There is an old Scotch proverb, 'He has need o' a lang spoon that sups wi' the De'il,' and since we are engaged, let us try if we can partake of the broth without scalding ourselves.

I still hope that we may; and however much my feelings revolt at having any connection in future with them, yet I shall endeavour to the best of my power to repress my bile, and to turn their own tricks against themselves.

One in business must submit to many things, and swallow many a bitter pill, when such a man as Walter Scott is the object in view.

You will see, by this day's Edinburgh papers, that the copartnery of John Ballantyne & Co.

is formally dissolved.
Miller told me that, before James Ballantyne could get his wife's friends to assent to the marriage, Walter Scott was obliged to grant bonds and securities, taking upon himself all the engagements of John Ballantyne & Co., as well as of James Ballantyne & Co.; [Footnote: Lockhart says, in his "Life of Scott," that "in Feb., 1816, when James Ballantyne married, it is clearly proved, by letters in his handwriting, that he owed to Scott more than L3,000 of personal debt."] so that, if there was any difficulty on their part, he bound himself to fulfil the whole.