PREFACE-2
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<strong>PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION.</strong>THE following papers, with two exceptions, were written in England, and formed but part of an intended series for which I had made notes and memorandums. Before I could mature a plan, however, circumstances pelled me to send them piecemeal to the Uates, where they were published from time to time in portions or numbers. It was not my iion to publish them in England, being scious that much of their tents could be iing only to Ameri readers, and, in truth, beierred by the severity with which Ameri produs had beeed by the British press.
By the time the tents of the ?rst volume had appeared in this occasional mahey began to ?nd their way across the Atlantid to be ied, with many kind ens, in the London Literary Gazette. It was said, also, that a London bookseller inteo publish them in a colle<q></q>ctive form. I determiherefore, t them forward myself, that they might at least have the be of my superintendend revision. I accly took the printed numbers which I had received from the Uates, to Mr. John Murray, the emi publisher, from whom I had already received friendly attentions, ahem with him for examination, inf him that should he be ined t them before the public, I had materials enough on hand for a sed volume. Several days having elapsed without any unication from Mr. Murray, I addressed a o him, in which I strued his sileo a tacit reje of my work, and begged that the numbers I had left with him might be returo me. The following was his reply:
MY DEAR SIR: I e you to believe that I feel truly obliged by your kind iions towards me, and that I eain the most unfeig<mark></mark>ned respect for your most tasteful talents. My house is pletely ?lled with workpeople at this time, and I have only an of?ce to transact business in; aerday I was wholly occupied, or I should have done myself the pleasure of seeing you.
If it would not suit me to engage in the publication of your present work, it is only because I do not see that scope iure of it which would enable me to make those satisfactory ats between us, without which I really feel no satisfa in engaging--but I will do all I to promote their circulation, and shall be most ready to attend to any future plan of yours.
With much regard, I remain, dear sir,
Your faithful servant,
JOHN MURRAY.
This was disheartening, and might have deterred me from any further prosecution of the matter, had the question of republication i Britaied entirely with me; but I apprehehe appearance of a spurious edition. I now thought of Mr. Archibald stable as publisher, havireated by him with much hospitality during a visit to Edinburgh; but ?rst I determio submit my work to Sir-Walter (then Mr.) Scott, being enced to do so by the cordial reception I had experienced from him at Abbotsford a fereviously, and by the favorable opinion he had expressed to others of my earlier writings. I accly sent him the printed numbers of the Sketch-Book in a parcel by coach, and at the same time wrote to him, hinting that since I had had the pleasu<samp></samp>re of partaking of his hospitality, a reverse had taken pla my affairs which made the successful exercise of my pen all-important to me; I begged him, therefore, to look over the literary articles I had forwarded to him, and, if he thought they would bear European republication, to ascertaiher Mr. stable would be ined to be the publisher.
The parcel taining my work went by coach to Scotts address in Edinburgh; the letter went by mail to his residen the try. By the very ?rst post I received a reply, before he had seen my work.
"I was down at Kelso," said he, "when your letter reached Abbotsford. I am now on my way to town, and will verse with stable, and do all in my power to forward your views--I assure you nothing will give me more pleasure."
The hint, however, about a reverse of fortune had struck the quick apprehension of Scott, and, with that practical and ef?t good-will which beloo his nature, he had already devised a way of aiding me. A weekly periodical, he went on to inform me, was about to be set up in Edinburgh, supported by the most respectable talents, and amply furnished with all the necessary information. The appoi of the editor, for which ample funds were provided, would be ?ve hundred pounds sterling a year, with the reasonable prospect of further advahis situation, being apparently at his disposal, he frankly offered to me. The work, however, he intimated, was to have somewhat of a political bearing, and he expressed an apprehension that the to was desired to adopt might not suit me. "Yet I risk the question," added he, "because I know no man so well quali?ed for this important task, and perhaps because it will necessarily bring you to Edinburgh. If my proposal does not suit, you need only keep the matter secret and there is no harm done. `And for my love I pray y me not. If on the trary you think it could be made to suit you, let me know as soon as possible, addressing Castle Street, Edinburgh."
In a postscript, written from Edinburgh, he adds, "I am just e here, and have glanced over the Sketch-Book. It is positively beautiful, and increases my desire to crimp you, if it be possible. Some dif?culties there always are in managing such a matter, especially at the outset; but we will obviate them as much as we possibly ."
The following is from an imperfect draught of my reply, whiderwent some modi?cations in the copy sent:
"I ot express how much I am grati?ed by your letter. I had begun to feel as if I had taken an unwarrantable liberty; but, somehow or other, there is a genial sunshine about you that warms every creeping thing into heart and ?dence. Your literary proposal both surprises and ?atters me, as it evinces a much higher opinion of my talents than I have myself."
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