"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 personally, to meet the brothers at Inverness-Information from one quarter no way discouraging. Small remittances hitherto from the Orkney and Caith. ness 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 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 well as 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)

66

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 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

process

and

ble partner (for the other was an easy, canny, sort of a man) is, I know not ;-if indeed he is still in existence.*

While these matters were in the way of adjusting, and carrying into effect, it is not to be understood that I relaxed one moment in my exertions to keep things in a progressive state. My one auctioneer, T. C. continued his operations by Hawick, Selkirk, and Galashiels-Earlston and LauderWestruther, Gordon and Stitchel-Eccles and Coldstream, until he returned and had sales for a week or two in Dunbar, and neighbourhood-say from 9th to 31st March; immediately after which, he was marched off on a very extensive round, comprehending a considerable quantity of new, and to us, unknown ground, and embracing the tedious circuit of not fewer than seven counties, as will appear by the annexed statement, until for a reason that will afterwards be explained, he was stopped in his career, at Bathgate, in Linlithgowshire, towards the end of June.†

My very considerate and rational friend, the author of the COMPLETE ENGLISH TRADESMAN, formerly quoted, justly observes, "If then the contingent nature of trade, renders every man liable to disaster, that is engaged in it, it seems strange that tradesmen should be outrageous and unmerciful to one ano. ther, when they fall; and yet, so it is, that no creditor is so furious upon an unhappy insolvent tradesman, as a brother tradesman of his own class, and who is at least liable to the same disaster, in the common event of his business. Nay, I have lived to see, such is the uncertainty of human affairs, and especially in trade, the furious and outrageous creditor become bankrupt himself, in a few years, or perhaps months, after, and begging the same mercy of others, which he but just before denied to his not more (read less) unfortunate fellow trades. man, and making the same exclamation at the cruelty and hard heartedness of creditors, in refusing to comply with him, when, at the same time, his own heart must reproach him with his former conduct."

In order, however, to counteract any bad effect that might be supposed to arise from the inculcation of this lenient doctrine, our very sensible author goes on to state, "I do acknowledge, that if there's an evident fraud, if he can detect the bankrupt in any wicked design, if he can prove he has effects sufficient to pay his debts, and that he only breaks with a purpose to cheat his creditors, and he conceals a part of his estate when he seems to offer a sincere surrender; if this be the case, and it can be made appear to be so; for, in such case, too, we ought to be very sure of the fact, then, indeed, no favour is due, and really none ought to be shewed."-To which I, and I dare say, every honest man among my numerous readers, will be disposed to say, Amen."

That route commenced at Whitsome on the 23d March, to which place, some of his Coldstream remnants would likely have been forwarded to meet him. After which he proceeded by Paxton and Allanton, Swinton, Letholm, Birgham and Greenlaw in BERWICKSHIRE, till the 4th April. Then by Smallholm, Bowden, and Lilliesleaf in RoXBURGHSHIRE, to the 11th. Afterwards by Langholm, Canonby, Springfield, Annan, Braidkirk, Ecclefechan, Lockerby, and Lochmaben, in DUMFRIESHIRE, to the 2d of May. Then upwards through Galloway by Castle Douglas, Gatehouse, and Creetown in KIRKCUDBRIGHT