Ballantyne & Co_.
_October_ 31, 1809.
"I regret that I cannot accept a share in the 'Edinburgh Encyclopaedia.' I am obliged to decline by motives of prudence.

I do not know anything of the agreement made by the proprietors, except in the palpable mismanagement of a very exclusive and promising concern.

I am therefore fearful to risk my property in an affair so extremely unsuitable.
"You distress me sadly by the announcement of having put the 'Secret Memoirs' to press, and that the paper for it was actually purchased six months ago! How can you, my good sirs, act in this way?
How can you imagine that a bookseller can afford to pay eternal advances upon almost every work in which he takes a share with you?
And how can you continue to destroy every speculation by entering upon new ones before the previous ones are properly completed ?...

Why, with your influence, will you not urge the completion of the 'Minstrelsy'?
Why not go on with and complete the series of De Foe ?...

For myself, I really do not know what to do, for when I see that you will complete nothing of your own, I am unwillingly apprehensive of having any work of mine in your power.