Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

A BENIGN SHADOW. 333
This refers to a subscription edition of Hogg's
works, which had been projected some time before.
It had been originally intended to be printed in two
volumes, but Murray strongly advised one as more
saleable. The printed prospectus for the original
scheme had therefore to be changed on this sug-
gestion, and I have the amended prospectus, half
printed, supplemented with a further advertisement
in Scott's handwriting, pressing the Shepherd's claims.
Thus, writing an article for one humble friend, draw-
ing out the prospectus of another, cordial with both
as a brother, we see Scott's benign shadow behind
these two rustic writers, backing up both. Both of
them liked to surround him with a halo of the unapproachable
: Hogg finding him impatient, ready
to start off at a tangent ; Laidlaw professing himself
afraid to bring some point of detail under his notice
—while he, unconscious, and much the most ready
to understand of all, gently brushes these cobwebs
away. Scott appears constantly as the adviser and
helper of the Shepherd, sometimes giving him advice
that is not palatable, sometimes backing him up with
the most friendly steadfastness. There is mention in
another letter of a book, " a romance," which Hogg
desires to publish anonymously :
Jwines Hogg to W. Blackwood.
And if you did not really consider it an object to you, I
would rather have it in some respectable company's hands
in London. I not only think that you make your general
publishing a very subordinate consideration, but I do not
like to have all my ventures, however small, in one hand.
I was down on a long visit at Fleurs, Kelso, Abbotsford, &c.,
and saw a good deal of Scott. I told him of my work and
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