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Memoir of John Murray
Walter Scott to John Murray, 6 January 1814
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
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Preface
Vol. 1 Contents
Chapter I.
Chapter II.
Chapter III.
Chapter IV.
Chapter V.
Chapter VI.
Chapter VII.
Chapter VIII.
Chapter IX.
Chapter X.
Chapter XI.
Chapter XII.
Chapter XIII.
Chapter XIV.
Chapter XV.
Chapter XVI.
Chapter XVII.
Chapter XVIII.
Chapter XIX.
Vol. 2 Contents
Chap. XX.
Chap. XXI.
Chap. XXII.
Chap. XXIII.
Chap. XXIV.
Chap. XXV.
Chap. XXVI.
Chap. XXVII.
Chap. XXVIII.
Chap. XXIX.
Chap. XXX.
Chap. XXXI.
Chap. XXXII.
Chap. XXXIII.
Chap. XXXIV.
Chap. XXXV.
Chap. XXXVI.
Chap. XXXVII.
Index
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Edinburgh, January 6th, 1814.
My dear Sir,

I had quite forgot the unaccepted bill, which I took it for granted was returned to Edinburgh; but on calling at Sir W. Forbes’s they told me the proceeds were at my credit with them, which is quite as broad as it is long, so you may depend on having it with interest, etc., two days before it falls due. I am just now labouring to bring ‘Swift’ to a close, as Constable is not unreasonably very desirous to have it out. I trust to correct the last proof this month, and then I have not much to do, and I will turn to reviewing to make up leeway, but above all to please Gifford who has reason to complain of me. I think I shall be in town in spring, unless the state of Holland is such as to tempt me to go there, which I should like very much—but this is all contingent. If the roads were safe for a non-combatant I would endeavour to reach the camp of the allies, providing Lord Aberdeen were there, who is an old friend. As to subjects of reviews, I have a very curious American book of great humour, on which I have long meditated an article, as it is quite unknown in this country, and the quotations are very diverting; I should have done this at

* Indeed, in Ballantyne & Company’s printed list of ‘New Works and Publications for 1809-10,’ issued August 1810 (now before us), we find the following entry: “Waverley; or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since; a novel in 3 vols. 12mo.” The work was not, however, published until July 1814.

SCOTT’S ‘LETTERS TO MY CHILDREN.’245
Abbotsford, but there I had no amanuensis, and here I have no time for the old growling Dean of St. Patrick’s. I will also try the ‘Calamities of Authors,’ but was it not reviewed before? I can say little excepting in addition to the history of MacDonald and Heron, both of whom I knew; the former was a man of high genius, the latter a mere sot and beast—both were starved to death. I have read Lord Byron’s ‘Bride of Abydos’ with great delight, and only delay acknowledging the receipt of a copy from the author till I can send him a copy of the ‘Life of Swift.’ Is he in town at present?

Yours very truly,
Walter Scott.