so lamentably perplexed; but Constable, having already enabled the
firm to avoid public exposure more than once, was not now, any more
than when he made his contract for The Lord of the Isles, disposed to
burden himself with an additional load of Weber's Beaumont and
Fletcher, and other almost as unsalable books. While they were still
in hopes of overcoming his scruples, it happened that a worthy friend
of Scott's, the late Mr. Charles Erskine, his sheriff-substitute in
Selkirkshire, had immediate occasion for a sum of money which he had
some time before advanced, at Scott's personal request, to the firm of
John Ballantyne and Company; and on receiving his application, Scott
wrote as follows:--

{p.017} TO MR. JOHN BALLANTYNE, BOOKSELLER, EDINBURGH.

ABBOTSFORD, October 14, 1814.

DEAR JOHN,--Charles Erskine wishes his money, as he has made
a purchase of land. This is a new perplexity--for paid he
must be forthwith--as his advance was friendly and
confidential. I do not at this moment see how it is to be
raised, but believe I shall find means. In the mean while,
it will be necessary to propitiate the Leviathans of
Paternoster Row. My idea is, that you or James should write
to them to the following effect: That a novel is offered you
by the Author of Waverley; that the author is desirous it
should be out before Mr. Scott's poem, or as soon thereafter
as possible; and that having resolved, as they are aware, to
relinquish publishing, you only wish to avail yourselves of
this offer to the extent of helping off some of your stock.
I leave it to you to consider whether you should condescend
on any particular work to offer them as bread to their
butter--or on any particular amount--as L500. One thing must
be provided, that Constable shares to the extent of the
Scottish sale--they, however, managing. My reason for
letting them have this scent of roast meat is, in case it
should be necessary for us to apply to them to renew bills
in December. Yours,

W. S.

Upon receiving this letter, John Ballantyne suggested to Scott that he
should be allowed to offer, not only the new novel, but the next
edition of Waverley, to Longman, Murray, or Blackwood--in the hope
that the prospect of being let in to the profits of the already
established fav