Page:A history of booksellers, the old and the new.djvu/195

161 JOHN MURRAY. 161 "Brompton, Kent, 1 6th Oct., 1768. " DEAR WILL, Since I saw you, I have had the intention of embarking in a scheme that I think will prove successful, and in the progress of which I had an eye towards your participating. Mr. Sandby, bookseller, opposite St. Dunstan's church, has en- tered into company with Snow and Denne, bankers. I was introduced to this gentleman about a month ago, upon an advantageous offer of succeeding him in his old business, which, by the advice of my friends, I propose to accept. Now, although I have little reason to fear success by myself in this under- taking, yet I think so many additional advantages would accrue to us both, were your forces and mine joined, that I cannot help mentioning it to you, and making you the offer of entering into company. He resigns to me the lease of the house; the good- will ; and I only take his bound stock, and fix- tures, at a fair appraisement, which will not amount to more than 400, and which, if I ever mean to part with, cannot fail to bring in nearly the same sum. The shop has long continued in the trade ; it retains a good many old customers ; and I am to be ushered immediately into public notice by the sale of a new edition of Lord Lyttelton's ' Dialogues ;' and after- wards by a like edition of his 'History.' These works I shall 'sell by commission, upon a certain profit without risque ; and Mr. Sandby has promised to continue to me, always, his good offices and recom- mendations. These are the general outlines ; and if you entertain a notion that the conjunction would suit you, advise me, and you shall be assumed upon equal terms. "Many blockheads in the trade are making for-