Other causes also were at work. The population of Edinburgh and Leith about the time of Scott’s birth in 1771 was probably not more than 70,000; at his death in 1832 it was reckoned at about 140,000. Thus during his lifetime the number of inhabitants was doubled, and these had to find room elsewhere than in the crowded streets and wynds of old Edinburgh. The New Town across the valley was rapidly growing down the slopes of the northern hills of the city, and many of the wealthier inhabitants and of the old legal firms had already crossed, and other large businesses were following. This led to the withdrawal of much work and traffic from the old town; whilst, again, the starting of the Blackwoods as printers of their own books, which began with the January number of _Maga_ in 1847, took away from Paul’s Work not only that publication but also the _Journal of Agriculture_, the various editions of Alison’s “History of Europe”—which kept the old office lively for a long time—and other works. _Tait’s Magazine_, another Edinburgh periodical of good standing, was also taken away. All these and other similar changes, in the absence of a counter-current of local supply, were sufficient to weaken any business. The firm, however, had foreseen the coming evil days, and made an effort to avert the serious consequences of the change in the tide of business. In 1846, a branch office was started at 3 Thistle Street, which soon became a successful little place, where a large amount of Court of Session work was done, as well as the printing for some of the Edinburgh insurance offices. John A. Ballantyne took charge of the branch business till John Hughes purchased the property and stock at Thistle Street. The former remained connected with the business at Paul’s Work till his death in 1863.