I tried in various ways to learn something with regard to the author; but he was quite impenetrable.

My own impression now is, that it must be Walter Scott, for no one else would think of burdening us with such trash as John B.'s wretched stock.

This is such a burden, that I am puzzled not a little.

I endeavoured every way I could to get him to propose other terms, but he told me they could not be departed from in a single part; and the other works had been taken on the same conditions, and he knew they would be greedily accepted again in the same quarter.
Consider the matter seriously, and write to me as soon as you can.

After giving it my consideration, and making some calculations.