The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon | Page 4

I feel truly obliged by
your kind intentions towards me, and that I entertain the most
unfeigned respect for your most tasteful talents. My house is
completely filled with workpeople at this time, and I have only an
office to transact business in; and yesterday I was wholly occupied, or I
should have done myself the pleasure of seeing you.

If it would not suit me to engage in the publication of your present
work, it is only because I do not see that scope in the nature of it which
would enable me to make those satisfactory accounts between us,
without which I really feel no satisfaction in engaging--but I will do all
I can to promote their circulation, and shall be most ready to attend to
any future plan of yours.
With much regard, I remain, dear sir, Your faithful servant, JOHN
MURRAY.
This was disheartening, and might have deterred me from any further
prosecution of the matter, had the question of republication in Great
Britain rested entirely with me; but I apprehended the appearance of a
spurious edition. I now thought of Mr. Archibald Constable as
publisher, having been treated by him with much hospitality during a
visit to Edinburgh; but first I determined to submit my work to
Sir-Walter (then Mr.) Scott, being encouraged to do so by the cordial
reception I had experienced from him at Abbotsford a few years
previously, and by the favorable opinion he had expressed to others of
my earlier writings. I accordingly sent him the printed numbers of the
Sketch-Book in a parcel by coach, and at the same time wrote to him,
hinting that since I had had the pleasure of partaking of his hospitality,
a reverse had taken place in my affairs which made the successful
exercise of my pen all-important to me; I begged him, therefore, to look
over the literary articles I had forwarded to him, and, if he thought they
would bear European republication, to ascertain whether Mr. Constable
would be inclined to be the publisher.
The parcel containing my work went by coach to Scott's address in
Edinburgh; the letter went by mail to his residence in the country. By
the very first post I received a reply, before he had seen my work.
"I was down at Kelso," said he, "when your letter reached Abbotsford. I
am now on my way to town, and will converse with Constable, and do
all in my power to forward your views--I assure you nothing will give
me more pleasure."
The hint, however, about a reverse of fortune had struck the quick

apprehension of Scott, and, with that practical and efficient good-will
which belonged to his nature, he had already devised a way of aiding
me. A weekly periodical, he went on to inform me, was about to be set
up in Edinburgh, supported by the most respectable talents, and amply
furnished with all the necessary information. The appointment of the
editor, for which ample funds were provided, would be five hundred
pounds sterling a year, with the reasonable prospect of further
advantages. This situation, being apparently at his disposal, he frankly
offered to me. The work, however, he intimated, was to have somewhat
of a political bearing, and he expressed an apprehension that the tone it
was desired to adopt might not suit me. "Yet I risk the question," added
he, "because I know no man so well qualified for this important task,
and perhaps because it will necessarily bring you to Edinburgh. If my
proposal does not suit, you need only keep the matter secret and there is
no harm done. `And for my love I pray you wrong me not.' If on the
contrary you think it could be made to suit you, let me know as soon as
possible, addressing Castle Street, Edinburgh."
In a postscript, written from Edinburgh, he adds, "I am just come here,
and have glanced over the Sketch-Book. It is positively beautiful, and
increases my desire to crimp you, if it be possible. Some difficulties
there always are in managing such a matter, especially at the outset; but
we will obviate them as much as we possibly can."
The following is from an imperfect draught of my reply, which
underwent some modifications in the copy sent:
"I cannot express how much I am gratified by your letter. I had begun
to feel as if I had taken an unwarrantable liberty; but, somehow or other,
there is a genial sunshine about you that warms every creeping thing
into heart and confidence. Your literary proposal both surprises and
flatters me, as it evinces a much higher opinion of my talents than I
have myself."
I then went on to explain that I found myself peculiarly unfitted for the
situation offered to me, not