Ballantyjvf. I. James, a Scottish printer, born at Kelso in 1772, died in Edinburgh, Jan. 17,1833. He was a schoolfellow of Walter Scott at Kelso grammar school. In 1795 he began practice as a solicitor in his native town, and the next year started a weekly journal called the "Kelso Mail," to which Scott contributed. By the advice of the novelist he removed to Edinburgh, to carry on the printing business. The first volumes issued from what he called the "Border Press" were the first and second of Scott's "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border," brought out in a manner greatly superior to any Scotch printing of that time. The third volume followed in 1803. From that time he printed all of Scott's works, and the Ballan-tyne press attained a high reputation. From 1805, when the "Lay of the Last Minstrel" was published, to his failure in 1826, Scott was a secret partner with Ballantyne, not only in the printing business, but in the proprietorship of the "Edinburgh Weekly Journal," which Ballantyne conducted with spirit and success. Ballantyne was in the secret of the authorship of " Waverley," and was almost the only person to whose criticism and suggestions Scott paid any attention.

For many years he printed "Blackwood's Magazine;" and in 1822 145,000 volumes of Scott's works were issued from Bal-lantyne's press. Unfortunately, Scott also became principal in a publishing house of which John Ballantyne was the ostensible head. After struggling for some years, with heavy losses, this concern was broken up, and the Ballan-tynes shared in Scott's misfortunes. Wilson described James Ballantyne as "the best de-claimer extant," and Lockhart said he was one of the best readers he ever heard. lie was considered for 25 years the best theatrical orator in Scotland. II. Jolm, brother of the preceding, born at Kelso about 1774, died June 16, 1821. After having filled the office of clerk in a London bank for some time, he returned to his native place, where he kept a clothier's shop; but he was unfortunate in business, and in 1806 went to Edinburgh as clerk to his brother James. In 1808 he became nominal head of the publishing house of John Ballantyne and company. After the failure of this concern he became a literary auctioneer in Edinburgh. His liveliness, humor, eccentricity, and convivial habits greatly endeared him to Scott, and he was repeatedly mentioned by Wilson, in "Blackwood's Magazine," for his social qualities.

He wrote an unsuccessful novel, " The Widow's Lodgings," and for a short time conducted a weekly periodical called "The Sale Room," to which Scott contributed some minor poems, including the humorous piece entitled "The Sultan of Serendib, or the Search after Happiness."