my only concern was, FOR MORE TIME, in order to enable me the better to husband my resources. (See again G, No. 3.) Things, however, you will see by B, assumed a very different complexion in course of 1817, or in the thirteen months following the first of January that year; but, as it is only the average produce of the WHOLE TIME, with which we have to do, in ascertaining exactly how matters stand at present, it is to C, gentlemen, to which, I now more particularly call your attention. That statement, you will observe, contains the average produce of A and B united, from which, it is evident, that instead of ONE HALF, the utmost I can now expect to realize from the disposal of £10,000 retail value of stock, in the event of my proceeding as I have for some time being going on, would be only ONE THIRD, or £3,333: 6: 8, being short of £5,000, nearly A WHOLE INSTALMENT. deed, were I obliged to push sales in the present depressed state of the country, I believe you will be disposed to agree with me, when I say, that it might be even problematical, whether I could possibly make up the 12s.

In

"From a consideration of these statements, and the gloomy prospect held out in my recent communications from all quarters (as in F), together with the little chance of things bettering, IN TIME TO BE OF SERVICE TO ME, even allowing there were some prospect of their getting better, it may strike some of you, gentlemen, that nothing short of a total relinquishment of the THIRD INSTALMENT, and MORE TÍME ALLOWED to pay up the FOURTH, will answer my purpose; and such, I confess, was the idea that first struck myself.

Upon second thoughts, however, and still actuated by the same motive that induced me to make so liberal an offer at first, viz., an anxious desire that the least possible loss might be sustained by any one, on my account, I am willing to make an effort towards making up the 14s., providing the matter can be adjusted, &c., and the following proposal, for the reasons already mentioned, meets with your immediate acquiescence."

[The full amount being stated, it is deemed unnecessary here to enter into the particulars.]

"I am extremely sorry, gentlemen, that circumstances should have arisen to make such a proposal necessary; but you are now made acquainted with these circumstances, by a detail of facts that cannot be disputed; and, keeping these in view, I have no hesitation in leaving you to decide, whether, in this proposal, I have not still left to myself A HARD ENOUGH TASK TO PERFORM, and if a desire to promote your interests to the utmost of my power, is not more apparent in such an arrangement, than any consideration of my own immediate ease and comfort.

"I am, very sincerely,
(Signed)

"Dunbar, February 21, 1818."

"GEO MILLER."

CHAPTER XXIII.—1818 (CONTINUED.)

The wonder, how accounted for, that I did not, at this period, altogether give up the contest. Still some straggling rays of hope.Had been in search of new ground for auctions, and wished to try the experiment.Still had reason to look for something coming from my lately extended ground in the publication line, to the northward.-A welcome stranger from Inverness at last arrives, though late in his arrival.-Combined effect of a certain combination of circumstances. -A hard enough task still left me to perform -How my new proposal was received. Sentiments of Mr- --Additional, of Mr One firm assumes a rather inexorable attitude.Where is it now ?-Another appropriate extract from The Complete English Tradesman.-No relaxation in my toils.Extensive auction routes.-The parties may, at times, approach or cross each others paths, but no danger of clashing.-Plans of all the routes digested at, and sent from head quarters, at Dunbar.-My situation in those days no sinecure.Publication returns of a very varied complexion.My Highland manager marries a Highland lady.-Agreeable prospects in consequence. Meet with some reason to indulge in them.—It is arranged that I again go north person ally, to meet the brothers at Inverness Information from one quarter no way discouraging.-Small remittances hitherto from the Orkney and Caithness district.Make up my mind to get the business in that quarter wound up as expeditiously as possible. My western agent's route to the northward.

It may be a matter of wonder indeed, that, upon discovering such havoc to have been made in my stock, beyond what 1

had calculated upon, and, when, as I thought I had some reason to expect a contrary result, I did not at once give up the contest in despondency, and resign the reins at last in despair. Even with all the consolations of religion, and often tendered acquiescence in the decrees of Omnipotence, I could have little more to hope from my now apparently hopeless task, in which, I had been so repeatedly foiled in my attempts to get forward, and in looking before and around me, the gloominess of desolation seemed to obstruct my path, and to be settling fast down upon my prospects on every side.

There must have been, and I see there were, even in the midst of these cheerless prospects, some straggling rays of comfort, or slender grounds for the ever grasping hands of hope, to lay hold upon. My auctions of late, indeed, had not been productive, but it appears I had been in search of new ground, by making enquiries, as far as the Mull of Galloway, to the west and to the south and in my correspondence with my northern agents, I had been endeavouring to ascertain, what probability there was, of my doing any good, by carrying these sales into Caithness, and Orkney, at the most proper time, when the annual fair in Kirkwall took place in the ensuing August, which, although somewhat remote, was still, notwithstanding, in consequence of the answers, I received a strong ground for hope.

Add, to these, that although I had as yet, received no remittance from my Caithness and Orkney agent, yet, the circumstance of my having advised him in a letter, on the 24th, to engage a new man, shews, that I was still, although I might have my fears, not altogether destitute of some drops of comfort from that quarter; while, a pretty decent remittance from my Inverness agent, of date the 3d February which made some amends for the short comings, up to the 26th January, must have contributed much, to raise, my so lately depressed hopes from that part of my now extensive vineyard. All these considerations, combined, I say, must have contributed much to induce me, to make a proposal, which, towards the end of my address it will be seen, I considered in the light, as "STILL A HARD ENOUGH TASK TO PERFORM."

That proposal was submitted, in the first place, to the same gentleman, who on the former occasion, was indulged with this preference, if, under such circumstances, it may be called an indulgence, in consequence of HIS being the highest creditor, and who, as an evidence of his going readily into it, as wellas of his unqualified approbation of the reasons, and motives that induced me to make it, wrote as follows, and commenced the signatures by adhibiting his own name to the document.

"I have duly considered the reasons adduced by Mr Miller for having a modification of composition allowed him, as also more time to pay up, what I think (although the greatest sufferer by the measure) as much as can reasonably be expected, after the various statements and affecting representations he has presented.

"In conformity with which opinion, I hereby agree and recommend to the other creditors, in as far as they consult their own interest, and Mr Miller's ability to pay, to do the same, viz

:

[It has been thought unnecessary to repeat the particulars here, they being matters of only a temporary moment.]

"In acceding to, and recommending this measure, viz. a total of 14s. per pound, I do so from the perfect conviction of the inadequacy of the funds to do more, solely arising from the depressed state of the hook trade, WHICH HAS CAUSED A

VERY GREAT SACRIFICE TO BE MADE IN ORDER TO REALIZE THE

INSTALMENTS ALREADY PAID, which from the severe pressure of the times, has exceeded my expectations. In recommending this to the attention of Mr Miller's creditors, their interests are consulted, for should the stock be brought, at present, into market, the above offer could not be realized."

On presenting the above to the gentleman second in order in the list of heavy sums, he was pleased to add, in his hand-writing :—

"I have gone over the different statements produced by Mr Miller, relative to his affairs, and I am perfectly satisfied that the utmost exertion has been made, and the greatest accuracy

exhibited in the management of these affairs, but that, from the depressed situation of the times, it is utterly impossible for him to meet the engagements he came under to his creditors; and therefore, I agree to accept of 14s. per pound for my debt, the balance of which composition remaining due to be paid at the dates specified by him." (Signed) "

After obtaining these I need hardly add, that the signatures of the other gentlemen principally concerned, were most readily procured as they were severally applied for; one gentleman indeed took a little time to consider of it, but as the conduct of that gentleman gave me much satisfaction at the meeting on the 16th September, and he then seemed quite disposed to leave it to myself to make out of the stock what I could, I can only account for his backwardness, on the supposition, that he had not had time, or, it may be patience, to look over those affecting representations, as my highest creditor had denominated them; and I have no doubt, that now, when he shall have an opportunity to look over this address, and its accompanying documents in print, although labouring under the disadvantage of the want of the statements referred to, (which would have taken up too many of my pages,) he will not regret his kind acquiescence also.

I had, indeed, a little trouble with a few of the smaller sums-these gentlemen not duly considering that whatever their disappointments may have been-mine, after such (what shall I call it) murderous exertions, to insure a contrary result-must have been much greater.

There was one firm that assumed a most inexorable attitude, and I do not recollect how far they departed from it at the last, and I know not where to enquire now; for they have long since met the fate that has so often been observed to follow such unfeeling conduct, when such tender hearted people come to be in distress themselves.-Yes !In process of time, the house of came also to be unfortunate, and they assuredly, could scarcely, in allusion to my case, put up the prayer to their creditors, “that mercy I to others shewed, that mercy shew to me." But be that as it may, the firm of this house has been broken up and scattered to the winds of heaven, and where the inexora

and