t 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 Edinbur