gh 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 publ