along with the caravan to Soudan. The letter of introduction from Mr. +Wilmot to Mr. Douglas has been of much importance to me; this gentleman +fortunately finds pleasure in affording me all the assistance in his +power to promote my wishes, a circumstance which I have not been +accustomed to meet in some other parts of Africa. I shall do myself the +pleasure to acquaint you of my further progress at Fez, if not from some +other part of Morocco." + + +Belzoni would appear to have changed his intention, and endeavoured to +penetrate to Timbuctoo from Benin, where, however, he was attacked by +dysentery, and died a short time after the above letter was written. + +Like many other men of Herculean power, he was not eager to exhibit his +strength; but on one occasion he gave proof of it in the following +circumstances. Mr. Murray had asked him to accompany him to the +Coronation of George IV. They had tickets of admittance to Westminster +Hall, but on arriving there they found that the sudden advent of Queen +Caroline, attended by a mob claiming admission to the Abbey, had alarmed +the authorities, who caused all the doors to be shut. That by which they +should have entered was held close and guarded by several stalwart +janitors. Belzoni thereupon advanced to the door, and, in spite of the +efforts of these guardians, including Tom Crib and others of the +pugilistic corps who had been engaged as constables, opened it with +ease, and admitted himself and Mr. Murray. + +In 1820 Mr. Murray was invited to publish "The Fall of Jerusalem, a +Sacred Tragedy," by the Rev. H.H. Milman, afterwards Dean of St. Paul's. +As usual, he consulted Mr. Gifford, whose opinion was most favourable. +"I have been more and more struck," he said, "with the innumerable +beauties in Milman's 'Fall of Jerusalem.'" + +Mr. Murray requested the author to state his own price for the +copyright, and Mr. Milman wrote: + +"I am totally at a loss to fix one. I think I might decide whether an +offer were exceedingly high or exceedingly low, whether a Byron or Scott +price, or such as is given to the first essay of a new author. Though +the 'Fall of Jerusalem' might demand an Israelitish bargain, yet I shall +not be a Jew further than my poetry. Make a liberal offer, such as the +prospect will warrant, and I will at once reply, but I am neither able +nor inclined to name a price.... As I am at present not very far +advanced in life, I may hereafter have further dealings with the Press, +and, of course, where I meet with liberality shall hope to make a return +in the same way. It has been rather a favourite scheme of mine, though +this drama cannot appear on the boards, to show it before it is +published to my friend Mrs. Siddons, who perhaps might like to read it, +either at home or abroad. I have not even hinted at such a thing to her, +so that this is mere uncertainty, and, before it is printed, it would be +in vain to think of it, as the old lady's eyes and MS. could never agree +together. + +"P.S.--I ought to have said that I am very glad of Aristarchus' +[Grifford's] approval. And, by the way, I think, if I help you in +redeeming your character from 'Don Juan,' the 'Hetaerse' in the +_Quarterly_, [Footnote: Mitchell's article on "Female Society in +Greece," _Q.R._ No. 43.] etc., you ought to estimate that very highly." + +Mr. Murray offered Mr. Milman five hundred guineas for the copyright, +to which the author replied: "Your offer appears to me very fair, and I +shall have no scruple in acceding to it." + +Milman, in addition to numerous plays and poems, became a contributor to +the _Quarterly_, and one of Murray's historians. He wrote the "History +of the Jews" and the "History of Christianity"; he edited Gibbon and +Horace, and continued during his lifetime to be one of Mr. Murray's most +intimate and attached friends. + +In 1820 we find the first mention of a name afterwards to become as +celebrated as any of those with which Mr. Murray was associated. Owing +to the warm friendship which existed between the Murrays and the +D'Israelis, the younger members of both families were constantly brought +together on the most intimate terms. Mr. Murray was among the first to +mark the abilities of the boy, Benjamin Disraeli, and, as would appear +from the subjoined letter, his confidence in his abilities was so firm +that he consulted him as to the merits of a MS. when he had scarcely +reached his eighteenth year. + +_Mr. Benjamin Disraeli to John Murray_. _August_ 1822. + +Dear Sir, + +I ran my eye over three acts of "Wallace," [Footnote: "Wallace: a +Historical Tragedy," in five acts, was published in 1820. Joanna Baillie +spoke of the author, C.E. Walker, as "a very young and promising +dramatist."] and, as far as I could form an opinion, I cannot conceive +these acts to be as effective on the stage as you seemed to expect. +However, it is impossible to say what a very clever actor like Macready +may make of some of the passages. Notwithstanding the many erasures the +diction is still diffuse, and sometimes languishing, though not +inelegant. I cannot imagine it a powerful work as far as I have read. +But, indeed, running over a part of a thing with people talking around +is too unfair. I shall be anxious to hear how it succeeds. Many thanks, +dear sir, for lending it to me. Your note arrives. If on so slight a +knowledge of the play I could venture to erase either of the words you +set before me, I fear it would be _Yes_, but I feel cruel and wicked in +saying so. I hope you got your dinner in comfort when you got rid of me +and that gentle pyramid [Belzoni]. + +Yours truly, + +B.D. + +Mr. Southey was an indefatigable and elaborate correspondent, and, as +his letters have already been published, it is not necessary to quote +them. He rarely wrote to Mr. Gifford, who cut down his articles, and, as +Southey insisted, generally emasculated them by omitting the best +portions. Two extracts may be given from those written to Mr. Murray in +1820, which do not seem yet to have been given to the world, the first +in reference to a proposed Life of Warren Hastings: + +"It appears to me that the proper plan will be to publish a selection +from Warren Hastings's papers and correspondence, accompanying it with +his Life. That Life requires a compendious view of our Indian history +down to the time of his administration, and in its progress it embraces +the preservation of our Indian empire and the establishment of the +existing system. Something must be interwoven concerning the history of +the native powers, Mahomedan, Moor, Mahratta, etc., and their +institutions. I see how all this is to be introduced, and see also that +no subject can afford materials more important or more various. And what +a pleasure it will be to read the triumph of such a man as Hastings over +the tremendous combination of his persecutors at home! I had a noble +catastrophe in writing the Life of Nelson, but the latter days of +Hastings afford a scene more touching, and perhaps more sublime, because +it is more uncommon. Let me have the works of Orme and Bruce and Mill, +and I will set apart a portion of every day to the course of reading, +and begin my notes accordingly." + +The second touches on his perennial grievance against Gifford: + +"You will really serve as well as oblige me, if you will let me have a +duplicate set of proofs of my articles, that I may not _lose_ the +passages which Mr. Gifford, in spite of repeated promises, always will +strike out. In the last paper, among many other mutilations, the most +useful _fact_ in the essay, for its immediate practical application, has +been omitted, and for no imaginable reason (the historical fact that it +was the reading a calumnious libel which induced Felton to murder the +Duke of Buckingham). When next I touch upon public affairs for you, I +will break the Whigs upon the wheel." + +Mrs. Graham, afterwards Lady Callcott, then the wife of Captain Graham, +R.N., an authoress and friend of the Murray family, wrote to introduce +Mr. (afterwards Sir) Charles Eastlake, who had translated Baron +Bartholdy's "Memoirs of the Carbonari." + + +_Mrs. Graham to John Murray_. + +_February_ 24, 1821. + +All great men have to pay the penalty of their greatness, and you, +_arch-bookseller_ as you are, must now and then be entreated to do many +things you only half like to do. I shall half break my heart if you and +Bartholdy do not agree. + + * * * * * + +Now, whether you publish "The Carbonari" or not, I bespeak your +acquaintance for the translator, Mr. Eastlake. I want him to see the +sort of thing that one only sees in your house, at your morning +_levées_--the traffic of mind and literature, if I may call it so. To a +man who has lived most of his grown-up life out of England, it is both +curious and instructive, and I wish for this advantage for my friend. +And in return for what I want you to benefit him, by giving him the +_entrée_ to your rooms, I promise you great pleasure in having a +gentleman of as much modesty as real accomplishment, and whose taste and +talents as an artist must one day place him very high among our native +geniuses. You and Mrs. Murray would, I am sure, love him as much as +Captain Graham and I do. We met him at Malta on his return from Athens, +where he had been with Lord Ruthven's party. Thence he went to Sicily +with Lord Leven. In Rome, we lived in the same house. He was with us at +Poli, and last summer at Ascoli with Lady Westmoreland. I have told him +that, when he goes to London, he must show you two beautiful pictures he +has done for Lord Guilford, views taken in Greece. You will see that his +pictures and Lord Byron's poetry tell the same story of the "Land of the +Unforgotten Brave." I envy you your morning visitors. I am really hungry +for a new book. If you are so good as to send me any _provision fresh +from Murray's shambles_, as Mr. Rose says, address it to me, care of Wm. +Eastlake, Esq., Plymouth. Love to Mrs. Murray and children. + +Yours very gratefully and truly, + +MARIA GRAHAM. + +P.S.--If Graham has a ship given him at the time, and at the station +promised, I shall be obliged to visit London towards the end of March or +the beginning of April. + + +Mr. Murray accepted and published the book. + +Lord Byron's works continued to be in great demand at home, and were +soon pounced upon by the pirates in America and France. The Americans +were beyond Murray's reach, but the French were, to a certain extent, in +his power. Galignani, the Paris publisher, wrote to Lord Byron, +requesting the assignment to him of the right of publishing his poetry +in France. Byron replied that his poems belonged to Mr. Murray, and were +his "property by purchase, right, and justice," and referred Galignani +to him, "washing his hands of the business altogether." M. Galignani +then applied to Mr. Murray, who sent him the following answer: + + +_John Murray to M. Galignani_. + +_January_ 16, 1821. + +SIR, + +I have received your letter requesting me to assign to you exclusively +the right of printing Lord Byron's works in France. In answer I shall +state what you do not seem to be aware of, that for the copyright of +these works you are printing for nothing, I have given the author +upwards of £10,000. Lord Byron has sent me the assignment, regularly +made, and dated April 20, 1818; and if you will send me £250 I will make +it over to you. I have just received a Tragedy by Lord Byron, for the +copyright of which I have paid £1,050, and also three new cantos of "Don +Juan," for which I have paid £2,100. What can you afford to give me for +the exclusive right of printing them in France upon condition that you +receive them before any other bookseller? Your early reply will oblige. + +Your obedient Servant, + +J. MURRAY. + +M. Galignani then informed Mr. Murray that a pirated edition of Lord +Byron's works had been issued by another publisher, and was being sold +for 10 francs; and that, if he would assign him the new Tragedy and the +new cantos of "Don Juan," he would pay him £100, and be at the expense +of the prosecution of the surreptitious publisher. But nothing was said +about the payment of £250 for the issue of Lord Byron's previous work. + +Towards the end of 1821 Mr. Murray received a letter from Messrs. +Longman & Co., intimating, in a friendly way, "you will see in a day or +two, in the newspapers, an advertisement of Mrs. Rundell's improved +edition of her 'Cookery Book,' which she has placed in our hands for +publication." Now, the "Domestic Cookery," as enlarged and improved by +Mr. Murray, was practically a new work, and one of his best properties. +When he heard of Mrs. Rundell's intention to bring out her Cookery Book +through the Longmans, he consulted his legal adviser, Mr. Sharon Turner, +who recommended that an injunction should at once be taken out to +restrain the publication, and retained Mr. Littledale and Mr. Serjeant +Copley for Mr. Murray. The injunction was duly granted. + +After some controversy and litigation the matter was arranged. Mr. +Murray voluntarily agreed to pay to Mrs. Rundell £2,000, in full of all +claims, and her costs and expenses. The Messrs. Longman delivered to Mr. +Murray the stereotype plates of the Cookery Book, and stopped all +further advertisements of Mrs. Rundell's work. Mr. Sharon Turner, when +writing to tell Mr. Murray the result of his negotiations, concludes +with the recommendation: "As Home and Shadwell [Murray's counsel] took +much pains, I think if you were to send them each a copy of the Cookery +Book, and (as a novelty) of 'Cain,' it would please them." + +Moore, in his Diary, notes: [Footnote: "Moore: Memoirs, Journal, and +Correspondence," v. p. 119.] "I called at Pickering's, in Chancery Lane, +who showed me the original agreement between Milton and Symonds for the +payment of five pounds for 'Paradise Lost.' The contrast of this sum +with the £2,000 given by Mr. Murray for Mrs. Rundell's 'Cookery' +comprises a history in itself. Pickering, too, gave forty-five guineas +for this agreement, nine times as much as the sum given for the poem." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +WASHINGTON IRVING--UGO FOSCOLO--LADY CAROLINE LAMB--"HAJJI BABA"--MRS. +MARKHAM'S HISTORIES. + + +The book trade between England and America was in its infancy at the, +time of which we are now writing, and though Mr. Murray was frequently +invited to publish American books, he had considerable hesitation in +accepting such invitations. + +Mr. Washington Irving, who was already since 1807 favourably known as an +author in America, called upon Mr. Murray, and was asked to dine, as +distinguished Americans usually were. He thus records his recollections +of the event in a letter to his brother Peter at Liverpool: + + +_Mr. Washington Irving to Mr. Peter Irving_. + +_August_ 19, 1817. + +"I had a very pleasant dinner at Murray's. I met there D'Israeli and an +artist [Brockedon] just returned from Italy with an immense number of +beautiful sketches of Italian scenery and architecture. D'Israeli's wife +and daughter came in in the course of the evening, and we did not +adjourn until twelve o'clock. I had a long _tête-à-tête_ with old +D'Israeli in a corner. He is a very pleasant, cheerful old fellow, +curious about America, and evidently tickled at the circulation his +works have had there, though, like most authors just now, he groans at +not being able to participate in the profits. Murray was very merry and +loquacious. He showed me a long letter from Lord Byron, who is in Italy. +It is written with some flippancy, but is an odd jumble. His Lordship +has written some 104 stanzas of the fourth canto ('Childe Harold'). He +says it will be less metaphysical than the last canto, but thinks it +will be at least equal to either of the preceding. Murray left town +yesterday for some watering-place, so that I have had no further talk +with him, but am to keep my eye on his advertisements and write to him +when anything offers that I may think worth republishing in America. I +shall find him a most valuable acquaintance on my return to London." + +A business in Liverpool, in which, with his brother, he was a partner, +proved a failure, and in 1818 he was engaged on his famous "Sketch +Book," which he wrote in England, and sent to his brother Ebenezer in +New York to be published there. The work appeared in three parts in the +course of the year 1819. Several of the articles were copied in English +periodicals and were read with great admiration. A writer in _Blackwood_ +expressed surprise that Mr. Irving had thought fit to publish his +"Sketch Book" in America earlier than in Britain, and predicted a large +and eager demand for such a work. On this encouragement, Irving, who was +still in England, took the first three numbers, which had already +appeared in America, to Mr. Murray, and left them with him for +examination and approval. Murray excused himself on the ground that he +did not consider the work in question likely to form the basis of +"satisfactory accounts," and without this he had no "satisfaction" in +undertaking to publish. + +Irving thereupon sought (but did not take) the advice of Sir W. Scott, +and entered into an arrangement with Miller of the Burlington Arcade, +and in February 1820 the first four numbers were published in a volume. +Miller shortly after became bankrupt, the sale of the book (of which one +thousand had been printed) was interrupted, and Irving's hopes of profit +were dashed to the ground. At this juncture, Walter Scott, who was then +in London, came to his help. + + +"I called to him for help as I was sticking in the mire, and, more +propitious than Hercules, he put his own shoulder to the wheel. Through +his favourable representations Murray was quickly induced to undertake +the future publication of the work which he had previously declined. A +further edition of the first volume was put to press, and from that time +Murray became my publisher, conducting himself in all his dealings with +that fair, open, and liberal spirit which had obtained for him the +well-merited appellation of the Prince of Booksellers." [Footnote: +Preface to the revised edition of "The Sketch Book."] + +Irving, being greatly in want of money, offered to dispose of the work +entirely to the publisher, and Murray, though he had no legal protection +for his purchase, not only gave him £200 for it, but two months later +he wrote to Irving, stating that his volumes had succeeded so much +beyond his commercial estimate that he begged he would do him the favour +to draw on him at sixty-five days for one hundred guineas in addition to +the sum agreed upon. And again, eight months later, Murray made Irving a +second gratuitous contribution of a hundred pounds, to which the author +replied, "I never knew any one convey so much meaning in so concise and +agreeable a manner." The author's "Bracebridge Hall" and other works +were also published by Mr. Murray. + +In 1822 Irving, who liked to help his literary fellow-countrymen, tried +to induce Mr. Murray to republish James Fenimore Cooper's novels in +England. Mr. Murray felt obliged to decline, as he found that these +works were pirated by other publishers; American authors were then +beginning to experience the same treatment in England which English +authors have suffered in America. The wonder was that Washington +Irving's works so long escaped the same doom. + +In 1819 Mr. Murray first made the acquaintance of Ugo Foscolo. A native +of Zante, descended from a Venetian family who had settled in the Ionian +Islands, Foscolo studied at Padua, and afterwards took up his residence +at Venice. The ancient aristocracy of that city had been banished by +Napoleon Bonaparte, and the conqueror gave over Venice to Austria. +Foscolo attacked Bonaparte in his "Lettere di Ortis." After serving as a +volunteer in the Lombard Legion through the disastrous campaign of 1799, +Foscolo, on the capitulation of Genoa, retired to Milan, where he +devoted himself to literary pursuits. He once more took service--under +Napoleon--and in 1805 formed part of the army of England assembled at +Boulogne; but soon left the army, went to Pavia (where he had been +appointed Professor of Eloquence), and eventually at the age of forty +took refuge in England. Here he found many friends, who supported him in +his literary efforts. Among others he called upon Mr. Murray, who +desired his co-operation in writing for the _Quarterly_. An article, on +"The Poems of the Italians" was his first contribution. Mr. Thomas +Mitchell, the translator of "Aristophanes," desired Mr. Murray to give +Foscolo his congratulations upon his excellent essay, as well as on his +acquaintance with our language. + + +_Mr. Thomas Mitchell to John Murray_. + +"The first time I had the pleasure of seeing M. Foscolo was at a _table +d'hôte_ at Berne. There was something in his physiognomy which very much +attracted nay notice; and, for some reason or another, I thought that I +seemed to be an object of his attention. At table, Foscolo was seated +next to a young Hanoverian, between whom and me a very learned +conversation had passed on the preceding evening, and a certain degree +of acquaintance was cemented in consequence. The table was that day +graced with the appearance of some of the Court ladies of Stuttgard, and +all passed off with the decorum usually observed abroad, when suddenly, +towards the conclusion of the feast a violent hubbub was heard between +M. Foscolo and his Hanoverian neighbour, who, in angry terms and with +violent gestures, respectively asserted the superior harmonies of Greek +and Latin. This ended with the former's suddenly producing a card, +accompanied with the following annunciation: 'Sir, my name is Ugo +Foscolo; I am a native of Greece, and I have resided thirty years in +Italy; I therefore think I ought to know something of the matter. This +card contains my address, and if you have anything further to say, you +know where I am to be found.' Whether Foscolo's name or manner daunted +the young Hanoverian, or whether he was only a bird of passage, I don't +know, but we saw nothing more of him after that day. Foscolo, after the +ladies had retired, made an apology, directed a good deal to me, who, by +the forms of the place, happened to be at the head of the table; a +considerable degree of intimacy took place between us, and an excellent +man I believe him to be, in spite of these little ebullitions." + + +Ugo Foscolo, who was eccentric to an excess, and very extravagant, had +many attached friends, though he tried them sorely. To Mr. Murray he +became one of the troubles of private as well as publishing life. He had +a mania for building, and a mania for ornamentation, but he was very +short of money for carrying out his freaks. He thought himself at the +same time to be perfectly moderate, simple, and sweet-tempered. He took +a house in South Bank, Regent's Park, which he named Digamma +Cottage--from his having contributed to the _Quarterly Review_ an +article on the Digamma--and fitted it up in extravagant style. + +Foscolo could scarcely live at peace with anybody, and, as the result of +one of his numerous altercations, he had to fight a duel. "We are," Lady +Dacre wrote to Murray (December 1823), "to have the whole of Foscolo's +duel to-morrow. He tells me that it is not about a 'Fair lady': thank +heaven!" + +Foscolo was one of Mr. Murray's inveterate correspondents--about +lectures, about translations, about buildings, about debts, about loans, +and about borrowings. On one occasion Mr. Murray received from him a +letter of thirteen pages quarto. A few sentences of this may be worth +quoting: + +_Mr. Foscolo to John Murray_. + +SOUTH BANK, _August_ 20, 1822. + +"During six years (for I landed in England the 10th September, 1816) I +have constantly laboured under difficulties the most distressing; no one +knows them so well as yourself, because no one came to my assistance +with so warm a friendship or with cares so constant and delicate. My +difficulties have become more perplexing since the Government both of +the Ionian Islands and Italy have precluded even the possibility of my +returning to the countries where a slender income would be sufficient, +and where I would not be under the necessity of making a degrading use +of my faculties. I was born a racehorse; and after near forty years of +successful racing, I am now drawing the waggon--nay, to be the teacher +of French to my copyists, and the critic of English to my +translators!-to write sophistry about criticism, which I always +considered a sort of literary quackery, and to put together paltry +articles for works which I never read. Indeed, if I have not undergone +the doom of almost all individuals whose situation becomes suddenly +opposed to their feelings and habits, and if I am not yet a lunatic, I +must thank the mechanical strength of my nerves. My nerves, however, +will not withstand the threatenings of shame which I have always +contemplated with terror. Time and fortune have taught me to meet all +other evils with fortitude; but I grow every day more and more a coward +at the idea of the approach of a stigma on my character; and as now I +must live and die in England, and get the greater part of my subsistence +from my labour, I ought to reconcile, if not labour with literary +reputation, at least labour and life with a spotless name." + +He then goes on to state that his debts amount to £600 or thereabouts, +including a sum of £20 which he owed to Mr. Murray himself. Then he must +have the money necessary for his subsistence, and he "finds he cannot +live on less than £400 per annum." + +"My apartments," he continues, "decently furnished, encompass me with an +atmosphere of ease and respectability; and I enjoy the illusion of not +having fallen into the lowest circumstances. + +I always declare that I will die like a gentleman, on a decent bed, +surrounded by casts (as I cannot buy the marbles) of the Venuses, of the +Apollos, and of the Graces, and the busts of great men; nay, even among +flowers, and, if possible, with some graceful innocent girl playing an +old pianoforte in an adjoining room. And thus dies the hero of my novel. +Far from courting the sympathy of mankind, I would rather be forgotten +by posterity than give it the gratification of ejaculating preposterous +sighs because I died like Camoens and Tasso on the bed of an hospital. +And since I must be buried in your country, I am happy in having insured +for me the possession during the remains of my life of a cottage built +after my plan, surrounded by flowering shrubs, almost within the +tumpikes of the town, and yet as quiet as a country-house, and open to +the free air. Whenever I can freely dispose of a hundred pounds, I will +also build a small dwelling for my corpse, under a beautiful Oriental +plane-tree, which I mean to plant next November, and cultivate _con +amore_. So far I am indeed an epicure; in all other things I am the most +moderate of men." + +The upshot of the letter is, that he wishes Mr. Murray to let him have +£1,000, to be repaid in five years, he meanwhile writing articles for +the _Quarterly_--one-half of the payment to be left with the publisher, +and the remaining half to be added to his personal income. He concludes: + +"In seeking out a way of salvation, I think it incumbent on me to +prevent the tyranny of necessity, that I might not be compelled by it to +endanger my character and the interest of a friend whose kindness I have +always experienced, and whose assistance I am once more obliged to +solicit." + +Mr. Murray paid off some of his more pressing embarrassments--£30 to +Messrs. Bentley for bills not taken up; £33 7_s_. to Mr. Kelly the +printer; £14 to Mr. Antonini; and £50 to Foscolo's builder--besides +becoming security for £300 to his bankers (with whom Foscolo did +business), in order to ensure him a respite for six months. On the other +hand, Foscolo agreed to insure his life for £600 as a sort of guarantee. +"Was ever" impecunious author "so trusted before"? At this crisis in his +affairs many friends came about him and took an interest in the patriot; +Mr. Hallam and Mr. Wilbraham offered him money, but he would not accept +"gratuities" from them, though he had no objection to accepting their +"loans." Arrangements were then made for Foscolo to deliver a series of +lectures on Italian Literature. Everything was settled, the day +arrived, the room was crowded with a distinguished assembly, when at the +last moment Foscolo appeared without his MS., which he had forgotten. + +The course of lectures, however, which had been designed to relieve him +from the pressure of his debts, proved successful, and brought him in, +it is said, as much as £1,000; whereupon he immediately set to work to +squander his earnings by giving a public breakfast to his patrons, for +which purpose he thought it incumbent on him, amongst other expenses, to +make a new approach and a gravelled carriage road to Digamma Cottage. + +Ugo Foscolo lived on credit to the end of his life, surrounded by all +that was luxurious and beautiful. How he contrived it, no one knew, for +his resources remained at the lowest ebb. Perhaps his friends helped +him, for English Liberals of good means regarded him as a martyr in the +cause of freedom, one who would never bow the knee to Baal, and who had +dared the first Napoleon when his very word was law. But Foscolo's +friends without doubt became tired of his extravagance and his +licentious habits, and fell away from him. Disease at last found him +out; he died of dropsy at Turnham Green, near Hammersmith, in 1827, when +only in the fiftieth year of his age, and was buried in Chiswick +churchyard; but in June 1871 his body was exhumed and conveyed to +Florence, where he was buried in Santa Croce, between the tomb of +Alfieri and the monument of Dante. + +Lady Caroline Lamb had continued to keep up her intimacy with Mr. +Murray; and now that she was preparing a new work for the press, her +correspondence increased. While he was at Wimbledon during summer, she +occasionally met literary friends at his house. She had already +published "Glenarvon," the hero of which was supposed to represent Lord +Byron, and was now ready with "Penruddock." "I am in great anxiety," she +wrote to Mr. Murray, "about your not informing me what Gifford says. I +think it might be a civil way of giving me my death-warrant--if +'Penruddock' does not." + +Whether the criticism of Mr. Gifford was too severe, or whether Mr. +Murray was so much engaged in business and correspondence as to take no +notice of Lady Caroline Lamb's communication, does not appear; but she +felt the neglect, and immediately followed it up with another letter as +follows: + +_Lady Caroline Lamb to John Murray_. + +_December 8, 1822_. + +MY DEAR AND MOST OBSTINATELY SILENT SIR, + +From one until nine upon Tuesday I shall be at Melbourne House waiting +for you; but if you wish to see the prettiest woman in England,--besides +myself and William--be at Melbourne House at quarter to six, at which +hour we dine; and if you will come at half-past one, or two, or three, +to say you will dine and to ask me to forgive your inexorable and +inhuman conduct, pray do, for I arrive at twelve in that said home and +leave it at nine the ensuing morning. What can have happened to you that +you will not write? + +The following letter from William Lamb (afterwards Lord Melbourne), the +long-suffering and generous husband of this wayward lady, refers to a +novel entitled "Ada Reis." + +_The Honble. William Lamb to John Murray_. + +_December 20, 1822_. + +"The incongruity of, and objections to, the story of 'Ada Reis' can only +be got over by power of writing, beauty of sentiment, striking and +effective situation, etc. If Mr. Gifford thinks there is in the first +two volumes anything of excellence sufficient to overbalance their +manifest faults, I still hope that he will press upon Lady Caroline the +absolute necessity of carefully reconsidering and revising the third +volume, and particularly the conclusion of the novel. + +"Mr. Gifford, I dare say, will agree with me that since the time of +Lucian all the representations of the infernal regions, which have been +attempted by satirical writers, such as 'Fielding's Journey from this +World to the Next,' have been feeble and flat. The sketch in "Ada Reis" +is commonplace in its observations and altogether insufficient, and it +would not do now to come with a decisive failure in an attempt of +considerable boldness. I think, if it were thought that anything could +be done with the novel, and that the faults of its design and structure +can be got over, that I could put her in the way of writing up this part +a little, and giving it something of strength, spirit, and novelty, and +of making it at once more moral and more interesting. I wish you would +communicate these my hasty suggestions to Mr. Gifford, and he will see +the propriety of pressing Lady Caroline to take a little more time to +this part of the novel. She will be guided by his authority, and her +fault at present is to be too hasty and too impatient of the trouble of +correcting and recasting what is faulty." + +"Ada Reis" was published in March 1823. + +Another of England's Prime Ministers, Lord John Russell, had in +contemplation a History of Europe, and consulted Mr. Murray on the +subject. A first volume, entitled "The Affairs of Europe," was published +without the author's name on the title-page, and a few years later +another volume was published, but it remained an unfinished work. Lord +John was an ambitious and restless author; without steady perseverance +in any branch of literature; he went from poems to tragedies, from +tragedies to memoirs, then to history, tales, translations of part of +the "Odyssey," essays (by the Gentleman who left his Lodgings), and then +to memoirs and histories again. Mr. Croker said of his "Don Carlos": "It +is not easy to find any poetry, or even oratory, of the present day +delivered with such cold and heavy diction, such distorted tropes and +disjointed limbs of similes worn to the bones long ago." + +Another work that excited greater interest than Lord John Russell's +anonymous history was Mr. James Morier's "Hajji Baba." Mr. Morier had in +his youth travelled through the East, especially in Persia, where he +held a post under Sir Gore Ouseley, then English Ambassador. On his +return to England, he published accounts of his travels; but his "Hajji +Baba" was more read than any other of his works. Sir Walter Scott was +especially pleased with it, and remarked that "Hajji Baba" might be +termed the Oriental "Gil Bias." Mr. Morier afterwards published "The +Adventures of Hajji Baba in England," as well as other works of an +Eastern character. The following letter, written by the Persian Envoy in +England, Miiza Abul Hassan, shows the impression created by English +society on a foreigner in April 1824: + +_Letter from the Persian Envoy, Mirza Abul Hassan, to the London +Gentleman without, who lately wrote letter to him and ask very much to +give answer_. + +_April 3, 1824._ + +SIR, MY LORD, + +When you write to me some time ago to give my thought of what I see good +and bad this country, that time I not speak English very well. Now I +read, I write much little better. Now I give to you my think. In this +country bad not too much, everything very good. But suppose I not tell +something little bad, then you say I tell all flattery--therefore I tell +most bad thing. I not like such crowd in evening party every night. In +cold weather not very good, now hot weather, much too bad. I very much +astonish every day now much hot than before, evening parties much crowd +than before. Pretty beautiful ladies come sweat, that not very good. I +always afraid some old lady in crowd come dead, that not very good, and +spoil my happiness. I think old ladies after 85 years not come to +evening party, that much better. Why for take so much trouble? Some +other thing rather bad. Very beautiful young lady she got ugly fellow +for husband, that not very good, very shocking. I ask Sr Gore [Sir Gore +Ouseley] why for this. He says me--"perhaps he very good man, not +handsome; no matter, perhaps he got too much money, perhaps got title." +I say I not like that, all very shocking. This all bad I know. Now I say +good. English people all very good people. All very happy. Do what they +like, say what like, write in newspaper what like. I love English people +very much, they very civil to me. I tell my King English love Persian +very much. English King best man in world, he love his people very good +much; he speak very kind to me, I love him very much. Queen very best +woman I ever saw. Prince of Wales such a fine elegant beautiful man. I +not understand English enough proper to praise him, he too great for my +language. I respect him same as my own King. I love him much better, his +manner all same as talisman and charm. All the Princes very fine men, +very handsome men, very sweet words, very affable. I like all too much. +I think the ladies and gentlemen this country most high rank, high +honour, very rich, except two or three most good, very kind to inferior +peoples. This very good. I go to see Chelsea. All old men sit on grass +in shade of fine tree, fine river run by, beautiful place, plenty to +eat, drink, good coat, everything very good. Sir Gore he tell me King +Charles and King Jame. I say Sir Gore, They not Musselman, but I think +God love them very much. I think God he love the King very well for +keeping up that charity. Then I see one small regiment of children go to +dinner, one small boy he say thanks to God for eat, for drink, for +clothes, other little boys they all answer Amen. Then I cry a little, my +heart too much pleased. This all very good for two things--one thing, +God very much please; two things, soldiers fight much better, because +see their good King take care of old wounded fathers and little +children. Then I go to Greenwich, that too good place, such a fine sight +make me a little sick for joy. All old men so happy, eat dinner, so +well, fine house, fine beds--all very good. This very good country. +English ladies very handsome, very beautiful. I travel great deal. I go +Arabia, I go Calcutta, Hyderabad, Poonah, Bombay, Georgia, Armenia, +Constantinople, Malta, Gibraltar. I see best Georgia, Circassian, +Turkish, Greek ladies, but nothing not so beautiful as English ladies, +all very clever, speak French, speak English, speak Italian, play music +very well, sing very good. Very glad for me if Persian ladies like them. +But English ladies speak such sweet words. I think tell a little +story--that not very good. + +One thing more I see but I not understand that thing good or bad. Last +Thursday I see some fine horses, fine carriages, thousand people go to +look that carriages. I ask why for? They say me, that gentleman on boxes +they drive their own carriages. I say why for take so much trouble? They +say me he drive very well; that very good thing. It rain very hard, some +lord some gentleman he get very wet. I say why he not go inside? They +tell me good coachman not mind get wet every day, will be much ashamed +if go inside; that I not understand. + +Sir, my Lord, good-night, + +ABUL HASSAN. + + +Mr. Murray invariably consulted Mr. Barrow as to any works on voyages or +travels he was required to publish, and found him a faithful adviser. +The following expression of opinion, from one with so large an +experience, is interesting: + +_Mr. J. Barrow to John Murray_. + +_March 28, 1823._ + +"I need not tell you that caprice rather than merit governs the sale of +a work. If instances are wanting, I might quote those of Belzoni and +Hamilton. [Footnote: This reference probably refers to Walter Hamilton's +"Description of Hindostan and adjacent Countries," published a few years +before.] The first absolute trumpery when put in competition with the +second; yet the former, I believe, sold about ten times the number of +the latter." + +Another little book published about this time has a curious history, and +illustrates the lottery of book publishing. Mrs. Markham's [Footnote: +This lady's real name was Mrs. Penrose.] "History of England" was first +published by Constable, but it fell still-born from the press. Mr. +Murray, discerning the merit of the work in 1824, bought the remainder +of 333 copies from Constable, and had it revised, corrected, and +enlarged, and brought out in an entirely new form. He placed it in his +list of school books, and pushed it among the teachers throughout the +country, until at length it obtained a very large and regular +circulation. The book has subsequently undergone frequent revision, and +down to the present date it continues to be a great favourite, +especially in ladies' schools. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +GIFFORD'S RETIREMENT FROM THE EDITORSHIP OF THE "QUARTERLY"--AND DEATH + + +It had for some time been evident, as has been shown in a previous +chapter, that Gifford was becoming physically incapable of carrying on +the Editorship of the _Quarterly Review_, but an occasional respite from +the pressure of sickness, as well as his own unwillingness to abandon +his connection with a work which he regarded with paternal affection, +and Murray's difficulty in finding a worthy successor, combined to +induce him to remain at his post. + +He accordingly undertook to carry on his editorial duties till the +publication of the 60th number, aided and supported by the active energy +of Barrow and Croker, who, in conjunction with the publisher, did most +of the necessary drudgery. + +In December 1823 Canning had written to say that he was in bed with the +gout; to this Gifford replied: + + +MY DEAR CANNING, + +I wish you had a pleasanter bedfellow; but here am I on the sofa with a +cough, and a very disagreeable associate I find it. Old Moore, I think, +died all but his voice, and my voice is nearly dead before me; in other +respects, I am much as I was when you saw me, and this weather is in my +favour.... I have promised Murray to try to carry on the _Review_ to the +60th number; the 58th is now nearly finished. This seems a desperate +promise, and beyond it I will not, cannot go; for, at best, as the old +philosopher said, I am dying at my ease, as my complaint has taken a +consumptive turn. The vultures already scent the carcase, and three or +four _Quarterly Reviews_ are about to start. One is to be set up by +Haygarth, whom I think I once mentioned to you as talked of to succeed +me, but he is now in open hostility to Murray; another is to be called +the _Westminster Quarterly Review_, and will, if I may judge from the +professions of impartiality, be a decided Opposition Journal. They will +all have their little day, perhaps, and then drop into the grave of +their predecessors. The worst is that we cannot yet light upon a fit and +promising successor. + +Ever, my dear Canning, + +Faithfully and affectionately yours, + +WILLIAM GIFFORD. + +This state of matters could not be allowed to go on much longer; +sometimes a quarter passed without a number appearing; in 1824 only two +_Quarterlies_ appeared--No. 60, due in January, but only published in +August; and No. 61, due in April, but published in December. An +expostulation came from Croker to Murray (January 23, 1824): + +"Have you made up _your mind_ about an editor? Southey has written to me +on the subject, as if you had, and as if he knew your choice; I do not +like to answer him before I know what I am to say. Will you dine at +Kensington on Sunday at 6?" + +Southey had long been meditating about the editorship. It never appears +to have been actually offered to him, but his name, as we have already +seen, was often mentioned in connection with it. He preferred, however, +going on with his own works and remaining a contributor only. Politics, +too, may have influenced him, for we find him writing to Mr. Murray on +December 15, 1824: "The time cannot be far distant when the _Q.R._ must +take its part upon a most momentous subject, and choose between Mr. +Canning and the Church. I have always considered it as one of the +greatest errors in the management of the _Review_ that it should have +been silent upon that subject so long." So far as regarded his position +as a contributor, Southey expressed his opinion to Murray explicitly: + +_Mr. Southey to John Murray_. + +_October 25, 1824_. + +"No future Editor, be he who he may, must expect to exercise the same +discretion over my papers which Mr. Gifford has done. I will at any time +curtail what may be deemed too long, and consider any objections that +may be made, with a disposition to defer to them when it can be done +without sacrificing my own judgment upon points which may seem to me +important. But my age and (I may add without arrogance) the rank which I +hold in literature entitle me to say that I will never again write under +the correction of any one." + +Gifford's resignation is announced in the following letter to Canning +(September 8, 1824): + +_Mr. W. Gifford to the Rt. Hon. G. Canning_. + +_September 8, 1824_. + +MY DEAR CANNING, + +I have laid aside my Regalia, and King Gifford, first of the name, is +now no more, as Sir Andrew Aguecheek says, "than an ordinary mortal or a +Christian." It is necessary to tell you this, for, with the exception of +a dark cloud which has come over Murray's brow, no prodigies in earth or +air, as far as I have heard, have announced it. + +It is now exactly sixteen years ago since your letter invited or +encouraged me to take the throne. I did not mount it without a trembling +fit; but I was promised support, and I have been nobly supported. As far +as regards myself, I have borne my faculties soberly, if not meekly. I +have resisted, with undeviating firmness, every attempt to encroach upon +me, every solicitation of publisher, author, friend, or friend's friend, +and turned not a jot aside for power or delight. In consequence of this +integrity of purpose, the Review has long possessed a degree of +influence, not only in this, but in other countries hitherto unknown; +and I have the satisfaction, at this late hour, of seeing it in its most +palmy state. No number has sold better than the sixtieth. + +But there is a sad tale to tell. For the last three years I have +perceived the mastery which disease and age were acquiring over a +constitution battered and torn at the best, and have been perpetually +urging Murray to look about for a successor, while I begged Coplestone, +Blomfield, and others to assist the search. All has been ineffectual. +Murray, indeed, has been foolishly flattering himself that I might be +cajoled on from number to number, and has not, therefore, exerted +himself as he ought to have done; but the rest have been in earnest. Do +you know any one? I once thought of Robert Grant; but he proved timid, +and indeed his saintly propensities would render him suspected. Reginald +Heber, whom I should have preferred to any one, was snatched from me for +a far higher object. + +I have been offered a Doctor's Degree, and when I declined it, on +account of my inability to appear in public, my own college (Exeter) +most kindly offered to confer it on me in private; that is, at the +Rector's lodgings. This, too, I declined, and begged the Dean of +Westminster, who has a living in the neighbourhood, to excuse me as +handsomely as he could. It might, for aught I know, be a hard race +between a shroud and a gown which shall get me first; at any rate, it +was too late for honours. + +Faithfully and affectionately yours, + +WILLIAM GIFFORD. + +Mr. J.T. Coleridge had long been regarded as the most eligible +successor to Mr. Gifford, and on him the choice now fell. Mr. Murray +forwarded the reply of Mr. Coleridge which contained his acceptance of +the editorship to Mr. Gifford, accompanied by the following note: + +_John Murray to Mr. Gifford_. + +WHITEHALL PLACE, + +_December 11, 1824_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I shall not attempt to express the feelings with which I communicate the +enclosed answer to the proposal which I suspect it would have been +thought contemptible in me any longer to have delayed, and all that I +can find to console myself with is the hope that I may be able to evince +my gratitude to you during life, and to your memory, if it so please the +Almighty that I am to be the survivor. + +I am your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Mr. Murray lost no time in informing his friends of the new arrangement. + +Gifford lived for about two years more, and continued to entertain many +kind thoughts of his friends and fellow-contributors: his intercourse +with his publisher was as close and intimate as ever to the end. + +The last month of Gifford's life was but a slow dying. He was sleepless, +feverish, oppressed by an extreme difficulty of breathing, which often +entirely deprived him of speech; and his sight had failed. Towards the +end of his life he would sometimes take up a pen, and after a vain +attempt to write, would throw it down, saying, "No, my work is done!" +Even thinking caused him pain. As his last hour drew near, his mind +began to wander. "These books have driven me mad," he once said, "I must +read my prayers." He passed gradually away, his pulse ceasing to beat +five hours before his death. And then he slept out of life, on December +31, 1826, in his 68th year--a few months before the death of Canning. + +Mr. Gifford desired that he should be buried in the ground attached to +Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street, where he had interred Annie +Davies, his faithful old housekeeper, but his friends made application +for his interment in Westminster Abbey, which was acceded to, and he was +buried there accordingly on January 8, 1827, immediately under the +monuments of Camden and Garrick. He was much richer at the time of his +death than he was at all aware of, for he was perfectly indifferent +about money. Indeed, he several times returned money to Mr. Murray, +saying that "he had been too liberal." He left £25,000 of personal +property, a considerable part of which he left to the relatives of Mr. +Cookesley, the surgeon of Ashburton, who had been to him so faithful and +self-denying a friend in his early life. To Mr. Murray he left £100 as a +memorial, and also 500 guineas, to enable him to reimburse a military +gentleman, to whom, jointly with Mr. Cookesley, he appears to have been +bound for that sum at a former period. + +Gifford has earned, but it is now generally recognised that he has +unjustly earned, the character of a severe, if not a bitter critic. +Possessing an unusually keen discernment of genuine excellence, and a +scathing power of denunciation of what was false or bad in literature, +he formed his judgments in accordance with a very high standard of +merit. Sir Walter Scott said of his "Baviad and Mæviad, that "he +squashed at one blow a set of coxcombs who might have humbugged the +world long enough." His critical temper, however, was in truth +exceptionally equable; regarding it as his duty to encourage all that +was good and elevating, and relentlessly to denounce all that was bad or +tended to lower the tone of literature, he conscientiously acted up to +the standard by which he judged others, and never allowed personal +feeling to intrude upon his official judgments. + +It need scarcely be said that he proved himself an excellent editor, and +that he entertained a high idea of the duties of that office. William +Jerdan, who was introduced to Gifford by Canning, said: "I speak of him +as he always was to me--full of gentleness, a sagacious adviser and +instructor, upon so comprehensive a scale, that I never met his superior +among the men of the age most renowned for vast information, and his +captivating power in communicating it." His sagacity and quickness of +apprehension were remarkable, as was also the extraordinary rapidity +with which he was able to eviscerate a work, and summarize its contents +in a few pages. + +The number of articles which he himself wrote was comparatively small, +for he confined himself for the most part to revising and improving the +criticisms of others, and though in thus dealing with articles submitted +to him he frequently erased what the writers considered some of their +best criticisms, he never lost their friendship and support. He disliked +incurring any obligation which might in any degree shackle the +expression of his free opinions. In conjunction with Mr. Murray, he laid +down a rule, which as we have already seen was advocated by Scott, and +to which no exception has ever been made, that every writer in the +_Quarterly_ should receive payment for his contribution. On one +occasion, when a gentleman in office would not receive the money, the +article was returned. "I am not more certain of many conjectures," says +Jerdan, "than I am of this, that he never propagated a dishonest opinion +nor did a dishonest act." + +Gifford took no notice of the ferocious attacks made upon him by Hunt +and Hazlitt. Holding, as he did, that inviolable secrecy was one of the +prime functions of an editor--though the practice has since become very +different--he never attempted to vindicate himself, or to reveal the +secret as to the writers of the reviews. In accordance with his plan of +secrecy, he desired Dr. Ireland, his executor, to destroy all +confidential letters, especially those relating to the _Review_, so that +the names of the authors, as well as the prices paid for each article, +might never be known. + +In society, of which he saw but little, except at Mr. Murray's, he was +very entertaining. He told a story remarkably well; and had an +inexhaustible supply; the archness of his eyes and countenance making +them all equally good. + +He had never been married; but although he had no children, he had an +exceeding love for them. When well, he delighted in giving juvenile +parties, and rejoiced at seeing the children frisking about in the +happiness of youth--a contrast which threw the misery of his own early +life into strange relief. His domestic favourites were his dog and his +cat, both of which he dearly loved. He was also most kind and generous +to his domestic servants; and all who knew him well, sorrowfully +lamented his death. + +Many years after Gifford's death, a venomous article upon him appeared +in a London periodical. The chief point of this anonymous attack was +contained in certain extracts from the writings of Sir W. Scott, +Southey, and other eminent contemporaries of Mr. Gifford. Mr. R.W. Hay, +one of the oldest contributors to the _Quarterly_, was at that time +still living, and, in allusion to the article in question, he wrote to +Mr. Murray's son: + +_Mr. R.W. Hay to Mr. Murray_. + +_July 7, 1856_. + +It is wholly worthless, excepting as it contains strictures of Sir W. +Scott, Southey, and John Wilson on the critical character of the late +Wm. Gifford. I by no means subscribe to all that is said by these +distinguished individuals on the subject, and I cannot help suspecting +that the high station in literature which they occupied rendered them +more than commonly sensitive to the corrections and erasures which were +proposed by the editor. Sir Walter (great man as he was) was perfectly +capable of writing so carelessly as to require correction, and both +Southey and John Wilson might occasionally have brought forth opinions, +on political and other matters, which were not in keeping with the +general tone of the _Quarterly Review_. That poor Gifford was deformed +in figure, feeble in health, unhappily for him there can be no denying, +but that he had any pleasure in tormenting, as asserted by some, that he +indulged in needless criticism without any regard to the feelings of +those who were under his lash, I am quite satisfied cannot justly be +maintained. In my small dealings with the _Review_, I only found the +editor most kind and considerate. His amendments and alterations I +generally at once concurred in, and I especially remember in one of the +early articles, that he diminished the number of Latin quotations very +much to its advantage; that his heart was quite in the right place I +have had perfect means of knowing from more than one circumstance, +_e.g._, his anxiety for the welfare of his friend Hoppner the painter's +children was displayed in the variety of modes which he adopted to +assist them, and when John Gait was sorely maltreated in the _Review_ in +consequence of his having attributed to me, incorrectly, an article +which occasioned his wrath and indignation, and afterwards was exposed +to many embarrassments in life, Gifford most kindly took up his cause, +and did all he could to further the promotion of his family. That our +poor friend should have been exposed throughout the most part of his +life to the strong dislike of the greatest part of the community is not +unnatural. As the _redacteur_ of the _Anti-Jacobin_, etc., he, in the +latter part of the last century, drew upon himself the hostile attacks +of all the modern philosophers of the age, and of all those who hailed +with applause the dawn of liberty in the French Revolution; as editor of +the _Quarterly Review_, he acquired in addition to the former hosts of +enemies, the undisguised hatred of all the Whigs and Liberals, who were +for making peace with Bonaparte, and for destroying the settled order of +things in this country. In the present generation, when the feeling of +national hatred against France has entirely subsided, and party feelings +have so much gone by that no man can say to which party any public man +belongs, it is impossible for anyone to comprehend the state of public +feeling which prevailed during the great war of the Revolution, and for +some years after its termination. Gifford was deeply imbued with all the +sentiments on public matters which prevailed in his time, and, as some +people have a hatred of a cat, and others of a toad, so our friend felt +uneasy when a Frenchman was named; and buckled on his armour of +criticism whenever a Liberal or even a Whig was brought under his +notice; and although in the present day there appears to be a greater +indulgence to crime amongst judges and juries, and perhaps a more +lenient system of criticism is adopted by reviewers, I am not sure that +any public advantage is gained by having Ticket of Leave men, who ought +to be in New South Wales, let loose upon the English world by the +unchecked appearance of a vast deal of spurious literature, which ought +to have withered under the severe blasts of Criticism. + +Believe yours very truly, + +R.W. HAY. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE "REPRESENTATIVE" + + +Mr. Murray had for long been desirous of publishing a journal which +should appear more frequently than once a quarter, more especially after +the discontinuance of his interest in Blackwood's magazine. In 1825 he +conceived the more ambitious design of publishing a daily morning paper, +a project now chiefly interesting from the fact that in this venture he +had the assistance of the future Lord Beaconsfield. The intimacy which +existed between the Murrays and D'Israelis had afforded Mr. Murray +exceptional opportunities of forming an opinion of Benjamin's character, +and he saw with delight the rapidly developing capacities of his old +friend's son. Even in his eighteenth year Benjamin was consulted by Mr. +Murray as to the merits of a MS., and two years later he wrote a novel +entitled "Aylmer Papillon," which did not see the light. He also edited +a "History of Paul Jones, Admiral in the Russian Navy," written by +Theophilus Smart, an American, and originally published in the United +States. + +Young Disraeli was already gifted with a power of influencing others, +unusual in a man of his age. He was eloquent, persuasive, and ingenious, +and even then, as in future years, when he became a leading figure in +the political world, he had the power of drawing others over to the +views which he entertained, however different they might be from their +own. Looking merely to his literary career as a successful novel writer, +his correspondence with Mr. Murray about his proposed work of "Aylmer +Papillon" is not without interest. + +_Mr. Benjamin Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_May_, 1824. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Your very kind letter induces me to trouble you with this most trivial +of trifles. My plan has been in these few pages so to mix up any +observations which I had to make on the present state of society with +the bustle and hurry of a story, that my satire should never be +protruded on my reader. If you will look at the last chapter but one, +entitled "Lady Modeley's," you will see what I mean better than I can +express it. The first pages of that chapter I have written in the same +manner as I would a common novel, but I have endeavoured to put in +_action_ at the _end_, the present fashion of getting on in the world. I +write no humbug about "candidly giving your opinion, etc., etc." You +must be aware that you cannot do me a greater favour than refusing to +publish it, if you think _it won't do_; and who should be a better judge +than yourself? + +Believe me ever to be, my dear Sir, + +Your most faithful and obliged, + +B. DISRAELI. [Footnote: It will be observed that while the father +maintained the older spelling of the name, the son invariably writes it +thus.] + +P.S.--The second and the last chapters are unfortunately mislaid, but +they have no particular connection with the story. They are both very +short, the first contains an adventure on the road, and the last Mr. +Papillon's banishment under the Alien Act from a ministerial +misconception of a metaphysical sonnet. + +Thursday morn.: Excuse want of seal, as we're doing a bit of summer +to-day, and there is not a fire in the house. + + +FREDERICK PLACE, _May_ 25, 1824. + +1/2 past 1 o'clock A.M. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +The travels, to which I alluded this morning, would not bind up with +"Parry," since a moderate duodecimo would contain the adventures of a +certain Mr. Aylmer Papillon in a _terra incognita_. I certainly should +never have mentioned them had I been aware that you were so very much +engaged, and I only allude to them once more that no confusion may arise +from the half-explanations given this morning. You will oblige me by not +mentioning this to anybody. + +Believe me to be, my dear Sir, + +Your very faithful and obliged Servant, + +B. DISRAELI. + + +FREDERICK PLACE, _June_ 1824. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Until I received your note this morning I had flattered myself that my +indiscretion had been forgotten. It is to me a matter of great regret +that, as appears by your letter, any more trouble should be given +respecting this unfortunate MS., which will, most probably, be +considered too crude a production for the public, and which, if it is +even imagined to possess any interest, is certainly too late for this +season, and will be obsolete in the next. I think, therefore, that the +sooner it be put behind the fire the better, and as you have some small +experience in burning MSS., [Footnote: Byron's Memoirs had been burnt at +Albemarle Street during the preceding month.] you will be perhaps so +kind as to consign it to the flames. Once more apologising for all the +trouble I have given you, I remain ever, my dear Sir, + +Yours very faithfully, + +B. DISRAELI. + +Murray had a special regard for the remarkable young man, and by degrees +had thoroughly taken him into his confidence; had related to him his +experiences of men and affairs, and ere long began to consult him about +a variety of schemes and projects. These long confidential +communications led eventually to the suggestion of a much more ambitious +and hazardous scheme, the establishment of a daily paper in the +Conservative interest. Daring as this must appear, Murray was encouraged +in it by the recollection of the success which had attended the +foundation of the _Quarterly_, and believed, rashly, that his personal +energy and resources, aided by the abilities displayed by his young +counsellor, would lead to equal success. He evidently had too +superficially weighed the enormous difficulties of this far greater +undertaking, and the vast difference between the conduct of a _Quarterly +Review_ and a daily newspaper. + +Intent upon gaining a position in the world, Benjamin Disraeli saw a +prospect of advancing his own interests-by obtaining the influential +position of director of a Conservative daily paper, which he fully +imagined was destined to equal the _Times_, and he succeeded in imbuing +Murray with the like fallacious hopes. + +The emancipation of the Colonies of Spain in South America in 1824-25 +gave rise to much speculation in the money market in the expectation of +developing the resources of that country, especially its mines. Shares, +stocks, and loans were issued to an unlimited extent. + +Mr. Benjamin Disraeli seems to have thrown himself into the vortex, for +he became connected with at least one financial firm in the City, that +of Messrs. Powles, and employed his abilities in writing several +pamphlets on the subject. This led to his inducing Messrs. Powles to +embark with him in the scheme of a daily paper. At length an arrangement +was entered into, by which John Murray, J.D. Powles, and Benjamin +Disraeli were to become the joint proprietors of the proposed new +journal. The arrangement was as follows: + +MEMORANDUM. + +LONDON, _August_ 3, 1825. + +The undersigned parties agree to establish a Morning Paper, the property +in which is to be in the following proportions, viz.: + +Mr. Murray.... One-half. Mr. Powles.... One-quarter. Mr. Disraeli.... +One-quarter. + +Each party contributing to the expense, capital, and risk, in those +proportions. + +The paper to be published by, and be under the management of Mr. Murray. + +JOHN MURRAY. + +J.D. POWLES. + +B. DISRAELI. + +Such was the memorandum of agreement entered into with a view to the +publication of the new morning paper, eventually called the +_Representative_. As the first number was to appear in January 1826, +there was little time to be lost in making the necessary arrangements +for its publication. In the first place, an able editor had to be found; +and, perhaps of almost equal importance, an able subeditor. Trustworthy +reporters had to be engaged; foreign and home correspondents had also to +be selected with care; a printing office had to be taken; all the +necessary plant and apparatus had to be provided, and a staff of men +brought together preliminary to the opening day. + +The most important point in connection with the proposed journal was to +find the editor. Mr. Murray had been so ably assisted by Sir Walter +Scott in the projection of the _Quarterly Review_, that he resolved to +consult him on the subject; and this mission was undertaken by Benjamin +Disraeli, part proprietor of the intended daily journal, though he was +then only twenty years old. It was hoped that Mr. Lockhart, Sir Walter +Scott's son-in-law, might be induced to undertake the editorship. The +following are Mr. Disraeli's letters to Mr. Murray, giving an account of +the progress of his negotiations. It will be observed that he surrounds +the subject with a degree of mystery, through the names which he gives +to the gentlemen whom he interviewed. Thus the Chevalier is Sir Walter +Scott; M. is Mr. Lockhart; X. is Mr. Canning; O. is the political Puck +(could this be himself?); and Chronometer is Mr. Barrow. + +On reaching Edinburgh, Mr. Disraeli wrote to Mr. Murray the following +account of his first journey across the Border: + +_Mr. B. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +ROYAL HOTEL, EDINBURGH. _September_ 21, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I arrived in Edinburgh yesterday night at 11 o'clock. I slept at +Stamford, York, and Newcastle, and by so doing felt quite fresh at the +end of my journey. I never preconceived a place better than Edinburgh. +It is exactly what I fancied it, and certainly is the most beautiful +town in the world. You can scarcely call it a city; at least, it has +little of the roar of millions, and at this time is of course very +empty. I could not enter Scotland by the route you pointed out, and +therefore was unable to ascertain the fact of the Chevalier being at his +Castellum. I should in that case have gone by Carlisle. I called on the +gentleman to whom Wright [Footnote: A solicitor in London, and friend of +both parties, who had been consulted in the negotiations.] gave me a +letter this morning. He is at his country house; he will get a letter +from me this morning. You see, therefore, that I have lost little time. + +I called at Oliver & Boyd's this morning, thinking that you might have +written. You had not, however. When you write to me, enclose to them, as +they will forward, wherever I may be, and my stay at an hotel is always +uncertain. Mr. Boyd was most particularly civil. Their establishment is +one of the completest I have ever seen. They are booksellers, +bookbinders, and printers, all under the same roof; everything but +making paper. I intend to examine the whole minutely before I leave, as +it may be useful. I never thought of binding. Suppose you were to sew, +etc., your own publications? + +I arrived at York in the midst of the Grand [Musical] Festival. It was +late at night when I arrived, but the streets were crowded, and +continued so for hours. I never witnessed a city in such an extreme +bustle, and so delightfully gay. It was a perfect carnival. I postponed +my journey from five in the morning to eleven, and by so doing got an +hour for the Minster, where I witnessed a scene which must have far +surpassed, by all accounts, the celebrated commemoration in Westminster +Abbey. York Minster baffles all conception. Westminster Abbey is a toy +to it. I think it is impossible to conceive of what Gothic architecture +is susceptible until you see York. I speak with cathedrals of the +Netherlands and the Rhine fresh in my memory. I witnessed in York +another splendid sight--the pouring in of all the nobility and gentry of +the neighbourhood and the neighbouring counties. The four-in-hands of +the Yorkshire squires, the splendid rivalry in liveries and outriders, +and the immense quantity of gorgeous equipages--numbers with four +horses--formed a scene which you can only witness in the mighty and +aristocratic county of York. It beat a Drawing Room hollow, as much as +an oratorio in York Minster does a concert in the Opera House. This +delightful stay at York quite refreshed me, and I am not the least +fatigued by my journey. + +As I have only been in Edinburgh a few hours, of course I have little to +say. I shall write immediately that anything occurs. Kindest +remembrances to Mrs. Murray and all. + +Ever yours, + +B.D. + +I find Froissart a most entertaining companion, just the fellow for a +traveller's evening; and just the work too, for it needs neither books +of reference nor accumulations of MS. + + +ROYAL HOTEL, EDINBURGH, _Sunday_. + +_September_ 22, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I sent a despatch by Saturday night's post, directed to Mr. Barrow. You +have doubtless received it safe. As I consider you are anxious to hear +minutely of the state of my operations, I again send you a few lines. I +received this morning a very polite letter from L[ockhart]. He had just +received that morning (Saturday) Wright's letter. I enclose you a copy +of L.'s letter, as it will be interesting to you to see or judge what +effect was produced on his mind by its perusal. I have written to-day to +say that I will call at Chiefswood [Footnote: Chiefswood, where Lockhart +then lived, is about two miles distant from Abbotsford. Sir Walter Scott +describes it as "a nice little cottage, in a glen belonging to this +property, with a rivulet in front, and a grove of trees on the east side +to keep away the cold wind."] on Tuesday. I intend to go to Melrose +tomorrow, but as I will not take the chance of meeting him the least +tired, I shall sleep at Melrose and call on the following morning. I +shall, of course, accept his offer of staying there. I shall call again +at B[oyd]'s before my departure to-morrow, to see if there is any +despatch from you.... I shall continue to give you advice of all my +movements. You will agree with me that I have at least not lost any +time, but that all things have gone very well as yet. There is of course +no danger in our communications of anything unfairly transpiring; but +from the very delicate nature of names interested, it will be expedient +to adopt some cloak. + +_The Chevalier_ will speak for itself. + +M., from Melrose, for Mr. L. + +X. for a certain personage on whom we called one day, who lives a slight +distance from town, and who was then unwell. + +O. for the political Puck. + +MR. CHRONOMETER will speak for itself, at least to all those who give +African dinners. + +I think this necessary, and try to remember it. I am quite delighted +with Edinburgh, Its beauties become every moment more apparent. The view +from the Calton Hill finds me a frequent votary. In the present state of +affairs, I suppose it will not be expedient to leave the letter for Mrs. +Bruce. It will seem odd; p.p.c. at the same moment I bring a letter of +introduction. If I return to Edinburgh, I can avail myself of it. If the +letter contains anything which would otherwise make Mrs. Murray wish it +to be left, let me know. I revel in the various beauties of a Scotch +breakfast. Cold grouse and marmalade find me, however, constant. + +Ever yours, + +B.D. + + +The letter of Mr. Lockhart, to which Mr. Disraeli refers, ran as +follows: + +_Mr. J.G. Lockhart to Mr. B. Disraeli_. + +"The business to which the letter [of Mr. Wright] refers entitles it to +much consideration. As yet I have had no leisure nor means to form even +an approximation towards any opinion as to the proposal Mr. W. mentions, +far less to commit my friend. In a word, I am perfectly in the dark as +to everything else, except that I am sure it will give Mrs. Lockhart and +myself very great pleasure to see Mr. Disraeli under this roof.... If +you had no other object in view, I flatter myself that this +neighbourhood has, in Melrose and Abbotsford, some attractions not +unworthy of your notice." + +Mr. Disraeli paid his promised visit to Chiefswood. It appeared that Mr. +Lockhart expected to receive Mr. Isaac D'Israeli, the well-known author +of "The Curiosities of Literature"; instead of which, the person who +appeared before him was Mr. D'Israeli's then unknown son Benjamin. + + +_Mr. B, Disraeli to John Murray_. + +CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 25, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I arrived at Chiefswood yesterday. M. [Lockhart] had conceived that it +was my father who was coming. He was led to believe this through +Wright's letter. In addition, therefore, to his natural reserve, there +was, of course, an evident disappointment at seeing me. Everything +looked as black as possible. I shall not detain you now by informing you +of fresh particulars. I leave them for when we meet. Suffice it to say +that in a few hours we completely understood each other, and were upon +the most intimate terms. M. enters into our views with a facility and +readiness which were capital. He thinks that nothing can be more +magnificent or excellent; but two points immediately occurred: First, +the difficulty of his leaving Edinburgh without any ostensible purpose; +and, secondly, the losing caste in society by so doing. He is fully +aware that he may end by making his situation as important as any in the +empire, but the primary difficulty is insurmountable. + +As regards his interest, I mentioned that he should be guaranteed, for +three years, £1,000 per annum, and should take an eighth of every paper +which was established, without risk, his income ceasing on his so doing. +These are much better terms than we had imagined we could have made. The +agreement is thought extremely handsome, both by him and the Chevalier; +but the income is not imagined to be too large. However, I dropped that +point, as it should be arranged with you when we all meet. + +The Chevalier breakfasted here to-day, and afterwards we were all three +closeted together. The Chevalier entered into it excellently. He +thought, however, that we could not depend upon Malcolm, Barrow, etc., +_keeping to it_; but this I do not fear. He, of course, has no idea of +your influence or connections. With regard to the delicate point I +mentioned, the Chevalier is willing to make any sacrifice in his +personal comforts for Lockhart's advancement; but he feels that his +son-in-law will "lose caste" by going to town without anything +ostensible. He agrees with me that M. cannot accept an official +situation of any kind, as it would compromise his independence, but he +thinks _Parliament for M. indispensable_, and also very much to _our +interest_. I dine at Abbotsford to-day, and we shall most probably again +discuss matters. + +Now, these are the points which occur to me. When M. comes to town, it +will be most important that it should be distinctly proved to him that +he _will_ be supported by the great interests I have mentioned to him. +He must see that, through Powles, all America and the Commercial +Interest is at our beck; that Wilmot H., etc., not as mere +under-secretary, but as our private friend, is most staunch; that the +Chevalier is firm; that the West India Interest will pledge themselves +that such men and in such situations as Barrow, etc., etc., are +_distinctly in our power_; and finally, that he is coming to London, not +to be an Editor of a Newspaper, but the Director-General of an immense +organ, and at the head of a band of high-bred gentlemen and important +interests. + +The Chevalier and M. have unburthened themselves to me in a manner the +_most confidential_ that you can possibly conceive. Of M.'s capability, +_perfect complete capability_, there is no manner of doubt. Of his sound +principles, and of his real views in life, I could in a moment satisfy +you. Rest assured, however, that you are dealing with a _perfect +gentleman_. There has been no disguise to me of what has been done, and +the Chevalier had a private conversation with me on the subject, of a +nature _the most satisfactory_. With regard to other plans of ours, if +we could get him up, we should find him invaluable. I have a most +singular and secret history on this subject when we meet. + +Now, on the grand point--Parliament. M. cannot be a representative of a +Government borough. It is impossible. He must be free as air. I am sure +that if this could be arranged, all would be settled; but it is +"_indispensable_," without you can suggest anything else. M. was two +days in company with X. this summer, as well as X.'s and our friend, but +nothing transpired of our views. This is a most favourable time to make +a parliamentary arrangement. What do you think of making a confidant of +Wilmot H[orton]? He is the kind of man who would be right pleased by +such conduct. There is no harm of Lockhart's coming in for a Tory +borough, because he is a Tory; but a Ministerial borough is impossible +to be managed. + +If this point could be arranged, I have no doubt that I shall be able to +organise, in the interest with which I am now engaged, a most _immense +party_, and a _most serviceable one_. Be so kind as not to leave the +vicinity of London, in case M. and myself come up _suddenly_; but I pray +you, if you have any real desire to establish a mighty engine, to exert +yourself at this present moment, and assist me to your very utmost. +Write as soon as possible, to give me some idea of your movements, and +direct to me here, as I shall then be sure to obtain your communication. +The Chevalier and all here have the highest idea of Wright's _nous_, and +think it most important that he should be at the head of the legal +department. I write this despatch in the most extreme haste. + +Ever yours, + +B.D. + +On receiving the above letter and the previous communications, Mr. +Murray sent them to Mr. Isaac D'Israeli for his perusal. + +_Mr. Isaac D'Israeli to Mr. Murray_. + +HYDE HOUSE, AMERSHAM, + +_September_ 29, 1825. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +How deeply I feel obliged and gratified by your confidential +communication! I read repeatedly the third letter of our young +plenipotentiary. I know nothing against him but his youth--a fault which +a few seasons of experience will infallibly correct; but I have observed +that the habits and experience he has acquired as a lawyer often greatly +serve him in matters o£ business. His views are vast, but they are baaed +on good sense, and he is most determinedly serious when he sets to work. +The Chevalier and M. seem to have received him with all the open +confidence of men struck by a stranger, yet a stranger not wholly +strange, and known enough to them to deserve their confidence if he +could inspire it. I flatter myself he has fully--he must, if he has +really had confidential intercourse with the Chevalier, and so +confidently impresses you with so high and favourable a character of M. +On your side, my dear Murray, no ordinary exertions will avail. You, +too, have faith and confidence to inspire in them. You observe how the +wary Northern Genius attempted to probe whether certain friends of yours +would stand together; no doubt they wish to ascertain that point. Pardon +me if I add, that in satisfying their cautious and anxious inquiries as +to your influence with these persons, it may be wise to throw a little +shade of mystery, and not to tell everything too openly at first; +because, when objects are clearly defined, they do not affect our +imaginations as when they are somewhat concealed.... Vast as the project +seems, held up as it will be by personages of wealth, interests, +politics, etc., whenever it is once set up, I should have no fears for +the results, which are indeed the most important that one can well +conceive.... Had the editor of "Paul Jones" consulted me a little, I +could probably have furnished him with the account of the miserable end +of his hero; and I am astonished it is not found, as you tell me, in +your American biography. [Footnote: The last paragraph in Mr. +D'Israeli's letter refers to "The Life of Paul Jones," which has been +already mentioned. As the novel "Aylmer Papillon," written in 1824, was +never published, the preface to "Paul Jones" was Benjamin's first +appearance as an author.] + +Meanwhile, young Disraeli still remained with Mr. Lockhart at +Chiefswood. + +_Mr. B, Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_September_, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am quite sure, that upon the business I am upon now every line will be +acceptable, and I therefore make no apology for this hurried despatch. I +have just received a parcel from Oliver & Boyd. I transmitted a letter +from M. to Wright, and which [Footnote: This is an ungrammatical +construction which Lord Beaconsfield to the end of his days never +abandoned. _Vide_ letter on p. 318 and Lothair _passim_.--T.M.] was for +your mutual consideration, to you, _viá Chronometer_, last Friday. I +afterwards received a note from you, dated Chichester, and fearing from +that circumstance that some confusion would arise, I wrote a few lines +to you at Mr. Holland's. [Footnote: The Rev. W. Holland, Mr. Murray's +brother-in-law, was a minor canon of Chichester.] I now find that you +will be in town on Monday, on which day I rather imagine the said +letter from M. to Wright will arrive. I therefore trust that the +suspected confusion will not arise. + +I am very much obliged to you for your letters; but I am very sorry that +you have incurred any trouble, when it is most probable that I shall not +use them. The Abbotsford and Chiefswood families have placed me on such +a friendly and familiar footing, that it is utterly impossible for me to +leave them while there exists any chance of M.'s going to England. M. +has introduced me to most of the neighbouring gentry, and receives with +a loud laugh any mention of my return to Edinburgh. I dined with Dr. +Brewster the other day. He has a pretty place near Melrose. It is +impossible for me to give to you any written idea of the beauty and +unique character of Abbotsford. _Adio!_ + +B.D. + + +Mr. Murray continued to transmit the correspondence to Mr. Isaac +D'Israeli, whose delight may be conceived from the following: + +_Mr. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +_October_ 9, 1825. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +Thanks! My warmest ones are poor returns for the ardent note you have so +affectionately conveyed to me by him on whom we now both alike rest our +hopes and our confidence. The more I think of this whole affair, from +its obscure beginnings, the more I am quite overcome by what he has +already achieved; never did the finest season of blossoms promise a +richer gathering. But he has not the sole merit, for you share it with +him, in the grand view you take of the capability of this new +intellectual steam engine. + + +In the following letter Lockhart definitely declined the editorship of +the _Representative_. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_October_ 7, 1825. + +"I am afraid, that in spite of my earnest desire to be clear and +explicit, you have not after all fully understood the inexpressible +feeling I entertain in regard to the _impossibility_ of my ever entering +into the career of London in the capacity of a newspaper editor. I +confess that you, who have adorned and raised your own profession so +highly, may feel inclined, and justly perhaps, to smile at some of my +scruples; but it is enough to say that every hour that has elapsed since +the idea was first started has only served to deepen and confirm the +feeling with which I at the first moment regarded it; and, in short, +that if such a game _ought_ to be played, I am neither young nor poor +enough to be the man that takes the hazard." + +Sir Walter Scott also expressed his views on the subject as follows: + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_. + +ABBOTSFORD, _Sunday_, + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Lockhart seems to wish that I would express my opinion of the plan which +you have had the kindness to submit to him, and I am myself glad of an +opportunity to express my sincere thanks for the great confidence you +are willing to repose in one so near to me, and whom I value so highly. +There is nothing in life that can be more interesting to me than his +prosperity, and should there eventually appear a serious prospect of his +bettering his fortunes by quitting Scotland, I have too much regard for +him to desire him to remain, notwithstanding all the happiness I must +lose by his absence and that of my daughter. The present state, however, +of the negotiation leaves me little or no reason to think that I will be +subjected to this deprivation, for I cannot conceive it advisable that +he should leave Scotland on the speculation of becoming editor of a +newspaper. It is very true that this department of literature may and +ought to be rendered more respectable than it is at present, but I think +this is a reformation more to be wished than hoped for, and should think +it rash for any young man, of whatever talent, to sacrifice, nominally +at least, a considerable portion of his respectability in society in +hopes of being submitted as an exception to a rule which is at present +pretty general. This might open the door to love of money, but it would +effectually shut it against ambition. + +To leave Scotland, Lockhart must make very great sacrifices, for his +views here, though moderate, are certain, his situation in public +estimation and in private society is as high as that of any one at our +Bar, and his road to the public open, if he chooses to assist his income +by literary resources. But of the extent and value of these sacrifices +he must himself be a judge, and a more unprejudiced one, probably, than +I am. + +I am very glad he meets your wishes by going up to town, as this, though +it should bear no further consequences, cannot but serve to show a +grateful sense of the confidence and kindness of the parties concerned, +and yours in particular. + +I beg kind compliments to Mr. D'Israeli, and am, dear sir, with best +wishes for the success of your great national plan. + +Yours very truly, + +WALTER SCOTT. + + +Although Mr. Lockhart hung back from the proposed editorship, he +nevertheless carried out his intention of visiting Mr. Murray in London +a few weeks after the date of the above letter. Mr. J.T. Coleridge had +expressed his desire to resign the editorship of the _Quarterly_, in +consequence of his rapidly increasing practice on the western circuit, +and Mr. Lockhart was sounded as to his willingness to become his +successor. Mr. Murray entertained the hope that he might be able to give +a portion of his time to rendering some assistance in the management of +the proposed newspaper. As Sir Walter Scott had been taken into their +counsels, through the medium of Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Murray proceeded to +correspond with him on the subject. From the draft of one of Mr. +Murray's letters we extract the following: + +_John Murray to Sir Walter Scott_. + +_October_ 13, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR WALTER, + +I feel greatly obliged by the favour of your kind letter, and for the +good opinion which you are disposed to entertain of certain plans, of +which you will by degrees be enabled to form, I hope, a still more +satisfactory estimate. At present, I will take the liberty of assuring +you, that after your confidence in me, I will neither propose nor think +of anything respecting Mr. Lockhart that has not clearly for its basis +the honour of his family. With regard to our Great Plan--which really +ought not to be designated a newspaper, as that department of literature +has hitherto been conducted--Mr. Lockhart was never intended to have +anything to do as editor: for we have already secured two most efficient +and respectable persons to fill that department. I merely wished to +receive his general advice and assistance. And Mr. Lockhart would only +be known or suspected to be the author of certain papers of grave +national importance. The more we have thought and talked over our plans, +the more certain are we of their inevitable success, and of their +leading us to certain power, reputation, and fortune. For myself, the +heyday of my youth is passed, though I may be allowed certain experience +in my profession. I have acquired a moderate fortune, and have a certain +character, and move now in the first circles of society; and I have a +family: these, I hope, may be some fair pledge to you that I would not +engage in this venture with any hazard, when all that is dearest to man +would be my loss. + +In order, however, to completely obviate any difficulties which have +been urged, I have proposed to Mr. Lockhart to come to London as the +editor of the _Quarterly_--an appointment which, I verily believe, is +coveted by many of the highest literary characters in the country, and +which, of itself, would entitle its possessor to enter into and mix with +the first classes of society. For this, and without writing a line, but +merely for performing the duties of an editor, I shall have the pleasure +of allowing him a thousand pounds a year; and this, with contributions +of his own, might easily become £1,500, and take no serious portion of +his time either. Then, for his connection with the paper, he will become +permanently interested in a share we can guarantee to him for three +years, and which, I am confident, will be worth, at the end of that +period, at least £3,000; and the profits from that share will not be +less than £1,500 per annum. I have lately heard, from good authority, +that the annual profit of the _Times_ is £40,000, and that a share in +the _Courier_ sold last week (wretchedly conducted, it seems) at the +rate of £100,000 for the property. + +But this is not all. You know well enough that the business of a +publishing bookseller is not in his shop or even his connection, but in +his brains; and we can put forward together a series of valuable +literary works, and without, observe me, in any of these plans, the +slightest risk to Mr. Lockhart. And I do most solemnly assure you that +if I may take any credit to myself for possessing anything like sound +judgment in my profession, the things which we shall immediately begin +upon, as Mr. Lockhart will explain to you, are as perfectly certain of +commanding a great sale as anything I ever had the good fortune to +engage in. + +Lockhart finally accepted the editorship of the _Quarterly_, after +negotiations which brought Mr. Disraeli on a second visit to Scotland, +but he undertook no formal responsibility for the new daily paper. + +In London Disraeli was indefatigable. He visited City men, for the +purpose of obtaining articles on commercial subjects. He employed an +architect, Mr. G. Basevi, jun., his cousin, with a view to the planning +of offices and printing premises. A large house was eventually taken in +Great George Street, Westminster, and duly fitted up as a printing +office. + +He then proceeded, in common with Mr. Murray, to make arrangements for +the foreign correspondence. In the summer of 1824--before the new +enterprise was thought of--he had travelled in the Rhine country, and +made some pleasant acquaintances, of whom he now bethought himself when +making arrangements for the new paper. One of them was Mr. Maas, of the +Trierscher Hof, Coblentz, and Mr. Disraeli addressed him as follows: + +_Mr. B. Disraeli to Mr. Maas_. + +_October_ 25, 1825. + +DEAR SIR, + +Your hospitality, which I have twice enjoyed, convinces me that you will +not consider this as an intrusion. My friend, Mr. Murray, of Albemarle +Street, London, the most eminent publisher that we have, is about to +establish a daily journal of the first importance. With his great +influence and connections, there is no doubt that he will succeed in his +endeavour to make it the focus of the information of the whole world. +Among other places at which he wishes to have correspondents is the +Rhine, and he has applied to me for my advice upon this point. It has +struck me that Coblentz is a very good situation for intelligence. Its +proximity to the Rhine and the Moselle, its contiguity to the beautiful +baths of the Taunus, and the innumerable travellers who pass through it, +and spread everywhere the fame of your admirable hotel, all conduce to +make it a place from which much interesting intelligence might be +procured. + +The most celebrated men in Europe have promised their assistance to Mr. +Murray in his great project. I wish to know whether you can point out +any one to him who will occasionally write him a letter from your city. +Intelligence as to the company at Wiesbaden and Ems, and of the persons +of eminence, particularly English, who pass through Coblentz, of the +travellers down the Rhine, and such topics, are very interesting to us. +You yourself would make a most admirable correspondent. The labour would +be very light and very agreeable; and Mr. Murray would take care to +acknowledge your kindness by various courtesies. If you object to say +anything about politics you can omit mentioning the subject. I wish you +would undertake it, as I am sure you would write most agreeable letters. +Once a month would be sufficient, or rather write whenever you have +anything that you think interesting. Will you be so kind as to write me +in answer what you think of this proposal? The communication may be +carried on in any language you please. + +Last year when I was at Coblentz you were kind enough to show me a very +pretty collection of ancient glass. Pray is it yet to be purchased? I +think I know an English gentleman who would be happy to possess it. I +hope this will not be the last letter which passes between us. + +I am, dear Sir, + +Yours most truly, + +B. DISRAELI. + +Mr. Maas agreed to Mr. Disraeli's proposal, and his letter was handed to +Mr. Murray, who gave him further instructions as to the foreign +correspondence which he required. Mr. Murray himself wrote to +correspondents at Hamburg, Maestricht, Genoa, Trieste, Gibraltar, and +other places, with the same object. + +The time for the publication of the newspaper was rapidly approaching, +and Mr. B. Disraeli's correspondence on the subject of the engagement of +a staff became fast and furious. + +By the end of December Mr. Lockhart had arrived in London, for the +purpose of commencing his editorship of the _Quarterly Review_. The name +of the new morning paper had not then been yet fixed on; from the +correspondence respecting it, we find that some spoke of it as the +_Daily Review_, others as the _Morning News_, and so on; but that Mr. +Benjamin Disraeli settled the matter appears from the following letter +of Mr. Lockhart to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_December_ 21, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am delighted, and, what is more, satisfied with Disraeli's title--the +_Representative_. If Mr. Powles does not produce some thundering +objection, let this be fixed, in God's name. + +Strange to say, from this time forward nothing more is heard of Mr. +Benjamin Disraeli in connection with the _Representative_. After his two +Journeys to Scotland, his interviews with Sir Walter Scott and Mr. +Lockhart, his activity in making arrangements previous to the starting +of the daily paper, his communications with the architect as to the +purchase and fitting up of the premises in Great George Street, and with +the solicitors as to the proposed deed of partnership, he suddenly drops +out of sight; and nothing more is heard of him in connection with the +business. + +It would appear that when the time arrived for the proprietors of the +new paper to provide the necessary capital under the terms of the +memorandum of agreement dated August 3, 1825, both Mr. Disraeli and Mr. +Powles failed to contribute their several proportions. Mr. Murray had +indeed already spent a considerable sum, and entered into agreements for +the purchase of printing-offices, printing-machines, types, and all the +paraphernalia of a newspaper establishment. He had engaged reporters, +correspondents, printers, sub-editors, though he still wanted an +efficient editor. He was greatly disappointed at not being able to +obtain the services of Mr. Lockhart. Mr. Disraeli was too young--being +then only twenty-one, and entirely inexperienced in the work of +conducting a daily paper--to be entrusted with the editorship. Indeed, +it is doubtful whether he ever contemplated occupying that position, +though he had engaged himself most sedulously in the preliminary +arrangements in one department, his endeavours to obtain the assistance +of men of commerce in the City; however, he was by no means successful. +Nevertheless, Mr. Murray was so far committed that he felt bound to go +on with the enterprise, and he advertised the publication of the new +morning paper. Some of his friends congratulated him on the +announcement, trusting that they might see on their breakfast-table a +paper which their wives and daughters might read without a blush. + +The first number of the _Representative_ accordingly appeared on January +25, 1826, price 7_d_.; the Stamp Tax was then 4_d_. In politics it was a +supporter of Lord Liverpool's Government; but public distress, the +currency, trade and commerce were subjects of independent comment. + +Notwithstanding the pains which had been taken, and the money which had +been spent, the _Representative_ was a failure from the beginning. It +was badly organized, badly edited, and its contents--leading articles, +home and foreign news--were ill-balanced. Failing Lockhart, an editor, +named Tyndale, had been appointed on short notice, though he was an +obscure and uninfluential person. He soon disappeared in favour of +others, who were no better. Dr. Maginn [Footnote: Dr. Maginn's papers in +_Blackwood_ are or should be known to the reader. The Murray +correspondence contains many characteristic letters from this jovial and +impecunious Irishman. He is generally supposed to have been the +prototype of Thackeray's Captain Shandon.--T.M.] had been engaged--the +Morgan O'Doherty of _Blackwood's Magazine_--wit, scholar, and Bohemian. +He was sent to Paris, where he evidently enjoyed himself; but the +results, as regarded the _Representative_, were by no means +satisfactory. He was better at borrowing money than at writing articles. + +Mr. S.C. Hall, one of the parliamentary reporters of the paper, says, +in his "Retrospect of a Long Life," that: + +"The day preceding the issue of the first number, Mr. Murray might have +obtained a very large sum for a shore of the copyright, of which he was +the sole proprietor; the day after that issue, the copyright was worth +comparatively nothing.... Editor there was literally none, from the +beginning to the end. The first number supplied conclusive evidence of +the utter ignorance of editorial tact on the part of the person +entrusted with the duty.... In short, the work was badly done; if not a +snare, it was a delusion; and the reputation of the new journal fell +below zero in twenty-four hours." [Footnote: "Retrospect of a Long Life, +from 1815 to 1883." By S.C. Hall, F.S.A., i. p. 126.] + +An inspection of the file of the _Representative_ justifies Mr. Hall's +remarks. The first number contained an article by Lockhart, four columns +in length, on the affairs of Europe. It was correct and scholar-like, +but tame and colourless. Incorrectness in a leading article may be +tolerated, but dulness amounts to a literary crime. The foreign +correspondence consisted of a letter from Valetta, and a communication +from Paris, more than a column in length, relating to French opera. In +the matter of news, for which the dailies are principally purchased, the +first number was exceedingly defective. It is hard to judge of the +merits of a new journal from the first number, which must necessarily +labour under many disadvantages, but the _Representative_ did not from +the first exhibit any element of success. + +Mr. Murray found his new enterprise an increasing source of annoyance +and worry. His health broke down under the strain, and when he was +confined to his bed by illness things went worse from day to day. The +usual publishing business was neglected; letters remained unanswered, +manuscripts remained unread, and some correspondents became excessively +angry at their communications being neglected. + +Mr. Murray's worries were increased by the commercial crisis then +prevailing, and by the downfall of many large publishing houses. It was +feared that Mr. Murray might be implicated in the failures. At the end +of January, the great firm of Archibald Constable & Co., of Edinburgh +publishers of Sir Walter Scott's novels, was declared bankrupt; shortly +after, the failure was announced of James Ballantyne & Co., in which Sir +Walter Scott was a partner; and with these houses, that of Hurst, +Kobinson & Co., of London, was hopelessly involved. The market was +flooded with the dishonoured paper of all these concerns, and mercantile +confidence in the great publishing houses was almost at an end. We find +Washington Irving communicating the following intelligence to A.H. +Everett, United States Minister at Madrid (January 31, 1826): + +"You will perceive by the papers the failure of Constable & Co., at +Edinburgh, and Hurst, Robinson & Co., at London. These are severe shocks +in the trading world of literature. Pray Heaven, Murray may stand +unmoved, and not go into the _Gazette_, instead of publishing one!" + +Mr. Murray held his ground. He was not only able to pay his way, but to +assist some of the best-known London publishers through the pressure of +their difficulties. One of these was Mr. Robert Baldwin, of Paternoster +Row, who expressed his repeated obligations to Mr. Murray for his help +in time of need. The events of this crisis clearly demonstrated the +wisdom and foresight of Murray in breaking loose from the Ballantyne and +Constable connection, in spite of the promising advantages which it had +offered him. + +Murray still went on with the _Representative_, though the result was +increasing annoyance and vexation. Mr. Milman wrote to him, "Do get a +new editor for the lighter part of your paper, and look well to the +_Quarterly_." The advice was taken, and Dr. Maginn was brought over from +Paris to take charge of the lighter part of the paper at a salary of +£700 a year, with a house. The result was, that a number of clever _jeux +d'esprit_ were inserted by him, but these were intermingled with some +biting articles, which gave considerable offence. + +At length the strain became more than he could bear, and he sought the +first opportunity for stopping the further publication of the paper. +This occurred at the end of the general election, and the +_Representative_ ceased to exist on July 29, 1826, after a career of +only six months, during which brief period it had involved Mr. Murray in +a loss of not less than £26,000. [Footnote: The _Representative_ was +afterwards incorporated with the _New Times_, another unfortunate +paper.] + +Mr. Murray bore his loss with much equanimity, and found it an +inexpressible relief to be rid of the _Representative_ even at such a +sacrifice. To Washington Irving he wrote: + +_John Murray to Mr. Irving_. + +"One cause of my not writing to you during one whole year was my +'entanglement,' as Lady G---- says, with a newspaper, which absorbed my +money, and distracted and depressed my mind; but I have cut the knot of +evil, which I could not untie, and am now, by the blessing of God, again +returned to reason and the shop." + +One of the unfortunate results of the initiation and publication of the +_Representative_ was that it disturbed the friendship which had so long +existed between Mr. Murray and Mr. Isaac D'Israeli. The real cause of +Benjamin's sudden dissociation from an enterprise of which in its +earlier stages he had been the moving spirit, can only be matter of +conjecture. The only mention of his name in the later correspondence +regarding the newspaper occurs in the following letter: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +THURSDAY, _February_ 14, 1826. + +I think Mr. B. Disraeli ought to tell you what it is that he wishes to +say to Mr. Croker on a business _of yours_ ere he asks of you a letter +to the Secretary. If there really be something worth saying, I certainly +know nobody that would say it better, but I confess I think, all things +considered, you have no need of anybody to come between you and Mr. +Croker. What can it be? + +Yours, + +J.G.L. + +But after the _Representative_, had ceased to be published, the elder +D'Israeli thought he had a cause of quarrel with Mr. Murray, and +proposed to publish a pamphlet on the subject. The matter was brought +under the notice of Mr. Sharon Turner, the historian and solicitor, and +the friend of both. Mr. Turner strongly advised Mr. Isaac D'Israeli to +abstain from issuing any such publication. + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to Mr. D'Israeli._ + +_October_ 6, 1826. + +"Fame is pleasant, if it arise from what will give credit or do good. +But to make oneself notorious only to be the football of all the +dinner-tables, tea-tables, and gossiping visits of the country, will be +so great a weakness, that until I see you actually committing yourself +to it, I shall not believe that you, at an age like my own, can wilfully +and deliberately do anything that will bring the evil on you. Therefore +I earnestly advise that whatever has passed be left as it is.... If you +give it any further publicity, you will, I think, cast a shade over a +name that at present stands quite fair before the public eye. And +nothing can dim it to you that will not injure all who belong to you. +Therefore, as I have said to Murray, I say to you: Let Oblivion absorb +the whole question as soon as possible, and do not stir a step to rescue +it from her salutary power.... If I did not gee your words before me, I +could not have supposed that after your experience of these things and +of the world, you could deliberately intend to write--that is, to +publish in print--anything on the differences between you, Murray, and +the _Representative_, and your son.... If you do, Murray will be driven +to answer. To him the worst that can befall will be the public smile +that he could have embarked in a speculation that has cost him many +thousand pounds, and a criticism on what led to it.... The public know +it, and talk as they please about it, but in a short time will say no +more upon it. It is now dying away. Very few at present know that you +were in any way concerned about it. To you, therefore, all that results +will be new matter for the public discussion and censure. And, after +reading Benjamin's agreement of the 3rd August, 1825, and your letters +to Murray on him and the business, of the 27th September, the 29th +September, and the 9th October, my sincere opinion is that you cannot, +with a due regard to your own reputation, _write_ or _publish_ anything +about it. I send you hastily my immediate thoughts, that he whom I have +always respected may not, by publishing what will be immediately +contradicted, diminish or destroy in others that respect which at +present he possesses, and which I hope he will continue to enjoy." + +Mr. D'Israeli did not write his proposed pamphlet. What Mr. Murray +thought of his intention may be inferred from the following extract from +his letter to Mr. Sharon Turner: + +_John Murray to Mr. Sharon Turner_. + +_October_ 16, 1826. + +"Mr. D'Israeli is totally wrong in supposing that my indignation against +his son arises in the smallest degree from the sum which I have lost by +yielding to that son's unrelenting excitement and importunity; this +loss, whilst it was in weekly operation, may be supposed, and naturally +enough, to have been sufficiently painful, [Footnote: See note at the +end of the chapter.] but now that it has ceased, I solemnly declare that +I neither care nor think about it, more than one does of the +long-suffered agonies of an aching tooth the day after we have summoned +resolution enough to have it extracted. On the contrary, I am disposed +to consider this apparent misfortune as one of that chastening class +which, if suffered wisely, may be productive of greater good, and I feel +confidently that, as it has re-kindled my ancient ardour in business, a +very few months will enable me to replace this temporary loss, and make +me infinitely the gainer, if I profit by the prudential lesson which +this whole affair is calculated to teach.... From me his son had +received nothing but the most unbounded confidence and parental +attachment; my fault was in having loved, not wisely, but too well." + +To conclude the story, as far as Mr. Disraeli was concerned, we may +print here a letter written some time later. Mr. Powles had availed +himself of Disraeli's literary skill to recommend his mining +speculations to the public. In March 1825, Mr. Murray had published, on +commission, "American Mining Companies," and the same year "Present +State of Mexico," and "Lawyers and Legislators," all of them written by, +or under the superintendence of, Mr. Disraeli. Mr. Powles, however, +again proved faithless, and although the money for the printing had been +due for some time, he paid nothing; and at length Mr. Disraeli addressed +Mr. Murray in the following letter: + +_Mr. Benjamin Disraeli to John Murray_. + +6 BLOOMSBURY SQUARE, _March_ 19, 1827. + +SIR, + +I beg to enclose you the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, which I +believe to be the amount due to you for certain pamphlets published +respecting the American Mining Companies, as stated in accounts sent in +some time since. I have never been able to obtain a settlement of these +accounts from the parties originally responsible, and it has hitherto +been quite out of my power to exempt myself from the liability, which, I +have ever been conscious, on their incompetency, resulted from the +peculiar circumstances of the case to myself. In now enclosing you what +I consider to be the amount, I beg also to state that I have fixed upon +it from memory, having been unsuccessful in my endeavours to obtain even +a return of the accounts from the original parties, and being unwilling +to trouble you again for a second set of accounts, which had been so +long and so improperly kept unsettled. In the event, therefore, of there +being any mistake, I will be obliged by your clerk instantly informing +me of it, and it will be as instantly rectified; and I will also thank +you to enclose me a receipt, in order to substantiate my claims and +enforce my demands against the parties originally responsible. I have to +express my sense of your courtesy in this business, and + +I am, sir, yours truly, + +BENJAMIN DISRAELI. + +Fortunately, the misunderstanding between the two old friends did not +last long, for towards the end of the year we find Mr. Isaac D'Israeli +communicating with Mr. Murray respecting Wool's "Life of Joseph Warton," +and certain selected letters by Warton which he thought worthy of +republication; and with respect to his son, Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, +although he published his first work, "Vivian Grey," through Colburn, +he returned to Albemarle Street a few years later, and published his +"Contarini Fleming" through Mr. Murray. + +NOTE.--It appears from the correspondence that Mr. Murray had been led +by the "unrelenting excitement and importunity" of his young friend to +make some joint speculation in South American mines. The same financial +crisis which prevented Mr. Powles from fulfilling his obligations +probably swept away all chance of profit from this investment. The +financial loss involved in the failure of the _Representative_ was more +serious, but Mr. Murray's resentment against young Mr. Disraeli was not +due to any such considerations. Justly or unjustly he felt bitterly +aggrieved at certain personalities which, he thought, were to be +detected in "Vivian Grey." Mr. Disraeli was also suspected of being +concerned in an ephemeral publication called _The Star Chamber_, to +which he undoubtedly contributed certain articles, and in which +paragraphs appeared giving offence in Albemarle Street. The story of +Vivian Grey (as it appeared in the first edition) is transposed from the +literary to the political key. It is undoubtedly autobiographical, but +the identification of Mr. Murray with the Marquis of Carabas must seem +very far-fetched. It is, at all times, difficult to say within what +limits the novelist is entitled to resort to portraiture in order to +build up the fabric of his romance. Intention of offence was vehemently +denied by the D'Israeli family, which, as the correspondence shows, +rushed with one accord to the defence of the future Lord Beaconsfield. +It was really a storm in a teacup, and but for the future eminence of +one of the friends concerned would call for no remark. Mr. Disraeli's +bitter disappointment at the failure of his great journalistic +combination sharpened the keen edge of his wit and perhaps magnified the +irksomeness of the restraint which his older fellow-adventurer tried to +put on his "unrelenting excitement," and it is possible that his +feelings found vent in the novel which he then was composing. It is +pleasing to remark that at a later date his confidence and esteem for +his father's old friend returned to him, and that the incident ended in +a way honourable to all concerned.--T.M. + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +MR. LOCKHART AS EDITOR OF THE "QUARTERLY"--HALLAM--WORDSWORTH--DEATH OF +CONSTABLE + + +The appointment of a new editor naturally excited much interest among +the contributors and supporters of the _Quarterly Review_. Comments were +made, and drew from Scott the following letter: + +_Sir Walter Scott to John Murray_. + +ABBOTSFORD, _November_ 17, 1825. + +My Dear Sir, + +I was much surprised to-day to learn from Lockhart by letter that some +scruples were in circulation among some of the respectable among the +supporters of the _Quarterly Review_ concerning his capacity to +undertake that highly responsible task. In most cases I might not be +considered as a disinterested witness on behalf of so near a connection, +but in the present instance I have some claim to call myself so. The +plan (I need not remind you) of calling Lockhart to this distinguished +situation, far from being favoured by me, or in any respect advanced or +furthered by such interest as I might have urged, was not communicated +to me until it was formed; and as it involved the removal of my daughter +and of her husband, who has always loved and honoured me as a son, from +their native country and from my vicinity, my private wish and that of +all the members of my family was that such a change should not take +place. But the advantages proposed were so considerable, that it removed +all title on my part to state my own strong desire that he should remain +in Scotland. Now I do assure you that if in these circumstances I had +seen anything in Lockhart's habits, cast of mind, or mode of thinking or +composition which made him unfit for the duty he had to undertake, I +should have been the last man in the world to permit, without the +strongest expostulation not with him alone but with you, his exchanging +an easy and increasing income in his own country and amongst his own +friends for a larger income perhaps, but a highly responsible situation +in London. I considered this matter very attentively, and recalled to my +recollection all I had known of Mr. Lockhart both before and since his +connection with my family. I have no hesitation in saying that when he +was paying his addresses in my family I fairly stated to him that +however I might be pleased with his general talents and accomplishments, +with his family, which is highly respectable, and his views in life, +which I thought satisfactory, I did decidedly object to the use he and +others had made of their wit and satirical talent in _Blackwood's +Magazine_, which, though a work of considerable power, I thought too +personal to be in good taste or to be quite respectable. Mr. Lockhart +then pledged his word to me that he would withdraw from this species of +warfare, and I have every reason to believe that he has kept his word +with me. In particular I _know_ that he had not the least concern with +the _Beacon_ newspaper, though strongly urged by his young friends at +the Bar, and I also know that while he has sometimes contributed an +essay to _Blackwood_ on general literature, or politics, which can be +referred to if necessary, he has no connection whatever with the +satirical part of the work or with its general management, nor was he at +any time the Editor of the publication. + +It seems extremely hard (though not perhaps to be wondered at) that the +follies of three--or four and twenty should be remembered against a man +of thirty, who has abstained during the interval from giving the least +cause of offence. There are few men of any rank in letters who have not +at some time or other been guilty of some abuse of their satirical +powers, and very few who have not seen reason to wish that they had +restrained their vein of pleasantry. Thinking over Lockhart's offences +with my own, and other men's whom either politics or literary +controversy has led into such effusions, I cannot help thinking that +five years' proscription ought to obtain a full immunity on their +account. There were none of them which could be ascribed to any worse +motive than a wicked wit, and many of the individuals against whom they +were directed were worthy of more severe chastisement. The blame was in +meddling with such men at all. Lockhart is reckoned an excellent +scholar, and Oxford has said so. He is born a gentleman, has always kept +the best society, and his personal character is without a shadow of +blame. In the most unfortunate affair of his life he did all that man +could do, and the unhappy tragedy was the result of the poor sufferer's +after-thought to get out of a scrape. [Footnote: This refers, without +doubt, to the unfortunate death of John Scott, the editor of the _London +Magazine_, in a duel with Lockhart's friend Christie, the result of a +quarrel in which Lockhart himself had been concerned.] Of his general +talents I will not presume to speak, but they are generally allowed to +be of the first order. This, however, I _will_ say, that I have known +the most able men of my time, and I never met any one who had such ready +command of his own mind, or possessed in a greater degree the power of +making his talents available upon the shortest notice, and upon any +subject. He is also remarkably docile and willing to receive advice or +admonition from the old and experienced. He is a fond husband and almost +a doating father, seeks no amusement out of his own family, and is not +only addicted to no bad habits, but averse to spending time in society +or the dissipations connected with it. Speaking upon my honour as a +gentleman and my credit as a man of letters, I do not know a person so +well qualified for the very difficult and responsible task he has +undertaken, and I think the distinct testimony of one who must know the +individual well ought to bear weight against all vague rumours, whether +arising from idle squibs he may have been guilty of when he came from +College--and I know none of these which indicate a bad heart in the +jester--or, as is much more likely, from those which have been rashly +and falsely ascribed to him. + +Had any shadow of this want of confidence been expressed in the +beginning of the business I for one would have advised Lockhart to have +nothing to do with a concern for which his capacity was called in +question. But _now_ what can be done? A liberal offer, handsomely made, +has been accepted with the same confidence with which it was offered. +Lockhart has resigned his office in Edinburgh, given up his business, +taken a house in London, and has let, or is on the eve of letting, his +house here. The thing is so public, that about thirty of the most +respectable gentlemen in Edinburgh have proposed to me that a dinner +should be given in his honour. The ground is cut away behind him for a +retreat, nor can such a thing be proposed as matters now stand. + +Upon what grounds or by whom Lockhart was first recommended to you I +have no right or wish to inquire, having no access whatsoever to the +negotiation, the result of which must be in every wise painful enough to +me. But as their advice must in addition to your own judgment have had +great weight with you, I conceive they will join with me in the +expectation that the other respectable friends of this important work +will not form any decision to Lockhart's prejudice till they shall see +how the business is conducted. By a different conduct they may do harm +to the Editor, Publisher, and the work itself, as far as the withdrawing +of their countenance must necessarily be prejudicial to its currency. +But if it shall prove that their suspicions prove unfounded, I am sure +it will give pain to them to have listened to them for a moment. + +It has been my lot twice before now to stand forward to the best of my +power as the assistant of two individuals against whom a party run was +made. The one case was that of Wilson, to whom a thousand idle pranks +were imputed of a character very different and far more eccentric than +anything that ever attached to Lockhart. We carried him through upon the +fair principle that in the case of good morals and perfect talents for a +situation, where vice or crimes are not alleged, the follies of youth +should not obstruct the fair prospects of advanced manhood. God help us +all if some such modification of censure is not extended to us, since +most men have sown wild oats enough! Wilson was made a professor, as you +know, has one of the fullest classes in the University, lectures most +eloquently, and is much beloved by his pupils. The other was the case of +John Williams, now Rector of our new Academy here, who was opposed most +violently upon what on examination proved to be exaggerated rumours of +old Winchester stories. He got the situation chiefly, I think, by my +own standing firm and keeping others together. And the gentlemen who +opposed him most violently have repeatedly told me that I did the utmost +service to the Academy by bringing him in, for never was a man in such a +situation so eminently qualified for the task of education. + +I only mention these things to show that it is not in my son-in-law's +affairs alone that I would endeavour to remove that sort of prejudice +which envy and party zeal are always ready to throw in the way of rising +talent. Those who are interested in the matter may be well assured that +with whatever prejudice they may receive Lockhart at first, all who have +candour enough to wait till he can afford them the means of judging will +be of opinion that they have got a person possibly as well situated for +the duties of such an office as any man that England could afford them. + +I would rather have written a letter of this kind concerning any other +person than one connected with myself, but it is every word true, were +there neither son nor daughter in the case; but as such I leave it at +your discretion to show it, not generally, but to such friends and +patrons of the _Review_ as in your opinion have a title to know the +contents. + +Believe me, dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant, WALTER SCOTT. + +Mr. Lockhart himself addressed the two following letters to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +Chiefswood, _November_ 19, 1825. + +My Dear Sir, I am deeply indebted to Disraeli for the trouble he has +taken to come hither again at a time when he has so many matters of real +importance to attend to in London. The sort of stuff that certain grave +gentlemen have been mincing at, was of course thoroughly foreseen by Sir +W. Scott and by myself from the beginning of the business. Such +prejudices I cannot hope to overcome, except by doing well what has been +entrusted to me, and after all I should like to know what man could have +been put at the head of the _Quarterly Review_ at my time of life +without having the Doctors uttering doctorisms on the occasion. If you +but knew it, you yourself personally could in one moment overcome and +silence for ever the whole of these people. As for me, nobody has more +sincere respect for them in their own different walks of excellence than +myself; and if there be one thing that I may promise for myself, it is, +that age, experience, and eminence, shall never find fair reason to +accuse me of treating them with presumption. I am much more afraid of +falling into the opposite error. I have written at some length on these +matters to Mr. Croker, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. Rose--and to no one else; nor +will I again put pen to paper, unless someone, having a right to put a +distinct question to me, does put it. + + + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_Sunday_, CHIEFSWOOD, _November_ 27, 1825. + +My Dear Murray, + +I have read the letter I received yesterday evening with the greatest +interest, and closed it with the sincerest pleasure. I think we now +begin to understand each other, and if we do that I am sure _I_ have no +sort of apprehension as to the result of the whole business. But in +writing one must come to the point, therefore I proceed at once to your +topics in their order, and rely on it I shall speak as openly on every +one of them as I would _to my brother_. + +Mr. Croker's behaviour has indeed distressed me, for I had always +considered him as one of those bad enemies who make excellent friends. I +had not the least idea that he had ever ceased to regard you personally +with friendship, even affection, until B.D. told me about his +trafficking with Knight; for as to the little hints you gave me when in +town, I set all that down to his aversion for the notion of your setting +up a paper, and thereby dethroning him from his invisible predominance +over the Tory daily press, and of course attached little importance to +it. I am now satisfied, more particularly after hearing how he behaved +himself in the interview with you, that there is some deeper feeling in +his mind. The correspondence that has been passing between him and me +may have been somewhat imprudently managed on my part. I may have +_committed_ myself to a certain extent in it in more ways than one. It +is needless to regret what cannot be undone; at all events, I perceive +that it is now over with us for the present. I do not, however, believe +but that he will continue to do what he has been used to do for the +_Review_; indeed, unless he makes the newspaper business his excuse, he +stands completely pledged to me to adhere to that. + +But with reverence be it spoken, even this does not seem to me a matter +of very great moment. On the contrary, I believe that his papers in the +_Review_ have (with a few exceptions) done the work a great deal more +harm than good. I cannot express what I feel; but there was always the +bitterness of Gifford without his dignity, and the bigotry of Southey +without his _bonne-foi._ His scourging of such poor deer as Lady Morgan +was unworthy of a work of that rank. If we can get the same +_information_ elsewhere, no fear that we need equally regret the +secretary's quill. As it is, we must be contented to watch the course of +things and recollect the Roman's maxim, "quae casus obtullerint ad +sapientiam vertenda." + +I an vexed not a little at Mr. Barrow's imprudence in mentioning my name +to Croker and to Rose as in connection with the paper; and for this +reason that I was most anxious to have produced at least one number of +the _Review_ ere that matter should have been at all suspected. As it +is, I hope you will still find means to make Barrow, Rose, and Croker +(at all events the two last) completely understand that you had, indeed, +wished me to edit the paper, but that I had declined that, and that +_then_ you had offered me the _Review_. + +No matter what you say as to the firm belief I have expressed that the +paper _will_ answer, and the resolutions I have made to assist you by +writing political articles in it. It is of the highest importance that +in our anxiety about a new affair one should not lose sight of the old +and established one, and I _can_ believe that if the real state of the +case were known at the outset of my career in London, a considerable +feeling detrimental to the _Quarterly might_ be excited. We have enough +of adverse feelings to meet, without unnecessarily swelling their number +and aggravating their quality. + +I beg you to have a serious conversation with Mr. Barrow on this head, +and in the course of it take care to make him thoroughly understand that +the prejudices or doubts he gave utterance to in regard to me were heard +of by me without surprise, and excited no sort of angry feeling +whatever. He could know nothing of me but from flying rumours, for the +nature of which _he_ could in no shape be answerable. As for poor Rose's +well-meant hints about my "identifying myself perhaps in the mind of +society with the scavengers of the press," "the folly of _your_ risking +your name on a _paper_," etc., etc., of course we shall equally +appreciate all this. Rose is a timid dandy, and a bit of a Whig to boot. +I shall make some explanation to him when I next have occasion to write +to him, but that sort of thing would come surely with a better grace +from you than from me. I have not a doubt that he will be a daily +scribbler in your paper ere it is a week old. + +To all these people--Croker as well as the rest--John Murray is of much +more importance than they ever can be to him if he will only _believe_ +what I _know_, viz. that his own name in _society_ stands miles above +any of theirs. Croker _cannot_ form the nucleus of a literary +association which you have any reason to dread. He is hated by the +higher Tories quite as sincerely as by the Whigs: besides, he has not +_now-a-days_ courage to strike an effective blow; he will not come +forward. + +I come to pleasanter matters. Nothing, indeed, can be more handsome, +more generous than Mr. Coleridge's whole behaviour. I beg of you to +express to him the sense I have of the civility with which he has been +pleased to remember and allude to _me_, and assure him that I am most +grateful for the assistance he offers, and accept of it to any extent he +chooses. + +In this way Mr. Lockhart succeeded to the control of what his friend +John Wilson called "a National Work"; and he justified the selection +which Mr. Murray had made of him as editor: not only maintaining and +enhancing the reputation of the _Review_, by securing the friendship of +the old contributors, but enlisting the assistance of many new ones. Sir +Walter Scott, though "working himself to pieces" to free himself from +debt, came to his help, and to the first number which Lockhart edited he +contributed an interesting article on "Pepys' Memoirs." + +Lockhart's literary taste and discernment were of the highest order; and +he displayed a moderation and gentleness, even in his adverse +criticism, for which those who knew him but slightly, or by reputation +only, scarce gave him credit. There soon sprang up between him and his +publisher an intimacy and mutual confidence which lasted till Murray's +death; and Lockhart continued to edit the _Quarterly_ till his own death +in 1854. In truth there was need of mutual confidence between editor and +publisher, for they were called upon to deal with not a few persons +whose deep interest in the _Quarterly_ tempted them at times to assume a +somewhat dictatorial tone in their comments on and advice for the +management of the _Review_. When an article written by Croker, on +Lamennais' "Paroles d'un Croyant," [Footnote: The article by J.W. +Croker was afterwards published in No. 104 of the _Quarterly_.] was +under consideration, Lockhart wrote to the publisher: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_November 8_, 1826. + +My Dear Murray, + +It is always agreeable and often useful for us to hear what you think of +the articles in progress. Croker and I both differ from you as to the +general affair, for this reason simply, that Lamennais is to Paris what +Benson or Lonsdale is to London. His book has produced and is producing +a very great effect. Even religious people there applaud him, and they +are re-echoed here by old Jerdan, who pronounces that, be he right or +wrong, he has produced "a noble sacred poem." It is needful to caution +the English against the course of France by showing up the audacious +extent of her horrors, political, moral, and religious; and you know +what _was_ the result of our article on those vile tragedies, the +extracts of which were more likely to offend a family circle than +anything in the "Paroles d'un Croyant," and which even I was afraid of. +Mr. Croker, however, will modify and curtail the paper so as to get rid +of your specific objections. It had already been judged advisable to put +the last and only blasphemous extract in French in place of English. +Depend upon it, if we were to lower our scale so as to run no risk of +offending any good people's delicate feelings, we should soon lower +ourselves so as to rival "My Grandmother the British" in want of +interest to the world at large, and even (though they would not say so) +to the saints themselves.--_Verb. sap_. + +Like most sagacious publishers, Murray was free from prejudice, and was +ready to publish for all parties and for men of opposite opinions. For +instance, he published Malthus's "Essay on Population," and Sadler's +contradiction of the theory. He published Byron's attack on Southey, +and Southey's two letters against Lord Byron. He published Nugent's +"Memorials of Hampden," and the _Quarterly Review's_ attack upon it. +Southey's "Book of the Church" evoked a huge number of works on the +Roman Catholic controversy, most of which were published by Mr. Murray. +Mr. Charles Butler followed with his "Book on the Roman Catholic +Church." And the Rev. Joseph Blanco White's "Practical and Internal +Evidence against Catholicism," with occasional strictures on Mr. +Butler's "Book on the Roman Catholic Church." Another answer to Mr. +Butler came from Dr. George Townsend, in his "Accusations of History +against the Church of Rome." Then followed the Divines, of whom there +were many: the Rev. Dr. Henry Phillpotts (then of Stanhope Rectory, +Durham, but afterwards Bishop of Exeter), in his "Letter to Charles +Butler on the Theological Parts of his Book on the Roman Catholic +Church"; the Rev. G.S. Faber's "Difficulties of Romanism"; and many +others. + +While most authors are ready to take "cash down" for their manuscripts, +there are others who desire to be remunerated in proportion to the sale +of their works. This is especially the case with works of history or +biography, which are likely to have a permanent circulation. Hence, when +the judicious Mr. Hallam--who had sold the first three editions of +"Europe during the Middle Ages" to Mr. Murray for £1,400--had completed +his "Constitutional History of England," he made proposals which +resulted in Mr. Murray's agreeing to print and publish at his own cost +and risk the "Constitutional History of England," and pay to the author +two-thirds of the net profits. And these were the terms on which Mr. +Murray published all Mr. Hallam's subsequent works. + +Mr. Wordsworth about this time desired to republish his Poems, and made +application with that object to Mr. Murray, who thereupon consulted +Lockhart. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. _July_ 9, 1826. + +"In regard to Wordsworth I certainly cannot doubt that it must be +creditable to any publisher to publish the works _of_ one who is and +must continue to be a classic Poet of England. Your adventure with +Crabbe, however, ought to be a lesson of much caution. On the other +hand, again, W.'s poems _must_ become more popular, else why so many +editions in the course of the last few years. There have been _two_ of +the 'Excursion' alone, and I know that those have not satisfied the +public. Everything, I should humbly say, depends on the terms proposed +by the great Laker, whose vanity, be it whispered, is nearly as +remarkable as his genius." + +The following is the letter in which Mr. Wordsworth made his formal +proposal to Mr. Murray to publish his collected poems: + +_Mr. Wordsworth to John Murray_. + +RYDAL MOUNT, NEAR AMBLESIDE + +_December_ 4, 1826. + +Dear Sir, + +I have at last determined to go to the Press with my Poems as early as +possible. Twelve months ago the were to have been put into the hands of +Messrs. Robinson & Hurst, upon the terms of payment of a certain sum, +independent of expense on my part; but the failure of that house +prevented the thing going forward. Before I offer the publication to any +one but yourself, upon the different principle agreed on between you and +me, as you may recollect, viz.; the author to meet two-thirds of the +expenses and risk, and to share two-thirds of the profit, I think it +proper to renew that proposal to you. If you are not inclined to accept +it, I shall infer so from your silence; if such an arrangement suits +you, pray let me _immediately_ know; and all I have to request is, that +without loss of time, when I have informed you of the intended quantity +of letter-press, you will then let me know what my share of the expense +will amount to. + +I am, dear Sir, + +Your obedient servant, + +WM. WORDSWORTH. + +As Mr. Murray did not answer this letter promptly, Mr. H. Crabb Robinson +called upon him to receive his decision, and subsequently wrote: + +_Mr. H.G. Robinson to John Murray_. + +_February_ 1827. + +"I wrote to Mr. Wordsworth the day after I had the pleasure of seeing +you. I am sorry to say that my letter came too late. Mr. Wordsworth +interpreted your silence into a rejection of his offer; and his works +will unfortunately lose the benefit of appearing under you auspices. +They have been under the press some weeks." + +For about fifteen years there had been no business transactions between +Murray and Constable. On the eve of the failure of the Constables, the +head of the firm, Mr. Archibald Constable (October 1825), was paying a +visit at Wimbledon, when Mr. Murray addressed his host--Mr. Wright, +whose name has already occurred in the _Representative_ +correspondence--as follows: + +My Dear Wright, + +Although I intend to do myself the pleasure of calling upon Mr. +Constable at your house tomorrow immediately after church (for it is our +charity sermon at Wimbledon, and I must attend), yet I should be most +happy, if it were agreeable to you and to him, to favour us with your +company at dinner at, I will say, five tomorrow. Mr. Constable is +godfather to my son, who will be at home, and I am anxious to introduce +him to Mr. C., who may not be long in town. + +Mr. Constable and his friend accordingly dined with Murray, and that the +meeting was very pleasant may be inferred from Mr. Constable's letter of +a few days later, in which he wrote to Murray, "It made my heart glad to +be once more happy together as we were the other evening." The rest of +Mr. Constable's letter referred to Hume's Philosophical Writings, which +were tendered to Murray, but which he declined to publish. + +Constable died two years later, John Ballantyne, Scott's partner, a few +years earlier; and Scott entered in his diary, "It is written that +nothing shall flourish under my shadow." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +SIR WALTER'S LAST YEARS + + +Owing to the intimate relations which were now established between +Murray and Lockhart, the correspondence is full of references to Sir +Walter Scott and to the last phases of his illustrious career. + +Lockhart had often occasion to be at Abbotsford to see Sir Walter Scott, +who was then carrying on, single-handed, that terrible struggle with +adversity, which has never been equalled in the annals of literature. +His son-in-law went down in February 1827 to see him about further +articles, but wrote to Murray: "I fear we must not now expect Sir W. +S.'s assistance ere 'Napoleon' be out of hand." In the following month +of June Lockhart wrote from Portobello: "Sir W. Scott has got 'Napoleon' +out of his hands, and I have made arrangements for three or four +articles; and I think we may count for a paper of his every quarter." +Articles accordingly appeared from Sir Walter Scott on diverse subjects, +one in No. 71, June 1827, on the "Works of John Home "; another in No. +72, October 1827, on "Planting Waste Lands "; a third in No. 74, March +1828, on "Plantation and Landscape Gardening "; and a fourth in No. 76, +October 1828, on Sir H. Davy's "Salmonia, or Days of Fly-Fishing." The +last article was cordial and generous, like everything proceeding from +Sir Walter's pen. Lady Davy was greatly pleased with it. "It must always +be a proud and gratifying distinction," she said, "to have the name of +Sir Walter Scott associated with that of my husband in the review of +'Salmonia.' I am sure Sir Humphry will like his bairn the better for the +public opinion given of it by one whose immortality renders praise as +durable as it seems truly felt." + +With respect to "Salmonia" the following anecdote may be mentioned, as +related to Mr. Murray by Dr. Gooch, a valued contributor to the +_Quarterly_. + +"At page 6 of Salmonia," said Dr. Gooch, "it is stated that 'Nelson was +a good fly-fisher, and continued the pursuit even with his left hand.' I +can add that one of his reasons for regretting the loss of his right arm +was that it deprived him of the power of pursuing this amusement +efficiently, as is shown by the following incident, which is, I think, +worth preserving in that part of his history which relates to his +talents as a fly-fisher. I was at the Naval Hospital at Yarmouth on the +morning when Nelson, after the battle of Copenhagen (having sent the +wounded before him), arrived in the Roads and landed on the Jetty. The +populace soon surrounded him, and the military were drawn up in the +marketplace ready to receive him; but making his way through the crowd, +and the dust and the clamour, he went straight to the Hospital. I went +round the wards with him, and was much interested in observing his +demeanour to the sailors. He stopped at every bed, and to every man he +had something kind and cheering to say. At length he stopped opposite a +bed in which a sailor was lying who had lost his right arm close to the +shoulder joint, and the following short dialogue passed between them. +_Nelson_: 'Well, Jack, what's the matter with you?' _Sailor_: 'Lost my +right arm, your Honour.' Nelson paused, looked down at his own empty +sleeve, then at the sailor, and then said playfully, 'Well, Jack, then +you and I are spoiled for fishermen; but cheer up, my brave fellow.' He +then passed quickly on to the next bed, but these few words had a +magical effect upon the poor fellow, for I saw his eyes sparkle with +delight as Nelson turned away and pursued his course through the wards. +This was the only occasion on which I ever saw Lord Nelson." + +In the summer of 1828 Mr. Lockhart went down to Brighton, accompanied by +Sir Walter Scott, Miss Scott, Mrs. Lockhart and her son John--the +Littlejohn to whom Scott's charming "Tales of a Grandfather," which +were at that time in course of publication, had been addressed. It was +on the boy's account the party went to Brighton; he was very ill and +gradually sinking. + +While at Brighton, Lockhart had an interview with the Duke of +Wellington, and wrote to Murray on the subject. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. _May_ 18, 1828. + +"I have a message from the D. of W. to say that he, on the whole, highly +approves the paper on foreign politics, but has some criticisms to +offer on particular points, and will send for me some day soon to hear +them. I have of course signified my readiness to attend him any time he +is pleased to appoint, and expect it will be next week." + +That the Duke maintained his interest in the _Quarterly_ is shown by a +subsequent extract: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +AUCHENRAITH, _January_ 19, 1829. + +"Sir Walter met me here yesterday, and he considered the Duke's epistle +as an effort of the deepest moment to the _Quarterly_ and all concerned. +He is sure no minister ever gave a more distinguished proof of his +feeling than by this readiness to second the efforts of a literary +organ. Therefore, no matter about a week sooner or later, let us do the +thing justice." + +Before his departure for Brighton, Mr. Lockhart had been commissioned by +Murray to offer Sir Walter Scott £1,250 for the copyright of his +"History of Scotland," a transaction concerning which some informal +communications had already passed. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR _SIR_, + +Sir W. Scott has already agreed to furnish Dr. Lardner's "Cyclopaedia" +with one vol.--"History of Scotland"--for £1,000, and he is now at this +work. This is grievous, but you must not blame me, for he has acted in +the full knowledge of my connection with and anxiety about the Family +Library. I answered him, expressing my great regret and reminding him of +Peterborough. I suppose, as I never mentioned, nor well could, _money_, +that Dr. Lardner's matter appeared more a piece of business. Perhaps you +may think of something to be done. It is a great loss to us and gain to +them. + +Yours truly, + +J.G.L. + +After the failure of Ballantyne and Constable, Cadell, who had in former +years been a partner in Constable's house, became Scott's publisher, and +at the close of 1827 the principal copyrights of Scott's works, +including the novels from "Waverley" to "Quentin Durward," and most of +the poems, were put up to auction, and purchased by Cadell and Scott +jointly for £8,500. At this time the "Tales of a Grandfather" were +appearing by instalments, and Murray wrote to the author, begging to be +allowed to become the London publisher of this work. Scott replied: + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray._ + +6, Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, + +_November _26, 1828. + +My Dear Sir, + +I was favoured with your note some time since, but could not answer it +at the moment till I knew whether I was like to publish at Edinburgh or +not. The motives for doing so are very strong, for I need not tell you +that in literary affairs a frequent and ready communication with the +bookseller is a very necessary thing. + +As we have settled, with advice of those who have given me their +assistance in extricating my affairs, to publish in Edinburgh, I do not +feel myself at liberty to dictate to Cadell any particular selection of +a London publisher. If I did so, I should be certainly involved in any +discussions or differences which might occur between my London and +Edinburgh friends, which would be adding an additional degree of +perplexity to my affairs. I feel and know the value of your name as a +publisher, but if we should at any time have the pleasure of being +connected with you in that way, it must be when it is entirely on your +own account. The little history designed for Johnnie Lockhart was long +since promised to Cadell. + +I do not, in my conscience, think that I deprive you of anything of +consequence in not being at present connected with you in literary +business. My reputation with the world is something like a high-pressure +engine, which does very well while all lasts stout and tight, but is +subject to sudden explosion, and I would rather that another than an old +friend stood the risk of suffering by the splinters. + +I feel all the delicacy of the time and mode of your application, and +you cannot doubt I would greatly prefer you personally to men of whom I +know nothing. But they are not of my choosing, nor are they in any way +responsible to me. I transact with the Edinburgh bookseller alone, and +as I must neglect no becoming mode of securing myself, my terms are +harder than I think you, in possession of so well established a trade, +would like to enter upon, though they may suit one who gives up his time +to them as almost his sole object of expense and attention. I hope this +necessary arrangement will make no difference betwixt us, being, with +regard, + +Your faithful, humble Servant, + +Walter Scott. + +On his return to London, Lockhart proceeded to take a house, No. 24, +Sussex Place, Regent's Park; for he had been heretofore living in the +furnished apartments provided for him in Pall Mall. Mr. Murray wrote to +him on the subject: + +_John Murray to Mr. Lockhart_. + +_July_ 31, 1828. + +As you are about taking or retaking a house, I think it right to inform +you now that the editor's dividend on the _Quarterly Review_ will be in +future £325 on the publication of each number; and I think it very hard +if you do not get £200 or £300 more for your own contributions. + +Most truly yours, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +At the beginning of the following year Lockhart went down to Abbotsford, +where he found his father-in-law working as hard as ever. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_January_ 4, 1820. + +"I have found Sir Walter Scott in grand health and spirits, and have had +much conversation with him on his hill-side about all our concerns. I +shall keep a world of his hints and suggestions till we meet; but +meanwhile he has agreed to write _almost immediately_ a one volume +biography of the great Earl of Peterborough, and I think you will agree +with me in considering the choice of this, perhaps the last of our +romantic heroes, as in all respects happy. ... He will also write _now_ +an article on some recent works of Scottish History (Tytler's, etc.) +giving, he promises, a complete and gay summary of all that controversy; +and next Nov. a general review of the Scots ballads, whereof some twenty +volumes have been published within these ten years, and many not +published but only printed by the Bannatyne club of Edinburgh, and +another club of the same order at Glasgow.... I am coaxing him to make a +selection from Crabbe, with a preface, and think he will be persuaded." + +_January_ 8, 1829. + +"Sir Walter Scott suggests overhauling Caulfield's portraits of +remarkable characters (3 vols., 1816), and having roughish woodcuts +taken from that book and from others, and the biographies newly done, +whenever they are not in the words of the old original writers. He says +the march of intellect will never put women with beards and men with +horns out of fashion--Old Parr, Jenkins, Venner, Muggleton, and Mother +Souse, are immortal, all in their several ways." + +By 1829 Scott and Cadell had been enabled to obtain possession of all +the principal copyrights, with the exception of two one-fourth shares +of "Marmion," held by Murray and Longman respectively. Sir Walter Scott +applied to Murray through Lockhart, respecting this fourth share. The +following was Murray's reply to Sir Walter Scott: + +_John Murray to Sir Walter Scott_. + +_June_ 8, 1829. + +My Dear Sir, + +Mr. Lockhart has at this moment communicated to me your letter +respecting my fourth share of the copyright of "Marmion." I have already +been applied to by Messrs. Constable and by Messrs. Longman, to know +what sum I would sell this share for; but so highly do I estimate the +honour of being, even in so small a degree, the publisher of the author +of the poem, that no pecuniary consideration whatever can induce me to +part with it. But there is a consideration of another kind, which, until +now, I was not aware of, which would make it painful to me if I were to +retain it a moment longer. I mean, the knowledge of its being required +by the author, into whose hands it was spontaneously resigned in the +same instant that I read his request. This share has been profitable to +me fifty-fold beyond what either publisher or author could have +anticipated; and, therefore, my returning it on such an occasion, you +will, I trust, do me the favour to consider in no other light than as a +mere act of grateful acknowledgment for benefits already received by, my +dear sir, + +Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +P.S.--It will be proper for your man of business to prepare a regular +deed to carry this into effect, which I will sign with the greatest +self-satisfaction, as soon as I receive it. + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _June_ 12, 1829. + +My Dear Sir, + +Nothing can be more obliging or gratifying to me than the very kind +manner in which you have resigned to me the share you held in "Marmion," +which, as I am circumstanced, is a favour of real value and most +handsomely rendered. I hope an opportunity may occur in which I may more +effectually express my sense of the obligation than by mere words. I +will send the document of transference when it can be made out. In the +meantime I am, with sincere regard and thanks, + +Your most obedient and obliged Servant, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +At the end of August 1829 Lockhart was again at Abbotsford; and sending +the slips of Sir Walter's new article for the next _Quarterly_. He had +already written for No. 77 the article on "Hajji Baba," and for No. 81 +an article on the "Ancient History of Scotland." The slips for the new +article were to be a continuation of the last, in a review of Tytler's +"History of Scotland." The only other articles he wrote for the +_Quarterly_ were his review of Southey's "Life of John Bunyan," No. 86, +in October 1830; and his review--the very last--of Pitcairn's "Criminal +Trials of Scotland," No. 88, in February 1831. + +His last letter to Mr. Murray refers to the payment for one of these +articles: + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_. + +ABBOTSFORD, _Monday_, 1830. + +My Dear Sir, + +I acknowledge with thanks your remittance of £100, and I will be happy +to light on some subject which will suit the _Review_, which may be +interesting and present some novelty. But I have to look forward to a +very busy period betwixt this month and January, which may prevent my +contribution being ready before that time. You may be assured that for +many reasons I have every wish to assist the _Quarterly_, and will be +always happy to give any support which is in my power. + +I have inclosed for Moore a copy of one of Byron's letters to me. I +received another of considerable interest, but I do not think it right +to give publicity without the permission of a person whose name is +repeatedly mentioned. I hope the token of my good wishes will not come +too late. These letters have been only recovered after a long search +through my correspondence, which, as usual with literary folks, is sadly +confused. + +I beg my kind compliments to Mrs. Murray and the young ladies, and am, +yours truly, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +Scott now began to decline rapidly, and was suffering much from his +usual spasmodic attacks; yet he had Turner with him, making drawings for +the new edition of his poems. Referring to his last article in the +_Quarterly_ on Pitcairn's "Criminal Trials," he bids Lockhart to inform +Mr. Murray that "no one knows better your liberal disposition, and he is +aware that £50 is more than his paper is worth." Scott's illness +increased, and Lockhart rarely left his side. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 16, 1831. + +"Yesterday determined Sir W. Scott's motions. He owes to Croker the +offer of a passage to Naples in a frigate which sails in about a +fortnight. He will therefore proceed southwards by land next week, +halting at Rokeby, and with his son at Notts, by the way. We shall leave +Edinburgh by next Tuesday's steamer, so as to be in town before him, and +ready for his reception. We are all deeply obliged to Croker on this +occasion, for Sir Walter is quite unfit for the fatigues of a long land +journey, and the annoyances innumerable of Continental inns; and, above +all, he will have a good surgeon at hand, in case of need. The +arrangement has relieved us all of a great burden of annoyances and +perplexities and fears." + +Another, and the last of Lockhart's letters on this subject, may be +given: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 19, 1831. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +In consequence of my sister-in-law, Annie Scott, being taken unwell, +with frequent fainting fits, the result no doubt of over anxieties of +late, I have been obliged to let my wife and children depart by +tomorrow's steamer without me, and I remain to attend to Sir Walter +thro' his land progress, which will begin on Friday, and end, I hope +well, on Wednesday. If this should give any inconvenience to you, God +knows I regret it, and God knows also I couldn't do otherwise without +exposing Sir W. and his daughter to a feeling that I had not done my +duty to them. On the whole, public affairs seem to be so dark, that I am +inclined to think our best course, in the _Quarterly_, may turn out to +have been and to be, that of not again appearing until the fate of this +Bill has been quite settled. My wife will, if you are in town, be much +rejoiced with a visit; and if you write to me, so as to catch me at +Rokeby Park, Greta Bridge, next Saturday, 'tis well. + +Yours, + +J.G. LOCKHART. + +P.S.--But I see Rokeby Park would not do. I shall be at Major Scott's, +15th Hussars, Nottingham, on Monday night. + +It would be beyond our province to describe in these pages the closing +scenes of Sir Walter Scott's life: his journey to Naples, his attempt to +write more novels, his failure, and his return home to Abbotsford to +die. His biography, by his son-in-law Lockhart, one of the best in the +whole range of English literature, is familiar to all our readers; and +perhaps never was a more faithful memorial erected, in the shape of a +book, to the beauty, goodness, and faithfulness of a noble literary +character. + +In this work we are only concerned with Sir Walter's friendship and +dealings with Mr. Murray, and on these the foregoing correspondence, +extending over nearly a quarter of a century, is sufficient comment. +When a committee was formed in Sir Walter's closing years to organize +and carry out some public act of homage and respect to the great genius, +Mr. Murray strongly urged that the money collected, with which +Abbotsford was eventually redeemed, should be devoted to the purchase of +all the copyrights for the benefit of Scott and his family: it cannot +but be matter of regret that this admirable suggestion was not adopted. + +During the year 1827 Mr. Murray's son, John Murray the Third, was +residing in Edinburgh as a student at the University, and attended the +memorable dinner at which Scott was forced to declare himself the author +of the "Waverley Novels." + +His account of the scene, as given in a letter to his father, forms a +fitting conclusion to this chapter. + +"I believe I mentioned to you that Mr. Allan had kindly offered to take +me with him to a Theatrical Fund dinner, which took place on Friday +last. There were present about 300 persons--a mixed company, many of +them not of the most respectable order. Sir Walter Scott took the chair, +and there was scarcely another person of any note to support him except +the actors. The dinner, therefore, would have been little better than +endurable, had it not been remarkable for the confession of Sir Walter +Scott that he was the author of the 'Waverley Novels.' + +"This acknowledgment was forced from him, I believe, contrary to his own +wish, in this manner. Lord Meadowbank, who sat on his left hand, +proposed his health, and after paying him many compliments, ended his +speech by saying that the clouds and mists which had so long surrounded +the Great Unknown were now revealed, and he appeared in his true +character (probably alluding to the _expose_ made before Constable's +creditors, for I do not think there was any preconcerted plan). Upon +this Sir Walter rose, and said, 'I did not expect on coming here today +that I should have to disclose before 300 people a secret which, +considering it had already been made known to about thirty persons, had +been tolerably well kept. I am not prepared to give my reasons for +preserving it a secret, caprice had certainly a great share in the +matter. Now that it is out, I beg leave to observe that I am sole and +undivided author of those novels. Every part of them has originated with +me, or has been suggested to me in the course of my reading. I confess +I am guilty, and am almost afraid to examine the extent of my +delinquency. "Look on't again, I dare not!" The wand of Prospero is now +broken, and my book is buried, but before I retire I shall propose the +health of a person who has given so much delight to all now present, The +Bailie Nicol Jarvie.' + +"I report this from memory. Of course it is not quite accurate in words, +but you will find a tolerable report of it in the _Caledonian Mercury_ +of Saturday. This declaration was received with loud and long applause. +As this was gradually subsiding, a voice from the end of the room was +heard [Footnote: The speaker on this occasion was the actor Mackay, who +had attained considerable celebrity by his representation of Scottish +characters, and especially of that of the famous Bailie in "Rob Roy."] +exclaiming in character,' Ma conscience! if my father the Bailie had +been alive to hear that ma health had been proposed by the Author of +Waverley,' etc., which, as you may suppose, had a most excellent +effect." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +NAPIER'S "PENINSULAR WAR"--CHOKER'S "BOSWELL"--"THE FAMILY LIBRARY," +ETC. + + +The public has long since made up its mind as to the merits of Colonel +Napier's "History of the Peninsular War." It is a work which none but a +soldier who had served through the war as he had done, and who, +moreover, combined with practical experience a thorough knowledge of the +science of war, could have written. + +At the outset of his work he applied to the Duke of Wellington for his +papers. This rather abrupt request took the Duke by surprise. The +documents in his possession were so momentous, and the great part of +them so confidential in their nature, that he felt it to be impossible +to entrust them indiscriminately to any man living. He, however, +promised Napier to put in his hands any specified paper or document he +might ask for, provided no confidence would be broken by its +examination. He also offered to answer any question Napier might put to +him, and with this object invited him to Stratfieldsaye, where the two +Generals discussed many points connected with the campaign. + +_Colonel W. Napier to John Murray_. + +BROMHAM, WILTS, + +_December_ 5, 1828. + +Dear Sir, + +My first volume is now nearly ready for the press, and as I think that +in matters of business a plain straightforward course is best, I will at +once say what I conceive to be the valuable part of my work, and leave +you to make a proposition relative to publication of the single volume, +reserving further discussion about the whole until the other volumes +shall be in a more forward state. + +The volume in question commences with the secret treaty of +Fontainebleau concluded in 1809, and ends with the battle of Corunna. It +will have an appendix of original documents, many of which are extremely +interesting, and there will also be some plans of the battles. My +authorities have been: + +1. All the original papers of Sir Hew Dalrymple. + +2. Those of Sir John Moore. + +3. King Joseph's correspondence taken at the battle of Vittoria, and +placed at my disposal by the Duke of Wellington. Among other papers are +several notes and detailed instructions by Napoleon which throw a +complete light upon his views and proceedings in the early part of the +war. + +4. Notes of conversations held with the Duke of Wellington for the +especial purpose of connecting my account of his operations. + +5. Notes of conversation with officers of high rank in the French, +English, and Spanish services. + +6. Original journals, and the most unreserved communications with +Marshal Soult. + +7. My own notes of affairs in which I have been present. + +8. Journals of regimental officers of talent, and last but not least, +copies taken by myself from the original muster rolls of the French army +as they were transmitted to the Emperor. + +Having thus distributed all my best wares in the bow window, I shall +leave you to judge for yourself; and, as the diplomatists say, will be +happy to treat upon a suitable basis. In the meantime, + +I remain, your very obedient Servant, + +W. NAPIER. + +About a fortnight later (December 25, 1827) he again wrote that he would +have the pleasure of putting a portion of his work into Mr. Murray's +hands in a few days; but that "it would be disagreeable to him to have +it referred to Mr. Southey for an opinion." Murray, it should be +mentioned, had published Southey's "History of the War in Spain." Some +negotiations ensued, in the course of which Mr. Murray offered 500 +guineas for the volume. This proposal, however, was declined by Colonel +Napier. + +Murray after fuller consideration offered a thousand guineas, which +Colonel Napier accepted, and the volume was accordingly published in the +course of 1828. Notwithstanding the beauty of its style and the grandeur +of its descriptions, the book gave great offence by the severity of its +criticism, and called forth a multitude of replies and animadversions. +More than a dozen of these appeared in the shape of pamphlets bearing +their authors' names, added to which the _Quarterly Review_, departing +from the general rule, gave no less than four criticisms in succession. +This innovation greatly disgusted the publisher, who regarded them as so +much lead weighing down his _Review_, although they proceeded from the +pen of the Duke's right-hand man, the Rt. Hon. Sir George Murray. They +were unreadable and produced no effect. It is needless to add the Duke +had nothing to do with them. + +Mr. Murray published no further volumes of the "History of the +Peninsular War," but at his suggestion Colonel Napier brought out the +second and succeeding volumes on his own account. In illustration of the +loss which occurred to Mr. Murray in publishing the first volume of the +history, the following letter may be given, as addressed to the editor +of the _Morning Chronicle_: + +_John Murray to the Editor of the Morning Chronicle_. + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _February_ 13, 1837. + +SIR, + +My attention has been called to an article in your paper of the 14th of +January, containing the following extract from Colonel Napier's reply to +the third article in the _Quarterly Review_, on his "History of the +Peninsular War." [Footnote: The article appeared in No. 111 of +_Quarterly_, April 1836.] + +"Sir George Murray only has thrown obstacles in my way, and if I am +rightly informed of the following circumstances, his opposition has not +been confined to what I have stated above. Mr. Murray, the bookseller, +purchased my first volume, with the right of refusal for the second +volume. When the latter was nearly ready, a friend informed me that he +did not think Murray would purchase, because he had heard him say that +Sir George Murray had declared it was not 'The Book.' He did not point +out any particular error, but it was not 'The Book,' meaning, doubtless, +that his own production, when it appeared, would be 'The Book.' My +friend's prognostic was not false. I was offered just half of the sum +given for the first volume. I declined it, and published on my own +account, and certainly I have had no reason to regret that Mr. +Bookseller Murray waited for 'The Book,' indeed, he has since told me +very frankly that he had mistaken his own interest." + +In answer to the first part of this statement, I beg leave to say, that +I had not, at the time to which Colonel Napier refers, the honour of any +acquaintance with Sir George Murray, nor have I held any conversation or +correspondence with him on the subject of Colonel Napier's book, or of +any other book on the Peninsular War. In reply to the second part of the +statement, regarding the offer for Colonel Napier's second volume of +half the sum (viz. 500 guineas) that I gave for the first volume +(namely, 1,000 guineas), I have only to beg the favour of your insertion +of the following letter, written by me to Colonel Napier, upon the +occasion referred to. + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _May_ 13, 1829. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Upon making up the account of the sale of the first volume of "The +History of the War in the Peninsula" I find that I am at this time minus +£545 12s. At this loss I do by no means in the present instance repine, +for I have derived much gratification from being the publisher of a work +which is so intrinsically valuable, and which has been so generally +admired, and it is some satisfaction to me to find by this result that +my own proposal to you was perfectly just. I will not, however, venture +to offer you a less sum for the second volume, but recommend that you +should, in justice to yourself, apply to some other publishers; if you +should obtain from them the sum which you are right in expecting, it +will afford me great pleasure, and, if you do not, you will find me +perfectly ready to negotiate; and in any case I shall continue to be, +with the highest esteem, dear Sir, + +Your obliged and faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +I am confident you will do me the justice to insert this letter, and +have no doubt its contents will convince Colonel Napier that his +recollection of the circumstances has been incomplete. + +I have the honour to be, sir, + +Your obedient humble Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +It may not be generally known that we owe to Colonel Napier's work the +publication of the Duke of Wellington's immortal "Despatches." The Duke, +upon principle, refused to read Napier's work; not wishing, as he said, +to quarrel with its author. But he was made sufficiently acquainted with +the contents from friends who had perused it, and who, having made the +campaigns with him, could point to praise and blame equally undeserved, +to designs misunderstood and misrepresented, as well as to supercilious +criticism and patronizing approval, which could not but be painful to +the great commander. His nature was too noble to resent this; but he +resolved, in self-defence, to give the public the means of ascertaining +the truth, by publishing all his most important and secret despatches, +in order, he said, to give the world a correct account not only of what +he did, but of what he intended to do. + +Colonel Gurwood was appointed editor of the "Despatches" and, during +their preparation, not a page escaped the Duke's eye, or his own careful +revision. Mr. Murray, who was honoured by being chosen as the publisher, +compared this wonderful collection of documents to a watch: hitherto the +general public had only seen in the successful and orderly development +of his campaigns, as it were the hands moving over the dial without +fault or failure, but now the Duke opened the works, and they were +enabled to inspect the complicated machinery--the wheels within +wheels--which had produced this admirable result. It is enough to state +that in these despatches the _whole_ truth relating to the Peninsular +War is fully and elaborately set forth. + +At the beginning of 1829 Croker consulted Murray on the subject of an +annotated edition of "Boswell's Johnson." Murray was greatly pleased +with the idea of a new edition of the work by his laborious friend, and +closing at once with Croker's proposal, wrote, "I shall be happy to +give, as something in the way of remuneration, the sum of one thousand +guineas." Mr. Croker accepted the offer, and proceeded immediately with +the work. + +Mr. Murray communicated to Mr. Lockhart the arrangement he had made with +Croker. His answer was: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_January_ 19, 1829. + +"I am heartily rejoiced that this 'Johnson,' of which we had so often +talked, is in such hands at whatever cost. Pray ask Croker whether +Boswell's account of the Hebridean Tour ought not to be melted into the +book. Sir Walter has many MS. annotations in his 'Boswell,' both 'Life' +and 'Tour,' and will, I am sure, give them with hearty good will.... He +will write down all that he has heard about Johnson when in Scotland; +and, in particular, about the amusing intercourse between him and Lord +Auchinleck--Boswell's father--if Croker considers it worth his while." + +Sir Walter Scott's offer of information, [Footnote: Sir Walter's letter +to Croker on the subject will be found in the "Croker Correspondence," +ii. 28.] to a certain extent, delayed Croker's progress with the work. +He wrote to Mr. Murray (November 17, 1829): "The reference to Sir +Walter Scott delays us a little as to the revises, but his name is well +worth the delay. My share of the next volume (the 2nd) is quite done; +and I could complete the other two in a fortnight." + +While the work was passing through the press Lockhart again wrote: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +"I am reading the new 'Boswell' with great pleasure, though, I think, +the editor is often wrong. A prodigious flood of light is thrown on the +book assuredly; and the incorporation of the 'Tour' is a great +advantage. Now, do have a really good Index. That to the former edition +I have continually found inadequate and faulty. The book is a dictionary +of wisdom and wit, and one should know exactly where to find the _dictum +magistri_. Many of Croker's own remarks and little disquisitions will +also be hereafter among the choicest of _quotabilia_." + +Croker carried out the work with great industry and vigour, and it +appeared in 1831. It contained numerous additions, notes, explanations, +and memoranda, and, as the first attempt to explain the difficulties and +enigmas which lapse of time had created, it may not unfairly be said to +have been admirably edited; and though Macaulay, according to his own +account, "smashed" it in the _Edinburgh_, [Footnote: The correspondence +on the subject, and the criticism on the work by Macaulay, will be found +in the "Croker Correspondence," vol. ii. pp. 24-49.] some fifty thousand +of the "Life" have been sold. + +It has been the fashion with certain recent editors of "Boswell's +Johnson" to depreciate Croker's edition; but to any one who has taken +the pains to make himself familiar with that work, and to study the vast +amount of information there collected, such criticism cannot but appear +most ungenerous. Croker was acquainted with, or sought out, all the +distinguished survivors of Dr. Johnson's own generation, and by his +indefatigable efforts was enabled to add to the results of his own +literary research, oral traditions and personal reminiscences, which but +for him would have been irrevocably lost. + +The additions of subsequent editors are but of trifling value compared +with the information collected by Mr. Croker, and one of his successors +at least has not hesitated slightly to transpose or alter many of Mr. +Croker's notes, and mark them as his own. + +Mrs. Shelley, widow of the poet, on receiving a present of Croker's +"Boswell," from Mr. Murray, said: + +_Mrs. Shelley to John Murray_. + +"I have read 'Boswell's Journal' ten times: I hope to read it many more. +It is the most amusing book in the world. Beside that, I do love the +kind-hearted, wise, and gentle Bear, and think him as lovable and kind a +friend as a profound philosopher." + +Mr. Henry Taylor submitted his play of "Isaac Comnenus"--his first +work--to Mr. Murray, in February 1827. Lockhart was consulted, and, +after perusing the play, he wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +"There can be no sort of doubt that this play is everyway worthy of +coming out from Albemarle Street. That the author might greatly improve +it by shortening its dialogue often, and, once at least, leaving out a +scene, and by dramatizing the scene at the Synod, instead of narrating +it, I think sufficiently clear: but, probably, the author has followed +his own course, upon deliberation, in all these matters. I am of +opinion, certainly, that _no poem_ has been lately published of anything +like the power or promise of this." + +Lockhart's suggestion was submitted to Mr. Taylor, who gratefully +acknowledged his criticism, and amended his play. + +Mr. Taylor made a very unusual request. He proposed to divide the loss +on his drama with the publisher! He wrote to Mr. Murray: + +"I have been pretty well convinced, for some time past, that my book +will never sell, and, under these circumstances, I cannot think it +proper that you should be the sole sufferer. Whenever, therefore, you +are of opinion that the book has had a fair trial, I beg you to +understand that I shall be ready to divide the loss equally with you, +that being, I conceive, the just arrangement in the case." + +Though Mr. Lockhart gave an interesting review of "Isaac Comnenus" in +the _Quarterly_, it still hung fire, and did not sell. A few years +later, however, Henry Taylor showed what he could do, as a poet, by his +"Philip van Artevelde," which raised his reputation to the highest +point. Moore, after the publication of this drama, wrote in his "Diary": +"I breakfasted in the morning at Rogers's, to meet the new poet, Mr. +Taylor, author of 'Philip van Artevelde': our company, besides, being +Sydney Smith and Southey. 'Van Artevelde' is a tall, handsome young +fellow. Conversation chiefly about the profits booksellers make of us +scribblers. I remember Peter Pindar saying, one of the few times I ever +met him, that the booksellers drank their wine in the manner of the +heroes in the hall of Odin, out of authors' skulls." This was a sharp +saying; but Rogers, if he had chosen to relate his own experiences when +he negotiated with Mr. Murray about the sale of Crabbe's works, and the +result of that negotiation, might have proved that the rule was not of +universal application. + +"The Family Library" has already been mentioned. Mr. Murray had long +contemplated a serial publication, by means of which good literature and +copyright works might be rendered cheaper and accessible to a wider +circle of readers than they had hitherto been. + +The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge was established in +1828, with Henry Brougham as Chairman. Mr. Murray subscribed £10 to this +society, and agreed to publish their "Library of Entertaining +Knowledge." Shortly afterwards, however, he withdrew from this +undertaking, which was transferred to Mr. Knight, and reverted to his +own proposed publication of cheap works. + +The first volume of "The Family Library" appeared in April 1829. Murray +sent a copy to Charles Knight, who returned him the first volume of the +"Library of Entertaining Knowledge." + +_Mr. Charles Knight to John Murray_. + +"We each launch our vessels on the same day, and I most earnestly hope +that both will succeed, for good must come of that success. We have +plenty of sea-room and need never run foul of each other. My belief is +that, in a very few years, scarcely any other description of books will +be published, and in that case we that are first in the field may hope +to win the race." + +Mr. Murray's intention was to include in the Library works on a variety +of subjects, including History, Biography, Voyages and Travels, Natural +History, Science, and general literature. They were to be written by the +best-known authors of the day--Sir Walter Scott, Southey, Milman, +Lockhart, Washington Irving, Barrow, Allan Cunningham, Dr. Brewster, +Captain Head, G.R. Gleig, Palgrave, and others. The collection was +headed by an admirable "Life of Napoleon," by J.G. Lockhart, partly +condensed from Scott's "Life of Napoleon Bonaparte," and illustrated by +George Cruikshank. When Lockhart was first invited to undertake this +biography he consulted Sir Walter Scott as to the propriety of his doing +so. Sir Walter replied: + +_Sir W. Scott to Mr. Lockhart_. + +_October_ 30, 1828. + +"Your scruples about doing an epitome of the 'Life of Boney' for the +Family Library that is to be, are a great deal over delicate. My book in +nine thick volumes can never fill the place which our friend Murray +wants you to fill, and which if you don't some one else will right soon. +Moreover, you took much pains in helping me when I was beginning my +task, and I afterwards greatly regretted that Constable had no means of +remunerating you, as no doubt he intended when you were giving him so +much good advice in laying down his grand plans about the Miscellany. By +all means do what the Emperor [Footnote: From the time of his removal to +Albemarle Street, Mr. Murray was universally known among "the Trade" as +"The Emperor of the West."] asks. He is what the Emperor Napoleon was +not, much a gentleman, and knowing our footing in all things, would not +have proposed anything that ought to have excited scruples on your +side." [Footnote: Lockhart's "Life of Scott."] + +The book met with a warm reception from the public, and went through +many editions. + +Among other works published in "The Family Library" was the Rev. H.H. +Milman's "History of the Jews," in three vols., which occasioned much +adverse criticism and controversy. It is difficult for us who live in +such different times to understand or account for the tempest of +disapprobation with which a work, which now appears so innocent, was +greeted, or the obloquy with which its author was assailed. The "History +of the Jews" was pronounced _unsound_; it was alleged that the miracles +had been too summarily disposed of; Abraham was referred to as an Arab +sheik, and Jewish history was too sacred to be submitted to the laws of +ordinary investigation. Hence Milman was preached against, from Sunday +to Sunday, from the University and other pulpits. Even Mr. Sharon Turner +expostulated with Mr. Murray as to the publication of the book. He said +he had seen it in the window of Carlile, the infidel bookseller, "as if +he thought it suited his purpose." The following letter is interesting +as indicating what the Jews themselves thought of the history. + +_Mr. Magnus to John Murray_. _March_ 17, 1834. + +Sir, + +Will you have the goodness to inform me of the Christian name of the +Rev. Mr. Milman, and the correct manner of spelling his name; as a +subscription is about to be opened by individuals of the Jewish nation +for the purpose of presenting him with a piece of plate for the liberal +manner in which he has written their history. + +The piece of plate was duly subscribed for and presented, with every +demonstration of acknowledgment and thanks. Milman's "History of the +Jews" did not prevent his preferment, as he was promoted from the +vicarage of St. Mary's, Reading, to the rectorship of St. Margaret's, +Westminster, and a canonry in the Collegiate Church of St. Peter; after +which, in 1849, he was made Dean of St. Paul's. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +MOORE'S "LIFE OF BYRON" + + +In 1827 or 1828 Mr. Hanson, the late Lord Byron's solicitor, wrote to +Murray, enquiring, on behalf of the executors, whether he would be +willing to dispose of his interest in the first five cantos of "Don +Juan." Mr. Murray, however, had long been desirous of publishing a +complete edition of the works of Lord Byron, "for the public," he wrote, +"are absolutely indignant at not being able to obtain a complete edition +of Lord Byron's works in this country; and at least 15,000 copies have +been brought here from France." Murray proposed that those copyrights of +Lord Byron, which were the property of his executors, should be valued +by three respectable publishers, and that he should purchase them at +their valuation. Mr. Hobhouse, to whom as one of the executors this +proposal was made, was anxious that the complete edition should be +published in England with as little delay as possible, but he stated +that "some obstacles have arisen in consequence of the Messrs. Hunt +having upon hand some hundred copies of their two volumes, which they +have asked a little time to get rid of, and for which they are now +accounting to the executors." + +Murray requested Mr. Hanson to apply to the executors, and inform him +what sum they required for the works of Lord Byron, the copyrights of +which were in their possession. This they refused to state, but after +considerable delay, during which the Hunts were disposing of the two +volumes, the whole of the works of Lord Byron which were not in Mr. +Murray's possession were put up to auction, and bought by him for the +sum of £3,885. These included the "Hours of Idleness," eleven cantos of +"Don Juan," the "Age of Bronze," and other works--all of which had +already been published. + +Notwithstanding the destruction of Lord Byron's Memoirs, described in a +previous chapter, Murray had never abandoned the intention of bringing +out a Biography of his old friend the poet, for which he possessed +plenteous materials in the mass of correspondence which had passed +between them. Although his arrangement with Thomas Moore had been +cancelled by that event, his eye rested on him as the fittest person, +from his long intimacy with the poet, to be entrusted with the task, for +which, indeed, Lord Byron had himself selected him. + +Accordingly in 1826 author and publisher seem to have drawn together +again, and begun the collection of materials, which was carried on in a +leisurely way, until Leigh Hunt's scandalous attack on his old patron +and benefactor [Footnote: "Recollections of Lord Byron and some of his +Contemporaries," 1828. 4to.] roused Murray's ardour into immediate +action. + +It was eventually resolved to publish the Life and Correspondence +together; and many letters passed between Murray and Moore on the +subject. + +From the voluminous correspondence we retain the following extract from +a letter from Moore to Murray: + +"One of my great objects, as you will see in reading me, is to keep my +style down to as much simplicity as I am capable of; for nothing could +be imagined more discordant than the mixture of any of our +Asiatico-Hibernian eloquence with the simple English diction of Byron's +letters." + +Murray showed the early part of "Byron's Life" to Lockhart, who replied +to him at once: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_February_ 23, 1829. + +"I can't wait till tomorrow to say that I think the beginning of 'Byron' +quite perfect in every way--the style simple, and unaffected, as the +materials are rich, and how sad. It will be Moore's greatest work--at +least, next to the 'Melodies,' and will be a fortune to you. My wife +says it is divine. By all means engrave the early miniature. Never was +anything so drearily satisfactory to the imagination as the whole +picture of the lame boy's start in life." + +Moore was greatly touched by this letter. He wrote from Sloperton: + +_Mr. Moore to John Murray_. + +"Lockhart's praise has given me great pleasure, and his wife's even +still greater; but, after all, the merit is in my subject--in the man, +not in me. He must be a sad bungler who would spoil such a story." + +As the work advanced, Sir Walter Scott's opinion also was asked. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_September_ 29, 1829. + +"Sir Walter has read the first 120 pages of Moore's 'Life of Byron'; and +he says they are charming, and not a syllable _de trop_. He is now busy +at a grand rummage among his papers, and has already found one of Lord +Byron's letters which shall be at Mr. Moore's service forthwith. He +expects to find more of them. This is curious, as being the first of +'Byron' to Scott." + +The first volume of "Lord Byron's Life and Letters," published on +January 1, 1830, was read with enthusiasm, and met with a very +favourable reception. Moore says in his Diary that "Lady Byron was +highly pleased with the 'Life,'" but among the letters received by Mr. +Murray, one of the most interesting was from Mrs. Shelley, to whom a +presentation copy had been sent. + +_Mrs. Shelley to John Murray_. + +_January_ 19, 1830. + +Except the occupation of one or two annoyances, I have done nothing but +read, since I got "Lord Byron's Life." I have no pretensions to being a +critic, yet I know infinitely well what pleases me. Not to mention the +judicious arrangement and happy _tact_ displayed by Mr. Moore, which +distinguish the book, I must say a word concerning the style, which is +elegant and forcible. I was particularly struck by the observations on +Lord Byron's character before his departure to Greece, and on his +return. There is strength and richness, as well as sweetness. + +The great charm of the work to me, and it will have the same to you, is +that the Lord Byron I find there is _our_ Lord Byron--the fascinating, +faulty, philosophical being--daring the world, docile to a private +circle, impetuous and indolent, gloomy, and yet more gay than any other. +I live with him again in these pages--getting reconciled (as I used in +his lifetime) to those waywardnesses which annoyed me when he was away, +through the delightful tone of his conversation and manners. + +His own letters and journals mirror himself as he was, and are +invaluable. There is something cruelly kind in this single volume. When +will the next come? Impatient before, how tenfold more so am I now. +Among its many other virtues, this book is accurate to a miracle. I have +not stumbled on one mistake with regard either to time, place, or +feeling. + +I am, dear Sir, + +Your obedient and obliged Servant, + +MARY SHELLEY. + +The preparation of the second volume proceeded more rapidly than the +first, for Lord Byron's letters to Murray and Moore during the later +years of his life covered the whole period, and gave to the record an +almost autobiographical character. It appeared in January 1831, and +amongst many other readers of it Mrs. Somerville, to whom Mr. Murray +sent a present of the book, was full of unstinted praise. + +_Mrs. Somerville to John Murray_. + +_January_ 13, 1831. + +You have kindly afforded me a source of very great interest and pleasure +in the perusal of the second volume of Moore's "Life of Byron." In my +opinion, it is very superior to the first; there is less repetition of +the letters; they are better written, abound more in criticism and +observation, and make the reader better acquainted with Lord Byron's +principles and character. His morality was certainly more suited to the +meridian of Italy than England; but with all his faults there is a charm +about him that excites the deepest interest and admiration. His letter +to Lady Byron is more affecting and beautiful than anything I have read; +it must ever be a subject of regret that it was not sent; it seems +impossible that it should not have made a lasting impression, and might +possibly have changed the destinies of both. With kind remembrances to +Mrs. Murray and the young people, + +Believe me, truly yours, + +MARY SOMERVILLE. + +Mr. Croker's opinion was as follows: + +"As to what you say of Byron's volume, no doubt there are _longueurs_, +but really not many. The most teasing part is the blanks, which perplex +without concealing. I also think that Moore went on a wrong principle, +when, publishing _any_ personality, he did not publish _all_. It is like +a suppression of evidence. When such horrors are published of Sir S. +Romilly, it would have been justice to his memory to show that, on the +_slightest_ provocation, Byron would treat his dearest friend in the +same style. When his sneers against Lady Byron and her mother are +recorded, it would lessen their effect if it were shown that he sneered +at all man and womankind in turn; and that the friend of his choicest +selection, or the mistress of his maddest love, were served no better, +when the maggot (selfishness) bit, than his wife or his mother-in-law." + +The appearance of the Life induced Captain Medwin to publish his +"Conversations with Lord Byron," a work now chiefly remembered as having +called forth from Murray, who was attacked in it, a reply which, as a +crashing refutation of personal charges, has seldom been surpassed. +[Footnote: Mr. Murray's answer to Medwin's fabrications is published in +the Appendix to the 8vo edition of "Lord Byron's Poems."] + +Amongst the reviews of the biography was one by Lockhart in the +_Quarterly_ (No. 87), which was very favourable; but an article, by Mr. +Croker in No. 91, on another of Moore's works--the "Life of Lord Edward +Fitzgerald"--was of a very different character. Murray told Moore of the +approaching appearance of the article in the next number, and Moore +enters in his Diary, "Saw my 'Lord Edward Fitzgerald' announced as one +of the articles in the _Quarterly_, to be abused of course; and this too +immediately after my dinings and junketings with both author and +publisher." + +_Mr. Moore to John Murray_. + +_October_ 25, 1831. + +... I see that what I took for a joke of yours is true, and that you are +_at_ me in this number of the _Quarterly_. I have desired Power to send +you back my copy when it comes, not liking to read it just now for +reasons. In the meantime, here's some _good_-humoured doggerel for you: + +THOUGHTS ON EDITORS. + +_Editur et edit_. + +No! Editors don't care a button, + What false and faithless things they do; +They'll let you come and cut their mutton, + And then, they'll have a cut at you. + +With Barnes I oft my dinner took, + Nay, met e'en Horace Twiss to please him: +Yet Mister Barnes traduc'd my Book, + For which may his own devils seize him! + +With Doctor Bowring I drank tea, + Nor of his cakes consumed a particle; +And yet th' ungrateful LL.D. + Let fly at me, next week, an article! + +John Wilson gave me suppers hot, + With bards of fame, like Hogg and Packwood; +A dose of black-strap then I got, + And after a still worse of Blackwood. + +Alas! and must I close the list + With thee, my Lockhart of the _Quarterly?_ +So kind, with bumper in thy fist,-- + With pen, so very gruff and tartarly. + +Now in thy parlour feasting me, + Now scribbling at me from your garret,-- +Till, 'twixt the two, in doubt I be, + Which sourest is, thy wit or claret? + +Should you again see the Noble Scott before he goes, remember me most +affectionately to him. Ever yours, + +Thomas Moore. + + +Mr. Murray now found himself at liberty to proceed with his cherished +scheme of a complete edition of Lord Byron's works. + + +_John Murray to Mr. Moore._ + +February 28, 1832. + +When I commenced this complete edition of Byron's works I was so out of +heart by the loss upon the first edition of the "Life," and by the +simultaneous losses from the failure of three booksellers very largely +in my debt, that I had little if any hopes of its success, and I felt +myself under the necessity of declining your kind offer to edit it, +because I did not think that I should have had it in my power to offer +you an adequate remuneration. But now that the success of this +speculation is established, if you will do me the favour to do what you +propose, I shall have great satisfaction in giving you 500 guineas for +your labours. + +Most sincerely yours, + +John Murray. + +In 1837, the year in which the work now in contemplation was published, +the Countess Guiccioli was in London, and received much kindness from +Mr. Murray. After her return to Rome, she wrote to him a long letter, +acknowledging the beautifully bound volume of the landscape and portrait +illustrations of Lord Byron's works. She complained, however, of +Brockedon's portrait of herself. + +_Countess Guiccioli to John Murray_. + +"It is not resembling, and to tell you the truth, my dear Mr. Murray, I +wish it was so; not on account of the ugliness of features (which is +also remarkable), but particularly for having this portrait an +expression of _stupidity_, and for its being _molto antipatico_, as we +say in our language. But perhaps it is not the fault of the painter, but +of the original, and I am sorry for that. What is certain is that +towards such a creature nobody may feel inclined to be indulgent; and if +she has faults and errors to be pardoned for, she will never be so on +account of her _antipatia_! But pray don't say that to Mr. Brockedon." + +A copy was likewise sent to Sir R. Peel with the following letter: + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _April_ 17, 1837. + +DEAR SIR, + +As the invaluable instructions which you addressed to the students of +the University of Glasgow have as completely associated your name with +the literature of this country, as your political conduct has with its +greatest statesmen, I trust that I shall be pardoned for having +inscribed to you (without soliciting permission) the present edition of +the works of one of our greatest poets, "your own school-and +form-fellow," _Byron_. + +I have the honour to be, etc., + +JOHN MURRAY. + +_The Right Hon. Sir R. Peel to John Murray_. + +WHITEHALL, _April_ 18, 1837. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am much flattered by the compliment which you have paid to me in +dedicating to me a beautiful edition of the works of my distinguished +"school-and form-fellow." + +I was the next boy to Lord Byron at Harrow for three or four years, and +was always on very friendly terms with him, though not living in +particular intimacy out of school. + +I do not recollect ever having a single angry word with him, or that +there ever was any the slightest jealousy or coldness between us. + +It is a gratification to me to have my name associated with his in the +manner in which you have placed it in friendly connection; and I do not +believe, if he could have foreseen, when we were boys together at +school, this continuance of a sort of amicable relation between us after +his death, the idea would have been otherwise than pleasing to him. + +Believe me, + +My dear Sir, + +Very faithfully yours, + +ROBERT PEEL. + +A few words remain to be added respecting the statue of Lord Byron, +which had been so splendidly executed by Thorwaldsen at Rome. Mr. +Hobhouse wrote to Murray: "Thorwaldsen offers the completed work for +£1,000, together with a bas-relief for the pedestal, suitable for the +subject of the monument." The sculptor's offer was accepted, and the +statue was forwarded from Rome to London. Murray then applied to the +Dean of Westminster, on behalf of the subscribers, requesting to know +"upon what terms the statue now completed could be placed in some +suitable spot in Westminster Abbey." The Dean's answer was as follows: + +_The Dean of Westminster to John Murray_. + +DEANERY, WESTMINSTER, _December_ 17, 1834. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have not had the opportunity, till this morning, of consulting with +the Chapter on the subject of your note. When you formerly applied to me +for leave to inter the remains of Lord Byron within this Abbey, I stated +to you the principle on which, as Churchmen, we were compelled to +decline the proposal. The erection of a monument in honour of his memory +which you now desire is, in its proportion, subject to the same +objection. I do indeed greatly wish for a figure by Thorwaldsen here; +but no taste ought to be indulged to the prejudice of a duty. + +With my respectful compliments to the Committee, I beg you to believe +me, + +Yours truly, + +JOHN IRELAND. + +The statue was for some time laid up in a shed on a Thames wharf. An +attempt was made in the House of Commons to alter the decision of the +Dean and Chapter, but it proved of no avail. "I would do my best," said +Mr. Hobhouse, "to prevail upon Sir Robert Peel to use his influence with +the Dean. It is a national disgrace that the statue should lie neglected +in a carrier's ware-house, and it is so felt by men of all parties. I +have had a formal application from Trinity College, Cambridge, for leave +to place the monument in their great library, and it has been intimated +to me that the French Government desire to have it for the Louvre." The +result was that the subscribers, in order to retain the statue in +England, forwarded it to Trinity College, Cambridge, whose noble library +it now adorns. + +The only memorial to Byron in London is the contemptible leaning bronze +statue in Apsley House Gardens, nearly opposite the statue of Achilles. +Its pedestal is a block of Parian marble, presented by the Greek +Government as a national tribute to the memory of Byron. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +BENJAMIN DISRAELI--THOMAS CARLYLE--AND OTHERS + + +Me. Disraeli's earliest appearance as an author had been with the novel +of "Vivian Grey," published after a brief visit to Germany while he was +still in his eighteenth year. Two volumes were published in 1826, and a +third volume, or continuation, in the following year. The work brought +the author some notoriety, but, as already noticed, it contained matter +which gave offence in Albemarle Street. After the publication of the +first part, which was contemporaneous with the calamitous affair of the +_Representative_, Mr. Murray saw but little of the Disraeli family, but +at the commencement of 1830, Mr. Benjamin Disraeli once more applied to +him for an interview. Mr. Murray, however, in whose mind the former +episode was still fresh, was unwilling to accede to this request, and +replied in the third person. + +_John Murray to Mr. B. Disraeli_. + +"Mr. Murray is obliged to decline at present any personal interview; but +if Mr. Benjamin Disraeli is disposed to confide his MS. to Mr. Murray as +a man of business, Mr. Disraeli is assured that the proposal will be +entertained in every respect with the strictest honour and +impartiality." + +_Mr. B. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +UNION HOTEL, COCKSPUR STREET, 1830. + +The object of my interview with you is _purely literary_. It has always +been my wish, if it ever were my fate to write anything calculated to +arrest public attention, that you should be the organ of introducing it +to public notice. A letter I received this morning from my elected +critic was the reason of my addressing myself to you. + +I am sorry that Mr. Mitchell is out of town, because he is a person in +whom you rightly have confidence; but from some observations he made to +me the other day it is perhaps not to be regretted that he does not +interfere in this business. As he has overrated some juvenile +indiscretions of mine, I fear he is too friendly a critic. + +I am thus explicit because I think that candour, for all reasons, is +highly desirable. If you feel any inclination to pursue this affair, act +as you like, and fix upon any critic you please. I have no objection to +Mr. Lockhart, who is certainly an able one, and is, I believe, +influenced by no undue partiality towards me. + +At all events, this is an affair of no great importance--and whatever +may be your determination, it will not change the feelings which, on my +part, influenced this application. I have the honour to be, Sir, + +Your obedient Servant, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +P.S.--I think it proper to observe that I cannot crudely deliver my MS. +to any one. I must have the honour of seeing you or your critic. I shall +keep this negotiation open for a couple of days--that is, I shall wait +for your answer till Tuesday morning, although, from particular +circumstances, time is important to me. + +Mr. Disraeli was about to make a prolonged journey abroad. Before he set +out he again wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +BRADENHAM, BERKS, _May_ 27, 1830. + +SIR, + +I am unwilling to leave England, which I do on Saturday, without +noticing your last communication, because I should regret very much if +you were to misconceive the motives which actuated me in not complying +with the suggestion therein contained. I can assure you I leave in +perfect confidence both in your "honour" and your "impartiality," for +the first I have never doubted, and the second it is your interest to +exercise. + +The truth is, my friend and myself differed in the estimate of the MS. +alluded to, and while I felt justified, from his opinion, in submitting +it to your judgment, I felt it due to my own to explain verbally the +contending views of the case, for reasons which must be obvious. + +As you forced me to decide, I decided as I thought most prudently. The +work is one which, I dare say, would neither disgrace you to publish, +nor me to write; but it is not the kind of production which should +recommence our connection, or be introduced to the world by the +publisher of Byron and Anastasius. + +I am now about to leave England for an indefinite, perhaps a long +period. When I return, if I do return, I trust it will be in my power +for the _third time_ to endeavour that you should be the means of +submitting my works to the public. For this I shall be ever ready to +make great sacrifices, and let me therefore hope that when I next offer +my volumes to your examination, like the Sibylline books, their +inspiration may at length be recognised. + +I am, Sir, + +Your obedient Servant, + +B. DISRAELI. + +_John Murray to Mr. Disraeli_. + +_May_ 29, 1830. + +Mr. Murray acknowledges the receipt of Mr. Benjamin Disraeli's polite +letter of the 27th. Mr. Murray will be ready at all times to receive any +MS. which Mr. B. Disraeli may think proper to confide to him. Mr. Murray +hopes the result of Mr. Disraeli's travels will complete the restoration +of his health, and the gratification of his expectations." + +Nearly two years passed before Mr. Disraeli returned to England from +those travels in Spain, the Mediterranean and the Levant, which are so +admirably described in his "Home Letters," [Footnote: "Home Letters," +written by the late Earl of Beaconsfield in 1830 and 1831. London, +1885.] and which appear to have exercised so powerful an influence on +his own character, and his subsequent career. Shortly after his return, +he wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +BRADENHAM HOUSE, WYCOMBE, + +_February_ 10, 1832. + +Sir, + +I have at length completed a work which I wish to submit to your +consideration. In so doing, I am influenced by the feelings I have +already communicated to you. + +If you retain the wish expressed in a note which I received at Athens in +the autumn of 1830, I shall have the honour of forwarding the MS, to +you. Believe me, Sir, whatever may be the result, + +Very cordially yours, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +The MS. of the work was at once forwarded to Mr. Murray, who was, +however, averse to publishing it without taking the advice of his +friends. He first sent it to Mr. Lockhart, requesting him to read it and +pronounce his opinion. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_March_ 3, 1832. + +"I can't say what ought to be done with this book. To me, knowing whose +it is, it is full of interest; but the affectations and absurdities are +such that I can't but think they would disgust others more than the life +and brilliancy of many of the descriptions would please them. You should +send it to Milman without saying who is the author.--J.G.L." + +The MS. was accordingly sent to Mr. Milman, but as he was very ill at +the time, and could not read it himself, but transferred it to his wife, +much delay occurred in its perusal. Meanwhile, Mr. Disraeli became very +impatient about the publication, and again wrote: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_March_ 4, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I wish that I could simplify our arrangements by a stroke by making you +a present of "The Psychological Romance"; but at present you must indeed +take the will for the deed, although I hope the future will allow us to +get on more swimmingly. That work has, in all probability, cost me more +than I shall ever obtain by it, and indeed I may truly say that to write +that work I have thrown to the winds all the obvious worldly prospects +of life. + +I am ready to make every possible sacrifice on my part to range myself +under your colours. I will willingly give up the immediate and positive +receipt of a large sum of money for the copyright, and by publishing the +work anonymously renounce that certain sale which, as a successful, +although I confess not very worthy author, I can command. But in +quitting my present publisher, I incur, from the terms of our last +agreement, a _virtual penalty_, which I have no means to pay excepting +from the proceeds of my pen. Have you, therefore, any objection to +advance me a sum on the anticipated profits of the edition, not +exceeding two hundred pounds? + +It grieves me much to appear exacting to you, but I frankly tell you the +reason, and, as it will enable me to place myself at your disposal, I +hope you will not consider me mercenary, when I am indeed influenced by +the most sincere desire to meet your views. + +If this modification of your arrangement will suit you, as I fervently +trust it will, I shall be delighted to accede to your wishes. In that +case let me know without loss of time, and pray let us meet to talk over +minor points, as to the mode of publication, etc. I shall be at home all +the morning; my time is very much occupied, and on Thursday or Friday I +must run down, for a day or two, to Wycombe to attend a public meeting. +[Footnote: Mr. Disraeli was then a candidate, on the Radical side, for +the borough of Wycombe.] + +Fervently trusting that this arrangement will meet your wishes, + +Believe me, yours, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +While the MS. was still in Mr. Milman's hands, Mr. Disraeli followed +this up with another letter: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_ + +35 DUKE STREET, ST. JAMES'S. + +MY DEAR SIR, I am very sensible that you have conducted yourself, with +regard to my MS., in the most honourable, kind, and judicious manner; +and I very much regret the result of your exertions, which neither of us +deserve. + +I can wait no longer. The delay is most injurious to me, and in every +respect very annoying. I am therefore under the painful necessity of +requesting you to require from your friend the return of my work without +a moment's delay, but I shall not deny myself the gratification of +thanking you for your kindness and subscribing myself, with regard, + +Your faithful Servant, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +At length Mr. Milman's letter arrived, expressing his judgment on the +work, which was much more satisfactory than that of Mr. Lockhart. + +_The Rev. H.H. Milman to John Murray_. + +READING, _March_ 5, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have been utterly inefficient for the last week, in a state of almost +complete blindness; but am now, I trust, nearly restored. Mrs. Milman, +however, has read to me the whole of the MS. It is a very remarkable +production--very wild, very extravagant, very German, very powerful, +very poetical. It will, I think, be much read--as far as one dare +predict anything of the capricious taste of the day--much admired, and +much abused. It is much more in the Macaulay than in the Croker line, +and the former is evidently in the ascendant. Some passages will startle +the rigidly orthodox; the phrenologists will be in rapture. I tell you +all this, that you may judge for yourself. One thing insist upon, if you +publish it-that the title be changed. The whole beauty, of the latter +part especially, is its truth. It is a rapid volume of travels, a +"Childe Harold" in prose; therefore do not let it be called "a Romance" +on any account. Let those who will, believe it to be a real history, and +those who are not taken in, dispute whether it is truth or fiction. If +it makes any sensation, this will add to its notoriety. "A Psychological +Auto-Biography" would be too sesquipedalian a title; but "My Life +Psychologically Related," or "The Psychology of my Life," or some such +title, might be substituted. + +H.H. MILMAN. + +Before Mr. Milman's communication had been received, another pressing +letter arrived from Mr. Disraeli. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +It is with deep regret and some mortification that I appear to press +you. It is of the highest importance to me that the "P.R." should +appear without loss of time. I have an impending election in the +country, which a single and not improbable event may precipitate. It is +a great object with me, that my work should be published before that +election. + +Its rejection by you will only cause me sorrow. I have no desire that +you should become its publisher, unless you conceive it may be the first +of a series of works, which may support your name, and sustain your +fortunes. There is no question of pecuniary matters between us; I leave +all these with you, with illimitable trust. + +Pray, pray, my dear Sir, do not let me repent the feelings which impel +me to seek this renewal of our connection. I entreat therefore your +attention to this subject, and request that you will communicate your +decision. + +Believe me, as I have already said, that whatever that decision may be, +I shall not the less consider myself, + +Very cordially yours, + +B. DISRAELI. + +And again, in a subsequent letter, Mr. Disraeli said: + +"There is no work of fiction on whose character I could not decide in +four-and-twenty hours, and your critic ought not to be less able than +your author. Pray, therefore, to communicate without loss of time to +your obedient faithful servant. + +"B.D." + +On receiving Mr. Milman's approval, Mr. Murray immediately made up his +mind to publish the work. He wrote to Mr. Disraeli: + +_John Murray to Mr. Disraeli_. + +_March_ 6, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Your MS. has this moment been returned to me, accompanied by a +commendation which enables me to say that I should be proud of being its +publisher. But in these times I am obliged to refrain from speculation, +and I cannot offer any sum for it that is likely to be equal to its +probable value. + +I would, however, if it so please you, print at my expense an edition of +1,200 or 1,500 copies, and give you half the profits; and after the sale +of this edition, the copyright shall be entirely your own; so that if +the work prove as successful as I anticipate, you will ensure all the +advantages of it without incurring any risque. If this proposal should +not suit you, I beg to add that I shall, for the handsome offer of your +work in the first instance, still remain, + +Your obedient Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Some further correspondence took place as to the title of the work. +"What do you think," said Mr. Disraeli, "of the 'Psychological Memoir'? +I hesitate between this and 'Narrative,' but discard 'History' or +'Biography.' On survey, I conceive the MS. will make four Byronic tomes, +according to the pattern you were kind enough to show me." The work was +at length published in 4 vols., foolscap 8vo, with the title of +"Contarini Fleming: a Psychological Biography." + +Before the appearance of the work, Mr. Disraeli wrote to Mr. Murray as +follows: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +BRADENHAM HOUSE, _May_ 6, 1832. + +DEAR SIR, + +From the notice of "C.F." in the _Literary Gazette_, which I received +this morning, I imagine that Jerdan has either bribed the printer, or +purloined some sheets. It is evident that he has only seen the last +volume. It is unnecessary for me to observe that such premature notice, +written in such complete ignorance of the work, can do no good. I think +that he should be reprimanded, and his petty larceny arrested. I shall +be in town on Tuesday. + +Yours, B.D. + +The work, when it appeared in 1833, excited considerable sensation, and +was very popular at the time of its publication. It is now included in +the uniform edition of Lord Beaconsfield's works. + +During his travels in the East, Mr. Disraeli was attended by Lord +Byron's faithful gondolier, who had accompanied his master to +Missolonghi, and remained with him till his death. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +DUKE STREET, _July 5_, 1832. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have just returned to town, and will call in Albemarle Street as soon +as I can. Tita, Lord Byron's faithful servant, and [Footnote: See note, +p. 259.] who was also my travelling companion in the East, called upon +me this morning. I thought you might wish to see one so intimately +connected with the lost bard, and who is himself one of the most +deserving creatures in the world. + +Yours faithfully, + +B. DISRAELI. + +At the same time that Mr. Disraeli was engaged on his novel, he was busy +with another, but this time a political work entitled "England and +France: a Cure for the Ministerial Gallomania," dedicated to Lord Grey. +The first letter on the subject--after Mr. Murray had agreed to publish +the work--appears to have been the following, from Bradenham, Monday +night, but without date: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +DEAR SIR, + +By to-morrow's coach, at your desire, I send you one-half of the volume, +which, however, is not in the finished state I could have wished. I have +materials for any length, but it is desirable to get out without a +moment's loss of time. It has been suggested to publish a volume +periodically, and let this come out as No. 1; so as to establish a +journal of general foreign politics, for which there are ample means of +first-rate information. I have not been able even to revise what is +sent, but it will sufficiently indicate the work. + +I am to meet a personage on Thursday evening in town, and read over the +whole to him. It is therefore absolutely necessary that the MS. should +be returned to you on Thursday morning, and I will call in Albemarle +Street the moment of my arrival, which will be about four o'clock. If in +time, acknowledge the receipt by return of post. + +The remaining portion of the volume consists of several more dramatic +scenes in Paris, a view of the character and career of L.P., [Footnote: +Louis Philippe.] a most curious chapter on the conduct of the +Diplomatists, and a general view of the state of Europe at the moment of +publication. Pray be cautious, and above all let me depend upon your +having the MS. on Thursday, otherwise, as Liston says in "Love, Law and +Physic," "_we shall get all shot_." + +B.D. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_, + +_Friday_, 11 o'clock. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I much regret that I missed you yesterday, but I called upon you the +instant I arrived. I very much wish to talk over the "Gallomania," and +will come on to you, if it be really impossible for you to pay me a +visit. I have so much at this moment on my hands, that I should esteem +such an incident, not only an honour, but a convenience. + +B.D. + +There seems to have been a difference of opinion between the author and +the publisher respecting the title of the book: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have a great respect for your judgment, especially on the subject of +titles, as I have shown in another instance, one which I shall ever +regret. In the present, I shall be happy to receive from you any +suggestion, but I can offer none. To me the _Gallomania_ (or _mania_ for +what is French) appears to be one of the most felicitous titles ever +devised. It is comprehensive, it is explicit, it is poignant and +intelligible, as I should suppose, to learned and unlearned. The word +_Anglomania_ is one of the commonest on the other side of the channel, +is repeated daily in almost every newspaper; has been the title of one +or two works; and of the best farce in the French language. It is here +also common and intelligible. + +There is no objection to erasing the epithet "New," if you think it +loads the title. + +Yours truly, + +B.D. + +The three following letters were written on the same day: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. DUKE STREET, _March_ 30, 1832. + +DEAR SIR, + +I am going to dine with Baron D'Haussez, Baron de Haber, _et hoc genus_, +today, and must report progress, otherwise they will think I am trifling +with them. Have you determined on a title? What think you of "A Cure for +the Ministerial Gallomania," and advertise, dedicated to Lord Grey? Pray +decide. You are aware I have not yet received a proof. Affairs look +awkward in France. Beware lest we are a day after the fair, and only +annalists instead of prophets. + +Your very faithful Servant, B. DISRAELI. + +_March_ 30. + +DEAR SIR, + +I think it does very well, and I hope you are also satisfied. I shall +send you the rest of the MS. tomorrow morning. There is a very +remarkable chapter on Louis Philippe which is at present with Baron +D'Haussez; and this is the reason I have not forwarded it to you. I keep +the advertisement to show them. + +B.D. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +In further answer to your note received this evening, I think it proper +to observe that I entirely agree with you that I "am bound to make as +few alterations as possible," coming as they do from such a quarter; and +I have acted throughout in such a spirit. All alterations and omissions +of consequence are in this first sheet, and I have retained in the +others many things of which I do not approve, merely on account of my +respect for the source from whence they are derived. + +While you remind me of what I observed to your son, let me also remind +you of the condition with which my permission was accompanied, viz.: +that everything was to be submitted to my approval, and subject to my +satisfaction. On this condition I have placed the proofs in the hands of +several persons not less distinguished than your friend, [Footnote: Mr. +Croker, with Mr. B. Disraeli's knowledge, revised the proofs.] and +superior even in rank and recent office. Their papers are on my table, +and I shall be happy to show them to you. I will mention one: the +chapter on Belgium was originally written by the Plenipotentiary of the +King of Holland to the Conference, Baron Van Zuylen. Scarcely a line of +the original composition remains, although a very able one, because it +did not accord with the main design of the book. + +With regard to the omission, pp. 12, 13, I acknowledge its felicity; but +it is totally at variance with every other notice of M. de Talleyrand in +the work, and entirely dissonant with the elaborate mention of him in +the last chapter. When the reviser introduced this pungent remark, he +had never even read the work he was revising. + +With regard to the authorship of this work, I should never be ashamed of +being considered the author, I should be _proud to be_; but I am not. It +is written by Legion, but I am one of them, and I bear the +responsibility. If it be supposed to be written by a Frenchman, all its +good effects must be marred, as it seeks to command attention and +interest by its purely British spirit. + +I have no desire to thrust my acquaintance on your critic. More than +once, I have had an opportunity to form that acquaintance, and more than +once I have declined it, but I am ready to bear the _brunt of +explanation_, if you desire me. + +It is quite impossible that anything adverse to the general measure of +Reform can issue from my pen or from anything to which I contribute. +Within these four months I have declined being returned for a Tory +borough, and almost within these four hours, to mention slight affairs, +I have refused to inscribe myself a member of "The Conservative Club." I +cannot believe that you will place your critic's feelings for a few +erased passages against my permanent interest. + +But in fact these have nothing to do with the question. To convenience +you, I have no objection to wash my hands of the whole business, and put +you in direct communication with my coadjutors. I can assure you that it +is from no regard for my situation that Reform was omitted, but because +they are of opinion that its notice would be unwise and injurious. For +myself, I am ready to do anything that you can desire, except entirely +change my position in life. + +I will see your critic, if you please, or you can give up the +publication and be reimbursed, which shall make no difference in our +other affairs. All I ask in this and all other affairs, are candour and +decision. + +The present business is most pressing. At present I am writing a chapter +on Poland from intelligence just received, and it will be ready for the +printer tomorrow morning, as I shall finish it before I retire. I await +your answer with anxiety. + +Yours truly, + +B.D. + +Mr. Disraeli was evidently intent upon the immediate publication of his +work. On the following day he wrote again to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_March_ 31, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +We shall have an opportunity of submitting the work to Count Orloff +tomorrow morning, in case you can let me have a set of the proofs +tonight, I mean as far as we have gone. I do not like to send mine, +which are covered with corrections. + +Yours truly, B.D. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. _Monday morning_, 9 _o'clock [April_ 2]. + +DEAR SIR, + +Since I had the honour of addressing you the note of last night, I have +seen the Baron. Our interview was intended to have been a final one, and +it was therefore absolutely necessary that I should apprize him of all +that had happened, of course concealing the name of your friend. The +Baron says that the insertion of the obnoxious passages is fatal to all +his combinations; that he has devoted two months of the most valuable +time to this affair, and that he must hold me personally responsible for +the immediate fulfilment of my agreement, viz.: to ensure its +publication when finished. + +We dine at the same house today, and I have pledged myself to give him a +categorical reply at that time, and to ensure its publication by some +mode or other. + +Under these principal circumstances, my dear sir, I can only state that +the work must be published at once, and with the omission of all +passages hostile to Reform; and that if you are unwilling to introduce +it in that way, I request from your friendliness such assistance as you +can afford me about the printer, etc., to occasion its immediate +publication in some other quarter. + +After what took place between myself and my coadjutor last night, I +really can have for him only one answer or one alternative, and as I +wish to give him the first, and ever avoid the second, I look forward +with confidence to your answer. + +B.D. + +Mr. Disraeli next desires to have a set of the proofs to put into the +hands of the Duke of Wellington: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_, + +_April_ 6, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have just received a note, that if I can get a set of clean proofs by +Sunday, they will be put in the Duke's hands preliminary to the debate. +I thought you would like to know this. Do you think it impossible? Let +this be between us. I am sorry to give you all this trouble, but I know +your zeal, and the interest you take in these affairs. I myself will +never keep the printer, and engage when the proofs are sent me to +prepare them for the press within an hour. + +Yours, + +B.D. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am very glad to receive the copy. I think that one should be sent to +the editor of the _Times_ as quickly as possible; that at least he +should not be anticipated in the receipt, even if in the _notice_, by a +Sunday paper. But I leave all this to your better judgment. You will +send copies to Duke Street as soon as you have them. + +B.D. + +After the article in the _Times_ had appeared, Baron de Haber, a +mysterious German gentleman of Jewish extraction, who had taken part in +the production of "Gallomania," wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Baron de Haber to John Murray_. + +2 _Mai_, 1832. + +MON CHER MONSIEUR, + +J'espère que vous serez content de l'article de _Times_ sur la +"Gallomania." C'est un grand pas de fait. Il serait utile que le +_Standard_ et le _Morning Post_ le copie en entier, avec des +observations dans son sens. C'est a vous, mon cher Monsieur Murray, de +soigner cet objet. J'ai infiniment regrette de ne m'etre pas trouve chez +moi hier, lorsque vous etes venu me voir, avec l'aimable Mr. Lockhart. + +Tout a vous, + +DE H. + +_Baron de Haber to John Murray_. + +_Vendredi_. + +MON CHER MONSIEUR MURRAY, + +Vous desirez dans l'intèrêt de l'ouvrage faire mentionner dans le +_Standard_ que le _Times_ d'aujourd'hui paroît etre assez d'accord avec +l'auteur de la "Gallomania" sur M. Thiers, espérant que de jour en jour +il reviendra aux idees de cet auteur. + +Il seroit aussi convenable de dire que la _prophétie_ dans la lettre à +_My Lord Grey_ était assez juste: Allusion--"In less than a month we +shall no doubt hear of their _warm_ reception in the Provinces, and of +some gratifying, perhaps startling, demonstrations of national +gratitude." Voyez, mon cher Monsieur, comme depuis 8 jours ces pauvres +Députés qui ont voté pour le Ministre sont traités, Si vous étes à la +maison ce soir, dites-le-moi, je désire vous parler. Dinez-vous +chez-vous? + +Votre dévoué, + +DE H. + +The following announcement was published by Mr. Disraeli in reply to +certain criticisms of his work: + +"I cannot allow myself to omit certain observations of my able critic +without remarking that those omissions are occasioned by no +insensibility to their acuteness. + +"Circumstances of paramount necessity render it quite impossible that +anything can proceed from my pen hostile to the general question of +_Reform_. + +"Independent however of all personal considerations, and viewing the +question of Reform for a moment in the light in which my critic +evidently speculates, I would humbly suggest that the cause which he +advocates would perhaps be more united in the present pages by being +passed over _in silence_. It is important that this work should be a +work not of _party_ but of national interest, and I am induced to +believe that a large class in this country, who think themselves bound +to support the present administration from a superficial sympathy with +their domestic measures, have long viewed their foreign policy with +distrust and alarm. + +"If the public are at length convinced that Foreign Policy, instead of +being an abstract and isolated division of the national interests, is in +fact the basis of our empire and present order, and that this basis +shakes under the unskilful government of the Cabinet, the public may be +induced to withdraw their confidence from that Cabinet altogether. + +"With this exception, I have adopted all the additions and alterations +that I have yet had the pleasure of seeing without reserve, and I seize +this opportunity of expressing my sense of their justness and their +value. + +"_The Author of 'Gallomania_.'" [Footnote: Several references are made +to "Contarini Fleming" and "Gallomania" in "Lord Beaconsfield's Letters +to his Sister," published in 1887.] + +The next person whom we shall introduce to the reader was one who had +but little in common with Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, except that, like him, +he had at that time won little of that world-wide renown which he was +afterwards to achieve. This "writer of books," as he described himself, +was no other than Thomas Carlyle, who, when he made the acquaintance of +Mr. Murray, had translated Goethe's "Wilhelm Meister," written the "Life +of Schiller," and several articles in the Reviews; but was not yet known +as a literary man of mark. He was living among the bleak, bare moors of +Dumfriesshire at Craigenputtock, where he was consoled at times by +visits from Jeffrey and Emerson, and by letters from Goethe, and where +he wrote that strange and rhapsodical book "Sartor Resartus," containing +a considerable portion of his own experience. After the MS. was nearly +finished, he wrapt it in a piece of paper, put in it his pocket, and +started for Dumfries, on his way to London. + +Mr. Francis Jeffrey, then Lord Advocate, recommended Carlyle to try +Murray, because, "in spite of its radicalism, he would be the better +publisher." Jeffrey wrote to Mr. Murray on the subject, without +mentioning Carlyle's name: + +_Mr. Jeffrey to John Murray_. _May_ I, 1831. + +"Lord Jeffrey [Footnote: Jeffrey writes thus, although he did not become +a Lord of Session till 1834.] understands that the earlier chapters of +this work (which is the production of a friend of his) were shown some +months ago to Mr. Murray (or his reader), and were formally judged of; +though, from its incomplete state, no proposal for its publication could +then be entertained. What is now sent completes it; the earlier chapters +being now under the final perusal of the author. + +"Lord Jeffrey, who thinks highly of the author's abilities, ventures to +beg Mr. Murray to look at the MS. now left with him, and to give him, as +soon as possible, his opinion as to its probable success on publication; +and also to say whether he is willing to undertake it, and on what +terms." + +Carlyle, who was himself at the time in London, called upon Mr. Murray, +and left with him a portion of the manuscript, and an outline of the +proposed volume. + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +6 WOBURN BUILDINGS, TAVISTOCK SQUARE, + +_Wednesday, August_ 10, 1831. + +DEAR SIR, + +I here send you the MS. concerning which I have, for the present, only +to repeat my urgent request that no time may be lost in deciding on it. +At latest, next Wednesday I shall wait upon you, to see what further, or +whether anything further is to be done. + +In the meanwhile, it is perhaps unnecessary to say, that the whole +business is strictly confidential; the rather, as I wish to publish +anonymously. + +I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +Be so kind as to write, by the bearer, these two words, "MS. received." + +When Carlyle called a second time Murray was not at home, but he found +that the parcel containing the MS. had not been opened. He again wrote +to the publisher on the following Friday: + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +DEAR SIR, + +As I am naturally very anxious to have this little business that lies +between us off my hands--and, perhaps, a few minutes' conversation would +suffice to settle it all--I will again request, in case I should be so +unlucky as to miss you in Albemarle Street, that you would have the +goodness to appoint me a short meeting at any, the earliest, hour that +suits your convenience. + +I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +This was followed up by a letter from Mr. Jeffrey: + +_Mr. Jeffrey to John Murray_. + +_Sunday, August_ 28, 1831. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Will you favour me with a few minutes' conversation, any morning of this +week (the early part of it, if possible), on the subject of my friend +Carlyle's projected publication. I have looked a little into the MS. and +can tell you something about it. Believe me, always, very faithfully +yours, + +F. JEFFREY. + +The interview between Jeffrey and Murray led to an offer for the MS. + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +TUESDAY. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have seen the Lord Advocate [Jeffrey], who informs me that you are +willing to print an edition of 750 copies of my MS., at your own cost, +on the principle of what is called "half profits"; the copyright of the +book after that to belong to myself. I came down at present to say +that, being very anxious to have you as a publisher, and to see my book +put forth soon, I am ready to accede to these terms; and I should like +much to meet you, or hear from you, at your earliest convenience, that +the business might be actually put in motion. I much incline to think, +in contrasting the character of my little speculation with the character +of the times, that _now_ (even in these months, say in November) were +the best season for emitting it. Hoping soon to see all this pleasantly +settled, + +I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +Mr. Murray was willing to undertake the risk of publishing 750 copies, +and thus to allow the author to exhibit his literary wares to the +public. Even if the whole edition had sold, the pecuniary results to +both author and publisher would have been comparatively trifling, but as +the copyright was to remain in the author's possession, and he would +have been able to make a much better bargain with the future editions, +the terms may be considered very liberal, having regard to the +exceptional nature of the work. Mr. Carlyle, however, who did not know +the usual custom of publishers, had in the meantime taken away his MS. +and offered it to other publishers in London, evidently to try whether +he could not get a better bid for his book. Even Jeffrey thought it "was +too much of the nature of a rhapsody, to command success or respectful +attention." The publishers thought the same. Carlyle took the MS. to +Fraser of Regent Street, who offered to publish it if Carlyle would +_give him_ a sum not exceeding £150 sterling. He had already been to +Longmans & Co., offering them his "German Literary History," but they +declined to publish the work, and he now offered them his "Sartor +Resartus," with a similar result. He also tried Colburn and Bentley, but +without success. When Murray, then at Ramsgate, heard that Carlyle had +been offering his book to other publishers, he wrote to him: + +_John Murray to Mr. Carlyle_. + +_September_ 17, 1831. + +DEAR SIR, + +Your conversation with me respecting the publication of your MS. led me +to infer that you had given me the preference, and certainly not that +you had already submitted it to the greatest publishers in London, who +had declined to engage in it. Under these circumstances it will be +necessary for me also to get it read by some literary friend, before I +can, in justice to myself, engage in the printing of it. + +I am, dear Sir, your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +To this Mr. Carlyle replied: + +_September_ 19, 1831 + +SIR, + +I am this moment favoured with your note of the 17th, and beg to say, in +reply,: + +_First_.--That your idea, derived from conversation with me, of my +giving you the preference to all other Publishers, was perfectly +correct. I had heard you described as a man of honour, frankness, and +even generosity, and knew you to have the best and widest connexions; on +which grounds, I might well say, and can still well say, that a +transaction with you would please me better than a similar one with any +other member of the Trade. + +_Secondly_.--That your information, of my having submitted my MS. to the +greatest publishers in London, if you mean that, after coming out of +your hands, it lay two days in those of Messrs. Longman & Rees, and was +from them delivered over to the Lord Advocate, is also perfectly +correct: if you mean anything else, incorrect. + +_Thirdly_.--That if you wish the Bargain, which I had understood myself +to have made with you, unmade, you have only to cause your Printer, who +is now working on my MS., to return the same, without damage or delay, +and consider the business as finished. I remain, Sir, your obedient +servant, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +In the meantime Murray submitted the MS. to one of his literary +advisers, probably Lockhart, whose report was not very encouraging. +Later, as Mr. Carlyle was unwilling to entertain the idea of taking his +manuscript home with him, and none of the other publishers would accept +it, he urgently requested Mr. Murray again to examine it, and come to +some further decision. "While I, with great readiness," he said, "admit +your views, and shall cheerfully release you from all engagement, or +shadow of engagement, with me in regard to it: the rather, as it seems +reasonable for me to expect some higher remuneration for a work that has +cost me so much effort, were it once fairly examined, such remuneration +as was talked of between _us_ can, I believe, at all times, be +procured." He then proposed "a quite new negotiation, if you incline to +enter on such"; and requested his decision. "If not, pray have the +goodness to cause my papers to be returned with the least possible +delay." The MS. was at once returned; and Carlyle acknowledged its +receipt: + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +_October_ 6, 1831. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have received the MS., with your note and your friend's criticism, and +I find it all safe and right. In conclusion, allow me to thank you for +your punctuality and courtesy in this part of the business; and to join +cordially in the hope you express that, in some fitter case, a closer +relation may arise between us. I remain, my dear Sir, faithfully yours, + +T. CARLYLE. + +Mr. Carlyle returned to Craigenputtock with his manuscript in his +pocket; very much annoyed and disgusted by the treatment of the London +publishers. Shortly after his arrival at home, he wrote to Mr. Macvey +Napier, then editor of the _Edinburgh Review_: + +"All manner of perplexities have occurred in the publishing of my poor +book, which perplexities I could only cut asunder, not unloose; so the +MS., like an unhappy ghost, still lingers on the wrong side of Styx: the +Charon of Albemarle Street durst not risk it in his _sutilis cymba_, so +it leaped ashore again. Better days are coming, and new trials will end +more happily." + +A little later (February 6, 1832) he said: + +"I have given up the notion of hawking my little manuscript book about +any further. For a long time it has lain quiet in its drawer, waiting +for a better day. The bookselling trade seems on the edge of +dissolution; the force of puffing can go no further; yet bankruptcy +clamours at every door: sad fate! to serve the Devil, and get no wages +even from him! The poor bookseller Guild, I often predict to myself, +will ere long be found unfit for the strange part it now plays in our +European World; and give place to new and higher arrangements, of which +the coming shadows are already becoming visible." + +The "Sartor Resartus" was not, however, lost. Two years after Carlyle's +visit to London, it came out, bit by bit, in _Fraser's Magazine_. +Through the influence of Emerson, it was issued, as a book, at Boston, +in the United States, and Carlyle got some money for his production. It +was eventually published in England, and, strange to say, has had the +largest sale in the "People's Edition of Carlyle's Works." Carlyle, +himself, created the taste to appreciate "Sartor Resartus." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +MR. GLADSTONE AND OTHERS + + +In July 1838 Mr. W.E. Gladstone, then Tory member of Parliament for +Newark-upon-Trent, wrote to Mr. Murray from 6 Carlton Gardens, informing +him that he has written and thinks of publishing some papers on the +subject of the relationship of the "Church and the State," which would +probably fill a moderate octavo volume, and that he would be glad to +know if Mr. Murray would be inclined to see them. Mr. Murray saw the +papers, and on August 9 he agreed with Mr. Gladstone to publish 750 or +1,000 copies of the work on "Church and State," on half profits, the +copyright to remain with the author after the first edition was sold. +The work was immediately sent to press, and proofs were sent to Mr. +Gladstone, about to embark for Holland. A note was received by Mr. +Murray from the author (August 17, 1838): + +"I write a line from Rotterdam to say that sea-sickness prevented my +correcting the proofs on the passage." + +This was Mr. Gladstone's first appearance in the character of an author, +and the work proved remarkably successful, four editions being called +for in the course of three years. It was reviewed by Macaulay in the +_Edinburgh_ for April 1839, and in the _Quarterly_ by the Rev. W. Sewell +in December. "Church Principles," published in 1840, did not meet with +equal success. Two years later we find a reference to the same subject. + +_Mr. W.E. Gladstone to John Murray_. + +13 CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE, _April_ 6, 1842. + +My DEAR SIR, + +I thank you very much for your kindness in sending me the new number of +the _Quarterly_. As yet I have only read a part of the article on the +Church of England, which seems to be by a known hand, and to be full of +very valuable research: I hope next to turn to Lord Mahon's "Joan of +Arc." + +Amidst the pressure of more urgent affairs, I have held no consultation +with you regarding my books and the sale or no sale of them. As to the +third edition of the "State in its Relations," I should think the +remaining copies had better be got rid of in whatever summary or +ignominious mode you may deem best. They must be dead beyond recall. As +to the others, I do not know whether the season of the year has at all +revived the demand; and would suggest to you whether it would be well to +advertise them a little. I do not think they find their way much into +the second-hand shops. + +With regard to the fourth edition, I do not know whether it would be +well to procure any review or notice of it, and I am not a fair judge of +its merits even in comparison with the original form of the work; but my +idea is, that it is less defective both in the theoretical and in the +historical development, and ought to be worth the notice of those who +deemed the earlier editions worth their notice and purchase: that it +would really put a reader in possession of the view it was intended to +convey, which I fear is more than can with any truth be said of its +predecessors. + +I am not, however, in any state of anxiety or impatience: and I am +chiefly moved to refer these suggestions to your judgment from +perceiving that the Fourth Edition is as yet far from having cleared +itself. + +I remain always, + +Very faithfully yours, + +W.E. GLADSTONE. + +In the same year another author of different politics and strong +anti-slavery views appeared to claim Mr. Murray's assistance as a +publisher. It was Mr. Thomas Fowell Buxton, M.P., who desired him to +publish his work upon the "Slave Trade and its Remedy." + +_Mr. Buxton to John Murray_. + +_December_ 31, 1837. + +"The basis of my proposed book has already been brought before the +Cabinet Ministers in a confidential letter addressed to Lord +Melbourne.... It is now my purpose to publish a portion of the work, on +the nature, extent, and horrors of the slave trade, and the failure of +the efforts hitherto made to suppress it, [Footnote: See "Life of W.E. +Forster," ch. iv.] reserving the remainder for another volume to be +published at a future day. I should like to have 1,500 copies of the +first volume thrown off without delay." + +The book was published, and was followed by a cheaper volume in the +following year, of which a large number was sold and distributed. + +The following letter illustrates the dangerous results of reading sleepy +books by candle-light in bed: + +_Mr. Longman to John Murray_. + +2 HANOVER TERRACE, 1838. + +MY DEAR MURRAY, + +Can you oblige me by letting me have a third volume of "Wilberforce"? +The fact is, that in reading that work, my neighbour, Mr. Alexander, +fell fast asleep from exhaustion, and, setting himself on fire, burnt +the volume and his bed, to the narrow escape of the whole Terrace. Since +that book has been published, premiums of fire assurance are up, and not +having already insured my No. 2, now that the fire has broken out near +my own door, no office will touch my house nor any others in the Terrace +until it is ascertained that Mr. Alexander has finished with the book. +So pray consider our position, and let me have a third volume to make up +the set as soon as possible. + +Mr. Murray had agreed with the Bishop of Llandaff to publish Lord +Dudley's posthumous works, but the Bishop made certain complaints which +led to the following letter from Mr. Murray: + +_John Murray to the Bishop of Llandaff_. + +_December_ 31, 1839. + +MY LORD, + +I am told that your Lordship continues to make heavy complaints of the +inconvenience you incur by making me the publisher of "Lord Dudley's +Letters," in consequence of the great distance between St. Paul's +Churchyard and Albemarle Street, and that you have discovered another +cause for dissatisfaction in what you consider the inordinate profits of +a publisher. + +My Lord, when I had the honour to publish for Sir Walter Scott and Lord +Byron, the one resided in Edinburgh, the other in Venice; and, with +regard to the supposed advantages of a publisher, they were only such as +custom has established, and experience proved to be no more than +equivalent to his peculiar trouble and the inordinate risque which he +incurs. + +My long acquaintance with Lord Dudley, and the kindness and friendship +with which he honoured me to the last, made me, in addition to my +admiration of his talents, desire, and, indeed, expect to become the +publisher of his posthumous works, being convinced that he would have +had no other. After what has passed on your Lordship's side, however, I +feel that it would be inconsistent with my own character to embarrass +you any longer, and I therefore release your Lordship at once from any +promise or supposed understanding whatever regarding this publication, +and remain, my Lord, + +Your Lordship's humble Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +The Bishop of Llandaff seems to have thought better of the matter, and +in Mr. Murray's second letter to him (January 1, 1840) he states that, +after his Lordship's satisfactory letter, he "renews his engagement as +publisher of Lord Dudley's 'Letters' with increased pleasure." The +volume was published in the following year, but was afterwards +suppressed; it is now very scarce. + +Mrs. Jameson proposed to Mr. Murray to publish a "Guide to the +Picture-Galleries of London." He was willing to comply with her request, +provided she submitted her manuscript for perusal and approval. But as +she did not comply with his request, Mr. Murray wrote to her as follows: + +_John Murray to Mrs. Jameson_. + +_July_ 14, 1840 + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +It is with unfeigned regret that I perceive that you and I are not +likely to understand each other. The change from a Publisher, to whose +mode of conducting business you are accustomed, to another of whom you +have heard merely good reports, operates something like second +marriages, in which, whatever occurs that is different from that which +was experienced in the first, is always considered wrong by the party +who has married a second time. If, for a particular case, you have been +induced to change your physician, you should not take offence, or feel +even surprise, at a different mode of treatment. + +My rule is, never to engage in the publication of any work of which I +have not been allowed to form a judgment of its merits and chances of +success, by having the MSS. left with me a reasonable time, in order to +form such opinion; and from this habit of many years' exercise, I +confess to you that it will not, even upon the present occasion, suit me +to deviate. + +I am well aware that you would not wish to publish anything derogatory +to the high reputation which you have so deservedly acquired; but +Shakespeare, Byron, and Scott have written works that do not sell; and, +as you expect money for the work which you wish to allow me the honour +of publishing, how am I to judge of its value if I am not previously +allowed to read it? + +Mrs. Jameson at length submitted her work for Mr. Murray's inspection; +and after some negotiation, her Guide-Book was purchased for £400. + +Mr. Murray, it may here be mentioned, had much communication with Sir +Robert Peel during his parliamentary career. He published many of Peel's +speeches and addresses--his Address to the Students of Glasgow +University; his Speeches on the Irish Disturbances Bill, the Coercion +Bill, the Repeal of the Union, and the Sugar Bills--all of which were +most carefully revised before being issued. Sugar had become so cloying +with Sir Robert, that he refused to read his speeches on the subject. "I +am so sick of Sugar," he wrote to Murray, "and of the eight nights' +debate, that I have not the courage to look at any report of my +speech--at least at present." A later letter shows that the connection +continued. + +_The Rt. Hon. Sir R. Peel to John Murray_. + +_July_ or _August_, 1840. + +DEAR SIR, + +Your printer must be descended from him who omitted _not_ from the +seventh Commandment, and finding a superfluous "not" in his possession, +is anxious to find a place for it. + +I am sorry he has bestowed it upon me, and has made me assure my +constituents that I do _not_ intend to support my political principles. +Pray look at the 4th line of the second page of the enclosed. + +Faithfully yours, + +ROBERT PEEL. + +No account of Mr. Murray's career would be complete without some mention +of the "Handbooks," with which his name has been for sixty years +associated; for though this series was in reality the invention of his +son, it was Mr. Murray who provided the means and encouragement for the +execution of the scheme, and by his own experience was instrumental in +ensuring its success. + +As early as 1817 Hobhouse had remarked on the inadequate character of +most books of European travel. In later years Mrs. Starke made a +beginning, but her works were very superficial and inadequate, and after +personally testing them on their own ground, Mr. John Murray decided +that something better was needed. + +Of the origin of the Guide-books Mr. John Murray the Third has given +the following account in Murray's Magazine for November 1889. + +"Since so many thousands of persons have profited by these books, it may +be of some interest to the public to learn their origin, and the cause +which led me to prepare them. Having from my early youth been possessed +by an ardent desire to travel, my very indulgent father acceded to my +request, on condition that I should prepare myself by mastering the +language of the country I was to travel in. Accordingly, in 1829, having +brushed up my German, I first set foot on the Continent at Rotterdam, +and my 'Handbook for Holland' gives the results of my personal +observations and private studies of that wonderful country. + +"At that time such a thing as a Guide-book for Germany, France, or Spain +did not exist. The only Guides deserving the name were: Ebel, for +Switzerland; Boyce, for Belgium; and Mrs. Starke, for Italy. Hers was a +work of real utility, because, amidst a singular medley of classical +lore, borrowed from Lemprière's Dictionary, interwoven with details +regulating the charges in washing-bills at Sorrento and Naples, and an +elaborate theory on the origin of _Devonshire Cream_, in which she +proves that it was brought by Phoenician colonists from Asia Minor into +the West of England, it contained much practical information gathered on +the spot. But I set forth for the North of Europe unprovided with any +guide, excepting a few manuscript notes about towns and inns, etc., in +Holland, furnished me by my good friend Dr. Somerville, husband of the +learned Mrs. Somerville. These were of the greatest use. Sorry was I +when, on landing at Hamburg, I found myself destitute of such friendly +aid. It was this that impressed on my mind the value of practical +information gathered on the spot, and I set to work to collect for +myself all the facts, information, statistics, etc., which an English +tourist would be likely to require or find useful. + +The first of Mr. John Murray's Handbooks to the Continent, published +1836, included Holland, Belgium, and North Germany, and was followed at +short intervals by South Germany, Switzerland--in which he was assisted +by his intimate friend and fellow-traveller, William Brockedon, the +artist, who was then engaged in preparing his own splendid work on "The +Peaks, Passes, and Glaciers of the Alps"--and France. These were all +written by Mr. Murray himself; but, as the series proceeded, it was +necessary to call in the aid of other writers and travellers. +Switzerland, which appeared in 1838, was followed in 1839 by Norway, +Sweden, and Denmark, and in 1840 by the Handbook to the East, the work +of Mr. H. Parish, aided by Mr. Godfrey Levinge. In 1842 Sir Francis +Palgrave completed the Guide to Northern Italy, while Central and +Southern Italy were entrusted to Mr. Octavian Blewitt, for many years +Secretary of the Royal Literary Fund. + +In later years, as well as at the earlier period, the originator of the +Handbooks was fortunate enough to secure very able colleagues, among +whom it is sufficient to mention Richard Ford for Spain, Sir Gardner +Wilkinson for Egypt, Dr. Porter for Palestine, Sir George Bowen for +Greece, Sir Lambert Playfair for Algiers and the Mediterranean, and Mr. +George Dennis for Sicily. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +GEORGE BORROW--RICHARD FORD--HORACE TWISS--JOHN STERLING--MR. +GLADSTONE--DEATH OF SOUTHEY, ETC. + + +In November 1840 a tall athletic gentleman in black called upon Mr. +Murray offering a MS. for perusal and publication. George Borrow had +been a travelling missionary of the Bible Society in Spain, though in +early life he had prided himself on being an athlete, and had even taken +lessons in pugilism from Thurtell, who was a fellow-townsman. He was a +native of Dereham, Norfolk, but had wandered much in his youth, first +following his father, who was a Captain of Militia. He went from south +to north, from Kent to Edinburgh, where he was entered as pupil in the +High School, and took part in the "bickers" so well described by Sir +Walter Scott. Then the boy followed the regiment to Ireland, where he +studied the Celtic dialect. From early youth he had a passion, and an +extraordinary capacity, for learning languages, and on reaching manhood +he was appointed agent to the Bible Society, and was sent to Russia to +translate and introduce the Scriptures. While there he mastered the +language, and learnt besides the Solavonian and the gypsy dialects. He +translated the New Testament into the Tartar Mantchow, and published +versions from English into thirty languages. He made successive visits +into Russia, Norway, Turkey, Bohemia, Spain and Barbary. In fact, the +sole of his foot never rested. While an agent for the Bible Society in +Spain, he translated the New Testament into Spanish, Portuguese, Romany, +and Basque--which language, it is said, the devil himself never could +learn--and when he had learnt the Basque he acquired the name of +Lavengro, or word-master. + +Such was George Borrow when he called upon Murray to offer him the MSS. +of his first book, "The Gypsies in Spain." Mr. Murray could not fail to +be taken at first sight with this extraordinary man. He had a splendid +physique, standing six feet two in his stockings, and he had brains as +well as muscles, as his works sufficiently show. The book now submitted +was of a very uncommon character, and neither the author nor the +publisher was very sanguine about its success. Mr. Murray agreed, after +perusal, to print and publish 750 copies of "The Gypsies in Spain," and +divide the profits with the author. But this was only the beginning, and +Borrow reaped much better remuneration from future editions of the +volume. Indeed, the book was exceedingly well received, and met with a +considerable sale; but not so great as his next work, "The Bible in +Spain," which he was now preparing. + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. _August_ 23, 1841. + +"A queer book will be this same 'Bible in Spain,' containing all my +queer adventures in that queer country whilst engaged in distributing +the Gospel, but neither learning, nor disquisition, fine writing, or +poetry. A book with such a Bible and of this description can scarcely +fail of success. It will make two nice foolscap octavo volumes of about +500 pages each. I have not heard from Ford since I had last the pleasure +of seeing you. Is his book out? I hope that he will not review the +'Zincali' until the Bible is forthcoming, when he may, if he please, +kill two birds with one stone. I hear from Saint Petersburg that there +is a notice of the 'Zincali' in the _Revue Britannique_; it has been +translated into Russian. Do you know anything about it?" + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT, _January_ +1842. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +We are losing time. I have corrected seven hundred consecutive pages of +MS., and the remaining two hundred will be ready in a fortnight. I do +not think there will be a dull page in the whole book, as I have made +one or two very important alterations; the account of my imprisonment at +Madrid cannot fail, I think, of being particularly interesting.... +During the last week I have been chiefly engaged in horse-breaking. A +most magnificent animal has found his way to this neighbourhood--a +half-bred Arabian. He is at present in the hands of a low horse-dealer, +and can be bought for eight pounds, but no one will have him. It is said +that he kills everybody who mounts him. I have been _charming_ him, and +have so far succeeded that he does not fling me more than once in five +minutes. What a contemptible trade is the author's compared with that of +the jockey's! + +Mr. Borrow prided himself on being a horse-sorcerer, an art he learned +among the gypsies, with whose secrets he claimed acquaintance. He +whispered some unknown gibberish into their ears, and professed thus to +tame them. + +He proceeded with "The Bible in Spain." In the following month he sent +to Mr. Murray the MS. of the first volume. To the general information as +to the contents and interest of the volume, he added these words: + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_February_, 1842. + +"I spent a day last week with our friend Dawson Turner at Yarmouth. What +capital port he keeps! He gave me some twenty years old, and of nearly +the finest flavour that I ever tasted. There are few better things than +old books, old pictures, and old port, and he seems to have plenty of +all three." + +_May_ 10, 1842. + +"I am coming up to London tomorrow, and intend to call at Albemarle +Street.... I make no doubt that we shall be able to come to terms; I +like not the idea of applying to second-rate people. I have been +dreadfully unwell since I last heard from you--a regular nervous attack; +at present I have a bad cough, caught by getting up at night in pursuit +of poachers and thieves. A horrible neighbourhood this--not a magistrate +that dares to do his duty. + +"P.S.--Ford's book not out yet?" + +There seems to have been some difficulty about coming to terms. Borrow +had promised his friends that his book should be out by October 1, and +he did not wish them to be disappointed: + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_July_ 4, 1842. + +Why this delay? Mr. Woodfall [the printer] tells me that the state of +trade is wretched. Well and good! But you yourself told me so two months +ago, when you wrote requesting that I would give you the preference, +provided I had not made arrangements with other publishers. Between +ourselves, my dear friend, I wish the state of the trade were ten times +worse than it is, and then things would find their true level, and an +original work would be properly appreciated, and a set of people who +have no pretensions to write, having nothing to communicate but +tea-table twaddle, could no longer be palmed off upon the public as +mighty lions and lionesses. But to the question: What are your +intentions with respect to "The Bible in Spain"? I am a frank man, and +frankness never offends me. Has anybody put you out of conceit with the +book? There is no lack of critics, especially in your neighbourhood. +Tell me frankly, and I will drink your health in Rommany. Or, would the +appearance of "The Bible" on the first of October interfere with the +Avatar, first or second, of some very Lion or Divinity, to whom George +Borrow, who is neither, must, of course, give place? Be frank with me, +my dear sir, and I will drink your health in Rommany and Madeira. + +In case of either of the above possibilities being the fact, allow me to +assure you that I am quite willing to release you from your share of the +agreement into which we entered. At the same time, I do not intend to +let the work fall to the ground, as it has been promised to the public. +Unless you go on with it, I shall remit Woodfall the necessary money for +the purchase of paper, and when it is ready offer it to the world. If it +be but allowed fair play, I have no doubt of its success. It is an +original book, on an original subject. Tomorrow, July 5, I am +thirty-nine. Have the kindness to drink my health in Madeira. + +Ever most sincerely yours, + +GEORGE BORROW. + +Terms were eventually arranged to the satisfaction of both parties. +Borrow informed Murray that he had sent the last proofs to the printer, +and continued: + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_November_ 25, 1842. + +Only think, poor Allan Cunningham dead! A young man, only fifty-eight, +strong and tall as a giant, might have lived to a hundred and one; but +he bothered himself about the affairs of this world far too much. That +statue shop [of Chantrey's] was his bane! Took to bookmaking +likewise--in a word, was too fond of Mammon. Awful death--no +preparation--came literally upon him like a thief in the dark. I'm +thinking of writing a short life of him; old friend of twenty years' +standing. I know a good deal about him; "Traditional Tales," his best +work, first appeared in _London Magazine_, Pray send Dr. Bowring a copy +of the Bible-another old friend. Send one to Ford, a capital fellow. God +bless you--feel quite melancholy. + +Ever yours, + +G. BORROW. + +"The Bible in Spain" was published towards the end of the year, and +created a sensation. It was praised by many critics, and condemned by +others, for Borrow had his enemies in the press. + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray, Junior_. + +LOWESTOFT, _December_ 1, 1842. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I received your kind letter containing the bills. It was very friendly +of you, and I thank you, though, thank God, I have no Christmas bills to +settle. Money, however, always acceptable. I dare say I shall be in +London with the entrance of the New Year; I shall be most happy to see +you, and still more your father, whose jokes do one good. I wish all the +world were as gay as he; a gentleman drowned himself last week on my +property, I wish he had gone somewhere else. I can't get poor Allan out +of my head. When I come up, intend to go and see his wife. What a woman! +I hope our book will be successful. If so, shall put another on the +stocks. Capital subject; early life, studies, and adventures; some +account of my father, William Taylor, Whiter, Big Ben, etc., etc. Had +another letter from Ford; wonderful fellow; seems in high spirits. +Yesterday read "Letters from the Baltic"; much pleased with it; very +clever writer; critique in _Despatch_ harsh and unjust; quite uncalled +for; blackguard affair altogether. + +I remain, dear Sir, ever yours, + +GEORGE BORROW, + +_December_ 31, 1842. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have great pleasure in acknowledging your very kind letter of the +28th, and am happy to hear that matters are going on so prosperously. It +is quite useless to write books unless they sell, and the public has of +late become so fastidious that it is no easy matter to please it. With +respect to the critique in the _Times_, I fully agree with you that it +was harsh and unjust, and the passages selected by no means calculated +to afford a fair idea of the contents of the work. A book, however, like +"The Bible in Spain" can scarcely be published without exciting +considerable hostility, and I have been so long used to receiving hard +knocks that they make no impression upon me. After all, the abuse of the +_Times_ is better than its silence; it would scarcely have attacked the +work unless it had deemed it of some importance, and so the public will +think. All I can say is, that I did my best, never writing but when the +fit took me, and never delivering anything to my amanuensis but what I +was perfectly satisfied with. You ask me my opinion of the review in the +_Quarterly_. Very good, very clever, very neatly done. Only one fault to +find--too laudatory. I am by no means the person which the reviewer had +the kindness to represent me. I hope you are getting on well as to +health; strange weather this, very unwholesome, I believe, both for man +and beast: several people dead, and great mortality amongst the cattle. +Am tolerably well myself, but get but little rest--disagreeable +dreams--digestion not quite so good as I could wish; been on the water +system--won't do; have left it off, and am now taking lessons in +singing. I hope to be in London towards the end of next month, and +reckon much upon the pleasure of seeing you. On Monday I shall mount my +horse and ride into Norwich to pay a visit to a few old friends. +Yesterday the son of our excellent Dawson Turner rode over to see me; +they are all well, it seems. Our friend Joseph Gurney, however, seems to +be in a strange way--diabetes, I hear. I frequently meditate upon "The +Life," and am arranging the scenes in my mind. With best remembrances to +Mrs. M. and all your excellent family, + +Truly and respectfully yours, + +GEORGE BORROW. + +Mr. Richard Ford's forthcoming work--"The Handbook for Spain"--about +which Mr. Borrow had been making so many enquiries, was the result of +many years' hard riding and constant investigation throughout Spain, one +of the least known of all European countries at that time. Mr. Ford +called upon Mr. Murray, after "The Bible in Spain" had been published, +and a copy of the work was presented to him. He was about to start on +his journey to Heavitree, near Exeter. A few days after his arrival Mr. +Murray received the following letter from him: + +_Mr. Richard Ford to John Murray_. + +"I read Borrow with great delight all the way down per rail, and it +shortened the rapid flight of that velocipede. You may depend upon it +that the book will sell, which, after all, is the rub. It is the +antipodes of Lord Carnarvon, and yet how they tally in what they have in +common, and that is much--the people, the scenery of Galicia, and the +suspicions and absurdities of Spanish Jacks-in-office, who yield not in +ignorance or insolence to any kind of red-tapists, hatched in the +hot-beds of jobbery and utilitarian mares-nests ... Borrow spares none +of them. I see he hits right and left, and floors his man wherever he +meets him. I am pleased with his honest sincerity of purpose and his +graphic abrupt style. It is like an old Spanish ballad, leaping in _res +medias_, going from incident to incident, bang, bang, bang, hops, steps, +and jumps like a cracker, and leaving off like one, when you wish he +would give you another touch or _coup de grâce_ ... He really sometimes +puts me in mind of Gil Blas; but he has not the sneer of the Frenchman, +nor does he gild the bad. He has a touch of Bunyan, and, like that +enthusiastic tinker, hammers away, _à la Gitano_, whenever he thinks he +can thwack the Devil or his man-of-all-work on earth--the Pope. Therein +he resembles my friend and everybody's friend--_Punch_--who, amidst all +his adventures, never spares the black one. However, I am not going to +review him now; for I know that Mr. Lockhart has expressed a wish that I +should do it for the _Quarterly Review_. Now, a wish from my liege +master is a command. I had half engaged myself elsewhere, thinking that +he did not quite appreciate such a _trump_ as I know Borrow to be. He is +as full of meat as an egg, and a fresh laid one--not one of your Inglis +breed, long addled by over-bookmaking. Borrow will lay you golden eggs, +and hatch them after the ways of Egypt; put salt on his tail and secure +him in your coop, and beware how any poacher coaxes him with 'raisins' +or reasons out of the Albemarle preserves. When you see Mr. Lockhart +tell him that I will do the paper. I owe my entire allowance to the _Q. +R_. flag ... Perhaps my understanding the _full force_ of this 'gratia' +makes me over partial to this wild Missionary; but I have ridden over +the same tracks without the tracts, seen the same people, and know that +_he_ is true, and I believe that he believes all that he writes to be +true." + +Mr. Lockhart himself, however, wrote the review for the _Quarterly_ (No. +141, December 1842). It was a temptation that he could not resist, and +his article was most interesting. "The Gypsies in Spain" and "The Bible +in Spain" went through many editions, and there is still a large demand +for both works. Before we leave George Borrow we will give a few +extracts from his letters, which, like his books, were short, abrupt, +and graphic. He was asked to become a member of the Royal Institution. + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_February_ 26, 1843. + +"I should like to become a member. The thing would just suit me, more +especially as they do not want _clever_ men, but _safe_ men. Now, I am +safe enough; ask the Bible Society, whose secrets I have kept so much to +their satisfaction, that they have just accepted at my hands an English +Gypsy Gospel gratis. What would the Institution expect me to write? I +have exhausted Spain and the Gypsies, though an essay on Welsh language +and literature might suit, with an account of the Celtic tongue. Or, +won't something about the ancient North and its literature be more +acceptable? I have just received an invitation to join the Ethnological +Society (who are they?), which I have declined. I am at present in great +demand; a bishop has just requested me to visit him. The worst of these +bishops is that they are skin-flints, saving for their families. Their +cuisine is bad, and their port wine execrable, and as for their +cigars!--I say, do you remember those precious ones of the Sanctuary? A +few days ago one of them turned up again. I found it in my great-coat +pocket, and thought of you. I have seen the article in the _Edinburgh_ +about the Bible--exceedingly brilliant and clever, but rather too +epigrammatic, quotations scanty and not correct. Ford is certainly a +most astonishing fellow; he quite flabbergasts me--handbooks, review's, +and I hear that he has just been writing a 'Life of Velasquez' for the +'Penny Cyclopaedia'!" + + +OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT, _March_ 13, 1843. + +"So the second edition is disposed of. Well and good. Now, my dear +friend, have the kindness to send me an account of the profits of it and +let us come to a settlement. Up to the present time do assure you I have +not made a penny by writing, what with journeys to London and tarrying +there. Basta! I hate to talk of money matters. + +"Let them call me a nonentity if they will; I believe that some of those +who say I am a phantom would alter their tone provided they were to ask +me to a good dinner; bottles emptied and fowls devoured are not exactly +the feats of a phantom: no! I partake more of the nature of a Brownie or +Robin Goodfellow--goblins, 'tis true, but full of merriment and fun, and +fond of good eating and drinking. Occasionally I write a page or two of +my life. I am now getting my father into the Earl of Albemarle's +regiment, in which he was captain for many years. If I live, and my +spirits keep up tolerably well, I hope that within a year I shall be +able to go to press with something which shall beat the 'Bible in +Spain.'" + +And a few days later: + +"I have received your account for the two editions. I am perfectly +satisfied. We will now, whenever you please, bring out a third edition. + +"The book which I am at present about will consist, if I live to finish +it, of a series of Rembrandt pictures, interspersed here and there with +a Claude. I shall tell the world of my parentage, my early thoughts and +habits, how I become a _sap-engro,_ or viper-catcher: my wanderings with +the regiment in England, Scotland, and Ireland, in which last place my +jockey habits first commenced: then a great deal about Norwich, Billy +Taylor, Thurtell, etc.: how I took to study and became a _lav-engro._ +What do you think of this for a bill of fare? I am now in a blacksmith's +shop in the south of Ireland taking lessons from the Vulcan in horse +charming and horse-shoe making. By the bye, I wish I were acquainted +with Sir Robert Peel. I could give him many a useful hint with respect +to Ireland and the Irish. I know both tolerably well. Whenever there's a +row, I intend to go over with Sidi Habesmith and put myself at the head +of a body of volunteers." + +During the negotiations for the publication of Mr. Horace Twiss's "Life +of the Earl of Eldon," Mr. Murray wrote to Mr. Twiss: + +_John Murray to Mr. Twiss_. + +_May_ 11, 1842. + +"I am very sorry to say that the publishing of books at this time +involves nothing but loss, and that I have found it absolutely +necessary to withdraw from the printers every work that I had in the +press, and to return to the authors any MS. for which they required +immediate publication." + +Mr. Murray nevertheless agreed to publish the "Life of Eldon" on +commission, and it proved very successful, going through several +editions. + +Another work offered to Mr. Murray in 1841 was "The Moor and the Loch," +by John Colquhoun, of Luss. He had published the first edition at +Edinburgh through Mr. Blackwood; and, having had some differences with +that publisher, he now proposed to issue the second edition in London. +He wrote to Mr. Murray desiring him to undertake the work, and received +the following reply: + +_John Murray to Mr. Colquhoun_. + +_March_ 16, 1841. + +SIR, + +I should certainly have had much pleasure in being the original +publisher of your very interesting work "The Moor and the Loch," but I +have a very great dislike to the _appearance even_ of interfering with +any other publisher. Having glass windows, I must not throw stones. With +Blackwood, indeed, I have long had particular relations, and they for +several years acted as my agents in Edinburgh; so pray have the kindness +to confide to me the cause of your misunderstanding with that house, and +let me have the satisfaction of at least trying in the first place to +settle the matter amicably. In any case, however, you may rely upon all +my means to promote the success of your work, the offer of which has +made me, dear Sir, + +Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +_Mr. Colquhoun to John Murray_. + +_March_ 20, 1841. + +DEAR SIR, + +I am much obliged by your note which I received yesterday. I shall +endeavour to see you directly, and when I explain the cause of my +dissatisfaction with Messrs. Blackwood, I am sure you will at once see +that it would be impossible for us to go on comfortably together with my +second edition; and even if any adjustment was brought about, I feel +convinced that the book would suffer. I do not mean to imply anything +against the Messrs. Blackwood as men of business, and should be sorry to +be thus understood; but this case has been a peculiar one, and requires +too long an explanation for a letter. In the meantime I have written to +you under the strictest confidence, as the Messrs. B. are not aware of +my intention of bringing out a second edition at the present time, or of +my leaving them. My reasons, however, are such that my determination +cannot be altered; and I hope, after a full explanation with you, that +we shall at once agree to publish the book with the least possible +delay. I shall be most happy to return your note, which you may +afterwards show to Messrs. B., and I may add that had you altogether +refused to publish my book, it could in no way have affected my decision +of leaving them. + +I remain, dear Sir, faithfully yours, + +JOHN COLQUHOUN. + +Mr. Colquhoun came up expressly to London, and after an interview with +Mr. Murray, who again expressed his willingness to mediate with the +Edinburgh publishers, Mr. Colquhoun repeated his final decision, and Mr. +Murray at length agreed to publish the second edition of "The Moor and +the Loch." It may be added that in the end Mr. Colquhoun did, as urged +by Murray, return to the Blackwoods, who still continue to publish his +work. + +Allan Cunningham ended his literary life by preparing the "Memoirs" of +his friend Sir David Wilkie. Shortly before he undertook the work he had +been prostrated by a stroke of paralysis, but on his partial recovery he +proceeded with the memoirs, and the enfeebling effects of his attack may +be traced in portions of the work. Towards the close of his life Wilkie +had made a journey to the East, had painted the Sultan at +Constantinople, and afterwards made his way to Smyrna, Rhodes, Beyrout, +Jaffa, and Jerusalem. He returned through Egypt, and at Alexandria he +embarked on board the _Oriental_ steamship for England. While at +Alexandria, he had complained of illness, which increased, partly in +consequence of his intense sickness at sea, and he died off Gibraltar on +June 1, 1841, when his body was committed to the deep. Turner's splendid +picture of the scene was one of Wilkie's best memorials. A review of +Allan Cunningham's work, by Mr. Lockhart, appeared in the _Quarterly_, +No. 144. Previous to its appearance he wrote to Mr. Murray as follows: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_February_ 25, 1843. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I don't know if you have read much of "The Life of Wilkie." All +Cunningham's part seems to be wretched, but in the "Italian and Spanish +Journals and Letters" Wilkie shines out in a comparatively new +character. He is a very eloquent and, I fancy, a deep and instructive +critic on painting; at all events, Vol. ii. is full of very high +interest.... Is there anywhere a good criticism on the alteration that +Wilkie's style exhibited after his Italian and Spanish tours? The +general impression always was, and I suppose will always be, that the +change was for the worse. But it will be a nice piece of work to account +for an unfortunate change being the result of travel and observation, +which we now own to have produced such a stock of admirable theoretical +disquisition on the principles of the Art. I can see little to admire or +like in the man Wilkie. Some good homely Scotch kindness for kith and +kin, and for some old friends too perhaps; but generally the character +seems not to rise above the dull prudentialities of a decent man in awe +of the world and the great, and awfully careful about No. 1. No genuine +enjoyment, save in study of Art, and getting money through that study. +He is a fellow that you can't suppose ever to have been drunk or in +love--too much a Presbyterian Elder for either you or me. + +Mr. Murray received a communication (December 16, 1841), from Mr. John +Sterling, Carlyle's friend, with whom he had had transactions on his own +account. "Not," he said, "respecting his own literary affairs, but those +of a friend." The friend was Mr. John Stuart Mill, son of the historian +of British India. He had completed his work on Logic, of which Mr. +Sterling had the highest opinion. He said it had been the "labour of +many years of a singularly subtle, patient, and comprehensive mind. It +will be our chief speculative monument of this age." Mr. Mill himself +addressed Mr. Murray, first on December 20, 1841, while he was preparing +the work for the press, and again in January and February, 1842, when he +had forwarded the MS. to the publisher, and requested his decision. We +find, however, that Mr. Murray was very ill at the time; that he could +not give the necessary attention to the subject; and that the MS. was +eventually returned. + +When Copyright became the subject of legislation in 1843, Mr. Murray +received a letter from Mr. Gladstone. + +_Mr. Gladstone to John Murray_. + +WHITEHALL, _February_ 6, 1843. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I beg leave to thank you for the information contained in and +accompanying your note which reached me on Saturday. The view with which +the clauses relating to copyright in the Customs Act were framed was +that those interested in the exclusion of pirated works would take care +to supply the Board of Customs from time to time with lists of all works +under copyright which were at all likely to be reprinted abroad, and +that this would render the law upon the whole much more operative and +more fair than an enormous catalogue of all the works entitled to the +privilege, of which it would be found very difficult for the officers at +the ports to manage the use. + +Directions in conformity with the Acts of last Session will be sent to +the Colonies. + +But I cannot omit to state that I learn from your note with great +satisfaction, that steps are to be taken here to back the recent +proceedings of the Legislature. I must not hesitate to express my +conviction that what Parliament has done will be fruitless, unless the +_law_ be seconded by the adoption of such modes of publication, as will +allow the public here and in the colonies to obtain possession of new +and popular English works at moderate prices. If it be practicable for +authors and publishers to make such arrangements, I should hope to see a +great extension of our book trade, as well as much advantage to +literature, from the measures that have now been taken and from those +which I trust we shall be enabled to take in completion of them; but +unless the proceedings of the trade itself adapt and adjust themselves +to the altered circumstances, I can feel no doubt that we shall relapse +into or towards the old state of things; the law will be first evaded +and then relaxed. + +I am, my dear Sir, + +Faithfully yours, + +W.E. GLADSTONE. + +Here it is fitting that a few paragraphs should be devoted to the +closing years of Robert Southey, who for so many years had been the +friend and coadjutor of the publisher of the _Quarterly_. + +Between 1808 and 1838, Southey had written ninety-four articles for the +_Quarterly_; the last was upon his friend Thomas Telford, the engineer, +who left him a legacy. He had been returned Member of Parliament for +Downton (before the Reform Bill passed), but refused the honour--a +curious episode not often remembered in the career of this distinguished +man of letters. When about fifty-five years old, his only certain source +of income was from his pension, from which he received £145, and from +his laureateship, which was £90. But the larger portion of these sums +went in payment for his life insurance, so that not more than £100 could +be calculated on as available. His works were not always profitable. In +one year he only received £26 for twenty-one of his books, published by +Longman. + +Murray gave him £1,000 for the copyright of the "Peninsular War"; but +his "Book of the Church" and his "Vindiciae" produced nothing. + +Southey's chief means of support was the payments (generally £100 for +each article) which he received for his contributions to the +_Quarterly_; but while recognizing this, as he could not fail to do, as +well as Murray's general kindness towards him, he occasionally allowed a +vein of discontent to show itself even in his acknowledgment of favours +received. + +In 1835 Southey received a pension of £300 from the Government of Sir +Robert Peel. He was offered a Baronetcy at the same time, but he +declined it, as his circumstances did not permit him to accept the +honour. + +_Mr. Southey to John Murray_. + +_June_ 17, 1835. + +"What Sir Robert Peel has done for me will enable me, when my present +engagements are completed, to employ the remainder of my life upon those +works for which inclination, peculiar circumstances, and long +preparation, have best qualified me. They are "The History of Portugal," +"The History of the Monastic Orders," and "The History of English +Literature," from the time when Wharton breaks off. The possibility of +accomplishing three such works at my age could not be dreamt of, if I +had not made very considerable progress with one, and no little, though +not in such regular order, with the others." + +Shortly after his second marriage, Southey's intellect began to fail +him, and he soon sank into a state of mental imbecility. He would wander +about his library, take down a book, look into it, and then put it back +again, but was incapable of work. When Mr. Murray sent him the octavo +edition of the "Peninsular War," his wife answered: + +_Mrs. Southey to John Murray_. + +GRETA HALL, _May_ 15, 1840. + +If the word _pleasure_ were not become to me as a _dead letter, I_ +should tell you with how much I took possession of your kind gift. But I +_may_ tell you truly that it gratified, and more than gratified me, by +giving pleasure to my dear husband, as a token of your regard for him, +so testified towards myself. The time is not far passed when we should +have rejoiced together like children over such an acquisition. + +Yours very truly and thankfully, + +CAR. SOUTHEY. + +_May_ 23, 1840. + +DEAR SIR, + +Very cordially I return your friendly salutations, feeling, as I do, +that every manifestation of kindness for my husband's sake is more +precious to me than any I could receive for my own exclusively. +Two-and-twenty years ago, when he wished to put into your hands, as +publisher, a first attempt of mine, of which he thought better than it +deserved, he little thought in that so doing he was endeavouring to +forward the interests of his future wife; of her for whom it was +appointed (a sad but honoured lot) to be the companion of his later +days, over which it has pleased God to cast the "shadow before" of that +"night in which no man can work." But twelve short months ago he was +cheerfully anticipating (in the bright buoyancy of his happy nature) a +far other companionship for the short remainder of our earthly sojourn; +never forgetting, however, that ours must be short at the longest, and +that "in the midst of life we are in death." He desires me to thank you +for your kind expressions towards him, and to be most kindly remembered +to you. Your intimation of the favourable progress of his 8vo "Book of +the Church" gave him pleasure, and he thanks you for so promptly +attending to his wishes about a neatly bound set of his "Peninsular +War." Accept my assurances of regard, and believe me to be, dear Sir, + +Yours very truly, + +CAROLINE SOUTHEY. + +On September 17, 1840, Mr. Murray sent to Mr. Southey a draft for £259, +being the balance for his "Book of the Church," and informed him that he +would be pleased to know that another edition was called for. Mrs. +Southey replied: + +_Mrs. Southey to John Murray_. + +"He made no remark on your request to be favoured with any suggestions +he might have to offer. _My_ sad persuasion is that Robert Southey's +works have received their last revision and correction from his mind and +pen." + +GRETA HALL, _October 5_, 1840. + +DEAR SIR, + +I will not let another post go out, without conveying to you my thanks +for your very kind letter last night received. It will gratify you to +know that its contents (the copy of the critique included), aroused and +fixed Mr. Southey's attention more than anything that has occurred for +months past--gratifying him, I believe, far more than anything more +immediately concerning himself could have done. "Tell Murray," he said, +"I am very much obliged to him." It is long since he has sent a message +to friend or relation. + +Now let me say for myself that I am very thankful to _you_--very +thankful to my indulgent reviewer--and that if I could yet feel interest +about anything of my own writing, I should be pleased and encouraged by +his encomium--as well as grateful for it. But if it did _not sound +thanklessly_, I should say, "too late--too late--it comes too late!" +and that bitter feeling came upon me so suddenly, as my eyes fell upon +the passage in question, that they overflowed with tears before it was +finished. + +But he _did take interest in_ it, at least for a few moments, and so it +was not _quite_ too late; and (doing as I _know he would have me)_, I +shall act upon your most _kind_ and _friendly_ advice, and transmit it +to Blackwood, who will, I doubt not, be willingly guided by it. + +It was one of my husband's pleasant visions before our marriage, and his +favourite prospect, to publish a volume of poetry conjointly with me, +not weighing the disproportion of talent. + +I must tell you that immediately on receiving the _Review_, I should +have written to express my sense of your kindness, and of the flattering +nature of the critique; but happening to _tell_ Miss Southey and her +brother that you had sent it me, as I believed, as an obliging personal +attention, they assured me I was mistaken, and that the numbers were +only intended for "their set." Fearing, therefore, to arrogate to myself +more than was designed for me, I kept silence; and now expose _my +simplicity_ rather than _leave_ myself _open_ to the imputation of +unthankfulness. Mr. Southey desires to be very kindly remembered to you, +and I am, my dear Sir, + +Very thankfully and truly yours, Car. Southey. + +P.S.--I had almost forgotten to thank you for so kindly offering to send +the _Review_ to any friends of mine, I may wish to gratify. I _will_ +accept the proffered favour, and ask you to send one addressed to Miss +Burnard, Shirley, Southampton, Hants. The other members of my family and +most of my friends take the _Q.R._, or are sure of seeing it. This last +number is an excellent one. + +Southey died on March 21, 1843. The old circle of friends was being +sadly diminished. "Disease and death," his old friend Thomas Mitchell, +one of the survivors of the early contributors to the _Quarterly_, wrote +to Murray, "seem to be making no small havoc among our literary +men--Maginn, Cunningham, Basil Hall, and poor Southey, worst of all. +Lockhart's letters of late have made me very uneasy, too, about him. Has +he yet returned from Scotland, and is he at all improved?" Only a few +months later Mr. Murray himself was to be called away from the scene of +his life's activity. In the autumn of 1842 his health had already begun +to fail rapidly, and he had found it necessary to live much out of +London, and to try various watering-places; but although he rallied at +times sufficiently to return to his business for short periods, he never +recovered, and passed away in sleep on June 27, 1843, at the age of +sixty-five. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +JOHN MURRAY AS A PUBLISHER + + +In considering the career of John Murray, the reader can hardly fail to +be struck with the remarkable manner in which his personal qualities +appeared to correspond with the circumstances out of which he built his +fortunes. + +When he entered his profession, the standard of conduct in every +department of life connected with the publishing trade was determined by +aristocratic ideas. The unwritten laws which regulated the practice of +bookselling in the eighteenth century were derived from the Stationers' +Company. Founded as it had been on the joint principles of commercial +monopoly and State control, this famous organization had long lost its +old vitality. But it had bequeathed to the bookselling community a large +portion of its original spirit, both in the practice of cooperative +publication which produced the "Trade Books," so common in the last +century, and in that deep-rooted belief in the perpetuity of copyright, +which only received its death-blow from the celebrated judgment of the +House of Lords in the case of Donaldson _v_. Becket in 1774. Narrow and +exclusive as they may have been in their relation to the public +interest, there can be no doubt that these traditions helped to +constitute, in the dealings of the booksellers among themselves, a +standard of honour which put a certain curb on the pursuit of private +gain. It was this feeling which provoked such intense indignation in the +trade against the publishers who took advantage of their strict legal +rights to invade what was generally regarded as the property of their +brethren; while the sense of what was due to the credit, as well as to +the interest, of a great organized body, made the associated +booksellers zealous in the promotion of all enterprises likely to add to +the fame of English literature. + +Again, there was something, in the best sense of the word, aristocratic +in the position of literature itself. Patronage, indeed, had declined. +The patron of the early days of the century, who, like Halifax, sought +in the Universities or in the London Coffee-houses for literary talent +to strengthen the ranks of political party, had disappeared, together +with the later and inferior order of patron, who, after the manner of +Bubb Dodington, nattered his social pride by maintaining a retinue of +poetical clients at his country seat. The nobility themselves, absorbed +in politics or pleasure, cared far less for letters than their fathers +in the reigns of Anne and the first two Georges. Hence, as Johnson said, +the bookseller had become the Maecenas of the age; but not the +bookseller of Grub Street. To be a man of letters was no longer a +reproach. Johnson himself had been rewarded with a literary pension, and +the names of almost all the distinguished scholars of the latter part of +the eighteenth century--Warburton, the two Wartons, Lowth, Burke, Hume, +Gibbon, Robertson--belong to men who either by birth or merit were in a +position which rendered them independent of literature as a source of +livelihood. The author influenced the public rather than the public the +author, while the part of the bookseller was restricted to introducing +and distributing to society the works which the scholar had designed. + +Naturally enough, from such conditions arose a highly aristocratic +standard of taste. The centre of literary judgment passed from the +half-democratic society of the Coffee-house to the dining-room of +scholars like Cambridge or Beauclerk; and opinion, formed from the +brilliant conversation at such gatherings as the Literary Club; +afterwards circulated among the public either in the treatises of +individual critics, or in the pages of the two leading Monthly Reviews. +The society from which it proceeded, though not in the strict sense of +the word fashionable, was eminently refined and widely representative; +it included the politician, the clergyman, the artist, the connoisseur, +and was permeated with the necessary leaven of feminine intuition, +ranging from the observation of Miss Burney or the vivacity of Mrs. +Thrale, to the stately morality of Mrs. Montagu and Mrs. Hannah More. + +On the other hand, the whole period of Murray's life as a publisher, +extending, to speak broadly, from the first French Revolution to almost +the eve of the French Revolution of 1848, was characterized in a marked +degree by the advance of Democracy. In all directions there was an +uprising of the spirit of individual liberty against the prescriptions +of established authority. In Politics the tendency is apparent in the +progress of the Reform movement. In Commerce it was marked by the +inauguration of the Free Trade movement. In Literature it made itself +felt in the great outburst of poetry at the beginning of the century, +and in the assertion of the superiority of individual genius to the +traditional laws of form. + +The effect produced by the working of the democratic spirit within the +aristocratic constitution of society and taste may without exaggeration +be described as prodigious. At first sight, indeed, there seems to be a +certain abruptness in the transition from the highly organized society +represented in Boswell's "Life of Johnson," to the philosophical +retirement of Wordsworth and Coleridge. It is only when we look beneath +the surface that we see the old traditions still upheld by a small class +of Conservative writers, including Campbell, Rogers, and Crabbe, and, as +far as style is concerned, by some of the romantic innovators, Byron, +Scott, and Moore. But, generally speaking, the age succeeding the first +French Revolution exhibits the triumph of individualism. Society itself +is penetrated by new ideas; literature becomes fashionable; men of +position are no longer ashamed to be known as authors, nor women of +distinction afraid to welcome men of letters in their drawing-rooms. On +all sides the excitement and curiosity of the times is reflected in the +demand for poems, novels, essays, travels, and every kind of imaginative +production, under the name of _belles lettres_. + +A certain romantic spirit of enterprise shows itself in Murray's +character at the very outset of his career. Tied to a partner of a petty +and timorous disposition, he seizes an early opportunity to rid himself +of the incubus. With youthful ardour he begs of a veteran author to be +allowed the privilege of publishing, as his first undertaking, a work +which he himself genuinely admired. He refuses to be bound by mere +trading calculations. "The business of a publishing bookseller," he +writes to a correspondent, "is not in his shop, or even in his +connections, but in his brains." In all his professional conduct a +largeness of view is apparent. A new conception of the scope of his +trade seems early to have risen in his mind, and he was perhaps the +first member of the Stationers' craft to separate the business of +bookselling from that of publishing. When Constable in Edinburgh sent +him "a miscellaneous order of books from London," he replied: "Country +orders are a branch of business which I have ever totally declined as +incompatible with my more serious plans as a publisher." + +With ideas of this kind, it may readily be imagined that Murray was not +what is usually called "a good man of business," a fact of which he was +well aware, as the following incident, which occurred in his later +years, amusingly indicates. + +The head of one of the larger firms with which he dealt came in person +to Albemarle Street to receive payment of his account. This was duly +handed to him in bills, which, by some carelessness, he lost on his way +home, He thereupon wrote to Mr. Murray, requesting him to advertise in +his own name for the lost property. Murray's reply was as follows: + +TWICKENHAM, _October_ 26, 1841. + +MY DEAR-----, + +I am exceedingly sorry for the vexatious, though, I hope, only temporary +loss which you have met with; but I have so little character for being a +man of business, that if the bills were advertised in _my_ name it would +be publicly confirming the suspicion--but in your own name, it will be +only considered as a very extraordinary circumstance, and I therefore +give my impartial opinion in favour of the latter mode. Remaining, my +dear-----, + +Most truly yours, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +The possession of ordinary commercial shrewdness, however, was by no +means the quality most essential for successful publishing at the +beginning of the nineteenth century. Both Constable and Ballantyne were +men of great cleverness and aptitude for business; but, wanting certain +higher endowments, they were unable to resist the whirl of excitement +accompanying an unprecedented measure of financial success. Their ruin +was as rapid as their rise. To Murray, on the other hand, perhaps their +inferior in the average arts of calculation, a vigorous native sense, +tempering a genuine enthusiasm for what was excellent in literature, +gave precisely that mixture of dash and steadiness which was needed to +satisfy the complicated requirements of the public taste. + +A high sense of rectitude is apparent in all his business transactions; +and Charles Knight did him no more than justice in saying that he had +"left an example of talent and honourable conduct which would long be a +model for those who aim at distinction in the profession." He would have +nothing to do with what was poor and shabby. When it was suggested to +him, as a young publisher, that his former partner was ready to bear +part of the risk in a contemplated undertaking, he refused to associate +his fortunes with a man who conducted his business on methods that he +did not approve. "I cannot allow my name to stand with his, because he +undersells all other publishers at the regular and advertised prices." +Boundless as was his admiration for the genius of Scott and Byron, he +abandoned one of the most cherished objects of his ambition-to be the +publisher of new works by the author of "Waverley"--rather than involve +himself further in transactions which he foresaw must lead to discredit +and disaster; and, at the risk of a quarrel, strove to recall Byron to +the ways of sound literature, when through his wayward genius he seemed +to be drifting into an unworthy course. + +In the same way, when the disagreement between the firms of Constable +and Longmans seemed likely to turn to his own advantage, instead of +making haste to seize the golden opportunity, he exerted himself to +effect a reconciliation between the disputants, by pointing out what he +considered the just and reasonable view of their mutual interests. The +letters which, on this occasion, he addressed respectively to Mr. A.G. +Hunter, to the Constables, and to the Longmans, are models of good sense +and manly rectitude. Nor was his conduct to Constable, after the +downfall of the latter, less worthy of admiration. Deeply as Constable +had injured him by the reckless conduct of his business, Murray not +only retained no ill-feeling against him, but, anxious simply to help a +brother in misfortune, resigned in his favour, in a manner full of the +most delicate consideration, his own claim to a valuable copyright. The +same warmth of heart and disinterested friendship appears in his efforts +to re-establish the affairs of the Robinsons after the failure of that +firm. Yet, remarkable as he was for his loyalty to his comrades, he was +no less distinguished by his spirit and independence. No man without a +very high sense of justice and self-respect could have conducted a +correspondence on a matter of business in terms of such dignified +propriety as Murray employed in addressing Benjamin Disraeli after the +collapse of the _Representative_. It is indeed a proof of power to +appreciate character, remarkable in so young a man, that Disraeli +should, after all that had passed between them, have approached Murray +in his capacity of publisher with complete confidence. He knew that he +was dealing with a man at once shrewd and magnanimous, and he gave him +credit for understanding how to estimate his professional interest apart +from his sense of private injury. + +Perhaps his most distinguishing characteristic as a publisher was his +unfeigned love of literature for its own sake. His almost romantic +admiration for genius and its productions raised him above the +atmosphere of petty calculation. Not unfrequently it of course led him +into commercial mistakes, and in his purchase of Crabbe's "Tales" he +found to his cost that his enthusiastic appreciation of that author's +works and the magnificence of his dealings with him were not the measure +of the public taste. Yet disappointments of this kind in no way +embittered his temper, or affected the liberality with which he treated +writers like Washington Irving, of whose powers he had himself once +formed a high conception. The mere love of money indeed was never an +absorbing motive in Murray's commercial career, otherwise it is certain +that his course in the suppression of Byron's Memoirs would have been +something very different to that which he actually pursued. On the +perfect letter which he wrote to Scott, presenting him with his fourth +share in "Marmion," the best comment is the equally admirable letter in +which Scott returned his thanks. The grandeur--for that seems the +appropriate word--of his dealings with men of high genius, is seen in +his payments to Byron, while his confidence in the solid value of +literary excellence appears from the fact that, when the _Quarterly_ was +not paying its expenses, he gave Southey for his "Life of Nelson" double +the usual rate of remuneration. No doubt his lavish generosity was +politic as well as splendid. This, and the prestige which he obtained as +Byron's publisher, naturally drew to him all that was vigorous and +original in the intellect of the day, so that there was a general desire +among young authors to be introduced to the public under his auspices. +The relations between author and publisher which had prevailed in the +eighteenth century were, in his case, curiously inverted, and, in the +place of a solitary scholar like Johnson, surrounded by an association +of booksellers, the drawing-room of Murray now presented the remarkable +spectacle of a single publisher acting as the centre of attraction to a +host of distinguished writers. + +In Murray the spirit of the eighteenth century seemed to meet and +harmonize with the spirit of the nineteenth. Enthusiasm, daring, +originality, and freedom from conventionality made him eminently a man +of his time, and, in a certain sense, he did as much as any of his +contemporaries to swell that movement in his profession towards complete +individual liberty which had been growing almost from the foundation of +the Stationers' Company. On the other hand, in his temper, taste, and +general principles, he reflected the best and most ancient traditions of +his craft. Had his life been prolonged, he would have witnessed the +disappearance in the trade of many institutions which he reverenced and +always sought to develop. Some of them, indeed, vanished in his own +life-time. The old association of booksellers, with its accompaniment of +trade-books, dwindled with the growth of the spirit of competition and +the greater facility of communication, so that, long before his death, +the co-operation between the booksellers of London and Edinburgh was no +more than a memory. Another institution which had his warm support was +the Sale dinner, but this too has all but succumbed, of recent years, to +the existing tendency for new and more rapid methods of conducting +business. The object of the Sale dinner was to induce the great +distributing houses and the retail booksellers to speculate, and buy an +increased supply of books on special terms. Speculation has now almost +ceased in consequence of the enormous number of books published, which +makes it difficult for a bookseller to keep a large stock of any single +work, and renders the life of a new book so precarious that the demand +for it may at any moment come to a sudden stop. + +The country booksellers--a class in which Murray was always deeply +interested--are dying out. Profits on books being cut down to a minimum, +these tradesmen find it almost impossible to live by the sale of books +alone, and are forced to couple this with some other kind of business. + +The apparent risk involved in Murray's extraordinary spirit of adventure +was in reality diminished by the many checks which in his day operated +on competition, and by the high prices then paid for ordinary books. Men +were at that time in the habit of forming large private libraries, and +furnishing them with the sumptuous editions of travels and books of +costly engraving issued from Murray's press. The taste of the time has +changed. Collections of books have been superseded, as a fashion, by +collections of pictures, and the circulating library encourages the +habit of reading books without buying them. Cheap bookselling, the +characteristic of the age, has been promoted by the removal of the tax +on paper, and by the fact that paper can now be manufactured out of +refuse at a very low cost. This cheapness, the ideal condition for which +Charles Knight sighed, has been accompanied by a distinct deterioration +in the taste and industry of the general reader. The multiplication of +reviews, magazines, manuals, and abstracts has impaired the love of, and +perhaps the capacity for, study, research, and scholarship on which the +general quality of literature must depend. Books, and even knowledge, +like other commodities, may, in proportion to the ease with which they +are obtained, lose at once both their external value and their intrinsic +merit. + +Murray's professional success is sufficient evidence of the extent of +his intellectual powers. The foregoing Memoir has confined itself almost +exclusively to an account of his life as a publisher, and it has been +left to the reader's imagination to divine from a few glimpses how much +of this success was due to force of character and a rare combination of +personal qualities. A few concluding words on this point may not be +inappropriate. + +Quick-tempered and impulsive, he was at the same time warm-hearted and +generous to a fault, while a genuine sense of humour, which constantly +shows itself in his letters, saved him many a time from those troubles +into which the hasty often fall. "I wish," wrote George Borrow, within a +short time of the publisher's death, "that all the world were as gay as +he." + +He was in some respects indolent, and not infrequently caused serious +misunderstandings by his neglect to answer letters; but when he did +apply himself to work, he achieved results more solid than most of his +compeers. He had, moreover, a wonderful power of attraction, and both in +his conversation and correspondence possessed a gift of felicitous +expression which rarely failed to arouse a sympathetic response in those +whom he addressed. Throughout "the trade" he was beloved, and he rarely +lost a friend among those who had come within his personal influence. + +He was eager to look for, and quick to discern, any promise of talent in +the young. "Every one," he would say, "has a book in him, or her, if one +only knew how to extract it," and many was the time that he lent a +helping hand to those who were first entering on a literary career. + +To his remarkable powers as a host, the many descriptions of his dinner +parties which have been preserved amply testify; he was more than a mere +entertainer, and took the utmost pains so to combine and to place his +guests as best to promote sympathetic conversation and the general +harmony of the gathering. Among the noted wits and talkers, moreover, +who assembled round his table he was fully able to hold his own in +conversation and in repartee. + +On one occasion Lady Bell was present at one of these parties, and +wrote: "The talk was of wit, and Moore gave specimens. Charles thought +that our host Murray said the best things that brilliant night." + +Many of the friends whose names are most conspicuous in these pages had +passed away before him, but of those who remained there was scarcely one +whose letters do not testify to the general affection with which he was +regarded. We give here one or two extracts from letters received during +his last illness. + +Thomas Mitchell wrote to Mr. Murray's son: + +"Give my most affectionate remembrances to your father. More than once I +should have sunk under the ills of life but for his kind support and +countenance, and so I believe would many others say besides myself. Be +his maladies small or great, assure him that he has the earnest +sympathies of one who well knows and appreciates his sterling merits." + +Sir Francis Palgrave, who had known Mr. Murray during the whole course +of his career, wrote to him affectionately of "the friendship and +goodwill which," said he, "you have borne towards me during a period of +more than half my life. I am sure," he added, "as we grow older we find +day by day the impossibility of finding _any_ equivalent for old +friends." Sharon Turner also, the historian, was most cordial in his +letters. + +"Our old friends," he said, "are dropping off so often that it becomes +more and more pleasing to know that some still survive whom we esteem +and by whom we are not forgotten.... Certainly we can look back on each +other now for forty years, and I can do so as to you with great pleasure +and satisfaction, when, besides the grounds of private satisfaction and +esteem, I think of the many works of great benefit to society which you +have been instrumental in publishing, and in some instances of +suggesting and causing. You have thus made your life serviceable to the +world as well as honourable to yourself.... You are frequently in my +recollections, and always with those feelings which accompanied our +intercourse in our days of health and activity. May every blessing +accompany you and yours, both here and hereafter." + +It was not only in England that his loss was felt, for the news of his +death called forth many tokens of respect and regard from beyond the +seas, and we will close these remarks with two typical extracts from the +letters of American correspondents. + +To Mr. Murray's son, Dr. Robinson of New York summed up his qualities in +these words: + +"I have deeply sympathised with the bereaved family at the tidings of +the decease of one of whom I have heard and read from childhood, and to +whose kindness and friendship I had recently been myself so much +indebted. He has indeed left you a rich inheritance, not only by his +successful example in business and a wide circle of friends, but also +in that good name which is better than all riches. He lived in a +fortunate period--his own name is inseparably connected with one of the +brightest eras of English literature--one, too, which, if not created, +was yet developed and fostered by his unparalleled enterprise and +princely liberality. I counted it a high privilege to be connected with +him as a publisher, and shall rejoice in continuing the connection with +his son and successor." + + +Mrs. L.H. Sigourney wrote from Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.: + +"Your father's death is a loss which is mourned on this side of the +Atlantic. His powerful agency on the patronage of a correct literature, +which he was so well qualified to appreciate, has rendered him a +benefactor in that realm of intellect which binds men together in all +ages, however dissevered by political creed or local prejudice. His +urbanity to strangers is treasured with gratitude in many hearts. To me +his personal kindness was so great that I deeply regretted not having +formed his acquaintance until just on the eve of my leaving London. But +his parting gifts are among the chief ornaments of my library, and his +last letter, preserved as a sacred autograph, expresses the kindness of +a friend of long standing, and promises another 'more at length,' which, +unfortunately, I had never the happiness of receiving." + + +THE END + + + + +INDEX + + +Abercorn, Marq. and Marchioness of, +Allegra, death of; buried at Harrow, +Athenaeum Club, +Austen, Miss Jane, "Northanger + Abbey,"; Novels published + by Murray, +Austria, Empress of, + +Baillie, Miss Joanna, +Ballantyne & Co. (John & James), + bill transactions with Murray; + partnership with + Scott; proposed edition of + "British Novelists,"; Works + of De Foe; James B. meets + Murray at Boroughbridge; + appointed Edinburgh agents for + _Q.R._; views on _Q.R._; + close alliance with Murray; + financial difficulties; + breach with Murray; failure + of _Edinburgh Ann. Reg_.; + "Waverley,"; "Lord of the + Isles,"; "Don Roderick,"; + Scott's proposed letters + from the Continent; proposal + to Murray and Blackwood + about Scott's works; in + debt to Scott; "Tales of + my Landlord," "The Black + Dwarf,"; bankruptcy; + death of John Ballantyne, +Barker, Miss, +Barrow, Sir John, induced by + Canning to write for _Q. R_.; + visit to Gifford; consulted + by Murray about voyages or + travels; nicknamed "Chronometer" + by B. Disraeli, +Bartholdy, Baron, +Barton, Bernard, +Basevi, junr., George, +Bastard, Capt., +Beattie, Dr., +Bedford, Grosvenor, +Bell, Lady, +Bell & Bradfute, +Bellenden, Mary, +Belzoni, Giovanni, +Berry, Miss, edits "Horace Walpole's + Reminiscences," +Blackwood, William, appointed + Murray's Agent for Scotland; + visits Murray; intimacy with + Murray; early career; + threatens Constable with proceedings + for printing Byron's + "Poems,"; refuses to sell + "Don Juan,"; alliance and + correspondence with Murray; + Ballantyne's proposals + about Scott's works; _Blackwood's + Magazine_ started; + Murray's remonstrance about the + personality of articles; + Hazlitts libel action; + interested with Murray in various + works, +_Blackwood's Magazine_ started + (first called _Edinburgh Magazine_); + article attacking + Byron; "Ancient Chaldee + MS.,"; "The Cockney + School of Poetry,"; personality + of articles,; + "Hypocrisy Unveiled," etc.; + Murray retires from--Cadell and + Davies appointed London Agents + for, +Blessington, Countess of, "Conversations + with Lord Byron," +Blewitt, Octavian, +Borrow, George, + his youth; + capacity for learning languages; + appointed Agent to the Bible Society--Russia, Norway, Turkey and Spain, + his translation of the Bible; + called Lavengro, + his splendid physique, + "Gypsies of Spain," + "The Bible in Spain," + as a horse-breaker, + remarks on Allan Cunningham's death, + asked to become a member of the Royal Institution, +"Boswell's Johnson," + Croker's edition of, +Bray, Mrs., +Brockedon, William, + his portrait of the Countess Guiccioli, + his help in Murray's Handbooks, +Brougham, Lord, + his article in _Ed. Rev._ on Dr. Young's theory of light, + Chairman of the Society for the diffusion of Useful Knowledge, +Broughton, Lord, _see_ Hobhouse. +Buccleuch, Duke of, + his present of a farm to James Hogg, +Butler, Charles, + "Books on the R. Cath. Church," +Burney, Dr., +Buxton, Thos. Powell, + "Slave Trade and its Remedy," +Byron, Lord, + first association and meeting with Murray, + "Childe Harold," + presented to Prince Regent, + friendship with Scott, + "Giaour," "Bride of Abydos," + "Corsair," + "Ode to Napoleon," + "Lara," + marriage, + meets Scott at Murray's house, + remarks on Battle of Waterloo, + portrait by Phillips, + kindness to Maturin, + dealings with Murray, + residence in Piccadilly, + pecuniary embarrassments, + Murray's generous offer, + Murray's remonstrance, + "Siege of Corinth" and "Parisina," + separation from wife, + sale of effects, + "Sketch from Private Life," + leaves England, + "Childe Harold" and "Prisoner of Chillon," + remarks on Scott's Review of "Childe Harold," Canto III., + "Manfred," + attack of fever at Venice, + "Childe Harold," Canto IV., + visit from Hobhouse, + his bust by Thorwaldsen, + correspondence with Murray in 1817 to 1822, + "Beppo," + Frere's "Whistlecraft," + at Venice, + opinion of Southey, + "Don Juan," Cantos I. and II.; + Murray's suggestions as to, + hatred of Romilly, + "Letter of Julia," + "Mazeppa," "Ode to Venice," + Copyright of "Don Juan," + Countess Guiccioli: proposal to visit S. America, + "Don Juan," Cantos III. and IV., + "Don Juan," Canto V., + Murray's refusal to publish further Cantos of "Don Juan," + "My boy Hobby O!" + Hobhouse's anger, + Whig Club at Cambridge, + pamphlet on "Bowles' strictures," + "Sardanapalus," + "The Two Foscari," "Cain, a Mystery," + injunction in case of "Cain," + death and burial of Allegra, + illness, and last letter to Murray, + adopts Hato or Hatagée, + the Suliotes incident, + death: Murray's application for his burial in Westminster Abbey refused, + Memoirs and Moore, + destruction of Memoirs, + agreement between Moore and Murray, + Moore undertakes to write "Life," + Murray's negotiations with Moore as to "Life," + agreement as to "Life," + Vol. I. of "Life" published, + Vol. II., + Murray's proposed edition of his works, + Thorwaldsen's statue refused by Dean of Westminster, + attempt to alter Dean's decision; + the statue placed in library of Trinity College, Cambridge, +Byron, Lady, her offer to Murray + for redemption of Byron's Memoirs, + +Cadell & Davies, appointed London Agents + for _Blackwood's Magazine_, +Callcott, Lady, _see_ Graham, Mrs. +Campbell, Thomas, "Pleasures o + Hope," "Hohenlinden," "The + Exile of Erin," "Ye Mariners of + England," "Battle of the Baltic," + "Lochiel's Warning"; correspondence + with Scott; intimacy + with Murray; + proposed "Selection from British + Poets"; "Gertrude + of Wyoming"; Lectures on + Poetry; "Now Barabbas + was a Publisher"; his + opinion of Mrs. Hemans's "Records + of Woman," +Canning, George, starts _Anti-Jacobin_; + assists in starting _Quarterly Review_; + article in _Q.R._ on "Austrian + State Papers"; on Spain; + views on the Royal Society + of Literature; opinion of + "Waverley"; letters from + Gifford; called "X." + by Benjamin Disraeli, +Canning, Stratford, "The Miniature"; + connection with + _Q.R._; introduces Gifford + to Murray; his mission to + Constantinople, +Carlyle, Thomas, recommended to + Murray by Lord Jeffrey; + correspondence with Murray + about "Sartor Resartus"; + "Sartor Resartus" declined + by other publishers; + returns to Craigenputtock; + "Sartor Resartus" published in + _Fraser's Magazine_, and, through + Emerson's influence, in United + States, +Cawthorn, publisher of "English + Bards and Scotch Reviewers," +Cervetto, +Chantrey, Sir F., calls Murray "a + brother Cyclops," _note_ +Chesterfield, Lord, +Cleghorn, James, Editor of _Blackwood's + Magazine_, +Colburn, the publisher, "Vivian + Grey"; declines "Sartor + Resartus," +Coleridge, John Taylor; appointed + Editor to _Quarterly + Review_; wishes to resign + editorship, +Coleridge, Samuel Taylor; + correspondence with Murray; + Goethe's "Faust"; + "Wallenstein"; "The + Friend"; "Remorse," + "Glycine," "Christabel," + "Christmas Tale," "Zapolya"; + opinion of Frere, +Colman's Comedy, "John Bull," +Colquhoun, Rt. Hon. J.C. (Lord + Advocate), +Colquhoun, John, "The Moor and + the Loch"; correspondence + with Murray; dissatisfaction + with Blackwood; visit to + London and interview with + Murray, +Constable, Archibald (Constable & + Co.); _Farmer's Magazine, + Scots Magazine, Edinburgh + Review_; his partner, + A.G. Hunter; appointed + Murray's agent; "Sir Tristram" + and "Lay of the Last + Minstrel"; breach with + Longman; injunction as to + _Edin. Rev._ obtained by Longman; + letter from Jeffrey; + Murray's remonstrances as to + drawing bills; + establishes London House; + breach with Murray; + final breach with Murray; + fresh alliance with Scott; + Campbell's "Selections from the British Poets"; + Poems by Byron on his Domestic Circumstances; + Mrs. Markham's "History of England"; + bankruptcy; + renews friendship with Murray; + death, +Cooper, James Fenimore, +Coplestone, +Copyright Bill, the, Mr. Gladstone's remarks on, +Coxe, Archdeacon, +Crabbe, "Tales of the Hall," and other poems, +Creech and Elliot +Croker, Crofton +Croker, John Wilson, + visit to Prince Regent, + portrait by Eddis, + "Stories for Children on Hist. of England", + on "Don Juan" and Byron, + takes charge of _Q.R._ during Gifford's illness, + views on the _Monthly Register_, + edits Lady Hervey's Letters, + opinion of the Waldegrave and Walpole Memoirs, + edits the Suffolk Papers, + edits Mrs. Delany's Letters, + Lockhart's opinion of him, + "Boswell's Johnson", + opinion of Moore's "Life of Byron", + Moore's "Life of Lord Fitzgerald" +Cumberland, Richard, + "John de Lancaster" +Cumming, Thomas +Cunningham, Allan, + "Paul Jones: a Romance", + his death, + "Memoirs of Sir D. Wilkie", + Lockhart's article in _Q.R._ on the "Memoirs" +Cunningham, Rev. J.W., + and the burial of Allegra at Harrow +Cuthill + +Dacre, Lady (Mrs. Wilmot) +Dagley (the engraver) +Dallas, Mr. +Davies, Annie, + Gifford's housekeeper +Davy, Sir Humphry, + "Salmonia, or Days of Fly-Fishing" +D'Haussez, Baron +Delany, Mrs. +De Quincy +De Staël, Madame, + ordered to quit Paris, + a frequenter of Murray's drawing-room +Disraeli, Benjamin, + "Aylmer Papillon," "History of Paul Jones", + correspondence with Murray, + pamphlets on Mining Speculations, + connection with Messrs. Powles, + partner with Murray and Powles in _Representative_, + letters to Murray on the _Representative_ negotiations, + description of York Cathedral, + visits Lockhart, + interview with Scott at Chiefswood, + second visit to Scotland, and exertions on behalf of _Representative_ + drops his connection with _Representative_, + "Vivian Grey" and "Contarini Fleming", + renewal of correspondence with Murray, + travels in Spain, etc., + Radical candidate for Wycombe, + attended by Tita (Byron's Gondolier), + "Gallomania", + publishes reply to criticisms on "Gallomania" +D'Israeli, Isaac, + "Curiosities of Literature", + friendship with Murray, + "Flim-Flams", + birth of his son Benjamin, + Murray's marriage-settlement, + Trustee, + advice about _Q.R._, + "Calamities of Authors", + "Character of James I.", + impromptu on Belzoni, + meets Washington Irving at Murray's, + consulted by Murray as to _Representative_, + proposed pamphlet on his misunderstanding with Murray +D'Oyley, Rev. Dr. +Dudley, Lord, + his "Letters" + +Eastlake, Sir Charles L., + "Translation of Memoirs of the Carbonari", + Mrs. Graham's interest in +Eaton, Mrs. +Ebrington, Lord +_Edinburgh Annual Register_ +_Edinburgh Magazine_ and _Review_ +_Edinburgh Review_ started, + published by Murray, + its great success, + injunction obtained by Longman, + Jeffrey, editor of, + articles on "Marmion", + on "Don Cevallos on the Occupation of Spain" +Eldon, Lord, + on copyright of "Cain" +Elliot, Miss; + marries John Murray II. +Elliot, Charles +Ellis, George; letters from + Scott; friendship with + Scott; contributes to _Q.R._; + constant critic of the _Q. R_.; + article on Spain; + on ponderous articles in _Q.R._; + advice as to punctuality in + issuing _Q. R_. +Ellis, Sir Henry, "Embassy to China" +Emerson, friendship with Carlyle +Erskine, William +Everett, A.H. + +Faber, Rev. G.S. +Falconer, William, "The Shipwreck"; + lost at sea + "Family Library," works comprising +Fazakerly's interview with Napoleon +Ferriar, Dr., on "Apparitions" +Field, Barron +Ford's "Dramatic Works" +Ford, Richard, "Handbook to + Spain"; opinion of + Borrow +Foscolo, Ugo +Fraser, Rev. Alexander +Fraser, Mr., offers £150 for "Sartor + Resartus" +Frere, John Hookham; + Coleridge's opinion of; + his marriage; "Whistle-craft" +Froissart + +Galignani +Garden, Mrs., "Memorials of James Hogg" +Gifford, William, introduced to + Murray; accepts editorship + of _Q. R_.; advice from Scott + on _Q. R_.; Southey and + the _Q. R_.; unpunctuality as + editor; at Ryde; + George Canning and the _Q. R_.; + Southey's "Life of Nelson"; + Miss A.T. Palmer's bribe; + disagreement with Murray; + wages war with _Edin. Rev._; + relations with Murray; + opinion of Pillans; bad health; + Murray's present; + opinion of W.S. Landor; + review of Ford's "Dramatic + Works"; on Charles + Lamb--his deep grief; + opinion of "Childe Harold"; + illness and death of his + housekeeper; opinion of + Southey; memorial to his + housekeeper; libellous attack + on him; opinion of Miss + Austen's novels; of Maturin; + illness at Dover; Murray + gives him a carriage; + Byron's "unlordly scrape"; + edition of "Ben Jonson"; + illness; Croker + akes charge of _Q. R_.; + opinion of Milman's "Fall of + Jerusalem"; letter to George + Canning; resigns editorship; + declines Oxford degree; + his death and burial in + Westminster Abbey; will; + character; love for + children; venomous attack + upon him +Gladstone, Rt. Hon. W.E., Tory + member for Newark; proposal + to Murray about "Church + and State"; visit to Holland; + "Church and State" published, + and "Church Principles"; + letter to Murray on Copyright + Bill +Gleig, Rev. George +Glenbervie, Lord +Gooch, Dr., anecdote of Lord Nelson +Gordon, General Sir Robert +Graham, Mrs. (Lady Callcott); + intimacy with Murray +Grahame's "British Georgies" +Grant, Sir Robert; his articles + in _Q.R._ on "Character of the late + C.J. Fox" +Greenfield +Guiccioli, Countess; Murray's + kindness to; Brockedon's + portrait of +Gurney, Joseph +Gurwood, Col., editor of Wellington + "Despatches" + +Haber, Baron de +Hall, Capt. Basil +Hall, Sir James, +Hall, S.C., +Hallam, Henry, + friendship with Murray, + "Middle Ages," + "Constitutional History," +Hamilton, Walter, + "East India Gazetteer," + "Description of Hindostan and Adjacent Countries," +Hamilton, Sir William, +"Handbooks," Murray's, +Hanson, Mr. (Byron's solicitor), +Hastings, Warren, +Hato, or Hatagée, + Greek child adopted by Byron, +Hay, R.W., +Hazlitt, William, + his libellous pamphlet on Gifford, + action for libel against Blackwood and Murray, +Heber, Bishop (Rev. Reginald), +Heber, Richard, +Hemans, Mrs., + "Records of Woman," +Herschell, Sir John, + on Dr. Young's theory of light, +Hervey, Lady, + "Letters, etc.," +Highley, Samuel, +Hoare, Prince, + "Epochs of the Arts," +Hobhouse, John Cam (Lord Broughton), + "Journey through Albania, etc., with Lord Byron," + "Last Reign of Napoleon," + visits Byron at Venice, + his inscription for Thorwaldsen's bust of Byron, + on Byron's intention to visit S. America, + imprisoned for breach of privilege, + "My boy Hobby O!"--his account of the Whig Club at Cambridge, + Byron's executor, + anxiety about a complete edition of Byron's Works, +Hodgson, Rev. Francis, +Hogg, James, + "Ettrick Shepherd," + "The Queen's Wake," + "The Pilgrims of the Sun," + correspondence with Murray, + Duke of Buccleuch gives him a farm, + supposed to be author of "Tales of my Landlord," + contributor to _Blackwood's Magazine_, + said to be author of the "Chaldee Manuscript," + helped by Scott and Murray, + "Jacobite Relics of Scotland," +Holland, Lord, + "Life of Lope de Vega and Inez de Castro," + on Napoleon's treatment at St. Helena, + opinion of "Tales of my Landlord," + proposals to Murray about the Waldegrave and Walpole Memoirs, +Holland, Rev. W. (Canon of Chichester), +Hope, Thomas, + "Anastasius, or Memoirs of a Modern Greek, etc.," +Hoppner, Mr., +Horton, Sir Robert Wilmot, + letter from Murray with particulars of the destruction of +Byron's Memoirs, +Howard, Mrs., +Hume, Joseph, +Hunt, John, +Hunt, Leigh, + joint Editor of the _Examiner_, + in gaol for libelling Prince Regent, + correspondence with Murray about "Story of Rimini," + "Recollections of Lord Byron and some of his Contemporaries," +Hunter, Alexander G., +Hunter, Charles, +Hurst, Rohinson & Co., + +Inchbald, Mrs., +Ireland, Dr. John (Dean of Westminster), + proposed burial of Byron in the Abbey, + Gifford's executor, + Byron's statue, +Irving, Peter, +Irving, Washington, + account of a dinner at Murray's, + "Sketch Book," + "Bracebridge Hall," + letter from Murray as to _Representative_, + +Jameson, Mrs., + "Guide to the Picture Galleries of London," +Jeffrey, Francis, + Editor of _Edinburgh Review,_ + opinion of Wordsworth, Southey, and Coleridge, + Southey's opinion of him, + "Don Cevallos on the Occupation of Spain," + party politics in _Ed. Rev_., + recommends Carlyle to Murray, + his interview with Murray, +Jerdan, William + his erroneous account in _Literary Gazette_ of destruction + of Byron's Memoirs, + on Gifford, + +Kean, Charles, + in "Bertram," + in "Manuel," +Keats' "Endymion" reviewed in _Q.R._, +Kerr, William, +Kerr, Robert, +Kinnaird, Honble. Douglas, and "Childe Harold," + letter to Murray, +Kinneir, Macdonald, "Persia," +Kingsburg, Miss Harriet (Mrs. Maturin), +Knight, Charles, + "Library of Entertaining Knowledge," + remarks on Murray's honourable conduct, +Knight, H. Gally, + +Lamb, Lady Caroline, + "Glenarvon," + opinion of Byron's works, + correspondence with Murray, + "Penruddock," + "Ada Reis," +Lamb, Charles, +Lamb, Honble. George, +Lamb, Honble. William (Lord Melbourne), +Lamennais' "Paroles d'un Croyant," +Landor, W.S., "Remarks upon C.J. Fox's Memoirs," +Lauderdale, Lord, +Lavater on Physiognomy, +Leigh, Honble. Augusta, her wish that Byron's Memoirs should be + destroyed, +Levinge, Godfrey, +Leyden's "Africa," +Lieven, Prince, +Lindo, Mr. and Mrs., +Llandaff, Bishop of, "Lord Dudley's Letters," +Lockhart, John, the "Littlejohn," to whom Scott's "Tales of a +Grandfather" were addressed, +Lockhart, John Gibson, contributor to _Blackwood's Magazine_, + article on "The Cockney School of Poetry," + challenges the anonymous author of "Hypocrisy Unveiled, etc.," + called "M." by B. Disraeli, + at Chiefswood, + B. Disraeli's visit, + editorship of _Representative_ offered to him, + Scott's opinion of him, 261, 273 + accepts editorship of _Q.R._, + his success as Editor of _Q.R._, + relations with Murray, + opinion of Wordsworth's poems, + visit to Brighton with Scott, + interview with Duke of Wellington, + at Abbotsford, + Scott's death: writes his "Life," + remarks on Croker's edition of "Boswell's Johnson," + on Taylor's "Isaac Comnenus," + "Life of Napoleon," + opinion of early part of Moore's "Life of Byron," + opinion of "Contarini Fleming," + article on Borrow's "Bible in Spain," + on Wilkie, + his illness, +Longman & Co., + breach with Constable, + Murray's intervention, + injunction as to _Edin. Rev_., + accept £1,000 for claim on _Edin. Rev_., + Coleridge's "Wallenstein," + offer to Campbell, + Crabbe's poems declined, + advertise an edition of Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic Cookery," + injunction granted to Murray, + refuse to publish "Sartor Resartus," +Longman, Thos., on the danger of reading in bed, +Lyndhurst, Lord, +Lyttelton, Lord, "Dialogues of the Dead," "History of King Henry II.," + +Maas, of Coblentz, +Macaulay, Lord, his articles in _Edin. Rev_., on Crokers's "Boswell's +Johnson," + Gladstone's "Church and State," +Macirone, Col. +Mackay, the actor +Mackintosh, Sir James +Macleod, John, + "Voyage of H.M.S. _Alceste_ to Loochoo" +Macready, W.C. +Maginn, Dr. +Magnus, Samuel, + his testimonial to Dean Milman +Mahon, Lord (Earl Stanhope) +Malcolm, Sir John + "Sketch of the Sikhs" +Malthus, + "Rent," "Corn-Laws," "Essay on Population" +Markham, Mrs., + "History of England" +Mason, Rev. William (T. Gray's executor) + controversy with Murray +Maturin, Rev. Chas. Robert + his early life and marriage; "The Fatal Revenge," "The Wild Irish +Boy," "The Milesian Chief," "Bertram" + "Bertram" at Drury Lane + "Manuel" + his death +Maule, William +Mavrocordato, Prince +Mawman, Joseph +Medwin, Capt. Thomas, + "Conversations of Lord Byron" +Melbourne, Lord (_see_ Lamb) +Mémoires pour servir +Milbanke, Miss +Mill, James, + "History of British India" +Mill, John Stuart +Miller, John +Miller, Robert +Miller, William, + of Albemarle Street +Mills, James +Milman, Dean (Rev. H.H.) + "Fall of Jerusalem" + one of Murray's Historians + "History of Christianity" + "History of the Jews" received with disapprobation; his remarks +on Sharon Turner's Expostulation; testimonial from the Jews + opinion of "Contarini Fleming" +Mirza, Abul Hassan, + impressions of English Society +Mitchell, Thomas + impressions of Ugo Foscolo + opinion of Murray +Mitford, + "History of Greece" +_Monthly Register_ +Moore, Thomas + opinion of "The Corsair" + presented with Byron's Memoirs + offers them to Longman + accepted by Murray + their destruction + reconciled to Murray and undertakes "Life of Byron" + his views on Cookery Books and on Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic +Cookery" + agreement with Murray as to "Life of Byron," receives £3,000 +from Murray for "Life" + Lockhart's opinion of the "Life" + Vol. I. of "Life" published + Vol. II. of "Life" published; Mrs. Somerville's opinion of it + "Thoughts on Editors" + Murray's proposal as to a complete edition of Byron's works +Morgan, Lady +Morier, James, + "Hajji Baba" +Morritt, + of Rokeby Park +Murat, King of Naples +Murray, Sir George +Murray, Joe (Byron's Steward) +Murray I., John. + 1745-68--His birth and early years + 1768--Marriage and retirement from Royal Marines + offers partnership to W. Falconer + purchases W. Sandby's business + early publications + 1769-70--Support from Sir R. Gordon and his old comrades + money difficulties + agents in Ireland and Scotland + 1771--Defence of Sir R. Gordon + 1777-78--Second marriage + controversy with Rev. W. Mason + 1782-93--Paralytic stroke + his son's education and character + Dr. Johnson's funeral + illness and death +Murray II., John + called by Lord Byron "The Anax of Publishers," + nicknamed "The Emperor of the West," + 1778-92--Birth, + at Edinburgh High School, + at school at Margate, + at school at Gosport, + sight of one eye destroyed, + 1793--At school at Kennington, + 1795--Enters his father's business firm of Murray & Highley, + 1802--Dissolves partnership with Highley and starts business + alone, + 1803--Offers to publish Colman's Comedy "John Bull," + money difficulties, + military duties, + friendship with Isaac D'Israeli, + Isaac D'Israeli's "Narrative Poems," + business transactions with Constable, + appoints Constable his agent in Edinburgh; + pushes sale of _Edinburgh Review_, + 1804--Birth of Benjamin Disraeli, + takes Charles Hunter as apprentice, + 1805--Isaac D'Israeli's letters to him, + attempts to reconcile Constable and Longman, + expedition to Edinburgh, + attachment to Miss Elliot, + 1806--The "Miniature" and Stratford Canning, + introduced to George Canning, + close attention to business, + visits Edinburgh, + engagement to Miss Elliot, + financial position, + appointed publisher of _Edinburgh Review_, + Campbell's proposed Magazine and "Selection from British Poets," + 1807--Marries Miss Elliot, + I. D'Israeli one of his Trustees, + friendship with Sharon Turner, + injunction in the matter of the _Edinburgh Review_, + remonstrates with Constable about drawing bills, + breach with Constable, + bill transactions with Ballantyne, + writes to George Canning proposing a new Review, + 1808--"Marmion" and friendship with Scott, + proposed edition of the "British Novelists," + De Foe's works, + introduced to Gifford by Stratford Canning, + visits Scott at Ashestiel, + correspondence about _Quarterly Review_, + Gifford accepts editorship, + Missionary Reports and Southey's article in + _Q.R._, + article on Spain for _Q.R._ by Canning, Gifford, and Ellis, + correspondence with Mrs. Inchbald, + 1809--Meets Ballantyne at Boroughbridge, + appoints Ballantyne Edinburgh publisher + of _Q.R._, + Scott's _Life of Swift_, + _Q.R._, No. 1 published, + urges Scott to visit London, + letter to Stratford Canning, + exertions to procure contributors, + Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic Cookery," + close alliance with Ballantyne, + Grahame's "British Georgies" and Scott's "English Ministrelsy," + financial difficulties with Ballantyne, + letter from Campbell on "Selection from British Poets," + Campbell's Gertrude of "Wyoming," + 1810--Breach with Ballantyne, + appoints W. Blackwood his agent in Scotland, + Southey's "Life of Nelson," + money difficulties--Ballantyne's bills, + transfers printing business, + Constable's bills, + decrease in circulation of _Q.R._, + 1811--Relations with Gifford, + improvement of _Q.R._, + generosity to Gifford, + origin of his connection with Byron, + "Childe Harold," + 1812--Ballantyne's bills again, + purchases stock of Miller, + of Albemarle Street, + removes to Albemarle Street, + Constable's bills, + final breach with Constable, + complete success of _Q.R._ + refuses "The Rejected Addresses," + 1813--"The Giaour," and "The Bride of Abydos," + Sir J. Malcolm, + I. D'Israeli's "Calamities of Authors," + Scott's bill transactions, + Mme. de Staël at Albemarle Street, + other books published by him during the year, + 1814--"The Corsair," + "Ode to Napoleon," + "Lara and Jacqueline," + Mrs. Murray's visit to Leith, + letters to Mrs. Murray, + visit from Blackwood, + dines with I. D'Israeli, + education of his son John, + visit to D'Israeli at Brighton, + description of Newstead Abbey, + Byron's skull-cup, + trip to Edinburgh, + alliance with Blackwood, + visit to Abbotsford, + shares in Scott's "Don Roderick," + correspondence with Coleridge, + 1815--Drawing-room in Albemarle Street, + Mme. de Staël, + first meeting of Scott and Byron, + Napoleon's escape from Elba, + sends first news of Battle of Waterloo to Blackwood, + literary parties, + portraits of distinguished men, + trip to Paris, + Scott's proposed letters from the Continent, + Napoleon's personal correspondence with crowned heads, etc., of + Europe, + publishes Miss Austen's "Emma," + begins to publish Malthus' works, + correspondence with Leigh Hunt as to the "Story of Rimini," + correspondence with James Hogg, + dealings with Byron, + his liberal offer to Byron, + "Siege of Corinth" and "Parisina," + remonstrates with Byron, + correspondence with Blackwood, + other books published by him during the year, + 1816--Kindness to Rev. C.R. Maturin, + Coleridge's "Glycine: a Song," "Remorse," "Zapolya," "Christabel," +and "Christmas Tale," + correspondence with Leigh Hunt, + Gifford's illness, + gives Gifford a carriage, + entrusted with sale of Byron's books and furniture, + buys some of Byron's books, the large screen (now at Albemarle +Street), and silver cup, + Byron's "Sketch from Private Life," + Byron leaves England, + "Childe Harold" and "The Prisoner of Chillon," + letter to Byron on the "Monody on Sheridan," + "Tales of my Landlord," + correspondence with Lady Byron and Lady C. Lamb, + Ballantyne's proposal about Scott's works, + his assistance to Hogg, + other books published by him during the year, + 1817--Correspondence with Coleridge, + Scott's review of "Childe Harold," Canto III., + letters from Lady C. Lamb, + "Manfred," + "Manuscrit venu de Ste. Hèléne," + "Childe Harold," Canto IV., + Captain Basil Hall's "Fragments of Voyages and Travels," + correspondence with Lady Abercorn, + Giovanni Belzoni, + Washington Irving at Albemarle Street, + other books published by him during the year, + 1818--"Beppo," + visit to Scott, + "Don Juan," Canto I., + takes share in + _Blackwood's Magazine_, + remonstrances with Blackwood on the personality of the Magazine +Articles, + the anonymous pamphlet "Hypocrisy Unveiled," + assailed by a pamphlet, entitled "A Letter to Mr. John Murray +of Albemarle Street, etc.," + Hazlitt's libel action, + correspondence with Scott, + friendship with Hallam--publishes "Middle Ages," + the proposed _Monthly Register_, + Crabbe's "Tales of the Hall," and other poems, + Rev. H.H. Milman + 1819--Campbell's "Selections from British Poets," + suggestions to Byron about "Don Juan," Canto II., + "Mazeppa" and "The Ode to Venice," + Blackwood refuses to sell "Don Juan," + copyright of "Don Juan" infringed--injunction applied for and +granted; + retires from _Blackwood's Magazine_, + transfers his Scottish Agency to Oliver and Boyd, + Thomas Hope's "Anastasius," + threatened by Colonel Macirone with libel action, + verdict in his favour, + buys house at Wimbledon, + literary levées at Albemarle Street, + his acquaintance with Ugo Foscolo + 1820--"Don Juan, Cantos III. and IV.," + Hobhouse's anger--the "My boy Hobby O!" incident, + Milman's "Fall of Jerusalem," + B. Disraeli first mentioned, + Washington Irving's "Sketch-Book," + other books published by him during the year + 1821--Cantos III., IV., and V. of "Don Juan," + refuses to publish further cantos of "Don Juan," + Byron's pamphlet on Bowles, + "Sardanapalus," + "The Two Foscari," "Cain, a Mystery," + present with Scott at Coronation of George IV., + injunction in case of "Cain," + accepts Byron's "Memoirs," + Mrs. Graham's letter to him about Sir Charles Eastlake, + pirated copies of Byron's works in America and France, + injunction obtained restraining sale by Longman of Mrs. Rundell's +"Domestic Cookery," + 1822--Death of Allegra, + Milman's "Fall of Jerusalem," + intimacy with Milman, + "Bracebridge Hall," + declines James Fenimore Cooper's novels, + Ugo Foscolo + 1823--Giflord's serious illness--difficulty in choosing new Editor +for the _Q.R._, + other books published by him during the year + 1824--Closing incidents of friendship with Byron, + Byron's last letter and illness, + Byron's death, + correspondence with Dr. Ireland (Dean of Westminster) about Byron's +burial in Westminster Abbey, + destruction of Byron's Memoirs, + Moore undertakes "Life of Byron," + Mrs. Markham's "History of England," + a crisis in the _Q.R._, + John Taylor Coleridge appointed Editor of _Q.R._; + correspondence with B. Disraeli about "Aylmer Papillon" +1825--Agreement and arrangements regarding proposed morning paper, +_Representative_, + letters from B. Disraeli as to _Representative_, + I. D'Israeli's views on the _Representative_, + offers editorship of _Representative_ to Lockhart; + Scott's opinion of the scheme, + secures foreign + correspondents for _Representative_, + bears the whole expense, + appoints Lockhart Editor of _Q.R._ on Coleridge's resignation, + letters to him from Scott on Lockhart's fitness for the _Q.R._ +editorship, + letters from Lockhart, + Hallam's "Constitutional History," + renews friendship with Constable after fifteen years' interval, + other books published by him during the year, + 1826--_Representative_ started--its utter failure, + health breaks down, + commercial crisis and failure of large publishing houses, Constable + & Co., Ballantyne & Co., Hurst, Robinson & Co., and others, + helps London publishers in their difficulties, + _Representative_ ceases to exist after career of six months, + misunderstanding with I. D'Israeli, + intimacy with Lockhart, + Wordsworth's proposal to him, + 1827--Letter from his son describing Scott's acknowledgement of +the authorship of "Waverley Novels" at the Theatrical Fund dinner in +Edinburgh, + Henry Taylor's "Isaac Comnenus," + buys all Byron's works, + 1828--Offers Scott £1,250 for copyright of "History of Scotland," + "Tales of a Grandfather," + Napier's "History of Peninsular War," + the "Wellington Despatches," + "Library of Entertaining Knowledge," + negotiations with Moore as to "Life of Byron," + 1829--Resigns his share in "Marmion" to Scott, + Croker's edition of "Boswell's Johnson," + "The Family Library," + 1830--Milman's "History of the Jews," + Moore's "Life of Byron," Vol. I., + renewal of correspondence with B. Disraeli and negotiations with +him as to "Contarini Fleming: a Psychological Biography," + 1831--Moore's "Life of Byron," Vol. II., + Moore's "Thoughts on Editors," + Thomas Carlyle recommended to him by Lord Jeffrey, + "Sartor Resartus"--which he ultimately declines to publish, + 1832--Complete edition of Byron's works, + correspondence with Benjamin Disraeli about "Gallomania," + 1834--Dean of Westminster refuses his request that Thorwaldsen's +statue of Byron should be placed in Westminster Abbey, + 1836--The first Handbook to the Continent (Holland, Belgium, and + North Germany), published, + 1837--Letter to _Morning Chronicle_ on Napier's "History of the +Peninsular War," + 1838--Mr. Gladstone's "Church and State," + T. Powell Buxton's "Slave Trade and its Remedy," + Handbook to Switzerland, + 1839--Handbook to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, + 1840--Mrs. Jameson and her "Guide to the Picture Galleries of +London," + Handbook to the East, + George Borrow, + Borrow's "Gypsies of Spain," + Southey's death, + 1841--Bishop of Llandaff and "Lord Dudley's Letters," + correspondence with John Colquhoun on "The Moor and the Loch," + 1842--Handbook to Italy, + letters from George Borrow, + "The Bible in Spain" published, + Horace + Horace Twiss's "Life of Lord Eldon," + his illness, + 1843--In constant communication with Sir Robert Peel, + many of whose speeches, etc., he published, + Richard Ford's Handbook of Spain, + Mr. Gladstone on the Copyright Bill, + his failing health and death, + his dinner-parties an institution, + tokens of respect from all parts--extracts from letters + of sympathy from the Americans, Dr. Robinson and Mrs. + L.H. Sigourney, +Murray, III., John, a reader for the press at six years + old, + recollections of Scott and Byron at Albemarle Street, + present at the destruction of Byron's Memoirs, + letter from R.W. Hay on the anonymous attack on Gifford's + memory, + present at the Theatrical Fund Dinner in Edinburgh when + Scott declared himself the author of the "Waverley Novels," + the originator and author of the "Guides," + extract from his article in Murray's Magazine on the + "Handbooks," + +Napier, Macvey, +Napier, Col. W., "History of the Peninsular War," + at Strathfieldsaye with Duke of Wellington, + negotiations with Murray, +Napoleon Buonaparte, escapes from Elba, + private correspondence with crowned heads, etc., of + Europe declined by Murray, +Nelson, Lord, anecdote of, +Newton (the artist), +Nugent's "Memorials of Hampden," + +Oliver & Boyd, +Orloff, Count, +Ouseley, Sir Gore, +Owen, Robert, + his "New View of Society," + +Paget, Lieut. Henry (Murray's stepfather), +Palgrave, Sir Francis, Murray's Guide to Northern Italy, + on Murray's friendship, +Palmer, Miss Alicia T., +Parish, H., +Paul, Emperor, proposal to assist Napoleon in turning + English out of India, +Paxton, Dr. G.A., +Peel, Sir Robert, on Byron, + publishes his speeches, etc., +Perry, James, _Independent Gazette_, +Phillips, Sir Richard, 17 + "Waverley" offered to, 97 +Phillips, Thomas, his portraits, +Phillpotts, Rev. Dr. Henry (Bishop of Exeter), +Pillans, Mr., +Pindar, Peter, +Pitcairn's "Criminal Trials of Scotland," +Polidori, Dr., +Powles, J.D., +Pringle, Thomas, Editor of _Blackwood's Magazine_, +Proctor, John, + +_Quarterly Review_, proposals by Murray + to Canning, + to Scott, + Gifford accepts editorship, + letters from Scott, + his advice + to Gifford, + general arrangements, + launched, + first number appears, + first edition exhausted, + its unpunctual appearance, + Southey a constant contributor to, + its prosperity, + Sir J. Barrow's connection with, + Croker takes charge of it during Gifford's illness, + Gifford's illness and resignation, + crisis--only two numbers in 1824, + J.T. Coleridge appointed Editor, + Coleridge resigns, + Lockhart appointed Editor, + +Ramsay & Co., George, +Regent, Prince, +_Representative_, The, Murray's daily newspaper; its + projection, + first appearance and complete + failure, + ceases to exist, +Roberts, Rev. Dr. +Robinson, Dr. +Robinson, H. Crabb +Rogers, Samuel, + on _Q.R._ + opinion of "Childe Harold" + "Jacqueline" + on Crabbe's poems +Romilly, Sir S. +Royal Society of Literature +Rundell, Mrs., "Domestic Cookery" + history of the book and injunction obtained by Murray +Russell, Lord John, "Memoirs, Journals, and + Correspondence of T. Moore" + "The Affairs of Europe" + +Sandby, William +Scott, Sir Walter + "Sir Tristram," and "Lay of the Last Minstrel" + "Marmion" + "Border Minstrelsy" + partnership with Ballantyne + proposed edition of "British Novelists" + asks Southey to contribute to _Edin. Rev._ + severs his connection with Constable and _Edin. Rev._ + visit from Murray + correspondence with Murray about _Q.R._ + letter to George Ellis on Murray, etc. + views as to management of _Q.R._ + advice to Gifford + friendship with George Ellis + "Life of Swift" + a principal contributor to first number of _Q.R._ + proposed "Secret History of the Court of James I." + "Portcullis Copies" + "English Minstrelsy" + "Lady of the Lake" + Prince Regent's opinion of his poems, etc. + opinion of "Calamities of Authors" + new edition of "Lord Somers's Tracts" + Ballantyne's recklessness + at Abbotsford + fresh alliance with Constable + his writing-desk; "Waverley" (Great Unknown) + "The Lord of the Isles" + additions to Abbotsford + "Don Roderick" + meets Byron at Murray's house + portrait by Newton + trip to Belgium + proposed letters from the Continent + visit from Murray + opinion of "Cain" + "Tales of my Landlord," "The Black Dwarf" + cicerone to George IV. in Edinburgh + serious illness + assists Hogg + "Heart of Midlothian," "Rob Roy" + assists Washington Irving + nicknamed "The Chevalier" by B. Disraeli + bankruptcy of his publishers + on Lockhart's fitness for the _Q.R._ editorship + at Brighton with Lockhart; illness of his grandson + "Littlejohn" + "History of Scotland" + Cadell appointed his publisher; purchases, jointly with + Cadell, all principal copyrights of his works + Murray's transfer of his share of "Marmion" + last letter to Murray + rapid decline + death + account of his acknowledgment of the authorship of + "Waverley Novels" at the Theatrical Fund dinner + opinion of "Murray, the Emperor of the West" + advises Lockhart to undertake "Life of Napoleon" + opinion of Moore's "Life of Byron" + some of the articles he wrote for _Q.R._: Carr's + "Tour in Scotland"; "Curse of Kehama" + "Daemonology"; Miss Austen's "Emma" + "Culloden Papers"; Campbell's "Gertrude of + Wyoming"; "Childe Harold" Canto III.; + "Tales of my Grandfather"; "Lord Orford's + Letters"; "Pepys' Memoirs"; "Works + of John Home," "Planting Waste Lands," "Plantation + and Landscape Gardening," Sir Humphry Davy's + "Salmonia"; "Hajji Baba," "Ancient History + of Scotland," Southey's "Life of John Bunyan" + Pitcairn's "Criminal Trials of Scotland" +Scott, Thomas + reported to be author of "Tales of my Landlord" +Senior, Nassau, +Sewell, Rev. W., + his articles in _Q.R._ on Gladstone's "Church and State," +Shadwell, Vice-Chancellor, + on copyright of "Don Juan," + on copyright of "Cain," +Sharpe, Charles K., +Sheffield, Lord, +Shelley, Mrs., + opinion of Croker's "Boswell's Johnson," + on Moore's "Life of Byron," +Shelley's "Revolt of Islam," + Southey's attack on, +Sigourney, Mrs. L.H., + on Murray's death, +Smart, Theophilus, +Smith, Horace and James, + "Rejected Addresses," +Smith, Sydney, + "Visitation Sermon," +Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, +Somerville, Mrs., + her portrait, + opinion of Moore's "Life of Byron," +Somerville, Dr., +Sotheby, Wm., +Soult, Marshal, +Southey, Robert + Jeffrey's boast about his "Excursion," + asked by Scott to write for _Edin. Rev_., + opinion of Jeffrey, + asked to contribute to the _Q.R._, + "Life of Nelson," + "Madoc," "Thalaba," and "Curse of Kehama," + constant contributor to _Q.R._, + his income diminished by failure of _Edinburgh Annual Register_, + opinion of "Calamities of Authors," + intention about his own Memoirs, + portrait by Phillips, + asks Murray to employ Coleridge to translate Goethe's "Faust," + "Wat Tyler" ruled by Chancellor to be seditious, + "History of Peninsular War," + extracts from his letters to Murray, + "Book of the Church," + literary work, + advice as to Gifford's successor, + "Life of John Bunyan," + returned M.P. for Downton, + his _Q.R._ articles his chief means of support, + receives pension from Government, + his intellect failing, + his death, + had written ninety-four articles for _Q.R._, some of which are: + "Missionary Enterprise," + "Life of Nelson," + "Life and Achievements of Lord Wellington," + "Parliamentary Reform," + "Thomas Telford," +Southey, Mrs. (Southey's second wife), + on her husband's state, +Spanish Colonies, + emancipation of, + effect on English money market, +Staël, Madame de, _see_ De Staël. +Starke, Mrs., +Stationers' Co. in 18th century, +Sterling, John, + opinion of Mill's "Logic," +Stothard, Charles, +Suffolk, Countess of, + "The Suffolk Papers," +Suliotes, the, + +Taylor, Henry, + "Isaac Comnenus," + proposes to divide loss on his drama with Murray, + "Philip van Artevelde," +Talfourd, Serjeant, +Teignmouth, Lord, +Thackeray, W.M., + his opinion of the "Suffolk Papers," +Thomson, Dr. Thomas, + article on Kidd's "Outlines of Mineralogy," +Thorwaldsen's bust of Byron, + statue of Byron, +Ticknor, George, + impressions of Gifford, +Tita (Byron's Gondolier), +Tomline, Bishop, + "Life of William Pitt," +Townsend, Dr. George, +"Trade Books" of 18th century, +Turner, Dawson, +Turner, Sharon, + retained by Longman, + Murray's staunch friend, + criticises _Q.R._ No. 1, + on "Austrian State Papers," + opinion of Byron's "Sketch from Private Life," + copyright of "Don Juan," + poems declined by Murray, + advice + on Macirone's libel suit, + an injunction in the case of Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic Cookery," + consulted by Isaac D'Israeli as to pamphlet on quarrel with Murray, + expostulates with Murray about Milman's "History of Jews," + expression of his affection for Murray, +Turner, Mrs. Sharon, +Twiss, Horace, + "Life of the Earl of Eldon," +Tyndale, +Tytler's "History of Scotland," + +Underwood, T. and G., + +Van Zuylen, Baron, +Vere, Lady, +Volunteers, + Review of, in Hyde Park--Murray an Ensign in 3rd Regiment of Royal +London Volunteers, + +Waldegrave Memoirs, +Waldie, Miss Jane (Mrs. Eaton), + "Letters from Italy," +Walker, C.E., + "Wallace: a Historical Tragedy," +Walpole Memoirs, +Walpole, Rev. R., +Walpole's "Castle of Otranto," +Weber, Henry, + Scott's amanuensis, + "Tales of the East," +Wellington, Duke of, + witness in Macirone's libel suit, + interest in the _Q.R._, + connection with Napier's "History of Peninsular War," + "Despatches," +Whistlecraft, by J.H. Frere, +Whitaker, Rev. John, +White, Rev. J. Blanco, +Wilkie, Sir David, + his journey to the East; paints the Sultan at Constantinople, + death off Gibraltar; + Turner's picture of his funeral at sea, +Wilmot, Mrs. _see_ Dacre, Lady. +Wilson, John (Christopher North) + connection with _Blackwood's Magazine_, + article on "Childe Harold," Canto IV., + a principal writer in _Blackwood's Magazine_, + challenges anonymous author of "Hypocrisy Unveiled, etc.," + "An Hour's Tête-a-Tête with the Public" in _Blackwood's Magazine_, +Wool, Rev. J., + "Life of Joseph Wharton," +Wordsworth, William, +Wright, Mr., + his connection with the _Representative_, + +Young, Dr. Thomas, + his theory of light. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's A Publisher and His Friends, by Samuel Smiles + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PUBLISHER AND HIS FRIENDS *** + +***** This file should be named 10884-8.txt or 10884-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/8/8/10884/ + +Produced by Eric Hutton, Juliet Sutherland, Wilelmina Malliere and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + diff --git a/old/10884-8.zip b/old/10884-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c905d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10884-8.zip diff --git a/old/10884.txt b/old/10884.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6599438 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10884.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18247 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Publisher and His Friends, by Samuel Smiles + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Publisher and His Friends + Memoir and Correspondence of John Murray; With an + Account of the Origin and Progress of the House, 1768-1843 + +Author: Samuel Smiles + +Release Date: January 31, 2004 [EBook #10884] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PUBLISHER AND HIS FRIENDS *** + + + + +Produced by Eric Hutton, Juliet Sutherland, Wilelmina Malliere and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +A PUBLISHER AND HIS FRIENDS + +MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JOHN MURRAY + +WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE HOUSE, 1768-1843 + +BY THE LATE SAMUEL SMILES, LL.D. + +CONDENSED AND EDITED BY THOMAS MACKAY + +_WITH PORTRAITS_ + + + + +1911 + + + +PREFACE + + +When my Grandfather's Memoirs were published, twenty years ago, they met +with a most favourable and gratifying reception at the hands of the +public. Interest was aroused by the struggle and success of a man who +had few advantages at the outset save his own shrewd sense and generous +nature, and who, moreover, was thrown on his own resources to fight the +battle of life when he was little more than a child. + +The chief value of these volumes, however, consists in the fact that +they supply an important, if not an indispensable, chapter in the +literary history of England during the first half of the nineteenth +century. Byron and Scott, Lockhart, Croker, George Borrow, Hallam, +Canning, Gifford, Disraeli, Southey, Milman are but a few of the names +occurring in these pages, the whole list of which it would be tedious to +enumerate. + +It may be admitted that a pious desire to do justice to the memory of +John Murray the Second--"the Anax of Publishers," as Byron called +him--led to the inclusion in the original volumes of some material of +minor importance which may now well be dispensed with. + +I find, however, that the work is still so often quoted and referred to +that I have asked my friend Mr. Thomas Mackay to prepare a new edition +for the press. I am convinced that the way in which he has discharged +his task will commend itself to the reading public. He has condensed the +whole, has corrected errors, and has rewritten certain passages in a +more concise form. + +I desire to acknowledge my debt to him for what he has done, and to +express a hope that the public may extend a fresh welcome to "an old +friend with a new face." + +JOHN MURRAY. + +_December_, 1910. + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER I + +JOHN MACMURRAY OR MURRAY + +The first John Murray--An Officer of Marines--Retires from Active +Service--His marriage--Correspondence with William Falconer--Falconer's +death--Murray purchases Sandby's business--John Murray's first +publications--His writings--Mr. Kerr--Thomas Cumming goes to Ireland on +behalf of Murray--Prof. J. Millar--Mr. Whitaker--Defence of Sir R. +Gordon--Ross estate--His controversy with Mr. Mason--The Edinburgh +booksellers--Creech and Elliot--Dr. Cullen--The second John Murray--His +education--Accident to his eye--Illness and death of the elder John +Murray + +CHAPTER II + +JOHN MURRAY (II.)--BEGINNING OF HIS PUBLISHING CAREER--ISAAC D'ISRAELI, +ETC. + +John Murray the Second--"The Anax of Publishers"--His start in +business--Murray and Highley--Dissolution of the partnership--Colman's +"John Bull"--Mr. Joseph Hume--Archibald Constable--John Murray a +Volunteer--The D'Israeli family--Isaac D'Israeli's early +works--"Flim-Flams"--Birth of Benjamin D'Israeli--Projected periodical +the "Institute"--The "Miniature"--Murray's acquaintance with Canning and +Frere + +CHAPTER III + +MURRAY AND CONSTABLE--HUNTER AND THE FORFARSHIRE LAIRDS--MARRIAGE OF +JOHN MURRAY + +Archibald Constable & Co.--Alexander Gibson Hunter--The _Edinburgh +Review_--Murray's early associations with Constable--Dispute between +Longman and Constable--Murray appointed London Agent--He urges +reconciliation between Constable and Longman--Mr. Murray visits +Edinburgh--Engaged to Miss Elliot--Goes into Forfarshire--Rude +Hospitality--Murray's marriage--The D'Israelis + +CHAPTER IV + +"MARMION"--CONSTABLES AND BALLANTYNES--THE "EDINBURGH REVIEW" + +Murray's business prospects--Acquires a share of "Marmion"--Becomes London +publisher of the _Edinburgh Review_--Acquaintance with Walter +Scott--Constable's money transactions--Murray's remonstrance--He +separates from Constable--The Ballantynes--Scott joins their printing +business--Literary themes + +CHAPTER V + +ORIGIN OF THE "QUARTERLY REVIEW" + +Canning's early schemes for a Penny Newspaper--The _Anti-Jacobin_--The +_Edinburgh Review_--John Murray's letter to Mr. Canning--Walter Scott's +assistance--Southey's letter to Scott--Review of "Marmion" in the +_Edinburgh_--Murray's conditions--Meeting with James Ballantyne at +Ferrybridge--Visit to Scott at Ashestiel--Letters to Scott--Scott's +letters to Murray, Ellis, and Gifford on the _Quarterly_--Arrangements for +the first number--Articles by Scott--James Mill--Mrs. Inchbald--Dr. Thomas +Young + +CHAPTER VI + +THE "QUARTERLY" LAUNCHED + +Meeting of Murray and Ballantyne at Boroughbridge--Walter Scott's interest +in the new _Review_--Publication of the first number of the _Quarterly_ +--Scott's proposed "Secret History of the Court of James I."--_Portcullis_ +copies--"Old English Froissart"--Opinions of the _Quarterly_--Scott's +energy and encouragement--Murray's correspondence with Mr. Stratford +Canning--Murray's energy--Leigh Hunt--James Mill--Gifford's +unpunctuality--Appearance of the second number--Mr. Canning's +contributions--Appearance of No. 3--Letters from Mr. Ellis to Isaac +D'Israeli--John Barrow's first connection with the _Quarterly_--Robert +Southey--Appearance of No. 4 + +CHAPTER VII + +CONSTABLE AND BALLANTYNE + +Murray's and Ballantyne's joint enterprises--Financial +difficulties--Murray's remonstrances--Ballantyne's reckless +speculations--And disregard of Murray's advice--Revival of Murray's +business with Constable--Publication of the "Lady of the Lake"--Murray +excluded from his promised share of it--Transfers his Edinburgh agency +to Mr. William Blackwood--Publication of No. 5 of the _Quarterly_ +--Southey's articles and books--Unpunctuality of the _Review_ +--Gifford's review of "The Daughters of Isenberg"--His letter to +Miss Palmer--Dispute between Murray and Gifford--Attacks on the +_Edinburgh Review_ by the _Quarterly_--Murray's disapproval of them--The +Ballantynes and Constables applying for money--Nos. 8 and 9 of the +_Review_--Southey's Publications--Letters from Scott--His review of the +"Curse of Kehama"--Southey's dependence on the _Quarterly_--His letter +to Mr. Wynn + +CHAPTER VIII + +MURRAY AND GIFFORD--RUPTURE WITH CONSTABLE--PROSPERITY OF THE +"QUARTERLY" + +Increasing friendship between Murray and Gifford--Gifford's opinion of +humorous articles--Mr. Pillans--Gifford's feeble health--Murray's +financial difficulties--Remonstrates with Constable--Correspondence with +and dissociation from Constable--_Quarterly Review_ No. 12--Gifford's +severe remarks on Charles Lamb--His remorse--_Quarterly Review_ No. +14--Murray's offer to Southey of 1,000 guineas for his poem + +CHAPTER IX + +LORD BYRON'S WORKS, 1811 TO 1814 + +Lord Byron's first acquaintance with Mr. Murray--Mr. Dallas's offer to +Cawthorn and Miller--Murray's acceptance of "Childe Harold"--Byron's +visits to Fleet Street--Murray's letters to Byron--Gifford's opinion of +the Poem--Publication of "Childe Harold"--Its immediate success--Byron's +presentation to the Prince of Wales--Murray effects a reconciliation +between Byron and Scott--Letters to and from Scott--Publication of "The +Giaour," "Bride of Abydos" and "Corsair"--Correspondence with +Byron--"Ode to Napoleon"--"Lara" and "Jacqueline" + +CHAPTER X + +MR. MURRAY'S REMOVAL TO 50, ALBEMARLE STREET + +Murray's removal to Albemarle Street--Miller's unfriendly +behaviour--Progress of the _Quarterly_--Miscellaneous publications +--D'Israeli's "Calamities of Authors"--Letters from Scott +and Southey--Southey's opinions on the patronage of literature--Scott's +embarrassments--Recklessness of the Ballantynes--Scott applies to Murray +for a loan--Publication of "Waverley"--Mystery of the authorship--Mr. +Murray's proposed trip to France--His letters to Mrs. Murray--Education +of his son--Announcement of Lord Byron's engagement--Mr. Murray's visit +to Newstead Abbey--Murray in Edinburgh--Mr. William Blackwood--Visit to +Abbotsford--Letter to Lord Byron--Letters from Blackwood--The "Vision of +Don Roderick" + +CHAPTER XI + +MURRAY'S DRAWING-ROOM--BYRON AND SCOTT--WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1815 + +Murray's drawing-room in Albemarle Street--A literary centre--George +Ticknor's account of it--Letter from Gifford--Death of his housekeeper +Nancy--First meeting of Byron and Scott--Recollections of John Murray +III.--Napoleon's escape from Elba--Waterloo--Mr. Blackwood's +letter--Suppression of an article written for the _Edinburgh_--Mr. +Murray's collection of portraits of authors--Mr. Scott's visit to +Brussels, Waterloo, etc.--Mr. Murray's visit to Paris--Return +home--Important diplomatic correspondence offered by Miss Waldie--Miss +Austen--"Emma"--Mr. Malthus's works--Letters from W. Scott + +CHAPTER XII + +VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS--CHARLES MATURIN--S.T. COLERIDGE--LEIGH HUNT + +Charles Maturin--His early career--His early publications--And +application to W. Scott--Performance of "Bertram" at Drury +Lane--Published by Murray--"Manuel, a Tragedy"--Murray's letter to +Byron--Death of Maturin--S.T. Coleridge--Correspondence about his +translation of "Faust"--"Glycine," "Remorse," "Christabel," "Zapolya," +and other works--Further correspondence--Leigh Hunt--Asked to contribute +to the _Quarterly_--"Story of Rimini"--Murray's letters to Byron and +Hunt--Negotiations between Murray and Leigh Hunt + +CHAPTER XIII + +THOMAS CAMPBELL--JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE--J.W. CROKER--JAMES HOGG, ETC. + +Thomas Campbell--His early works--Acquaintance with Murray--"Selections +from the British Poets"--Letters to Murray--Proposed Magazine--And +Series of Ancient Classics--Close friendship between Campbell and +Murray--Murray undertakes to publish the "Selections from British +Poets"--Campbell's explanation of the work--"Gertrude of Wyoming"--Scott +reviews Campbell's poems in the _Quarterly_--Campbell's Lectures at the +Royal Institution--Campbell's satisfaction with Murray's treatment of +him--"Now Barabbas was a publisher"--Increase of Murray's +business--Dealings with Gifford--Mr. J.C. Hobhouse--His "Journey to +Albania"--Isaac D'Israeli's "Character of James I."--Croker's "Stories +for Children"--The division of profits--Sir John Malcolm--Increasing +number of poems submitted to Mr. Murray--James Hogg--His works--And +letters to Murray--The "Repository"--Correspondence with Murray--Hogg +asks Murray to find a wife for him + +CHAPTER XIV + +LORD BYRON'S DEALINGS WITH MR. MURRAY--_continued_ + +Lord Byron's marriage--Letters from Mr. Murray during the honeymoon--Mr. +Fazakerly's interview with Bonaparte--Byron's pecuniary +embarrassments--Murray's offers of assistance--"Siege of +Corinth"--"Parisina"--Byron refuses remuneration--Pressed to give the +money to Godwin, Maturin, and Coleridge--Murray's remonstrance +--Gifford's opinion of the "Siege of Corinth" and Mr. D'Israeli's +--Byron leaves England--Sale of his Library--The "Sketch from +Private Life"--Mr. Sharon Turner's legal opinion--Murray's letter on the +arrival of the MS. of "Childe Harold," Canto III. + +[Transcriber's Note: two pages missing from source document] + +CHAPTER XIX + +WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1817-18--CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. + +Works published by Murray and Blackwood jointly--Illness of +Scott--Efforts to help the Ettrick Shepherd--Murray's offers of +assistance--Scott reviews the "Wake"--Hogg's house at Eltrive--Scott and +the _Quarterly_--"Rob Roy"--The "Scottish Regalia"--"The Heart of +Midlothian"--Appeal to Scott for an article--"Lord Orford's +Letters"--Murray and James Hogg at Abbotsford--Conclusion of Hogg's +correspondence--Robert Owen--Increased number of would-be poets--Sharon +Turner--Gifford's illness--Croker and Barrow edit _Quarterly Review_ + +CHAPTER XX + +HALLAM--BASIL HALL.--CRABBE--HOPE--HORACE AND JAMES SMITH + +Mr. Hallam--Sir H. Ellis's "Embassy to China"--Correspondence with Lady +Abercorn about new books--Proposed _Monthly Register_--Mr. Croker's +condemnation of the scheme--Crabbe's Works--Mr. Murray's offer--Mr. +Rogers's negotiations--Hope's "Anastasius"--"Rejected Addresses" +--Colonel Macirone's action against the _Quarterly_--Murray's +entertainments--Mrs. Bray's account of them + +CHAPTER XXI + +MEMOIRS OF LADY HERVEY AND HORACE +WALPOLE--BELZONI--MILMAN--SOUTHEY--MRS. RUNDELL, ETC. + +Lady Hervey's Letters--Mr. Croker's letter about the editing of +them--Horace Walpole's Memoirs--Mr. Murray's correspondence with Lord +Holland--The Suffolk papers, edited by Mr. Croker--Mrs. Delany's +Letters--Letter from Mr. Croker--Horace Walpole's "Reminiscences," +edited by Miss Berry--Tomline's "Life of Pitt"--Giovanni Belzoni--His +early career and works--His sensitiveness--His death--Examples of his +strength--Rev. H.H. Milman's Works, "Fazio," "Samor," "The Fall of +Jerusalem," "Martyr of Antioch," "Belshazzar"--Murray's dealings with +Milman--Benjamin Disraeli--Letters from Southey about his articles on +Cromwell--The New Churches, etc.--"The Book of the Church"--Warren +Hastings, etc--The Carbonari--Mr. Eastlake--Mrs. Graham--Galignani's +pirated edition of Byron--Mrs. Rundell's "Cookery Book"--Dispute with +Longman's--An injunction obtained + +CHAPTER XXII + +WASHINGTON IRVING--UGO FOSCOLO--LADY CAROLINE LAMB--"HAJJI BABA"--MRS. +MARKHAM'S HISTORIES + +Washington Irving--His early dealings with Murray--He comes to +England--His description of a dinner at Murray's--"The Sketch +Book"--Published in England by Miller--Afterwards undertaken by +Murray--Terms of purchase--Irving's ill-success in business +--"Bracebridge Hall"--James Fenimore Cooper--Ugo Foscolo--His +early career--First article in the _Quarterly_--Letter from Mr. T. +Mitchell--Foscolo's peculiarities--Digamma Cottage--His Lectures--Death +of Foscolo--Lady C. Lamb--"Glenarvon"--"Penruddock"--"Ada Reis"--Letter +from the Hon. Wm. Lamb--Lord J. Russell--His proposed History of +Europe--Mr. James Morier's "Hajji Baba"--Letter of Mirza Abul +Hassan--Mrs. Markham's "History of England"--Allan Cunningham + +CHAPTER XXIII + +GIFFORD'S RETIREMENT FROM THE EDITORSHIP OF THE "QUARTERLY"--AND DEATH + +Gifford's failing health--Difficulty of finding a successor--Barrow's +assistance--Gifford's letter to Mr. Canning--Irregularity of the +numbers--Southey's views as to the Editorship--Gifford's letter to Mr. +Canning--Appointment of Mr. J.T. Coleridge--Murray's announcement of the +appointment to Gifford--Close of Mr. Gifford's career--His +correspondence with Murray--Letter from Mr. R. Hay to the present Mr. +Murray about Gifford + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE "REPRESENTATIVE" + +Murray's desire to start a new periodical--Benjamin Disraeli--Projected +morning paper--Benjamin Disraeli's early career and writings--Letters to +Murray about "Aylmer Papillon"--Benjamin Disraeli's increasing intimacy +with Murray--Origin of the scheme to start a daily paper--South American +speculation--Messrs. Powles--Agreement to start a daily paper--the +_Representative_--Benjamin Disraeli's journey to consult Sir W. Scott +about the editorship--His letters to Murray--Visit to Chiefswood +--Progress of the negotiation-Mr. Lockhart's reluctance to +assume the editorship--Letter from Mr. I. D'Israeli to Murray--Mr. +Lockhart's first introduction to Murray--His letter about the +editorship--Sir W. Scott's letter to Murray--Editorship of _Quarterly_ +offered to Lockhart--Murray's letter to Sir W. Scott--Mr. Lockhart +accepts the editorship of the _Quarterly_--Disraeli's activity in +promoting the _Representative_--His letters to Murray--Premises +taken--Arrangements for foreign correspondence--Letters to Mr. +Maas--Engagement of Mr. Watts and Mr. S.C. Hall--Mr. Disraeli ceases to +take part in the undertaking--Publication of the _Representative_--Dr. +Maginn--Failure of the _Representative_--Effect of the strain on +Murray's health--Letters from friends--The financial crisis--Failure of +Constable and Ballantyne--The end of the _Representative_--Coolness +between Murray and Mr. D'Israeli + +CHAPTER XXV + +MR. LOCKHART AS EDITOR OF THE "QUARTERLY"--HALLAM WORDSWORTH--DEATH OF +CONSTABLE + +The editorship of the _Quarterly_--Mr. Lockhart appointed--Letter from +Sir W. Scott, giving his opinion of Lockhart's abilities and +character--Letters from Mr. Lockhart--Mr. Croker's article on "Paroles +d'un Croyant"--Charles Butler--Blanco White--Controversies, +etc.--Wordsworth's Works--Letter from Mr. Lockhart--Renewed intercourse +between Murray and Constable + +CHAPTER XXVI + +SIR WALTER'S LAST YEARS + +South American speculation--Captain Head, R.E.--His rapid rides across +the Pampas--His return home and publication of his work--Results of his +mission--Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Powles--Letter from Mr. B. +Disraeli--Irving's "Life of Columbus"--His agent, Col. Aspinwall--Letter +of warning from Mr. Sharon Turner--Southey's opinion--"The Conquest of +Granada"--Lockhart's and Croker's opinions--The financial result of +their publication--Correspondence between Irving and Murray--"Tales of +the Alhambra"--Murray's subsequent lawsuit with Bonn about the +copyrights--Review of Hallam's "Constitutional History" in the +_Quarterly_--Mr. Hallam's remonstrance--Letter from Murray--Letter from +Mr. Mitchell--Southey's discontent--Sir W. Scott and Lockhart--Scott's +articles for the _Quarterly_--Sir H. Davy's "Salmonia"--Anecdote of Lord +Nelson--The Duke of Wellington--Murray's offer to Scott for a History of +Scotland--Sale of Sir W. Scott's copyrights--Murray's offer for "Tales +of a Grandfather"--Scott's reply--Scott's closing years--Murray's +resignation of his one-fourth share of "Marmion"--Scott's last +contributions to the _Quarterly_--His death--Mr. John Murray's account +of the Theatrical Fund Dinner + +CHAPTER XXVII + +NAPIER'S "PENINSULAR WAR"--CROKER'S "BOSWELL"--"THE FAMILY LIBRARY" ETC. + +Napier's "History of the Peninsular War"--Origin of the work--Col. +Napier's correspondence with Murray--Publication of Vol. I.--Controversy +aroused by it--Murray ceases to publish the work--His letter to the +_Morning Chronicle_--The Duke of Wellington's Despatches--Croker's +edition of "Boswell's Johnson"--Correspondence with Croker, Lockhart, +etc.--Publication of the book--Its value--Letter from Mrs. Shelley--Mr. +Henry Taylor's "Isaac Comnenus"--"Philip van Artevelde"--"The Family +Library" and the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge--The +progress of "The Family Library"--Milman's "History of the +Jews"--Controversy aroused by it--Opinion of the Jews + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +MOORE'S "LIFE OF BYRON" + +Murray purchases the remainder of Byron's Poems--Leigh Hunt's +"Recollections"--Moore selected as the biographer of Byron--Collection +of Letters and Papers--Lockhart and Scott's opinion of the +work--Publication of the first volume of Byron's "Life"--Mrs. Shelley's +letter--Publication of the second volume--Letters from Mrs. Somerville +and Croker--Capt. Medwin's Conversations--Pecuniary results of Lord +Byron's "Life"--Reviews of Moore's works in the _Quarterly_--Moore on +Editors--Complete edition of "Byron's Works"--Letters from Countess +Guiccioli and Sir R. Peel--Thorwaldsen's statue of Lord Byron--Refused +at Westminster Abbey, but erected in Trinity College Library, Cambridge + + + + +MEMOIRS OF JOHN MURRAY + + + + +CHAPTER I + +JOHN MACMURRAY OR MURRAY + + +The publishing house of Murray dates from the year 1768, in which year +John MacMurray, a lieutenant of Marines, having retired from the service +on half-pay, purchased the bookselling business of William Sandby, at +the sign of the "Ship," No. 32, Fleet Street, opposite St. Dunstan's +Church. + +John MacMurray was descended from the Murrays of Athol. His uncle, +Colonel Murray, was "out" in the rising of 1715, under the Earl of Mar, +served under the Marquis of Tullibardine, the son of his chief, the Duke +of Athol, and led a regiment in the abortive fight of Sheriffmuir. After +the rebellion Colonel Murray retired to France, where he served under +the exiled Duke of Ormonde, who had attached himself to the Stuart +Court. + +The Colonel's brother Robert followed a safer course. He prefixed the +"Mac" to his name; settled in Edinburgh; adopted the law as a +profession, and became a Writer to the Signet. He had a family of three +daughters, Catherine, Robina, and Mary Anne; and two sons, Andrew and +John. + +John, the younger of Robert MacMurray's sons, was born at Edinburgh in +1745. After receiving a good general education, he entered the Royal +Marines under the special patronage of Sir George Yonge, Bart., +[Footnote: Sir George Yonge was Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and +subsequently Secretary at War; he died in 1812.] a well-known official +of the last century, and his commission as second lieutenant was dated +June 24, 1762. Peace was signed at the treaty of Paris in 1763, and +young MacMurray found himself quartered at Chatham, where the monotony +of the life to a young man of an active and energetic temperament became +almost intolerable. He determined therefore to retire on half-pay at the +age of twenty-three, and become a London bookseller! + +It is not improbable that he was induced to embark on his proposed +enterprise by his recent marriage with Nancy Wemyss, daughter of Captain +Wemyss, then residing at Brompton, near Chatham. + +While residing at Chatham, MacMurray renewed his acquaintance with +William Falconer, the poet, and author of "The Shipwreck," who, like +himself, was a native of Edinburgh. + +To this friend, who was then on the eve of sailing to India, he wrote: + +BROMPTON, KENT, _October_ 16, 1768. + +DEAR WILL, + +Since I saw you, I have had the intention of embarking in a scheme that +I think will prove successful, and in the progress of which I had an eye +towards your participating. Mr. Sandby, Bookseller, opposite St. +Dunstan's Church, Fleet Street, has entered into company with Snow and +Denne, Bankers. I was introduced to this gentleman about a week ago, +upon an advantageous offer of succeeding him in his old business; which, +by the advice of my friends, I propose to accept. Now, although I have +little reason to fear success by myself in this undertaking, yet I think +so many additional advantages would accrue to us both, were your forces +and mine joined, that I cannot help mentioning it to you, and making you +the offer of entering into company. + +He resigns to me the lease of the house, the goodwill, etc.; and I only +take his bound stock, and fixtures, at a fair appraisement, which will +not amount to much beyond L400, and which, if ever I mean to part with, +cannot fail to bring in nearly the same sum. The shop has been long +established in the Trade; it retains a good many old customers; and I am +to be ushered immediately into public notice by the sale of a new +edition of "Lord Lyttelton's Dialogues"; and afterwards by a like +edition of his "History." These Works I shall sell by commission, upon a +certain profit, without risque; and Mr. Sandby has promised to continue +to me, always, his good offices and recommendations. + +These are the general outlines; and if you entertain a notion that the +conjunction will suit you, advise me, and you shall be assumed upon +equal terms; for I write to you before the affair is finally settled; +not that I shall refuse it if you don't concur (for I am determined on +the trial by myself); but that I think it will turn out better were we +joined; and this consideration alone prompts me to write to you. Many +Blockheads in the Trade are making fortunes; and did we not succeed as +well as they, I think it must be imputed only to ourselves. Make Mrs. +McMurray's compliments and mine to Mrs. Falconer; we hope she has reaped +much benefit from the saltwater bath. Consider what I have proposed; and +send me your answer soon. Be assured in the meantime, that I remain, +Dear Sir, + +Your affectionate and humble servant, + +JOHN McMURRAY. + +P.S.--My advisers and directors in this affair have been Thomas Cumming, +Esq., Mr. Archibald Paxton, Mr. James Paterson of Essex House, and +Messrs. J. and W. Richardson, Printers. These, after deliberate +reflection, have unanimously thought that I should accept Mr. Sandby's +offer. + +Falconer's answer to this letter has not been preserved. It did not +delay his departure from Dover in the _Aurora_ frigate. The vessel +touched at the Cape; set sail again, and was never afterwards heard of. +It is supposed that she was either burnt at sea, or driven northward by +a storm and wrecked on the Madagascar coast. Falconer intended to have +prefixed some complimentary lines to Mr. Murray to the third edition of +"The Shipwreck," but they were omitted in the hurry of leaving London +and England for India. + +Notwithstanding the failure of MacMurray to obtain the aid of Falconer +in his partnership, he completed alone his contract with Mr. Sandby. His +father at Edinburgh supplied him with the necessary capital, and he +began the bookselling business in November 1768. He dropped the prefix +"Mac" from his surname; put a ship in full sail at the head of his +invoices; and announced himself to the public in the following terms: + +"John Murray (successor to Mr. Sandby), Bookseller and Stationer, at No. +32, over against St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleet Street, London, sells +all new Books and Publications. Fits up Public or Private Libraries in +the neatest manner with Books of the choicest Editions, the best Print, +and the richest Bindings. Also, executes East India or foreign +Commissions by an assortment of Books and Stationary suited to the +Market or Purpose for which it is destined; all at the most reasonable +rates." + +Among the first books he issued were new editions of Lord Lyttelton's +"Dialogues of the Dead," and of his "History of King Henry the Second," +in stately quarto volumes, as well as of Walpole's "Castle of Otranto." +He was well supported by his friends, and especially by his old brother +officers, and we find many letters from all parts of the world +requesting him to send consignments of books and magazines, the choice +of which was, in many cases, left entirely to his own discretion. In +1769 he received a letter from General Sir Robert Gordon, then in India, +who informed him that he had recommended him to many of his comrades. + +_Sir R. Gordon to John Murray_. + +"Brigadier-General Wedderburn has not forgotten his old school-fellow, +J. McMurray. Send me British news, and inform me of all political and +other affairs at home." [He also added that Colonel Mackenzie, another +old friend, is to be his patron.] "I hope," says Sir E. Gordon, in +another letter, "that you find more profit and pleasure from your new +employment than from that of the sword, which latter, you may remember, +I endeavoured to dissuade you from returning to; but a little trial, and +some further experience, at your time of life, cannot hurt you.... My +best compliments to Mrs. Murray, who I suppose will not be sorry for +your laying aside the wild Highland 'Mac' as unfashionable and even +dangerous in the circuit of Wilkes's mob; but that, I am convinced, was +your smallest consideration." + +The nature of Mr. Murray's business, and especially his consignments to +distant lands, rendered it necessary for him to give long credit, while +the expense and the risk of bringing out new books added a fresh strain +on his resources. In these circumstances, he felt the need of fresh +capital, and applied to his friend Mr. William Kerr, Surveyor of the +General Post Office for Scotland, for a loan. Mr. Kerr responded in a +kindly letter. Though he could not lend much at the time, he sent Mr. +Murray L150, "lest he might be prejudiced for want of it," and added a +letter of kind and homely advice. + +In order to extend his business to better advantage, Mr. Murray +endeavoured to form connections with booksellers in Scotland and +Ireland. In the first of these countries, as the sequel will show, the +firm established permanent and important alliances. To push the trade in +Ireland he employed Thomas Cumming, a Quaker mentioned in Boswell's +"Life of Johnson," who had been one of his advisers as to the purchase +of Mr. Sandby's business. + +_Mr. T. Gumming to John Murray_. + +"On receipt of thine I constantly applied to Alderman Faulkener, and +showed him the first Fable of Florian, but he told me that he would not +give a shilling for any original copy whatever, as there is no law or +even custom to secure any property in books in this kingdom [Ireland]. +From him, I went directly to Smith and afterwards to Bradley, etc. They +all gave me the same answer.... Sorry, and very sorry I am, that I +cannot send a better account of the first commission thou hast favoured +me with here. Thou may'st believe that I set about it with a perfect +zeal, not lessened from the consideration of the troubles thou hast on +my account, and the favours I so constantly receive from thee; nor +certainly that my good friend Dr. Langhorne was not altogether out of +the question. None of the trade here will transport books at their own +risque. This is not a reading, but a hard-drinking city; 200 or 250 are +as many as a bookseller, except it be an extraordinary work indeed, ever +throws off at an impression." + +Mr. Murray not only published the works of others, but became an author +himself. He wrote two letters in the _Morning Chronicle_ in defence of +his old friend Colonel (afterwards Sir) Robert Gordon, who had been +censured for putting an officer under arrest during the siege of Broach, +in which Gordon had led the attack. The Colonel's brother, Gordon of +Gordonstown, wrote to Murray, saying, "Whether you succeed or not, your +two letters are admirably written; and you have obtained great merit and +reputation for the gallant stand you have made for your friend." The +Colonel himself wrote (August 20,1774): "I cannot sufficiently thank +you, my dear sir, for the extraordinary zeal, activity, and warmth of +friendship, with which you so strenuously supported and defended my +cause, and my honour as a soldier, when attacked so injuriously by +Colonel Stuart, especially when he was so powerfully supported." + +Up to this time Mr. Murray's success had been very moderate. He had +brought out some successful works; but money came in slowly, and his +chief difficulty was the want of capital. He was therefore under the +necessity of refusing to publish works which might have done something +to establish his reputation. + +At this juncture, i.e. in 1771, an uncle died leaving a fortune of +L17,000, of which Mr. Murray was entitled to a fourth share. On the +strength of this, his friend Mr. Kerr advanced to him a further sum of +L500. The additional capital was put into the business, but even then +his prosperity did not advance with rapid strides; and in 1777 we find +him writing to his friend Mr. Richardson at Oxford. + +_John Murray to Mr. Richardson_. + +DEAR JACK, + +I am fatigued from morning till night about twopenny matters, if any of +which is forgotten I am complained of as a man who minds not his +business. I pray heaven for a lazy and lucrative office, and then I +shall with alacrity turn my shop out of the window. + +A curious controversy occurred in 1778 between Mr. Mason, executor of +Thomas Gray the poet, and Mr. Murray, who had published a "Poetical +Miscellany," in which were quoted fifty lines from three passages in +Gray's works. + +Mr. Murray wrote a pamphlet in his own defence, and the incident is +mentioned in the following passage from Boswell's "Life": + +"Somebody mentioned the Rev. Mr. Mason's prosecution of Mr. Murray, the +bookseller, for having inserted in a collection only fifty lines of +Gray's Poems, of which Mr. Mason had still the exclusive property, under +the Statute of Queen Anne; and that Mr. Mason had persevered, +notwithstanding his being requested to name his own terms of +compensation. Johnson signified his displeasure at Mr. Mason's conduct +very strongly; but added, by way of showing that he was not surprised at +it, 'Mason's a Whig.' Mrs. Knowles (not hearing distinctly): 'What! a +prig, Sir?' Johnson: 'Worse, Madam; a Whig! But he is both!'" + +Mr. Murray had considerable intercourse with the publishers of +Edinburgh, among the chief of whom were Messrs. Creech & Elliot, and by +their influence he soon established a connection with the professors of +Edinburgh University. Creech, who succeeded Mr. Kincaid in his business +in 1773, occupied a shop in the Luckenbooths, facing down the High +Street, and commanding a prospect of Aberlady Bay and the north coast of +Haddingtonshire. Being situated near the Parliament House--the centre of +literary and antiquarian loungers, as well as lawyers--Creech's place of +business was much frequented by the gossipers, and was known as +_Creech's Levee_. Creech himself, dressed in black-silk breeches, with +powdered hair and full of humorous talk, was one of the most conspicuous +members of the group. He was also an author, though this was the least +of his merits. He was an appreciative patron of literature, and gave +large sums for the best books of the day. + +Mr. Elliot, whose place of business was in the Parliament Close, and +whose daughter subsequently married Mr. Murray's son the subject of this +biography, was a publisher of medical and surgical works, and Mr. Murray +was his agent for the sale of these in London. We find from Mr. Elliot's +letters that he was accustomed to send his parcels of books to London by +the Leith fleet, accompanied by an armed convoy. In June 1780 he wrote: +"As the fleet sails this evening, and the schooner carries 20 guns, I +hope the parcel will be in London in four or five days"; and shortly +afterwards: "I am sending you four parcels of books by the _Carran_, +which mounts 22 guns, and sails with the _Glasgow_ of 20 guns." The +reason of the Edinburgh books being conveyed to London guarded by armed +ships, was that war was then raging, and that Spain, France, and Holland +were united against England. The American Colonies had also rebelled, +and Paul Jones, holding their commission, was hovering along the East +Coast with three small ships of war and an armed brigantine. It was +therefore necessary to protect the goods passing between Leith and +London by armed convoys. Sometimes the vessels on their return were +quarantined for a time in Inverkeithing Bay. + +The first Mrs. Murray died, leaving her husband childless, and he +married again. By his second wife he had three sons and two daughters, +two of the sons, born in 1779 and 1781 respectively, died in infancy, +while the third, John, born in 1778, is the subject of this Memoir. In +1782 he writes to his friend the Rev. John Whitaker: "We have one son +and daughter, the son above four years, and the daughter above two +years, both healthy and good-natured." + +In June 1782 Mr. Murray had a paralytic stroke, by which he, for a time, +lost the use of his left side, and though he shortly recovered, and +continued his work as before, he was aware of his dangerous position. To +a friend going to Madeira in September 1791 he wrote: "Whether we shall +ever meet again is a matter not easily determined. The stroke by which I +suffered in 1782 is only suspended; it will be repeated, and I must +fall in the contest." + +In the meantime Mr. Murray made arrangements for the education of his +son. He was first sent for a year to the High School of Edinburgh. While +there he lived with Mr. Robert Kerr, author of several works on +Chemistry and Natural History, published by Mr. Murray. Having passed a +year in Edinburgh, the boy returned to London, and after a time was sent +to a school at Margate. There he seems to have made some progress. To a +friend Mr. Murray wrote: "He promises, I think, to write well, although +his master complains a little of his indolence, which I am afraid he +inherits from me. If he does not overcome it, _it_ will overcome him." +In a later letter he said: "The school is not the best, but the people +are kind to him, and his health leaves no alternative. He writes a good +hand, is fond of figures, and is coming forward both in Latin and +French. Yet he inherits a spice of indolence, and is a little impatient +in his temper. His appearance--open, modest, and manly--is much in his +favour. He is grown a good deal, and left us for Margate (after his +holiday) as happy as could be expected." + +In the course of the following year Mr. Murray sent the boy to a +well-known school at Gosport, kept by Dr. Burney, one of his old Mends. +Burney was a native of the North of Ireland, and had originally been +called MacBurney, but, like Murray, he dropped the Mac. + +While at Dr. Burney's school, young Murray had the misfortune to lose +the sight of his right eye. The writing-master was holding his penknife +awkwardly in his hand, point downwards, and while the boy, who was +showing up an exercise, stooped to pick up the book which had fallen, +the blade ran into his eye and entirely destroyed the sight. To a friend +about to proceed to Gosport, Mr. Murray wrote: "Poor John has met with a +sad accident, which you will be too soon acquainted with when you reach +Gosport. His mother is yet ignorant of it, and I dare not tell her." + +Eventually the boy was brought to London for the purpose of ascertaining +whether something might be done by an oculist for the restoration of his +sight. But the cornea had been too deeply wounded; the fluid of the eye +had escaped; nothing could be done for his relief, and he remained blind +in that eye to the end of his life. [Footnote: Long afterwards Chantrey +the sculptor, who had suffered a similar misfortune, exclaimed, "What! +are you too a brother Cyclops?" but, as the narrator of the story used +to add, Mr. Murray could see better with one eye than most people with +two.] His father withdrew him from Dr. Burney's school, and sent him in +July 1793 to the Rev. Dr. Roberts, at Loughborough House, Kennington. In +committing him to the schoolmaster's charge, Mr. Murray sent the +following introduction: + +"Agreeable to my promise, I commit to you the charge of my son, and, as +I mentioned to you in person, I agree to the terms of fifty guineas. The +youth has been hitherto well spoken of by the gentleman he has been +under. You will find him sensible and candid in the information you may +want from him; and if you are kind enough to bestow pains upon him, the +obligation on my part will be lasting. The branches to be learnt are +these: Latin, French, Arithmetic, Mercantile Accounts, Elocution, +History, Geography, Geometry, Astronomy, the Globes, Mathematics, +Philosophy, Dancing, and Martial Exercise." + +Certainly, a goodly array of learning, knowledge, and physical training! + +To return to the history of Mr. Murray's publications. Some of his best +books were published after the stroke of paralysis which he had +sustained, and among them must be mentioned Mitford's "History of +Greece," Lavater's work on Physiognomy, and the first instalment of +Isaac D'Israeli's "Curiosities of Literature." + +The following extract from a letter to the Rev. Mr. Whitaker, dated +December 20, 1784, takes us back to an earlier age. + +"Poor Dr. Johnson's remains passed my door for interment this afternoon. +They were accompanied by thirteen mourning coaches with four horses +each; and after these a cavalcade of the carriages of his friends. He +was about to be buried in Westminster Abbey." + +In the same year the Rev. Alexander Fraser of Kirkhill, near Inverness, +communicated to Mr. Murray his intention of publishing the Memoirs of +Lord Lovat, the head of his clan. Mr. Eraser's father had received the +Memoirs in manuscript from Lord Lovat, with an injunction to publish +them after his death. "My father," he said, "had occasion to see his +Lordship a few nights before his execution, when he again enjoined him +to publish the Memoirs." General Fraser, a prisoner in the Castle of +Edinburgh, had requested, for certain reasons, that the publication +should be postponed; but the reasons no longer existed, and the Memoirs +were soon after published by Mr. Murray, but did not meet with any +success. + +The distressed state of trade and the consequent anxieties of conducting +his business hastened Mr. Murray's end. On November 6, 1793, Samuel +Highley, his principal assistant, wrote to a correspondent: "Mr. Murray +died this day after a long and painful illness, and appointed as +executors Dr. G.A. Paxton, Mrs. Murray, and Samuel Highley. The business +hereafter will be conducted by Mrs. Murray." The Rev. Donald Grant, +D.D., and George Noble, Esq., were also executors, but the latter did +not act. + +The income of the property was divided as follows: one half to the +education and maintenance of Mr. Murray's three children, and the other +half to his wife so long as she remained a widow. But in the event of +her marrying again, her share was to be reduced by one-third and her +executorship was to cease. + +John Murray began his publishing career at the age of twenty-three. He +was twenty-five years in business, and he died at the comparatively +early age of forty-eight. That publishing books is not always a +money-making business may be inferred from the fact that during these +twenty-five years he did not, with all his industry, double his capital. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +JOHN MURRAY (II.)--BEGINNING OF HIS PUBLISHING CAREER--ISAAC D'ISRAELI, +ETC. + + +John Murray the Second--the "Anax of Publishers," according to Lord +Byron--was born on November 27, 1778. He was his father's only surviving +son by his second marriage, and being only fifteen at his father's +death, was too young to enter upon the business of the firm, which was +carried on by Samuel Highley--the "faithful shopman" mentioned in the +elder Murray's will--for the benefit of his widow and family. What his +father thought of him, of his health, spirits, and good nature, will +have been seen from the preceding chapter. + +Young Murray returned to school, and remained there for about two years +longer, until the marriage of his mother to Lieutenant Henry Paget, of +the West Norfolk Militia, on September 28, 1795, when he returned to 32, +Meet Street, to take part in the business. Mrs. Paget ceased to be an +executor, retired from Fleet Street, and went to live at Bridgenorth +with her husband, taking her two daughters--Jane and Mary Anne +Murray--to live with her, and receiving from time to time the money +necessary for their education. + +The executors secured the tenancy of No. 32, Fleet Street, part of the +stock and part of the copyrights, for the firm of Murray & Highley, +between whom a partnership was concluded in 1795, though Murray was +still a minor. In the circumstances Mr. Highley of course took the +principal share of the management, but though a very respectable person, +he was not much of a business man, and being possessed by an almost +morbid fear of running any risks, he brought out no new works, took no +share in the new books that were published, and it is doubtful whether +he looked very sharply after the copyrights belonging to the firm. He +was mainly occupied in selling books brought out by other publishers. + +The late Mr. Murray had many good friends in India, who continued to +send home their orders to the new firm of Murray & Highley. Amongst them +were Warren Hastings and Joseph Hume. Hume had taken out with him an +assortment of books from the late Mr. Murray, which had proved very +useful; and he wrote to Murray and Highley for more. Indeed, he became a +regular customer for books. + +Meanwhile Murray fretted very much under the careless and indifferent +management of Highley. The executors did not like to be troubled with +his differences with his partner, and paid very little attention to him +or his affairs. Since his mother's remarriage and removal to +Bridgenorth, the young man had literally no one to advise with, and was +compelled to buffet with the troubles and difficulties of life alone. +Though inexperienced, he had, however, spirit and common sense enough to +see that he had but little help to expect from his partner, and the +difficulties of his position no doubt contributed to draw forth and +develop his own mental energy. He was not a finished scholar, but had +acquired a thorough love of knowledge and literature, and a keen +perception of the beauties of our great English classics. By acquiring +and cultivating a purity of taste, he laid the foundations of that quick +discrimination which, combined with his rapidly growing knowledge of men +and authors, rendered him afterwards so useful, and even powerful, in +the pursuit of his profession. + +Mr. Murray came of age on November 27, 1799; but he was prudent enough +to continue with Highley for a few years longer. After four years more, +he determined to set himself free to follow his own course, and the +innumerable alterations and erasures in his own rough draft of the +following letter testify to the pains and care which he bestowed on this +momentous step. + +_John Murray to Mr. Highley_. + +GREAT QUEEN STREET, _Friday, November 19, 1802._ + +MR. HIGHLEY, + +I propose to you that our partnership should be dissolved on the +twenty-fifth day of March next: + +That the disposal of the lease of the house and every other matter of +difference that may arise respecting our dissolution shall be determined +by arbitrators--each of us to choose one--and that so chosen they shall +appoint a third person as umpire whom they may mutually agree upon +previous to their entering upon the business: + +I am willing to sign a bond to this effect immediately, and I think that +I shall be able to determine my arbitrator some day next week. + +As I know this proposal to be as fair as one man could make to another +in a like situation, and in order to prevent unpleasant altercation or +unnecessary discussion, I declare it to be the last with which I intend +to trouble you. + +I take this opportunity of saying that, however much we may differ upon +matters of business, I most sincerely wish you well. + +JOHN MURRAY. + +In the end they agreed to draw lots for the house, and Murray had the +good fortune to remain at No. 32, Fleet Street. Mr. Highley removed to +No. 24 in the same street, and took with him, by agreement, the +principal part of the medical works of the firm. Mr. Murray now started +on his own account, and began a career of publication almost unrivalled +in the history of letters. + +Before the dissolution of partnership, Mr. Murray had seen the first +representation of Column's Comedy of "John Bull" at Covent Garden +Theatre, and was so fascinated by its "union of wit, sentiment, and +humour," that the day after its representation he wrote to Mr. Colman, +and offered him L300 for the copyright. No doubt Mr. Highley would have +thought this a rash proceeding. + +_John Murray to Mr. Colman_. + +"The truth is that during my minority I have been shackled to a drone of +a partner; but the day of emancipation is at hand. On the twenty-fifth +of this month [March 1803] I plunge alone into the depths of literary +speculation. I am therefore honestly ambitious that my first appearance +before the public should be such as will at once stamp my character and +respectability. On this account, therefore, I think that your Play would +be more advantageous to me than to any other bookseller; and as 'I am +not covetous of Gold,' I should hope that no trifling consideration +will be allowed to prevent my having the honour of being Mr. Colman's +publisher. You see, sir, that I am endeavouring to interest your +feelings, both as a Poet and as a Man." + +Mr. Colman replied in a pleasant letter, thanking Mr. Murray for his +liberal offer. The copyright, however, had been sold to the proprietor +of the theatre, and Mr. Murray was disappointed in this, his first +independent venture in business. + +The times were very bad. Money was difficult to be had on any terms, and +Mr. Murray had a hard task to call in the money due to Murray & Highley, +as well as to collect the sums due to himself. + +Mr. Joseph Hume, not yet the scrupulous financier which he grew to be, +among others, was not very prompt in settling his accounts; and Mr. +Murray wrote to him, on July 11, 1804: + +"On the other side is a list of books (amount L92 8s. 6d.), containing +all those for which you did me the favour to write: and I trust that +they will reach you safely.... If in future you could so arrange that my +account should be paid by some house in town within six months after the +goods are shipped, I shall be perfectly satisfied, and shall execute +your orders with much more despatch and pleasure. I mention this, not +from any apprehension of not being paid, but because my circumstances +will not permit me to give so large an extent of credit. It affords me +great pleasure to hear of your advancement; and I trust that your health +will enable you to enjoy all the success to which your talents entitle +you." + +He was, for the same reason, under the necessity of declining to publish +several new works offered to him, especially those dealing with medical +and poetical subjects. + +Mr. Archibald Constable of Edinburgh, and Messrs. Bell & Bradfute, Mr. +Murray's agents in Edinburgh, were also communicated with as to the +settlement of their accounts with Murray & Highley. "I expected," he +said, "to have been able to pay my respects to you both this summer +[1803], but my _military duties_, and the serious aspect of the times, +oblige me to remain at home." It was the time of a patriotic volunteer +movement, and Mr. Murray was enrolled as an ensign in the 3rd Regiment +of Royal London Volunteers. + +It cannot now be ascertained what was the origin of the acquaintance +between the D'Israeli and Murray families, but it was of old standing. +The first John Murray published the first volumes of Isaac D'Israeli's +"Curiosities of Literature" (1791), and though no correspondence between +them has been preserved, we find frequent mention of the founder of the +house in Isaac D'Israeli's letters to John Murray the Second. His +experiences are held up for his son's guidance, as for example, when +Isaac, urging the young publisher to support some petition to the East +India Company, writes, "It was a ground your father trod, and I suppose +that connection cannot do you any harm"; or again, when dissuading him +from undertaking some work submitted to him, "You can mention to Mr. +Harley the fate of Professor Musaeus' 'Popular Tales,' which never sold, +and how much your father was disappointed." On another occasion we find +D'Israeli, in 1809, inviting his publisher to pay a visit to a yet older +generation, "to my father, who will be very glad to see you at Margate." + +Besides the "Curiosities of Literature," and "Flim-Flams," the last a +volume not mentioned by Lord Beaconsfield in the "Life" of his father +prefixed to the 1865 edition of the "Curiosities of Literature," Mr. +D'Israeli published through Murray, in 1803, a small volume of +"Narrative Poems" in 4to. They consisted of "An Ode to his Favourite +Critic"; "The Carder and the Currier, a Story of Amorous Florence"; +"Cominge, a Story of La Trappe"; and "A Tale addressed to a Sybarite." +The verses in these poems run smoothly, but they contain no wit, no +poetry, nor even any story. They were never reprinted. + +The following letter is of especial interest, as fixing the date of an +event which has given rise to much discussion--the birth of Benjamin +Disraeli. + +_Mr. Isaac D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +_December_ 22, 1804. [Footnote: Mr. D'Israeli was living at this time in +King's Road (now 1, John Street), Bedford Row, in a corner house +overlooking Gray's Inn Gardens.] + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Mrs. D'Israeli will receive particular gratification from the +interesting note you have sent us on the birth of our boy--when she +shall have read it. In the meanwhile accept my thanks, and my best +compliments to your sister. The mother and infant are both doing well. + +Ever yours. + +I. D'I. + +Some extracts from their correspondence will afford an insight into the +nature of the friendship and business relations which existed between +Isaac D'Israeli and his young publisher as well as into the characters +of the two men themselves. + +From a letter dated Brighton, August 5, 1805, from Mr. D'Israeli to John +Murray: + +"Your letter is one of the repeated specimens I have seen of your happy +art of giving interest even to commonplace correspondence, and I, who am +so feelingly alive to the 'pains and penalties' of postage, must +acknowledge that such letters, ten times repeated, would please me as +often. + +We should have been very happy to see you here, provided it occasioned +no intermission in your more serious occupations, and could have added +to your amusements. + +With respect to the projected 'Institute,' [Footnote: This was a work at +one time projected by Mr. Murray, but other more pressing literary +arrangements prevented the scheme being carried into effect.] if that +title be English--doubtless the times are highly favourable to patronize +a work skilfully executed, whose periodical pages would be at once +useful information, and delightful for elegant composition, embellished +by plates, such as have never yet been given, both for their subjects +and their execution. Literature is a perpetual source opened to us; but +the Fine Arts present an unploughed field, and an originality of +character ... But Money, Money must not be spared in respect to rich, +beautiful, and interesting Engravings. On this I have something to +communicate. Encourage Dagley, [Footnote: The engraver of the +frontispiece of "Flim-Flams."] whose busts of Seneca and Scarron are +pleasingly executed; but you will also want artists of name. I have a +friend, extremely attached to literature and the fine arts, a gentleman +of opulent fortune; by what passed with him in conversation, I have +reason to believe that he would be ready to assist by money to a +considerable extent. Would that suit you? How would you arrange with +him? Would you like to divide your work in _Shares_? He is an intimate +friend of West's, and himself too an ingenious writer. + +How came you to advertise 'Domestic Anecdotes'? Kearsley printed 1,250 +copies. I desire that no notice of the authors of that work may be known +from _your_ side. + + * * * * * + +At this moment I receive your packet of poems, and Shee's letter. I +perceive that he is impressed by your attentions and your ability. It +will always afford me one of my best pleasures to forward your views; I +claim no merit from this, but my discernment in discovering your +talents, which, under the genius of Prudence (the best of all Genii for +human affairs), must inevitably reach the goal. The literary productions +of I.D['Israeli] and others may not augment the profits oL your trade in +any considerable degree; but to get the talents of such writers at your +command is a prime object, and others will follow. + +I had various conversations with Phillips [Footnote: Sir Richard +Phillips, bookseller. This is the publisher whose book on philosophy +George Borrow was set to translate into German, and who recommended him +to produce something in the style of "The Dairyman's Daughter"!] here; +he is equally active, but more _wise_. He owns his _belles-lettres_ +books have given no great profits; in my opinion he must have lost even +by some. But he makes a fortune by juvenile and useful compilations. You +know I always told you he wanted _literary taste_--like an atheist, who +is usually a disappointed man, he thinks all _belles lettres_ are +nonsense, and denies the existence of _taste_; but it exists! and I +flatter myself you will profit under that divinity. I have much to say +on this subject and on him when we meet. + +At length I have got through your poetry: it has been a weary task! The +writer has a good deal of fire, but it is rarely a very bright flame. +Here and there we see it just blaze, and then sink into mediocrity. He +is too redundant and tiresome.... 'Tis a great disadvantage to read them +in MS., as one cannot readily turn to passages; but life is too short to +be peeping into other peoples' MSS. _I prefer your prose to your verse_. +Let me know if you receive it safely, and pray give no notion to any one +that I have seen the MS." + + +_Mr. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +"It is a most disagreeable office to give opinions on MSS.; one reads +them at a moment when one has other things in one's head--then one is +obliged to fatigue the brain with _thinking_; but if I can occasionally +hinder you from publishing nugatory works, I do not grudge the pains. At +the same time I surely need not add, how very _confidential_ such +communications ought to be." + + +_Mr. I. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +I am delighted by your apology for not having called on me after I had +taken my leave of you the day before; but you can make an unnecessary +apology as agreeable as any other act of kindness.... + +You are sanguine in your hope of a good sale of "Curiosities," it will +afford us a mutual gratification; but when you consider it is not a new +work, though considerably improved I confess, and that those kinds of +works cannot boast of so much novelty as they did about ten years ago, I +am somewhat more moderate in my hopes. + +What you tell me of F.F. from Symond's, is _new_ to me. I sometimes +throw out in the shop _remote hints_ about the sale of books, all the +while meaning only _mine_; but they have no skill in construing the +timid wishes of a modest author; they are not aware of his suppressed +sighs, nor see the blushes of hope and fear tingling his cheek; they are +provokingly silent, and petrify the imagination.... + +Believe me, with the truest regard, + +Yours ever, + +I. D'ISRAELI. + +_Mr. D'Israeli to John Murray_. _Saturday, May_ 31, 1806. KING'S ROAD. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +It is my wish to see you for five minutes this day, but as you must be +much engaged, and I am likely to be prevented reaching you this morning, +I shall only trouble you with a line. + +Most warmly I must impress on your mind the _necessity_ of taking the +advice of a physician. Who? You know many. We have heard extraordinary +accounts of Dr. Baillie, and that (what is more extraordinary) he is not +mercenary.... + +I have written this to impress on your mind this point. Seeing you as we +see you, and your friend at a fault, how to decide, and you without some +relative or domestic friend about you, gives Mrs. D'I. and myself very +serious concerns--for you know we do take the warmest interest in your +welfare--and your talents and industry want nothing but health to make +you yet what it has always been one of my most gratifying hopes to +conceive of you. + +Yours very affectionately, + +I. D'ISRAELI. + +A circumstance, not without influence on Murray's future, occurred about +this time with respect to the "Miniature," a volume of comparatively +small importance, consisting of essays written by boys at Eton, and +originally published at Windsor by Charles Knight. Through Dr. Kennell, +Master of the Temple, his friend and neighbour, who lived close at hand, +Murray became acquainted with the younger Kennell, Mr. Stratford +Canning, Gally Knight, the two sons of the Marquis Wellesley, and other +young Etonians, who had originated and conducted this School magazine. +Thirty-four numbers appeared in the course of a year, and were then +brought out in a volume by Mr. Knight at the expense of the authors. The +transaction had involved them in debt. "Whatever chance of success our +hopes may dictate," wrote Stratford Canning, "yet our apprehensions +teach us to tremble at the possibility of additional expenses," and the +sheets lay unsold on the bookseller's hands. Mr. Murray, who was +consulted about the matter, said to Dr. Rennell, "Tell them to send the +unsold sheets to me, and I will pay the debt due to the printer." The +whole of the unsold sheets were sent by the "Windsor Waggon" to Mr. +Murray's at Fleet Street. He made waste-paper of the whole bundle--there +were 6,376 numbers in all,--brought out a new edition of 750 copies, +printed in good type, and neatly bound, and announced to Stratford +Canning that he did this at his own cost and risk, and would make over +to the above Etonians half the profits of the work. The young authors +were highly pleased by this arrangement, and Stratford Canning wrote to +Murray (October 20, 1805): "We cannot sufficiently thank you for your +kind attention to our concerns, and only hope that the success of the +_embryo_ edition may be equal to your care." How great was the +importance of the venture in his eyes may be judged from the naive +allusion with which he proceeds: "It will be a week or two before we +commit it to the press, for amidst our other occupations the business of +the school must not be neglected, and that by itself is no trivial +employment." + +By means of this transaction Murray had the sagacity to anticipate an +opportunity of making friends of Canning and Frere, who were never tired +of eulogizing the spirit and enterprise of the young Fleet Street +publisher. Stratford Canning introduced him to his cousin George, the +great minister, whose friendship and support had a very considerable +influence in promoting and establishing his future prosperity. It is +scarcely necessary to add that the new edition of the "Miniature" +speedily became waste paper. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +MURRAY AND CONSTABLE--HUNTER AND THE FORFARSHIRE LAIRDS--MARRIAGE OF +JOHN MURRAY + +The most important publishing firm with which Mr. Murray was connected +at the outset of his career was that of Archibald Constable & Co., of +Edinburgh. This connection had a considerable influence upon Murray's +future fortunes. + +Constable, who was about four years older than Murray, was a man of +great ability, full of spirit and enterprise. He was by nature generous, +liberal, and far-seeing. The high prices which he gave for the best kind +of literary work drew the best authors round him, and he raised the +publishing trade of Scotland to a height that it had never before +reached, and made Edinburgh a great centre of learning and literature. + +In 1800 he commenced the _Farmer's Magazine_, and in the following year +acquired the property of the _Scots Magazine,_ a venerable repertory of +literary, historical, and antiquarian matter; but it was not until the +establishment of the _Edinburgh Review_, in October 1802, that +Constable's name became a power in the publishing world. + +In the year following the first issue of the _Review_, Constable took +into partnership Alexander Gibson Hunter, eldest son of David Hunter, of +Blackness, a Forfarshire laird. The new partner brought a considerable +amount of capital into the firm, at a time when capital was greatly +needed in that growing concern. His duties were to take charge of the +ledger and account department, though he never took much interest in his +work, but preferred to call in the help of a clever arithmetical clerk. + +It is unnecessary to speak of the foundation of the _Edinburgh Review_. +It appeared at the right time, and was mainly supported by the talents +of Jeffrey, Brougham, Sydney Smith, Francis Horner, Dr. Thomas Brown, +Lord Murray, and other distinguished writers. The first number +immediately attracted public attention. Mr. Joseph Mawman was the London +agent, but some dissatisfaction having arisen with respect to his +management, the London sale was transferred to the Messrs. Longman, with +one half share in the property of the work. + +During the partnership of Murray and Highley, they had occasional +business transactions with Constable of Edinburgh. Shortly after the +partnership was dissolved in March 1803, Murray wrote as follows to Mr. +Constable: + +_April_ 25, 1803. + +"I have several works in the press which I should be willing to consign +to your management in Edinburgh, but that I presume you have already +sufficient business upon your hands, and that you would not find mine +worth attending to. If so, I wish that you would tell me of some +vigorous young bookseller, like myself, just starting into business, +upon whose probity, punctuality, and exertion you think I might rely, +and I would instantly open a correspondence with him; and in return it +will give me much pleasure to do any civil office for you in London. I +should be happy if any arrangement could be made wherein we might prove +of reciprocal advantage; and were you from your superabundance to pick +me out any work of merit of which you would either make me the publisher +in London, or in which you would allow me to become a partner, I dare +say the occasion would arise wherein I could return the compliment, and +you would have the satisfaction of knowing that your book was in the +hands of one who has not yet so much business as to cause him to neglect +any part of it." + +Mr. Constable's answer was favourable. In October 1804 Mr. Murray, at +the instance of Constable, took as his apprentice Charles Hunter, the +younger brother of A. Gibson Hunter, Constable's partner. The +apprenticeship was to be for four or seven years, at the option of +Charles Hunter. These negotiations between the firms, and their +increasing interchange of books, showed that they were gradually drawing +nearer to each other, until their correspondence became quite friendly +and even intimate. Walter Scott was now making his appearance as an +author; Constable had published his "Sir Tristram" in May 1804, and his +"Lay of the Last Minstrel" in January 1805. Large numbers of these works +were forwarded to London and sold by Mr. Murray. + +At the end of 1805 differences arose between the Constable and Longman +firms as to the periodical works in which they were interested. The +editor and proprietors of the _Edinburgh Review_ were of opinion that +the interest of the Longmans in two other works of a similar +character--the _Annual Review_ and the _Eclectic_--tended to lessen +their exertions on behalf of the _Edinburgh_. It was a matter that might +easily have been arranged; but the correspondents were men of hot +tempers, and with pens in their hands, they sent stinging letters from +London to Edinburgh, and from Edinburgh to London. Rees, Longman's +partner, was as bitter in words on the one side as Hunter, Constable's +partner, was on the other. At length a deadly breach took place, and it +was resolved in Edinburgh that the publication of the _Edinburgh Review_ +should be transferred to John Murray, Fleet Street. Alexander Gibson +Hunter, Constable's partner, wrote to Mr. Murray to tell of the rupture +and to propose a closer alliance with him. + +Mr. Murray replied: + +_John Murray to Mr. A.G. Hunter. + +December 7, 1805_. + +"With regard to the important communication of your last letter, I +confess the surprise with which I read it was not without some mixture +of regret. The extensive connections betwixt your house and Longman's +cannot be severed at once without mutual inconvenience, and perhaps +mutual disadvantages, your share of which a more protracted +dismemberment might have prevented. From what I had occasion to observe, +I did not conceive that your concerns together would ever again move +with a cordiality that would render them lasting; but still, I imagined +that mutual interest and forbearance would allow them to subside into +that indifference which, without animosity or mischief, would leave +either party at liberty to enter upon such new arrangements as offered +to their separate advantage. I do not, however, doubt but that all +things have been properly considered, and perhaps finally settled for +the best; but Time, the only arbitrator in these cases, must decide. + +"In your proposed engagements with Mr. Davies, you will become better +acquainted with a man of great natural talents, and thoroughly versed in +business, which he regulates by the most honourable principles. As for +myself, you will find me exceedingly assiduous in promoting your views, +into which I shall enter with feelings higher than those of mere +interest. Indeed, linked as our houses are at present, we have a natural +tendency to mutual good understanding, which will both prevent and +soften those asperities in business which might otherwise enlarge into +disagreement. Country orders [referring to Constable & Co.'s 'general +order'] are a branch of business which I have ever totally declined as +incompatible with my more serious plans as a publisher. But _your_ +commissions I shall undertake with pleasure, and the punctuality with +which I have attempted to execute _your first order_ you will, I hope, +consider as a specimen of my disposition to give you satisfaction in +every transaction in which we may hereafter be mutually engaged." + +It was a great chance for a young man entering life with a moderate +amount of capital, to be virtually offered an intimate connection with +one of the principal publishing houses of the day. It was one of those +chances which, "taken at the flood, lead on to fortune," but there was +also the question of honour, and Mr. Murray, notwithstanding his desire +for opening out a splendid new connection in business, would do nothing +inconsistent with the strictest honour. He was most unwilling to thrust +himself in between Constable and Longman. Instead, therefore, of jumping +at Constable's advantageous offer, his feelings induced him to promote a +reconciliation between the parties; and he continued to enjoin +forbearance on the part of both firms, so that they might carry on their +business transactions as before. Copies of the correspondence between +Constable and the Longmans were submitted to referees (Murray and +Davies), and the following was Mr. Murray's reply, addressed to Messrs. +Constable & Co.: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Constable & Co_. + +_December_ 14, 1805. + +GENTLEMEN, + +Mr. Hunter's obliging letter to me arrived this morning. That which he +enclosed with yours to his brother last night, Charles gave me to read. +The contents were very flattering. Indeed, I cannot but agree with Mr. +H. that his brother has displayed very honourable feelings, upon hearing +of the probable separation of your house, and that of Messrs. Longman & +Co. Mr. Longman was the first who mentioned this to him, and indeed from +the manner in which Charles related his conversation upon the affair, I +could not but feel renewed sensations of regret at the unpleasant +termination of a correspondence, which, had it been conducted upon Mr. +Longman's own feelings, would have borne, I think, a very different +aspect. Longman spoke of you both with kindness, and mildly complained +that he had perceived a want of confidence on your part, ever since his +junction with Messrs. Hurst & Orme. He confessed that the correspondence +was too harsh for him to support any longer; but, he added, "_if we must +part, let us part like friends_." I am certain, from what Charles +reported to me, that Mr. L. and I think Mr. R. [Rees] are hurt by this +sudden disunion. + +Recollect how serious every dispute becomes upon paper, when a man +writes a thousand asperities merely to show or support his superior +ability. Things that would not have been spoken, or perhaps even thought +of in conversation, are stated and horribly magnified _upon paper_. +Consider how many disputes have arisen in the world, in which both +parties were so violent in what they believed to be the support of +truth, and which to the public, and indeed to themselves a few years +afterwards, appeared unwise, because the occasion or cause of it was not +worth contending about. Consider that you are, all of you, men who can +depend upon each other's probity and honour, and where these essentials +are not wanting, surely in mere matters of business the rest may be +palliated by mutual bearance and forbearance. Besides, you are so +connected by various publications, your common property, and some of +them such as will remain so until the termination of your lives, that +you cannot effect an entire disunion, and must therefore be subject to +eternal vexations and regrets which will embitter every transaction and +settlement between you. + +You know, moreover, that it is one of the misfortunes of our nature, +that disputes are always the most bitter in proportion to former +intimacy. And how much dissatisfaction will it occasion if either of you +are desirous in a year or two of renewing that intimacy which you are +now so anxious to dissolve--to say nothing of your relative utility to +each other--a circumstance which is never properly estimated, except +when the want of the means reminds us of what we have been at such pains +to deprive ourselves. Pause, my dear sirs, whilst to choose be yet in +your power; show yourselves superior to common prejudice, and by an +immediate exercise of your acknowledged pre-eminence of intellect, +suffer arrangements to be made for an accommodation and for a renewal of +that connexion which has heretofore been productive of honour and +profit. I am sure I have to apologize for having ventured to say so much +to men so much my superiors in sense and knowledge of the world and +their own interest; but sometimes the meanest bystander may perceive +disadvantages in the movements of the most skilful players. + +You will not, I am sure, attribute anything which I have said to an +insensibility to the immediate advantages which will arise to myself +from a determination opposite to that which I have taken the liberty of +suggesting. It arises from a very different feeling. I should be very +little worthy of your great confidence and attention to my interest upon +this occasion, if I did not state freely the result of my humble +consideration of this matter; and having done so, I do assure you that +if the arrangements which you now propose are carried into effect, I +will apply the most arduous attention to your interest, to which I will +turn the channel of my own thoughts and business, which, I am proud to +say, is rising in proportion to the industry and honourable principles +which have been used in its establishment. I am every day adding to a +most respectable circle of literary connexions, and I hope, a few months +after the settlement of your present affairs, to offer shares to you of +works in which you will feel it advantageous to engage. Besides, as I +have at present no particular bias, no enormous works of my own which +would need all my care, I am better qualified to attend to any that you +may commit to my charge; and, being young, my business may be formed +with a disposition, as it were, towards yours; and thus growing up with +it, we are more likely to form a durable connexion than can be expected +with persons whose views are imperceptibly but incessantly diverging +from each other. + +Should you be determined--_irrevocably_ determined (but consider!) upon +the disunion with Messrs. Longman, I will just observe that when persons +have been intimate, they have discovered each other's vulnerable points; +it therefore shows no great talent to direct at them shafts of +resentment. It is easy both to write and to say ill-natured, harsh, and +cutting things of each other. But remember that this power is _mutual_, +and in proportion to the poignancy of the wound which you would inflict +will be your own feelings when it is returned. It is therefore a maxim +which I laid down soon after a separation which I _had_, never to say or +do to my late colleague what he could say or do against me in return. I +knew that I had the personal superiority, but what his own ingenuity +could not suggest, others could write for him. + +I must apologise again for having been so tedious, but I am sure that +the same friendliness on your part which has produced these hasty but +well-meant expostulations will excuse them. After this, I trust it is +unnecessary for me to state with how much sincerity, + +I am, dear sirs, + +Your faithful friend, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Ten days after this letter was written, Mr. Murray sent a copy of it to +Messrs. Longman & Co., and wrote: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Longman & Co_, + +_December_ 24, 1805. + +GENTLEMEN, + +The enclosed letter will show that I am not ignorant that a +misunderstanding prevails betwixt your house and that of Messrs. +Constable & Co. With the cause, however, I am as yet unacquainted; +though I have attempted, but in vain, to obviate a disunion which I most +sincerely regret. Whatever arrangements with regard to myself may take +place in consequence will have arisen from circumstances which it was +not in my power to prevent; and they will not therefore be suffered to +interfere in any way with those friendly dispositions which will +continue, I trust, to obtain between you and, gentlemen, + +Your obedient servant, + +J. MURRAY. + +But the split was not to be avoided. It appears, however, that by the +contract entered into by Constable with Longmans in 1803, the latter had +acquired a legal right precluding the publication of the _Edinburgh +Review_ by another publisher without their express assent. Such assent +was not given, and the London publication of the _Edinburgh_ continued +in Longman's hands for a time; but all the other works of Constable were +at once transferred to Mr. Murray. + +Mr. Constable invited Murray to come to Edinburgh to renew their +personal friendship, the foundations of which had been laid during Mr. +Murray's visit to Edinburgh in the previous year; and now that their +union was likely to be much closer, he desired to repeat the visit. Mr. +Murray had another, and, so far as regarded his personal happiness, a +much more important object in view. This arose out of the affection +which he had begun to entertain for Miss Elliot, daughter of the late +Charles Elliot, publisher, with whom Mr. Murray's father had been in +such constant correspondence. The affection was mutual, and it seemed +probable that the attachment would ripen into a marriage. + +Now that his reputation as a publisher was becoming established, Mr. +Murray grew more particular as to the guise of the books which he +issued. He employed the best makers of paper, the best printers, and the +best book-binders. He attended to the size and tone of the paper, and +quality of the type, the accuracy of the printing, and the excellence of +the illustrations. All this involved a great deal of correspondence. We +find his letters to the heads of departments full of details as to the +turn-out of his books. Everything, from the beginning to the end of the +issue of a work--the first inspection of the MS., the consultation with +confidential friends as to its fitness for publication, the form in +which it was to appear, the correction of the proofs, the binding, +title, and final advertisement--engaged his closest attention. Besides +the elegant appearance of his books, he also aimed at raising the +standard of the literature which he published. He had to criticize as +well as to select; to make suggestions as to improvements where the +manuscript was regarded with favour, and finally to launch the book at +the right time and under the best possible auspices. It might almost be +said of the publisher, as it is of the poet, that he is born, not made. +And Mr. Murray appears, from the beginning to the end of his career, to +have been a born publisher. + +In August 1806, during the slack season in London, Mr. Murray made his +promised visit to Edinburgh. He was warmly received by Constable and +Hunter, and enjoyed their hospitality for some days. After business +matters had been disposed of, he was taken in hand by Hunter, the junior +partner, and led off by him to enjoy the perilous hospitality of the +Forfarshire lairds. + +Those have been called the days of heroic drinking. Intemperance +prevailed to an enormous extent. It was a time of greater +licentiousness, perhaps, in all the capitals of Europe, and this +northern one among the rest, than had been known for a long period. Men +of the best education and social position drank like the Scandinavian +barbarians of olden times. Tavern-drinking, now almost unknown among the +educated and professional classes of Edinburgh, was then carried by all +ranks to a dreadful excess. + +Murray was conducted by Hunter to his father's house of Eskmount in +Forfarshire, where he was most cordially received, and in accordance +with the custom of the times the hospitality included invitations to +drinking bouts at the neighbouring houses. + +An unenviable notoriety in this respect attached to William Maule +(created Baron Panmure 1831). He was the second son of the eighth Earl +of Dalhousie, but on succeeding, through his grandmother, to the estates +of the Earls of Panmure, he had assumed the name of Maule in lieu of +that of Ramsay. + +Much against his will, Murray was compelled to take part in some of +these riotous festivities with the rollicking, hard-drinking Forfarshire +lairds, and doubtless he was not sorry to make his escape at length +uninjured, if not unscathed, and to return to more congenial society in +Edinburgh. His attachment to Miss Elliot ended in an engagement. + +In the course of his correspondence with Miss Elliot's trustees, Mr. +Murray gave a statement of his actual financial position at the time: + +"When I say," he wrote, "that my capital in business amounts to five +thousand pounds, I meant it to be understood that if I quitted business +to-morrow, the whole of my property being sold, even disadvantageously, +it would leave a balance in my favour, free from debt or any +incumbrance, of the sum above specified. But you will observe that, +continuing it as I shall do in business, I know it to be far more +considerable and productive. I will hope that it has not been thought +uncandid in me if I did not earlier specify the amount of my +circumstances, for I considered that I had done this in the most +delicate and satisfactory way when I took the liberty of referring you +to Mr. Constable to whom I consequently disclosed my affairs, and whose +knowledge of my connexions in business might I thought have operated +more pleasingly to Miss Elliot's friends than any communication from +myself." + +The correspondence with Miss Elliot went on, and at length it was +arranged that Mr. Murray should proceed to Edinburgh for the marriage. +He went by mail in the month of February. A tremendous snowstorm set in +on his journey north. From a village near Doncaster he wrote to +Constable: "The horses were twice blown quite round, unable to face the +horrid blast of cold wind, the like of which I have never known before. +There was at the same time a terrible fall of snow, which completely +obscured everything that could be seen from the coach window. The snow +became of great depth, and six strong horses could scarcely pull us +through. We are four hours behind time." From Doncaster he went to +Durham in a postchaise; and pushing onward, he at last reached Edinburgh +after six days' stormy travelling. + +While at Edinburgh, Mr. Murray resided with Mr. Sands, one of the late +Charles Elliot's trustees. The marriage took place on March 6, 1807, and +the newly married pair at once started for Kelso, in spite of the roads +being still very bad, and obstructed by snow. Near Blackshields the +horses fell down and rolled over and over. The postboy's leg was broken, +and the carriage was sadly damaged. A neighbouring blacksmith was called +to the rescue, and after an hour and a half the carriage was +sufficiently repaired to be able to proceed. A fresh pair of horses was +obtained at the next stage, and the married couple reached Kelso in +safety. They remained there a few days, waiting for Mrs. Elliot, who +was to follow them; and on her arrival, they set out at once for the +south. + +The intimacy which existed between Mr. Murray and Mr. D'Israeli will be +observed from the fact that the latter was selected as one of the +marriage trustees. A few days after the arrival of the married pair in +London, they were invited to dine with Mr. D'Israeli and his friends. +Mr. Alexander Hunter, whom Mr. Murray had invited to stay with him +during his visit to London, thus describes the event: + +"Dressed, and went along with the Clan Murray to dine at Mr. +D'Israeli's, where we had a most sumptuous banquet, and a very large +party, in honour of the newly married folks. There was a very beautiful +woman there, Mrs. Turner, wife of Sharon Turner, the Anglo-Saxon +historian, who, I am told, was one of the Godwin school! If they be all +as beautiful, accomplished, and agreeable as this lady, they must be a +deuced dangerous set indeed, and I should not choose to trust myself +amongst them. + +"Our male part of the company consisted mostly of literary +men--Cumberland, Turner, D'Israeli, Basevi, Prince Hoare, and Cervetto, +the truly celebrated violoncello player. Turner was the most able and +agreeable of the whole by far; Cumberland, the most talkative and +eccentric perhaps, has a good sprinkling of learning and humour in his +conversation and anecdote, from having lived so long amongst the eminent +men of his day, such as Johnson, Foote, Garrick, and such like. But his +conversation is sadly disgusting, from his tone of irony and detraction +conveyed in a cunning sort of way and directed constantly against the +_Edinburgh Review_, Walter Scott (who is a 'poor ignorant boy, and no +poet,' and never wrote a five-feet line in his life), and such other +d----d stuff." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +"MARMION"--CONSTABLES AND BALLANTYNES--THE "EDINBURGH REVIEW" + + +Mr. Murray was twenty-nine years old at the time of his marriage. That +he was full of contentment as well as hope at this time may be inferred +from his letter to Constable three weeks after his marriage: + +_John Murray to Mr. Constable_. + +_March 27, 1807_. + +"I declare to you that I am every day more content with my lot. Neither +my wife nor I have any disposition for company or going out; and you may +rest assured that I shall devote all my attention to business, and that +your concerns will not be less the object of my regard merely because +you have raised mine so high. Every moment, my dear Constable, I feel +more grateful to you, and I trust that you will over find me your +faithful friend.--J.M." + +Some of the most important events in Murray's career occurred during the +first year of his married life. Chief among them may perhaps be +mentioned his part share in the publication of "Marmion" (in February +1808)--which brought him into intimate connection with Walter Scott--and +his appointment for a time as publisher in London of the _Edinburgh +Review_; for he was thus brought into direct personal contact with those +forces which ultimately led to the chief literary enterprise of his +life--the publication of the _Quarterly Review_. + +Mr. Scott called upon Mr. Murray in London shortly after the return of +the latter from his marriage in Edinburgh. + +"Mr. Scott called upon me on Tuesday, and we conversed for an hour.... +He appears very anxious that 'Marmion' should be published by the +King's birthday.... He said he wished it to be ready by that time for +very particular reasons; and yet he allows that the poem is not +completed, and that he is yet undetermined if he shall make his hero +happy or otherwise." + +The other important event, to which allusion has been made, was the +transfer to Mr. Murray of part of the London agency for the _Edinburgh +Review_. At the beginning of 1806 Murray sold 1,000 copies of the +_Review_ on the day of its publication, and the circulation was steadily +increasing. Constable proposed to transfer the entire London publication +to Murray, but the Longmans protested, under the terms of their existing +agreement. In April 1807 they employed as their attorney Mr. Sharon +Turner, one of Murray's staunchest allies. Turner informed him, through +a common friend, of his having been retained by the Longmans; but Murray +said he could not in any way "feel hurt at so proper and indispensable a +pursuit of his profession." The opinion of counsel was in favour of the +Messrs. Longman's contention, and of their "undisputable rights to +one-half of the _Edinburgh Review_ so long as it continues to be +published under that title." + +Longman & Co. accordingly obtained an injunction to prevent the +publication of the _Edinburgh Review_ by any other publisher in London +without their express consent. + +Matters were brought to a crisis by the following letter, written by the +editor, Mr. Francis Jeffrey, to Messrs. Constable & Co.: + +_June 1_, 1807. + +GENTLEMEN, + +I believe you understand already that neither I nor any of the original +and regular writers in the _Review_ will ever contribute a syllable to a +work belonging to booksellers. It is proper, however, to announce this +to you distinctly, that you may have no fear of hardship or +disappointment in the event of Mr. Longman succeeding in his claim to +the property of this work. If that claim be not speedily rejected or +abandoned, it is our fixed resolution to withdraw entirely from the +_Edinburgh Review_; to publish to all the world that the conductor and +writers of the former numbers have no sort of connection with those that +may afterwards appear; and probably to give notice of our intention to +establish a new work of a similar nature under a different title. + +I have the honour to be, gentlemen, + +Your very obedient servant, + +F. JEFFREY. + +A copy of this letter was at once forwarded to Messrs. Longman. +Constable, in his communication accompanying it, assured the publishers +that, in the event of the editor and contributors to the _Edinburgh +Review_ withdrawing from the publication and establishing a new +periodical, the existing _Review_ would soon be of no value either to +proprietors or publishers, and requested to be informed whether they +would not be disposed to transfer their interest in the property, and, +if so, on what considerations. Constable added: "We are apprehensive +that the editors will not postpone for many days longer that public +notification of their secession, which we cannot help anticipating as +the death-blow of the publication." + +Jeffrey's decision seems to have settled the matter. Messrs. Longman +agreed to accept L1,000 for their claim of property in the title and +future publication of the _Edinburgh Review_. The injunction was +removed, and the London publication of the _Review_ was forthwith +transferred to John Murray, 32, Fleet Street, under whose auspices No. +22 accordingly appeared. + +Thus far all had gone on smoothly. But a little cloud, at first no +bigger than a man's hand, made its appearance, and it grew and grew +until it threw a dark shadow over the friendship of Constable and +Murray, and eventually led to their complete separation. This was the +system of persistent drawing of accommodation bills, renewals of bills, +and promissory notes. Constable began to draw heavily upon Murray in +April 1807, and the promissory notes went on accumulating until they +constituted a mighty mass of paper money. Murray's banker cautioned him +against the practice. But repeated expostulation was of no use against +the impetuous needs of Constable & Co. Only two months after the +transfer of the publication of the _Review_ to Mr. Murray, we find him +writing to "Dear Constable" as follows: + +_John Murray to Mr. Archd. Constable_. + +_October 1, 1807_. + +"I should not have allowed myself time to write to you to-day, were not +the occasion very urgent. Your people have so often of late omitted to +give you timely notice of the day when my acceptances fell due, that I +have suffered an inconvenience too great for me to have expressed to +you, had it not occurred so often that it is impossible for me to +undergo the anxiety which it occasions. A bill of yours for L200 was due +yesterday, and I have been obliged to supply the means for paying it, +without any notice for preparation.... I beg of you to insist upon this +being regulated, as I am sure you must desire it to be, so that I may +receive the cash for your bills two days at least before they are due." + +Mr. Murray then gives a list of debts of his own (including some of +Constable's) amounting to L1,073, which he has to pay in the following +week. From a cash account made out by Mr. Murray on October 3, it +appears that the bill transactions with Constable had become enormous; +they amounted to not less than L10,000. + +The correspondence continued in the same strain, and it soon became +evident that this state of things could not be allowed to continue. +Reconciliations took place from time to time, but interruptions again +occurred, mostly arising from the same source--a perpetual flood of +bills and promissory notes, from one side and the other--until Murray +found it necessary to put an end to it peremptorily. Towards the end of +1808 Messrs. Constable established at No. 10 Ludgate Street a London +house for the sale of the _Edinburgh Review_, and the other works in +which they were concerned, under the title of Constable, Hunter, Park & +Hunter. This, doubtless, tended to widen the breach between Constable +and Murray, though it left the latter free to enter into arrangements +for establishing a Review of his own, an object which he had already +contemplated. + +There were many books in which the two houses had a joint interest, and, +therefore, their relations could not be altogether discontinued. +"Marmion" was coming out in successive editions; but the correspondence +between the publishers grew cooler and cooler, and Constable had +constant need to delay payments and renew bills. + +Mr. Murray had also considerable bill transactions with Ballantyne & Co. +of Edinburgh. James and John Ballantyne had been schoolfellows of Walter +Scott at Kelso, and the acquaintance there formed was afterwards +renewed. James Ballantyne established the _Kelso Mail_ in 1796, but at +the recommendation of Scott, for whom he had printed a collection of +ballads, he removed to Edinburgh in 1802. There he printed the "Border +Minstrelsy," for Scott, who assisted him with money. Ballantyne was in +frequent and intimate correspondence with Murray from the year 1806, and +had printed for him Hogg's "Ettrick Shepherd," and other works. + +It was at this time that Scott committed the great error of his life. +His professional income was about L1,000 a year, and with the profits of +his works he might have built Abbotsford and lived in comfort and +luxury. But in 1805 he sacrificed everything by entering into +partnership with James Ballantyne, and embarking in his printing concern +almost the whole of the capital which he possessed. He was bound to the +firm for twenty years, and during that time he produced his greatest +works. It is true that but for the difficulties in which he was latterly +immersed, we might never have known the noble courage with which he met +and rose superior to misfortune. + +In 1808 a scheme of great magnitude was under contemplation by Murray +and the Ballantynes. It was a uniform edition of the "British +Novelists," beginning with De Foe, and ending with the novelists at the +close of last century; with biographical prefaces and illustrative notes +by Walter Scott. A list of the novels, written in the hand of John +Murray, includes thirty-six British, besides eighteen foreign authors. +The collection could not have been completed in less than two hundred +volumes. The scheme, if it did not originate with Walter Scott, had at +least his cordial support. + +Mr. Murray not unreasonably feared the cost of carrying such an +undertaking to completion. It could not have amounted to less than +twenty thousand pounds. Yet the Ballantynes urged him on. They furnished +statements of the cost of printing and paper for each volume. "It really +strikes me," said James Ballantyne, "the more I think of and examine it, +to be the happiest speculation that has ever been thought of." + +This undertaking eventually fell through. Only the works of De Foe were +printed by the Messrs. Ballantyne, and published by Mr. Murray. The +attention of the latter became absorbed by a subject of much greater +importance to him--the establishment of the _Quarterly Review_. This for +a time threw most of his other schemes into the shade. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +ORIGIN OF THE "QUARTERLY REVIEW" + + +The publication of a Tory Review was not the result of a sudden +inspiration. The scheme had long been pondered over. Mr. Canning had +impressed upon Mr. Pitt the importance of securing the newspaper press, +then almost entirely Whiggish or Revolutionary, on the side of his +administration. To combat, in some measure, the democratic principles +then in full swing, Mr. Canning, with others, started, in November 1797, +the _Anti-Jacobin, or Weekly Examiner_. + +The _Anti-Jacobin_ ceased to be published in 1798, when Canning, having +been appointed Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, found his +time fully occupied by the business of his department, as well as by his +parliamentary duties, and could no longer take part in that clever +publication. + +Four years later, in October 1802, the first number of the _Edinburgh +Review_ was published. It appeared at the right time, and, as the first +quarterly organ of the higher criticism, evidently hit the mark at which +it aimed. It was conducted by some of the cleverest literary young men +in Edinburgh--Jeffrey, Brougham, Sydney Smith, Francis Horner, Dr. +Thomas Brown, and others. Though Walter Scott was not a founder of the +_Review_, he was a frequent contributor. + +In its early days the criticism was rude, and wanting in delicate +insight; for the most part too dictatorial, and often unfair. Thus +Jeffrey could never appreciate the merits of Wordsworth, Southey, and +Coleridge. "This will never do!" was the commencement of his review of +Wordsworth's noblest poem. Jeffrey boasted that he had "crushed the +'Excursion.'" "He might as well say," observed Southey, "that he could +crush Skiddaw." Ignorance also seems to have pervaded the article +written by Brougham, in the second number of the _Edinburgh_, on Dr. +Thomas Young's discovery of the true principles of interferences in the +undulatory theory of light. Sir John Herschell, a more competent +authority, said of Young's discovery, that it was sufficient of itself +to have placed its author in the highest rank of scientific immortality. + +The situation seemed to Mr. Murray to warrant the following letter: + +_John Murray to the Right Hon. George Canning_. + +_September 25, 1807._ + +Sir, + +I venture to address you upon a subject that is not, perhaps, +undeserving of one moment of your attention. There is a work entitled +the _Edinburgh Review_, written with such unquestionable talent that it +has already attained an extent of circulation not equalled by any +similar publication. The principles of this work are, however, so +radically bad that I have been led to consider the effect that such +sentiments, so generally diffused, are likely to produce, and to think +that some means equally popular ought to be adopted to counteract their +dangerous tendency. But the publication in question is conducted with so +much ability, and is sanctioned with such high and decisive authority by +the party of whose opinions it is the organ, that there is little hope +of producing against it any effectual opposition, unless it arise from +you, Sir, and your friends. Should you, Sir, think the idea worthy of +encouragement, I should, with equal pride and willingness, engage my +arduous exertions to promote its success; but as my object is nothing +short of producing a work of the greatest talent and importance, I shall +entertain it no longer if it be not so fortunate as to obtain the high +patronage which I have thus taken the liberty to solicit. + +Permit me, Sir, to add that the person who addresses you is no +adventurer, but a man of some property, and inheriting a business that +has been established for nearly a century. I therefore trust that my +application will be attributed to its proper motives, and that your +goodness will at least pardon its obtrusion. + +I have the honour to be, Sir, Your must humble and obedient Servant, + +John Murray. + +So far as can be ascertained, Mr. Canning did not answer this letter in +writing. But a communication was shortly after opened with him through +Mr. Stratford Canning, whose acquaintance Mr. Murray had made through +the publication of the "Miniature," referred to in a preceding chapter. +Mr. Canning was still acting as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, +and was necessarily cautious, but Mr. Stratford Canning, his cousin, was +not bound by any such official restraints. In January 1808 he introduced +Mr. Gifford to Mr. Murray, and the starting of the proposed new +periodical was the subject of many consultations between them. + +Walter Scott still continued to write for the _Edinburgh_, +notwithstanding the differences of opinion which existed between himself +and the editor as to political questions. He was rather proud of the +_Review_, inasmuch as it was an outgrowth of Scottish literature. Scott +even endeavoured to enlist new contributors, for the purpose of +strengthening the _Review_. He wrote to Robert Southey in 1807, inviting +him to contribute to the _Edinburgh_. The honorarium was to be ten +guineas per sheet of sixteen pages. This was a very tempting invitation +to Southey, as he was by no means rich at the time, and the pay was more +than he received for his contributions to the _Annual Register_, but he +replied to Scott as follows: + +_Mr. Southey to Mr. Scott_. + +_December, 1807_. + +"I have scarcely one opinion in common with it [the _Edinburgh Review_] +upon any subject.... Whatever of any merit I might insert there would +aid and abet opinions hostile to my own, and thus identify me with a +system which I thoroughly disapprove. This is not said hastily. The +emolument to be derived from writing at ten guineas a sheet, Scotch +measure, instead of seven pounds for the _Annual_, would be +considerable; the pecuniary advantage resulting from the different +manner in which my future works would be handled [by the _Review_] +probably still more so. But my moral feelings must not be compromised. +To Jeffrey as an individual I shall ever be ready to show every kind of +individual courtesy; but of Judge Jeffrey of the _Edinburgh Review_ I +must ever think and speak as of a bad politician, a worse moralist, and +a critic, in matters of taste, equally incompetent and unjust." +[Footnote: "The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey," iii. pp. +124-5.] Walter Scott, before long, was led to entertain the same opinion +of the _Edinburgh Review_ as Southey. A severe and unjust review of +"Marmion," by Jeffrey, appeared in 1808, accusing Scott of a mercenary +spirit in writing for money (though Jeffrey himself was writing for +money in the same article), and further irritating Scott by asserting +that he "had neglected Scottish feelings and Scottish characters." +"Constable," writes Scott to his brother Thomas, in November 1808, "or +rather that Bear, his partner [Mr. Hunter], has behaved by me of late +not very civilly, and I owe Jeffrey a flap with a foxtail on account of +his review of 'Marmion,' and thus doth the whirligig of time bring about +my revenges." + +Murray, too, was greatly annoyed by the review of "Marmion." "Scott," he +used to say, "may forgive but he can never forget this treatment"; and, +to quote the words of Mr. Lockhart: "When he read the article on +'Marmion,' and another on foreign politics, in the same number of the +_Edinburgh Review_, Murray said to himself, 'Walter Scott has feelings, +both as a gentleman and a Tory, which these people must now have +wounded; the alliance between him and the whole clique of the _Edinburgh +Review_ is now shaken'"; and, as far at least as the political part of +the affair was concerned, John Murray's sagacity was not at fault. + +Mr. Murray at once took advantage of this opening to draw closer the +bonds between himself and Ballantyne, for he well knew who was the +leading spirit in the firm, and showed himself desirous of obtaining the +London agency of the publishing business, which, as he rightly +discerned, would soon be started in connection with the Canongate Press, +and in opposition to Constable. The large increase of work which Murray +was prepared to place in the hands of the printers induced Ballantyne to +invite him to come as far as Ferrybridge in Yorkshire for a personal +conference. At this interview various new projects were discussed--among +them the proposed Novelists' Library--and from the information which he +then obtained as to Scott's personal feelings and literary projects, +Murray considered himself justified in at once proceeding to Ashestiel, +in order to lay before Scott himself, in a personal interview, his great +scheme for the new Review. He arrived there about the middle of October +1808, and was hospitably welcomed and entertained. He stated his plans, +mentioned the proposed editor of the Review, the probable contributors, +and earnestly invited the assistance of Scott himself. + +During Murray's visit to Ashestiel No. 26 of the _Edinburgh Review_ +arrived. It contained an article entitled "Don Cevallos on the +Occupation of Spain." It was long supposed that the article was written +by Brougham, but it has since been ascertained that Jeffrey himself was +the author of it. This article gave great offence to the friends of +rational liberty and limited monarchy in this country. Scott forthwith +wrote to Constable: "The _Edinburgh Review had_ become such as to render +it impossible for me to become a contributor to it; _now_ it is such as +I can no longer continue to receive or read it." + +"The list of the then subscribers," said Mr. Cadell to Mr. Lockhart, +"exhibits, in an indignant dash of Constable's pen opposite Mr. Scott's +name, the word 'STOPT!'" + +Mr. Murray never forgot his visit to Ashestiel. Scott was kindness +itself; Mrs. Scott was equally cordial and hospitable. Richard Heber was +there at the time, and the three went out daily to explore the scenery +of the neighbourhood. They visited Melrose Abbey, the Tweed, and +Dryburgh Abbey, not very remote from Melrose, where Scott was himself to +lie; they ascended the Eildon Hills, Scott on his sheltie often stopping +by the way to point out to Murray and Heber, who were on foot, some +broad meadow or heather-clad ground, as a spot where some legend held +its seat, or some notable deed had been achieved during the wars of the +Borders. Scott thus converted the barren hillside into a region of +interest and delight. From the top of the Eildons he pointed out the +scene of some twenty battles. + +Very soon after his return to London, Murray addressed the following +letter to Mr. Scott: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_October_ 26, 1808. + +DEAR SIR, + +Although the pressure of business since my return to London has +prevented me writing to you sooner, yet my thoughts have, I assure you, +been almost completely employed upon the important subjects of the +conversation with which you honoured me during the time I was +experiencing the obliging hospitality of Mrs. Scott and yourself at +Ashestiel. + +Then, after a reference to the Novelists' Library mentioned in the last +chapter, the letter continues: + +"I have seen Mr. William Gifford, hinting distantly at a Review; he +admitted the most imperious necessity for one, and that too in a way +that leads me to think that he has had very important communications +upon the subject.... I feel more than ever confident that the higher +powers are exceedingly desirous for the establishment of some +counteracting publication; and it will, I suspect, remain only for your +appearance in London to urge some very formidable plan into activity." + +This letter was crossed in transit by the following: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +ASHESTIEL, BY SELKIRK, _October_ 30, 1808. + +DEAR SIR, + +"Since I had the pleasure of seeing you I have the satisfaction to find +that Mr. Gifford has accepted the task of editing the intended Review. +This was communicated to me by the Lord Advocate, who at the same time +requested me to write Mr. Gifford on the subject. I have done so at +great length, pointing out whatever occurred to me on the facilities or +difficulties of the work in general, as well as on the editorial +department, offering at the same time all the assistance in my power to +set matters upon a good footing and to keep them so. I presume he will +have my letter by the time this reaches you, and that he will +communicate with you fully upon the details. I am as certain as of my +existence that the plan will answer, provided sufficient attention is +used in procuring and selecting articles of merit." + +What Scott thought of Murray's visit to Ashestiel may be inferred from +his letter to his political confidant, George Ellis, of which, as it has +already appeared in Scott's Life, it is only necessary to give extracts +here: + +_Mr. Scott to Mr. George Ellis_. + +_November_ 2, 1808. + +DEAR ELLIS, + +"We had, equally to our joy and surprise, a flying visit from Heber +about three weeks ago. He staid but three days, but, between old stories +and new, we made them very merry in their passage. During his stay, John +Murray, the bookseller in Fleet Street, who has more real knowledge of +what concerns his business than any of his brethren--at least, than any +of them that I know--came to canvass a most important plan, of which I +am now, in "dern privacie," to give you the outline. I had most strongly +recommended to our Lord Advocate (the Right Hon. J.C. Colquhoun) to +think of some counter measures against the _Edinburgh Review_. which, +politically speaking, is doing incalculable damage. I do not mean this +in a party way; the present ministry are not all I could wish them, for +(Canning excepted) I doubt there is among them too much +_self-seeking...._ But their political principles are sound English +principles, and, compared to the greedy and inefficient horde which +preceded them, they are angels of light and purity. It is obvious, +however, that they want defenders, both in and out of doors. Pitt's + + "Love and fear glued many friends to him; + And now he's fallen, those tough co-mixtures melt." + +Then, after a reference to the large circulation (9,000) and mischievous +politics of the _Edinburgh Review_, he proceeds: + +"Now, I think there is balm in Gilead for all this, and that the cure +lies in instituting such a Review in London as should be conducted +totally independent of bookselling influence, on a plan as liberal as +that of the _Edinburgh_, its literature as well supported, and its +principles English and constitutional. Accordingly, I have been given to +understand that Mr. William Gifford is willing to become the conductor +of such a work, and I have written to him, at the Lord Advocate's +desire, a very voluminous letter on the subject. Now, should this plan +succeed, you must hang your birding-piece on its hook, take down your +old Anti-Jacobin armour, and "remember your swashing blow." It is not +that I think this projected Review ought to be exclusively or +principally political; this would, in my opinion, absolutely counteract +its purpose, which I think should be to offer to those who love their +country, and to those whom we would wish to love it, a periodical work +of criticism conducted with equal talent, but upon sounder principles. +Is not this very possible? In point of learning, you Englishmen have ten +times our scholarship; and, as for talent and genius, "Are not Abana and +Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than any of the rivers in Israel?" +Have we not yourself and your cousin, the Roses, Malthus, Matthias, +Gifford, Heber, and his brother? Can I not procure you a score of +blue-caps who would rather write for us than for the _Edinburgh Review_ +if they got as much pay by it? "A good plot, good friends, and full of +expectation--an excellent plot, very good friends!" + +Heber's fear was lest we should fail in procuring regular steady +contributors; but I know so much of the interior discipline of reviewing +as to have no apprehension of that. Provided we are once set a-going by +a few dashing numbers, there would be no fear of enlisting regular +contributors; but the amateurs must bestir themselves in the first +instance. From the Government we should be entitled to expect +confidential communications as to points of fact (so far as fit to be +made public) in our political disquisitions. With this advantage, our +good cause and St. George to boot, we may at least divide the field with +our formidable competitors, who, after all, are much better at cutting +than parrying, and whose uninterrupted triumph has as much unfitted them +for resisting a serious attack as it has done Buonaparte for the Spanish +war. Jeffrey is, to be sure, a man of the most uncommon versatility of +talent, but what then? + + +"General Howe is a gallant commander, +There are others as gallant as he." + + +Think of all this, and let me hear from you very soon on the subject. +Canning is, I have good reason to know, very anxious about the plan. I +mentioned it to Robert Dundas, who was here with his lady for a few days +on a pilgrimage to Melrose, and he highly approved of it. Though no +literary man, he is judicious, _clair-voyant_, and uncommonly +sound-headed, like his father, Lord Melville. With the exceptions I have +mentioned, the thing continues a secret.... + +Ever yours, + +Walter Scott." + + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_November_ 2, 1808. + +I transmitted my letter to Mr. Gifford through the Lord Advocate, and +left it open that Mr. Canning might read it if he thought it worth +while. I have a letter from the Advocate highly approving my views, so I +suppose you will very soon hear from Mr. Gifford specifically on the +subject. It is a matter of immense consequence that something shall be +set about, and that without delay.... + +The points on which I chiefly insisted with Mr. Gifford were that the +Review should be independent both as to bookselling and ministerial +influences--meaning that we were not to be advocates of party through +thick and thin, but to maintain constitutional principles. Moreover, I +stated as essential that the literary part of the work should be as +sedulously attended to as the political, because it is by means of that +alone that the work can acquire any firm and extended reputation. + +Moreover yet, I submitted that each contributor should draw money for +his article, be his rank what it may. This general rule has been of +great use to the _Edinburgh Review_. Of terms I said nothing, except +that your views on the subject seemed to me highly liberal. I do not add +further particulars because I dare say Mr. Gifford will show you the +letter, which is a very long one. Believe me, my dear Sir, with sincere +regard, + +Your faithful, humble Servant, + +Walter Scott. + + +In a subsequent letter to Mr. Ellis, Scott again indicates what he +considers should be the proper management of the proposed Review. + +"Let me touch," he says, "a string of much delicacy--the political +character of the Review. It appears to me that this should be of a +liberal and enlarged nature, resting upon principles--indulgent and +conciliatory as far as possible upon mere party questions, but stern in +detecting and exposing all attempts to sap our constitutional fabric. +Religion is another slippery station; here also I would endeavour to be +as impartial as the subject will admit of.... The truth is, there is +policy, as well as morality, in keeping our swords clear as well as +sharp, and not forgetting the Gentleman in the Critic. The public +appetite is soon gorged with any particular style. The common Reviews, +before the appearance of the _Edinburgh_, had become extremely mawkish; +and, unless when prompted by the malice of the bookseller or reviewer, +gave a dawdling, maudlin sort of applause to everything that reached +even mediocrity. The _Edinburgh_ folks squeezed into their sauce plenty +of acid, and were popular from novelty as well as from merit. The minor +Reviews, and other periodical publications, have _outred_ the matter +still further, and given us all abuse and no talent.... This, therefore, +we have to trust to, that decent, lively, and reflecting criticism, +teaching men not to abuse books, but to read and to judge them, will +have the effect of novelty upon a public wearied with universal efforts +at blackguard and indiscriminating satire. I have a long and very +sensible letter [Footnote: Given below, under date November 15, 1808.] +from John Murray, the bookseller, in which he touches upon this point +very neatly." + +Scott was most assiduous in his preparations for the first number. He +wrote to his brother, Thomas Scott, asking him to contribute an article; +to Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, of Christ Church, Oxford; to Mr. Morritt, +of Rokeby Park, Yorkshire; and to Robert Southey, of Keswick, asking +them for contributions. To Mr. Sharpe he says: + +"The Hebers are engaged, item Rogers, Southey, Moore (Anacreon), and +others whose reputations Jeffrey has murdered, and who are rising to cry +woe upon him, like the ghosts in 'King Richard.'" + +Scott's letter to Gilford, the intended editor, was full of excellent +advice. It was dated "Edinburgh, October 25, 1808." We quote from it +several important passages: + +"John Murray, of Fleet Street," says Scott, "a young bookseller of +capital and enterprise, and with more good sense and propriety of +sentiment than fall to the share of most of the trade, made me a visit +at Ashestiel a few weeks ago; and as I found he had had some +communication with you upon the subject, I did not hesitate to +communicate my sentiments to him on this and some other points of the +plan, and I thought his ideas were most liberal and satisfactory. + +"The office of Editor is of such importance, that had you not been +pleased to undertake it, I fear the plan would have fallen wholly to the +ground. The full power of control must, of course, be vested in the +editor for selecting, curtailing, and correcting the contributions to +the Review. But this is not all; for, as he is the person immediately +responsible to the bookseller that the work (amounting to a certain +number of pages, more or less) shall be before the public at a certain +time, it will be the editor's duty to consider in due turn the articles +of which each number ought to consist, and to take measures for +procuring them from the persons best qualified to write upon such and +such subjects. But this is sometimes so troublesome, that I foresee with +pleasure you will soon be obliged to abandon your resolution of writing +nothing yourself. At the same time, if you will accept of my services as +a sort of jackal or lion's provider, I will do all in my power to assist +in this troublesome department of editorial duty. + +"But there is still something behind, and that of the last consequence. +One great resource to which the _Edinburgh_ editor turns himself, and by +which he gives popularity even to the duller articles of his _Review_, +is accepting contributions from persons of inferior powers of writing, +provided they understand the books to which their criticisms relate; and +as such are often of stupefying mediocrity, he renders them palatable by +throwing in a handful of spice, namely, any lively paragraph or +entertaining illustration that occurs to him in reading them over. By +this sort of veneering he converts, without loss of time or hindrance to +business, articles, which in their original state might hang in the +market, into such goods as are not likely to disgrace those among which +they are placed. This seems to be a point in which an editor's +assistance is of the last consequence, for those who possess the +knowledge necessary to review books of research or abstruse +disquisitions, are very often unable to put the criticisms into a +readable, much more a pleasant and captivating form; and as their +science cannot be attained 'for the nonce,' the only remedy is to supply +their deficiencies, and give their lucubrations a more popular turn. + +"There is one opportunity possessed by you in a particular degree--that +of access to the best sources of political information. It would not, +certainly, be advisable that the work should assume, especially at the +outset, a professed political character. On the contrary, the articles +on science and miscellaneous literature ought to be of such a quality as +might fairly challenge competition with the best of our contemporaries. +But as the real reason of instituting the publication is the disgusting +and deleterious doctrine with which the most popular of our Reviews +disgraces its pages, it is essential to consider how this warfare should +be managed. On this ground, I hope it is not too much to expect from +those who have the power of assisting us, that they should on topics of +great national interest furnish the reviewers, through the medium of +their editor, with accurate views of points of fact, so far as they are +fit to be made public. This is the most delicate and yet most essential +part of our scheme. + +"On the one hand, it is certainly not to be understood that we are to be +held down to advocate upon all occasions the cause of administration. +Such a dereliction of independence would render us entirely useless for +the purpose we mean to serve. On the other hand, nothing will render the +work more interesting than the public learning, not from any vaunt of +ours, but from their own observation, that we have access to early and +accurate information on points of fact. The _Edinburgh Review_ has +profited much by the pains which the Opposition party have taken to +possess the writers of all the information they could give them on +public matters. Let me repeat that you, my dear sir, from enjoying the +confidence of Mr. Canning, and other persons in power, may easily obtain +the confidential information necessary to give credit to the work, and +communicate it to such as you may think proper to employ in laying it +before the public." + +Mr. Scott further proceeded, in his letter to Mr. Gifford, to discuss +the mode and time of publication, the choice of subjects, the persons to +be employed as contributors, and the name of the proposed Review, thus +thoroughly identifying himself with it. + +"Let our forces," he said, "for a number or two, consist of volunteers +or amateurs, and when we have acquired some reputation, we shall soon +levy and discipline our forces of the line. After all, the matter is +become very serious--eight or nine thousand copies of the _Edinburgh +Review_ are regularly distributed, merely because there is no other +respectable and independent publication of the kind. In this city +(Edinburgh), where there is not one Whig out of twenty men who read the +work, many hundreds are sold; and how long the generality of readers +will continue to dislike politics, so artfully mingled with information +and amusement, is worthy of deep consideration. But it is not yet too +late to stand in the breach; the first number ought, if possible, to be +out in January, and if it can burst among them like a bomb, without +previous notice, the effect will be more striking. + +"Of those who might be intrusted in the first instance you are a much +better judge than I am. I think I can command the assistance of a friend +or two here, particularly William Erskine, the Lord Advocate's +brother-in-law and my most intimate friend. In London, you have Malthus, +George Ellis, the Roses, _cum pluribus aliis_. Richard Heber was with me +when Murray came to my farm, and, knowing his zeal for the good cause, I +let him into our counsels. In Mr. Frere we have the hopes of a potent +ally. The Rev. Reginald Heber would be an excellent coadjutor, and when +I come to town I will sound Matthias. As strict secrecy would of course +be observed, the diffidence of many might be overcome. For scholars you +can be at no loss while Oxford stands where it did; and I think there +will be no deficiency in the scientific articles." + +Thus instructed, Gifford proceeded to rally his forces. There was no +want of contributors. Some came invited, some came unsought; but, as the +matter was still a secret, the editor endeavoured to secure +contributions through his personal friends. For instance, he called upon +Mr. Rogers to request him to secure the help of Moore. + +"I must confess," said Rogers to Moore, "I heard of the new quarterly +with pleasure, as I thought it might correct an evil we had long +lamented together. Gifford wishes much for contributors, and is +exceedingly anxious that you should assist him as often as you can +afford time.... All this in _confidence_ of course, as the secret is not +my own." + +Gifford also endeavoured to secure the assistance of Southey, through +his friend, Mr. Grosvenor Bedford. Southey was requested to write for +the first number an article on the Affairs of Spain. This, however, he +declined to do; but promised to send an article on the subject of +Missionaries. + +"Let not Gifford," he wrote to Bedford, in reply to his letter, "suppose +me a troublesome man to deal with, pertinacious about trifles, or +standing upon punctilios of authorship. No, Grosvenor, I am a quiet, +patient, easy-going hack of the mule breed; regular as clockwork in my +pace, sure-footed, bearing the burden which is laid on me, and only +obstinate in choosing my own path. If Gifford could see me by this +fireside, where, like Nicodemus, one candle suffices me in a large room, +he would see a man in a coat 'still more threadbare than his own' when +he wrote his 'Imitation,' working hard and getting little--a bare +maintenance, and hardly that; writing poems and history for posterity +with his whole heart and soul; one daily progressive in learning, not so +learned as he is poor, not so poor as proud, not so proud as happy." + +_Mr. James Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +_October_ 28, 1808. + +"Well, you have of course heard from Mr. Scott of the progress of the +'Great Plan.' Canning bites at the hook eagerly. A review termed by Mr. +Jeffrey _a tickler_, is to appear of Dryden in this No. of the +_Edinburgh_. By the Lord! they will rue it. You know Scott's present +feelings, excited by the review of 'Marmion.' What will they be when +that of Dryden appears?" + +It was some time, however, before arrangements could be finally made for +bringing out the first number of the _Quarterly_. Scott could not as yet +pay his intended visit to London, and after waiting for about a month, +Murray sent him the following letter, giving his further opinion as to +the scope and object of the proposed Review: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_November_ 15, 1808. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have been desirous of writing to you for nearly a week past, as I +never felt more the want of a personal conversation. I will endeavour, +however, to explain myself to you, and will rely on your confidence and +indulgence for secrecy and attention in what I have to communicate. I +have before told you that the idea of a new Review has been revolving in +my mind for nearly two years, and that more than twelve months ago I +addressed Mr. Canning on the subject. The propriety, if not the +necessity, of establishing a journal upon principles opposite to those +of the _Edinburgh Review_ has occurred to many men more enlightened than +myself; and I believe the same reason has prevented others, as it has +done myself, from attempting it, namely, the immense difficulty of +obtaining talent of sufficient magnitude to render success even +_doubtful_. + +By degrees my plan has gradually floated up to this height. But there +exists at least an equal difficulty yet--that peculiar talent in an +editor of rendering our other great resources advantageous to the best +possible degree. This, I think, may be accomplished, but it must be +effected by your arduous assistance, at least for a little time. Our +friend Mr. Gifford, whose writings show him to be both a man of learning +and wit, has lived too little in the world lately to have obtained that +delicacy and tact whereby he can feel at one instant, and habitually, +whatever may gratify public desire and excite public attention and +curiosity. But this you know to be a leading feature in the talents of +Mr. Jeffrey and his friends; and that, without the most happy choice of +subjects, as well as the ability to treat them well--catching the +"manners living as they rise"--the _Edinburgh Review_ could not have +attained the success it has done; and no other Review, however +preponderating in solid merit, will obtain sufficient attention without +them. Entering the field too, as we shall do, against an army commanded +by the most skilful generals, it will not do for us to leave any of our +best officers behind as a reserve, for they would be of no use if we +were defeated at first. We must enter with our most able commanders at +once, and we shall then acquire confidence, if not reputation, and +increase in numbers as we proceed. + +Our first number must contain the most valuable and striking information +in politics, and the most interesting articles of general literature and +science, written by our most able friends. If our plan appears to be so +advantageous to the ministers whose measures, to a certain extent, we +intend to justify, to support, to recommend and assist, that they have +promised their support; when might that support be so advantageously +given, either for their own interests or ours, as at the commencement, +when we are most weak, and have the most arduous onset to make, and when +we do and must stand most in need of help? If our first number be not +written with the greatest ability, upon the most interesting topics, it +will not excite public attention. No man, even the friend of the +principles we adopt, will leave the sprightly pages of the _Edinburgh +Review_ to read a dull detail of staid morality, or dissertations on +subjects whose interest has long fled. + +I do not say this from any, even the smallest doubt, of our having all +that we desire in these respects in our power; but because I am +apprehensive that without your assistance it will not be drawn into +action, and my reason for this fear I will thus submit to you. You +mentioned in your letter to Mr. Gifford, that our Review should open +with a grand article on Spain--meaning a display of the political +feeling of the people, and the probable results of this important +contest. I suggested to Mr. Gifford that Mr. Frere should be written to, +which he said was easy, and that he thought he would do it; for Frere +could not only give the facts upon the subject, but could write them +better than any other person. But having, in my project, given the name +of Southey as a person who might assist occasionally in a number or two +hence, I found at our next interview that Mr. Gifford, who does not know +Mr. Southey, had spoken to a friend to ask Mr. S. to write the article +upon Spain. It is true that Mr. Southey knows a great deal about Spain, +and on another occasion would have given a good article upon the +subject; but at present _his_ is not the kind of knowledge which we +want, and it is, moreover, trusting our secret to a stranger, who has, +by the way, a directly opposite bias in politics. + +Mr. Gifford also told me, with very great stress, that among the +articles he had submitted to you was [one on] Hodgson's Translation of +Juvenal, which at no time could be a very interesting article for us, +and having been published more than six months ago, would probably be a +very stupid one. Then, you must observe, that it would necessarily +involve a comparison with Mr. Gifford's own translation, which must of +course be praised, and thus show an _individual_ feeling--the least +spark of which, in our early numbers, would both betray and ruin us. He +talks of reviewing _himself_ a late translation of "Persius," for +(_entre nous_) a similar reason. He has himself nearly completed a +translation, which will be published in a few months. + +In what I have said upon this most exceedingly delicate point, and which +I again submit to your most honourable confidence, I have no other +object but just to show you without reserve how we stand, and to +exemplify what I set out with--that without skilful and judicious +management we shall totally mistake the road to the accomplishment of +the arduous task which we have undertaken, and involve the cause and +every individual in not merely defeat, but disgrace. I must at the same +time observe that Mr. Gifford is the most obliging and well-meaning man +alive, and that he is perfectly ready to be instructed in those points +of which his seclusion renders him ignorant; and all that I wish and +mean is, that we should strive to open clearly the view which is so +obvious to us--that our first number must be a most brilliant one in +every respect; and to effect this, we must avail ourselves of any +valuable political information we can command. Those persons who have +the most interest in supporting the Review must be called upon +immediately for their strenuous personal help. The fact must be obvious +to you,--that if Mr. Canning, Mr. Frere, Mr. Scott, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. +Gifford, with their immediate and true friends, will exert themselves +heartily in every respect, so as to produce with secrecy only _one_ +remarkably attractive number, their further labour would be +comparatively light. With such a number in our hands, we might select +and obtain every other help that we required; and then the persons named +would only be called upon for their information, facts, hints, advice, +and occasional articles. But without this--without producing a number +that shall at least equal, if not excel, the best of the _Edinburgh +Review_, it were better not to be attempted. We should do more harm to +our cause by an unsuccessful attempt; and the reputation of the +_Edinburgh Review_ would be increased inversely to our fruitless +opposition.... With respect to bookselling interference with the Review, +I am equally convinced with yourself of its total incompatibility with a +really respectable and valuable critical journal. I assure you that +nothing can be more distant from my views, which are confined to the +ardour which I feel for the cause and principles which it will be our +object to support, and the honour of professional reputation which would +obviously result to the publisher of so important a work. It were silly +to suppress that I shall not be sorry to derive from it as much profit +as I can satisfactorily enjoy, consistent with the liberal scale upon +which it is my first desire to act towards every writer and friend +concerned in the work. Respecting the terms upon which the editor shall +be placed at first, I have proposed, and it appears to be satisfactory +to Mr. Gifford, that he shall receive, either previous to, or +immediately after, the publication of each number, the sum of 160 +guineas, which he is to distribute as he thinks proper, without any +question or interference on my part; and that in addition to this, he +shall receive from me the sum of L200 annually, merely as the editor. +This, Sir, is much more than I can flatter myself with the return of, +for the first year at least; but it is my intention that his salary +shall ever increase proportionately to the success of the work under his +management. The editor has a most arduous office to perform, and the +success of the publication must depend in a great measure upon his +activity. + +I am, dear Sir, Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +John Murray. + +It will be observed from this letter, that Mr. Murray was aware that, +besides skilful editing, sound and practical business management was +necessary to render the new Review a success. The way in which he +informs Mr. Scott about Gifford's proposed review of "Juvenal" and +"Persius," shows that he fully comprehended the situation, and the +dangers which would beset an editor like Gifford, who lived for the most +part amongst his books, and was, to a large extent, secluded from the +active world. + +On the same day Scott was writing to Murray: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. Edinburgh, _November_ 15, 1808. + +Dear Sir, + +I received two days ago a letter from Mr. Gifford highly approving of +the particulars of the plan which I had sketched for the _Review_. But +there are two points to be considered. In the first place, I cannot be +in town as I proposed, for the Commissioners under the Judicial Bill, to +whom I am to act as clerk, have resolved that their final sittings shall +be held _here_, so that I have now no chance of being in London before +spring. This is very unlucky, as Mr. Gifford proposes to wait for my +arrival in town to set the great machine a-going. I shall write to him +that this is impossible, and that I wish he would, with your assistance +and that of his other friends, make up a list of the works which the +first number is to contain, and consider what is the extent of the aid +he will require from the North. The other circumstance is, that Mr. +Gifford pleads the state of his health and his retired habits as +sequestrating him from the world, and rendering him less capable of +active exertion, and in the kindest and most polite manner he expresses +his hope that he should receive very extensive assistance and support +from me, without which he is pleased to say he would utterly despair of +success. Now between ourselves (for this is strictly confidential) I am +rather alarmed at this prospect. I am willing, and anxiously so, to do +all in my power to serve the work; but, my dear sir, you know how many +of our very ablest hands are engaged in the _Edinburgh Review_, and what +a dismal work it will be to wring assistance from the few whose +indolence has left them neutral. I can, to be sure, work like a horse +myself, but then I have two heavy works on my hands already, namely, +"Somers" and "Swift." Constable had lately very nearly relinquished the +latter work, and I now 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 own plans.... It +will happen fortunately that we intend opening with an article on the +missionaries, which, as it will be written in opposition to the +sentiments in the _Edinburgh Review_, is very likely to gain that large +body of which Wilberforce is the head. I have collected from every +Missionary Society in London, of which there are no less than five, all +their curious reports, proceedings and history, which, I know, Sydney +Smith never saw; and which I could only procure by personal application. +Southey will give a complete view of the subject, and if he will enter +heartily into it, and do it well, it will be as much as he can do for +the first number. These transactions contain, amidst a great deal of +fanaticism, the most curious information you can imagine upon the +history, literature, topography and manners of nations and countries of +which we are otherwise totally ignorant.... If you have occasion to +write to Southey, pray urge the vast importance of this subject, and +entreat him to give it all his ability. I find that a new volume of +Burns' ('The Reliques') will be published by the end of this month, +which will form the subject of another capital article under your hands. +I presume 'Sir John Carr (Tour in Scotland)' will be another article, +which even you, I fancy, will like; 'Mrs. Grant of Laggan,' too, and +perhaps your friend Mr. Cumberland's 'John de Lancaster' .... Are you +not sufficiently well acquainted with Miss (Joanna) Baillie, both to +confide in her, and command her talents? If so, you will probably think +of what may suit her, and what may apply to her. Mr. Heber, too, would +apply to his brother at your request, and his friend Coplestone, who +will also be written to by a friend of Gifford's...." + +Scott was very desirous of enlisting George Canning among the +contributors to the Quarterly. He wrote to his friend Ellis: + +_Mr. Scott to Mr. G. Ellis_. + +"As our start is of such immense consequence, don't you think Mr. +Canning, though unquestionably our Atlas, might for a day find a +Hercules on whom to devolve the burden of the globe, while he writes for +us a review? I know what an audacious request this is, but suppose he +should, as great statesmen sometimes do, take a political fit of the +gout, and absent himself from a large ministerial dinner which might +give it him in good earnest--dine at three on a chicken and pint of +wine, and lay the foundation of at least one good article? Let us but +once get afloat, and our labour is not worth talking about; but, till +then, all hands must work hard." + +This suggestion was communicated by George Ellis to Gifford, the chosen +editor, and on December 1, Murray informed Scott that the article on +Spain was proceeding under Mr. Canning's immediate superintendence. +Canning and Gifford went down to Mr. Ellis's house at Sunninghill, where +the three remained together for four days, during which time the article +was hatched and completed. + +On receiving the celebrated "Declaration of Westminster" on the Spanish +War, Scott wrote to Ellis: + +"Tell Mr. Canning that the old women of Scotland will defend the country +with their distaffs, rather than that troops enough be not sent to make +good so noble a pledge. Were the thousands that have mouldered away in +petty conquests or Lilliputian expeditions united to those we have now +in that country, what a band would Sir John Moore have under him!... +Jeffrey has offered terms of pacification, engaging that no party +politics should again appear in his _Review_. I told him I thought it +was now too late, and reminded him that I had often pointed out to him +the consequences of letting his work become a party tool. He said 'he +did not fear for the consequences--there were but four men he feared as +opponents.' 'Who are these?' 'Yourself for one.' 'Certainly you pay me a +great compliment; depend upon it I will endeavour to deserve it.' 'Why, +you would not join against me?' 'Yes, I would, if I saw a proper +opportunity: not against you personally, but against your politics.' +'You are privileged to be violent.' 'I don't ask any privilege for undue +violence. But who are your other foemen?' 'George Ellis and Southey.' +The other he did not name. All this was in great good humour; and next +day I had a very affecting note from him, in answer to an invitation to +dinner. He has no suspicion of the _Review_ whatever." + +In the meantime, Mr. Murray continued to look out for further +contributors. Mr. James Mill, of the India House, in reply to a request +for assistance, wrote: + +"You do me a great deal of honour in the solicitude you express to have +me engaged in laying the foundation stone of your new edifice, which I +hope will be both splendid and durable; and it is no want of zeal or +gratitude that delays me. But this ponderous Geography, a porter's, or +rather a horse's load, bears me down to a degree you can hardly +conceive. What I am now meditating from under it is to spare time to do +well and leisurely the Indian article (my favourite subject) for your +next number. Besides, I shall not reckon myself less a founder from its +having been only the fault of my previous engagements that my first +article for you appears only in the second number, and not in the first +part of your work." + +Another contributor whom Mr. Murray was desirous to secure was Mrs. +Inchbald, authoress of the "Simple Story." The application was made to +her through one of Murray's intimate friends, Mr. Hoppner, the artist. +Her answer was as follows: + +_Mrs. Inchbald to Mr. Hoppner_. _December_ 31, 1808. + +My dear Sir, As I wholly rely upon your judgment for the excellency of +the design in question, I wish you to be better acquainted with my +abilities as a reviewer before I suffer my curiosity to be further +gratified in respect to the plan of the work you have undertaken, or the +names of those persons who, with yourself, have done me the very great +honour to require my assistance. Before I see you, then, and possess +myself of your further confidence, it is proper that I should acquaint +you that there is only one department of a Review for which I am in the +least qualified, and that one combines plays and novels. Yet the very +few novels I have read, of later publications, incapacitates me again +for detecting plagiary, or for making such comparisons as proper +criticism may demand. You will, perhaps, be surprised when I tell you +that I am not only wholly unacquainted with the book you have mentioned +to me, but that I never heard of it before. If it be in French, there +will be another insurmountable difficulty; for, though I read French, +and have translated some French comedies, yet I am not so perfectly +acquainted with the language as to dare to write remarks upon a French +author. If Madame Cottin's "Malvina" be in English, you wish it speedily +reviewed, and can possibly have any doubt of the truth of my present +report, please to send it me; and whatever may be the contents, I will +immediately essay my abilities on the work, or immediately return it as +a hopeless case. + +Yours very faithfully, + +E. Inchbald. + +On further consideration, however, Mrs. Inchbald modestly declined to +become a contributor. Notwithstanding her great merits as an author, she +had the extremest diffidence in her own abilities. + +_Mrs. Inchbald to John Murray_. + +"The more I reflect on the importance of the contributions intended for +this work, the more I am convinced of my own inability to become a +contributor. The productions in question must, I am convinced, be of a +certain quality that will demand far more acquaintance with books, and +much more general knowledge, than it has ever been my good fortune to +attain. Under these circumstances, finding myself, upon mature +consideration, wholly inadequate to the task proposed, I beg you will +accept of this apology as a truth, and present it to Mr. Hoppner on the +first opportunity; and assure him that it has been solely my reluctance +to yield up the honour he intended me which has tempted me, for an +instant, to be undecided in my reply to his overture.--I am, Sir, with +sincere acknowledgments for the politeness of your letter to me, + +"E. Inchbald." + +And here the correspondence dropped. + +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: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_February_, 1809. + +I enclose the promised "Swift," and am now, I think, personally out of +your debt, though I will endeavour to stop up gaps if I do not receive +the contributions I expect from others. Were I in the neighbourhood of +your shop in London I could soon run up half a sheet of trifling +articles with a page or two to each, but that is impossible here for +lack of materials. + +When the Ballantynes open shop you must take care to have them supplied +with food for such a stop-gap sort of criticism. I think we will never +again feel the pressure we have had for this number; the harvest has +literally been great and the labourers few. + +Yours truly, + +W.S. + + +_Mr. James Ballantyne. to John Murray_. + +_January_ 27, 1809. + +"I see or hear of nothing but good about the _Review_. Mr. Scott is at +this moment busy with two articles, besides the one he has sent. In +conversation a few days since, I heard a gentleman ask him, 'Pray, sir, +do you think the _Quarterly Review_ will be equal to the _Edinburgh_?' +His answer was, 'I won't be quite sure of the first number, because of +course there are difficulties attending the commencement of every work +which time and habit can alone smooth away. But I think the first number +will be a good one, and in the course of three or four, _I think we'll +sweat them!_'" + +The first number of the _Quarterly Review_ was published at the end of +February, 1809. Like most first numbers, it did not entirely realize the +sanguine views of its promoters. It did not burst like a thunder-clap on +the reading public; nor did it give promise to its friends that a new +political power had been born into the world. The general tone was more +literary than political; and though it contained much that was well +worth reading, none of its articles were of first-rate quality. + +Walter Scott was the principal contributor, and was keenly interested in +its progress, though his mind was ever teeming with other new schemes. +The allusion in the following letter to his publication of "many +unauthenticated books," if unintentional, seems little less than +prophetic. + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +Edinburgh, _February_ 25, 1809. + +Dear Sir, + +I see with pleasure that you will be out on the first. Yet I wish I +could have seen my articles in proof, for I seldom read over my things +in manuscript, and always find infinite room for improvement at the +printer's expense. I hope our hurry will not be such another time as to +deprive me of the chance of doing the best I can, which depends greatly +on my seeing the proofs. Pray have the goodness to attend to this. + +I have made for the Ballantynes a little selection of poetry, to be +entitled "English Minstrelsy"; I also intend to arrange for them a first +volume of English Memoirs, to be entitled--"Secret History of the Court +of James I." To consist of: + +Osborne's "Traditional Memoirs." + +Sir Anthony Welldon's "Court and Character of James I." + +Heylin's "Aulicus Coquinariae." + +Sir Edward Peyton's "Rise and Fall of the House of Stewart." + +I will add a few explanatory notes to these curious memoirs, and hope to +continue the collection, as (thanks to my constant labour on "Somers") +it costs me no expense, and shall cost the proprietors none. You may +advertise the publications, and Ballantyne, equally agreeable to his own +wish and mine, will let you choose your own share in them. I have a +commission for you in the way of art. I have published many +unauthenticated books, as you know, and may probably bring forward many +more. Now I wish to have it in my power to place on a few copies of each +a decisive mark of appropriation. I have chosen for this purpose a +device borne by a champion of my name in a tournament at Stirling! It +was a gate and portcullis, with the motto CLAUSUS TUTUS ERO. I have it +engraved on a seal, as you may remark on the enclosure, but it is done +in a most blackguard style. Now what I want is to have this same gateway +and this same portcullis and this same motto of _clausus tutus ero_, +which is an anagram of _Walterus Scotus_ (taking two single _U_'s for +the _W_), cut upon wood in the most elegant manner, so as to make a +small vignette capable of being applied to a few copies of every work +which I either write or publish. This fancy of making _portcullis_ +copies I have much at heart, and trust to you to get it accomplished for +me in the most elegant manner. I don't mind the expense, and perhaps Mr. +Westall might be disposed to make a sketch for me. + +I am most anxious to see the _Review_. God grant we may lose no ground; +I tremble when I think of my own articles, of two of which I have but an +indefinite recollection. + +What would you think of an edition of the "Old English Froissart," say +500 in the small _antique quarto_, a beautiful size of book; the +spelling must be brought to an uniformity, the work copied (as I could +not promise my beautiful copy to go to press), notes added and +illustrations, etc., and inaccuracies corrected. I think Johnes would be +driven into most deserved disgrace, and I can get the use of a most +curious MS. of the French Froissart in the Newbattle Library, probably +the finest in existence after that of Berlin. I am an enthusiast about +Berners' Froissart, and though I could not undertake the drudgery of +preparing the whole for the press, yet Weber [Footnote: Henry Weber, +Scott's amanuensis.] would do it under my eye upon the most reasonable +terms. I would revise every part relating to English history. + +I have several other literary schemes, but defer mentioning them till I +come to London, which I sincerely hope will be in the course of a month +or six weeks. I hear Mr. Canning is anxious about our _Review_. +Constable says it is a Scotch job. I could not help quizzing Mr. Robert +Miller, who asked me in an odd sort of way, as I thought, why it was not +out? I said very indifferently I knew nothing about it, but heard a +vague report that the Edition was to be much enlarged on account of the +expected demand. I also inclose a few lines to my brother, and am, dear +Sir, + +Very truly yours, + +W. Scott. + +It is universally agreed here that Cumberland is five hundred degrees +beneath contempt. + +Ballantyne, Scott's partner, and publisher of the _Review_ in Edinburgh, +hastened to communicate to Murray their joint views as to the success of +the work. + +_Mr. Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +_February_ 28, 1809. + +My dear Murray, + +I received the _Quarterly_ an hour ago. Before taking it to Mr. Scott, I +had just time to look into the article on Burns, and at the general +aspect of the book. It looks uncommonly well.... The view of Burns' +character is better than Jeffrey's. It is written in a more congenial +tone, with more tender, kindly feeling. Though not perhaps written with +such elaborate eloquence as Jeffrey's, the thoughts are more original, +and the style equally powerful. The two first articles (and perhaps the +rest are not inferior) will confer a name on the _Review_. But why do I +trouble you with _my_ opinions, when I can give you Mr. Scott's? He has +just been reading the Spanish article beside me, and he again and again +interrupted himself with expressions of the strongest admiration. + +Three days later, Ballantyne again wrote: + +"I have now read 'Spain,' 'Burns,' 'Woman,' 'Curran,' 'Cid,' 'Carr,' +'Missionaries.' Upon the whole, I think these articles most excellent. +Mr. Scott is in high spirits; but he says there are evident marks of +haste in most of them. With respect to his own articles, he much regrets +not to have had the opportunity of revising them. He thinks the +'Missionaries' very clever; but he shakes his head at 'Sidney,' 'Woman,' +and 'Public Characters.' Our copies, which we expected this morning, +have not made their appearance, which has given us no small anxiety. We +are panting to hear the public voice. Depend upon it, _if_ our exertions +are continued, the thing will do. Would G. were as active as Scott and +Murray!" + +Murray had plenty of advisers. Gifford said he had too many. His friend, +Sharon Turner, was ready with his criticism on No. 1. He deplored the +appearance of the article by Scott on "Carr's Tour in Scotland." +[Footnote: Scott himself had written to Murray about this, which he +calls "a whisky-frisky article," on June 30. "I take the advantage of +forwarding Sir John's _Review_, to send you back his letters under the +same cover. He is an incomparable goose, but as he is innocent and +good-natured, I would not like it to be publicly known that the +flagellation comes from my hand. Secrecy therefore will oblige me."] + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to John Murray_. + +"I cannot endure the idea of an individual being wounded merely because +he has written a book. If, as in the case of the authors attacked in the +'Baviad,' the works censured were vitiating our literature--or, as in +the case of Moore's Poems, corrupting our morals--if they were +denouncing our religious principles, or attacking those political +principles on which our Government subsists--let them be criticised +without mercy. The _salus publica_ demands the sacrifice. But to make an +individual ridiculous merely because he has written a foolish, if it be +a harmless book, is not, I think, justifiable on any moral principle ... +I repeat my principle. Whatever tends to vitiate our literary taste, our +morals, our religious or political principles, may be fairly at the +mercy of criticism. So, whatever tends to introduce false science, false +history, indeed, falsehood in any shape, exposes itself to the censor's +rod. But harmless, inoffensive works should be passed by. Where is the +bravery of treading on a worm or crushing a poor fly? Where the utility? +Where the honour?" + +An edition of 4,000 copies had been printed; this was soon exhausted, +and a second edition was called for. + +Mr. Scott was ample in his encouragements. + +"I think," he wrote to Murray, "a firm and stable sale will be settled +here, to the extent of 1,000 or 1,500 even for the next number.... I am +quite pleased with my ten guineas a sheet for my labour in writing, and +for additional exertions. I will consider them as overpaid by success in +the cause, especially while that success is doubtful." + +Ballantyne wrote to Murray in March: + +"Constable, I am told, has consulted Sir Samuel Romilly, and means, +after writing a book against me, to prosecute me for _stealing his +plans!_ Somebody has certainly stolen his brains!" + +The confederates continued to encourage each other and to incite to +greater effort the procrastinating Gifford. The following rather +mysterious paragraph occurs in a letter from Scott to Murray dated March +19, 1809. + +"I have found means to get at Mr. G., and have procured a letter to be +written to him, which may possibly produce one to you signed Rutherford +or Richardson, or some such name, and dated from the North of England; +or, if he does not write to you, enquiry is to be made whether he would +choose you should address him. The secrecy to be observed in this +business must be most profound, even to Ballantyne and all the world. If +you get articles from him (which will and must draw attention) you must +throw out a false scent for enquirers. I believe this unfortunate man +will soon be in London." + +In reply, Mr. Murray wrote on March 24 to Mr. Scott, urging him to come +to London, and offering, "if there be no plea for charging your expenses +to Government," to "undertake that the _Review_ shall pay them as far as +one hundred guineas." To this Scott replied: + +_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: + +"With regard to the comission which you have given me, it is, I fear, +completely out of my power to execute it. Literature neither resides at +Constantinople nor passes through it. Even were I able to obtain the +publications of France and Germany by way of Vienna, the road is so +circuitous, that you would have them later than others who contrive to +smuggle them across the North Sea. Every London newspaper that retails +its daily sixpennyworth of false reports, publishes the French, the +Hamburgh, the Vienna, the Frankfort, and other journals, full as soon as +we receive any of them here. This is the case at all times; at present +it is much worse. We are entirely insulated. The Russians block up the +usual road through Bucharest, and the Servians prevent the passage of +couriers through Bosnia. And in addition to these difficulties, the +present state of the Continent must at least interrupt all literary +works. You will not, I am sure, look upon these as idle excuses. Things +may probably improve, and I will not quit this country without +commissioning some one here to send you anything that may be of use to +so promising a publication as your _Review_." + +No sooner was one number published, than preparations were made for the +next. Every periodical is a continuous work--never ending, still +beginning. New contributors must be gained; new books reviewed; new +views criticised. Mr. Murray was, even more than the editor, the +backbone of the enterprise: he was indefatigable in soliciting new +writers for the _Quarterly_, and in finding the books fit for review, +and the appropriate reviewers of the books. Sometimes the reviews were +printed before the editor was consulted, but everything passed under the +notice of Gifford, and received his emendations and final approval. + +Mr. Murray went so far as to invite Leigh Hunt to contribute an article +on Literature or Poetry for the _Quarterly_. The reply came from John +Hunt, Leigh's brother. He said: + +_Mr. John Hunt to John Murray_. + +"My brother some days back requested me to present to you his thanks for +the polite note you favoured him with on the subject of the _Review_, to +which he should have been most willing to have contributed in the manner +you propose, did he not perceive that the political sentiments contained +in it are in direct opposition to his own." + +This was honest, and it did not interfere with the personal intercourse +of the publisher and the poet. Murray afterwards wrote to Scott: "Hunt +is most vilely wrong-headed in politics, which he has allowed to turn +him away from the path of elegant criticism, which might have led him to +eminence and respectability." + +James Mill, author of the "History of British India," sent an article +for the second number; but the sentiments and principles not being in +accordance with those of the editor, it was not at once accepted. On +learning this, he wrote to Mr. Murray as follows: + +_Mr. James Mill to John Murray_. + +My dear Sir, + +I can have no objection in the world to your delaying the article I have +sent you till it altogether suits your arrangements to make use of it. +Besides this point, a few words of explanation may not be altogether +useless with regard to another. I am half inclined to suspect that the +objection of your Editor goes a little farther than you state. If so, I +beg you will not hesitate a moment about what you are to do with it. I +wrote it solely with a view to oblige and to benefit _you personally_, +but with very little idea, as I told you at our first conversation on +the subject, that it would be in my power to be of any use to you, as +the views which I entertained respecting what is good for our country +were very different from the views entertained by the gentlemen with +whom in your projected concern you told me you were to be connected. To +convince you, however, of my good-will, I am perfectly ready to give you +a specimen, and if it appears to be such as likely to give offence to +your friends, or not to harmonise with the general style of your work, +commit it to the flames without the smallest scruple. Be assured that it +will not make the smallest difference in my sentiments towards you, or +render me in the smallest degree less disposed to lend you my aid (such +as it is) on any other occasion when it may be better calculated to be +of use to you. + +Yours very truly, + +J. Mill. + +Gifford was not a man of business; he was unpunctual. The second number +of the _Quarterly_ appeared behind its time, and the publisher felt +himself under the necessity of expostulating with the editor. + +_John Murray to Mr. Gifford_. + +_May_ 11, 1809. + +Dear Mr. Gifford, + +I begin to suspect that you are not aware of the complete misery which +is occasioned to me, and the certain ruin which must attend the +_Review_, by our unfortunate procrastination. Long before this, every +line of copy for the present number ought to have been in the hands of +the printer. Yet the whole of the _Review_ is yet to print. I know not +what to do to facilitate your labour, for the articles which you have +long had he scattered without attention, and those which I ventured to +send to the printer undergo such retarding corrections, that even by +this mode we do not advance. I entreat the favour of your exertion. For +the last five months my most imperative concerns have yielded to this, +without the hope of my anxiety or labour ceasing. + +"Tanti miserere laboris," + +in my distress and with regret from + +John Murray. + +Mr. Gifford's reply was as follows: + +"The delay and confusion which have arisen must be attributed to a want +of confidential communication. In a word, you have too many advisers, +and I too many masters." + +At last the second number of the _Quarterly_ appeared, at the end of May +instead of at the middle of April. The new contributors to this number +were Dr. D'Oyley, the Rev. Mr. Walpole, and George Canning, who, in +conjunction with Sharon Turner, contributed the last article on Austrian +State Papers. + +As soon as the second number was published, Mr. Gifford, whose health +was hardly equal to the constant strain of preparing and editing the +successive numbers, hastened away, as was his custom, to the seaside. He +wrote to Mr. Murray from Ryde: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +_June_ 18, 1809. + +"I rejoice to hear of our success, and feel very anxious to carry it +further. A fortnight's complete abstraction from all sublunary cares has +done me much good, and I am now ready to put on my spectacles and look +about me.... Hoppner is here, and has been at Death's door. The third +day after his arrival, he had an apoplectic fit, from which blisters, +etc., have miraculously recovered him.... This morning I received a +letter from Mr. Erskine. He speaks very highly of the second number, and +of the Austrian article, which is thought its chief attraction. +Theology, he says, few people read or care about. On this, I wish to say +a word seriously. I am sorry that Mr. E. has fallen into that notion, +too general I fear in Scotland; but this is his own concern. I differ +with him totally, however, as to the few readers which such subjects +find; for as far as my knowledge reaches, the reverse is the fact. The +strongest letter which I have received since I came down, in our favour, +points out the two serious articles as masterly productions and of +decided superiority. We have taught the truth I mention to the +_Edinburgh Review_, and in their last number they have also attempted to +be serious, and abstain from their flippant impiety. It is not done with +the best grace, but it has done them credit, I hear.... When you make up +your parcel, pray put in some small cheap 'Horace,' which I can no more +do without than Parson Adams _ex_ 'Aeschylus.' I have left it somewhere +on the road. Any common thing will do." + +Mr. Murray sent Gifford a splendid copy of "Horace" in the next parcel +of books and manuscripts. In his reply Gifford, expostulating, "Why, my +dear Sir, will you do these things?" thanked him warmly for his gift. + +Mr. George Ellis was, as usual, ready with his criticism. Differing from +Gifford, he wrote: + +"I confess that, to my taste, the long article on the New Testament is +very tedious, and that the progress of Socinianism is, to my +apprehension, a bugbear which _we_ have no immediate reason to be scared +by; but it may alarm some people, and what I think a dull prosing piece +of orthodoxy may have its admirers, and promote our sale." + +Even Constable had a good word to say of it. In a letter to his partner, +Hunter, then in London, he said: + +"I received the _Quarterly Review_ yesterday, and immediately went and +delivered it to Mr. Jeffrey himself. It really seems a respectable +number, but what then? Unless theirs improves and ours falls off it +cannot harm us, I think. I observe that Nos. 1 and 2 extend to merely +twenty-nine sheets, so that, in fact, ours is still the cheaper of the +two. Murray's waiting on you with it is one of the wisest things I ever +knew him do: you will not be behindhand with him in civility." + +No. 3 of the _Quarterly_ was also late, and was not published until the +end of August. The contributors were behindhand; an article was expected +from Canning on Spain, and the publication was postponed until this +article had been received, printed and corrected. The foundations of it +were laid by George Ellis, and it was completed by George Canning. + +Of this article Mr. Gifford wrote: + +"In consequence of my importunity, Mr. Canning has exerted himself and +produced the best article that ever yet appeared in any Review." + +Although Mr. Gifford was sometimes the subject of opprobrium because of +his supposed severity, we find that in many cases he softened down the +tone of the reviewers. For instance, in communicating to Mr. Murray the +first part of Dr. Thomson's article on the "Outlines of Mineralogy," by +Kidd, he observed: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"It is very splenitick and very severe, and much too wantonly so. I +hope, however, it is just. Some of the opprobrious language I shall +soften, for the eternal repetitions of _ignorance, absurdity, +surprising,_ etc., are not wanted. I am sorry to observe so much +Nationality in it. Let this be a secret between us, for I will not have +my private opinions go beyond yourself. As for Kidd, he is a modest, +unassuming man, and is not to be attacked with sticks and stones like a +savage. Remember, it is only the epithets which I mean to soften; for as +to the scientific part, it shall not be meddled with." + +His faithful correspondent, Mr. Ellis, wrote as to the quality of this +third number of the _Quarterly_. He agreed with Mr. Murray, that though +profound, it was "most notoriously and unequivocally _dull_.... We must +veto ponderous articles; they will simply sink us." + +Isaac D'Israeli also tendered his advice. He was one of Mr. Murray's +most intimate friends, and could speak freely and honestly to him as to +the prospects of the _Review_. He was at Brighton, preparing his third +volume of the "Curiosities of Literature." + +_Mr. I. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +"I have bought the complete collection of Memoirs written by individuals +of the French nation, amounting to sixty-five volumes, for fifteen +guineas.... What can I say about the _Q.R.?_ Certainly nothing new; it +has not yet invaded the country. Here it is totally unknown, though as +usual the _Ed. Rev._ is here; but among private libraries, I find it +equally unknown. It has yet its fortune to make. You must appeal to the +_feelings_ of Gifford! Has he none then? Can't you get a more active and +vigilant Editor? But what can I say at this distance? The disastrous +finale of the Austrians, received this morning, is felt here as deadly. +Buonaparte is a tremendous Thaumaturgus!... I wish you had such a genius +in the _Q.R._.... My son Ben assures me you are in Brighton. He saw you! +Now, he never lies." [Footnote: Mr. Murray was in Brighton at the time.] + +Thus pressed by his correspondents, Mr. Murray did his best to rescue +the _Quarterly_ from failure. Though it brought him into prominent +notice as a publisher, it was not by any means paying its expenses. Some +thought it doubtful whether "the play was worth the candle." Yet Murray +was not a man to be driven back by comparative want of success. He +continued to enlist a band of competent contributors. Amongst these were +some very eminent men: Mr. John Barrow of the Admiralty; the Rev. +Reginald Heber, Mr. Robert Grant (afterwards Sir Robert, the Indian +judge), Mr. Stephens, etc. How Mr. Barrow was induced to become a +contributor is thus explained in his Autobiography. [Footnote: +"Autobiographical Memoir of Sir John Barrow," Murray, 1847.] + +"One morning, in the summer of the year 1809, Mr. Canning looked in upon +me at the Admiralty, said he had often troubled me on business, but he +was now about to ask me a favour. 'I believe you are acquainted with my +friend William Gifford?' 'By reputation,' I said, 'but not personally.' +'Then,' says he, 'I must make you personally acquainted; will you come +and dine with me at Gloucester Lodge any day, the sooner the more +agreeable--say to-morrow, if you are disengaged?' On accepting, he said, +'I will send for Gifford to meet you; I know he will be too glad to +come.' + +"'Now,' he continued, 'it is right I should tell you that, in the +_Review_ of which two numbers have appeared, under the name of the +_Quarterly_, I am deeply, both publicly and personally, interested, and +have taken a leading part with Mr. George Ellis, Hookham Frere, Walter +Scott, Rose, Southey, and some others; our object in that work being to +counteract the _virus_ scattered among His Majesty's subjects through +the pages of the _Edinburgh Review_. Now, I wish to enlist you in our +corps, not as a mere advising idler, but as an efficient labourer in our +friend Gifford's vineyard.'" + +Mr. Barrow modestly expressed a doubt as to his competence, but in the +sequel, he tells us, Mr. Canning carried his point, and "I may add, once +for all, that what with Gifford's eager and urgent demands, and the +exercise becoming habitual and not disagreeable, I did not cease writing +for the _Quarterly Review_ till I had supplied no less, rather more, +than 190 articles." + +The fourth number of the _Quarterly_, which was due in November, was not +published until the end of December 1809. Gifford's excuse was the want +of copy. He wrote to Mr. Murray: "We must, upon the publication of this +number, enter into some plan for ensuring regularity." + +Although it appeared late, the fourth number was the best that had yet +been issued. It was more varied in its contents; containing articles by +Scott, Southey, Barrow, and Heber. But the most important article was +contributed by Robert Grant, on the "Character of the late C.J. Fox." +This was the first article in the _Quarterly_, according to Mr. Murray, +which excited general admiration, concerning which we find a memorandum +in Mr. Murray's own copy; and, what was an important test, it largely +increased the demand for the _Review_. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CONSTABLE AND BALLANTYNE + + +During the year in which the _Quarterly_ was first given to the world, +the alliance between Murray and the Ballantynes was close and intimate: +their correspondence was not confined to business matters, but bears +witness to warm personal friendship. + +Murray was able to place much printing work in their hands, and amongst +other books, "Mrs. Rundell's Cookery," a valuable property, which had +now reached a very large circulation, was printed at the Canongate +Press. + +They exerted themselves to promote the sale of one another's +publications and engaged in various joint works, such, for example, as +Grahame's "British Georgics" and Scott's "English Minstrelsy." + +In the midst of all these transactions, however, there were not wanting +symptoms of financial difficulties, which, as in a previous instance, +were destined in time to cause a severance between Murray and his +Edinburgh agents. It was the old story--drawing bills for value _not_ +received. Murray seriously warned the Ballantynes of the risks they were +running in trading beyond their capital. James Ballantyne replied on +March 30, 1809: + +_Mr. James Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +"Suffer me to notice one part of your letter respecting which you will +be happy to be put right. We are by no means trading beyond our capital. +It requires no professional knowledge to enable us to avoid so fatal an +error as that. For the few speculations we have entered into our means +have been carefully calculated and are perfectly adequate." + +Yet at the close of the same letter, referring to the "British +Novelists"--a vast scheme, to which Mr. Murray had by no means pledged +himself--Ballantyne continues: + +"For this work permit me to state I have ordered a font of types, cut +expressly on purpose, at an expense of near L1,000, and have engaged a +very large number of compositors for no other object." + +On June 14, James Ballantyne wrote to Murray: + +"I can get no books out yet, without interfering in the printing office +with business previously engaged for, and that puts me a little about +for cash. Independent of _this_ circumstance, upon which we reckoned, a +sum of L1,500 payable to us at 25th May, yet waiting some cursed legal +arrangements, but which we trust to have very shortly [_sic_]. This is +all preliminary to the enclosures which I hope will not be disagreeable +to you, and if not, I will trust to their receipt _accepted_, by return +of post." + +Mr. Murray replied on June 20: + +"I regret that I should be under the necessity of returning you the two +bills which you enclosed, unaccepted; but having settled lately a very +large amount with Mr. Constable, I had occasion to grant more bills than +I think it proper to allow to be about at the same time." + +This was not the last application for acceptances, and it will be found +that in the end it led to an entire separation between the firms. + +The Ballantynes, however, were more sanguine than prudent. In spite of +Mr. Murray's warning that they were proceeding too rapidly with the +publication of new works, they informed him that they had a "gigantic +scheme" in hand--the "Tales of the East," translated by Henry Weber, +Walter Scott's private secretary--besides the "Edinburgh Encyclopaedia," +and the "Secret Memoirs of the House of Stewart." They said that Scott +was interested in the "Tales of the East," and in one of their hopeful +letters they requested Mr. Murray to join in their speculations. His +answer was as follows: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Ballantyne & Co_. + +_October_ 31, 1809. + +"I regret that I cannot accept a share in the 'Edinburgh Encyclopaedia.' +I am obliged to decline by motives of prudence. I do not know anything +of the agreement made by the proprietors, except in the palpable +mismanagement of a very exclusive and promising concern. I am therefore +fearful to risk my property in an affair so extremely unsuitable. + +"You distress me sadly by the announcement of having put the 'Secret +Memoirs' to press, and that the paper for it was actually purchased six +months ago! How can you, my good sirs, act in this way? How can you +imagine that a bookseller can afford to pay eternal advances upon almost +every work in which he takes a share with you? And how can you continue +to destroy every speculation by entering upon new ones before the +previous ones are properly completed?... Why, with your influence, will +you not urge the completion of the 'Minstrelsy'? Why not go on with and +complete the series of De Foe?... For myself, I really do not know what +to do, for when I see that you will complete nothing of your own, I am +unwillingly apprehensive of having any work of mine in your power. What +I thus write is in serious friendship for you. I entreat you to let us +complete what we have already in hand, before we begin upon any other +speculation. You will have enough to do to sell those in which we are +already engaged. As to your mode of exchange and so disposing of your +shares, besides the universal obloquy which attends the practice in the +mind of every respectable bookseller, and the certain damnation which it +invariably causes both to the book and the author, as in the case of +Grahame, if persisted in, it must end in serious loss to the +bookseller.... If you cannot give me your solemn promise not to exchange +a copy of Tasso, I trust you will allow me to withdraw the small share +which I propose to take, for the least breath of this kind would blast +the work and the author too--a most worthy man, upon whose account alone +I engaged in the speculation." + +Constable, with whom Murray had never entirely broken, had always looked +with jealousy at the operations of the house of Ballantyne. Their firm +had indeed been started in opposition to himself; and it was not without +a sort of gratification that he heard of their pecuniary difficulties, +and of the friction between them and Murray. Scott's "Lady of the Lake" +had been announced for publication. At the close of a letter to Murray, +Constable rather maliciously remarks: + +_January_ 20, 1810. + +"I have no particular anxiety about promulgating the folly (to say the +least of it) of certain correspondents of yours in this quarter; but if +you will ask our friend Mr. Miller if he had a letter from a shop nearly +opposite the Royal Exchange the other day, he will, I dare say, tell you +of the contents. I am mistaken if their game is not well up! Indeed I +doubt much if they will survive the 'Lady of the Lake.' She will +probably help to drown them!" + +An arrangement had been made with the Ballantynes that, in +consideration of their being the sole agents for Mr. Murray in Scotland, +they should give him the opportunity of taking shares in any of their +publications. Instead, however, of offering a share of the "Lady of the +Lake" to Mr. Murray, according to the understanding between the firms, +the Ballantynes had already parted with one fourth share of the work to +Mr. Miller, of Albemarle Street, London, whose business was afterwards +purchased by Mr. Murray. Mr. Murray's letter to Ballantyne & Co. thus +describes the arrangement: + +_John Murray to Messrs. Ballantyne & Co_. + +_March_ 26, 1810. + +"Respecting my _Review_, you appear to forget that your engagement was +that I should be your sole agent here, and that you were to publish +nothing but what I was to have the offer of a share in. Your deviation +from this must have led me to conclude that you did not desire or expect +to continue my agent any longer. You cannot suppose that my estimation +of Mr. Scott's genius can have rendered me indifferent to my exclusion +from a share in the 'Lady of the Lake.' I mention this as well to +testify that I am not indifferent to this conduct in you as to point it +out to you, that if you mean to withhold from me that portion which you +command of the advantages of our connexion, you must surely mean to +resign any that might arise from me. The sole agency for my publications +in Edinburgh is worth to any man who understands his business L300 a +year; but this requires zealous activity and deference on one side, and +great confidence on both, otherwise the connexion cannot be advantageous +or satisfactory to either party. For this number of the _Review_ I have +continued your name solely in it, and propose to make you as before sole +publisher in Scotland; but as you have yourself adopted the plan of +drawing upon me for the amount of each transaction, you will do me the +favour to consider what quantity you will need, and upon your remitting +to me a note at six months for the amount, I shall immediately ship the +quantity for you." + +_Mr. James Ballantyne to John Murray_. + +"Your agency hitherto has been productive of little or no advantage to +us, and the fault has not lain with us. We have persisted in offering +you shares of everything begun by us, till we found the hopelessness of +waiting any return; and in dividing Mr. Scott's poem, we found it our +duty to give what share we had to part with to those by whom we were +chiefly benefited both as booksellers and printers." + +This letter was accompanied with a heavy bill for printing the works of +De Foe for Mr. Murray. A breach thus took place with the Ballantynes; +the publisher of the _Quarterly_ was compelled to look out for a new +agent for Scotland, and met with a thoroughly competent one in Mr. +William Blackwood, the founder of the well-known publishing house in +Edinburgh. + +To return to the progress of the _Quarterly_. The fifth number, which +was due in February 1810, but did not appear until the end of March, +contained many excellent articles, though, as Mr. Ellis said, some of +them were contributed by "good and steady but marvellously heavy +friends." Yet he found it better than the _Edinburgh_, which on that +occasion was "reasonably dull." + +It contained one article which became the foundation of an English +classic, that of Southey on the "Life of Nelson." Of this article Murray +wrote to its author: + +"I wish it to be made such a book as shall become the heroic text of +every midshipman in the Navy, and the association of Nelson and Southey +will not, I think, be ungrateful to you. If it be worth your attention +in this way I am disposed to think that it will enable me to treble the +sum I first offered as a slight remuneration." + +Mr. Murray, writing to Mr. Scott (August 28, 1810) as to the appearance +of the new number, which did not appear till a month and a half after it +was due, remarked on the fourth article. "This," he said, "is a review +of the 'Daughters of Isenberg, a Bavarian Romance,' by Mr. Gifford, to +whom the authoress (Alicia T. Palmer) had the temerity to send three L1 +notes!" Gifford, instead of sending back the money with indignation, as +he at first proposed, reviewed the romance, and assumed that the +authoress had sent him the money for charitable purposes. + +_Mr. Gifford to Miss A.T. Palmer_. + +"Our avocations leave us but little leisure for extra-official +employment; and in the present case she has inadvertently added to our +difficulties by forbearing to specify the precise objects of her bounty. +We hesitated for some time between the Foundling and Lying-in Hospitals: +in finally determining for the latter, we humbly trust that we have not +disappointed her expectations, nor misapplied her charity. Our publisher +will transmit the proper receipt to her address." + +One of the principal objections of Mr. Murray to the manner in which +Mr. Gifford edited the _Quarterly_ was the war which he waged with the +_Edinburgh_. This, he held, was not the way in which a respectable +periodical should be conducted. It had a line of its own to pursue, +without attacking its neighbours. "Publish," he said, "the best +information, the best science, the best literature; and leave the public +to decide for themselves." Relying on this opinion he warned Gifford and +his friends against attacking Sydney Smith, and Leslie, and Jeffrey, +because of their contributions to the _Edinburgh_. He thought that such +attacks had only the effect of advertising the rival journal, and +rendering it of greater importance. With reference to the article on +Sydney Smith's "Visitation Sermon" in No. 5, Mr. George Ellis privately +wrote to Mr. Murray: + +"Gifford, though the best-tempered man alive, is _terribly_ severe with +his pen; but S.S. would suffer ten times more by being turned into +ridicule (and never did man expose himself so much as he did in that +sermon) than from being slashed and cauterized in that manner." + +The following refers to a difference of opinion between Mr. Murray and +his editor. Mr. Gifford had resented some expression of his friend's as +savouring of intimidation. + +_John Murray to Mr. Gifford_. + +_September_ 25, 1810. + +"I entreat you to be assured that the term 'intimidation' can never be +applied to any part of my conduct towards you, for whom I entertain the +highest esteem and regard, both as a writer and as a friend. If I am +over-anxious, it is because I have let my hopes of fame as a bookseller +rest upon the establishment and celebrity of this journal. My character, +as well with my professional brethren as with the public, is at stake +upon it; for I would not be thought silly by the one, or a mere +speculator by the other. I have a very large business, as you may +conclude by the capital I have been able to throw into this one +publication, and yet my mind is so entirely engrossed, my honour is so +completely involved in this one thing, that I neither eat, drink, nor +sleep upon anything else. I would rather it excelled all other journals +and I gained nothing by it, than gain L300 a year by it without trouble +if it were thought inferior to any other. This, sir, is true." + +Meanwhile, Mr. Murray was becoming hard pressed for money. To conduct +his increasing business required a large floating capital, for long +credits were the custom, and besides his own requirements, he had to +bear the constant importunities of the Ballantynes to renew their bills. +On July 25, 1810, he wrote to them: "This will be the last renewal of +the bill (L300); when it becomes due, you will have the goodness to +provide for it." It was, however, becoming impossible to continue +dealing with them, and he gradually transferred his printing business to +other firms. We find him about this time ordering Messrs. George Ramsay +& Co., Edinburgh, to print 8,000 of the "Domestic Cookery," which was +still having a large sale. + +The Constables also were pressing him for renewals of bills. The +correspondence of this date is full of remonstrances from Murray against +the financial unpunctuality of his Edinburgh correspondents. + +On March 21, 1811, he writes: "With regard to myself, I will engage in +no new work of any kind"; and again, on April 4, 1811: + +Dear Constable, + +You know how much I have distressed myself by entering heedlessly upon +too many engagements. You must not urge me to involve myself in renewed +difficulties. + +To return to the _Quarterly_ No. 8. Owing to the repeated delay in +publication, the circulation fell off from 5,000 to 4,000, and Mr. +George Ellis had obviously reason when he wrote: "Hence I infer that +_punctuality_ is, in our present situation, our great and only +desideratum." + +Accordingly, increased efforts were made to have the _Quarterly_ +published with greater punctuality, though it was a considerable time +before success in this respect was finally reached. Gifford pruned and +pared down to the last moment, and often held back the publication until +an erasure or a correction could be finally inserted. + +No. 9, due in February 1811, was not published until March. From this +time Southey became an almost constant contributor to the _Review_. He +wrote with ease, grace, and rapidity, and there was scarcely a number +without one, and sometimes two and even three articles from his pen. +His prose style was charming--clear, masculine, and to the point. The +public eagerly read his prose, while his poetry remained unnoticed on +the shelves. The poet could not accept this view of his merits. Of the +"Curse of Kehama" he wrote: + +"I was perfectly aware that I was planting acorns while my +contemporaries were setting Turkey beans. The oak will grow, and though +I may never sit under its shade, my children will. Of the 'Lady of the +Lake,' 25,000 copies have been printed; of 'Kehama', 500; and if they +sell in seven years I shall be surprised." + +Scott wrote a kindly notice of Southey's poem. It was not his way to cut +up his friend in a review. He pointed out the beauties of the poem, in +order to invite purchasers and readers. Yet his private opinion to his +friend George Ellis was this: + +_Mr. Scott to Mr. G. Ellis_. + +"I have run up an attempt on the 'Curse of Kehama' for the _Quarterly_: +a strange thing it is--the 'Curse,' I mean--and the critique is not, as +the blackguards say, worth a damn; but what I could I did, which was to +throw as much weight as possible upon the beautiful passages, of which +there are many, and to slur over its absurdities, of which there are not +a few. It is infinite pity for Southey, with genius almost to +exuberance, so much learning and real good feeling of poetry, that, with +the true obstinacy of a foolish papa, he _will_ be most attached to the +defects of his poetical offspring. This said 'Kehama' affords cruel +openings to the quizzers, and I suppose will get it roundly in the +_Edinburgh Review_. I could have made a very different hand of it +indeed, had the order of the day been _pour dechirer_." + +It was a good thing for Southey that he could always depend upon his +contributions to the _Quarterly_ for his daily maintenance, for he could +not at all rely upon the income from his poetry. + +The failure of the _Edinburgh Annual Register_, published by Ballantyne, +led to a diminution of Southey's income amounting to about L400 a year. +He was thus led to write more and more for the _Quarterly_. His +reputation, as well as his income, rose higher from his writings there +than from any of his other works. In April 1812 he wrote to his friend +Mr. Wynn: + + +_Mr. Southey to Mr. Wynn_. + +"By God's blessing I may yet live to make all necessary provision +myself. My means are now improving every year. I am up the hill of +difficulty, and shall very soon get rid of the burthen which has impeded +me in the ascent. I have some arrangements with Murray, which are likely +to prove more profitable than any former speculations ... Hitherto I +have been highly favoured. A healthy body, an active mind, and a +cheerful heart, are the three best boons Nature can bestow, and, God be +praised, no man ever enjoyed these more perfectly." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +MURRAY AND GIFFORD--RUPTURE WITH CONSTABLE--PROSPERITY OF THE +"QUARTERLY" + + +A good understanding was now established between Mr. Murray and his +editor, and the _Quarterly_ went on improving and gradually increased in +circulation. Though regular in the irregularity of its publication, the +subscribers seem to have become accustomed to the delay, and when it did +make its appearance it was read with eagerness and avidity. The interest +and variety of its contents, and the skill of the editor in the +arrangement of his materials, made up for many shortcomings. + +Murray and Gifford were in constant communication, and it is interesting +to remember that the writer of the following judicious criticism had +been editor of the _Anti-Jacobin_ before he was editor of the +_Quarterly_. + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +_May_ 17, 1811. + +"I have seldom been more pleased and vexed at a time than with the +perusal of the enclosed MS. It has wit, it has ingenuity, but both are +absolutely lost in a negligence of composition which mortifies me. Why +will your young friend fling away talent which might so honourably +distinguish him? He might, if be chose, be the ornament of our _Review_, +instead of creating in one mingled regret and admiration. It is utterly +impossible to insert such a composition as the present; there are +expressions which would not be borne; and if, as you say, it will be +sent to Jeffrey's if I do not admit it, however I may grieve, I must +submit to the alternative. Articles of pure humour should be written +with extraordinary attention. A vulgar laugh is detestable. I never saw +much merit in writing rapidly. You will believe me when I tell you that +I have been present at the production of more genuine wit and humour +than almost any person of my time, and that it was revised and polished +and arranged with a scrupulous care which overlooked nothing. I have +not often seen fairer promises of excellence in this department than in +your correspondent; but I tell you frankly that they will all be +blighted and perish prematurely unless sedulously cultivated. It is a +poor ambition to raise a casual laugh in the unreflecting. + +The article did not appear in the _Quarterly_, and Mr. Pillans, the +writer, afterwards became a contributor to the _Edinburgh Review_. + +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, + +I did not answer the letter to which the enclosed alludes, because its +impropriety in all respects rendered it impossible for me to do so +without involving myself in a personal dispute, which it is my anxious +resolution to avoid: and because my determination was fully taken to +abide by what I told you in my former letter, to which alone I can or +could have referred you. You made an express proposition to me, to +which, as you have deviated from it, it is not my intention to accede. +The books may remain with me upon sale or return, until you please to +order them elsewhere; and in the meantime I shall continue to avail +myself of every opportunity to sell them. I return, therefore, an +account and bills, with which I have nothing to do, and desire to have a +regular invoice. + +I am, gentlemen, yours truly, + +J. MURRAY. + + +Constable & Co. fired off a final shot on May 28 following, and the +correspondence and business between the firms then terminated. + +No. 12 of the _Quarterly_ appeared in December 1811, and perhaps the +most interesting article in the number was that by Canning and Ellis, on +Trotter's "Life of Fox." Gifford writes to Murray about this article: + +"I have not seen Canning yet, but he is undoubtedly at work by this +time. Pray take care that no one gets a sight of the slips. It will be a +delightful article, but say not a word till it comes out." + +A pamphlet had been published by W.S. Landor, dedicated to the President +of the United States, entitled, "Remarks upon Memoirs of Mr. Fox lately +published." Gifford was furious about it. He wrote to Murray: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"I never read so rascally a thing as the Dedication. It is almost too +bad for the Eatons and other publishers of mad democratic books. In the +pamphlet itself there are many clever bits, but there is no taste and +little judgment. His attacks on private men are very bad. Those on Mr. +C. are too stupid to do much harm, or, indeed, any. The Dedication is +the most abject piece of business that I ever read. It shows Landor to +have a most rancorous and malicious heart. Nothing but a rooted hatred +of his country could have made him dedicate his Jacobinical book to the +most contemptible wretch that ever crept into authority, and whose only +recommendation to him is his implacable enmity to his country. I think +you might write to Southey; but I would not, on any account, have you +publish such a scoundrel address." + +The only entire article ever contributed to the _Review_ by Gifford +himself was that which he wrote, in conjunction with Barron Field, on +Ford's "Dramatic Works." It was an able paper, but it contained a +passage, the publication of which occasioned Gifford the deepest regret. +Towards the conclusion of the article these words occurred: The Editor +"has polluted his pages with the blasphemies of a poor maniac, who, it +seems, once published some detached scenes of the 'Broken Heart.'" This +referred to Charles Lamb, who likened the "transcendent scene [of the +Spartan boy and Calantha] in imagination to Calvary and the Cross." Now +Gifford had never heard of the personal history of Lamb, nor of the +occasional fits of lunacy to which his sister Mary was subject; and when +the paragraph was brought to his notice by Southey, through Murray, it +caused him unspeakable distress. He at once wrote to Southey [Footnote: +When the subject of a memoir of Charles Lamb by Serjeant Talfourd was +under consideration, Southey wrote to a friend: "I wish that I had +looked out for Mr. Talfourd the letter which Gifford wrote in reply to +one in which I remonstrated with him upon his designation of Lamb as a +poor maniac. The words were used in complete ignorance of their peculiar +bearings, and I believe nothing in the course of Gifford's life ever +occasioned him so much self-reproach. He was a man with whom I had no +literary sympathies; perhaps there was nothing upon which we agreed, +except great political questions; but I liked him the better ever after +for his conduct on this occasion."] the following letter: + +_Mr. W. Gifford to Mr. Southey_. + +_February_ 13, 1812. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I break off here to say that I have this moment received your last +letter to Murray. It has grieved and shocked me beyond expression; but, +my dear friend, I am innocent so far as the intent goes. I call God to +witness that in the whole course of my life I never heard one syllable +of Mr. Lamb or his family. I knew not that he ever had a sister, or that +he had parents living, or that he or any person connected with him had +ever manifested the slightest tendency to insanity. In a word, I declare +to you _in the most solemn manner_ that all I ever knew or ever heard of +Mr. Lamb was merely his name. Had I been aware of one of the +circumstances which you mention, I would have lost my right arm sooner +than have written what I have. The truth is, that I was shocked at +seeing him compare the sufferings and death of a person who just +continues to dance after the death of his lover is announced (for this +is all his merit) to the pangs of Mount Calvary; and not choosing to +attribute it to folly, because I reserved that charge for Weber, I +unhappily in the present case ascribed it to madness, for which I pray +God to forgive me, since the blow has fallen heavily when I really +thought it would not be felt. I considered Lamb as a thoughtless +scribbler, who, in circumstances of ease, amused himself by writing on +any subject. Why I thought so, I cannot tell, but it was the opinion I +formed to myself, for I now regret to say I never made any inquiry upon +the subject; nor by any accident in the whole course of my life did I +hear him mentioned beyond the name. + +I remain, my dear Sir, + +Yours most sincerely, + +W. GIFFORD. + +It is unnecessary to describe in detail the further progress of the +_Quarterly_. The venture was now fairly launched. Occasionally, when +some friction arose from the editorial pruning of Southey's articles, or +when Mr. Murray remonstrated with the exclusion or inclusion of some +particular article, Mr. Gifford became depressed, or complained, "This +business begins to get too heavy for me, and I must soon have done, I +fear." Such discouragement was only momentary. Gifford continued to edit +the _Review_ for many years, until and long after its complete success +had become assured. + +The following extract, from a letter of Southey's to his friend Bedford, +describes very happily the position which Mr. Murray had now attained. + +"Murray offers me a thousand guineas for my intended poem in blank +verse, and begs it may not be a line longer than "Thomson's Seasons"! I +rather think the poem will be a post obit, and in that case, twice that +sum, at least, may be demanded for it. What his real feelings may be +towards me, I cannot tell; but he is a happy fellow, living in the light +of his own glory. The _Review_ is the greatest of all works, and it is +all his own creation; he prints 10,000, and fifty times ten thousand +read its contents, in the East and in the West. Joy be with him and his +journal!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +LORD BYRON'S WORKS, 1811 TO 1814 + + +The origin of Mr. Murray's connection with Lord Byron was as follows. +Lord Byron had made Mr. Dallas [Footnote: Robert Charles Dallas +(1754-1824). His sister married Captain George Anson Byron, and her +descendants now hold the title.] a present of the MS. of the first two +cantos of "Childe Harold," and allowed him to make arrangements for +their publication. Mr. Dallas's first intention was to offer them to the +publisher of "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers," but Cawthorn did not +rank sufficiently high among his brethren of the trade. He was precluded +from offering them to Longman & Co. because of their refusal to publish +the Satire. He then went to Mr. Miller, of Albemarle Street, and left +the manuscript with him, "enjoining the strictest secrecy as to the +author." After a few days' consideration Miller declined to publish the +poem, principally because of the sceptical stanzas which it contained, +and also because of its denunciation as a "plunderer" of his friend and +patron the Earl of Elgin, who was mentioned by name in the original +manuscript of the poem. + +After hearing from Dallas that Miller had declined to publish "Childe +Harold," Lord Byron wrote to him from Reddish's Hotel: + +_Lord Byron to Mr. Miller_. + +_July_ 30, 1811. + +SIR, + +I am perfectly aware of the justice of your remarks, and am convinced +that if ever the poem is published the same objections will be made in +much stronger terms. But, as it was intended to be a poem on _Ariosto's +plan_, that is to say on _no plan_ at all, and, as is usual in similar +cases, having a predilection for the worst passages, I shall retain +those parts, though I cannot venture to defend them. Under these +circumstances I regret that you decline the publication, on my own +account, as I think the book would have done better in your hands; the +pecuniary part, you know, I have nothing to do with.... But I can +perfectly conceive, and indeed approve your reasons, and assure you my +sensations are not _Archiepiscopal_ enough as yet to regret the +rejection of my Homilies. + +I am, Sir, your very obedient, humble servant, + +BYRON. + +"Next to these publishers," proceeds Dallas, in his "Recollections of +the Life of Lord Byron," "I wished to oblige Mr. Murray, who had then a +shop opposite St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleet Street. Both he and his +father before him had published for myself. He had expressed to me his +regret that I did not carry him the 'English Bards and Scotch +Reviewers.' But this was after its success; I think he would have +refused it in its embryo state. After Lord Byron's arrival I had met +him, and he said he wished I would obtain some work of his Lordship's +for him. I now had it in my power, and I put 'Childe Harold's +Pilgrimage' into his hands, telling him that Lord Byron had made me a +present of it, and that I expected he would make a very liberal +arrangement with me for it. + +"He took some days to consider, during which time he consulted +his literary advisers, among whom, no doubt, was Mr. Gifford, +who was Editor of the _Quarterly Review_. That Mr. Gifford gave +a favourable opinion I afterwards learned from Mr. Murray himself; but +the objections I have stated stared him in the face, and he was kept in +suspense between the desire of possessing a work of Lord Byron's and the +fear of an unsuccessful speculation. We came to this conclusion: that he +should print, at his expense, a handsome quarto edition, the profits of +which I should share equally with him, and that the agreement for the +copyright should depend upon the success of this edition. When I told +this to Lord Byron he was highly pleased, but still doubted the +copyright being worth my acceptance, promising, however, if the poem +went through the edition, to give me other poems to annex to 'Childe +Harold.'" + +Mr. Murray had long desired to make Lord Byron's acquaintance, and now +that Mr. Dallas had arranged with him for the publication of the first +two cantos of "Childe Harold," he had many opportunities of seeing Byron +at his place of business. The first time that he saw him was when he +called one day with Mr. Hobhouse in Fleet Street. He afterwards looked +in from time to time, while the sheets were passing through the press, +fresh from the fencing rooms of Angelo and Jackson, and used to amuse +himself by renewing his practice of "Carte et Tierce," with his +walking-cane directed against the book-shelves, while Murray was reading +passages from the poem, with occasional ejaculations of admiration; on +which Byron would say, "You think that a good idea, do you, Murray?" +Then he would fence and lunge with his walking-stick at some special +book which he had picked out on the shelves before him. As Murray +afterwards said, "I was often very glad to get rid of him!" + +A correspondence took place with regard to certain omissions, +alterations, and improvements which were strongly urged both by Mr. +Dallas and the publisher. Mr. Murray wrote as follows: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_September_ 4, 1811. + +MY LORD, + +An absence of some days, passed in the country, has prevented me from +writing earlier, in answer to your obliging letters. [Footnote: These +letters are given in Moore's "Life and Letters of Lord Byron."] I have +now, however, the pleasure of sending you, under a separate cover, the +first proof sheets of your poem; which is so good as to be entitled to +all your care in rendering it perfect. Besides its general merits, there +are parts which, I am tempted to believe, far excel anything that you +have hitherto published; and it were therefore grievous indeed if you do +not condescend to bestow upon it all the improvements of which your mind +is so capable. Every correction already made is valuable, and this +circumstance renders me more confident in soliciting your further +attention. There are some expressions concerning Spain and Portugal +which, however just at the time they were conceived, yet, as they do not +harmonise with the now prevalent feeling, I am persuaded would so +greatly interfere with the popularity which the poem is, in other +respects, certainly calculated to excite, that, in compassion to your +publisher, who does not presume to reason upon the subject, otherwise +than as a mere matter of business, I hope your goodness will induce you +to remove them; and with them perhaps some religious sentiments which +may deprive me of some customers amongst the Orthodox. Could I flatter +myself that these suggestions were not obtrusive, I would hazard +another,--that you would add the two promised cantos, and complete the +poem. It were cruel indeed not to perfect a work which contains so much +that is excellent. Your fame, my Lord, demands it. You are raising a +monument that will outlive your present feelings; and it should +therefore be constructed in such a manner as to excite no other +association than that of respect and admiration for your character and +genius. I trust that you will pardon the warmth of this address, when I +assure you that it arises, in the greatest degree, from a sincere regard +for your best reputation; with, however, some view to that portion of it +which must attend the publisher of so beautiful a poem as you are +capable of rendering in the 'Romaunt of Childe Harold.'" + +In compliance with the suggestions of the publisher, Byron altered and +improved the stanzas relating to Elgin and Wellington. With respect to +the religious, or anti-religious sentiments, Byron wrote to Murray: "As +for the 'orthodox,' let us hope they will buy on purpose to abuse--you +will forgive the one if they will do the other." Yet he did alter Stanza +VIII, and inserted what Moore calls a "magnificent stanza" in place of +one that was churlish and sneering, and in all respects very much +inferior. + +Byron then proceeded to another point. "Tell me fairly, did you show the +MS. to some of your corps?" "I will have no traps for applause," he +wrote to Mr. Murray, at the same time forbidding him to show the +manuscript of "Childe Harold" to his Aristarchus, Mr. Gifford, though he +had no objection to letting it be seen by any one else. But it was too +late. Mr. Gifford had already seen the manuscript, and pronounced a +favourable opinion as to its great poetic merits. Byron was not +satisfied with this assurance, and seemed, in his next letter, to be +very angry. He could not bear to have it thought that he was +endeavouring to ensure a favourable review of his work in the +_Quarterly_. To Mr. Dallas he wrote (September 23, 1811): + +"I _will_ be angry with Murray. It was a book-selling, back-shop, +Paternoster Row, paltry proceeding; and if the experiment had turned out +as it deserved, I would have raised all Fleet Street, and borrowed the +giant's staff from St. Dunstan's Church, to immolate the betrayer of +trust. I have written to him as he was never written to before by an +author, I'll be sworn; and I hope you will amplify my wrath, till it has +an effect upon him." + +Byron at first objected to allow the new poem to be published with his +name, thinking that this would bring down upon him the enmity of his +critics in the North, as well as the venom of the southern scribblers, +whom he had enraged by his Satire. At last, on Mr. Murray's strong +representation, he consented to allow his name to be published on the +title-page as the author. Even to the last, however, his doubts were +great as to the probable success of the poem; and he more than once +talked of suppressing it. + +In October 1811 Lord Byron wrote from Newstead Abbey to his friend Mr. +Hodgson: [Footnote: The Rev. Francis Hodgson was then residing at +Cambridge as Fellow and Tutor of King's College. He formed an intimate +friendship with Byron, who communicated with him freely as to his +poetical as well as his religious difficulties. Hodgson afterwards +became Provost of Eton.] + +"'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage' must wait till Murray's is finished. He is +making a tour in Middlesex, and is to return soon, when high matter may +be expected. He wants to have it in quarto, which is a cursed unsaleable +size; but it is pestilent long, and one must obey one's publisher." + +The whole of the sheets were printed off in the following month of +January; and the work was published on March 1, 1812. Of the first +edition only 500 copies, demy quarto, were printed. + +It is unnecessary to say with what applause the book was received. The +impression it produced was as instantaneous as it proved to be lasting. +Byron himself briefly described the result of the publication in his +memoranda: "I awoke one morning and found myself famous." The publisher +had already taken pains to spread abroad the merits of the poem. Many of +his friends had re-echoed its praises. The attention of the public was +fixed upon the work; and in three days after its appearance the whole +edition was disposed of. When Mr. Dallas went to see Lord Byron at his +house in St. James's Street, he found him loaded with letters from +critics, poets, and authors, all lavish of their raptures. A handsome +new edition, in octavo, was proposed, to which his Lordship agreed. + +Eventually Mr. Murray consented to give Mr. Dallas L600 for the +copyright of the poem; although Mr. Gifford and others were of opinion +that it might prove a bad bargain at that price. There was, however, one +exception, namely Mr. Rogers, who told Mr. Murray not to be +disheartened, for he might rely upon its turning out the most fortunate +purchase he had ever made; and so it proved. Three thousand copies of +the second and third editions of the poem in octavo were printed; and +these went off in rapid succession. + +On the appearance of "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" Lord Byron became an +object of interest in the fashionable world of London. His poem was the +subject of conversation everywhere, and many literary, noble, and royal +personages desired to make his acquaintance. In the month of June he was +invited to a party at Miss Johnson's, at which His Royal Highness the +Prince Regent was present. As Lord Byron had not yet been to Court, it +was not considered etiquette that he should appear before His Royal +Highness. He accordingly retired to another room. But on the Prince +being informed that Lord Byron was in the house, he expressed a desire +to see him. Lord Byron was sent for, and the following is Mr. Murray's +account of the conversation that took place. + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_June_ 27, 1812. + +DEAR SIR, + +I cannot refrain, notwithstanding my fears of intrusion, from mentioning +to you a conversation which Lord Byron had with H.R.H. the Prince +Regent, and of which you formed the leading subject. He was at an +evening party at Miss Johnson's this week, when the Prince, hearing that +Lord Byron was present, expressed a desire to be introduced to him; and +for more than half an hour they conversed on poetry and poets, with +which the Prince displayed an intimacy and critical taste which at once +surprised and delighted Lord Byron. But the Prince's great delight was +Walter Scott, whose name and writings he dwelt upon and recurred to +incessantly. He preferred him far beyond any other poet of the time, +repeated several passages with fervour, and criticized them faithfully. +He spoke chiefly of the 'Lay of the Last Minstrel,' which he expressed +himself as admiring most of the three poems. He quoted Homer, and even +some of the obscurer Greek poets, and appeared, as Lord Byron supposes, +to have read more poetry than any prince in Europe. He paid, of course, +many compliments to Lord Byron, but the greatest was "that he ought to +be offended with Lord B., for that he had thought it impossible for any +poet to equal Walter Scott, and that he had made him find himself +mistaken." Lord Byron called upon me, merely to let off the raptures of +the Prince respecting you, thinking, as he said, that if I were likely +to have occasion to write to you, it might not be ungrateful for you to +hear of his praises. + +In reply Scott wrote to Mr. Murray as follows, enclosing a letter to +Lord Byron, which has already been published in the Lives of both +authors: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _July 2_, 1812. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have been very silent, partly through pressure of business and partly +from idleness and procrastination, but it would be very ungracious to +delay returning my thanks for your kindness in transmitting the very +flattering particulars of the Prince Regent's conversation with Lord +Byron. I trouble you with a few lines to his Lordship expressive of my +thanks for his very handsome and gratifying communication, and I hope he +will not consider it as intrusive in a veteran author to pay my debt of +gratitude for the high pleasure I have received from the perusal of +'Childe Harold,' which is certainly the most original poem which we have +had this many a day.... + +Your obliged, humble Servant, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +This episode led to the opening of an agreeable correspondence between +Scott and Byron, and to a lasting friendship between the two poets. + +The fit of inspiration was now on Lord Byron. In May 1813 appeared "The +Giaour," and in the midst of his corrections of successive editions of +it, he wrote in four nights his second Turkish story, "Zuleika," +afterwards known as "The Bride of Abydos." + +With respect to the business arrangement as to the two poems, Mr. Murray +wrote to Lord Byron as follows: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_November_ 18, 1813. + +MY DEAR LORD, + +I am very anxious that our business transactions should occur +frequently, and that they should be settled immediately; for short +accounts are favourable to long friendships. + +I restore "The Giaour" to your Lordship entirely, and for it, the "Bride +of Abydos," and the miscellaneous poems intended to fill up the volume +of the small edition, I beg leave to offer you the sum of One Thousand +Guineas; and I shall be happy if you perceive that my estimation of your +talents in my character of a man of business is not much under my +admiration of them as a man. + +I do most heartily accept the offer of your portrait, as the most noble +mark of friendship with which you could in any way honour me. I do +assure you that I am truly proud of being distinguished as your +publisher, and that I shall ever continue, + +Your Lordship's faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +With reference to the foregoing letter we read in Lord Byron's Diary: + +"Mr. Murray has offered me one thousand guineas for 'The Giaour' and +'The Bride of Abydos.' I won't. It is too much: though I am strongly +tempted, merely for the say of it. No bad price for a fortnight's (a +week each) what?--the gods know. It was intended to be called poetry." + +The "Bride of Abydos" was received with almost as much applause as the +"Giaour." "Lord Byron," said Sir James Mackintosh, "is the author of the +day; six thousand of his 'Bride of Abydos' have been sold within a +month." + +"The Corsair" was Lord Byron's next poem, written with great vehemence, +literally "struck off at a heat," at the rate of about two hundred lines +a day,--"a circumstance," says Moore, "that is, perhaps, wholly without +a parallel in the history of genius." "The Corsair" was begun on the +18th, and finished on the 31st of December, 1813. + +A sudden impulse induced Lord Byron to present the copyright of this +poem also to Mr. Dallas, with the single stipulation that he would offer +it for publication to Mr. Murray, who eventually paid Mr. Dallas five +hundred guineas for the copyright, and the work was published in +February 1814. The following letters will give some idea of the +reception it met with. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_February_ 3, 1814. + +MY LORD, + +I have been unwilling to write until I had something to say, an occasion +to which I do not always restrict myself. I am most happy to tell you +that your last poem _is_--what Mr. Southey's is _called_--_a Carmen +Triumphale_. Never, in my recollection, has any work, since the "Letter +of Burke to the Duke of Bedford," excited such a ferment--a ferment +which, I am happy to say, will subside into lasting fame. I sold, on the +day of publication--a thing perfectly unprecedented--10,000 copies.... +Gifford did what I never knew him do before--he repeated several +passages from memory." + +The "Ode to Napoleon Bonaparte," which appeared in April 1814, was on +the whole a failure. It was known to be Lord Byron's, and its +publication was seized upon by the press as the occasion for many bitter +criticisms, mingled with personalities against the writer's genius and +character. He was cut to the quick by these notices, and came to the +determination to buy back the whole of the copyrights of his works, and +suppress every line he had ever written. On April 29, 1814, he wrote to +Mr. Murray: + +_Lord Byron to John Murray_. + +_April_ 29, 1814. + +I enclose a draft for the money; when paid, send the copyrights. I +release you from the thousand pounds agreed on for "The Giaour" and +"Bride," and there's an end.... For all this, it might be well to assign +some reason. I have none to give, except my own caprice, and I do not +consider the circumstance of consequence enough to require +explanation.... It will give me great pleasure to preserve your +acquaintance, and to consider you as my friend. Believe me very truly, +and for much attention, + +Yours, etc., + +BYRON. + +Mr. Murray was of course very much concerned at this decision, and +remonstrated. Three days later Lord Byron revoked his determination. To +Mr. Murray he wrote (May 1, 1814): + +"If your present note is serious, and it really would be inconvenient, +there is an end of the matter; tear my draft, and go on as usual: in +that case, we will recur to our former basis." + +Before the end of the month Lord Byron began the composition of his next +poem, "Lara," usually considered a continuation of "The Corsair." It was +published conjointly with Mr. Rogers's "Jacqueline." "Rogers and I," +said Lord Byron to Moore, "have almost coalesced into a joint invasion +of the public. Whether it will take place or not, I do not yet know, and +I am afraid 'Jacqueline' (which is very beautiful) will be in bad +company. But in this case, the lady will not be the sufferer." + +The two poems were published anonymously in the following August (1814): +Murray allowed 500 guineas for the copyright of each. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +MR. MURRAY'S REMOVAL TO 50, ALBEMARLE STREET + +We must now revert to the beginning of 1812, at which time Mr. William +Miller, who commenced business in Bond Street in 1791, and had in 1804 +removed to 50, Albemarle Street, desired to retire from "the Trade." He +communicated his resolve to Mr. Murray, who had some time held the +intention of moving westward from Fleet Street, and had been on the +point of settling in Pall Mall. Murray at once entered into an +arrangement with Miller, and in a letter to Mr. Constable of Edinburgh +he observed: + +_John Murray to Mr. A. Constable_. + +_May_ 1, 1812. + +"You will probably have heard that Miller is about to retire, and that I +have ventured to undertake to succeed him. I had for some time +determined upon moving, and I did not very long hesitate about accepting +his offer. I am to take no part of his stock but such as I may deem +expedient, and for it and the rest I shall have very long credit. How +far it may answer, I know not; but if I can judge of my own views, I +think it may prove an advantageous opening. Miller's retirement is very +extraordinary, for no one in the trade will believe that he has made a +fortune; but from what he has laid open to me, it is clear that he has +succeeded. In this arrangement, I propose of course to dispose of my +present house, and my medical works, with other parts of my business. I +have two offers for it, waiting my decision as to terms.... I am to +enter at Miller's on September 29th next." [Footnote: The Fleet Street +business was eventually purchased by Thomas and George Underwood. It +appears from the "Memoirs of Adam Black" that Black was for a short time +a partner with the Underwoods. Adam Black quitted the business in 1813. +Upon the failure of the Underwoods in 1831, Mr. Samuel Highley, son of +Mr. Murray's former partner, took possession, and the name of Highley +again appeared over the door.] + +The terms arranged with Mr. Miller were as follows: The lease of the +house, No. 50, Albemarle Street, was purchased by Mr. Murray, together +with the copyrights, stock, etc., for the sum of L3,822 12_s_. 6_d_.; +Mr. Miller receiving as surety, during the time the purchase money +remained unpaid, the copyright of "Domestic Cookery," of the _Quarterly +Review_, and the one-fourth share in "Marmion." The debt was not finally +paid off until the year 1821. + +Amongst the miscellaneous works which Mr. Murray published shortly after +his removal to Albemarle Street were William Sotheby's translation of +the "Georgies of Virgil"--the most perfect translation, according to +Lord Jeffrey, of a Latin classic which exists in our language; Robert +Bland's "Collection from the Greek Anthology"; Prince Hoare's "Epochs of +the Arts"; Lord Glenbervie's work on the "Cultivation of Timber"; +Granville Penn's "Bioscope, or Dial of Life explained"; John Herman +Merivale's "Orlando in Roncesvalles"; and Sir James Hall's splendid work +on "Gothic Architecture." Besides these, there was a very important +contribution to our literature--in the "Miscellaneous Works of Gibbon" +in 5 volumes, for the copyright of which Mr. Murray paid Lord Sheffield +the sum of L1,000. + +In 1812 he published Sir John Malcolm's "Sketch of the Sikhs," and in +the following year Mr. Macdonald Kinneir's "Persia." Mr. D'Israeli's +"Calamities of Authors" appeared in 1812, and Murray forwarded copies of +the work to Scott and Southey. + + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_July_ 2,1812. + +I owe you best thanks for the 'Calamities of Authors,' which has all the +entertaining and lively features of the 'Amenities of Literature.' I am +just packing them up with a few other books for my hermitage at +Abbotsford, where my present parlour is only 12 feet square, and my +book-press in Lilliputian proportion. Poor Andrew Macdonald I knew in +days of yore, and could have supplied some curious anecdotes respecting +him. He died of a poet's consumption, viz. want of food. + +"The present volume of 'Somers' [Footnote: Lord Somers' "Tracts," a new +edition in 12 volumes.] will be out immediately; with whom am I to +correspond on this subject since the secession of Will. Miller? I shall +be happy to hear you have succeeded to him in this department, as well +as in Albemarle Street. What has moved Miller to retire? He is surely +too young to have made a fortune, and it is uncommon to quit a thriving +trade. I have had a packet half finished for Gifford this many a day." + +Southey expressed himself as greatly interested in the "Calamities of +Authors," and proposed to make it the subject of an article for the +_Quarterly_. + + +_Mr. Southey to John Murray_. + +_August_ 14, 1812. + +"I should like to enlarge a little upon the subject of literary +property, on which he has touched, in my opinion, with proper feeling. +Certainly I am a party concerned. I should like to say something upon +the absurd purposes of the Literary Fund, with its despicable +ostentation of patronage, and to build a sort of National Academy in the +air, in the hope that Canning might one day lay its foundation in a more +solid manner. [Footnote: Canning had his own opinion on the subject. +When the Royal Society of Literature was about to be established, an +application was made to him to join the committee. He refused, for +reasons "partly general, partly personal." He added, "I am really of +opinion, with Dr. Johnson, that the multitudinous personage, called The +Public, is after all, the best patron of literature and learned men."] +And I could say something on the other side of the picture, showing that +although literature in almost all cases is the worst trade to which a +man can possibly betake himself, it is the best and wisest of all +pursuits for those whose provision is already made, and of all +amusements for those who have leisure to amuse themselves. It has long +been my intention to leave behind me my own Memoirs, as a post-obit for +my family--a wise intention no doubt, and one which it is not very +prudent to procrastinate. Should this ever be completed, it would +exhibit a case directly in contrast to D'Israeli's view of the subject. +I chose literature for my own profession, with every advantage of +education it is true, but under more disadvantages perhaps of any other +kind than any of the persons in his catalogue. I have never repented the +choice. The usual censure, ridicule, and even calumnies, which it has +drawn on me never gave me a moment's pain; but on the other hand, +literature has given me friends; among the best and wisest and most +celebrated of my contemporaries it has given me distinction. If I live +twenty years longer, I do not doubt that it will give me fortune, and if +it pleases God to take me before my family are provided for, I doubt as +little that in my name and in my works they will find a provision. I +want to give you a 'Life of Wesley.' The history of the Dissenters must +be finished by that time, and it will afford me opportunity." + +During the year 1813 the recklessness of the younger Ballantyne, +combined with the formation of the incipient estate at Abbotsford, were +weighing heavily on Walter Scott. This led to a fresh alliance with +Constable, "in which," wrote Scott, "I am sensible he has gained a great +advantage"; but in accordance with the agreement Constable, in return +for a share in Scott's new works, was to relieve the Ballantynes of some +of their heavy stock, and in May Scott was enabled "for the first time +these many weeks to lay my head on a quiet pillow." But nothing could +check John Ballantyne. "I sometimes fear," wrote Scott to him, "that +between the long dates of your bills and the tardy settlements of the +Edinburgh trade, some difficulties will occur even in June; and July I +always regard with deep anxiety." How true this forecast proved to be is +shown by the following letter: + + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_, + +EDINBURGH, _July 5_, 1813. + +I delayed answering your favour, thinking I could have overtaken the +"Daemonology" for the _Review_, but I had no books in the country where +it found me, and since that Swift, who is now nearly finished, has kept +me incessantly labouring. When that is off my hand I will have plenty of +leisure for reviewing, though you really have no need of my assistance. +The volume of "Somers" being now out of my hands I take the liberty to +draw at this date as usual for L105. Now I have a favour to ask which I +do with the more confidence because, if it is convenient and agreeable +to you to oblige me in the matter, it will be the means of putting our +connection as author and publisher upon its former footing, which I +trust will not be disagreeable to you. I am making up a large sum of +money to pay for a late purchase, and as part of my funds is secured on +an heritable bond which cannot be exacted till Martinmas, I find myself +some hundreds short, which the circumstances of the money market here +renders it not so easy to supply as formerly. Now if you will oblige me +by giving me a lift with your credit and accepting the enclosed bills, +[Footnote: Three bills for L300 each at three, four, and six months +respectively.] it will accommodate me particularly at this moment, and +as I shall have ample means of putting you in cash to replace them as +they fall due, will not, I should hope, occasion you any inconvenience. +Longmans' house on a former occasion obliged me in this way, and I hope +found their account in it. But I entreat you will not stand on the +least ceremony should you think you could not oblige me without +inconveniencing yourself. The property I have purchased cost about +L6,000, so it is no wonder I am a little out for the moment. Will you +have the goodness to return an answer in course of post, as, failing +your benevolent aid, I must look about elsewhere? + +You will understand distinctly that I do not propose that you should +advance any part of the money by way of loan or otherwise, but only the +assistance of your credit, the bills being to be retired by cash +remitted by me before they fall due. + +Believe me, very truly, + +Your obedient Servant, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +Mr. Murray at once replied: + + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_July_ 8, 1813. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have the pleasure of returning accepted the bills which I received +from you this morning. In thus availing myself of your confidential +application, I trust that you will do me the justice to believe that it +is done for kindness already received, and not with the remotest view +towards prospective advantages. I shall at all times feel proud of being +one of your publishers, but this must be allowed to arise solely out of +your own feelings and convenience when the occasions shall present +themselves. I am sufficiently content in the belief that even negative +obstacles to our perfect confidence have now subsided. + +When weightier concerns permit we hope that you will again appear in our +_Review_. In confidence I may tell you that your long silence led us to +avail ourselves of your friend Mr. Rose's offer to review Ferriar, +[Footnote: Dr. Ferriar on "Apparitions."] and his article is already +printing. + +I will send you a new edition of the "Giaour," in which there are one or +two stanzas added of peculiar beauty. + +I trust that your family are well, and remain, dear Sir, + +Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + + +Within a few months of this correspondence, Scott was looking into an +old writing-desk in search of some fishing-tackle, when his eye chanced +to light upon the Ashestiel fragment of "Waverley," begun several years +before. He read over the introductory chapters, and then determined to +finish the story. It is said that he first offered it anonymously to Sir +R. Phillips, London, who refused to publish it. "Waverley" was +afterwards accepted by Constable & Co., and published on half profits, +on July 7, 1814. When it came out, Murray got an early copy of the +novel; he read it, and sent it to Mr. Canning, and wrote upon the +title-page, "By Walter Scott." The reason why he fixed upon Scott as the +author was as follows. When he met Ballantyne at Boroughbridge, in 1809, +to settle some arrangements as to the works which Walter Scott proposed +to place in his hands for publication, he remembered that among those +works were three--1st, an edition of "Beaumont and Fletcher"; 2nd, a +poem; and 3rd, a novel. Now, both the edition of "Beaumont and Fletcher" +(though edited by Weber) and the poem, the "Lady of the Lake," had been +published; and now, at last, appeared _the novel_. [Footnote: Indeed, in +Ballantyne & Co.'s printed list of "New Works and Publications for +1809-10," issued August 1810 (now before us), we find the following +entry: "Waverley; or, 'Tis Sixty Years Since; a novel in 3 vols. 12mo." +The work was not, however, published until July 1814.] He was confirmed +in his idea that Walter Scott was the author after carefully reading the +book. Canning called on Murray next day; said he had begun it, found it +very dull, and concluded: "You are quite mistaken; it cannot be by +Walter Scott." But a few days later he wrote to Murray: "Yes, it is so; +you are right: Walter Scott, and no one else." + +In the autumn of 1814 Mrs. Murray went to Leith by sailing-ship from the +Thames, to visit her mother and friends in Edinburgh. She was +accompanied by her son John and her two daughters. During her absence, +Mr. Murray wrote to her two or three times a week, and kept her _au +courant_ with the news of the day. In his letter of August 9 he +intimated that he had been dining with D'Israeli, and that he afterwards +went with him to Sadler's Wells Theatre to see the "Corsair," at which +he was "woefully disappointed and enraged.... They have actually omitted +his wife altogether, and made him a mere ruffian, ultimately overcome by +the Sultan, and drowned in the New River!" + +Mr. Blackwood, of Edinburgh, was then in London, spending several days +with Mr. Murray over their accounts and future arrangements. The latter +was thinking of making a visit to Paris, in the company of his friend +D'Israeli, during the peace which followed the exile of Napoleon to +Elba. D'Israeli had taken a house at Brighton, from which place the +voyagers intended to set sail, and make the passage to Dieppe in about +fourteen hours. On August 13 Mr. Murray informs his wife that "Lord +Byron was here yesterday, and I introduced him to Blackwood, to whom he +was very civil. They say," he added, "that Madame de Stael has been +ordered to quit Paris, for writing lightly respecting the Bourbons." Two +days later he wrote to Mrs. Murray: + + +_August_ 15, 1814. + +"I dined yesterday with D'Israeli, and in the afternoon we partly walked +and partly rode to Islington, to drink tea with Mrs. Lindo, who, with +Mr. L. and her family, were well pleased to see me. Mr. Cervetto was +induced to accompany the ladies at the piano with his violoncello, which +he did delightfully. We walked home at 10 o'clock. On Saturday we passed +a very pleasant day at Petersham with Turner and his family.... + +"I have got at last Mr. Eagle's 'Journal of Penrose, the Seaman,' for +which, as you may remember, I am to pay L200 in twelve months for 1,000 +copies: too dear perhaps; but Lord Byron sent me word this morning by +letter (for he borrowed the MS. last night): 'Penrose is most amusing. I +never read so much of a book at one sitting in my life. He kept me up +half the night, and made me dream of him the other half. It has all the +air of truth, and is most entertaining and interesting in every point of +view.'" + +Writing again on August 24, 1814, he says: + +"Lord Byron set out for Newstead on Sunday. It is finally settled to be +his again, the proposed purchaser forfeiting L25,000. 'Lara' and +'Jacqueline' are nearly sold off, to the extent of 6,000, which leaves +me L130, and the certain sale of 10,000 more in the 8vo form. Mr. +Canning called upon Gifford yesterday, and from their conversation I +infer very favourably for my _Review_. We shall now take a decided tone +in Politics, and we are all in one boat. Croker has gone down to the +Prince Regent, at Brighton, where I ought to have been last night, to +have witnessed the rejoicings and splendour of the Duke of Clarence's +birthday. But I am ever out of luck. 'O, indolence and indecision of +mind! if not in yourselves vices, to how much exquisite misery do you +frequently prepare the way!' Have you come to this passage in 'Waverley' +yet? Pray read 'Waverley'; it is excellent." + +On September 5, 1814, Mr. Murray communicated with Mrs. Murray as to +the education of his son John, then six-and-a-half years old: + + +_John Murray to Mrs. Murray_. + +"I am glad that you venture to say something about the children, for it +is only by such minutiae that I can judge of the manner in which they +amuse or behave themselves. I really do not see the least propriety in +leaving John, at an age when the first impressions are so deep and +lasting, to receive the rudiments and foundation of his education in +Scotland. If learning English, his native language, mean anything, it is +not merely to read it correctly and understand it grammatically, but to +speak and pronounce it like the most polished native. But how can you +expect this to be effected, even with the aid of the best teachers, when +everybody around him, with whom he can practise his instructions, speaks +in a totally different manner? No! I rather think it better that he +should go to Edinburgh after he has passed through the schools here, and +when he is sixteen or seventeen. He should certainly go to some school +next spring, and I most confidingly trust that you are unremitting in +your duty to give him daily lessons of preparation, or he may be so far +behind children of his age when he does go to school, that the derision +he may meet there may destroy emulation. All this, however, is matter +for serious consideration and for future consultation, in which your +voice shall have its rightful influence...." + + +Mr. Murray was under the necessity of postponing his visit to France. He +went to Brighton instead, and spent a few pleasant days with Mr. +D'Israeli and his friends. + +On September 24 Mr. Murray, having returned to London, informed his +wife, still at Edinburgh, of an extraordinary piece of news. + + +_John Murray to Mrs. Murray_. + +"I was much surprised to learn from Dallas, whom I accidentally met +yesterday, that Lord Byron was expected in town every hour. I +accordingly left my card at his house, with a notice that I would attend +him as soon as he pleased; and it pleased him to summon my attendance +about seven in the evening. He had come to town on business, and +regretted that he would not be at Newstead until a fortnight, as he +wished to have seen me there on my way to Scotland. Says he, 'Can you +keep a secret?' 'Certainly--positively--my wife's out of town!' 'Then--I +am going to be MARRIED!' 'The devil! I shall have no poem this winter +then?' 'No.' 'Who is the lady who is to do me this injury?' 'Miss +Milbanke--do you know her?' 'No, my lord.' + +"So here is news for you! I fancy the lady is rich, noble, and +beautiful; but this shall be my day's business to enquire about. Oh! +how he did curse poor Lady C---- as the fiend who had interrupted all +his projects, and who would do so now if possible. I think he hinted +that she had managed to interrupt this connexion two years ago. He +thought she was abroad, and, to his torment and astonishment, he finds +her not only in England, but in London. He says he has written some +small poems which his friends think beautiful, particularly one of eight +lines, his very best--all of which, I believe, I am to have; and, +moreover, he gives me permission to publish the octavo edition of 'Lara' +with his name, which secures, I think, L700 to you and me. So Scott's +poem is announced ['Lord of the Isles'], and I am cut out. I wish I had +been in Scotland six weeks ago, and I might have come in for a share. +Should I apply for one to him, it would oblige me to be a partner with +Constable, who is desperately in want of money. He has applied to Cadell +& Davies (the latter told me in confidence) and they refused." + + +At the beginning of October Mr. Murray set out for Edinburgh, journeying +by Nottingham for the purpose of visiting Newstead Abbey. + +The following is Mr. Murray's account of his visit to Newstead. His +letter is dated Matlock, October 5, 1814: + + +"I got to Newstead about 11 o'clock yesterday and found the steward, my +namesake, and the butler waiting for me. The first, who is good-looking +and a respectable old man of about sixty-five years, showed me over the +house and grounds, which occupied two hours, for I was anxious to +examine everything. But never was I more disappointed, for my notions, I +suppose, had been raised to the romantic. I had surmised the possibly +easy restoration of this once famous abbey, the mere skeleton of which +is now fast crumbling to ruin. Lord Byron's immediate predecessor +stripped the whole place of all that was splendid and interesting; and +you may judge of what he must have done to the mansion when inform you +that he converted the ground, which used to be covered with the finest +trees, like a forest, into an absolute desert. Not a tree is left +standing, and the wood thus shamefully cut down was sold in one day for +L60,000. The hall of entrance has about eighteen large niches, which had +been filled with statues, and the side walls covered with family +portraits and armour. All these have been mercilessly torn down, as well +as the magnificent fireplace, and sold. All the beautiful paintings +which filled the galleries--valued at that day at L80,000--have +disappeared, and the whole place is crumbling into dust. No sum short of +L100,000 would make the place habitable. Lord Byron's few apartments +contain some modern upholstery, but serve only to show what ought to +have been there. They are now digging round the cloisters for a +traditionary cannon, and in their progress, about five days ago, they +discovered a corpse in too decayed a state to admit of removal. I saw +the drinking-skull [Footnote: When the father of the present Mr. Murray +was a student in Edinburgh, he wrote to his father (April 10,1827): "I +saw yesterday at a jeweller's shop in Edinburgh a great curiosity, no +less than Lord Byron's skull cup, upon which he wrote the poem. It is +for sale; the owner, whose name I could not learn (it appears he does +not wish it known), wants L200 for it."] and the marble mausoleum erected +over Lord Byron's dog. I came away with my heart aching and full of +melancholy reflections--producing a lowness of spirits which I did not +get the better of until this morning, when the most enchanting scenery I +have ever beheld has at length restored me. I am far more surprised that +Lord Byron should ever have lived at Newstead, than that he should be +inclined to part with it; for, as there is no possibility of his being +able, by any reasonable amount of expense, to reinstate it, the place +can present nothing but a perpetual memorial of the wickedness of his +ancestors. There are three, or at most four, domestics at board wages. +All that I was asked to taste was a piece of bread-and-butter. As my +foot was on the step of the chaise, when about to enter it, I was +informed that his lordship had ordered that I should take as much game +as I liked. What makes the steward, Joe Murray, an interesting object to +me, is that the old man has seen the abbey in all its vicissitudes of +greatness and degradation. Once it was full of unbounded hospitality and +splendour, and now it is simply miserable. If this man has feelings--of +which, by the way, he betrays no symptom--he would possibly be miserable +himself. He has seen three hundred of the first people in the county +filling the gallery, and seen five hundred deer disporting themselves in +the beautiful park, now covered with stunted offshoots of felled trees. +Again I say it gave me the heartache to witness all this ruin, and I +regret that my romantic picture has been destroyed by the reality." + + +Among the friends that welcomed Mr. Murray to Edinburgh was Mr. William +Blackwood, who then, and for a long time after, was closely connected +with him in his business transactions. Blackwood was a native of +Edinburgh; having served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Bell & +Bradfute, booksellers, he was selected by Mundell & Company to take +charge of a branch of their extensive publishing business in Glasgow. He +returned to Edinburgh, and again entered the service of Bell et +Bradfute; but after a time went to London to master the secrets of the +old book trade under the well-known Mr. Cuthill. Returning to Edinburgh, +he set up for himself in 1804, at the age of twenty-eight, at a shop in +South Bridge Street--confining himself, for the most part, to old books. +He was a man of great energy and decision of character, and his early +education enabled him to conduct his correspondence with a remarkable +degree of precision and accuracy. Mr. Murray seems to have done business +with him as far back as June 1807, and was in the habit of calling upon +Blackwood, who was about his own age, whenever he visited Edinburgh. The +two became intimate, and corresponded frequently; and at last, when +Murray withdrew from the Ballantynes, in August 1810 he transferred the +whole of his Scottish agency to the house of William Blackwood. In +return for the publishing business sent to him from London, Blackwood +made Murray his agent for any new works published by him in Edinburgh. +In this way Murray became the London publisher for Hogg's new poems, and +"The Queen's Wake," which had reached its fourth edition. + +Mr. Murray paid at this time another visit to Abbotsford. Towards the +end of 1814 Scott had surrounded the original farmhouse with a number of +buildings--kitchen, laundry, and spare bedrooms--and was able to +entertain company. He received Murray with great cordiality, and made +many enquiries as to Lord Byron, to whom Murray wrote on his return to +London: + + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +"Walter Scott commissioned me to be the bearer of his warmest greetings +to you. His house was full the day I passed with him; and yet, both in +corners and at the surrounded table, he talked incessantly of you. +Unwilling that I should part without bearing some mark of his love (a +poet's love) for you, he gave me a superb Turkish dagger to present to +you, as the only remembrance which, at the moment, he could think of to +offer you. He was greatly pleased with the engraving of your portrait, +which I recollected to carry with me; and during the whole dinner--when +all were admiring the taste with which Scott had fitted up a sort of +Gothic cottage--he expressed his anxious wishes that you might honour +him with a visit, which I ventured to assure him you would feel no less +happy than certain in effecting when you should go to Scotland; and I am +sure he would hail your lordship as 'a very brother.'" + + +After all his visits had been paid, and he had made his arrangements +with his printers and publishers, Mr. Murray returned to London with his +wife and family. Shortly after his arrival he received a letter from Mr. +Blackwood. + + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_November 8_, 1814. + +"I was much gratified by your letter informing me of your safe arrival. +How much you must be overwhelmed just now, and your mind distracted by +so many calls upon your attention at once. I hope that you are now in +one of your best frames of mind, by which you are enabled, as you have +told me, to go through, with more satisfaction to yourself, ten times +the business you can do at other times. While you are so occupied with +your great concerns, I feel doubly obliged to you for your remembrance +of my small matters." + + +After referring to his illness, he proceeds: + + +"Do not reflect upon your visit to the bard (Walter Scott). You would +have blamed yourself much more if you had not gone. The advance was made +by him through Ballantyne, and you only did what was open and candid. We +shall be at the bottom of these peoples' views by-and-bye; at present I +confess I only see very darkly--but let us have patience; a little time +will develop all these mysteries. I have not seen Ballantyne since, and +when I do see him I shall say very little indeed. If there really is a +disappointment in not being connected with Scott's new poem, you should +feel it much less than any man living--having such a poet as Lord +Byron." + + +Although Murray failed to obtain an interest in "The Lady of the Lake," +he was offered and accepted, at Scott's desire, a share in a new edition +of "Don Roderick." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +MURRAY'S DRAWING-ROOM--BYRON AND SCOTT--WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1815 + + +During Mrs. Murray's absence in Edinburgh, the dwelling-house at 50, +Albemarle Street was made over to the carpenters, painters, and house +decorators. "I hope," said Mr. Murray to his wife, "to leave the +drawing-room entirely at your ladyship's exclusive command." But the +drawing-room was used for other purposes than the reception of ordinary +visitors. It became for some time the centre of literary friendship and +intercommunication at the West End. In those days there was no Athenaeum +Club for the association of gentlemen known for their literary, +artistic, or scientific attainments. That institution was only +established in 1823, through the instrumentality of Croker, Lawrence, +Chantrey, Sir Humphry Davy, and their friends. Until then, Murray's +drawing-room was the main centre of literary intercourse in that quarter +of London. Men of distinction, from the Continent and America, presented +their letters of introduction to Mr. Murray, and were cordially and +hospitably entertained by him; meeting, in the course of their visits, +many distinguished and notable personages. + +In these rooms, early in 1815, young George Ticknor, from Boston, in +America, then only twenty-three, met Moore, Campbell, D'Israeli, +Gifford, Humphry Davy, and others. He thus records his impressions of +Gifford: + +"Among other persons, I brought letters to Gifford, the satirist, but +never saw him till yesterday. Never was I so mistaken in my +anticipations. Instead of a tall and handsome man, as I had supposed him +from his picture--a man of severe and bitter remarks in conversation, +such as I had good reason to believe him from his books, I found him a +short, deformed, and ugly little man, with a large head sunk between +his shoulders, and one of his eyes turned outward, but withal, one of +the best-natured, most open and well-bred gentlemen I have ever met. He +is editor of the _Quarterly Review_, and was not a little surprised and +pleased to hear that it was reprinted with us, which I told him, with an +indirect allusion to the review of 'Inchiquen's United States.'.... He +carried me to a handsome room over Murray's book-store, which he has +fitted up as a sort of literary lounge, where authors resort to read +newspapers, and talk literary gossip. I found there Elmsley, Hallam, +Lord Byron's 'Classic Hallam, much renowned for Greek,' now as famous as +being one of his lordship's friends, Boswell, a son of Johnson's +biographer, etc., so that I finished a long forenoon very pleasantly." +[Footnote: "Life, Letters, and Journal of George Ticknor," i. 48.] + +The following letter and Ticknor's reference to Gifford only confirm the +testimony of all who knew him that in private life the redoubtable +editor and severe critic was an amiable and affectionate man. + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_, + +JAMES STREET, _October_ 20, 1814. + +My DEAR SIR, + +What can I say in return for your interesting and amusing letter? I live +here quite alone, and see nobody, so that I have not a word of news for +you. I delight in your visit to Scotland, which I am sure would turn to +good, and which I hope you will, as you say, periodically repeat. It +makes me quite happy to find you beating up for recruits, and most +ardently do I wish you success. Mention me kindly to Scott, and tell him +how much I long to renew our wonted acquaintance. Southey's article is, +I think, excellent. I have softened matters a little. Barrow is hard at +work on Flinders [_Q. R_. 23]. I have still a most melancholy house. My +poor housekeeper is going fast. Nothing can save her, and I lend all my +care to soften her declining days. She has a physician every second day, +and takes a world of medicines, more for their profit than her own, poor +thing. She lives on fruit, grapes principally, and a little game, which +is the only food she can digest. Guess at my expenses; but I owe in some +measure the extension of my feeble life to her care through a long +succession of years, and I would cheerfully divide my last farthing with +her. I will not trouble you again on this subject, which is a mere +concern of my own; but you have been very kind to her, and she is +sensible of it." + + +With respect to this worthy woman, it may be added that she died on +February 6, 1815, carefully waited on to the last by her affectionate +master. She was buried in South Audley Churchyard, where Gifford erected +a tomb over her, and placed on it a very touching epitaph, concluding +with these words: "Her deeply-affected master erected this stone to her +memory, as a faithful testimony of her uncommon worth, and of his +gratitude, respect, and affection for her long and meritorious +services." [Footnote: It will serve to connect the narrative with one of +the famous literary quarrels of the day, if we remind the reader that +Hazlitt published a cruel and libellous pamphlet in 1819, entitled "A +Letter to William Gifford," in which he hinted that some improper +connection had subsisted between himself and his "frail memorial." +Hazlitt wrote this pamphlet because of a criticism on the "Round Table" +in the _Quarterly_, which Gifford did not write, and of a criticism of +Hunt's "Rimini," published by Mr. Murray, which was also the work of +another writer. But Gifford never took any notice of these libellous +attacks upon him. He held that secrecy between himself and the +contributors to the _Quarterly_ was absolutely necessary. Hazlitt, in +the above pamphlet, also attacks Murray, Croker, Canning, Southey, and +others whom he supposed to be connected with the _Review_.] + +Murray's own description of his famous drawing-room may also be given, +from a letter to a relative: + + +"I have lately ventured on the bold step of quitting the old +establishment to which I have been so long attached, and have moved to +one of the best, in every respect, that is known in my business, where I +have succeeded in a manner the most complete and flattering. My house is +excellent; and I transact all the departments of my business in an +elegant library, which my drawing-room becomes during the morning; and +there I am in the habit of seeing persons of the highest rank in +literature and talent, such as Canning, Frere, Mackintosh, Southey, +Campbell, Walter Scott, Madame de Stael, Gifford, Croker, Barrow, Lord +Byron, and others; thus leading the most delightful life, with means of +prosecuting my business with the highest honour and emolument." + + +It was in Murray's drawing-room that Walter Scott and Lord Byron first +met. They had already had some friendly intercourse by letter and had +exchanged gifts, but in the early part of 1815 Scott was summoned to +London on matters connected with his works. Mr. Murray wrote to Lord +Byron on April 7: + + +"Walter Scott has this moment arrived, and will call to-day between +three and four, for the chance of having the pleasure of seeing you +before he sets out for Scotland. I will show you a beautiful caricature +of Buonaparte." + +Lord Byron called at the hour appointed, and was at once introduced to +Mr. Scott, who was in waiting. They greeted each other in the most +affectionate manner, and entered into a cordial conversation. How +greatly Mr. Murray was gratified by a meeting which he had taken such +pains to bring about, is shown by the following memorandum carefully +preserved by him: + +"1815. _Friday, April_ 7.--This day Lord Byron and Walter Scott met for +the first time and were introduced by me to each other. They conversed +together for nearly two hours. There were present, at different times, +Mr. William Gifford, James Boswell (son of the biographer of Johnson), +William Sotheby, Robert Wilmot, Richard Heber, and Mr. Dusgate." + +Mr. Murray's son--then John Murray, Junior--gives his recollections as +follows: + +"I can recollect seeing Lord Byron in Albemarle Street. So far as I can +remember, he appeared to me rather a short man, with a handsome +countenance, remarkable for the fine blue veins which ran over his pale, +marble temples. He wore many rings on his fingers, and a brooch in his +shirt-front, which was embroidered. When he called, he used to be +dressed in a black dress-coat (as we should now call it), with grey, and +sometimes nankeen trousers, his shirt open at the neck. Lord Byron's +deformity in his foot was very evident, especially as he walked +downstairs. He carried a stick. After Scott and he had ended their +conversation in the drawing-room, it was a curious sight to see the two +greatest poets of the age--both lame--stumping downstairs side by side. +They continued to meet in Albemarle Street nearly every day, and +remained together for two or three hours at a time. Lord Byron dined +several times at Albemarle Street, On one of these occasions, he met Sir +John Malcolm--a most agreeable and accomplished man--who was all the +more interesting to Lord Byron, because of his intimate knowledge of +Persia and India. After dinner, Sir John observed to Lord Byron, how +much gratified he had been to meet him, and how surprised he was to find +him so full of gaiety and entertaining conversation. Byron replied, +'Perhaps you see me now at my best.' Sometimes, though not often, Lord +Byron read passages from his poems to my father. His voice and manner +were very impressive. His voice, in the deeper tones, bore some +resemblance to that of Mrs. Siddons." + +Shortly before this first interview between Scott and Byron the news had +arrived that Bonaparte had escaped from Elba, and landed at Cannes on +March 1, 1815. + +A few days before--indeed on the day the battle was fought--Blackwood +gave great praise to the new number of the _Quarterly_, containing the +contrast of Bonaparte and Wellington. It happened that Southey wrote the +article in No. 25, on the "Life and Achievements of Lord Wellington," in +order to influence public opinion as much as possible, and to encourage +the hearts of men throughout the country for the great contest about to +take place in the Low Countries. About the same time Sir James +Mackintosh had written an able and elaborate article for the +_Edinburgh_, to show that the war ought to have been avoided, and that +the consequences to England could only be unfortunate and inglorious. +The number was actually printed, stitched, and ready for distribution in +June; but it was thought better to wait a little, for fear of accidents, +and especially for the purpose of using it instantly after the first +reverse should occur, and thus to give it the force of prophecy. The +Battle of Waterloo came like a thunderclap. The article was suppressed, +and one on "Gall and his Craniology" substituted. "I think," says +Ticknor, "Southey said he had seen the repudiated article." [Footnote: +"Life, Letters, and Journals of George Ticknor "(2nd ed.), i. p. 41.] + +Lord Byron did not write another "Ode on Napoleon." He was altogether +disappointed in his expectations. Nevertheless, he still, like Hazlitt, +admired Napoleon, and hated Wellington. When he heard of the result of +the Battle of Waterloo, and that Bonaparte was in full retreat upon +Paris, he said, "I'm d----d sorry for it!" + +Mr. Murray, about this time, began to adorn his dining-room with +portraits of the distinguished men who met at his table. His portraits +include those of Gifford, [Footnote: This portrait was not painted for +Mr. Murray, but was purchased by him.] by Hoppner, R.A.; Byron and +Southey, by Phillips; Scott and Washington Irving, by Stewart Newton; +Croker, by Eddis, after Lawrence; Coleridge, Crabbe, Mrs. Somerville, +Hallam, T. Moore, Lockhart, and others. In April 1815 we find Thomas +Phillips, afterwards R.A., in communication with Mr. Murray, offering to +paint for him a series of Kit-cat size at eighty guineas each, and in +course of time his pictures, together with those of John Jackson, R.A., +formed a most interesting gallery of the great literary men of the +time, men and women of science, essayists, critics, Arctic voyagers, and +discoverers in the regions of Central Africa. + +Byron and Southey were asked to sit for their portraits to Phillips. +Though Byron was willing, and even thought it an honour, Southey +pretended to grumble. To Miss Barker he wrote (November 9, 1815): + + +"Here, in London, I can find time for nothing; and, to make things +worse, the Devil, who owes me an old grudge, has made me sit to Phillips +for a picture for Murray. I have in my time been tormented in this +manner so often, and to such little purpose, that I am half tempted to +suppose the Devil was the inventor of portrait painting." + + +Meanwhile Mr. Murray was again in treaty for a share in a further work +by Walter Scott. No sooner was the campaign of 1815 over, than a host of +tourists visited France and the Low Countries, and amongst them Murray +succeeded in making his long-intended trip to Paris, and Scott set out +to visit the battlefields in Belgium. Before departing, Scott made an +arrangement with John Ballantyne to publish the results of his travels, +and he authorized him to offer the work to Murray, Constable, and the +Longmans, in equal shares. + +In 1815 a very remarkable collection of documents was offered to Mr. +Murray for purchase and publication. They were in the possession of one +of Napoleon's generals, a friend of Miss Waldie. [Footnote: Afterwards +Mrs. Eaton, author of "Letters from Italy."] The collection consisted of +the personal correspondence of Bonaparte, when in the height of his +power, with all the crowned heads and leading personages of Europe, upon +subjects so strictly confidential that they had not even been +communicated to their own ministers or private secretaries. They were +consequently all written by their own hands. + +As regards the contents of these letters, Mr. Murray had to depend upon +his memory, after making a hurried perusal of them. He was not allowed +to copy any of them, but merely took a rough list. No record was kept of +the dates. Among them was a letter from the King of Bavaria, urging his +claims as a true and faithful ally, and claiming for his reward the +dominion of Wurtemberg. + +There were several letters from the Prussian Royal family, including +one from the King, insinuating that by the cession of Hanover to him his +territorial frontier would be rendered more secure. The Emperor Paul, in +a letter written on a small scrap of paper, proposed to transfer his +whole army to Napoleon, to be employed in turning the English out of +India, provided he would prevent them passing the Gut and enclosing the +Baltic. + +The Empress of Austria wrote an apology for the uncultivated state of +mind of her daughter, Marie Louise, about to become Napoleon's bride; +but added that her imperfect education presented the advantage of +allowing Napoleon to mould her opinions and principles in accordance +with his own views and wishes. + +This correspondence would probably have met with an immense sale, but +Mr. Murray entertained doubts as to the propriety of publishing +documents so confidential, and declined to purchase them for the sum +proposed. The next day, after his refusal, he ascertained that Prince +Lieven had given, on behalf of his government, not less than L10,000 for +the letters emanating from the Court of Russia alone. Thus the public +missed the perusal of an important series of international scandals. + +In December 1815 Mr. Murray published "Emma" for Miss Jane Austen, and +so connected his name with another English classic. Miss Austen's first +novel had been "Northanger Abbey." It remained long in manuscript, and +eventually she had succeeded in selling it to a bookseller at Bath for +L10. He had not the courage to publish it, and after it had remained in +his possession for some years, Miss Austen bought it back for the same +money he had paid for it. She next wrote "Sense and Sensibility," and +"Pride and Prejudice." The latter book was summarily rejected by Mr. +Cadell. At length these two books were published anonymously by Mr. +Egerton, and though they did not make a sensation, they gradually +attracted attention and obtained admirers. No one could be more +surprised than the authoress, when she received no less than L150 from +the profits of her first published work--"Sense and Sensibility." + +When Miss Austen had finished "Emma," she put herself in communication +with Mr. Murray, who read her "Pride and Prejudice," and sent it to +Gifford. Gifford replied as follows: + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"I have for the first time looked into 'Pride and Prejudice'; and it is +really a very pretty thing. No dark passages; no secret chambers; no +wind-howlings in long galleries; no drops of blood upon a rusty +dagger--things that should now be left to ladies' maids and sentimental +washerwomen." + + +In a later letter he said: + + +_September_ 29, 1815. + +"I have read 'Pride and Prejudice' _again_--'tis very good--wretchedly +printed, and so pointed as to be almost unintelligible. Make no apology +for sending me anything to read or revise. I am always happy to do +either, in the thought that it may be useful to you. + + * * * * * + +"Of 'Emma,' I have nothing but good to say. I was sure of the writer +before you mentioned her. The MS., though plainly written, has yet some, +indeed many little omissions; and an expression may now and then be +amended in passing through the press. I will readily undertake the +revision." + + +Miss Austen's two other novels, "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion," +were also published by Murray, but did not appear until after her death +in 1818. The profits of the four novels which had been published before +her death did not amount to more than seven hundred pounds. + +Mr. Murray also published the works of Mr. Malthus on "Rent," the "Corn +Laws," and the "Essay on Population." His pamphlet on Rent appeared in +March 1815. + +Murray's correspondence with Scott continued. On December 25, 1815, he +wrote: + + +"I was about to tell you that Croker was so pleased with the idea of a +Caledonian article from you, that he could not refrain from mentioning +it to the Prince Regent, who is very fond of the subject, and he said he +would be delighted, and is really anxious about it. Now, it occurs to +me, as our _Edinburgh_ friends choose on many occasions to bring in the +Prince's name to abuse it, this might offer an equally fair opportunity +of giving him that praise which is so justly due to his knowledge of the +history of his country.... + +"I was with Lord Byron yesterday. He enquired after you, and bid me say +how much he was indebted to your introduction of your poor Irish friend +Maturin, who had sent him a tragedy, which Lord Byron received late in +the evening, and read through, without being able to stop. He was so +delighted with it that he sent it immediately to his fellow-manager, the +Hon. George Lamb, who, late as it came to him, could not go to bed +without finishing it. The result is that they have laid it before the +rest of the Committee; they, or rather Lord Byron, feels it his duty to +the author to offer it himself to the managers of Covent Garden. The +poor fellow says in his letter that his hope of subsistence for his +family for the next year rests upon what he can get for this play. I +expressed a desire of doing something, and Lord Byron then confessed +that he had sent him fifty guineas. I shall write to him tomorrow, and I +think if you could draw some case for him and exhibit his merits, +particularly if his play succeeds, I could induce Croker and Peel to +interest themselves in his behalf, and get him a living. + +".... Have you any fancy to dash off an article on 'Emma'? It wants +incident and romance, does it not? None of the author's other novels +have been noticed, and surely 'Pride and Prejudice' merits high +commendation." + +Scott immediately complied with Murray's request. He did "dash off an +article on 'Emma,'" which appeared in No. 27 of the _Quarterly_. In +enclosing his article to Murray, Scott wrote as follows: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_January_ 19, 1816. + +Dear Sir, + +Enclosed is the article upon "Emma." I have been spending my holidays in +the country, where, besides constant labour in the fields during all the +hours of daylight, the want of books has prevented my completing the +Highland article. (The "Culloden Papers," which appeared in next +number.) It will be off, however, by Tuesday's post, as I must take +Sunday and Monday into the account of finishing it. It will be quite +unnecessary to send proofs of "Emma," as Mr. Gifford will correct all +obvious errors, and abridge it where necessary. + +_January_, 25, 1816. + +"My article is so long that I fancy you will think yourself in the +condition of the conjuror, who after having a great deal of trouble in +raising the devil, could not get rid of him after he had once made his +appearance. But the Highlands is an immense field, and it would have +been much more easy for me to have made a sketch twice as long than to +make it shorter. There still wants eight or nine pages, which you will +receive by tomorrow's or next day's post; but I fancy you will be glad +to get on." + +The article on the "Culloden Papers," which occupied fifty pages of the +_Review_ (No. 28), described the clans of the Highlands, their number, +manners, and habits; and gave a summary history of the Rebellion of '45. +It was graphically and vigorously written, and is considered one of +Scott's best essays. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS--CHARLES MATURIN--S.T. COLERIDGE--LEIGH HUNT + + +Scott's "poor Irish friend Maturin," referred to in the previous +chapter, was a young Irish clergyman, who was under the necessity of +depending upon his brains and pen for the maintenance of his family. +Charles Maturin, after completing his course of education at Trinity +College, married Miss Harriet Kinsburg. His family grew, but not his +income. He took orders, and obtained the curacy of St. Peter's Church, +Dublin, but owing to his father's affairs having become embarrassed, he +was compelled to open a boarding-school, with the view of assisting the +family. Unfortunately, he became bound for a friend, who deceived him, +and eventually he was obliged to sacrifice his interest in the school. +Being thus driven to extremities, he tried to live by literature, and +produced "The Fatal Revenge; or, the Family of Montorio," the first of a +series of romances, in which he outdid Mrs. Radcliffe and Monk Lewis. +"The Fatal Revenge" was followed by "The Wild Irish Boy," for which +Colburn gave him L80, and "The Milesian Chief," all full of horrors and +misty grandeur. These works did not bring him in much money; but, in +1815, he determined to win the height of dramatic fame in his "Bertram; +or, the Castle of St. Aldebrand," a tragedy. He submitted the drama to +Walter Scott, as from an "obscure Irishman," telling him of his +sufferings as an author and the father of a family, and imploring his +kind opinion. Scott replied in the most friendly manner, gave him much +good advice, spoke of the work as "grand and powerful, the characters +being sketched with masterly enthusiasm"; and, what was practically +better, sent him L50 as a token of his esteem and sympathy, and as a +temporary stop-gap until better times came round. He moreover called the +attention of Lord Byron, then on the Committee of Management of Drury +Lane Theatre, to the play, and his Lordship strongly recommended a +performance of it. Thanks to the splendid acting of Kean, it succeeded, +and Maturin realized about L1,000. + +"Bertram" was published by Murray, a circumstance which brought him into +frequent communication with the unfortunate Maturin. The latter offered +more plays, more novels, and many articles for the _Quarterly_. With +reference to one of his articles--a review of Sheil's "Apostate" +--Gifford said, "A more potatoe-headed arrangement, or rather +derangement, I have never seen. I have endeavoured to bring some order +out of the chaos. There is a sort of wild eloquence in it that makes it +worth preserving." + +Maturin continued to press his literary work on Murray, who however, +though he relieved him by the gift of several large sums of money, +declined all further offers of publication save the tragedy of "Manuel." + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_March_ 15, 1817. + +"Maturin's new tragedy, 'Manuel,' appeared on Saturday last, and I am +sorry to say that the opinion of Mr. Gifford was established by the +impression made on the audience. The first act very fine, the rest +exhibiting a want of judgment not to be endured. It was brought out with +uncommon splendour, and was well acted. Kean's character as an old +man--a warrior--was new and well sustained, for he had, of course, +selected it, and professed to be--and he acted as if he were--really +pleased with it.... I have undertaken to print the tragedy at my own +expense, and to give the poor Author the whole of the profit." + +In 1824 Maturin died, in Dublin, in extreme poverty. + +The following correspondence introduces another great name in English +literature. It is not improbable that it was Southey who suggested to +Murray the employment of his brother-in-law, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, +from his thorough knowledge of German, as the translator of Goethe's +"Faust." The following is Mr. Coleridge's first letter to Murray: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +JOSIAH WADE'S, Esq., 2, QUEEN'S SQUARE, BRISTOL. _[August_ 23, 1814.] + +Dear Sir, + +I have heard, from my friend Mr. Charles Lamb, writing by desire of Mr. +Robinson, that you wish to have the justly-celebrated "Faust" of Goethe +translated, and that some one or other of my partial friends have +induced you to consider me as the man most likely to execute the work +adequately, those excepted, of course, whose higher power (established +by the solid and satisfactory ordeal of the wide and rapid sale of their +works) it might seem profanation to employ in any other manner than in +the development of their own intellectual organization. I return my +thanks to the recommender, whoever he be, and no less to you for your +flattering faith in the recommendation; and thinking, as I do, that +among many volumes of praiseworthy German poems, the "Louisa" of Voss, +and the "Faust" of Goethe, are the two, if not the only ones, that are +emphatically _original_ in their conception, and characteristic of a new +and peculiar sort of thinking and imagining, I should not be averse from +exerting my best efforts in an attempt to import whatever is importable +of either or of both into our own language. + +But let me not be suspected of a presumption of which I am not +consciously guilty, if I say that I feel two difficulties; one arising +from long disuse of versification, added to what I know, better than the +most hostile critic could inform me, of my comparative weakness; and the +other, that _any_ work in Poetry strikes me with more than common awe, +as proposed for realization by myself, because from long habits of +meditation on language, as the symbolic medium of the connection of +Thought with Thought, and of Thoughts as affected and modified by +Passion and Emotion, I should spend days in avoiding what I deemed +faults, though with the full preknowledge that their admission would not +have offended perhaps three of all my readers, and might be deemed +Beauties by 300--if so many there were; and this not out of any respect +for the Public (_i.e._ the persons who might happen to purchase and look +over the Book), but from a hobby-horsical, superstitious regard to my +own feelings and sense of Duty. Language is the sacred Fire in this +Temple of Humanity, and the Muses are its especial and vestal +Priestesses. Though I cannot prevent the vile drugs and counterfeit +Frankincense, which render its flame at once pitchy, glowing, and +unsteady, I would yet be no voluntary accomplice in the Sacrilege. With +the commencement of a PUBLIC, commences the degradation of the GOOD and +the BEAUTIFUL--both fade and retire before the accidentally AGREEABLE. +"Othello" becomes a hollow lip-worship; and the "CASTLE SPECTRE," or any +more recent thing of Froth, Noise, and Impermanence, that may have +overbillowed it on the restless sea of curiosity, is the _true_ Prayer +of Praise and Admiration. + +I thought it right to state to you these opinions of mine, that you +might know that I think the Translation of the "Faust" a task demanding +(from _me_, I mean), no ordinary efforts--and why? This--that it is +painful, very painful, and even odious to me, to attempt anything of a +literary nature, with any motive of _pecuniary_ advantage; but that I +bow to the all-wise Providence, which has made me a _poor_ man, and +therefore compelled me by other duties inspiring feelings, to bring +_even my Intellect to the Market_. And the finale is this. I should like +to attempt the Translation. If you will mention your terms, at once and +irrevocably (for I am an idiot at bargaining, and shrink from the very +thought), I will return an answer by the next Post, whether in my +present circumstances, I can or cannot undertake it. If I do, I will do +it immediately; but I must have all Goethe's works, which I cannot +procure in Bristol; for to give the "Faust" without a preliminary +critical Essay would be worse than nothing, as far as regards the +PUBLIC. If you were to ask me as a Friend, whether I think it would suit +_the General Taste_, I should reply that I cannot calculate on caprice +and accident (for instance, some fashionable man or review happening to +take it up favourably), but that otherwise my fears would be stronger +than my hopes. Men of genius will admire it, of necessity. Those most, +who think deepest and most imaginatively. The "Louisa" would delight +_all_ of good hearts. + +I remain, dear Sir, With due respect, S.T. COLERIDGE. + +To this letter Mr. Murray replied as follows: + +_John Murray to Mr. Coleridge_. + +_August_ 29, 1814. + +Dear Sir, + +I feel greatly obliged by the favour of your attention to the request +which I had solicited our friend Mr. Robinson to make to you for the +translation of Goethe's extraordinary drama of "Faust," which I suspect +that no one could do justice to besides yourself. It will be the first +attempt to render into classical English a German work of peculiar but +certainly of unquestionable Genius; and you must allow that its effects +upon the public must be doubtful. I am desirous however of making the +experiment, and this I would not do under a less skilful agent than the +one to whom I have applied. I am no less anxious that you should +receive, as far as I think the thing can admit, a fair remuneration; and +trusting that you will not undertake it unless you feel disposed to +execute the labour perfectly _con amore_, and in a style of +versification equal to "Remorse," I venture to propose to you the sum of +One Hundred Pounds for the Translation and the preliminary Analysis, +with such passages translated as you may judge proper of the works of +Goethe, with a copy of which I will have the pleasure of supplying you +as soon as I have your final determination. The sum which I mention +shall be paid to you in two months from the day on which you place the +complete Translation and Analysis in my hands; this will allow a +reasonable time for your previous correction of the sheets through the +press. I shall be glad to hear from you by return of Post, if +convenient, as I propose to set out this week for the Continent. If this +work succeeds, I am in hopes that it will lead to many similar +undertakings. + +With sincere esteem, I am, dear Sir, Your faithful Servant, J. Murray + +I should hope that it might not prove inconvenient to you to complete +the whole for Press in the course of November next. + +Mr. Coleridge replied as follows, from the same address: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +_August_ 31, 1814. + +Dear Sir, + +I have received your letter. Considering the necessary labour, and (from +the questionable nature of the original work, both as to its fair claims +to Fame--the diction of the good and wise according to unchanging +principles--and as to its chance for Reputation, as an accidental result +of local and temporary taste), the risk of character on the part of the +Translator, who will assuredly have to answer for any disappointment of +the reader, the terms proposed are humiliatingly low; yet such as, under +modifications, I accede to. I have received testimonials from men not +merely of genius according to my belief, but of the highest accredited +reputation, that my translation of "Wallenstein" was in language and in +metre superior to the original, and the parts most admired were +substitutions of my own, on a principle of compensation. Yet the whole +work went for waste-paper. I was abused--nay, my own remarks in the +Preface were transferred to a Review, as the Reviewer's sentiments +_against_ me, without even a hint that he had copied them from my own +Preface. Such was the fate of "Wallenstein"! And yet I dare appeal to +any number of men of Genius--say, for instance, Mr. W. Scott, Mr. +Southey, Mr. Wordsworth, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sotheby, Sir G. Beaumont, etc., +whether the "Wallenstein" with all its defects (and it has grievous +defects), is not worth all Schiller's other plays put together. But I +wonder not. It was _too_ good, and not good enough; and the advice of +the younger Pliny: "Aim at pleasing either _all_, or _the few,"_ is as +prudentially good as it is philosophically accurate. I wrote to Mr. +Longman before the work was published, and foretold its fate, even to a +detailed accuracy, and advised him to put up with the loss from the +purchase of the MSS and of the Translation, as a much less evil than the +publication. I went so far as to declare that its success was, in the +state of public Taste, impossible; that the enthusiastic admirers of +"The Robbers," "Cabal and Love," etc., would lay the blame on me; and +that he himself would suspect that if he had only lit on _another_ +Translator then, etc. Everything took place as I had foretold, even his +own feelings--so little do Prophets gain from the fulfilment of their +Prophecies! + +On the other hand, though I know that executed as alone I can or dare do +it--that is, to the utmost of my power (for which the intolerable Pain, +nay the far greater Toil and Effort of doing otherwise, is a far safer +Pledge than any solicitude on my part concerning the approbation of the +PUBLIC), the translation of so very difficult a work as the "Faustus," +will be most inadequately remunerated by the terms you propose; yet they +very probably are the highest it may be worth your while to offer to +_me_. I say this as a philosopher; for, though I have now been much +talked of, and written of, for evil and not for good, but for suspected +capability, yet none of my works have ever sold. The "Wallenstein" went +to the waste. The "Remorse," though acted twenty times, rests quietly on +the shelves in the second edition, with copies enough for seven years' +consumption, or seven times seven. I lost L200 by the non-payment, from +forgetfulness, and under various pretences, by "The Friend"; [Footnote: +Twenty-seven numbers of _The Friend_ were published by Coleridge at +Penrith in Cumberland in 1809-10, but the periodical proved a failure, +principally from the irregularity of its appearance. It was about this +time that he was addicted to opium-eating.] and for my poems I _did_ get +from L10 to L15. And yet, forsooth, the _Quarterly Review_ attacks me +for neglecting and misusing my powers! I do not quarrel with the +Public--all is as it must be--but surely the Public (if there be such a +Person) has no right to quarrel with _me_ for not getting into jail by +publishing what they will not read! + +The "Faust," you perhaps know, is only a _Fragment_. Whether Goethe ever +will finish it, or whether it is ever his object to do so, is quite +unknown. A large proportion of the work cannot be rendered in blank +verse, but must be given in wild _lyrical_ metres; and Mr. Lamb informs +me that the Baroness de Stael has given a very unfavourable account of +the work. Still, however, I will undertake it, and that instantly, so as +to let you have the last sheet by the middle of November, on the +following terms: + +1. That on the delivery of the last MS. sheet you remit 100 guineas to +Mrs. Coleridge, or Mr. Robert Southey, at a bill of five weeks. 2. That +I, or my widow or family, may, any time after two years from the first +publication, have the privilege of reprinting it in any collection of +all my poetical writings, or of my works in general, which set off with +a Life of me, might perhaps be made profitable to my widow. And 3rd, +that if (as I long ago meditated) I should re-model the whole, give it a +finale, and be able to bring it, thus re-written and re-cast, on the +stage, it shall not be considered as a breach of the engagement between +us, I on my part promising that you shall, for an equitable +consideration, have the copy of this new work, either as a separate +work, or forming a part of the same volume or both, as circumstances may +dictate to you. When I say that I am confident that in this _possible_ +and not probable case, I should not repeat or retain one fifth of the +original, you will perceive that I consult only my dread of appearing +to act amiss, as it would be even more easy to compose the whole anew. + +If these terms suit you I will commence the Task as soon as I receive +Goethe's works from you. If you could procure Goethe's late Life of +himself, which extends but a short way, or any German biographical work +of the Germans living, it would enable me to render the preliminary +Essay more entertaining. + +Respectfully, dear Sir, + +S.T. COLERIDGE. + +Mr. Murray's reply to this letter has not been preserved. At all events, +nothing further was done by Coleridge with respect to the translation of +"Faust," which is to be deplored, as his exquisite and original melody +of versification might have produced a translation almost as great as +the original. + +Shortly after Coleridge took up his residence with the Gillmans at +Highgate, and his intercourse with Murray recommenced. Lord Byron, while +on the managing committee of Drury Lane Theatre, had been instrumental +in getting Coleridge's "Remorse" played upon the stage, as he +entertained a great respect for its author. He was now encouraging Mr. +Murray to publish other works by Coleridge--among others, "Zapolya" and +"Christabel." + +On April 12, 1816, Coleridge gave the following lines to Mr. Murray, +written in his own hand: [Footnote: The "Song, by Glycine" was first +published in "Zapolya: A Christmas Tale," 1817, Part II., Act ii., Scene +I. It was set to music by W. Patten in 1836; and again, with the title +"May Song," in 1879, by B.H. Loehr.] + +GLYCINE: Song. + +"A sunny shaft did I behold, + From sky to earth it slanted, +And pois'd therein a Bird so bold-- + Sweet bird! thou wert enchanted! +He sank, he rose, he twinkled, he troll'd, + Within that shaft of sunny mist: +His Eyes of Fire, his Beak of Gold, + All else of Amethyst! +And thus he sang: Adieu! Adieu! + Love's dreams prove seldom true. +Sweet month of May! we must away! + Far, far away! + Today! today!" + +In the following month (May 8, 1816) Mr. Coleridge offered Mr. Murray +his "Remorse" for publication, with a Preface. He also offered his poem +of "Christabel," still unfinished. For the latter Mr. Murray agreed to +give him seventy guineas, "until the other poems shall be completed, +when the copyright shall revert to the author," and also L20 for +permission to publish the poem entitled "Kubla Khan." + +Next month (June 6) Murray allowed Coleridge L50 for an edition of +"Zapolya: A Christmas Tale," which was then in MS.; and he also +advanced him another L50 for a play which was still to be written. +"Zapolya" was afterwards entrusted to another publisher (Rest Fenner), +and Coleridge repaid Murray L50. Apparently (see _letter_ of March 29, +1817) Murray very kindly forewent repayment of the second advance of +L50. There was, of course, no obligation to excuse a just debt, but the +three issues of "Christabel" had resulted in a net profit of a little +over L100 to the publisher. + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +HIGHGATE, _July_ 4, 1816. + +I have often thought that there might be set on foot a review of old +books, _i.e.,_ of all works important or remarkable, the authors of +which are deceased, with a probability of a tolerable sale, if only the +original _plan_ were a good one, and if no articles were admitted but +from men who understood and recognized the Principles and Rules of +Criticism, which should form the first number. I would not take the +works chronologically, but according to the likeness or contrast of the +_kind_ of genius--_ex. gr_. Jeremy Taylor, Milton (his prose works), and +Burke--Dante and Milton--Scaliger and Dr. Johnson. Secondly, if +especial attention were paid to all men who had produced, or aided in +producing, any great revolution in the Taste or opinions of an age, as +Petrarch, Ulrich von Hutten, etc. (here I will dare risk the charge of +self-conceit by referring to my own parallel of Voltaire and Erasmus, of +Luther and Rousseau in the seventh number of "The Friend "). Lastly, if +proper care was taken that in every number of the _Review_ there should +be a fair proportion of positively _amusing_ matter, such as a review of +Paracelsus, Cardan, Old Fuller; a review of Jest Books, tracing the +various metempsychosis of the same joke through all ages and countries; +a History of Court Fools, for which a laborious German has furnished +ample and highly interesting materials; foreign writers, though alive, +not to be excluded, if only their works are of established character in +their own country, and scarcely heard of, much less translated, in +English literature. Jean Paul Richter would supply two or three +delightful articles. + +Any works which should fall in your way respecting the Jews since the +destruction of the Temple, I should of course be glad to look through. +Above all, Mezeray's (no! that is not the name, I think) "History of the +Jews," that I _must_ have. + +I shall be impatient for the rest of Mr. Frere's sheets. Most +unfeignedly can I declare that I am unable to decide whether the +_admiration_ which the _excellence_ inspires, or the wonder which the +knowledge of the countless _difficulties_ so happily overcome, never +ceases to excite in my mind during the re-perusal and collation of them +with the original Greek, be the greater. I have not a moment's +hesitation in fixing on Mr. Frere as the man of the correctest and most +genial taste among all our contemporaries whom I have ever met with, +personally or in their works. Should choice or chance lead you to sun +and air yourself on Highgate Hill during any of your holiday excursions, +my worthy friend and his amiable and accomplished wife will be happy to +see you. We dine at four, and drink tea at six. + +Yours, dear Sir, respectfully, S.T. COLERIDGE. + +Mr. Murray did not accept Mr. Coleridge's proposal to publish his works +in a collected form or his articles for the _Quarterly_, as appears from +the following letter: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +HIGHGATE, _March_ 26, 1817. + +DEAR SIR, + +I cannot be offended by your opinion that my talents are not adequate to +the requisites of matter and manner for the _Quarterly Review,_ nor +should I consider it as a disgrace to fall short of Robert Southey in +any department of literature. I owe, however, an honest gratification to +the conversation between you and Mr. Gillman, for I read Southey's +article, on which Mr. Gillman and I have, it appears, formed very +different opinions. It is, in my judgment, a very masterly article. +[Footnote: This must have been Southey's article on Parliamentary Reform +in No. 31, which, though due in October 1816, was not, published until +February 1817.] I would to heaven, my dear sir, that the opinions of +Southey, Walter Scott, Lord Byron, Mr. Frere, and of men like these in +learning and genius, concerning my comparative claims to be a man of +letters, were to be received as the criterion, instead of the wretched, +and in deed and in truth mystical jargon of the _Examiner_ and +_Edinburgh Review_. + +Mr. Randall will be so good as to repay you the L50, and I understand +from Mr. Gillman that you are willing to receive this as a settlement +respecting the "Zapolya." The corrections and additions to the two first +books of the "Christabel" may become of more value to you when the work +is finished, as I trust it will be in the course of the spring, than +they are at present. And let it not be forgotten, that while I had the +utmost malignity of personal enmity to cry down the work, with the +exception of Lord Byron, there was not one of the many who had so many +years together spoken so warmly in its praise who gave it the least +positive furtherance after its publication. It was openly asserted that +the _Quarterly Review_ did not wish to attack it, but was ashamed to say +a word in its favor. Thank God! these things pass from me like drops +from a duck's back, except as far as they take the bread out of my +mouth; and this I can avoid by consenting to publish only for the +_present_ times whatever I may write. You will be so kind as to +acknowledge the receipt of the L50 in such manner as to make all matters +as clear between us as possible; for, though you, I am sure, could not +have intended to injure my character, yet the misconceptions, and +perhaps misrepresentations, of your words have had that tendency. By a +letter from R. Southey I find that he will be in town on the 17th. The +article in Tuesday's _Courier_ was by me, and two other articles on +Apostacy and Renegadoism, which will appear this week. + +Believe me, with respect, your obliged, + +S.T. COLERIDGE. + +The following letter completes Coleridge's correspondence with Murray on +this subject: + +_Mr. Coleridge to John Murray_. + +[Highgate], _March_ 29, 1817. + +Dear Sir, + +From not referring to the paper dictated by yourself, and signed by me +in your presence, you have wronged yourself in the receipt you have been +so good as to send me, and on which I have therefore written as +follows--"A mistake; I am still indebted to Mr. Murray L20 _legally_ +(which I shall pay the moment it is in my power), and L30 from whatever +sum I may receive from the 'Christabel' when it is finished. Should Mr. +Murray decline its publication, I conceive myself bound _in honor_ to +repay." I strive in vain to discover any single act or expression of my +own, or for which I could be directly or indirectly responsible as a +moral being, that would account for the change in your mode of thinking +respecting me. But with every due acknowledgment of the kindness and +courtesy that I received from you on my first coming to town, + +I remain, dear Sir, your obliged, S.T. COLERIDGE. + +Leigh Hunt was another of Murray's correspondents. When the _Quarterly_ +was started, Hunt, in his Autography, says that "he had been invited, +nay pressed by the publisher, to write in the new Review, which +surprised me, considering its politics and the great difference of my +own." Hunt adds that he had no doubt that the invitation had been made +at the instance of Gifford himself. Murray had a high opinion of Hunt as +a critic, but not as a politician. Writing to Walter Scott in 1810 he +said: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_, + +"Have you got or seen Hunt's critical essays, prefixed to a few novels +that he edited. Lest you should not, I send them. Hunt is most vilely +wrongheaded in politics, and has thereby been turned away from the path +of elegant criticism, which might have led him to eminence and +respectability." + +Hunt was then, with his brother, joint editor of the _Examiner_, and +preferred writing for the newspaper to contributing articles to the +_Quarterly_. + +On Leigh Hunt's release from Horsemonger Lane Gaol, where he had been +imprisoned for his libel on the Prince Regent, he proceeded, on the +strength of his reputation, to compose the "Story of Rimini," the +publication of which gave the author a place among the poets of the day. +He sent a portion of the manuscript to Mr. Murray before the poem was +finished, saying that it would amount to about 1,400 lines. Hunt then +proceeded (December 18, 1815) to mention the terms which he proposed to +be paid for his work when finished. "Booksellers," he said, "tell me +that I ought not to ask less than L450 (which is a sum I happen to want +just now); and my friends, not in the trade, say I ought not to ask less +than L500, with such a trifling acknowledgment upon the various editions +after the second and third, as shall enable me to say that I am still +profiting by it." + +Mr. Murray sent his reply to Hunt through their common friend, Lord +Byron: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_December_ 27, 1815. + +"I wish your lordship to do me the favour to look at and to consider +with your usual kindness the accompanying note to Mr. Leigh Hunt +respecting his poem, for which he requests L450. This would presuppose a +sale of, at least, 10,000 copies. Now, if I may trust to my own +experience in these matters, I am by no means certain that the sale +would do more than repay the expenses of paper and print. But the poem +is peculiar, and may be more successful than I imagine, in which event +the proposition which I have made to the author will secure to him all +the advantages of such a result, I trust that you will see in this an +anxious desire to serve Mr. Hunt, although as a mere matter of business +I cannot avail myself of his offer. I would have preferred calling upon +you today were I not confined by a temporary indisposition; but I think +you will not be displeased at a determination founded upon the best +judgment I can form of my own business. I am really uneasy at your +feelings in this affair, but I think I may venture to assume that you +know me sufficiently well to allow me to trust my decision entirely to +your usual kindness." + +_John Murray to Mr. Leigh Hunt_. + +_December_ 27, 1815. + +"I have now read the MS. poem, which you confided to me, with particular +attention, and find that it differs so much from any that I have +published that I am fearful of venturing upon the extensive speculation +to which your estimate would carry it. I therefore wish that you would +propose its publication and purchase to such houses as Cadell, Longman, +Baldwin, Mawman, etc., who are capable of becoming and likely to become +purchasers, and then, should you not have found any arrangement to your +mind, I would undertake to print an edition of 500 or 750 copies as a +trial at my own risk, and give you one half of the profits. After this +edition the copyright shall be entirely your own property. By this +arrangement, in case the work turn out a prize, as it may do, I mean +that you should have every advantage of its success, for its popularity +once ascertained, I am sure you will find no difficulty in procuring +purchasers, even if you should be suspicious of my liberality from this +specimen of fearfulness in the first instance. I shall be most happy to +assist you with any advice which my experience in these matters may +render serviceable to you." + +Leigh Hunt at once accepted the offer. + +After the poem was printed and published, being pressed for money, he +wished to sell the copyright. After a recitation of his pecuniary +troubles, Hunt concluded a lengthy letter as follows: + +"What I wanted to ask you then is simply this--whether, in the first +instance, you think well enough of the "Story of Rimini" to make you +bargain with me for the copyright at once; or, in the second instance, +whether, if you would rather wait a little, as I myself would do, I +confess, if it were convenient, you have still enough hopes of the work, +and enough reliance on myself personally, to advance me L450 on +security, to be repaid in case you do not conclude the bargain, or +merged in the payment of the poem in case you do." + +Mr. Murray's reply was not satisfactory, as will be observed from the +following letter of Leigh Hunt: + +_Mr. Leigh Hunt to John Murray_, + +_April_ 12, 1816. + +Dear Sir, + +I just write to say something which I had omitted in my last, and to add +a word or two on the subject of an expression in your answer to it. I +mean the phrase "plan of assistance." I do not suppose that you had the +slightest intention of mortifying me by that phrase; but I should wish +to impress upon you, that I did not consider my application to you as +coming in the shape of what is ordinarily termed an application for +assistance. Circumstances have certainly compelled me latterly to make +requests, and resort to expedients, which, however proper in themselves, +I would not willingly have been acquainted with; but I have very good +prospects before me, and you are mistaken (I beg you to read this in the +best and most friendly tone you can present to yourself) if you have at +all apprehended that I should be in the habit of applying to you for +assistance, or for anything whatsoever, for which I did not conceive the +work in question to be more than a security. + +I can only say, with regard to yourself, that I am quite contented and +ought to be so, as long as you are sincere with me, and treat me in the +same gentlemanly tone. + +Very sincerely yours, + +LEIGH HUNT. + +This negotiation was ultimately brought to a conclusion by Mr. Hunt, at +Mr. Murray's suggestion, disposing of the copyright of "Rimini" to +another publisher. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THOMAS CAMPBELL--JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE--J.W. CROKER-JAMES HOGG, ETC. + + +Thomas Campbell appeared like a meteor as early as 1799, when, in his +twenty-second year, he published his "Pleasures of Hope." The world was +taken by surprise at the vigour of thought and richness of fancy +displayed in the poem. Shortly after its publication, Campbell went to +Germany, and saw, from the Benedictine monastery of Scottish monks at +Ratisbon, a battle which was not, as has often been said, the Battle of +Hohenlinden. What he saw, however, made a deep impression on his mind, +and on his return to Scotland he published the beautiful lines +beginning, "On Linden when the sun was low." In 1801 he composed "The +Exile of Erin" and "Ye Mariners of England." The "Battle of the Baltic" +and "Lochiel's Warning" followed; and in 1803 he published an edition of +his poems. To have composed such noble lyrics was almost unprecedented +in so young a man; for he was only twenty-six years of age when his +collected edition appeared. He was treated as a lion, and became +acquainted with Walter Scott and the leading men in Edinburgh. In +December 1805 we find Constable writing to Murray, that Longman & Co. +had offered the young poet L700 for a new volume of his poems. + +One of the earliest results of the association of Campbell with Murray +was a proposal to start a new magazine, which Murray had long +contemplated. This, it will be observed, was some years before the +communications took place between Walter Scott and Murray with respect +to the starting of the _Quarterly_. + +The projected magazine, however, dropped out of sight, and Campbell +reverted to his proposed "Lives of the British Poets, with Selections +from their Writings." Toward the close of the year he addressed the +following letter to Mr. Scott: + +_Mr. T. Campbell to Mr. Scott_. + +_November 5_, 1806. + +My Dear Scott, + +A very excellent and gentlemanlike man--albeit a bookseller--Murray, of +Fleet Street, is willing to give for our joint "Lives of the Poets," on +the plan we proposed to the trade a twelvemonth ago, a thousand pounds. +For my part, I think the engagement very desirable, and have no +uneasiness on the subject, except my fear that you may be too much +engaged to have to do with it, as five hundred pounds may not be to you +the temptation that it appears to a poor devil like myself. Murray is +the only gentleman, except Constable, in the trade;--I may also, +perhaps, except Hood. I have seldom seen a pleasanter man to deal with. +.... Our names are what Murray principally wants--_yours_ in +particular.... I will not wish, even in confidence, to say anything ill +of the London booksellers _beyond their deserts_; but I assure you that, +to compare this offer of Murray's with their usual offers, it is +magnanimous indeed.... The fallen prices of literature-which is getting +worse by the horrible complexion of the times-make me often rather +gloomy at the life I am likely to lead. + +Scott entered into Campbell's agreement with kindness and promptitude, +and it was arranged, under certain stipulations, that the plan should +have his zealous cooperation; but as the number and importance of his +literary engagements increased, he declined to take an active part +either in the magazine or the other undertaking. "I saw Campbell two +days ago," writes Murray to Constable, "and he told me that Mr. Scott +had declined, and modestly asked if it would do by _himself_ alone; but +this I declined in a way that did not leave us the less friends." + +At length, after many communications and much personal intercourse, +Murray agreed with Campbell to bring out his work, without the +commanding name of Walter Scott, and with the name of Thomas Campbell +alone as Editor of the "Selections from the British Poets." The +arrangement seems to have been made towards the end of 1808. In January +1809 Campbell writes of his intention "to devote a year exclusively to +the work," but the labour it involved was perhaps greater than he had +anticipated. It was his first important prose work; and prose requires +continuous labour. It cannot, like a piece of poetry, be thrown off at a +heat while the fit is on. Campbell stopped occasionally in the midst of +his work to write poems, among others, his "Gertrude of Wyoming," which +confirmed his poetical reputation. Murray sent a copy of the volume to +Walter Scott, and requested a review for the _Quarterly_, which was then +in its first year. What Campbell thought of the review will appear from +the following letter: + +_Mr. T. Campbell to John Murray_. + +_June 2_, 1809. + +My Dear Murray, + +I received the review, for which I thank you, and beg leave through you +to express my best acknowledgments to the unknown reviewer. I do not by +this mean to say that I think every one of his censures just. On the +contrary, if I had an opportunity of personal conference with so candid +and sensible a man, I think I could in some degree acquit myself of a +part of the faults he has found. But altogether I am pleased with his +manner, and very proud of his approbation. He reviews like a gentleman, +a Christian, and a scholar. + +Although the "Lives of the Poets" had been promised within a year from +January 1809, four years passed, and the work was still far from +completion. + +In the meantime Campbell undertook to give a course of eleven Lectures +on Poetry at the Royal Institution, for which he received a hundred +guineas. He enriched his Lectures with the Remarks and Selections +collected for the "Specimens," for which the publisher had agreed to pay +a handsome sum. The result was a momentary hesitation on the part of Mr. +Murray to risk the publication of the work. On this, says Campbell's +biographer, a correspondence ensued between the poet and the publisher, +which ended to the satisfaction of both. Mr. Murray only requested that +Mr. Campbell should proceed with greater alacrity in finishing the long +projected work. + +At length, about the beginning of 1819, fourteen years after the project +had been mentioned to Walter Scott, and about ten years after the book +should have appeared, according to Campbell's original promise, the +"Essays and Selections of English Poetry" were published by Mr. Murray. +The work was well received. The poet was duly paid for it, and Dr. +Beattie, Campbell's biographer, says he "found himself in the novel +position of a man who has money to lay out at interest." This statement +must be received with considerable deduction, for, as the correspondence +shows, Campbell's pecuniary difficulties were by no means at an end. + +It appears that besides the L1,000, which was double the sum originally +proposed to be paid to Campbell for the "Selections," Mr. Murray, in +October 1819, paid him L200 "for books," doubtless for those he had +purchased for the "Collections," and which he desired to retain. + +We cannot conclude this account of Campbell's dealing with Murray +without referring to an often-quoted story which has for many years +sailed under false colours. It was Thomas Campbell who wrote "Now +Barabbas was a publisher," whether in a Bible or otherwise is not +authentically recorded, and forwarded it to a friend; but Mr. Murray was +not the publisher to whom it referred, nor was Lord Byron, as has been +so frequently stated, the author of the joke. + +The great burden of the correspondence entailed by the _Quarterly +Review_ now fell on Mr. Murray, for Gifford had become physically +incapable of bearing it. Like the creaking gate that hangs long on its +hinges, Gifford continued to live, though painfully. He became gradually +better, and in October 1816 Mr. Murray presented him with a chariot, by +means of which he might drive about and take exercise in the open air. +Gifford answered: + +"I have a thousand thanks to give you for the pains you have taken about +the carriage, without which I should only have talked about it, and died +of a cold. It came home yesterday, and I went to Fulham in it. It is +everything that I could wish, neat, easy, and exceedingly comfortable." + +Among the other works published by Mr. Murray in 1816 may be mentioned, +"The Last Reign of Napoleon," by Mr. John Cam Hobhouse, afterwards Lord +Broughton. Of this work the author wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_January_, 1816. + +"I must have the liberty of cancelling what sheets I please, for a +reason that I now tell you in the strictest confidence: the letters are +to go to Paris previously to publication, and are to be read carefully +through by a most intimate friend of mine, who was entirely in the +secrets of the late Imperial Ministry, and who will point out any +statements as to facts, in which he could from his _knowledge_ make any +necessary change." + +The first edition, published without the author's name, was rapidly +exhausted, and Hobhouse offered a second to Murray, proposing at the +same time to insert his name as author on the title-page. + +"If I do," he said, "I shall present the book to Lord Byron in due form, +not for his talents as a poet, but for his qualities as a companion and +a friend. I should not write 'My dear Byron,' _a la Hunt_." [Footnote: +Leigh Hunt had dedicated his "Rimini" to the noble poet, addressing him +as "My dear Byron."] + +Mr. D'Israeli also was busy with his "Inquiry into the Literary and +Political Character of James the First." He wrote to his publisher as +follows: "I am sorry to say every one, to whom I have mentioned the +subject, revolts from it as a thing quite untenable, and cares nothing +about 'James.' This does not stop me from finishing." + +Mr. Croker, in the midst of his work at the Admiralty, his articles for +the _Quarterly_, and his other literary labours, found time to write his +"Stories for Children from the History of England." In sending the later +stories Mr. Croker wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_The Rt. Hon. J.W. Croker to John Murray_. + +"I send you seven stories, which, with eleven you had before, brings us +down to Richard III., and as I do not intend to come down beyond the +Revolution, there remain nine stories still. I think you told me that +you gave the first stories to your little boy to read. Perhaps you or +Mrs. Murray would be so kind as to make a mark over against such words +as he may not have understood, and to favour me with any criticism the +child may have made, for on this occasion I should prefer a critic of 6 +years old to one of 60." + +Thus John Murray's son, John Murray the Third, was early initiated into +the career of reading for the press. When the book came out it achieved +a great success, and set the model for Walter Scott in his charming +"Tales of a Grandfather." + +It may be mentioned that "Croker's Stories for Children" were published +on the system of division of profits. Long after, when Mr. Murray was in +correspondence with an author who wished him to pay a sum of money down +before he had even seen the manuscript, the publisher recommended the +author to publish his book on a division of profits, in like manner as +Hallam, Milman, Mahon, Croker, and others had done. "Under this system," +he said, "I have been very successful. For Mr. Croker's 'Stories from +the History of England,' selling for 2_s_. _6d_., if I had offered the +small sum of twenty guineas, he would have thought it liberal. However, +I printed it to divide profits, and he has already received from me the +moiety of L1,400. You will perhaps be startled at my assertion; for +woeful experience convinces me that not more than one publication in +fifty has a sale sufficient to defray its expenses." + +The success of Scott's, and still more of Byron's Poems, called into +existence about this time a vast array of would-be poets, male and +female, and from all ranks and professions. Some wrote for fame, some +for money; but all were agreed on one point--namely, that if Mr. Murray +would undertake the publication of the poems, the authors' fame was +secured. + +When in doubt about any manuscript, he usually conferred with Croker, +Campbell, or Gifford, who always displayed the utmost kindness in +helping him with their opinions. Croker was usually short and pithy. Of +one poem he said: "Trash--the dullest stuff I ever read." This was +enough to ensure the condemnation of the manuscript. Campbell was more +guarded, as when reporting on a poem entitled "Woman," he wrote, "In my +opinion, though there are many excellent lines in it, the poem is not +such as will warrant a great sum being speculated upon it. But, as it is +short, I think the public, not the author or publisher, will be in fault +if it does not sell one edition." + +Of a poem sent for his opinion, Gifford wrote: + +"Honestly, the MS. is totally unfit for the press. Do not deceive +yourself: this MS. is not the production of a male. A man may write as +great nonsense as a woman, and even greater; but a girl may pass through +those execrable abodes of ignorance, called boarding schools, without +learning whether the sun sets in the East or in the West, whereas a boy +can hardly do this, even at Parson's Green." + +James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, was another of Murray's +correspondents. + +The publication of "The Queen's Wake" in 1813 immediately brought Hogg +into connection with the leading authors and publishers of the day, Hogg +sent a copy of the volume to Lord Byron, his "brother poet," whose +influence he desired to enlist on behalf of a work which Hogg wished +Murray to publish. + +The poem which the Ettrick Shepherd referred to was "The Pilgrims of the +Sun," and the result of Lord Byron's conversation with Mr. Murray was, +that the latter undertook to publish Hogg's works. The first letter from +him to Murray, December 26, 1814, begins: + +"What the deuce have you made of my excellent poem that you are never +publishing it, while I am starving for want of money, and cannot even +afford a Christmas goose to my friends?" + +To this and many similar enquiries Mr. Murray replied on April 10, 1815: + +My Dear Friend, + +I entreat you not to ascribe to inattention the delay which has occurred +in my answer to your kind and interesting letter. Much more, I beg you +not for a moment to entertain a doubt about the interest which I take in +your writings, or the exertions which I shall ever make to promote their +sale and popularity.... They are selling every day. + +I have forgotten to tell you that Gifford tells me that he would +receive, with every disposition to favour it, any critique which you +like to send of new Scottish works. If I had been aware of it in time I +certainly would have invited your remarks on "Mannering." Our article is +not good and our praise is by no means adequate, I allow, but I suspect +you very greatly overrate the novel. "Meg Merrilies" is worthy of +Shakespeare, but all the rest of the novel might have been written by +Scott's brother or any other body. + +The next letter from the Shepherd thanks Murray for some "timeous" aid, +and asks a novel favour. + +_May_ 7, 1815. + +I leave Edinburgh on Thursday for my little farm on Yarrow. I will have +a confused summer, for I have as yet no home that I can dwell in; but I +hope by-and-by to have some fine fun there with you, fishing in Saint +Mary's Loch and the Yarrow, eating bull-trout, singing songs, and +drinking whisky. This little possession is what I stood much in need +of--a habitation among my native hills was what of all the world I +desired; and if I had a little more money at command, I would just be as +happy a man as I know of; but that is an article of which I am ever in +want. I wish you or Mrs. Murray would speer me out a good wife with a +few thousands. I dare say there is many a romantic girl about London who +would think it a fine ploy to become a Yarrow Shepherdess! Believe me, +dear Murray, + +Very sincerely yours, JAMES HOGG. + +Here, for the present, we come to an end of the Shepherd's letters; but +we shall find him turning up again, and Mr. Murray still continuing his +devoted friend and adviser. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +LORD BYRON'S DEALINGS WITH MR. MURRAY--continued_ + + +On January 2, 1815, Lord Byron was married to Miss Milbanke, and during +the honeymoon, while he was residing at Seaham, the residence of his +father-in-law Sir Ralph Milbanke, he wrote to Murray desiring him to +make occasional enquiry at his chambers in the Albany to see if they +were kept in proper order. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_February_ 17, 1815. + +MY LORD, + +I have paid frequent attention to your wish that I should ascertain if +all things appeared to be safe in your chambers, and I am happy in being +able to report that the whole establishment carries an appearance of +security, which is confirmed by the unceasing vigilance of your faithful +and frigid Duenna [Mrs. Mule]. + +Every day I have been in expectation of receiving a copy of "Guy +Mannering," of which the reports of a friend of mine, who has read the +first two volumes, is such as to create the most extravagant +expectations of an extraordinary combination of wit, humour and pathos. +I am certain of one of the first copies, and this you may rely upon +receiving with the utmost expedition. + +I hear many interesting letters read to me from the Continent, and one +in particular from Mr. Fazakerly, describing his interview of four hours +with Bonaparte, was particularly good. He acknowledged at once to the +poisoning of the sick prisoners in Egypt; they had the plague, and would +have communicated it to the rest of his army if he had carried them on +with him, and he had only to determine if he should leave them to a +cruel death by the Turks, or to an easy one by poison. When asked his +motive for becoming a Mahomedan, he replied that there were great +political reasons for this, and gave several; but he added, the Turks +would not admit me at first unless I submitted to two indispensable +ceremonies.... They agreed at length to remit the first and to commute +the other for a solemn vow, for every offence to give expiation by the +performance of some good action. "Oh, gentlemen," says he, "for good +actions, you know you may command me," and his first good action was to +put to instant death an hundred of their priests, whom he suspected of +intrigues against him. Not aware of his summary justice, they sent a +deputation to beg the lives of these people on the score of his +engagement. He answered that nothing would have made him so happy as +this opportunity of showing his zeal for their religion; but that they +had arrived too late; their friends had been dead nearly an hour. + +He asked Lord Ebrington of which party he was, in Politics. "The +Opposition." "The Opposition? Then can your Lordship tell me the reason +why the Opposition are so unpopular in England?" With something like +presence of mind on so delicate a question, Lord Ebrington instantly +replied: "Because, sir, we always insisted upon it, that you would be +successful in Spain." + +During the spring and summer of 1815 Byron was a frequent visitor at +Albemarle Street, and in April, as has been already recorded, he first +met Walter Scott in Murray's drawing-room. + +In March, Lord and Lady Byron took up their residence at 13, Piccadilly +Terrace. The following letter is undated, but was probably written in +the autumn of 1815. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +My Lord, + +I picked up, the other day, some of Napoleon's own writing paper, all +the remainder of which has been burnt; it has his portrait and eagle, as +you will perceive by holding a sheet to the light either of sun or +candle: so I thought I would take a little for you, hoping that you will +just write me a poem upon any twenty-four quires of it in return. + +By the autumn of 1815 Lord Byron found himself involved in pecuniary +embarrassments, which had, indeed, existed before his marriage, but were +now considerably increased and demanded immediate settlement. His first +thought was to part with his books, though they did not form a very +valuable collection. He mentioned the matter to a book collector, who +conferred with other dealers on the subject. The circumstances coming to +the ears of Mr. Murray, he at once communicated with Lord Byron, and +forwarded him a cheque for L1,500, with the assurance that an equal sum +should be at his service in the course of a few weeks, offering, at the +same time, to dispose of all the copyrights of his poems for his +Lordship's use. + +Lord Byron could not fail to be affected by this generous offer, and +whilst returning the cheque, he wrote: + +_November_ 14, 1815. + +"Your present offer is a favour which I would accept from you, if I +accepted such from any man ... The circumstances which induce me to part +with my books, though sufficiently, are not _immediately_, pressing. I +have made up my mind to this, and there's an end. Had I been disposed to +trespass upon your kindness in this way, it would have been before now; +but I am not sorry to have an opportunity of declining it, as it sets my +opinion of you, and indeed of human nature, in a different light from +that in which I have been accustomed to consider it." + +Meanwhile Lord Byron had completed his "Siege of Corinth" and +"Parisina," and sent the packet containing them to Mr. Murray. They had +been copied in the legible hand of Lady Byron. On receiving the poems +Mr. Murray wrote to Lord Byron as follows: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_December_, 1815. + +My Lord, + +I tore open the packet you sent me, and have found in it a Pearl. It is +very interesting, pathetic, beautiful--do you know, I would almost say +moral. I am really writing to you before the billows of the passions you +excited have subsided. I have been most agreeably disappointed (a word I +cannot associate with the poem) at the story, which--what you hinted to +me and wrote--had alarmed me; and I should not have read it aloud to my +wife if my eye had not traced the delicate hand that transcribed it. + +Mr. Murray enclosed to Lord Byron two notes, amounting to a thousand +guineas, for the copyright of the poems, but Lord Byron refused the +notes, declaring that the sum was too great. + +"Your offer," he answered (January 3, 1816), "is _liberal_ in the +extreme, and much more than the poems can possibly be worth; but I +cannot accept it, and will not. You are most welcome to them as +additions to the collected volumes, without any demand or expectation on +my part whatever.... I am very glad that the handwriting was a +favourable omen of the _morale_ of the piece; but you must not trust to +that, as my copyist would write out anything I desired in all the +ignorance of innocence--I hope, however, in this instance, with no great +peril to either." + +The money, therefore, which Murray thought the copyright of the "Siege +of Corinth" and "Parisina" was worth, remained untouched in the +publisher's hands. It was afterwards suggested, by Mr. Rogers and Sir +James Mackintosh, to Lord Byron, that a portion of it (L600) might be +applied to the relief of Mr. Godwin, the author of "An Enquiry into +Political Justice," who was then in difficulties; and Lord Byron himself +proposed that the remainder should be divided between Mr. Maturin and +Mr. Coleridge. This proposal caused the deepest vexation to Mr. Murray, +who made the following remonstrance against such a proceeding. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _Monday_, 4 o'clock. + +My Lord, + +I did not like to detain you this morning, but I confess to you that I +came away impressed with a belief that you had already reconsidered this +matter, as it refers to me--Your Lordship will pardon me if I cannot +avoid looking upon it as a species of cruelty, after what has passed, to +take from me so large a sum--offered with no reference to the marketable +value of the poems, but out of personal friendship and gratitude +alone,--to cast it away on the wanton and ungenerous interference of +those who cannot enter into your Lordship's feelings for me, upon, +persons who have so little claim upon you, and whom those who so +interested themselves might more decently and honestly enrich from their +own funds, than by endeavouring to be liberal at the cost of another, +and by forcibly resuming from me a sum which you had generously and +nobly resigned. + +I am sure you will do me the justice to believe that I would strain +every nerve in your service, but it is actually heartbreaking to throw +away my earnings on others. I am no rich man, abounding, like Mr. +Rogers, in superfluous thousands, but working hard for independence, and +what would be the most grateful pleasure to me if likely to be useful to +you personally, becomes merely painful if it causes me to work for +others for whom I can have no such feelings. + +This is a most painful subject for me to address you upon, and I am ill +able to express my feelings about it. I commit them entirely to your +liberal construction with a reference to your knowledge of my character. + +I have the honour to be, etc., + +JOHN MURRAY. + +This letter was submitted to Gifford before it was despatched, and he +wrote: + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +"I have made a scratch or two, and the letter now expresses my genuine +sentiments on the matter. But should you not see Rogers? It is evident +that Lord Byron is a little awkward about this matter, and his officious +friends have got him into a most _unlordly_ scrape, from which they can +only relieve him by treading back their steps. The more I consider their +conduct, the more I am astonished at their impudence. A downright +robbery is honourable to it. If you see Rogers, do not be shy to speak: +he trembles at report, and here is an evil one for him." + +In the end Lord Byron was compelled by the increasing pressure of his +debts to accept the sum offered by Murray and use it for his own +purposes. + +It is not necessary here to touch upon the circumstances of Lord Byron's +separation from his wife; suffice it to say that early in 1816 he +determined to leave England, and resolved, as he had before contemplated +doing, to sell off his books and furniture. He committed the +arrangements to Mr. Murray, through Mr. Hanson, his solicitor, in +Bloomsbury Square. A few months before, when Lord Byron was in straits +for money, Mr. Hanson communicated with Mr. Murray as follows: + +_Mr. Hanson to John Murray_. + +_November_ 23, 1815. + +"Mr. Hanson's compliments to Mr. Murray. He has seen Lord Byron, and his +Lordship has no objection to his Library being taken at a valuation. Mr. +Hanson submits to Mr. Murray whether it would not be best to name one +respectable bookseller to set a value on them. In the meantime, Mr. +Hanson has written to Messrs. Crook & Armstrong, in whose hands the +books now are, not to proceed further in the sale." + +On December 28, 1815, Mr. Murray received the following valuation: + +"Mr. Cochrane presents respectful compliments to Mr. Murray, and begs to +inform him that upon carefully inspecting the books in Skinner Street, +he judges the fair value of them to be L450." + +Mr. Murray sent Lord Byron a bill of L500 for the books as a temporary +accommodation. But the books were traced and attached by the sheriff. On +March 6, 1816, Lord Byron wrote to Murray: + +"I send to you to-day for this reason: the books you purchased are again +seized, and, as matters stand, had much better be sold at once by public +auction. I wish to see you to-morrow to return your bill for them, +which, thank Heaven, is neither due nor paid. _That_ part, so far as +_you_ are concerned, being settled (which it can be, and shall be, when +I see you tomorrow), I have no further delicacy about the matter. This +is about the tenth execution in as many months; so I am pretty well +hardened; but it is fit I should pay the forfeit of my forefathers' +extravagance as well as my own; and whatever my faults may be, I suppose +they will be pretty well expiated in time--or eternity." + +A letter was next received by Mr. Murray's solicitor, Mr. Turner, from +Mr. Gunn, to the following effect: + +_Mr. Gunn to Mr. Turner_. + +_March_ 16, 1816. + +Sir, + +Mr. Constable, the plaintiff's attorney, has written to say he will +indemnify the sheriff to sell the books under the execution; as such, we +must decline taking your indemnity. + +The result was, that Lord Byron, on March 22, paid to Crook & Armstrong +L231 15_s_., "being the amount of three levies, poundage, and expenses," +and also L25 13_s_. 6_d_., the amount of Crook & Armstrong's account. +Crook & Armstrong settled with Levy, the Jew, who had lent Byron money; +and also with the officer, who had been in possession twenty-three days, +at 5_s_. a day. The books were afterwards sold by Mr. Evans at his +house, 26, Pall Mall, on April 5, 1816, and the following day. The +catalogue describes them as "A collection of books, late the property of +a nobleman, about to leave England on a tour." + +Mr. Murray was present at the sale, and bought a selection of books for +Mrs. Leigh, for Mr. Rogers, and for Mr. J.C. Hobhouse, as well as for +himself. He bought the large screen, with the portraits of actors and +pugilists, which is still at Albemarle Street. There was also a silver +cup and cover, nearly thirty ounces in weight, elegantly chased. These +articles realised L723 12_s_. 6_d_., and after charging the costs, +commission, and Excise duty, against the sale of the books, the balance +was handed over to Lord Byron. + +The "Sketch from Private Life" was one of the most bitter and satirical +things Byron had ever written. In sending it to Mr. Murray (March 30, +1816), he wrote: "I send you my last night's dream, and request to have +fifty copies struck off for private distribution. I wish Mr. Gifford to +look at it; it is from life." Afterwards, when Lord Byron called upon +Mr. Murray, he said: "I could not get to sleep last night, but lay +rolling and tossing about until this morning, when I got up and wrote +that; and it is very odd, Murray, after doing that, I went to bed again, +and never slept sounder in my life." + +The lines were printed and sent to Lord Byron. But before publishing +them, Mr. Murray took advice of his special literary adviser and +solicitor, Mr. Sharon Turner. His reply was as follows: + +_Mr. Turner to John Murray_. + +_April_ 3, 1816. + +There are some expressions in the Poem that I think are libellous, and +the severe tenor of the whole would induce a jury to find them to be so. +The question only remains, to whom it is applicable. It certainly does +not itself name the person. But the legal pleadings charge that innuendo +must mean such a person. How far evidence extrinsic to the work might be +brought or received to show that the author meant a particular person, I +will not pretend to affirm. Some cases have gone so far on this point +that I should not think it safe to risk. And if a libel, it is a libel +not only by the author, but by the printer, the publisher, and every +circulator. + +I am, dear Murray, yours most faithfully, + +SHN. TURNER. + +Mr. Murray did not publish the poems, but after their appearance in the +newspapers, they were announced by many booksellers as "Poems by Lord +Byron on his Domestic Circumstances." Among others, Constable printed +and published them, whereupon Blackwood, as Murray's agent in Edinburgh, +wrote to him, requesting the suppression of the verses, and threatening +proceedings. Constable, in reply, said he had no wish to invade literary +property, but the verses had come to him without either author's name, +publisher's name, or printer's name, and that there was no literary +property in publications to which neither author's, publisher's, nor +printer's name was attached. Blackwood could proceed no farther. In his +letter to Murray (April 17, 1816), he wrote: + +"I have distributed copies of 'Fare Thee Well' and 'A Sketch' to Dr. +Thomas Brown, Walter Scott, and Professor Playfair. One cannot read +'Fare Thee Well' without crying. The other is 'vigorous hate,' as you +say. Its power is really terrible; one's blood absolutely creeps while +reading it." + +Byron left England in April 1816, and during his travels he corresponded +frequently with Mr. Murray. + +The MSS. of the third canto of "Childe Harold" and "The Prisoner of +Chillon" duly reached the publisher. Mr. Murray acknowledged the MSS.: + +_Mr. Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_September_ 12, 1816. + +My Lord, + +I have rarely addressed you with more pleasure than upon the present +occasion. I was thrilled with delight yesterday by the announcement of +Mr. Shelley with the MS. of "Childe Harold." I had no sooner got the +quiet possession of it than, trembling with auspicious hope about it, I +carried it direct to Mr. Gifford. He has been exceedingly ill with +jaundice, and unable to write or do anything. He was much pleased by my +attention. I called upon him today. He said he was unable to leave off +last night, and that he had sat up until he had finished every line of +the canto. It had actually agitated him into a fever, and he was much +worse when I called. He had persisted this morning in finishing the +volume, and he pronounced himself infinitely more delighted than when he +first wrote to me. He says that what you have heretofore published is +nothing to this effort. He says also, besides its being the most +original and interesting, it is the most finished of your writings; and +he has undertaken to correct the press for you. + +Never, since my intimacy with Mr. Gifford, did I see him so heartily +pleased, or give one-fiftieth part of the praise, with one-thousandth +part of the warmth. He speaks in ecstasy of the Dream--the whole volume +beams with genius. I am sure he loves you in his heart; and when he +called upon me some time ago, and I told him that you were gone, he +instantly exclaimed in a full room, "Well! he has not left his equal +behind him--that I will say!" Perhaps you will enclose a line for +him.... + +Respecting the "Monody," I extract from a letter which I received this +morning from Sir James Mackintosh: "I presume that I have to thank you +for a copy of the 'Monody' on Sheridan received this morning. I wish it +had been accompanied by the additional favour of mentioning the name of +the writer, at which I only guess: it is difficult to read the poem +without desiring to know." + +Generally speaking it is not, I think, popular, and spoken of rather for +fine passages than as a whole. How could you give so trite an image as +in the last two lines? Gifford does not like it; Frere does. _A-propos_ +of Mr. Frere: he came to me while at breakfast this morning, and between +some stanzas which he was repeating to me of a truly original poem of +his own, he said carelessly, + +"By the way, about _half-an-hour ago_ I was so silly (taking an immense +pinch of snuff and priming his nostrils with it) as to get _married I_ +"Perfectly true. He set out for Hastings about an hour after he left me, +and upon my conscience I verily believe that, if I had had your MS. to +have put into his hands, as sure as fate he would have sat with me +reading it [Footnote: He had left his wife at the church so as to bring +his poem to Murray.] all the morning and totally forgotten his little +engagement. + +I saw Lord Holland today looking very well. I wish I could send you +Gifford's "Ben Jonson"; it is full of fun and interest, and allowed on +all hands to be most ably done; would, I am sure, amuse you. I have very +many new important and interesting works of all kinds in the press, +which I should be happy to know any means of sending. My Review is +improving in sale beyond my most sanguine expectations. I now sell +nearly 9,000. Even Perry says the _Edinburgh, Review_ is going to the +devil. I was with Mrs. Leigh today, who is very well; she leaves town on +Saturday. Her eldest daughter, I fancy, is a most engaging girl; but +yours, my Lord, is unspeakably interesting and promising, and I am happy +to add that Lady B. is looking well. God bless you! my best wishes and +feelings are always with you, and I sincerely wish that your happiness +may be as unbounded as your genius, which has rendered me so much, + +My Lord, your obliged Servant, + +J.M. + +The negotiations for the purchase of the third canto were left in the +hands of Mr. Kinnaird, who demurred to Mr. Murray's first offer of 1,500 +guineas, and eventually L2,000 was fixed as the purchase price. + +Mr. Murray wrote to Lord Byron on December 13, 1816, informing him that, +at a dinner at the Albion Tavern, he had sold to the assembled +booksellers 7,000 of his third canto of "Childe Harold" and 7,000 of his +"Prisoner of Chillon." He then proceeds: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +"In literary affairs I have taken the field in great force--opening with +the Third Canto and "Chillon," and, following up my blow, I have since +published 'Tales of my Landlord,' another novel, I believe (but I really +don't know) by the author of 'Waverley'; but much superior to what has +already appeared, excepting the character of Meg Merrilies. Every one is +in ecstasy about it, and I would give a finger if I could send it you, +but this I will contrive. Conversations with your friend Buonaparte at +St. Helena, amusing, but scarce worth sending. Lord Holland has just put +forth a very improved edition of the Life of Lope de Vega and Inez de +Castro.' Gifford's 'Ben Jonson' has put to death all former editions, +and is very much liked." + +At Mr. Murray's earnest request, Scott had consented to review the third +canto of "Childe Harold" in the _Quarterly_. In forwarding the MS. he +wrote as follows: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _January_ 10, 1817. + +My Dear Sir, + +I have this day sent under Croker's cover a review of Lord Byron's last +poems. You know how high I hold his poetical reputation, but besides, +one is naturally forced upon so many points of delicate consideration, +that really I have begun and left off several times, and after all send +the article to you with full power to cancel it if you think any part of +it has the least chance of hurting his feelings. You know him better +than I do, and you also know the public, and are aware that to make any +successful impression on them the critic must appear to speak with +perfect freedom. I trust I have not abused this discretion. I am sure I +have not meant to do so, and yet during Lord Byron's absence, and under +the present circumstances, I should feel more grieved than at anything +that ever befell me if there should have slipped from my pen anything +capable of giving him pain. + +There are some things in the critique which are necessarily and +unavoidably personal, and sure I am if he attends to it, which is +unlikely, he will find advantage from doing so. I wish Mr. Gifford and +you would consider every word carefully. If you think the general tenor +is likely to make any impression on him, if you think it likely to hurt +him either in his feelings or with the public, in God's name fling the +sheets in the fire and let them be as _not written_. But if it appears, +I should wish him to get an early copy, and that you would at the same +time say I am the author, at your opportunity. No one can honour Lord +Byron a genius more than I do, and no one had so great a wish to love +him personally, though personally we had not the means of becoming very +intimate. In his family distress (deeply to be deprecated, and in which +probably he can yet be excused) I still looked to some moment of +reflection when bad advisers (and, except you were one, I have heard of +few whom I should call good) were distant from the side of one who is so +much the child of feeling and emotion. An opportunity was once afforded +me of interfering, but things appeared to me to have gone too far; yet, +even after all, I wish I had tried it, for Lord Byron always seemed to +give me credit for wishing him sincerely well, and knew me to be +superior to what Commodore Trunnion would call "the trash of literary +envy and petty rivalry." + +Lord Byron's opinion of the article forms so necessary a complement to +Walter Scott's sympathetic criticism of the man and the poet, that we +make no excuse for reproducing it, as conveyed in a letter to Mr. Murray +(March 3, 1817). + +"In acknowledging the arrival of the article from the _Quarterly_, which +I received two days ago, I cannot express myself better than in the +words of my sister Augusta, who (speaking of it) says, that it is +written in a spirit 'of the most feeling and kind nature.' + +"It is, however, something more. It seems to me (as far as the subject +of it may be permitted to judge) to be very well written as a +composition, and I think will do the journal no discredit, because even +those who condemn its partiality, must praise its generosity. The +temptations to take another and a less favourable view of the question +have been so great and numerous, that, what with public opinion, +politics, etc., he must be a gallant as well as a good man who has +ventured in that place, and at this time, to write such an article, even +anonymously. Such things, however, are their own reward; and I even +flatter myself that the writer, whoever he may be (and I have no guess), +will not regret that the perusal of this has given me as much +gratification as any composition of that nature could give, and more +than any has given--and I have had a good many in my time of one kind or +the other. It is not the mere praise, but there is a _tact_ and a +_delicacy_ throughout, not only with regard to me but to _others_, +which, as it had not been observed _elsewhere_, I had till now doubted +whether it could be observed _anywhere_." + +"When I tell you," Lord Byron wrote to Moore a week later, "that Walter +Scott is the author of the article in the _Quarterly_, you will agree +with me that such an article is still more honourable to him than to +myself." + +We conclude this episode with the following passage from a letter from +Scott to Murray: + +"I am truly happy Lord Byron's article meets your ideas of what may make +some impression on his mind. In genius, poetry has seldom had his equal, +and if he has acted very wrong in some respects, he has been no worse +than half the men of his rank in London who have done the same, and are +not spoken of because not worth being railed against." + +Lady Byron also wrote to Mr. Murray: + +I am inclined to ask a question, which I hope you will not decline +answering, if not contrary to your engagements. Who is the author of the +review of "Childe Harold" in the _Quarterly_? Your faithful Servant, A. +I. BYRON. + +Among other ladies who wrote on the subject of Lord Byron's works was +Lady Caroline Lamb, who had caricatured him (as he supposed) in her +"Glenarvon." Her letter is dated Welwyn, franked by William Lamb: + +_Lady Caroline Lamb to John Murray_. + +_November_ 5, 1816. + +"You cannot need my assuring you that if you will entrust me with the +new poems, none of the things you fear shall occur, in proof of which I +ask you to enquire with yourself, whether, if a person in constant +correspondence and friendship with another, yet keeps a perfect silence +on one subject, she cannot do so when at enmity and at a distance." + +This letter, to which no reply seems to have been sent, is followed by +another, in which her Ladyship says: + +I wish to ask you one question: are you offended with me or my letter? +If so, I am sorry, but depend upon it if after seven years' acquaintance +you choose to cut off what you ever termed your left hand, I have too +much gratitude towards you to allow of it. Accept therefore every +apology for every supposed fault. I always write eagerly and in haste, I +never read over what I have written. If therefore I said anything I +ought not, pardon it--it was not intended; and let me entreat you to +remember a maxim I have found very useful to me, that there is nothing +in this life worth quarrelling about, and that half the people we are +offended with never intended to give us cause. + +Thank you for Holcroft's "Life," which is extremely curious and +interesting. I think you will relent and send me "Childe Harold" before +any one has it--this is the first time you have not done so--and the +_Quarterly Review_; and pray also any other book that is curious.... I +quite pine to see the _Quarterly Review_ and "Childe Harold." Have mercy +and send them, or I shall gallop to town to see you. Is 450 guineas too +dear for a new barouche? If you know this let me know, as we of the +country know nothing. + +Yours sincerely, C.L. + +In sending home the MS. of the first act of "Manfred," Lord Byron wrote, +giving but unsatisfactory accounts of his own health. Mr. Murray +replied: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_March_ 20, 1817. + +My Lord, + +I have to acknowledge your kind letter, dated the 3rd, received this +hour; but I am sorry to say that it has occasioned, me great anxiety +about your health. You are not wont to cry before you are hurt; and I am +apprehensive that you are worse even than you allow. Pray keep quiet and +take care of yourself. My _Review_ shows you that you are worth +preserving and that the world yet loves you. If you become seriously +worse, I entreat you to let me know it, and I will fly to you with a +physician; an Italian one is only a preparation for the anatomist. I +will not tell your sister of this, if you will tell me true. I had hopes +that this letter would have confirmed my expectations of your speedy +return, which has been stated by Mr. Kinnaird, and repeated to me by Mr. +Davies, whom I saw yesterday, and who promises to write. We often +indulge our recollections of you, and he allows me to believe that I am +one of the few who really know you. + +Gifford gave me yesterday the first act of "Manfred" with a delighted +countenance, telling me it was wonderfully poetical, and desiring me to +assure you that it well merits publication. I shall send proofs to you +with his remarks, if he have any; it is a wild and delightful thing, and +I like it myself hugely.... + +I have just received, in a way perfectly unaccountable, a MS. from St. +Helena--with not a word. I suppose it to be originally written by +Buonaparte or his agents.--It is very curious--his life, in which each +event is given in almost a word--a battle described in a short sentence. +I call it therefore simply _Manuscrit venu de Ste. Helene d'une maniere +inconnue_. [Footnote: This work attracted a considerable amount of +attention in London, but still more in Paris, as purporting to be a +chapter of autobiography by Napoleon, then a prisoner in St. Helena. It +was in all probability the work of some of the deposed Emperor's friends +and adherents in Paris, issued for the purpose of keeping his name +prominently before the world. M. de Meneval, author of several books on +Napoleon's career, has left it on record that the "M.S. venu de Sainte +Helene" was written by M. Frederic Lullin de Chateauvieux, "genevois +deja connu dans le monde savant. Cet ecrivain a avoue, apres vingt cinq +ans de silence, qu'il avait compose l'ouvrage en 1816, qu'il avait porte +lui-meme a Londres, et l'avait mis a la poste, a l'adresse du Libraire +Murray."] Lord Holland has a motion on our treatment of Buonaparte at +St. Helena for Wednesday next; and on Monday I shall publish. You will +have seen Buonaparte's Memorial on this subject, complaining bitterly of +all; pungent but very injudicious, as it must offend all the other +allied powers to be reminded of their former prostration. + +_April_ 12, 1817. + +Our friend Southey has got into a confounded scrape. Some twenty years +ago, when he knew no better and was a Republican, he wrote a certain +drama, entitled, "Wat Tyler," in order to disseminate wholesome doctrine +amongst the _lower_ orders. This he presented to a friend, with a +fraternal embrace, who was at that time enjoying the cool reflection +generated by his residence in Newgate. This friend, however, either +thinking its publication might prolong his durance, or fancying that it +would not become profitable as a speculation, quietly put it into his +pocket; and now that the author has most manfully laid about him, +slaying Whigs and Republicans by the million, this cursed friend +publishes; but what is yet worse, the author, upon sueing for an +injunction, to proceed in which he is obliged to swear that he is the +author, is informed by the Chancellor that it is seditious--and that for +sedition there is no copyright. I will inclose either now or in my next +a second copy, for as there is no copyright, everyone has printed it, +which will amuse you. + +On July 15th and 20th Lord Byron wrote to Mr. Murray that the fourth +canto of "Childe Harold" was completed, and only required to be "copied +and polished," but at the same time he began to "barter" for the price +of the canto, so completely had his old scruples on this score +disappeared. Mr. Murray replied, offering 1,500 guineas for the +copyright. + +Mr. Hobhouse spent a considerable part of the year 1817 travelling about +in Italy, whither he had gone principally to see Lord Byron. He wrote to +Mr. Murray on the subject of Thorwaldsen's bust of the poet: + +"I shall conclude with telling you about Lord B.'s bust. It is a +masterpiece by Thorwaldsen [Footnote: The bust was made for Mr. +Hobhouse, at his expense. Lord Byron said, "I would not pay the price of +a Thorwaldsen bust for any head and shoulders, except Napoleon's or my +children's, or some 'absurd womankind's,' as Monkbarns calls them, or my +sister's."] who is thought by most judges to surpass Canova in this +branch of sculpture. The likeness is perfect: the artist worked _con +amore_, and told me it was the finest head he had ever under his hand. I +would have had a wreath round the brows, but the poet was afraid of +being mistaken for a king or a conqueror, and his pride or modesty made +him forbid the band. However, when the marble comes to England I shall +place a golden laurel round it in the ancient style, and, if it is +thought good enough, suffix the following inscription, which may serve +at least to tell the name of the portrait and allude to the excellence +of the artist, which very few lapidary inscriptions do; + +'In vain would flattery steal a wreath from fame, + And Rome's best sculptor only half succeed, +If England owned no share in Byron's name + Nor hailed the laurel she before decreed.' + +Of course you are very welcome to a copy--I don't mean of the verses, +but of the bust. But, with the exception of Mr. Kinnaird, who has +applied, and Mr. Davies, who may apply, no other will be granted. +Farewell, dear Sir." + +The fourth canto duly reached London in Mr. Hobhouse's portmanteau, and +was published in the spring of 1818. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +LORD BYRON'S DEALINGS WITH MR. MURRAY--_continued_--THE DEATH OF +ALLEGRA, ETC. + + +Lord Byron informed Mr. Murray, on October 12, 1817, that he had written +"a poem in or after the excellent manner of Mr. Whistlecraft (whom I +take to be Frere)"; and in a subsequent letter he said, "Mr. +Whistlecraft has no greater admirer than myself. I have written a story +in eighty-nine stanzas in imitation of him, called 'Beppo,' the short +name for Giuseppe, that is the Joe of the Italian Joseph." Lord Byron +required that it should be printed anonymously, and in any form that Mr. +Murray pleased. The manuscript of the poem was not, however, sent off +until the beginning of 1818; and it reached the publisher about a month +later. + +Meanwhile the friendly correspondence between the poet and his publisher +continued: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_September_ 22, 1818. + +"I was much pleased to find, on my arrival from Edinburgh on Saturday +night, your letter of August 26. The former one of the 21st I received +whilst in Scotland. The Saturday and Sunday previous I passed most +delightfully with Walter Scott, who was incessant in his inquiries after +your welfare. He entertains the noblest sentiments of regard towards +you, and speaks of you with the best feelings. I walked about ten miles +with him round a very beautiful estate, which he has purchased by +degrees, within two miles of his favourite Melrose. He has nearly +completed the centre and one wing of a castle on the banks of the Tweed, +where he is the happiness as well as pride of the whole neighbourhood. +He is one of the most hospitable, merry, and entertaining of mortals. He +would, I am confident, do anything to serve you; and as the Paper +[Footnote: The review of the fourth canto of "Childe Harold," _Q.R.,_ +No.37.] which I now enclose is a second substantial proof of the +interest he takes in your literary character, perhaps it may naturally +enough afford occasion for a letter from you to him. I sent you by Mr. +Hanson four volumes of a second series of 'Tales of my Landlord,' and +four others are actually in the press. Scott does not yet avow them, but +no one doubts his being their author.... I sent also by Mr. Hanson a +number or two of _Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine,_ and I have in a +recent parcel sent the whole. I think that you will find in it a very +great share of talent, and some most incomparable fun.... John Wilson, +who wrote the article on Canto IV. of 'Childe Harold' (of which, by the +way, I am anxious to know your opinion), has very much interested +himself in the journal, and has communicated some most admirable papers. +Indeed, he possesses very great talents and a variety of knowledge. I +send you a very well-constructed kaleidoscope, a newly-invented toy +which, if not yet seen in Venice, will I trust amuse some of your female +friends." + +The following letter is inserted here, as it does not appear in Moore's +"Biography": + +_Lord Byron to John Murray_. + +VENICE, _November_ 24, 1818, + +DEAR. MR. MURRAY, + +Mr. Hanson has been here a week, and went five days ago. He brought +nothing but his papers, some corn-rubbers, and a kaleidoscope. "For what +we have received the Lord make us thankful"! for without His aid I shall +not be so. He--Hanson-left everything else in _Chancery Lane_ whatever, +except your copy-papers for the last Canto, [Footnote: Of "Childe +Harold."] etc., which having a degree of parchment he brought with him. +You may imagine his reception; he swore the books were a "waggon-load"; +if they were, he should have come in a waggon; he would in that case +have come quicker than he did. + +Lord Lauderdale set off from hence twelve days ago accompanied by a +cargo of Poesy directed to Mr. Hobhouse, all spick and span, and in MS.; +you will see what it is like. I have given it to Master Southey, and he +shall have more before I have done with him. + +You may make what I say here as public as you please, more particularly +to Southey, whom I look upon--and will say so publicly-to be a dirty, +lying rascal, and will prove it in ink--or in his blood, if I did not +believe him to be too much of a poet to risk it! If he has forty reviews +at his back, as he has the _Quarterly_, I would have at him in his +scribbling capacity now that he has begun with me; but I will do nothing +underhand; tell him what I say from _me_ and every one else you please. + +You will see what I have said, if the parcel arrives safe. I understand +Coleridge went about repeating Southey's lie with pleasure. I can +believe it, for I had done him what is called a favour.... I can +understand Coleridge's abusing me--but how or why _Southey_, whom I had +never obliged in any sort of way, or done him the remotest service, +should go about fibbing and calumniating is more than I readily +comprehend. Does he think to put me down with his _Canting_, not being +able to do it with his poetry? We will try the question. I have read his +review of Hunt, where he has attacked Shelley in an oblique and shabby +manner. Does he know what that review has done? I will tell you; it has +_sold_ an edition of the "Revolt of Islam" which otherwise nobody would +have thought of reading, and few who read can understand, I for one. + +Southey would have attacked me too there, if he durst, further than by +hints about Hunt's friends in general, and some outcry about an +"Epicurean System" carried on by men of the most opposite habits and +tastes and opinions in life and poetry (I believe) that ever had their +names in the same volume--Moore, Byron, Shelley, Hazlitt, Haydon, Leigh +Hunt, Lamb. What resemblance do ye find among all or any of these men? +And how could any sort of system or plan be carried on or attempted +amongst them? However, let Mr. Southey look to himself; since the wine +is tapped, he shall drink it. + +I got some books a few weeks ago--many thanks. Amongst them is Israeli's +new edition; it was not fair in you to show him my copy of his former +one, with all the marginal notes and nonsense made in Greece when I was +not two-and-twenty, and which certainly were not meant for his perusal, +nor for that of his readers. + +I have a great respect for Israeli and his talents, and have read his +works over and over and over repeatedly, and been amused by them +greatly, and instructed often. Besides, I hate giving pain, unless +provoked; and he is an author, and must feel like his brethren; and +although his Liberality repaid my marginal flippancies with a +compliment--the highest compliment--that don't reconcile me to +myself--nor to _you_. It was a breach of confidence to do this without +my leave; I don't know a living man's book I take up so often or lay +down more reluctantly than Israeli's, and I never will forgive you--that +is, for many weeks. If he had got out of humour I should have been less +sorry; but even then I should have been sorry; but really he has heaped +his "coals of fire" so handsomely upon my head that they burn +unquenchably. + +You ask me of the two reviews [Footnote: Of "Childe Harold" in the +_Quarterly_ and _Blackwood._]--I will tell you. Scott's is the review +of one poet on another--his friend; Wilson's, the review of a poet too, +on another--his _Idol_; for he likes me better than he chooses to avow +to the public with all his eulogy. I speak judging only from the +article, for I don't know him personally. + +Here is a long letter--can you read it? + +Yours ever, + +B. + +In the course of September 1818 Lord Byron communicated to Mr. Moore +that he had finished the first canto of a poem in the style and manner +of "Beppo." "It is called," he said, "'Don Juan,' and is meant to be a +little quietly facetious upon everything; but," he added, "I doubt +whether it is not--at least so far as it has yet gone--too free for +these very modest days." In January 1819 Lord Byron requested Mr. Murray +to print for private distribution fifty copies of "Don Juan." Mr. Murray +urged him to occupy himself with some great work worthy of his +reputation. "This you have promised to Gifford long ago, and to Hobhouse +and Kinnaird since." Lord Byron, however, continued to write out his +"Don Juan," and sent the second canto in April 1819, together with the +"Letter of Julia," to be inserted in the first canto. + +Mr. Murray, in acknowledging the receipt of the first and second cantos, +was not so congratulatory as he had formerly been. The verses contained, +no doubt, some of the author's finest poetry, but he had some objections +to suggest. "I think," he said, "you may modify or substitute other +words for the lines on Romilly, whose death should save him." But Byron +entertained an extreme detestation for Romilly, because, he said, he had +been "one of my assassins," and had sacrificed him on "his legal altar"; +and the verse [Footnote: St. 16, First Canto.] was allowed to stand +over. "Your history," wrote Murray, "of the plan of the progress of 'Don +Juan' is very entertaining, but I am clear for sending him to hell, +because he may favour us with a description of some of the characters +whom he finds there." Mr. Murray suggested the removal of some offensive +words in Canto II. "These," he said, "ladies may not read; the Shipwreck +is a little too particular, and out of proportion to the rest of the +picture. But if you do anything it must be done with extreme caution; +think of the effects of such seductive poetry! It probably surpasses in +talent anything that you ever wrote. Tell me if you think seriously of +completing this work, or if you have sketched the story. I am very sorry +to have occasioned you the trouble of writing again the "Letter of +Julia"; but you are always very forgiving in such cases." The lines in +which the objectionable words appeared were obliterated by Lord Byron. + +From the following letter we see that Mr. Murray continued his +remonstrances: + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. + +_May 3_, 1819. + +"I find that 'Julia's Letter' has been safely received, and is with the +printer. The whole remainder of the second canto will be sent by +Friday's post. The inquiries after its appearance are not a few. Pray +use your most tasteful discretion so as to wrap up or leave out certain +approximations to indelicacy." + +Mr. Douglas Kinnaird, who was entrusted with the business portion of +this transaction, wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Douglas Kinnaird to John Murray_. + +_June 7_, 1819. + +My Dear Sir, + +Since I had the pleasure of seeing you, I have received from Lord Byron +a letter in which he expresses himself as having left to Mr. Hobhouse +and myself the sole and whole discretion and duty of settling with the +publisher of the MSS. which are now in your hands the consideration to +be given for them. Observing that you have advertised "Mazeppa," I feel +that it is my duty to request you will name an early day--of course +previous to your publishing that or any other part of the MSS.--when we +may meet and receive your offer of such terms as you may deem proper for +the purchase of the copyright of them. The very liberal footing on which +Lord Byron's intercourse with you in your character of publisher of his +Lordship's works has hitherto been placed, leaves no doubt in my mind +that our interview need be but very short, and that the terms you will +propose will be met by our assent. + +The parties met, and Mr. Murray agreed to give L525 for "Mazeppa," and +L1,575 for the first and second cantos of "Don Juan," with "The Ode to +Venice" thrown in. + +In accordance with Lord Byron's directions to his publisher to "keep the +anonymous," Cantos I. and II. of "Don Juan" appeared in London, in +quarto, in July 1819, without the name of either author, publisher, or +bookseller. The book was immediately pounced upon by the critics; but it +is unnecessary to quote their reviews, as they are impartially given in +the latest accredited editions of Lord Byron's poems. A few criticisms +from Mr. Murray's private correspondence may be given. + + +_Mr. Gifford to John Murray_. + +RYDE, _July_ 1, 1819. + +"Lord B.'s letter is shockingly amusing. [Footnote: Probably that +written in May; printed in the "Life."] He must be mad; but then there's +method in his madness. I dread, however, the end. He is, or rather might +be, the most extraordinary character of his age. I have lived to see +three great men--men to whom none come near in their respective +provinces--Pitt, Nelson, Wellington. Morality and religion would have +placed our friend among them as the fourth boast of the time; even a +decent respect for the good opinion of mankind might have done much now; +but all is tending to displace him." + +Mr. Murray, who was still in communication with Mr. Blackwood, found +that he refused to sell "Don Juan" because it contained personalities +which he regarded as even more objectionable than those of which Murray +had complained in the _Magazine_. + +When the copyright of "Don Juan" was infringed by other publishers, it +became necessary to take steps to protect it at law, and Mr. Sharon +Turner was consulted on the subject. An injunction was applied for in +Chancery, and the course of the negotiation will be best ascertained +from the following letters: + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to John Murray_. + +_October_ 21, 1819. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +... on "Don Juan" I have much apprehension. I had from the beginning, +and therefore advised the separate assignment. The counsel who is +settling the bill also doubts if the Chancellor will sustain the +injunction. I think, when Mr. Bell comes to town, it will be best to +have a consultation with him on the subject. The counsel, Mr. Loraine, +shall state to him his view on the subject, and you shall hear what Mr. +Bell feels upon it. Shall I appoint the consultation? The evil, if not +stopped, will be great. It will circulate in a cheap form very +extensively, injuring society wherever it spreads. Yet one consideration +strikes me. You could wish Lord Byron to write less objectionably. You +may also wish him to return you part of the L1,625. If the Chancellor +should dissolve the injunction on this ground, that will show Lord B. +that he must expect no more copyright money for such things, and that +they are too bad for law to uphold. Will not this affect his mind and +purify his pen? It is true that to get this good result you must +encounter the risk and expense of the injunction and of the argument +upon it. Will you do this? If I laid the case separately before three of +our ablest counsel, and they concurred in as many opinions that it +could not be supported, would this equally affect his Lordship's mind, +and also induce him to return you an adequate proportion of the purchase +money? Perhaps nothing but the Court treating him as it treated Southey +[Footnote: In the case of "Wat Tyler," see Murray's letter to Byron in +preceding chapter, April 12, 1817.] may sufficiently impress Lord B. +After the consultation with Bell you will better judge. Shall I get it +appointed as soon as he comes to town? + +Ever yours faithfully, + +SHARON TURNER. + +Mr. Bell gave his opinion that the Court would not afford protection to +the book. He admitted, however, that he had not had time to study it. + +The next letter relates to the opinion of Mr. Shadwell, afterwards +Vice-Chancellor: + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to John Murray_. + +_November_ 12, 1819. + +Dear Murray, + +I saw Mr. Shadwell to-day on "Don Juan." He has gone through the book +with more attention than Mr. Bell had time to do. He desires me to say +that he does not think the Chancellor would refuse an injunction, or +would overturn it if obtained.... + +Yours most faithfully, + +SHARON TURNER. + +In the event the injunction to restrain the publication of "Don Juan" by +piratical publishers was granted. + +Towards the end of 1819 Byron thought of returning to England. On +November 8 he wrote to Mr. Murray: + +"If she [the Countess Guiccioli] and her husband make it up, you will +perhaps see me in England sooner than you expect. If not, I will retire +with her to France or America, change my name, and lead a quiet +provincial life. If she gets over this, and I get over my Tertian ague, +I will perhaps look in at Albemarle Street _en passant_ to Bolivar." + +When Mr. Hobhouse, then living at Ramsbury, heard of Byron's intention +to go to South America, he wrote to Mr. Murray as follows: + +" ... To be sure it is impossible that Lord B. should seriously +contemplate, or, if he does, he must not expect us to encourage, this +mad scheme. I do not know what in the world to say, but presume some one +has been talking nonsense to him. Let Jim Perry go to Venezuela if he +will--he may edit his 'Independent Gazette' amongst the Independents +themselves, and reproduce his stale puns and politics without let or +hindrance. But our poet is too good for a planter--too good to sit down +before a fire made of mare's legs, to a dinner of beef without salt and +bread. It is the wildest of all his meditations--pray tell him. The +plague and Yellow Jack, and famine and free quarter, besides a thousand +other ills, will stare him in the face. No tooth-brushes, no +corn-rubbers, no _Quarterly Reviews_. In short, plenty of all he +abominates and nothing of all he loves. I shall write, but you can tell +facts, which will be better than my arguments." + +Byron's half-formed intention was soon abandoned, and the Countess +Guiccioli's serious illness recalled him to Ravenna, where he remained +for the next year and a half. + +Hobhouse's next letter to Murray (January 1820), in which he reported +"Bad news from Ravenna--a great pity indeed," is dated _Newgate_, where +he had been lodged in consequence of his pamphlet entitled "A Trifling +Mistake in Thomas Lord Erskine's Recent Pamphlet," containing several +very strong reflections on the House of Commons as then constituted. + +During his imprisonment, Mr. Hobhouse was visited by Mr. Murray and Ugo +Foscolo, as well as by many of his political friends. + +Lady Caroline Lamb also wrote to Mr. Murray from Brockett Hall, asking +for information about Byron and Hobhouse. + +_Lady Caroline Lamb to John Murray_. + +You have never written to tell me about him. Now, did you know the pain +and agony this has given me, you had not been so remiss. If you could +come here on Wednesday for one night, I have a few people and a supper. +You could come by the Mail in two hours, much swifter than even in your +swift carriage; and I have one million of things to say and ask also. Do +tell me how that dear Radical Hob is, and pray remember me to him. I +really hope you will be here at dinner or supper on Wednesday. Your +bedroom shall be ready, and you can be back in Town before most people +are up, though I rise here at seven. + +Yours quite disturbed my mind, for want of your telling me how he +[Byron] looks, what he says, if he is grown fat, if he is no uglier than +he used to be, if he is good-humoured or cross-grained, putting his +brows down--if his hair curls or is straight as somebody said, if he has +seen Hobhouse, if he is going to stay long, if you went to Dover as you +intended, and a great deal more, which, if you had the smallest tact or +aught else, you would have written long ago; for as to me, I shall +certainly not see him, neither do I care he should know that I ever +asked after him. It is from mere curiosity I should like to hear all you +can tell me about him. Pray come here immediately. + +Yours, + +C.L. + +Notwithstanding the remarkable sale of "Don Juan," Murray hesitated +about publishing any more of the cantos. After the fifth canto was +published, Lord Byron informed Murray that it was "hardly the beginning +of the work," that he intended to take Don Juan through the tour of +Europe, put him through the Divorce Court, and make him finish as +Anacharsis Clootz in the French Revolution. Besides being influenced by +his own feelings, it is possible that the following letter of Mr. Croker +may have induced Mr. Murray to have nothing further to do with the work: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +MUNSTER HOUSE, _March_ 26, 1820. + +_A rainy Sunday_. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I have to thank you for letting me see your two new cantos [the 3rd and +4th], which I return. What sublimity! what levity! what boldness! what +tenderness! what majesty! what trifling! what variety! what +_tediousness_!--for tedious to a strange degree, it must be confessed +that whole passages are, particularly the earlier stanzas of the fourth +canto. I know no man of such general powers of intellect as Brougham, +yet I think _him_ insufferably tedious; and I fancy the reason to be +that he has such _facility_ of expression that he is never recalled to a +_selection_ of his thoughts. A more costive orator would be obliged to +choose, and a man of his talents could not fail to choose the best; but +the power of uttering all and everything which passes across his mind, +tempts him to say all. He goes on without thought--I should rather say, +without pause. His speeches are poor from their richness, and dull from +their infinite variety. An impediment in his speech would make him a +perfect Demosthenes. Something of the same kind, and with something of +the same effect, is Lord Byron's wonderful fertility of thought and +facility of expression; and the Protean style of "Don Juan," instead of +checking (as the fetters of rhythm generally do) his natural activity, +not only gives him wider limits to range in, but even generates a more +roving disposition. I dare swear, if the truth were known, that his +digressions and repetitions generate one another, and that the happy +jingle of some of his comical rhymes has led him on to episodes of which +he never originally thought; and thus it is that, with the most +extraordinary merit, _merit of all kinds_, these two cantos have been +to _me_, in several points, tedious and even obscure. + +As to the PRINCIPLES, all the world, and you, Mr. Murray, _first of +all_, have done this poem great injustice. There are levities here and +there, more than good taste approves, but nothing to make such a +terrible rout about--nothing so bad as "Tom Jones," nor within a hundred +degrees of "Count Fathom." + +The writer goes on to remark that the personalities in the poem are more +to be deprecated than "its imputed looseness of principle": + +I mean some expressions of political and personal feelings which, I +believe, he, in fact, never felt, and threw in wantonly and _de gaiete +de coeur_, and which he would have omitted, advisedly and _de bonte de +coeur_, if he had not been goaded by indiscreet, contradictory, and +urgent _criticisms_, which, in some cases, were dark enough to be called +_calumnies_. But these are blowing over, if not blown over; and I cannot +but think that if Mr. Gifford, or some friend in whose taste and +disinterestedness Lord Byron could rely, were to point out to him the +cruelty to individuals, the injury to the national character, the +offence to public taste, and the injury to his own reputation, of such +passages as those about Southey and Waterloo and the British Government +and the head of that Government, I cannot but hope and believe that +these blemishes in the first cantos would be wiped away in the next +edition; and that some that occur in the two cantos (which you sent me) +would never see the light. What interest can Lord Byron have in being +the poet of a party in politics?... In politics, he cannot be what he +appears, or rather what Messrs. Hobhouse and Leigh Hunt wish to make him +appear. A man of his birth, a man of his taste, a man of his talents, a +man of his habits, can have nothing in common with such miserable +creatures as we now call _Radicals_, of whom I know not that I can +better express the illiterate and blind ignorance and vulgarity than by +saying that the best informed of them have probably never heard of Lord +Byron. No, no, Lord Byron may be indulgent to these jackal followers of +his; he may connive at their use of his name--nay, it is not to be +denied that he has given them too, too much countenance--but he never +can, I should think, now that he sees not only the road but the rate +they are going, continue to take a part so contrary to all his own +interests and feelings, and to the feelings and interests of all the +respectable part of his country.... But what is to be the end of all +this rigmarole of mine? To conclude, this--to advise you, for your own +sake as a tradesman, for Lord Byron's sake as a poet, for the sake of +good literature and good principles, which ought to be united, to take +such measures as you may be able to venture upon to get Lord Byron to +revise these two cantos, and not to make another step in the odious path +which Hobhouse beckons him to pursue.... + +Yours ever, + +J.W. CROKER. + +But Byron would alter nothing more in his "Don Juan." He accepted the +corrections of Gifford in his "Tragedies," but "Don Juan" was never +submitted to him. Hobhouse was occasionally applied to, because he knew +Lord Byron's handwriting; but even his suggestions of alterations or +corrections of "Don Juan" were in most cases declined, and moreover +about this time a slight coolness had sprung up between him and Byron. +When Hobhouse was standing for Westminster with Sir Francis Burdett, +Lord Byron sent a song about him in a letter to Mr. Murray. It ran to +the tune of "My Boy Tammy? O!" + +"Who are now the People's men? + My boy Hobby O! +Yourself and Burdett, Gentlemen, + And Blackguard Hunt and Cobby O! + +"When to the mob you make a speech, + My boy Hobby O! +How do you keep without their reach + The watch without your fobby O?" +[Footnote: The rest of the song is printed in _Murray's Magazine_, No. 3.] + +Lord Byron asked Murray to show the song not only to some of his +friends--who got it by heart and had it printed in the newspapers--but +also to Hobhouse himself. "I know," said his Lordship, "that he will +never forgive me, but I really have no patience with him for letting +himself be put in quod by such a set of ragamuffins." Mr. Hobhouse, +however, was angry with Byron for his lampoon and with Murray for +showing it to his friends. He accordingly wrote the following letter, +which contains some interesting particulars of the Whig Club at +Cambridge in Byron's University days: + +_Mr. Hobhouse to John Murray_. + +2, HANOVER SQUARE, _November_, 1820. + +I have received your letter, and return to you Lord Byron's. I shall +tell you very frankly, because I think it much better to speak a little +of a man to his face than to say a great deal about him behind his back, +that I think you have not treated me as I deserved, nor as might have +been expected from that friendly intercourse which has subsisted between +us for so many years. Had Lord Byron transmitted to me a lampoon on you, +I should, if I know myself at all, either have put it into the fire +without delivery, or should have sent it at once to you. I should not +have given it a circulation for the gratification of all the small wits +at the great and little houses, where no treat is so agreeable as to +find a man laughing at his friend. In this case, the whole coterie of +the very shabbiest party that ever disgraced and divided a nation--I +mean the Whigs--are, I know, chuckling over that silly charge made by +Mr. Lamb on the hustings, and now confirmed by Lord Byron, of my having +belonged to a Whig club at Cambridge. Such a Whig as I then was, I am +now. I had no notion that the name implied selfishness and subserviency, +and desertion of the most important principles for the sake of the least +important interest. I had no notion that it implied anything more than +an attachment to the principles the ascendency of which expelled the +Stuarts from the Throne. Lord Byron belonged to this Cambridge club, and +desired me to scratch out his name, on account of the criticism in the +_Edinburgh Review_ on his early poems; but, exercising my discretion on +the subject, I did not erase his name, but reconciled him to the said +Whigs. + +The members of the club were but few, and with those who +have any marked politics amongst them, I continue to agree at +this day. They were but ten, and you must know most of them--Mr. +W. Ponsonby, Mr. George O'Callaghan, the Duke of Devonshire, +Mr. Dominick Browne, Mr. Henry Pearce, Mr. Kinnaird, Lord +Tavistock, Lord Ellenborough, Lord Byron, and myself. I was +not, as Lord Byron says in the song, the founder of this Club; +[Footnote: + +"But when we at Cambridge were +My boy Hobbie O! +If my memory do not err, +You founded a Whig Clubbie O!" + +] +on the contrary, thinking myself of mighty importance +in those days, I recollect very well that some difficulty attended my +consenting to belong to the club, and I have by me a letter from +Lord Tavistock, in which the distinction between being a Whig +_party_ man and a Revolution Whig is strongly insisted upon. + +I have troubled you with this detail in consequence of Lord Byron's +charge, which he, who despises and defies, and has lampooned the Whigs +all round, only invented out of wantonness, and for the sake of annoying +me--and he has certainly succeeded, thanks to your circulating this +filthy ballad. As for his Lordship's vulgar notions about the _mob_, +they are very fit for the Poet of the _Morning Post_, and for nobody +else. Nothing in the ballad annoyed me but the charge about the +Cambridge club, because nothing else had the semblance of truth; and I +own it has hurt me very much to find Lord Byron playing into the hands +of the Holland House sycophants, for whom he has himself the most +sovereign contempt, and whom in other days I myself have tried to induce +him to tolerate. + +I shall say no more on this unpleasant subject except that, by a letter +which I have just received from Lord Byron, I think he is ashamed of his +song. I shall certainly speak as plainly to him as I have taken the +liberty to do to you on this matter. He was very wanton and you very +indiscreet; but I trust neither one nor the other meant mischief, and +there's an end of it. Do not aggravate matters by telling how much I +have been annoyed. Lord Byron has sent me a list of his new poems and +some prose, all of which he requests me to prepare for the press for +him. The monied arrangement is to be made by Mr. Kinnaird. When you are +ready for me, the materials may be sent to me at this place, where I +have taken up my abode for the season. + +I remain, very truly yours, JOHN CAM HOBHOUSE. + +Towards the end of 1820 Lord Byron wrote a long letter to Mr. Murray on +Mr. Bowles's strictures on the "Life and Writings of Pope." It was a +subject perhaps unworthy of his pen, but being an ardent admirer of +Pope, he thought it his duty to "bowl him [Bowles] down." "I mean to lay +about me," said Byron, "like a dragon, till I make manure of Bowles for +the top of Parnassus." + +After some revision, the first and second letters to Bowles were +published, and were well received. + +The tragedy of "Sardanapalus," the last three acts of which had been +written in a fortnight, was despatched to Murray on May 30, 1821, and +was within a few weeks followed by "The Two Foscari: an Historical +Tragedy"--which had been composed within a month--and on September 10 +by "Cain, a Mystery." The three dramas, "Sardanapalus," "The Two +Foscari," and "Cain, a Mystery," were published together in December +1821, and Mr. Murray paid Lord Byron for them the sum of L2,710. + +"Cain" was dedicated, by his consent, to Sir Walter Scott, who, in +writing to Mr. Murray, described it as "a very grand and tremendous +drama." On its first appearance it was reprinted in a cheap form by two +booksellers, under the impression that the Court of Chancery would not +protect it, and it therefore became necessary to take out an injunction +to restrain these piratical publishers. + +The case came before Lord Chancellor Eldon on February 9. Mr. Shadwell, +Mr. Spence, and Sergeant Copley were retained by Mr. Murray, and after +considerable discussion the injunction was refused, the Lord Chancellor +intimating that the publisher must establish his right to the +publication at law, and obtain the decision of a jury, on which he would +grant the injunction required. This was done accordingly, and the +copyright in "Cain" was thus secured. + +On the death of Allegra, his natural daughter, Lord Byron entrusted to +Mr. Murray the painful duty of making arrangements for the burial of the +remains in Harrow Church. Mr. Cunningham, the clergyman of Harrow, wrote +in answer to Mr. Murray: + +_Rev. J.W. Cunningham to John Murray_. + +_August_ 20, 1822. + +Sir, + +Mr. Henry Drury was so good as to communicate to me a request conveyed +to you by Lord Byron respecting the burial of a child in this church. +Mr. H. Drury will probably have also stated to you my willingness to +comply with the wish of Lord Byron. Will you forgive me, however, for so +far trespassing upon you (though a stranger) as to suggest an inquiry +whether it might not be practicable and desirable to fulfil for the +_present_ only a _part_ of his Lordship's wish--by burying the child, +and putting up a tablet with simply its name upon the tablet; and thus +leaving Lord B. more leisure to reflect upon the character of the +inscription he may wish to be added. It does seem to me that whatever he +may wish in the moment of his distress about the loss of this child, he +will afterwards regret that he should have taken pains to proclaim to +the world what he will not, I am sure, consider as honourable to his +name. And if this be probable, then it appears to me the office of a +true friend not to suffer him to commit himself but to allow his mind an +opportunity of calm deliberation. I feel constrained to say that the +inscription he proposed will be felt by every man of refined taste, to +say nothing of sound morals, to be an offence against taste and +propriety. My correspondence with his Lordship has been so small that I +can scarcely venture myself to urge these objections. You perhaps will +feel no such scruple. I have seen no person who did not concur in the +propriety of stating them. I would entreat, however, that should you +think it right to introduce my name into any statement made to Lord +Byron, you will not do it without assuring him of my unwillingness to +oppose the smallest obstacle to his wishes, or give the slightest pain +to his mind. The injury which, in my judgment, he is from day to day +inflicting upon society is no justification for measures of retaliation +and unkindness. + +Your obedient and faithful Servant, J.W. CUNNINGHAM. + +No communication having been received by the Rector, he placed the +application from Lord Byron before the churchwardens. + +_Rev. J.W. Cunningham to John Murray_. + +"The churchwardens have been urged to issue their prohibition by several +leading and influential persons, laymen, in the parish. You are aware +that as to _ex-parishioners_ the consent of the churchwardens is no less +necessary than my own; and that therefore the enclosed prohibition is +decisive as to the putting up of the monument. You will oblige me by +making known to Lord Byron the precise circumstances of the case. + +I am, your obedient Servant, J.W. CUNNINGHAM. + +The prohibition was as follows: + +HARROW, _September_ 17, 1822. + +Honored Sir, + +I object on behalf of the parish to admit the tablet of Lord Byron's +child into the church. + +JAMES WINKLEY, _Churchwarden_. + +The remains of Allegra, after long delay, were at length buried in the +church, just under the present door mat, over which the congregation +enter the church; but no memorial tablet or other record of her appears +on the walls of Harrow Church. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +BYRON'S DEATH AND THE DESTRUCTION OF HIS MEMOIRS + + +No attempt has here been made to present a strictly chronological record +of Mr. Murray's life; we have sought only so to group his correspondence +as to lay before our readers the various episodes which go to form the +business life of a publisher. In pursuance of this plan we now proceed +to narrate the closing incidents of his friendship with Lord Byron, +reserving to subsequent chapters the various other transactions in which +he was engaged. + +During the later months of Byron's residence in Italy this friendship +had suffered some interruption, due in part perhaps to questions which +had arisen out of the publication of "Don Juan," and in part to the +interference of the Hunts. With the activity aroused by his expedition +to Greece, Byron's better nature reasserted itself, and his last letter +to his publisher, though already printed in Moore's Life, cannot be +omitted from these pages: + +_Lord Byron to John Murray_. + +MISSOLONGHI, _February_ 25, 1824. + +I have heard from Mr. Douglas Kinnaird that you state "a report of a +satire on Mr. Gifford having arrived from Italy, _said_ to be written by +_me_! but that _you_ do not believe it." I dare say you do not, nor any +body else, I should think. Whoever asserts that I am the author or +abettor of anything of the kind on Gifford lies in his throat. I always +regarded him as my literary father, and myself as his prodigal son; if +any such composition exists, it is none of mine. _You_ know as well as +anybody upon _whom_ I have or have not written; and _you_ also know +whether they do or did not deserve that same. And so much for such +matters. You will perhaps be anxious to hear some news from this part +of Greece (which is the most liable to invasion); but you will hear +enough through public and private channels. I will, however, give you +the events of a week, mingling my own private peculiar with the public; +for we are here jumbled a little together at present. + +On Sunday (the 15th, I believe) I had a strong and sudden convulsive +attack, which left me speechless, though not motionless-for some strong +men could not hold me; but whether it was epilepsy, catalepsy, cachexy, +or apoplexy, or what other _exy_ or _epsy_ the doctors have not decided; +or whether it was spasmodic or nervous, etc.; but it was very +unpleasant, and nearly carried me off, and all that. On Monday, they put +leeches to my temples, no difficult matter, but the blood could not be +stopped till eleven at night (they had gone too near the temporal artery +for my temporal safety), and neither styptic nor caustic would cauterise +the orifice till after a hundred attempts. + +On Tuesday a Turkish brig of war ran on shore. On Wednesday, great +preparations being made to attack her, though protected by her consorts, +the Turks burned her and retired to Patras. On Thursday a quarrel ensued +between the Suliotes and the Frank guard at the arsenal: a Swedish +officer was killed, and a Suliote severely wounded, and a general fight +expected, and with some difficulty prevented. On Friday, the officer was +buried; and Captain Parry's English artificers mutinied, under pretence +that their lives were in danger, and are for quitting the country:--they +may. + +On Saturday we had the smartest shock of an earthquake which I remember +(and I have felt thirty, slight or smart, at different periods; they are +common in the Mediterranean), and the whole army discharged their arms, +upon the same principle that savages beat drums, or howl, during an +eclipse of the moon:--it was a rare scene altogether--if you had but +seen the English Johnnies, who had never been out of a cockney workshop +before!--or will again, if they can help it--and on Sunday, we heard +that the Vizier is come down to Larissa, with one hundred and odd +thousand men. + +In coming here, I had two escapes; one from the Turks _(one_ of my +vessels was taken but afterwards released), and the other from +shipwreck. We drove twice on the rocks near the Scrofes (islands near +the coast). + +I have obtained from the Greeks the release of eight-and-twenty Turkish +prisoners, men, women, and children, and sent them to Patras and Prevesa +at my own charges. One little girl of nine years old, who prefers +remaining with me, I shall (if I live) send, with her mother, probably, +to Italy, or to England, and adopt her. Her name is Hato, or Hatagee. +She is a very pretty lively child. All her brothers were killed by the +Greeks, and she herself and her mother merely spared by special favour +and owing to her extreme youth, she being then but five or six years +old. + +My health is now better, and I ride about again. My office here is no +sinecure, so many parties and difficulties of every kind; but I will do +what I can. Prince Mavrocordato is an excellent person, and does all in +his power; but his situation is perplexing in the extreme. Still we have +great hopes of the success of the contest. You will hear, however, more +of public news from plenty of quarters: for I have little time to write. + +Believe me, yours, etc., etc., + +N. BN. + +The fierce lawlessness of the Suliotes had now risen to such a height +that it became necessary, for the safety of the European population, to +get rid of them altogether; and, by some sacrifices on the part of Lord +Byron, this object was at length effected. The advance of a month's pay +by him, and the discharge of their arrears by the Government (the +latter, too, with money lent for that purpose by the same universal +paymaster), at length induced these rude warriors to depart from the +town, and with them vanished all hopes of the expedition against +Lepanto. + +Byron died at Missolonghi on April 19, 1824, and when the body arrived +in London, Murray, on behalf of Mr. Hobhouse, who was not personally +acquainted with Dr. Ireland, the Dean of Westminster, wrote to him, +conveying "the request of the executors and nearest relatives of the +deceased for permission that his Lordship's remains may be deposited in +Westminster Abbey, in the most private manner, at an early hour in the +morning." + +Dr. _Ireland to John Murray_. ISLIP, OXFORD, _July_ 8, 1824. + +Dear Sir, + +No doubt the family vault is the most proper place for the remains of +Lord Byron. It is to be wished, however, that nothing had been said +_publicly_ about Westminster Abbey before it was known whether the +remains could be received there. In the newspapers, unfortunately, it +has been proclaimed by somebody that the Abbey was to be the spot, and, +on the appearance of this article, I have been questioned as to the +truth of it from Oxford. My answer has been that the proposal has been +made, but civilly declined. I had also informed the members of the +church at Westminster (after your first letter) that I could not grant +the favour asked. I cannot, therefore, answer now that the case will not +be mentioned (as it has happened) by some person or other who knows it. +The best thing to be done, however, by the executors and relatives, is +to carry away the body, and say as little about it as possible. Unless +the subject is provoked by some injudicious parade about the remains, +perhaps the matter will draw little or no notice. + +Yours very truly, + +J. IRELAND, + +The death of Byron brought into immediate prominence the question of +his autobiographical memoirs, the MS. of which he had given to Moore, +who was at that time his guest at La Mira, near Venice, in 1819. + +"A short time before dinner," wrote Moore, "he left the room, and in a +minute or two returned carrying in his hand a white-leather bag. 'Look +here,' he said, holding it up, 'this would be worth something to Murray, +though _you_, I daresay, would not give sixpence for it.' 'What is it?' +I asked. 'My Life and Adventures,' he answered. On hearing this I raised +my hands in a gesture of wonder. 'It is not a thing,' he continued, +'that can be published during my lifetime, but you may have it if you +like: there, do whatever you please with it.'" + +Moore was greatly gratified by the gift, and said the Memoirs would make +a fine legacy for his little boy. Lord Byron informed Mr. Murray by +letter what he had done. "They are not," he said, "for publication +during my life, but when I am cold you may do what you please." In a +subsequent letter to Mr. Murray, Lord Byron said: "As you say my _prose_ +is good, why don't you treat with Moore for the reversion of my +Memoirs?--conditionally recollect; not to be published before decease. +He has the permission to dispose of them, and I advised him to do so." +Moore thus mentions the subject in his Memoirs: + +"_May_ 28, 1820.--Received a letter at last from Lord Byron, through +Murray, telling me he had informed Lady B. of his having given me his +Memoirs for the purpose of their being published after his death, and +offering her the perusal of them in case she might wish to confute any +of his statements. Her note in answer to this offer (the original of +which he enclosed me) is as follows": + +KIRKBY MALLORY, _March_ 10, 1820. + +I received your letter of January 1st, offering for my perusal a Memoir +of part of my life. I decline to inspect it. I consider the publication +or circulation of such a composition at any time is prejudicial to Ada's +future happiness. For my own sake I have no reason to shrink from +publication; but notwithstanding the injuries which I have suffered, I +should lament more of the _consequences._ + +A. BYRON. + +To LORD BYRON. [Footnote: For Byron's reply to this letter, see Moore's +Memoirs, iii. 115.] + +Moore received the continuation of Lord Byron's Memoirs on December 26, +1820, the postage amounting to forty-six francs and a half. "He advises +me," said Moore in his Diary, "to dispose of the reversion of the MS. +now." Accordingly, Moore, being then involved in pecuniary +responsibilities by the defalcations of his deputy in Bermuda, +endeavoured to dispose of the "Memoirs of Lord Byron." He first wrote to +the Messrs. Longman, who did not offer him enough; and then to Mr. +Murray, who offered him the sum of 2,000 guineas, on condition that he +should be the editor of the Memoirs, and write the Life of Lord Byron. + +_John Murray to Lord Byron_. _July_ 24, 1821. + +Dear Lord Byron, + +I have just received a letter from Mr. Moore--the subject of it is every +way worthy of your usual liberality--and I had not a moment's hesitation +in acceding to a proposal which enabled me in any way to join in +assisting so excellent a fellow. I have told him--which I suppose you +will think fair--that he should give me all additions that you may from +time to time make--and in case of survivorship edit the whole--and I +will leave it as an heirloom to my son. + +I have written to accede to Mr. Moore's proposal. I remain, dear Lord +Byron, Your grateful and faithful Servant, JOHN MURRAY. + +Mr. Moore accepted the proposal, and then proceeded to draw upon Mr. +Murray for part of the money. It may be added that the agreement between +Murray and Moore gave the former the right of publishing the Memoirs +three months after his Lordship's death. When that event was +authenticated, the manuscript remained at Mr. Murray's absolute disposal +if Moore had not previously redeemed it by the repayment of the 2,000 +guineas. + +During the period that Mr. Moore had been in negotiation with the +Longmans and Murray respecting the purchase of the Memoirs, he had given +"Lady Holland the MS. to read." Lord John Russell also states, in his +"Memoirs of Moore," that he had read "the greater part, if not the +whole," and that he should say that some of it was too gross for +publication. When the Memoirs came into the hands of Mr. Murray, he +entrusted the manuscript to Mr. Gifford, whose opinion coincided with +that of Lord John Russell. A few others saw the Memoirs, amongst them +Washington Irving and Mr. Luttrell. Irving says, in his "Memoirs," that +Moore showed him the Byron recollections and that they were quite +unpublishable. + +Mr. Moore himself seems to have been thrown into some doubt as to the +sale of the manuscript by the opinion of his friends. "Lord Holland," he +said, "expressed some scruples as to the sale of Lord Byron's Memoirs, +and he wished that I could have got the 2,000 guineas in any other way; +he seemed to think it was in cold blood, depositing a sort of quiver of +poisoned arrows for a future warfare upon private character." [Footnote: +Lord John Russell's "Memoirs, Journals, and Correspondence of Thomas +Moore," iii. p. 298.] Mr. Moore had a long conversation on the subject +with Mr. J.C. Hobhouse, "who," he says in his Journal, "is an upright +and honest man." When speaking of Lord Byron, Hobhouse said, "I know +more about Lord Byron than any one else, and much more than I should +wish any one else to know." + +Lady Byron offered, through Mr. Kinnaird, to advance 2,000 guineas for +the redemption of the Memoirs from Mr. Murray, but the negotiation was +not brought to a definite issue. Moore, when informed of the offer, +objected to Lady Byron being consulted about the matter, "for this would +be treachery to Lord Byron's intentions and wishes," but he agreed to +place the Memoirs at the disposal of Lord Byron's sister, Mrs. Leigh, +"to be done with exactly as she thought proper." Moore was of opinion +that those parts of the manuscript should be destroyed which were found +objectionable; but that those parts should be retained which were not, +for his benefit and that of the public. + +At the same time it must be remembered that Moore's interest in the +Memoirs had now entirely ceased, for in consequence of the death of Lord +Byron they had become Mr. Murray's absolute property, in accordance with +the terms of his purchase. But although Mr. Murray had paid so large a +sum for the manuscript, and would probably have made a considerable +profit by its publication, he was nevertheless willing to have it +destroyed, if it should be the deliberate opinion of his Lordship's +friends and relatives that such a step was desirable. + +Mr. Murray therefore put himself into communication with Lord Byron's +nearest friends and relations with respect to the disposal of the +Memoirs. His suggestion was at first strongly opposed by some of them; +but he urged his objections to publication with increased zeal, even +renouncing every claim to indemnification for what he had paid to Mr. +Moore. A meeting of those who were entitled to act in the matter was at +length agreed upon, and took place in Murray's drawing-room, on May 17, +1824. There were present Mr. Murray, Mr. Moore, Mr. J.C. Hobhouse, +Colonel Doyle representing Lady Byron, Mr. Wilmot Horton representing +Mrs. Leigh, and Mr. Luttrell, a friend of Moore's. Young Mr. +Murray--then sixteen; the only person of those assembled now living +[1891]--was also in the room. The discussion was long and stormy before +the meeting broke up, and nearly led to a challenge between Moore and +Hobhouse. A reference to the agreement between Moore and Murray became +necessary, but for a long time that document could not be found; it was +at length discovered, but only after the decision to commit the +manuscript to the flames had been made and carried out, and the party +remained until the last sheet of Lord Byron's Memoirs had vanished in +smoke up the Albemarle Street chimney. + +Immediately after the burning, Mrs. Leigh wrote the following account to +her friend, the Rev. Mr. Hodgson, an old friend of Byron's: + +_The Hon. Mrs. Leigh to the Rev. f. Hodgson_. + +"The parties, Messrs. Moore, Murray, Hobhouse, Col. Doyle for Lady B., +and Mr. Wilmot for me, and Mr. Luttrell, a friend of Mr. Moore's, met at +Mr. Murray's; and after a long dispute and nearly quarrelling, upon Mr. +Wilmot stating what was my wish and opinion, the MS. was burnt, and +Moore paid Murray the 2,000 guineas. Immediately almost _after_ this was +done, the legal agreement between Moore and Murray (which had been +mislaid), was found, and, strange to say, it appeared from it (what both +had forgotten), that the property of the MS. was Murray's _bond fide_. +Consequently _he_ had the right to dispose of it as he pleased; and as +he had behaved most handsomely upon the occasion ... it was desired by +our family that he should receive the 2,000 guineas back." [Footnote: +"Memoir of the Rev. F. Hodgson," ii. 139-40.] + +But the Byrons did not repay the money. Mr. Moore would not permit it. +He had borrowed the 2,000 guineas from the Messrs. Longman, and before +he left the room, he repaid to Mr. Murray the sum he had received for +the Memoirs, together with the interest during the time that the +purchase-money had remained in his possession. + +The statements made in the press, as to Lord Byron's Memoirs having been +burnt, occasioned much public excitement, and many applications were +made to Mr. Murray for information on the subject. Amongst those who +made particular inquiry was Mr. Jerdan, of the _Literary Gazette,_ who +inclosed to Mr. Murray the paragraph which he proposed to insert in his +journal. Mr. Murray informed him that the account was so very erroneous, +that he desired him either to condense it down to the smallest compass, +or to omit it altogether. Mr. Jerdan, however, replied that the subject +was of so much public interest, that he could not refuse to state the +particulars, and the following was sent to him, prepared by Mr. Murray: + +"A general interest having been excited, touching the fate of Lord +Byron's Memoirs, written by himself, and reports, confused and +incorrect, having got into circulation upon the subject, it has been +deemed requisite to signify the real particulars. The manuscript of +these Memoirs was purchased by Mr. Murray in the year 1821 for the sum +of two thousand guineas, under certain stipulations which gave him the +right of publishing them three months after his Lordship's demise. When +that event was authenticated, the Manuscript consequently remained at +Mr. Murray's absolute disposal; and a day or two after the melancholy +intelligence reached London, Mr. Murray submitted to the near +connections of the family that the MSS. should be destroyed. In +consequence of this, five persons variously concerned in the matter were +convened for discussion upon it. As these Memoirs were not calculated to +augment the fame of the writer, and as some passages were penned in a +spirit which his better feelings since had virtually retracted, Mr. +Murray proposed that they should be destroyed, considering it a duty to +sacrifice every view of profit to the noble author, by whose confidence +and friendship he had been so long honoured. The result has been, that +notwithstanding some opposition, he obtained the desired decision, and +the Manuscript was forthwith committed to the flames. Mr. Murray was +immediately reimbursed in the purchase-money by Mr. Moore, although Mr. +Murray had previously renounced every claim to repayment." + +The particulars of the transaction are more fully expressed in the +following letter written by Mr. Murray to Mr. (afterwards Sir) Robert +Wilmot Horton, two days after the destruction of the manuscript. It +seems that Mr. Moore had already made a representation to Mr. Horton +which was not quite correct. [Footnote: Lord J. Russell's " Memoirs, +etc., of Thomas Moore," iv. p. 188.] + +_John Murray to Mr. R. Wilmot Horton_. ALBEMARLE STREET, _May_ 19, 1824. + +Dear Sir, + +On my return home last night I found your letter, dated the 17th, +calling on me for a specific answer whether I acknowledged the accuracy +of the statement of Mr. Moore, communicated in it. However unpleasant it +is to me, your requisition of a specific answer obliges me to say that I +cannot, by any means, admit the accuracy of that statement; and in order +to explain to you how Mr. Moore's misapprehension may have arisen, and +the ground upon which my assertion rests, I feel it necessary to trouble +you with a statement of all the circumstances of the case, which will +enable you to judge for yourself. + +Lord Byron having made Mr. Moore a present of his Memoirs, Mr. Moore +offered them for sale to Messrs. Longman & Co., who however declined to +purchase them; Mr. Moore then made me a similar offer, which I accepted; +and in November 1821, a joint assignment of the Memoirs was made to me +by Lord Byron and Mr. Moore, with all legal technicalities, in +consideration of a sum of 2,000 guineas, which, on the execution of the +agreement by Mr. Moore, I paid to him. Mr. Moore also covenanted, in +consideration of the said sum, to act as Editor of the Memoirs, and to +supply an account of the subsequent events of Lord Byron's life, etc. + +Some months after the execution of this assignment, Mr. Moore requested +me, as a great personal favour to himself and to Lord Byron, to enter +into a second agreement, by which I should resign the absolute property +which I had in the Memoirs, and give Mr. Moore and Lord Byron, or any of +their friends, a power of redemption _during the life of Lord Byron_. As +the reason pressed upon me for this change was that their friends +thought there were some things in the Memoirs that might be injurious to +both, I did not hesitate to make this alteration at Mr. Moore's request; +and, accordingly, on the 6th day of May, 1822, a second deed was +executed, stating that, "Whereas Lord Byron and Mr. Moore are now +inclined to wish the said work not to be published, it is agreed that, +if either of them shall, _during the life of the said Lord Byron_, repay +the 2,000 guineas to Mr. Murray, the latter shall redeliver the Memoirs; +but that, if the sum be not repaid _during the lifetime of Lord Byron_, +Mr. Murray shall be at full liberty to print and publish the said +Memoirs within Three Months [Footnote: The words "within Three Months " +were substituted for "immediately," at Mr. Moore's request--and they +appear in pencil, in his own handwriting, upon the original draft of the +deed, which is still in existence.] after the death of the said Lord +Byron." I need hardly call your particular attention to the words, +carefully inserted twice over in this agreement, which limited its +existence to the _lifetime of Lord Byron_; the reason of such limitation +was obvious and natural--namely that, although I consented to restore +the work, _while Lord Byron should be alive_ to direct the ulterior +disposal of it, I would by no means consent to place it _after his +death_ at the disposal of any other person. + +I must now observe that I had never been able to obtain possession of +the original assignment, which was my sole lien on this property, +although I had made repeated applications to Mr. Moore to put me into +possession of the deed, which was stated to be in the hands of Lord +Byron's banker. Feeling, I confess, in some degree alarmed at the +withholding the deed, and dissatisfied at Mr. Moore's inattention to my +interests in this particular, I wrote urgently to him in March 1823, to +procure me the deed, and at the same time expressed my wish that the +second agreement should either be cancelled or _at once executed_. + +Finding this application unavailing, and becoming, by the greater lapse +of time, still more doubtful as to what the intentions of the parties +might be, I, in March 1824, repeated my demand to Mr. Moore in a more +peremptory manner, and was in consequence at length put into possession +of the original deed. But, not being at all satisfied with the course +that had been pursued towards me, I repeated to Mr. Moore my uneasiness +at the terms on which I stood under the second agreement, and renewed my +request to him that he would either cancel it, or execute its provisions +by the immediate redemption of the work, in order that I might exactly +know what my rights in the property were. He requested time to consider +this proposition. In a day or two he called, and told me that he would +adopt the latter alternative--namely, the redemption of the Memoirs--as +he had found persons who were ready to advance the money on _his +injuring his life_; and he promised to conclude the business on the +first day of his return to town, by paying the money and giving up the +agreement. Mr. Moore did return to town, but did not, that I have heard +of, take any proceedings for insuring his life; he positively neither +wrote nor called upon me as he had promised to do (though he was +generally accustomed to make mine one of his first houses of call);--nor +did he take any other step, that I am aware of, to show that he had any +recollection of the conversation which had passed between us previous to +his leaving town, until _the death of Lord Byron_ had, _ipso facto_, +cancelled the agreement in question, and completely restored my absolute +rights over the property of the Memoirs. + +You will therefore perceive that there was no verbal agreement in +existence between Mr. Moore and me, at the time I made a verbal +agreement with you to deliver the Memoirs to be destroyed. Mr. Moore +might undoubtedly, _during Lord Byron's life_, have obtained possession +of the Memoirs, if he had pleased to do so; he however neglected or +delayed to give effect to our verbal agreement, which, as well as the +written instrument to which it related, being cancelled by the death of +Lord Byron, there was no reason whatsoever why I was not at that instant +perfectly at liberty to dispose of the MS. as I thought proper. Had I +considered only my own interest as a tradesman, I would have announced +the work for immediate publication, and I cannot doubt that, under all +the circumstances, the public curiosity about these Memoirs would have +given me a very considerable profit beyond the large sum I originally +paid for them; but you yourself are, I think, able to do me the justice +of bearing witness that I looked at the case with no such feelings, and +that my regard for Lord Byron's memory, and my respect for his surviving +family, made me more anxious that the Memoirs should be immediately +destroyed, since it was surmised that the publication might be injurious +to the former and painful to the latter. + +As I myself scrupulously refrained from looking into the Memoirs, I +cannot, from my own knowledge, say whether such an opinion of the +contents was correct or not; it was enough for me that the friends of +Lord and Lady Byron united in wishing for their destruction. Why Mr. +Moore should have wished to preserve them I did not nor will I inquire; +but, having satisfied myself that he had no right whatever in them, I +was happy in having an opportunity of making, by a pecuniary sacrifice +on my part, some return for the honour, and I must add, the profit, +which I had derived from Lord Byron's patronage and friendship. You will +also be able to bear witness that--although I could not presume to +impose an obligation on the friends of Lord Byron or Mr. Moore, by +refusing to receive the repayment of the 2,000 guineas advanced by +me--yet I had determined on the destruction of the Memoirs without any +previous agreement for such repayment:--and you know the Memoirs were +actually destroyed without any stipulation on my part, but even with a +declaration that I had destroyed my own private property--and I +therefore had no claim upon any party for remuneration. + +I remain, dear Sir, + +Your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +After the burning of the manuscript Sir Walter Scott wrote in his diary: +"It was a pity that nothing save the total destruction of Byron's +Memoirs would satisfy his executors; but there was a reason--_premat nox +alta."_ + +Shortly after the burning of the Memoirs, Mr. Moore began to meditate +writing a Life of Lord Byron; "the Longmans looking earnestly and +anxiously to it as the great source of my means of repaying them their +money." [Footnote: Moore's Memoirs, iv. 253.] Mr. Moore could not as +yet, however, proceed with the Life, as the most important letters of +Lord Byron were those written to Mr. Murray, which were in his exclusive +possession. Lord John Russell also was against his writing the Life of +Byron. + +"If you write," he wrote to Moore, "write poetry, or, if you can find a +good subject, write prose; but do not undertake to write the life of +another reprobate [referring to Moore's "Life of Sheridan"]. In short, +do anything but write the life of Lord Byron." [Footnote: Moore's +Memoirs, v. 51.] + +Yet Moore grievously wanted money, and this opportunity presented itself +to him with irresistible force as a means of adding to his resources. At +length he became reconciled to Mr. Murray through the intercession of +Mr. Hobhouse. Moore informed the Longmans of the reconciliation, and, in +a liberal and considerate manner, they said to him, "Do not let us stand +in the way of any arrangements you may make; it is our wish to see you +free from debt; and it would be only in this one work that we should be +separated." It was in this way that Mr. Moore undertook to write for Mr. +Murray the Life of Lord Byron. Mr. Murray agreed to repay Moore the +2,000 guineas he had given for the burned Memoirs and L2,000 extra for +editing the letters and writing the Life, and Moore in his diary says +that he considered this offer perfectly liberal. Nothing, he adds, could +be more frank, gentleman-like, and satisfactory than the manner in which +this affair had been settled on all sides. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +SCOTT'S NOVELS--BLACKWOOD AND MURRAY + + +The account of Mr. Murray's dealings with Lord Byron has carried us +considerably beyond the date at which we left the history of his general +business transactions, and compels us to go back to the year 1814, when, +as is related in a previous chapter, he had associated himself with +William Blackwood as his Edinburgh agent. + +Blackwood, like Murray, was anxious to have a share in the business of +publishing the works of Walter Scott--especially the novels teeming from +the press by "The Author of 'Waverley.'" Although Constable and the +Ballantynes were necessarily admitted to the knowledge of their +authorship, to the world at large they were anonymous, and the author +still remained unknown. Mr. Murray had, indeed, pointed out to Mr. +Canning that "Waverley" was by Walter Scott; but Scott himself trailed +so many red herrings across the path, that publishers as well as the +public were thrown off the scent, and both Blackwood and Murray +continued to be at fault with respect to the authorship of the "Waverley +Novels." + +In February 1816 Ballantyne assured Blackwood that in a very few weeks +he would have something very important to propose. On April 12 +following, Blackwood addressed the following letter to Murray, "most +strictly confidential"; and it contained important proposals: + +_Mr. W. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR MURRAY, + +Some time ago I wrote to you that James Ballantyne had dined with me, +and from what then passed I expected that I would soon have something +very important to communicate. He has now fully explained himself to me, +with liberty to inform you of anything he has communicated. This, +however, he entreats of us to keep most strictly to ourselves, trusting +to our honour that we will not breathe a syllable of it to the dearest +friends we have. + +He began by telling me that he thought he had it now in his power to +show me how sensible he was of the services I had done him, and how +anxious he was to accomplish that union of interests which I had so long +been endeavouring to bring about. Till now he had only made professions; +now he would act. He said that he was empowered to offer me, along with +you, a work of fiction in four volumes, such as Waverley, etc.; that he +had read a considerable part of it; and, knowing the plan of the whole, +he could answer for its being a production of the very first class; but +that he was not at liberty to mention its title, nor was he at liberty +to 'give the author's name. I naturally asked him, was it by the author +of "Waverley"? He said it was to have no reference to any other work +whatever, and everyone would be at liberty to form their own conjectures +as to the author. He only requested that, whatever we might suppose from +anything that might occur afterwards, we should keep strictly to +ourselves that we were to be the publishers. The terms he was empowered +by the author to offer for it were: + +1. The author to receive one-half of the profits of each edition; these +profits to be ascertained by deducting the paper and printing from the +proceeds of the book sold at sale price; the publishers to be at the +whole of the expense of advertising. 2. The property of the book to be +the publishers', who were to print such editions as they chose. 3. The +only condition upon which the author would agree to these terms is, that +the publisher should take L600 of John Ballantyne's stock, selected from +the list annexed, deducting 25 per cent, from the affixed sale prices. +4. If these terms are agreed to, the stock to the above amount to be +immediately delivered, and a bill granted at twelve months. 5. That in +the course of six or eight weeks, J.B. expected to be able to put into +my hands the first two volumes printed, and that if on perusal we did +not like the bargain, we should be at liberty to give it up. This he +considered to be most unlikely; but if it should be the case, he would +bind himself to repay or redeliver the bill on the books being returned. +6. That the edition, consisting of 2,000 copies, should be printed and +ready for delivery by the 1st of October next. + +I have thus stated to you as nearly as I can the substance of what +passed. I tried in various ways to learn something with regard to the +author; but he was quite impenetrable. My own impression now is, that it +must be Walter Scott, for no one else would think of burdening us with +such trash as John B.'s wretched stock. This is such a burden, that I am +puzzled not a little. I endeavoured every way I could to get him to +propose other terms, but he told me they could not be departed from in a +single part; and the other works had been taken on the same conditions, +and he knew they would be greedily accepted again in the same quarter. +Consider the matter seriously, and write to me as soon as you can. After +giving it my consideration, and making some calculations. I confess I +feel inclined to hazard the speculation; but still I feel doubtful until +I hear what you think of it. Do not let my opinion, which may be +erroneous, influence you, but judge for yourself. From the very strong +terms in which Jas. B. spoke of the work, I am sanguine enough to expect +it will equal if not surpass any of the others. I would not lay so much +stress upon what he says if I were not assured that his great interest, +as well as Mr. Scott's, is to stand in the very best way both with you +and me. They are anxious to get out of the clutches of Constable, and +Ballantyne is sensible of the favour I have done and may still do him by +giving so much employment, besides what he may expect from you. From +Constable he can expect nothing. I had almost forgotten to mention that +he assured me in the most solemn manner that we had got the first offer, +and he ardently hoped we would accept of it. If, however, we did not, he +trusted to our honour that we would say nothing of it; that the author +of this work would likely write more; and should we not take this, we +might have it in our power afterwards to do something with him, provided +we acted with delicacy in the transaction, as he had no doubt we would +do. I hope you will be able to write to me soon, and as fully as you +can. If I have time tomorrow, or I should rather say this day, as it is +now near one o'clock, I will write you about other matters; and if I +have no letter from you, will perhaps give you another scolding. + +Yours most truly, + +W. BLACKWOOD. + +A long correspondence took place between Blackwood and Murray on +Ballantyne's proposal. Blackwood was inclined to accept, notwithstanding +the odd nature of the proposal, in the firm belief that "the heart's +desire" of Ballantyne was to get rid of Constable. He sent Murray a list +of Ballantyne's stock, from which the necessary value of books was to be +selected. It appeared, however, that there was one point on which +Blackwood had been mistaken, and that was, that the copyright of the new +novel was not to be absolutely conveyed, and that all that Ballantyne +meant, or had authority to offer, was an edition, limited to six +thousand copies, of the proposed work. Although Murray considered it "a +blind bargain," he was disposed to accept it, as it might lead to +something better. Blackwood accordingly communicated to Ballantyne that +he and Murray accepted his offer. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_April_ 27, 1816. + +"Everything is settled, and on Tuesday Ballantyne is to give a letter +specifying the whole terms of the transaction. He could not do it +sooner, he said, as he had to consult the author. This, I think, makes +it clear that it is Walter Scott, who is at Abbotsford just now. What +surprised me a good deal was, James Ballantyne told me that his brother +John had gone out there with Constable, and Godwin (author of 'Caleb +Williams'), whom Scott was anxious to see. They are really a strange set +of people.... I am not over fond of all these mysteries, but they are a +mysterious set of personages, and we must manage with them in the best +way that we can." + +A letter followed from James Ballantyne to Murray (May I, 1816), +congratulating him upon concluding the bargain through Blackwood, and +saying: + +"I have taken the liberty of drawing upon you at twelve months for L300 +for your share.... It will be a singularly great accommodation if you +can return the bill in course of post." + +Although Ballantyne had promised that the first edition of the proposed +work should be ready by October 1, 1816, Blackwood found that in June +the printing of the work had not yet commenced. Ballantyne said he had +not yet got any part of the manuscript from the author, but that he +would press him again on the subject. The controversy still continued as +to the authorship of the Waverley Novels. "For these six months past," +wrote Blackwood (June 6, 1816), "there have been various rumours with +regard to Greenfield being the author of these Novels, but I never paid +much attention to it; the thing appeared to me so very improbable.... +But from what I have heard lately, and from what you state, I now begin +to think that Greenfield may probably be the author." On the other hand, +Mr. Mackenzie called upon Blackwood, and informed him that "he was now +quite convinced that Thomas Scott, Walter's brother in Canada, writes +all the novels." The secret, however, was kept for many years longer. + +Blackwood became quite provoked at the delay in proceeding with the +proposed work. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_June_ 21, 1816. + +"I begin to fear that S.B. and Cy. are a nest of----. There is neither +faith nor truth in them. In my last letter I mentioned to you that there +was not the smallest appearance of the work being yet begun, and there +is as little still. James Ballantyne shifts this off his own shoulders +by saying that he cannot help it. Now, my own belief is that at the time +he made such solemn promises to me that the first volume would be in my +hands in a month, he had not the smallest expectation of this being the +case; but he knew that he would not have got our bills, which he +absolutely wanted, without holding this out. It is now seven weeks since +the bills were granted, and it is five weeks since I gave him the list +of books which were to be delivered. I have applied to him again and +again for them, and on Tuesday last his man at length called on me to +say that John Ballantyne & Co. could not deliver fifty sets of 'Kerr's +Voyages'--that they had only such quantities of particular odd volumes +of which he showed me a list." + +Blackwood called upon Ballantyne, but he could not see him, and instead +of returning Blackwood's visit, he sent a note of excuse. Next time they +met was at Hollingworth's Hotel, after which Ballantyne sent Blackwood a +letter "begging for a loan of L50 till next week, but not a word of +business in it." Next time they met was at the same hotel, when the two +dined with Robert Miller. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +"After dinner I walked home with J.B. Perhaps from the wine he had +drunk, he was very communicative, and gave me a great deal of very +curious and interesting private history. Would you believe it, that +about six weeks ago--at the very time our transaction was going +on--these worthies, Scott, Ballantyne & Co., concluded a transaction +with Constable for 10,000 copies of this said 'History of Scotland' +[which had been promised to Blackwood and Murray] in 4 vols., and +actually received bills for the profits expected to be realized from +this large number! Yet, when I put James Ballantyne in mind on Tuesday +of what he had formally proposed by desire of Mr. Scott, and assured us +we were positively to get the work, and asked him if there was any truth +in the rumour I had heard, and even that you had heard, about Mr. Scott +being about to publish a 'History of Scotland' with his name, and +further asked him if Mr. Scott was now ready to make any arrangements +with us about it (for it never occurred to me that he could make +arrangements with any one else), he solemnly assured me that he knew +nothing about it! Now, after this, what confidence can we have in +anything that this man will say or profess! I confess I am sadly +mortified at my own credulousness. John I always considered as no better +than a swindler, but James I put some trust and confidence in. You +judged more accurately, for you always said that 'he was a damned +cunning fellow!' Well, there is every appearance of your being right; +but his cunning (as it never does) will not profit him. Within these +three years I have given him nearly L1,400 for printing, and in return +have only received empty professions, made, to be sure, in the most +dramatic manner. Trite as the saying is, honesty is always the best +policy; and if we live a little longer, we shall see what will be the +end of all their cunning, never-ending labyrinths of plots and schemes. +Constable is the proper person for them; set a thief to catch a thief: +Jonathan Wild will be fully a match for any of the heroes of the +'Beggar's Opera.' My blood boils when I think of them, and still more +when I think of my allowing myself so long to keep my eyes shut to what +I ought to have seen long ago. But the only apology I make to myself is, +that one does not wish to think so ill of human nature. There is an old +Scotch proverb, 'He has need o' a lang spoon that sups wi' the De'il,' +and since we are engaged, let us try if we can partake of the broth +without scalding ourselves. I still hope that we may; and however much +my feelings revolt at having any connection in future with them, yet I +shall endeavour to the best of my power to repress my bile, and to turn +their own tricks against themselves. One in business must submit to many +things, and swallow many a bitter pill, when such a man as Walter Scott +is the object in view. You will see, by this day's Edinburgh papers, +that the copartnery of John Ballantyne & Co. is formally dissolved. +Miller told me that, before James Ballantyne could get his wife's +friends to assent to the marriage, Walter Scott was obliged to grant +bonds and securities, taking upon himself all the engagements of John +Ballantyne & Co., as well as of James Ballantyne & Co.; [Footnote: +Lockhart says, in his "Life of Scott," that "in Feb., 1816, when James +Ballantyne married, it is clearly proved, by letters in his handwriting, +that he owed to Scott more than L3,000 of personal debt."] so that, if +there was any difficulty on their part, he bound himself to fulfil the +whole. When we consider the large sums of money Walter Scott has got for +his works, the greater part of which has been thrown into the hands of +the Ballantynes, and likewise the excellent printing business J.B. has +had for so many years, it is quite incomprehensible what has become of +all the money. Miller says, 'It is just a jaw hole which swallows up +all,' and from what he has heard he does not believe Walter Scott is +worth anything." + +Murray was nevertheless willing to go on until the terms of his bargain +with Ballantyne were fulfilled, and wrote to Blackwood that he was +"resolved to swallow the pill, bitter though it was," but he expressed +his surprise that "Mr. Scott should have allowed his property to be +squandered as it has been by these people." + +Blackwood, however, was in great anxiety about the transaction, fearing +the result of the engagement which he and Murray had entered into. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_July 2_, 1816. + +"This morning I got up between five and six, but instead of sitting down +to write to you, as I had intended, I mounted my pony and took a long +ride to collect my thoughts. Sitting, walking, or riding is all the +same. I feel as much puzzled as ever, and undetermined whether or not to +cut the Gordian knot. Except my wife, there is not a friend whom I dare +advise with. I have not once ventured to mention the business at all to +my brother, on account of the cursed mysteries and injunctions of +secrecy connected with it. I know he would blame me for ever engaging in +it, for he has a very small opinion of the Ballantynes. I cannot +therefore be benefited by his advice. Mrs. Blackwood, though she always +disliked my having any connection with the Ballantynes, rather thinks we +should wait a few weeks longer, till we see what is produced. I believe, +after all, this is the safest course to pursue. I would beg of you, +however, to think maturely upon the affair, taking into account Mr. +Scott's usefulness to the _Review_. Take a day or two to consider the +matter fully, and then give me your best advice.... As to Constable or +his triumphs, as he will consider them, I perfectly agree with you that +they are not to be coveted by us, and that they should not give us a +moment's thought. Thank God, we shall never desire to compass any of our +ends by underhand practices." + +Meanwhile correspondence with Ballantyne about the work of fiction--the +name of which was still unknown-was still proceeding. Ballantyne said +that the author "promised to put the first volume in his hands by the +end of August, and that the whole would be ready for publication by +Christmas." Blackwood thought this reply was "humbug, as formerly." +Nevertheless, he was obliged to wait. At last he got the first sight of +the manuscript. + +_Mr. Wm. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_August_ 23, 1816. _Midnight_. + +"MY DEAR MURRAY,--I have this moment finished the reading of 192 pages +of our book--for ours it must be,--and I cannot go to bed without +telling you what is the strong and most favourable impression it has +made upon me. If the remainder be at all equal--which it cannot fail to +be, from the genius displayed in what is now before me--we have been +most fortunate indeed. The title as, TALKS OF MY LANDLORD; _collected +and reported by Jedediah Cleishbotham, Pariah Clerk and Schoolmaster of +Gandercleugh_." + +Mr. Blackwood then proceeds to give an account of the Introduction, the +commencement of "The Black Dwarf," the first of the tales, and the +general nature of the story, to the end of the fourth chapter. His +letter is of great length, and extends to nine quarto pages. He +concludes: + +"There cannot be a doubt as to the splendid merit of the work. It would +never have done to have hesitated and higgled about seeing more volumes. +In the note which accompanied the sheets, Ballantyne says, 'each volume +contains a Tale,' so there will be four in all. [Footnote: This, the +original intention, was departed from.] The next relates to the period +of the Covenanters. I have now neither doubts nor fears with regard to +the whole being good, and I anxiously hope that you will have as little. +I am so happy at the fortunate termination of all my pains and +anxieties, that I cannot be in bad humour with you for not writing me +two lines in answer to my last letters. I hope I shall hear from you +to-morrow; but I entreat of you to write me in course of post, as I wish +to hear from you before I leave this [for London], which I intend to do +on this day se'nnight by the smack." + +At length the principal part of the manuscript of the novel was in the +press, and, as both the author and the printer were in sore straits for +money, they became importunate on Blackwood and Murray for payment on +account. They had taken Ballantyne's "wretched stock" of books, as +Blackwood styled them, and Lockhart, in his "Life of Scott," infers that +Murray had consented to anticipate the period of his payments. At all +events, he finds in a letter of Scott's, written in August, these words +to John Ballantyne: "Dear John,--I have the pleasure to enclose Murray's +acceptances. I earnestly recommend you to push, realising as much as you +can. + +"Consider weel, gude mon, + We hae but borrowed gear, +The horse that I ride on, + It is John Murray's mear." + +Scott was at this time sorely pressed for ready money. He was buying one +piece of land after another, usually at exorbitant prices, and having +already increased the estate of Abbotsford from 150 to nearly 1,000 +acres, he was in communication with Mr. Edward Blore as to the erection +of a dwelling adjacent to the cottage, at a point facing the Tweed. This +house grew and expanded, until it became the spacious mansion of +Abbotsford. The Ballantynes also were ravenous for more money; but they +could get nothing from Blackwood and Murray before the promised work was +finished. + +At last the book was completed, printed, and published on December 1, +1816; but without the magical words, "by the Author of 'Waverley,'" on +the title-page. All doubts as to the work being by the author of +"Waverley," says Lockhart, had worn themselves out before the lapse of a +week. + +_John Murray to Mr. Wm. Blackwood_. + +_December_ 13, 1816. + +"Having now heard every one's opinion about our 'Tales of my Landlord,' +I feel competent to assure you that it is universally in their favour. +There is only 'Meg Merrilies' in their way. It is even, I think, +superior to the other three novels. You may go on printing as many and +as fast as you can; for we certainly need not stop until we come to the +end of our, unfortunately, limited 6,000.... My copies are more than +gone, and if you have any to spare pray send them up instantly." + +On the following day Mr. Murray wrote to Mr. Scott: + +_John Murray to Mr. Scott_. + +_December_ 14, 1816. + +DEAR SIR, + +Although I dare not address you as the author of certain Tales--which, +however, must be written either by Walter Scott or the devil--yet +nothing can restrain me from thinking that it is to your influence with +the author of them that I am indebted for the essential honour of being +one of their publishers; and I must intrude upon you to offer my most +hearty thanks, not divided but doubled, alike for my worldly gain +therein, and for the great acquisition of professional reputation which +their publication has already procured me. As to delight, I believe I +could, under any oath that could be proposed, swear that I never +experienced such great and unmixed pleasure in all my life as the +reading of this exquisite work has afforded me; and if you witnessed the +wet eyes and grinning cheeks with which, as the author's chamberlain, I +receive the unanimous and vehement praise of them from every one who has +read them, or heard the curses of those whose needs my scanty supply +would not satisfy, you might judge of the sincerity with which I now +entreat you to assure the author of the most complete success. After +this, I could throw all the other books which I have in the press into +the Thames, for no one will either read them or buy. Lord Holland said, +when I asked his opinion: "Opinion? we did not one of us go to bed all +night, and nothing slept but my gout." Frere, Hallam, and Boswell; Lord +Glenbervie came to me with tears in his eyes. "It is a cordial," he +said, "which has saved Lady Glenbervie's life." Heber, who found it on +his table on his arrival from a journey, had no rest till he had read +it. He has only this moment left me, and he, with many others, agrees +that it surpasses all the other novels. Wm. Lamb also; Gifford never +read anything like it, he says; and his estimate of it absolutely +increases at each recollection of it. Barrow with great difficulty was +forced to read it; and he said yesterday, "Very good, to be sure, but +what powerful writing is _thrown away_." Heber says there are only two +men in the world, Walter Scott and Lord Byron. Between you, you have +given existence to a third. + +Ever your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +This letter did not effectually "draw the badger." Scott replied in the +following humorous but Jesuitical epistle: + +_Mr. Scott to John Murray_. + +_December 18, 1816_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I give you hearty joy of the success of the Tales, although I do not +claim that paternal interest in them which my friends do me the credit +to assign to me. I assure you I have never read a volume of them till +they were printed, and can only join with the rest of the world in +applauding the true and striking portraits which they present of old +Scottish manners. + +I do not expect implicit reliance to be placed on my disavowal, because +I know very well that he who is disposed not to own a work must +necessarily deny it, and that otherwise his secret would be at the mercy +of all who chose to ask the question, since silence in such a case must +always pass for consent, or rather assent. But I have a mode of +convincing you that I am perfectly serious in my denial--pretty similar +to that by which Solomon distinguished the fictitious from the real +mother--and that is by reviewing the work, which I take to be an +operation equal to that of quartering the child.... Kind compliments to +Heber, whom I expected at Abbotsford this summer; also to Mr. Croker and +all your four o'clock visitors. I am just going to Abbotsford, to make a +small addition to my premises there. I have now about seven hundred +acres, thanks to the booksellers and the discerning public. + +Yours truly, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +The happy chance of securing a review of the Tales by the author of +"Waverley" himself exceeded Murray's most sanguine expectations, and +filled him with joy. He suggested that the reviewer, instead of sending +an article on the Gypsies, as he proposed, should introduce whatever he +had to say about that picturesque race in his review of the Tales, by +way of comment on the character of Meg Merrilies. The review was +written, and appeared in No. 32 of the _Quarterly_, in January 1817, by +which time the novel had already gone to a third edition. It is curious +now to look back upon the author reviewing his own work. He adopted +Murray's view, and besides going over the history of "Waverley," and the +characters introduced in that novel, he introduced a disquisition about +Meg Merrilies and the Gypsies, as set forth in his novel of "Guy +Mannering." He then proceeded to review the "Black Dwarf" and "Old +Mortality," but with the utmost skill avoided praising them, and rather +endeavoured to put his friends off the scent by undervaluing them, and +finding fault. The "Black Dwarf," for example, was full of "violent +events which are so common in romance, and of such rare occurrence in +real life." Indeed, he wrote, "the narrative is unusually artificial; +neither hero nor heroine excites interest of any sort, being just that +sort of _pattern_ people whom nobody cares a farthing about." + +"The other story," he adds, "is of much deeper interest." He describes +the person who gave the title to the novel--Robert Paterson, of the +parish of Closeburn, in Dumfriesshire--and introduces a good deal of +historical knowledge, but takes exception to many of the circumstances +mentioned in the story, at the same time quoting some of the best +passages about Cuddie Headrigg and his mother. In respect to the +influence of Claverhouse and General Dalzell, the reviewer states that +"the author has cruelly falsified history," and relates the actual +circumstances in reference to these generals. "We know little," he says, +"that the author can say for himself to excuse these sophistications, +and, therefore, may charitably suggest that he was writing a romance, +and not a history." In conclusion, the reviewer observed, "We intended +here to conclude this long article, when a strong report reached us of +certain trans-Atlantic confessions, which, if genuine (though of this we +know nothing), assign a different author to these volumes than the party +suspected by our Scottish correspondents. Yet a critic may be excused +seizing upon the nearest suspicious person, on the principle happily +expressed by Claverhouse in a letter to the Earl of Linlithgow. He had +been, it seems, in search of a gifted weaver who used to hold forth at +conventicles. "I sent to seek the webster (weaver); they brought in his +_brother_ for him; though he maybe cannot preach like his brother, I +doubt not but he is as well-principled as he, wherefore I thought it +would be no great fault to give him the trouble to go to the jail with +the rest." + +Mr. Murray seems to have accepted the suggestion and wrote in January +1817 to Mr. Blackwood: + +"I can assure you, but _in the greatest confidence_, that I have +discovered the author of all these Novels to be Thomas Scott, Walter +Scott's brother. He is now in Canada. I have no doubt but that Mr. +Walter Scott did a great deal to the first 'Waverley Novel,' because of +his anxiety to serve his brother, and his doubt about the success of the +work. This accounts for the many stories about it. Many persons had +previously heard from Mr. Scott, but you may rely on the certainty of +what I have told you. The whole country is starving for want of a +complete supply of the 'Tales of my Landlord,' respecting the interest +and merit of which there continues to be but one sentiment." + +A few weeks later Blackwood wrote to Murray: + +_January_ 22, 1817. + +"It is an odd story here, that Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Scott are the authors +of all these Novels. I, however, still think, as Mr. Croker said to me +in one of his letters, that if they were not by Mr. Walter Scott, the +only alternative is to give them to the devil, as by one or the other +they must be written." + +On the other hand, Bernard Barton wrote to Mr. Murray, and said that he +had "heard that James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, was the author of +'Tales of my Landlord,' and that he had had intimation from himself to +that effect," by no means an improbable story considering Hogg's vanity. +Lady Mackintosh also wrote to Mr. Murray: "Did you hear who this _new_ +author of 'Waverley' and 'Guy Mannering' is? Mrs. Thomas Scott, as Mr. +Thomas Scott assured Lord Selkirk (who had been in Canada), and his +lordship, like Lord Monboddo, believes it." Murray again wrote to +Blackwood (February 15, 1817): "What is your theory as to the author of +'Harold the Dauntless'? I will believe, till within an inch of my life, +that the author of 'Tales of my Landlord' is Thomas Scott." + +Thus matters remained until a few years later, when George IV. was on +his memorable visit to Edinburgh. Walter Scott was one of the heroes of +the occasion, and was the selected cicerone to the King. One day George +IV., in the sudden and abrupt manner which is peculiar to our Royal +Family, asked Scott point-blank: "By the way, Scott, are you the author +of 'Waverley'?" Scott as abruptly answered: "No, Sire!" Having made this +answer (said Mr. Thomas Mitchell, who communicated the information to +Mr. Murray some years later), "it is supposed that he considered it a +matter of honour to keep the secret during the present King's reign. If +the least personal allusion is made to the subject in Sir Walter's +presence, Matthews says that his head gently drops upon his breast, and +that is a signal for the person to desist." + +With respect to the first series of the "Tales of my Landlord," so soon +as the 6,000 copies had been disposed of which the author, through +Ballantyne, had covenanted as the maximum number to be published by +Murray and Blackwood, the work reverted to Constable, and was published +uniformly with the other works by the author of "Waverley." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ALLIANCE WITH BLACKWOOD--BLACKWOOD'S "EDINBURGH MAGAZINE"--TERMINATION +OF PARTNERSHIP + + +We have already seen that Mr. Murray had some correspondence with Thomas +Campbell in 1806 respecting the establishment of a monthly magazine; +such an undertaking had long been a favourite scheme of his, and he had +mentioned the subject to many friends at home as well as abroad. When, +therefore, Mr. Blackwood started his magazine, Murray was ready to enter +into his plans, and before long announced to the public that he had +become joint proprietor and publisher of Blackwood's _Edinburgh +Magazine_. + +There was nothing very striking in the early numbers of the _Magazine_, +and it does not appear to have obtained a considerable circulation. The +first editors were Thomas Pringle, who--in conjunction with a +friend--was the author of a poem entitled "The Institute," and James +Cleghorn, best known as a contributor to the _Farmers' Magazine_. +Constable, who was himself the proprietor of the _Scots Magazine_ as +well as of the _Farmers' Magazine_, desired to keep the monopoly of the +Scottish monthly periodicals in his own hands, and was greatly opposed +to the new competitor. At all events, he contrived to draw away from +Blackwood Pringle and Cleghorn, and to start a new series of the _Scots +Magazine_ under the title of the _Edinburgh Magazine_. Blackwood +thereupon changed the name of his periodical to that by which it has +since been so well known. He undertook the editing himself, but soon +obtained many able and indefatigable helpers. + +There were then two young advocates walking the Parliament House in +search of briefs. These were John Wilson (Christopher North) and John +Gibson Lockhart (afterwards editor of the _Quarterly_). Both were +West-countrymen--Wilson, the son of a wealthy Paisley manufacturer, and +Lockhart, the son of the minister of Cambusnethan, in Lanarkshire--and +both had received the best of educations, Wilson, the robust Christian, +having carried off the Newdigate prize at Oxford, and Lockhart, having +gained the Snell foundation at Glasgow, was sent to Balliol, and took a +first class in classics in 1813. These, with Dr. Maginn--under the +_sobriquet_ of "Morgan O'Dogherty,"--Hogg--the Ettrick Shepherd,--De +Quincey--the Opium-eater,--Thomas Mitchell, and others, were the +principal writers in _Blackwood_. + +No. 7, the first of the new series, created an unprecedented stir in +Edinburgh. It came out on October 1, 1817, and sold very rapidly, but +after 10,000 had been struck off it was suppressed, and could be had +neither for love nor money. The cause of this sudden attraction was an +article headed "Translation from an Ancient Chaldee Manuscript," +purporting to be an extract from some newly discovered historical +document, every paragraph of which contained a special hit at some +particular person well known in Edinburgh society. There was very little +ill-nature in it; at least, nothing like the amount which it excited in +those who were, or imagined themselves to be, caricatured in it. +Constable, the "Crafty," and Pringle and Cleghorn, editors of the +_Edinburgh Magazine_, as well as Jeffrey, editor of the _Edinburgh +Review_, came in for their share of burlesque description. + +Among the persons delineated in the article were the publisher of +Blackwood's _Edinburgh Magazine_, whose name "was as it had been, the +colour of Ebony": indeed the name of Old Ebony long clung to the +journal. The principal writers of the article were themselves included +in the caricature. Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, was described as "the +great wild boar from the forest of Lebanon, and he roused up his spirit, +and I saw him whetting his dreadful tusks for the battle." Wilson was +"the beautiful leopard," and Lockhart "the scorpion,"--names which were +afterwards hurled back at them with interest. Walter Scott was described +as "the great magician who dwelleth in the old fastness, hard by the +river Jordan, which is by the Border." Mackenzie, Jameson, Leslie, +Brewster, Tytler, Alison, M'Crie, Playfair, Lord Murray, the Duncans--in +fact, all the leading men of Edinburgh were hit off in the same fashion. + +Mrs. Garden, in her "Memorials of James Hogg," says that "there is no +doubt that Hogg wrote the first draft; indeed, part of the original is +still in the possession of the family.... Some of the more irreverent +passages were not his, or were at all events largely added to by others +before publication." [Footnote: Mrs. Garden's "Memorials of James Hogg," +p. 107.] In a recent number of _Blackwood_ it is said that: + +"Hogg's name is nearly associated with the Chaldee Manuscript. Of course +he claimed credit for having written the skit, and undoubtedly he +originated the idea. The rough draft came from his pen, and we cannot +speak with certainty as to how it was subsequently manipulated. But +there is every reason to believe that Wilson and Lockhart, probably +assisted by Sir William Hamilton, went to work upon it, and so altered +it that Hogg's original offspring was changed out of all knowledge." +[Footnote: _Blackwood's Magazine_, September 1882, pp. 368-9.] + +The whole article was probably intended as a harmless joke; and the +persons indicated, had they been wise, might have joined in the laugh or +treated the matter with indifference. On the contrary, however, they +felt profoundly indignant, and some of them commenced actions in the +Court of Session for the injuries done to their reputation. + +The same number of _Blackwood_ which contained the "Translation from an +Ancient Chaldee Manuscript," contained two articles, one probably by +Wilson, on Coleridge's "Biographia Literaria," the other, signed "Z," by +Lockhart, being the first of a series on "The Cockney School of Poetry." +They were both clever, but abusive, and exceedingly personal in their +allusions. + +Murray expostulated with Blackwood on the personality of the articles. +He feared lest they should be damaging to the permanent success of the +journal. Blackwood replied in a long letter, saying that the journal was +prospering, and that it was only Constable and his myrmidons who were +opposed to it, chiefly because of its success. + +In August 1818, Murray paid L1,000 for a half share in the magazine, +and from this time he took a deep and active interest in its progress, +advising Blackwood as to its management, and urging him to introduce +more foreign literary news, as well as more scientific information. He +did not like the idea of two editors, who seem to have taken the +management into their own hands. + +Subsequent numbers of _Blackwood_ contained other reviews of "The +Cockney School of Poetry": Leigh Hunt, "the King of the Cockneys," was +attacked in May, and in August it was the poet Keats who came under the +critic's lash, four months after Croker's famous review of "Endymion" in +the _Quarterly_. [Footnote: It was said that Keats was killed by this +brief notice, of four pages, in the _Quarterly_; and Byron, in his "Don +Juan," gave credit to this statement: + + "Poor Keats, who was killed off by one critique, + Just as he really promised something great,... + 'Tis strange, the mind, that very fiery particle, + Should let itself be snuffed out by an article." + +Leigh Hunt, one of Keats' warmest friends, when in Italy, told Lord +Byron (as he relates in his Autobiography) the real state of the case, +proving to him that the supposition of Keats' death being the result of +the review was a mistake, and therefore, if printed, would be a +misrepresentation. But the stroke of wit was not to be given up. Either +Mr. Gifford, or "the poet-priest Milman," has generally, but +erroneously, been blamed for being the author of the review in the +_Quarterly_, which, as is now well known, was written by Mr. Croker.] + +The same number of _Blackwood_ contained a short article about +Hazlitt--elsewhere styled "pimpled Hazlitt." It was very short, and +entitled "Hazlitt cross-questioned." Hazlitt considered the article full +of abuse, and commenced an action for libel against the proprietors of +the magazine. Upon this Blackwood sent Hazlitt's threatening letter to +Murray, with his remarks: + +_Mr. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_September_ 22, 1818. + +"I suppose this fellow merely means to make a little bluster, and try if +he can pick up a little money. There is nothing whatever actionable in +the paper.... The article on Hazlitt, which will commence next number, +will be a most powerful one, and this business will not deprive it of +any of its edge." + +_September_ 25, 1818. + +"What are people saying about that fellow Hazlitt attempting to +prosecute? There was a rascally paragraph in the _Times_ of Friday last +mentioning the prosecution, and saying the magazine was a work filled +with private slander. My friends laugh at the idea of his prosecution." + +Mr. Murray, however, became increasingly dissatisfied with this state of +things; he never sympathised with the slashing criticisms of +_Blackwood_, and strongly disapproved of the personalities, an opinion +which was shared by most of his literary friends. At the same time his +name was on the title-page of the magazine, and he was jointly +responsible with Blackwood for the articles which appeared there. + +In a long letter dated September 28, 1818, Mr. Murray deprecated the +personality of the articles in the magazine, and entreated that they be +kept out. If not, he begged that Blackwood would omit his name from the +title-page of the work. + +A long correspondence took place during the month of October between +Murray and Blackwood: the former continuing to declaim against the +personality of the articles; the latter averring that there was nothing +of the sort in the magazine. If Blackwood would only keep out these +personal attacks, Murray would take care to send him articles by Mr. +Frere, Mr. Barrow, and others, which would enhance the popularity and +respectability of the publication. + +In October of this year was published an anonymous pamphlet, entitled +"Hypocrisy Unveiled," which raked up the whole of the joke contained in +the "Translation from an Ancient Chaldee Manuscript," published a year +before. The number containing it had, as we have already seen, been +suppressed, because of the offence it had given to many persons of +celebrity, while the general tone of bitterness and personality had been +subsequently modified, if not abandoned. Murray assured Blackwood that +his number for October 1818 was one of the best he had ever read, and he +desired him to "offer to his friends his very best thanks and +congratulations upon the production of so admirable a number." "With +this number," he said, "you have given me a fulcrum upon which I will +move heaven and earth to get subscribers and contributors." Indeed, +several of the contributions in this surpassingly excellent number had +been sent to the Edinburgh publisher through the instrumentality of +Murray himself. + +"Hypocrisy Unveiled" was a lampoon of a scurrilous and commonplace +character, in which the leading contributors to and the publishers of +the magazine were violently attacked. Both Murray and Blackwood, who +were abused openly, by name, resolved to take no notice of it; but +Lockhart and Wilson, who were mentioned under the thin disguise of "the +Scorpion" and "the Leopard," were so nettled by the remarks on +themselves, that they, in October 1818, both sent challenges to the +anonymous author, through the publisher of the pamphlet. This most +injudicious step only increased their discomfiture, as the unknown +writer not only refused to proclaim his identity, but published and +circulated the challenges, together with a further attack on Lockhart +and Wilson. + +This foolish disclosure caused bitter vexation to Murray, who wrote: + +_John Murray to Mr. Blackwood_. + +_October_ 27, 1818. + +My DEAR BLACKWOOD, + +I really can recollect no parallel to the palpable absurdity of your two +friends. If they had planned the most complete triumph to their +adversaries, nothing could have been so successfully effective. They +have actually given up their names, as the authors of the offences +charged upon them, by implication only, in the pamphlet. How they could +possibly conceive that the writer of the pamphlet would be such an idiot +as to quit his stronghold of concealment, and allow his head to be +chopped off by exposure, I am at a loss to conceive.... + +I declare to God that had I known what I had so incautiously engaged in, +I would not have undertaken what I have done, or have suffered what I +have in my feelings and character--which no man had hitherto the +slightest cause for assailing--I would not have done so for any sum.... + +In answer to these remonstrances Blackwood begged him to dismiss the +matter from his mind, to preserve silence, and to do all that was +possible to increase the popularity of the magazine. The next number, +he said, would be excellent and unexceptionable; and it proved to be so. + +The difficulty, however, was not yet over. While the principal editors +of the Chaldee Manuscript had thus revealed themselves to the author of +"Hypocrisy Unveiled," the London publisher of _Blackwood_ was, in +November 1818, assailed by a biting pamphlet, entitled "A Letter to Mr. +John Murray, of Albemarle Street, occasioned by his having undertaken +the publication, in London, of _Blackwood's Magazine_." "The curse of +his respectability," he was told, had brought the letter upon him. "Your +name stands among the very highest in the department of Literature which +has fallen to your lot: the eminent persons who have confided in you, +and the works you have given to the world, have conduced to your +establishment in the public favour; while your liberality, your +impartiality, and your private motives, bear testimony to the justice of +your claims to that honourable distinction." + +Other criticisms of the same kind reached Mr. Murray's ear. Moore, in +his Diary (November 4, 1818), writes: "Received two most civil and +anxious letters from the great 'Bibliopola Tryphon' Murray, expressing +his regret at the article in _Blackwood_, and his resolution to give up +all concern in it if it contained any more such personalities." +[Footnote: "Memoirs, Journal, and Correspondence of Thomas Moore," ii. +210. By Lord John Russell.] + +Finally the Hazlitt action was settled. Blackwood gave to Murray the +following account of the matter: + +_December_ 16, 1818. + +"I have had two letters from Mr. Patmore, informing me that Mr. Hazlitt +was to drop the prosecution. His agent has since applied to mine +offering to do this, if the expenses and a small sum for some charity +were paid. My agent told him he would certainly advise any client of his +to get out of court, but that he would never advise me to pay anything +to be made a talk of, as a sum for a charity would be. He would advise +me, he said, to pay the expenses, and a trifle to Hazlitt himself +privately. Hazlitt's agent agreed to this." [Footnote: I have not been +able to discover what sum, if any, was paid to Hazlitt privately.] + +Notwithstanding promises of amendment, Murray still complained of the +personalities, and of the way in which the magazine was edited. He also +objected to the "echo of the _Edinburgh Review's_ abuse of Sharon +Turner. It was sufficient to give pain to me, and to my most valued +friend. There was another ungentlemanly and uncalled-for thrust at +Thomas Moore. That just makes so many more enemies, unnecessarily; and +you not only deprive me of the communications of my friends, but you +positively provoke them to go over to your adversary." + +It seemed impossible to exercise any control over the editors, and +Murray had no alternative left but to expostulate, and if his +expostulations were unheeded, to retire from the magazine. The last +course was that which he eventually decided to adopt, and the end of the +partnership in _Blackwood's Magazine_, which had long been anticipated, +at length arrived. Murray's name appeared for the last time on No. 22, +for January 1819; the following number bore no London publisher's name; +but on the number for March the names of T. Cadell and W. Davies were +advertised as the London agents for the magazine. + +On December 17, 1819, L1,000 were remitted to Mr. Murray in payment of +the sum which he had originally advanced to purchase his share, and his +connection with _Blackwood's Magazine_ finally ceased. He thereupon +transferred his agency for Scotland to Messrs. Oliver & Boyd, with whose +firm it has ever since remained. The friendly correspondence between +Murray and Blackwood nevertheless continued, as they were jointly +interested in several works of importance. + +In the course of the following year, "Christopher North" made the +following statement in _Blackwood's Magazine_ in "An Hour's Tete-a-tete +with the Public": + +"The Chaldee Manuscript, which appeared in our seventh number, gave us +both a lift and a shove. Nothing else was talked of for a long while; +and after 10,000 copies had been sold, it became a very great rarity, +quite a desideratum.... The sale of the _Quarterly_ is about 14,000, of +the _Edinburgh_ upwards of 7,000.... It is not our intention, at +present, to suffer our sale to go beyond 17,000.... Mr. Murray, under +whose auspices our _magnum opus_ issued for a few months from Albemarle +Street, began to suspect that we might be eclipsing the _Quarterly +Review_. No such eclipse had been foretold; and Mr. Murray, being no +great astronomer, was at a loss to know whether, in the darkness that +was but too visible, we were eclipsing the _Quarterly_, or the +_Quarterly_ eclipsing us. We accordingly took our pen, and erased his +name from our title-page, and he was once more happy. Under our present +publishers we carry everything before us in London." + +Mr. Murray took no notice of this statement, preferring, without any +more words, to be quit of his bargain. + +It need scarcely be added that when Mr. Blackwood had got his critics +and contributors well in hand--when his journal had passed its frisky +and juvenile life of fun and frolic--when the personalities had ceased +to appear in its columns, and it had reached the years of judgment and +discretion--and especially when its principal editor, Mr. John Wilson +(Christopher North), had been appointed to the distinguished position of +Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh--the +journal took that high rank in periodical literature which it has ever +since maintained. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +WORKS PUBLISHED IN 1817-18--CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-- + + +Scott was now beginning to suffer from the terrible mental and bodily +strain to which he had subjected himself, and was shortly after seized +with the illness to which reference has been made in a previous chapter, +and which disabled him for some time. Blackwood informed Murray (March +7, 1817) that Mr. Scott "has been most dangerously ill, with violent +pain arising from spasmodic action in the stomach; but he is gradually +getting better." + +For some time he remained in a state of exhaustion, unable either to +stir for weakness and giddiness; or to read, for dazzling in his eyes; +or to listen, for a whizzing sound in his ears--all indications of too +much brain-work and mental worry. Yet, as soon as he was able to resume +his labours, we find him characteristically employed in helping his +poorer friends. + +_Mr. Blackwood to John Murray_. + +_May_ 28, 1817. + +"Mr. Scott and some of his friends, in order to raise a sum of money to +make the poor Shepherd comfortable, have projected a fourth edition of +"The Queen's Wake," with a few plates, to be published by subscription. +We have inserted your name, as we have no doubt of your doing everything +you can for the poor poet. The advertisement, which is excellent, is +written by Mr. Scott." + +Hogg was tempted by the Duke of Buccleuch's gift of a farm on Eltrive +Lake to build himself a house, as Scott was doing, and applied to Murray +for a loan of L50, which was granted. In acknowledging the receipt of +the money he wrote: + +_Mr. James Hogg to John Murray_. + +_August_ 11, 1818. + +.... I am told Gifford has a hard prejudice against me, but I cannot +believe it. I do not see how any man can have a prejudice against me. He +may, indeed, consider me an intruder in the walks of literature, but I +am only a saunterer, and malign nobody who chooses to let me pass.... I +was going to say before, but forgot, and said quite another thing, that +if Mr. Gifford would point out any light work for me to review for him, +I'll bet a MS. poem with him that I'll write it better than he expects. + +Yours ever most sincerely, + +JAMES HOGG. + +As Scott still remained the Great Unknown, Murray's correspondence with +him related principally to his articles in the _Quarterly_, to which he +continued an occasional contributor. Murray suggested to him the +subjects of articles, and also requested him to beat up for a few more +contributors. He wanted an article on the Gypsies, and if Scott could +not muster time to do it, he hoped that Mr. Erskine might be persuaded +to favour him with an essay. + +Scott, however, in the midst of pain and distress, was now busy with his +"Rob Roy," which was issued towards the end of the year. + +A short interruption of his correspondence with Murray occurred--Scott +being busy in getting the long buried and almost forgotten "Regalia of +Scotland" exposed to light; he was also busy with one of his best +novels, the "Heart of Midlothian." Murray, knowing nothing of these +things, again endeavoured to induce him to renew his correspondence, +especially his articles for the _Review_. In response Scott contributed +articles on Kirkton's "History of the Church of Scotland," on Military +Bridges, and on Lord Orford's Memoirs. + +Towards the end of the year, Mr. Murray paid a visit to Edinburgh on +business, and after seeing Mr. Blackwood, made his way southward, to pay +his promised visit to Walter Scott at Abbotsford, an account of which +has already been given in the correspondence with Lord Byron. + +James Hogg, who was present at the meeting of Scott and Murray at +Abbotsford, wrote to Murray as follows: + +_James Hogg to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _February_ 20, 1819. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I arrived here the day before yesterday for my spring campaign in +literature, drinking whiskey, etc., and as I have not heard a word of +you or from you since we parted on the top of the hill above Abbotsford, +I dedicate my first letter from the metropolis to you. And first of all, +I was rather disappointed in getting so little cracking with you at that +time. Scott and you had so much and so many people to converse about, +whom nobody knew anything of but yourselves, that you two got all to +say, and some of us great men, who deem we know everything at home, +found that we knew nothing. You did not even tell me what conditions you +were going to give me for my "Jacobite Relics of Scotland," the first +part of which will make its appearance this spring, and I think bids +fair to be popular.... + +Believe me, yours very faithfully, + +JAMES HOGG. + +After the discontinuance of Murray's business connection with Blackwood, +described in the preceding chapter, James Hogg wrote in great +consternation: + +_Mr. James Hogg to John Murray_, + +ELTRIVE, by SELKIRK, _December_ 9, 1829. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +By a letter from Blackwood to-day, I have the disagreeable intelligence +that circumstances have occurred which I fear will deprive me of you as +a publisher--I hope never as a friend; for I here attest, though I have +heard some bitter things against you, that I never met with any man +whatever who, on so slight an acquaintance, has behaved to me so much +like a gentleman. Blackwood asks to transfer your shares of my trifling +works to his new agents. I answered, "Never! without your permission." +As the "Jacobite Relics" are not yet published, and as they would only +involve you further with one with whom you are going to close accounts, +I gave him liberty to transfer the shares you were to have in them to +Messrs. Cadell & Davies. But when I consider your handsome subscription +for "The Queen's Wake," if you have the slightest inclination to retain +your shares of that work and "The Brownie," as your name is on them, +_along with Blackwood_, I would much rather, not only from affection, +but interest, that you should continue to dispose of them. + +I know these books are of no avail to you; and that if you retain them, +it will be on the same principle that you published them, namely, one of +friendship for your humble poetical countryman. I'll never forget your +kindness; for I cannot think that I am tainted with the general vice of +authors' _ingratitude_; and the first house that I call at in London +will be the one in Albemarle Street. + +I remain, ever yours most truly, + +JAMES HOGG. + +Murray did not cease to sell the Shepherd's works, and made arrangements +with Blackwood to continue his agency for them, and to account for the +sales in the usual way. + +The name of Robert Owen is but little remembered now, but at the early +part of the century he attained some notoriety from his endeavours to +reform society. He was manager of the Lanark Cotton Mills, but in 1825 +he emigrated to America, and bought land on the Wabash whereon to start +a model colony, called New Harmony. This enterprise failed, and he +returned to England in 1827. The following letter is in answer to his +expressed intention of adding Mr. Murray's name to the title-page of the +second edition of his "New View of Society." + +_John Murray to Mr. Robert Owen_. + +_September_ 9, 1817. + +DEAR SIR, + +As it is totally inconsistent with my plans to allow my name to be +associated with any subject of so much political notoriety and debate as +your New System of Society, I trust that you will not consider it as any +diminution of personal regard if I request the favour of you to cause my +name to be immediately struck out from every sort of advertisement that +is likely to appear upon this subject. I trust that a moment's +reflection will convince which I understand you talked of sending to my +house. I beg leave again to repeat that I retain the same sentiments of +personal esteem, and that I am, dear Sir, + +Your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Among the would-be poets was a young Quaker gentleman of +Stockton-on-Tees who sent Mr. Murray a batch of poems. The publisher +wrote an answer to his letter, which fell into the hands of the poet's +father, who bore the same name as his son. The father answered: + +_Mr. Proctor to Mr. Murray_. + +ESTEEMED FRIEND, + +I feel very much obliged by thy refusing to _publish_ the papers sent +thee by my son. I was entirely ignorant of anything of the kind, or +should have nipt it in the bud. On receipt of this, please burn the +whole that was sent thee, and at thy convenience inform me that it has +been done. With thanks for thy highly commendable care. + +I am respectfully, thy friend, + +JOHN PROCTOR. + +The number of persons who desired to publish poetry was surprising, even +Sharon Turner, Murray's solicitor, whose valuable historical works had +been published by the Longmans, wrote to him about the publication of +poems, which he had written "to idle away the evenings as well as he +could." Murray answered his letter: + +_John Murray to Mr. Sharon Turner_. + +_November_ 17, 1817. + +I do not think it would be creditable to your name, or advantageous to +your more important works, that the present one should proceed from a +different publisher. Many might fancy that Longman had declined it. +Longman might suspect me of interference; and thus, in the uncertainty +of acting with propriety myself, I should have little hope of giving +satisfaction to you. I therefore refer the matter to your own feelings +and consideration. It has afforded me great pleasure to learn frequently +of late that you are so much better. I hope during the winter, if we +have any, to send you many amusing books to shorten the tediousness of +time, and charm away your indisposition. Mrs. Murray is still up and +well, and desires me to send her best compliments to you and Mrs. +Turner. + +Ever yours faithfully, + +J. MURRAY. + +Mr. Turner thanked Mr. Murray for his letter, and said that if he +proceeded with his intentions he would adopt his advice. "I have always +found Longman very kind and honourable, but I will not offer him now +what you think it right to decline." + +During Gifford's now almost incessant attacks of illness, Mr. Croker +took charge of the _Quarterly Review_. The following letter embodies +some of his ideas as to editing: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +BRIGHTON, _March_ 29, 1823. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +As I shall not be in Town in time to see you to-morrow, I send you some +papers. I return the _Poor_ article [Footnote: "On the Poor Laws," by +Mr. Gleig.] with its additions. Let the author's amendments be attended +to, and let his termination be inserted _between_ his former conclusion +and that which I have written. It is a good article, not overdone and +yet not dull. I return, to be set up, the article [by Captain Procter] +on Southey's "Peninsular War." It is very bad--a mere _abstracted +history of the war itself_, and not in the least a _review of the book_. +I have taken pains to remove some part of this error, but you must feel +how impossible it is to change the whole frame of such an article. A +touch thrown in here and there will give some relief, and the character +of a _review_ will be in some small degree preserved. This cursed system +of writing dissertations will be the death of us, and if I were to edit +another number, I should make a great alteration in that particular. But +for this time I must be satisfied with plastering up what I have not +time to rebuild. One thing I would do immediately if I were you. I would +pay for articles of _one_ sheet as much as for articles of two and +three, and, in fact, I would _scarcely_ permit an article to exceed one +sheet. I would reserve such extension for matters of great and immediate +interest and importance. I am delighted that W. [Footnote: Probably +Blanco White.] undertakes one, he will do it well; but remember the +necessity of _absolute secrecy_ on this point, and indeed on all others. +If you were to publish such names as Cohen and Croker and Collinson and +Coleridge, the magical WE would have little effect, and your _Review_ +would be absolutely despised--_omne ignotum pro mirifico_. I suppose I +shall see you about twelve on Tuesday. Could you not get me a gay light +article or two? If I am to _edit_ for you, I cannot find time to +_contribute_. Madame Campan's poem will more than expend my leisure. I +came here for a little recreation, and I am all day at the desk as if I +were at the Admiralty. This Peninsular article has cost me two days' +hard work, and is, after all, not worth the trouble; but we must have +something about it, and it is, I suppose, too late to expect anything +better. Mr. Williams's article on Sir W. Scott [Lord Stowell] is +contemptible, and would expose your _Review_ to the ridicule of the +whole bar; but it may be made something of, and I like the subject. I +had a long and amusing talk with the Chancellor the night before last, +on his own and his brother's judgments; I wish I had time to embody our +conversation in an article. + +Yours ever, + +J.W.C. + +Southey is _very_ long, but as good as he is long--I have nearly done +with him. I write _very slowly_, and cannot write long. This letter is +written at three sittings. + +No sooner had Croker got No. 56 of the _Review_ out of his hands than he +made a short visit to Paris. On this Mr. Barrow writes to Murray; + +_Mr. Barrow to John Murray_. + +_April_ 2, 1823. + +"Croker has run away to Paris, and left poor Gifford helpless. What will +become of the _Quarterly?_ ... Poor Gifford told me yesterday that he +felt he _must_ give up the Editorship, and that the doctors had +_ordered_ him to do so." + +Some months later, Barrow wrote to Murray saying that he had seen +Gifford that morning: + +_Mr. Barrow to John Murray_. + +_August_ 18, 1823. + +"I told him to look out for some one to conduct the _Review_, but he +comes to no decision. I told him that you very naturally looked to him +for naming a proper person. He replied he had--Nassau Senior--but that +you had taken some dislike to him. [Footnote: This, so far as can be +ascertained, was a groundless assumption on Mr. Gifford's part.] I then +said, 'You are now well; go on, and let neither Murray nor you trouble +yourselves about a future editor yet; for should you even break down in +the midst of a number, I can only repeat that Croker and myself will +bring it round, and a second number if necessary, to give him time to +look out for and fix upon a proper person, but that the work should not +stop.' I saw he did not like to continue the subject, and we talked of +something else." + +Croker also was quite willing to enter into this scheme, and jointly +with Barrow to undertake the temporary conduct of the _Review_. They +received much assistance also from Mr. J.T. Coleridge, then a young +barrister. Mr. Coleridge, as will be noticed presently, became for a +time editor of the _Quarterly_. "Mr. C. is too long," Gifford wrote to +Murray, "and I am sorry for it. But he is a nice young man, and should +be encouraged." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +HALLAM BASIL HALL--CRABBE--HOPE--HORACE AND JAMES SMITH + + +In 1817 Mr. Murray published for Mr. Hallam his "View of the State of +Europe during the Middle Ages." The acquaintance thus formed led to a +close friendship, which lasted unbroken till Mr. Murray's death. + +Mr. Murray published at this time a variety of books of travel. Some of +these were sent to the Marquess of Abercorn--amongst them Mr. +(afterwards Sir) Henry Ellis's "Proceedings of Lord Amherst's Embassy to +China," [Footnote: "Journal of the Proceedings of the late Embassy to +China, comprising a Correct Narrative of the Public Transactions of the +Embassy, of the Voyage to and from China, and of the Journey from the +Mouth of the Peiho to the Return to Canton." By Henry Ellis, Esq., +Secretary of the Embassy, and Third Commissioner.] about which the +Marchioness, at her husband's request, wrote to the publisher as +follows: + +_Marchioness of Abercorn to John Murray_, + +_December_ 4, 1817. + +"He returns Walpole, as he says since the age of fifteen he has read so +much Grecian history and antiquity that he has these last ten years been +sick of the subject. He does not like Ellis's account of 'The Embassy to +China,' [Footnote: Ellis seems to have been made very uncomfortable by +the publication of his book. It was severely reviewed in the _Times_, +where it was said that the account (then in the press) by Clark Abel, +M.D., Principal Medical Officer and Naturalist to the Embassy, would be +greatly superior. On this Ellis wrote to Murray (October 19, 1817): "An +individual has seldom committed an act so detrimental to his interests +as I have done in this unfortunate publication; and I shall be too happy +when the lapse of time will allow of my utterly forgetting the +occurrence. I am already indifferent to literary criticism, and had +almost forgotten Abel's approaching competition." The work went through +two editions.] but is pleased with Macleod's [Footnote: "Narrative of a +Voyage in His Majesty's late ship _Alceste_ to the Yellow Sea, along the +Coast of Corea, and through its numerous hitherto undiscovered Islands +to the Island of Lewchew, with an Account of her Shipwreck in the +Straits of Gaspar." By John MacLeod, surgeon of the _Alceste_.] +narrative. He bids me tell you to say the best and what is least +obnoxious of the [former] book. The composition and the narrative are so +thoroughly wretched that he should be ashamed to let it stand in his +library. He will be obliged to you to send him Leyden's 'Africa.' Leyden +was a friend of his, and desired leave to dedicate to him while he +lived." + +Mr. Murray, in his reply, deprecated the severity of the Marquess of +Abercorn's criticism on the work of Sir H. Ellis, who had done the best +that he could on a subject of exceeding interest. + +_John Murray to Lady Abercorn_. + +"I am now printing Captain Hall's account (he commanded the _Lyra_), and +I will venture to assure your Ladyship that it is one of the most +delightful books I ever read, and it is calculated to heal the wound +inflicted by poor Ellis. I believe I desired my people to send you +Godwin's novel, which is execrably bad. But in most cases book readers +must balance novelty against disappointment. + +And in reply to a request for more books to replace those condemned or +dull, he asks dryly: + +"Shall I withhold 'Rob Roy' and 'Childe Harold' from your ladyship until +their merits have been ascertained? Even if an indifferent book, it is +something to be amongst the first to _say_ that it is bad. You will be +alarmed, I fear, at having provoked so many reasons for sending you dull +publications.... I am printing two short but very clever novels by poor +Miss Austen, the author of 'Pride and Prejudice.' I send Leyden's +'Africa' for Lord Abercorn, who will be glad to hear that the 'Life and +Posthumous Writings' will be ready soon." + +The Marchioness, in her answer to the above letter, thanked Mr. Murray +for his entertaining answer to her letter, and said: + +_Marchioness of Abercorn to John Murray_. + +"Lord Abercorn says he thinks your conduct with respect to sending books +back that he does not like is particularly liberal. He bids me tell you +how very much he likes Mr. Macleod's book; we had seen some of it in +manuscript before it was published. We are very anxious for Hall's +account, and I trust you will send it to us the moment you can get a +copy finished. + +"No, indeed! you must not (though desirous you may be to punish us for +the severity of the criticism on poor Ellis) keep back for a moment 'Rob +Roy' or the fourth canto of 'Childe Harold.' I have heard a good deal +from Scotland that makes me continue _surmising_ who is the author of +these novels. Our friend Walter paid a visit last summer to a gentleman +on the banks of Loch Lomond--the scene of Rob Roy's exploits--and was at +great pains to learn all the traditions of the country regarding him +from the clergyman and old people of the neighbourhood, of which he got +a considerable stock. I am very glad to hear of a 'Life of Leyden.' He +was a very surprising young man, and his death is a great loss to the +world. Pray send us Miss Austen's novels the moment you can. Lord +Abercorn thinks them next to W. Scott's (if they are by W. Scott); it is +a great pity that we shall have no more of hers. Who are the _Quarterly +Reviewers_? I hear that Lady Morgan suspects Mr. Croker of having +reviewed her 'France,' and intends to be revenged, etc. + +"Believe me to be yours, with great regard, + +"A.J. ABERCORN." + +From many communications addressed to Mr. Murray about the beginning of +1818, it appears that he had proposed to start a _Monthly Register_, +[Footnote: The announcement ran thus: "On the third Saturday in January, +1818, will be published the first number of a NEW PERIODICAL JOURNAL, +the object of which will be to convey to the public a great variety of +new, original, and interesting matter; and by a methodical arrangement +of all Inventions in the Arts, Discoveries in the Sciences, and +Novelties in Literature, to enable the reader to keep pace with human +knowledge. To be printed uniformly with the QUARTERLY REVIEW. The price +by the year will be L2 2s."] and he set up in print a specimen copy. +Many of his correspondents offered to assist him, amongst others Mr. J. +Macculloch, Lord Sheffield, Dr. Polidori, then settled at St. Peter's, +Norwich, Mr. Bulmer of the British Museum, and many other contributors. +He sent copies of the specimen number to Mr. Croker and received the +following candid reply: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_January_ 11, 1818. + +MY DEAR MURRAY, + +Our friend Sepping [Footnote: A naval surveyor.] says, "Nothing is +stronger than its weakest part," and this is as true in book-making as +in shipbuilding. I am sorry to say your _Register_ has, in my opinion, a +great many weak parts. It is for nobody's use; it is too popular and +trivial for the learned, and too abstruse and plodding for the +multitude. The preface is not English, nor yet Scotch or Irish. It must +have been written by Lady Morgan. In the body of the volume, there is +not _one_ new nor curious article, unless it be Lady Hood's "Tiger +Hunt." In your Mechanics there is a miserable want of information, and +in your Statistics there is a sad superabundance of American hyperbole +and dulness mixed together, like the mud and gunpowder which, when a +boy, I used to mix together to make a fizz. Your Poetry is so bad that I +look upon it as your personal kindness to me that you did not put my +lines under that head. Your criticism on Painting begins by calling +West's very pale horse "an extraordinary effort of human _genius_." Your +criticism on Sculpture begins by applauding _beforehand_ Mr. Wyatt's +_impudent_ cenotaph. Your criticism on the Theatre begins by +_denouncing_ the best production of its kind, 'The Beggar's Opera.' Your +article on Engraving puts under the head of Italy a stone drawing made +in Paris. Your own engraving of the Polar Regions is confused and dirty; +and your article on the Polar Seas sets out with the assertion of a fact +of which I was profoundly ignorant, namely, that the Physical +Constitution of the Globe is subject to _constant changes_ and +revolution. Of _constant changes_ I never heard, except in one of +Congreve's plays, in which the fair sex is accused of _constant +inconstancy_; but suppose that for _constant_ you read _frequent_. I +should wish you, for my own particular information, to add in a note a +few instances of the Physical Changes in the Constitution of the Globe, +which have occurred since the year 1781, in which I happened to be born. +I know of none, and I should be sorry to go out of the world ignorant of +what has passed in my own time. You send me your proof "for my boldest +criticism." I have hurried over rather than read through the pages, and +I give you honestly, and as plainly as an infamous pen (the same, I +presume, which drew your polar chart) will permit, my hasty impression. +If you will call here to-morrow between twelve and one, I will talk with +you on the subject. + +Yours, + +J.W.C. + +The project was eventually abandoned. Murray entered into the +arrangement, already described, with Blackwood, of the _Edinburgh +Magazine_. The article on the "Polar Ice" was inserted in the +_Quarterly_. + +Towards the end of 1818, Mr. Crabbe called upon Mr. Murray and offered +to publish through him his "Tales of the Hall," consisting of about +twelve thousand lines. He also proposed to transfer to him from Mr. +Colburn his other poems, so that the whole might be printed uniformly. +Mr. Crabbe, who up to this period had received very little for his +writings, was surprised when Mr. Murray offered him no less than L3,000 +for the copyright of his poems. It seemed to him a mine of wealth +compared to all that he had yet received. The following morning +(December 6) he breakfasted with Mr. Rogers, and Tom Moore was present. +Crabbe told them of his good fortune, and of the magnificent offer he +had received. Rogers thought it was not enough, and that Crabbe should +have received L3,000 for the "Tales of the Hall" alone, and that he +would try if the Longmans would not give more. He went to Paternoster +Row accordingly, and tried the Longmans; but they would not give more +than L1,000 for the new work and the copyright of the old poems--that +is, only one-third of what Murray had offered. [Footnote: "Memoirs, +Journals, Correspondence, of Thomas Moore," by Lord John Russell, ii. +237.] + +When Crabbe was informed of this, he was in a state of great +consternation. As Rogers had been bargaining with another publisher for +better terms, the matter seemed still to be considered open; and in the +meantime, if Murray were informed of the event, he might feel umbrage +and withdraw his offer. Crabbe wrote to Murray on the subject, but +received no answer. He had within his reach a prize far beyond his most +sanguine hopes, and now, by the over-officiousness of his friends, he +was in danger of losing it. In this crisis Rogers and Moore called upon +Murray, and made enquiries on the subject of Crabbe's poems. "Oh, yes," +he said, "I have heard from Mr. Crabbe, and look upon the matter as +settled." Crabbe was thus released from all his fears. When he received +the bills for L3,000, he insisted on taking them with him to Trowbridge +to show them to his son John. + +It proved after all that the Longmans were right in their offer to +Rogers; Murray was far too liberal. Moore, in his Diary (iii. 332), +says, "Even if the whole of the edition (3,000) were sold, Murray would +still be L1,900 minus." Crabbe had some difficulty in getting his old +poems out of the hands of his former publisher, who wrote to him in a +strain of the wildest indignation, and even threatened him with legal +proceedings, but eventually the unsold stock, consisting of 2,426 +copies, was handed over by Hatchard & Colburn to Mr. Murray, and nothing +more was heard of this controversy between them and the poet. + +"Anastasius, or Memoirs of a Modern Greek, written at the Close of the +18th Century," was published anonymously, and was confidently asserted +to be the work of Lord Byron, as the only person capable of having +produced it. When the author was announced to be Mr. Thomas Hope, of +Deepdene, some incredulity was expressed by the _literati_. + +The Countess of Blessington, in her "Conversations with Lord Byron," +says: "Byron spoke to-day in terms of high commendation of Hope's +'Anastasius'; said he had wept bitterly over many pages of it, and for +two reasons--first, that he had not written it; and, secondly, that Hope +had; for that it was necessary to like a man excessively to pardon his +writing such a book--a book, he said, excelling all recent productions +as much in wit and talent as in true pathos. He added that he would have +given his two most approved poems to have been the author of +'Anastasius.'" The work was greatly read at the time, and went through +many large editions. + +The refusal of the "Rejected Addresses," by Horace and James Smith, was +one of Mr. Murray's few mistakes. Horace was a stockbroker, and James a +solicitor. They were not generally known as authors, though they +contributed anonymously to the _New Monthly Magazine_, which was +conducted by Campbell the poet. In 1812 they produced a collection +purporting to be "Rejected Addresses, presented for competition at the +opening of Drury Lane Theatre." They offered the collection to Mr. +Murray for L20, but he declined to purchase the copyright. The Smiths +were connected with Cadell the publisher, and Murray, thinking that the +MS. had been offered to and rejected by him, declined to look into it. +The "Rejected Addresses" were eventually published by John Miller, and +excited a great deal of curiosity. They were considered to be the best +imitations of living poets ever made. Byron was delighted with them. He +wrote to Mr. Murray that he thought them "by far the best thing of the +kind since the 'Rolliad.'" Crabbe said of the verses in imitation of +himself, "In their versification they have done me admirably." When he +afterwards met Horace Smith, he seized both hands of the satirist, and +said, with a good-humoured laugh, "Ah! my old enemy, how do you do?" +Jeffrey said of the collection, "I take them, indeed, to be the very +best imitations (and often of difficult originals) that ever were made, +and, considering their extent and variety, to indicate a talent to which +I do not know where to look for a parallel." Murray had no sooner read +the volume than he spared no pains to become the publisher, but it was +not until after the appearance of the sixteenth edition that he was able +to purchase the copyright for L131. + +Towards the end of 1819, Mr. Murray was threatened with an action on +account of certain articles which had appeared in Nos. 37 and 38 of the +_Quarterly_ relative to the campaign in Italy against Murat, King of +Naples. The first was written by Dr. Reginald (afterwards Bishop) Heber, +under the title of "Military and Political Power of Russia, by Sir +Robert Wilson"; the second was entitled "Sir Robert Wilson's Reply." +Colonel Macirone occupied a very unimportant place in both articles. He +had been in the service of Murat while King of Naples, and acted as his +aide-de-camp, which post he retained after Murat became engaged in +hostilities with Austria, then in alliance with England. Macirone was +furnished with a passport for _himself_ as envoy of the Allied Powers, +and provided with another passport for Murat, under the name of Count +Lipona, to be used by him in case he abandoned his claim to the throne +of Naples. Murat indignantly declined the proposal, and took refuge in +Corsica. Yet Macirone delivered to Murat the passport. Not only so, but +he deliberately misled Captain Bastard, the commander of a small English +squadron which had been stationed at Bastia to intercept Murat in the +event of his embarking for the purpose of regaining his throne at +Naples. Murat embarked, landed in Italy without interruption, and was +soon after defeated and taken prisoner. He thereupon endeavoured to use +the passport which Macirone had given him, to secure his release, but it +was too late; he was tried and shot at Pizzo. The reviewer spoke of +Colonel Macirone in no very measured terms. "For Murat," he said, "we +cannot feel respect, but we feel very considerable pity. Of Mr. Macirone +we are tempted to predict that he has little reason to apprehend the +honourable mode of death which was inflicted on his master. _His_ +vocation seems to be another kind of exit." + +Macirone gave notice of an action for damages, and claimed no less than +L10,000. Serjeant Copley (afterwards Lord Lyndhurst), then +Solicitor-General, and Mr. Gurney, were retained for Mr. Murray by his +legal adviser Mr. Sharon Turner. + +The case came on, and on the Bench were seated the Duke of Wellington, +Lord Liverpool, and other leading statesmen, who had been subpoenaed as +witnesses for the defence. One of the Ridgways, publishers, had also +been subpoenaed with an accredited copy of Macirone's book; but it was +not necessary to produce him as a witness, as Mr. Ball, the counsel for +Macirone, _quoted_ passages from it, and thus made the entire book +available as evidence for the defendant, a proceeding of which Serjeant +Copley availed himself with telling effect. He substantiated the facts +stated in the _Quarterly_ article by passages quoted from Colonel +Macirone's own "Memoirs." Before he had concluded his speech, it became +obvious that the Jury had arrived at the conclusion to which he wished +to lead them; but he went on to drive the conclusion home by a splendid +peroration. [Footnote: Given in Sir Theodore Martin's "Life of Lord +Lyudhurst," p. 170.] The Jury intimated that they were all agreed; but +the Judge, as a matter of precaution, proceeded to charge them on the +evidence placed before them; and as soon as he had concluded, the Jury, +without retiring from the box, at once returned their verdict for the +defendant. + +Although Mr. Murray had now a house in the country, he was almost +invariably to be found at Albemarle Street. We find, in one of his +letters to Blackwood, dated Wimbledon, May 22, 1819, the following: "I +have been unwell with bile and rheumatism, and have come to a little +place here, which I have bought lately, for a few days to recruit." + +The following description of a reception at Mr. Murray's is taken from +the "Autobiography" of Mrs. Bray, the novelist. She relates that in the +autumn of 1819 she made a visit to Mr. Murray, with her first husband, +Charles Stothard, son of the well-known artist, for the purpose of +showing him the illustrations of his "Letters from Normandy and +Brittany." + + +"We did not know," she says, "that Mr. Murray held daily from about +three to five o'clock a literary levee at his house. In this way he +gathered round him many of the most eminent men of the time. On calling, +we sent up our cards, and finding he was engaged, proposed to retreat, +when Mr. Murray himself appeared and insisted on our coming up. I was +introduced to him by my husband, and welcomed by him with all the +cordiality of an old acquaintance. He said Sir Walter Scott was there, +and he thought that we should like to see him, and to be introduced to +him. 'You will know him at once,' added Mr. Murray, 'he is sitting on +the sofa near the fire-place.' We found Sir Walter talking to Mr. +Gifford, then the Editor of the _Quarterly Review_. The room was filled +with men and women, and among them several of the principal authors and +authoresses of the day; but my attention was so fixed on Sir Walter and +Mr. Gifford that I took little notice of the rest. Many of those present +were engaged in looking at and making remarks upon a drawing, which +represented a Venetian Countess (Guiccioli), the favourite, but not very +respectable friend of Lord Byron. Mr. Murray made his way through the +throng in order to lead us up to Sir Walter. We were introduced. Mr. +Murray, anxious to remove the awkwardness of a first introduction, +wished to say something which would engage a conversation between +ourselves and Sir Walter Scott, and asked Charles if he happened to have +about him his drawing of the Bayeux tapestry to show to Sir Walter. +Charles smiled and said 'No'; but the saying answered the desired end; +something had been said that led to conversation, and Sir Walter, +Gifford, Mr. Murray, and Charles chatted on, and I listened. + +"Gifford looked very aged, his face much wrinkled, and he seemed to be +in declining health; his dress was careless, and his cravat and +waistcoat covered with snuff. There was an antique, philosophic cast +about his head and countenance, better adapted to exact a feeling of +curiosity in a stranger than the head of Sir Walter Scott; the latter +seemed more a man of this world's mould. Such, too, was his character; +for, with all his fine genius, Sir Walter would never have been so +successful an author, had he not possessed so large a share of common +sense, united to a business-like method of conducting his affairs, even +those which perhaps I might venture to call the affairs of imagination. +We took our leave; and before we got further than the first landing, we +met Mr. Murray conducting Sir Walter downstairs; they were going to have +a private chat before the departure of the latter." [Footnote: "Mrs. +Bray's Autobiography," pp. 145-7.] + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +MEMOIRS OF LADY HERVEY AND HORACE WALPOLE--BELZONI--MILMAN--SOUTHEY +--MRS. RUNDELL, ETC. + + +About the beginning of 1819 the question of publishing the letters and +reminiscences of Lady Hervey, grandmother of the Earl of Mulgrave, was +brought under the notice of Mr. Murray. Lady Hervey was the daughter of +Brigadier-General Lepel, and the wife of Lord Hervey of Ickworth, author +of the "Memoirs of the Court of George II. and Queen Caroline." Her +letters formed a sort of anecdotal history of the politics and +literature of her times. A mysterious attachment is said to have existed +between her and Lord Chesterfield, who, in his letters to his son, +desired him never to mention her name when he could avoid it, while she, +on the other hand, adopted all Lord Chesterfield's opinions, as +afterwards appeared in the aforesaid letters. Mr. Walter Hamilton, +author of the "Gazetteer of India," an old and intimate friend of Mr. +Murray, who first brought the subject under Mr. Murray's notice, said, +"Lady Hervey writes more like a man than a woman, something like Lady +M.W. Montagu, and in giving her opinion she never minces matters." Mr. +Hamilton recommended that Archdeacon Coxe, author of the "Lives of Sir +Robert and Horace Walpole," should be the editor. Mr. Murray, however, +consulted his _fidus Achates_, Mr. Croker; and, putting the letters in +his hands, asked him to peruse them, and, if he approved, to edit them. +The following was Mr. Croker's answer: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_November_ 22, 1820. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I shall do more than you ask. I shall give you a biographical +sketch--sketch, do you hear?--of Lady Hervey, and notes on her letters, +in which I shall endeavour to enliven a little the _sameness_ of my +author. Don't think that I say _sameness_ in derogation of dear Mary +Lepel's _powers_ of entertainment. I have been _in love_ with her a long +time; which, as she was dead twenty years before I was born, I may +without indiscretion avow; but all these letters being written in a +journal style and to one person, there is a want of that variety which +Lady Hervey's mind was capable of giving. I have applied to her family +for a little assistance; hitherto without success; and I think, as a +_lover_ of Lady Hervey's, I might reasonably resent the little +enthusiasm I find that her descendants felt about her. In order to +enable me to do this little job for you, I wish you would procure for me +a file, if such a thing exists, of any newspaper from about 1740 to +1758, at which latter date the _Annual Register_ begins, as I remember. +So many little circumstances are mentioned in letters, and forgotten in +history, that without some such guide, I shall make but blind work of +it. If it be necessary, I will go to the Museum and _grab_ them, as my +betters have done before me. My dear little Nony [Footnote: Mr. Croker's +adopted daughter, afterwards married to Sir George Barrow.] was worse +last night, and not better all to-day; but this evening they make me +happy by saying that she is decidedly improved. + +Yours ever, + +J.W. CROKER. + +Send me "Walpoliana," I have lost or mislaid mine. Are there any memoirs +about the date of 1743, or later, beside Bubb's? + +That Mr. Croker made all haste and exercised his usual painstaking +industry in doing "this little job" for Mr. Murray will be evident from +the following letters: + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_December_ 27, 1820. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I have done "Lady Hervey." I hear that there is a Mr. Vincent in the +Treasury, the son of a Mr. and Mrs. Vincent, to whom the late General +Hervey, the favourite son of Lady Hervey, left his fortune and his +papers. Could you find out who they are? Nothing is more surprising than +the ignorance in which I find all Lady Hervey's descendants about her. +Most of them never heard her maiden name. It reminds one of Walpole +writing to George Montagu, to tell him who his grandmother was! I am +anxious to knock off this task whilst what little I know of it is fresh +in my recollection; for I foresee that much of the entertainment of the +work must depend on the elucidations in the Notes. + +Yours, + +J.W.C. + +The publication of Lady Hervey's letters in 1821 was so successful that +Mr. Croker was afterwards induced to edit, with great advantage, letters +and memorials of a similar character. [Footnote: As late as 1848, Mr. +Croker edited Lord Hervey's "Memoirs of the Court of George II. and +Queen Caroline," from the family archives at Ickworth. The editor in his +preface said that Lord Hervey was almost the Boswell of George II. and +Queen Caroline.] + +The next important _memoires pour servir_ were brought under Mr. +Murray's notice by Lord Holland, in the following letter: + + +_Lord Holland to John Murray_. + +HOLLAND HOUSE, _November_ 1820. + +SIR, + +I wrote a letter to you last week which by some accident Lord +Lauderdale, who had taken charge of it, has mislaid. The object of it +was to request you to call here some morning, and to let me know the +hour by a line by two-penny post. I am authorized to dispose of two +historical works, the one a short but admirably written and interesting +memoir of the late Lord Waldegrave, who was a favourite of George II., +and governor of George III. when Prince of Wales. The second consists of +three close-written volumes of "Memoirs by Horace Walpole" (afterwards +Lord Orford), which comprise the last nine years of George II.'s reign. +I am anxious to give you the refusal of them, as I hear you have already +expressed a wish to publish anything of this kind written by Horace +Walpole, and had indirectly conveyed that wish to Lord Waldegrave, to +whom these and many other MSS. of that lively and laborious writer +belong. Lord Lauderdale has offered to assist me in adjusting the terms +of the agreement, and perhaps you will arrange with him; he lives at +Warren's Hotel, Waterloo Place, where you can make it convenient to meet +him. I would meet you there, or call at your house; but before you can +make any specific offer, you will no doubt like to look at the MSS., +which are here, and which (not being mine) I do not like to expose +unnecessarily to the risk even of a removal to London and back again. + +I am, Sir, your obedient humble Servant, etc., + +VASSALL HOLLAND. + + +It would appear that Mr. Murray called upon Lord Holland and looked over +the MSS., but made no proposal to purchase the papers. The matter lay +over until Lord Holland again addressed Mr. Murray. + + +_Lord Holland to John Murray_. + +"It appears that you are either not aware of the interesting nature of +the MSS. which I showed you, or that the indifference produced by the +present frenzy about the Queen's business [Footnote: The trial of Queen +Caroline was then occupying public attention.] to all literary +publications, has discouraged you from an undertaking in which you would +otherwise engage most willingly. However, to come to the point. I have +consulted Lord Waldegrave on the subject, and we agree that the two +works, viz. his grandfather, Lord Waldegrave's "Memoirs," and Horace +Walpole's "Memoirs of the Last Nine Years of George II.," should not be +sold for less than 3,000 guineas. If that sum would meet your ideas, or +if you have any other offer to make, I will thank you to let me know +before the second of next month." + +Three thousand guineas was certainly a very large price to ask for the +Memoirs, and Mr. Murray hesitated very much before acceding to Lord +Holland's proposal. He requested to have the MSS. for the purpose of +consulting his literary adviser--probably Mr. Croker, though the +following remarks, now before us, are not in his handwriting. + +"This book of yours," says the critic, "is a singular production. It is +ill-written, deficient in grammar, and often in English; and yet it +interests and even amuses. Now, the subjects of it are all, I suppose, +gone _ad plures_; otherwise it would be intolerable. The writer richly +deserves a licking or a cudgelling to every page, and yet I am ashamed +to say I have travelled unwearied with him through the whole, divided +between a grin and a scowl. I never saw nor heard of such an animal as a +splenetic, bustling kind of a poco-curante. By the way, if you happen to +hear of any plan for making me a king, be so good as to say that I am +deceased; or tell any other good-natured lie to put the king-makers off +their purpose. I really cannot submit to be the only slave in the +nation, especially when I have a crossing to sweep within five yards of +my door, and may gain my bread with less ill-usage than a king is +obliged to put up with. If half that is here told be true, Lord Holland +seems to me to tread on + + + 'ignes + Suppositos cineri doloso' + + +in retouching any part of the manuscript. He is so perfectly kind and +good-natured, that he will feel more than any man the complaints of +partiality and injustice; and where he is to stop, I see not. There is +so much abuse that little is to be gained by an occasional erasure, +while suspicion is excited. He would have consulted his quiet more by +leaving the author to bear the blame of his own scandal." + +Notwithstanding this adverse judgment, Mr. Murray was disposed to buy +the Memoirs. Lord Holland drove a very hard bargain, and endeavoured to +obtain better terms from other publishers, but he could not, and +eventually Mr. Murray paid to Lord Waldegrave, through Lord Holland, the +sum of L2,500 on November 1, 1821, for the Waldegrave and Walpole +Memoirs. They were edited by Lord Holland, who wrote a preface to each, +and were published in the following year, but never repaid their +expenses. After suffering considerable loss by this venture, Mr. +Murray's rights were sold, after his death, to Mr. Colburn. + +The last of the _memoires pour servir_ to which we shall here refer was +the Letters of the Countess of Suffolk, bedchamber woman to the Princess +of Wales (Caroline of Anspach), and a favourite of the Prince of Wales, +afterwards George II. The Suffolk papers were admirably edited by Mr. +Croker. Thackeray, in his "Lecture on George the Second," says of his +work: "Even Croker, who edited her letters, loves her, and has that +regard for her with which her sweet graciousness seems to have inspired +almost all men, and some women, who came near her." The following letter +of Croker shows the spirit in which he began to edit the Countess's +letters: + + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +_May_ 29, 1822. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +As you told me that you are desirous of publishing the Suffolk volume by +November, and as I have, all my life, had an aversion to making any one +wait for me, I am anxious to begin my work upon them, and, if we are to +be out by November, I presume it is high time. I must beg of you to +answer me the following questions. + +1st. What shape will you adopt? I think the correspondence of a nature +rather too light for a quarto, and yet it would look well on the same +shelf with Horace Walpole's works. If you should prefer an octavo, like +Lady Hervey's letters, the papers would furnish two volumes. I, for my +part, should prefer the quarto size, which is a great favourite with me, +and the letters of such persons as Pope, Swift, and Gay, the Duchesses +of Buckingham, Queensberry, and Marlbro', Lords Peterborough, +Chesterfield, Bathurst, and Lansdowne, Messrs. Pitt, Pulteney, Pelham, +Grenville, and Horace Walpole, seem to me almost to justify the +magnificence of the quarto; though, in truth, all their epistles are, in +its narrowest sense, _familiar_, and treat chiefly of tittle-tattle. + +Decide, however, on your own view of your interests, only recollect that +these papers are not to cost you more than "Belshazzar," [Footnote: Mr. +Milman's poem, for which Mr. Murray paid 500 guineas.] which I take to +be of about the intrinsic value of the _writings on the walls_, and not +a third of what you have given Mr. Crayon for his portrait of Squire +Bracebridge. + +2nd. Do you intend to have any portraits? One of Lady Suffolk is almost +indispensable, and would be enough. There are two of her at Strawberry +Hill; one, I think, a print, and neither, if I forget not, very good. +There is also a print, an unassuming one, in Walpole's works, but a good +artist would make something out of any of these, if even we can get +nothing better to make our copy from. If you were to increase your +number of portraits, I would add the Duchess of Queensberry, from a +picture at Dalkeith which is alluded to in the letters; Lady Hervey and +her beautiful friend, Mary Bellenden. They are in Walpole's works; Lady +Hervey rather mawkish, but the Bellenden charming. I dare say these +plates could now be bought cheap, and retouched from the originals, +which would make them better than ever they were. Lady Vere (sister of +Lady Temple, which latter is engraved in Park's edition of the "Noble +Authors") was a lively writer, and is much distinguished in this +correspondence. Of the men, I should propose Lord Peterborough, whose +portraits are little known; Lord Liverpool has one of him, not, however, +very characteristic. Mr. Pulteney is also little known, but he has been +lately re-published in the Kit-cat Club. Of _our Horace_ there is not a +decent engraving anywhere. I presume that there must be a good original +of him somewhere. Whatever you mean to do on this point, you should come +to an early determination and put the works in hand. + +3rd. I mean, if you approve, to prefix a biographical sketch of Mrs. +Howard and two or three of those beautiful characters with which, in +prose and verse, the greatest wits of the last century honoured her and +themselves. To the first letter of each remarkable correspondent I would +also affix a slight notice, and I would add, at the foot of the page, +notes in the style of those on Lady Hervey. Let me know whether this +plan suits your fancy. + +4th. All the letters of Swift, except one or two, in this collection are +printed (though not always accurately) in Scott's edition of his works. +Yet I think it would be proper to reprint them from the originals, +because they elucidate much of Lady Suffolk's history, and her +correspondence could not be said to be complete without them. Let me +know your wishes on this point. + +5th. My materials are numerous, though perhaps the pieces of great merit +are not many. I must therefore beg of you to set up, in the form and +type you wish to adopt, the sheet which I send you, and you must say +about how many pages you wish your volume, or volumes, to be. I will +then select as much of the most interesting as will fill the space which +you may desire to occupy. + +Yours truly, + +J.W. CROKER. + + +Mr. Croker also consented to edit the letters of Mrs. Delany to Mr. +Hamilton, 1779-88, containing many anecdotes relating to the Royal +Family. + +_Mr. Croker to John Murray_. + +"I have shown Mrs. Delany's MS. letters to the Prince Regent; he was +much entertained with this revival of old times in his recollection, and +_he says that every word of it is true_. You know that H.R.H. has a +wonderful memory, and particularly for things of that kind. His +certificate of Mrs. Delany's veracity will therefore be probably of some +weight with you. As to the letter-writing powers of Mrs. Delany, the +specimen inclines me to doubt. Her style seems stiff and formal, and +though these two letters, which describe a peculiar kind of scene, have +a good deal of interest in them, I do not hope for the same amusement +from the rest of the collection. Poverty, obscurity, general ill-health, +and blindness are but unpromising qualifications for making an agreeable +volume of letters. If a shopkeeper at Portsmouth were to write his life, +the extracts of what relates to the two days of the Imperial and Royal +visit of 1814 would be amusing, though all the rest of the half century +of his life would be intolerably tedious. I therefore counsel you not to +buy the pig in Miss Hamilton's bag (though she is a most respectable +lady), but ask to see the whole collection before you bid." + +The whole collection was obtained, and, with some corrections and +elucidations, the volume of letters was given to the world by Mr. Murray +in 1821. + +In May 1820 Mr. Murray requested Mr. Croker to edit Horace Walpole's +"Reminiscences." Mr. Croker replied, saying: "I should certainly like +the task very well if I felt a little better satisfied of my ability to +perform it. Something towards such a work I would certainly contribute, +for I have always loved that kind of tea-table history." Not being able +to undertake the work himself, Mr. Croker recommended Mr. Murray to +apply to Miss Berry, the editor of Lady Russell's letters. "The Life," +he said, "by which those letters were preceded, is a beautiful piece of +biography, and shows, besides higher qualities, much of that taste which +a commentator on the 'Reminiscences' ought to have." The work was +accordingly placed in the hands of Miss Berry, who edited it +satisfactorily, and it was published by Mr. Murray in the course of the +following year. + +Dr. Tomline, while Bishop of Winchester, entered into a correspondence +with Mr. Murray respecting the "Life of William Pitt." In December +1820, Dr. Tomline said he had brought the Memoirs down to the +Declaration of War by France against Great Britain on February I, 1793, +and that the whole would make two volumes quarto. Until he became Bishop +of Lincoln, Dr. Tomline had been Pitt's secretary, and from the +opportunities he had possessed, there was promise here of a great work; +but it was not well executed, and though a continuation was promised, it +never appeared. When the work was sent to Mr. Gifford, he wrote to Mr. +Murray that it was not at all what he expected, for it contained nothing +of Pitt's private history. "He seems to be uneasy until he gets back to +his Parliamentary papers. Yet it can hardly fail to be pretty widely +interesting; but I would not have you make yourself too uneasy about +these things. Pitt's name, and the Bishop's, will make the work sell." +Gifford was right. The "Life" went to a fourth edition in the following +year. + +Among Mr. Murray's devoted friends and adherents was Giovanni Belzoni, +who, born at Padua in 1778, had, when a young man at Rome, intended to +devote himself to the monastic life, but the French invasion of the city +altered his purpose, and, instead of being a monk, he became an athlete. +He was a man of gigantic physical power, and went from place to place, +gaining his living in England, as elsewhere, as a posture-master, and by +exhibiting at shows his great feats of strength. He made enough by this +work to enable him to visit Egypt, where he erected hydraulic machines +for the Pasha, and, through the influence of Mr. Salt, the British +Consul, was employed to remove from Thebes, and ship for England, the +colossal bust commonly called the Young Memnon. His knowledge of +mechanics enabled him to accomplish this with great dexterity, and the +head, now in the British Museum, is one of the finest specimens of +Egyptian sculpture. + +Belzoni, after performing this task, made further investigations among +the Egyptian tombs and temples. He was the first to open the great +temple of Ipsambul, cut in the side of a mountain, and at that time shut +in by an accumulation of sand. Encouraged by these successes, he, in +1817, made a second journey to Upper Egypt and Nubia, and brought to +light at Carnac several colossal heads of granite, now in the British +Museum. After some further explorations among the tombs and temples, for +which he was liberally paid by Mr. Salt, Belzoni returned to England +with numerous drawings, casts, and many important works of Egyptian art. +He called upon Mr. Murray, with the view of publishing the results of +his investigations, which in due course were issued under the title of +"Narrative of the Operations and recent Discoveries within the Pyramids, +Temples, Tombs, and Excavations in Egypt and Nubia." + +It was a very expensive book to arrange and publish, but nothing daunted +Mr. Murray when a new and original work was brought under his notice. +Although only 1,000 copies were printed, the payments to Belzoni and his +translators, as well as for plates and engravings, amounted to over +L2,163. The preparation of the work gave rise to no little difficulty, +for Belzoni declined all help beyond that of the individual who was +employed to copy out or translate his manuscript and correct the press. +"As I make my discoveries alone," he said, "I have been anxious to write +my book by myself, though in so doing the reader will consider me, with +great propriety, guilty of temerity; but the public will, perhaps, gain +in the fidelity of my narration what it loses in elegance." Lord Byron, +to whom Mr. Murray sent a copy of his work, said: "Belzoni _is_ a grand +traveller, and his English is very prettily broken." + +Belzoni was a very interesting character, and a man of great natural +refinement. After the publication of his work, he became one of the +fashionable lions of London, but was very sensitive about his early +career, and very sedulous to sink the posture-master in the traveller. +He was often present at Mr. Murray's receptions; and on one particular +occasion he was invited to join the family circle in Albemarle Street on +the last evening of 1822, to see the Old Year out and the New Year in. +All Mr. Murray's young people were present, as well as the entire +D'Israeli family and Crofton Croker. After a merry game of Pope Joan, +Mr. Murray presented each of the company with a pocket-book as a New +Year's gift. A special bowl of punch was brewed for the occasion, and, +while it was being prepared, Mr. Isaac D'Israeli took up Crofton +Croker's pocket-book, and with his pencil wrote the following impromptu +words: + +"Gigantic Belzoni at Pope Joan and tea. +What a group of mere puppets we seem beside thee; +Which, our kind host perceiving, with infinite zest, +Gives us Punch at our supper, to keep up the jest." + +The lines were pronounced to be excellent, and Belzoni, wishing to share +in the enjoyment, desired to see the words. He read the last line twice +over, and then, his eyes flashing fire, he exclaimed, "I am betrayed!" +and suddenly left the room. Crofton Croker called upon Belzoni to +ascertain the reason for his abrupt departure from Mr. Murray's, and was +informed that he considered the lines to be an insulting allusion to his +early career as a showman. Croker assured him that neither Murray nor +D'Israeli knew anything of his former life; finally he prevailed upon +Belzoni to accompany him to Mr. Murray's, who for the first time learnt +that the celebrated Egyptian explorer had many years before been an +itinerant exhibitor in England. + +In 1823 Belzoni set out for Morocco, intending to penetrate thence to +Eastern Africa; he wrote to Mr. Murray from Gibraltar, thanking him for +many acts of kindness, and again from Tangier. + + +_M.G. Belzoni to John Murray_. + +_April_ 10, 1823. + +"I have just received permission from H.M. the Emperor of Morocco to go +to Fez, and am in hopes to obtain his approbation to enter the desert +along with the caravan to Soudan. The letter of introduction from Mr. +Wilmot to Mr. Douglas has been of much importance to me; this gentleman +fortunately finds pleasure in affording me all the assistance in his +power to promote my wishes, a circumstance which I have not been +accustomed to meet in some other parts of Africa. I shall do myself the +pleasure to acquaint you of my further progress at Fez, if not from some +other part of Morocco." + + +Belzoni would appear to have changed his intention, and endeavoured to +penetrate to Timbuctoo from Benin, where, however, he was attacked by +dysentery, and died a short time after the above letter was written. + +Like many other men of Herculean power, he was not eager to exhibit his +strength; but on one occasion he gave proof of it in the following +circumstances. Mr. Murray had asked him to accompany him to the +Coronation of George IV. They had tickets of admittance to Westminster +Hall, but on arriving there they found that the sudden advent of Queen +Caroline, attended by a mob claiming admission to the Abbey, had alarmed +the authorities, who caused all the doors to be shut. That by which they +should have entered was held close and guarded by several stalwart +janitors. Belzoni thereupon advanced to the door, and, in spite of the +efforts of these guardians, including Tom Crib and others of the +pugilistic corps who had been engaged as constables, opened it with +ease, and admitted himself and Mr. Murray. + +In 1820 Mr. Murray was invited to publish "The Fall of Jerusalem, a +Sacred Tragedy," by the Rev. H.H. Milman, afterwards Dean of St. Paul's. +As usual, he consulted Mr. Gifford, whose opinion was most favourable. +"I have been more and more struck," he said, "with the innumerable +beauties in Milman's 'Fall of Jerusalem.'" + +Mr. Murray requested the author to state his own price for the +copyright, and Mr. Milman wrote: + +"I am totally at a loss to fix one. I think I might decide whether an +offer were exceedingly high or exceedingly low, whether a Byron or Scott +price, or such as is given to the first essay of a new author. Though +the 'Fall of Jerusalem' might demand an Israelitish bargain, yet I shall +not be a Jew further than my poetry. Make a liberal offer, such as the +prospect will warrant, and I will at once reply, but I am neither able +nor inclined to name a price.... As I am at present not very far +advanced in life, I may hereafter have further dealings with the Press, +and, of course, where I meet with liberality shall hope to make a return +in the same way. It has been rather a favourite scheme of mine, though +this drama cannot appear on the boards, to show it before it is +published to my friend Mrs. Siddons, who perhaps might like to read it, +either at home or abroad. I have not even hinted at such a thing to her, +so that this is mere uncertainty, and, before it is printed, it would be +in vain to think of it, as the old lady's eyes and MS. could never agree +together. + +"P.S.--I ought to have said that I am very glad of Aristarchus' +[Grifford's] approval. And, by the way, I think, if I help you in +redeeming your character from 'Don Juan,' the 'Hetaerse' in the +_Quarterly_, [Footnote: Mitchell's article on "Female Society in +Greece," _Q.R._ No. 43.] etc., you ought to estimate that very highly." + +Mr. Murray offered Mr. Milman five hundred guineas for the copyright, +to which the author replied: "Your offer appears to me very fair, and I +shall have no scruple in acceding to it." + +Milman, in addition to numerous plays and poems, became a contributor to +the _Quarterly_, and one of Murray's historians. He wrote the "History +of the Jews" and the "History of Christianity"; he edited Gibbon and +Horace, and continued during his lifetime to be one of Mr. Murray's most +intimate and attached friends. + +In 1820 we find the first mention of a name afterwards to become as +celebrated as any of those with which Mr. Murray was associated. Owing +to the warm friendship which existed between the Murrays and the +D'Israelis, the younger members of both families were constantly brought +together on the most intimate terms. Mr. Murray was among the first to +mark the abilities of the boy, Benjamin Disraeli, and, as would appear +from the subjoined letter, his confidence in his abilities was so firm +that he consulted him as to the merits of a MS. when he had scarcely +reached his eighteenth year. + +_Mr. Benjamin Disraeli to John Murray_. _August_ 1822. + +Dear Sir, + +I ran my eye over three acts of "Wallace," [Footnote: "Wallace: a +Historical Tragedy," in five acts, was published in 1820. Joanna Baillie +spoke of the author, C.E. Walker, as "a very young and promising +dramatist."] and, as far as I could form an opinion, I cannot conceive +these acts to be as effective on the stage as you seemed to expect. +However, it is impossible to say what a very clever actor like Macready +may make of some of the passages. Notwithstanding the many erasures the +diction is still diffuse, and sometimes languishing, though not +inelegant. I cannot imagine it a powerful work as far as I have read. +But, indeed, running over a part of a thing with people talking around +is too unfair. I shall be anxious to hear how it succeeds. Many thanks, +dear sir, for lending it to me. Your note arrives. If on so slight a +knowledge of the play I could venture to erase either of the words you +set before me, I fear it would be _Yes_, but I feel cruel and wicked in +saying so. I hope you got your dinner in comfort when you got rid of me +and that gentle pyramid [Belzoni]. + +Yours truly, + +B.D. + +Mr. Southey was an indefatigable and elaborate correspondent, and, as +his letters have already been published, it is not necessary to quote +them. He rarely wrote to Mr. Gifford, who cut down his articles, and, as +Southey insisted, generally emasculated them by omitting the best +portions. Two extracts may be given from those written to Mr. Murray in +1820, which do not seem yet to have been given to the world, the first +in reference to a proposed Life of Warren Hastings: + +"It appears to me that the proper plan will be to publish a selection +from Warren Hastings's papers and correspondence, accompanying it with +his Life. That Life requires a compendious view of our Indian history +down to the time of his administration, and in its progress it embraces +the preservation of our Indian empire and the establishment of the +existing system. Something must be interwoven concerning the history of +the native powers, Mahomedan, Moor, Mahratta, etc., and their +institutions. I see how all this is to be introduced, and see also that +no subject can afford materials more important or more various. And what +a pleasure it will be to read the triumph of such a man as Hastings over +the tremendous combination of his persecutors at home! I had a noble +catastrophe in writing the Life of Nelson, but the latter days of +Hastings afford a scene more touching, and perhaps more sublime, because +it is more uncommon. Let me have the works of Orme and Bruce and Mill, +and I will set apart a portion of every day to the course of reading, +and begin my notes accordingly." + +The second touches on his perennial grievance against Gifford: + +"You will really serve as well as oblige me, if you will let me have a +duplicate set of proofs of my articles, that I may not _lose_ the +passages which Mr. Gifford, in spite of repeated promises, always will +strike out. In the last paper, among many other mutilations, the most +useful _fact_ in the essay, for its immediate practical application, has +been omitted, and for no imaginable reason (the historical fact that it +was the reading a calumnious libel which induced Felton to murder the +Duke of Buckingham). When next I touch upon public affairs for you, I +will break the Whigs upon the wheel." + +Mrs. Graham, afterwards Lady Callcott, then the wife of Captain Graham, +R.N., an authoress and friend of the Murray family, wrote to introduce +Mr. (afterwards Sir) Charles Eastlake, who had translated Baron +Bartholdy's "Memoirs of the Carbonari." + + +_Mrs. Graham to John Murray_. + +_February_ 24, 1821. + +All great men have to pay the penalty of their greatness, and you, +_arch-bookseller_ as you are, must now and then be entreated to do many +things you only half like to do. I shall half break my heart if you and +Bartholdy do not agree. + + * * * * * + +Now, whether you publish "The Carbonari" or not, I bespeak your +acquaintance for the translator, Mr. Eastlake. I want him to see the +sort of thing that one only sees in your house, at your morning +_levees_--the traffic of mind and literature, if I may call it so. To a +man who has lived most of his grown-up life out of England, it is both +curious and instructive, and I wish for this advantage for my friend. +And in return for what I want you to benefit him, by giving him the +_entree_ to your rooms, I promise you great pleasure in having a +gentleman of as much modesty as real accomplishment, and whose taste and +talents as an artist must one day place him very high among our native +geniuses. You and Mrs. Murray would, I am sure, love him as much as +Captain Graham and I do. We met him at Malta on his return from Athens, +where he had been with Lord Ruthven's party. Thence he went to Sicily +with Lord Leven. In Rome, we lived in the same house. He was with us at +Poli, and last summer at Ascoli with Lady Westmoreland. I have told him +that, when he goes to London, he must show you two beautiful pictures he +has done for Lord Guilford, views taken in Greece. You will see that his +pictures and Lord Byron's poetry tell the same story of the "Land of the +Unforgotten Brave." I envy you your morning visitors. I am really hungry +for a new book. If you are so good as to send me any _provision fresh +from Murray's shambles_, as Mr. Rose says, address it to me, care of Wm. +Eastlake, Esq., Plymouth. Love to Mrs. Murray and children. + +Yours very gratefully and truly, + +MARIA GRAHAM. + +P.S.--If Graham has a ship given him at the time, and at the station +promised, I shall be obliged to visit London towards the end of March or +the beginning of April. + + +Mr. Murray accepted and published the book. + +Lord Byron's works continued to be in great demand at home, and were +soon pounced upon by the pirates in America and France. The Americans +were beyond Murray's reach, but the French were, to a certain extent, in +his power. Galignani, the Paris publisher, wrote to Lord Byron, +requesting the assignment to him of the right of publishing his poetry +in France. Byron replied that his poems belonged to Mr. Murray, and were +his "property by purchase, right, and justice," and referred Galignani +to him, "washing his hands of the business altogether." M. Galignani +then applied to Mr. Murray, who sent him the following answer: + + +_John Murray to M. Galignani_. + +_January_ 16, 1821. + +SIR, + +I have received your letter requesting me to assign to you exclusively +the right of printing Lord Byron's works in France. In answer I shall +state what you do not seem to be aware of, that for the copyright of +these works you are printing for nothing, I have given the author +upwards of L10,000. Lord Byron has sent me the assignment, regularly +made, and dated April 20, 1818; and if you will send me L250 I will make +it over to you. I have just received a Tragedy by Lord Byron, for the +copyright of which I have paid L1,050, and also three new cantos of "Don +Juan," for which I have paid L2,100. What can you afford to give me for +the exclusive right of printing them in France upon condition that you +receive them before any other bookseller? Your early reply will oblige. + +Your obedient Servant, + +J. MURRAY. + +M. Galignani then informed Mr. Murray that a pirated edition of Lord +Byron's works had been issued by another publisher, and was being sold +for 10 francs; and that, if he would assign him the new Tragedy and the +new cantos of "Don Juan," he would pay him L100, and be at the expense +of the prosecution of the surreptitious publisher. But nothing was said +about the payment of L250 for the issue of Lord Byron's previous work. + +Towards the end of 1821 Mr. Murray received a letter from Messrs. +Longman & Co., intimating, in a friendly way, "you will see in a day or +two, in the newspapers, an advertisement of Mrs. Rundell's improved +edition of her 'Cookery Book,' which she has placed in our hands for +publication." Now, the "Domestic Cookery," as enlarged and improved by +Mr. Murray, was practically a new work, and one of his best properties. +When he heard of Mrs. Rundell's intention to bring out her Cookery Book +through the Longmans, he consulted his legal adviser, Mr. Sharon Turner, +who recommended that an injunction should at once be taken out to +restrain the publication, and retained Mr. Littledale and Mr. Serjeant +Copley for Mr. Murray. The injunction was duly granted. + +After some controversy and litigation the matter was arranged. Mr. +Murray voluntarily agreed to pay to Mrs. Rundell L2,000, in full of all +claims, and her costs and expenses. The Messrs. Longman delivered to Mr. +Murray the stereotype plates of the Cookery Book, and stopped all +further advertisements of Mrs. Rundell's work. Mr. Sharon Turner, when +writing to tell Mr. Murray the result of his negotiations, concludes +with the recommendation: "As Home and Shadwell [Murray's counsel] took +much pains, I think if you were to send them each a copy of the Cookery +Book, and (as a novelty) of 'Cain,' it would please them." + +Moore, in his Diary, notes: [Footnote: "Moore: Memoirs, Journal, and +Correspondence," v. p. 119.] "I called at Pickering's, in Chancery Lane, +who showed me the original agreement between Milton and Symonds for the +payment of five pounds for 'Paradise Lost.' The contrast of this sum +with the L2,000 given by Mr. Murray for Mrs. Rundell's 'Cookery' +comprises a history in itself. Pickering, too, gave forty-five guineas +for this agreement, nine times as much as the sum given for the poem." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +WASHINGTON IRVING--UGO FOSCOLO--LADY CAROLINE LAMB--"HAJJI BABA"--MRS. +MARKHAM'S HISTORIES. + + +The book trade between England and America was in its infancy at the, +time of which we are now writing, and though Mr. Murray was frequently +invited to publish American books, he had considerable hesitation in +accepting such invitations. + +Mr. Washington Irving, who was already since 1807 favourably known as an +author in America, called upon Mr. Murray, and was asked to dine, as +distinguished Americans usually were. He thus records his recollections +of the event in a letter to his brother Peter at Liverpool: + + +_Mr. Washington Irving to Mr. Peter Irving_. + +_August_ 19, 1817. + +"I had a very pleasant dinner at Murray's. I met there D'Israeli and an +artist [Brockedon] just returned from Italy with an immense number of +beautiful sketches of Italian scenery and architecture. D'Israeli's wife +and daughter came in in the course of the evening, and we did not +adjourn until twelve o'clock. I had a long _tete-a-tete_ with old +D'Israeli in a corner. He is a very pleasant, cheerful old fellow, +curious about America, and evidently tickled at the circulation his +works have had there, though, like most authors just now, he groans at +not being able to participate in the profits. Murray was very merry and +loquacious. He showed me a long letter from Lord Byron, who is in Italy. +It is written with some flippancy, but is an odd jumble. His Lordship +has written some 104 stanzas of the fourth canto ('Childe Harold'). He +says it will be less metaphysical than the last canto, but thinks it +will be at least equal to either of the preceding. Murray left town +yesterday for some watering-place, so that I have had no further talk +with him, but am to keep my eye on his advertisements and write to him +when anything offers that I may think worth republishing in America. I +shall find him a most valuable acquaintance on my return to London." + +A business in Liverpool, in which, with his brother, he was a partner, +proved a failure, and in 1818 he was engaged on his famous "Sketch +Book," which he wrote in England, and sent to his brother Ebenezer in +New York to be published there. The work appeared in three parts in the +course of the year 1819. Several of the articles were copied in English +periodicals and were read with great admiration. A writer in _Blackwood_ +expressed surprise that Mr. Irving had thought fit to publish his +"Sketch Book" in America earlier than in Britain, and predicted a large +and eager demand for such a work. On this encouragement, Irving, who was +still in England, took the first three numbers, which had already +appeared in America, to Mr. Murray, and left them with him for +examination and approval. Murray excused himself on the ground that he +did not consider the work in question likely to form the basis of +"satisfactory accounts," and without this he had no "satisfaction" in +undertaking to publish. + +Irving thereupon sought (but did not take) the advice of Sir W. Scott, +and entered into an arrangement with Miller of the Burlington Arcade, +and in February 1820 the first four numbers were published in a volume. +Miller shortly after became bankrupt, the sale of the book (of which one +thousand had been printed) was interrupted, and Irving's hopes of profit +were dashed to the ground. At this juncture, Walter Scott, who was then +in London, came to his help. + + +"I called to him for help as I was sticking in the mire, and, more +propitious than Hercules, he put his own shoulder to the wheel. Through +his favourable representations Murray was quickly induced to undertake +the future publication of the work which he had previously declined. A +further edition of the first volume was put to press, and from that time +Murray became my publisher, conducting himself in all his dealings with +that fair, open, and liberal spirit which had obtained for him the +well-merited appellation of the Prince of Booksellers." [Footnote: +Preface to the revised edition of "The Sketch Book."] + +Irving, being greatly in want of money, offered to dispose of the work +entirely to the publisher, and Murray, though he had no legal protection +for his purchase, not only gave him L200 for it, but two months later +he wrote to Irving, stating that his volumes had succeeded so much +beyond his commercial estimate that he begged he would do him the favour +to draw on him at sixty-five days for one hundred guineas in addition to +the sum agreed upon. And again, eight months later, Murray made Irving a +second gratuitous contribution of a hundred pounds, to which the author +replied, "I never knew any one convey so much meaning in so concise and +agreeable a manner." The author's "Bracebridge Hall" and other works +were also published by Mr. Murray. + +In 1822 Irving, who liked to help his literary fellow-countrymen, tried +to induce Mr. Murray to republish James Fenimore Cooper's novels in +England. Mr. Murray felt obliged to decline, as he found that these +works were pirated by other publishers; American authors were then +beginning to experience the same treatment in England which English +authors have suffered in America. The wonder was that Washington +Irving's works so long escaped the same doom. + +In 1819 Mr. Murray first made the acquaintance of Ugo Foscolo. A native +of Zante, descended from a Venetian family who had settled in the Ionian +Islands, Foscolo studied at Padua, and afterwards took up his residence +at Venice. The ancient aristocracy of that city had been banished by +Napoleon Bonaparte, and the conqueror gave over Venice to Austria. +Foscolo attacked Bonaparte in his "Lettere di Ortis." After serving as a +volunteer in the Lombard Legion through the disastrous campaign of 1799, +Foscolo, on the capitulation of Genoa, retired to Milan, where he +devoted himself to literary pursuits. He once more took service--under +Napoleon--and in 1805 formed part of the army of England assembled at +Boulogne; but soon left the army, went to Pavia (where he had been +appointed Professor of Eloquence), and eventually at the age of forty +took refuge in England. Here he found many friends, who supported him in +his literary efforts. Among others he called upon Mr. Murray, who +desired his co-operation in writing for the _Quarterly_. An article, on +"The Poems of the Italians" was his first contribution. Mr. Thomas +Mitchell, the translator of "Aristophanes," desired Mr. Murray to give +Foscolo his congratulations upon his excellent essay, as well as on his +acquaintance with our language. + + +_Mr. Thomas Mitchell to John Murray_. + +"The first time I had the pleasure of seeing M. Foscolo was at a _table +d'hote_ at Berne. There was something in his physiognomy which very much +attracted nay notice; and, for some reason or another, I thought that I +seemed to be an object of his attention. At table, Foscolo was seated +next to a young Hanoverian, between whom and me a very learned +conversation had passed on the preceding evening, and a certain degree +of acquaintance was cemented in consequence. The table was that day +graced with the appearance of some of the Court ladies of Stuttgard, and +all passed off with the decorum usually observed abroad, when suddenly, +towards the conclusion of the feast a violent hubbub was heard between +M. Foscolo and his Hanoverian neighbour, who, in angry terms and with +violent gestures, respectively asserted the superior harmonies of Greek +and Latin. This ended with the former's suddenly producing a card, +accompanied with the following annunciation: 'Sir, my name is Ugo +Foscolo; I am a native of Greece, and I have resided thirty years in +Italy; I therefore think I ought to know something of the matter. This +card contains my address, and if you have anything further to say, you +know where I am to be found.' Whether Foscolo's name or manner daunted +the young Hanoverian, or whether he was only a bird of passage, I don't +know, but we saw nothing more of him after that day. Foscolo, after the +ladies had retired, made an apology, directed a good deal to me, who, by +the forms of the place, happened to be at the head of the table; a +considerable degree of intimacy took place between us, and an excellent +man I believe him to be, in spite of these little ebullitions." + + +Ugo Foscolo, who was eccentric to an excess, and very extravagant, had +many attached friends, though he tried them sorely. To Mr. Murray he +became one of the troubles of private as well as publishing life. He had +a mania for building, and a mania for ornamentation, but he was very +short of money for carrying out his freaks. He thought himself at the +same time to be perfectly moderate, simple, and sweet-tempered. He took +a house in South Bank, Regent's Park, which he named Digamma +Cottage--from his having contributed to the _Quarterly Review_ an +article on the Digamma--and fitted it up in extravagant style. + +Foscolo could scarcely live at peace with anybody, and, as the result of +one of his numerous altercations, he had to fight a duel. "We are," Lady +Dacre wrote to Murray (December 1823), "to have the whole of Foscolo's +duel to-morrow. He tells me that it is not about a 'Fair lady': thank +heaven!" + +Foscolo was one of Mr. Murray's inveterate correspondents--about +lectures, about translations, about buildings, about debts, about loans, +and about borrowings. On one occasion Mr. Murray received from him a +letter of thirteen pages quarto. A few sentences of this may be worth +quoting: + +_Mr. Foscolo to John Murray_. + +SOUTH BANK, _August_ 20, 1822. + +"During six years (for I landed in England the 10th September, 1816) I +have constantly laboured under difficulties the most distressing; no one +knows them so well as yourself, because no one came to my assistance +with so warm a friendship or with cares so constant and delicate. My +difficulties have become more perplexing since the Government both of +the Ionian Islands and Italy have precluded even the possibility of my +returning to the countries where a slender income would be sufficient, +and where I would not be under the necessity of making a degrading use +of my faculties. I was born a racehorse; and after near forty years of +successful racing, I am now drawing the waggon--nay, to be the teacher +of French to my copyists, and the critic of English to my +translators!-to write sophistry about criticism, which I always +considered a sort of literary quackery, and to put together paltry +articles for works which I never read. Indeed, if I have not undergone +the doom of almost all individuals whose situation becomes suddenly +opposed to their feelings and habits, and if I am not yet a lunatic, I +must thank the mechanical strength of my nerves. My nerves, however, +will not withstand the threatenings of shame which I have always +contemplated with terror. Time and fortune have taught me to meet all +other evils with fortitude; but I grow every day more and more a coward +at the idea of the approach of a stigma on my character; and as now I +must live and die in England, and get the greater part of my subsistence +from my labour, I ought to reconcile, if not labour with literary +reputation, at least labour and life with a spotless name." + +He then goes on to state that his debts amount to L600 or thereabouts, +including a sum of L20 which he owed to Mr. Murray himself. Then he must +have the money necessary for his subsistence, and he "finds he cannot +live on less than L400 per annum." + +"My apartments," he continues, "decently furnished, encompass me with an +atmosphere of ease and respectability; and I enjoy the illusion of not +having fallen into the lowest circumstances. + +I always declare that I will die like a gentleman, on a decent bed, +surrounded by casts (as I cannot buy the marbles) of the Venuses, of the +Apollos, and of the Graces, and the busts of great men; nay, even among +flowers, and, if possible, with some graceful innocent girl playing an +old pianoforte in an adjoining room. And thus dies the hero of my novel. +Far from courting the sympathy of mankind, I would rather be forgotten +by posterity than give it the gratification of ejaculating preposterous +sighs because I died like Camoens and Tasso on the bed of an hospital. +And since I must be buried in your country, I am happy in having insured +for me the possession during the remains of my life of a cottage built +after my plan, surrounded by flowering shrubs, almost within the +tumpikes of the town, and yet as quiet as a country-house, and open to +the free air. Whenever I can freely dispose of a hundred pounds, I will +also build a small dwelling for my corpse, under a beautiful Oriental +plane-tree, which I mean to plant next November, and cultivate _con +amore_. So far I am indeed an epicure; in all other things I am the most +moderate of men." + +The upshot of the letter is, that he wishes Mr. Murray to let him have +L1,000, to be repaid in five years, he meanwhile writing articles for +the _Quarterly_--one-half of the payment to be left with the publisher, +and the remaining half to be added to his personal income. He concludes: + +"In seeking out a way of salvation, I think it incumbent on me to +prevent the tyranny of necessity, that I might not be compelled by it to +endanger my character and the interest of a friend whose kindness I have +always experienced, and whose assistance I am once more obliged to +solicit." + +Mr. Murray paid off some of his more pressing embarrassments--L30 to +Messrs. Bentley for bills not taken up; L33 7_s_. to Mr. Kelly the +printer; L14 to Mr. Antonini; and L50 to Foscolo's builder--besides +becoming security for L300 to his bankers (with whom Foscolo did +business), in order to ensure him a respite for six months. On the other +hand, Foscolo agreed to insure his life for L600 as a sort of guarantee. +"Was ever" impecunious author "so trusted before"? At this crisis in his +affairs many friends came about him and took an interest in the patriot; +Mr. Hallam and Mr. Wilbraham offered him money, but he would not accept +"gratuities" from them, though he had no objection to accepting their +"loans." Arrangements were then made for Foscolo to deliver a series of +lectures on Italian Literature. Everything was settled, the day +arrived, the room was crowded with a distinguished assembly, when at the +last moment Foscolo appeared without his MS., which he had forgotten. + +The course of lectures, however, which had been designed to relieve him +from the pressure of his debts, proved successful, and brought him in, +it is said, as much as L1,000; whereupon he immediately set to work to +squander his earnings by giving a public breakfast to his patrons, for +which purpose he thought it incumbent on him, amongst other expenses, to +make a new approach and a gravelled carriage road to Digamma Cottage. + +Ugo Foscolo lived on credit to the end of his life, surrounded by all +that was luxurious and beautiful. How he contrived it, no one knew, for +his resources remained at the lowest ebb. Perhaps his friends helped +him, for English Liberals of good means regarded him as a martyr in the +cause of freedom, one who would never bow the knee to Baal, and who had +dared the first Napoleon when his very word was law. But Foscolo's +friends without doubt became tired of his extravagance and his +licentious habits, and fell away from him. Disease at last found him +out; he died of dropsy at Turnham Green, near Hammersmith, in 1827, when +only in the fiftieth year of his age, and was buried in Chiswick +churchyard; but in June 1871 his body was exhumed and conveyed to +Florence, where he was buried in Santa Croce, between the tomb of +Alfieri and the monument of Dante. + +Lady Caroline Lamb had continued to keep up her intimacy with Mr. +Murray; and now that she was preparing a new work for the press, her +correspondence increased. While he was at Wimbledon during summer, she +occasionally met literary friends at his house. She had already +published "Glenarvon," the hero of which was supposed to represent Lord +Byron, and was now ready with "Penruddock." "I am in great anxiety," she +wrote to Mr. Murray, "about your not informing me what Gifford says. I +think it might be a civil way of giving me my death-warrant--if +'Penruddock' does not." + +Whether the criticism of Mr. Gifford was too severe, or whether Mr. +Murray was so much engaged in business and correspondence as to take no +notice of Lady Caroline Lamb's communication, does not appear; but she +felt the neglect, and immediately followed it up with another letter as +follows: + +_Lady Caroline Lamb to John Murray_. + +_December 8, 1822_. + +MY DEAR AND MOST OBSTINATELY SILENT SIR, + +From one until nine upon Tuesday I shall be at Melbourne House waiting +for you; but if you wish to see the prettiest woman in England,--besides +myself and William--be at Melbourne House at quarter to six, at which +hour we dine; and if you will come at half-past one, or two, or three, +to say you will dine and to ask me to forgive your inexorable and +inhuman conduct, pray do, for I arrive at twelve in that said home and +leave it at nine the ensuing morning. What can have happened to you that +you will not write? + +The following letter from William Lamb (afterwards Lord Melbourne), the +long-suffering and generous husband of this wayward lady, refers to a +novel entitled "Ada Reis." + +_The Honble. William Lamb to John Murray_. + +_December 20, 1822_. + +"The incongruity of, and objections to, the story of 'Ada Reis' can only +be got over by power of writing, beauty of sentiment, striking and +effective situation, etc. If Mr. Gifford thinks there is in the first +two volumes anything of excellence sufficient to overbalance their +manifest faults, I still hope that he will press upon Lady Caroline the +absolute necessity of carefully reconsidering and revising the third +volume, and particularly the conclusion of the novel. + +"Mr. Gifford, I dare say, will agree with me that since the time of +Lucian all the representations of the infernal regions, which have been +attempted by satirical writers, such as 'Fielding's Journey from this +World to the Next,' have been feeble and flat. The sketch in "Ada Reis" +is commonplace in its observations and altogether insufficient, and it +would not do now to come with a decisive failure in an attempt of +considerable boldness. I think, if it were thought that anything could +be done with the novel, and that the faults of its design and structure +can be got over, that I could put her in the way of writing up this part +a little, and giving it something of strength, spirit, and novelty, and +of making it at once more moral and more interesting. I wish you would +communicate these my hasty suggestions to Mr. Gifford, and he will see +the propriety of pressing Lady Caroline to take a little more time to +this part of the novel. She will be guided by his authority, and her +fault at present is to be too hasty and too impatient of the trouble of +correcting and recasting what is faulty." + +"Ada Reis" was published in March 1823. + +Another of England's Prime Ministers, Lord John Russell, had in +contemplation a History of Europe, and consulted Mr. Murray on the +subject. A first volume, entitled "The Affairs of Europe," was published +without the author's name on the title-page, and a few years later +another volume was published, but it remained an unfinished work. Lord +John was an ambitious and restless author; without steady perseverance +in any branch of literature; he went from poems to tragedies, from +tragedies to memoirs, then to history, tales, translations of part of +the "Odyssey," essays (by the Gentleman who left his Lodgings), and then +to memoirs and histories again. Mr. Croker said of his "Don Carlos": "It +is not easy to find any poetry, or even oratory, of the present day +delivered with such cold and heavy diction, such distorted tropes and +disjointed limbs of similes worn to the bones long ago." + +Another work that excited greater interest than Lord John Russell's +anonymous history was Mr. James Morier's "Hajji Baba." Mr. Morier had in +his youth travelled through the East, especially in Persia, where he +held a post under Sir Gore Ouseley, then English Ambassador. On his +return to England, he published accounts of his travels; but his "Hajji +Baba" was more read than any other of his works. Sir Walter Scott was +especially pleased with it, and remarked that "Hajji Baba" might be +termed the Oriental "Gil Bias." Mr. Morier afterwards published "The +Adventures of Hajji Baba in England," as well as other works of an +Eastern character. The following letter, written by the Persian Envoy in +England, Miiza Abul Hassan, shows the impression created by English +society on a foreigner in April 1824: + +_Letter from the Persian Envoy, Mirza Abul Hassan, to the London +Gentleman without, who lately wrote letter to him and ask very much to +give answer_. + +_April 3, 1824._ + +SIR, MY LORD, + +When you write to me some time ago to give my thought of what I see good +and bad this country, that time I not speak English very well. Now I +read, I write much little better. Now I give to you my think. In this +country bad not too much, everything very good. But suppose I not tell +something little bad, then you say I tell all flattery--therefore I tell +most bad thing. I not like such crowd in evening party every night. In +cold weather not very good, now hot weather, much too bad. I very much +astonish every day now much hot than before, evening parties much crowd +than before. Pretty beautiful ladies come sweat, that not very good. I +always afraid some old lady in crowd come dead, that not very good, and +spoil my happiness. I think old ladies after 85 years not come to +evening party, that much better. Why for take so much trouble? Some +other thing rather bad. Very beautiful young lady she got ugly fellow +for husband, that not very good, very shocking. I ask Sr Gore [Sir Gore +Ouseley] why for this. He says me--"perhaps he very good man, not +handsome; no matter, perhaps he got too much money, perhaps got title." +I say I not like that, all very shocking. This all bad I know. Now I say +good. English people all very good people. All very happy. Do what they +like, say what like, write in newspaper what like. I love English people +very much, they very civil to me. I tell my King English love Persian +very much. English King best man in world, he love his people very good +much; he speak very kind to me, I love him very much. Queen very best +woman I ever saw. Prince of Wales such a fine elegant beautiful man. I +not understand English enough proper to praise him, he too great for my +language. I respect him same as my own King. I love him much better, his +manner all same as talisman and charm. All the Princes very fine men, +very handsome men, very sweet words, very affable. I like all too much. +I think the ladies and gentlemen this country most high rank, high +honour, very rich, except two or three most good, very kind to inferior +peoples. This very good. I go to see Chelsea. All old men sit on grass +in shade of fine tree, fine river run by, beautiful place, plenty to +eat, drink, good coat, everything very good. Sir Gore he tell me King +Charles and King Jame. I say Sir Gore, They not Musselman, but I think +God love them very much. I think God he love the King very well for +keeping up that charity. Then I see one small regiment of children go to +dinner, one small boy he say thanks to God for eat, for drink, for +clothes, other little boys they all answer Amen. Then I cry a little, my +heart too much pleased. This all very good for two things--one thing, +God very much please; two things, soldiers fight much better, because +see their good King take care of old wounded fathers and little +children. Then I go to Greenwich, that too good place, such a fine sight +make me a little sick for joy. All old men so happy, eat dinner, so +well, fine house, fine beds--all very good. This very good country. +English ladies very handsome, very beautiful. I travel great deal. I go +Arabia, I go Calcutta, Hyderabad, Poonah, Bombay, Georgia, Armenia, +Constantinople, Malta, Gibraltar. I see best Georgia, Circassian, +Turkish, Greek ladies, but nothing not so beautiful as English ladies, +all very clever, speak French, speak English, speak Italian, play music +very well, sing very good. Very glad for me if Persian ladies like them. +But English ladies speak such sweet words. I think tell a little +story--that not very good. + +One thing more I see but I not understand that thing good or bad. Last +Thursday I see some fine horses, fine carriages, thousand people go to +look that carriages. I ask why for? They say me, that gentleman on boxes +they drive their own carriages. I say why for take so much trouble? They +say me he drive very well; that very good thing. It rain very hard, some +lord some gentleman he get very wet. I say why he not go inside? They +tell me good coachman not mind get wet every day, will be much ashamed +if go inside; that I not understand. + +Sir, my Lord, good-night, + +ABUL HASSAN. + + +Mr. Murray invariably consulted Mr. Barrow as to any works on voyages or +travels he was required to publish, and found him a faithful adviser. +The following expression of opinion, from one with so large an +experience, is interesting: + +_Mr. J. Barrow to John Murray_. + +_March 28, 1823._ + +"I need not tell you that caprice rather than merit governs the sale of +a work. If instances are wanting, I might quote those of Belzoni and +Hamilton. [Footnote: This reference probably refers to Walter Hamilton's +"Description of Hindostan and adjacent Countries," published a few years +before.] The first absolute trumpery when put in competition with the +second; yet the former, I believe, sold about ten times the number of +the latter." + +Another little book published about this time has a curious history, and +illustrates the lottery of book publishing. Mrs. Markham's [Footnote: +This lady's real name was Mrs. Penrose.] "History of England" was first +published by Constable, but it fell still-born from the press. Mr. +Murray, discerning the merit of the work in 1824, bought the remainder +of 333 copies from Constable, and had it revised, corrected, and +enlarged, and brought out in an entirely new form. He placed it in his +list of school books, and pushed it among the teachers throughout the +country, until at length it obtained a very large and regular +circulation. The book has subsequently undergone frequent revision, and +down to the present date it continues to be a great favourite, +especially in ladies' schools. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +GIFFORD'S RETIREMENT FROM THE EDITORSHIP OF THE "QUARTERLY"--AND DEATH + + +It had for some time been evident, as has been shown in a previous +chapter, that Gifford was becoming physically incapable of carrying on +the Editorship of the _Quarterly Review_, but an occasional respite from +the pressure of sickness, as well as his own unwillingness to abandon +his connection with a work which he regarded with paternal affection, +and Murray's difficulty in finding a worthy successor, combined to +induce him to remain at his post. + +He accordingly undertook to carry on his editorial duties till the +publication of the 60th number, aided and supported by the active energy +of Barrow and Croker, who, in conjunction with the publisher, did most +of the necessary drudgery. + +In December 1823 Canning had written to say that he was in bed with the +gout; to this Gifford replied: + + +MY DEAR CANNING, + +I wish you had a pleasanter bedfellow; but here am I on the sofa with a +cough, and a very disagreeable associate I find it. Old Moore, I think, +died all but his voice, and my voice is nearly dead before me; in other +respects, I am much as I was when you saw me, and this weather is in my +favour.... I have promised Murray to try to carry on the _Review_ to the +60th number; the 58th is now nearly finished. This seems a desperate +promise, and beyond it I will not, cannot go; for, at best, as the old +philosopher said, I am dying at my ease, as my complaint has taken a +consumptive turn. The vultures already scent the carcase, and three or +four _Quarterly Reviews_ are about to start. One is to be set up by +Haygarth, whom I think I once mentioned to you as talked of to succeed +me, but he is now in open hostility to Murray; another is to be called +the _Westminster Quarterly Review_, and will, if I may judge from the +professions of impartiality, be a decided Opposition Journal. They will +all have their little day, perhaps, and then drop into the grave of +their predecessors. The worst is that we cannot yet light upon a fit and +promising successor. + +Ever, my dear Canning, + +Faithfully and affectionately yours, + +WILLIAM GIFFORD. + +This state of matters could not be allowed to go on much longer; +sometimes a quarter passed without a number appearing; in 1824 only two +_Quarterlies_ appeared--No. 60, due in January, but only published in +August; and No. 61, due in April, but published in December. An +expostulation came from Croker to Murray (January 23, 1824): + +"Have you made up _your mind_ about an editor? Southey has written to me +on the subject, as if you had, and as if he knew your choice; I do not +like to answer him before I know what I am to say. Will you dine at +Kensington on Sunday at 6?" + +Southey had long been meditating about the editorship. It never appears +to have been actually offered to him, but his name, as we have already +seen, was often mentioned in connection with it. He preferred, however, +going on with his own works and remaining a contributor only. Politics, +too, may have influenced him, for we find him writing to Mr. Murray on +December 15, 1824: "The time cannot be far distant when the _Q.R._ must +take its part upon a most momentous subject, and choose between Mr. +Canning and the Church. I have always considered it as one of the +greatest errors in the management of the _Review_ that it should have +been silent upon that subject so long." So far as regarded his position +as a contributor, Southey expressed his opinion to Murray explicitly: + +_Mr. Southey to John Murray_. + +_October 25, 1824_. + +"No future Editor, be he who he may, must expect to exercise the same +discretion over my papers which Mr. Gifford has done. I will at any time +curtail what may be deemed too long, and consider any objections that +may be made, with a disposition to defer to them when it can be done +without sacrificing my own judgment upon points which may seem to me +important. But my age and (I may add without arrogance) the rank which I +hold in literature entitle me to say that I will never again write under +the correction of any one." + +Gifford's resignation is announced in the following letter to Canning +(September 8, 1824): + +_Mr. W. Gifford to the Rt. Hon. G. Canning_. + +_September 8, 1824_. + +MY DEAR CANNING, + +I have laid aside my Regalia, and King Gifford, first of the name, is +now no more, as Sir Andrew Aguecheek says, "than an ordinary mortal or a +Christian." It is necessary to tell you this, for, with the exception of +a dark cloud which has come over Murray's brow, no prodigies in earth or +air, as far as I have heard, have announced it. + +It is now exactly sixteen years ago since your letter invited or +encouraged me to take the throne. I did not mount it without a trembling +fit; but I was promised support, and I have been nobly supported. As far +as regards myself, I have borne my faculties soberly, if not meekly. I +have resisted, with undeviating firmness, every attempt to encroach upon +me, every solicitation of publisher, author, friend, or friend's friend, +and turned not a jot aside for power or delight. In consequence of this +integrity of purpose, the Review has long possessed a degree of +influence, not only in this, but in other countries hitherto unknown; +and I have the satisfaction, at this late hour, of seeing it in its most +palmy state. No number has sold better than the sixtieth. + +But there is a sad tale to tell. For the last three years I have +perceived the mastery which disease and age were acquiring over a +constitution battered and torn at the best, and have been perpetually +urging Murray to look about for a successor, while I begged Coplestone, +Blomfield, and others to assist the search. All has been ineffectual. +Murray, indeed, has been foolishly flattering himself that I might be +cajoled on from number to number, and has not, therefore, exerted +himself as he ought to have done; but the rest have been in earnest. Do +you know any one? I once thought of Robert Grant; but he proved timid, +and indeed his saintly propensities would render him suspected. Reginald +Heber, whom I should have preferred to any one, was snatched from me for +a far higher object. + +I have been offered a Doctor's Degree, and when I declined it, on +account of my inability to appear in public, my own college (Exeter) +most kindly offered to confer it on me in private; that is, at the +Rector's lodgings. This, too, I declined, and begged the Dean of +Westminster, who has a living in the neighbourhood, to excuse me as +handsomely as he could. It might, for aught I know, be a hard race +between a shroud and a gown which shall get me first; at any rate, it +was too late for honours. + +Faithfully and affectionately yours, + +WILLIAM GIFFORD. + +Mr. J.T. Coleridge had long been regarded as the most eligible +successor to Mr. Gifford, and on him the choice now fell. Mr. Murray +forwarded the reply of Mr. Coleridge which contained his acceptance of +the editorship to Mr. Gifford, accompanied by the following note: + +_John Murray to Mr. Gifford_. + +WHITEHALL PLACE, + +_December 11, 1824_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I shall not attempt to express the feelings with which I communicate the +enclosed answer to the proposal which I suspect it would have been +thought contemptible in me any longer to have delayed, and all that I +can find to console myself with is the hope that I may be able to evince +my gratitude to you during life, and to your memory, if it so please the +Almighty that I am to be the survivor. + +I am your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Mr. Murray lost no time in informing his friends of the new arrangement. + +Gifford lived for about two years more, and continued to entertain many +kind thoughts of his friends and fellow-contributors: his intercourse +with his publisher was as close and intimate as ever to the end. + +The last month of Gifford's life was but a slow dying. He was sleepless, +feverish, oppressed by an extreme difficulty of breathing, which often +entirely deprived him of speech; and his sight had failed. Towards the +end of his life he would sometimes take up a pen, and after a vain +attempt to write, would throw it down, saying, "No, my work is done!" +Even thinking caused him pain. As his last hour drew near, his mind +began to wander. "These books have driven me mad," he once said, "I must +read my prayers." He passed gradually away, his pulse ceasing to beat +five hours before his death. And then he slept out of life, on December +31, 1826, in his 68th year--a few months before the death of Canning. + +Mr. Gifford desired that he should be buried in the ground attached to +Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street, where he had interred Annie +Davies, his faithful old housekeeper, but his friends made application +for his interment in Westminster Abbey, which was acceded to, and he was +buried there accordingly on January 8, 1827, immediately under the +monuments of Camden and Garrick. He was much richer at the time of his +death than he was at all aware of, for he was perfectly indifferent +about money. Indeed, he several times returned money to Mr. Murray, +saying that "he had been too liberal." He left L25,000 of personal +property, a considerable part of which he left to the relatives of Mr. +Cookesley, the surgeon of Ashburton, who had been to him so faithful and +self-denying a friend in his early life. To Mr. Murray he left L100 as a +memorial, and also 500 guineas, to enable him to reimburse a military +gentleman, to whom, jointly with Mr. Cookesley, he appears to have been +bound for that sum at a former period. + +Gifford has earned, but it is now generally recognised that he has +unjustly earned, the character of a severe, if not a bitter critic. +Possessing an unusually keen discernment of genuine excellence, and a +scathing power of denunciation of what was false or bad in literature, +he formed his judgments in accordance with a very high standard of +merit. Sir Walter Scott said of his "Baviad and Maeviad, that "he +squashed at one blow a set of coxcombs who might have humbugged the +world long enough." His critical temper, however, was in truth +exceptionally equable; regarding it as his duty to encourage all that +was good and elevating, and relentlessly to denounce all that was bad or +tended to lower the tone of literature, he conscientiously acted up to +the standard by which he judged others, and never allowed personal +feeling to intrude upon his official judgments. + +It need scarcely be said that he proved himself an excellent editor, and +that he entertained a high idea of the duties of that office. William +Jerdan, who was introduced to Gifford by Canning, said: "I speak of him +as he always was to me--full of gentleness, a sagacious adviser and +instructor, upon so comprehensive a scale, that I never met his superior +among the men of the age most renowned for vast information, and his +captivating power in communicating it." His sagacity and quickness of +apprehension were remarkable, as was also the extraordinary rapidity +with which he was able to eviscerate a work, and summarize its contents +in a few pages. + +The number of articles which he himself wrote was comparatively small, +for he confined himself for the most part to revising and improving the +criticisms of others, and though in thus dealing with articles submitted +to him he frequently erased what the writers considered some of their +best criticisms, he never lost their friendship and support. He disliked +incurring any obligation which might in any degree shackle the +expression of his free opinions. In conjunction with Mr. Murray, he laid +down a rule, which as we have already seen was advocated by Scott, and +to which no exception has ever been made, that every writer in the +_Quarterly_ should receive payment for his contribution. On one +occasion, when a gentleman in office would not receive the money, the +article was returned. "I am not more certain of many conjectures," says +Jerdan, "than I am of this, that he never propagated a dishonest opinion +nor did a dishonest act." + +Gifford took no notice of the ferocious attacks made upon him by Hunt +and Hazlitt. Holding, as he did, that inviolable secrecy was one of the +prime functions of an editor--though the practice has since become very +different--he never attempted to vindicate himself, or to reveal the +secret as to the writers of the reviews. In accordance with his plan of +secrecy, he desired Dr. Ireland, his executor, to destroy all +confidential letters, especially those relating to the _Review_, so that +the names of the authors, as well as the prices paid for each article, +might never be known. + +In society, of which he saw but little, except at Mr. Murray's, he was +very entertaining. He told a story remarkably well; and had an +inexhaustible supply; the archness of his eyes and countenance making +them all equally good. + +He had never been married; but although he had no children, he had an +exceeding love for them. When well, he delighted in giving juvenile +parties, and rejoiced at seeing the children frisking about in the +happiness of youth--a contrast which threw the misery of his own early +life into strange relief. His domestic favourites were his dog and his +cat, both of which he dearly loved. He was also most kind and generous +to his domestic servants; and all who knew him well, sorrowfully +lamented his death. + +Many years after Gifford's death, a venomous article upon him appeared +in a London periodical. The chief point of this anonymous attack was +contained in certain extracts from the writings of Sir W. Scott, +Southey, and other eminent contemporaries of Mr. Gifford. Mr. R.W. Hay, +one of the oldest contributors to the _Quarterly_, was at that time +still living, and, in allusion to the article in question, he wrote to +Mr. Murray's son: + +_Mr. R.W. Hay to Mr. Murray_. + +_July 7, 1856_. + +It is wholly worthless, excepting as it contains strictures of Sir W. +Scott, Southey, and John Wilson on the critical character of the late +Wm. Gifford. I by no means subscribe to all that is said by these +distinguished individuals on the subject, and I cannot help suspecting +that the high station in literature which they occupied rendered them +more than commonly sensitive to the corrections and erasures which were +proposed by the editor. Sir Walter (great man as he was) was perfectly +capable of writing so carelessly as to require correction, and both +Southey and John Wilson might occasionally have brought forth opinions, +on political and other matters, which were not in keeping with the +general tone of the _Quarterly Review_. That poor Gifford was deformed +in figure, feeble in health, unhappily for him there can be no denying, +but that he had any pleasure in tormenting, as asserted by some, that he +indulged in needless criticism without any regard to the feelings of +those who were under his lash, I am quite satisfied cannot justly be +maintained. In my small dealings with the _Review_, I only found the +editor most kind and considerate. His amendments and alterations I +generally at once concurred in, and I especially remember in one of the +early articles, that he diminished the number of Latin quotations very +much to its advantage; that his heart was quite in the right place I +have had perfect means of knowing from more than one circumstance, +_e.g._, his anxiety for the welfare of his friend Hoppner the painter's +children was displayed in the variety of modes which he adopted to +assist them, and when John Gait was sorely maltreated in the _Review_ in +consequence of his having attributed to me, incorrectly, an article +which occasioned his wrath and indignation, and afterwards was exposed +to many embarrassments in life, Gifford most kindly took up his cause, +and did all he could to further the promotion of his family. That our +poor friend should have been exposed throughout the most part of his +life to the strong dislike of the greatest part of the community is not +unnatural. As the _redacteur_ of the _Anti-Jacobin_, etc., he, in the +latter part of the last century, drew upon himself the hostile attacks +of all the modern philosophers of the age, and of all those who hailed +with applause the dawn of liberty in the French Revolution; as editor of +the _Quarterly Review_, he acquired in addition to the former hosts of +enemies, the undisguised hatred of all the Whigs and Liberals, who were +for making peace with Bonaparte, and for destroying the settled order of +things in this country. In the present generation, when the feeling of +national hatred against France has entirely subsided, and party feelings +have so much gone by that no man can say to which party any public man +belongs, it is impossible for anyone to comprehend the state of public +feeling which prevailed during the great war of the Revolution, and for +some years after its termination. Gifford was deeply imbued with all the +sentiments on public matters which prevailed in his time, and, as some +people have a hatred of a cat, and others of a toad, so our friend felt +uneasy when a Frenchman was named; and buckled on his armour of +criticism whenever a Liberal or even a Whig was brought under his +notice; and although in the present day there appears to be a greater +indulgence to crime amongst judges and juries, and perhaps a more +lenient system of criticism is adopted by reviewers, I am not sure that +any public advantage is gained by having Ticket of Leave men, who ought +to be in New South Wales, let loose upon the English world by the +unchecked appearance of a vast deal of spurious literature, which ought +to have withered under the severe blasts of Criticism. + +Believe yours very truly, + +R.W. HAY. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE "REPRESENTATIVE" + + +Mr. Murray had for long been desirous of publishing a journal which +should appear more frequently than once a quarter, more especially after +the discontinuance of his interest in Blackwood's magazine. In 1825 he +conceived the more ambitious design of publishing a daily morning paper, +a project now chiefly interesting from the fact that in this venture he +had the assistance of the future Lord Beaconsfield. The intimacy which +existed between the Murrays and D'Israelis had afforded Mr. Murray +exceptional opportunities of forming an opinion of Benjamin's character, +and he saw with delight the rapidly developing capacities of his old +friend's son. Even in his eighteenth year Benjamin was consulted by Mr. +Murray as to the merits of a MS., and two years later he wrote a novel +entitled "Aylmer Papillon," which did not see the light. He also edited +a "History of Paul Jones, Admiral in the Russian Navy," written by +Theophilus Smart, an American, and originally published in the United +States. + +Young Disraeli was already gifted with a power of influencing others, +unusual in a man of his age. He was eloquent, persuasive, and ingenious, +and even then, as in future years, when he became a leading figure in +the political world, he had the power of drawing others over to the +views which he entertained, however different they might be from their +own. Looking merely to his literary career as a successful novel writer, +his correspondence with Mr. Murray about his proposed work of "Aylmer +Papillon" is not without interest. + +_Mr. Benjamin Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_May_, 1824. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Your very kind letter induces me to trouble you with this most trivial +of trifles. My plan has been in these few pages so to mix up any +observations which I had to make on the present state of society with +the bustle and hurry of a story, that my satire should never be +protruded on my reader. If you will look at the last chapter but one, +entitled "Lady Modeley's," you will see what I mean better than I can +express it. The first pages of that chapter I have written in the same +manner as I would a common novel, but I have endeavoured to put in +_action_ at the _end_, the present fashion of getting on in the world. I +write no humbug about "candidly giving your opinion, etc., etc." You +must be aware that you cannot do me a greater favour than refusing to +publish it, if you think _it won't do_; and who should be a better judge +than yourself? + +Believe me ever to be, my dear Sir, + +Your most faithful and obliged, + +B. DISRAELI. [Footnote: It will be observed that while the father +maintained the older spelling of the name, the son invariably writes it +thus.] + +P.S.--The second and the last chapters are unfortunately mislaid, but +they have no particular connection with the story. They are both very +short, the first contains an adventure on the road, and the last Mr. +Papillon's banishment under the Alien Act from a ministerial +misconception of a metaphysical sonnet. + +Thursday morn.: Excuse want of seal, as we're doing a bit of summer +to-day, and there is not a fire in the house. + + +FREDERICK PLACE, _May_ 25, 1824. + +1/2 past 1 o'clock A.M. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +The travels, to which I alluded this morning, would not bind up with +"Parry," since a moderate duodecimo would contain the adventures of a +certain Mr. Aylmer Papillon in a _terra incognita_. I certainly should +never have mentioned them had I been aware that you were so very much +engaged, and I only allude to them once more that no confusion may arise +from the half-explanations given this morning. You will oblige me by not +mentioning this to anybody. + +Believe me to be, my dear Sir, + +Your very faithful and obliged Servant, + +B. DISRAELI. + + +FREDERICK PLACE, _June_ 1824. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Until I received your note this morning I had flattered myself that my +indiscretion had been forgotten. It is to me a matter of great regret +that, as appears by your letter, any more trouble should be given +respecting this unfortunate MS., which will, most probably, be +considered too crude a production for the public, and which, if it is +even imagined to possess any interest, is certainly too late for this +season, and will be obsolete in the next. I think, therefore, that the +sooner it be put behind the fire the better, and as you have some small +experience in burning MSS., [Footnote: Byron's Memoirs had been burnt at +Albemarle Street during the preceding month.] you will be perhaps so +kind as to consign it to the flames. Once more apologising for all the +trouble I have given you, I remain ever, my dear Sir, + +Yours very faithfully, + +B. DISRAELI. + +Murray had a special regard for the remarkable young man, and by degrees +had thoroughly taken him into his confidence; had related to him his +experiences of men and affairs, and ere long began to consult him about +a variety of schemes and projects. These long confidential +communications led eventually to the suggestion of a much more ambitious +and hazardous scheme, the establishment of a daily paper in the +Conservative interest. Daring as this must appear, Murray was encouraged +in it by the recollection of the success which had attended the +foundation of the _Quarterly_, and believed, rashly, that his personal +energy and resources, aided by the abilities displayed by his young +counsellor, would lead to equal success. He evidently had too +superficially weighed the enormous difficulties of this far greater +undertaking, and the vast difference between the conduct of a _Quarterly +Review_ and a daily newspaper. + +Intent upon gaining a position in the world, Benjamin Disraeli saw a +prospect of advancing his own interests-by obtaining the influential +position of director of a Conservative daily paper, which he fully +imagined was destined to equal the _Times_, and he succeeded in imbuing +Murray with the like fallacious hopes. + +The emancipation of the Colonies of Spain in South America in 1824-25 +gave rise to much speculation in the money market in the expectation of +developing the resources of that country, especially its mines. Shares, +stocks, and loans were issued to an unlimited extent. + +Mr. Benjamin Disraeli seems to have thrown himself into the vortex, for +he became connected with at least one financial firm in the City, that +of Messrs. Powles, and employed his abilities in writing several +pamphlets on the subject. This led to his inducing Messrs. Powles to +embark with him in the scheme of a daily paper. At length an arrangement +was entered into, by which John Murray, J.D. Powles, and Benjamin +Disraeli were to become the joint proprietors of the proposed new +journal. The arrangement was as follows: + +MEMORANDUM. + +LONDON, _August_ 3, 1825. + +The undersigned parties agree to establish a Morning Paper, the property +in which is to be in the following proportions, viz.: + +Mr. Murray.... One-half. Mr. Powles.... One-quarter. Mr. Disraeli.... +One-quarter. + +Each party contributing to the expense, capital, and risk, in those +proportions. + +The paper to be published by, and be under the management of Mr. Murray. + +JOHN MURRAY. + +J.D. POWLES. + +B. DISRAELI. + +Such was the memorandum of agreement entered into with a view to the +publication of the new morning paper, eventually called the +_Representative_. As the first number was to appear in January 1826, +there was little time to be lost in making the necessary arrangements +for its publication. In the first place, an able editor had to be found; +and, perhaps of almost equal importance, an able subeditor. Trustworthy +reporters had to be engaged; foreign and home correspondents had also to +be selected with care; a printing office had to be taken; all the +necessary plant and apparatus had to be provided, and a staff of men +brought together preliminary to the opening day. + +The most important point in connection with the proposed journal was to +find the editor. Mr. Murray had been so ably assisted by Sir Walter +Scott in the projection of the _Quarterly Review_, that he resolved to +consult him on the subject; and this mission was undertaken by Benjamin +Disraeli, part proprietor of the intended daily journal, though he was +then only twenty years old. It was hoped that Mr. Lockhart, Sir Walter +Scott's son-in-law, might be induced to undertake the editorship. The +following are Mr. Disraeli's letters to Mr. Murray, giving an account of +the progress of his negotiations. It will be observed that he surrounds +the subject with a degree of mystery, through the names which he gives +to the gentlemen whom he interviewed. Thus the Chevalier is Sir Walter +Scott; M. is Mr. Lockhart; X. is Mr. Canning; O. is the political Puck +(could this be himself?); and Chronometer is Mr. Barrow. + +On reaching Edinburgh, Mr. Disraeli wrote to Mr. Murray the following +account of his first journey across the Border: + +_Mr. B. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +ROYAL HOTEL, EDINBURGH. _September_ 21, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I arrived in Edinburgh yesterday night at 11 o'clock. I slept at +Stamford, York, and Newcastle, and by so doing felt quite fresh at the +end of my journey. I never preconceived a place better than Edinburgh. +It is exactly what I fancied it, and certainly is the most beautiful +town in the world. You can scarcely call it a city; at least, it has +little of the roar of millions, and at this time is of course very +empty. I could not enter Scotland by the route you pointed out, and +therefore was unable to ascertain the fact of the Chevalier being at his +Castellum. I should in that case have gone by Carlisle. I called on the +gentleman to whom Wright [Footnote: A solicitor in London, and friend of +both parties, who had been consulted in the negotiations.] gave me a +letter this morning. He is at his country house; he will get a letter +from me this morning. You see, therefore, that I have lost little time. + +I called at Oliver & Boyd's this morning, thinking that you might have +written. You had not, however. When you write to me, enclose to them, as +they will forward, wherever I may be, and my stay at an hotel is always +uncertain. Mr. Boyd was most particularly civil. Their establishment is +one of the completest I have ever seen. They are booksellers, +bookbinders, and printers, all under the same roof; everything but +making paper. I intend to examine the whole minutely before I leave, as +it may be useful. I never thought of binding. Suppose you were to sew, +etc., your own publications? + +I arrived at York in the midst of the Grand [Musical] Festival. It was +late at night when I arrived, but the streets were crowded, and +continued so for hours. I never witnessed a city in such an extreme +bustle, and so delightfully gay. It was a perfect carnival. I postponed +my journey from five in the morning to eleven, and by so doing got an +hour for the Minster, where I witnessed a scene which must have far +surpassed, by all accounts, the celebrated commemoration in Westminster +Abbey. York Minster baffles all conception. Westminster Abbey is a toy +to it. I think it is impossible to conceive of what Gothic architecture +is susceptible until you see York. I speak with cathedrals of the +Netherlands and the Rhine fresh in my memory. I witnessed in York +another splendid sight--the pouring in of all the nobility and gentry of +the neighbourhood and the neighbouring counties. The four-in-hands of +the Yorkshire squires, the splendid rivalry in liveries and outriders, +and the immense quantity of gorgeous equipages--numbers with four +horses--formed a scene which you can only witness in the mighty and +aristocratic county of York. It beat a Drawing Room hollow, as much as +an oratorio in York Minster does a concert in the Opera House. This +delightful stay at York quite refreshed me, and I am not the least +fatigued by my journey. + +As I have only been in Edinburgh a few hours, of course I have little to +say. I shall write immediately that anything occurs. Kindest +remembrances to Mrs. Murray and all. + +Ever yours, + +B.D. + +I find Froissart a most entertaining companion, just the fellow for a +traveller's evening; and just the work too, for it needs neither books +of reference nor accumulations of MS. + + +ROYAL HOTEL, EDINBURGH, _Sunday_. + +_September_ 22, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I sent a despatch by Saturday night's post, directed to Mr. Barrow. You +have doubtless received it safe. As I consider you are anxious to hear +minutely of the state of my operations, I again send you a few lines. I +received this morning a very polite letter from L[ockhart]. He had just +received that morning (Saturday) Wright's letter. I enclose you a copy +of L.'s letter, as it will be interesting to you to see or judge what +effect was produced on his mind by its perusal. I have written to-day to +say that I will call at Chiefswood [Footnote: Chiefswood, where Lockhart +then lived, is about two miles distant from Abbotsford. Sir Walter Scott +describes it as "a nice little cottage, in a glen belonging to this +property, with a rivulet in front, and a grove of trees on the east side +to keep away the cold wind."] on Tuesday. I intend to go to Melrose +tomorrow, but as I will not take the chance of meeting him the least +tired, I shall sleep at Melrose and call on the following morning. I +shall, of course, accept his offer of staying there. I shall call again +at B[oyd]'s before my departure to-morrow, to see if there is any +despatch from you.... I shall continue to give you advice of all my +movements. You will agree with me that I have at least not lost any +time, but that all things have gone very well as yet. There is of course +no danger in our communications of anything unfairly transpiring; but +from the very delicate nature of names interested, it will be expedient +to adopt some cloak. + +_The Chevalier_ will speak for itself. + +M., from Melrose, for Mr. L. + +X. for a certain personage on whom we called one day, who lives a slight +distance from town, and who was then unwell. + +O. for the political Puck. + +MR. CHRONOMETER will speak for itself, at least to all those who give +African dinners. + +I think this necessary, and try to remember it. I am quite delighted +with Edinburgh, Its beauties become every moment more apparent. The view +from the Calton Hill finds me a frequent votary. In the present state of +affairs, I suppose it will not be expedient to leave the letter for Mrs. +Bruce. It will seem odd; p.p.c. at the same moment I bring a letter of +introduction. If I return to Edinburgh, I can avail myself of it. If the +letter contains anything which would otherwise make Mrs. Murray wish it +to be left, let me know. I revel in the various beauties of a Scotch +breakfast. Cold grouse and marmalade find me, however, constant. + +Ever yours, + +B.D. + + +The letter of Mr. Lockhart, to which Mr. Disraeli refers, ran as +follows: + +_Mr. J.G. Lockhart to Mr. B. Disraeli_. + +"The business to which the letter [of Mr. Wright] refers entitles it to +much consideration. As yet I have had no leisure nor means to form even +an approximation towards any opinion as to the proposal Mr. W. mentions, +far less to commit my friend. In a word, I am perfectly in the dark as +to everything else, except that I am sure it will give Mrs. Lockhart and +myself very great pleasure to see Mr. Disraeli under this roof.... If +you had no other object in view, I flatter myself that this +neighbourhood has, in Melrose and Abbotsford, some attractions not +unworthy of your notice." + +Mr. Disraeli paid his promised visit to Chiefswood. It appeared that Mr. +Lockhart expected to receive Mr. Isaac D'Israeli, the well-known author +of "The Curiosities of Literature"; instead of which, the person who +appeared before him was Mr. D'Israeli's then unknown son Benjamin. + + +_Mr. B, Disraeli to John Murray_. + +CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 25, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I arrived at Chiefswood yesterday. M. [Lockhart] had conceived that it +was my father who was coming. He was led to believe this through +Wright's letter. In addition, therefore, to his natural reserve, there +was, of course, an evident disappointment at seeing me. Everything +looked as black as possible. I shall not detain you now by informing you +of fresh particulars. I leave them for when we meet. Suffice it to say +that in a few hours we completely understood each other, and were upon +the most intimate terms. M. enters into our views with a facility and +readiness which were capital. He thinks that nothing can be more +magnificent or excellent; but two points immediately occurred: First, +the difficulty of his leaving Edinburgh without any ostensible purpose; +and, secondly, the losing caste in society by so doing. He is fully +aware that he may end by making his situation as important as any in the +empire, but the primary difficulty is insurmountable. + +As regards his interest, I mentioned that he should be guaranteed, for +three years, L1,000 per annum, and should take an eighth of every paper +which was established, without risk, his income ceasing on his so doing. +These are much better terms than we had imagined we could have made. The +agreement is thought extremely handsome, both by him and the Chevalier; +but the income is not imagined to be too large. However, I dropped that +point, as it should be arranged with you when we all meet. + +The Chevalier breakfasted here to-day, and afterwards we were all three +closeted together. The Chevalier entered into it excellently. He +thought, however, that we could not depend upon Malcolm, Barrow, etc., +_keeping to it_; but this I do not fear. He, of course, has no idea of +your influence or connections. With regard to the delicate point I +mentioned, the Chevalier is willing to make any sacrifice in his +personal comforts for Lockhart's advancement; but he feels that his +son-in-law will "lose caste" by going to town without anything +ostensible. He agrees with me that M. cannot accept an official +situation of any kind, as it would compromise his independence, but he +thinks _Parliament for M. indispensable_, and also very much to _our +interest_. I dine at Abbotsford to-day, and we shall most probably again +discuss matters. + +Now, these are the points which occur to me. When M. comes to town, it +will be most important that it should be distinctly proved to him that +he _will_ be supported by the great interests I have mentioned to him. +He must see that, through Powles, all America and the Commercial +Interest is at our beck; that Wilmot H., etc., not as mere +under-secretary, but as our private friend, is most staunch; that the +Chevalier is firm; that the West India Interest will pledge themselves +that such men and in such situations as Barrow, etc., etc., are +_distinctly in our power_; and finally, that he is coming to London, not +to be an Editor of a Newspaper, but the Director-General of an immense +organ, and at the head of a band of high-bred gentlemen and important +interests. + +The Chevalier and M. have unburthened themselves to me in a manner the +_most confidential_ that you can possibly conceive. Of M.'s capability, +_perfect complete capability_, there is no manner of doubt. Of his sound +principles, and of his real views in life, I could in a moment satisfy +you. Rest assured, however, that you are dealing with a _perfect +gentleman_. There has been no disguise to me of what has been done, and +the Chevalier had a private conversation with me on the subject, of a +nature _the most satisfactory_. With regard to other plans of ours, if +we could get him up, we should find him invaluable. I have a most +singular and secret history on this subject when we meet. + +Now, on the grand point--Parliament. M. cannot be a representative of a +Government borough. It is impossible. He must be free as air. I am sure +that if this could be arranged, all would be settled; but it is +"_indispensable_," without you can suggest anything else. M. was two +days in company with X. this summer, as well as X.'s and our friend, but +nothing transpired of our views. This is a most favourable time to make +a parliamentary arrangement. What do you think of making a confidant of +Wilmot H[orton]? He is the kind of man who would be right pleased by +such conduct. There is no harm of Lockhart's coming in for a Tory +borough, because he is a Tory; but a Ministerial borough is impossible +to be managed. + +If this point could be arranged, I have no doubt that I shall be able to +organise, in the interest with which I am now engaged, a most _immense +party_, and a _most serviceable one_. Be so kind as not to leave the +vicinity of London, in case M. and myself come up _suddenly_; but I pray +you, if you have any real desire to establish a mighty engine, to exert +yourself at this present moment, and assist me to your very utmost. +Write as soon as possible, to give me some idea of your movements, and +direct to me here, as I shall then be sure to obtain your communication. +The Chevalier and all here have the highest idea of Wright's _nous_, and +think it most important that he should be at the head of the legal +department. I write this despatch in the most extreme haste. + +Ever yours, + +B.D. + +On receiving the above letter and the previous communications, Mr. +Murray sent them to Mr. Isaac D'Israeli for his perusal. + +_Mr. Isaac D'Israeli to Mr. Murray_. + +HYDE HOUSE, AMERSHAM, + +_September_ 29, 1825. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +How deeply I feel obliged and gratified by your confidential +communication! I read repeatedly the third letter of our young +plenipotentiary. I know nothing against him but his youth--a fault which +a few seasons of experience will infallibly correct; but I have observed +that the habits and experience he has acquired as a lawyer often greatly +serve him in matters oL business. His views are vast, but they are baaed +on good sense, and he is most determinedly serious when he sets to work. +The Chevalier and M. seem to have received him with all the open +confidence of men struck by a stranger, yet a stranger not wholly +strange, and known enough to them to deserve their confidence if he +could inspire it. I flatter myself he has fully--he must, if he has +really had confidential intercourse with the Chevalier, and so +confidently impresses you with so high and favourable a character of M. +On your side, my dear Murray, no ordinary exertions will avail. You, +too, have faith and confidence to inspire in them. You observe how the +wary Northern Genius attempted to probe whether certain friends of yours +would stand together; no doubt they wish to ascertain that point. Pardon +me if I add, that in satisfying their cautious and anxious inquiries as +to your influence with these persons, it may be wise to throw a little +shade of mystery, and not to tell everything too openly at first; +because, when objects are clearly defined, they do not affect our +imaginations as when they are somewhat concealed.... Vast as the project +seems, held up as it will be by personages of wealth, interests, +politics, etc., whenever it is once set up, I should have no fears for +the results, which are indeed the most important that one can well +conceive.... Had the editor of "Paul Jones" consulted me a little, I +could probably have furnished him with the account of the miserable end +of his hero; and I am astonished it is not found, as you tell me, in +your American biography. [Footnote: The last paragraph in Mr. +D'Israeli's letter refers to "The Life of Paul Jones," which has been +already mentioned. As the novel "Aylmer Papillon," written in 1824, was +never published, the preface to "Paul Jones" was Benjamin's first +appearance as an author.] + +Meanwhile, young Disraeli still remained with Mr. Lockhart at +Chiefswood. + +_Mr. B, Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_September_, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am quite sure, that upon the business I am upon now every line will be +acceptable, and I therefore make no apology for this hurried despatch. I +have just received a parcel from Oliver & Boyd. I transmitted a letter +from M. to Wright, and which [Footnote: This is an ungrammatical +construction which Lord Beaconsfield to the end of his days never +abandoned. _Vide_ letter on p. 318 and Lothair _passim_.--T.M.] was for +your mutual consideration, to you, _via Chronometer_, last Friday. I +afterwards received a note from you, dated Chichester, and fearing from +that circumstance that some confusion would arise, I wrote a few lines +to you at Mr. Holland's. [Footnote: The Rev. W. Holland, Mr. Murray's +brother-in-law, was a minor canon of Chichester.] I now find that you +will be in town on Monday, on which day I rather imagine the said +letter from M. to Wright will arrive. I therefore trust that the +suspected confusion will not arise. + +I am very much obliged to you for your letters; but I am very sorry that +you have incurred any trouble, when it is most probable that I shall not +use them. The Abbotsford and Chiefswood families have placed me on such +a friendly and familiar footing, that it is utterly impossible for me to +leave them while there exists any chance of M.'s going to England. M. +has introduced me to most of the neighbouring gentry, and receives with +a loud laugh any mention of my return to Edinburgh. I dined with Dr. +Brewster the other day. He has a pretty place near Melrose. It is +impossible for me to give to you any written idea of the beauty and +unique character of Abbotsford. _Adio!_ + +B.D. + + +Mr. Murray continued to transmit the correspondence to Mr. Isaac +D'Israeli, whose delight may be conceived from the following: + +_Mr. D'Israeli to John Murray_. + +_October_ 9, 1825. + +MY DEAR FRIEND, + +Thanks! My warmest ones are poor returns for the ardent note you have so +affectionately conveyed to me by him on whom we now both alike rest our +hopes and our confidence. The more I think of this whole affair, from +its obscure beginnings, the more I am quite overcome by what he has +already achieved; never did the finest season of blossoms promise a +richer gathering. But he has not the sole merit, for you share it with +him, in the grand view you take of the capability of this new +intellectual steam engine. + + +In the following letter Lockhart definitely declined the editorship of +the _Representative_. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_October_ 7, 1825. + +"I am afraid, that in spite of my earnest desire to be clear and +explicit, you have not after all fully understood the inexpressible +feeling I entertain in regard to the _impossibility_ of my ever entering +into the career of London in the capacity of a newspaper editor. I +confess that you, who have adorned and raised your own profession so +highly, may feel inclined, and justly perhaps, to smile at some of my +scruples; but it is enough to say that every hour that has elapsed since +the idea was first started has only served to deepen and confirm the +feeling with which I at the first moment regarded it; and, in short, +that if such a game _ought_ to be played, I am neither young nor poor +enough to be the man that takes the hazard." + +Sir Walter Scott also expressed his views on the subject as follows: + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_. + +ABBOTSFORD, _Sunday_, + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Lockhart seems to wish that I would express my opinion of the plan which +you have had the kindness to submit to him, and I am myself glad of an +opportunity to express my sincere thanks for the great confidence you +are willing to repose in one so near to me, and whom I value so highly. +There is nothing in life that can be more interesting to me than his +prosperity, and should there eventually appear a serious prospect of his +bettering his fortunes by quitting Scotland, I have too much regard for +him to desire him to remain, notwithstanding all the happiness I must +lose by his absence and that of my daughter. The present state, however, +of the negotiation leaves me little or no reason to think that I will be +subjected to this deprivation, for I cannot conceive it advisable that +he should leave Scotland on the speculation of becoming editor of a +newspaper. It is very true that this department of literature may and +ought to be rendered more respectable than it is at present, but I think +this is a reformation more to be wished than hoped for, and should think +it rash for any young man, of whatever talent, to sacrifice, nominally +at least, a considerable portion of his respectability in society in +hopes of being submitted as an exception to a rule which is at present +pretty general. This might open the door to love of money, but it would +effectually shut it against ambition. + +To leave Scotland, Lockhart must make very great sacrifices, for his +views here, though moderate, are certain, his situation in public +estimation and in private society is as high as that of any one at our +Bar, and his road to the public open, if he chooses to assist his income +by literary resources. But of the extent and value of these sacrifices +he must himself be a judge, and a more unprejudiced one, probably, than +I am. + +I am very glad he meets your wishes by going up to town, as this, though +it should bear no further consequences, cannot but serve to show a +grateful sense of the confidence and kindness of the parties concerned, +and yours in particular. + +I beg kind compliments to Mr. D'Israeli, and am, dear sir, with best +wishes for the success of your great national plan. + +Yours very truly, + +WALTER SCOTT. + + +Although Mr. Lockhart hung back from the proposed editorship, he +nevertheless carried out his intention of visiting Mr. Murray in London +a few weeks after the date of the above letter. Mr. J.T. Coleridge had +expressed his desire to resign the editorship of the _Quarterly_, in +consequence of his rapidly increasing practice on the western circuit, +and Mr. Lockhart was sounded as to his willingness to become his +successor. Mr. Murray entertained the hope that he might be able to give +a portion of his time to rendering some assistance in the management of +the proposed newspaper. As Sir Walter Scott had been taken into their +counsels, through the medium of Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Murray proceeded to +correspond with him on the subject. From the draft of one of Mr. +Murray's letters we extract the following: + +_John Murray to Sir Walter Scott_. + +_October_ 13, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR WALTER, + +I feel greatly obliged by the favour of your kind letter, and for the +good opinion which you are disposed to entertain of certain plans, of +which you will by degrees be enabled to form, I hope, a still more +satisfactory estimate. At present, I will take the liberty of assuring +you, that after your confidence in me, I will neither propose nor think +of anything respecting Mr. Lockhart that has not clearly for its basis +the honour of his family. With regard to our Great Plan--which really +ought not to be designated a newspaper, as that department of literature +has hitherto been conducted--Mr. Lockhart was never intended to have +anything to do as editor: for we have already secured two most efficient +and respectable persons to fill that department. I merely wished to +receive his general advice and assistance. And Mr. Lockhart would only +be known or suspected to be the author of certain papers of grave +national importance. The more we have thought and talked over our plans, +the more certain are we of their inevitable success, and of their +leading us to certain power, reputation, and fortune. For myself, the +heyday of my youth is passed, though I may be allowed certain experience +in my profession. I have acquired a moderate fortune, and have a certain +character, and move now in the first circles of society; and I have a +family: these, I hope, may be some fair pledge to you that I would not +engage in this venture with any hazard, when all that is dearest to man +would be my loss. + +In order, however, to completely obviate any difficulties which have +been urged, I have proposed to Mr. Lockhart to come to London as the +editor of the _Quarterly_--an appointment which, I verily believe, is +coveted by many of the highest literary characters in the country, and +which, of itself, would entitle its possessor to enter into and mix with +the first classes of society. For this, and without writing a line, but +merely for performing the duties of an editor, I shall have the pleasure +of allowing him a thousand pounds a year; and this, with contributions +of his own, might easily become L1,500, and take no serious portion of +his time either. Then, for his connection with the paper, he will become +permanently interested in a share we can guarantee to him for three +years, and which, I am confident, will be worth, at the end of that +period, at least L3,000; and the profits from that share will not be +less than L1,500 per annum. I have lately heard, from good authority, +that the annual profit of the _Times_ is L40,000, and that a share in +the _Courier_ sold last week (wretchedly conducted, it seems) at the +rate of L100,000 for the property. + +But this is not all. You know well enough that the business of a +publishing bookseller is not in his shop or even his connection, but in +his brains; and we can put forward together a series of valuable +literary works, and without, observe me, in any of these plans, the +slightest risk to Mr. Lockhart. And I do most solemnly assure you that +if I may take any credit to myself for possessing anything like sound +judgment in my profession, the things which we shall immediately begin +upon, as Mr. Lockhart will explain to you, are as perfectly certain of +commanding a great sale as anything I ever had the good fortune to +engage in. + +Lockhart finally accepted the editorship of the _Quarterly_, after +negotiations which brought Mr. Disraeli on a second visit to Scotland, +but he undertook no formal responsibility for the new daily paper. + +In London Disraeli was indefatigable. He visited City men, for the +purpose of obtaining articles on commercial subjects. He employed an +architect, Mr. G. Basevi, jun., his cousin, with a view to the planning +of offices and printing premises. A large house was eventually taken in +Great George Street, Westminster, and duly fitted up as a printing +office. + +He then proceeded, in common with Mr. Murray, to make arrangements for +the foreign correspondence. In the summer of 1824--before the new +enterprise was thought of--he had travelled in the Rhine country, and +made some pleasant acquaintances, of whom he now bethought himself when +making arrangements for the new paper. One of them was Mr. Maas, of the +Trierscher Hof, Coblentz, and Mr. Disraeli addressed him as follows: + +_Mr. B. Disraeli to Mr. Maas_. + +_October_ 25, 1825. + +DEAR SIR, + +Your hospitality, which I have twice enjoyed, convinces me that you will +not consider this as an intrusion. My friend, Mr. Murray, of Albemarle +Street, London, the most eminent publisher that we have, is about to +establish a daily journal of the first importance. With his great +influence and connections, there is no doubt that he will succeed in his +endeavour to make it the focus of the information of the whole world. +Among other places at which he wishes to have correspondents is the +Rhine, and he has applied to me for my advice upon this point. It has +struck me that Coblentz is a very good situation for intelligence. Its +proximity to the Rhine and the Moselle, its contiguity to the beautiful +baths of the Taunus, and the innumerable travellers who pass through it, +and spread everywhere the fame of your admirable hotel, all conduce to +make it a place from which much interesting intelligence might be +procured. + +The most celebrated men in Europe have promised their assistance to Mr. +Murray in his great project. I wish to know whether you can point out +any one to him who will occasionally write him a letter from your city. +Intelligence as to the company at Wiesbaden and Ems, and of the persons +of eminence, particularly English, who pass through Coblentz, of the +travellers down the Rhine, and such topics, are very interesting to us. +You yourself would make a most admirable correspondent. The labour would +be very light and very agreeable; and Mr. Murray would take care to +acknowledge your kindness by various courtesies. If you object to say +anything about politics you can omit mentioning the subject. I wish you +would undertake it, as I am sure you would write most agreeable letters. +Once a month would be sufficient, or rather write whenever you have +anything that you think interesting. Will you be so kind as to write me +in answer what you think of this proposal? The communication may be +carried on in any language you please. + +Last year when I was at Coblentz you were kind enough to show me a very +pretty collection of ancient glass. Pray is it yet to be purchased? I +think I know an English gentleman who would be happy to possess it. I +hope this will not be the last letter which passes between us. + +I am, dear Sir, + +Yours most truly, + +B. DISRAELI. + +Mr. Maas agreed to Mr. Disraeli's proposal, and his letter was handed to +Mr. Murray, who gave him further instructions as to the foreign +correspondence which he required. Mr. Murray himself wrote to +correspondents at Hamburg, Maestricht, Genoa, Trieste, Gibraltar, and +other places, with the same object. + +The time for the publication of the newspaper was rapidly approaching, +and Mr. B. Disraeli's correspondence on the subject of the engagement of +a staff became fast and furious. + +By the end of December Mr. Lockhart had arrived in London, for the +purpose of commencing his editorship of the _Quarterly Review_. The name +of the new morning paper had not then been yet fixed on; from the +correspondence respecting it, we find that some spoke of it as the +_Daily Review_, others as the _Morning News_, and so on; but that Mr. +Benjamin Disraeli settled the matter appears from the following letter +of Mr. Lockhart to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_December_ 21, 1825. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am delighted, and, what is more, satisfied with Disraeli's title--the +_Representative_. If Mr. Powles does not produce some thundering +objection, let this be fixed, in God's name. + +Strange to say, from this time forward nothing more is heard of Mr. +Benjamin Disraeli in connection with the _Representative_. After his two +Journeys to Scotland, his interviews with Sir Walter Scott and Mr. +Lockhart, his activity in making arrangements previous to the starting +of the daily paper, his communications with the architect as to the +purchase and fitting up of the premises in Great George Street, and with +the solicitors as to the proposed deed of partnership, he suddenly drops +out of sight; and nothing more is heard of him in connection with the +business. + +It would appear that when the time arrived for the proprietors of the +new paper to provide the necessary capital under the terms of the +memorandum of agreement dated August 3, 1825, both Mr. Disraeli and Mr. +Powles failed to contribute their several proportions. Mr. Murray had +indeed already spent a considerable sum, and entered into agreements for +the purchase of printing-offices, printing-machines, types, and all the +paraphernalia of a newspaper establishment. He had engaged reporters, +correspondents, printers, sub-editors, though he still wanted an +efficient editor. He was greatly disappointed at not being able to +obtain the services of Mr. Lockhart. Mr. Disraeli was too young--being +then only twenty-one, and entirely inexperienced in the work of +conducting a daily paper--to be entrusted with the editorship. Indeed, +it is doubtful whether he ever contemplated occupying that position, +though he had engaged himself most sedulously in the preliminary +arrangements in one department, his endeavours to obtain the assistance +of men of commerce in the City; however, he was by no means successful. +Nevertheless, Mr. Murray was so far committed that he felt bound to go +on with the enterprise, and he advertised the publication of the new +morning paper. Some of his friends congratulated him on the +announcement, trusting that they might see on their breakfast-table a +paper which their wives and daughters might read without a blush. + +The first number of the _Representative_ accordingly appeared on January +25, 1826, price 7_d_.; the Stamp Tax was then 4_d_. In politics it was a +supporter of Lord Liverpool's Government; but public distress, the +currency, trade and commerce were subjects of independent comment. + +Notwithstanding the pains which had been taken, and the money which had +been spent, the _Representative_ was a failure from the beginning. It +was badly organized, badly edited, and its contents--leading articles, +home and foreign news--were ill-balanced. Failing Lockhart, an editor, +named Tyndale, had been appointed on short notice, though he was an +obscure and uninfluential person. He soon disappeared in favour of +others, who were no better. Dr. Maginn [Footnote: Dr. Maginn's papers in +_Blackwood_ are or should be known to the reader. The Murray +correspondence contains many characteristic letters from this jovial and +impecunious Irishman. He is generally supposed to have been the +prototype of Thackeray's Captain Shandon.--T.M.] had been engaged--the +Morgan O'Doherty of _Blackwood's Magazine_--wit, scholar, and Bohemian. +He was sent to Paris, where he evidently enjoyed himself; but the +results, as regarded the _Representative_, were by no means +satisfactory. He was better at borrowing money than at writing articles. + +Mr. S.C. Hall, one of the parliamentary reporters of the paper, says, +in his "Retrospect of a Long Life," that: + +"The day preceding the issue of the first number, Mr. Murray might have +obtained a very large sum for a shore of the copyright, of which he was +the sole proprietor; the day after that issue, the copyright was worth +comparatively nothing.... Editor there was literally none, from the +beginning to the end. The first number supplied conclusive evidence of +the utter ignorance of editorial tact on the part of the person +entrusted with the duty.... In short, the work was badly done; if not a +snare, it was a delusion; and the reputation of the new journal fell +below zero in twenty-four hours." [Footnote: "Retrospect of a Long Life, +from 1815 to 1883." By S.C. Hall, F.S.A., i. p. 126.] + +An inspection of the file of the _Representative_ justifies Mr. Hall's +remarks. The first number contained an article by Lockhart, four columns +in length, on the affairs of Europe. It was correct and scholar-like, +but tame and colourless. Incorrectness in a leading article may be +tolerated, but dulness amounts to a literary crime. The foreign +correspondence consisted of a letter from Valetta, and a communication +from Paris, more than a column in length, relating to French opera. In +the matter of news, for which the dailies are principally purchased, the +first number was exceedingly defective. It is hard to judge of the +merits of a new journal from the first number, which must necessarily +labour under many disadvantages, but the _Representative_ did not from +the first exhibit any element of success. + +Mr. Murray found his new enterprise an increasing source of annoyance +and worry. His health broke down under the strain, and when he was +confined to his bed by illness things went worse from day to day. The +usual publishing business was neglected; letters remained unanswered, +manuscripts remained unread, and some correspondents became excessively +angry at their communications being neglected. + +Mr. Murray's worries were increased by the commercial crisis then +prevailing, and by the downfall of many large publishing houses. It was +feared that Mr. Murray might be implicated in the failures. At the end +of January, the great firm of Archibald Constable & Co., of Edinburgh +publishers of Sir Walter Scott's novels, was declared bankrupt; shortly +after, the failure was announced of James Ballantyne & Co., in which Sir +Walter Scott was a partner; and with these houses, that of Hurst, +Kobinson & Co., of London, was hopelessly involved. The market was +flooded with the dishonoured paper of all these concerns, and mercantile +confidence in the great publishing houses was almost at an end. We find +Washington Irving communicating the following intelligence to A.H. +Everett, United States Minister at Madrid (January 31, 1826): + +"You will perceive by the papers the failure of Constable & Co., at +Edinburgh, and Hurst, Robinson & Co., at London. These are severe shocks +in the trading world of literature. Pray Heaven, Murray may stand +unmoved, and not go into the _Gazette_, instead of publishing one!" + +Mr. Murray held his ground. He was not only able to pay his way, but to +assist some of the best-known London publishers through the pressure of +their difficulties. One of these was Mr. Robert Baldwin, of Paternoster +Row, who expressed his repeated obligations to Mr. Murray for his help +in time of need. The events of this crisis clearly demonstrated the +wisdom and foresight of Murray in breaking loose from the Ballantyne and +Constable connection, in spite of the promising advantages which it had +offered him. + +Murray still went on with the _Representative_, though the result was +increasing annoyance and vexation. Mr. Milman wrote to him, "Do get a +new editor for the lighter part of your paper, and look well to the +_Quarterly_." The advice was taken, and Dr. Maginn was brought over from +Paris to take charge of the lighter part of the paper at a salary of +L700 a year, with a house. The result was, that a number of clever _jeux +d'esprit_ were inserted by him, but these were intermingled with some +biting articles, which gave considerable offence. + +At length the strain became more than he could bear, and he sought the +first opportunity for stopping the further publication of the paper. +This occurred at the end of the general election, and the +_Representative_ ceased to exist on July 29, 1826, after a career of +only six months, during which brief period it had involved Mr. Murray in +a loss of not less than L26,000. [Footnote: The _Representative_ was +afterwards incorporated with the _New Times_, another unfortunate +paper.] + +Mr. Murray bore his loss with much equanimity, and found it an +inexpressible relief to be rid of the _Representative_ even at such a +sacrifice. To Washington Irving he wrote: + +_John Murray to Mr. Irving_. + +"One cause of my not writing to you during one whole year was my +'entanglement,' as Lady G---- says, with a newspaper, which absorbed my +money, and distracted and depressed my mind; but I have cut the knot of +evil, which I could not untie, and am now, by the blessing of God, again +returned to reason and the shop." + +One of the unfortunate results of the initiation and publication of the +_Representative_ was that it disturbed the friendship which had so long +existed between Mr. Murray and Mr. Isaac D'Israeli. The real cause of +Benjamin's sudden dissociation from an enterprise of which in its +earlier stages he had been the moving spirit, can only be matter of +conjecture. The only mention of his name in the later correspondence +regarding the newspaper occurs in the following letter: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +THURSDAY, _February_ 14, 1826. + +I think Mr. B. Disraeli ought to tell you what it is that he wishes to +say to Mr. Croker on a business _of yours_ ere he asks of you a letter +to the Secretary. If there really be something worth saying, I certainly +know nobody that would say it better, but I confess I think, all things +considered, you have no need of anybody to come between you and Mr. +Croker. What can it be? + +Yours, + +J.G.L. + +But after the _Representative_, had ceased to be published, the elder +D'Israeli thought he had a cause of quarrel with Mr. Murray, and +proposed to publish a pamphlet on the subject. The matter was brought +under the notice of Mr. Sharon Turner, the historian and solicitor, and +the friend of both. Mr. Turner strongly advised Mr. Isaac D'Israeli to +abstain from issuing any such publication. + +_Mr. Sharon Turner to Mr. D'Israeli._ + +_October_ 6, 1826. + +"Fame is pleasant, if it arise from what will give credit or do good. +But to make oneself notorious only to be the football of all the +dinner-tables, tea-tables, and gossiping visits of the country, will be +so great a weakness, that until I see you actually committing yourself +to it, I shall not believe that you, at an age like my own, can wilfully +and deliberately do anything that will bring the evil on you. Therefore +I earnestly advise that whatever has passed be left as it is.... If you +give it any further publicity, you will, I think, cast a shade over a +name that at present stands quite fair before the public eye. And +nothing can dim it to you that will not injure all who belong to you. +Therefore, as I have said to Murray, I say to you: Let Oblivion absorb +the whole question as soon as possible, and do not stir a step to rescue +it from her salutary power.... If I did not gee your words before me, I +could not have supposed that after your experience of these things and +of the world, you could deliberately intend to write--that is, to +publish in print--anything on the differences between you, Murray, and +the _Representative_, and your son.... If you do, Murray will be driven +to answer. To him the worst that can befall will be the public smile +that he could have embarked in a speculation that has cost him many +thousand pounds, and a criticism on what led to it.... The public know +it, and talk as they please about it, but in a short time will say no +more upon it. It is now dying away. Very few at present know that you +were in any way concerned about it. To you, therefore, all that results +will be new matter for the public discussion and censure. And, after +reading Benjamin's agreement of the 3rd August, 1825, and your letters +to Murray on him and the business, of the 27th September, the 29th +September, and the 9th October, my sincere opinion is that you cannot, +with a due regard to your own reputation, _write_ or _publish_ anything +about it. I send you hastily my immediate thoughts, that he whom I have +always respected may not, by publishing what will be immediately +contradicted, diminish or destroy in others that respect which at +present he possesses, and which I hope he will continue to enjoy." + +Mr. D'Israeli did not write his proposed pamphlet. What Mr. Murray +thought of his intention may be inferred from the following extract from +his letter to Mr. Sharon Turner: + +_John Murray to Mr. Sharon Turner_. + +_October_ 16, 1826. + +"Mr. D'Israeli is totally wrong in supposing that my indignation against +his son arises in the smallest degree from the sum which I have lost by +yielding to that son's unrelenting excitement and importunity; this +loss, whilst it was in weekly operation, may be supposed, and naturally +enough, to have been sufficiently painful, [Footnote: See note at the +end of the chapter.] but now that it has ceased, I solemnly declare that +I neither care nor think about it, more than one does of the +long-suffered agonies of an aching tooth the day after we have summoned +resolution enough to have it extracted. On the contrary, I am disposed +to consider this apparent misfortune as one of that chastening class +which, if suffered wisely, may be productive of greater good, and I feel +confidently that, as it has re-kindled my ancient ardour in business, a +very few months will enable me to replace this temporary loss, and make +me infinitely the gainer, if I profit by the prudential lesson which +this whole affair is calculated to teach.... From me his son had +received nothing but the most unbounded confidence and parental +attachment; my fault was in having loved, not wisely, but too well." + +To conclude the story, as far as Mr. Disraeli was concerned, we may +print here a letter written some time later. Mr. Powles had availed +himself of Disraeli's literary skill to recommend his mining +speculations to the public. In March 1825, Mr. Murray had published, on +commission, "American Mining Companies," and the same year "Present +State of Mexico," and "Lawyers and Legislators," all of them written by, +or under the superintendence of, Mr. Disraeli. Mr. Powles, however, +again proved faithless, and although the money for the printing had been +due for some time, he paid nothing; and at length Mr. Disraeli addressed +Mr. Murray in the following letter: + +_Mr. Benjamin Disraeli to John Murray_. + +6 BLOOMSBURY SQUARE, _March_ 19, 1827. + +SIR, + +I beg to enclose you the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, which I +believe to be the amount due to you for certain pamphlets published +respecting the American Mining Companies, as stated in accounts sent in +some time since. I have never been able to obtain a settlement of these +accounts from the parties originally responsible, and it has hitherto +been quite out of my power to exempt myself from the liability, which, I +have ever been conscious, on their incompetency, resulted from the +peculiar circumstances of the case to myself. In now enclosing you what +I consider to be the amount, I beg also to state that I have fixed upon +it from memory, having been unsuccessful in my endeavours to obtain even +a return of the accounts from the original parties, and being unwilling +to trouble you again for a second set of accounts, which had been so +long and so improperly kept unsettled. In the event, therefore, of there +being any mistake, I will be obliged by your clerk instantly informing +me of it, and it will be as instantly rectified; and I will also thank +you to enclose me a receipt, in order to substantiate my claims and +enforce my demands against the parties originally responsible. I have to +express my sense of your courtesy in this business, and + +I am, sir, yours truly, + +BENJAMIN DISRAELI. + +Fortunately, the misunderstanding between the two old friends did not +last long, for towards the end of the year we find Mr. Isaac D'Israeli +communicating with Mr. Murray respecting Wool's "Life of Joseph Warton," +and certain selected letters by Warton which he thought worthy of +republication; and with respect to his son, Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, +although he published his first work, "Vivian Grey," through Colburn, +he returned to Albemarle Street a few years later, and published his +"Contarini Fleming" through Mr. Murray. + +NOTE.--It appears from the correspondence that Mr. Murray had been led +by the "unrelenting excitement and importunity" of his young friend to +make some joint speculation in South American mines. The same financial +crisis which prevented Mr. Powles from fulfilling his obligations +probably swept away all chance of profit from this investment. The +financial loss involved in the failure of the _Representative_ was more +serious, but Mr. Murray's resentment against young Mr. Disraeli was not +due to any such considerations. Justly or unjustly he felt bitterly +aggrieved at certain personalities which, he thought, were to be +detected in "Vivian Grey." Mr. Disraeli was also suspected of being +concerned in an ephemeral publication called _The Star Chamber_, to +which he undoubtedly contributed certain articles, and in which +paragraphs appeared giving offence in Albemarle Street. The story of +Vivian Grey (as it appeared in the first edition) is transposed from the +literary to the political key. It is undoubtedly autobiographical, but +the identification of Mr. Murray with the Marquis of Carabas must seem +very far-fetched. It is, at all times, difficult to say within what +limits the novelist is entitled to resort to portraiture in order to +build up the fabric of his romance. Intention of offence was vehemently +denied by the D'Israeli family, which, as the correspondence shows, +rushed with one accord to the defence of the future Lord Beaconsfield. +It was really a storm in a teacup, and but for the future eminence of +one of the friends concerned would call for no remark. Mr. Disraeli's +bitter disappointment at the failure of his great journalistic +combination sharpened the keen edge of his wit and perhaps magnified the +irksomeness of the restraint which his older fellow-adventurer tried to +put on his "unrelenting excitement," and it is possible that his +feelings found vent in the novel which he then was composing. It is +pleasing to remark that at a later date his confidence and esteem for +his father's old friend returned to him, and that the incident ended in +a way honourable to all concerned.--T.M. + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +MR. LOCKHART AS EDITOR OF THE "QUARTERLY"--HALLAM--WORDSWORTH--DEATH OF +CONSTABLE + + +The appointment of a new editor naturally excited much interest among +the contributors and supporters of the _Quarterly Review_. Comments were +made, and drew from Scott the following letter: + +_Sir Walter Scott to John Murray_. + +ABBOTSFORD, _November_ 17, 1825. + +My Dear Sir, + +I was much surprised to-day to learn from Lockhart by letter that some +scruples were in circulation among some of the respectable among the +supporters of the _Quarterly Review_ concerning his capacity to +undertake that highly responsible task. In most cases I might not be +considered as a disinterested witness on behalf of so near a connection, +but in the present instance I have some claim to call myself so. The +plan (I need not remind you) of calling Lockhart to this distinguished +situation, far from being favoured by me, or in any respect advanced or +furthered by such interest as I might have urged, was not communicated +to me until it was formed; and as it involved the removal of my daughter +and of her husband, who has always loved and honoured me as a son, from +their native country and from my vicinity, my private wish and that of +all the members of my family was that such a change should not take +place. But the advantages proposed were so considerable, that it removed +all title on my part to state my own strong desire that he should remain +in Scotland. Now I do assure you that if in these circumstances I had +seen anything in Lockhart's habits, cast of mind, or mode of thinking or +composition which made him unfit for the duty he had to undertake, I +should have been the last man in the world to permit, without the +strongest expostulation not with him alone but with you, his exchanging +an easy and increasing income in his own country and amongst his own +friends for a larger income perhaps, but a highly responsible situation +in London. I considered this matter very attentively, and recalled to my +recollection all I had known of Mr. Lockhart both before and since his +connection with my family. I have no hesitation in saying that when he +was paying his addresses in my family I fairly stated to him that +however I might be pleased with his general talents and accomplishments, +with his family, which is highly respectable, and his views in life, +which I thought satisfactory, I did decidedly object to the use he and +others had made of their wit and satirical talent in _Blackwood's +Magazine_, which, though a work of considerable power, I thought too +personal to be in good taste or to be quite respectable. Mr. Lockhart +then pledged his word to me that he would withdraw from this species of +warfare, and I have every reason to believe that he has kept his word +with me. In particular I _know_ that he had not the least concern with +the _Beacon_ newspaper, though strongly urged by his young friends at +the Bar, and I also know that while he has sometimes contributed an +essay to _Blackwood_ on general literature, or politics, which can be +referred to if necessary, he has no connection whatever with the +satirical part of the work or with its general management, nor was he at +any time the Editor of the publication. + +It seems extremely hard (though not perhaps to be wondered at) that the +follies of three--or four and twenty should be remembered against a man +of thirty, who has abstained during the interval from giving the least +cause of offence. There are few men of any rank in letters who have not +at some time or other been guilty of some abuse of their satirical +powers, and very few who have not seen reason to wish that they had +restrained their vein of pleasantry. Thinking over Lockhart's offences +with my own, and other men's whom either politics or literary +controversy has led into such effusions, I cannot help thinking that +five years' proscription ought to obtain a full immunity on their +account. There were none of them which could be ascribed to any worse +motive than a wicked wit, and many of the individuals against whom they +were directed were worthy of more severe chastisement. The blame was in +meddling with such men at all. Lockhart is reckoned an excellent +scholar, and Oxford has said so. He is born a gentleman, has always kept +the best society, and his personal character is without a shadow of +blame. In the most unfortunate affair of his life he did all that man +could do, and the unhappy tragedy was the result of the poor sufferer's +after-thought to get out of a scrape. [Footnote: This refers, without +doubt, to the unfortunate death of John Scott, the editor of the _London +Magazine_, in a duel with Lockhart's friend Christie, the result of a +quarrel in which Lockhart himself had been concerned.] Of his general +talents I will not presume to speak, but they are generally allowed to +be of the first order. This, however, I _will_ say, that I have known +the most able men of my time, and I never met any one who had such ready +command of his own mind, or possessed in a greater degree the power of +making his talents available upon the shortest notice, and upon any +subject. He is also remarkably docile and willing to receive advice or +admonition from the old and experienced. He is a fond husband and almost +a doating father, seeks no amusement out of his own family, and is not +only addicted to no bad habits, but averse to spending time in society +or the dissipations connected with it. Speaking upon my honour as a +gentleman and my credit as a man of letters, I do not know a person so +well qualified for the very difficult and responsible task he has +undertaken, and I think the distinct testimony of one who must know the +individual well ought to bear weight against all vague rumours, whether +arising from idle squibs he may have been guilty of when he came from +College--and I know none of these which indicate a bad heart in the +jester--or, as is much more likely, from those which have been rashly +and falsely ascribed to him. + +Had any shadow of this want of confidence been expressed in the +beginning of the business I for one would have advised Lockhart to have +nothing to do with a concern for which his capacity was called in +question. But _now_ what can be done? A liberal offer, handsomely made, +has been accepted with the same confidence with which it was offered. +Lockhart has resigned his office in Edinburgh, given up his business, +taken a house in London, and has let, or is on the eve of letting, his +house here. The thing is so public, that about thirty of the most +respectable gentlemen in Edinburgh have proposed to me that a dinner +should be given in his honour. The ground is cut away behind him for a +retreat, nor can such a thing be proposed as matters now stand. + +Upon what grounds or by whom Lockhart was first recommended to you I +have no right or wish to inquire, having no access whatsoever to the +negotiation, the result of which must be in every wise painful enough to +me. But as their advice must in addition to your own judgment have had +great weight with you, I conceive they will join with me in the +expectation that the other respectable friends of this important work +will not form any decision to Lockhart's prejudice till they shall see +how the business is conducted. By a different conduct they may do harm +to the Editor, Publisher, and the work itself, as far as the withdrawing +of their countenance must necessarily be prejudicial to its currency. +But if it shall prove that their suspicions prove unfounded, I am sure +it will give pain to them to have listened to them for a moment. + +It has been my lot twice before now to stand forward to the best of my +power as the assistant of two individuals against whom a party run was +made. The one case was that of Wilson, to whom a thousand idle pranks +were imputed of a character very different and far more eccentric than +anything that ever attached to Lockhart. We carried him through upon the +fair principle that in the case of good morals and perfect talents for a +situation, where vice or crimes are not alleged, the follies of youth +should not obstruct the fair prospects of advanced manhood. God help us +all if some such modification of censure is not extended to us, since +most men have sown wild oats enough! Wilson was made a professor, as you +know, has one of the fullest classes in the University, lectures most +eloquently, and is much beloved by his pupils. The other was the case of +John Williams, now Rector of our new Academy here, who was opposed most +violently upon what on examination proved to be exaggerated rumours of +old Winchester stories. He got the situation chiefly, I think, by my +own standing firm and keeping others together. And the gentlemen who +opposed him most violently have repeatedly told me that I did the utmost +service to the Academy by bringing him in, for never was a man in such a +situation so eminently qualified for the task of education. + +I only mention these things to show that it is not in my son-in-law's +affairs alone that I would endeavour to remove that sort of prejudice +which envy and party zeal are always ready to throw in the way of rising +talent. Those who are interested in the matter may be well assured that +with whatever prejudice they may receive Lockhart at first, all who have +candour enough to wait till he can afford them the means of judging will +be of opinion that they have got a person possibly as well situated for +the duties of such an office as any man that England could afford them. + +I would rather have written a letter of this kind concerning any other +person than one connected with myself, but it is every word true, were +there neither son nor daughter in the case; but as such I leave it at +your discretion to show it, not generally, but to such friends and +patrons of the _Review_ as in your opinion have a title to know the +contents. + +Believe me, dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant, WALTER SCOTT. + +Mr. Lockhart himself addressed the two following letters to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +Chiefswood, _November_ 19, 1825. + +My Dear Sir, I am deeply indebted to Disraeli for the trouble he has +taken to come hither again at a time when he has so many matters of real +importance to attend to in London. The sort of stuff that certain grave +gentlemen have been mincing at, was of course thoroughly foreseen by Sir +W. Scott and by myself from the beginning of the business. Such +prejudices I cannot hope to overcome, except by doing well what has been +entrusted to me, and after all I should like to know what man could have +been put at the head of the _Quarterly Review_ at my time of life +without having the Doctors uttering doctorisms on the occasion. If you +but knew it, you yourself personally could in one moment overcome and +silence for ever the whole of these people. As for me, nobody has more +sincere respect for them in their own different walks of excellence than +myself; and if there be one thing that I may promise for myself, it is, +that age, experience, and eminence, shall never find fair reason to +accuse me of treating them with presumption. I am much more afraid of +falling into the opposite error. I have written at some length on these +matters to Mr. Croker, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. Rose--and to no one else; nor +will I again put pen to paper, unless someone, having a right to put a +distinct question to me, does put it. + + + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_Sunday_, CHIEFSWOOD, _November_ 27, 1825. + +My Dear Murray, + +I have read the letter I received yesterday evening with the greatest +interest, and closed it with the sincerest pleasure. I think we now +begin to understand each other, and if we do that I am sure _I_ have no +sort of apprehension as to the result of the whole business. But in +writing one must come to the point, therefore I proceed at once to your +topics in their order, and rely on it I shall speak as openly on every +one of them as I would _to my brother_. + +Mr. Croker's behaviour has indeed distressed me, for I had always +considered him as one of those bad enemies who make excellent friends. I +had not the least idea that he had ever ceased to regard you personally +with friendship, even affection, until B.D. told me about his +trafficking with Knight; for as to the little hints you gave me when in +town, I set all that down to his aversion for the notion of your setting +up a paper, and thereby dethroning him from his invisible predominance +over the Tory daily press, and of course attached little importance to +it. I am now satisfied, more particularly after hearing how he behaved +himself in the interview with you, that there is some deeper feeling in +his mind. The correspondence that has been passing between him and me +may have been somewhat imprudently managed on my part. I may have +_committed_ myself to a certain extent in it in more ways than one. It +is needless to regret what cannot be undone; at all events, I perceive +that it is now over with us for the present. I do not, however, believe +but that he will continue to do what he has been used to do for the +_Review_; indeed, unless he makes the newspaper business his excuse, he +stands completely pledged to me to adhere to that. + +But with reverence be it spoken, even this does not seem to me a matter +of very great moment. On the contrary, I believe that his papers in the +_Review_ have (with a few exceptions) done the work a great deal more +harm than good. I cannot express what I feel; but there was always the +bitterness of Gifford without his dignity, and the bigotry of Southey +without his _bonne-foi._ His scourging of such poor deer as Lady Morgan +was unworthy of a work of that rank. If we can get the same +_information_ elsewhere, no fear that we need equally regret the +secretary's quill. As it is, we must be contented to watch the course of +things and recollect the Roman's maxim, "quae casus obtullerint ad +sapientiam vertenda." + +I an vexed not a little at Mr. Barrow's imprudence in mentioning my name +to Croker and to Rose as in connection with the paper; and for this +reason that I was most anxious to have produced at least one number of +the _Review_ ere that matter should have been at all suspected. As it +is, I hope you will still find means to make Barrow, Rose, and Croker +(at all events the two last) completely understand that you had, indeed, +wished me to edit the paper, but that I had declined that, and that +_then_ you had offered me the _Review_. + +No matter what you say as to the firm belief I have expressed that the +paper _will_ answer, and the resolutions I have made to assist you by +writing political articles in it. It is of the highest importance that +in our anxiety about a new affair one should not lose sight of the old +and established one, and I _can_ believe that if the real state of the +case were known at the outset of my career in London, a considerable +feeling detrimental to the _Quarterly might_ be excited. We have enough +of adverse feelings to meet, without unnecessarily swelling their number +and aggravating their quality. + +I beg you to have a serious conversation with Mr. Barrow on this head, +and in the course of it take care to make him thoroughly understand that +the prejudices or doubts he gave utterance to in regard to me were heard +of by me without surprise, and excited no sort of angry feeling +whatever. He could know nothing of me but from flying rumours, for the +nature of which _he_ could in no shape be answerable. As for poor Rose's +well-meant hints about my "identifying myself perhaps in the mind of +society with the scavengers of the press," "the folly of _your_ risking +your name on a _paper_," etc., etc., of course we shall equally +appreciate all this. Rose is a timid dandy, and a bit of a Whig to boot. +I shall make some explanation to him when I next have occasion to write +to him, but that sort of thing would come surely with a better grace +from you than from me. I have not a doubt that he will be a daily +scribbler in your paper ere it is a week old. + +To all these people--Croker as well as the rest--John Murray is of much +more importance than they ever can be to him if he will only _believe_ +what I _know_, viz. that his own name in _society_ stands miles above +any of theirs. Croker _cannot_ form the nucleus of a literary +association which you have any reason to dread. He is hated by the +higher Tories quite as sincerely as by the Whigs: besides, he has not +_now-a-days_ courage to strike an effective blow; he will not come +forward. + +I come to pleasanter matters. Nothing, indeed, can be more handsome, +more generous than Mr. Coleridge's whole behaviour. I beg of you to +express to him the sense I have of the civility with which he has been +pleased to remember and allude to _me_, and assure him that I am most +grateful for the assistance he offers, and accept of it to any extent he +chooses. + +In this way Mr. Lockhart succeeded to the control of what his friend +John Wilson called "a National Work"; and he justified the selection +which Mr. Murray had made of him as editor: not only maintaining and +enhancing the reputation of the _Review_, by securing the friendship of +the old contributors, but enlisting the assistance of many new ones. Sir +Walter Scott, though "working himself to pieces" to free himself from +debt, came to his help, and to the first number which Lockhart edited he +contributed an interesting article on "Pepys' Memoirs." + +Lockhart's literary taste and discernment were of the highest order; and +he displayed a moderation and gentleness, even in his adverse +criticism, for which those who knew him but slightly, or by reputation +only, scarce gave him credit. There soon sprang up between him and his +publisher an intimacy and mutual confidence which lasted till Murray's +death; and Lockhart continued to edit the _Quarterly_ till his own death +in 1854. In truth there was need of mutual confidence between editor and +publisher, for they were called upon to deal with not a few persons +whose deep interest in the _Quarterly_ tempted them at times to assume a +somewhat dictatorial tone in their comments on and advice for the +management of the _Review_. When an article written by Croker, on +Lamennais' "Paroles d'un Croyant," [Footnote: The article by J.W. +Croker was afterwards published in No. 104 of the _Quarterly_.] was +under consideration, Lockhart wrote to the publisher: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_November 8_, 1826. + +My Dear Murray, + +It is always agreeable and often useful for us to hear what you think of +the articles in progress. Croker and I both differ from you as to the +general affair, for this reason simply, that Lamennais is to Paris what +Benson or Lonsdale is to London. His book has produced and is producing +a very great effect. Even religious people there applaud him, and they +are re-echoed here by old Jerdan, who pronounces that, be he right or +wrong, he has produced "a noble sacred poem." It is needful to caution +the English against the course of France by showing up the audacious +extent of her horrors, political, moral, and religious; and you know +what _was_ the result of our article on those vile tragedies, the +extracts of which were more likely to offend a family circle than +anything in the "Paroles d'un Croyant," and which even I was afraid of. +Mr. Croker, however, will modify and curtail the paper so as to get rid +of your specific objections. It had already been judged advisable to put +the last and only blasphemous extract in French in place of English. +Depend upon it, if we were to lower our scale so as to run no risk of +offending any good people's delicate feelings, we should soon lower +ourselves so as to rival "My Grandmother the British" in want of +interest to the world at large, and even (though they would not say so) +to the saints themselves.--_Verb. sap_. + +Like most sagacious publishers, Murray was free from prejudice, and was +ready to publish for all parties and for men of opposite opinions. For +instance, he published Malthus's "Essay on Population," and Sadler's +contradiction of the theory. He published Byron's attack on Southey, +and Southey's two letters against Lord Byron. He published Nugent's +"Memorials of Hampden," and the _Quarterly Review's_ attack upon it. +Southey's "Book of the Church" evoked a huge number of works on the +Roman Catholic controversy, most of which were published by Mr. Murray. +Mr. Charles Butler followed with his "Book on the Roman Catholic +Church." And the Rev. Joseph Blanco White's "Practical and Internal +Evidence against Catholicism," with occasional strictures on Mr. +Butler's "Book on the Roman Catholic Church." Another answer to Mr. +Butler came from Dr. George Townsend, in his "Accusations of History +against the Church of Rome." Then followed the Divines, of whom there +were many: the Rev. Dr. Henry Phillpotts (then of Stanhope Rectory, +Durham, but afterwards Bishop of Exeter), in his "Letter to Charles +Butler on the Theological Parts of his Book on the Roman Catholic +Church"; the Rev. G.S. Faber's "Difficulties of Romanism"; and many +others. + +While most authors are ready to take "cash down" for their manuscripts, +there are others who desire to be remunerated in proportion to the sale +of their works. This is especially the case with works of history or +biography, which are likely to have a permanent circulation. Hence, when +the judicious Mr. Hallam--who had sold the first three editions of +"Europe during the Middle Ages" to Mr. Murray for L1,400--had completed +his "Constitutional History of England," he made proposals which +resulted in Mr. Murray's agreeing to print and publish at his own cost +and risk the "Constitutional History of England," and pay to the author +two-thirds of the net profits. And these were the terms on which Mr. +Murray published all Mr. Hallam's subsequent works. + +Mr. Wordsworth about this time desired to republish his Poems, and made +application with that object to Mr. Murray, who thereupon consulted +Lockhart. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. _July_ 9, 1826. + +"In regard to Wordsworth I certainly cannot doubt that it must be +creditable to any publisher to publish the works _of_ one who is and +must continue to be a classic Poet of England. Your adventure with +Crabbe, however, ought to be a lesson of much caution. On the other +hand, again, W.'s poems _must_ become more popular, else why so many +editions in the course of the last few years. There have been _two_ of +the 'Excursion' alone, and I know that those have not satisfied the +public. Everything, I should humbly say, depends on the terms proposed +by the great Laker, whose vanity, be it whispered, is nearly as +remarkable as his genius." + +The following is the letter in which Mr. Wordsworth made his formal +proposal to Mr. Murray to publish his collected poems: + +_Mr. Wordsworth to John Murray_. + +RYDAL MOUNT, NEAR AMBLESIDE + +_December_ 4, 1826. + +Dear Sir, + +I have at last determined to go to the Press with my Poems as early as +possible. Twelve months ago the were to have been put into the hands of +Messrs. Robinson & Hurst, upon the terms of payment of a certain sum, +independent of expense on my part; but the failure of that house +prevented the thing going forward. Before I offer the publication to any +one but yourself, upon the different principle agreed on between you and +me, as you may recollect, viz.; the author to meet two-thirds of the +expenses and risk, and to share two-thirds of the profit, I think it +proper to renew that proposal to you. If you are not inclined to accept +it, I shall infer so from your silence; if such an arrangement suits +you, pray let me _immediately_ know; and all I have to request is, that +without loss of time, when I have informed you of the intended quantity +of letter-press, you will then let me know what my share of the expense +will amount to. + +I am, dear Sir, + +Your obedient servant, + +WM. WORDSWORTH. + +As Mr. Murray did not answer this letter promptly, Mr. H. Crabb Robinson +called upon him to receive his decision, and subsequently wrote: + +_Mr. H.G. Robinson to John Murray_. + +_February_ 1827. + +"I wrote to Mr. Wordsworth the day after I had the pleasure of seeing +you. I am sorry to say that my letter came too late. Mr. Wordsworth +interpreted your silence into a rejection of his offer; and his works +will unfortunately lose the benefit of appearing under you auspices. +They have been under the press some weeks." + +For about fifteen years there had been no business transactions between +Murray and Constable. On the eve of the failure of the Constables, the +head of the firm, Mr. Archibald Constable (October 1825), was paying a +visit at Wimbledon, when Mr. Murray addressed his host--Mr. Wright, +whose name has already occurred in the _Representative_ +correspondence--as follows: + +My Dear Wright, + +Although I intend to do myself the pleasure of calling upon Mr. +Constable at your house tomorrow immediately after church (for it is our +charity sermon at Wimbledon, and I must attend), yet I should be most +happy, if it were agreeable to you and to him, to favour us with your +company at dinner at, I will say, five tomorrow. Mr. Constable is +godfather to my son, who will be at home, and I am anxious to introduce +him to Mr. C., who may not be long in town. + +Mr. Constable and his friend accordingly dined with Murray, and that the +meeting was very pleasant may be inferred from Mr. Constable's letter of +a few days later, in which he wrote to Murray, "It made my heart glad to +be once more happy together as we were the other evening." The rest of +Mr. Constable's letter referred to Hume's Philosophical Writings, which +were tendered to Murray, but which he declined to publish. + +Constable died two years later, John Ballantyne, Scott's partner, a few +years earlier; and Scott entered in his diary, "It is written that +nothing shall flourish under my shadow." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +SIR WALTER'S LAST YEARS + + +Owing to the intimate relations which were now established between +Murray and Lockhart, the correspondence is full of references to Sir +Walter Scott and to the last phases of his illustrious career. + +Lockhart had often occasion to be at Abbotsford to see Sir Walter Scott, +who was then carrying on, single-handed, that terrible struggle with +adversity, which has never been equalled in the annals of literature. +His son-in-law went down in February 1827 to see him about further +articles, but wrote to Murray: "I fear we must not now expect Sir W. +S.'s assistance ere 'Napoleon' be out of hand." In the following month +of June Lockhart wrote from Portobello: "Sir W. Scott has got 'Napoleon' +out of his hands, and I have made arrangements for three or four +articles; and I think we may count for a paper of his every quarter." +Articles accordingly appeared from Sir Walter Scott on diverse subjects, +one in No. 71, June 1827, on the "Works of John Home "; another in No. +72, October 1827, on "Planting Waste Lands "; a third in No. 74, March +1828, on "Plantation and Landscape Gardening "; and a fourth in No. 76, +October 1828, on Sir H. Davy's "Salmonia, or Days of Fly-Fishing." The +last article was cordial and generous, like everything proceeding from +Sir Walter's pen. Lady Davy was greatly pleased with it. "It must always +be a proud and gratifying distinction," she said, "to have the name of +Sir Walter Scott associated with that of my husband in the review of +'Salmonia.' I am sure Sir Humphry will like his bairn the better for the +public opinion given of it by one whose immortality renders praise as +durable as it seems truly felt." + +With respect to "Salmonia" the following anecdote may be mentioned, as +related to Mr. Murray by Dr. Gooch, a valued contributor to the +_Quarterly_. + +"At page 6 of Salmonia," said Dr. Gooch, "it is stated that 'Nelson was +a good fly-fisher, and continued the pursuit even with his left hand.' I +can add that one of his reasons for regretting the loss of his right arm +was that it deprived him of the power of pursuing this amusement +efficiently, as is shown by the following incident, which is, I think, +worth preserving in that part of his history which relates to his +talents as a fly-fisher. I was at the Naval Hospital at Yarmouth on the +morning when Nelson, after the battle of Copenhagen (having sent the +wounded before him), arrived in the Roads and landed on the Jetty. The +populace soon surrounded him, and the military were drawn up in the +marketplace ready to receive him; but making his way through the crowd, +and the dust and the clamour, he went straight to the Hospital. I went +round the wards with him, and was much interested in observing his +demeanour to the sailors. He stopped at every bed, and to every man he +had something kind and cheering to say. At length he stopped opposite a +bed in which a sailor was lying who had lost his right arm close to the +shoulder joint, and the following short dialogue passed between them. +_Nelson_: 'Well, Jack, what's the matter with you?' _Sailor_: 'Lost my +right arm, your Honour.' Nelson paused, looked down at his own empty +sleeve, then at the sailor, and then said playfully, 'Well, Jack, then +you and I are spoiled for fishermen; but cheer up, my brave fellow.' He +then passed quickly on to the next bed, but these few words had a +magical effect upon the poor fellow, for I saw his eyes sparkle with +delight as Nelson turned away and pursued his course through the wards. +This was the only occasion on which I ever saw Lord Nelson." + +In the summer of 1828 Mr. Lockhart went down to Brighton, accompanied by +Sir Walter Scott, Miss Scott, Mrs. Lockhart and her son John--the +Littlejohn to whom Scott's charming "Tales of a Grandfather," which +were at that time in course of publication, had been addressed. It was +on the boy's account the party went to Brighton; he was very ill and +gradually sinking. + +While at Brighton, Lockhart had an interview with the Duke of +Wellington, and wrote to Murray on the subject. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. _May_ 18, 1828. + +"I have a message from the D. of W. to say that he, on the whole, highly +approves the paper on foreign politics, but has some criticisms to +offer on particular points, and will send for me some day soon to hear +them. I have of course signified my readiness to attend him any time he +is pleased to appoint, and expect it will be next week." + +That the Duke maintained his interest in the _Quarterly_ is shown by a +subsequent extract: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +AUCHENRAITH, _January_ 19, 1829. + +"Sir Walter met me here yesterday, and he considered the Duke's epistle +as an effort of the deepest moment to the _Quarterly_ and all concerned. +He is sure no minister ever gave a more distinguished proof of his +feeling than by this readiness to second the efforts of a literary +organ. Therefore, no matter about a week sooner or later, let us do the +thing justice." + +Before his departure for Brighton, Mr. Lockhart had been commissioned by +Murray to offer Sir Walter Scott L1,250 for the copyright of his +"History of Scotland," a transaction concerning which some informal +communications had already passed. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR _SIR_, + +Sir W. Scott has already agreed to furnish Dr. Lardner's "Cyclopaedia" +with one vol.--"History of Scotland"--for L1,000, and he is now at this +work. This is grievous, but you must not blame me, for he has acted in +the full knowledge of my connection with and anxiety about the Family +Library. I answered him, expressing my great regret and reminding him of +Peterborough. I suppose, as I never mentioned, nor well could, _money_, +that Dr. Lardner's matter appeared more a piece of business. Perhaps you +may think of something to be done. It is a great loss to us and gain to +them. + +Yours truly, + +J.G.L. + +After the failure of Ballantyne and Constable, Cadell, who had in former +years been a partner in Constable's house, became Scott's publisher, and +at the close of 1827 the principal copyrights of Scott's works, +including the novels from "Waverley" to "Quentin Durward," and most of +the poems, were put up to auction, and purchased by Cadell and Scott +jointly for L8,500. At this time the "Tales of a Grandfather" were +appearing by instalments, and Murray wrote to the author, begging to be +allowed to become the London publisher of this work. Scott replied: + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray._ + +6, Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, + +_November _26, 1828. + +My Dear Sir, + +I was favoured with your note some time since, but could not answer it +at the moment till I knew whether I was like to publish at Edinburgh or +not. The motives for doing so are very strong, for I need not tell you +that in literary affairs a frequent and ready communication with the +bookseller is a very necessary thing. + +As we have settled, with advice of those who have given me their +assistance in extricating my affairs, to publish in Edinburgh, I do not +feel myself at liberty to dictate to Cadell any particular selection of +a London publisher. If I did so, I should be certainly involved in any +discussions or differences which might occur between my London and +Edinburgh friends, which would be adding an additional degree of +perplexity to my affairs. I feel and know the value of your name as a +publisher, but if we should at any time have the pleasure of being +connected with you in that way, it must be when it is entirely on your +own account. The little history designed for Johnnie Lockhart was long +since promised to Cadell. + +I do not, in my conscience, think that I deprive you of anything of +consequence in not being at present connected with you in literary +business. My reputation with the world is something like a high-pressure +engine, which does very well while all lasts stout and tight, but is +subject to sudden explosion, and I would rather that another than an old +friend stood the risk of suffering by the splinters. + +I feel all the delicacy of the time and mode of your application, and +you cannot doubt I would greatly prefer you personally to men of whom I +know nothing. But they are not of my choosing, nor are they in any way +responsible to me. I transact with the Edinburgh bookseller alone, and +as I must neglect no becoming mode of securing myself, my terms are +harder than I think you, in possession of so well established a trade, +would like to enter upon, though they may suit one who gives up his time +to them as almost his sole object of expense and attention. I hope this +necessary arrangement will make no difference betwixt us, being, with +regard, + +Your faithful, humble Servant, + +Walter Scott. + +On his return to London, Lockhart proceeded to take a house, No. 24, +Sussex Place, Regent's Park; for he had been heretofore living in the +furnished apartments provided for him in Pall Mall. Mr. Murray wrote to +him on the subject: + +_John Murray to Mr. Lockhart_. + +_July_ 31, 1828. + +As you are about taking or retaking a house, I think it right to inform +you now that the editor's dividend on the _Quarterly Review_ will be in +future L325 on the publication of each number; and I think it very hard +if you do not get L200 or L300 more for your own contributions. + +Most truly yours, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +At the beginning of the following year Lockhart went down to Abbotsford, +where he found his father-in-law working as hard as ever. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_January_ 4, 1820. + +"I have found Sir Walter Scott in grand health and spirits, and have had +much conversation with him on his hill-side about all our concerns. I +shall keep a world of his hints and suggestions till we meet; but +meanwhile he has agreed to write _almost immediately_ a one volume +biography of the great Earl of Peterborough, and I think you will agree +with me in considering the choice of this, perhaps the last of our +romantic heroes, as in all respects happy. ... He will also write _now_ +an article on some recent works of Scottish History (Tytler's, etc.) +giving, he promises, a complete and gay summary of all that controversy; +and next Nov. a general review of the Scots ballads, whereof some twenty +volumes have been published within these ten years, and many not +published but only printed by the Bannatyne club of Edinburgh, and +another club of the same order at Glasgow.... I am coaxing him to make a +selection from Crabbe, with a preface, and think he will be persuaded." + +_January_ 8, 1829. + +"Sir Walter Scott suggests overhauling Caulfield's portraits of +remarkable characters (3 vols., 1816), and having roughish woodcuts +taken from that book and from others, and the biographies newly done, +whenever they are not in the words of the old original writers. He says +the march of intellect will never put women with beards and men with +horns out of fashion--Old Parr, Jenkins, Venner, Muggleton, and Mother +Souse, are immortal, all in their several ways." + +By 1829 Scott and Cadell had been enabled to obtain possession of all +the principal copyrights, with the exception of two one-fourth shares +of "Marmion," held by Murray and Longman respectively. Sir Walter Scott +applied to Murray through Lockhart, respecting this fourth share. The +following was Murray's reply to Sir Walter Scott: + +_John Murray to Sir Walter Scott_. + +_June_ 8, 1829. + +My Dear Sir, + +Mr. Lockhart has at this moment communicated to me your letter +respecting my fourth share of the copyright of "Marmion." I have already +been applied to by Messrs. Constable and by Messrs. Longman, to know +what sum I would sell this share for; but so highly do I estimate the +honour of being, even in so small a degree, the publisher of the author +of the poem, that no pecuniary consideration whatever can induce me to +part with it. But there is a consideration of another kind, which, until +now, I was not aware of, which would make it painful to me if I were to +retain it a moment longer. I mean, the knowledge of its being required +by the author, into whose hands it was spontaneously resigned in the +same instant that I read his request. This share has been profitable to +me fifty-fold beyond what either publisher or author could have +anticipated; and, therefore, my returning it on such an occasion, you +will, I trust, do me the favour to consider in no other light than as a +mere act of grateful acknowledgment for benefits already received by, my +dear sir, + +Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +P.S.--It will be proper for your man of business to prepare a regular +deed to carry this into effect, which I will sign with the greatest +self-satisfaction, as soon as I receive it. + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_. + +EDINBURGH, _June_ 12, 1829. + +My Dear Sir, + +Nothing can be more obliging or gratifying to me than the very kind +manner in which you have resigned to me the share you held in "Marmion," +which, as I am circumstanced, is a favour of real value and most +handsomely rendered. I hope an opportunity may occur in which I may more +effectually express my sense of the obligation than by mere words. I +will send the document of transference when it can be made out. In the +meantime I am, with sincere regard and thanks, + +Your most obedient and obliged Servant, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +At the end of August 1829 Lockhart was again at Abbotsford; and sending +the slips of Sir Walter's new article for the next _Quarterly_. He had +already written for No. 77 the article on "Hajji Baba," and for No. 81 +an article on the "Ancient History of Scotland." The slips for the new +article were to be a continuation of the last, in a review of Tytler's +"History of Scotland." The only other articles he wrote for the +_Quarterly_ were his review of Southey's "Life of John Bunyan," No. 86, +in October 1830; and his review--the very last--of Pitcairn's "Criminal +Trials of Scotland," No. 88, in February 1831. + +His last letter to Mr. Murray refers to the payment for one of these +articles: + +_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_. + +ABBOTSFORD, _Monday_, 1830. + +My Dear Sir, + +I acknowledge with thanks your remittance of L100, and I will be happy +to light on some subject which will suit the _Review_, which may be +interesting and present some novelty. But I have to look forward to a +very busy period betwixt this month and January, which may prevent my +contribution being ready before that time. You may be assured that for +many reasons I have every wish to assist the _Quarterly_, and will be +always happy to give any support which is in my power. + +I have inclosed for Moore a copy of one of Byron's letters to me. I +received another of considerable interest, but I do not think it right +to give publicity without the permission of a person whose name is +repeatedly mentioned. I hope the token of my good wishes will not come +too late. These letters have been only recovered after a long search +through my correspondence, which, as usual with literary folks, is sadly +confused. + +I beg my kind compliments to Mrs. Murray and the young ladies, and am, +yours truly, + +WALTER SCOTT. + +Scott now began to decline rapidly, and was suffering much from his +usual spasmodic attacks; yet he had Turner with him, making drawings for +the new edition of his poems. Referring to his last article in the +_Quarterly_ on Pitcairn's "Criminal Trials," he bids Lockhart to inform +Mr. Murray that "no one knows better your liberal disposition, and he is +aware that L50 is more than his paper is worth." Scott's illness +increased, and Lockhart rarely left his side. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 16, 1831. + +"Yesterday determined Sir W. Scott's motions. He owes to Croker the +offer of a passage to Naples in a frigate which sails in about a +fortnight. He will therefore proceed southwards by land next week, +halting at Rokeby, and with his son at Notts, by the way. We shall leave +Edinburgh by next Tuesday's steamer, so as to be in town before him, and +ready for his reception. We are all deeply obliged to Croker on this +occasion, for Sir Walter is quite unfit for the fatigues of a long land +journey, and the annoyances innumerable of Continental inns; and, above +all, he will have a good surgeon at hand, in case of need. The +arrangement has relieved us all of a great burden of annoyances and +perplexities and fears." + +Another, and the last of Lockhart's letters on this subject, may be +given: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 19, 1831. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +In consequence of my sister-in-law, Annie Scott, being taken unwell, +with frequent fainting fits, the result no doubt of over anxieties of +late, I have been obliged to let my wife and children depart by +tomorrow's steamer without me, and I remain to attend to Sir Walter +thro' his land progress, which will begin on Friday, and end, I hope +well, on Wednesday. If this should give any inconvenience to you, God +knows I regret it, and God knows also I couldn't do otherwise without +exposing Sir W. and his daughter to a feeling that I had not done my +duty to them. On the whole, public affairs seem to be so dark, that I am +inclined to think our best course, in the _Quarterly_, may turn out to +have been and to be, that of not again appearing until the fate of this +Bill has been quite settled. My wife will, if you are in town, be much +rejoiced with a visit; and if you write to me, so as to catch me at +Rokeby Park, Greta Bridge, next Saturday, 'tis well. + +Yours, + +J.G. LOCKHART. + +P.S.--But I see Rokeby Park would not do. I shall be at Major Scott's, +15th Hussars, Nottingham, on Monday night. + +It would be beyond our province to describe in these pages the closing +scenes of Sir Walter Scott's life: his journey to Naples, his attempt to +write more novels, his failure, and his return home to Abbotsford to +die. His biography, by his son-in-law Lockhart, one of the best in the +whole range of English literature, is familiar to all our readers; and +perhaps never was a more faithful memorial erected, in the shape of a +book, to the beauty, goodness, and faithfulness of a noble literary +character. + +In this work we are only concerned with Sir Walter's friendship and +dealings with Mr. Murray, and on these the foregoing correspondence, +extending over nearly a quarter of a century, is sufficient comment. +When a committee was formed in Sir Walter's closing years to organize +and carry out some public act of homage and respect to the great genius, +Mr. Murray strongly urged that the money collected, with which +Abbotsford was eventually redeemed, should be devoted to the purchase of +all the copyrights for the benefit of Scott and his family: it cannot +but be matter of regret that this admirable suggestion was not adopted. + +During the year 1827 Mr. Murray's son, John Murray the Third, was +residing in Edinburgh as a student at the University, and attended the +memorable dinner at which Scott was forced to declare himself the author +of the "Waverley Novels." + +His account of the scene, as given in a letter to his father, forms a +fitting conclusion to this chapter. + +"I believe I mentioned to you that Mr. Allan had kindly offered to take +me with him to a Theatrical Fund dinner, which took place on Friday +last. There were present about 300 persons--a mixed company, many of +them not of the most respectable order. Sir Walter Scott took the chair, +and there was scarcely another person of any note to support him except +the actors. The dinner, therefore, would have been little better than +endurable, had it not been remarkable for the confession of Sir Walter +Scott that he was the author of the 'Waverley Novels.' + +"This acknowledgment was forced from him, I believe, contrary to his own +wish, in this manner. Lord Meadowbank, who sat on his left hand, +proposed his health, and after paying him many compliments, ended his +speech by saying that the clouds and mists which had so long surrounded +the Great Unknown were now revealed, and he appeared in his true +character (probably alluding to the _expose_ made before Constable's +creditors, for I do not think there was any preconcerted plan). Upon +this Sir Walter rose, and said, 'I did not expect on coming here today +that I should have to disclose before 300 people a secret which, +considering it had already been made known to about thirty persons, had +been tolerably well kept. I am not prepared to give my reasons for +preserving it a secret, caprice had certainly a great share in the +matter. Now that it is out, I beg leave to observe that I am sole and +undivided author of those novels. Every part of them has originated with +me, or has been suggested to me in the course of my reading. I confess +I am guilty, and am almost afraid to examine the extent of my +delinquency. "Look on't again, I dare not!" The wand of Prospero is now +broken, and my book is buried, but before I retire I shall propose the +health of a person who has given so much delight to all now present, The +Bailie Nicol Jarvie.' + +"I report this from memory. Of course it is not quite accurate in words, +but you will find a tolerable report of it in the _Caledonian Mercury_ +of Saturday. This declaration was received with loud and long applause. +As this was gradually subsiding, a voice from the end of the room was +heard [Footnote: The speaker on this occasion was the actor Mackay, who +had attained considerable celebrity by his representation of Scottish +characters, and especially of that of the famous Bailie in "Rob Roy."] +exclaiming in character,' Ma conscience! if my father the Bailie had +been alive to hear that ma health had been proposed by the Author of +Waverley,' etc., which, as you may suppose, had a most excellent +effect." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +NAPIER'S "PENINSULAR WAR"--CHOKER'S "BOSWELL"--"THE FAMILY LIBRARY," +ETC. + + +The public has long since made up its mind as to the merits of Colonel +Napier's "History of the Peninsular War." It is a work which none but a +soldier who had served through the war as he had done, and who, +moreover, combined with practical experience a thorough knowledge of the +science of war, could have written. + +At the outset of his work he applied to the Duke of Wellington for his +papers. This rather abrupt request took the Duke by surprise. The +documents in his possession were so momentous, and the great part of +them so confidential in their nature, that he felt it to be impossible +to entrust them indiscriminately to any man living. He, however, +promised Napier to put in his hands any specified paper or document he +might ask for, provided no confidence would be broken by its +examination. He also offered to answer any question Napier might put to +him, and with this object invited him to Stratfieldsaye, where the two +Generals discussed many points connected with the campaign. + +_Colonel W. Napier to John Murray_. + +BROMHAM, WILTS, + +_December_ 5, 1828. + +Dear Sir, + +My first volume is now nearly ready for the press, and as I think that +in matters of business a plain straightforward course is best, I will at +once say what I conceive to be the valuable part of my work, and leave +you to make a proposition relative to publication of the single volume, +reserving further discussion about the whole until the other volumes +shall be in a more forward state. + +The volume in question commences with the secret treaty of +Fontainebleau concluded in 1809, and ends with the battle of Corunna. It +will have an appendix of original documents, many of which are extremely +interesting, and there will also be some plans of the battles. My +authorities have been: + +1. All the original papers of Sir Hew Dalrymple. + +2. Those of Sir John Moore. + +3. King Joseph's correspondence taken at the battle of Vittoria, and +placed at my disposal by the Duke of Wellington. Among other papers are +several notes and detailed instructions by Napoleon which throw a +complete light upon his views and proceedings in the early part of the +war. + +4. Notes of conversations held with the Duke of Wellington for the +especial purpose of connecting my account of his operations. + +5. Notes of conversation with officers of high rank in the French, +English, and Spanish services. + +6. Original journals, and the most unreserved communications with +Marshal Soult. + +7. My own notes of affairs in which I have been present. + +8. Journals of regimental officers of talent, and last but not least, +copies taken by myself from the original muster rolls of the French army +as they were transmitted to the Emperor. + +Having thus distributed all my best wares in the bow window, I shall +leave you to judge for yourself; and, as the diplomatists say, will be +happy to treat upon a suitable basis. In the meantime, + +I remain, your very obedient Servant, + +W. NAPIER. + +About a fortnight later (December 25, 1827) he again wrote that he would +have the pleasure of putting a portion of his work into Mr. Murray's +hands in a few days; but that "it would be disagreeable to him to have +it referred to Mr. Southey for an opinion." Murray, it should be +mentioned, had published Southey's "History of the War in Spain." Some +negotiations ensued, in the course of which Mr. Murray offered 500 +guineas for the volume. This proposal, however, was declined by Colonel +Napier. + +Murray after fuller consideration offered a thousand guineas, which +Colonel Napier accepted, and the volume was accordingly published in the +course of 1828. Notwithstanding the beauty of its style and the grandeur +of its descriptions, the book gave great offence by the severity of its +criticism, and called forth a multitude of replies and animadversions. +More than a dozen of these appeared in the shape of pamphlets bearing +their authors' names, added to which the _Quarterly Review_, departing +from the general rule, gave no less than four criticisms in succession. +This innovation greatly disgusted the publisher, who regarded them as so +much lead weighing down his _Review_, although they proceeded from the +pen of the Duke's right-hand man, the Rt. Hon. Sir George Murray. They +were unreadable and produced no effect. It is needless to add the Duke +had nothing to do with them. + +Mr. Murray published no further volumes of the "History of the +Peninsular War," but at his suggestion Colonel Napier brought out the +second and succeeding volumes on his own account. In illustration of the +loss which occurred to Mr. Murray in publishing the first volume of the +history, the following letter may be given, as addressed to the editor +of the _Morning Chronicle_: + +_John Murray to the Editor of the Morning Chronicle_. + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _February_ 13, 1837. + +SIR, + +My attention has been called to an article in your paper of the 14th of +January, containing the following extract from Colonel Napier's reply to +the third article in the _Quarterly Review_, on his "History of the +Peninsular War." [Footnote: The article appeared in No. 111 of +_Quarterly_, April 1836.] + +"Sir George Murray only has thrown obstacles in my way, and if I am +rightly informed of the following circumstances, his opposition has not +been confined to what I have stated above. Mr. Murray, the bookseller, +purchased my first volume, with the right of refusal for the second +volume. When the latter was nearly ready, a friend informed me that he +did not think Murray would purchase, because he had heard him say that +Sir George Murray had declared it was not 'The Book.' He did not point +out any particular error, but it was not 'The Book,' meaning, doubtless, +that his own production, when it appeared, would be 'The Book.' My +friend's prognostic was not false. I was offered just half of the sum +given for the first volume. I declined it, and published on my own +account, and certainly I have had no reason to regret that Mr. +Bookseller Murray waited for 'The Book,' indeed, he has since told me +very frankly that he had mistaken his own interest." + +In answer to the first part of this statement, I beg leave to say, that +I had not, at the time to which Colonel Napier refers, the honour of any +acquaintance with Sir George Murray, nor have I held any conversation or +correspondence with him on the subject of Colonel Napier's book, or of +any other book on the Peninsular War. In reply to the second part of the +statement, regarding the offer for Colonel Napier's second volume of +half the sum (viz. 500 guineas) that I gave for the first volume +(namely, 1,000 guineas), I have only to beg the favour of your insertion +of the following letter, written by me to Colonel Napier, upon the +occasion referred to. + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _May_ 13, 1829. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Upon making up the account of the sale of the first volume of "The +History of the War in the Peninsula" I find that I am at this time minus +L545 12s. At this loss I do by no means in the present instance repine, +for I have derived much gratification from being the publisher of a work +which is so intrinsically valuable, and which has been so generally +admired, and it is some satisfaction to me to find by this result that +my own proposal to you was perfectly just. I will not, however, venture +to offer you a less sum for the second volume, but recommend that you +should, in justice to yourself, apply to some other publishers; if you +should obtain from them the sum which you are right in expecting, it +will afford me great pleasure, and, if you do not, you will find me +perfectly ready to negotiate; and in any case I shall continue to be, +with the highest esteem, dear Sir, + +Your obliged and faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +I am confident you will do me the justice to insert this letter, and +have no doubt its contents will convince Colonel Napier that his +recollection of the circumstances has been incomplete. + +I have the honour to be, sir, + +Your obedient humble Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +It may not be generally known that we owe to Colonel Napier's work the +publication of the Duke of Wellington's immortal "Despatches." The Duke, +upon principle, refused to read Napier's work; not wishing, as he said, +to quarrel with its author. But he was made sufficiently acquainted with +the contents from friends who had perused it, and who, having made the +campaigns with him, could point to praise and blame equally undeserved, +to designs misunderstood and misrepresented, as well as to supercilious +criticism and patronizing approval, which could not but be painful to +the great commander. His nature was too noble to resent this; but he +resolved, in self-defence, to give the public the means of ascertaining +the truth, by publishing all his most important and secret despatches, +in order, he said, to give the world a correct account not only of what +he did, but of what he intended to do. + +Colonel Gurwood was appointed editor of the "Despatches" and, during +their preparation, not a page escaped the Duke's eye, or his own careful +revision. Mr. Murray, who was honoured by being chosen as the publisher, +compared this wonderful collection of documents to a watch: hitherto the +general public had only seen in the successful and orderly development +of his campaigns, as it were the hands moving over the dial without +fault or failure, but now the Duke opened the works, and they were +enabled to inspect the complicated machinery--the wheels within +wheels--which had produced this admirable result. It is enough to state +that in these despatches the _whole_ truth relating to the Peninsular +War is fully and elaborately set forth. + +At the beginning of 1829 Croker consulted Murray on the subject of an +annotated edition of "Boswell's Johnson." Murray was greatly pleased +with the idea of a new edition of the work by his laborious friend, and +closing at once with Croker's proposal, wrote, "I shall be happy to +give, as something in the way of remuneration, the sum of one thousand +guineas." Mr. Croker accepted the offer, and proceeded immediately with +the work. + +Mr. Murray communicated to Mr. Lockhart the arrangement he had made with +Croker. His answer was: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_January_ 19, 1829. + +"I am heartily rejoiced that this 'Johnson,' of which we had so often +talked, is in such hands at whatever cost. Pray ask Croker whether +Boswell's account of the Hebridean Tour ought not to be melted into the +book. Sir Walter has many MS. annotations in his 'Boswell,' both 'Life' +and 'Tour,' and will, I am sure, give them with hearty good will.... He +will write down all that he has heard about Johnson when in Scotland; +and, in particular, about the amusing intercourse between him and Lord +Auchinleck--Boswell's father--if Croker considers it worth his while." + +Sir Walter Scott's offer of information, [Footnote: Sir Walter's letter +to Croker on the subject will be found in the "Croker Correspondence," +ii. 28.] to a certain extent, delayed Croker's progress with the work. +He wrote to Mr. Murray (November 17, 1829): "The reference to Sir +Walter Scott delays us a little as to the revises, but his name is well +worth the delay. My share of the next volume (the 2nd) is quite done; +and I could complete the other two in a fortnight." + +While the work was passing through the press Lockhart again wrote: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +"I am reading the new 'Boswell' with great pleasure, though, I think, +the editor is often wrong. A prodigious flood of light is thrown on the +book assuredly; and the incorporation of the 'Tour' is a great +advantage. Now, do have a really good Index. That to the former edition +I have continually found inadequate and faulty. The book is a dictionary +of wisdom and wit, and one should know exactly where to find the _dictum +magistri_. Many of Croker's own remarks and little disquisitions will +also be hereafter among the choicest of _quotabilia_." + +Croker carried out the work with great industry and vigour, and it +appeared in 1831. It contained numerous additions, notes, explanations, +and memoranda, and, as the first attempt to explain the difficulties and +enigmas which lapse of time had created, it may not unfairly be said to +have been admirably edited; and though Macaulay, according to his own +account, "smashed" it in the _Edinburgh_, [Footnote: The correspondence +on the subject, and the criticism on the work by Macaulay, will be found +in the "Croker Correspondence," vol. ii. pp. 24-49.] some fifty thousand +of the "Life" have been sold. + +It has been the fashion with certain recent editors of "Boswell's +Johnson" to depreciate Croker's edition; but to any one who has taken +the pains to make himself familiar with that work, and to study the vast +amount of information there collected, such criticism cannot but appear +most ungenerous. Croker was acquainted with, or sought out, all the +distinguished survivors of Dr. Johnson's own generation, and by his +indefatigable efforts was enabled to add to the results of his own +literary research, oral traditions and personal reminiscences, which but +for him would have been irrevocably lost. + +The additions of subsequent editors are but of trifling value compared +with the information collected by Mr. Croker, and one of his successors +at least has not hesitated slightly to transpose or alter many of Mr. +Croker's notes, and mark them as his own. + +Mrs. Shelley, widow of the poet, on receiving a present of Croker's +"Boswell," from Mr. Murray, said: + +_Mrs. Shelley to John Murray_. + +"I have read 'Boswell's Journal' ten times: I hope to read it many more. +It is the most amusing book in the world. Beside that, I do love the +kind-hearted, wise, and gentle Bear, and think him as lovable and kind a +friend as a profound philosopher." + +Mr. Henry Taylor submitted his play of "Isaac Comnenus"--his first +work--to Mr. Murray, in February 1827. Lockhart was consulted, and, +after perusing the play, he wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +"There can be no sort of doubt that this play is everyway worthy of +coming out from Albemarle Street. That the author might greatly improve +it by shortening its dialogue often, and, once at least, leaving out a +scene, and by dramatizing the scene at the Synod, instead of narrating +it, I think sufficiently clear: but, probably, the author has followed +his own course, upon deliberation, in all these matters. I am of +opinion, certainly, that _no poem_ has been lately published of anything +like the power or promise of this." + +Lockhart's suggestion was submitted to Mr. Taylor, who gratefully +acknowledged his criticism, and amended his play. + +Mr. Taylor made a very unusual request. He proposed to divide the loss +on his drama with the publisher! He wrote to Mr. Murray: + +"I have been pretty well convinced, for some time past, that my book +will never sell, and, under these circumstances, I cannot think it +proper that you should be the sole sufferer. Whenever, therefore, you +are of opinion that the book has had a fair trial, I beg you to +understand that I shall be ready to divide the loss equally with you, +that being, I conceive, the just arrangement in the case." + +Though Mr. Lockhart gave an interesting review of "Isaac Comnenus" in +the _Quarterly_, it still hung fire, and did not sell. A few years +later, however, Henry Taylor showed what he could do, as a poet, by his +"Philip van Artevelde," which raised his reputation to the highest +point. Moore, after the publication of this drama, wrote in his "Diary": +"I breakfasted in the morning at Rogers's, to meet the new poet, Mr. +Taylor, author of 'Philip van Artevelde': our company, besides, being +Sydney Smith and Southey. 'Van Artevelde' is a tall, handsome young +fellow. Conversation chiefly about the profits booksellers make of us +scribblers. I remember Peter Pindar saying, one of the few times I ever +met him, that the booksellers drank their wine in the manner of the +heroes in the hall of Odin, out of authors' skulls." This was a sharp +saying; but Rogers, if he had chosen to relate his own experiences when +he negotiated with Mr. Murray about the sale of Crabbe's works, and the +result of that negotiation, might have proved that the rule was not of +universal application. + +"The Family Library" has already been mentioned. Mr. Murray had long +contemplated a serial publication, by means of which good literature and +copyright works might be rendered cheaper and accessible to a wider +circle of readers than they had hitherto been. + +The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge was established in +1828, with Henry Brougham as Chairman. Mr. Murray subscribed L10 to this +society, and agreed to publish their "Library of Entertaining +Knowledge." Shortly afterwards, however, he withdrew from this +undertaking, which was transferred to Mr. Knight, and reverted to his +own proposed publication of cheap works. + +The first volume of "The Family Library" appeared in April 1829. Murray +sent a copy to Charles Knight, who returned him the first volume of the +"Library of Entertaining Knowledge." + +_Mr. Charles Knight to John Murray_. + +"We each launch our vessels on the same day, and I most earnestly hope +that both will succeed, for good must come of that success. We have +plenty of sea-room and need never run foul of each other. My belief is +that, in a very few years, scarcely any other description of books will +be published, and in that case we that are first in the field may hope +to win the race." + +Mr. Murray's intention was to include in the Library works on a variety +of subjects, including History, Biography, Voyages and Travels, Natural +History, Science, and general literature. They were to be written by the +best-known authors of the day--Sir Walter Scott, Southey, Milman, +Lockhart, Washington Irving, Barrow, Allan Cunningham, Dr. Brewster, +Captain Head, G.R. Gleig, Palgrave, and others. The collection was +headed by an admirable "Life of Napoleon," by J.G. Lockhart, partly +condensed from Scott's "Life of Napoleon Bonaparte," and illustrated by +George Cruikshank. When Lockhart was first invited to undertake this +biography he consulted Sir Walter Scott as to the propriety of his doing +so. Sir Walter replied: + +_Sir W. Scott to Mr. Lockhart_. + +_October_ 30, 1828. + +"Your scruples about doing an epitome of the 'Life of Boney' for the +Family Library that is to be, are a great deal over delicate. My book in +nine thick volumes can never fill the place which our friend Murray +wants you to fill, and which if you don't some one else will right soon. +Moreover, you took much pains in helping me when I was beginning my +task, and I afterwards greatly regretted that Constable had no means of +remunerating you, as no doubt he intended when you were giving him so +much good advice in laying down his grand plans about the Miscellany. By +all means do what the Emperor [Footnote: From the time of his removal to +Albemarle Street, Mr. Murray was universally known among "the Trade" as +"The Emperor of the West."] asks. He is what the Emperor Napoleon was +not, much a gentleman, and knowing our footing in all things, would not +have proposed anything that ought to have excited scruples on your +side." [Footnote: Lockhart's "Life of Scott."] + +The book met with a warm reception from the public, and went through +many editions. + +Among other works published in "The Family Library" was the Rev. H.H. +Milman's "History of the Jews," in three vols., which occasioned much +adverse criticism and controversy. It is difficult for us who live in +such different times to understand or account for the tempest of +disapprobation with which a work, which now appears so innocent, was +greeted, or the obloquy with which its author was assailed. The "History +of the Jews" was pronounced _unsound_; it was alleged that the miracles +had been too summarily disposed of; Abraham was referred to as an Arab +sheik, and Jewish history was too sacred to be submitted to the laws of +ordinary investigation. Hence Milman was preached against, from Sunday +to Sunday, from the University and other pulpits. Even Mr. Sharon Turner +expostulated with Mr. Murray as to the publication of the book. He said +he had seen it in the window of Carlile, the infidel bookseller, "as if +he thought it suited his purpose." The following letter is interesting +as indicating what the Jews themselves thought of the history. + +_Mr. Magnus to John Murray_. _March_ 17, 1834. + +Sir, + +Will you have the goodness to inform me of the Christian name of the +Rev. Mr. Milman, and the correct manner of spelling his name; as a +subscription is about to be opened by individuals of the Jewish nation +for the purpose of presenting him with a piece of plate for the liberal +manner in which he has written their history. + +The piece of plate was duly subscribed for and presented, with every +demonstration of acknowledgment and thanks. Milman's "History of the +Jews" did not prevent his preferment, as he was promoted from the +vicarage of St. Mary's, Reading, to the rectorship of St. Margaret's, +Westminster, and a canonry in the Collegiate Church of St. Peter; after +which, in 1849, he was made Dean of St. Paul's. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +MOORE'S "LIFE OF BYRON" + + +In 1827 or 1828 Mr. Hanson, the late Lord Byron's solicitor, wrote to +Murray, enquiring, on behalf of the executors, whether he would be +willing to dispose of his interest in the first five cantos of "Don +Juan." Mr. Murray, however, had long been desirous of publishing a +complete edition of the works of Lord Byron, "for the public," he wrote, +"are absolutely indignant at not being able to obtain a complete edition +of Lord Byron's works in this country; and at least 15,000 copies have +been brought here from France." Murray proposed that those copyrights of +Lord Byron, which were the property of his executors, should be valued +by three respectable publishers, and that he should purchase them at +their valuation. Mr. Hobhouse, to whom as one of the executors this +proposal was made, was anxious that the complete edition should be +published in England with as little delay as possible, but he stated +that "some obstacles have arisen in consequence of the Messrs. Hunt +having upon hand some hundred copies of their two volumes, which they +have asked a little time to get rid of, and for which they are now +accounting to the executors." + +Murray requested Mr. Hanson to apply to the executors, and inform him +what sum they required for the works of Lord Byron, the copyrights of +which were in their possession. This they refused to state, but after +considerable delay, during which the Hunts were disposing of the two +volumes, the whole of the works of Lord Byron which were not in Mr. +Murray's possession were put up to auction, and bought by him for the +sum of L3,885. These included the "Hours of Idleness," eleven cantos of +"Don Juan," the "Age of Bronze," and other works--all of which had +already been published. + +Notwithstanding the destruction of Lord Byron's Memoirs, described in a +previous chapter, Murray had never abandoned the intention of bringing +out a Biography of his old friend the poet, for which he possessed +plenteous materials in the mass of correspondence which had passed +between them. Although his arrangement with Thomas Moore had been +cancelled by that event, his eye rested on him as the fittest person, +from his long intimacy with the poet, to be entrusted with the task, for +which, indeed, Lord Byron had himself selected him. + +Accordingly in 1826 author and publisher seem to have drawn together +again, and begun the collection of materials, which was carried on in a +leisurely way, until Leigh Hunt's scandalous attack on his old patron +and benefactor [Footnote: "Recollections of Lord Byron and some of his +Contemporaries," 1828. 4to.] roused Murray's ardour into immediate +action. + +It was eventually resolved to publish the Life and Correspondence +together; and many letters passed between Murray and Moore on the +subject. + +From the voluminous correspondence we retain the following extract from +a letter from Moore to Murray: + +"One of my great objects, as you will see in reading me, is to keep my +style down to as much simplicity as I am capable of; for nothing could +be imagined more discordant than the mixture of any of our +Asiatico-Hibernian eloquence with the simple English diction of Byron's +letters." + +Murray showed the early part of "Byron's Life" to Lockhart, who replied +to him at once: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_February_ 23, 1829. + +"I can't wait till tomorrow to say that I think the beginning of 'Byron' +quite perfect in every way--the style simple, and unaffected, as the +materials are rich, and how sad. It will be Moore's greatest work--at +least, next to the 'Melodies,' and will be a fortune to you. My wife +says it is divine. By all means engrave the early miniature. Never was +anything so drearily satisfactory to the imagination as the whole +picture of the lame boy's start in life." + +Moore was greatly touched by this letter. He wrote from Sloperton: + +_Mr. Moore to John Murray_. + +"Lockhart's praise has given me great pleasure, and his wife's even +still greater; but, after all, the merit is in my subject--in the man, +not in me. He must be a sad bungler who would spoil such a story." + +As the work advanced, Sir Walter Scott's opinion also was asked. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_September_ 29, 1829. + +"Sir Walter has read the first 120 pages of Moore's 'Life of Byron'; and +he says they are charming, and not a syllable _de trop_. He is now busy +at a grand rummage among his papers, and has already found one of Lord +Byron's letters which shall be at Mr. Moore's service forthwith. He +expects to find more of them. This is curious, as being the first of +'Byron' to Scott." + +The first volume of "Lord Byron's Life and Letters," published on +January 1, 1830, was read with enthusiasm, and met with a very +favourable reception. Moore says in his Diary that "Lady Byron was +highly pleased with the 'Life,'" but among the letters received by Mr. +Murray, one of the most interesting was from Mrs. Shelley, to whom a +presentation copy had been sent. + +_Mrs. Shelley to John Murray_. + +_January_ 19, 1830. + +Except the occupation of one or two annoyances, I have done nothing but +read, since I got "Lord Byron's Life." I have no pretensions to being a +critic, yet I know infinitely well what pleases me. Not to mention the +judicious arrangement and happy _tact_ displayed by Mr. Moore, which +distinguish the book, I must say a word concerning the style, which is +elegant and forcible. I was particularly struck by the observations on +Lord Byron's character before his departure to Greece, and on his +return. There is strength and richness, as well as sweetness. + +The great charm of the work to me, and it will have the same to you, is +that the Lord Byron I find there is _our_ Lord Byron--the fascinating, +faulty, philosophical being--daring the world, docile to a private +circle, impetuous and indolent, gloomy, and yet more gay than any other. +I live with him again in these pages--getting reconciled (as I used in +his lifetime) to those waywardnesses which annoyed me when he was away, +through the delightful tone of his conversation and manners. + +His own letters and journals mirror himself as he was, and are +invaluable. There is something cruelly kind in this single volume. When +will the next come? Impatient before, how tenfold more so am I now. +Among its many other virtues, this book is accurate to a miracle. I have +not stumbled on one mistake with regard either to time, place, or +feeling. + +I am, dear Sir, + +Your obedient and obliged Servant, + +MARY SHELLEY. + +The preparation of the second volume proceeded more rapidly than the +first, for Lord Byron's letters to Murray and Moore during the later +years of his life covered the whole period, and gave to the record an +almost autobiographical character. It appeared in January 1831, and +amongst many other readers of it Mrs. Somerville, to whom Mr. Murray +sent a present of the book, was full of unstinted praise. + +_Mrs. Somerville to John Murray_. + +_January_ 13, 1831. + +You have kindly afforded me a source of very great interest and pleasure +in the perusal of the second volume of Moore's "Life of Byron." In my +opinion, it is very superior to the first; there is less repetition of +the letters; they are better written, abound more in criticism and +observation, and make the reader better acquainted with Lord Byron's +principles and character. His morality was certainly more suited to the +meridian of Italy than England; but with all his faults there is a charm +about him that excites the deepest interest and admiration. His letter +to Lady Byron is more affecting and beautiful than anything I have read; +it must ever be a subject of regret that it was not sent; it seems +impossible that it should not have made a lasting impression, and might +possibly have changed the destinies of both. With kind remembrances to +Mrs. Murray and the young people, + +Believe me, truly yours, + +MARY SOMERVILLE. + +Mr. Croker's opinion was as follows: + +"As to what you say of Byron's volume, no doubt there are _longueurs_, +but really not many. The most teasing part is the blanks, which perplex +without concealing. I also think that Moore went on a wrong principle, +when, publishing _any_ personality, he did not publish _all_. It is like +a suppression of evidence. When such horrors are published of Sir S. +Romilly, it would have been justice to his memory to show that, on the +_slightest_ provocation, Byron would treat his dearest friend in the +same style. When his sneers against Lady Byron and her mother are +recorded, it would lessen their effect if it were shown that he sneered +at all man and womankind in turn; and that the friend of his choicest +selection, or the mistress of his maddest love, were served no better, +when the maggot (selfishness) bit, than his wife or his mother-in-law." + +The appearance of the Life induced Captain Medwin to publish his +"Conversations with Lord Byron," a work now chiefly remembered as having +called forth from Murray, who was attacked in it, a reply which, as a +crashing refutation of personal charges, has seldom been surpassed. +[Footnote: Mr. Murray's answer to Medwin's fabrications is published in +the Appendix to the 8vo edition of "Lord Byron's Poems."] + +Amongst the reviews of the biography was one by Lockhart in the +_Quarterly_ (No. 87), which was very favourable; but an article, by Mr. +Croker in No. 91, on another of Moore's works--the "Life of Lord Edward +Fitzgerald"--was of a very different character. Murray told Moore of the +approaching appearance of the article in the next number, and Moore +enters in his Diary, "Saw my 'Lord Edward Fitzgerald' announced as one +of the articles in the _Quarterly_, to be abused of course; and this too +immediately after my dinings and junketings with both author and +publisher." + +_Mr. Moore to John Murray_. + +_October_ 25, 1831. + +... I see that what I took for a joke of yours is true, and that you are +_at_ me in this number of the _Quarterly_. I have desired Power to send +you back my copy when it comes, not liking to read it just now for +reasons. In the meantime, here's some _good_-humoured doggerel for you: + +THOUGHTS ON EDITORS. + +_Editur et edit_. + +No! Editors don't care a button, + What false and faithless things they do; +They'll let you come and cut their mutton, + And then, they'll have a cut at you. + +With Barnes I oft my dinner took, + Nay, met e'en Horace Twiss to please him: +Yet Mister Barnes traduc'd my Book, + For which may his own devils seize him! + +With Doctor Bowring I drank tea, + Nor of his cakes consumed a particle; +And yet th' ungrateful LL.D. + Let fly at me, next week, an article! + +John Wilson gave me suppers hot, + With bards of fame, like Hogg and Packwood; +A dose of black-strap then I got, + And after a still worse of Blackwood. + +Alas! and must I close the list + With thee, my Lockhart of the _Quarterly?_ +So kind, with bumper in thy fist,-- + With pen, so very gruff and tartarly. + +Now in thy parlour feasting me, + Now scribbling at me from your garret,-- +Till, 'twixt the two, in doubt I be, + Which sourest is, thy wit or claret? + +Should you again see the Noble Scott before he goes, remember me most +affectionately to him. Ever yours, + +Thomas Moore. + + +Mr. Murray now found himself at liberty to proceed with his cherished +scheme of a complete edition of Lord Byron's works. + + +_John Murray to Mr. Moore._ + +February 28, 1832. + +When I commenced this complete edition of Byron's works I was so out of +heart by the loss upon the first edition of the "Life," and by the +simultaneous losses from the failure of three booksellers very largely +in my debt, that I had little if any hopes of its success, and I felt +myself under the necessity of declining your kind offer to edit it, +because I did not think that I should have had it in my power to offer +you an adequate remuneration. But now that the success of this +speculation is established, if you will do me the favour to do what you +propose, I shall have great satisfaction in giving you 500 guineas for +your labours. + +Most sincerely yours, + +John Murray. + +In 1837, the year in which the work now in contemplation was published, +the Countess Guiccioli was in London, and received much kindness from +Mr. Murray. After her return to Rome, she wrote to him a long letter, +acknowledging the beautifully bound volume of the landscape and portrait +illustrations of Lord Byron's works. She complained, however, of +Brockedon's portrait of herself. + +_Countess Guiccioli to John Murray_. + +"It is not resembling, and to tell you the truth, my dear Mr. Murray, I +wish it was so; not on account of the ugliness of features (which is +also remarkable), but particularly for having this portrait an +expression of _stupidity_, and for its being _molto antipatico_, as we +say in our language. But perhaps it is not the fault of the painter, but +of the original, and I am sorry for that. What is certain is that +towards such a creature nobody may feel inclined to be indulgent; and if +she has faults and errors to be pardoned for, she will never be so on +account of her _antipatia_! But pray don't say that to Mr. Brockedon." + +A copy was likewise sent to Sir R. Peel with the following letter: + +ALBEMARLE STREET, _April_ 17, 1837. + +DEAR SIR, + +As the invaluable instructions which you addressed to the students of +the University of Glasgow have as completely associated your name with +the literature of this country, as your political conduct has with its +greatest statesmen, I trust that I shall be pardoned for having +inscribed to you (without soliciting permission) the present edition of +the works of one of our greatest poets, "your own school-and +form-fellow," _Byron_. + +I have the honour to be, etc., + +JOHN MURRAY. + +_The Right Hon. Sir R. Peel to John Murray_. + +WHITEHALL, _April_ 18, 1837. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am much flattered by the compliment which you have paid to me in +dedicating to me a beautiful edition of the works of my distinguished +"school-and form-fellow." + +I was the next boy to Lord Byron at Harrow for three or four years, and +was always on very friendly terms with him, though not living in +particular intimacy out of school. + +I do not recollect ever having a single angry word with him, or that +there ever was any the slightest jealousy or coldness between us. + +It is a gratification to me to have my name associated with his in the +manner in which you have placed it in friendly connection; and I do not +believe, if he could have foreseen, when we were boys together at +school, this continuance of a sort of amicable relation between us after +his death, the idea would have been otherwise than pleasing to him. + +Believe me, + +My dear Sir, + +Very faithfully yours, + +ROBERT PEEL. + +A few words remain to be added respecting the statue of Lord Byron, +which had been so splendidly executed by Thorwaldsen at Rome. Mr. +Hobhouse wrote to Murray: "Thorwaldsen offers the completed work for +L1,000, together with a bas-relief for the pedestal, suitable for the +subject of the monument." The sculptor's offer was accepted, and the +statue was forwarded from Rome to London. Murray then applied to the +Dean of Westminster, on behalf of the subscribers, requesting to know +"upon what terms the statue now completed could be placed in some +suitable spot in Westminster Abbey." The Dean's answer was as follows: + +_The Dean of Westminster to John Murray_. + +DEANERY, WESTMINSTER, _December_ 17, 1834. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have not had the opportunity, till this morning, of consulting with +the Chapter on the subject of your note. When you formerly applied to me +for leave to inter the remains of Lord Byron within this Abbey, I stated +to you the principle on which, as Churchmen, we were compelled to +decline the proposal. The erection of a monument in honour of his memory +which you now desire is, in its proportion, subject to the same +objection. I do indeed greatly wish for a figure by Thorwaldsen here; +but no taste ought to be indulged to the prejudice of a duty. + +With my respectful compliments to the Committee, I beg you to believe +me, + +Yours truly, + +JOHN IRELAND. + +The statue was for some time laid up in a shed on a Thames wharf. An +attempt was made in the House of Commons to alter the decision of the +Dean and Chapter, but it proved of no avail. "I would do my best," said +Mr. Hobhouse, "to prevail upon Sir Robert Peel to use his influence with +the Dean. It is a national disgrace that the statue should lie neglected +in a carrier's ware-house, and it is so felt by men of all parties. I +have had a formal application from Trinity College, Cambridge, for leave +to place the monument in their great library, and it has been intimated +to me that the French Government desire to have it for the Louvre." The +result was that the subscribers, in order to retain the statue in +England, forwarded it to Trinity College, Cambridge, whose noble library +it now adorns. + +The only memorial to Byron in London is the contemptible leaning bronze +statue in Apsley House Gardens, nearly opposite the statue of Achilles. +Its pedestal is a block of Parian marble, presented by the Greek +Government as a national tribute to the memory of Byron. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +BENJAMIN DISRAELI--THOMAS CARLYLE--AND OTHERS + + +Me. Disraeli's earliest appearance as an author had been with the novel +of "Vivian Grey," published after a brief visit to Germany while he was +still in his eighteenth year. Two volumes were published in 1826, and a +third volume, or continuation, in the following year. The work brought +the author some notoriety, but, as already noticed, it contained matter +which gave offence in Albemarle Street. After the publication of the +first part, which was contemporaneous with the calamitous affair of the +_Representative_, Mr. Murray saw but little of the Disraeli family, but +at the commencement of 1830, Mr. Benjamin Disraeli once more applied to +him for an interview. Mr. Murray, however, in whose mind the former +episode was still fresh, was unwilling to accede to this request, and +replied in the third person. + +_John Murray to Mr. B. Disraeli_. + +"Mr. Murray is obliged to decline at present any personal interview; but +if Mr. Benjamin Disraeli is disposed to confide his MS. to Mr. Murray as +a man of business, Mr. Disraeli is assured that the proposal will be +entertained in every respect with the strictest honour and +impartiality." + +_Mr. B. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +UNION HOTEL, COCKSPUR STREET, 1830. + +The object of my interview with you is _purely literary_. It has always +been my wish, if it ever were my fate to write anything calculated to +arrest public attention, that you should be the organ of introducing it +to public notice. A letter I received this morning from my elected +critic was the reason of my addressing myself to you. + +I am sorry that Mr. Mitchell is out of town, because he is a person in +whom you rightly have confidence; but from some observations he made to +me the other day it is perhaps not to be regretted that he does not +interfere in this business. As he has overrated some juvenile +indiscretions of mine, I fear he is too friendly a critic. + +I am thus explicit because I think that candour, for all reasons, is +highly desirable. If you feel any inclination to pursue this affair, act +as you like, and fix upon any critic you please. I have no objection to +Mr. Lockhart, who is certainly an able one, and is, I believe, +influenced by no undue partiality towards me. + +At all events, this is an affair of no great importance--and whatever +may be your determination, it will not change the feelings which, on my +part, influenced this application. I have the honour to be, Sir, + +Your obedient Servant, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +P.S.--I think it proper to observe that I cannot crudely deliver my MS. +to any one. I must have the honour of seeing you or your critic. I shall +keep this negotiation open for a couple of days--that is, I shall wait +for your answer till Tuesday morning, although, from particular +circumstances, time is important to me. + +Mr. Disraeli was about to make a prolonged journey abroad. Before he set +out he again wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +BRADENHAM, BERKS, _May_ 27, 1830. + +SIR, + +I am unwilling to leave England, which I do on Saturday, without +noticing your last communication, because I should regret very much if +you were to misconceive the motives which actuated me in not complying +with the suggestion therein contained. I can assure you I leave in +perfect confidence both in your "honour" and your "impartiality," for +the first I have never doubted, and the second it is your interest to +exercise. + +The truth is, my friend and myself differed in the estimate of the MS. +alluded to, and while I felt justified, from his opinion, in submitting +it to your judgment, I felt it due to my own to explain verbally the +contending views of the case, for reasons which must be obvious. + +As you forced me to decide, I decided as I thought most prudently. The +work is one which, I dare say, would neither disgrace you to publish, +nor me to write; but it is not the kind of production which should +recommence our connection, or be introduced to the world by the +publisher of Byron and Anastasius. + +I am now about to leave England for an indefinite, perhaps a long +period. When I return, if I do return, I trust it will be in my power +for the _third time_ to endeavour that you should be the means of +submitting my works to the public. For this I shall be ever ready to +make great sacrifices, and let me therefore hope that when I next offer +my volumes to your examination, like the Sibylline books, their +inspiration may at length be recognised. + +I am, Sir, + +Your obedient Servant, + +B. DISRAELI. + +_John Murray to Mr. Disraeli_. + +_May_ 29, 1830. + +Mr. Murray acknowledges the receipt of Mr. Benjamin Disraeli's polite +letter of the 27th. Mr. Murray will be ready at all times to receive any +MS. which Mr. B. Disraeli may think proper to confide to him. Mr. Murray +hopes the result of Mr. Disraeli's travels will complete the restoration +of his health, and the gratification of his expectations." + +Nearly two years passed before Mr. Disraeli returned to England from +those travels in Spain, the Mediterranean and the Levant, which are so +admirably described in his "Home Letters," [Footnote: "Home Letters," +written by the late Earl of Beaconsfield in 1830 and 1831. London, +1885.] and which appear to have exercised so powerful an influence on +his own character, and his subsequent career. Shortly after his return, +he wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +BRADENHAM HOUSE, WYCOMBE, + +_February_ 10, 1832. + +Sir, + +I have at length completed a work which I wish to submit to your +consideration. In so doing, I am influenced by the feelings I have +already communicated to you. + +If you retain the wish expressed in a note which I received at Athens in +the autumn of 1830, I shall have the honour of forwarding the MS, to +you. Believe me, Sir, whatever may be the result, + +Very cordially yours, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +The MS. of the work was at once forwarded to Mr. Murray, who was, +however, averse to publishing it without taking the advice of his +friends. He first sent it to Mr. Lockhart, requesting him to read it and +pronounce his opinion. + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_March_ 3, 1832. + +"I can't say what ought to be done with this book. To me, knowing whose +it is, it is full of interest; but the affectations and absurdities are +such that I can't but think they would disgust others more than the life +and brilliancy of many of the descriptions would please them. You should +send it to Milman without saying who is the author.--J.G.L." + +The MS. was accordingly sent to Mr. Milman, but as he was very ill at +the time, and could not read it himself, but transferred it to his wife, +much delay occurred in its perusal. Meanwhile, Mr. Disraeli became very +impatient about the publication, and again wrote: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_March_ 4, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I wish that I could simplify our arrangements by a stroke by making you +a present of "The Psychological Romance"; but at present you must indeed +take the will for the deed, although I hope the future will allow us to +get on more swimmingly. That work has, in all probability, cost me more +than I shall ever obtain by it, and indeed I may truly say that to write +that work I have thrown to the winds all the obvious worldly prospects +of life. + +I am ready to make every possible sacrifice on my part to range myself +under your colours. I will willingly give up the immediate and positive +receipt of a large sum of money for the copyright, and by publishing the +work anonymously renounce that certain sale which, as a successful, +although I confess not very worthy author, I can command. But in +quitting my present publisher, I incur, from the terms of our last +agreement, a _virtual penalty_, which I have no means to pay excepting +from the proceeds of my pen. Have you, therefore, any objection to +advance me a sum on the anticipated profits of the edition, not +exceeding two hundred pounds? + +It grieves me much to appear exacting to you, but I frankly tell you the +reason, and, as it will enable me to place myself at your disposal, I +hope you will not consider me mercenary, when I am indeed influenced by +the most sincere desire to meet your views. + +If this modification of your arrangement will suit you, as I fervently +trust it will, I shall be delighted to accede to your wishes. In that +case let me know without loss of time, and pray let us meet to talk over +minor points, as to the mode of publication, etc. I shall be at home all +the morning; my time is very much occupied, and on Thursday or Friday I +must run down, for a day or two, to Wycombe to attend a public meeting. +[Footnote: Mr. Disraeli was then a candidate, on the Radical side, for +the borough of Wycombe.] + +Fervently trusting that this arrangement will meet your wishes, + +Believe me, yours, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +While the MS. was still in Mr. Milman's hands, Mr. Disraeli followed +this up with another letter: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_ + +35 DUKE STREET, ST. JAMES'S. + +MY DEAR SIR, I am very sensible that you have conducted yourself, with +regard to my MS., in the most honourable, kind, and judicious manner; +and I very much regret the result of your exertions, which neither of us +deserve. + +I can wait no longer. The delay is most injurious to me, and in every +respect very annoying. I am therefore under the painful necessity of +requesting you to require from your friend the return of my work without +a moment's delay, but I shall not deny myself the gratification of +thanking you for your kindness and subscribing myself, with regard, + +Your faithful Servant, + +BENJ. DISRAELI. + +At length Mr. Milman's letter arrived, expressing his judgment on the +work, which was much more satisfactory than that of Mr. Lockhart. + +_The Rev. H.H. Milman to John Murray_. + +READING, _March_ 5, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have been utterly inefficient for the last week, in a state of almost +complete blindness; but am now, I trust, nearly restored. Mrs. Milman, +however, has read to me the whole of the MS. It is a very remarkable +production--very wild, very extravagant, very German, very powerful, +very poetical. It will, I think, be much read--as far as one dare +predict anything of the capricious taste of the day--much admired, and +much abused. It is much more in the Macaulay than in the Croker line, +and the former is evidently in the ascendant. Some passages will startle +the rigidly orthodox; the phrenologists will be in rapture. I tell you +all this, that you may judge for yourself. One thing insist upon, if you +publish it-that the title be changed. The whole beauty, of the latter +part especially, is its truth. It is a rapid volume of travels, a +"Childe Harold" in prose; therefore do not let it be called "a Romance" +on any account. Let those who will, believe it to be a real history, and +those who are not taken in, dispute whether it is truth or fiction. If +it makes any sensation, this will add to its notoriety. "A Psychological +Auto-Biography" would be too sesquipedalian a title; but "My Life +Psychologically Related," or "The Psychology of my Life," or some such +title, might be substituted. + +H.H. MILMAN. + +Before Mr. Milman's communication had been received, another pressing +letter arrived from Mr. Disraeli. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +It is with deep regret and some mortification that I appear to press +you. It is of the highest importance to me that the "P.R." should +appear without loss of time. I have an impending election in the +country, which a single and not improbable event may precipitate. It is +a great object with me, that my work should be published before that +election. + +Its rejection by you will only cause me sorrow. I have no desire that +you should become its publisher, unless you conceive it may be the first +of a series of works, which may support your name, and sustain your +fortunes. There is no question of pecuniary matters between us; I leave +all these with you, with illimitable trust. + +Pray, pray, my dear Sir, do not let me repent the feelings which impel +me to seek this renewal of our connection. I entreat therefore your +attention to this subject, and request that you will communicate your +decision. + +Believe me, as I have already said, that whatever that decision may be, +I shall not the less consider myself, + +Very cordially yours, + +B. DISRAELI. + +And again, in a subsequent letter, Mr. Disraeli said: + +"There is no work of fiction on whose character I could not decide in +four-and-twenty hours, and your critic ought not to be less able than +your author. Pray, therefore, to communicate without loss of time to +your obedient faithful servant. + +"B.D." + +On receiving Mr. Milman's approval, Mr. Murray immediately made up his +mind to publish the work. He wrote to Mr. Disraeli: + +_John Murray to Mr. Disraeli_. + +_March_ 6, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Your MS. has this moment been returned to me, accompanied by a +commendation which enables me to say that I should be proud of being its +publisher. But in these times I am obliged to refrain from speculation, +and I cannot offer any sum for it that is likely to be equal to its +probable value. + +I would, however, if it so please you, print at my expense an edition of +1,200 or 1,500 copies, and give you half the profits; and after the sale +of this edition, the copyright shall be entirely your own; so that if +the work prove as successful as I anticipate, you will ensure all the +advantages of it without incurring any risque. If this proposal should +not suit you, I beg to add that I shall, for the handsome offer of your +work in the first instance, still remain, + +Your obedient Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +Some further correspondence took place as to the title of the work. +"What do you think," said Mr. Disraeli, "of the 'Psychological Memoir'? +I hesitate between this and 'Narrative,' but discard 'History' or +'Biography.' On survey, I conceive the MS. will make four Byronic tomes, +according to the pattern you were kind enough to show me." The work was +at length published in 4 vols., foolscap 8vo, with the title of +"Contarini Fleming: a Psychological Biography." + +Before the appearance of the work, Mr. Disraeli wrote to Mr. Murray as +follows: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +BRADENHAM HOUSE, _May_ 6, 1832. + +DEAR SIR, + +From the notice of "C.F." in the _Literary Gazette_, which I received +this morning, I imagine that Jerdan has either bribed the printer, or +purloined some sheets. It is evident that he has only seen the last +volume. It is unnecessary for me to observe that such premature notice, +written in such complete ignorance of the work, can do no good. I think +that he should be reprimanded, and his petty larceny arrested. I shall +be in town on Tuesday. + +Yours, B.D. + +The work, when it appeared in 1833, excited considerable sensation, and +was very popular at the time of its publication. It is now included in +the uniform edition of Lord Beaconsfield's works. + +During his travels in the East, Mr. Disraeli was attended by Lord +Byron's faithful gondolier, who had accompanied his master to +Missolonghi, and remained with him till his death. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +DUKE STREET, _July 5_, 1832. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have just returned to town, and will call in Albemarle Street as soon +as I can. Tita, Lord Byron's faithful servant, and [Footnote: See note, +p. 259.] who was also my travelling companion in the East, called upon +me this morning. I thought you might wish to see one so intimately +connected with the lost bard, and who is himself one of the most +deserving creatures in the world. + +Yours faithfully, + +B. DISRAELI. + +At the same time that Mr. Disraeli was engaged on his novel, he was busy +with another, but this time a political work entitled "England and +France: a Cure for the Ministerial Gallomania," dedicated to Lord Grey. +The first letter on the subject--after Mr. Murray had agreed to publish +the work--appears to have been the following, from Bradenham, Monday +night, but without date: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +DEAR SIR, + +By to-morrow's coach, at your desire, I send you one-half of the volume, +which, however, is not in the finished state I could have wished. I have +materials for any length, but it is desirable to get out without a +moment's loss of time. It has been suggested to publish a volume +periodically, and let this come out as No. 1; so as to establish a +journal of general foreign politics, for which there are ample means of +first-rate information. I have not been able even to revise what is +sent, but it will sufficiently indicate the work. + +I am to meet a personage on Thursday evening in town, and read over the +whole to him. It is therefore absolutely necessary that the MS. should +be returned to you on Thursday morning, and I will call in Albemarle +Street the moment of my arrival, which will be about four o'clock. If in +time, acknowledge the receipt by return of post. + +The remaining portion of the volume consists of several more dramatic +scenes in Paris, a view of the character and career of L.P., [Footnote: +Louis Philippe.] a most curious chapter on the conduct of the +Diplomatists, and a general view of the state of Europe at the moment of +publication. Pray be cautious, and above all let me depend upon your +having the MS. on Thursday, otherwise, as Liston says in "Love, Law and +Physic," "_we shall get all shot_." + +B.D. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_, + +_Friday_, 11 o'clock. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I much regret that I missed you yesterday, but I called upon you the +instant I arrived. I very much wish to talk over the "Gallomania," and +will come on to you, if it be really impossible for you to pay me a +visit. I have so much at this moment on my hands, that I should esteem +such an incident, not only an honour, but a convenience. + +B.D. + +There seems to have been a difference of opinion between the author and +the publisher respecting the title of the book: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have a great respect for your judgment, especially on the subject of +titles, as I have shown in another instance, one which I shall ever +regret. In the present, I shall be happy to receive from you any +suggestion, but I can offer none. To me the _Gallomania_ (or _mania_ for +what is French) appears to be one of the most felicitous titles ever +devised. It is comprehensive, it is explicit, it is poignant and +intelligible, as I should suppose, to learned and unlearned. The word +_Anglomania_ is one of the commonest on the other side of the channel, +is repeated daily in almost every newspaper; has been the title of one +or two works; and of the best farce in the French language. It is here +also common and intelligible. + +There is no objection to erasing the epithet "New," if you think it +loads the title. + +Yours truly, + +B.D. + +The three following letters were written on the same day: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. DUKE STREET, _March_ 30, 1832. + +DEAR SIR, + +I am going to dine with Baron D'Haussez, Baron de Haber, _et hoc genus_, +today, and must report progress, otherwise they will think I am trifling +with them. Have you determined on a title? What think you of "A Cure for +the Ministerial Gallomania," and advertise, dedicated to Lord Grey? Pray +decide. You are aware I have not yet received a proof. Affairs look +awkward in France. Beware lest we are a day after the fair, and only +annalists instead of prophets. + +Your very faithful Servant, B. DISRAELI. + +_March_ 30. + +DEAR SIR, + +I think it does very well, and I hope you are also satisfied. I shall +send you the rest of the MS. tomorrow morning. There is a very +remarkable chapter on Louis Philippe which is at present with Baron +D'Haussez; and this is the reason I have not forwarded it to you. I keep +the advertisement to show them. + +B.D. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +In further answer to your note received this evening, I think it proper +to observe that I entirely agree with you that I "am bound to make as +few alterations as possible," coming as they do from such a quarter; and +I have acted throughout in such a spirit. All alterations and omissions +of consequence are in this first sheet, and I have retained in the +others many things of which I do not approve, merely on account of my +respect for the source from whence they are derived. + +While you remind me of what I observed to your son, let me also remind +you of the condition with which my permission was accompanied, viz.: +that everything was to be submitted to my approval, and subject to my +satisfaction. On this condition I have placed the proofs in the hands of +several persons not less distinguished than your friend, [Footnote: Mr. +Croker, with Mr. B. Disraeli's knowledge, revised the proofs.] and +superior even in rank and recent office. Their papers are on my table, +and I shall be happy to show them to you. I will mention one: the +chapter on Belgium was originally written by the Plenipotentiary of the +King of Holland to the Conference, Baron Van Zuylen. Scarcely a line of +the original composition remains, although a very able one, because it +did not accord with the main design of the book. + +With regard to the omission, pp. 12, 13, I acknowledge its felicity; but +it is totally at variance with every other notice of M. de Talleyrand in +the work, and entirely dissonant with the elaborate mention of him in +the last chapter. When the reviser introduced this pungent remark, he +had never even read the work he was revising. + +With regard to the authorship of this work, I should never be ashamed of +being considered the author, I should be _proud to be_; but I am not. It +is written by Legion, but I am one of them, and I bear the +responsibility. If it be supposed to be written by a Frenchman, all its +good effects must be marred, as it seeks to command attention and +interest by its purely British spirit. + +I have no desire to thrust my acquaintance on your critic. More than +once, I have had an opportunity to form that acquaintance, and more than +once I have declined it, but I am ready to bear the _brunt of +explanation_, if you desire me. + +It is quite impossible that anything adverse to the general measure of +Reform can issue from my pen or from anything to which I contribute. +Within these four months I have declined being returned for a Tory +borough, and almost within these four hours, to mention slight affairs, +I have refused to inscribe myself a member of "The Conservative Club." I +cannot believe that you will place your critic's feelings for a few +erased passages against my permanent interest. + +But in fact these have nothing to do with the question. To convenience +you, I have no objection to wash my hands of the whole business, and put +you in direct communication with my coadjutors. I can assure you that it +is from no regard for my situation that Reform was omitted, but because +they are of opinion that its notice would be unwise and injurious. For +myself, I am ready to do anything that you can desire, except entirely +change my position in life. + +I will see your critic, if you please, or you can give up the +publication and be reimbursed, which shall make no difference in our +other affairs. All I ask in this and all other affairs, are candour and +decision. + +The present business is most pressing. At present I am writing a chapter +on Poland from intelligence just received, and it will be ready for the +printer tomorrow morning, as I shall finish it before I retire. I await +your answer with anxiety. + +Yours truly, + +B.D. + +Mr. Disraeli was evidently intent upon the immediate publication of his +work. On the following day he wrote again to Mr. Murray: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +_March_ 31, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +We shall have an opportunity of submitting the work to Count Orloff +tomorrow morning, in case you can let me have a set of the proofs +tonight, I mean as far as we have gone. I do not like to send mine, +which are covered with corrections. + +Yours truly, B.D. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. _Monday morning_, 9 _o'clock [April_ 2]. + +DEAR SIR, + +Since I had the honour of addressing you the note of last night, I have +seen the Baron. Our interview was intended to have been a final one, and +it was therefore absolutely necessary that I should apprize him of all +that had happened, of course concealing the name of your friend. The +Baron says that the insertion of the obnoxious passages is fatal to all +his combinations; that he has devoted two months of the most valuable +time to this affair, and that he must hold me personally responsible for +the immediate fulfilment of my agreement, viz.: to ensure its +publication when finished. + +We dine at the same house today, and I have pledged myself to give him a +categorical reply at that time, and to ensure its publication by some +mode or other. + +Under these principal circumstances, my dear sir, I can only state that +the work must be published at once, and with the omission of all +passages hostile to Reform; and that if you are unwilling to introduce +it in that way, I request from your friendliness such assistance as you +can afford me about the printer, etc., to occasion its immediate +publication in some other quarter. + +After what took place between myself and my coadjutor last night, I +really can have for him only one answer or one alternative, and as I +wish to give him the first, and ever avoid the second, I look forward +with confidence to your answer. + +B.D. + +Mr. Disraeli next desires to have a set of the proofs to put into the +hands of the Duke of Wellington: + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_, + +_April_ 6, 1832. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have just received a note, that if I can get a set of clean proofs by +Sunday, they will be put in the Duke's hands preliminary to the debate. +I thought you would like to know this. Do you think it impossible? Let +this be between us. I am sorry to give you all this trouble, but I know +your zeal, and the interest you take in these affairs. I myself will +never keep the printer, and engage when the proofs are sent me to +prepare them for the press within an hour. + +Yours, + +B.D. + +_Mr. Disraeli to John Murray_. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I am very glad to receive the copy. I think that one should be sent to +the editor of the _Times_ as quickly as possible; that at least he +should not be anticipated in the receipt, even if in the _notice_, by a +Sunday paper. But I leave all this to your better judgment. You will +send copies to Duke Street as soon as you have them. + +B.D. + +After the article in the _Times_ had appeared, Baron de Haber, a +mysterious German gentleman of Jewish extraction, who had taken part in +the production of "Gallomania," wrote to Mr. Murray: + +_Baron de Haber to John Murray_. + +2 _Mai_, 1832. + +MON CHER MONSIEUR, + +J'espere que vous serez content de l'article de _Times_ sur la +"Gallomania." C'est un grand pas de fait. Il serait utile que le +_Standard_ et le _Morning Post_ le copie en entier, avec des +observations dans son sens. C'est a vous, mon cher Monsieur Murray, de +soigner cet objet. J'ai infiniment regrette de ne m'etre pas trouve chez +moi hier, lorsque vous etes venu me voir, avec l'aimable Mr. Lockhart. + +Tout a vous, + +DE H. + +_Baron de Haber to John Murray_. + +_Vendredi_. + +MON CHER MONSIEUR MURRAY, + +Vous desirez dans l'interet de l'ouvrage faire mentionner dans le +_Standard_ que le _Times_ d'aujourd'hui paroit etre assez d'accord avec +l'auteur de la "Gallomania" sur M. Thiers, esperant que de jour en jour +il reviendra aux idees de cet auteur. + +Il seroit aussi convenable de dire que la _prophetie_ dans la lettre a +_My Lord Grey_ etait assez juste: Allusion--"In less than a month we +shall no doubt hear of their _warm_ reception in the Provinces, and of +some gratifying, perhaps startling, demonstrations of national +gratitude." Voyez, mon cher Monsieur, comme depuis 8 jours ces pauvres +Deputes qui ont vote pour le Ministre sont traites, Si vous etes a la +maison ce soir, dites-le-moi, je desire vous parler. Dinez-vous +chez-vous? + +Votre devoue, + +DE H. + +The following announcement was published by Mr. Disraeli in reply to +certain criticisms of his work: + +"I cannot allow myself to omit certain observations of my able critic +without remarking that those omissions are occasioned by no +insensibility to their acuteness. + +"Circumstances of paramount necessity render it quite impossible that +anything can proceed from my pen hostile to the general question of +_Reform_. + +"Independent however of all personal considerations, and viewing the +question of Reform for a moment in the light in which my critic +evidently speculates, I would humbly suggest that the cause which he +advocates would perhaps be more united in the present pages by being +passed over _in silence_. It is important that this work should be a +work not of _party_ but of national interest, and I am induced to +believe that a large class in this country, who think themselves bound +to support the present administration from a superficial sympathy with +their domestic measures, have long viewed their foreign policy with +distrust and alarm. + +"If the public are at length convinced that Foreign Policy, instead of +being an abstract and isolated division of the national interests, is in +fact the basis of our empire and present order, and that this basis +shakes under the unskilful government of the Cabinet, the public may be +induced to withdraw their confidence from that Cabinet altogether. + +"With this exception, I have adopted all the additions and alterations +that I have yet had the pleasure of seeing without reserve, and I seize +this opportunity of expressing my sense of their justness and their +value. + +"_The Author of 'Gallomania_.'" [Footnote: Several references are made +to "Contarini Fleming" and "Gallomania" in "Lord Beaconsfield's Letters +to his Sister," published in 1887.] + +The next person whom we shall introduce to the reader was one who had +but little in common with Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, except that, like him, +he had at that time won little of that world-wide renown which he was +afterwards to achieve. This "writer of books," as he described himself, +was no other than Thomas Carlyle, who, when he made the acquaintance of +Mr. Murray, had translated Goethe's "Wilhelm Meister," written the "Life +of Schiller," and several articles in the Reviews; but was not yet known +as a literary man of mark. He was living among the bleak, bare moors of +Dumfriesshire at Craigenputtock, where he was consoled at times by +visits from Jeffrey and Emerson, and by letters from Goethe, and where +he wrote that strange and rhapsodical book "Sartor Resartus," containing +a considerable portion of his own experience. After the MS. was nearly +finished, he wrapt it in a piece of paper, put in it his pocket, and +started for Dumfries, on his way to London. + +Mr. Francis Jeffrey, then Lord Advocate, recommended Carlyle to try +Murray, because, "in spite of its radicalism, he would be the better +publisher." Jeffrey wrote to Mr. Murray on the subject, without +mentioning Carlyle's name: + +_Mr. Jeffrey to John Murray_. _May_ I, 1831. + +"Lord Jeffrey [Footnote: Jeffrey writes thus, although he did not become +a Lord of Session till 1834.] understands that the earlier chapters of +this work (which is the production of a friend of his) were shown some +months ago to Mr. Murray (or his reader), and were formally judged of; +though, from its incomplete state, no proposal for its publication could +then be entertained. What is now sent completes it; the earlier chapters +being now under the final perusal of the author. + +"Lord Jeffrey, who thinks highly of the author's abilities, ventures to +beg Mr. Murray to look at the MS. now left with him, and to give him, as +soon as possible, his opinion as to its probable success on publication; +and also to say whether he is willing to undertake it, and on what +terms." + +Carlyle, who was himself at the time in London, called upon Mr. Murray, +and left with him a portion of the manuscript, and an outline of the +proposed volume. + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +6 WOBURN BUILDINGS, TAVISTOCK SQUARE, + +_Wednesday, August_ 10, 1831. + +DEAR SIR, + +I here send you the MS. concerning which I have, for the present, only +to repeat my urgent request that no time may be lost in deciding on it. +At latest, next Wednesday I shall wait upon you, to see what further, or +whether anything further is to be done. + +In the meanwhile, it is perhaps unnecessary to say, that the whole +business is strictly confidential; the rather, as I wish to publish +anonymously. + +I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +Be so kind as to write, by the bearer, these two words, "MS. received." + +When Carlyle called a second time Murray was not at home, but he found +that the parcel containing the MS. had not been opened. He again wrote +to the publisher on the following Friday: + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +DEAR SIR, + +As I am naturally very anxious to have this little business that lies +between us off my hands--and, perhaps, a few minutes' conversation would +suffice to settle it all--I will again request, in case I should be so +unlucky as to miss you in Albemarle Street, that you would have the +goodness to appoint me a short meeting at any, the earliest, hour that +suits your convenience. + +I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +This was followed up by a letter from Mr. Jeffrey: + +_Mr. Jeffrey to John Murray_. + +_Sunday, August_ 28, 1831. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +Will you favour me with a few minutes' conversation, any morning of this +week (the early part of it, if possible), on the subject of my friend +Carlyle's projected publication. I have looked a little into the MS. and +can tell you something about it. Believe me, always, very faithfully +yours, + +F. JEFFREY. + +The interview between Jeffrey and Murray led to an offer for the MS. + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +TUESDAY. + +DEAR SIR, + +I have seen the Lord Advocate [Jeffrey], who informs me that you are +willing to print an edition of 750 copies of my MS., at your own cost, +on the principle of what is called "half profits"; the copyright of the +book after that to belong to myself. I came down at present to say +that, being very anxious to have you as a publisher, and to see my book +put forth soon, I am ready to accede to these terms; and I should like +much to meet you, or hear from you, at your earliest convenience, that +the business might be actually put in motion. I much incline to think, +in contrasting the character of my little speculation with the character +of the times, that _now_ (even in these months, say in November) were +the best season for emitting it. Hoping soon to see all this pleasantly +settled, + +I remain, dear Sir, yours truly, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +Mr. Murray was willing to undertake the risk of publishing 750 copies, +and thus to allow the author to exhibit his literary wares to the +public. Even if the whole edition had sold, the pecuniary results to +both author and publisher would have been comparatively trifling, but as +the copyright was to remain in the author's possession, and he would +have been able to make a much better bargain with the future editions, +the terms may be considered very liberal, having regard to the +exceptional nature of the work. Mr. Carlyle, however, who did not know +the usual custom of publishers, had in the meantime taken away his MS. +and offered it to other publishers in London, evidently to try whether +he could not get a better bid for his book. Even Jeffrey thought it "was +too much of the nature of a rhapsody, to command success or respectful +attention." The publishers thought the same. Carlyle took the MS. to +Fraser of Regent Street, who offered to publish it if Carlyle would +_give him_ a sum not exceeding L150 sterling. He had already been to +Longmans & Co., offering them his "German Literary History," but they +declined to publish the work, and he now offered them his "Sartor +Resartus," with a similar result. He also tried Colburn and Bentley, but +without success. When Murray, then at Ramsgate, heard that Carlyle had +been offering his book to other publishers, he wrote to him: + +_John Murray to Mr. Carlyle_. + +_September_ 17, 1831. + +DEAR SIR, + +Your conversation with me respecting the publication of your MS. led me +to infer that you had given me the preference, and certainly not that +you had already submitted it to the greatest publishers in London, who +had declined to engage in it. Under these circumstances it will be +necessary for me also to get it read by some literary friend, before I +can, in justice to myself, engage in the printing of it. + +I am, dear Sir, your faithful servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +To this Mr. Carlyle replied: + +_September_ 19, 1831 + +SIR, + +I am this moment favoured with your note of the 17th, and beg to say, in +reply,: + +_First_.--That your idea, derived from conversation with me, of my +giving you the preference to all other Publishers, was perfectly +correct. I had heard you described as a man of honour, frankness, and +even generosity, and knew you to have the best and widest connexions; on +which grounds, I might well say, and can still well say, that a +transaction with you would please me better than a similar one with any +other member of the Trade. + +_Secondly_.--That your information, of my having submitted my MS. to the +greatest publishers in London, if you mean that, after coming out of +your hands, it lay two days in those of Messrs. Longman & Rees, and was +from them delivered over to the Lord Advocate, is also perfectly +correct: if you mean anything else, incorrect. + +_Thirdly_.--That if you wish the Bargain, which I had understood myself +to have made with you, unmade, you have only to cause your Printer, who +is now working on my MS., to return the same, without damage or delay, +and consider the business as finished. I remain, Sir, your obedient +servant, + +THOMAS CARLYLE. + +In the meantime Murray submitted the MS. to one of his literary +advisers, probably Lockhart, whose report was not very encouraging. +Later, as Mr. Carlyle was unwilling to entertain the idea of taking his +manuscript home with him, and none of the other publishers would accept +it, he urgently requested Mr. Murray again to examine it, and come to +some further decision. "While I, with great readiness," he said, "admit +your views, and shall cheerfully release you from all engagement, or +shadow of engagement, with me in regard to it: the rather, as it seems +reasonable for me to expect some higher remuneration for a work that has +cost me so much effort, were it once fairly examined, such remuneration +as was talked of between _us_ can, I believe, at all times, be +procured." He then proposed "a quite new negotiation, if you incline to +enter on such"; and requested his decision. "If not, pray have the +goodness to cause my papers to be returned with the least possible +delay." The MS. was at once returned; and Carlyle acknowledged its +receipt: + +_Mr. Carlyle to John Murray_. + +_October_ 6, 1831. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have received the MS., with your note and your friend's criticism, and +I find it all safe and right. In conclusion, allow me to thank you for +your punctuality and courtesy in this part of the business; and to join +cordially in the hope you express that, in some fitter case, a closer +relation may arise between us. I remain, my dear Sir, faithfully yours, + +T. CARLYLE. + +Mr. Carlyle returned to Craigenputtock with his manuscript in his +pocket; very much annoyed and disgusted by the treatment of the London +publishers. Shortly after his arrival at home, he wrote to Mr. Macvey +Napier, then editor of the _Edinburgh Review_: + +"All manner of perplexities have occurred in the publishing of my poor +book, which perplexities I could only cut asunder, not unloose; so the +MS., like an unhappy ghost, still lingers on the wrong side of Styx: the +Charon of Albemarle Street durst not risk it in his _sutilis cymba_, so +it leaped ashore again. Better days are coming, and new trials will end +more happily." + +A little later (February 6, 1832) he said: + +"I have given up the notion of hawking my little manuscript book about +any further. For a long time it has lain quiet in its drawer, waiting +for a better day. The bookselling trade seems on the edge of +dissolution; the force of puffing can go no further; yet bankruptcy +clamours at every door: sad fate! to serve the Devil, and get no wages +even from him! The poor bookseller Guild, I often predict to myself, +will ere long be found unfit for the strange part it now plays in our +European World; and give place to new and higher arrangements, of which +the coming shadows are already becoming visible." + +The "Sartor Resartus" was not, however, lost. Two years after Carlyle's +visit to London, it came out, bit by bit, in _Fraser's Magazine_. +Through the influence of Emerson, it was issued, as a book, at Boston, +in the United States, and Carlyle got some money for his production. It +was eventually published in England, and, strange to say, has had the +largest sale in the "People's Edition of Carlyle's Works." Carlyle, +himself, created the taste to appreciate "Sartor Resartus." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +MR. GLADSTONE AND OTHERS + + +In July 1838 Mr. W.E. Gladstone, then Tory member of Parliament for +Newark-upon-Trent, wrote to Mr. Murray from 6 Carlton Gardens, informing +him that he has written and thinks of publishing some papers on the +subject of the relationship of the "Church and the State," which would +probably fill a moderate octavo volume, and that he would be glad to +know if Mr. Murray would be inclined to see them. Mr. Murray saw the +papers, and on August 9 he agreed with Mr. Gladstone to publish 750 or +1,000 copies of the work on "Church and State," on half profits, the +copyright to remain with the author after the first edition was sold. +The work was immediately sent to press, and proofs were sent to Mr. +Gladstone, about to embark for Holland. A note was received by Mr. +Murray from the author (August 17, 1838): + +"I write a line from Rotterdam to say that sea-sickness prevented my +correcting the proofs on the passage." + +This was Mr. Gladstone's first appearance in the character of an author, +and the work proved remarkably successful, four editions being called +for in the course of three years. It was reviewed by Macaulay in the +_Edinburgh_ for April 1839, and in the _Quarterly_ by the Rev. W. Sewell +in December. "Church Principles," published in 1840, did not meet with +equal success. Two years later we find a reference to the same subject. + +_Mr. W.E. Gladstone to John Murray_. + +13 CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE, _April_ 6, 1842. + +My DEAR SIR, + +I thank you very much for your kindness in sending me the new number of +the _Quarterly_. As yet I have only read a part of the article on the +Church of England, which seems to be by a known hand, and to be full of +very valuable research: I hope next to turn to Lord Mahon's "Joan of +Arc." + +Amidst the pressure of more urgent affairs, I have held no consultation +with you regarding my books and the sale or no sale of them. As to the +third edition of the "State in its Relations," I should think the +remaining copies had better be got rid of in whatever summary or +ignominious mode you may deem best. They must be dead beyond recall. As +to the others, I do not know whether the season of the year has at all +revived the demand; and would suggest to you whether it would be well to +advertise them a little. I do not think they find their way much into +the second-hand shops. + +With regard to the fourth edition, I do not know whether it would be +well to procure any review or notice of it, and I am not a fair judge of +its merits even in comparison with the original form of the work; but my +idea is, that it is less defective both in the theoretical and in the +historical development, and ought to be worth the notice of those who +deemed the earlier editions worth their notice and purchase: that it +would really put a reader in possession of the view it was intended to +convey, which I fear is more than can with any truth be said of its +predecessors. + +I am not, however, in any state of anxiety or impatience: and I am +chiefly moved to refer these suggestions to your judgment from +perceiving that the Fourth Edition is as yet far from having cleared +itself. + +I remain always, + +Very faithfully yours, + +W.E. GLADSTONE. + +In the same year another author of different politics and strong +anti-slavery views appeared to claim Mr. Murray's assistance as a +publisher. It was Mr. Thomas Fowell Buxton, M.P., who desired him to +publish his work upon the "Slave Trade and its Remedy." + +_Mr. Buxton to John Murray_. + +_December_ 31, 1837. + +"The basis of my proposed book has already been brought before the +Cabinet Ministers in a confidential letter addressed to Lord +Melbourne.... It is now my purpose to publish a portion of the work, on +the nature, extent, and horrors of the slave trade, and the failure of +the efforts hitherto made to suppress it, [Footnote: See "Life of W.E. +Forster," ch. iv.] reserving the remainder for another volume to be +published at a future day. I should like to have 1,500 copies of the +first volume thrown off without delay." + +The book was published, and was followed by a cheaper volume in the +following year, of which a large number was sold and distributed. + +The following letter illustrates the dangerous results of reading sleepy +books by candle-light in bed: + +_Mr. Longman to John Murray_. + +2 HANOVER TERRACE, 1838. + +MY DEAR MURRAY, + +Can you oblige me by letting me have a third volume of "Wilberforce"? +The fact is, that in reading that work, my neighbour, Mr. Alexander, +fell fast asleep from exhaustion, and, setting himself on fire, burnt +the volume and his bed, to the narrow escape of the whole Terrace. Since +that book has been published, premiums of fire assurance are up, and not +having already insured my No. 2, now that the fire has broken out near +my own door, no office will touch my house nor any others in the Terrace +until it is ascertained that Mr. Alexander has finished with the book. +So pray consider our position, and let me have a third volume to make up +the set as soon as possible. + +Mr. Murray had agreed with the Bishop of Llandaff to publish Lord +Dudley's posthumous works, but the Bishop made certain complaints which +led to the following letter from Mr. Murray: + +_John Murray to the Bishop of Llandaff_. + +_December_ 31, 1839. + +MY LORD, + +I am told that your Lordship continues to make heavy complaints of the +inconvenience you incur by making me the publisher of "Lord Dudley's +Letters," in consequence of the great distance between St. Paul's +Churchyard and Albemarle Street, and that you have discovered another +cause for dissatisfaction in what you consider the inordinate profits of +a publisher. + +My Lord, when I had the honour to publish for Sir Walter Scott and Lord +Byron, the one resided in Edinburgh, the other in Venice; and, with +regard to the supposed advantages of a publisher, they were only such as +custom has established, and experience proved to be no more than +equivalent to his peculiar trouble and the inordinate risque which he +incurs. + +My long acquaintance with Lord Dudley, and the kindness and friendship +with which he honoured me to the last, made me, in addition to my +admiration of his talents, desire, and, indeed, expect to become the +publisher of his posthumous works, being convinced that he would have +had no other. After what has passed on your Lordship's side, however, I +feel that it would be inconsistent with my own character to embarrass +you any longer, and I therefore release your Lordship at once from any +promise or supposed understanding whatever regarding this publication, +and remain, my Lord, + +Your Lordship's humble Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +The Bishop of Llandaff seems to have thought better of the matter, and +in Mr. Murray's second letter to him (January 1, 1840) he states that, +after his Lordship's satisfactory letter, he "renews his engagement as +publisher of Lord Dudley's 'Letters' with increased pleasure." The +volume was published in the following year, but was afterwards +suppressed; it is now very scarce. + +Mrs. Jameson proposed to Mr. Murray to publish a "Guide to the +Picture-Galleries of London." He was willing to comply with her request, +provided she submitted her manuscript for perusal and approval. But as +she did not comply with his request, Mr. Murray wrote to her as follows: + +_John Murray to Mrs. Jameson_. + +_July_ 14, 1840 + +MY DEAR MADAM, + +It is with unfeigned regret that I perceive that you and I are not +likely to understand each other. The change from a Publisher, to whose +mode of conducting business you are accustomed, to another of whom you +have heard merely good reports, operates something like second +marriages, in which, whatever occurs that is different from that which +was experienced in the first, is always considered wrong by the party +who has married a second time. If, for a particular case, you have been +induced to change your physician, you should not take offence, or feel +even surprise, at a different mode of treatment. + +My rule is, never to engage in the publication of any work of which I +have not been allowed to form a judgment of its merits and chances of +success, by having the MSS. left with me a reasonable time, in order to +form such opinion; and from this habit of many years' exercise, I +confess to you that it will not, even upon the present occasion, suit me +to deviate. + +I am well aware that you would not wish to publish anything derogatory +to the high reputation which you have so deservedly acquired; but +Shakespeare, Byron, and Scott have written works that do not sell; and, +as you expect money for the work which you wish to allow me the honour +of publishing, how am I to judge of its value if I am not previously +allowed to read it? + +Mrs. Jameson at length submitted her work for Mr. Murray's inspection; +and after some negotiation, her Guide-Book was purchased for L400. + +Mr. Murray, it may here be mentioned, had much communication with Sir +Robert Peel during his parliamentary career. He published many of Peel's +speeches and addresses--his Address to the Students of Glasgow +University; his Speeches on the Irish Disturbances Bill, the Coercion +Bill, the Repeal of the Union, and the Sugar Bills--all of which were +most carefully revised before being issued. Sugar had become so cloying +with Sir Robert, that he refused to read his speeches on the subject. "I +am so sick of Sugar," he wrote to Murray, "and of the eight nights' +debate, that I have not the courage to look at any report of my +speech--at least at present." A later letter shows that the connection +continued. + +_The Rt. Hon. Sir R. Peel to John Murray_. + +_July_ or _August_, 1840. + +DEAR SIR, + +Your printer must be descended from him who omitted _not_ from the +seventh Commandment, and finding a superfluous "not" in his possession, +is anxious to find a place for it. + +I am sorry he has bestowed it upon me, and has made me assure my +constituents that I do _not_ intend to support my political principles. +Pray look at the 4th line of the second page of the enclosed. + +Faithfully yours, + +ROBERT PEEL. + +No account of Mr. Murray's career would be complete without some mention +of the "Handbooks," with which his name has been for sixty years +associated; for though this series was in reality the invention of his +son, it was Mr. Murray who provided the means and encouragement for the +execution of the scheme, and by his own experience was instrumental in +ensuring its success. + +As early as 1817 Hobhouse had remarked on the inadequate character of +most books of European travel. In later years Mrs. Starke made a +beginning, but her works were very superficial and inadequate, and after +personally testing them on their own ground, Mr. John Murray decided +that something better was needed. + +Of the origin of the Guide-books Mr. John Murray the Third has given +the following account in Murray's Magazine for November 1889. + +"Since so many thousands of persons have profited by these books, it may +be of some interest to the public to learn their origin, and the cause +which led me to prepare them. Having from my early youth been possessed +by an ardent desire to travel, my very indulgent father acceded to my +request, on condition that I should prepare myself by mastering the +language of the country I was to travel in. Accordingly, in 1829, having +brushed up my German, I first set foot on the Continent at Rotterdam, +and my 'Handbook for Holland' gives the results of my personal +observations and private studies of that wonderful country. + +"At that time such a thing as a Guide-book for Germany, France, or Spain +did not exist. The only Guides deserving the name were: Ebel, for +Switzerland; Boyce, for Belgium; and Mrs. Starke, for Italy. Hers was a +work of real utility, because, amidst a singular medley of classical +lore, borrowed from Lempriere's Dictionary, interwoven with details +regulating the charges in washing-bills at Sorrento and Naples, and an +elaborate theory on the origin of _Devonshire Cream_, in which she +proves that it was brought by Phoenician colonists from Asia Minor into +the West of England, it contained much practical information gathered on +the spot. But I set forth for the North of Europe unprovided with any +guide, excepting a few manuscript notes about towns and inns, etc., in +Holland, furnished me by my good friend Dr. Somerville, husband of the +learned Mrs. Somerville. These were of the greatest use. Sorry was I +when, on landing at Hamburg, I found myself destitute of such friendly +aid. It was this that impressed on my mind the value of practical +information gathered on the spot, and I set to work to collect for +myself all the facts, information, statistics, etc., which an English +tourist would be likely to require or find useful. + +The first of Mr. John Murray's Handbooks to the Continent, published +1836, included Holland, Belgium, and North Germany, and was followed at +short intervals by South Germany, Switzerland--in which he was assisted +by his intimate friend and fellow-traveller, William Brockedon, the +artist, who was then engaged in preparing his own splendid work on "The +Peaks, Passes, and Glaciers of the Alps"--and France. These were all +written by Mr. Murray himself; but, as the series proceeded, it was +necessary to call in the aid of other writers and travellers. +Switzerland, which appeared in 1838, was followed in 1839 by Norway, +Sweden, and Denmark, and in 1840 by the Handbook to the East, the work +of Mr. H. Parish, aided by Mr. Godfrey Levinge. In 1842 Sir Francis +Palgrave completed the Guide to Northern Italy, while Central and +Southern Italy were entrusted to Mr. Octavian Blewitt, for many years +Secretary of the Royal Literary Fund. + +In later years, as well as at the earlier period, the originator of the +Handbooks was fortunate enough to secure very able colleagues, among +whom it is sufficient to mention Richard Ford for Spain, Sir Gardner +Wilkinson for Egypt, Dr. Porter for Palestine, Sir George Bowen for +Greece, Sir Lambert Playfair for Algiers and the Mediterranean, and Mr. +George Dennis for Sicily. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +GEORGE BORROW--RICHARD FORD--HORACE TWISS--JOHN STERLING--MR. +GLADSTONE--DEATH OF SOUTHEY, ETC. + + +In November 1840 a tall athletic gentleman in black called upon Mr. +Murray offering a MS. for perusal and publication. George Borrow had +been a travelling missionary of the Bible Society in Spain, though in +early life he had prided himself on being an athlete, and had even taken +lessons in pugilism from Thurtell, who was a fellow-townsman. He was a +native of Dereham, Norfolk, but had wandered much in his youth, first +following his father, who was a Captain of Militia. He went from south +to north, from Kent to Edinburgh, where he was entered as pupil in the +High School, and took part in the "bickers" so well described by Sir +Walter Scott. Then the boy followed the regiment to Ireland, where he +studied the Celtic dialect. From early youth he had a passion, and an +extraordinary capacity, for learning languages, and on reaching manhood +he was appointed agent to the Bible Society, and was sent to Russia to +translate and introduce the Scriptures. While there he mastered the +language, and learnt besides the Solavonian and the gypsy dialects. He +translated the New Testament into the Tartar Mantchow, and published +versions from English into thirty languages. He made successive visits +into Russia, Norway, Turkey, Bohemia, Spain and Barbary. In fact, the +sole of his foot never rested. While an agent for the Bible Society in +Spain, he translated the New Testament into Spanish, Portuguese, Romany, +and Basque--which language, it is said, the devil himself never could +learn--and when he had learnt the Basque he acquired the name of +Lavengro, or word-master. + +Such was George Borrow when he called upon Murray to offer him the MSS. +of his first book, "The Gypsies in Spain." Mr. Murray could not fail to +be taken at first sight with this extraordinary man. He had a splendid +physique, standing six feet two in his stockings, and he had brains as +well as muscles, as his works sufficiently show. The book now submitted +was of a very uncommon character, and neither the author nor the +publisher was very sanguine about its success. Mr. Murray agreed, after +perusal, to print and publish 750 copies of "The Gypsies in Spain," and +divide the profits with the author. But this was only the beginning, and +Borrow reaped much better remuneration from future editions of the +volume. Indeed, the book was exceedingly well received, and met with a +considerable sale; but not so great as his next work, "The Bible in +Spain," which he was now preparing. + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. _August_ 23, 1841. + +"A queer book will be this same 'Bible in Spain,' containing all my +queer adventures in that queer country whilst engaged in distributing +the Gospel, but neither learning, nor disquisition, fine writing, or +poetry. A book with such a Bible and of this description can scarcely +fail of success. It will make two nice foolscap octavo volumes of about +500 pages each. I have not heard from Ford since I had last the pleasure +of seeing you. Is his book out? I hope that he will not review the +'Zincali' until the Bible is forthcoming, when he may, if he please, +kill two birds with one stone. I hear from Saint Petersburg that there +is a notice of the 'Zincali' in the _Revue Britannique_; it has been +translated into Russian. Do you know anything about it?" + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT, _January_ +1842. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +We are losing time. I have corrected seven hundred consecutive pages of +MS., and the remaining two hundred will be ready in a fortnight. I do +not think there will be a dull page in the whole book, as I have made +one or two very important alterations; the account of my imprisonment at +Madrid cannot fail, I think, of being particularly interesting.... +During the last week I have been chiefly engaged in horse-breaking. A +most magnificent animal has found his way to this neighbourhood--a +half-bred Arabian. He is at present in the hands of a low horse-dealer, +and can be bought for eight pounds, but no one will have him. It is said +that he kills everybody who mounts him. I have been _charming_ him, and +have so far succeeded that he does not fling me more than once in five +minutes. What a contemptible trade is the author's compared with that of +the jockey's! + +Mr. Borrow prided himself on being a horse-sorcerer, an art he learned +among the gypsies, with whose secrets he claimed acquaintance. He +whispered some unknown gibberish into their ears, and professed thus to +tame them. + +He proceeded with "The Bible in Spain." In the following month he sent +to Mr. Murray the MS. of the first volume. To the general information as +to the contents and interest of the volume, he added these words: + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_February_, 1842. + +"I spent a day last week with our friend Dawson Turner at Yarmouth. What +capital port he keeps! He gave me some twenty years old, and of nearly +the finest flavour that I ever tasted. There are few better things than +old books, old pictures, and old port, and he seems to have plenty of +all three." + +_May_ 10, 1842. + +"I am coming up to London tomorrow, and intend to call at Albemarle +Street.... I make no doubt that we shall be able to come to terms; I +like not the idea of applying to second-rate people. I have been +dreadfully unwell since I last heard from you--a regular nervous attack; +at present I have a bad cough, caught by getting up at night in pursuit +of poachers and thieves. A horrible neighbourhood this--not a magistrate +that dares to do his duty. + +"P.S.--Ford's book not out yet?" + +There seems to have been some difficulty about coming to terms. Borrow +had promised his friends that his book should be out by October 1, and +he did not wish them to be disappointed: + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_July_ 4, 1842. + +Why this delay? Mr. Woodfall [the printer] tells me that the state of +trade is wretched. Well and good! But you yourself told me so two months +ago, when you wrote requesting that I would give you the preference, +provided I had not made arrangements with other publishers. Between +ourselves, my dear friend, I wish the state of the trade were ten times +worse than it is, and then things would find their true level, and an +original work would be properly appreciated, and a set of people who +have no pretensions to write, having nothing to communicate but +tea-table twaddle, could no longer be palmed off upon the public as +mighty lions and lionesses. But to the question: What are your +intentions with respect to "The Bible in Spain"? I am a frank man, and +frankness never offends me. Has anybody put you out of conceit with the +book? There is no lack of critics, especially in your neighbourhood. +Tell me frankly, and I will drink your health in Rommany. Or, would the +appearance of "The Bible" on the first of October interfere with the +Avatar, first or second, of some very Lion or Divinity, to whom George +Borrow, who is neither, must, of course, give place? Be frank with me, +my dear sir, and I will drink your health in Rommany and Madeira. + +In case of either of the above possibilities being the fact, allow me to +assure you that I am quite willing to release you from your share of the +agreement into which we entered. At the same time, I do not intend to +let the work fall to the ground, as it has been promised to the public. +Unless you go on with it, I shall remit Woodfall the necessary money for +the purchase of paper, and when it is ready offer it to the world. If it +be but allowed fair play, I have no doubt of its success. It is an +original book, on an original subject. Tomorrow, July 5, I am +thirty-nine. Have the kindness to drink my health in Madeira. + +Ever most sincerely yours, + +GEORGE BORROW. + +Terms were eventually arranged to the satisfaction of both parties. +Borrow informed Murray that he had sent the last proofs to the printer, +and continued: + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_November_ 25, 1842. + +Only think, poor Allan Cunningham dead! A young man, only fifty-eight, +strong and tall as a giant, might have lived to a hundred and one; but +he bothered himself about the affairs of this world far too much. That +statue shop [of Chantrey's] was his bane! Took to bookmaking +likewise--in a word, was too fond of Mammon. Awful death--no +preparation--came literally upon him like a thief in the dark. I'm +thinking of writing a short life of him; old friend of twenty years' +standing. I know a good deal about him; "Traditional Tales," his best +work, first appeared in _London Magazine_, Pray send Dr. Bowring a copy +of the Bible-another old friend. Send one to Ford, a capital fellow. God +bless you--feel quite melancholy. + +Ever yours, + +G. BORROW. + +"The Bible in Spain" was published towards the end of the year, and +created a sensation. It was praised by many critics, and condemned by +others, for Borrow had his enemies in the press. + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray, Junior_. + +LOWESTOFT, _December_ 1, 1842. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I received your kind letter containing the bills. It was very friendly +of you, and I thank you, though, thank God, I have no Christmas bills to +settle. Money, however, always acceptable. I dare say I shall be in +London with the entrance of the New Year; I shall be most happy to see +you, and still more your father, whose jokes do one good. I wish all the +world were as gay as he; a gentleman drowned himself last week on my +property, I wish he had gone somewhere else. I can't get poor Allan out +of my head. When I come up, intend to go and see his wife. What a woman! +I hope our book will be successful. If so, shall put another on the +stocks. Capital subject; early life, studies, and adventures; some +account of my father, William Taylor, Whiter, Big Ben, etc., etc. Had +another letter from Ford; wonderful fellow; seems in high spirits. +Yesterday read "Letters from the Baltic"; much pleased with it; very +clever writer; critique in _Despatch_ harsh and unjust; quite uncalled +for; blackguard affair altogether. + +I remain, dear Sir, ever yours, + +GEORGE BORROW, + +_December_ 31, 1842. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I have great pleasure in acknowledging your very kind letter of the +28th, and am happy to hear that matters are going on so prosperously. It +is quite useless to write books unless they sell, and the public has of +late become so fastidious that it is no easy matter to please it. With +respect to the critique in the _Times_, I fully agree with you that it +was harsh and unjust, and the passages selected by no means calculated +to afford a fair idea of the contents of the work. A book, however, like +"The Bible in Spain" can scarcely be published without exciting +considerable hostility, and I have been so long used to receiving hard +knocks that they make no impression upon me. After all, the abuse of the +_Times_ is better than its silence; it would scarcely have attacked the +work unless it had deemed it of some importance, and so the public will +think. All I can say is, that I did my best, never writing but when the +fit took me, and never delivering anything to my amanuensis but what I +was perfectly satisfied with. You ask me my opinion of the review in the +_Quarterly_. Very good, very clever, very neatly done. Only one fault to +find--too laudatory. I am by no means the person which the reviewer had +the kindness to represent me. I hope you are getting on well as to +health; strange weather this, very unwholesome, I believe, both for man +and beast: several people dead, and great mortality amongst the cattle. +Am tolerably well myself, but get but little rest--disagreeable +dreams--digestion not quite so good as I could wish; been on the water +system--won't do; have left it off, and am now taking lessons in +singing. I hope to be in London towards the end of next month, and +reckon much upon the pleasure of seeing you. On Monday I shall mount my +horse and ride into Norwich to pay a visit to a few old friends. +Yesterday the son of our excellent Dawson Turner rode over to see me; +they are all well, it seems. Our friend Joseph Gurney, however, seems to +be in a strange way--diabetes, I hear. I frequently meditate upon "The +Life," and am arranging the scenes in my mind. With best remembrances to +Mrs. M. and all your excellent family, + +Truly and respectfully yours, + +GEORGE BORROW. + +Mr. Richard Ford's forthcoming work--"The Handbook for Spain"--about +which Mr. Borrow had been making so many enquiries, was the result of +many years' hard riding and constant investigation throughout Spain, one +of the least known of all European countries at that time. Mr. Ford +called upon Mr. Murray, after "The Bible in Spain" had been published, +and a copy of the work was presented to him. He was about to start on +his journey to Heavitree, near Exeter. A few days after his arrival Mr. +Murray received the following letter from him: + +_Mr. Richard Ford to John Murray_. + +"I read Borrow with great delight all the way down per rail, and it +shortened the rapid flight of that velocipede. You may depend upon it +that the book will sell, which, after all, is the rub. It is the +antipodes of Lord Carnarvon, and yet how they tally in what they have in +common, and that is much--the people, the scenery of Galicia, and the +suspicions and absurdities of Spanish Jacks-in-office, who yield not in +ignorance or insolence to any kind of red-tapists, hatched in the +hot-beds of jobbery and utilitarian mares-nests ... Borrow spares none +of them. I see he hits right and left, and floors his man wherever he +meets him. I am pleased with his honest sincerity of purpose and his +graphic abrupt style. It is like an old Spanish ballad, leaping in _res +medias_, going from incident to incident, bang, bang, bang, hops, steps, +and jumps like a cracker, and leaving off like one, when you wish he +would give you another touch or _coup de grace_ ... He really sometimes +puts me in mind of Gil Blas; but he has not the sneer of the Frenchman, +nor does he gild the bad. He has a touch of Bunyan, and, like that +enthusiastic tinker, hammers away, _a la Gitano_, whenever he thinks he +can thwack the Devil or his man-of-all-work on earth--the Pope. Therein +he resembles my friend and everybody's friend--_Punch_--who, amidst all +his adventures, never spares the black one. However, I am not going to +review him now; for I know that Mr. Lockhart has expressed a wish that I +should do it for the _Quarterly Review_. Now, a wish from my liege +master is a command. I had half engaged myself elsewhere, thinking that +he did not quite appreciate such a _trump_ as I know Borrow to be. He is +as full of meat as an egg, and a fresh laid one--not one of your Inglis +breed, long addled by over-bookmaking. Borrow will lay you golden eggs, +and hatch them after the ways of Egypt; put salt on his tail and secure +him in your coop, and beware how any poacher coaxes him with 'raisins' +or reasons out of the Albemarle preserves. When you see Mr. Lockhart +tell him that I will do the paper. I owe my entire allowance to the _Q. +R_. flag ... Perhaps my understanding the _full force_ of this 'gratia' +makes me over partial to this wild Missionary; but I have ridden over +the same tracks without the tracts, seen the same people, and know that +_he_ is true, and I believe that he believes all that he writes to be +true." + +Mr. Lockhart himself, however, wrote the review for the _Quarterly_ (No. +141, December 1842). It was a temptation that he could not resist, and +his article was most interesting. "The Gypsies in Spain" and "The Bible +in Spain" went through many editions, and there is still a large demand +for both works. Before we leave George Borrow we will give a few +extracts from his letters, which, like his books, were short, abrupt, +and graphic. He was asked to become a member of the Royal Institution. + +_Mr. George Borrow to John Murray_. + +_February_ 26, 1843. + +"I should like to become a member. The thing would just suit me, more +especially as they do not want _clever_ men, but _safe_ men. Now, I am +safe enough; ask the Bible Society, whose secrets I have kept so much to +their satisfaction, that they have just accepted at my hands an English +Gypsy Gospel gratis. What would the Institution expect me to write? I +have exhausted Spain and the Gypsies, though an essay on Welsh language +and literature might suit, with an account of the Celtic tongue. Or, +won't something about the ancient North and its literature be more +acceptable? I have just received an invitation to join the Ethnological +Society (who are they?), which I have declined. I am at present in great +demand; a bishop has just requested me to visit him. The worst of these +bishops is that they are skin-flints, saving for their families. Their +cuisine is bad, and their port wine execrable, and as for their +cigars!--I say, do you remember those precious ones of the Sanctuary? A +few days ago one of them turned up again. I found it in my great-coat +pocket, and thought of you. I have seen the article in the _Edinburgh_ +about the Bible--exceedingly brilliant and clever, but rather too +epigrammatic, quotations scanty and not correct. Ford is certainly a +most astonishing fellow; he quite flabbergasts me--handbooks, review's, +and I hear that he has just been writing a 'Life of Velasquez' for the +'Penny Cyclopaedia'!" + + +OULTON HALL, LOWESTOFT, _March_ 13, 1843. + +"So the second edition is disposed of. Well and good. Now, my dear +friend, have the kindness to send me an account of the profits of it and +let us come to a settlement. Up to the present time do assure you I have +not made a penny by writing, what with journeys to London and tarrying +there. Basta! I hate to talk of money matters. + +"Let them call me a nonentity if they will; I believe that some of those +who say I am a phantom would alter their tone provided they were to ask +me to a good dinner; bottles emptied and fowls devoured are not exactly +the feats of a phantom: no! I partake more of the nature of a Brownie or +Robin Goodfellow--goblins, 'tis true, but full of merriment and fun, and +fond of good eating and drinking. Occasionally I write a page or two of +my life. I am now getting my father into the Earl of Albemarle's +regiment, in which he was captain for many years. If I live, and my +spirits keep up tolerably well, I hope that within a year I shall be +able to go to press with something which shall beat the 'Bible in +Spain.'" + +And a few days later: + +"I have received your account for the two editions. I am perfectly +satisfied. We will now, whenever you please, bring out a third edition. + +"The book which I am at present about will consist, if I live to finish +it, of a series of Rembrandt pictures, interspersed here and there with +a Claude. I shall tell the world of my parentage, my early thoughts and +habits, how I become a _sap-engro,_ or viper-catcher: my wanderings with +the regiment in England, Scotland, and Ireland, in which last place my +jockey habits first commenced: then a great deal about Norwich, Billy +Taylor, Thurtell, etc.: how I took to study and became a _lav-engro._ +What do you think of this for a bill of fare? I am now in a blacksmith's +shop in the south of Ireland taking lessons from the Vulcan in horse +charming and horse-shoe making. By the bye, I wish I were acquainted +with Sir Robert Peel. I could give him many a useful hint with respect +to Ireland and the Irish. I know both tolerably well. Whenever there's a +row, I intend to go over with Sidi Habesmith and put myself at the head +of a body of volunteers." + +During the negotiations for the publication of Mr. Horace Twiss's "Life +of the Earl of Eldon," Mr. Murray wrote to Mr. Twiss: + +_John Murray to Mr. Twiss_. + +_May_ 11, 1842. + +"I am very sorry to say that the publishing of books at this time +involves nothing but loss, and that I have found it absolutely +necessary to withdraw from the printers every work that I had in the +press, and to return to the authors any MS. for which they required +immediate publication." + +Mr. Murray nevertheless agreed to publish the "Life of Eldon" on +commission, and it proved very successful, going through several +editions. + +Another work offered to Mr. Murray in 1841 was "The Moor and the Loch," +by John Colquhoun, of Luss. He had published the first edition at +Edinburgh through Mr. Blackwood; and, having had some differences with +that publisher, he now proposed to issue the second edition in London. +He wrote to Mr. Murray desiring him to undertake the work, and received +the following reply: + +_John Murray to Mr. Colquhoun_. + +_March_ 16, 1841. + +SIR, + +I should certainly have had much pleasure in being the original +publisher of your very interesting work "The Moor and the Loch," but I +have a very great dislike to the _appearance even_ of interfering with +any other publisher. Having glass windows, I must not throw stones. With +Blackwood, indeed, I have long had particular relations, and they for +several years acted as my agents in Edinburgh; so pray have the kindness +to confide to me the cause of your misunderstanding with that house, and +let me have the satisfaction of at least trying in the first place to +settle the matter amicably. In any case, however, you may rely upon all +my means to promote the success of your work, the offer of which has +made me, dear Sir, + +Your obliged and faithful Servant, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +_Mr. Colquhoun to John Murray_. + +_March_ 20, 1841. + +DEAR SIR, + +I am much obliged by your note which I received yesterday. I shall +endeavour to see you directly, and when I explain the cause of my +dissatisfaction with Messrs. Blackwood, I am sure you will at once see +that it would be impossible for us to go on comfortably together with my +second edition; and even if any adjustment was brought about, I feel +convinced that the book would suffer. I do not mean to imply anything +against the Messrs. Blackwood as men of business, and should be sorry to +be thus understood; but this case has been a peculiar one, and requires +too long an explanation for a letter. In the meantime I have written to +you under the strictest confidence, as the Messrs. B. are not aware of +my intention of bringing out a second edition at the present time, or of +my leaving them. My reasons, however, are such that my determination +cannot be altered; and I hope, after a full explanation with you, that +we shall at once agree to publish the book with the least possible +delay. I shall be most happy to return your note, which you may +afterwards show to Messrs. B., and I may add that had you altogether +refused to publish my book, it could in no way have affected my decision +of leaving them. + +I remain, dear Sir, faithfully yours, + +JOHN COLQUHOUN. + +Mr. Colquhoun came up expressly to London, and after an interview with +Mr. Murray, who again expressed his willingness to mediate with the +Edinburgh publishers, Mr. Colquhoun repeated his final decision, and Mr. +Murray at length agreed to publish the second edition of "The Moor and +the Loch." It may be added that in the end Mr. Colquhoun did, as urged +by Murray, return to the Blackwoods, who still continue to publish his +work. + +Allan Cunningham ended his literary life by preparing the "Memoirs" of +his friend Sir David Wilkie. Shortly before he undertook the work he had +been prostrated by a stroke of paralysis, but on his partial recovery he +proceeded with the memoirs, and the enfeebling effects of his attack may +be traced in portions of the work. Towards the close of his life Wilkie +had made a journey to the East, had painted the Sultan at +Constantinople, and afterwards made his way to Smyrna, Rhodes, Beyrout, +Jaffa, and Jerusalem. He returned through Egypt, and at Alexandria he +embarked on board the _Oriental_ steamship for England. While at +Alexandria, he had complained of illness, which increased, partly in +consequence of his intense sickness at sea, and he died off Gibraltar on +June 1, 1841, when his body was committed to the deep. Turner's splendid +picture of the scene was one of Wilkie's best memorials. A review of +Allan Cunningham's work, by Mr. Lockhart, appeared in the _Quarterly_, +No. 144. Previous to its appearance he wrote to Mr. Murray as follows: + +_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. + +_February_ 25, 1843. + +DEAR MURRAY, + +I don't know if you have read much of "The Life of Wilkie." All +Cunningham's part seems to be wretched, but in the "Italian and Spanish +Journals and Letters" Wilkie shines out in a comparatively new +character. He is a very eloquent and, I fancy, a deep and instructive +critic on painting; at all events, Vol. ii. is full of very high +interest.... Is there anywhere a good criticism on the alteration that +Wilkie's style exhibited after his Italian and Spanish tours? The +general impression always was, and I suppose will always be, that the +change was for the worse. But it will be a nice piece of work to account +for an unfortunate change being the result of travel and observation, +which we now own to have produced such a stock of admirable theoretical +disquisition on the principles of the Art. I can see little to admire or +like in the man Wilkie. Some good homely Scotch kindness for kith and +kin, and for some old friends too perhaps; but generally the character +seems not to rise above the dull prudentialities of a decent man in awe +of the world and the great, and awfully careful about No. 1. No genuine +enjoyment, save in study of Art, and getting money through that study. +He is a fellow that you can't suppose ever to have been drunk or in +love--too much a Presbyterian Elder for either you or me. + +Mr. Murray received a communication (December 16, 1841), from Mr. John +Sterling, Carlyle's friend, with whom he had had transactions on his own +account. "Not," he said, "respecting his own literary affairs, but those +of a friend." The friend was Mr. John Stuart Mill, son of the historian +of British India. He had completed his work on Logic, of which Mr. +Sterling had the highest opinion. He said it had been the "labour of +many years of a singularly subtle, patient, and comprehensive mind. It +will be our chief speculative monument of this age." Mr. Mill himself +addressed Mr. Murray, first on December 20, 1841, while he was preparing +the work for the press, and again in January and February, 1842, when he +had forwarded the MS. to the publisher, and requested his decision. We +find, however, that Mr. Murray was very ill at the time; that he could +not give the necessary attention to the subject; and that the MS. was +eventually returned. + +When Copyright became the subject of legislation in 1843, Mr. Murray +received a letter from Mr. Gladstone. + +_Mr. Gladstone to John Murray_. + +WHITEHALL, _February_ 6, 1843. + +MY DEAR SIR, + +I beg leave to thank you for the information contained in and +accompanying your note which reached me on Saturday. The view with which +the clauses relating to copyright in the Customs Act were framed was +that those interested in the exclusion of pirated works would take care +to supply the Board of Customs from time to time with lists of all works +under copyright which were at all likely to be reprinted abroad, and +that this would render the law upon the whole much more operative and +more fair than an enormous catalogue of all the works entitled to the +privilege, of which it would be found very difficult for the officers at +the ports to manage the use. + +Directions in conformity with the Acts of last Session will be sent to +the Colonies. + +But I cannot omit to state that I learn from your note with great +satisfaction, that steps are to be taken here to back the recent +proceedings of the Legislature. I must not hesitate to express my +conviction that what Parliament has done will be fruitless, unless the +_law_ be seconded by the adoption of such modes of publication, as will +allow the public here and in the colonies to obtain possession of new +and popular English works at moderate prices. If it be practicable for +authors and publishers to make such arrangements, I should hope to see a +great extension of our book trade, as well as much advantage to +literature, from the measures that have now been taken and from those +which I trust we shall be enabled to take in completion of them; but +unless the proceedings of the trade itself adapt and adjust themselves +to the altered circumstances, I can feel no doubt that we shall relapse +into or towards the old state of things; the law will be first evaded +and then relaxed. + +I am, my dear Sir, + +Faithfully yours, + +W.E. GLADSTONE. + +Here it is fitting that a few paragraphs should be devoted to the +closing years of Robert Southey, who for so many years had been the +friend and coadjutor of the publisher of the _Quarterly_. + +Between 1808 and 1838, Southey had written ninety-four articles for the +_Quarterly_; the last was upon his friend Thomas Telford, the engineer, +who left him a legacy. He had been returned Member of Parliament for +Downton (before the Reform Bill passed), but refused the honour--a +curious episode not often remembered in the career of this distinguished +man of letters. When about fifty-five years old, his only certain source +of income was from his pension, from which he received L145, and from +his laureateship, which was L90. But the larger portion of these sums +went in payment for his life insurance, so that not more than L100 could +be calculated on as available. His works were not always profitable. In +one year he only received L26 for twenty-one of his books, published by +Longman. + +Murray gave him L1,000 for the copyright of the "Peninsular War"; but +his "Book of the Church" and his "Vindiciae" produced nothing. + +Southey's chief means of support was the payments (generally L100 for +each article) which he received for his contributions to the +_Quarterly_; but while recognizing this, as he could not fail to do, as +well as Murray's general kindness towards him, he occasionally allowed a +vein of discontent to show itself even in his acknowledgment of favours +received. + +In 1835 Southey received a pension of L300 from the Government of Sir +Robert Peel. He was offered a Baronetcy at the same time, but he +declined it, as his circumstances did not permit him to accept the +honour. + +_Mr. Southey to John Murray_. + +_June_ 17, 1835. + +"What Sir Robert Peel has done for me will enable me, when my present +engagements are completed, to employ the remainder of my life upon those +works for which inclination, peculiar circumstances, and long +preparation, have best qualified me. They are "The History of Portugal," +"The History of the Monastic Orders," and "The History of English +Literature," from the time when Wharton breaks off. The possibility of +accomplishing three such works at my age could not be dreamt of, if I +had not made very considerable progress with one, and no little, though +not in such regular order, with the others." + +Shortly after his second marriage, Southey's intellect began to fail +him, and he soon sank into a state of mental imbecility. He would wander +about his library, take down a book, look into it, and then put it back +again, but was incapable of work. When Mr. Murray sent him the octavo +edition of the "Peninsular War," his wife answered: + +_Mrs. Southey to John Murray_. + +GRETA HALL, _May_ 15, 1840. + +If the word _pleasure_ were not become to me as a _dead letter, I_ +should tell you with how much I took possession of your kind gift. But I +_may_ tell you truly that it gratified, and more than gratified me, by +giving pleasure to my dear husband, as a token of your regard for him, +so testified towards myself. The time is not far passed when we should +have rejoiced together like children over such an acquisition. + +Yours very truly and thankfully, + +CAR. SOUTHEY. + +_May_ 23, 1840. + +DEAR SIR, + +Very cordially I return your friendly salutations, feeling, as I do, +that every manifestation of kindness for my husband's sake is more +precious to me than any I could receive for my own exclusively. +Two-and-twenty years ago, when he wished to put into your hands, as +publisher, a first attempt of mine, of which he thought better than it +deserved, he little thought in that so doing he was endeavouring to +forward the interests of his future wife; of her for whom it was +appointed (a sad but honoured lot) to be the companion of his later +days, over which it has pleased God to cast the "shadow before" of that +"night in which no man can work." But twelve short months ago he was +cheerfully anticipating (in the bright buoyancy of his happy nature) a +far other companionship for the short remainder of our earthly sojourn; +never forgetting, however, that ours must be short at the longest, and +that "in the midst of life we are in death." He desires me to thank you +for your kind expressions towards him, and to be most kindly remembered +to you. Your intimation of the favourable progress of his 8vo "Book of +the Church" gave him pleasure, and he thanks you for so promptly +attending to his wishes about a neatly bound set of his "Peninsular +War." Accept my assurances of regard, and believe me to be, dear Sir, + +Yours very truly, + +CAROLINE SOUTHEY. + +On September 17, 1840, Mr. Murray sent to Mr. Southey a draft for L259, +being the balance for his "Book of the Church," and informed him that he +would be pleased to know that another edition was called for. Mrs. +Southey replied: + +_Mrs. Southey to John Murray_. + +"He made no remark on your request to be favoured with any suggestions +he might have to offer. _My_ sad persuasion is that Robert Southey's +works have received their last revision and correction from his mind and +pen." + +GRETA HALL, _October 5_, 1840. + +DEAR SIR, + +I will not let another post go out, without conveying to you my thanks +for your very kind letter last night received. It will gratify you to +know that its contents (the copy of the critique included), aroused and +fixed Mr. Southey's attention more than anything that has occurred for +months past--gratifying him, I believe, far more than anything more +immediately concerning himself could have done. "Tell Murray," he said, +"I am very much obliged to him." It is long since he has sent a message +to friend or relation. + +Now let me say for myself that I am very thankful to _you_--very +thankful to my indulgent reviewer--and that if I could yet feel interest +about anything of my own writing, I should be pleased and encouraged by +his encomium--as well as grateful for it. But if it did _not sound +thanklessly_, I should say, "too late--too late--it comes too late!" +and that bitter feeling came upon me so suddenly, as my eyes fell upon +the passage in question, that they overflowed with tears before it was +finished. + +But he _did take interest in_ it, at least for a few moments, and so it +was not _quite_ too late; and (doing as I _know he would have me)_, I +shall act upon your most _kind_ and _friendly_ advice, and transmit it +to Blackwood, who will, I doubt not, be willingly guided by it. + +It was one of my husband's pleasant visions before our marriage, and his +favourite prospect, to publish a volume of poetry conjointly with me, +not weighing the disproportion of talent. + +I must tell you that immediately on receiving the _Review_, I should +have written to express my sense of your kindness, and of the flattering +nature of the critique; but happening to _tell_ Miss Southey and her +brother that you had sent it me, as I believed, as an obliging personal +attention, they assured me I was mistaken, and that the numbers were +only intended for "their set." Fearing, therefore, to arrogate to myself +more than was designed for me, I kept silence; and now expose _my +simplicity_ rather than _leave_ myself _open_ to the imputation of +unthankfulness. Mr. Southey desires to be very kindly remembered to you, +and I am, my dear Sir, + +Very thankfully and truly yours, Car. Southey. + +P.S.--I had almost forgotten to thank you for so kindly offering to send +the _Review_ to any friends of mine, I may wish to gratify. I _will_ +accept the proffered favour, and ask you to send one addressed to Miss +Burnard, Shirley, Southampton, Hants. The other members of my family and +most of my friends take the _Q.R._, or are sure of seeing it. This last +number is an excellent one. + +Southey died on March 21, 1843. The old circle of friends was being +sadly diminished. "Disease and death," his old friend Thomas Mitchell, +one of the survivors of the early contributors to the _Quarterly_, wrote +to Murray, "seem to be making no small havoc among our literary +men--Maginn, Cunningham, Basil Hall, and poor Southey, worst of all. +Lockhart's letters of late have made me very uneasy, too, about him. Has +he yet returned from Scotland, and is he at all improved?" Only a few +months later Mr. Murray himself was to be called away from the scene of +his life's activity. In the autumn of 1842 his health had already begun +to fail rapidly, and he had found it necessary to live much out of +London, and to try various watering-places; but although he rallied at +times sufficiently to return to his business for short periods, he never +recovered, and passed away in sleep on June 27, 1843, at the age of +sixty-five. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +JOHN MURRAY AS A PUBLISHER + + +In considering the career of John Murray, the reader can hardly fail to +be struck with the remarkable manner in which his personal qualities +appeared to correspond with the circumstances out of which he built his +fortunes. + +When he entered his profession, the standard of conduct in every +department of life connected with the publishing trade was determined by +aristocratic ideas. The unwritten laws which regulated the practice of +bookselling in the eighteenth century were derived from the Stationers' +Company. Founded as it had been on the joint principles of commercial +monopoly and State control, this famous organization had long lost its +old vitality. But it had bequeathed to the bookselling community a large +portion of its original spirit, both in the practice of cooperative +publication which produced the "Trade Books," so common in the last +century, and in that deep-rooted belief in the perpetuity of copyright, +which only received its death-blow from the celebrated judgment of the +House of Lords in the case of Donaldson _v_. Becket in 1774. Narrow and +exclusive as they may have been in their relation to the public +interest, there can be no doubt that these traditions helped to +constitute, in the dealings of the booksellers among themselves, a +standard of honour which put a certain curb on the pursuit of private +gain. It was this feeling which provoked such intense indignation in the +trade against the publishers who took advantage of their strict legal +rights to invade what was generally regarded as the property of their +brethren; while the sense of what was due to the credit, as well as to +the interest, of a great organized body, made the associated +booksellers zealous in the promotion of all enterprises likely to add to +the fame of English literature. + +Again, there was something, in the best sense of the word, aristocratic +in the position of literature itself. Patronage, indeed, had declined. +The patron of the early days of the century, who, like Halifax, sought +in the Universities or in the London Coffee-houses for literary talent +to strengthen the ranks of political party, had disappeared, together +with the later and inferior order of patron, who, after the manner of +Bubb Dodington, nattered his social pride by maintaining a retinue of +poetical clients at his country seat. The nobility themselves, absorbed +in politics or pleasure, cared far less for letters than their fathers +in the reigns of Anne and the first two Georges. Hence, as Johnson said, +the bookseller had become the Maecenas of the age; but not the +bookseller of Grub Street. To be a man of letters was no longer a +reproach. Johnson himself had been rewarded with a literary pension, and +the names of almost all the distinguished scholars of the latter part of +the eighteenth century--Warburton, the two Wartons, Lowth, Burke, Hume, +Gibbon, Robertson--belong to men who either by birth or merit were in a +position which rendered them independent of literature as a source of +livelihood. The author influenced the public rather than the public the +author, while the part of the bookseller was restricted to introducing +and distributing to society the works which the scholar had designed. + +Naturally enough, from such conditions arose a highly aristocratic +standard of taste. The centre of literary judgment passed from the +half-democratic society of the Coffee-house to the dining-room of +scholars like Cambridge or Beauclerk; and opinion, formed from the +brilliant conversation at such gatherings as the Literary Club; +afterwards circulated among the public either in the treatises of +individual critics, or in the pages of the two leading Monthly Reviews. +The society from which it proceeded, though not in the strict sense of +the word fashionable, was eminently refined and widely representative; +it included the politician, the clergyman, the artist, the connoisseur, +and was permeated with the necessary leaven of feminine intuition, +ranging from the observation of Miss Burney or the vivacity of Mrs. +Thrale, to the stately morality of Mrs. Montagu and Mrs. Hannah More. + +On the other hand, the whole period of Murray's life as a publisher, +extending, to speak broadly, from the first French Revolution to almost +the eve of the French Revolution of 1848, was characterized in a marked +degree by the advance of Democracy. In all directions there was an +uprising of the spirit of individual liberty against the prescriptions +of established authority. In Politics the tendency is apparent in the +progress of the Reform movement. In Commerce it was marked by the +inauguration of the Free Trade movement. In Literature it made itself +felt in the great outburst of poetry at the beginning of the century, +and in the assertion of the superiority of individual genius to the +traditional laws of form. + +The effect produced by the working of the democratic spirit within the +aristocratic constitution of society and taste may without exaggeration +be described as prodigious. At first sight, indeed, there seems to be a +certain abruptness in the transition from the highly organized society +represented in Boswell's "Life of Johnson," to the philosophical +retirement of Wordsworth and Coleridge. It is only when we look beneath +the surface that we see the old traditions still upheld by a small class +of Conservative writers, including Campbell, Rogers, and Crabbe, and, as +far as style is concerned, by some of the romantic innovators, Byron, +Scott, and Moore. But, generally speaking, the age succeeding the first +French Revolution exhibits the triumph of individualism. Society itself +is penetrated by new ideas; literature becomes fashionable; men of +position are no longer ashamed to be known as authors, nor women of +distinction afraid to welcome men of letters in their drawing-rooms. On +all sides the excitement and curiosity of the times is reflected in the +demand for poems, novels, essays, travels, and every kind of imaginative +production, under the name of _belles lettres_. + +A certain romantic spirit of enterprise shows itself in Murray's +character at the very outset of his career. Tied to a partner of a petty +and timorous disposition, he seizes an early opportunity to rid himself +of the incubus. With youthful ardour he begs of a veteran author to be +allowed the privilege of publishing, as his first undertaking, a work +which he himself genuinely admired. He refuses to be bound by mere +trading calculations. "The business of a publishing bookseller," he +writes to a correspondent, "is not in his shop, or even in his +connections, but in his brains." In all his professional conduct a +largeness of view is apparent. A new conception of the scope of his +trade seems early to have risen in his mind, and he was perhaps the +first member of the Stationers' craft to separate the business of +bookselling from that of publishing. When Constable in Edinburgh sent +him "a miscellaneous order of books from London," he replied: "Country +orders are a branch of business which I have ever totally declined as +incompatible with my more serious plans as a publisher." + +With ideas of this kind, it may readily be imagined that Murray was not +what is usually called "a good man of business," a fact of which he was +well aware, as the following incident, which occurred in his later +years, amusingly indicates. + +The head of one of the larger firms with which he dealt came in person +to Albemarle Street to receive payment of his account. This was duly +handed to him in bills, which, by some carelessness, he lost on his way +home, He thereupon wrote to Mr. Murray, requesting him to advertise in +his own name for the lost property. Murray's reply was as follows: + +TWICKENHAM, _October_ 26, 1841. + +MY DEAR-----, + +I am exceedingly sorry for the vexatious, though, I hope, only temporary +loss which you have met with; but I have so little character for being a +man of business, that if the bills were advertised in _my_ name it would +be publicly confirming the suspicion--but in your own name, it will be +only considered as a very extraordinary circumstance, and I therefore +give my impartial opinion in favour of the latter mode. Remaining, my +dear-----, + +Most truly yours, + +JOHN MURRAY. + +The possession of ordinary commercial shrewdness, however, was by no +means the quality most essential for successful publishing at the +beginning of the nineteenth century. Both Constable and Ballantyne were +men of great cleverness and aptitude for business; but, wanting certain +higher endowments, they were unable to resist the whirl of excitement +accompanying an unprecedented measure of financial success. Their ruin +was as rapid as their rise. To Murray, on the other hand, perhaps their +inferior in the average arts of calculation, a vigorous native sense, +tempering a genuine enthusiasm for what was excellent in literature, +gave precisely that mixture of dash and steadiness which was needed to +satisfy the complicated requirements of the public taste. + +A high sense of rectitude is apparent in all his business transactions; +and Charles Knight did him no more than justice in saying that he had +"left an example of talent and honourable conduct which would long be a +model for those who aim at distinction in the profession." He would have +nothing to do with what was poor and shabby. When it was suggested to +him, as a young publisher, that his former partner was ready to bear +part of the risk in a contemplated undertaking, he refused to associate +his fortunes with a man who conducted his business on methods that he +did not approve. "I cannot allow my name to stand with his, because he +undersells all other publishers at the regular and advertised prices." +Boundless as was his admiration for the genius of Scott and Byron, he +abandoned one of the most cherished objects of his ambition-to be the +publisher of new works by the author of "Waverley"--rather than involve +himself further in transactions which he foresaw must lead to discredit +and disaster; and, at the risk of a quarrel, strove to recall Byron to +the ways of sound literature, when through his wayward genius he seemed +to be drifting into an unworthy course. + +In the same way, when the disagreement between the firms of Constable +and Longmans seemed likely to turn to his own advantage, instead of +making haste to seize the golden opportunity, he exerted himself to +effect a reconciliation between the disputants, by pointing out what he +considered the just and reasonable view of their mutual interests. The +letters which, on this occasion, he addressed respectively to Mr. A.G. +Hunter, to the Constables, and to the Longmans, are models of good sense +and manly rectitude. Nor was his conduct to Constable, after the +downfall of the latter, less worthy of admiration. Deeply as Constable +had injured him by the reckless conduct of his business, Murray not +only retained no ill-feeling against him, but, anxious simply to help a +brother in misfortune, resigned in his favour, in a manner full of the +most delicate consideration, his own claim to a valuable copyright. The +same warmth of heart and disinterested friendship appears in his efforts +to re-establish the affairs of the Robinsons after the failure of that +firm. Yet, remarkable as he was for his loyalty to his comrades, he was +no less distinguished by his spirit and independence. No man without a +very high sense of justice and self-respect could have conducted a +correspondence on a matter of business in terms of such dignified +propriety as Murray employed in addressing Benjamin Disraeli after the +collapse of the _Representative_. It is indeed a proof of power to +appreciate character, remarkable in so young a man, that Disraeli +should, after all that had passed between them, have approached Murray +in his capacity of publisher with complete confidence. He knew that he +was dealing with a man at once shrewd and magnanimous, and he gave him +credit for understanding how to estimate his professional interest apart +from his sense of private injury. + +Perhaps his most distinguishing characteristic as a publisher was his +unfeigned love of literature for its own sake. His almost romantic +admiration for genius and its productions raised him above the +atmosphere of petty calculation. Not unfrequently it of course led him +into commercial mistakes, and in his purchase of Crabbe's "Tales" he +found to his cost that his enthusiastic appreciation of that author's +works and the magnificence of his dealings with him were not the measure +of the public taste. Yet disappointments of this kind in no way +embittered his temper, or affected the liberality with which he treated +writers like Washington Irving, of whose powers he had himself once +formed a high conception. The mere love of money indeed was never an +absorbing motive in Murray's commercial career, otherwise it is certain +that his course in the suppression of Byron's Memoirs would have been +something very different to that which he actually pursued. On the +perfect letter which he wrote to Scott, presenting him with his fourth +share in "Marmion," the best comment is the equally admirable letter in +which Scott returned his thanks. The grandeur--for that seems the +appropriate word--of his dealings with men of high genius, is seen in +his payments to Byron, while his confidence in the solid value of +literary excellence appears from the fact that, when the _Quarterly_ was +not paying its expenses, he gave Southey for his "Life of Nelson" double +the usual rate of remuneration. No doubt his lavish generosity was +politic as well as splendid. This, and the prestige which he obtained as +Byron's publisher, naturally drew to him all that was vigorous and +original in the intellect of the day, so that there was a general desire +among young authors to be introduced to the public under his auspices. +The relations between author and publisher which had prevailed in the +eighteenth century were, in his case, curiously inverted, and, in the +place of a solitary scholar like Johnson, surrounded by an association +of booksellers, the drawing-room of Murray now presented the remarkable +spectacle of a single publisher acting as the centre of attraction to a +host of distinguished writers. + +In Murray the spirit of the eighteenth century seemed to meet and +harmonize with the spirit of the nineteenth. Enthusiasm, daring, +originality, and freedom from conventionality made him eminently a man +of his time, and, in a certain sense, he did as much as any of his +contemporaries to swell that movement in his profession towards complete +individual liberty which had been growing almost from the foundation of +the Stationers' Company. On the other hand, in his temper, taste, and +general principles, he reflected the best and most ancient traditions of +his craft. Had his life been prolonged, he would have witnessed the +disappearance in the trade of many institutions which he reverenced and +always sought to develop. Some of them, indeed, vanished in his own +life-time. The old association of booksellers, with its accompaniment of +trade-books, dwindled with the growth of the spirit of competition and +the greater facility of communication, so that, long before his death, +the co-operation between the booksellers of London and Edinburgh was no +more than a memory. Another institution which had his warm support was +the Sale dinner, but this too has all but succumbed, of recent years, to +the existing tendency for new and more rapid methods of conducting +business. The object of the Sale dinner was to induce the great +distributing houses and the retail booksellers to speculate, and buy an +increased supply of books on special terms. Speculation has now almost +ceased in consequence of the enormous number of books published, which +makes it difficult for a bookseller to keep a large stock of any single +work, and renders the life of a new book so precarious that the demand +for it may at any moment come to a sudden stop. + +The country booksellers--a class in which Murray was always deeply +interested--are dying out. Profits on books being cut down to a minimum, +these tradesmen find it almost impossible to live by the sale of books +alone, and are forced to couple this with some other kind of business. + +The apparent risk involved in Murray's extraordinary spirit of adventure +was in reality diminished by the many checks which in his day operated +on competition, and by the high prices then paid for ordinary books. Men +were at that time in the habit of forming large private libraries, and +furnishing them with the sumptuous editions of travels and books of +costly engraving issued from Murray's press. The taste of the time has +changed. Collections of books have been superseded, as a fashion, by +collections of pictures, and the circulating library encourages the +habit of reading books without buying them. Cheap bookselling, the +characteristic of the age, has been promoted by the removal of the tax +on paper, and by the fact that paper can now be manufactured out of +refuse at a very low cost. This cheapness, the ideal condition for which +Charles Knight sighed, has been accompanied by a distinct deterioration +in the taste and industry of the general reader. The multiplication of +reviews, magazines, manuals, and abstracts has impaired the love of, and +perhaps the capacity for, study, research, and scholarship on which the +general quality of literature must depend. Books, and even knowledge, +like other commodities, may, in proportion to the ease with which they +are obtained, lose at once both their external value and their intrinsic +merit. + +Murray's professional success is sufficient evidence of the extent of +his intellectual powers. The foregoing Memoir has confined itself almost +exclusively to an account of his life as a publisher, and it has been +left to the reader's imagination to divine from a few glimpses how much +of this success was due to force of character and a rare combination of +personal qualities. A few concluding words on this point may not be +inappropriate. + +Quick-tempered and impulsive, he was at the same time warm-hearted and +generous to a fault, while a genuine sense of humour, which constantly +shows itself in his letters, saved him many a time from those troubles +into which the hasty often fall. "I wish," wrote George Borrow, within a +short time of the publisher's death, "that all the world were as gay as +he." + +He was in some respects indolent, and not infrequently caused serious +misunderstandings by his neglect to answer letters; but when he did +apply himself to work, he achieved results more solid than most of his +compeers. He had, moreover, a wonderful power of attraction, and both in +his conversation and correspondence possessed a gift of felicitous +expression which rarely failed to arouse a sympathetic response in those +whom he addressed. Throughout "the trade" he was beloved, and he rarely +lost a friend among those who had come within his personal influence. + +He was eager to look for, and quick to discern, any promise of talent in +the young. "Every one," he would say, "has a book in him, or her, if one +only knew how to extract it," and many was the time that he lent a +helping hand to those who were first entering on a literary career. + +To his remarkable powers as a host, the many descriptions of his dinner +parties which have been preserved amply testify; he was more than a mere +entertainer, and took the utmost pains so to combine and to place his +guests as best to promote sympathetic conversation and the general +harmony of the gathering. Among the noted wits and talkers, moreover, +who assembled round his table he was fully able to hold his own in +conversation and in repartee. + +On one occasion Lady Bell was present at one of these parties, and +wrote: "The talk was of wit, and Moore gave specimens. Charles thought +that our host Murray said the best things that brilliant night." + +Many of the friends whose names are most conspicuous in these pages had +passed away before him, but of those who remained there was scarcely one +whose letters do not testify to the general affection with which he was +regarded. We give here one or two extracts from letters received during +his last illness. + +Thomas Mitchell wrote to Mr. Murray's son: + +"Give my most affectionate remembrances to your father. More than once I +should have sunk under the ills of life but for his kind support and +countenance, and so I believe would many others say besides myself. Be +his maladies small or great, assure him that he has the earnest +sympathies of one who well knows and appreciates his sterling merits." + +Sir Francis Palgrave, who had known Mr. Murray during the whole course +of his career, wrote to him affectionately of "the friendship and +goodwill which," said he, "you have borne towards me during a period of +more than half my life. I am sure," he added, "as we grow older we find +day by day the impossibility of finding _any_ equivalent for old +friends." Sharon Turner also, the historian, was most cordial in his +letters. + +"Our old friends," he said, "are dropping off so often that it becomes +more and more pleasing to know that some still survive whom we esteem +and by whom we are not forgotten.... Certainly we can look back on each +other now for forty years, and I can do so as to you with great pleasure +and satisfaction, when, besides the grounds of private satisfaction and +esteem, I think of the many works of great benefit to society which you +have been instrumental in publishing, and in some instances of +suggesting and causing. You have thus made your life serviceable to the +world as well as honourable to yourself.... You are frequently in my +recollections, and always with those feelings which accompanied our +intercourse in our days of health and activity. May every blessing +accompany you and yours, both here and hereafter." + +It was not only in England that his loss was felt, for the news of his +death called forth many tokens of respect and regard from beyond the +seas, and we will close these remarks with two typical extracts from the +letters of American correspondents. + +To Mr. Murray's son, Dr. Robinson of New York summed up his qualities in +these words: + +"I have deeply sympathised with the bereaved family at the tidings of +the decease of one of whom I have heard and read from childhood, and to +whose kindness and friendship I had recently been myself so much +indebted. He has indeed left you a rich inheritance, not only by his +successful example in business and a wide circle of friends, but also +in that good name which is better than all riches. He lived in a +fortunate period--his own name is inseparably connected with one of the +brightest eras of English literature--one, too, which, if not created, +was yet developed and fostered by his unparalleled enterprise and +princely liberality. I counted it a high privilege to be connected with +him as a publisher, and shall rejoice in continuing the connection with +his son and successor." + + +Mrs. L.H. Sigourney wrote from Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.: + +"Your father's death is a loss which is mourned on this side of the +Atlantic. His powerful agency on the patronage of a correct literature, +which he was so well qualified to appreciate, has rendered him a +benefactor in that realm of intellect which binds men together in all +ages, however dissevered by political creed or local prejudice. His +urbanity to strangers is treasured with gratitude in many hearts. To me +his personal kindness was so great that I deeply regretted not having +formed his acquaintance until just on the eve of my leaving London. But +his parting gifts are among the chief ornaments of my library, and his +last letter, preserved as a sacred autograph, expresses the kindness of +a friend of long standing, and promises another 'more at length,' which, +unfortunately, I had never the happiness of receiving." + + +THE END + + + + +INDEX + + +Abercorn, Marq. and Marchioness of, +Allegra, death of; buried at Harrow, +Athenaeum Club, +Austen, Miss Jane, "Northanger + Abbey,"; Novels published + by Murray, +Austria, Empress of, + +Baillie, Miss Joanna, +Ballantyne & Co. (John & James), + bill transactions with Murray; + partnership with + Scott; proposed edition of + "British Novelists,"; Works + of De Foe; James B. meets + Murray at Boroughbridge; + appointed Edinburgh agents for + _Q.R._; views on _Q.R._; + close alliance with Murray; + financial difficulties; + breach with Murray; failure + of _Edinburgh Ann. Reg_.; + "Waverley,"; "Lord of the + Isles,"; "Don Roderick,"; + Scott's proposed letters + from the Continent; proposal + to Murray and Blackwood + about Scott's works; in + debt to Scott; "Tales of + my Landlord," "The Black + Dwarf,"; bankruptcy; + death of John Ballantyne, +Barker, Miss, +Barrow, Sir John, induced by + Canning to write for _Q. R_.; + visit to Gifford; consulted + by Murray about voyages or + travels; nicknamed "Chronometer" + by B. Disraeli, +Bartholdy, Baron, +Barton, Bernard, +Basevi, junr., George, +Bastard, Capt., +Beattie, Dr., +Bedford, Grosvenor, +Bell, Lady, +Bell & Bradfute, +Bellenden, Mary, +Belzoni, Giovanni, +Berry, Miss, edits "Horace Walpole's + Reminiscences," +Blackwood, William, appointed + Murray's Agent for Scotland; + visits Murray; intimacy with + Murray; early career; + threatens Constable with proceedings + for printing Byron's + "Poems,"; refuses to sell + "Don Juan,"; alliance and + correspondence with Murray; + Ballantyne's proposals + about Scott's works; _Blackwood's + Magazine_ started; + Murray's remonstrance about the + personality of articles; + Hazlitts libel action; + interested with Murray in various + works, +_Blackwood's Magazine_ started + (first called _Edinburgh Magazine_); + article attacking + Byron; "Ancient Chaldee + MS.,"; "The Cockney + School of Poetry,"; personality + of articles,; + "Hypocrisy Unveiled," etc.; + Murray retires from--Cadell and + Davies appointed London Agents + for, +Blessington, Countess of, "Conversations + with Lord Byron," +Blewitt, Octavian, +Borrow, George, + his youth; + capacity for learning languages; + appointed Agent to the Bible Society--Russia, Norway, Turkey and Spain, + his translation of the Bible; + called Lavengro, + his splendid physique, + "Gypsies of Spain," + "The Bible in Spain," + as a horse-breaker, + remarks on Allan Cunningham's death, + asked to become a member of the Royal Institution, +"Boswell's Johnson," + Croker's edition of, +Bray, Mrs., +Brockedon, William, + his portrait of the Countess Guiccioli, + his help in Murray's Handbooks, +Brougham, Lord, + his article in _Ed. Rev._ on Dr. Young's theory of light, + Chairman of the Society for the diffusion of Useful Knowledge, +Broughton, Lord, _see_ Hobhouse. +Buccleuch, Duke of, + his present of a farm to James Hogg, +Butler, Charles, + "Books on the R. Cath. Church," +Burney, Dr., +Buxton, Thos. Powell, + "Slave Trade and its Remedy," +Byron, Lord, + first association and meeting with Murray, + "Childe Harold," + presented to Prince Regent, + friendship with Scott, + "Giaour," "Bride of Abydos," + "Corsair," + "Ode to Napoleon," + "Lara," + marriage, + meets Scott at Murray's house, + remarks on Battle of Waterloo, + portrait by Phillips, + kindness to Maturin, + dealings with Murray, + residence in Piccadilly, + pecuniary embarrassments, + Murray's generous offer, + Murray's remonstrance, + "Siege of Corinth" and "Parisina," + separation from wife, + sale of effects, + "Sketch from Private Life," + leaves England, + "Childe Harold" and "Prisoner of Chillon," + remarks on Scott's Review of "Childe Harold," Canto III., + "Manfred," + attack of fever at Venice, + "Childe Harold," Canto IV., + visit from Hobhouse, + his bust by Thorwaldsen, + correspondence with Murray in 1817 to 1822, + "Beppo," + Frere's "Whistlecraft," + at Venice, + opinion of Southey, + "Don Juan," Cantos I. and II.; + Murray's suggestions as to, + hatred of Romilly, + "Letter of Julia," + "Mazeppa," "Ode to Venice," + Copyright of "Don Juan," + Countess Guiccioli: proposal to visit S. America, + "Don Juan," Cantos III. and IV., + "Don Juan," Canto V., + Murray's refusal to publish further Cantos of "Don Juan," + "My boy Hobby O!" + Hobhouse's anger, + Whig Club at Cambridge, + pamphlet on "Bowles' strictures," + "Sardanapalus," + "The Two Foscari," "Cain, a Mystery," + injunction in case of "Cain," + death and burial of Allegra, + illness, and last letter to Murray, + adopts Hato or Hatagee, + the Suliotes incident, + death: Murray's application for his burial in Westminster Abbey refused, + Memoirs and Moore, + destruction of Memoirs, + agreement between Moore and Murray, + Moore undertakes to write "Life," + Murray's negotiations with Moore as to "Life," + agreement as to "Life," + Vol. I. of "Life" published, + Vol. II., + Murray's proposed edition of his works, + Thorwaldsen's statue refused by Dean of Westminster, + attempt to alter Dean's decision; + the statue placed in library of Trinity College, Cambridge, +Byron, Lady, her offer to Murray + for redemption of Byron's Memoirs, + +Cadell & Davies, appointed London Agents + for _Blackwood's Magazine_, +Callcott, Lady, _see_ Graham, Mrs. +Campbell, Thomas, "Pleasures o + Hope," "Hohenlinden," "The + Exile of Erin," "Ye Mariners of + England," "Battle of the Baltic," + "Lochiel's Warning"; correspondence + with Scott; intimacy + with Murray; + proposed "Selection from British + Poets"; "Gertrude + of Wyoming"; Lectures on + Poetry; "Now Barabbas + was a Publisher"; his + opinion of Mrs. Hemans's "Records + of Woman," +Canning, George, starts _Anti-Jacobin_; + assists in starting _Quarterly Review_; + article in _Q.R._ on "Austrian + State Papers"; on Spain; + views on the Royal Society + of Literature; opinion of + "Waverley"; letters from + Gifford; called "X." + by Benjamin Disraeli, +Canning, Stratford, "The Miniature"; + connection with + _Q.R._; introduces Gifford + to Murray; his mission to + Constantinople, +Carlyle, Thomas, recommended to + Murray by Lord Jeffrey; + correspondence with Murray + about "Sartor Resartus"; + "Sartor Resartus" declined + by other publishers; + returns to Craigenputtock; + "Sartor Resartus" published in + _Fraser's Magazine_, and, through + Emerson's influence, in United + States, +Cawthorn, publisher of "English + Bards and Scotch Reviewers," +Cervetto, +Chantrey, Sir F., calls Murray "a + brother Cyclops," _note_ +Chesterfield, Lord, +Cleghorn, James, Editor of _Blackwood's + Magazine_, +Colburn, the publisher, "Vivian + Grey"; declines "Sartor + Resartus," +Coleridge, John Taylor; appointed + Editor to _Quarterly + Review_; wishes to resign + editorship, +Coleridge, Samuel Taylor; + correspondence with Murray; + Goethe's "Faust"; + "Wallenstein"; "The + Friend"; "Remorse," + "Glycine," "Christabel," + "Christmas Tale," "Zapolya"; + opinion of Frere, +Colman's Comedy, "John Bull," +Colquhoun, Rt. Hon. J.C. (Lord + Advocate), +Colquhoun, John, "The Moor and + the Loch"; correspondence + with Murray; dissatisfaction + with Blackwood; visit to + London and interview with + Murray, +Constable, Archibald (Constable & + Co.); _Farmer's Magazine, + Scots Magazine, Edinburgh + Review_; his partner, + A.G. Hunter; appointed + Murray's agent; "Sir Tristram" + and "Lay of the Last + Minstrel"; breach with + Longman; injunction as to + _Edin. Rev._ obtained by Longman; + letter from Jeffrey; + Murray's remonstrances as to + drawing bills; + establishes London House; + breach with Murray; + final breach with Murray; + fresh alliance with Scott; + Campbell's "Selections from the British Poets"; + Poems by Byron on his Domestic Circumstances; + Mrs. Markham's "History of England"; + bankruptcy; + renews friendship with Murray; + death, +Cooper, James Fenimore, +Coplestone, +Copyright Bill, the, Mr. Gladstone's remarks on, +Coxe, Archdeacon, +Crabbe, "Tales of the Hall," and other poems, +Creech and Elliot +Croker, Crofton +Croker, John Wilson, + visit to Prince Regent, + portrait by Eddis, + "Stories for Children on Hist. of England", + on "Don Juan" and Byron, + takes charge of _Q.R._ during Gifford's illness, + views on the _Monthly Register_, + edits Lady Hervey's Letters, + opinion of the Waldegrave and Walpole Memoirs, + edits the Suffolk Papers, + edits Mrs. Delany's Letters, + Lockhart's opinion of him, + "Boswell's Johnson", + opinion of Moore's "Life of Byron", + Moore's "Life of Lord Fitzgerald" +Cumberland, Richard, + "John de Lancaster" +Cumming, Thomas +Cunningham, Allan, + "Paul Jones: a Romance", + his death, + "Memoirs of Sir D. Wilkie", + Lockhart's article in _Q.R._ on the "Memoirs" +Cunningham, Rev. J.W., + and the burial of Allegra at Harrow +Cuthill + +Dacre, Lady (Mrs. Wilmot) +Dagley (the engraver) +Dallas, Mr. +Davies, Annie, + Gifford's housekeeper +Davy, Sir Humphry, + "Salmonia, or Days of Fly-Fishing" +D'Haussez, Baron +Delany, Mrs. +De Quincy +De Stael, Madame, + ordered to quit Paris, + a frequenter of Murray's drawing-room +Disraeli, Benjamin, + "Aylmer Papillon," "History of Paul Jones", + correspondence with Murray, + pamphlets on Mining Speculations, + connection with Messrs. Powles, + partner with Murray and Powles in _Representative_, + letters to Murray on the _Representative_ negotiations, + description of York Cathedral, + visits Lockhart, + interview with Scott at Chiefswood, + second visit to Scotland, and exertions on behalf of _Representative_ + drops his connection with _Representative_, + "Vivian Grey" and "Contarini Fleming", + renewal of correspondence with Murray, + travels in Spain, etc., + Radical candidate for Wycombe, + attended by Tita (Byron's Gondolier), + "Gallomania", + publishes reply to criticisms on "Gallomania" +D'Israeli, Isaac, + "Curiosities of Literature", + friendship with Murray, + "Flim-Flams", + birth of his son Benjamin, + Murray's marriage-settlement, + Trustee, + advice about _Q.R._, + "Calamities of Authors", + "Character of James I.", + impromptu on Belzoni, + meets Washington Irving at Murray's, + consulted by Murray as to _Representative_, + proposed pamphlet on his misunderstanding with Murray +D'Oyley, Rev. Dr. +Dudley, Lord, + his "Letters" + +Eastlake, Sir Charles L., + "Translation of Memoirs of the Carbonari", + Mrs. Graham's interest in +Eaton, Mrs. +Ebrington, Lord +_Edinburgh Annual Register_ +_Edinburgh Magazine_ and _Review_ +_Edinburgh Review_ started, + published by Murray, + its great success, + injunction obtained by Longman, + Jeffrey, editor of, + articles on "Marmion", + on "Don Cevallos on the Occupation of Spain" +Eldon, Lord, + on copyright of "Cain" +Elliot, Miss; + marries John Murray II. +Elliot, Charles +Ellis, George; letters from + Scott; friendship with + Scott; contributes to _Q.R._; + constant critic of the _Q. R_.; + article on Spain; + on ponderous articles in _Q.R._; + advice as to punctuality in + issuing _Q. R_. +Ellis, Sir Henry, "Embassy to China" +Emerson, friendship with Carlyle +Erskine, William +Everett, A.H. + +Faber, Rev. G.S. +Falconer, William, "The Shipwreck"; + lost at sea + "Family Library," works comprising +Fazakerly's interview with Napoleon +Ferriar, Dr., on "Apparitions" +Field, Barron +Ford's "Dramatic Works" +Ford, Richard, "Handbook to + Spain"; opinion of + Borrow +Foscolo, Ugo +Fraser, Rev. Alexander +Fraser, Mr., offers L150 for "Sartor + Resartus" +Frere, John Hookham; + Coleridge's opinion of; + his marriage; "Whistle-craft" +Froissart + +Galignani +Garden, Mrs., "Memorials of James Hogg" +Gifford, William, introduced to + Murray; accepts editorship + of _Q. R_.; advice from Scott + on _Q. R_.; Southey and + the _Q. R_.; unpunctuality as + editor; at Ryde; + George Canning and the _Q. R_.; + Southey's "Life of Nelson"; + Miss A.T. Palmer's bribe; + disagreement with Murray; + wages war with _Edin. Rev._; + relations with Murray; + opinion of Pillans; bad health; + Murray's present; + opinion of W.S. Landor; + review of Ford's "Dramatic + Works"; on Charles + Lamb--his deep grief; + opinion of "Childe Harold"; + illness and death of his + housekeeper; opinion of + Southey; memorial to his + housekeeper; libellous attack + on him; opinion of Miss + Austen's novels; of Maturin; + illness at Dover; Murray + gives him a carriage; + Byron's "unlordly scrape"; + edition of "Ben Jonson"; + illness; Croker + akes charge of _Q. R_.; + opinion of Milman's "Fall of + Jerusalem"; letter to George + Canning; resigns editorship; + declines Oxford degree; + his death and burial in + Westminster Abbey; will; + character; love for + children; venomous attack + upon him +Gladstone, Rt. Hon. W.E., Tory + member for Newark; proposal + to Murray about "Church + and State"; visit to Holland; + "Church and State" published, + and "Church Principles"; + letter to Murray on Copyright + Bill +Gleig, Rev. George +Glenbervie, Lord +Gooch, Dr., anecdote of Lord Nelson +Gordon, General Sir Robert +Graham, Mrs. (Lady Callcott); + intimacy with Murray +Grahame's "British Georgies" +Grant, Sir Robert; his articles + in _Q.R._ on "Character of the late + C.J. Fox" +Greenfield +Guiccioli, Countess; Murray's + kindness to; Brockedon's + portrait of +Gurney, Joseph +Gurwood, Col., editor of Wellington + "Despatches" + +Haber, Baron de +Hall, Capt. Basil +Hall, Sir James, +Hall, S.C., +Hallam, Henry, + friendship with Murray, + "Middle Ages," + "Constitutional History," +Hamilton, Walter, + "East India Gazetteer," + "Description of Hindostan and Adjacent Countries," +Hamilton, Sir William, +"Handbooks," Murray's, +Hanson, Mr. (Byron's solicitor), +Hastings, Warren, +Hato, or Hatagee, + Greek child adopted by Byron, +Hay, R.W., +Hazlitt, William, + his libellous pamphlet on Gifford, + action for libel against Blackwood and Murray, +Heber, Bishop (Rev. Reginald), +Heber, Richard, +Hemans, Mrs., + "Records of Woman," +Herschell, Sir John, + on Dr. Young's theory of light, +Hervey, Lady, + "Letters, etc.," +Highley, Samuel, +Hoare, Prince, + "Epochs of the Arts," +Hobhouse, John Cam (Lord Broughton), + "Journey through Albania, etc., with Lord Byron," + "Last Reign of Napoleon," + visits Byron at Venice, + his inscription for Thorwaldsen's bust of Byron, + on Byron's intention to visit S. America, + imprisoned for breach of privilege, + "My boy Hobby O!"--his account of the Whig Club at Cambridge, + Byron's executor, + anxiety about a complete edition of Byron's Works, +Hodgson, Rev. Francis, +Hogg, James, + "Ettrick Shepherd," + "The Queen's Wake," + "The Pilgrims of the Sun," + correspondence with Murray, + Duke of Buccleuch gives him a farm, + supposed to be author of "Tales of my Landlord," + contributor to _Blackwood's Magazine_, + said to be author of the "Chaldee Manuscript," + helped by Scott and Murray, + "Jacobite Relics of Scotland," +Holland, Lord, + "Life of Lope de Vega and Inez de Castro," + on Napoleon's treatment at St. Helena, + opinion of "Tales of my Landlord," + proposals to Murray about the Waldegrave and Walpole Memoirs, +Holland, Rev. W. (Canon of Chichester), +Hope, Thomas, + "Anastasius, or Memoirs of a Modern Greek, etc.," +Hoppner, Mr., +Horton, Sir Robert Wilmot, + letter from Murray with particulars of the destruction of +Byron's Memoirs, +Howard, Mrs., +Hume, Joseph, +Hunt, John, +Hunt, Leigh, + joint Editor of the _Examiner_, + in gaol for libelling Prince Regent, + correspondence with Murray about "Story of Rimini," + "Recollections of Lord Byron and some of his Contemporaries," +Hunter, Alexander G., +Hunter, Charles, +Hurst, Rohinson & Co., + +Inchbald, Mrs., +Ireland, Dr. John (Dean of Westminster), + proposed burial of Byron in the Abbey, + Gifford's executor, + Byron's statue, +Irving, Peter, +Irving, Washington, + account of a dinner at Murray's, + "Sketch Book," + "Bracebridge Hall," + letter from Murray as to _Representative_, + +Jameson, Mrs., + "Guide to the Picture Galleries of London," +Jeffrey, Francis, + Editor of _Edinburgh Review,_ + opinion of Wordsworth, Southey, and Coleridge, + Southey's opinion of him, + "Don Cevallos on the Occupation of Spain," + party politics in _Ed. Rev_., + recommends Carlyle to Murray, + his interview with Murray, +Jerdan, William + his erroneous account in _Literary Gazette_ of destruction + of Byron's Memoirs, + on Gifford, + +Kean, Charles, + in "Bertram," + in "Manuel," +Keats' "Endymion" reviewed in _Q.R._, +Kerr, William, +Kerr, Robert, +Kinnaird, Honble. Douglas, and "Childe Harold," + letter to Murray, +Kinneir, Macdonald, "Persia," +Kingsburg, Miss Harriet (Mrs. Maturin), +Knight, Charles, + "Library of Entertaining Knowledge," + remarks on Murray's honourable conduct, +Knight, H. Gally, + +Lamb, Lady Caroline, + "Glenarvon," + opinion of Byron's works, + correspondence with Murray, + "Penruddock," + "Ada Reis," +Lamb, Charles, +Lamb, Honble. George, +Lamb, Honble. William (Lord Melbourne), +Lamennais' "Paroles d'un Croyant," +Landor, W.S., "Remarks upon C.J. Fox's Memoirs," +Lauderdale, Lord, +Lavater on Physiognomy, +Leigh, Honble. Augusta, her wish that Byron's Memoirs should be + destroyed, +Levinge, Godfrey, +Leyden's "Africa," +Lieven, Prince, +Lindo, Mr. and Mrs., +Llandaff, Bishop of, "Lord Dudley's Letters," +Lockhart, John, the "Littlejohn," to whom Scott's "Tales of a +Grandfather" were addressed, +Lockhart, John Gibson, contributor to _Blackwood's Magazine_, + article on "The Cockney School of Poetry," + challenges the anonymous author of "Hypocrisy Unveiled, etc.," + called "M." by B. Disraeli, + at Chiefswood, + B. Disraeli's visit, + editorship of _Representative_ offered to him, + Scott's opinion of him, 261, 273 + accepts editorship of _Q.R._, + his success as Editor of _Q.R._, + relations with Murray, + opinion of Wordsworth's poems, + visit to Brighton with Scott, + interview with Duke of Wellington, + at Abbotsford, + Scott's death: writes his "Life," + remarks on Croker's edition of "Boswell's Johnson," + on Taylor's "Isaac Comnenus," + "Life of Napoleon," + opinion of early part of Moore's "Life of Byron," + opinion of "Contarini Fleming," + article on Borrow's "Bible in Spain," + on Wilkie, + his illness, +Longman & Co., + breach with Constable, + Murray's intervention, + injunction as to _Edin. Rev_., + accept L1,000 for claim on _Edin. Rev_., + Coleridge's "Wallenstein," + offer to Campbell, + Crabbe's poems declined, + advertise an edition of Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic Cookery," + injunction granted to Murray, + refuse to publish "Sartor Resartus," +Longman, Thos., on the danger of reading in bed, +Lyndhurst, Lord, +Lyttelton, Lord, "Dialogues of the Dead," "History of King Henry II.," + +Maas, of Coblentz, +Macaulay, Lord, his articles in _Edin. Rev_., on Crokers's "Boswell's +Johnson," + Gladstone's "Church and State," +Macirone, Col. +Mackay, the actor +Mackintosh, Sir James +Macleod, John, + "Voyage of H.M.S. _Alceste_ to Loochoo" +Macready, W.C. +Maginn, Dr. +Magnus, Samuel, + his testimonial to Dean Milman +Mahon, Lord (Earl Stanhope) +Malcolm, Sir John + "Sketch of the Sikhs" +Malthus, + "Rent," "Corn-Laws," "Essay on Population" +Markham, Mrs., + "History of England" +Mason, Rev. William (T. Gray's executor) + controversy with Murray +Maturin, Rev. Chas. Robert + his early life and marriage; "The Fatal Revenge," "The Wild Irish +Boy," "The Milesian Chief," "Bertram" + "Bertram" at Drury Lane + "Manuel" + his death +Maule, William +Mavrocordato, Prince +Mawman, Joseph +Medwin, Capt. Thomas, + "Conversations of Lord Byron" +Melbourne, Lord (_see_ Lamb) +Memoires pour servir +Milbanke, Miss +Mill, James, + "History of British India" +Mill, John Stuart +Miller, John +Miller, Robert +Miller, William, + of Albemarle Street +Mills, James +Milman, Dean (Rev. H.H.) + "Fall of Jerusalem" + one of Murray's Historians + "History of Christianity" + "History of the Jews" received with disapprobation; his remarks +on Sharon Turner's Expostulation; testimonial from the Jews + opinion of "Contarini Fleming" +Mirza, Abul Hassan, + impressions of English Society +Mitchell, Thomas + impressions of Ugo Foscolo + opinion of Murray +Mitford, + "History of Greece" +_Monthly Register_ +Moore, Thomas + opinion of "The Corsair" + presented with Byron's Memoirs + offers them to Longman + accepted by Murray + their destruction + reconciled to Murray and undertakes "Life of Byron" + his views on Cookery Books and on Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic +Cookery" + agreement with Murray as to "Life of Byron," receives L3,000 +from Murray for "Life" + Lockhart's opinion of the "Life" + Vol. I. of "Life" published + Vol. II. of "Life" published; Mrs. Somerville's opinion of it + "Thoughts on Editors" + Murray's proposal as to a complete edition of Byron's works +Morgan, Lady +Morier, James, + "Hajji Baba" +Morritt, + of Rokeby Park +Murat, King of Naples +Murray, Sir George +Murray, Joe (Byron's Steward) +Murray I., John. + 1745-68--His birth and early years + 1768--Marriage and retirement from Royal Marines + offers partnership to W. Falconer + purchases W. Sandby's business + early publications + 1769-70--Support from Sir R. Gordon and his old comrades + money difficulties + agents in Ireland and Scotland + 1771--Defence of Sir R. Gordon + 1777-78--Second marriage + controversy with Rev. W. Mason + 1782-93--Paralytic stroke + his son's education and character + Dr. Johnson's funeral + illness and death +Murray II., John + called by Lord Byron "The Anax of Publishers," + nicknamed "The Emperor of the West," + 1778-92--Birth, + at Edinburgh High School, + at school at Margate, + at school at Gosport, + sight of one eye destroyed, + 1793--At school at Kennington, + 1795--Enters his father's business firm of Murray & Highley, + 1802--Dissolves partnership with Highley and starts business + alone, + 1803--Offers to publish Colman's Comedy "John Bull," + money difficulties, + military duties, + friendship with Isaac D'Israeli, + Isaac D'Israeli's "Narrative Poems," + business transactions with Constable, + appoints Constable his agent in Edinburgh; + pushes sale of _Edinburgh Review_, + 1804--Birth of Benjamin Disraeli, + takes Charles Hunter as apprentice, + 1805--Isaac D'Israeli's letters to him, + attempts to reconcile Constable and Longman, + expedition to Edinburgh, + attachment to Miss Elliot, + 1806--The "Miniature" and Stratford Canning, + introduced to George Canning, + close attention to business, + visits Edinburgh, + engagement to Miss Elliot, + financial position, + appointed publisher of _Edinburgh Review_, + Campbell's proposed Magazine and "Selection from British Poets," + 1807--Marries Miss Elliot, + I. D'Israeli one of his Trustees, + friendship with Sharon Turner, + injunction in the matter of the _Edinburgh Review_, + remonstrates with Constable about drawing bills, + breach with Constable, + bill transactions with Ballantyne, + writes to George Canning proposing a new Review, + 1808--"Marmion" and friendship with Scott, + proposed edition of the "British Novelists," + De Foe's works, + introduced to Gifford by Stratford Canning, + visits Scott at Ashestiel, + correspondence about _Quarterly Review_, + Gifford accepts editorship, + Missionary Reports and Southey's article in + _Q.R._, + article on Spain for _Q.R._ by Canning, Gifford, and Ellis, + correspondence with Mrs. Inchbald, + 1809--Meets Ballantyne at Boroughbridge, + appoints Ballantyne Edinburgh publisher + of _Q.R._, + Scott's _Life of Swift_, + _Q.R._, No. 1 published, + urges Scott to visit London, + letter to Stratford Canning, + exertions to procure contributors, + Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic Cookery," + close alliance with Ballantyne, + Grahame's "British Georgies" and Scott's "English Ministrelsy," + financial difficulties with Ballantyne, + letter from Campbell on "Selection from British Poets," + Campbell's Gertrude of "Wyoming," + 1810--Breach with Ballantyne, + appoints W. Blackwood his agent in Scotland, + Southey's "Life of Nelson," + money difficulties--Ballantyne's bills, + transfers printing business, + Constable's bills, + decrease in circulation of _Q.R._, + 1811--Relations with Gifford, + improvement of _Q.R._, + generosity to Gifford, + origin of his connection with Byron, + "Childe Harold," + 1812--Ballantyne's bills again, + purchases stock of Miller, + of Albemarle Street, + removes to Albemarle Street, + Constable's bills, + final breach with Constable, + complete success of _Q.R._ + refuses "The Rejected Addresses," + 1813--"The Giaour," and "The Bride of Abydos," + Sir J. Malcolm, + I. D'Israeli's "Calamities of Authors," + Scott's bill transactions, + Mme. de Stael at Albemarle Street, + other books published by him during the year, + 1814--"The Corsair," + "Ode to Napoleon," + "Lara and Jacqueline," + Mrs. Murray's visit to Leith, + letters to Mrs. Murray, + visit from Blackwood, + dines with I. D'Israeli, + education of his son John, + visit to D'Israeli at Brighton, + description of Newstead Abbey, + Byron's skull-cup, + trip to Edinburgh, + alliance with Blackwood, + visit to Abbotsford, + shares in Scott's "Don Roderick," + correspondence with Coleridge, + 1815--Drawing-room in Albemarle Street, + Mme. de Stael, + first meeting of Scott and Byron, + Napoleon's escape from Elba, + sends first news of Battle of Waterloo to Blackwood, + literary parties, + portraits of distinguished men, + trip to Paris, + Scott's proposed letters from the Continent, + Napoleon's personal correspondence with crowned heads, etc., of + Europe, + publishes Miss Austen's "Emma," + begins to publish Malthus' works, + correspondence with Leigh Hunt as to the "Story of Rimini," + correspondence with James Hogg, + dealings with Byron, + his liberal offer to Byron, + "Siege of Corinth" and "Parisina," + remonstrates with Byron, + correspondence with Blackwood, + other books published by him during the year, + 1816--Kindness to Rev. C.R. Maturin, + Coleridge's "Glycine: a Song," "Remorse," "Zapolya," "Christabel," +and "Christmas Tale," + correspondence with Leigh Hunt, + Gifford's illness, + gives Gifford a carriage, + entrusted with sale of Byron's books and furniture, + buys some of Byron's books, the large screen (now at Albemarle +Street), and silver cup, + Byron's "Sketch from Private Life," + Byron leaves England, + "Childe Harold" and "The Prisoner of Chillon," + letter to Byron on the "Monody on Sheridan," + "Tales of my Landlord," + correspondence with Lady Byron and Lady C. Lamb, + Ballantyne's proposal about Scott's works, + his assistance to Hogg, + other books published by him during the year, + 1817--Correspondence with Coleridge, + Scott's review of "Childe Harold," Canto III., + letters from Lady C. Lamb, + "Manfred," + "Manuscrit venu de Ste. Helene," + "Childe Harold," Canto IV., + Captain Basil Hall's "Fragments of Voyages and Travels," + correspondence with Lady Abercorn, + Giovanni Belzoni, + Washington Irving at Albemarle Street, + other books published by him during the year, + 1818--"Beppo," + visit to Scott, + "Don Juan," Canto I., + takes share in + _Blackwood's Magazine_, + remonstrances with Blackwood on the personality of the Magazine +Articles, + the anonymous pamphlet "Hypocrisy Unveiled," + assailed by a pamphlet, entitled "A Letter to Mr. John Murray +of Albemarle Street, etc.," + Hazlitt's libel action, + correspondence with Scott, + friendship with Hallam--publishes "Middle Ages," + the proposed _Monthly Register_, + Crabbe's "Tales of the Hall," and other poems, + Rev. H.H. Milman + 1819--Campbell's "Selections from British Poets," + suggestions to Byron about "Don Juan," Canto II., + "Mazeppa" and "The Ode to Venice," + Blackwood refuses to sell "Don Juan," + copyright of "Don Juan" infringed--injunction applied for and +granted; + retires from _Blackwood's Magazine_, + transfers his Scottish Agency to Oliver and Boyd, + Thomas Hope's "Anastasius," + threatened by Colonel Macirone with libel action, + verdict in his favour, + buys house at Wimbledon, + literary levees at Albemarle Street, + his acquaintance with Ugo Foscolo + 1820--"Don Juan, Cantos III. and IV.," + Hobhouse's anger--the "My boy Hobby O!" incident, + Milman's "Fall of Jerusalem," + B. Disraeli first mentioned, + Washington Irving's "Sketch-Book," + other books published by him during the year + 1821--Cantos III., IV., and V. of "Don Juan," + refuses to publish further cantos of "Don Juan," + Byron's pamphlet on Bowles, + "Sardanapalus," + "The Two Foscari," "Cain, a Mystery," + present with Scott at Coronation of George IV., + injunction in case of "Cain," + accepts Byron's "Memoirs," + Mrs. Graham's letter to him about Sir Charles Eastlake, + pirated copies of Byron's works in America and France, + injunction obtained restraining sale by Longman of Mrs. Rundell's +"Domestic Cookery," + 1822--Death of Allegra, + Milman's "Fall of Jerusalem," + intimacy with Milman, + "Bracebridge Hall," + declines James Fenimore Cooper's novels, + Ugo Foscolo + 1823--Giflord's serious illness--difficulty in choosing new Editor +for the _Q.R._, + other books published by him during the year + 1824--Closing incidents of friendship with Byron, + Byron's last letter and illness, + Byron's death, + correspondence with Dr. Ireland (Dean of Westminster) about Byron's +burial in Westminster Abbey, + destruction of Byron's Memoirs, + Moore undertakes "Life of Byron," + Mrs. Markham's "History of England," + a crisis in the _Q.R._, + John Taylor Coleridge appointed Editor of _Q.R._; + correspondence with B. Disraeli about "Aylmer Papillon" +1825--Agreement and arrangements regarding proposed morning paper, +_Representative_, + letters from B. Disraeli as to _Representative_, + I. D'Israeli's views on the _Representative_, + offers editorship of _Representative_ to Lockhart; + Scott's opinion of the scheme, + secures foreign + correspondents for _Representative_, + bears the whole expense, + appoints Lockhart Editor of _Q.R._ on Coleridge's resignation, + letters to him from Scott on Lockhart's fitness for the _Q.R._ +editorship, + letters from Lockhart, + Hallam's "Constitutional History," + renews friendship with Constable after fifteen years' interval, + other books published by him during the year, + 1826--_Representative_ started--its utter failure, + health breaks down, + commercial crisis and failure of large publishing houses, Constable + & Co., Ballantyne & Co., Hurst, Robinson & Co., and others, + helps London publishers in their difficulties, + _Representative_ ceases to exist after career of six months, + misunderstanding with I. D'Israeli, + intimacy with Lockhart, + Wordsworth's proposal to him, + 1827--Letter from his son describing Scott's acknowledgement of +the authorship of "Waverley Novels" at the Theatrical Fund dinner in +Edinburgh, + Henry Taylor's "Isaac Comnenus," + buys all Byron's works, + 1828--Offers Scott L1,250 for copyright of "History of Scotland," + "Tales of a Grandfather," + Napier's "History of Peninsular War," + the "Wellington Despatches," + "Library of Entertaining Knowledge," + negotiations with Moore as to "Life of Byron," + 1829--Resigns his share in "Marmion" to Scott, + Croker's edition of "Boswell's Johnson," + "The Family Library," + 1830--Milman's "History of the Jews," + Moore's "Life of Byron," Vol. I., + renewal of correspondence with B. Disraeli and negotiations with +him as to "Contarini Fleming: a Psychological Biography," + 1831--Moore's "Life of Byron," Vol. II., + Moore's "Thoughts on Editors," + Thomas Carlyle recommended to him by Lord Jeffrey, + "Sartor Resartus"--which he ultimately declines to publish, + 1832--Complete edition of Byron's works, + correspondence with Benjamin Disraeli about "Gallomania," + 1834--Dean of Westminster refuses his request that Thorwaldsen's +statue of Byron should be placed in Westminster Abbey, + 1836--The first Handbook to the Continent (Holland, Belgium, and + North Germany), published, + 1837--Letter to _Morning Chronicle_ on Napier's "History of the +Peninsular War," + 1838--Mr. Gladstone's "Church and State," + T. Powell Buxton's "Slave Trade and its Remedy," + Handbook to Switzerland, + 1839--Handbook to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, + 1840--Mrs. Jameson and her "Guide to the Picture Galleries of +London," + Handbook to the East, + George Borrow, + Borrow's "Gypsies of Spain," + Southey's death, + 1841--Bishop of Llandaff and "Lord Dudley's Letters," + correspondence with John Colquhoun on "The Moor and the Loch," + 1842--Handbook to Italy, + letters from George Borrow, + "The Bible in Spain" published, + Horace + Horace Twiss's "Life of Lord Eldon," + his illness, + 1843--In constant communication with Sir Robert Peel, + many of whose speeches, etc., he published, + Richard Ford's Handbook of Spain, + Mr. Gladstone on the Copyright Bill, + his failing health and death, + his dinner-parties an institution, + tokens of respect from all parts--extracts from letters + of sympathy from the Americans, Dr. Robinson and Mrs. + L.H. Sigourney, +Murray, III., John, a reader for the press at six years + old, + recollections of Scott and Byron at Albemarle Street, + present at the destruction of Byron's Memoirs, + letter from R.W. Hay on the anonymous attack on Gifford's + memory, + present at the Theatrical Fund Dinner in Edinburgh when + Scott declared himself the author of the "Waverley Novels," + the originator and author of the "Guides," + extract from his article in Murray's Magazine on the + "Handbooks," + +Napier, Macvey, +Napier, Col. W., "History of the Peninsular War," + at Strathfieldsaye with Duke of Wellington, + negotiations with Murray, +Napoleon Buonaparte, escapes from Elba, + private correspondence with crowned heads, etc., of + Europe declined by Murray, +Nelson, Lord, anecdote of, +Newton (the artist), +Nugent's "Memorials of Hampden," + +Oliver & Boyd, +Orloff, Count, +Ouseley, Sir Gore, +Owen, Robert, + his "New View of Society," + +Paget, Lieut. Henry (Murray's stepfather), +Palgrave, Sir Francis, Murray's Guide to Northern Italy, + on Murray's friendship, +Palmer, Miss Alicia T., +Parish, H., +Paul, Emperor, proposal to assist Napoleon in turning + English out of India, +Paxton, Dr. G.A., +Peel, Sir Robert, on Byron, + publishes his speeches, etc., +Perry, James, _Independent Gazette_, +Phillips, Sir Richard, 17 + "Waverley" offered to, 97 +Phillips, Thomas, his portraits, +Phillpotts, Rev. Dr. Henry (Bishop of Exeter), +Pillans, Mr., +Pindar, Peter, +Pitcairn's "Criminal Trials of Scotland," +Polidori, Dr., +Powles, J.D., +Pringle, Thomas, Editor of _Blackwood's Magazine_, +Proctor, John, + +_Quarterly Review_, proposals by Murray + to Canning, + to Scott, + Gifford accepts editorship, + letters from Scott, + his advice + to Gifford, + general arrangements, + launched, + first number appears, + first edition exhausted, + its unpunctual appearance, + Southey a constant contributor to, + its prosperity, + Sir J. Barrow's connection with, + Croker takes charge of it during Gifford's illness, + Gifford's illness and resignation, + crisis--only two numbers in 1824, + J.T. Coleridge appointed Editor, + Coleridge resigns, + Lockhart appointed Editor, + +Ramsay & Co., George, +Regent, Prince, +_Representative_, The, Murray's daily newspaper; its + projection, + first appearance and complete + failure, + ceases to exist, +Roberts, Rev. Dr. +Robinson, Dr. +Robinson, H. Crabb +Rogers, Samuel, + on _Q.R._ + opinion of "Childe Harold" + "Jacqueline" + on Crabbe's poems +Romilly, Sir S. +Royal Society of Literature +Rundell, Mrs., "Domestic Cookery" + history of the book and injunction obtained by Murray +Russell, Lord John, "Memoirs, Journals, and + Correspondence of T. Moore" + "The Affairs of Europe" + +Sandby, William +Scott, Sir Walter + "Sir Tristram," and "Lay of the Last Minstrel" + "Marmion" + "Border Minstrelsy" + partnership with Ballantyne + proposed edition of "British Novelists" + asks Southey to contribute to _Edin. Rev._ + severs his connection with Constable and _Edin. Rev._ + visit from Murray + correspondence with Murray about _Q.R._ + letter to George Ellis on Murray, etc. + views as to management of _Q.R._ + advice to Gifford + friendship with George Ellis + "Life of Swift" + a principal contributor to first number of _Q.R._ + proposed "Secret History of the Court of James I." + "Portcullis Copies" + "English Minstrelsy" + "Lady of the Lake" + Prince Regent's opinion of his poems, etc. + opinion of "Calamities of Authors" + new edition of "Lord Somers's Tracts" + Ballantyne's recklessness + at Abbotsford + fresh alliance with Constable + his writing-desk; "Waverley" (Great Unknown) + "The Lord of the Isles" + additions to Abbotsford + "Don Roderick" + meets Byron at Murray's house + portrait by Newton + trip to Belgium + proposed letters from the Continent + visit from Murray + opinion of "Cain" + "Tales of my Landlord," "The Black Dwarf" + cicerone to George IV. in Edinburgh + serious illness + assists Hogg + "Heart of Midlothian," "Rob Roy" + assists Washington Irving + nicknamed "The Chevalier" by B. Disraeli + bankruptcy of his publishers + on Lockhart's fitness for the _Q.R._ editorship + at Brighton with Lockhart; illness of his grandson + "Littlejohn" + "History of Scotland" + Cadell appointed his publisher; purchases, jointly with + Cadell, all principal copyrights of his works + Murray's transfer of his share of "Marmion" + last letter to Murray + rapid decline + death + account of his acknowledgment of the authorship of + "Waverley Novels" at the Theatrical Fund dinner + opinion of "Murray, the Emperor of the West" + advises Lockhart to undertake "Life of Napoleon" + opinion of Moore's "Life of Byron" + some of the articles he wrote for _Q.R._: Carr's + "Tour in Scotland"; "Curse of Kehama" + "Daemonology"; Miss Austen's "Emma" + "Culloden Papers"; Campbell's "Gertrude of + Wyoming"; "Childe Harold" Canto III.; + "Tales of my Grandfather"; "Lord Orford's + Letters"; "Pepys' Memoirs"; "Works + of John Home," "Planting Waste Lands," "Plantation + and Landscape Gardening," Sir Humphry Davy's + "Salmonia"; "Hajji Baba," "Ancient History + of Scotland," Southey's "Life of John Bunyan" + Pitcairn's "Criminal Trials of Scotland" +Scott, Thomas + reported to be author of "Tales of my Landlord" +Senior, Nassau, +Sewell, Rev. W., + his articles in _Q.R._ on Gladstone's "Church and State," +Shadwell, Vice-Chancellor, + on copyright of "Don Juan," + on copyright of "Cain," +Sharpe, Charles K., +Sheffield, Lord, +Shelley, Mrs., + opinion of Croker's "Boswell's Johnson," + on Moore's "Life of Byron," +Shelley's "Revolt of Islam," + Southey's attack on, +Sigourney, Mrs. L.H., + on Murray's death, +Smart, Theophilus, +Smith, Horace and James, + "Rejected Addresses," +Smith, Sydney, + "Visitation Sermon," +Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, +Somerville, Mrs., + her portrait, + opinion of Moore's "Life of Byron," +Somerville, Dr., +Sotheby, Wm., +Soult, Marshal, +Southey, Robert + Jeffrey's boast about his "Excursion," + asked by Scott to write for _Edin. Rev_., + opinion of Jeffrey, + asked to contribute to the _Q.R._, + "Life of Nelson," + "Madoc," "Thalaba," and "Curse of Kehama," + constant contributor to _Q.R._, + his income diminished by failure of _Edinburgh Annual Register_, + opinion of "Calamities of Authors," + intention about his own Memoirs, + portrait by Phillips, + asks Murray to employ Coleridge to translate Goethe's "Faust," + "Wat Tyler" ruled by Chancellor to be seditious, + "History of Peninsular War," + extracts from his letters to Murray, + "Book of the Church," + literary work, + advice as to Gifford's successor, + "Life of John Bunyan," + returned M.P. for Downton, + his _Q.R._ articles his chief means of support, + receives pension from Government, + his intellect failing, + his death, + had written ninety-four articles for _Q.R._, some of which are: + "Missionary Enterprise," + "Life of Nelson," + "Life and Achievements of Lord Wellington," + "Parliamentary Reform," + "Thomas Telford," +Southey, Mrs. (Southey's second wife), + on her husband's state, +Spanish Colonies, + emancipation of, + effect on English money market, +Stael, Madame de, _see_ De Stael. +Starke, Mrs., +Stationers' Co. in 18th century, +Sterling, John, + opinion of Mill's "Logic," +Stothard, Charles, +Suffolk, Countess of, + "The Suffolk Papers," +Suliotes, the, + +Taylor, Henry, + "Isaac Comnenus," + proposes to divide loss on his drama with Murray, + "Philip van Artevelde," +Talfourd, Serjeant, +Teignmouth, Lord, +Thackeray, W.M., + his opinion of the "Suffolk Papers," +Thomson, Dr. Thomas, + article on Kidd's "Outlines of Mineralogy," +Thorwaldsen's bust of Byron, + statue of Byron, +Ticknor, George, + impressions of Gifford, +Tita (Byron's Gondolier), +Tomline, Bishop, + "Life of William Pitt," +Townsend, Dr. George, +"Trade Books" of 18th century, +Turner, Dawson, +Turner, Sharon, + retained by Longman, + Murray's staunch friend, + criticises _Q.R._ No. 1, + on "Austrian State Papers," + opinion of Byron's "Sketch from Private Life," + copyright of "Don Juan," + poems declined by Murray, + advice + on Macirone's libel suit, + an injunction in the case of Mrs. Rundell's "Domestic Cookery," + consulted by Isaac D'Israeli as to pamphlet on quarrel with Murray, + expostulates with Murray about Milman's "History of Jews," + expression of his affection for Murray, +Turner, Mrs. Sharon, +Twiss, Horace, + "Life of the Earl of Eldon," +Tyndale, +Tytler's "History of Scotland," + +Underwood, T. and G., + +Van Zuylen, Baron, +Vere, Lady, +Volunteers, + Review of, in Hyde Park--Murray an Ensign in 3rd Regiment of Royal +London Volunteers, + +Waldegrave Memoirs, +Waldie, Miss Jane (Mrs. Eaton), + "Letters from Italy," +Walker, C.E., + "Wallace: a Historical Tragedy," +Walpole Memoirs, +Walpole, Rev. R., +Walpole's "Castle of Otranto," +Weber, Henry, + Scott's amanuensis, + "Tales of the East," +Wellington, Duke of, + witness in Macirone's libel suit, + interest in the _Q.R._, + connection with Napier's "History of Peninsular War," + "Despatches," +Whistlecraft, by J.H. Frere, +Whitaker, Rev. John, +White, Rev. J. Blanco, +Wilkie, Sir David, + his journey to the East; paints the Sultan at Constantinople, + death off Gibraltar; + Turner's picture of his funeral at sea, +Wilmot, Mrs. _see_ Dacre, Lady. +Wilson, John (Christopher North) + connection with _Blackwood's Magazine_, + article on "Childe Harold," Canto IV., + a principal writer in _Blackwood's Magazine_, + challenges anonymous author of "Hypocrisy Unveiled, etc.," + "An Hour's Tete-a-Tete with the Public" in _Blackwood's Magazine_, +Wool, Rev. J., + "Life of Joseph Wharton," +Wordsworth, William, +Wright, Mr., + his connection with the _Representative_, + +Young, Dr. Thomas, + his theory of light. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's A Publisher and His Friends, by Samuel Smiles + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A PUBLISHER AND HIS FRIENDS *** + +***** This file should be named 10884.txt or 10884.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/8/8/10884/ + +Produced by Eric Hutton, Juliet Sutherland, Wilelmina Malliere and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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