ABBOTSFORD, April 29, 1816. DEAR JOHN,--James has made one or two important mistakes in the bargain with Murray and Blackwood. Briefly as follows:-- 1stly, Having only authority from me to promise 6000 copies, he proposes they shall have the copyright _forever_. I will see their noses cheese first. 2dly, He proposes I shall have twelve months' bills--I have always got six. However, I would not stand on that. 3dly, He talks of volumes being put into the publisher's hands to consider and decide on. No such thing; a bare perusal at St. John Street[38] only. [Footnote 38: James Ballantyne's dwelling-house was then in this street, adjoining the Canongate of Edinburgh.] Then for omissions--It is NOT stipulated that we supply the paper and print of successive editions. This must be nailed, and not left to understanding.--Secondly, I will have London bills as well as Blackwood's. If they agree to these conditions, good and well. If they demur, Constable must be instantly tried; giving half to the Longmans, and _we_ drawing on _them_ for that moiety, or Constable lodging their bill in our hands. You will understand it is a four-volume touch--a work totally different in style and structure from the others; a new cast, in short, of the net which has hitherto made miraculous draughts. I do not limit you to terms, because I think you will make them better than I can do. {p.112} But he must do more than others, since he will not or cannot print with us. For every point but that, I would rather deal with Constable than any one; he has always shown himself spirited, judicious, and liberal. Blackwood must be brought to the point _instantly_; and _whenever_ he demurs, Constable must be treated with; for there is no use in suffering the thing to be blown on. At the same time, you need not conceal from him that there were some proposals elsewhere, but you may add, with truth, I would rather close with him. Yours truly, W. S. P. S.--I think Constable should jump at this affair; for I believe the work will be very popular. Messrs. Murray and Blackwood agreed to all the author's conditions here expressed. They also relieved John Ballantyne and Co. of stock to the value of £500; and at least Mr. Murray must, moreover, have subsequently consented to anticipate the period of his payments. At all events, I find, in a letter of Scott's, dated in the subsequent August, this new echo of the old advice:-- TO MR. JOHN BALLANTYNE. DEAR JOHN,--I have the pleasure to enclose Murray's acceptances. I earnestly recommend to you to push, realizing as much as you can.