Towards the end of 1808 Messrs.

Constable established at No.

10 Ludgate Street a London house for the sale of the _Edinburgh Review_, and the other works in which they were concerned, under the title of Constable, Hunter, Park & Hunter.

This, doubtless, tended to widen the breach between Constable and Murray, though it left the latter free to enter into arrangements for establishing a Review of his own, an object which he had already contemplated.
There were many books in which the two houses had a joint interest, and, therefore, their relations could not be altogether discontinued.
"Marmion" was coming out in successive editions; but the correspondence between the publishers grew cooler and cooler, and Constable had constant need to delay payments and renew bills.
Mr.Murray had also considerable bill transactions with Ballantyne & Co.
of Edinburgh.

James and John Ballantyne had been schoolfellows of Walter Scott at Kelso, and the acquaintance there formed was afterwards renewed.