Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
Walter Scott to James Ballantyne, 24 August 1813
“Abbotsford, 24th August, 1813.
“Dear James,
“Mr
Constable’s advice is, as I have always found it, sound,
sensible, and friendly—and I shall be guided by it. But I have no wealthy
friend who would join in security with me to such an extent; and to apply in
quarters where I might be refused, would ensure disclosure. I conclude
John has shown Mr
C. the state of the affairs; if not, I would wish him to do so
directly. If the proposed accommodation could be granted to the firm on my
personally joining in the security, the whole matter would be quite safe, for I
have to receive in the course of the winter some large sums from my
father’s estate,* Besides which, I shall certainly be able to go to press
in November with a new poem; or, if Mr Con-
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| LETTER TO JAMES BALLANTYNE. | 75 |
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stable’s additional
security would please the bankers better, I could ensure Mr
C. against the possibility of loss, by assigning the copyrights,
together with that of the new poem, or even my library, in his relief. In fact,
if he looks into the affairs, he will I think see that there is no prospect of
any eventual loss to the creditors, though I may be a loser myself. My property
here is unincumbered; so is my house in Castle Street; and I have no debts out
of my own family, excepting a part of the price of Abbotsford, which I am to
retain for four years. So that, literally, I have no claims upon me unless
those arising out of this business; and when it is considered that | Clerkship, L.1300
|
| Sheriffdom, 300
|
| Mrs Scott, 200
|
| Interest, 100
|
| Somers, (say) 200
|
| ______
|
| L.2100
|
my income is above L.2000 a-year, even if the printing-office pays
nothing, I should hope no one can possibly be a loser by me. I am sure I would
strip myself to my shirt rather than it should be the case; and my only reason
for wishing to stop the concern was to do open justice to all persons. It must
have been a bitter pill to me. I can more confidently expect some aid from
Mr Constable, or from Longman’s house, because they can look into the concern
and satisfy themselves how little chance there is of their being losers, which
others cannot do. Perhaps between them they might manage to assist us with the
credit necessary, and go on in winding up the concern by occasional
acceptances.
“An odd thing has happened. I have a letter, by
order of the Prince Regent, offering me the
laureateship, in the most flattering terms. Were I my own man, as you call it,
I would refuse this offer (with all gratitude); but, as I am situated, L.300 or
L.400 a-year is not to be sneezed at upon a point of poetical honour—and it ![]()
| 76 | LIFE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. | |
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makes me a better man to that extent. I have not yet
written, however. I will say little about Constable’s handsome behaviour, but shall not forget it.
It is needless to say I shall wish him to be consulted in every step that is
taken. If I should lose all I advanced to this business, I should be less vexed
than I am at this moment. I am very busy with Swift at present, but shall certainly come to
town if it is thought necessary; but I should first wish Mr
Constable to look into the affairs to the bottom. Since I have
personally superintended them, they have been winding up very fast, and we are
now almost within sight of harbour. I will also own it was partly ill-humour at
John’s blunder last week that
made me think of throwing things up. Yours truly,
W. S.”
John Ballantyne (1774-1821)
Edinburgh publisher and literary agent for Walter Scott; he was the younger brother of
the printer James Ballantyne.
Archibald Constable (1774-1827)
Edinburgh bookseller who published the
Edinburgh Review and works
of Sir Walter Scott; he went bankrupt in 1826.
Thomas Norton Longman (1771-1842)
A leading London publisher whose authors included Southey, Wordsworth, Scott, and
Moore.
