The Ballantynes, of course, knew it from the first; so did Mr.
Morritt, Lady Louisa Stuart, and Lord and Lady Montague, and others were gradually admitted.

In an undated letter, probably of November, 1816, Scott says to the Marchioness of Abercorn, a most intimate friend: "I cannot even conjecture whom you mean by Mr.Mackenzie as author of 'The Antiquary.' I should think my excellent old friend Mr.Harry Mackenzie [author of the 'Man of Feeling,' etc.] was too much advanced in years and plugged in business to amuse himself by writing novels; and besides, the style in no degree resembles his." (Lady Abercorn meant 'Young Harry Mackenzie,' not the patriarch.) "I am told one of the English reviews gives these works by name and upon alleged authority to George Forbes, Sir William's brother; so they take them off my hands, I don't care who they turn to, for I am really tired of an imputation which I am under the necessity of confuting at every corner.

Tom will soon be home from Canada, as the death of my elder brother has left him a little money.

He may answer for himself, but I hardly suspect him, unless much changed, to be Possessed of the perseverance necessary to write nine volumes." Scott elsewhere rather encouraged the notion that his brother Thomas was the author, and tried to make him exert himself and enter the field as a rival.

Gossip also assigned the "Scotch novels" to Jeffrey, to Mrs.
Thomas Scott, aided by her husband and Sir Walter, to a Dr.Greenfield, a clergyman, and to many others.