Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-12-25

majority for their rai!ilcation o. re-
lection.
Every body has heard Of the book
entitled I" Burns Justice Of the
] Peace" The author Of that book
/ Mr.. Burn, was a curate in one of the
northern counties of England. When
he had completed it. he set out for
London to dispose OF it in the best
way he could. When he arrived
there, being an entire stranger IN
town, he applied to the landlord of
the inn where he stopped, decent
looking, obliging sort of man, to
see if he could recommend him to
any bookseller, who might be likely
/ to purchase his manuscript. The
I landlord readily introduced him to a
bookseller of his acquaintance, who,
upon having the matter explained to
him, begged to look at the manu-
script. The papers were PIT into his
hands, which he returned in a few
days. telling the disappointed author
that he could not venture to give more
than twenty pounds for the book
This offer, Burn could not think Of
accepting. He turned very melan-
choiy. to his Lodging, sincerely re.
penting that he had ever put pen to
paper on that subject.
by this time Mr.. Andrew MiIIar
was we'll established in business, and
his hame had been several times men
toned with some degree Of respect to
| Mr.. Burn, so that he resolved to
wait upon him, without any person to
introduce him. He went, communi-
Gated his business in few words, was
politely received, and informed that
if he would trust the manuscript with
him for few days, he should be able
togive him an answer !; and, in the
mean time, as he was from home, he
asked the author to dine with him
each day, till they should conclude
about the business. MIR. Miliar who
did not depend upon his own judg-
ment in cases of this sort, sent the
manuscript to young lawyer, with
whom he usually advised in regard
to his law bouks. The gentleman,
after reading the performance, re-
turned it to Mr.. Millar and informed
him. that if he could purchase the
copy right for two hundred pounds.
he would certainly have great bar
gain !; for the book was extremely
we'll written, and much wanted. 20
that the sale of it must be very con-
! siderable.
Mr.. Millar having received this
information, met the author the next
day as usual, and then asked what
price he demanded for Ills work.
The author, dispirited with the for
mer offer. said he was at a loss what
to ask for he had already heen
offered so small a price, that rather
than accept it, or any thing like it,
he would throw the papers into the
fire. What was this offer, said Mr..
Millar. Only twenty pounds, said
Mr.. Burn, with great ingenious.
ness. But, said Mr.. Millar, would
you think two hundred guineas too
littIe3 Too little says Burn in sur
prise; no. Well then, said Mr.. Mil
lar, the book shall be mine, and YOU
shall have the money when you please.
The bargain was instantly struck,
and bottle of good port was drank
to the good luck of it. Mr.. Millar
found no reason to repent of his |
iraDkness.for the book sold anna zing- |
~ well: nor had the author any rea. |
son to be dissatisfied with his bar
gain, for Mr. Millar, with spirit Of
candor and Iiberality, that does not
always belong to men of his profess
sion, frankly sent hundred guineas
to the author, for every edition of
the book that was printed in bis life
time and these were many inso.
much, that by the sale of his book
alone, lie cleared no less than eleven
thousand pounds.