Corpus of Modern Scottish Writing (CMSW) - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/cmsw/

Document : 700

Title: Letter from Hogg to Murray, 26 Dec 1814

Author(s): Hogg, James

Grieve & Scotts Edin.

Decr written26th 1814
But delivered Jany 12 1815 (as post mark)
Dear Murray

What the deuce have you made of
my excellent poem that you are never publishing it
while I am starving for want of money and cannot
even afford a Christmass goose to my friends? I think I
may say of you as the countryman said to his friend
who asked him when his wife had her accouchement
“[Troth] man said he she's aye gawn about yet I think
she be gaun to keep this ane till hersel athegither” However
I daresay that like the said wife you have your reasons for it
but of all things a bookseller's reasons [suit] worst with a poet's
board — I should be glad to know if you got safely across
the Tweed and what number of the little family group
you lost by the way betwixt Edin. and London and
how every thing in the literary world is going on
with you since that time — Why do you never write
to me? — Have you ever seen Moore or talked to him about
our projected reporting — What in the wold is become
of that unlucky perverse [callan] Lord Byron? I have
not heard from him these two months and more. I
have really been afraid for sometime past that he
was dead or perhaps even married and was truly
very concerned about the lad — But I was informed
the other day by a gentleman of the utmost respectability



that he was very busy writing godly psalms to be
sung in congregations and families and when I heard
that I said “If that be the case there's no man sure
of his life” — I do not know where to find him
else I would write him a scolding letter — I have nothing
in the world to say to you only be sure to let me hear
from you and tell me how you are like to come on
with the copies of the Queen's Wake which I sent you
It has been a losing business and you must get me as much
for it as you can . I hope you will soon find occasion
for sending me an offer for a fifth edition. I am interrupted
so farewell for the present. God bless you
James Hogg





Mr John Murray
Bookseller


Albemarle Street
London


1814 26th Decr
Hogg James
