“I am quite satisfied it is impossible for
J. B. and Co. to continue business longer than is
absolutely necessary for the sale of stock and extrication of their affairs.
The fatal injury which their credit has sustained, as well as your adopting a
profession in which I sincerely hope you will be more fortunate, renders the
closing of the bookselling business inevitable. With regard to the printing, it
is my intention to retire from that also so soon as I can possibly do so with
safety to myself, and with the regard I shall always entertain for James’s interest. Whatever loss I may
sustain will be preferable to the life I have lately led, when I seem
surrounded by a sort of magic circle, which neither permits me to remain at
home in peace, nor to stir abroad with pleasure. Your first exertion as an
auctioneer may probably be on ‘that distinguished, select, and
inimitable collection of books, made by an amateur of this city retiring
from business.’ I do not feel either health or confidence in my
own powers sufficient to authorize me
| 74 | LIFE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. |
