"I sometimes fear," wrote Scott to him, "that between the long dates of your bills and the tardy settlements of the Edinburgh trade, some difficulties will occur even in June; and July I always regard with deep anxiety." How true this forecast proved to be is shown by the following letter: _Mr.Scott to John Murray_, EDINBURGH, _July 5_, 1813.
I delayed answering your favour, thinking I could have overtaken the "Daemonology" for the _Review_, but I had no books in the country where it found me, and since that Swift, who is now nearly finished, has kept me incessantly labouring.

When that is off my hand I will have plenty of leisure for reviewing, though you really have no need of my assistance.
The volume of "Somers" being now out of my hands I take the liberty to draw at this date as usual for L105.

Now I have a favour to ask which I do with the more confidence because, if it is convenient and agreeable to you to oblige me in the matter, it will be the means of putting our connection as author and publisher upon its former footing, which I trust will not be disagreeable to you.

I am making up a large sum of money to pay for a late purchase, and as part of my funds is secured on an heritable bond which cannot be exacted till Martinmas, I find myself some hundreds short, which the circumstances of the money market here renders it not so easy to supply as formerly.

Now if you will oblige me by giving me a lift with your credit and accepting the enclosed bills, [Footnote: Three bills for L300 each at three, four, and six months respectively.] it will accommodate me particularly at this moment, and as I shall have ample means of putting you in cash to replace them as they fall due, will not, I should hope, occasion you any inconvenience.
Longmans' house on a former occasion obliged me in this way, and I hope found their account in it.