I presume he will have my letter by the time this reaches you, and that he will communicate with you fully upon the details.

I am as certain as of my existence that the plan will answer, provided sufficient attention is used in procuring and selecting articles of merit." What Scott thought of Murray's visit to Ashestiel may be inferred from his letter to his political confidant, George Ellis, of which, as it has already appeared in Scott's Life, it is only necessary to give extracts here: _Mr.Scott to Mr.George Ellis_.
_November_ 2, 1808.
DEAR ELLIS, "We had, equally to our joy and surprise, a flying visit from Heber about three weeks ago.

He staid but three days, but, between old stories and new, we made them very merry in their passage.

During his stay, John Murray, the bookseller in Fleet Street, who has more real knowledge of what concerns his business than any of his brethren--at least, than any of them that I know--came to canvass a most important plan, of which I am now, in "dern privacie," to give you the outline.

I had most strongly recommended to our Lord Advocate (the Right Hon.