April 6.—­I have written to Alva and Lord Elgin, explaining why I cannot, as they encourage me to do, take upon me the cause of the public, and bell-the-cat with the reformers.  I think I have done enough for an individual.

I have more than half dictated the third volume to Mr. Laidlaw; but I feel the subject wants action, and that a little repose will be very necessary.  Resolve to-morrow shall be a resting-day.  I have not had one this long time.  I had a letter from Croker, advising a literary adventure—­the personal history of Charles Edward.[446] I think it will do.  Rode to Melrose and brought home the letters from the post-office.

April 8,—­I took leave of poor Major John Scott,[447] who, being afflicted with a distressing asthma, has resolved upon selling his house in Ravenswood, which he had dressed up with much neatness, and going abroad to Jamaica.  Without having been intimate friends, we were always affectionate relations, and now we part, probably never to meet in this world.  He has a good deal of the character said to belong to the family.  Our parting with mutual feeling may be easily supposed.

April 9.—­This being Saturday, I expect the bibliopolist and typographer about two o’clock, I suppose, when I shall have much to journalise.  Failures among the trade are alarming, yet not if we act with prudence. Nous verrons.

Mr. Cadell and J. Ballantyne, with the son of the latter.  Their courage is much stouter than I apprehended.  Cadell says he has lost L1000 by bad debts, which is less than he expected, by bad times coming on at this time.  We have been obliged to publish the less popular part of the Waverley Novels.  At present I incline to draw a period after 48 volumes, and so close the publication.  About nine or ten volumes will then conclude our Magnum Opus, so called, and Mr. Cadell thinks we shall then begin the Poetical Works, in twelve volumes, with illustrations by Turner, which he expects to rise as far as 12,000.  The size is to be that of the Waverley Novels.

April 10.—­I had a letter from Mr. Cowan, Trustee for

Constable’s creditors, telling that the manuscripts of the Waverley Novels had been adjudged to him, and offering them to me, or rather asking my advice about the disposal of them.  Answered that I considered myself as swindled out of my property, and therefore will give no consent to any sale of the pillage.[448] Cadell says he is determined to get the MSS. from Cowan.  I told him I would give him the rest of the MSS., which are in my own hand, for Mr. Cadell has been very friendly to me in not suffering me to want money in difficult times.  We are not pushed by our creditors, so can take our own time; and as our plans prosper, we can pay off debt.  About two o’clock enter two gentlemen in an open carriage, both from Makerstoun, and both Captains in the Navy.  Captain Blair, a son of the member for Ayrshire, my