rgain, 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 give