The “Apology” having proved thoroughly satisfactory to Scott, he wrote to Ballantyne: “I have been for years collecting old Border ballads, and I think I could, with little trouble, put together such a selection from them as might make a neat little volume to sell for four or five shillings. I will talk to some of the booksellers about it when I get to Edinburgh, and if the thing goes on, you shall be the printer.” Ballantyne was delighted with the proposal; and the result of this venture changed the whole course of his fortunes, as well as those of his friend and patron. The “neat little volume” alluded to grew into the “Border Minstrelsy,” the editor being fortunate enough to arouse the interest of many scholars and antiquaries, who gave him valuable help in the work. The first two volumes were printed and issued by Ballantyne in 1802, and bore the Kelso imprint (Vol. I. 258 + 146; II. 392 + 6). The edition consisted of eight hundred copies, fifty of which were on large paper. It was disposed of in the course of the year; and the terms of publication having been that Scott should receive half the clear profits, his share amounted to £78, 10s. When the book appeared, the obscure imprint of “Kelso” was regarded with wonder by connoisseurs of typography, who had probably never heard of such a place, and were astonished at the specimen of handsome printing this provincial town had produced: it was received with the exclamation, “What a beautiful book!”[6] The editor’s name did not appear on the title-page, but was appended to the Dedication to the Duke of Buccleuch. A third volume of the “Minstrelsy” followed in 1803, and was published along with a reprint of the first two volumes. It had Edinburgh on the imprint. In consequence of the publication of the “Minstrelsy,” the Kelso printer soon acquired a more than local fame, and was in general request in the publishing world. He was therefore induced, towards the end of 1802, to remove to Edinburgh, and he commenced there his long and distinguished career as a book printer, “with two presses and a proof one.” He adopted at first the designation of the Border Press. This was for a short time in premises in the neighbourhood of Holyrood, and then again in Foulis Close, Canongate; but in 1805 he removed to better accommodation at Paul’s Work, where, according to one of Scott’s letters (July 1806), he had “established a hall, equal to that which the genie of the lamp built for Aladdin in point of size, but rather less superbly furnished, being occupied by about a dozen of presses.” In another letter to Ballantyne, Scott says, “I am glad you have got some elbow-room at last.”