“Rob Roy,” projected in May and arranged for by Constable, was issued in December 1817. It started with a first edition of 10,000, and within a fortnight a second of 3000 more was required. While the manuscript of the novels was usually transcribed by the Ballantynes, this one was copied by George Stillie, a clerk at Paul’s Work. He died a few days after James Ballantyne in 1833. His brother James was in the service of John Ballantyne in Hanover Street, and, on the failure of that business, was employed at Paul’s Work. James Stillie was afterwards a bookseller in Edinburgh for many years, and his shop in George Street was the resort of book-collectors from all parts of the kingdom—including Mr. Gladstone when he came to Edinburgh. He lived to a great age, and died in August 1893. Scott had scarcely completed “Rob Roy” when he projected the Second Series of the “Tales of My Landlord,” in which was comprised “The Heart of Midlothian,” to be ready by the 4th June 1818, at which date it duly appeared. The Third Series of the “Tales” came out on the 10th June 1819. This Series included “The Bride of Lammermoor” and the “Legend of Montrose.” Scott had suffered severely in health for some time previous, and the work was received with a sad presentiment that it might be the last from its author’s pen; but, except in a few errors, the result of his inability to correct the proof-sheets, no one could perceive the slightest indication of his illness. On the 18th December 1819 the romance of “Ivanhoe” appeared. The work was hailed in England “with a more clamorous delight than any of the _Scotch novels_ had been.” It came out in three vols., post 8vo, price 30s., and in this original form 12,000 copies were sold. “Mr. Ballantyne the printer, who is a good judge, speaks very highly of this romance” (“Scott’s Letters,” ii. 63). “The Monastery” was published by Longman & Co. in March 1820. It appeared in three vols. 12mo, like the earlier works of the Series. Its popularity was enhanced by “The Abbot,” which followed in September, published by the same firm, in conjunction with Constable. “Kenilworth” appeared in January 1821, three vols. post 8vo, similar to “Ivanhoe,” and this form was adhered to in all the subsequent volumes of the Series. “Kenilworth” was one of the most successful of all at the time of publication, and will probably continue to hold a place in the highest rank of prose fiction.