“I have duly received your two favours—also Foster’s. He still howls about the
expense of printing, but I think we shall finally settle. His argument is that
you print too fine, alias too dear. I intend to stick to
my answer, that I know nothing of the matter; but that settle it how you and he
will, it must be printed by you, or can be no concern of mine. This gives you
an ad-
| 44 | LIFE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. |
“I have imagined a very superb work. What think you of a complete edition of British Poets, ancient and modern? Johnson’s is imperfect and out of print; so is Bell’s, which is a Lilliputian thing; and Anderson’s, the most complete in point of number, is most contemptible in execution both of the editor and printer. There is a scheme for you! At least a hundred volumes, to be published at the rate of ten a-year. I cannot, however, be ready till midsummer. If the booksellers will give me a decent allowance per volume, say thirty guineas, I shall hold myself well paid on the writing hand. This is a dead secret.
“I think it quite right to let Doig* have a share of Thomson;† but he is hard and slippery, so settle your bargain fast and firm—no loop-holes! I am glad you have got some elbow-room at last. Cowan will come to, or we will find some fit place in time. If not, we must build—necessity has no law. I see nothing to hinder you from doing Tacitus with your correctness of eye, and I congratulate you on the fair prospect before us. When you have time you will make out a list of the debts to be discharged at Whitsunday, that we may see what cash we shall have in bank. Our book-keeping may be very simple—an accurate cash book and ledger is all that is necessary; and I think I know enough of the matter to assist at making the balance sheet.
“In short, with the assistance of a little cash I have
* A bookseller in Edinburgh. † A projected edition of the Works of the author of the Seasons. |
| LITERARY PROJECTS. | 45 |
