Letter from James Hogg, Edinburgh, to John Murray, 1816 March 1 : autograph manuscript signed.

Suggesting the publication of a new edition of his poems; saying "Since my arrival in town on Friday last my Literary friends have been pressing me hard to get a new and cheap edition of my poems published in the form of Lord Byron's as they stand in need of any new impulse that can be given to them. Mr. Blackwood who is always inclined to throw obstacles in the way of publishing bids me inform you in this case that there is no objection to the plan unless some considerable number of The Pilgrims [of the Sun] remain on hand with you that, here they are off and The [Queen's] Wake reduced to below 40 copies. Mr. Scott's plan is that I should published in 3 vols. the "Wake" to constitute the first, The Mountain Band and the pilgrims the second, and the third to consist of original poetry in order the give the Reviewers &c another chance. It is his opinion that the Mountain Band which has long ago past thro' two editions, would be as acceptable to the public as any of them all. Mr. Blackwood again proposes that instead of 3 vols. at £1.1 we should have only two volumes at 15/ and that the new poem Mador of the Moor shall form the [illegible] and major part of the 2'd or first vol. which you think best. I give you both plans simply but I confess I do not like great masses of poetry published together and am rather inclined to adopt Mr. Blackwood's plan but I leave the thing entirely to your decision. Mr. Blackwood throws out some hints that it is rather late in the season for Edin'r but the same objection will hold next year as I cannot be in town again before this time twelvemonth and I am sure if we give one vol. to Donaldson and one to Ballantyne they will print both in the course of 3 weeks. I am so certain that you publish more to serve me than to serve yourself that I leave the conditions entirely to you as well as every arrangement about the number of copies number of vols &c only I wish you would not decline it for I am fully convinced that once the public loses sight of a poet he may almost be said no longer to exist. I hope to give you something by and by though not for a long span as yet that will make them all sell, in the mean time it is proper that we make the most of such means as we have. Pray my dear sir let me hear from you with your first convenience and whatever you say on the subject let it be decisive for I have but a short time to remain in town and the season is far gone."