instant I observe, however, with great gratification, from a quotation
in the _Magazine_ from your preface, that you hold out hopes of a
farther publication, and I am consequently anxious to avail myself of
being in Edinburgh to have the honor of an interview with you, that I
may avoid any injudicious interference with your undertaking, and rather
go hand in hand with you in promoting it. As I shall be detained on the
road, I shall not be in Edinburgh until the evening of Friday the 31st,
and my present intention is to remain in town only Saturday and Sunday,
unless unavoidable circumstances occur to prevent my leaving it on the
Monday. If you could make it convenient to grant me an audience on
either of the days I have mentioned, viz., on Saturday, or Sunday, the
1st or 2nd of June, you would very much oblige me, and it will be a
further favor if you will have a note lying for me at Mrs. President
Blair's, or at my Agent, Mr. Macbean's, 11 Charlotte Square, stating the
precise time when you can most conveniently receive me, that I may not
be so unfortunate as to call on you unseasonably. With the highest
respect, and with very great regard, I have the honor to be, dear sir,
very truly yours,

THOS. DICK LAUDER.'

To this Sir Walter replied:--

'MY DEAR SIR,--I am sorry you could for a moment think that in printing
rather than publishing Lord Fountainhall's Notes or rather Mr. Milne's,
for that honest gentleman had taken the superfluous trouble to write the
whole book anew, I meant to interfere with your valuable and extensive
projected work. I mentioned in the advertisement that you were engaged
in writing the life of Lord Fountainhall, and therefore declined saying
anything on the subject, and I must add that I always conceived it was