DEAR SIR,

THE high terms in which you are pleased to express yourself concerning the specimens of my Letters from Scotland which have fallen into your hands, are, I assure you, among the most valued testimonies of approbation which have ever come in my way. To receive applause from one's acquaintances, is more delightful than to receive it from strangers; but the most precious of all tokens is that which proceeds from an old and dear friend. It is true, that in such case there may be, in general, no small suspicion of partiality, but this cannot be the case with you, as you say you liked the work before you were aware of the name of its author.

Since that name has now been divulged through the rashness of a certain publication, I do not see that any very good purpose could be answered by attempting to keep up the mystery in the work itself. I therefore accept of your offers with regard to the Second Edition, and permit you to send it forth into the world with the name of Peter Morris as conspicuously affixed to it as you may deem expedient.

About the same time that your letter reached me, I had another letter on the same subject from my friend Mr William Blackwood, of Edinburgh. As you and he are already connected in so many ways, it strikes me that no inconvenience could attend your being connected together in this little matter also. I shall be happy if you find it consistent with your views to communicate the purport of what I have said to him, with all haste; and hope to see the Second Edition graced with both your names on the title-page.

When in Edinburgh I became acquainted with Mr James Ballantyne, and have a strong inclination that any little thing of mine should be printed at his press, both from my regard for the man himself, and on account of the high report I heard of his qualifications in that way, from some of the best judges I know of. The First Edition being but a coarse job, and so small withal, I did not think of him, but trust there will be nothing to prevent him undertaking this, about which Mr Blackwood will be able to arrange with him very easily, being on the spot.