But in most cases book readers must balance novelty against disappointment.
And in reply to a request for more books to replace those condemned or dull, he asks dryly: "Shall I withhold 'Rob Roy' and 'Childe Harold' from your ladyship until their merits have been ascertained?
Even if an indifferent book, it is something to be amongst the first to _say_ that it is bad.

You will be alarmed, I fear, at having provoked so many reasons for sending you dull publications....

I am printing two short but very clever novels by poor Miss Austen, the author of 'Pride and Prejudice.' I send Leyden's 'Africa' for Lord Abercorn, who will be glad to hear that the 'Life and Posthumous Writings' will be ready soon." The Marchioness, in her answer to the above letter, thanked Mr.Murray for his entertaining answer to her letter, and said: _Marchioness of Abercorn to John Murray_.
"Lord Abercorn says he thinks your conduct with respect to sending books back that he does not like is particularly liberal.

He bids me tell you how very much he likes Mr.Macleod's book; we had seen some of it in manuscript before it was published.

We are very anxious for Hall's account, and I trust you will send it to us the moment you can get a copy finished.
"No, indeed! you must not (though desirous you may be to punish us for the severity of the criticism on poor Ellis) keep back for a moment 'Rob Roy' or the fourth canto of 'Childe Harold.' I have heard a good deal from Scotland that makes me continue _surmising_ who is the author of these novels.