Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

342 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
medley of entreaty, remonstrance, and abuse, the
latter predominating even when he had a favour to
ask. We need not go more closely into the corre-
spondence, which on this particular subject is volu-
minous : discussing in detail the ground upon which
the claim is founded, the desirability, if not of paying
it forthwith, at least of writing to somebody who
must pay it : along with that perennial grievance of
the author who cannot understand how it is that his
books do not pay, and is convinced that some wicked-
ness of the publisher, false accounts, or indolence in
pushing, or a small edition instead of a larger one,
or utter indifference to the success of a given book
altogether, is the cause of it. Mr Blackwood's replies
to a great many of these troublesome demands become
at last very decided though still friendly. Hogg, it
will be seen, was very critical concerning other publi-
cations which were more fortunate than his own :
W. Blackwood to James Hogg.
—
IZth May 1821.
It is very odd, indeed, that Mr Murray has paid no attention
to your letters. I would be very happy if it were in my power,
but I regret that at present it is not, for as to interfering in
any way with Mr Murray, it is a thing that I could not think of
doing. It would also be very indelicate in me to apply to Sir
Walter Scott, who, if he were to do you the favour to make any
advance on Mr Murray's account, would most certainly expect
you to apply to him direct yourself and not through another.
At the same time, you cannot say that Mr Murray is due you
more than the £50 on account of 'The Queen's Wake,' for
it depends upon the copies sold what may be due for 'The
Brownie.' ... If Sir Walter would write to him, I am sure he
would not refuse to settle. I think you might draw a bill upon
Mr Murray for ' The Queen's Wake,' and send it through a banker,
writing him at the same time that you have done so. This