Read Ebook: The Ballantyne press and its founders 1796-1908 by Anonymous

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 289 lines and 42015 words, and 6 pages

I do not understand or care about fine music, but there is something in his violin which goes to the very heart."

Alexander was an amiable and modest man, never connected with Scott in any business matters, but always his favourite in private. During some temporary financial difficulty of Scott in 1826, he was able to lend him ?500. He was the father of Mr. John Ballantyne, R.S.A., a well-known artist in London, who died in May 1897, and of the late Mr. R. M. Ballantyne, celebrated for his tales of travel and adventure, published by Messrs. James Nisbet & Co., which are still popular with young people.

SCOTT'S POETICAL ROMANCES

For many years after its institution the Ballantyne Press was in continuous action, and the number of volumes that issued from it can hardly be reckoned. Besides work for publishing houses in London and Edinburgh, all Scott's writings were first printed there, and the printing-house was constantly occupied in pouring forth edition after edition of his works. "Sir Tristrem" was published in May 1804 by Constable, who expected so little popularity for it that the edition consisted of 150 copies only, which were sold at the high price of two guineas. In due time, however, the work had its share in the celebrity attached to the name of its editor, and it was through the printing of this poem that the intimate connection of Constable and the Ballantyne Press began.

"The Lay of the Last Minstrel" was published in January 1805. It was a splendid quarto volume, with "meadows of margin," and was greeted with unbounded applause, both for its intrinsic merits and for its beautiful printing.

It may be doubted if, in the history of British poetry, any other work ever equalled the demand for the "Lay." In 1825 the poem had reached its fourteenth edition, upwards of 33,000 copies having been circulated; and before 1830 11,000 copies more were printed and disposed of. Scott entrusted the revision of the manuscript of the poem to his two friends--William Erskine and James Ballantyne. Regarding the latter at this time, Lockhart observes--and in the light of his strictures after the financial crash the passage may well be deemed worthy of note: "The printer was himself a man of considerable literary talents: his own style had the incurable faults of pomposity and affectation, but his eye for more venial errors in the writings of others was quick, and though his personal address was apt to give a stranger the impression of insincerity, he was in reality an honest man, and conveyed his mind on such matters with equal candour and delicacy during the whole of Scott's brilliant career. In the vast majority of instances he found his friend acquiesce at once in the propriety of his suggestions; nay, there certainly were cases, though rare, in which his advice to alter things of much more consequence than a word or a rhyme was frankly tendered, and on deliberation adopted by Scott. Mr. Erskine was the referee whenever the poet hesitated about taking the hints of the zealous typographer, and his refined taste and gentle manners rendered his critical alliance highly valuable."

Shortly after the publication of the "Lay," Ballantyne found his capital inadequate to meet the business which was flowing to his press. He accordingly applied to his great patron for assistance, and Scott assented, on condition of his becoming partner with Ballantyne, and having a third share in the profits. This arrangement was kept strictly private. Attracted by Ballantyne's superior taste and beauty of workmanship, Scott made it a point from the first, that whatever he wrote or edited should be printed at the Ballantyne Press; and his personal connection with it stimulated his inventive genius, directly and indirectly, to add to the rapidly growing printing-house.

In April 1805 Scott wrote to Ballantyne: "I have imagined a very superb work. What think you of a complete edition of British poets, ancient and modern?" This work he proposed to edit for thirty guineas a volume. The publishers did not quite respond to his views in the matter, as the booksellers refused to admit into the series certain poets whom the editor was insisting upon, and the scheme was abandoned. But it is interesting to know that, if not so complete in all respects as Scott would have desired, a Library Edition of the British Poets, begun in 1853, was issued from Paul's Work in forty-eight demy octavo volumes, in every respect worthy of its reputation. This series was edited by the Rev. George Gilfillan, and published by James Nichol in Edinburgh.

"An Historical Enquiry respecting the Harp in the Highlands of Scotland" should find its proper place here, though not in any way connected with Scott. It has the date 1807, and was printed at Paul's Work for Constable.

Mr. John Murray, in a letter to Constable, bears this early and remarkable testimony to the worth of James Ballantyne as a printer:

"Marmion" was begun in 1807 and published in February 1808, as a splendid quarto volume, price one guinea and a half. Of this work 4000 copies were printed in the year of its publication, 6000 in the year following, and prior to 1836 as many as 50,000 in all.

In April 1808 William Miller of Albemarle Street published an edition of the Works of John Dryden in eighteen volumes. This was edited by Scott and printed at the Ballantyne Press. The speculation was considered a bold one at the time, but it must have been a success, as the entire work was reprinted in 1821.

"Queenhoo Hall," in four volumes, Carleton's "Memoirs of the War of the Spanish Succession," and the "Memoirs of Robert Carey, Earl of Monmouth," published in 1808, also Sadler's "Life and State Papers," three volumes quarto, published in 1809, followed by the Somers Tracts, in thirteen volumes quarto, were all edited by Scott, and printed by Ballantyne.

In May 1810 there appeared "The Lady of the Lake," perhaps the most popular of all Scott's poems. The first edition was in quarto, and the second in octavo; and the successive editions, as in the case of "Marmion," amounted in 1836 to 50,000 copies.

The "Poetical Works of Miss Seward," in three volumes, with a Prefatory Memoir by Scott, was published from Paul's Work in the autumn of 1810. This was one of the unfortunate speculations of Scott, and the unsaleable stock had afterwards to be taken over by Constable at a ruinous loss. "It is most curious," says Professor Saintsbury, "how Scott, the shrewdest and sanest of men in the vast majority of affairs, seems to have lost his head whenever books or lands were concerned."

The "Life and Works of Swift," in nineteen volumes, undertaken by Scott for Constable, was issued from the Ballantyne Press on the 1st of July 1814. The impression consisted of 1250 copies, and a second impression of the same number was required in 1824. This work was again printed at Paul's Work in 1882-84 for Bickers & Son, London.

How much longer Scott would have continued to work out the vein of poetry within him we cannot say. He was still turning out rich ore when Byron electrified the world with his "Childe Harold." Scott at once recognised that he had met his superior, and that his supremacy as a popular poet was seriously threatened. Many years after, only a few months before he died, he was talking over the events of his career with Lockhart, his son-in-law.

"'I asked him,' said Lockhart, 'why he had ever relinquished poetry.'

But when we look at the rich legacy that Scott has left us in his Waverley Novels we cannot regret this. One morning, in searching an old desk for some fishing-flies, he found the forgotten MS. of the first two or three chapters of "Waverley," which he had written some time before. He read over the fragment, thought it had promise of good in it, and determined to finish the story. This trifling circumstance led to the unparalleled series of romances which were read with wonder and delight when they first appeared, and which will continue to charm so long as our language endures.

JOHN BALLANTYNE, PUBLISHER

It has often been a matter of surprise that Scott, with his family pride, his fame, and his money, should have adopted such means of adding to his income. He seems to have been ashamed in some measure of this mercantile speculation, as all the arrangements were kept a profound secret--Scott being always considered the mere patron and friend of the Ballantynes. He evidently thought he would derive profit from a business guided by a man of knowledge like himself, and confounded the aspirations of an author with the expectations of a merchant.

Scott was now at the zenith of his fame as a poet. Immense sums had been given by other publishers for his works, still more splendid offers were made to him for further productions, and it would seem probable that the idea of sharing the profits of author, publisher, and printer had presented itself to his mind in this way. Accordingly, the first work published by John Ballantyne, and printed, of course, by James Ballantyne, was "The Lady of the Lake," for writing which the sum of ?3000 was placed to Scott's credit in the publisher's books. After the business was fairly begun, Scott, greatly to the annoyance of Constable, almost wholly withdrew himself from the premises of the latter in the High Street, and directed his steps to the cheerful and handsome rooms of John Ballantyne in Hanover Street. They formed a convenient resting-place in his daily journeys to and from Parliament Square, and contained a store of his favourite black-letter volumes. No doubt, also, considering the extreme degree to which party spirit was carried in those days, he would find himself pleasantly free from the band of Edinburgh Whigs who frequented Constable's premises in the Old Town.

Archibald Constable was one of the most sagacious men who have ever followed the profession of publisher. Though he made no pretensions to literature, he was well skilled in it generally, and was of most essential service to Scott on many occasions. He came from Fife, served his apprenticeship with Peter Hill, and then set up for himself in a "small way" in a shop forming part of the Royal Exchange buildings, next door to Allan's Close, High Street. It was a mere box of a place, but as his business increased he enlarged his premises by opening a communication with the tenement behind. At first he devoted his attention to the collection of old and rare books, and the sign above his door had in large letters, "Scarce Books." Shortly after he began business the public were amused one morning to find the preposition "of" inserted in the sign, advertising that the bookseller was "Scarce of Books."

This opening Essay was signed C. for Coryphaeus, the name given to the presiding genius of the contributors to the periodical. It continued for twenty-eight numbers, the last being issued on Saturday, July 12, 1817. It consisted of weekly essays of varying length of from six to eight pages, and, when the subject matter was only sufficient to fill six or seven, the remaining pages were left blank.

A curious story of John's volatile nature and indiscreet vivacity is related in the second volume of Mrs. Charles Mathews' life of her husband, the well-known humorist and actor. At a dinner-party where Constable, Terry, and John Ballantyne were present, he closed a speech he had been making about some books with the startling announcement: "I shall soon send you Scott's new novel!" Mrs. Mathews goes on to say: "I shall never forget the consternation of Messrs. Constable and Terry, and, indeed, we were as much embarrassed. Constable looked daggers--and Terry used some--for, with a stern brow and a correcting tone, he cried out 'John!' adding, with a growl resembling what is generally made to check or reprove a mischievous dog,--'Ah! what are you about?' which made us drop our eyes in pain for the indiscreet tattler; while Wee Johnny looked like an impersonation of Fear, startled at the sound himself had made. Not another word was said; but our little good-natured friend's lapse was sacred with us, and the secret was never divulged while it was important to preserve it."

John Ballantyne visited the Continent shortly after Waterloo, and published an account of his travels, in which the "long-bow" did good service. Being on one occasion rebuked by a lady for having stated as facts what were transparent fictions, his reply to the censure was in these few words: "Very true, madam, what you say; but truth is a great hamperer of genius."

During the earlier and perhaps most interesting years in the career of the "Great Unknown," John Ballantyne managed all the business connected with the communication of the author's works to the public. When Scott began "The Bride of Lammermoor," his amanuenses were William Laidlaw and John Ballantyne, "of whom he preferred the latter, when he could be at Abbotsford, on account of the superior rapidity of his pen, and also because John kept his pen to the paper without interruption; and, though with many an arch twinkle in his eyes, and now and then an audible smack of his lips, had resolution to work on like a well-trained clerk; whereas good Laidlaw entered with such keen zest into the interest of the story as it flowed from the author's lips, that he could not suppress exclamations of surprise and delight--'Gude keep us a'!--the like o' that!--eh sirs!' and so forth, which did not promote despatch."

After some years of failing health, John Ballantyne retired to a villa which he had built near Kelso, and here he was frequently visited by Sir Walter. On one of these occasions, the latter revived a long-forgotten project of their early connection in business, and offered his gratuitous services as editor of a Novelists' Library, to be printed and published for the benefit of his friend. The offer was eagerly embraced, and the first volume of "Ballantyne's Novelists' Library" appeared in February 1821, though the collection, notwithstanding the Biographies and Introductions which Scott wrote for it, did not prove a fortunate speculation.

On the 16th of June 1821, John Ballantyne died at Edinburgh. Until a week or two before, Sir Walter had not entertained any thought that his end was so near. "I accompanied Sir Walter when one of their last interviews took place, and John's deathbed was a thing not to be forgotten. We sat by him for perhaps an hour, and I think half that space was occupied with his predictions of a speedy end, and details of his last will, which he had just been executing, and which lay on his coverlid; the other half being given, five minutes or so at a time, to questions and remarks, which intimated that the hope of life was still flickering before him--nay, that his interest in all its concerns remained eager. The proof-sheets of a volume of his Novelists' Library lay also by his pillow; and he passed from them to his will, and then back to them, as by jerks and starts the unwonted veil of gloom closed upon his imagination, or was withdrawn again.... Scott was visibly and profoundly shaken by this scene and sequel. As we stood together a few days afterwards, while they were smoothing the turf over John's remains in the Canongate Churchyard, the heavens, which had been dark and slaty, cleared up suddenly, and the midsummer sun shone forth in his strength. Scott, ever awake to the skyey influences, cast his eye along the overhanging line of the Calton Hill, with its gleaming walls and towers, and then turning to the grave again, 'I feel,' he whispered in my ear, 'I feel as if there would be less sunshine for me from this day forth.'

"As we walked homewards, Scott told me, among other favourable traits of his friend, one little story which I must not omit. He remarked one day to a poor student of divinity attending his auction, that he looked as if he were in bad health. The young man assented with a sigh. 'Come,' said Ballantyne, 'I think I ken the secret of a sort of draft that would relieve you--particularly,'--he added, handing him a cheque for ?5 or ?10--'particularly, my dear, if taken upon an empty stomach.'"

In the "Noctes Ambrosianae" , there is the following tribute to the memory of John Ballantyne:--

THE WAVERLEY NOVELS

About 40,000 copies of "Waverley" were sold previous to the publication of the first uniform edition of the novels, with introductions and notes by the author, in 1829.

The poem of "The Field of Waterloo" was issued in October 1815, the profits of the first edition being Scott's contribution to the fund raised for the widows and orphans of the soldiers slain in the battle. Lockhart's "Life" contains a list, much too lengthy to reproduce here, of the Ballantynes' suggestions on this poem, with Scott's objections and admissions. One or two instances of those by James may, however, be given:--

Constable says regarding this revision: "No better evidence of Scott's constitutional good nature could be given than will be found in the strictures on this poem by James and John Ballantyne when it was passing through the press, and the genial manner in which he either agrees or declines to give effect to them." And Mr. Andrew Lang in his "Life of Scott" testifies: "The emendations made by John Ballantyne on the proof-sheets of this effort show considerable intelligence and taste, and in several cases were approved of and accepted by the author, though he once said that he was 'The Black Brunswicker of literature, who neither took nor gave criticism.'"

"Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk," a series of letters describing a visit to Belgium and the field of Waterloo, appeared in January 1816 as an octavo volume,--the first edition consisting of 6000 copies, followed in the course of a few years by second and third editions of 3000. The work, avowedly by Scott, was hailed as a specimen of his prose writing, suggesting a comparison with that of the "Great Unknown." The last of the "copy" of these letters reached James Ballantyne on the 26th December 1815, and contained a few lines of Scott's playful doggerel, having reference also to his next novel:--

"DEAR JAMES, I'm done, thank God, with the long yarns Of the most prosy of Apostles--Paul; And now advance, sweet Heathen of Monkbarns, Step out, old quiz, as fast as I can scrawl."

"The Antiquary," begun towards the close of 1815, was issued in May 1816. Six days sufficed to exhaust the edition, which consisted of as many thousand copies. This work attained a popularity not inferior to that of its predecessors. It was while correcting the proof-sheets of this novel that the author took to fabricating mottoes for the chapter headings. One day John Ballantyne, who was sitting beside him, was asked to hunt for a certain passage in Beaumont and Fletcher, and as he did not succeed, "Hang it, Johnnie," said Scott, "I believe I can make a motto sooner than you will find one." From that time he had recourse to his own invention, attributing the mottoes to "old ballad" or "old play."

"Rob Roy," projected in May and arranged for by Constable, was issued in December 1817. It started with a first edition of 10,000, and within a fortnight a second of 3000 more was required. While the manuscript of the novels was usually transcribed by the Ballantynes, this one was copied by George Stillie, a clerk at Paul's Work. He died a few days after James Ballantyne in 1833. His brother James was in the service of John Ballantyne in Hanover Street, and, on the failure of that business, was employed at Paul's Work. James Stillie was afterwards a bookseller in Edinburgh for many years, and his shop in George Street was the resort of book-collectors from all parts of the kingdom--including Mr. Gladstone when he came to Edinburgh. He lived to a great age, and died in August 1893.

Scott had scarcely completed "Rob Roy" when he projected the Second Series of the "Tales of My Landlord," in which was comprised "The Heart of Midlothian," to be ready by the 4th June 1818, at which date it duly appeared. The Third Series of the "Tales" came out on the 10th June 1819. This Series included "The Bride of Lammermoor" and the "Legend of Montrose." Scott had suffered severely in health for some time previous, and the work was received with a sad presentiment that it might be the last from its author's pen; but, except in a few errors, the result of his inability to correct the proof-sheets, no one could perceive the slightest indication of his illness.

"The Monastery" was published by Longman & Co. in March 1820. It appeared in three vols. 12mo, like the earlier works of the Series. Its popularity was enhanced by "The Abbot," which followed in September, published by the same firm, in conjunction with Constable.

"Kenilworth" appeared in January 1821, three vols. post 8vo, similar to "Ivanhoe," and this form was adhered to in all the subsequent volumes of the Series. "Kenilworth" was one of the most successful of all at the time of publication, and will probably continue to hold a place in the highest rank of prose fiction.

At this time the profits of the author's works were estimated at from ?10,000 to ?15,000 a year, and Ballantyne's presses were taxed to their utmost. In addition to the ordinary work of the office, he had also in hand for Constable a reprint of Scott's Poetical Works, miniature edition, ten vols., 5000 copies; Novels and Tales, twelve vols., miniature edition, 5000 copies; Historical Romances, six vols., 5000 copies; Poetry from "Waverley," &c., one vol., 5000 copies--equal to 145,000 volumes; to which from thirty to forty thousand may be added as the result of Scott's daily industry within the space of twelve months.

Constable during this year completed the purchase from Scott of the copyright of the Waverley Novels, for which he had paid up to this time the sum of ?22,000, in addition to Scott's half-share of profits of the early editions. The novel of "St. Ronan's Well" was published in December 1823.

Immediately on the conclusion of "St. Ronan's Well," Sir Walter began "Redgauntlet," which was published in June 1824. It was originally called "Herries," until Constable and James Ballantyne persuaded the author to choose the more striking name. This fascinating work contains more of the author's personal experiences than any of his previous fictions, or even than all of them put together,--not to mention the incomparable legend of "Wandering Willie's Tale." It was the only novel Scott produced during this year, but he was abundantly occupied in preparing for press the second edition of his voluminous Swift, the additions and corrections to which were numerous and careful. Towards the end of the year the "Tales of the Crusaders" were begun, and were issued in June 1825. "The Betrothed" found little favour with James Ballantyne, and his remonstrance weighed so much with the author that he resolved to cancel it altogether. Meanwhile, spurred by disappointment, he began another story, "The Talisman." The brightness of this new tale dazzled the eyes of the public; and the burst of favour which attended the brilliant procession of Saladin and Coeur-de-Lion considerably modified Scott's literary plans, and "The Betrothed" was issued under its wing.

"Woodstock," written during a period of great commercial distress, was finished in April and issued in June 1826. This most successful novel realised the large sum of ?8228.

The "Life of Bonaparte," which had been in progress during two years of deep affliction, was published in June 1827. Its contents are equal to thirteen volumes of the Waverley Novels in their original form. The first and second editions produced the enormous sum of ?18,000. Regarding the "Life of Bonaparte" there is a characteristic entry in Scott's "Journal," dated September 6, 1826, referring to some suggestions of James Ballantyne:--

Scott also at this time superintended the first collection of his Prose Miscellanies, published in six vols. 8vo, several articles being remodelled and extended to adapt them for a more permanent existence than had been originally thought of.

The First Series of "Chronicles of the Canongate" was published in November 1827, but the work did not meet with the favour awarded to his previous writings, and Sir Walter was much discouraged. Yet the wondrous power and fertility of his genius remained undiminished, and the First Series of "Tales of a Grandfather" followed in December. It met with a heartier reception than any other of his works since "Ivanhoe," and years only add to its popularity. The "Chronicles of the Canongate," Second Series, three vols. 8vo, and "Tales of a Grandfather," Second Series, three vols. 18mo, were both published in 1828. In this year was also published "Religious Discourses by a Layman," being signed by "W.S." These were originally written by Sir Walter Scott to aid a young candidate for the ministry in the Kirk of Scotland.

Since that time many editions of Scott's Poetical and Prose Works have passed through the Ballantyne Press. One of the most important is the Border Edition of the Waverley Novels in forty-eight volumes, edited with additional Introductions and Notes by Mr. Andrew Lang, illustrated with many etchings, and published by John C. Nimmo, London. This edition has now passed into the hands of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

THE "GREAT UNKNOWN"

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet