diff options
Diffstat (limited to '24498.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 24498.txt | 12475 |
1 files changed, 12475 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/24498.txt b/24498.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..81fb10f --- /dev/null +++ b/24498.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12475 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, +Volume V (of 10), by John Gibson Lockhart + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume V (of 10) + + +Author: John Gibson Lockhart + + + +Release Date: February 2, 2008 [eBook #24498] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE OF SIR WALTER +SCOTT, VOLUME V (OF 10)*** + + +E-text prepared by Thierry Alberto, Henry Craig, Christine P. Travers, and +the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team +(http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Transcriber's note: + + Obvious printer's errors have been corrected; all other + inconsistencies are as in the original. The author's spelling + has been retained. + + Page numbers have been retained as {p.xxx}. + + Page 96: The "u" in "Cadil gu lo" has a breve in the original. + + Page 218: The marker for footnote 88 could not be found in the + text. + + + + + +MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE +OF +SIR WALTER SCOTT +BART. + +by + +JOHN GIBSON LOCKHART + +In Ten Volumes + +VOLUME V + + + + + + + +Boston and New York +Houghton, Mifflin and Company +The Riverside Press, Cambridge +MCMI + +Copyright, 1901 +by Houghton, Mifflin and Company +All Rights Reserved + +Six Hundred Copies Printed +Number, + + + + +{p.v} TABLE OF CONTENTS + + + Chap. Page + + XXXIV. Progress of The Lord of the Isles. -- Correspondence + with Mr. Joseph Train. -- Rapid completion of The Lord of + the Isles. -- "Refreshing the Machine." -- "Six Weeks at a + Christmas." -- Publication of the Poem, -- and of Guy + Mannering. -- Letters to Morritt, Terry, and John + Ballantyne. -- Anecdotes by James Ballantyne. -- Visit to + London. -- Meeting with Lord Byron. -- Dinners at Carlton + House. 1814-1815. 1 + + XXXV. Battle of Waterloo -- Letter of Sir Charles Bell. -- + Visit to the Continent. -- Waterloo. -- Letters from + Brussels and Paris. -- Anecdotes of Scott at Paris. -- The + Duke of Wellington. -- The Emperor Alexander. -- Bluecher. -- + Platoff -- Party at Ermenonville, etc. -- London. -- Parting + with Lord Byron. -- Scott's Sheffield Knife. -- Return to + Abbotsford. -- Anecdotes by Mr. Skene and James Ballantyne. + 1815. 39 + + XXXVI. Field of Waterloo published. -- Revision of Paul's + Letters, etc. -- Quarrel and Reconciliation with Hogg. -- + Football Match at Carterhaugh. -- Songs on the Banner of + Buccleuch. -- Dinner at Bowhill. -- Design for a Piece of + Plate to the Sutors of Selkirk. -- Letters to the Duke of + Buccleuch, Joanna Baillie, and Mr. Morritt. 1815. 76 + + XXXVII. {p.vi} Publication of Paul's Letters to his + Kinsfolk. -- Guy Mannering "Terry-fied." -- Death of Major + John Scott. -- Letters to Thomas Scott. -- Publication of + The Antiquary. -- History of 1814 for the Edinburgh Annual + Register. -- Letters on the History of Scotland projected. + -- Publication of the First Tales of my Landlord by Murray + and Blackwood. -- Anecdotes by Mr. Train. -- Quarterly + Review on the Tales. -- Building at Abbotsford begun. -- + Letters to Morritt, Terry, Murray, and the Ballantynes. + 1816. 94 + + XXXVIII. Harold the Dauntless published. -- Scott aspires to + be a Baron of the Exchequer. -- Letter to the Duke of + Buccleuch concerning Poachers, etc. -- First Attack of Cramp + in the Stomach. -- Letters to Morritt, Terry, and Mrs. + Maclean Clephane. -- Story of The Doom of Devorgoil. -- John + Kemble's retirement from the Stage. -- William Laidlaw + established at Kaeside. -- Novel of Rob Roy projected. -- + Letter to Southey on the Relief of the Poor, etc. -- Letter + to Lord Montagu on Hogg's Queen's Wake, and on the Death of + Frances, Lady Douglas. 1817. 135 + + XXXIX. Excursion to the Lennox, Glasgow, and Drumlanrig. -- + Purchase of Toftfield. -- Establishment of the Ferguson + Family at Huntly Burn. -- Lines written in Illness. -- + Visits of Washington Irving, Lady Byron, and Sir David + Wilkie. -- Progress of the Building at Abbotsford. -- + Letters to Morritt, Terry, etc. -- Conclusion of Rob Roy. + 1817. 173 + + XL. Rob Boy published. -- Negotiation concerning the Second + Series of Tales of my Landlord. -- Commission to search for + the {p.vii} Scottish Regalia. -- Letters to the Duke of + Buccleuch, Mr. Croker, Mr. Morritt, Mr. Murray, Mr. Maturin, + etc. -- Correspondence on Rural Affairs with Mr. Laidlaw, + and on the Buildings at Abbotsford with Mr. Terry. -- Death + of Mrs. Murray Keith and Mr. George Bullock. 1818. 202 + + XLI. Dinner at Mr. Home Drummond's. -- Scott's Edinburgh + Den. -- Details of his Domestic Life in Castle Street. -- + His Sunday Dinners. -- His Evening Drives, etc. -- His + Conduct in the General Society of Edinburgh. -- Dinners at + John Ballantyne's Villa, and at James Ballantyne's in St. + John Street, on the appearance of a new Novel. -- Anecdotes + of the Ballantynes, and of Constable. 1818. 236 + + XLII. Publication of the Heart of Mid-Lothian. -- Its + Reception in Edinburgh and in England. -- Abbotsford in + October. -- Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh, etc. -- Lion-Hunters + from America. -- Tragedy of the Cherokee Lovers. -- Scott's + Dinner to the Selkirkshire Yeomen. 1818. 266 + + Appendix: The Durham Garland. 295 + + Narrative of the Life of James Annesley. 303 + + + + +{p.viii} LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + WALTER SCOTT IN 1822 _Frontispiece_ + From the painting by Sir Henry Raeburn, R. A., in the possession + of the Earl of Home. + + MAIDA, THE SCOTTISH DEERHOUND 96 + After the painting by Landseer made in 1824. + + JOHN MURRAY 124 + From the painting by Henry W. Pickersgill, R. A., in the + possession of John Murray, Esq. + + WASHINGTON IRVING 180 + After the painting by Charles Robert Leslie, R. A. + + SCOTT'S HOUSE IN CASTLE STREET 250 + After the drawing by J. M. W. Turner, R.A. + + JOHN GIBSON LOCKHART 274 + After the painting by Henry W. Pickersgill, R. A. + + + + +{p.001} CHAPTER XXXIV. + + Progress of the Lord of the Isles. -- Correspondence with + Mr. Joseph Train. -- Rapid Completion of the Lord of the + Isles. -- "Refreshing the Machine." -- "Six Weeks at a + Christmas." -- Publication of the Poem, -- And of Guy + Mannering. -- Letters to Morritt, Terry, and John + Ballantyne. -- Anecdotes by James Ballantyne. -- Visit to + London. -- Meeting with Lord Byron. -- Dinners at Carlton + House. + +1814-1815. + + +By the 11th of November, then, The Lord of the Isles had made great +progress, and Scott had also authorized Ballantyne to negotiate among +the booksellers for the publication of a second novel. But before I go +further into these transactions, I must introduce the circumstances of +Scott's first connection with an able and amiable man, whose services +were of high importance to him, at this time and ever after, in the +prosecution of his literary labors. Calling at Ballantyne's +printing-office while Waverley was in the press, he happened to take +up a proof sheet of a volume entitled "Poems, with notes illustrative +of traditions in Galloway and Ayrshire, by Joseph Train, Supervisor of +Excise at Newton-Stewart." The sheet contained a ballad on an Ayrshire +tradition, about a certain "Witch of Carrick," whose skill in the +black art was, it seems, instrumental in the destruction {p.002} of +one of the scattered vessels of the Spanish Armada. The ballad +begins:-- + + "Why gallops the palfrey with Lady Dunore? + Who drives away Turnberry's kine from the shore? + Go tell it in Carrick, and tell it in Kyle-- + Although the proud Dons are now passing the Moil,[1] + On this magic clew, + That in fairyland grew, + Old Elcine de Aggart has taken in hand + To wind up their lives ere they win to our strand." + + [Footnote 1: The Mull of Cantyre.] + +Scott immediately wrote to the author, begging to be included in his +list of subscribers for a dozen copies, and suggesting at the same +time a verbal alteration in one of the stanzas of this ballad. Mr. +Train acknowledged his letter with gratitude, and the little book +reached him just as he was about to embark in the lighthouse yacht. He +took it with him on his voyage, and, on returning home again, wrote to +Mr. Train, expressing the gratification he had received from several +of his metrical pieces, but still more from his notes, and requesting +him, as he seemed to be enthusiastic about traditions and legends, to +communicate any matters of that order connected with Galloway which he +might not himself think of turning to account; "for," said Scott, +"nothing interests me so much as local anecdotes; and, as the +applications for charity usually conclude, the smallest donation will +be thankfully accepted." + +Mr. Train, in a little narrative with which he has favored me, says, +that for some years before this time he had been engaged, in alliance +with a friend of his, Mr. Denniston, in collecting materials for a +History of Galloway; they had circulated lists of queries among the +clergy and parish schoolmasters, and had thus, and by their own +personal researches, accumulated "a great variety of the most +excellent materials for that purpose;" but that, from the hour of his +correspondence with Walter Scott, he "renounced every idea of +authorship for {p.003} himself," resolving, "that thenceforth his +chief pursuit should be collecting whatever he thought would be most +interesting to _him_;" and that Mr. Denniston was easily persuaded to +acquiesce in the abandonment of their original design. "Upon receiving +Mr. Scott's letter," says Mr. Train, "I became still more zealous in +the pursuit of ancient lore, and being the first person who had +attempted to collect old stories in that quarter with any view to +publication, I became so noted, that even beggars, in the hope of +reward, came frequently from afar to Newton-Stewart, to recite old +ballads and relate old stories to me." Erelong, Mr. Train visited +Scott both at Edinburgh and at Abbotsford; a true affection continued +ever afterwards to be maintained between them; and this generous ally +was, as the prefaces to the Waverley Novels signify, one of the +earliest confidants of that series of works, and certainly the most +efficient of all the author's friends in furnishing him with materials +for their composition. Nor did he confine himself to literary +services: whatever portable object of antiquarian curiosity met his +eye, this good man secured and treasured up with the same destination; +and if ever a catalogue of the museum at Abbotsford shall appear, no +single contributor, most assuredly, will fill so large a space in it +as Mr. Train.[2] + + [Footnote 2: [Joseph Train was born in 1779, at + Gilminscroft, Sorn, Ayrshire, where his father was + grieve and land-steward. The boy was apprenticed at an + early age to a weaver in Ayr, but, notwithstanding the + narrowness of his circumstances, and a very imperfect + education, he even then showed a love of learning and a + passion for antiquarian lore. From 1799 to 1802 he + served in the Ayrshire militia. While the regiment was + stationed at Inverness, he became a subscriber to + Currie's edition of Burns, and his colonel, Sir David + Hunter-Blair, seeing the volumes at the bookseller's, + was surprised to learn that they had been ordered by one + of his men. Greatly pleased thereat, Sir David had the + books handsomely bound and sent to Train, free of + charge; and later obtained for him an appointment in the + Excise in the Ayr district. He was a faithful and + efficient officer, but owing to the then prevalent + custom of giving the higher places in the Excise to + Englishmen, all Scott's efforts for the advancement of + his friend were unavailing; he remained supervisor till + he went on the retired list in 1836. In 1829 Train was + admitted a member of the Scottish Society of + Antiquaries. Though the death of Scott made a sad blank + in his life, his interest in his favorite studies + continued to the end. The latter part of his life was + spent in a cottage at Castle Douglas, where he was + visited shortly before his death by James Hannay, who + found him in a little parlor, crowded with antiquities + of interest and value,--the antiquary, "a tall old man, + with an autumnal red in his face, hale looking, and of + simple, quaint manners." (See _Household Words_, July + 10, 1853.) Train's last extended works were an + _Historical and Statistical Account of the Isle of Man, + with a view of its peculiar customs and popular + superstitions_ (1845); and a study of a local religious + sect in _The Buchanites from First to Last_ (1846); but + he was an occasional contributor to various periodicals. + He died December 1, 1852.]] + +{p.004} His first considerable communication, after he had formed the +unselfish determination above mentioned, consisted of a collection of +anecdotes concerning the Galloway gypsies, and "a local story of an +astrologer, who calling at a farmhouse at the moment when the goodwife +was in travail, had, it was said, predicted the future fortune of the +child, almost in the words placed in the mouth of John MacKinlay, in +the Introduction to Guy Mannering." Scott told him, in reply, that the +story of the astrologer reminded him of "one he had heard in his +youth;" that is to say, as the Introduction explains, from this +MacKinlay; but Mr. Train has, since his friend's death, recovered a +rude _Durham_ ballad, which in fact contains a great deal more of the +main fable of Guy Mannering than either his own written, or +MacKinlay's oral edition of the _Gallovidian_ anecdote had conveyed; +and--possessing, as I do, numberless evidences of the haste with which +Scott drew up his beautiful Prefaces and Introductions of 1829, 1830, +and 1831--I am strongly inclined to think that he must in his boyhood +have read the Durham Broadside or Chapbook itself--as well as heard +the old serving-man's Scottish version of it. + +However this may have been, Scott's answer to Mr. Train proceeded in +these words:-- + + I am now to solicit a favor, which I think your interest + {p.005} in Scottish antiquities will induce you readily to + comply with. I am very desirous to have some account of the + present state of _Turnberry Castle_--whether any vestiges of + it remain--what is the appearance of the ground--the names + of the neighboring places--and, above all, what are the + traditions of the place (if any) concerning its memorable + surprise by Bruce, upon his return from the coast of + Ireland, in the commencement of the brilliant part of his + career. The purpose of this is to furnish some hints for + notes to a work in which I am now engaged, and I need not + say I will have great pleasure in mentioning the source from + which I derive my information. I have only to add, with the + modest importunity of a lazy correspondent, that the sooner + you oblige me with an answer (if you can assist me on the + subject), the greater will the obligation be on me, who am + already your obliged humble servant, + + W. SCOTT. + +The recurrence of the word _Turnberry_, in the ballad of Elcine de +Aggart, had of course suggested this application, which was dated on +the 7th of November. "I had often," says Mr. Train, "when a boy, +climbed the brown hills, and traversed the shores of Carrick, but I +could not sufficiently remember the exact places and distances as to +which Mr. Scott inquired; so, immediately on receipt of his letter, I +made a journey into Ayrshire to collect all the information I possibly +could, and forwarded it to him on the 18th of the same month." Among +the particulars thus communicated, was the local superstition, that on +the anniversary of the night when Bruce landed at Turnberry from +Arran, the same meteoric gleam which had attended his voyage +reappeared, unfailingly, in the same quarter of the heavens. With this +circumstance Scott was much struck. "Your information," he writes on +the 22d November, "was particularly interesting and acceptable, +especially that which {p.006} relates to the supposed preternatural +appearance of the fire, etc., which I hope to make some use of." What +use he did make of it, if any reader has forgotten, will be seen by +reference to stanzas 7-17 of the 5th Canto of the Poem; and the notes +to the same Canto embody, with due acknowledgment, the more authentic +results of Mr. Train's pilgrimage to Carrick. + +I shall recur presently to this communication from Mr. Train; but must +pause for a moment to introduce two letters, both written in the same +week with Scott's request as to the localities of Turnberry. They both +give us amusing sketches of his buoyant spirits at this period of +gigantic exertion;--and the first of them, which relates chiefly to +Maturin's Tragedy of Bertram, shows how he could still contrive to +steal time for attention to the affairs of brother authors less +energetic than himself. + + TO DANIEL TERRY, ESQ. + + ABBOTSFORD, November 10, 1814. + + MY DEAR TERRY,--I should have long since answered your kind + letter by our friend Young, but he would tell you of my + departure with our trusty and well-beloved Erskine, on a + sort of a voyage to Nova Zembla. Since my return, I have + fallen under the tyrannical dominion of a certain Lord of + the Isles. Those Lords were famous for oppression in the + days of yore, and if I can judge by the posthumous despotism + exercised over me, they have not improved by their demise. + The _peine forte et dure_ is, you know, nothing in + comparison to being obliged to grind verses; and so devilish + repulsive is my disposition, that I can never put my wheel + into constant and regular motion, till Ballantyne's devil + claps in his proofs, like the hot cinder which you Bath + folks used to clap in beside an unexperienced turnspit, as a + hint to be expeditious in his duty. O long life to the old + hermit of Prague, who never saw pen and ink!--much happier + in {p.007} that negative circumstance than in his alliance + with the niece of King Gorboduc. + + To talk upon a blither subject, I wish you saw Abbotsford, + which begins this season to look the whimsical, gay, odd + cabin, that we had chalked out. I have been obliged to + relinquish Stark's plan, which was greatly too expensive. So + I have made the old farmhouse my _corps de logis_, with some + outlying places for kitchen, laundry, and two spare + bedrooms, which run along the east wall of the farm-court, + not without some picturesque effect. A perforated cross, the + spoils of the old kirk of Galashiels, decorates an advanced + door, and looks very well. This little sly bit of sacrilege + has given our spare rooms the name of _the chapel_. I + earnestly invite you to a _pew_ there, which you will find + as commodious for the purpose of a nap as you have ever + experienced when, under the guidance of old Mrs. Smollett, + you were led to St. George's, Edinburgh. + + I have been recommending to John Kemble (I dare say without + any chance of success) to peruse a MS. Tragedy of Maturin's + author of Montorio: it is one of those things which will + either succeed greatly or be damned gloriously, for its + merits are marked, deep, and striking, and its faults of a + nature obnoxious to ridicule. He had our old friend Satan + (none of your sneaking St. John Street devils, but the + arch-fiend himself) brought on the stage bodily. I believe I + have exorcised the foul fiend--for, though in reading he was + a most terrible fellow, I feared for his reception in + public. The last act is ill contrived. He piddles (so to + speak) through a cullender, and divides the whole horrors of + the catastrophe (though God wot there are enough of them) + into a kind of drippity-droppity of four or five scenes, + instead of inundating the audience with them at once in the + finale, with a grand "_gardez l'eau_." With all this, which + I should say had I written the thing myself, it is grand and + powerful; the language most animated and poetical; and the + characters {p.008} sketched with a masterly enthusiasm. + Many thanks for Captain Richard Falconer.[3] To your + kindness I owe the two books in the world I most longed to + see, not so much for their intrinsic merits, as because they + bring back with vivid associations the sentiments of my + childhood--I might almost say infancy. Nothing ever + disturbed my feelings more than when, sitting by the old oak + table, my aunt, Lady Raeburn, used to read the lamentable + catastrophe of the ship's departing without Captain + Falconer, in consequence of the whole party making free with + lime-punch on the eve of its being launched. This and + Captain Bingfield,[4] I much wished {p.009} to read once + more, and I owe the possession of both to your kindness. + Everybody that I see talks highly of your steady interest + with the public, wherewith, as I never doubted of it, I am + pleased but not surprised. We are just now leaving this for + the winter: the children went yesterday. Tom Purdie, + Finella, and the greyhounds, all in excellent health; the + latter have not been hunted this season!!! Can add nothing + more to excite your admiration. Mrs. Scott sends her kind + compliments. + + W. SCOTT. + + [Footnote 3: "_The Voyages, Dangerous Adventures, and + Imminent Escapes of Capt. Rich. Falconer._ Containing + the Laws, Customs, and Manners of the Indians in + America; his shipwrecks; his marrying an Indian wife; + his narrow escape from the Island of Dominico, etc. + Intermixed with the Voyages and Adventures of Thomas + Randal, of Cork, Pilot; with his Shipwreck in the + Baltick, being the only man that escap'd. His being + taken by the Indians of Virginia, etc. And an Account of + his Death. The Fourth Edition. London. Printed for J. + Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street. 1734." + + On the fly-leaf is the following note, in Scott's + handwriting: "This book I read in early youth. I am + ignorant whether it is altogether fictitious and written + upon De Foe's plan, which it greatly resembles, or + whether it is only an exaggerated account of the + adventures of a real person. It is very scarce, for, + endeavoring to add it to the other favorites of my + infancy, I think I looked for it ten years to no + purpose, and at last owed it to the active kindness of + Mr. Terry. Yet Richard Falconer's adventures seem to + have passed through several editions."] + + [Footnote 4: "_The Travels and Adventures of William + Bingfield, Esq._, containing, as surprizing a + Fluctuation of Circumstances, both by Sea and Land, as + ever befel one man. With an Accurate Account of the + Shape, Nature, and Properties of that most furious, and + amazing Animal, the Dog-Bird. Printed from his own + Manuscript. With a beautiful Frontispiece. 2 vols. 12mo. + London: Printed for E. Withers, at the Seven Stars, in + Fleet Street. 1753." On the fly-leaf of the first volume + Scott has written as follows: "I read this scarce little + _Voyage Imaginaire_ when I was about ten years old, and + long after sought for a copy without being able to find + a person who would so much as acknowledge having heard + of William Bingfield or his Dog-birds, until the + indefatigable kindness of my friend Mr. Terry, of the + Haymarket, made me master of this copy. I am therefore + induced to think the book is of very rare occurrence." + [In consequence of these Notes, both Falconer and + Bingfield have been recently reprinted in + London.--(1839.)]] + +The following, dated a day after, refers to some lines which Mr. +Morritt had sent him from Worthing. + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., WORTHING. + + ABBOTSFORD, November 11, 1814. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--I had your kind letter with the beautiful + verses. May the Muse meet you often on the verge of the sea + or among your own woods of Rokeby! May you have spirits to + profit by her visits (and that implies all good wishes for + the continuance of Mrs. M.'s convalescence), and may I + often, by the fruits of your inspiration, have my share of + pleasure! My Muse is a Tyranness, and not a Christian queen, + and compels me to attend to longs and shorts, and I know not + what, when, God wot, I had rather be planting evergreens by + my new old fountain. You must know that, like the complaint + of a fine young boy who was complimented by a stranger on + his being a smart fellow, "I am sair halded down by _the + bubbly jock_." In other words, the turkey cock, at the head + of a family of some forty or fifty infidels, lays waste all + my shrubs. In vain I remonstrate with Charlotte upon these + occasions; she is in league with the hen-wife, the natural + protectress of these pirates; and I have only the inhuman + consolation that I may one day, like a cannibal, eat up my + enemies. This is but dull fun, but what else have I to tell + you about? It {p.010} would be worse if, like Justice + Shallow's Davy, I should consult you upon sowing down the + headland with wheat. My literary tormentor is a certain Lord + of the Isles, famed for his tyranny of yore, and not + unjustly. I am bothering some tale of him I have had long by + me into a sort of romance. I think you will like it: it is + Scottified up to the teeth, and somehow I feel myself like + the liberated chiefs of the Rolliad, "who boast their native + philabeg restored." I believe the frolics one can cut in + this loose garb are all set down by you Sassenachs to the + real agility of the wearer, and not the brave, free, and + independent character of his clothing. It is, in a word, the + real Highland fling, and no one is supposed able to dance it + but a native. I always thought that epithet of Gallia + _Braccata_ implied subjugation, and was never surprised at + Caesar's easy conquests, considering that his Labienus and + all his merry men wore, as we say, bottomless breeks. + + Ever yours, + + W. S. + +Well might he describe himself as being hard at work with his Lord of +the Isles. The date of Ballantyne's letter to Miss Edgeworth (November +11), in which he mentions the third Canto as completed; that of the +communication from Mr. Train (November 18), on which so much of Canto +Fifth was grounded; and that of a note from Scott to Ballantyne +(December 16, 1814), announcing that he had sent the last stanza of +the poem: these dates, taken together, afford conclusive evidence of +the fiery rapidity with which the three last Cantos of The Lord of the +Isles were composed. + +He writes, on the 25th December, to Constable that he "had corrected +the last proofs, and was setting out for Abbotsford to refresh the +machine." And in what did his refreshment of the machine consist? +Besides having written within this year the greater part (almost, I +believe, the whole) of the Life of Swift--Waverley--and {p.011} The +Lord of the Isles--he had given two essays to the Encyclopaedia +Supplement, and published, with an Introduction and notes, one of the +most curious pieces of family history ever produced to the world, on +which he labored with more than usual zeal and diligence, from his +warm affection for the noble representative of its author. This +inimitable Memorie of the Somervilles came out in October; and it was +speedily followed by an annotated reprint of the strange old treatise, +entitled "Rowland's letting off the humours of the blood in the head +vein, 1611." He had also kept up his private correspondence on a scale +which I believe never to have been exemplified in the case of any +other person who wrote continually for the press--except, perhaps, +Voltaire; and, to say nothing of strictly professional duties, he had, +as a vast heap of documents now before me proves, superintended from +day to day, except during his Hebridean voyage, the still perplexed +concerns of the Ballantynes, with a watchful assiduity that might have +done credit to the most diligent of tradesmen. The "machine" might +truly require "refreshment." + +It was, as has been seen, on the 7th of November that Scott +acknowledged the receipt of that communication from Mr. Train which +included the story of the Galloway astrologer. There can be no doubt +that this story recalled to his mind, if not the Durham ballad, the +similar but more detailed corruption of it which he had heard told by +his father's servant, John MacKinlay, in the days of George's Square +and Green-breeks, and which he has preserved in the introduction to +Guy Mannering, as the groundwork of that tale. It has been shown that +the three last Cantos of The Lord of the Isles were written between +the 11th of November and the 25th of December; and it is therefore +scarcely to be supposed that any part of this novel had been penned +before he thus talked of "refreshing the machine." It is quite certain +that when James Ballantyne wrote to Miss Edgeworth on the {p.012} +11th November, he could not have seen one page of Guy Mannering, since +he in that letter announces that the new novel of his nameless friend +would depict manners _more ancient_ than those of 1745. And yet it is +equally certain, that before The Lord of the Isles was _published_, +which took place on the 18th of January, 1815, two volumes of Guy +Mannering had been not only written and copied by an amanuensis, but +printed. + +Scott thus writes to Morritt, in sending him his copy of The Lord of +the Isles:-- + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., WORTHING. + + EDINBURGH, 19th January, 1815. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--I have been very foolishly putting off my + writing until I should have time for a good long epistle; + and it is astonishing what a number of trifles have + interfered to prevent my commencing on a great scale. The + last of these has been rather of an extraordinary kind, for + your little friend Walter has chose to make himself the town + talk, by taking what seemed to be the small-pox, despite of + vaccination in infancy, and inoculation with the variolous + matter thereafter, which last I resorted to by way of making + assurance double sure. The medical gentleman who attended + him is of opinion that he _has_ had the real small-pox, but + it shall never be averred by me--for the catastrophe of Tom + Thumb is enough to deter any thinking person from entering + into a feud with the cows. Walter is quite well again, which + was the principal matter I was interested in. We had very + nearly been in a bad scrape, for I had fixed the Monday on + which he sickened, to take him with me for the Christmas + vacation to Abbotsford. It is probable that he would not + have pleaded headache when there was such a party in view, + especially as we were to shoot wild ducks one day together + at Cauldshiels Loch; and what the consequence of such a + journey might have been, God alone knows. + + {p.013} I am clear of The Lord of the Isles, and I trust you + have your copy. It closes my poetic labors upon an extended + scale: but I dare say I shall always be dabbling in rhyme + until the _solve senescentem_. I have directed the copy to + be sent to Portland Place. I want to shake myself free of + Waverley, and accordingly have made a considerable exertion + to finish an odd little tale within such time as will + mystify the public, I trust--unless they suppose me to be + Briareus. Two volumes are already printed, and the only + persons in my confidence, W. Erskine and Ballantyne, are of + opinion that it is much more interesting than Waverley. It + is a tale of private life, and only varied by the perilous + exploits of smugglers and excisemen. The success of Waverley + has given me a spare hundred or two, which I have resolved + to spend in London this spring, bringing up Charlotte and + Sophia with me. I do not forget my English friends--but I + fear they will forget me, unless I show face now and then. + My correspondence gradually drops, as must happen when + people do not meet; and I long to see Ellis, Heber, Gifford, + and one or two more. I do not include Mrs. Morritt and you, + because we are much nearer neighbors, and within a whoop and + a holla in comparison. I think we should come up by sea, if + I were not a little afraid of Charlotte being startled by + the March winds--for our vacation begins 12th March. + + You will have heard of poor Caberfae's death? What a pity it + is he should have outlived his promising young + representative. His state was truly pitiable--all his fine + faculties lost in paralytic imbecility, and yet not so + entirely so but that he perceived his deprivation as in a + glass darkly. Sometimes he was fretful and anxious because + he did not see his son; sometimes he expostulated and + complained that his boy had been allowed to die without his + seeing him; and sometimes, in a less clouded state of + intellect, he was sensible of, and lamented his loss in its + full extent. These, indeed, are {p.014} the "fears of the + brave, and follies of the wise,"[5] which sadden and + humiliate the lingering hours of prolonged existence. Our + friend Lady Hood will now be Caberfae herself. She has the + spirit of a chieftainess in every drop of her blood, but + there are few situations in which the cleverest women are so + apt to be imposed upon as in the management of landed + property, more especially of an Highland estate. I do fear + the accomplishment of the prophecy, that when there should + be a deaf Caberfae, the house was to fall.[6] + + [Footnote 5: Johnson's _Vanity of Human Wishes_.] + + [Footnote 6: Francis, Lord Seaforth, died 11th January, + 1815, in his 60th year, having outlived four sons, all + of high promise. His title died with him, and he was + succeeded in his estates by his daughter, Lady Hood, now + the Hon. Mrs. Stewart-Mackenzie of Seaforth.--See some + verses on Lord Seaforth's death, in Scott's _Poetical + Works_, vol. viii. p. 392 [Cambridge Ed. p. 419]. The + Celtic designation of the chief of the clan MacKenzie, + _Caberfae_, means _Staghead_, the bearing of the family. + The prophecy which Scott alludes to in this letter is + also mentioned by Sir Humphry Davy in one of his + Journals (see his _Life_, by Dr. Davy, vol. ii. p. + 72),--and it was, if the account be correct, a most + extraordinary one, for it connected the fall of the + house of Seaforth not only with the appearance of a deaf + _Caberfae_, but with the contemporaneous appearance of + various different physical misfortunes in several of the + other great Highland chiefs; all of which are said--and + were certainly believed both by Scott and Davy--to have + actually occurred within the memory of the generation + that has not yet passed away. Mr. Morritt can testify + thus far--that he "heard the prophecy quoted in the + Highlands at a time when Lord Seaforth had two sons both + alive and in good health--so that it certainly was not + made _apres coup_." [Mrs. Stewart-Mackenzie died at + Brahan Castle in 1862, in her 79th year. "Her funeral + was one of the largest ever witnessed in the North." The + Seaforth estates passed to the eldest of her three + sons.]] + + I am delighted to find Mrs. Morritt is recovering health and + strength--better walking on the beach at Worthing than on + the _plainstanes_ of Prince's Street, for the weather is + very severe here indeed. I trust Mrs. M. will, in her milder + climate, lay in such a stock of health and strength as may + enable you to face the north in Autumn. I have got the + nicest crib for you possible, just about twelve feet square, + and in the harmonious vicinity of a piggery. You never saw + so minute an establishment,--but {p.015} it has all that we + wish for, and all our friends will care about; and we long + to see you there. Charlotte sends the kindest remembrances + to Mrs. Morritt. + + As for politics, I have thought little about them lately; + the high and exciting interest is so completely subsided, + that the wine is upon the lees. As for America, we have so + managed as to give her the appearance of triumph, and what + is worse, encouragement to resume the war upon a more + favorable opportunity. It was our business to have given + them a fearful memento that the babe unborn should have + remembered; but, having missed this opportunity, I believe + that this country would submit with great reluctance to + continue a war, for which there is really no specific + object. As for the Continental monarchs, there is no + guessing what the folly of Kings and Ministers may do; but + God knows! would any of them look at home, enough is to be + done which might strengthen and improve their dominions in a + different manner than by mere extension. I trust Ministers + will go out rather than be engaged in war again, upon any + account. If France is wise (I have no fear that any + superfluous feeling of humanity will stand in the way), she + will send 10,000 of her most refractory troops to fight with + Christophe and the yellow fever in the Island of St. + Domingo, and then I presume they may sit down in quiet at + home. + + But my sheet grows to an end, and so does the pleading of + the learned counsel, who is thumping the poor bar as I + write. He hems twice. Forward, sweet Orator Higgins!--at + least till I sign myself, dear Morritt, + + Yours most truly, + + Walter SCOTT. + +Guy Mannering was published on the 24th of February--that is, exactly +two months after The Lord of the Isles {p.016} was dismissed from the +author's desk; and--making but a narrow allowance for the operations +of the transcriber, printer, bookseller, etc., I think the dates I +have gathered together confirm the accuracy of what I have often heard +Scott say, that his second novel "was the work of six weeks at a +Christmas." Such was his recipe "for refreshing the machine." + +I am sorry to have to add, that this severity of labor, like the +repetition of it which had such deplorable effects at a later period +of his life, was the result of his anxiety to acquit himself of +obligations arising out of his connection with the commercial +speculations of the Ballantynes. The approach of Christmas, 1814, +brought with it the prospect of such a recurrence of difficulties +about the discount of John's bills, as to render it absolutely +necessary that Scott should either apply again for assistance to his +private friends, or task his literary powers with some such +extravagant effort as has now been recorded. The great object, which +was still to get rid of the heavy stock that had been accumulated +before the storm of May, 1813, at length determined the chief partner +to break up, as soon as possible, the concern which his own sanguine +rashness, and the gross irregularities of his mercurial lieutenant, +had so lamentably perplexed; but Constable, having already enabled the +firm to avoid public exposure more than once, was not now, any more +than when he made his contract for The Lord of the Isles, disposed to +burden himself with an additional load of Weber's Beaumont and +Fletcher, and other almost as unsalable books. While they were still +in hopes of overcoming his scruples, it happened that a worthy friend +of Scott's, the late Mr. Charles Erskine, his sheriff-substitute in +Selkirkshire, had immediate occasion for a sum of money which he had +some time before advanced, at Scott's personal request, to the firm of +John Ballantyne and Company; and on receiving his application, Scott +wrote as follows:-- + + {p.017} TO MR. JOHN BALLANTYNE, BOOKSELLER, EDINBURGH. + + ABBOTSFORD, October 14, 1814. + + DEAR JOHN,--Charles Erskine wishes his money, as he has made + a purchase of land. This is a new perplexity--for paid he + must be forthwith--as his advance was friendly and + confidential. I do not at this moment see how it is to be + raised, but believe I shall find means. In the mean while, + it will be necessary to propitiate the Leviathans of + Paternoster Row. My idea is, that you or James should write + to them to the following effect: That a novel is offered you + by the Author of Waverley; that the author is desirous it + should be out before Mr. Scott's poem, or as soon thereafter + as possible; and that having resolved, as they are aware, to + relinquish publishing, you only wish to avail yourselves of + this offer to the extent of helping off some of your stock. + I leave it to you to consider whether you should condescend + on any particular work to offer them as bread to their + butter--or on any particular amount--as L500. One thing must + be provided, that Constable shares to the extent of the + Scottish sale--they, however, managing. My reason for + letting them have this scent of roast meat is, in case it + should be necessary for us to apply to them to renew bills + in December. Yours, + + W. S. + +Upon receiving this letter, John Ballantyne suggested to Scott that he +should be allowed to offer, not only the new novel, but the next +edition of Waverley, to Longman, Murray, or Blackwood--in the hope +that the prospect of being let in to the profits of the already +established favorite, would overcome effectually the hesitation of one +or other of these houses about venturing on the encumbrance which +Constable seemed to shrink from with such pertinacity; but upon this +ingenious proposition Scott at once set his _veto_. He writes (October +17, 1814):-- + + {p.018} DEAR JOHN,-- + + Your expedients are all wretched, as far as regards me. I + never will give Constable, or any one, room to say I have + broken my word with him in the slightest degree. If I lose + everything else, I will at least keep my honor unblemished; + and I do hold myself bound in honor to offer him a Waverley, + while he shall continue to comply with the conditions + annexed. I intend the new novel to operate as something more + permanent than a mere accommodation; and if I can but be + permitted to do so, I will print it before it is sold to any + one, and then propose, first to Constable and + Longman--second, to Murray and Blackwood--to take the whole + at such a rate as will give them one half of the fair + profits; granting acceptances which, upon an edition of + 3000, which we shall be quite authorized to print, will + amount to an immediate command of L1500; and to this we may + couple the condition, that they must take L500 or L600 of + the old stock. I own I am not solicitous to deal with + Constable alone, nor am I at all bound to offer him the new + novel on any terms; but he, knowing of the intention, may + expect to be treated with, at least, although it is possible + we may not deal. However, if Murray and Blackwood were to + come forward with any handsome proposal as to the stock, I + should certainly have no objection to James's giving the + pledge of the Author of W. for his next work. You are like + the crane in the fable, when you boast of not having got + anything from the business; you may thank God that it did + not bite your head off. Would to God I were at let-a-be for + let-a-be;--but you have done your best, and so must I. + + Yours truly, + + W. S. + +Both Mr. Murray, and Longman's partner, Mr. Rees, were in Scotland +about this time; and the former at least paid Scott a visit at +Abbotsford. Of course, however, whatever propositions they may have +made were received by one or other of the Ballantynes. The result was, +{p.019} that the house of Longman undertook Guy Mannering on the +terms dictated by Scott--namely, granting bills for L1500, and +relieving John Ballantyne and Company of stock to the extent of L500 +more; and Constable's first information of the transaction was from +Messrs. Longman themselves, when they, in compliance with Scott's +wish, as signified in the letter last quoted, offered him a share in +the edition which they had purchased. With one or two exceptions, +originating in circumstances nearly similar, the house of Constable +published all the subsequent series of the Waverley Novels. + +I must not, however, forget that The Lord of the Isles was published a +month before Guy Mannering. The poem was received with an interest +much heightened by the recent and growing success of the mysterious +Waverley. Its appearance, so rapidly following that novel, and +accompanied with the announcement of another prose tale, just about to +be published, by the same hand, puzzled and confounded the mob of +dulness.[7] The more sagacious few said to themselves--Scott is making +one serious effort more in his old line, and by this it will be +determined whether he does or does not altogether renounce that for +his new one. + + [Footnote 7: John Ballantyne put forth the following + paragraph in the _Scots Magazine_ of December, 1814:-- + + "Mr. Scott's poem of _The Lord of the Isles_ will appear + early in January. The Author of _Waverley_ is about to + amuse the public with a new novel, in three volumes, + entitled _Guy Mannering_."] + +The Edinburgh Review on The Lord of the Isles begins with,-- + + "Here is another genuine Lay of the Great Minstrel, with all + his characteristic faults, beauties, and irregularities. The + same glow of coloring--the same energy of narration--the + same amplitude of description are conspicuous--with the same + still more characteristic disdain of puny graces and small + originalities--the true poetical hardihood, in the strength + of which he urges on his Pegasus fearlessly through dense + and rare, and aiming gallantly at the great ends of truth + and effect, {p.020} stoops but rarely to study the means by + which they are to be attained; avails himself without + scruple of common sentiments and common images wherever they + seem fitted for his purpose; and is original by the very + boldness of his borrowing, and impressive by his disregard + of epigram and emphasis." + +The conclusion of the contemporaneous article in the Quarterly Review +is as follows:-- + + "The many beautiful passages which we have extracted from + the poem, combined with the brief remarks subjoined to each + canto, will sufficiently show, that although The Lord of the + Isles is not likely to add very much to the reputation of + Mr. Scott, yet this must be imputed rather to the greatness + of his previous reputation, than to the absolute inferiority + of the poem itself. Unfortunately, its merits are merely + incidental, while its defects are mixed up with the very + elements of the poem. But it is not in the power of Mr. + Scott to write with tameness; be the subject what it will + (and he could not easily have chosen one more + impracticable), he impresses upon whatever scenes he + describes so much movement and activity,--he infuses into + his narrative such a flow of life, and, if we may so express + ourselves, of animal spirits, that without satisfying the + judgment, or moving the feelings, or elevating the mind, or + even very greatly interesting the curiosity, he is able to + seize upon, and, as it were, exhilarate the imagination of + his readers, in a manner which is often truly unaccountable. + This quality Mr. Scott possesses in an admirable degree; and + supposing that he had no other object in view than to + convince the world of the great poetical powers with which + he is gifted, the poem before us would be quite sufficient + for his purpose. But this is of very inferior importance to + the public; what they want is a good poem, and, as + experience has shown, this can only be constructed upon a + solid foundation of taste, and judgment, and meditation." + +These passages appear to me to condense the result of deliberate and +candid reflection, and I have therefore quoted them. The most +important remarks of either Essayist on the details of the plot and +execution are annexed to the last edition of the poem; and show such +an {p.021} exact coincidence of judgment in two masters of their +calling, as had not hitherto been exemplified in the professional +criticism of his metrical romances. The defects which both point out +are, I presume, but too completely explained by the preceding +statement of the rapidity with which this, the last of those great +performances, had been thrown off; nor do I see that either Reviewer +has failed to do sufficient justice to the beauties which redeem the +imperfections of The Lord of the Isles--except as regards the whole +character of Bruce, its real hero, and the picture of the battle of +Bannockburn, which, now that one can compare these works from +something like the same point of view, does not appear to me in the +slightest particular inferior to the Flodden of Marmion. + +This poem is now, I believe, about as popular as Rokeby; but it has +never reached the same station in general favor with the Lay, Marmion, +or The Lady of the Lake. The first edition of 1800 copies in quarto +was, however, rapidly disposed of, and the separate editions in 8vo, +which ensued before his poetical works were collected, amounted +together to 12,250 copies. This, in the case of almost any other +author, would have been splendid success; but as compared with what he +had previously experienced, even in his Rokeby, and still more so as +compared with the enormous circulation at once attained by Lord +Byron's early tales, which were then following each other in almost +breathless succession, the falling off was decided. One evening, some +days after the poem had been published, Scott requested James +Ballantyne to call on him, and the printer found him alone in his +library, working at the third volume of Guy Mannering. I give what +follows from Ballantyne's Memoranda:-- + + "'Well, James,' he said, 'I have given you a week--what are + people saying about The Lord of the Isles?' I hesitated a + little, after the fashion of Gil Blas, but he speedily + brought the matter to a point. 'Come,' he said, 'speak out, + my good {p.022} fellow; what has put it into your head to + be on so much ceremony _with me_ all of a sudden? But, I see + how it is, the result is given in one + word--_Disappointment_.' My silence admitted his inference + to the fullest extent. His countenance certainly did look + rather blank for a few seconds; in truth, he had been wholly + unprepared for the event; for it is a singular fact, that + before the public, or rather the booksellers, had given + their decision, he no more knew whether he had written well + or ill, than whether a die thrown out of a box was to turn + up a size or an ace. However, he instantly resumed his + spirits, and expressed his wonder rather that his poetical + popularity should have lasted so long, than that it should + have now at last given way. At length he said, with perfect + cheerfulness, 'Well, well, James, so be it--but you know we + must not droop, for we can't afford to give over. Since one + line has failed, we must just stick to something else:'--and + so he dismissed me and resumed his novel." + +Ballantyne concludes the anecdote in these words:-- + + "He spoke thus, probably unaware of the undiscovered wonders + then slumbering in his mind. Yet still he could not but have + felt that the production of a few poems was nothing in + comparison of what must be in reserve for him, for he was at + this time scarcely more than forty.[8] An evening or two + after, I called again on him, and found on the table a copy + of The Giaour, which he seemed to have been reading. Having + an enthusiastic young lady in my house, I asked him if I + might carry the book home with me, but chancing to glance on + the autograph blazon, '_To the Monarch of Parnassus from one + of his subjects_,' instantly retracted my request, and said + I had not observed Lord Byron's inscription before. 'What + inscription?' said he; 'oh yes, I had forgot, but + inscription or no inscription, you are equally welcome.' I + again took it up, and he continued, 'James, Byron hits the + mark where I don't even pretend to fledge my arrow.' At this + time he had never seen Byron, but I knew he meant soon to be + in London, when, no doubt, the mighty consummation of the + meeting of the two bards would be accomplished; and I + ventured to say that he must be looking forward to it with + some interest. His countenance {p.023} became fixed, and he + answered impressively, 'Oh, of course.' In a minute or two + afterwards he rose from his chair, paced the room at a very + rapid rate, which was his practice in certain moods of mind, + then made a dead halt, and bursting into an extravaganza of + laughter, 'James,' cried he, 'I'll tell you what Byron + should say to me when we are about to accost each other,-- + + [Footnote 8: He was not forty-four till August, 1815.] + + "Art thou the man whom men famed Grizzle call?" + + And then how germane would be my answer,-- + + "Art thou the still more famed Tom Thumb the small?"' + + "This," says the printer, "is a specimen of his peculiar + humor; it kept him full of mirth for the rest of the + evening." + +The whole of the scene strikes me as equally and delightfully +characteristic; I may add, hardly more so of Scott than of his +printer; for Ballantyne, with all his profound worship of his friend +and benefactor, was in truth, even more than he, an undoubting +acquiescer in "the decision of the public, or rather of the +booksellers;" and among the many absurdities into which his reverence +for the popedom of Paternoster Row led him, I never could but consider +with special astonishment, the facility with which he seemed to have +adopted the notion that the Byron of 1814 was really entitled to +supplant Scott as a popular poet. Appreciating, as a man of his +talents could hardly fail to do, the splendidly original glow and +depth of Childe Harold, he always appeared to me quite blind to the +fact, that in The Giaour, in The Bride of Abydos, in Parisina, and +indeed in all his early serious narratives, Byron owed at least half +his success to clever, though perhaps unconscious imitation of Scott, +and no trivial share of the rest to the lavish use of materials which +Scott never employed, only because his genius was, from the beginning +to the end of his career, under the guidance of high and chivalrous +feelings of moral rectitude. All this Lord Byron himself seems to have +felt most completely--as witness the whole sequence of {p.024} his +letters and diaries;[9] and I think I see many symptoms that both the +decision of the million, and its index, "the decision of the +booksellers," tend the same way at present; but my business is to +record, as far as my means may permit, the growth and structure of one +great mind, and the effect which it produced upon the actual witnesses +of its manifestations, not to obtrude the conjectures of a partial +individual as to what rank posterity may assign it amongst or above +contemporary rivals. + + [Footnote 9: _E. G._ "If they want to depose Scott, I + only wish they would not set me up as a competitor. I + like the man--and admire his works to what Mr. Braham + calls _Entusymusy_. All such stuff can only vex him, and + do me no good."--Byron (1813), vol. ii. p. 259. + + "Scott is certainly the most wonderful writer of the + day. His novels are a new literature in themselves, and + his poetry as good as any--if not better (only on an + erroneous system), and only ceased to be popular, + because the vulgar learned were tired of hearing + 'Aristides called the Just,' and Scott the Best, and + ostracized him."--Byron (1821), vol. v. p. 72.] + +The following letter was addressed to Lord Byron on the receipt of +that copy of The Giaour to which Mr. Ballantyne's Memorandum refers: I +believe the inscription to Scott first appeared on the ninth edition +of the poem: + + TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD BYRON, LONDON. + + MY LORD,--I have long owed you my best thanks for the + uncommon pleasure I had in perusing your high-spirited + Turkish fragment. But I should hardly have ventured to offer + them, well knowing how you must be overwhelmed by volunteer + intrusions of approbation (which always look as if the + writer valued his opinion at fully more than it may be + worth) unless I had to-day learned that I have an apology + for entering upon the subject, from your having so kindly + sent me a copy of the poem. I did not receive it sooner, + owing to my absence from Edinburgh, where it had been lying + quietly at my house in Castle Street; so that I must have + seemed ungrateful, when, in truth, I was only modest. The + last offence may be forgiven, as not common in a lawyer + {p.025} and poet; the first is said to be equal to the + crime of witchcraft, but many an act of my life hath shown + that I am no conjurer. If I were, however, ten times more + modest than twenty years' attendance at the Bar renders + probable, your flattering inscription would cure me of so + unfashionable a malady. I might, indeed, lately have had a + legal title to as much supremacy on Parnassus as can be + conferred by a sign-manual, for I had a very flattering + offer of the laurel; but as I felt obliged, for a great many + reasons, to decline it, I am altogether unconscious of any + other title to sit high upon the forked hill. + + To return to The Giaour; I had lent my first edition, but + the whole being imprinted in my memory, I had no difficulty + in tracing the additions, which are great improvements, as I + should have conjectured aforehand merely from their being + additions. I hope your Lordship intends to proceed with this + fascinating style of composition. You have access to a + stream of sentiments, imagery, and manners, which are so + little known to us as to convey all the interest of novelty, + yet so endeared to us by the early perusal of Eastern tales, + that we are not embarrassed with utter ignorance upon the + subject. Vathek, bating some passages, would have made a + charming subject for a tale. The conclusion is truly grand. + I would give a great deal to know the originals from which + it was drawn. Excuse this hasty scrawl, and believe me, my + Lord, your Lordship's much obliged, very humble servant, + + Walter SCOTT. + +If January brought the writer of this letter "disappointment," there +was abundant consolation in store for February, 1815. Guy Mannering +was received with eager curiosity, and pronounced by acclamation fully +worthy to share the honors of Waverley. The easy transparent flow of +its style; the beautiful simplicity, and here and there the wild +solemn magnificence of its {p.026} sketches of scenery; the rapid, +ever heightening interest of the narrative; the unaffected kindliness +of feeling, the manly purity of thought, everywhere mingled with a +gentle humor and a homely sagacity; but, above all, the rich variety +and skilful contrast of characters and manners, at once fresh in +fiction, and stamped with the unforgeable seal of truth and nature: +these were charms that spoke to every heart and mind; and the few +murmurs of pedantic criticism were lost in the voice of general +delight, which never fails to welcome the invention that introduces to +the sympathy of imagination a new group of immortal realities. + +The earlier chapters of the present narrative have anticipated much of +what I might, perhaps with better judgment, have reserved for this +page. Taken together with the author's Introduction and Notes, those +anecdotes of his days of youthful wandering must, however, have +enabled the reader to trace almost as minutely as he could wish, the +sources from which the novelist drew his materials, both of scenery +and character; and the Durham Garland, which I print in the Appendix +to this volume, exhausts my information concerning the humble +groundwork on which fancy reared this delicious romance.[10] + + [Footnote 10: I leave my text as it stood in the former + editions; but since the last of these appeared, a writer + in _The Gentleman's Magazine_ (July, 1840) has pointed + out some very remarkable coincidences between the + narrative of _Guy Mannering_ and the very singular + history of James Annesley, claimant in 1743 of the + honors and estates of the Earls of Anglesey, in Ireland. + That Sir Walter must have read the records of this + celebrated trial, as well as Smollett's edition of the + story in _Peregrine Pickle_, there can be no doubt. How + the circumstance had not recurred to his memory when + writing the explanatory Introduction to his Novel, I can + offer no conjecture. Very possibly the _Garland_ itself + may have been framed after the Annesley trial took + place.--(1841.) [The paper in _The Gentleman's + Magazine_, referred to above, will be found in the + Appendix to this volume.]] + +The first edition was, like that of Waverley, in three little volumes, +with a humility of paper and printing which the meanest novelist would +now disdain to imitate; {p.027} the price a guinea. The 2000 copies +of which it consisted were sold the day after the publication; and +within three months came a second and a third impression, making +together 5000 copies more. The sale, before those novels began to be +collected, had reached nearly 10,000; and since then (to say nothing +of foreign reprints of the text, and myriads of translations into +every tongue of Europe) the domestic sale has amounted to 50,000. + +On the rising of the Court of Session in March, Mr. and Mrs. Scott +went by sea to London with their eldest girl, whom, being yet too +young for general society, they again deposited with Joanna Baillie at +Hampstead, while they themselves resumed, for two months, their usual +quarters at kind Miss Dumergue's in Piccadilly. Six years had elapsed +since Scott last appeared in the metropolis; and brilliant as his +reception had then been, it was still more so on the present occasion. +Scotland had been visited in the interim, chiefly from the interest +excited by his writings, by crowds of the English nobility, most of +whom had found introduction to his personal acquaintance--not a few +had partaken of his hospitality at Ashestiel or Abbotsford. The +generation among whom, I presume, a genius of this order feels his +own influence with the proudest and sweetest confidence--on whose +fresh minds and ears he has himself made the first indelible +impressions--the generation with whose earliest romance of the heart +and fancy his idea had been blended, was now grown to the full +stature; the success of these recent novels, seen on every table, the +subject of every conversation, had, with those who did not doubt their +parentage, far more than counterweighed his declination, dubious after +all, in the poetical balance; while the mystery that hung over them +quickened the curiosity of the hesitating and conjecturing many--and +the name on which ever and anon some new circumstance accumulated +stronger suspicion, loomed larger through the {p.028} haze in which +he had thought fit to envelop it. Moreover, this was a period of high +national pride and excitement. + + "O who that shared them ever shall forget + The emotions of the spirit-rousing time, + When breathless in the mart the couriers met, + Early and late, at evening and at prime; + When the loud cannon and the merry chime + Hail'd news on news, as field on field was won, + When Hope, long doubtful, soared at length sublime, + And our glad eyes, awake as day begun, + Watch'd Joy's broad banner rise, to meet the rising sun? + + "O these were hours, when thrilling joy repaid + A long, long course of darkness, doubts, and fears! + The heart-sick faintness of the hope delayed, + The waste, the woe, the bloodshed, and the tears + That tracked with terror twenty rolling years-- + All was forgot in that blithe jubilee. + Her downcast eye even pale Affliction rears, + To sigh a thankful prayer amid the glee + That hailed the Despot's fall, and peace and liberty!"[11] + + [Footnote 11: _Lord of the Isles_, Canto vi.] + +At such a time, Prince and people were well prepared to hail him who, +more perhaps than any other master of the pen, had contributed to +sustain the spirit of England throughout the struggle, which was as +yet supposed to have been terminated on the field of Toulouse. "Thank +Heaven you are coming at last!" Joanna Baillie had written a month or +two before. "Make up your mind to be stared at only a little less than +the Czar of Muscovy, or old Bluecher." + +And now took place James Ballantyne's "mighty consummation of the +meeting of the two bards." Scott's own account of it, in a letter to +Mr. Moore, must have been seen by most of my readers; yet I think it +ought also to find a place here. He says:-- + +"It was in the spring of 1815, that, chancing to be in London, I had +the advantage of a personal introduction {p.029} to Lord Byron. +Report had prepared me to meet a man of peculiar habits and a quick +temper, and I had some doubts whether we were likely to suit each +other in society. I was most agreeably disappointed in this respect. I +found Lord Byron in the highest degree courteous, and even kind. We +met for an hour or two almost daily, in Mr. Murray's drawing-room, and +found a great deal to say to each other.[12] We also met frequently in +parties and evening society, so that for about two months I had the +advantage of a considerable intimacy with this distinguished +individual. Our sentiments agreed a good deal, except upon the +subjects of religion and politics, upon neither of which I was +inclined to believe that Lord Byron entertained very fixed opinions. I +remember saying to him, that I really thought that if he lived a few +years he would alter his sentiments. He answered, rather sharply, 'I +suppose you are one of those who prophesy I shall turn Methodist.' I +replied: 'No, I don't expect your conversion to be of such an ordinary +kind. I would rather look to see you retreat upon the Catholic faith, +and distinguish yourself by the austerity of your penances. The +species of religion to which you must, or may, one day attach +yourself, must exercise a strong power on the imagination.' He smiled +gravely, and seemed to allow I might be right. + + [Footnote 12: [John Murray--the third of the name--gives + some interesting notes of his recollections of these + meetings in Albemarle Street, in the _Memoirs_ of his + father (vol. i. p. 267).]] + +"On politics, he used sometimes to express a high strain of what is +now called Liberalism; but it appeared to me that the pleasure it +afforded him, as a vehicle for displaying his wit and satire against +individuals in office, was at the bottom of this habit of thinking, +rather than any real conviction of the political principles on which +he talked. He was certainly proud of his rank and ancient family, and, +in that respect, as much an aristocrat {p.030} as was consistent with +good sense and good breeding. Some disgusts, how adopted I know not, +seemed to me to have given this peculiar and (as it appeared to me) +contradictory cast of mind; but, at heart, I would have termed Byron a +patrician on principle. + +"Lord Byron's reading did not seem to me to have been very extensive, +either in poetry or history. Having the advantage of him in that +respect, and possessing a good competent share of such reading as is +little read, I was sometimes able to put under his eye objects which +had for him the interest of novelty. I remember particularly repeating +to him the fine poem of Hardyknute, an imitation of the old Scottish +ballad, with which he was so much affected, that some one who was in +the same apartment asked me what I could possibly have been telling +Byron by which he was so much agitated. + +"I saw Byron for the last time in 1815, after I returned from France. +He dined, or lunched, with me at Long's, in Bond Street. I never saw +him so full of gayety and good-humor, to which the presence of Mr. +Mathews, the comedian, added not a little. Poor Terry was also +present. After one of the gayest parties I ever was present at, my +fellow-traveller, Mr. Scott of Gala, and I set off for Scotland, and I +never saw Lord Byron again. Several letters passed between us--one +perhaps every half-year. Like the old heroes in Homer, we exchanged +gifts. I gave Byron a beautiful dagger mounted with gold, which had +been the property of the redoubted Elfi Bey. But I was to play the +part of Diomed in the Iliad, for Byron sent me, some time after, a +large sepulchral vase of silver. It was full of dead men's bones, and +had inscriptions on two sides of the base. One ran thus: 'The bones +contained in this urn were found in certain ancient sepulchres within +the long walls of Athens, in the month of February, 1811.' The other +face bears the lines of Juvenal: '_Expende--quot libras in duce summo +{p.031} invenies?--Mors sola fatetur quantula sint hominum +corpuscula._' + +"To these I have added a third inscription, in these words, 'The gift +of Lord Byron to Walter Scott.'[13] There was a letter with this vase, +more valuable to me than the gift itself, from the kindness with which +the donor expressed himself towards me. I left it naturally in the urn +with the bones; but it is now missing. As the theft was not of a +nature to be practised by a mere domestic, I am compelled to suspect +the inhospitality of some individual of higher station, most +gratuitously exercised certainly, since, after what I have here said, +no one will probably choose to boast of possessing this literary +curiosity. + + [Footnote 13: Mr. Murray had, at the time of giving the + vase, suggested to Lord Byron, that it would increase + the value of the gift to add some such inscription; but + the noble poet answered modestly,-- + + "April 9, 1815. DEAR MURRAY,--I have a great objection + to your proposition about inscribing the vase--which is, + that it would appear _ostentatious_ on my part; and of + course I must send it as it is, without any alteration. + Yours ever, BYRON."] + +"We had a good deal of laughing, I remember, on what the public might +be supposed to think, or say, concerning the gloomy and ominous nature +of our mutual gifts. + +"I think I can add little more to my recollections of Byron. He was +often melancholy--almost gloomy. When I observed him in this humor, I +used either to wait till it went off of its own accord, or till some +natural and easy mode occurred of leading him into conversation, when +the shadows almost always left his countenance, like the mist rising +from a landscape. In conversation he was very animated. + +"I met with him very frequently in society; our mutual acquaintances +doing me the honor to think that he liked to meet with me. Some very +agreeable parties I can recollect--particularly one at Sir George +Beaumont's--where the amiable landlord had assembled some persons +{p.032} distinguished for talent. Of these I need only mention the +late Sir Humphry Davy, whose talents for literature were as remarkable +as his empire over science. Mr. Richard Sharpe and Mr. Rogers were +also present. + +"I think I also remarked in Byron's temper starts of suspicion, when +he seemed to pause and consider whether there had not been a secret, +and perhaps offensive, meaning in something casually said to him. In +this case, I also judged it best to let his mind, like a troubled +spring, work itself clear, which it did in a minute or two. I was +considerably older, you will recollect, than my noble friend, and had +no reason to fear his misconstruing my sentiments towards him, nor had +I ever the slightest reason to doubt that they were kindly returned on +his part. If I had occasion to be mortified by the display of genius +which threw into the shade such pretensions as I was then supposed to +possess, I might console myself that, in my own case, the materials of +mental happiness had been mingled in a greater proportion. + +"I rummage my brains in vain for what often rushes into my head +unbidden--little traits and sayings which recall his looks, manner, +tone, and gestures; and I have always continued to think that a crisis +of life was arrived, in which a new career of fame was opened to him, +and that had he been permitted to start upon it, he would have +obliterated the memory of such parts of his life as friends would wish +to forget." + +I have nothing to add to this interesting passage, except that Joanna +Baillie's tragedy of The Family Legend being performed at one of the +theatres during Scott's stay in town, Lord Byron accompanied the +authoress and Mr. and Mrs. Scott to witness the representation; and +that the vase with the Attic bones appears to have been sent to Scott +very soon after his arrival in London, not, as Mr. Moore had gathered +from the hasty diction of his Reminiscences, at some "subsequent +period of their acquaintance." {p.033} This is sufficiently proved by +the following note:-- + + TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE LORD BYRON, ETC., ETC. + + PICCADILLY, MONDAY. + + MY DEAR LORD,--I am not a little ashamed of the value of the + shrine in which your Lordship has enclosed the Attic relics; + but were it yet more costly, the circumstance could not add + value to it in my estimation, when considered as a pledge of + your Lordship's regard and friendship. The principal + pleasure which I have derived from my connection with + literature has been the access which it has given me to + those who are distinguished by talents and accomplishments; + and, standing so high as your Lordship justly does in that + rank, my satisfaction in making your acquaintance has been + proportionally great. It is one of those wishes which, after + having been long and earnestly entertained, I have found + completely gratified upon becoming personally known to you; + and I trust you will permit me to profit by it frequently, + during my stay in town. I am, my dear Lord, your truly + obliged and faithful + + Walter SCOTT. + +It was also in the spring of 1815 that Scott had, for the first time, +the honor of being presented to the Prince Regent. His Royal Highness +had (as has been seen from a letter to Joanna Baillie, already quoted) +signified, more than a year before this time, his wish that the poet +should revisit London--and, on reading his Edinburgh Address in +particular, he said to Mr. Dundas, that "Walter Scott's charming +behavior about the laureateship had made him doubly desirous of seeing +him at Carlton House." More lately, on receiving a copy of The Lord of +the Isles, his Royal Highness's librarian had been commanded to write +to him in these terms:-- + + {p.034} TO WALTER SCOTT, ESQ., EDINBURGH. + + CARLTON HOUSE, January 19, 1815. + + MY DEAR SIR,--You are deservedly so great a favorite with + the Prince Regent, that his librarian is not only directed + to return you the thanks of his Royal Highness for your + valuable present, but to inform you that the Prince Regent + particularly wishes to see you whenever you come to London; + and desires you will always, when you are there, come into + his library whenever you please. Believe me always, with + sincerity, one of your warmest admirers, and most obliged + friends, + + J. S. CLARKE. + +On hearing from Mr. Croker (then Secretary to the Admiralty) that +Scott was to be in town by the middle of March, the Prince said, "Let +me know when he comes, and I'll get up a snug little dinner that will +suit him;" and, after he had been presented and graciously received at +the levee, he was invited to dinner accordingly, through his excellent +friend Mr. Adam (now Lord Chief Commissioner of the Jury Court in +Scotland),[14] who at that time held a confidential office in the +royal household. The Regent had consulted with Mr. Adam also as to the +composition of the party. "Let us have," said he, "just a few friends +of his own--and the more Scotch the better;" and both the Chief +Commissioner and Mr. Croker assure me that the party was the most +interesting and agreeable one in their recollection. It comprised, I +believe, the Duke of York--the late Duke of Gordon (then Marquis of +Huntly)--the Marquis of Hertford (then Lord Yarmouth)--the Earl of +Fife--and {p.035} Scott's early friend Lord Melville. "The Prince and +Scott," says Mr. Croker, "were the two most brilliant story-tellers in +their several ways, that I have ever happened to meet; they were both +aware of their _forte_, and both exerted themselves that evening with +delightful effect. On going home, I really could not decide which of +them had shone the most. The Regent was enchanted with Scott, as Scott +with him; and on all his subsequent visits to London, he was a +frequent guest at the royal table." The Lord Chief Commissioner +remembers that the Prince was particularly delighted with the poet's +anecdotes of the old Scotch judges and lawyers, which his Royal +Highness sometimes _capped_ by ludicrous traits of certain ermined +sages of his own acquaintance. Scott told, among others, a story, +which he was fond of telling; and the commentary of his Royal Highness +on hearing it amused Scott, who often mentioned it afterwards. The +anecdote is this: A certain Judge, whenever he went on a particular +circuit, was in the habit of visiting a gentleman of good fortune in +the neighborhood of one of the assize towns, and staying at least one +night, which, being both of them ardent chess-players, they usually +concluded with their favorite game. One Spring circuit the battle was +not decided at daybreak, so the Judge said, "Weel, Donald, I must e'en +come back this gate in the harvest, and let the game lie ower for the +present;" and back he came in October, but not to his old friend's +hospitable house; for that gentleman had, in the interim, been +apprehended on a capital charge (of forgery), and his name stood on +the _Porteous Roll_, or list of those who were about to be tried under +his former guest's auspices. The laird was indicted and tried +accordingly, and the jury returned a verdict of _guilty_. The Judge +forthwith put on his cocked hat (which answers to the black cap in +England), and pronounced the sentence of the law in the usual terms: +"To be hanged by the neck until you be dead; and may the Lord have +{p.036} mercy upon your unhappy soul!" Having concluded this awful +formula in his most sonorous cadence, the Judge, dismounting his +formidable beaver, gave a familiar nod to his unfortunate +acquaintance, and said to him in a sort of chuckling whisper, "And +now, Donald, my man, I think I've checkmated you for ance." The Regent +laughed heartily at this specimen of judicial humor; and "I' faith, +Walter," said he, "this old big-wig seems to have taken things as +coolly as my tyrannical self. Don't you remember Tom Moore's +description of me at breakfast,-- + + 'The table spread with tea and toast, + Death-warrants and the Morning Post?'" + + [Footnote 14: This most amiable and venerable gentleman, + my dear and kind friend, died at Edinburgh on the 17th + February, 1839, in the 80th year of his age. He retained + his strong mental faculties in their perfect vigor to + the last days of this long life, and with them all the + warmth of social feelings which had endeared him to all + who were so happy as to have any opportunity of knowing + him. The reader will find an affectionate tribute to his + worth, from Sir Walter Scott's Diary, in a subsequent + volume of these Memoirs.--(March, 1839.)] + +Towards midnight, the Prince called for "a bumper, with all the +honors, to the Author of Waverley," and looked significantly, as he +was charging his own glass, to Scott. Scott seemed somewhat puzzled +for a moment, but instantly recovering himself, and filling his glass +to the brim, said, "Your Royal Highness looks as if you thought I had +some claim to the honors of this toast. I have no such pretensions, +but shall take good care that the real Simon Pure hears of the high +compliment that has now been paid him." He then drank off his claret, +and joined in the cheering, which the Prince himself timed. But before +the company could resume their seats, his Royal Highness exclaimed, +"Another of the same, if you please, to the Author of Marmion--and +now, Walter, my man, I have checkmated you for _ance_." The second +bumper was followed by cheers still more prolonged: and Scott then +rose and returned thanks in a short address, which struck the Lord +Chief Commissioner as "alike grave and graceful." This story has been +circulated in a very perverted shape. I now give it on the authority +of my venerated friend. He adds, that having occasion, the day after, +to call on the Duke of York, his Royal Highness said to him: "Upon my +word, Adam, my brother went rather too near the wind about +Waverley--but {p.037} nobody could have turned the thing more +prettily than Walter Scott did--and upon the whole I never had better +fun."[15] + + [Footnote 15: Since this narrative was first published, + I have been told by two gentlemen who were at this + dinner, that, according to their recollection, the + Prince _did not_ on that occasion run so "near the wind" + as my text represents; and I am inclined to believe that + a scene at Dalkeith, in 1822, may have been + unconsciously blended with a gentler rehearsal of + Carlton House, 1815. The Chief Commissioner had promised + to revise my sheets for the present edition; but alas, + he never did so--and I must now leave the matter as it + stands.--(1839.)] + +The Regent, as was his custom with those he most delighted to honor, +uniformly addressed the poet, even at their first dinner, by his +Christian name, "Walter." + +Before he left town, he again dined at Carlton House, when the party +was a still smaller one than before, and the merriment, if possible, +still more free. That nothing might be wanting, the Prince sung +several capital songs in the course of that evening--as witness the +lines in Sultan Serendib:[16]-- + + "I love a Prince will bid the bottle pass, + Exchanging with his subjects glance and glass, + In fitting time can, gayest of the gay, + Keep up the jest and mingle in the lay. + Such Monarchs best our freeborn humor suit, + But despots must be stately, stern, and mute."[17] + + [Footnote 16: [_The Search after Happiness._]] + + [Footnote 17: Scott's _Poetical Works_, vol. xi. p. 353 + [Cambridge Ed. p. 431].] + +Before he returned to Edinburgh, on the 22d of May, the Regent sent +him a gold snuff-box, set in brilliants, with a medallion of his Royal +Highness's head on the lid, "as a testimony" (writes Mr. Adam, in +transmitting it) "of the high opinion his Royal Highness entertains of +your genius and merit." + +I transcribe what follows from James Ballantyne's _Memoranda_:-- + + "After Mr. Scott's first interview with his Sovereign, one + or two intimate friends took the liberty of inquiring, what + judgment he had formed of the Regent's talents? He declined + {p.038} giving any definite answer--but repeated that 'he + was the first gentleman he had seen--certainly the first + _English_ gentleman of his day;--there was something about + him which, independently of the _prestige_, the "divinity, + which hedges a King," marked him as standing entirely by + himself; but as to his abilities, spoken of as distinct from + his charming manners, how could any one form a fair judgment + of that man who introduced whatever subject he chose, + discussed it just as long as he chose, and dismissed it when + he chose?'" + +Ballantyne adds:-- + + "What I have now to say is more important, not only in + itself, but as it will enable you to give a final + contradiction to an injurious report which has been in + circulation; namely, that the Regent asked him as to the + authorship of Waverley, and received a distinct and solemn + denial. I took the bold freedom of requesting to know _from + him_ whether his Royal Highness had questioned him on that + subject, and what had been his answer. He glanced at me with + a look of mild surprise, and said, 'What answer I might have + made to such a question, put to me by my Sovereign, perhaps + I do not, or rather perhaps I do know; but I was never put + to the test. He is far too well-bred a man ever to put so + ill-bred a question.'" + +The account I have already given of the convivial scene alluded to +would probably have been sufficient; but it can do no harm to place +Ballantyne's, or rather Scott's own testimony, also on record. + +I ought not to have omitted, that during Scott's residence in London, +in April, 1815, he lost one of the English friends, to a meeting with +whom he had looked forward with the highest pleasure. Mr. George Ellis +died on the 15th of that month, at his seat of Sunning Hill. This +threw a cloud over what would otherwise have been a period of unmixed +enjoyment. Mr. Canning penned the epitaph for that dearest of his +friends, but he submitted it to Scott's consideration before it was +engraved. + + + + +{p.039} CHAPTER XXXV. + + Battle of Waterloo. -- Letter of Sir Charles Bell. -- Visit + to the Continent. -- Waterloo. -- Letters from Brussels and + Paris. -- Anecdotes of Scott at Paris. -- The Duke of + Wellington. -- The Emperor Alexander. -- Bluecher. -- + Platoff. -- Party at Ermenonville, etc. -- London. -- + Parting with Lord Byron. -- Scott's Sheffield Knife. -- + Return to Abbotsford. -- Anecdotes by Mr. Skene and James + Ballantyne. + +1815. + + +Goethe expressed, I fancy, a very general sentiment, when he said, +that to him the great charm and value of my friend's Life of +Buonaparte seemed quite independent of the question of its accuracy as +to small details; that he turned eagerly to the book, not to find +dates sifted, and countermarches analyzed, but to contemplate what +could not but be a true record of the broad impressions made on the +mind of Scott by the marvellous revolutions of his own time in their +progress. Feeling how justly in the main that work has preserved those +impressions, though gracefully softened and sobered in the retrospect +of peaceful and more advanced years, I the less regret that I have it +not in my power to quote any letters of his touching the reappearance +of Napoleon on the soil of France--the immortal march from Cannes--the +reign of the Hundred Days, and the preparations for another struggle, +which fixed the gaze of Europe in May, 1815. + +That he should have been among the first civilians {p.040} who +hurried over to see the field of Waterloo, and hear English bugles +sound about the walls of Paris, could have surprised none who knew the +lively concern he had always taken in the military efforts of his +countrymen, and the career of the illustrious captain, who had taught +them to reestablish the renown of Agincourt and Blenheim,-- + + "Victor of Assaye's Eastern plain, + Victor of all the fields of Spain." + +I had often heard him say, however, that his determination was, if not +fixed, much quickened by a letter of an old acquaintance of his, who +had, on the arrival of the news of the 18th of June, instantly +repaired to Brussels, to tender his professional skill in aid of the +overburdened medical staff of the conqueror's army. When, therefore, I +found the letter in question preserved among Scott's papers, I perused +it with a peculiar interest; and I now venture, with the writer's +permission, to present it to the reader. It was addressed by Sir +Charles Bell to his brother, an eminent barrister in Edinburgh, who +transmitted it to Scott. "When I read it," said he, "it set me on +fire." The marriage of Miss Maclean Clephane of Torloisk with the Earl +Compton (now Marquis of Northampton), which took place on the 24th of +July, was in fact the only cause why he did not leave Scotland +instantly; for that dear young friend had chosen Scott for her +guardian, and on him accordingly devolved the chief care of the +arrangements on this occasion. The extract sent to him by Mr. George +Joseph Bell is as follows:-- + + "BRUSSELS, 2d July, 1815. + + "This country, the finest in the world, has been of late + quite out of our minds. I did not, in any degree, anticipate + the pleasure I should enjoy, the admiration forced from me, + on coming into one of these antique towns, or in journeying + through the rich garden. Can you recollect the time when + there were gentlemen meeting at the Cross of Edinburgh, or + those whom we thought such? They are all collected here. + {p.041} You see the very men, with their scraggy necks + sticking out of the collars of their old-fashioned + square-skirted coats--their canes--their cocked-hats; and, + when they meet, the formal bow, the hat off to the ground, + and the powder flying in the wind. I could divert you with + the odd resemblances of the Scottish faces among the + peasants, too--but I noted _them_ at the time with my + pencil, and I write to you only of things that you won't + find in my pocket-book. + + "I have just returned from seeing the French wounded + received in their hospital; and could you see them laid out + naked, or almost so--100 in a row of low beds on the + ground--though wounded, exhausted, beaten, you would still + conclude with me that these were men capable of marching + unopposed from the west of Europe to the east of Asia. + Strong, thickset, hardy veterans, brave spirits and + unsubdued, as they cast their wild glance upon you,--their + black eyes and brown cheeks finely contrasted with the fresh + sheets,--you would much admire their capacity of adaptation. + These fellows are brought from the field after lying many + days on the ground; many dying--many in the agony--many + miserably racked with pain and spasms; and the next mimics + his fellow, and gives it a tune,--_Aha, vous chantez bien!_ + How they are wounded you will see in my notes. But I must + not have you to lose the present impression on me of the + formidable nature of these fellows as exemplars of the breed + in France. It is a forced praise; for from all I have seen, + and all I have heard of their fierceness, cruelty, and + bloodthirstiness, I cannot convey to you my detestation of + this race of trained banditti. By what means they are to be + kept in subjection until other habits come upon them, I know + not; but I am convinced that these men cannot be left to the + bent of their propensities. + + "This superb city is now ornamented with the finest groups + of armed men that the most romantic fancy could dream of. I + was struck with the words of a friend--E. 'I saw,' said he, + '_that_ man returning from the field on the 16th.' (This was + a Brunswicker, of the Black or Death Hussars.) 'He was + wounded, and had had his arm amputated on the field. He was + among the first that came in. He rode straight and stark + upon his horse--the bloody clouts about his stump--pale as + death, but upright, with a stern, fixed expression of + {p.042} feature, as if loath to lose his revenge.' These + troops are very remarkable in their fine military + appearance; their dark and ominous dress sets off to + advantage their strong, manly, northern features and white + mustachios; and there is something more than commonly + impressive about the whole effect. + + "This is the second Sunday after the battle, and many are + not yet dressed. There are 20,000 wounded in this town, + besides those in the hospitals, and the many in the other + towns;--only 3000 prisoners; 80,000, they say, killed and + wounded on both sides." + +I think it not wonderful that this extract should have set Scott's +imagination effectually on fire; that he should have grasped at the +idea of seeing probably the last shadows of real warfare that his own +age would afford; or that some parts of the great surgeon's simple +phraseology are reproduced, almost verbatim, in the first of Paul's +Letters to his Kinsfolk. No sooner was Scott's purpose known, than +some of his young neighbors in the country proposed to join his +excursion; and, in company with three of them, namely, his kinsman, +John Scott of Gala, Alexander Pringle, the younger, of Whytbank (now +M. P. for Selkirkshire), and Robert Bruce, advocate (now Sheriff of +Argyle), he left Edinburgh for the south, at 5. A. M. on the 27th of +July. + +They travelled by the stage-coach, and took the route of Hull and +Lincoln to Cambridge; for Gala and Whytbank, being both members of +that university, were anxious to seize this opportunity of revisiting +it themselves, and showing its beautiful architecture to their friend. +After this wish had been gratified, they proceeded to Harwich, and +thence, on the 3d of August, took ship for Helvoetsluys. + + "The weather was beautiful," says Gala, "so we all went + outside the coach from Cambridge to Harwich. At starting, + there was a general complaint of thirst, the consequence of + some experiments overnight on the celebrated _bishop_ of my + _Alma Mater_; our friend, however, was in great glee, and + {p.043} never was a merrier _basket_ than he made it all + the morning. He had cautioned us, on leaving Edinburgh, + never to _name names_ in such situations, and our adherence + to this rule was rewarded by some amusing incidents. For + example, as we entered the town where we were to dine, a + heavy-looking man, who was to stop there, took occasion to + thank Scott for the pleasure his anecdotes had afforded him: + 'You have a good memory, sir,' said he; 'mayhap, now, you + sometimes write down what you hear or be a-reading about?' + He answered, very gravely, that he did occasionally put down + a _few_ notes, if anything struck him particularly. In the + afternoon, it happened that he sat on the box, while the + rest of us were behind him. Here, by degrees, he became + quite absorbed in his own reflections. He frequently + repeated to himself, or _composed_ perhaps, for a good + while, and often smiled or raised his hand, seeming + completely occupied and amused. His neighbor, a vastly + scientific and rather grave professor, in a smooth drab + Benjamin and broad-brimmed beaver, cast many a curious + sidelong glance at him, evidently suspecting that all was + not right with the upper story, but preserved perfect + politeness. The poet was, however, discovered by the captain + of the vessel in which we crossed the Channel;--and a + perilous passage it was, chiefly in consequence of the + unceasing tumblers in which this worthy kept drinking his + health." + +Before leaving Edinburgh, Scott had settled in his mind the plan of +Paul's Letters; for on that same day, his agent, John Ballantyne, +addressed the following letter, from his marine villa near Newhaven:-- + + TO MESSRS. CONSTABLE & CO. + + TRINITY, 27th July, 1815. + + DEAR SIRS,--Mr. Scott left town to-day for the Continent. He + proposes writing from thence a series of letters on a + peculiar plan, varied in matter and style, and to different + supposititious correspondents. + + The work is to form a demy 8vo volume of twenty-two sheets, + to sell at 12s. It is to be begun immediately on his arrival + in France, and to be published, if possible, the second week + of September, when he proposes to return. + + {p.044} We print 3000 of this, and I am empowered to offer + you one third of the edition, Messrs. Longman & Co. and Mr. + Murray having each the same share: the terms, twelve months' + acceptance for paper and print, and half profits at six + months, granted now as under. The over copies will pay the + charge for advertising, I am, etc., + + John BALLANTYNE. + + _Charge_-- + 22 sheets printing,--L3 15 0 L82 10 0 + 145 reams demy, -- 1 10 0 217 10 0 + --------- + L300 0 0 + + 3000 at 8s. L1200 0 0 + Cost, 300 0 0 + ---------- + L900 0 0 profit--One half is L450. + +Before Scott reached Harwich, he knew that this offer had been +accepted without hesitation; and thenceforth, accordingly, he threw +his daily letters to his wife into the form of communications meant +for an imaginary group, consisting of a spinster sister, a statistical +laird, a rural clergyman of the Presbyterian Kirk, and a brother, a +veteran officer on half-pay. The rank of this last personage +corresponded, however, exactly with that of his own elder brother, +John Scott, who also, like the Major of the book, had served in the +Duke of York's unfortunate campaign of 1797; the sister is only a +slender disguise for his aunt Christian Rutherford, already often +mentioned; Lord Somerville, long President of the Board of +Agriculture, was Paul's laird; and the shrewd and unbigoted Dr. +Douglas of Galashiels was his "minister of the gospel." These +epistles, after having been devoured by the little circle at +Abbotsford, were transmitted to Major John Scott, his mother, and Miss +Rutherford, in Edinburgh; from their hands they passed to those of +James Ballantyne and Mr. Erskine, both of whom assured me that the +copy ultimately sent to the press consisted, in great part, of the +identical sheets that {p.045} had successively reached Melrose +through the post. The rest had of course been, as Ballantyne expresses +it, "somewhat cobbled;" but, on the whole, Paul's Letters are to be +considered as a true and faithful journal of this expedition; +insomuch, that I might perhaps content myself, in this place, with a +simple reference to that delightful volume. He found time, however, to +write letters during his absence from Britain, to some others of his +friends; and a specimen or two of these may interest the reader. I +have also gathered, from the companions of the journey, a few more +particulars, which Scott's modesty withheld him from recording; and +some trivial circumstances which occur to me, from recollection of his +own conversation, may also be acceptable. + +But I hope that, if the reader has not perused Paul's Letters +recently, he will refresh his memory, before he proceeds further, by +bestowing an hour on that genuine fragment of the author's +autobiography. He is now, unless he had the advantage of Scott's +personal familiarity, much better acquainted with the man than he +could have been before he took up this compilation of his private +correspondence--and especially before he perused the full diary of the +lighthouse yacht in 1814; and a thousand little turns and +circumstances which may have, when he originally read the book, passed +lightly before his eye, will now, I venture to say, possess a warm and +vivid interest, as inimitably characteristic of a departed friend. The +kindest of husbands and fathers never portrayed himself with more +unaffected truth than in this vain effort, if such he really fancied +he was making, to sustain the character of "a cross old bachelor." The +whole man, just as he was, breathes in every line, with all his +compassionate and benevolent sympathy of heart, all his sharpness of +observation, and sober shrewdness of reflection; all his enthusiasm +for nature, for country life, for simple manners and simple pleasures, +mixed up with an equally glowing enthusiasm, at which many may +{p.046} smile, for the tiniest relics of feudal antiquity--and last, +not least, a pulse of physical rapture for the "circumstance of war," +which bears witness to the blood of _Boltfoot_ and _Fire-the-Braes_. + +At Brussels, Scott found the small English garrison left there in +command of Major-General Sir Frederick Adam, the son of his highly +valued friend, the Lord Chief Commissioner. Sir Frederick had been +wounded at Waterloo, and could not as yet mount on horseback; but one +of his aides-de-camp, Captain Campbell, escorted Scott and his party +to the field of battle, on which occasion they were also accompanied +by another old acquaintance of his, Major Pryse Gordon, who being then +on half-pay, happened to be domesticated with his family at Brussels. +Major Gordon has since published two lively volumes of Personal +Memoirs; and Gala bears witness to the fidelity of certain +reminiscences of Scott at Brussels and Waterloo, which occupy one of +the chapters of this work. I shall, therefore, extract the passage:-- + + "Sir Walter Scott accepted my services to conduct him to + Waterloo: the General's aide-de-camp was also of the party. + He made no secret of his having undertaken to write + something on the battle; and perhaps he took the greater + interest on this account in everything that he saw. Besides, + he had never seen the field of such a conflict; and never + having been before on the Continent, it was all new to his + comprehensive mind. The day was beautiful; and I had the + precaution to send out a couple of saddle-horses, that he + might not be fatigued in walking over the fields, which had + been recently ploughed up. In our rounds we fell in with + Monsieur de Costar, with whom he got into conversation. This + man had attracted so much notice by his pretended story of + being about the person of Napoleon, that he was of too much + importance to be passed by: I did not, indeed, know as much + of this fellow's charlatanism at that time as afterwards, + when I saw him confronted with a blacksmith of La Belle + Alliance, who had been his companion in a hiding-place ten + miles from the field during the whole day; a {p.047} fact + which he could not deny. But he had got up a tale so + plausible and so profitable, that he could afford to bestow + hush-money on the companion of his flight, so that the + imposition was but little known; and strangers continued to + be gulled. He had picked up a good deal of information about + the positions and details of the battle; and, being + naturally a sagacious Walloon, and speaking French pretty + fluently, he became the favorite cicerone, and every lie he + told was taken for gospel. Year after year, until his death + in 1824, he continued his popularity, and raised the price + of his rounds from a couple of francs to five; besides as + much for the hire of a horse, his own property; for he + pretended that the fatigue of walking so many hours was + beyond his powers. It has been said that in this way he + realized every summer a couple of hundred Napoleons. + + "When Sir Walter had examined every point of defence and + attack, we adjourned to the 'Original Duke of Wellington' at + Waterloo, to lunch after the fatigues of the ride. Here he + had a crowded levee of peasants, and collected a great many + trophies, from cuirasses down to buttons and bullets. He + picked up himself many little relics, and was fortunate in + purchasing a grand cross of the Legion of Honor. But the + most precious memorial was presented to him by my wife--a + French soldier's book, well stained with blood, and + containing some songs popular in the French army, which he + found so interesting that he introduced versions of them in + his Paul's Letters; of which, he did me the honor to send me + a copy, with a letter, saying, 'that he considered my wife's + gift as the most valuable of all his Waterloo relics.' + + "On our return from the field, he kindly passed the evening + with us, and a few friends whom we invited to meet him. He + charmed us with his delightful conversation, and was in + great spirits from the agreeable day he had passed; and with + great good-humor promised to write a stanza in my wife's + album. On the following morning he fulfilled his promise by + contributing some beautiful verses on Hougomont. I put him + into my little library to prevent interruption, as a great + many persons had paraded in the _Parc_ opposite my window to + get a peep of the celebrated man, many having dogged him + from his hotel. + + {p.048} "Brussels affords but little worthy of the notice of + such a traveller as the Author of Waverley; but he greatly + admired the splendid tower of the Maison de Ville, and the + ancient sculpture and style of architecture of the buildings + which surround the Grand Place. + + "He told us, with great humor, a laughable incident which + had occurred to him at Antwerp. The morning after his + arrival at that city from Holland, he started at an early + hour to visit the tomb of Rubens in the church of St. + Jacques, before his party were up. After wandering about for + some time, without finding the object he had in view, he + determined to make inquiry, and observing a person stalking + about, he addressed him in his best French; but the + stranger, pulling off his hat, very respectfully replied in + the pure Highland accent, 'I'm vary sorry, sir, but I canna + speak onything besides English.'--'This is very unlucky + indeed, Donald,' said Sir Walter, 'but we must help one + another; for, to tell you the truth, I'm not good at any + other tongue but the English, or rather, the Scotch.'--'Oh, + sir, maybe,' replied the Highlander, 'you are a countryman, + and ken my maister Captain Cameron of the 79th, and could + tell me whare he lodges. I'm just cum in, sir, frae a place + they ca' _Machlin_,[18] and ha' forgotten the name of the + captain's quarters; it was something like the + _Laaborer_.'--'I can, I think, help you with this, my + friend,' rejoined Sir Walter. 'There is an inn just opposite + to you' (pointing to the _Hotel du Grand Laboureur_): 'I + dare say that will be the captain's quarters;' and it was + so. I cannot do justice to the humor with which Sir Walter + recounted this dialogue."[19] + + [Footnote 18: Mechlin--the Highlander gave it the + familiar pronunciation of a Scotch village, Mauchline, + celebrated in many of Burns's poems.] + + [Footnote 19: See Major Gordon's _Personal Memoirs_ + (1830), vol. ii. pp. 325-338.] + +The following is the letter which Scott addressed to the Duke of +Buccleuch immediately after seeing the field of Waterloo; and it may +amuse the reader to compare it with Major Gordon's chapter, and with +the writer's own fuller, and, of course, "cobbled" detail, in the +pages of Paul:-- + + {p.049} TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH, ETC. + + MY DEAR LORD DUKE,--I promised to let you hear of my + wanderings, however unimportant; and have now the pleasure + of informing your Grace that I am at this present time an + inhabitant of the Premier Hotel de Cambrai, after having + been about a week upon the Continent. We landed at Helvoet, + and proceeded to Brussels, by Bergen-op-Zoom and Antwerp, + both of which are very strongly fortified. The ravages of + war are little remarked in a country so rich by nature; but + everything seems at present stationary, or rather + retrograde, where capital is required. The chateaux are + deserted, and going to decay; no new houses are built, and + those of older date are passing rapidly into the possession + of a class inferior to those for whom we must suppose them + to have been built. Even the old gentlewoman of Babylon has + lost much of her splendor, and her robes and pomp are of a + description far subordinate to the costume of her more + magnificent days. The dresses of the priests were worn and + shabby, both at Antwerp and Brussels, and reminded me of the + decayed wardrobe of a bankrupt theatre: yet, though the + gentry and priesthood have suffered, the eternal bounty of + nature has protected the lower ranks against much distress. + The unexampled fertility of the soil gives them all, and + more than they want; and could they but sell the grain which + they raise in the Netherlands, nothing else would be wanting + to render them the richest people (common people, that is to + say) in the world. + + On Wednesday last, I rode over the field of Waterloo, now + forever consecrated to immortality. The more ghastly tokens + of the carnage are now removed, the bodies both of men and + horses being either burned or buried; but all the ground is + still torn with the shot and shells, and covered with + cartridges, old hats, and shoes, and various relics of the + fray which the peasants have not {p.050} thought worth + removing. Besides, at Waterloo and all the hamlets in the + vicinage, there is a mart established for cuirasses; for the + eagles worn by the imperial guard on their caps; for + casques, swords, carabines, and similar articles. I have + bought two handsome cuirasses, and intend them, one for + Bowhill, and one for Abbotsford, if I can get them safe + over, which Major Pryse Gordon has promised to manage for + me. I have also, for your Grace, one of the little + memorandum-books, which I picked up on the field, in which + every French soldier was obliged to enter his receipts and + expenditure, his services, and even his punishments. The + field was covered with fragments of these records. I also + got a good MS. collection of French songs, probably the work + of some young officer, and a croix of the Legion of Honor. I + enclose, under another cover, a sketch of the battle, made + at Brussels. It is not, I understand, strictly accurate; but + sufficiently so to give a good notion of what took place. In + fact, it would require twenty separate plans to give an idea + of the battle at its various stages. The front, upon which + the armies engaged, does not exceed a long mile. Our line, + indeed, originally extended half a mile farther towards the + village of Brain-la-Leude; but as the French indicated no + disposition to attack in that direction, the troops which + occupied this space were gradually concentrated by Lord + Wellington, and made to advance till they had reached + Hougomont--a sort of chateau, with a garden and wood + attached to it, which was powerfully and effectually + maintained by the Guards during the action. This place was + particularly interesting. It was a quiet-looking gentleman's + house, which had been burnt by the French shells. The + defenders, burnt out of the house itself, betook themselves + to the little garden, where, breaking loopholes through the + brick walls, they kept up a most destructive fire on the + assailants, who had possessed themselves of a little wood + which surrounds the villa on one side. In this spot vast + numbers {p.051} had fallen; and, being hastily buried, the + smell is most offensive at this moment. Indeed, I felt the + same annoyance in many parts of the field; and, did I live + near the spot, I should be anxious about the diseases which + this steaming carnage might occasion. The rest of the + ground, excepting this chateau, and a farmhouse called La + Hay Sainte, early taken, and long held, by the French, + because it was too close under the brow of the descent on + which our artillery was placed to admit of the pieces being + depressed so as to play into it,--the rest of the ground, I + say, is quite open, and lies between two ridges, one of + which (Mont St. Jean) was constantly occupied by the + English; the other, upon which is the farm of La Belle + Alliance, was the position of the French. The slopes between + are gentle and varied; the ground everywhere practicable for + cavalry, as was well experienced on that memorable day. The + cuirassiers, despite their arms of proof, were quite + inferior to our heavy dragoons. The meeting of the two + bodies occasioned a noise, not unaptly compared to the + tinkering and hammering of a smith's shop. Generally the + cuirassiers came on stooping their heads very low, and + giving point; the British frequently struck away their + casques while they were in this position, and then laid at + the bare head. Officers and soldiers all fought hand to hand + without distinction; and many of the former owed their life + to dexterity at their weapon, and personal strength of body. + Shaw, the milling Life-Guardsman, whom your Grace may + remember among the champions of The Fancy, maintained the + honor of the fist, and killed or disabled upwards of twenty + Frenchmen with his single arm, until he was killed by the + assault of numbers.[20] At one place, where there is a + precipitous sand or gravel pit, the heavy English cavalry + drove many of the cuirassiers over pell-mell, and followed + over themselves, like fox-hunters. The conduct of the + infantry and artillery was equally, {p.052} or, if + possible, more distinguished, and it was all fully + necessary; for, besides that our army was much outnumbered, + a great part of the sum-total were foreigners. Of these, the + Brunswickers and Hanoverians behaved very well; the Belgians + but sorrily enough. On one occasion, when a Belgic regiment + fairly ran off, Lord Wellington rode up to them, and said, + "My lads, you must be a little blown; come, do take your + breath for a moment, and then we'll go back, and try if we + can do a little better;" and he actually carried them back + to the charge. He was, indeed, upon that day, everywhere, + and the soul of everything; nor could less than his personal + endeavors have supported the spirits of the men through a + contest so long, so desperate, and so unequal. At his last + attack, Buonaparte brought up 15,000 of his Guard, who had + never drawn trigger during the day. It was upon their + failure that his hopes abandoned him. + + [Footnote 20: The skull of Shaw is now in the Museum at + Abbotsford.] + + I spoke long with a shrewd Flemish peasant, called John de + Costar, whom he had seized upon as his guide, and who + remained beside him the whole day, and afterwards + accompanied him in his flight as far as Charleroi. Your + Grace may be sure that I interrogated Mynheer very closely + about what he heard and saw. He guided me to the spot where + Buonaparte remained during the latter part of the action. It + was in the highway from Brussels to Charleroi, where it runs + between two high banks, on each of which was a French + battery. He was pretty well sheltered from the English fire; + and, though many bullets flew over his head, neither he nor + any of his suite were touched. His other stations, during + that day, were still more remote from all danger. The story + of his having an observatory erected for him is a mistake. + There is such a thing, and he repaired to it during the + action; but it was built or erected some months before, for + the purpose of a trigonometrical survey of the country, by + the King of the Netherlands. Bony's last position was nearly + fronting a tree where the Duke of Wellington {p.053} was + stationed; there was not more than a quarter of a mile + between them; but Bony was well sheltered, and the Duke so + much exposed, that the tree is barked in several places by + the cannon-balls levelled at him. As for Bony, De Costar + says he was very cool during the whole day, and even gay. As + the cannon-balls flew over them, De Costar ducked; at which + the Emperor laughed, and told him they would hit him all the + same. At length, about the time he made his grand and last + effort, the fire of the Prussian artillery was heard upon + his right, and the heads of their columns became visible + pressing out of the woods. Aide-de-camp after aide-de-camp + came with the tidings of their advance, to which Bony only + replied, _Attendez, attendez un instant_, until he saw his + troops, _fantassins et cavaliers_, return in disorder from + the attack. He then observed hastily to a general beside + him, _Je crois qu'ils sont meles_. The person to whom he + spoke hastily raised the spyglass to his eye; but Bony, whom + the first glance had satisfied of their total discomfiture, + bent his face to the ground, and shook his head twice, his + complexion being then as pale as death. The general then + said something, to which Buonaparte answered, _C'est trop + tard--sauvons nous_. Just at that moment, the allied troops, + cavalry and infantry, appeared in full advance on all hands; + and the Prussians, operating upon the right flank of the + French, were rapidly gaining their rear. Bony, therefore, + was compelled to abandon the high-road, which, besides, was + choked with dead, with baggage, and with cannon; and, + gaining the open country, kept at full gallop, until he + gained, like Johnnie Cope, the van of the flying army. The + marshals followed his example; and it was the most complete + _sauve qui peut_ that can well be imagined. Nevertheless, + the prisoners who were brought into Brussels maintained + their national impudence, and boldly avowed their intention + of sacking the city with every sort of severity. At the same + time they had friends there. {p.054} One man of rank and + wealth went over to Bony during the action, and I saw his + hotel converted into an hospital for wounded soldiers. It + occupied one half of one of the sides of the Place Royale, a + noble square, which your Grace has probably seen. But, in + general, the inhabitants of Brussels were very differently + disposed; and their benevolence to our poor wounded fellows + was unbounded. The difficulty was to prevent them from + killing their guests with kindness, by giving them butcher's + meat and wine during their fever. As I cannot put my letter + into post until we get to Paris, I shall continue it as we + get along. + + _12th August, Roye, in Picardy._--I imagine your Grace about + this time to be tolerably well fagged with a hard day on the + moors. If the weather has been as propitious as with us, it + must be delightful. The country through which we have + travelled is most uncommonly fertile, and skirted with + beautiful woods; but its present political situation is so + very uncommon, that I would give the world your Grace had + come over for a fortnight. France may be considered as + neither at peace nor war. Valenciennes, for example, is in a + state of blockade; we passed through the posts of the + allies, all in the utmost state of vigilance, with patrols + of cavalry and vedettes of infantry, up to the very gates, + and two or three batteries were manned and mounted. The + French troops were equally vigilant at the gates, yet made + no objections to our passing through the town. Most of them + had the white cockade, but looked very sulky, and were in + obvious disorder and confusion. They had not yet made their + terms with the King, nor accepted a commander appointed by + him; but as they obviously feel their party desperate, the + soldiers are running from the officers, and the officers + from the soldiers. In fact, the multiplied hosts which pour + into this country, exhibiting all the various dresses and + forms of war which can be imagined, must necessarily render + resistance impracticable. Yet, {p.055} like Satan, these + fellows retain the unconquered propensity to defiance, even + in the midst of defeat and despair. This morning we passed a + great number of the disbanded garrison of Conde, and they + were the most horrid-looking cut-throats I ever saw, + extremely disposed to be very insolent, and only repressed + by the consciousness that all the villages and towns around + are occupied by the allies. They began by crying to us in an + ironical tone, _Vive le Roi_; then followed, _sotto voce, + Sacre B----, Mille diables_, and other graces of French + eloquence. I felt very well pleased that we were armed, and + four in number; and still more so that it was daylight, for + they seemed most mischievous ruffians. As for the appearance + of the country, it is, notwithstanding a fine harvest, most + melancholy. The windows of all the detached houses on the + road are uniformly shut up; and you see few people, + excepting the peasants who are employed in driving the + contributions to maintain the armies. The towns are little + better, having for the most part been partially injured by + shells or by storm, as was the case both of Cambrai and + Peronne. The men look very sulky; and if you speak three + words to a woman, she is sure to fall a-crying. In short, + the _politesse_ and good-humor of this people have fled with + the annihilation of their self-conceit; and they look on you + as if they thought you were laughing at them, or come to + enjoy the triumph of our arms over theirs. Postmasters and + landlords are all the same, and hardly to be propitiated + even by English money, although they charge us about three + times as much as they durst do to their countryfolks. As for + the Prussians, a party of cavalry dined at our hotel at + Mons, eat and drank of the best the poor devils had left to + give, called for their horses, and laughed in the face of + the landlord when he offered his bill, telling him they + should pay as they came back. The English, they say, have + always paid honorably, and upon these they indemnify + themselves. It is impossible to _marchander_, for if + {p.056} you object, the poor landlady begins to cry, and + tells you she will accept whatever _your lordship_ pleases, + but that she is almost ruined and bankrupt, etc., etc., etc. + + This is a long stupid letter, but I will endeavor to send a + better from Paris. Ever your Grace's truly obliged, + + Walter SCOTT. + +The only letter which Scott addressed to Joanna Baillie, while in +Paris, goes over partly the same ground: I transcribe the rest. + + PARIS, 6th September, 1815. + + MY DEAR FRIEND,--I owe you a long letter, but my late + travels and the date of this epistle will be a tolerable + plea for your indulgence. The truth is, I became very + restless after the battle of Waterloo, and was only detained + by the necessity of attending a friend's marriage, from + setting off instantly for the Continent. At length, however, + I got away to Brussels, and was on the memorable field of + battle about five weeks after it had been fought.... + + If our army had been all British, the day would have been + soon decided; but the Duke, or, as they call him here, from + his detestation of all manner of foppery, the _Beau_, had + not above 35,000 British. All this was to be supplied by + treble exertion on the part of our troops. The Duke was + everywhere during the battle; and it was the mercy of Heaven + that protected him, when all his staff had been killed or + wounded round him. I asked him, among many other questions, + if he had seen Buonaparte; he said, "No; but at one time, + from the repeated shouts of _Vive l'Empereur_, I thought he + must be near." This was when John de Costar placed him in + the hollow way. I think, so near as I can judge, there may + at that time have been a quarter of a mile between these two + great generals. + + The fate of the French, after this day of decisive appeal, + has been severe enough. There were never people {p.057} + more mortified, more subdued, and apparently more broken in + spirit. They submit with sad civility to the extortions of + the Prussians and the Russians, and avenge themselves at the + expense of the English, whom they charge three prices for + everything, because they are the only people who pay at all. + They are in the right, however, to enforce discipline and + good order, which not only maintains the national character + in the mean time, but will prevent the army from suffering + by habits of indulgence. I question if the Prussians will + soon regain their discipline and habits of hardihood. At + present their powers of eating and drinking, which are + really something preternatural, are exerted to the very + utmost. A thin Prussian boy, whom I sometimes see, eats in + one day as much as three English ploughmen. At daybreak he + roars for chocolate and eggs; about nine he breakfasts more + solemnly, _a la fourchette_, when, besides all the usual + apparatus of an English _dejeuner_, he eats a world of + cutlets, oysters, fruit, etc., and drinks a glass of brandy + and a bottle of champagne. His dinner might serve Gargantua, + at which he gets himself about three parts drunk--a + circumstance which does not prevent the charge upon cold + meat, with tea and chocolate, about six o'clock; and + concluding the whole with an immense supper. Positively the + appetite of this lad reminds one of the Eastern tale of a + man taken out of the sea by a ship's crew, who, in return, + ate up all the provisions of the vessel. He was, I think, + flown away with by a roc; but from what quarter of the + heavens the French are to look for deliverance from these + devourers, I cannot presume to guess. + + The needless wreck and ruin which they make in the houses + adds much to the inconvenience of their presence. Most of + the chateaux, where the Prussians are quartered, are what is + technically called _rumped_, that is to say, plundered out + and out. In the fine chateau of Montmorency, for instance, + the most splendid apartments, {p.058} highly ornamented + with gilding and carving, were converted into barracks for + the dirtiest and most savage-looking hussars I have yet + seen. Imagine the work these fellows make with velvet + hangings and embroidery. I saw one hag boiling her + camp-kettle with part of a picture frame; the picture itself + has probably gone to Prussia. With all this greediness and + love of mischief, the Prussians are not bloodthirsty; and + their utmost violence seldom exceeds a blow or two with the + flat of the sabre. They are also very civil to the women, + and in both respects behave much better than the French did + in their country; but they follow the bad example quite + close enough for the sake of humanity and of discipline. As + for our people, they live in a most orderly and regular + manner. All the young men pique themselves on imitating the + Duke of Wellington in _nonchalance_ and coolness of manner; + so they wander about everywhere, with their hands in the + pockets of their long waistcoats, or cantering upon Cossack + ponies, staring and whistling, and trotting to and fro, as + if all Paris was theirs. The French hate them sufficiently + for the _hauteur_ of their manner and pretensions, but the + grounds of dislike against us are drowned in the actual + detestation afforded by the other powers. + + This morning I saw a grand military spectacle--about 20,000 + Russians pass in review before all the Kings and Dominations + who are now resident at Paris. The Emperor, King of Prussia, + Duke of Wellington, with their numerous and brilliant + attendance of generals, staff-officers, etc., were in the + centre of what is called the Place Louis Quinze, almost on + the very spot where Louis XVI. was beheaded. A very long + avenue, which faces the station where they were placed, was + like a glowing furnace, so fiercely were the sunbeams + reflected from the arms of the host by which it was filled. + A body of Cossacks kept the ground with their pikes, and, by + their wild appearance, added to the singularity of the + scene. On one {p.059} hand was the extended line of the + Tuileries, seen through the gardens and the rows of + orange-trees; on the other, the long column of troops + advancing to the music. Behind was a long colonnade, forming + the front to the palace, where the Chamber of + Representatives are to hold their sittings; and in front of + the monarchs was a superb row of buildings, on which you + distinguish the bronze pillar erected by Napoleon to + commemorate his victories over Russia, Prussia, and Austria, + whose princes were now reviewing their victorious armies in + what was so lately his capital. Your fancy, my dear friend, + will anticipate, better than I can express, the thousand + sentiments which arose in my mind from witnessing such a + splendid scene, in a spot connected with such various + associations. It may give you some idea of the feelings of + the French--once so fond of _spectacles_--to know that, I + think, there were not a hundred of that nation looking on. + Yet this country will soon recover the actual losses she has + sustained, for never was there a soil so blessed by nature, + or so rich in corn, wine, and oil, and in the animated + industry of its inhabitants. France is at present the fabled + giant, struggling, or rather lying supine, under the load of + mountains which have been precipitated on her; but she is + not, and cannot be crushed. Remove the incumbent weight of + 600,000 or 700,000 foreigners, and she will soon stand + upright--happy, if experience shall have taught her to be + contented to exert her natural strength only for her own + protection, and not for the annoyance of her neighbors. I am + cut short in my lucubrations by an opportunity to send this + letter with Lord Castlereagh's despatches, which is of less + consequence, as I will endeavor to see you in passing + through London. I leave this city for Dieppe on Saturday, + but I intend to go round by Harfleur, if possible. + + Ever your truly obliged and affectionate + + Walter SCOTT. + +{p.060} "Paul" modestly acknowledges, in his last letter, the +personal attentions which he received, while in Paris, from Lords +Cathcart, Aberdeen, and Castlereagh; and hints that, through their +intervention, he had witnessed several of the splendid _fetes_ given +by the Duke of Wellington, where he saw half the crowned heads of +Europe grouped among the gallant soldiers who had cut a way for them +to the guilty capital of France. Scott's reception, however, had been +distinguished to a degree of which Paul's language gives no notion. +The Noble Lords above named welcomed him with cordial satisfaction; +and the Duke of Wellington, to whom he was first presented by Sir John +Malcolm, treated him then, and ever afterwards, with a kindness and +confidence, which, I have often heard him say, he considered as "the +highest distinction of his life." He used to tell, with great effect, +the circumstances of his introduction to the Emperor Alexander, at a +dinner given by the Earl of Cathcart. Scott appeared, on that +occasion, in the blue and red dress of the Selkirkshire Lieutenancy; +and the Czar's first question, glancing at his lameness, was, "In what +affair were you wounded?" Scott signified that he suffered from a +natural infirmity; upon which the Emperor said, "I thought Lord +Cathcart mentioned that you had served." Scott observed that the Earl +looked a little embarrassed at this, and promptly answered, "Oh yes; +in a certain sense I have served--that is, in the yeomanry cavalry; a +home force resembling the Landwehr, or Landsturm."--"Under what +commander?"--"Sous M. le Chevalier Rae."--"Were you ever +engaged?"--"In some slight actions--such as the battle of the Cross +Causeway and the affair of Moredun-Mill."--"This," says Mr. Pringle of +Whytbank, "was, as he saw in Lord Cathcart's face, quite sufficient, +so he managed to turn the conversation to some other subject." It was +at the same dinner that he first met Platoff,[21] who {p.061} seemed +to take a great fancy to him, though, adds my friend, "I really don't +think they had any common language to converse in." Next day, however, +when Pringle and Scott were walking together in the Rue de la Paix, +the Hetman happened to come up, cantering with some of his Cossacks; +as soon as he saw Scott, he jumped off his horse, leaving it to the +Pulk, and, running up to him, kissed him on each side of the cheek +with extraordinary demonstrations of affection--and then made him +understand, through an aide-de-camp, that he wished him to join his +staff at the next great review, when he would take care to mount him +on the gentlest of his Ukraine horses. + + [Footnote 21: Scott acknowledges, in a note to _St. + Ronan's Well_ (chap. xv.), that he took from Platoff + this portrait of Mr. Touchwood: "His face, which at the + distance of a yard or two seemed hale and smooth, + appeared, when closely examined, to be seamed with a + million of wrinkles, crossing each other in every + direction possible, but as fine as if drawn by the point + of a very small needle." Thus did every little + peculiarity remain treasured in his memory, to be used + in due time for giving the air of minute reality to some + imaginary personage.] + +It will seem less surprising that Scott should have been honored with +much attention by the leading soldiers and statesmen of Germany then +in Paris. The fame of his poetry had already been established for some +years in that country. Yet it may be doubted whether Bluecher had heard +of Marmion any more than Platoff; and old Bluecher struck Scott's +fellow-travellers as taking more interest in him than any foreign +general, except only the Hetman. + +A striking passage in Paul's 10th letter indicates the high notion +which Scott had formed of the personal qualities of the Prince of +Orange. After depicting, with almost prophetic accuracy, the dangers +to which the then recent union of Holland and Belgium must be exposed, +he concludes with expressing his hope that the firmness and sagacity +of the King of the Netherlands, and the admiration which his heir's +character and bearing had already excited among all, even Belgian +observers, might {p.062} ultimately prove effective in redeeming this +difficult experiment from the usual failure of "_arrondissements_, +indemnities, and all the other terms of modern date, under sanction of +which cities and districts, and even kingdoms, have been passed from +one government to another, as the property of lands or stock is +transferred by a bargain between private parties." + +It is not less curious to compare, with the subsequent course of +affairs in France, the following brief hint in Paul's 16th letter: +"The general rallying point of the _Liberalistes_ is an avowed dislike +to the present monarch and his immediate connections. They will +sacrifice, they pretend, so much to the general inclinations of +Europe, as to select a king from the Bourbon race; but he must be one +of their own choosing, and the Duke of Orleans is most familiar in +their mouths." Thus, in its very bud, had his eye detected the +_conjuration de quinze ans!_ + +Among the gay parties of this festive period, Scott mentioned with +special pleasure one fine day given to an excursion to Ermenonville, +under the auspices of Lady Castlereagh. The company was a large one, +including most of the distinguished personages whom I have been +naming, and they dined _al fresco_ among the scenes of Rousseau's +retirement, but in a fashion less accordant with the spirit of his +_reveries d'un promeneur solitaire_, than with the song which +commemorates some earlier tenants of that delicious valley,-- + + "La belle Gabrielle + Etoit dans ces lieux-- + Et le souvenir d'elle + Nous rend heureux," etc. + +At some stage of this merry day's proceedings, the ladies got tired of +walking, and one of Lord Castlereagh's young diplomatists was +despatched into a village in quest of donkeys for their accommodation. +The _attache_ returned by and by with a face of disappointment, +complaining that the charge the people made was so extravagant, +{p.063} he could not think of yielding to the extortion. "_Marshal +Forwards_" said nothing, but nodded to an aide-de-camp. They had +passed a Prussian picket a little while before;--three times the +requisite number of donkeys appeared presently, driven before +half-a-dozen hussars, who were followed by the screaming population of +the refractory hamlet; and "an angry man was Bluecher," said Scott, +"when Lord Castlereagh condescended to go among them, all smiles, and +sent them back with more Napoleons than perhaps the fee-simple of the +whole stud was worth." + +Another evening of more peaceful enjoyment has left a better record. +But I need not quote here the lines on Saint Cloud.[22] They were +sent, on the 16th of August, to the late Lady Alvanley, with whom and +her daughters he spent much of his time while in Paris. + + [Footnote 22: See _Poetical Works_ (Edin. Ed.), vol. xi. + p. 295 [Cambridge Ed. p. 420].] + +As yet, the literary reputation of Scott had made but little way among +the French nation; but some few of their eminent men vied even with +the enthusiastic Germans in their courteous and unwearied attentions +to him. The venerable _Chevalier_, in particular, seemed anxious to +embrace every opportunity of acting as his cicerone; and many mornings +were spent in exploring, under his guidance, the most remarkable +scenes and objects of historical and antiquarian interest both in +Paris and its neighborhood. He several times also entertained Scott +and his young companions at dinner; but the last of those dinners was +thoroughly poisoned by a preliminary circumstance. The poet, on +entering the saloon, was presented to a stranger, whose physiognomy +struck him as the most hideous he had ever seen; nor was his disgust +lessened, when he found, a few minutes afterwards, that he had +undergone the _accolade_ of David "of the blood-stained brush." + +From Paris, Mr. Bruce and Mr. Pringle went on to {p.064} Switzerland, +leaving the poet and Gala to return home together, which they did by +way of Dieppe, Brighton, and London. It was here, on the 14th of +September, that Scott had that last meeting with Lord Byron, alluded +to in his communication to Mr. Moore, already quoted. He carried his +young friend in the morning to call on Lord Byron, who agreed to dine +with them at their hotel, where he met also Charles Mathews and Daniel +Terry. The only survivor of the party[23] has recorded it in his +note-book as the most interesting day he ever spent. "How I did +stare," he says, "at Byron's beautiful pale face, like a +spirit's--good or evil. But he was _bitter_--what a contrast to Scott! +Among other anecdotes of British prowess and spirit, Scott mentioned +that a young gentleman ---- ---- ---- had been awfully shot in the +head while conveying an order from the Duke, and yet staggered on, and +delivered his message when at the point of death. 'Ha!' said Byron, 'I +dare say he could do as well as most people without his head--it was +never of much use to him.' Waterloo did not delight him, probably--and +Scott could talk or think of scarcely anything else." + + [Footnote 23: John Scott, Esq., of Gala, died at + Edinburgh, 19th April, 1840.--(1842.)] + +Mathews accompanied them as far as Warwick and Kenilworth, both of +which castles the poet had seen before, but now reexamined with +particular curiosity. They spent a night at Sheffield; and early next +morning Scott sallied forth to provide himself with a planter's knife +of the most complex contrivance and finished workmanship. Having +secured one to his mind, and which for many years after was his +constant pocket-companion, he wrote his name on a card, "Walter Scott, +Abbotsford," and directed it to be engraved on the handle. On his +mentioning this acquisition at breakfast, young Gala expressed his +desire to equip himself in like fashion, and was directed to the shop +accordingly. When he had {p.065} purchased a similar knife, and +produced his name in turn for the engraver, the master cutler eyed the +signature for a moment, and exclaimed, "John Scott of Gala! Well, I +hope your ticket may serve me in as good stead as another Mr. Scott's +has just done. Upon my word, one of my best men, an honest fellow from +the North, went out of his senses when he saw it--he offered me a +week's work if I would let him keep it to himself--and I took +_Saunders_ at his word." Scott used to talk of this as one of the most +gratifying compliments he ever received in his literary capacity. + +Their next halt was at Rokeby; but since Scott had heard from thence, +Mrs. Morritt's illness had made such alarming progress, that the +travellers regretted having obtruded themselves on the scene of +affliction, and resumed their journey early next morning. + +Reaching Abbotsford, Scott found with his family his old friend Mr. +Skene of Rubislaw, who had expected him to come home sooner, and James +Ballantyne, who had arrived with a copious budget of bills, calendars, +booksellers' letters, and proof sheets. From each of these visitors' +_memoranda_ I now extract an anecdote. Mr. Skene's is of a small +enough matter, but still it places the man so completely before +myself, that I am glad he thought it worth setting down. + + "During Scott's absence," says his friend, "his wife had had + the tiny drawing-room of the cottage fitted up with new + chintz furniture,--everything had been set out in the best + style,--and she and her girls had been looking forward to + the pleasure which they supposed the little surprise of the + arrangements would give him. He was received in the spruce + fresh room, set himself comfortably down in the chair + prepared for him, and remained in the full enjoyment of his + own fireside, and a return to his family circle, without the + least consciousness that any change had taken place--until, + at length, Mrs. Scott's patience could hold out no longer, + and his attention was expressly called to it. The vexation + he showed at having caused {p.066} such a disappointment, + struck me as amiably characteristic--and in the course of + the evening he every now and then threw out some word of + admiration to reconsole _mamma_." + +Ballantyne's note of their next morning's conference is in these +terms:-- + + "He had just been reviewing a pageant of emperors and kings, + which seemed, like another Field of the Cloth of Gold, to + have been got up to realize before his eyes some of his own + splendid descriptions. I begged him to tell me what was the + general impression left on his mind. He answered, that he + might now say he had seen and conversed with all classes of + society, from the palace to the cottage, and including every + conceivable shade of science and ignorance--but that he had + never felt awed or abashed except in the presence of one + man--the Duke of Wellington. I expressed some surprise. He + said I ought not, for that the Duke of Wellington possessed + every one mighty quality of the mind in a higher degree than + any other man did, or had ever done. He said he beheld in + him a great soldier and a great statesman--the greatest of + each. When it was suggested that the Duke, on his part, saw + before him a great poet and novelist, he smiled, and said, + 'What would the Duke of Wellington think of a few _bits of + novels_, which perhaps he had never read, and for which the + strong probability is that he would not care a sixpence if + he had?' You are not" (adds Ballantyne) "to suppose that he + looked either sheepish or embarrassed in the presence of the + Duke--indeed you well know that he did not, and could not do + so; but the feeling, qualified and modified as I have + described it, unquestionably did exist to a certain extent. + Its origin forms a curious moral problem; and may probably + be traced to a secret consciousness, which he might not + himself advert to, that the Duke, however great as a soldier + and statesman, was so defective in imagination as to be + incapable of appreciating that which had formed the charm of + his own life, as well as of his works." + +It is proper to add to Mr. Ballantyne's solution of his "curious moral +problem," that he was in his latter days a strenuous opponent of the +Duke of Wellington's politics; {p.067} to which circumstance he +ascribes, in these same _memoranda_, the only coolness that ever +occurred between him and Scott. I need hardly repeat, what has been +already distinctly stated more than once, that Scott never considered +any amount of literary distinction as entitled to be spoken of in the +same breath with mastery in the higher departments of practical +life--least of all, with the glory of a first-rate captain. To have +done things worthy to be written was in his eyes a dignity to which no +man made any approach, who had only written things worthy to be read. +He on two occasions, which I can never forget, betrayed painful +uneasiness when his works were alluded to as reflecting honor on the +age that had produced Watt's improvement of the steam-engine, and the +safety-lamp of Sir Humphry Davy. Such was his modest creed--but from +all I ever saw or heard of his intercourse with the Duke of +Wellington, I am not disposed to believe that he partook it with the +only man in whose presence he ever felt awe and abashment.[24] + + [Footnote 24: I think it very probable that Scott had + his own first interview with the Duke of Wellington in + his mind when he described the introduction of Roland + Graeme to the Regent Murray, in the novel of _The Abbot_, + chap. xviii.:--"Such was the personage before whom + Roland Graeme now presented himself with a feeling of + breathless awe, very different from the usual boldness + and vivacity of his temper. In fact, he was, from + education and nature, ... much more easily controlled by + the moral superiority arising from the elevated talents + and renown of those with whom he conversed, than by + pretensions founded only on rank or external show. He + might have braved with indifference the presence of an + Earl merely distinguished by his belt and coronet; but + he felt overawed in that of the eminent soldier and + statesman, the wielder of a nation's power, and the + leader of her armies."] + +A charming page in Mr. Washington Irving's Abbotsford and Newstead +affords us another anecdote connected with this return from Paris. Two +years after this time, when the amiable American visited Scott, he +walked with him to a quarry, where his people were at work. + + "The face of the humblest dependent," he says, "brightened + at his approach--all paused from their labor to have a + pleasant {p.068} 'crack wi' the laird.' Among the rest was + a tall straight old fellow, with a healthful complexion and + silver hairs, and a small round-crowned white hat. He had + been about to shoulder a hod, but paused, and stood looking + at Scott with a slight sparkling of his blue eye as if + waiting his turn; for the old fellow knew he was a favorite. + Scott accosted him in an affable tone, and asked for a pinch + of snuff. The old man drew forth a horn snuff-box. 'Hoot + man,' said Scott, 'not that old mull. Where's the bonnie + French one that I brought you from Paris?'--'Troth, your + honor,' replied the old fellow, 'sic a mull as that is nae + for week-days.' On leaving the quarry, Scott informed me, + that, when absent at Paris, he had purchased several + trifling articles as presents for his dependents, and, among + others, the gay snuff-box in question, which was so + carefully reserved for Sundays by the veteran. 'It was not + so much the value of the gifts,' said he, 'that pleased + them, as the idea that the laird should think of them when + so far away.'" + +One more incident of this return--it was told to me by himself, some +years afterwards, with gravity, and even sadness. "The last of my +chargers," he said, "was a high-spirited and very handsome one, by +name Daisy, all over white, without a speck, and with such a mane as +Rubens delighted to paint. He had, among other good qualities, one +always particularly valuable in my case, that of standing like a rock +to be mounted. When he was brought to the door, after I came home from +the Continent, instead of signifying, by the usual tokens, that he was +pleased to see his master, he looked askant at me like a devil; and +when I put my foot in the stirrup, he reared bolt upright, and I fell +to the ground rather awkwardly. The experiment was repeated twice or +thrice, always with the same result. It occurred to me that he might +have taken some capricious dislike to my dress; and Tom Purdie, who +always falls heir to the white hat and green jacket, and so forth, +when Mrs. Scott has made me discard a set of garments, was sent for, +to try whether these habiliments would produce him a similar reception +from his old friend Daisy: but Daisy {p.069} allowed Tom to back him +with all manner of gentleness. The thing was inexplicable--but he had +certainly taken some part of my conduct in high dudgeon and disgust; +and after trying him again, at the interval of a week, I was obliged +to part with Daisy--and wars and rumors of wars being over, I resolved +thenceforth to have done with such dainty blood. I now stick to a good +sober cob." Somebody suggested that Daisy might have considered +himself as ill-used, by being left at home when _the laird_ went on +his journey. "Ay," said he, "these creatures have many thoughts of +their own, no doubt, that we can never penetrate." Then, laughing, +"Troth," said he, "maybe some bird had whispered Daisy that I had been +to see the grand reviews at Paris on a little scrag of a Cossack, +while my own gallant trooper was left behind bearing Peter and the +post-bag to Melrose." + +A few letters, written shortly after this return to Abbotsford, will, +among other things, show with what zeal he at once resumed his +literary industry, if indeed that can be said to have been at all +interrupted by a journey, in the course of which a great part of +Paul's narrative, and also of the poem of The Field of Waterloo, must +have been composed. + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., ROKEBY PARK. + + ABBOTSFORD, 2d October, 1815. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--Few things could have given me more real + pain, than to see Mrs. Morritt under such severe suffering, + and the misery you sustain in witnessing it. Yet let us + trust in the goodness of Providence, which restored the + health so deservedly dear to you, from as great a state of + depression upon a former occasion. Our visit was indeed a + melancholy one, and, I fear, added to your distress, when, + God knows, it required no addition.--The contrast of this + quiet bird's-nest of a place, with the late scene of + confusion and military splendor which I have witnessed, is + something of a stunning {p.070} nature--and, for the first + five or six days, I have been content to fold my hands, and + saunter up and down in a sort of indolent and stupefied + tranquillity, my only attempt at occupation having gone no + farther than pruning a young tree now and then. Yesterday, + however, and to-day, I began, from necessity, to prune + verses, and have been correcting proofs of my little attempt + at a poem on Waterloo. It will be out this week, and you + shall have a copy by the Carlisle coach, which pray judge + favorably, and remember it is not always the grandest + actions which are best adapted for the arts of poetry and + painting. I believe I shall give offence to my old friends + the Whigs, by not condoling with Buonaparte. Since his + sentence of transportation, he has begun to look wonderfully + comely in their eyes. I would they had hanged him, that he + might have died a perfect Adonis. Every reasonable creature + must think the Ministers would have deserved the cord + themselves, if they had left him in a condition again to + cost us the loss of 10,000 of our best and bravest, besides + thirty millions of good money. The very threats and frights + which he has given the well-meaning people of this realm + (myself included), deserved no less a punishment than + banishment, since the "putting in bodily fear" makes so + material a part of every criminal indictment. But, no doubt, + we shall see Ministers attacked for their want of generosity + to a fallen enemy, by the same party who last year, with + better grounds, assailed them for having left him in a + situation again to disturb the tranquillity of Europe.--My + young friend Gala has left me, after a short visit to + Abbotsford. He is my nearest (conversible) neighbor, and I + promise myself much comfort in him, as he has a turn both + for the sciences and for the arts, rather uncommon among our + young Scotch lairds. He was delighted with Rokeby and its + lord, though he saw both at so melancholy a period, and + endured, not only with good-humor but with sympathy, the + stupidity of his fellow-traveller, who was not by {p.071} + any means _dans son brillant_ for some time after leaving + you. + + We visited Corby Castle on our return to Scotland, which + remains, in point of situation, as beautiful as when its + walks were celebrated by David Hume, in the only rhymes he + was ever known to be guilty of. Here they are, from a pane + of glass in an inn at Carlisle:-- + + "Here chicks in eggs for breakfast sprawl, + Here godless boys God's glories squall, + Here Scotchmen's heads do guard the wall, + But Corby's walks atone for all." + + Would it not be a good quiz to advertise _The Poetical Works + of David Hume_, with notes, critical, historical, and so + forth--with an historical inquiry into the use of eggs for + breakfast, a physical discussion on the causes of their + being addled; a history of the English Church music, and of + the choir of Carlisle in particular; a full account of the + affair of 1745, with the trials, last speeches, and so + forth, of the poor _plaids_ who were strapped up at + Carlisle; and, lastly, a full and particular description of + Corby, with the genealogy of every family who ever possessed + it? I think, even without more than the usual waste of + margin, the Poems of David would make a decent + twelve-shilling touch. I shall think about it when I have + exhausted mine own _century of inventions_. + + I do not know whether it is perverseness of state, or old + associations, but an excellent and very handsome modern + house, which Mr. Howard has lately built at Corby, does not, + in my mind, assimilate so well with the scenery as the old + irregular monastic hall, with its weather-beaten and antique + appearance, which I remember there some years ago. + + Out of my Field of Waterloo has sprung an odd wild sort of + thing, which I intend to finish separately, and call it The + Dance of Death.[25] These matters take up my {p.072} time + so much, that I must bid you adieu for the present. Besides, + I am summoned to attend a grand _chasse_, and I see the + children are all mounted upon the ponies. By the way, Walter + promises to be a gallant horseman. Ever most truly yours, + + Walter SCOTT. + + [Footnote 25: This was published in the _Edinburgh + Annual Register_ in 1815.--See _Poetical Works_ (Ed. + 1834), vol. xi. p. 297 [Cambridge Ed. p. 421].] + +I shall close this chapter with a transcript of some _Notes_ on the +proof sheets of The Field of Waterloo. John Ballantyne being at +Abbotsford on the 3d of October, his brother the printer addressed the +packet containing the sheets to him. John appears to have considered +James's observations on the margin before Scott saw them; and the +record of the style in which the Poet repelled, or yielded to, his +critics, will at all events illustrate his habitual good-nature. + +John Ballantyne writes on the fly-leaf of the proofs, to his +confidential clerk: "Mr. Hodgson, I beg these sheets and all the MS. +may be carefully preserved just as they stand, and put in my father's +desk. J. B." + +James prefaces his animadversions with this quotation:-- + + "Cut deep and spare not.--_Penruddock._" + +The _Notes_ are these:-- + + STANZA I.--"Fair Brussels, thou art far behind." + + + _James Ballantyne._--I do not like this line. It is tame, and the + phrase "far behind," has, to my feeling, some associated vulgarity. + + _Scott._--Stet. + + + STANZA II.--"Let not _the_ stranger with disdain + _The_ architecture view." + + + _James._--These two words are cacophonous. Would not _its_ do? + + _Scott._--Th. is a bad sound. Ts. a much worse. Read _their_. + + + STANZA IV.--"A stranger might reply." + + + _James._--My objection to this is probably fantastical, and I state + it only because, from the first moment to the last, it has always + made me boggle. I don't like a _stranger_--Query, "The + questioned"--The "spectator"--"gazer," etc. + + _Scott._--_Stranger_ is appropriate--it means stranger to the + circumstances. + + + {p.073} STANZA VI.--_James._--You had changed "garner-house + profound," which I think quite admirable, to "garner under ground," + which I think quite otherways. I have presumed not to make the + change--must I? + + + _Scott._--I acquiesce, but with doubts; _profound_ sounds affected. + + + STANZA VIII.--"The deadly tug of war at length + Must limits find in human strength, + And _cease_ when these are passed. + Vain hope!" etc. + + + _James._--I must needs repeat, that the deadly tug _did_ cease in + the case supposed. It lasted long--very long; but, when the limits + of resistance, of human strength, were past--that is, after they had + fought for ten hours, then the deadly tug _did_ cease. Therefore the + "hope" was not "vain." + + _Scott._--I answer, it did _not_,--because the observation relates + to the strength of those actually engaged, and when _their_ strength + was exhausted, other squadrons were brought up. Suppose you saw two + lawyers scolding at the bar, you might say this must have an + end--human lungs cannot hold out--but, if the debate were continued + by the senior counsel, your well-grounded expectations would be + disappointed--"Cousin, thou wert not wont to be so dull!"-- + + IBID.--"Nor ceased the _intermitted_ shot." + + _James._--Mr. Erskine contends that "intermitted" is redundant. + + _Scott._--"Nor ceased the _storm of shell and shot_." + + + STANZA X.--"---- Never shall our country say + We gave one inch of ground away, + _When battling_ for her right." + + + _James._--_In conflict?_ + + _John B._--_Warring?_ I am afraid _battling_ must stand. + + _Scott._--All worse than the text. + + + STANZA XI.--"Peal'd wildly the imperial name." + + + _James._--I submit with diffidence whether this be not a somewhat + tame conclusion to so very animated a stanza? And, at any rate, you + will observe, that as it stands, you have no rhyme whatever to "The + Cohort eagles _fly_."--You have no rhyme to _fly_. _Flew_ and _fly_, + also, are perhaps too near, considering that each word closes a line + of the same sort. I don't well like "_Thus_ in a torrent," either. + If it were, "In one broad torrent," etc., it strikes me that it + would be more spirited. + + _Scott._--Granted as to most of these observations--Read, "in one + _dark_ torrent broad and strong," etc.--The "imperial name" is + _true_, therefore must stand. + + + STANZA XII.--"Nor was one forward footstep _stopped_." + + + _James._--This staggering word was intended, I presume, but I don't + like it. + + {p.074} _Scott._--Granted. Read _staid_, etc. + + IBID.--"Down were the eagle banners sent, + Down, down the horse and horsemen went." + + _James._--This is very spirited and very fine; but it is + unquestionably liable to the charge of being very nearly a direct + repetition of yourself. See _Lord of the Isles_, Canto vi. Stanza + 24:-- + + "_Down! down!_ in headlong overthrow, + _Horseman and horse_, the foremost go," etc. + +This passage is at once so striking and so recent, that its close +similarity to the present, if not indeed its identity, must strike +every reader; and really, to borrow from one's self is hardly much +better than to borrow from one's neighbors. And yet again, a few lines +lower-- + + "As hammers on the _anvils_ reel, + Against the cuirass _clangs_ the steel." + +See _Lady of the Lake_, Canto vi. Stanza 18:-- + + "I heard the broadswords' deadly _clang_, + As if an hundred _anvils_ rang." + +Here is precisely the same image, in very nearly the same words. + + _Scott._--I have altered the expression, but made a note, which, I + think, will vindicate my retaining the simile. + + + STANZA XIII.--"As their own Ocean-rocks hold _stance_." + + + _John._--I do not know such an English word as _stance_. + + _Scott._--Then we'll make it one for the _nance_. + + IBID.--"And _newer_ standards fly." + + _James._--I don't like _newer_. + + _Scott._--"And _other_ standards fly." + + IBID.--"Or can thy memory fail to _quote_, + Heard to thy cost the vengeful note." + + _James._--Would to God you would alter this _quote_! + + _John._--Would to God _I_ could!--I certainly should.-- + + _Scott._--"Or can thy memory fail to know, + Heard oft before in hour of woe." + + Or-- + + "Or dwells not in thy memory still, + Heard frequent in thine hour of ill." + + + STANZA XV.--"Wrung forth by pride, _regret_, and shame." + + + _James._--I have ventured to submit to your choice-- + + "Wrung forth by pride, _and rage_, and shame." + + _Regret_ appearing a faint epithet amidst such a combination of + bitter feelings. + + _Scott._--Granted. + + {p.075} IBID.--"So mingle banner, wain, and gun, + Where in one tide of horror run + The warriors," etc. + + _James._--In the first place, warriors _running_ in a tide is a + clashing metaphor; in the second, the warriors _running_ at all is a + little homely. It is true, no doubt; but really running is little + better than scampering. For these causes, one or both, I think the + lines should be altered. + + _Scott._--You are wrong in one respect. A tide is always said to + _run_,--but I thought of the tide without attending to the + equivoque, which must be altered. Read,-- + + "Where the tumultuous flight rolls on." + + + STANZA XVI.--"---- found _gallant_ grave." + + + _James._--This is surely a singular epithet to a grave. I think the + whole of this stanza eminently fine; and, in particular, the + conclusion. + + _Scott._--"---- found _soldier's_ grave." ---- + + + STANZA XXI.--"_Redoubted_ Picton's soul of fire." + + + _James._--From long association, this epithet strikes me as + conveying a semi-ludicrous idea. + + _Scott._--It is here appropriate, and your objection seems merely + personal to your own association. + + IBID.--"Through his friends' heart to _wound_ his own." + + _James._--Quaere--_Pierce_, or rather _stab_--_wound_ is faint. + + _Scott._--"Pierce." + + + STANZA XXII.--"Forgive, _brave fallen_, the imperfect lay." + + + _James._--Don't like "brave fallen" at all; nor "appropriate + praise," three lines after. The latter in particular is prosaic. + + _Scott._--"Forgive, _brave dead_," + ---- "_The dear-earned praise._" + + + + +{p.076} CHAPTER XXXVI. + + Field of Waterloo Published. -- Revision of Paul's Letters, + etc. -- Quarrel and Reconciliation with Hogg. -- Football + Match at Carterhaugh. -- Songs on the Banner of Buccleuch. + -- Dinner at Bowhill. -- Design for a Piece of Plate to the + Sutors of Selkirk. -- Letters to the Duke of Buccleuch, + Joanna Baillie, and Mr. Morritt. + +1815. + + +The poem of The Field of Waterloo was published before the end of +October; the profits of the first edition being the author's +contribution to the fund raised for the relief of the widows and +children of the soldiers slain in the battle. This piece appears to +have disappointed those most disposed to sympathize with the author's +views and feelings. The descent is indeed heavy from his Bannockburn +to his Waterloo: the presence, or all but visible reality of what his +dreams cherished, seems to have overawed his imagination, and tamed it +into a weak pomposity of movement. The burst of pure native enthusiasm +upon the _Scottish_ heroes that fell around the Duke of Wellington's +person bears, however, the broadest marks of the "Mighty Minstrel:"-- + + "Saw gallant Miller's fading eye + Still bent where Albyn's standards fly, + And Cameron, in the shock of steel, + Die like the offspring of Lochiel," etc.;-- + +and this is far from being the only redeeming passage. There is one, +indeed, in which he illustrates what he then thought Buonaparte's +poorness of spirit in adversity, {p.077} which always struck me as +preeminently characteristic of Scott's manner of interweaving, both in +prose and verse, the moral energies with analogous natural +description, and combining thought with imagery,-- + + "Or is thy soul like mountain tide, + That, swelled by winter storm and shower, + Rolls down in turbulence of power, + A torrent fierce and wide; + Reft of these aids, a rill obscure, + Shrinking unnoticed, mean and poor, + Whose channel shows displayed + The wrecks of its impetuous course, + But not one symptom of the force + By which these wrecks were made!" + +The poem was the first upon a subject likely to be sufficiently +hackneyed; and, having the advantage of coming out in a small cheap +form--(prudently imitated from Murray's innovation with the tales of +Byron, which was the death-blow to the system of verse in quarto)--it +attained rapidly a measure of circulation above what had been reached +either by Rokeby or The Lord of the Isles. + +Meanwhile the revision of Paul's Letters was proceeding; and Scott had +almost immediately on his return to Abbotsford concluded his bargain +for the first edition of a third novel--The Antiquary--to be published +also in the approaching winter. Harold the Dauntless, too, was from +time to time taken up as the amusement of _horae subsecivae_. As for +Scott's out-of-doors occupations of that autumn, sufficient light will +be thrown on them by the following letter; from which it is seen that +he had now completed a rather tedious negotiation with another +bonnet-laird, and definitively added the lands of _Kaeside_ to the +original estate of Abbotsford. + + TO MISS JOANNA BAILLIE, HAMPSTEAD. + + ABBOTSFORD, November 12, 1815. + + I have been long in acknowledging your letter, my dear + friend, and yet you have not only been frequent in my + thoughts, as must always be the case, but your name {p.078} + has been of late familiar in my mouth as a household word. + You must know that the pinasters you had the goodness to + send me some time since, which are now fit to be set out of + the nursery, have occupied my mind as to the mode of + disposing of them. Now, mark the event: there is in the + middle of what will soon be a bank of fine young wood, a + certain old gravel-pit, which is the present scene of my + operations. I have caused it to be covered with better + earth, and gently altered with the spade, so as, if + possible, to give it the air of one of those accidental + hollows which the surface of a hill frequently presents. + Having arranged my ground, I intend to plant it all round + with the pinasters, and other varieties of the pine species, + and in the interior I will have a rustic seat, surrounded by + all kinds of evergreen shrubs (laurels in particular), and + all varieties of the holly and cedar, and so forth, and this + is to be called and entitled _Joanna's Bower_. We are + determined in the choice of our ornaments by necessity, for + our ground fronts (in poetic phrase) the rising sun, or, in + common language, looks to the east; and being also on the + north side of the hill--(don't you shiver at the + thought?)--why, to say truth, George Wynnos and I are both + of opinion that nothing but evergreens will flourish there; + but I trust I shall convert a present deformity into a very + pretty little hobby-horsical sort of thing. It will not bear + looking at for years, and that is a pity; but it will so far + resemble the person from whom it takes name, that it is + planted, as she has written, for the benefit as well of + posterity as for the passing generation. Time and I, says + the Spaniard, against any two; and fully confiding in the + proverb, I have just undertaken another grand task. You must + know, I have purchased a large lump of wild land, lying + adjoining to this little property, which greatly more than + doubles my domains. The land is said to be reasonably + bought, and I am almost certain I can turn it to advantage + by a little judicious expenditure; for this {p.079} place + is already allowed to be worth twice what it cost me; and + our people here think so little of planting, and do it so + carelessly, that they stare with astonishment at the + alteration which well-planted woods make on the face of a + country. There is, besides, a very great temptation, from + the land running to within a quarter of a mile of a very + sweet wild sheet of water, of which (that is, one side of + it) I have every chance to become proprietor: this is a + poetical circumstance not to be lost sight of, and + accordingly I keep it full in my view. Amid these various + avocations, past, present, and to come, I have not thought + much about Waterloo, only that I am truly glad you like it. + I might, no doubt, have added many curious anecdotes, but I + think the pamphlet long enough as it stands, and never had + any design of writing copious notes. + + I do most devoutly hope Lord Byron will succeed in his + proposal of bringing out one of your dramas; that he is your + sincere admirer is only synonymous with his being a man of + genius; and he has, I am convinced, both the power and + inclination to serve the public, by availing himself of the + treasures you have laid before them. Yet I long for "some + yet untasted spring," and heartily wish you would take Lord + B. into your counsels, and adjust, from your yet unpublished + materials, some drama for the public. In such a case, I + would, in your place, conceal my name till the issue of the + adventure. It is a sickening thing to think how many angry + and evil passions the mere name of admitted excellence + brings into full activity. I wish you would consider this + hint, and I am sure the result would be great gratification + to the public, and to yourself that sort of satisfaction + which arises from receiving proofs of having attained the + mark at which you aimed. Of this last, indeed, you cannot + doubt, if you consult only the voices of the intelligent and + the accomplished; but the object of the dramatist is + professedly to delight the public at large, and therefore I + think you should make the experiment fairly. + + {p.080} Little Sophia is much obliged by your kind and + continued recollection: she is an excellent good child, + sufficiently sensible, very affectionate, not without + perception of character; but the gods have not made her + poetical, and I hope she will never attempt to act a part + which nature has not called her to. I am myself a poet, + writing to a poetess, and therefore cannot be suspected of a + wish to degrade a talent, to which, in whatever degree I may + have possessed it, I am indebted for much happiness: but + this depends only on the rare coincidence of some talent + falling in with a novelty in style and diction and conduct + of story, which suited the popular taste; and were my + children to be better poets than me, they would not be such + in general estimation, simply because the second cannot be + the first, and the first (I mean in point of date) is + everything, while others are nothing, even with more + intrinsic merit. I am therefore particularly anxious to + store the heads of my young damsels with something better + than the tags of rhymes; and I hope Sophia is old enough + (young though she be) to view her little incidents of + celebrity, such as they are, in the right point of view. + Mrs. Scott and she are at present in Edinburgh; the rest of + the children are with me in this place; my eldest boy is + already a bold horseman and a fine shot, though only about + fourteen years old. I assure you I was prouder of the first + blackcock he killed, than I have been of anything whatever + since I first killed one myself, and that is twenty years + ago. This is all stupid gossip; but, as Master Corporal Nym + says, "things must be as they may:" you cannot expect grapes + from thorns, or much amusement from a brain bewildered with + thorn hedges at Kaeside, for such is the sonorous title of + my new possession, in virtue of which I subscribe myself, + + ABBOTSFORD & KAESIDE. + +There is now to be mentioned a little pageant of {p.081} December, +1815, which perhaps interested _Abbotsford and Kaeside_ not very much +less than the "Field of the Cloth of Gold," as James Ballantyne calls +it, of the preceding autumn. This was no other than a football match, +got up under the auspices of the Duke of Buccleuch, between the men of +the Vale of Yarrow and the Burghers of Selkirk, the particulars of +which will be sufficiently explained by an extract from Ballantyne's +newspaper, written, I can have no doubt, by the Sheriff of the Forest. +But the part taken in this solemnity by the Ettrick Shepherd reminds +me of an extraordinary epistle which Scott had received from him some +months before this time, and of the account given by Hogg himself, in +one of his autobiographies, of the manner in which Scott's kindness +terminated the alienation it refers to. + +The Shepherd, being as usual in pecuniary straits, had projected a +work, to be called The Poetic Mirror, in which should appear some +piece by each popular poet of the time, the whole to be edited by +himself, and published for his benefit; and he addressed, accordingly, +to his brother bards a circular petition for their best assistance. +Scott--like Byron and most of the other persons thus applied +to--declined the proposition. The letter in which he signified his +refusal has not been preserved;--indeed it is sufficiently remarkable, +that of all the many letters which Hogg must have received from his +distinguished contemporaries, he appears to have kept not one; but +Scott's decided aversion to joint-stock adventures in authorship must +have been well known ere now to Hogg--and, at all events, nobody can +suspect that his note of refusal was meant to be an unfriendly +communication. The Shepherd, however, took some phrase in high +dudgeon, and penned an answer virulently insolent in spirit and in +language, accusing him of base jealousy of his own superior natural +genius. I am not sure whether it was on this or another occasion of +the like sort, that James varied the usual formulas of {p.082} +epistolary composition, by beginning with "Damned Sir," and ending, +"Believe me, Sir, yours with disgust, etc.;" but certainly the +performance was such that no intercourse took place between the +parties for some weeks, or perhaps months, afterwards. The letter in +which Hogg at length solicits a renewal of kindliness says nothing, it +may be observed, of the circumstance which, according to his +autobiography, confirmed by the recollection of two friends, whom he +names in the letter itself (Mr. John Grieve and Mr. William Laidlaw), +had really caused him to repent of his suspicions, and their +outrageous expression. The fact was, that hearing, shortly after the +receipt of the offensive epistle, that Hogg was confined to his +lodgings, in an obscure alley of Edinburgh, called Gabriel's Road, by +a dangerous illness, Scott called on Mr. Grieve to make inquiries +about him, and to offer to take on himself the expenses of the best +medical attendance. He had, however, cautioned the worthy hatter that +no hint of this offer must reach Hogg; and, in consequence, it might +perhaps be the Shepherd's feeling at the time that he should not, in +addressing his lifelong benefactor, betray any acquaintance with this +recent interference on his behalf. There can be no doubt, however, +that he obeyed the genuine dictates of his better nature when he +penned this apologetic effusion:-- + + TO WALTER SCOTT, ESQ., CASTLE STREET. + + GABRIEL'S ROAD, February 28, 1815. + + Mr. SCOTT,--I think it is great nonsense for two men who are + friends at heart, and who ever must be so,--indeed it is not + in the nature of things that they can be otherwise,--should + be professed enemies. + + Mr. Grieve and Mr. Laidlaw, who were very severe on me, and + to whom I was obliged to show your letter, have long ago + convinced me that I mistook part of it, and that it was not + me you held in such contempt, but the opinion of the public. + The {p.083} idea that you might mean that (though I still + think the reading will bear either construction) has given + me much pain; for I know I answered yours intemperately, and + in a mortal rage. I meant to have enclosed yours, and begged + of you to return mine, but I cannot find it, and am sure + that some one to whom I have been induced to show it, has + taken it away. However, as my troubles on that subject were + never like to wear to an end, I could no longer resist + telling you that I am extremely vexed about it. I desire not + a renewal of our former intimacy, for haply, after what I + have written, your family would not suffer it; but I wish it + to be understood that, when we meet _by chance_, we might + shake hands, and speak to one another as old acquaintances, + and likewise that we may exchange a letter occasionally, for + I find there are many things which I yearn to communicate to + you, and the tears rush to my eyes when I consider that I + may not. + + If you allow of this, pray let me know, and if you do not, + let me know. Indeed, I am anxious to hear from you, for "as + the day of trouble is with me, so shall my strength be." To + be friends _from the teeth forwards_ is common enough; but + it strikes me that there is something still more ludicrous + in the reverse of the picture, and so to be enemies--and why + should I be, _from the teeth forwards_, yours sincerely, + + James HOGG? + +Scott's reply was, as Hogg says, "a brief note, telling him to think +no more of the business, and come to breakfast next morning." The +misunderstanding being thus closed, they appear to have counselled and +cooperated together in the most cordial fashion, in disciplining their +rural allies for the muster of Carterhaugh--the Duke of Buccleuch's +brother-in-law, the Earl of Home, having appointed the Shepherd his +Lieutenant over the Yarrow Band, while the Sheriff took under his +special cognizance the _Sutors_, i.e., _shoemakers_, of Selkirk--for +so the burgesses of that town have for ages styled themselves, and +under that denomination their warlike prowess in days of yore has been +celebrated in many an old ballad, besides the well-known one which +begins with + + {p.084} "'Tis up wi' the Sutors o' Selkirk, + And 'tis down wi' the Earl of Home!" + +In order to understand all the allusions in the newspaper record of +this important day, one must be familiar with the notes to the +Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border; but I shall not burden it with +further comment here. + + FOOTBALL MATCH. + + "On Monday, 4th December, there was played, upon the + extensive plain of Carterhaugh, near the junction of the + Ettrick and Yarrow, the greatest match at the ball which has + taken place for many years. It was held by the people of the + Dale of Yarrow, against those of the parish of Selkirk; the + former being brought to the field by the Right Hon. the Earl + of Home, and the Gallant Sutors by their Chief Magistrate, + Ebenezer Clarkson, Esq. Both sides were joined by many + volunteers from other parishes; and the appearance of the + various parties marching from their different glens to the + place of rendezvous, with pipes playing and loud + acclamations, carried back the coldest imagination to the + old times when the Foresters assembled with the less + peaceable purpose of invading the English territory, or + defending their own. The romantic character of the scenery + aided the illusion, as well as the performance of a feudal + ceremony previous to commencing the games. + + "His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry came upon + the ground about eleven o'clock, attended by his sons, the + young Earl of Dalkeith and Lord John Scott; the Countess of + Home; the Ladies Anne, Charlotte, and Isabella Scott; Lord + and Lady Montagu and family; the Hon. General Sir Edward + Stopford, K. B.; Sir John Riddell of Riddell; Sir Alexander + Don of Newton; Mr. Elliot Lockhart, member for the county; + Mr. Pringle of Whytbank, younger; Mr. Pringle of Torwoodlee; + Captain Pringle, Royal Navy; Mr. Boyd of Broadmeadows and + family; Mr. Chisholm of Chisholm; Major Pott of Todrig; Mr. + Walter Scott, Sheriff of Selkirkshire, and family,--and many + other gentlemen and ladies.--The ancient banner of the + Buccleuch family, a curious and venerable relique, + emblazoned with armorial bearings, and with the word + '_Bellendaine_,' the ancient war-cry of the clan of Scott, + was then displayed, {p.085} as on former occasions when the + Chief took the field in person, whether for the purpose of + war or sport. The banner was delivered by Lady Anne Scott to + Master Walter Scott, younger of Abbotsford, who attended + suitably mounted and armed, and riding over the field + displayed it to the sound of the war-pipes, and amid the + acclamations of the assembled spectators, who could not be + fewer than 2000 in number. That this singular renewal of an + ancient military custom might not want poetical celebrity, + verses were distributed among the spectators, composed for + the occasion by Mr. Walter Scott and the Ettrick + Shepherd.--Mr. James Hogg acted as aide-de-camp to the Earl + of Home in the command of the Yarrow men, and Mr. Robert + Henderson of Selkirk to Mr. Clarkson, both of whom + contributed not a little to the good order of the day. + + "The ball was thrown up between the parties by the Duke of + Buccleuch, and the first game was gained, after a severe + conflict of an hour and a half duration, by the Selkirk men. + The second game was still more severely contested, and after + a close and stubborn struggle of more than three hours, with + various fortune, and much display of strength and agility on + both sides, was at length carried by the Yarrow men. The + ball should then have been thrown up a third time, but + considerable difficulty occurred in arranging the voluntary + auxiliaries from other parishes, so as to make the match + equal; and, as the day began to close, it was found + impossible to bring the strife to an issue, by playing a + decisive game. + + "Both parties, therefore, parted with equal honors, but, + before they left the ground, the Sheriff threw up his hat, + and in Lord Dalkeith's name and his own, challenged the + Yarrow men, on the part of the Sutors, to a match to be + played upon the first convenient opportunity, with 100 + picked men only on each side. The challenge was mutually + accepted by Lord Home, on his own part, and for Lord John + Scott, and was received with acclamation by the players on + both sides. The principal gentlemen present took part with + one side or other, except the Duke of Buccleuch, who remains + neutral. Great play is expected, and all bets are to be paid + by the losers to the poor of the winning parish. We cannot + dismiss the subject without giving our highest commendation + to the Earl of Home, {p.086} and to Mr. Clarkson, for the + attention which they showed in promoting the spirit and good + order of the day. For the players themselves, it was + impossible to see a finer set of active and athletic young + fellows than appeared on the field. But what we chiefly + admired in their conduct was, that though several hundreds + in number, exceedingly keen for their respective parties, + and engaged in so rough and animated a contest, they + maintained the most perfect good-humor, and showed how + unnecessary it is to discourage manly and athletic exercises + among the common people, under pretext of maintaining + subordination and good order. We have only to regret that + the great concourse of spectators rendered it difficult to + mention the names of the several players who distinguished + themselves by feats of strength or agility; but we must not + omit to record that the first ball was _hailed_ by Robert + Hall, mason in _Selkirk_, and the second by George Brodie, + from _Greatlaws_, upon _Aillwater_. + + "The Selkirk party wore slips of fir as their mark of + distinction--the Yarrow men, sprigs of heath. + + "Refreshments were distributed to the players by the Duke of + Buccleuch's domestics, in a booth erected for the purpose; + and no persons were allowed to sell ale or spirits on the + field. + + "In the evening there was a dance at the Duke's hunting-seat + at Bowhill, attended by the nobility and gentry who had + witnessed the sport of the day; and the fascination of Gow's + violin and band detained them in the dancing-room till the + dawn of the winter morning." + +The newspaper then gives the songs above alluded to--namely, Scott's +Lifting of the Banner:-- + + "From the brown crest of Newark its summons extending, + Our signal is waving in smoke and in flame, + And each Forester blithe, from his mountain descending, + Bounds light o'er the heather to join in the game; + Then up with the Banner! let forest winds fan her! + She has blazed over Ettrick eight ages and more; + In sport we'll attend her, in battle defend her, + With heart and with hand, like our Fathers before," etc.[26] + + [Footnote 26: See _Poetical Works_ (Ed. 1834), vol. xi. + p. 312 [Cambridge Ed. p. 424].] + +--and that excellent ditty by Hogg, entitled The Ettrick {p.087} +Garland, to the Ancient Banner of the House of Buccleuch:-- + + "And hast thou here, like hermit gray, + Thy mystic characters unroll'd, + O'er peaceful revellers to play, + Thou emblem of the days of old? + All hail! memorial of the brave, + The liegeman's pride, the Border's awe! + May thy gray pennon never wave + On sterner field than Carterhaugh!" etc. + +I have no doubt the Sheriff of the Forest was a prouder man, when he +saw his boy ride about Carterhaugh with the pennon of Bellenden, than +when Platoff mounted himself for the imperial review of the _Champ de +Mars_. It is a pity that I should have occasion to allude, before I +quit a scene so characteristic of Scott, to another outbreak of Hogg's +jealous humor. His Autobiography informs us, that when the more +distinguished part of the company assembled on the conclusion of the +sport to dine at Bowhill, he was proceeding to place himself at a +particular table--but the Sheriff seized his arm, told him _that_ was +reserved for the nobility, and seated him at an inferior +board--"between himself and the Laird of Harden"--the first gentleman +of the clan Scott. "The fact is," says Hogg, "I am convinced he was +sore afraid of my getting to be too great a favorite among the young +ladies of Buccleuch!" Who can read this, and not be reminded of Sancho +Panza and the Duchess? And, after all, he quite mistook what Scott had +said to him; for certainly there was, neither on this, nor on any +similar occasion at Bowhill, any _high table for the nobility_, though +there was a _side-table for the children_, at which, when the Shepherd +of Ettrick was about to seat himself, his friend probably whispered +that it was reserved for the "_little_ lords and ladies, and their +playmates." This blunder may seem undeserving of any explanation; but +it is often in small matters that the strongest feelings are most +strikingly betrayed--and this story is, in exact {p.088} proportion +to its silliness, indicative of the jealous feeling which mars and +distorts so many of Hogg's representations of Scott's conduct and +demeanor. + +It appears from the account of this football match in the Edinburgh +Journal, that Scott took a lead in proposing a renewal of the contest. +This, however, never occurred; and that it ought not to do so had +probably occurred from the first to the Duke of Buccleuch, who is +mentioned as having alone abstained from laying any bets on the final +issue. + +When Mr. Washington Irving visited Scott two years afterwards at +Abbotsford, he told his American friend that "the old feuds and local +interests, and rivalries and animosities of the Scotch, still slept in +their ashes, and might easily be roused; their hereditary feeling for +names was still great; it was not always safe to have even the game of +football between villages;--the old clannish spirit was too apt to +break out."[27] + + [Footnote 27: Irving's _Abbotsford and Newstead_, 1835, + p. 40.] + +The good Duke of Buccleuch's solitary exemption from these heats of +Carterhaugh might read a significant lesson to minor politicians of +all parties on more important scenes. In pursuance of the same +peace-making spirit, he appears to have been desirous of doing +something gratifying to the men of the town of Selkirk, who had on +this occasion taken the field against his Yarrow tenantry. His Grace +consulted Scott about the design of a piece of plate to be presented +to their community; and his letter on this weighty subject must not be +omitted in the memoirs of a Sheriff of Selkirk:-- + + TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH, ETC., BOWHILL. + + EDINBURGH, Thursday. + + MY DEAR LORD,--I have proceeded in my commission about the + cup. It will be a very handsome one. But I am still puzzled + to dispose of the birse[28] in a {p.089} becoming manner. + It is a most unmanageable decoration. I tried it upright on + the top of the cup; it looked like a shaving-brush, and the + goblet might be intended to make the lather. Then I thought + I had a brilliant idea. The arms of Selkirk are a female + seated on a sarcophagus, decorated with the arms of + Scotland, which will make a beautiful top to the cup. So I + thought of putting the birse into the lady's other hand; + but, alas, it looked so precisely like the rod of + chastisement uplifted over the poor child, that I laughed at + the drawing for half an hour. Next I tried to take off the + castigatory appearance, by inserting the bristles in a kind + of handle; but then it looked as if the poor woman had been + engaged in the capacities of housemaid and child-keeper at + once, and, fatigued with her double duty, had sat down on + the wine-cooler, with the broom in one hand, and the bairn + in the other. At length, after some conference with Charles + Sharpe, I have hit on a plan, which, I think, will look very + well, if tolerably executed,--namely, to have the lady + seated in due form on the top of the lid (which will look + handsome, and will be well taken), and to have a thistle + wreathed around the sarcophagus and rising above her head, + and from the top of the thistle shall proceed the birse. I + will bring a drawing with me, and they shall get the cup + ready in the mean time. I hope to be at Abbotsford on Monday + night, to stay for a week. My cat has eat two or three + birds, while regaling on the crumbs that were thrown for + them. This was a breach of hospitality; but _oportet + vivere_--and _micat inter omnes_--with which stolen pun, and + my respectful compliments to Lord Montagu and the ladies, I + am, very truly, your Grace's most faithful and obliged + servant, + + Walter SCOTT. + + [Footnote 28: A _birse_, or bunch of hog's _bristles_, + forms the cognizance of the Sutors. When a new burgess + is admitted into their community, _the birse_ passes + round with the cup of welcome, and every elder brother + dips it into the wine, and draws it through his mouth, + before it reaches the happy neophyte, who of course pays + it similar respect.] + + {p.090} P. S.--Under another cover, which I have just + received, I send the two drawings of the front and reverse + of the lid of the proposed cup. Your Grace will be so good + as understand that the thistle--the top of which is + garnished with the bristle--is entirely detached, in + working, from the figure, and slips into a socket. The + following lines are humbly suggested for a motto, being + taken from an ancient Scottish canzonetta,--unless the + Yarrow committee can find any better:-- + + "The sutor ga'e the sow a kiss: + Grumph! quo' the sow, it's a' for my birss." + +Some weeks before the year 1815 closed, Mr. Morritt sustained the +heaviest of domestic afflictions; and several letters on that sad +subject had passed between Rokeby and Abbotsford,[29] before the date +of the following:-- + + [Footnote 29: [A touching letter from Morritt, written + shortly before his wife's death, and one of Scott's, + written after that event, will be found in _Familiar + Letters_, vol. i. pp. 352-354.]] + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., ROKEBY PARK. + + EDINBURGH, 22d December, 1815. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--While you know what satisfaction it would + have given me to have seen you here, I am very sensible of + the more weighty reasons which you urge for preferring to + stay at Rokeby for some time. I only hope you will remember + that Scotland has claims on you, whenever you shall find + your own mind so far at ease as to permit you to look abroad + for consolation; and if it should happen that you thought of + being here about our time of vacation, I have my time then + entirely at my own command, and I need not say, that as much + of it as could in any manner of way contribute to your + amusement, is most heartily at yours. I have myself at + present the melancholy task of watching the declining health + of my elder brother, Major Scott, whom, I think, you have + seen. + + {p.091} My literary occupation is getting through the press + the Letters of Paul, of whose lucubrations I trust soon to + send you a copy. As the observations of a bystander, perhaps + you will find some amusement in them, especially as I had + some channels of information not accessible to every one. + The recess of our courts, which takes place to-morrow, for + three weeks, will give me ample time to complete this job, + and also the second volume of Triermain, which is nearly + finished,--a strange rude story, founded partly on the + ancient northern traditions respecting the Berserkers, whose + peculiar habits and fits of martial frenzy make such a + figure in the Sagas. I shall then set myself seriously to + The Antiquary, of which I have only a very general sketch at + present; but when once I get my pen to the paper it will + walk fast enough. I am sometimes tempted to leave it alone, + and try whether it will not write as well without the + assistance of my head as with it. A hopeful prospect for the + reader. In the mean while, the snow, which is now falling so + fast as to make it dubious when this letter may reach + Rokeby, is likely to forward these important avocations, by + keeping me a constant resident in Edinburgh, in lieu of my + plan of going to Abbotsford, where I had a number of schemes + in hand, in the way of planting and improving. I believe I + told you I have made a considerable addition to my little + farm, and extended my domains towards a wild lake, which I + have a good prospect of acquiring also. It has a sort of + legendary fame; for the persuasion of the solitary shepherds + who approach its banks is, that it is tenanted by a very + large amphibious animal called by them a water-bull, and + which several of them pretend to have seen. As his + dimensions greatly exceed those of an otter, I am tempted to + think with Trinculo, "This is the devil, and no monster." + But, after all, is it not strange, that as to almost all the + lakes in Scotland, both Lowland and Highland, such a belief + should prevail? and that the description popularly given + {p.092} uniformly corresponds with that of the + hippopotamus? Is it possible, that at some remote period, + that remarkable animal, like some others which have now + disappeared, may have been an inhabitant of our large lakes? + Certainly the vanishing of the mammoth and other animals + from the face of the creation renders such a conjecture less + wild than I would otherwise esteem it. It is certain we have + lost the beaver, whose bones have been more than once found + in our Selkirkshire bogs and marlmosses. The remains of the + wild bull are very frequently found; and I have more than + one skull with horns of most formidable dimensions. + + About a fortnight ago we had a great football match in + Selkirkshire, when the Duke of Buccleuch raised his banner + (a very curious and ancient pennon) in great form. Your + friend Walter was banner-bearer, dressed, like a forester of + old, in green, with a green bonnet, and an eagle feather in + it; and, as he was well mounted, and rode handsomely over + the field, he was much admired by all his clansmen. + + I have thrown these trifles together, without much hope that + they will afford you amusement; but I know you will wish to + know what I am about, and I have but trifles to send to + those friends who interest themselves about a trifler. My + present employment is watching, from time to time, the + progress of a stupid cause, in order to be ready to reduce + the sentence into writing, when the Court shall have decided + whether Gordon of Kenmore or MacMichan of Meikleforthhead be + the superior of the lands of Tarschrechan and Dalbrattie, + and entitled to the feudal casualties payable forth thereof, + which may amount to twopence sterling, once in half a dozen + of years. Marry, sir, they make part of a freehold + qualification, and the decision may wing a voter. I did not + send the book you received by the Selkirk coach. I wish I + could have had sense enough to send anything which could + afford you consolation. I think our friend {p.093} Lady + Louisa was likely to have had this attention; she has, God + knows, been herself tried with affliction, and is well + acquainted with the sources from which comfort can be drawn. + My wife joins in kindest remembrances, as do Sophia and + Walter. Ever yours affectionately, + + Walter SCOTT. + +This letter is dated the 22d of December. On the 26th, John +Ballantyne, being then at Abbotsford, writes to Messrs. Constable: +"Paul is _all_ in hand;" and an envelope, addressed to James +Ballantyne on the 29th, has preserved another little fragment of +Scott's playful doggerel:-- + + "Dear James--I'm done, thank God, with the long yarns + Of the most prosy of Apostles--Paul; + And now advance, sweet Heathen of Monkbarns, + Step out, old quizz, as fast as I can scrawl." + + + + +{p.094} CHAPTER XXXVII. + + Publication of Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk. -- Guy + Mannering "Terry-fied." -- Death of Major John Scott. -- + Letters to Thomas Scott. -- Publication of the Antiquary. -- + History of 1814 for the Edinburgh Annual Register. -- + Letters on the History of Scotland Projected. -- Publication + of the First Tales of My Landlord by Murray and Blackwood. + -- Anecdotes by Mr. Train. -- Quarterly Review on the Tales. + -- Building at Abbotsford Begun. -- Letters to Morritt, + Terry, Murray, and the Ballantynes. + +1816. + + +The year 1815 may be considered as, for Scott's peaceful tenor of +life, an eventful one. That which followed has left almost its only +traces in the successive appearance of nine volumes, which attest the +prodigal genius, and hardly less astonishing industry of the man. +Early in January were published Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk, of +which I need not now say more than that they were received with lively +curiosity, and general, though not vociferous applause. The first +edition was an octavo, of 6000 copies; and it was followed, in the +course of the next two or three years, by a second and a third, +amounting together to 3000 more. The popularity of the novelist was at +its height; and this admitted, if not avowed, specimen of Scott's +prose must have been perceived, by all who had any share of +discrimination, to flow from the same pen. + +Mr. Terry produced, in the spring of 1816, a dramatic {p.095} piece, +entitled Guy Mannering, which met with great success on the London +boards, and still continues to be a favorite with the theatrical +public. What share the novelist himself had in this first specimen of +what he used to call "the art of _Terryfying_," I cannot exactly say; +but his correspondence shows that the pretty song of the Lullaby[30] +was not his only contribution to it; and I infer that he had taken the +trouble to modify the plot, and rearrange, for stage purposes, a +considerable part of the original dialogue. The casual risk of +discovery, through the introduction of the song which had, in the mean +time, been communicated to one of his humble friends, the late Mr. +Alexander Campbell,[31] editor of Albyn's Anthology--(commonly known +at Abbotsford as, by way of excellence, _The Dunniewassal_,)--and +Scott's suggestions on that difficulty will amuse the reader of the +following letter:-- + + [Footnote 30: See Scott's _Poetical Works_ (Ed. 1834), + vol. xi. p. 317 (Cambridge Ed. p. 425).] + + [Footnote 31: This Mr. Campbell was the same whom the + poet's mother employed to teach her boys to sing, as + recorded in the Autobiographical Fragment--_ante_, vol. + i. p. 44. I believe he was also the "litigious + Highlander" of a story told in Irving's _Abbotsford and + Newstead_, p. 57. + + (In the November of this year, Scott writes to Lady + Abercorn: "The only thing I have been doing of late is + to write two or three songs for a poor man called + Campbell.... He has made an immense collection of + Highland airs, and I have given him words for some of + them. One of them is the only good song I ever wrote--it + is a fine Highland Gathering tune called _Pibroch an + Donuil Dhu_, that is, the Pibroch of Donald the + Black."--_Familiar Letters_, vol. i. p. 374.)] + + TO D. TERRY, ESQ., ALFRED PLACE, BLOOMSBURY, LONDON. + + ABBOTSFORD, 18th April, 1816. + + MY DEAR TERRY,--I give you joy of your promotion to the + dignity of an householder, and heartily wish you all the + success you so well deserve, to answer the approaching + enlargement of your domestic establishment. You will find a + house a very devouring monster, and that the purveying for + it requires a little exertion, and a great {p.096} deal of + self-denial and arrangement. But when there is domestic + peace and contentment, all that would otherwise be + disagreeable, as restraining our taste and occupying our + time, becomes easy. I trust Mrs. Terry will get her business + easily over, and that you will soon "dandle Dickie on your + knee."--I have been at the spring circuit, which made me + late in receiving your letter, and there I was introduced to + a man whom I never saw in my life before, namely, the + proprietor of all the Pepper and Mustard family,--in other + words, the genuine Dandie Dinmont. Dandie is himself modest, + and says, "he b'lives it's only the dougs that is in the + buik, and no himsel'." As the surveyor of taxes was going + his ominous rounds past Hyndlea, which is the abode of + Dandie, his whole pack rushed out upon the man of execution, + and Dandie followed them (conscious that their number + greatly exceeded his return), exclaiming, "The tae hauf o' + them is but whalps, man." In truth, I knew nothing of the + man, except his odd humor of having only two names for + twenty dogs. But there are lines of general resemblance + among all these hill-men, which there is no missing; and + Jamie Davidson of Hyndlea certainly looks Dandie Dinmont + remarkably well. He is much flattered with the compliment, + and goes uniformly by the name among his comrades, but has + never read the book. Ailie used to read it to him, but it + set him to sleep. All this you will think funny enough. I am + afraid I am in a scrape about the song, and that of my own + making; for as it never occurred to me that there was + anything odd in my writing two or three verses for you, + which have no connection with the novel, I was at no pains + to disown them; and Campbell is just that sort of crazy + creature, with whom there is no confidence, not from want of + honor and disposition to oblige, but from his flighty + temper. The music of _Cadil gu lo_ is already printed in his + publication, and nothing can be done with him, for fear of + setting his tongue a-going. Erskine and {p.097} you may + consider whether you should barely acknowledge an obligation + to an unknown friend, or pass the matter altogether in + silence. In my opinion, my _first_ idea was preferable to + both, because I cannot see what earthly connection there is + between the song and the novel, or how acknowledging the one + is fathering the other. On the contrary, it seems to me that + acknowledgment tends to exclude the idea of farther + obligation than to the extent specified. I forgot also that + I had given a copy of the lines to Mrs. Macleod of Macleod, + from whom I had the air. But I remit the matter entirely to + you and Erskine, for there must be many points in it which I + cannot be supposed a good judge of. At any rate, don't let + it delay your publication, and believe I shall be quite + satisfied with what you think proper. + + I have got from my friend Glengarry the noblest dog ever + seen on the Border since Johnnie Armstrong's time. He is + between the wolf and deer greyhound, about six feet long + from the tip of the nose to the tail, and high and strong in + proportion: he is quite gentle, and a great favorite: tell + Will Erskine he will eat off his plate without being at the + trouble to put a paw on the table or chair.[32] I showed him + to Mathews, who dined one day in Castle Street before I came + here, where, except for Mrs. S., I am like unto + + {p.098} "The spirit who bideth by himself, + In the land of mist and snow"--[33] + + for it is snowing and hailing eternally, and will kill all + the lambs to a certainty, unless it changes in a few hours. + At any rate, it will cure us of the embarrassments arising + from plenty and low markets. Much good luck to your dramatic + exertions: when I can be of use, command me. Mrs. Scott + joins me in regards to Mrs. Terry, and considers the house + as the greatest possible bargain: the situation is all you + can wish. Adieu! yours truly, + + Walter SCOTT. + + [Footnote 32: [In the letter accompanying his gift, + Glengarry says: "His name is Maida, out of respect for + that action in which my brother had the honor to lead + the 78th Highlanders to victory." Writing to Joanna + Baillie, April 12, Scott describes his new friend as + "the finest dog of the kind in Scotland.... He is + between the deer greyhound and mastiff, with a shaggy + mane like a lion; he always sits beside me at dinner, + his head as high as the back of my chair; yet it will + gratify you to know that a favorite cat keeps him in the + greatest possible order, and insists upon all rights of + precedence, and scratches with impunity the nose of an + animal who would make no bones of a wolf, and pulls down + a red deer without fear or difficulty. I heard my friend + set up some most piteous howls, and I assure you the + noise was no joke, all occasioned by his fear of passing + puss, who had stationed himself on the + stairs."--_Familiar Letters_, vol. i. p. 358.]] + + [Footnote 33: Coleridge--_Ancient Mariner_.] + + P. S.--On consideration, and comparing difficulties, I think + I will settle with Campbell to take my name from the verses, + as they stand in his collection. The verses themselves I + cannot take away without imprudent explanations; and as they + go to other music, and stand without any name, they will + probably not be noticed, so you need give yourself no + farther trouble on the score. I should like to see my copy: + pray send it to the post-office, under cover to Mr. + Freeling, whose unlimited privilege is at my service on all + occasions. + +Early in May appeared the novel of The Antiquary, which seems to have +been begun a little before the close of 1815. It came out at a moment +of domestic distress. + +Throughout the year 1815, Major John Scott had been drooping. He died +on the 8th of May, 1816; and I extract the letter in which this event +was announced to Mr. Thomas Scott by his only surviving brother. + + TO THOMAS SCOTT, ESQ., PAYMASTER OF THE 70TH REGIMENT, CANADA. + + EDINBURGH, 15th May, 1816. + + MY DEAR TOM,--This brings you the melancholy news of our + brother John's concluding his long and lingering illness by + death, upon Thursday last. We had {p.099} thought it + impossible he should survive the winter, but, as the weather + became milder, he gathered strength, and went out several + times. In the beginning of the week he became worse, and on + Wednesday kept his bed. On Thursday, about two o'clock, they + sent me an express to Abbotsford--the man reached me at + nine. I immediately set out, and travelled all night--but + had not the satisfaction to see my brother alive. He had + died about four o'clock, without much pain, being completely + exhausted. You will naturally feel most anxious about my + mother's state of health and spirits. I am happy to say she + has borne this severe shock with great firmness and + resignation, is perfectly well in her health, and as strong + in her mind as ever you knew her. She feels her loss, but is + also sensible that protracted existence, with a constitution + so irretrievably broken up, could have been no blessing. + Indeed I must say, that, in many respects, her situation + will be more comfortable on account of this removal, when + the first shock is over; for to watch an invalid, and to + undergo all the changes of a temper fretted by suffering, + suited ill with her age and habits. The funeral, which took + place yesterday, was decent and private, becoming our + father's eldest son, and the head of a quiet family. After + it, I asked Hay Donaldson and Mr. Macculloch[34] to look + over his papers, in case there should be any testamentary + provision, but none such was found; nor do I think he had + any intention of altering the destination which divides his + effects between his surviving brothers.--Your affectionate + + W. S. + + [Footnote 34: The late Mr. Hay Donaldson, W. S.,--an + intimate friend of both Thomas and Walter Scott,--and + Mr. Macculloch of Ardwell, the brother of Mrs. Thomas + Scott.] + +A few days afterwards, he hands to Mr. Thomas Scott a formal statement +of pecuniary affairs; the result of which was, that the Major had left +something not much under L6000. Major Scott, from all I have heard, +was {p.100} a sober, sedate bachelor, of dull mind and frugal tastes, +who, after his retirement from the army, divided his time between his +mother's primitive fireside, and the society of a few whist-playing +brother officers, that met for an evening rubber at Fortune's tavern. +But, making every allowance for his retired and thrifty habits, I +infer that the payments made to each of the three brothers out of +their father's estate must have, prior to 1816, amounted to L5000. +From the letter conveying this statement (29th May), I extract a few +sentences:-- + + DEAR TOM,--... Should the possession of this sum, and the + certainty that you must, according to the course of nature, + in a short space of years succeed to a similar sum of L3000 + belonging to our mother, induce you to turn your thoughts to + Scotland, I shall be most happy to forward your views with + any influence I may possess; and I have little doubt that, + sooner or later, something may be done. But, unfortunately, + every avenue is now choked with applicants, whose claims are + very strong; for the number of disbanded officers, and + public servants dismissed in consequence of Parliament + turning restive and refusing the income-tax, is great and + increasing. Economy is the order of the day, and I assure + you they are shaving properly close. It would, no doubt, be + comparatively easy to get you a better situation where you + are, but then it is bidding farewell to your country, at + least for a long time, and separating your children from all + knowledge of those with whom they are naturally connected. I + shall anxiously expect to hear from you on your views and + wishes. I think, at all events, you ought to get rid of the + drudgery of the paymastership--but not without trying to + exchange it for something else. I do not know how it is with + you--but I do not feel myself quite so _young_ as I was when + we met last, and I should like well to see my only brother + return to his own country and settle, without thoughts + {p.101} of leaving it, till it is exchanged for one that is + dark and distant.... I left all Jack's personal trifles at + my mother's disposal. There was nothing of the slightest + value, excepting his gold watch, which was my sister's, and + a good one. My mother says he had wished my son Walter + should have it, as his male representative--which I can only + accept on condition _your_ little Walter will accept a + similar token of regard from his remaining uncle.--Yours + affectionately, + + W. S. + +The letter in which Scott communicated his brother's death to Mr. +Morritt gives us his own original opinion of The Antiquary. It has +also some remarks on the separation of Lord and Lady Byron--and the +"domestic verses" of the noble poet. + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., LONDON. + + EDINBURGH, May 16, 1816. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--I have been occupied of late with scenes + of domestic distress, my poor brother, Major John Scott, + having last week closed a life which wasting disease had + long rendered burthensome. His death, under all the + circumstances, cannot be termed a subject of deep + affliction; and though we were always on fraternal terms of + mutual kindness and good-will, yet our habits of life, our + taste for society and circles of friends, were so totally + different, that there was less frequent intercourse between + us than our connection and real liking to each other might + have occasioned. Yet it is a heavy consideration to have + lost the last but one who was interested in our early + domestic life, our habits of boyhood, and our first friends + and connections. It makes one look about and see how the + scene has changed around him, and how he himself has been + changed with it. My only remaining brother is in Canada, and + seems to have an intention of remaining there; so that my + mother, now upwards of eighty, has now only one child left + to her {p.102} out of thirteen whom she has borne. She is a + most excellent woman, possessed, even at her advanced age, + of all the force of mind and sense of duty which have + carried her through so many domestic griefs, as the + successive deaths of eleven children, some of them come to + men and women's estate, naturally infers. She is the + principal subject of my attention at present, and is, I am + glad to say, perfectly well in body and composed in mind. + + Nothing can give me more pleasure than the prospect of + seeing you in September, which will suit our motions + perfectly well. I trust I shall have an opportunity to + introduce you to some of our glens which you have not yet + seen. But I hope we shall have some mild weather before that + time, for we are now in the seventh month of winter, which + almost leads me to suppose that we shall see no summer this + season. As for spring, that is past praying for. In the + month of November last, people were skating in the + neighborhood of Edinburgh; and now, in the middle of May, + the snow is lying white on Arthur's Seat, and on the range + of the Pentlands. It is really fearful, and the sheep are + perishing by scores. _Jam satis terrae nivis_, etc., may well + be taken up as the song of eighteen hundred and sixteen. + + So Lord Byron's romance seems to be concluded for one + while--and it is surely time, after he has announced, or + rather they themselves have announced, half-a-dozen + blackguard newspaper editors, to have been his confidants on + the occasion. Surely it is a strange thirst of public fame + that seeks such a road to it. But Lord Byron, with high + genius and many points of a noble and generous feeling, has + Childe Harolded himself, and outlawed himself, into too + great a resemblance with the pictures of his imagination. He + has one excuse, however, and it is a sad one. I have been + reckoned to make a good hit enough at a pirate, or an + outlaw, or a smuggling bandit; but I cannot say I was ever + so much enchanted with my {p.103} work as to think of + carrying off a _drift_ of my neighbor's sheep, or half a + dozen of his milk cows. Only I remember, in the rough times, + having a scheme with the Duke of Buccleuch, that when the + worst came to the worst, we should repair Hermitage Castle, + and live, like Robin Hood and his merry men, at the expense + of all round us. But this presupposed a grand + _bouleversement_ of society. In the mean while, I think my + noble friend is something like my old peacock, who chooses + to bivouac apart from his lady, and sit below my bedroom + window, to keep me awake with his screeching lamentation. + Only I own he is not equal in melody to Lord Byron, for + _Fare-thee-well--and if for ever_, etc., is a very sweet + dirge indeed. After all, _C'est genie mal loge_, and that's + all that can be said about it. + + I am quite reconciled to your opinions on the income-tax, + and am not at all in despair at the prospect of keeping L200 + a year in my pocket, since the ministers can fadge without + it. But their throwing the helve after the hatchet, and + giving up the malt-duty because they had lost the other, was + droll enough. After all, our fat friend[35] must learn to + live within compass, and fire off no more crackers in the + Park, for John Bull is getting dreadfully sore on all sides + when money is concerned. + + [Footnote 35: Shortly after Beau Brummell (immortalized + in _Don Juan_) fell into disgrace with the Prince + Regent, and was dismissed from the society of Carlton + House, he was riding with another gentleman in the Park, + when the Prince met them. His Royal Highness stopt to + speak to Brummell's companion--the Beau continued to jog + on--and when the other dandy rejoined him, asked with an + air of sovereign indifference, "Who is your fat friend?" + Such, at least, was the story that went the round of the + newspapers at the time, and highly tickled Scott's + fancy. I have heard that nobody enjoyed so much as the + Prince of Wales himself an earlier specimen of the + Beau's assurance. Taking offence at some part of His + Royal Highness's conduct or demeanor, "Upon my word," + observed Mr. Brummell, "if this kind of thing goes on, I + shall be obliged to cut Wales, and bring the old King + into fashion."] + + I sent you, some time since, The Antiquary. It is not so + interesting as its predecessors--the period did not {p.104} + admit of so much romantic situation. But it has been more + fortunate than any of them in the sale, for 6000 went off in + the first six days, and it is now at press again; which is + very flattering to the unknown author. Another incognito + proposes immediately to resume the second volume of + Triermain, which is at present in the state of the Bear and + Fiddle.[36] Adieu, dear Morritt. + + Ever yours, + + Walter SCOTT. + + [Footnote 36: See _Hudibras_.] + +Speaking of his third novel in a letter of the same date to Terry, +Scott says: "It wants the romance of Waverley and the adventure of Guy +Mannering; and yet there is some salvation about it, for if a man will +paint from nature, he will be likely to amuse those who are daily +looking at it." + +After a little pause of hesitation, The Antiquary attained popularity +not inferior to Guy Mannering; and though the author appears for a +moment to have shared the doubts which he read in the countenance of +James Ballantyne, it certainly was, in the sequel, his chief favorite +among all his novels. Nor is it difficult to account for this +preference, without laying any stress on the fact, that, during a few +short weeks, it was pretty commonly talked of as a falling off from +its immediate predecessors--and that some minor critics reechoed this +stupid whisper in print. In that view, there were many of its +successors that had much stronger claims on the parental instinct of +protection. But the truth is, that although Scott's Introduction of +1830 represents him as pleased with fancying that, in the principal +personage, he had embalmed a worthy friend of his boyish days, his own +antiquarian propensities, originating perhaps in the kind attentions +of George Constable of Wallace-Craigie, and fostered not a little, at +about as ductile a period, by those of old Clerk of Eldin, and John +Ramsay of Ochtertyre, had by degrees so developed themselves, that he +{p.105} could hardly, even when The Antiquary was published, have +scrupled about recognizing a quaint caricature of the founder of +Abbotsford Museum, in the inimitable portraiture of the Laird of +Monkbarns. The Descriptive Catalogue of that collection, which he +began towards the close of his life, but, alas, never finished, is +entitled "Reliquiae Trottcosianae--or the Gabions of the late Jonathan +Oldbuck, Esq." + +But laying this, which might have been little more than a good-humored +pleasantry, out of the question, there is assuredly no one of all his +works on which more of his own early associations have left their +image. Of those early associations, as his full-grown tastes were all +the progeny, so his genius, in all its happiest efforts, was the +"Recording Angel;" and when George Constable first expounded his +"Gabions" to the child that was to immortalize his name, they were +either wandering hand in hand over the field where the grass still +grew rank upon the grave of _Balmawhapple_, or sauntering on the beach +where the _Mucklebackets_ of Prestonpans dried their nets, singing,-- + + "Weel may the boatie row, and better may she speed, + O weel may the boatie row that wins the bairns' bread"-- + +or telling wild stories about cliff-escapes and the funerals of +shipwrecked fishermen. + +Considered by itself, without reference to these sources of personal +interest, this novel seems to me to possess, almost throughout, in +common with its two predecessors, a kind of simple unsought charm, +which the subsequent works of the series hardly reached, save in +occasional snatches: like them it is, in all its humbler and softer +scenes, the transcript of actual Scottish life, as observed by the man +himself. And I think it must also be allowed that he has nowhere +displayed his highest art, that of skilful contrast, in greater +perfection. Even the tragic romance of Waverley does not set off its +Macwheebles and Callum Begs better than the oddities of {p.106} +Jonathan Oldbuck and his circle are relieved, on the one hand, by the +stately gloom of the Glenallans, on the other, by the stern affliction +of the poor fisherman, who, when discovered repairing the "auld black +bitch o' a boat" in which his boy had been lost, and congratulated by +his visitor on being capable of the exertion, makes answer,--"And what +would you have me to do, unless I wanted to see four children starve, +because one is drowned? _It's weel wi' you gentles, that can sit in +the house wi' handkerchers at your een, when ye lose a friend; but the +like o' us maun to our wark again, if our hearts were beating as hard +as my hammer._" + +It may be worth noting, that it was in correcting the proof sheets of +this novel that Scott first took to equipping his chapters with +mottoes of his own fabrication. On one occasion he happened to ask +John Ballantyne, who was sitting by him, to hunt for a particular +passage in Beaumont and Fletcher. John did as he was bid, but did not +succeed in discovering the lines. "Hang it, Johnnie," cried Scott, "I +believe I can make a motto sooner than you will find one." He did so +accordingly; and from that hour, whenever memory failed to suggest an +appropriate epigraph, he had recourse to the inexhaustible mines of +"_old play_" or "_old ballad_," to which we owe some of the most +exquisite verses that ever flowed from his pen. + +Unlike, I believe, most men, whenever Scott neared the end of one +composition, his spirits seem to have caught a new spring of buoyancy, +and before the last sheet was sent from his desk, he had crowded his +brain with the imagination of another fiction. The Antiquary was +published, as we have seen, in May, but by the beginning of April he +had already opened to the Ballantynes the plan of the first Tales of +my Landlord; and--to say nothing of Harold the Dauntless, which he +began shortly after The Bridal of Triermain was finished, and which he +seems to have kept before him for two years {p.107} as a congenial +plaything, to be taken up whenever the coach brought no proof sheets +to jog him as to serious matters--he had also, before this time, +undertaken to write the historical department of the Register for +1814. Mr. Southey had, for reasons upon which I do not enter, +discontinued his services to that work: and it was now doubly +necessary, after trying for one year a less eminent hand, that if the +work were not to be dropped altogether, some strenuous exertion should +be made to sustain its character. Scott had not yet collected the +materials requisite for his historical sketch of a year distinguished +for the importance and complexity of its events; but these, he doubted +not, would soon reach him, and he felt no hesitation about pledging +himself to complete, not only that sketch, but four new volumes of +prose romances--and his Harold the Dauntless also, if Ballantyne could +make any suitable arrangement on that score--between the April and the +Christmas of 1816. + +The Antiquary had been published by Constable, but I presume that, in +addition to the usual stipulations, he had been again, on that +occasion, solicited to relieve John Ballantyne and Co.'s stock to an +extent which he did not find quite convenient; and at all events he +had of late shown a considerable reluctance to employ James Ballantyne +and Co. as printers. One or other of these impediments is alluded to +in a note of Scott's, which, though undated, has been pasted into John +Ballantyne's private letter-book among the documents of the period in +question. It is in these words:-- + + DEAR JOHN,--I have seen the great swab, who is supple as a + glove, and will do ALL, which some interpret NOTHING. + However, we shall do well enough. + + W. S. + +Constable had been admitted, almost from the beginning, into the +_secret_ of the Novels--and for that, among {p.108} other reasons, it +would have been desirable for the Novelist to have him continue the +publisher without interruption; but Scott was led to suspect, that if +he were called upon to conclude a bargain for a fourth novel before +the third had made its appearance, his scruples as to the matter of +_printing_ might at least protract the treaty; and why Scott should +have been urgently desirous of seeing the transaction settled before +the expiration of the half-yearly term of Whitsunday is sufficiently +explained by the fact, that though so much of the old unfortunate +stock of John Ballantyne and Co. still remained on hand--and with it +some occasional recurrence of commercial difficulty as to floating +bills was to be expected--while James Ballantyne's management of the +pecuniary affairs of the printing-house had continued to be highly +negligent and irregular[37]--nevertheless, the sanguine author had +gone on purchasing one patch of land after another, until his estate +at Abbotsford had already grown from 150 to nearly 1000 acres. The +property all about his original farm had been in the hands of various +small holders (Scottice _cock-lairds_;) these persons were sharp +enough to understand, erelong, that their neighbor could with +difficulty resist any temptation that might present itself in the +shape of an offer of more acres; and thus he proceeded buying up lot +after lot of unimproved ground, at extravagant prices,--his "appetite +increasing by what it fed on," while the ejected yeomen set themselves +down elsewhere, to fatten at their leisure upon the profits--most +commonly the anticipated profits--of "The Scotch Novels." + + [Footnote 37: In February, 1816, when James Ballantyne + married, it is clearly proved by letters in his + handwriting, that he owed to Scott more than L3000 of + personal debt.--(1839.)] + +He was ever and anon pulled up with a momentary misgiving,--and +resolved that the latest acquisition should be the last, until he +could get rid entirely of "John Ballantyne and Co." But John +Ballantyne was, {p.109} from the utter lightness of his mind, his +incapacity to look a day before him, and his eager impatience to enjoy +the passing hour, the very last man in the world who could, under such +circumstances, have been a serviceable agent. Moreover, John, too, had +his professional ambition: he was naturally proud of his connection, +however secondary, with the publication of these works--and this +connection, though subordinate, was still very profitable; he must +have suspected, that should his name disappear altogether from the +list of booksellers, it would be a very difficult matter for him to +retain any concern in them; and I cannot, on the whole, but consider +it as certain that, the first and more serious embarrassments being +overcome, he was far from continuing to hold by his patron's anxiety +for the total abolition of their unhappy copartnership. He, at all +events, unless when some sudden emergency arose, flattered Scott's own +gay imagination, by uniformly representing everything in the most +smiling colors; and though Scott, in his replies, seldom failed to +introduce some passing hint of caution--such as "_Nullum numen abest +si sit prudentia_"--he more and more took home to himself the +agreeable cast of his _Rigdum's_ anticipations, and wrote to him in a +vein as merry as his own;--_e. g._--"As for our stock, + + "'T will be wearing awa', John, + Like snaw-wreaths when it's thaw, John," etc., etc., etc. + +I am very sorry, in a word, to confess my conviction that John +Ballantyne, however volatile and light-headed, acted at this period +with cunning selfishness, both by Scott and by Constable. He well knew +that it was to Constable alone that his firm had more than once owed +its escape from utter ruin and dishonor; and he must also have known, +that had a fair straightforward effort been made for that purpose, +after the triumphant career of the Waverley series had once commenced, +nothing could have been more easy than to bring all the affairs of his +"back-stock," etc., to a complete close, by entering {p.110} into a +distinct and candid treaty on that subject, in connection with the +future works of the great Novelist, either with Constable or with any +other first-rate house in the trade. But John, foreseeing that, were +that unhappy concern quite out of the field, he must himself subside +into a mere clerk of the printing company, seems to have parried the +blow by the only arts of any consequence in which he ever was an +adept. He appears to have systematically disguised from Scott the +extent to which the whole Ballantyne concern had been sustained by +Constable--especially during his Hebridean tour of 1814, and his +Continental one of 1815--and prompted and enforced the idea of trying +other booksellers from time to time, instead of adhering to Constable, +merely for the selfish purposes,--first, of facilitating the immediate +discount of bills;--secondly, of further perplexing Scott's affairs, +the entire disentanglement of which would have been, as he fancied, +prejudicial to his own personal importance. + +It was resolved, accordingly, to offer the risk and half profits of +the first edition of another new novel--or rather collection of +novels--not to Messrs. Constable, but to Mr. Murray of Albemarle +Street, and Mr. Blackwood, who was then Murray's agent in Scotland; +but it was at the same time resolved, partly because Scott wished to +try another experiment on the public sagacity, but partly also, no +question, from the wish to spare Constable's feelings, that the +title-page of the Tales of my Landlord should not bear the magical +words "By the Author of Waverley." The facility with which both Murray +and Blackwood embraced such a proposal, as no untried novelist, being +sane, could have dreamt of hazarding, shows that neither of them had +any doubt as to the identity of the author. They both considered the +withholding of the avowal on the forthcoming title-page as likely to +check very much the first success of the book; but they were both +eager to prevent Constable's acquiring {p.111} a sort of prescriptive +right to publish for the unrivalled novelist, and willing to disturb +his tenure at this additional, and, as they thought it, wholly +unnecessary risk. + +How sharply the unseen parent watched this first negotiation of his +_Jedediah Cleishbotham_ will appear from one of his letters:-- + + TO MR. JOHN BALLANTYNE, HANOVER STREET, EDINBURGH. + + ABBOTSFORD, April 29, 1816. + + DEAR JOHN,--James has made one or two important mistakes in + the bargain with Murray and Blackwood. Briefly as follows:-- + + 1stly, Having only authority from me to promise 6000 copies, + he proposes they shall have the copyright _forever_. I will + see their noses cheese first. + + 2dly, He proposes I shall have twelve months' bills--I have + always got six. However, I would not stand on that. + + 3dly, He talks of volumes being put into the publisher's + hands to consider and decide on. No such thing; a bare + perusal at St. John Street[38] only. + + [Footnote 38: James Ballantyne's dwelling-house was then + in this street, adjoining the Canongate of Edinburgh.] + + Then for omissions--It is NOT stipulated that we supply the + paper and print of successive editions. This must be nailed, + and not left to understanding.--Secondly, I will have London + bills as well as Blackwood's. + + If they agree to these conditions, good and well. If they + demur, Constable must be instantly tried; giving half to the + Longmans, and _we_ drawing on _them_ for that moiety, or + Constable lodging their bill in our hands. You will + understand it is a four-volume touch--a work totally + different in style and structure from the others; a new + cast, in short, of the net which has hitherto made + miraculous draughts. I do not limit you to terms, because I + think you will make them better than I can do. {p.112} But + he must do more than others, since he will not or cannot + print with us. For every point but that, I would rather deal + with Constable than any one; he has always shown himself + spirited, judicious, and liberal. Blackwood must be brought + to the point _instantly_; and _whenever_ he demurs, + Constable must be treated with; for there is no use in + suffering the thing to be blown on. At the same time, you + need not conceal from him that there were some proposals + elsewhere, but you may add, with truth, I would rather close + with him. Yours truly, + + W. S. + + P. S.--I think Constable should jump at this affair; for I + believe the work will be very popular. + +Messrs. Murray and Blackwood agreed to all the author's conditions +here expressed. They also relieved John Ballantyne and Co. of stock to +the value of L500; and at least Mr. Murray must, moreover, have +subsequently consented to anticipate the period of his payments. At +all events, I find, in a letter of Scott's, dated in the subsequent +August, this new echo of the old advice:-- + + TO MR. JOHN BALLANTYNE. + + DEAR JOHN,--I have the pleasure to enclose Murray's + acceptances. I earnestly recommend to you to push, realizing + as much as you can. + + "Consider weel, gude man, + We hae but borrowed gear; + The horse that I ride on, + It is John Murray's mear." + + Yours truly, + + W. SCOTT. + +I know not how much of the tale of The Black Dwarf had been seen by +Blackwood, in St. John Street, before he concluded this bargain for +himself and his friend Murray; but when the closing sheets of that +novel {p.113} reached him, he considered them as by no means +sustaining the delightful promise of the opening ones. He was a man of +strong talents, and, though without anything that could be called +learning, of very respectable information--greatly superior to what +has, in this age, been common in his profession; acute, earnest, +eminently zealous in whatever he put his hand to; upright, honest, +sincere, and courageous. But as Constable owed his first introduction +to the upper world of literature and of society in general to his +Edinburgh Review, so did Blackwood his to the Magazine, which has now +made his name familiar to the world--and at the period of which I +write, that miscellany was unborn; he was known only as a diligent +antiquarian bookseller of the old town of Edinburgh, and the Scotch +agent of the great London publisher, Murray. The abilities, in short, +which he lived to develop, were as yet unsuspected--unless, perhaps, +among a small circle; and the knowledge of the world, which so few men +gather from anything but painful collision with various conflicting +orders of their fellow-men, was not his. He was to the last plain and +blunt; at this time I can easily believe him to have been so to a +degree which Scott might look upon as "ungracious"--I take the epithet +from one of his letters to James Ballantyne. Mr. Blackwood, therefore, +upon reading what seemed to him the lame and impotent conclusion of a +well-begun story, did not search about for any glossy periphrase, but +at once requested James Ballantyne to inform the unknown author that +such was his opinion. This might possibly have been endured; but +Blackwood, feeling, I have no doubt, a genuine enthusiasm for the +author's fame, as well as a just tradesman's anxiety as to his own +adventure, proceeded to suggest the outline of what would, in his +judgment, be a better upwinding of the plot of The Black Dwarf, and +concluded with announcing his willingness, in case the proposed +alteration were agreed to, that the whole expense of cancelling +{p.114} and reprinting a certain number of sheets should be charged +to his own account. He appears to have further indicated that he had +taken counsel with some literary person, on whose taste he placed +great reliance, and who, if he had not originated, at least approved +of the proposed process of recasting. Had Scott never possessed any +such system of inter-agency as the Ballantynes supplied, he would, +among other and perhaps greater inconveniences, have escaped that of +the want of personal familiarity with several persons, with whose +confidence,--and why should I not add?--with the innocent +gratification of whose little vanities--his own pecuniary interests +were often deeply connected. A very little personal contact would have +introduced such a character as Blackwood's to the respect, nay, to the +affectionate respect, of Scott, who, above all others, was ready to +sympathize cordially with honest and able men, in whatever condition +of life he discovered them. He did both know and appreciate Blackwood +better in after-times; but in 1816, when this communication reached +him, the name was little more than a name, and his answer to the most +solemn of go-betweens was in these terms, which I sincerely wish I +could tell how Signior Aldiborontiphoscophornio translated into any +dialect submissible to Blackwood's apprehension:-- + + DEAR JAMES,-- + + I have received Blackwood's impudent proposal. G---- d---- + his soul! Tell him and his coadjutor that I belong to the + Black Hussars of Literature, who neither give nor receive + criticism. I'll be cursed but this is the most impudent + proposal that ever was made. + + W. S.[39] + + [Footnote 39: _May_, 1839. Since this book was first + published, I have received from the representatives of + Mr. Blackwood several documents which throw light on the + transaction here mentioned. It will be apparent from one + of those I am about to quote, that Blackwood, before he + sent his message to Jedediah Cleishbotham, had + ascertained that no less a person than Mr. Gifford + concurred in his opinion--nay, that James Ballantyne + himself took the same view of the matter. But the reader + will be not less amused in comparing the "Black + Hussar's" missive in the text, with the edition of it + which actually reached Blackwood--and which certainly + justifies the conjecture I had ventured to express. + + TO WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, ESQ. + + EDINBURGH, 4th October, 1816. + + MY DEAR SIR,--Our application to the author of _Tales of my + Landlord_ has been anything but successful; and in order to + explain to you the reason why I must decline to address him + in this way in future, I shall copy his answer _verbatim_:-- + + "My respects to our friends the Booksellers. I belong to the + Death-head Hussars of Literature, who neither _take_ nor + _give_ criticism. I am extremely sorry they showed my work + to Gifford, nor would I cancel a leaf to please all the + critics of Edinburgh and London; and so let that be as it + is: They are mistaken if they think I don't know when I am + writing ill, as well as Gifford can tell me. I beg there may + be no more communications with critics." + + Observe--that I shall at all times be ready to convey + anything from you to the author in a written form, but I do + not feel warranted to interfere farther. + + Yours very truly, + + J. BALLANTYNE. + + + TO JAMES BALLANTYNE, ESQ. + + EDINBURGH, 5th October, 1816. + + MY DEAR SIR,--I am not a little vexed at having ventured to + suggest anything to the author of the _Tales of my + Landlord_, since I find he considers it in the light of + _sutor ultra crepidam_. I never had for one moment the + vanity to think, that from any poor remark of mine, or + indeed of any human being, he would be induced to blot one + line or alter a single incident, unless the same idea + occurred to his own powerful mind. On stating to you what + struck me, and finding that your opinion coincided with + mine, I was induced to request of you to state it to the + author, in order that he might be aware that the expense of + cancelling the sheets was no object to me. I was the more + anxious to do this, in case the author should have given you + the MS. of this portion of the work sooner than he intended, + in order to satisfy the clamoring for it which I teased you + with. I trust the author will do me the justice to believe + that it is quite impossible for any one to have a higher + admiration of his most extraordinary talents; and speaking + merely as a bookseller, it would be quite unnecessary to be + at the expense of altering even one line, although the + author himself (who alone can be the proper judge) should + wish it, as the success of the work must be rapid, great, + and certain. + + With regard to the first volume having been shown to Mr. + Gifford, I must state in justification of Mr. Murray, that + Mr. G. is the only friend whom he consults on all occasions, + and to whom his most secret transactions are laid open. He + gave him the work, not for the purpose of criticism, but + that as a friend he might partake of the enjoyment he had in + such an extraordinary performance. No language could be + stronger than Mr. Gifford's, as I mentioned to you; and as + the same thing had occurred to Mr. G. as to you and me, you + thought there would be no harm in stating this to the + author. + + I have only again to express my regret at what has taken + place, and to beg you will communicate this to the author in + any way you may think proper. + + Yours, etc., + + W. BLACKWOOD. + + (A much fuller and more accurate knowledge of this whole + transaction, than that possessed by Lockhart, can be + gathered from the annals of the two great publishing + houses concerned in it;--Smiles's _Memoir of John + Murray_ (vol. i. chap. xviii.), and Mrs. Oliphant's + _William Blackwood and his Sons_ (vol. i. pp. 56-92), + especially from the latter work, in which the whole + incident is set in its proper light. Notwithstanding the + heavy preliminary tax for unsalable books from the + Ballantynes' "wretched stock," neither publisher seems + to have had a moment's doubt as to the acceptance of the + offer of the ostensibly anonymous Work of Fiction, + though they were much fretted by the delays, + uncertainties, and mysteries attending the matter. "One + in business must submit to many things, and swallow many + a bitter pill, when such a man as Walter Scott is the + object in view," writes Blackwood to Murray,--the + bitterness being largely the dealing with James + Ballantyne. "John I always considered as no better than + a swindler, but James I put some trust and confidence + in. You judged him more accurately." ... And on another + occasion,--"Except my wife, there is not a friend whom I + dare advise with. I have not ventured to mention the + business to my brother on account of the cursed + mysteries and injunctions of secrecy connected with it. + I know he would blame me for engaging in it, for he has + a very small opinion of the Ballantynes." Apart from the + vexations attending their office as intermediaries, for + which the Ballantynes were only partially responsible, + this shrewd, if irritated, observer appears to have + formed opinions of the brothers as business men, in some + respects not differing greatly from those held by + Lockhart in later days. + + The delight of the two publishers in at last receiving + the MS. of _The Black Dwarf_ and the manner in which it + passed into the hands of Constable, even before the + stipulated 6000 copies were disposed of,--it must be + owned he treated his rivals somewhat unhandsomely, + finally severing them from Scott's literary career,--are + fully set forth by the historian of the House of + Blackwood. With her "one cannot but feel that this was + one of those tragically insignificant circumstances + which so often shape life apart from any consciousness + of ours. Probably ruin would never have overtaken Sir + Walter had he been in the steady and careful hands of + Murray and Blackwood, for it is unlikely that even the + glamour of the great Magician would have turned heads so + reasonable and sober.")] + +{p.115} While these volumes were in progress, Scott found time to make +an excursion into Perthshire and Dumbartonshire, {p.116} for the sake +of showing the scenery, made famous in The Lady of the Lake and +Waverley, to his {p.117} wife's old friends, Miss Dumergue and Mrs. +Sarah Nicolson,[40] who had never before been in Scotland. The account +which he gives of these ladies' visit at Abbotsford, and this little +tour, in a letter to Mr. Morritt, shows the "Black Hussar of +Literature" in his gentler and more habitual mood. + + [Footnote 40: The sister of Miss Jane Nicolson.--See + _ante_, vol. i. p. 248. Vol. ii. p. 82.] + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., ROKEBY PARK. + + ABBOTSFORD, 21st August, 1816. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--I have not had a moment's kindly leisure + to answer your kind letter, and to tell how delighted I + shall be to see you in this least of all possible dwellings, + but where we, nevertheless, can contrive a pilgrim's + quarters and the warmest welcome for you and any friend of + your journey;--if young Stanley, so much the better. Now, as + to the important business with the which I have been + occupied: You are to know we have had our kind hostesses of + Piccadilly upon a two months' visit to us. We owed them so + much hospitality, that we were particularly anxious to make + Scotland agreeable to the good girls. But, alas, the wind + has blown, and the rain has fallen, in a style which beats + all that ever I remembered. We accomplished, with some + difficulty, a visit to Loch Katrine and Loch Lomond, and, by + dint of the hospitality of Cambusmore and the Ross, we + defied bad weather, wet roads, and long walks. But the + weather settled into regular tempest, when we settled at + Abbotsford; and, though the natives, accustomed to bad + weather (though not at such a time of year), contrived to + brave the extremities of the season, it only served to + increase the dismay of our unlucky visitors, who, accustomed + only to Paris and London, expected _fiacres_ at the + Milestane Cross, and a pair of oars at the Deadman's Haugh. + Add to this a strong disposition to _commerage_, when there + was no possibility of gratifying it, and a {p.118} total + indisposition to scenery or rural amusements, which were all + we had to offer--and you will pity both hosts and guests. I + have the gratification to think I fully supported the + hospitality of my country. I walked them to death, I talked + them to death, I showed them landscapes which the driving + rain hardly permitted them to see, and told them of feuds + about which they cared as little as I do about their + next-door news in Piccadilly. Yea, I even played at cards, + and as I had Charlotte for a partner, so ran no risk of + being scolded, I got on pretty well. Still the weather was + so execrable, that, as the old drunken landlord used to say + at Arroquhar, "I was perfectly ashamed of it;" and, to this + moment, I wonder how my two friends fought it out so + patiently as they did. But the young people and the cottages + formed considerable resources. Yesterday they left us, + deeply impressed with the conviction, which I can hardly + blame, that the sun never shone in Scotland,--which that + noble luminary seems disposed to confirm, by making this the + first fair day we have seen this month--so that his beams + will greet them at Longtown, as if he were determined to put + Scotland to utter shame. + + In you I expect a guest of a different calibre; and I think + (barring downright rain) I can promise you some sport of one + kind or other. We have a good deal of game about us; and + Walter, to whom I have resigned my gun and license, will be + an excellent attendant. He brought in six brace of moor-fowl + on the 12th, which had (_si fas est diceri_) its own effect + in softening the minds of our guests towards this unhappy + climate. In other respects things look melancholy enough + here. Corn is, however, rising, and the poor have plenty of + work, and wages which, though greatly inferior to what they + had when hands were scarce, assort perfectly well with the + present state of the markets. Most folks try to live as much + on their own produce as they can, by way of fighting off + distress; and though speculating {p.119} farmers and + landlords must suffer, I think the temporary ague-fit will, + on the whole, be advantageous to the country. It will check + that inordinate and unbecoming spirit of expense, or rather + extravagance, which was poisoning all classes, and bring us + back to the sober virtues of our ancestors. It will also + have the effect of teaching the landed interest, that their + connection with their farmers should be of a nature more + intimate than that of mere payment and receipt of rent, and + that the largest offerer for a lease is often the person + least entitled to be preferred as a tenant. Above all, it + will complete the destruction of those execrable quacks, + terming themselves land-doctors, who professed, from a two + days' scamper over your estate, to tell you its + constitution,--in other words its value,--acre by acre. + These men, paid according to the golden hopes they held out, + afforded by their reports one principal means of deceiving + both landlord and tenant, by setting an ideal and + extravagant value upon land, which seemed to entitle the one + to expect, and the other to offer, rent far beyond what any + expectation formed by either, upon their own acquaintance + with the property, could rationally have warranted. More + than one landed gentleman has cursed, in my presence, the + day he ever consulted one of those empirics, whose + prognostications induced him to reject the offers of + substantial men, practically acquainted with the _locale_. + + Ever, my dear Morritt, most truly yours, + + Walter SCOTT. + +In October, 1816, appeared the Edinburgh Annual Register, containing +Scott's historical sketch of the year 1814--a composition which would +occupy at least four such volumes as the reader has now in his +hand.[41] Though executed with extraordinary rapidity, the sketch is +as clear as spirited; but I need say no more of it here, as the author +travels mostly over the same ground again in his Life of Napoleon. + + [Footnote 41: [Referring to the edition of 1839, in ten + volumes.]] + +{p.120} Scott's correspondence proves, that during this autumn he had +received many English guests besides the good spinsters of Piccadilly +and Mr. Morritt. I regret to add, it also proves that he had continued +all the while to be annoyed with calls for money from John Ballantyne; +yet before the 12th of November called him to Edinburgh, he appears to +have nearly finished the first Tales of my Landlord. He had, moreover, +concluded a negotiation with Constable and Longman for a series of +Letters on the History of Scotland: of which, however, if he ever +wrote any part, the MS. has not been discovered. It is probable that +he may have worked some detached fragments into his long-subsequent +Tales of a Grandfather.[42] The following letter shows likewise that +he was now busy with plans of building at Abbotsford, and deep in +consultation on that subject with an artist eminent for his skill in +Gothic architecture,--Mr. Edward Blore:-- + + [Footnote 42: [Scott says in a letter to John Murray, + written October 20, 1814: "In casting about how I might + show you some mark of my sense of former kindness, a + certain MS. History of Scotland in _Letters to my + Children_ has occurred to me, which I consider as a + desideratum; it is upon the plan of _Lord Lyttelton's + Letters_, as they are called." Nearly a year later he + returns to the subject, and says: "I intend to revise my + letters on Scottish History for you, but I will not get + to press till November, for the country affords no + facilities for consulting the necessary authorities. I + hope it may turn out a thing of some interest, though I + rather intend to keep to its original purpose as a book + of instruction to children." These references seem to + show that the work may have been further advanced than + Lockhart supposed. The announcement of the proposed book + by Constable and Longman naturally excited the + indignation of Blackwood and Murray, as is shown in a + vigorous letter from the Edinburgh to the London + publisher, blaming equally the Ballantynes and + Constable.--See _Memoirs of John Murray_, vol. i. pp. + 245, 246, 462.]] + + TO DANIEL TERRY, ESQ. + + November 12, 1816. + + MY DEAR TERRY,--I have been shockingly negligent in + acknowledging your repeated favors; but it so happened, that + I have had very little to _say_, with a great {p.121} deal + to _do_; so that I trusted to your kindness to forgive my + apparent want of kindness, and indisputable lack of + punctuality. You will readily suppose that I have heard with + great satisfaction of the prosperity of your household, + particularly of the good health of my little namesake and + his mother. Godmothers of yore used to be fairies; and + though only a godfather, I think of sending you, one day, a + _fairy_ gift--a little drama, namely, which, if the audience + be indulgent, may be of use to him. Of course, you will + stand godfather to it yourself: it is yet only in embryo--a + sort of poetical Hans in Kelder--nor am I sure when I can + bring him forth; not for this season, at any rate. You will + receive, in the course of a few days, my late _whereabouts_ + in four volumes: there are two tales--the last of which I + really prefer to any fictitious narrative I have yet been + able to produce--the first is wish-washy enough. The subject + of the second tale lies among the old Scottish + Cameronians--nay, I'll tickle ye off a Covenanter as readily + as old Jack could do a young Prince; and a rare fellow he + is, when brought forth in his true colors. Were it not for + the necessity of using Scriptural language, which is + essential to the character, but improper for the stage, it + would be very dramatic. But of all this you will judge by + and by. To give the go-by to the public, I have doubled and + leaped into my form, like a hare in snow: that is, I have + changed my publisher, and come forth like a maiden knight's + white shield (there is a conceit!) without any adhesion to + fame gained in former adventures (another!) or, in other + words, with a virgin title-page (another!)--I should not be + so light-hearted about all this, but that it is very nearly + finished and out, which is always a blithe moment for Mr. + Author. And now to other matters. The books came safe, and + were unpacked two days since, on our coming to town--most + ingeniously were they stowed in the legs of the very + handsome stand for Lord Byron's vase, with which our + {p.122} friend George Bullock has equipped me. I was made + very happy to receive him at Abbotsford, though only for a + start; and no less so to see Mr. Blore, from whom I received + your last letter. He is a very fine young man, modest, + simple, and unaffected in his manners, as well as a most + capital artist. I have had the assistance of both these + gentlemen in arranging an addition to the cottage at + Abbotsford, intended to connect the present farmhouse with + the line of low buildings to the right of it. Mr. Bullock + will show you the plan, which I think is very ingenious. He + has promised to give it his consideration with respect to + the interior; and Mr. Blore has drawn me a very handsome + elevation, both to the road and to the river. I expect to + get some decorations from the old Tolbooth of Edinburgh, + particularly the cope-stones of the doorway, or lintels, as + we call them, and a _niche_ or two--one very handsome + indeed! Better get a niche _from_ the Tolbooth than a niche + _in_ it, to which such building operations are apt to bring + the projectors. This addition will give me: first, a + handsome boudoir, in which I intend to place Mr. Bullock's + Shakespeare,[43] with his superb cabinet, which serves as a + pedestal. This opens into the little drawing-room, to which + it serves as a chapel of ease; and on the other side, to a + handsome dining-parlor of 27 feet by 18, with three windows + to the north, and one to the south,--the last to be Gothic, + and filled with stained glass. Besides these commodities, + there is a small conservatory or greenhouse; and a study for + myself, which we design to fit up with ornaments from + Melrose Abbey. Bullock made several casts with his own + hands--masks, and so forth, delightful for cornices, etc. + + [Footnote 43: A cast from the monumental effigy at + Stratford-upon-Avon--now in the library at + Abbotsford--was the gift of Mr. George Bullock, long + distinguished in London as a collector of curiosities. + This ingenious man was, as the reader will see in the + sequel, a great favorite with Scott.] + + Do not let Mrs. Terry think of the windows till little + {p.123} Wat is duly cared after.[44] I am informed by Mr. + Blore that he is a fine thriving fellow, very like papa. + About my armorial bearings: I will send you a correct + drawing as I can get hold of Blore; namely--of the + scutcheons of my grandsires on each side, and my own. I + could detail them in the jargon of heraldry, but it is + better to speak to your eyes by translating them into + colored drawings, as the sublime science of armory has + fallen into some neglect of late years, with all its + mascles, buckles, crescents, and boars of the first, second, + third, and fourth. + + [Footnote 44: Mrs. Terry had offered the services of her + elegant pencil in designing some windows of painted + glass for Scott's armory, etc.] + + I was very sorry I had no opportunity of showing attention + to your friend Mr. Abbot, not being in town at the time. I + grieve to say that neither the genius of Kean nor the charms + of Miss O'Neill could bring me from the hillside and the + sweet society of Tom Purdie. All our family are very + well--Walter as tall nearly as I am, fishing salmon and + shooting moor-fowl and blackcock, in good style; the girls + growing up, and, as yet, not losing their simplicity of + character; little Charles excellent at play, and not + deficient at learning, when the young dog will take pains. + Abbotsford is looking pretty at last, and the planting is + making some show. I have now several hundred acres thereof, + running out as far as beyond the lake. We observe with great + pleasure the steady rise which you make in public opinion, + and expect, one day, to hail you stage-manager. Believe me, + my dear Terry, always very much yours, + + W. SCOTT. + + P. S.--The Counsellor and both the Ballantynes are well and + hearty. + +On the first of December, the first series of the Tales of my Landlord +appeared, and notwithstanding the silence of the title-page, and the +change of publishers, and {p.124} the attempt which had certainly +been made to vary the style both of delineation and of language, all +doubts whether they were or were not from the same hand with Waverley +had worn themselves out before the lapse of a week.--The enthusiasm of +their reception among the highest literary circles of London may be +gathered from the following letter:-- + + TO WALTER SCOTT, ESQ., EDINBURGH. + + ALBEMARLE STREET, 14th December, 1816. + + DEAR SIR,--Although I dare not address you as the author of + certain "Tales" (which, however, must be written either by + Walter Scott or the Devil), yet nothing can restrain me from + thinking it is to your influence with the author that I am + indebted for the essential honor of being one of their + publishers, and I must intrude upon you to offer my most + hearty thanks--not divided, but doubled--alike for my + worldly gain therein, and for the great acquisition of + professional reputation which their publication has already + procured me. I believe I might, under any oath that could be + proposed, swear that I never experienced such unmixed + pleasure as the reading of this exquisite work has afforded + me; and if you could see me, as the author's literary + chamberlain, receiving the unanimous and vehement praises of + every one who has read it, and the curses of those whose + needs my scanty supply could not satisfy, you might judge of + the sincerity with which I now entreat you to assure him of + the most complete success. Lord Holland said, when I asked + his opinion--"Opinion! We did not one of us go to bed last + night--nothing slept but my gout." Frere, Hallam, + Boswell,[45] Lord Glenbervie, William Lamb,[46] all agree + that it surpasses all the other novels. Gifford's estimate + is increased at every reperusal. Heber says there are only + two men in the world--Walter Scott and Lord Byron. Between + you, you have given existence to a third--Ever your faithful + servant, + + John MURRAY. + + [Footnote 45: The late James Boswell, Esq., of the + Temple--second son of _Bozzy_.] + + [Footnote 46: The Honorable William Lamb--now Lord + Melbourne.] + +To this cordial effusion Scott returned the following answer. It was +necessary, since he had fairly resolved {p.125} against compromising +his incognito, that he should be prepared not only to repel the +impertinent curiosity of strangers, but to evade the proffered +congratulations of overflowing kindness. He contrived, however, to do +so, on this and all similar occasions, in a style of equivoque which +could never be seriously misunderstood:[47]-- + + [Footnote 47: [Even such keen observers as Murray and + Blackwood had their intervals of doubt regarding the + authorship of the Novels. In June, 1816, Blackwood + writes: "There have been various rumors with regard to + Greenfield being the author, but I never paid much + attention to it; the thing appeared to me so very + improbable.... But from what I have heard lately, and + from what you state, I now begin to think that + Greenfield may probably be the author." And only a month + after the date of his letter to Scott, here given, + Murray writes to Blackwood:-- + + "I can assure you, but _in the greatest confidence_, + that I have discovered the author of all these Novels to + be Thomas Scott, Walter Scott's brother. He is now in + Canada. I have no doubt but that Mr. Walter Scott did a + great deal to the first Waverley Novel, because of his + anxiety to save his brother, and his doubt about the + success of the work. This accounts for the many stories + about it. Many persons had previously heard from Mr. + Scott, but you may rely upon the certainty of what I + have told you." By this time Blackwood is firm in the + faith of Scott's authorship; but Bernard Barton writes + to Murray that he has heard that James Hogg is the + author of _Tales of my Landlord_, and that he has had + intimation from himself to that effect; while Lady + Mackintosh is informed on excellent authority that the + writer is Mrs. Thomas Scott. Writing to Blackwood in + February, 1817, Murray avers,--"I will believe, till + within an inch of my life, that the author of _Tales of + my Landlord_ is Thomas Scott."--See Smiles's _Memoir of + John Murray_, vol. i. pp. 461, 473, 474.]] + + TO JOHN MURRAY, ESQ., ALBEMARLE STREET, LONDON. + + EDINBURGH, 18th December, 1816. + + MY DEAR SIR,--I give you heartily joy of the success of the + Tales, although I do not claim that paternal interest in + them which my friends do me the credit to assign me. I + assure you I have never read a volume of them until they + were printed, and can only join with the rest of the world + in applauding the true and striking portraits which they + present of old Scottish manners. I do not expect implicit + reliance to be placed on my disavowal, because I know very + well that he who is disposed not to own a work must + necessarily deny it, and that otherwise {p.126} his secret + would be at the mercy of all who choose to ask the question, + since silence in such a case must always pass for consent, + or rather assent. But I have a mode of convincing you that I + am perfectly serious in my denial--pretty similar to that by + which Solomon distinguished the fictitious from the real + mother--and that is, by reviewing the work, which I take to + be an operation equal to that of quartering the child. But + this is only on condition I can have Mr. Erskine's + assistance, who admires the work greatly more than I do, + though I think the painting of the second Tale both true and + powerful. I knew Old Mortality very well; his name was + Paterson, but few knew him otherwise than by his nickname. + The first Tale is not very original in its concoction, and + lame and impotent in its conclusion. My love to Gifford. I + have been over head and ears in work this summer, or I would + have sent the Gypsies; indeed I was partly stopped by + finding it impossible to procure a few words of their + language. + + Constable wrote to me about two months since, desirous of + having a new edition of Paul; but not hearing from you, I + conclude you are still on hand. Longman's people had then + only sixty copies. + + Kind compliments to Heber, whom I expected at Abbotsford + this summer; also to Mr. Croker and all your four o'clock + visitors. I am just going to Abbotsford to make a small + addition to my premises there. I have now about 700 acres, + thanks to the booksellers and the discerning public. Yours + truly, + + Walter SCOTT. + + P. S.--I have much to ask about Lord Byron if I had time. + The third canto of the Childe is inimitable. Of the last + poems, there are one or two which indicate rather an + irregular play of imagination.[48] What a pity that a man of + such exquisite genius will not be contented {p.127} to be + happy on the ordinary terms![49] I declare my heart bleeds + when I think of him, self-banished from the country to which + he is an honor.[50] + + [Footnote 48: _Parisina_--_The Dream_--and the "Domestic + Pieces," had been recently published.] + + [Footnote 49: (On November 27 Scott had written to + Joanna Baillie, who had just returned from a tour on the + Continent:-- + + "All I ever longed for on the Continent was their light + wines, which you do not care about, and their fine + climate, which we should both value equally; and to say + truth, I never saw scene or palace which shook my + allegiance to Tweedside and Abbotsford, though so + inferior in every respect, and though the hills, or + rather braes, are just high enough 'to lift us to the + storm' when the storms are not so condescending as to + sweep both crest and base, which, to do them justice, is + seldom the case. What have I got to send you?... Alas, + nothing but the history of petty employments and a + calendar of increasing bad weather. The latter was much + mitigated by enjoying for a good portion of the summer + the society of John Morritt, of Rokeby, who has so much + of that which is delightful, both in his grave and gay + moods, that he can make us forget the hillside while + sitting by the fireside. His late loss has cast a + general shade of melancholy over him, which renders him + yet dearer to his friends, by the gentle and unaffected + manner in which his natural gayety of temper gleams + through it and renders it still more interesting.... + + "A far different object of interest, yet still of + interest, checkered with pity and disapprobation, is + Lord Byron, whose present situation seems to rival all + that ever has been said and sung of the misfortunes of a + too irritable imagination. The last part of _Childe + Harold_ intimates a terrible state of mind, and with all + the power and genius which characterized his former + productions, the present seems to indicate a more + serious and desperate degree of misanthropy. I own I was + not much moved by the scorn of the world which his first + poems implied, because I know it is a humor of mind + which those whom fortune has spoilt by indulgence, or + irritated by reverses, are apt to assume, because it + looks melancholy and gentlemanlike, and becomes a bard + as well as being desperately in love, or very fond of + the sunrise, though he lies in bed till noon, or anxious + in recommending to others to catch cold by visiting old + abbeys by moonlight, which he never happened to see + under the chaste moonbeam himself; but this strange poem + goes much deeper, and either the Demon of Misanthropy is + in full possession of him, or he has already invited ten + guests, equally desperate, to the swept and garnished + mansion of Harold's understanding."--_Familiar Letters_, + vol. i. p. 369.)] + + [Footnote 50: [This is probably the "expression of + kindness" which encouraged Murray to beg Scott to review + in the _Quarterly_ Byron's recently published volumes, + _Childe Harold, Canto III._, and _The Prisoner of + Chillon, a Dream, and Other Poems_. The request was + promptly complied with, and the article appeared in the + next number issued (_dated_ October, 1816),--a review + full of generous, and also judicious, appreciation. For + some reason, hard now to discover, unless it were the + kindliness of the writer's tone towards the younger + poet, some of Lady Byron's friends, among whom was + Joanna Baillie, seem to have taken strong exception to + the paper, and Miss Baillie wrote to Scott at some + length on the matter, even animadverting upon the purely + literary criticism of the reviewer. Much of the + correspondence which ensued, including a characteristic + letter from Lady Byron, can be found in the _Familiar + Letters_ (vol. i. pp. 413-422). + + Of the review, Byron writes to Murray (March 3, 1817):-- + + ... "It seems to me (as far as the subject of it may be + permitted to judge) to be _very well_ written as a + composition, and ... even those who may condemn its + partiality, must praise its generosity. The temptations + to take another and less favorable view of the question + have been so great and numerous, that, what with public + opinion, politics, etc., he must be a gallant as well as + a good man, who has ventured in that place and at this + time to write such an article even anonymously. Such + things, however, are their own reward; and I even + flatter myself that the writer, whoever he may be (and I + have no guess), will not regret that the perusal of this + has given me as much gratification as any composition of + that nature could give, and more than any other has ever + given,--and I have had a good many in my time of one + kind or the other. It is not the mere praise, but there + is a tact and a delicacy throughout, not only with + regard to me, but to others, which, as it has not been + observed elsewhere, I had till now doubted, whether it + could be observed anywhere." He writes a few weeks + later, on learning that Scott wrote the article: ... "It + cannot add to my good opinion of him, but it adds to + that of myself."--_Letters and Journals of Lord Byron_ + (1900), vol. iv. pp. 63, 85.]] + +{p.128} Mr. Murray, gladly embracing this offer of an article for his +journal on the Tales of my Landlord, begged Scott to take a wider +scope, and dropping all respect for the idea of a divided parentage, +to place together any materials he might have for the illustration of +the Waverley Novels in general; he suggested in particular, that, +instead of drawing up a long-promised disquisition on the Gypsies in a +separate shape, whatever he had to say concerning that picturesque +generation might be introduced by way of comment on the character of +Meg Merrilies. What Scott's original conception had been I know not; +he certainly gave his reviewal all the breadth which Murray could have +wished, and, _inter alia_, diversified it with a few anecdotes of the +Scottish Gypsies. But the late excellent biographer of John Knox, Dr. +Thomas M'Crie, had, in the mean time, considered the representation of +the Covenanters, in the story of Old Mortality, as so unfair as to +demand at his {p.129} hands a very serious rebuke. The Doctor +forthwith published, in a magazine called the Edinburgh Christian +Instructor, a set of papers, in which the historical foundations of +that tale were attacked with indignant warmth; and though Scott, when +he first heard of these invectives, expressed his resolution never +even to read them, he found the impression they were producing so +strong, that he soon changed his purpose, and finally devoted a very +large part of his article for the Quarterly Review to an elaborate +defence of his own picture of the Covenanters.[51] + + [Footnote 51: Since I have mentioned this reviewal, I + may as well, to avoid recurrence to it, express here my + conviction, that Erskine, not Scott, was the author of + the critical estimate of the Waverley Novels which it + embraces--although, for the purpose of mystification, + Scott had taken the trouble to transcribe the paragraphs + in which that estimate is contained. At the same time I + cannot but add that, had Scott really been the sole + author of this reviewal, he need not have incurred the + severe censure which has been applied to his supposed + conduct in the matter. After all, his judgment of his + own works must have been allowed to be not above, but + very far under the mark; and the whole affair would, I + think, have been considered by every candid person + exactly as the letter about Solomon and the rival + mothers was by Murray, Gifford, and the "four o'clock + visitors" of Albemarle Street--as a good joke. A better + joke, certainly, than the allusion to the report of + Thomas Scott being the real author of Waverley, at the + close of the article, was never penned; and I think it + includes a confession over which a misanthrope might + have chuckled: "We intended here to conclude this long + article, when a strong report reached us of certain + Transatlantic confessions, which, if genuine (though of + this we know nothing), assign a different author to + these volumes than the party suspected by our Scottish + correspondents. Yet a critic may be excused seizing upon + the nearest suspicious person, on the principle happily + expressed by Claverhouse, in a letter to the Earl of + Linlithgow. He had been, it seems, in search of a gifted + weaver, who used to hold forth at conventicles: 'I sent + for the webster (weaver), they brought in his _brother_ + for him: though he, maybe, cannot preach like his + brother, I doubt not but he is as well-principled as he, + wherefore I thought it would be no great fault to give + him the trouble to go to jail with the + rest!'"--_Miscellaneous Prose Works_, vol. xix. pp. 85, + 86.] + +Before the first Tales of my Landlord were six weeks old, two editions +of 2000 copies disappeared, and a third of 2000 was put to press; but +notwithstanding this rapid success, which was still further continued, +and the friendly relations which always subsisted between the {p.130} +author and Mr. Murray, circumstances erelong occurred which carried +the publication of the work into the hands of Messrs. Constable. + +The author's answer to Dr. M'Crie, and his Introduction of 1830, have +exhausted the historical materials on which he constructed his Old +Mortality; and the origin of The Black Dwarf--as to the conclusion of +which story he appears on reflection to have completely adopted the +opinion of honest Blackwood--has already been sufficiently illustrated +by an anecdote of his early wanderings in Tweeddale. The latter tale, +however imperfect, and unworthy as a work of art to be placed high in +the catalogue of his productions, derives a singular interest from its +delineation of the dark feelings so often connected with physical +deformity; feelings which appear to have diffused their shadow over +the whole genius of Byron--and which, but for this single picture, we +should hardly have conceived ever to have passed through Scott's +happier mind.[52] All the bitter blasphemy of spirit which, from +infancy to the tomb, swelled up in Byron against the unkindness of +nature; which sometimes perverted even his filial love into a +sentiment of diabolical malignity; all this black and desolate train +of reflections must have been encountered and deliberately subdued by +the manly parent of The Black Dwarf. Old Mortality, on the other hand, +is remarkable as the _novelist's_ first attempt to repeople the past +by the power of imagination working on materials furnished by books. +In Waverley he revived the fervid dreams of his boyhood, and drew, not +from printed records, but from the artless oral narratives of his +_Invernahyles_. In Guy Mannering and The Antiquary he embodied +characters and manners familiar {p.131} to his own wandering youth. +But whenever his letters mention Old Mortality in its progress, they +represent him as strong in the confidence that the industry with which +he had pored over a library of forgotten tracts would enable him to +identify himself with the time in which they had birth, as completely +as if he had listened with his own ears to the dismal sermons of +Peden, ridden with Claverhouse and Dalzell in the rout of Bothwell, +and been an advocate at the bar of the Privy Council, when Lauderdale +catechised and tortured the assassins of Archbishop Sharp. To +reproduce a departed age with such minute and lifelike accuracy as +this tale exhibits, demanded a far more energetic sympathy of +imagination than had been called for in any effort of his serious +verse. It is indeed most curiously instructive for any student of art +to compare the Roundheads of Rokeby with the Bluebonnets of Old +Mortality. For the rest--the story is framed with a deeper skill than +any of the preceding novels: the canvas is a broader one; the +characters are contrasted and projected with a power and felicity +which neither he nor any other master ever surpassed; and, +notwithstanding all that has been urged against him as a disparager of +the Covenanters, it is to me very doubtful whether the inspiration of +romantic chivalry ever prompted him to nobler emotions than he has +lavished on the re-animation of their stern and solemn enthusiasm. +This work has always appeared to me the Marmion of his novels.[53] + + [Footnote 52: [On reading _The Black Dwarf_, Mrs. Leigh + believed her brother to be the author, and wrote to him + to that effect. Byron had not yet seen the book, and + says in his reply: "I am not P. P. [Peter Pattieson], I + assure you on my honor, and do not understand to what + book you allude, so that all your compliments are quite + thrown away."--Byron's _Letters and Journals_ (1900), + vol. iv. p. 56.]] + + [Footnote 53: [Lady Louisa Stuart, whose approbation + Scott writes he values "beyond a whole wilderness of + critics," says in a letter of December 5, 1816: + + "[Old Mortality] is super-excellent in all its points; + it breaks up fresh ground, and has all the raciness of + originality. I cannot help thinking it will bear down + the world before it triumphantly. As usual it makes its + personages our intimate acquaintance, and its scenes so + present to the eye, that, last night, after sitting up + unreasonably late over it, I got no sleep, from a kind + of fever of mind it had occasioned. It seemed as if I + had been an eye and ear witness of all the passages, and + I could not lull the agitation into calmness. Mause and + Cuddie hurried my spirits in another way; they forced me + to laugh out aloud, which one seldom does alone. On a + second slower reading I expect to be still better + pleased, and then also I suppose I shall find out the + faults. At present it has, in the Scotch phrase, 'taken + me off my feet,' and I do not criticise, though I think + you will believe me when I say I do not and will not + flatter. One thing I regret, that like the author of + _The Antiquary_, Jedediah did not add a glossary; + because even I, a mongrel, occasionally paying long + visits to Scotland, and hearing Girsy at Bothwell gate + and Peggy Macgowan hold forth in the village,--even I, + thus qualified, have found a great many words absolute + Hebrew to me, and I fear the altogether English will + find many more beyond their comprehension or conjecture. + But this may be remedied in another edition. I have as + yet only one great attack to make, and that upon a + single word; but such a word! such an anachronism! + Claverhouse says he has no time to hear _sentimental_ + speeches. My dear sir! tell Jedediah that Claverhouse + never heard the sound of those four syllables in his + life. We are used to them; but _sentiment_ and + _sentimental_ were, I believe, first introduced into the + language by Sterne, and are hardly as old as I am. Let + alone the Covenanters' days, I am persuaded you would + look in vain for them in the works of Richardson and + Fielding. Nay, the French, from whom they were borrowed, + did not talk of _le sentiment_ in that sense till long + after Louis XIV.'s reign. No such thing is to be found + in Madame de Sevigne, la Bruyere, etc., etc., etc. At + home or abroad I defy Lord Dundee ever to have met with + the expression. Mr. Peter Pattieson had been reading the + _Man of Feeling_, and it was a slip of his tongue, which + I am less inclined to excuse than Mause's abstruse + Scotch, which I duly reverence, as she did + Kettledrummle's sermons, because I do not understand it. + Once more I shall be much disappointed if this work does + not quickly acquire a very great reputation. I fancy Mr. + Morritt is in the secret; yet, as I am not certain, I + will keep on the secure side and not mention it when I + write to him, however one may long to _intercommune_ on + such subjects with those likely to hold the same faith." + + At the close of his reply, Scott says: "I must not + forget to thank your Ladyship for your acute and + indisputable criticism on the application of the word + _sentimental_. How it escaped my pen I know not, unless + that the word owed me a grudge for the ill will I have + uniformly borne it, and was resolved to slip itself in + for the express purpose of disgracing me. I will + certainly turn it out the first opportunity." This was + done in the second edition.--_Familiar Letters_, vol. i. + pp. 394, 400.]] + +{p.132} I have disclaimed the power of farther illustrating its +historical groundworks, but I am enabled by Mr. Train's kindness to +give some interesting additions to Scott's own account of this novel +as a composition. The generous Supervisor visited him in Edinburgh in +May, 1816, a few days after the publication of The Antiquary, carrying +with him several relics which he wished to present to his collection; +among others a purse that had belonged {p.133} to Rob Roy, and also a +fresh heap of traditionary gleanings, which he had gathered among the +tale-tellers of his district. One of these last was in the shape of a +letter to Mr. Train from a Mr. Broadfoot, "schoolmaster at the clachan +of Penningham, and author of the _celebrated song_ of the Hills of +Galloway"--with which I confess myself unacquainted. Broadfoot had +facetiously signed his communication _Clashbottom_,--"a professional +appellation derived," says Mr. Train, "from the use of the birch, and +by which he was usually addressed among his companions,--who +assembled, not at the Wallace Inn of Gandercleuch, but at the sign of +the Shoulder of Mutton in Newton-Stewart." Scott received these gifts +with benignity, and invited the friendly donor to breakfast next +morning. He found him at work in his library, and surveyed with +enthusiastic curiosity the furniture of the room, especially its only +picture, a portrait of Graham of Claverhouse. Train expressed the +surprise with which every one, who had known Dundee only in the pages +of the Presbyterian Annalists, must see for the first time that +beautiful and melancholy visage, worthy of the most pathetic dreams of +romance. Scott replied, "that no character had been so foully traduced +as the Viscount of Dundee; that, thanks to Wodrow, Cruickshanks, and +such chroniclers, he, who was every inch a soldier and a gentleman, +still passed among the Scottish vulgar for a ruffian desperado, who +rode a goblin horse, was proof against shot, and in league with the +Devil." "Might he not," said Mr. Train, "be made, in good hands, the +hero of a national romance as interesting as any about either Wallace +or Prince Charlie?" "He might," said Scott, "but your western zealots +would require to be faithfully portrayed in order to bring him out +with the right effect."[54] "And what," resumed {p.134} Train, "if +the story were to be delivered as if from the mouth of _Old +Mortality_? Would _he_ not do as well as _the Minstrel_ did in the +Lay?" "Old Mortality!" said Scott--"who was he?" Mr. Train then told +what he could remember of old Paterson, and seeing how much his story +interested the hearer, offered to inquire farther about that +enthusiast on his return to Galloway. "Do so by all means," said +Scott; "I assure you I shall look with anxiety for your +communication." He said nothing at this time of his own meeting with +Old Mortality in the churchyard of Dunnottar--and I think there can be +no doubt that that meeting was thus recalled to his recollection; or +that to this intercourse with Mr. Train we owe the whole machinery of +the Tales of my Landlord, as well as the adoption of Claverhouse's +period for the scene of one of its first fictions. I think it highly +probable that we owe a further obligation to the worthy Supervisor's +presentation of Rob Roy's _spleuchan_. + + [Footnote 54: [Scott's old friend, John Richardson, who + was from the first in the secret of the Waverley Novels, + was a stanch Whig, as beseemed the descendant of an old + Covenanting family. Some of his ancestral traditions + suggested certain passages in _Old Mortality_, and he + has recorded that during a visit to Abbotsford Scott + gave him the proof sheets of the first volume to read, + and how he lost a night's sleep in doing it. Twelve + years later, in writing to Scott regarding _The Tales of + a Grandfather_, he says that in this work,--"You have + paid a debt which you owed to the manes of the + Covenanters for the flattering picture which you drew of + Claverhouse in _Old Mortality_." + + Scott says in his reply (December, 1828): "As to + Covenanters and Malignants, they were both a set of + cruel and bloody bigots, and had, notwithstanding, those + virtues with which bigotry is sometimes allied. Their + characters were of a kind much more picturesque than + beautiful; neither had the least idea either of + toleration or humanity, so that it happens that, so far + as they can be distinguished from each other, one is + tempted to hate most the party which chances to be + uppermost for the time."--See _Journal_, note, vol. ii. + p. 404.]] + +The original design for the First Series of Jedediah Cleishbotham was, +as Scott told me, to include four separate tales illustrative of four +districts of the country, in the like number of volumes; but, his +imagination once kindled upon any theme, he could not but pour himself +out freely--so that notion was soon abandoned. + + + + +{p.135} CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + Harold the Dauntless Published. -- Scott Aspires to Be a + Baron of the Exchequer. -- Letter to the Duke of Buccleuch + Concerning Poachers, etc. -- First Attack of Cramp in the + Stomach. -- Letters to Morritt, Terry, and Mrs. Maclean + Clephane. -- Story of the Doom of Devorgoil. -- John + Kemble's Retirement from the Stage. -- William Laidlaw + Established at Kaeside. -- Novel of Rob Roy Projected. -- + Letter to Southey on the Relief of the Poor, etc. -- Letter + to Lord Montagu on Hogg's Queen's Wake, and on the Death of + Frances, Lady Douglas. + +1817. + + +Within less than a month, The Black Dwarf and Old Mortality were +followed by "Harold the Dauntless, by the author of The Bridal of +Triermain." This poem had been, it appears, begun several years back; +nay, part of it had been actually printed before the appearance of +Childe Harold, though that circumstance had escaped the author's +remembrance when he penned, in 1830, his Introduction to The Lord of +the Isles; for he there says, "I am still astonished at my having +committed the gross error of selecting the very name which Lord Byron +had made so famous." The volume was published by Messrs. Constable, +and had, in those booksellers' phrase, "considerable success." It has +never, however, been placed on a level with Triermain; and though it +contains many vigorous pictures, and splendid verses, and here and +there some happy humor, the confusion and harsh transitions {p.136} +of the fable, and the dim rudeness of character and manners, seem +sufficient to account for this inferiority in public favor. It is not +surprising that the author should have redoubled his aversion to the +notion of any more serious performances in verse. He had seized on an +instrument of wider compass, and which, handled with whatever +rapidity, seemed to reveal at every touch treasures that had hitherto +slept unconsciously within him. He had thrown off his fetters, and +might well go forth rejoicing in the native elasticity of his +strength. + +It is at least a curious coincidence in literary history, that, as +Cervantes, driven from the stage of Madrid by the success of Lope de +Vega, threw himself into prose romance, and produced, at the moment +when the world considered him as silenced forever, the Don Quixote +which has outlived Lope's two thousand triumphant dramas--so Scott, +abandoning verse to Byron, should have rebounded from his fall by the +only prose romances, which seem to be classed with the masterpiece of +Spanish genius, by the general judgment of Europe. + +I shall insert two letters, in which he announces the publication of +Harold the Dauntless. In the first of them he also mentions the light +and humorous little piece entitled The Sultan of Serendib, or the +Search after Happiness, originally published in a weekly paper, after +the fashion of the old Essayists, which about this time issued from +John Ballantyne's premises, under the appropriate name of "The +SALE-ROOM." The paper had slender success; and though Scott wrote +several things for it, none of them, except this metrical essay, +attracted any notice. The Sale-Room was, in fact, a dull and hopeless +concern; and I should scarcely have thought it worth mentioning, but +for the confirmation it lends to my suspicion that Mr. John Ballantyne +was very unwilling, after all his warnings, to retire completely from +the field of publishing. + + {p.137} TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., ROKEBY PARK. + + EDINBURGH, January 30, 1817. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--I hope to send you in a couple of days + Harold the Dauntless, which has not turned out so good as I + thought it would have done. I begin to get too old and + stupid, I think, for poetry, and will certainly never again + adventure on a grand scale. For amusement, and to help a + little publication that is going on here, I have spun a + doggerel tale called The Search after Happiness, of which I + shall send you a copy by post, if it is of a frankable size; + if not, I can put it up with the Dauntless. Among other + misfortunes of Harold is his name, but the thing was partly + printed before Childe Harold was in question. + + My great and good news at present is, that the bog (that + perpetual hobby-horse) has produced a commodity of most + excellent marle, and promises to be of the very last + consequence to my wild ground in the neighborhood; for + nothing can equal the effect of marle as a top-dressing. + Methinks (in my mind's eye, Horatio) I see all the + blue-bank, the hinny-lee, and the other provinces of my poor + kingdom, waving with deep rye-grass and clover, like the + meadows at Rokeby. In honest truth, it will do me yeoman's + service. + + My next good tidings are, that Jedediah carries the world + before him. Six thousand have been disposed of, and three + thousand more are pressing onward, which will be worth L2500 + to the worthy pedagogue of Gandercleuch. Some of the Scotch + Whigs, of the right old fanatical leaven, have waxed wroth + with Jedediah,-- + + "But shall we go mourn for that, my dear? + The cold moon shines by night, + And when we wander here and there, + We then do go most right."[55] + + [Footnote 55: Joanna Baillie's _Orra_.] + + After all, these honest gentlemen are like Queen Elizabeth + {p.138} in their ideas of portrait-painting. They require + the pictures of their predecessors to be likenesses, and at + the same time demand that they shall be painted without + shade, being probably of opinion, with the virgin majesty of + England, that there is no such thing in nature. + + I presume you will be going almost immediately to London--at + least all our Scotch members are requested to be at their + posts, the meaning of which I cannot pretend to guess. The + finances are the only ticklish matter, but there is, after + all, plenty of money in the country, now that our fever-fit + is a little over. In Britain, when there is the least damp + upon the spirits of the public, they are exactly like people + in a crowd, who take the alarm, and shoulder each other to + and fro till some dozen or two of the weakest are borne down + and trodden to death; whereas, if they would but have + patience and remain quiet, there would be a safe and speedy + end to their embarrassment. How we want Billie Pitt now to + get up and give the tone to our feelings and opinions! + + As I take up this letter to finish the same, I hear the + Prince Regent has been attacked and fired at. Since he was + not hurt (for I should be sincerely sorry for my fat + friend), I see nothing but good luck to result from this + assault. It will make him a good manageable boy, and, I + think, secure you a quiet session of Parliament.--Adieu, my + dear Morritt, God bless you. Let me know if the gimcracks + come safe--I mean the book, etc. + + Ever yours, + + Walter SCOTT. + + + TO THE LADY LOUISA STUART, GLOUCESTER PLACE, LONDON. + + EDINBURGH, January 31, 1817. + + MY DEAR LADY LOUISA,--This accompanies Harold the Dauntless. + I thought once I should have made it something clever, but + it turned vapid upon my imagination; and I finished it at + last with hurry and impatience. Nobody knows, that has not + tried the feverish trade of poetry, how much it depends upon + mood and whim. I {p.139} don't wonder, that, in dismissing + all the other deities of Paganism, the Muse should have been + retained by common consent; for, in sober reality, writing + good verses seems to depend upon something separate from the + volition of the author. I sometimes think my fingers set up + for themselves, independent of my head; for twenty times I + have begun a thing on a certain plan, and never in my life + adhered to it (in a work of imagination, that is) for half + an hour together. I would hardly write this sort of + egotistical trash to any one but yourself, yet it is very + true for all that. What my kind correspondent had + anticipated on account of Jedediah's effusions has actually + taken place; and the author of a very good Life of Knox has, + I understand, made a most energetic attack, upon the score + that the old Covenanters are not treated with decorum. I + have not read it, and certainly never shall. I really think + there is nothing in the book that is not very fair and + legitimate subject of raillery; and I own I have my + suspicions of that very susceptible devotion which so + readily takes offence: such men should not read books of + amusement; but do they suppose, because they are virtuous, + and choose to be thought outrageously so, "there shall be no + cakes and ale"?--"Ay, by our lady, and ginger shall be hot + in the mouth too."[56] As for the consequences to the + author, they can only affect his fortune or his temper--the + former, such as it is, has been long fixed beyond shot of + these sort of fowlers; and for my temper, I considered + always, that by subjecting myself to the irritability which + much greater authors have felt on occasions of literary + dispute, I should be laying in a plentiful stock of + unhappiness for the rest of my life. I therefore make it a + rule never to read the attacks made upon me. I remember + being capable of something like this sort of self-denial at + a very early period of life, for I could not be six years + old. I had been put into my bed in the nursery, and two + servant {p.140} girls sat down by the embers of the fire, + to have their own quiet chat, and the one began to tell a + most dismal ghost story, of which I remember the + commencement distinctly at this moment; but perceiving which + way the tale was tending, and though necessarily curious, + being at the same time conscious that, if I listened on, I + should be frightened out of my wits for the rest of the + night, I had the force to cover up my head in the + bed-clothes, so that I could not hear another word that was + said. The only inconvenience attending a similar prudential + line of conduct in the present case is, that it may seem + like a deficiency of spirit; but I am not much afraid of + that being laid to my charge--my fault in early life (I hope + long since corrected) having lain rather the other way. And + so I say, with mine honest Prior,-- + + "Sleep, Philo, untouch'd, on my peaceable shelf, + Nor take it amiss that so little I heed thee; + I've no malice at thee, and some love for myself-- + Then why should I answer, since first I must read thee?" + + [Footnote 56: _Twelfth Night_, Act II. Scene 3.] + + So you are getting finely on in London. I own I am very glad + of it. I am glad the banditti act like banditti, because it + will make men of property look round them in time. This + country is very like the toys which folks buy for children, + and which, tumble them about in any way the urchins will, + are always brought to their feet again, by the lead + deposited in their extremities. The mass of property has the + same effect on our Constitution, and is a sort of ballast + which will always _right_ the vessel, to use a sailor's + phrase, and bring it to its due equipoise. + + Ministers have acted most sillily in breaking up the burgher + volunteers in large towns. On the contrary, the service + should have been made coercive. Such men have a moral effect + upon the minds of the populace, besides their actual force, + and are so much interested in keeping good order, that you + may always rely on them, especially as a corps in which + there is necessarily a common {p.141} spirit of union and + confidence. But all this is nonsense again, quoth my Uncle + Toby to himself. Adieu, my dear Lady Louisa; my sincere good + wishes always attend you. + + W. S. + +Not to disturb the narrative of his literary proceedings, I have +deferred until now the mention of an attempt which Scott made during +the winter of 1816-1817, to exchange his seat at the Clerk's table for +one on the Bench of the Scotch Court of Exchequer. It had often +occurred to me, in the most prosperous years of his life, that such a +situation would have suited him better in every respect than that +which he held, and that his never attaining a promotion, which the +Scottish public would have considered so naturally due to his +character and services, reflected little honor on his political +allies. But at the period when I was entitled to hint this to him, he +appeared to have made up his mind that the rank of Clerk of Session +was more compatible than that of a Supreme Judge with the habits of a +literary man, who was perpetually publishing, and whose writings were +generally of the imaginative order. I had also witnessed the zeal with +which he seconded the views of more than one of his own friends, when +their ambition was directed to the Exchequer Bench. I remained, in +short, ignorant that he ever had seriously thought of it for himself, +until the ruin of his worldly fortunes in 1826; nor had I any +information that his wish to obtain it had ever been distinctly +stated, until certain letters, one of which I shall introduce, were +placed in my hands after his death, by the present Duke of Buccleuch. +The late Duke's answers to these letters are also before me; but of +them it is sufficient to say, that while they show the warmest anxiety +to serve Scott, they refer to private matters, which rendered it +inconsistent with his Grace's feelings to interfere at the time in +question with the distribution of Crown patronage. I incline to think, +on the whole, {p.142} that the death of this nobleman, which soon +after left the influence of his house in abeyance, must have, far more +than any other circumstance, determined Scott to renounce all notions +of altering his professional position. + + TO THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH, ETC., ETC. + + EDINBURGH, 11th December, 1816. + + MY DEAR LORD DUKE,--Your Grace has been so much my constant + and kind friend and patron through the course of my life, + that I trust I need no apology for thrusting upon your + consideration some ulterior views, which have been suggested + to me by my friends, and which I will either endeavor to + prosecute, time and place serving, or lay aside all thoughts + of, as they appear to your Grace feasible, and likely to be + forwarded by your patronage. It has been suggested to me, in + a word, that there would be no impropriety in my being put + in nomination as a candidate for the situation of a Baron of + Exchequer, when a vacancy shall take place. The difference + of the emolument between that situation and those which I + now hold, is just L400 a year, so that, in that point of + view, it is not a very great object. But there is a + difference in the rank, and also in the leisure afforded by + a Baron's situation; and a man may, without condemnation, + endeavor, at my period of life, to obtain as much honor and + ease as he can handsomely come by. My pretensions to such an + honor (next to your Grace's countenancing my wishes) would + rest very much on the circumstance that my nomination would + vacate two good offices (Clerk of Session and Sheriff of + Selkirkshire) to the amount of L1000 and L300 a year; and, + besides, would extinguish a pension of L300 which I have for + life, over and above my salary as Clerk of Session, as + having been in office at the time when the Judicature Act + deprived us of a part of our vested fees and emoluments. The + extinction of this pension would be just so much saved to + the public. I am pretty confident also that I should + {p.143} be personally acceptable to our friend the Chief + Baron.[57] But whether all or any of these circumstances + will weigh much in my favor, must solely and entirely rest + with your Grace, without whose countenance it would be folly + in me to give the matter a second thought. _With_ your + patronage, both my situation and habits of society may place + my hopes as far as any who are likely to apply; and your + interest would be strengthened by the opportunity of placing + some good friend in Selkirkshire, besides converting the + Minstrel of the Clan into a Baron,--a transmutation worthy + of so powerful and kind a chief. But if your Grace thinks I + ought to drop thoughts of this preferment, I am bound to + say, that I think myself as well provided for by my friends + and the public as I have the least title to expect, and that + I am perfectly contented and grateful for what I have + received. Ever your Grace's faithful and truly obliged + servant, + + Walter SCOTT. + + [Footnote 57: The late Right Honorable Robert Dundas of + Arniston, Chief Baron of the Scotch Exchequer; one of + Scott's earliest and kindest friends in that + distinguished family.] + +The following letter, to the same noble friend, contains a slight +allusion to this affair of the Barony; but I insert it for a better +reason. The Duke had, it seems, been much annoyed by some depredations +on his game in the district of Ettrick Water; and more so by the ill +use which some boys from Selkirk made of his liberality in allowing +the people of that town free access to his beautiful walks on the +banks of the Yarrow, adjoining Newark and Bowhill. The Duke's +forester, by name Thomas Hudson, had recommended rigorous measures +with reference to both these classes of offenders, and the Sheriff was +of course called into council:-- + + TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH, ETC., ETC., ETC. + + ABBOTSFORD, January 11, 1817. + + MY DEAR LORD DUKE,--I have been thinking anxiously about the + disagreeable affair of Tom Hudson, {p.144} and the impudent + ingratitude of the Selkirk rising generation, and I will + take the usual liberty your friendship permits me, of saying + what occurs to me on each subject. Respecting the shooting, + the crime is highly punishable, and we will omit no + inquiries to discover the individuals guilty. Charles + Erskine, who is a good police-officer, will be sufficiently + active. I know my friend and kinsman, Mr. Scott of Harden, + feels very anxious to oblige your Grace, and I have little + doubt that if you will have the goodness to mention to him + this unpleasant circumstance, he would be anxious to put his + game under such regulations as should be agreeable to you. + But I believe the pride and pleasure he would feel in + obliging your Grace, as heading one of the most ancient and + most respectable branches of your name (if I may be pardoned + for saying so much in our favor), would be certainly much + more gratified by a compliance with your personal request, + than if it came through any other channel. Your Grace knows + there are many instances in life in which the most effectual + way of conferring a favor is condescending to accept one. I + have known Harden long and most intimately--a more + respectable man, either for feeling, or talent, or knowledge + of human life, is rarely to be met with. But he is rather + indecisive--requiring some instant stimulus in order to make + him resolve to do, not only what he knows to be right, but + what he really wishes to do, and means to do one time or + other. He is exactly Prior's Earl of Oxford:-- + + "Let that be done which Mat doth say." + "Yea," quoth the Earl, "_but not to-day_." + + And so exit Harden, and enter Selkirk. + + I know hardly anything more exasperating than the conduct of + the little blackguards, and it will be easy to discover and + make an example of the biggest and most insolent. In the + mean while, my dear Lord, pardon my requesting you will take + no general or sweeping resolution as to the Selkirk folks. + Your Grace lives near {p.145} them--your residence, both + from your direct beneficence, and the indirect advantages + which they derive from that residence, is of the utmost + consequence; and they must be made sensible that all these + advantages are endangered by the very violent and brutal + conduct of their children. But I think your Grace will be + inclined to follow this up only for the purpose of + correction, not for that of requital. They are so much + beneath you, and so much in your power, that this would be + unworthy of you--especially as all the inhabitants of the + little country town must necessarily be included in the + punishment. Were your Grace really angry with them, and + acting accordingly, you might ultimately feel the regret of + my old schoolmaster, who, when he had knocked me down, + apologized by saying he did not know his own strength. After + all, those who look for anything better than ingratitude + from the uneducated and unreflecting mass of a corrupted + population, must always be deceived; and the better the + heart is that has been expanded towards them, their wants + and their wishes, the deeper is the natural feeling of + disappointment. But it is our duty to fight on, doing what + good we can (and surely the disposition and the means were + never more happily united than in your Grace), and trusting + to God Almighty, whose grace ripens the seeds we commit to + the earth, that our benefactions shall bear fruit. And now, + my Lord, asking your pardon for this discharge of my + conscience, and assuring your Grace I have no wish to + exchange my worsted gown, or the remote _Pisgah_ exchange of + a silk one, for the cloak of a Presbyterian parson, even + with the certainty of succeeding to the first of your + numerous Kirk-presentations, I take the liberty to add my + own opinion. The elder boys must be looked out and punished, + and the parents severely reprimanded, and the whole + respectable part of the town made sensible of the loss they + must necessarily sustain by the discontinuance of your + patronage. And at, or about the same time, I {p.146} should + think it proper if your Grace were to distinguish by any + little notice such Selkirk people working with you as have + their families under good order. + + I am taking leave of Abbotsford _multum gemens_, and have + been just giving directions for planting upon _Turn-again_. + When shall we eat a cold luncheon there, and look at the + view, and root up the monster in his abyss? I assure you + none of your numerous vassals can show a finer succession of + _distant_ prospects. For the home-view--ahem!--We must wait + till the trees grow. + + Ever your Grace's truly faithful + + W. SCOTT. + +While the abortive negotiation as to the exchequer was still pending, +Scott was visited, for the first time since his childish years, with a +painful illness, which proved the harbinger of a series of attacks, +all nearly of the same kind, continued at short intervals during more +than two years. Various letters, already introduced, have indicated +how widely his habits of life when in Edinburgh differed from those of +Abbotsford. They at all times did so to a great extent; but he had +pushed his liberties with a most robust constitution to a perilous +extreme while the affairs of the Ballantynes were laboring, and he was +now to pay the penalty. + +This first serious alarm occurred towards the close of a merry +dinner-party in Castle Street (on the 5th of March), when Scott +suddenly sustained such exquisite torture from cramp in the stomach, +that his masculine powers of endurance gave way, and he retired from +the room with a scream of agony which electrified his guests. This +scene was often repeated, as we shall see presently. His friends in +Edinburgh continued all that spring in great anxiety on his account. +Scarcely, however, had the first symptoms yielded to severe medical +treatment, than he is found to have beguiled the intervals of his +suffering by planning a dramatic piece on a story supplied to him by +one of Train's communications, which he desired to {p.147} present to +Terry, on behalf of the actor's first-born son who had been christened +by the name of Walter Scott.[58] Such was the origin of the Fortunes +of Devorgoil--a piece which, though completed soon afterwards, and +submitted by Terry to many manipulations with a view to the stage, was +never received by any manager, and was first published, towards the +close of the author's life, under the title, slightly altered for an +obvious reason, of The Doom of Devorgoil. The sketch of the story +which he gives in the following letter will probably be considered by +many besides myself as well worth the drama. It appears that the actor +had mentioned to Scott his intention of _Terryfying_ The Black Dwarf. + + [Footnote 58: This young gentleman is now an officer in + the East India Company's army.--(1837.) Mr. W. S. Terry + lived to distinguish himself as a soldier, and fell in + action against the Afghans.--(1848.)] + + TO DANIEL TERRY, ESQ., LONDON. + + EDINBURGH, 12th March, 1817. + + DEAR TERRY,--I am now able to write to you on your own + affairs, though still as weak as water from the operations + of the medical faculty, who, I think, treated me as a + recusant to their authority, and having me once at + advantage, were determined I should not have strength to + rebel again in a hurry. After all, I believe it was touch + and go; and considering how much I have to do for my own + family and others, my elegy might have been that of the Auld + Man's Mare,-- + + "The peats and turf are all to lead, + What ail'd the beast to die?" + + You don't mention the nature of your undertaking in your + last, and in your former you spoke both of the Black Dwarf + and of Triermain. I have some doubts whether the town will + endure a second time the following up a well-known tale with + a dramatic representation--and there is no _vis comica_ to + redeem the Black Dwarf, as in the case of Dominie Sampson. I + have thought of {p.148} two subjects for you, if, like the + Archbishop's homilies, they do not smell of the apoplexy. + The first is a noble and very dramatic tradition preserved + in Galloway, which runs briefly thus: The Barons of Plenton + (the family name, I think, was ---- by Jupiter, forgot!) + boasted of great antiquity, and formerly of extensive power + and wealth, to which the ruins of their huge castle, + situated on an inland loch, still bear witness. In the + middle of the seventeenth century, it is said, these ruins + were still inhabited by the lineal descendant of this + powerful family. But the ruinous halls and towers of his + ancestors were all that had descended to him, and he + cultivated the garden of the castle, and sold its fruits for + a subsistence. He married in a line suitable rather to his + present situation than the dignity of his descent, and was + quite sunk into the rank of peasantry, excepting that he was + still called--more in mockery, or at least in familiarity, + than in respect--the Baron of Plenton. A causeway connected + the castle with the mainland; it was cut in the middle, and + the moat only passable by a drawbridge which yet subsisted, + and which the poor old couple contrived to raise every night + by their joint efforts, the country being very unsettled at + the time. It must be observed that the old man and his wife + occupied only one apartment in the extensive ruins, a small + one adjoining to the drawbridge; the rest was waste and + dilapidated. + + As they were about to retire one night to rest, they were + deterred by a sudden storm which, rising in the wildest + manner possible, threatened to bury them under the ruins of + the castle. While they listened in terror to the complicated + sounds of thunder, wind, and rain, they were astonished to + hear the clang of hoofs on the causeway, and the voices of + people clamoring for admittance. This was a request not + rashly to be granted. The couple looked out, and dimly + discerned through the storm that the causeway was crowded + with riders. "How many of {p.149} you are there?" demanded + John.--"Not more than the hall will hold," was the answer; + "but open the gate, lower the bridge, and do not keep the + _ladies_ in the rain."--John's heart was melted for the + _ladies_, and, against his wife's advice, he undid the + bolts, sunk the drawbridge, and bade them enter in the name + of God. Having done so, he instantly retired into his + _sanctum sanctorum_ to await the event, for there was + something in the voices and language of his guests that + sounded mysterious and awful. They rushed into the castle, + and appeared to know their way through all its recesses. + Grooms were heard hurrying their horses to the + stables--sentinels were heard mounting guard--a thousand + lights gleamed from place to place through the ruins, till + at length they seemed all concentrated in the baronial hall, + whose range of broad windows threw a resplendent + illumination on the moss-grown court below. + + After a short time, a domestic, clad in a rich but very + antique dress, appeared before the old couple, and commanded + them to attend his lord and lady in the great hall. They + went with tottering steps, and to their great terror found + themselves in the midst of a most brilliant and joyous + company; but the fearful part of it was, that most of the + guests resembled the ancestors of John's family, and were + known to him by their resemblance to pictures which + mouldered in the castle, or by traditionary description. At + the head, the founder of the race, dressed like some mighty + baron, or rather some Galwegian prince, sat with his lady. + There was a difference of opinion between these ghostly + personages concerning our honest John. The chief was + inclined to receive him graciously; the lady considered him, + from his mean marriage, as utterly unworthy of their name + and board. The upshot is, that the chief discovers to his + descendant the means of finding a huge treasure concealed in + the castle; the lady assures him that the discovery shall + never avail him.--In the morning no trace can be discovered + of {p.150} the singular personages who had occupied the + hall. But John sought for and discovered the vault where the + spoils of the Southrons were concealed, rolled away the + covering stone, and feasted his eyes on a range of massy + chests of iron, filled doubtless with treasure. As he + deliberated on the best means of bringing them up, and + descending into the vault, he observed it began slowly to + fill with water. Bailing and pumping were resorted to, and + when he had exhausted his own and his wife's strength, they + summoned the assistance of the neighborhood. But the + vengeance of the visionary lady was perfect; the waters of + the lake had forced their way into the vault, and John, + after a year or two spent in draining and so forth, died + broken-hearted, the last Baron of Plenton. + + Such is the tale, of which the incidents seem new, and the + interest capable of being rendered striking; the story + admits of the highest degree of decoration, both by poetry, + music, and scenery, and I propose (in behalf of my godson) + to take some pains in dramatizing it. As thus;--you shall + play John, as you can speak a little Scotch; I will make him + what the Baron of Bradwardine would have been in his + circumstances, and he shall be alternately ridiculous from + his family pride and prejudices, contrasted with his + poverty, and respectable from his just and independent tone + of feeling and character. I think Scotland is entitled to + have something on the stage to balance Macklin's two + worthies.[59] You understand the dialect will be only tinged + with the national dialect--not that the baron is to speak + broad Scotch, while all the others talk English. His wife + and he shall have one child, a daughter, suitored unto by + the conceited young parson or schoolmaster of the village, + whose addresses are countenanced by her mother,--and by + Halbert the hunter, a youth of unknown descent. Now this + youth shall be the rightful heir and representative of the + English owners of the treasure, of which they had been + {p.151} robbed by the baron's ancestors, for which unjust + act, their spirits still walked the earth. These, with a + substantial character or two, and the ghostly personages, + shall mingle as they may--and the discovery of the youth's + birth shall break the spell of the treasure-chamber. I will + make the ghosts talk as never ghosts talked in the body or + out of it; and the music may be as unearthly as you can get + it. The rush of the shadows into the castle shall be seen + through the window of the baron's apartment in the flat + scene. The ghosts' banquet, and many other circumstances, + may give great exercise to the scene-painter and dresser. If + you like this plan, you had better suspend any other for the + present. In my opinion it has the infinite merit of being + perfectly new in plot and structure, and I will set about + the sketch as soon as my strength is restored in some + measure by air and exercise. I am sure I can finish it in a + fortnight then. Ever yours truly, + + W. SCOTT. + + [Footnote 59: Sir Archy Mac-Sarcasm and Sir Pertinax + Mac-Sycophant.] + +About the time when this letter was written, a newspaper paragraph +having excited the apprehension of two--or I should say three--of his +dearest friends, that his life was in actual danger, Scott wrote to +them as follows:-- + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., PORTLAND PLACE, LONDON. + + EDINBURGH, 20th March, 1817. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--I hasten to acquaint you that I am in the + land of life, and thriving, though I have had a slight + shake, and still feel the consequences of medical treatment. + I had been plagued all through this winter with cramps in my + stomach, which I endured as a man of mould might, and + endeavored to combat them by drinking scalding water, and so + forth. As they grew rather unpleasantly frequent, I had + reluctant recourse to Baillie. But before his answer arrived + on the 5th, I had a most violent attack, which broke up a + small party at {p.152} my house, and sent me to bed roaring + like a bull-calf. All sorts of remedies were applied, as in + the case of Gil Blas's pretended colic, but such was the + pain of the real disorder, that it outdevilled the Doctor + hollow. Even heated salt, which was applied in such a state + that it burned my shirt to rags, I hardly felt when clapped + to my stomach. At length the symptoms became inflammatory, + and dangerously so, the seat being the diaphragm. They only + gave way to very profuse bleeding and blistering, which + under higher assistance saved my life. My recovery was slow + and tedious from the state of exhaustion. I could neither + stir for weakness and giddiness, nor read for dazzling in my + eyes, nor listen for a whizzing sound in my ears, nor even + think for lack of the power of arranging my ideas. So I had + a comfortless time of it for about a week. Even yet I by no + means feel, as the copy-book hath it, + + "The lion bold, which the lamb doth hold--" + + on the contrary, I am as weak as water. They tell me (of + course) I must renounce every creature comfort, as my friend + Jedediah calls it. As for dinner and so forth, I care little + about it--but toast and water, and three glasses of wine, + sound like hard laws to me. However, to parody the + lamentation of Hassan, the camel-driver, + + "The lily health outvies the grape's bright ray, + And life is dearer than the usquebae--" + + so I shall be amenable to discipline. But in my own secret + mind I suspect the state of my bowels more than anything + else. I take enough of exercise and enough of rest; but + unluckily they are like a Lapland year, divided as one night + and one day. In the vacation I never sit down; in the + session-time I seldom rise up. But all this must be better + arranged in future; and I trust I shall live to weary out + all your kindness. + + I am obliged to break off hastily. I trust I shall be able + to get over the Fell in the end of summer, which {p.153} + will rejoice me much, for the sound of the woods of Rokeby + is lovely in mine ear. Ever yours, + + Walter SCOTT. + + + TO MRS. MACLEAN CLEPHANE, OF TORLOISK, MULL. + + EDINBURGH, 23d March, 1817. + + MY DEAR Mrs. AND MISS CLEPHANE,--Here comes to let you know + you had nearly seen the last sight of me, unless I had come + to visit you on my red beam like one of Fingal's heroes, + which, Ossianic as you are, I trow you would readily + dispense with. The cause was a cramp in my stomach, which, + after various painful visits, as if it had been sent by + Prospero, and had mistaken me for Caliban, at length chose + to conclude by setting fire to its lodging, like the + Frenchmen as they retreated through Russia, and placed me in + as proper a state of inflammation as if I had had the whole + Spafields committee in my unfortunate stomach. Then bleeding + and blistering was the word; and they bled and blistered + till they left me neither skin nor blood. However, they beat + off the foul fiend, and I am bound to praise the bridge + which carried me over. I am still very totterish, and very + giddy, kept to panada, or rather to porridge, for I spurned + at all foreign slops, and adhered to our ancient oatmeal + manufacture.[60] But I have no apprehension of any return of + the serious part of the malady, and I am now recovering my + strength, though looking somewhat cadaverous upon the + occasion. + + [Footnote 60: [On the 17th of March, Scott had written + to Joanna Baillie: "Two _remarkables_ struck me in my + illness: the first was, that my great wolf-dog clamored + wildly and fearfully about my bed when I was very ill, + and would hardly be got out of the room; the other, that + when I was recovering, all acquired and factitious + tastes seemed to leave me, and I could eat nothing but + porridge, and listen to no better reading than a stupid + Scottish diary which would have made a whole man + sick."--_Familiar Letters_, vol. i. p. 421.]] + + I much approve of your going to Italy by sea; indeed it is + the only way you ought to think of it. I am only {p.154} + sorry you are going to leave us for a while; but indeed the + isle of Mull might be Florence to me in respect of + separation, and cannot be quite Florence to you, since Lady + Compton is not there. I lately heard her mentioned in a + company where my interest in her was not known, as one of + the very few English ladies now in Italy whom their + acquirements, conduct, and mode of managing time, induce + that part of foreign society, whose approbation is valuable, + to consider with high respect and esteem. This I think is + very likely; for, whatever folks say of foreigners, those of + good education and high rank among them, must have a supreme + contempt for the frivolous, dissatisfied, empty, gad-about + manners of many of our modern belles. And we may say among + ourselves, that there are few upon whom high accomplishments + and information sit more gracefully. + + John Kemble is here to take leave, acting over all his great + characters, and with all the spirit of his best years. He + played Coriolanus last night (the first time I have ventured + out) fully as well as I ever saw him; and you know what a + complete model he is of the Roman. He has made a great + reformation in his habits; given up wine, which he used to + swallow by pailfuls,--and renewed his youth like the eagles. + He seems to me always to play best those characters in which + there is a predominating tinge of some overmastering + passion, or acquired habit of acting and speaking, coloring + the whole man. The patrician pride of Coriolanus, the + stoicism of Brutus and Cato, the rapid and hurried vehemence + of Hotspur, mark the class of characters I mean. But he + fails where a ready and pliable yielding to the events and + passions of life makes what may be termed a more natural + personage. Accordingly I think his Macbeth, Lear, and + especially his Richard, inferior in spirit and truth. In + Hamlet, the natural fixed melancholy of the prince places + him within Kemble's range;--yet many delicate and sudden + turns of passion slip through his fingers. He is {p.155} a + lordly vessel, goodly and magnificent when going large + before the wind, but wanting the facility to go "_ready + about_," so that he is sometimes among the breakers before + he can wear ship. Yet we lose in him a most excellent + critic, an accomplished scholar, and one who graced our + forlorn drama with what little it has left of good sense and + gentlemanlike feeling. And so exit he. He made me write some + lines to speak when he withdraws, and he has been here + criticising and correcting till he got them quite to his + mind, which has rather tired me. + + Most truly yours while + + Walter SCOTT. + +On the 29th of March, 1817, John Philip Kemble, after going through +the round of his chief parts, to the delight of the Edinburgh +audience, took his final leave of them as Macbeth, and in the costume +of that character delivered a farewell address, penned for him by +Scott.[61] No one who witnessed that scene, and heard the lines as +then recited, can ever expect to be again interested to the same +extent by anything occurring within the walls {p.156} of a theatre; +nor was I ever present at any public dinner in all its circumstances +more impressive than was that which occurred a few days afterwards, +when Kemble's Scotch friends and admirers assembled around +him--Francis Jeffrey being chairman, Walter Scott and John Wilson the +croupiers. + + [Footnote 61: See _Poetical Works_, vol. xi. p. 348 + [Cambridge Ed. p. 436]. Scott's farewell for Kemble + first appeared in _The Sale-Room_ for April 5, 1817; and + in the introductory note James Ballantyne says: "The + character fixed upon, with happy propriety, for Kemble's + closing scene, was Macbeth. He had labored under a + severe cold for a few days before, but on the memorable + night the physical annoyance yielded to the energy of + his mind. 'He was,' he said in the Green-room, + immediately before the curtain rose, 'determined to + leave behind him the most perfect specimen of his art + which he had ever shown;' and his success was complete. + At the moment of the tyrant's death, the curtain fell by + the universal acclamation of the audience. The applauses + were vehement and prolonged; they ceased--were + resumed--rose again--were reiterated--and again were + hushed. In a few minutes the curtain ascended, and Mr. + Kemble came forward, in the dress of Macbeth (the + audience by a consentaneous movement rising to receive + him), to deliver his _farewell_." ... "Mr. Kemble + delivered the lines with exquisite beauty, and with an + effect that was evidenced by the tears and sobs of many + of the audience. His own emotions were very conspicuous. + When his farewell was closed, he lingered long on the + stage, as if unable to retire. The house again stood up, + and cheered him with the waving of hats and long shouts + of applause."] + +Shortly before this time, Mr. William Laidlaw had met with +misfortunes, which rendered it necessary for him to give up the lease +of a farm, on which he had been for some years settled, in +Mid-Lothian. He was now anxiously looking about him for some new +establishment, and it occurred to Scott that it might be mutually +advantageous, as well as agreeable, if his excellent friend would +consent to come and occupy a house on his property, and endeavor, +under his guidance, to make such literary exertions as might raise his +income to an amount adequate for his comfort. The prospect of +obtaining such a neighbor was, no doubt, the more welcome to +"Abbotsford and Kaeside," from its opening at this period of +fluctuating health; and Laidlaw, who had for twenty years loved and +revered him, considered the proposal with far greater delight than the +most lucrative appointment on any noble domain in the island could +have afforded him. Though possessed of a lively and searching sagacity +as to things in general, he had always been as to his own worldly +interests simple as a child. His tastes and habits were all modest; +and when he looked forward to spending the remainder of what had not +hitherto been a successful life, under the shadow of the genius that +he had worshipped almost from boyhood, his gentle heart was all +happiness. He surveyed with glistening eyes the humble cottage in +which his friend proposed to lodge him, his wife, and his little ones, +and said to himself that he should write no more sad songs on _Forest +Flittings_.[62] + + [Footnote 62: Mr. Laidlaw has not published many verses; + but his song of _Lucy's Flitting_--a simple and pathetic + picture of a poor Ettrick maiden's feelings in leaving a + service where she had been happy--has long been, and + must ever be, a favorite with all who understand the + delicacies of the Scottish dialect, and the manners of + the district in which the scene is laid.] + +{p.157} Scott's notes to him at this time afford a truly charming +picture of thoughtful and respectful delicacy on both sides. Mr. +Laidlaw, for example, appears to have hinted that he feared his +friend, in making the proposal as to the house at Kaeside, might have +perhaps in some degree overlooked the feelings of "Laird Moss," who, +having sold his land several months before, had as yet continued to +occupy his old homestead. Scott answers:-- + + TO MR. W. LAIDLAW. + + EDINBURGH, April 5, 1817. + + MY DEAR SIR,--Nothing can give me more pleasure than the + prospect of your making yourself comfortable at Kaeside till + some good thing casts up. I have not put Mr. Moss to any + inconvenience, for I only requested an answer, giving him + leave to sit if he had a mind--and of free will he leaves my + premises void and redd at Whitsunday. I suspect the house is + not in good order, but we shall get it brushed up a little. + Without affectation I consider myself the obliged party in + this matter--or at any rate it is a mutual benefit, and you + shall have grass for a cow, and so forth--whatever you want. + I am sure when you are so near I shall find some literary + labor for you that will make ends meet. Yours, in haste, + + W. SCOTT. + +He had before this time made considerable progress in another +historical sketch (that of the year 1815) for the Edinburgh Annual +Register; and the first literary labor which he provided for Laidlaw +appears to have been arranging for the same volume a set of newspaper +articles, usually printed under the head of _Chronicle_, to which were +appended some little extracts of new books of travels, and the like +miscellanies. The Edinburgh {p.158} Monthly Magazine, subsequently +known by the name of its projector, Blackwood, commenced in April of +this year; and one of its editors, Mr. Thomas Pringle, being a +Teviotdale man and an old acquaintance of Laidlaw's, offered to the +latter the care of its _Chronicle department_ also,--not perhaps +without calculating that, in case Laidlaw's connection with the new +journal should become at all a strict one, Scott would be induced to +give it occasionally the benefit of his own literary assistance. He +accordingly did not write--being unwell at the time--but _dictated_ to +Pringle a collection of anecdotes concerning Scottish gypsies, which +attracted a good deal of notice;[63] and, I believe, he also assisted +Laidlaw in drawing up one or more articles on the subject of Scottish +superstitions. But the bookseller and Pringle soon quarrelled, and the +Magazine assuming, on the retirement of the latter, a high Tory +character, Laidlaw's Whig feelings induced him to renounce its +alliance; while Scott, having no kindness for Blackwood personally, +and disapproving (though he chuckled over it) the reckless +extravagance of juvenile satire which, by and by, distinguished his +journal, appears to have easily acquiesced in the propriety of +Laidlaw's determination. I insert meantime a few notes, which will +show with what care and kindness he watched over Laidlaw's operations +for the Annual Register. + + [Footnote 63: These anecdotes were subsequently inserted + in the Introduction to _Guy Mannering_.] + + TO MR. LAIDLAW, AT KAESIDE. + + EDINBURGH, June 16, 1817. + + DEAR SIR,--I enclose you "rare guerdon," better than + remuneration,--namely, a cheque for L25, for the Chronicle + part of the Register. The incidents selected should have + some reference to amusement as well as information, and may + be occasionally abridged in the narration; but, after all, + paste and scissors form your principal {p.159} materials. + You must look out for two or three good original articles; + and, if you would read and take pains to abridge one or two + curious books of travels, I would send out the volumes. + Could I once get the head of the concern fairly round before + the wind again, I am sure I could make it L100 a year to + you. In the present instance it will be at least L50. + + Yours truly, + + W. S. + + + TO THE SAME. + + EDINBURGH, July 3, 1817. + + MY DEAR SIR,--I send you Adam's and Riley's Travels. You + will observe I don't want a review of the books, or a detail + of these persons' adventures, but merely a short article + expressing the light, direct or doubtful, which they have + thrown on the interior of Africa. "Recent Discoveries in + Africa" will be a proper title. I hope to find you + materially amended, or rather quite stout, when I come out + on Saturday. I am quite well this morning. Yours, in haste, + + W. S. + + P. S.--I add Mariner's Tonga Islands, and Campbell's Voyage. + Pray take great care of them, as I am a coxcomb about my + books, and hate specks or spots. Take care of yourself, and + want for nothing that Abbotsford can furnish. + +These notes have carried us down to the middle of the year. But I must +now turn to some others, which show that before Whitsuntide, when +Laidlaw settled at Kaeside, negotiations were on foot respecting +another novel. + + TO MR. JOHN BALLANTYNE, HANOVER STREET, EDINBURGH. + + ABBOTSFORD, Monday. [April, 1817.] + + DEAR JOHN,--I have a good subject for a work of fiction _in + petto_. What do you think Constable would give for a smell + of it? You ran away without taking {p.160} leave the other + morning, or I wished to have spoken to you about it. I don't + mean a continuation of Jedediah, because there might be some + delicacy in putting that by the original publishers. You may + write if anything occurs to you on this subject. It will not + interrupt my History. By the way, I have a great lot of the + Register ready for delivery, and no man asks for it. I shall + want to pay up some cash at Whitsunday, which will make me + draw on my brains. Yours truly, + + W. SCOTT. + + + TO THE SAME. + + ABBOTSFORD, Saturday, May 3, 1817. + + DEAR JOHN,--I shall be much obliged to you to come here with + Constable on Monday, as he proposes a visit, and it will + save time. By the way, you must attend that the usual + quantity of stock is included in the arrangement--that is + L600 for 6000 copies. My sum is L1700, payable in May--a + round advance, by'r Lady, but I think I am entitled to it, + considering what I have twined off hitherto on such + occasions. + + I make a point on your coming with Constable, health + allowing. Yours truly, + + W. S. + +The result of this meeting is indicated in a note, scribbled by John +Ballantyne at the bottom of the foregoing letter, before it was seen +by his brother the printer:-- + + Half-past 3 o'clock, Tuesday. + + DEAR JAMES,--I am at this moment returned from Abbotsford, + with entire and full success. Wish me joy. I shall gain + above L600--Constable taking my share of stock also. This + title is _Rob Roy--by the Author of Waverley!!!_ Keep this + letter for me. + + J. B. + +On the same page there is written, in fresher ink, which marks, no +doubt, the time when John pasted it into his collection of private +papers now before me,-- + + N. B.--I did gain above L1200.--J. B. + +{p.161} The title of this novel was suggested by Constable, and he +told me years afterwards the difficulty he had to get it adopted by +the author. "What!" said he, "Mr. Accoucheur, must you be setting up +for Mr. Sponsor too?--but let's hear it." Constable said the name of +the real hero would be the best possible name for the book. "Nay," +answered Scott, "never let me have to write up to a name. You well +know I have generally adopted a title that told nothing."--The +bookseller, however, persevered; and after the trio had dined, these +scruples gave way. + +On rising from table, according to Constable, they sallied out to the +green before the door of the cottage, and all in the highest spirits +enjoyed the fine May evening. John Ballantyne, hopping up and down in +his glee, exclaimed, "Is Rob's gun here, Mr. Scott; would you object +to my trying the auld barrel with a _few de joy_?"--"Nay, Mr. Puff," +said Scott, "it would burst, and blow you to the devil before your +time."--"Johnny, my man," said Constable, "what the mischief puts +drawing at sight into _your_ head?" Scott laughed heartily at this +innuendo; and then observing that the little man felt somewhat sore, +called attention to the notes of a bird in the adjoining shrubbery. +"And by the bye," said he, as they continued listening, "'tis a long +time, Johnny, since we have had the Cobbler of Kelso." Mr. Puff +forthwith jumped up on a mass of stone, and seating himself in the +proper attitude of one working with his awl, began a favorite +interlude, mimicking a certain son of Crispin, at whose stall Scott +and he had often lingered when they were schoolboys, and a blackbird, +the only companion of his cell, that used to sing to him, while he +talked and whistled to it all day long. With this performance Scott +was always delighted: nothing could be richer than the contrast of the +bird's wild sweet notes, some of which he imitated with wonderful +skill, and the accompaniment of the Cobbler's hoarse cracked {p.162} +voice, uttering all manner of endearing epithets, which Johnny +multiplied and varied in a style worthy of the Old Women in Rabelais +at the birth of Pantagruel. I often wondered that Mathews, who +borrowed so many good things from John Ballantyne, allowed this +Cobbler, which was certainly the masterpiece, to escape him. + +Scott himself had probably exceeded that evening the three glasses of +wine sanctioned by his Sangrados. "I never," said Constable, "had +found him so disposed to be communicative about what he meant to do. +Though he had had a return of his illness but the day before, he +continued for an hour or more to walk backwards and forwards on the +green, talking and laughing--he told us he was sure he should make a +hit in a Glasgow weaver, whom he would _ravel up with Rob_; and fairly +outshone the Cobbler, in an extempore dialogue between the bailie and +the cateran--something not unlike what the book gives us as passing in +the Glasgow tolbooth." + +Mr. Puff might well exult in the "full and entire success" of this +trip to Abbotsford. His friend had made it a _sine qua non_ with +Constable that he should have a third share in the bookseller's moiety +of the bargain--and though Johnny had no more trouble about the +publishing or selling of Rob Roy than his own Cobbler of Kelso, this +stipulation had secured him a _bonus_ of L1200, before two years +passed. Moreover, one must admire his adroitness in persuading +Constable, during their journey back to Edinburgh, to relieve him of +that fraction of his own old stock, with which his unhazardous share +in the new transaction was burdened. Scott's kindness continued, as +long as John Ballantyne lived, to provide for him a constant +succession of similar advantages at the same easy rate; and Constable, +from deference to Scott's wishes, and from his own liking for the +humorous auctioneer, appears to have submitted with hardly a momentary +grudge to this heavy tax on his most important ventures. + +{p.163} The same week Scott received Southey's celebrated letter to +Mr. William Smith, M. P. for Norwich. The poet of Keswick had also +forwarded to him somewhat earlier his Pilgrimage to Waterloo, which +piece contains a touching allusion to the affliction the author had +recently sustained in the death of a fine boy. Scott's letter on this +occasion was as follows:-- + + TO ROBERT SOUTHEY, ESQ., KESWICK. + + SELKIRK, May 9, 1817. + + MY DEAR SOUTHEY,--I have been a strangely negligent + correspondent for some months past, more especially as I + have had you rarely out of my thoughts, for I think you will + hardly doubt of my sincere sympathy in events which have + happened since I have written. I shed sincere tears over the + Pilgrimage to Waterloo. But in the crucible of human life, + the purest gold is tried by the strongest heat, and I can + only hope for the continuance of your present family + blessings to one so well formed to enjoy the pure happiness + they afford. My health has, of late, been very indifferent. + I was very nearly succumbing under a violent inflammatory + attack, and still feel the effects of the necessary + treatment. I believe they took one third of the blood of my + system, and blistered in proportion: so that both my flesh + and my blood have been in a woefully reduced state. I got + out here some weeks since, where, by dint of the insensible + exercise which one takes in the country, I feel myself + gathering strength daily, but am still obliged to observe a + severe regimen. It was not to croak about myself, however, + that I took up the pen, but to wish you joy of your + triumphant answer to that coarse-minded William Smith. He + deserved all he has got, and, to say the truth, you do not + spare him, and have no cause. His attack seems to have + proceeded from the vulgar insolence of a low mind desirous + of attacking genius at disadvantage. It is the ancient and + eternal strife of which the witch speaks in {p.164} + Thalaba. Such a man as he, feels he has no alliance with + such as you, and his evil instincts lead him to treat as + hostile whatever he cannot comprehend. I met Smith once + during his stay in Edinburgh,[64] and had, what I seldom + have with any one in society, a high quarrel with him. His + mode of travelling had been from one gentleman's seat to + another, abusing the well-known hospitality of the Highland + lairds, by taking possession of their houses, even during + their absence, domineering in them when they were present, + and not only eating the dinner of to-day, but requiring that + the dinner of to-morrow should also be made ready and + carried forward with him, to save the expense of inns. All + this was no business of mine, but when, in the middle of a + company consisting of those to whom he had owed this + hospitality, he abused the country, of which he knew + little--the language, of which he knew nothing--and the + people, who have their faults, but are a much more harmless, + moral, and at the same time high-spirited population, than, + I venture to say, he ever lived amongst--I thought it was + really too bad, and so e'en took up the debate, and gave it + him over the knuckles as smartly as I could. Your pamphlet, + therefore, fed fat my ancient grudge against him as well as + the modern one, for you cannot doubt that my blood boiled at + reading the report of his speech. Enough of this gentleman, + who, I think, will not walk out of the round in a hurry + again, to slander the conduct of individuals. + + [Footnote 64: Scott's meeting with this Mr. Smith + occurred at the table of his friend and colleague, + Hector Macdonald Buchanan. The company, except Scott and + Smith, were all, like their hospitable landlord, + Highlanders.] + + I am at present writing at our head-court of freeholders--a + set of quiet, unpretending, but sound-judging country + gentlemen, and whose opinions may be very well taken as a + fair specimen of those men of sense and honor, who are not + likely to be dazzled by literary talent, which {p.165} lies + out of their beat, and who, therefore, cannot be of partial + counsel in the cause; and I never heard an opinion more + generally, and even warmly expressed, than that your + triumphant vindication brands Smith as a slanderer in all + time coming. I think you may not be displeased to know this, + because what men of keen feelings and literary pursuits must + have felt, cannot be unknown to you, and you may not have + the same access to know the impression made upon the general + class of society. + + I have to thank you for the continuation of the History of + Brazil--one of your gigantic labors; the fruit of a mind so + active, yet so patient of labor. I am not yet far advanced + in the second volume, reserving it usually for my hour's + amusement in the evening, as children keep their dainties + for _bonne bouche_: but as far as I have come, it possesses + all the interest of the commencement, though a more + faithless and worthless set than both Dutch and Portuguese I + have never read of; and it requires your knowledge of the + springs of human action, and your lively description of + "hair-breadth 'scapes," to make one care whether the hog + bites the dog, or the dog bites the hog. Both nations were + in rapid declension from their short-lived age of heroism, + and in the act of experiencing all those retrograde + movements which are the natural consequence of selfishness + on the one hand, and bigotry on the other. + + I am glad to see you are turning your mind to the state of + the poor. Should you enter into details on the subject of + the best mode of assisting them, I would be happy to tell + you the few observations I have made--not on a very small + scale neither, considering my fortune, for I have kept about + thirty of the laborers in my neighborhood in constant + employment this winter. This I do not call charity, because + they executed some extensive plantations and other works, + which I could never have got done so cheaply, and which I + always intended {p.166} one day to do. But neither was it + altogether selfish on my part, because I was putting myself + to inconvenience in incurring the expense of several years + at once, and certainly would not have done so, but to serve + mine honest neighbors, who were likely to want work but for + such exertion. From my observation, I am inclined greatly to + doubt the salutary effect of the scheme generally adopted in + Edinburgh and elsewhere for relieving the poor. At + Edinburgh, they are employed on public works at so much a + day--tenpence, I believe, or one shilling, with an advance + to those who have families. This rate is fixed below that of + ordinary wages, in order that no person may be employed but + those who really cannot find work elsewhere. But it is + attended with this bad effect, that the people regard it + partly as charity, which is humiliating--and partly as an + imposition, in taking their labor below its usual salable + value; to which many add a third view of the + subject--namely, that this sort of half-pay is not given + them for the purpose of working, but to prevent their rising + in rebellion. None of these misconceptions are favorable to + hard labor, and the consequence is, that I never have seen + such a set of idle _faineants_ as those employed on this + system in the public works, and I am sure that, + notwithstanding the very laudable intention of those who + subscribed to form the fund, and the yet more praiseworthy, + because more difficult, exertions of those who superintend + it, the issue of the scheme will occasion full as much + mischief as good to the people engaged in it. Private + gentlemen, acting on something like a similar system, may + make it answer better, because they have not the lazy dross + of a metropolis to contend with--because they have fewer + hands to manage--and, above all, because an individual + always manages his own concerns better than those of the + country can be managed. Yet all who have employed those who + were distressed for want of work at under wages, have had, + less or more, similar complaints to make. I {p.167} think I + have avoided this in my own case, by inviting the country + people to do piece-work by the contract. Two things only are + necessary--one is, that the nature of the work should be + such as will admit of its being ascertained, when finished, + to have been substantially executed. All sort of spade-work + and hoe-work, with many other kinds of country labor, fall + under this description, and the employer can hardly be + cheated in the execution if he keeps a reasonable lookout. + The other point is, to take care that the undertakers, in + their anxiety for employment, do not take the job too cheap. + A little acquaintance with country labor will enable one to + regulate this; but it is an essential point, for if you do + not keep them to their bargain, it is making a jest of the + thing, and forfeiting the very advantage you have in + view--that, namely, of inducing the laborer to bring his + heart and spirit to his work. But this he will do where he + has a fair bargain, which is to prove a good or bad one + according to his own exertions. In this case you make the + poor man his own friend, for the profits of his good conduct + are all his own. It is astonishing how partial the people + are to this species of contract, and how diligently they + labor, acquiring or maintaining all the while those habits + which render them honorable and useful members of society. I + mention this to you, because the rich, much to their honor, + do not, in general, require to be so much stimulated to + benevolence, as to be directed in the most useful way to + exert it. + + I have still a word to say about the poor of our own parish + of Parnassus. I have been applied to by a very worthy + friend, Mr. Scott of Sinton, in behalf of an unfortunate Mr. + Gilmour, who, it seems, has expended a little fortune in + printing, upon his own account, poems which, from the sample + I saw, seem exactly to answer the description of Dean + Swift's country house:-- + + "Too bad for a blessing, too good for a curse, + I wish from my soul they were better or worse." + + {p.168} But you are the dean of our corporation, and, I am + informed, take some interest in this poor gentleman. If you + can point out any way in which I can serve him, I am sure my + inclination is not wanting, but it looks like a very + hopeless case. I beg my kindest respects to Mrs. Southey, + and am always sincerely and affectionately yours, + + Walter SCOTT. + +About this time Hogg took possession of Altrive Lake, and some of his +friends in Edinburgh set on foot a subscription edition of his Queen's +Wake (at a guinea each copy), in the hope of thus raising a sum +adequate to the stocking of the little farm. The following letter +alludes to this affair; and also to the death of Frances, Lady +Douglas, sister to Duke Henry of Buccleuch, whose early kindness to +Scott has been more than once mentioned. + + TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD MONTAGU. + + ABBOTSFORD, June 8, 1817. + + MY DEAR LORD,--I am honored with your letter, and will not + fail to take care that the Shepherd profits by your kind + intentions, and those of Lady Montagu. This is a scheme + which I did not devise, for I fear it will end in + disappointment, but for which I have done, and will do, all + I possibly can. There is an old saying of the seamen's, + "Every man is not born to be a boatswain," and I think I + have heard of men born under a sixpenny planet, and doomed + never to be worth a groat. I fear something of this vile + sixpenny influence had gleamed in at the cottage window when + poor Hogg first came squeaking into the world. All that he + made by his original book he ventured on a flock of sheep to + drive into the Highlands to a farm he had taken there, but + of which he could not get possession, so that all the stock + was ruined and sold to disadvantage. Then he tried another + farm, which proved too dear, so that he fairly broke upon + it. Then put forth divers publications, {p.169} which had + little sale--and brought him accordingly few pence, though + some praise. Then came this Queen's Wake, by which he might + and ought to have made from L100 to L200--for there were, I + think, three editions--when lo! his bookseller turned + bankrupt, and paid him never a penny. The Duke has now, with + his wonted generosity, given him a cosie bield, and the + object of the present attack upon the public is to get if + possible as much cash together as will stock it. But no one + has loose guineas now to give poor poets, and I greatly + doubt the scheme succeeding, unless it is more strongly + patronized than can almost be expected. In bookselling + matters, an author must either be the conjurer, who commands + the devil, or the witch who serves him--and few are they + whose situation is sufficiently independent to enable them + to assume the higher character--and this is injurious to the + indigent author in every respect, for not only is he obliged + to turn his pen to every various kind of composition, and so + to injure himself with the public by writing hastily, and on + subjects unfitted for his genius; but, moreover, those + honest gentlemen, the booksellers, from a natural + association, consider the books as of least value, which + they find they can get at least expense of copy-money, and + therefore are proportionally careless in pushing the sale of + the work. Whereas a good round sum out of their purse, like + a moderate rise of rent on a farm, raises the work thus + acquired in their own eyes, and serves as a spur to make + them clear away every channel, by which they can discharge + their quires upon the public. So much for bookselling, the + most ticklish and unsafe and hazardous of all professions, + scarcely with the exception of horse-jockeyship. + + You cannot doubt the sincere interest I take in Lady + Montagu's health. I was very glad to learn from the Duke, + that the late melancholy event had produced no permanent + effect on her constitution, as I know how {p.170} much her + heart must have suffered.[65] I saw our regretted friend for + the last time at the Theatre, and made many schemes to be at + Bothwell this next July. But thus the world glides from us, + and those we most love and honor are withdrawn from the + stage before us. I know not why it was that among the few + for whom I had so much respectful regard, I never had + associated the idea of early deprivation with Lady Douglas. + Her excellent sense, deep information, and the wit which she + wielded with so much good-humor, were allied apparently to a + healthy constitution, which might have permitted us to + enjoy, and be instructed by her society for many years. _Dis + aliter visum_, and the recollection dwelling on all the + delight which she afforded to society, and the good which + she did in private life, is what now remains to us of her + wit, wisdom, and benevolence. The Duke keeps his usual + health, with always just so much of the gout, however, as + would make me wish that he had more--a kind wish, for which + I do not observe that he is sufficiently grateful. I hope to + spend a few days at Drumlanrig Castle, when that ancient + mansion shall have so far limited its courtesy as to stand + covered in the presence of the wind and rain, which I + believe is not yet the case. I am no friend to ceremony, and + like a house as well when it does not carry its roof _en + chapeau bras_. I heartily wish your Lordship joy of the new + mansion at Ditton, and hope my good stars will permit me to + pay my respects there one day. The discovery of the niches + certainly bodes good luck to the house of Montagu, and as + there are three of them, I presume it is to come threefold. + From the care with which they were concealed, I presume they + had been closed in the days of Cromwell, or a little before, + and that the artist employed (like the {p.171} General, who + told his soldiers to fight bravely against the Pope, since + they were Venetians before they were Christians) had more + professional than religious zeal, and did not even, + according to the practice of the time, think it necessary to + sweep away Popery with the besom of destruction.[66] I am + here on a stolen visit of two days, and find my mansion + gradually enlarging. Thanks to Mr. Atkinson (who found out a + practical use for our romantic theory), it promises to make + a comfortable station for offering your Lordship and Lady + Montagu a pilgrim's meal, when you next visit Melrose Abbey, + and that without any risk of your valet (who I recollect is + a substantial person) sticking between the wall of the + parlor and the backs of the chairs placed round the table. + This literally befell Sir Harry Macdougal's fat butler, who + looked like a ship of the line in the loch at Bowhill, + altogether unlike his master, who could glide wherever a + weasel might make his way. Mr. Atkinson has indeed been more + attentive than I can express, when I consider how valuable + his time must be.[67] We are attempting no castellated + conundrums to rival those Lord Napier used to have executed + in sugar, when he was Commissioner, and no cottage neither, + but an irregular somewhat--like an old English hall, in + which your squire of L500 a year used to drink his ale in + days of yore. + + [Footnote 65: Lady Montagu was the daughter of the late + Lord Douglas by his first marriage with Lady Lucy + Graham, daughter of the second Duke of Montrose.] + + [Footnote 66: Lord Montagu's house at Ditton Park, near + Windsor, had recently been destroyed by fire--and the + ruins revealed some niches with antique candlesticks, + etc., belonging to a domestic chapel that had been + converted to other purposes from the time, I believe, of + Henry VIII.] + + [Footnote 67: Mr. Atkinson, of St. John's Wood, was the + architect of Lord Montagu's new mansion at Ditton, as + well as the artist ultimately employed in arranging + Scott's interior at Abbotsford.] + + I am making considerable plantations (that is, considering), + being greatly encouraged by the progress of those I formerly + laid out. Read the veracious Gulliver's account of the + Windsor Forest of Lilliput, and you will {p.172} have some + idea of the solemn gloom of my Druid shades. Your Lordship's + truly faithful + + Walter SCOTT. + + This is the 8th of June, and not an ash-tree in leaf yet. + The country cruelly backward, and whole fields destroyed by + the grub. I dread this next season. + + + + +{p.173} CHAPTER XXXIX. + + Excursion to the Lennox, Glasgow, and Drumlanrig. -- + Purchase of Toftfield. -- Establishment of the Ferguson + Family at Huntly Burn. -- Lines Written in Illness. -- + Visits of Washington Irving, Lady Byron, and Sir David + Wilkie. -- Progress of the Building at Abbotsford. -- + Letters to Morritt, Terry, etc. -- Conclusion of Rob Roy. + +1817. + + +During the summer term of 1817, Scott seems to have labored chiefly on +his History of 1815 for the Register, which was published in August; +but he also found time to draw up the Introduction for a richly +embellished quarto, entitled Border Antiquities, which came out a +month later. This valuable essay, containing large additions to the +information previously embodied in the Minstrelsy, has been included +in the late collection of his Miscellaneous Prose, and has thus +obtained a circulation not to be expected for it in the original +costly form. + +Upon the rising of the Court in July, he made an excursion to the +Lennox, chiefly that he might visit a cave at the head of Loch Lomond, +said to have been a favorite retreat of his hero, Rob Roy. He was +accompanied to the seat of his friend, Mr. Macdonald Buchanan, by +Captain Adam Ferguson--the _long Linton_ of the days of his +apprenticeship; and thence to Glasgow, where, under the auspices of a +kind and intelligent acquaintance, Mr. John Smith, bookseller, he +refreshed his recollection of the noble cathedral, and other +localities of the birthplace of Bailie Jarvie. Mr. Smith took care +also {p.174} to show the tourists the most remarkable novelties in +the great manufacturing establishments of his flourishing city; and he +remembers particularly the delight which Scott expressed on seeing the +process of _singeing_ muslin--that is, of divesting the finished web +of all superficial knots and irregularities, by passing it, with the +rapidity of lightning, over a bar of red-hot iron. "The man that +imagined this," said Scott, "was _the Shakespeare of the Wabsters_,-- + + 'Things out of hope are compass'd oft with vent'ring.'"[68] + + [Footnote 68: Shakespeare's Poems--_Venus and Adonis_.] + +The following note indicates the next stages of his progress:-- + + TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH, DRUMLANRIG CASTLE. + + SANQUHAR, 2 o'clock, July 30,[69] 1817. + + From Ross, where the clouds on Benlomond are sleeping-- + From Greenock, where Clyde to the Ocean is sweeping-- + From Largs, where the Scotch gave the Northmen a drilling-- + From Ardrossan, whose harbor cost many a shilling-- + From Old Cumnock, where beds are as hard as a plank, sir-- + From a chop and green pease, and a chicken in Sanquhar, + This eve, please the Fates, at Drumlanrig we anchor. + + W. S. + + [Footnote 69: [A misprint of some earlier date, possibly + the _16th_. See the more detailed account of Scott's + movements at this time, to be found in _Familiar + Letters_, vol. i. pp. 432-436.]] + +The Poet and Captain Ferguson remained a week at Drumlanrig, and +thence repaired together to Abbotsford. By this time, the foundations +of that part of the existing house, which extends from the hall +westwards to the original courtyard, had been laid; and Scott now +found a new source of constant occupation in watching the proceedings +of his masons. He had, moreover, no lack of employment further +a-field,--for he was now negotiating with another neighboring +landowner for the purchase of an addition, of more consequence than +any he had hitherto {p.175} made, to his estate. In the course of the +autumn he concluded this matter, and became, for the price of L10,000, +proprietor of the lands of _Toftfield_,[70] on which there had +recently been erected a substantial mansion-house, fitted, in all +points, for the accommodation of a genteel family. This circumstance +offered a temptation which much quickened Scott's zeal for completing +his arrangement. The venerable Professor Ferguson had died a year +before; Captain Adam Ferguson was at home on half-pay; and Scott now +saw the means of securing for himself, henceforth, the immediate +neighborhood of the companion of his youth, and his amiable sisters. +Ferguson, who had written, from the lines of Torres Vedras, his hopes +of finding, when the war should be over, some sheltering cottage upon +the Tweed, within a walk of Abbotsford, was delighted to see his +dreams realized; and the family took up their residence next spring at +the new house of Toftfield, on which Scott then bestowed, at the +ladies' request, the name of Huntly Burn: this more harmonious +designation being taken from the mountain brook which passes through +its grounds and garden,--the same famous in tradition as the scene of +Thomas the Rhymer's interviews with the Queen of Fairy. The upper part +of the _Rhymer's Glen_, through which this brook finds its way from +the Cauldshiels Loch to Toftfield, had been included in a previous +purchase. He was now master of all these haunts of "True Thomas," and +of the whole ground of the battle of Melrose, from _Skirmish-field_ to +_Turn-again_. His enjoyment of the new territories was, however, +interrupted by various returns of his cramp, and the depression of +spirit which always attended, in his case, the use of opium, {p.176} +the only medicine that seemed to have power over the disease.[71] + + [Footnote 70: On completing this purchase, Scott writes + to John Ballantyne:--"DEAR JOHN,--I have closed with + Usher for his beautiful patrimony, which makes me a + great laird. I am afraid the people will take me up for + coining. Indeed, these novels, while their attractions + last, are something like it. I am very glad of _your_ + good prospects. Still I cry, _Prudence! + Prudence!_--Yours truly, + W. S."] + + [Footnote 71: [On August 1, 1817, Jeffrey writes to + Scott, asking if he could not be induced to write a + notice of Mr. C. K. Sharpe's edition of Kirkton's + _Secret and True History of the Church of Scotland_, for + the _Edinburgh Review_, to which Scott replies, August + 5:-- + + "I flatter myself it will not require many protestations + to assure you with what pleasure I would undertake any + book that can give you pleasure; but in the present case + I am hampered by two circumstances: one, that I promised + Gifford a review of this very Kirkton for the + _Quarterly_; the other that I shall certainly be unable + to keep my word with him. I am obliged to take exercise + three or four hours in the forenoon and two after + dinner, to keep off the infernal spasms which since last + winter have attacked me with such violence, as if all + the imps that used to plague poor Caliban were washing, + wringing, and ironing the unshapely but useful bag which + Sir John Sinclair treats with such distinction--my + stomach, in short. Now, as I have much to do of my own, + I fear I can hardly be of use to you in the present + case, which I am very sorry for, as I like the subject, + and would be pleased to give my own opinion respecting + the Jacobitism of the editor, which, like my own, has a + good spice of affectation in it, mingled with some not + unnatural feelings of respect for a cause which, though + indefensible in common sense and ordinary policy, has a + great deal of high-spirited Quixotry about it. + + "Can you not borrow from your briefs and criticism a + couple of days to look about you here? I dare not ask + Mrs. Jeffrey till next year, when my hand will be out of + the mortar-tub; and at present my only spare bed was + till of late but accessible by the feudal accommodation + of a drawbridge made of two deals, and still requires + the clue of Ariadne.... I am like one of Miss + Edgeworth's heroines, master of all things in + miniature--a little hill, and a little glen, and a + little horse-pond of a loch, and a little river, I was + going to call it,--the Tweed; but I remember the + minister was mobbed by his parishioners for terming it, + in his statistical report, an inconsiderable stream. So + pray do come and see me, and if I can stead you, or + pleasure you, in the course of the winter, you shall + command me."--Cockburn's _Life of Jeffrey_, vol. i p. + 417.]] + +It was while struggling with such languor, on one lovely evening of +this autumn, that he composed the following beautiful verses. They +mark the very spot of their birth,--namely, the then naked height +overhanging the northern side of the Cauldshiels Loch, from which +Melrose Abbey to the eastward, and the hills of Ettrick and Yarrow to +the west, are now visible over a wide range of rich woodland,--all the +work of the poet's hand:-- + + {p.177} "The sun upon the Weirdlaw Hill, + In Ettrick's vale, is sinking sweet; + The westland wind is hush and still-- + The lake lies sleeping at my feet. + Yet not the landscape to mine eye + Bears those bright hues that once it bore; + Though evening, with her richest dye, + Flames o'er the hills of Ettrick's shore. + + "With listless look along the plain + I see Tweed's silver current glide, + And coldly mark the holy fane + Of Melrose rise in ruin'd pride. + The quiet lake, the balmy air, + The hill, the stream, the tower, the tree,-- + Are they still such as once they were, + Or is the dreary change in me? + + "Alas! the warp'd and broken board, + How can it bear the painter's dye! + The harp of strain'd and tuneless chord, + How to the minstrel's skill reply! + To aching eyes each landscape lowers, + To feverish pulse each gale blows chill; + And Araby's or Eden's bowers + Were barren as this moorland hill." + +He again alludes to his illness in a letter to Mr. Morritt:-- + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., ROKEBY. + + ABBOTSFORD, August 11, 1817. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--I am arrived from a little tour in the + west of Scotland, and had hoped, in compliance with your + kind wish, to have indulged myself with a skip over the + Border as far as Rokeby, about the end of this month. But my + fate denies me this pleasure; for, in consequence of one or + two blunders, during my absence, in executing my new + premises, I perceive the necessity of remaining at the helm + while they are going on. Our masons, though excellent + workmen, are too little accustomed to the gimcracks of their + art, to be trusted with the execution of a _bravura_ plan, + without constant inspection. Besides, the said laborers lay + me under the necessity {p.178} of laboring a little myself; + and I find I can no longer with impunity undertake to make + one week's hard work supply the omissions of a fortnight's + idleness. Like you, I have abridged my + creature-comforts,--as Old Mortality would call + them,--renouncing beer and ale on all ordinary occasions; + also pastry, fruit, etc., and all that tends to acidity. + These are awkward warnings; but _sat est vixisse_. To have + lived respected and regarded by some of the best men in our + age is enough for an individual like me; the rest must be as + God wills, and when He wills. + + The poor-laws, into which you have ventured for the love of + the country, form a sad quagmire. They are like John + Bunyan's Slough of Despond, into which, as he observes, + millions of cart-loads of good resolutions have been thrown, + without perceptibly mending the way. From what you say, and + from what I have heard from others, there is a very natural + desire to trust to one or two empirical remedies, such as + general systems of education, and so forth. But a man with a + broken constitution might as well put faith in Spilsbury or + Godbold. It is not the knowledge, but the use which is made + of it, that is productive of real benefit. To say that the + Scottish peasant is less likely than the Englishman to + become an incumbrance on his parish, is saying, in other + words, that this country is less populous,--that there are + fewer villages and towns,--that the agricultural classes, + from the landed proprietor down to the cottager, are + individually more knit and cemented together;--above all, + that the Scotch peasant has harder habits of life, and can + endure from his infancy a worse fare and lodging than your + parish almshouses offer.--There is a terrible evil in + England to which we are strangers,--the number, to wit, of + tippling-houses, where the laborer, as a matter of course, + spends the overplus of his earnings. In Scotland there are + few; and the Justices are commendably inexorable in + rejecting all application for licenses where {p.179} there + appears no public necessity for granting them. A man, + therefore, cannot easily spend much money in liquor, since + he must walk three or four miles to the place of suction and + back again, which infers a sort of _malice prepense_ of + which few are capable; and the habitual opportunity of + indulgence not being at hand, the habits of intemperance, + and of waste connected with it, are not acquired. If + financiers would admit a general limitation of the + ale-houses over England to one fourth of the number, I am + convinced you would find the money spent in that manner + would remain with the peasant, as a source of self-support + and independence. + + All this applies chiefly to the country;--in towns, and in + the manufacturing districts, the evil could hardly be + diminished by such regulations. There would, perhaps, be no + means so effectual as that (which will never be listened to) + of taxing the manufacturers according to the number of hands + which they employ on an average, and applying the produce in + maintaining the manufacturing poor. If it should be alleged + that this would injure the manufacturers, I would boldly + reply,--"And why not injure, or rather limit, speculations, + the excessive stretch of which has been productive of so + much damage to the principles of the country, and to the + population, whom it has, in so many respects, degraded and + demoralized?" For a great many years, manufactures, taken in + a general point of view, have not partaken of the character + of a regular profession, in which all who engaged with + honest industry and a sufficient capital might reasonably + expect returns proportional to their advances and labor--but + have, on the contrary, rather resembled a lottery, in which + the great majority of the adventurers are sure to be losers, + although some may draw considerable advantage. Men continued + for a great many years to exert themselves, and to pay + extravagant wages, not in hopes that there could be a + reasonable prospect of an orderly and regular demand for the + goods they wrought {p.180} up, but in order that they might + be the first to take advantage of some casual opening which + might consume their cargo, let others shift as they could. + Hence extravagant wages on some occasions; for these + adventurers who thus played at hit or miss, stood on no + scruples while the chance of success remained open. Hence, + also, the stoppage of work, and the discharge of the + workmen, when the speculators failed of their object. All + this while the country was the sufferer;--for whoever + gained, the result, being upon the whole a loss, fell on the + nation, together with the task of maintaining a poor, + rendered effeminate and vicious by over-wages and + over-living, and necessarily cast loose upon society. I + cannot but think that the necessity of making some fund + beforehand, for the provision of those whom they debauch, + and render only fit for the almshouse, in prosecution of + their own adventures, though it operated as a check on the + increase of manufactures, would be a measure just in itself, + and beneficial to the community. But it would never be + listened to;--the weaver's beam, and the sons of Zeruiah, + would be too many for the proposers. + + This is the eleventh of August: Walter, happier than he will + ever be again, perhaps, is preparing for the moors. He has a + better dog than Trout, and rather less active. Mrs. Scott + and all our family send kind love. + + Yours ever, + + W. S. + +Two or three days after this letter was written, Scott first saw +Washington Irving, who has recorded his visit in a delightful Essay, +which, however, having been penned nearly twenty years afterwards, +betrays a good many slips of memory as to names and dates. Mr. Irving +says he arrived at Abbotsford on the 27th of August, 1816; but he +describes the walls of the new house as already overtopping the old +cottage; and this is far from being the only circumstance he mentions +which {p.181} proves that he should have written 1817.[72] The +picture which my amiable friend has drawn of his reception shows to +all who remember the Scott and the Abbotsford of those days, how +consistent accuracy as to essentials may be with forgetfulness of +trifles. + + [Footnote 72: I have before me two letters of Mr. + Irving's to Scott, both written in September, 1817, from + Edinburgh, and referring to his visit (which certainly + was his only one at Abbotsford) as immediately + preceding. There is also in my hands a letter from Scott + to his friend John Richardson, of Fludyer Street, dated + 22d September, 1817, in which he says, "When you see Tom + Campbell, tell him, with my best love, that I have to + thank him for making me known to Mr. Washington Irving, + who is one of the best and pleasantest acquaintances I + have made this many a day."] + +Scott had received The History of New York by Knickerbocker, shortly +after its appearance in 1812, from an accomplished American traveller, +Mr. Brevoort; and the admirable humor of this early work had led him +to anticipate the brilliant career which its author has since run. Mr. +Thomas Campbell, being no stranger to Scott's high estimation of +Irving's genius, gave him a letter of introduction, which, halting his +chaise on the high-road above Abbotsford, he modestly sent down to the +house, "with a card, on which he had written, that he was on his way +to the ruins of Melrose, and wished to know whether it would be +agreeable to Mr. Scott to receive a visit from him in the course of +the morning." Scott's family well remember the delight with which he +received this announcement:--he was at breakfast, and sallied forth +instantly, dogs and children after him as usual, to greet the guest, +and conduct him in person from the highway to the door. + + "The noise of my chaise," says Irving, "had disturbed the + quiet of the establishment. Out sallied the warder of the + castle, a black greyhound, and leaping on one of the blocks + of stone, began a furious barking. This alarm brought out + the whole garrison of dogs, all open-mouthed and vociferous. + In a little while, the lord of the castle himself made his + appearance. I knew him at once, by the likenesses that had + been {p.182} published of him. He came limping up the + gravel walk, aiding himself by a stout walking staff, but + moving rapidly and with vigor. By his side jogged along a + large iron-gray staghound, of most grave demeanor, who took + no part in the clamor of the canine rabble, but seemed to + consider himself bound, for the dignity of the house, to + give me a courteous reception. + + "Before Scott reached the gate, he called out in a hearty + tone, welcoming me to Abbotsford, and asking news of + Campbell. Arrived at the door of the chaise, he grasped me + warmly by the hand: 'Come, drive down, drive down to the + house,' said he; 'ye're just in time for breakfast, and + afterwards ye shall see all the wonders of the Abbey.' + + "I would have excused myself on the plea of having already + made my breakfast. 'Hut, man,' cried he, 'a ride in the + morning in the keen air of the Scotch hills is warrant + enough for a second breakfast.' + + "I was accordingly whirled to the portal of the cottage, and + in a few moments found myself seated at the breakfast-table. + There was no one present but the family, which consisted of + Mrs. Scott; her eldest daughter, Sophia, then a fine girl + about seventeen; Miss Anne Scott, two or three years + younger; Walter, a well-grown stripling; and Charles, a + lively boy, eleven or twelve years of age. + + "I soon felt myself quite at home, and my heart in a glow, + with the cordial welcome I experienced. I had thought to + make a mere morning visit, but found I was not to be let off + so lightly. 'You must not think our neighborhood is to be + read in a morning like a newspaper,' said Scott; 'it takes + several days of study for an observant traveller, that has a + relish for auld-world trumpery. After breakfast you shall + make your visit to Melrose Abbey; I shall not be able to + accompany you, as I have some household affairs to attend + to; but I will put you in charge of my son Charles, who is + very learned in all things touching the old ruin and the + neighborhood it stands in; and he and my friend Johnnie + Bower will tell you the whole truth about it, with a great + deal more that you are not called upon to believe, unless + you be a true and nothing-doubting antiquary. When you come + back, I'll take you out on a ramble about the neighborhood. + To-morrow we will take a {p.183} look at the Yarrow, and + the next day we will drive over to Dryburgh Abbey, which is + a fine old ruin, well worth your seeing.'--In a word, before + Scott had got through with his plan, I found myself + committed for a visit of several days, and it seemed as if a + little realm of romance was suddenly open before me." + +After breakfast, while Scott, no doubt, wrote a chapter of Rob Roy, +Mr. Irving, under young Charles's guidance, saw Melrose Abbey, and +Johnnie Bower the elder, whose son long since inherited his office as +showman of the ruins, and all his enthusiasm about them and their +poet. The senior on this occasion was loud in his praises of the +affability of Scott. "He'll come here sometimes," said he, "with great +folks in his company, and the first I'll know of it is hearing his +voice calling out Johnnie!--Johnnie Bower!--and when I go out I'm sure +to be greeted with a joke or a pleasant word. He'll stand and crack, +an' laugh wi' me just like an auld wife,--and _to think that of a man +that has such an awfu' knowledge o' history!_"[73] + + [Footnote 73: [From the journal of three English ladies, + travellers in Scotland in the summer of 1817, we get + another glimpse of Johnnie Bower, and a pleasant sketch + of Sophia Scott:-- + + "In the chancel Miss Scott, a very charming, lively girl + of seventeen, pointed out to us 'The Wizard's Grave,' + and then the black stone in the form of a coffin, to + which the allusion is made in the poem, 'A Scottish + monarch sleeps below,'--said to be the tomb of Alexander + II. 'But I will tell you a secret,' she half whispered; + 'only don't you tell Johnnie Bower. There is no Scottish + monarch there at all, nor anybody else, for papa had the + stone taken up, not long ago, and no coffin nor anything + was to be found. And then Johnnie came and begged me not + to tell people so. "For what wull I do, Miss Scott, when + I show the ruins, if I canna point to this bit, and say, + 'A Scottish monarch sleeps below'?"' As, however, he had + the pleasure of saying this to us the evening before, + Miss Scott thought we might fairly have her secret.... + + "We now set out for Dryburgh, about five miles. Mr. + Scott placed his daughter in our carriage, that she + might point out the different places as we passed them. + We could not have had a better director, nor a more + lively, entertaining companion. Every spot was known to + her, and in this fairyland her quick imagination seemed + to delight in all the legendary lore she had heard, and + could so promptly apply.... At the view of some distant + mountains, Miss Scott suddenly exclaimed, 'Look, there + are the Cheviots; are you not glad to see England + again?' We assured her we were, though we should quit + Scotland with so much regret. 'Well,' she said, 'I + should not have liked you if you were not glad to return + home.' Her father had taken her to London the year + before, and she was delighted to get back again, and to + hail the Cheviots on her return. It was plain to see she + was her father's darling, and she talked of him with + enthusiasm. She has a very natural, unaffected + character, with a strong tincture of romantic feeling, + which seemed judiciously kept in check by him, as she + said he did not allow her to read much poetry, nor had + she even read all his own poems, which were never to be + found _in the way_, at their house. She spoke of her + sister and her brothers, with a warmth of affection very + pleasing. On asking what was become of Camp, she shook + her head, and said he was dead. 'You must never come to + Abbotsford when any of the dogs die, for there is a sad + weeping amongst us all.'"--Lang's _Life of Lockhart_, + vol. i. pp. 232-234.]] + +{p.184} On his return from the Abbey, Irving found Scott ready for a +ramble. I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of extracting some parts +of his description of it. + + "As we sallied forth, every dog in the establishment turned + out to attend us. There was the old staghound, Maida, that I + have already mentioned, a noble animal, and Hamlet, the + black greyhound, a wild thoughtless youngster, not yet + arrived at the years of discretion; and Finette, a beautiful + setter, with soft, silken hair, long pendent ears, and a + mild eye, the parlor favorite. When in front of the house, + we were joined by a superannuated greyhound, who came from + the kitchen wagging his tail; and was cheered by Scott as an + old friend and comrade. In our walks, he would frequently + pause in conversation, to notice his dogs, and speak to them + as if rational companions; and, indeed, there appears to be + a vast deal of rationality in these faithful attendants on + man, derived from their close intimacy with him. Maida + deported himself with a gravity becoming his age and size, + and seemed to consider himself called upon to preserve a + great degree of dignity and decorum in our society. As he + jogged along a little distance ahead of us, the young dogs + would gambol about him, leap on his neck, worry at his ears, + and endeavor to tease him into a gambol. The old dog would + keep on for a long time with imperturbable solemnity, now + and then seeming to rebuke the wantonness of his young + companions. At length he would make a sudden turn, seize one + of them, and tumble him in the dust, then giving a {p.185} + glance at us, as much as to say, 'You see, gentlemen, I + can't help giving way to this nonsense,' would resume his + gravity, and jog on as before. Scott amused himself with + these peculiarities. 'I make no doubt,' said he, 'when Maida + is alone with these young dogs, he throws gravity aside, and + plays the boy as much as any of them; but he is ashamed to + do so in our company, and seems to say--Ha' done with your + nonsense, youngsters: what will the laird and that other + gentleman think of me if I give way to such foolery?' + + "Scott amused himself with the peculiarities of another of + his dogs, a little shamefaced terrier, with large glassy + eyes, one of the most sensitive little bodies to insult and + indignity in the world. 'If ever he whipped him,' he said, + 'the little fellow would sneak off and hide himself from the + light of day in a lumber garret, from whence there was no + drawing him forth but by the sound of the chopping-knife, as + if chopping up his victuals, when he would steal forth with + humiliated and downcast look, but would skulk away again if + any one regarded him.' + + "While we were discussing the humors and peculiarities of + our canine companions, some object provoked their spleen, + and produced a sharp and petulant barking from the smaller + fry; but it was some time before Maida was sufficiently + roused to ramp forward two or three bounds, and join the + chorus with a deep-mouthed _bow wow_. It was but a transient + outbreak, and he returned instantly, wagging his tail, and + looking up dubiously in his master's face, uncertain whether + he would receive censure or applause. 'Ay, ay, old boy!' + cried Scott, 'you have done wonders; you have shaken the + Eildon hills with your roaring: you may now lay by your + artillery for the rest of the day. Maida,' continued he, 'is + like the great gun at Constantinople; it takes so long to + get it ready, that the smaller guns can fire off a dozen + times first: but when it does go off, it plays the very + devil.' + + "These simple anecdotes may serve to show the delightful + play of Scott's humors and feelings in private life. His + domestic animals were his friends. Everything about him + seemed to rejoice in the light of his countenance. + + "Our ramble took us on the hills commanding an extensive + prospect. 'Now,' said Scott, 'I have brought you, like the + pilgrim in the Pilgrim's Progress, to the top of the + Delectable {p.186} Mountains, that I may show you all the + goodly regions hereabouts. Yonder is Lammermuir, and + Smailholm; and there you have Galashiels, and Torwoodlee, + and Gala Water; and in that direction you see Teviotdale and + the Braes of Yarrow, and Ettrick stream winding along like a + silver thread, to throw itself into the Tweed.' He went on + thus to call over names celebrated in Scottish song, and + most of which had recently received a romantic interest from + his own pen. In fact, I saw a great part of the Border + country spread out before me, and could trace the scenes of + those poems and romances which had in a manner bewitched the + world. + + "I gazed about me for a time with mute surprise, I may + almost say with disappointment. I beheld a mere succession + of gray waving hills, line beyond line, as far as my eye + could reach, monotonous in their aspect, and so destitute of + trees, that one could almost see a stout fly walking along + their profile; and the far-famed Tweed appeared a naked + stream, flowing between bare hills, without a tree or + thicket on its banks; and yet such had been the magic web of + poetry and romance thrown over the whole, that it had a + greater charm for me than the richest scenery I had beheld + in England. I could not help giving utterance to my + thoughts. Scott hummed for a moment to himself, and looked + grave; he had no idea of having his Muse complimented at the + expense of his native hills. 'It may be pertinacity,' said + he at length; 'but to my eye, these gray hills, and all this + wild Border country, have beauties peculiar to themselves. I + like the very nakedness of the land; it has something bold, + and stern, and solitary about it. When I have been for some + time in the rich scenery about Edinburgh, which is like + ornamented garden land, I begin to wish myself back again + among my own honest gray hills; and if I did not see the + heather, at least once a year, _I think I should die!_' The + last words were said with an honest warmth, accompanied by a + thump on the ground with his staff, by way of emphasis, that + showed his heart was in his speech. He vindicated the Tweed, + too, as a beautiful stream in itself; and observed that he + did not dislike it for being bare of trees, probably from + having been much of an angler in his time; and an angler + does not like to have a stream overhung by trees, which + embarrass him in the exercise of his rod and line. + + {p.187} "I took occasion to plead, in like manner, the + associations of early life for my disappointment in respect + to the surrounding scenery. I had been so accustomed to see + hills crowned with forests, and streams breaking their way + through a wilderness of trees, that all my ideas of romantic + landscape were apt to be well wooded. 'Ay, and that's the + great charm of your country,' cried Scott. 'You love the + forest as I do the heather; but I would not have you think I + do not feel the glory of a great woodland prospect. There is + nothing I should like more than to be in the midst of one of + your grand wild original forests, with the idea of hundreds + of miles of untrodden forest around me. I once saw at Leith + an immense stick of timber, just landed from America. It + must have been an enormous tree when it stood in its native + soil, at its full height, and with all its branches. I gazed + at it with admiration; it seemed like one of the gigantic + obelisks which are now and then brought from Egypt to shame + the pigmy monuments of Europe; and, in fact, these vast + aboriginal trees, that have sheltered the Indians before the + intrusion of the white men, are the monuments and + antiquities of your country.' + + "The conversation here turned upon Campbell's poem of + Gertrude of Wyoming, as illustrative of the poetic materials + furnished by American scenery. Scott cited several passages + of it with great delight. 'What a pity it is,' said he, + 'that Campbell does not write more, and oftener, and give + full sweep to his genius! He has wings that would bear him + to the skies; and he does, now and then, spread them + grandly, but folds them up again, and resumes his perch, as + if he was afraid to launch away. What a grand idea is that,' + said he, 'about prophetic boding, or, in common parlance, + second sight-- + + "Coming events cast their shadows before!"-- + + The fact is,' added he, 'Campbell is, in a manner, a bugbear + to himself. The brightness of his early success is a + detriment to all his further efforts. _He is afraid of the + shadow that his own fame casts before him._' + + "We had not walked much farther, before we saw the two Miss + Scotts advancing along the hillside to meet us. The + morning's studies being over, they had set off to take a + ramble on the hills, and gather heather blossoms with which + to decorate {p.188} their hair for dinner. As they came + bounding lightly like young fawns, and their dresses + fluttering in the pure summer breeze, I was reminded of + Scott's own description of his children, in his introduction + to one of the cantos of Marmion:-- + + 'My imps, though hardy, bold, and wild, + As best befits the mountain child,' etc. + + As they approached, the dogs all sprang forward, and + gambolled around them. They joined us with countenances full + of health and glee. Sophia, the eldest, was the most lively + and joyous, having much of her father's varied spirit in + conversation, and seeming to catch excitement from his words + and looks; Anne was of a quieter mood, rather silent, owing, + in some measure, no doubt, to her being some years + younger."[74] + + [Footnote 74: ["His daughter Sophia and his son Charles + were those of his family who seemed most to feel and + understand his humors, and to take delight in his + conversation. Mrs. Scott did not always pay the same + attention, and would now and then make a casual remark + which would operate a little like a damper. Thus, one + morning at breakfast, when Dominie Thomson the tutor was + present, Scott was going on with great glee to relate an + anecdote of the laird of Macnab, 'who, poor fellow!' + premised he, 'is dead and gone.' 'Why, Mr. Scott,' + exclaimed the good lady, 'Macnab's not dead, is he?' + 'Faith, my dear,' replied Scott, with humorous gravity, + 'if he's not dead, they've done him a great + injustice,--for they've buried him.' + + "The joke passed harmless and unnoticed by Mrs. Scott, + but hit the poor Dominie just as he had raised a cup of + tea to his lips ... sending half its contents about the + table."--Irving's _Abbotsford_.]] + +Having often, many years afterwards, heard Irving speak warmly of +William Laidlaw, I must not omit the following passage:-- + + "One of my pleasantest rambles with Scott about the + neighborhood of Abbotsford was taken in company with Mr. + William Laidlaw, the steward of his estate. This was a + gentleman for whom Scott entertained a particular value. He + had been born to a competency, had been well educated, his + mind was richly stored with varied information, and he was a + man of sterling moral worth. Having been reduced by + misfortune, Scott had got him to take charge of his estate. + He lived at a small farm, on the hillside above Abbotsford, + and was treated {p.189} by Scott as a cherished and + confidential friend, rather than a dependant. + + "That day at dinner we had Mr. Laidlaw and his wife, and a + female friend who accompanied them. The latter was a very + intelligent respectable person, about the middle age, and + was treated with particular attention and courtesy by Scott. + Our dinner was a most agreeable one, for the guests were + evidently cherished visitors to the house, and felt that + they were appreciated. When they were gone, Scott spoke of + them in the most cordial manner. 'I wished to show you,' + said he, 'some of our really excellent, plain Scotch people: + not fine gentlemen and ladies, for such you can meet + everywhere, and they are everywhere the same. The character + of a nation is not to be learnt from its fine folks.' He + then went on with a particular eulogium on the lady who had + accompanied the Laidlaws. She was the daughter, he said, of + a poor country clergyman, who had died in debt, and left her + an orphan and destitute. Having had a good plain education, + she immediately set up a child's school, and had soon a + numerous flock under her care, by which she earned a decent + maintenance. That, however, was not her main object. Her + first care was to pay off her father's debts, that no ill + word or ill will might rest upon his memory. This, by dint + of Scotch economy, backed by filial reverence and pride, she + accomplished, though in the effort she subjected herself to + every privation. Not content with this, she in certain + instances refused to take pay for the tuition of the + children of some of her neighbors, who had befriended her + father in his need, and had since fallen into poverty. 'In a + word,' added Scott, 'she's a fine old Scotch girl, and I + delight in her more than in many a fine lady I have known, + and I have known many of the finest.' + + "The evening passed away delightfully in a quaint-looking + apartment, half study, half drawing-room. Scott read several + passages from the old Romance of Arthur, with a fine deep + sonorous voice, and a gravity of tone that seemed to suit + the antiquated black-letter volume. It was a rich treat to + hear such a work read by such a person, and in such a place; + and his appearance, as he sat reading, in a large armchair, + with his favorite hound Maida at his feet, and surrounded by + books and reliques and Border trophies, would have formed + {p.190} an admirable and most characteristic picture. When + I retired for the night, I found it almost impossible to + sleep: the idea of being under the roof of Scott; of being + on the Borders on the Tweed; in the very centre of that + region which had, for some time past, been the favorite + scene of romantic fiction; and, above all, the recollections + of the ramble I had taken, the company in which I had taken + it, and the conversation which had passed, all fermented in + my mind, and nearly drove sleep from my pillow. + + "On the following morning the sun darted his beams from over + the hills through the low lattice of my window. I rose at an + early hour, and looked out between the branches of eglantine + which overhung the casement. To my surprise, Scott was + already up, and forth, seated on a fragment of stone, and + chatting with the workmen employed in the new building. I + had supposed, after the time he had wasted upon me + yesterday, he would be closely occupied this morning: but he + appeared like a man of leisure, who had nothing to do but + bask in the sunshine, and amuse himself. I soon dressed + myself and joined him. He talked about his proposed plans of + Abbotsford: happy would it have been for him could he have + contented himself with his delightful little vine-covered + cottage, and the simple, yet hearty and hospitable, style in + which he lived at the time of my visit."[75] + + [Footnote 75: [That this visit remained a vivid and + delightful memory to the end of Irving's life is shown + in some words spoken not long before his death: "Oh! + Scott was a master spirit--as glorious in his + conversation as in his writings. Jeffrey was delightful, + and had _eloquent runs_ in conversation; but there was a + consciousness of talent with it. Scott had nothing of + that. He spoke from the fulness of his mind, pouring out + an incessant flow of anecdote, story, with dashes of + humor, and then never monopolizing, but always ready to + listen to and appreciate what came from others. I never + felt such a consciousness of happiness as when under his + roof."--_Washington Irving's Life and Letters_, vol. iv. + p. 260.]] + +Among other visitors who succeeded the distinguished American that +autumn, were Lady Byron, the wife of the poet, and the great artist, +Mr., now Sir David Wilkie, who then executed for Captain Ferguson that +pleasing little picture, in which Scott and his family are represented +as a group of peasants, while the gallant soldier {p.191} himself +figures by them in the character of a gamekeeper, or perhaps poacher. +Mr. Irving has given, in the little work from which I have quoted so +liberally, an amusing account of the delicate scruples of Wilkie about +soliciting Scott to devote a morning to the requisite sitting, until, +after lingering for several days, he at length became satisfied that, +by whatever magic his host might contrive to keep Ballantyne's presses +in full play, he had always abundance of leisure for matters less +important than Ferguson's destined heirloom. I shall now, however, +return to his correspondence; and begin with a letter to Joanna +Baillie on Lady Byron's visit. + + TO MISS JOANNA BAILLIE, HAMPSTEAD. + + ABBOTSFORD, September 26, 1817. + + MY DEAR MISS BAILLIE,--A series of little trinketty sort of + business, and occupation, and idleness, have succeeded to + each other so closely, that I have been scarce able, for + some three weeks past, to call my time my own for half an + hour together; but enough of apologies--they are vile + things, and I know you will impute my negligence to anything + rather than forgetting or undervaluing your friendship. You + know, by this time, that we have had a visit from Lady + Byron, delightful both on its own account, and because it + was accompanied with good news and a letter from you. I + regret we could not keep her longer than a day with us, + which was spent on the banks of the Yarrow, and I hope and + believe she was pleased with us, because I am sure she will + be so with everything that is intended to please her: + meantime her visit gave me a most lawyer-like fit of the + bile. I have lived too long to be surprised at any instance + of human caprice, but still it vexes me. Now, one would + suppose Lady Byron, young, beautiful, with birth, and rank, + and fortune, and taste, and high accomplishments, and + admirable good sense, qualified to have made happy one whose + talents are so high as Lord Byron's, and whose marked + {p.192} propensity it is to like those who are qualified to + admire and understand his talents; and yet it has proved + otherwise. I can safely say my heart ached for her all the + time we were together; there was so much patience and decent + resignation to a situation which must have pressed on her + thoughts, that she was to me one of the most interesting + creatures I had seen for a score of years. I am sure I + should not have felt such strong kindness towards her had + she been at the height of her fortune, and in the full + enjoyment of all the brilliant prospects to which she seemed + destined.--You will wish to hear of my complaint. I think, + thank God, that it is leaving me--not suddenly, however, for + I have had some repetitions, but they have become fainter + and fainter, and I have not been disturbed by one for these + three weeks. I trust, by care and attention, my stomach will + return to its usual tone, and I am as careful as I can. I + have taken hard exercise with good effect, and am often six + hours on foot without stopping or sitting down, to which my + plantations and enclosures contribute not a little. I have, + however, given up the gun this season, finding myself unable + to walk up to the dogs; but Walter has taken it in hand, and + promises to be a first-rate shot; he brought us in about + seven or eight brace of birds the evening Lady Byron came to + us, which papa was of course a little proud of. The + blackcocks are getting very plenty on our moor-ground at + Abbotsford, but I associate them so much with your beautiful + poem,[76] that I have not the pleasure I used to have in + knocking them down. I wish I knew how to send you a brace. I + get on with my labors here; my house is about to be roofed + in, and a comical concern it is. + + Yours truly, + + W. S. + + [Footnote 76: + "Good-morrow to thy sable beak, + And glossy plumage dark and sleek, + Thy crimson moon, and azure eye, + Cock of the heath, so wildly shy!" etc.] + +{p.193} The next letter refers to the Duke of Buccleuch's preparations +for a cattle-show at Bowhill, which was followed by an entertainment +on a large scale to his Grace's Selkirkshire neighbors and tenantry, +and next day by a fox-hunt, after Dandie Dinmont's fashion, among the +rocks of the Yarrow. The Sheriff attended _with his tail on_; and +Wilkie, too, went with him. It was there that Sir David first saw +Hogg, and the Shepherd's greeting was graceful. He eyed the great +painter for a moment in silence, and then stretching out his hand, +said: "Thank God for it. I did not know that you were so young a man!" + + TO THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH, ETC., ETC., ETC., DRUMLANRIG CASTLE. + + MY DEAR LORD DUKE,--I am just honored with your Grace's of + the 27th. The posts, which are as cross as pie-crust, have + occasioned some delay. Depend on our attending at Bowhill on + the 20th, and staying over the show. I have written to Adam + Ferguson, who will come with a whoop and a hollo. So will + the Ballantynes--flageolet[77] and all--for the festival, + and they shall be housed at Abbotsford. I have an inimitably + good songster in the person of Terence Magrath, who teaches + my girls. He beats almost all whom I have ever heard attempt + Moore's songs, and I can easily cajole him also out to + Abbotsford for a day or two. In jest or earnest, I never + heard a better singer in a room, though his voice is not + quite full enough for a concert; and for an after-supper + song, he almost equals Irish Johnstone.[78] + + [Footnote 77: The _flageolet_ alludes to Mr. Alexander + Ballantyne, the third of the brothers--a fine musician, + and a most amiable and modest man, never connected with + Scott in any business matters, but always much his + favorite in private.] + + [Footnote 78: Mr. Magrath has now been long established + in his native city of Dublin. His musical excellence was + by no means the only merit that attached Scott to his + society while he remained in Edinburgh.] + + Trade of every kind is recovering, and not a loom idle + {p.194} in Glasgow. The most faithful respects of this + family attend the Ladies and all at Drumlanrig. I ever am + your Grace's truly obliged and grateful + + Walter SCOTT. + + Given from my Castle of Grawacky, + this second day of the month called + October, One Thousand Eight Hundred + and Seventeen Years. + + There is a date nearly as long as the letter. + + I hope we shall attack the foxes at Bowhill. I will hazard + Maida. + +We have some allusions to this Bowhill party in another letter; the +first of several which I shall now insert according to their dates, +leaving them, with a few marginal notes, to tell out the story of +1817:-- + + TO DANIEL TERRY, ESQ., LONDON. + + ABBOTSFORD, October 24, 1817. + + DEAR TERRY,--Bullock has not gone to Skye, and I am very + glad he has not, for to me who knew the Hebrides well, the + attempt seemed very perilous at this season. I have + considerably enlarged my domains since I wrote to you, by + the purchase of a beautiful farm adjacent. The farmhouse, + which is new and excellent, I have let to Adam Ferguson and + his sisters. We will be within a pleasant walk of each + other, and hope to end our lives, as they began, in each + other's society. There is a beautiful brook, with remnants + of natural wood, which would make Toftfield rival + Abbotsford, but for the majestic Tweed. I am in treaty for a + field or two more; one of which contains the only specimen + of a Peel-house, or defensive residence of a small + proprietor, which remains in this neighborhood. It is an + orchard, in the hamlet of Darnick, to which it gives a most + picturesque effect. Blore admires it very much. We are all + well here, but crowded with company. I have been junketing + {p.195} this week past at Bowhill. Mr. Magrath has been + with us these two or three days, and has seen his ward, + Hamlet, behave most _princelike_ on Newark Hill and + elsewhere. He promises to be a real treasure.[79] + Notwithstanding, Mr. Magrath went to Bowhill with me one + day, where his vocal talents gave great pleasure, and I hope + will procure him the notice and protection of the Buccleuch + family. The Duke says my building engrosses, as a common + centre, the thoughts of Mr. Atkinson and Mr. Bullock, and + wishes he could make them equally anxious in his own behalf. + You may believe this flatters me not a little. + + [Footnote 79: This fine greyhound, a gift from Terry, + had been sent to Scotland under the care of Mr. Magrath. + Terry had called the dog _Marmion_, but Scott + rechristened him _Hamlet_, in honor of his "inky coat."] + + P. S.--I agree with you that the tower will look rather rich + for the rest of the building; yet you may be assured, that + with diagonal chimneys and notched gables, it will have a + very fine effect, and is in Scotch architecture by no means + incompatible. My house has been like a _cried fair_, and + extreme the inconvenience of having no corner sacred to my + own use, and free from intrusion. + + Ever truly yours, + + W. S. + + + TO THE SAME. + + ABBOTSFORD, 29th October, 1817. + + MY DEAR TERRY,--I enclose a full sketch of the lower story, + with accurate measurements of rooms, casements, doorways, + chimneys, etc., that Mr. Atkinson's good will may not want + means to work upon. I will speak to the subjects of your + letters separately, that I may omit none of them. _1st_, I + cannot possibly surrender the window to the west in the + library,[80] although I subscribe to all you urge about it. + Still it is essential in point of light to my old eyes, and + the single northern {p.196} aspect would not serve me. + Above all, it looks into the yard, and enables me to summon + Tom Purdie without the intervention of a third party. + Indeed, as I can have but a few books about me, it is of the + less consequence. _2dly_, I resign the idea of _coving_ the + library to your better judgment, and I think the Stirling + Heads[81] will be admirably disposed in the glass of the + armory window. I have changed my mind as to having doors on + the book-presses, which is, after all, a great bore. No + person will be admitted into my sanctum, and I can have the + door locked during my absence. _3dly_, I expect Mr. Bullock + here every day, and should be glad to have the drawings for + the dining-room wainscot, as he could explain them to the + artists who are to work them. This (always if quite + convenient) would be the more desirable, as I must leave + this place in a fortnight at farthest,--the more 's the + pity,--and, consequently, the risk of blunders will be + considerably increased. I should like if the panelling of + the wainscot could admit of a press on each side of the + sideboard. I don't mean a formal press with a high door, but + some crypt, or, to speak vulgarly, _cupboard_, to put away + bottles of wine, etc. You know I am my own butler, and such + accommodation is very convenient. We begin roofing + to-morrow. Wilkie admires the whole as a composition, and + that is high authority. I agree that the fountain shall be + out of doors in front of the greenhouse; there may be an + enclosure for it with some ornamented mason work, as in old + gardens, and it will occupy an angle, which I should be + puzzled what to do with, for turf and gravel would be rather + meagre, and flowers not easily kept. I have the old fountain + belonging to the Cross of Edinburgh, which flowed with wine + at the coronation of our kings and on other occasions of + {p.197} public rejoicing. I send a sketch of this venerable + relic, connected as it is with a thousand associations. It + is handsome in its forms and proportions--a freestone basin + about three feet in diameter, and five inches and a half in + depth, very handsomely hollowed. A piece has been broken off + one edge, but as we have the fragment, it can easily be + restored with cement. There are four openings for pipes in + the circumference--each had been covered with a Gothic + masque, now broken off and defaced, but which may be easily + restored. Through these the wine had fallen into a larger + and lower reservoir. I intend this for the centre of my + fountain. I do not believe I should save L100 by retaining + Mrs. Redford, by the time she was raised, altered, and + beautified, for, like the Highlandman's gun, she wants + stock, lock, and barrel, to put her into repair. In the mean + time, "the cabin is convenient." Yours ever, + + W. S. + + [Footnote 80: Before the second and larger part of the + present house of Abbotsford was built, the small room, + subsequently known as the breakfast parlor, was during + several years Scott's _sanctum_.] + + [Footnote 81: This alludes to certain pieces of painted + glass, representing the heads of some of the old Scotch + kings, copied from the carved ceiling of the + presence-chamber in Stirling Castle. There are + engravings of them in a work called _Lacunar + Strevelinense_. Edinb. 4to, 1817.] + + TO MR. WILLIAM LAIDLAW, KAESIDE. + + EDINBURGH, November 15, 1817. + + DEAR WILLIE,--I have no intention to let the Whitehaugh + without your express approbation, and I wish you to act as + my adviser and representative in these matters. I would + hardly have ventured to purchase so much land without the + certainty of your counsel and cooperation.... On the other + side you will find a small order on the banker at + Galashiels, to be renewed half yearly; not by way of + recompensing your friendship "with a load of barren money," + but merely to ease my conscience in some degree for the time + which I must necessarily withdraw from the labor which is to + maintain your family. Believe me, dear Willie, yours truly, + + W. SCOTT. + + + TO THE SAME. + + EDINBURGH, 19th November, 1817. + + DEAR WILLIE,--I hope you will not quarrel with my last. + Believe me that, to a sound-judging, and philosophical + {p.198} mind, this same account of Dr. and Cr., which fills + up so much time in the world, is comparatively of very small + value. When you get rich, unless I thrive in the same + proportion, I will request your assistance for less, for + little, or for nothing, as the case may require; but while I + wear my seven-leagued boots to stride in triumph over moss + and muir, it would be very silly in either of us to let a + cheque twice a year of L25 make a difference between us. But + all this we will talk over when we meet. I meditate one day + a _coup-de-maitre_, which will make my friend's advice and + exertion essential--indeed worthy of much better + remuneration. When you come, I hope you will bring us + information of all my rural proceedings. Though so lately + come to town, I still remember, at my waking hours, that I + can neither see Tom Purdie nor Adam Paterson,[82] and rise + with the more unwillingness. I was unwell on Monday and + Tuesday, but am quite recovered. + + Yours truly, + + W. S. + + [Footnote 82: Adam Paterson was the intelligent foreman + of the company of masons then employed at Abbotsford.] + + TO THOMAS SCOTT, ESQ., PAYMASTER, 70TH REGIMENT, KINGSTON, CANADA. + + EDINBURGH, 13th December, 1817. + + MY DEAR TOM,--I should be happy to attend to your commission + about a dominie for your boy, but I think there will be much + risk in yoking yourself with one for three or four years. + You know what sort of black cattle these are, and how + difficult it is to discern their real character, though one + may give a guess at their attainments. When they get good + provender in their guts, they are apt to turn out very + different animals from what they were in their original low + condition, and get frisky and troublesome. I have made + several inquiries, however, and request to know what salary + you would think reasonable, and also what acquisitions he + ought to possess. {p.199} There is no combating the + feelings which you express for the society of your son, + otherwise I really think that a Scottish education would be + highly desirable; and should you at any time revert to this + plan, you may rely on my bestowing the same attention upon + him as upon my own boys. + + I agree entirely with you on the necessity of your remaining + in the regiment while it is stationary, and retiring on + half-pay when it marches; but I cannot so easily acquiesce + in your plan of settling in Canada. On the latter event + taking place, on the contrary, I think it would be highly + advisable that you should return to your native country. In + the course of nature you must soon be possessed of + considerable property, now life-rented by our mother, and I + should think that even your present income would secure you + comfort and independence here. Should you remain in Canada, + you must consider your family as settlers in that state, and + as I cannot believe that it will remain very long separated + from America, I should almost think this equal to depriving + them of the advantages of British subjects--at least of + those which they might derive from their respectable + connections in this country. With respect to your son, in + particular, I have little doubt that I could be of + considerable service to him in almost any line of life he + might chance to adopt here, but could of course have less + influence on his fortunes were he to remain on the Niagara. + I certainly feel anxious on this subject, because the + settlement of your residence in America would be saying, in + other words, that we two, the last remains of a family once + so numerous, are never more to meet upon this side of time. + My own health is very much broken up by the periodical + recurrence of violent cramps in the stomach, which neither + seem disposed to yield to medicine nor to abstinence. The + complaint, the doctors say, is not dangerous in itself, but + I cannot look forward to its continued recurrence, without + being certain that it is to break my health, and {p.200} + anticipate old age in cutting me short. Be it so, my dear + Tom--_Sat est vixisse_--and I am too much of a philosopher + to be anxious about protracted life, which, with all its + infirmities and deprivations, I have never considered as a + blessing. In the years which may be before me, it would be a + lively satisfaction to me to have the pleasure of seeing you + in this country, with the prospect of a comfortable + settlement. I have but an imperfect account to render of my + doings here. I have amused myself with making an addition to + my cottage in the country. One little apartment is to be + fitted up as an armory for my old relics and curiosities. On + the wicket I intend to mount your _deer's foot_[83]--as an + appropriate knocker. I hope the young ladies liked their + watches, and that all your books, stationery, etc., came + safe to hand. I am told you have several kinds of the oak + peculiar to America. If you can send me a few good acorns, + with the names of the kinds they belong to, I will have them + reared with great care and attention. The heaviest and + smoothest acorns should be selected, as one would wish them, + sent from such a distance, to succeed, which rarely happens + unless they are particularly well ripened. I shall be as + much obliged to you as Sancho was to the Duchess, or, to + speak more correctly, the Duchess to Sancho, for a similar + favor. Our mother keeps her health surprisingly well now, + nor do I think there is any difference, unless that her + deafness is rather increased. My eldest boy is upwards of + six feet high; therefore born, as Sergeant Kite says, to be + a great man. I should not like such a rapid growth, but that + he carries strength along with it; my youngest boy is a very + sharp little fellow--and the girls give us great + satisfaction. Ever affectionately yours, + + Walter SCOTT. + + [Footnote 83: Thomas Scott had sent his brother the + horns and feet of a gigantic stag, shot by him in + Canada. The feet were ultimately suspended to bell-cords + in the armory at Abbotsford; and the horns mounted as + drinking-cups.] + +{p.201} The following note is without date. It accompanied, no doubt, +the last proof sheet of Rob Roy, and was therefore in all probability +written about ten days before the 31st of December, 1817--on which day +the novel was published. + + TO MR. JAMES BALLANTYNE, ST. JOHN STREET. + + DEAR JAMES,-- + + With great joy + I send you Roy. + 'T was a tough job, + But we're done with Rob. + + I forget if I mentioned Terry in my list of Friends. Pray + send me two or three copies as soon as you can. It were pity + to make the Grinder[84] pay carriage. + + Yours ever, + + W. S. + + [Footnote 84: They called Daniel Terry among themselves + "The Grinder," in double allusion to the song of _Terry + the Grinder_, and to some harsh under-notes of their + friend's voice.] + +The novel had indeed been "a tough job"--for lightly and airily as it +reads, the author had struggled almost throughout with the pains of +cramp or the lassitude of opium. Calling on him one day to dun him for +copy, James Ballantyne found him with a clean pen and a blank sheet +before him, and uttered some rather solemn exclamation of surprise. +"Ay, ay, Jemmy," said he, "'tis easy for you to bid me get on, but how +the deuce can I make Rob Roy's wife speak, with such a _curmurring_ in +my guts?" + + + + +{p.202} CHAPTER XL. + + Rob Roy Published. -- Negotiation Concerning the Second + Series of Tales of my Landlord. -- Commission to Search for + the Scottish Regalia. -- Letters to the Duke of Buccleuch, + Mr. Croker, Mr. Morritt, Mr. Murray, Mr. Maturin, etc. -- + Correspondence on Rural Affairs with Mr. Laidlaw, and on the + Buildings at Abbotsford with Mr. Terry. -- Death Of Mrs. + Murray Keith and Mr. George Bullock. + +1818. + + +Rob Roy and his wife, Bailie Nicol Jarvie and his housekeeper, Die +Vernon and Rashleigh Osbaldistone--these boldly drawn and happily +contrasted personages--were welcomed as warmly as the most fortunate +of their predecessors.[85] Constable's resolution to begin with an +{p.203} edition of 10,000 proved to have been as sagacious as brave; +for within a fortnight a second impression of 3000 was called for; and +the subsequent sale of this novel has considerably exceeded 40,000 +more. + + [Footnote 85: [On the 16th of February, Lady Louisa + Stuart wrote:-- + + "I have read _Rob Roy_ twice.... The scale with me would + be _Waverley_, _Old Mortality_, _Guy Mannering_--so far + I am sure. I am not sure which of the others I could + positively prefer; there are striking beauties in each. + In _Rob Roy_ the painting of character is as vivid as in + anything the author ever wrote. Rob himself, Die Vernon, + Nicol Jarvie, Andrew Fairservice, not to speak of the + Tory baronet and his cubs, or the Jesuit Rashleigh. The + beginning and end, I am afraid, I quarrel with; ... but + beginnings signify little; ends signify more. Now, I + fear the end of this is huddled, as if the author were + tired and wanted to get rid of his personages as fast as + he could, knocking them on the head without mercy. Die + Vernon has what a Lord Bellamont (famous in my day and + before it for profligacy and affectation) used to call + such 'a catastrophical countenance' that one cannot + reconcile oneself to her being married and settled like + her sober neighbors. It is almost as bad as if Flora + MacIvor had married the Colonel's nephew.... You see I + give my opinion (let it be worth something or nothing) + as if I were writing to a person not supposed to be in + any way sib to the mysterious Unknown; but it is because + I believe you have too distinguishing a taste to relish + all sugar and treacle. Goldsmith's metaphor was bad when + he said, 'Who peppers the highest is surest to please,' + for flattery resembles neither pepper nor salt. Apropos + of the mystery, those who see far into a millstone are + now sure that the _Tales of my Landlord_ were written by + a different person, and parts of them by different + hands. When they give their reasons with a complacent + delight in their own sagacity, I think to myself, how + often must I have talked as much wise nonsense upon + subjects which I knew nothing about."--_Familiar + Letters_, vol. ii. p. 11.]] + +Scott, however, had not waited for this new burst of applause. As soon +as he came within view of the completion of Rob Roy, he desired John +Ballantyne to propose to Constable and Co. a second series of the +Tales of my Landlord, to be comprised, like the first, in four +volumes, and ready for publication by "the King's birthday;" that is, +the 4th of June, 1818. "I have hungered and thirsted," he wrote, "to +see the end of those shabby borrowings among friends; they have all +been wiped out except the good Duke's L4000--and I will not suffer +either new offers of land or anything else to come in the way of that +clearance. I expect that you will be able to arrange this resurrection +of Jedediah, so that L5000 shall be at my order." + +Mr. Rigdum used to glory in recounting that he acquitted himself on +this occasion with a species of dexterity not contemplated in his +commission. He well knew how sorely Constable had been wounded by +seeing the first Tales of Jedediah published by Murray and +Blackwood--and that the utmost success of Rob Roy would only double +his anxiety to keep them out of the field, when the hint should be +dropt that a second MS. from Gandercleuch might shortly be looked for. +John therefore took a convenient opportunity to mention the new scheme +as if casually--so as to give Constable the impression {p.204} that +the author's purpose was to divide the second series also between his +old rival in Albemarle Street, of whom his jealousy was always +sensitive, and his neighbor Blackwood, whom, if there had been no +other grudge, the recent conduct and rapidly increasing sale of his +Magazine would have been sufficient to make Constable hate with a +perfect hatred. To see not only his old "Scots Magazine" eclipsed, but +the authority of the Edinburgh Review itself bearded on its own soil +by this juvenile upstart, was to him gall and wormwood; and, moreover, +he himself had come in for his share in some of those grotesque _jeux +d'esprit_ by which, at this period, Blackwood's young Tory wags +delighted to assail their elders and betters of the Whig persuasion. +To prevent the proprietor of this new journal from acquiring anything +like a hold on the author of Waverley, and thus competing with himself +not only in periodical literature, but in the highest of the time, was +an object for which, as John Ballantyne shrewdly guessed, Constable +would have made at that moment almost any sacrifice. When, therefore, +the haughty but trembling bookseller--"The Lord High Constable" (as he +had been dubbed by these jesters)--signified his earnest hope that the +second Tales of my Landlord were destined to come out under the same +auspices with Rob Roy, the plenipotentiary answered with an air of +deep regret, that he feared it would be impossible for the author to +dispose of the work--unless to publishers who should agree to take +with it _the whole_ of the remaining stock of "John Ballantyne and +Co.;" and Constable, pertinaciously as he had stood out against many +more modest propositions of this nature, was so worked upon by his +jealous feelings, that his resolution at once gave way. He agreed on +the instant to do all that John seemed to shrink from asking--and at +one sweep cleared the Augean stable in Hanover Street of unsalable +rubbish to the amount of L5270! I am assured by his surviving partner, +that when he had finally {p.205} redisposed of the stock, he found +himself a loser by fully two thirds of this sum. + +Burthened with this heavy condition, the agreement for the sale of +10,000 copies of the embryo series was signed before the end of +November, 1817; and on the 7th January, 1818, Scott wrote as follows +to his noble friend:-- + + TO THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH, ETC., ETC. + + MY DEAR LORD DUKE,--I have the great pleasure of enclosing + the discharged bond which your Grace stood engaged in for + me, and on my account. The accommodation was of the greatest + consequence to me, as it enabled me to retain possession of + some valuable literary property, which I must otherwise have + suffered to be sold at a time when the booksellers had no + money to buy it. My dear Lord, to wish that all your + numerous and extensive acts of kindness may be attended with + similar advantages to the persons whom you oblige, is + wishing you what to your mind will be the best recompense; + and to wish that they may be felt by all as gratefully as by + me, though you may be careless to hear about that part of + the story, is only wishing what is creditable to human + nature. I have this moment your more than kind letter, and + congratulate your Grace that, in one sense of the word, you + can be what you never will be in any other, _ambidexter_. + But I am sorry you took so much trouble, and I fear _pains_ + besides, to display your new talent. + + Ever your Grace's truly faithful, + + Walter SCOTT. + +The closing sentence of this letter refers to a fit of the gout which +had disabled the Duke's right hand, but not cooled his zeal on a +subject which, throughout January, 1818, occupied, I firmly believe, +much more of his correspondent's thoughts by day and dreams by night, +than any one, or perhaps than all others, besides. The time {p.206} +now approached when a Commission to examine the Crown-room in the +Castle of Edinburgh, which had sprung from one of Scott's +conversations with the Prince Regent in 1815, was at length to be +acted upon. The minstrel of the "Rough Clan" had taken care that the +name of his chief should stand at the head of the document; but the +Duke's now precarious health ultimately prevented him from being +present at the discovery of the long buried and almost forgotten +Regalia of Scotland. The two following letters on this subject are of +the same date--Edinburgh, 14th January, 1818. + + TO THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH, ETC., ETC., BOWHILL. + + MY DEAR LORD,--You will hear from the Advocate that the + Commission for opening the Regalia is arrived, and that the + Commissioners held their first meeting yesterday. They have + named next Wednesday (in case your Grace can attend) for + opening the mysterious chest. So this question will be put + to rest forever. + + I remember among the rebel company which debauched my youth, + there was a drunken old Tory, who used to sing a ballad made + about these same Regalia at the time of the Union, in which + they were all destined to the basest uses; the crown, for + example, + + "To make a can for Brandy Nan + To puke in when she's tipsy." + + The rest of the song is in a tone of equally pure humor; the + chorus ran:-- + + "Farewell, thou ancient kingdom-- + Farewell, thou ancient kingdom. + Who sold thyself for English pelf-- + Was ever such a thing done?" + + I hope your Grace feels yourself sufficiently interested in + the recovery of these ancient symbols of national + independence, so long worn by your forefathers, and which + were never profaned by the touch of a monarch of a foreign + {p.207} dynasty. Here is fine planting weather. I trust it + is as good in the Forest and on Tweedside. + + Ever your Grace's truly faithful + + Walter SCOTT. + + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., ROKEBY. + + DEAR MORRITT,--Our fat friend has remembered a petition + which I put up to him, and has granted a Commission to the + Officers of State and others (my unworthy self + included)--which trusty and well-beloved persons are to + institute a search after the Regalia of Scotland. There has + an odd mystery hung about the fate of these royal symbols of + national independence. The spirit of the Scotch at the Union + clung fondly to these emblems; and to soothe their jealousy + it was specially provided by an article of the Union, that + the Regalia should never be removed, under any pretext, from + the kingdom of Scotland. Accordingly they were deposited, + with much ceremony, as an authentic instrument bears, in a + strong chest, secured by many locks, and the chest itself + placed in a strong room, which again was carefully bolted up + and secured, leaving to national pride the satisfaction of + pointing to the barred window, with the consciousness that + there lay the Regalia of Scotland. But this gratification + was strangely qualified by a surmise, which somehow became + generally averred, stating, that the Regalia had been sent + to London; and you may remember that we saw at the Jewel + Office a crown, _said to be_ the ancient Crown of Scotland. + If this transfer (by the way, highly illegal) was ever made, + it must have been under some secret warrant; for no + authority can be traced for such a proceeding in the records + of the Secretary of State's Office. Fifteen or twenty years + ago, the Crown-room, as it is called, was opened by certain + Commissioners, under authority of a sign-manual. They saw + the fatal chest, strewed with the dust of an hundred years, + about six inches thick: a coating of like thickness lay on + {p.208} the floor; and I have heard the late President + Blair say, that the uniform and level appearance of the dust + warranted them to believe that the chest, if opened at all + after 1707, must have been violated within a short time of + that date, since, had it been opened at a later period, the + dust accumulated on the lid, and displaced at opening it, + must have been lying around the chest. But the Commissioners + did not think their warrant entitled them to force this + chest, for which no keys could be found; especially as their + warrant only entitled them to search for _records_--not for + crowns and sceptres. + + The mystery, therefore, remained unpenetrated; and public + curiosity was left to console itself with the nursery + rhyme:-- + + "On Tintock tap there is a mist, + And in the mist there is a kist." + + Our fat friend's curiosity, however, goes to the point at + once, authorizing and enjoining an express search for the + Regalia. Our friend of Buccleuch is at the head of the + Commission, and will, I think, be as keen as I or any one, + to see the issue. + + I trust you have read Rob by this time. I think he smells of + the cramp. Above all, I had too much flax on my distaff; and + as it did not consist with my patience or my plan to make a + fourth volume, I was obliged at last to draw a rough, + coarse, and hasty thread. But the book is well liked here, + and has reeled off in great style. I have two stories on the + anvil, far superior to Rob Roy in point of interest. Ever + yours, + + Walter SCOTT. + +The Commissioners, who finally assembled on the 4th of February, were, +according to the record, "the Right Hon. Charles Hope, Lord President +of the Court of Session; the Right Hon. David Boyle, Lord +Justice-Clerk; the Right Hon. William Adam, Lord Chief Commissioner of +the Jury Court; Major-General John Hope {p.209} (Commanding the +Forces in Scotland); the Solicitor-General (James Wedderburn, Esq.); +the Lord Provost of Edinburgh (Kincaid Mackenzie, Esq.); William +Clerk, Esq., Principal Clerk of the Jury Court; Henry Jardine, Esq., +Deputy Remembrancer in the Exchequer; Thomas Thomson, Esq., Deputy +Clerk-Register of Scotland; and Walter Scott, Esq., one of the +Principal Clerks of Session." + +Of the proceedings of this day, the reader has a full and particular +account in an Essay which Scott penned shortly afterwards, and which +is included in his Prose Miscellanies (vol. vii.). But I must not omit +the contemporaneous letters in which he announced the success of the +quest to his friend the Secretary of the Admiralty, and through him to +the Regent:-- + + TO J. W. CROKER, ESQ., M. P., ETC., ETC., ADMIRALTY, LONDON. + + EDINBURGH, 4th February, 1818. + + MY DEAR CROKER,--I have the pleasure to assure you the + Regalia of Scotland were this day found in perfect + preservation. The Sword of State and Sceptre showed marks of + hard usage at some former period; but in all respects agree + with the description in Thomson's work.[86] I will send you + a complete account of the opening to-morrow, as the official + account will take some time to draw up. In the mean time, I + hope you will remain as obstinate in your unbelief as St. + Thomas, because then you will come down to satisfy yourself. + I know nobody entitled to earlier information, save ONE, to + whom you can perhaps find the means of communicating the + result of our researches. The post is just going off. + + Ever yours truly, + + Walter SCOTT. + + [Footnote 86: _Collection of Inventories and other + Records of the Royal Wardrobe and Jewel-House, etc._ + Edin. 1815, 4to.] + + {p.210} TO THE SAME. + + EDINBURGH, 5th February, 1818. + + MY DEAR CROKER,--I promised I would add something to my + report of yesterday, and yet I find I have but little to + say. The extreme solemnity of opening sealed doors of oak + and iron, and finally breaking open a chest which had been + shut since 7th March, 1707, about a hundred and eleven + years, gave a sort of interest to our researches, which I + can hardly express to you, and it would be very difficult to + describe the intense eagerness with which we watched the + rising of the lid of the chest, and the progress of the + workmen in breaking it open, which was neither an easy nor a + speedy task. It sounded very hollow when they worked on it + with their tools, and I began to lean to your faction of the + Little Faiths. However, I never could assign any probable or + feasible reason for withdrawing these memorials of ancient + independence; and my doubts rather arose from the conviction + that many absurd things are done in public as well as in + private life, merely out of a hasty impression of passion or + resentment. For it was evident the removal of the Regalia + might have greatly irritated people's minds here, and + offered a fair pretext of breaking the Union, which for + thirty years was the predominant wish of the Scottish + nation. + + The discovery of the Regalia has interested people's minds + much more strongly than I expected, and is certainly + calculated to make a pleasant and favorable impression upon + them in respect to the kingly part of the constitution. It + would be of the utmost consequence that they should be + occasionally shown to them, under proper regulations, and + for a small fee. The Sword of State is a most beautiful + piece of workmanship, a present from Pope Julius II. to + James IV. The scabbard is richly decorated with filigree + work of silver, double gilded, representing oak leaves and + acorns, executed in {p.211} a taste worthy that classical + age in which the arts revived. A draughtsman has been + employed to make sketches of these articles, in order to be + laid before his Royal Highness. The fate of these Regalia, + which his Royal Highness's goodness has thus restored to + light and honor, has on one or two occasions been singular + enough. They were, in 1652, lodged in the Castle of + Dunnottar, the seat of the Earl Marischal, by whom, + according to his ancient privilege, they were kept. The + castle was defended by George Ogilvie of Barra, who, + apprehensive of the progress which the English made in + reducing the strong places in Scotland, became anxious for + the safety of these valuable memorials. The ingenuity of his + lady had them conveyed out of the castle in a bag on a + woman's back, among some _hards_, as they are called, of + lint. They were carried to the Kirk of Kinneff, and + entrusted to the care of the clergyman, named Grainger, and + his wife, and buried under the pulpit. The Castle of + Dunnottar, though very strong and faithfully defended, was + at length under necessity of surrendering, being the last + strong place in Britain on which the royal flag floated in + those calamitous times. Ogilvie and his lady were threatened + with the utmost extremities by the Republican General + Morgan, unless they should produce the Regalia. The governor + stuck to it that he knew nothing of them, as in fact they + had been carried away without his knowledge. The lady + maintained she had given them to John Keith, second son of + the Earl Marischal, by whom, she said, they had been carried + to France. They suffered a long imprisonment, and much ill + usage. On the Restoration, the old Countess Marischal, + founding upon the story Mrs. Ogilvie had told to screen her + husband, obtained for her own son, John Keith, the earldom + of Kintore, and the post of Knight Marischal, with L400 a + year, as if he had been in truth the preserver of the + Regalia. It soon proved that this reward had been too + hastily given, for Ogilvie of Barra {p.212} produced the + Regalia, the honest clergyman refusing to deliver them to + any one but those from whom he received them. Ogilvie was + made a Knight Baronet, however, and got a new charter of the + lands, acknowledging the good service. Thus it happened + oddly enough, that Keith, who was abroad during the + transaction, and had nothing to do with it, got the earldom, + pension, etc., Ogilvie only inferior honors, and the poor + clergyman nothing whatever, or, as we say, _the hare's foot + to lick_. As for Ogilvie's lady, she died before the + Restoration, her health being ruined by the hardships she + endured from the Cromwellian satellites. She was a Douglas, + with all the high spirit of that proud family. On her + deathbed, and not till then, she told her husband where the + honors were concealed, charging him to suffer death rather + than betray them. Popular tradition says, not very probably, + that Grainger and his wife were _booted_ (that is, tortured + with the engine called the boots). I think that the Knight + Marischal's office rested in the Kintore family until 1715, + when it was resumed on account of the bearded Earl's + accession to the Insurrection of that year. He escaped well, + for they might have taken his estate and his earldom. I must + save post, however, and conclude abruptly. Yours ever, + + Walter SCOTT. + +On the 5th, after the foregoing letter had been written at the Clerk's +table, Scott and several of his brother Commissioners revisited the +Castle, accompanied by some of the ladies of their families. His +daughter tells me that her father's conversation had worked her +feelings up to such a pitch, that when the lid was again removed, she +nearly fainted, and drew back from the circle. As she was retiring, +she was startled by his voice exclaiming, in a tone of the deepest +emotion, "something between anger and despair," as she expresses +it,--"By G----, No!" One of the Commissioners, not quite entering +{p.213} into the solemnity with which Scott regarded this business, +had, it seems, made a sort of motion as if he meant to put the crown +on the head of one of the young ladies near him, but the voice and +aspect of the Poet were more than sufficient to make the worthy +gentleman understand his error; and, respecting the enthusiasm with +which he had not been taught to sympathize, he laid down the ancient +diadem with an air of painful embarrassment. Scott whispered, "Pray, +forgive me;" and turning round at the moment, observed his daughter +deadly pale, and leaning by the door. He immediately drew her out of +the room, and when the air had somewhat recovered her, walked with her +across the Mound to Castle Street. "He never spoke all the way home," +she says, "but every now and then I felt his arm tremble; and from +that time I fancied he began to treat me more like a woman than a +child. I thought he liked me better, too, than he had ever done +before." + +These little incidents may give some notion of the profound +seriousness with which his imagination had invested this matter. I am +obliged to add, that in the society of Edinburgh at the time, even in +the highest Tory circles, it did not seem to awaken much even of +curiosity--to say nothing of any deeper feeling. There was, however, a +great excitement among the common people of the town, and a still +greater among the peasantry, not only in the neighborhood, but all +over Scotland; and the Crown-room, becoming thenceforth one of the +established _lions_ of a city much resorted to, moreover, by stranger +tourists, was likely, on the most moderate scale of admission-fee, to +supply a revenue sufficient for remunerating responsible and +respectable guardianship. This post would, as Scott thought, be a very +suitable one for his friend, Captain Adam Ferguson; and he exerted all +his zeal for that purpose. The Captain was appointed: his nomination, +however, did not take place for some months after; and the postscript +of a {p.214} letter to the Duke of Buccleuch, dated May 14, 1818, +plainly indicates the interest on which Scott mainly relied for its +completion: "If you happen," he writes, "to see Lord Melville, pray +give him a jog about Ferguson's affair; but between ourselves, I +depend chiefly on the kind offices of Willie Adam, who is an auld +sneck-drawer." The Lord Chief-Commissioner, at all times ready to lend +Scott his influence with the Royal Family, had, on the present +occasion, the additional motive of warm and hereditary personal regard +for Ferguson. + +I have placed together such letters as referred principally to the +episode of the Regalia; but shall now give, in the order of time, a +few which will sufficiently illustrate the usual course of his +existence, while The Heart of Mid-Lothian was in progress. It appears +that he resumed, in the beginning of this year, his drama of +Devorgoil. His letters to Terry are of course full of that subject, +but they contain, at the same time, many curious indications of his +views and feelings as to theatrical affairs in general--and mixed up +with these a most characteristic record of the earnestness with which +he now watched the interior fitting up, as he had in the season before +the outward architecture, of the new edifice at Abbotsford. Meanwhile +it will be seen that he found leisure hours for various contributions +to periodical works,--among others, an article on Kirkton's Church +History, and another on (of all subjects in the world) _military +bridges_, for the Quarterly Review; a spirited version of the old +German ballad on the Battle of Sempach, and a generous criticism on +Mrs. Shelley's romance of Frankenstein, for Blackwood's Magazine. This +being the first winter and spring of Laidlaw's establishment at +Kaeside, communications as to the affairs of the farm were exchanged +weekly whenever Scott was in Edinburgh, and they afford delightful +evidence of that paternal solicitude for the well-being of his rural +dependents, which all along kept pace with Scott's zeal as to the +economical {p.215} improvement, and the picturesque adornment of his +territories. + + TO D. TERRY, ESQ., LONDON. + + EDINBURGH, 23d January, 1818. + + MY DEAR TERRY,--You have by this time the continuation of + the drama, down to the commencement of the third act, as I + have your letter on the subject of the first. You will + understand that I only mean them as sketches; for the first + and second acts are too short, and both want much to combine + them with the third. I can easily add music to Miss + Devorgoil's part. As to Braham, he is a beast of an actor, + though an angel of a singer, and truly I do not see what he + could personify. Let me know, however, your thoughts and + wishes, and all shall be moulded to the best of my power to + meet them: the point is to make it _take_ if we can; the + rest is all leather and prunella. A great many things must + occur to you technically better, in the way of alteration + and improvement, and you know well that, though too indolent + to amend things on my own conviction, I am always ready to + make them meet my friends' wishes if possible. We shall both + wish it better than I can make it, but there is no reason + why we should not do for it all that we can. I advise you to + take some sapient friend into your counsels, and let me know + the result, returning the MS. at the same time. + + I am now anxious to complete Abbotsford. I think I told you + I mean to do nothing whatever to the present house, but to + take it away altogether at some future time, so that I + finish the upper story without any communication with Mrs. + Redford's _ci-devant_ mansion, and shall place the opening + in the lower story, wherever it will be most suitable for + the new house, without regard to defacing the temporary + drawing-room. I am quite feverish about the armory. I have + two pretty complete suits of armor--one Indian one, and a + cuirassier's, with {p.216} boots, casque, etc.; many + helmets, corselets, and steel caps, swords and poniards + without end, and about a dozen of guns, ancient and modern. + I have besides two or three battle-axes and maces, pikes and + targets, a Highlander's accoutrement complete, a great + variety of branches of horns, pikes, bows and arrows, and + the clubs and creases of Indian tribes. Mr. Bullock promised + to give some hint about the fashion of disposing all these + matters; and now our spring is approaching, and I want but + my plans to get on. I have reason to be proud of the + finishing of my castle, for even of the tower, for which I + trembled, not a stone has been shaken by the late terrific + gale, which blew a roof clear off in the neighborhood. It + was lying in the road like a saddle, as Tom Purdie expressed + it. Neither has a slate been lifted, though about two yards + of slating were stripped from the stables in the haugh, + which you know were comparatively less exposed. + + I am glad to hear of Mrs. Terry's improved health and good + prospects. As for young Master Mumblecrust, I have no doubt + he will be a credit to us all. + + Yours ever truly, + + W. SCOTT. + +As the letters to Mr. Laidlaw did not travel by post, but in the +basket which had come laden with farm-produce for the use of the +family in Edinburgh, they have rarely any date but the day of the +week. This is, however, of no consequence. + + TO MR. LAIDLAW, KAESIDE. + + Wednesday. [January, 1818.] + + DEAR WILLIE,--Should the weather be rough, and you + nevertheless obliged to come to town, do not think of + riding, but take the Blucher.[87] Remember, your health is + of consequence to your family. Pray talk generally with the + notables of Darnick--I mean Rutherford, {p.217} and so + forth--concerning the best ordering of the road to the + marle; and also of the foot-road. It appears to me some + route might be found more convenient than the present, but + that which is most agreeable to those interested shall also + be most agreeable for me. As a patriotic member of the + community of Darnick, I consider their rights equally + important as my own. + + [Footnote 87: A stage-coach, so called, which ran + betwixt Edinburgh and Jedburgh.] + + I told you I should like to convert the present steading at + Beechland into a little hamlet of laborers, which we will + name Abbotstown. The art of making people happy is to leave + them much to their own guidance, but some little regulation + is necessary. In the first place, I should like to have + active and decent people there; then it is to be considered + on what footing they should be. I conceive the best possible + is, that they should pay for their cottages, and cow-grass, + and potato ground, and be paid for their labor at the + ordinary rate. I would give them some advantages sufficient + to balance the following conditions, which, after all, are + conditions in my favor: _1st_, That they shall keep their + cottages and little gardens, and doors, tolerably neat; and + _2d_, That the men shall on no account shoot, or the boys + break timber or take birds' nests, or go among the planting. + I do not know any other restrictions, and these are easy. I + should think we might settle a few families very happily + here, which is an object I have much at heart, for I have no + notion of the proprietor who is only ambitious to be lord of + the "beast and the brute," and chases the human face from + his vicinity. By the bye, could we not manage to have a + piper among the colonists? + + We are delighted to hear that your little folks like the + dells. Pray, in your walks try to ascertain the locality of + St. John's Well, which cures the botts, and which John Moss + claims for Kaeside; also the true history of the Carline's + Hole. Ever most truly yours, + + W. SCOTT. + +{p.218} I hope Mrs. Laidlaw does not want for anything that she can +get from the garden or elsewhere. + + TO DANIEL TERRY, ESQ. + + 8th February, 1818. + + MY DEAR TERRY,--Yours arrived, unluckily, just half an hour + after my packet was in the post-office, so this will cost + you 9_d._, for which I grieve. To answer your principal + question first,--the drama is + + "Yours, Terry, yours in every thought." + + I should never have dreamed of making such an attempt in my + own proper person; and if I had such a vision, I should have + been anxious to have made it something of a legitimate + drama, such as a literary man, uncalled upon by any + circumstance to connect himself with the stage, might have + been expected to produce. Now this is just what any + gentleman in your situation might run off, to give a little + novelty to the entertainment of the year, and as such will + meet a mitigated degree of criticism, and have a better + chance of that _productive_ success, which is my principal + object in my godson's behalf. If any time should come when + you might wish to disclose the secret, it will be in your + power, and our correspondence will always serve to show that + it was only at my earnest request, annexed as the condition + of bringing the play forward, that you gave it your name--a + circumstance which, with all the attending particulars, will + prove plainly that there was no assumption on your part. + + A beautiful drama might be made on the concealment of the + Scotch Regalia during the troubles. But it would interfere + with the democratic spirit of the times, and would probably + + ---- "By party rage, + Or right or wrong, be hooted from the stage." + + {p.219} I will never forgive you if you let any false idea + of my authorial feelings prevent your acting in this affair + as if you were the real parent, not the godfather of the + piece. Our facetious friend J. B. knows nought of such a + matter being _en train_, and never will know. I am delighted + to hear my windows are finished. Yours very truly, + + Walter SCOTT. + + [Footnote 88: Slightly altered from Dr. Johnson's + Prologue to the comedy of _A Word to the Wise_.] + + TO MR. LAIDLAW, KAESIDE. + + Wednesday. [February, 1818.] + + DEAR WILLIE,--I am not desirous to buy more land at present, + unless I were to deal with Mr. Rutherford or Heiton, and I + would rather deal with them next year than this, when I + would have all my payments made for what I am now buying. + Three or four such years as the last would enable me with + prudence and propriety to ask Nicol[89] himself to flit and + remove. + + [Footnote 89: Mr. Nicol Milne of Faldonside. This + gentleman's property is a valuable and extensive one, + situated immediately to the westward of Abbotsford; and + Scott continued, year after year, to dream of adding it + also to his own.] + + I like the idea of the birch-hedge much, and if intermixed + with holly and thorns, I think it might make an impenetrable + thicket, having all the advantages of a hedge without the + formality. I fancy you will also need a great number of + (black) Italian poplars--which are among the most useful and + best growers, as well as most beautiful of plants which love + a wet soil. + + I am glad the saws are going.[90] We may begin by and by + with wrights, but I cannot but think that a handy laborer + might be taught to work at them. I shall insist on Tom + learning the process perfectly himself. + + [Footnote 90: A sawmill had just been erected at + Toftfield.] + + As to the darkness of the garrets, they are intended for the + accommodation of travelling geniuses, poets, painters, and + so forth, and a little obscurity will refresh their + shattered brains. I dare say Lauchie[91] will _shave_ + {p.220} his knoll, if it is required--it may to the + barber's with the Laird's hebdomadal beard--and Packwood + would have thought it the easier job of the two. + + [Footnote 91: A cocklaird adjoining Abbotsford at the + eastern side. His farm is properly _Lochbreist_; but in + the neighborhood he was generally known as _Laird + Lauchie_--or _Lauchie Langlegs_. Washington Irving + describes him in his _Abbotsford_, with high gusto. He + was a most absurd original.] + + I saw Blackwood yesterday, and Hogg the day before, and I + understand from them you think of resigning the Chronicle + department of the Magazine. Blackwood told me that if you + did not like that part of the duty, he would consider + himself accountable for the same sum he had specified to you + for any other articles you might communicate from time to + time. He proposes that Hogg should do the Chronicle: He will + not do it so well as you, for he wants judgment and caution, + and likes to have the appearance of eccentricity where + eccentricity is least graceful; that, however, is + Blackwood's affair. If you really do not like the Chronicle, + there can be no harm in your giving it up. What strikes me + is, that there is a something certain in having such a + department to conduct, whereas you may sometimes find + yourself at a loss when you have to cast about for a subject + every month. Blackwood _is_ rather in a bad pickle just + now--sent to Coventry by the trade, as the booksellers call + themselves, and all about the parody of the two beasts.[92] + {p.221} Surely these gentlemen think themselves rather + formed of porcelain clay than of common potter's ware. + Dealing in satire against all others, their own dignity + suffers so cruelly from an ill-imagined joke! If B. had good + books to sell, he might set them all at defiance. His + Magazine does well, and beats Constable's: but we will talk + of this when we meet.[93] + + [Footnote 92: An article in one of the early numbers of + _Blackwood's Magazine_, entitled _The Chaldee MS._, in + which the literati and booksellers of Edinburgh were + quizzed _en masse_--Scott himself among the rest. It was + in this lampoon that Constable first saw himself + designated in print by the _sobriquet_ of "The Crafty," + long before bestowed on him by one of his own most + eminent Whig supporters; but nothing nettled him so much + as the passages in which he and Blackwood are + represented entreating the support of Scott for their + respective Magazines, and waved off by "the Great + Magician" in the same identical phrases of contemptuous + indifference. The description of Constable's visit to + Abbotsford may be worth transcribing--for Sir David + Wilkie, who was present when Scott read it, says he was + almost choked with laughter, and he afterwards confessed + that the Chaldean author had given a sufficiently + accurate version of what really passed on the + occasion:-- + + "26. But when the Spirits were gone, he (The Crafty) + said unto himself, I will arise and go unto a magician, + which is of my friends: of a surety he will devise some + remedy, and free me out of all my distresses. + + "27. So he arose and came unto that great magician which + hath his dwelling in the old fastness, hard by the River + Jordan, which is by the Border. + + "28. And the magician opened his mouth and said, Lo! my + heart wisheth thy good, and let the thing prosper which + is in thy hands to do it. + + "29. But thou seest that my hands are full of working, + and my labor is great. For, lo, I have to feed all the + people of my land, and none knoweth whence his food + cometh; but each man openeth his mouth, and my hand + filleth it with pleasant things. + + "30. Moreover, thine adversary also is of my familiars. + + "31. The land is before thee: draw thou up thine hosts + for the battle on the mount of Proclamation, and defy + boldly thine enemy, which hath his camp in the place of + Princes; quit ye as men, and let favor be shown unto him + which is most valiant. + + "32. Yet be thou silent; peradventure will I help thee + some little. + + "33. But the man which is Crafty saw that the magician + loved him not. For he knew him of old, and they had had + many dealings; and he perceived that he would not assist + him in the day of his adversity. + + "34. So he turned about, and went out of his fastness. + And he shook the dust from his feet, and said, Behold I + have given this magician much money, yet see now, he + hath utterly deserted me. Verily, my fine gold hath + perished."--Chap. iii.] + + [Footnote 93: [The story of the composition of _The + Chaldee Manuscript_, its publication in the first number + of the magazine, destined to so long and brilliant a + career, and the extraordinary commotion caused thereby, + is admirably told in the _Annals of a Publishing House_, + which also gives the details regarding Laidlaw's brief + connection with the new periodical, and the + correspondence of Scott and Blackwood during its early + months.--See Mrs. Oliphant's _William Blackwood and His + Sons_, vol. i. chap, iii.]] + + As for Whiggery in general, I can only say, that as no man + can be said to be utterly overset until his rump has been + higher than his head, so I cannot read in history of any + free state which has been brought to slavery until the + rascal and uninstructed populace had had their short hour of + anarchical government, which naturally {p.222} leads to the + stern repose of military despotism. Property, morals, + education, are the proper qualifications for those who + should hold political rights, and extending them very widely + greatly lessens the chance of these qualifications being + found in electors. Look at the sort of persons chosen at + elections where the franchise is very general, and you will + find either fools who are content to flatter the passions of + the mob for a little transient popularity, or knaves who + pander to their follies, that they may make their necks a + footstool for their own promotion. With these convictions, I + am very jealous of Whiggery, under all modifications; and I + must say, my acquaintance with the total want of principle + in some of its warmest professors does not tend to recommend + it. Somewhat too much of this. My compliments to the + goodwife. Yours truly, + + Walter SCOTT. + + + TO THE SAME. + + Wednesday. [February, 1818.] + + DEAR WILLIE,--I have no idea Usher[94] will take the + sheepland again, nor would I press it on him. As my + circumstances stand, immediate revenue is much less my + object than the real improvement of this property, which + amuses me besides; our wants are amply supplied by my L1600 + a year official income: nor have we a wish or a motive to + extend our expenses beyond that of the decencies and + hospitality of our station in life; so that my other + resources remain for buying land in future, or improving + what we have. No doubt Abbotsford, in maintaining our + establishment during the summer, may be reckoned L150 or + L200 saved on what we must otherwise buy; and if we could + arrange to have mutton and beef {p.223} occasionally from + the farm in winter, it would be a still greater saving. All + this you will consider: for Tom, thoroughly honest and very + clever in his way, has no kind of generalizing, and would + often like to save sixpence in his own department at the + expense of my paying five shillings in another. This is his + fault, and when you join to it a Scotch slovenliness which + leads him to see things half-finished without pain or + anxiety, I do not know any other he has--but such as they + are, these must be guarded against. For our housemaid (for + housekeeper we must not call her), I should like much a hawk + of a nest so good as that you mention: but would not such a + place be rather beneath her views? Her duty would be to look + to scrupulous cleanliness within doors, and employ her + leisure in spinning, or plain-work, as wanted. When we came + out for a blink, she would be expected to cook a little in a + plain way, and play maid of all work; when we were + stationary, she would assist the housemaid and superintend + the laundry. Probably your aunt's granddaughter will have + pretensions to something better than this; but as we are to + be out on the 12th March, we will talk it over. Assuredly a + well-connected steady person would be of the greatest + consequence to us. I like your plan of pitting much; and to + compromise betwixt you and Tom, do one half with superior + attention, and slit in the others for mere nurses. But I am + no friend to that same slitting. + + [Footnote 94: John Usher, the ex-proprietor of + Toftfield, was eventually Scott's tenant on part of + those lands for many years. He was a man of far superior + rank and intelligence to the rest of the displaced + lairds--and came presently to be one of Scott's trusty + rural friends, and a frequent companion of his sports.] + + I adhere to trying a patch or two of larches, of a quarter + of an acre each, upon the Athole plan, by way of experiment. + We can plant them up if they do not thrive. On the whole, + three-and-a-half feet is, I think, the right distance. I + have no fear of the ground being impoverished. Trees are not + like arable crops, which necessarily derive their sustenance + from the superficial earth--the roots of trees go far and + wide, and, if incommoded by a neighbor, they send out + suckers to procure nourishment elsewhere. They never hurt + each other till {p.224} their tops interfere, which may be + easily prevented by timely weeding. + + I rejoice in the sawmill. Have you settled with Harper?--and + how do Og and Bashan[95] come on? I cannot tell you how + delighted I am with the account Hogg gives me of Mr. Grieve. + The great Cameron was chaplain in the house of my great + something grandfather, and so I hope Mr. Grieve will be + mine. If, as the King of Prussia said to Rousseau, "a little + persecution is necessary to make his home entirely to his + mind," he shall have it; and what persecutors seldom + promise, I will stop whenever he is tired of it. I have a + pair of thumbikins also much at his service, if he requires + their assistance to glorify God and the Covenant. Sincerely, + I like enthusiasm of every kind so well, especially when + united with worth of character, that I shall be delighted + with this old gentleman. Ever yours, + + W. SCOTT. + + [Footnote 95: A yoke of oxen.] + +The last paragraph of this letter refers to an uncle of Laidlaw's (the +father of Hogg's friend, John Grieve), who at this time thought of +occupying a cottage on Scott's estate. He was a preacher of the +Cameronian sect, and had long ministered to a very small remnant of +"the hill-folk" scattered among the wilds of Ettrick. He was a very +good man, and had a most venerable and apostolical benignity of +aspect; but his prejudices were as extravagant as those of Cameron, +his patriarch, himself could have been. The project of his removal to +Tweedside was never realized. + +The following admirable letter was written at the request of Messrs. +Constable, who had, on Scott's recommendation, undertaken the +publication of Mr. Maturin's novel, Women, or _Pour et Contre_. The +reverend author's Bertram had, it may be remembered, undergone some +rather rough usage in Coleridge's Biographia Literaria; {p.225} and +he was now desirous to revenge himself by a preface of the polemical +sort:-- + + TO THE REV. C. R. MATURIN, DUBLIN. + + 26th February, 1818. + + DEAR SIR,--I am going to claim the utmost and best privilege + of sincere friendship and good-will, that of offering a few + words of well-meant advice; and you may be sure that the + occasion seems important to induce me to venture so far upon + your tolerance. It respects the preface to your work, which + Constable and Co. have sent to me. It is as well written as + that sort of thing can be; but will you forgive me if I + say--it is too much in the tone of the offence which gave + rise to it, to be agreeable either to good taste or to + general feeling. Coleridge's work has been little read or + heard of, and has made no general impression + whatever--certainly no impression unfavorable to you or your + play. In the opinion, therefore, of many, you will be + resenting an injury of which they are unacquainted with the + existence. If I see a man beating another unmercifully, I am + apt to condemn him upon the first blush of the business, and + hardly excuse him though I may afterwards learn he had ample + provocation. Besides, your diatribe is not _hujus loci_. We + take up a novel for amusement, and this current of + controversy breaks out upon us like a stream of lava out of + the side of a beautiful green hill; men will say you should + have reserved your disputes for reviews or periodical + publications, and they will sympathize less with your anger, + because they will not think the time proper for expressing + it. We are bad judges, bad physicians, and bad divines in + our own case; but, above all, we are seldom able, when + injured or insulted, to judge of the degree of sympathy + which the world will bear in our resentment and our + retaliation. The instant, however, that such degree of + sympathy is exceeded, we hurt ourselves, and not our + adversary. I am so convinced {p.226} of this, and so deeply + fixed in the opinion, that besides the uncomfortable + feelings which are generated in the course of literary + debate, a man lowers his estimation in the public eye by + engaging in such controversy, that, since I have been dipped + in ink, I have suffered no personal attacks (and I have been + honored with them of all descriptions) to provoke me to + reply. A man will certainly be vexed on such occasions, and + I have wished to have the knaves _where the muircock was the + bailie_--or, as _you_ would say, _upon the sod_--but I never + let the thing cling to my mind, and always adhered to my + resolution, that if my writings and tenor of life did not + confute such attacks, my words never should. Let me entreat + you to view Coleridge's violence as a thing to be contemned, + not retaliated--the opinion of a British public may surely + be set in honest opposition to that of one disappointed and + wayward man. You should also consider, _en bon Chretien_, + that Coleridge has had some room to be spited at the world, + and you are, I trust, to continue to be a favorite with the + public--so that you should totally neglect and despise + criticism, however virulent, which arises out of his bad + fortune and your good. + + I have only to add that Messrs. Constable and Co. are + seriously alarmed for the effects of the preface upon the + public mind as unfavorable to the work. In this they must be + tolerable judges, for their experience as to popular feeling + is very great; and as they have met your wishes, in all the + course of the transaction, perhaps you will be disposed to + give some weight to their opinion upon a point like this. + Upon my own part I can only say that I have no habits of + friendship, and scarce those of acquaintance with + Coleridge--I have not even read his Autobiography--but I + consider him as a man of genius, struggling with bad habits + and difficult circumstances. It is, however, entirely upon + your account that I take the liberty of stating an opinion + on a subject of such delicacy. I should wish you to give + your excellent {p.227} talents fair play, and to ride this + race without carrying any superfluous weight; and I am so + well acquainted with my old friend the public, that I could + bet a thousand pounds to a shilling, that the preface (if + that controversial part of it is not cancelled) will greatly + prejudice your novel. + + I will not ask your forgiveness for the freedom I have used, + for I am sure you will not suspect me of any motives but + those which arise from regard to your talents and person; + but I shall be glad to hear (whether you follow my advice or + no) that you are not angry with me for having volunteered to + offer it. + + My health is, I think, greatly improved; I have had some + returns of my spasmodic affection, but tolerable in degree, + and yielding to medicine. I hope gentle exercise and the air + of my hills will set me up this summer. I trust you will + soon be out now. I have delayed reading the sheets in + progress after Vol. I., that I might enjoy them when + collected. Ever yours, etc., + + Walter SCOTT. + + + TO MR. LAIDLAW. + + EDINBURGH, Wednesday. [March, 1818.] + + DEAR WILLIE,--I am delighted to hear the plantings get on so + well. The weather here has been cruelly changeable--fresh + one day--frost the next--snow the third. This morning the + snow lay three inches thick, and before noon it was gone, + and blowing a tempest. Many of the better ranks are ill of + the typhus fever, and some deaths. How do your poor folks + come on? Let Tom advance you money when it is wanted. I do + not propose, like the heroine of a novel, to convert the + hovels of want into the abodes of elegant plenty, but we + have enough to spare to relieve actual distress, and do not + wish to economize where we can find out (which is difficult) + where the assistance is instantly useful. + + Don't let Tom forget hedgerow trees, which he is very + {p.228} unwilling to remember; and also to plant birches, + oaks, elms, and such like round-headed trees along the + verges of the Kaeside plantations; they make a beautiful + outline, and also a sort of fence, and were not planted last + year because the earth at the sunk fences was too newly + travelled. This should be mixed with various bushes, as + hollies, thorns, so as to make a wild hedge, or thickety + obstruction to the inroads of cattle. A few sweetbriers, + alders, honeysuckles, laburnums, etc., should be thrown in. + A verdant screen may be made in this way, of the wildest and + most beautiful description, which should never be clipt, + only pruned, allowing the loose branches to drop over those + that are taken away. Tom is very costive about trees, and + talks only of 300 poplars. I shall send at least double that + number; also some hagberries, etc. He thinks he is saving me + money when he is starving my projects; but he is a pearl of + honesty and good intention, and I like him the better for + needing driving where expense is likely. Ever yours, + + W. SCOTT. + + + TO JOHN MURRAY, ESQ., ALBEMARLE STREET, LONDON. + + ABBOTSFORD, 23d March, 1818. + + DEAR MURRAY,-- + + "Grieve not for me, my dearest dear, + I am not dead but sleepeth here."-- + + I have little to plead for myself, but the old and vile + apologies of laziness and indisposition. I think I have been + so unlucky of late as to have always the will to work when + sitting at the desk hurts me, and the irresistible + propensity to be lazy, when I might, like the man whom + Hogarth introduces into Bridewell with his hands strapped up + against the wall, "better work than stand thus." I laid + Kirkton[96] aside half finished, from a desire {p.229} to + get the original edition of the lives of Cameron, etc., by + Patrick Walker, which I had not seen since a boy, and now I + have got it, and find, as I suspected, that some curious + _morceaux_ have been cut out by subsequent editors.[97] I + will, without loss of time, finish the article, which I + think you will like. Blackwood kidnapped an article for his + Magazine on the Frankenstein story,[98] which I intended for + you. A very old friend and school companion of mine, and a + gallant soldier, if ever there was one, Sir Howard Douglas, + has asked me to review his work on Military Bridges. I must + get a friend's assistance for the scientific part, and add + some balaam of mine own (as printers' devils say) to make up + four or five pages. I have no objection to attempt Lord + Orford if I have time, and find I can do it with ease. + Though far from admiring his character, I have always had a + high opinion of his talents, and am well acquainted with his + works. The letters you have published are, I think, his very + best--lively, entertaining, and unaffected.[99] I am greatly + obliged to you for these and other literary treasures which + I owe to your goodness from time to time. Although not + thankfully acknowledged as they should be in course, these + things are never thanklessly received. + + [Footnote 96: Scott's article on Kirkton's _History of + the Church of Scotland_, edited by Mr. C. K. Sharpe, + appeared in the 36th number of the _Quarterly + Review_,--See _Miscellaneous Prose Works_, vol. xix. p. + 213.] + + [Footnote 97: Scott expressed great satisfaction on + seeing the _Lives of the Covenanters_--Cameron, Peden, + Semple, Wellwood, Cargill, Smith, Renwick, + etc.--reprinted without mutilation in the _Biographia + Presbyteriana_. Edin. 1827. The publisher of this + collection was the late Mr. John Stevenson, long chief + clerk to John Ballantyne, and usually styled by Scott + "True Jock," in opposition to one of his old master's + many _aliases_--namely, "Leein' Johnnie."] + + [Footnote 98: See Scott's _Prose Miscellanies_, vol. + xviii. p. 250.] + + [Footnote 99: The Letters of Horace Walpole to George + Montagu.] + + I could have sworn that Beppo was founded on Whistlecraft, + as both were on Anthony Hall,[100] who, like Beppo, had more + wit than grace. + + [Footnote 100: _Anthony Hall_ is only known as Editor of + one of Leland's works. I have no doubt Scott was + thinking of _John Hall Stevenson_, author of _Crazy + Tales_; the friend, and (it is said) the _Eugenius_ of + Sterne.] + + {p.230} I am not, however, in spirits at present for + treating either these worthies, or my friend Rose,[101] + though few have warmer wishes to any of the trio. But this + confounded changeable weather has twice within this + fortnight brought back my cramp in the stomach. Adieu. My + next shall be with a packet.--Yours truly, + + W. SCOTT. + + [Footnote 101: I believe Mr. Rose's _Court and + Parliament of Beasts_ is here alluded to.] + +In the next letter we have Scott's lamentation over the death of Mrs. +Murray Keith--the Mrs. Bethune Baliol of his Chronicles of the +Canongate. The person alluded to under the designation of "Prince of +the Black Marble Islands" was Mr. George Bullock, already often +mentioned as, with Terry and Mr. Atkinson, consulted about all the +arrangements of the rising house at Abbotsford. Scott gave him this +title from the Arabian Nights, on occasion of his becoming the lessee +of some marble quarries in the Isle of Anglesea. + + TO D. TERRY, ESQ., LONDON. + + April 30, 1818--SELKIRK. + + MY DEAR TERRY,--Your packet arrived this morning. I was much + disappointed not to find the Prince of the Black Islands' + plan in it, nor have I heard a word from him since anent it, + or anent the still more essential articles of doors and + windows. I heard from Hector Macdonald Buchanan, that the + said doors and windows were packing a fortnight since, but + there are no news of them. Surely our friend's heart has + grown as hard as his materials; or the spell of the + enchantress, which confined itself to the extremities of his + predecessor, has extended over his whole person. Mr. + Atkinson has kept tryst charmingly, and the ceiling of the + dining-room will be superb. I have got I know not how many + casts, from Melrose and other places, of pure Gothic + antiquity. I {p.231} must leave this on the 12th, and I + could bet a trifle the doors, etc., will arrive the very day + I set out, and be all put up _a la bonne aventure_. Meantime + I am keeping open house, not much to my convenience, and I + am afraid I shall be stopped in my plastering by the want of + these matters. The exposed state of my house has led to a + mysterious disturbance. The night before last we were awaked + by a violent noise, like drawing heavy boards along the new + part of the house. I fancied something had fallen, and + thought no more about it. This was about _two_ in the + morning. Last night, at the same witching hour, the very + same noise occurred. Mrs. S., as you know, is rather + _timbersome_, so up got I, with Beardie's broadsword under + my arm, + + "So bolt upright, + And ready to fight." + + But nothing was out of order, neither can I discover what + occasioned the disturbance. However, I went to bed, + grumbling against Tenterden Street,[102] and all its works. + If there was no entrance but the keyhole, I should warrant + myself against the ghosts. We have a set of idle fellows + called workmen about us, which is a better way of accounting + for nocturnal noises than any that is to be found in Baxter + or Glanville. + + [Footnote 102: Bullock's manufactory was in this + street.] + + When you see Mr. Atkinson, will you ask him how far he is + satisfied with the arch between the armory and the + ante-room, and whether it pleases him as it now stands? I + have a brave old oaken cabinet, as black as ebony, 300 years + old at least, which will occupy one side of the ante-room + for the present. It is seven feet and a half long, about + eighteen inches deep, and upwards of six feet high--a fine + stand for china, etc. + + You will be sorry to hear that we have lost our excellent + old friend, Mrs. Murray Keith. She enjoyed all her spirits + and excellent faculties till within two days of her death, + when she was seized with a feverish complaint, {p.232} + which eighty-two years were not calculated to resist. Much + tradition, and of the very best kind, has died with this + excellent old lady; one of the few persons whose spirits and + cleanliness, and freshness of mind and body, made old age + lovely and desirable. In the general case, it seems scarce + endurable. + + It seems odd to me that Rob Roy[103] should have made good + fortune; pray let me know something of its history. There is + in Jedediah's present work a thing capable of being woven + out a _bourgeoise_ tragedy. I think of contriving that it + shall be in your hands some time before the public see it, + that you may try to operate upon it yourself. This would not + be difficult, as vol. 4, and part of 3d, contain a different + story. _Avowedly_ I will never write for the stage; if I do, + "call me _horse_." And indeed I feel severely the want of + knowledge of theatrical business and effect: however, + something we will do. I am writing in the noise and babble + of a head-court of freeholders; therefore my letter is + incoherent, and therefore it is written also on long paper; + but therefore, moreover, it will move by frank, as the + member is here, and stands upon his popularity. Kind + compliments to Mrs. Terry and Walter. + + Yours very truly, + + Walter SCOTT. + + [Footnote 103: A drama founded on the novel of _Rob Roy_ + had been produced, with great success, on the London + stage.] + +On the morning that Mr. Terry received the foregoing letter in London, +Mr. William Erskine was breakfasting with him; and the chief subject +of their conversation was the sudden death of George Bullock, which +had occurred on the same night, and, as nearly as they could +ascertain, at the very hour when Scott was roused from his sleep by +the "mysterious disturbance" here described, and sallied from his +chamber with old Beardie's Killiecrankie claymore in his hand. This +coincidence, when {p.233} Scott received Erskine's minute detail of +what had happened in Tenterden Street, made a much stronger impression +on his mind than might be gathered from the tone of an ensuing +communication. + + TO D. TERRY, ESQ., LONDON. + + ABBOTSFORD, 4th May, 1818. + + DEAR TERRY,--I received with the greatest surprise, and the + most sincere distress, the news of poor George Bullock's + death. In the full career of honorable + industry,--distinguished by his uncommon taste and + talent,--esteemed by all who transacted business with + him,--and loved by those who had the pleasure of his more + intimate acquaintance,--I can scarce conceive a more + melancholy summons. It comes as a particular shock to me, + because I had, particularly of late, so much associated his + idea with the improvements here, in which his kind and + enthusiastic temper led him to take such interest; and in + looking at every unfinished or projected circumstance, I + feel an impression of melancholy which will for some time + take away the pleasure I have found in them. I liked George + Bullock because he had no trumpery selfishness about his + heart, taste, or feelings. Pray let me know about the + circumstances of his family, etc. I feel most sincerely + interested in all that concerns him. It must have been a + dreadful surprise to Mr. Atkinson and you who lived with him + so much. I need not, I am sure, beg you to be in no hurry + about my things. The confusion must be cruelly great, + without any friend adding to it; and in fact, at this + moment, I am very indifferent on the subject. The poor kind + fellow! He took so much notice of little Charles, and was so + domesticated with us all, that I really looked with a + schoolboy's anxiety for his being here in the season, to + take his own quiet pleasures, and to forward mine. But God's + will be done. All that surviving friends can do upon such a + loss is, if possible, to love each other still better.--I + {p.234} beg to be kindly remembered to Mrs. Terry and + Monsieur Walter. Ever most truly yours, + + Walter SCOTT. + + + TO THE SAME. + + EDINBURGH, 16th May, 1818. + + MY DEAR TERRY,--Mr. Nasmyth[104] has obligingly given me an + opportunity of writing to you a few lines, as he is setting + out for London. I cannot tell you how much I continue to be + grieved for our kind-hearted and enthusiastic friend + Bullock. I trust he has left his family comfortably settled, + though, with so many plans which required his active and + intelligent mind to carry them through, one has natural + apprehensions upon that score. When you can with propriety + make inquiry how my matters stand, I should be glad to know. + Hector Macdonald tells me that my doors and windows were + ready packed, in which case, perhaps, the sooner they are + embarked the better, not only for safety, but because they + can only be in the way, and the money will now be the more + acceptable. Poor Bullock had also the measures for my + chimney-pieces, for grates of different kinds, and orders + for beds, dining-room tables and chairs. But how far these + are in progress of being executed, or whether they can now + be executed, I must leave to your judgment and inquiry. Your + good sense and delicacy will understand the _facon de faire_ + better than I can point it out. I shall never have the + pleasure in these things that I expected. + + [Footnote 104: Mr. Alexander Nasmyth, an eminent + landscape painter of Edinburgh--the father of Mrs. + Terry.] + + I have just left Abbotsford to attend the Summer + session--left it when the leaves were coming out--the most + delightful season for a worshipper of the country like me. + The Home-bank, which we saw at first green with turnips, + will now hide a man somewhat taller than Johnny Ballantyne + in its shades. In fact, the trees {p.235} cover the ground, + and have a very pretty bosky effect; from six years to ten + or twelve, I think wood is as beautiful as ever it is + afterwards until it figures as aged and magnificent. Your + hobbledehoy tree of twenty-five years' standing is neither + so beautiful as in its infancy, nor so respectable as in its + age. + + Counsellor Erskine is returned, much pleased with your + hospitality, and giving an excellent account of you. Were + you not struck with the fantastical coincidence of our + nocturnal disturbances at Abbotsford with the melancholy + event that followed? I protest to you the noise resembled + half-a-dozen men hard at work putting up boards and + furniture, and nothing can be more certain than that there + was nobody on the premises at the time. With a few + additional touches, the story would figure in Glanville or + Aubrey's Collection. In the mean time you may set it down + with poor Dubisson's warnings,[105] as a remarkable + coincidence coming under your own observation. I trust we + shall see you this season. I think we could hammer a neat + _comedie bourgeoise_ out of The Heart of Mid-Lothian. Mrs. + Scott and family join in kind compliments to Mrs. Terry; and + I am ever yours truly, + + Walter SCOTT. + + [Footnote 105: See _ante_, vol. iii. p. 220.] + +It appears from one of these letters to Terry, that, so late as the +30th of April, Scott still designed to include two separate stories in +the second series of the Tales of my Landlord. But he must have +changed his plan soon after that date; since the four volumes, +entirely occupied with The Heart of Mid-Lothian, were before the +public in the course of June. The story thus deferred, in consequence +of the extent to which that of Jeanie Deans grew on his hands, was The +Bride of Lammermoor. + + + + +{p.236} CHAPTER XLI. + + Dinner at Mr. Home Drummond's. -- Scott's Edinburgh Den. -- + Details of his Domestic Life in Castle Street. -- His Sunday + Dinners. -- His Evening Drives, etc. -- His Conduct in the + General Society of Edinburgh. -- Dinners at John + Ballantyne's Villa, and at James Ballantyne's in St. John + Street, on the Appearance of a New Novel. -- Anecdotes of + the Ballantynes, and of Constable. + +1818. + + +On the 12th of May, as we have seen, Scott left Abbotsford, for the +summer session in Edinburgh. + +At this moment, his position, take it for all in all, was, I am +inclined to believe, what no other man had ever won for himself by the +pen alone. His works were the daily food, not only of his countrymen, +but of all educated Europe. His society was courted by whatever +England could show of eminence. Station, power, wealth, beauty, and +genius, strove with each other in every demonstration of respect and +worship--and, a few political fanatics and envious poetasters +apart--wherever he appeared in town or in country, whoever had Scotch +blood in him, "gentle or simple," felt it move more rapidly through +his veins when he was in the presence of Scott. To descend to what +many looked on as higher things, he considered himself, and was +considered by all about him, as rapidly consolidating a large fortune: +the annual profits of his novels alone had, for several years, been +not less than L10,000: his domains {p.237} were daily increased--his +castle was rising--and perhaps few doubted that erelong he might +receive from the just favor of his Prince some distinction in the way +of external rank, such as had seldom before been dreamt of as the +possible consequence of a mere literary celebrity. It was about this +time that the compiler of these pages first had the opportunity of +observing the plain easy modesty which had survived the many +temptations of such a career; and the kindness of heart pervading, in +all circumstances, his gentle deportment, which made him the rare, +perhaps the solitary, example of a man signally elevated from humble +beginnings, and loved more and more by his earliest friends and +connections, in proportion as he had fixed on himself the homage of +the great, and the wonder of the world. + +It was during the sitting of the General Assembly of the Kirk in May, +1818, that I first had the honor of meeting him in private society: +the party was not a large one, at the house of a much-valued common +friend--Mr. Home Drummond of Blair Drummond, the grandson of Lord +Kames. Mr. Scott, ever apt to consider too favorably the literary +efforts of others, and more especially of very young persons, received +me, when I was presented to him, with a cordiality which I had not +been prepared to expect from one filling a station so exalted. This, +however, is the same story that every individual, who ever met him +under similar circumstances, has had to tell. When the ladies retired +from the dinner-table, I happened to sit next him; and he, having +heard that I had lately returned from a tour in Germany, made that +country and its recent literature the subject of some conversation. In +the course of it, I told him that when, on reaching the inn at Weimar, +I asked the waiter whether Goethe was then in the town, the man stared +as if he had not heard the name before; and that on my repeating the +question, adding _Goethe der grosse dichter_ (the great poet), he +shook his head as doubtfully as {p.238} before--until the landlady +solved our difficulties, by suggesting that perhaps the traveller +might mean "the _Herr Geheimer-Rath_ (Privy Counsellor) _Von Goethe_." +Scott seemed amused with this, and said, "I hope you will come one of +these days and see me at Abbotsford; and when you reach Selkirk or +Melrose, be sure you ask even the landlady for nobody but _the +Sheriff_." He appeared particularly interested when I described Goethe +as I first saw him, alighting from a carriage, crammed with wild +plants and herbs which he had picked up in the course of his morning's +botanizing among the hills above Jena. "I am glad," said he, "that my +old master has pursuits somewhat akin to my own. I am no botanist, +properly speaking; and though a dweller on the banks of the Tweed, +shall never be knowing about Flora's beauties;[106] but how I should +like to have a talk with him about trees!" I mentioned how much any +one must be struck with the majestic beauty of Goethe's countenance +(the noblest certainly by far that I have ever yet seen): "Well," said +he, "the grandest demigod I ever saw was Dr. Carlyle, minister of +Musselburgh, commonly called _Jupiter Carlyle_, from having sat more +than once for the king of gods and men to Gavin Hamilton--and a +shrewd, clever old carle was he, no doubt, but no more a poet than his +precentor. As for poets, I have seen, I believe, all the best of our +own time and country--and, though Burns had the most glorious eyes +imaginable, I never thought any of them would come up to an artist's +notion of the character, except Byron." A reverend gentleman present +(I think, Principal Nicoll of St. Andrews) expressed his regret that +he had never seen Lord Byron. "And the prints," resumed Scott, "give +one no impression of him--the lustre is there, Doctor, but it is not +lighted up. Byron's countenance is _a thing to dream of_. A certain +fair lady, whose name has been too often {p.239} mentioned in +connection with his, told a friend of mine, that when she first saw +Byron, it was in a crowded room, and she did not know who it was, but +her eyes were instantly nailed, and she said to herself, _that pale +face is my fate_. And, poor soul, if a godlike face and godlike powers +could have made any excuse for devilry, to be sure she had one." In +the course of this talk, an old friend and schoolfellow of +Scott's[107] asked him across the table if he had any faith in the +antique busts of Homer. "No, truly," he answered, smiling, "for if +there had been either limners or stuccoyers worth their salt in those +days, the owner of such a headpiece would never have had to trail the +poke. They would have alimented the honest man decently among them for +a lay-figure." + + [Footnote 106: + "What beauties does Flora disclose, + How sweet are her smiles upon Tweed," etc.--_Crawford._] + + [Footnote 107: The late Sir Patrick Murray of + Ochtertyre, Bart.--one of the Scotch Barons of + Exchequer.] + +A few days after this, I received a communication from the Messrs. +Ballantyne, to the effect that Mr. Scott's various avocations had +prevented him from fulfilling his agreement with them as to the +historical department of the Edinburgh Annual Register for 1816, and +that it would be acceptable to him as well as them, if I could +undertake to supply it in the course of the autumn. This proposal was +agreed to on my part, and I had consequently occasion to meet him +pretty often during that summer session. He told me, that if the war +had gone on, he should have liked to do the historical summary as +before; but that the prospect of having no events to record but +radical riots, and the passing or rejecting of corn bills and poor +bills, sickened him; that his health was no longer what it had been; +and that though he did not mean to give over writing altogether--(here +he smiled significantly, and glanced his eye towards a pile of MS. on +the desk by him)--he thought himself now entitled to write nothing but +what would rather be an amusement than a fatigue to him--"_Juniores ad +labores_." + +{p.240} He at this time occupied as his _den_ a square small room, +behind the dining parlor in Castle Street. It had but a single +Venetian window, opening on a patch of turf not much larger than +itself, and the aspect of the place was on the whole sombrous. The +walls were entirely clothed with books; most of them folios and +quartos, and all in that complete state of repair which at a glance +reveals a tinge of bibliomania. A dozen volumes or so, needful for +immediate purposes of reference, were placed close by him on a small +movable frame--something like a dumb-waiter. All the rest were in +their proper niches, and wherever a volume had been lent, its room was +occupied by a wooden block of the same size, having a card with the +name of the borrower and date of the loan, tacked on its front. The +old bindings had obviously been retouched and regilt in the most +approved manner; the new, when the books were of any mark, were rich, +but never gaudy--a large proportion of blue morocco--all stamped with +his _device_ of the portcullis, and its motto, _clausus tutus +ero_--being an anagram of his name in Latin. Every case and shelf was +accurately lettered, and the works arranged systematically; history +and biography on one side--poetry and the drama on another--law books +and dictionaries behind his own chair. The only table was a massive +piece of furniture which he had had constructed on the model of one at +Rokeby, with a desk and all its appurtenances on either side, that an +amanuensis might work opposite to him when he chose; and with small +tiers of drawers, reaching all round to the floor. The top displayed a +goodly array of session papers, and on the desk below were, besides +the MS. at which he was working, sundry parcels of letters, proof +sheets, and so forth, all neatly done up with red tape. His own +writing apparatus was a very handsome old box, richly carved, lined +with crimson velvet, and containing ink-bottles, taper-stand, etc., in +silver--the whole in such order that it might have come from the +silversmith's {p.241} window half an hour before. Besides his own +huge elbow-chair, there were but two others in the room, and one of +these seemed, from its position, to be reserved exclusively for the +amanuensis. I observed, during the first evening I spent with him in +this _sanctum_, that while he talked, his hands were hardly ever +idle--sometimes he folded letter-covers--sometimes he twisted paper +into matches, performing both tasks with great mechanical expertness +and nicety; and when there was no loose paper fit to be so dealt with, +he snapped his fingers, and the noble Maida aroused himself from his +lair on the hearth-rug, and laid his head across his master's knees, +to be caressed and fondled. The room had no space for pictures except +one, an original portrait of Claverhouse, which hung over the +chimney-piece, with a Highland target on either side, and broadswords +and dirks (each having its own story), disposed star-fashion round +them. A few green tin-boxes, such as solicitors keep title-deeds in, +were piled over each other on one side of the window; and on the top +of these lay a fox's tail, mounted on an antique silver handle, +wherewith, as often as he had occasion to take down a book, he gently +brushed the dust off the upper leaves before opening it. I think I +have mentioned all the furniture of the room except a sort of ladder, +low, broad, well carpeted, and strongly guarded with oaken rails, by +which he helped himself to books from his higher shelves. On the top +step of this convenience, Hinse of Hinsfeldt, (so called from one of +the German _Kinder-maerchen_,) a venerable tom-cat, fat and sleek, and +no longer very locomotive, usually lay watching the proceedings of his +master and Maida with an air of dignified equanimity; but when Maida +chose to leave the party, he signified his inclinations by thumping +the door with his huge paw, as violently as ever a fashionable footman +handled a knocker in Grosvenor Square; the Sheriff rose and opened it +for him with courteous alacrity,--and then Hinse came {p.242} down +purring from his perch, and mounted guard by the footstool, _vice_ +Maida absent upon furlough.[108] Whatever discourse might be passing, +was broken every now and then by some affectionate apostrophe to these +four-footed friends. He said they understood everything he said to +them--and I believe they did understand a great deal of it. But at all +events, dogs and cats, like children, have some infallible tact for +discovering at once who is and who is not really fond of their +company; and I venture to say, Scott was never five minutes in any +room before the little pets of the family, whether dumb or lisping, +had found out his kindness for all their generation. + + [Footnote 108: [Of Hinse, Washington Irving writes in + his _Abbotsford_:-- + + "Among the other important and privileged members of the + household who figured in attendance at dinner, was a + large gray cat, who, I observed, was regaled from time + to time with titbits from the table. This sage grimalkin + was a favorite of both master and mistress, and slept at + night in their room, and Scott laughingly observed, that + one of the least wise parts of their establishment was + that the window was left open at night for puss to go in + and out. The cat assumed a kind of ascendency among the + quadrupeds--sitting in state in Scott's armchair, and + occasionally stationing himself on a chair beside the + door, as if to review his subjects as they passed, + giving each dog a cuff beside the ears as he went by. + This clapper-clawing was always taken in good part; it + appeared to be, in fact, a mere act of sovereignty on + the part of grimalkin to remind the others of their + vassalage; which they acknowledged by the most perfect + acquiescence. A general harmony prevailed between + sovereign and subjects, and they would all sleep + together in the sunshine."]] + +I never thought it lawful to keep a journal of what passes in private +society, so that no one need expect from the sequel of this narrative +any detailed record of Scott's familiar talk. What fragments of it +have happened to adhere to a tolerably retentive memory, and may be +put into black and white without wounding any feelings which my +friend, were he alive, would have wished to spare, I shall introduce +as the occasion suggests or serves. But I disclaim on the threshold +anything more than this; and I also wish to enter a protest once for +all against the general fidelity of several literary gentlemen who +have kindly forwarded to me private lucubrations {p.243} of theirs, +designed to _Boswellize_ Scott, and which they may probably publish +hereafter. To report conversations fairly, it is a necessary +prerequisite that we should be completely familiar with all the +interlocutors, and understand thoroughly all their minutest relations, +and points of common knowledge and common feeling with each other. He +who does not, must be perpetually in danger of misinterpreting +sportive allusion into serious statement; and the man who was only +recalling, by some jocular phrase or half-phrase, to an old companion, +some trivial reminiscence of their boyhood or youth, may be +represented as expressing, upon some person or incident casually +tabled, an opinion which he had never framed, or if he had, would +never have given words to in any mixed assemblage--not even among what +the world calls _friends_ at his own board. In proportion as a man is +witty and humorous, there will always be about him and his a widening +maze and wilderness of cues and catchwords, which the uninitiated +will, if they are bold enough to try interpretation, construe, ever +and anon, egregiously amiss--not seldom into arrant falsity. For this +one reason, to say nothing of many others, I consider no man justified +in journalizing what he sees and hears in a domestic circle where he +is not thoroughly at home; and I think there are still higher and +better reasons why he should not do so where he is. + +Before I ever met Scott in private, I had, of course, heard many +people describe and discuss his style of conversation. Everybody +seemed to agree that it overflowed with hearty good-humor, as well as +plain unaffected good sense and sagacity; but I had heard not a few +persons of undoubted ability and accomplishment maintain that the +genius of the great poet and novelist rarely, if ever, revealed itself +in his talk. It is needless to say, that the persons I allude to were +all his own countrymen, and themselves imbued, more or less, with the +conversational habits derived from a system of education in which the +{p.244} study of metaphysics occupies a very large share of +attention. The best table-talk of Edinburgh was, and probably still +is, in a very great measure made up of brilliant disquisition--such as +might be transferred without alteration to a professor's note-book, or +the pages of a critical Review--and of sharp word-catchings, ingenious +thrusting and parrying of dialectics, and all the quips and quibblets +of bar pleading. It was the talk of a society to which lawyers and +lecturers had, for at least a hundred years, given the tone. From the +date of the Union, Edinburgh ceased to be the headquarters of the +Scotch nobility--and long before the time of which I speak, they had +all but entirely abandoned it as a place of residence. I think I never +knew above two or three of the Peerage to have houses there at the +same time--and these were usually among the poorest and most +insignificant of their order. The wealthier gentry had followed their +example. Very few of that class ever spent any considerable part of +the year in Edinburgh, except for the purposes of educating their +children, or superintending the progress of a lawsuit; and these were +not more likely than a score or two of comatose and lethargic old +Indians, to make head against the established influences of academical +and forensic celebrity. Now Scott's tastes and resources had not much +in common with those who had inherited and preserved the chief +authority in this provincial hierarchy of rhetoric. He was highly +amused with watching their dexterous logomachies--but his delight in +such displays arose mainly, I cannot doubt, from the fact of their +being, both as to subject-matter and style and method, remote _a +Scaevolae studiis_. He sat by, as he would have done at a stage-play or +a fencing-match, enjoying and applauding the skill exhibited, but +without feeling much ambition to parade himself as a rival either of +the foil or the buskin. I can easily believe, therefore, that in the +earlier part of his life--before the blaze of universal fame had +overawed {p.245} local prejudice, and a new generation, accustomed to +hear of that fame from their infancy, had grown up--it may have been +the commonly adopted creed in Edinburgh, that Scott, however +distinguished otherwise, was not to be named as a table-companion in +the same day with this or that master of luminous dissertation or +quick rejoinder, who now sleeps as forgotten as his grandmother. It +was natural enough that persons brought up in the same circle with +him, who remembered all his beginnings, and had but slowly learned to +acquiesce in the justice of his claim to unrivalled honor in +literature, should have clung all the closer for that late +acquiescence to their original estimate of him as inferior to +themselves in other titles to admiration. It was also natural that +their prejudice on that score should be readily taken up by the young +aspirants who breathed, as it were, the atmosphere of their +professional renown. Perhaps, too, Scott's steady Toryism, and the +effect of his genius and example in modifying the intellectual sway of +the long dominant Whigs in the north, may have had some share in this +matter. However all that may have been, the substance of what I had +been accustomed to hear certainly was, that Scott had a marvellous +stock of queer stories, which he often told with happy effect, but +that, bating these drafts on a portentous memory, set off with a +simple old-fashioned _naivete_ of humor and pleasantry, his strain of +talk was remarkable neither for depth of remark nor felicity of +illustration; that his views and opinions on the most important topics +of practical interest were hopelessly perverted by his blind +enthusiasm for the dreams of bygone ages; and that, but for the +grotesque phenomenon presented by a great writer of the nineteenth +century gravely uttering sentiments worthy of his own Dundees and +Invernahyles, the main texture of his discourse would be pronounced, +by any enlightened member of modern society, rather bald and poor than +otherwise. I think the epithet most in vogue was _commonplace_. + +{p.246} It will easily be believed that, in companies such as I have +been alluding to, made up of, or habitually domineered over, by +voluble Whigs and political economists, Scott was often tempted to put +forth his Tory doctrines and antiquarian prejudices in an exaggerated +shape--in colors, to say the truth, altogether different from what +they assumed under other circumstances, or which had any real +influence upon his mind and conduct on occasions of practical moment. +But I fancy it will seem equally credible, that the most sharp-sighted +of these social critics may not always have been capable of tracing, +and doing justice to, the powers which Scott brought to bear upon the +topics which they, not he, had chosen for discussion. In passing from +a gas-lit hall into a room with wax candles, the guests sometimes +complain that they have left splendor for gloom; but let them try by +what sort of light it is most satisfactory to read, write, or +embroider, or consider at leisure under which of the two, either men +or women look their best. + +The strongest, purest, and least observed of all lights, is, however, +daylight; and his talk was commonplace, just as sunshine is, which +gilds the most indifferent objects, and adds brilliancy to the +brightest. As for the old-world anecdotes which these clever persons +were condescending enough to laugh at as pleasant extravagances, +serving merely to relieve and set off the main stream of debate, they +were often enough, it may be guessed, connected with the theme in hand +by links not the less apt that they might be too subtle to catch their +bedazzled and self-satisfied optics. There might be keener knowledge +of human nature than was "dreamt of in their philosophy"--which passed +with them for _commonplace_, only because it was clothed in plain +familiar household words, not dressed up in some pedantic masquerade +of antithesis. "There are people," says Landor, "who think they write +and speak finely, merely because they have forgotten the language in +which their fathers and {p.247} mothers used to talk to them;" and +surely there are a thousand homely old proverbs, which many a dainty +modern would think it beneath his dignity to quote either in speech or +writing, any one of which condenses more wit (take that word in any of +its senses) than could be extracted from all that was ever said or +written by the _doctrinaires_ of the Edinburgh school. Many of those +gentlemen held Scott's conversation to be commonplace exactly for the +same reason that a child thinks a perfectly limpid stream, though +perhaps deep enough to drown it three times over, must needs be +shallow. But it will be easily believed that the best and highest of +their own idols had better means and skill of measurement: I can never +forget the pregnant expression of one of the ablest of that school and +party--Lord Cockburn--who, when some glib youth chanced to echo in his +hearing the consolatory tenet of local mediocrity, answered quietly: +"I have the misfortune to think differently from you--in my humble +opinion, Walter Scott's _sense_ is a still more wonderful thing than +his _genius_." + +Indeed I have no sort of doubt that, long before 1818, full justice +was done to Scott, even in these minor things, by all those of his +Edinburgh acquaintance, whether Whig or Tory, on whose personal +opinion he could have been supposed to set much value. With few +exceptions, the really able lawyers of his own or nearly similar +standing had ere that time attained stations of judicial dignity, or +were in the springtide of practice; and in either case they were +likely to consider general society much in his own fashion, as the +joyous relaxation of life, rather than the theatre of exertion and +display. Their tables were elegantly, some of them sumptuously spread; +and they lived in a pretty constant interchange of entertainments upon +a large scale, in every circumstance of which, conversation included, +it was their ambition to imitate those voluptuous metropolitan +circles, wherein most of them had from time to time mingled, and +several of them {p.248} with distinguished success. Among such +prosperous gentlemen, like himself past the _mezzo cammin_, Scott's +picturesque anecdotes, rich easy humor, and gay involuntary glances of +mother-wit, were, it is not difficult to suppose, appreciated above +contributions of a more ambitious stamp; and no doubt his London +_reputation de salon_ (which had by degrees risen to a high pitch, +although he cared nothing for it) was not without its effect in +Edinburgh. But still the old prejudice lingered on in the general +opinion of the place, especially among the smart praters of _the +Outer-House_, whose glimpses of the social habits of their superiors +were likely to be rare, and their gall-bladders to be more distended +than their purses. + +In truth, it was impossible to listen to Scott's oral narrations, +whether gay or serious, or to the felicitous fun with which he parried +absurdities of all sorts, without discovering better qualities in his +talk than _wit_--and of a higher order; I mean especially a power of +_vivid painting_--the true and primary sense of what is called +_Imagination_. He was like Jaques--though not a "Melancholy Jaques;" +and "moralized" a common topic "into a thousand similitudes." +Shakespeare and the banished Duke would have found him "full of +matter." He disliked mere disquisitions in Edinburgh, and prepared +_impromptus_ in London; and puzzled the promoters of such things +sometimes by placid silence, sometimes by broad merriment. To such men +he seemed _commonplace_--not so to the most dexterous masters in what +was to some of them almost a science; not so to Rose, Hallam, Moore, +or Rogers,--to Ellis, Mackintosh, Croker, or Canning. + +Scott managed to give and receive such great dinners as I have been +alluding to, at least as often as any other private gentleman in +Edinburgh; but he very rarely accompanied his wife and daughters to +the evening assemblies, which commonly ensued under other roofs--for +{p.249} _early to rise_, unless in the case of spare-fed anchorites, +takes for granted _early to bed_. When he had no dinner engagement, he +frequently gave a few hours to the theatre; but still more frequently, +when the weather was fine, and still more, I believe, to his own +satisfaction, he drove out with some of his family, or a single +friend, in an open carriage; the favorite rides being either to the +Blackford Hills, or to Ravelston, and so home by Corstorphine; or to +the beach of Portobello, where Peter was always instructed to keep his +horses as near as possible to the sea. More than once, even in the +first summer of my acquaintance with him, I had the pleasure of +accompanying him on these evening excursions; and never did he seem to +enjoy himself more fully than when placidly surveying, at such sunset +or moonlight hours, either the massive outlines of his "own romantic +town," or the tranquil expanse of its noble estuary. He delighted, +too, in passing, when he could, through some of the quaint windings of +the ancient city itself, now deserted, except at mid-day, by the upper +world. How often have I seen him go a long way round about, rather +than miss the opportunity of halting for a few minutes on the vacant +esplanade of Holyrood, or under the darkest shadows of the Castle +rock, where it overhangs the Grassmarket, and the huge slab that still +marks where the gibbet of Porteous and the Covenanters had its +station. His coachman knew him too well to move at a Jehu's pace +amidst such scenes as these. No funeral hearse crept more leisurely +than did his landau up the Canongate or the Cowgate; and not a queer +tottering gable but recalled to him some long-buried memory of +splendor or bloodshed, which, by a few words, he set before the hearer +in the reality of life. His image is so associated in my mind with the +antiquities of his native place, that I cannot now revisit them +without feeling as if I were treading on his gravestone. + +Whatever might happen on the other evenings of the {p.250} week, he +always dined at home on Sunday, and usually some few friends were then +with him, but never any person with whom he stood on ceremony. These +were, it may be readily supposed, the most agreeable of his +entertainments. He came into the room rubbing his hands, his face +bright and gleesome, like a boy arriving at home for the holidays, his +Peppers and Mustards gambolling about his heels, and even the stately +Maida grinning and wagging his tail in sympathy. Among the most +regular guests on these happy evenings were, in my time, as had long +before been the case, Mrs. Maclean Clephane of Torloisk (with whom he +agreed cordially on all subjects except the authenticity of Ossian), +and her daughters, whose guardian he had become, at their own choice. +The eldest of them had been for some years married to the Earl Compton +(now Marquis of Northampton), and was of course seldom in the north; +but the others had much of the same tastes and accomplishments which +so highly distinguished the late Lady Northampton; and Scott delighted +especially in their proficiency in the poetry and music of their +native isles. Mr. and Mrs. Skene of Rubislaw were frequent +attendants--and so were the Macdonald-Buchanans of Drumakiln, whose +eldest daughter, Isabella, was his chief favorite among all his +_nieces_ of the Clerk's table--as was, among the _nephews_, my own +dear friend and companion, Joseph Hume, a singularly graceful young +man, rich in the promise of hereditary genius, but, alas, cut off in +the early bloom of his days. The well-beloved Erskine was seldom +absent; and very often Terry or James Ballantyne came with +him--sometimes, though less frequently, Constable. Among other persons +who now and then appeared at these "dinners without the silver +dishes," as Scott called them, I may mention--to say nothing of such +old cronies as Mr. Clerk, Mr. Thomson, and Mr. Kirkpatrick Sharpe--Sir +Alexander Boswell of Auchinleck, who had all his father _Bozzy's_ +cleverness, good-humor, {p.251} and joviality, without one touch of +his meaner qualities,--wrote Jenny dang the Weaver, and some other +popular songs, which he sang capitally--and was moreover a thorough +bibliomaniac; the late Sir Alexander Don of Newton, in all courteous +and elegant accomplishments the model of a cavalier; and last, not +least, William Allan, R. A., who had shortly before this time returned +to Scotland from several years of travel in Russia and Turkey. At one +of these plain hearty dinners, however, the company rarely exceeded +three or four, besides the as yet undivided family. + +Scott had a story of a topping goldsmith on the Bridge, who prided +himself on being the mirror of Amphitryons, and accounted for his +success by stating that it was his invariable custom to set his own +stomach at ease, by a beefsteak and a pint of port in his back-shop, +half an hour before the arrival of his guests. But the host of Castle +Street had no occasion to imitate this prudent arrangement, for his +appetite at dinner was neither keen nor nice. Breakfast was his chief +meal. Before that came, he had gone through the severest part of his +day's work, and he then set to with the zeal of Crabbe's Squire +Tovell-- + + "And laid at once a pound upon his plate." + +No fox-hunter ever prepared himself for the field by more substantial +appliances. His table was always provided, in addition to the usually +plentiful delicacies of a Scotch breakfast, with some solid article, +on which he did most lusty execution--a round of beef--a pasty, such +as made Gil Blas's eyes water--or, most welcome of all, a cold sheep's +head, the charms of which primitive dainty he has so gallantly +defended against the disparaging sneers of Dr. Johnson and his +bear-leader.[109] A huge brown loaf flanked his elbow, and it was +placed upon a broad wooden trencher, that he might cut and come again +with the bolder knife. Often did the _Clerks' {p.252} coach_, +commonly called among themselves _the Lively_--which trundled round +every morning to pick up the brotherhood, and then deposited them at +the proper minute in the Parliament Close--often did this lumbering +hackney arrive at his door before he had fully appeased what Homer +calls "the sacred rage of hunger;" and vociferous was the merriment of +the learned _uncles_, when the surprised poet swung forth to join +them, with an extemporized sandwich, that looked like a ploughman's +luncheon, in his hand. But this robust supply would have served him in +fact for the day. He never tasted anything more before dinner, and at +dinner he ate almost as sparingly as Squire Tovell's niece from the +boarding-school,-- + + --"Who cut the sanguine flesh in frustums fine, + And marvelled much to see the creatures dine." + + [Footnote 109: See Croker's _Boswell_ (edit. 1831), vol. + iii p. 38.] + +The only dishes he was at all fond of were the old-fashioned ones to +which he had been accustomed in the days of Saunders Fairford; and +which really are excellent dishes,--such, in truth, as Scotland +borrowed from France before Catherine de' Medici brought in her +Italian _virtuosi_ to revolutionize the kitchen like the court. Of +most of these, I believe, he has in the course of his novels found +some opportunity to record his esteem. But, above all, who can forget +that his King Jamie, amidst the splendors of Whitehall, thinks himself +an ill-used monarch unless his first course includes _cocky-leeky_? + +It is a fact, which some philosophers may think worth setting down, +that Scott's organization, as to more than one of the senses, was the +reverse of exquisite. He had very little of what musicians call an +ear; his smell was hardly more delicate. I have seen him stare about, +quite unconscious of the cause, when his whole company betrayed their +uneasiness at the approach of an overkept haunch of venison; and +neither by the nose nor the palate could he distinguish corked wine +from sound. He could never tell Madeira from sherry,--nay, an Oriental +friend having sent him a butt of _sheeraz_, when he {p.253} +remembered the circumstance some time afterwards, and called for a +bottle to have Sir John Malcolm's opinion of its quality, it turned +out that his butler, mistaking the label, had already served up half +the bin as _sherry_. Port he considered as physic: he never willingly +swallowed more than one glass of it, and was sure to anathematize a +second, if offered, by repeating John Home's epigram:-- + + "Bold and erect the Caledonian stood, + Old was his mutton, and his claret good; + Let him drink port, the English statesman cried-- + He drank the poison, and his spirit died." + +In truth, he liked no wines except sparkling champagne and claret; but +even as to this last he was no connoisseur; and sincerely preferred a +tumbler of whiskey-toddy to the most precious "liquid ruby" that ever +flowed in the cup of a prince. He rarely took any other potation when +quite alone with his family; but at the Sunday board he circulated the +champagne briskly during dinner, and considered a pint of claret each +man's fair share afterwards. I should not omit, however, that his +Bordeaux was uniformly preceded by a small libation of the genuine +_mountain dew_, which he poured with his own hand, _more majorum_, for +each guest--making use for the purpose of such a multifarious +collection of ancient Highland _quaighs_ (little cups of curiously +dovetailed wood, inlaid with silver) as no Lowland sideboard but his +was ever equipped with--but commonly reserving for himself one that +was peculiarly precious in his eyes, as having travelled from +Edinburgh to Derby in the canteen of Prince Charlie. This relic had +been presented to "the wandering Ascanius" by some very careful +follower, for its bottom is of glass, that he who quaffed might keep +his eye the while upon the dirk hand of his companion. + +The sound of music (even, I suspect, of any sacred music but +psalm-singing) would be considered indecorous {p.254} in the streets +of Edinburgh on a Sunday night; so, upon the occasions I am speaking +of, the harp was silent, and Otterburne and The Bonnie House of Airlie +must needs be dispensed with. To make amends, after tea in the +drawing-room, Scott usually read some favorite author for the +amusement of his little circle; or Erskine, Ballantyne, or Terry, did +so, at his request. He himself read aloud high poetry with far greater +simplicity, depth, and effect, than any other man I ever heard; and in +Macbeth or Julius Caesar, or the like, I doubt if Kemble could have +been more impressive. Yet the changes of intonation were so gently +managed, that he contrived to set the different interlocutors clearly +before us, without the least approach to theatrical artifice. Not so +the others I have mentioned; they all read cleverly and agreeably, but +with the decided trickery of stage recitation. To them he usually gave +the book when it was a comedy, or, indeed, any other drama than +Shakespeare's or Joanna Baillie's. Dryden's Fables, Johnson's two +Satires, and certain detached scenes of Beaumont and Fletcher, +especially that in The Lover's Progress, where the ghost of the +musical innkeeper makes his appearance, were frequently selected. Of +the poets, his contemporaries, however, there was not one that did not +come in for his part. In Wordsworth, his pet pieces were, I think, the +Song for Brougham Castle, the Laodamia, and some of the early sonnets; +in Southey, Queen Orraca, Fernando Ramirez, the Lines on the Holly +Tree--and, of his larger poems, the Thalaba. Crabbe was perhaps, next +to Shakespeare, the standing resource; but in those days Byron was +pouring out his spirit fresh and full: and, if a new piece from his +hand had appeared, it was sure to be read by Scott the Sunday evening +afterwards, and that with such delighted emphasis as showed how +completely the elder bard had kept all his enthusiasm for poetry at +the pitch of youth, all his admiration of genius, free, pure, and +unstained by the least drop of literary {p.255} jealousy. Rare and +beautiful example of a happily constituted and virtuously disciplined +mind and character! + +Very often something read aloud by himself or his friends suggested +an old story of greater compass than would have suited a +dinner-table--and he told it, whether serious or comical, or, as more +frequently happened, part of both, exactly in every respect in the +tone and style of the notes and illustrations to his novels. A great +number of his best oral narratives have, indeed, been preserved in +those parting lucubrations; and not a few in his letters. Yet very +many there were of which his pen has left no record--so many, that, +were I to task my memory, I could, I believe, recall the outlines at +least of more than would be sufficient to occupy a couple of these +volumes. Possibly, though well aware how little justice I could do to +such things, rather than think of their perishing forever, and leaving +not even a shadow behind, I may at some future day hazard the attempt. + +Let me turn, meanwhile, to some dinner-tables very different from his +own, at which, from this time forward, I often met Scott. It is very +true of the societies I am about to describe, that he was "among them, +not of them;" and it is also most true that this fact was apparent in +all the demeanor of his bibliopolical and typographical allies towards +him whenever he visited them under their roofs--not a bit less so than +when they were received at his own board; but still, considering how +closely his most important worldly affairs were connected with the +personal character of the Ballantynes, I think it a part, though +neither a proud nor a very pleasing part, of my duty as his +biographer, to record my reminiscences of them and their doings in +some detail. + +James Ballantyne then lived in St. John Street, a row of good, +old-fashioned, and spacious houses, adjoining the Canongate and +Holyrood, and at no great distance from his printing establishment. He +had married a few {p.256} years before the daughter of a wealthy +farmer in Berwickshire--a quiet, amiable woman, of simple manners, and +perfectly domestic habits: a group of fine young children were growing +up about him; and he usually, if not constantly, had under his roof +his aged mother, his and his wife's tender care of whom it was most +pleasing to witness. As far as a stranger might judge, there could not +be a more exemplary household, or a happier one; and I have +occasionally met the poet in St. John Street when there were no other +guests but Erskine, Terry, George Hogarth,[110] and another intimate +friend or two, and when James Ballantyne was content to appear in his +own true and best colors, the kind head of his family, the respectful +but honest schoolfellow of Scott, the easy landlord of a plain, +comfortable table. But when any great event was about to take place in +the business, especially on the eve of a new novel, there were doings +of a higher strain in St. John Street; and to be present at one of +those scenes was truly a rich treat, even--if not especially--for +persons who, like myself, had no more _knowledge_ than the rest of the +world as to the authorship of Waverley. Then were congregated about +the printer all his own literary allies, of whom a considerable number +were by no means personally familiar with "THE GREAT UNKNOWN:"--who, +by the way, owed to him that widely adopted title;--and He +appeared among the rest with his usual open aspect of buoyant +good-humor--although it was not difficult to trace, in the occasional +play of his features, the diversion it afforded him to watch all the +procedure of his swelling confidant, and the curious neophytes that +surrounded the well-spread board. + + [Footnote 110: George Hogarth, Esq., W. S., brother of + Mrs. James Ballantyne. This gentleman is now well known + in the literary world; especially by a History of Music, + of which all who understand that science speak highly. + [He was the father-in-law of Charles Dickens, and for + many years a musical and dramatic critic in London.]] + +The feast was, to use one of James's own favorite epithets, {p.257} +_gorgeous_; an aldermanic display of turtle and venison, with the +suitable accompaniments of iced punch, potent ale, and generous +Madeira. When the cloth was drawn, the burly preses arose, with all he +could muster of the port of John Kemble, and spouted with a sonorous +voice the formula of Macbeth:-- + + "Fill full! + I drink to the general joy of the whole table!" + +This was followed by "The King, God bless him!" and second +came--"Gentlemen, there is another toast which never has been nor +shall be omitted in this house of mine--I give you the health of Mr. +Walter Scott with three times three!" All honor having been done to +this health, and Scott having briefly thanked the company with some +expressions of warm affection to their host, Mrs. Ballantyne retired; +the bottles passed round twice or thrice in the usual way; and then +James rose once more, every vein on his brow distended, his eyes +solemnly fixed upon vacancy, to propose, not as before in his +stentorian key, but with "'bated breath," in the sort of whisper by +which a stage conspirator thrills the gallery,--"_Gentlemen, a bumper +to the immortal Author of Waverley!_" The uproar of cheering, in which +Scott made a fashion of joining, was succeeded by deep silence, and +then Ballantyne proceeded-- + + "In his Lord Burleigh look, serene and serious, + A something of imposing and mysterious"-- + +to lament the obscurity in which his illustrious but too modest +correspondent still chose to conceal himself from the plaudits of the +world, to thank the company for the manner in which the _nominis +umbra_ had been received, and to assure them that the Author of +Waverley would, when informed of the circumstance, feel highly +delighted--"the proudest hour of his life," etc., etc. The cool, +demure fun of Scott's features during all this mummery was perfect; +and Erskine's attempt at a gay _nonchalance_ was still more +ludicrously meritorious. Aldiborontiphoscophornio, {p.258} however, +bursting as he was, knew too well to allow the new novel to be made +the subject of discussion. Its name was announced, and success to it +crowned another cup; but after that, no more of Jedediah. To cut the +thread, he rolled out unbidden some one of his many theatrical songs, +in a style that would have done no dishonor to almost any +orchestra--The Maid of Lodi--or perhaps, The Bay of Biscay, O!--or The +Sweet Little Cherub that Sits up Aloft. Other toasts followed, +interspersed with ditties from other performers;--old George Thomson, +the friend of Burns, was ready, for one, with The Moorland Wedding, or +Willie Brew'd a Peck o' Maut;--and so it went on, until Scott and +Erskine, with any clerical or very staid personage that had chanced to +be admitted, saw fit to withdraw. Then the scene was changed. The +claret and olives made way for broiled bones and a mighty bowl of +punch; and when a few glasses of the hot beverage had restored his +powers, James opened _ore rotundo_ on the merits of the forthcoming +romance. "One chapter, one chapter only," was the cry. After "_Nay, +by'r Lady, nay!_" and a few more coy shifts, the proof sheets were at +length produced, and James, with many a prefatory hem, read aloud what +he considered as the most striking dialogue they contained. + +The first I heard so read was the interview between Jeanie Deans, the +Duke of Argyle, and Queen Caroline, in Richmond Park; and +notwithstanding some spice of the pompous tricks to which he was +addicted, I must say he did the inimitable scene great justice. At all +events, the effect it produced was deep and memorable, and no wonder +that the exulting typographer's _one bumper more to Jedediah +Cleishbotham_ preceded his parting stave, which was uniformly The Last +Words of Marmion, executed certainly with no contemptible rivalry of +Braham. + +What a different affair was a dinner, although probably including many +of the same guests, at the junior partner's! He in those days +retained, I think, no private {p.259} apartments attached to his +auction-rooms in Hanover Street, over the door of which he still kept +emblazoned "John Ballantyne and Company, Booksellers." At any rate, +such of his entertainments as I ever saw Scott partake of, were given +at his villa near to the Frith of Forth, by Trinity;--a retreat which +the little man had named "Harmony Hall," and invested with an air of +dainty voluptuous finery, contrasting strikingly enough with the +substantial citizen-like snugness of his elder brother's domestic +appointments. His house was surrounded by gardens so contrived as to +seem of considerable extent, having many a shady tuft, trellised +alley, and mysterious alcove, interspersed among their bright +parterres. It was a fairy-like labyrinth, and there was no want of +pretty Armidas, such as they might be, to glide half-seen among its +mazes. The sitting-rooms opened upon gay and perfumed conservatories, +and John's professional excursions to Paris and Brussels in quest of +objects of _virtu_, had supplied both the temptation and the means to +set forth the interior in a fashion that might have satisfied the most +fastidious _petite maitresse_ of Norwood or St. Denis. John, too, was +a married man: he had, however, erected for himself a private wing, +the accesses to which, whether from the main building or the +_bosquet_, were so narrow that it was physically impossible for the +handsome and portly lady who bore his name to force her person through +any one of them. His dinners were in all respects Parisian, for his +wasted palate disdained such John Bull luxuries as were all in all +with James. The piquant pasty of Strasburg or Perigord was never to +seek; and even the _piece de resistance_ was probably a boar's head +from Coblentz, or a turkey ready stuffed with truffles from the Palais +Royal. The pictures scattered among John's innumerable mirrors were +chiefly of theatrical subjects--many of them portraits of beautiful +actresses--the same Peg Woffingtons, Bellamys, Kitty Clives, and so +forth, that {p.260} found their way in the sequel to Charles +Mathews's gallery at Highgate. Here that exquisite comedian's own +mimicries and parodies were the life and soul of many a festival, and +here, too, he gathered from his facetious host not a few of the +richest materials for his _at homes_ and _monopolylogues_. But, +indeed, whatever actor or singer of eminence visited Edinburgh, of the +evenings when he did not perform several were sure to be reserved for +Trinity. Here Braham quavered, and here Liston drolled his best--here +Johnstone, and Murray, and Yates mixed jest and stave--here Kean +revelled and rioted--and here the Roman Kemble often played the Greek +from sunset to dawn. Nor did the popular _cantatrice_ or _danseuse_ of +the time disdain to freshen her roses, after a laborious week, amidst +these Paphian arbors of Harmony Hall. + +Johnny had other tastes that were equally expensive. He had a +well-furnished stable, and followed the foxhounds whenever the cover +was within an easy distance. His horses were all called after heroes +in Scott's poems or novels; and at this time he usually rode up to his +auction on a tall milk-white hunter, yclept _Old Mortality_, attended +by a leash or two of greyhounds,--Die Vernon, Jenny Dennison, and so +forth, by name. The featherweight himself appeared uniformly, +hammer-in-hand, in the half-dress of some sporting club--a light gray +frock, with emblems of the chase on its silver buttons, white cord +breeches, and jockey-boots in Meltonian order. Yet he affected in the +pulpit rather a grave address; and was really one of the most +plausible and imposing of the Puff tribe. Probably Scott's presence +overawed his ludicrous propensities; for the poet was, when sales were +going on, almost a daily attendant in Hanover Street, and himself not +the least energetic of the numerous competitors for Johnny's uncut +_fifteeners_, Venetian lamps, Milanese cuirasses, and old Dutch +cabinets. Maida, by the way, was so well aware of his master's +{p.261} habits, that about the time when the Court of Session was +likely to break up for the day, he might usually be seen couched in +expectation among Johnny's own _tail_ of greyhounds at the threshold +of the mart. + +It was at one of those Trinity dinners this summer that I first saw +Constable. Being struck with his appearance, I asked Scott who he was, +and he told me--expressing some surprise that anybody should have +lived a winter or two in Edinburgh without knowing, by sight at least, +a citizen whose name was so familiar to the world. I happened to say +that I had not been prepared to find the great bookseller a man of +such gentlemanlike and even distinguished bearing. Scott smiled, and +answered, "Ay, Constable is indeed a grand-looking chield. He puts me +in mind of Fielding's apology for Lady Booby--to wit, that Joseph +Andrews had an air which, to those who had not seen many noblemen, +would give an idea of nobility." I had not in those days been much +initiated in the private jokes of what is called, by way of +excellence, _the trade_, and was puzzled when Scott, in the course of +the dinner, said to Constable, "Will your Czarish Majesty do me the +honor to take a glass of champagne?" I asked the master of the feast +for an explanation. "Oh!" said he, "are you so green as not to know +that Constable long since dubbed himself _The Czar of Muscovy_, John +Murray, _The Emperor of the West_, and Longman and his string of +partners _The Divan_?" "And what title," I asked, "has Mr. John +Ballantyne himself found in this new _almanach imperial_?"--"Let that +flee stick to the wa'," quoth Johnny: "When I set up for a bookseller, +The Crafty christened me _The Dey of Alljeers_--but he now considers +me as next thing to dethroned." He added, "His Majesty the autocrat is +too fond of these nicknames. One day a partner of the house of Longman +was dining with him in the country, to settle an important piece of +business, about which there occurred a good deal of difficulty. 'What +fine {p.262} swans you have in your pond there!' said the Londoner, +by way of parenthesis.--'Swans!' cried Constable; 'they are only +geese, man. There are just five of them, if you please to observe, and +their names are Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown.' This skit cost +The Crafty a good bargain." + +It always appeared to me that James Ballantyne felt his genius rebuked +in the presence of Constable: his manner was constrained, his smile +servile, his hilarity elaborate. Not so with Johnny: the little fellow +never seemed more airily frolicsome than when he capered for the +amusement of the Czar.[111] I never, however, saw those two together, +where, I am told, the humors of them both were exhibited to the +richest advantage--I mean at the dinners with which Constable regaled, +among others, his own circle of literary serfs, and when "Jocund +Johnny" was very commonly his croupier. There are stories enough of +practical jokes upon such occasions, some of them near akin to those +which the author of Humphrey Clinker has thought fit to record of his +own suburban villa, in the most diverting of young Melford's letters +to Sir Watkin Philips. I have heard, for example, a luculent +description of poor _Allister Campbell_, and another drudge of the +same class, running a race after dinner for a new pair of breeches, +which Mr. David Bridges, tailor in ordinary to this northern +potentate,--himself a wit, a virtuoso, and the croupier on that day in +lieu of Rigdum,--had been instructed to bring with him, and display +before the threadbare rivals. But I had these pictures from John +Ballantyne, and I dare say they might be overcharged. That Constable +was a most bountiful and generous patron to the ragged tenants of Grub +Street, there can, however, be no doubt: and as {p.263} little that +John himself acted on all occasions by them in the same spirit, and +this to an extent greatly beyond what prudence (if he had ever +consulted that guide in anything) would have dictated. + + [Footnote 111: "Now, John," cried Constable, one evening + after he had told one of his best stories, "now, John, + is that true?" His object evidently was, in Iago's + phrase, _to let down the pegs_; but Rigdum answered + gayly, "True, indeed! Not one word of it!--any blockhead + may stick to truth, my hearty--but 't is a sad hamperer + of genius."] + +When I visited Constable, as I often did at a period somewhat later +than that of which I now speak, and for the most part in company with +Scott, I found the bookseller established in a respectable country +gentleman's seat, some six or seven miles out of Edinburgh, and doing +the honors of it with all the ease that might have been looked for had +he been the long-descended owner of the place; there was no foppery, +no show, no idle luxury, but to all appearance the plain abundance and +simple enjoyment of hereditary wealth. His conversation was manly and +vigorous, abounding in Scotch anecdotes of the old time, which he told +with a degree of spirit and humor only second to his great author's. +No man could more effectually control, when he had a mind, either the +extravagant vanity which, on too many occasions, made him ridiculous, +or the despotic temper, which habitually held in fear and trembling +all such as were in any sort dependent on his Czarish Majesty's +pleasure. In him I never saw (at this period) anything but the +unobtrusive sense and the calm courtesy of a well-bred gentleman. His +very equipage kept up the series of contrasts between him and the two +Ballantynes. Constable went back and forward between the town and +Polton in a deep-hung and capacious green barouche, without any +pretence at heraldic blazonry, drawn by a pair of sleek, black, +long-tailed horses, and conducted by a grave old coachman in plain +blue livery. The Printer of the Canongate drove himself and his wife +about the streets and suburbs in a snug machine, which did not +overburthen one powerful and steady cob; while the gay auctioneer, +whenever he left the saddle for the box, mounted a bright +blue dogcart, and rattled down the Newhaven road with two +high-mettled steeds, prancing _tandem_ before him, and {p.264} most +probably--especially if he was on his way to the races at +Musselburgh--with some "sweet singer of Israel" flaming, with all her +feathers, beside him. On such occasions, by the bye, Johnny sometimes +had a French horn with him, and he played on it with good skill, and +with an energy by no means prudent in the state of his lungs. + +The Sheriff told with peculiar unction the following anecdote of this +spark. The first time he went over to pick up curiosities at Paris, it +happened that he met, in the course of his traffickings, a certain +brother bookseller of Edinburgh, as unlike him as one man could well +be to another--a grave, dry Presbyterian, rigid in all his notions as +the buckle of his wig. This precise worthy having ascertained John's +address, went to call on him, a day or two afterwards, with the news +of some richly illuminated missal, which he might possibly be glad to +make prize of. On asking for his friend, a smiling _laquais de place_ +informed him that _Monsieur_ had gone out, but that _Madame_ was at +home. Not doubting that Mrs. Ballantyne had accompanied her husband on +his trip, he desired to pay his respects to _Madame_, and was ushered +in accordingly. "But oh, Mr. Scott!" said, or rather groaned, the +austere elder, on his return from this modern Babylon, "oh, Mr. Scott, +there was nae Mrs. John yonder, but a painted Jezebel sittin' up in +her bed, wi' a wheen impudent French limmers like hersel', and twa or +three whiskered blackguards, takin' their collation o' knickknacks and +champagne wine! I ran out o' the house as if I had been shot. What +judgment will this wicked warld come to! The Lord pity us!" Scott was +a severe enough censor in the general of such levities, but somehow, +in the case of Rigdumfunnidos, he seemed to regard them with much the +same toleration as the naughty tricks of a monkey in the "Jardin des +Plantes." + +Why did Scott persist in mixing up all his most important {p.265} +concerns with such people as I have been describing? I asked himself +that question too unceremoniously at a long subsequent period, and in +due time the reader shall see the answer I received; but it left the +main question, to my apprehension, as much in the dark as ever. I +shall return to the sad subject hereafter more seriously; but in the +mean time let it suffice to say, that he was the most patient, +long-suffering, affectionate, and charitable of mankind; that in the +case of both the Ballantynes he could count, after all, on a +sincerely, nay, a passionately devoted attachment to his person; that, +with the greatest of human beings, use is in all but unconquerable +power; and that he who so loftily tossed aside the seemingly most +dangerous assaults of flattery, the blandishment of dames, the +condescension of princes, the enthusiasm of crowds--had still his weak +point, upon which two or three humble besiegers, and one unwearied, +though most frivolous underminer, well knew how to direct their +approaches. It was a favorite saw of his own, that the wisest of our +race often reserve the average stock of folly to be all expended upon +some one flagrant absurdity. + + + + +{p.266} CHAPTER XLII. + + Publication of the Heart of Mid-Lothian. -- Its Reception in + Edinburgh and in England. -- Abbotsford in October. -- + Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh, etc. -- Lion-hunters from America. + -- Tragedy of the Cherokee Lovers. -- Scott's Dinner to the + Selkirkshire Yeomen. + +1818. + + +Hoping to be forgiven for a long digression, the biographer willingly +returns to the thread of Scott's story. The Heart of Mid-Lothian +appeared, as has been mentioned, before the close of June, 1818, and +among the letters which he received soon afterwards from the friends +by this time in the secret, there is one which (though I do not +venture to name the writer) I am tempted to take the liberty of +quoting:[112]-- + + [Footnote 112: [This letter was written August 11, by + Lady Louisa Stuart, and it appears in its original and + complete form in _Familiar Letters_, vol. ii. p. 18. To + the end of her long life, the writer was somewhat + influenced by the feeling prevailing in her youth as to + the loss of caste suffered by women of good social + position who appeared in print. Writing to Mrs. Lockhart + after her father's death, and enclosing some of his + letters, Lady Louisa says: "If Mr. Lockhart wishes to + insert any of these, I will beg not to be named. It is + not that I am not proud enough of having been honored + with _his_ regard, but I never yet saw my name in print, + and hope I never shall." Mr. Lockhart evidently in part + overcame this objection.]] + + "Now for it, dear Mr. Scott. I can speak to the purpose, as + I have not only read it myself, but am in a house where + everybody is tearing it out of each other's hands, and + talking of nothing else. So much for its success--the more + flattering, because it overcomes a prejudice. People were + beginning to say the author would wear himself out; it was + going on too {p.267} long in the same key, and no striking + notes could possibly be produced. On the contrary, I think + the interest is stronger here than in any of the former + ones--(always excepting my first-love Waverley)--and one may + congratulate you upon having effected what many have tried + to do, and nobody yet succeeded in, making the perfectly + good character the most interesting. Of late days, + especially since it has been the fashion to write moral and + even religious novels, one might almost say of some of the + wise good heroines, what a lively girl once said to [me] of + her well-meaning aunt--'Upon my word she is enough to make + anybody wicked.' And though beauty and talents are heaped on + the right side, the writer, in spite of himself, is sure to + put agreeableness on the wrong; the person from whose errors + he means you should take warning, runs away with your secret + partiality in the mean time. Had this very story been + conducted by a common hand, Effie would have attracted all + our concern and sympathy--Jeanie only cold approbation. + Whereas Jeanie, without youth, beauty, genius, warm + passions, or any other novel-perfection, is here our object + from beginning to end. This is 'inlisting the affections in + the cause of virtue' ten times more than ever Richardson + did; for whose male and female pedants, all-excelling as + they are, I never could care half so much as I found myself + inclined to do for Jeanie before I finished the first + volume.... + + "You know I tell you my opinion just as I should do to a + third person, and I trust the freedom is not unwelcome. I + was a little tired of your Edinburgh lawyers in the + introduction; English people in general will be more so, as + well as impatient of the passages alluding to Scotch law + throughout. Mr. Saddletree will not entertain them. The + latter part of the fourth volume unavoidably flags to a + certain degree; after Jeanie is happily settled at + Roseneath, we have no more to wish for. But the chief fault + I have to find relates to the reappearance and shocking fate + of the boy. I hear on all sides, 'Oh, I do not like that!' I + cannot say what I would have had instead; but I do not like + it either; it is a lame, huddled conclusion. I know you so + well in it, by the bye!--you grow tired yourself, want to + get rid of the story, and hardly care how. Sir George + Staunton finishes his career very fitly; he ought not to die + in his bed, and for Jeanie's sake one would not have him + hanged. {p.268} It is unnatural, though, that he should + ever have gone within twenty miles of the Tolbooth, or shown + his face in the streets of Edinburgh, or dined at a public + meeting, if the Lord Commissioner had been his brother. Here + ends my _per contra_ account. The opposite page would make + my letter too long if I entered equally into particulars. + Carlisle and Corby Castles in Waverley did not affect me + more deeply than the prison and trial scenes. The end of + poor Madge Wildfire is also most pathetic. The meeting at + Muschat's Cairn tremendous. Dumbiedikes and Rory Bean are + delightful. And I shall own that my prejudices were secretly + gratified by the light in which you place [Uncle] John of + Argyle, whom Mr. Coxe so ran down to please Lord Orford. You + have drawn him to the very life. I heard so much of him in + my youth, so many anecdotes, so often 'as the Duke of Argyle + used to say'--that I really believe I am almost as good a + judge as if I had seen and lived with him.... [My beloved + mother] has told me, that when she married, [in 1737, the + very time], he was still remarkably handsome; with manners + more graceful and engaging than she ever saw in any one + else; the most agreeable person in conversation, the best + teller of a story. When fifty-seven thus captivates + eighteen, the natural powers of pleasing must be + extraordinary. You have likewise colored Queen Caroline + exactly right--but I was bred up in another creed about Lady + Suffolk, of whom, as a very old deaf woman, I have some + faint recollection. [My mother] knew her intimately, and + never would allow she had been the King's mistress, though + she owned it was currently believed. She said he had just + enough liking for her to make the Queen very civil to her, + and very jealous and spiteful; the rest remained always + uncertain at most, like a similar scandal in our days, where + I, for one, imagine love of seeming influence on one side, + and love of lounging, of an easy house and a good dinner on + the other, to be all the criminal passions concerned. + However, I confess, [my mother] had that in herself which + made her not ready to think the worst of her fellow-women. + + "Did you ever hear the history of John, Duke of Argyle's + marriage, and constant attachment, before and after, to a + woman not handsomer or much more elegant than Jeanie Deans, + though very unlike her in understanding? I can give it you, + if you {p.269} wish it, for it is at my fingers' ends. [I + was so much the youngest of a numerous family that I had no + playfellow, and for that reason listened with all my ears to + the grown people's conversation, most especially when my + mother and the friends of her youth got upon old stories; + nor did I lose my taste for them when I grew old enough to + converse with her on equal terms, and enquire into + particulars.] Now I am [an] ancient [tabby] myself, I should + be a great treasure of anecdote to anybody who had the same + humor,--but I meet with few who have. They read vulgar tales + in books, Wraxall, and so forth, what the footmen and maids + only gave credit to at the moment, but they desire no + farther information. I dare swear many of your readers never + heard of the Duke of Argyle before. 'Pray, who was Sir + Robert Walpole,' they ask me, 'and when did he live?'--or + perhaps--'Was not the great Lord Chatham in Queen Anne's + days?'[113] + + [Footnote 113: In 1827, Lady Louisa wrote for Caroline, + Lady Scott, a great-granddaughter of the duke, _Some + Account of John, Duke of Argyle, and his Family_. This + delightful memoir was first printed (privately) in 1863. + It was published in 1899, in _Selections from the + Manuscripts of Lady Louisa Stuart_.] + + "[Amongst the persons most pleased here is Lady Charlotte + Lindsay. She has the true North humor, and love of humor, + and she does enjoy it heartily. They] have, to help [them], + an exemplification on two legs in [their] country + apothecary, whom you have painted over and over without the + honor of knowing him; an old, dry, arguing, prosing, + obstinate Scotchman, very shrewd, rather sarcastic, a sturdy + Whig and Presbyterian, _tirant un peu sur le democrate_. + Your books are birdlime to him, however; he hovers about the + house to obtain a volume when others have done with it. I + long to ask him whether Douce Davie was any way _sib_ to + him. He acknowledges he would not _now_ go to Muschat's + Cairn at night for any money--he had such a horror of it + 'sixty years ago' when a laddie. But I am come to the end of + my fourth page, and will not tire you with any more + scribbling.... + + "P. S.--If I had known nothing, and the whole world had told + me the contrary, I should have found you out in that one + parenthesis,--'for the man was mortal, and had been a + schoolmaster.'" + +{p.270} This letter was addressed from a great country house in the +south[114]; and may, I presume, be accepted as a fair index of the +instantaneous English popularity of Jeanie Deans. From the choice of +localities, and the splendid blazoning of tragical circumstances that +had left the strongest impression on the memory and imagination of +every inhabitant, the reception of this tale in Edinburgh was a scene +of all-engrossing enthusiasm, such as I never witnessed there on the +appearance of any other literary novelty. But the admiration and +delight were the same all over Scotland. Never before had he seized +such really noble features of the national character as were canonized +in the person of his homely heroine: no art had ever devised a happier +running contrast than that of her and her sister, or interwoven a +portraiture of lowly manners and simple virtues, with more graceful +delineations of polished life, or with bolder shadows of terror, +guilt, crime, remorse, madness, and all the agony of the passions. + + [Footnote 114: [Sheffield Place, the seat of Lord + Sheffield, the friend and editor of Gibbon.]] + +In the introduction and notes to The Heart of Mid-Lothian, drawn up in +1830, we are presented with details concerning the suggestion of the +main plot, and the chief historical incidents made use of, to which I +can add nothing of any moment. + +The 12th of July restored the author as usual to the supervision of +his trees and carpenters; but he had already told the Ballantynes that +the story which he had found it impossible to include in the recent +series of Jedediah should be forthwith taken up as the opening one of +a third; and instructed John to embrace the first favorable +opportunity of offering Constable the publication of this, on the +footing of 10,000 copies again forming the first edition; but now at +length without any more stipulations connected with the unfortunate +"old stock" of the Hanover Street Company. + +{p.271} Before he settled himself to his work, however, he made a +little tour of the favorite description with his wife and +children--halting for a few days at Drumlanrig, thence crossing the +Border to Carlisle and Rokeby, and returning by way of Alnwick. On the +17th August he writes thus to John Ballantyne from Drumlanrig: "This +is heavenly weather, and I am making the most of it, as I shall have a +laborious autumn before me. I may say of my head and fingers as the +farmer of his mare, when he indulged her with an extra feed,-- + + 'Ye ken that Maggie winna sleep + For that or Simmer.' + +We have taken our own horses with us, and I have my pony, and ride +when I find it convenient." + + * * * * * + +The following seems to have been among the first letters he wrote +after his return:-- + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., ROKEBY. + + ABBOTSFORD, 10th September, 1818. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--We have been cruising to and fro since we + left your land of woods and streams. Lord Melville wished me + to come and stay two days with him at Melville Castle, which + has broken in upon my time a little, and interrupted my + purpose of telling you as how we arrived safe at Abbotsford, + without a drop of rain, thus completing a tour of three + weeks in the same fine weather in which we commenced it--a + thing which never fell to my lot before. Captain Ferguson is + inducted into the office of Keeper of the Regalia, to the + great joy, I think, of all Edinburgh. He has entered upon a + farm (of eleven acres) in consequence of this advancement, + for you know it is a general rule, that whenever a Scotsman + gets his head _above water_, he immediately turns it to + _land_. As he has already taken all the advice of all the + _notables_ in and about the good village of Darnick, we + expect to see his farm look like a tailor's {p.272} book of + patterns, a snip of every several opinion which he has + received occupying its appropriate corner. He is truly what + the French call _un drole de corps_. + + I wish you would allow your coachman to look out for me + among your neighbors a couple of young colts (rising three + would be the best age) that would match for a carriage some + two years hence. I have plenty of grass for them in the mean + while, and should never know the expense of their keep at + Abbotsford. He seemed to think he could pick them up at from + L25 to L30, which would make an immense saving hereafter. + Peter Matheson and he had arranged some sort of plan of this + kind. For a pair of very ordinary carriage-horses in + Edinburgh they ask L140 or more; so it is worth while to be + a little provident. Even then you only get one good horse, + the other being usually a brute. Pray you excuse all this + palaver,-- + + "These little things are great to little men." + + Our harvest is almost all in, but as farmers always grumble + about something, they are now growling about the lightness + of the crop. All the young part of our household are wrapt + up in uncertainty concerning the Queen's illness--for--if + her Majesty parts cable, there will be no Forest Ball, and + that is a terrible prospect. On Wednesday (when no post + arrives from London) Lord Melville chanced to receive a + letter with a black seal by express, and as it was of course + argued to contain the expected intelligence of poor + Charlotte, it sold a good many ells of black cloth and + stuffs before it was ascertained to contain no such + information. Surely this came within the line of high + treason, being an imagining of the Queen's death. + + Ever yours truly, + + Walter SCOTT. + + P. S.--Once more _anent_ the colts. I am indifferent about + color; but, _caeteris paribus_, would prefer black or brown, + to bright bay or gray. I mention two off--as {p.273} the + age at which they can be best judged of by the buyer. + +Of the same date I find written in pencil, on what must have been the +envelope of some sheriff's-process, this note, addressed to Mr. +Charles Erskine, the Sheriff-Substitute of Selkirkshire:-- + + September 10, 1818. + + DEAR CHARLES,--I have read these papers with all attention + this morning--but think you will agree with me that there + must be an Eke to the Condescendence. Order the Eke against + next day.--Tom leaves with this packet a blackcock, and + (more's the pity) a gray hen. Yours, + + W. S. + +And again he thus writes by post to James Ballantyne: + + ABBOTSFORD, September 10, 1818. + + DEAR JAMES,--I am quite satisfied with what has been done as + to the London bills. I am glad the presses move. I have been + interrupted sadly since my return by tourist gazers. This + day a confounded pair of Cambridge boys have robbed me of + two good hours, and you of a sheet of copy--though whether a + good sheet or no, deponent saith not. The story is a dismal + one, and I doubt sometimes whether it will bear working out + to much length after all. Query, if I shall make it so + effective in two volumes as my mother does in her quarter of + an hour's crack by the fireside? But _nil desperandum_. You + shall have a bunch to-morrow or next day--and when the + proofs come in, my pen must and shall step out. By the bye, + I want a supply of pens--and ditto of ink. Adieu for the + present, for I must go over to Toftfield, to give orders + _anent_ the dam and the footpath, and see _item_ as to what + should be done _anent_ steps at the Rhymer's Waterfall, + which I think may be made to turn out a decent bit of a + linn, as would set True Thomas his worth and dignity. Ever + yours, + + W. S. + +{p.274} It must, I think, be allowed that these careless scraps, when +combined, give a curious picture of the man who was brooding over the +first chapters of The Bride of Lammermoor. One of his visitors of that +month was Mr. R. Cadell, who was of course in all the secrets of the +house of Constable; and observing how his host was harassed with +lion-hunters, and what a number of hours he spent daily in the company +of his work-people, he expressed, during one of their walks, his +wonder that Scott should ever be able to write books at all while in +the country. "I know," he said, "that you contrive to get a few hours +in your own room, and that may do for the mere pen-work; but when is +it that you think?" "Oh," said Scott, "I lie _simmering_ over things +for an hour or so before I get up--and there's the time I am dressing +to overhaul my half-sleeping, half-waking _projet de chapitre_--and +when I get the paper before me, it commonly runs off pretty +easily.--Besides, I often take a doze in the plantations, and while +Tom marks out a dyke or a drain as I have directed, one's fancy may be +running its ain riggs in some other world." + +It was in the month following that I first saw Abbotsford. He invited +my friend John Wilson (now Professor of Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh) +and myself to visit him for a day or two on our return from an +excursion to Mr. Wilson's beautiful villa on the Lake of Windermere, +but named the particular day (October 8) on which it would be most +convenient for him to receive us; and we discovered on our arrival +that he had fixed it from a good-natured motive. We found him walking +in one of his plantations, at no great distance from the house, with +five or six young people, and his friends Lord Melville and Captain +Ferguson. Having presented us to the First Lord of the Admiralty, he +fell back a little and said, "I am glad you came to-day, for I thought +it might be of use to you both, some time or other, to be known to my +old schoolfellow here, who is, and I hope {p.275} will long continue +to be, the great giver of good things in the Parliament House. I trust +you have had enough of certain pranks with your friend Ebony, and if +so, Lord Melville will have too much sense to remember them."[115] We +then walked round the plantation, as yet in a very young state, and +came back to the house by a formidable work which he was constructing +for the defence of his _haugh_ against the wintry violences of the +Tweed; and he discoursed for some time with keen interest upon the +comparative merits of different methods of embankment, but stopped now +and then to give us the advantage of any point of view in which his +new building on the eminence above pleased his eye. It had a fantastic +appearance--being but a fragment of the existing edifice--and not at +all harmonizing in its outline with "Mother Retford's" original +tenement to the eastward. Scott, however, expatiated _con amore_ on +the rapidity with which, being chiefly of darkish granite, it was +assuming a "time-honored" aspect. Ferguson, with a grave and +respectful look, observed, "Yes, it really has much the air of some +old fastness hard by the river Jordan." This allusion to the Chaldee +MS., already quoted, in the manufacture of which Ferguson fancied +Wilson and myself to have had a share, gave rise to a burst of +laughter among Scott's merry young folks and their companions, while +he himself drew in his nether lip, and rebuked the Captain with +"Toots, Adam! toots, Adam!" He then returned to his embankment, and +described how a former one had been entirely swept away in one night's +flood. But the Captain was ready with another verse of the Chaldee +MS., and groaned out, by way of echo, "Verily my fine gold hath +perished!" Whereupon the "Great Magician" elevated his huge oaken +staff as if to {p.276} lay it on the waggish soldier's back--but +flourished it gayly over his own head, and laughed louder than the +youngest of the company. As we walked and talked, the Pepper and +Mustard terriers kept snuffing about among the bushes and heather near +us, and started every five minutes a hare, which scudded away before +them and the ponderous staghound Maida--the Sheriff and all his tail +hollowing and cheering, in perfect confidence that the dogs could do +no more harm to poor puss than the venerable tom-cat, Hinse of +Hinsfeldt, who pursued the vain chase with the rest. + + [Footnote 115: _Ebony_ was Mr. Blackwood's own usual + designation in the _jeux d'esprit_ of his young + Magazine, in many of which the persons thus addressed by + Scott were conjoint culprits. They both were then, as + may be inferred, sweeping the boards of the Parliament + House as "briefless barristers."] + +At length we drew near _Peterhouse_, and found sober Peter himself, +and his brother-in-law, the facetious factotum Tom Purdie, +superintending, pipe in mouth, three or four sturdy laborers busy in +laying down the turf for a bowling-green. "I have planted hollies all +round it, you see," said Scott, "and laid out an arbor on the +right-hand side for the laird; and here I mean to have a game at bowls +after dinner every day in fine weather--for I take that to have been +among the indispensables of our old _vie de chateau_." But I must not +forget the reason he gave me some time afterwards for having fixed on +that spot for his bowling-green. "In truth," he then said, "I wished +to have a smooth walk, and a canny seat for myself within ear-shot of +Peter's evening psalm." The coachman was a devout Presbyterian, and +many a time have I in after-years accompanied Scott on his evening +stroll, when the principal object was to enjoy, from the +bowling-green, the unfailing melody of this good man's family +worship--and heard him repeat, as Peter's manly voice led the humble +choir within, that beautiful stanza of Burns's Saturday Night:-- + + "They chaunt their artless notes in simple guise; + They tune their hearts, by far the noblest aim," etc. + +It was near the dinner-hour before we reached the house, and presently +I saw assembled a larger company than I should have fancied to be at +all compatible with {p.277} the existing accommodations of the place; +but it turned out that Captain Ferguson, and the friends whom I have +not as yet mentioned, were to find quarters elsewhere for the night. +His younger brother, Captain John Ferguson of the Royal Navy (a +favorite lieutenant of Lord Nelson's), had come over from Huntly Burn; +there were present, also, Mr. Scott of Gala, whose residence is within +an easy distance; Sir Henry Hay Macdougal of Mackerstoun, an old +baronet, with gay, lively, and highly polished manners, related in the +same degree to both Gala and the Sheriff; Sir Alexander Don, the +member for Roxburghshire, whose elegant social qualities have been +alluded to in the preceding chapter; and Dr. Scott of Darnlee, a +modest and intelligent gentleman, who having realized a fortune in the +East India Company's medical service, had settled within two or three +miles of Abbotsford, and, though no longer practising his profession, +had kindly employed all the resources of his skill in the endeavor to +counteract his neighbor's recent liability to attacks of cramp. Our +host and one or two others appeared, as was in those days a common +fashion with country gentlemen, in the lieutenancy uniform of their +county. How fourteen or fifteen people contrived to be seated in the +then dining-room of Abbotsford I know not--for it seemed quite full +enough when it contained only eight or ten; but so it was--nor, as Sir +Harry Macdougal's fat valet, warned by former experience, did not join +the train of attendants, was there any perceptible difficulty in the +detail of the arrangements. Everything about the dinner was, as +the phrase runs, in excellent style; and in particular the _potage +a la Meg Merrilies_, announced as an attempt to imitate a device +of the Duke of Buccleuch's celebrated cook,--by name Monsieur +Florence,--seemed, to those at least who were better acquainted with +the Kaim of Derncleugh than with the _cuisine_ of Bowhill,[116] a very +laudable specimen of the art. {p.278} The champagne circulated +nimbly--and I never was present at a gayer dinner. It had advanced a +little beyond the soup when it received an accompaniment which would +not, perhaps, have improved the satisfaction of southern guests, had +any such been present. A tall and stalwart bagpiper, in complete +Highland costume, appeared pacing to and fro on the green before the +house, and the window being open, it seemed as if he might as well +have been straining his lungs within the parlor. At a pause of his +strenuous performance, Scott took occasion to explain that _John of +Skye_ was a recent acquisition to the rising hamlet of Abbotstown; +that the man was a capital hedger and ditcher, and only figured with +the pipe and philabeg on high occasions in the after-part of the day; +"but indeed," he added, laughing, "I fear John will soon be +discovering that the hook and mattock are unfavorable to his chanter +hand." When the cloth was drawn, and the never-failing salver of +_quaighs_ introduced, John of Skye, upon some well-known signal, +entered the room, but _en militaire_, without removing his bonnet, and +taking his station behind the landlord, received from his hand the +largest of the Celtic bickers brimful of Glenlivet. The man saluted +the company in his own dialect, tipped off the contents (probably a +quarter of an English pint of raw aqua vitae) at a gulp, wheeled about +as solemnly as if the whole ceremony had been a movement on parade, +and forthwith recommenced his pibrochs and gatherings, which continued +until long after the ladies had left the table, and the autumnal moon +was streaming in upon us so brightly as to dim the candles. + + [Footnote 116: I understand that this now celebrated + soup was _extemporized_ by M. Florence on Scott's first + visit to Bowhill after the publication of _Guy + Mannering_. Florence had _served_--and Scott having on + some sporting party made his personal acquaintance, he + used often afterwards to gratify the poet's military + propensities by sending up magnificent representations + in pastry, of citadels taken by the Emperor, etc.] + +I had never before seen Scott in such buoyant spirits as he showed +this evening--and I never saw him in {p.279} higher afterwards; and +no wonder, for this was the first time that he, Lord Melville, and +Adam Ferguson, daily companions at the High School of Edinburgh, and +partners in many joyous scenes of the early volunteer period, had met +since the commencement of what I may call the serious part of any of +their lives. The great poet and novelist was receiving them under his +own roof, when his fame was at its _acme_, and his fortune seemed +culminating to about a corresponding height--and the generous +exuberance of his hilarity might have overflowed without moving the +spleen of a Cynic. Old stories of _the Yards_ and _the Cross-causeway_ +were relieved by sketches of real warfare, such as none but Ferguson +(or Charles Mathews, had he been a soldier) could ever have given; and +they toasted the memory of _Green-breeks_ and the health of _the Beau_ +with equal devotion. + +When we rose from table, Scott proposed that we should all ascend his +western turret, to enjoy a moonlight view of the valley. The younger +part of his company were too happy to do so: some of the seniors, who +had tried the thing before, found pretexts for hanging back. The +stairs were dark, narrow, and steep; but the Sheriff piloted the way, +and at length there were as many on the top as it could well afford +footing for. Nothing could be more lovely than the panorama; all the +harsher and more naked features being lost in the delicious moonlight; +the Tweed and the Gala winding and sparkling beneath our feet; and the +distant ruins of Melrose appearing, as if carved of alabaster, under +the black mass of the Eildons. The poet, leaning on his battlement, +seemed to hang over the beautiful vision as if he had never seen it +before. "If I live," he exclaimed, "I will build me a higher tower, +with a more spacious platform, and a staircase better fitted for an +old fellow's scrambling." The piper was heard re-tuning his instrument +below, and he called to him for Lochaber no More. John of Skye obeyed, +and as the music rose, softened by {p.280} the distance, Scott +repeated in a low key the melancholy words of the song of exile. + +On descending from the tower, the whole company were assembled in the +new dining-room, which was still under the hands of the carpenters, +but had been brilliantly illuminated for the occasion. Mr. Bruce took +his station, and old and young danced reels to his melodious +accompaniment until they were weary, while Scott and the Dominie +looked on with gladsome faces, and beat time now and then, the one +with his staff, the other with his wooden leg. A tray with mulled wine +and whiskey punch was then introduced, and Lord Melville proposed a +bumper, with all the honors, to the _Roof-tree_. Captain Ferguson +having sung Johnnie Cope, called on the young ladies for Kenmure's On +and Awa'; and our host then insisted that the whole party should join, +standing in a circle hand-in-hand _more majorum_, in the hearty chorus +of + + "Weel may we a' be, + Ill may we never see, + God bless the king and the gude companie!" + +--which being duly performed, all dispersed. Such was _the handsel_ +(for Scott protested against its being considered as _the +house-heating_) of the new Abbotsford. + +When I began this chapter, I thought it would be a short one, but it +is surprising how, when one digs into his memory, the smallest details +of a scene that was interesting at the time, shall by degrees come to +light again. I now recall, as if I had seen and heard them yesterday, +the looks and words of eighteen years ago. Awakening between six and +seven next morning, I heard Scott's voice close to me, and looking out +of the little latticed window of the then detached cottage called _the +chapel_, saw him and Tom Purdie pacing together on the green before +the door, in earnest deliberation over what seemed to be a rude daub +of a drawing; and every time they approached my end of their parade, I +was sure to {p.281} catch the words _Blue Bank_. It turned out in the +course of the day, that a field of clay near Toftfield went by this +name, and that the draining of it was one of the chief operations then +in hand. My friend Wilson meanwhile, who lodged also in the chapel, +tapped at my door, and asked me to rise and take a walk with him by +the river, for he had some angling project in his head. He went out +and joined in the consultation about the Blue Bank, while I was +dressing; presently Scott hailed me at the casement, and said he had +observed a volume of a new edition of Goethe on my table--would I lend +it him for a little? He carried off the volume accordingly, and +retreated with it to his den. It contained the Faust, and, I believe, +in a more complete shape than he had before seen that masterpiece of +his old favorite. When we met at breakfast, a couple of hours after, +he was full of the poem--dwelt with enthusiasm on the airy beauty of +its lyrics, the terrible pathos of the scene before the _Mater +Dolorosa_, and the deep skill shown in the various subtle shadings of +character between Mephistopheles and poor Margaret. He remarked, +however, of the Introduction (which I suspect was new to him), that +blood would out--that, consummate artist as he was, Goethe was a +German, and that nobody but a German would ever have provoked a +comparison with the Book of Job, "the grandest poem that ever was +written." He added, that he suspected the end of the story had been +left _in obscuro_, from despair to match the closing scene of our own +Marlowe's Doctor Faustus. Mr. Wilson mentioned a report that Coleridge +was engaged on a translation of the Faust. "I hope it is so," said +Scott; "Coleridge made Schiller's Wallenstein far finer than he found +it, and so he will do by this. No man has all the resources of poetry +in such profusion, but he cannot manage them so as to bring out +anything of his own on a large scale at all worthy of his genius. He +is like a lump of coal rich with gas, which lies expending itself in +puffs and {p.282} gleams, unless some shrewd body will clap it into a +cast-iron box, and compel the compressed element to do itself justice. +His fancy and diction would have long ago placed him above all his +contemporaries, had they been under the direction of a sound judgment +and a steady will.[117] I don't now expect a great original poem from +Coleridge, but he might easily make a sort of fame for himself as a +poetical translator,--that would be a thing completely unique and _sui +generis_." + + [Footnote 117: In the Introduction to _The Lay of the + Last Minstrel_, 1830, Sir Walter says: "Were I ever to + take the unbecoming freedom of censuring a man of Mr. + Coleridge's extraordinary talents, it would be on + account of the caprice and indolence with which he has + thrown from him, as in mere wantonness, those unfinished + scraps of poetry, which, like the Torso of antiquity, + defy the skill of his poetical brethren to complete + them. The charming fragments which the author abandons + to their fate are surely too valuable to be treated like + the proofs of careless engravers, the sweepings of whose + studios often make the fortune of some painstaking + collector." And in a note to _The Abbot_, alluding to + Coleridge's beautiful and tantalizing fragment of + _Christabel_, he adds: "Has not our own imaginative poet + cause to fear that future ages will desire to summon him + from his place of rest, as Milton longed + + 'To call up him who left half told + The story of Cambuscan bold'?"] + +While this criticism proceeded, Scott was cutting away at his brown +loaf and a plate of kippered salmon, in a style which strongly +reminded me of Dandie Dinmont's luncheon at Mump's Hall; nor was his +German topic at all the predominant one. On the contrary, the +sentences which have dwelt on my memory dropt from him now and then, +in the pauses, as it were, of his main talk;--for though he could not +help recurring, ever and anon, to the subject, it would have been +quite out of his way to make any literary matter the chief theme of +his conversation, when there was a single person present who was not +likely to feel much interested in its discussion.--How often have I +heard him quote on such occasions Mr. Vellum's advice to the butler in +Addison's excellent play of The Drummer: "Your conjuror, John, is +indeed a twofold personage--but he _eats and drinks like other +people_!" + +{p.283} I may, however, take this opportunity of observing, that +nothing could have been more absurdly unfounded than the statement +which I have seen repeated in various sketches of his Life and +Manners, that he habitually abstained from conversation on literary +topics. In point of fact, there were no topics on which he talked more +openly or more earnestly; but he, when in society, lived and talked +for the persons with whom he found himself surrounded, and if he did +not always choose to enlarge upon the subjects which his companions +for the time suggested, it was simply because he thought or fancied +that these had selected, out of deference or flattery, subjects about +which they really cared little more than they knew. I have already +repeated, over and again, my conviction that Scott considered +literature, _per se_, as a thing of far inferior importance to the +high concerns of political or practical life; but it would be too +ridiculous to question that literature nevertheless engrossed, at all +times and seasons, the greater part of his own interest and +reflection: nor can it be doubted that his general preference of the +society of men engaged in the active business of the world, rather +than that of, so-called, literary people, was grounded substantially +on his feeling that literature, worthy of the name, was more likely to +be fed and nourished by the converse of the former than by that of the +latter class. + +Before breakfast was over, the post-bag arrived, and its contents were +so numerous, that Lord Melville asked Scott what election was on +hand--not doubting that there must be some very particular reason for +such a shoal of letters. He answered that it was much the same most +days, and added, "though no one has kinder friends in the franking +line, and though Freeling and Croker especially are always ready to +stretch the point of privilege in my favor, I am nevertheless a fair +contributor to the revenue, for I think my bill for letters seldom +comes under L150 a year; and as to coach-parcels, they {p.284} are a +perfect ruination." He then told with high merriment a disaster that +had lately befallen him. "One morning last spring," he said, "I opened +a huge lump of a despatch, without looking how it was addressed, never +doubting that it had travelled under some omnipotent frank like the +First Lord of the Admiralty's, when, lo and behold, the contents +proved to be a MS. play, by a young lady of New York, who kindly +requested me to read and correct it, equip it with prologue and +epilogue, procure for it a favorable reception from the manager of +Drury Lane, and make Murray or Constable bleed handsomely for the +copyright; and on inspecting the cover, I found that I had been +charged five pounds odd for the postage. This was bad enough--but +there was no help, so I groaned and submitted. A fortnight or so +after, another packet, of not less formidable bulk, arrived, and I was +absent enough to break its seal, too, without examination. Conceive my +horror when out jumped the same identical tragedy of The Cherokee +Lovers, with a second epistle from the authoress, stating that, as the +winds had been boisterous, she feared the vessel entrusted with her +former communication might have foundered, and therefore judged it +prudent to forward a duplicate." + +Scott said he must retire to answer his letters, but that the sociable +and the ponies would be at the door by one o'clock, when he proposed +to show Melrose and Dryburgh to Lady Melville and any of the rest of +the party that chose to accompany them; adding that his son Walter +would lead anybody who preferred a gun to the likeliest place for a +blackcock, and that Charlie Purdie (Tom's brother) would attend upon +Mr. Wilson, and whoever else chose to try a cast of the salmon-rod. He +withdrew when all this was arranged, and appeared at the time +appointed, with perhaps a dozen letters sealed for the post, and a +coach-parcel addressed to James Ballantyne, which he dropt at the +turnpike-gate as we drove to Melrose. Seeing it picked up by a dirty +urchin, and carried {p.285} into a hedge pot-house, where +half-a-dozen nondescript wayfarers were smoking and tippling, I could +not but wonder that it had not been the fate of some one of those +innumerable packets to fall into unscrupulous hands, and betray the +grand secret. That very morning we had seen two post-chaises drawn up +at his gate, and the enthusiastic travellers, seemingly decent +tradesmen and their families, who must have been packed in a manner +worthy of Mrs. Gilpin, lounging about to catch a glimpse of him at his +going forth. But it was impossible in those days to pass between +Melrose and Abbotsford without encountering some odd figure, armed +with a sketch-book, evidently bent on a peep at the Great Unknown; and +it must be allowed that many of these pedestrians looked as if they +might have thought it very excusable to make prize, by hook or by +crook, of a MS. chapter of the Tales of my Landlord. + +Scott showed us the ruins of Melrose in detail; and as we proceeded to +Dryburgh, descanted learnedly and sagaciously on the good effects +which must have attended the erection of so many great monastic +establishments in a district so peculiarly exposed to the inroads of +the English in the days of the Border wars. "They were now and then +violated," he said, "as their aspect to this hour bears witness; but +for once that they suffered, any lay property similarly situated must +have been _harried_ a dozen times. The bold Dacres, Liddells, and +Howards, that could get easy absolution at York or Durham for any +ordinary breach of a truce with the Scots, would have had _to dree a +heavy dole_ had they confessed plundering from the fat brothers, of +the same order perhaps, whose lines had fallen to them on the wrong +side of the Cheviot." He enlarged, too, on the heavy penalty which the +Crown of Scotland had paid for its rash acquiescence in the wholesale +robbery of the Church at the Reformation. "The proportion of the soil +in the hands of the clergy had," he said, "been very great--too great +to be {p.286} continued. If we may judge by their share in the public +burdens, they must have had nearly a third of the land in their +possession. But this vast wealth was now distributed among a turbulent +nobility, too powerful before; and the Stuarts soon found, that in the +bishops and lord abbots they had lost the only means of balancing +their factions, so as to turn the scale in favor of law and order; and +by and by the haughty barons themselves, who had scrambled for the +worldly spoil of the church, found that the spiritual influence had +been concentrated in hands as haughty as their own, and connected with +no feelings likely to buttress their order any more than the Crown--a +new and sterner monkery, under a different name, and essentially +plebeian. Presently the Scotch were on the verge of republicanism, in +state as well as kirk, and I have sometimes thought it was only the +accession of King Jamie to the throne of England that could have given +monarchy a chance of prolonging its existence here." One of his +friends asked what he supposed might have been the annual revenue of +the abbey of Melrose in its best day. He answered that he suspected, +if all the sources of their income were now in clever hands, the +produce could hardly be under L100,000 a year; and added: "Making +every allowance for modern improvements, there can be no question that +the sixty brothers of Melrose divided a princely rental. The superiors +were often men of very high birth, and the great majority of the rest +were younger brothers of gentlemen's families. I fancy they may have +been, on the whole, pretty near akin to your Fellows of All +Souls--who, according to their statute, must be _bene nati, bene +vestiti, et mediocriter docti_. They had a good house in Edinburgh, +where, no doubt, my lord abbot and his chaplains maintained a +hospitable table during the sittings of Parliament." Some one +regretted that we had no lively picture of the enormous revolution in +manners that must have followed the downfall of the ancient Church in +{p.287} Scotland. He observed that there were, he fancied, materials +enough for constructing such a one, but that they were mostly +scattered in records--"of which," said he, "who knows anything to the +purpose except Tom Thomson and John Riddell? It is common to laugh at +such researches, but they pay the good brains that meddle with +them;--and had Thomson been as diligent in setting down his +discoveries as he has been in making them, he might, long before this +time of day, have placed himself on a level with Ducange or Camden. +The change in the country-side," he continued, "must indeed have been +terrific; but it does not seem to have been felt very severely by a +certain Boniface of St. Andrews, for when somebody asked him, on the +subsidence of the storm, what he thought of all that had +occurred,--'Why,' answered mine host, 'it comes to this, that the +moder_au_tor sits in my meikle chair, where the dean sat before, and +in place of calling for the third stoup of Bordeaux, bids Jenny bring +ben anither bowl of toddy.'" + +At Dryburgh, Scott pointed out to us the sepulchral aisle of his +Haliburton ancestors, and said he hoped, in God's appointed time, to +lay his bones among their dust. The spot was, even then, a +sufficiently interesting and impressive one; but I shall not say more +of it at present. + +On returning to Abbotsford, we found Mrs. Scott and her daughters +doing penance under the merciless curiosity of a couple of tourists +who had arrived from Selkirk soon after we set out for Melrose. They +were rich specimens--tall, lanky young men, both of them rigged out in +new jackets and trousers of the Macgregor tartan; the one, as they had +revealed, being a lawyer, the other a Unitarian preacher, from New +England. These gentlemen, when told on their arrival that Mr. Scott +was not at home, had shown such signs of impatience, that the servant +took it for granted they must have serious business, and asked if they +would wish to speak a word with his {p.288} lady. They grasped at +this, and so conducted themselves in the interview, that Mrs. Scott +never doubted they had brought letters of introduction to her husband, +and invited them accordingly to partake of her luncheon. They had been +walking about the house and grounds with her and her daughters ever +since that time, and appeared at the porch, when the Sheriff and his +party returned to dinner, as if they had been already fairly enrolled +on his visiting list. For the moment, he too was taken in--he fancied +that his wife must have received and opened their credentials--and +shook hands with them with courteous cordiality. But Mrs. Scott, with +all her overflowing good-nature, was a sharp observer; and she, before +a minute had elapsed, interrupted the ecstatic compliments of the +strangers, by reminding them that her husband would be glad to have +the letters of the friends who had been so good as to write by them. +It then turned out that there were no letters to be produced--and +Scott, signifying that his hour for dinner approached, added, that as +he supposed they meant to walk to Melrose, he could not trespass +further on their time. The two lion-hunters seemed quite unprepared +for this abrupt escape. But there was about Scott, in perfection, when +he chose to exert it, the power of civil repulsion; he bowed the +overwhelmed originals to his door, and on reentering the parlor, found +Mrs. Scott complaining very indignantly that they had gone so far as +to pull out their note-book, and beg an exact account, not only of his +age--but of her own. Scott, already half relenting, laughed heartily +at this misery. He observed, however, that, "if he were to take in all +the world, he had better put up a sign-post at once,-- + + 'Porter, ale, and British spirits, + Painted bright between twa trees;'[118] + +and that no traveller of respectability could ever be at a loss for +such an introduction as would insure his best {p.289} hospitality." +Still he was not quite pleased with what had happened--and as we were +about to pass, half an hour afterwards, from the drawing-room to the +dining-room, he said to his wife, "Hang the Yahoos, Charlotte--but we +should have bid them stay dinner." "Devil a bit," quoth Captain John +Ferguson, who had again come over from Huntly Burn, and had been +latterly assisting the lady to amuse her Americans, "Devil a bit, my +dear,--they were quite in a mistake, I could see. The one asked Madame +whether she deigned to call her new house Tully-Veolan or +Tillietudlem; and the other, when Maida happened to lay his nose +against the window, exclaimed _pro-di-gi-ous_! In short, they +evidently meant all their humbug not for you, but for the culprit of +Waverley, and the rest of that there rubbish." "Well, well, Skipper," +was the reply, "for a' that, the loons would hae been nane the waur o' +their kail." + + [Footnote 118: Macneill's _Will and Jean_.] + +From this banter it may be inferred that the younger Ferguson had not +as yet been told the Waverley secret--which to any of that house could +never have been any mystery. Probably this, or some similar occasion +soon afterwards, led to his formal initiation; for during the many +subsequent years that the veil was kept on, I used to admire the tact +with which, when in their topmost high-jinks humor, both "Captain +John" and "The Auld Captain" eschewed any the most distant allusion to +the affair. + +And this reminds me, that at the period of which I am writing, none of +Scott's own family, except of course his wife, had the advantage in +that matter of the Skipper. Some of them, too, were apt, like him, so +long as no regular confidence had been reposed in them, to avail +themselves of the author's reserve for their own sport among friends. +Thus one morning, just as Scott was opening the door of the parlor, +the rest of the party being already seated at the breakfast-table, the +Dominie was in the act of helping himself to an egg, marked with +{p.290} a peculiar hieroglyphic by Mrs. Thomas Purdie, upon which +Anne Scott, then a lively rattling girl of sixteen, lisped out, +"That's a mysterious-looking egg, Mr. Thomson--what if it should have +been meant for _the Great Unknown_?" Ere the Dominie could reply, her +father advanced to the foot of the table, and having seated himself +and deposited his stick on the carpet beside him, with a sort of +whispered whistle--"What's that Lady Anne's[119] saying?" quoth he; "I +thought it had been well known that the _keelavined_ egg must be a +soft one for _the Sherra_." And so he took his egg, and while all +smiled in silence, poor Anne said gayly, in the midst of her blushes, +"Upon my word, papa, I thought Mr. John Ballantyne might have been +expected." This allusion to Johnny's glory in being considered as the +accredited representative of Jedediah Cleishbotham produced a +laugh,--at which the Sheriff frowned--and then laughed too. + + [Footnote 119: When playing, in childhood, with the + young ladies of the Buccleuch family, she had been + overheard saying to her namesake Lady Anne Scott, "Well, + I do wish I were Lady Anne too--it is so much prettier + than Miss;" thenceforth she was commonly addressed in + the family by the coveted title.] + +I remember nothing particular about our second day's dinner, except +that it was then I first met my dear and honored friend William +Laidlaw. The evening passed rather more quietly than the preceding +one. Instead of the dance in the new dining-room, we had a succession +of old ballads sung to the harp and guitar by the young ladies of the +house; and Scott, when they seemed to have done enough, found some +reason for taking down a volume of Crabbe, and read us one of his +favorite tales,-- + + "Grave Jonas Kindred, Sibyl Kindred's sire, + Was six feet high, and looked six inches higher," etc. + +But jollity revived in full vigor when the supper-tray was introduced; +and to cap all merriment, Captain Ferguson dismissed us with The Laird +of Cockpen. Lord and Lady Melville were to return to Melville Castle +next {p.291} morning, and Mr. Wilson and I happened to mention that +we were engaged to dine and sleep at the seat of my friend and +relation, Mr. Pringle of Torwoodlee, on our way to Edinburgh. Scott +immediately said that he would send word in the morning to the Laird, +that he and Adam Ferguson meant to accompany us--such being the +unceremonious style in which country neighbors in Scotland visit each +other. Next day, accordingly, we all rode over together to Mr. +Pringle's beautiful seat--the "distant Torwoodlee" of The Lay of the +Last Minstrel, but distant not above five or six miles from +Abbotsford--coursing hares as we proceeded, but inspecting the +antiquities of the _Catrail_ to the interruption of our sport. We had +another joyous evening at Torwoodlee. Scott and Ferguson returned home +at night, and the morning after, as Wilson and I mounted for +Edinburgh, our kind old host, his sides still sore with laughter, +remarked that "the Sheriff and the Captain together were too much for +any company." + +There was much talk between the Sheriff and Mr. Pringle about the +Selkirkshire Yeomanry Cavalry, of which the latter had been the +original commandant. Young Walter Scott had been for a year or more +Cornet in the corps, and his father was consulting Torwoodlee about an +entertainment which he meant to give them on his son's approaching +birthday. It was then that the new dining-room was to be first +_heated_ in good earnest; and Scott very kindly pressed Wilson and +myself, at parting, to return for the occasion--which, however, we +found it impossible to do. The reader must therefore be satisfied with +what is said about it in one of the following letters:-- + + TO J. B. S. MORRITT, ESQ., M. P., ROKEBY. + + ABBOTSFORD, 5th November, 1818. + + MY DEAR MORRITT,--Many thanks for your kind letter of 29th + October. The matter of the colts being as {p.292} you + state, I shall let it lie over until next year, and then + avail myself of your being in the neighborhood to get a good + pair of four-year-olds, since it would be unnecessary to buy + them a year younger, and incur all the risks of disease and + accident, unless they could have been had at a proportional + under-value. + + * * * * * * leaves us this morning after a visit of about a + week. He improves on acquaintance, and especially seems so + pleased with everything, that it would be very hard to + quarrel with him. Certainly, as the Frenchman said, _il a un + grand talent pour le silence_. I take the opportunity of his + servant going direct to Rokeby to charge him with this + letter, and a plaid which my daughters entreat you to accept + of as a token of their _warm_ good wishes. Seriously you + will find it a good bosom friend in an easterly wind, a + black frost, or when your country avocations lead you to + face a _dry wap of snow_. I find it by far the lightest and + most comfortable integument which I can use upon such + occasions. + + We had a grand jollification here last week;--the whole + troop of Forest Yeomanry dining with us. I assure you the + scene was gay and even grand, with glittering sabres, waving + standards, and screaming bagpipes; and that it might not + lack spectators of taste, who should arrive in the midst of + the hurricane, but Lord and Lady Compton, whose presence + gave a great zest to the whole affair. Everything went off + very well, and as cavalry have the great advantage over + infantry, that their _legs_ never get drunk, they retired in + decent disorder about ten o'clock. I was glad to see Lord + and Lady Compton so very comfortable, and surrounded with so + fine a family, the natural bond of mutual regard and + affection. She has got very jolly, but otherwise has + improved on her travels. I had a long chat with her, and was + happy to find her quite contented and pleased with the lot + she has drawn in life. It is a brilliant one in many + respects, to be sure; but still I have seen the story of the + poor {p.293} woman, who, after all rational subjects of + distress had been successively remedied, tormented herself + about the screaming of a neighbor's peacock--I say, I have + seen this so often realized in actual life, that I am more + afraid of my friends making themselves uncomfortable, who + have only imaginary evils to indulge, than I am for the + peace of those who, battling magnanimously with real + inconvenience and danger, find a remedy in the very force of + the exertions to which their lot compels them. + + I sympathize with you for the _dole_ which you are _dreeing_ + under the inflictions of your honest proser. Of all the + boring machines ever devised, your regular and determined + story-teller is the most peremptory and powerful in his + operations. This is a rainy day, and my present infliction + is an idle cousin, a great amateur of the pipes, who is + performing incessantly in the next room for the benefit of a + probationary minstrel, whose pipes scream _a la distance_, + as the young hoarse cock-chicken imitates the gallant and + triumphant screech of a veteran Sir Chanticleer. Yours + affectionately, + + W. SCOTT. + + + + +{p.295} APPENDIX + + +THE DURHAM GARLAND + +IN THREE PARTS + +[The following is the _Garland_ referred to at pages 4 and 26, in +connection with the novel of Guy Mannering. The ballad was taken down +from the recitation of Mrs. Young of Castle-Douglas, who, as her +family informed Mr. Train, had long been in the habit of repeating it +over to them once in the year, in order that it might not escape from +her memory.] + + +PART I + + 1 + + A worthy Lord of birth and state, + Who did in Durham live of late-- + But I will not declare his name, + By reason of his birth and fame. + + 2 + + This Lord he did a-hunting go; + If you the truth of all would know, + He had indeed a noble train, + Of Lords and Knights and Gentlemen. + + 3 + + This noble Lord he left the train + Of Lords and Knights and Gentlemen; + And hearing not the horn to blow, + He could not tell which way to go. + + 4 + + But he did wander to and fro, + Being weary, likewise full of woe: + At last Dame Fortune was so kind + That he the Keeper's house did find. + + {p.296} 5 + + He went and knocked at the door, + He thought it was so late an hour. + The Forester did let him in, + And kindly entertained him. + + 6 + + About the middle of the night, + When as the stars did shine most bright, + This Lord was in a sad surprise, + Being wakened by a fearful noise. + + 7 + + Then he did rise and call with speed, + To know the reason then indeed, + Of all that shrieking and those cries + Which did disturb his weary eyes. + + 8 + + "I'm sorry, Sir," the Keeper said, + "That you should be so much afraid; + But I do hope all will be well, + For my wife she is in travail." + + 9 + + The noble Lord was learned and wise, + To know the Planets in the skies. + He saw one evil Planet reign, + He called the Forester again. + + 10 + + He gave him then to understand, + He'd have the Midwife hold her hand; + But he was answered by the maid, + "My Mistress is delivered." + + 11 + + At one o'clock that very morn, + A lovely infant there was born; + It was indeed a charming boy, + Which brought the man and wife much joy. + + 12 + + The Lord was generous, kind, and free, + And proffered Godfather to be; + The Goodman thanked him heartily + For his goodwill and courtesy. + + {p.297} 13 + + A parson was sent for with speed, + For to baptize the child indeed; + And after that, as I heard say, + In mirth and joy they spent the day. + + 14 + + This Lord did noble presents give, + Which all the servants did receive. + They prayed God to enrich his store, + For they never had so much before. + + 15 + + And likewise to the child he gave + A present noble, rich, and brave; + It was a charming cabinet, + That was with pearls and jewels set. + + 16 + + And within it was a chain of gold, + Would dazzle eyes for to behold; + A richer gift, as I may say, + Was not beheld this many a day. + + 17 + + He charged his father faithfully, + That he himself would keep the key, + Until the child could write and read-- + And then to give him it indeed;-- + + 18 + + "Pray do not open it at all + Whatever should on you befall; + For it may do my godson good, + If it be rightly understood." + + 19 + + This Lord did not declare his name, + Nor yet the place from whence he came, + But secretly he did depart, + And left them grieved to the heart. + + +PART II + + 1 + + The second part I now unfold, + As true a story as e'er was told, + {p.298} Concerning of a lovely child, + Who was obedient, sweet, and mild. + + 2 + + This child did take his learning so, + If you the truth of all would know, + At eleven years of age indeed, + Both Greek and Latin he could read. + + 3 + + Then thinking of his cabinet, + That was with pearls and jewels set, + He asked his father for the key, + Which he gave him right speedily; + + 4 + + And when he did the same unlock, + He was with great amazement struck + When he the riches did behold, + And likewise saw the chain of gold. + + 5 + + But searching farther he did find + A paper which disturbed his mind, + That was within the cabinet, + In Greek and Latin it was writ. + + 6 + + _My child, serve God that is on high, + And pray to him incessantly; + Obey your parents, love your king, + That nothing may your conscience sting._ + + 7 + + _At seven years hence your fate will be, + You must be hanged upon a tree; + Then pray to God both night and day, + To let that hour pass away._ + + 8 + + When he these woeful lines did read, + He with a sigh did say indeed, + "If hanging be my destiny, + My parents shall not see me die; + + 9 + + "For I will wander to and fro, + I'll go where I no one do know; + But first I'll ask my parents' leave, + In hopes their blessing to receive." + + {p.299} 10 + + Then locking up his cabinet, + He went from his own chamber straight + Unto his only parents dear, + Beseeching them with many a tear + + 11 + + That they would grant what he would have-- + "But first your blessing I do crave, + And beg you'll let me go away, + 'T will do me good another day." + + 12 + + * * * * * + * * * * * + "And if I live I will return, + When seven years are past and gone." + + 13 + + Both man and wife did then reply, + "I fear, my son, that we shall die; + If we should yield to let you go, + Our aged hearts would break with woe." + + 14 + + But he entreated eagerly, + While they were forced to comply, + And give consent to let him go, + But where, alas! they did not know. + + 15 + + In the third part you soon shall find, + That fortune was to him most kind, + And after many dangers past, + He came to Durham at the last. + + +PART III + + 1 + + He went by chance, as I heard say, + To that same house that very day + In which his Godfather did dwell; + But mind what luck to him befell-- + + 2 + + This child did crave a service there, + On which came out his Godfather, + {p.300} And seeing him a pretty youth, + He took him for his Page in truth. + + 3 + + Then in this place he pleased so well, + That 'bove the rest he bore the bell; + This child so well the Lord did please, + He raised him higher by degrees. + + 4 + + He made him Butler sure indeed, + And then his Steward with all speed, + Which made the other servants spite, + And envy him both day and night. + + 5 + + He was never false unto his trust, + But proved ever true and just; + And to the Lord did hourly pray + To guide him still both night and day. + + 6 + + In this place, plainly it appears, + He lived the space of seven years; + His parents then he thought upon, + And of his promise to return. + + 7 + + Then humbly of his Lord did crave, + That he his free consent might have + To go and see his parents dear, + He had not seen this many a year. + + 8 + + Then having leave, away he went, + Not dreaming of the false intent + That was contrived against him then + By wicked, false, deceitful men. + + 9 + + They had in his portmanteau put + This noble Lord's fine golden cup; + That when the Lord at dinner was, + The cup was missed as come to pass. + + 10 + + "Where can it be?" this Lord did say, + "We had it here but yesterday." + {p.301} The Butler then replied with speed, + "If you will hear the truth indeed. + + 11 + + "Your darling Steward which is gone, + With feathered nest away is flown; + I'll warrant you he has that, and more + That doth belong unto your store." + + 12 + + "No," says this Lord, "that cannot be, + For I have tried his honesty;" + "Then," said the Cook, "my Lord, I die + Upon a tree full ten feet high." + + 13 + + Then hearing what these men did say, + He sent a messenger that day, + To take him with a hue and cry, + And bring him back immediately. + + 14 + + They searched his portmanteau with speed, + In which they found the cup indeed; + Then was he struck with sad surprise, + He could not well believe his eyes. + + 15 + + The assizes then were drawing nigh, + And he was tried and doomed to die; + And his injured innocence + Could nothing say in his defense. + + 16 + + But going to the Gallows tree, + On which he thought to hanged be + He clapped his hands upon his breast, + And thus in tears these words exprest:-- + + 17 + + "Blind Fortune will be Fortune still, + I see, let man do what he will; + For though this day I needs must die, + I am not guilty--no, not I." + + 18 + + This noble Lord was in amaze, + He stood and did with wonder gaze; + {p.302} Then he spoke out with words so mild,-- + "What mean you by that saying, Child?" + + 19 + + "Will that your Lordship," then said he, + "Grant one day's full reprieve for me, + A dismal story I'll relate, + Concerning of my wretched fate." + + 20 + + "Speak up, my Child," this Lord did say, + "I say you shall not die this day-- + And if I find you innocent, + I'll crown your days with sweet content." + + 21 + + He told him all his dangers past, + He had gone through from first to last, + He fetched the chain and cabinet, + Likewise the paper that was writ. + + 22 + + When that this noble Lord did see, + He ran to him most eagerly, + And in his arms did him embrace, + Repeating of those words in haste.-- + + 23 + + "My Child, my Child, how blessed am I + Thou art innocent, and shalt not die; + For I'm indeed thy Godfather, + And thou wast born in fair Yorkshire. + + 24 + + "I have indeed one daughter dear, + Which is indeed my only heir; + And I will give her unto thee, + And crown you with felicity." + + 25 + + So then the Butler and the Cook + ('Twas them that stole the golden cup) + Confessed their faults immediately, + And for it died deservedly. + + 26 + + This goodly youth, as I do hear, + Thus raised, sent for his parents dear, + Who did rejoice their Child to see-- + And so I end my Tragedy. + + + + +{p.303} NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF JAMES ANNESLEY. + +(See NOTE, p. 26.) + + +"Lord and Lady Altham, of Dunmain, in the county of Wexford, had been +for many years married and childless, when, in the year 1715, their +warmest hopes and wishes were realized by the birth of an heir to +their estates and title. On that joyful evening the hospitality of the +house of Dunmain was claimed by a young gentleman travelling from +Dublin, named 'Master Richard Fitzgerald,' who joined Lord Altham and +his household in drinking the healths of the 'lady in the straw,' and +the long expected heir, in the customary groaning drink. It does not +appear that Master Fitzgerald was learned in astrology, or practised +any branch of the 'Black art,' or that he used any spell with +reference to the infant more potent than these hearty libations and +sincere good wishes for his future prosperity. Next day, before +leaving the hospitable mansion, the little hero of this tale was +presented to the stranger, who 'kissed him, and gave the nurse +half-a-guinea.' + +"Of Fitzgerald we have only to add, that he entered the army and +became a distinguished officer in the service of the queen of Hungary, +and that twenty-eight years afterwards he returned to Ireland to +assist in recovering for his former infantile friend the estates and +titles of his ancestors, which had been for many years iniquitously +withheld from him. + +"Lord and Lady Altham lived unhappily together, and a separation took +place soon after the birth of their son. Her Ladyship, shamefully +neglected by her husband, resided in England during the remainder of +her life, and from disease and poverty was reduced to a state of +extreme imbecility both of body and mind. + +"James Annesley, the infant son of this unhappy mother, was entrusted, +by Lord Altham, to the charge of a woman of indifferent character, +named Joan or Juggy Landy. Juggy was a dependent of the family, and +lived in a cabin on the estate, about a quarter of a mile from the +house of Dunmain. This hut is described as a 'despicable place, +without any furniture except a pot, two or three trenchers, a couple +of straw {p.304} beds on the floor,' and 'with only a bush to draw in +and out for a door.' Thus humbly and inauspiciously was the boy reared +under the care of a nurse, who, however unfortunate or guilty, appears +to have lavished upon her young charge the most affectionate +attention. From some unexplained cause, however, Juggy Landy incurred +the displeasure of Lord Altham, who took the boy from her, and ordered +his groom to 'horsewhip her,' and 'to set the dogs upon her,' when she +persisted in hovering about the premises to obtain a sight of her +former charge. + +"Lord Altham now removed with his son to Dublin where he appears to +have entered upon a career of the most dissipated and profligate +conduct. We find him reduced to extreme pecuniary embarrassment, and +his property became a prey to low and abandoned associates; one of +whom, a Miss Kennedy, he ultimately endeavored to introduce to society +as his wife. This worthless woman must have obtained great ascendancy +over his Lordship, as she was enabled to drive James Annesley from his +father's protection, and the poor boy became a houseless vagabond, +wandering about the streets of Dublin, and procuring a scanty and +precarious subsistence 'by running of errands and holding gentlemen's +horses.' + +"Meantime Lord Altham's pecuniary difficulties had so increased as to +induce him to endeavor to borrow money on his reversionary interest in +the estates of the Earl of Anglesey, to whom he was heir-at-law. In +this scheme he was joined by his brother Captain Annesley, and they +jointly succeeded in procuring several small sums of money. But as +James Annesley would have proved an important legal impediment to +these transactions, he was represented to some parties to be dead; and +where his existence could not be denied, he was asserted to be the +natural son of his Lordship and of Juggy Landy. + +"Lord Altham died in the year 1727, 'so miserably poor that he was +actually buried at the public expense.' His brother Captain Annesley +attended the funeral as chief mourner, and assumed the title of Baron +Altham, but when he claimed to have this title registered he was +refused by the king-at-arms, 'on account of his nephew being reported +still alive, and for want of the honorary fees.' Ultimately, however, +by means {p.305} which are stated to have been 'well known and +obvious,' he succeeded in procuring his registration. + +"But there was another and a more sincere mourner at the funeral of +Lord Altham than the successful inheritor of his title: a poor boy of +twelve years of age, half naked, bareheaded and barefooted, and +wearing, as the most important part of his dress, an old yellow livery +waistcoat,[120] followed at a humble distance, and wept over his +father's grave. Young Annesley was speedily recognized by his uncle, +who forcibly drove him from the place, but not before the boy had made +himself known to several old servants of his father, who were +attending the corpse of their late lord to the tomb. + + [Footnote 120: _Vide_ "Green-breeks" in the General + Introduction to the _Waverley Novels_. Surely _Yellow + Waistcoat_ was his prototype.] + +"The usurper now commenced a series of attempts to obtain possession +of his nephew's person, for the purpose of transporting him beyond +seas, or otherwise ridding himself of so formidable a rival. For some +time, however, these endeavors were frustrated, principally through +the gallantry of a brave and kind-hearted butcher, named Purcel, who, +having compassion upon the boy's destitute state, took him into his +house and hospitably maintained him for a considerable time; and on +one occasion, when he was assailed by a numerous party of his uncle's +emissaries, Purcel placed the boy between his legs, and stoutly +defending him with his cudgel, resisted their utmost efforts, and +succeeded in rescuing his young charge. + +"After having escaped from many attempts of the same kind, Annesley +was at length kidnapped in the streets of Dublin, dragged by his uncle +and a party of hired ruffians to a boat, and carried on board a vessel +in the river, which immediately sailed with our hero for America, +where, on his arrival, he was apprenticed as a plantation slave, and +in this condition he remained for the succeeding thirteen years. + +"During his absence his uncle, on the demise of the Earl of Anglesey, +quietly succeeded to that title and immense wealth. + +"While forcibly detained in the plantations, Annesley suffered many +severe hardships and privations, particularly in his frequent +unsuccessful attempts to escape. Among other incidents which befell +him, he incurred the deadly hatred of one master, in consequence of a +suspected intrigue with his wife--a {p.306} charge from which he was +afterwards honorably acquitted. The daughter of a second master became +affectionately attached to him; but it does not appear that this +regard was reciprocal. And finally, in effecting his escape, he fell +into the hands of some hostile negroes, who stabbed him severely in +various places; from the effects of which cruelty he did not recover +for several months. + +"At the end of thirteen years, Annesley, who had now attained the age +of twenty-five, succeeded in reaching Jamaica in a merchant vessel, +and he immediately volunteered himself as a private sailor on board a +man-of-war. Here he was at once identified by several officers; and +Admiral Vernon, who was then in command of the British West India +fleet, wrote home an account of the case to the Duke of Newcastle (the +Premier), and, 'in the mean time, supplied him with clothes and money, +and treated him with the respect and attention which his rank +demanded.' + +"The Earl of Anglesey no sooner heard of these transactions on board +the fleet, than he used every effort to keep possession of his usurped +title and property, and 'the most eminent lawyers within the English +and Irish bars were retained to defend a cause, the prosecution of +which was not as yet even threatened.' + +"On Annesley's arrival in Dublin, 'several servants who had lived with +his father came from the country to see him. They knew him at first +sight, and some of them fell on their knees to thank heaven for his +preservation,--embraced his legs, and shed tears of joy for his +return.' + +"Lord Anglesey became so much alarmed at the probable result of the +now threatened trial, that he expressed his intention to make a +compromise with the claimant, renounce the title, and retire into +France; and with this view he commenced learning the French language. +But this resolution was given up, in consequence of an occurrence +which encouraged the flattering hope that his opponent would be +speedily and most effectually disposed of. + +"After his arrival in England, Annesley unfortunately occasioned the +death of a man by the accidental discharge of a fowling-piece which he +was in the act of carrying. Though there could not exist a doubt of +his innocence from all intention {p.307} of such a deed, the +circumstance offered too good a chance to be lost sight of by his +uncle, who employed an attorney named Gifford, and with his assistance +used every effort at the coroner's inquest, and the subsequent trial, +to bring about a verdict of murder. In this, however, he did not +succeed, although 'he practised all the unfair means that could be +invented to procure the removal of the prisoner to Newgate from the +healthy gaol to which he had been at first committed;' and 'the Earl +even appeared in person on the bench, endeavoring to intimidate and +browbeat the witnesses, and to inveigle the prisoner into destructive +confessions.' Annesley was honorably acquitted, after his uncle had +expended nearly one thousand pounds on the prosecution. + +"The trial between James Annesley, Esq., and Richard, Earl of +Anglesey, before the Right Honorable the Lord Chief Justice and other +Barons of the Exchequer, commenced on the 11th November, 1743, and was +continued for thirteen days. The defendant's counsel examined an +immense number of witnesses in an attempt to prove that Annesley was +the illegitimate son of the late Baron Altham. The Jury found for the +plaintiff; but it did not prove sufficient to recover his title and +estates: for his uncle 'had recourse to every device the law allowed, +and his powerful interest procured a writ of error which set aside the +verdict.' Before another trial could be brought about, Annesley died +without male issue, and Lord Anglesey consequently remained in +undisturbed possession. + + * * * * * + +"It is presumed that the points of resemblance between the leading +incidents in the life of this unfortunate young nobleman and the +adventures of Henry Bertram in Guy Mannering, are so evident as to +require neither comment nor enumeration to make them apparent to the +most cursory reader of the Novel. The addition of a very few other +circumstances will, it is believed, amount to a proof of the identity +of the two stories. + + + + +END OF VOLUME FIVE + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE OF SIR WALTER +SCOTT, VOLUME V (OF 10)*** + + +******* This file should be named 24498.txt or 24498.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/4/9/24498 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://www.gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: +http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + |