Memoir of John Murray
Walter Scott to John Murray, 30 October 1808
Ashestiel, Oct. 30th, 1808.
I have also been turning over in my mind the plan of the Novels
and Romances. In my opinion they should be set about without loss of time,
beginning with the Novels. Richardson,
Fielding, and Smollett will lead the van with a very short
memoir of each of those lives, and a prefatory essay on the peculiarities of
their style. These will be followed by a good selection of novels of less name.
* The first part of this letter, which refers to the
Quarterly is printed in the next chapter. |
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| “THE BRITISH NOVELISTS.” | 87 |
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Those of later
date may, however, be property, but I presume that the proprietors, for example
of Miss Burney’s novels or
Mrs. Ratcliffe’s, may be
easily induced to consent to their insertion. I want very much an old catalogue
of a large circulating library (suppose Hookham’s or Lane’s) to assist my memory in pointing out the works
which should be inserted. I have the utmost confidence in this plan succeeding
to an extent almost immense, and will gladly make you a present of my own time
and labour should the work not prove profitable. Despatch is, however, the
surest forerunner of success. I am endeavouring to get
Richardson’s Novels—pray send me his Letters lately
published. As the criticism will be of a different text and paging, the Novels
in double columns may, I think, be comprised in two or almost three volumes,
being either ten or seven 8vo. volumes to one of the new edition.
Pray do not omit to pick up old romances and novels and tales,
and above all keep your plan secret. If you send me any packages before the
12th of next month, direct them to Ballantyne’s care. On that day I must be in Edinburgh, as
our Courts sit down. The time of my London journey is still uncertain, but must
take place before Christmas.
I showed Mr. Robt. Dundas
(President of the Board of Control) our plan of a Review,* and told him I
should call on him for a good account of Indian affairs as opportunity shall
offer. He approves highly, as does Mr.
Canning.
I am, dear sir,
Your faithful, humble servant,
James Ballantyne (1772-1833)
Edinburgh printer in partnership with his younger brother John; the company failed in the
financial collapse of 1826.
Frances D'Arblay [née Burney] (1752-1840)
English novelist, the daughter of the musicologist Dr. Charles Burney; author of
Evelina; or, The History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World
(1778),
Cecilia, or Memoirs of an Heiress (1782), and
Camilla (1796).
George Canning (1770-1827)
Tory statesman; he was foreign minister (1807-1809) and prime minister (1827); a
supporter of Greek independence and Catholic emancipation.
Henry Fielding (1707-1754)
English dramatist, essayist, and novelist; author of
Joseph
Andrews (1742) and
The History of Tom Jones (1749).
Thomas Hookham (1786-1867)
London bookseller who operated a circulating library in Bond Street; he would be a son or
relation of the bookseller Thomas Hookham (d. 1846).
William Lane (1746-1814)
London publisher who issued romances under his Minerva Press imprint and operated a
pioneering circulating library.
Samuel Richardson (1689-1761)
English printer and novelist; author of
Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded
(1739) and
Clarissa, or the History of a Young Lady
(1747-48).
Tobias Smollett (1721-1771)
Scottish physician and man of letters; author of the novels
Roderick
Random (1747) and
Humphry Clinker (1771).
The Quarterly Review. (1809-1967). Published by John Murray, the
Quarterly was instigated by Walter
Scott as a Tory rival to the
Edinburgh Review. It was edited by
William Gifford to 1824, and by John Gibson Lockhart from 1826 to 1853.
