Sir Walter Scott
applied to Murray through Lockhart, respecting this fourth share. The
following was Murray's reply to Sir Walter Scott:
_John Murray to Sir Walter Scott_.
_June_ 8, 1829.
My Dear Sir,
Mr. Lockhart has at this moment communicated to me your letter
respecting my fourth share of the copyright of "Marmion." I have already
been applied to by Messrs. Constable and by Messrs. Longman, to know
what sum I would sell this share for; but so highly do I estimate the
honour of being, even in so small a degree, the publisher of the author
of the poem, that no pecuniary consideration whatever can induce me to
part with it. But there is a consideration of another kind, which, until
now, I was not aware of, which would make it painful to me if I were to
retain it a moment longer. I mean, the knowledge of its being required
by the author, into whose hands it was spontaneously resigned in the
same instant that I read his request. This share has been profitable to
me fifty-fold beyond what either publisher or author could have
anticipated; and, therefore, my returning it on such an occasion, you
will, I trust, do me the favour to consider in no other light than as a
mere act of grateful acknowledgment for benefits already received by, my
dear sir,
Your obliged and faithful Servant,
JOHN MURRAY.
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