We find his letters to the heads of departments full of details as to the turn-out of his books.

Everything, from the beginning to the end of the issue of a work--the first inspection of the MS., the consultation with confidential friends as to its fitness for publication, the form in which it was to appear, the correction of the proofs, the binding, title, and final advertisement--engaged his closest attention.

Besides the elegant appearance of his books, he also aimed at raising the standard of the literature which he published.

He had to criticize as well as to select; to make suggestions as to improvements where the manuscript was regarded with favour, and finally to launch the book at the right time and under the best possible auspices.

It might almost be said of the publisher, as it is of the poet, that he is born, not made.
And Mr.Murray appears, from the beginning to the end of his career, to have been a born publisher.
In August 1806, during the slack season in London, Mr.Murray made his promised visit to Edinburgh.