mmmW'Wmmm^ limiMiti mmaif^: UNIVERSITY AT LOS ANGELES ^1 Prom a Portrait by J. Craham Gilbert in 1829, THE JOURNAL OF SIR WALTER SCOTT 1825-32 FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT AT ABBOTSFORD ,.,^.^ymmm^ rAP EPXETAI y must home to luork 7uhile it is called day : /of the night cometh -when jto man can tuork. I put that le.xr, many a year ago, on my dial-stone : but it often preached in vain.' — SCOTT'S Li/e, x. 88. A'-£IV EDITION EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS I 9 I O \All rights reserved] ^4- - ■ • • 2 8 -1 3 5 PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION On the death of Sir Walter Scott in 1832, his entire literary remains were placed at the disposal of his son-in-law, Mr. John Gibson Lockhart. Amoug these remains were two volnmes of a Jonrnal which had been kept by Sir Walter from 1825 to 1832. Mr. Lockhart made large use of this Journal in his ad- mirable life of his father-in-law. Writing, however, so short a time after Scott's death, he could not use it so freely as he might have wished, and, according to his own statement, it was "by regard for the feelings of living persons " that he both omitted and altered ; and indeed he printed no chapter of the Diary in full. There is no longer any reason why the Journal should not be published in its entirety, and by the permission of the Hon. Mrs. Maxwell-Scott it now appears exactly as Scott left it — but for the correc- tion of obvious slips of the pen and the omission of some details chiefly of family and domestic interest. The oriofinal Journal consists of two small 4to vi PKEFACE. volumes, 9 inches by 8, bound in vellum and furnished with strong locks. The manuscript is closely written on both sides, and towards the end shows painful evidence of the physical prostration of the writer. The Journal abruptly closes towards the middle of the second volume with the following entry — probably tlie last words ever penned by Scott — ^^^ ^^-^- ^-^ '/^, lu.^ , {triM/^^^-^ Z^^^^ii^'^ '%ytJ<^^M.<^Hi^ ^^j2^ ^^.^U^ A^^'.Vt^ C^ic^ ir^, /€.xn/'-M<^<- Wlt^^/rC'TUoa 7 /i/l 4Ai^ '^^t^<^*-v^<; ,4v^ *** ^ /«5<<&/ ^i.<.^/^vc.^^ 08 r> In the annotations, it seemed most satisfactory to follow as closely as possible the method adopted by Mr. Lockhart. In the case of those parts of the Journal that have been already jniblished, almost C all My. Lockhart's notes have been reproduced, and these are distinguished by his initials. Extracts from the Life, from James 8kene of Rubislaw's un- published Reminiscences, and from unpublished letters of Scott himself and his contemporaries, have been freely used wherever they seemed to illustrate j)ar- ticular passages in the Journal. PltEFACE. vii With regard to 8cott"s quotations a certain difficulty presented itself. In liis Journal he evidently quoted from memory, and he not unfrequently makes con- siderable variations from the originals. Occasionally, indeed, it would seem that he deliberately made free with the exact words of his author, to adapt them more pertinently to his own mood or the impulse of the moment. Tn any case it seemed best to let Scott's quotations appear as he wrote them. His reading lay in such curious and unfrequented quarters that to verify all the sources is a nearly impossible task. It is to be remembered, also, that he himself held very free notions on the sub- ject of quotation. I have to thank the Hon. Mrs. Maxwell-Scott for permitting me to retain for the last three years the precious volumes in which the Journal is contained, and for granting me access to the correspondence of Sir AValter preserved at Abbotsford, and I have likewise to acknowledge the courtesy of His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch for allowing me the use of the Scott letters at Dalkeith. To Mr. AV. F. Skene, Historiographer Royal for Scotland, my thanks are warmly rendered for intrusting me with his precious heirloom, the volume which contains Sir Walter's letters to his father, and the Reminiscences that accompany them — one of many kind offices towards me during the last thirty years in our relations viii PKEFACE. as author aud publisher. 1 am also obliged to Mr. Archibald Coustable for permitting me to use the interesting jMemorandum by James Ballantyne. Finally, I have to express my obligation to many other friends, who never failed cordially to respond to any call I made upon them. D. D. ,i Edinbukgh, 22 Dkommond Place, October 1, 1890. [This re-issue of the Journal of Sir Walter Scott in one volume, octavo, has been printed from the stereotype plates made for the edition of 1891, with a few inaccuracies corrected.] January 1910. ILLUSTRATIONS. Portrait, painted by John Graham Gilbert, R.S.A., for the Royal Society, Edinburgh. Copied by permission of the Council of the Society, ...... Frontispiece Vignette on Title-page " The Dial-Stone " in the Garden, from drawing made at Abbotsforil by Sir George Reid, R.S.A. "WORK WHILE IT 18 DAY." NTH TAP EPXETAI. ' / mu&t home to ' work while it is caUeU day ; for the niyht cometh when no man can work.' / ptft that text, many a year ago, on my dial-stone ; but it often preached in rain. "—.Scott's Life, x. SS. Portrait, painted by Sir Francis Grant, P.R.A., for tlie Baroness Ruthven, and now in the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland. Copied by permission of the Hon. The Board of Manufactures, . . page 804: CONTENTS. PAOK PREFACE, ....... v-viii JOURNAL, ....... 1-895 APPENDICES- I. Scott's Letters to Erskine, . . . 897 II. Letter from Mr. Carltle, .... 899 III. Contents of the Volume of Irish Manuscript, . 902 IV. ' A Former Empress,' ..... 904 V. ' Mother Goose's Tales,' .... 905 VI. ' The Journey Home,' from Mr. Lockhart's ' Life,' Vol. X., pp. 198-218, ..... 907 INDEX, ........ 921 SIR WALTER SCOTT'S JOURNAL. NOVEMBEE. [Udinhurffh,] Novemher 20, 1825. — I have all iny life regretted that I did not keep a regular Journal. I have myself lost recollection of much that was interesting, and I have deprived my family and the public of some curious information, by not carrying this resolution into effect. I have bethought me, on seeing lately some volumes of Byron's notes, that he probably had hit upon the right way of keep- ing such a memorandum-book, by throwing aside all pretence to regularity and order, and marking down events just as they occurred to recollection. I will try this plan; and ■ behold I have a handsome locked volume, such as might serve for a lady's album. Nota hene, John Lockhart, and Anne, and I are to raise a Society for the suppression of Albums. It is a most troublesome shape of mendicity. Sir, your autograph — a line of poetry — or a prose sen- tence! — Among all the sprawling sonnets, and blotted trumpery that dishonours these miscellanies, a man must have a good stomach that can swallow this botheration as a compliment. I was in Ireland last summer, and had a most delightful tour. It cost me upwards of £500, including £100 left with Walter and Jane, for we travelled a large party and in style. There is much less exaggerated about the Irish than is to be expected. Their poverty is not exaggerated ; it is on the extreme verge of human misery ; their cottages would scarce serve for pig-styes, even in Scotland, and A 2 JOURNAL. [Nov. their rags seem the very refuse of a rag-shop, and are disposed on their bodies with such ingenious variety of wretchedness that you would think nothing but some sort of perverted taste could have assembled so many shreds to- gether. You are constantly fearful that some knot or loop will give, and place the individual before you in all the primitive simplicity of Paradise. Then for their food, they have only potatoes, and too few of them. Yet the men look stout and healthv, the women buxom and well-coloured. Dined with us, being Sunday, Will. Clerk and Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe. AY. C. is the second son of the celebrated author of Naval Tactic^} I have known him intimately since our college days ; and, to my thinking, never met a man of greater powers, or more complete in- formation on all desiral)le subjects. In youth he had strongly the Edinburgh pruritics disputandi ; but habits of society have greatly mellowed it, and though still anxious to gain your suffrage to his views, he endeavours rather to conciliate your opinion than conquer it by force. Still there is enough of tenacity of sentiment to prevent, in London society, where all must go slack and easy, W. C. from rising to the very top of the tree as a conversation man, who must not only wind the thread of his argument gracefully, but also know when to let go. But I like the Scotch taste better ; there is more matter, more information, above all, more spirit in it. Clerk will, I am afraid, leave the world little more than the report of his fame. He is too indolent to finish any considerable work.- Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe is another very remarkable man. He was bred a clergyman, but did not take orders, owing I believe to a peculiar effeminacy of voice whicli must have been ^ An Exmy oil Xttval Taclirs, prototype of Darsio Latimer in Systematical ami Historical, jvilh /»''.'t/r/a'H«//e^, " adinired tin ough life explanatory plati's. In four parts, for talents and learning of which By John Clerk. 4to. Lond. 1700. he has left no nionuinont,"' died at - William Clerk of Kldiii, the Edinbnrgli in Jannary 1847. 1825.] JOUKNAL. 3 unpleasant in reading prayers. Some family quarrels occa- sioned liis being indifferently provided for by a small annuity from his elder brother, extorted by an arlntral decree. He has infinite wit and a great turn for antiquarian lore, as the publications of Kirktoii,^ etc., bear witness. His drawings are the most fanciful and droll imaginable — a mixture be- tween Hocjarth and some of those foreign masters who painted temptations of St. Anthony, and such grotesque subjects. As a poet he has not a very strong touch. Strange that his finger-ends can describe so well what he cannot bring out clearly and firmly in words. If he were to make drawing a resource, it might raise him a large income. But though a lover of antiquities, and therefore of expensive trifles, C. K. S. is too aristocratic to use his art to assist his revenue. He is a very complete genealogist, and has made many detections in Douglas and other books on pedigree, which our nobles would do well to suppress if they had an opportunity. Strange that a man should be curious after scandal of centuries old ! Not but Charles loves it fresh and fresh also, for, being very much a fashionable man, he is always master of the reigning report, and he tells the anecdote with such gusto that there is no helping sym- pathising with him — the peculiarity of voice adding not a little to the general effect. ]My idea is that C. K. S., with his oddities, tastes, satire, and high aristocratic feelings, re- sembles Horace Walpole — perhaps in his person also, in a general way. — See Miss Hawkins' Anecdotes - for a descrip- tion of the author of The Castle of Otranto. No other company at dinner except my cheerful and good-humoured friend Missie Macdonald,-"^ so called in fond- ness. One bottle of champagne with the ladies' assistance, 1 Secret and Trne inMory of the and ^remoir.t, collected l)y La'titia Church of Scotland from the Ue.^tora- Matilda Hawkins. 8vo. Loud. lion to the year 1678. 4to. Ediii. 1822. 1817. ^ Miss Macdonald Bnclianaii of - Anecdotes, Iiiographic(d Sketches, Dnimniakill. — J. a. i.. 4 JOUENAL. [Nov. two of claret. I observe that both these great connoisseurs were very nearly, if not quite, agreed, that there are no absolutely undoubted originals of Queen Mary. But how then should we be so very distinctly informed as to her features ? What has become of all the originals which sug- gested these innumerable copies ? Surely Mary must have been as unfortunate in this as in other particulars of her life.^ Novemler 21. — I am enamoured of my journal. I wish the zeal may but last. Once more of Ireland. I said their poverty was not exaggerated ; neither is their wit— nor their good- humour — nor their whimsical absurdity — nor their courage. Jj/i;;. — I gave a fellow a shilling on some occasion when sixpence was the fee. "Remember you owe me sixpence, Pat." " May your honour live till I pay you ! " There was courtesy as well as wit in this, and all the clothes on Pat's back would have been dearly bought by the sum in question. Good-MmoiLr. — There is perpetual kindness in the Irish cabin ; butter-milk, potatoes, a stool is offered, or a stone is rolled that your honour may sit down and be out of the smoke, and those who beg everywhere else seem desirous to exercise free hospitality in their own houses. Their natural disposition is turned to gaiety and happiness ; while a Scotch- man is thinking about the term-day, or, if easy on that subject, about hell in the next world — while an Englishman is making a little hell of his own in the present, because his muftin is not well roasted— Pat's mind is always turned to fun and ridicule. They are terribly excitable, to be sure, and will murther you on slight suspicion, and find out next day that it was all a mistake, and that it was not yourself they meant to kill at all at all. Absurdity. — They were widening the road near Lord » Mr. Slmrpc, whose Letters :uul tlic Sir Mungo Malagrowther of Memoir were publislied in two The Forhines of Nigel some of volumes 8vo, Edin. 18S8, survived Sharpo's peculiarities are not im- Sir Walter till the year 18.')]. In faithfully mirrored. 1825.] JOUKNAL. 5 Clareniont's seat as we passed. A nuiuLer of cars were (Irawii up together at a particular point, M'here we also halted, as we understood they were blowing a rock, and the sliot was expected presently to go off. After waiting two minutes or so, a fellow called out something, and our carriage as a planet, and the cars for satellites, started all forward at once, the Irishmen whooj^ing and crying, and the horses galloping. Unable to learn the meaning of this, I was only left to suppose that they had delayed firing the intended slioi till we should pass, and that we were passing quickly to make the delay as short as possible. No such thing. By dint of making great haste, we got within ten yards of the rock M'hen the blast took place, throwing dust and gravel on our carriage, and had our postillion brought us a little nearer (it was not for want of hallooiniT and flofjoino- that he did not), we should have had a still more serious share of the explosion. The explanation I received from the drivers was, that they had been told by the overseer that as the mine had been so long in (joimj off, he dared say wc would have time to pass it — so Ave just waited long enough to make the danger imminent. I have only to add that two or three people got behind the carriage, just for nothing but to see how our honours got past. Went to the Oil Gas Committee^ this morning, of which concern I am president, or chairman. It has amused me much by bringing me into company with a body of active, business-loving, money-making citizens of Edinburgh, chiefly Whigs by the way, whose sentiments and proceedings ^ One of the numerous joint-stock cially, and, as is told in tlie .(ounuil, adventures whicli -were so common the rival company ac(^uired tlic in Edinburgh at this time. There stock and plant a few years after had already been formed a Gas-light the formation of this "Oil Gas Company in 1SI8, for the manufac- Go.," of whicli Sir Walter had been ture of gas from coal, but the pro- Chairman from 1823. jectors of this new venture believed See Life, vol. vii. pp. 141, 14 J, they could produce a purer and 197, '251, .■J74 ; and viii. p. 113; more powerful light by the use of Cockburn's Memorials (for 1825). oil. It was not successful commer- 6 JOUKNAL. [Nov. amuse me. The stock is rather low in the market, 35s. pre- mium instead of £5. It must rise, however, for the advan- tages of the light are undeniable, and folks will soon become accustomed to idle apprehensions or misapprehensions. From £20 to £25 should light a house capitally, supposing you leave town in the vacation. The three last quarters cost me £10, 10s., and the first, £8, was greatly overcharged. We will see what this, the worst and darkest quarter, costs. Dined with Sir IJobert Dundas,^ where we met Lord and Lady Melville. My little ?iicccs (ex officio) gave us some pretty music. T do not know and cannot utter a note of music ; and complicated harmonies seem to me a babble of confused though pleasing sounds. Yet songs and simple melodies, especially if connected with words and ideas, have as much effect on me as on most people. But then I hate to hear a young person sing without feeling and expression suited to the song. I cannot bear a voice that has no more life in it than a pianoforte or a bugle-horn. There is something about all the fine arts, of soul and spirit, which, like the vital principle in man, defies the research of the most critical anatomist. You feel where it is not, yet you cannot describe what it is you want. Sir Joshua, or some other great painter, was looking at a picture on which much pains had been be- stowed — "Why, yes," he said, in a hesitating manner, "it is very clever — very well done — can't find fault ; but it wants something ; it wants — it wants, damn me — it wants that " — throwing his hand over his head and snapping his fingers. Tom ]\Ioore's is the most exquisite warbling I ever lieard. 1 8ir Robert Dundas of Beecli- tlonald Buchanan, and Colin Mac- vood, one of .Scott's colleagues at kenzie of Portmore. Witii these the "Clerks' Table," — son of the families, says Mr. Lockhart, "he parish minister of Humbie, and and his lived in such constant fami- kinsman of Lord and Lady Mel- liarity of kindness, that the chil- ville ; he died in 183.3. Some of drcn all called their father's col- the other gentlemen M'ith ■whom leagues 7inclt's, M\d the mothers of the duties of his office brought their little friends aunis; and in Scott into close daily connection trutii the establishment was a were David Hume, Hector Mac- brotherhood." 1825.] JOUKXAL. 7 Next to him, David Macculloclii for Scots songs. The last, when a boy at Dumfries, was much admired by Burns, who used to get him to try over the words which he composed to new melodies. He is brother of Macculloch of Ardwell. JVovemher 22. — MooKE. I saw ]\Ioore (for the first time, I may say) this season. We had indeed met in public twenty years ago. There is a manly frankness, and i)erfect ease and good breeding about him which is delightful. Xot the least touch of the poet or the pedant. A little — very little man. Less, I think, than Lewis, and somewhat like him in person ; God knows, not in conversation, for ]\Iatt, though a clever fellow, was a bore of the first description. Moreover, he looked always hke a schoolboy. I remember a picture of him being handed about at Dalkeith House. It was a miniature I think by Sanders,^ who had contrived to mufde Lewis's person in a cloak, and placed some poignard or dark lanthorn appurtenance (I think) in his hand, so as to give the picture the cast of a bravo. " That like Llat Lewis ? " said Duke Henry, to whom it had passed in turn; "why, that is like a man ! " Imagine the effect ! Lewis was at his elbow.^ Now jNIoore has none of this insignificance ; to be sure his person is much stouter than that of M. G. L., his countenance is decidedly plain, but the expression is so very 1 Mrs. Thomas Scott "s brother. such elation as when 'the monk ' in- ' George L. Sanders, born at vited him to dine with him at his Kinghorn, 177-i ; died in London, hotel." Lewis died in ISIS, and 1S-4G. Scott says of him, " He did much ^ Sir Walter told Moore that good by stealth, and Mas a most Lewis was the person m ho tirst set generous creature — fonder of great him upon trying his talent at poetry, people than lie ought to have been, adding that "he had passed the either as a man of talent or as a early part of his life with a set of man of fasliion. He had always clever, rattling, drinking fellows, ladies and duchesses in his mouth, whose thoughts and talents lay and was pathetically fond of any wholly out of the region of poetry." one that had a title. Mat had Thirty years after having met Lewis c^ueerish eyes— they projected like in Edinburgh for the tirst time in those of some insects, and were 179S, he said to Allan Cunningham, llattish on the orbit. " that he thought he hal never felt 8 JOURNAL. [Nov. animated, especially in speaking or singing, that it is far more interesting than the finest features could have rendered it. I was aware that Byron had often spoken, both in private society and in his Journal, of Moore and myself in the same breath, and with the same sort of regard ; so I was curious to see what there could be in common betwixt us, Moore having lived so much in the gay world, I in the country, and with people of business, and sometimes with politicians ; ]\Ioore a scholar, I none ; he a musician and artist, I without knowledge of a note ; he a democrat, I an aristocrat — with many other points of difference ; besides his being an Irishman, I a Scotchman, and both tolerably national. Yet there is a point of resemblance, and a strong one. We are both good-humoured fellows, who rather seek to enjoy what is going forward than to maintain our dignity as lions ; and we have both seen the Avorld too widely and too well not to contemn in our souls the imaginary conse- quence of literary people, who walk with their noses in tlie air, and remind me always of the fellow whom Johnson met in an alehouse, and who called himself " the great Twalmley — inventor of the floodgate iron for smoothing linen." He also enjoys the mot jpour rire, and so do I. Moore has, I think, been ill-treated about Byron's Me- moirs ; he surrendered them to the liimily (Lord Byron's executors) and thus lost £2000 which he had raised upon them at a most distressing moment of his life. It is true they offered and pressed the money on liini afterwards, but they ought to have settled it with the booksellers and not put poor Tom's spirit in arms against his interest.^ 1 think ' Moore's friends seem to have dren vas a duty as a father " recognised his thorough manliness {Mnnoi):'<, vol. i. pp. xiii and xiv), and independence of character, and when Rogers urged this plea Lord John Russell testifies : "Never of family as a reason Avhy he should did he make wife or family a pretext accept the money, Moore said, for political shabbiness — never did " More mean things have been done he imagine that to leave a disgra(:elio had seen him at Abbotsford." 1 Moore's Life of Byron was pub- Moore died February 26, lSo2 ; see lished in two vols. 4to in 1830, and Moore's Life, vol. iv. pp. 329-42, dedicated to Sir Walter Scott by and vol. v. pp. 13-14. "his affectionate friend, T. M." ^ Hurst and Robinson, Book- See this Journal under March 4 1828. sellers, Loudon. 10 JOUKNAL. [Nov. erased it from my mind. But this is no time for journal- ising or moralising either. Necessity is like a sour-faced cook-maid, and I a turn-spit whom she has flogged ere now, till he mounted his wheel. If W-st-k^ can be out by 25th Jarmary JD will do much, and it is possible. 's son has saved his comrade on shipboard by throwing himself overboard and keeping the other afloat — a very gallant thing. But the Gi^an giafj' Asso- asks me to write a poem on the civic crown, of which he sends me a description quoted from Adam's Antiquities, which melli- lluous performance is to persuade the Admiralty to give the young conservator promotion. Oh ! he is a rare head-piece, an admirable Merron. I do not believe there is in nature such a full-acorned Boar.^ Could not write to purpose for thick-coming fancies ; the wheel would not turn easily, and cannot be forced. " My si)inning-wheel is aulcl and stiff, The rock o't winna stand, sir ; To keep the temper-pin in tift' Employs aft my hand, sir." * Went to dine at the L[ord] J[ustice]-C[lerk's]^ as I thought by invitation, but it was for Tuesday se'nnight. lleturned very well pleased, not being exactly in the humour for company, and had a beef-steak. My appetite is surely, excepting in quantity, that of a farmer; for, eating moder- ately of anything, my Epicurean pleasure is in the most simple diet. Wine I seldom taste when alone, and use instead a little spirits and water. I have of late dimin- ished the quantity, for fear of a weakness inductive to a diabetes — a disease whicli broke up my father's health, though one of the most temperate men who ever lived. I ' Woodxtock was at this time •• "My Jo Janet," Tca-Tahle nearly completed. Miscellany. - Probably Sir Walter's dog- « The Right Hon. David Boyle, Italian for "great donkey." who was at the time residing at 'JS •' Cymbdine, Act ii. Sc. 5. Charlotte Square. 1825.] JOURNAL. 11 smoke a couple of cigars instead, which operates equally as a sedative — " Just to drive the cold winter away, And drown the fatigues of the day." I smoked a good deal about twenty years ago when at Ashestiel ; but, coming down one morning to the parlour, I found, as the room was small and confined, that the smell was unpleasant, and laid aside the use of the Nicotian vjeed for many years ; but was again led to use it by the example of my son, a hussar officer, and my son-in-law, an Oxford student. I could lay it aside to-morrow ; I laugh at the dominion of custom in this and many things. " We make the giants first, and tlien — do not kill them." November 23. — On comparing notes with Moore, I was confirmed in one or two points wdiich I had always laid down in considering poor Byron. One was, that like Eousseau he was apt to be very suspicious, and a plain dowurisiht steadiness of manner was the true mode to main- tain his good opinion. "Will Eose told me that once, while sitting with Byron, he fixed insensibly his eyes on his feet, one of which, it must be remembered, was deformed. Look- ing up suddenly, he saw Byron regarding him with a look of concentrated and deep displeasure, which wore off when he observed no consciousness or embarrassment in the countenance of Piose. Murray afterwards explained this, by telling Piose that Lord Byron was very jealous of having this personal imperfection noticed or attended to. In an- other point, Moore confirmed my previous opinion, namely, that Byron loved mischief-making. j\Ioore had written to him cautioning him against the project of establishing the paper called the Liberal, in communion with such men as P. B. Shelley and Hunt,i q^^ whom he said the world had 1 A quarterly journal edited by Avhich four numbers only were Leigh Knnt, " The Liberal— Verse published. 1822- 1823. and Prose from the South," of 12 JOUKNAL. [Nov. set its mark. Byron showed this to the parties. Shelley wrote a modest and rather affecting expostulation to Moore.^ These two peculiarities of extreme suspicion and love of mischief are both shades of the malady Mhich certainly tinctured some part of the character of this mighty genius ; and, without some tendency towards which, genius — I mean that kind Avhich depends on the imaginati^•e power — perhaps cannot exist to great extent. The wheels of a machine, to play rapidly, must not fit with the utmost exactness, else the attrition diminishes the impetus. Another of Byron's peculiarities was the love of mysti- fying ; which indeed may be referred to that of mischief. There was no knowing how much or how little to believe of his narratives. Instance: — Mr. Bankes^ expostulating with him upon a dedication which he had written in ex- travagant terms of praise to Cam Hobhouse, Byron told him that Cam had teased him into the dedication till he had said, " Well ; it shall be so, — providing you will Mrite the dedication yourself " ; and affirmed that Cam Hobhonse did write the high-coloured dedication accordingly. I mentioned this to Murray, having the report from Will Rose, to whom Bankes had mentioned it. Murray, in reply, assured me that the dedication was written by Lord Byron himself, and showed it me in his own hand. I wrote to Rose to mention the thing to Bankes, as it might have made mis- chief had the story got into the circle. Byron was disposed to think all men of imagination were addicted to mix fiction (or poetry) with their prose. He used to say he dared believe the celebrated courtezan of Venice, about whom Rousseau makes so piquante a story, was, if one could see ' See l^owden's Life of Hhdley, Smith Mas, I liavc seen him at my vol. ii. pp. 448-9, 507-8 ; also Moore's own house absolutely overpowered Byron, vol. v. pp. 313.321, and by the superior facetiousness of llusstU's Moore, vol. iii. p. 353. W.B." Mr. Bankes died in Venice - William Bankes, of whom in 1855. Rogers said, "Witty as Sydney 1825.] JOURNAL. 13 her, a draggle-tailed wench enough. I believe that he embellished his own amours considerably, and that he was, in many respects, Ic famfaron de vices qu'il navoit jpas. He loved to be thought awful, mysterious, and gloomy, and sometimes hinted at strange causes. I believe the whole to have been the creation and sport of a wild and power- ful fancy. In the same manner he crammed people, as it is termed, about duels, etc., which never existed, or were much exaggerated. Constable has been here as lame as a duck upon his legs, but his heart and courage as firm as a cock. He has con- vinced me we will do well to support the London House. He has sent them about £5000, and proposes we should borrow on our joint security £5000 for their accommodation. J. B. and E. Cadell present. I must be guided by them, and hope for the best. Certainly to part company would be to incur an awful risk. What T liked about Byron, besides his boundless genius, was his generosity of spirit as well as purse, and his utter contempt of all the affectations of literature, from the school- magisterial style to the lackadaisical. Byron's example has formed a sort of upper house of poetry. There is Lord Leveson Gower, a very clever young man.^ Lord Porchester too,^ nephew to Mrs. Scott of Harden, a young man who lies on the carpet and looks poetical and dandyish — fine lad too, but — " There will be many peers Ei'e such another Byron." Talking of Abbotsford, it begins to be haunted by too much company of every kind, but especially foreigners. I do not like them. I hate fine waistcoats and l)reast-pins ' Lord Leveson C4ower, after- - Henry J. G. Herbert, Lord wards first Earl of EUesmere, had Porchester, afterwards tliird Earl already published his translation of Carnarvon, had published The oi Faust in 1823, and a volume of ^[oor in 18'2o, and Don Pedro in "original poems," and " transla- 1826. tions," in the following year. 14 JOUllNAL. [Xov. upon dirty shirts. I detest the impudence that pays a stranger compliments, and harangues about his works in the author's house, whicli is usually ill-breeding. Moreover, they are seldom long of making it evident that they know nothing about what they are talking of, except having seen the Lady of the Lake at the Opera. Dined at St. Catherine's^ with Lord Advocate, Lord and Lady Melville, Lord Justice-Clerk,^ Sir Archibald Campbell of Succoth, all class companions and acquainted well for more than forty years. All except Lord J. C. were at Eraser's class. High School.-^ Boyle joined us at college. There are, besides. Sir Adam Ferguson, Colin Mackenzie, James Hope, Dr. James Buchan, Claud Eussell, and perhaps two or three more of and about the same period — but "Apparent ravi nantes in gurgite vasto."* Novemhcr 24. — Talking of strangers, London held, some four or five years since, one of those animals who are lions at first, but by transmutation of two seasons become in regular course Boars ! — L^go Foscolo by name, a haunter of Murray's shop and of literary parties. Ugly as a baboon, and intolerably conceited, he spluttered, blustered, and disputed, without even knowing the principles upon which men of sense render a reason, and screamed all the while like a pig when they cut its throat. Another such Ani- maluccio is a brute of a Sicilian Marquis de who wrote something about Byron. Pie inflicted two days on us at ^ St. Catherine's, the seat of Sir self entirely to literature. Sir William Rae, Bart., then Lord William Eae died at St. Catherine's Advocate, is about three miles from on the 19th October 1842. Edinburgh. -J. G. L. Sir William , j^^^^j^^ j^^^j^ ^^ Shewalton, L. Rae's refusal of a legal appoint- j ^ f^^„^ jgu^ ^,^^1 j^^^.^l p^.^ ment to Mr. Lockhart (on the gj^^.^^. f^^,^^ jg^j ^ju jg-., jj^ ground that as a just patroii lie A\qA in 18jS could not give it to the son-in-law of his old friend!!) was understood ' ^^^ Autohiouraphy, 1787, in to be the cause of Mr. Loekhart's ^^'f'- ^'«1- '• PP- 3^>. 40. quitting tiie Bar and devoting him- •• Virg. ^En, i. 122. 1825.] JOUENAL. 15 Abbotsford. They never know what to make of them- selves in the forenoon, but sit tormenting the women to play at proverbs and such trash. Foreigner of a different cast, — Count Olonym (Olonyne — that 's it), son of the President of the Koyal Society and a captain in the Imperial Guards. He is mean-looking and sickly, but has much sense, candour, and general informa- tion. There was at Abbotsford, and is here, for educa- tion just now, a young Count Davidoff, with a tutor Mr. Collyer. He is a nephew of the famous Orloffs. It is quite surprising how much sense and sound thinking this youth has at the early age of sixteen, without the least self- conceit or forwardness. On the contrary, he seems kind, modest, and ingenuous.^ To questions Mdiich I asked about the state of Eussia he answered with the precision and accu- racy of twice his years. I should be sorry the saying were verified in him — " So wise so young, tliey say, do ne'er live long." ^ Saw also at Abbotsford two Frenchmen whom I liked, friends of Miss Dumergue. One, called Le Xoir, is the author of a tragedy which he had the grace never to quote, and which I, though poked by some malicious persons, had not the grace even to liint at. They were disposed at first to be complimentary, but I convinced them it was not the custom here, and they took it well, and were agreeable. A little bilious this morning, for the first time these six months. It cannot be the London matters which stick on ^ ]\I. Davidoflf has, in his mature ^ Kiiij Richard III., Act in. life, amply justified Sir Walter's Sc. 1. Count Orloff DavidofT lived prognostications. He has, I under- to falsify tliis "saying." He re- stand, published in the Russian visited England in 1S72, and had language a tribute to the memory the pleasure of meeting with Scott's of Scott. But his travels in Greece great-granddaughter, and talking and Asia ilinor ai-e well known, to lier of these old happy Abbots- and considered as in a high degree ford days, honouralile to his taste and learn- ing.— [18.S9.]^J. u. L. 16 JOURNAL. [Nov. my stomach, for that is mending, and may have good effects on myself and others. Dined with Eobert Cockburn. Company, Lord Melville and family ; Sir John and Lady Hope ; Lord and Lady E. Kerr, and so forth. Combination of colliers general, and coals up to double price ; the men \\'ill not work, although, or rather becmise, they can make from thirty to forty shillings per week. Lord R. K. told us that he had a letter from Lord Forbes (son of Earl Granard, Ireland), that he was asleep in his house at Castle Forbes, when awakened by a sense of suffocation which deprived him of the power of stirring a limb, yet left him the consciousness that the house was on fire. At this moment, and while his apartment was in flames, his large dog jumped on the bed, seized his shirt, and draccsed him to the staircase, where the fresh air restored his powers of exertion and of escape. This is very different from most cases of preservation of life by the canine race, when the animal generally jumps into the water, in which [element] he has force and skill. That of fire is as hostile to him as to mankind. November 25. — Eead Jeffrey's neat and well-intended address ^ to the mechanics upon their combinations. Will it do good ? Umpli. It takes only the hand of a Lilliputian to light a fire, but would require the diuretic powers of Gulliver to extinguish it. The "Whigs will live and die in the heresy that the world is ruled by little pamphlets and speeches, and that if you can sufficiently demonstrate that a line of conduct is most consistent with men's interest, you have therefore and thereby demonstrated that they will at length, after a few speeches on the subject, adopt it of course. In this case we would have [no] need of laws or churches, for I am sure there is no difficulty in proving that moral, regular, and steady habits conduce to ^ Comhinutiona of Workmen. Substance of a speech by Francis Jeffrey. Svo. Ediu. IS'i.'). 1825.] JOUIINAL. 17 nieu's best interest, and that vice is not sin merely, Ijul lolly. But of these men each has passions and prejudices, the gratification of which he prefers, not only to the general weal, but to that of himself as an individual. Under the action of these wayward impulses a man drinks to-day though he is sure of starvimr to-morrow. He murders to- morrow though he is sure to be hanged on Wednesday ; and people are so slow to believe that which makes against their own predominant passions, that mechanics will com- bine to raise the price for one week, though they destroy the manufacture for ever. The best remedy seems to be the probable supply of labourers from other trades. Jeffrey proposes each mechanic shall learn some other trade than his own, and so have two strings to his bow. He does not consider the length of a double apprenticeship. To make a man a good weaver and a good tailor would require as much time as the patriarch served for his two wives, and after all, he would be but a poor workman at either craft. Each mechanic has, indeed, a second trade, for he can dig and do rustic work. Perhaps the best reason for breaking up the association will prove to be the expenditure of the money which they have been simple enough to levy from the industrious for the support of the idle. How nmch provision for the sick and the aged, the widow and the orphan, has been expended in the attempt to get wages which the manufacturer cannot afford them, with any profit- able chance of selling his commodity ? I had a bad fall last niiiht comin^ liome. There were unfinished houses at the east end of Atholl Place,^ and as I was on foot, I crossed the street to avoid the material which lay about ; but, deceived by the moonlight, I stepped ankle-deep in a sea of mud (honest earth and water, thank God), and fell on my hands. Never was there such a re- ^ Mr. Kobert Cockburn, Lord Cockburn's brother, was then living at No. 7 Atholl Crescent. B 18 JUUKNAL. [Nov. presentative of TFall in Pyramus and Thisbe — 1 was abso- lutely rough-cast. Luckily Lady S. had retired when I came home ; so I enjoyed my tub of water witliout either remonstrance or condolences. Cockburn's hospitality will get the benefit and renown of my downfall, and yet has no claim to it. In future though, I must take a coach at night — a control on one's freedom, but it must ,. „ „,. , . . , , ' JS.B. Wilhiii eight be submitted to. I found a letter from weeks after recoiding [Pt.] C[adell], giving a cheering account ^^/blSof^i 'luml of things in London. Their correspondent i ^^'a« ""'ii'lu to keep is getting into his strength. Three days ago I would have been contented to buy this consola, as Judy says,^ dearer than by a dozen falls in the mud. For had the great Constable fallen, my countrymen, what a fall were there ! Mrs. Coutts, with the Duke of St. Albans and Lady Charlotte Beauclerk, called to take leave of us. When at Abbotsford his suit throve but coldly. She made me, I believe, her confidant in sincerity.^ She had refused him twice, and decidedly. He was merely on the footing of friendship. I urged it was akin to love. She allowed she might marry the Duke, only she had at present not the least intention that way. Is this frank admission more favourable for the Duke than an absolute protestation against the possibility of such a marriage ? I think not. It is the fashion to attend Mrs. Coutts' parties and to abuse her. I have always found her a kind, friendly woman, without cither affectation or insolence in the display of her wealth, and most willing to do good if the means be shown to her. She can be very entertaining too, as she speaks without 1 This alliules lo a straiigo old tion. Consola for consohiiion — woiiian, keeper of a pulilic-lumse Jiolhtra for l)otheriition, etc. etc. among the Wieklow iiiountaiiiB, Lord I'liuikctt liad taken care to •who, among a worhl of oddities, parade Judy and all lier peculiar- cut sliort every word ending in ities. — J. t;. L. tion, by the omission of the terniina- - Sec tlio Diieliess's Letter, j). 414. 1825.] JOURNAL. 19 scruple of her stage life. So much wealth can hardly be enjoyed without some ostentation. But what then 1 If the Duke marries her, he ensures an immense fortune; if she marries him, she has the first rank. If he marries a woman older than himself by twenty years, she marries a man younger in wit by twenty degrees. I do not think he will dilajDidate her fortune — he seems cjuiet and gentle. I do not think that she will abuse his softness — of disposition, shall I say, or of heart ? The disparity of ages concerns no one but themselves; su they have my consent to marry, if tliey can get each other's. Just as this is written, enter my Lord of St. Albans and Lady Charlotte, to beg I would recommend a book of sermons to Mrs. Coutts. Much oblicred for her good opinion : recommended Logan's^ — one poet should always speak for another. The mission, I suppose, M'as a little dis- play on the part of good Mrs. Coutts of authority over her high aristocratic suitor. I do not suspect her of turning cUvote, and retract my consent given as above, unless she remains " lively, brisk, and jolly."- Dined quiet wuth wife and daughter. l\[obert] Cadell looked in in the evening on business. I here register my purpose to practise economics. I liave little temptation to do otherwise. Abbotsford is all that I can make it, and too large for the property ; so I resolve — No more building ; No purchases of land till times are quite safe ; No buying books or expensive trifles — I mean to any extent ; and Clearing off encumbrances, witli the returns of this year's labour ; — ^ The Kev. John Loi,'au, minister 7'2-7G. 'J'lie marriage tooli phice on of South Leith, 174S-178S. The June 16, 1827, tlic lady having " .Sermons " were not published previously asked the consent of until 1790-91, .George IV. !! A droll account of the reception of her Jlercure (jalant at - For an account of her visit to Windsor is given in tiic North Abbotsford, see Life, vol. viii. pp. British Iicvicw, vol. xxxix. p. 349. 20 JOUENAL. [Nov. AVhich resolutions, with health and my habits of industry, will make iiie " sleep in spite of thunder." After all, it is hard that the vagabond stock-jobbing Jews should, for their own purposes, make such a shake of credit as now exists in London, and menace the credit of men trading on sure funds like H[urst] and E[obinson]. It is just like a set of pickpockets, who raise a mob, in which honest folks are knocked down and plundered, that they may pillage safely in the midst of the confusion they have excited. November 26. — The court met late, and sat till one; detained from that hour till four o'clock, being engaged in the perplexed affairs of ]\Ir. James Stewart of Brugh. This young gentleman is heir to a property of better than £1000 a year in Orkney. His mother married very young, and was wife, mother, and widow in the course of the first year. Being unfortunately under the direction of a careless agent, she was unlucky enough to embarrass her own affairs by money transactions with this person. I was asked to accept the situation of one of the son's curators ; I I was obliged to and trust to clear out Ins aliau's and „i^.y ^],j^ ^,j, j^ (.on. hers— at least I will not fail for want sequence of n.y own iiiibfoiiunes. of application. I liave lent her £300 on a second (and therefore doubtful) security over her house in Newington, bought for £1000, and on which £600 is already secured. I have no connection with the family except that of compassion, and may not be rewarded even by thanks when the young man comes of age. I have known my father often so treated by those whom he had laboured to serve. But if we do not run some hazard in our attempts to do good, where is the merit of them ? So I will bring through my Orkney laird if 1 can. Dined at home quiet with Lady S. and Anne. November 27. — Some time.since John Murray entered into a contract with my son-in-law, John G. Lockhart, giving him on certain ample conditions the management and editorship of 1825.] JOURNAL. 21 the Quarterly Remew, for which they couhl certainly scarcely find a fitter person, both from talents and character. It seems that Barrow^ and one or two stagers have taken alarm at Lockhart's character as a satirist, and his supposed acces- sion to some of tlie freaks in BlacJmoocVs Magazine, and down comes young D'lsraeli^ to Scotland imploring Lockhart to make interest with my friends in London to remove ohjec- tions, and so forth. I have no idea of telling all and sundry that my son-in-law is not a slanderer, or a silly thoughtless lad, although he was six or seven years ago engaged in some light satires. I only wrote to Heber and to Southey — the first upon the subject of the repoi'ts which had startled Murray, (the most timorous, as Byron called him, of all God's book- sellers), and such a letter as he may show Barrow if he judges proper. To Southey I wrote more generally, accpiainting him of my son's appointment to the Editorship, and mentioning liis qualifications, touching, at the same time, on his very slight connection \\ith BlachwoocVs Magazine, and his inno- cence as to those gambades which may have given offence, and which, I fear, they may ascribe too truly to an eccentric neighbour of their own. I also mentioned that I had heard nothing of the affair until the month of October. I am concerned that Southey should know this ; for, having been at the Lakes in September, I would not have him suppose that I had been using interest with Cannimj or Ellis to supersede young Mr. Coleridge,^ their editor, and place my son-in-law in the situation; indeed I was never more surprised than wlien tliis proposal came upon us. I suppose it had come from Canning originally, as he was sounding Anne when at Colonel Bolton's'* about Lockhart's views, etc. To me he never hinted anything on tlie subject. Other views are held ^Sir John BarroM-, the well-known •' In after years Sir John Tajh)r Secretary to the Admiralty, who Coleridge (1790-1876), one of the died in 1S4S in his eighty-fifth year. Judges of the Court of Queen's -Benjamin Disraeli, afterwards Bench. LordBeaoonsfield. ■• Storrs, Windermere. 22 JOURNAL. [Xov. out to Loclshart which may turn to great advantage. Only one person (John Cay ^ of Charlton) knows their object, and truly I wish it had not been confided to any one. Yesterday I had a letter from Murray in answer to one I had written in something a determined style, for I had no idea of permitting him to start from the course after my son giving up his situa- tion and profession, merely because a contributor or two chose to suppose gratuitously that Lockhart was too imprudent for the situation. My physic has wrought well, for it brought a letter from Murray saying all was right, that D'lsraeli was sent to me, not to Lockhart, and that I was only invited to write two confidential letters, and other incoherencies — which intimate his fright has got into another quarter. It is inter- lined and franked by Barrow, which shows that all is well, and that John's induction into his ofBce will be easy and pleasant. I have not the least fear of his success ; his talents want only a worthy sphere of exertion. He must learn, how- ever, to despise petty adversaries. N"o good sportsman ought to shoot at crows unless for some special purpose. To take notice of such men as Hazlitt and Hunt in the Quarterly would be to introduce them into a world which is scarce conscious of their existence. It is odd enougli that many years since I had the principal share in erecting this Review which has been since so prosperous, and now it is placed under the management of my son-in-law upon the most honour- able principle of defur digniori. Yet there are sad drawbacks so far as family comfort is concerned. To-day is Sunday, when they always dined with us, and generally met a family friend or two, but we are no longer to expect them. In the country, where their little cottage was within a mile or two of Abbotsford, we shall miss their society still more, for Chiefs- wood was the perpetual object of our walks, rides, and drives. Lockhart is such an excellent family man, so fond of his wife ' John Cay, inomber of the .Scotcli one of Mr. Lockliart's oldest friends; ilar, hJheiill of Linlithgow. He was lie died in 186"). 1825.] JOURNAL. 23 and child, that I hope all will go well, A letter from Lockhart in the evening. All safe as to his unanimous reception in London ; his predecessor, young [Coleridge], handsomely, and like a o;entleman, offers his assistance as a contributor, etc. Novemler 28. — I have the less dread, or rather the less anxiety, about the consequences of this migration, that I repose much confidence in Sophia's tact and good sense. Her manners are good, and have the appearance of being perfectly natural. She is quite conscious of the limited range of her musical talents, and never makes them common or produces them out of place, — a rare virtue ; moreover she is proud enough, and will not be easily netted and patronised by any of that class of ladies who may be called Lion-providers for town and country. She is domestic besides, and will not be disposed to gad about. Then she seems an economist, and on £3000,1 living C[uietly, there should be something to save. Lockhart must be liked where his good qualities are known, and where his fund of information has room to be displayed. But, notwithstanding a handsome exterior and face, I am not sure he will succeed in London Society ; he sometimes reverses the proverb, and gives the volte strette e pensiere sciolti, witli- draws his attention from the company, or attaches himself to some individual, gets into a corner, and seems to be quizzing the rest. This is the want of early habits of being in society, and a life led much at college. Nothing is, however, so popular, and so deservedly so, as to take an interest in what- ever is going forward in society. A wise man always finds his account in it, and will receive information and fresh views of life even in the society of fools. Abstain from society altogether when you are not able to play some part in it. 1 Moore recorrls that Scott told liim,"Moore'sX'/a/-y,im(ler Oct. 29, him " Lockhart was about to under- vol. iv. p. .334. Jeffrey had £700 take the Quarterly, has agreed for a year as Editor of the Edinhunjh, five years; salary £1200 a year; and £2800 for contributors: June and if he writes a certain nundjcr 1823, sec Moore's Dlanj, vol. iv. of articles it will be fblCO a year to p. H9. 24 JOURNAL. [Nov. This reserve, and a sort of Hidalgo air joined to his character as a satirist, have done the best-humoured fellow in thcAvorld some injury in the opinion of Edinburgh folks. In London it is of less consequence whether he please in general society or not, since if he can establish himself as a genius it will only lie called " Pretty Fanny's AVay." People make me the oddest requests. It is not unusual for an Oxonian or Cantab, who has outrun his allowance, and of whom I know nothing, to apply to me for the loan of £20, £50, or £100. A captain of the Danish naval service writes to me, that being in distress for a sum of money by which he might transport himself to Columbia, to offer his services in assisting to free that province, he had dreamed I generously made him a present of it. I can tell him his dream by contraries. I begin to find, like Joseph Surface, that too good a character is inconvenient, I don't know what I have done to gain so much credit for generosity, but I suspect I owe it to being supposed, as Puff ^ says, one of those " whom Heaven has blessed with affluence." Not too much of that neither, my dear petitioners, thougli I may thank myself that your ideas are not correct. Dined at Melville Castle, whither I went through a snow-storm. I was glad to find myself once more in a place connected with many happy days. Met Sir R. Dundas and my old friend George, now Lord Abercromby,- M-ith his lady, and a beautiful girl, his daughter. He is M'hat he always was — the best-humoured man living ; and our meetings, now more rare than usual, are seasoned with a recollection of old frolics and old friends. I am entertained to see him just the same he has always been, never yielding up his own opinion in fact, and yet in words acquiescing in all that could be said against it. George was always like a willow — he never offered resistance to the breath of ari^ument, but ^ Sheridan's Critic, Act I. Sc. 2. of Sir Ralph, tlie liero of tlie battle ^ George Abercromby, eldeat son of Alexandria. 1825.] JOUriNAL. 25 never moved from Lis rooted opinion, l)lo\v ns it listod. Exaggeration might make these peculiarities highly dramatic : Conceive a man who always seems to l)c acquiescing in your sentiments, yet never changes his own, and this with a sort of honhoniie which shows there is not a particle of deceit intended. He is only desirous to spare you the trouble of contradiction. November 2'd. — A letter from Southey, malcontent about Murray having accomplished the change in the Quarterly without speaking to him, and quoting the twaddle of some old woman, male or female, about Lockhart's earlier jenx d'csprit, but concluding most kindly that in regard to my daughter and mo he did not mean to withdraw. That he has done yeoman's service to the Review is certain, wuth his genius, his universal reading, his powers of regular industry, and at the outset a name which, though less generally popular than it deserves, is still too respectable to be with- drawn without injury. I could not in reply point out to him what is the truth, that his rigid Toryism and High Church prejudices rendered him an unsafe counsellor in a matter where the spirit of the age must be consulted ; but I pointed out to him what I am sure is true, that Murray, apprehensive of his displeasure, had not ventured to write to him out of mere timidity and not from any [intention to offend]. I treated [lightly] his old woman's apprehensions and cautions, and all that gossip about friends and enemies, to which a splendid number or two will be a sufficient answer, and I accepted with due acknowledgment his proposal of continued support. I cannot say I was afraid of his with- drawing. Lockhart will have hard words \vith liim, for, great as Southey 's powers are, he has not the art to make them work popularly ; ho is often diffuse, and frequently sets much value on minute and unimportant facts, and useless pieces of abstruse knowledge. Living too exclusively in a circle where he is idolised botli for his genius and the 26 JOURNAL. [Xov. excellence of his disposition, he has acquired strong pre- judices, though all of an upright and honourable cast. He rides his High Church hobby too hard, and it will not do to run a tilt upon it against all the world. Gifford used to crop his articles considerably, and they bear mark of it, being sometimes dt^coiisncs. Southey said that Gifford cut out his middle joints. When John comes to use the carving-knife I fear Dr. Southey will not be so tractable. No7is verrons. I will not show Southey's letter to Lockhart, for there is to him personally no friendly tone, and it would startle the Hidalgo's pride. It is to be wished they may draw kindly together. Southey says most truly that even those who most undervalue his reputation would, were he to withdraw from the Beviev), exaggerate the loss it would thereby sustain. The bottom of all these feuds, though not named, is Blackwood's Magazine ; all the squibs of which, which have sometimes ex- ploded among the Lakers, Lockhart is rendered accountable for. He must now exert himself at once with spirit and prudence.^ He has good backing — Canning, Bishop Blom- field, Gifford, Wright, Croker, Will Eose,— and is there not besides the Douglas ? - An excellent plot, excellent friends, and full of preparations? It was no plot of my making. ^ The following extract from a Oriel. But mind now, Wilson, I letter to Professor Wilson, urgently am sure to have a most hard claiming his aid, sliows tliat the struggle to get up a very good new editor had lost no time in look- first Number, and if I do not, it ing after his ' ' first Number " :— will l)e tlie Devil." This letter was "Mr. Coleridge has yesterday quoted in an abridged form in the transferred to me the treasures of Life of Professor Wilson by Mrs. the Quarterly Beviev; and I must (Jordon. say, my dear Wilson, that his whole stock is not worth five shillings. 2 This probably refers to Archi- Thank God, other and l)etter hands bald, Lord Douglas, wholiad married are at work for my first Number or the Lady Frances Scott, sister of I should ha in a pretty hobble. iMy Henry, Duke of Buccleucli. Lord belief is that he has been living on Douglas died on the '26th December tlie stock bequeathed by Oifford, 1827. For notices of these valued and the contributions of a set of friends see lAfi\ vol. ii. pp. 27-8 ; H es and other d— d idiots of iv. pp. 22, 70 ; and v. p. 2.30. 1825.] JOURNAL. 27 I am sure, yet men will say and believe that [it was], though I never heard a word of tlie matter till first a hint from Wright, and then the formal proposal of Murray to Lockhart announced. I believe Canning and Charles Ellis were the prime movers. I '11 puzzle my brains no more about it. Dined at Justice-Clerk's — the President — Captain Smollett, etc., — our new Commander-in-chief, Hon. Sir Robert O'Callaghan, brother to Earl of Lismore, a fine soldierly-looking man, with orders and badges; — his brother, an agreeable man, whom I met at Lowther Castle this season. He composes his own music and sings his own poetry — has much humour, enhanced by a strong touch of national dialect, which is always a rich sauce to an Irish- man's good things. Dandyish, but not offensively, and seems to have a warm feeling for the credit of his country — rather inconsistent with the trifling and selfish quietude of a mere man of society. November 30. — I am come to the time when those who look out of the windows shall be darkened. I must now wear spectacles constantly in reading and writing, though till this winter I have made a shift by using only their occasional assistance. Although my health cannot be better, I feel my lameness becomes sometimes painful, and often inconvenient. Walking on the pavement or causeway gives me trouble, and I am glad when I have accomplished my return on foot from the Parliament House to Castle Street, though I can (taking a competent time, as old Braxie ^ said on another occasion) walk five or six miles in the country with pleasure. Well — such things must come, and be received witli cheerful submission. My early lameness considered, it was impossible for a man labouring under a bodily impediment to have been stronger or more active than I have been, and that for twenty or thirty years. Seams ^Robert Macqueeu— Lord Braxfield — Justice Clerk from M'^S ; lie died in 1799. 28 JOITENAL. [Nov. will slit, and elbows will out, quoth the tailor ; and as I was fifty-four on 15th August last, rny mortal vestments are none of the newest. Then Walter, Charles, and Lockhart are as active and handsome young fellows as you can see ; and while they enjoy strength and activity 1 can hardly be said to want it. I have perhaps all my life set an undue value on these gifts. Yet it does appear to me that high and in- dependent feelings are naturally, though not uniformly or inseparably, connected with bodily advantages. Strong men are usually good-humoured, and active men often display the same elasticity of mind as of body. These are superiorities, however, that are often misused. But even for these things God shall call us to judgment. Some months since I joined with other literary folks in subscribing a petition for a pension to Mrs. G. of L.,^ which we thought was a tribute merited by her works as an authoress, and, in my opinion, nnich more by the firmness and elasticity of mind with which she had borne a succession of great domestic calamities. Unhappily there was only about £100 open on the pension list, and this the minister assigned in equal portions to IMrs. G and a dis- tressed lady, grand- daughter of a forfeited Scottish nobleman. Mrs. G , proud as a Highland-woman, vain as a poetess, and absurd as a bluestocking, has taken this partition in malam partem, and written to Lord Melville about her merits, and that her friends do not consider her claims as being fairly canvassed, with something like a demand tliat her petition be submitted to the King. This is not the way to make her jilack a laivbee,im(\. Lord 'M., a little miffed in turn, sends the whole correspondence to me to know whether jMrs. G will accept the £50 or not. Now, hating to deal witli ladies when they are in an unreasonable humour, I have got the frood-humoured " Man of Feeling " to find out the ladv's ^ Mr.s. (iirant of Laggan, autlior Superstitions of the, Jfiyhlanders, of Lettem from the Mountains, etc. Died at Krlin. in 1838, aged 83. 1825.] JOUENAL. 20 miud, and 1 take on myself the task of making her peace Avith Lord M. There is no great doubt how it will end, for your scornful dog will always eat your dirty pudding.' After all, the poor lady is greatly to be ])itied ; — her sole remaining daughter, deep and far gone in a decline, has been seized with alienation of mind. Dined with my cousin, l\[obert] E[utheribrdj, being tlie first invitation since my uncle's death, and our cousin Lieutenant-Colonel Russell^ of Ashestiel, with his sister Anne — the former newly returned from India — a fine gallant fellow, and distinguished as a cavalry officer. He came overland from India and has observed a "ood deal. Creneral L of L , in Logan's orthography nfoirl, 8ir "William Hamilton, Miss Peggie Swinton, William Keith, and others. Knight INIarischal not well, so unable to attend the con- vocation of kith and kin. ^ Scott had not the smallest hesi- critiijue on Gall's Omtn. See tliis tatioii in applying this unsavoury Journal, June 2.3, IS'26. proverb to himself a few mouths - Afterwards Major-General Sir later, when he unwillingly " im- James Russell, G.C.B. He died at peticosed the gratillity " fur the Ashestiel in 1SJ9 in his TSth year. DECEMBER. December 1st. — Colonel Ii[ussell] told me that the European Government had discovered an ingenious mode of diminish- ing the number of burnings of widows. It seems the Shaster positively enjoins that the pile shall be so constructed that, if the victim should repent even at the moment when it is set on fire, she may still have the means of saving herself. The Brahmins soon found it was necessary to assist the resolution of the sufferers, by means of a little pit into which they contrive to let the poor widow sink, so as to prevent her reaping any benefit from a late repentance. But the Government has brought them back to the regard of their law, and only permit the burning to go on when the pile is constructed with full opportunity of a locus 2)enitenticc. Yet the widow is so degraded if she dare to survive, that the number of burnings is still great. The quantity of female children destroyed by the Kajput tribes Colonel B. describes as very great indeed. They are strangled by the mother. The principle is the aristocratic jDride of these high castes, "who breed up no more daughters than they can reasonably hope to find matches for in their own tribe. Singular how artificial systems of feeling can be made to overcome that love ijf offspring which seems instinctive in the fenudes, not of the human race only, but of the lower aninu^Ls. This is the reverse of our system of increasing game by shooting the old cock-birds. It is a system would aid Malthus rarely. Nota bene, the day before yesterday I signed the bond for £5000, with Constable, for relief of Bobiuson's house.^ I am to be secured by good bills. ^ See ante, ]). 13. Mr. James Bal- in the propriety of assisting Rob- lantyne and Mr. Cadell concurred inson. with Mr. Constable and Sir ^^'aller ■60 Dec. 1825.] JOURNAL. 31 I think this jourual will suit nic well. If I can coa.x myself into an idea that it is purely voluntary, it may go on — Nulla dies sine lined. But never a being, from my infancy upwards, hated task-work as I hate it ; and yet I have done a great deal in my day. It is not that I am idle in my nature neither. But propose to me to do one thing, and il is inconceivable the desire I have to do something else — not that it is more easy or more pleasant, but just because it is escaping from an imposed task. I cannot trace this love of contradiction to any distinct source, but it has haunted me all my life. I could almost suppose it was mechanical, and that the imposition of a piece of duty-labour operated on me like the mace of a bad billiard-player, which gives an im- pulse to the ball indeed, but sends it off at a tangent different from the course designed by the player. Xow, if I expend such eccentric movements on this journal, it will be turning this wretched propensity to some tolerable account. If I had thus employed the hours and half- hours which I have whiled away in putting off something that must needs be done at last, " My Conscience ! " I should have had a journal with a witness. Sophia and Lockhart came to Edinburgh to-day and dined with us, meeting Hector Macdonald Buchanan, his lady, and Missit-, James Skene and his lady, Lockhart's friend Cay, etc. They are lucky to be able to assemble so many real friends, whose good wishes, I am sure, will follow them in their new inidertaking. December 2. — Bather a blank day for the Gurnal. Correcting proofs in the morning. Court from half-past ten till two ; poor dear Colin Mackenzie, one of the wisest, kindest, and best men of his time, in the country, — I fear with very indifferent health. From two till three transacting business with J. B. ; all seems to go smoothly. Sophia dined Avith lis alone, Lockhart being gone to the west to bid fare- well to liis father and brothers. Evening spent in talking 32 JOUKNAL. [Dec. with Sophia on their future prospects. God bless her, poor girl ! she never gave me a moment's reason to complain of her. But, my God ! that poor delicate child, so clever, so animated, yet holding by this earth with so fearfully slight a tenure. Never out of his mother's thoughts, almost never out of his father's arms when he has but a single moment to give to anything. Dens i^rovidehit. Decemhcr 3. — li. P. G. ^ came to call last night to excuse liiniself from dining with Lockhart's friends to-day. I really fear he is near an actual standstill. He has been extremely improvident. When I first knew him he had an excellent estate, and now he is deprived, I fear, of the whole reversion of the price, and this from no vice or extreme, except a waste- ful mode of buying pictures and other costly trifles at high prices, and selling them again for nothing, besides an extrava- gant housekeeping and profuse hospitality. An excellent disposition, with a considerable fund of acquired knowledge, would have rendered him an agreeable companion, had he not affected singularity, and rendered himself accordingly singu- larly affected. He was very near being a poet — Imt a miss is as good as a mile, and he always fell short of tlie mark. I knev/ him first, many years ago, when he was desirous of my acquaintance ; but he was too poetical for me, or I was not poetical enough for him, so that we continued only ordinary acquaintance, with goodwill on either side, which li. r. G. really deserves, as a more friendly, generous creature never lived. Lockhart hopes to get something done for him, being sincerely attached to him, but says he has no hopes ' Robert Pierce Gillies, once pro- earliest but most persevering of prietor of a good estate in Kincar- my friends — persevering in spite of dineshire, and member of tlie. Scotch my waywardness." — Mcmohn of a Bar. It is pleasant to find Mr. G illies Liltrary Veteran, including Sketches expressing liis gratitude for wliat and Anecdotes of the most distin- Sir Walter liad done for him more guished Literary Characters from than twenty-five years after this 1794 to 1849 (3 vols., London, 1851), paragraph was written. "He was," vol. i. p. ;i21. Mr. Gillies died in says 11. r. G., " not only among the 18G1. o 1825.] JOURNAL. 3' till he is utterly ruined. That point, I fear, is not far distant ; but what Lockhart can do fur him then I cannot guess. His last effort failed, owing to a curious reason. He had made some translations from the German, whicli he does extremely [well] — for give him ideas and he never wants choice of good words — and Lockhart had got Constable to offer some sort of terms for them. E. P. G. has always, though possessing a beautiful power of handwriting, had some whim or other about imitating that of some other person, and has written for months in the imitation of one or other of his friends. At present he has renounced this amuse- ment, and chooses to write with a brush upon large cartridge paper, somewhat in the Chinese fashion, — so \vhen his work, which was only to extend to one or two volumes, arrived on the shoulders of two porters, in immense bales, our jolly bibliopolist backed out of the treaty, and would have nothing more to do with E. P.^ He is a creature that is, or would be thought, of imagination all compact, and is influenced by strange whims. But he is a kind, harmless, friendly soul, and I fear has been cruelly plundered of money, which he now wants sadly. Dined with Lockhart's friends, about fifty in number, who gave him a parting entertainment. John Hope, Solicitor-General, in the chair, and Eobert Duudas [of Arniston], croupier. The company most highly respectable, and any man might be proud of such an indication of the interest they take in his progress in life. Tory principles rather too violently upheld by some speakers. I came home about ten ; the party sat late. December 4. — Lockhart and Sophia, with his brother William, dined with us, and talked over our separation, and ^ Mr. Gillies was, however, warm- book in 1S2.5 under the title of The ly welcomed by another publisher Magic Ring, 3 vols. Its failure with in Edinburgh, wlio paid him £100 the public prevented a repetition for hib bulky Mss., and issued the of tlie experiment I 34 JOUENAL. [Dec. the mode of their settling in London, and other family topics. December 5. — This morning Lockhart and Sophia left ns early, and without leave-taking; when I rose at eio-ht o'clock they were gone. This was very right. I hate red eyes and blowing of noses. Ay ere ct 2iciH Romanum est. Of all schools commend me to the Stoics. We cannot indeed overcome our affections, nor ought we if we could, but we may repress them within due bounds, and avoid coaxing them to make fools of those who should be their masters. I have lost some of the comforts to which I chiefly looked for enjoyment. Well, I must make the more of such as remain — God bless them. And so " I will unto my holy work again," ^ which at present is the description of that heilige Klcellatt, that worshipful triumvirate, Danton, Eobespierre, and Marat. I cannot conceive what possesses me, over every person besides, to mislay papers. I received a letter Saturday at e'en, enclosing a bill for £750 ; no deaf nuts. Well, I read it, and note the contents ; and this day, as if it had been a wind-bill in the literal sense of the words, I search every- where, and lose three hours of my morning — turn over all my confusion in the writing-desk — break open one or two letters, lest I should have enclosed the sweet and quickly convertible document in them, — send for a joiner, and dis- organise my scrutoire, lest it should have fallen aside by mistake. I find it at last — the place where is of little consequence ; but this trick must be amended. Dined at the Eoyal Society Club, where, as usual, was a pleasant meeting of from twenty to twenty-five. It is a very good institution; we pay two guineas only for six- dinners in the year, present or absent. Dine at five, or rather half-past five, at the Eoyal Hotel, where we have an excellent dinner, with soups, fish, etc., and all in good order; ' Kivfj Rirhurd III., Act m. Sc. 7.— j. v.. l. 1825.] JOURNAL. 35 port and sherry till half-past seven, then coffee, and we "o to the Society. This has great influence in keeping up the attendance, it being found that this preface of a good dinner, to be paid for whether you partake or not, brings out many a philosopher who might not otherwise have attended the Society. Harry ]\Iackenzie, now in his eighty-second or third year, read part of an Essay on Dreams. Supped at Dr. Eussell's usual party ,^ which shall serve for one while. Decemler 6. — A rare thing this literature, or love of fame or notoriety which accompanies it. Here is Mr. H[enry] M[ackenzie] on the very brink of human dissolution, as actively anxious about it as if the curtain must not soon be closed on that and everything else.- He calls me his literary confessor ; and I am sure I am glad to return the kindnesses which he showed me long since in George Square. No man is less known from his writings. We would sup- pose a retired, modest, somewhat affected man, with a white handkerchief, and a sigh ready for every sentiment. Xo such thing : H. M. is alert as a contracting tailor's needle in every sort of ])usiness — a politician and a sportsman — shoots and fishes in a sort even to this day — and is the life of the company with anecdote and fun. Sometimes, his daughter tells me, he is in low spirits at home, but really I never see anything of it in society. There is a maxim almost universal in Scotland, which I should like much to see controlled. Every youth, of every temper and almost every description of character, is sent ^ Of the many Edinburgh suppers mentioned in the Journal. Dr. of this period, commemorated by Russell died in I8.S6. Lord Cockburn, not the least plea- sant were the friendly gatherings - Mr. Mackenzie iiad been con- in 30 Abercromby Place, the town suiting Sir Walter about collecting house of Dr. .Tames Russell, Pro- his own juvenile poetiy. — j. <;. i,. fessor of Clinical Surgery. Tliey Though the venerable author of The were given fortnightly after the J/a» o/Z'^fZ/H.^ did not die till 1S31, meetings of tlie Royal Society dur- he does not appear to have carried ingtlie Session, and are occasionally out his intention. 36 JOURNAL. [Dec. either to study for the bar, or to a writer's office as an apprentice. The Scottish seem to conceive Themis the most powerful of goddesses. Is a lad stupid, the law will sharpen liim ; — is he too mercurial, the law will make him sedate; — has he an estate, he may get a sherififdom; — is he poor, tlie richest lawyers have emerged from poverty ; — is he a Tory, he may become a depute-advocate ; — is he a Whig, he may with far better hope expect to become, in reputation at least, that rising counsel Mr. , when in fact he only rises at tavern dinners. Upon some such wild views lawyers and writers multiply till there is no life for them, and men give up the chase, liopeless and exhausted, and go into the army at five-and-twenty, instead of eighteen, witli a turn for expense perhaps — almost certainly for pro- fligacy, and with a heart embittered against the loving parents or friends who compelled them to lose six or seven years in dusting the rails of the stair with their black gowns, or scribbling nonsense for twopence a page all day, and laying out twice their earnings at night in whisky-punch. Here is E. L. now. Four or five years ago, from certain indications, I assured his friends he would never be a writer. Good-natured lad, too, when Bacchus is out of the question; but at other times so pugnacious, that it was evident he could only be properly placed where fighting was to be a part of his duty, regulated by time and place, and paid for accordingly. Well, time, money, and instruction have been thrown aw^ay, and now, after fighting two reguhar boxing matches and a duel with pistols in the course of one week, he tells them roundly he will be no writer, which common-sense might have told tliem before. He has now perhaps acquired habits of insubordination, unfitting him for the army, where he might have been tamed at an earlier period. He is too old for the navy, and so he must go to India, a guinea-pig on board a Cliinaman, with what hope or view it is melan- choly to guess. His elder brother did all man could to get 1825.] JOURNAL. 37 his friends to consent to his going into the army in time. The lad has good-humoiir, courage, and most gentlemanlike feelings, but he is incurably dissipated, I hear ; so goes to die in youth in a foreign land. Thank God, I let Walter take his own way ; and I trust he will be a useful, honoured soldier, being, for his time, high in the service ; whereas at home he would probably have been a wine-bibbing, moorfowl- shooting, fox-hunting Fife squire — living at Lochore without either aim or end — and well if he were no worse. Dined at home with Lady S. and Anne. Wrote in the evening. December 7. — Teind day;i — at home of course. Wrote answers to one or two letters which have been lying on my desk like snakes, hissing at me for my dilatoriness. Bespoke a tun of palm-oil for Sir Jolni Forbes. Received a letter from Sir W. Knighton, mentioning that the King acquiesced in my proposal that Constable's Miscellany should be dedicated to him. Enjoined, however, not to make this public, till the draft of dedication shall be approved. This letter tarried so long, I thought some one had insinuated the proposal was infra dig. I don't think so. The purpose is to bring all the standard works, both in sciences and the liberal arts, within the reach of the lower classes, and en- able them thus to use with advantage the education which is given them at every hand. To make boys learn to read, and then place no good books within their reach, is to give men an appetite, and leave nothing in the pantry save un- wholesome and poisonous food, which, depend upon it, they will eat rather than starve. Sir William, it seems, has been in Germany. 1 Every alternate "Wednesday Church of Scotland. As tho Teind during the Winter and Summer Court has a separate establish- sessions, the Lords Commissioners ment of clerks and officers, Sir of Teinds (Tithes), consisting of a Walter was freed from duty at tlie certain number of the judges, held a Parliament House on those days. '•Teind Court "—for hearing cases The Court Jiow sits on alternate relating to the secular aft'airs of the Mondays only. 38 JOURNAL. [Dec. INIighty dark this morning ; it is past ten, and I am using my lamp. The vast number of houses built beneath us to the north certainly render our street darker during the days when frost or haze prevents the smoke from rising. After all, it may be my older eyes. I remember two years ago, when Lord H. began to fail somewhat in his limbs, he observed that Lord S.^ came to Court at a more early hour than usual, whereas it was he himself who took lomj^er time to walk the usual distance betwixt his house and the Parlia- ment Square. I suspect old gentlemen often make such mistakes. A letter from Southey in a very pleasant strain as to Lockhart and myself. Of Murray he has perhaps ground to complain as well for consulting him late in the business, as for the manner in which he intimated to young Coleridge, who had no reason to think himself handsomelv treated, though he has acquiesced in the arrangement in a very gentlemanlike tone. With these matters we, of course, have nothing to do ; having no doubt that the situation was vacant when M. offered it as such. Southey says, in altera- tion of Byron's phrase, that M. is the most timorous, not of God's, but of the devil's, booksellers. The truth I take to be that ]\Iurray was pushed in the change of Editor (which was really become necessary) probably by Gifford, Canning, Ellis, etc. ; and when he had fixed with Lockhart by their advice his constitutional nervousness made him delay entering ujDon a full explanation with Coleridge. But it is all settled now — I hope Lockhart will be able to mitigate their High Church bigotry. It is not for the present day, savouring too much oijure divino. Dined quiet with Lady S. and Anne. Anne is practising Scots songs, which I take as a kind compliment to my own taste, as hers leads her chieliy to foreign music. I think the good girl sees that I want and must miss her sister's 1 Mr. Lockhart suggests Lords living at 124 (leorge Street, and Herniaiid and .Succoth, the former the latter at 1 I'ark I'lacc. 1825.] JOUENAL. 39 peculiar talent in singing the airs of our native country, which, imperfect as my musical ear is, make, and always have made, the most pleasing impression on me. And so if she puts a constramt on herself for my sake, I can only say, in requital, God bless her. I have much to comfort me in the present aspect of my family. My eldest son, independent in fortune, united to an affectionate wife — and of good hopes in his profession ; my second, with a good deal of talent, and in the way, I trust, of cultivating it to good purpose; Anne, an honest, downright, good Scots lass, in whom I would only wish to correct a spirit of satire ; and Lockhart is Lockhart, to whom I can most willingly confide the haj^piness of the daughter who chose him, and whom he ha-s chosen. My dear wife, the partner of early cares and successes, is, I fear, frail in health — though I trust and pray she may see me out. Indeed, if this troublesome complaint goes on — it bodes no long existence. My brother was affected with the same weakness, which, before he was fifty, brought on mortal symptoms. The poor Major had been rather a free liver. But my father, the most abstemious of men, save when the duties of hospitality required him to be very moderately free with his bottle, and that was very seldom, had the same weakness which now annoys me, and he, I think, was not above seventy when cut off. Square the odds, and good-night Sir Walter about sixty. I care not, if 1 , leave my name unstained, and my family properly settled. Sat est vixisse. December 8. — Talking of the vixisse, it may not be im- pertinent to notice that Knox, a young poet of considerable talent, died here a week or two since. His father was a respectable yeoman, and he himself, succeeding to good farms under the Duke of Buccleuch, became too soon his own master, and plunged into dissipation and ruin. His poetical talent, a very line one, then showed itself in a line 40 JOURNAL. [Dec. strain ot pensive poetry, called, I think, The Lonely Hearth, far superior to those of Michael Bruce, whose consumption, by the way, has been the life of his verses. But poetry, nay, good poetry, is a drug in the present day. I am a wretched patron. I cannot go with a subscription-paper, like a pocket- pistol about me, and draw unawares on some honest country- gentleman, who has as much alarm as if I had used the phrase " stand and deliver," and parts with his money with a grimace, indicating some suspicion that the crown-piece thus levied goes ultimately into the collector's own pocket. This I see daily done ; and I have seen such collectors, when they have exhausted Papa and Mamma, continue their trade among the misses, and conjure out of their pockets those little funds which should carry them to a play or an assembly. It is well people will go through this — it does some good, I suppose, and they have great merit who can sacrifice their pride so far as to attempt it in this way. Por my part I am a bad promoter of subscriptions ; but I wished to do what I could for this lad, whose talent I really admired; and I am not addicted to admire heaven-born poets, or poetry that is reckoned very good considering. I had him, Knox,^ at Abbotsford, about ten years ago, but found him unfit fur that sort of society. I tried to help him, but there were temptations he could never resist. He scrambled on, writing for the booksellers and magazines, and living like the Otways, and Savages, and Chattertons of former days, though I do not know that he was in actual want. His connection with me terminated in begging a subscription or a guinea now and then. His last works were spiritual hymns, and whicli he wrote very well. In his own line of society he was said to exhibit infinite humour ; Iml all liis works are grave and ' William Knox died 12th Nov- His publisher (]\Ir. Anderson, ember. He had jjublislied Somjs of junior, of Edinburgii) remembers Israel, 1824, A Vixil (o Dufdin, that Sir \Valtcr occasionally wrote 1824, The Ilarj} of Zion, 1825, to Knox and sent him money— £10 etc., besides The Lonthj Hearth. at a time. — J. u. l. 1825.] JOUKNAL. 41 pensive, a style perhaps, like Master Stephen's melanchuly/ affected for the nonce. Mrs. G[raut] of L. intimates that she will take her pudding — her pension, I mean (see 30th November), and is contrite, as H[enry] M[ackenzie] vouches. I am glad the stout old girl is not foreclosed ; faith, catching a pension in these times is like hunting a pig with a soap'd tail, monstrous apt to slip through your fingers.^ Dined at home with Lady S. and Anne. Decemher 9. — Yesterday 1 read and wrote the whole day and evening. To-day I shall not be so happy. Having Gas-Light Company to attend at two, I must be brief in journalising. Tlie gay world has been kept in hot water lately by the impudent publication of the celebrated Harriet Wilson, from earliest possibility, I suppose, who lived witli half the gay world at hack and manger, and now obliges such as will not pay liush-money with a history of what- ever she knows or can invent about them. She must have been assisted in the style, spelling, and diction, though the attempt at wit is very poor, that at pathos sickening. But there is some good retailing of conversations, in which the style of the speakers, so far as known to me, is exactly imitated, and some things told, as said by individuals of each other, which will sound nnpleasantly in each other's ears. I admire the address of Lord A y, himself very severely handled from time to time. Some one asked him if H. W. had been pretty correct on the whole. " Why, faith," he replied, " I believe so " — when, raising his eyes, he saw Quentin Dick, whom the little jilt had treated atrociously — " what concerns the present company always excepted, you ^ In Ben Jonson's Every Man in nient, as at this juncture a hanclsoinc his Hionom: legacy came to lier from an uncx- - Providence was kinder to the pccted quarter. Memoir and Gorrc- venerable lady than the Govern- 67;oM(^eHce, Lend, 1845, vol. iii. p. 71- 42 JOURNAL. [Dec. know," added Lord A y, with infinite presence of mind. As he WAS in pari casu with Q. D. no more coukl be said. After all, H. W. beats Con Philips, Anne Bellamy, and all former demireps out and out. I think I supped once in her company, more than twenty years since, at Mat Lewis's in Argyle Street, where the company, as the Duke says to Lucio, chanced to be " fairer than honest." ^ She was far from beauti- ful, if it be the same cliiffonnc, but a smart saucy girl, with good eyes and dark hair, and the manners of a wild schoolboy. I am glad this accidental meeting has escaped her memory — or, perhaps, is not accurately recorded in mine — for, being a sort of French falconer, who hawk at all they see, I might have had a distinction which I am far from desiring^. Dined at Sir John Hay's — a large party ; Skenes there, the ISTewenhams and others, strangers. In the morning a meeting of Oil Gas Committee. The concern lingers a little ; " It may do weel, for ought it 's done yet, But only — it '.s no just begun yet."^ December 10. — A stormy and rainy day. Walked from tlie Court through the rain. I don't dislike this. Egad, I rather like it ; for no man that ever stepped on heather has less dread than I of catch-cold ; and I seem to re- gain, in buffeting with the wind, a little of the high spirit with which, in younger days, I used to enjoy a Tam-o'- Shanter ride through darkness, wind, and rain, — the boughs groaning and cracking over my head, the good horse free to the road and impatient for home, and feeling the weather as little as I did. " The storm around might roar and rustle, We didna mind the storm a whistle." Answered two letters — one, answer to a schoolboy, who writes himself Captain of Giggleswick School (a most imposing title), entreating the youngster not to commence ^ Measure for ]\leamre, Act iv. - Burns's Dedication to O'avin Sc. 3. — J. G. L. Hamilton. — j. u. L. 1825.] JOURNAL. 43 editor of a mafjazine to be entitled the " Yorkshire Muffin," I think, at seventeen years old ; second, to a soldier of the 79th, showing why I cannot oblige him l)y getting his dis- charge, and exhorting him rather to bear with the wickedness and profanity of the service, than take the very precarious step of desertion. This is the old receipt of Diirandarte — Patience, cousin, and skujjic the cards ; ^ and I suppose the correspondents will think I have been too busy in offering my counsel where I was asked for assistance. A third rogue writes to tell me — rather of the latest, if the matter was of consequence — that he approves of the first three volumes of the H[eart'\ of Midlothian, but totally condemns the fourth. Doubtless he thinks his opinion worth the sevenpence sterling which his letter costs. How- ever, authors should be reasonably well pleased Avhen three- fourths of their work are acceptable to the reader. The knave demands of me in a postscript, to get back the sword of Sir W[illiam] Wallace from England, where it was carried from Dumbarton Castle. I am not Master-General of the Ordnance, that I know. It was wrong, however, to take away that and Mons Meg. If I go to town this spring, I will renew my negotiation with the Great Duke for recovery of Mons Meg. There is no theme more awful than to attempt to cast a ulance amons the clouds and mists which hide tlie broken extremity of the celebrated bridge of Mirza.- Yet, when every day brings us nearer that termination, one would almost think that our views should become clearer, as the regions we are approaching are brought niglier. Alas ! it is not so : there is a curtain to be withdrawn, a veil to be rent, before we shall see things as they really are. There are few, I trust, who disbelieve the existence of a God; nay, 1 doubt if at all times, and in all moods, any single individual ever adopted that hideous creed, though some have professed it. ^ Don Quixote, Pt. ii. ch. '23. ^ Spectator, No. 159.— J. c;. L. U JOUEXAL. [Dec. With the belief of a Deity, that of the immortality of the soul and of the state of future rewards and punishments is indissolubly linked. ]\Iore we are not to know ; but neither are we prohibited from our attempts, however vain, to pierce the solemn sacred gloom. The expressions used in Scripture are doubtless metaphorical, for penal fires and heavenly melody are only applicable to bodies endowed with senses ; and, at least till the period of the resurrec- tion of the body, the spirits of men, whether entering into the perfection of the just, or committed to the regions of punishment, are incorporeal. Neither is it to be supposed that the glorified bodies which shall arise on the last day will be capable of the same gross indulgences with which they are now solaced. That the idea of Mahomet's paradise is inconsistent with the purity of our heavenly religion will be readily granted ; and see Mark xii. 25. Harmony is obviously chosen as the least corporeal of all gratifications of the sense, and as the type of love, unity, and a state of peace and perfect happiness. But they have a poor idea of the Deity, and the rewards which are destined for the just made perfect, who can only adopt the literal sense of an eternal concert — a never-ending Birthday Ode. I rather suppose there should be understood some commission from the Highest, some duty to discharge with the applause of a satisfied conscience. Tliat the Deity, who himself must be supposed to feel love and affection for the beings he has called into existence, should delegate a portion of those powers, I for one cannot conceive altogether so wrong a con- jecture. We would then find reality in Milton's sublime machinery of the guardian saints or genii of kingdoms. Nay, we would approach to the Catholic idea of the employ- ment of saints, though without approaching the absurdity of saint- worship, whicli degrades their religion. There would be, we must suppose, in these employments difliculties to be overcome, and exertions to be made, for all which the celes- 1825.] JOURNAL. 45 tial beings employed would have certain appropriate powers. I cannot help thinking that a life of active benevolence is more consistent with my ideas than an eternity of music. But it is all speculation, and it is impossible even to guess what we shall [do], unless we could ascertain the equally difficult previous question, what we are to be. But there is a God, and a just God— a judgment and a future life — and all who own so much let them act according to the faith that is in them. I would [not], of course, limit the range of my genii to tliis confined earth. There is the universe, with all its endless extent of worlds. Company at home — Sir Adam Ferguson and his Lady; Colonel and Miss Russell ; Count Davidoff, and Mr. Collyer. By the by, I observe that all men whose names are obviously derived from some mechanical trade, endeavour to dis- guise and antiquate, as it were, their names, by spelling them after some quaint manner or other. Thus we have Collyer, Smythe, Tailleure ; as much as to say, My ancestor was indeed a mechanic, but it was a world of time ago, when the word was spelled very [differently]. Then we had young Whytbank and Will Allan the artist,'^ a very agree- able, simple-mannered, and pleasant man. December 11. — A touch of the morbus ernditorum , to which I am as little subject as most folks, and have it less now than when young. It is a tremor of the heart, the pulsation of which becomes painfully sensible — a disposition to causeless alarm — much lassitude — and decay of vigour of mind and activity of intellect. The reins feel weary and painful, and the mind is apt to receive and encourage gloomy apprehensions and causeless fears. Fighting with this fiend is not always the best way to conquer him. I have always found exercise and the open air better than reasonimj. But such weather as is now without doors does 1 Sir William Allan, President of tlic Royal Scottisli Academy from 1838 : he died at Edinburgh in 1S50. 46 JOUENAL. [Dec. not encourage la petite guerre, so we must give him battle in form, by letting both mind and body know that, suppos- ing one the House of Commons and the other the House of Peers, my will is sovereign over both. There is a good de- scription of this species of mental weakness in the fine play of Beaumont and Fletcher called The Lover's Progress, where the man, warned that his death is approaching, works liimself into an agony of fear, and calls for assistance, though there is no apparent danger. The apparition of the innkeeper's ghost, in the same play, hovers between the ludicrous and [the terrible]. To me the touches of the former quality which it contains seem to augment the effect of the latter — they seem to give reality to the supernatural, as being circumstances with which an inventor would hardly have garnished his story .^ Will Clerk says he has a theory on the vitrified forts. I wonder if he and I agree. I think accidental conflagration is the cause. December 12. — Hogg came to breakfast this morning, having taken and brought for his companion the Galashiels bard, David Thomson,^ as to a meeting of " buzz Tividale poets." The honest grunter opines with a delightful naivete that Moore's verses are far owre sweet — answered by Thom- son that Moore's ear or notes, I forget which, were finely strung. "They are far owre finely strung," replied he of the Forest, "for mine are just reeght." It reminded me of Queen Bess, when questioning Melville sharply and closely whether Queen [Mary] was taller than her, and, extracting an answer in the affirmative, she replied, " Then your Queen is too tall, for I am just the proper height." Was engaged the whole day with Sheriff Court pro- cesses. There is something sickening in seeing poor devils ^ Beaumont and Fletcher, Svo, see Life, October 1822, and T. Craig Lond. 1788, vol. V. pp. 410-41.3, 419- Brown's History of Sell-irt^kire, 426. 2 vols. 4to, Edin. 1886, vol. i. - For notices of David 'rhmnson, pp. 505, 507, and 519. 182o.] JOUEXAL. 47 drawn into great expense about trifles by interested attor- neys. But too cheap access to litigation has its evils on the other hand, for the proneness of the lower class to gratify spite and revenge in this way would be a dreadful evil were they able to endure the expense. Very few cases come before the Sheriff-court of Selkirkshire that ought to come anywhere. "Wretched wranglings about a few pounds, begun in spleen, and carried on from obstinacy, and at length from fear of the conclusion to the banquet of ill-humour, " D — n — n of expenses." ^ I try to check it as well as I can; "but so 'twill be when I am gone." Decemher 12. — Dined at home, and spent the evening in writing — Anne and Lady Scott at the theatre to see Mathews ; a very clever man my friend Mathews ; but it is tiresome to be funny for a whole evening, so I was content and stupid at home. An odd optical delusion has amused me these two last nitrhts. I have been of late, for the first time, condemned to the constant use of spectacles. Now, when I have laid them aside to step into a room dimly lighted, out of the strong light which I use for writing, I have seen, or seemed to see, through the rims of the same spectacles which I have left behind me. At first the impression was so lively that I put my hand to my eyes believing I had the actual spectacles on at the moment. But what I saw was only the eidolon or image of said useful servants. This fortifies some of Dr. Hibbert's positions about spectral ap- pearances. Deceviber 13. — Letter from Lady Stafford — kind and friendly after the wont of Banzu-Mohr-ar-chat.^ This is 1 Burns's Address to the Unco in the English name of the neigh- G%ud. — J. G. L. bouring one, Caithness, we have 2Banamhorar-Chat, i.e. the Great another trace of the early settle- Lady of the Cat, is the Gaelic title meat of the Clan Chattmi, wiiose of the Countess-Duchess of Suther- chiefs bear the cognisance of a la-nd. The county of Sutherland Wild Cat. The Duchess-Countess itself is in that dialect Cattey, and ilied in 1838.— J. u. i- 48 JOURNAL. [Dec. wrong spelled, I know. Her countenance is something for Sophia, whose company should be — as ladies are said to choose their liquor — little and good. To be acquainted with persons of mere ton is a nuisance and a scrape — to be known to persons of real fashion and fortune is in London a very great advantage. She is besides sure of the here- ditary and constant friendship of the Buccleuch ladies, as well as those of Montagu and of the Harden family, of the Marchioness of Northampton, Lady Melville, and others, also the Miss Ardens, upon whose kind offices I have some claim, and would count upon them whether such claim existed or no. So she is well enough established amonsj the Eight-hand file, which is very necessary in London where second-rate fashion is like false jewels. Went to the yearly court of the Edinburgh Assurance Company, to which I am one of those graceful and useless appendages, called Directors Extraordinary — an extraordinary director I should prove had they elected me an ordinary one. There were there moneyers and great oneyers,^ men of metal — discounters and counters — sharp, grave, prudential faces — eyes weak with ciphering by lamplight — men who say to gold. Be thou paper, and to paper, Be thou turned into fine gold. Many a bustling, sharp-faced, keen-eyed writer too — some perhaps speculating M'ith their clients' property. My reverend seigniors had expected a motion for printing their contract, which I, as a piece of light artillery, was brought down and got into battery to oppose, I should certainly have done this on the general ground, that while each partner could at any time obtain sight of the contract at a call on the directors or managers, it would be absurd to print it for the use of the Company — and that exposing it to the world at large was in all respects unnecessary, and might teach novel companies to avail themselves of our rules and calculations — if false, for the purpose of ' See 1 Kimj Jhnrij IV., Act II. So. 1. 1825.] JOUENAL. 49 exposing our errors — if correct, for the purpose of improving their own schemes on our model. But my eloquence was not required, no one renewing tlie motion under question ; so off I came, my ears still ringing with the sounds of thousands and tens of thousands, and my eyes dazzled with the golden gleam offered by so many capitalists. Walked home with the Solicitor ^ — decidedly the most hopeful young man of his time ; high connection, great talent, spirited ambition, a ready and prompt elocution, with a good voice and dignified manner, prompt and steady courage, vigilant and constant assiduity, popularity with the young men, and the good opinion of the old, will, if I mistake not, carry him as [high as] any man who has been since the days of old Hal Dundas." He is hot though, and rather hasty : this .should be amended. They who would play at single-stick must bear with patience a rap over the knuckles. Dined quietly with Lady Scott and Anne. December 14. — Affairs very bad in the money-market in London. It must come here, and I have far too many euQ-asrements not to feel it. To end the matter at once, I intend to borrow £10,000, with which my son's marriage- contract allows me to charge my estate. At Whitsunday and Martinmas I will have enough to pay up the incumbrance of £3000 due to old Moss's daughter, and £5000 to Misses Ferguson, in whole or part. This will enable us to dispense in a great measure with bank assistance, and sleep in spite of thunder. I do not know whether it is this business which makes me a little bilious, or rather the want of exercise during the season of late, and change of the weather to too much heat. Thank God, my circumstances are good,— upon a fair balance which I have made, certainly not less than £40,000 or nearly £50,000 above the world. But the sun 1 John Hope, Esq., was at this = Henry Dundas, the first Viscount time Solicitor-General for Scotland, Melville, first appeared in Parlia- afterwards Lord Justice-Clerk from nicnt as Lord Advocate of Scot- 1841 \intil his death in 1S5S. laud. —J. t;. L. D 50 JOUENAL. [Dec. and moon shall dance on the green ere carelessness, or hope of gain, or facility of getting cash, shall make me go too deep again, were it but for the disquiet of the thing. Dined : Lady Scott and Anne quietly. December 15. — E. P. G[illies] came sicut mos est at five o'clock to make me confidant of the extremities of his distress. It is clear all he has to do is to make the best asjjreement he oan with his creditors. I remember many years since the poor fellow told me he thought there was something interest- ing in having difficulties. Poor lad, he will have enough of them now. He talks about writing translations for the booksellers from the German to the amount of five or six hundred pounds, but this is like a man proposing to run a whole day at top speed. Yet, if he had good subjects, E. P. G. is one of the best translators I know, and something must be done for him certainly, though, I fear, it will be necessary to go to the bottom of the ulcer ; palliatives won't do. He is terribly imprudent, yet a worthy and benevolent creature — a great bore withal. Dined alone with family. I am determined not to stand mine host to all Scotland and England as I have done. This shall be a saving, since it must be a borrowing, year. We heard from Sophia ; they are got safe to town ; but as Johnnie had a little bag of meal with him, to make his porridge on the road, the whole inn- yard assembled to see the operation. Junor, his maid, was of opinion that England was an " awfu' country to make parritch in." God bless the poor baby, and restore his perfect health ! Decemher IG. — E. P. G. and his friend Eobert Wilson^ came — the former at five, as usual — the latter at three, as appointed. E[obert] W[ilson] frankly said that E. P. G.'s case was quite desperate, that he was insolvent, and that any attempt to save him at present would be just so much ' Kobeit Syin Wilson, Esq., W.S., Secretary to the Royal Bank of iScot- lantl. — .J. ti. L. 1825.] JOUENAL. 51 cash thrown away. God knows, at this moment I have none to throw away uselessly. For poor Gillies there was a melancholy mixture of pathos and affectation in his state- ment, \vliich really affected me; while it told me that it would be useless to help him to money on such very empty plans. I endeavoured to persuade him to make a virtue of necessity, resign all to his creditors, and begin the world on a new leaf. I offered him Chiefswood for a temporary retirement. Lady Scott thinks I was wrong, and nobody could less desire such a neighbour, all his aft'ectations being caviare to me. But then the wife and children! AVent again to the Solicitor on a wrong night, being asked for to- morrow. Lady Scott undertakes to keep my engagements recorded in future. Sccl quis custodiet iijsam custodem ? December 17. — Dined with the Solicitor — Lord Chief- Baron ^ — Sir "William Boothby, nephew of old Sir Brooke, the dandy poet, etc. Annoyed with anxious presentiments, which the night's post must dispel or confirm — all in London as bad as possible. December 18. — Ballantyne called on me this morning. Venit ilia sujyrema dies. My extremity is come. Cadell has received letters from London which all but positively an- nounce the failure of Hurst and Eobinson, so that Constable & Co. must follow, and I must go with poor James Ballan- tyne for company. I suppose it will involve my all. But if they leave me £500, I can still make it £1000 or £1200 a year. And if they take my salaries of £1300 and £300, they cannot but give me something out of them. I have been rash in anticipating funds to buy land, but then 1 made from £5000 to £10,000 a year, and laud was my ^ The Right Hon. Sir Samuel where he died, aged 80, on tlie Shepherd, who had been at the .SOth November 1840. Before coni- head of the Court of Exchequer ing to Scotland, Sir Sanuiel had since 1819, was then living at 16 been Solicitor-General in 1SI4, and Coates Crescent ; he retired in 1S80, Attorney-General in 1817. autl resided afterwards in England, 52 JOURNAL. [Dec. temptation. I think nobody can lose a penny — that is one comfort. Men will think pride has had a fall. Let them indulge their own pride in thinking that my fall makes them higher, or seems so at least. I have the satisfaction to recollect that my prosperity has been of advantage to many, and that some at least will forgive my transient wealth on account of the innocence of my intentions, and my real wish to do good to the poor. This news will make sad hearts at Darnick, and in the cottages of Abbotsford, which I do not nourish the least hope of preserving. It has been my Delilah, and so I have often termed it ; and now the recollection of the extensive woods I planted, and the walks I have formed, from which strangers must derive both the pleasure and profit, will excite feelings likely to sober my gayest moments. I have half resolved never to see the place again. How could I tread my hall with such a dimin- ished crest ? How live a poor indebted man where I was once the wealthy, the honoured ? My children are pro- vided ; thank God for that. I was to have gone there on Saturday in joy and prosperity to receive my friends. My dogs will wait for me in vain. It is foolish — but the thoughts of parting from these dumb creatures have moved me more than any of the painful reflections I have put down. Poor things, I nnist get them kind masters ; there may be yet those Avho loving me may love my dog because it has been mine. I must end this, or I shall lose the tone of mind with which men should meet distress. 1 lind my dogs' feet on my knees. 1 hear thuni whining and seeking me everywhere — this is nonsense, but it is what they would do could they know how things are. Poor Will Laidlaw ! poor Tom Purdie ! this will be news to wring your heart, and many a poor fellow's besides to whom my pro.sperity was daily bread. 1825.] JOURNAL. 53 Eallantyne behaves like himself, and sinks his own ruin in contemplating mine. I tried to enrich him indeed, and now all— all is gone. He will have the " Journal " still, that is a comfort, for sure they cannot find a better Editor. Tlicy — alas ! who will they be — the unbeJcannten Ohcrn who are to dispose of my all as they will ? Some hard-eyed banker ; some of those men of millions whom I described. Cadell showed more kind and personal feeling to me than I thoun-ht he had possessed. He says there are some properties of works that will revert to me, the copy-money not being paid, but it cannot be any very great matter, I should think. Another person did not afford me all the sympathy I expected, perhaps because I seemed to need little support, yet that is not her nature, which is generous and kind. She thinks I have been imprudent, trusting men so far. Perhaps so — but what could I do ? I must sell my books to some one, and these folks gave me the largest price ; if they had kept their ground I could have brought myself round fast enough by the plan of 14th December. I now view matters at the very worst, and suppose that my all must go to supply the deficiencies of Constable. I fear it must be so. His connec- tions with Hurst and Eobinson have been so intimate that they must be largely involved. Tliis is the worst of the concern ; our own is comparatively plain sailing. Poor Gillies called yesterday to tell me he was in extremity. God knows I had every cause to have returned him the same answer. I must think his situation worse than mine, as through his incoherent, miserable tale, I could see that he had exhausted each access to credit, and yet fondly imagines that, bereft of all his accustomed indulgences, he can work with a literary zeal unknown to his happier days. I hope he may labour enough to gain the mere support of his family. For myself, the magic wand of the Unknown is shivered in his grasp. He' must hencefortli bo termed the Too-well-known. Tlie feast of fancy is over with the feeling 54 JOURNAL. [Dec. of independence. I can no longer have the delight of wak- ing in the morning with bright ideas in my mind, haste to commit them to paper, and connt them monthly, as the means of planting such groves, and purchasing such wastes ; replacing my dreams of fiction by other prospective visions of walks by " Fountain heads, and pathless groves Places which pale passion loves." ^ This cannot be ; ])ut I may make substantial husbandry, write history, and such concerns. They Footnote to page 44 will not lie received with the same en- in the original ms. :— thusiasm; at least I much doubt the ''J"™ i^^k to page 41 and 42. I turned general knowledge that an author must the page accidentally, • , ni-i ii.1 j.r* • 'ind the iiartner of write tor Ins bread, at least tor improving , , \ ' ^ » a bankrupt concern his pittance, degrades him and his pro- o"giit not to waste ductions in the public eye. He falls into the second-rate rank of estimation : " While the harness sore galls, and the spurs his sides goad, The high-mettled racer's a hack on the road."- It is a bitter thought; but if tears start at it, let them flow. I am so much of this mind, that if any one would now offer to relieve all my embarrassments on condition I would continue the exertions which brought it there, dear as the place is to me, I hardly think I could undertake the labour on which I entered with my usual alacrity only this morning, though not without a boding feeling of my exer- tions proving useless. Yet to save Abbotsford I would attempt all that was possible. My heart clings to the place I have created. There is scarce a tree on it that does not owe its being to me, and the pain of leaving it is greater than I can tell. I have about £10,000 of Constable's, for which I am bound to give literary value, but if I am obliged to pay other debts for him, I will take leave to retain this sum ' See Nice, Valour, by John Fletcher ; Beaumont and Fletclier's Worl's. - From Charles Dibdius song, The liacchorse. 1825.] JOURNAL. 55 at liis credit. AVe shall have made some hiltle questions of literary property amongst iis. Once more, " Patience, cousin, and sliuffle the cards." I have endeavoured at times to give vent to thoughts naturally so painful, by writing these notices, partly to keep them at hny by busying myself with the history of the French Convention. I thank God I can do both witli reasonable composure. I wonder how Anne will bear this affliction ? She is passionate, but stout-hearted and coura- geous in important matters, though irritable in trifles. I am glad Lockhart and his wife are gone. Why ? I cannot tell ; but I am pleased to be left to my own regrets without being melted by condolences, though of the most sincere and affectionate kind. Anne bears her misfortune gallantly and well, with a natural feeling, no doubt, of the rank and consideration she is about to lose. Lady Scott is incredulous, and persists in cherishing hope where there is no ground for hope. I wish it may not bring on the gloom of spirits which has given me such distress. If she were the active person she once was that would not be. Now I fear it more than what Constable or Cadell will tell me this evening, so that my mind is made up. Oddly enough, it happened. Mine honest friend Hector came in before dinner to ask a copy of my seal of Arms, with a sly kindliness of intimation that it was for some agreeable purpose. Half-imst Eight. — I closed this book under the con- sciousness of impending ruin, I open it an hour after, thanks be to Cod, with the strong hope that matters may be got over safely and honourably, in a mercantile sense. Cadell came at eight to communicate a letter from Hurst and Robinson, intimating they had stood the storm, aiul though clamorous for assistance from Scotland, saying they had prepared their strongholds without need of the l)anks. 56 JOURNAL. [Dec. This is all so far well, but I will not borrow any money on my estate till I see things reasonably safe. Stocks have risen from to , a strong proof , . This was a mistake, that connclence is restored. But i will yield to no delusive hopes, and fall back fall edge, my resolutions hold. I shall always think the better of Cadell for this, not merely because his feet are beautiful on the mountains who brings good tidings, but because he showed feeling — deep feeling, poor fellow — he who I thought had no more than his numeration table, and who, if he had had his whole counting- house full of sensibility, had yet his wife and children to bestow it upon — I will not forget this if I get through. I love the virtues of rough and round men ; the others are apt to escape in salt rheum, sal-volatile, and a white pocket- handkerchief. An odd thought strikes me : when I die will the Journal of these days be taken out of the ebony cabinet at Abbotsford, and read as the transient pout of a man worth £G0,000, with wonder that the well-seeming Baronet should ever have experienced such a hitch ? Or will it be found in some obscure lodging-house, where the decayed son of chivalry has hung up his scutcheon for some 20s. a week, and where one or two old friends will look grave and whisper to each other, "Poor gentleman," "A M'ell- meaning man," " Nobody's enemy but his own," " Thought his parts could never wear out," " Family poorly left," " Pity he took that foolish title " ? Who can answer this question ? What a life mine has been ! — half educated, almost wholly neglected or left to myself, stufiing my head Avith most nonsensical trash, and undervalued in society for a time by most of my companions, getting forward and held a bold and clever fellow, contrary to the opinion of all who thought me a mere dreamer, broken-hearted for two years, my heart handsomely pieced again, Vmt the crack will re- 1825.] JOUENAL. 57 main to my dying day. Eich and poor four or five times, once on the verge of ruin, yet opened new sources of wealth almost overflowing. Now taken in my pitch of pride, and nearly winged (unless the good news hold), because London chooses to be in an uproar, and in the tumult of bulls and bears, a poor inoffensive lion like myself is pushed to the wall. And what is to be the end of it ? God knows. And so ends the catechism. December 19. — Ballantyne here before breakfast. He looks on Cadell's last night's news with more confidence than I do ; but I must go to work be my thoughts sober or lively. Constable came in and sat an hour. The old gentle- man is firm as a rock, and scorns the idea of Hurst and Eobinson's stopping. He talks of going up to London next week and making sales of our interest in AV[oodstock] and Boney, which would put a hedge round his finances. He is a very clever fellow, and will, I think, bear us through. Dined at Lord Chief-Baron's.^ Lord Justice-Clerk; Lord President ; - Captain Scarlett,^ a gentlemanlike young man, the son of the great Counsel,* and a friend of my son Walter ; Lady Charlotte Hope, and otlier woman-kind ; E. Dundas of Arniston, and his pleasant and good- humoured little wife, whose quick intelligent look pleases me more, though her face be plain, than a hundred mechanical beauties. December 20. — I like Ch. Ba. Shepherd very much — as much, I think, as any man I have learned to know of late years. There is a neatness and precision, a closeness and truth, in the tone of his conversation, which shows what a lawyer he must have been. Perfect good-humour and suavity of manner, with a little warmth of temper on suitable occasions. His ^ Sir Samuel Shepherd. eighty-nine. 2 The Eight Hon. Charles Hope, * Afterwards Sir James Yorke M-ho held the office of Lord Presi- Scarlett, G.C.B. dent of the Court of Session for •• Sir James Scprlett, first Lord thirty years ; he died in 1S51 aged Abinger. 58 JOUENAL. [Dec. great deafness alone prevented him from being Lord Chief- Justice. I never saw a man so patient under such a malady. He loves society, and converses excellently ; yet is often obliged, in a mixed company particularly, to lay aside his trumpet, retire into himself, and withdraw from the talk. He does this with an expression of patience on his counten- ance which touches one much. He has occasion for patience otherwise, I should think, for Lady S. is fine and fidgety, and too anxious to have everything jjointe devise. Constable's licence for the Dedication is come, which will make him happy .^ Dined with James Ballantyne, and met my old friend Mathews, the comedian, with his son, now grown up a clever, rather forward lad, who makes songs in the style of James Smith or Colman, and sings them with spirit ; rather lengthy though. December 21. — There have been odd associations attending my two last meetings with Mathews. The last time I saw him, before yesterday evening, he dined with me in com- pany with poor Sir Alexander Boswell, who was killed within two or three months.- I never saw Sir Alexander ' Tlie Dedication of Constable's Castle Street on the 10th of Febru- MiscelUinij was penned by Sir ary. Memoirs, \o\. \\\. '^.2^2. Mr. Walter — "To His Majesty King Lockhart says, "within a week," George IV., themostgeneronsPatron and at p. 3.3 vol. vii. gives an ac- even of the most humble attempts count of a dinner party. Writing towards the advantage of his sub- so many yeai's after the event he jects, this Miscellany, demgned to may have mistaken tlie date. James extend useful knowledge and ele- lioswell died in London 24th Febru- gant literature, by placing works of ary 1822 ; his brother, Sir Alexander, standard merit M'ithin the attain- was at the funeral, and did not re- ment of every class of readers, turn to Edinburgh till Saturday 23d is most humbly inscribed by March. James Stuart of Dunearn His Majesty's dutiful and devoted challenged him on Monday ; they subject — Archibald Constable." — fought on Tuesday, and Boswell .1. G. L. died on the following day, March 27. - Probably a slip of tlie pen for Mr. Lockhart says that " scA'eral " weeks," as Mathews was in circumstances of Sir Alexander's J^ondon in March (1S22), and we death are exactly reproduced in the know that he dined with Scott in duel scene in St. lionans Well.'' 1825.] JOUIJXAL. 59 more.^ The time before was in 1815, when John Scott of Gala and I were returning from France, and passed tlirough London, when we brought Mathews down as far as Leaming- ton. Poor Byron hmched, or rather made an early dinner, with us at Long's, and a most brilliant day we had of it. I never saw Byron so full of fun, frolic, wit, and whim : he was as playful as a kitten. Well, I never saw him again.- So this man of mirtli, with his merry meetings, has brought me no luck. I like better that he should throw in his talent of mimicry and humour into the present current tone of the company, than that he should be required to give this, that, and t'other hit selected from his public recitations. They are good certainly — excellent ; but then you must laugh, and that is always severe to me. "When I do laugh in sincerity, the joke must be or seem unpremeditated. I could not help thinking, in the midst of the glee, what gloom had lately been over the minds of three of the company, Cadell, J. B., and the Journalist. What a strange scene if the surge of conversation could suddenly ebb like the tide, and [show] us the state of people's real minds ! Savary ^ might have been gay in such a party with all his forgeries in his heart. ' In a letter to Skene written LoDdon,theopportiuiity of enjoying late in 1S21, Scott, in expressing his companj^ liad of late been rare, his regret at not being able to meet Upon the present occasion he had Boswell, adds, ' ' I hope .J. Boz comes dined with me in the greatest healtli to make some stay, but I shall scarce and spirits the evening before his forgive him for not coming at the departure for London, and in a week tine season."' The brothers Boswell we had accounts of his having been had been Mr. Skene's schoolfellows seized by a sudden illness which and intimate friemls ; and he had carried him off. In a few weeks lived much with them both in Eng- more his brother, Sir Alexander, land and Scotland. was killed in a duel occasioned by a Mr. Skene says, in a note to foolish political lampoon whicli he Letter 28, that "they were men of had written, and in a thoughtless remarkable talents, and James of manner suffered to find its way to a great learning, both evincing a newspaper."— AV?«i'»/.vrf)(c£.<. dash of their father's eccentricity, " See Life, vol. v. p. ST. but joined to greater talent. Sir ^ Henry Savary, son of a banker Walter took great pleasure in their in Bristol, had been tried for forgery society, but James being resident in a few months before. 60 JOUENAL. [Dec. " No eyes the rocks discover Which lurk beneath the deep." ^ Life could not be endured were it seen in reality. Tilings are mending in town, and H[urst] and R[obinson] write with confidence, and are, it would seem, strongly sup- ported by wealthy friends. Cadell and Constable are con- fident of their making their way through the storm, and the impression of their stability is general in London. I hear the same from Lockhart. Indeed, I now believe that they wrote gloomy letters to Constable, chiefly to get as much money out of them as they possibly could. But they had well- nigh overdone it. This being Teind Wednesday must be a day of leisure and labour. Sophia has got a house, 25 Pall Mall. Dined at home with Lady Scott and Anne. December 22. — I wrote six of my close pages yesterday, which is about twenty-four pages in print. What is more, I think it comes off twangingly. The story is so very interesting in itself, that there is no fear of the book answer- ing.- Superficial it must be, but I do not disown the charge. Better a superficial book, which brings well and strikingly together the known and acknowledged facts, than a dull boring narrative, pausing to see further into a mill-stone at every moment than the nature of the mill-stone admits. Nothing is so tiresome as walking through some beautiful scene with a minute philosopher, a botanist, or pebble- gatherer, who is eternally calling your attention from the grand features of the natural scenery to look at grasses and chucky-stones. Yet, in their way, they give useful informa- tion ; and so does tlie minute historian. Gad, I tliink that will look well in the preface. ]\Iy bile is quite gone, I really believe it arose from mere anxiety. What a wonder- ful connection between the mind and body! The air of "]>onnie Dundee" running in my head to-day, I [wrote] a few verses to it before dinner, taking the key-note ' From What d'ye call it ? by John Gay. - Lifi'. of Xapohon. — .t. a. i,. 1825.] JOUKNAL. 61 from the story of Clavers leaving the Scottish Convention of Estates in 1688-9.^ I wonder if they are good. Ah ! poor Will Erskine ! - thou coiildst and wouldst have told nie. I must consult J. B., who is as honest as was W. E. But then, though he has good taste too, there is a little of Big Bow-wow about it. Can't say what made me take a frisk so uncommon of late years, as to write verses of free- will. I suppose the same impulse which makes birds sing when the storm seems blown over. Dined at Lord Minto's. There were Lord and Lady Euthveu, Will Clerk, and Thomas Thomson, — a riglit choice party. There was also my very old friend ]\Irs. Brydone, the relict of the traveller,^ and daughter of Prin- cipal liobertson, and really wortliy of such a connection — Lady ]\Iinto, who is also peculiarly agreeable — and her sister, Mrs. Admiral Adam, in the evening. Dccemher 23. — The present Lord Minto is a very agree- able, well-informed, and sensible man, but he possesses neither the high breeding, ease of manner, nor elotiuence of his father, the first Earl. That Sir Gilbert was indeed a man among a thousand. I knew him very intimately in the beginning of the century, and, which was very agreeable, was much at his liouse on very easy terms. He loved the jNIuses, and worshipped them in secret, and used to read some of his poetry, which was but middling. ^ See Scott's Poetical Works, vol. he arranged with the publishers for xii. pp. 194-97. — J. g. l. Scott's earliest literary venture, a " William Ei'skine of Kinuedder thin 4to of some 48 pages entitled Mas Scott's senior Ity tvo years at I'he C'hasi', etc. See Li/e through- the bar, having passed Advocate in out, m(nc particularly vol. i. pp. 1790. He became Sheriff of Orkney 279-80, 333-4, .'538-9; ii. pp. 103-4; ill 1809, and took his seat on the iv. pp. 12, 16(5, 369; v. p. 174; vi. Bench as Lord Kinncdder, 29 Janu- p. 393 ; vii. pp. 1, 5, 6, 70-74. See ary 1822; he died on the 14th of Ajipendix for Mr. Skene's account Ausiust followinr'. Scott and he of the destruction of the letters met first in 1792, and, as is well from Scott to Erskine. known, he afterwards " became the ' Patrick Brydone, author of A nearest and most confidential of all Tour throvjh Sicily and Malta. his Edinburgh associates." In 1796 2 vols. 8vo, 1773. 62 JOURNAL. [Dec. Tom Campbell lived at Miuto, but it was in a state of depeudeiice which he brooked very ill. He was kindly treated, but would not see it in the right view, and suspected slights, and so on, where no such thing was meant. There was a turn of Savage about Tom, though without his black- guardism — a kind of waywardness of mind and irritability that must have made a man of his genius truly unhappy. Lord ]\Iinto, with the mildest manners, was very tenacious of his opinions, although he changed them twice in the crisis of politics. He was the early friend of Fox, and made a figure towards the end of the American Avar, or during the struggles betwixt Fox and Pitt. Then came the Eevolution, and he joined the Anti-Gallican party so keenly, that he declared against Addington's peace with France, and was for a time, I believe, a Wyndhamite. He was reconciled to the Whigs on the Fox and Grenville coalition ; but I have heard that Fox, contrary to his wont, retained such personal feelings as made liim object to Sir Gilbert Elliot's having a seat in the Cabinet; so he was sent as Governor- General to India — a better thing, I take it, for his fortune. He died shortly after his return,^ at Hatfield or Barnet, on his way down to his native country. He was a most pleasing and anuable man. I was very sorry for his death, though I do not know how we should have met, for the contested election in 1805 [in Roxburghshire] had placed some coldness betwixt the present Lord and me. I was certainly anxious for Sir Alexander Don, botli as friend of my most kind friend Charles, Duke of Buccleuch, and on political accounts ; and those thwartings are what men in public life do not like to endure. After a cessation of friendship for some years, we have come about again. We never had the slightest personal dispute or disagreement. lint politics are the blowpipe beneath whose influence the best cemented friend - ' Gilbert, Earl of Miiito, died in Juno 1S14. — j. c;. L, 1825.] JOURNAL. 63 ships too often dissever; and ours, after all, was only a very familiar acquaintance. It is very odd that the common people at Minto and the neighbourhood will not believe tu this hour that the first Earl is dead. They think he had done something in India whicli he could not answer for — that the house was rebuilt on a scale unusually large to give him a suite of secret apartments, and that he often walks about the woods and crags of Minto at night, with a white nightcap, and long white beard. The circumstance of his having died on the road down to Scotland is the sole foundation of this absurd legend, which shows how willing the vulgar are to ouH themselves when they can find no one else to take the trouble. I have seen people wlio could read, write, and cipher, shrug their shoulders and look mysterious when this subject was mentioned. One very absurd addition was made on occasion of a great ball at Minto House, which it was said was given to draw all people away from the grounds, that the concealed Earl might have leisure for his exercise. This was on the principle in the German play,i where, to hide their con- spiracy, the associates join in a chorus song. We dined at home ; Mr. Davidoff and his tutor kept an engagement with us to dinner notwithstanding the death of the Emperor Alexander. They went to the play with the womankind ; I stayed at home to write. Decemler 24. — Wrote Walter and Jane, and gave the former an account of how things had been in the money market, and the loan of £10,000. Constable has a scheme of publishing the works of the Author of W[averley] in a superior style, at £1, Is. volume. He says he will answer for making £20,000 of this, and liberally offered me any share of the profit. I have no great claim to any, as I have only to contribute the notes, which are light ^\■ork ; }-et a few thousands coming in will lie a good thing — besides the ^ Sec Caimiug's German Play, in tlie And- Jacobin. — J. i:. L. 64 JOUKNAL. [Dec. P[riiitiug] Office. Constable, though valetudinary, and cross with his partner, is certainly as good a pilot in these rough seas as ever man put faith in. His rally has put me in mind of the old song : — " The tailor raise and sliook his duds, He gar'd the Bills flee aff" in cluds, And they that stayed gat fearfu' thuds — The tailor proved a uian, 0." ^ "We are for Abbotsford to- da}', with a light heart. Ahhotsford, December 25. — Arrived here last night at seven. Our halls are silent compared to last year, but let us be thankful — when we think how near the chance appeared but a week since that these halls would have been ours no longer. Barlanis has segctes ? Nullum mimcn abest, si sit 'prudentia. There shall be no lack of wisdom. But come — il faut cultiver noire jardin.^ Let us see : I will write out the "Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee"; 1 will sketch a preface to Za Bochejaequclin for Constable's Miscellany, and try about a specimen of notes for the W[averley Novels]. Together with letters and by-business, it will be a good day's work. " I make a vow, And keep it true." I will accept no invitation for dinner, save one to Newton- Don, and Mertoun to-morrow, instead of Christmas Day. On this day of general devotion I have a particular call for gratitude ! ! O' My God ! what poor creatures we arc ! After all my fair proposals yesterday, I was seized with a most violent pain in the right kidney and parts adjacent, which, joined to deadly sickness which it brought on, forced me instantly to go to bed and send for Clarkson.^ He came and inquired, ' Sec Johnson'.s J/fM/ca/J/waeHwi, ^ James Clarkson, Esq., surgeon, No. 490, slightly altered. MelrcJse, son to Scott's old friend, ' See Candide.—J. u. l. Dr. Clarkson of Selkirk.— j. c. l. 1825.] JOUENAL. G5 pronouncing the complaint to Ije gravel augmented hy bile. I was in great agony till about two o'clock, but awoke with the pain gone. I got up, had a fire in my dressing- closet, and had Dalgleish to shave me — two trifles, which I only mention, because they are contrary to my hardy and independent personal habits. But although a man cannot be a hero to his valet, his valet in sickness becomes of great use to him. I cannot expect that this first will be the last visit of this cruel complaint; but si lall we receive good at the hand of God, and not receive evil ? Decemher 27th. — Slept twelve hours at a stretch, being much exhausted. Totally without pain to-day, but un- comfortable from the effects of calomel, which, with me at least, is like the assistance of an auxiliary army, just one degree more tolerable tlian the enemy it chases away. Calomel contemplations are not worth recording. I wrote an introduction and a few notes to the Memoirs of Madame La Roclujaeq^idin} being all that I was equal to. Sir Adam Ferguson came over and tried to marry my verses to the tune of " Bonnie Dundee." Tliey seem well adapted to each other. Dined with Lady Scott and Anne. Worked at Pepys in the evening, with the purpose of review for Lockhart.^ Notwithstanding the depressing effects of the calomel, I feel the pleasure of being alone and unin- terrupted. Few men, leading a quiet life, and without any strong or highly varied change of circumstances, have seen more variety of society than I — few have enjoyed it more, or been tared, as it is called, less by the company of tiresome people. I have rarely, if ever, found any one, out of whom I could not extract amusement or edification ; and were I obliged to account for hints afforded on such occasions, 1 See Constable's Miscellany, vol. January 1826 — or Scott's Miscel- V. — J. G. L. laneous Prose Worlds. — j. o. l. - See tlie QHartirhj Review for 66 JOUENAL. [Dec. I should make an ample deduction from my inventive powers. Still, however, from the earliest time I can re- member, I preferred the pleasure of being alone to waiting for visitors, and have often taken a bannock and a bit of cheese to the wood or hill, to avoid dining with company. As I grew from boyhood to manhood I saw this would not do ; and that to gain a place in men's esteem I must mix and bustle with them. Pride and an excitation of spirits supplied the real pleasure which others serem to feel in society, and certainly upon many occasions it was real. Still, if the question was, eternal company, without the power of retiring within yourself, or solitary confinement for life, I should say, " Turnkey, lock the cell!" My life, though not without its fits of waking and strong exertion, has been a sort of dream, spent in " Chewing the cud of sweet and bitter fancy." ^ I have worn a wishing-cap, the power of which has been to divert present griefs by a touch of the wand of imagination, and gild over the future prospect by prospects more fair than can ever be realised. Somewhere it is said that this castle- building — this wielding of the aerial trowel — is fatal to exer- tions in actual life. I cannot tell , I have not found it so. I cannot, indeed, say like Madame Genlis, that in the imaginary scenes in which I have acted a part I ever prepared myself for anything which actually befell me ; but I have certainly fashioned out much that made the present hour pass pleasantly away, and much that has enabled me to contri- bute to the amusement of the public. Since I was five years old I cannot remember the time when I had not some ideal part to play for my own solitary amusement. December 28. — Somehow I think the attack on Christmas Day has been of a critical kind, and, having gone off so well, may be productive rather of health than continued indisposi- ' As You Like it, Act iv. Sc. 3. — J. g. l. 1825.] JOURNAL. 67 tion. If one is to get a renewal of health in his fifty-fourth year, he must look to pay fine for it. Last night George Thomson ^ came to see how I was, poor "fellow. He has talent, is well informed, and has an excellent heart ; but tliere is an eccentricity about him that defies description. I wish to God I saw him provided in a country kirk. Tliat, with a rational wife — that is, if there is such a thing to be gotten for him, — would, I think, bring him to a steady temper. At present he is between the tyning and the winning. If I could get him to set to any liard study, he would do some- thing clever. How to maJce a critic. — A sly rogue, sheltering himself under the generic name of Mr. Campbell, requested of me, through the penny-post, the loan of £50 for two years, having an impulse, as he said, to make this demand. As I felt no corresponding impulse, I begged to decline a demand which might have been as reasonably made hy any Campbell on earth ; and another impulse has determined the man of fifty pounds to send me anonymous abuse of my works and temper and selfish disposition. The severity of the joke lies in 14d. for postage, to avoid which his next epistle shall go back to the clerks of the Post Office, as not for S. W. S. How the severe rogue would be disappointed, if he knew I never looked at more than the first and last lines of his satirical effusion ! When I first saw that a literary profession was to be my fate, I endeavoured by all efforts of stoicism to divest myself of that irritable degree of sensibility — or, to speak plainly, of vanity — which makes the poetical race miserable and ridiculous. The anxiety of a poet for praise and for com- pliments I have always endeavoured [to keep down]. ^ Formerly tutor at Abbotsford. George Thomson — the happy 'l)o- Mi". Lockhart says: "I observe, minie Thomson 'of the liappyday.s of as the sheet is passing through Abbotsford : he died at P^dinburgh the press, the death of the Rev- on the Sth of January 1S.S8." G8 JOUIINAL. [Dec. December 29. — Base feelings this same calomel gives one — mean, poor, and abject — a wretch, as Will Rose says : — " Fie, fie, on silly coward man, That lie should be the slave o't." ^ Then it makes one " wofully dogged and snappish," as Dr. Piutty, the Quaker, says in his Gurnal?- Sent Lockhart four pages on Sheridan's plays ; not very good, I think, hut the demand came sudden. Must go to AV — k ! ^ yet am vexed hy that humour of contradiction which makes me incline to do anything else in preference. Commenced preface for new edition of my Novels. The city of Cork send my freedom in a silver box. I thought I was out of their grace for going to see Blarney rather than the Cove, for which I was attacked and defended in the papers \\\\q\\ in Ireland. I am sure they are so civil that I would have gone wherever tliey wished me to go if I had had any one to have told me what I ought to be most inquisitive about. " For if I should as lion come in strife Into such place, 't were pity of my life." * December 30. — Speut at home and in labour — with the weight of unpleasant news from Edinburgh. J. B. is like to be pinched next week unless the loan can be brought forward. I must and have endeavoured to supply him. At present the result of my attempts is uncertain. I am even more anxious about C[onstable] & Co., unless they can get assistance from their London friends to whom they gave much. All is in God's hands. The worst can only be what I have before anticipated. But I must, I think, renounce the ^ Burns's " O poortith cauld and much amused with the Quaker restless love. " doctor's minute confessions. 8ee - John Ruttj-, M.D., a physician the Life of Johnson fii(h anno 1777. of some eminence in Dublin, died in — j. a. l 177i5, and his executors published ^ Woodstock — contracted for in his very curious and ab.surd "Spiri- 18'23. tual Diary and Solilocjuies." Bos- * A M idmmmer Xiijht's Dream, well describes Johnson as being Act in. Sc. 1. 1825.] JOUKNAL. 69 cigars. They brought back (using two this evening) the irritation of which I had no feelings while abstaining from them. Dined alone with Gordon/ Lady S., and Anne. James Curie, Melrose, has handsomely lent me £600 ; he has done kindly. I have served him before and will asain if in my power. Decemlcr 31. — Took a good sharp walk the first time since my illness, and found myself the better in health and spirits. Being Hogmanay, there dined with us Colonel Eussell and his sisters, Sir Adam Ferguson and Lady, Colonel Ferguson, with ]\Iary and Margaret ; an auld-warld party, M'ho made themselves happy in the auld fashion. I felt so tired about eleven that I was forced to steal to bed. ^ George Huntly Gordon, amanuensis to Scott. 1826 1826.— JANUAEY. January 1. — A year has passed — another has commenced. These solemn divisions of time influence our feelings as they recur. Yet there is nothing in it ; for every day in the year closes a twelvemonth as well as the 31st December. The latter is only the solemn pause, as when a guide, showing a wild and mountainous road, calls on a party to pause and look back at the scenes which they have just passed. To me this new year opens sadly. There are these troublesome pecuniary difficulties, which however, I think, this week should end. There is the absence of all my children, Anne excepted, from our little family festival. There is, besides, that ugly report of the 15th Hussars going to India. Walter, I suppose, will have some step in view, and will go, and I fear Jane will not dissuade him. A hard, frosty day — cold, but dry and pleasant under foot. Walked into the plantations with Anne and Anne Eussell. A thought strikes me, alluding to this period of the year. People say that the whole human frame in all its parts and divisions is gradually in the act of decaying and renewing. What a curious timepiece it would be that could indicate to us the moment this gradual and insensible change had so completely taken place, tliat no atom was left of the original person wdio had existed at a certain period, but there existed in his stead another person liaving the same limbs, thews, and sinews, the same face and lineaments, tlie same consciousness — a new ship built on an old plank — a pair of transmigrated stockings, like those of Sir John Cutler,^ 1 The parsimonious yet liberal Brown's Lectures on the Philosophy London merchant, Avliose miserly of the Human Mind, vol i. p. 244, habits gave Arbuthnot the mate- and Martin Scriblerus, cap. xii., riak of the story. See Professor Pope, vol. iv. p. 54, Edin. 1776. 73 74 JOURNAL. [Jan. all green silk, without one thread of the original black silk left ! Sinu'ular — to be at once another and the same. January 2. — Weather clearing np in Edinburgh once more, and all will, I believe, do well. I am pressed to get on with Woodstock, and mnst try. I wish I could open a good vein of interest which would breathe freely. I must take my old way, and write myself into good-humour with my task. It is only when I dally with what I am about, look back, and aside, instead of keeping my eyes straight forward, that I feel these cold sinkings of the heart. All men I suppose do, less or more. They are like the sensa- tion of a sailor when the ship is cleared for action, and all are at their places — gloomy enough ; but the first broad- side puts all to rights. Dined at Huntly Burn with the Fergusons en masse. January 3. — Promises a fair day, and I think the progress of my labours will afford me a little exercise, which I greatly need to help off the calomel feeling. Walked with Colonel llussell from eleven till two — the first good day's exercise I have had since coming here. We went through all the Terrace, the Eoman Planting,^ over by the Stiel and Haxellcleuch, and so by the Pihymer's Glen to Chiefswood,^ which gave my heart a twinge, so disconsolate it seemed. Yet all is for the best. Called at Huntly Burn, and shook hands with Sir Adam and his Lady just going off. When T returned, signed the bond for £10,000, which will disencumber me of all pressing claims ;^ when I get forward W k and Nap. there will be £12,000 and upwards, and I hope to add £3000 against this time next year, or the devil ' This ])lantation now covers the ^ When settling his estate on his remains of an oW Roman road from ehlest son. Sir Walter had retained the Great Camp on the Kildon tiie power of burdening it with Hills to the ford below Scott's £10,()0U for Ijehoof of his younger house. — J. c. L. children ; he now raised the sum - The residence for several yeai's for tlie assistance of the struggling of Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart. firms. — J. a. l. See Dec. 1-1, 1825. 1826.] JOURNAL. 75 must hold the dice. J. B. writes me seriously on the care- lessness of my style. I do not think I am more cureless than usual ; hut I dare say ho is right. I will lie more cautious. January 4. — Despatched the deed yesterday executed. Mr. and Mrs. Skene, my excellent friends, came to us from Edinburdi. Skene, distinguished for his attainments as a draughtsman, and for his highly gentlemanlike feelings and character, is Laird of Eubislaw, near Aberdeen. Having had an elder brother, his education was somewhat neglected in early life, against which disadvantage he made a most gallant [fight], exerting himself much to obtain those ac- complishments which he has since possessed. Admirable in all exercises, there entered a good deal of the cavalier into his early character. Of late he has given himself much to the study of antiquities. His wife, a most excellent person, was tenderly fond of Sophia. Tliey bring so much old- fashioned kindness and good-humour with them, besides the recollections of other times, that they must be always welcome guests. Letter from Mr. Scrope,^ ainiouucing a visit. January 5. — Oot the desired accommodation with Coutts, which will put J. B. quite straight, but am a little anxious still about Constable. He has immense stock, to be sure, and most valuable, but he may have sacrifices to make to convert a large proportion of it into ready money. The accounts from London are most disastrous. Many wealthy persons totally ruined, and many, many more have been obliged to purchase their safety at a price they will feel all their lives. I do not hear things are so bad in Edinburgh ; 1 William Scrope, author of i)ft»/.9 time "he luul a lease of Lord of Deer Sialkimj, roy. S\o, lS.>9;and Somerville's pavilion opposite i\lol- Days and Nights of Salmon Fisldnij, rose, and lived on terms of affcc- roy. 8vo, 1843 ; died in his 81st year tionate intimacy with Sir Walter in 1852. Mr. Lockhart says of this Scott.'" enthusiastic sportsman that at tli Ins 76 JOURNAL. [Jan. and J. B.'s business has been transacted by the banks with liberality. Colonel Ptussell told ns last night that the last of the Moguls, a descendant of Kubla-Klian, though having no more poM'er than his effigies at the back of a set of playing- cards, refused to meet Lord Hastings, because the Governor- General would not agree to remain standing in his presence. Pretty well for the blood of Timur in tliese degenerate days ! Much alarmed. I had walked till twelve with Skene and Col. Russell, and then sat down to my work. To my horror and surprise I could neither write nor spell, but put down one word for another, and wrote nonsense. I was much overpowered at the same time, and could not conceive the reason. I fell asleep, however, in my chair, and slept for two hours. On waking my head was clearer, and I began to recollect that last night I had taken the anodyne left for the purpose by Clarkson, and being disturbed in the course of the night, I had not slept it off. Obliged to give up writing to-day — read Pepys instead. The Scotts of Harden were to have dined, but sent an apology, — storm coming on. Russells left us this morning to go to Haining. January 6. — This seems to be a feeding storm, coming on by little and little. Wrought all day, and dined quiet. My disorder is wearing off, and the quiet society of the Skenes suits with my present humour. I really thought I was in for some very bad illness. Carious expression of an Indian-born boy just come from Bengal, a son of my cousin George Swinton. The child saw a hare run across the fields, and exclaimed, " See, there is a little tiger ! " January 7, Sunday. — Knight, a young artist, son of the performer, came to paint my picture at the request of Terry. This is very far from being agreeable, as I submitted to this distressing state of constraint last year to Newton, at request 1826.] JOUKNAL. 77 of Lockliart ; to Leslie at request of my American friend ; ^ to Wilkie, for his picture of the King's arrival at Holyrood House ; and some one besides. I am as tired of the opera- tion as old Maida, who had been so often sketched that he got up and went away with signs of loathing whenever he saw an artist unfurl his paper and handle his brushes. But this young man is civil and modest ; and I have agreed he shall sit in the room while I work, and take the best likeness he can, without compelling me into fixed attitudes or the yawning fatigues of an actual sitting. I think, if he has talent, he may do more my way than in the customary mode ; at least I can't have the hang-dog look which the unfortunate Theseus has who is doomed to sit for what seems an eternity." I wrought till two o'clock — indeed till I was almost nervous with correcting and scribbling. I then walked, or rather was dragged, through the snow by Tom Purdie, while Skene accompanied. What a blessing there is in a man like Tom, whom no familiarity can spoil, whom you may scold and praise and joke with, knowing the quality of the man is unalterable in his love and reverence to his master. Use an ordinary servant in the same way and he will be your master in a month. We should thank God for the snow as well as summer flowers. This brushing exercise has put all my nerves into tone again, which were really jarred with fatigue until my very backbone seemed breaking. This ^ Mr. George Ticknor of Boston. Leslie himself thought Chantrey's He saw much of Scott and his family was the best of all the portraits, in the spring of 1819 in Edinburgh "The gentle turn of the head, in- and at Abbotsford ; and was again clined a little forward and down, in Scotland in 1838. Both visits and the lurking humour in the eye are well described in his journals, and about the mouth, are Scott's published in Boston in 1876. own." — Autoh/out this must be horuQ cum caeteris; and, thank God, however un- comfortable, I do not feel despondent. I have seen Cadell, Ballantyne, and Hogarth. All advise me to execute a trust of my property for payment of my oblioations. So does John Gibson,- and so I resolve to do. J\ly wife and daughter are gloomy, liut yet patient. I trust l>y my Imld on the works to make it every man's interest to be very gentle with me. Cadell makes it plain that l^y prudence they will, in six months, realise to come to liiin as soon as I had got ^ Crook. The chain and hook up. Fearf nl that he had got a f resh lianging from the crook-tree over attack of the complaint from Avhich the iire in Scottish cottages. he had now for some years been - [Sir Walter's private law-agent.] free, or that he had been involved ^Ir. John Gibson, Jnnr. , W.S., in some quarrel, I went to see him Mr. James JoUie, ^^'.S., and Mr. by seven o'clock, and found him Alexander Monypenny, ^V.S., were already l)y candle-light seated at the three gentlemen who ultimately his writing-ta])le, surrounded Ijy agreed to take charge, as trustees, papers which he was examining, of Sir Walter Scott's affairs ; and holding out his hand to me as I certainly no gentlemen ever Re- entered, he said, " Skene, this is the (juitted themselves of such an office liand of a beggar. Constable has in a manner more honourable to failed, and I am ruined (l(^ fond en themselves, or more satisfactory t(j comhlc. It 's a hard blow, Init I a client and his creditors. — J. n. L. must just l>ear up ; the only tiling Mr. Gil)son wrote a little volume which wrings nie is poor Charlotte of h'aininiscenres of Scott, which was and the bairns." published in 1871. This old friend 84 JOURNAL. [Jan. £20,000, which can be attainable l)y no effort of their own. Jcmuarii 18. — He that sleeps too long in the morning, let liini borrow the pillow of a debtor. So says the Spaniard, and so say I. I had of course an indifferent night of it. I wish these two days were over ; but tlie worst is over. The Bank of Scotland has behaved very well ; expressing a re- solution to serve Constable's house and nie to the uttermost ; but as no one can say to what extent Hurst and Eobinson's failure may go, borrowing would but linger it out. January 19. — During yesterday I received formal visits from my friends, Skene and Colin Mackenzie (who, I am glad to see, looks well), with every offer of service. The Royal Bank also sent Sir John Hope and Sir Henry Jardine' to offer to comply with my wishes. The Advocate came on the same errand. But I gave all the same answer — that my intention was to put the whole into the hands of a trustee, and to be contented with the event, and that all I had to ask was time to do so, and to extricate my affairs. I was assured of every accommodation in this way. From all quarters I have had the same kindness. Letters from Constable and Robinson have arrived. The last pei'sist in saying they will pay all aiul everybody. They say, more- ovei', in a postscript, that liad Constable been in town ten died in 1S79. " In the month of lie should execute a trust convey- January 1826," says Mr. Gibson, ance for behoof of his creditors. "Sir Walter called upon me, and The latter course was preferred explained how matters stood with for various reasons, but chiefly out the two houses referred to, adding of regard for his own feeling.'' Re- that he himself was a partner in one miniscences, p. 12. See entry in of them — that liills were falling dui; Journal under Jan. 24. and dishonoured — and that some immediate arrangement was in- ^ ,Sir John Hope of Pinkie and dispcnsably jiecessary. In such Craighall, 1 1th Baronet ; SirlFcnry circumstances, oidy two modes of Jardine, King's Remcmbranccrfroni proceeding could be thougiit of — ]S20tolS37; and Sir William Rae, either that he should avail himself Lord Advocate, son of Lord Esk- of the Bankrupt Act, and allow his grove, were all Directors of the estate to be Bequestrated, or that Royal Bank of Scotland. 1826.] JOUEXAL. 85 days sooner, all would liave been well. When I saw liim on 24th December, he proposed starting in three days, but dallied, God knows why, in a kind of infatuation, I think, till things had got irretrievably wrong. There would have been no want of support then, and liis stock under his own management would liave made a return immensely greater than it can under any other. Noio I fear the loss must be great, as his fall will involve many of the country dealers who traded with him. I feel quite composed and determined to lal^our. There is no remedy. I guess (as IMathews makes his Yankees say) that we shall not be troubled with visitors, and I calculate that I will not go out at all; so what can I do better than labour ? Even yesterday I went about making notes on Waverlcy, according to Constable's plan. It will do good one day. To-day, when I lock this volume, I go to W[oodstock]. Heigho ! Ivnight came to stare at me to complete his portrait. He must have read a tragic page, compared to what he saw at Abbotsford.^ "We dined of course at home, and before and after dinner I finished about twenty printed pages of Wooddocl\ but to what effect others must judge. A painful scene after dinner, and another after supper, endeavouring to convince these poor dear creatures that they must not look for miracles, but consider the misfortune as certain, and only to be lessened by patience and labour. January 20. — Indiflerent night — very bilious, which may be want of exercise. A letter from Sir J. Sinclair, whose absurd vanity bids him thrust his finger into every man's pie, proposing that Hurst and Itobinson should .sell 1 John Prescott Kuiglit, the esting account of the picture and young artist referred to, after- its accidental destruction on tiie wards E. A. , and Secretarj^ to the very day of Sir Walter's death. Academy, -\vroto (in 1871) to Sir Scott EjhihitionCataloartner of of copyriglits and stock. 100 JOURNAL. {Jan. 1826. affairs with a bad man (an nnfit one, I mean) rather than contradict me. I dare say great men are often used so. I hiboured freely yesterday. The stream rose fast — if clearly, is another question ; but there is bulk for it, at least — about thirty printed pages. " And now again, boys, to the oar." January 31. — There being nothing in the roll to-day, I stay at home from the Court, and add another day's perfect labour to Woodstock, wliicli is worth five days of snatched intervals, when the current of thought and invention is broken in upon, and the mind shaken and diverted from, its purpose by a succession of petty interruptions. I have now no pecuniary provisions to embarrass me, and I think, now the shock of the discovery is past and over, I am much better off on the whole ; I am as if I had shaken off from my shoulders a great mass of garments, rich, indeed, but cumbrous, and always more a burden than a comfort. I am free of an hundred petty j)ublic duties imposed on me as a man of consideration — of the expense of a great hospitality — and, what is better, of the great waste of time connected with it. 1 liavc known, in my day, all kinds of society, and can pretty well estimate how much or how little one loses by retiring from all but that which is very intimate. I sleep and eat, and work as I was wont ; and if I could see those about me as indifferent to the loss of rank as I am, I sliould be completely happy. As it is, Time must salve that sore, and to Time I trust it. Since the 14th of this month no cjuest has broken bread in my house save G. H. Gordon^ one morning at breakfast. This happened never before since I liad a house of my own. But- I have played Abou Hassan long enough ; and if the Caliph came I would turn liini back again. ' Mr Gordon was at tliis time is to say, the MS. for preas.-^ Scott's amanuensis ; he copied, that J. G. L. FEBPtUAEY. February 1. — A most generous letter (tliougli not more so than I expected) from Walter and Jane, offering to inter- pose with their fortune, etc. God Almighty forbid ! that were too unnatural in me to accept, though dutiful and affectionate in them to offer. They talk of India still. With my damaged fortune I cannot help them to remain by exchange, and so forth. He expects, if they go, to go out eldest Captain, when, by staying two or three years, he will get the step of ]\Iajor. His whole thoughts are with his profession, and I understand that when you quit or exchange, when a regiment goes on distant or disagreeable service, you are not accounted as serious in your profession ; God send what is for the best ! Eemitted Charles a bill for £40 — £35 advance at Christmas makes £75. He must be frugal. Attended the Court, and saw J. B. and Cadell as I re- turned. Both very gloomy. Came home to work, etc., about two. February 2. — An odd visit this morning from Miss Jane Bell of North Shields, whose law-suit with a IMethodist parson of the name of Hill made some noise. The worthy divine had in the basest manner interfered to prevent this lady's marriage by two anonymous letters, in which he contrived to refer the lover, to whom they were addressed, for further corroboration to himself. The whole imposi- tion makes the subject of a little pamphlet published by Marshall, Newcastle. The lady ventured for redress into the thicket of English law — lost one suit — gained another, 101 103 JOUENAL. [Feb. with £300 damages, and was ruined. The appearance and person of Miss Bell are prepossessing. She is about thirty years old, a brunette, with regular and pleasing features, marked with melancholy, — an enthusiast in litera- ture, and probably in religion. Slie had l)oen at Abbots- ford to see nie, and made her way to me here, in the vain hope that she could get her story worked up into a novel ; and certainly the thing is capable of interesting situations. It throws a curious light upon the aristocratic or rather hieratic influence exercised by the Methodist preachers within the connextion, as it is called. Admirable food this would be for the Quarterly, or any other reviewers who mifjlit desire to feed fat their grudge against these sectarians. But there are two reasons against such a publi- cation. First, it would do the poor sufferer no good. Secondly, it might hurt the Methodistic connection very much, which I for one would not like to injure. They have their faults, and are peculiarly liable to those of hypocrisy, and spiritual ambition, and priestcraft. On the other hand, they do infinite good, carrying religion into classes in society where it would scarce be found to penetrate, did it rely merely upon proof of its doctrines, upon calm reasoning, and upon rational argument. Methodists add a powerful appeal to the feelings and passions ; and though I believe this is often exaggerated into absolute enthusiasm, yet I consider upon the whole they do much to keep alive a sense of religion, and the practice of morality necessarily connected with it. It is much to the discredit of the Methodist clergy, that when this calumniator was actually convicted of guilt morally worse than many men are hanged for, they only degraded him from i\\(i fird to the second class of their preachers, — leaving a man who from nuae hatred at Miss Bell's brother, who was a preacher like himself, had proceeded in such a deep and infamous scheme to ruin the cliaracter and destroy the happiness of an innocent person, 182G.] JOURNAL 103 in possession of the pulpit, and an authorised teacher of others. If they believed hiui innocent they did too nnich — if guilty, far too little.^ I wrote to my nephew Walter to-day, cautioning him against a little disposition which ho has to satire or mechancde, which may be a great stumbling-block in his course in life. Otherwise I presage well of him. He is lieutenant of en- gineers, with high character for mathematical science — is acute, very well-mannered, and, I think, good-hearted. He has seen enouuh of the world too, to regulate his own course through life, better than most lads at his ago. Fehruary 3. — This is the iirst morning since my troubles that I felt at awaking .... " I had drunken deep Of ;dl the blessedness of sleep." ^ I made not the slightest pause, nor dreamed a single dream, nor even changed my side. This is a blessing to be grateful for. There is to be a meeting of the creditors to- day, but I care not for the issue. If they drag me into the Court, ohtorto collo, instead of going into this scheme of arrangement, they would do themselves a great injury, and, perhaps, eventually do me good, though it would give me much pain. James Ballantyne is severely critical on what he calls imitations of Mrs. Eadcliffe in IVoodstoch. J\Iany Avill think with him, yet I am of opinion he is quite wrong, or, as friend J. r[errier] says, vronr/.^ In the first place, I am to look on the mere fact of another author having treated a subject happily as a bird looks on a potato-bogle which scares it away from a field otherwise as free to its depreda- tions as any one's else ! In 2d place, I have taken a wide 1 The Cause of Truth dc/ciided, ■'■ Coleridge's Christabcl, Part II. etc. Two Trials; of the Rev. T. ^ James Ferrier, one of the Hill, Methodist Preacher, for do- Clerks of Session,— tho father of famation of the character of Miss the authoress of Marriage, The In- Bell, etc. etc. Svo. Hull and heritancc, MxADedJuij. Mr. Ferrier London, 1S27. was Lorn in ll-iA, and died in 1S29. 10-t JOUENAL. [Feb. difference : my object is not to excite fear of supernatural things in my reader, but to show the effect of such fear upon the agents in the story — one a man of sense and firmness — one a man unhinged by remorse— one a stupid uninquiring clown — one a learned and worthy, but super- stitious divine. In the third place, the book turns on this hinge, and cannot want it. But I will try to insinuate the refutation of Aldiboronti's [Scott's nickname for James Ballantyne] exception into the prefatory matter. From the 19th January to the 2d February inclusive is exactly fifteen days, during which time, with the interven- tion of some days' idleness, to let imagination brood on the task a little, I have written a volume. I think, for a bet, I could have done it in ten days. Then I must have had no Court of Session to take me up two or three hours every morn- ing, and dissipate my attention and powers of working for the rest of the day. A volume, at cheapest, is worth £1000. This is working at the rate of £24,000 a year; but then we must not bake buns faster than people have appetite to eat them. They are not essential to the market, like potatoes. John Gibson came to tell me in the evening tliat a meeting to-day had approved of the proposed trust. I know not why, but the news gives me little concern. I heard it as a party indifferent. I remember hearing that Mandrin^ testified some horror when he found himself bound alive on tlic wheel, and saw an executioner approach with a bar of iron to break his limbs. After the second and third blow he fell a-laughing, and being asked the reason by his con- fessor, said he laughed at his own folly which had antici- pated increased agony at every blow, when it was obvious 1 " Authentic Memoirs of the re- stood in defiance of the whole army markable Life and surprising Ex- of France," etc. 8vo, Lend. 1755. ploits of Mandrin, Captain- General See Warcrhrj Novels, vol. xxxvii. of the French Smugglers, who for p. 434, Note. — J. G. L. the space of nine months resolutely 1826.] JOURNAL. 105 that theji^'si must have jarred and confounded the system of the nerves so much as to render the succeeding blows of little consequence. I suppose it is so with the moral feelings; at least I could not bring myself to be anxious whether tliese matters were settled one way or another. Fchruary 4. — Wrote to Mr. Laidlaw to come to town npon Monday and see the trustees. To farm or not to farm, that is the question. "With our careless habits, it were best, I think, to risk as little as possible. Lady Scott will not exceed with ready money in her hand; but calculating on the produce of a farm is different, and neither she nor I arc capable of that minute economy. Two cows should be all we should keep. But I find Lady S. inclines much for the farm. If she had her youthful activity, and could manage things, it would be well, and would amuse her. But I fear it is too late a week. Eeturned from Court by Constable's, and found Cadell had fled to the sanctuary, being threatened with ultimate diligence by the Bank of Scotland. If this be a vindictive movement, it is harsh, useless, and bad of them, and flight, on the contrary, seems no good sign on his part. I hope he won't prove his father or grandfather at Preston- pans : — "Cadell dressed among the rest, Wi' gun and good claymore, man, On gelding grey he rode that day, Wi' pistols set before, man. The cause "was gude, he'd spend his blude Before that he would yield, man, But the night before he left the corjxs, And never faced the field, man." ^ Harden and IMrs. Scott called on Mamma. I A\as abroad. Henry called on me. Wrote only two pages (of manu- script) and a half to-day. As the boatswain said, one can't ^ See Tranent JIuir by Skirviug. 106 JOUr.NAL. [Feb. dance always nowihcr, but, wcn^ wc sure of tlie quality of the stuff, Avliat opportunities for labour does this same system of retreat afford us! I am convinced that in three years I could do more than in the last ten, hut for tlie mine being, I fear, exhausted. Give me my popularity — an awful 'postu- late ! — and all my present difficulties shall l)e a joke in five years ; and it is not lost yet, at least, February 5. — Eose after a sound sleep, and here am I without bile or anything to perturb my inward man. It is just about three weeks since so great a change took place in my relations in society, and already I am indifferent to it. But I have been always told my feelings of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, enjoyment and privation, are much colder than those of other people. '• I tliiuk the IJomans call it stoicism." ^ JNIissie was in the drawing-room, and overheard William Clerk and me laughing excessively at some foolery or other in the back-room, to her no small surprise, which she did not keep to herself. But do people suppose that he was less sorry for his poor sister,^ or I for my lost fortune ? If I have a very strong passion in the world, it \'& fridc, and that never hinged upon world's gear, which was always with mo — Light come, light go. February G. — Letters received yesterday from Lord Montagu, John Morritt, and Mrs. Hughes — kind and dear friends all — with solicitous inquiries. But it is very tire- some to tell my story over again, and I really hope I have few more friends intimate enough to ask me for it. I dread letter-writing, and envy the old hermit of Prague, who never saw pen or ink. What then? One must write; it is a part of the law we live ou. Talking of writing, I finished my six pages, neat and handsome, yesterday. N.B. At night I fell asleep, and the oil dropped from the lamp ' Addiaun, C'do, i. \. - See p. 83. 1826.] JOURNAL. 107 upon my manuscript. Will this extreme unction make it go smoothly down with the public ? Thus idly Ave " profane the sacred time " By silly prose, light jest, and lighter rhyme.^ i have a song to write, too, and I am not thinking of it. I trust it will come upon me at once — a sort of catch it shoidd be.- I walked out, feeling a little overwrought. Saw Constable and turned over Clarendon. Cadell not yet out of hiding. This is simple work. Obliged to borrow £240, to be refunded in spring, from John Gibson, to pay my nephew's outfit and passage to Bombay. I wish I could have got this money otherwise, but I must not let the orphan boy, and such a clever fellow, miscarry through my fault. His education, etc., has been at my expense ever since he came from America. February 7. — Had letters yesterday from Lady Davy and Lady Louisa Stuart,^ two very different persons. Lady Davy, daughter and co-heiress of a wealthy Antigua mer- chant, has been known to me all my life. Her father was a relation of ours of a Scotch calculation. He was of a good family, Kerr of Bloodielaws, but decayed. Miss Jane Kerr married first Mr. Apreece, son of a Welsh Baronet. The match was not happy. I had lost all acquaintance with her for a long time, when about twenty years ago we renewed it in London. She was then a widow, gay, clever, and most acti^'ely ambitious to play a distinguished part in London society. Her fortune, though handsome and easy, was not large enougli to make way by dint of showy entertainments, and so forth. So she took the W7«c line, and by great tact and management actually established herself as a leader of liter- ary fashion. Soon after, she visited Edinburgh for a season 1 Variation from 2 Hairy IV., ^ Lady Louisa Stnart, youngest Act II. Se. 4. ■ daughter of John, third Karl of 2 See "Glee for King Charles," Bute, and grand-daughter of Lady Wnrerley Novels, vol. xl. p. 40. — Mary 'Wortlcy ]\Ioutagu. J. G.L. 108 JOUKNAL. [Feb. or two, and studied the Northern Liohts. One of the best of them, poor Jack Playfair/ was disposed " to shoot madly from his sphere," - and, I believe, asked her, but he was a little too old. She found a fitter husband in every respect in Sir Humphry Davy, to whom she gave a handsome fortune, and whose splendid talents and situation as Presi- dent of the Eoyal Society gave her naturally a distinguished place in the literary society of the Metropolis. Now this is a very curions instance of an active-minded woman forcing her way to the point from which she seemed furthest ex- cluded. For, though clever and even witty, she had no peculiar accomplishment, and certainly no good taste either for science or letters naturally. I was once in the Hebrides with her, and I admired to observe how amidst sea-sickness, fatigue, some danger, and a good deal of indifference as to what she saw, she gallantly maintained her determination to see everything.^ It marked her strength of character, and she joined to it much tact, and always addressed people on the right side. So she stands high, and deservedly so, for to these active qualities, more French I think than English, and partaking of the Creole vivacity and suppleness of character, she adds, I believe, honourable principles and an excellent heart. As a lion-catcher, I could pit her against the world. She flung her lasso (see Hall's South America) over Byron himself. But then, poor soul, she is not happy. She has a temper, and Davy has a temper, and these tempers are not one temper, but two tempers, and they quarrel like 1 The well-known Mathematician Playfair died in 1S19 in his seventy- and Natural Philosopher. Professor second year. Have you scon llic famed Bas bUni, the gentle dame Aprceee, Wlio at a glance shut through and throiigli the Scots Review, And changed its swans to geese ? riayfair forgot his mathematics, astronomy, and hydrostatics, And in her presence often swore, he knew not two and two made four. [Squib oflSll.] - ^ee Midsummer NirjliCs Dream, -^See Li/c, Chapter xxi. vol. iii. Actii. Sc. 2. p. 271. 2 This journey was made in 1810. 182G.] JOURNAL. 109 cat and dog, which may be good for stirring up the stagna- tion of domestic life, but they let the world see it, and that is not so well. Now in all this I may be thought a little harsh on my friend, but it is between my Gurnal and me, and, -moreover, I would cry heartily if anything were to ail my little cousin, though she be addicted to rule the Cerulean atmosphere.^ Then I suspect the cares of this as well as other empires overbalance its pleasures. There must be difficulty in being always in the right humour to hold a court. There are usurpers to be encountered, and insur- rections to be put down, an incessant troop, hicns^anccs to be discharged, a sort of etiquette which is the curse of all courts. An old lion cannot get hamstrung quietly at four hundred miles distance, but the Empress must send him her condolence and a pot of lipsalve. To be sure the monster is consanguinean, as Sir Toby says.^ Looked in at Constable's coming home ; Cadell emerged from Alsatia ; borrowed Clarendon. Home by half-past twelve. My old friend Sir Peter Murray^ called to offer his own assistance. Lord Justice-Clerk's, and Abercromby's, to nego- tiate for me a seat upon the Bench [of the Court of Session] instead of my Sheriffdom and Clerkship. I explained to him the use which I could make of my pen was not, I thought, consistent with that situation; and that, besides, I had neglected the law too long to permit me to think of it; but this was kindly and honourably done. I can see people think me much worse off than I think myself. They may be right ; but I will not be beat till I have tried a rally, and a bold one. February 8. — Slept ill, and rather bilious in the morn- ing. Many of the Bench now are my juniors. I will not 1 Lady Davy survived her dis- ^ Sir Tatrick Murray of Ocliter- tinguished husband for more tliau tyre, then a baron of the Court of a quarter of a century ; she died in Exchequer in .Scotland ; he died in London, May 1855. June 1837. 2 Tu-elflh Niijht, Act ii. So. 3. 110 JOUENAL. [Feb. seek ex cleemosynd a place which, had I turned my studies that way, I might have aspired to long ago ex meritis. My pen should do nnich Letter for me than the odd £1000 a year. If it fails, I will lean on what they leave me. Another chance might be, if it fails, in the patronage which might, after a year or two, place me in Exchequer. But I do not count on this unless, indeed, the D[uke] of B[uccleuch], when he comes of age, should choose to make play. Got to my work again, and wrote easier than the two last days. Mr. Laidlaw'' came in from Ahbotsford and dined with us. We spent the evening in laying down plans for the farm, and deciding whom we should keep and whom dismiss among the people. This we did on the true negro-driving principle of self-interest, the only principle I know which never swerves from its objects. We chose all the active, young, and powerful men, turning old age and infirmity adrift. I cannot help tliis, for a guinea cannot do the work of five ; but I will contrive to make it easier to the sufferers. Fehruary 9. — A stormy morning, lowering and blustering, like our fortunes. Mea virtute mc involvo. But I must say to the Muse of fiction, as the Earl of Pembroke said to the ejected nuns of Wilton, "Go spin, you jades, go spin!" Perhaps she has no toio on her rock?' When I w\as at Kilkenny last year we went to sec a nunnery, but could not converse ^ This clierislied aiul confidential np from Scott's observation, j'ears friend had Ijccu living at Kaesidc after tliis period [1702], of a family, from 1817, and acting as steward on with one of whose members he had, the estate. Mr. Laidlaw died in tlirough the best part of his life, a Ross-shire in 1845. close and affectionate connection. Mr. Lockhart says, "I have tlie 'Vo those who were familiar witli best reason to believe that the kind liim, I liave jicrhaps already sufii- and manly character of Dandie ciently indicated the early liome of [Dinmont in Utty Ji/dnncriiii/], the liis dear friend, William Laidlaw." gentle and delicious one of bin wife, L'/r, vol. i. ]i. 2GS. See also vol. ii. and some at least of the most p. .5!) ; v. pp. 210-];"), 251; vii. p. picturesque peculiarities of the lliS; viii. p. G8, etc. liimaije at Charlicsliopc were fdled ^ Flax on her distaff. 182G.] JOUENAL. Ill with the sisters because they were in strict retreat. I was delighted with the red-nosed I'adre, who showed us the place with a^ sort of proud, unctuous humiliation, and apparent dereliction of the world, that had to me the air of a complete Tartuffe ; a strong, sanguine, square-shouldered son of the Church, whom a Protestant would be apt to warrant against any sufferings he was like to sustain by privation. ]\Iy pur- pose, hoAvever, just now was to talk of the " strict retreat," which did not prevent the nuns from walking in their little garden, breviary in hand, peeping at us, and allowing us to peep at them. AVell, now, we are in sirid retreat ; and if avo had been so last year, instead of gallivanting to Ireland, this affair might not have befallen — if literary labour could have prevented it. Bat who could have suspected Constable's timbers to have been rotten from the beginning ? Visited the Exhibition on my way home from the Court. The new rooms are most splendid, and several good pictures. The Institution has subsisted but five years, and it is astonishing how^ much superior the worst of the present collection are to the teaboard-looking things which first appeared. John Thomson, of Duddingston,has far the finest picture in the Exhibition, of a large size — subject Diinluce, a ruinous castle of the Antrim family, near the Giant's Causeway, with one of those terrible seas and skies which only Thomson can paint. Eound Scrope there improving a picture of his own, an Italian scene in Calabria. He is, I think, greatly improved, and one of the very best amateur painters I ever saw — Sir George Beaumont scarcely excepted. Yet, hang it, I do except Sir George. I would not write to-day after I came home. I will not say could not, for it is not true ; but I was lazy ; felt the desire /ar nicnte, wdiich is the sign of one's mind being at ease. I read The English in Italy} which is a clever book. * The EmjlUh in Italy, 3 vols., Loiul. 1825, asoribcd to tliu Manjiiis of Normanby. 112 JOUENAL. [Feb. Byron used to kick and frisk more contemptuously against the literary gravity and slang than any one I ever knew who had climbed so high. Then, it is true, I never knew any one climb so high ; and before you despise the eminence, carrying people along with you, as convinced that you are not playing the fox and the grapes, you must be at the top. Moore told mo some delightful stories of him. One was that while thv^,y stood at the window of Byron's Palazzo in Venice, looking at a beautiful sunset, Moore was naturally led to say something of its beauty, when Byron answered in a tone that I can easily conceive, " Oh ! come, d — n me, Tom, don't be poetical." Another time, standing with Moore on the balcony of the same Palazzo, a gondola passed with two English gentlemen, who were easily distinguished by their appearance. They cast a careless look at the balcony and went on. Byron crossed his arms, and half stooping over the balcony said, "Ah! d — n ye, if ye had known what two fellows you were staring at, you would have taken a longer look at us." This was the man, quaint, capriciou-s, and playful, with all his immense genius. He wrote from impulse, never from effort; and therefore I have always reckoned Burns and Byron the most genuine poetical geniuses of my time, and half a century before me. We have, how- ever, many men of high poetical talent, but none, I think, of that ever-gushing and perennial fountain of natural water. Mr. Laidlaw dined with us. Says Mr. Gibson told him he would dispose of my affairs, were it any but S. W. S.^ No doubt, so should I, and am wellnigh doing so at any rate. But, fortuna juvantc ! much may be achieved. At worst, ^ " S. W. S." Scott, in writing slieep on the estate with a large of himself, often uses these three letter "8" in addition to the owner's letters in playful allusion to a freak initials, W.S., which, according to of his trusty hencliman Tom Purdie, custom, had already been stamped who, in his joy on liearing of tiic on tlicir backs. baronetcy, proceeded to mark every 1826.] JOUENAL. 113 the prospect is not very discouraging to one wlio wants little. Methinks I have been like Burns's poor labouier, " So constantly in Ruin's sight, The view o't gives nie little fright." [Udinhurgh,] Felruary 10. — Went through, for a new day, the task of buttoning, which seems to nie somehow to fill up more of my morning than usual — not, certaiiily, that such is really the case, but that my mind attends to the process, having so little left to hope or fear. The half hour between waking and rising has all my life proved propitious to any task which was exercising my invention.'^ When I get over any knotty difficulty in a story, or have had in former times to fill up a passage in a poem, it was always when I first opened my eyes that the desired ideas thronged upon me. This is so much the case that I am in the habit of relying upon it, and saying to myself, when I am at a loss, "Never mind, we shall have it at seven o'clock to-morrow morning." If I have forgot a circumstance, or a name, or a copy of verses, it is the same thing. Tliere is a passage about this sort of matutinal inspiration in the Odyssey,- which wuuld 1 Moore also felt that the morning "In the Odj'ssey there are two was his happiest time for work, but such visions which turn out to be he preferred "composing" in bed! realities -.—that of Nausicaa, Bk. He says somewhere that he would vi. 20, etc., and that of Penelope, have passed half his days in bed for Bk. xix. 535, etc. In the former the purpose of composition had he case we are told that the vision not found it too relaxing. occurred just before dawn ; 1. 48-49, Macaulay, too, when engaged in ainlKo. 8' 'Uws ^^XOev, 'straightway his History, was in the habit of writ- came the Dawn,' etc. In the latter, ing three hours before breakfast there is no special mention of the daily. hour. The vision, however, is said - I am assured by Professor to be not a dream, but a true vision Butcher that there is no such wliich shall be accomplished (547, passage in the Odyssey, but he sug- ovk ovap dW virap iaOXbi', 6 toi gests "that what Scott had in his TireKiafievov earai). mind was merely the Greek idea of "Such passages as these, which a v-aling vision being a true one. are frequent in Greek literature, They spoke of it as a v-rrap opposed might easily have given rise to the to an ovap, a mere dream. Tliese notion of a ' matutinal inspiration,' waking visions are usually said to of which Scott speaks. bo seen towards mornin' H Hi JOUliNAL. [Feb. make a liantlsome figure here if I could read or write Greek. 1 w\\[ louk into Pope for it, who, ten to one, will not tell me the real translation. I think the first hour of the morn- ing is also favourable to the bodily strength. Among other feats, when I was a young man, I was able at times to lift a smith's anvil with one hand, by what is called the horn, or projecting piece of iron on which things arc beaten to turn them round. But I could only do this before breakfast, and shortly after rising. It required my full strength, undiminished by the least exertion, and those who choose to try it will find the feat no easy one. This morning I had some good ideas respecting Woodstoch which will make the story better. The devil of a difficulty is, that one puzzles the skein in order to excite curiosity, and then cannot disentangle it for the satisfaction of the prying fiend they have raised. A letter from Sir James Mackintosh of con- dolence, prettily expressed, and which may be sung to the old tune of "Welcome, welcome, brother Debtor." A brother son of chivalry dismounted by mischance is sure to excite the compassion of one laid on the arena before him. Yesterday I had an anecdote from old Sir James Steuart Denham,! which is worth writing down. llis uncle, Lord Elcho, was, as is well known, engaged in the affair of 1745. He was dissatisfied with the conduct of matters from beginning to end. But after the left wing of the Highlanders was repulsed and broken at Culloden, Elcho rode up to the Chevalier and told him all was lost, and that nothing remained except to charge at the head of two thousand men, who were still unbroken, and either turn the fate of the day or die sword in hand, as became his i)re- 1 General Sir James Steuart doubt acquainted with " T.ady Mary Dcnliam of Coltness, Baronet, AVortley Montagu's Letters" ad- Colonel of the .Scots Greys. His dressed to him and liis wife. Lady father, tlic celebrated political Frances.— j. g. I.. See also Mrd. economist, took i)art in tlic Ke- Calderwood's Letter.H, 8vo. Ediu. bcllion of 174.-), an.l was long after- J SSI. Sir James died in 1839. wards an exile. The reader is no 1826.] JOUKNAL. 115 tensions. The Chevalier gave him some evasive answer, and, turning his horse's head, rode off the field. Lord Elcho called after him (I write the very words), " There }-oii go for a damned cowardly Italian," and never would see him again, though he lost his property and remained an exile in the cause. Lord Elcho left two copies of his memoirs, one with Sir James Steuart's famil}-, one with Lord Wemyss. This is better evidence than the romance of Clievalier Johnstone ; and I have little doubt it is true. Yet it is no proof of the Prince's cowardice, though it shows him to have been no John of Gaunt. Princes are constantly surrounded with people who hold up their own life and safety to them as by far the most important stake in any contest; and this is a doctrine in which conviction is easily received. Such an eminent person finds everybody's advice, save here and there that of a desperate Elcho. recommend obedience to the natural instinct of self- preservation, which very often )nen of inferior situations find it difficult to combat, when all the world are crying to them to get on and be damned, instead of encourafdng them to run away. At Prestonpans the Chevalier offered to lead the van, and he was with the second line, which, during that brief affair, followed the first very close. Johnstone's own account, carefully read, brings him within a pistol-shot of the first line. At the same time, Charles Edward had not a head or heart for "reat thinG;s, notwith- standing his daring adventure ; and the Irish officers, by whom he was guided, were poor creatures. Lord George Murray was the soul of the undertaking.^ February IL — Court sat till half-past one. I had but 1 " Had Prince Charles slept reason for supposing lie -woulcl have during the whole of the expedi- found the crown of (ireat Britaia tion," says the Chevalier John- ou his head when ho awoke."— stone, "and allowed Lord George Memoirs of the EeheUion of 1745, Murray to act for him according to etc. 4to, p. 140. Loudon, ISIO. his own judgment, there is every — j. u. L. lin JOURNAL. [Feb. a trifle to do, so wrote letters to Mrs. IMaclean Clephaiie and nephew AValter. Sent tlie last, £40 in addition to £240 sent on the Gtli, making his full equipment £280. A man, calling himself Charles Gray of Carse, wrote to me, expressing sympathy for my misfortunes, and offering me half the profits of what, if I understand him right, is a patent medicine, to which I suppose he expects me to stand trumpeter. He endeavours to get over my objections to accepting his liberality (supposing me to entertain them) by assuring me his conduct is founded on a sage selfishness. This is diverting enough. I suppose the Commissioners of Police M'ill next send me a letter of condolence, begging my acceptance of a broom, a shovel, and a scavenger's great- coat, and assuring me that they had appointed me to all the emoluments of a well-frequented crossing. It would be doing more than they have done of late for the cleanliness of the streets, which, witness my shoes, are in a piteous pickle. I thanked the selfish sage with due decorum — for what purpose can anger serve ? I remember once before, a mad woman, from about Alnwick, baited me with letters and plans — first for charity to herself or some protege. I gave my guinea. Then she wanted to have half the profit of a novel which I was to publish under my name and auspices. She sent me the manuscript, and a moving tale it was, for some of the scenes lay in the cahinet a Vcciu. I declined the partnership. Lastly, my fair correspondent insisted I was a lover of speculation, and would be much profited by going shares in a patent medicine which slie had invented for the benefit of little babies, I believe. I dreaded to have anything to do with such a Herod-like affair, and begged to decline the honour of her correspondence in future. I should have thought the thing a quiz, but that the novel was real and substantial. Anne goes to Havel- ston to-day to remain to-morrow. Sir Alexander Don called, and we had a good laugh together. 1826.] . JOUENAL. 117 February 12. — Having ended the second volume of Wood- stock last niglit, I have to begin the third this morning. Now I have not the slightest idea how the story is to be wound up to a catastrophe. I am just in the same case as I used to be when I lost myself in former days in some country to which I was a stranger. I always pushed for the pleasantest road, and either found or made it the nearest. It is the same in writing, I never could lay down a plan — or, having laid it down, I never could adhere to it ; the action of composition always diluted some passages, and abridged or omitted others ; and personages were rendered important or insignificant, not according to their agency in the original conception of the plan, but according to the success, or otherwise, with which I was able to bring them out, I only tried to make that which I was actually writing diverting and interesting, leaving the rest to fate. I have been often amused with the critics distinguishing some passages as particularly laboured, when the pen passed over the whole as fast as it could move, and the eye never again saw them, except in proof. Verse I write twice, and some- times three times over. This may be called in Spanish the Bar donde diere mode of composition, in English hah nah at a venture ; it is a perilous style, I grant, but I cannot help it. When I chain my mind to ideas which are purely imagina- tive — for aro'ument is a different thino- — it seems to me that the sun loaves tlie landscape, that I think away the whole vivacity and spirit of my original conception, and that the results are cold, tame, and spiritless. It is the difference between a written oration and one bursting from the un- premeditated exertions of the speaker, which have alwa}'s something the air of enthusiasm and inspiration. I would not have young authors imitate my carelessness, however; consilium non currum cape. Piead a few pages of Will D'Avcnant, wdio was fond of having it supposed that Shakespeare intrigued with his lis JOURNAL. [Feb. mother, I think the pretension can only be treated as Pliaetoii's was, according to Fielding's farce — "Besides, by all the village boys I'm shamed, You, the svm'.s son, yoTi x'ascal 1 — you be damn'tL" Egad — I '11 put that into Woodstock} It might come well from the old admirer of Shakespeare. Then Fielding's lines were not written. What then ? — it is an anachronism for some sly rogue to detect. Besides, it is easy to swear they were written, and that Fielding adopted them from tradition. Walked with Skene on the Calton Hill. Fehrxiary 13. — The Institution for tlie Encouragment of the Fine Arts opens to-day, with a handsome entertainment in the Exhibition-room, as at Somerset House. It strikes me that tlie direction given by amateurs and professors to their proUgt^s and pupils, who aspire to be artists, is upon a pedantic and false principle. All tlie Fine Arts have it for their highest and more legitimate end and purpose, to affect the human passions, or smooth and alleviate for a time the more unquiet feelings of the mind — to excite wonder, or terror, or pleasure, or emotion of some kind or other. It often happens that, in the very rise and origin of these arts, as in the instance of Homer, the principal object is obtained in a degree not equalled by his successors. But there is a degree of execution which, in more refined times, the poet or musician begins to study, which gives a value of its own to their productions of a different kind from the rude strength of their predecessors. Poetry becomes complicated in its rules — music learned in its cadences and harmonies — rhetoric subtle in its periods. There is more given to tlie labour of executing — less attained by the effect produced. Still the ' The lines are given in Wood- the Commonwealth, it must have sloclc, with the foUowing apology : I'eached the authoi- of Turn Jonen " We o)>servc tliis couplet in Fiehl- l)y tradition, for no one will suspect ing's farce of Tumbledown Did; the present author of making the founded on tlic same classical story. anaclironism." As it was current in tiie time of 1826.] JOURNAL. 119 nobler and popular end of these arts is not forgotten ; and if we have some productions too learned, too recherches for public feeling, we have, every now and then, music tliat electrifies a whole assembly, eloquence which shakes the forum, and poetry which carries men up to the third heaven. But in painting it is different; it is all become a mystery, the secret of which is lodged in a few connoisseurs, whose object is not to praise the works of such painters as produce effect on mankind at large, but to class them accord- ing to their proficiency in the inferior rules of the art, which, though most necessary to be taught and learned, should yet only be considered as the Gradus ad Parnassum — the steps by which the higher and ultimate object of a great popular effect is to be attained. They have all embraced the very style of criticism which induced Michael Angelo to call some Pope a poor creature, when, turning his attention from the general effect of a noble statue, liis Holiness began to criticise the hem of the robe. This seems to me the cause of the decay of this delightful art, especially in history, its noblest branch. As I speak to myself, I may say that a painting should, to be excellent, have something to say to the mind of a man, like myself, well-educated, and sus- ceptible of those feelings which anything strongly recalling natural emotion is likely to inspire. But how seldom do I see anything that moves me much ! "VVilkie, the far more than Teniers of Scotland, certainly gave many new ideas. So does Will Allan, though overwhelmed with their rebukes about colouring and grouping, against which they are not willing to place his general and original merits. Landseer's dogs were the most magnificent things I ever saw — leaping, and bounding, and grinning on the cnnvas. Leslie has great powers; and the scenes from Moliere by [Newton] are excellent. Yet painting wants a regenerator — some one who will sweep the cobwebs out of his head before he takes the palette, as Chantrey has done in the sister art. At present 120 JOUENAL. [Feb. we are painting pictures from the ancients, as authors in the days of Louis Quatorze wrote epic poems according to the recipe of Madame Dacier and Co. The poor reader or spec- tator has no remedy ; the compositions are secundum artem, and if he docs not like them, he is no judge — that's all. February 14. — I had a call from Glengarry^ yesterday, as kind and friendly as usual. This gentleman is a kind of Quixote in our age, having retained, in their full extent, the whole feelings of clanship and chieftainship, elsewhere so long abandoned. He seems to have lived a century too late, and to exist, in a state of complete law and order, like a Glengarry of old, whose will was law to his sept. Warm- hearted, generous, friendly, he is beloved by those who know him, and his efforts are unceasing to show kindness to those of his clan who are disposed fully to admit his pretensions. To dispute them is to incur his resentment, which has sometimes broken out in acts of violence which have brought him into collision with the law. To me he is a treasure, as being full of information as to the history of his own clan, and the manners and customs of the Highlanders in general. Strong, active, and muscular, he follows the chase of tlie deer for days and nights together, sleeping in his plaid when darkness overtakes him in the forest. He was fortunate in marrying a daughter of Sir William Forbes, who, by yielding to his peculiar ideas in general, possesses much deserved influence with him. The number of his singular exploits would fill a volume ;'^ for, as his pretensions are high, and not always willingly yielded to, he is every now and then giving rise to some rumour. He is, on many of these occasions, as much sinned against as 1 Colonel Ranaldson Mactlonell interior of a convent in the ancient of Glengarry. He died in January Higliland garb, and tlie eftect of 1828. — J, o. L. .sucli an apparition on tlie nuns, - "We have had Marcchal Mac- wlio fled in all directions. "—Scott donald here. We had a capital to Skene, Edinburgh, 24th June account of Glengairy visiting the 1825. 1826.] JOUEXAL. 121 sinning ; for men, knowing his temper, sometimes provoke him, conscious that Glengarry, from his character for vio- lence, will always be put in the wrong by the public. 1 have seen him behave in a very manly manner when thus tempted. He has of late prosecuted a quarrel, ridiculous enough in the present day, to have himself admitted and recoanised as Chief of the whole Clan Ranald, or surname of Macdonald. The truth seems to bo, that the present Clanranald is not descended from a legitimate Chieftain of the tribe ; for, having accomplished a revolution in the sixteenth century, they adopted a Tanist, or Captain — that is, a Chief not in the direct line of succession, a certain Ian Moidart, or John of jMoidart, who toolc the title of Captain of Clan- ranald, with all the powers of Chief, and even Glengarry's ancestor recognised them as chiefs dc facto if not de jure. The fact is, that this elective power was, in cases of minority, imbecility, or the like, exercised by the Celtic tribes; and though Ian Moidart was no chief by birth, yet by election he became so, and transmitted his power to his descendants, as would King William iii., if he had had any. So it is absurd to set up the JUS sanguinis now, which Glengarry's ancestors did not, or could not, make good, when it was a right worth combating for. I wrought out my full task yesterday. Saw Cadell as I returned from the Court. He seems dejected, apprehensive of another trustee being preferred to Cowan, and gloomy about the extent of stock of novels, etc., on hand. He infected me with his want of spirits, and I almost wish my wife had not asked Mr. Scrope and Charles K. Sharpe for this day. But the former sent such loads of game that Lady Scott's gratitude became ungovern- able. I have not seen a creature at dinner since the direful 17th January, except my own family and JMr. Laidlaw. The love of solitude increases by indulgence ; I hope it will not diverge into misanthropy. It does not mend the matter that this is the first day that a ticket for sale is on my 122 JOUENAL. [Feb. house. Poor No. 39.'' One gets accustomed even to stone walls, and the place suited me very well. All our furuiture, too, is to go — a hundred little articles that seemed to me connected with nil the happier years of my life. It is a sorry business. But sursuiii corda. My two friends came as expected, also Missie, and stayed till half-past ten. Promised Sliarpe the set of Piranesi's views in the dining-parlour. They belonged to my uncle, so I do not like to sell them.^ February 15. — Yesterday I did not write a line of Woodstock Partly, I was a little out of spirits, though that would not have hindered. Partly, I wanted to wait for some new ideas — a sort of collecting of straw to make bricks of. Partly, I was a little too far beyond the press. I cannot pull well in long traces, when the draught is too far behind me. I love to have the press thumping, clattering, and banging in my rear ; it creates the necessity which almost always makes me work best. Needs must when the devil drives — and drive he does even accordincr to the letter. I must work to-day, however. Attended a meeting of the Faculty about our new library. I spoke — saying that I hoped we would now at length act upon a general plan, and look forward to commencing upon such a scale as would secure us at least for a century against the petty and partial manage- ment, which we have hitherto thought sufficient, of fitting up one room after another. Disconnected and distant, these have been costing large sums of money from time to time, all now thrown away. We are now to have space enough for a very large range of buildings, which we may execute in a simple taste, leaving Government to ornament them if they shall think proper — otherwise, to be plain, modest, and handsome, ^ No. .39 Castle Street, which liad all his fiicuds were within a circle been occupied by him from 1802, of a few hundred yards. For de- when he removed from No. 10 in scription see Life, vol. v. pp. .321, the same street. The situation 3.3.3-4, etc. suited him, as the houses of nearly - See below, March 12. 1S2G.] JOURNAL. 123 and capable of being executed by degrees, and in such por- tions as convenience may admit of. Poor James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, came to advise with me about his affairs, — he is sinking under the times ; having no assistance to give him, my advice, I fear, will be of little service. I am sorry for him if that •wo^^ld help him, especially as, by his own account, a couple of hundred pounds would carry him on. February 1 6. — " Misfortune's gowling bark " ^ comes louder and louder. By assigning my whole property to trustees for behoof of creditors, with two works in progress and nigh publication, and with all my future literary labours, I conceived I was briufdno; into the field a lar2,e fund of payment, which could not exist without my exertions, and tliat thus far I was entitled to a corresponding degree of indulgence. I therefore supposed, on selling this house, and various other property, and on receiving the price of Woodstock and Ncqjoleon, that they would give me leisure to make other exertions, and be content with the rents of Abbotsford, without attempting a sale. This would have been the more reasonable, as the very printing of these woi-ks must amount to a large sum, of which they will reap the profits. In the course of this delay I supposed I M'as to have the chance of "ettinej some insiirlit both into Constable's affairs and those of Hurst and Eobinson. Nay, employing these houses, under precautions, to sell the w^orks, the pub- lisher's profit would have come in to pay part of their debts. But Gibson last night came in after dinner, and gave me to understand that the Bank of Scotland see this in a different point of view, and consider my contribution of the produce of past, present, and future laljours, as compensated in full by tlieir accepting of the trust-deed, instead of pursuing the mode of sequestration, and placing me in the Gazette. They ^ Burns's Dedication to Gavin Hamilton — " May ne'er misfortune's gowling bark Howl through the dwelling o' the Clerk." 124 ^ JOUENAL. [Feb. therefore expected the trustees instantly to commence a law- suit to reduce the marriage settlement, which settles the estate upon "Walter, thus loading me with a most expensive suit, and, I suppose, selling library and whatever they can lay hold on. Now this seems unequal measure, and would besides of itself totally destroy any power of fancy or genius, if it deserves the name, which may remain to me, A man can- not write in the House of Correction ; and this species of peine forte ct dure which is threatened would render it im- possible for one to help himself or others. So I told Gibson I had my mind made np as far back as the 24th of January, not to suffer myself to be harder pressed than law would press me. If this great commercial company, through whose hands I have directed so many thousands, think they are right in taking every advantage and giving none, it must be my care to see that they take none . but what law gives them. If they take the sword of the law, I must lay hold of the shield. If they are determined to consider me as an irretrievable bankrupt, they have no title to object to my settling upon the usual terms which the Statute requires. They probably are of opinion that I will be ashamed to do this by applying publicly for a sequestration. Now, my feelings are different. I am ashamed to owe debts I cannot pay ; but I am not ashamed of being classed with those to whose rank I belong. The disgrace is in beino; an actual bankrupt, not in being made a legal one. I had like to have been too hasty in this matter. I must have a clear under- standing that I am to be benefited or indulged in some way, if I bring in two such funds as those works in progress, worth certainly from £10,000 to £15,000. Clerk came in last night and drank wine and water. Slept ill, and bilious in the morning. N.B. — I smoked a cigar, the first for this present year, yesterday evening, Fehrnary 17. — Slept sound, for Nature repays herself 1S26.] JOUENAL. ' 125 for the vexation the mind sometimes gives her. This morn- ing put interlocutors on several Sheriff-Court processes from Selkirkshire. Gibson came to-night to say that he had spoken at full length with Alexander Monypenny, proposed as trustee on the part of the Bank of Scotland, and found him decidedly in favour of the most moderate measures, and taking burthen on himself for the Bank of Scotland proceed- ing with such lenity as might enable me to have some time and opportunity to clear these affairs out. I repose trust in Mr. M. entirely. His father, old Colonel Monypenny, was my early friend, kind and hospitable to me when I was a mere boy. He had nmch of old Withers about him, as expressed in Pope's epitaph — - " youth in arms approved ! soft humanity in age beloved." ^ His son David, and a younger brother, Frank, a soldier who perished by drowning on a boating party from Gibraltar, were my school-fellows ; and with the survivor, now Lord Pitmilly,- I have always kept up a friendly intercourse. Of this gentleman, on whom my fortunes are to depend, I know little. He was Colin jNIackenzie's partner in business while my friend pursued it, and he speaks highly of him : that 's a great deal. He is secretary to the Pitt Club, and we have had all our lives the habit idem sentirc dc rejJiMica : that 's much too. Lastly, he is a man of perfect honour and reputation ; and I have nothing to ask which such a man would not either orant or convince me was unreasonable. I have, to be sure, some of my constitutional and hereditary obstinacy ; but it is in me a dormant quality. Convince my understanding, and I am perfectly docile ; stir my passions by coldness or affronts, and the devil w^ould not drive me from my purpose. Let me record, I have striven against 1 " O born to arms! O worth in youth 2 David Monypenny had been on api.rovecl, t]ie Bench from 1813 ; he retired in O soft humanity in age beloved ! " ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^y^^^^ ^^ ^j^^ ^^^^ ^f ^j^^j^^^. — See Pope, Epitajjhs, 9. oue in lSr>0. 126 JOURNAL. [Feb. this besetting sin. AVlien I was a boy, and on foot expedi- tions, as we had many, no creature could be so indifferent which way our course was directed, and I acquiesced in what any one proposed ; but if I was once driven to make a choice, and felt piqued in honour to maintain my proposition, I have broken off from the whole party, rather than yield to any one. Time has sobered this pertinacity of mind ; but it still exists, and I must be on my guard against it. It is the same with me in politics. In general I care very little about the matter, and from year's end to year's end have scarce a thought connected with them, except to lauirh at the fools who think to make themselves great men out of little, by swaggering in the rear of a party. But either actually important events, or such as seemed so by their close neighbourhood to me, have always hurried me off my feet, and made me, as I have sometimes afterwards re- gretted, more forward and more violent than those who had a regular jog-trot way of busying themselves in public matters. Good luck ; for had I lived in troublesome times, and chanced to be on the unhappy side, I had been hanged to a certainty. "What I have always remarked has been, that many who have hallooed me on at public meetings, and so forth, have quietly left me to the odium which a man known to the public always has more than his own share of ; while, on the other hand, they were easily successful in pressing before me, who never pressed forward at all, when there was any distribution of public favours or the like. I am horribly tempted to interfere in this business of altering the system of banks in Scotland ; and yet I know that if I can attract any notice, I will offend my English friends without propitiating one man in Scotland. I will think of it till to-morrow. It is making myself of too much impor- tance after all. February 18. — I set about Malachi jMalagrowther's Letter on the late disposition to change everything in Scot- 1826.] JOUliNAL. 127 land to an English model, Ijut without resolving about the publication. They do treat us very provokingly. "0 Laiul of Cakes ! said the Northern bard, Though all the world betrays thee, One faithful pea thy rights shall guard, One faithful harp shall praise thee.'" Called on the Lord Chief Commissioner, who, understand- ing there was a hitch in our arrangements, had kindly [iro- posed to execute an arrangement for my relief. I could not, I think, have thought of it at any rate. But it is \in- necessary. February 19. — Finished my letter (Malachi Mala- growther) this morning, and sent it to James B., who is to call with the result this forenoon. I am not very anxious to get on with Woodstock. I want to see what Constable's people mean to do when they have their trustee. For an unfinished work they must treat with the author. It is the old story of the varnish spread over the picture, which nothing but the artist's own hand could remove. A finished work might be seized under some legal pretence. Being troubled with thick-coming fancies, and a sli'dit palpitation of the heart, 1 have been reading the Chronicle of the Good Knight Messire Jacques de Lalain — curious, but dull, from the constant repetition of the same species of combats in the same style and phrase. It is like washing bushels of sand for a grain of gold. It passes the time, however, especially in that listless mood when your mind is half on your book, half on something else. You catch something to arrest the attention every now and then, and what you miss is not worth going back upon ; idle man's studies, in short. Still things occur to one. Somethimr might be made out of the Pass or Fountain of Tears,^ a talc of chivalry, — taken from the Passages of Arms, which 1 Parody on ISIoore's Mhntrtl Boy. — J. o. l. - "Lc Pus de la Fontaine dus Plcurs." — Chroiiupien Nalionalts. 128 JOUKNAL. [Feb. Jacques de Lalain maintained for the first day of every month for a twelvemonth.'^ The first mention perhaps of red-hot balls appears in the siege of Oudenarde hy the citizens of Ghent. Chroniquc, p. 293. This would be light summer work. J. B. came and sat an hour. I led him to talk of Woodstock] and, to say truth, his approbation did me much good. I am aware it may — nay, must — be partial ; yet is he Tom Tell-truth, and totally unable to disguise his real feelings.^ I think I make no habit of feeding on praise, and despise those whom I see greedy for it, as much as I should an under-bred fellow, who, after eating a cherry-tart, proceeded to lick the plate. But when one is flagging, a little praise (if it can be had genuine and unadulterated by flattery, which is as difficult to come by as the genuine mountain-dew) is a cordial after all. So now — Vamos Caracci! —let us atone for the loss of the morning. February 20. — Yesterday, though late in beginning, I nearly finished my task, which is six of my close pages, ^ This hint was taken up in Count ' Come, speak out, my good fellow, Robert of Paris. — J. g. l. what has put it in your lijead to be on ceremony with me? But the ^ James Ballantyne gives an in- result is in one word— disappoint- teresting account of an interview a ment ! ' My silence admitted his dozen years before this time, when inference to its fullest extent. His " Tom Telltruth " had a somewhat countenance certainly did look delicate task to perform : — rather blank for a few seconds (for " The Lord of the I files was by it is a singular fact, that before the far the least popular of the series, public, or rather tlie booksellers, and Mr. Scott was very prompt gave their decision he no more at making such discoveries. In knew whether he had written well about a week after its publication or ill, than whether a die, which lie he took me into his library, and threw out of a box, was to turn out asked me what the people were a sise or an ace). However, he al- saying about The Lord of the Isles, most instantly resumed his spirits I hesitated, mucli in the same and expressed his wonder rather manner that Gil Bias might be that his popularity had lasted so supposed to do when a similar long, than that it should liave given question ^\•as put by the Archbisliop way at last. At length, with a per- of Grenada, but he very speedily fectly cheerful manner, he said, brought the matter to a point — ' "NA'ell, well, James, but you know 1826.] JOURNAL. 129 about thirty pages of print, to a full and uninterrupted day's work. To-day I have already written four, and with some confidence. Thus does flattery or praise oil the wheels. It is but two o'clock. Skene was here remonstratinij a^i'aiust my taking apartments at the Albyn Club,^ and recommend- ing that I should rather stay with them.^ I told him that was altogether impossible; I hoped to visit them often, we must not droop — for you know we can't and won't give over — we must just try something else, and the question is, what it 's to be ? ' Nor was it any wonder he spoke thus, for he coukl not fail to be un- consciously conscious, if I dare use such a term, of his own gigantic, and as yet undeveloped, powers, and was somewhat under forty years old. I am by no means sure whether he then alluded to Waverley, as if he had mentioned it to me for the first time, for my memory has greatly failed me touching this, or whether he alluded to it, as in fact appears to Lave been the case, as having been commenced and laid aside several years before, but I well re- collect that he consiilted me with his usual openness and candour re- specting his probability of succeed- ing as a novelist, and I confess my expectations were not very sanguine. He saw this and said, ' Well, I don't see why I should not succeed as well as other people. Come, faint heart never won fair lady — let us try.' I remember when the work was put into my hands, I could not get myself to think much of the ^yaverley Honour scenes, but to my shame be it spoken, when he had reached the exquisite scenes of Scottish manners at Tully-Veolan, I thought them, and pronounced them, vulgar ! When the success of the book so utterly knocked me down as a man of taste, all that the good-natured Author observed was, ' Well, I really thought you might be \\Tong about the Scotch. Why, Burns had already attracted universal attention to all about Scotland, and I confess I could not see why I should not be able to keep the flame alive, merely be- cause I wrote in prose in place of rhyme. ' " — Memorandum. ^ This was a club-house on the London plan, h\ Princes Street [No. 54], a little eastward from the ^lound. On its dissolution soon afterwards, Sir W. was elected by acclamation into the elder Society, called the Ntw Club, who had then their house in St. Andrew Square [No. 3], and since 1837 in Princes Street [No. 85]. - Mr. Skene's house was No. 126 Princes Street. Scott's written answer has been preserved : — "My dear Skene, — A thousand thanks for your kind proposal. But I am a solitary monster by temper, and must necessarily couch in a den of my own. I should not, I assure you, have made any cere- mony in accepting your offer had it at all been like to suit me. " But I must make an arrangement which is to last for years, and per- haps for my lifetime ; therefore the sooner I place myself on my footing it will be so much the better. — • Always, dear Skene, your obliged and faithful, W. ScoTT." I 130 JOUr.NAL. [Feb. but for taking a permanent residence I was altogetLer the country mouse, and voted for " A hollow tree, A crust of bread and liberty."^ The chain of friendship, however briglit, docs not stand the attrition of constant close contact. February 21. — Corrected the proofs of Malacld'^ this morning; it may fall dead, and there will be a squib lost; it may chance to light on some ingredients of national feelinif and set folk's beards in a blaze — and so much the better if it does. I mean better for Scotland — not a whit for me. Attended the hearing in P[arliament] House till near four o'clock, so I shall do little to-night, for I am tired and sleepy. One person talking for a long time, whether in pulpit or at the bar, or anywhere else, unless the interest be great, and the eloquence of the highest character, always sets me to sleep. I impudently lean my head on my hand in the Court and take my. nap without shame. The Lords may keep awake and mind their own affairs. Quocl supra nos nihil ad nos. These clerks' stools are certainly as easy seats as are in Scotland, those of the Barons of Exchequer always excepted. Fchrxiary 22. — Paid Lady Scott her fortnight's allow- ance, £24. Ballantyne breakfasted, and is to negotiate about Malaclii with Constable and Blackwood. It reads not amiss ; and if I can get a few guineas for it I shall not be ashamed to take them; for paying Lady Scott, I have just left between ^ Pope's Imitation of Horace, the Admircalty, Mr. Croker, ;it- Bk. ii Sat. 6. — J. G. ]j. tracted much notice, and was, by tlie " Tlicse Letters appeared in the (jlovernnient of tlie time, expected Edinhimilt Weekly Journal in Febru- to neutralise the eflect of the north- ary and Mai-ch 1826. " They wore ern lucubrations — the proposed thou collected into a pamphlet, and measure, as regarded Scotland, was ran through numerous editions; in ultimately abandoned, and that re- the subsequent discussions in Parlia- suit was luiivers.ally ascribed to men t, they were frequently referred Malaclii Malagrowtlier." — Scott's to ; and although an elaborate Mine. Works, vol. xxi. answer by tlic tlieu Secretary of 1S2G.] JOURNAL. 131 £3 and £4 for any necessary occasion and my salary docs not become due until 20th Marcli, and the expense of re- moving, etc., is to be provided for : "But shall we go mourn for that, my dear? The cold moon shines by niii;ht. And when we Avandor here and there, We then do iio most ritrht." ^ The mere scarcity of money (so that actual wants are pro- vided) is not poverty — it is tlie bitter draught to owe money which we cannot pay. Laboured fairly at Woodstock to-day, but principally in revising and adding to Malachi, of which an edition as a pamphlet is anxiously desired. I have lugged in my old friend Cardrona- — I hope it will not be thought unkindly. The Banks are anxious to have it published. They were lately exercising lenity towards me, and if I can benefit them, it will be an instance of the "King's errand Ivinu; in the cadirer's "ate." February 23. — Corrected two sheets of Woodstock this morning. These are not the days of idleness. Tlie fact is, that the not seeing company gives me a command of my time which I possessed at no other period in my life, at least since I knew how to make some use of my leisure. There is a great pleasure in sitting down to write M'ith the consciousness that nothing will occur during the day to break the spell. Detained in the Court till past three, and came home just in time to escape a terrible squall. I am a good deal jaded, and will not work till after dinner. There is a sort of drowsy vacillation of mind attends fatigue witli 2ne. I can command my pen as the school copy recommends, but cannot equally command my thought, and often write one word for another. Head a little volume called Tlie 1 Winter s Talc, Act iv. Sc. 2, alhasion here is to the anecdote of slightly altered. the Leetle Anderson in the lirst of ^ The late Mr. Williamson of Ufalachi's Epistles.— See Scott's Cardrona in Peeblesslnre, was a Prose Miscellanies, vol. xxi. p. 289, strange liumorist, of whom Sir — J. G. L. Walter told many stories. The 132 JOURNAL. [Feb. Omen'^ — very well written — deep and powerful language. Aut Erasimis aut Diaholus, it is Lockhart or I am strangely deceived. It is passed for Wilson's though, but Wilson has more of the falsetto of assumed sentiment, less of the depth of gloomy and powerful feeling. February 24. — Went down to printing-office after the Court, and corrected Malaclii. J, B.'s name is to be on the imprint, so he will subscribe the book. He reproaches me with having taken much more pains on this temporary pamphlet than on works which have a greater interest on my fortunes. I have certainly bestowed enough of revision and correction. But the cases are different. In a novel or poem, I run the course alone — here I am taking up the cudgels, and may expect a drubbing in return. Besides, I do feel that this is public matter in which the country is deeply interested ; and, therefore, is far more important than anything referring to my fame or fortune alone. The pamphlet will soon be out — meantime Mcdachi prospers and excites much attention.^ The Banks have bespoke 500 copies. The country is taking the alarm ; and I think the Ministers will not dare to press the measure. I should rejoice to see the old red lion ramp a little, and the thistle again claim its nemo me immune. I do believe Scotsmen will show themselves unanimous at least where their cash is 1 The Omen, by Gait, had just been ' ' Wlien the pipes begin to play published.— See Sir Walter's review ^'""^ '«^"'« *« *''« '^"""' . ,, . , . ,, ,,. ,, Out claymore and down wi' giui, of this novel m the Miscellaneous And to the rogues again." Prose Works, vol. xviii. p. 333. ,. . . T 1 rt 14. T 1 X /-I 1 • A -I 111 the next edition it Mas sup- John Gait died at Greenock in April - J- • 1 , , ■tQnn , _ pressed, as some friends thought it miglit be misunderstood. Mr. " "A Letter from Walachi Mala- C'roker in his reply had urged tliat growther, Esc^., to the Editor of tlic if tlie author appealed to the edge Edinburgh Weekly Journal, on tlie of the claymore at Prestonpans, lie proposed Change of Currency, and might refer liim to the point of the otlier late alterations as they affect, bayonet at Cullodcn. — See Croker's or are intended to affect, the King- Correspondence, vol. i. pj). 317-320, dom of Scotland. 8vo, Edin. 1S26. " and Scott's Life, vol. viii. pp. Tlic motto to the epistle was : — 301-5. 1826.] JOURNAL. 133 concerned. They shall not want backing. I incline to cry with Biron in Loves Labour's Lost, "More Ates, more Ates ! stir tlieiii on." I suppose all imaginative people feel more or less of excita- tion from a scene of insurrection or tumult, or of general expression of national feeling. When I was a lad, poor Davie Douglas ^ used to accuse me of being aipichcs novarum rcrum, and say that I loved the stimulus of a broil. It might be so then, and even still — "Even in our ashes glow their wonted fires." - Whimsical enough that when I was trying to animate Scotland against the currencv bill, John Gibson brouCTht me the deed of trust, assigning my whole estate to be subscribed by me ; so that I am turning patriot, and taking charge of the affairs of the country, on the very day I was proclaiming myself incapable of managing my own. What of that? The eminent politician. Quidnunc^ was in the same condition. Who would think of their own trumpery debts, when they are taking the support of the whole system of Scottish banking on their shoulders ? Odd enough too — on this day, for the first time since the awful 17tli January, we entertain at dinner — Lady Anna Maria Elliot,"* W. Clerk, John A. Murray,^ and Thomas Thomson,^ as if we gave a dinner on account of my ccssio fori. . _ February 25. — Our party yesterday went off very gaily; much laugh and fun, and I think I enjoyed it more from ^ Lord Reston, who died at Glen- ^ Afterwards Lord Advocate, 1834 doickiulSlO. He was one of Scott's and 18.35, and Judge under the companions at the High School. — title of Lord Murray from 1839; he See Lift, vol. i. j)- 40. died in 1859. - See Gray's Elegy. — j. o. L. ^ The learned editor of the Acts 2 Li Ai'thur Murphy's farce of ^f ^^^^ Parliaments of Scotland, in The Uvhohtertr, or What Ntxm? jq ^^^^^ f^U^^ ^^y^^^ 1814-24; he •1 Lady Anna Maria Elliot, daugh- succeeded Sir Walter as Tiesident ter of the first Earl of Minto. She of the Bannatyne Club in 1832, married Sir Rufane Donkin in 1832. and died in 1852. 134 JOURNAL. [Fm the rarity of the event — -I mean from having seen society at home so seldom of hite. My head aches slightly though ; yet ue were but a bottle of Champagne, one of Port, one of old Slierrv, and two of Claret, among four gentlemen and three ladies. I have been led from this incident to think of taking chambers near Clerk, in Rose Court.^ Methinks the i-etired situation should suit me well. There a man and woman would be my whole establishment. J\Iy superfluous i'urniture might serve, and I could ask a friend or two to dinner, as I have been accustomed to do. I will look at the place to-day. I mu'it set now to a second epistle of Maladti to the Athenians. If I can but get the sulky Scottish spirit set up, the devil won't turn them. " Cock up your beaver, and cock it fu' sjirusli ; We '11 over the Border, and give tliem a brush ; Tliere 's somebody there we '11 teach better behaviour ; Hey, Johnnie lad, cock up your beaver." ^ February 2G. — Spent the morning and till dinner on MalacMs second epistle to the Athenians. It is difficult to steer betwixt the natural impulse of one's national feelings setting in one direction, and the prudent regard to the in- • terests of the empire and its internal peace and quiet, recom- mending less vehement expression. I will endeavour to keej:) sight of both. But were my own interests alone con- cerned, d — n me but I would "ive it them hot ! Had some valuable communications from Colin Mackenzie and Lord ]\Iedwyn, which will supply my plentiful lack of facts. Received an anonymous satire in doggrel, wliicli, liaviug rt'ud the first verse and last, I committed to the fhimes. ^ Rose Court, where ^Fr. Clerk Street Directories .sliortly after had a bachelor's establishment, was Mr. Clerk's death in 1847. situated immediately behind St. Andrew's Church, George Street. "^ Burns, iu Johnson's Muaical Tlio name disappeared from our Museum, No. 309. 1826.] JOUPtNAL. 135 Peter Murray, son of tlic clever Lord Elibauk, called and sat half-au-lioiir — an old friend, and who, from the peculiarity and originality of liis genius, is one of the most entertaining companions I have ever known. ^ But I must finish Malachi. February 27. — Malachi lii getting on; I must finish him to-night. I dare say some of my London friends will be dis- pleased — Canning perhaps, for he is cngoud of Huskisson. Can't help it. The place I looked at won't do ; hut I really nnist get some lodging, for, reason or none, Dalgleish^ will not leave me, and cries ami makes a scene. Now^ if I stayed alone in a little set of chambers, he would serve greatly for my accom- modation. There are some nice places of the kind in the New Buildings, but they are distant from the Court, and I cannot walk well on the pavement. It is odd enough that just when I had made a resolution to use my coach frequently I ceased to keep one — in town at least. Fehruarij 28. — Completed Malachi to-day. It is more serious than the first, and in some places perhaps too pejipery. Never mind, if you would have a horse kick, make a crupper out of a whin-cow,3 and I trust to see Scotland kick and fling to some purpose. Woodstoclc lies back for this. But quid lion irro pair ia? 1 Olio of the nineteen original butler. lie said he careJ not how members of The Gluh. — See Mr. inucli his wages were reduced — but Irving's letter with names, Life, go ho would not. — j. g. l. vol. i. pp. 207-8, and Scott's joyous visit in 1793 to Meigle, pp. 292-4. ^ Whin-cow — AugUcc, a bu.sli of ^ Dal'.'leish was Sir Walter's furze. — J. a. L. MARCH. Marcli 1. — Malachi is in the Edinhurgli Journal to-day, and reads like the work of an uncompromising right-forward Scot of the old school. Some of the cautious and pluckless instigators will be afraid of their confederate ; for if a man of some energy and openness of character happens to be on the same side with these truckling jobbers, they stand as much in awe of his vehemence as doth the inexperienced conjurer who invokes a fiend whom he cannot manage. Came home in a heavy sliower with the Solicitor. I tried him on the question, but found him reserved and cautious. The future Lord Advocate must be cautious ; but I can tell my good friend John Hope that, if he acts the part of a firm and resolute Scottish patriot, both his own country and England will respect him the more. Ah ! Hal Dundas, there was no such truckling in thy day ! Looked out a quantity of things to go to Abbotsford; for we are flitting, if you please.^ It is with a sense of pain that I leave behind a parcel of trumpery prints and little ornaments, once the pride of Lady S 's heart, but which she sees consigned with indifference to the chance of an auction. Things that have had their day of importance witli me I cannot forget, though the merest trifles. But I am glad that she, with bad health and enough to vex her, has not the same useless mode of associating recollections with this unpleasant business. Tlie best part of it is the necessity of leaving behind, viz., getting rid of, a set of most wretched ^ The full-length picture of Sir in his possession till 1831, when it Walter (with the two clogs, Camp was sent to Abbotsford, where it anil the decrliound) by llaeburn, now hangs. — See Letter, Scott to painted in 1809, was at this time Skene, under January ICth, 1S31. given to Mr. Skene, and remained 13G 182G.] JOUENAL. 137 daulDS of landscapes, in great gilded frames, of which I have often been heartily ashamed. The history of them ^\•as curious. An amateur artist (a lady) happened to fall into misfortunes, upon which her landscapes, the character of which had been buoyed up far beyond their proper level, sank even beneath it, and it was low enough. One most amiable and accomplished old lady continued to encourage her pencil, and to order picture after picture, which she sent in presents to her friends. I suppose I have eight or ten of them, which I could not avoid accepting. There will be plent}^ of laughing when they come to be sold. It would be a good joke enough to cause it to be circulated that they were performances of my own in early youth, and they would be looked on and bought up as curiosities. True it is that I took lessons of oil-painting in youth from a little Jew animalcule, a smouch called Burrell, a clever sensible creature though ; but I could make no progress either in painting or drawing. Nature denied me correctness of eye and neatness of hand, yet I was very desirous to be a draughts- man at least, and laboured harder to attain that point than at any other in my recollection, to which I did not make some approaches. My oil-paintings were to INIiss above commemorated what hers are to Claude Lorraine. Yet Burrell was not useless to me altogether neither; he was a Prussian, and I got from him many a long story of the battles of Frederic, in whose armies his father had been a commissary, or perhaps a spy. I remember his picturesque account of seeing a party of the Black Hussars bringing in some forage carts which they had taken from a body of the Cossacks, whom he described as lying on the top of the carts of hay, mortally wounded, and, like the Dying Gladiator, eyeing their own blood as it ran down through the straw. I afterwards took lessons from Walker, whom we used to call Blue-beard. He was one of the most conceited persons in the world, but a good teacher — one of the ugliest 138 JOURNAL. [Makch couiiteuances lie had too — enough, as we say, to speau wearis.^ The mail was always extremely precise in the quality of everything about him, his dress, accommodations, and every- thing else. He became insolvent, poor man, and for some reason or other I attended the meeting of those concerned in his affairs. Instead of ordinary accommodations for writ- ing, each of the persons j^resent was equipped with a large sheet of drawing paper and a swan's quill. It was mourn- fully ridiculous enough. Skirving ^ made an admirable likeness of AValker, not a single scar or mark of the small- pox whicli seamed his countenance, but the too accurate brother of the brush had faithfully laid it down in longitude and latitude. Poor Walker destroyed it (being in crayons) rather than let the caricature of his ugliness appear at the sole of his effects. I did learn myself to take some vile views from Nature. When Will Clerk and I lived very mucb together, I used sometimes to make them under his instruc- tion. He to whom, as to all his family, art is a familiar attribute, wondered at me as a Newfoundland dog would at a greyhound which showed fear of the water. Going down to Liddesdale once, I drew the castle of Hermitage in my fashion, and sketched it so accurately that with a few verbal instructions Clerk put it into regular form, Williams ^ (the Grecian) copied over Clerk's, and Ms drawing was engraved as the frontispiece of tlie first volume of the Kelso edition. Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border} Do you know why you have written all this down. Sir W. ? Because it pleases me to record that this thrice-transmitted drawing, though taken originally from a sketch of mine, was extremely ^ Spcan a wean, i.e. weau a child, at the beginning of tliis century. ., , , -1 , 1 r,i . . ,-i-.n io,«^ His Travdi in llalii and Greece - Archibald Skirvnig 1749-1819 , , ,. , , . 4^-,^ ,^, ,, , ,.,.,. Avere published in Ih'JO, and the well known as a p But to-morrow's a new day and we'h better behave, 0, So I lay down tlie pen, and your pardon I crave, 0." In the evening Mr. Gibson called and transacted business. March 2. — I have a letter from Colin Mackenzie, approv- ing Mcdachi, — " Cold men may say it is too strong ; 1 )ut from the true men of Scotland you are sure of the warm- est gratitude." I never have yet found, nor do I expect it on this occasion, that ill-will dies in debt, or what is called gratitude distresses herself by frequent payments. The one is like a ward-holding and pays its reddendo in luird blows. The other a blanch-tenure, and is discharged for payment of a red rose or a peppercorn. He tliat takes the forlorn hope in an attack, is often deserted by those that should support him, and who generally throw the blame of their own cowardice upon his rashness. We shall see this will end in the same w^ay. But I foresaw it from the beginning. The bankers will be persuaded that it is a squib which may burn their own fingers, and will curse the poor pyrotech- nist that compounded it ; if they do, they be d — d. Slept indifferently, and dreamed of Napoleon's last moments, of .Avhich I was reading a medical account last night, 1)y Dr. .Arnott. Ilorrilde dcatli — a cancer on the pylorus. I would have given something to have lain still this morning and made up for lost time. But dcsicUac vcdcdixi. If you once turn on your side after the hour at \\hich you ought to rise, UO JOUENAL. [Maucii it is all over. Bolt up at once. Bad uight last — the next is sure to be better. "When the drum beats, make ready ; When the fife plays, march away — To the roll-call, to the roll-call, to the roll-call, Before the break of day." Dined with Chief-Commissioner, Admiral Adam, W. Clerk, Thomson, and I. The excellent old man M'as cheerful at intervals — at times sad, as was natural. A good blunder he told us, occurred in the Annandale case, which was a question partly of domicile. It was proved that leaving Lochwood, the Earl had given up his kain and carriages ; ^ tins an English Counsel contended was the best of all possible proofs that the noble Earl designed an absolute change of residence, since he laid aside his ivalking-stich and his coach. First epistle of MalacM is getting out of print, or rather is out of print already. March 3. — Could not get the last sheets of Malachi, Second Epistle, last night, so they must go out to the world uncorrected — a great loss, for the last touches are always most effectual ; and I expect misprints in the additional matter. We were especially obliged to have it out this morning, that it may operate as a gentle preparative for the meeting of inhabitants at two o'clock. Vogue la galerc — we shall see if Scotsmen have any pluck left. If not, they may kill the next Percy themselves. It is ridiculous enough for me, in a state of insolvency for the present, to be battling about gold and paper currency. It is something like the humorous touch in Hogarth's Distressed Poet, where the poor starveling of the Muses is engaged, when in the abyss of poverty, in writing an Essay on payment of the National Debt ; and his M'all is adorned M'ith a plan of the mines of ^ Kain in Scotch law means services in driving with hox'se and payment in kind. Carriages in cart, the same phraseology stands for 182G.] JOUJJNAL. 141 Peru. Nevertheless, even these fugitive attempts, from the success which they have had, and the noise they are making, serve to show the truth of the old proverb — " When house and land are gone and spent, Then learning is most excellent." On the whole, I am glad of this brulzie, as far as I am con- cerned ; people will not dare talk of me as an oliject of pity — no more " poor-manning." Who asks how many punds Scots the old champion had in liis pocket when " He set a bugle to his mouth, And blew so loud and shrill, The trees in greenwood shook thereat, Sae loud rang ilka hill " ? > This sounds conceited enough, yet is not far from truth. The meeting was very numerous, 500 or 600 at least, and unanimous, save in one Mr. Howden, who having been all liis life, as I am told, in bitter opposition to Ministers, pro- posed on the present occasion that the whole contested measure should be trusted to their wisdom. I suppose he chose the opportunity of placing his own opinion in opposi- tion, single opposition too, to that of a large assembly. The speaking was very moderate. Eeport had said that Jeffrey, J. A. Murray, and other sages of the economical school, were to unbuckle their mails, and give us their opinions. But no such great guns appeared. If they had, having the multitude on my side, I would have tried to break a lance with them. A few short but well-expressed resolutions were adopted unanimously. These were proj)osed by Lord Eollo, and seconded by Sir James Fergusson, Bart. I was named one of a committee to encourage all sorts of opposition to the measure. So I have alreadv broken thron2,h two G,ood and wise resolutions — one, that I would not write on political controversy ; another, that I would not be named on public committees. If my good resolves go this way, like snmo aff a dyhe — the Lord help me ! ■ ^ Ballad of Hardyhmte, slightly altered. — J. <;. i,. 142 JOURNAL. [March March 4. — Last night I had a letter from Lochhart, who, speaking of Malacld, says, '■' The Ministers are sore beyond imagination at present ; and some of them, I liear, have felt this new whip on the raw to some purpose." I conclude he means Canning is offended. I can't help it, as I said before — fiat justitia, mat coelum. No cause in which I had the slightest personal interest should have made me use my pen 'gainst them, blunt or jDointed as it may be. But as they are about to throw this country into distress and danger, by a measure of useless and uncalled-for experiment, they must hear the opinion of the Scotsmen, to whom it is of no other consequence than as a general measure affecting the country at large, — and mine they sJiall^ hear. I had determined to lay down the pen. But now they shall have another of Malachi, beginning with buffoonery, and ending as seriously as I can Aviite it. It is like a frenzy that they will agitate the upper and middling classes of society, so very friendly to them, with unnecessary and hazardous [projects]. " Oh, thus it was they loved them dear, And sought ho\Y to requite 'em, And liaving no friends left but they, They did resolve to iight them." The country is very high just now. England may carry the measure if she will, doubtless. But what will l)e the conse- quence of the distress ensuing, God only can foretell. Lockhart, moreover, inquires about my affairs anxiously, and asks what he is to say about them ; says, " He has in- quiries every day ; kind, most kind all, and among the most interested and anxious, Sir William Knighton,^ who told me the king was quite melancholy all the evening he heard of it." This I can well believe, for the king, educated as a prince, has, nevertheless, as true and kind a lieart as any, ' .Sir W. Knighton was rhysiciaii King. Sir ^Villiam died in ISoG; and Private Secretary to George IV. his Memoirs were publislied in Rogers [Tahle-Tallc, \). 280) says ]s;),S, f.litod l)y Ids widow. n(> one liad more inflnonce witli the 1S2G.] JOUPtNAL. 143 subject in his dominions. He goes on : " 1 do think they wouhl give you a Baron's gown as soon as possible," etc. I have written to liini in answer, sliowing I have enoucih to carry me on, and can dedicate my literary efforts to clear my land. The preferment would suit me well, and the late Duke of Buccleuch gave me his interest for it. I dare say the young duke would do the same, for the unvaried love I have borne his house ; and by and by he will have a voice potential. But there is Sir "William Eae in the meantime, whose "pve- vailing claim I would never place my own in opposition to, even were it possible by a four dc force, such as L. points at, to set it aside. Meantime, I am building a barrier betwixt me and promotion. Any prospect of the kind is very distant and very uncertain. Come time, come rcdli, as the German says. In the meanwhile, now I am not pulled about for money, etc., methinks I am happier without my wealth than with it. Everything is paid. I have no one wishing to malcc vp a sum of money, and writing for his account to be paid. Since I7tli January I have not laid out a guinea, out of my own hand, save two or three in charity, and six shillings for a pocket-book. But the cash with which I set out having run short for family exjDcnses I drew on Blackwood, through Ballantyne, which was honoured, for £25, to account of Malachis Letters, of wliich another edition of 1000 is ordered, and gave it to Lady Scott, because our removal Avill require that in hand. This is for a fortnight succeeding Wednesday next, being the Stli March current. On the 20th my quarter comes in, and though I have something to pay out of it, I shall be on velvet for expense — and regular I will be. Methinks all trilling objects of expenditure seem to grow light in my eyes. That I may regain independence, I must be saving. I'ut ambition awakes, as love of quiet in- dulgence dies and is mortified within me. "Dark ('utliullin will lie renowned or dead." ^ ..'.'•' •■ Ossian. — j. v.. i,. 144 JOUIINAL. [March March 5. — Something of toddy and cigar in that last quotation, I think. Yet I only smoked two, and liquified with one glass of spirits and water. I have sworn I will not blot out what I have once written here. McdacM goes on, but I am dubious about the commence- ment — it must be mended at least — reads prosy. Had letters from Walter and Jane, the dears. All well. Eegiment about to move from Dublin. March 6. — Finished third Malachi, which I don't much like. It respects the difficulty of finding gold to replace the paper circulation. Now this should have been considered first. The admitting that the measure may be imposed is yielding up the question, and Malachi is like a commandant who should begin to fire from interior defences before his outworks were carried. If Ballantyne be of my own opinion I will suppress it. We are all in a bustle shifting things to Abbotsford. I believe we shall stay here till the beginning of next week. It is odd, but I don't feel the impatience for the country which I have usually experienced. March 7. — Detained in the Court till three by a hearing. Then to the Committee appointed at the meeting on Friday, to look after the small-note business. A pack of old fai- neants, incapable of managing such a business, and who will lose the day from mere coldness of heart. There are about a thousand names at the petition. They have added no designations — a great blunder ; for tcdimonm sunt po?uler- anda, non numcranda should never be lost sight of. They are disconcerted and helpless ; just as in the busine?;s of the King's visit, when everybody threw the weight on me, for which I suffered much in my immediate labour, and after bad health it brought on a violent eruption on my skin, whicli saved me from a fever at the time, l)ut has been troublesome more or less ever since. I was so disgusted with seeing them sitting in ineffectual helplessness spitting on the hot iron that lav before them, and touching it with 1826.] JOURNAL. 145 a timid finger, as if afraid of being scalded, that at anotlicr time I might have daslied in and taken up the hammer, summoned tlie deacons and other heads of public bodies, and by consulting them have carried tliem wit.li me. But I cannot waste my time, health, and spirits in fighting thank- less battles. I left them in a (Quarter of an hour, and presage, unless the country make an alarm, the cause is lost. The philosophical reviewers manage their affairs better — hold off — avoid committing themselves, but throw their vis inertias into the opposite scale, and neutralise the feelings which they cannot combat. To force them to fight on disadvantageous ground is our policy. But we have more sneakers after Ministerial favour than men who love their country, and who upon a liberal scale would serve their party, l^'ur to force the Whigs to avow an unpopular doctrine in popular assemblies, or to wrench the government of such bodies from them, would be a coiq} de maitre. But they are alike destitute of niaidy resolution and sound policy. D — n the whole nest of them ' I have corrected the last of Malachi, and let the thing take its chance. I have made enemies enough, and indisposed enough of friends. - ■ March 8. — At the Court, though a teind day. A foolish thing happened while the Court were engaged with the teinds. I amused myself with writing on a sheet of paper notes on Frederick Maitland's account of the capture of Bonaparte ; and I have lost these notes — shuffled in perhaps among my own papers, or those of the teiud clerks. What a curious document to be found in a process of valuation ! Being jaded and sleepy, I took up Le Due de Guise on Xaples.^ I think this, with the old i\Iemoires on the same i Pastoret ; Le Due de Guise a '-The E.evie\val then meditated 2^aples, etc . en 1647 eM648. 8vo, was afterwards published iu fomj/w lS2o; also Memoiresrelatiuij his jKiss- Quarterhj Jieritw, vol. iv. p 3")u, a'je to Xaples and headinfj the Second bat not included in tlio j\[isc. Prose Revolt of that people. Englished, Works.''— Ahhotsford Library Cuta- BUI. 8vo, IGG'J. loordccn are examination in an auction room. styled adcocates. This valual)le Suspicion resting on her, she was privilege is said to liave licen be- asked to allow lier person to be stowed at an early period bj' some searched, but iA\c indignantly pro- (sportive) nionarch, — J- <'. L, 154 JOURNAL. [Maech pay for the Fata 3Iorgana with which Fancy sometimes amuses men of warm imaginations. As to body and mind, I fancy I might as well inquire whether the fiddle or fiddle- stick makes the tune. In youth this complaint used to throw me into involuntary passions of causeless tears. But I will drive it away in the country by exercise. I wish I had been a mechanic : a turning-lathe or a chest of tools would have been a God-send; for thought makes the access of melancholy rather worse than better. I have it seldom, thank God, and, I believe, lightly, in comparison of others. It was the fiddle after all was out of order, not the fiddlestick ; the body, not the mind. I walked out ; met Mrs. Skene, who took a turn with me in Princes Street. Bade Constable and Cadell farewell, and had a brisk walk home, which enables me to face the desolation here with more spirit. News from Sophia. She has had the luck to get an anti-druggist in a Dr. Gooch, who prescribes care for Johnnie instead of drugs, and a little home-brewed ale instead of wine ; and, like a liberal physician, supplies the medicine he prescribes. As for myself, while I have scarce stirred to take exercise for four or five days, no wonder I had the mulligrubs. It is an awful sensation though, and would have made an enthusiast of me, had I indulged my imagination on devotional subjects. I have been always careful to place my mind in the most tranquil posture which it can assume during my private exercises of devotion. 1 liave amused myself occasionally very pleasantly during the last few days, by reading over Lady Morgan's novel of O'Bonnd} which has some striking and beautiful passages of situation and description, and in the comic part is very rich and entertaining. I do not remember being so much pleased with it at first. There is a want of story, always fatal to a ' 'Jliis clever book was published wolf-bound, it would have com- in 1814 at the same time as IVaroicy. uicnded itself to Scott. The author- Had it contained nothing else than ess died in ISoO. the sketch of Bran, the great Irish 1826.] JOUENAL. 155 iDook the first reading — and it is well if it gets a chance of a second. Alas ! poor novel ! yAlso read again, and for the third time at least, Miss Austen's very finely written novel of Pride and Prejudice. That young lady had a talent for describincT the involvements and feelings and characters of ordinary life, M'hich is to me the most wonderful I ever met with. The Big Bow-wow strain I can do myself like any now going ; but the exquisite touch, which renders ordinary commonplace things and characters interesting, from the truth of the description and the sentiment, is denied to me. What a pity such a gifted creature died so early ! ^ March 15. — This morning I leave aSTo. 39 Castle Street, for the last time. " The cabin was convenient," and habit had made it agreeable to me. I never reckoned upon a change in this particular so long as I held an office in the Court of Session. In all my former changes of residence it was from good to better; this is retrograding. I leave this house for sale, and I cease to be an Edinburgh citizen, in the sense of being a proprietor, which my father and I have been for sixty years at least. So farewell, poor 39, and may you never harbour worse people than those who now leave you ! Not to desert the Lares all at once, Lady S. and Anne remain till Sunday. As for me, I go, as aforesaid, this morning. "Hatilmitulidh'! "- Ahhotsford, 9 at night.— The naturally unpleasant feelings which influenced me in. my ejectment, for such it is virtually, readily evaporated in the course of the journey, though I had no pleasanter companions than Mrs. IMackay, the house- keeper, and one of the maids ; and I have a shyness of dis- ^ It is worth noting tliat a quarter Scott had already criticised Miss of a century after Sir Walter had Austen in the 27th Iso. of the written these lines, we find ^lac- Quarterly. She died in 1817. aulay stating tliat, in his opinion, " there are in the world no compo- 2 "I return no more," — see sitions wliicli approach nearer per- Markrimmon'.s Lament by Scott. — fection." Poetiral ]Vorl:-<, vol. xi. p. ,'?32. 150 JOURNAL. [March position, wliicli looks like pride, but it is not, which makes me awkward in speaking to my household domestics. With an out-of-doors labourer, or an old woman gathering sticks, I can talk for ever. I was welcomed here on my arrival by the tumult, great of men and dogs, all happy to see me. One of my old labourers killed by the fall of a stone working at Gattonside Bridge. Old Will Straiton, my man of wisdom and proverbs, also dead. He was entertaining from his importance and self-conceit, but really a sensible old man. When he heard of my misfortunes, he went to bed, and said he would not rise again, and kept his word. He was very infirm when I last saw him. Tom Purdie in ^reat olorv, being released from all farm dntj, and destined to attend the woods, and be my special assistant. The gardener Bogie is to take care of what small farm we have left, which little would make me give up entirely. March 16. — Pleasant days make sliort Journals, and I have little to say to-day. I wrote in the morning at Wood- stoch , walked from one till four ; was down at Huntly ]>urn and paid my respects to the ladies. The spring seems promising, and everything iir great order. Visited Will Straiton's widow, who squeezed out among many tears a petition for a house. I do not thinlc I shall let her have one, as she has a bad temper, but I will lielp her otherwise ; she is greedy besides, as was the defunct jihilosopher William. In a year or two I shall have on tlu; toft field a gallaiiti show of extensive woodland, sweeping ovei' the hill, and its boundaries carefully concealed. In the evening, after dinner, lead Mrs. Charlotte Smith's novel of Desmond'^ — decidedly the worst of her compositions. March 17. — Sent off a packet to J. B. ; only three pages copy, so must work hard for a day or two. I wish I could ^ Published as far l)ack as 17!>-. Scott's MisccUancoiiH Prone Worl-R, f'AX appreciative criticism ou Mrs. vol. iv. pp. ilS-TO. Sniitli's woiks ^\■ill be found in 1826.] JOUENAL. 157 wind lip my bottom handsomely — an odd but accredited j)lirase. The conclusion will be luminous ; we must try to make it dashing. Go spin, you jade, go spin. Have a good deal to do between-hands in sorting up the newly arrived accession of books. I need not have exulted so soon in havimr attained ease and quiet. I am robbed of both with a vengeance. A letter from Lockhart, with one enclosed from Sophia, announces the medical people think the child is visibly losing strength, that its walking becomes more difficult, and, in short, that the spine seems visibly affected. They recom- mend tepid baths in sea-water, so Sophia has gone down to Brighton, leaving Lockhart in town, who is to visit her once a week. Here is my worst augury verified.^ The bitterness of this probably impending calamity is extreme. The child was almost too good for this world ; beautiful in features ; and, though spoiled by every one, having one of the sweetest tempers, as well as the quickest intellect I ever saw ; a sense of humour quite extraordinary in a child, and, owing to the general notice which was taken of him, a great deal more information than suited his years. He was born in the eighth month, and such children are never strong — seldom long-lived. I look on this side and that, and see nothing but protracted misery, a crippled frame, and decayed con- stitution, occupying the attention of his parents for years, and dying at the end of that period, when their hearts were turned on him ; or the poor child may die before Sophia's confinement, and that may again be a dangerous and bad affair; or she may, by increase of attention to him, injure her own health. In short, to trace into how many branches such a misery may flow is impossible. The poor dear love had so often a slow fever, that when it pressed its little lips to mine, I always foreboded to my own heart what all 1 I'cai' are now aware of, ■* See tiiia Journal, "J Duwcinbor last. 158 JOUPtNAL. [March Lockhai't writes me that Croker is the author of the Letters in the Courier against Malachi, and that Canning is to make another attack on me in the House of Commons.^ These things would make a man proud. I will not answer, because I must show up Sir William Eae, and even Lord Melville, and I have done enough to draw public attention, which is all I want. Let them call me ungrateful, unkind, and all sorts of names, so they keep their own fingers free of this most threatening measure. It is very curious that each of these angry friends — Melville, Canning, and Croker — has in former days appealed to me in confidence against each other. While I smoked my cigar after dinner, my mind has been running into four threads of bitter fancies, or rather into three decidedly bitter, and one that is indifferent. There is the distress incumbent on the country by these most untimely proceedings, whicli I would stop with my life were that adequate to prevent them. 2d, there is the unpleasant feeling of seeing a number of valued friends pass from me ; that I cannot help. 3d, there is the gnawing misery about that s^veet child and its parents. 4th, there is the necessity of pursuing my own labours, for which per- haps I ought to be thankful, since it always wrenches one's mind aside from what it must dwell on with pain. It is odd that the state of excitation with me rather increases than abates the power of labour, I must finish Woodstock well if I can : otherwise how the Philistines will rejoice ! March 18. — Slept indifferently, and under the influence of Queen Mab, seldom auspicious to me, dreamed of reading the tale of the Prince of tlie Black Marble Islands to little 1 The letters of Malachi were however, declared that lie did treated by some members of the not dread "the flashing of that House of Commons as incentives Highland claymore though evoked to rebellion, and senators gravely from its scabbard by the incanta- avcrred that not many years ago tions of the mightiest magician they would have subjected the of the age." — Speech of Rt. Hon, author to condign punishment. F. J. Robinson. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1826] JOUIINAL. 159 Johnnie, extended on a paralytic chair, and yet telling all his pretty stories about Ha-papa, as he calls nie, and Chiefs- wood — and waked to think I should see the little darling no more, or see him as a thing that had better never have existed. Oh, misery ! misery ! that the best I can wish for him is early death, with all the wretchedness to his parents that is like to ensue ! I intended to have stayed at home to-day ; but Tom more wisely had resolved that I should walk, and hung about the window with his axe and my own in his hand till I turned out with him, and helped to cut some fine paling. March 19. — I have a most melancholy letter from Anne. Lady S., the faithful and true companion of my fortunes, good and bad, for so many years, has, but with difficulty, been prevailed on to see Dr. Abercrombie, and his opinion is far from favourable. Her asthmatic complaints are fast terminating in hydropsy, as I have long suspected , yet the avowal of the truth and its probable consequences are over- whelming. They are to stay a little longer in town to try the effects of a new medicine. On Wednesday they propose to return hither — a new afSiction, where there was enouuh be- fore; yet her constitution is so good that if she will be guided by advice, things may be yet ameliorated. God grant it ! for really these misfortunes come too close upon each other. A letter from Croker of a very friendly tone and tenor, which I will answer accordingly, not failing, however, to let him know that if I do not reply it is not for fear of his arguments or raillery, far less from diffidence in my cause. I hope and trust it will do good.^ Maxpopple 2 and two of his boys arrived to take part of my poor dinner. I fear the little fellows had little more than the needful, but they had all I had to siive them. &" ^ Both letters are quoted in vol. i. pp. 315-319, Lockhart's Life, vol. viii. pp. 299- 305. HeQ sXso Croker' s Correspond- " W. Scott, Esq., afterwards of e?ice aHcZZ>/'a?-zes, edited by Louis J. Raeburn, Sir Walter's Sheriff-sub- Jennings, 3 vols. 8vo, Lond. 1884, stitute. 160 JOUENAL. [March I wrote a good deal to-day notwitlistaiiding heavy thoughts. March 20. — Despatched proofs and cojjy this niornmg ; and Svvanston, the carpenter, coming in, I made a sort of busy idle day of it with altering and hanging pictures and prints, to find room for tliose which came from Edinburgh, and by dint of being on foot from ten to near live, put all things into apple-pie order. What strange beings we are ! The serious duties I have on hand cannot divert my mind from the most melancholy thoughts ; and yet the talking with these workmen, and the trifling occupation which they give me, serves to dissipate my attention. The truth is, I fancy that a body under the impulse of violent motion can- not be stopped or forced back, but may indirectly be urged into a different channel. In the evening I read, and sent off my Sheriff-Court processes. I have a sort of grudging to give reasons why Malacld does not reply to the answers which have been sent forth. I don't know— I am strongly tempted — but I won't. To drop the tone might seem mean, and perhaps to maintain it would only exasperate the quarrel, without producing any bene- ficial results, and might be considered as a fresh insult by my alienated friends, so on the whole I won't. The thing has certainly had more effect than it deserves ; and I suspect my Ministerial friends, if they love me less, will not hold me cheaper for the fight I liave made. I am far from saying oderint dam emcrinty but there is a great difference betwixt tliat and being a mere protege, a j^oor broken-down man, who was to be assisted when existing circumstances, that most convenient of all apologies and happiest of all phrases, would permit. March 21 —Perused an attack on myself, done with as much ability as truth, by no less a man than Joseph Hume, the ni'jht-work man of the House of Commons, who lives upon petty abuses and is a very useful man by so doing. Ho 1826.] JOUENAL. IGl has had the kindness to say that I am interested in keeping np the taxes ; I wish I had anything else to do with them than to pay thein. But he lies, and is an ass, and not worth a man's thinking about. Joseph Hume, indeed ! — I say Joseph Hum, — and could add a Swiftian rhyme, but for- bear. Busy in unpacking and repacking. I wrote five pages of IVoodstock, which work begins " To appropinquo an end." ' March 22. — A letter from Lord Downshire's man of business about funds supposed to belong to my wife, or to the estate of my late brother-in-law. The possessor of the secret wants some reward. If any is granted, it should be a per- centage on the net sum received, with the condition no cure — no pay. I expect Lady S., and from Anne's last letter liope to find her better than the first anticipation led me to dread. Sent off proofs and copy, and shall indulge a little leisure to-day to collect my ideas and stretch my limbs. I am again far before the press. • ... March 23. — Lady Scott arrived yesterday to dinner. She was better than I expected, but Anne, poor soul, looked very poorly, and had been much worried with the fatigue and discomfort of the last week. Lady S. takes the digitalis, and, as she thinks, with advantage, though the medicine makes her very sick. Yet, on the whole, things are better than my gloomy apprehensions had anticipated. I wrote to Lockhart and to Lord Downshire's Agent, — CI. Handley, Esq., Pentonville, London. Took a good brushing walk, but not till I had done a good task. Marcli 24. — Sent off copy, proofs, etc. J. B. clamorous for a motto. It is foolish to encourage peoj)le to expect mottoes and ^ Hndibnus. — J. ours, brother Sir Adam in the turn of daughters of Professor Ferguson. thought and of humour. — See iZ/'c, They had occupied the house at vol. \\. p. 322. Toftficld (on Avhich Scott at tlie ladies' rc(picst bestowed the name ^ Fortune in her IVits, and the of Huntly Burn) from the spring //o»r oya/i jl/'ew, Quevedo's Works, of 1S18. Miss Margaret has boon Ivlin. ITCiS, vol. iii. p. 107. 182G.] JOUENAL. ' 163 March 27. — Another bright cokl day. I answered two modest requests from widow ladies. One, whom I had al- ready assisted in some law business, on the footing of her having ^dsited my mother, requested me to write to Mr. Peel, saying, on her authority, that her second son, a youth of in- finite merit and accomplishment, was fit for any situation in a public office, and that I requested he might be provided accordingly. Another widowed dame, whose claim is having read Marmion and \\\q Lady of the Lake, \)&^\(\.q& a promise to read all my other works — Gad, it is a rash engagement ! — - demands that I shall either pay £200 to get her cub into some place or other, or settle him in a seminary of educa- tion. Eeally this is very much after the fashion of the husbandman of Miguel Turra's requests of Saucho when Governor.^ " Have you anything else to ask, honest man ? " quoth Sancho. But what are the demands of an honest man to those of an honest woman, and she a widow to boot ? T do believe your destitute widow, especially if she hath a charge of children, and one or two fit for patronage, is one of the most impudent animals living. Went to Galashiels and settled the dispute about Sandie's well. March 28. — We have now been in solitude for some time — myself nearly totally so, excepting at meals, or on a call as yesterday from Henry and William Scott of Harden. One is tempted to ask himself, knocking at the door of his own heart. Do you love this extreme loneliness ? I can answer conscientiously, I do. The love of solitude was with me a passion of early youth ; when in my teens, I used to fly from company to indulge in visions and airy castles of my own, the disposal of ideal wealth, and the exercise of imaginary power. This feeling prevailed even till I was eighteen, when love and ambition awakening with other passions threw me more into society, from which I have, ' Don Quixote., Pt. ii. cap. 47. 1G4 JOUENAL. [Mahcii however, at times withdrawn myself, and have been always even glad to do so. I have risen from a feast satiated ; and unless it he one or two persons of very strong intellect, or whose. spirits and gooddiuniour amuse me, I wish neither to see the high, the low, nor the middling class of society. This is a feeling without the least tinge of misanthropy, which I always consider as a kind of blasphemy of a shocking description. ' If God bears with the very worst of us, we may surely endure each other. If thrown into society, I always have, and always will endeavour to bring pleasure with mo, at least to show willingness to please. But for all this "I had rather live alone," and I wish my ap]^)ointment, so con- venient otherwise, did not require my going to Edinburgh. But this must be, and in my little lodging I will be lonely enough. Had a very kind letter from Croker disowning the least idea of personal attack in his answer to Malachi. Eeading at intervals a novel called Granhy ; one of tliat very diflicult class which asj)ires to describe the actual cur- rent of society, whose colours are so evanescent that it is diflicult to fix them on the canvas. It is well written, but over-laboured — too much attempt to put the reader exactly up to the thoughts and sentiments of the parties. Tlio women do this better: Edgeworth, Eerrier, Austen have all had their portraits of real society, far superior to any tiling man, vain man, has produced of the like nature.^ March 29. — Worked in tlio morning. Had two visits from Colonels Ilusscll and Eerguson. Walked from one till half-past four. A fine, flashy, disagreeable day; snow- clouds sweeping past among sunshine, driving down the valley, and whitening the country behind them. Mr. Gibson came suddenly in after dinner. Brouglit ■ ^ Granhy ■\vas v, rittcii liy a young First Kurl of Clarendon, 3 vots. Svo, man, Tho-^. H. Lister, some years 1S37-33. Mr. Lister died in liis afterwards known as the aixthor of 41st year in LS42. The. Life, awl A cbninistralion of the 182G.] JOUENAL. 165 very indifferent news from Constable's house. It is not now hoped that tliey will pay above three or four shil- lin'TS in the pound. Robinson supposed not to be much better. Mr. G. goes to London immediately, and is to sell Wood- stock to Piobinson if he can, otherwise to those who will, John Murray, etc. This work may fail, perhaps, though better than some of its predecessors. If so, we must try some new manner. I think I could catch the dogs yet. , ,. A beautiful and perfect lunar rainbow to-night. . r',../. > Ilcax'h 30. — Mr. Gibson looks unwell, and complains of cold — bitter bad weather for his travelling, and he looks but frail. , • Tlicse indifferent news he brouiiht me aflect me but to a little degree. It is being too confident to hope to ensure success in the loner series of successive struggles which lie before me. But somehow, I do fully entertain tlic hope of doiuLT a trood deal. ., ,.-•• ■-, . March 31. — .. .. .- :-.. -:-,;•;.. ^:J " He walked and wrote poor soul, what then ? ,' ., . ..,; Why then, he wrote and walked again." ' , But I am begun Nap. Bon. again, which is always a chanf'e, because it gives a good deal of reading and research, whereas Woodstock and such like, being extempore from my mother- wit, is a sort of spinning of the brains, of which a man tires. The weather seems milder to-day,, .;:;[, "1 7;;r ^ifiv/ - ■ ; , ■ ■•:•..•.. ^. ,]:..>!. .d APEIL. A'pril 1. — Ex uno die discc omnes. E-ose at seven or sooner, Btudied, and wrote till breakfast with Anne, about a quarter before ten. Lady Scott seldom able to rise till twelve or one. Then I write or study again till one. At that hour to-day I drove to Huntly Burn, and walked home by one of the hundred and one pleasing paths which I have made through the woods I have planted — now chatting with Tom Purdie, who carries my plaid, and speaks when he pleases, telling long stories of hits and misses in shooting twenty years back — sometimes chewing the cud of sweet and bitter fancy — and sometimes attending to the humours of two curious little terriers of the Dandie Dinmont breed, together with a noble wolf-hound puppy which Glengarry has given me to replace Maida. This brings me down to the very moment I do tell — the rest is prophetic. I will feel sleepy when this book is locked, and perhaps sleep until Dalgleish brings the dinner summons. Then I will have a chat with Lady S. and Anne ; some broth or soup, a slice of plain meat — and man's chief business, in Dr. Johnson's estimation, is briefly despatched. Half an hour with my family, and half an hour's coquetting with a cigar, a tumbler of weak whisky and water, and a novel perhaps, lead on to tea, which sometimes consumes another half hour of chat ; then write and read in my own room till ten o'clock at night ; a little bread and then a glass of porter, and to bed. And this, very rarely varied by a visit from some one, is the tenor of my daily life — and a very ])leasant one 160 1826.] JOUENAL. 167 indeed, were it not for apprehensions about Lady S. ami poor Johnnie Hugh. The former will, I think, do well — for the latter — I fear— I fear ■ April 2. — I am in a wayward mood this morning. I received yesterday the last proof-sheets of Woodstocl; and I ought to correct them. Now, this ougld sounds as like as possible to must, and must I cannot abide. I Mould go to Prester John's country of free good- will, sooner than I would must it to Edinburgh. Yet this is all folly, and silly fully too ; and so must shall be for once obeyed after I have thus written myself out of my aversion to its peremptory sound. Corrected the said proofs till twelve o'clock — when I think I will treat resolution, not to a dram, as the drunken fellow said after he had passed the dram-shop, but to a walk, the rather that my eyesight is somewhat uncertain and waver- ing. I think it must be from the stomacli. The whole pnge waltzes before my eyes. J. B. writes gloomily about Wood- stock; but commends the conclusion. I think he is right. Besides, my manner is nearly caught, and, like Captain Bobadil,^ I have taught nearly a hundred gentlemen to fence very nearly, if not altogether, as well as myself. I will strike out something new. Aj^ril 3. — I have from Ballantyne and Gibson the extra- ordinary and gratifying news that Woodstock is sold for £8228 in all, ready money — a matchless sum for less than three months' work.^ If Napoleon does as well, or near it, it will put the trust affairs in high flourish. Four or five years of leisure and industry would, with [such] success, amply replace my losses, and put me on a steadier footing than ever. I have a curious fancy : I will go set two or three acorns, and judge by their success in growing whether I will "succeed in clearing my way or not. I have a little ' Ben J ouson's Every 3 fa?i in his of James Ballantyne & Co.'scredi' Humour, Act iv. Sc. 5. tors, and that this sum inchules the -The rtader will understand cost of printing the first edition as tluit the Kovel -was sold for behoof well as paper. — J. G. l. 1G8 JOUIINAL. [AnuL tootliaclie keeps me from working much to-day, besides I sent off, per Bluclier, copy for Napoleon, as well as the d — d proofs. A blank forenoon ! ]]ut how could I help it, Madam Duty ? I was not lazy ; on my soul I was not. I did not cry for half holiday for the sale of Woodstock. But in came Colonel Ferguson with Mrs. Stewart of Blackhill, or hall, or something, and I must show her the garden, pictures, etc. This lasts till one ; and just as they are at their lunch, and about to go off, guard is relieved by the Laird and Lady Harden, and Miss Eliza Scott — and my dear Chief, wdiom I love very much, though a little obsidional or so, remains till three. That same crown, composed of the grass which grew on the walls of besieged places, should be offered to visitors who stay above an hour in any eident^ person's house. Wrote letters this evening. Aj'iril 4. — Wrote two pages in the morning. Then went to Ashestiel in the sociable, with Colonel Ferguson. Found my cousin liussell settled kindly to his gardening and liis projects. He seems to have brought liome with him the enviable talent of being interested and happy in his own place. Ashestiel looks worst, I think, at this period of the year; but is a beautiful place in summer, where I passed nine happy years. Did I ever pass imhappy yetu's any- where ? None that I remember, save those at the High School, which I thoroughly detested on account of the confinement. I disliked serving in my father's office, too, from the same hatred to restraint. In other respects, I have had unhappy days — unhappy weeks — even, on one or two occasions, unhappy months; but Fortune's finger has never been able to play a dirge on me for a quarter of a year together. I am sorry to see the Peel-wood, and otlier natural .coppice, decaying and abridged about Ashestiel— ^ Eident, i.e. eagerly diligent. —J. G. L. 1826.] JOUENAL. 1G9 'The horrid plough has razed the green, Wliere once my children plny'd ; The axe has fell'd the hawthorn screen, The sclioolboy's summer shade/^ '■■''<■''■■ • There was a very romantic pasturage called tlie Gow-park, which I was particularly attached to, from its wild and sequestered character. Having been part of an old wood which had been cut down, it was fidl of copse — hazel, and oak, and all sorts of young trees, iiTcgularly scattered over fine pasturage, and affording a hundred intricacies so delicious to the eye and the imagination. But some mis- judging friend had cut down and cleared away without mercy, and divided the varied and sylvan scene, which was divided 13V a little rivulet, into the two most formal things in nature — a thriving plantation, many-angled as usual, and a park laid down in grass ; wanting therefore the rich graminivorous variety M'liich Nature gives its carpet, and having instead a braird of six days' growth — lean and hungry growth too — of ryegrass and clover. As for the rill, it stagnates in a deep square ditch, whicli silences its prattle, and restrains its meanders with a witness. The original scene was, of course, imprinted still deeper on Itussell's mind than mine, and I was glad to see he was intensely sorry for the change. Afril 5. — Ifose late in the morning, past eight, to give the cold and toothache time to make themselves scarce, which they have obligingly done. Yesterday every tooth on the right side of my head was absolutely waltzing. I would have drawn by the half dozen, but country dentists are not to be lippened to.^ To-day all is quiet, but a little swelling and stifiness in tlte jaw. Went to Chiefswood at one, and marked with I'egret forty trees indispensably .necessar}^ for paling— -much like drawing a tooth ; they arc 1 These lines wlightly altered - Lippened, I.e. relied upon. — from Logan. — j. G. L. .■.,.:,.,'., ::i ; J. c. L. '"■'■'. '• • -^ •• -•' 170 JOURNAL. [AriiiL wanted and will never be better, but I am avaricious of grown trees, having so few. Worked a fair task ; dined, and read Clapperton's journey and Denham's into Bornou. Very entertaining, and less botheration about mineralogy, botany, and so forth, than usual. Pity Africa picks up so many brave men, however. Work in the evening. April 6. — Wrote in the morning. Went at one to Huntly Burn, where I had the great pleasure to hear, through a letter from Sir Adam, that Sophia was in health, and Johnnie gaining strength. It is a fine exchange from deep and aching uncertainty on so interesting a subject, to the little spitfire feeling of " Well, but they might have taken the trouble to write " ; but so wretclied a corre- spondent as myself has not much to say, so I will just grumble sufficiently to maintain the patriarchal dignity. I returned in time to work, and to receive a shoal of things from J. B. Among others, a letter from an Irisli lady, wlio, for the heaux yeiix, which I shall never look upon, desires I will forthwitli send her all the Waverley Novels, which are publislied, witli an order to furnish her with all others in course as they appear, which she assures me will be an era in her life. She may find out some other epocha. Ajyril 7. — Made out my morning's task ; at one drove to Chiefswood, and walked home by the Ehymer's Glen, Mar's Lee, and Haxell-Cleugh. Took me three hours. The heath gets somewhat heavier for me every year — but never mind, I like it altogether as well as the day I could tread it best. My plantations are getting all into green leaf, especially the larches, if theirs may be called leaves, which are only a sort of hair, and from the number of birds drawn to these wastes, I may congratulate myself on having literally made the desert to sing. As I returned, there was, in the phraseology of that most precise of prigs in a white collarless coat and 1826.] JOUENAL. 171 chaidcau has, Mister Commissary liainsay — " a rather dense inspissation of raiu." Deil care, " Lord, who would live turmoiled in the Court, That might enjoy such quiet walks as these ?"^ Yet misfortune comes our way too. Poor Laidlaw lust a fine prattling child of five years old yesterday. It is odd enough — Iden, the Kentish Esquire, has just made the ejaculation which T adopted in the last page, when he kills Cade, and posts away up to Court to get the price set upon his head. Here is a letter come from Lockhart, full of Court news, and all sort of news, — best is his wife is well, and thinks the child gains in health. Lockhart erroneously supposes that I think of applying to Ministers about Charles, and that notwithstanding Croker's terms of pacification I should find Malaclii stick in my way. I Avould not make such an application for millions ; I think if I were to ask patronage it would [not] be through them, for some time at least, and I might have better access.- April 8. — We expect a raid of folks to visit us this mornino;, whom we must have dined before our misfortunes. Save time, wine, and money, these misfortunes — and so far are convenient things. Besides, there is a dignity about them when they come only like the gout in its mildest shape, to authorise diet and retirement, the night-gown and the velvet shoe ; when the one comes to chalkstones, and the other to prison, though, there would be the devil. Or compare the effects of Sieur Gout and absolute poverty upon the stomach — the necessity of a bottle of laudanum in the one case, the want of a morsel of meat in the other. Laidlaw's infant, which died on Wednesday, is buritjd to-day. Tlie people coming to visit prevent my going, and I 12 King Henry VI., Act iv. says— " My interest, as you might So. 10, slightly varied, have known, lies Windsor way."— - In a letter of the same day he .J. u. L. 172 JOUENAL [Apkil am glad of it. I hate funerals— always did. There is such a mixture of mummery with real giief — the actual mourner perhaps heart-broken, and all the rest making solemn faces, and whispering observations on the weather and public news, and here and there a greedy fellow enjoying the cake and wine. To nie it is a farce full of most tragical mirth, and I am not sorry (like Provost Coulter^) but glad that I shall not see my own. This is a most unfilial tendency of mine, for my father absolutely loved a funeral ; and as he was a man of a fine presence, and looked the mourner well, he was asked to every interment of distinction. He seemed to preserve the list of a whole bead-roll of cousins, merely for the pleasure of being at their funerals, which he was often asked to superintend, and I suspect had sometimes to pay for. He carried me with him as often as he could to these mortuary ceremonies ; but feeling I was not, like him, either useful or ornamental, I escaped as often as I could. I saw the poor child's funeral from a distance. Ah, that Distance ! What a magician for conjuring up scenes of joy or sorrow, smoothing all asperities, reconciling all incon- gruities, veiling all absurdness, softening every coarseness, doubling every effect by the influence of the imagination. A Scottish wedding should be seen at a distance ; the gay band of the dancers just distinguished amid the elderly group of the spectators, — the glass held high, and th-i distant cheers as it is swallowed, should be only a sketch, not a finished Dutch picture, when it becomes brutal and boorish. Scotch psalmody, too, should be heard from a distance. The grunt and the snulile, and the whine and the scream, should be all blended in that deep and distant sound. ^ William Coulter, Lord Provost Scott vsed to take him off as saying, of Etlinlmrgh, died in office, April at some public meeting, "Gentle- 1810, and Avas said to have been inen, tiiough doomed to the trade greatly consoled on his deathbed of a stocking-weaver, I was born by the prospect of so gi-and a funeral with tlie soul of a Shccjiio " (Scipio). as must needs occur in his case. — 1826.] JOIIENAL. 173 v/liicli, rising and falling like the Eolian harp, may have some title to be called the praise of our INIaker. Even so the distant funeral : the few mourners on horseback, witli their plaids wrapped around them — the father heading the pro- cession as they enter tlie river, and pointing out the ford by which his darling is to be carried on the last long road — not one of the subordinate figures in discord with the general tone of the incident — seeming just accessories, and no more — this is affecting. April 9. — I worked at correcting proofs in the morning, and, what is harder, at correcting manuscript, which fags me excessively. I was dead side of it by two o'clock, the rather as my hand, revered " Gurnal," be it said between our- selves, gets daily worse. " ' Lockhart's Review} Don't like his article on Sheridan's life. There is no breadth in it, no general views, the whole flung away in smart but party criticism. Now, no man can take more 'general and liberal views of literature than J. Cf. L. But he lets himself too easily into that advocatism of style, which is that of a pleader, not a judge or a critic, and is particularly unsatisfactory to the reader. Lieut.-Col. Eerguson dined here. A'pril 10. — Sent off proofs and copy galore before break- fast, and might be able to give idleness a day if I liked. But it is as well reading for Boncy as for anything else, and I have a humour to make my amusement useful. Then the day is changealde, with gusts of wind, and I believe a start to the garden will be my best out-of-doors exercise. No thorough hill-expedition in this gusty weather. Aiiril 11. — Wrought out my task, although I have bemi much affected this morning by the Morbus, as I call it. Aching pain in the back, rendering one posture intolerable, fluttering of tlie heart, idle fears, gloomy thoughts and anxieties, which if not unfounded are at least bootless. I 1 Qaar/a-iij Ihricw, No. GO : Lockhart's review of SheriilaiTs Life. 174 JOURNAL. [April have been out once or twice, but am driven in by the rain. Mercy on us, what poor devils we are ! I shook this affection off, however. Mr. Scrope and Col. Ferguson came to dinner, and we twaddled away the evening well enough. April 12. — I have finished my task this morning at half-past eleven — easily and early— and, I think, not amiss. I hope J. B. will make some great points of admiration ! ! ! — otherwise I will be disappointed. If this work answers — if it hut answers, it nuist set us on our legs ; I am sure worse trumpery of mine has had a great run. Well, I will console myself and do my best ! But fashion changes, and I am getting old, and may become unpopular, but it is time to cry out when I am hurt. I remember with what great difficulty I was brought to think myself something better than common,^ — and now I will not in mere faintness of heart give up good hopes. So Fortune protect the bold. I have finished the whole introductory sketch of the Eevolution — ' It is interesting to read what of tlie disappointment thus pre- James Ballantyiie has recorded on pared for us. When I ventured, this subject. — "Sir Walter at all as I sometimes did, to pi-ess times laboured under the strangest liim on the score of the reputa- delusion as to the merits of his own tion he had gained, he merely works. On tliis score he was not asked, as if he determined to be only inaccessible to compliments, done with tlie discussion, ' Why, but even insensible to the truth ; in what is the value of a reputation fact, at all times, he hated to talk which probably will not last above of any of his productions ; as, for one or two generations ? ' One instance, he greatly preferred Mrs. morning, I i-ecollect, I went into Shelley's Frankenstein to any of his his library, shortly after tlie jjublica- own romances. I remember one tion of tlie Ladi/ of the Lake, day, when Mr. Erskine and I were and finding Miss Scott there, who dining with him, either immediately was then a very young girl, I asked before or immediately after the her, ' Well, Miss Sophia, hovv do publication of one of the best of the you like the Lady of the Lake, with latter, and were giving it the high which evei'yliody is so much en- praise we thought it deserved, he chanted?' Her answer was, with asked us al^rujjtly whetlier we had affecting simplicity, 'Oh, I have read Frankenstein. We answered not read it. Papa says there 's no- that we had not. 'Ah,' lie said, tiling so bad for young girls as read- 'have liatienee, read Frankenstein, ing bad i:(oetry.' Yet he could not and you will be better able to judge be said to be hostile to compliments of .' You will easily judge in the abstract — nothing was so easy 1826.] JOURNAL. 175 too long for an introduction. But I think I may now go to my solitary walk. April 13. — On my return from my walk yesterday I learnt with great concern the death of my old friend, Sir Alexander Don. He cannot have been above six- or seven- and-forty. Without being much together, we had, consider- ing our different habits, lived in much friendship, and I sincerely regret his death. His habits were those of a gay man, much connected with the turf; but he possessed strong natural parts, and in particular few men could speak better in public when he chose. He had tact, wit, power of sarcasm, and that indescribable something which marks the gentleman. His manners in society were extremely pleasing, and as he had a taste for literature and the fine arts, there w^ere few more j)leasant companions, besides being a highly-spirited, steady, and honourable man. His indolence prevented his turning these good parts towards acquiring the distinction as to flatter him about a farm or a diately became overcast — and his field, and his manner on such an answer was, ' Well, I think, I occasion plainly showed that he was must say your party might have really open to such a compliment, been better employed.' ' I knew it and liked it. In fact, I can recall would be your answer,' — the conver- only one instance in which he was sation continued, — ' nor would I fairly cheated into pleasure by a tri- have mentioned it, but that Dr. bute paid to his literary merit, and Chalmers was present, and was by it was a striking one. Somewhere far the most decided in his ex- betwixt two and three years ago I pressions of pleasure and admiration wasdiningattheRev. Dr. Brunton's, of any of the party.' This instantly with a large and accomplished party, roused him to the most vivid ani- of whom Dr. Chalmers was one. niation. ' Dr. Chalmers ? ' he The conversation turned upon Sir repeated ; ' that throws new light Walter Scott's romances generally, on the subject — to have produced and the course of it led me very any effect upon the mind of such a shortly afterwards to call on Sir man as Dr. Chalmers is indeed Walter, and address him as follows something to be proud of. Dr. -I knew the task was a bold one, Chalmers is a man of the truest but I thought I saw that I should genius. I will thank you to repeat get well through it — ' Well, Sir all you can recollect that he said Walter,' I said, 'I was dining on the subject.' I did so accord- yesterday, where your works became ingly, and I can i-ecall no otlier the subject cf very copious conver- similar instance." — James; BaUan- sation.' His countenance imme- iijnt's MS. 176 JOUENAL. [Apiiil ho miglit have attained. He was among the iUtcnns whom Bonaparte's miquitous commands confined so long in France;^ and coming there into possession of a Large estate in right of his mother, the heiress of the Glencairn family, he had the means of being very expensive, and probably then acquired those gay habits which rendered him averse to serious, business. Being our member for Roxburghshire, his deatli will make a &tir amongst us. I prophesy Harden - will be here to talk about starting his son Henry, Accordingly the Laird and Lady called. I exhorted him to write to Lord Montagu ^ instantly. I do not see what they can do better, and unless some pickthank intervene to in- sinuate certain irritating suspicious, I suppose Lord M. will make no objection. There can be no objection to Henry Scott for birth, fortune, or political principle ; and I do not see where we could get a better representative. April 14. — Wrote to Lord M. last night. 1 hope they will keep the peace in the county. I am sure it would be to me a most distressing thing if Buccleuch and Harden were to 2"»ull different ways, being so intimate with both families. I did not write inuch yesterday, not above two pages and a half. I have begun Boncy, though, and ccst tovjoiirs qucl- quc chose. This morning I sent off proofs and manuscript. Had a letter from the famous Denis Davidoff, the Black Captain, whose abilities as a partisan were so much distin- "uished durimj the retreat from Moscow. If I can but wheedle him out of a few anecdotes, it would be a great haul. ^ For the life led by many of the succeeded by his son Henry, in detenus in France before 1S14, and 1841. for anecdotes regarding Sir Alex- ^ Henry Jas. Scott, Avho succeeded auder Don, see Sir James Camp- to the Bai'ony of Montagu on the bell of Ardkinglas' Memoir.% 2 vols, demise of his grandfather, the Duke 8vo, London IS.S'i, vol. ii. chaps. 7 of Montagu, Avas the son of Henry, and 8. od Duke of Ihicoleuch. At Lord 2 Hugh Scott of Harden, after- M. 's death in 1845 the Barony of ^var(^s (in 18.3.")) Lord Fohvarth — Montagu expired. 1826.] JOURNAL. 177 A kind letter from Colin Mack[enzie]; he tliink.s tlio Ministry will not push the measure against Scotland. I fear they will ; there is usually an obstinacy in weakness. But I will think no more about it. Time draws on. I have been here a month. Another month carries me to be a hermit in the city instead of the countrv. I could scarce think I had been hero a week. I wish I was able, even at great loss, to retire from Edinburgh entirely. Here is no bile, no visits, no routine, and yet on the whole, things are as well perhaps as they arc. April 15. — Eeceived last night letters from Sir John Scott Douglas, and from that daintiest of Dandies, Sir William Elliot of Stobs, canvassing for the county. Young Harry 's ^ the lad for me. But will he be the lad for Lord Montagu ? — there is the point. I should have given him a hint to attend to Edgerston. Perhaps being at Minto, and not there, inay give offence, and a bad report from that quarter would play the devil. It is rather too late to go down and tell them this, and, to say truth, I don't like the air of making myself busy in the matter. Poor Sir Alexander Don died of a disease in the heart ; the body was opened, which was very right. Odd enough, too, to have a man, probably a friend two days before, slash- ing at one's heart as it were a bullock's. I had a letter yester- day from John Gibson. The House of Longman and Co. guarantee the sale [of Woodstock'] to Hurst, and take the Avork, if Hurst and Pobinson (as is to be feared) can make no play. Also I made np what was due of my task both for 13th and 14th, So hey for a Swiftianism — " I loll in my cliair, And around me I stare With a critical air, Like a calf at a fair ; And, sny I, Mrs, Duty, Good-morrow to your l)eauty, I kiss your sweet shoe-tie. And hope I can suit ye." ^ Henry Scott, afterwards Lord Polwarth, M 178 JOUPtNAL. " [April Fair words butter no parsnips, say? Duty ; don't keep talking then, but get to your work again. Here is a day's task before you — the siege of Toulon. Call you that a task ? el — ]ue, I '11 write it as fast as Boncy carried it on. April 16. — I am now far ahead with Naj). I wrote a little this morning, but this forenoon I must write letters, a task in which I am far behind. " Heaven sure sent letters for some wretch's plague." ^ Lady Scott seems to make no way, yet can scarce be said to lose any. She suffers much occasionally, especially during the night. Sleeps a great deal when at ease ; all symptoms announce water upon the chest. A sad prospect. In the evening a despatch from Lord Melville, written with all the familiarity of former times, desiring me to ride down and press Mr. Scott of Harden to let Henry stand, and this in Lord Montagu's name as well as his own, so that the two propositions cross each other on the road, and Henry is as much desired by the Buccleuch interest as he desires their support. Jedburgh, April 1 7. — Came over to Jedburgh this morning, to breakfast with my good old friend Mr. Shortreed, and had my usual warm reception. Lord Gillies held the Circuit Court, and there was no criminal trial for any offence what- soever. I have attended these circuits with tolerable re- gularity since 1792, and though there is seldom much of importance to be done, yet I never remember before the Porteous rolP being quite blank. The judge was presented ^ Slightly altered from Pope's gateway as they entered the various Eloisa to Abdard. towns on their circuit ay res. — - The Catalogue of Criminals Chambers's Booh of Scotland, p. brought before the Circuit Courts 310. at one time was termed in Scot- Jamieson suggests that the word land the Tortuous Roll. The name may have come from " Porteous "as appears to have been derived from originally applied to a ]5rcviary, or the practice in early times of do- portable book of prayers, which liveriug to the judges lists of Crimi- miglit easily bo transferred to a uals for Trials in Portit, or in the portable roll of indictments. 1826.] JOUKNAL. 179 witli a pair of white gloves, in consideration of its being a maiden circuit. Harden came over and talked about Lis son's preferment, naturally mucli pleased. Eeceived £100 from John Lockhart, for review of Pepys;i but this is by far too much ; £50 is plenty. Still I must impeticos the gratility for the present,- — for Whitsunday will find me only with £300 in hand, unless Blackwood settles a few scores of pounds for Malaclii. Wrote a great many letters. Dined with the Judge, where I met the disappointed candidate. Sir John Scott Douglas, who took my excuse like a gentleman. Sir William Elliot, on the other hand, was, being a line man, very much out of sorts, that having got his own consent, he could not get that of the county. He showed none of this, however, to me. April 18. — This morning I go down to Kelso from Jed- burgh to poor Don's funeral. It is, I suppose, forty years since I saw him first. I was staying at Sydenham, a lad of fourteen, or by 'r Lady some sixteen ; and he, a boy of six or seven, was brought to visit me on a pony, a groom holding the leading rein — and now, I, an old grey man, am going to lay him in his grave. Sad work. I detest funerals ; there is always a want of consistency ; it is a tragedy played by stroll- ing performers, who are more likely to make you laugh than cry. No chance of my being made to laugh to-day. The very road I go is a road of grave recollections. Must write to Charles seriously on the choice of his profession, and I will do it now. [Ahhotsfonl^ April 19. — Eeturned last night from the house of death and mourning to my own, now the habitation of sickness and anxious apprehension. Found Lady S. had tried the foxglove in quantity, till it made her so sick she was forced to desist. The result cannot yet be judged. ^ Quarterlij lievltv, Xo. 6(5, Pepys' Diary. ^ Twelfth Nhjid, Act ii. So. 3. 180 " JOUUNAL. [April Wrote to Mrs. Thomas Scott to beg her to let lier daughter Anne, an uncommonly, sensible, steady, and sweet-tempered girl, come and stay with us a season in our distress, who I trust will come forthwith. Two melancholy things. Last night I left my pallet in our family apartment, to make way for a female attendant, and removed to a dressing-room adjoining, when to return, or whether ever, God only can tell. Also my servant cut my hair, which used to be poor Charlotte's j)ersonal task. I hope she will not observe it. The funeral yesterday was very mournful ; about fifty persons present, and all seemed affected. The domestics in particular were very much so Sir Alexander was a kind, though an exact master. It was melancholy to see those apartments, where I have so often seen him play the grace- ful and kind landlord filled with those who were to cany liim to liis long home. There was very little talk of the election, at least till the funeral was over. April 20. — Lady Scott's health in the same harassing state of uncertainty, yet on my side with more of hope than I had two days since. Another death ; Thomas Iliddell, younger of Camiston, Sergeant-Major of the Edinburgh Troop in the sunny days of our yeomanry, and a very good fellow. The day was so tempting that I went out with Tom Purdie to cut some trees, the rather that my task was very well advanced. He led me into the wood, as the blind King of Bohemia was led by his four knights into the thick of the battle at Agincourt or Crecy,^ and then, like the old King, "I struck good strokes more than one," which is manly exercise. April 21. — This day I entertained more flattering hopes of Lady Scott's health than late events permitted. I went ' See Froissart's account of the Battle of Crccy, iJk. i. cap. !•_*!). 182fi.] JOUKNAL. 181 down to Mertoun with Colonel Ferguson, who returned to dine here, which consumed time so much that I made a sliort day's work. Had the grief to find Lady Scott had insisted on coming downstairs and was the worse of it. Also a letter from Lockhart, giving a poor account of the infant. God help us ! earth cannot. April 22. — Lady Scott continues very poorly. Better news of the child. Wrought a good deal to-day, rather correcting sheets and acquiring information than actually composing, which is the least toilsome of the three. J. G. L. kindly points out some solecisms in my style, as " amid " for " amidst," " scarce " for " scarcely." "Whose," he says, is the proper genitive of " which " only at such times as " which •' retains its quality of impersonification. Well! I will try to remember all this, but after all I write grammar as I speak, to make my meaning known, and a solecism in point of composition, like a Scotch word in speaking, is indifferent to me. I never learned grammar ; and not only Sir Hugh Evans but even Mrs. Quickly migiit puzzle me about Giney's case and horum harum horum.^ I believe the Bailiff in The Good-nahtred Man is not far wronq; when he says, " One man has one way of expressing himself, and another another, and that is all the difference between them."- Went to Huntly Burn to-day and looked at llio Colonel's projected approach. I am sure if the kind heart can please himself he will please me. April 23. — A glorious day, bright and brilliant, and, I fancy, mild. Lady Scott is certainly better, and has promised not to attempt quitting her room. Henry Scott has been here, and his canvass comes on like a moor burnins?. ^ Mcmj Wives of WitnUor, Act iv. So. 1. - See Goldsmith's Comedy, Act iii. 182 JOURNAL [ArrjL April 24. — Good news from Brighton. Sophia is con- fined ; both she and her baby are doing well, and the child's name is announced to be Walter — a favourite name in our family, and I trust of no bad omen. Yet it is no charm for life. Of my father's family I was the second Walter, if not the third. I am glad the name came my way, for it Avas borne by my father, great-grandfather, and great-great- grandfather; also by the grandsire of that last-named venerable person who was the first laird of Raeburn. Hurst and Robinson, the Yorkshire tykes, have failed after all their swaggering, and Longman and Co. take Woodstock. But if Woodstock and Na/polcon take with tlie public I shall care little about their insolvency, and if tliey do not, I don't think their solvency would have lasted long. Constable is sorely broken down. " Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart That 's sorry yet for thee." ^ His conduct has not been what I deserved at his hand, but, I believe that, walking blindfold himself, he misled me without malice prepense. It is best to think so at least, unless the contrary be demonstrated. To nourish angry passions against a man whom I really liked would be to lay a blister on my own heart. April 25. — Having fallen behind on the 23d, I wrought pretty hard yesterday ; but I had so much reading, and so many proofs to correct, that I did not get over the daily task, so am still a little behind, which I shall soon make up. I have got Nap., d — n him, into Italy, where with bad eyes and obscure maps, I have a little difllculty in tracing out his victorious chess-play. Lady Scott was better yesterday, certainly lietter, and was sound asleep when I looked in this morning. Walked in the afternoon. I looked at a hooded crow buildinc; in the thicket with great pleasure. It is a shorter date (hau my neiglibour ' KiiKj l.rar, Act in. Sc. 2. 182G.] JOUENAL. 183 Torwoodlee^ thouo'ht of, when he told me, as I was braijtrincr a little of my plantations, that it would be long ere crows built in them. April 26. — Letters from Walter and Lockharts ; all well and doing well. Lady S. continues better, so the clouds are breaking up. I made a good day's work yesterday, and sent off proofs, letters, and copy this morning ; so, if this fine day holds good, I will take a drive at one. There is an operation called putting to rights — Scoitid, redding up — which puts me into a fever. I always leave any attempt at it half executed, and so am worse off than before, and have only embroiled the fray. Then my long back aches with stooping into the low drawers of old cabinets, and my neck is strained with staring up to their attics. Tlien you are sure never to get the thing you want. I am certain they creep about and hide themselves. Tom Moore^ gave us the insurrection of the papers. That was open war, but this is a system of privy plot and conspiracy, by which those you seek creep out of the way, and those you are not wanting perk themselves in your face again and again, until at last you throw them into some corner in a passion, and then they are the objects of research in their turn. I have read in a French Eastern tale of an enchanted person called L'hommc qui chcrchc, a sort of " Sir Guy the Seeker," always employed in collecting the beads of a chaplet, which, by dint of gramarye, always dispersed themselves when he was about to fix the last upon the string. It was an awful doom ; trans- mogrification into the Laidleyworm of Spindlestaneheiigh^ 1 James Pringle, Convener of ^ The well-known Ijallads on these Selkirkshire for more than half a two North-countiy legends were century. For an account of the published by M. G. Lewis and Mr. Pringles of Torwoodlee, see Mr. Lambe, of Norham. "Sir Guy," in Craig Brown's Hidory of Selkirk- tiie Tales of Wonder, and " Tlic shire, vol. i. pp. 459-470. Worm," inB.itson''s Xorfhumberland - "The Insurrection of the. Paiwrs Oarland.—^ee Child's En'jUsh and —a Dream:' The Twopenny Post- Scottish Ballads, 8 vols. Tinio, Barj, 12mo, London, 1812, Boston, 1857, vol. i. p. 3SG. 184 JOUENAL. [April would have been a blessing in comparison. Now, the explanation of all this is, that I have been all this morning seeking a parcel of sticks of sealing wax which I brought from Edinburgh, and the " IFccl Brandt and Vast liond "^ has either melted Avithout the agency of fire or barricaded itself within the drawers of some cabinet, which has declared itself in a state of insurrection. A choice subject for a journal, but vv^hat better have I ? I did not quite finish my task to-day, nay, I only did one third of it. It is so difficult to consult the maps after candles are lighted, or to read the Moniteur, that I was obliged to adjourn. The task is three pages or leaves of my close writing per diem, which corresponds to about a sheet (IG pages) of Woodstock, and about 12 of Bonajmrte, which is a more comprehensive page. But I was not idle neither, and wrote some Balaam^ for Lockhart's Bevieiv. Then I was in hand a leaf above the tale, so I am now only a leaf behind it. Aijril 27. — This is one of those abominable April morn- ings which deserve the name of Sans Cullotides, as being cold, beggarly, coarse, savage, and intrusive. The earth lies an inch deep with snow, to the confusion of the worshippers of Flora. ]]y the way. Bogie attended his professional dinner and show of flowers at Jedburgh yesterday. Here is a beautiful sequence to their Jloralia. It is this uncertainty in April, and the descent of snow and frost when one thinks themselves clear of them, and that after fine encourasfino- weather, that destroys our Scottish fruits and flowers. It is as imprudent to attach yourself to flowers in Scotland as to a caged bird; the cat, sooner or later, snaps up one, and these ' Fijn Sff/cllai: vel brand en vast grajiliR, about monstrous i^roduc- houd: old brand used by sealing- tions of Nature and the like, kept wax makers. standing in type to be used when- ever the real news of the day leaves 2 Jidhiam is the cant name in a an a^ kward space tiiat must ])e Nc\vt;paper Office for asinine para- Idled up somehow. — J. c;, L. 182G.] JOUENAL. 18,5 — Sans Gullotides — annihilate tlie other. It was but yester- day I was admiring the glorious flourish of the pears and apricots, and now hath come the killing frost.i But let it freeze without, we are comfortable within. Lady Scott continues better, and, we may hope, has got the turn of her disease. Aj^ril 28. — Beautiful morning, but ice as thick as paste- board, too surely showing that the night has made good yesterday's threat. Dalgieisli, with his most melancholy face, conveys the most doleful tidings from Bogie. But servants arc fond of the woful, it gives such consequence to the person who communicates bad. news. Wrote two leaves, and read till tv^elve, and then for a stout walk among the plantations till four. Tound Lady Scott obviously better, I think, than I had left her in iho morning. In walking I am like a spavined horse, and heat as I get on. The flourishing plantations around me are a great argument for me to labour liard. " Barharus lias scgeks V I will write my finger-ends off first. April 29. — I was always afraid, privately, that Woodstock would not stand the test. In that case my fate would have been that of the unfortunate minstrel trumpeter JMacleau at tlic battle of SherifTmuir — " By misfortune he happened to fa', man ; By saving liis neck His trumpet did break, And came ofl" without music at a', man." ^ J. B. corroborated my doubts l)y his raven-like croaking and criticising ; but the good fellow writes me this morning that he is written down an ass, and that the approbation is unanimous. It is but Edinburgh, to be sure r but Edinburgh has always been a harder critic than London. It is a great mercy, and gives encouragement for future exertion. Ha^•ing written two leaves this morninq' I think T will turn out to 1 Henry VIII. Act iii. Sc. 2. - Kitson, Scottish Somjs, xvi. 18G JOUENAL. [Apfjl 1826. my walk, though two hours earlier than usual. Egad, I could not persuade myself that it was such had Balaam after all. April 30. — I corrected this morning a quantity of proofs and copy, and dawdled about a little, the weather of late be- coming rather milder, though not much of that, Methinks Duty looks as if she were but half-pleased with me ; but would the Pagan bitch have me work on the Sunday MAY. May 1. — I walked to-day to the western corner of the Chiefswood plantation, and marked out a large additional plantation to be drawn along the face of the liill. It cost me some trouble to carry the boundaries out of the eye, for nothing is so paltry as a plantation of almost any extent if its whole extent lies defined to the eye. By availing myself of the undulations of the ground I think I have avoided this for the present ; only when seen from the Eildon Hills the cranks and turns of the enclosure will seem fantastic, at least until the trees sjet high. This cost Tom and me three or four hours. Lieut.- Colonel Ferguson joined us as we went home, and dined at Abbotsford. My cousin, Barbara Scott of Piaeburn, came here to see Lady S. I think she was shocked with the melancholy change. She insisted upon walking back to Lessudden House, making her walk 16 or 18 miles, and though the carriarre was ordered she would not enter it. May 2. — Yesterday was a splendid jNTay day — to-day seems inclined to be soft, as we call it ; but tant micux. Yesterday had a twang of frost in it. I must get to work and finish Boaden's Life of Xemhlc, and Kelly's Bcminis- cenccs} for the Quarterly. I wrote and read for three hours, and then walked, the day being soft and delightful ; but alas ! all my walks are lonely from the absence of my poor companion. Slie does not suffer, thank God, but strength must fail at last. Since » See Miscellaneous Prose Worlds, vol. xx. pp. lo2-244, or Quarterly Review No. 67, Kelly's liiminiscences. 187 188 JOURNAL. [May Sunday there has been a gradual change — very gradual — ■ but, alas ! to the worse. My hopes are almost gone. But I am determined to stand this grief as I have done others. May 3. — Another fine morning. I answered a letter from Mr. Handley, who has taken the pains to rummage the Chancery Records until he has actually discovered the fund due to Lady Scott's mother, £1200 ; it seems to have been invested in the estates of a Mr. Owen, as it appears for Madame Charpentier's benefit, but, she dying, the fund was lost sight of and got into Chancery, where I suppose it must have accumulated, but I cannot say I understand tlio matter ; at a happier moment the news would have given poor Charlotte much pleasure, but now — it is a day too late. May 4. — On visiting Lady Scott's sick-room this morning I found her suffering, and I doubt if she knew me. Yet, after breakfast, she seemed serene and composed. The worst is, she will not speak out about the symptoms under which she labours. Sad, sad worlc ; I am under the most melancholy apprehension, for what constitution can hold out under these continued and wastinc: attacks ? My niece, Anne Scott, a prudent, sensible, and kind young woman, arrived to-day, having come down to assist us in our distress from so far as Cheltenham. This is a great consolation. May 5. — Haunted by gloomy thoughts ; but I corrected proofs from seven to ten, and wrote from half-past ten to one. My old friend Sir Adam called, and took a long wallv with me, which was charity. His gaiety rubbed me up a little. I had also a visit from the Laird and Lady of Harden. Henry Scott carries the county without opposition. May G. — The same scene of hopeless (almost) and un- availing anxiety. Still welcoming me with a smile, and asserting she is better. I fear the disease is too deeply entwined with the principles of life. Yet the increase of good weather, especially if it would turn more genial, might. 182r..] JOUENAL. 180 I Lliiuk, aid her excellent constitution. Still labouvinu- at tliis Ecviciv, without heart or spirits to finish it. I am a tolerable Stoic, Lut preach to myself in \'ain. " Siuce these things are necessities, Then let us meet them like necessities." ^ And so we will. May 7. — Hammered on at the Ilcvicw till my backbone ached. But I believe it Avas a nervous affection, fur a walk cured it. Sir Adam and the Colonel dined here. So I spent the evening as pleasantly as I well could, considering I am so soon to leave my own house, and go like a stranger to the town of which I have been so long a citizen, and leave my wife lingering, without prospect of recovery, under tlie chai'gc of two poor girls. Talia cogit dura ncccssitas. May 8. — I went over to the election at Jedburgh. There was a numerous meetini'-: the Whiijs, who did nut brinu' ten men to the meeting, of course took the whole matter under their patronage, which was much of a piece with the Blue Bottle drawing the carriage. I tried to pull up once or twice, but quietly, having no desire to disturb the quiet of the election. To see the difference of modern times ! We had a good dinner, and excellent wine ; and I had ordered my carriage at half-past seven, almost ashamed to start GO soon. Everybody dispersed at so early an hour, however, that ^hen Henry had left the chair, there was no carriage for me, and Peter proved Iiis accuracy by showing me it was but a quarter-past seven. In the days I re- member they would have kept it up till day-liglit ; nor do I think poor iJon would have left the chair before midnight. Well, there is a medium. Without being a veteran Vice, a grey Iniquity, like Talstaff, I think an occasional jolly bout, if not carried to excess, improved society ; men were put into good humour ; when the good w^ine did its good olUcc, the jest, the song, the speech, had double effect ; men were ^ 2 Henry IV., Act III. Sc. 1, yliglitly altcreJ. 190 JOURNAL. [May happy fur the niglit, and better friends ever after, because tliey had been so. May 9. — My new Liverpool neighbour, Mr. Bainbridge, breakfasts here to-day with some of his family. They wish to try the fishing in Cauldshields Loch, and [tliere is] promise of a fine soft morning. But the season is too early. They have had no sport accordingly after trying with Trinmiers. Mr. Bainbrido-e is a good cut of John Bull — plain, sensible, and downright; the maker of his own for- tune, and son of his own works. May 10.— To-morrow I leave my home. To what scene I may suddenly be recalled, it wrings my heart to think. If she would but be guided by the medical people, and attend rigidly to their orders, something might be hoped, but she is impatient with the protracted suffering, and no wonder. Anne has a severe task to perfonn, but the assistance of her cousin is a great comfort. Baron Weber, the great composer, wants me (tlirough Lockhart) to compose something to be set to music by him, and sung by Miss Stephens — as if I cared who set or who sung any lines of mine. I have recom- mended instead Beaumont and Fletcher's unrivalled song in the Nice Valour : " Hence, all ye vain delights," etc. [Edinburgh,'^'] May 11. — "Der Abschiedstag ist da, Schwer liegt er auf den Herzen — schwer." - Charlotte was unable to take leave of me, beimr in a sound sleep, after a very indifferent night. Perhaps it was as well, — ixw adieu might have hurt her; and nothing I could have expressed would have been worth the risk. I have foreseen, for t\\u years and more, that this menaced event could not be far distant. I have seen plainly, within 1 [Mrs. Brown's Lodgings, No. G in Life, vol. ii. p. 13. The literal North St. David Street. ] transhition is :— ^ "- Thi3 is the opening couplet of a ■, t,„ ,,,^y of de,.art.nc is come ; German trooper's aong, alluded to Heavy lies it on the hcaits-licavy." — J. G. L. 182G.] JOURNAL. 191 ilie last two months, that recoveiy was hopeless. And yet to part witli the companion of twenty-nine years when so very ill — that I did not, could not foresee.^ It withers my heart to think of it, and to recollect that I can hardly hope acjain to seek confidence and counsel from that ear to which all might be safely confided. But in her present lethargic state, Avhat would my attentions have availed ? and Anne has promised close and constant intelligence. I must dine with James Ballantyne to-day cnfamillc. I cannot ]ie]p it ; hut A\'ould rather be at home and alone. However, I can go out too. I will not yield to the barren sense of hopelessness which struggles to invade me. I passed a pleasant day witli honest J. B., which was a great relief from the black dog which would have worried me at home. We were quite alone. \_Edinhurgh,'\ May 12. — Well, liere I am in Arden. And I may say with Touchstone, " When I was at home I was in a better place," ^ and yet this is not by any means to be com- plained of. Good apartments, the people civil and apparently attentive. No appearance of smoke, and absolute warrandice against my dreaded enemies, bugs. I must, when there is occasion, draw to my own Bailie Nicol Jarvie's consolation, "One cannot carry the comforts of the Saut-Market about with one." Were I at ease in mind, I think the body is very well cared for. I have two steady servants, a man and woman, and they seem to set out sensibly enough. Only one lodger in the house, a Mr. Sliandy, a clergyman ; and despite his name, said to be a quiet one. May 13. — Tlie projected measure against tlie Scottish bank-notes has been abandoned, the resistance being general. * Scott had written: — "and yet fortunes, "ju«t six" months l^cfore, to part with the companion of and liad afterwards tliouyht it twenty years just six, "and had then better to refrain. This would ac- deleted tlie tliree words, " years comit for a certain obscurity of just six," and written " nine " above meaning, tliem. It looks as if he had meant at first to refer to tlie change in his ■ .^-l.s You. Like It, Act ii. .So. 4. 192 ' JOURNAL. [MaV Malaclii might clap his wings upon this, but, ahis ! domestic anxiety has cut his comb. I think very lightly in general of praise ; it costs men nothing, and is usually only lip-salve. They wish to please, and must suppose that flattery is tlie ready joad to the good Avill of every professor of literature. Some praise, however, and from some people, does at once delight and strengthen the mind, and I insert in this place the quotation with which Ld. C. Baron Shepherd concluded a letter concerning me to the Chief Commissioner: " Magna diam ilia lavs ct admirahilis videri sold tidisse casus safienter adversos, noii fradum esse fortimd, rdimiisse in rehiis aspcris dignitatem."^ I record these words, not as meriting the high praise they imply, but to remind me that such an opinion being partially entertained of me by a man of a character so eminent, it becomes me to make my conduct approach as much as possible to the standard at which he rates it. As I must pay back to Terry some cash in London, £170, toijether with other matters here, I have borrowed from IMr. Alexander Ballantyne the sum of £500, upon a promissory note for £512, 10s. payable 15th November to him or his order. If God should call me before that time, I request my son Walter will, in reverence to my memory, see that Mr. Alexander Ballantyne does not suffer for liaving obliged me in a sort of exigency — he cannot affurd i(, and Cod has given my son the means to repay him. May 14. — A fair good-morrow to you, Mr. Sun, who are shining so brightly on these dull walls. Alethinks you look as if you were looking as bright on the banks of the Tweed ; but look where you will. Sir Sun, you look upon sorrow and suffering. Hogg was here yesterday in danger, from having obtained an accommodation of £100 from ]\Ir. Ballantyne, which he is now obliged to repay. I am imable to help the poor fellow, being obliged to borrow myself. But I long ago * Cicero, dc Oral. ii. p. 340. — J. o. l. 1826.] JOURNAL. 193 remonstrated against the transaction at all, and gave him £50 out of my pocket to avoid granting the accommodation, but it did no good. May 15. — Received the melancholy intelligence tliat all is over at Abbotsford. [Abhotsford^ May 16. — She died at nine in the morning, after being very ill for two days, — easy at last. I arrived here late last night. Anne is worn out, and has had hysterics, which returned on my arrival. Her broken accents were like those of a child, the language, as well as the tones, broken, but in the most gentle voice of submission. " Poor mamma — never return again — gone for ever — a better place." Then, when she came to herself, she spoke with sense, freedom, and strength of mind, till her weakness returned. It would have been inexpressibly moving to me as a stranger — what was it then to the father and the husband ? For myself, I scarce know how I feel, sometimes as firm as the Bass Eock, sometimes as weak as the wave that breaks on it. I am as alert at thinking and deciding as I ever was in my life. Yet, when I contrast what this place now is, with what it has been not long since, I think my heart will break. Lonely, aged, deprived of my family — all but poor Anne, an impoverished and embarrassed man, I am de- prived of the sharer of my thoughts and counsels, who could always talk down my sense of the calamitous appre- hensions which break the heart that must bear them alone. Even her foibles were of service to me, by giving me things to think of beyond my weary self-reflections. I have seen her. The figure I beheld is, and is not, my Charlotte — my thirty years' companion. There is the same symmetry of form, though those limbs are rigid which were once so gracefully elastic — but that yellow masque, with pinched features, which seems to mock life rather than emulate it, can it be the face that was once so full of lively expression ? I will not look on it again. Anne thinks lier little chantiod, 194 JOURNAL. [May because the latest idea slie had formed of her mother is as she appeared under circumstances of sickness and pain. Mine go back to a period of comparative health. If I write long in this way, I shall write down my resolution, which I should rather write up, if I could. I wonder how I shall do with the large portion of thoughts which were hers for thirty years. I suspect tliey will be hers yet for a long time at least. But I will not blaze cambric and crape in the public eye like a disconsolate widower, that most affected of all characters. May 17. — Last night Anne, after conversing with apparent ease, dropped suddenly down as she rose from the supper-table, and lay six or seven minutes as if dead. Clarkson, however, has no fear of these affections. May 18. — Another day, and a bright one to the external world, again opens on us ; the air soft, and the flowers smiling, and the leaves glittering. They cannot refresh her to whom mild weather was a natural enjoyment. Cerements of lead and of wood already hold her ; cold earth must have her soon. But it is not my Charlotte, it is not the bride of my youth, the mother of my children, that will be laid among the ruins of Dry burgh, which we have so often visited in gaiety and pastime, No, no. She is sentient and con- scious of my emotions somewhere — somehow ; where we cannot tell; how we cannot tell; yet would I not at this moment renounce the mysterious yet certain hope that I shall see her in a better world, for all that this workl can give me. The necessity of this separation, — that necessity which rendered it even a relief, — that and patience must be my comfort. I do not experience those paroxysms of grief which others do on the same occasion. I can exert myself and speak even cheerfully with the poor girls. But alone, or if anything touches me — the choking sensation. I have been to her room : there was no voice in it — no stirring; the pressure of the coffin was visible on tho bed, but it liad been rtnnovod elsewhere; all was neat as she 1S2G.] JOUE^sTAL. 195 loved it, l3ut all was calm — calm as death. I remembered the last sight of her; she raised herself in bed, and tried to turn her eyes after me, and said, with a sort of smile, "You all have such melancholy faces." They were the last words I ever heard her utter, and I hurried away, for she did not seem quite conscious of what she said. When I returned, immediately [before] departing, she was in a deep sleep. It is deeper now. This was but seven days since. They are arranging the chamber of death ; that which was long the apartment of connubial happiness, and of whose arrangements (better than in richer houses) she was so proud. They are treading fast and thick. For weeks you could have heard a foot-fall. Oh, my God ! 3Iay 19. — Anne, poor love, is ill with her exertions and agitation — cannot walk — and is still hysterical, though less so. I advised flesh-brush and tepid bath, which I think will bring her about. We speak freely of her whom we have lost, and mix her name with our ordinary conversation. This is the rule of nature. All primitive people speak of their dead, and I think virtuously and wisely. The idea of blotting the names of those who are gone out of the language and familiar discourse of those to whom they were dearest is one of the rules of ultra-civilisation which, in so many instances, strangle natural feeling by way of avoiding a painful sensation. The Highlanders speak of their dead children as freely as of their living, and mention how poor Colin or Eobert would have acted in such or such a situation. It is a generous and manly tone of feeling ; and, so far as it may be adopted without affectation or contradicting the general habits of society, I reckon on observing it. May 20. — To-night, I trust, will bring Charles or Lockhart, or both ; at least I must hear from them. A letter from Violet [Lockhart] gave us the painful intelligence that she had not mentioned to Sophia the dangerous state in which 196 JOUENAL. [May lier mother was. IMost kindly meant, but certainly not so well judged. I have always thought that truth, even when painful, is a great duty on such occasions, and it is seldom that concealment is justifiable. Sophia's baby was christened on Sunday, 14th May, at Brighton, by the name of Walter Scott."^ ]\Iay God give him life and health to wear it with credit to himself and those belonging to him. Melancholy to think that the next morning after this ceremony deprived him of so near a relation. Sent Mr. Curie £11 to remit Mrs. Bohn, York Street, Covent Garden, for books — I thought I had paid the poor woman before. May 21. — Our sad preparations for to-morrow continue. A letter from Lockhart ; doubtful if Sophia's health or his own state of business will let him be here. If things permit he comes to-night. .From Charles not a word ; but I think I may expect him. I wish to-morrow were over ; not that I fear it, for my nerves are pretty good, but it will be a day of many recollections. May 22. — Charles arrived last night, much affected of course. Anne had a return of her fainting-fits on seeing him, and again upon seeing Mr. Ptamsay, the gentleman who performs the service.^ I heard him do so with the utmost propriety for my late friend, Lady Alvanley,^ the arrange- ment of whose funeral devolved upon me. How little I could guess when, where, and with respect to whom I should next hear those solemn words. Well, I am not aj^t to shrink ^ Walter Scott Lockhart, died at known as the much-loved ' ' Dean Versailles in 1853, and was buried Ramsay," author of 7?(:j«iw?'*Y'f?Jce.s'o/ in the Cemetery of Notre-Dame Scottish Life ami Character. This there. venerable Scottish gentleman was " The Rev. Edward Bannerman for many years the dcliglit of all Ramsay, A.M., St. John's College, who had the privilege of knowing Cambridge, incumbent St. John's, liim. He died at the age of eighty- Edinburgh, afterwards Dean of the tlirec in his house, 23 Ainslie Place, Diocese in the Scots Episcopal 1*^(1 inlmrgli. Dec. 27th, 1872. Church, and still more widely ■' See Life, vol. iv. p. 2. 182G.] JOUENAL. 197 from that wliicli is my duty, merely because it is painful ; but I wish this day over. A kind of cloud of stupidity hangs about me, as if all were unreal that men seem to be doing and talking about. May 23. — About an hour before the mournful ceremony of yesterday, Walter arrived, liaving travelled express from Ireland on receiving the news. He was much affected, poor fellow, and no wonder. Poor Charlotte nursed him, and perhaps for that reason she was ever partial to him. Tlie whole scene floats as a sort of dream before me — the beautiful day, the grey ruins covered and hidden among clouds of foliage and flourish, where the grave, even in the lap of beauty, lay lurking and gaped for its prey. Then the grave looks, the hasty important bustle of men with spades and mattocks — the train of carriages — the coffin containing the creature that was so long the dearest on earth to me, and whom I was to consign to the very spot wliich in pleasure- parties we so frequently visited. It seems still as if this could not be really so. But it is so — and duty to God and to my children must teach me patience. Poor Anne has had longer fits since our arrival from O Dryburgh than before, bat yesterday was the crisis. She desired to hear ]3rayers read by Mr. Eamsay, who performed the duty in a most solemn manner. But her strength could not carry it through. She fainted before the service was concluded.^ ^ Mr. Skene has preserved the resigned to her distress, but has following note -written on this been visited by many fainting fits, day: — "I take the advantage of Mr. the effect, I am told, of weakness, Ramsay's return to Edinburgh to over-exertion, and distress of mind, answer your kind letter. It would Her brothers are both here— Walter have done no good to have brought having arrived from Ireland yester- you here when I could not have day in time to assist at the viunus enjoyed your company, and there inane ; their presence will do her were enough friends here to ensure much good, but I cannot think of everything being properly adjusted, leaving her till Monday next, nor Anne, contrary to a natural weak- could I do my brethren mucli good ness of temper, is quite quiet and by coming to town, having still that 198 JOUENAL. [May May 24. — Slept wretchedly, or ratlier waked wretchedly, all night, and was very sick and bilious in consequence, and scarce able to hold up my head with pain. A walk, how- ever, with my sons did me a great deal of good ; indeed their society is the greatest support the world can afford me. Their ideas of everything are so just and honourable, kind towards their sisters, and affectionate to me, tliat I must be grateful to God for sparing them to me, and continue to battle with the world for their sakes, if not for my own. May 25. — I had sound sleep to-night, and waked with little or nothing of the strange, dreamy feeling which made me for some days feel like one bewildered in a country where mist or snow has disguised those features of the land- scape which are best known to him. Walter leaves me to-day ; he seems disposed to take in- terest in country affairs, which will be an immense resource, supposing him to tire of the army in a few years. Charles, he and I, went up to Ashestiel to call upon the Misses Eussell, who have kindly promised to see Anne on Tuesday. This evening Walter left us, being anxious to return to his wife as well as to his regiment. We expect he will be here early in autumn, with his household. May 26. — A rough morning, and makes me think of St. George's Channel, which Walter must cross to-night or to-morrow to get to Athlone. The wind is almost due east, however, and the channel at the narrowest point between Port-Patrick and Donaghadee. His absence is a great blank in our circle, especially, I tliink, to liis sister Anne, to whom he shows invariably much kindness. But indeed they do so without exception each towards the other ; and in weal or stunned and giddy feeling which "Mr. Ramsay, who I find is a great calamities necessarily produce, friend of yours, appears an excellent It will soon give way to my usual young man. — My kind love to Mrs. state of mind, and my friends will Skene, and am always, yours truly, not find me much different from " Waltek JScuTT. what I have usually been. "Abbotsford, 2ZdMay." 1826.] JOUEXAL. 190 woe have shown themselves a family of love. No per- suasion could force on Walter any of his poor mother's ornaments for his wife. He undid a reading-glass from the gold chain to which it was suspended, and agreed to give the glass to Jane, hut woukl on no account retain the chain. I will go to town on Monday and resume my labours. Being of a grave nature, they cannot go against the general temper of my feelings, and in other respects the exertion, as far as I am concerned, will do me good ; besides, I must re-establish my fortune for the sake of the children, and of my own character. I have not leisure to indulge the dis- abling and discouraging thoughts that press on me. Were an enemy coming upon my house, would I not do my best to fight, although oppressed in spirits, and shall a similar despondency prevent me from mental exertion ? It shall not, by Heaven ! This day and to-morrow I give to the currency of the ideas which have of late occupied my mind, and with Monday they shall be mingled at least with other thoughts and cares. Last night Charles and I walked late on the terrace at Kaeside, when the clouds seemed accumu- lating in the wildest masses both on the Eildon Hills and other mountains in the distance. This rough morning reads the riddle. Dull, drooping, cheerless has the day been. I cared not to carry my own gloom to the girls, and so sate in my own room, dawdling with old papers, which awakened as many stings as if they had been the nest of fifty scorpions. Then the solitude seemed so absolute — my poor Charlotte would have been in the room half-a-score of times to see if the fire burned, and to ask a hundred kind questions. Well, that is over — and if it cannot be forgotten, must be remembered with patience. May 27. — A sleepless night. It is time I should be up and be doing, and a sleepless night sometimes furnishes good ideas. Alas ! I have no companion now witli whom I can 200 JOUENAL. [May communicate to relieve the loneliness of these watches of the night. But I must not fail myself and my family — and the necessity of exertion becomes apparent. I must try a liors d'ceuvrc, something that can go on between the neces- sary intervals of iWijj, Mrs. M[urray] K[eitli's] Tale of the Deserter, with her interview with the lad's mother, may be made most affecting, but will hardly endure much expansion.^ The framework may be a Highland tour, under the guar- dianship of the sort of postilion, whom Mrs. M. K. described to me — a species of conductor who regulated the motions of his company, made their halts, and was their cicerone. May 28. — I wrote a few pages yesterday, and then walked. I believe the description of the old Scottish lady may do, but the change has been unceasingly rung upon Scottish subjects of late, and it strikes me that the intro- ductory matter may be considered as an imitation of Wash- ington Irving. Yet not so neither. In short, I will go on, to-day make a dozen of close pages ready, and take J. B.'s advice. I intend the work as an olla ijodrida, into which any species of narrative or discussion may be thrown. I wrote easily, I think the exertion has done me good. I slept sound last night, and at waking, as is usual with me, I found I had some clear views and thoughts upon the sub- ject of this trifling work. I wonder if others find so strongly as I do the truth of the Latin proverb, Aurora musis arnica. If I forget a thing over-night, I am sure to recollect it as my eyes open in the morning. The same if I want an idea, or am encumbered by some difliculty, the moment of waking always supplies the deficiency, or gives me courage to en- dure the alternative.^ May 29. — To-day I leave for Edinburgh this house of sorrow. In the midst of such distress, I have the great pleasure to see Anne regaining her health, and showing both ^ The H'Kjhland Widoic, Waverley Novels, vol. xli. 2 See Fel)ruary 10, 1S2G. 1826.] JOUENAL. 201 patience and steadiness of mind. God continue this, for my own sake as well as hers. Much of my future comfort must depend upon her. [Bdinhurr/h,] May 30. — Eeturned to town last night with Charles. This morning resume ordinary habits of rising early, working in the morning, and attending the Court. All will come easily round. But it is at first as if men looked strange on me, and bit their lip when they wring my hand, and indicated suppressed feelings. It is natural this should be — undoubtedly it has been so with me. Yet it is strange to find one's-self resemble a cloud which darkens gaiety wherever it interposes its chilling shade. Will it be better when, left to my own feelings, I see the whole world pipe and dance around me ? I think it will. This sympathy intrudes on my private affliction. I finished correcting the proofs for the Quarterly ; it is but a flimsy article, but then the circumstances were most untoward. This has been a melancholy day, most melancholy. I am afraid poor Charles found me weeping. I do not know what other folks feel, but with me the hysterical passion that impels tears is of terrible violence — a sort of throttling sensation — then succeeded by a state of dreaming stupidity, in which I ask if my poor Charlotte can actually be dead. I think I feel my loss more than at the first blow. Poor Charles wishes to come back to study here when his term ends at Oxford. I can see the motive. 3Iay 31. — The melancholy hours of yesterday must not return. To encourage that dreamy state of incapacity is to resign all authority over the mind, and I have been M'ont to say — " My mind to me a kingdom is." ^ 1 This excellent philosophical in the sixteenth century. — Percy's song appears to have been famous Bellques, vol. i. 307.— J.u.L. 202 JOUENAL. [May 1826. I am rigliiful monarch ; and, God to aid, I will not Lo dethroned by any rebellious passion that may rear its standard against me. Such are morning thoughts, strong as carle-hemp — says Burns — " Come, firm Resolve, take thou tlie van, Thou stalk of c.irle-henip in man." Charles went by the steam-boat this morning at six. "We parted last night mournfully on both sides. Poor boy, this is his first serious sorrow. AVrote this morning a Memorial on the Claims which Constable's people prefer as to the copyrights of Woodstock and Napoleon} ^ See June 2. JUNK June 1. — -Yesterday I also linished a few tiitling memo- randa ou a book called llic Omen, at Blackwood's request. There is something in the work which pleases me, and the style is good, though the story is not artfully conducted. I dined yesterday in family wuth Skene, and had a visit from Lord Chief-Commissioner ; we met as mourners under a common calamity. There is something extremely kind in his disposition. Sir E. D[undas] offers me three days of the country next week, which tempts me strongly were it but the prospect of seeing Anne. But I think I must resist and say with Tilburina, " Duty, I 'm all thine own." ^ If I do this I shall deserve a holiday about the 15tli June, and I think it is best to wait till then. June 2. — A pleasant letter from Sophia, poor girl ; all doing well there, for which God be praised. I wrote a good task yesterday, five pages, which is nearly double the usual stint. I am settled that I will not go to Abbotsford till to- morrow fortnight. I might have spared myself the trouble of my self-denial, for go I cannot, Hamilton having a fit of gout. Gibson seems in high spirits on the views I have given to him on the nature of Constable and Co.'s claim. It amounts to this, that being no longer accountable as publishers, they cannot claim the character of such, or plead upon any claim ^ Sheridan's Critic, Act iv. Sc. 2. 203 204 JOUr.NAL. [June arising out of the contracts entered into while they held that capacity. June 3. — I was much disturbed this morning by bile and its consequences, and lost so much sleep that I have been rather late in rising by way of indemnification. I must go to the map and study the Italian campaigns instead of scribblin<^ June 4.- — I wrote a good task yesterday, and to-day a great one, scarce stirring from the desk the whole day, except a few minutes wdien Lady Eae called. I was glad to see my wife's old friend, with wliom in early life we had so many liaisons. I am not sure it is right to work so hard ; but a man must take himself, as well as other people, when he is in the humour. A man will do twice as much at one time and in half the time, and twice as well as he will be able to do at another. People are always crying out about method, and in some respects it is good, and shows to great advantage among men of business, but I doubt if men of method, who can lay aside or take up the pen just at the hour appointed, wdll ever be better than poor creatures. Lady L[ouisa] S[tuart] used to tell me of Mr. Hoole, the translator of Tasso and Ariosto, and in that capacity a noble transmuter of gold into lead, that he was a clerk in the India House, with long ruffles and a snuff- coloured suit of clothes, who occasionally visited her father [John, Earl of Bute]. She sometimes conversed with him, and was amused to find that he did exactly so many coup- lets day by day, neither more or less ; and habit had made it light to him, however heavy it might seem to the reader. Well, but if I lay down the pen, as the pain in my breast hints that I should, what am I to do ? If I think, why, I shall weep — and that 's nonsense ; and I have no friend now — none — to receive my tediousness for half-an- hour of the gloaming. Let me be grateful — I have good news from Abbotsford. 1826.] JOUENAL. 205 June 5. — Though this be Monday, I am not able to feague it away, as Bayes says.^ Between correcting proofs and writing letters, I have got as yet but two pages written, and that with labour and a sensation of pain in the chest. I may be bringing on some serious disease by working thus hard ; if I had once justice done to other folks, I do not much care, only I would not like to suffer long pain. Harden made me a visit. He argued with me that Lord M. affiched his own importance too much at the election, and says Henry is anxious about it. I hinted to him the necessity of counter-balancing it the next time, which will be soon. Thomson also called about the Bannatyne Club. These two interruptions did me good, though I am still a poor wretch. After all, I have fagged through six pages ; and made poor Wurmser lay down his sword on the glacis of Mantua — and my head aches — my eyes ache — my back aches — so does my breast — and I am sure my heart aches, and what can Duty ask more ? June 6. — I arose much better this mornino- having taken some medicine, which has removed the strange and aching feeling in my back and breast. I believe it is from the diaphragm ; it must be looked to, however. I have not yet breakfasted, yet have cleared half my day's work hold- ing it at the ordinary stint. Worked hard. John Swinton, my kinsman, came to see 1 Buckingham's Ildiearsal. — The In some subsequent editions the expression "To Feague" does not words are: — " I lay my head close occur in the first edition, where the to it with a anvff-hox In my hand, passage stands thus : — and 1 feague it away. I' faith. " ^' Phys. — When a knotty point lam indebted to Dr. Murray for comes, I lay my head close to it, this reference, which he kindly -with a pijoe of tobacco in my mouth furnished me Avith from the mate- and then ivheiv it awa}^ I' faith. rials collected for his great Eng- " Bayes. — I do just so, i' gal, lish Dictionary, always." Act ii. Sc. 4. 206 JOUEISTAL. [June me, — very kind and affectionate in his manner ; my heart always warms to that Swinton connection, so faitliful to old Scottish feelincjs. Harden was also with me. I talked with him about what Lord M. did at the election ; I find that he disapproves — I see these visits took place on the 5th. June 7. — Again a day of hard work, only at half-past eight I went to the Dean of Faculty's to a consultation about Constable/ and met with said Dean and Mr. [J. S.] More and J. Gibson. I find they have as high hope of success as lawyers ought to express ; and I think I know how our profession speak when sincere. I cannot interest myself deeply in it. When I had come home from such a business, I used to carry the news to poor Charlotte, who dressed her face in sadness or mirth as she saw the news affect me ; this hangs lightly about me. I had almost forgot the appointment, if J. G. had not sent me a card, I passed a piper in the street as I went to the Dean's and could not help giving him a shilling to play Pibroch a Donuil Dhu for luck's sake — what a child I am ! June 8. — Bilious and headache this morning. A dog liowl'd all night and left me little sleep. Poor cur ! I dare say he had his distresses, as I have mine. I was obliged to make Dalgleish shut the windows when he appeared at half-past six, as usual, and did not rise till nine, when me void. I have often deserved a headache in my younger days without having one, and Nature is, I suppose, paying off old scores. Ay, but then the want of the affectionate care that used to be ready, with lowered voice and stealthy pace, to smooth the pillow — and offer condolence and as- sistance, — gone — gone — for ever — ever — ever. Well, there is another world, and we'll meet free from the mortal 1 This alludes to the claim ad- Advocates was at that time George vanced by the creditors of Con- Cranstoun, afterwards a judge on stable and Co, to the copyright the Scottish Bench under the title of Woodstorl: a.iu\ the Life of Napo- of Lord Corehousc, from 182G until leon. Tlio Dean of tlic Faculty of 1839, when he retired ; he died 1850. 1826.] JOITENAL. 207 sorrows and frailties which beset us here. Amen, so he it. Let me change the to^iic with hand and head, and the heart must follow. I think that sitting so many days and working so hard may have brought on this headache. I must inflict a walk on myself to-day. Strange that what is my delight in the country is here a sort of penance ! Well, but now I think on it, I will go to the Chief-Baron and try to get his Lord- ship's opinion about the question with Constable ; if I carry it, as there is, I trust, much hope I shall, Mr. Gibson says there will be funds to divide 6s. in the pound, without count- ing upon getting anything from Constable or Hurst, but sheer hard cash of my own. Such another pull is possible, especially if Boncy succeeds, and the rogue had a knack at success. Such another, I say, and we touch ground I believe, for surely Constable, Eobinson, etc., must pay something; the struggle is worth waring ^ a headache upon. I finished five pages to-day, headache, laziness, and all. Jtme 9. — Corrected a stubborn proof this morning. These battles have been the death of many a man — I think they will be mine. "Well but it clears to windward ; so we will fag on. Slept well last night. By the way, how intolerably selfish this Journal makes me seem — so much attention to one's naturals and non-naturals ! Lord Mackenzie ^ called, and we had much chat about business. The late regulations for preparing cases in the Outer-House do not work well, and thus our old machinery, which was very indifferent, is succeeded by a kind that will hardly move at all. Mac- kenzie says his business is trebled, and that he cannot keep it up. I question whether the extreme strictness of rules of court be advisable • in practice they are always evaded, ^ i.e. spending. from 1S2'2; lie died at the age of ^ The eldcft son of * The, ]\faii sovcnty-four in IS.")!. of Feelinij." Ho had been a judge 208 JOURNAL. [JuxXE upon an equitable showing. I do not, for instance, lodge a paper dcbito tempore, and for an accident happening, perhaps through the blunder of a Writer's apprentice, I am to lose my cause. The penalty is totally disproportioned to the delict, and the consequence is, that means are found out of evasion by legal fictions and the like. The judges listen to these ; they become frequent, and the rule of Court ends by being a scarecrow merely. Formerly, delays of this kind were checked by corresponding amendes. But the Court relaxed this petty fine too often. Had they been more strict, and levied the mulct on the agents, with no recourse upon their clients, the abuse might have been remedied. I fear the present rule is too severe to do much good. One effect of running causes fast through the Courts below is, that they go by scores to appeal, and Lord Gifford ^ has hitherto decided them with such judgment, and so much rapidity, as to give great satisfaction. The consequence will in time be, that the Scottish Supreme Court will be in effect situated in London. Then down fall — as national objects of respect and veneration — the Scottish Bench, the Scottish Bar, the Scottish Law herself, and — and — " there is an end of an auld sang."- Were I as I have been, I would fight knee- deep in blood ere it came to that. But it is a catastrophe which the great course of events brings daily nearer — "And wlio can help it, Dick % " I shall always be proud of Malaclii as having headed back the Southron, or helped to do so, in one instance at least. June 10. — This was an unusual teind-day at Court. In the morning and evening I corrected proofs — four sheets in number ; and 1 wrote my task of three pages and a little more. Three pages a day will come, at Constable's rate, to ^ Baron Gifford died a few montlis in the antumn of 1825. later, viz., in Sept. 18*26; he had - Speech of Lord Chancellor Sea- been Attorney-General in 1819, and field on the ratification of the Chief-Justice in 1824. Lord and Scottisli Union. — See Mi.sceU. Pro.se Lady Gifford had visited Abhotsford H'o'^'s'. vol xxv. p. 93. 1826.] JOUENAL. L'09 about £12,000 to £15,000 per year. They have sent their claim ; it does not frighten nie a bit. June 11. — Bad dreams about poor Charlotte. Woke, thinking my old and inseparable friend beside me ; and it was only when I was fully awake that I could persuade myself that she was dark, low, and distant, and that my bed was widowed. I believe the phenomena of dreaming are in a great measure occasioned by the double touch, which takes place when one hand is crossed in sleep upon another. Each gives and receives the impression of touch to and from the other, and this complicated sensation our sleeping fancy ascribes to the agency of another being, when it is in fact produced by our own limbs acting on each other. Well^ here croes — incumhite rcviis. June 12. — Finished volume third of Napoleon. I resumed it on the 1st of June, the earliest period that I could bend my mind to it after my great loss. Since that time I have lived, to be sure, the life of a hermit, except attending the Court live days in the w^eek for about three hours on an average. Except at that time I have been reading or writing on the subject of Boney, and have finished last night, and sent to printer this morning tlie last sheets of fifty-two written since 1st June. It is an awful screed; but grief makes me a house-keeper, and to labour is my only resource. Ballantyne thinks well of the work — very well, but I shall [expect] inaccuracies. An' it were to do again, I would get some one to look it over. But who could that some one Ije ? Whom is there left of human race that I could hold such close intimacy with? No one. '' Tanncguy die Clidtcl, OIL csdiif"'^ Worked five pages. June 13. — I took a walk out last evening after tea, and called on Lord Chief-Commissioner and the Macdonald Buchanans, that kind and friendly clan. The heat is very great, and the wrath of the bugs in proportion. Two hours last night I was kept in an absolute fever. I must make ^ See Mor^ri's Diclioiinairc, Art. " Tauucguy du Chiilcl.'' O 210 JOUENAL. [June some arrangement for winter. Great pity my old furniture \vas sold in sucli a hurry ! The wiser way would have been to have let the house furnished. But it's all one in the Greek. " Fcccavi, pcccavi, dies quidem sine lined ! " I walked to make calls ; got cruelly hot ; drank ginger-Leer ; wrote letters. Then as I was going to dinner, enter a big splay-footed, trifle-headed, old pottering minister, who came to annoy nie about a claim which one of his parishioners has to be Earl of Annandale, and which he conceits to be established out of the Border Minstrelsy. He mentioned a curious thing — that three brothers of the Johnstone family, on whose descendants the male representation of these great Border chiefs devolved, were forced to fly to the north in conse- quence of their feuds with the INIaxwells, and agreed to change their names. They slept on the side of the Soutra Hills, and asking a shepherd the name of the place, agreed in future to call themselves Sowtra or Sowter Johnstones. The old pudding-headed man could not comprehend a word I either asked him or told him, and maundered till I wished him in the Annandale beef-stand.^ Mr. Gibson came in ^ An example of Scott's wonder- fist effectually indicated. It Avas ful patience, and his power of nti- some years since we had been slii})- lising hints gathered from the most mates, he had since visited almost unpromising materials. Apropos every quarter of the globe, but he of this Mr. Skene relates : — "In shook his head, and looked serious one of onr frequent walks to the when he came to mention his last pier of Leith, to wliich the fresh- trip. He had commanded a whaler, ness of the sea breeze offered a and having been for weeks exposed strong inducement to those ac- to great stress of weather iu the customed to pass a few of the polar regions, finally terminated in morning hours within the close the total loss of his vessel, with and impure atmosphere of the most of her equipage, in the course Court of Session, I happened to of a dark tempestuous night. AVhen meet with, and to recognise, the thrown on her beam-ends, my friend Master of a vessel in which I had had been washed overboard, and in sailed in the Mediterranean. Our his struggles to keep himself above recognition of each other seemed to water had got iiold of a piece of ice, give mutual satisfaction, as the on the top of which he at length cordial grasp of the seaman's hard succeeded in raising himself — 'and 1826.] JOUENAL. 211 after tea, and we talked business. Then I was lazy and stupid, and dosed over a book instead of writing. So on the whole, Confiteor, confiteor, culya oiica, culpa mca ! June 14. — In the morning I began with a page and a half before breakfast. This is always the best way. You stand there I was, sir, on a cursed dark in comijany together ; I was not near Sir Walter at table, but in the course of the evening my attention "vvas called to listen to a narrative with \\hich he was entertauiing those around him, and he seemed as usual to have excited the eager interest of his hearers. The com- mencement of the story I had not heard, but soon perceived that a shipwreck was the theme, which he described with all the vivid touches of his fancy, marshalling the incidents and striking features of the situation with a degree of dexterity that seemed to bring all the horrors of a polar storm home to every one's mind, and although it occurred to me that our rencontre in the mornmgwith the shipwrecked Whaler might have recalled a simi- lar story to his recollection, it was not until he came to mention the tea- table of ice that I recognised the identity of my friend's tale, which had luxuriated to such an extent in the fertile soil of the poet's imagina- tion, as to have left the original germ in comparative insignificance. He cast a glance towards me at the close, and observed, with a signifi- cant nod, 'You see, you did not hear one-half of that honest seaman's story this morning.' It was such slender hints, which in the common intercourse of life must have hourly dropped on the soil of his retentive memory, that fed the exuberance of Sir Walter's invention, and supplied the seemingly inexhaustible stream of fancy, from which he drew forth sir, dirty night, squatted on a round lump of floating ice, for all the world like a tea-table adrift in the middle of a stormy sea, without being able to see whether there was any hope within sight, and having enough ado to hold on, cold as my seat was, with sometimes one end of me in the water, and sometimes the other, as the ill-fashioned crank thing kept whirling, and whomeling about all night. However, praised be God, daylight had not been long in, when a boat's crew on the outlook hove in sight, and taking me for a basking seal, and maybe I was not unlike that same, up they came of themselves, for neither voice nor hand had I to signal them, and if they lost their blubber, faith, sir, they did get a willing prize on board ; so, after just a little bit glifF of a prayer for the mercy that sent them to my help, I soon came to myself again, and now that I am landed safe and sound, I am walking about, ye see, like a gentleman, till I get some new craft to tiy the trade again.' — Sir Walter, who was leaning on my arm diiriug this narrative, had not taken any share in the dialogue, and kept gazing to seaward, with his usual heavy, absorbed expression, and only joined in wishing the sea- man better success in his next trip as we parted. However, the detail had by no means escaped his notice, but dropping into the fertile soil of his mind, speedily yielded fruit, quite characteristic of his habits. We happened that evening to dine at pleasure the ground-work of romance." — licminisctnces. 212 JOURNAL. [June like a child going to be bathed, shivering and shaking till the first pitcherful is flung about your ears, and then are as blithe as a water-wagtail. I am just come home from Par- liament House ; and now, my friend Na^o., have at you with a down-right blow ! IMethinks I would fain make peace with my conscience by doing six pages to-night. Bought a little bit of Gruyere cheese, instead of our domestic choke-dog con- cern. When did I ever purchase anything for my own eating ? But I will say no more of that. And now to the tread-mill. June 15. — I laboured all the evening, but made little way. There were many books to consult; and so all I could really do was to make out my task of three pages. I will try to make up the deficit of Tuesday to-day and to-morrow. Letters from Walter — all well. A visit yesterday fiom Charles Sharpe. June 16. — Yesterday sate in the Court till nearly four. I had, of course, only time for my task. I fear I will liave little more to-day, fur I have accepted to dine at Hector's. I got, yesterday, a present of two engravings from Sir Henry Eaeburn's j)ortrait of me, which (poor fellow !) was the last he ever painted, and certainly not his worst.^ I had the pleasure to give one to young Mr. Davidoff for his uncle, the celebrated Black Captain of the campaign of 1812. Curious that he should be interested in getting the resemblance of a person whose mode of attaining some distinction has been very different. But I am sensible, that if there be anything good about my ^ Painted for Lord Montagu in Hirscl, Coldstream. Tlie cngrav- 1822. — See Lifa, vol. vii. p. 13. ing referred to Avas made from the Raeburn apparently executed two replica, which remained in the "half lengths" of Scott almost artist's possession, by Mr. Walker, identical at this tiane, giving Lord and published in 1S2G. Sir Henry Montagu his choice. The picture Eaeburn died in July 1823, and I chosen remained at Ditton, near do not know what became of the Windsor, until 1845, when at Lord original, which may be identified by ^Montagu's death it became the an oIKcial cliain round the neck, property of his son-in-law, the Eai'l not introduced in the Montagu of Hou;c, and it is now ( 1SS9) at the picture, 182G.] JOUENAL. 213 poetry or prose either, it is a hurried frankness of com- position which pleases soldiers, sailors, and young people of bold and active disposition. I have been no sigher in shades — no writer of " Songs and sonnets and rustical roundelays, Framed on fancies, and whistled on reeds." ^ [Ahhotsford, Saturday,'] June 17. — Left Edinburgh to-day after Parliament House to come [here]. My two girls met me at Torsonce, which was a pleasant surprise, and we re- turned in the sociable all together. Found everything right and well at Abbotsford under the new regime. T a^ain took possession of the family bedroom and my widowed couch. This was a sore trial, but it was necessary not to blink such a resolution. Indeed, I do not like to have it thought that there is any w^ay in which I can be beaten.^ June 18. — Tliis morning wrote till half-twelve — good day's work — at Canongatc Chronicles. Methinks I can make this work answer. Then drove to Huntly Burn and called at Chiefswood. Walked home. The country crying for rain ; yet on the whole the weather delicious, dry, and warm, with a fine air of wind. The young woods are rising in a kind of profusion I never saw elsewhere. Let me once clear off these encumbrances, and they shall wave broader and deeper yet. But to attain this I must vjork. Wrought very fair accordingly till two ; then walked ; after dinner out again with the girls. Smoked two cigars, first time these two months. Jime 19. — Wrought very fair indeed, and the day being scorching we dined al fresco in the hall among the armour, and went out early in the evening. Walked to the lake 1 Song of 'J'Jir Ifimtinr/ of the says Mrs. More, " that she prayed Hare. — j. o. l, with great comijosure, then went ^ This entry reminds one of and kissed the dear bed, and got Hannali More's account of Mrs. into it with a sad pleasure." — See (lanick's conduct after licr hus- ]\remotrs of Jlfm. More, vol. i. p. })amrs funeral. "She told me," 135. — J. g. L. 214 JOUENAL. ;juNE and liack again by the Marie pool ; very delightful eveninf'. June 20. — This is also a hard-working day. Hot weather is favourable for application, were it not that it makes the composer sleepy. Pray God the reader may not partake the sensation ! But days of hard work make short journals. To-day we again dine in the hall, and drive to Ashestiel in the evening pour prendre le frais. June 21 — We followed the same course we proposed. For a party of pleasure I have attended to business well. Twenty pages of Croftangry, five printed pages each, attest my diligence, and I have had a delightful variation by the company .of the two Annes. Eegulated my little expenses here. [Udmhiirgh,] June 22. — Eeturned to my Patmos. Heard good news from Lockhart. Wife well, and John Hugh better. He mentions poor Southey testifying much interest for me, even to tears. It is odd — am I so hard-hearted a man ? I could not have wept for him, though in distress I would have gone any length to serve him. I sometimes think I do not deserve people's good opinion, for certainly my feelings arc rather guided by reflection than impulse. Put everybody has his own mode of expressing interest, and mine is stoical even in bitterest grief. Agere atque pati Momanum est. I hope I am not the worse for wanting the tenderness that I see others possess, and which is so amiable. I think it does not cool my wish to be of use where I can. But the truth is, I am better at enduring or acting than at consoling. From childhood's earliest hour my heart rebelled au-ainst the influence of external circumstances in myself and otliers. Non est tanti ! To-day I was detained in the Court from half-past ten till near four; yet I finished and sent off a packet to Cadell, which will finish onc-tliird of the Chronicles^ vol. Lst. Henry Scott came in while I was at dinner, and sat 1826.] JOUENAL. 215 while I ate my beef-steak. A gourmand would think mo much at a loss, coming back to my ploughman's meal of boiled beef and Scotch broth, from the rather rcchcrcM table at Abbotsford, but I have no philosophy in my carelessness on that score. It is natural — thouuh I am no ascetic, as my father was. June 23. — The heat tremendous, and the drought threatening the hay and barley crop. Got from the Court at half-twelve, and walked to the extremity of Heriot Eow to see poor Lady Don ; left my card as she does not re- ceive any one. I am glad this painful meeting is adjourned. I received to-day £10 from Blackwood for the article on The Omen. Time was I would not have taken these small tithes of mint and cummin, but scornful dogs will eat dirty puddings, and I, with many depending on me, must do the best I can with my time — God help me ! \_Blair-Adam,'\ June 24. — Left Edinburgh yesterday after the Court, half-past twelve, and came over here with the Lord Chief-Baron and William Clerk, to spend as usual a day or two at Blair-Adam. In general, this is a very gay affair. We hire a light coach-and-four, and scour the country in every direction in quest of objects of curiosity. But the Lord Chief-Commissioner's family misfortunes and my own make our holiday this year of a more quiet description than usual, and a sensible degree of melanclioly hangs on tlie reunion of our party. It was wise, liowever, not to omit it, for to slacken your hold on life in any agreeable point of connection is the sooner to reduce yourself to the in- difference and passive vegetation of old age. Jimc 25. — Another melting day ; thermometer at 78° even here. 80° was the height yesterday at Edinburgh. If we attempt any active proceeding we dissolve ourselves into a dew. We have lounged away the morning creeping about the place, sitting a great deal, and walking as little as miirht be on account of the heat. 21 G JOUENAL. [Junk Blair-Adam has been successively in possession of three generations of persons attached to and skilled in the art of embellishment, and may be fairly taken as a place where art and taste have done a great deal to improve nature. A long ridge of varied ground sloping to the foot of the hill called Benarty, and which originally was of a bare, mossy, boggy character, has been clothed by the son, father, and grandfather ; while the undulations and hollows, which seventy or eighty years since must have looked only like wrinkles in the black morasses, beinn now drained and limed, are skirted with deep woods, particularly of spruce, which thrives wonderfully, and covered with excellent grass. "We drove in the droskie and walked in tlie evening. June 26. — Another day of unmitigated heat; thermo- meter 82 ; must be liigher in Edinburgh, where I return to-nifdit, when the decline of the sun makes travellini? practicable. It will be well for my work to be tliere — not quite so well for me ; there is a difference between the clean, nice arrangement of Blair-Adam and Mrs. Brown's accommodations, though he who is insured against worse has no right to complain of them. But the studious neatness of poor Charlotte has perhaps made me fastidious. She loved to see things clean, even to Oriental scrupulosity. So oddly do our deep recollections of other kinds correspond with the most petty occurrences of our life. Lord Chief- Baron told us a stor}' of the ruling passion strong in death. A Master in Chancery was on his death- bed — a very wealthy man. Some occasion of great urgency occurred in which it was necessary to make an affidavit, and the attorney, missing one or two other IMasters, whom lie inquired after, ventured to ask if Mr. would be able to receive the deposition. The proposal seemed to give liim momentary strength ; liis clerk sent for, and the oatli taken in due form, llio Master was lifted u]) in l)od, and witli difficulty subscribed the paper; as lie sank down again, 1826.] JOURXAL. 217 he made a signal to his clerk — " Wallace." — " Sir ? " — " Your ear — lower — lower. Have you got the Iwlf-croicn ? " He was dead before morning. l^Edinhurgh^ June 27. — Eeturued to Edinburgh late last night, and had a most sweltering night of it. This day also cruel hot. However, I made a task or nearly so, and read a good deal about the Egyptian Expedition. Had comfort- able accounts of Anne, and through her of Sophia. Dr. Shaw doubts if anything is actually the matter with poor Johnnie's back. I hope the dear child will escape deformity, and the infirmities attending that helpless state. I have myself been able to fight up very well, notwithstanding my lameness, but it has cost great efforts, and I am besides very strong. Dined with Colin Mackenzie ; a fine family all growing up about him, turning men and women, and treading fast on our heels. Some thunder and showers which I fear will be but partial. Hot — hot — hot. Jimc 28. — Another hot morning, and something like an idle day, though I have read a good deal. But I have slept also, corrected proofs, and prepared for a great start, by filling myself with facts and ideas. June 29. — I walked out for an hour last night, and made one or two calls — the evening was delightful — " Day its sultry fires had -wasted, Calm and cool the moonbeam rose ; Even a captive's bosom tasted Half oblivion of his woes." ^ I wonder often how Tom Campbell, with so much real genius, has not maintained a greater figure in the public eye than he has done of late. The Magazine seems to have paralysed him. The author, not only of the Pleasures of Hope, Ijut of Hohcnlmden, LocMel, etc., should have been at the very top of the tree. Somehow ho wants audacity, fears ^ Camplieirs Turkish Lady Mngazhie, but lie soon gave it up. slightly altered. The poet "was — j.c.l. then editor of the Ne%v Monthly 218 JOURNAL. [June the public, and, what is worse, fears the shadow of liis own reputation. He is a great corrector too, which succeeds as ill in composition as in education. Many a clever boy is flogged into a dunce, and many an original composition cor- rected into mediocrity. Yet Tom Campbell ought to have done a great deal more. His youthful promise was great. John Leyden introduced, me to him. They afterwards quar- relled. When I repeated Hohcnlindcn to Leyden, he said, "Dash it, man, tell the fellow that I hate him, but, dash him, he has written the finest verses that have been pub- lished these fifty years." I did mine errand as faithfully as one of Homer's messengers, and had for answer, "Tell Leyden that I detest him, but I know the value of his critical approbation." This feud was therefore in the way of being taken up. " When Leyden comes back from India," said Tom Campbell, " what cannibals he will have eaten and what tigers he will have torn to pieces !" Gave a poor poetess £l. Gibson writes me that £2300 is offered for the poor house ; it is worth £300 more, but I will not oppose my own opinion, or convenience to good and well-meant counsel: so farewell, poor No. 39. What a portion of my life has been spent there ! It has sheltered me from the prime of life to its decline ; and now I must bid good-bye to it. I have bid good-bye to my poor wife, so long its courteous and kind mistress, — and I need not care about the empty rooms ; yet it gives me a turn. I have been so long a citizen of Edinburgh, now an indweller only. Never mind ; all in the day's work. J. Ballantyne and E. CadelL dined with me, and, as Pepys would say, all was very handsome. Drank amongst us one bottle of champagne, one of claret, a glass or two of port, and each a tumbler of whisky toddy. J. B. had courage to drink his with liot water ; mine was iced. June 30. — Here is anotlinr dreadful warm day, fit for noltody Init the Hies. And then one is confined to town. 1826.] JOURNAL. 219 Yesterday I agreed to let Cadell have the new work,^ edition 1500, he paying all charges, and paying also £500 — two hundred and fifty at Lammas, to pay J. Cribson money advanced on the passage of young Walter, my nephew, to India. It is like a thorn in one's eye this sort of debt, and Gibson is young in business, and somewhat involved in my affairs besides. Our plan is, that this same Miscellany or Chronicle shall be committed quietly to the public, and we hope it will attract attention. If it does not, we must turn public attention to it ourselves. About one half of vol. i. is written, and there is w^orse abomination, or I mistake the matter. I was detained in Court till four ; dreadfully close, and obliged to drink w\ater for refreshment, which formerly I used to scorn, even on the moors, with a burning August sun, tlie heat of exercise, and a hundred springs gusliing around me. ■ Corrected proofs, etc., on my return. I think I have conquered the trustees' objections to carry on the small edition of novels. Got Cadell's letter about the Chronicle. ^ Viz. : the first series of Chro- by the author of Waverley, Tales of nicies of the. Canongaic, which was the Crusaders, etc. "Hewa,savery published in 1S27. The title ori- perfect gentle knight " (Chaucer), ginally proposed was The Canon- Edinburgh : Printed for Archibald ffale Miscellawj or Traditions of the Constable and Co., Edinburgh ; Sanctuary. and Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Troodsfoci had just been launched and Green, London, 1826. (At the under the following title : — Wood- end) Edinburgh : Printed by .James sfocl-, or the Cavalier ; a Talc of the Ballantyne and Co. 3 vols, post Year Sixteen Hundred and Fifty -one, 8vo. - , . JULY. [Fdinhi7yh,] July 1st. — Another sunny clay. This threatens absolutely Syrian drought. As the Selkirk election comes on Monday, I go out to-day to Abbotsford, and carry young Davidoff and his tutor with me, to see our quiet way of managing the choice of a national representative. I wrote a page or two last night slumbrously. l^Abljotsford,'] July 2. — Late at Court. Got to Abbotsford last night with Count Davidoff about eight o'clock. I worked a little this morning, then had a long and warm walk. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton from Chiefswood, the present in- habitants of Lockhart's cottage, dined with us, which made the society pleasant. He is a fine, soldierly-looking man ^ — though affected with paralysis — his wife a sweet good- humoured little woman. He is supposed to be a writer in Blackwood's Magazine. Since we were to lose the Lockharts, we could scarce have had more agreeable folks. At Selkirk, where Borthwickbrae was elected with the usual unanimity of the Forest freeholders. This was a sight to my young Muscovite. We M'alkcd in the evening to the lake. July 5. — Still very hot, but with thunder showers. Wrote till breakfast, then walked and signed the death- warrant of a number of old firs at Abbotstown. I hope their deaths will prove useful. Their lives are certainly not ornamental. Young Mr. Davidoff entered upon the cause of the late discontents in Piussia, which lie imputes to a ^ Thomas IFiimilton, E!S(|. (l)ro- Thornton, Men and Manners in tlicr of ,Sir William Hamilton, the America, Annals of the Peninsular Metaphysician), author of Cijril Campaitjn, etc. Died in 1S42. 220 182G.] " JOUPtNAL. 221 deep-seated Jacobin conspiracy to overthrow the state and empire and establish a government hy consuls. [Bdinhiirffh,'] Jiihj G. — lieturned last night with my frozen Muscovites to the Capital, and suffered as usual from the incursions of the black horse during the nioht. It was absolute fever. A bunch of letters, but little interestinrj. Mr. Barry Cornwall ^ writes to condole with me. I think our acquaintance scarce warranted this ; but it is well meant and modestly done. I cannot conceive the idea of forcing myself on strangers in distress, and I have half a mind to turn sharp round on some of my consolers. Came home from Court. \l. V. Gillies called ; he is writing a satire. He has a singular talent of aping the measure and tone of Byron, and this poem goes to the tune of Don Juan, but it is the Champagne after it has stood two days with the cork drawn. Thereafter came Charles K. Sharpe and Will Clerk, as Eobinson sayeth, to my exceeding refreshment.^ And last, not least, Mr. Jollie, one of the triumvirs who manage my poor matters. He consents to going on with the small edition of novels, which he did not before comprehend. All this has consumed the day, but we will make up tide-way presently. I must dress to go to Lord Medwyn^ to dinner, and it is near time. July 7. — Coming home from Lord Medwyn's last night I fell in with Willie Clerk, and went home to drink a little shrub and water, over which we chatted of old stories until half-past eleven. This morning I corrected two proofs of C[roftangr]y, which is getting on. But there must be a little check with the throng of business at the close of the session. L) — n the session ! I wish it would close its eyes for a century. It is too bad to be kept broiling here ; but, on the ^ Bryan Waller I'rocter, author " John Hay Forbes (Lord Med- oi Dramatic Scenes, and other Poems, wyn from 1825 to 1852), second son 1819. He died in London in 1874. of Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo. - A favourite exjiression of Scott's, Lord Medwyn died at the age of from liobinnQii, Crusoe. seventy-tight in 1854. 222 JOURNAL. [July other liand, wo must have the instinctive gratitude of the Laird of M'Intosh, who was for the King that gave M'Intosli lialf-a-guinea the day and half-a-guinea the morn. So I retract my malediction. Received from Blackwood to account sales of JfulacJd £72 with some odd shillings. This was for copies sold to Banks. The cask comes far from ill-timed, having to clear all odds and ends before I leave Edinburgh. This will carry me on tidily till 25th, when precepts become payable. Well ! if Malachi did me some mischief, lie must also con- tribute qitodavi modo to my comfort. Jid'i/ 8. — Wrote a good task this morning. I may be mistaken ; but I do think the tale of Elspat McTavisli ^ in my bettermost manner — but J. B. roars for chivalry. He does not quite understand that everything may be overdone in this world, or sufhciently estimate the necessity of novelty. The Hi<:,dilanders have been off the field now for some time. Returning from Court, looked into a show of wild beasts, and saw Nero the great lion, whom they had the cruelty to bait with bull-dogs, against whom the noble creature dis- dained to exert his strength. He was lying like a prince in a large cage, where you might be admitted if you wish. I had a month's mind — but was afraid of the newspapers ; I could be afraid of nothing else, for never did a creature seem more gentle and yet majestic — I longed to caress him. Wallace, the other lion, born in Scotland, seemed much less trustworthy. He handled the dogs as his name- sake did the southron. Enter a confounded Dousterswivcl, called Burschal, or some such name, patronised by John Lockhart, teacher of German and learner of English. He opened the trenches by making me a jjresent of a German work called Der Bihclischc Orient, then began to talk of literature at large ; and display his own pretensions. Asked my opinion of Gray as a poet, and wished me to ^ 77ie Jltjliland Widow. 182G.] JOUEXAL. 223 subscribe an attestation of bis own merits for tlic purpose of getting bim scbolars. As I binicd my want of acquaintance witb bis qualifications, I found I bad nearly landed myself in a proof, for be was girding up bis loins to repeated tbundering translations by bimself into German, Hebrew, until, tbinking it superfluous to stand on very mucb cere- mony witb one wbo used so little witb me, binted at letters to write, and got bim to translate bimself elsewbere. Saw a good bouse in Brunswick Street, wbicb I liked. Tbis evening supped witli Tbomas Tbomson al)out tbe affairs of tbe Bannatyne. Tbere was tbe Dean, Will Clerk, Jobn Tbomson, young Smytbe of Metbven ; very pleasant, July 9. — Eatber slumbrous to-day from baving sat up till twelve last niglit. We settled, or seemed to settle, on an election for tbe Bannatyne Club. Tbere are people wlio would wisb to confine it mucb to one party. But tbose wbo were togetber last niiibt saw it in tbe true and liberal point of view% as a great national institution, wbicb may do mucb good in tbe way of publisbing our old records, pro- viding we do not fall into tbe usual babit of antiquarians, and neglect wbat is useful for tbings tliat are merely curious. Tbomson is a liost for sucb an undertaking. I wrote a good day's work at tbe Canongate matter, notwitbstanding tbe intervention of two naps. I get sleepy oftener tban usual. It is tbe weatber I suppose — Nahoclish .' ^ I am near tbe end of tbe first volume, and every step is one out of difficulty. Julij 10. — Slept too long tbis morning. It was eigbt before I rose — balf-past eigbt ere I came into tbe parlour. Terry and J. Ballantyne dined witb me yesterda}', and I suppose tbe wassail, tbougb tbere was little enougb of it, bad stuck to my pillow. ^ A favourite exclamation of Sir liead was cut off and placed \ipon Walter's, which he had picked up on a table: " ' Quis separahit?' says his Irish tour, signifying "don't the head; ' Xaboclish,' says I, in mind it" — Na-hac-his. Compare tlie same language." Sir Boyle Iloche's dream that his 224 JOUPtNAL. [July This morning I was visited hy a Mv. Lewis, a smart Cockney, whose object is to amend the handwriting. He uses as a mechanical aid a sort of puzzle of wire and ivory, which is put upon the fingers to keep them in the desired position, like the muzzle on a dog's nose to make him Lear himself right in the field. It is ingenious, and may Le use- ful. If the man comes here, as he proposes, in winter, I will take lessons. Bear witness, good reader, that if W. S. writes a cramp hand, as is the case, he is desirous to mend it. Dined with John Swinton en famillc. He told me an odd circumstance. Coming from Berwickshire in the mail coach he met with a passenger who seemed more like a military man than anything else. They talked on all sorts of subjects, at length on politics. JTalacJii's letters were mentioned, when the stranger observed tliey were much more seditious than some expressions for which he had three or four years ago been nearly sent to Botany Bay. And perceiving John Swinton surprised at this avowal, he added, " I am Kinloch of Kinloch." This gentleman had got engaged in the radical business (the only real gentleman by the way who did), and harangued the weavers of Dundee with such emphasis that he would have been tried and sent to Botany Bay had he not fled abroad. He was outlawed, and only restored to his status on a composition with Government. It seems to have escaped Mr. Kinloch that the conduct of a man who places a lighted coal in the middle of combustibles, and upon the floor, is a little different from that of one who places the same quantity of burning fuel in a fire-grate ! ^ July 11. — The last day of the session, and as toilsome a one as I ever saw. There were about 100 or 120 cases on ^ That Mr. Kinloch was not Bay before him, and money to singuhir in his opinion has been make liimself comfortable in Paris, Bhown by the remarks made in the Ccorge Kinlocli would have been House of Commons (see aH x^ _<^i . ,«».r, TT T 1 • Degenerate Douglas, oh the unworthy inl7/8. He died in ISIO at the age Lord"- of eicrhty-six, when his titles and , „ „ , , , • ^ , . T • 1 1 1 j^ ji also Utoriic behvyn and his Con- estates were divided between the . ■ , ■, , t i T^ , c-n 1 IT 1 T-v 1 temporaries, 4 vols, bvo. Loud. Duke of Jiuccleuch, Lord Douglas, 10/04 the ^larquis of Queensberry, and the Earl of Wemyss. 244 JOURNAL. [August and was indeed scarce wind and water tiG,ht. Then the whole wood had been felled, and tlie outraged castle stood in the midst of waste and desolation, excepting a few scattered old stumps, not judged worth the cutting. Now, the whole has been, ten or twelve years since, com- pletely replanted, and the scattered seniors look as graceful as fathers surrounded by their children. The face of this immense estate has been scarcely less wonderfully changed. The scrambling tenants, who held a precarious tenure of lease under the Duke of Queeusberry, at the risk (as actually took place) of losing their possession at his death, have given room to skilful and laborious men, working their farms regularly, and enjoying comfortable houses and their farms at a fair rent, which is enough to forbid idle- ness, but not enough to overpower industry. August 25. — Here are Lord and Lady Home,^ Charles Douglas,^ Lord and Lady Charlotte Stopford.^ I grieve to say the last, though as beautiful as ever, is extremely thin, and looks delicate. The Duke liimself has grown up into a graceful and apparently strong young man, and received us most kindly. I think he will be well qualified to sustain his difficult and important task. The heart is excellent, so are the talents, — good sense and knowledge of the woi'ld, picked up at one of the great English schools (and it is one of their most important results), will prevent him from being de- ceived ; and with perfect good-nature, he lias a natural sense of his own situation, which will keep him from associating with unworthy companions. God bless him ! His father aud I loved each other well, and his beautiful mother had as much of the angel as is permitted to walk this earth. I see ^ Alexander, tenth Earl of Home, ford, afterwards fonrtli Earl of Conr- and his wife, Lady Elizabetli, town, and his wife, Lady Charlotte, daughter of Henry, third Duke of sister of the then Duke of Buc- Buccleuch. elcucli, at that time still iu his 2 Charles, second son of Archibald minority. Lady Charlotte died Lord Douglas. within eighteen months of this ^ James Thomas, Viscount Stop- date. 1826.] JOURKAL. 245 the balcony from which they welcomed poor Charlotte and me, long ere th^ ascent was surmounted, streaming out their white handkerchiefs from the battlements. There were four merry people that day — now one sad individual is all that remains. Singula 2^'^^ciedantur anni. I had a long walk to-day through the new plantation, the Duchess's Walk by the Nith, etc. (formed by Prior's Kitty young and gay ^) ; fell in with the ladies, but their donkeys outwalked me — a flock of sheep afterwards outwalked me, and I begin to think, on my conscience, that a snail put in training might soon outwalk me. I must lay the old salve to the old sore, and be thankful for being able to walk at all. ,' " . Nothing was written to-day, my writing-desk having been forgot at Parkgate, but Tom Crighton khrdly fetched it up to-day, so something more or less may be done to- morrow mornins; — and now to dress. ... [Bittock's Bridge,] August 26. — We took our departure from the friendly halls of Drumlanrig this morning after l^reakfast and leave-taking. I trust this young nobleman will be . . ' ■ ''.-.' "A hedge about Ms friends, • - ■ ,.. A hackle to his foes." ^ I w^ould have him not quite so soft-natured as his grand- father, whose kindness sometimes mastered his excellent understanding. His father had a temper which better jumped with my humour. Enougli of ill-nature to keep ' Thus Kitty, beautiful and young, the Female Phaeton- And wild as colt untamed." Prior's Female Phaeton. "To many a Kitty Love Ids car, will for a day engage, Catherine Hj-de, daughter of But Prior's Kitty, ever fair, obtained it Henry Earl of Clarendon, and wife ^"'^ ^° ^se." of Charles Duke of Queensberry. She died at a great age in 1777. She was the friend of Gay, and her ^^r her letter to George ii. when beauty, wit, and oddities have forbid the Court, see Agar Ellis, been celebrated in prose and rhyme Historical Inquiries, Lond. 1827, by the wits and poets of two genera- P* ^^* tions. Fifty-six years after Prior had - Ballad on young Rob Pvoy's sung her "mad Grace's" praises, abduction of Jean Key, Cromek's Walpole added those wo lines to Colleciions. — j. o. l. 246 JOUKNAL. [August your good-nature from being abused is no bad ingredient in their disposition who have favours to bestow.^ In coming from Parkgate here I intended to accomplish a purpose which I have for some years entertained, of visit- ing Lochwood, the ancient seat of the Johnstones, of which King James said, when he visited it, that the man who built it must have been a thief in his heart. It rained heavily, however, which prevented my making this excursion, and indeed I rather overwalked myself yesterday, and have occasion for rest. " So sit down, Eobin, and rest thee." Ahhotsford, August 27. — To-day we journeyed through the hills and amongst the storms ; the weather rather bully- ing than bad. We viewed the Grey Mare's Tail, and I still felt confident in crawling along the ghastly bank by which you approach the fall. I will certainly get some road of application to Mr. Hope Johnstone, to pray him to make the place accessible. We got home before half -past five, having travelled forty miles. Blair-Adam, August 28. — Set off with Walter and Jane at seven o'clock, and reached this place in the middle of dinner-time. By some of my not unusual blunders we had come a day before we were expected. Luckily, in this ceremonious generation, there are still houses where such blunders only cause a little raillery, and Blair-Adam is one of them. My excellent friend is in high health and spirits, to which the presence of Sir Frederick adds not a little.^ His lady is here — a beautiful woman, whose countenance realises all the poetic dreams of Byron. There is certainly [a] something of full maturity of beauty which seems framed to be adoring and adored, and it is to be found in the full dark eye, luxuriant tresses, and rich complexion of Greece, ^ See Letter to C. K. Sharpe, from guished soldier, afterwards High Drumlanrig, vol. ii. pp. 3G9-71. Commissioner of the Ionian Islands, - Sir Frederick Adam, son of and snljscqncutly Governor of the Chief Commissioner — a distin- Mach'as ; ho died in ISa.S. 1826.] JOUENAL. 247 and not among tliG pale iinripened beauties of the north. What sort of a mind tliis exquisite casket may contain is not so easily known. She is anxious to please, and willing to be pleased, and, with her striking beauty, cannot fail to succeed. Augiist 29. — To-day we designed to go to Loch ore. But " heigho ! the wind and the rain." Besides Mrs. and Admiral Adam, Mrs. Loch, and Miss Adam, I find here Mr. Impey, son of that Sir Elijah celebrated in Indian history. He has himself been in India, but has, with a great deal of sense and observation, much better address than always falls to the share of the Eastern adventurer. The art of quiet and entertaining conversation, which is always easy as well as entertaining, is chiefly known in England. In Scotland we are pedantic and wrangle, or we run away with the harrows on some topic w^e chance to be discursive upon. In Ireland they have too much vivacity, and are too desirous to make a show, to preserve the golden mean. They are the Gascons of Britain. George Ellis was the best converser I ever knew; his patience and good breeding made me often ashamed of myself going off at score upon some favourite topic. Richard Sharp is so celebrated for this peculiar gift as to be generally called Conversation Sharp.^ The worst of this talent is that it seems to lack sincerity. You never know what are the real sentiments of a good converser, or at least it is very difficult to discover to what extent he entertains them. His polite- ness is inconsistent with energy. For forming a good converser, good taste and extensive information and ac- complishment are the principal requisites, to which must be added an easy and elegant delivery and a well-toned voice. ^ Mr. Richard Sharp published had been Member of Parliament in 1834 a very elegant and interest- from 1806 to 1820, and died on the ing little volume of Letters and 30th of March 1835 at the age of Exmy-'i, in Prose and Veise. — Sec seventy-six. Qxiarterly Revieto, 102. — j. g. l. He 248 JOURNAL. [August 1326 I think the liigher order of genius is not favourable to this talent. Mrs. Impey, an intelligent person, likes music, and particularly Scotch airs, which few people play better than Mrs. Lockhart and Miss Louisa Adam. Had a letter from Mr. William Upcott, London Institution, proposing to me to edit an edition of Garrick's Correspondence, which I declined by letter of this day. Thorough decided downfall of rain. ISTothing for it but patience and proof-sheets. August 30. — The weather scarce permitted us more licence than yesterday, yet we went down to Lochore, and Walter and I perambulated the property, and discussed the necessity of a new road from the south-west, also that of planting some willows along the ditches in the low grounds. Returned to Blair- Adam to dinner. Ahhotsford, August 31. — Left Blair at seven in the morn- ing. Transacted business with Cadell and Ballantyne, but our jilans will, I think, be stopped or impeded by the opera- tions before the Arbiter, Mr. Irving, who leans more to the side of the opposite [party] than I expected. I have a letter from Gibson, found on my arrival at Abbotsford, wliicli gives rather a gloomy account of that matter. It seems strange that I am to be bound to write for men who have broken every bargain with me. Arrived at Abbotsford at eight o'clock at niglii SEPTEMBER Scptcmhcr 1. — Awaked with a headache, which the recon- sideration of Gihson's news did not improve. We save Bonajjartc however, and that is a great thing. I will not be downcast about it, let the w^orst come that can ; but I wish I saw that worst. It is the devil to be struofslinrr forward, like a man in the mire, and making not an inch by your exertions, and such seems to be my fate. Well ! I have much to comfort me, and I will take comfort. If there be further wrath to come, I shall be glad that I bear it alone. Poor Charlotte w\as too much softened by prosperity to look adverse circumstances courageously in the face. Anne is young, and has Sophia and Jane to trust to for assistance. Seiotcmhcr 2. — Wrote this morning, but only two pages or thereabouts. At twelve o'clock set out with Anne and Walter to visit at Makerstoun, but the road between Makers- toun and Merton being very bad, we drove, I dare say, thirty miles in going and coming, by a circuitous route, and only got home at half-past seven at night. Saw Lady Brisbane ]\Iakdougall, but not Sir Thomas.^ Thought of old Sir Henry and his older father Sir George. Eeceived a box of Australian seeds, forwarded by Andrew Murray, now head- gardener to the Governor, whom I detected a clever boy, among my labourers in 1812, and did a little for him. It is pleasant to see men thrive and be grateful at the same time, so good luck to " Andrew Mora, " as we called him. Sir Thomas Brisbane, who had daughter of Sir Henry Hay Mak- formerly commanded a brigade in dougall of ]\Iakerstoun, Bart. Sir tlie Peninsula. In lSo"2 he succeeded Thomas died at Brisbane House, Sir Walter Scott as President of Ayrshire, in January 18G0, in the the Royal Society of Edinburgh. eighty-seventh year of his age. Sir Thomas had married in 1819 a 249 250 JOUKNAL. [Sept. Septcmhcr 3. — Made up my necessaiy task for j^esterday and to-day also, but not more, writing very heavily. Cousin Archie Swinton came to dinner. We had a dish of cousinred of course — and of aulcl lang sync. ^ September 4. — Archie Swinton left us this morning early. I wrote from seven to half-past two ; but, partly that I had five proof-sheets to correct, partly that like old John Fraser ^ " I was not very cleever to-day," I made out but a page and a half. SejJteinher 5. — "Wrote task and half a page more. Terry arrived and brought with him a Mr. Bruce, from Persia, with an introduction, forsooth, from Mr. Blackwood. I will move a quo warranto against this species of introduction ; and the good gentleman is to be here, he informs me, for two days. He is a dark, foreign-looking man, of small stature, and rather blunt manners, which may be easily accounted for by his having been in the East for thirty years. He has a considerable share of information, and made good play after dinner. Septcmhcr 6. — Walter being to return to Ireland for three weeks set off to-day, and has taken Surtees and Charles with him. I fear this is but a wild plan, but the prospect seemed to make them so happy that I could not find in my heart to say " No " sufficiently peremptorily. So away they all went this morning to be as happy as they can. Youth is a fine carver and gilder. Went down to Huntly Burn, and dawdled about while waitinoj for the carriage to bring me back. Mr. Bruce and Colonel Ferguson pottered away about Persia and India, and I fell asleep by the fireside. Here is a fine spate of work — a day diddled away, and nothing to show for it ! I must write letters now, there is ^ For an account of this family fi-icnd Swinton in 1S14, Scott says see The Siointons of thai Ilk and tliat lie had been reading the family their Cadets, Aio, 1883, a privately pedigree " to my exceeding refresh- printed volume by A. C. Swinton of mcnt." Kiminerks. Ho 252 JOUPtXAL. [Sept. deeply regrets tlie present war as premature, undertaken before knowledge and rational education had extended themselves sufficiently. The neighbourhood of the Ionian Islands was fast producing civilisation ; and as knowledge is power, it is clear that the example of Europeans, and the opportunities of education thereby afforded, must soon have given them an immense superiority over the Turk. This premature war has thrown all back into a state of barbarism. It was precipitated by the agents of Eussia. Sir Frederick spoke most highly of Byron, the soundness of his views, the respect in which he was held — his just ideas of the Grecian cause and character, and the practical and rational wishes which he formed for them. Sinmilar that a man whose conduct in his own personal aiTairs had been anything but practical should be thus able to stand by the helm of a sinkine; state ! Sir Frederick thinks he micfht have done much for them if he had lived. The rantipole friends of liberty, who go about freeing nations with the same success which Don Quixote had in redressing wrongs, have, of course, blundered everything which they touched. The Impeys left us to-day, and Captain Hugh Scott and his lady arrived. Task is bang-up. Scptemhcr 9. — I begin to fear Nccp. will swell to seven volumes, I have a Ions; letter from James B. threatening me with eiglit ; but that is impossible. Tlie event of his becoming Emperor is the central point of his history, Now I have just attained it, and it is the centre of tlie third volume. Two volumes and a half may be necessary to complete the whole. Walked with Hugh Scott up tlie Pthymer's Glen, and round by the lake. Mr. Bainbridge of Gattonside House dined, also Colonel Ferguson. Was bang up to my task again this day, September 10. — Corrected proof-sheets in tlie morning, then immured myself to write, the more willingly that the day seemed showery ; but I found myself obliged to read 1826.] JOURNAL. 253 and study the map so much that I did not get over half a sheet written. Walked Avith Iludi Scott throuf^h Haxell Cleuch. Great pleasure to show the young wood to any who understands them well. ScjJtemher 11. — Jane and her mother go into town this morning, and Anne with tliem, to look out a lodging for us during the time we must pass in town. It seems strange to have this to do, having had always my father's house or my own to go to. But — Sic transit gloria mundi. AYell, it is half-past twelve o'clock, and at length having regulated all disappointments as to post-horses, and sent three or four servants three or four miles to remedy blunders, which a little forethought might have prevented, my family and guests are separated — " Like youthful steers let loose, east, north, and south. ''^ Miss Millar goes to Stirling ; the Scotts to Lessudden ; Anne and Jane to Edinburgh ; and I am left alone. I must needs go up and see some operations about the spring which supplies us with water, though I calculate my presence is not very necessary. So now — to work — to work. But I reckoned without my host, or, I should rather say, without my guest. Just as I had drawn in my chair, fitted a new " Bramah " on the stick, and was preparing to feague it away, I had a call from the son of an old friend, ]\Ir. "VValdie of Henderland. As he left me, enter young Whyt- bank and ]\Ir. Auriol Hay - of the Lyon Office, and we had a long armorial chat together, which lasted for some time — then the library was to be looked at, etc. So, when they went away, I had little better to do than to walk up to the spring ^ 2 Henry IV. Act iv. Sc. 2. a great interest in archaeological matters, and was for two years ^ Mr. E. W. Auriol Drummond Secretary to the Society of Anti- Hay, heir-presumptive at one time quaries before his departure as of Lord Kinnoul, was then residing Consul General to the Barbary in Edinburgh, owing to his official States. He died at Tangier on the duties in the Lyon Office ; he took 1st March lS4o. 254 JOURNAL. [Sept. whicli they ai'e digging, and to go to my solitary dinner on my return. September 12. — Notwithstanding what is above said, I made out my task yesterday, or nearly so, by working after dinner. After all, these interruptions are not such bad things ; they make a man keen of the work which he is withheld from, and differ in that point much from the indulgence of an indisposition to labour in your own mind, which increases by indulgence. Zes fdcheux seldom interrupt your purpose absolutely and entirely — you stick to it for contradiction's sake. Well, I visited the spring in the morning, and com- pleted my task afterwards. As I slept for a few minutes in my chair, to which I am more addicted than I could wish, I heard, as I thought, my poor wife call me by the familiar name of fondness which she gave me. My recollections on waking were melancholy enough. These be " The airy tongues that syllable men's names." ^ All, I believe, have some natural desire to consider these unusual impressions as bodements of good or evil to come. But alas ! this is a prejudice of our own conceit. They are the empty echoes of what is past, not the foreboding voice of what is to come. I dined at the Club to-day at Selkirk, and acted as croupier. There were eighteen dined; young men chiefly, and of course young talk. But so it has been, will be, and must be. Septemter 13. — Wrote my task in the morning, and there- after had a letter from that sage Privy Councillor and booby of a Baronet, . This unutterable idiot proposes to me that I shall propose to the Dowager Duchess of , and offers his own right honourable intervention to bring so beautiful a business to bear. I am struck dumb with the assurance of his folly — absolutely mute and sj)eechless 1 Milton's Comiis, v. 208.— J. c. l. 1826.] JOUPtNAL. 255 — and how to prevent him making me further a fool is not easy, for the wretch has left me no time to assure liim of the absurdity of what he proposes ; and if he should ever hint at such a piece of d — d impertinence, what must the lady think of my conceit or of my feelings ! I will write to his present quarters, however, that he may, if possible, have v/arning not to continue this absurdity.^ Dined at Major Scott, my cousin's, where was old Lord Buchan. He, too, is a prince of Bores, but age has tamed him a little, and like the giant Pope in the Pilgrim's Progress, he can only sit and grin at Pilgrims as they go past, and is not able to cast a fank- over them as formerly. A few quiet puns seem his most formidable infliction nowadays. Sqjtemhcr 14. — I should not have forgotten, among the memorabilia of yesterday, that Mr. Nasmy th, the dentist, and his family called, and I showed them the lions, for truly he that has rid a man of the toothache is well entitled to com- mand a part of liis time. Item, two young Frenchmen made their way to our sublime presence in guerdon of a laudatory copy of Prench verses sent up the evening before, by way of " Open Sesame," I suppose. I have not read them, nor shall I. No man that ever wrote a line despised the pap of praise so heartily as I do. There is nothing I scorn more, except those who think the ordinary sort of jDraise or censure is matter of the least consequence. People have almost always some private view of distinguishing themselves, or of gratifying their curiosity — some point, in short, to carry, with which you have no relation, when they take the trouble to praise you. In general, it is their purpose to get the person praised to puff away in return. To me their rank praises no ^ Lady Scott had not been quite any intimacy. This was not th3 four months dead, and the entry only proposition of the kind that of the preceding day shows how reached him during his widowliood. extremely ill-timed was this com- — j. o. L. munication from a gentleman with whom Sir Walter had never had - A coil of rope. ; 256 JOUEKAL. [Sept. more make amends for tlieir bad poelry than tainted butter would pass off stale fisli. Sejytemhcr 15. — Many proofs to correct and dates to com- pare. What signify dates in a true story ? I was fidgety after breakfast, owing to perusing some advices from J. Gibson, poor fellow. I will not be discouraged, come of things what will. However, I could not write continuously, but went out by starts, and amused myself by cutting trees in the avenue. Thus I dawdled till Anne and Jane came home with merry faces, and raised my spirits of course. After tea I e'en took heart of grace and finished my task, as I now do this day's journal. September IG — Worked hard to-day, and in morning and evening made out five pages and a half, as much perhaps as one should attempt, yet I was not overworked. On the contrary, went out with Tom about one o'clock and cut trees, etc., to clear the avenue ; and favour the growth of such trees as are designed for standards. I received visits too — the Laird of Bemerside,^ who had been for nine years in Italy with his family — also the Laird of Kippielaw. Anne and Jane drove up and called at the Haining. I expected James Ballantyne to dinner as he proposed, but the worthy typographer appeared not. He is sometimes inaccurate in keeping such appointments, which is not ac- cording to the " Academy of compliments." But in the letter which announced his intended visit, he talked of having received himself a visit from the Cholera Morbus. I shall be very sorry if so unwelcome a guest be the cause of the breach of his appointment. September 17. — Bather surprised with a letter from Lord Melville, informing me that he and j\Ir. Peel liad put me into the Commission for inquiring into the condition of tlie Colleges in Scotland. 1 know little on the subject, l)nt T dare ^ See Li/c, vol. x. 95, and The Hciujh of Bemersyde, 8vo, Ediu. 18S1, edited Ly J. llussell. 1826.] JOURNAL. 257 say as much as some of the official persons who are inserted of course. The want of efficient men is the reason alleged. I must of course do my best, though I have little hope of bein» useful, and the time it will occui^y is half ruinous to me, to whom time is everything. Besides, I suppose the honour is partly meant as an act of grace for Malaclii. I shall never repent of that escapade, although it offended persons for the time whose good opinion I value. J. B. continues ill at Teviot Grove, as they call it. I am a little anxious about him. I finished my task and an extra page — hope to do another before supper. Accomplished the said diligent purpose. September 18. — Rainy and gloomy — that small sifting rain driving on an eastern gale which intermits not. Wrote letters to Lord Melville, etc, and agreed to act under the Commission. Settled to be at Melville Castle, Saturday 24th. I fear this will interfere consumedly with business. I cor- rected proof-sheets, and wrote a good deal, but intend to spend the rest of the day in reading and making notes. No bricks to be made without straw. [Jcclhirr/h,] Seijtemher 19. — Circuit. Went to poor Mr. Shortreed's, and regretted bitterly the distress of the family, though they endeavoured to bear it bravely, and to make my reception as comfortable and even cheerful as j)ossible. My old friend R. S. gave me a ring found in a grave at the Abbey, to be kept in memory of his son. I will certainly preserve it with especial care.^ Many trifles at circuit, chiefly owing to the cheap M'hisk}', as they were almost all riots. One case of assault on a deaf and dumb woman. She was herself the chief evidence ; but being totally without education, and having, from her situation, very imperfect notions of a Deity, and a future state, no oath could be administered. ]\Ir. Ivinni- burgh, teacher of the deaf and dumb, was sworn interpreter, ^ Ml". Thomas Shortreed, a young Sii- Walter, and much beloved gentleman of elegant taste and in return, had iccently died. — attainments, devotedly attached to J. G. L. 258 JOUEXAL. [Sept. togetlier with another person, a neiglibour, who knew the accidental or conventional signs which the poor thing had invented for herself, as Mr. K. was supposed to understand the more general or natural signs common to people in such a situation. He went throuirh the task with much address, and it was wonderful to see them make themselves intelligible to each other by mere pantomime. Still I did [not] consider such evidence as much to be trusted to in a criminal case. Several previous interviews had been neces- sary between the interpreter and the witness, and this is very much like getting up a story. Some of the signs, brief in themselves, of which Mr. K. gave long interpretations, put me in mind of Lord Burleigh in the Critic : " Did he mean all this by the shake of the head?" "Yes, if he shook his head as I taught him." ^ The man was found not guilty. Mr. K. told ns of a pupil of his whom he restored, as it may be said, to humanity, and who told him that his ideas of another world were that some great person in the skies lighted up the sun in the morning as he saw his mother light her fire, and the stars in the evening as she kindled a lamp. He said the witness had ideas of truth and falsehood, which was, I believe, true ; and that she had an idea of punishment in a future state, which I doubt. He confessed she could not give any guess at its duration, whether temporary or eternal. I should like to know if IMr. K. is in that respect much wiser than his pupils. Dined, of course, with Lord ]\Iackenzie, the Judge. September 20. — Waked after a restless night, in which I dreamed of poor Tom Shortreed. Breakfasted with the Be v. Dr. Somerville.- This venerable crentleman is one of tlie &^ 1 See Act III. Sc. 1. other works, died 14th May 1S30, in tlie ninetieth year of his age, and 2 The Rev. Dr. Thomas Sonier- sixty-foiu-th of liis ministry. ^ — j. o. r>. ville, minister of Jcdlmrgh, aiitlior Autobiograpliical Memorials of liis of the History of Great Britain Life and Times, 1741-1S14, 8vo, durimj the revjn of Queen Anne, and Edinburgh, were published in ISGl. 1826.] JOURNAL. 259 oldest of the literary brotherhood — I suppose about eighty- seven, aud except a little deafness quite entire. Living all his life in good society as a gentleman Ijorn — and having, besides, professional calls to make among the poor — he must know, of course, much that is curious concerning the momentous changes which have passed under his eyes. He talks of them accordinglv, and has written somethino; on the subject, but has scarce the force necessary to seize on tlie most striking points, "palahras, neighbour Verges,"^ — gifts which God gives. The bowl that rolls easiest along the green goes furthest, and has least clay sticking to it. I have often noticed that a kindly, placid good-humour is the companion of longevity, and, I suspect, frequently the leading cause of it. Quick, keen, sharp observation, with the power of contrast and illustration, disturbs this easy current of tlionght. My good friend, the venerable Doctor, will not, I think, die of that disease. Called at Nesbit Mill on my cousin Charles. His wife received me better than I deserved, for I have been a sad neglectful visitor. She has a very pleasant countenance. Some of the Circuit lawyers dined here, namely E. Dundas, Borthwick, the facetious Peter Robertson, ^ Mr. R. Adam Dundas, and with them Henry Scott of Harden. SejJtemher 21. — Our party breakfasted late, and I was heavy-headed, and did not rise till eight. Had drank a little more wine than usual, but as our friend Othello says, " that 's not much." ^ However, we dawdled about till near noon ere all my guests left me. Then I walked a little and cut some wood. Read afterwards. I can't get on without ^ Much Ado about Nothing, Act wrote the spoi-tivc lines : — III. oc. o. i< Here lies that peerless paper peer Lord * Afterwards Judge in the Court Peter, of Session from 1843, author of '^'1° Ijroke the laws of God and man Gleams of ThowjU reflected from and metre." Milton, etc. It was of this witty Lord Roljertson died in 1S55. and liumorous judge Mr. Lockliart ^ Act iir. Sc. 3. 250 • JOURNAL. [Sept. it. How did I tret on before ? — that 's a secret. Mr. Thomas Tod 1 and his wife came to dine. We talked of okl stories and got over a pleasant evening. September 22. — Still no writing. "We have materials to collect. D — n you, Mother Duty, hold your tongue ! I tell you, you know nothing of the matter. Besides, I corrected five sheets. I wish you had to do with some other people, just to teach you the difference. I grant that the day being exquisite I went and thinned out the wood from the north front of the house. Read and noted a great deal. SejJtemhei' 23. — AVrought in the morning, but only at read- ing and proofs. That cursed 'battle of Jena is like to cost me more time than it did Bonaparte to gain it. I met Colonel Ferguson about one, to see his dogs run. It is a sport I have loved well, but now, I know not why, I find it little inter- esting. To be sure I used to gallop, and that I cannot now do. We had good sport, however, and killed five hares. I felt excited during the chase, but the feeling was but momentary. My mind was immediately turned to other re- membrances, and to pondering upon the change which had taken place in my own feelings. The day was positively heavenly, and the wild hillside, with our little coursing party, was beautiful to look at. Yet I felt like a man come from the dead, looking with indifference on that which in- terested him while living. So it must be " When once life's day is near the gloaming." ^ Wc dined at Huntly Burn. Kind and comfortable as usual. Scptcmher 24. — I made a rally to-day and wrote four pages, or nearly. Never stirred abroad the whole day, but was made happy after dinner by the return of Charles and Surtees full of their Irish jaunt, and happy as young men are with the change of scene. To-morrow I must go to Melville Castle. I wonder what I can do or say about these 1 One of Scott's old High School mates. — Life, vol. i. p. 16.3. 2 Burns's Epistle to J. Smith. 1826.] JOURNAL. 2G1 Universities. One thing occurs — the distribution of l)ur- saries only ex meritis. That is, I woukl have the presenta- tions continue in the present patrons, but exact that those presented should be qualified by success in their literary attainments and distinction acquired at school to hold these scholarships. This seems to be following out the idea of tlie founders, who, doubtless, intended the furthering of good literature. To give education to dull mediocrity is a fling- ing of the children's bread to dogs — it is sharpening a hatclict on a razor-strop, wliich renders the strop useless, and does no good to the hatchet. "Well, something we will do. September 25, — Morning spent in making up proofs and copy. Set out for Melville Castle with Jane, wdio goes on to her mother at Edinburo-h. ■ . . : Found Lord and Lady j\I. in gieut distress. Their son Eobert is taken ill at a Russian town about 350 miles from Moscow — dangerously ill. The distance increases the extreme distress of the parents, wdio, however, bore it like themselves. I was glad to spend a day upon the old terms with such old friends, and believe mv beintj with them, even in this moment of painful suspense, as it did not diminish the kindness of my reception, certainly rather seemed to divert them from the cruel subject. Dr. Xicoll, Principal of St. Andrews, dined — a very gentlemanlike sensible man. AVe spoke of the visitation, of granting degrees, of public examinations, of abolishing the election of professors by the Senatus Academicus (a most pregnant source of jobs), and much beside— but all desultory — and Lord M. had either nothing particular to say to me, or was too much engrossed w^itli his family distress to enter upon it. He proposes to be here in the end of October. Septemher 26. — Returned to Abbotsford after breakfast. LLere is a cool thing of my fiiend J. W. C[roker]. The Duke of Clarence, dining at the Pavilion W'ith tlie King, happened by choice or circumstance to sit lower than usual 262 JOURNAL. [Sept. at the table, and Leing at tliat time on bad terms with the Board of Admiralty, took an ojDportnnity to say, that were he king he would do all that away, and assume the office of Lord High Admiral. "Your R.H. may act with great prudence," said C[roker]. "The last monarch who did so was James ii." Presently after H.M. asked what they were talking of. " It 's only his E.H. of C," answered C[roker], " who is so condescending as to tell us what he will do when he is king." A long letter from E. P. Gillies. I wonder how even he could ask me to announce myself as the author of Annotations on German Novels which he is to write. Septemher 27. — A day of honest labour — but having much to read, proofs to send off, etc., I was only able to execute my task by three o'clock p.m. Then I went to direct the cutting of wood along the road in front of the house. Dined at Chiefswood with Captain and Mrs. Hamilton, Lady Lucy Whitmore, their guest, and neighbours from Gattonside and Huntly Burn. September 28. — Another hard brush, and finished four pages by twelve o'clock, then drove out to Cowdenknowes, for a morning visit. The house is ancient and curious, though modernised by vile improvements of a modern roof and windows. The inhabited part has over the principal door the letters S. I. H. V. I. H. The first three indicate probably Sir John Hume, but what are we to make of the rest ? I will look at them more lieedf ully one day. There is a large room said to have been built for the reception of Queen Mary ; if so, it has been much modernised. The date on the door is 1576, which would [not] bear out the tradition. The last two letters probably signify Lady Hume's name, but what are we to make of the F"? Dr. Hume thinks it means Uxor, but why should that word be in Latin and the rest in Scotch ? lleturned to dinner, corrected proofs, and hope still to 1826.] JOURNAL. 263 finish another leaf, being in light working humour. Finished the same accordingly. [Abhofsford,] Scptemher 29. — A sort of zeal of working has seized me, which I must avail myself of. No dejec- tion of mind, and no tremor of nerves, for which God he humbly tlianked. My spirits are neither low nor high^ grave, I think, and quiet — a complete twilight of the mind. Good news of John Lockhart from Lady Montagu, who most kindly wrote on that interesting topic. I wrote five pages, nearly a double task, yet wandered for three hours, axe in hand, superintending the thinning of the home planting. That does good too. I feel it give steadiness to my mind. AVomen, it is said, go mad much seldomer than men. I fancy, if this be true, it is in some degree owing to the little manual works in which they are constantly employed, which regulate in some degree the current of ideas, as the pendulum regulates the motion of the timepiece. I do not know if this is sense or nonsense, but I am sensible that if I were in solitary confinement, without either the power of taking exercise or employing myself in study, six months would make me a madman or an idiot. September 30. — Wrote four pages. Honest James T'allantyne came about five. I had been cutting wood for two hours. He brought his cliild, a remarkably fine boy, well-bred, quiet, and amiable. James and I had a good comfortable chat, the boys being at Gattonside House. I am glad to see liim bear up against misfortune like a man. " Bread we shall eat, or white or brown," that 's the moral of it, Master Muwrins. O C T O 13 E E. October 1. — Wrote my task, then walked fruin one till naif-past four. Dogs took a hare. They always catch one on Sunday — a Puritan would say the devil was in them. I think I shall get more done this evening. I Avould fain con- clude the volume at the Treaty of Tilsit, which will make it a pretty long one, by the by. J. B, expressed himself much pleased with Ncq-)., which gives me much courage. He is gloomy enough when things are not well. And then I will try something at my Canongate. They talk about the pitcher going to the well; but if it goes not to the well, how shall we get water 1 It will bring home none when it stands on the shelf, I trow. In literature, as in love, courage is half the battle. " The public born to be controlled Stoops to the forward and the bold." October 2. — Wrote my task. Went out at one and wrought in the wood till four. I was made happy by a letter from my nephew, little Walter, as we used to call him, from his age and size, compared to those of his cousin. He has been kindly received at Bombay by the Governor ]\Iount- stuart Elphiustone, and by Sir Thomas Bradford. He is taking liis ground, I think, prudently, and is likely to get on. Already first Lieutenant of Engineers — that is well to beirin with. Colonel Ferguson, Miss Margai'et, and some ladies, friends of theirs, dine, also Mr. and Mrs. Laidlaw, and James Laidlaw, and young Mr. N. Milne. October 3. — I wrote ]ny task as usual, l)ut, strange to tell, there is a want of paper. I expect some to-day. In tlie 2C4 162G.] JOUEN"AL. 265 meantime, to avoid all quarrel with Dame Duty, I cut up some other leaves into the usual statutory size. They say of a fowl that if you draw a chalk line on a table, and lay chick-a-diddle down with his bill upon it, the poor thin"- will imagine himself opposed by an insurmountable barrier, which he will not attempt to cross. Suchlike are one-half of the obstacles which serve to interrupt our best resolves, and such is my pretended want of paper. It is like Sterne's want of sous when he went to relieve the Fauvre Honteux. October 4. — I ought to record with gratitude to God Almighty the continued health of body and mind, which He hath vouchsafed to grant me. I have had of late no accesses either of bile or of nervous affection, and by mixing exercise with literary labour, I" have escaped the tremor cordis which on other occasions has annoyed me cruelly. I went to the inspection of the Selkirkshire Yeomanry, by Colonel Thornhill, 7th Hussars. The Colonel is a remark- ably fine-looking man, and has a good address. His brow bears token of the fatigues of war. He is a great falconer, and has promised to fly his hawks on Friday for my amuse- ment, and to spend the day at Abbotsford. The young Duke of B. was on the field looking at the corps, most of whom are his tenants. They did very well, and are fine, smart young men, and well mounted. Too few of them though, which is a pity. The exercise is a work which in my time I have loved well. '- . - Finished my task at night. " ' October 5. — I was thinkiug this morning that my time glided away in a singularly monotonous manner, like one of those dark grey days which neither promise sunshine nor threaten rain ; too melancholy for enjoyment, too tranquil for repining. But this day has brought a change which somewhat shakes my philosophy. I find by a letter from J. Gibson that I rnaj/ go to London without dauger, and if I may, I in a manner must, to examine the papers in the 2GG JOURNAL. [Oct. Secretary of State's ofllce about Bon. when at Saint Helena. The opportunity having been offered must be accepted, and yet I liad much rather stay at home. Even the prospect of seeing Sophia and Lockhart must be mingled with pain, yet this is foolish too. Lady Hamilton ^ writes me that Pozzo di Borgo,^ the Eussian Minister at Paris, is willing to com- municate to me some particulars of Bonaparte's early life. Query — might I not go on there ? In for a penny, in for a pound. I intend to take Anne with me, and the pleasure will be great to her, who deserves much at my hand. October 0. — Charles and his friend Surtees left us this morning. Went to see Colonel Thornhill's hawks fly. Some part of the amusement is very beautiful, particularly the first flight of the hawks, when they sweep so beautifully round the company, jingling their bells from time to time, and throwing themselves into the most elegant positions as they gaze about for their prey. But I do not wonder that the impatience of modern times has renounced this expensive and precarious mode of sporting. The hawks are liable to various misfortunes, and are besides addicted to fly away ; one of ours was fairly lost for the day, and one or two ^ent off without permission, but returned. We killed a crow and frightened a snipe. There are, however, ladies and gentle- men enough to make a gallant show on the top of Whitlaw Kipps. The falconer made a fine figure — a handsome and active young fellow with the falcon on his wrist. The Colonel was most courteous, and named a hawk after me, which was a compliment. Tlie hawks are not named till they have merited that distinction. 1 walked about six miles and was not fatiiiued. There dined with us Colonel Thornhill, Clifton, young ' Eldest daughter of the ilhistri- - This implacable enemy of Na- ous Admiral Lord Duncan, wife of poleon, — a Corsican, died in his Sir Hew Hamilton Dalrymplc. She seventy-fourth year in 1842. died in 1S.j2. 1826.] JOUPtNAL. 267 Whytbauk, Spencer Stanhope, and his brother, with Miss Tod and my okl friend Locker,^ Secretary to Greenwich Hospital. We did not break up the party till one in the morning, and were very well amused. October 7. — A weary day of rain. Locker and I chatted from time to time, and I wrought not at Boncy, but upon the prose works, of which I will have a volume ready to send in on IMonday. I got a letter from John Gibson, with an offer by Longman for Napoleon of ten thousand five hundred guineas,- which I have advised them to accept. Also I hear there is some doubt of my getting to London, from the indecision of these foolish Londoners. I don 't care whether I go or no ! And yet it is unpleasant to see how one's motions depend on scoundrels like these. Besides, I would like to be there, were it but to see how the cat jumps. One knows nothing of the world, if you are absent from it so long as I have been. October 8. — Locker left me this morning. Pie is of opinion the ministry must soon assume another form, but that the AVhigs will not come in. Lord Liverpool holds much by Lord Melville — well in point of judgment — and by the Duke of Wellington — still better, but then the Duke is a soldier — a bad education for a statesman in a free country. The Chancellor is also consulted by the Premier on all law aflairs. Canning and Huskisson are at the head of the other party, who may be said to have taken the Cabinet by storm, through sheer dint of talent. ^ E. H. Locker, Esq. , then Secre- sanguine as to the success of the tary, afterwards one of the Com- Mtmoira of Napoleon tliat I did niissioners of Greenwicli Hospital not hesitate to express it as my — an old and dear friend of tScott's. opinion that I liad much confidence — See Oct. 25. • . in it producing liim at least £10,000, and this I observed, as my expecta- - As an illustration of Constable's tion, to Sir \V. Scott." Tliis opinion accuracy in gauging the value of was expressed not only before the literary property, it may be stated sale of the work, but before it was that in his formal declaration, after all written. — A. Constahh and his sequestrcttion, he said : — "1 was so Correspondaits, vol. iii. p. 313. 268 JOUKNAL. [Oct. I should like to see liow these ingredients are working ; but by the grace of God, I Avill take care of putting my finger into the cleft stick. Locker has promised to get my young cousin Walter Scott on some quarter-deck or other. Received from Mr. Cadell the second instalment advance of cash on Canongate. It is in English hills and money, in case of my going to town. October 9. — A gracious letter from Messrs. Abud and Son, bill-brokers, etc. ; assure Mr. Gibson that they will institute no legal proceedings against me for four or five weeks. And so I am permitted to spend my money and my leisure to improve the means of paying them their debts, for that is the oidy use of my present journey. They are Jews : I suppose the devil baits for Jews with a pork griskin. Were I not to exert myself, I wonder where their money is to come from. A letter from Gillies menacing the world with a foreiun miscellany. The plan is a good one, but "he canna hand it," as John Moodie ^ says. He will think all is done when he has got a set of names, and he will find the difficulty consists not in that, but in getting articles. I wrote on the prose works. Lord and Lady Minto dined and S2)ent the night at Abbotsford. October 10. — AVell, I must prepare for going to London, and perhaps to Paris. The morning frittered away. I slept till eight o'clock, then our guests till twelve ; then walked out to direct some alterations on the quarry, which I think may at little expense be rendered a pretty recess. Wordsworth swears by an old quarry, and is in some degree a supreme authority on such points, liain came on ; returned completely wet. I had next the displeasure to find that I had lost the conclusion of vol. v. of Napoleon, seven or eight pages at least, which I shall have to write ^ Another of the Abljotsford labourers. 182G.] JOUENAL. 269 over again, unless I can find it. Well, as Othello says, " that 's not much." My cousin James Scott came to dinner. I have great unwillingness to set out on this journey ; I almost think it ominous ; but "They that look to freits, my master dear, Their freits will follow them.''' I will stick to my purpose. Answered a letter from Gillies about establishing a foreign journal ; a good plan, but I fear in sorry hands. Of those he names as his assistants they who can be useful will do little, and the labours of those wdio are willing to work will ratlier hold the publication down. I fear it will not do. I am downhearted about leaving all my things, after I was quietly settled ; it is a kind of disrooting that recalls a thousand painful ideas of former happier journeys. And to be at the mercy of these fellows ! God help — but rather God bless — man must help himself. October 11. — We are ingenious self-tormentors. This journey annoys me more than anything of the kind in my life. My wife's figure seems to stand before me, and her voice is in my ears — " Scott, do not go." It half frightens me. Strong throbbing at my heart, and a disposition to be very sick. It is just the effect of so many feelings which had been lulled asleep by the uniformity of my life, but which awaken on any new subject of agitation. Poor, poor Charlotte ! ! I cannot daub it further. I get incapable of arranging my papers too. I will go out for half-an-hour. God relieve me ! I quelled ihis hysterica 2')Cissio by pushing a walk towards Kaeside and back again, but wdien I returned I still felt un- comfortable, and all the papers I wanted were out of the way, and all those I did not want seemed to place themselves under my fingers ; my cash, according to the nature of riches in general, made to itself wings and fled, I verily believe from one hiding-place to another. To appease tins insur- ^ See Ballad of Edam of Gordon. 270 JOURNAL. [Oct. rection of the papers, I gave up putting my tilings iu order till to-morrow mornins:. Dined at Kippielaw with a party of neighbours. They had cigars for me, very politely. But I must break folks off this. I would [not] willingly be like old Dr. Parr, or .any such quiz, who has his tastes and whims, forsooth, that must be gratified. So no cigars on the journey. October \1} — Eeduced my rebellious papers to order. Set out after breakfast, and reached Carlisle at eight o'clock at night. Bokchy Park, October 13. — We were off before seven, and visiting Appleby Castle by the way (a most interesting and curious place), we got to Morritt's^ about half-past four, where we had as warm a welcome as one of the warmest hearts in the world could give an old friend. I saw his nephew's 1 "On the 12th of October, Sir Walter left Abbotsford for London, where he had been promised access to the papers in the Government offices ; and thence he proceeded to Paris, in the hope of gathering from various eminent persons authentic anecdotes concerning Napoleon. His Diary shows that he was successful in obtaining many valuable materials for the comple- tion of his historical work ; and reOects, with sufficient distinctness, the very brilliant receiition he on this occasion experienced both in London and Paris. The range of his society is strikingly (and un- consciously) exemplified in the record of one day, when we find him breakfasting at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Park, and supping on oysters and porter in "honest Dan Terry's house, like a Sfpiirrel's cage," above the Adelphi Theatre in the Strand. There can be no doubt that this expedition was in many ways serviceable in his Li/e of Napoleon ; and I think as little that it was chiefly so by renewin,!/ his spirits. The deep and respectful sympathy with which his mis- fortunes, and gallant behaviour under them, had been regarded by all classes of men at home and abroad, was brought home to his perception in a way not to be mis- taken. He was cheered and grati- fied, and returned to Scotland with renewed hope and courage for the prosecution of his marvellous course of industry," — Life, vol. ix. pp. 2, 3. ^ John B. Saurey Morritt of Rokeby, a friend of twenty years' standing, and "one of the most ac- complished men that ever shared Scott's confidence." He had published, before making Scott's acquaintance, a Vindication of Homer, in 1798, a treatise on The TojMgraphy of Troy, 1800, and translations and imitations of the minor Greek Poets in 1802. Mr. Morritt survived his friend till February 12th, 1843, when he died at Rokeby Park, Yorkshire, in his seventy-second year. — See L'ifc throughout. 1826.] JOURNAL. 271 wife for the first time, a very pleasing young person. It was great pleasure to me to see Morritt happy in the midst of his family circle, undisturbed, as heretofore, by the sickness of any dear to him. On recalling my own recollections during my journey I may note that I found great pleasure in my companion's conversation, as well as in her mode of managing all her little concerns on the road. I am apt to judge of character by good-humour and alacrity in these petty concerns. I think the inconveniences of a journey seem greater to me than formerly ; while, on the other hand, the pleasures it affords are rather less. The ascent of Stainmore seemed duller and longer than usual, and Bowes, which used to strike me as a distinguished feature, seemed an ill-formed mass of rubbish, a great deal lower than I had supposed ; yet I have seen it twenty times at least. On the other hand, what I lose in my own personal feelings I gain in those of my companion, who shows an intelligent curiosity and interest in what she sees. I enjoy therefore, reflec- tively, veluti in sjycculo, the sort of pleasure to which I am now less accessible. October 14. — Strolled about in the morning witli Morritt, and saw his new walk up the Tees, which he is just concoct- ing. Got a jDamphlet he has written on the Catholic Ques- tion. In 1806 he had other views on that subject, but "live and learn " as they say. One of his squibs against Fox and Grenville's Administration concludes — " Though they sleep with the devil, yet theirs is the hoi^e, On the ruin of England, to rise with the Pope." Set off at two, and reached AYetherby to supper and bed. It was the Corporation of Leeds that by a subscription of £80,000 brought in the anti-Catholic candidate. I remember their subscribing a similar sum to bring in Morritt, if he would have stood. Saw in Morritt's possession an original miniature of Miltun by Cooper- — a valuable thing indeed. The 2)edigree 272 JOURNAL. [Oct. seemed authentic. It was painted for liis favourite daughter — had come into jDOSsession of some of the Davenants — was then in the Devonshire collection from which it was stolen. Afterwards purchased by Sir Joshua Eeynolds, and at his sale by Morritt or his father.^ The countenance handsome and dignified, with a strong expression of genius, probably the only portrait of Milton taken from the life excepting the drawing from which Faithorne's head is done. [Grantham,'] October 15. — Old England is no cliangeling. It is long since I travelled this road, having come up to town chiefly by sea of late years, but things seem much the same. One race of red -nosed innkeepers are gone, and their widows, eldest sons, or head- waiters exercise hospitality in their room with the same bustle and importance. Other things seem, externally at least, much the same. The land, however, is much better ploughed ; straight ridges every- where adopted in place of the old circumflex of twenty years ago. Three horses, however, or even four, are often seen in a plough yoked one before the other. Ill habits do not go out at once. We slept at Grantham, where we met with Captain William Lockhart and his lady, bound for London like ourselves. iBigglcswadc,'] October 16. — Visited Burleigh this morn- ing ; the first time I ever saw that grand place, where there are so many objects of interest and curiosity. The house is magnificent, in the style of James l.'s reign, and consequently in mixed Gothic. Of paintings I know nothing; so shall attempt to say nothing. But whether to connoisseurs, or to an ignorant admirer like myself, the Salvator Mundi, by Carlo Dolci, must seem worth a King's ransom. Lady Exeter, who was at home, had the goodness or curiosity to wish to see us. Slie is a beauty after my own heart ; a great ^ il/.S*. note on margin of Journal to Burgh, and given to me by Mr. by Mr. Morritt: 'No — it was left Burgh's widow." by Reynolds to Mason, 1)y Mason 1826.] JOURNAL. 273 deal of liveliness in the face ; an absence alike of form and of affected ease, and really courteous after a genuine and ladylike fashion. We reached Biggleswade to-night at six, and paused here to wait for the Lockharts. Spent the evening together. [Fall Mall,] October 17. — Here anil in this capital once more, after an April-weather meeting with my daughter and Lockhart. Too much grief in our first meeting to be joy- ful ; too much pleasure to be distressing — a giddy sensation between the painful and the pleasurable. I will call another subject. Eead over Sir John Chiverton^ and BrarMetye House^ — novels in what I may surely claim as the style " Which 1 was born to introduce — Refined it first, and show'd its use." They are both clever books ; one in imitation of the days of chivalry ; the other (by Horace Smitli, one of the authors of the Rejected Addresses) dated in the time of the Civil Wars, and introducing historical characters. I read both with great interest during the journey. I am something like Captain Bobadil ^ wlio trained up a hundred gentlemen to fight very nearly, if not altogether, as well as myself. And so far I am convinced of this, that 1 Chiverton was the first pub- system of historical manners, and lication (anonymous) of Mr. W. the same historical jjersonages are Harrison Ainsworth, the author introduced. Of course, if such of Rookwood and other jiopular have occurred, I shall 1)e probably romances. — j. g. l. the sufferer. But my intentions " It is interesting to know tliat have been at least innocent, since Scott would not read this book I look on it as one of tlie advantages until Woodstock M'as fairly otf his attending the conclusion of Wood- hands. stock, that the finishing of my own See ante, p. 1G7, and the intro- task will permit me to have the duction to the original edition jileasure of reading Brajibletye- written in March 1S2G, in which House, from which I have hither- the author says: — "Some acci- to conscientiously abstained." — dental collision there must be, Xovds, vol. xxxix. pp. Ixxv-vi. when works of a similar character ^ Ben Jonson, Every Jfun in his are finished on the same general Ilmnoio: 274 JOURNAL. [Oct. I believe were I to publisli the Canongate Chronicles without my name {nom de guerre, I mean) tlie event woukl be a corollary to the fable of the peasant who made the real pig- squeak against the imitator, while the sapient audience hissed the poor grunter as if inferior to the biped in his own language. The peasant could, indeed, confute the long- eared multitude by showing piggy ; but were I to fail as a knight with a white and maiden shield, and then vindicate my claim to attention by putting "By the Author of Waverley" in the title, my good friend Piiblicv/ni would defend itself by stating I had tilted so ill, that my course had not the least resemblance to my former doings, when indisputably I bore away the garland. Therefore I am as firmly and resolutely determined that I will tilt under my own cog- nisance. The hazard, indeed, remains of being beaten. But there is a prejudice (not an undue one neither) in favour of the original patentee ; and Joe Manton's name has borne out many a sorry gun-barrel. More of this to-morrow. Expense of journey, Anne, ijocket-money, .... Servants on journey, .... Cash in purse (silver not reckoned), This is like to be an expensive journey ; but if I can sell an early copy of the work to a French translator, it should bring me home. Thank God, little Johnnie Hoo, as he calls himself, is looking well, though the poor dear child is kept always in a prostrate posture. October 18. — I take up again my remarks on imitators. I am sure I mean the gentlemen no wrong by calling them so, and heartily wish they had follow- ed a better model ; but it serves to show me vchcti in speeido my own errors, or, if you will, those of the style. One advantage, I think, I still have over all of them. They may do their fooling with £41 5 2 2 £50 1826.] JOUENAL. 275 better grace ; but I, like Sir Andrew Aguecheek, do it more natural.! They have to read old books and consult anti- quarian collections to get their knowledge ; I write because I have long since read such works, and possess, thanks to a strong memory, the information which they have to seek for. This leads to a dracjfTincr-in historical details bv head and shoulders, so that the interest of the main piece is lost in minute descriptions of events which do not affect its progress. Perhaps I have sinned in this way myself; indeed, I am but too conscious of having considered the plot only as what Bayes^ calls the means of bringing in fine things; so that in resjDcct to tlie descriptions, it resembled the string of the showman's box, which he pulls to show in succession Kings, Queens, the Battle of Waterloo, Bonaparte at Saint Helena, Newmarket Piaces, and "White-headed Bob floored by Jemmy from town. All this I may have done, but I have repented of it ; and in my better efforts, while I con- ducted my story through the agency of historical personages, and by connecting it with historical incidents, I have en- deavoured to weave them pretty closely together, and in future I will study this more. Must not let the background eclipse the principal figures — the frame overpower the picture. Another thing in my favour is, tliat my contemporaries steal too openly. Mr. Smith has inserted in BramUetyc House whole pages from Defoe's Fire and Plague of London. " Steal I foil ! a fico for the phrase — Convey, the wise it call ! '' ^ When I convey an incident or so, I am at as nmcli ])ain3 to avoid detection as if the offence could be indicted in literal fact at the Old Bailey. But leaving this, hard pressed as I am by these imitators, who must put the thing out of fashion at last, I consider, 1 Twelfth Ni'jht, Act ii. Sc. .S. * Rehearsal, Act iii. Sc. 1. ^ Merry Wues, Act i. Sc. 3. 276 JOURNAL. [Oct. like a fox at his last shifts, wlietlier there be a way to dodge them, some new device to tlirow them off, and have a mile or two of free ground, while I have legs and v/ind left to use it. There is one way to give novelty : to depend for success on the interest of a well-contrived story. But woe 's me ! that requires thought, consideration — the writingout a regular plan or plot — above all the adhering to one — which I never can do, for the ideas rise as I write, and bear such a disproportioned extent to that which each occupied at the first concoction, that (cocksnowns !) I shall never be able to take the trouble; and yet to make the world stare, and gain a new march ahead of them all ! ! ! Well, something we still will do. " Liberty 's in every blow ; Let us do or die ! " Poor Eob Burns ! to tack thy fine strains of sublime patriotism ! Better take Tristram Shandy's vein. Hand me my cap and bells there. So now, I am equipped. I open my raree-show with INIa'am, will you walk in, and fal de ral diddle ? And, sir, will you stalk in, and fal de ral diddle ? And, miss, will you pop in, and fal de ral diddle ? And, master, pray hop in, and fal dc ral diddle 1 Query — How long is it since I heard that strain of dulcet mood, and where or how came I to pick it up ? It is not mine, " though by your smiling you seem to say so." ^ Here is a proper morning's work ! But I am childish with seeing them all well and happy here ; and as I can neither whistle nor sing, I must let the giddy humour run to waste on paper. Sallied forth in the morning ; bought a hat. JNIet S[ir] W[illiam] K[nighton], - from whose discourse I guess that Malachi has done me no prejudice in a certain quarter ; with more indications of the times, which I need not set down. ^ Hamlet, Act ir. Sc. 2. ever afterwards they corresponded " Sir Walter liad made his ac- with each other — sometimes very (jr.aiutance in August 1822, and confidentially. — J. g. l. 1826.] JOUENAL. 277 Sallied again after breakfast, and visited the Piccadilly ladies. ^ Saw Rogers and Richard Sharp, also good Dr. and Mrs. Hughes, also the Duchess of Buckingham, and Lady Charlotte Bury, with a most beautiful little girl. [Owen] Rees breakfasted, and agreed I should have what the Frenchman has offered for the advantage of translating Nccpoleon, which, being a hundred guineas, will help my expenses to town and down again. • October 19. — 1 rose at my usual time, but could not write ; so read South ey's History of the Peninsular War. It is very good indeed, — honest English principle in every line ; but there are many prejudices, and there is a tendency to aug- ment a work already too long by saying all that can be said of the history of ancient times appertaining to every place mentioned. What care we whether Saragossa be derived from Caesarea Augusta ? Could he have proved it to be Numan- tium, there would have been a concatenation accordingly,- Breakfasted at Rogers' with Sir Thomas Lawrence ; Luttrell, the great London wit f Richard Sharp, etc. Sam made us merry with an account of some part of Rose's Ariosto ; proposed that the Italian should be printed on the other side for the sake of assisting the indolent reader to understand the English ; and complained of his using more than once the phrase of a lady having " voided her saddle," which would certainly sound extraordinary at Apothecaries' Hall. Well, well. Rose carries a dirk too.'* The morning ^ The Dumergues, at 15 Piccadilly were published anonymously, such West — early friends of Lady Scott's. as Lines written at AvipthiU Park, — See Life, vol. ii. p. 120. in 1818 ; Advice to Julia, a letter in „ _, . . , , 1 . Rhyme, in which he sketched high 2 It is amusing to compare this ,.. ■ \ -, ■ ,o-.a tt f ... . .^, ?,. ,^x ,. , life m London, in 1820. He also criticism with feir \\ alter s own , ,. , , ^ , ^ , tt ■, .,..,,. , 1. published CrocA'/ojYt i/oMse: a rhaps- anxiety to identify his daughter- '■ ^ . ,^^_ -^^^ . ,. _,.'■ . , f , r 1 -iu 4.1 ody, in lS2y. Moore m his Dia?)/ in-law s place, Lochore, with the , , , , , TT 1 r^ SL j.\ T, -i. has embalmed numerous examples t/j-fe Orrea of the Roman writers. „ „ -r , , ,i of his satiric wit. Henry Luttrell died in 1851. See Life, vol. vii. p. .S52. — j. g. l ^ This brilliant conversational was the author of several airy a graceful productions in verse, which vols. 8vo, Lonu^n 182.S-1S31 ^ This brilliant conversationalist ■* The Orlando Furioso, hy Mr. was the author of several airy and Stewart Rose, was published in 8 278 JOUENAL. [Oct. was too dark for Westminster Abbey, which we had projected. I went to the Foreign Office,' and am put by Mr. Wihiiot Horton into the hands of a confidential clerk, Mr. Smith, who promises access to everything. Then saw Croker, who gave me a bundle of documents. Sir George Cockburn promises his despatches and journal. In short, I have ample prospect of materials. Dined with Mrs. Coutts. Tragi-comic distress of ni}" good friend on the marriage of her presumptive heir with a daughter of Lucien Bonaparte. October 20. — Commanded down to pass a day at Windsor. This is very kind of His Majesty. At breakfast, Crofton Croker, author of the Irish Fairy Tales — little as a dwarf, keen-eyed as a hawk, and of very prepossessing manners. Something like Tom Moore. There were also Terry, Allan Cunningham, Newton, and others. Now I must go to work. Went down to Windsor, or rather to the Lodize in the Eorest, which, though ridiculed by connoisseurs, seems to be no bad specimen of a royal retirement, and is delightfully situated. A kind of cottage ornee — too large perhaps for the style — but yet so managed that in the walks you only see parts of it at once, and these well composed and group- ing with immense trees. His Majesty received me with the same mixture of kindness and courtesy which has always distinguished his conduct towards me. There was no company beside the royal retinue — Lady C[onyngham), her daughter, and two or three other ladies. After we left table, there was excellent music by the Royal Baud, who lay ambushed in a green-house adjoining the apartment. The King made me sit beside him and talk a great deal — too much, perhaps — for he has the art of raising one's spirits, and making you forget the rctcnue whicli is prudent every- where, especially at court. But he converses liimself with 1826.] J01TEN"AL. 279 so much ease and elegance, that you lose thouglits of tlie prince in admiring the well-bred and accomplished gentle- man. He is, in many respects, the model of a British monarch — lias little inclination to try experiments on govern- ment otherwise than through his ministers — sincerely, I believe, desires the good of his subjects, is kind toward the distressed, and moves and speaks " every incli a king." ^ I am sure sucli a man is fitter for us than one who would loncj to head armies, or be perpetually intermeddling with la grande 2^olitiqvr. A sort of reserve, which creeps on him daily, and prevents his going to places of public resort, is a disadvantage, and prevents his being so generally popular as is earnestly to be desired. This, I think, was much increased by the behaviour of the rabble in the brutal insanity of the Queen's trial, wlien John Bull, meaning the best in the world, made such a beastly figure. October 21. — Walked in the morninir with Sir AVilliam Knighton, and had much confidential chat, not fit to be here set down, in case of accidents. He undertook most kindly to recommend Charles, when he has taken Ids deuree, to bo attached to some of the diplomatic missions, which I think is best for the lad after all. After breakfast went to Windsor Castle, met by appointment my daughters and Lockhart, and examined the improvements going on there under Mr. Wyattville, who appears to possess a great deal of taste and feeling for Gothic architecture. The old apart- ments, splendid enough in extent and proportion, are paltry in finishing. Instead of being lined with heart of oak, the palace of the British King is hung with paper, painted wainscot colour. There are some fine paintings and some droll ones ; among the last are those of divers princes of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, of which Queen Charlotte was de- scended. They are ill-coloured, orang-outang-looking figures, with black eyes and hook-noses, in old-fashioned uniforms. ^ King Lear, Act iv. Sc. G. — j. (i. r.. 280 JOURNAL. [Oct. We returned to a liasty dinner [in Pall Mall], and then hurried away to see honest Dan Terry's house, called the Adelphi Theatre, where w^e saw the Pilot, from the American novel of that name. It is extremely popular, the dramatist having seized on the whole story, and turned the odious and ridiculous j^arts, assigned by the original author to the British, against the Yankees themselves. There is a quiet effrontery in this that is of a rare and peculiar character. The Americans were so much displeased, that they attempted a row — which rendered the piece doubly attractive to the seamen at Wapping, who came up and crowded the house night after night, to support the honour of the British flag. After all, one must deprecate whatever keeps up ill-will betwixt America and the mother country ; and wq in j^arti- cular should avoid awakening painful recollections. Our high situation enables us to contemn petty insults and to make advances towards cordiality. I was, however, glad to see honest Dan's theatre as full seemingly as it could hold. The heat was dreadful, and Anne Avas so very unwell that she w\as obliged to be carried into Terry's house, — a curious dwelling, no larger than a squirrel's cage, which he has contrived to squeeze out of the vacant spaces of the theatre, and which is accessible by a most complicated combination of staircases and small passages. Here we had rare good porter and oysters after the play, and found Anne much better. She had attempted too much ; indeed I myself was much fatigued. October 22. — This morning Drs. Goocli, Sliaw, and Yates breakfasted, and liad a consultation about wee Johnnie. They give us great hopes that liis healtli will be established, but the seaside or the country seem indispensable. IMr. Wilmot Horton,^ Under Secretary of State, also breakfasted. lie is full of some new plan of relieving the poor's-rates by ^ Afterwards the Right Ifoii. Sir Robert ^^'ilmot Horton, Governor of Ceylon. 1826.] JOURNAL. 281 encouraging emigration. But John Bull will think this savours of Botany Bay. The attempt to look the poor's- rates in the face is certainly meritorious. Laboured in writing and marking extracts to be copied from breakfast to dinner, with the exception of an hour spent in telling Johnnie the history of his namesake, Gilpin. Mr. William and Mrs. Lockhart dined with us. Tom Moore^ and Sir Thomas Lawrence came in the eveniuf, which made a pleasant soiree. Smoke my French — Egad, it is time to air some of my vocabulary. It is, I find, cursedly musty. October 23. — Sam Eogers and IMoore breakfasted here, and we were very merry fellows. Moore seemed disposed to go to France with us. I visited the Admiralty, and got Sir George Cockburn's journal, which is valuable.^ Also visited Lady Elizabeth and Sir Charles Stewart. My heart warmed to the former, on account of the old Balcarres connection. Sir Charles and she were very kind and communicative. I foresee I will be embarrassed with more communications than I can well use or trust to, coloured as they must be by the passions of those who make them. Thus I have a state- ment from the Duchess d'Escars, to which the Bonapartists would, I dare say, give no credit. If Talleyrand, for example, could be communicative, he must have ten thousand reasons ^ Moore, on hearing of Scott's the party. This suspicion on arrival, hastened to London from Moore's part shows how lie iiad mis- Sloj^erton, and had several pleasant understood Scott's real character, meetings, particulars of which are If Scott thought it riglit to ask the given in his i)mrz/ (vol. v. pp. 121 to Bardof Ireland to be his companion, 126). He would, as Scott says on no hints from Mr. Wilmot Horton, tlie 23d, have gone to Paris with or any members of the Court party, them — "seemed disposed to go"; would have influenced him, even but between that date and 25th though they had urged that 'this fancied that he saw sometiiiug political reprobate " was author of in Scott's manner that made him 'J'he. Fudge Family in Paris aud the hesitate, and then finally give up Ttoopenny Post-Baj. tne idea. He adds that Scott's friends had thrown out hints - Sir George died in 1853. His as to the impropriety of such a journal does not appear to have political reprobate forming one of been published. 28:^ JOUENAL. [Oct. for perverting the truth, and yet a person receiving a direct communication from him woukl be almost barred from dis- jDuting it. " Sing tantararara, rogues all." AYe dined at the Eesidentiary-house with good Dr. Hufrhes,! AlLan Cunningham, Sir Thomas Lawrence, and young Mv. Hughes. Thomas Pringle ^ is returned from the Cape, and called in my absence. He might liave done well there, could he have scoured his brain of politics, but he must needs publish a Whig journal at the Cape of Good Hope ! He is a worthy creature, but conceited withal — Jiioic illcc laclirymcc. He brought me some antlers and a skin, in addition to others he had sent to Abbotsford four years since. Crofton Croker made me a present of a small box of curious Irish antiquities containing a gold fibula, etc. etc. October 24. — Laboured in the morning. At breakfast Dr. Holland ^ and Cohen, whom they now call Palgrave,* a nmtation of names which confused my recollections. Item, ^ Dr. Hughes, who died Jan. 6, mendations to the late Lord Charles 1833, aged seventy-seven, was one Somerset, Governor of the Cape of of the Canons-residentiary of St. Good Hope in which colony he Paiil's, London. He and Mrs. settled, and for some years throve Hughes were old friends of Sir under the Governor's protection; Walter, who had been godfather to but the newspaper alluded to in the one of their grandchildren. — See text ruined his prospects at the Life, vol. vii. pp. 259-260. Their Cape ; he returned to England, be- son was John Hughes, Esq., of came Secretary to the Anti-Slavery Oriel College, whose "Itinerary of Society, published a charming little the Rhone" is mentioned with volume entitled African Sketches, praise in the introduction to Quen- and died in December 1834. Ho tin Durward. — See letter to Charles was o man of amiable feelings and Scott, in Life, vol. vii. p. 275. elegant genius. s An esteemed friend of Sir Walter's, who attended on liim during his illness in October 1831, 2 Mr. Pringle was a Roxburgh- shire farmer's son who in youth attracted Sir Walter's notice by his poem called The Atdumna' Excur- """"b "'" "'"''''' ^. oi . 1 ■ m ■ .1 1 and m June 1832, sion ; or, Sketches tn 1 emotdale. He was for a short time p]ditor of 4 Afterwards Sir Francis Pal- niackwood'n Magazine, but the pub- grave, Deputy-Keeper of tlic public lishcr and he had different politics, records, and author of the History quarrelled, and parted. Sir Walter of Normnndij and Enr/hc/d, 4 vols, then gave Pringle strong rccom- 8vo, 1851 -1SG4, and other works. 1826.] JOURNAL. 283 Moore. I worked at the Colonial Office pretty liard. Dined with Mr. Wilmot Horton and his beautiful wife, the original of the " She %valks in Beauty" etc., of poor Byron. The conversation is seldom excellent amoncp official people. So many topics are what Otaheitians call tahoo. We hunted down a pun or two, which were turned out, like the stag at the Epping Hunt, for the pursuit of all and sundry. Came home early, and was in bed by eleven. October 25. — Good Mr. AVilson ^ and his wife at Ijreak- fast; also Sir Thomas Lawrence. Locker^ came in after- wards, and made a proposal to me to give up his intended Life of George iii. in my favour on cause shown. I declined the proposal, not being of opinion that my genius lies that way, and not relishing hunting in couples. Afterwards went to the Colonial Office, and had Eobert Hay's assist- ance in my inquiries ; then to the French Ambassador for my passports. Picked up Sotheby, who endeavoured to saddle me for a review of his polyglot Virgil. I fear I shall scarce convince him that I know nothinc^ of the Latin limro. Sir R. H. Inglis, Richard Sharp, and other friends called. We dined at Miss Dumergue's, and spent a part of our soiree at Lydia White's. To-morrow, " For France, for France, for it is more than need." ^ [6Vi/«is,] October 26. — Up at five, and in the packet by six. A fine passage — save at the conclusion, while we lay on and off the harbour of Calais. But the tossinsj made no impression on my companion or me ; we ate and drank like dragons the wdiole wav, and were able to manaire a good supper and best part of a bottle of Chablis, at the classic Dessein's, who received us with much courtesy. October 27. — Custom House, etc., detained us till near ten 1 William Wilson of Wandsworth of Greenwich Hospital. — Sice ante. Common, formerly of Wilsontown, Oct. 7. • . . . in Lanarkshire. — J. secretaries by the bushel. The cheer was excellent, but the presence of too many men of distinguished rank and power always freezes the conversation. Each lamp shines brightest when placed by itself ; when too close, they neutralise each other.^ Novemhcr 17. — My morning here began with the arrival ^ This striking paper was after- to the Duke on the subject is given wards printed in full under the at p. 590 of the same volume, and title, " ^Memorandum on tlie War iu see tliis Joui'nal under Fcl). 15, IS'27. Russia in 1812," in the De.tpatches " In returning from tliis dinner edited by his Son (Dee. 1825 to May Sir Walter said, "I have seen 1827), Murray, 1SG8, vol. i. 8vo, some of these great men at the same pp. 1-53. Sir Walter Scott's letter tshlefoi' the last time." — J. g. L. 308 JOURNAL. [Nov. of Baliauder Jah ; soon after Mr. Wright ; ^ then I was called out to James Scott the young painter. I greatly fear this modest and amiable creature is throwing away his time. Next came an animal M'ho is hunting out a fortune in Chancery, which has lain perdu for thirty years. The fellow, who is in figure and manner the very essence of the crea- ture called a sloth, has attached himself to this pursuit with the steadiness of a well-scented beagle. I believe he will actually get the prize. Sir John Malcolm acknowledges and recommends my Persian visitor Bruce. Saw the Duke of York. The change on H.RH. is most wonderful From a big, burly, stout man, with a thick and sometimes an inarticulate mode of speaking, he has sunk into a thin-faced, slender-looking old man, who seems diminished in his very size. I could hardly believe I saw the same person, 'though I was received with his usual kindness. He speaks much more distinctly than formerly ; his complexion is clearer ; in short, H.E.H. seems, on the whole, more healthy after this crisis than when in the stall- fed state, for such it seemed to be, in which I remember him. God grant it ! his life is of infinite value to the King and country — it is a breakwater beliind the throne. November 18. — "Was introduced by Eogers to Mad. D'Arblay, the celebrated authoress of Evelina and Cecilia, — an elderly lady, with no remains of personal beauty, but with a gentle manner and a pleasing expression of counten- ance. She told me she had wished to see two persons — myself, of course, being one; the other George Canning. This was really a compliment to be pleased with — a nice little handsome pat of butter made up by a neat-handed riiillis^ of a dairymaid, instead of the grease, fit only for cart-wheels, wliich one is dosed with by the pound. ^ Mr. William Wright, ]5arristcr, Lincoln's Inn.— Sec Life, vol. viii. i;. 84. ^ Miltou'a L'Alleijro. — J. G. l. 1826.] JOUENAL. 309 Mad, D'Arblay told ns the common story of Dr. Burney, her father, having brought home her own first work, and recommended it to her perusal, was erroneous. Her father was in the secret of Evelina being printed. But the follow- ing circumstances may have given rise to the story : — Dr. Burney was at Streatham soon after the publication, where he found Mrs. Thrale recovering from her confinement, low at the moment, and out of spirits. Wliile they were talking together, Johnson, who sat beside in a kind of reverie, suddenly broke out, " You should read this new work, madam — you should read Evelina; every one says it is excellent, and they are right." The delighted father obtained a commission from Mrs. Thrale to purchase his daughter's work, and retired the happiest of men. Mad. D'Arblay said she was wild with joy at this decisive evidence of her literary success, and that she could only give vent to her rapture by dancing and skipping round a mulberry-tree in the garden. She was very young at this time. I trust I shall see this lady again. She has simple and apparently amial)le manners, with quick feelings. Dined at Mr. Peel's with Lord Liverpool, Duke of Welling- ton, Croker, Bankes, etc. The conversation very good — Peel taking the lead in his own house, which he will not do elsewhere. We canvassed the memorable criminal case of Ashford,^ Peel almost convinced of the man's innocence. Should have been at the play, but sat too late at Mr. Peel's. So ends my campaign among these maguificoes and potent signiors, ^ with whom I have found, as usual, the warmest acceptation. I wish I could turn a little of my popularity amongst them to Lockhart's advantage, who cannot bustle 1 A murder committed in 1S17. series, vol. xi. pp. 88, 259,317, and The accused claimed the privilege p. 431 for a cm-ious account of the of Wager of Battle, which was 1)ibliography of this very singular allowed by the Court for the last case, time, as the law was abolished in 1819.— See XoL s and Queries, 2d - Othello. — J. o. l. 310 JOURNAL. [Nov. for himself. He is out of spirits just now, and views things au iioir. I fear Johnnie's precarious state is the cause. I finished my sittings to Lawrence, and am heartily sorry there should be another picture of me except that which he has finished. The person is remarkably like, and conveys the idea of the stout blunt carle that cares for few things, and fears nothing. He has represented the author as in the act of composition, yet has effectually discharged all affecta- tion from the manner and attitude. He seems pleased with it himself. He dined with us at Peel's yesterday, where, by the way, we saw the celebrated Cliapeau de Paille, which is not a Chapeau de Paille at all. Noveiiiber 19. — Saw this morning Duke of "Wellington and Duke of York; the former so communicative that I regretted extremely the length of time,^ but have agreed on a correspondence with him. Tro2o d'Jionneur poiir moi. The Duke of York saw me by appointment. He seems still mending, and spoke of state affairs as a high Tory. Were his health good, his spirit is as strong as ever. H.R.H. has a devout horror of the liberals. Having the Duke of AYellington, the Chancellor, and (perhaps) a still greater person on his side, he might make a great fight when they split, as split they will. But Canning, Huskisson, and a mitigated party of Liberaux will probably beat them. Canning's will and eloquence are almost irresistible. But then the Church, justly alarmed for their property, which is plainly struck at, and the bulk of the landed interest, will scarce brook a mild infusion of Whiggery into the Administration. Well, time will show. We visited our friends Peel, Lord Gwydyr, Arbuthnot, etc., and left our tickets of adieu. In no instance, during my former visits to London, did I ever meet with such general attention and respect on all sides. * Sir Walter no doubt means that Duke at an earlier period of liia he regretted not having seen the liistorical labours. — J. G. L. 1826.] JOUENAL. 311 Lady Loiiisa Stuart dined — also Wright and Mr. and Mrs. Christie. Dr. and Mrs. Hughes oame in the evening; so ended pleasantly our last night in London. [Oxford,] November 20. — Left London after a comfortable breakfast, and an adieu to the Lockhart family. If I had had but comfortable hopes of their poor, pale, prostrate child, so clever and so interesting, I should have parted easily on this occasion, but these misgivings overcloud the prospect. We reached Oxford by six o'clock, and found Charles and his friend young Surtees waiting for us, with a good fire in the chimney, and a good dinner ready to be placed on the table. We had struggled through a cold, sulky, drizzly day, which deprived of all charms even the beautiful country near Henley. So we came from cold and darkness into light and warmth and society. KB. — We had neither daylight nor moonlight to see the view of Oxford from the ]\Iaudlin Bridge, which I used to think one of the most beautiful in the world. Upon finance I must note that tlie expense of travelling has mounted high. I am too old to rough it, and scrub it, nor could I have saved fifty pounds by doing so. I have gained, however, in health, spirits, in a new stock of ideas, new combinations, and new views. My self-consequence is raised, I hope not unduly, by the many flattering circum- stances attending my reception in the two capitals, and I feel confident in proportion. In Scotland I shall find time for labour and for economy. [Ohelteiiham,] Novemhcr 21. — Breakfasted with Cliarles in his chambers [at Brasenose], where he had everything very neat. How pleasant it is for a father to sit at his child's board ! It is like an aged man reclining under the shadow of the oak which he has planted. My poor plant has some storms to undergo, but were this expedition conducive to no more than his entrance into life under suitable auspices, I should consider the toil and the expense 312 JOURNAL. [Nov. well bestowed. We then sallied out to see the lions — guides being Charles, and friend Surtees, Mr. John Hughes, young Mackenzie (Fitz-Colin), and a young companion or two of Charles's. Remembering the ecstatic feelings with which I visited Oxford more than twenty-five years since, I was surprised at the comparative indifference with which I re- visited the same scenes. Reginald Heber, then composing his Prize Poem, and imping his wings for a long flight of honourable distinction, is now dead in a foreign land — Hodgson and other able men all entombed. The towers and halls remain, but the voices which fill them are of modern days. Besides, the eye becomes satiated with sights, as the full soul loathes the honeycomb. I admired indeed, but my admiration was void of the enthusiasm which I formerly felt. I remember particularly having felt, while in the Bodleian, like the Persian magician who visited the enchanted library in the bowels of the mountain, and willingly suffered himself to be enclosed in its recesses,^ while less eager sages retired in alarm. Now I liad some base thoughts concerning luncheon, which was most munifi- cently supplied by Surtees [at his rooms in University College], with the aid of the best ale I ever drank in my life, the real wine of Ceres, and worth that of Bacchus. Dr. Jenkyns,^ the vice-chancellor, did me the honour to call, but I saw him not. I called on Charles Douglas at All-Souls, and had a chat of an hour with him.^ Before three set out for Cheltenham, a long and uninter- esting drive, which we achieved by nine o'clock. My sister- in-law [Mrs. Thomas Scott] and her daughter instantly came to the hotel, and seem in excellent health and spirits. November 22. — Breakfasted and dined with Mrs. Scott, 1 See Weber's Tales of (he East, of Balliol College.— j. g. l. 8 vols. 8vo, Edin. 1812. History of ^Charles Douglas succeeded his Avicene, vol. ii. jjp. 452-4.57. })rotlier, Baron Douglas of Douglas, 2 Dr. Richard Jenkyns, Master in 1844. 1826.] JOUENAL. 313 and leaving Cheltenham at seven, pnshed on to Worcester to sleep. Noveniber 23. — Breakfasted at Birmingham, and slept at Macclesfield. As we came in between ten and eleven, the people of the inn expressed surprise at our travelling so late, as the general distress of the manufacturers has rendered many of the lower class desperately outrageous. The inn was guarded by a special watchman, who alarmed us by giving his signal of turn out, but it proved to be a poor deserter who had taken refuge among the carriages, and who was reclaimed by his sergeant. The people talk gloomily of winter, when the distress of the poor will be increased. Noveniber 24. — Breakfasted at Manchester. Ere we left, the senior churchwarden came to offer us his services, to show us the town, principal manufactures, etc. We declined his polite offer, pleading haste. I found his opinion about the state of trade more agreeable than I had ventured to expect. He said times were mending gradually but steadily, and that the poor-rates were decreasing, of which none can be so good a judge as the churchwarden. Some months back the f)eople had been in great discontent on account of the power engines, which they conceived diminished the demand for operative labour. There was no politics in their discontent, however, and at present it was diminishing. We again pressed on — and by dint of exertion reached Kendal to sleep ; thus getting out of the region of the stern, sullen, unwashed artificers, whom you see lounging sulkily along the streets of the towns in Lancashire, cursing, it would seem by their looks, the stop of trade which gives them leisure, and the laws which prevent them employing their spare time. God's justice is requiting, and will yet further rc(piite those who have blown up this country into a state of unsubstantial opulence, at the expense of the healtli and morals of the lower classes. Novemher 25. — Took two pair of horses over the Shap 314 JOURNAL. [Nov. Fells, whicli are covered witli snow, and by dint of exertion reached Penrith to breakfast. Then rolled on till we found our own horses at Hawick, and returned to our own home at Abbotsford about three in the morning. It is well we made a forced march of about one hundred miles, for I think the snow would have stopped us had we lingered. [Abhotsfojrl,] Novemher 26. — Consulting my purse, found my good £60 diminished to Quarter less Ten. In purse £8. Naturally reflected how much expense has increased since I first travelled. My uncle's servant, during the jaunts we made together while I was a boy, used to have his option of a shilling per diem for board wages, and usually preferred it to having his charges borne. A servant nowadays, to be comfortable on the road, should have 4s. or 4s. 6d. board wages, which before 1790 would have maintained his master. But if this be pitiful, it is still more so to find the alteration iu my own temper. When young, on returning from such a trip as I have just had, my mind would have loved to dwell on all I had seen that was rich and rare, or have been placing, perhaps in order, the various additions with which I had supplied my stock of information — and now, like a stupid boy blundering over an arithmetical question half obliterated on his slate, I go stumbling on upon the audit of pounds, shillings, and pence. Why, the increase of charge I complain of must continue so long as the value of the thing represented by cash continues to rise, or as the value of the thing representing continues to decrease — let the economists settle which is the right way of expressing the process when groats turn plenty and eggs grow dear — ■ "And so 'twill be when I am gone, The increasing charge Avill still go on, And other bards shall climb these hills, And curse your charge, dear evening bills." Well, the skirmish has cost me £200. I wished for informa- tion — and I have had to pay for it. The information is got, 1826.] JOUEXAL. 315 the money is spent, and so this is the only mode of account- ing amongst friends. I have packed my books, etc., to go by cart to Edinburgh to-morrow. I idled away the rest of the day, happy to find myself at home, which is home, though never so homely. And mine is not so liomely neither; on the contrary, I have seen in my travels none I liked so well — fantastic in architecture and decoration if you please — but no real com- fort sacrificed to fantasy. " Ever gramercy my own purse," saith the song; ^ "Ever gramercy my own house," quoth I. November 2 7. — We set off after breakfast, but on reaching Fushie Bridge at three, found ourselves obliged to wait for horses, all being gone to the smithy to be roughshod in this snowy weather. So we stayed dinner, and Peter, coming up with his horses, bowled us into town about eight. Waltei' came and supped with us, which diverted some heavy thoughts. It is impossible not to compare this return to Edinburgh with others in more happy times. But we should rather recollect under what distress of mind I took up my lodgings in Mrs. Brown's last summer, and then the balance weighs deeply on the favourable side. This house is com- fortable and convenient.^ [UdinhurgJi,'] Novemler 28. — Went to Court and resumed old habits. Dined with Walter and Jane at ]\Irs. Jobson's. When we returned were astonished at the news of 's death, and the manner of it ; a quieter, more inoffensive, mild, and staid mind I never knew. He was free from all these sinkinsfs of the imagination which render those who are liable to them the victims of occasional low spirits. All belonging to this gifted, as it is called, but often unhappy, class, must have felt at times that, but for the dictates of 1 "But of all friends in field or town, Ever gramercy," etc. Dame Juliana Berners. - A fuiTiishcd house in Walker Street which he had taken for the winter (No. 3). 316 JOUENAL. [Nov. 182G. religion, or tlio natural recoil of the mind from the idea of dissolution, there have been times when they would have been willing to throw away life as a child does a broken toy. But poor was none of these : he was happy in his domestic relations ; and on the very day on which the rash deed was committed was to have embarked for rejoining his wife and child, whom I so lately saw anxious to impart to him their improved prospects. Lord, what are we — lords of nature % Why, a tile drops from a housetop, which an elephant would not feel more than the fall of a sheet of pasteboard, and there lies his lordship. Or something of inconceivably minute origin, the pressure of a bone, or the inflammation of a particle of the brain takes place, and the emblem of the Deity destroys himself or some one else. We hold our health and our reason on terms slighter than one would desire were it in their choice to hold an Irish cabin. November 29. — Awaked from horrid dreams to recon- sideration of the sad reality ; he was such a kind, obliging, assiduous creature. I thought he came to my bedside to expostulate with me how I could believe such a scandal, and I thought I detected that it was but a spirit who spoke, by the paleness of his look and the blood flowing from his cravat. I had the nightmare in short, and no w^onder. 1 felt stupefied all this day, but wrote the necessary letters notwithstanding. Walter, Jane, and Mrs. Jobson dined with us — but I could not gather my spirits. But it is nonsense, and contrary to my system, which is of the stoic school, and I think pretty well maintained. It is the only philosophy I know or can practise, but it cannot always keep the helm. November 30. — I went to the Court, and on my return set in order a sheet or two of copy. We came back about two — the new form of hearing counsel makes our sederunt a long one. iJined aloue, and worked in tlie evening. DECEMBEE. December \.^ — The Court again very long in its sitting, and I obliged, to remain till the last. This is the more troublesome, as in winter, with my worn-out eyes, I cannot write so well by candle-light. Naboclish ! when I am quite blind, good-night to you, as the one-eyed fellow said, when a tennis ball knocked out his remaining luminary. My short residue of time before dinner was much cut up by calls — all old friends, too, and men whom I love ; but this makes the loss of time more galling, that one cannot and dare not growl at those on whom it has been bestowed. However, I made out two hours better than I expected. I am now once more at my oar, and I Avill row hard. 1 During the winter of 1826-7 Sir Walter suffered great pain (enough to have distui'bed effectu- ally any other man's labours, whether official or literary) from successive attacks of rheumatism, which seems to have been fixed on him by the wet sheets of one of his French inns ; and his Diary con- tains, besides, various indications that his constitution was already shaking under the fatigue to which he had subjected it. Formerly, however great the quantity of work he put through his hands, his evenings were almost all reserved for the light reading of an elbow- chair, or the enjoyment of his family and friends. Now he seemed to grudge every minute that was not spent at his desk. The little that he read of new books, or for mere amiisement, was done by snatches in the course of his meals ; and to walk, when he could walk at all, to the Parliament House, and back again through the Princes Street Gardens, was his only exer- cise and his only relaxation. Every ailment, of whatever sort, ended in aggravating his lameness ; and, perhaps, the severest test his philo- sophy encountered was the feeling of bodily helplessness that from week to week crept upon him. The winter, to make bad worse, was a very cold and stormy one. The growing sluggishness of his blood showed itself in chilblains, not only on the feet but the fingers, and his handwriting becomes more and more cramped and confused. — Life, vol. ix. pp. 5S-',). 317 318 JOUllNAL. [Dec. December 2. — Eeturned early from Court, but made some calls by the way. Dined alone with Aime, and meant to have worked, but — I don't know how — this horrid story stuck by me, so I e'en read Boutourlin's account of the Moscow campaign to eschew the foul fiend. December 3. — Wrote five pages before dinner. Sir Thomas Brisbane and Sir William Arbuthnot called, also John A. Murray. William dined with us, all vivid with his Italian ideas, only Jane besides. Made out five pages, I think, or nearly. December 4. — Much colded, which is no usual complaint of mine, but worked about five leaves, so I am quite up Avitli my task- work and better. But my books from Abbotsford have not arrived. Dined with the Eoyal Society Club — about thirty members present — too many for company. After coffee, the Society were like Mungo in The Padlock} I listened, without understanding a single word, to two scientific papers ; one about the tail of a comet, and the other about a chucky-stone ; besides hearing Basil Hall describe, and seeing him exhibit, a new azimuth. I have half a mind to cut the whole concern ; and yet the situation is honour- able, and, as Bob Acres says, one should think of their honour. We took possession of our new rooms on the Mound, which are very handsome and gentlemanlike. December 5. — Annoyed with the cold and its con- sequences all night, and wish I could shirk the Court this morning. But it must not be. Was kept late, and my cold increased. I have had a regular attack of this for many years past whenever I return to the sedentary life and heated rooms of Edinburgh, which are so different from the open air and constant exercise of the country. Odd enough that during cold weather and cold nocturnal journeys the cold never touched me, yet I am no sooner settled in comfortable quarters and warm well-aired couches, but la voild. I made ^ See Bickerstaff's Comic OiJcra, The Padlock. 1826.] JOURNAL. 319 a shift to finish my task, however, and even a leaf more, so we are bang up. We dined and supped alone, and I went to bed early. December 6. — A bad and disturbed night with fever, head- ache, and some touch of cholera morbus, which greatly disturbed my slumbers. But I fancy Nature was scouring the gun after her own fashion. I slept little till morning, and then lay abed, contrary to my wont, until half-past nine o'clock, when I came down to breakfast. Went to Court, and returned time enough to write about five leaves. Dined at Skene's, wliere we met Lord Elgin and Mr. Stewart, a son of Sir M. Shaw Stewart, whom I knew and liked, poor man. Talked among other things and persons of Sir J. Campbell of Ardkinglas, who is now here.^ He is happy in escaping from his notorious title of Callander of Craigforth. In my youth he was a black-leg and swindler of the first water, and like Pistol did " Somewhat lean to cut-purse of quick hand." ^ He was obliged to give up his estate to liis son Colonel Callander, a gentleman of honour, and as Dad went to the Continent in the midst of tlie French Revolution, he is understood to have gone through many scenes. At one time, Lord Elgin assured us, he seized upon the island of Zante, as he pretended, by direct authority from the English Govern- ment, and reigned there very quietly for some months, until, to appease the jealousy of the Turks, Lord Elgin despatched a frigate to dethrone the new sovereign. Afterwards he traversed India in the dress of a fakir. He is now eighty and upwards. 1 This gentleman published his says was eftected at Nelson's own Memoirs (2 vols. Svo, Lond. suggestion, and by Lord Keith's 1832). They read like chapters authority. Sir James died in 18.32 fi'om the Arabian I^hjlds. He gives at a very great age. a somewhat different account of his occupation of Zante, A\hich he - lltnry V. Act v. Sc. 1. 320 JOURNAL. [Dec. I should like to see what age and adventures have done upon him. I recollect him a very handsome, plausible man. Of all good breeding, that of a swindler (of good education, be it understood) is the most perfect. Decemhei' 7. — Again a very disturbed night, scarce sleeping an hour, yet well when I rose in the morning. I did not do above a leaf to-day, because I had much to read. But I am up to one-fourth of the volume, of 400 pages, which I began on the first December current ; the 3 1st must and shall see the end of vol. vi. We dined alone. I had a book sent me by a very clever woman, in defence of what she calls the rights of her sex. Clever, though. I hope she will publish it. December 8. — Another restless and deplorable Knight — night I should say — faith, either spelling will suit. Keturned early, but much clone up with my complaint and want of sleep last night. I wrought however, but with two or three long interrujDtions, my drowsiness being irresistible. Went to dine with John Murray, where met his brother Hender- land, Jeffrey, Harry Cockburn, Eutherfurd, and others of that file. Very pleasant — capital good cheer and excellent wine — much lau£rh and fun. December 9. — I do not know why it is that when I am with a party of my Opposition friends, the day is often merrier than when with our own set. Is it because they are cleverer ? Jeffrey and Harry Cockburn are, to be sure, very extraordinary men, yet it is not owing to that entirely. I believe both parties meet with the feeling of something like novelty. We have not worn out our jests in daily contact. There is also a disposition on such occasions to be courteous, and of course to be pleased. Wrought all day, but rather dawdled, being abominably drowsy. I fancy it is bile, a visitor I have not had this long time. December 10. — ^An uncomfortable and sleepless night; and tlie lime water assigned to cure me seems far less pleasant, and about as inefficacious as lime punch would 1826.] JOUENAL. 321 be ill the circumstances. I felt main stupid tlie whole forenoon, and though I wrote my task, yet it was with great intervals of drowsiness and fatigue which made me, as we Scots says, dover away in my arm-chair. Walter and Jane came to dinner, also my Coz Colonel Eussell, and above and attour ^ James Ballantyne, poor fellow. We had a quiet and social evening, I acting on prescription. AVell, I have seen the day — but no matter. December 11. — Slept indifferent well with a feverish halo about me, but no great return of my complaint. It paid it off this morning, however, but the diflerence was of such consequence that I made an ample day's work, getting over six pages, besides what I may do. On this, the 11th December, I shall have more than one-third of vol. vi. finished, which was begun on the first of this current month. Dined quiet and at home, I must take no more frisks till this fit is over. " When once life's day draws near the gloaming, Then farewell careless social roaming ; And farewell cheerful tankards foaming, And social noise ; . And farewell dear deluding woman, The joy of joys! "2 Long life to thy fame and peace to thy soul, Eob Burns ! When I want to express a sentiment which I feel strongly, I find the phrase in Shakespeare — or thee. The blockheads talk of my being like Shakespeare — not fit to tie his brogues.^ Dcceiiibcr 12. — Did not go to the Parliament House, but drove with Walter to I^alkeith, where we missed the Duke, and found Mr. Blakeney. One thing I saw there which pleased me much, and that was my own picture, painted ^ 'Pov By and attour, i.e. Q-vev a.ni}i Brother of Homer and of him above ^'^ Avon's shore, mid twilight dim, Of, , ,. , T ^ . , Who dreamed immortal dieams, and took - Bums s Imes to J. Smith. p^^„^ ^^^^^^.^ 1,^„^1 1,^^ j,.^t„re book ; 3 Delta's hues on Leshe's portrait Time hath not seen. Time may not see, of Scott may be recorded here : — Till ends his reign, a third like thee. 322 JOUimAL. [Dec. tM'enty years ago by Eaeburn for Constable, and wbicli was to have been brought to sale among the rest of the wreck, hanging quietly up in the dining-room at Dalkeith,^ I do not care much about these things, yet it would have been annoying to have been knocked down to the best bidder even in effigy ; and I am obliged to the friendship and delicacy which placed the portrait where it now is. Dined at Archie Swinton's, with all the cousins of that honest clan, and met Lord Cringletie,^ his wife, and others. Finished my task this day. December 13. — Went to the Court this morning early, and remained till past three. Then attended a meeting of the Edinburgh Academy Directors on account of some discussion about flogging. I am an enemy to corporal punishment, but there are many boys who will not attend without it. It is an instant and irresistible motive, and I love boys' heads too much to spoil them at the expense of their opposite extremity. Then, when children feel an emancipation on this point, we may justly fear they will loosen the bonds of discipline altogether. The master, I fear, must be something of a despot at the risk of his becoming something like a tyrant. He governs subjects whose keen sense of the present is not easily ruled by any considerations that are not pressing and immediate. I was indifferently well beaten at school ; but I am now quite certain that twice as much discipline would have been well bestowed. Dined at home with AValter and Jane ; they with Anne Went out in the evening, I remained, but not I fear to work much. I feel sorely fagged. I am sadly fagged. Then I cannot get 's fate out of my head. I see that kind, social, beneficent face never turned to me without ' Now at Bowhill. Lord Cringletie, in November 1816, ^ James "Wolfe Murray succeeded and died in 1836. Lord Meadowbank on the Bench as 1826.] JOUENAL. 323 respect and complacence, and — I see it in the agonies of death. This is childish; I tell myself so, and I trust the feeling to no one else. But here it goes down like the murderer who could not help painting the ideal vision of the man he had murdered, and wlio he supposed haunted him. A thousand fearful images and dire suggestions glance along the mind when it is moody and discontented with itself. Command them to stand and show themselves, and yoa presently assert the power of reason over imagination. But if hy any strange alterations in one's nervous system you lost for a moment the talisman which controls these fiends, would they not terrify into obedience with their mandates, rather than we would dare longer to endure their presence ? Dcceiiiber 1-4. — Annoyed with this cursed complaint, though I live like a hermit on pulse and water. Bothered, too, with the Court, which leaves me little room for proof- sheets, and none for copy. They sat to-day till past two, so before I had walked home, and called for half an hour on the Chief Commissioner, the work part of the day was gone; and then my lassitude — I say lassitude — not indolence — is so great that it costs me an hour's nap after I come home. We dined to-day with E. Dundas of Arniston — Atme and I. There was a small cabal about Cheape's election for Professor of Civil Law, which it is thought we can carry for him. He deserves support, having been very indifferently used in the affair of the Beacon} where certain high Tories showed a great desire to leave him to ^ A Party Newspaper started by was never heaped together than the Tories in Edinburgh at the the whole of this afi'air exhibited ; " beginning of 1821. It was sup- and Scott, who was one of its pressed in the month of August, founders, along with the Lord Ad- but duriug the interval contrived vocate and other otficial persons, to give great offence to the Whig wrote to Erskine, " I am terribly leaders by its personality. Lock- malcontent aboiit the Beacon. I hart says of it that "a more pitiable was dragged into the bond against mass of blunders and imbecility all reasons I could make, and now 324 JOURNAL. [Decl the mercy of the enemy ; as Feeble says, " I will never bear a base mind."^ We drank some " victorious Burgundy," contrary to all prescription. Decemler 15. — Eirad ! I think I am rather better for my good cheer! 1 have passed one quiet night at least, and that is something gained. A glass of good wine is a gracious creature, and reconciles poor mortality to itself, and that is what few things can do. Our election went off very decently ; no discussions or aggravating speeches. Sir John Jackass seconded the Whig's nominee. So much they will submit to to get a vote. The numbers stood — Cheape,- 138; Bell, 132. Majority, 6 — mighty hard run. The Tory interest was weak among the old stagers, where I remember it so strong, but preferment, country residence, etc., has thinned them. Then it was strong in the younger classes. The new Dean, James Moncreiff,^ presided with strict propriety and im- partiality. Walter and Jane dined with us. Decemhcr IQ. — Another bad night. I remember I used to think a slight illness was a luxurious thing. My pillow was then softened by the hand of affection, and all the little cares which were put in exercise to soothe the languor or pain were more flattering and pleasing than the tliey have allowed me no vote Rev. Sir Henry Wellwood. The regarding standing or flying. Entre new Dean succeeded Lord AUoway 710MS, our friends went into the thing on the Scotch Bench in 1829, and like fools, and came out very like died in 1851. Cockburn writes of cowards." The wretched libels it him thus: — "During the twenty- contained cost Sir A. Boswell his one years he was on the civil and life, and for a moment endangered criminal benches, lie performed all that of Scott. — See Life, vol. his duties admirably. Law-learn- vi. pp. 426-429, and Cockburn's ing and law-reasoning, industry, Memorials, p. 312. honesty, and high-minded purity 1 2 IlmrylV. Act iii. Sc. 2. '^""^^^ *^° "" "^o^'*^ ^«^" ^"^ J^^^ge- After forty years of unbroken "- Douglas Chcape, whose Intro- friendship, it is a pleasure to re- ductory Lecture was published in ^^^^-^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ 1827. Mr. Chcape died in ISGl. admiration of Ids character."- •* James Moncreiff, sou of the Journals, vol. ii. p. 2G4. 1826.] JOUENAL. 325 consequences of the illness were disagreeable. It was a new sense to be watched and attended, and I nsed to think that the Malade imaginairc gained something by his humour. It is different in the latter stages. The old post-chaise gets more shattered and out of order at every turn ; windows will not be pulled up ; doors refuse to open, or being open will not shut again — which last is rather my case. There is some new subject of complaint every moment; your sicknesses come thicker and thicker; your comforting or sympathising friends fewer and fewer ; for why should they sorrow for the course of nature ? The recollection of youth, health, and uninterrupted powers of activity, neither im- proved nor enjoyed, is a poor strain of comfort. The best is, the long halt will arrive. at last, and cure all. We had a long sitting in the Court. Came home- through a cold easterlv rain without a srreatcoat, and was well wet. A goodly medicine for my aching bones.^ Dined at Mr. Adam Wilson's, and had some £jood sinoinfj in the evening. Saw Dr. Stokoe, who attended Boney in Saint Helena, a plain, sensible sort of man.^ ; .:: J)ccemhcr L7. — This was a day of labour, agreeably varied by a pain wdiich rendered it scarce possible to sit upright. My Journal is getting a vile chirurgical aspect. I begin to be afraid of the odd consequences complaints in the j^ost ccfidtcm are said to produce. Walter and Jane; dined. Mrs. Skene came in the evenins;. . ..;;.■ ; ; ,.■; -, " -.Dccemhcr 1 8. — Almost sick with pain, and it stops every- thing. I shall tire of my Journal if it is to contain nothing but biles and plasters and unguents. In my better days I had stories to tell ; but death has closed the long dark avenue upon loves and friendships ; and I can only ^ Troilus and Cressida, Act v. Durham, died siiddenly at York in Sc. 2. 1852. He liad been surgeon in tlie fleet at Trafalgar, and -was after- ^ Pr. Stokoe, who had settled at wards appointed to St. Helena. 326 JOURNAL. [Dec. look at them as through the grated door of a long burial- place filled with monuments of those who were once dear to me, with no insincere Avish that it may open for me at no distant period, provided such be the will of God. My pains were those of the heart, and had something flattering in their character ; if in the head, it was from the blow of a bludgeon gallantly received and well paid back. I went to the meeting of the Commissioners ;i there was none to-day. The carriage had set me down ; so I walked from the college in one of the sourest and most unsocial days which I ever felt. "Why should I have liked this ? I do not know ; it is my dogged humour to yield little to external circumstances. Sent an excuse to the Eoyal Society, however. Deceniber 19. — Went to Court. No, I lie ; I had business there. Wrote a task ; no more ; could not. Went out to Dalkeith, and dined with the Duke. It delights me to hear this hopeful young nobleman talk with sense and firmness about his plans for improving his estate, and employing the poor. If God and the world spare him, he will be far known as a true Scots lord.^ December 20. — Being a Teind day, I had a little repose. We dined at Hector Macdonald's with William Clerk and some youngsters. Highland hospitality as usual. I got some work done to-day. Dccemher 21. — In the house till two o'clock nearly. Came home, corrected proof-sheets, etc., mechanically. All well, would the machine but keep in order, but " The spinning wheel is auld and stiff." I think I shall not live to the usual vcroe of human o ^ The University Commission. — fulfilled tlio hopes and prognostics See ante, pp. 256, 257. of his friend. A " true Scots lord," he carried with him to the - The long life of Walter, fifth grave in 1884 the love and respect Duke of Buccleucli, more than of his countrymen. 1826.] JOURNAL. 32 7 existence. I shall never see the threescore and ten, and. shall be summed np at a discount. Xo help for it, and no matter either. December 22. — Poor old Honour and Glory dead— once Lord Moira, more lately Lord Hastings. He was a man of very considerable talents, but had an overmastering degree of vanity of the grossest kind. It followed of course that he was gullible. In fact the propensity was like a ring in his nose into which any rogue might put a string. He had a high reputation for war, but it was after the pettifogging hostili- ties in America where he had done some clever thinofs. He died, having the credit, or rather having had the credit, to leave more debt than any man since Caesar's time. £1,200,000 is said to be the least. There was a time that I knew him well, and regretted the foibles which mintiied with his character, so as to make his noble qualities some- times questionable, sometimes ridiculous. He was always kind to me. Poor Plantagenet ! Young Percival went out to dine at Dalkeith M'ith me. Deceiiiber 2-t. — To add to my other grievances I have this day a proper fit of rheumatism in my best knee. I pushed to Abbotsford, however, after the Court rose, though com- pelled to howl for pain as they helped me out of the carriage. \_Ah'botsfordi\ Becemher 25. — By dint of abstinence and opodeldoc I passed a better night than I could have hoped for; but took up my lodging in the chapel room; as it is called, for going upstairs was impossible. To-day I have been a mere wretch. I lay in bed till past eleven, thinking to get rid of the rheumatism ; then I walked as far as Turnagain with much pain, and since that time I have just roasted myself like a potato by the fireside in my study, slumbering away my precious time, and unable to keep my eyes open or my mind intent on anything, if I would have given my life for it. I seemed to sleep tolerably. 328 JOUENAL. [Dec. too, last night, but I suppose Kature had not her dues pro- perly paid ; neither has she for some time. I saw the filling up of the quarry on the terrace walk, and was pleased. Anne and I dined at Mertoun, as has been my old wont and use as Christmas day comes about. We were late in setting out, and I have rarely seen so dark a night. The mist rolled like volumes of smoke on the road before us. Decemher 26. — Returned to Abbotsford this morning. I heard it rej)orted that Lord B. is very ill. If that be true it affords ground for hope that Sir John is not immortal Both great bores. But the Earl has something of wild cleverness, far exceeding the ponderous stupidity of the Cavaliero Jackasso. Decemher 27. — Still weak with this wasting illness, but it is clearly going off. Time it should, quoth Sancho. I began my work again, which had slumbered betwixt pain and weakness. In fact I could not write or compose at all. December 28. — Stuck to my work. Mr. Scrope came to dinner, and remained next day. We were expecting young Percival and his wife, once my favourite and beautiful Nancy M'Leod, and still a very fine woman ; but they came not. In bounced G. T[homson], alarmed by an anonymous letter, which acquainted him that thirty tents full of Catho- lics were coming to celebrate high mass in the Abbey church ; and to consult me on such a precious document he came prancing about seven at night. I hope to get him a kirk before he makes any extraordinary explosion of simplicity. / Decemher 29. — Mr. and Mrs. Percival came to-day. He is son of the late lamented statesman, equally distinguished by talents and integrity. The son is a clever young man, and has read a good deal ; pleasant, too, in society ; but tampers with phrenology, which is unworthy of his father's soil. 1826.] JOURNAL. 329 There is a certain kind of cleverish men, either ha/f educated or cock-brained by nature, who are attached to that same turnipology. I am sorry this gentlen}an shouki take such whims — sorry even for his name's sake. Walter and Jane arrived; so our Christmas party thickens. Sir Adam and Colonel Ferguson dined. Decemhcr 30. — Wrote and wrought hard, then went out a drive with Mr. and ]\Irs. Percival ; and went round by the lake. If my days of good fortune should ever return I will lay out some pretty rides at Abbotsford. Last day of an eventful year ; much evil and some good ; but especially the courage to endure what Fortune sends without becoming a pipe for her fingers.^ It is not the last day of the year, but to-morrow being Sunday we hold our festival of neighbours to-day instead. The Fergusons came en masse, and we had all the usual appliances of mirth and good cheer. Yet our party, like the chariot- wheels of Pharaoh in the Red Sea, dragged heavily. Some of the party grow old and infirm ; others thought of the absence of the hostess, whose reception of her guests was always kind. We did as well as we could, however. " It 's useless to murmur and pout — There 's no good in making ado ; 'Tis well the old j^ear is out, And time to begin a new." December 31. — It must be allowed that the regular re- currence of annual festivals among the same individuals has, as life advances, something in it that is melancholy. We meet on such occasions like the survivors of some perilous expedition, wounded and weakened ourselves, and looking throuoh the diminished ranks of those who remain, while we think of those who are no more. Or they are like the feasts of the Caribs, in which they lield tliat the pale and sjjcech- ^ Hamlet, Act iii. Sc. 2. — j. g. L. 330 JOUPtNAL. [Dec. 1826. less phantoms of the deceased appeared and mingled with the living. Yet where shall we fly from vain repining ? Or why should we give up the comfort of seeing our friends, because they can no longer be to us, or we to them, what we once were to each other ? 1827 \i ri ^ \;sO 1. JANUARY. ^ January 1. — God make this a happy year to the King and country, and to all honest men ! I went with all our family to-day to dine as usual at the kmd house of Huntly Burn ; but the same cloud which hung over us on Saturday still had its influence. The effect of grief upon [those] who, like myself and Sir A. F., are highly susceptible of humour, has, I think, been finely touched by Wordsworth in the character of the merry village teacher Matthew, whom Jeffrey profanely calls the hysterical schoolmaster.^ But, with my friend Jeffrey's pardon, I think he loves to see ima2;ination best when it is bitted and managed and ridden upon the grand jpas. He does not make allowance for starts and sallies and bounds when Pegasus is beautiful to behold, though sometimes perilous to his rider. Not that I think the amiable bard of Kydal shows judgment in choosing such subjects as the popular mind cannot sympathise in. It is unwise and unjust to himself. I do not compare myself, in point of imagination, with Wordsworth — far from it; for [his] is naturally exquisite, and highly cultivated by constant exercise. But I can see as many castles in the clouds as any man, as many genii in the curling smoke of a steam engine, as perfect a Persepolis in the embers of a sea-coal fire. My life has been sjDent in such day-dreams. But I cry no roast- meat. There are times a man should remember what Eousseau used to say : Tais-toi, Jcan-Jaaiucs, car on ne fentend pas !^ '. .. . • . ^ " A half -crazy sentimental per- - Mme. de Boufflers's saying to son." — Edin. Rev. No. xxiii. p. 135. the author oi Julie. > — J. G. L. 334 JOUKNAL. [Jan. January 2. — I had resolved to mark down no more griefs and groans^ but I must needs briefly state that I am nailed to my chair like the unhappy Theseus. The rheumatism, exasperated by my sortie of yesterday, has seized on my only serviceable knee — and I am, by Proserpine, motionless as an anvil. Leeches and embro- cations are all I have for it. DiaUe ! there was a twinge. The Ptussells and Fergusons here ; but I was fairly driven off the pit after dinner, and compelled to retreat to my own bed, there to howl till morning like a dog in his solitary cabin. January 3. — Mending slowly. Two things are comfort- able — \st, I lose no good weather out of doors, for the ground is covered with snow ; 2(1, That, by exerting a little stoicism, I can make my illness promote the advance of Na^. As I can scarcely stand, however, I am terribly awkward at consulting books, maps, etc. The work grows imder my hand, however; vol. vi. \_Napoleon'\ will be finished this week, I believe. Paissells being still with us, I was able by dint of handing and chairing to get to the dining-room and the drawing-room in the evening. Talking of Wordsworth, he told Anne and me a story, the object of which was to show that Crabbe had not imagination, lie, Sir George Beaumont, and Wordsworth were sitting together in Murray the bookseller's back-room. Sir George, after sealing a letter, blew out the candle, which had enabled him to do so, and, exchanging a look with Wordsworth, began to admire in silence the undulating thread of smoke which slowly arose from the expiring wick, when Crabbe put on the extinguisher. Anne laughed at the instance, and inquired if the taper was wax, and being answered in the negative, seemed to think that there was no call on Mr. Crabbe to sacrifice his sense of smell to their admiration of beautiful and evanescent forms. In two other men I should have said " this is 1827.] JOURNAL. 335 affectatious," ^ with Sir Hugh Evans ; but Sir George is the mail in the worki most void of affectation ; and then he is an exquisite painter, and no doubt saw where the incident would have succeeded in j)ainting. The error is not in you yourself receiving deep impressions from slight hints, but in supposing that precisely the same sort of impression must arise in the mind of men otherwise of kindred feelinsf, or that the commonplace folks of the world can derive such inductions at any time or under any circumstances. January 4. — My enemy gained some strength during the watches of the night, but has again succumbed under scalding fomentations of camomile flowers. I still keep my state, for my knee, though it has ceased to pain me, is very feeble. We began to fill the ice-house to-day. Dine alone — en famille, that is, Jane, Anne, Walter, and I. Why, this makes up for aiches, as poor John Kemble used to call them. A.fter tea I broke off work, and read my young folks the farce of the Critic, and " merry folks were we." January 5. — I waked, or ahed if you please, for five or six hours I think, then fevered a little. I am better though, God be thanked, and can now shuffle about and help myself to what I Avant without ringing every quarter of an hour. It is a fine clear sunny day ; I should like to go out, but flannel and poultices cry nay. So I drudge away with the assisting of Pelet, who has a real French head, believing all he desires should be true, and affirming all he wishes should be believed. Skenes (Mr. and Mrs., with Miss Jardine) arrived about six o'clock. Skene very rheumatic, as well as I am. January 6. — Worked till dusk, but not with much effect ; my head and mind not clear somehow. W. Laidlaw at dinner. In the evening read Foote's farce of the Com- missary, said to have been levelled at Sir Lawrence Dundas ; but Sir Lawrence was a man of family. Walter and Jane dined at Mertoun. ^ Merry Wives of Windsor, Act i. Sc. 1. — J. o. l. 336 JOUKNAL. [Jan. January 7.— "Wrought till twelve, then sallied and walked with Skene for two miles ; home and corrected proofs, and to a large amount. Mr. Scropo and George Thomson dined. January 8. — Slept well last night in consequence I think of my walk, which I will, God willing, repeat to-day. I wrote some letters too long delayed, and sent off my packets to J. B. Letter from C. Sharpe very pressing. I should employ my interest at Windsor to oppose the alterations on the town of Edinburgh. " One word from yovi, and all that." I don't think I shall speak that word though. I hate the alterations, that is certain ; but then ne accesseris in consi- lium nisi vocaius, — what is the use of my volunteering an opinion ? Again, the value of many people's property may depend on this plan going forward. Have I a right from mere views of amenity to interfere with those serious interests ? I something doubt it. Then I have always said that I never meddle in such work, and ought I sotio voce now to begin it ? By my faith I won't ; there are enough to state the case besides me.^ The young Duke of B, came in to bid us good-bye, as he is goini>- off to England. God bless him ! He is a hawk of a good nest. Afterwards I walked to the Welsh pool, Skene declining to go, for I " not over stout of liiiil), Seem stronger of the two." January 9. — This morning received the long-expected ^ Mr. Sharpe was doing what he Sharpe's letter was a hint to him could by voice and pen to prevent from the Court, "that one person is the destruction of many historic all-powerful in everything i-egarding buildings in Edinburgh, which the Scotland, I mean Sir W. S." 'Jliis craze for "improvements" caused was not tlie only appeal made to at this time. St. Giles' Cliurch Scott to interpose, and that he had was unfortunately left to its fate, done so at least in one case effcctu- Witness its external condition at ally may be seen by referring to the present day ! Sliarpe's Letters, vol. ii. pp. 380, The immediate cause of Mr. 388, 389, 1827.] JOURNAL. 337 news of the Duke of York's death.^ I am sorry both on public and private accounts. His R.H. was, while he occupied the situation of next in the royal succession, a Breakwater behind the throne. I fear his brother of Clarence's opinions may be different, and that he will hoist a standard under which will rendezvous men of desperate hopes and evil designs. I am sorry, too, on my own account. The Duke of York was uniformly kind to me, and though I never tasked his friendship deeply, yet I find a powerful friend is gone. His virtues were honour, good sense, integrity; and by exertion of these qualities he raised the British army from a very low ebb to be the pride and dread of Europe. His errors were those of a sanguine and social temper ; he could not resist the temptation of deep play, which was fatally allied with a disposition to the bottle. This last is incident to his complaint, which vinous influence soothes for the time, while it insidiously increases it in the end. Here blows a gale of wind. I was to go to Galashiels to settle some foolish lawsuit, and afterwards to have been with Mr. Kerr of Kippilaw to treat about a march-dike. I shall content myself with the first duty, for this day does not suit Bowden-moor. Went over to Galashiels like the devil in a oale of wind, and found a writer contesting with half-a-dozen unwashed artificers the possession of a piece of ground the size and shape of a three-cornered pocket-handkerchief. Tried to " gar them gree," and if I succeed, I shall think I deserve something better than the touch of rheumatism, which is like to be my only reward. Scotts of Harden and John Pringie of Clifton dined, and we got on very well. January 10. — Enter rheumatism, and takes me by tlie ^ Scott sent a biographical notice eluded in the Misc. Prose Worhs, of the Duke of York to the Weekly vol. iv. jjp. 400-41G. Journal on this day. It is now iu- Y 338 JOURNAL. [Jan. knee. So niucli for playing the peacemaker in a shower of rain, Nothing for it but patience, cataplasm of camomile, and labour in my own room the whole day till dinner-time — then company and reading in the evening. January 11. — Ditto repeated. I should have thought I would have made more of these solitary days than I find I can do. A morning, or two or three hours before dinner, have often done more efficient work than six or seven of these hours of languor, I cannot say of illness, can produce. A bow that is slackly strung will never send an arrow very far. Heavy snow. We are engaged at Mr. Scrope's, but I think I shall not be able to go. I remained at home accord- ingly, and, having nothing else to do, worked hard and effectively. I believe my sluggishness was partly owing to the gnawing rheumatic pain in my knee, for after all I am of opinion pain is an evil, let Stoics say what they will. Thank God, it is an evil which is mending with me. January 12. — All this day occupied with camomile poultices and pen and ink. It is now four o'clock, and I have written yesterday and to-day ten of my pages — that is, one-tenth of one of these large volumes — moreover, I have corrected three proof-sheets. I wish it may not prove foors haste, yet I take as much pains too as is in my nature. January 13. — The Fergusons, with my neighbours Mr. Scrope and Mr. Bainbridge and young Hume, eat a haunch of venison from Drummond Castle, and seemed happy. We had music and a little dancing, and enjoyed in others the buoyancy of spirit that we no longer possess ourselves. Yet I do not think the young people of this age so gay as we were. There is a turn for persiflage, a fear of ridicule among them, which stifles the honest emotions of gaiety and lightness of spirit ; and people, when tliey give in the least to the expansion of tlieir natural feelings, are always kept under by the fear of becoming ludicrous. To restrain your feelings and check your enthusiasm in the cause even of 1827.] JOUENAL. 339 pleasure is now a rule among people of fashion, as much as it used to be among philosophers. January 14. — Well — my holidays are out — ^and I may count my gains and losses as honest Eobinson Crusoe used to balance his accounts of good and evil. I have not been able, during three weeks, to stir above once or twice from the liouse. But then I have executed a great deal of woric, which would be otherwise imfinished. Again I have sustained long and sleepless nights and much pain. True ; but no one is the worse of the thoughts which arise in the watches of the night; and for pain, the com- plaint which brought on this rheumatism was not so painful perhaps, but was infinitely more disagreeable and depressing. Something there has been of dulness in our little reunions of society which did not use to cloud them. But I have seen all my own old and kind friends, with my dear children (Charles alone excepted); and if we did not rejoice with perfect joy, it was overshadowed from the same sense of regret. Again, this new disorder seems a presage of the advance of age with its infirmities. But age is but the cypress avenue which terminates in the tomb, where the weary are at rest. I have been putting my things to rights to go off to- morrow. Though I always wonder why it should be so, I feel a dislike to order and to task-work of all kinds- — a pre- dominating foible in my disposition. I do not mean that it influences me in morals ; for even in youth I had a disgust at gross irregularities of any kind, and such as I ran into were more from compliance with others and a sort of false shame, than any pleasure I sought or found in dissipation. But what I mean is a detestation of precise order in petty matters — in reading or answering letters, in keeping my papers arranged and in order, and so on. Weber, and then Gordon, used to keep my things in some order — now they are verging to utter confusion. And then I have let my cash run aliead since I came from the Continent — I must slump the matter as I can. 340 JOURNAL. [Jm. [ Walker Strccf], January 1 5. — Off we came, and despite of rheumatism I got through the journey comfortably. Greeted on my arrival by a number of small accounts whistling like grape-shot ; they are of no great avail, and incurred, I see, chiefly during the time of illness. But I believe it will take me some hard work till I pay them, and how to get the time to work ? It will be hard purchased if, as I think not unlikely, this bitch of a rheumatism should once more pin me to my chair. Coming through Galashiels, we met the Laird of Torwoodlee, who, on hearing how long I had been confined, asked how I bore it, observing that he had once in his life (Torwoodlee must be between sixty and seventy) been confined for five days to the house, and was like to hang himself. I regret God's free air as much as any man, but I could amuse myself were it in the Bastile, January 16. — Went to Court, and returned through a curious atmosphere, half mist, half rain, famous for rheumatic joints. Yet I felt no increase of my plaguey malady, but, on the contrary, am rather better. I had need, otherwise a pair of crutches for life were my prettiest help. Walter dined with us to-day, Jane remaining with her mother. The good affectionate creatures leave us to-morrow. God send them a quick passage through the Irish Channel ! They go to Gort, where Walter's troop is lying — a long journey for winter days. January 17. — Another proper day of mist, sleet, and rain, through which I navigated homeward. I imagine the distance to be a mile and a half. It is a good thing to secure as much exercise. I observed in the papers my old friend Gifford's funeral. He was a man of rare attainments and many excellent qualities. The translation of Juvenal is one of the best versions ever made of a classical author, and his satire of the Baviad and Maeviad squabashed at one blow a set of cox- combs who might have humbugged the world long enougli. 1827.] JOUENAL. 341 As a commentator he was capital, could lie but have sup- pressed his rancour against those who had preceded him in the task, but a misconstruction or misinterpretation, nay, the misplacing of a comma, was in Gifford's eyes a crime worthy of the most severe animadversion. The same fault of extreme severity went through his critical labours, and in general he flagellated with so little pity, that people lost their sense of the criminal's guilt in dislike of the savage pleasure which the executioner seemed to take in inflicting the punishment. This lack of temper probably arose from indifferent health, for he was very valetudinary, and realised two verses, wherein he says fortune assigned him — " One eye not over good, Two sides that to their cost have stood A ten years' hectic cough, Aches, stitches, all the various ills That swell the dev'lish doctor's bills, And sweep poor mortals oflV But he might also justly claim, as his gift, the moral qualities expressed in the next fine stanza — " A soul That spurns the crowd's malign control, A firm contempt of wrong : Spirits above afflictions' power, And skill to soothe the linfrerinf hour With no inglorious sonir." ^ Jamianj 18. — To go on with my subject — Clifford was a little man, dumpled up together, and so ill-made as to seem almost deformed, but with a singular expression of talent in his countenance. Though so little of an athlete, he never- theless beat off Dr. Wolcot, when that celebrated person, the most unsparing calumniator of his time, chose to be offended with Gifford for satirising him in his turn. Peter Pindar made a most vehement attack, but GifTord had the best of the affray, and remained, I think, in triumphant 1 Gifford's Mccviad, 12mo, Lend. 1797 ; Ode to Eev." John IrcUuid, slii^litly altered. 342 JOURNAL [Jan. possession of the field of action, and of the assailant's cane. Gifford had one singular custom. He used always to have a duenna of a housekeeper to sit in his study with him while he wrote. This female companion died when I was in London, and his distress was extreme. I afterwards heard he got her place supplied. I believe there was no scandal in all this.^ This is another vile day of darkness and rain, with a heavy yellow mist that might become Charing Cross — one of the benefits of our extended city ; for that in our atmo- sphere was unknown till the extent of the buildings below Queen Street. M'CuUoch of Ardwell called. Wrought chiefly on a critique of Mrs. Charlotte Smith's novels,^ and proofs. January 19. — Uncle Adam,^ vide Inheritance, who re- tired last year from an official situation at the age of eighty- four, although subject to fits of giddiness, and although carefully watched by his accomplished daughter, is still in the habit of walking by himself if he can by possibility make an escape. The other day, in one of these excursions, he fell against a lamp-post, cut himself much, bled a good deal, and was carried home by two gentlemen. What said old llugged-and-Tough ? Why, that his fall against the post was the luckiest thing could have befallen him, for the bleeding was exactly the remedy for his disorder. " Lo ! stout hearts of men ! " ^ William Gifford, editor of the political opponent, Leigh Hunt, And- Jacobin in 1797, and the wrote of him in 1812 : — Quarterly irom 1809 to 1824. His ' William Gifford 's a name, I tliink, pretty well known. Oh ! now I remember," said Plioebus ; — ' ah true — Jly thanks to that name arc undoubtedly due. The rod that got rid of the Cruscas and Lauras, That plague of the butterllics saved me the horrors. The Juvenal too stops a gap iu my shelf, At least in what Dryden has not done Idmself, Anil there 's something which even distaste must respect In the self-tau(jht example that conquered neglect." — Feast of the Poets, 2 See Miscell. Prose Workd, vol. " James Terrier, Esq. — See p. 103, iv. lip. 20-70. February 3, 1S2G. 1827.] JOURNAL. 343 Called on said " uncle," also on David Hume, Lord Chief- Commissioner, AVill Clerk, Mrs. Jobson, and others. My knee made no allowance for my politeness, but has begun to swell agaiu, and to burn like a scorpion's bite. January 20. — Scarce slept all night ; scarce able to stand or move this morning ; almost an absolute fixture. " A sleepless knight, A weary knight, God be the guide." ^ This is at the Court a blank day, being that of the poor Duke of York's funeral. I can sit at home, luckily, and fag hard. And so I have, pretty wxll ; six leaves written, and four or five proof-sheets corrected. Cadell came to breakfast, and proposes an eighth volume for Napoleon. I told him he might write to Longman for their opinion. Seven is an awkward number, and will extremely cranip the work. Eight, too, would ffo into six octavos, should it ever be called for in that shape. But it shall be as they list to have it. January 2 L — A long day of some pain relieved by labour. Dr. Eoss came in and recommended some stuff, which did little good. I would like ill to lose the use of my precious limbs. Meanwhile, Patience, cousin, and shuffle the cards. Missie dined with us to-day— an honest Scotch lass, lady- like and frank. I finished about six leaves, doing indeed little else. January 22. — Work, varied wnth camomile; we get on, thoush. A visit from Basil Hall, with Mr. Audubon the ornithologist, who has followed that pursuit by many a Ion"- wanderino; in the American forests. He is an American by naturalisation, a Frenchman by birth;- but less of a Frenchman than I have ever seen — no dash, or glimmer, 1 ^ee Midsummer NUjhf 8 Dream ; ^ John James Audubon was born a parody on Helena's in Louisiana in the United Status in 17S0, but educated in France.— "0 weary night ' , ^., ^ . , , . O long and tedious night." j„ , Buchanan's L ife of A uduhon, p. 4. 344 JOURNAL. [JA^^ or sliiue about liim, but great simplicity of manners and behaviour ; slight in person, and plainly dressed ; wears long hair, which time has not yet tinged ; his countenance acute, handsome, and interesting, but still simplicity is the predominant characteristic. I wish I had gone to see his drawings ; but I had heard so much about them that I resolved not to see them — " a crazy way of mine, your honour." — Five more leaves finished. January 23. — I have got a piece of armour, a knee-cap of chamois leather, which I think does my unlucky rheumatism some good. I begin, too, to sleep at night, which is a great comfort. Spent this day completely in labour; only betwixt dinner and tea, while husbanding a tumbler of whisky and water, I read the new novel, Eliza- beth de Bruce -^ — part of it, that is. January 24. — Visit from Mr. Audubon, who brings some of his birds. The drawings are of the first order — the attitudes of the birds of the most animated character, and the situations appropriate ; one of a snake attacking a bird's nest, while the birds (the parents) peck at the reptile's eyes ' — they usually, in the long-run, destroy him, says the naturalist. The feathers of these gay little sylphs, most of them from the Southern States, are most brilliant, and are represented with what, were it [not] connected with so much spirit in the attitude, I would call a laborious degree of ^ Written by Mrs. J. Johnstone, Shepherd, who did the honours of in after years editor of Tail's the district, and among other places Magazine, -well known also as the took them to a Fairy Well, from author of Ifer/ Dods' Cookery Book, which he drew a glass of sparkling which Sir Walter refers to in St. water. Handing it to the lady the Honav^s Well. Her sense of humour bard of Kilmeny said, " Hae, Mrs. and power of delineating character Johnstone, onymerritwumman wha are shown in her stories and sketches drinks a tumbler of this Avill hae in yW<, and a good example of her twuns in a twalmont' ! " "In ready wit has been told by Mr. that case, Mr. Hogg," replied tho Alexander llusscl, editor of the lady, "I shall only take half a Scotsman. On a viait to Altrive tumbler." Mrs. Johnstone and her party were Mrs. Johnstone died in Ediu- kindly received by the KtUick burgh in 1857. 1827.] JOURNAL. 345 execution. This extreme correctness is of the utmost con- sequence to the naturalist, [but] as I think (having no knowledge of virtu), rather gives a stiffness to the drawings. This sojourner in the desert had been in the woods for months together. He preferred associating with the Indians to the company of the Back Settiers ; very justly, I daresay, for a civilised man of the lower order — that is, the drecrs of civilisation — when thrust back on the savage state becomes worse than a savage. They are Wordsworth's adventurer, "Deliberate iind undeceived The wild men's vices who received, And gave them back his own." ^ The Indians, he says, are dying fast ; they seem to pine and die whenever the white population approaches them. The Shawanese, who amounted, Mr. Audubon says, to some thousands within his memory, are almost extinct, and so are various other tribes. Mr. Audubon could never hear any tradition about the mammoth, though he made anxious inquiries. He gives no countenance to the idea that the Eed Indians were ever a more civilised people than at this day, or that a more civilised people had preceded them in North America. He refers the bricks, etc., occasionally found, and appealed to in support of this opinion, to the earlier settlers, — or, where kettles and other utensils may have been found, to the early trade between the Indians and the Spaniards. John Eussell ^ and Leonard Horner ^ came to consult me ^ Slightly varied from the lines published in October 1S55 some in Kuth, — Poems, vol. ii. p. 112, cwviows Statistics of a Class [Chvisii- Edinburgh, 1S36. son's] in the Tlitjh School [of Edin- burgh] from 17S7 to 1791, of which - John Russell (a grandson of he had been a member. Mr. Russell Principal Robertson), long Chief died on January 30, 1862. Clerk in the Jury Court, and ^ Leonard Horner, editor in after Treasurer to the Royal Society and years of the Memoirs of his brother the Edinburgh Academy. He took Francis (2 vols. Svo, London, 1843). a keen interest in education, and He died in lSG-1. S46 JOUENAL, [JajT. about the propriety and possibility of retaining the northern pronunciation of the Latin in the new Edinburgh Academy,^ I will think of it until to-morrow, being no great judge. We had our solitary dinner ; indeed, it is only remarkable nowadays when we have a guest, January 25. — Thought during the watches of the night and a part of the morning about the question of Latin pronunciation, and came to the following conclusions. That the mode of pronunciation approved by Buchanan and by Milton, and practised by all nations, excepting the English, assimilated in sound, too, to the Spanish, Italian, and other languages derived from the Latin, is. certainly the best, and is likewise useful as facilitating the acquisition of sounds which the Englishman attempts in vain. Accordingly I wish the cockneyfied pedant who first disturbed it by read- ing Emo for Amo, and quy for qui, had choked in the attempt. But the question is, whether a youth who has been taught in a manner different from that used all over England will be heard, if he presumes to use his Latin at the bar or the senate ; and if he is to be unintelligible or ludicrous, the question [arises] whether his education is not imperfect under one important view. I am very unwilling to sacrifice our sumpsimus to their old mumpsimuS' — still more to humble ourselves before the Saxons while we can keep an inch of the Scottish flag flying. But this is a question which must be decided not on partialities or prejudices. I got early from the Court to-day, and settled myself to work hard. January 2G. — My rheumatism is almost gone. I can walk without Major AVeir, which is the name Anne gives my cane, because it is so often out of tlie way that it is ^ See Report by the Directors to school. His speech as Chairman at the Proprietors of tltc, Edinhunjh the opeuing ceremony, on the 1st Academy on the Pronunciation of October 1824, is quoted in the Life, Latin, Edin. 1827. Sir Walter al- vol. vii. p. 20S. ways took a warm interest in the 1827.] JOUBNAL. 347 suspected, like the staff of that famous wizard,^ to be capable of locomotion. Went to Court, and tarried till three o'clock, after which transacted business with ]\Ir. Gibson and Dr. Inolis as one of Miss Hume's trustees. Then was introduced to young Mr. Eennie,- or he to me, by [Sir] James Hall, a genteel-looking young man, and speaks well. He was called into public notice by having, many years before, made a draught of a plan of his father's for London Bridge. It was sought for when the building was really about to take place, and the assistance which young Mv. Eennie gave to render it useful raised his character so high, that his brother and he are now in first-rate practice as civil engineers. Janimry 27. — Eead Elizabeth cU Bruce ; it is very clever, but does not show much originality. The characters, though very entertaining, are in the manner of other authors, and the finished and filled-up portraits of which the sketches are to be found elsewhere. One is too apt to feel on such occasions the pettish resentment that you might entertain against one who had poached on your manor. But the case is quite different, and a claim set up on having been the first who betook himself to the illustration of some particular class of characters, or department of life, is no more a right of monopoly than that asserted by the old buccaneers by setting up a wooden cross, and killing an Indian or two on some new discovered island. If they can make anything of their first discovery, the better luck theirs ; if not, let others come, penetrate further into the country, write descriptions, make drawings or settlements at their pleasure. We were kept in Parliament House till three. Called to return thanks to Mr. Menzies of Pitfoddels, who lent some- pamphlets about the unhappy Duke d'Enghien. Eead in Burnt at Edinburgh in 1670. - Afterwards Sir John Rennie, — See Arnot's Crim. Trials. 4to, knighted on the completion of the Edin. 1785. Bridge. 348 JOURNAL. [Jan. the evening BoutourUn and S^gur, to prepare for my Eussian campaign. January 28. — Continued my reading with the com- mentary of the D. of W.^ If his broad shoulders cannot carry me through, the devil must be in the dice. Longman and Company agree to the eight volumes. It will make the value of the book more than £12,000. Wrought indifferent hard. January 29. — Mr. Gibson breakfasted with Dr.Marshman,- the head of the missionaries at Serampore, a great Oriental scholar. He is a thin, dark-featured, middle-sized man, about fifty or upwards, his eye acute, his hair just beginning to have a touch of the grey. He spoke well and sensibly, and seemed liberal in his ideas. He was clearly of opiuion that general information must go hand in hand, or even ought to precede religious instruction. Thinks the influence of European manners is gradually making changes in India. The natives, so far as their religion will allow them, are become fond of Europeans, and invite them to their great festivals. He has a conceit that the Afdians are the remains O of the Ten Tribes. I cannot find he has a better reason than their own tradition, which calls them Ben-Israel, and says they are not Ben-Judah. They have Jewish rites and ceremonies, but so have all Mahometans ; neither could I understand that their language has anything peculiar. The worship of Bhoodah he conceives to have [been] an original, or rather the original, of Hindu religion, until the Brahmins introduced the doctrines respecting caste and other peculiar- ities. But it would require strong proof to show that the superstition of caste could be introduced into a country which had been long peopled, and where society had long existed without such restriction. It is more like to be adopted in the early history of a tribe, when there are but ^ See ante, p. 307, and 2^ost, p. See Marshman'a Lives of Carey, 359. Marshman, and Ward. London, 2 - Dr. Maialuuau died iu 1S37. vols. Svo, 1S59. 1827.] JOURNAL. 349 few individuals, the descent of whom is accurately preserved. How could the castes be distinguished or told off in a populous nation ? Dr. Marshman was an old friend of poor Jolni Leyden. January 30, — Blank day at Court, being the Martyrdom. Wrought hard at Bon. all day, though I had settled other- wise. I ought to have been at an article for John Lockhart, and one for poor Gillies ; but there is something irresistible in contradiction, even when it consists in doing a thing equally laborious, but not the thing you are especially called upon to do. It is a kind of cheating the devil, which a self-willed monster like me is particularly addicted to. Not to make my- self worse than I am though, I was full of information about the Russian campaign, which might evaporate unless used, like lime, as soon after it was wrought up as possible. About three, Pitfoddels called. A bauld crack that auld papist body, and w^ell informed. We got on religion. He is very angry with the Irish demagogues, and a sound well-thinking man.'^ Heard of Walter and Jane ; all well, God be praised ! By a letter from Gibson I see the gross proceeds of Bonaparte, at eight volumes, are . . £12,600 Discount, five months, . . . . 210 £12,390 I question if more was ever made by a single work, or by a single author's labours, in the same time. But whether it is deserved or not is the question. January 31. — Young Murray, son of Mr. M., in Albemarle Street, breakfasted with me. English boys have this advantage, that they are well-bred, and can converse ^ John Menzies of Pitfoddels, the Blairs, near Aberdeen, for the last of an old Aberdeenshire family, foundation of the Roman Catholic of whom it was said that for thirty- College established tliere, and was seven years he never became aware also a munificent benefactor to the of distress or difficulty without Convent of St. Margaret, I^diuburgh, exerting himself to relieve it. In opened in 1835. Mr. Menzies died 1828 he gave the estate of in 1843. 350 JOUENAL, [Jan. 1827. when ours are restular-built cubs. I am not sure if it is an advantage in the long-run. It is a temptation to premature display. Wet to the skin comim? from the Court. Called on Skene, to give him, for the Antiquarian Society, a heart, human apparently, stuck full of pins. It was found lying opposite to the threshold of an old tenement, in [Dalkeith], a little below the surface ; it is in perfect preservation. Dined at the Bannatyne Club, where I am chairman. We admitted a batch of new members, chiefly noblemen and men connected with the public offices and records in London, such as Palgrave, Petrie, etc. We drank to our old Scottish heroes, poets, historians, and printers, and were funny enough, though, like Shylock, I had no will to go abroad. I was supported by Lord Minto and Lord Eldin. FEBRUAEY. February 1. — I feel a return of the cursed rheumatism. How could it miss, with my wetting ? Also feverish, and a slight headache. So much for claret and champagne. I begin to be quite unfit for a good fellow. Like Mother Cole in the Minor, a thimbleful upsets me,^ — I mean, annoys my stomach, for my brains do not suffer. Well, I have had my time of these merry doings. " The haunch of the deer, aud the wine's red dye, Never bard loved them better than I." But it was for the sake of sociality ; never either for the flask or the venison. That must end — is ended. The evening sky of life does not reflect those brilliant flashes of lifjht that shot across its morninof and noon. Yet I thank God it is neither gloomy nor disconsolately lowering ; a sober twilight — that is all. I am in great hopes that the Bannatyne Club, by the assistance of Thomson's wisdom, industry, and accuracy, will be something far superior to the Dilettanti model on which it started. The Historie of K. James VI., Melville s Memoirs, and other works, executed or in hand, are decided boons to Scottish history and literature. February 2. — In confirmation of that which is above stated, I see in Thorpe's sale-catalogue a set of the Bannatyne books, lacking five, priced £25. Had a dry walk from the Court by way of dainty, and made it a long one. Anne went at night to Lady Minto's. Hear of Miss "White's death. Poor Lydia ! she had a party at dinner on the Friday before, and had written with ^ Foote's Comedy, Act i. Sc. 1. 95; 352 JOUENAL. [Feb. her own hand invitations for another partj. Twenty years ago she used to tease me with her youthful affectations — her dressing like the Queen of Chimney-sweeps on May-day morning, and sometimes with rather a free turn in conversa- tion, when she let her wit run wild. But she was a woman of much wit, and had a feelino; and kind heart. She made her point good, a has-Ueic in London to a point not easily attained, and contrived to have every evening a very good literary mSl^e, and little dinners which were very enter- taining. She had also the newest lions upon town. In a word, she was not and would not be forgotten, even when disease obliged her, as it did for years, to confine herself to her couch ; and the world, much abused for hard-hearted- ness, was kind in her case — so she lived in the society she liked. No great expenditure was necessary for this. She had an easy fortune, but not more. Poor Lydia ! I saw the Duke of York and her in London, when Death, it seems, was brandishing his dart over them.^ " The view o't gave them little fright." ^ Did not get quite a day's work finished to-day, thanks to my walk. February 3. — There is nought but care on every hand. James Hogg writes that he is to lose his farm,^ on which he laid out, or rather threw away, the profit of all his publications. Then Terry has been pressed by Gibson for my debt to him. That I may get managed. I sometimes doubt if I am in what the good people call the right way. Not to sing my own praises, I have been ^ Scott, who had accompanied nineteen times dyed blue ; veiy this lady to the Highlands in the lively, very good-humoured, and summer of 1808, wrote from Edin- extremely absurd. It is very divert- burgh on 19th January : — "We have ing to see the sober Scotch ladies here a very diverting lion and staring at this phenomenon." — Life, sundry wild beasts ; but the most vol. iii. pp. 38, 95, 9G. meritorious is Miss Lydia White, „-> t.jm -n v ^ „ ^ , . , , ^ . ,, ,. - Burns s "Twa Dogs." — J.G.h. who 13 what Oxonians caU a lioness ° Df the first order, with stockings ^ Mount Benger. 1827.] JOURN'AL. 353 willing always to do my friends what good was in my power, and have not shunned personal responsibility. But then that was in money matters, to which I am naturally in- different, unless when the consequences press on me. But then I am a bad comforter in case of inevitable calamity ; and feeling proudly able to endure in my own case, I cannot sympathise with those whose nerves are of a feebler texture. Dined at Jeffrey's, with Lord and Lady Minto, John Murray and his lady,^ a Air. Featherstone, an Americo- Yorkshireman, and some others. Mrs. Murray is a very amiable person, and seems highly accomplished ; plays most brilliantly. February 4. — B.R. These two letters, you must under- stand, do not signify, as in Bibliomania phrase, a double degree of rarity, but, chirurgically, a double degree of rheu- matism. The wine gets to weak places, Ross says. I have a letter from no less a person than that pink of booksellers, Sir Piichard Phillips, who, it seems, has been ruined, and as he sees me floating down the same dark tide, sings out his iws 2Joma natamus. February 5. — E. One R. will do to-day. If this cursed rheumatism gives way to February weather, I will allow she has some right to be called a spring month, to which other- wise her pretensions are slender. I worked this morning till two o'clock, and visited Mr. Grant's - pictures, who has them upon sale. They seem, to my inexperienced eye, ^ John Archibald Murray, whose Lord Cockburn, the delights of capital bachelors' dinner on Dec. 8 Strachnr on Locli Fyne. Scott so pleasantly describes (on - Mr. (afterwards Sir Francis) page 320), had married in tlie in- Grant became a member of the terval Miss fligby, a Lancashire Scottish Academy in 1830, an assc- lady, who was long known in Edin- ciate of Royal Academy in 1S4'2, burgh for her hospitality and fine and Academician in 1851. His suc- social qualities as Lady Murray. cessful career as a painter secured (See page 378, April 2, 1827. ) Miss his elevation to the Presidentship of Martineau celebrated her parliamen- the Academy in ISGG. Sir Francis tary Tea-Table in London, when her died at Melton-Mow bray in October husband was Lord Advocate, and 1878, aged 75. 354 JOURNAL. [Feb. genuine, or at least, good paintings. But I fear picture- buying, like horse- jockey ship, is a profession a gentleman cannot make much of without laying aside some of his attributes. The pictures are too high-priced, I should think, for this market. There is a very knowing catalogue Ijy Frank Grant himself. Next went to see a show of wild beasts ; it was a fine one. I think they keep them much cleaner than formerly, when the strong smell generally gave me a headache for the day. The creatures are also much tamei', wliich I impute to more knowledge of their habits and kind treatment- A lion and tigress went through their exercise like poodles — ^jumping, standing, and lying down at the word of command. This is rather degrading. I would have the Lord Chancellor of Beasts good-humoured, not jocose, I treated the elephant, who was a noble fellow, to a shillimr's worth of cakes. I wish I could have enlarfred the space in which so much bulk and wisdom is confined. He kept swinging his head from side to side, looking as if he marvelled why all the fools that gaped at him were at liberty, and he cooped up in the cage. Dined at the Eoyal Society Club — about thirty present, "Went to the Society in the evening, and heard an essay by Peter Tytler ^ on the first encourager of Greek learning in En^land,^ February 6. — Was at Court till two ; afterwards wrote a 1 Patrick Fraser Tytler, the Scot- pletecl in 18.S9, forming 4 vols, in tish historian. He died on Christ- the largest folio size, and containing mas-day 1849, aged tifty-eight. — See 435 plates. It shows the indomit- Burgon's iI/'e??ioir,9, Svo, Lond. 1S59. able courage of the author, that - Audubon says in his Journal of even when the work was completed, the same date: — "Captain Hall led he had only 161 subscribers, 82 of me to a seat immediately opposite whom were in America. The price to Sir Walter Scott, the President, of the book was two guineas for where I had a perfect view of the each part with 5 coloured plates, great man, and studied Nature from During the last dozen years its Nature's noblest work." price at auctions runs about £250 The publication of Audubon's to i'oOO. Audubon died in New great work, The. Birds of America, York in 1851. — See Life, by Buch- commcnccd in 1827, an>l was com- anan, 8vo, London, ISOG. 1827.] JOURNAL. 355 good deal, wliicli has become a habit with me. Dined at Sir John Hay's, where met the Advocate and a pleasant party. There had been a Justiciary trial yesterday, in which something curious had occurred. A woman of rather the better class, a farmer's wife, had been tried on the 5th for poisoning her maid-servant. There seems to have been little doubt of her guilt, but the motive was peculiar. The unfortunate girl had an intrigue with her son, which this Mrs. Smith (I think that is the name) was desirous to con- ceal, from some ill-advised puritanic notions, and also for fear of her husband. She could find no better way of hiding the shame than giving the girl (with her own knowledge and consent, I believe) potions to cause abortion, which she afterwards changed for arsenic, as the more effectual silencing medicine. In the course of the trial one of the jury fell down in an epileptic fit, and on his recovery was far too much disordered to permit the trial to proceed. With only fourteen jurymen it was impossible to go on. But the Advocate, Sir William Eae, says she shall be tried anew, since she has not tholed an assize. Sic Pauhis ait — et rcdc quidem. But, having been half tried, I think she should have some benefit of it, as far as saving her life, if convicted on the second indictment. The Advocate declares, however, she shall be hanged, as certainly she deserves. But it looks something like hanging up a man who has been recovered by the surgeons, which has always been accounted harsh justice. February 7. — Wrote six leaves to-day, and am tired — that 's all. February 8. — I lost much time to-day. I got from the Court about half-past twelve, therefore might have reckoned on four hours, or three at least, before dinner. But I had to call on Dr. Shortt at two, which made me lounge till that hour came. Then I missed him, and, too tired to return, went to see the exhibition, where Skene was hanging up the 356 JOUEXAL. [Feb. pictures', and would not let me in. Then to the Oil Gas Company, who propose to send up counsel to support their new liill. As I thought the choice unadvisedly made, I fairly opposed the mission, which, I suppose, will give much offence ; but I have no notion of being shamefaced in doing my duty, and I do not think I should permit forward persons to press into situations for which their vanity alone renders them competent. Had many proof-sheets to correct in the evening. February 9. — We had a long day of it at Court, but I whipped you off half-a-dozen of letters, for, as my cases stood last on the roll, I could do what I liked in the interim. This carried me on till two o'clock. Called on Baron Hume, and found him, as usual, in high spirits, notwithstanding his late illness. Then crept home — my rheumatism much better, though. Corrected lives of Lord Somerville and the Kins: [George III.] ^ for the Prose Works, which took a long time ; but I had the whole evening to myself, as Anne dined with the Swintons, and went to a ball at the Justice-Clerk's, N.B. — It is the first and only ball which has been given this season — a sign the times are pinching. February 10.— I got a present of Lord Francis Gower's printed but unpublished Talc of the Mill? It is a fine tale of terror in itself, and very happily brought out. He has certainly a true taste for poetry. I do not know why, but from my childhood I have seen something fearful, or melan- choly at least, about a mill. Whether I had been frightened at the machinery when very young, of which I think I liave some shadowy recollection — whether I had heard the stories of the miller of Thirlestane^ and similar molendinar tras^e- dies, I cannot tell ; but not even recollection of the Lass of Patie's Mill, or the Miller of Mansfield, or he who " dwelt on ^ Biographical Notices had been - Afterwards inchuled in y^eP?'/- sent to the Weekly J otirnal m 1826, ririmageandothtrPoc^mSf'LonA.l^i'iQ. and are now included in the Mincdl, ^ See Craig lirown's SfJkirkthirc, Prose Worl-s. vol. iv. pp. 322-342. vol. i, pp. 285-86 1827.] JOURNAL. 357 the river Dee," have ever got over my inclination to connect gloom with a mill, especially when sun is setting. So I entered into the spirit of the terror with whicli Lord Francis has invested his haunted spot. I dine with the Solicitor to-day, so quoad labour 'tis a blank. But then to-morrow is a new day. " To-morrow to fresh meads and pastures new." ^ February \\. — Wrought a good deal in the morning, and landed Boney at Smolensk. But I have him to bring off again ; and, moreover, I must collate the authorities on the movements of the secondary armies of Witgenstein and the Admiral with the break-tooth name. Dined with Lord Minto, where I met Thomson, Cranstoun, and other gay folks. These dinner parties naiTow my working hours ; yet they must sometimes be, or one would fall out of the line of society, and go to leeward entirely, which is not right to venture. This is the high time for parties in Edinburgh ; no wonder one cannot keep clear. Fclruary 12. — I was obliged to read instead of writing, and the infernal Patssian names, which everybody spells ad libitum, makes it difficult to trace the operations on a better map than mine. I called to-day on Dr. Shortt, principal surgeon at Saint Helena, and wdio presided at the opening of Bonaparte's body. He mentions as certain the false- hood of a number of the assertions concerning his usage, the unhealthy state of the island, and so forth. I have jotted down his evidence elsewhere. I could not write when 1 came home. Nervous a little, I think, and not yet up to the motions of Tchitchagoff, as I must be before I can write. Will [Clerk] and Sir A. Ferguson dine here to-day — the first time any one has had that honotir for long enough, unless at Abl)otsford. The good Lord Chief-Commissioner invited himself, and I asked his son, Admiral Adam. Col. Ferguson is of the party. ' jNIiltou's Lycldus, vmied. 358 JOUKNAL. [Feb. Fehruary 13. — The dining parties come thick, and inter- fere with work extremely. I am, however, beforehand very far. Yet, as James B. says — the tortoise conies up with the hare. So Puss must make a new start ; but not this week. Went to see the exhibition — certainly a good one for Scotland — and less trash than I have seen at Somerset- House (begging pardon of the pockpuddings). There is a beautiful thing by Landseer — a Highlander and two stag- hounds engaged with a deer. Very spirited, indeed. I forgot my rheumatism, and could have wished myself of the party. There were many fine folks, and there was a collation, chocolate, and so fortli. "We dine at Sir H. Jardine's, with Lord Ch.-Com., Lord Chief-Baron, etc. February 1 4. — " Death 's gi'en the art an unco devel." ^ Sir George Beaumont's dead ; by far the most sensible and pleasing man I ever knew ; kind, too, in his nature, and generous ; gentle in society, and of those mild manners which tend to soften the causticity of the general London [tone] of persiflage and personal satire. As an amateur, he was a painter of the very highest rank. Though 1 know nothing of the matter, yet I should hold him a perfect critic on painting, for he always made his criticisms intelligible, and used no slang. I am very sorry, as much as is in my nature to be, for one whom I could see but seldom. He was the great friend of Wordsworth, and understood his poetry, which is a rare thing, for it is more easy to see his peculiarities than to feel his great merit, or follow his abstract ideas. I dined to-day at Lord Ch.-Commissioner's — Lord Minto, and Lord Cli.-Baron, also Harden. Little done to-day. Fehruary 15. — llheumatism returns with the snow. I had thoughts of going to Abbotsford on Saturday, but if this lasts, it will not do; and, sooth to speak, it ought not to do; though it would do me nuicli pleasure if it would do. 1 " Duatli 's gi'en tlie Lodge an unco devel, Tain Samson's dead." Burns. — j. g. h. 1827.] JOUENAL. 359 I have a letter from Baron Von Goethe,^ wliicli I must have read to me; for though I know German, I have forgot their written hand. I make it a rule seldom to read, and never to answer, foreign letters from literary folks. It leads to nothing but the battle-dore and shuttle-cock intercourse of compliments, as light as cork and feathers. But Goethe is different, and a wonderful fellow, the Ariosto at once, and almost the Voltaire of Germany. Who could have told me thirty years ago I should correspond, and be on something like an equal footing, with the author of Goetz ? Ay, and who could have told me fifty things else that have befallen me ? ^ February \&. — E. Still snow; and, alas! no time for work, so hard am I fagged by the Court and the good company of Edinburgh. I almost wish my rheumatics were bad enough to give me an apology for staying a week at home. But we have Sunday and Monday clear. If not better, I will cribb off Tuesday ; and Wednesday is Teind day. We dined to-day with Mr. Borthwick, younger of Crookston. Feh'uary 17. — James Ferguson ill of the rheumatism in head and neck, and Hector B. Macdonald in neck and ^ For letter and reply see Life, This I observe is Bonaparte's vol. ix. pp. 92, 98. general practice, and that of - Sir Walter at this date returned his admirers. Whenever they can the valuable Mss. lent him by charge anything npon the elements the Duke of Wellington in Nov. or upon accident, he and they 1826 (see ante, p. 30G) with the fol- combine in denying all bravery and lowing letter : — all wisdom to their enemies. The "Edinbuegh, ist/i i''c&)-)(ar)/ 1827. conduct of Kutusow on more than " My dear Lord Duke, — The two one occasion in the retreat seems to manuscripts safely packed leave have been singularly cautious, or this by post to-day, as I a*n in- rather timorous. For it is im- formed your Grace's franks carry possible to give credit to the any weight. * * * immense superiority claimed by " I have been reading with equal Segur, Beauchamp, etxj., for the instruction and pleasure the memoir French troops over tlie Russians, on the Russian campaign, which Surely they were the same Russians demonstrates as i^lainly as possible wlio liad fought so bravely against that the French writers have taken superior force, and how should the advantage of the snow to cover twentictli part of tlie French army under it all their General's blunders, have been able to clear their %\ay and impute to it all their losses. without cavalry or artillery in a 360 JOURNAL. [Feb. shoulders. I wonder, as Commodore Trunnion says, what the blackguard hell's-baby has to say to the Clerks of Ses- sion.^ Went to the Second Division to assist Hector. KB. — Don't like it half so well as my own, for tlie speeches are much longer. Home at dinner, and wrought in the evening. February 18. — Very cold weather. I am rather glad I am not in the country. What says Dean Swift — "When frost and snow come both together, Then sit by the fire and save shoe leather." great measure ? and it seems natural to suppose that we must impute to tardy and inactive conduct on the part of their General what we cannot account for on the idea of the extremely superior valour or discipline claimed for the French soldiers by their country. The snow seems to have become serious on the Cth November, M'hen Napoleon was within two marches of Smolensk, which he soon after reached, and by that time it appears to me that his army was already mouldered away from 100,000 men who left Moscow, to about 35,000 only, so that his great loss was incurred before the snow began. ' ' I am afraid your Grace has done me an unparalleled injury in one respect, that the clearness, justice, and precision of your Grace's reason- ing puts me out of all patience with my own attempts. I dare hardly hope in this increase of business for a note or two on Waterloo ; but if your Grace had any, however hasty, which could be copied by a secretary, the debt would be never to be forgotten. " I am going to mention a circum- stance, which I do with great appre- hension, lest I should be tliouglit to intrude upon your Grace's goodness. It respects a youtli, the son of one of my muaL intimate friends, a gentleman of good family and fortune, who is extremely desirous of being admitted a cadet of artillery. His father is the best draugiitsman in Scotland, and the lad himself shows a great deal of talent both in science and the ordinary branches of learning. I enclose a note of the youth's age, studies, and progress, in case your Grace might think it possible to place on your list for the Engineer service the name of a poor Scots Hidalgo ; your Grace knows Scotland is a breeding not a feeding country, and we must send our sons abroad, as we send our black cattle to England ; aud, as old Lady Camp- bell of Ardkinglas proposed to dis- pose of her nine sons, we have a strong tendency to put our young folks 'a' to the sword.' "I have too long detained you, my Lord Duke, from the many high occupations which have been re- doubled upon your Grace's head, and beg your Grace to believe me, Avith an unusually deep sense of respect and obligation, my dear Lord Duke, your Grace's much honoured and grateful, humble servant, Walter Scott. " — WeUtngton''s Despatches, etc. (Continuitiou), vol. iii. pp. r)90-l. Loudon, Svo, ISGS. 1 Smollett's Pcrt(jrinePiclde,\o\.i, caj). 13. 1827.] JOURNAL. 361 Wrought all inoniing and finished five pages. Missie dined with lis. February 1 9. — As well I give up Abbotsford, for Hamilton is laid up with the gout. The snow, too, continues, with a hard frost. I have seen the day I would have liked it all the better. I read and wrote at the bitter account of the French retreat from Moscow, in 1812, till the little room and coal fire seemed snug by comparison. I felt cold in its rigour in my childhood and boyhood, but not since. In youth and advanced life we get less sensible to it, but I remember thinking it worse than hunger. Uninterrupted to-day, and did eight leaves.^ February 20. — At Court, and waited to see the poisoning woman. She is clearly guilty, but as one or two witnesses said the poor wench hinted an intention to poison herself, the jury gave that bastard verdict, Not jjrovcn. I hate that Caledonian medium quid. One who is not 2J^'ove7i guilty is innocent in the eye of law. It was a face to do or die, or perhaps to do to die. Thin features, which had been hand- some, a flashing eye, an acute and aquiline nose, lips much marked, as arguing decision, and, I think, bad temper — they were thin, and habitually compressed, rather turned down at the corners, as one of a rather melancholy disposition. There was an awful crowd ; but, sitting within the bar, I had the pleasure of seeing much at my ease ; the constables knocking the other folks about, which was of course very entertainincf.^ Lord Liverpool is ill of an apoplexy. I am sorry fur it. He will be missed. Who will be got fur Premier? Not 1 One page of ]iis ms. answers silling within the bar looking at to four or five of the close printed her. As we were moving out, ,Sir pages of the original edition of his Walter's remark upon the acquittal Bonaparte.—J.G.u was, 'Well, sirs, all I can say is - Lord Cockburn says:—", Scott's that if that woman was niy wife description of the woman is very I should take good care to be my correct; she was like a vindictive own cook.'"— CVrcM?VJo((yvte^*', 8vo, masculine witch. I remember him Edinburgh, 18SS, p. 12. 362 JOUENAL. [Feb. B certainly ;^ he wants weight. If Peel would consent to be made a peer, he would do better; but I doubt his ambition will prefer the House of Commons. Wrought a a good deal. February 21. — Being the vacant Wednesday I wrote all the morning. Had an answer from D. of W., unsuccessful in getting young Skene put uj)on the engineer list; he is too old. Went out at two with Anne, and visited the ex- hibition ; also called on the Mansfield family and on Sydney Smith. Jeffrey unwell from pleading so long and late for the poisoning woman. He has saved her throat and taken a quinsey in his own. Adam Ferguson has had a fall with his horse. February 22. — Was at Court till two, then lounged till Will Murray^ came to speak about a dinner for the Theatrical Fund, in order to make some arrangements. There are 300 tickets given out.^ I fear it will be uncomfortable; and whatever the stoics may say, a bad dinner throws cold water on the charity. I have agreed to preside, a situation in which I have been rather felicitous, not by much superiority of wit or wisdom, far less of eloquence ; but by two or three simple rules which I put down here for the benefit of posterity. 1st, Always liurry the bottle round for five or six rounds without prosing yourself or permitting others to prose. A 1 This can scarcely be taken to re- of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, fer to Brougham, though at the time This excellent actor retired from "Canning calls Brougham liis Learned ^^^ ^tage with a competency, and Friend. spent the last years of his life in ' My honours come and share 'em. St. Andrews, where he died in March Reformers their assistance give 1852 aeed 61 To countenance old Sarum. " q mi ■ .^ ■>■ . ^ • ■> , „• T,-,- Ihis was the dmner at which Annus Mir aoilis. tlie veil was pu))licly witlidrawn It may, however, stand for Lord from tlio authorship of Wareiieij ; it Bathurst, who became President of took place on Friday, 23d February the Council shortly afterwards in 1827, and a full account of the pro- Wellington's Administration. ceedings is given in the Life, vol. ix. - Mr. W. H. JIurray. Manager pp. 79-84. 1827.] JOURNAL. 363 slight fillip of wine inclines people to be pleased, and removes the nervousness which prevents men from speaking — disposes them, in short, to be amusing and to be amused. 2d. Push on, keep moving, as Punch says. Do not think of saying fine things — nobody cares for them any more than for fine music, which is often too liberally bestowed on such occasions. Speak at all ventures, and attempt the mot pour rire. You will find people satisfied with wonderfully in- different jokes if you can but hit the taste of the company, which depends much on its character. Even a very high party, primed with all the cold irony and non est tanti feelings, or no feelings, of fashionable folks, may be stormed by a jovial, rough, round, and ready preses. Choose your texts with discretion, the sermon may be as you like. If a drunkard or an ass breaks in with anything out of joint, if you can parry it with a jest, good and well — if not, do not exert your serious authority, unless it is something very bad. The authority even of a chairman ought to be very cautiously exercised. With patience you will have the support of every one. When you have drunk a few glasses to play the good fellow, and banish modesty if you are unlucky enough to have such a troublesome companion, then beware of the cup too much. Nothing is so ridiculous as a drunken preses. Lastly. Always speak short, and Shcocli dock na shicl — cut a tale with a drink. " This is the purpose and intent Of gude Schir Walter's testament." ^ We dined to-day at Mrs. Dundas of Arniston, Dowager. February 24. — I carried my own instructions into effect the best I could, and if our jests were not good, our laugh was abundant. I think I will hardly take the cliair a^ain when the company is so miscellaneous; though they all 1 Sir Walter parodies the cou- " Maxims or Political Testament."— elusion of King Kobert the Bruce's SeeHailes'^dmtafo, a.d.1311. — J.u.L. 364 JOUENAL. [Feb. behaved perfectly well. Meadowbauk taxed me with the novels, and to end that farce at once I pleaded guilty, so that splore is ended. As to the collection, it was much cry and little woo', as the deil said when he shore the sow. Only £280 from 300 people, but many were to send money to-morrow. They did not open books, which was impolitic, but circulated a box, where people might put in what they pleased — and some gave shillings, which gives but a poor idea of the company. Yet there were many respectable people and handsome donations. But this fashion of not letting your right hand see what your left hand doeth is no good mode of raising a round sum. Your penny-pig collections don't succeed. I got away at ten at night. The performers performed very like gentlemen, especially Will Murray. They attended as stewards with white rods, and never thought of sitting down till after dinner, takimr care that the company was attended to. February 25. — Very bad report of the speeches in the papers. We dined at Jeffrey's with Sydney Smith — funny and good-natured as usual. One of his daughters is very pretty indeed ; both are well-mannered, agreeable, and sing well. The party was pleasant. February 26. — At home, and settled to work ; but I know not why I was out of spirits — quite Laird of Humdudgeon, and did all I could to shake it off, and could not. James Ballantyne dined with me. Febrvxtry 27. — Humdudgeonish still; hang it, what fools we arc ! I worked, but coldly and ill. Yet something is done. I wonder if other people have these strange alter- nations of industry and incapacity. I am sure I do not indulge myself in fancies, but it is accompanied with great drowsiness — bile, I suppose, and terribly jaded spirits. I received to-day Dr. Shi^tt and Major Crocket, win* was orderly-ohicer on Boney at llu; lime of his death. February 28. — Sir Adam breakfasted. One of the few 1827.] JOURNAL. 365 old friends left out of the number of my youthful companions. In youth we have many companions, few friends perliaps ; in age companionship is ended, except rarely, and 1)y appoint- ment. Old men, hy a kind of instinct, seek younger com- panions who listen to their stories, honour their grey hairs while present, and mimic and laugh at them when their backs are turned. At least that was tlie way in our day, and I warrant our chicks of the present day crow to the same tune. Of all the friends that I have left I have none wdio has any decided attachment to literature. So either I must talk on that subject to young people — in other words, turn proser, or I must turn tea-table talker and converse with ladies. I am too old and too proud for either character, so I '11 live alone and be contented. Lockhart's departure for London was a loss to me in this way. Came home late from the Court, but worked tightly in the evening. I think dis- continuing; smokino', as I have done for these two months past, leaves me less muzzy after dinner. At any rate, it breaks a custom — I despise custom. MAECH. 3farch 1 — At Court until two — wrote letters under cover of the lawyers' long speeches, so paid up some of my corre- spondents, which I seldom do upon any other occasion. I sometimes let letters lie for days unopened, as if that would postpone the necessity of answering them. Here I am at home, and to work we go — not for the first time to-day, for I wrought hard before breakfast. So glides away Thursday 1st. By the by, it is the anniversary of Bosworth Field. In former days Richard III. was always acted at London on this day ; now the custom, I fancy, is disused. Walpole's Historic Doubts threw a mist about this reign. It is very odd to see how his mind dwells upon it at first as the mere sport of imagination, till at length they become such Delilahs of his imagination that he deems it far worse than infidelity to doubt his Doubts. After all, the popular tradition is so very strong and pointed concerning the character of Richard, that it is I think in vain to doubt the general truth of the outline. Shakespeare, we may be sure, wrote his drama in •the tone that was to suit the popular belief, although where that did Eichard wrong, his powerful scene was sure to augment the impression. There was an action and a reaction. Ifarch 2. — Clerk walked home with me from the Court. I was scarce able to keep up with him ; could once have done it well enough. Funny thing at the Theatre. Among the discourse in " High Life below Stairs," ^ one of the ladies' ladies asks who wrote Shakespeare. One says, " Ben Jonson," another, " Finis." " No," said Will Murray, " it is Sir AValter Scott; he confessed it at a public meeting tlic other day." ^ See Townley's Farce. 3G0 1827.] JOUKNAL. 3G7 Marclh 3. — Very severe weather, came home covered with snow, White as a frosted-plum-cake, by jingo ! No matter ; I am not sorry to find I can stand a brush of weather yet; I like to see Arthur's Seat and the stern old Castle with their white watch-cloaks on. But, as Byron said to Moore, " d — n it, Tom, don't be poeticak" I settled to Boncy, and wrote right long and well. March 4. — I sat in by the chimney-neuk with no chance of interruption, and " feagued it away," Sir Adam came, and had half an hour's chat and laugh. My jaws ought to be sore, if the uuwontedness of the motion could do it. But I have little to laugh at but myself, and my own bizarreries are more like to make me cry. Wrought hard, though — there 's sense in that. March 5 — Our young men of first fashion, in whom tranquillity is the prime merit, a sort of quietism of foppery, if one can use the expression, have one capital name for a fellow that outrds and outroars the fashion, a sort of high- buck as they were called in my days. They hold him a vulcjarian, and call him a tifier. Mr. Gibson came in, and we talked over my affairs ; very little to the purpose I doubt. Dined at home with Anne as usual, and despatched half-a- dozen Selkirk processes ; among others one which savours of Hamesucken.^ I think to-day I have finished a quarter of vol. viii., and last. Shall I be happy when it is done 1 — Umph ! I think not. ; March 6. — A long seat at Court, and an early dinner, as we went to the play. John Kemble's brother acted Bene- dick. He is a fine-looking man, and a good actor, but not superior. He reminds you eternally that he is acting ; and he had got, as the devil directed it, liold of my favourite Benedick, for which he has no power. He« had not the slightest idea of the part, particularly of the manner in whicli ^ ITamesucken. — The crime of beating or assaulting a person in liis own house. A Scotch law term. 3G8 JOUENAL. [:\lAr.CH Benedick should conduct himself in the f|uarrelling scene with the I'j'ince and Claudio, in wliich his character rises almost to the dignity of tragedy. The laying aside his light and fantastic humour, and showinsj himself the man of feeling and honour, was finely marked of yore by old Tom King.i I remember particularly the high strain of grave moral feeling which he threw upon the words — " in a false quarrel there is no true valour" — which, spoken as he did, checked the very brutal levity of the Prince and Claudio. There were two farces ; one I wished to see, and that being tlie last, was obliged to tarry for it. Perhaps the headache I contracted made me a severe critic on Cramond Brig,^ a little piece ascribed to Lockhart. Perhaps I am unjust, but I cannot think it his;^ there are so few good things in it, and so much prosing transferred from that mine of marrowless morality called the Miller of Mansfield} Yet it pleases. March 7. — AVe are kept working hard during the expir- ing days of the Session, but this being a blank day I wrote hard till dressing time, when I went to Will Clerk's to dinner. As a bachelor, and keeping a small establishment, he does not do these things often, but they are propor- tionally pleasant when they come round. He had trusted Sir Adam to bespeak his dinner, who did it conamore; so we had excellent cheer, and the wines were various and capital. As I before hinted, it is not every day that M'lSTab •'"' mounts on horseback, and so our landlord had a little of that solici- tude that the party should go off well, which is very flatter- ing to the guests. We had a very pleasant evening. The ^ King had retired from the ' Marginal Note in Original MSS. stage in ISOl. He died four years "Ineversawit — notmine. — j.g»l." later. * By Dodsley. ^ Cramond Brig is said to have ' That singular personage, the been written by Mr. "W. IT. late M'Xab of //««< iV^-, spent his life Murray, the manager of the Tlieatre, almost entirely in a district where and is still occasionally acted in a boat was the usual conveyance. — Eurn with Anne, then walked tlirough the plantations, with Tom's help to pull me through the snow-wreaths. Eeturned in a glow of heat and spirits. Corrected proof-sheets in the evening. 3Tarch 16. — " A trifling day we have had here, Begun with trifle and ended." But I hope no otherwise so ended than to meet the rubrick of the ballad, for it is but three o'clock. In tlie morning I was riiomme qid cherche — everything fell aside, — the very pens absconded, and crept in among a pack of letters and trumpery, where I had the devil's work finding them. Thus the time before breakfast was idled, or rather fidgeted, away. Afterwards it was rather worse. I had settled to finish the review, when, behold, as I am apt to do at a set task, I jibb'd, and my thouglits would rather have gone with Waterloo. So I dawdled, as tlie women say, with both, now writing a page or two of tlie review, now reading a few ' Tlic article appeared in the Number for June 1827, and i,s now incliuled in tlic Pro.ie Jl/isc. I) ori.s, vol. xix. pp. 2S.S-.S67. 1827.] JOURNAL. 373 pages of the Battle of Waterloo by Captain Priiigle, a luauuscript which is excellently written.^ Well, I will find the advantage of it by and by. So now I will try to finish this accursed review, for there is nothing to prevent me, save the untractable character that hates to work on com- pulsion, whether of individuals or circumstances. March 17. — I wrought away at the review and nearly finished it. Was interrupted, however, by a note from Ballantyne, demanding copy, which brought me back from Home and Mackenzie to Boncy. I had my walk as usual, and worked nevertheless very fairly. Corrected proofs. March 18. — Took up Boncy again. I am now at writing, as I used to be at riding, slow, heavy, and awkward at mounting, but when I did get fixed in my saddle, could screed away with any one, I have got six pnges ready for my learned Theban ^ to-morrow morning. William Laidlaw and his brother George dined with me, but I wrote in the evening all the same. March 19. — Set about my labours, but enter Captain John Ferguson from the Spanish Main, where he has been for three years. The honest tar sat about two hours, and 1 was heartily glad to see him again. I had a general sketch of his adventures, which we will hear more in detail when we can meet at kail-time. Notwithstanding this inter- ruption I have pushed far into the seventh page. Well done for one day. Twenty days should finish me at this rate, and I read hard too. But allowance must be made for interruptions. March 20. — To-day worked till twelve o'clock, then went with Anne on a visit of condolence to Mrs. Prinole of Yair and her family. Mr. I'riugle was the friend botli of my father and grandfather ; the acquaintance of our families is at least a century old. ^ See Captain John Pringle'a I'eniaiks ua the campaign of ISla in App. to Scott's ^ajw^eoM, vol. ix. pp. 115-1(30. - Lear, Act lii. Sc. •!. 374 JOUKNAL. [Maiich March 21. — Wrote till twelve, then out upon the heights though the day was stormy, and faced the gale bravely. Tom l*urdie was not with me. He would have obliged me to keep the sheltered ground. But, I don't know — "Even in our ashes live our wonted fires." There is a touch of the old spirit in me yet that bids me brave the tempest, — the spirit that, in spite of manifold infirmities, made me a roaring boy in my youth, a desperate climber, a bold rider, a deep drinker, and a stout player at single-stick, of all which valuable qualities there are now but slender remains. I worked hard when I came in, and finished five pages. March 22. — Yesterday I wrote to James Ballantyne, acquiescing in his urgent request to extend the two last volumes to about 600 each. I believe it will be no more than necessary after all, but makes one feel like a dog in a wheel, always moving and never advancing. March 23.— When I was a child, and indeed for some years after, my amusement was in supposing to myself a set of persons engaged in various scenes which contrasted them with each other, and I remember to this day the accuracy of my childish imagination. This might be the effect of a natural turn to fictitious narrative, or it might be the cause of it, or there might be an action and reaction, or it does not signify a pin's head how it is. But with a flash of this remaining spirit, I imagine my mother Duty to be a sort of old task-mistress, like the hag of the merchant Abudah, in the Tales of the Genii — not a hag though, by any means ; on the contrary, my old woman wears a rich old-fashioned gown of black silk, with ruflles of triple blonde-lace, and a coif as rich as that of Pearlinfj Jean ; ^ a figure and counteu- O J CD ance something like Lady D. S.'s twenty years ago; a clear ' " i'eai'ling Jean," the name of Sharpe's Letters, vol. i. pp. .303-5, the ghost of the Spmisli Nun at and Ingram's Haunted Homes, Allanbank, Berwickshire. See Lond. 1884, vol. i. .pp. 1-4. 1827.] JOUENAL. 375 blue eye, capable of great severity of expression, and con- forming in that with a wrinkled brow, of which the ordinary expression is a serious approach to a frown — a cautionary and nervous shake of the head ; in her withered hand an ebony staff with a crutch head, — a Tompion gold M-atch, which annoys all who know her by striking the quarters as regularly as if one wished to hear them. Occasionally she has a small scourge of nettles, which I feel her lay across my fingers at this moment, and so Tacc is Latin for a candle.i I have 150 pages to write yet. March 24. — Does Duty not wear a pair of round old- fashioned silver buckles? Buckles she has, but they are square ones. All belonging to Duty is rectangular. Thus can we poor children of imagination play with the ideas wo create, like children with soap-bubbles. Pity that we pay for it at other times by starting at our shadows. " Mau but a rush against Othello's breast." The hard work still proceeds, varied only by a short walk. March 25. — Hard work still, but went to Huntly Burn on foot, and returned in the carriage. Walked well and stoutly — God be praised ! — and prepared a whole bundle of proofs and copy for the Blucher to morrow ; that damned work will certainly end some time or other. As it drips and dribbles ' This quaint saying, arising out he strung together under the title of some foi-gotten joke, has been of Polite Conversation, and pub- thought to be Scott's own, as it was lished about 1738." Fielding also a favourite with him and his inti- introduces it in *4TOC'Z/rt,2 1752. See mates, and he introduces it in more Notes and Queries, first series, vol. i. than one of his works. 1 But though p. 385 ; ii. p. 45; iv. p. 4j0 ; x. p. its origin cannot be traced. Swift 173 ; sixth series, vol. iii. p. 213 ; uses it in that very curious collec- iv. p. 157- tion of proverbs and saws, which 1 e.g. Redyauntlct, ch. xii. Pate-in-Peril at Dumfries. - Lord Smart — "Well, Tom, can you tell me what's Latin for a caiulle ?" Ncverout—"0, ujy Lord, I know that [answer] : Braiuly is Ijalin for a goo.se ! anil I'ace is Latin for a candle."— Scott's Swift, vol. ix. p. 457. 3 'Taa', Madam," added Murpliy, " is Latin for a cai\i\\e."—Amdu(, 13k. i. cap. .\i. 376 JOUllNAL. [March out on the paper, I think of the old drunken Presbyterian under the spout. March 26. — Despatched packets. Colonel and Captain Ferguson arrived to breakfast. I liad previously determined to give myself a day to write letters ; and, as I expect Jolin Thomson to dinner, this day will do as well as another. I cannot keep up with tlie world without shying a letter now and then. It is true the greatest happiness I could think of would be to be rid of the world entirely. Excepting my own family, I have little pleasure in the world, less business in it, and am heartily careless about all its concerns. Mr. Tliomson came accordingly — not John Thomson of Duddingston, whom the letter led me to expect, but John Anstruther Thomson of Charlton [Fifeshire], the son-in-law of Lord Ch.-Commissioner. March 2 7. — Wrote two leaves this morning, and gave the day after breakfast to my visitor, M'ho is a country gentleman of the best description ; knows the world, having been a good deal attached both to the turf and the field ; is extremely good-humoured, and a good deal of a local antiquary. I showed him the plantations, going first round the terrace, then to the lake, then came down by the Ehymer's Glen, and took carriage at Huntly Burn, almost the grand tour, only we did not walk from Huntly Burn. The Fergusons dined with us. March 28. — ]\Ir Thomson left us about twelve for Minto, parting a pleased guest, I hope, from a pleased landlord. AYhen I sec a " gemman as is a gemman," as the blackguards say, why, I know how to be civil. After he left I set doggedly to work with Bona^mrte., who had fallen a little into arrear. I can clear the ground better now by mashing up my old work in the Edinburgh Register willi my now matter, a species of colcannen, where cold potatoes are mixed with hot ciibbago. After all, I think Ballantyne is right, and that I have some talents for history-writing after all. 1827.] JOUHNAL. 377 That same history in ihe Eegister reads prettily enough. Coragio, cry Claymore. I finished five pages, but with additions from Eegister tliey will run to more than double I hope ; like Puff in the Critic, be luxuriant.^ Here is snow bo.ck again, a nasty, comfortless, stormy sort of a day, and I will work it off at Bone)/. "What shall I do when Bonaparte is done ? He engrosses me morning, noon, and night. Never mind ; Komt Zcit Icomt Rath, as the German says. I did not work longer than twelve, however, but went out in as rough weather as I have seen, and stood out several snow blasts. March 29, 30.— '• He wiilk'tl and wrought, poor soul ! "What then ? Whv, then he walk'd and wrought atrain." March 31. — Day varied by dining with Mr. Scrope, where we found Mr. Williams and JMr. Simson,^ both excellent artists. We had not too much of the palette, but made a very agreeable day out. I contrived to mislay the proof- sheets sent me this morning, so that I must have a revise. This frequent absence of mind becomes very exceeding troublesome. I have the distinct recollection of laying them carefully aside after I dressed to go to the Pavilion. Well, I have a head — the proverb is musty. ' ^ Sheridan's Play, Act ii. Sc. 1. scape painter. He died in London, * William Simsou, U.S.A., land- 1S47. • . ' APEIL. A2iril 1. — The proofs are not to be found. Applications from E. P. G[illies]. I must do something for liini ; yet have the melancholy conviction that nothing will do him any good. Then lie writes letters and expects answers. Then they arc bothering me about writing in behalf of the oil-gas light, which is going to the devil very fast. I cannot be going a-begging for them or anybody. Please to look down with an eye of pity — a poor distressed creature ! No, not for the last morsel of bread. A dry ditch and a speedy death is worth it all. A2ml 2. — Another letter from E. P. G. I shall begin to wish, like S., that lie had been murthered and robbed in his walks between Wimbledon and London. John [Archibald] Murray and his young wife came to dinner, and in good time. I like her very much, and think he has been very lucky. She is not in the vaward of youth, Ijut John is but two or three years my junior. She is pleasing in her manners, and totally free from affectation ; a beautiful musician, and willingly exerts her talents in that way ; is said to be very learned, but shows none of it. A large fortune is no bad addition to such a woman's society. April 3. — I had processes to decide ; and though I arose at my usual hour, I could not get througli above two of five proofs. After breakfast I walked with John Murray, and at twelve we went for Melrose, where 1 liad to show the lions. We came back by Huntly J>urii, wlierc the carriage broke down, and gave us a pretty lung walk home. INTr. Scrope dined with his two artists, and John [Thomson ?j. 378 1827.] JOUllNAL. 379 The last is not only the best landscape-painter of his age and country, but is, moreover, one of the warmest-hearted men living, with a keen and unaffected feeling of poetry. Poor fellow ! he has had many misfortunes in his family. I drank a glass or two of wine more than usual, got into good spirits, and came from Tripoli for the amusement of the good company. I was in good fooling. April 4. — I think I have a little headache this morning ; however, as Othello says, " That 's not much." I saw our guests go off by seven in the morning, but was not in time to give them good-bye. " And now again, boys, to the oar." I did not go to the oar though, but walked a good deal. A'pril 5. — Heard from Lockhart; the Duke of W[ellington] and Croker are pleased with my historical labours ; so far well — for the former, as a soldier said of him, " I would rather have his long nose on my side than a whole brigade." Well ! something good may come of it, and if it does it will be good luck, for, as you and I know. Mother Duty, it has been a rummily written work. I wrote hard to-day. April 6. — Do. Do. I only took one turn about the thicket, and have nothing to put down but to record my labours. April 7. — The same history occurs; my desk and my exercise. I am a perfect automaton. Bonaparte runs in my head from seven in the morning till ten at night without intermission. I wrote six leaves to-day and corrected four proofs. April 8. — (Unger, being in my room, was safely delivered in her basket of four puppies ; the mother and children all doing well. Faith ! that is as important an entry as my Journal could desire. The day is so beautiful that I long to go out. I won't, though, till 1 liave done sometliing. A letter from Mr. Gibson about the trust affairs. If the infernal bargain with Constable go on m'cII, there will be a pretty sop in the pan to the creditors ; £35,000 at least. If 380 JOUENAL. [Apkil I could work as effectually for three years more, I shall stand on my feet like a man. But who can assure success with the public ? April 9. — I wrote as hard to-day as need be, finished my neat eight pages, and, notwithstanding, drove out and visited at Gattonside. The devil must be in it if the matter drags out longer now. April 10. — Some incivility from the Leith Bank, which I despise with my heels. I have done for settling my affairs all that any man — much more than most men — could have done, and they refuse a draught of £20, because, in mistake, it was £8 overdrawn. But what can be expected of a soiu but a grumph t Wrought hard, hard. April 1 1. — The parks were rouped for £100 a year more than they brought last year. Poor Abbotsford will come to good after all. In the meantime it is Sic vos non vohis — but who cares a farthing ? If Boncy succeeds, we will give these affairs a blue eye, and I will wrestle stoutly witli them, although " My hanlcs they are covered with fcecs," ^ or rather with wasps. A very tough day's work. April 12. — Ha-a-lt — as we used to say, my proof- sheets being still behind. Very unhandsome conduct on the part of the Blucher- while I was lauding it so profusely. It is necessary to halt and close up our files — of correspondence I mean. So it is a cliance if, except for contradiction's sake, or upon getting the proof-sheets, I write a line to-day at Boncy. I did, however, correct five revised sheets and one proof, which took me up so much of the day that I had but one turn through the courtyard. Owing to this I liad .sonic! of my fiutterings, my trenil)liiig cxies, as the old ])('ople called the ague. Wrote a great many letters — but no " (•ui)y." ' See .SIr'iisIoiic'.s Pii.stortd BaUad, i'art ii., Hope, - The coach to Ediuburgh. 1827.] JOURNAL. 381 jijrril 13. — I have sometimes wondered with what regu- larity — that is, for a shrew of my impatient temper — I have heen able to keep this Journal. The use of the first person being, of course, the very essence of a diary, I con- ceive it is chiefly vanity, the dear pleasure of writing about the best of good fellows, Myself, which gives me persever- ance to continue this idle task. This morning I wrote till breakfast, then went out and marked trees to be cut for paling, and am just returned — and what does any one care? Ay, but, Gad ! I care myself, though. AVe had at dinner to-day Mr. and Mrs. Cranstoun (Burns's Maria of Balloch- myle^), ]\Ir. Bainbridge and daughters, and Colonel Eussell. April 1 4. — Went to Selkirk to try a fellow for an assault on Dr. Clarkson — fined him seven guineas, which, with his necessary expenses, will amount to ten guineas. It is rather too little ; but as his income does not amount to £30 a year, it will pinch him severely enough, and is better than sending him to an ill-kept jail, where he would be idle and drunk from morninf; to nitiht. I had a dreadful headache while sitting in the Court — rheumatism in perfection. It did not last after I got warm by the fireside. AjJril 15. — Delightful soft morning, with mild rain. Walked out and got wet, as a sovereign cure for the rheu- matism. Was quite well, though, and scribbled away. April 16. — A day of work and exercise. In the evening a letter from L[ockhart], with the wonderful news that the jMinistry has broken up, and apparently for no cause that any one can explain. Tlic old grudge, I suppose, betwixt Peel and Cannim:, which has gone on augmenting like a crack in the side of a house, which enlarges from day to day, till down goes the whole. Mr. Canning has declared himself fully satisfied with J. L., and sent Barrow to tell him so. His suspicions were indeed most erroneous^ but they were repelled with no little spirit both by L. and myself, and ^ See " The Braes of Ballochmyle ;" Cunie's BiiriiK, vol. i\-. p. 294. 382 JOURNAL. [April Canning has not been like another Great Mnn I know to wliom I showed demonstrably that he had suspected an in- dividual nnjustly. "It may be so," he said, "but his mode of defendiuLT himself was offensive." ^ April 17. — Went to dinner to-day to j\Ir. Bainbridge's Gattonside House, and had fireworks in tlie evening, made by Captain Burchall, a good-humoured kind of "Will Wimble.^ One nice little boy announced to us everything that was going to be done, with the importance of a prologue. Some of the country folks assembled, and our party was enlivened by the squeaks of the wenches and the long-pro- tracted Eh, eh's ! by which a Teviotdale tup testifies his wonder. A'pril 18. — I felt the impatience of news so much that I walked up to Mr. Laidlaw, surely for no other purpose than to talk politics. This interrupted Boiiey a little. After I returned, about twelve or one, behold Tom Tack ; he comes from Buenos Ayres with a parcel of little curiosities he had picked up for me. As Tom Tack spins a tongh yarn, I lost the morning almost entirely — what with one thing, what with t' other, as my friend the Laird of Raeburn says. Nor have I much to say for the evening, oidy I smoked a cigar more than usual to get the box ended, and give up the custom for a little. ^ The conduct of tlie Quarterly politics, a digiiiliecl exhibition of at this time was in after years thus personal independence." — Nodes commented upon by Jolin Wilson. Amhroiilanae. "North. — While we were defend- It is understood that Canning,* ing the principles of the B:itisli who had received the King's corn- constitution, bearding its eueinics, niands on April 10, felt keenly the and administering to* them the lomliucssof hisposition — estranged knout, the Quarterly Review was from his old comrades, and deterred meek and mum as a mouse. by the remembrance of many bitter " Tickler. — Afraid to lose the satires against them fiom having countenance and occasional assist- close intimacy with hi^ new co- ancc of Mr. Canning. adjutors. " 2\orlh. — There indeed, James, was a beautiful exhibition of party - See Spectator. 1827.] JOUP.XAL. 383 April 19. — Another letter from Locklmrt.^ 1 am sorry when I think of tlie goodly fellowship of vessels which are now scattered on the ocean. There is the Duke of Wellington, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Melville, iNIr. Peel, and I wot not who besides, all turned out of office or resit^ned ! I wonder what thev can do in the House of Lords M'hen all the great Tories are on the wrong side of the House. Canning seems quite serious in his views of helping Lockhart. I hope it will come to somethincj. April 20. — A surly sort of day. I walked for two hours, however, and then returned chiefly to Nap. Egad ! I believe it has an end at last, this blasted work. I have the fellow at Plymouth, or near about it. "Well, I declare, I thought the end of these beastly big eight volumes was like the end of the world, which is always talked of and never comes. April 21. — Here is a vile day — downright rain, which disconcerts an inroad of bairns from Gattonside, and, of course, annihilates a part of the stock of human happiness. But what says the proverb of your true rainy day — " 'Tis good for book, 'tis good fur work, For cup and can, or knife and fork." April 22. — Wrote till twelve o'clock, then sallied forth, and walked to Huntly Burn with Tom ; and so, look you, sir, I drove home in the carriage. Wrought in the afternoon, and tried to read De Verc, a sensible but heavy book, written 1 ". . . Your letter has given me totcl sequela, about which sequela, the vertigo— my head turns round unless Sir W. Rae and the Solicitor, like a chariot wheel, and I am on I care little. The whole is glamour the point of asking — to one who reads no papers, and has ' Why, how now ? Am I Giles, or am none to read. I must get one, I not?' though, if this work is to go on, " The Duke of Wellington out ? — for it is quite bursting in ignorance, bad news atliome, and worse abroad. Canning is haughty and prejudiced Lord Anglcsca in his situation ? — but, I think, honourable as well — does not much mend the matter, asable : «o»-stvr?-oH<. IfearCroker Duke of Clarence in the Xavy ? Avill shake, and heartilj^ sorry I — wild work. Lord Melville, I sup- should feel for tliat. . . ." — Scott to pos-c, f.alls of course — perhaps cum Lockhart : L[f< , \o\. ix. p. 90. 384 JOUEITAL. [April by an able hand — but a great bore for all tliat.^ Wrote in the evening. April 23. — Snowy morning, Wliite as my shirt. The little Bainbridges came over ; invited to see the armoury, etc., which I stood showman to. It is odd how much less cubbish the Englisli boys are than the Scotch. Well- mannered and sensible are the southern boys. I suppose tlie sun brinies them forward. Here comes six o'clock at night, and it is snowing as if it liad not snowed these forty years before. Well, I '11 work away a couple of chapters — three at most will finish Napoleon. April 24. — Still deep snow — a foot thick in the court- yard, I dare say. Severe welcome to the poor lambs now coming into the world. But what signifies whether they die just now, or a little while after to be united with salad at luncheon-time ? It sitrnifies a uood deal too. There is a period, though a short one, when they dance among the go wans, and seem happy. As for your aged sheep or wether, the sooner they pass to the Norman side of the vocabulary the better. They are like some old dowager ladies and gentlemen of my acquaintance, — no one cares about them till they come to be cut up, and then we see how the tallow lies on the kidneys and the chine. April 25. — Snow yet, and it j^revents my walking, and I grow bilious. I wrote hard though. I have now got Bonaj pegg'd up in the knotty entrails of Saint Helena, and may make a short pause. So I finished the review of John Home's works, which, after all, are poorer than I thought them. Good blank verse and stately sentiment, but something lukewarmish, ex- cepting Douglas, which is certainly a masterpiece. Even that does not stand the closet. Its merits are for the staire ; but it is certainly one of the best acting plays going. Perliaps a play, to act well, should not be too poetical. ' R. Pluinor War.l.— See July 4. 1827.] JOUENAL. 385 There is a talk in London of bringing,' in the Marquis of Lansdowne, then Lauderdale will perhaps come in here. It is certain the old Tory party is down the wind, not from political opinions, but from personal aversion to Canning. Perhaps his satirical temper has partly occasioned this ; but I rather consider emulation as the source of it, the head and front of the offending. Croker no longer rhymes to joker. He has made a good coiqj, it is said, by securing Lord Hertford for the new administration. D. W. calls him their viper. After all, I cannot sympathise with that delicacy which throws up oSice, because the most eloquent man in England, and certainly the only man who can manage the House of Commons, is named Minister.^ April 26. — The snow still profusely distributed, and the surface, as our hair used to be in youth, after we had played at some active game, half' black, half white, all in large patches. I finished the criticism on Home, adding a string of Jacobite anecdotes, like that which boys put to a kite's tail. Sent off the packet to Lockhart ; at the same time sent Croker a volume of French tracts, containing La FortefeuilU de Bonaparte, which he wished' to see. Received a great cargo of papers from Bernadotte, some curious, and would have been inestimable two months back, but now my siege is almost made. Still my feelings for poor Count Itterburg,^ ^ A fuller statement of Scott's voted himself mainly to the study views at this crisis will be found in of military matters, and out-door his letters to Lockhart and Morritt exercises, roughing it in all sorts of in Life, vol. ix. (April, May, and weather, sometimes, — to his mentor June, 1827). Baron Poller's uneasiness, — setting - Count Itterburg, then in his out on dark and stormy nights, and 20th year, was the name under which making his way across country from Gustavus, the ex-Crown Prince of point to point. This self-imposed Sweden, visited Scotland in 1819. training was no doubt with the It was his intention to study at the secret hope that he might some University of Edinburgh during the day be called upon by the Swedes Avinter session, but, his real name to oust Bernadotte, and mount the becoming known, this was rendered throne of the great Gustavus. Mr. impracticable by the curiosity and Skene saw a good deal of him, attention of the public. He de- and gives many interesting details 2b 386 JOUKNAL. [Apwl the lineal and legitimate, make me averse to have much to do v/ith this child of the revolution. April 27. — This hand of mine gets to be like a kitten's scratch, and will require much deciphering, or, what may be as well for the writer, cannot be deciphered at all. I am of his life in Eilinburgh, such as the following account of a meet- ing at his own house. "He was interested with a set of portraits of the two last generations of the Royal Family of Scotland, which hung in my dining-room, and wliich had been presented to my grandfather by Prince Charles Edward, in consideration of the sacrifices he had made for the Prince's service during the unfor- tunate enterprise of the year 1745, having raised and commanded one of the battalions of Lord Lewis Gordon's brigade. The jiortrait of Prince Cliarles Edward, taken about the same age as Comte Itterburg, and no doubt also the marked analogy existing in the circum- stances to which they had been each reduced, seemed much to en- gage his notice ; and wlien the ladies had retired he begged me to give him some account of the re- bellion, and of the various en- deavours of the Stewarts to regain the Scottish crown. The subject was rather a comprehensive one, but having done my best to put him in possession of the leading features; it seemed to have taken very strong hold of his mind, as he frequently, at our subsequent meet- ings, reverted to the subject. Upon another occasion by degrees the topic of conversation slipped into its wonted channel — tlie rebellion of 1745, its final disaster, and tlic singular escape of tlie Prince from the pursuit of liis enemies. The Comte inquired wliat effect the failure of the enterprise had pro- duced upon the Prince's character, with whose gallant bearing and enthusiasm, in the conduct of his desperate enterprise, he evinced the strongest interest and sym- pathy. I stated briefly the mor- tifying disappointments to which Charles Edward was exposed in France, the hopelessness of his cause, and the indiffei'ence generally shown to him by the continental courts, which so much preyed on his mind as finally to stifle every spark of his former character, so that he gave himself up to a listless indifference, which terminated in his becoming a sot during the latter years of his life. On turning round to the Prince, who had been listen- ing to these details, I perceived the big drops chasing each other down his cheeks and therefore changed the subject, and he never again re- ciirred to it." — lie mini scences. Count Itterburg, or Prince Gus- tavus Vasa, to give him the title of an old family dignity Avhich he assumed in 1829, entered the Axis- triau army, in which he attained the rank of Lieutenant Field-Mar- shal. His services, it is needless to say, wore never required by the Swedes, though he never relin- quished liis ijretensions, and claimed tlie throne at his father's death in 1837. He died at Pillnitz on the 4th August 1877, leaving one daughter, the present Queen of Saxony. Notices of his visits to 39 Castle Street and Abbotsford are given in the Gth vol. of Life. 1827.] JOURNAL. 387 sure I cannot read it myself. Weather better, which is well, as I shall get a walk. I have been a little nervous, having been confined to the house for three days. Well, I may be disabled from duty, but my tamed spirits and sense of dejection have quelled all that freakishness of humour which made me a voluntary idler. I present myself to the morning task, as the hack-horse patiently trudges to tlie pole of his chaise, and backs, however reluctantly, to have the traces fixed. Such are the uses of adversity. A^ril 28. — Wrought at continuing the Works, with some criticism on Defoe.^ I have great aversion, I cannot tell why, to stuffing the "Border Antiquities" into what they call the Prose Works. There is no encouragement, to be sure, for doing better, for nobody seems to care. I cannot get an answer from J. Ballantyne, whether he thinks the review on the High- lands would be a better substitution. April 29. — Colonel and Captain Ferguson dined here with Mr. Laidlaw. I wrote all the morning, then cut some wood. I think tlie weather cets too warm for hard work with the axe, or I get too stiff and easily tired. AiDril 30. — Went to Jedburgh to circuit, where found my old friend and schoolfellow, D. Monypenny.^ Nothing to-day but a pack of riff-raff cases of petty larceny and trash. Dined as usual with the Judge, and slept at my old friend j\Ir. Shortreed's. ^ This refei's to the Miscellaneous 296, forming a supplement to John Prose Works, forming 24 vols., the Ballantyne 's Biographical Notice of publication of Avhich did not com- Defoe in the same volume. The mence until May 1834, although, as "Essay on Border Antiquities" is shown by the Journal, the author appeared, notwithstanding Scott's was busy in its preparation. The misgivings, in the seventh volume, "criticism on Defoe " will be found in the fourth volume, pp. 247- - Lord Pitmilly. — See ante, i^ 125. MAY. May 1. — Brought Andrew Shortreed to copy some things I want. Maxpopple came with ns as far as Lessudden, and we stopped and made a pilgrimage to Fair Maiden Lilliard's Stone, which has been restored lately, to the credit of ]\Ir. Walker of Muirhouselaw.^ Set my young clerk to work when we came home, and did some laborious business. A letter from Sir Thomas Lawrence informed me I am chosen Professor of Antiquities to the Eoyal Academy — a beautiful professor to be sure ! May 2. — Did nothing but proofs this morning. At ten went to Selkirk to arrange about the new measures, which, like all new things, will throw us into confusion for a little at least. The weather was so exquisitely good that I walked after tea to half-past eight, and enjoyed a sort of half-lazy, half-sulky humour — like Caliban's, "There's wood enough within." 2 Well, I may be the bear, but I must mount the ragged staff all the same. I set my myself to labour for E. P. G.^ The Germanic Horrors are my theme, and I think something may be yet made of them. ^ The rude inscription on the Border amazon, slain at Ancriim stone placed over the grave of this ]\Ioor, A.D. 1545, ran thus — " Fair maiden Lillian! lies under this stane, Little was her stature but great was her fame, Upon the English loans she laid many thumps, And when her legs were cuttet off she fought upon her stumps." ^eQ New Stat. Account Scot., ^^'Rox- pecuniary affairs rendered such burgh," p. 244. assistance very desirable. Scott's ^ jTem/ie.s'i, Act I. Sc. 2. generosityin this matter — for it was ^ An article for tlie Foreign exactly giving a poor brother author Quarterly Jieview, regarding wliich €100 at the expense of considerable Mr. Lockhart says : — " It had then time and drudgery to himself — I beennewlystarted under the Editor- think it necessary to mention ; the ship of Mr. R. P. Gillies. This date of the exertion requires it of article, it is proper to observe, was me." — Li/e, vol. ix. pp. 72-3; see a benefaction to Mr. Gillies, whose Misc. Prose Works,vo\. xvi'i. p. 270. 388 1827.] JOURNAL. 389 May 3. — An early visit from ]\Tr. TliDinas Stewart, iiepliew of Duelicss (if Wellington, with a letter from his aunt. He seems a well-behaved and pleasant young man. I walked him through the Glen. Colonel Ferguson came to help us out at dinner, and then we had our wine and wassail. May 4. — Corrected proofs in the morning. Mr. Stewart still here, which prevented work ; however, I am far before- hand with everything. We walked a good deal ; asked Mr. Alexander Pringle, Whytbank, to dinner. This is rather losing time, though. May 5. — Worked away upon those wild affairs of Hoff- mann for Gillies. I think I have forgot my German very much, and then the stream of criticism does not come freely at all : I cannot tell why. I gave it up in despair at half- past one, and walked out. Had a letter from E. P. G. He seems in spirits about his work. I wish it may answer. Under good encouragement it certainly might. But Max popple came to dinner, and Mr. Laidlaw after dinner, so that broke up a day, which I can ill spare. Mr. Stewart left us this day. May 6. — Wrought again at Hoffmann— unfructuously I fear — unwillingly I am certain ; but how else can I do a little good in my generation ? I will try a walk. I wordd fain catch myself in good-humour with my task, l;)ut that will not be easy. May 7. — Finished Hoffmann, talis qualis. I don't like it; but then I have been often displeased with things that have proved successful. Our own labours become disgusting in our eyes, from the ideas having been turned over and over in our own minds. To others, to whom they are presented for the first time, they have a show of novelty. God grant it may i)rove so. I would help the poor fellow if 1 could, for I am poor myself. May 8. — Corrected Hoffmann Avith a view to send him 390 JOITENAL. [May off, which, however, I could not accomplish. I finished a criticism on Defoe's Writings.^ His great forte is his power of vraiscmhlancc. This I have instanced in the story of Mrs. Veal's Ghost. Ettrick Shepherd arrived. 3IaT/ 9. — This day we Nvent to dinner at Mr. Scrope's, at the Pavilion, where were the Haigs of Bemerside, Isaac Haig, Mr. and the Misses Bainbridge, etc. Warm dispute whether par are or are not salmon trout. " Fleas are not lobsters, d — n their souls." Mr. Scrope has made a painting of Tivoli, which, when mellowed a little by time, will be a fine one. Letters from Lockhart, with news concerning the beautiful mess they are making in London. Henry Scott will be threatened in Eoxburghshire. This would be bad policy, as it would drive the young Duke to take up his ground, which, unless pressed, he may be in no hurry to do. Personally, I do not like to be driven to a point, as I think Canning may do much for the country, provided he does not stand committed to his new Whig counsellors. But if the push does come, I will not quit my old friends — that I am freely resolved, and dissolutely, as Slender says.^ May 10. — We went to breakfast at Huntly Burn, and I wandered all the morninir in the woods to avoid an Encflish party who came to see the house. When I came home I. found my cousin Col. Eussell, and his sister, so I had no work to-day but my labour at proofs in the morning. To- day I dismiss my aide-de-camp, Shortreed — a fine lad. The Boar of the Forest left us after breakfast. Had a present of a medal forming one of a series from Chantrey's busts. But this is not for nothing : the donor wants a motto for the reverse of the King's medal. I am a bad hand to apply to. May 11. — Hogg called this morning to converse about trying to get him on the pecuniary list of the Royal Literary Society. Certainly he deserves it, if genius and necessity could do so, P>ut I do not belong to the society, nor do I ^ See note ', p. 387. * Merry Wh-rji, Act i. So. 1. 1827.] JOUENAL. 391 propose to enter it as a coadjutor. I don't like your royal academies of this kind ; they almost always fall into jobs, and the members are seldom those who do credit to the literaturo of a country. It affected, too, to comprehend those men of letters who are specially attached to the Crown, and though I love and honour my King as much as any of them can, yet I hold it best, in this free country, to preserve the exterior of independence, that my loyalty may be the more impressive, and tell more effectually. Yet I wish sincerely to help poor Hogg, and have written to Lockhart about it. It may be my own desolate feelings — it may be the apprehension of evil from this political hocus-pocus, but I have seldom felt more moody and uncomfortable than while writing these lines. I have walked, too, but without effect. W. Laidlaw, whose very ingenious mind is delighted with all novelties, talked nonsense about the new government, in which men are to resign principle, I fear, on both sides. ]\[ay 1 2. — Wrote Lockhart on what I think the upright and honest principle, and am resolved to vex myself no more about it. Walked with my cousin, Colonel Eussell, for three hours in the woods, and enjoyed the sublime and delectable pleasure of being w-ell,' — and listened to on the subject of my favourite themes of laying out ground and plantation, Eussell seems quite to follow such an excellent authority, and my spirits mounted while I found I was haranguing to a willing and patient pupil. To be sure, Ashestiel, plant- ing the high knolls, and drawing woodland through the pasture, could be made one of the most beautiful forest things in the world. I have often dreamed of putting it in high order ; and, judging from what I have been able to do here, I think I should have succeeded. At any rate, my blue devils are flown at the sense of retaining some sort of consequence. Lord, what fools we are ! May 13. — A most idle and dissipated day. I did not rise till half-past eight o'clock. Col. and Capt. Ferguson came to breakfost. I walked half-way home with them, then 392 JOUENAL. [May turned liaclc and ,s})ent tiie da}', \vliicli M'as delightful, wander- ing from place to place in the woods, sometimes reading the new and interesting volumes of Cyril Thornton} sometimes chewing the cud of sweet and bitter fancy which strangely alternated in my mind, idly stirred by the succession of a thousand vague thoughts and fears, the gay thonghts strangely mingled with those of dismal melancholy ; tears, which seemed ready to flow unbidden ; smiles, which ap- proached to those of insanity ; all that wild variety of mood which solitude engenders. I scribbled some verses, or rather composed them in my memory. The contrast at leaving Abbotsford to former departures is of an agitating and violent description. Assorting papers and so forth. I never could help admiring the concatenation between Ahitophel's setting his house in order and hanging himself. The one seems to me to follow the other as a matter of course. I don't mind the trouble, though my head swims with it. I do not mind meeting accounts, which unpaid remind you of your distress, or paid serve to show you you have been throwing away money you would be glad to have back again. I do not mind the strange contradictory mode of papers hiding themselves that you wish to see, and others thrusting them- selves into your hand to confuse and bewilder you. There is a clergyman's letter about the Scottish pronunciation, to which I had written an answer some weeks since (the parson is an ass, by the by). But I had laid aside my answer, being unable to find the letter which bore his address ; and, in the course of this day, both his letter with the address, and my answer which wanted the address, fell into my hands half-a- dozen times, but separately always. This was the positive malice of some hobgoblin, and I sul)mit to it as such. But what frightens and disgusts me is those fearful letters from those who have been long dead, to those who linger on tlieir ^ The Youth and Manhood of Hamilton, had just been published Cyril Thornton, by Captain Thomas anonymously. 1827.] JOUIJTs^AL. 393 wnyfaro iliroui^li tliis valley of Uiars. These fine liiie.-^ of Spencer came into my liead — "When midnight o'er tlie pathless skies."' Aj, and can I forget the antlior ! — tlie frightful moral of his own vision. What is this world ? A dream within a dream — as we grow older each step is an awakening. The youth awakes as he thinks from childhood — the full-grown man despises the pursuits of youth as visionary — the old man looks on manhood as a feverish dream. The Grave the last sleep ? — no ; it is the last and final awakening. 3Iay 1 4. — To town per Blucher coach, well stowed and crushed, but saved cash, coming off for less than £2 ; posting costs nearly five, and you don't get on so fast by one-third. Arrived in my old lodgings here with a stouter heart than I expected. Dined with Mr. and Mrs. Skene, and met Lord Medwyn and lady. 3fa]/ 15. — Parliament House a queer sight. Looked as if people were singing to each other the noble song of "The sky 's falling — chickie diddle." Thinks I to myself, I '11 keep a calm sou oh. "Betwixt both sides I unconcerned stand by ; Hurt, can I laugh, and honest, need I cry?" I wish the old Government had kept together, but their personal dislike to Canning seems to have rendered that impossible. I dined at a great dinner given by Sir George Clerk to ^ Mr. Lockhart adds tlie follow- best writer of vers de socictc in our ing lines : — time, and one of the most charming of "Tlie shade of youthful hope is there, companions, wasexactly Sir Walter's That lingered long, andlatest died; contemporary, and, like him, first Ambitious all dissolved to air, j , , i , • i ■ • e „r-., , , J. , „ 1 , • . , attracted notice by a version or With phantom honours uy his side. ■^ Burger's Lcnorc. Like him, too, this What enintv shadows glimmer ni^'h ? i -i i r n • , T,, , ■ „ r■'■i^■ ^\i I remarkable man fell into pecuniary They once were friendship, truth, and ^ •' 1„VR I distress in the disastrous year 1S25, Oh, die to thought, to memory die, and he was now ( 1 826) an involun- Siuce lifeless to my heart ye prove. ^ary resident in Paris, where he died (Poems by the Hon. W. R. Speii- in October 1834, anno atal. 05."— cer, London, ISll, p. GS.) "The ,7. o. L. 394 JOUllNAL. [May his electors, the freehohlers of Midkitliian ; a great attendance of Whig and Tory, huzzaing each other's toasts. Jf is a good peacemaker, but quarter-day is a better. I have a guess the best gamecocks woukl call a truce if a handful or two of oats were scattered among them. May 16. — Mr. John Gibson says the Trustees are to allow my expense in travelling — £300, with £50 taken in in Longman's bill. This will place me re,du8 in curia, and not much more, faith ! There is a fellow bawling out a ditty in the street, the burthen of which is "There's nothing but poverty everywhere." He shall not be a penny richer for telling me what I knovr but too well without liim. May 1 7. — Learned with great distress the death of poor Richard Lockhart, the youngest brother of my son-in-law. He had an exquisite talent for acquiring languages, and was under the patronage of my kinsman, George Swinton, who had taken him into his own family at Calcutta, and now he is drowned in a foolish bathing party. May IS. — Heard from Abbotsford ; all well. Wrought to-day but awkwardly. Tom Campbell called, warm from his Glasgow Rectorship ; he is looking very well. He seemed surprised that I did not know anything about the contentions of Tories, Whigs, and Radicals, in the great connnercial city. I have other eggs on the spit. He stayed but a few minutes.^ ' The following note to Mr. and In fact I have the rheumatism in Mrs. Skene belongs to this day : — head and shonlders, and ana ohligcd My dear Friends, — 1 am just to deprive myself of the pleasure returned from Court dreeping like of waiting upon you to-day to the Water Kelpy when he had dinner, to my great mortification. — finished the Laird of Mor^jhey's Always yours, WAT/ncii Scott. Bridge, and am, like that ill-used Wai.kkh Stuket, drudge, disposed to sing— Friday, \sth May 1827. Sair back and sair banes, i — Skene's Beminiscences. 1 Sair back .ind sair Viniios Carrying the Lord of Morpbcj's stains. iiorder Minstrelsy, vol. iii. pp. ^(1(1, 3G5 1827.] JOUENAL. 395 May 1 9. — Went out to-day to Sir John Dalrymple's,'' at Oxenford, a pretty place; tlie lady a daughter of Lord Duncan. Will Clerk and Iiohcrt Graeme went with nic. A good dinner and pleasant enough party ; but ten miles going and ten miles coming make twenty, and that is something of a journey. Got a headache too by jolting about after dinner. May 20. — Wrote a good deal at Appendix [to Bonaparte], or perhaps I should say tried to write. Got myself into a fever when I had finished four pages, and went out at eight o'clock at night to cool myself if possible. Walked with difficulty as far as Skene's,^ and there sat and got out of my fidgety feeling. Learned that the Princes Street people intend to present me with the key of their gardens, which will be a great treat, as I am too tender-hoofed for the stones. We must now get to work in earnest. May 21. — Accordingly this day I wrought tightly, and though not in my very best mood I got on in a very business- like manner. Was at the Gas Council, where I found things getting poorly on. The Treasury have remitted us to the Exchequer. The Committee want me to make private interest with the L. C. Baron. That I won't do, but I will state their cause publicly any way they like. May 22. — At Court — home by two, walking through the Princes Street Gardens for the first time. Called on Mrs. Jobson. Worked two hours. Must dress to dine at Mr. John Borthwick's, with the young folic, now Mr. and ]\Irs. Dempster.^ Kindly and affectionately received by my good young friends, ^vlio seem to have succeeded to their parents' regard for me. ^ Afterwai'ds (in 1S40) eighth listening to these pleasant impres- Earl of Stair. sions of a dinner party given in her ^ 126 Princes Street. ' ^'T7 ^^^''^^^ Y'''^ ^^'o, ami winch she never forgot, nor Sir ^ George Dempster of Skibo had Walter's talk as he sat next her at just jnarried a daughter of the talile, aueen Pro- Government in various foreign mis- fessor of Civil History in St. sions. A glimpse of iiis work is Andrews for ten years, afterwards oljtainable in Soutliey's Life of J>r. becoming tutor to the Earl of Home, Andreio Bell. Mi-. Clegliorn died and subsequently employed Ijy our in 183o, aged S3. 406 JOUENAL. [June resisting the British attaclc, and imputes the appearance of that array to sheer accident of weather. June 18. — We visited Wemyss Castle on our return to Kihghorn. On the left, before descending to the coast, are considerable remains of a castle, called popularly the old castle, or Macduff's Castle. That of the Thane was situated at Kennochquay, at no great distance. The front of Wemyss Castle, to the land, has been stripped entirely of its castel- lated appearance, and narrowly escaped a new front. To the sea it has a noble situation, overhanging the red rocks ; but even there the structure has been nnich modernised and tamed. Interior is a good old house, with large oak stair- cases, family pictures, etc. We were received by Captain Wemyss — a gallant sea-captain, who could talk against a north-wester, — by his wife Lady Emma, and her sister Lady Isabella — beautiful women of the house of Errol, and vin- dicating its title to the handsome Hays. We reached the Petty cur about half -past one, crossed to Edinburgh, and so ended our little excursion. Of casualties we had only one : Triton, the house-dog at Charlton, threw down Thomson and he had his wrist sprained. A restive horse threatened to demolish our landau, but we got off for the fright. Happily L. C. B. was not in our carriage. Dined at William M'Kenzie's to meet the Marquis and Marchioness of Stafford, who are on their road to Dunrobin. Found them both very well. June 19. — Lord Stafford desires to be a member of the Bannatyne Club — also Colin M'Kenzie. Sent both names Tip accordingly. The day furnishes a beggarly recoi'd of trumpery. From eight o'clock till nine wrote letters, then Farliament House, when; T Imd lo wait on witliout anytliing to do till near two, when i;iiii rnic('(l nu; inio ihc Aiiti(|iniri;in nmseum. Lounged there till a nu'ctiiiij- of the Oil (Jas Committee at three o'clock. There remained till near live. Home and 1827,] JOUENAL. 407 smoked a cheroot after dinner. Called on Thomson, who is still disabled by his sprain. Pereat inter hccc. We must do better to-morrow. Jitne 20. — Kept my word, being Teind Wednesday. Two young Frenchmen, friends of Gallois, rather interrupted me. I had asked tliem to breakfast, but they stayed till twelve o'clock, which is scarce fair, and plagued me with compli- ments. Their names are Eemusat and Guyzard.^ Pleasant, good-humoured young men. Notwithstanding this interrup- tion I finished near six pages, three being a good Session- day's work. Allans, vogue la gaUre, Dined at the Solicitor's with Lord llopetoun, and a Parliament House party. June 21. — Finished five leaves — that is, betwixt morning and dinner-time. The Court detained me till two o'clock. About nine leaves will make the volume quite large enough. By the way, the booksellers have taken courage to print up 2000 more of the first edition [of Napoleon] ; which, after the second volume, they curtailed from 8000 to 6000. This will be £1000 more in my way, at least, and that is a good help. We dine with the Skenes to-day, Lockhart being with us.^ ^ Count Paul de Remusat has pleasure to learn that the visit of been good enough to give me those young men impressed hmi another view of this visit which favourably. My father's companion will be read with interest :— was his contemporary and friend, "118 Faubourg St. Honored, Feb- M. Louis de Guizard, who, like my ruary 10, 1890. — My father, was a contributor at that father has often spoken to me of time to the Liberal press of the this visit to Sir Walter Scott — for Restoration, the Globe and La Bevue it was indeed my father, Charles Fmn^aise, and who, after the Re- de Remusat, member of the French volution of 1S30, entered, as did my Academy, and successively Minister father likewise, upon political life, of the Interior and for Foreign M. de Guizard was first pviif'et, then Affairs, who went at the age of depute, and after 1848 became thirty to Abbotsford, and he re- Directeur-guneral des Beaux Arts, tained to the last days of his life a He died about 1877 or 1S7S, after most lively remembrance of the his retirement from public life." great novelist who did not acknow- - " Woodstock placed upwards of ledge the authorship of his novels, ,r,8000 in tiie liands of Sir Walter's and to whom it was thus impossible creditors. Tiie Kajtod'ou (lirst and otherwise than indirectly to pay second editions) produced for tiicm any compliment. It gives me great a sum whicli it even now startles 408 JOUENAL. [June June 22. — Wrought in the morning as usual. Eeceived to breakfast Dr. Bishop, a brother of Bishop the composer. He tells me his brother was very ill when he wrote " The Chough and Crow," and other music for Guy ]\Iannering. Singular ! but I do think illness, if not too painful, unseals the mental eye, and renders the talents more acute, in the study of the fine arts at least.^ I find the difference on 2000 additional copies will be £3000 instead of £1000 in favour of the author. My good friend Publicum is impatient. Heaven grant his expecta- tions be not disappointed ! Coragio, andiamos / Such me to mention — £18,000. As by the time the historical work was published nearly half of the First iSeries of Chronicles of the Canoixjate had been written, it is obvious that the amount to which Scott's literary industry, from the close of 1825 to the 10th of June 1827, had diminished his debt, cannot be stated at less than £28,000. Had health been spared liim, how soon must lie luive freed himself from all his encumbrances ! "^ — J. G. L. 1 See Life, vol. vi. p. 89. In Mr. Ballantyne's Memorandum, there is a fuller account of the mode in wiiich Tlie Bride of Lamr)iermoor, The Lecjcnd of Montrose, and almost the wliole of Jvanhoe were j^roduced, and the mental phenomenon which accompanied the preparation of the lirst-named work : — " During the progress of composing 7'he Heart of Midlothian, The Bride of Lammermoor, and Lef/end of Montrose — a period of many months — Mr. Scott's health had be- come extremely indifferent, and was often supposed to place him in great danger. But it would liardly be f;rcditcd, were it not for tlie notoriety of the fact, that allhougli one of the symptoms of his illness was pain of the most acute descrip- tion, yet he never allowed it to interrupt Iiis labours. The only difference it produced, that I am aware of, was its causing him to employ the hand of an amanuensis in place of his own. Indeed, during tlie greater jiart of the day at this period he was confined to his bed. The person employed for this pur- pose was the respectable and intel- ligent Mr. Wm. Laidlaw, who acted for him in this capacity in the country, and I think also attended him to town. I have often been present with Mr. Laidlaw during the short intervals of liis labour, and it was deeply affecting to hear the accounthe gave of his patron's severe sufferings, and the indomitablespirit whicli enabled him to overmaster them. He told me that very often the dictation of Caleb Balderston's and the old cooper's best jokes was mingled with groans extorted from him by. pain ; but tliat when he, Mr. L., endeavoured to jirevail upon liim to take a little respite, the only answer he could obtain from Mr. Scott was a request that lie would sec tiiat the doors were carefully .shut, so that the expres- sions of his agony might not reach 1827.] JOUENAL. 409 another year of labour and success would do much towards makinfj me a free man of the forest. But I must to work since we have to dine with Lord and Lady Gray. By the way, I forgot an engagement to my old friend, Lord Justice- Clerk. This is shockingly ill-bred. But the invitation was a month old, and that is some defence. June 23. — I corrected proofs and played the grandfather in the morning. After Court saw Lady Wedderburn, who asked my advice about printing some verses of Mrs. Hemans in honour of the late Lord James Murray, who died in his family — ' As to stopping work, Laidlaw,' he said, 'you know that is wholly out of the question.' What followed upon these exertions, made in circumstances so very singular, appears to me to exhil>it one of the most singular chapters iu the history of the human intellect. The book having been published before Mr. Scott was able to rise from his bed, he assured me that, when it was put into his hands, he did not recollect one single incident, character, or conversation it con- tained. He by no means desired me to understand, nor did I under- stand, that his illness had erased from his memory all or any of the original family facts Mith which he had been acquainted from the jieriod prol)ably of his boyhood. These of course remained rooted where they had ever been, or, to speak more explicitly, where explicitness is so entirely important, he remembered the existence of the father and mother, the son and daughter, the rival lovers, the compulsory mar- riage, and the attack made by liis bride upon the unhappy bride- groom, with the general cata- strophe of the whole. All these things he recollected, just as he did before he took to his bed, but the marvel is that he recollected liter- ally nothing else — not a single character woven by the Romancer — not one of the many scenes and points of exquisite humour, nor anything with which he was con- nected as writer of the work. ' For a long time I felt myself very uneasy,' he said, 'in the course of my reading, always kept on the qui rive lest I should be startled by something altogether glaring and fantastic ; however, I recollected that the printing had been per- formed by James Ballantyne, who I was sure would not have permitted anything of this sort to pass.' ' Well, ' I said, ' upon the whole, how did you like it?' 'Oh,' he said, ' I felt it monstrous gross and grotesque, to be sure, but still the worst of it made me laugh, and I trusted therefore the gootl-natured public would nt)t be less indulgent. ' I do not think that I ever ventured to lead to this singular subject again. But you may depend upon it, that what I have said is as dis- tinctly reported as if it had been taken down at the moment in short- hand. T should not otherwise have imparted the pheuomenou at all." —Mr. Bidfantyiie'n MSS. 410 JOUENAL. [Juke Greece. Also Lord Gra}', \vlio wishes nic to write some preliminary matter to his ancestor, the Master of Gray's correspondence. I promised. But ancestor was a great rogue, and if I am to write about him at all, I must take my will of him. Anne and I dined at home. She went to the play, and I had some mind to go too. But Miss Foote was the sole attraction, and Miss Foote is only a very pretty woman, and if she played Eosaliud better than I think she can, it is a bore to see Touchstone and Jacques murdered. I have a particular respect for As You Like It. It was the first play I ever saw, and that was at Bath in 177G or 1777. That is not yesterday, yet I remember the piece very well. So I remained at home, smoked a cigar, and worked leisurely upon the review of the Cullodeu Papers, which, by dint of vamping and turning, may make up the lacking copy for the " Works " better, I thinlc, than that lumbering Essay on Border Antiquities. Jime 24. — I don't care who knows it, I was lazy this morning. But I cheated my laziness capitally, as you shall hear. ^ly good friend, Sir Watt, said I to my esteemed friend, it is hard you should be obliged to work when you are so disinclined to it. Were I you, I would not be quite idle though. I would do something that you are not obliged to do, just as I have seen a cowardly dog willing to fight with any one save that which his master would have desired him to yoke with. So I went over the review of the Cullodeu Papers, and went a great way to convert it into the Essay on Clanship, etc., which I intend for the Prose Works. I wish I had thouirht of it before correcting that beastly border essay. Naboclish ! June 25. — Wrote five pages of the Chronicles, and hope to conquer one or two more ere night to fetch up the lee- way. Went and saw Allan's sketch of a picture for Abl)otsford, which is promising; a thing on tlio plan of Watteau. lie intends to introduce some interesting char- 1827.] JOURNAL. 411 acters, and some, I suspect, who have little business there. Yesterday I dined with the Locldiarts at Portobello.^ To-day at home with Anne and ]\Iiss Erskine. They are gone to walk. I have a mind to go to trifle, so I do not promise to write more to-night, having begun the dedication (advertisement I mean) to the Ohroniclcs. I have pleasant subjects of reflection. The fund in Gibson's hands will approach £40,000, I think. Lord Melville writes desiring to be a candidate for the Banuatyue Club. I made a balance of my affairs, and stuck it into my book : it should answer very well, but still " I am not given to great misguiding, But coin my pouches will na bide in, With me it ne'er was under hiding, I dealt it free." I must, however, and will, be independent. June, 26. — Well, if ever I saw such another thing since my mother bound up my head ! ^ Here is nine of clock strucken and I am still fast asleep abed. I have not done the like of this many a day. However, it cannot be helped. Went to Court, wdiich detained me till tw^o o'clock. A walk home consumed the hour to three ! Wrote in the Court, however, to the Duke of Wellington and Lord Bloomfield. and that is a good jo]) over. I have a letter from a member of the Commission of the Psalmody of the Kirk, zealous and pressing. I shall answer ^ Mr. Lockhart says : — " My wife and strolled about afterwards on and I spent the summer of 1827 the beach, thus interrupting, beue- partly at a sea-bathing place near ficially for his health, and I doubt Edinburgh, and partly in Roxburgh- not for the result of his labours also, shire. The arrival of his daughter the new custom of regular nigiit- and her children at Portobello was a w ork, or, as he called it, serving source of constant refreshment trosperous. God send honest industry a fair riddance. July 9. — Wrote in the morning. At eleven went by ap- pointment with Colin JNIackenzie to the Xew Edinburgh Academy. In the fifth class, ]\Ir. Mitchell's, we heard Greek, of which I am no otherwise a judge than that it was fluently read and explained. In tlie rector Mr. Williams's class we heard Virgil and Livy admirably translated ad aperturam lihri, and, what I thought remarkable, the rector giving the English, and the ^mpils returning, with singular dexterity, the Latin, not exactly as in the original, but often by synonymes, which showed that the exercise referred to the judgment, and did not depend on the memory. I could not help saying, with great trutli, that, as we had all long known how much the pupils were fortunate in a rector, so we were now taught that the rector was equally lucky in his i)upils. Of my young friends, I saw a son of John Swinton, a son of Johnstone of Alva, and a son of Craufurd Tait.^ Dined at John Murray's ; Mr. and Mrs. Philips of Liverpool, General and Charles Stuart of Blantyre, Lord Abercromby, Clerk and Thomson. Pleasant evening. Ji'li/ 10. — Corrected proofs, but wrote nothing. To Court till two o'clock. I went to Cadell's by the Mound, a long roundabout ; transacted some business. I met Baron Hume coming home, and walked with him in the Gardens. His remarkable account of his celebrated uncle's last moments is in tliese words: — Dr. Black called on ^Mr. D. Hume- on the morning on whicli he died. The patient complained of ]ia\'iiig sufieriM] a great deal during llie niglit,and expressed a ^ Arcliiljaltl Campbell I'ait, after- - David lluiiie, the historian, dieil wards Archbisliop of Canterbury. August '2."), 1770. 1827.] ■ JOUllNAL. 419 fear that his struggle miglit be prolonged, to his great dis- tress, for days or weeks longer. " No, sir," said Dr. Black, with the remarkable calmness and sincerity which character- ised him, " I have examined the symptoms, and observe several which oblige me to conclude that dissolution is rapidly approaching." " Are you certain of that, Doctor ? " "Most assuredly so," answered the physician. The dying pliilosopher extended his arm, and shook hands with his medical friend. "I thank you," he said, "for the news." So little reason there was for the reports of his having been troubled in mind when on his deathbed. Dined at Lord Aljercroniby's, to meet Lord IMelville in private. We had an interview betwixt dinner and tea. I was sorry to see my very old friend, this upriglit statesman and honourable gentleman, deprived of his power and his official income, which the nimiber of his family must render a matter of importance. He was cheerful, not affectedly so, and bore his declension like a wise and brave man. I had nursed the idea that he had been hasty in his resignation ; but, from the letters which he showed me confidentially, which passed betwixt him and Canning, it is clear his residua- tion was to be accomplished, not I suppose for personal con- siderations, but because it rendered the Admiralty vacant for the Duke of Clarence, as his resignation was eagerly snapped at. It cannot be doubted that if he had hesitated or hung back behind his friends, forcible means would have been used to compel to the measure, which with more dignity he took of his own accord — at least so it seemed to me. The first intimation which Lord Melville received of his successor was through ]\Ir. , who told him, as great news, that there was to be a new Duke of York.^ Lord ]\I. understood ^ To please the l, 1S12, to says it was a most judicious stroke April 13, lS-7. The Duke resigned of policy, and nothing served so in the following year. — SccCroker's 420 JOURNAL. [July the allusion so little, as to inquire whether his informant meant that the Duke of Cambriclfre had taken the Duke of York's situation, when it was explained to refer to the Duke of Clarence getting the Admiralty. There are some few words that speak volumes. Lord Melville said that none of them suspected Canning's negotiations with the Whigs but the Duke of Wellington, who found it out through the ladies ten days before. I asked him how they came to be so un- prepared, and could not help saying I thought they had acted without consideration, and that they might have shown a face even to Canning. He allowed the truth of what 1 said, and seemed to blame Peel's want of courage. In his place, he said, he would have proposed to form a government disclaim- ing any personal views for himself as being Premier and the like, but upon the principle of supporting the measures of Lord Castlereagh and Lord Liverpool. I think this would have been acceptable to the King. ]\[r. Peel obviously feared his great antagonist Canning, and perhaps threw the game up too soon. Canning said the office of Premier was his inheritance ; he could not, from constitution, hold it above two years, and then it would descend to Peek Such is ambition ! Old friends forsaken — old principles changed — every effort used to give the vessel of the State a new direction, and all to be Palinurus for two years ! July 11, \_A'bbotsford'\. — Worked at proofs in the morn- ing ; composed nothing. Got off by one, and to this place between six and seven. Weather delicious. Julij 12. — Unpacking and arranging; the urchins are stealing the cherries in the outer garden. But I can spare a thousand larch-trees to put it in order with a good fence for next year. It is not right to leave fruit exposed ; for if Adam in the days of innocence fell by an apple, how Correspondence, vol. i. pp. 2G-i in the Duke of Wellington's admin- (letter to Blomfield), 427, 429 ; also istration in 1828, and again First ante, vol. \. p. 2G2. Lord Melville Lord from Sept. 17 of the same was President of the India Board year until Nov. 22, 1S30. 1827.] JOUKNAL. 421 much may ilic little gossoon Jamie Mnffatt be tempted by apples of gold in an age of iron ! Anne and I walked to Huntly Burn— a delicious excursion. That place is really become beautiful; the Miss Fergusons have displayed a great deal of taste. July 13. — Two agreeable persons — Eev. Mr. Gilly,^ one of the j)rebendaries of Durham, with his wife, a pretty little woman — dined with us, and met ]\Ir. Scrope. I heard the whole history of tlie discovery of St. Cuthbert's- body at Durham Cathedral. The Catholics will deny the identity, of course ; but I think it is constaU by tlie dress and otlier circumstances. Made a pleasant day of it, and with a good conscience, for I had done my task this morning. July 14. — Did task this morning, and believe that I shall get on now very well. Wrote about five leaves. I have been baking and fevering myself like a fool for these two years in a room exposed to the south ; comfortable in winter, but broiling in the hot weather. Now I have removed myself into the large cool library, one of the most refreshing as well as handsomest rooms in Scotland, and will not use the study again till the heats are past. Here is an entry as solemn as if it respected the Vicar of Wakefield's removal from the yellow room to the broM'n. But I think my labours will advance greatly in consequence of this arrangement. Walked in the evening to the lake. July 1.5. — Achieved six pages to-day, and finished volume i. of Chronicles. It is rather long; but I think the last story interesting, and it should not be split up into parts. J. B. will, I fear, think it low ; and if he thinks so, others will. Yet — vamos. Drove to Huntly Burn in the evening. July IG. — ]Made a good morning's work of the Talcs. In the day-time corrected various proofs. J. B. thinks that ^ The Rev. Willicam Stephen 182.3; Besearches among the Vavdok Gilly, D.D., Vicar of Norhaiii, or Waldmsrs, 1827-3]. author of I\arrative of an Exrnr- - See Eaine's SL Cuthhert, 4to, sion to the Mou»fai)is of Pkmont, Durliam, 1828. 422 JOUKNAL. [July in tliG proposed introduction I contemn too much the occupation by which I have thriven so well, and hints that I may easily lead other people to follow my opinion in vilipending my talents, and the use I have made of them. I cannot tell. I do not like, on the one hand, to suppress my own opinion of the Jlocci-jMUci-nihili-piliJication with which I regard these things ; but yet, in duty to others, I cannot afford to break my own bow, or befoul my own nest, and there may be something like affectation and nolo cpi- scopari in seeming to underrate my own labours ; so, all things considered, I will erase the passage. Truth should not be spoke at all times. In the evening we had a de- liiilitf ul drive to Ashestiel with Colonel and Miss Ferouson. Jiihj 17. — I wrote a laborious task; seven pages of Tales. Kept about the doors all day. Gave Bogie £10 to buy cattle to-morrow at St. Boswell's Fair. Here is a whimsical subject of affliction. Mr. Harper, a settler, who went from this country to Botany Bay, thinking himself obliged to me for a recommendation to General M'Allister and Sir Thomas Brisbane, has thought proper to bring me home a couple of Emus. I wish his gratitude had either taken a different turn, or remained as quiescent as that of others whom I have obliged more materially. I at first accepted the creatures, conceiving them, in my ignorance, to be some sort of blue and green parrot, whicli, though I do not admire their noise, might scream and yell at their pleasure if hung up in the hall among the armour. But your emu, it seems, stands six feet high on his stocking soles, and is little better than a kind of cassowary or ostrich. Hang them ! they might [eat] up my collection of old arms for what I know. It reminds me of the story of the adjutant birds in Theodore Hook's novel.^ No ; I '11 no Emuscs ! July 18. — Entered this morning on the history of Sir "William Wallace. I wish T may be able to fnul my way ^ See Danvem in Fii\st Series of Sayinrjs and J)oinrkle oj Lammermoor. 1827.] JOURNAL. 425 t\V(i, i ^\•illkcd fioiu two till four: cliallcd a. lou''- time Avitli Charles after dinner, and tlius went my day sine linra. JUit we will make it np. James Ballantyue dislikes my " Drovers." I>ut it sliall stand. I must have my own way sometimes, I received news of two deaths at once : Lady Die Scott, my very old friend, and Archibald Constable, the bookseller. Jidy 23. — Yes! they are both for very different reasons subjects of reflection. Lady Diana Scott, widow of Walter Scott of Harden, was the last person whom I recollect so much older than myself, that she kept always at the same distance in point of years, so that she scarce seemed older to me (relatively) two years ago, when in her ninety-second year, than fifty years before. She was the daughter (alone remaining) of Pope's Earl of Marchmont, and, like her father, had an acute mind and an eager temper. Slie was always kind to me, remarkably so indeed when I was a boy. Constable's death might have been a most important thing to me if it liad happened some years ago, and I should then have lamented it much. He has lived to do me some injury; yet, excepting the last £5000,1 think most unin- tentionally. He was a prince of booksellers ; his views sharj^ powerful, and liberal ; too sanguine, however, and, like many bold and successful schemers, never knowing wlien to stand or stop, and not always calculating his means to his objects with mercantile accuracy. He was very vain, for which he had some reason, having raised himself to great commercial eminence, as he might also have attained great wealth with good management. He knew, I think, more of the business of a bookseller in planning and executing popular works tlian any inan of his time. In books tliem- selves he had much bibliographical information, but none whatever that could be termed literary. He knew the rare volumes of his library not only l)y the eye, but by (ho touch, when blindfolded. Thomas Thomson saw him make this experiment, and, that it might be complete, placed in his 426 JOURNAL. [July hand an ordinary volume instead of one of these I'thri rariorcs. He said he had over-estimated his memory ; he could not recollect that volume. Constable was a violent-tempered man with those that he dared use freedom with. He was easily overawed by people of consequence, but, as usual, took it out of those whom poverty made subservient to him. Yet he was generous, and far from bad-hearted. In person good-looking, but very corpulent latterly ; a large feeder, and deep drinker, till his health became weak. He died of water in the chest, wliich the natural strength of his constitution set long at defiance. I have no great reason to regret him ; yet I do. If he deceived me, he also deceived himself.^ ^ Did Constable ruin Scott, as has been generally supposed ? It is right to say that such a charge was not made during the lifetime of either. Immediately after Scott's death ISIiss Edgeworth M'rote to Sir James Gibson-Craig and asked him for authentic information as to Sir Walter's connection with Constable. Sir James in reply stated tliat to his personal knowledge Mr. Constable had, in his anxiety to save Scott, about 1814 [1S13], commenced asys- tem of accommodation bills which could not fail to produce, and actually did produce, the ruin of botli parties. To anotlier corre- spondent, some years later, he wrote still more strongly {Memoirs, vol. iii. p. 457). Scott appears to have been aware of the facts so far, as he says to Laidlaw, in a letter of December IG, lS'2'y, "The confusion of 1814 is a joke to this . . . but it arises out of the nature of the same connection which gives, and has given, me a fortune ; " and Mr. Lockhart says that the firm of J. P>. uck's Head) we met Mrs. Maclean Clephane and her two daughters, and there was much joy. After the dinner the ladies sung, particularly Anna Jane, who has more taste and talent of every kind than half the people going with great reputations on their backs. A very pleasant day was paid for by a restless night. September 7. — This day had calls from Lord Provost and Mr. Eutherford (William) with invitations, which I declined. Eead in manuscript a very clever play (comedy) by Miss A. J. Clephane in the old style, which was very happily imitated. The plot was confused — too much taking and retaking of prisoners, but the dialogue was excellent. Took leave of these dear friends, never perhaps to meet all together again, for two of us are old. Went down by steam to Colonel Campbell's, Blythswood House, where I was most courteously received by him and his sisters. We are kinsfolk and very old acquaintance. His seat here is a fine one ; the house is both grand and comfortable. We walked to Lawrence Lockhart's of Incliinnan, within 1827.] JOURNAL. 447 a mile of Blythswood House. It is extremely nice and comfortable, far beyond the style of a Scotch clergyman ; but Lawrence is wealthy. I found John Lockhart and Sophia there, returned from Largs. We all dined at Colonel Campbell's on turtle, and all manner of good things. Miss A. and H. Walker were there. The sleep at night made amends for the Buck's Head. September 8. — Colonel Campbell carried me to breakfast in Glasgow, and at ten I took chaise for Corehouse, where I found my old friend George Cranstoun rejoiced to see me, and glad when I told him what Lord ISTewton had determined ■ in my affairs. I should observe I saw tlie banks of the Clyde above Hamilton much denuded of its copse, untimely cut ; and the stools ill cut, and worse kept. Cranstoun and I walked before dinner. I never saw the great fall of Corehouse from this side before, and I think it the best point, perhaps ; at all events, it is not that from which it is usually seen ; so Lord Corehouse has the sight and escapes the tourists. Dined with him, his sister Mrs, Cunningham, and Corehouse. I omitted to mention in yesterday's note that within Blythswood plantation, near to the Bridge of Inchiunan, the unfortunate Earl of Argyle was taken in 1685, at a stone called Argyle's Stone. Blythswood says the Highland drovers break down his fences in order to pay a visit to the place. The Earl had passed the Cart river, and was taken on the Eenfrew side. Scptemhcr 9. — This is a superb place of Corehouse's. Cranstoun has as nuich feeling about improvement as other things. Like all new improvers, he is at more expense than is necessary, plants too thick, and trenches where trenching is superfluous. But this is the eagerness of a young artist. Besides the grand lion, the Fall of Clyde, he has more than one lion's whelp ; a fall of a brook in a cleugh called Mill's Gill must be superb in rainy weather. The old 448 JOUENAL. [Sept. Castle of Coreliouse is much more castle-like on tliis than from the other side. Left Coreliouse at eioht in the mornin", and reached Lanark hy half-past nine. I was thus long in travelling three miles because the postilion chose to suppose I was bound for Biggar, and was two miles ere I discovered what he was doing. I thought he aimed at crossing the Clyde by some new bridge above Bonnington. Breakfasted at Lanark with the Lockharts, and reached Abbotsford this evenins: by nine o'clock. Tlius ends a pleasant expedition among the people I like most. Drawback only one. It has cost me £15, in- cluding two gowns for Sophia and Anne ; and I have lost six days' labour. Both may be soon made up. N.B. — We lunclied (dined, videlicet) with Professor "Wilson at Inverleithen, and met James Hogg^ Septemher 10, \_Ab'botsford\ — Gourgaud's wrath has burst forth in a very distant clap of thunder, in which he accuses me of combining with the ministry to slander liis rag of a reputation. He be d — d for a fool, to make his case worse ^ Scott's unwearied interest in Tlie critics of the day, headed by- James Hogg, despite the wayward- Professor Wilson, declared he was ness of this imaginative genius, Burns's rival as a song-writer, and is one of the most beautiful traits his superior iu anything relating to in his character. Readers of Mr. external nature ! indeed they wrote Lockhart's Life do not require to of him as unsurpassed by poet be reminded of the active part he or painter in his fairy tales of took iu promoting the welfare of ancient time, dub])ing him Poet the " Ettrick Shepherd" on many Laureate to the Queen of Elfland, occasions, from the outset of their and yet his unrefined manner acquaintance iu 1801 until the end tempted these friends to speak of of his life. him familiarly as the greatest hog Hogg was a strange compound in all Apollo's herd, or the Boar of of boisterous roughness and refine- the Forest, etc. etc. meut in expression, and these odd Wordsworth, however, on Novem- contrasts surprised strangers such ber 21, 18:^5, when his brother as Moore and Ticknor. The former b;ird had just left the sunshine for was shocked, and the latter said his the sunless laud, wrote from his conversation was a perpetual con- heart the noble lines ending — tradictiim to the exquisite delicacy » ^nd death upon the hraes of Yarrow of Kilmeny. Has closed the Shepherd -poet's eyes." 1827.] JOUENAL. 449 by stirring. I sliall only revenge myself by publishing the whole extracts I made from the records of the Colonial Office, in which he will find enough to make him bite his nails. Still I wonder he did not come over and try his manhood otherwise. I would not have shunned him nor any Frenchman who ever kissed Bonaparte's i)reech. September 11. — Went to Huntly Burn and breakfasted with Colonel Ferguson, who has promised to have some Indian memoranda ready for me. After breakfast went to choose the ground for a new plantation, to be added next week to the end of Jane's Wood. Came to dinner Lord Carnarvon and his son and daughter; also Lord Francis Leveson Gower, the translator of Faust. September 12. — Walk with Lord Francis. When we return, behold ye ! enter Lady Hampden and Lady Wedder- burn. In the days of George Square, Jane and Maria Brown,^ beauties and toasts. There was much pleasure on my side, and some, I suppose, on theirs ; and there was a riding, and a running, and a chattering, and an asking, and a showing — a real scene of confusion, yet mirth and good spirits. Our guests quit us next day. September 1.3. — Fined a man for an assault at Selkirk. He pleaded guilty, which made short work. The beggarly appearance of the Jury in the new system is very worthy of note. One was a menial servant. When I returned, James Ballantyne and IMr. Cadell arrived. They bring a good account of matters in generah Cadell explained to me a plan for securing the copyright of the novels, which has a very good face. It appears they are going off fast ; and if the glut of the market is once reduced by sales, the property will be excellent, and may be increased by notes. James B. brought his son. Eobert Eutherford also here, and Miss Eussells. 1 Another, sister Georgiana, mar- Alexander Hope, G.C. B., grand- ried General the Honourable Sir father of Mrs. Maxwell Scott. 2f 450 JOUENAL. [Sept. Sepfemher 14. — In the morning wrote my answer to Gourgaud, rather too keen perhaps, bnt I owe him nothing ; and as for exciting his resentment, I will neither seek nor avoid it. Cadell's views seem fair, and he is open and explicit. His brothers support him, and he has no M'ant of cash. He sells two or three copies of Bonaparte and one of the novels, or two, almost every day. He must soon, he says, apply to London for copies. Read a Refutation, as it calls itself, of Napoleon's history. It is so very polite and accommodating that every third word is a concession — the work of a man able to judge distinctly on specific facts, but erroneous in his general results. He will say the same of me, perhaps. Ballantyne and Cadell leave us. Enter Miss Sinclairs, two in number, also a translator, and a little Flemish woman, his wife — very good-humoured, rather a little given to compliment ; name Fauconpret. They are to return at night in a gig as far as Kelso — a bold undertaking. Septemher 16. — The ladies went to Clmrch; I, God for- give me, finished the Chronicles ^ with a good deal of assist- ance from Colonel Ferguson's notes about Indian affairs. The patch is, I suspect, too glaring to be pleasing ; but the Colonel's sketches are capitally good. I understand, too, there are one or two East Indian novels which have lately appeared. Naboclish ! vogue la gaUre ! Se2')temher 17. — Received from James 13. the proofs of my reply to General Gourgaud, with some cautious balaam from mine honest friend, alarmed by a Highland Colonel, who had described Gourgaud as a mauvais gargon, famous fencer, marksman, and so forth. I wrote in answer, which is true, that I would hope all my friends would trust to ray acting with proper caution and advice ; but that if I were capable, in a moment of weakness, of doing anything short 1 Clironidea of the CanoiKjate. First .Series, ending with the story of The Surijeon^s DavfjhUr. 1827.] JOUENAL. 451 of what my lioiioiu' demanded, I would die tlie death of a poisoned rat in hole, out of mere sense of my own degrada- tion. God knows, that, though life is placid enough with me, I do not feel anything to attach me to it so strongly as to occasion my avoiding any risk which duty to my char- acter may demand from me. I set to woik with the Talcs of a Grandfather, second yolume, and finished four pages. ' ■ Septemher 18. — Wrote five pages of the Tales. Walked from Huntly Burn, having gone in the carriage. Smoked my cigar with Lockhart after dinner, and then whiled away the evening over one of Miss Austen's novels. There is a truth of painting in her writings which always delights me. They do not, it is true, get above the middle classes of society, but there she is inimitable. ■ Septemlcr 19. — -Wrote three pages, but dawdled a good deal; yet the Talcs get on, although I feel bilious, and vapourish, I believe I must call it. At such times my loneliness, and the increasing inability to walk, come dark over me, but surely these mulligrubs belong to the mind more than the body. ' • - September 22. — Captain and Colonel Ferguson, the last returned from Ireland, dined here. Prayer of the minister of the Cumbrays, two miserable islands in the mouth of the Clyde : " Lord, bless and be gracious to the Greater and tile Lesser Cumbrays, and in thy mercy do not forget the adjacent islands of Great Britain and Ireland." , . ; J September 23. — Worked in the morning; then drove over to Huntly Burn, chiefly to get from the good-humoured Colonel the accurate spelling of certain Hindu Avords which I have been using under his instructions. By the way, the Sketches he gave me of Indian manners are highly pictur- esque. I have made up my Journal, which was three days in arrear. Also I wrought a little, so that the second volume of Grandfather s Tales is nearly half finished. 452 JOUENAL. [Sept. Septemhcr 24. — "Worked in the morning as usual, and sent off the proofs and copy. Something of the black dog still hanging about me ; but I will shake him off. I generally affect good spirits in company of my family, whether I am enjoying them or not. It is too severe to sadden the harmless mirth of others by suffering your own caviseless melancholy to be seen ; and this species of exertion is, like virtue/ its own reward ; for the good spirits, which are at first simulated, become at lemrth real.'^ Septetiiber 25, [Edinburgh]. — Got into town by one o'clock, the purpose being to give my deposition before Lord Newton in a case betwixt me and Constable's creditors. My oath seemed satisfactory ; but new reasons were alleged for addi- tional discussion, which is, I trust, to end this wearisome matter. I dined with Mr. Gibson, and slept there. J. B. dined with us, and we had thoughts how to save our copyright by a bargain with Cadell. I hope it will turn to good, as I could add notes to a future edition, and give them some value. Septemher 26, [Ahbotsforcl]. — Set off in mail coach, and my horses met me at Yair Bridge. I travelled with rather a pleasant man, an agent, I found, on Lord Seaford's ^ West Indian Estates. Got home by twelve o'clock, and might have been here earlier if the Tweed had not been too large for fording. I must note down my cash lest it gets out of my head ; " may the foul fa' the gear, and the blathrie o't," ^ and yet there 's no doing either with it or without it. Septemher 27. — The morning was damp, dripping, and unpleasant ; so I even made a work of necessity, and set to the Tales like a dragon. I murdered M'Lellan of Bomby at Thrieve Castle ; stabbed the Black Douglas in the town of Stirling ; astonished King James before Ptoxburgh ; and 1 Mr. Lockhart justly remarks ^ Charles Rose Ellis had been that this entry " paints the man in cicated liarou Scaford in 1826. his tenderness, his fortitude, and ^ Hcc Cvomek^ s JieUqties of Burns, liappy wisdom." p. 210. 1827.] JOURNAL. 45.3 stifled the Earl of Mar in his bath in the Canongate. A wild world, my masters, this Scotland of ours must have been. No fear of want of interest ; no lassitude in those days for want of work, "For treason, d' ye see, Was to thein a dish of tea, And murther bread and butter." We dined at Gattonside with Mr. Bainbridge, who kindly presented me with six bottles of super-excellent Jamaica rum, and with a manuscript collection of poetry, said to be Swift's handwriting, which it resembles. It is, I think, poor Stella's. Nothing very new in it. September 28. — Another dropping and busy day. I wrought hard at the Histoncal Tales, which get on fast. Septemher 29. — I went on with the little history which now {i.e. vol. ii.) doth appropinque an end. Received in the evening [Nos. 37 to 41 ?] of the Roxburghe publications. They are very curious, and, generally speaking, well selected. The following struck me : — An Italian poem on the subject of rioddenfield; the legend of St. Robert of Knaresborough ; two plays, printed from MS. by Mr. Haslewood. It does not appear that Mr. H. fully appreciated the light which he was throwing on the theatrical history by this valuable com- munication. It appears that the change of place, or of scene as we term it, was intimated in the following manner. In the middle of the stage was placed Colchester, and the sign of Pigot's tavern — called the Tarlton — intimated what part of the town was represented. The name was painted above. On one side of the stage was, in like manner, painted a town, which the name announced to be Maldon ; on tlie other side a ranger's lodge. The scene lay through the piece in one or other of these three placee, and the entrance of the characters determined where each scene lay. If they came in from Colchester, then Colchester was for the time the scene of action. "When that scene was 454 JOURNAL. [Sept. 1827. shifted to ]\raldon, it was intimated by the approach of the actors from the side where it was painted — a clumsy con- trivance, doubtless, compared to changeable scenery ; yet sufficient to impress the audience with a sense of what was meant. Septemher 30. — Wet, drizzling, dismal day. I finished odds and ends, scarce stirring out of my room, yet doing little to the purpose. Wrote to Sir Henry [Setou Steuart] about his queries concerning transplanted trees, and to Mr. Freelim; concernino- the Eoxburghe Club books. I have settled to print the manuscript concerning the murder of the two Shaws by the Master of Sinclair. I dallied with the precious time rather than used it. Eead the two Eox- burghe plays ; they are by William Percy, a son of the eighth Earl of Northumberland; worthless and very gross, but abounding with matter concerning scenery, and so forth, highly interesting to the dramatic antiquary. Note on the "grenadier accojiiplisJuneiit" mentioned in p. 444. In a letter to the Duke of Buc- whether he was to fight or not, cleuch, of May 181S, Scott gives and all that he had to do was to go the following amusing account of an to the Police Office and tell the incident in the life of the Ettrick cliarge he had to bring against the Shepherd : — two Glasgow gentlemen. . . . The "Our poor friend Hogg has had Glaswegians were greatly too many an affair of houour. . . . Two for him [in Court]. . . . They re- mornings ago, about seven in the turned in all tiiumpli and glory, morning, my servant announced, and Hogg took the wings of the wliile I was shaving in my dress- morning and fled to his cottage at ing-room, that Mr. Hogg wished Altrive, not deeming liimself alto- earnestly tospcak witli me. He was gether safe m the sticets of Eilin- ushered in, and I cannot describe burgli ! Now, altliongh I do not tlie haif-startled, half-humorous air hold valour to be an essential article with wliich he said, scratching his in the composition of a man like headmust vehemently, 'Odd, Scott, Hogg, yet I lieaitily wish he could here's twao fo'k 's come frae Glas- have prevailed on himself to swag- gow to provoke mey to fecht a ger a little. . . . But considering duel.' 'A duel,' answered I, in his f.iiluro in tlie field and the great astonisiimont, 'and what do Sheritl" Office, I am afraid we must you intend to do?' 'Odd, I just apply to Hogg tlio apology which locket tiiem up in my room and is made for Waller by liis bio- sent tlic lassie for twae o' tl)e grapher : ' Let us not condemn hiui police, and jn.st gie'd the nu'U with unteinpored severity because ower to tlieir chairge, and 1 thocht lie was not such a prodigy as the I wad come and ask you what I world lias seldom seen — because siiouid do. . . .' He had already iiis cliaracter included not the settled for liimself the question poet, the orator, and the hero.' " C T B E E. October 1. — I set about work for two hours, aud finished three pages ; then walked for two hours ; then home, adjusted- sheriff processes, and cleared the table. I am to set off to- morrow for Eavensworth Castle, to meet the Duke of Wellington ; ^ a great let off, I suppose. Yet I would almost rather stay and see two days more of Lockhart and my daughter, wlio will be off before my return. Perhaps. But there is no end to perhaps. We must cut the rope and let the vessel drive down the tide of destiny. October 2. — Set out in the morning at seven, and reached Kelso by a little past ten with my own horses. Then took the Wellington coach to carry me to Wellington — smart that. Nobody inside but an old lady, who proved a toy- woman in Edinburgh ; her head furnished with as substantial ware as her shop, but a good soul, I 'se warrant her. Heard all her debates with her landlord about a new door to the cellar, etc. etc.; propriety of paying rent on the 15th or 25th of 1 " The Duke was then making a under the new Premier, gaining progress in the North of England, ground every day. Sir Walter, to which additional importance was who felt for the great Captain the given by the uncertain state of pure and exalted devotion that political arrangements ; the chance might have been expected from of Lord Goderich's being able to some honoured soldier of his ban- maintain himself as Canning's sue- ners, accepted this invitation, and cesser seeming very precarious, and witnessed a scene of enthusiasm the opinion that his Grace must with which its principal object soon be called to a higher station could hardly have been more gra- than that of Commander of the tified than he was."— Z//>, vol. ix. ■forces, which he had accepted pp. 15G-7. 455 45 G J ^ 1^ jEi,:7AT. J- ' - - May. Landlords and tenants have different opinions on that subject. Danger of dirty sheets in inns. We dined at Wooler, and I found out Dr. Douglas on the outside, son of my old acquaintance Dr. James Douglas of Kelso. This made us even lighter in mind till we came to Whittingham. Thence to Newcastle, where an obstreperous horse retarded us for an hour at least, to the great alarm of my friend the toy-woman. N.B. — She would have made a good feather-bed if the carriage had happened to fall, and her undermost. The heavy roads had retarded us near an hour more, so that I hesitated to go to Eavensworth so late ; but my good woman's tales of dirty sheets, and certain recollections of a Newcastle inn, induced me to go on. When I arrived the family had just retired. Lord Eavensworth and Mr. Liddell came down, however, and each received me as kindly as possible. October 3. — Eose about eight or later. ]\Iy morals begin to be corrupted by travelling and fine company. Went to Durham with Lord Eavensworth betwixt one and two. Found the gentlemen of Durham county and town assembled to receive the Duke of Wellington. I saw several old friends, and with difficulty suited names to faces, and faces to names. There was Headlam, Dr. Gilly and his wife, and a world of acquaintance besides. Sir Tliomas Lawrence too, with Lord Londonderry. I asked him to come on with me, bnt he could not. He is, from habit of coaxing his subjects I sup- pose, a little' too fair-spoken, otherwise very pleasant. The Duke arrived very late. There were bells and cannon and drums, trumpets and banners, besides a fine troop of yeomanry. The address was well expressed, and as well answered by the Duke. The enthusiasm of the ladies and the gentry was great — the common people were lukewarm.^ The Duke has lost popularity in accepting political power. He will ^ See Correspondence of Princess Lieven and Earl Greyiov Lord Grey's opinion, vol. i. p. GO. 1827.] JOURNAL. 457 be more useful to his country it may be than ever, but will scarce be so gracioiis in the people's eyes ; and he will not care a curse for what outward show he has lost. But I must not talk of curses, for we are going to take our dinner with the Bishop of Durham,^ a man of amiable and courteous manners, who becomes his station well, but has traces of bad health on his countenance. We dined, about one hundred and forty or fifty men, a distinguished company for rank and property. Marshal Beresford, and Sir John,^ amongst others. Marquis of Lothian, Lord Buncombe, Marquis Londonderry, and I know not who besides : " Lords and Dukes and noble Princes, All the i^ride and flower of Spain.-' We dined in the rude old baronial hall, impressive from its antiquity, and fortunately free from the plaster of former improvement, as I trust it will, from the gingerbread taste of modern Gothicisers. The bright moon streaming in through the old Gothic windows, made a light which contrasted strangely with the artificial lights within ; spears, banners, and armour were intermixed with the pictures of old, and the whole had a singular mixture of baronial pomp with the graver and more chastened dignity of prelacy. The conduct of our reverend entertainer suited the character remarkably well. Amid the welcome of a Count Palatine he did not for an instant forget the gravity of the Church dignitary. All his toasts were gracefully given, and his little speeches well made, and the more affecting that the failing voice sometimes reminded us that our aged host laboured under the infirmities of advanced life. To me personally the Bishop was very civil, and paid me his public ^ Dr. William Xan Miklert had had some few years before this been appointed to the See of Dm- commanded on the Leith Station — ham in 1826 on the death of Dr. when Sir Walter and he saw a great Shute Harrington. He died in 183(j. deal of each other — "andmerrymeu 'Admiral Sir John Bercsfoid were they. " — j. G. L. 458 JOUENAL. [Oct. compliments by proposiug my health in the most gratifying manner.^ The Bishop's lady received a sort of drawing-room after we rose from table, at which a great many ladies attended. I oufdit not to foroet that the singers of the choir attended ■at dinner, and sung the Anthem Non nobis Domine, as they said who understood them, very well — and, as I think, who did not understand the music, with an unusual degree of spirit and interest. It is odd how this can be distinguished from the notes of fellows who use their throats with as little feeling of the notes they utter as if they were composed of the same metal as their bugle-horns. After the drawing-room we went to the Assembly-rooms, which were crowded with company. I saw some very pretty girls dancing merrily that old-fashioned thing called a country-dance which Old England has now thrown aside, as she would do her creed, if there were some foreign frippery offered instead. "We got away after midnight, a large party, and reached Eavensworth Castle — Duke of Wellington, Lord Londonderry, and about twenty besides — about half-past one. Soda water, and to bed by two. October 4. — Slept till nigh ten — fatigued by our toils of yesterday, and the unwonted late hours. Still too early for this Castle of Indolence, for I found few of last night's party yet appearing. I had an opportunity of some talk with the Duke. He does not consider Foy's book^ as written •^ An eye-witness writes : — "The upon the labours of a long literary manner in which Bishop Van Mil- life, Avith the consciousness that flert proceeook — "as a secret and sacred Treasure, could I but know that you would take it as I give it without a draw- back or misconstruction of my in- tentions ; " and she adds — "Were I to lay open my heart (of which you know little indeed) you would find how it has and ever shall 1)6 warm towards you. My age [she was then seventy-four] en- courages me, and I ha\ e longed to tell you. Not the motlier Avho bore you followed you more anxiously (though secretly) with her blessing than I ! Age has talcs to tell and sorrows to unfold. " As is seen by his Journal, Sir Walter resumed his jiersonal inter- course with his venerable friend on November (Jtli, and continued it until her death, which took place in the winter of IS'2!). — See ante, p. 404, SiudLi/e, vol. i. pp. ;j29-o;]G. [It is verydoubtful if Scott visited Invermay or Fettercairn in 179G. — Nov. 1909.— Ed.] 470 JOUENAL. [Oct. to breakfast. There picked up Sir Adam and the Colonel, and drove down to old Melrose to see the hounds cast off upon the Gateheugh, the high rocky amphitheatre which encloses the peninsula of old Melrose, the Tweed pouring its dark and powerful current between them. The galloping of the riders and hallooing of the huntsmen, the cry of the hounds and the sight of sly Eeynard stealing away through the brakes, waked something of the old spirit within me — " Even in our ashes glow their wonted fires," On return home I had despatches of consequence. John Gibson writes that Lord Newton has decided most of the grand questions in our favour. Good, that ! Eev. Mr. Turner writes that he is desirous, by Lord Londonderry's consent, to place in my hands a quantity of original papers concerning the public services of the late Lord Londonderry, with a view to drawing up a memoir of his life. Now this task they desire to transfer to me. It is highly complimentary ; and there is this of temptation in it, that I should be able to do justice to that ill-requited statesman in those material points which demand the eternal gratitude of his country. But then for me to take this matter up would lead me too much into the hackneyed politics of the House of Commons, which odi et arceo. Besides, I would have to study the Irish question, and I detest study. Item. — I might arrive at conclusions different from those of my Lord of Londonderry, and I have a taste for expressing that which I think. Fourthly, I think it is sinking myself into a party writer. Moreover, I should not know what to say to the disputes with Canning ; and, to conclude, I think my Lord Londonderry, if he desired such a thing at my hands, ought to have written to me. For all which reasons, good, bad, and indifferent, I will write declining the undertaking. October 28. — Wrote several letters, and one to Mr. Turner, declining the task of Lord Castlereagh's Memoirs,^ with due 1 The correspondence of Rohert, was edited liy liis brother in 1850, BecouJ Mar(£ui.« of Londonderry, but there was no memoir published 1827.] JOURNAL. 471 acknowledgments. Had his public and European politics alone been concerned, I would have tried tlie task with plea- sure. I wrote out my task and something more, corrected proofs, and made a handsome remittance of copy to the press. October 31. — Just as I Avas merrily cutting away among my trees, arrives ]\Ir. Gibson with a melancholy look, and indeed the news he brought was shocking enough. It seems Mr. Abud, the same Jew broker who formerly was disposed to disturb me in London, has given the most positive orders to take out dilicfence asrainst me for his debt of £1500. This breaks all the measures we had resolved on, and prevents the dividend from taking place, by which many poor persons will be great sufferers. For me the alternative will be more painful to my feelings than prejudicial to my interest. To take out a sequestration and allow tlie persons to take what they can get will be the inevitable consequence. This will cut short my labour l)y several years, which I might spend and spend in vain in labouring to meet their demands. No doubt they may in the interim sell the liferent of this place, with the books and furniture. But, perhaps, it may be possible to achieve some composition which may save these articles, as I would make many sacrifices for that purpose. Gibson strongly advises taking a sequestration at all events. But if the creditors choose to let ]\Ir. Abud have his pound of flesh out of the first cut, my mind will not be satisfied with the plan of deranging, for the pleasure of disappointing him, a plan of payment to which all the others had consented. We will know more on Saturday, and not sooner. I went to Bowliill M'ith Sir Adam Ferguson to dinner, and main- tained as good a countenance in the midst of my perplexities as a man need desire. It is not bravado ; I literally feel myself firm and losolute. until Alison wrote the Lives of quesses of Londonda-ri/. Svols.Svo, Lord CastlcrecKjh and Sir Charles Edinburgh, 1S61. Stewart, Second and Third Mur- N Y E ]\I B E 11. November 1. — I waked in the night and lay two hour.3 in feverish meditation. This is a tribute to natural feeling. But the air of a fine frosty morning gave me some elasticity of spirit. It is strange that about a week ago I was more dispirited for nothing at all than I am now for perplexities which set at defiance my coujectures concerning their issue. I suppose that I, the Chronicler of the Canongate, will have to take np my residence in the Sanctuary ^ for a week or so, unless I prefer the more airy residence of the Calton Jail, or a trip to the Isle of ]\Ian. These furnish a pleasing choice of expedients. It is to no purpose being angry at Ehud or Ahab, or whatever name he delights in. He is seeking his own, and thinks by these harsh measures to render his road to it more speedy. And now I will trouble myself no more about the matter than I can possibly lielp, which will be quite enough after all. Perhaps something may turn up better for me than I now look for. Sir Adam Ferguson left Bowhill this morning for Dumfriesshire. I returned to Abbotsford to Anne, and told her this unpleasant news. She stood it remarkably well, i)Oor body. Novemher 2. — I was a little bilious to-night— no wonder. Had sundry letters without any power of giving my mind to answer them — one about Gourgaud with his nonsense. I shall not trouble my head more on that score. AVcll, it is ' Holy rood rciiuiined an asylum abolished. For description of for eivil debtors until 18S0, when bounds seo Chronicles of (he Canon- by the Act 43 & 44 Victoria, cap. oor Waverley, etc. — sic itur ad astka, creature that had face to beg got an motto of Canongate arms. In two awmous and welcome ; they that were vols. The Tv)o Drovers, The Higli- shamefaced gaed by, and iivice as land Widow,TheSurgeon's Daughter, ivtlcotne. But tltey Icecqiit an honest Edinburgh, printed for Cadell and icalk before God and man, the Croft- Co., and Simpkin Marshall. London angrys, and as I said before, if they 1827. did little good, they did as little ill. The introduction to this work They lifted their rents and spent contains sketches of Scott's own them; called in their lain and eat life, with portraits of his friends, them; gaed to the Icij-k of a Sunday, iinsurpassed in any of his earlier boweel cirilly if folk took af their writings ; for example, what bannets as they gaed by, and lookit could be better than tlie descrip- as black as sin at them that keejiil tion of his ancestors the Scotts them on,^' 474 JOURNAL. [Nov. retreat to the Sanctuary or to the Isle of Man. Both shock- in"- enoiu'li. But in Edinburgh lam always near tlie scene of action, free from uncertainty and near my poor daughter ; so I think I will prefer it, and thus I rest in unrest. But I will not let this unman me. Our hope, heavenly and earthly, is poorly anchored, if the cable parts upon the strain. I believe in God who can change evil into good ; and I am confident that what befalls us is always ultimately for the best. I have a letter from Mr. Gibson, purporting the opinion of the trustees and committee of creditors, that I should come to town, and interesting themselves warmly in the matter. They have intimated that they will pay Mr. Abud a composition of six shillings per pound on his debt. This is a handsome offer, but I understand he is determined to have his pound of flesh. If I can prevent it, he shall not take a shilling by his hard-hearted conduct. Noveniber 4. — Put my papers in some order, and prepared for my journey. It is in the style of the Emperors of Abyssinia who proclaim — Cut down the Kantuffa in the four quarters of the world, — for I know not where I am going. Yet, were it not for poor Anne's doleful looks, I would feel firm as a piece of granite. Even the poor dogs seem to fawn on me with anxious meaning, as if there were something going on they could not comprehend. They probably notice the packing of the clothes, and other symptoms of a journey. Set off at twelve, firmly resolved in body and in mind. Dined at Fushie Bridge. Ah ! good Mrs. Wilson, you know not you are like to lose an old customer.^ But when I arrived in Edinburgh at my faithful friend, ^ !Mrs. Wilson, landlady of the that she had passed her childhood inn at Fushie, one stage from among the Gipsies of the Border. Edinburgh, — an old dame of some lUit her fiery Radicalism latterly humour, ■with uhom Sir Walter was another source of high morri- alwaya had a friendly collo(juy in meat. — J. a. L. passing. I believe the charm was, 1827.] JOURNAL. 475 Mr. Gibson's, lo ! the scene had again changed, and a new hare is started.^ The trustees were clearly of opinion that the matter shoukl he probed to the very bottom ; so Cadell sets off to-morrow in quest of Eobinson, whose haunts he knows. There was much talk concerning what shoukl be done, how to protect my honour's person, and to postpone commencing a defence which must make Ahab desperate, before we can ascertain that the grounds are really tenable. This much I think I can see, that the trustees will rather pay the debt than break off the trust and go into a sequestration. They are clearly right for themselves, and I believe for me also. Whether it is in human possibility that I can clear off these obligations or not, is very doubtful. But I would rather have it written on my monument that I died at the desk than live under the recollection of having neglected it. My conscience is free and happy, and would be so if I were to be lodged in the Calton Jail. Were I shirking exertion I should lose heart, under a sense of general contempt, and so die like a poisoned rat in a hole. Dined with Gibson and John Home. His wife is a pretty lady-like woman. Slept there at night. November 6. — I took possession of aSTo. 6 Shandwick Place, ]Mrs. Jobson's house. Mr. Cadell had taken it for me; terms £100 for four months — cheap enough, as it is a capital house. I offered £5 for immediate entrance, as I do not like to fly back to Abbotsford. So here we are established i.e. John Kicolson^ and I, with good fires and all snug. ^ The " new hare " -was this : " It gible to justify Ballantyne's trustees transpired in the very nick of time, in carrying the point before the that a suspicion of usury attached Court of Session ; but they failed to these Israelites without guile, to establish their allegation." — in a transaction with Hurst and L'ife, vol. ix. pp. 17S-9. Robinson, as to one or more of - A favourite domestic at Abbots- the bills for which the house of ford, whose name was never to be Ballantyne had become responsible, mentioned by any of Scott's family This suspicion, upon investigation, without respect and gratitude.— assumed a shape sufficiently tan- Lift, vol. x. p. 3. 476 JOUE^TAL. [Nov. I waited ou L. J. S. ; an affecting meeting.^ Sir William Forbes came in before dinner to me, liigh- spirited noble fellow as ever, and trne to liis friend. Agrees with my feelings to a comma. He thinks Cadell's account must turn np trumps, and is for going the vole.- Novemhcr 7. — Began to settle myself this morning, after the hurry of mind, and even of body, which I have lately undergone. Commenced a review — that is, an essay, on Ornamental Gardening for the Quarterly. But I stuck fast for want of books. As I did not wish to leave the mind leisure to recoil on itself, I immediately began the Second Series of the Chronicles of Canongate, the First having been well approved. I went to make another visit, and fairly softened myself like an old fool, with recalling old stories . Lady Jane Stuart's house was No. 12 Maitlaiid Street, opposite Shandwiek Place. Mrs. Skene told Mr. Lockhart that at Sir Walter's first meeting with his old friend a very painful scene occurred, and she added — "I think it highly probable that it Avas on returning from this call that he committed to writing the verses, To Time, by his early favourite." — Llfi, vol. ix. p. 183. The lines referred to are as follow — Friend of tlie wretcli oppress'd with grief, Whose lenient hand, though slow, sup- plies Tlie balm that lends to care relief, That wipes her tears — that checks her sighs I 'Tis thine the wounded soul to heal That hopeless bleeds for sorrow's smart. From stern misfortune's shaft to steal The barb that rankles In tlie heart. What tlioiigh witli tlieo the roses fly, And jocund youth's gay reign is o'er ; Though dimm'd Die lustre of the eye, And hope's vain dreams enchant no more Yet in thy train come dove-eyed peace. Indifference witli her lieart of snow ; At her cohl couch, lo ! sorrows cease, Ko thonis beneath her roses grow. O haste to grant thy suppliant's prayer. To I'.ie tliy torpid calm impart ; Rend from my brow youtli's garland fair, But take the tliorn that's in my heart. Ah ! why do fabling poets tell That thy fleet wings outstrip the wind ? Why feign thy course of joy the knell, And call thy slowest pace unkind ? To me thy tedious feeble pace Comes laden with the weight o( years ; With sighs I view morn's blushing face. And hail mild evening with my tears. —Life, vol. i. pp. 334-336. - Sir William Forbes crowned his generous efforts for Scott's relief by privately paying the whole of Abud's demand (nearly £2000) out of his own pocket — ranking as an ordinary creditor for the amount ; and taking care at the same time that his old friend should be allowed to believe that the aifair had merged (juietly in the general measures of the trustees. In fact it was not until some time after Sir William's death (in the following year) that Sir Walter learned what he had done. — Life, vol. ix. p. 179. 1827.] JOUENAL. 477 till I was fit for nothing bnt shedding tears and repeating verses for the whole night. This is sad work. Tlic very- grave gives np its dead, and time rolls back thirty years to add to my perplexities. I don't care, I begin to grow over- hardened, and, like a stag turning at bay, my naturally good temper grows fierce and dangerous. Yet what a ro- mance to tell, and told I fear it will one day be. And then my three years of dreaming and my two years of wakening will be chronicled doubtless. But the dead will feel no pain. Noveinbcr 8. — Doimnn mansi, lanam feci. I may borrow the old sepulchral motto of the Eoman matron. I stayed at home, and began the third volume of Chronicles, or rather the first volume of the Second Series.^ This I pursued with little intermission from morning till night, yet only finished nine pages. Like the machinery of a steam-engine, the imagination does not work freely when first set upon a new task. Novcmhcr 9. — Finished my task after breakfast, at least before twelve. Then went to Colle2;e to hear this most amusing good matter of the Essay read.- Imprimis occurs a dispute whether the magistrates, as patrons of the Uni- versity, should march in procession before the Eoyal visitors ; and it was proposed on our side that the Erovost, who is undoubtedly the first man in his own city, should go iu attendance on the Erincipal, with the Chairman of the Commission on the Erincipal's right hand, and the whole 1 St. Vah'utine's Day or Fair This prize, which excited great Maid of Perth. interest among the Edinburgh ^ A Royal Commission, of -wliich students, was won by John Brown Sir Walter was a member, liad Patterson, and ordered to be read been appointed in IS26 to visit the before the Commissioners, and the Universities of Scotland. At the other public bodies, witli the result suggestion of Lord Aberdeen, a described by Sir Walter. It was hundred guinea prize had been read on the 17th November before offered for tlie best eisay on the a distinguished audience, national character of the Athenians. 478 JOUENAL. [Nov. Commission following, taking ^as of the other Magistrates as ■well as of the Senatus Academicus — or whether we had not better waive all question of precedence, and let the three bodies find their way separately as they best could. This last method was just adopted when we learned that the question was not in what order of procession we should reach the place of exhibition, but whether we were to get there at all, which w^as presently after reported as an im- possibility. The lads of the College had so effectually taken possession of the class-room where the essay was to be read, that, neither learning or law, neither Magistrates nor Magis- ters, neither visitors nor visited, could make way to the scene of action. So we grandees were obliged to adjourn the sederunt till Saturday the 17tli — and so ended the collie-shangie. November 10. — "Wrote out my task and little more. At twelve o'clock I went to poor Lady J. S. to talk over old stories. I am not clear that it is right or healthful indul- gence to be ripping up old sorrows, but it seems to give her deep-seated sorrow words, and that is a mental blood- letting. To me these things are now matter of calm and solemn recollection, never to be forgotten, yet scarce to be remembered with pain. We go out to Saint Catherine's^ to-day. I am glad of it, for I would not have these recollections haunt me, and society will put them out of my head. November 11. — Sir William Eae read us prayers. Sauntered about the doors, and talked of old cavalry stories. Then drove to Melville, and saw the Lord and Lady, and family. I think I never saw anything more beautiful than the ridge of Carnethy (Pentland) against a clear frosty sky, with its peaks and varied slopes. The hills glowed like purple amethysts, the sky glowed topaz and vermilion colours. I never saw a finer screen than ^ Sir ^\'illiain Rao's house, iii Libciton parisli, near Kiliiiburgh. 1827.] -TOUENAL. 479 Pentland, considering that it is neither rocky nor highly elevated. Novevibcr 12. — I cannot say I lost a minute's sleep on account of what the day might bring forth ; though it was that on which we must settle with Ahud in his Jewish demand, or stand to the consequences. I breakfasted with an excellent appetite, laughed in real genuine easy fun, and went to Edinburgh, resolved to do what should best become me. "When I came home I found Walter, poor fellow, who had come down on the spur, having heard from John Lockhart how things stand. Gibson having taken out a suspension makes us all safe for the present. So we dined merrily. He has good hopes of his Majesty, and I must support his interest as well as I can. Wrote letters to Lady Shelley, John L., and one or two chance correspon- dents. One was singular. A gentleman, writing himself James Macturk, tells me his friends have identified him with Captain Macturk of St. Eonan's Well, and finding himself much inconvenienced by this identification, he proposes I should apply to the King to forward his re- storation and advance in the service (he writes himself late Lieutenant 4th Dragoon Guards) as an atonement for having occasioned him (though unintentionally no doubt) so great an injury. This is one road to promotion, to be sure. Lieutenant Macturk is, I suppose, tolerably mad. We dined together, Anne, Walter, and I, and were happy at our reunion, when, as I was despatching my packet to London, In started to heeze up our liowp "^ John Gibson, radiant with good-natured joy. He had another letter from Cadell, enclosing one from Eobinson, in which the latter pledges himself to make the most explicit affidavit. On these two last days I liave written only tlu'ee pages, ' From the old song Andrew and his Cutty Gun. 480 JOUENAL. [Nov. but not from inaptitude or incapacity to labour. It is odd cnousili — I think it difficult to iilace me in a situation of danger, or disagreeable circumstances, purely personal, which would shake my powers of mind, yet they sink under mere lowness of spirits, as this Journal bears evidence in too many passages. Novemher 13. — Wrote a little in the morning, but not above a page. Went to the Court about one, returned, and made several visits with Anne and Walter. Cadell came, glorious with the success of his expedition, but a little allayed by the prospect of competition for the copyrights, on which he and I have our eyes as joint purchasers. We must have them if possible, for I can give new value to an edition corrected with notes. Nous verrons ! Captain Musgrave, of the house of Edenhall, dined with us. After dinner, while we were over our whisky and water and cigars, enter the merry knight. Misses Kerr came to tea, and we had fun and singing in the evening. Noveiiibcr 14. — A little work in the morning, but no gathering to my tackle. Went to Court, remained till nigh one. Then came through a pitiless shower ; dressed and went to the christening of a boy of Jolm Eichardson's who was baptized Henry Cockburn. Eead the Gazette of the great battle of Navarino, in which we have thumped the Turks very well. But as to the justice of our interference, I will only suppose some Turkish plenipotentiary, with an immense turban and long loose trousers, comes to dictate to us the mode in which we should deal witli our refractory liegemen the Catholics of Ireland. We hesitate to admit his interference, on which the ]\foslem admiral runs into Cork Bay or Bantry Bay, alongside of a British squadron, and sends a boat to tow aside a fire-ship. A vessel fires on the boat and sinks her. Is tliere an aggression on the part of those who fired first, or of those whose manoeuvres occasioned the firing? 1827.] JOUENAL. 481 Dined at Henry CockLuru's with the chiisteuing party. Novcmhcr 15. — Wrote a little in the morning. Detained in Court till two ; then returned home wet enouoh. Met with Chambers, and complimented him about his making a clever book of the 1745 for Constable's Miscellany. It is really a lively work, and must have a good sale. Before dinner enter Cadell, and we anxiously renew^ed our plan for buying tlie copyrights on 19th December. It is most essential that the whole of the Waverley Novels should be kept under our management, as it is called. I may then give them a new impulse by a preface and notes ; and if an edition, of say 30 volumes, were to be published monthly to the tune of 5000, which may really be expected if the shops were once cleared of the over-glut, it would bring in £10,000 clear profit, over all outlay, and so pay any sum of copy- money that might be ventured. I must urge these things to Gibson, for except these copyriglits be saved our plans will go to nothing. Walter and Anne went to hear Madame Pasta sing after dinner. I remained at home ; wrote to Sir William Knighton, and sundry other letters of importance. JVovemhcr 16. — There was little to do in Court to-day, but one's time is squandered, and his ideas broken strangely. At three we had a select meeting of the Gas Directors to consider what line we were to take in the disastrous affairs of the company. Agreed to go to Parliament a second time. James Gibson [Craig] and I to go up as our solicitors. So curiously does interest couple up individuals, though I am sure I have no olijection whatever to Mr. James Gibson- Craig.^ Novemhcr 17. — lieturned home in early time from the Court. Settled on the review of Ornamental Gardening ^ Sir James Gibsou-Craig, one of advocate of reform at the end of the Whig leaders, and a prominent last century. 2 U 482 JOURNAL. [NoV. for Lockliart, and wrote hard. Want several quotations, though — tliat is the bore of being totally without books. Anne and I dined quietly together, and I wrote after tea — an industrious day. Novemher 18. — This has been also a day of exertion. I was interrupted for a moment by a visit from young Davidoff with a present of a steel snuff-box [Tula work], wrought and lined with gold, having my arms on the top, and on the sides various scenes from the environs and principal public build- ings of St. Petersburg — ajoZ-i cacleau — and I take it very kind of my young friend. I had a letter from his uncle, Denis Davidoff, the black captain of the French retreat. The Russians are certainly losing ground and men in Persia, and will not easily get out of the scrape of having engaged an active enemy in a difficult and unhealthy country. I am glad of it ; it is an overgrown power ; and to have them kept quiet at least is well for the rest of Europe. I concluded the evening— after writing a double task — with the trial of Malcolm Gillespie, renowned as a most venturous excise officer, but now like to lose his life for forgery. A bold man in his vocation he seems to have been, but the law seems to have got round to the wrong side of him on the present occasion.^ Novemher 19. — Corrected the last proof of Talcs of mij Grandfather. Received Cadell at breakfast, and conversed fully on the subject of the Chronicles and the application of the price of 2d series, say £4000, to the purchase of the moiety of the copyrights now in the market, and to be sold this day month. If I have the comnumd of a new Edition and put it into an attractive shape, with notes, introductions, and illustrations that no one save I myself can give, I am confident it will bring liome the whole purchase-money with ^ fJillespic was tried at Aberdeen 26, and sentenced to bo executed on before Lord Allow.ay on September Friday, 16th November 1827. 1827.] JOUllNAL. 483 sometliing over, and lead to the disposal of a series of the subsequent volumes of the following works, St. Ronan's Well, ....... 3 vols. Eedgauntlet, .... 2 Tales of Crusaders, .... 4 AVoodstock, .... r5 13 make a series of 7 vols.! The two series of the Chrmiides and others will be ready about the same time. Novemher 20. — Wrought in the morning at the review, which I fear will be lengthy. Called on Hector as I came home from the Court, and found him better, and keeping a Highland heart. I came home like a crow through tlie mist, half dead with a rheumatic headache caused by the beastly north-east wind. " "What am I now when every breeze appals me ? " ^ I dozed for half-an-hour in my chair for pain and stupidity. I omitted to say yesterday that I went out to Melville Castle to inquire after my Lord Melville, who had broke his collar-bone by a fall from his horse in mounting. He is recoverins: well, but much bruised. I came home with Lord Chief-Commissioner Adam. He told me a dictum of old Sir Gilbert Elliot, speaking of his uncles. " No chance of opulence," he said, " is worth the risk of a competence." It was not the thought of a great man, but perhaps that of a wise one. Wrought at my review, and despatched about half or better, I should hope. I incline to longer extracts in the next sheets. November 21. — Wrought at the review. At one o'clock I attended the general meeting of the Union Scottish Assurance Company. There was a debate arose whether the ordinary acting directors should or should not have a small sum, amounting to about a crown a piece allotted to them each day of their regular attendance. The proposal m' as rejected by many, and upon grounds which sound very well, — such 1 Slightly altered from JIacbcth, Act 11. Sc. 2. S 484 JOUEN"AL. [Nov. as the shabbiness of men being influenced hj a trifling con- sideration like this, and the absurdity of the Company vohmteering a bounty to one set of men, when there are others Avilling to act gratuitously, and many gentlemen volunteered their own services ; though I cannot help suspect- ing that, as in the case of ultroneous offers of service upon most occasions, it was not likely to be acceptable. The motion miscarried, however — impoliticly rejected, as I think. The sound of five shillings sounds shabby, but the fact is that it does in some sort reconcile the party to whom it is offered to leave his own house and business at an exact hour ; whereas, in the common case, one man comes too late — another does not come at all — the attendance is given by different individuals upon different days, so that no one acquires the due historical knowledge of the affairs of the Company. Besides, the Directors, by taking even this trifling sum of money, render themselves the paid servants of the Company, and are bound to use a certain degree of diligence, nuich greater than if tliey continued to serve, as hitherto, gratuitously. The pay is like enlisting money which, whether great or small, subjects to engagements under the Articles of war. A china-merchant spoke, — a picture of an orator witli bandy legs, squinting eyes, and a voice like an ungreased cart-wheel — a liberty boy, I suppose. The meeting was somewhat stormy, but I preserved order by listening with patience to each in turn ; determined that they should weary out the patience of the meeting before I lost mine. An orator is like a top. Let him alone and ho must stop one time or another — flog him, and lie may go on for ever. Dined with Directors, of whom I only knew the Manager, Sutherland Mackenzie, Sir David ]\lihie, and Wauchope, besides one or two old Oil Gas friends. It went off well cnouLjli. November 22. — Wrou<;ht in the morninir. Tlien made 1827.] JOURNAL. 485 arrangements for a dinner to celebrate the Duke of Buccleuch coming of age — that Avliicli was to liave been held at Melville Castle being postponed, owing to Lord M.'s accident. Sent copy of Second Series of Chronicles of Canongate to Ballantyne. November 23. — I bilked the Court to-day, and worked at the review. I wish it may not be too long, yet know not how to shorten it. The post brought me a letter from the Duke of Buccleuch, acquainting me with his grandmother, the Duchess-Dowager's death.^ She was a woman of un- bounded beneficence to, and even beyond, the extent of her princely fortune. She had a masculine courage, and great firmness in enduring afflictiou, which pressed on her with continued and successive blows in her later years. She was about eighty-four, and nature was exhausted; so life departed like the extinction of a lamp for lack of oil. Our dinner on Monday is put off. I am not superstitious, but I wish this festival had not been twice delayed by such sinister accidents — first, the injury sustained by Lord Melville, and then this event spreading crape like the shroud of Saladin over our little festival.^ God avert bad omens ! Dined with Archie Swinton. Company — Sir Alexander and Lady Keith, IMr. and j\Irs. Anderson, Clanronald, etc. Clanronald told us, as an instance of Highland credulity, that a set of his kinsmen, Borradale and others, believing that the fabulous Water Cow inhabited a small lake near his house, resolved to drag the monster into day. With this view they bivouacked by the side of the lake, in which they placed, by way of night-bait, two small anchors, such as belong to boats, each baited with the carcase of a dog slain for the purpose. They expected the Water Cow would gorge on this bait, and were prepared to drag her ashore the next morning, when, to ^ Lady Elizabeth Montagu, daiigb- standard "to adnionisli tlie East ter of George Duke of Montagu. of tlie instability of human great- - Saladin's shroud, which was ness. " — Gibbon. said to have been displaj'ed ivs a 486 JOURNAL. [Nov. their confusion of face, the baits were found untouched. It is something too late in the day for setting baits for Water Cows.^ November 24. — Wrote at review in the morning. I have made my revocation of tlie invitation for Monday. For myself it will give me time to work. I could not get home to-day till two o'clock, and was quite tired and stupid. So I did little but sleep or dose till dressing-time. Then went to Sir David Wedderburn's, where I met three beauties of my own day, Margaret Brown, Maria Brown, and Jane Wedderburn, now Lady Wedderburn, Lady Hampden, and Mrs. Oliphant. We met the pleasant Irish family of ]\Ieath. The resemblance betwixt the Earl of Meath and the Duke of Wellington is something remarkably striking — it is not only the profile, but the mode of bearing the person, and the person itself. Lady Theodosia Brabazon, the Earl's daughter, and a beautiful young lady, told me that in Paris her father was often taken for Lord Wellington. Novemher 25. — This forenoon finished the review, and despatched it to Lockhart before dinner. Will Clerk, Tom Thomson, and young Frank Scott dined with me. We had a pleasant day. I have wrought pretty well to-day. But I must Do a little more And produce a little ore. 1 The belief in the existence of smallness of the pumps, though it the ' Water Cow ' is not even yet was ijersevered in for two years, he extinct in the Highlands. In Mr. next tried poisoning the water by J. H. Dixon's book on GaJrZocA, 8vo, emptying into the loch a quantity 1886, it is said the monster lives of quick lime ! ! — Whatever harm or did live in Loch na Beiste ! was thus done to tlie trout none Some years ago the proprietor, v as experienced by the Beast, which moved by the entreaties of the it is rumoured has been seen in people, and on the positive testimony tlic neiglibourhood as late as 1884 of two elders of the Free Church, (p. 1G"2). This transaction formed that the creature was hiding in his an element in a case before the loch, attempted its destruction Ijy Crofters' Commission at Aultbea in pumping and running off the water ; May 1888. this plan having failed owing to the 1827.] JOUENAL. 487 Novemhcr 20. — Corrected proof-sheets of Chronicles and Tales. Advised Slieriff processes, and was Lusy. Dined with Robert Dundas of Arniston, Lord Register, etc, An agreeable evening. Novemher 27. — Corrected proofs in the mornino-, and attended the Court till one or two o'clock, Mr. Hamilton being again ill. I visited Lady S. on my return. Came home too fagged to do anything to purpose. Anecdote from George Bell. In the days of Charles ii. or his brother, flourished an old Lady Elphinstone, so old that she reached the extraordinary period of 103. She was a keen Whig, so did not relish Graham of Clavers. At last, having a curiosity to see so aged a person, he obtained or took per- mission to see her, and asked her of the remarkable things she had seen. " Indeed," said she, " I think one of the most remarkable is, that when I entered the world there was one Knox deaving us a' with his clavers, and now that I am jroino- out of it, there is one Clavers deaving us with his knocks." Novemher 28. — Corrected j)roofs and went to Court. Ee- turned about one, and called on the Lord Chief-Baron. Dined with the Duchess of Bedford at the Waterloo, and renewed, as I may say, an old acquaintance, which began while her Grace was Lady Georgiana.^ She has now a fine family, two young ladies silent just now, but they will find their tongues, or they are not right Gordons, a very fine child, Alister, who shouted, sung, and spoke Gaelic with much spirit. They are from a shooting-place in the Highlands, called Invereshie, in Badenoch, which the Duke has taken to gratify the Duchess's passion for the heather. Novemher 29. — My course of composition is stoY)ped foolishly enough. I liave sent four leaves to London with Lockhart's review. I am very sorry for this blunder, and here is another. Forgetting I had been engaged for a lone: time to Lord Gillies — a first family visit too — the devi] ^ Daughtei' of Alexandei", fourth Duke of Gordon. o 488 JOURNAL. [Nov. tempted me to accept of the office of President of the Antiquarian Society. And now they tell me people have come from the country to l)e present, and so forth, of which I may believe as much as I may. But I must positively take care of this absurd custom of confounding invitations. My conscience acquits me of doing so by maMce po^epense, yet one incurs the suspicion. At any rate it is uncivil and must be amended. Dined at Lord C. Commissioner's — to meet the Duchess and her party. She can be extremely agreeable, but I used to think her Grace jo^trnalUi'e. She may have been cured of that fault, or I may have turned less jealous of my dignity. At all events let a pleasant hour go by unquestioned, and do not let us break ordinary gems to pieces because they are not diamonds. I forgot to say Edwin Landseer was in the Duchess's train. He is, in my mind, one of the most striking masters of the modern school. His expression both in man and animals is capital. He showed us many sketches of smugglers, etc., taken in the Highlands, all capital. "Some gaed there, and some gaed here, And a' the town was in a steer, And Johnnie on his brocket mear, He raid to fetch the howdie." November 30. — Another idle morning, with letters, however. Had the great pleasure of a letter from Lord Dudley ^ acquainting me that he had received his Majesty's commands to put down the name of my son Charles for the first vacancy that should occur in the Foreign Office, and at the same time to acquaint me with his gracious intentions, which were signified in language tlie most gratifying to me. This makes me really feel light and ha^ipy, and most grateful to the kind and gracious sovereign who has always shown, I may say, so much friendship towards me. Would to God tlie King's errand might lie in the cadger s gait, tliat I might have ^ Lord Dudley, then Secretary of had been partly educated in Edin- State for the Foreign Department, burgh, under Dugald Stewart's was an early friend of Scott's. He care. 1827.] JOURNAL. 489 some better way of showing my gratitude than merely by a letter of thanks or this private memorandum of my gratitude. The lad is a good boy and clever, somewliat indolent I fear, yet with the capacity of exertion. Presuming his head is full enough of Greek and Latin, he has now living languages to studv : so I will set him to work on French, Italian, and German, that, like the classic Cerberus, he may speak a leash of languages at once. Dined with Gillies, very pleasant; Lord Chief-Commissioner, Will Clerk, Cranstoun, and other old friends. I saw in the evening the celebrated Miss Grahame Stirling,^ so remarkable for her power of personify- ing a Scottish old lady. Unluckily she came late, and I left early in the evening, so I could not find out wherein her craft lay. She looked like a sensible woman. I had a con- ference with my trustees about the purchase (in company with Cadell) of the copyrights of the novels to be exposed to sale on the 19th December, and had the good luck to persuade them fully of the propriety of the project. I alone can, by notes and the like, give these works a new value, and in fact make a new edition. The price is to be made good from the Second Series Chronicles of Canongatc, sold to Cadell for £4000 ; and it may very well happen that we shall have little to pay, as part of the copyrights will probably be declared mine by the arbiter, and these I shall have without money and without price. Cadell is most anxious on the subject. He thinks that two years hence £10,000 may be made of a new edition. ^ See p. 552 n. D E C E M B E E. Decemher 1. — This morning again I was idle. But I must work, and so I will to-morrow whether the missing sheets arrive, ay or no, hy goles ! After Court I went with Lord Wriothesley Eussell,i to Dalkeith House, to see the pictures ; Charles K. Sharpe alongst with us. We satisfied ourselves that they have actually frames, and that, I think, was all we could be sure of. Lord Wriothesley, who is a very pleasant young man, well-informed, and with some turn for humour, dined with us, and Mr. Davidoff met him. The Misses Kerr also dined and spent the evening with us in that sort of society which I like best. Charles Sharpe came in and wo laughed over oysters and sherry, "And a fig for your Sultan and Sophi." December 2. — Laboured to make lee-way, and finished nearly seven pages to eke on to the end of the missing sheets when returned. I have yoked Charles to IMonsieur Surenne, an old soldier in Napoleon's Italian army, and I think a clever little fellow, with good general ideas of etymology. Signor Bugnie is a good Italian teacher; and for a German, why, I must look about. It is not the least useful language of the leash. Decemher 3.— A day of petty business, which killed a holiday. Finished my tale of the Mirror ; ^ went with Tom Allan to see his building at Lauriston, wlicre he has displayed good taste — suj^porting instead of tearing down or destroying the old chateau, which once belonged to the famous Mississippi Law. The additions are in very good taste, and will make a most comfortable house. Mr. Burn, architect, 1 The Uuchess of Bedford's eldest son. - My A unt Manjaret's Mirror. 490 1827.] JOURNAL. 491 would fain have had the old house pulled down, which I wonder at in him/ though it would have been the practice of most of his brethren. When I came up to town I was just in time for the Bannatyne CluL, where things are going on reasonably well. I hope we may get out some good historical documents in the course of the winter. Dined at the Ptoyal Society Club. At the society liad some essays upon the specific weight of the ore of manganese, which was caviare to the President, and I think most of the members. But it seemed extremely accurate, and I have little doubt was intelligible to those who had the requisite key. We supped at Mr. Eussell's, where the conversation was as gay as usual, Lieut-Col. Ferguson was my guest at the dinner. December 4. — Had the agreeable intelligence that Lord Newton had finally issued his decree in my favour, for all the money in the bank, amounting to £32,000. This will make a dividend of six shillings in the pound, which is presently to be paid. A meeting of the creditors was held to-day, at which they gave unanimous approbation of all that has been done, and seemed struck by the exertions which had produced £22,000 within so short a space. They all separated well pleased. So far so good. Heaven grant the talisman break not ! I sent copy to Ballantyne this morning, having got back the missing sheets from John Lockhart last night. I feel a little puzzled about the character and style of the next tale. The world has had so much of chivalry. Well, i M'ill 1 Sir Walter need have expressed Andrew Fairservice's " whigma- no surprise at this architect's desire leeiies, curliewurlies, and open to pull doAvn the old house of steek heins " most thoroughly x-e- Lauriston ! The present generation moved I — J'ob Roy, vol. viii. pp. 29- can judge of Mr. Burn's apprecia- .SO. Fortunately the tower and tion of ancient Architecture Ly crown were untouched, and the looking at the outside of St. Giles, interior, which was injured in a less Edinburgh.— It was given over to degree, has, through the liberality his tender mercies in 1829, a and good taste of the late William picturesque old building, and it left Chambers, been restored to its his hands in J Sot a bit of solid original stateliuess. well- jointed mason- work with all 492 JOUENAL. [Dec. (lino merrily, and thank God, and bid care rest till to-morrow. How suddenly things are overcast, and how suddenly the sun can break out again ! On the 31st October I was dreaming as little of such a thing as at present, when behold there came tidings which threatened a total interruption of the amicable settlement of my affairs, and menaced my own personal liberty. In less than a month we are enabled to turn chase on my persecutors, who seem in a fair way of losing their recourse upon us. Non nobis, Domine. Decemher 5. — I did a good deal in the way of preparing my new tale, and resolved to make something out of the story of Harry Wynd. The North Inch of Perth would be no bad name, and it may be possible to make a difference betwixt the old Hifjhlander and him of modern date. The fellow that swam the Tay, and escaped, would be a good ludicrous character. But I have a mind to try him in the serious line of tragedy. Miss Baillie has made the Ethling ^ a coward by temperament, and a hero when touched by filial affection. Suppose a man's nerves supported by feelings of honour, or say hy the spur of jealousy supporting him against con- stitutional timidity to a certain point, then suddenly giving way, — I think something tragic might be produced. James Ballantyne's criticism is too much moulded upon the general taste of novels to admit, I fear, this species of reasoning. But what can one do ? I am hard up as far as imagination is con- cerned, yet the world calls for novelty. Well, I '11 try my brave coward or cowardly brave man. Valeat quantum. Being a teind day, remained at home, adjusting my ideas on this point until one o'clock, then walked as far as Mr. Cadell's. Finally, went to dine at Ilawkhill with Lord and Lady Binning. Party were Lord Chief-Commissioner, Lord Chief-Baron, Solicitor, John "Wilson, Lord Corehouse. The night was so dark and stormy that I was glad when we got upon the paved streets. ^ See Etliwald, Plays on the Passions, vol. ii., Loiul. 1802. 1827.] JOUKNAL. ' 493 December 6. — Corrected proofs and went to Conrt. Bad news of AhaL's case. I hope lie won't beat ns after all. It would be mortifying to have them paid in full, as they must be while better men must lie by. S2>ero meliora. I think that copy of Beard's Judgmenls is the first book which I have voluntarily purchased for nearly two years. So I am cured of one folly at least.^ December 7. — Being a blank day in the rolls, I stayed at home and wrote four leaves — not very freely or happily; I was not in the vein. Plague on it! Stayed at home the whole day. There is one thing I l)elieve peculiar to me — I work, that is, meditate for tlie purpose of working, best, when I have a quasi engagement with some other book for example. When I find myself doing ill, or like to come to a stand-still in writing, I take up some slight book, a novel or the like, and usually have not read far ere my ditiiculties are removed, and I am ready to write again. There nmst be two currents of ideas going on in my mind at the same time," or perhaps the slighter occupation serves like a woman's wheel or stocking to ballast the mind, as it were, by preventing the thoughts from wandering, ami so give the deeper current the power to flow undisturbed. I always laugh when I hear people say. Do one thing at once, I have done a dozen things at once all my life. Dined with the family. After dinner Lockhart's proofs came in and occupied me for the evening. I wish I liave not made that article too long, and Lockhart will not snip away. December 8. — Went to Court and staved there a oood while. Made some consultations in the Advocates' Library, not furiously to the purpose. Court in the morning. Sent off Lockhart's j)roof, which I hope will do him some good. ^V precatory letter iVtim 1 Alluding to an entry in tlio is still in the Abbotsford I>il)- Journal, tliat ho had expended MOs. rary. in the purchase of the Tin aire of - Sic note to May 30, 1S"J7, pago God's Judgments, 1612, a book a\ hich ',i9S. 494 JOUENAL. [Dec. Gillies. I must do IMoliere for him, I suppose ; but it is Avonclerful that knowing the situation I am in, the poor fellow presses so hard. Sure, I am pulling for life, and it is hard to ask me to pull another man's oar as well as my own. Yet, if I can give a little help, " We '11 get a blessing wi' the lave, And never miss 't." ^ Went to John ]\Iurray's, where were Sir John Dalrymple and Lady, Sir John Cayley, Mr. Hope Vere, and Lady Elizabeth Vere, a sister of the Marquis of Tweeddale, and a pleasant sensible woman. Some turn for antiquity too she shows — and spoke a good deal of the pictures at Yester. Henderland was there too. Mrs. John IMurray made some very agree- able music. December 9. — I set hard to work, and had a long day with my new tale. I did about twelve leaves. Cadell came in, and we talked upon the great project of buying in the copyrights. He is disposed to finesse a little about it, but I do not think it will do much good ; all the fine arguments will fly off and people just bid or not bid as the report of the trade may represent the speculation as a good or bad one. I daresay they wdll reach £7000 ; but £8000 won't stop us, and that for books over-printed so lately and to such an extent is a pro-di-gi-ous price ! Decemher 10. — I corrected proofs and forwarded copy. Went out for an hour to Lady J. S. Home and dozed a little, half stupefied with a cold in my head — made up this Journal, however. Settled I would go to Abbotsford on the 24th from Arniston. Before that time I trust the business of the copyrights will be finally settled. If they can be had on anything like fair terms, they will give the greatest chance I can see of extricating my affairs. Cadell seems to 1)0 quite confident in the advantage of making the purchase upon almost any terms, and tnily I am of his opinion. If ' Burns's lines To a Mouse. i827.j JOURNAL. 495 they get out of Scotland it will not be all I can do that will enable me to write myself a free man during the space I have to remain in this world. I smoked a couple of cigars for the first time since I came from the country ; and as Anne and Charles went to the play, I muddled away the evening over my Sheriff-Court processes, and despatched a hugeous parcel to Will Scott at Selkirk. It is always something off hand. Dcceoiiber 11. — Wrote a little, and seemed to myself to get on. I went also to Court. On return, had a formal communication from Ballantyne, enclosing a letter from Cadell of an unpleasant tenor. It seems Mr. Cadell is dissatisfied with the moderate success of the First Series of Chronicles]'^ and disapproves of about half the volume already written of the Second Series, obviously rueing his engagement. I have replied that I was not fool enough to suppose that my favour with the public could last for ever, and was neither shocked nor alarmed to find that it had ceased now, as cease it must one day soon ; it might be inconvenient for me in some respects, but I would be quite contented to resi'itl', for I really know nothing of the subject. So I will refuse; that's flat. Having turned over my thoughts with some anxiety about the important subject of yesterday, I think we have done for the best. If I can rally this time, as I did in the Crusaders, why, there is the old trade open yet. If not, retirement will come gracefully after my failure. I must get the return of the sales of the three or four last novels, so as to judge what style of composition has best answered. Add to this, giving up just now loses £4000 to the trustees, _ which they would not understand, whatever may be my nice authorial feelings. And moreover, it ensures the purchase of the coj)y rights — i.e. almost ensures them. December 14. — Summoned to pay arrears of our unhappy Oil Gas concern — £140 — which I performed by draft on ]\Ir. Cadell. This will pinch a little close, but it is a debt of honour, and must be paid. The public will never bear a public man who shuns either to draw his purse or his sword, when there is an open and honest demand on him. Dccemher 15. — Worked in the morning on the sheets which are to be cancelled, and on the Tale of St. Valentine's Eve — a good title, by the way. Had the usual quantum sufficit of the Court, which, if it did not dissipate one's attention so much, is rather an amusement than otherwise. But the plague is to fix one's attention to the sticking point, after it has been squandered about for two or three hours in such a way. It keeps one, however, in the course and stream of actual life, which is a great advantage to a literary man. I missed an appointment, for which I am very sorry. It was about our Advocates' Library, which is to be rebuilt. During all my life we have mismanaged the large funds 1 i.e. to embark. 1827.] JOURNAL. 499 expended on the rooms of our library, totally mistaking the objects for wliich a library is built; and instead of taking a general and steady view of tlu; subject, patching up discon- nected and ill-sized rooms, totally unccpuil to answer the accommodation demanded, and bestowing an al)surd degree of ornament and finery upon the internal finishing. All this should be reversed : the new library should be calculated upon a plan which ought to suffice for all the nineteenth century at least, and for that purpose should admit of being executed progressively ; then there should be no ornament other than that of strict architectural proportion, and the rooms should be accessible one through another, but divided with so many partitions, as to give ample room for shelves. These small rooms would also facilitate the purposes of study. Something of a lounging room would not be amiss, which might serve for meetings of Faculty occasionally. I ought to take some interest in all this, and I do. So I will attend the next meeting of committee. Dined at Baron Hume's, and met General Campbell of Lochnell, and his lady. December IG. — Worked hard to-day and only took a half hour's walk with Hector jMacdonald ! Colin IMackenzie unwell ; his asthma seems rather to increase, notwithstanding his foreign trip ! Alas ! long-seated complaints defy Italian climate. We had a small party to dinner. Captain and Mrs. Hamilton, Davidoff, Frank Scott, Harden, and his chum Charles Baillie, second son of Mellerstain, who seems a clever young man.^ Two or three of the party stayed to take wine and water. December 17. — Sent off the beginning of the Chronicles to Ballantyne. I hate cancels ; they are a double labour. Mr. Cowan, Trustee for Constable's creditors, called in the morning by appointment, and we talked about the upset price of the copyrights of Waverley, etc. I frankly told him ^ Afterwards Judge iu the Court of Session under the title of Lord ^erviswoode. r,00 JOURNAL. [Dec. that I was so much, concerned tliat tliey should remain more or less under my control, that I was willing, with the advice of my trustees, to offer a larger upset than that of £4750, which had been fixed, and that I proposed the price set up should be £250 for the poetry, Paul's letters, etc., and £5250 for the novels, in all £5500 ; but that I made this proposal under the condition, that in case no bidding should ensue, then the copyrights should be mine so soon as the sale was adjourned, without any one being permitted to bid after the sale. It is to be hoped this high upset price will "Fright the fuels Of the pock-puds." This speculation may be for good or for evil, but it tends incalculably to increase the value of such copyrights as remain in my own person ; and, if a handsome and cheap edition of the whole, with notes, can be instituted in con- formity with Cadell's plan, it must prove a mine of wealth, three-fourths of which will belong to m(.' or my creditors. It is possible, no doubt, that the works may lose their effect on the public mind ; but this must be risked, and I think the cbances are greatly in our favour. Death (my own I mean) would improve tlie property, since an edition with a Life would sell like wildfire. Perhaps those who read this prophecy may shake their heads and say, " Poor fellow, he little thought how he should see the public interest in him and his extinguished even during his natural existence." It may be so, but I will hope better. This I know, that no literary speculation ever succeeded with mo but where my own works were concerned ; and that, on the other hand, these have rarely failed. And so — Vogue la galerc! Dined wiili the Lord Chief-Commissioner, and met Lord and Lady Binning, Lord and Lady Abercromby, Sir Robert O'Callaghan, etc. These dinners put off time well enough, and T write so painfully by candle-light that they do not greatly interfere witli business. 1827.] JOUPtNAL. 501 December 18. — Poor Huutly Clovdou writes lue in despair about £180 of debt which he has incurred. lie wishes to publish two sermons which I wrote for him when he was taking orders ; but he would get little money for them with- out my name, and that is at present out of the question. People would cry out against the undesired and imvvelcome zeal of him who stretched out Jiis hands to help the ark with the best intentions, and cry sacrilege. And yet they would do me gross injustice, for I would, if called upon, die a martyr for the Christian religion, so completely is (in my poor opinion) its divine origin proved by its beneficial effects on the state of society. Were we but to name the abolition of slavery and of polygamy, how much has in these two words been granted to mankind by the lessons of our Saviour !^ December 19. — "Wrought upon an introduction to the notices which have been recovered of George Bannatyne,^ author, or rather transcriber, of the famous Eepository of Scottish Poetry, generally known by the Bannatyne J\is. They are very jejune these same notices — a mere record of matters of business, putting forth and calling in of sums of money, and such like. Yet it is a satisfaction to learn that this great benefactor to the literature of Scotland lived a prosperous life, and enjoyed the pleasures of domestic ^ A few Jays later, however, the You may trust that to the news- following reply was sent : — " Dear papers. Gordon, — As I have no money to "Pray do not think of returning spare at present, I find it necessary any thanks about this ; it is enough to make a sacrifice of my own that I know it is likely to serve your scruples to relieve you from serious purpose. But use the funds arising difficulties. The enclosed will en- from this unexpected source with title you to deal with any respect- prudence, for such fountains do not able bookseller. You must tell the spring up at every place of the history in your own way as shortly desert. I am, in haste, ever yours as possible. All that is necessary most truly, \Valter Scott " — Life, to say is that tlie discourses were vol. ix. p. *2(l;"). written to oblige a young friend. - Issued in 1829 as No. .3.3 of tlio It is understood my name is not to Baimatyue Club Books. Mvmorlal-i be put in the title-jDage, or blazed of Gaonje Bannatyne, 1545- IGOS, at full length in the jirefacc. with Memoir by Sir Walter Scott. 502 ■ JOURNAL. [Dec. society, and, in a time peculiarly perilous, lived unmolested and died in quiet. At eleven o'clock I had an appointment with a person unknown. A youth had written me, demanding an audience. I excused myself by alleging the want of leisure, and my dislike to communicate with a person perfectly unknown on unknown business. The application was renewed, and with an ardour which left me no alternative, so I named eleven this day. I am too much accustomed to the usual cant of the followers of the muses who endeavour by flattery to make their bad stale butter make amends for their stinking fish. I am pretty well acquainted with that sort of thing. I have had madmen on my hands too, and once nearly was Kotzebued by a lad of the name of Sharpe. All this gave me some curiosity, but it was lost in attending to the task I was engaged in ; when the door opened and in walked a young woman of middling rank and rather good address, but something resembling our secretary David Laing, if dressed in female habiliments. There was the awkwardness of a moment in endeavouring to make me understand that she was the visitor to whom I had given the assignation. Then there were a few tears and sighs. " I fear, Madam, this relates to some tale of great distress." " By no means, sir ; " and her countenance cleared up. Still there was a pause ; at last she asked if it were possible for her to see the king. I apprehended then that she was a little mad, and proceeded to assure her that the king's secretary received all such applications as were made to his Majesty, and disposed of them. Then came the mystery. She wished to relieve herself from a state of bondage, and to be rendered capable of maintaining herself by ac(puriiig knowledge. I inquired w hal were her immediate circumstances, and found she resided willi ;iii uncle and aunt. Not thinking the case without hope, I jireaehed the old tloctrine of patience and rcbigna- tiun, 1 suppose with the usual ellect. 1827.] ■ JOUENAL. 503 Went to the Bannatyne Club ; and on the way met Cadell out of breath, coming to say he had bought the copyrights after a smart contention. Of this to-morrow. There was little to do at the club. Afterwards dined with Lord and Lady Abercromby, where I met my old and kind friend, Major Buchanan of Cambusmore. His father was one of those from whom I gained much information about the old Highlanders, and at whose house I spent many merry days in my youth. ^ The last time I saw old Cambusmore was in . He sat up an hour later on the occasion, though then eighty-five. I shall never forget him, and was delighted to see the Major. who comes seldom to town. December 20. — Anent the copyrights— the pock-puds were not frightened by our higli price. They came on briskly, four or five bidders abreast, and went on till the lot was knocked down to Cadell at £8400 ; a very large sum cer- tainly, yet he has been offered profit on it already. For my part I think the loss would have been very great had we suf- fered these copyrights to go from those which we possessed. They would have been instantly stereotyped and forced on the market to bring home the price, and by this means depreciated for ever, and all ours must have shared the same fate. Whereas, husbanded and brought out with care, they cannot fail to draw in the others in the same series, and thus to be a sure and respectable source of profit. Consi- dered in this point of view, even if they were worth only the £8400 to others, they were £10,000 to us. The large- ness of the price arising from the activity of the contest only serves to show the value of the property. - Had at the same time the agreeable intelligence that the ^ It was thus that the scenery compose the Lady of (he Labi was of Loch Katrine came to be a la)}our of love, and no less so to so associated with the i-ecoUection recall the manners and incidents in- of many a dear friend and merry trodiiced. — L^!/<', vol. i. p. *296. expedition of former days, that to - Seenote, Jan. S, lSl.'8, pp. oi21-'2. 504 JOUKNAL. [Dec. octavo sets, wliicli were bouglit by Hurst and Company at a depreciated rate, are now rising in the marlcet, and that in- stead of 1500 sold, they have sold upwards of 2000 copies. This mass will therefore in all probability be worn away in a few months and then our operations may commence. On the whole, I am greatly pleased with the acquisition. If this first series be worth £8400, the remaining books must be worth £10,000, and then there is M^yolcon, which is gliding away daily, for which I would not take the same sum, which would come to £24,200 in all for copyrights; besides £20,000 payable by insurance,^ Add the value of my books and furniture, plate, etc., there would be £50,000. So this may be considered my present progress. There will still remain upwards of £35,000. "Heaven's arm strike with us — 'tis a fearful odds."- Yet with health and continued popularity there are chances in my favour. Dine at James Ballantyne's, and happy man is he at the result of the sale ; indeed it must have been the making or marring of him. Sir Henry Steuart there, who " fooled me to the top of my bent." Decemher 21. — A very sweet pretty -looking young lady, the Prima Donna of the Italian Opera, now performing here, by name Miss Ayton,^ came to breakfast this morning, with her father, (a bore, after the manner of all fathers, mothers, aunts, and other chaperons of pretty actresses)! Miss Ayton talks very })rettily, and, I dare say, sings beauti- fully, though tuo much in the Italian manner, I fear, to be a great favourite of mine. But 1 did not hear lier, being called away by the Clerk's coach. I am like Jeremy in Love for Love^ — have a reasonable good ear for a jig, but your solos and sonatas give me the spleen. * On liis own life. day intimate the "Second appear- ,^ . . ,, ., ance of Miss Fanny Ayton, Prima 2 hiic Hcnni I ., Act iv. 8c. .5. ,, , j.i t- < mi i d •' ' Donna of the Knig s Iheatre. 3 Tlie Edinburgh phiy-l.ills of the * By Congrevc— Act ii. Sc. 7. 1827.] JOUEKAL. 505 Called at Cadell's, who is still enamoured of his bar"ain, and with good reason, as the London booksellers were offer- ing him £1000 or £2000 to give it up to thenh He also ascertained that all the copies with which Hurst and Eobinson loaded the market would be off in a half year. Make us thankful ! the weather is clearing to windward. Cadell is cautious, steady, and hears good counsel; and Gibson quite inclined, were I too confident, to keep a good look-out ahead. December 22. — Public affairs look awkward. The present Ministry are neither Whig nor Tory, and, divested of the support of either of the great parties of the State, stand supported by the will of the sovereign alone. This is not constitutional, and though it may be a temporary augmenta- tion of the sovereign's personal influence, yet it cannot but prove hurtful to the Crown upon the whole, by tending to throw that responsibility on the Sovereign of which the law has deprived him. I pray to Clod I may be wrong, but an attempt to govern ixtr lascidc — by trimming betwixt the opposite parties — is equally unsafe for the crown and detri- mental to the country, and cannot do for a long time. The fact seems to be that Lord Goderich, a well-meaning and timid man, finds himself on a precipice — that his head is grown dizzy and he endeavours to cling to the person next him. This person is Lord Lansdowne, who he hopes may support him in the House of Lords against Lord Grey, so he proposes to bring Lord Lansdowne into the Cabinet. Lord G. resigns, and his resignation is accepted. Lord Harrowby is tlien asked to place himself at the head of a new Administration, — declines. The tried abilities of IMarquis Wellesley are next applied to ; it seems he also declines, and then Lord Goderich comes back, his point abmit Lord Lansdowne having failed, and his threatened resignation goes for nothing. This nuist lower the I'remicr in the eyes of every one. It is plain the K. will not accept the Whigs; it is equally plain that he 506 JOUPtNAL. [Dec. lias not made a move towards the Tories, and that with a neutral administration, this country, hard ruled at any time, can be long governed, I, for one, cannot believe. God send the good King, to whom I owe so much, as safe and honourable extrication as the circumstances render pos- sible.^ After Court Anne set out for Abbotsford with the Miss Kerrs. I came off at three o'clock to Arniston, where I found Lord Eegister and lady, E. Dundas and lady, Eobt. Adam Dundas, Durham of Calderwood and lady, old and young friends. Charles came with me. December 23, — "Went to church to Borthwick with the family, and heard a well-composed, well-delivered, sensible discourse from Mr, Wright,^ the clergyman — a different sort of person, I wot, from my old half-mad, half-drunken, little hump-back acquaintance Clunie,^ renowned for singing " The Auld Man's Mear 's dead," and from the circumstance of his being once interrupted in his minstrelsy by the information that his own horse had died in the stable. After sermon we looked at the old castle, which made me an old man. The castle was not a bit older for the twenty-live years v/hich had passed away, but the ruins of the visitor were very apparent ; to climb up round stair- 1 The dissolution of the (^loderich much beloved and respected ; he Cabinet confii-med very soon these died on 13th March 1855 in his shrewd guesses ; and Sir Walter seventy-first year, anticipated nothing l)ut good from ^ Rev. Jolin Clunie, Mr. Wright's tlie Premiership of the Duke of predecessor in the parish, of whom Wellington. — Life, vol, ix. p. 18(3. many absurd stories were told, '-' The Ee\^ Thonuis Wright was appears to have been an enthusi- niinister of Borthwick from 1S17 to astic lover of Scottish songs, as 1841, when he was deposed on the Burns in 1794 says it was owing to ground of alleged heresy. His his singing Crf' the yoices to the works, The True Plan of a Liviiuj knoives so clinrniingly that he took T(ivxiile,Moi-Hin(jandEvtnin(jSacri- it down from his voice, and sent fice, Farewell to 'Time, My Old Hotise, it to Mr. Thomson. — Currie's Burns, etc., were published anonymously. vol. iv. p. KiO, and Chambers's Mr. Wright lived in I'^dinburgli for Sco//i-. K 1828 J A N U A r. Y. " As I walked by myself, I talked to myself, And thus myself said to me." January 1.— Since the 20tli November 1825, for two months that is, and two years, I have kept this custom of a diary. That it has made me wiser or better I dare not say, but it shows by its progress that I am capable of keeping a resolution. Perhaps I should not congratulate myself on this ; perhaps it only serves to show I am more a man of method and less a man of originality, and have no longer that vivacity of fancy that is inconsistent with regular labour. Still, should this be the case, I should, having lost the one, be happy to find myself still possessed of the other. January 2. — Ccecoi mentes homimim. — My last entry records my punctuality in keeping up my diary hitherto ; my present labour, commenced notwithstanding the date, upon the 9th January, is to make up my little lecord betwixt the second and that latter date. In a word, I have been several days in arrear without rhyme or reason, — days too when there was so little to write down that the least jotting would have done it. This must not be in future. January 3. — Our friends begin to disperse. Mrs. Ellis, who lias been indisposed for the last two days, will I hope bear her journey to London well. She is tlie relict of niy dear old friend George Ellis, ^ who had more wit, learning, and knowledge of the world than would fit out twenty ^ To wliom Scott aLldresscd tlic fiftli canto of Marmion. 517 518 JOURNAL. ' [Jax. literati. The Hardens remained to-day, and T had a long walk with the laird np the Glen, and so forth. He seemed a little tired, and, witli all due devotion to my Chief, I was not sorry to triumph over some one in point of activity at my time of day. January 4. — Visited by Mr, Stewart of Dalguise, who came to collect materials for a description of Abbotsford, to be given with a drawing in a large work, Vieics of Gentle- men's Scats. Mr. Stewart is a well-informed gentleman-like young man, grave and quiet, yet possessed of a sense of humour. I must take care he does not in civility over-puff my little assemblage of curiosities. Scarce anything can be meaner than the vanity which details the contents of China closets, — basins, ewers, and chamberpots. Horace Walpole, with all his talents, makes a silly figure when he gives an upholsterer's catalogue of his goods and chattels at Strawberry Hill. January 5. — This day I began to review Taschereau's Life of Molib'c for Mr. Gillies, who is crying help for God's sake. Messrs. Treuttel and Wurtz offer guerdon. I shall accept, because it is doing Gillies no good to let him have my labour for nothing, and an article is about £100. In my pocket it may form a fund to help this poor gentleman or others at a pinch ; in his, I fear it would only encourage a neglect of sober economy. Wlien in his prosperity he asked me whether there was not, in my opinion, something interest- ing in a man of genius being in embarrassed circumstances. God knows he has had enough of them since, poor fellow ; and it should be remembered that if he thus dallied with his good fortune, his benevolence to others was boundless. We had the agreeable intelligence of Sophia being safely delivered of a girl ; the mother and child doing well. Praised be G(til ! January C. — T liave :i, hitter from the Duke of Wellington, making no pvomises, but assuring nu; of a favourable con- 1828.] JOUPtNAL. 519 sideration of Walter's case, slinuld nu opening occur for the majority. This same sfcp is represented as tlie most important, but so in their time were tlie lieutenancy and the troop. Each in its turn was f/ic. step 2^ar excellence. It appears that these same steps are tliosc of a treadmill, where the party is always ascending and never gains tlie top. But the same simile would suit most pursuits in life. The Misses Kerr left us on Friday — two charming young persons, well-looked, well-mannered, and well-born; above all, well-principled. They sing together in a very delightful manner, and our evenings are the duller without them. I am annoyed beyond measure with the idle intrusion of voluntary correspondents ; each man wbo has a pen, ink, and sheet of foolscap to spare, flies a letter at me. I believe the postage costs me £100 [a year], besides innumerable franks; and all the letters regard the writer's own hopes or projects, or are filled with unasked advice or extravagant requests. I think this evil increases rather than diminishes. On the other hand, I must fairly own that I have received many com- munications in this way worth all the trouble and expense that the others cost me, so I must " lay the head of the sow to the tail of the grice," as the proverb elegantly expresses itself. News again of Sophia and baby. jNIrs. Hughes thinks the infant a beauty. Johnnie opines that it is not re'ri/ pretty, and grandpapa supposes it to be like other new-born children, which are as like as a basket of oranges. January 7. — Wrought at the review, and finished a good lot of it. Mr. Stewart left us, amply provided with the history of Abbotsford and its contents. It is a kind of Conundrum Castle to be sure, and I have great pleasure in it, for while it pleases a fantastic person in the style and manner of its architecture and decoration, it has all the comforts of a commodious habitation. Besides the review, I have been for this week busily employed in revising for the press the 2\des of a Grandfather. 520 JOUENAL. [Jan. Cadell rather wished to rush it out hy employing three different presses, hut this / o^ejiresscd (smoke the pun!). I will not have poor James Ballantyne driven off the phink to which we are all three clinging.^ I have made great additions to volume first, and several of these Talcs ; and I care not who knows it, I think well of them. Nay, I will hash history with anybody, be he who he will.- I do not know but it would be wise to let romantic composition rest, and turn my mind to the history of England, France, and Ireland, to be da capo rota'd, as well as that of Scotland. Men would laugh at me as an author for Mr. Newbery's shop in Paul's Churchyard. I should care little for that. Virginihus puerisque. I would as soon compose histories for boys and girls, which may be useful, as fictions for children of a larger growth, which can at best be only idle folk's entertainment. But write what I will, or to whom I will, I am doggedly determined to write myself out of the present scrape by any labour that is fair and honest. January 8. — Despatched iny review (in part), and in the morning walked from Chiefswood, all about the shearing flats, and home by the new walk, which I have called the Bride's Walk, because Jane was nearly stuck fast in the bog there, just after her marriage, in the beginning of 1825. ^ See letter to R. Cadell, Life, library, the Ijoiuloir, the scliool- vol. ix. p. 209. room, and the nursery; it is adopted 2 "The lirst Tales of a Grand- as the liaj^piest of manuals, not father [as has already been said] only in Scotland, but wherever the appeared early in December, and English tongue is spoken ; nay, it their reception was more rapturous is to be seen in the Iiands of old than that of anyone of his works and young all over the civilised since Ivanhoe. He had solved world, and has, I have little dou))t, for the first time the problem extended the knowledge of Scottisli of narrating history, so as at once history in quarters where little or to excite and gratify tlie curiosity no interest had ever before been of youth, and i^Iease and instruct awakened as to any other parts of the wisest of mature minds. The that suliject except tiiose im- popularity of tlic book has grown mediately connected with Mary with every year that has since Stuart and the Chevalier." — Life, elapsed; it is equally prized in the vol. ix, pp. 186-7. 1828.] JOURNAL. 521 My post brings serious intelligence to-day, aiul of a very pleasing description. Longman and Coni])any, with a reserve which marks all their proceedings, suddenly inform Mr. Gibson that they desire 1000 of the 8vo edition of ^SV. Ronan's Well, and the sul3sequent series of Novels thereunto belong- ing, for that they have only seven remaining, and wish it to be sent to their printers, and pushed out in three months. Thus this great house, without giving any previous notice of the state of the sale, expect all to be boot and saddle, horse and away, whenever they give the signal. In the present case this may do, because I will make neither alteration nor addition till our grand opui^, the Improved Edition, goes to press. But ought we to go to press with this 1000 copies knowing that our project will supersede and render equiva- lent to waste paper such of them as may not reach the public before our plan is publicly known and begins to operate ? I have, I acknowledge, doubt as to this. No doubt I feel perfectly justified in letting Longman and Co. look to their own interest, since they have neither consulted me nor attended to mine. But the loss might extend to the retail booksellers ; and to hurt the men through whom my works are ultimately to find their way to the public would be both unjust and impolitic. On the contrary, if the St. Ronan Series be hurried out immediately, there is time enough perhaps to sell it off before the Improved Edition appears. In the meantime it appears that the popularity of these works is increasing rather than diminishing, that the measure of securing the copyrights was most judicious, and that, with proper management, things will work them- selves round. Successful first editions are good, but Ihey require exertion and imply fresh risk of reputation. But repeated editions tell only to the agreeable part of litera- ture.^ ^ It may be remarked at this lias been sustained by the public de- point hoM- the value of these works luaiul during the term of legal cojjy- 522 JOUENAL. [Jan. T.ongman and Company have also at Icngtli opened their oracular jaws on the subject of Bonaparir, and acknowledged its rapid sale, and the probable exhaustion of the present edition. These tidings, with the success of the Tcdei^, "speak of Africa and golden joys."^ But the tidings arriving after dinner rather discomposed me. In the evening I wrote to Cadell and Ballantyne at length, proposing a meeting at my house on Tuesday first, to hold a privy council. January 9. — My first reflection was on Napoleon. I will not be hurried in my corrections of that work; and that I may not be so, I will begin them the instant that I have finished the review. It makes me tremble to think of the mass of letters I have to look through in order to select all those which affect the subject of Ncqiolcon^ and which, in spite of numerous excellent resolutions, I have never separ- ated from the common file from which they are now to bo selected. Confound them ! ]jut they arc confounded alread}-. Indolence is a delightful indulgence, but at what a rate we right and since that date. That of works, including stereotypes, steels, wood- Tir J • 1 ■ ^o-o „ 1 +1 „ cuts, etc., to a very large meeting of the Wcvverley expired in LS,)G, and the , ,'. , ' „ ^, . ^ ° ... . r 1 publisliers of tins country. After one or others at forty-two years from the ^^^^ ^j. ^„^ leading jirms had retired from date of publication. the contest, the lot was bouglit in for, wo Ou December 19, 1827, the copy- believe, £15,500. This sum did not include right of the Novels from Waverky «ie stock ou hand, valued at £10,000. . ^ . T^ , • 1 However, the fact is that the Trustees have to Quenttn Durioard was acquired, ^.^.^^^^j^^ ^^f,,^^^^ ^25,000 for the stock, as mentioned in the text, for copyrights, etc., of Scott's works." £8400 as a joint purchase. Five Messrs. A. & C. Black in 1851 yearslater, viz., in 1832, Mr. Cadell purchased the property at nearly purchased from Sir Walter's re- ^he same price, viz. :— Copyriglit, presentatives, for about £40,000, £i7^000 ; stock, £10,000— in all, the author's share in stock and £27,000. Mr. Francis Black, wlio entire copyrights ! h^s kindly given me information Nineteen years afterwards, viz., regarding the sale of these works, on the 26th March 1851 (after Mr. tg]]g ,„(. ^1,^^ of tlie volumes of one Cadell's death), the stock and copy- „f t],^ cheaper issues al)out three rights were exposed for sale by ,„iliions liave been sold since 1851. auction in London, regarding whicii 'j-i,!^^ ^f course, is independent of a Trade Journal of the date says— ^^Xxgv publishers' editions in Great "Mr. Hodgson offered for sale the whole B>ritain, the Continent, and America of the copyriglits of Sir Walter Scott's ' 2 Jleiinj IV., Act V. Sc. 3. 1828.] JOUENAL. 523 purchase it! To-day we go to Mortonii, and liaviii,i;' sjicut some time iu maldiig up my Journal to tlii.s lengtli, and in a chat with Captain John, wlio dropped in, I will presently set to the review — knock it off, if possible, before we start at five o'clock. To-morrow, when I return, we will begin the disagreeable task of a thorough runnnage of papers, books, and documents. My character as a man of letters, and as a man of honour, depends on my making that worlc as correct as possible. It has succeeded, notwithstanding every effort here and in France^ to put it down, and it shall not lose ground for want of backing. AVe went to dine and pass the night at Mertoun, where we met Sir John Pringle, Mr. and Mrs. Baillie Mellerstain, and their daughters. January 10. — "When I rose this morning the weather was chanfred and the ground covered with snow. I am sure it 's ^vinter fairly. We returned from Mertoun after breakfast through an incipient snowstorm, coming on partially, and in great flakes, the sun bursting at intervals through the clouds. At last Bic IVolkcn laiifcn zusammcn. We made a slow journey of it through the swollen river and heavy roads, but here we are at last. .[ am rather sorry we expect friends to-day, though these friends be the good Fergusons. I liave a humour for work, to which the sober, sad uniformity of a snowy day always particularly disposes me, and I am sure I will get poor Gillies off my hand, at least if I had morning and evening. Then I would set to work with arranging everything for these second editions of Na}xjli:un, The Romances, etc., which must be soon got afloat. I nmst say "the wark gangs ^ Iu an interesting letter to Scott It would be impossible to write the from Fenimore Cooper, dated >Sept. truth on such a subject and please 12th, 1827, he tells him " that the this nation. One frothy gentleman French abuse you a little, but as denounced you in my presence as they began to do this, to my certain having a low, vulgar style, very knowledge, five months before the mucl\ such an one as characterised book was published, you have no the pen of Sluihcspeare ! " gi'eat reason to regard theiroriticism. 524 ■ JOUENAL, [,Tak. bonnilj on." ^ Well, I will ring for coals, mend my pen, and try what can be done. I wrought accordingly on Gillies's review for the Life of Molierc, a gallant snbject. I am only sorry I have not time to do it justice. It would have required a complete re-perusal of his works, for M'hich, alas ! I have no leisure. " For long, though pleasant, is the way, And life, alas ! allows but one ill winter's day." Which is too literally my own case. January 11. — Eenewed my labour, finished the review, talis qualis, and sent it off. Commenced then my infernal work of putting to rights. Much cry and little woo', as the deil said when he shore the sow. But I have detected one or two things that had escaped me, and may do more to- morrow. I observe by a letter from Mr. Cadell that I had somewhat misunderstood his last. It is he, not Longman, that wishes to publish the thousand copies of St. Bonan's Series, and there is no immediate call for Napoleon. This makes little difference in my computation. The pressing necessity of correction is put off for two or three months probably, and I have time to turn myself to the Chronicles. I do not much like the task, but when did I ever like labour of any kind ? My hands were fully occupied to-day with writing letters and adjusting papers — both a great bore. The news from London assure a change of ]\Iinistry. The old Tories come in play. But I hope they will com- promise nothing. There is little danger since Wellington takes the lead. January 12. — My expenses have been considetably more than I expected ; but I think that, having done so ^ A proveib having its rise from followers. — Wishart's Montrose, an exclamation made by Mr. David quoting from Guthrie's Memoirs, Dick, a Covenanter, on witnessing p. 182. the execution of some of Montrose's 1828.] JOUENAL. 525 much, I need uot uudergo the mortiiicatioii of giving up Abbotsford and parting with my old habits and servants.^ January 13, \Edinhurgli\. — We had a slow and tiresome retreat from Abbotsford through the worst of weather, half- sleet, half-snow. Dined with the Eoyal Society Club, and, being an anniversary, sat till nine o'clock, instead of half- past seven. January 1 4. — I read Cooper's new novel, The Reel Rover ; the current of it rolls entirely upon the ocean. Something there is too much of nautical language ; in fact, it over- powers everything else. But, so people once take an interest in a description, they will swallow a great deal which they do not understand. The sweet word " Mesopotamia " has its charm in other compositions as well as in sermons. He has much genius, a powerful conception of character, and force of execution. The same ideas, I see, recur upon him that haunt other folks. The graceful form of the spars, and the tracery of the ropes and cordage against the sky, is too often dwelt upon. JaniuLry 15. — This day the Court sat down. I missed my good friend Colin JMackenzie, who proposes to retire, from indifferent health. A better man never lived — eager to serve every one — a safeguard over all public business which came through his hands. As Deputy-Keeper of the Signet he will be much missed. He had a patience in listening to every one which is of the [highest consequence] in the management of a public body ; for many men care less to gain their point than they do to play the orator, and be listened to for a certain time. This done, and due 1 Scott's biographer records his wages. Old Peter, who had been admiration for the manner in forfive-and-twenty years a dignified which all his dependants met the coachman, was now ploughman in reverse of their master's fortunes. ordinary ; only putting his horses The butler, instead of being the easy to tlio carriage on high and rare chief of a large establishment, was occasions ; and so on with all that now doing half the work of the remained of the ancient train, and house at ])robaljly half his former all seemed happier. 526 JOUKNAL. [Jan. quantity of personal consideration Leing gained, the in- dividual orator is usually satisfied with the reasons of the civil listener, who has suffered him to enjoy his hour of consequence. I attended the Court, but there was very little for me to do. The snowy weather has annoyed my fingers with chilblains, and I have a threatening of rheumatism — which Heaven avert ! James Ballantyne and Mr. Cadell dined with me to-day and talked me into a good humour with my present task, which I had laid aside in disgust. It must, however, be done, though I am loth to begin to it again. January 16. — Again returned early, and found my way home with some difficulty. The weather — a black frost powdered with snow, my fingers suffering much and my knee very stiff. When I came home, I set to work, but not to the Chronicles. I found a less harassing occupation in correcting a volume or two of Ncqwleon in a rougli way. My indolence, if I can call it so, is of a capricious kind. It never makes me absolutely idle, but xavy often inclines me — as it were from mere contradiction's sake — to exchanfre the task of the day for something which I am not obliged to do at the moment, or perhaps not at all. January 17. — My knee so swelled and the weather so cold that I stayed from Court. I nibbled for an liour or two at Napoleon, then took handsomely to my gear, and wrote with great ease and Ikiency six pages of the Chronicles. If they arc but tolerable I shall be satisfied. In fact, such as they are, they must do, for I shall get warm as I work, as has happened on former occasions. The fact is, I scarce know what is to succeed or not ; but this is the consequence of writing too much and too often. I must get some breathing space. lUit how is that to be managed ? There is tlie rul). January 18-1 !J. -IleniaineLl still at lionic, ami wroiiglit hard. The fouuLain trickles free euouuh. but Cod knows 1828.] JOUKNAL. 527 whether the waters will be worth (biiildng. However, 1 have finished a good deal of hard work, — that's the humour of it. January 20. — Wrought hard in the forenoon. At dinner we had Helen Erskine, — whom circumstanees lead to go to India in search of the domestic affection which she cannot find here, — Mrs. George Swinton, and two young strangers : one, a son of my old friend Dr. Stoddart of the Times, a well- mannered and intelligent youth, the other that unnatural character, a tame Irishman, resembling a formal Englishman. January 2 1 . — This morning I sent J. B. as far as page forty-three, being fully two-thirds of the volume. Tlie rest I will drive on, trusting that, contrary to the liberated posthorso in John Gilpin, the luniljer of the wheels rattling behind me may put spirit in the pour brute who has to drag it. Mr. and Mrs. Moscheles were here at breakfast. She is a very pretty little Jewess ; he one of the greatest performers on the pianoforte of the day, — certainly most surprising and, what I rather did not expect, pleasing. I have this day the melancholy news of Glengarry's death, and was greatly shocked. The eccentric parts of his character, the pretensions which he supported with violence and assumption of rank and authority, were obvious subjects of censure and ridicule, which in some points were not un- deserved. He played the part of a chieftain too nigh the life to be popular among an altered race, with whom he thought, felt, and acted, I may say in right and wrong, as a chieftain of a hundred years since would have done, while his conduct was viewed entirely by modern eyes, and tried by modern rules.^ January 22. — I am, I find, in serious danger of losing the habit of my Journal; and, having carried it on so long, that would be pity. Lut I am now, on the 1st Eebruary, fishing for the lost recollections of the days since the 21st January. 1 Ante, p. ICO. 528 JOURNAL. [Jan. Luckily there is not very much to remember or forget, and perhaps the best way would be to skip and go on, January 23. — Being a Teind day, I had a good oppor- tunity of work. I should have said I had given breakfast on the 21st to Mr. and Mrs. Moscheles ; she a beautiful young creature, " and one that adores me," as Sir Toby says,^ — that is, in my poetical capacity ; — in fact, a frank and amiable young person. I liked Mr. Moscheles' playing better than I could have expected, considering my own bad ear. But perhaps I flatter myself, and think I understood it better than I did. Perhaps I have not done myself justice, and know more of music than I thought I did. But it seems to me that his variations have a more decided style of originality than those I have commonly heard, which have all the signs of a da capo rota. Dined at Sir Archibald Campbell's,^ and drank rather more wine than usual in a sober way. To be sure, it was excellent, and some old acquaintances proved a good excuse for the glass. . January 24. — I took a perverse lit to-day, and went off to write notes, et cetera, on Guy Mannering. This was perverse enough ; but it was a composition between humour and duty ; and as such, let it pass. January 25. — I went on working, sometimes at my legitimate labours, sometimes at my jobs of Notes, but still working faithfully, in good spirits, and contented. Huntly Gordon has disposed of the two sermons^ to the bookseller Colburn for £250 — well sold, I think — and is to go forth immediately. The man is a puffing quack; l>ut though I would rather the thing had not gone there, and far rather that it had gone nowhere, yet, hang it ! if it makes the I Tiodjlh Nifjht, Act ii. Sc. .3. 206. Tlicy -were issued in a thin - Sir ArchibakI Caiupbell of Sue- octavo vol. uiulor the title Rdhjious coth. He lived at 1 Park Place. DiscoumeH, by a Layman, with a •* The circumstances under ^^hicll shoit Preface sigiud W. S. There these .sermons were written are fully were more editions than one pub- detailed in the Life, vol. ix. pp. I9.S, lished dunug IS"2S. 1828.] JOUENAL. 529 poor lad easy, ^vliat needs I fret about it ? After all, there would be little gain in doing a kind thing, if you did not suffer pain or inconvenience upon the score. January 26. — Being Saturday, attended Mr. Moscheles' concert, and was amused ; the more so that I had Mrs. M. herself to flirt a little with. To have so much beauty as she really possesses, and to be accomplished and well-read, she is an unaffected and pleasant person. ]\Ir. Moscheles gives lessons at two guineas by the hour, and he has actually found scholars in this poor country. One of them at least (Mrs. -John Murray) may derive advantage from his instructions ; for I observe his mode of fingering is very peculiar, as he seems to me to employ the fingers of the same hand in playing the melody and managing the bass at the same time, which is surely most uncommon. I presided at the Celtic Society's dinner to-day, and proposed Glengarry's memory, which, although there had been a rough dispute with the Celts and the poor Chief, was very well received. I like to see men think and bear them- selves like men. There were fewer in the tartan than usual — which was wrong. January 27. — Wrought manfully at the Chronicles all this day and have nothing to jot down ; only I forgot that I lost my lawsuit some day last week or the week before. The fellow therefore gets his money, plack and bawbee, but it 's always a troublesome claim settled,^ and there can be no other of the same kind, as every other creditor has accepted the composition of 7.s. in the £, which my exertions liave enabled me to pay them. About £20,000 of the fund had been created by my own exertions since the bankruptcy took place, and I had a letter from Donald Home, by commission of the creditors, to express their sense of my exertions in their behalf. All this is consolatory. January 28. — I am in the scraj^e of sitting for my picture, and had to repair for two liours to-day to Mr. Colviu 1 A »(<>, p. 479. 2L 530 JOUENAL. [Jan. Smith — Lord Gillies's nephew. The Chief Baron ^ had the kindness to sit with me great part of the time, as the Chief Commissioner had done on a late occasion. The picture is for the Chief Commissioner, and the Chief Baron desires a copy. I trust it will be a good one. At home in the evening, and wrote. I am well on before the press, notwith- standing late hours, lassitude, and laziness. I have read Cooper's Prairie — better, I think, than his Red Rover, in which you never get foot on shore, and to understand entirely the incidents of the story it requires too much knowledge of nautical language. It 's very clever, though.^ January 29. — This day at the Court, and wrote letters at home, besides making a visit or two — rare things with me. I have an invitation from Messrs Saunders and Otley, book- sellers, offering me from £1500 to £2000 annually to conduct a journal ; but I am their humble servant. I am too indolent to stand to that sort of work, and I must preserve the undisturbed use of my leisure, and possess my soul in quiet. A large income is not my object; I must clear my debts ; and that is to be done by writing things of which I can retain the property. Made my excuses accordingly. January 30. — After Court hours I had a visit from ]\Ir. Charles Heath, the engraver, accompanied by a son of Reynolds the dramatist. His object was to engage me to take charge as editor of a yearly publication called The Keepsake, of which the plates are beyond comparison beaiitiful, but the letter-press indifferent enougli. He pro- posed £800 a year if I would become editor, and £400 if I would contribute from seventy to one hundred pages. I declined both, but told him I might give him some trifling ^ Sir Samuel Shepherd. ami he writes to Scott in tlie autumn " Mr. Cooper did not relax liis of 1827: "This, sir, is a pitiful ac- efforts to secure Scott an in- count of a project from which I terest in his works reprinted in e.\j>uctedsoiiietliing more just to you America, but he was not successful, and crcditahlc to my country." 1828.] JOURNAL. 531 thing or other, and asked the young men to breakfast the next day. Worked away in the evening and completed, " in a way and in a manner," the notes on G^iy Manner ing. The first volume of the Chronicles is now in Ballantyne's hands, all but a leaf or two. Am I satisfied with my exertions ? So so. Will the public be pleased with them ? Umph ! I doubt the bubble will burst. While it is current, however, it is clear I should stand by it. Each novel of three volumes brings £4000, and I remain proprietor of the mine when the first ore is cropped out. This promises a good harvest, from what we have experienced. Now, to become a stipendiary editor of a New-Year's Gift-Book is not to be thought of, nor could I agree to work for any quantity of supply to such a publication. Even the pecuniary view is not flattering, thouo'h these gentlemen meant it should be so. But one hundred of their close-printed pages, for which they offer £400, is not nearly equal to one volume of a novel, for which I get £1300, and have the reversion of the copyright. No, I may give them a trifle for nothing, or sell them an article for a round price, but no permanent engagement will I make. Being the Martyrdom, there was no Court. I wrought away with what appetite I could. January 31. — I received the young gentlemen to break- fast and expressed my resolution, which seemed to dis- appoint them, as perhaps they expected I should have been glad of such an offer. However, I have since thought there are these rejected parts of the Chronicles, which Cadell and Ballantyne criticised so severely, which might well enougli make up a trifle of this kind, and settle the few accounts which, will I nill I, have crept in this New Year. So I have kept the treaty open. If I give them 100 pages I shoidd expect £500. I was late at the Court and had little time to write any till after dinner, and then was not in the vein ; so com- mentated. FEBRUARY. February 1. — I had my two youths again to breakfast, but I did not say more about my determination, save that I would help them if I could make it convenient. The Chief Commissioner has agreed to let Heath have his pretty picture of a Study at Abbotsford, by Edwin Landseer, in which old Maida occurs. The youth Reynolds is what one would suppose his father's son to be, smart and forward, and knows the world. T suppose I was too much fagged with sitting in the Court to-day to write hard after dinner, but I did work, however. February 2. — Corrected proofs, which are now nearly up with me. This day was an idle one, for I remained in Court till one, and sat for my picture till half-past three to Mr. Smith. He has all the steadiness and sense in appearance which his cousin R. P. G. lacks.-^ Whether he has genius or no, I am no judge. My own portrait is like, but I thiidc too broad about the jowls, a fault which they all fall into, as I suppose, by placing their subject upon a high stage and looking upwards to them, which must foreshorten the face. The Chief Baron and Chief Commissioner had the good- ness to sit with me. Dressed and went with Anne to dine at Pinkie House, where I met the President,- Lady Charlotte, etc. ; above all, Mrs. Scott of Gala, whom I had not seen for some time. AVe had much fun, and I was, as Sir Andrew Aguecheek ^ Mr. Colvin Smith painted in all of tlie persons who commissioned about twenty poitraits of Sir them is given at p. 7.S of tlie Gen- Walter, for seven of which he ob- tcnary Cataloijue. tained occasional sittings. A list ^ Xhe Eight lion. Charles Hope. .^.32 1828.] JOUENAL. 533 says, in good fooling.^ A lively rjcnch girl, a governess I think, but very pretty and animated, seemed much amused with the old gentleman. Home at eleven o'clock. By the by, Sir John Hope had found a lloman eagle on his estate in life with sundry of those pots and coffee- pots, so to speak, which are so connnon : but the eagle was mislaid, so I did not see it. February 3. — I corrected proofs and wrote this morning, — but slowly, heavily, lazily. There was a mist on my mind which my exertions could not dispel. I did not get two pages finished, but I corrected proofs and commentated. February 4. — Wrote a little and was obliged to correct the Moliere affair for E. P. G. I think his plan cannot go on much longer with so much weakness at the helm. A clever fellow would make it take the field with a vengeance, but poor G. will run in debt with the booksellers and let all go to the devil. I sent a long letter to Lockhart, received from Horace Smith, very gentlemanlike and well-written, complaining that Mr. Leigh Hunt had mixed him up, in his Life of Byron, with Slielley as if he had shared his ir- religious opinions. Leigh Hunt afterwards at the request of Smith published a swaggering contradiction of the in- ference to be derived from the way in which he has named them together. Horatio Smith seems not to ha\'o relied upon his disclamation, as he has requested me to mention the thing to John Lockhart, and to some one influential about Ebony, which I have done accordingly. February 5. — Concluded the first volume before breakfast. I am but indifferently pleased ; either the kind of thing is worn out, or I am worn out myself, or, lastly, I am stupid for the time. The book must be finished, however. Cadell is greatly pleased with annotations intended for the new edition of the Waverley series. I believe that work nnist be soon sent to press, which would put a poiverful wheel in 1 Twelfth Night, Act ii. Sc. 3. 534 JOUENAL. [Feb. motion to clear the ship. I went to the Parliament House, and in return strolled into Cadell's, being rather anxious to prolong my walk, for I fear the constant sitting for so many- hours. When I returned, the Duke of Buccleuch came in. He is looking very well, and stout, but melancholy about his sister, Lady Charlotte Stopford. He is fitting up a part of Bowhill and intends to shoot there this year. God send him life and health, for it is of immense consequence. February 6. — This and visits wasted my time till past two, and then I slept half-an-hour from mere exhaustion. Went in the evening to the play, and saw that good old thing, an English tragedy, well got up. It was Venice Pre- served. Mrs. H. Siddons played Belvidera with much truth, feelinfj, and tenderness, thouirh short of her mother-in-law's uncommon majesty, which is a thing never to be forgotten. Mr. Young played Pierre very well, and a good Jaffier was supplied l)y a Mr. Vandenhoff. And so the day glided by ; only three pages written, which, however, is a fair task. February 7. — It was a Teind day, so no Court, but very little work. I wrote this morning till the boy made his appearance for proofs ; then I had letters to write. Item, at five o'clock I set out with Charles for Dalkeith to present him to the young Duke. I asked the Duke about poor Hogg. I think he has decided to take Mr. Eiddell's opinion ; it is unlucky the poor fellow has ever taken that large and dear farm.^ Altogether Dalkeith was melancholy to-night, and I could not raise my spirits at all. February 8. — I had a little work before dinner, but we are only seven pages into volume second. It is always a beginning, however ; perhaps not a good one — I cainiot tell. I went out to call on Gala and Jack llutherfurd of Edgers- toun ; saw the former, not the latter. Gala is getting much better. He talked as if the increase of his villatre was like to Mount Benger, wiiich he had taken in 18120. — '&qq ante, page 510. 1828.] JOUENAL. 535 • drive him over the hill to the Abbotsford side, ^vhicll would greatly beautify that side and certainly change his residence for the better, only that he must remain some time without any appearance of plantation. The view would be enchanting. I was tempted to buy a picture of Nell Gywnne,^ which I think has merit; at least it pleases me. Seven or eight years ago Graham of Gartmore bid for it against me, and I gave it up at twenty-five guineas. I have now bought it for £18, 18s. Perhaps there was folly in this, but I reckoned it a token of good luck that I should succeed in a wish I had formerly harboured, in vain. I love marks of good luck even in trifles. February 9. — Sent off three leaves of copy ; this is using the press like the famished sailor who was fed by a comrade with shell-fish by one at a time. But better anything than stop, for the devil is to get set a-going again. I knoXv no more than my old boots whether I am right or wrong, but have no very favourable anticipations. As I came home from the Court about twelve I stepped into the Exhibition. It makes a very good show ; the portraits are better than last year, those of Colvin Smith and "Watson Gordon especially improve. Landseer's Study at Abbotsford is in a capital light, and generally admired. I particularly distinguished John Thomson's picture of Turn- berry, which is of first-rate excellence. A picture by Scrope was also generally distinguished. It is a view in Calabria. There is a rival Exhibition which does not hurt the earlier foundation, but rather excites emulation. I am told there are good paintings there. I came home with little good-will to work, but I will compel myself to do something. Unluckily, I have again to go out to dinner to-day, being President of the Pannatyne. The dinner was a pleasant one ; about thirty members * It now hangs in the Drawing-room at Abbotsford. — See Sharpe's Letters, vol. ii. p. 408. 536 JOUENAL. [Feb. • attended. I kept the chair till near eleven, and the com- pany were very joyous. February 10. — I set myself doggedly to work, and turned off six leaves before dinner. Had to dinner Sir John Pringle, my dear Gala and his lady, and young Mackenzie and Miss Jardine. I was quite pleased to see Gala so well recovered of the consequences of his frightful fall, which hung about him so long. He is one of the kindest and best-informed men whom I know. February 11. — I had Charles Young ^ to breakfast with us, who gave us some striking anecdotes of Talma during the Eeign of Terror, which may figure in Napoleon to great advantage. My son Charles left us this morning to take possession of his situation in the Foreign Office. He has been very lucky. Correcting sheets, etc., took up the morning hours. I wrote three leaves before two o'clock. Day bitter cold — with snow, a strong contrast to the mild weather we had last week. Salutation of two old Scottish lairds : — " Ye 're maist obedient humniil servant, Tannachy Tulloh." — "Your nain man, Kilspindie." Finished six pages, twenty-five pages of print that is, or about the thirteenth part of a volume. That would be a volume in a fortnight, with a holiday to boot. It would be possible enough for a little while. February 12. — I wrought hard this morning. Ballantyne blames the Ossianic monotony of my principal characters. Now they are not Ossianic. The language of the Ossianic poetry is highly figurative; that of the knights of chivalry may be monotonous, and probably is, but it cannot be Ossianic. Sooth to say, this species of romance of chivalry ^ Charles Mayne Young, Trage- pleasant account in a Memoir of tlian, had been a visitor at Abbots- his fatlicr, pp. 88-96. London, 1871. ford in the autumn of 1821. Of Mr. Young died in June 1S5G. this visit his sou Julian ifivcs a 1828.] JOUENAL. 537 is an exhaustible subject. It affords materials for splendid description for once or twice, but they are too unnatural and formal to bear repetition. We must go on with our present work, however, valeat quantuiii. Mr. Cadell, less critical than J. B., seems pleased. The world will soon decide if I get on at this rate ; for I have finished four leaves to-day, notwithstanding my attendance on the Court. February \?>. — Mr. Macintosh Mackay, minister of Laggan, breakfasted with us this morning. This reverend gentleman is completing the Highland Dictionary ,i and seems very competent for the task. He left in my hands some papers of Cluny Macpherson, concerning the affair of 1745, from which I have extracted an account of the battle of Clifton for Waverlcy. He has few prejudices (for a Highlander), and is a mild, well-mannered young man. We had much talk on Highland matters. The Children's Tales continue in demand. Cadell ex- pects a new edition of 10,000 about next year, which may be £750 or £800 in pouch, besides constituting a fine property. February 14. — Mr. Edwards, a candidate for the situa- tion of Eector in the Edinburgh Academy, a pleasant, gentlemanlike man, and recommended highly for experience and learning ; but he is himself afraid of wanting bodily strength for the work, which requires all the nerve and muscle of Williams. I wish he had been three inches taller, and stout in proportion. I went to ]\lr. John llussell's, where there was an Academical party at dinner. Home at nine, a cigar, and to bed. 1 This enthusiastic Gaelic scholar, he diotl at Portobello in 1S73. then parish minister of Laggan, The Gaelic dictionary of the joined the Free Church of Scotland Highland Society was completed in 1843, and was elected Modera- and puldished in 2 vols. 4to, 1828. tor of its General Assembly in 1849. Dr. Mackay superintended its pro- As a clergyman, he had afterwards gress through the press, and greatly a varied experience in this country contributed to render it more accur- and in Australia, before he finally ate and complete. He also edited settled in the island of Harris ; the poems of Rob Donn in 1829. 538 JOURNAL. [Feb. Fi'hrna)-)/ 15.— Rose this morning about seven and wrote at the desk till breakfast; finished alwut a page and a half. I was facjcred at Court till near two. Then called on Cadell, and so home, tired enough. February 16. — Tliere dined with me to-day Tom Thomson, Will Clerk, Mr. Edwards, and my Celtic friend ]\Ir. Mackay of Laggan. February 17. — A day of hard work, being I think eight pages ^ before dinner. I cannot, I am sure, tell if it is w^orth marking down, that yesterday at dinner-time I was strangely haunted by what I would call the sense of pre- existence, — videlicet, a confused idea that nothing that passed was said for the first time, that the same topics had been discussed, and the same jDcrsons had stated the same opinions on the same subjects. It is true there might have been some ground for recollections, considering that three at least of the company were old friends, and kept much com- pany together : that is, Justice-Clerk,^ [Lord] Abercroml)y, and I. But the sensation was so strong as to resemble what is called a mirage in the desert, or a calenture on board ship, when lakes are seen in the desert, and silvan land- scapes in the sea. It was very distressing yesterday, and brought to my mind the fancies of Bishop Berkeley about an ideal w^orld. There was a vile sense of want of reality in all I did and said. It made me gloomy and out of spirits, though I flatter myself it was not observed. The bodily feeling which most resembles this unpleasing hallu- cination is the giddy state which follows profuse bleeding, when one feels as if walking on feather-beds and could not find a secure footing. I think the stomach has something to do with it. I drank several glasses of wine, but these only augmented the disorder. I did not iind tlie in vino Veritas of the philosophers. Something of this insane feel- ing remains to-day, but a trifle only. ^ See next page, under Feb. 19. - The Right Hon. David Boyle. 1828.] JOUENAL. 539 February 18. — T had other work to do this day. In the niorniug corrected proofs. After breakfast, made a visit or two, and met Sandie Buchanan, whom it joys me to see. Then despatched all my sheriff processes, save one, whicli hitches for want of some papers. Lastly, here I am, before dinner, with my journal. I sent all the county money to Andrew Lang. Wrote to ]\Ir. Reynolds too; methinks I will let them have the Tales which Jem Ballantyne and Cadell quarrelled with.^ I have asked £500 for them — • pretty well that. I suppose they will be fools enough to give it me. In troth she'll no pe cheaper. Fehruary 19. — A day of hard and continued work, the result being eight page.s. But then I hardly ever quitted the table save at meal-tirne. So eight pages of my manu- script may be accounted the maximum of my literary labour. It is equal to forty printed pages of the novels. I had the whole of this day at my own disposal, by the voluntary kindness of Sir Robert Dundas interfering to take up my duty at the Court. The proofs of my Sermons are arrived, but I have had no time, saving to blot out some flunnnery, whicli poor Gordon had put into the preface.- Felruary 20. — Another day of labour ; but not so hard. I worked from eight till three witli little intermission, but only accomplished four pages. Then I went out and made a visit or two, and looked in on Cadell. If I get two pages in the evening I M'ill be satisfied, for volume ii. may be concluded w^ith the week, or run over to Sunday at most. Will it tell, this work? I doubt it, but there is no standing still. A certain IMr. ]\Iackay from Ireland called on me, an active agent, it would seem, about the reform of prisons. He exclaims, justly I have no doubt, about the state of our Lock-up House. For myself, I have some distrust of the fanaticism — even of philanthropy. A good part of it arises 1 My Aunt Margaret's Mirror, etc. - See Jan. 25, 1S28 (p. r)28). 540 JOURNAL. [Feb. in general from mere vanity and love of distinction, gilded over to others and to themselves with some show of benevolent sentiment. The philanthropy of Howard, mingled with his ill-nsage of his son, seems to have risen to a pitch of insanity. Yet without such extra- ordinary men, who call attention to the subject by their own peculiarities, prisons would have remained the same dungeons whicli they were forty or fifty years ago. I do not see the propriety of making them dandy places of detention. They should be a place of punishment, and that can hardly be if men are lodged better, and fed better, than when they are at large. The separation of ranks is an excellent distinction, and is nominally provided for in all modern prisons. But the size of most of them is inadequate to the great increase of crime, and so the pack is shuffled together again for want of room to keep them separate. There are several prisons constructed on excellent principles, the economy of which becomes deranged so soon as the death takes place of some keen philanthropist who had the business of a whole committee, which, having lost him, remained like a carcass without a head. But I have never seen a plan for keeping in order these resorts of guilt and misery, without presupposing a superintendence of a kind which might perhaps be exercised, could we turn out upon the watch a guard of angels. But, alas ! jailors and turn- keys are rather like angels of a different livery, nor do I see how it is possible to render them otherwise. Superinten- dence is all you can trust to, and superintendence, save in some rare cases, is hard to come by, where it is to be vigilantly and constantly exercised. Quis custodict ipsos custodes? As to reformation, I have no great belief in it, where the ordinary class of culprits, who are vicious from ignorance or habit, are the subjects of the experiment. " A sliver from a broken loaf" is thought as little of by the mule set of delinquents as by the fair frail. The sUitc of 1828.] JOUENAL. 541 society now leads so much to great accumulations of humanity, that we cannot wonder if it ferment and reek like a compost dunghill. Nature intended that population should be diffused over the soil in proportion to its extent. We .have accumulated in huge cities and smothering manufactories the numbers which should be spread over the face of a country ; and what wonder that they should be corrupted ? We have turned healthful and pleasant brooks into morasses and pestiferous lakes, — what wonder the soil should be unhealthy ? A great deal, T think, might be done by executing the punishment of death, without a chance of escape, in all cases to which it should be found properly applicable ; of course these occasions being diminished to one out of twenty to which capital punishment is now assigned. Our ancestors brought the country to order by kilting ^ thieves and banditti with strings. So did the French when at Naples, and bandits became for the time unheard of. When once the evil habit is altered — when men are taught a crime of a certain character is connected inseparably with death, the moral habits of a population become altered, and you may in the next age remit the punishment which in this it has been necessary to inflict with stern severity. I think whoever pretends to reform a corrupted nation, or a disorderly regiment, or an ill-ordered ship of war, must begin by severity, and only resort to gentleness when he has acquired the complete mastery by terror — the terror being always attached to the law ; and, the impression once made, he can afford to govern with mildness, and lay the iron rule aside. Mr. Mackay talked big of the excellent state of prisons in Ireland. J'en doute ion peic. That the warm-hearted and generous Irish would hurry eagerly into any scheme which 1 To Mt, i.e. to elevate or lift " Their bare i.reaching now ... • ,1 .!• „!• 1 Makes tlie til nisli bush keep the cow up anything quickly ; this applied, „ ^^^ .1 t, * t- i-, i- f J fe i 1 Better tlian Scots or English kings ludicrously, to tucking l.y a lialter. c^y,,, ^,0 y,,. ,,ii,i„g t,„>,„ ^-m, strings." — Jamieson's Dictionary . Cleland. 542 JOUKNAL. [Fkr. liad benevolence for its motive, I readily believe; but that Pat should have been able to maintain that calm, all-seeing, all-enduring species of superintendence necessary to direct the working of the best plan of prison discipline, I greatly liesitate to believe. Well, leaving all this, I wish Mr. Mackay good luck, with some little doubt of his success, but none of his intentions. I am come in my work to that point where a lady who works a stocking must count by threads, and bring the various loose ends of my story together. They are too many. February 21. — Last night after dinner I rested from my work, and read tliird part of [Theodore Hook's] Sayings and Doings, which shows great knowledge of life in a certain sphere, and very considerable powers of wit, which somewhat damages the effect of the tragic parts. But he is an able writer, and so much of his work is Well said, that it will carry through what is manquS. I hope the same good fortune for other folks. I am watching and Avaiting till I hit on some quaint and clever mode of extricating, but do not see a glimpse of any one. James B., too, discourages me a good deal by liis silence, waiting, I suppose, to be invited to disgorge a full allowance of his critical bile. But he may wait long enough, for I am discouracjed enough. Now here is the advantage of Edin- burgh. In the country, if a sense of inability once seizes me, it haunts me from morning to night ; but in Edinburgh the time is so occupied and frittered away by official duties and chance occupation, that you have not time to play Master Stephen and be gentlemanlike and melancholy.^ On the other luind, y(m never feel in town those spirit-stirring influences — those glances of sunshine that make amends fur clouds and mist. The country is said to be quieter life ; not to me, I am sure. In the town the business I have to do hardly costs me more thought than just occupies my mind, ' See Joiison's Ectry Man in his Humour, Act i. Sc. 3. 1828.] JOUENAL. r,4.3 and I have as much of gossip and Ladylike chat as consumes the time pleasantly enough. In the country I am thrown entirely on my own resources, and there is no medium betwixt happiness and the reverse. February 22. — Went to Court, and remained there until one o'clock. Then to ]\Ir. Colvin Smith's and sat to be stared at till three o'clock. This is a great bore even when you have a companion, sad when you are alone and can only disturb the painter by your chatter. After dinner I had proofs to the number of four. J. B. is outrageous about the death of Oliver Proud fute, one of the characters; but I have a humour to be cruel. "His business 'tis to die." Eeceived a present from a Mr. Dobie of a candlestick said to be that of the Eev. Mr. Guthrie, minister of Fenwick in the seventeenth century, — very civil of a gentleman unknown, if there comes no request to look over poems, or to get made a ganger, or the like, for I have seen that kind of compliment made on the principle on which small balloons are sent up before a large one, to see how the wind sits. After dinner proof-sheets. February 23. — Morning proof-sheets galore. Then to Parliament House. After that, at one, down to Sir William MacLeod Bannatyne, who has made some discoveries con- cerning Bannatyne the collector of poetry, and furnished me with some notes to that purpose. He informs me that the MacLeod, alias MacCruiskin, who met Dr. Johnson on the Isle of Skye, was Mr. Alexander MacLeod, Advocate, a son of MacLeod of Muiravonside. He was subject to fits of insanity at times, very clever at others.^ Sir William mentioned the old Laird of Beruera, who, summoned by his Chief to join him with uU the men he could make, when the Chief was raising his men for Government, sent him a letter to this purpose : — "Dear Laird, — No man would like better to be at your back ^ See Boswell's Johnson, Ci'oker's ed. imp. 8vo, p. 318. 544 JOUENAL. [Feb. tlian I would ; but on tliis occasion it cannot be. I send my men, who are at your service ; for myself, higher duties carry me elsewhere." He went off accordingly alone, and joined Eaasay as a volunteer. I returned by the printing office and found J. B. in great feather. He tells me Cadell, on squaring his books and making allowance for bad debts, has made between £3000 and £4000, lodged in bank. He does nothing but with me. Thus we stand on velvet as to finance. Met Staffa,^ who walked with me and gave me some Gaelic words which I wanted. I may mention that I saw at the printing-office a part of a review on Leigh Hunt's Anecdotes of Byron. It is written with power, apparently by Professor Wilson, but with a degree of passion which rather diminishes the effect ; for nothing can more lessen the dignity of the satirist than being or seeming to be in a passion. I think it may come to a bloody arbitrament,^ for if L. H. should take it up as a gentleman, Wilson is the last man to flinch. I hope Lockhart will not be dragged in as second or otherwise. Went to Jeffrey's to dinner — there were Mrs. and Miss Sydney Smith, Lords Gillies and Corehouse, etc. etc. February 24. — I fancy I had drunk a glass or two over ^ Sir Reginald Steuart Seton of duels arising from the same i^arty Staffa, for many years Secretary to rancour in February 1821 (Scott and the Highland and Agricultural Christie) and in March 1822 (Stuart Society; died at Edinburgh in 1838, and Boswell), with all the untold " On reading the savage article domestic miseries accompanying on Hunt's Byron published in Black- them. It is satisfactory to tliink wood, for March 1828, Sir Walter's that this was about the last of these thoughts must have gone back not uncalled for literary onslaughts, as only to Gourgaud's affair of the one finds, in turning over the pages previous year, and to the more of Blackwood, that in 1834 Pro- serious nuitter of the Beacon news- fessor Wilson in the Nodes rebukes paper in 1821, — when, to use Lord some one for reviving "forgotten Cockburn's words, "it was dreadful falsehoods," praises Leigh Hunt's to think that a life like Scott's was London Journal, and adds the for a moment in jieril in such a ecstatic words, which he also ad- cause "—but lie must also have had dressed later on to Lord JoftVey, very sad recollections of the bloody "The animosities are mortal, but results of the two melancholy the humanities live for ever. " 1828.] JOURNAL. 545 much last iiiobt, for I have the heartburn this inorniiiLr. But a little magnesia salves that sore. Meantime I have had an inspiration which shows me my good angel has not left me. For these two or three days I have been at what the " Critic " calls a dead-lock ^ — all my incidents and per- sonages ran into a gordian knot of confusion, to which I could devise no possible extrication. I had thought on the subject several days with something like the despair which seized the fair princess, commanded by her ugly step-mother to assort a whole garret full of tangled silk threads of every kind and colour, when in comes Prince Percinet with a wand, whisks it over the miscellaneous mass, and lo ! all the threads are as nicely arranged as in a seamstress' house- wife. It has often happened to me that when I went to bed with my head as ignorant as my shoulders what I was to do next, I have waked in the morning witli a distinct and accurate conception of the mode, good or bad, in which the plot might be extricated. It seems to me that the action of the intellect, on such occasions, is rather accelerated by the little fever which an extra glass of wine produces on the system. Of course excess is out of the question. Now this may seem strange, but it is quite true ; and it is no less so that I have generally written to the middle of one of these novels, without having the least idea how it was to end, in short in the kab nah at a venture style of composition. So now, this hitch being over, I fold my paper, lock up my journal, and proceed to labour with good hope. February 25. — This being Monday, I carried on my work according to the new model. Dined at home and in quiet. But I may notice that yesterday Mr. "Williams, the learned Eector of our new Academy, who now leaves us, took his dinner here. AYe had a long philological tete-a-tete. He is opinionative, as he has some title to be, but very learned, and with a juster view of his subject than is commonly ^ Act III. Sc. 1. 2 M 546 JOUKNAL. [Feb. entertained, for he traces words to the same source — not from sound but sense. He casts backwards thus to the root, while many compare the ends of tlie twigs without going furtlier. This day I went to tlie funeral of Mr. Henderson, hite of Eildon Hall, a kind-hearted man, who rose to great wealth bv honest means, and will be missed and recrretted. In the evening I went to the promenade in the Exhibi- tion of Pictures, which was splendidly lighted up and filled with fashionable company. I think there was a want of beauty,^ -or perhaps the gas-lights were unfavourable to the ladies' looks. February 26. — Business filled up the day till one, when I sat to Mr. Smith. Tiresome work, even thouoh Will Clerk chaperoned me. We dined at Archie Swinton's. Met Lord Lothian, Lord Cringletie, etc. This day I have Avrought almost nothing, but I am nearly half a volume before the press. Lord Morton,^ married to a daughter of my friend Sir George Eose, is come to Edinburgh. He seems a very gentlemanlike man, and she pleasing and willing to be pleased. I had the pleasure to be of some little use to him in his election as one of the Scottish Peers. I owe Sir George Pose much for his attention to Walter at Berlin. February 27. — At Court till half-past two. Then to the Waterloo Tavern, where we had a final and totally unfruc- tuous meeting with the Committee of the Coal Gas people. So now my journey to London is resolved on. I shall lose at least £500 by the job, and get little thanks from those I make the sacrifice for. But the saci'ifice shall be made. Anything is better than to break one's word, or desert a sinking vessel. Heartily do I wish these "Colliers" had seen the matter in the best light for their own interest. But there is no lielj). One thing is certain, that I shall see my whole family once more around me, and that is woi-th the ^ Sliolto Douglas, eighteenth Earl of Morton. 1828.] JOURNAL. 5 47 £500. Aiiiie too sturts at the idea of the sea. J am liorribly vexed, however. Gibson always expected they wouhl come in, but there seemed to me little chance of it ; pevliaps they thought we were not serious in our proposal to push through the Act. Wrousiht a little in the eveninii, not much. February 28. — At Court till four. Wlien I came home I did work a little, but as we expected company it was not to much purpose. Lord Chief Commissioner dined witli us with Miss Adam ; ]\Ir. Hutchinson, brother of Lord Donough- more, and Miss Jones, Will Clerk and John Thomson made up the party, and we had a pleasant evening, as such a handful always secures. Stayed till wine-and-water time. Thus flew another day. February 29. — I had my proof-sheets as usual in the morning and the Court as usual till two. Then one or two visits and corrected the discourses for Gordon. This is really a foolish scrape, but what could I do? It involved the poor lad's relief from something very like ruin. I got a letter from the young man Eeynolds accepting on Heath's part my terms for article to The Keepsalie, namely £500, — I to be at liberty to reprint the article in my works after three years. ]\Ir. Heath to print it in The Kccjjsakc as long and often as he pleases, but not iu any other form. I shall close with them. If I make my proposed bargain with Murray, all pecuniary matters will be easy in an unusual degree. Dined at Eobert Hamilton's with Lord and Lady Belhaven, AValter Campbell, and a number of "Westlanders, . MAECH. March 1. — Wrought a little this morning; always creep- ing on. We had a hard pull at the Court, and after it I walked a little for exercise, as I fear indigestion from dining out so often. Dined to-day with the bankers who went as delegates to London in Malachi Malagrowther's days. Sir John Hay Kinnear and Tom Allan were my only acquaintances of the party ; the rest seemed shrewd capable men. I particularly remarked a Mr. Sandeman with as intellectual a head as I ever witnessed. March 2. — A day of hard work with little interrup- tion, and completed volume second. I am not much pleased with it. It wants what I desire it to have, and that is passion. The two Ballantynes and Mr. Cadell dined with ]ne quietly. Heard from London ; all well. March 3. — I set about clearing my desk of unanswered letters, which I had suffered to accumulate to an Augean heap. I daresay I wrote twenty cards that might have been written at the time without half-a-minute being lost. To do everything when it ought to be done is the soul of expedition. But then, if you are interrupted eternally with these petty avocations, the current of the mind is compelled to flow in shallows, and you lose the deep in- tensity of thought which alone can float plans of depth and magnitude. I sometimes wish I were one of those formalists who can assign each hour of the day its special occupations, not to be encroached upon; but it always 548 1828.] JOURNAL. 549 returns upon my mind that I do better a la cUhandade than I could with rules of regular study. A work begun is with me a stone turned over with the purpose of rolling it down hill. The first revolutions are made with difficulty — but vires acqnirit eundo. Now, were the said stone arrested in it? pro- gress, the whole labour would be to commence again. To take a less conceited simile : I am like a spavined horse, who sets out lame and stiff, l)ut when he warms in his crear makes a pretty good trot of it, so that it is better to take a good stage of liim while you can get it. Besides, after all, I have known most of those formalists, who were not men of business or of office to whom hours are prescribed as a part of duty, but who voluntarily make themselves " Slaves to an hour, and vassals to a bell," ' — to be what I call very poor creatures. General Ainslie looked in, and saddened me by talking of poor Don. The General is a medallist, and entertains an opinion that the bonnet-piece of James v. is the work of some Scottish artist who died young, and never did any- thing else. It is far superior to anything which the Mint produced since the Eoman denarii. He also told me that the name of Andrea de Ferrara is famous in Italy as an armourer. Dined at home, and went to the Eoyal Society in the evening after sending off my processes for the Sheriff Court. Also went after the Society to Mr. James Eussell's symposium. Ifarch 4. — A letter from Italy signed J. S. with many acute remarks on inaccuracies in tlie life of Bonaparte. His tone is hostile decidedly, but tliat shall not prevent my making use of all his corrections where just. The wretched publication of Leigh Hunt on the sul)ject of Byron is to biing forward Tom Moore's life of that dis- ^ Oldham — "Lines addressed to sity." — Poems and Translations, a friend about to leave tlic Univer- S\'o. Lond. 1G94. 550 JOURNAL. [March tinguislied poet, and I am lionoured and flattered by the information that he means to dedicate it to me.^ A great deal of worry in tlie Court to-day, and I lost my spectacles, and was a dark and perplexed man — found them af^ain thouirh. Wrote to Lockhart and to Charles, and will do more if I can, but am sadly done up. An old friend came and pressed unmercifully some selfish request of his own to ask somebody to do something for his son. I sliall be glad to be at Abbotsford to get rid of tliis town, where I have not, in the proper and social sense of the word, a single friend whose comjDany pleases me. In the country I have always Tom Purdie. Dined at the Lord Chief Commissioner's, where I met, the first time for tliirty years, my old friend and boon com- panion, with whom I shared the wars of Bacchus, Venus, and sometimes of Mars. The past rushed on me like a flood and almost brought tears into my eyes. It is no very laudable exploit to record, but I once drank three bottles of wine with this same rogue — Sir William Forbes and Sir Alexander Wood being of the party. David Erskine of Cardvoss keeps liis looks better than most of our contem- poraries. I hope we shall meet for a longer time. Marcli 5. — I corrected sheets, and, being a Teind Wednes- day, began the second volume and proceeded as far as page fourtli. We dined atllectorMacdonald's witli several Iliuidanders, most of whom were in their garb, intending to go to a great fancy ball in the evening. There were young Cluny Mac- j)herson, Cani[)b('ll Airds, Campbell Saddell, and others of the race of Diarniid. I went for an liour to the ball, where ^ On the 20th April Moore writes "Wisdom and Wit, to Scott: "I am dcliglited you do ' With folly at full lengUi lictween." not reject my proflbred dedication, However, never mind ; in cordial though between two such names as feeling and good fellowship I (latter yours and Byron's I .shall but realise myself I am a match for either of the dcscriptiiin in the old couplet of you." 1828.] JOUENAL. 551 there were many gay and some grotesque figures. A dressed ball is, for the first half-liour, a splendid spectacle ; you see youth and beauty dressed in their gayest attire, unlimited, save by their own taste, and enjoying the conscious power of charming, which gives such life and alacrity to the features. But the charm ceases in this like everything else. The want of masks takes away the audacity with which the disguised parties conduct themselves at a masquerade, and [leaves] the sullen sheepishness wliich makes them, I suppose, the worst maskers in Europe. At the only real masquerade which I have known in Edinburgh there were many, if not most, of those who had determined to sustain characters, who had more ill-breeding than facetiousness. The jests were chiefly calculated to give pain, and two or three quarrels were with difficulty prevented from ripening into duels. A fancy ball has no offence in it, therefore cannot be wrecked on this rock. But, ou the other hand, it is horribly dull work when the first coiq:) d'odl is familiar. There were some good figures, and some grossly absurd. A very gay cavalier with a broad bright battle-axe was pointed out to me as an eminent distiller, and another knii^ht in the black coarse armour of a cuirassier of the 17th century stalked about as if he thought himself the very mirror of chivalry. He was the son of a celebrated upholsterer, so might claim the broad nxe from more titles than one. There was some good dancing ; Cluny Macpher- son footed it gallantly. March G. — Wrote two pages this morning before break- fast. AVent to the Court, where I learned that the " Colliers " are in alarm at the determination shown by our Committee, and are willing to give better terms. I hope this is so — but Cogan na Shic — peace or war, I care not. T never felt less anxiety about where I went and what I did. A feather just liglited ou the ground can scarce be less concerned where the next blast may carry i(. Tf I go, I shall see my 552 JOURNAL. [March children — if I stay, I shall mend my fortune. Dined at home and went to the play in the evening. Lady Torphichen had commanded the play, and there were all my Swinton coiisins young and old. The play was " A Bold Stroke for a Wife," ^ — Charles Kemble acting as Feignwell. The plot is extra- vagant nonsense, but with lively acting the ludicrousness of the situation bears it through, and few comedies act better. After this came Boh Roy, where the Bailie played with liis usual excellence. The piece was not over until near one in the morning, yet I did not feel tired — which is much. March 7. — To-day I wrought and corrected proof-sheets ; went to the Court, and had a worry at the usual trashy small wares which are presented at the end of a Session. An official predecessor of mine, the facetious Robert Sinclair, was wont to say the three last days of the Session should be abolished by Act of Parliament.^ Came home late, and was a good deal broken in upon by visitors. Amongst others, John Swinton, now of Swinton, brought me the skull of his ancestor. Sir Allan Swinton, who flourished five hundred years ago. I will get a cast made of the stout old carle. It is rare to see a genuine relic of the mortal frame drawing so far back. Went to my Lord Gillies's to dinner, and witnessed a singular exhibition of personification. Miss Stirling Grame,^ a lady of the Duntroon family, 1 By Mrs. Centlivre. traoi'dinary in her, but let her jmt - See Life, vol. viii. p. 257». on the old lady ; it was as if a war- ^ Miss Graham tells us in her lock spell liad passed over her ; not Mystifications (Ediu. 1864) that Sir merely her look but her nature was Walter, on leaving the room, whis- changed : her spirit had passed pered in her ear, " Awa, awa, the into the character she represented ; Deil 's ower grit wi' you." "To and jest, quick retort, whimsical meet her in company," wrote Dr. fancy, the wildest nonsense flowed John Brown lialf a century later, from lier lips, with a freedom and Avhen she was still the charm and truth to nature which appeared to the delight as well as the centre of be imiiossible in her own person- a large circle of friends, "one ality. " saw a quiet, unpretending, sensible, "With this faculty for satire and shrewd, kindly little lady ; i:)erhaps imitation, Miss Graham never used you M'ould not remark anything ex- it to give pain. She was as much 1828.] JOUrXAL. 553 from which Clavers was descended, looks like thirty years old, and has a face of the Scottish cast, with a good expres- sion in point of good sense and good humour. Her con- versation, so far as I have had the advantage of hearing it, is shrewd and sensible, but no ways brilliant. She dined with us, went off as to the play, and returned in the char- acter of an old Scottish lady. Her dress and behaviour were admirable, and the conversation unique. I was in the secret, of course, did my best to keep up the ball, but she cut me out of all feather. The prosing account she gave of her son, the antiquary, who found an auld wig in a slate quarry, was extremely ludicrous, and she puzzled the Pro- fessor of Agriculture with a merciless account of the sue- cession of crops in the parks around her old mansion-house. No person to whom the secret was not intrusted had the least guess of an imposture, except one shrewd young lady present, who observed the hand narrowly and saw it was plumper than the age of the lady seemed to warrant. This lady, and ]\Iiss Bell ^ of Coldstream, have this gift of personifi- cation to a much higher degree than any person I ever saw. March 8. — Wrote in the morning, then to Court, where we had a sederunt till nigh two o'clock. From thence to the Coal Gas Committee, with whom we held another, and, tliank God, a final meeting. Gibson went with me. They had Mr. Munro, Trotter, Tom Burns, and Inglis. The scene put me in mind of Chichester Cheyne's story of a Shawnee at home, too, with old Scotch say- Miss Graham's friends will never ings as Sir Walter himself. For ex- forget the evenings they liave spent ample, speaking of a field of cold, at 29 Forth Street, Edinburgh, or ■wet land she said, ' ' It grat a' winter their visits at Duntrune, where the and girned a' simmer, ' and of her- venerable lady died in her ninety- self one morning at breakfast when sixth year in September 1877. she thought she was getting too ^ Miss Elizabeth Bell, daughter much attention from her guests (she of the Rev. James Bell, minister of was at this time over ninety) she the parish of Coldstream from 1778 exclaimed, "I'm like the bride in to 1794. This lady lived all lier life the old HOW" : i'l ^'^r native county, and died at a ' Twa wero bhiwing at lier nose S^eat age at a house on the Tweed, And tliree were buckling at lier shoon.' " Jiamed Springhill, in 1S7(J. 554 JOUENAL. [March Indiiiu and liimself, dodging each other from behind trees, for six or seven hours, each in the hope of a successful shot. There was bullying on both sides, but we bullied to best purpose, for we must liave surrendered at discretion, not- withstanding the bold face we put on it. On the other hand, I am convinced they have got a capital bargain. March 9. — I set about arranging my papers, a task whicli I always take up with the greatest possible ill-will and wliich makes me cruelly nervous. I don't know why it should be so, for I have nothing particularly disagreeable to look at ; far from it, I am better than I was at this time last year, my hopes firmer, my health stronger, my affairs bettered and bettering. Yet I feel an inexpressible nervousness in conse- quence of this employment. The memory, though it retains all that has passed, has closed sternly over it ; and this rummaging, like a bucket dropped suddenly into a well, deranges and confuses the ideas whicli slumbered on the mind. I am nervous, and I am bilious, and, in a word, I am unhappy. This is wrong, very wrong ; and it is reasonably to be apprehended that something of serious misfortune will be the deserved punishment of this pusillanimous lowness of spirits. Strange that one who, in most things, may be said to have enough of the ' care na by ', should be subject to such vile weakness ! Well, having written myself down an ass, I will daub it no farther, but e'en trifle till the humour of work comes. Before the humour came I had two or three lonij; visits. Drummond Hay, the antiquary and lyon-hcrald, came in.^ I do not know anvthin<); which relieves the mind so much from the sullcns as trifling discussion alxuit antiquarian old- womanrics. It is like knittinir a stockinii', divertiuQ- the mind without occupying it ; or it is like, by Our Lady, a mill-dam, which leads onci's thoughts gently and imjiorceptilily out of the channel in \\liich they arc chaliiii;- and lioiling. To l)e 1 An/c, p. 2.").S. 1828.] JOUEXAL. 555 sure, it is only conducting them to turn a child's mill ; what signifies that ? — the diversion is a relief, though the object is of little importance. I cannot tell what we talked of; hut I remember we concluded with a lamentation on the unlike- lihood that Government would give the Museum £2000 to purchase the hronzc Apollo lately discovered in France, although the God of Delos stands six feet two in his stocking- soles, and is perfectly entire, saving that on the right side he wants half a hip, and the leg from the knee, and that on the left his heel is much damaged. Colonel Fero-uson iust come to town — dines with us. March 10. — I had a world of trumpery to do this morning : cards to write, and business to transact, visits to malce, etc. Eeceived letters from the youth who is to conduct Tlie Kec;psalce, with blarney on a £200 Bank note. No blarney in that. I must set about doing something for these worthies. I was obliged to 2,0 alone to dine at Mr. Scott Gala's. Met the Sinclair family. Lady Sinclair told me a singular story of a decrepit man keeping a lonely toll at a place called the Eowan-tree, on the frontiers, as I understood, between Ayr- shire and Dumfriesshire [Wigtownshire ?]. It was a wild, lonely spot, and was formerly inhabited l)y robbers and assassins, who murdered passengers. They M'ere discovered by a boy whom they had taken into the cottage as a menial. He had seen things wdiich aroused his attention, and was finally enlightened as to the trade of his masters l)y hearing one of them, as he killed a goat, remark that the cries of the creature resembled those of the last man they had dealt w^ith. The boy fled from the house, lodged an information, and the wliole household was seized and executed. The present inhabitants Lady Sinclair described as interesting. The man's feet and legs had been frost-bitten while herding the cattle, and never recovered the strength of natural limbs. Yet he had acquired some education, and was a country schoolmaster for some time, till the distance and loneliness ol' the spot prevented pupils 556 JOUENAL. [March from attendinir. His dauohter was a reader, and besjfred for some old magazines, newspapers, or any printed book, that she might enjoy reading. Tliey might have been better had they been allowed to keep a cow. But if they had been in com- fortable circumstances, they would have had visitors and lodgers, who might have carried guns to destroy tlie gentle- man's creation, i.e. game ; and for tliis risk the wretches were kept in absolute and abject poverty. I would rather be himself than this brutal Earl. The daughter showed Lady Sinclair a well in the midst of a small bog, of great depth, into which, like Thurtell and Probert, tliey used to thrust the bodies of their victims till they had an opportunity of burying them. Lady Sinclair stooped to taste the water, but the young woman said, with a strong expression of horror, " You would not drink it ? " Such an impression had the tale, probably two centuries old, made upon tlie present inhabitants of this melancholy spot. The whole legend is curious ; I will try to get hold of it.^ March 11. — I sent Eeynolds a sketch of two Scottish stories for subjects of art for his Keepsake — the death of the Laird's Jock the one, the other the adventure of Duncan Stuart with the stag. Mr. Drummond Hay breakfasted with me — a good fellow, but a considerable bore. He brought me a beautiful bronze statue of Hercules, about ten inches or a foot in height, beautifully wrought. He bought it in France for 70 francs, and refused £300 from Payne Knight. It is certainly a most beautiful piece of art. The lion's liide which hung over the shoulders had been of silver, and, to turn it to account, the arm over which it hung was cut off; otherwise the statue was perfect and extremely well wrought. Allan Swinton's skull sent back to Archibald Swinton Marcli 12. — The boy got four leaves of copy to-day, and ^ The Murder Hole, a story this name, was printed in Blach- founded on tlic tradition and under wood's M(i(j.j vol. xxv. p. 189: 1829. 1828.] JOUENAL. 557 I wrote three more. Keceived by ]\Ir. Cadell from Treuttel and "Wurtz for articles in Foreign lie clew £52, 10s., which is at my credit with him. Poor Gillies has therefore kept his word so far, but it is enough to have sacrificed £100 to him already in literary labour, which I make him welcome to. I cannot spare him more — which, besides, would do him no good. March 13, [^Abbotsford]. — I wrote a little in the morning and sent off some copy. We came off from Edinburgh at ten o'clock, and got to Abbotsford by four, where everything looks unusually advanced ; the birds singing and the hedges budding, and all other prospects of spring too premature to be rejoiced in. I found that, like the foolish virgins, the servants had omitted to get oil for my lamp, so I was obliged to be idle all the evening. But though I had a diverting book, the Talcs of the Munstcr Festivals^ yet an evening without writing hung heavy on my hands. Tiie Talcs are admirable. But they have one fault, that the crisis is in more cases than one pro- tracted after a keen interest has been excited, to explain and to resume parts of the story wdiich should have been told before. Scenes of mere amusement are oft^n introduced betwixt the crisis of the plot and the final catastrophe. This is impolitic. But the scenes and characters are traced by a firm, bold, and true pencil, and my very criticism shows that the catastrophe is interesting, — otherwise who would care for its being interrupted ? March [14 to] IG. — The same record applies to these three days. From seven to half-past nine writing — from half-past nine to a quarter past ten a hearty breakfast. Prom eleven or thereby, to one or two, wrote again, and from one or two ride, drive, or walk till dinner-time — for two or three hours — five till seven, dine and rest yourself — seven till nine, wrote two pages more, from nine to quarter past ten lounge, read the ^ Written by Gerald Griffin. 558 JOUl^NAL. [March papers, and then go to bed. If youv story is tolerably for- ward you may, I think, keep at this rate for twelve days, which would be a volume. But no brain could hold it out lonjTjer. Wrote two additional leaves in the evening:. March 1 7. — Sent away copy this morning to J. B. with proofs. I tlien Avrote all the day till two o'clock, walked round the thicket and by the water-side, and returning set to work again. So that I have finished five leaves before dinner, and may discuss two more if I can satisfy myself with the way of winding up the stor}'. There are always at the end such a plaguey number of stitches to take up, which usually are never so well done but they make a botch. I will try if the cigar will inspire me. Hitherto I have been pretty clear, and I see my way well enough, only doubt of making others see it with sufficient simplicity. But it is near five, and I am too hungry to write more.^ "Ego nunquam potui scribere jejunus." March 18. — I was sorely worried by the black dog this morning, that vile palpitation of the heart — that tremor cordis — that hysterical passion which forces unbidden sighs and tears, and falls upon a contented life like a drop of ink on white paper, which is not the less a stain because it conveys no meaning. I wrought three leaves, however, and the story goes on. I dined at the Club of the Selkirk- shire yeomanry, now disbanded. "The Eldiich knight gave up his arms AVith many a sorrowful sigh." The dissolution of the Yeomanry was the act of the last ministry. The present did not alter the measure on account of the expense saved. I am one of the oldest, if not the very oldest Yeoman in Scotland, and have seen the rise, progress, and now the fall of this very constitutional part of the national force. Its efficacy, on occasions of insurrection, was sufficiently proved in the Radical time. But besides, it ^ St. Valentinc''i Eve, or The Fair Maid of Perth, 1828.] JOUENAL. 559 kept up a spirit of lianuoiiy between the piopiietois of Jaiid and the occupiers, and made them known to and beloved by each other; and it gave to the young men a sort of military and high-spirited character, which always does honour to a country. The manufacturers are in great glee on this occasion. I wish Parliament, as they have turned the Yeoman adrift somewhat scornfully, may not have occasion to roar them in again. ^ March 19. — I applied myself again to my labour, my mind flowing in a less gloomy current than yesterday. I laboured with little intermission, excepting a walk as far as Faldonside with the dogs, and at night I had not finished more than three leaves. But, indeed, it is pretty fair-; I must not work my brains too hard, in case of provoking the hypochondria which extreme exertion or entire indolence are equally un- favourable to. March 20. — Thomson breakfasted. I left him soon, beinr-- desirous to finish my labours. The volume is finished, all but one fourth or somewhat shorter ; four days should despatch it easily, but I have letters to write and things are getting into disorder. I took a drive with my daughter, for exercise, and called at Huntly Burn. This evening went on with work as usual; there was not above four pages finished, but my conscience is quiet on my exertions. March 21. — I received young Whytbank to breakfast, and talked genealogy, which he understands well ; I have not a head for it. I only value it as interspersed with anecdote. Whytbank's relationship and mine exists by the Shaws. A younger brother of Shaw of Sauchie, afterwards Greenock, chief of the name, was minister of the Kirk of Selkirk. My great-grandfather, John Eutherford, minister of the gospel at Yarrow, married one of this reverend gentleman's daugliters ; and John Pringle, rector of Fogo, great-grandfather of the present Whytbank, married another. It was Christian Shaw, ^ Coriolanus, Act iv. 8c. G. 560 JOURNAL. [March my grandmother, who possessed tlie manuscript respecting the. murder of the Shaws by the Master of Sinclair.^ She could not, according to the reckoning of that age, l^e a distant relation. Whytbank parted, agreeing to return to dinner to meet the bride and bridegroom. I had little time to write, for Colonel Eussell, my cousin, called between one and two, and he also agreed to stay dinner ; so I had a walk of three hours with him in the plantations. At dinner we had IVlr, and Mrs. Bruce, Mr. Scrope, Mrs. and Dr. Brewster, "Whytbank, Russell, and young Nicol Milne, who will be a pleasant lad if he had a little polish. I was glad of the society, as I had rather felt tlie hesoin dc 2Mrler, which was perhaps one cause of my recent dumps. Scrope and Colonel Russell stayed all night ; the rest w-ent home. March 22. — Had a packet from James — low about the novel ; but I had another from Cadell equally uppish. He proposes for three novels in eighteen months, wliich would be £12,600. Well, I like the bookseller's predictions better tlian the printer's. Neither are bad judges ; but James, who is the best, is not sensible of historical descriptions, and likes your novel style out and out. Cadell's letter also contained a state of cash matters, since much improved. I will arrange them a day or two hence. I wrote to-day and took a long walk. The thought more than once passed over me. Why go to London ? I shall but throw away £150 or £200 which were better saved. Tlien on the other hand, it is such a gratification to see all the children that I must be tempted. If I were alone, I could scrub it, but there's no doing that with Anne. Marcli 23. — I wrought regularly till one, and then took the wood and marked out to Tom the places I would have thinned, particularly at the Carlin's hole, which will require ^ Ante, \y. 4r~A. 1828.] JOUENAL. 561 much tliinniiiEj. I had a letter from Cadell statimj; that 3000 Tales of a Grandfather must go to press, bringing a return to me of £240, the price being £80 per thousand. This is snug enough, and will prettily cover my London journey, and I really think ought in fairness to silence my prudential remorse. With my usual delight in catching an apology for escaping the regular task of the day, I threw by the novel of St. Valentine's Eve and began to run through and correct the Grandfather'' s Tales for the press. If I live to finish them, they will be a good thing for my younger children. If I work to the amount of £10,000 a year for the creditors, I think I may gain a few hundreds for my own family at by-hours. March 24. — Sent copy and proof to J. B.^ I continued my revision of the Tales of a Grandfather till half-past one. Then M^ent to Torwoodlee to wait on George Pringle and his bride. "We did not see the young people, but the old Laird and Miss Pringle gave us a warm reception, and seemed very happy on the occasion. We had friends to dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Theobald, Charles Kerr and his wife, my old acquaint- ance Magdalen Hepburn, whose whole [kin] was known to me and mine. I have now seen the fifth generation of the family in Mrs. Kerr's little girl, who travels with them. Well — I partly wish we had been alone. Yet it is perhaps better. We made our day out tolerably well, having the advantage of ]\Ir. Davidoff and his friend Mr. Collyer to assist us. March 25.— Mr. and Mrs. Kerr left us, Mr. Davidoff and Mr. Collyer also. Mr. Davidoff showed himself a good deal 1 It may have been witli this after James II. had dirked the Earl, packet that the following admoni- trailed the royal safe-conduct at tory note was sent to Ballantyne :— the tail of a serving man, instead of "Dear James, — I return the sheets the tail of a, starved 3Iare. — Yours of Tales with some waste of Na- truly, however, W, S." So printed 75oZeo?i for ballast. Pray read like a in first edition, vol. ii. p. 120, but lynx, for with all your devoted at- corrected in the subsc(juent editions tention things will escape. Imagine to "a miserable cart jade." your printing that the Douglases 2 X . 562 JOUENAL. [March affected. I hope well of this young nobleman, and trust the result will justify my expectations, but it may be doubted if his happiness be well considered by those who send a young person, destined to spend his life under a despotic govern- ment, to receive the ideas and opinions of such a people as we are : " where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise." ^ We drove as far as Yair with Mr. and Mrs. Theobald. The lady read after dinner — and read well. March 26.^The Theobalds left us, giving me time to work a little. A walk of two hours diversified my day. I received Cadell's scheme for the new edition. I fear the trustees will think Cadell's plan expensive in the execution. Yet he is right ; for, to ensure a return of speedy sale, the new edition should be both handsome and cheap. He proposes size a Eoyal 12mo, M'ith a capital engraving to each volume from a design by the best artists. This infers a monstrous expense, but in the present humour of the public ensures the sale. The price will be 5s. per volume, and the wliole set, 32 volumes, from Waverhy to Woodstock included, will be £8. March 27. — This also was a day of labour, affording only my usual interval of a walk. Five or six sheets was the result. We now appropinque an end. My story lias un- happily a divided interest ; there are tln-ee distinct strands of the rope, and they iare not well twisted together. " Ah, Sirs, a foul fawt," as Captain Jamy says.^ March 28. — The days have little to distinguish each other, very little. The morning study, the noontide walk, all monotonous and inclined to be melancholy ; God help me ! But I have not had any nervous attack. Read Tales of an Antiquary,^ one of the chime of bells which I have some hand in setting a-rinf^insf. He is really entitled to the name of an anticpiary ; but he has too much description in proportion to ^ Gray's Ode on Eton. ^ By Richard Thomson, author of Clironidoi of London Bridije, etc. '- See Henry V. Act. iii. Sc. 2. He died in 1 865. 1828.] JOUENAL. 563 the action. There is a capital wardrobe of properties, but the performers do not act up to their character. March 29. — Finished volume third thismornini?. I have let no grass grow beneath my heels this bout. Mr. Cadell with J. and A. Ballantyne came to dinner. Mr. and Mrs. George Pringle, new married, dined with us and old Torwoodlee. Sandie's music made the evenino; tjo sweetly down. March 30. — A long discourse with Cadell, canvassino- his scheme. He proposes I should go on immediately with the new novel. This will furnish a fund fi'om which may be supplied the advances necessary for the new work, which are considerable, and may reach from £4000 to £8000 — the last sum quite improbable — before it makes returns. Thus we can face the expenditure necessary to set on foot our great work. I have written to recommend the plan to John Gibson. Tliis theme renewed from time to time during the forenoon. Dr. Clarkson^ dined with us. We smoked and had whisky and water after. March 31. — The Ballantynes and Cadell left us in liigh spirits, expecting much from the new undertaking, and I believe they are not wrong. As for me, I became torpid after a great influx of morning visitors. " I grew vapourish and odd, And would not do the least riffht thing. Neither for goddess nor for god — Nor jiaint nor jest nor laugh, nor sing." I was quite reluctant to write letters, or do anything what- soever, and yet I should surely write to Sir Cuthbert Sharp and Surtees. We dined alone. I was main stupid, indeed, and much disposed to sleep, though my dinner was very moderate. ^ Dr. Ebenezer Clarkson, a Sur- neighbours on Tweedside saw a geon of distinguished merit at Sel- true picture — a portrait from lil'o kirk and tlirough life a trusty friend of Scott's hard-riding and sagacious and crony of the Sherififs. — J. G. L. old friend to all the country dear." "In Mr. Ciideon Gray, in The — Li/r, vol. ix. p. 181. Surgeon's Davijh'er, Sir Walter's A P E I L. jipril 1. — All Fools' day, the only Saint that keeps up some degree of credit in the world ; for fools we are with a vengeance. On this memorable festival we played the fool with great decorum at Colonel Ferguson's, going to visit them in a cold morning. In the evening I had a distressing letter from Mrs, MacBarnet, or some such name, the daughter of Captain Macpherson, smothered in a great snow storm. They are very angry at the Review ^ for telling a raw- head and bloody bones story about him, I have given the right version of the tale willingly, but this does not satisfy. I almost wish they would turn out a clansman to be free of the cumber. The vexation of having to do with ladies, who on siicli a point must be unreasonable, is very great. With a man it would be soon ended or mended. It really hurts my sleep. April 2. — I wrote the lady as civilly as I could, explain- ing why I made no further apology, which may do some good. Then a cursed morning of putting to rights, which drives me well-nigh mad. At two or three I must go to a funeral — a happy and interesting relief from my employment. It is a man I am sorry for, who married my old servant, Bell Ormiston. He was an excellent person in his way, and a capital mason — a great curler. April 3. — Set off at eight o'clock, and fought forward to Carlisle — a sad place in my domestic remembrances, since here T married my poor Charlotte, She is gone, and I am following faster, perhap.s, than I wot of. It is something to ^ See Foreign Quarterly, No. i. r.G4 1828.] JOUENAL. 565 have lived and loved ; and our poor children are so hopeful and affectionate, that it chastens the sadness attending the thoughts of our separation. We slept at Carlisle. I have not forgiven them for destroying their quiet old walls, and building two lumpy things like mad-houses. The old gates had such a respectable aj^pearance even, "When Scotsmen's heads did guard the Avail." Come, I'll write down the whole stanza, which is all tliat was known to exist of David Hume's poetry, as it was written on a pane of glass in the inn : — "Here chicks in eggs for breakfast sprawl, Here godless boys God's glories squall, Here Scotsmen's heads do guard the wall, But Corby's walks atone for all." The poetical works of David Hume, Esq., might, as book- makers know how, be driven out to a handsome quarto. Line 1st admits of a descant upon eggs roasted, boiled or poached ; 2d, a history of Carlisle Cathedral with some reasons why the choir there has been proverbially execrable ; 3d, the whole history of 1745 with minute memoirs of such as mounted guard on the Scotch gate. I remember the spikes the heads stood upon ; lastly, a description of Corby Castle with a plan, and the genealogy of the Howards. Gad, the booksellers would give me £500 for it. I have a mind to print it for the Bannatynians. April 4. — In our stage to Penrith I introduced Anne to the ancient Petreia, called Old Penrith, and also to the grave of Sir Evvain Ccesarias,^ that knight with the puzzling name, which has got more indistinct. We breakfasted at Buchanan's Inn, Penrith, one of the best on the road, and a fine stanch fellow owned it. He refused passage to some of the delegates who traversed the country during the Ptadical row, and when the worthies threatened liim with popular 1 For an account of this menu- land, vol. ii. p. 410, and " Nota- ment see Nicolson and Burns's His- bilia of Penrith," by George Wat- iory of Westmoreland and Camber- so^, C. and ]V. Transactions, 1:^0. xiw 566 JOUPtNAL. [April vengeance, answered gallantly that lie had not lived so long by the Crown to desert it at a pinch. The Crown is the sign of his inn. Slept at Garstang, a)i indifferent house. As a petty grievaiice, my ink-holder broke loose in the case, and spilt some of the ink on Anne's pelisse. Misfortunes seldom come single. " 'Tis not alone the inky cloak, good daughter," but I forgot at Garstang my two breastpins; one with Walter and Jane's hair, another a harp of pure Irish gold, the gift of the ladies of Llangollen.^ Ai^ril 5. — Breakfasted at Chorley, and slept at Leek. We were in the neighbourhood of some fine rock-scenery, but the day was unfavourable ; besides, I did not come from Scotland to see rocks, I trow. April 6. — Easter Sunday. We breakfasted at Ashbourne and went from thence to Derby ; and set off from thence to Draycot Hall (five miles) to visit Hugh Scott. But honest Hugh was, like ourselves, on the ramble ; so we had no- thing to do but to drive back to Derby, and from thence to Tamworth, where we slept. Ajjril 7. — ^We visited the Castle in the morning. It is inhabited by a brother-in-law of the proprietor ; and who is the proprietor ? "Why, Mr. Iiobbins," said the fat house- keeper. This was not a name quite according with the fine chivalrous old hall, in which there was no small quantity of armour, and odds and ends, which I would have been glad to possess. " Well, but madam, before Mr. Bobbins bought the place, who was the proprietor ? " " Lord Charles Townshend, sir." This would not do neither ; but a genealogy hanging above the chimney-piece informed me that the Eerrars were the ancient possessors of the mansion, which, indeed, the horse- shoes in the shield over the Castle gate might have intimated. Tamworth is a fine old place, neglected, but, therefore, more ^ Lady Eleanor Butler and the them in 1S25 is given by Mr. Hon. Miss Ponsonby, An amusing Lockliart in the Jjife, vol. viii. account of Sir Walter's visit to pp. 47-50. 1828.] JOUENAL. 567 like hoar antiquity. Tlie keep is round. The apartments appear to have been modernised tempore Jac. I"*'. There was a fine demipique saddle, said to have been that of James ii. The pommel rose, and finished off in the form of a swan's crest, capital for a bad horseman to hold on by. To show Anne wliat was well worth seeing, we visited Kenilworth. The relentless rain only allowed us a glimpse of this memorable ruin. Well, the last time I was here, in 1815,1 these trophies of time were quite neglected. Now they approach so much nearer the splendour of Thunder- ten- trouckh, as to have a door at least, if not windows. They are, in short, preserved and protected. So much for the novels. I observed decent children begging here, a thing uncommon in England : and I recollect the same unseemly practice formerly. "We went to Warwick Castle. The neighbourhood of Leamington, a watering-place of some celebrity, has obliged the family to decline showing the Castle after ten o'clock. I tried the virtue of an old acquaintance with Lord Warwick and wrote to him, he being in the Courthouse where the as- sizes were sitting. After some delay we were admitted, and I found my old friend Mrs. Home, in the most perfect preser- vation, though, as she tells me, now eighty-eight. She went 1 The visit to Kenilworth in 1S15 and m ith keen grey eye, passed is not noticed in the Life, but as through the court and remained Scott was in London for some among the ruins silent and alone for weeks in the spring of that year he about two hours. (Shalcspeare, vol. may have gone there on liis return i. p. 89.) The famous romance did journey. Mr. Charles Knight, not appear until six years later, viz. writing in 1842, says that Mr. in January 1821, and in the autumn Bonnington, the venerable occupant of that year it is somewhat singular of the Gate House, told him that he to find that Scott and his friend ^Ir. remembered the visit and the Stewart Rose are at Stratford-on- visitor ! It was "about twenty- Avon writing their names on the wall five years ago "—and after examin- of Shakespeare's birthi^lace — and ing some carving in the interior of yet leaving Kenilworth un visited. — the Gate House and putting many Perliaps the reason was that Mr. suggestive questions, the middle- Stewart Rose was not in the secret aged active stranger slightly lame, of the authorship of the Novels. r,68 JOUKNAL. [Apuil through her duty wonderfully, though now and then she com- plained of her memory. She has laid aside a mass of black plumes which she wore on her head, and which resembled the casque in the Castle of Otranto. Warwick Castle is still the noblest sight in England, Lord and Lady Warwick came home from the Court, and received us most kindly. We lunched with them, but declined farther hospitality. When I was last here, and for many years before, the unfortunate cir- cumstances of the late Lord W. threw an air of neglect about everything. I believe the fine collection of pictures would have been sold by distress, if Mrs. Home, my friend, h^d not redeemed them at her own cost.^ I was pleased to see Lord Warwick show my old friend kindness and attention. We visited the monuments of the Nevilles and Beauchamps, names which make the heart thrill. The monuments are highly preserved. We concluded the day at Stratford-upon- Avon. Ap7nl 8. — AVe visited the tomb of the mighty wizard. It is in the bad taste of James the First's reign ; but what a magic does the locality possess ! There are stately monuments of forgotten families ; but when you have seen Shakspeare's what care we for the rest. All around is Shakspeare's ex- clusive property. I noticed the monument of his friend John a Combe immortalised as drawing forth a brief satirical notice of four lines. After breakfast I asked after Mrs. Ormsby, the old mad woman who was for some time tenant of Shakspeare's house, and conceived herself to be descended from the immortal poet. I learned she was dying. I thought to send her a sovereign ; but this extension of our tour has left me no more than will carry me through my journey, and I do not like to run short ^ In the A7i7nial Jiegister for of the Warwick family. She liad July 1834 is the following notice : the privilege of showing the Oastle, ' ' Lately at Warwick Castle, aged by which she realised upwards of ninety-three, Mrs. Home, for £30,000." upwards of seventy years a servant 1828.] JOURNAL. 569 upon the road. So I take credit for my good intention, and — keep my sovereign — a cheap and not unusual mode of giving charity. Learning from Washington Irving's description of Strat- ford tliat the hall of Sir Thomas Lucy, the justice who rendered Warwickshire too hot for Shakspeare, and drove him to London, was still extant, we went in quest of it. Charlcote is in high preservation, and inhabited by Mr. Lucy, descendant of the worshipful Sir Thomas. The Hall is about three hundred years old, an old brick structure with a gate-house in advance. It is surrounded by venerable oaks, realising the imagery which Shakspeare loved so well to dwell upon ; rich verdant pastures extend on every side, and numerous herds of deer were reposing in the shade. All showed that the Lucy family had retained their " land and beeves." While we were surveying the antlered old hall, with its painted glass and family pictures, Mr. Lucy came to welcome us in person, and to show the house, with the collection of paintings, which seems valuable, and to which he had made many valuable additions. He told me the park from which Shakspeare stole the buck was not that which surrounds Charlcote, but belonged to a mansion at some distance where Sir Thomas Lucy resided at the time of the trespass. The tradition went that they hid the buck in a barn, part of which was stand- ing a few years ago, but now totally decayed. This park no longer belongs to the Lucys. The house bears no marks of decay, but seemis the abode of ease and opulence. There were some fine old books, and I was told of many more which were not in order. How odd if a folio Shakspeare should be found amongst them ! Our early breakfast did not prevent my taking advantage of an excellent repast offered by the kindness of Mr. and j\Irs. Lucy, the last a lively Welshwoman. This visit gave me great pleasure • it really brought Justice Shallow freshly before my eyesj 570 JOURNAL. [April the luces in his arms " which do become an old coat well " ^ were not more plainly portrayed in his own armorials in the hall-window than was his person in my mind's eye. There is a picture shown as that of the old Sir Thomas, but Mr. Lucy conjectures it represents his son. There were three descents of the same name of Thomas. The party hath " the eye severe, and beard of formal cut," which fills up with judicial austerity the otherwise social physiognomy of the worshipful presence, with his " fair round belly with fat capon lined." ^ We resumed our journey. I may mention among the pictures at Charlcote one called a Eomau Knight, which seemed to me very fine ; Teniers' marriage, in which, con- trary to the painter's wont, only persons of distinction are represented, but much in the attitude in which he delights to present his boors ; two hawking pieces by Wouvermans, very fine specimens, cum aliis. We took our way by Edgehill, and looked over the splendid richness of the fine prospect from a sort of gazeeboo or modern antique tower, the place of a Mr. Miller. It is not easy to conceive a richer and more peaceful scene than that which stretched before us, and [one with which] strife, or the memory of strife, seems to have nothing to do. " But man records his own disgrace, And Edgehill lives in histor}'." We got on to Buckingham, an ugly thougli I suppose an ancient town. Thence to Aylesbury tlirough the wealtli of England, — the scene of the old ballad — "Neither drunk nor sober, Lut neighbour to both, I met with a man in Aylesbury vale ; I saw by his face that he was in good case, To siieak no great harm of a pot of good ale." We slept at Aylesbury. The landlord, who seemed sensible, 1 Merry Wives, Act i. So. 1. " As Yo^i Like It, Act ii. Sc. 7. 1828.] JOUnXAL. 571 told me that the land round tlie town, beinn; the richest in England, lets at £3, or £3, 10s. and some so high as £4 per acre. But the poor-rates are 13s. to the pound. Now, my Whiteliaugli at Huntly Burn yielded at last set £4 per acre. April 9, [London]. — We got to town about mid-day, and found Sophia, Lockhart, and the babies quite well — delighted with their companion Charles, and he enchanted with his occupation in the Foreign Office. I looked into my cash and found £53 had diminished on the journey down to about £3. In former days a journey to London cost about £30 or thirty guineas. It may now cost one-fourth more. But I own I like to pay postilions and waiters rather more liberally than perhaps is right. I hate grumbling and sour faces ; and the whole savinrj will not exceed a "uinea or two for being cursed and damned from Dan to Beersheba. We had a joyful meeting, I promise you.^ Ajyril 10. — I spent the morning in bringing up my jonrnal ; interrupted by two of these most sedulous visitants who had objects of tlieir own to serve, and smelled out my arrival as the raven scents carrion — a vile comparison, though what better is an old fellow, mauled with rheumatism and other deplorables ? Went out at two and saw Miss Duniergue and other old friends ; Sotheby in particular, less changed than any one I have seen. Looked in at Murray's and renewed old habits. This great city seems almost a waste to me, so many of my friends are gone ; Walter and Jane coming up, the whole family dined together, and were very happy. The children joined in our festivity. My name-son, a bright and blue-eved rescue, with flaxen hair, screams and laughs like an A[)ril morning ; and the baby is that species 1 Sir Walter remained at tLis .sister's in Regent's Parii. He had time six weeks in London. His tlius looked forward to a liappy eldest son's I'egiment was stationed meeting with all his family — but at Hampton Court ; his second son he encountered scenes of sickness had recently taken his desk at the and distress. — Life, vol. ix. pp. Foreign Office, and was living at his 226-7. 572 JOURNAL. [Apkil of dough which is called a fine baby, I care not for children till they care a little for me. Ajjril 11. — Made calls, walked myself tired; saw Rogers, Sharp, Sotheby, and other old friends. April 12. — Dinner at home; a little party of Sophia's in the evening. Sharp told me that one evening being at Sheridan's house with a large party, Tom S, came to him as the night drew late, and said in a whisper, " I advise you to secure a wax-light to go to bed with," shewing him at the same time a morsel which he had stolen from a sconce. Sharp followed his advice, and had reason to be thankful for the hint. Tired and sleepy, I make a bad night watcher. Ap7'il 13. — Amused myself by converting the Tale of the 3Iysterious Mirror into Aunt Margaret's Mirror, designed ibr Heath's what-dye-call-it. Cadell will not like this, but I cannot afford to have my goods thrown back upon my hands. The tale is a good one, and is said actually to have happened to Lady Primrose, my great-grandmother having attended her sister on the occasion. Dined with Miss Dumergue. ]\Iy proofs from Edinburgh reached to-day and occupied me all the morning. April 14. Laboured at proofs and got them sent off, per Mr. Freeling's cover. So there 's an end of the Chronicles} James rejoices in the conclusion, where there is battle and homicide of all kinds. Always iwlitic to keep a trot for the avenue, like the Irish postilions. J. B. always calls to the boys to flog before the carriage gets out of the inn-yard. How we have driven the stage I know not and care not — except witli a view to extricating my difficulties. I have ^ The book was published early Fair Maid of Perth.) Etlinburgli : in April under the following title: Pi-inted for Cadell and Co., Edin- Chronicles of the Canongate, Second burgh, and Simpkiu and Marshall, Series, by the Author of Waverlcy, London, 1S2S; (at the end) Edin- etc., "sic itur al) astka" Motto burgh: Printed by Balhuityne and of Canongate Arms, in three vol- Co. umes. (iS'^. Valentine^ s Day ; or The 1828.] JOURNAL. 573 lost no time in beginning the second series of Grandfathers Tales, being determined to write as mncli as I can even here, and deserve by industry the soft pillow I sleep on for the moment. There is a good scene supposed to have happened be- tween Sam Eogers and a lady of fashion — the reporter, Lord Dudley. Sam enters, takes a stool, creeps close to the lady's side, "who asks his opinion of the last new poem or novel. Li a pathetic voice the spectre replies — " My opinion ? I like it very much — but the world don't lik(3 it ; but, indeed, I begin to think the world wrong in every- thing, except with regard to you." Now, Eogers either must have said this somewhere, or he has it yet to say. AVo dined at Lord Melville's. Ajml 15. — Got the lamentable news that Terry is totally bankrupt. This is a most unexpected blow, though his carelessness about money matters was very great. God help the poor fellow ! he has been ill-advised to go abroad, but now returns to stand the storm — old debts, it seems, with principal and interest accumulated, and all the items which load a falling man. And wife such a good and kind o o creature, and children. Alack ! alack ! I sought out his solicitor. There are £7000 or more to pay, and the only fund his share in the Adelphi Theatre, worth £5000 and upwards, and then so fine a chance of independence lost. That comes of not being explicit with his affairs. The theatre was a most flourishing concern. I looked at the books, and since have seen Yates. The ruin is inevitable, but I think they will not keep him in prison, but let him earn his bread by his very considerable talents. T shall lose the whole or part of £500 which I lent him, but that is the least of my concern. I hope the theatre is quite good for guaranteeing certain payments in 1829 and 1830. I judge they are in no danger, I should have gone to the Club to-day, but Sir James 574 JOUT^NAL. [AiiiiL Mackintosh had mistaken the day. I was glad of it, so stayed at home. It is written that nothing shall flourish under my shadow — the Ballantynes, Terry, Nelson, Weber, all came to distress. Nature has written on my brow, "Tour shade shall be broad, but there shall be no protection derived from it to aught you favour." Sat and smoked and srrumbled with Lockhart. A2^ril 16. — We dined at Dr. Young's ; saw Captain Parry, a handsome and pleasant man. In the evening at Mr. Cunlifie's, where I met sundry old friends — grown older. AjJril 17. — Made up my " Gurnal," which had fallen something behind. In this phautasmagorial place the ob- jects of the day come and depart like shadows.-^ Made calls. Gave [C. K.] Sharpe's memorial to Lord Leveson Gower. Went to Murray's, wliere I met a Mr. Jacob, a great econo- mist. He is proposing a mode of supporting the poor, by compelling them to labour by military force, and under a species of military discipline. I see no objection to it, only ^ Among the " objects that came elusion he adds, " Being in this and departed like shadows " in this curious fashion appointed, as it jjhantasmagoria of London life was were, ambassador between two a deeply interesting letter from kings of poetry, I would willingly Thomas CiU'lyle, and but for the fact discharge my mission with the that it bears Sir Walter's London solemnity that beseems such a busi- address, and the post-mark of this ness ; and naturally it must flatter day, one could not imagine he had my vanity and love of the marvel- ever seen it, as it remained unac- lous to think that by means of a knowledged and unnoticed in either foreigner whom I have never seen, Journal or Correspondence. I might soon have access to my It is dated LSth April 1828 ; and native sovereign, whom I have so one of the latest letters he indited often seen in public, and so often from "21 Comely Bank, Kdin- wished that I had claim to see and burgh." After advising Scott tliat know in private and near at hand. " (ioethe has sent two medals ... Meanwliile, 1 abide your further which lie is to deliver into his own orders in lliis matter, and so with hand," he gives an extract from all the regard which belongs to one Goethe's letter containing a criti- to whom I in connnon with otlier cism on Napoleon, with the a,Y>o\i)gy millions owe so much, I have the that "it is seldom such a writer honour to be, sir, most respectfully, obtains such a critic," and in c<>n- your servant. — T. C. " [See A pp.] 1828.] JOURNAL. 575 it will make a rebellion to a certainty ; and the tribes of Jacob will certainly cut Jacob's throat.^ Canning's conversion from popular opinions was strangely brought round. While he was studying at the Temple, and rather entertaining revolutionary opinions, Godwin sent to say that he was coming to breakfast with him, to speak on a subject of the highest importance. Canning knew little of him, but received his visit, and learned to his astonish- ment, that in expectation of a new order of things, the English Jacobins desired to place him. Canning, at the head of their expected revolution. He was much struck, and asked time to think what course he should take — and, having thought the matter over, he went to Mr. Pitt and made the Anti-Jacobin confession of faith, in which he persevered until . Canning himself mentioned this to Sir W. Knighton, upon occasion of giving a place in the Charter-house, of some ten pounds a yeai', to Godwin's brother. He could scarce do less for one who had offered him the dictator's curule chair. Dined with Rogers with all my own family, and met Sharp, Lord John Eussell, Jekyll, and others. The con- versation flagged as usual, and jokes were fired like minute guns, producing an effect not much less melancholy, — a wit should always have an atmosphere congenial to him, other- wise he will not shine. Went to Lady Davy's, where I saw the kind face, and heard the no less friendly greeting, of Lady Selkirk,^ who introduced all her children to me. ^ William Jacob, antlior of of Lord Braybrooke ami otlicr noble- Travds in Spain in 1810-11, and men and gentlemen in various dis- several works on Political Economy, tricts of England, appears to liave Among others "some tracts con- been attended with most beneficent ceming the Poor Colonies instituted results." — Life, vol. ix. p. 229. by the King of the Netherlands, Mr. Jacob died in 1852 aged eighty- which had marked influence in pro- eight. moting the scheme of granting " The widow of his old school- small allotments of land on easy fellow, the Hon. Thomas Douglas, terms to our cottagers; a scheme afterwards Earl of Selkirk.— See whicli, under the superintendence Life, vol. i. p. 77, and 208 n. 57G JOURNAL. [April AjJril 18. — Breakfasted with Joanna Baillie, and found that gifted person extremely well, and in the display of all her native knowledge of character and benevolence. She looks more aged, however. I would give as much to have a capital picture of her as for any portrait in the world. She gave me a manuscript play to read upon Witchcraft.^ Dined with the Dean of Chester, Dr. Phillpotts.^ " Where all above us was a solemn row Of priest and deacons, so were all below." ^ There were the amiable Bishop of London (Howdey*), Coplestone, whom I remember a first man at Oxford, now Bishop of Llandaff, the Dean of St. Paul's, and other digni- taries of whom I knew less. It was a very pleasant day — the wigs against the wits for a guinea in point of conversa- tion. Anne looked queer, and much disposed to laugh at finding herself placed betwixt two prelates [in black petti- coats]. April 19. — Breakfasted with Sir George Philips. JTad his receipt against the blossoms being injured by frost. It consists in watering them plentifully before sunrise. This is like the mode of thawing beef. We had a pleasant mornimr, much the better that Morritt was with us. He has agreed to go to Hampton Court with us to-morrow. Mr. Reynolds called on me about the drawing of the Laird's Jock; he is assiduous and attentive, but a little forward. Poor Gillies also called. Both asked me to dinner, but I refused. I do not incline to make what is called literary acquaintances ; and as for poor G., it is wild to talk about his giving dinner to others, when he can hardly get credit for his own. Dined with Sir Robert Henry Inglis, and met Sir Thomas i Ante, p. 424. Afterwards in- ^ Crabbe's Tale of the Dumb eluded in her Poetical and Dramatic Orators. — J. c. L. Works, Lend. 1851. * Dr. Howley, raised in 1828 to 2 Dr. Henry Phillpotts, conse- the Arclibishopric of Canterbury, crated Bishop of Exeter in 18.'} J. — J. (!. L. 1828.] JOURNAL. 577 Acland, my old and kind friend. I was happy to see him. He may be considered now as the head of the religious party in the House of Commons, a powerful body which Wilberforce long commanded. It is a difficult situation ; for the adaptation of religious motives to earthly policy is apt — among the infinite delusions of the human heart — to be a snare. But I could confide much in Sir T. Acland's honour and integrity. Bishop Blomfield [of Chester],^ one of the most learned prelates of the church, also dined. Coming home, an Irish coachman drove iis into a cul dc sac, near Battersea Bridge. We were obliged to get out in the rain. The people admitted us into their houses, where they were having their bit of supper, assisted with lights, etc., and, to the honour of London, neither asked nor ex- pected gratification. April 20. — We went to Walter's quarters in a body, and saw Hampton Court, with which I was more struck than when I saw it for the first time, about 1806. The pictures are not very excellent, but they are curious, which is as interesting, except to connoisseurs. Two I particularly remarked, of James i. and Charles i. eating in public. The old part of the palace, built by Wolsey, is extremely fine. Two handsome halls are still preserved : one, the ceiling of which is garnished, at the crossing and combining of the arches, with the recurriuo; heads of Henrv viii. and Anne Boleyn — great stinginess in Heur}', for these ornaments must have been put up after Wolsey's fall. He could surely afford a diversity of this species of ornament if any man could. Formerly, when the palace was complete, a fishing-house extended into, or rather over, the river. We had a good dinner from Walter, and wended merrily home. April 21. — Dining is the principal act of the day in London. We took ours at Kensington witli Croker. There ^ Translated to the see of Lomlon in 1S2S, where he remained until his death in 1859. 2 O 578 JOURNAL. [April were Theodore Hook and other witty men. He looks un- healthy and bloated. There was something, I know not what, awanting to the cheerfulness of the party. And " Silence like a heavy cloud, O'er all the warriors hung." If the general report of Croker's retiring be accurate, it may account for this. April 22. — Sophia left this to take down poor Johnnie to Brighton. I fear — I fear — but we must hope the best. Anne went with her sister. Lockhart and I dined with Sotheby, where we met a large dining party, the orator of which was that extra- ordinary man Coleridge. After eating a hearty dinner, during which he spoke not a word, he began a most learned harangue on the Samothracian IMysteries, which he con- sidered as affording the germ of all tales about fairies past, present, and to come. He then diverged to Homer, whose Iliad he considered as a collection of poems by different authors, at different times during a century. There was, he said, the individuality of an age, but not of a countr}'. Morritt, a zealous worshipper of the old bard, was incensed at a system which would turn him into a polytheist, gave battle with keenness, and was joined by Sotheby, our host. Mr, Coleridge behaved with the utmost complaisance and temper, but relaxed not from his exertions. " Zounds ! I was never so bethumped with words." Morritt's impatience must have cost him an extra sixpence worth of snuff.^ ^ Mr. Lockhart gives an account no more of anything, unless it were of another dinner party at wliicli punch. The materials were forth- Coleridge distinguished himself: — with produced; the bowl wasplanted "The first time I ever witnessed before tlie poet, and as he proceeded it [Hook's improvisation] was at a in his concoction, Hook, un))idden, gay young bachelor's villa near took his jilace at the piano. He Highgate, when the other lion was biii-st into a bacchanal of egregious one of a very dill'ercnt breed, Mr. luxury, every line of wliicli liad Coleridge. Much claret had been reference to the author of tlie Jjuy shed before the Ancient Mariner Se7-7no».'< nud the A ida to liejlection. proclaimed that lie could swallow The room was becoming excessively 1828.] JOUENAL. 57'.) We went to Lady Davy's in the evening, where there was a fasliionable party. A2ml 23. — Dined at Lady Davy's with Lord and Lady Lansdowne, and several other fashionable folks. My keys were sent to Braniah's with my desk, so I have not had the means of putting matters down regularly for several days ; but wlio cares for the whipp'd cream of London society ? Our poor little Johnnie is extremely ill. My fears have been uniform for this engaging child. We are in God's hands. But the comfortable and happy object of my journey is ended, — Seged, Emperor of Ethiopia,^ was right after all. Ajjril 24. — Spent the day in rectifying a road bill which drove a turnpike road througli all the Darnickers' cottages, and a good field of my own. T got it put to rights. I was in some apprehension of being obliged to address the Committee. I did not fear them, for I suppose they are no wiser or better in their capacity of legislators than I find them every day at dinner. But I feared for my reputation. They would have expected something better than the occasion demanded, or the individual could produce, and there would have been a failure. April 25. — Threatened to be carried down to vote at the election of a Collector of the Cess.- Eesolved if I did go to carry my son with me, which would give me a double vote. hot : the first specimen of the new and chandelier and the peculiar compound Avas handed to Hook, shot of each individual destroyer who paused to quaff it, and then. had apt, in many cases exquisitely exclaiming that he was stifled, witty, commemoration. In walk- flung his glass through the window, ing home with Mr. Culeridge, he Coleridge rose with the aspect of entertained and me with a a benignant patriarch and demo- most excellent lecture on the lished another pane — tin; example distinction between talent and was followed generally — the win- genius, and declared that Hook dow was a sieve in an instant — the was as true a genius as Dante — thai kind host was furtiiest from the was his example. " — llieodore Hook, mark, and his goblet made havoc Loud. 1S.").3, p. '2.3-4. ^ .Johnson's Rambler. of the chandelier. The roar of laughter was drowned in Theodore's resumption of tlie song — and window - The County Land Tax. 580 JOUENAL. [April Had some disagreeable correspondence about tins with Lord Minto and the Sheriff. We had one or two persons at home in great wretchedness to dinner. Lockhart's looks showed the misery he felt. I was not able to make any fight, and the evening went off as heavily as any I ever spent in the course of my life. Finished my Turnpike business by getting the exception- able clauses omitted, which would be good news to Darnick. Put all the Mirror in proof and corrected it. This is the contribution (part of it) to Mr. Eeynolds' and Heath's Kcc2)- saJce. We dined at Eichardson's with the two chief Barons of England^ and Scotland.^ Odd enough, the one being a Scotsman and the other an Englishman. Ear the pleasantest day we have had ; I suppose I am partial, but I think the lawyers beat the bishops, and the bishops beat the wits. Ajyril 26. — This morning I went to meet a remarkable man, Mr. Boyd of the house of Boyd, Benfield & Co., which broke for a very large sum at the beginning of the war. Benfield went to the devil, I believe. Boyd, a man of a very different stamp, went over to Paris to look after some large claims which his house had over the French Government. They were such as it seems they could not disavow, however they might be disposed to do so. But they used every eftbrt, by foul means and fair, to induce Mr. Boyd to depart. He was reduced to poverty ; he was thrown into prison ; and the most flattering prospects were, on the otlier hand, held out to hiui if he would compromise his claims. His answer was uniform. It was the property, he said, of his creditors, and he would die ere he resigned it. His distresses were so great that a subscription was made among his Scottisli friends, to which I was a contributor, through the request of poor Will ErskiiK!. After the peace of Paris the money was '■ The Right lion. .Sir ^\'. Alex- 1S2-4 ; died in London in his ciglity- ander of Airdrie, called to the eighth year, 1842. English liar 1782, Chief Baron - Sir Samuel Shepherd. 1828.] JOUIJNAL. 581 restored, uiid, faithful to the last, I'.oyd laid the whole at his creditors' disposal ; stating, at the same time, that he was pemiiless unless they consented to allow him a moderate sum in name of percentage, in consideration of twenty years of danger, poverty, and [exile], all of which evils he might have escaped by surrendering their right to the money. Will it be believed that a muck- worm was base enoudi to refuse his consent to this deduction, alleging he had promised to his father, on his death-bed, never to compromise this debt. The wretch, however, was overpowered by the execra- tions of all around him, and concurred, with others, in setting apart for Mr. Boyd a sum of £40,000 or £50,000 out of half a million of money.^ This is a man to whom statues should be erected, and pilgrims should go to see him. He is good-looking, but old and infirm. Bright dark eyes and eyebrows contrast with his snowy hair, and all his features mark vigour of principle and resolution. Mr. Morritt dined with us, and we did as well as in the circumstances could be expected. Eeleased from the alarm of being summoned down to the election by a civil letter from Lord IMinto. I am glad both of the relief and of the nKuiner. I hate civil war amongst neighbours. Ajjril 27. — Breakfasted this day with Charles ])uniergue on a 2)ovlct a la tartarc, and saw all his family, specially my godson. Called on Lady Stafford and others, and dined at Croker's in the Admiralty, Avith the Duke of Wellington, Huskisson, Wilmot Horton, and others, outs and ins. Xu politics of course, and every man disguising serious thoughts with a light brow. The Duke alone seemed open, though not letting out a word. He is one of the few whose lips are worth watching. I heard him say to-day that the best troops would ^ Walter Boyd at this time \\as was the author of several well- M P. for Lymington ; he had been known tracts on finance, and died a banker in Paris and in London ; iu 1837. 582 JOURNAL. [Apkil run now and then. He thought nothing of men running, he said, providing they came back again. In war he had always his reserves Poor Terry was here wlien I returned. He seems to see his matters in a delusive light. April 28. — An attack this day or yesterday from poor Gillies, boring me hard to apply to M'^nzies of Pitfoddels to entreat him to lend him money. I could not get him to understand that I was decidedly averse to write to another gentleman, with whom I was hardly acquainted, to do that which I would not do myself. Tom Campbell^ is in miser- able distress — his son insane — his wife on the point of becoming so. / nunc, et versus tecum meditare canoros} We, i.e. Charles and I, dined at Sir Francis Freeling's with Colonel Harrison of the Board of Green Cloth, Dr. [Maltby] of Lincoln's Inn, and other pleasant people. Doctor Dibdin too, and Utterson, all old Eoxburghe men. Pleasant party, were it not for a bad cold, which makes me bark like a dog. April 29. — Anne and Lockhart are off M'ith the children this morning at seven, and Charles and I left behind ; and this is the promised meeting of my household ! I went to Dr. Gilly's to-day to breakfast. Met Sir Thomas Acland, who is the youngest man of his age I ever saw. I was so much annoyed with cough, that, on returning, I took to my bed and had a siesta, to my considerable refreshment. Dr. Fergusson called, and advised caution in eating and drinking, which I will attend to. Dined accordingly. Duke of Sussex had cold and did not come. A Mr. or Dr. Pettigrew made me speeches on his account, and invited me to see his lioyal Highness's library, which I am told is a fine one. Sir Peter Laurie, late Sheriff, and in nomination to be Lord Mayor, beset ^ Campbell dietl at Boulogne in 1844, aged sixty-seven ; he was buried in Westminster. - Hwr. Eiqi. ii. 2, TO. 1828.] -lOUENAL 583 me close, and asked more questions than M'ould have Ijcen thought warrantable at the west end of the town. April 30. — AVe liad Mr. Adolplius and his father, the celebrated lawyer, to breakfast, and I was greatly delighted with the information of tlie latter. A barrister of extended practice, if he has any talents at all, is the best companion in the world. ^ Dined with Lord Alvanley and a fashionable party. Lord Fitzroy Somerset, Marquis and Marchioness of Worcester, etc. Lord Alvanley's wit made the party very pleasant, as well as the kind recej)tion of my friends the Misses Arden. 1 The elder Mr. Adolphus dis- lu.s IHstor)/ of the Beign of Geonje tinguished himself early in life by ///. — j. g. l. MAY. May 1. — Breakfasted with Lord and Lady Leveson Gower/ and enjoyed the splendid treat of hearing Mrs. Arkwright sing her own music,^ which is of the highest order — no forced vagaries of the voice, no caprices of tone, but all telling upon and increasing the feeling the words require. This is " marrying music to immortal verse. "^ Most people place them on separate maintenance. I met the Eoxburghe Clul), and settled to dine with them on lotli curt. Lord Spencer in the chair. We voted Lord Clive * a member. May 2. — I breakfasted with a ]\Ir. Bell, Great Ormond Street, a lawyer, and narrowly escaped Mr. Irving, the celebrated preacher. The two ladies of the house seemed devoted to his opinions, and quoted him at every word. ]\Ir. Bell himself made some apologies for the Millennium. He is a smart little antiquary, who thinks he ought to have been a man of letters, and that his genius has been mis-directed in turning towards the law. I endeavoured to combat this idea, which his handsome house and fine family should have ^ See ante, p. 13. L:uly Francis as slie closed, ' Capital words — Leveson Go'^er was the eldest whose are they? Byron's, I suppose, daughter of Charles Greville. ■ but I don't remember them.' He "^ Mr. Lockhart writes : — " Among was astonished when I told liim they other songs Mrs. Arkwright de- were his own in The Pirate. He lighted Sir Walter with lier own set seemed pleased at the moment, but of — said next minute, ' You have dis- • Farewell 1 farewell ! tlie voice you hear tressed me— if memory goes, all is Has left its last soft tone «itli you ; ^^.j^,^ ^^^ ^j^^^ ^.^^ ^^ Its next inustjoin the seaward clieer, '■ • , , ,, t ■ ^ , • And shout among the shouting crew. '"Y strong ponit. —Life, vol. ix. etc. p. 236. He was sitting by me, at some dis- ' Milton's L^ Allegro, ver. 137, 294. tancefrom the lady, and whispered, * Afterwards second Earl Powis. 5H 1828.] JOUKNAL. 685 checked. Compare lii.s dwelling, his comforts, with j^oor Tom CampLell's ! I dined Mith the Literary Society ; rather heavy work, though some excellent men were there. I saw, for the first time, Archdeacon Nares, long conductor of the British Critic, a gentlemanlike and pleasing man. Sir Henry Ilobert Inglis presided. May 3.— Breakfasted at my old friend Gaily Knight's, with whom, in former days, I used to make little parties to see poor Monk Lewis. After breakfast I drove to Lee and Kennedy's, and commissioned seeds and flowers for about £10, including some specimens of the Corsican and other pines. Their collection is very splendid, but wants, I think, tlie neatness that I would have expected in the first nursery- garden in or near London. The essentials were admirably cared for. I saw one specimen of the Norfolk Island pine, the only one, young Lee said, which has been raised from all the seed that was sent home. It is not treated conformably to its dignity, for they cut the top off every year to prevent its growing out at the top of the conservatory. Sure it were worth while to raise the house alongst with the plant. Looked in at Murray's — wrote some letters, etc., and walked home with the Dean of Chester, who saw me to my own door. I had but a few minutes to dress, and go to the Eoyal Academy, to which I am attached in capacity of Pro- fessor of Antiquities. I was too late to see the paintings, but in perfect time to sit half-an-hour waiting for dinner, as the President, Sir Thomas Lawrence, expected a prince of the blood. He came not, but there were enough of grandees besides. Sir Thomas Lawrence did the honours very well, and compliments flew about like sugar-plums at an Italian carnival. I had my share, and pleaded the immunities of a sinecurist for declining to answer. After the dinner I went to j\Irs. Scott of Harden, to see and be seen by her nieces, the Herbert ladies. I don't know 586 JOUKNAL. [May how their part of the entertainment turned out, but I saw two 01' tliree pretty girls. May 4. — I breakfasted this morning with Sir Coutts Trotter, and had some Scottish talk. Visited Cooper, who kindly undertook to make my inquiries in Lyons.^ I was at home afterwards for three hours, but too much tired to do the least right thing. The distances in London are so great that no exertions, excepting those which , a bird might make, can contend witli them. You retur: weary and exhausted, fitter for a siesta than anything else. In the evening I dined with ]\Ir. Peel, a great Cabinet affair, and too dignified to be very amusing, though the landlord and the pretty landlady did all to make it easy. May 5. — Breakfasted with Hay don, and sat for my head. I hope this artist is on his legs again. The King has given him a lift by buying his clever picture of the election in the Fleet prison, to which he is adding a second part, representing the chairing of the member at the moment it was interrupted by the entry of the guards. Haydon was once a great admirer and companion of the champions of the Cockney school, and is now disposed to renounce them and their opinions. To this kind of conversation I did not give much way. A painter should have nothing to do with politics. He is certainly a clever fellow, but somewhat too enthusiastic, which distress seems to have cured in some degree. His wife, a pretty woman, looked happy to see me, and that is something. Yet it was very little I could do to help them.'-^ Dined at Lord Bathurst's, in company with the Duke. There are better accounts of Johnnie. But, alas ! May 7. — Breakfasted with Lord Francis Gower, and 1 Regarding the Chancery busi- scription released the artist pro- ness, see hifra, p. (iO.l, n. duced, I need scarcely say, the pic- - Sir Walter had shortly before ture mentioned in the Diary. — j. g. L. been one of the contrilnitors to a Haydon died in June 1846. See .sul).sciipti()ii for Mr. Haydon. The liis Life, 3 vols., 1853, edited by iniprisonment from which the sub- Tom Taylor. 1828.] JOURNAL. ' 587 again enjoyed the great pleasure of meeting Mis. Arkwright, and hearing her sing. She is, I understand, quite a heaven- born genius, liaving scarce skill enough in music to write down the tunes she composes. I can easily believe this. There is a pedantry among great musicians that deprives their performances of much that is graceful and beautiful. It is the same in the other fine arts, where fashion always prefers cant and slang to nature and simplicity. Dined at Mr. Watson Taylor's, where plate, etc., shone in great and somewhat ostentatious quantity. C[roker] was there, and very decisive and overbearing to a great degree. Stransfe so clever a fellow should let his wit outrun his judgment ! ^ In general, the English understand conversation well. There is that ready deference for the claims of ever}' one who wishes to speak time about, and it is seldom now-a- days that " a la stoccata " carries it away thus.- I should have "one to the Duchess of Northumberland's to hear music to-night, but I felt completely fagged, and be- took myself home to bed. I learned a curious thing from Emily, Lady Londonderry, namely, that in feeding all animals with your hand, you should never wear a glove, which always affronts them. It is good authority for this peculiarity. May 8. — Breakfasted at Somerset House with Davies Gilbert, the new preses of the Eoyal Society. Tea, coffee, and bread and butter, whicli is poor work. Certainly a slice of ham, a plate of shrimps, some broiled fish, or a mutton chop, would have been becoming so learned a body. I was most kindly received, however, by Dr. D. Gilbert, and a number of the members. I saw Sir John Sievwriglil — a singular personage ; he told me his uniform plan was to support Ministers, l)ut he always found himself voting in 1 The Duke of Wellington, in down by Croker and Bankes I wiio after years, said to Lord Mahon, forgot that we might have them "He had observed on several oeca- every day." — Notes, p. 100. sions that Sir Walter Avas talked - i?o?neo aH(/i/«/Je/, Act III. .Sc. 1. 588 JOUKNAL. [M.vY Opposition. I told him liis deference to Ministers was like that of the Frenchman to the enemy, who, being at his mercy, asked for his life : — " Anything in my power excepting that, sir," said Monsieur. Sir John has made progress in teaching animals without severity or beating. I should have liked to have heard him on this topic. Called at Northumberland House and saw the Duke. According to his report I lost much by not hearing the two rival nightingales, Sontag and Pasta, last niglit, but I care not for it. Met Sir W. K[nighton], returned from the Continent. He gives me to understand I will be commanded for Sunday. Sir W. K. asked me to sit for him to Northcote, and to meet him there at one to-morrow. I cannot refuse this, but it is a great bore.^ Dined with Mrs. Alexander of Ballochmyle, Lord and Lady Meath, who were kind to us in Ireland, and a Scottish party, — pleasant, from hearing the broad accents and honest thoughts of my native land. A large party in the evening. A gentleman came up to me and asked " if I had seen the ' Casket,' a curious work, the most beautiful, the most highly ornamented — and then the editor or editress — a female so interesting, — might he ask a very great favour," and out he pulled a piece of this pic-nic. I was really angry, and said for a subscription he might command me — for a contribu- tion no ; that I had given to a great many of these things last year, and finding the labour occupied some considerable portion of my time, I had done a considerable article for a ^ Sir ^\'. Kiiightun, as a Devon- considered good." — CaiDtbujhani's shire man, naturally wished to have Lives, vol. vi p. 124. Itvas ex- the portrait painted l>y Northcote, hiliited in 1871 in lOdinhurgh ; its who was a brother Devonian. size is 4 ft. 2 in. x 3 ft. 2 in. Mr. Cunningham said of this picture David Laing, diilering from Allan that the conception was good, and Cunningham, considered that the reality given by the introduction of picture 2)resented "anything but a the painter, palette in hand, putting fortunate likeness." Northcote the finishing touch to the head of died July 13th, 1S31, in his eighty the poeL. "The likenesses were fifth year. 1828.] JOUENAL. 589 single collection this year, taking a valuable consideration for it, and engaged not to support any other. This may be misrepresented, but I care not. Suppose this patron of the Muses gives five guineas to his distressed lady, he will think he does a great deal, yet takes fifty from me with the calmest air in the world, for the communication is worth that if it be worth anything. There is no equality in the proposal. I saw to-day at Northumberland House, Bridge the jeweller, having and holding a George, richly ornamented with diamonds, being that which Queen Anne gave to the Duke of Marlborough, Avhich his present representative pawned or sold, and which the present king bought and presented to the Duke of Wellington. His Grace seemed to think this interesting jewel was one of two which had been preserved since the first institution of that order. That, from the form and taste, I greatly doubt. Mr, Bridge put it again into his coat pocket, and walked through the street with £10,000 in his pocket. I wonder he is not hustled and robbed. I have sometimes envied rich citizens, but it was a mean and erroneous feeling. This man, who, I suppose, must be as rich as a Jew, had a shabby look in the Duke's presence, and seemed just a better sort of pedlar. Better be a poor gentleman after all. May 9. — Grounds of Foote's farce of the Cozeners. Lady . A certain Mrs. Phipps audaciously set up in a fashionable quarter of the town as a person through whose influence, properly propitiated, favours and situations of importance might certainly be obtained — always for a con- sideration. She cheated many people, and maintained the trick for many months. One trick was to get the equipage of Lord North, and other persons of importance, to halt before her door as if the owners were within. With respect to most of them, this was effected by bribing the drivers. But a gentleman, who watched her closely, observed that Charles J. Fox actually left his carriage and went into the 590 JOURNAL. [:\rAY house, and tliis more than once. He was then, it must be noticed, in the JMinistry. When ]\Irs. Phipps was blown up, this circumstance was recollected as deserving explanation, which Fox readily gave at Brooks's and elsewhere. It seems Mrs. Phipps had the art to persuade him that she had the disposal of what was then called a hytena — that is, an heiress — an immense Jamaica heiress, in whom she was willing to give or sell her interest to Charles Pox. "Without having perfect confidence in the obliging proposal, the great statesman thousrht the thing worth looking after, and became so earnest in it, that Mrs. Phipps was desirous to back out of it for fear of discovery. With this view she made con- fession one fine morning, with many professions of the deepest feelings, that the hy?ena had proved a frail monster, and given birth to a girl or boy — no matter whicli. Even this did not make Charles quit chase of the hysena. He intimated that if the cash was plenty and certain, the circum- stance might be overlooked. Mrs. Phipps had nothing for it but to double the disgusting dose. " The poor child," she said, " was unfortunately of a mixed colour, somewhat tinged with the blood of Africa ; no doubt Mr. Pox was himself very dark, and the circumstance might not draw atten- tion," etc. etc. This singular anecdote was touched upon by Foote, and is the cause of introducing the negress into the Cozeners^ though no express allusion to Charles Pox was admitted. Lady tells me that, in her youth, the laugh was universal so soon as the black woman appeared. It is one of the numerous hits that will be lost to posterity. Jack Fuller, celebrated for his attempt on the Speaker's wig, told me he was editing Foote, but I think he has hardly tact enouoh. He told me Colman was to be his assistant.- o ^ Act III. Sc. 2. him in Cliantrey's studio in 1820. 2 John Fuller, long M.T. for —See Life, vol. vi. pp. 206, 207. Surrey, an eccentric cliaracter, and He died in his 77th year, in 18.34, looked upon as standing jester to thi' without apparently having carried House of Commons. Scott first met out his inteiitioii of e. "JO. GOO JOURNAL. [May presume, the precincts of a British town that must have held 30,000 men at least. I could not discover where they got water. We got home at four, and dined at five, and smoked cigars till eiarht. Will Rose came in with his man Hinvaes,^ who is as much a piece of Rose as Trim was of Uncle Toby. We laughed over tales " both old and new " till ten o'clock came, and then broke up. May 22. — Left Brighton this morning with a heavy heart. Poor Johnnie looks so very poorly that I cannot but regard his case as desperate, and then God help the child's parents ! Amen ! We took the whole of one of the post-coaches, and so came rapidly to town, Sophia coming along with us about a new servant. This enabled me to dine with Mr. Adolphus, the celebrated barrister, the father to my young friend who wrote so like a gentleman on my matters.^ I met Mr. Gurney, Archdeacon Wrangham, and a lawyer or two besides. I ma}' ^ David Hinves, Mr. W. Stewart with it Gundimore, a poem l)y the Rose's faithful and affectionate same "author," accept of this cor- attendant, furnished Scott with some reded copy of C'hristahel an a smaU hints for his picture of Davie token of regard ; yet such a testi- Gellatly in Waverhy. monial as I woukl not pay to any Mr. Lockhart tells us that Hinves one I did not esteem, though he was more than forty years in Mr. were an emperor. Rose's service ; he had been a " 'Re assured I will send you for bookbinder by trade and a preacher your private library every work I among the Methodists. have published (if tliere be any to ' ' A sermon heard casually under be had) and whatever I shall publish. a tree in the New Forest contained Keep steady to the Faitii. If the such touches of good feeling and fountainhead be always full, the broad humour that Rose promoted stream cannot be long empty. — the preacher to be his valet on the Yours sincerely, S. T. Coleridge. spot. He was treated more like a "'11 A'ovmte-lSie, il/i(rf/orrf."' friend than a servant by his master — Life, vol. iv. pp. 397-S. and by all his master's intimate Hinves died in Mr. Rose's service friends. Scott presented him with circa IS38, and liis master followed all his works ; and Coleridge gave him on tlie 30tli April 1843, a few him a corrected Cor rather an altered) weeks after his friend ^lorritt. copy of Christabd with this inscrip- ^ ^.n analysis of these letters v.-as tion on the fly-leaf: ' Dear Hinves, published by Mr. Lockhart in the — Till this book is concluded, and Life, vol. vi. pp. 3G l-SSfi. 1828.] .TOUE'N'xiL. 001 l)e partial, hut the conversation of intelligent barristers amuses me more than that of other professional persons. There is more of real life in it, with which, in all its phases, people of bvisiness get so well acquainted. i\[r. Adolphus is a man of varied information, and very amusing. He told me a gipsy told him of the success he should have in life, and how it would be endangered by his own heat of temper, alluding, I believe, to a quarrel betwixt him and a brother barrister. M((y 23. — I breakfasted with Chantrey, and met the celebrated Coke of Norfolk,^ a very pleasing man, who gave me some account of his plantations. I understand from him that, like every wise man, he planted land that would not let for 5s. per acre, but which now produces £3000 a year in wood. He talked of the trees which he had planted as being so thick that a man could not fathom ^ them. Withers, he said, was never employed save upon one or two small jobs of about twenty acres on which every expense was bestowed with a view to early growth. So much for Withers. I shall have a rod in pickle for him if worth while.^ After sitting to Chantrey for the last time, I called on Lady Shelley, P. P. C, and was sorry to find her worse than she had been. Dined with Lady Stafford, where I met the two Lochs, John and James. The former gave me his promise for a cadetship to Allan Cunningham's son ; I have a similar promise from Lord Melville, and thus I am in the situation in which I have been at daddies Wiel,^ where I have caught two fronts, one with ^ Created Earl of Leicester in ■* A deep pool in the Tweed, in 1837. which Scott had had a singular noc- - It is worth noting that Sir ^urnal adventure while "burning V/alter first wrote " grasp -and ^he water" in company with Hogg then deleted the word in favour of '"^"^^ Laidlaw. Hogg records that tho technical term-" fathom." ^^'^ "'^^■y '-""^l'^ ^^^^ t« ^^^ '^""o"' Avhile Scott was shouting — * \Y. Withers had just published " An' gin Uie bo.it were bottomless, a Letter to Sir Walter Srott cxpositiff An' seven miles to row." certain fundamental errors in Iil-t The scene was not forgotten Avhen late E^say on Planting. — Holt : h.e cuiic t^ m rite tl^c twenty-sixth Norfolk, 1828. chapter of Guy Manneriurj. 602 JOURNAL. [May the fly, the other with tlie bobber. I have landed both, and so I will now. Mr. Loch also promised me to get out Short- reed as a free mariner. Tom Grenville was at dinner. May 24. — This day we dined at Richmond Park with Lord Sidmouth. Before dinner his Lordship showed me letters which passed between the great Lord Chatham and Dr. Addington, Lord Sidmouth's [father]. There was much of that familiar friendship which arises, and must arise, between an invalid, the head of an invalid family, and their medical adviser, supposing the last to be a wise and well-bred man. The character of Lord Chatham's handwriting is strong and bold, and his expressions short and manly. There are in- timations of his partiality for AVilliam, whose health seems to have been precarious during boyhood. He talks of William imitating him in all he did, and calling for ale because his father was recommended to drink it. " If 1 should smoke," he said, " William would instantly call for a pipe ;" and, he wisely infers, " I must take care what I do." The letters of the late William Pitt are of great curiosity, but as, like all real letters of business, they only allude to matters with which his correspondent is well acquainted, and do not enter into details, they would require an ample commentary. I hope Lord Sidmouth will supply this, and have urged it as much as I can. I think, though I hate letters and abominate inter- ference, I will write to him on tliis subject. I have bought a certain quantity of reprints from a book- seller in Chancery Lane, Pickering by name. I urged him to print the controversy between Greene and the Harveys. He wished me to write a tliird part to a fine edition of Cotton's Angler, for wliich I am quite incompetent.^ I met at Richmond my old and much esteemed friend Lord Stowell,^ looking very frail and even comatose. Qiiantuni ' Tliis refers to the splendid in IS.Sti after nearly ten yoaits' pre- edition of Walton and Cotton, paration, in two ^■ols. lai'ge8vo. edited by Nicolas, and illustrated - Sir William Scott, Lord Stowell, Wy Stothard and Inbkipp, published diod2Stli .TnnnarylR.SG, aged ninety. 1828.] JOUENAL. G03 mutatus ! He was one of the pleasantest men I ever knew. Respecting the letters, I picked up from those of Pitt that he was always extremely desirous of peace with France, and even reckoned upon it at a moment when he ought to have despaired. I suspect this false view of the state of France (for such it was), which induced the British Minister to look for peace when there was no chance of it, damped his ardour in maintaining the war. He wanted the lofty ideas of his father — you read it in his handwriting, great statesman as he was. I saw a letter or two of Burke's in which there is an eiocinchement du ccenr not visible in those of Pitt, who writes like a Premier to his colleague. Burke was under the strange hallucination that his son, who predeceased him, was a man of greater talents than himself. On the contrary, he had little talent and no re- solution. On moving some resolutions in favour of the Catholics, which were ill-received by the House of Commons, young Burke actually ran away, which an Orangeman com- pared to a cross-reading in the newspapers : — Yesterday the Catholic resolutions were moved, etc., but, the pistol missing fire, the villains ran off ! Mai/ 25. — After a morning of letter-writing, leave-taking, papers destroying, and God knows what trumpery, Sophia and I set out for Hampton Court, carrying with us the following lions and lionesses — Samuel Rogers, Tom Moore, Wordsworth, with wife and daughter. We were verv kindly and properly received by Walter and his wife, and a very pleasant part}'.'' 3fa2/ 26. — An awful confusion witli paying of bills. 1 !Moore Avrites : " On our arrival other scril)l)lers not coniing in for at Hampton (where we found the a glance. Tlie dinner ody 1829. The great cost of tlic puhli- Cadell in 8vo. 18.30. cation naturally caused tlic Trus- - Referring to the uniform edition tees much anxiety at this period. 1828.] JOURNAL. 615 June 9. — I laliourecl till about one, and was then obligoil to go to attend a meeting of tlie Oil Clas Company, — as I devoutly hope for tlie last time. After that I was obliged to go to sit to Colvin Smith, which is an atrocious bore, but cannot be helped.^ Cadell rendered me report of accounts paid for mc with vouchers, which very nearly puts me out of all shop debts. God grant me grace to keep so! June 10-14. — During these five days almost nothing occurred to diversify the ordinary task of the day, which, I must own, was dull enough, I rose to my task by seven, and, less or more, wrought it out in the course of the day, far exceeding the ordinary average of three leaves per day. I have attended the Parliament House with the most strict refjularitv, and returned to dine alone with Anne, Also, I mive three sittinos to jMr. Colvin Smith, who I think has improved since I saw him. Of important intelligence nothing occurs save the ter- mination of all suspense on the subject of poor James Macdonald Buchanan. He died at Malta. The celebrated Du"ald Stewart is also dead, famous for his intimate ac- Cjuaintance with the history and philosophy of the human mind. There is much of water-painting in all metaphysics, which consist rather of words than ideas. But Stewart was most impressive and eloquent. In former days I was fre- quently with him, but not for many years. Latterly, I am told, he had lost not the power of thinking, but the power of expressing his thoughts by speech. This is like the Meta- morphosis of Ovid, the bark binding in and hardening the living flesh. June 15. — W. Clerk, Francis Scott, and Charles Sharpo dined with me, but my task had been concluded before dinner. June IG. — Dined at Dalmahoy, with the young Earl and Countess of IMorton. I like these young noble folks par- 1 Ante, p. y."!-, February 2d. G16 JOUENAL. [June ticularly well. Their manners and style of living are easy and unaffected, and I should like to see them often. Came home at night. The task finished to-day. I should mention that the plan about the new edition of the novels was con- sidered at a meeting of trustees, and finally approved of. I trust it will answer ; yet, who can warrant the continuance of popularity ? Old Corri,^ who entered into many projects, and could never set the sails of a wind-mill so as to catcli the aura i^opularis, used to say that he believed that were he to turn baker, it would put bread out of fashion. I have had the better luck to dress my sails to every wind ; and so blow on, good wind, and spin rourid, whirligig. June 1 7. — Violent rheumatic headache all day. Wrought, however. But what difference this troublesome addition may make on the quality of the stuff produced, truly I do not know. I finished five leaves. June IS. — Some Italian gentlemen landed here, under the conveyance of the Misses Haig of Bemerside. They were gentlemanlike men ; but as I did not dare to speak bad French, I had not inuch to say to foreigners. Gave them and their pretty guides a good breakfast, however. The scene seemed to me to resemble Sheridan's scene in the Critic?' There are a number of very civil gentlemen trying to make tliemselves understood, and I do not know wliich is the interpreter. After all, it is not my fault. Tliey m'Iio wish to see me should be able to speak \\\y language. I called on Mrs. Stewart Mackenzie. Slie received me with all the kindness of former days, and I was delighted to see her. I sat about an hour with her. My head aches, for all tliat, and I liave heavy fits of drowsiness. Well, I liave finished my task, and have a right to sleep if I have a mind. ' Nalali Corii, horn in Italy, but cal works. Ho died at Trioste in settled in ]lair Adam, with our excellent friend the Eev. John Tliomson of Dudding- ston, so modest and so accomplished-, — delightful drive and l^assage at the ferry. We found at Blair Adam the C. C. and family, Admiral Adam and lady, James Thomson of Charlton, and Miss T., Will Clerk, and last, not least, Lord Chief Baron Shepherd — all in hii^h spirits for our excursions. Thomson described to me a fine dungeon in the (Jd tower at Cassillis in Ayrshire. There is an outer and inner vaulted [chamber], each secured with iron doors. At the upper end of the innermost are two great stones or blocks to which the staples and chains used in securing the prisoners are still attached. Between these stone seats is an opening like the mouth of a still deeper dungeon. The entrance descends like the moutli of a draw-well or shaft of a mine, and deep below is heard the sullen roar of the river Doon, one branch of which, passing through the bottom of tlic shaft, has proljably swept away the body of many a captive, wdiose body after death may have been thus summarily disposed of. I may find use for such a place — Story of [KittlcdarJcic ? ] June 28. — Off we go to Castle Campbell after breakfast, i.e. Will Clerk, Admiral Adam, J. Thomson, and myself. Tremendous hot is the day, and the steep ascent of the Castle, which rises for two miles up a rugged and broken path, was fatiguing enough, yet not so much so as the streets in London. Castle Campbell is unaltered ; tlie window, of which the disjointed stone projects at an angle from tlie wall, and seems at the point of falling, has still found power to resist the laws of gravitation. Whoever built that tottering piece of masonry lias been long in a forgotten grave, and yet what he has made seems to survive in spite of ]iature itself. The curious cleft called Kemp's Score, which gave tb'^ garrison access to the water in case of siege, 622 JOURNAL. [June is obviously natural, but had been improved by steps, now choked up. A girl who came with us recollected she had shown me the way down to the bottom of this terrible gulf seven years ago. I am not able for it now. "Wont to do's awa frae me, Frae silly auld John Ochiltree." ^ June 29. — ^Being Sunday we kept about the doors, and after two took the drosky and drove over the hill and round Ijy the Kiery Craigs. I should have said Williams came oiit in the morning to ask my advice aliout staying another year in Edinburgh. I advised him if possible to gain a few days' time till I should hear from Lockhart. He has made a pretty mess for himself, but if the Bishops are wise, they may profit by it. The sound, practical advice of Williams at the first concoction would be of the last conse- quence. I suspect their systems of eating-houses are the most objectionable part of the college discipline. When their attentions are to be given to the departments of the cook and the butler, all zeal in the nobler paths of education is apt to decay. Well, to return to the woods. I think, notwithstanding Lord Chief Commissioner's assiduity, they are in some places too thick. I saw a fine larch, felled seventy-two years old, value about five pounds. Hereditary descent in the Highlands, A clergyman showed J. T. the island of Inch Maliome in the Port of Monteith, and pointed out the boatman as a remarkable person, the representative of the hereditary gardeners of the Earls of Monteith, while these Earls existed. Llis son, a priggish boy, follows up the theme — " Eeyther, when Donald MacCorkindale dees will not the family be extinct ? " Eather — "No; T believe there is ;i man in T>al(|uhidder who takes up the succession" J'lmc 30. — ^AVe made our pleasant excursion to-day round ^ Ramsay's Tea-table Miscellany (1795). vol. i. p. 12i? 1828.] JOIJPtNAL. G23 the hill of Beiiuarty |>a?- tcrrc, and returned par mcr. Our route by land led us past Lochore, where we made a pause for a few moments. Then proceeded to Ballingray or Bin- gray, and so by Kirkuess, where late ravages are supplied Ijy the force of vegetation down to the shores of Lochleven. We embarked and went npon Saint Serf's Island, supposed to have been anciently a cell of the Culdees. An old pinfold, or rather a modern pinfold, constructed out of the ancient chapel, is all that attests its former sanctity. We landed on Queen jMary's Island, a miserable scene, considering the purpose for which the Castle was appointed. And yet the captivity and surrender of the Percy was even a worse tale, since it was an eternal blight on the name of Douglas. Well, we got to Blair Adam in due time, and our fine company began to separate, Lord Chief Baron going off after dinner. We had wine and wassail, and John Thomson's delightful flute to help us through the evening. Thus end the delectations of the Blair Adam Club for this year. Mrs. Thomson of Charlton talks of Beaton's House, and other Fife wonders for the next year, but who knows what one year may bring forth ? Our Club has been hitherto fortunate. It has subsisted twelve years. JULY. " Up in the morning's no for me." ^ Yet here I am up at five — no horses come from the North Ferry yet. " Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Mitchell, Your promises and time keep stitch ill." July 1, [Fdinhuo-gh]. — Got home, however, Ly nine, and went to tlie Parliament House, wliere we were detained till four o'clock. Miss dined with us, a professed lion- huntress, who travels the country to rouse the peaceful beasts out of their lair, and insists on being hand and glove with all the leonine race. She is very plain, besides fright- fully red-haired, and out-Lydia-ing even my poor friend Lydia White. An awful visitation ! I think I see her with javelin raised and buskined foot, a second Diana, roaming the hills of Westmoreland in quest of the lakers. Would to God she were there or anywhere but here ! Affectation is a painful thing to witness, and this poor woman has the bad taste to think direct flattery is the way to make her advances to friendship and intimacy. July 2. — I believe I was cross yesterday. I am at any rate very ill to-day with a rheumatic headache, and a still more vile hypochondriacal affection, which fdls my head with pain, my heart with sadness, and my eyes with tears. I do not wonder at the awful feelings whicli visited men less educated and less firm than I may call myself. It is a most hang-dog cast of feeling, but it may be chased away by study or by exercise. The last I have always found most success- ful, but the first is most convenient. I wrought therefore, ^ Burus's souc. 021 1828.] JOUENAL. 625 and endured all this forenoon, being a Teind AVednesday. I am now in such a state that I would hardly be surprised at the worst news which could be brought to me. And all this without any rational cause why to-day should be sadder than yesterday. Two things to lighten my spirits — First, Cadell comes to assure me tliat the stock of 12mo novels is diminished from 3800, which was the quantity in the publishers' hands in j\Iarch 1827, to 600 or 700. This argues gallant room for the publication of the New Series. Second, said Cadell is setting off straight for London to set affairs a-cfoing. If I have sue- cess in this, it will greatly assist in extricating my affairs. ]\ry aches of the heart terminated in a cruel aching of the head — rheumatic, I suppose. But Sir Adam and Clerk came to dinner, and laughed and talked the sense of pain and oppression away. We cannot at times work ourselves into a gay humour, any more than we can tickle ourselves into a fit of laughter ; foreign agency is necessary. My huntress of lions again dined with us. I have subscribed to her Album, and done what was civil. July 3. — Corrected proofs in the morning, and wrote a little. I was forced to crop vol. i. as thirty pages too long ; there is the less to write behind. We were kept late at the Court, and when I came out I bethought me, like Christian in the Castle of Giant Despair, "Wherefore should I walk along the broiling and stifling streets when I have a little key in my bosom which can open any lock in Princes Street Walks, and be thus on the Castle banks, rocks, and trees in a few minutes ? " I made use of my key accordingly, and walked from the Castle Hill down to Wallace's Tower,^ and thence to the west end of Princes Street, through a scene of grandeur and beauty perhaps unequalled, whether the fore- ground or distant view is considered — all down hill, too. Foolish never to think of this before. I chatted with the girls a good wliile after dinner, but wrote a trifle when we had tea. •^ No^^ called Wellhouse Tower, o p 626 JOUllNAL. [July 1828. July 4. — The two Annes set off to Abbotsford, though the weather was somewhat lowering for an open carriage, but the day cleared up finely. Hamilton is unwell, so we had a long hearing of his on our hands. It was four ere I got home, but I had taken my newly discovered path by rock, bush, and ruin. I question if Europe has such another path. We owe this to the taste of James Skene. But I must dress to go to Dr. Hope's, who makes cMre exquise, and does not understand being kept late. July 6. — Saturday, corrected proofs and wrought hard. Went out to dinner at Oxenfoord Castle, and returned in the company of Lord Alloway, Chief Baron, Clerk, etc., and Mr. Bouverie, the English Commissioner. July 6. — A day of hard work. The second volume is now well advanced — wellnigh one half. Dined alone, and pursued my course after dinner. Seven pages were finished. Solitude 's a fine thing for work, but then you must lie by like a spider, till you collect materials to continue your web. Began Simond's Switzerland — clever and intelligent, but rather conceited, as the manner of an American Frenchman. I hope to knock something out of him though. July 7. — Williams seems in uncertainty again, and I can't guess what he will be at. Surely it is a misery to be so in- decisive ; he will certainly gain the ill word of both parties and might liave had the good word of all; and, indeed, deserves it. We received his resignation to-day, but if the King's College are disposed to thrive, they will keep eyes on this very able man. Jiily 8. — Hard work in the Court, the sederunts turn long and burthensome. I fear they will require some abridgment of vacation. [From Jiily 8, 1828, to January 10, 1829, there are no entries in the Journal.'] 1829 JANUARY. Having omitted to cany on my Diary for two or three days, I lost heart to make it up, aud left it unfilled for many a month and day. During this period nothing has happened worth particular notice. The same occupations, the same amusements, the same occasional alternations of spirits, gay or depressed, the same absence of all sensible or rational cause for the one or the other. I half grieve to take up my pen, aud doubt if it is worth while to record such an infinite qviantity of nothing, but hang it ! I hate to be beat, so here goes for better behaviour. January 10. — I resume my task at Abbotsford. We are here alone, except Lockhart, on a flying visit. Morritt, his niece, Sir James Stuart, Skene, and an occasional friend or two, have been my guests since 31st December. I cannot say I have been happy, for the feeling of increasing weak- ness in my lame leg is a great affliction. I walk now with pain and difliculty at all times, and it sinks my soul to think how soon I may be altogether a disabled cripple. I am tedious to my friends, and I doubt the sense of it makes me fretful. Everything else goes off well enough. My cash affairs are clearing, and though last year Avas an expensive one, I have been paying debt. Yet I have a dull contest before me which will probably outlast my life. If well maintained, however, it will be an honourable one, and if the Magmcvi Ojpus succeed, it will afford me some repose. 629 630 JOUENAL. [Jan. January 1 1 . — I did not write above a page yesterday ; most weary, stale, aud unprofitable have been my labours. Eeceived a letter I suppose from Mad. T. , proposing a string of historical subjects not proper for my purpose. People will not consider that a thing may already be so well told in history, that romance ought not in prudence to meddle with it. The ground covered with snow, which, by slipperiness and the pain occasioned by my lameness, renders walking unpleasant. January 12. — This is the third day I have not walked out, pain and lameness being the cause. This bodes very ill for my future life. I made a search yesterday and to-day for letters of Lord Byron to send to Tom Moore, but I could only find two. I had several others, and am shocked at missing them. The one which he sent me with a silver cup I regret particularly. It was stolen out of the cup itself by some vile inhospitable scoundrel, for a servant would not have thouoht such a theft worth while. My spirits are low, yet I wot not why. I have been writing to my sons. Walter's majority was like to be reduced, but is spared for the present. Charles is going on well I trust at the Foreign Office, so I hope all is well. Loitered out a useless day, half arranging half dis- arranging books and j)apers, and packing the things I shall want. Der Ahschicdstag ist da. January 13. — The day of return to Edinburgh is come. I don't know why, but I am more happy at the change than usual. I am not working hard, and it is what I ouglit to do, aud must do. Every hour of laziness cries fie upon me. But there is a perplexing sinking of the heart which one cannot always overcome. At such times I have wished myself a clerk, quill-driving for twopence per page. You have at least application, and that is all that is necessary, whereas unless your lively faculties are awake and pro- 1829.] JOURNAL. 631 pitious, your application will do you as little good as if you strained your sinews to lift Arthur's Seat. January 14, [Edinburgli]. — Got liome last night after a freezing journey. This morning I got back some of the last copy, and tugged as hard as ever did soutar to make ends meet. Then I will be reconciled to my task, which at present disgusts me. Visited Lady Jane, then called on Mr. Robison and instructed him to call a meeting of the Council of the Royal Society, as Mr. Knox proposes to read an essay on some dissections. A bold proposal truly from one who has had so lately the boldness of trading so deep in human flesh! I will oppose his reading in the present circumstances if I should stand alone, but I hope he will be wrought upon to withdraw his essay or postpone it at least. It is very bad taste to push himself forward just now. Lockhart dined with us, which made the evening a pleasant but an idle one. Well ! I must rouse myself. " Awake ! Arise, or be for ever fallen." ^ January 15. — Day began with beggars as usual, and John Nicolson has not sense to keep them out. I never yield, however, to this importunity, thinking it wrong that what I can spare to meritorious poverty, of which I hear and see too nmch, should be diverted by impudent importunity. I was detained at the Parliament House till nearly three by the great case concerning prescription, Maule v. Maule.^ This was made up to me by hearing an excellent opinion from Lord Corehouse, with a curious discussion in airicibus juris. I disappointed Graham ^ of a sitting for my picture. ^ Wilton's Paradiiic Lout, Bk. i. Edinburgh. When the portrait was - See Cases in Court of Session, finished it was placed in the rooms vol. vii. S. p. 527. of tlie Society, where it still hangs. •^ John Graham, who afterwards Tlie artist retained in his own coUec- assumed the name of Gilbert ; born tion a duplicate, with some slight 1794, died 1S6G. variations, wliich his widow prc- He was at tliis time painting Sir sented to the National Portrait Walter for the Koyal Society of Gallery, London, in 1SG7. 632 JOUENAL. [Jan. I weut to the Council of the lioyal Society, which was con- veued at my request, to consider whether we ouglit to hear a paper on anatomical subjects read by jNIr. Knox, whose name has of late been deeply implicated in a criminal prosecution against certain wretches, who had murdered many persons and sold their bodies to professors of the anatomical science. Some thought that our declining to receive the paper would be a declaration unfavourable to Dr. Knox. I think hearing it before Mr. Knox has made any defence (as he is stated to have in view) would be an intimation of our preference of the cause of science to those of morality and common humanity. Mr. Knox's friends undertook to deal with him about suffering the paper to be omitted for the present, while adhuc coram juclice lis est} January 16. — Nothing on the roll to-day, so I did not go to the Parliament House, but fagged at my desk till two. ^ Sir Waltei', in common with the majority of his contemporaries, evidently believed that Dr. Robert Knox was partly responsible for the West Port atrocities, but it is only just to the memory of the tal- ented anatomist to say that an independent and influential com- mittee, after a careful examination, reported on March 13th, 1820, that there was no evidence showing tliat he or his assistants knew that murder had been committed, but the committee thought that more care should have been exei'cised in the reception of the bodies at the Anatomical Class-room. Lord Cockburn, who was one of the counsel at the trial of Burke, in writing of these events, remarks : "All our anatomists incurred a most unjust and very alarming, thougli not an unnatural, odium ; Dr. Knox iu particular, against whom not only the anger of tlie populace, but the condemnation of more intelligent persons, was specially directed. But, tried in reference to the invariable and the necessary practice of the profession, our anatomists were spotlessly cor- rect, and Knox the most correct of them all." At this date Dr. Knox was the most popular teacher in the Medical School at Edinburgh, and as his class-room could not contain more than a third of his students, he had to deliver his lectures twice or thrice daily. The odium attached to his name might have been removed in time had his personal character stood as high as his pro- fessional ability, but though he remained in Edinburgh until 1841 he never recovered his position there, and for the last twenty years of his life this once brilliant teacher subsisted as best he could in Lon don by his pen, and as an itinerant lecturer. Ho died iu 1SG2. 1829.] JOUENAL. 633 Dr. Eoss called to relieve me of a corn, which, though my lameness needs no addition, had tormented me vilely. I again met the Koyal Society Council. Dr. Knox consents to -withdraw his paper, or rather suffers the reading to be postponed. There is some great error in the law on the subject. If it was left to itself many bodies would be im- ported from France and Ireland, and doubtless many would be found in our hospitals for the service of the anatomical science. But the total and severe exclusion of foreign sup- plies of this kind raises the price of the " subjects," as they are called technicall}^ to such a height, that wretches are found willing to break into " the bloody house of life," ^ merely to supply the anatomists' table. The law which, as a deeper sentence on the guilt of murder, declares that the body of the convicted criminal should be given up to ana- tomy, is certainly not without effect, for criminals have been known to shrink from that part of the sentence which seems to affect them more than the doom of death itself, with all its terrors here and hereafter. On the other hand, while this idea of the infamy attending the exposition of the person is thus recognised by the law, it is impossible to adopt regulations which would effectually prevent such horrid crimes as the murder of vagrant wretches who can be snatched from society without their being missed, as in the case of the late conspiracy. For instance, if it was now to be enacted, as seems reasonable, that persons dying in hospitals and almshouses, who die without their friends claiming their remains, should be given up to the men of science, this would be subjecting poverty to the penalty of these atrocious criminals whom law distinguishes by the heaviest posthumous disgrace which it can inflict. Even cultivated minds revolt from the exposure on an anatomical table, when the case is supposed to be that of one who is dear to them. I should, I am conscious, be willing that I ^ King John, Act IV. Sc. 2. 634 JOURNAL. [Jan. myself should be dissected in public, if doing so could pro- duce any advantage to society, but when I think on re- lations and friends being rent from the grave the case is very different, and I would fight knee-deep to prevent or punish snch an exposure. So inconsistent we are all upon matters of this nature. I dined quietly at home with the girls, and wrote after dinner. January 1 7. — Nothing in the roll ; corrected proofs, and went off at 12 o'clock in the Hamilton stage to William Lockhart's at Auchinrath. My companions, Mr. Living- stone, the clergyman of Camnethan, a Bailie Hamilton, the king of trumps, I am told, in the Burgh of Hamilton, and a Mr. Davie Martin qui gaudet eqids ct canibus. Got to Auchinrath by six, and met Lord Douglas,^ his brother, Captain Douglas, E.N,, John G. Lockhart also, who had a large communication from Duke of W. upon the subject of the bullion. The Duke scouts the economist's ideas about paper credit, after the proposition that all men shall be entitled to require gold. January 18. — We went, the two Lockharts and I, to William's new purchase of Milton. We found on his ground a cottage, where a man called Greenshields,^ a sensible, powerful-minded person, had at twenty-eight (rather too late a week) ^ taken up the art of sculpture. He had dis- posed of the person of the King most admirably, according to my poor thoughts, and had attained a wonderful ex- pression of ease and majesty at tlie same time. He was desirous of engaging on Burns' Jolly Beggars, which I dissuaded. Caricature is not the object of sculpture. We went to Milton on as fine a day as could consist with snow on the ground. Tlie situation is eminently ^ Archibald, second Lord Douglas, 288. He died at the age of forty who died in 1844. in 1835. - Jolin (jreenshields, self-tauglit sculptor. See Life, vol. ix. p. 281- ^ As You Like II, Act ii. So. 3. 1829.] JOURNAL. 635 beautiful ; a fine promontory round wliicli the Clyde makes a mafrnificent bend. AVe fixed on a situation where the sitting-room should command the Tipper view, and, with an ornamental garden, I think it may be made the prettiest place in Scotland. January 19. — Posted to Edinburgh with John Lockhart. We stopped at Allanton to see a tree transplanted, which was performed with great ease. Sir Henry is a sad coxcomb, and lifted beyond the solid earth by the effect of his book's success. But the book well deserves it.^ He is in practice particularly anxious to keep the roots of the tree near the surface, and only covers them with about a foot of earth. Note. — Lime rubbish dug in among the roots of ivy encourasfes it much. O The operation delayed us three hours, so it was seven o'clock before we reached our dinner and a good fire in Shandwick Place, and we were wellnigh frozen to death. During this excursion I walked very ill — with more pain, in fact, than I ever remember to have felt — and, even leaning on John Lockhart, could hardly get on. Baacl that, vara haad — it might be the severe weather though, and the numbing effect of the sitting in the carriage. Be it what it will, I can't help myself. January 20. — I had little to do at the Court, and returned home soon. Honest old Mr. Ferrier is dead, at extreme old age. I confess I should not wish to live so long. He was a man with strong passions and strong pre- judices, but with generous and manly sentiments at the same time. We used to call him Uncle Adam, after that character in his gifted daughter's novel of the Heiress [In- heritance]. I wrote a long letter after I came home to my Lord Elgin about Greenshields, the sculptor.- I am afraid ^ Sir Henry Seton Steuart's -work died in !March 1836. on Plantinf) was reviewed by Scott in the Quarterly. — See J/fsr. Prose - See letter in Life, \o(. ix. pp. Works, vol. xxi. Sir H. Steuart 281-287. 636 JOUENAL. [Jan. lie is going into the burlesque line, to wliicli sculpture is peculiarly ill adapted. So I have expressed my veto to his patron, valeat quantum. Also a letter to Mrs. Professor Sandford at Glasgow about reprinting Macaulay's History of St. Kilda} advising them to insert the history of Lady Grange who was kidnapped and banished thither. I corrected my proofs, moreover, and prepared to dine. After dinner we go to Euphemia Erskine's marriage. Mr. Dallas came in and presented me with an old pedigree of the M'Intoshes. The wedding took place with the usual April weather of smiles and tears. The bridegroom's name is Dawson. As he, as well as the bride, is very tall, they have every chance of bringing up a family of giants. The bridegroom has an excellent character. He is only a captain, but economy does wonders in the army, where there are many facilities for practising it. I sincerely wish them happiness. January 21. — Went out to Dalkeith House to dine and stay all night. Found Marquis of Lothian and a family party. I liked the sense and spirit displayed by this young nobleman, who reminds me strongly of his parents, whom I valued so highly. January 22. — Left Dalkeith after breakfast, and gained the Parliament House, where there was almost nothing to do, at eleven o'clock. Afterwards sat to Graham, who is making a good thing of it. Mr. Colvin Smith has made a better in one sense, having sold ten or twelve copies of the portrait to different friends." The Solicitor came to dine with me — we drank a bottle of champagne, and two bottles of claret, which, in former days, I should have thouglit a very sober allowance, since, Lockhart included, there were three persons to drink it. But I felt I had drunk too much, and was uncomfortable. The young men stood it ^ Originally published in London in Svo, 17G4. This contemplated edition does not appear to have been printed. '^ Ante, p. 532 n. 1829.] JOUKNAL. 637 like young men. Skene and his wife and daughter looked in in the evening. I suppose I am turning to my second childhood, for not only am I filled drunk, or made stupid at least, with one bottle of wine, but I am disabled from writing by chilblains on my fingers — a most babyish com- plaint. They say that the character is indicated by the handwriting ; if so, mine is crabbed enough. January 23. — Still severe frost, annoying to sore fingers. Nothing on the roll. I sat at home and wrote letters to Wilkie, Landseer, Mrs. Hughes, Charles, etc. "Went out to old Mr, Terrier's fvmeral, and saw the last duty rendered to my old friend, whose age was " Like a histy winter, Frosty, but kindly," ^ I mean in a moral as well as a physical sense. I then went to Cadell's for some few minutes. I carried out Lockhart to Dalkeith, where we dined, supped, and returned through a clinking frost, with snow on the ground. Lord Ramsay and the Miss Kerrs were at Dalkeith. The Duke shows, for so young a man, a great deal of character, and seems to bave a proper feeling of the part he has to play. The evening was pleasant, but the thought that I was now the visitor and friend of the family in the third generation lay somewhat heavy on me. Every thing around me seemed to say that beauty, power, wealth, honour were but things of a day. January 24. — Heavy fall of snow. Lockhart is off in the mail. I hope he will not be blockaded. The day bitter cold. I went to the Court, and with great difficulty returned along the slippery street. I ought to have taken the carriage, but I have a superstitious dread of giving up the habit of walking, and would willingly stick to the last by my old hardy customs. 1 As You Like It. Act ii. Sc. 3. 638 JOUEITAL. [Jan. Little but trifles to do at the Court. My hands are so covered with chilblains that I can hardly use a pen — my feet ditto. We bowled away at six o'clock to Mr, Wardlaw Eamsay's. Found we were a week too early, and went back as if our noses had been bleeding. January 25. — Worked seriously all morning, expecting the Fergusons to dinner. Alas ! instead of that, I learn that my poor innocent friend Mary is no more. She was a person of some odd and peculiar habits, wore a singular dress, and affected wild and solitary haunts, but she was, at the same time, a woman of talent, and even genius. She used often to take long walks with me up through the glens; and I believe her sincere good wishes attended me, as I was always glad of an opportunity to show her kindness. I shall long think of her when at Abbotsford. This sad event breaks up our little party. Will Clerk came, however, and his tete-a-tete was, of course, interesting and amusing in the highest degree. We drank some whisky and water, and smoked a ci2;ar or two, till nine at nioht. " No after friendships ere can raise The endearments of our early days," January 26, — I muzzed on — I can caU it little better — with Anne of Geierstein. The materials are excellent, but the power of using them is failing. Yet I wrote out about three pages, sleeping at intervals. January 27. — A great and general thaw, the streets afloat, tlie snow descending on one's head from the roofs. Went to the Court. There was little to do. Left about twelve, and took a sitting with Graham, who begs for another. Sir James Stuart stood bottle-holder on this occasion. Had rather an unfavourable account of tin pictures of James Stuart of Dunearn, which are to be sold. I had promised to pick up one or two for the Duke of Buccleuch. 1829.] JOURNAL. G39 Came home and wrote a leaf or two. I shall be soon done with tlie second volume of Anne of Geierstcin. I cannot persuade myself of the obvious risk of satisf3'ing the public, although I cannot so well satisfy myself. I am like Beau- mont and Fletcher's old Merrythought who could not be persuaded that there was a chance of his wanting meat. I never came into my parlour, said he, but I found the cloth laid and dinner ready ; surely it will be always thus. Use makes perfectness.^ My reflections are of the same kind ; and if they are unlogical they are perhaps not the less comfortable. Fret- ting and struggling does no good. Wrote to Miss Margaret Ferguson a letter of condolence. January 28. — Breakfasted, for a wonder, abroad with Hay Drummond, whose wife appears a pretty and agreeable little woman. We worshipped his tutelar deity, the Her- cules, and saw a good model of the Hercules Bibax, or the drunken Hercules. Graham and Sir James Stuart were there. Home-baked bread and soldier's coffee were the treat. I came home ; and Sir Eobert Dundas having taken my duty at the Court, I wrote for some time, but not much. Burke the murderer hanged this morning. The mob, which was immense, demanded Knox and Hare, but though greedy for more victims, received with shouts the solitary wretch who found his way to the gallows out of five or six who seem not less guilty than he. But the story begins to be stale, although I believe a doggerel ballad upon it would be popular, how brutal soever the wit. This is the progress of human passions. We ejaculate, exclaim, hold up to Heaven our hand, like the rustic Phidyle ^ — next morning the mood changes, and we dance a jig to the tune which moved us to tears. Mr. Bell sends me a specimen of a historical novel, 1 See Beaumont and Fletcher, 2 Coelo supinas si tuleris luanus Kniijlit of I he Burning Festle, Act l. Nasceute luna, rustica Phidyle, etc. Sc. 3. Hor. Lib. iii. Od. 23.— j.o.l. 640 - JOURNAL. [Jan. but he goes not the way to write it ; he is too general, and not sufficiently minute. It is not easy to convey this to an author, with the necessary attention to his feelings ; and yet, in good faith and sincerity, it must be done. January 29. — I had a vacant day once more by the kindness of Sir Robert, unasked, but most kindly afforded. I have not employed it to much purpose. I wrote six pages to Croker,^ who is busied with a new edition of Boswell's Life of Johnson, to which most entertaining book he hopes to make large additions from Mrs. Piozzi, Hawkins and other sources. I am bound by many obligations to do as much for him as I can, which can only respect the Scottish Tour. I wrote only two or three pages of Anne. I am " as one who in a darksome "way Doth walk with fear and dread." But walk I must, and walk forward too, or I shall be be- nighted with a vengeance. After dinner, to compromise matters with my conscience, I wrote letters to Mr. Bell, Mrs. Hughes, and so forth ; thus I concluded the day with a sort of busy idleness. This will not do. By cock and pye it will not. January 30. — Mr. Stuart breakfasted with me, a grand- nephew of Lady Louisa's, a very pleasing young gentleman. The coach surprised me by not calling. Will it be for the Martyrdom ? I trow it will, yet, strange to say, I cannot recollect if it is a regular holiday or not. " Uprouse ye then, my merry, merry men, And use it as ye may." I wrote in the morning, and went at one o'clock to a meeting of country gentlemen, about bringing the direct road from London down by Jedburgh, said to be the nearest line by fifty miles. It is proposed the pleasant men of Teviotdale ^ This letter, brimful of anecdote, is printed in Croker's Correspond- ence, vol. ii. pp. 28-34. 1829.] JOUENAL. 641 sliould pay, not only their own share, — that is, tlie ex- pense of making the road throngli our own country, but also the expense of making the road under the Ellsdon Trust in Northumberland, where the English would positively do nothing. I stated this to the meetinff as an act of Quixotry. If it be an advantage, which, unless to in- dividuals, may be doubted, it is equally one to Northum- berland as to Eoxburgh, therefore I am clear that we should go " equals-aquals." I think I have maybe put a spoke in the wheel. The raising the statute labour of Eoxburgh to an oppressive ex- tent, to make roads in England, is, I think, jimp legal, and will be much complained of by tiie poorer heritors. Henry of Harden dines with me Utc d, tete, excepting the girls. January 31. — I thought T had opened a vein this morn- ing and that it came freely, but the demands of art have been more than I can bear. I corrected proofs before break- fast, went to Court after that meal ; was busy till near one o'clock. Then I went to Cadell's, where they are preparing to circulate the prospectus of the magnum, which will have all the effect of surprise on most people. I sat to Mr. Graham till I was quite tired, then went to Lady Jane, who is getting better. Then here at four, but fit for nothing but to bring up this silly Diary. The corpse of the murderer Burke is now lying in state at the College, in the anatomical class, and all the world flock to see him. Who is he that says that we are not ill to please in our objects of curiosity ? The strange means by which the wretch made money are scarce more disgusting than the eager curiosity with which the public have licked up all the carrion details of this business. I trifled witli my work. I wonder how Johnson set himself doggedly to it — to a work of imagination it seems quite impossible, and one's brain is at times fairly addled. And yet I have felt times when sudden and strong exertion 2s 64^ JOUENAL. [Jan. 1829. would throw off all this mistiness of iiiiud, as a north wind would disperse it. " Blow, blow, thou northern wind." ^ Nothing more than about two or three pages. I went to the Parliament House to-day, but had little to do. I sat to Mr. Graham the last time, Heaven be praised ! If I be not known in another age, it will not be for want of pictures. We dined with Mr. Wardlaw liamsay and Lady Anne — a fine family. There was little done in the way of work except correcting proofs. The bile affects me, and makes me vilely drowsy when I should be most awake. Met at Mr. Wardlaw's several people I did not know. Loolced over Cumnor Hall by Mr. Usher Tighe of Oxford. I see from the inscriiDtion on Tony Foster's tomb that he was a skilful planter, amongst other fashionable accomplishments. ^ As Yoii Like It, Act ii. Sc. 7. FEBEUARY. February 1. — Domum mansi, lanam feci, — stayed at lionie videlicet, and laboured without interruption except from intolerable drowsiness ; finished eight leaves, however, the best day's work I have made this long time. No interruption, and I got pleased with my work, which ends the second volume of Anne of Geierstein. After dinner had a letter from Lockhart, with happy tidings about the jDrobability of the commission on the Stewart papers being dissolved. The Duke of W. says commissions never either did or will do any good. John will in that case be sole editor of these papers with an apartment at St. James's cum jplm^mis aliis. It will be a grand coup if it takes place. February 2. — Sent off 3'esterday's work with proofs. Could I do as toughly for a week — and many a day I have done more — I should be soon out of the scrape. I wrote letters, and put over the day till one, when I went down with Sir James Stuart to see Stuart of Dunearn's pictures now on sale. I did not see much which my poor taste covets ; a Hobbema much admired is, I think, as tame a piece of work as I ever saw. I promised to try to get a good picture or two for the young Duke. Dined with the old Club, instituted forty years ago. There were present Lord Justice-Clerk, Lord Advocate, Sir Peter Murray, John Irving, William Clerk, and I. It was a party such as the meeting of fellow scholars and fellow students alone could occasion. We told old stories ; laughed and quaffed, and resolved, rashly perhaps, that we would liold the Club at least once a year, if possible twice, ^^'c will see how this will fudge. Our mirth was more un- 644 JOUENAL. [Feb. expected as Sir Adam, our first fiddle, was wanting, owing to his family loss. February 3. — Eose at eight — felt my revel a little in my head. The Court business light, returned by Cadell, and made one or two calls, at Skene's especially. Dinner and evening at home ; laboriously employed. Fchruary 4. — To-day I was free from duty, and made good use of my leisure at home, finishing the second volume of Anne, and writing several letters, one to recommend Captain Pringle to Lord Beresford, which I send to-morrow through Morritt. " My mother whips me and I whip the top." The girls went to the play. February 5. — Attended the Court as usual, got dismissed about one. Finished and sent off volume ii. of Anne. Dined with Eobert Eutherford, my cousin, and the whole clan of Swinton. February 6. — Corrected proofs in the morning, then to the Court ; thence to Cadell's, where I found some business cut out for me, in the way of notes, which delayed me. AValked home, the weary way giving my feet the ancient twinges of agony : such a journey is as severe a penance as if I had walked the same length with peas in my shoes to atone for some horrible crime by beating my toes into a jelly. I wrote some and corrected a good deal. "We dined alone, and I partly wrought partly slept in the evening. It's now pretty clear that the Duke of W. intends to have a Catholic Bill.^ He probably exj)ects to neutralise and divide the Catholic body by bringing a few into Parliament, where they will probably be tractable enough, ratlier than a * Sir Walter had wi-ittcii to Mr. just i-eceivetl. I shall lament most Lockhart on October 26th, 1828, on truly a purple article at this hearing of an impending article moment, when a strong, plain, in the Quarterly, the following moderate statement, not railing at letter : — Catholics and their religion, but "I cannot repress tlie strong reprobating tlie conduct of the Irish desire I have to express my regret Catholics, and pointing out tlio at some parts of your kind letter necessary effects which that conduct 1829.] JOUENAL. 645 large proportion of them rioting in Ireland, where they will be to a certain degree unanimous. February 7. — Up and wrought a little. I had at break- fast a son of Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, a very quick, smart- looking young fellow, who is on his way to the Continent with a tutor. Dined at ]\Irs. George Swinton's with the whole clan and alliance. must have on the Catholic Question, would have a powerful effect, and might really serve king and country. Nothing the agitators desire so much as to render the broil general, as a quarrel between Catholic and Protestant ; nothing so essential to the Protestant cause as to con- fine it to its real causes. Southey, as much a fanatic as e'er a Catholic of them all, will, I fear, pass this most necessary landmark of debate. I like his person, admire his genius, and respect his immense erudition, but — noH omnia. In point of reason- ing and political judgment he is a perfect Harpado — nothing better than a wild bull. The circum- stances require the interference of vir gravis pietate et moribus, and you bring it a Highland piper to blow a Highland charge, the more mis- chievous that it possesses much wild power of inflaming the pas- sions. "Your idea that you must give Southey his swing in this matter or he will quit the liev lew, —this is just a pilot saying, If I do not give the helm to such a passenger he will quit the ship. Let him quit and be d— d. "My own confidence is, you know, entirely in the D. As Bruce said to the Lord of the Isles at Bannock- burn, ' j\Iy faith is constant in thee.' Now a hurly-burly charge may de- range his line of battle, and therein be of the most fatal consequence. For God's sake avail yourself of the communication I opened while in town, and do not act without it. Send this to the D. of W. If you will, he will appreciate the motives that dictate it. If he approves of a calm, moderate, but firm statement, stating the unreasonable course pursued by the Catholics as the great impediment to their own wishes, write such an article yoiir- self; no one can make a more im- pressive appeal to common sense than you can. " The circumstances of the times are — must be — an apology for dis- appointing Southey. But nothing can be an apology for indulging him at the expense of aggi'avatiug public disturbance, which, for one, I see with great apj^rehension. "It has not yet come our length ; those [to] whom you allude ought certainly to be served, but the D. is best judge how they may be best served. If the D. says nothing on the subject you can slip your Der- wentwater greyhound if you like. I write hastily, but most anxiously. , . , I repeat that I think it possible to put the Catholic Question as it noM' stands in a light which the most zealous of their supporters in this country cannot but consider as fair, while the result would be that the Question should not be granted at all under such guaran- tees ; but I think this is scarce to be done by inflaming the topic with all mutual virulence of polemical discussion." 646 JOURNAL. [Feb. Fcbniary 8. — I wrought the whole day and finished about six pages of manuscript of voL iii. [Anne of Geicrstein]. Sat cito si sat bene. The Skenes came in to supper like the olden world, February 9. — Was up in good time (say half-past seven), and employed the morning in correcting proofs. At twelve I went to Stuart of Dunearn's sale of pictures. This poor man fell, like myself, a victim to speculation. And though I had no knowledge of him personally, and disliked him as the cause of poor Sir Alexander Boswell's death, yet " had he been slaughterman to all my kin," ^ I could but pity the miserable sight of his splendid establishment broken up, and his treasures of art exposed to public and unsparing sale. I wanted a picture of the Earl of Eothes for the Duke of Buccleuch, a fine Sir Joshua, but Balfour of Balbirnie fancied it also, and followed it to 160 guineas. Charles Sharpe's account is, that I may think myself in luck, for the face has been repainted. There is, he says, a print taken from the picture at Leslie House which has quite a different countenance from the present. This job, however, took me up the whole morning to little purpose. Captain and Mrs. Hall dined with us, also Sir James Stuart, Charles Sharpe, John Scott of Gala, etc. February/ 10. — I was up at seven this morning, and will continue the practice, but the shoal of proofs took up all my leisure. I will not, I think, go after these second-rate pictures again to-day. If I could get a quiet day or two I would make a deep dint in the third volume ; but hashed and smashed as my time is, who can make anything of it? I read over Henry's History of Henry vi. and Edward iv. ; he is but a stuj^id historian after all. This took me up the whole day. February 11. — Up as usual and wrought at proofs. Mr. Ilay Drummond and Macintosh Mackay dined. The last ' Me7ir7j VI. Act i. Sc. 4. 1829.] JOUENAL. 647 brought mc his liistory of the Blara Leine or Wliito Battle (battle of the shirts). To the Court, and remained there till two, when we had some awkward business in the Council of the Eoyal Society. February 12. — W. Lockhart came to breakfast, full of plans for his house, which will make a pretty and romantic habitation. After breakfast the Court claimed its vassal. As I came out Mr. Chambers introduced a pretty little romantic girl to me who possessed a laudable zeal to know a live poet. I went with my fair admirer as far as the new rooms on the Mound, where I looked into the Eoyal Society's Eooms, then into the Exhibition, in mere unwillingness to work and desire to dawdle away time. liearned that Lord Haddington had bought the Sir Joshua. I wrought hard to- day and made out five pages. February 13. — This morning Col, Hunter Blair break- fasted here with his wife, a very pretty woman, with a good deal of pleasant conversation. She had been in India, and had looked about her to purpose. I wrote for several hours in the forenoon, but was nervous and drumlie; also I bothered myself about geography ; in short, there was trouble, as miners say when the vein of metal is interrupted. Went out at two, and walked, thank God, better than in the winter, which gives me hopes that the failure of the unfor- tunate limb is only temporary, owing to severe weather. We dined at John Murray's with the Mansfield family. Lady Caroline Murray possesses, I think, the most pleasing taste for music, and is the best singer I ever heard. No temptation to display a very brilliant voice ever leads her aside from truth and simplicity, and besides, she looks beautiful when she sings. February 1-4. — Wrote in the morning, which begins to be a regular act of duty. It was late ere I got home, and I did not do much. The letters I received were numerous and craved answers, yet the tliird volume is getting on hooly and 648 JOURNAL. [Feb. fairly. I am twenty leaves before the printers ; but Bal- lantyne's wife is ill, and it is his nature to indulge appre- hensions of the worst, which incapacitates him for labour. I cannot help regarding this amiable weakness of the mind with something too nearly allied to contempt. I keep the press behind me at a good distance, and I, like the " Postboy's horse, am glad to miss The lumber of the wheels." ' February 15. — I wrought to-day, but not much — rather dawdled, and took to reading Chambers's Beauties of Scot- land,^ which would be admirable if they were more accurate. He is a clever young fellow, but hurts himself by too much haste. I am not making too much myself I know, and I know, too, it is time I were making it. Unhappily there is such a thing as more haste and less speed. I can very seldom think to purpose by lying perfectly idle, but when I take an idle book, or a walk, my mind strays back to its task out of contradiction as it were ; the things I read be- come mingled with those I have been writing, and something is concocted. I cannot compare this process of the mind to anything save that of a woman to whom the mechanical operation of spinning serves as a running bass to the songs she sings, or the course of ideas she pursues. The phrase Hoc age, often quoted by my father, does not jump with my humour. I cannot nail my mind to one subject of contem- plation, and it is by nourishing two trains of ideas that I can bring one into order. Colin Mackenzie came in to see me, poor fellow. He looks well in his retirement. Partly I envy him — partly I am better pleased as it is. February 16. — Stayed at home and laboured all the fore- noon. Young Invernahyle called to bid me interest myself about getting a lad of the house of Scott a commission — how ' Jolui Gilpin. Rol)crt Chambers, author of Tra- - The Picture of Scotland by dilionts of Edinburf/h, etc., Svo, 1829. 1829.] JOURNAL. 649 is this possible ? The last I tried for, there was about 3000 on the list — and they say the boy is too old, being twenty-four. I scribbled three or four pages, forbore smoking and whisky and water, and went to the Eoyal Society. There Sir William Hamilton read an essay, the result of some ana- tomical investigations, which contained a masked battery against the phrenologists. Fehruary 1 7. — In the morning I sent off copy and proof I received the melancholy news that James Ballantyne has lost his wife. With his domestic habits the blow is ir- retrievable. What can he do, poor fellow, at the head of such a family of children ! I should not be surprised if he were to give way to despair. I was at the Court, where there was little to do, but it diddled away my time till two. I went to the library, but not a book could I get to look at. It is, I think, a wrong system the lending books to private houses at all, and leads to immense annual losses. I called on Skene, and borrowed a volume of his Journal, to get some information about Burgundy and Provence. Something may be made out of KinfT Eene, but I wish I had thought of him sooner.^ Dined alone with the girls. February 18. — This being Teind Wednesday I had a holiday. Worked the whole day, interrupted by calls from ^ Mr. Skene remarks that at this of Rer.6, king of Provence, which time " Sir Walter was engaged in would lead to many interesting tlie composition of the Novel of topographical details Avhich my ^?»zefl/(7eic?-*y proposing liis liealtli with Sir Walter — a special point of at tlie civic banquet in tiie I'arlia- coiuiinuiidn ))eing the antiquities of nient JJouse, as "Sir William the iJritisli drama. He was I'rovost Arlmthuot, Baronet." — J. <;. i.. of Edinburgh in 1816-17, and again -John Hope, afterwards Lord in 18'2'2, and the king gracefully sur- Justice-Clerk. 662 JOUliNAL. [Makcii dexterity with which the last manned and wrought tlie windlass which raised old Meg, weighing seven or eight tons, from her temporary carriage to that which has been her basis for many years, was singularly beautiful as a combined exhibition of skill and strength. My daughter had what might have proved a frightful accident. Some rockets were let off, one of which lighted upon her head, and set her bonnet on fire. She neither screamed nor ran, but quietly permitted Charles K. Sharpe to extinguish the fire, which he did with great coolness and dexterity. All who saw her, especially the friendly Celts, gave her merit for her steadiness, and said she came of good blood. I was very glad and proud of her presence of mind. IMy own courage was not put to the test, for being at some distance, escorting the beautiful and lively Countess of Hopetoun, I did not hear of the accident till it was over. AVe lunched with the regiment (73d) now in the Castle. The little en- tertainment gave me an opportunity of observing what I have often before remarked — the improvement in the char- acter of the young and subaltern officers in the army, which in the course of a long and bloody war had been, in point of rank and manners, something deteriorated. The number of persons applying for commissions (3000 being now on the lists) gives an opportunity of selection, and officers should certainly be gentlemen, with a complete opening to all who can rise by merit. The style in which duty, and the knowledge of their profession, is enforced, prevents /amffawis from long remaining in the profession. In the evening I presided at the Celtic Club, who re- ceived me with their usual partiality. I like this societ}', and willingly give myself to l)o excited by the sight of hand- some young men \vith ])hii(l.s rnid clnymnros, and all the alertness and s[)irit of Highlanders in tlicir nal-i\*! garli. There was tlu; usual degree of excitation — excellent danciuij, capital songs, a general inclination to please and to be 1829.] JOUPvNAL. GG;3 pleased. A severe cold, caught on the battlements of the Castle, prevented me from playing first fiddle so well as usual, but what T could do wa« received with the usual partiality of tlio Celts. I got home, fatigued and vino gravatus, about eleven o'clock. We had many guests, some of whom, English officers, seemed both amused and surprised at our wild ways, especially at the dancing without ladies, and the mode of drinking favourite toasts, by springing up with one foot on the bench and one on the table, and the peculiar shriek of applause so unlike English cheering. March 10. — Tliis may be a short day in the diary, though a busy one to me. 1 arranged books and papers in the morning, and went to Court after breakfast, where, as Sir Eobert Dundas and I had the whole business to discharge, I remained till two or three. Then visited Cadell, and trans- acted some pecuniary matters. March 11, \_AybotsforcT]. — I had, as usual, a sort of levee the day I was to leave town, all petty bills and petty business being reserved to the last by those who might as well have applied any one day of the present month. But I need not complain of what happens to my betters, for on the last day of the Session there pours into the Court a succession of trifles which give the Court, and especially the Clerks, nnich trouble, insomuch that a ci-cUvant brother of mine pro- posed that the last day of the Session should be abolished by Statute. "\Ve got out of Court at a quarter-past one, and got to Abbotsford at half-past seven, cold and hungry enough to make Scots brotli, English roast beef, and a large fire very acceptable. March 12. — I set apart this day fur trifles and dawd- ling; yet I meditate doing something on the Popish and Pi-otestant affray. I think I could do some good, and I liave tlie sincere wish to do it. 1 heard the ir.erry birds sing, reviewed my dogs, and was cheerful. 1 also unpacked books. Deuce take arrangement ! I think 664 JOUENAL. [March it the most complete bore in the world ; but I will try a little of it. I afterwards went out and walked till dinner- time. I read Eeginald Heber's Journal^ after dinner. I spent some merry days with him at Oxford when he was writing his prize poem. He was then a gay young fellow, a wit, and a satirist, and burning for literary fame. My laurels were beginning to bloom, and we were both madcaps. Who would have foretold our future lot ? " Oh, little did my mither ken The day she cradled me The land I was to travel in, Or the death I was to die." ^ Marcli 13. — AVrought at a review of Fraser Ty tier's History of Scotland. It is somewhat saucy towards Lord Hailes. I had almost stuck myself into the controversy Slough of Despond — the controversy, that is, between the Gothic and Celtic system — but cast myself, like Christian, with a strong struggle or two to the further side of this Slough; and now will I walk on my way rejoicing — not on my article, however, but to the fields. Came home and rejoiced at dinner. After tea I worked a little more. I began to warm in my gear, and am about to awake the whole controversy of Goth and Celt. I wish I may not make some careless blunders.^ March 14. — Up at eight, rather of the latest — then fagged at my review, both before and after bi-eakfast. I walked from one o'clock till near three. I make it out, I think, rather better than of late I have been able to do in the streets of Edinburgh, where I am ashamed to walk so slow as would suit me. Indeed notliing but a certain suspicion, that once drawn up on the beach I would soon break up, prevents me renouncing pedestrian exercises altogether, for it is positive suffering, and of an acute kind too. ^ Narrative of a Journey ihrout/h letter to Mrs. Dunlop regarding the Upper Provinces of India, '2 Falconer, autiior of The Shipicrcck. vols. 4to, 1S'2S. — Curries yi«n/.s, vol. ii. p. 200. - Old Ballad (known as " Marie * See Quart. Ikv., Nov. IS'2!), or Hamilton") quoted by Burns in a Misc. Prose Works, xxi. 152-19S. 1829.] JOlirtXAL. 6G5 March 15. — Altogether like yesterday. Wrote iu the rnorniiio- — breakfasted — wrote ao-ain till one — out and walked about two hours — to the quills once more — dinner — smoked a brace of cigars and loolccd on the fire — a page of writing, and so to bed. 3I((j-ch IC. — Day sullen and bitter cold. I fear it brings chilblains on its wings. A dusting of snow, in thin Hakes, wandering from the horizon, and threatening a serious fall. As the murderer says to Banquo, "Let it come down!" — we shall have the better chance of fair weather hereafter. It cleared up, however, and I walked from one, or thereabout, till within a quarter of four. A card from Mr. Dempster of Skibo,^ whose uncle, George Dempster, I knew many years since, a friend of Johnson, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and all that set — a fine good-humoured old gentleman. Young Mrs. Dempster is a daughter of my early friend and patron, Robert Dundas of Arniston, Lord Advocate, and I like her for his sake. ]\Ir. Dempster is hunting, and I should have liked to have given his wife and sister refuge during the time lie must spend over moss and moor. But the two Annes going to Edinburgh to a fancy ball makes it im- possible till they return on Friday night. March 17. — The Annes went off at eiciht, mornincr. After breakfast I drove down to Melrose and waited on Mrs. and Miss Dempster, and engaged them for Saturday. Weather bitter cold ; yea, atrociously so. Naboclish — the better for work. Ladies whose husbands love fox-hunting are in a poor way. Here are two pleasant and pretty women pegged up the whole day " Iu the worrit iun's worst room " '^ 1 George Dempster of Skiljo, one liome at Ormiston, where, in tlie of the few men connecting Scott old mansion-house, ricli in asso- Avith this generation, died in Edin ciations of Knox, ^Visllart, and burgli on the 0th of February 1SS9. lUiclianan, lie A\as the gracious host This accomplished Scottish gentle- to a large circle of friends, man had for many years made his - Pojjc's Moral Essay-'i, iii. 666 JOUKXAL. [Maucii for the whole twenty-four hours without interruption. They manage the matter otherwise in France, where ladies are the lords of the ascendant. I returned from my visit to my solitary work and solitary meal. I eked out the last two hours' length by dint of smoking, which I find a sedative without beimr a stimulant. March 18. — I like the hermit life indifferent well, nor would, I sometimes think, break my heart, were I to be in that magic mountain where food was regularly supplied by ministering genii,^ and plenty of books were accessible without the least intervention of human society. But this is thinking like a fool. Solitude is only agreeable when the power of having society is removed to a short space, and can be commanded at pleasure. " It is not good for man to be alone." It blunts our faculties and freezes our active virtues. And now, my watch pointing to noon, I think after four hours' work I may indulge myself with a walk. The dogs see me about to shut my desk, and intimate their happiness by caresses and whining. By your leave, Messrs. Genii of the Mountain library, if I come to your retreat I '11 bring my dogs with me. The day was showery, but not unpleasant — soft dropping rains, attended by a mild atmosjDhere, that spoke of flowers in their seasons, and a chirping of birds that had a touch of Spring in it. I had the patience to get fully wet, and the grace to be thankful for it. Come ! a leetle flourish on the trumpet. Let us rouse the eenius of this same red mountain, so called because it is all tlie year covered with roses. There can be no diffi- culty in finding it, for it lies towards the Caspian, and is quoted in the Persian tales. AVell, T open my Ephemerides, form my scheme under the suitable; planet, and the genie obeys tin' invocation and appears. Genie is a, inis.slKijjen dwarf, willi a liugt; jolter-licad like ' Ante, p. lil'2 n. 1829.] JOURXAL. C^G )()( tliat of Boerliave on tlie Bridge/ liis limbs and body mar- vellously shrunk and disproportioned. " Sir Dwarf," said I, undauntedly, " thy head is very large, and thy feet and limbs somewhat small in proportion." Genie. " I have crammed my head, even to the over- flowing, with knowledge ; I have starved my limbs by disuse of exercise and denial of sustenance ! " Author. " Can I acquire wisdom in thy solitary library ? " G. " Thou mayest ! " A. " On what conditions ? " G. " Eenounce all gross and fleshly pleasure, eat pulse and drink water, converse with none but the wise and learned, alive and dead ! " A. "Why, this were to die in the cause of wis- dom." G. "If you desire to draw from our library only the advantage of seeming wise, you may have it consistent with all 3'our favourite enjoyments ! " A. " How much sleep ? " G. " A Lapland night— eight months ont of the twelve ! " A. " Enough for a dormouse, most generous Genius. — A bottle of wine ? " G. " Two, if you please ; but you must not seem to care for them — cigars in loads, whisky in lashings ; but they must be taken with an air of contempt, a Jloeciimuciniliili- 2nlificatioii of all that can gratify the outward man." A. " I am about to ask you a serious question — "When you have stuffed your stomach, druidv your bottle, smoked your cigar, how are you to keep yourself awake ?" G. " Either by cephalic snuff or castle-building ! " ^ Mr. Lockhart says, writing in ])ust in (luestioii was once dis- 1839: -"Tills liead may still be lodged by 'Colonel Grogg' and seen over a laljoratory at No. 100 some of his companions, and wag- Soutli Bridge, Edinl)urgli. [It has gislily jdaced in a vury inappro- since been removed.] X.B. There priate position." is a tradition that the venerable 6G8 JOUIiNAL. [March A. " 13o you approve of castle-building as a frequent exercise ? " G. " Life were not life without it ! 'Give me the joy that sickens not the heart, Give me the wealth that has no wings to fly.' " A. " 1 reckon myself one of the best aerial architects now living, and nil me pcenitet hujus " G. " Nee est cur te pceniteat ; most of your novels have previously been subjects for airy castles." A. "You have me — and moreover a man of ima- gination derives experience from such imaginary situa- tions. There are few situations in which I have not in fancy figured, and there are few, of course, which I am not previously prepared to take some part in." G. "True, but I am afraid your having fancied yourself victorious in many a figlit would be of little use were you suddenly called to the field, and your personal infirmities and nervous agitations both rushing upon you and incapaci- tating you." A. " My nervous agitations ! — away with thee ! Down, down to Limbo and the burning lake ! False fiend, avoid ! * So there ends the tale, With a hey, with a hoy, So there ends the tale. With a ho. There is a moral. If you fail To seize it by the tail. Its import Avill exhale, You must know. Mdvcii 10. — Tlie above was written yesterday before dinner, thougli appearances are to the contrary. I only meant tliat tlie studious solitude I have sometimes dreamed of, unless practised with rare stoicism and privation, was apt to degenerate into secret sensual indulgences of coarser ajjpetites, which, wlicn the cares and restraints of social life are removed, are apt to make us think, with Dr. 1829.] JOUEI^AL. HGO Johnson, our dinner the most important event of tlic day. So much in the way of explanation — a humour which I love not. Go to. Mv "iris returned from Edinburgh with full news of their hal fari. March 20. — We spent this day on the same terms as formerly, I wrought, walked, dined, drank, and smoked upon the same pattern. March 21. — -To-day brought Mrs. Dempster and her sister-in-law. To dinner came Eobert Dundas of Arniston from the hunting-field, and witli him Mr. Dempster of Skibo, both favourites of mine. Mr. Stuart, the grand- nephew of my dear friend Lady Louisa, also dined with us, together with the Lyons from Gattonside, and the day passed over in hospitality and social happiness. March 22. — Being Sunday, I read prayers to our guests, then went a long walk by the lake to Huntly Burn. It is somewhat uncomfortable to feel difficidties increase and the strength to meet them diminish. But why should man fret ? While iron is dissolved by rust, and brass corrodes, can our dreams be of flesh and blood enduring ? But I will not dwell on this depressing subject. My liking to my two young guests is founded on " things that are long enough ago." The first statesman of celebrity whom I personally knew was Mr. Dempster's grand-uncle, George Dempster of Dunnichen, celebrated in his time, and Dundas's father was, when Lord Advocate, the first man of influence who sliowed kindness to me. March 23. — Arrived to breakfast one of the Courland nobility. Baron A. von ]\Ieyersdorff, a fine, lively, spirited young man, fond of his country and incensed at its degrada- tion under Bussia. He talked much of the orders of chivalry who had been feudal lords of Livonia, especially the order of Porte Glaive, to which his own ancestors had belonged. If ?^e report correctly, there is a deep principle of action at 670 JOUENAL. [March work ill Germany, Poland, Eussia, etc., which, if it does "not die in thinking," will one day make an explosion. The Germans are a nation, however, apt to exhaust them- selves in speculation. The Baron has enthusiasm, and is well read in English and foreign literature. I kept my state till one, and wrote notes to Croker upon Boswell's Scottish tour. It was an act of friendship, for time is something of a scarce article with me. But Croker has been at all times personally kind and actively serviceable to me, and he must always command my best assistance. Then I walked with tlie Baron as far as the Lake. Our sportsmen came in good time to dinner, and our afternoon was pleasant. March 24. — This morning our sportsmen took leave, and their laclyldnd (to rencMrir on Anthony a-Wood and Mr. Oldbuck) followed after breakfast, and I went to my work till one, and at that hour treated the Baron to another long walk, with which he seemed highly delighted. He tells me that my old friend the Princess Galitzin ^ is dead. After dinner I had a passing visit from Kinnear, to bid me farewell. This very able and intelligent young man, so able to throw a grace over commercial pursuits, by uniting them with literature, is going with his family to settle in London. I do not wonder at it. His parts are of a kind superior to the confined sphere in Avhich he moves in Scotland. In London, he says, there is a rapid increase of business and its opportunities. Thus London licks the butter off our bread, by opening a better market for ambition. Were it not for the difference of the religion and laws, poor Scotland could hardly keep a man that is worth having; and yet men will not see this. I took leave of Kin near, with hopes for his happiness and fortune, but yet with some regret for the ^ Fenimore Cooper told Scott that picture taken in Paris. [Mmc. Mir- the Princess had had Sir Walter's bcl's miniature?] portrait engraved in 1S27 from the 1829.] JOURNAL. 071 sake of the countiy which loses him. The Baron agreed to CO wifli Kiiniear to Kelso : and exit with tlic usual demon- strations of German enthusiasm. March 25. — I worked in the morning, and lliink I have sent Croker a packet which may be useful, and to Lockhart a critique on rather a dry topic, viz. : the ancient Scottish History. I remember E. Ainslie, commonly called the plain man, who piqued himself on his powers of conversation, striving to strike fire from some old flinty wretch whom he found in a corner of a public coach, at length addressed him : "Friend, I liave tried you on politics, literary matters, religion, fashionable news, etc. etc., and all to no purpose." The dry old rogue, twisting his muzzle into an infernal grin, replied, " Can you claver about bend leather ? " The man, be it understood, was a leather merchant. The early history of Caledonia is almost as hoi:)eless a subject, but off it goes. I walked up the Glen with Tom for my companion. Dined, heard Anne reading a paper of anecdotes about Cluny Macpherson, and so to bed. Ilarch 20. — As I have been so lately Johnsonizing, I should derive, if possible, some personal use. Jolmson advises Boswell to keep a diary, but to omit registers of the weather, and like trumpery. I am resolved in future not to register what is yet more futile — my gleams of 1)right and clouded temper. Boswell — wliose nervous [ailments] were one half madness, one half affectation — has thrummed upon this topic till it is tlireadbare. I have at this moment forty tilings to do, and a great inclination to do none of them. I ended by working till two, M'alking till five, writing letters, and so to bed. March 2 7. — Letters again. Let me see. I wrote to Lord JNIontagu about Scott of Bavelaw's commission, in which Invermdiyle interests himself. Item, to a lady who is pestering me about a jMi?s Campbell sentenced to transportation for stealing a silver spoon. Item, to 672 JOURNAL. [March John Eckford. Item, to James Loch, to get an appointment for Sandie Bailantyne's son. Not one, as Dangle says,^ about any busmess of my own. My correspondence is on a most disinterested footing. This lasts till past eleven, then enters my cousin R, and remains for two hours, till politics, family news, talk of the neighbourhood are all exhausted, and two or three reputations torn to pieces in the scouring of them. At length I walk him out about a mile, and come back from that evipechcmcnt. But it is only to find Mr. [Henry] C[ranstoun],- my neighbour, in tlie parlour with the girls, and there is another sederunt of an hour. Well, such things must be, and our friends mean them as civility, and we must take and give the currency of the country. But I am diddled out of a day all the same. The ladies came from Iluntly Burn, and cut off the evening.^ March 28, — In spite of the temptation of a fine morning, I toiled manfully at the review till two o'clock, cojumencing at seven. I fear it will be uninteresting, but I like the ^ See Sheridan's Critic. lords rumbling down in n, coach and „ -r , ^ , , , ,, four. The Duke had no half-pence - i^ord Corehouse s brother. , . ,, , , , , , , ^ and was followed and bothered for ^ Room may be made for part of some time by the tollman on one of the letters received by this Battersea Bridge, when Ifardinge morning's mail, in which, after much iislied out some silver or a groom interesting family detail, his son-iu- came up. There were various law describes tlie duel which took market gardeners on the road, who, place between the Duke of Welling- mIicu Lord Winchehea's equipage ton and Lord Winchelsea : — "There stopped, stopped also and looked is no reason to expect a duel every on. One of tliem advised a turn day, and all has been very quiet since up with nature's weapons. The Saturday. — The letter was utterly moment all was done the Duke forgotten till this recalled it to re- clapped spurs to his horse and was meinbrance. Ji'vv/o, there was no sort back in Downing Street within the of call on tlie Duke after beating two hours, Ijreakfasted, and off to Buonaparte to go to war with a Windsor, wiicre he transacted busi- bo()l)y. But he could iiot stand tlie ness for an hour or so, and then fling at the fair. His correspondence said, 'By-the-by, I was forgetting seems admirable every waj^ and the I liave had a ficld-thiy with Lord wiioleafl'air was gone through in ex- ^^'. this morning.' They say the cellent taste,- — the Duke and Hard- King rowed Ailiiur much for cx- jnge trotting out, tlie two peaceful ])osiiig liiiuself at such a crisis," 1829.] JOUliNAL. 673 muddling work of antiquities, and, besides, wisli to record my sentiments with regard to the Gothic question. No one that has not laboured as I have done on imaginary topics can judge of the comfort afforded by walking on all-fours, and being grave and dull. I dare say, when the clown of the pantomime escapes from his nightly task of vivacity, it is his special comfort to smoke a pipe and be prosy with some good-natured fellow, the dullest of his acquaintance. I have seen such a tendency in Sir Adam Ferguson, the gayest man I ever knew ; and poor Tom Sheridan has complained to me of the fatigue of supporting the character of an agreeable companion. March 29.-— I wrote, read, and M'alked with the most stoical regularity. This muddling among old books has the quality of a sedative, and saves the tear and wear of an over- wrought brain. I wandered on the hills pleasantly enough and concluded a pleasant and laborious day. March 30. — I finished the remainder of the criticism and sent it off. Pray Heaven it break not the mail coach down. Lord and Lady Dalhousie, and their relation, Miss Hawthorne, came to dinner, to meet whom we had Dr. and Mrs. Brewster. Lord Dalhousie has more of the Caledonian ^risca fides than any man I know now alive. He has served his country in all quarters of the world and in every climate ; yet, though my contemporary, looks ten years my junior. He laughed at the idea of rigid temperance, and held an occasional skirmish no bad thing even in the West Indies, thinking, perhaps, with Armstrong, of " the rare debauch."^ In all incidents of life he has been the same steady, honest, true-hearted Lord Dalhousie, that Lordie Ramsay promised to be when at the Hifdi School. How few such can I remember, and how poorly have honesty and valour l)een rewarded ! Here, at the time when most men think of ^ Art of Preserving Health, book ii. 2U G74 JOURNAL. [March 1829. repose, lie is bundled oft' to command in India.^ Would it had been the Chief Governorship ! But to liave remained at home would have been bare livelihood, and that is all. I asked him what he thought of "strangling a nabob, and rifling his jewel closet," and he answered, " No, no, an honest man." I fear we must add, a poor one. Lady Dalhousie, formerly Miss Brown of Coalstoun, is an amiable, intelligent, and lively woman, who does not permit society to "cream and mantle like a standing pool." ^ The weather, drifting and surly, does not permit us to think of IMelrose, and I could only fight round the thicket with Dr. Brewster and his lordshij). Lord Dalhousie gave me some interesting accounts of the American Indians. They are, according to his lordship, decaying fast in numbers and principle. Lord Selkirk's property now makes large returns, from the stock of the North "West Company and Hudson's Bay Companies having united. I learned from Lord Dalhousie that lie had been keeping a diary since the year 1800. Should his narrative ever see the light, what a contrast will it form to the flourishing vapouring accounts of most of the French merchants ! Mr. and Mrs. Skene with their daughter Kitty, who has been indisposed, came to dinner, and the party was a well-assorted one. ^ George Ramsay, Earl of Dal- Indies ; which office he held till hoiisie, had just been appointed 1832. He died in 1838. Commander-in-Chief in the P]ast - Merchant of Venice, Act i. Sc. 1. A P E I K April 1. — A pretty first of April truly; the hills white with snow, 1 myself as bilious as a dog. My noble guests left about noon. I wrote letters, as if I had not bile enough in my bosom already, and did not go out to face the snow wreaths till half-past two, when I am resolved to make a brush for exercise. There will be fine howling among the dogs, for I am about to shut my desk. Found Mrs. Skene disposed to walk, so I had the advantage of her company. The snow lay three inches thick on the ground ; but we had the better appetite for dinner, after which we talked and read without my lifting a pen. Ajyril 2. — Begins with same brilliant prospect of snow and sunshine dazzling to the eyes and chilling to the fingers, a beastly disagreeable coldness in the air. T stuck by the pen till one, then took a drive witli the ladies as far as Chiefswood and walked home. Young "William Forbes^ came, and along with him a Southron, IMr. Cleasby. A2Jril 3. — Still the same party. I fagged at writing letters to Lockhart, to Charles, and to John Gibson, to Mr. Cadell, Croker, Lord Haddington, and others. Lockhart has had an overture through Croker requesting him to communicate with some newspaper on the part of the Government, which he has wisely declined, Nothing but a ^ Sou of Lord Meclwj'ii. IMr. Edinburgh to pursue his studies. Forbes had lately returned from Mr. Forbes possessed a fine tenor Italy, where he had had as travelling voice, and his favourite songs at companion Mr. Cleasby, and it was that time were the Neapolitan and owing to Mr. Forbes's recommen- Calabrian canzoiietti, to which Sir dation that Mr. Cleasby came to Walter alludes under April 4. 676 JOUENAL. [April tliorougli-goiug blackguard ought to attenij)t the daily press, unless it is some quiet country diurnal. Lockhart has also a wicked wit which would make an office of this kind more dangerous to him than to downright dulness. I am heartily glad he has refused it.^ Sir James Mackintosh and Lord Haddington have spoken very handsomely of my accession to the Catholic Petition, and I think it has done some good ; yet I am not confident that the measure will disarm the Catholic spleen.^ And I was not entirely easy at finding myself allied to the Whigs, even in this instance, where I agree with them. This is witless prejudice, however. My walk to-day was up the Ehymer's Glen with Skene. Colonel Ferguson dined with us. 1 Mr. I.ockhart's own account of the overture is sufficiently amusing and characteristic of the men and the times : — " I had not time to write more than a line the other day under Croker's cover, having received it just at post time. He sent for me ; I found him in his nightcap at the Admiralty, colded badly, but in audacious spirits. His business was this. The Duke of W[ellingto]n finds liimself without one news- paper he can depend ou. He wishes to buy up some evening print, such as the dull Star ; and could I do anything for it ? I said I was as well inclined to serve the Duke as he could be, but it must be in other fashion. He then said he agreed with me — but there Avas a second question : Could I find tliem an editor, and undertake to communi- cate between them and him — in short, save the Treasury the incon- venience of maintaining an avowed intercourse with the Newspaper jjress? He said he liiiusclf had for some years done this — then others. I said I would endeavour to think of a man for their turn and would call on him soon again. ' ' I have considered the matter at leisure, and resolve to have nothing to do with it. They can only want me as a writer. Any understrapper M.P. would do Avell enough for carrying hints to a newspaper office, and I Avill not, even to secure the Duke, mix myself up with the news- papers. That work it is which has damned Croker, and I can't afford to sacrifice the advantage which I feel I have gained in these later years by abstaining altogether from partisan scribbling, or to subject the Qaa7-terly to risk of damage. The truth is, I don't admire, after all that has come and gone, being applied to through the medium of friend Crokey. I hope you will approve of my resolution. " " Peel, in writing to Scott, says, "The mention of your name [in Tarliameut] as attached to the Edin- . burgli petition was received with loud cheers." 1829.] JOUEXAL. r,77 A^ml 4.- — Mr. Cleasby left this morning. He has travelled much, and is a young man of copious conversation and ready language, aiming I sujjpose at Parliament.^ William Forbes is singing like an angel in the next room, but he sings only Italian music, which says naught to me. I have a letter from one David Patterson, who was Dr. Knox's jackal for buying murdered bodies, suggesting that I should write on the subject of Burke and Hare, and offering me his invaluable collection of anecdotes ! " Curse him imperance and him dam insurance,"^ as Mungo says in the farce. Did ever one hear the like ? The scoundrel has been the companion and patron of such atrocious mur- derers and kidnappers, and he has the impudence to write to any decent man ! Corrected proof-sheets and dedication of the Magnum and sent them off. April 5. — Ptead prayers to what remains of our party : being Anne, my niece Anne, the four Skenes, and William Forbes. AVe then walked, and I returned time enough to work a little at the criticism. Thus it drew towards dinner in con- clusion, after which we smoked, told stories, and drank tea. April 6. — Worked at the revievj for three or four hours ; yet hang it, I can't get on. I wonder if I am turning dunny in other matters ; certainly I cannot write against time as I used to do. My thoughts will not be duly regulated ; my pen declares for" itself, will neither write nor spell, and goes under independent colours, I went out with the child Kitty Skene on her pony. I don't much love children, I suppose from want of habit, but this is a fine merry little girl. William Forbes sang in the evening with a feeling and 1 Kichard Cleasby, afterwards the editorsli ip of Mr. Vigfusson,* assisted well-known sclrolar who spen many by Sir George Dasent. years in gathering materials for an ^ Bickerstaff'sPafZ^oci,Acti. Sc.6. Icelandic Dictionary. Mr. Cleasby — — j-j- loiTiiii „ 11 1 1 * An Icelandic-English Dictionaiv haseil died m 1847, but the work he had ,, „ *• ,. i, , ^ ,, , , , ' ^ IT , 1 .-i on the MS. collections of the Inte Kicliard planned was not published until cleasby, enlarged and con,i,leted by G. 1874, when it appeared under the Vigfusson. 4to, 0.\ford, 1S74. 678 JOUPtNAL. [Apeil taste indescribably fine, but as he had no Scottish or English songs, my ears were not much gratified. I have no sense beyond Mungo: " What signify me hear if me no understand!" AYilliam Forbes leaves us. As to the old story, scribble till two, then wallc for exercise till four. Deil hae it else, for company eats up tlie afternoon, so nothing can be done that is not achieved in the forenoon. April 7. — "We had a gay scene this morning — the fox- hounds and merry hunters in my little base court, which rung with trampling steeds, and rejoiced in scarlet jackets and ringing horns. I have seen the day worlds would not have bribed me to stay behind them ; but that is over, and I walked a sober pace up to the Abbot's Knowe, from which I saw them draw my woods, but without finding a fox. I watched them with that mixture of interest, affection, and compassion which old men feel at looking on the amusements of the young. I was so far interested in the chase itself as to be sorry they did not find. I had so far the advantage of the visit, that it gave me an object lor the morning exercise, which I would otherwise only have been prompted to by health and habit. It is pleasant to have one's walk, — as heralds say, with a difference. By the way, the foxhunters hunted the cover far too fast. When they found a path they ran through it pell-mell without beating at all. They had hardly left the hare-hole cover, when a fox, which they had over-run, stole away. This is the consequence of breeding dogs too speedy. A2yril 8. — We have the nevv's of the Catholic question being carried in the House of Lords, by a majority of 105 upon the second reading. Tliis is decisive, and the balsam of Fierabras must be swallowed.^ It remains to see how it will work. Since it was indubitably necessary, I am glad the decision on the case has been complete. On these last three days I have finished my review of Tytler for Lockhart and sent it off by this post. I may liave offended Peter by 1 Don Quixote, Pt. I. Bk. ii. Cap. 2. 1829.] JOURNAL. G79 censuring liini fuv a sort of petulance towards his predecessor Lord Hailes. This day visited by Mr. Cair, who is a sensible, clever young man, and by his two sisters ' — beautiful singer the youngest — and to my taste, and English music. April 9. — Laboured correcting proofs and revising ; the day infinitely bad. Worked till three o'clock ; then tried a late walk, and a wet one. I liear bad news of James Ballantyne, Hypochondriac I am afraid, and religiously distressed in mind. I got a book from the Duke de Levis, the same gentle- man with wliom I had an awkward meeting at Abbotsford, owinpilyniii)k to Aline of Gcicrsicin. Hang it ! it is not so l)a(l after all, though I fear it will not bo popular. Tn fact, T am almost expended : but while I exhort others to exertion I will not fail to exert mj'-self. I have a letter from R. P. G[illies] proposing to subscribe to assist him from £25 to £50. It will do no good, but yet I cannot help giving him something. "A daimen-icker in a thrave 's a sma' rer|uest : I '11 get a blessing wi' the lave, and never miss't."^ I will try a review for the Foreign and he shall have the proceeds. April 14. — I sent off proofs of the review of Eitson for John Lockhart. Then set a stout heart to a stay brae, and took np Anne of Geierstein. I had five sheets standing by me, which I read with care, and satisiied myself that worse had succeeded, Init it was while the fashion of the thing was new, I retrenched a good deal about the Troubadours, which was really hors de place. As to King Rene, I retained him as a historical character. In short, I will let the sheets go nearly as they are, for though J. B. be an excellent judge of this species of composition, he is not infallible, and has been in circumstances which may bias his mind. I might have taken this detenaination a month since, and I wish I had. But I thought I might strike out something bettei- by the braes and burn-sides. Alas ! I walk along them with pain- ful and feeble steps, and invoke their influence in vain. But my health is excellent, and it were ungrateful to complain either of mental or bodily decay. AYe called at EUiston to-day and made up for some ill-bred delay. In the evening I corrected two sheets of the Magnum, as we call it April 15. — I took up AlWic, and wrote, with inter- ruption of a nap (in wliich my readers may do well to ^ Burns's Lines to a Mouse: "a an ear of corn out of two dozen daimen-icker in a tliravc," that is, sheaves. 682 JOURNAL. [April imitate me), till two o'clock. I wrote with care, having digested Comines. Whether I succeed or not, it wouhl be dastardly to give in. A bold countenance often carries off an indifferent cause, but no one will defend him who shows the white feather. At two I walked till near four. Dined with the girls, smoked two cigars, and to work again till supper-time. Slept like a top. Amount of the day's work, eight pages — a round task. Ajyril 16. — I meant to go out with Bogie to plant some shrubs in front of the old quarry, but it rains cats and dogs as they say, a rare day for grinding away at the old mill of imagination, yet somehow I have no great will to the task. After all, however, tlie morning proved a true April one, sunshine and shower, and I both worked to some purpose, and moreover walked and directed about planting the quarry. The post brought matter for a May or April morning — a letter from Sir James Mackintosh, telling me that Moore and he were engaged as contributors to Longman's Encyclo- poedia, and asking me to do a volume at £1000, the subject to be the History of Scotland in one volume. This would be very easy work. I have the whole stuff in my head, and could write currentc calamo. The size is as I compute it about one-third larger than Tlie Tales of my Crvandf cither . There is much to lie said on both sides. Let me balance pros and cons after the fashion of honest Kobinson Crusoe. Pro. — It is the sum I have been wishing for, sufficient to enable me to break the invisible but magic circle which petty debts of myself and others have traced round me. With common prudence I need no longer go from hand to mouth, or M'hat is worse, anticipate my moans. I may also ])a}' off some small shop debts, etc., belonging to the Trust, clear off all Anne's embarrassment, and even make some foundation of a provision for her. N.B. — I think this whacking reason is like to prove the gallon of Cognac brandy, which a lady recommended as llio foundation of a Li(iueur. "Slop there, 1829] JOURNAL. G83 madam, if you please," said my graudfatluir, Dr. Jiiitlierford, "you can [add] notliing to that; it is flanronadewith £1000," and a capital hit, egad. Contra. — It is terribly like a hack author to make an abridgement of what I have written so lately. Pro. — But a difference may be taken. A history may be written of the same country on a different plan, general where the other is detailed, and philosophical where it is popular. I think I can do this, and do it witli un- washed hands too. For being hacked, what is it but another word for being an author ? I will take care of my nai.ie doubtless, l_>ut the five letters which form it must take care of me in turn. I never knew name or fame burn brighter O by over chary keeping of it. Besides, there are two gallant hacks to pull with me. Contra. — I have a monstrous deal on hand. Let me see : Life of Argyll,^ and Life of Peterborough for Lockhart.- Third series Talcs of my Grandfather — review for Gillies — new novel — end of Anne of Geierstein. Pro. — But I have just finished two long reviews for Lock- hart. The third series is soon discussed. The review may be finished in three or four days, and the novel is within a week and less of conclusion. For the rest, we must first see how this goes off. In fine, within six weeks, I am sure I can do the w^ork and secure the independence I sigh for. Must I not make hav while the sun shines ? Who can tell what leisure, health, and life mav be destined to me ? Adjourned the debate till to-morrow morning. Ajv'il 17. — I resumed the discussion of the bargain about the history. The ayes to the right, the noes to the left. The ayes have it — so I will write to Sir James of this date. But I will take a walk first, that I will. A little shaken with the conflict, for after all were I as I have beeii . " My poverty but not my will consents." •"' ' John, Duke of Argyll and The Family Library, were never Greeinvich. written. - These biographies, intended for ■' Romeo and Jtditt, Act v. Sc. 1.' GR4 -TOUI^XAL. [April I liave been out in a most delicious real spring day. I returned \vitli my nerves strung and my mind determined. I will make this plunge, and with little doubt of coming off no loser in character. What is given in detail may be sup- pressed, general vie^^■s may be enlarged upon, and a bird's- eye prospect given, not the less interesting, that we have seen its prominent points nearer and in detail. I have been of late in a great degree free from wafered letters, sums to make up, notes of hand wanted, and all the worry of an embarrassed man's life. This last struLjgle will free me en- tirely, and so help me Heaven it shall be made ! I have written to Sir James, stating that I apprehend the terms to be £1000, namely, for one volume containing about one- third more than one of the volumes of Tulcs of my Grand- father, and agreeing to do so. Certes, few men can win a thousand pounds so readily. "VVe dine with the Fergusons to-day at four. So off we went and safely returned. A^wil 18. — Corrected proofs. I find J. B. has not re- turned to his business, though I wrote him how necessary it was. My pity begins to give way to anger. Must he sit there and squander his thoughts and senses upon cloudy metaphysics and abstruse theology till he addles his brains entirely, and ruins his business ? I have written to him again, letter third and, I am determined, last. Wrote also to the fop lieynolds, with preface to the House of Aspen, then to honest Joseph Train desiring he would give me some notion how to serve him with Messrs. Carr, and to take care to make his ambition moderate and feasible. My neighbour, Mr. Kerr of Kippielaw, struck with a palsy while he was looking at the hounds ; his pony remained standing by his side. A sudden call if a final one. That strange desire to leave a prescribed task and set about something else seized me irresistibly. I yielded to it, and sat down to try at what speed and in what manner I could execute this job of Sir James Mackintosh's, and I 1829.] JOUEXAL. 685 wrote three leaves before risin;:^, well enoutjli, I think. The girls made a round with me. AVe drove to Chiefswood, and from that to Janeswood, up the Ehymer's Glen, and so home. This occupied from one to four. In the evening I heard Anne read Mr. Peel's excellent Bill on the Police of the JMetropolis, which goes to disband the whole generation of Dogberry and Verges. AVrote after tea. April 19. — I made this a busy day. I wrote on at the history until two o'clock, then took a gallant walk, then began reading for Gillies's article. James Ferguson dined with us. AVe smoked and I became woundy sleepy. Now I have taken collar to this arrangement, I find an open sea before me wdiich I could not have anticipated, for though I should get through well enough with my expectations during the year, yet it is a great thing to have a certainty to be clear as a new pin of every penny of debt. There is no being obliged or asking favours or getting loans from some grudging friend who can never look at you after but with fear of losing his cash, or you at him without the humiliating sense of having extorted an obligation. Besides my large debts, I have paid since I was in trouble at least £2000 of personal encumbrances, so no wonder my nose is still under water. I really believe the sense of this ap- parently unending struggle, schemes for retrenchment in which I was unseconded, made me low-spirited, for the sun seems to slihie brighter ' upon me as a free man. Never- theless, devil take the necessity whicli makes me drudge like a very hack of Grub Street. " May the foul fa' the gear and the bletherie o 't." ^ 1 walked out with Tom's assistance, came home, went through the weary work of cramming, and so forth ; wrought after tea, and then to bed. April 20. — As yesterday till two — sixteen pages of the History written, and not less than one-fifth of the whole 1 " Wlien I think on the world's i^elf May the sliame fa' and the blethric o 't." Burden of old Scottish Song. 686 JOUEXAL. [April book. What if they should be off? I were finely holp'd for throwing my time away. A toy ! They dare not. Lord Buchan is dead, a person whose immense vanity, bordering upon insanity, obscured, or rather eclipsed, very considerable talents. His imagination was so fertile that he seemed really to believe the extraordinary fictions which he delighted in telling. His economy, most laudable in the early part of his life, Avhen it enabled him, from a small income, to pay his father's debts, became a miserable habit, and led him to do mean things. He had a desire to be a great man, and a Mascenas a h»i marcliL The two celebrated lawyers, his brothers, were not more gifted by nature than I think he was, but the restraints of a profession kept the eccentricity of the family in order. Henry Erskine was the best-natured man I ever knew, thoroughly a gentleman, and with but one fault : he could not say no, and thus some- times misled those who trusted him. Tom Erskine was positively mad. I have heard him tell a cock-and-a-bull story of having seen the ghost of his father's servant, John Burnet, with as much sincerity as if lie believed every word he was saying. Both Henry and Thomas were saving men, yet both died very poor. The one at one time possessed £200,000 ; the other had a considerable fortune. The Earl alone has died wealthy. It is saving, not getting, that is the mother of riches. They all had wit. The Earl's was crack-brained and sometimes caustic ; Henry's Avas of the very kindest, best-humoured, and gayest that ever cheered society ; that of Lord Erskine was moody and maddish. But I never saw him in his best days. Went to Hainin. is at last at work again. April 21. — S})ent the wliole morning at writing, still tlie ]listory, such is my wilful whim. Twcniy pages now 1829.] JOUliNAL. G87 finished — I suppose the clear fouilli ]y.\vt of a volume. I went out, but the day being sulky I sat in the Conservatory, after trying a walk ! I have been glancing over the works for Gillies's review, and I tliink on them between-hands while I compose the History, — ^an odd habit of doing two things at once, but it has always answered with me well enough. A2Jril 22. — Another hard day's work at the History, now increased to the Bruce and Baliol period, and threatening to be too lengthy for the Cyclopaedia. But I will make short work with \vars and battles. I wrote till two o'clock, and strolled with old Tom and my dogs^ till half-past four, hours of pleasure and healthful exercise, and to-day taken Avilh ease. A letter from J. T>. stating an alarm that he may lose the printing of a })art of the Magnum. But I shall write him he must be his own friend, set shoulder to the wheel, and remain at the head of his business ; and of that I must nud>:e him aware. And so I set to my proofs. "Better to work," says the inscription on Hogarth's Bride- well, "than stand thus." Ajml 23. — A cold blustering day — bad welcome for the poor lambs. I made iny walk short and my task long, my work turning entirely on the History — all on speculation. But the post brought me a letter from Dr. Lardner, the manager of the Cyclopedia, agreeing to my terms ; so all is right there, and no labour thrown away. The volume is to run to 400 pages; so much the better; I love elbow-room, ^ That these afternoon rambles mistress, "svho beats the male race of with tlie dogs Svcre not always so autliors out of tlie pit in describing tranijuil may be gatliered from an the higher passions tliat are more incident described by Air. Adolplms, proper to their sex tliau hers, ill wliich an unsuspecting cat at a Alack-a-day ! my poor eat Hinsc, my cottage door was demolished by ac(iuaintaiice, and in some sort my Nimrod in one of his gambols. — friend of fifteen years, was snapped Life, voL ix. ]}. 3G2. This deer- at even by the paynim Nimrod. hound was an old offender. Sir Wliat could I say to him but wliat Walter tells his friend Richardson, Brantume said to some ferrailltur a j>ropos of a story he had just wlio had lieen too successful in a heard of Joanna Baillic's cat having duel, 'Ah! inon grand ami, \ous worried a dog : " It is just like her avez tuii mou autre grand ami,' " 688 JOUENAL. [Apkil aud will have space to do something to purpose. I replied agreeing to his terms, and will send him copy as soon as I have corrected it. The Colonel and Miss Ferguson dined with us. I think I drank rather a cheerful glass with my good friend. Smoked an extra cigar, so no more at present. Ajpi'il 25. — After writing to Mr. Cochrane,^ to Cadell and J. B., also to ^Mr. Pitcairn,- it Avas time to set out for Lord Buchan's funeral. The funeral letters were signed by Mr. H. David Erskine, his lordship's natural son. His nephew, the young Earl, was present, but neither of them took the head of the coffin. His lordship's funeral took place in a chapel amongst the ruins. His body was in the grave with its feet pointing westward. My cousin, Max- popple,^ was for taking notice of it, but I assured him that a man who had been wrong in the head all his life would scarce become right-headed after death. I felt something at parting with this old man, though but a trumpery body. He gave me the first approbation I ever obtained from a stranger. His caprice had led him to examine Dr. Adam's class Avhen I, a boy twelve years old, and then in disgrace for some aggravated case of negligence, was called up from a low bench, and recited my lesson with some spirit and appearance of feeling the poetry (it was the apparition of Hector's ghost in the yEneid) amid the noble Earl's applause. I was very proud of this at the time. I was sad on another account — it was the first time I had been among these ruins since I left a very valued pledge there. My next visit may be involuntary. Even so, God's will be done ! at least I have not the mortification of thinkintf what O a deal of patronage and fuss Lord IWiehan would bestow on ' Manager of the Ford'jn lleview. possession, during his father's life- - Robert Pitcairn, author of time. Whatever, in things of this Criminal Trials in Scotland, 3 vols. sort, used to be practised among 4to. the E'rench noblesse, might be ' William Scott, ]"]sc{., afterwards traced, till very lately, in the Laird of llaeburn, was commonly customs of the Scottish provincial thus designated from a minor gentry. — J. u. L. 1829.] JOURNAL. G89 my funeral.^ Maxpopj^le dined and slept here witli fonr of Jiis family, much amused M'ith what they heard and saw. By good fortune a ventriloquist and partial juggler came in, and we had him in the library after dinner. He was a lialf- starved wretched-looking creature, who seemed to have ate more fire than bread. So I caused him to be well stuffed, and gave him a guinea, rather to his poverty than to liis skill — and now to finish Anne of Geierstein. April 26. — But not a- finger did I lay on the jacket of Anne. Looking for something, I fell in \\ith the little drama, long missing, called the Doom of Dcvorgull. I believe it was out of mere contradiction that I sat down to read and correct it, merely because I would not be bound to do auglit tliat seemed compulsory. So I scribbled at a piece of nonsense till two o'clock, and then walked to the lake. At nioht I flung helve after hatchet, and spent the evening in reading the Doom of Devorgoil to the girls, who seemed considerably interested. Anne objects to the mingling the goblinry, which is comic, with the serious, which is tragic. After all, I could greatly improve it, and it would not be a bad composition of that odd kind to some picnic receptacle of all things. April 27. — This day must not be wasted. I breakfast with the Fergusons, and dine with the Brewsters. But, by Heaven, I will finish Anne of Geierstein this day betwixt the two en- gagements. I don't know why nor wherefore, but I hate^?mc, I mean Anne of Geierstein; the other two Annes are good girls. Accordingly I well nigh accomplished my work, but about three o'clock my story fell into a slough, and in getting it out I lost my way, and was forced to p»ostpone the conclusion till to-morrow. Wrote a good day's work notwithstanding. Ajnil 28. — I have slept upon my puzzle, and will now finish it, Jove bless my ^^m mater, as I see not further impediment before me. The story will end, and shall end, becaiise it must end, and so liere goes. After this doughty 1 Life, vol. vi. p. 90. ■; 690 JOURNAL. [April resolution, I went doggedly to work, and finished five leaves by the time when they should meet the coach. But the mis- fortune of writing fast is that one cannot at the same time write concisely. I wrote two pages more in the evening. Stayed at home all day. Indeed, the weather — sleety, rainy, stormy — forms no tempting prospect. Bogie, too, who sees his flourish going to wreck, is looking as spiteful as an angry fiend towards the unpropitious heavens. So I made a day of work of it, " And yet the end was not." April 29. — Tliis morning I finished and sent off three pages more, and still there is something to write ; but I will take the broad axe to it, and have it ended before noon. This has proved impossible, and the task lasted me till nine, when it was finished, tant Men que mat. Now, will people say this expresses very little respect for the public ? In fact, I have very little respect for that dear pithlicum whom I am doomed to amuse, like Goody Trash in Bartholomeio Fair, with rattles and gingerbread ; and I should deal very un- candidly with those who may read my confessions were I to say I knew a public Avorth caring for or capable of dis- tinguishing the nicer beauties of composition. They weigh good and evil qualities by the pound. Get a good name and you may write trash. Get a bad one and you may write like Homer, without pleasing a single reader. I am, perhaps, Vevfant gdt4 de succ4s, but I am brought to the stake,^ and must perforce stand the course. Having finished Anne ^ I began and revised fifteen leaves 1 " They have ty'J me to a. stake ; I can- Wliat ! will the aspiring blood of Lancaster not fly. Sink in the {,'round ? Shakespkare. But bear-like I must fi"lit the t xi i i.-i i • i i „,,,„.. Z n J^n three volumes. hdinburgh : course. — Macbeth, Kc,t\. Be. 7. , , . ^ , „ ^ Printed for Cadcll & Co., Edin- - The work was published in May burgh ; and Sinipkiu & Marshall, under the following title : — " Anne London, 1829. (At the end) Edin- . 327-8. 1829.] JOURNAL. 709 Hazeldean. I v/rote the song for Sophia; and I find my friends here still })rofer her to the foreign syren. " However, Madame Caradori, To miss you I am very sorry, I should have taken it for glory To have heard you sing my Border story." I worked at the Talcs of my Grandfather, but leisurely. June 5. — Cadell came to dine with me tetc-a-tetc, for the girls are gone to Hopetoun House. We had ample matter to converse upon, for his horn was full of good news. While we were at dinner we had letters from London and Ireland, which decided him to raise tlie impression of Waverlcy to 15,000. This, with 10,000 on the number line which Ireland is willing to take, will make £18,000 a year of divisible profit. This leads to a further speculation, as I said, of great importance. Longman & Co. have agreed to sell their stock on hand of the Poetry, in which tliey have certain shares, their shares included, for £8000. Cadell thinks he could, by selling off at cheap rates, sorting, making waste, etc., get rid of the stock for about £5000, leaving £3000 for the purchase of the copyrights, and proposes to close the bargain as much cheaper as he can, but at all events to close it. Whatever shall fall short of the price returned by the stock, the sale of which shall be entirely at his risk, shall be reckoned as tlie price of the copyright, and we shall pay half of that l)alance. I had no hesitation in authorising him to proceed in liis bargain with Owen Eees of Longman's house upon that principle. For supposing, according to Cadell's present idea, the loss on the stock shall amount to £2000 or £3000, the possession of the entire copyright undivided would enalile us, calculating upon siniilar success to that of the Novels, to make at least £500 per cent. Longman il' C*o. have indeed an excellent l);irgain, but then so will wo. V{(\ p;vy dear iiuhu'd for what the ostensible subject of sale is, but, if it sets free almost the whole of our 710 JOUrvNAL. [June copyrights, and places them in our own hands, we get a most vahiable q^uid pro quo. There is only one-fourth, I think, of Marmion in ]\Ir. Murray's hands, and it must be the deuce if that cannot be [secured].^ JNIr. Cadell proposed that, as he took the whole books on his risk, he ought to have compensation, and that it should consist in the sum to be given to me for arranging and making addi- tions to the volumes of Poetry thus to be republished. I objected to this, for in the first place he may suffer no loss, for the books may go off more rapidly than he thinks or expects. In the second place, I do not know what my labours in the Poetry may be. In either case it is a blind bargain ; but if he should be a sufferer beyond the clear half of the loss, which we agree to share with him, I agreed to make him some compensation, and he is willing to take what I shall think just ; so stands our bargain. liemained at home and wrote about four pages of Talcs. I should have done more, but my head, as Squire Sullen says, " aiked consumedly." - Pees has given Cadell a written offer to be binding till the twelfth ; meantime I have written to Lock- hart to ask John Murray if he will treat for the fourth share of Marmion, which he possesses. It can be worth but little to him, and gives ns all the copyrights. I have a letter from Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, touching a manuscript of Messrs. Hay Allan called the Vestiariuni Scotice by a Sir Pichard Forrester. If it is an imposition it is cleverly done, but I doubt the quarter it comes from. These Hay Allans are men of warm imaginations. It makes the strange averment that all tlie Low-Country gentlemen and border clans woiv tartan, and gives sets of them all. I must see the manuscript before I believe in it. The Allans are singular men, of much accomplishment but little probity — that is, in antiquarian matters. Cadell lent nie £10, — funny enough, after all our grand expectations, for Croesus io want such a gratiliLy ! 1 See w/?-a, p. 71-"). ^ The Beanx's SlrcUutjem, Farcjuliar. 1829.] JOUE^^AL. 11 June 7. — I rose at seven, and wrote to Sir Thomas Lauder a long warning on tlie subject of tliese Allans and their manuscript.^ Proceeded to write, but found myself pulled up by the necessity of reading a little. This occupied my whole morning. The Lord President called very kindly ^ Through the courtesy of oMiss Dick Lauder I ani enabled to give the letter referred to : — " ^ily DEAR Sill Thomas,— I re- ceived your kind letter and inter- esting communication yesterday, and hasten to reply. I am ashamed of the limited hospitality I was able to offer Mr. Lauder, but circum- stances permitted me no more. I was much pleased with his lively and intelligent manners, and hope he will live to be a comfort and a credit to Lady Lauder and you. "I need not say I have the greatest interest in the MS. which you men- tion. In case it shall really prove an authentic document, there would not be the least difficulty in getting the Bannatyne Club to take, per- haps, 100 copies, or obtaining sup- port enough so as, at the least, to preclude the possibility of loss to the ingenious Messrs. Hay Allan. But 1 think it indispens- able that the original MS. should be sent for a month or so to the Register House under the charge of the Deputy Register, Mr. Thomson, that its antiquity be closely scrutin- ised by competent persons. The art of imitating ancient writing has got to a considerable perfection, and it has been the bane of Scottish literature, and disgrace of her anti- quities, that Ave have manifested an eager propensity to believe with- out inquiry and propagate the errors which we adopt too hastily our- selves. Tlie general proposition that the Lowlanders ever^vore plaids is difficult to swallovi'. They v,-ero of twenty different races, and al- most all distinctly different front the Scots L-ish, who are the proper Scots, from which the Royal Family are descended. For instance, there is scarce a great family in the Low- lauds of Scotland that is not to be traced to the Normans, the proudest as well as most civilised race in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Is it natural to think that holding the Scots in the contempt in which they did, they would have adopted their dress ? If yoii will look at Bruce's speech to David i., as the historian /l-]lred tells the story, you will see he talks of the Scots as a British officer would do of Chero- kees. Or take our country, the central and western part of tlie border : it was British, AVelsh if you f)lease, with the language and manners of that peo^jle who certainly wore no tartan. It is needless to prosecute tliis, though I could show, I think, that there is no period in Scottish History when the manners, language, or dress of the High- landers were adopted in the Low Country. They brought them m ith them from Ireland, as you will see from the very curious prints in Derrick's picture of Ireland, where you see the chiefs and followers of the wild Irish in the ordinary Highland dress, tempore Queen Elizabeth. Besides this, where has slept this universal custom tliat nowhere, unless in this sis. , is it even heard of ? Lesley knew it not, though the work had been in his possession, and hio attention 712 JOURNAL. [June to desire me to keep at liome to-morrow. I thought of being out, but it may be as well not. I am somehow or other cither listless or lazy. My head aches cruelly. I made a fight at reading and working till eleven, and then came sleep with a party-coloured [mantle] of fantastic hues, and wrapt me into an imaginary world. June 8. — I wrote the whole morning till two o'clock. Then I went into the gardens of Princes Street, to my great exhilaration. I never felt better for a walk ; also it is the first I have taken this whole week and more. I visited some remote garden grounds, where I had not been since I walked there with the good Samaritan Skene, sadly enough, at the must liave been called to it when writing concerning the three races of Scots — Highlanders, Lowlanders, and Bordermen, and treating of their dress in particular. Andrew Borde knows nothing of it, nor the French- man who published the geographi- cal Avork from which Pinkerton copied the prints of tlie Highlander and Lowlander, the former in a frieze plaid or mantle, while the Lowlander struts away in a cloak and trunk hose, likcr his neighbour the Fleming. I will not state other objections, though so many occur, that the authenticity of the MS. l)eing proved, I would rather sup- pose the author had been some tartan - weaver zealous for his craft, who wished to extend the use of tartan over the whole kingdom. I have been told, and believe till now, that the use of tartan was never general in Scotland (Lowlands) until the Union, when the detestation of that measure led it to be adopted as the national colour, and the ladies all affected tartan screens or mantles. "Now, a word to your own private car, my dear Sir Thomas. I have understood tliat the Messrs. Hay Allan are young men of talent, great accomplishments, enthusiasm for Scottish manners, and an exag- gerating imagination, which possibly deceives even themselves. I my- self saw one of these gentlemen wear the Badge tif High Constable of Scotland, which he could have no more right to wear than the Crown. Davidoff used also to amuse ns with stories of knighthoods and orders Avhich he saw them wear at Sir William Cumming Gordon's. Now this is all very well, and I conceive peoj^le may fall into such dreaming habits easily enough, and be very agreeable and talented men in otiier respects, and may be very amusing companions in the country, but their autliority as antiquaries must necessarily be a little apocryphal when the faith of Mss. rests upon their testimony. An old acquaintance of mine, Cap- tain Watson of tlie navy, told me he knew these gentlemen's father, and had served with him ; he Avas lieutenant, aiul of or al>out Captain Watson's age, between sixty 1 sup- pose, and seventy at present. Now what chance was there tliat either from age or situation he should be receiving gifts from tlie young 1829.] JOUENAL. 713 time of my misfortunes.^ The sliruLs and young trees, which were then invisible, are now of good size, and gay with leaf and blossom. I, too, old trunk as I am, have put out tender buds of hope, which seemed checked for ever. I may now. look with fair hope to freeing myself of obligation from all men, and spending the rest of my life in ease and quiet. God make me thankful for so cheering a prospect ! June 9. — I wrote in the morning, set out for a walk at twelve o'clock as far as ]\Ir. Cadell's. I found him hesitat- ing about his views, and undecided about the Number plan. He thinks the first plan answers so much beyond expectation it is a pity to interfere with it, and talks of re-engraving the plates. This would be touchy, but nothing is resolved on. Anne had a little party, where Lady Charlotte Bury, Lady Hopetoun, and others met the Caradori, who sung to us very kindly. She sung Jock of Hazeldean very well, and with a peculiar expression of humour, Sandie Ballantyne kindly came and helped us with fiddle and flageolet. Willie Clerk was also here. We had a lunch, and were very gay, Chevalier of Highland Maim- The Messrs. Hay Allan subse- scripts. quently took the names of John "All this, my dear Sir Thomas, Sobieski Stuart (who assumed the you will make your own, but I title of Comte d'Albanie) and cannot conceal from j'ou my I'easons, Charles Edward Stuart. John because I would wish you to know Sobieski died in 1872, and Chai'les iny real opinion. If it is an imita- Edward in 1880. The "original" tioD, it is a very good one, but the of Sir Richard Forrester's manu- title ' Liber A^estiarium ' is false script was never submitted to the Latin I should think not likely inspection of the Deputy Register, to occur to a Scotsman of Buch- as suggested by Scott ; but it Mas anan's age. Did you look at tlie published in a very handsome shape watermark of the MS.? If the a dozen years later, and furnished a Manuscript 1)e of undeniable anti- text for an article in the Quarterly, quity, I consider it as a great curi- in wliich the autlienticity of tlie osity, and most worthy to be pub- book, and the claims of the author lished. But I l)elieve nothing else and his brother, were unsparingly than ocular inspection will satisfy criticised by the late Professor most cautious antiquaries. . . . — Skene of Glasgow. — See "The Heirs Yours, my i]ear Sir Thomas, always, of the Stuarts" in Qitarterly Ee.vieui, Wai.tkr SooTT. " vol. Ixxxii. "Edinburgh, 5 Juw ]S2;'." ^ Aide, pp. 'Jl, {)2. 714 JOURNAL. [June not the less so for tlic want of My. Buiy, who is a thorough- paced coxcouib, v.ith some accomplishments, liowovcr. I drank two glassc;: of champagne, which have muddled my brains for the day. Will Clerk promised to come hack and dine on the wreck of the turkey and tongue, pigeon-pie, etc. He came, accordingly, and stayed till nine ; so no time for work. It was not a lost day, however.^ Jime 10. — Nota bene, my complaint quite gone. I at- ^ There are so few of " Darsie Latimer's " letters preserved that the following may be given relating to the Bride of Lavimervioor : — "Edix. Sept. 1, 1820. " My dear Sir Walter, — I greet yoii well (which, by the way, is the proper mode of salutation in this cursed weather, that is enough to make us all greet). But to come to my proposal, which is to forward to you a communication I had witiiin these few days from Sir Robert Homo Dalrymple Elphinstone. " After expressing the great plea- sure the perusal of your notes to the new edition of tlie Novels had given him, he adds : ' I wish you would give him a hint of what I formerly mentioned to you re- garding my great-grandaunt and your own relative, the unfortunate Bride of Lammermoor. It was first mentioned to me by Miss 2,Iaitland, the daughter of Lady Rothes (they were the nearest .aeiglibours of the Stair family in Wigtov.nshire), and I afterwards heard tlie tradition from others in tliat country. It was to the follow- ing CiToct, that when, after the noise and violent screaming in the bridal ch.aml)er, comparative stillness suc- ceeded, and the door was forced, the window was found open, and it WU.-5 supposed by many that the lover (Lord Rutherford) had, by tlie connivance of some of the ser- vants, found means, during the bustle of the marriage feast, to secrete himself within the apart- ment, and that soon after the entry of the married pair, or at least as soon as the parents and others re- treated and the door was made fast, he had come out from his conceal- ment, attacked and desperately wounded the bridegroom, and then made his escape by the window through the garden. As the un- fortunate bride never spoke after having uttered the words mentioned by Sir Walter, no light could be thrown on the matter by them. But it was thought that Bucklaw's obstinate silence on the subject favoured the suppositi(m of the chastisement having been inflicted by his rival. It is but fair to give the unhappy victim (who was by all accounts a most gentle and feminine creature) the benefit of an explanation on a doubtful point.' "So far my worthy friend, who seems a little jealous of the poor bride's reputation. I send you his note, andyou can make whatyou like of it. I am intending a little jaunt to his country, and ■we mean to visit sundry old castles in Aberdeensliire, and wish you were of the party. I have heard nothing of Linton [cog- nomen for Sir Adam Ferguson] this summer. I hope you have 1)C(;n pass- ing your tinieagrceably. — ^VitIl best compliments to all friends, I remain, my dear Sir '\Valtcr, ever youi's, " Wm. Clku-.v." 1829.] JOURNAL. 715 tended tlio Court, and sat thei-e till late. Evening liad its lot of labour, which is, I think, a s«xiond nature to nie. It is astonishino- how little I look into a book of entertainment. I have been reading over the Five NiijlUs of St. Albans, — very much extra mcenia nostri mundi, and possessed of considerable merit, though the author^ loves to play at cherry-pit with Satan. - June 11. — I was kept at Court by a hearing till near three. Then sat to Mr. Graham for an hour and a half. When I came home, behold a letter from Mr. Murray, very hand- somely yielding up the fourth share of 3Iarmion, which he possessed.^ Afterwards we went to the theatre, where St. Ronan's Well was capitally acted by ]\rurray and the Bailie, — the part of Clara Mowbi'ay being heavy for want of ]Mrs. Siddons. Poor old Mrs. Eenaud, once the celebrated Mrs. Powell, took leave of the stage. As I was going to bed at twelve at ni^lit, in came E. P. Gillies like a tobacco cask. I shook him off with some difficulty, pleading my having been lately ill, but he is to call to-morrow morning. June 12. — Gillies made his appearance. I told him frankly I thought he conducted his affairs too irregularly for any one to assist him, and I could not in charity advise any one to encourage subscriptions, but that I should sub- scribe myself, so I made over to him about £50, which the Foreign Bcvinv owes me, and I will grow hard-hearted and do no more. I was not long in the Court, but I had to look at the controversy about the descent of the Douglas family, then I went to Cadell and found him still cock-a-hoop. Ho has raised the edition to 17,000, a monstrous number, yet he thhdcs it will clear the 20,000, but we must be (piiet in case people; jalouse the failure of tlie plates. I called on I.ady J. S.'* When I came home I was sleepy and over- ^ Writteu by William jMudford, ■* The last reference in the Jour- born 1782, died 1S48. iial to his old friend Lady Jane - 7'icel/th Xfijht, Act iii. Sc. 4. Stuart, who died on the following 3 Sgo Life, vol. ix. pp. 3'2,')-(J. October. TIG JOUPtNAL. [June walked. By the way, I sat till Graham finished my picture.^ I fell fast asleep before diuuer, and slept for an hour. After dinner I wrote to Walter, Charles, Lockharb, and John Murray, and took a screed of my novel ; so con- cluded the evening idly enough. June 13. — We hear of Sophia's motions. She is to set sail by steam-boat on the 16th, Tuesday, and Charles is to make a run clow^n with her. But, alas ! my poor Johnnie is, I fear, come to lay his bones in his native land. Sophia can no longer disguise it from herself, that as his strength weakens the disease increases. The poor child is so much bent on coming to see Abbotsford and grandpapa, that it would be cruel not to comply wdth his wish — and if afflic- tion comes, we will bear it best together. "Not more the schoolboy who expires Far from his mxtive home desires To see some friend's familiar face, Or meet a parent's last embrace." It must be all as God wills it. Perhaps his native air may be of service. More news from Cadell. He deems it necessary to carry up the edition to 20,000. \AyboUforcl?\^ — This day was fixed for a start to Abbots- ford, where we arrived about six o'clock, evening. To my thinking, I never saw a prettier place; and even the trees and flowers seemed to say to me. We are your own again. Put I must not let imagination jade me thus. It would be to make disappointment doubly bitter: and, God knows, I have in my child's famil}^ matter enough to check any exuberant joy. Jmu 14. — A delicious day — threatening rain; but with llie lauLTuid and affectincf manner in which beautv demands sympathy when about to weep. I wandered about the baiilcs and braes all morning, and got home about three, ' Now in the rooms of the Royal Society, Edinburgh. 1829.] JOUENAL. 717 and saw everything in tolerable order, excepting tliat there was a good number of branches left in tl'.e walks. There is a great number of trees cut, and bark collected. Colonel Ferguson dined with us, and spent the afternoon. June 15. — Another charming day. Up and despatched packets for Ballantyne and Cadell; neither of them was furiously to the purpose, but I had a humour to be alert. 1 walked over to Huntly Burn, and round by Chicfswood and Janeswood, where I saw Captain Hamilton. He is busy finishing his Peninsular campaigns.^ He will not be cut out by ISTapier, whose work has a strong party cast ; and being, besides, purely abstract and professional, to the public seems very dull. I read General Miller's account of the South American AVar.^' I liked it the better that Basil Hall brought the author to breakfast with me in Edinburgh. A fine, tall, military figure, his left hand withered like the prophet's gourd, and plenty of scars on liim. There have been rare doings in that vast continent ; Ijut the strife is too distant, the country too unknown, to have the effect upon the imagination which European wars produce. This evening I indulged in the /a?' nientc — a rare event with me, but which I enjoy j)ro portion ally. Jtme 16. — Made up parcel for Dr. Lardner; and now I propose to set forth my memoranda of Byron for Moore's acceptance, which ought in civility to have been done long since.^ I will have a walk, however, in the first place. '^ A nnal'i of the Peninsular War. they should be forthcoming. " And 3 vols. 8vo, 1S29. Moore himself had previously re- ^ Memoirs of General Miller in minded Sir Walter of his promise. the Service of the Jtcjiuhlir of I'eru. 2 vols. 8vo, 1S'20. "April 2-jth, 1S29. ^ Mr. Lockhart had written on " My DEAR ScOTT, — It goes to my ■June 6: — "Moore is at my ell)o\v heart to bother you, knowing how and saj's he has not the face to bravely and gloriously you are em- bother you, but he has come exactly ployed for that task-mistress — Pos- to the part where your reminiscences terity. But you may thank your of Lord Byron would come in ; so stars that I have let you off so long, he is wiiitinsi for a week or so in case All that you promised me about 718 JOUENAL. [June I did not get on with Byron so Air as I expected — began it though, and that is always something. I went to see the woods at Huntly Burn, and Mars Lea, etc. l\Iet Captain Hamilton, who tells me a shocking thing. Two Messrs. Stirling of Drumpellier came here and dined one day, and seemed spirited young men. The younger is murdered by pirates. An Indian vessel in which he sailed M'as boarded by these miscreants, Avho behaved most brutally ; and he, offering resistance I suppose, was shockingly maugh.'d and flung into the sea. He was afterwards taken up alive, but died soon after. Such horrid accidents lie in wait for those Mrs. Gordon and Ciicht, and a variety of other things, is remitted to you ; but I positively must have something from you of your recollections pei'sonally of Byron — and that as soon as possible, for I am just coming to the period of your ac. 1829.] JOUENAL. 723 and most offensive kind of Venetian windows. This, 1 am told, has replaced a (juiut lowly little Gothic building, coeval, perhaps, with the royal poet who celebrated the spot. Next we went to Falkland, where we found Mr. Howden, factor of Mr. Tyndall Bruce, waiting to show us the palace. Falkland has most interesting remains. A double entrance-tower, and a side building running east from it, is roofed, and in some degree habitable ; a corresiDondiug building runninQ- northward from the eastern corner is totally ruinous, having been destroyed by fire. The archi- tecture is highly ornamented, in the style of the Palace at Stirling. Niches with statues, with projections, cornices, etc., are lavished throughout. Many curious medallions ex- hibited such heads as those procured from the King's room at Stirling, the originals, perhaps, being the same. The re- peated cypher of James v. and ]\Iary of Guise attest the builder of this part of the palace. When complete it had been a quadrangle. There is as much of it as remained when Slezer published his drawings. Some part of the interior has been made what is called habitable, that is, a half-dozen of bad rooms have been gotten out of it. Am clear in my own mind a ruin should be protected, but never repaired. The proprietor has a beautiful place called Nut- hill, within ten minutes' walk of Falkland, and commanding some fine views of it and of the Lomond Hill. Tliis should be the residence. lUit Mr. Bruce and his predecessor, my old professor, John Bruce,^ deserve great credit for their at- ^ Professor of Logic in the Uni- the Union between England ami versity of Edinburgh from 1775 Scotland : its causes, effects, and till 17->^, when he resigned his iniluence of Great Britain in chair and became Keeper of the Europe." In the previous year he .State Paper OtHce, and Historic- also prepared another on the ar- grapher to the East India Company rangeinents made for repelling the in London. He wrote several ela- Armada, and their application to l)orate and valuable reports for the the crisis of 1798. This able man Government, M Inch, though printed, jeturned to Scotland, and died in were never published; among others, i<'alkland about two years before one in 17i)l», in '2 vols. Svo, "On Scott visited tiic place. 724 JOURNAL. [June tention to prevent dilapidation, which was doing its work fast upon the ancient palace. The only remarkable apart- ment was a large and well-proportioned gallery with a painted roof — tempore Jacohi Sexti — and built after his suc- cession to the throne of England. I noticed a curious thing, — a hollow column concealed the rope which rung the Castle bell, keeping it safe from injury and interruption. The town of Falkland is old, with very narrow streets. The arrival of two carriages and a gig was an event im- portant enough to turn out the whole population. They are said to be less industrious, more dissipated, and readier to become soldiers than their neighbours. So long a court retains its influence ! We dined at Wellfield with my friend George Cheape, with whom I rode in the cavalry some thirty years ago. Much mirth and good wine made us return in capital tune. The Chief Baron and Admiral Adam did not go on this trip. When we returned it was time to go to bed by a candle. June 28. — Being Sunday, we lounged about in the neigh- bourhood of the crags called Kiery Craigs, etc. The Sheriff- substitute of Kinross came to dinner, and brought a gold signet^ which had been found in that town. It was very neat work, about the size of a shilling. It bore in a shield the arms of Scotland and England, ^^rrr^i |;er yale, those of Scotland occupying the dexter side. The shield is of the heater or triangular shape. There is no crown nor legend of any kind ; a slip of gold folds upwards on the back of the hinge, and makes the handle neatly enough. It is too well wrought for David ii.'s time, and James iv. is the only monarch of the Scottish line who, marrying a daughter of England, may carry the arms of both countries parti ^;«' 2Kde. Mr. Skelton is the name of the present possessor. ^ Au account of the finding of James i.) at Kinross, in April 1 829, this seal (whicli was tlionglit to he is given in tlie AirJiaoloyia Scotica, that of Joan of Ijoaufort, wife of vol. iv. p. 420. 1829.] JOURNAL. 725 Two reported discoveries. One, that the blaeberry shrub contains the tanning quality as four to one compared to the oak — which may be of great importance, as it grows so commonly on our moors. The other, that the cutting of an apple-tree, or other fruit-tree, may be preserved by sticking it into a potato and planting both together. Curious, if true. June 29 [EclinburgJi]. — We dined together at Blair- Adam, having walked in the woods in the morning, and seen a beautiful new walk made through the woody hill behind the house. In a fine evening, after an early dinner, our party returned to Edinburgh, and there each dispersed to his several home and resting-place. I had the pleasure of finding my family all well, except Johnnie. June 30. — After my short sniff of country air, here am I again at the receipt of custom. The sale with Longman & Co., for stock and copyrights of my [Poetical] Works, is completed, for £7000, at dates from twelve to thirty-six months. There are many sets out of which we may be able to clear the monev, and then we shall make somethini; to clear the copyright. I am sure this may be done, and that the bargain will prove a good one in the long run. Dined at home with my family, whom, as they disperse to-morrow, I have dedicated the evening to. JULY. J^dy 1. — This morning wrote letters and sent them off by Charles. It was Teind Wednesday, so I was at home to witness the departure of my family, which was depressing. My two daughters, with the poor boy Johnnie, went off at ten o'clock, my son Charles, with my niece, about twelve. The house, filled with a little bustle attendant on such a removal, then became silent as the grave. The voices of the children, which had lately been so clamorous with their joyous shouts, are now hushed and still. A blank of this kind is somewhat depressing, and I find it impossible to resume my general tone of spirits. A lethargy has crept on me Avhicli no efforts can dispel ; and as the day is rainy, I cannot take exercise. I have read therefore the whole morning, and have endeavoured to collect ideas instead of expending them. I have not been very successful. In short, (lieTiv ^crdidi. Localities at Blair- Adam : — Locliornie and Locliornie Moss, The Loutingstano and Dodo'ell's Cross, Craigen Cat and Craigen Crow, Craiggaveral, the King's Cross, and Dnnglow. Jidy 2. — I made up for my deficiencies yesterday, and besides attending the Court wrote five close pages, which I tliink is very near double task. I was alone the whole day and without interruption. I have little doubt I will make my solitude tell upon my labours, especiall}- since they promise to prove so efficient. \ was so languid yesterday that I did not record that J. Jjalhuityne, his brother Sandy, 720 1829.] JOURNAL. 727 and Mr. Cad(dl dined hero on a beef-steak, and smoked a cirar, and took a view of our El Dorado. July 3. — Lal)oured at Court, where I was kept late, and wrought on my return home, finishing about five pages. I had tlie great pleasure to learn tliat the party with the infantry got safe to Abbotsford. Juhj 4. — After Court I came home and set to work, still on the Tales. When I liad finished my bit of dinner, and was in a quiet way smoking my cigar over a glass of negus, Adam Ferguson comes with a sunnnons to attend liim to the Justice-Clerk's, where, it seems, I was enoaoed. I was totally out of case to attend his summons, redolent as I was of tobacco. But I am vexed at the circumstance. It looks careless, and, what is worse, affected ; and the Justice is an old friend moreover.^ I rather think I liave been guilty towards liim in this respect before. Devil take my stupidity ! I will call on Monday and say, Here is my sabre and here is my lieart. July 5.— Sir iVdam came to breakfast, and with him Mr. and jNfrs. Johnstone of Bordeaux, tlie lady his cousin. I could not give them a right Scottish breakfast, being on a Sunday morning. Laboured on the Tales the whole mornin"-. The post brought two letters of unequal importance. One from a person calling himself Haval, announcing to me the terrific circumstance that he had written against the Waverley Novels in a publication called La Belle AssevihUe, at which doubtless, he supposes, I must be much annoyed. He be d , and that's plain speaking. The other from Lord Aberdeen, announcing that Lockhart, Dr. Gooch, and myself, are invested with the power of examining the papers of the Cardinal Duke of York, and reporting what is fit for publication. This makes it plain that the Invisible'" neither slumbers nor sleeps. The toil and lemuncration iiiu.st be 1 Riglit TTrm. r>aviert Sliort- is presented by his sincere friend, reed, Ksq., the friend of tlie autlior Walter Scott." — J. c;. i,. from youtli to age, and his guide and cduipaniou ujiou many an ex- - Who had died on tiic 22d June pedition among the Border liills, 1829. 1829.] JOU?t:NrAL. 731 two, and thon rame home to prepare for tlie country. I made a talis quails arrangement of my papers, which I trust I shall Le able to complete at Abhotsford, for it will do much good. I wish I had a smart boy like IJed Robin the tinker. Wrote also a pack of letters. Abhotsford, July 11. — I was detained in the Court till nearly one o'clock, then set out and reached Abhotsford in five or six hours. Found all well, and Johnnie rather better. He sleeps, by virtue of being in the open air, a good deal. July 12. — The day excessively rainy, or, as we call it, soft. I e'en unpacked my books and did a great deal to put them in order, but I was sick of the labour by two o'clock and left several of my books and all of my papers at sixes and sevens. Sir Adam and the Colonel dined with us. A Spanish gentleman with his wife, whom I had seen at the French Consul's, also dropped in. He was a hand- some, intelligent, and sensible man ; his name I have forgot. We had a pleasant evening. July 13. — This'day I wrote till one, resuming the History, and making out a day's task. Then went to Chiefswood, and had the pleasure of a long walk with a lady, well known in the world of poetry, ]\Irs. Hemans. She is young and pretty, though the mother of five children, as she tells me. Tliere is taste and spirit in her conversation. My daughters arc critical, and call her blue, but I think they are hypercritical. I will know better when we meet again. I was home at four. Had an evening walk with little Walter, who held mo by the finger, gabbling eternally much that I did, and more that I did not, understand. Then I had a long letter to write to Lockhart,^ correct and read, and despatch proofs, etc. ; and to bed heartily tired, though with no great exertion. July 14, — A rainy forenoon broke the promise of a de- lightful morning. I wrote four and a half pages, to make the best of a bad bargain. If I can double the daily task, 1 See p. 743 n. ■ - 732 JOUENAL. [July I will be something in hand. But I am resolved to stick to my three pages a day at least. The twelfth of Angiist will then complete my labours. July 1 5. — Tliis day two very pretty and well-bred boys came over to breakfast with us. I finished my task of three pages and better, and went to walk with the little fellows round the farm, by the lake, etc., etc. They were very good companions. Tom has been busy thinning the terrace this day or two, and is to go on. July 16. — I made out my task-work and betook myself to walk about twelve. I feel the pen turn heavy after breakfast ; perhaps my solenm morning meal is too much for my intellectual powers, but I won't abridge a single crumb for all that. I eat very little at dinner, and can't abide to be confined in my hearty breakfast. The work goes on as task-work must, slow, sure, and I trust not drowsy, though the author is. I sent off to Dionysius Lardner (Goodness be with us, what a name !) as far as page thirty-eight in- clusive, but I will wait to add to-morrow's quota. I had a long walk with Tom.^ I am walking with more pleasure ^ Mr. Skene in his Reminiscences he read two pages it was sure to set records that — "Tom Purdie identi- him asleep. Tom, with the usual fied himself M'ith all his master's pur- shrewdness common to his country- suits and concerns ; he had in early men in that class of life, joined a life been a shepherd, and came into quaintness and drollery in his Sir Walter's service upon his first notions and mode of expressing taking up his abode at Ashiestiel, liimself that was very amusing ; he of which he became at last the farm was familiar, but at the same time manager ; and upon tlie family re- perfectly respectful, although he moving to Abbotsford continued Avas sometimes tempted to deal that function, to which was added sharp cuts, particularly at Sir Adam gamekeeper, forester, librarian, and Ferguson, whom lie seemed to take & henchman to his master in all his a pleasure in assailing. When Sir rambles about the property. He Walter obtained tlie lionour of used to talk of Sir Walter's publica- knighthood for Sir Adam, upon the tions as our books, and said that plea of his being Custodier of the tlie reading of tliem was the greatest llegalia of Scotland, Tom was very comfort to liim, for whenever lie indignant, because he said, 'It was ofT his sleep, which sonietimes would take some of tlie shine out happened to him, he had only to of us,' meaning Sir Walter. Tom take one of the novels, and before was very fond of salmon fishing, 1829.] JOURNAL. 733 and comfort to myself than I have done for many a day. May Heaven continue this great mercy, which I have so much reason to be thankful for ! July 17. — We called at Chiefswood and asked Captain Hamilton, and Mrs. H., and ]\Irs. Hemans, to dinner on Monday. She is a clever person, and has been pretty. I had a long walk witli her tete-a-tetc. She told me of the peculiar melancholy attached to the words no more. I could not help telling, as a different application of the M^ords, how an old dame riding home along Cockenzie Sands, pretty bowsy, fell off the pillion, and her husband, being in good order also, did not miss her till he came to Prestonpans. He instantly returned with some neighbours, and found the good woman seated amidst the advancing tide, which began to rise, with her lips ejaculating to her cummers, who she supposed were still pressing her to another cup, " Nae ae drap mair, I thank you kindly." We dined in family, and all well. July 18. — A Sunday with alternate showers and sun- shine. Wrote double task, which brings me to page forty- six inclusive. I read the ^ime-wifc of Gait. There is some- thing good in it, and the language is occasionally very forcible, but he has made his story difficult to understand, by adopting a region of history little known, and having many heroes of the same name, whom it is not easy to keep separate in one's memory. Some of the traits of the Sineivife, who conceits herself to be a changeling or ta'en away,^ are which from an accordance of taste exceedingly amusing to see a clod- contributed much to elevate my hopper (for he Avas always in the merits in his eyes, and I believe I garb of a ploughman) moving about was his greatest favourite of all Sir in the splendid apartment wliich Walter's friends, which he used had been fitted up for the Library, occasionally to testify by imparting scrutinising the state of the books, to me in confidence some secret putting derangement to rights, al)out fishing, which he concluded remonstrating when he observed that no one knew Init himself, lie anything that indicated careless- was remarkably fastidious in his iicss." care of the Library, and it was ^ S/JUva-i/e, vol. i. 2). 1-. 734 JOUPtNAL. [July very good indeed. His Highland Chief is a Icind of Caliban, and speaks, like Caliban, a jargon never spoken on earth, but full of effect for all that. July 19. — I finished two leaves this morning, and re- ceived the Hamiltons and Mrs. Henians to breakfast. After- wards we drove to Yarrow and showed Mrs. Hemaus the lions. The party dined Avith us, and stayed till evening. Of course no more work. July 20. — A rainy day, and I am very drowsy and would give the world to ^. I wrote four leaves, however, and then my industry dropped me. I have made up for yesterday's short task. [Note.— From July 20th, 1829, to May 23d, 1830, there are no entries in the Journal, but during that time Sir Walter met with a sad loss. He Avas deprived of Ids humble friend and staunch henchman, Thomas Piirdie. The following little note to Laidlaw shows how keenly he felt his death : — " My dear Willie, — I write to tell you the shocking news of poor Tom Purdie's death, by Avliich I have been greatly affected. He had complained, or rather spoken, of a sore throat ; and the day l)efore yesterday, as it came on a sliow(ir of rain, I wanted him to walk fast on to Abbotsford before me, but you know well liow impossible that was. He took some jelly, or trifle of that kind, but made no comj^laint. This morning he rose from bed as usual, and sat down by the table with his head on his hand; and Avhon his daughter spoke to him, life had passed away without a sigh or groan. Poor fellow! There is a heart cold that loved me Avell, and, I am sure, thought of my interest more than his own. I have seldom been so much shocked. I Avish you Avould take a ride down and pass the night. There is much I have to say, and this loss adds to my Avish to see you. We dine at four. The day is indifferent, Init the sooner the better. — Yours very truly, " Walter Scott.^ "3Ls< (sic) October," Qy. 29th. ' lilaiik ill original. " Abbols/ord ^''oliuida, p. 175. 1829.] JOUKNAL. 735 To Mr. C'adell, a few Jays later, he says, "I liave lost my okl and faithful servant, my facMn in, and am so much shoclced that I really wish to be quit of the country. I have this clay laid him in the grave." On coming to Edinburgh, 8ir Walter found that his old friend and neighbour Lady Jane Stuart ■"■ was no longer there to welcome him. She also had died somewhat suddenly on Octo- ber 28th, and was buried at luvermay on November 4th.] ^ Eldest daughter of David, sixth Belsches Stuart, Bart., of Fetter- Earl of Leveu and liftli of Melville, eairn. See ante, vol. i. p. 40i ; and widow of Sir John Wishart vol. ii. pp. 55, 62. 1830 737 3 A. MAY. May 23, [^Abbotsford]. — About a year ago 1 look the pet at my Diary, chiefly because I thought it made me abomin- ably selfish ; and that by recording my gloomy fits I encouraged their recurrence, whereas out of sight, out of mind, is the best way to get rid of them ; and now I hardly know why I take it up again ; but here goes. I came here to attend Eaeburn's funeral. I am near of his kin, my great- grandfather, Walter Scott, being the second son or first cadet of this small family. My late kinsman was also married to my aunt, a most amiable old lady. He was never kind to me, and at last utterly ungracious. Of course I never liked him, and we kept no terms. He had forgot, though, an infantine cause of quarrel, which I always remembered. When I was four or five years old I was staying at Lessudden House, an old mansion, the abode of this Raeburn. A large pigeon-house was almost destroyed with starlings, then a common bird, though now seldom seen. They were seized in their nests and put in a bag, and 1 think drowned, or threshed to death, or put to some such end. The servants gave one to me, which I in some degree tamed, and the brute of a laird seized and wrung its neck. I flew at his throat like a Avild cat, and was torn from him with no little difficulty. Long afterwards I did him the mortal offence to recall some superiority which my father had lent to the laird to make up a qualification, which he meant to exercise by voting fur Lord Minto's interest against poor Don. This made a total breach between two relations who had never been friends, and though 1 was 739 Uo JOUENAL. [May afterwards of considerable service to Lis family, he kept his ill-humour, alleging justly enough that I did these hind actions for the sake of his wife and family, not for his benefit. I now saw him at the age of eighty-two or three deposited in the ancestral grave. Dined with my cousins, and returned to Abbotsford about eight o'clock. May 24, [Udinhur(/Ji]. — Called on my neighbour Mcol Milne of Faldonside, to settle something about the road to Selkirk. Afterwards went to Huntly Ihirn and made my compliments to the family. Lunched at half-past two and drove to town, calling at George Square on Gala. He pro- posed to give up the present road to »Selkirk in favour of another on the north side of the river, to be completed by two bridges. This is an object for Abbotsford. In the evening came to town. Letter from Mr. H[aydon] soliciting £20. Wait till Lockhart comes. May 25. — Got into the old mill this morning, and grind away. Walked in very bad day to George Square from the Parliament House, through paths once familiar, but not trod for twenty years. Met Scott of WoU and Scott of Gala, and consulted about the new road between Galashiels and Selkirk. I am in hopes to rid myself of the road to Selkirk, which goes too near me at Abbots- ford. Dined at Lord Chief Commissioner's, where we met the new Chief Baron Abercromby ^ and his lady. I thought it was the first time we had met fur above forty years, but he put me in mind we had dined one day at John Eichardson's. May 26. — Wrought with proofs, etc., at the Demonology, ^vhich is a cursed business to do neatly. I must finish it 1 James Abercromby, wlio sue- the House of Commons in 1835. ceeded Sir Samuel Shepherd as On Mr. Aljercromby's retirement Chief Baron, was the third son of in 1S39, he was raised to the Sir Ralph Abercromby. He was Peerage as Lord Dunfermline. Ho afterwards elected member for died at Colinton House on April Edinburgh in 1S32, and SiJcaker of 17th, 1S58, aged 81. 1830,] JOUENAL. 741 though, for I need money. I went to the Conrt ; from that came home, and scrambled on with half writing, half reading, half idleness till evening. I have laid aside smoking much ; and now, unless tempted by company, rarely take a cigar. I was frightened by a species of fit which I had in February, which took from me my power of speaking. I am told it is from the stomach. It looked woundy like palsy or apoplexy. Well, be it what it will, I can stand it.^ May 27. — Court as usual. I am agitating a proposed 1 Of tins illness, Sir Walter had written the following account to Mr. Lockhart, a week after its occurrence : — ' ' Anne would tell you of an awkward sort of fit I had on Monday last ; it lasted about five minutes, during which I lost the power of articulation, or rather of speaking what I wished to say. I revived instantly, but submitted to be bled, and to keep the house for a week, except exercising walks. They seem to say it is from the stomach. It may or may not be a paralytic afi'ection. We must do the best we can in either event. I think by hard work I will have all my affairs regulated within five or six years, and leave the means of clearing them in case of my death. I hope there will be enough for all, and provision besides for my own family. Tlie present return of the novels to me is about £8000 a year, which moves fast on to clear off old scores. " This awkward turn of health makes my niotions very uncertain. On the one hand I want to save money and push forward work, both which motives urge me to stay at home this spring. On the other, besides my great wish to see you all, and besides my desire to look at the ' forty-five ' affairs, I am also desirous to put in for my interest upon the changes at the Court. ... It must be very much as health and weather shall de- termine, for if I see the least chance of a return of this irritation, my own house will be the onl}' fit place for me. Do not suppose I am either low-spirited or frightened at the ])ossibilitics I calculate upon, but thei'e is no harm in looking at what may be as what needs must be. I really believe the ugly symptoms proceed from the stomach particularly. I feel, thank God, no mental injury, which is most of all to be deprecated. Still, I am a good deal failed in body within these two or three last years, and the slntjula j)rae- dantur come bj- degrees to make up a sum. They say, ' Do not work,' but my habits are such that it is not easily managed, for I would be driven mad with idleness. , . . Adieu. Love to all. The odds are greatly against my seeing you till you come down here, but I will have the cottage in such order for you ; and as Will Laidlaw comes back at Whitsundaj', I will have him to lend me an arm to Qhiefswood, and I liavc no doubt to do gallantly. "EDiNBOnaH, 21dFehTuaTy [1S30J." 742 JOURNAL. [May retirement from the Court. As they are only to have four instead of six Clerks of Session in Scotland, it will be their interest to let me retire on a superannuation. Probably I shall make a bad bargain, and get only two-thirds of the salary, instead of three-fourths. This would be hard, but I could save between two and three hundred pounds by giving up town residence ; and surely I could do enough with my time at reviews and other ways, so as to make myself comfortable at Abbotsford. At any rate, jada est aha ; Sir Eobert Peel and the Advocate seem to acquiesce in the arrangement, and Sir Eobert Dundas retires alongst with me. I think the difference will be infinite in point of health and happiness. May 28. — Wrought in the morning, then the Court, then Cadell's. My affairs go on up to calculation, and the Magnum keeps its ground. If this can last for five or six years longer we may clear our hands of debt; but perhaps I shall have paid that of Nature before that time come. They will have the books, and Cadell to manage them, who is a faithful pilot. The poetry which we purchased for [£7000], payable in two years, is melting off our hands; and we will feed our Magnum in that way when we have sold the present stock, by which we hope to pay the purchase- money, and so go on velvet with the continuation. So my general affairs look well. I expect Lockhart and Sophia to arrive this evening in the Roads, and breakfast with us to- morrow. This is very reviving. May 29. — The Lockharts were to appear at nine o'clock, but it is past four, and they come not. There has been easterly wind, and a swell of the sea at the mouth of the Firth, but nevertheless I wish they would come. The machinery is liable to accidents, and they may be delayed thus. jNFr. Piper, the great contractor for the mail coaches, one of the sharpest men in his line, called here to-day to give 1830.] JOURNAL. 74 o his consent to our line of road. lie pays me the compli- ment of saying lie wishes my views on the suhject. Tliat is perhaps fudge, but at least I know enough to choose the line that is most for my own advantage. I have written to make Gala acquainted that my subscription depends on their taking the Gala foot road ; no other would suit me. After dinner I began to tease myself about the children and their parents, and night went do\Yn on our uncertainty. May 30. — Our travellers appeared early in the morning, cum tola seqiiela. Plight happy were we all. Poor Johnnie looks well. His deformity is confirmed, poor fellow ; but he may be a clever lad for all that. An imposthume in his neck seems to be the crisis of his complaint. He is a gentle, placid creature. Walter is remarkably handsome, and so is little Whippety Stourie,'^ as I call her. After breakfast I had a chat with Lockhart about affjiirs in general, which, as far as our little interests are concerned, are doing very well. Lockhart is now established in his reputation and literary prospects.^ I wrote some more in his Demonologi/, which is a scrape, I think. ^ His grand-daughter, Charlotte, argue some additional degree of whom he iilayluUy naiuud after the expense. fairy in the old Scottish Nurseiy " But tliis being ^rcTneese J, I can- story, not help highly approving of your - Mr Lockhart had some thouglits going into Parliament, especially as of entering Parliament, at this time, a member entirely unfettered and and Sir Walter had expressed his left to act according to the weal opinion a few days before their of the public, or what you conceive meeting : — • such. It is the broad turnpike to " Your letter, this day received, importance and consequence which namely Wednesday, gave me the you, as a man of talents in the greatest pleasure on account of the full vigour of your youth, ought prosperous intelligence which it naturally to be ambitious of. The gives me of your own advancing present times threaten to bring in prospects. . . . I take it for granted many occasions when there will and that you have looked to the income must be opportunities of a man of future years before thinking of distinguishing himself and serving disposing of the prolits of a sue- his country. cessful one in a manner which can- "To go into the House without not be supposed to produce positive speaking would be useless. I \\ill or direct advantage, but may rather frankly tell you that when I heard 744 JOUENAL. [^Tay 1830. May 31. — Set to work early, and did a good day's work without much puffing and blowing. Had Lockliart at dinner, and a'Ute-ci-tete over our cigar. He has got the right ideas for getting to the very head of the literary world and -now stands very high as well for taste and judgment as for genius. I think there is no fear now of his letting a love of fun run away with him. At home the whole day, except a walk to Cadell's, who is enlarging his sale. As he comes upon heavy months, and is come now to the Ahhot, the Monastery, and the less profitable or popular of the novels, this is a fortunate circumstance. The management seems very judicious. you speak you seemed always may gain advantage from taking sufficiently up to the occasion both this hint. No one is disposed to in words and matter, but too in- weigh any man's arguments more different in the manner in which favourably than he himself does, you pressed your argument, and and if you are not considered as therefore far less likely to at- gravely interested in what you say, tract attention than if you had and conscious of its importance, seemed more earnestly persuaded of your audience will not be so. . . . the truth and importance of what "Edinburgh, 20y Mac'plierson of C'luny ; in Life^ voh ix. p. 345. Nimrod was Glengarry s gift. — Seo 1831.] JOURNAL. 787 January 2G. — I have Skene and ]\Ir. IM'Culloch of Ard- well, to the relief of my spirits and the diminishing^ of my time. Mr. Laidlaw joined us at dinner. Bitter cold. January 27. — So fagged with my frozen vigils that I slept till after ten. When I lose the first two hours in the morning I can seldom catch them again during the whole day. A friendly visit from Ebenezer Clarkson of Selkirk, a medical gentleman in whose experience and ingenuity I have much confidence, as well as his personal regard for myself. He is quite sensible of the hesitation of speech of which I complain, and thinks it arises from the stomach. Recommends the wild mustard as an aperient. But the brightest ray of hope is the chance that I may get some mechanical aid made by fortune at Broughton Street, whicli may enable me to mount a pony with ease, and to walk without torture. This would, indeed, be almost a restora- tion of my youth, at least of a green old age full of enjoy- ment. The shutting one out from the face of living nature is almost worse than sudden death. January 28. — I wrote v/itli Laidlaw. It does not work clear ; I do not know why. The plot is, nevertheless, a good plot, and full of expectation.^ But there is a cloud over me, I think, and interruptions are frequent. I creep on, however. January 29.^Much in the same way as yesterday, rather feeling than making way. Mr. Williams and his brother came in after dinner. Welcome both ; yet the day was not happy. It consumed me an afternoon, which, though well employed, and pleasantly, had the disagreeable effect of my being kept from useful work. January 30. — Snow deep, which makes me alter my purpose of going to town to-morrow. For to-day, my friends must amuse themselves as they can. ' 1 Haini IV., Act 11. So. 3. 788 JOUKNAL. [Jan. January 31 \to February 9, Ediiiburgli]. — Eetain my purpose, however, and set out for Edinburgh alone — that is, no one but my servant. The snow became impassable, and in Edinburgh I remain immovably fixed for ten days — that is, till "Wednesday — never once getting out of doors, save to dinner, when I went and returned in a sedan chair. I com- menced my quarantine in Mackenzie's Hotel,^ where I was deadly cold, and it was tolerably noisy. The second day Mr. Cadell made a point of my coming to his excellent house, where I had no less excellent an apartment and the most kind treatment — that is, not making a show of me, for which I was in but bad tune.- The physical folks, Abercrombie and Eoss, bled me with cupping- glasses, purged me confoundedly, and restricted me of all creature comforts. But they did me good, as I am sure they meant to do sincerely ; and I got rid of a giddy feeling, which I have been plagued with, and have certainly returned much better. I did not neglect my testamentary affairs. I executed my last will, leaving Walter burdened, by his own choice, with £1000 to Sophia, and another received at her marriage, and £2000 to Anne, and the same to Charles. He is to advance them money if they want it; ^ No. 1 Castle Street. sation, and often remained alto- gether silent. In the mornings he - "His host perceived that he wrote usually for several houi'S at was unfit for any company but the Count Kobert ; and Mr. Cadell quietest, and had sometimes one old remembers in particular, that on friend, Mr. Thomson, Mr. Clerk, Ballantyne's reminding him that a or Mr. Skene to dinner, but no motto was wanted for one of the more. He seemed glad to see them, chapters already finished, he looked but they all observed him with pain. out for a moment at the gloomy He never took the lead in conver- weather, and penned these lines — ' The storm increases — 'tis no sunny shower, Fostor'd in the moist breast of March or Ajiril, Or such as parched summer cools his lips with. Heaven's windows are 11 uu}^ wide ; the inmost deeps Call in hoarse greeting one upon another ; On conies the flood in all its foaming horrors, And Where's the dyke shall stop it 7 ' " — The Delvgc — a Poem. — Life, vol. X. p. 37. 1831.] J0UE:N'AL. 789 if not, to pay them interest, which is his own choice, other- wise I would have sold the books and rattletraps. I have made provisions for clearing my estate by my publications, should it be possible ; and should that prove possible, from the time of such clearance being effected, to be a fund avail- able to all my children who shall be alive or leave represen- tatives. My bequests must, many of them, seem hypothetical; but the thing, being uncertain, must be so stated. Besides, during the unexpected stay in town, I employed Mr. Fortune, an ingenious artist,^ to make a machine to assist my lame leg, — an odd enough purchase to be made at this time of day, yet who would not purchase ease ? I dined with the Lord Chief Commissioner, with the Skenes twice, with Lord Medwyn, and was as happy as anxiety about my daughter would permit me. The appearance of the streets was most desolate : the hackney-coaches, with four horses, strolling about like ghosts, the foot-passengers few but the lowest of the people. I wrote a good deal of Count Robert, yet I cannot tell why my pen stammers egregiously, and I write horridly incorrect. I long to have friend Laidlaw's assistance. ^ A skilful mechanist, who, by a for a brief period. — Life, vol. x. clever piece of handiwork, gave p. 38. Sir Walter great relief, but only FEBEUAEY. February 9, S^AJibotsfonl^. — A lieavy and most effective thaw coming on I got home about five at night, and found the haugh covered Avith water, dogs, pigs, cows, to say no- thing of human beings, all who slept at the offices in danger of being drowned. They came up to the mansion-house about midnight, with such various clamour, that Anne thought the house was attacked by Captain Swing and all the Eadicals. February 10. — I set to work with Mr. Laidlaw, and had after that a capital ride ; my pony, little used, was some- what frisky, but I rode on to Huntly Burn. Began my diet on my new regime, and like it well, especially porridge to supper. It is wonderful how old tastes rise. February 11. — Wrought again to-day, and John Swan- ston walked with me. Wrote many letters, and sent copy to Ballantyne. Eode as usual. It is well enough to rido every day, but confoundedly tiresome to write it down. February 13. — I did not ask down Mr. Laidlaw, thinking it fair to spare his Sunday. I had a day of putting to rights, a disagreeable work which must be done. I took the occasion to tell Mr. Cadell that Malachi will break forth again ; but I will not make a point of it with him. I do not fear there will be as many to strike up as to strike down, and I have a strong notion we may gain the day. I have a letter from the Duchess of Wellington, asking a copy of Melville's Memoirs. She shall have it if it were my last. February 14. — I had hardly begun my letter to Mr. 790 1831.] JOUENAL. 791 Cadell than I bei^an also to "pull in resolution."^ T con- sidered that I had no means of retreat ; and that in all my sober moments, meaning my unpassionate ones, for the doctors have taken from me the means of producing Dutch courage, I have looked on political writing as a false step. and especially now when I have a good deal at stake. So, upon the whole, I cancelled the letter announcing the publi- cation. If this was actually meanness it is a foible nobody knows of. Anne set off for Edinburgh after breakfast. Poor girl, she is very nervous. I wrote with jVIr. L. till one — then had a walk till three — then wrote this diary till four. Must try to get something for Mr. Laidlaw, for I am afraid I am twaddling. I do not think my head is weak- ened, but a strange vacillation makes me suspect. Is it not thus that men begin to fail, becoming, as it were, infirm of purpose, ". . . that way madness lies ; let me shun that : No more of that . . ."2 Yet, why be a child about it ? what must be, will be. February 15. — I wrote and corrected through the long day till one o'clock ; then rode out as far as Dr. Scott's, and called on him. Got a fresh dose of proofs at Mathie- son's, and returned home. At nine o'clock at night had a card from Miss Bell [Maclachlan], wishing to speak to me about some Highland music. Wrote for answer I knew O nothing of the matter, but would be happy to see ]\Irs. and Miss Bell to breakfast. I had a letter of introduction by Ptobert Chambers, which I declined, being then unwell. But as Trotter of Braid said, "The ladies maun come." February 16. — Mrs. and Miss Bell Maclachlan of the West Highlands, mother and daughter, made their way to me to breakfast. I did not wish to see them, being strangers ; but she is very pretty — that is, the daughter — and enthu- siastic, and that is always flattering to an old gentleman. She ^ Macbeth, Act v. Sc. 5. " Lear, Act iii. Sc. 4. 792 JOURNAL. [Feb. wishes to have words to Celtic melodies, and I have pro- raised her some, to the air of Crochallan, and incline to do her good, perhaps, to the extent of getting lier words from Lord Francis Leveson Gower, Lockhart, and one or two others. AVe parted, she pleased with my willing patronage, and I witli an uncommon liandsome countenance she showed me. Tliis detained Mr. Laidlaw re infeda, and before I had written a page the pony cRme to the door: but wrote some- thing after dinner. February 17 and 18. — We had the usual course of food, study, and exercise in the forenoon. Was extremely sleepy in the afternoon, which made, I fear, but bad work. We progress, however. In riding met Sir Adam Ferguson, and asked him and his brother the Colonel to dinner to-morrow. Wrote in the meantime as usual. February 19. — Plagued by the stay for leg starting a screw bolt, which is very inconvenient. Sent off, this morning, proofs as far as end of first volume, and 20 manuscript pages, equal to about a quarter of the second. Is it good or not ? I cannot say. I think it better as it .goes on ; and so far so good. I am certain I have written worse abomination, as John Ballantyne, poor fellow, used to say. February 20.— Wrote five pages this morning ; then rode out to the hill and looked at some newly planted, rather transplanted, trees. Mr. Laidlaw gone for the day. I trust T shall have proofs to correct. In the meantime I may suck my paws and prepare some copy, or rather assemble the raw material. February 21. — I made up parcels by mail-coach and Blucher to go to-morrow — second volume Ecdgauntlct. At one fetched a walk through wet and dry, looking at the ravages of the late flood. After I came in, till two hours after tea-time, busied with the Shci'iffCo\n't processes, which 1831.] JOUEXAL. 793 I have nearly finished. After this I will lounge one with annotating. The Talcs of the Crusaders come next. February 22. — Wronght with ]\Ir. L. from ten to three, then took the ponj carriage, with the purpose of going to Cliiefswood, but a heavy squall came on with snow, so we ■ .put about-ship and returned. Eead Lyttelton's History of England to get some notes for Crusaders, vol. i. After dinner Mr. Laidlaw from six to eight. Sent off six pages. February 23, 24, 25. — These three days I can hardly be said to have varied from my ordinary for action. Eose at seven, dressed before eight, wrote letters, or did any little business till a quarter past nine. Then breakfast. Mr. Laidlaw comes from ten till one. Then take the pony, and ride quantum mutaius two or three miles, John Swanston walking by my bridle-rein lest I fall off. Come home about three or four. Then to dinner on a single plain dish and half a tumbler, or by'r lady three-fourths of a tumbler, of whisky and water. Then sit till six o'clock, wdien enter Mr. Laidlaw again, and work commonly till eight. After this, work usually alone till half-past nine, then sup on porridge and milk, and so to bed. The w^ork is half done. If any [one] asks what time I take to think on the composition, I might say, in one point of view, it w-as seldom five minutes out of my head the wdiole dav. In another li^dit, it was never the serious subject of consideration at all, for it never occupied my thoughts entirely for five minutes together, except when I was dictating to Mr. Laidlaw. February 26. — Went through the same routine, only, being Saturday, Mr. Laidlaw does not come in the evening. I think there is trnth in the well-known phrase, Aurora musis arnica. I always have a visit of invention between six and seven— that is, if anything has been plaguing me, in the way of explanation, I find it in my head when I wake. I have need of it to-nifrht. February 2 7. — P>eing Satnrday, no Mr. Laidlaw came 791 JOUENAL. [Feb. 1831. yesterday evening, nor to-day, being Sunday. Truth is, I hegin to fear T was working too hard, and gave myself to putting things in order, and working at the Magnum, and reading stupid German novels in hopes a thought will strike nie when I am half occupied with other things. In fact, I am like the servant in the Clandestine Marnage} who assures his mistress he always watches best with his eyes shut. February 28. — Past ten, and ]\Ir. Laidlaw, the model of a clerk in other respects, is not come yet. He has never known the value of time, so is not quite accurate in punctu- ality ; but that, I hope, will come if I can drill him to it without hurting him. I think I hear him cominj?. I am like the poor wizard who is first puzzled how to raise the devil and then how to employ him. But vogue la gaUre. Worked till one, then walked with great difficulty and pain till half-past two. I think I can hardly stir without my pony, which is a sad job. ]\Ir. Laidlaw dines here. ^ Colman the elder. M A E C H. March 1, 2, 3. — All these three clays I wrote forenoon and fagged afternoon. Kept up the ball indifferent well, but began to tire on the third, and suspected that I was flat — a dreary suspicion, not easily chased away when once it takes root. March 4. — Laid aside the novel, and befran with vio-our a review of Robson's Essay on Heraldry ; ^ but I missed some quotations Avhich I could not get on without. I gave up, and took such a rash ride nowadays. Eeturned home, and found Colonel Eussell there on a visit. Then we had dinner, and afterwards the making up this miserable Journal. March 5. — I have a letter from our member, Whytbank, adjuring me to assist the gentlemen of the county with an address against the Reform Bill, which menaces them with being blended with Peeblesshire, and losing of consequence one half of their franchise. j\Ir. Pringle conjures me not to be very nice in choosing my epithets. Mr. Pringle, Torwoodlee, comes over and speaks to the same purpose, adding, it will be the greatest service I can do the county, etc. This, in a manner, drives me out of a resolution to keep myself clear of politics, and "let them fight dog, fight bear.'' But I am too easy to be persuaded to bear a hand. The young Duke of Buccleuch conies to visit me also; so I promised to shake my duds and give them a cast of my calling, fall back, fall edge. March 7-10.— In these four days I drew up, with much anxiety, an address reprobatory of the Bill, both Avith respect ^ The Bj-iiish Herald, hy Thomas Lockliart says tliis review never Robson, 3 vols. 4to, 18;j0. Mr. was published. 796 JOURNAL. [March to Selkirkshire, and in its general purport. I was not mealy-mouthed, and those who heard the beginning could hardly avoid listening to the end. It was certainly in my best style, and would have made a deal of noise. From the uncompromising style it would have attracted attention. Mr. Laidlaw, though he is Mr. Other side on the subject, thinks it the best thing I ever wrote ; and I myself am happy to find that it cannot be said to smell of the apoplexy. The pointed passages were, on the contrary, clever and well put. But it w^as too declamatory, too much like a pamphlet, and went far too generally into opposition to please the country gentlemen, who are timidly inclined to dwell on their own grievances rather than the public wrongs. March 11. — This day we had our meeting at Selkirk. I found Borthwickbrae (late member) had sent the form of an address, which Avas finished by Mr. Andrew Lang.^ It was the reverse of mine in every respect. It was short, and to the point. It only contained a remonstrance against the incorporation with [Peeblesjshire, and left it to be inferred that they approved the Bill in other respects.- As I saw that it met the ideas of the meeting (six in number) better by far than such an address as mine, I instantly put it in my pocket. But I endeavoured to add to their complaint of a private wrong a general clause, stating their sense of the hazard of passing a Bill full of such violent innovations at once on the public. But thougli Harden, Alva, and Torwoodlee voted for this measure, it was refused by the rest of the meeting, to my disappointment; since in its present state it will not be attended to, and is in fact too ^ Mr. Andrew Lang, Sheriff and Montagu of Oct. .3, 1819, describing Commissary Clerk, and Clerk of Prince Leopold at Selkirk [Life, Peace, for Selkirkshiie, grandfather vol. vi. p. 131). of Mr. Andrew Lang, the accom- plished poet and man of letters of - This proposal, resisted success- the present time. The tact and fidly in 1832, has since been put abilityof the grandfather arc noticed in force so far as Parliament ia by Sir Walter in his letter to Lord concerned. 1831.] JOURNAL. 797 milk-and-water to attract notice. I am, however, personally out of the scrape ; I was a fool to stir such a mess of skimmed milk Avith so honourable an action.^ If some of the gentlemen of the press had hold of this story, what would they make of it, and how little would I care ! One thing- is clear: it gives me a right to disclaim future interference, and let the world wag, Sessar March 12. — Wrote the history of my four days' labour in vain to Sandy Pringle, Whytbank, and so transeat with cceteris erroribus. I only gave way to one jest. A rat- catcher was desirous to come and complete his labours in my house, and I, who thoutrht he onlv talked and lausrhed with the servants, recommended him to go to the head courts and meetings of freeholders, where he would find rats in plenty. March 13. — I have finally arranged a thorny transaction. Mr. Cadell has an interest iu some of the Novels, amounting to one-half; but the following are entirely my own, viz. : — St. Ronan's Well, . Tales of Crusaders, . First Chronicles, Anne of Geierstein, Eedgauntlet, . Woodstock, Second Chronicles, . Count Robert, 3 vols, i „ •" » 3 „ 3 „ 3 „ 3 ,, 3 „ In all, twenty-four volumes, which will begin printing after Quentin Durward, and concludes the year 1831. For half the property he proposes to pay 6000 guineas on 2d February 1S31 [1832?]. I think that with this sum, and others coming in, I may reduce the debt to £-15,000. But I do not see clearlv enough through this affair to accept this ofter. First, I cannot see that there is wisdom in engaging Mr. Cadell in deep speculations, unless they served him very mucli. I am, in this respect, a burnt child : ^ 1 Henri/ I r., Act II. Sc. 3. - Taming of the Shrew, lutrod. 798 JOUENAL. tMAUcit I have not forgotten the fire, or rather the furnace. Second, I thiuk the property worth more, if publicly sold. Third, I cannot see any reasons which should render it advantageous for me to sell one half of this property, it being admittedly at the same [time] highly judicious to keep the other half. This does not fadge. Fourth, As to the immediate command of the money, I am not pressed for it, not having any advan- tage by paying it a year or two sooner or later. The actual proceeds of the sales will come iu about 1834, and I daresay will not be far behind in amount the sum of £6000. In short, I will not sell on a rainy day, as our proverb says. I have communicated my resolution to Cadell, to whom, no doubt, it will be a disappointment, for v/liich I am sorry, but cannot help it. March 14. — Had a very sensible and good-humoured answer from Mr. Cadell, readily submitting to my decision. He mentions, what I am conscious of, the great ease of accom- plishing, if the Avhole is divided into two halves. But this is not an advantage to me, but to them who keep the books, and therefore I cannot be moved by it. It is the great advantage of uniformity, of which Malachi Malagrowther tells so much. I do not fear that Mr. Cadell will necjlect the concern because he has not the larcfe share in it which he had in the other. He is, I think, too honest a man. He has always shown himself every way willing and ready to help me, and verily he hath his reward ; and I can afford him on that property a handsome percentage for the management. But if his fate was to lose considerably by this transaction, I must necessarily be a sufferer ; if he be a great gainer, it is at my expense, so it is like the children's game of " Odds I win, evens you lose " — so will say no more about it. I think I will keep my ground nearly, so these cursed politics do not ruin the country. I am unable to sit at good men's boards, and Anne has gone to Mertoun to-day without me. I cannot walk or ride but for a mile or two. 1831.] JOttRNAL. 799 Naboclisli ! never mind. I am satisfied tliat I am heart- whole as a biscuit, and I may live to see the end of those affairs yet. I am driving on the Count of Paris right merrily. I have plenty of leisure, and vivc la plume ! I have arranged matters as I tliink for the Lest, so will think no more about it. March 16.— The affair with Mr. Cadell being settled, I have only to arrange a set of regular employment for my time, without over-fatiguing myself. What I at present prac- tise seems active enough for my capacity, and even if I should reach the threescore and ten, from which I am thrice three years distant, or nearer ten, the time may pass honour- ably, usefully, and profitably, both to myself and other people. My ordinary for action runs thus : — Eise at a quarter before seven ; at a quarter after nine breakfast, with eggs, or in the singular number, at least ; before breakfast private letters, etc. ; after breakfast Mr. Laidlaw comes at ten, and we write together till one. I am greatly helped by this excellent man, who takes pains to w^rite a good hand, and supplies the want of my own fingers as far as another person can. We work seriously at the task of the day till one o'clock, when I sometimes walk— not often, however, having failed in strength, and suffering great pain even from a very short walk. Oftener I take the pony for an hour or two and ride about the doors ; the exercise is humbling enough, for I require to be lifted on horseback by two servants, and one goes with me to take care I do not fall off and break my bones, a catastrophe very like to happen. My proud promenade a pied or a cheval, as it happens, concludes by three o'clock. An liour intervenes for making up my Journal and such light work. At four comes dinner, — a plate of broth or soup, much condemned by the doctors, a bit of plain meat, no liquors stronger than small beer, and so I sit quiet to six o'clock, when Mr. Laidlaw returns, and remains with me till nine or three quarters past, as it happens 800 JOURNAL. [MAUCit Then I have a bowl of porridge and milk, which I eat with the appetite of a child. I forgot to say that after dinner I am allowed half a glass of whisky or gin made into weak grog. I never wish for any more, nor do I in my secret soul long for cigars, though once so fond of them. About six hours per day is good worldng, if I can keep at it. March 17. — Little of this day, but that it was so uncom- monly windy that I was almost blown off my pony, and was glad to grasp the mane to prevent its actually happen- ing. Eode round by Brigends. I began the third volume of Count Robert of Paris, which has been on the anvil dur- ing all these vexatious circumstances of politics and health. But "the blue heaven bends over all." It may be ended in a fortnight if I keep my scheme. But I will take time enough. This would be on Thursday. I Avould like it nuicli. March 1 8. — ^Ve get well on. Count Uobcrt is finished so far as the second goes, and some twenty [pages] of the third. BlaclaooocCs Magazine, after long bedaubing me with com- pliment, has began to bedaub Lockhart for my sake, or perhaps me for Lockh art's sake, with abuse. Lockhart 's chief offence seems to have been explaining the humbng of showing up Hogg as a fool and blackguard in what he calls the Nodes} For me I care wonderfully little either for his flattery or his abuse.^ ^ As this is the last reference to think right, for Hogg, by all means j the Ettrick Shepherd in the Journal, and I pray God, keep farms and it may be noted that Sir Walter, as other absurd temptations likely to late as March 23d, 1832, was still beset him out of his way. He has desirous to promote Hogg's welfare. another chance for comfort if he will In writing from Naples he says, in use common sense with his very reference to the Shepherd's social considerable genius." success in London, "I am glad Hogg -This expression of irritation has succeeded so well. I hope he can easily be understood after will make hay while the sun shines ; reading the passages referred but he must be aware that the Lion to in the twenty-ninth volume of of this season always becomes the Blackwood's Jifajaziiie, pp. 30-35, Boar of the next. . . . I Avill sub- and 535 544. Readers of this /oh?'- Bcribe the proper sum, i.e. what you veil have seen what uphill work 1831.] JOUENAL. 801 March 1 9. — 1 made a hard working day — almost ec_[ual to twenty pages, but there was some reason for it, for Ballantyne writes me that the copy sent will not exceed 265 pages when the end of volume ii. is reached; so 45 more pages must be furnished to run it out to page 329. This is an awful cast back ; so the gap is to be made up. Marcli 20. — I thought I was done with politics, but it is easy getting into the mess, and difficult and sometimes disgraceful to get out. I have a letter from Sheriff Oliver, desiring me to go [to Jedburgh] on Monday (to-morrow) and show countenance by adhering to a set of propositions, being a resolution. Though not well drawn, they are un- compromising enough ; so I will not part company. Had a letter, too, from Henry Scott. He still expects to refuse the Bill. I wrote him that would but postpone the evil day, unless they could bring forward a strong Administration, and, what is most essential, a system of finance ; otherwise it won't do. Henry has also applied to me for the rejected address. But this I shall decline. March 22. — Went to-day at nine o'clock to the meeting. A great number present, with a tribune full of Eeformers, who showed their sense of propriety by hissing, hooting, and making all sorts of noises ; and these unwashed arti- ficers are from henceforth to select our legislators. There was some speaking, but not good. I said something, for I could not sit quiet. ^ We did not get home till about nine, having fasted the these "Letters on Denionology " ^ Mr. Lockhart says : — " He pro- were to the author, but the un- posed one of the Tory resolutions in sparing criticism of Christoph'^r a speech of some length, but de- North must have appeared to the livered in a tone so low, and with author as a very unfriendly act, such hesitation in utterance, that more especially, he thought, if the only a few detached passages were critic really knew the conditions intelligible to the bulk of the under wiiich l-he book had been audience." — See Life, voL x. pp. written. 46-8. O Ji 802 JOITIINAL. [March whole time. James, the blockhead, lost my poor Spice, a favourite terrier. The fool shut her in a stable, and some- body, [he] says, opened the door and let her out. I suspect she is lost for aye, for she was carried to Jedburgh in a post-chaise. March 23. — The measure carried by a single vote.^ In other circumstances one would hope for the interference of the House of Lords, but it is all hab-nab at a venture. The worst is that there is a popular party who want personal power, and are highly unfitted to enjoy it. It has fallen easily, the old Constitution ; no bullying Mirabeau to assail, no eloquent Maury to defend. It has been thrown away like a child's broken toy. Well, transcat, the good sense of the people is much trusted to ; we will see what it will do for us.^ The curse of Cromwell on those whose conceit brought us to this pass. Scd transcat. It is vain to mourn what cannot be mended. March 24. — Frank Grant and his lady came here. Frank will, I believe, and if he attends to his profession, be one of the celebrated men of the age. He is well known to me as the companion of my sons and the partner of my daughters. In youth, that is in extreme youth, he was passionately fond of fox-hunting and other sports, but not of any species of gambling. He had also a strong passion for painting, and made a little collection. As he had sense enough to feel that a younger brother's fortune would not last long under the expenses of a good stud and a rare ^ The passiug of the great Reform and Jeftrey and Cockburn in their Bill in the House of Commons on present stations ! I am afraid that the '2"2d March. the spirit of reform goes at present beyond tlie limits to which even the - His friend Ricliardson, who (iovernmentwillgo — and but for the was a Whig, writes him from Lon- large stock of good sense and feel- don on February 14 : — " What a ing wiiich 1 think yet pervades the singular feeling it was to me to country, I should tremble for the find Brougham Lord Chancellor, future." 1831.] JOURNAL. 803 collection of clicf-d'cenvrcs, he used to avow liis intention to spend his patrimony, about £10,000, and then again to make his fortune by the law. The first he soon accomplished. But the law is not a profession so easily acquired, nor did Frank's talents lie in that direction. His passion for paint- ing turned out better. Nature had given him the rare power of judging soundly of painting, and in a remarkable degree the power of imitating it. Connoisseurs approved of his sketches, both in pencil and oils, but not without the sort of criticisms made on these occasions — that they were admir- able for an amateur ; but it could "not be expected that he should submit to the technical drudgery absolutely necessary for a profession, and all that species of criticism Avhich gives M'ay before natural genius and energy of character. Meantime Frank Grant, who was remarkably handsome, and very much the man of fashion, married a young lady with many possibilities, as Sir Hugh Evans says.^ She was eldest sister of Farquharson of Invercauld, chief of that clan ; and the young man himself having been almost paralysed by the malaria in Italy, Frank's little boy by this match becomes heir to the estate and chieftainship. In the meantime fate had another chance for him in the matrimonial line. At Melton-Mowbray, during the hunting season, he had become acquainted (even before his first marriage) with a niece of the Duke of Rutland, a beautiful and fashionable young woman, with whom he was now thrown into company once more. It was a natural consequence that they should marry. The lady had not much wealth, but excellent connections in society, to whom Grant's good looks and good breeding made him Aery acceptable. March 25.— In the meantime Frank saw the necessity of doing something to keep himself independent, having, I think, too nnich spirit to become a Stulko,- drinking 1 Merry Wives, Act i. So. 1. Irish), a word formerly in common use among tiie Irish, signifj-ing an ^Stulko or Stulk {IStocairc, in idle, lazy, good-for-nothing fellow. 804 ■ JOURNAL. [March out the last glass of the bottle, riding the horses which the laird wishes to sell, and drawing sketches to amuse the lady and the children, — besides a prospect on Invercauld elevating him, when realised, to the rank of the laird's father. March 26. — Grant ^^'as above all this, and honourably and manfully resolved to cultivate his taste for painting, and become a professional artist. I am no judge of painting, but I am conscious that Francis Grant possesses, with much taste, a sense of beauty derived from the best source, that of really good society, while in many modern artists, the total want of that species of feeling is so great as to be revolting. His former acquaintances render his immediate entrance into business completely secure, and it will rest with himself to carry on his success. He has, I think, tliat degree of energy and force of character which will make him keep and enlarge any reputation which he may acquire. He has confidence too in his own powers, always a requisite for a young painter whose aristocratic pretensions must be envied by [his less fortunate brethren]. 3Iarch 27. — Frank Grant is still with me, and is well pleased — I think very deservedly so — with a cabinet picture of myself, armour, and so forth, together with my two noble staghoiinds of the greyhound race. I wish Cadell had got it ; it is far better than "Watson's — though his is well too. The dogs sat charmingly, but the picture took up some time.^ ^ Mary Campbell, Lady Ruthven, brilliant men of her day. She sur- for whom the picture was painted, vived all her early friends, but had was not only the friend of Scott, the gift of being attractive to tlie but she held relations more or less young, and for three generations close with nearly every one famous was the delight of their children in Art and Literature during and grandchildren. Those who were the greater part of the nineteenth privileged to share in the refined century. No mean artist herself, hospitality of Winton, never forgot and though, perhaps, not a clever either tlie pictures(|ue old house letter-wiiter, she had among her (tlie supposed Kavcnswood Castle correspondents some ol the most of the Bride of Lammermoor), or Prom a Portrait by Sir Francis Grant in 1831. 1831.] JOURNAL. 80.5 March 28. — We went out a little ride. The weather most tempting, the day lieautiful. We rode and walked a little. March 29. — We had an hour's sitting of the dogs, and a good deal of success. I cannot compose my mind on this public measure. It will not please those whom it is the object to please. March 30, — Eobert Dundas^ and his wife — Miss Durham that was — came to spend a day or two. I was heartily glad its venerable mistress as she sat of- an evening in her unique drawing- room, the walls of which were adonied with pictures of Grecian temple and landscape, her own handiwork in days long gone by when she was styled by her friends Queen of Athens. Her conversation, after she was ninety, was fresh and vigorous ; and, de- spite blindness and imperfect hear- ing, she kept herself well ac- quainted with the affairs of the day. The last great speech in Parliament, or the newest ho)i mot, were equally acceptable and equally relished. Her sense of humour and fun made her, at times, forget her own sufferings, and her splendid memory enabled her to while away many a sleepless hour by repeating long passages from tlie Bible or !Miltou. The former she had so much in her heart that it was scarcely possible to believe she was not reading from the Book. Above all was her truly divine gift of charity, the practical application of which, in her es^ery-day life, was only bounded by her means. It was said of her by one who knew her wall — " She lived to a great age, dispensing kind- ness and benevolence to tlie last, and cheered in the sore infirmities of lier later years l>y the love of friends of all ranks, and all part ii-s of all ages. "The Living Lamp of Lothian, which from Winton, has so long shed its benefi- cent lustre, has been extinguished, but not so will bo lost the memory of the gifted lady, for by not a few will still be cherished the recollection of her noble nature, and of her Christian life." Lady Ptuthven prized the pictitre referred to. She would not, as Sir Francis Grant relates,* permit him to touch the canvas after it left the Abbotsford studio ; and it re- mained a cherished possession which she took pride in showing to ap- preciative guests, pointing out the details of face and form which she still saw with that inner eye, which time had not darkened. It is now in the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland — bequeathed to the nation with other pictures, as well as the magnificent collection of G reek archceological objects gathered by hei'self and Lord Ruthven in their early married life. Slie was born in 1780, and died in 1885. ^ Robert Dundas of Arniston, Eb.N., best pieces. He became President was distantly related to Sir Walter's of the Royal .Scottish Academy mother. His son, Sir John Wat- in 18.50, died in 1SC4, leaving funds son Gordon, rose to great eminence to endow a Cliair of Fine Arts in as a painter; .ind his portraits the F.dinburgh University. of Scott and Hogg rank among his 1831.] JOUENAL. 813 April 14. — Adviseil hy 'Mr. Cadell tliat he has agreed with Mr. Turner, the first draughtsman of the period, to furnish to the poetical works two decorations to each of the proposed twelve volumes, to wit, a frontispiece and vignette to each, at the rate of £25 for each, whicli is cheap enough considering these are the finest specimens of art going. The difficulty is to make him come here to take drawings. I have written to the man of art, inviting him to my house, thougli, if I remember, he is not very agreeable, and offered to transport him to the places where he is to exercise his pencil. His method is to take various drawings of remarkable places and tov/ns and stick them all together. He can therefore derive liis subjects from good accurate drawings, so with Skene's assistance we can equip him. We can put liim at home on all the subjects. Lord Meadowbank and his son, Skene and his son. Colonel Kussell and his sister, dined with us.^ April 15. — Lord Meadowlmnk, etc., went to Newark with me, and returned to dine with the foregoing. Charming day. April 16. — Lord jNIeadowljank went to the circuit and our party to their various homes. By the bye, John Priugle and his brother of Haining dined with us yesterday. Skene walks with me and undertakes readily to supply Turner with subjects. Weather enchanting. About 100 leaves will now complete Eobcrt of Paris. Query, will it answer ? Not knowiiig, can't say. I think it will. 1 Air. W. F, Skene, Historiogra- correspond with that in Sir Walter s pher Royal for Scotland, and son Diary, but, as there are only thirty of Scott's dear friend, has been days in April it has evident!}' been good enough to give me his recol- written by mistake for the 13th. lections of those days : — I had just attained my twenty -first "On referring to my Diary for the year, and as such a visit at that year 1831 I find the following early age was a great event in my entry : ' This Spring, on 31st life, I retain a verj' distinct recol- April, I went with my father to lection of the main features of it. Abbotsford and left on Sir Walter I recollect that Lord Meadowbank Scott being taken ill. ' The date and his eldest son Alan came at the here given for my visit does not same time, and the dinner party, 814 JOURNAL. [April Sunday \Uh [IT^A] April to Sunday 2 Wo of the same month unpleasantly occupied by ill [health], and its con- sequences, a distinct shock of paralysis affecting both my nerves and speech, though beginning only on Monday with a very bad cold. Dr. [Abercrombie] was brought out by the friendly care of Cadell, but young Clarkson had already done the needful — that is, had bled and blistered severely, and placed me on a very restricted diet. Whether these precautions have been taken in time I cannot tell. I think they liave, though severe in themselves, beat the disease. liut I am alike prepared, " Seu versare dolos, sen certte occuinbere inorti." ^ I only know that to live as I am just now is a gift little worth having. I think I will be in the Secret next week unless I recruit greatly. April 27. — They have cut me off from animal food and fermented liquor of every kind, and would press upon me such trash as panada and the like, which affect my stomach. at which Mr. Pringle of the Haining into the room and sat down near and his brother were present. The the table, but ate nothing. He day after our arrival Sir Walter seemed in a dazed state, and took asked me to drive with him. We no notice of any one, but after a went in his open carriage to tlie few minutes' silence, during which Yarrow, where we got out, and liisdaughter Anne, wlioMas at table, Sir Walter, leaning on my arm, and was watcliing him with some walked up the side of the river, anxiety, motioned to us to take no pouring forth a continuous stream notice, he began in a quiet voice to of anecdotes, traditions, and scraps tell us a story of a paujjer lunatic, of ballads. I was in the seventh m ho, fancying he was a rich man, heaven of deliglit, and thought and was entertaining all sorts I had never spent such a day. of higli persons to the most On Sunday Sir Walter did not splendid bancjuets, communicated come down to breakfast, but to his doctor in confidence that sent a message to say that he had there was one thing that troubled caught cold and had taken some liim much, and which he could medicine for it the night ])cfore, not account for, and that was which had made him ill, and would that all these excjuisite dishes remain in bed. When we sat at seemed to him to taste of either lunch or dinner, I do not re- oatmeal porridge. Sir Walter collect which. Sir Walter walked told this with much humour, and jEmid II. 62. 1831.] JOUENAL. 815 This I will none of, but quietly wait till my ordinary diet is permitted, and thank God I can fast with any one. I walked out and found the day delightful ; the woods are looking charming, just bursting fortli to the tune of the birds. I have been whistling on my wits like so many chickens, and cannot miss any of them. I feel, on the whole, better than I have yet done. I believe I have fined and recovered, and so may be thankful. April 28 and 29. — Walter made his appearance, well and stout, and completely recovered of his stomach complaints by abstinence. He has youth on his side, and I in age must submit to be a Lazarus. The medical men persist in recom- mending a setou. I am no friend to these risky remedies, and will ho, sure of the necessity before I yield consent. The dying like an Indian under torture is no joke, and, as Commodore Trunnion says, I feel heart-whole as a biscuit. My mind turns to politics. I feel better just now, and so I am. I will wait till Lockhart comes, but that may be too late. after a few minutes' silence began again, and told the same stoiy over a second time, and then again a third time.^ His daughter, who was watcliing him with increasing an- xiety, then motioned to us to rise from table, and persuaded her father to return to his bedroom. Next day the doctor, who had been sent for, told us that lie was seri- ously ill, and advised that his guests should leave at once, so that the house might be kept quiet and his daughter devote herself entirely to the care of her father. We ac- cordingly left at once, and I never saw Sir Walter again. I still, how- 1 An echo of one of his own singular illustrations (see Letters nn Iicirwnolori;/) of the occasional collision between a dis- turbed imagination and the organs of sense. ever, retain a memorial of my visit. I had fallen into indifferent health in the previous year, and been re- commended Highland air. By .Sir Walter's advice I ^^as sent to live with a friend of his, the Reverend Doctor Macintosli Mackay, then minister of Laggan, in the Inver- ness-shire Highlands, and had passed my time learning from him the Gaelic language. Tiiis excited in me a taste for Celtic Antiquities, and finding in Sir Walter's Library a copy of O'Connor's Jx'iriim Hiber- nkarum Scrlptores vctere'>, I sat up one night transcribing from it the Annals of Tighernac. Tliis tran- script is still in my library. — William F. Skene. "27 Inverleith How, Sept. ISiiQ." MAY. Aiyril 30 and May 1. — To meet Sandy Pringle to settle the day of election on Monday. Go on with Count Bohert half-a-dozen leaves per day. I am not much pleased with my handiwork. The Chancery money seems like to be paid. This will relieve me of poor Charles, who is at present my chief burthen. The task of pumping my brains becomes inevitably harder when " both chain-pumps are choked below; " ^ and though this may not be the case literally, yet the apprehension is welluigh as bad. May 2. — The day passed as usual in dictating (too little) and riding a good deal. I must get finished with Count Bohert, who is progressing, as the Transatlantics say, at a very slow pace indeed. By the bye, I liave a letter from Nathan T. Rossiter, Williamstown, New York City, offering me a collection of poems by Byron, which are said to have been found in Italy some years since by a friend of Mr. Itossiter. I don't see I can at all be entitled to these, so shall write to decline them. If Mr. Eossiter chooses to publish them in Italy or America he may, but, published hero, they must be the property of Lord Byron's executors. May 3. — Sophia arrives — with all the children looking well and beautiful, except poor Johnnie, who looks very pale. But it is no wonder, poor thing ! May 4. — I have a letter from Lockhart, promising to be down by next Wednesday, that is, to-day. I will consult him about Byron's Exec, and as to these poems said to be his Lordship's. They are very probably first copies ^ Falconer's Shipiorecl; p. 162 — "The Storm." r2ino ed. London, Albion Press, 1810. SIC 1831.] JOUENAL. 817 thrown aside, or may not be genuine at all. I will be glad to see Lockhart. My pronunciation is a good deal improved. My time glides away ill employed, but I am afraid of the palsy. I should not like to be pinned to my chair. But I believe even that kind of life is more endurable than we could suppose. Your wishes are limited to your little circle — yet the idea is terrible to a man wlio has been active. My own circle in bodily matters is daily narrowing; not so in intellectual matters, but I am perhaps a bad judge. The jDlough is coming to the end of the furrow, so it is likely I shall not reach the common goal of mortal life by a few years. I am now in my sixtieth year only, and "Three score and ten years do snni iip."^ May 5. — A fleece of letters, which must be answered, I suppose — all from persons, my zealous admirers, of course, and expecting a degree of generosity, which will put to rights all their maladies, physical and mental ; and expecting tliat I can put to rights whatever losses have been their lot, raise them to a desirable rank, and [stand] their protector and patron. I must, they take it for granted, be astonished at having an address from a stranger ; on the contrary, I would be astonished if any of these extravagant epistles were from any one who had the least title to enter into correspondence with me. I have all the plague of answering these teasing people. Mr. Burn, the architect, came in, struck by the appear- ance of my house from the road. He approved my architec- ture greatly. He tells me the edifice for Jeanie Deans — that is, her prototype — is nigh finished, so I must get the inscription ready.^ Mr. Burn came to meet with Pringle 1 Scotch Metrical Version of the missioned, and whicli now stands 00th Psahn. i,i the churchyard of Irongray :— - On the 18th October Sir Walter "This stone -was erected by the sent Mr. llurn the follow insj; inscriji- Author of Waverley to tiie nieniorj- tiou for the monument he had com- of Helen ^^'alker, wlio died in the 3f 818 JOUENAL. [xMay of Haining ; but, alas ! it is two nights since this poor young man, driving in from his own lake, where he had been fishing, an ill-broken horse ran away with him, and, at his own stable-door, overturned the vehicle and fractured poor Pringle's skull ; he died yesterday morning. A sad busi- ness ; so young a man, the proprietor of a good estate, and a well-disposed youth. His politics were, I think, mis- taken, being the reverse of his father's ; but that is nothing at such a time. Burn went on to Eichardson's place of year of God 1791. This humble individual practised in real life the virtues with which fiction has in- vested the imaginary character of Jeanie Deans ; refusing the slightest departuit; from veracity, even to save the life uf a sister, she nevertheless sliowed her kindness and fortitude, in rescuing her from the severity of the law, at the expense of personal exertions, which the time rendered as difficult as the motive was laud- able. Respect the grave of Poverty when combined with the love of Truth and dear affection. " It is well known that on the publication of Old MortaUty many people were offended by what was considered a caricature of the Covenanters, and that Dr. M'Crie, the biogi-apher of Knox, wrote a series of papers in the Edinburgh Christian Instructor, which Scott affected to despise, and said he would not read. He not only was obliged to read the articles, but found it necessary to inspiie or write au elaborate defence of the truth of his own picture of the Covenanters in the Number for January 1817 of the Quarterli/ Review. In June 1818, however, he made ample amends, and won the hearts of all classes of his countrymen by his beautiful pictures of national character in the Heart of Mid- lothian. It is worth noticing also that ten years later, viz., in December 1828, his friend Richardson liaving written that in the Tales of a Grand- father " You have paid a debt which you owed to the manes of the Cove- nanters for the flattering picture which you drew of Claverhouse in Old Mortality. His character is inconceivable to me : the atrocity of his miirder of those peasants, as undauntedly devoted to their own good cause as himself to his, his pei'- sonal (almost hangman-like) super- intendence of their executions, are wholly irreconcilable with a chival- rous spirit, which, however scornful of the lowly, could never, in my mind, be cruel," Scott, in reply, gave his matured opinion in the following words : — "As to Covenanters and Malig- naiits, they were both a set of cruel and bloody bigots, and had, not- withstanding, those virtues with which bigotry is sometimes allied. Their characters were of a kind much more picturesque than beauti- ful; 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 ^^■lli(•]l chances to be uppermost for the time." > 1831.] JOURNAL. 819 Kirklands, where he is to meet the proprietor, whom I too would wish to see, hut I can hardly make it out. Here is a world of arrangements. I think we will soon hit upon something. My son Walter takes leave of me to-day to return to Sheffield. At his entreaty I have agreed to put in a seton, which they seem all to recommend. My own opinion is, this addition to my tortures will do me no good ; but I cannot hold out against my son. So, when the present blister is well over, let them try their seton as they call it. May 6 coid 7. — Here is a precious job. I have a formal remonstrance from these critical persons, Ballantyne and Cadell, against the last volume of Count Bolcrt, which is within a sheet of being finished. I suspect their opinion will be found to coincide with that of the public ; at least it is not very different from my own. The blow is a stun- ning one I suppose, for I scarcely feel it. It is singular, but it comes with as little surprise as if I had a remedy ready. Yet God knows, I am at sea in the dark, and the vessel leaky, I think, into the bargain. I cannot conceive that I should have tied a knot with my tongue which my teeth cannot untie. We will see. I am determined to write a political pamphlet coutc qice coute ; ay, — should it cost me my life. I will right and left at these unlucky proof-sheets, and alter at least what I cannot mend. May 8. — I have suffered terribly, that is the truth, rather in body than in mind, and I often wish I could lie down and sleep without waking. But I will fight it out if I can. It would argue too great an attachment of conse- quence to my literary labours to sink under. Did I know how to begin, I would begin this very day, although I knew I should sink at the end. After all, this is but fear and faintness of heart, though of another kind from that which trembleth at a loaded pistol. My bodily strength is terribly gone ; perhaps my mental too ? May 9. — The weather uncommonly beautiful and I am 820 JOURNAL. [May very eager to get on thinning woods while the peeling sea- son lasts. We made about £200 off wood last season, and this is a sum worth looking at. May 10. — Some repairs on the mill-dam still keep the people employed, and we cannot get to the thinning. Yet I have been urging them for a month. It's a great fault of Scottish servants that they cannot be taught to time their turns. May 11. — By old practice I should be going into town to-day, the Court sitting to-morrow. Am I happier that I am free from this charge ? Poorer I am, that is certain ; time begins to render my literary labours more precarious than usual. Very weak, scarce able to crawl about without the pony — lifted on and off — -and unable to walk half a mile save with great pain. May 12. — Resolved to lay by Robert of Paris, and take it up when I can work. Thinking on it really makes my head swim, and that is not safe. Miss Terrier comes out to us. This gifted personage, besides having great talents, has conversation the least exigcante of any author, female at least, whom I have ever seen among the long list I have en- countered, — simple, full of humour, and exceedingly ready at repartee ; and all this without the least affectation of the blue stocking.^ May 13. — Mr., or more properly Dr., Macintosh Mackay comes out to see me, a simple learned man, and a High- lander who weighs his own nation justly — a modest and estimable person. I was beat up at midnight to sign a warrant against some delinquents. I afterwards heard that the officers were pursued by a mob from Galashiels, with purpose of deforcing them as far as St. Boswell's Green, but the men were lodged in Jedburgh Castle. 1 See Miss Ferrier's account of choice edition of her works, 6 vols this visit prefixed to Mr. Bentley's cr. 8vo, London, 1881. 1831.] JOUENAL. 821 Eeports of mobs at all the elections, which, I fear, will prove too true. They have much to answer for who in gaiety of heart have brought a peaceful and virtuous popu- lation to such a pass. May 1 4. — Eode with Lockhart and Mr. Mackay through the plantations, and spent a pleasanter day than of late months. Storv of a haunted glen in Laojoran : — A chieftain's dauo'hter or cousin loved a man of low degree. Her kindred discovered the intrigue and punished the lover's presumption by binding the unhappy man, and laying him naked in one of the large ants' nests common in a His^hland forest. He died in agony of course, and his mistress became distracted, roamed wildly in the glen till she died, and her phantom, finding no repose, haunted it after her death to sucli a degree that the people shunned the road by day as M'ell as night. Mrs. Grant of Laggan tells the story, with the addition, that her husband, then minister of Laggan, fixed a religious meeting in the place, and, by the exercise of public worship there, overcame the popular terror of the Eed Woman. Dr. Mackay seems to think that she was rather banished by a branch of the Parliamentary road running up the glen than by the prayers of his predecessor. Dr. Mackay, it being Sundav, favoured us with an excellent discourse on the Socinian controversy, which I wish my friend Mr. Laidlaw had heard. May 15. — Dr. M. left us early this morning; and I rode and studied as usual, working at the Tales of My Grand- father. Our good and learned Doctor wishes to go down the Tweed to Berwick. It is a laudable curiosity, and I hope will be agreeably satisfied. May 1 6 and 1 7. — I wrote and rode as usual, and had the pleasure of Miss Ferrier's company in my family hours, which was a great satisfaction ; she has certainly less affecta- tion than any female I have known that has stood so high — Joanna Baillie liardly excepted. By the way. she [Mrs. 822 JOUENAL. [IMay Baillie] has entered on the Socinian controversy, for which I am very sorry ; she has published a number of texts on vehich she conceives the controversy to rest, but it escapes her that she can only quote them through a translation. I am sorry this gifted woman is hardly doing herself justice, and doing Avhat is not required at her hands. Mr. Laidlaw of course thinks it the finest thing in the world.^ Maij 18. — Went to Jedburgh to the election, greatly against the wishes of my daughters. The mob were ex- ceedingly vociferous and brutish, as they usually are now- a-days. But the Sheriff had two troops of dragoons at Ancrum Bridge, and all went off quietly. The populace gathered in formidable numbers — a thousand from Hawick alone — they were most blackguard and abusive ; the day passed with much clamour but no mischief. Henry Scott was re-elected — for the last time, I suppose. Trojafuit. I left the burgh in the midst of abuse and the gentle hint of "Burke Sir Walter." Much obliged to the brave lads of Jeddart. Upwards of forty freeholders voted for Henry Scott, and only fourteen for the puppy that opposed him. Even of this party he gained far the greater number by the very awkward coalition with Sir William Scott of Ancrum. I came home tired enough at seven at night. May 20. — This is the Selkirk election, which I supposed would be as tumultuous as the Jedbursjh one, but the soutars of Selkirk had got a new light, and saw in the proposed Reform Bill nothing but a mode of disfranchising their ancient burgh. Although the crowd was great, yet there was a sufficient body of special constables, hearty in their useful office, and the election passed as quietly as I ever ^ Mr. Carruthers remarks in his and Scott was indignant that his Abbotsford Notanda : — ".Toanna friend should have meddled with Baillie published a thin volume of such a subject. 'M'hat had she selections from the New Testament to do with questions of that sort?' •regarding the nature and dignity of He refused to add the l)Ook to Jesus Christ.' The tendency of the his library and gave it to Laidlaw." work was Socinian, or at least Arian, — P. 179. 1831.] JOUKNAL. 823 witnessed one. I came home before dinner, very quiet. I am afraid there is something serious in Galashiels ; Jeffrey is fairly funked about it, and.has written letters to the authorities of Eoxburffhshire and Selkirkshire to caution us against making the precognitions public, which looks ill. Yet I think he would have made arrests when the soldiers were in the country. The time at which I settled at Abbotsford, AVhitsunday 1811, I broke up a conspiracy of the weavers. It will look like signalising my removal if another takes place just now. Incendiary letters have been sent, and the householders are in a general state of alarm. The men at Jedburgh Castle are said to be disposed to make a clean breast ; if so, we shall soon know more of the matter. Lord William Graham has been nearly murdered at Dumbarton. Why should he not have brought down 50 or 100 lads with the kilts, each with a good kent^ in his hand fit to call the soul out of the body of these weavers ? They would have kept order, I warrant you. May 21. — Little more than my usual work and my usual exercise. I rode out through the plantations and saw the woodmen getting down what was to be felled. It seems there will be as much for sale as last year of bark : I think about £40 worth. A very nice additional pond to the saw- mill has been executed. As for my Tcdcs, they go on well, and are amusing to myself at least. The History of France is very entertaining. May 22. — I have a letter from my friend John Thomson of Duddingstou. I had transmitted him an order for the Duke of Buccleuch for his l)est picture, at his best price, leaving the choice of the subject and everytliing else to him- self. He expresses the wish to do, at an ordinary price, a picture of common size. The declining to put himself forward will, I fear, be thought like shrinking from his own reputation, which nobody has less need to do. The Duke 1 A long staff. 824 JOURNAL. [May may wish a large picture for a large price tor furnishing a large apartment, and the artist should not shrink from it, I have written him my opinion. The feeling is no doubt an amiable, though a false one. He is modest in proportion to liis talents. But what brother of the finer arts ever ap- proached [excellence] so as to please himself? May 23, 24, and 25. — Worked and exercised regularly. I do not feel that I care twopence about the change of diet as to taste, but I feel my strength much decayed. On horse- back my spine feels remarkably sore, and I am tired with a five miles' ride. We expect Walter coming down for the Fife election. [From May 25 th to October 9 th there are no dates in the Journal, but the entry beginning " I have been very ill " must have been made about the middle of September. " In the family circle," says Mr. Lockhart, " he seldom spoke of his illness at all, and when he did, it was always in a hopeful strain." " In private, to Laidlaw and myself, his language corresponded exactly with the tone of the Diary. He expressed his belief that the chances of recovery were few — very few — but always added that he considered it his duty to exert what hiculties remained to liim for the sake of his creditors to the very last. — ' I am very anxious,' he repeatedly said to me, ' to be done one way or other with this Count llohcrf, and a little story about the Castle Dangerous — which also I had long in my head — but after that I will attempt nothing more, at least not until I have finished all the notes for the Novels,' " etc. On the 18th July he set out in company with Mr. Lockhart to visit Douglas Castle, St. Bride's Church and its neighbourhood, for the purpose of verifying the scenery of Castle Dangerous, then partly printed, returning on the 20th, He finished that book and Count Robert before the end of August. In September, Mr. Lockhart, then staying at Chiefswood, and projiosing to make a run into Lanarkshire for a day or two, mentioned overnight at Abbotsford that he inteudctl 1831.] JOUENAL. 825 to take his second son, then a boy of five or six years of age, and Sir Walter's namesake, with liim on the stage-coach. Next morning the foHowing affectionate billet was put into his hands : — To J. G. LoCKHART, Esq., Chiefswood. " Dear Don, or Doctor Giovanni, " Can you really be thinking of taking Wa-Wa by the coach — and I think you said outside? Think of Johnny, and be careful of this little man. Are you par hazard something in the state of the poor capitaine des dragons that comes in singing : — ' Oomiiient ? Parbleu ! Qhi'en pensez vous, Bon gentilhomme, et pas un soils ' ? " If so, remember ' Richard 's himself again,' and make free use of the enclosed cheque on Cadell for £50. He will give you the ready as you pass through, and you can pay when I ask. " Put liorses to your carriage, and go hidalgo fashion. We shall all have good days yet. ' And those sad days you deign to sjjend With me I shall requite them all ; Sir Eustace for his friends shall send And thank their love in Grayling Hall ! ' ' "W. S."'-^ On the 15th September he tells the Duke of Buccleuch, " I am going to try whether the air of Naples will make an old fellow of sixty young again." On the 17th the ohl splendour of the house was revived. Col. Glencairn Burns, son of the poet, then in Scotland, came "To stir with joy the towers of Abbotsford." The neighbours were assembled, and, having his sou to help him, Sir Walter did the honours of the table once more as of yore. On the 19th the poet Wordsworth arrived, and left on the 22d. On the 20th, Mrs. Lockhart set out for London to pre- l^are for her father's reception there, and on the 23d Sir Walter left Abbotsford for London, where he arrived on the 28th.3] ^ See Crabbe's Sir Existace Grey. - Life, vol. x. pp. 100- 1. ' See Life, vol. x. pp. 76-106. O C T B E K. INTERVAL. I HAVE been very ill, and if not quite unable to write, I have been unfit to do so. I have wrought, however, at two Waverley things, but not well, and, what is worse, past mending. A total prostration of bodily strength is my chief complaint. I cannot walk half a mile. There is, besides, some mental confusion, with the extent of which I am not perhaps fully acquainted. I am perhaps setting. I am my- self inclined to think so, and, like a day that has been admired as a fine one, the light of it sets down amid mists and storms. I neither regret nor fear the approach of death if it is coming. I would compound for a little pain instead of this heartless muddiness of mind which renders me in- capable of anything rational. The expense of my journey will be something considerable, which I can provide against by borrowing £500 from Mr. Gibson. To Mr. Cadell I owe already, with the cancels on these apo- plectic books, about £200, and must run it up to £500 more at least ; yet this heavy burthen would be easily borne if I were to be the Walter Scott I once was; but the change is great. This would be nothing, providing that I could count on these two books having a sale equal to their pre- decessors ; liut as tliey do not deserve the same countenance, they will not and cannot liave such a share of favour, and, I have only to hope that they will not involve the Waverley, which are now selling 30,000 volumes a month, in their displeasure. Something of a Journal and the Iteliqidac Trotcosienses will probably be moving articles, and I have in 826 1831.] JOURNAL. S27 short no fears on ijecimiary matters. The rum which I fear involves that of my King and country. Well said wise Colin Mackenzie : — " Shall this desolation strike thy towers alone 1 No, fair Ellandonan ! such ruin 'twill bring, That the storm shall have power to unsettle the throne. And thy fate shall be mixed with the fate of thy King." ^ This I foresee, that the great part of the memorialists are bartering away the dignity of their rank by seeking to advance themselves by a jo1i, w^hich is a melancholy sight. The ties between aristocrat and democrat are sullen discontent with each other. The former are regarded as a hoiise-docc which has manifested incipient signs of canine madness, and is not to be trusted. Walter came down to-day to join our party. [September 20 ?] — Yesterday, Wordsworth, his son [nephew^] and daughter, came to see us, and we went up to Yarrow. The eldest son of Lord Eavensworth also came to see us, with his accomplished lady. We had a pleasant party, and to-day were left by the Liddells, manent the three Words worths, cum cccteris. A German or Hungarian ; Count Erdody, or some such name, also retires. We arrived in London [September 28,] after a long and painful journey, the w-eakness of my limbs palpably in- creasing, and the physic prescribed making me weaker every day. Lockhart, poor fellow, is as attentive as possible, and I have, thank God, no pain whatever. Could the decay be so easy at last, it would be too hapj^y. I fancy the instances of Euthanasia are not in very serious cases very common. Instances there certainly are among the learned and the ^ See "Ellandonan Castle," in the between May 25 and October S, but Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Wordsworth says, "At noon on Scott's Poetical Wo7'ks,\o\. iv. p. 3G1. Tluu'sday we left Abbotsford, and on - Now the Bishop of St. Andrews, the morning of tliat day Sir Walter As has been already said, Words- and I had a serious conversation worth arrived on the 19th and left tete-d-icte,when lie spoke with grati- on the 22d September, i.e. the visit tude of the happy life which upon lasted from Monday till Thursday. the whole he had led." — Knight's There are no dates in the Journal Wordsworth, vol. iii. p. 201. 828 JOITEXAL. [Oct. unlearned — Dr. Black, Tom Purdie. I should wish, if it please God, to sleep off in such a quiet way. But we must take M^hat Fate sends. I have not warm hopes of being myself again. Wordsworth and his daughter, a fine girl, were with us on the last day. I tried to write in her diary, and made an ill-favoured botch — no help for it. " Stitches will wear, and ill ones will out," as the tailor says.^ [October 8, London.] — The King has localed me on board the Barham, with my suite, consisting of my eldest son, youngest daughter, and perhaps my daughter-in-law, which, with poor Charles, will make a goodly tail. I fancy the head of this tail cuts a poor figure, scarce able to stir about. The town is in a foam with politics. The report is that the Lords will throw out the Bill, and now, morning of 8th October, I learn it is quoited dow^nstairs like a shovel-board shilling, with a plague to it, as the most uncalled-for attack upon a free constitution, under which men lived happily, which ever was ventured in my day. Well, it would have been pleasing to have had some share in so great a victory, yet even now I am glad I have been quiet. I believe I should only have made a bad figure. Well, I will have time enough to think of all this. October 9. — The report to-day is that the Chancellor - will unite with the Duke of Wellington and Sir Piobert Peel to 'bring in a Bill of his own concocting, modified to the taste of the other two, with which some think they will be satisfied. This is not very unlikely, for Lord Brougham has been dis- pleased with not having been admitted to Lord John Russell's task of bill-drawing. He is a man of unbounded ambition, as well as unbounded talent and unhesitating temper. There have been hosts of people here, particularly the Duke of 1 Wordsworth notes that on plac- they are probably tlie last verses 1 ing the volume in his daughter's shall ever write." — Knight's iron/o>- hand, Sir Walter said, "I should irorth, vol. iii. p. 201. not have done anything of this kind but for your father's sake ; - Lord Brougham. 1831.] JOUENAL. 829 Buccleuch, to ask me to the christening of his son and heir, when the King stands godfather. I am asked as an ally and friend of the family, which makes the compliment greater. Singular that I should have stood godfather to this Duke himself, representing some great man. October 10. — Yesterday we dined alone, so I had an opportunity of speaking seriously to John ; but I fear procrastination. It is the crisis of Friar Bacon's Brazen head, time is — time icas (but the time may still come) — time shall he no more. The WHiigs are not very bold, not much above a hundred met to support Lord Grey to the last. Their resolutions are moderate, probably because they could not have carried stronger. I went to breakfast at Sir Eobert Henry Ingiis', and coming home about twelve found the mob rising in the Eegent's Park, and roaring for Reform as ration- ally as a party of Angusshire cattle would have done. Sophia seemed to act as the jolly host in the play. "These are my windows," and, shutting the shutters, "let them batter — I care not serving the good Duke of Norfolk." After a time they passed out of our sight, wearying doubtless to seek a more active scene of reformation. As the night closed, the citizens who had hitherto contented themselves with shouting, became more active, and when it grew dark set forth to make work for the glaziers. October 1 1 , Tuesday. — We set out in the morning to breakfast with Lady Gifford. We passed several glorious specimens of the last night's feats of the reformers. The Duke of Newcastle's and Lord Dudley's houses were suffi- ciently broken. The maidens, however, had resisted, and from the top of the house with coals, M'hich had greatly em- barrassed the assembled mob. Surely if the people are determined on using a right so questionable, and the Govern- ment resolved to consider it as too sacred to be resisted, some modes of resistance mi"ht be resorted to of a character more ludicrous than firearms, — coals, for example, scalding oil, 830 JOUENAL. [Oct. boiling water, or some other mode of defence against a sudden attack. We breakfasted with a very pleasant party at Lady Gifford's. I was particularly happy to meet Lord Sidmouth ; at seventy-five, he tells me, as much in health and spirits as at sixty. I also met Captain Basil Hall, to whom I owe so much for promoting my retreat in so easy a manner. I found my appointment to the Barham had been pointed out by Captain Henry Duncan, E.N., as being a measure which would be particularly agreeable to the officers of the service. This is too high a compliment. In returning I called to see the repairs at Lambeth, which are proceeding under the able direction of Blore, who met me there. They are in the best Gothic taste, and executed at the expense of a large sum, to be secured by way of mortgage, payable in fifcy years ; each incumbent within the time paying a proportion of about £4000 a year. I was pleased to see this splendour of church architecture returnino- ac;ain. Lord Mahon, a very amiable as well as a clever young man, comes to dinner with Mr. Croker ; Lady Louisa Stuart in the afternoon, or, more properly, at night. October 12. — Misty morning — looks like a yellow fog, which is the curse of London. I would hardly take my share of it for a share of its wealth and its curiosity — a vile double-distilled fog of the most intolerable kind. Children scarce stirring yet, but baby and the Macaw beginning their Macaw notes. Among other feats of the mob on Monday, a gentleman who saw the onslaught told me two men got on Lord Londonderry's carriage and struck him ; the chief constable came to the rescue and belaboured the rascals, who ran and roared. I should have liked to have seen tlie on- slaught — Dry beating, and plenty of it, is a great operator of a reform among these gentry. At the same time Lord. Londonderry is a brain-sick man, very unlike his brother. He horsewhipped a sentinel under arms at Vienna for obey- ing his consiync, which was madness. On the other side 1S31.] JOURNAL. 831 all seems to be prepared. Heavy bodies of the police are stationed in all the squares and places supporting each other regularly. The men themselves say that their numbers amount to 3000, and that they are supported by troops in still greater numbers, so that the Conservative force is sufti- ciently strong. Four o'clock — a letter from the Duke saying the party is put off by command of the King, and probably the day will be put off until the Duke's return from Scotland, so our hopes of seeing the fine ceremony are all ended. October 13. — Node 'phiit tota — an excellent recipe for a mob, so they have been quiet accordingly, as we are in- formed. Two or three other wet nights would do much to weary them out with inactivity. Milman, Avliom I remember a fine gentlemanlike young man, dined here yesterday. He says the fires have never ceased in his country, but that the oppressions and sufferings occasioned by the poor's rates are very great, and there is no persuading the English farmer that an amended system is comfortable both for rich and poor. The plan of ministers is to keep their places maugre Peers and Commons l)oth, while they have the countenance of the crown ; but if a Prince shelters, by authority of the prerogative, ministers against the will of the other authority of the state, does he not quit the defence which supposes he can do no wrong? This doctrine would make a curious change of parties. Will they attempt to legitimize the Fitz Clarences ? God forbid ! Yet it may end in that, — it would be Paris all over. The family is said to have popular qualities. Then what would be the remedy ? Marry 1 seize on the person of the Princess Victoria, carrying her north and setting up the banner of England with the Duke of W. as dictator ! Well, I am too old to fight, and therefore should keep the windy side of the law ; besides, I shall be buried before times come to a decision. In the meantime the King dare not 832 JOURNAL. [Oct. go to stand godfather to the son of" one of his most powerful peers, a party of his own making, lest his loving subjects pull the house about the ears of his noble host and the company invited to meet him. Their loyalty has a pleasant way of displaying itself. I will go to Westminster after breakfast and see what people are saying, and whether the Barham is likely to sail, or whether its course is not altered to the coast of the Low Countries instead of the Mediterranean. Octoher 14. — Tried to walk to Lady Louisa Stuart's, but took a little vertigo and came back. Much disturbed by a letter from Walter. He is like to be sent on an obnoxious service with very inadequate force, little prospect of thanks if he does his duty, and much of blame if he is unable to accomplish it. I have little doubt he will ware his mother's calf-skin on them. The manufacturing districts are in great danger. London seems pretty secure. Sent off the revise of introduction to Mr. Cadell.i Octoher 16. — A letter from Walter with better news. He has been at hard-heads with the rogues and come off with advantage ; in short, practised with success the art of drawing two souls out of one weaver.^ All seems quiet now, and I suppose the Major will get his leave as proposed. Two ladies — [one] Byron's Mary Chaworth — have been frightened to death while the mob tore the dying creatures from their beds and proposed to throw them into the flames, drank the wine, destroyed the furniture, and committed other excesses of a jacquerie.^ They have been put down, however, by a strong force of yeomanry and regulars. Walter says the soldiers fired over the people's heads, whereas if they had levelled low, the bullets nmst have told wider among the multitude. I cannot approve of this, for in such cases 1 Tlie introductory address to " TwelftJi, Xig/it, Act ii. Sc. 3. Count Robert of l^aris bears the ^ See Moore's edition of liyroiis date October IHth, 1831. Works, vol. vii. pp. 43-44, note. isni.] JOUENAL. 833 severity is ultimate mercy.^ However, if they have made a sufficient impression to be strilving — why, enough is as good as a feast. There is a strange story about town of ghost-seeing vouched by Lord Prudhoe, a near relation of the Duke of Northumberland, and whom I know as an honourable man. A colonel described as a cool-headed sensible man of worNi and honour, Palgrave, who dined with us yesterday, told us twice over the story as vouched by Lord Prudhoe, and Lock- hart gave us Colonel Felix's edition, which coincided exactly. I will endeavour to extract the essence of both. While at Grand Cairo they were attracted by the report of a physician who could do the most singular magical feats, and was in the habit not only of relieving the living, but calling up the dead. This sa^e was the member of a tribe in the interior part of Africa. They were some time (two years) in finding him out, for he by no means pressed himself on the curious, nor did he on the other hand avoid them ; but when he came to Grand Cairo readily agreed to gratify them by a sight of his wonders. The scenes exhibited were not visible to the operator himself, nor to the person for whose satisfaction they were called up, but, as in tlie case of Dr. Dee and other adepts, by means of a viewer, an ignorant Nubian boy, whom, to prevent imposture, the English gentlemen selected for the purpose, and, as they thought, without any risk of imposture by confederacy betwixt him and the physician. The process was as follows : — A black square was drawn on the palm of the boy's hand, or rather a kind of pentacle with an Arabic character inscribed at each anfjle. The figures evoked were seen throuQ-h tliis space as if the substance of the hand had been removed. Magic rites, and particularly perfumes, were liberally 1 Scott's views received strong confirmation a few days later at Bristol, where the authorities, through mistaken humanity, hesitated to order the military to act. 3g 834 JOUENAL. [Oct. resorted to. After some fumigation the magician de- clared that they could not proceed until the seven flags should become visible. The boy declared he saw nothing, then said he saw a flag, then two ; often hesitated at the number for a certain time, and on several occasions the spell did not work and the operation went no further, but in general the boy saw the seven flags through the aperture in his hand. The magician then said they must call the Sultan, and the boy said he saw a splendid tent fixed, surrounded by immense hosts, Eblis no doubt, and his angels. The person evoked was then named, and appeared accordingly. The only indispensable requisite was that he was named speedily, for the Sultan did not like to be kept waiting. Accordingly, William Shakespeare being named, the boy declared that he saw a Frank in a dress whicli he described as that of the reign of Elizabeth or her successor, having a singular countenance, a high forehead, and a very little beard. Another time a brother of the Colonel was named. The boy said he saw a Frank in his uniform dress .and a black groom behind him leading a superb horse. The dress was a red jacket and white pantaloons ; and the principal figure turning round, the boy announced that he wanted his arm, as was the case with Felix's brother. The cere- mony was repeated fourteen times ; successfully in twelve instances, and in two it failed from non-appearance of the seven banners in the first instance. The apparent frankness of the operator was not the least surprising part of the affair. He made no mystery, said he possessed this power by in- heritance, as a family gift ; yet that he could teach it, and was willing to do so, i'or no enormous sum — nay, one which seemed very moderate. I think two gentlemen embraced the offer. One of them is dead and the other still abroad. The sage also took a price for the exhibition of his skill, but it was a moderate one, being regulated by the expense of the perfumes consumed in the ceremony. 1831.] JOURNAL. 835 Tliere remains much more to ask I understood the wituesscs do not like to bother about, which is very natural. One would like to know a little more of the Sultan, of the care taken to secure the fidelity of the boy who was the viewer and on whom so much depended ; whether another sage practising the same feat, as it was said to be hereditary, was ever known to practise in the city. Tlie truth of a story irreconcilable with the common course of nature must depend on cross-examination. If we should find, while at Malta, that we had an opportunity of expiscating this matter, though at the expense of a voyage to Alexandria, it would hardly deter nie.^ The girls go to the Chapel Royal this morning at St. James's, A visit from the Honourable John Forbes, son of my old and early friend Lord Forbes, who is our fellow-passenger. The ship expects presently to go to sea. I was very glad to see this young ^ At Malta, accordingly, we find word Sheik, and suggested tlie idea Sir Walter making inquiry regard- ing this Arabian conjurer, and writ- ing to Mr. Lockhart, on Nov. 1831, in the following terms : — "I have got a key to the con- juring story of Alexandria and Grand Cairo. I have seen very distinct letters of Sir John Stod- dart's son, who attended three of the formal exhibitions which broke down, though they were repeated afterwards with success. Young Stoddart is an excellent Arabian scholar — an advantage which I understand is moi"e imperfectly enjoyed by Lord Prudhoe and Colonel Felix. Much remains to be explained, but the boldness of the attempt exceeds anything since the days of the Automaton chess- player, or the Bottle conjurer. The first time Shakespeare was evoked he appeared in the complexion of an Arab. This seems to have been owing to the first syllable of his name, which resembled the Arabian of an Arabian chief to the conjurer. A gentleman named Galloway has bought the secret, and talks of being frightened. There can be little doubt that, having so far in- terested himself, it would become his interest to put the conjurer more up to the questions likely to be asked. So he was more perfect when consulted by Lord Prudhoe than at first, when he made various blunders, and when we must needs say/tt/sMm inunofalfunn in omnibus. As all this will come out one day, I have no wish to mingle in the controversy. . , . There are still many things to explain, but I think the mystery is unearthed com- pletely. " See also Lane's Egyptians for an account of what appeal's to be tlie same man in 1837. Also Quarterbj Review, No. 117, pp. 196- 208, for an examination of this " Made Mirror " exhibition. 836 JOUENAL. [Oct. officer and to hear his news. Drummond and I have been friends from our infancy. Odoher 17. — The morning beautiful. To-day I go to look after the transcripts in the Museum and have a card to see a set of chessmen ^ thrown up by the sea on the coast of Scotland, which were offered to sale for £100. The King, Queen, Knights, etc., were in the costume of the 14th cen- tury, the substance ivory or rather the tusk of the morse, somewhat injured by the salt water in which they had been immersed for some time. Sir John Malcolm told us a story about Garrick and his wife. The lady admired her husband greatly, but blamed him for a taste for low life, and insisted that he loved better to play Scrub to a low-lifed audience than one of his superior characters before an audience of taste. On one particular occasion she was in her box in the theatre. Richard III. was the performance, and Garrick's acting, especially in the night scene, drew down universal applause. After the play was over ]\Irs. G. proposed going home, which Garrick declined, alleging he had some business in the green-room, which must detain him. In short, the lady was obliged to acquiesce, and wait the beginning of a new entertainment, in which was introduced a farmer giving his neicthbours an account of the wonders seen on a visit to Loudon. This character was received with such peals of applause that Mrs. Garrick began to think it rivalled those which had been so lately lavished on Eichard the Third. At last she observed her little spaniel dog was making efforts to get towards the balcony which separated ^ A hoard of seventy-eight chess- teresting pieces fell into the hands men found in the island of Lewis in of Scott's friend, C K. Sharpe, and 1831. The greater number of the afterwards of Lord Londesbo rough, figures were purcliased for the More recently these identical pieces British Museum, and formed the were purchased for the Museum subject of a learned dissertation by of Antiquities, Edinburgh, where Sir Frederick Madden ; see Archcw- they now are. See Pror. ,S'wi;. logia,xxiy. Eleven of these very in- ^l^/t^., vol. xxiii. 1831.] .TOUimAL. 837 him from the facetious farmer. Then she became aware of the truth. "How strange," she said, "that a dog should know his master, and a woman, in the same circumstances, should not recognise her husband ! " Octoher 18. — Sophia had a small but lively party last night, as indeed she has had every night since we were here — Ladies — [Lady Stafford,] Lady Louisa Stuart, Lady Montagu, Miss ]\lontagu, Lady [Davy], [Mrs.] Macleod, and two or three others ; Gentlemen — Lord Montagu, Macleod, Lord Dudley, Eogers [Mackintosh]. A good deal of singing. If Sophia keeps to early hours she may pick London for small parties as poor Miss "White did, and without much expense. A little address is all that is necessary. Sir John^ insists on my meeting this Eammohun Roy ; - I am no believer in his wandering knight, so far. The time is gone of sages who travelled to collect wisdom as well as heroes to reap honour. Men think and fight for money. I won't see the man if I can help it. Flatterers are difficult enough to keep at a distance though they be no renegades. I hate a fellow who begins with throwing away his own religion, and then affects a prodigious respect for another. October 19. — Captain H. Duncan called with Captain Pigot, a smart-looking gentlemanlike man, and announces his purpose of sailing on Monday. I have made my pre- parations for being on board on Sunday, which is the day appointed. Captain Duncan told me jocularly never to take a naval captain's word on shore, and quoted Sir "William Scott, who used to say, waggishly, that there was nothing so ^ Sir John ^laloolm, who was at been among the contributors to that this time Ji.p. for Launceston. His shrine of genius." Sir John was last public appearance was in struck down by paralysis on the London, at a meeting convened for following day, and died in May the purpose of raising a monument 183,3. of his friend Sir Walter, and his - The celebrated Brahmin philo- concluding words were, that when sopher and theist ; born in Bengal he himself " was gone, his son might about 1774, died at Stapleton Grove, be proud to say that his father had near Bristol, September 27, 18t3o. 838 JOUENAL. [Oct. accommodating as a naval captain on shore; but when on board he becaine a peremptory lion. Henry Duncan has behaved very kindly, and says he only discharges the wishes of his service in making me as easy as possible, which is very handsome. ISTo danger of feud, except about politics, which would be impolite on my part, and though it bars out one great subject of discourse, it leaves enough besides. That I might have nothing doubtful, Walter arrives with his wife, both ready to sail, so what little remains must be done without loss of time. This is our last morning, so I have money to draw for and pay away. To see dear Lord Mon- tagu too. The Duchess came yesterday. I suppose £50 will clear me, wdth some balance for Gibraltar. I leave this country uncertain if it has got a total pardon or only a reprieve. I won't think of it, as I can do no good. It seems to be in one of those crises by which Providence reduces nations to their original elements.-' If I had my healtli, I should take no worldly fee, not to be in the bustle ; but I am as weak as water, and I shall be glad when I have put the Mediterranean between the island and me. October 21 and 22. — Spent in taking of farewell and adieus, which had been put off till now. A melancholy ceremonial, with some a useless one ; yet there are friends whom it sincerely touches one to part with. It is the cement of life giving way in a moment. Another unpleasant circumstance is — one is called upon to recollect those whom death or estrangement has severed, after starting merrily together in the voyage of life. October 23. — Portsmouth ; arrived here in the evening. ^ Sir Walter's fears for the during the Reform Bill troubles, country were also shared l)y some "Duke of Wellington, you have of the wisest men in it. The Duke seen a great deal of the world. Can of Wellington, it is well known, was you point out to me any one place most desponding, and he anticipated iu Europe -where an old man could greaterhorrorfrom a convulsion here go to and be quite sure of being than in any otiicr European nation. safe and dying in peace?" — Slau- Talleyrand said t JOURNAL. [Nov. caunot say I feel them, but I dreamt dreary dreams all night, which are probably to be imputed to the Sirocco. After all, it is not an uncomfortable wind to a Caledonian wild and stern. Ink won't serve. Noveiiiber 1 3. — The wind continues unaccommodating all night, and we see nothing, although we promised ourselves to have seen Gibraltar, or at least Tangiers, this morning, but we are disappointed of both. Tangiers reminded me of my old Antiquarian friend Auriol Hay Drummond, who is Con- sul there.^ Certainly if a human voice could have made its hail heard through a league or two of contending wind and wave, it must have been Auriol Drummond's. I remember him at a dinner given by some of his friends when he left Edinburgh, where he discharged a noble part " self pulling like Captain Crowe ' for dear life, for dear life ' against the whole boat's crew," speaking, that is, against 30 members of a drunken company and maintaining the predominance. Mons Mecj was at that time his idol. He had a sort of avarice of proper names, and, besides half a dozen which were his legitimately, he had a claim to be called Garvadh, which uncouth appellation he claimed on no very good authority to be the ancient name of the Hays — a tale. I loved him dearly ; he had high spirits, a zealous faith, good-humour, and enthusiasm, and it grieves me that I must pass within ten miles of him and leave him unsaluted ; for mercy-a-ged what a yell of gratitude would there be ! I would put up with a good rough gale which would force us into Tangiers and keep us there for a week, but the wind is only in gentle opposition, like a well-drilled spouse. Gibraltar we sliall see this evening, Tangiers becomes out of the question. Captain says we will lie by during the night, sooner tliau darkness shall devour such an object of curiosity, so we must look sharp for the old rock. November 14. — The horizon is tliis morning full of re- ^ fcjee aiUtf, p. ^233, note. 1831.] JOURNAL. 847 membrances. Cape St. Vincent, Cape Spartel, Tarifa, Trafalgar — all spirit-stirring sounds, are within our ken, and recognised with enthusiasm both by the old sailors whose me- mory can reinvest them with their terrors, and Ijy the naval neophytes who hope to emulate the deeds of their fathers. Even a non-combatant like myself feels his heart beat faster and fuller, though it is only with the feeling of the unworthy boast of the substance in the fable, nos poma natamus. I begin to ask myself, Do I feel any symptoms of getting better from the climate ? — which is delicious, — and I cannot reply with the least consciousness of certainty ; I cannot iu reason expect it should be otherwise : the failure of my limbs has been gradual, and it cannot be expected that an infirmity which at least a year's bad weather gradually brought on should diminish before a few mild and serene days, but I think there is some change to the better ; I certainly write easier and my spirits are better. The officers compliment me on this, and I think justly. The difficulty will be to abstain from working hard, but we will try. I WTote to ]\Ir. Cadell to-day, and will send my letter ashore to be put into Gib- raltar with the officer who leaves us at that garrison. In the evening we saw the celebrated fortress, M-liich we had heard of all our lives, and which there is no possibility of describing well in words, though the idea I had formed of it from prints, panoramas, and so forth, proved not very inac- curate. Gibraltar, then, is a peninsula having a tremendous precipice on the Spanish side — that is, upon the north, where it is united to the mainland by a low slip of land called the neutral ground. The fortifications which rise on the rock are innumerable, and support each other in a manner ac- counted a model of modern art ; the northern face of the rock itself is hewn into tremendous subterranean batteries called the hall of Saint George, and so forth, mounted with guns of a large calibre. But I have heard it would be diffi- cult to use them, from the effect of the report on the artillery- 848 JOURNAL. [Nov. men. The west side of the fortress is not so precipitous as the north, and it is on this it has been usually assailed. It bristles with guns and batteries, and has at its northern extremity the town of Gibraltar, which seems from the sea a thriving place, and from thence declines gradually to Cape Europa, where there is a great number of remains of old caverns and towers, formerly the habitation or refuge of the Moors. At a distance, and curving into a bay, lie Algeciras, and the little Spanish town of Saint Roque, where the Spanish lines were planted during the siege. ^ From Europa Point the eastern frontier of Gibraltar runs pretty close to the sea, and arises in a perpendicular face, and it is called the back of the rock. No thought could be entertained of attacking it, although every means were used to make the assault as general as possible. The efforts sustained by such extraordinary means as the floating batteries were entirely directed against the defences on the west side, which, if they could have been continued for a few days with the same fury with which they commenced, must have worn out the force of the garrison. The assault had continued for several hours without success on either side, when a private man of the artillery, his eye on the floating batteries, suddenly called with ecstasy, "She burns, by G — I";^ and first that vessel and then others were visibly discerned to be on fire, and the besiegers' game was decidedly up. We stood into the Bay of Gibraltar and approached the harbour firing a gun and hoisting a signal for a boat : one accordingly came off — a man-of-war's boat — but refused to have any communication with us on account of the quar- ^ Lasting from 21st June 1779 to Ambassador in the first lioursof his 6th February 1783. anguish: "I have burnt the Temple of Ephesus ; everything is gone, - Compare the reflection of the and through my fault ! What com - Chevalier d'Arcon, the contriver of forts ine under my calamity is tiiat the floating batteries. He remained the honour of the two kings re- on board the Tcdla Piedra till past mains untarnished." — Mahon's //?'.s- midniglit, and wrote to the French tary of England, vol. vii. p. 290. 1831.] JOURNAL. 849 antine, so we can send no letters ashore, and after some pourparlers, Mr. L , instead of joining his regiment, must remain on board. We learned an unpleasant piece of news. There has been a tumult at Bristol and some rioters shot, it is said fifty or sixty. I would flatter myself that this is rather good news, since it seems to be no part of a formed insurrection, but an accidental scuffle in which the mob have had the worst, and which, like Tranent, Manchester, and Bonnymoor, have always had the effect of quieting the people and alarming men of j)roperty.^ The Whigs will find it impossible to permit men to be plundered by a few blackguards called by them the people, and education and property will recover an ascendency which they have only lost by faintheartedness. We backed out of the Bay by means of a current to the eastward, which always runs thence, admiring in our retreat the lighting up the windows in the town and the various barracks or country seats visible on the rock. Far as we are from home, the general lighting up of the windows in the evening reminds us we are still in merry old England, where in reverse of its ancient law of the curfew, almost every individual, however humble his station, takes as of right a part of the evening for enlarging the scope of his industry or of his little pleasures. He trims his lamp to finish at leisure some part of his task, which seems in such circumstances almost voluntary, while his wife prepares the little meal which is to be its legitimate reward. But this happy privilege of English freemen has ceased. One happi- ness it is, they will soon learn their error. November 15. — I had so much to say about Gibraltar that I omitted all mention of the Strait, and more distant ^ Nothing like tiiese Bristol riots Tranent (East Lothian) and Bonny- had occurred since those in Bir- moor (Stirlingshire) conflicts took mingham in 1791. — Martineau's place in 1797 and 1820; the Maa- History of the Peace, p. 353. Tlie Chester riot in 1826. 850 JOURNAL. [Nov. shores of Spain and Barbaiy, Avhicli form the extreme of our present horizon ; they are liighly interesting. A chain of distant mountains sweep round Gibraltar, bokl peaked, well defined, and deeply indented ; the most distinguishable points occasionally garnished with an old watcli-tower to afford protection against a corsair. The mountains seemed like those of the first formation, liker, in other words, to the Highlands than those of the South of Scotland. Tho chains of hills in Barbary are of the same character, but more lofty and much more distant, being, I conceive, a part of the celebrated ridge of Atlas. Gibraltar is one of the pillars of Hercules, Ceuta on the Moorish side is well known to be the other ; to the west- ward of a small fortress garrisoned by the Spaniards is the Hill of Apes, the corresponding pillar to Gibraltar. There is an extravagant tradition that there was once a passage under the sea from the one fortress to the other, and that an adventurous governor, who puzzled his way to Ceuta and back again, left his gold watch as a prize to him who had the courage to go to seek it. We are soon carried by the joint influence of breeze and current to the African side of the straits, and coast nearly along a wild shore formed of mountains, like those of Spain, of varied form and outline. No churches, no villages, no marks of human hand are seen. The chain of hills show a mockery of cultivation, but it is only wild heath inter- mingled with patches of barren sand. I look in vain for cattle or flocks of sheep, and Anne as vainly entertains hopes of seeing lions and tigers on a walk to the sea-shore. Tlie land of this wild country seems to have hardly a name. The Cape which we are doubling has one, however — the Cape of the Three Points. That we might not be totally disappointed we saw one or two men engaged apparently in ploughing, distinguished by their turbans and the long pikes which they carried. Dr. Liddell says that on former 1831.] JOUKNAL. 8r,i occasions he has seen tiucks and shepherds, but the war with France has probably laid the country waste. November 16. — When I waked about seven found that we had the town of Oran twelve or fourteen miles off astern. It is a large place on the sea-beach, near the bottom of a bay, built close and packed together as ]\Ioorish [towns], from Fez to Timbuctoo, usually are. A considerable hill rises behind the town, which seems capable of holding 10,000 inhabitants. The hill up to its eastern summit is secured by three distinct lines of fortification, made probably by the Spanish when Oran was in their possession ; latterly it belonged to the State of Algiers ; but whether it has yielded to the French or not we have no means of knowing. A French schooner of eighteen "uns seems to Ijlockade the harbour. We show our colours, and she displays hers, and then resumes her cruise, looking as if she resumed her blockade. This would infer that the place is not }-et in French hands. However, we have in any event no business with Oran, whether African or French. Bristol is a more important subject of consideration, but I cannot learn there are papers on board. One or two other towns we saw on this dreary coast, otherwise nothing but a hilly coast covered with shingle and "um cistus. Novemher 17. — In the morning we are off Algiers, of which Captain Pigot's comj)laisance afforded a very satisfactory sight. It is built on a sloping hill, running down to the sea, and on the water side is extremely strong ; a very strong mole or causeway enlarges the harbour, by enabling them to include a little rocky island, and mount immense batteries, with guns of great number and size. It is a wonder, in the opinion of all judges, that Lord Exmouth's fleet was not altogether cut to pieces. The place is of little strength to the land ; a high turreted wall of the old fashion is its best defence. AVhen Charles v. attacked Algiers, he landed in the bay to the east of the town, and marched behind it. 852 JOURNAL. [Nov. He afterwards reached what is still called the Emperor's fort, a building more highly situated than any part of the town, and commanding the wall which surrounds it. The Moors did not destroy this. When Bourmont landed with the French, unlike Charles v., that general disembarked to the westward of Algiers, and at the mouth of a small river ; he then marched into the interior, and, fetching a circuit, presented himself on tlie northern side of the town. Here the Moors had laid a simple stratagem for the destruction of the invading army. The natives had conceived they would rush at once to the fort of the Emperor, which they therefore mined, and expected to destroy a number of the enemy by its explosion. This obvious device of war was easily avoided, and General Bourmont, in possession of the heights, from which Algiers is commanded, had no difficulty in making himself master of the place. The French are said now to hold their conquests with difficulty, owing to a general commotion among the Moorish chiefs, of whom the Bey was the nominal sovereign. To make war on these wild tribes would be to incur the disaster of the Emperor Julian ; to neglect their aggressions is scarcely possible. Algiers has at first an air of diminutiveness inferior to its fame in ancient and modern times. It rises up from the shore like a wedge, composed of a large mass of close-packed white houses, piled as thick on each other as they can stand ; white-terraced roofs, and without windows, so the number of its inhabitants must be immense, in comparison to the ground the buildings occupy — not less, perhaps, than 30,000 men. Even from the distance we view it, the place has a singular Oriental look, very dear to the imagination. The country around Algiers is [of] the same hilly description with the ground on which the town is situated — a bold hilly tract. The shores of tlie bay are studded with villas, and exhibit enclosures : some used for agriculture, some for gardens, one for a mosque with a cemetery around it. It is 1831.] JOUENAL. S.'iS said they are extremely fertile ; the first example we have seen of the exuberance of the African soil. The villas, we are told, belong to the Consular Establishment. We saw our own, who, if at home, took no remembrance of us.^ Like the Cambridge Professor and the elephant, " We were a paltry beast," and he would not see us, though we drew within cannon [shot], and our fifty 36-pounders might have attracted some attention. The Moors showed their old cruelty on a late occasion. The crews of two foreign vessels having fallen into their hands by shipwreck, they murdered two- thirds of them in cold blood. There are reports of a large body of French cavalry having shown itself without the town. It is also reported by Lieutenant Walker,- that the Consul hoisted, comme de raison, a British flag at his country house, so our vanity is safe. We leave Algiers and run along the same kind of heathy, cliffy, barren reach of hills, terminating in high lines of serrated ridges, and scarce showing an atom of cultivation, but where the mouth of a river or a shelterinir bay has encouraged the Moors to some species of fortification. Novemhcr 18. — Still we are gliding along the coast of Africa, with a steady and unruffled gale ; the weather delicious. Talk of an island of wild goats, by name Golita; this species of deer-park is free to every one for shooting upon — belongs probably to the Algerines or Tunisians, whom circumstances do not permit to be very scrupulous in asserting their right of dominion ; but Dr. Liddell has himself been present at a grand chassc of the goats, so the thing is true. The wild sinuosities of the land make us each moment look to see a body of Arabian cavalry wheel at full gallop out of one of these valleys, scour along the beach, and disappear up some other recess of the hills. In fact we see a few herds, but a red cow is the most formidable monster we have seen. ^ Meirhaut of Vr)ii re, Act iv.f'ic. 1. ^V;vlke^, so long in coiiiniand of the - Afterward.s Admiral Sir BalJwin Turkish Navy. 854 JOUENAL. [Nov. A general day of exercise on board, as well great guns as small arms. It was very entertaining to see the men take to their quarters with the unanimity of an individual. The marines shot a target to pieces, the boarders scoured away to take their position on the yards with cutlass and pistol. The exhibition continued two hours, and was loud enouo-h to have alarmed the shores, where the Algerines might, if they had thought fit, have imputed the firing to an opportune quarrel between the French and British, and have shouted "Allah Kerim " — God is merciful ! This was the Dey's remark when he heard that Charles x. was dethroned by the Parisians. We are near an African Cape called Bugiaroni, where, in the last war, the Toulon fleet used to trade for cattle. November 19. — Wind favourable during night, dies away in the morning, and blows in flurries rather contrary. The steamboat packet, which left Portsmouth at the same time with us, passes us about seven o'clock, and will reach a day or two before us. We are now off the coast of Tunis : not so high and rocky as that of Algiers, and apparently much more richly cultivated. A space of considerable length along shore, between a conical hill called Mount Baluty and Cape Bon, which we passed last night, is occupied by the French as a coral fishery. They drop heavy shot by lines on the coral rocks and break off fragments which they fish up vvitli nets. Tlie Algerines, seizing about 200 Neapolitans thus employed gave rise to the bombardment of their town by Lord Ex mouth. All this coast is picturesquely covered with enclosures and buildings and is now clothed with squally weather. One hill has a smoky umbrella displayed over its peak, which is very like a volcano — many islets and rocks bearing the Italian names of sisters, brothers, dogs, and suchlike epithets. The view is very striking, with varying rays of light and of shade mingling and changing as the wind rises and falls. Altont one o'clock we pass the situa- 1831.] .TOUriXAL. 855 tion of ancient Carthage, but saw no ruins, though such are said to exist. A good deal of talk about two ancient lakes called ; I knew the name, but little more. We passed in the evening two rocky islands, or skerries, rising straight out of the water, called Gli Fratelli or The Brothers. Novemher 20. — A fair wind all night, running at the merry rate of nine knots an hour. In the morning we are in sight of the highest island, Pantellaria, which the Sicilians use as a state prison, a species of Botany Bay. "We are about thirty miles from the burning island — I mean Graham's — but neither that nor Etna make their terrors visible. At noon Graham's Island appears, greatly diminished since last accounts. We got out the boats and surveyed this new production of the earth with great interest. Think I have got enough to make a letter to our Eoyal Society and friends at Edinburgh.^ Lat. 37° 10' 31"K, long. 12° 40' 15" E., lying north and south by compass, by Mr. Bokely, the Captain's clerk ['s measurements]. Keturned on board at dinner-time. November 21. — Indifferent night. In the morning we are running off Gozo, a subordinate island to Malta, intersected with innumerable enclosures of dry-stone dykes similar to those used in Selkirkshire, and this likeness is increased by the appearance of sundry square towers of ancient days. In former times this was believed to be Calypso's island, and the cave of the enchantress is still shown. We saw the entrance from the deck, as rude a cavern as ever opened out of a granite rock. The place of St. Paul's shipwreck is also shown, no doubt on similarly respectable authority. At last we opened Malta, an island, or rather a city, like no otlier in the world. The seaport, formerly the famous Valetta, comes down to the sea-shore. On the one side lay the [Knights], on the other side lay the Turks, who finally got entire possession of it, while the other branch remained in the ^ See long letter to Mr. Skene in Life, vol. x. pp. 120-130. 856 JOUENAL. [Nov. power of the Christians. Mutual cruelties were exercised ; the Turks, seizing on the remains of the knights who had so long defended St. Elmo, cut the Maltese cross on the bodies of the slain, and, tying tliem to planks, let them drift with the receding tide into the other branch of the harbour still defended by the Christians. The Grand-Master, in resent- ment of this cruelty, caused his Turkisli prisoners to be decapitated and their heads thrown from mortars into the camp of the infidels.^ November 22. — To-day we entered Malta harbour, to quarantine, which is here very strict. We are condemned by the Board of Quarantine to ten days' imprisonment or sequestration, and go in the Barham's boat to our place of confinement, built by a Grand-Master named Manuel- for a palace for himself and his retinue. It is spacious and splendid, but not comfortable ; the rooms connected one with another by an arcade, into which they all open, and which forms a delightful walk. If I was to live here a sufticient time I think I could fit the apartments up so as to be handsome, and even imposing, but at present they are only kept as barracks for the infirmary or lazaretto. A great number of friends come to see me, who are not allov/ed to approach nearer than a yard. This, as the whole affair is a farce, is ridiculous enough. We are guarded by the officers of health in a peculiar sort of livery or uniform with yellow neck, who stroll up and down with every man that stirs — and so mend the matter.^ My friends Captain and ^ In the memorable siege of 15G.5. our seamen was hrushed from the 2 Manuel de Vilhena Grand "''''"' ^'''''^' ^""^^ '"*'' *''^ ^'"''^ '"""^ IT , T -r..-, ■. r,«^ began to swim tor bis lite. Ihe Master 1722-1736. ,,",, , . , ^ , • , Maltese boats bore oil to avoid •' An example of tlie rigour with giving him assistance, but an Eng- which the Quarantine laws were en- lisli boat, less knowing, picked up forced is given by Sir Walter on the poor fellow, and were imme- the24th: — " We had an instance of diately assigned to tlie comforts the strictness of these regulations of the Quarantine, that being the from an accident which befell us as Maltese custom of rewarding hu- we entered the liarbour. One of inanity." — Letter to j, (!. L. 1S31.] JOURN'AL. ' «n7 Mrs. Dawson, the daughter and son-in-law of tlie late Lord Kinnedder, occupying as military quarters one end of the Manuel palace, have chosen to remain, though thereby subjected to quarantine, and so become our fellows in captivity. Our good friend Captain Pigot, heaving some exaggerated report of our being uncomfortably situated, came himself in his barge with the purpose of reclaiming his passengers rather than we should be subjected to the least inconvenience. We returned our cordial thanks, but felt we had already troubled him sufficiently. We dine with Captain and Mrs. Dawson, sleep in our new quarters, and, notwithstanding mosquito curtains and iron bedsteads, are sorely annoyed by vermin, the only real hardship) we have to complain of since the tossing on the Bay of Biscay, and which nothing could save us from. Les Maltois ne se mariaient jamais dans le mois de mai. lis espererent si mal des ouvrages de tout genre commence durant son cours qu'ils ne se faisaient pas couper d'habits pendant ce mois. The same superstition still prevails in Scotland. Novemhcr 2.3. — This is a splendid town. The sea penetrates it in several places with creeks formed into har- bours, surrounded by buildings, and these again covered with fortifications. The streets are of very unequal height, and as there has been no attempt at lowering them, the great- est variety takes place between them ; and the singularity of the various buildings, leaning on each other in such a bold, picturesque, and uncommon manner, suggests to me ideas for finishing Abbotsford by a screen on the west side of the old barn and with a fanciful wall decorated with towers, to enclose the bleaching green — watch-towers such as these, of which I can get drawings wdiilc I am here. Employed the forenoon in writing to I.ockhart. I am a little at a loss what account to give of myself. Better I am decidedly iu spirit, but rather hampered by Sns JOUKNAL. [Nov. my companions, who are neither desirous to follow my amusements, nor anxious that I should adopt theirs. I am getting on with this Siege of Malta very well. I think if I continue, it will be ready in a very short time, and I will get the opinion of others, and if my charm hold I will be able to get home through Italy — and take up my own trade a^ain. November 24. — Vve took the quarantine boat and visited the outer harbour or great port, in which the ships repose when free from their captivity. The British ships of war are there, — a formidable spectacle, as they all carry guns of great weight. If they go up the Levant as reported, they are a formidable weight in the bucket. I was sensible while looking at them of the truth of Cooper's description of the beauty of their build, their tapering rigging and masts, and how magnificent it looks as o " Hulking and vast the gallant warship rides ! " We had some pride in looking at the Barham, once in a particular manner our own abode. Captain Pigot and some of his officers dined with us at our house of captivity. By a special grace our abode here is to be shortened one day, so we leave on Monday first, which is an indulgence. To-day we again visit Dragut's Point. The guardians who attend to take care that we quarantiners do not kill the people whom we meet, tell some stories of this famous corsair, but I scarce can follow their Arabic. I must learn it, though, for the death of Dragut^ would be a fine subject for a poem, but in the meantime I will proceed with my KitujJits. \_Novemher 25-30.] ^ — By permission of the quarantine board we were set at liberty, and lost no time in quitting the 1 High Admiral of the Turkish absohitely depended upon during fleet before Malta, and slain there tlic Malta visit, as tlu-y appear to in liKi;"). Hiie Drayiit the Corsair, ui have been added subsequently by Lockhart's Spojiish Ballads. Sir Walter. - The dates are not to be 1831] JOURNAL. 859 dreary fort of Don Manuel, with all its mosquitoes and its thousands of lizards which [stood] shaking their heads at you like their brother in the new Arabian tale of Daft Jock. ]\Iy son and daughter are already much tired of the impri- sonment. I myself cared less about it, but it is unpleasant to be thought so very unclean and capable of poisoning a whole city. We took our guardians' boat and again made a round of the harbour ; were met by !Mrs. Bathurst's ^ carriage, and carried to my very excellent apartment at Beverley's Hotel. In passing I saw something of the city, and verv comical it was ; but more of that hereafter. At or about four o'clock we went to our old habitation the Barham, having promised again to dine in the Ward room, where we had a most handsome dinner, and were dismissed at half-past six, after having the pleasure to receive and give a couple hours of satisfaction. I took the boat from the chair, and was a little afraid of the activity of my assistants, but it all went off capitally ; went to Beverley's and bed in quiet. At two o'clock Mrs. Col. Bathurst transported me to see the Metropolitan Church of St. John, by far the most magnificent place I e^•er saw in my life ; its huge and ample vavdts are of the Gothic order. The floor is of marble, each stone containing the inscription of some ancient knight adorned with a patent of mortality and an inscription recording his name and family. For instance, one knight I believe had died in the infidels' prison ; to mark his fate, one stone amid the many-coloured pavement represents a door composed of grates (iron grates I mean), displaying behind them an interior which a skeleton is in vain attempting to escape from by bursting tlie bars. If you conceive he has pined in his fetters there for centuries till dried in the ghastly image of death himself, it is a fearful imagination. The roof which bends over this scene of death is splendidly adorned with carving and gilding, while the varied colours ^ Wife of the Lieut. -Governor, Colonel Seymour Bathurst. 860 JOUENAL [Nov. and tinctures both above and beneath, free from the tinselly effect which might have been apprehended, [acquire a] solem- nity in the dim religious light, which they probably owe to the lapse of time. Besides the main aisle, which occupies the centre, there is added a chapter-house in which the knights were wont to hold their meetings. At the upper end of this chapter-house is the fine Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, by Caravaggio, though this has been disputed. On the left hand of the body of the church lie a series of subordinate aisles or chapels, built by the devotion of the different tongues,^ and where some of the worthies inhabit the vaults beneath. The other side of the church is occupied in the same manner ; one chapel in which the Communion was imparted is splendidly adorned by a row of silver pillars, which divided the worshippers from the priest. Immense riches had been taken from this chapel of the Holy Sacrament by the French ; a golden lamp of great size, and ornaments to the value of 50,000 crowns are mentioned in particular ; the rich railing had not escaped the soldiers' rapacity had it not been painted to resemble wood. I must visit this magnificent church another time. To-day I have done it at the imminent risk of a bad fall. We drove out to see a Maltese village, highly ornamented in the usual taste. Mrs. Bathurst was so good as to take me in her carriao-e. We dined with Colonel Bathurst. Novemler 2G. — I visited my old and mucli respected friend, Mr. John Hookham Frere,- and was mucli "ratified to 1 In 1790 the Order of the from 1820 till 1S46 ; he died Knights of St. John of Jerusalem tliere on January 7th. He was in consisted of eight "Lodges" or deep afllietion at the time of Scott's "Languages," viz. : France, Au- arrival, having lost his wife a few vergne, Provence, Spain, Portugal, months before, but he welcomed his Germany, and Anglo-Bavaria. — old friend with a melancholy plea- Hoare's Tour, vol. i. p. 28. sure. 2 John Hookham Frero, the dis- For Scott's high opinion of Frere, ciple of Pitt, and bosom friend of as far back as 1804, see Life, vol. Canning, made Malta his home ii. p. 207 and note. 1831.] JOUENAL. 861 see him the same man I had always known him, — perhaps a little indolent ; but that 's not much. A good Tory as ever, when the love of manv is waxed cold. At ni"ht a Q-rand ball in honour of your humble servant — about four hundred gentlemen and ladies. The former mostly British officers of army, navy, and civil service. Of the ladies, the island furnished a fair proportion — I mean viewed in either way. I was introduced to a mad Italian improvisatore, who was with difficulty prevented from reciting a poem in praise of the King, and imposing a crown upon my head, nolens volcns. Some of the officers, easily conceiv- ing how disagreeable this must have been to a quiet man, got me out of the scrape, and I got home about midnight ; but remain unpoetised and unspeeched. November 28. — I have made some minutes, some observa- tions, and could do something at my Siege ; but I do not find my health gaining ground. I visited Frere at Sant' Antonio : a beautiful place with a splendid garden, which Mr. Frere will never tire of, unless some of his family come to carry him home by force. November 29. — Lady Hotham was kind enough to take me a drive, and we dined with them — a very pleasant party. I picked up some anecdotes of the latter siege. Make another pilgrimage, escorted by Captain Pigot and several of his officers. We took a more accurate view of tliis splendid structure [Church of St. John]. I went down into the vaults and made a visiting acquaintance with La Valette,^ whom, greatly to my joy, I found most splendidly provided with a superb sepulchre of bronze, on which he reclines in the full armour of a Kniffht of Chivalrie. • • 'o^ ^ Grandmaster of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, and defender of Malta against .Solymau in 1565. D E C E M B E 1{. December 1. — There are two good libraries, on a different plan and for different purposes — a modern subscription library that lends its own books, and an ancient foreign library which belonged to the Knights, but does not lend books. Its value is considerable, but the funds unfo)-tunately are shamefully small ; I may do this last some good. I have got in a present from Frere the prints of the Siege of IMalta, very difficult to understand, and on loan from Mr. Murray, Agent of the Navy Office, tlie original of Boiardo, to be re- turned through Mr. Murray, Albemarle Street. Mr. Murray is very good-natured about it. December 2. — INIy chief occupation has been driving with Frere. Dr. Liddell declines a handsome fee. I will want to send some oranges to the children. I am to go witli Col. Bathurst to-day as far as to wait on the bishop. My old friend Sir John Stoddart's daughter is to be married to a Captain Atkinson. Eode with Frere. ]Much recitation. December 6. — Captain Pigot inclines to take me on with him to Naples, after which he goes to Tunis on Government service. Tliis is an offer not to be despised, though at the expense of protracting the news from Scotland, which I engage to provide for in case of the worst, by offering "Sir. Cadell a new romance, to be called The Siege of ]Malta, which if times be as they were when I came off, should be thankful[ly received] at a round sum, paying back not only what is overdrawn, but supplying finances during the winter. December 10, [Na})les]. — I ought to say that before leaving Malta I went to wait on the Archbishop : a fine old gentle- 802 1831.] JOUENAL. • 863 man, very handsome, and one of the priests who commanded the Maltese in their insurrection against tlie French. I took the freedom to hint that as he had possessed a journal of this blockade, it was but due to his country and himself to give it to the public, and offered my assistance. He listened to my suggestion, and seemed pleased with the proposal, which I repeated more than once, and apparently with success. Next day the Bishop returned my visit in full state, attended by his clergy, and superbly dressed in costume, the pearls being very fine. (The name of this fine old dignitary of the Eomish Church is Don Francis Cam ana. Bishop of Malta.) The last night we were at Malta we experienced a rude shock of an earthquake, which alarmed me, though I did not know what it was. It was said to foretell that the ocean, which had given birth to Graham's Island, had, like Pelops, devoured its own offspring, and we are told it is not now visible, and will be, perhaps, hid from those who risk the main ; but as we did not come near its latitude we cannot say from our own knowledge that the news is true. I found my old friend Frere as fond as ever of old ballads. He took me out almost every day, and favoured me with recitations of the Cid and the continuation of AVhistle- craft. He also acquainted me that he had made up to Mr. Coleridge the pension of £200 from the Board of Literature ^ out of his own fortune. 1 By " Board of Literature " Scott tinue these annuities. Representa- doubtless means the Royal Society tions were made to the Government, of Literature, instituted in 1824 and the then Prime Minister, Earl under the patronage of George iv. ; Grey, offered Coleridge a i)rivate see ftH^e, vol. i. pp. 390-91. Besides grant of £200 from the Treasury, the members who paid a subscrip- which he declined, tion there were ten associates, of The pension from the Society or whom Coleridge was one, who each the Privy Purse of George iv. , received an annuity of a hundred which Mr. Hookham Frere told guineas from the King's bounty. Sir Walter he had made up to When William iv. succeeded his Coleridge, was one hundred guineas brother in 1830, he declined to con- 864 JOURNAL. [Dec. Decemher 13, [^Naples]. — We left Malta on this day, and after a most picturesque voyage between the coast of Sicily and ]\Ialta arrived here on the 17th, where we were detained for quarantine, whence we were not dismissed till the day before Christmas. I saw Charles, to my great joy, and agreed to dine with his master. Eight Hon. ISIr. Hill,^ re- solving it should be my first and last engagement at Naples. Next morning much struck with the beauty of the Bay of Naples. It is insisted that my arrival has been a signal for the greatest eruption from Vesuvius which that mountain has favoured us with for many a day. I can only say, as the Frenchman said of the comet supposed to foretell his own death, "Ah, messieurs, la comete me fait trop cVlionneur" Of letters I can hear nothing. There are many English here, of most of whom I have some knowledge. Decemher 25, {^Bay of Ncqjles']. — We are once more fairly put into quarantine. Captain Pigot does not, I think, quite understand the freedom his flag is treated with, and could lie find law for so doing would try his long thirty-six pounders on the town of Naples and its castles ; not to mention a sloop of ten guns wliicli has ostentatiously entered the Bay to assist them. Lord knows we would make ducks and drakes of the whole party with the Barhavis terrible battery ! There is a new year like to begin and no news from Britain. By and by I will be in the condition of those who are sick and in prison, and entitled to visits and consolation on principles of Christianity. Decemher 26, [Stracla Nuova\. — Went ashore; admitted to pratique, and were received here.^ Walter has some money left, which we must use or try a begging-box, for I see no other resource, since they seem to have abandoned me so. Go ashore each day to sight-seeing. Have the pleasure to ^ Afterwards Lord Berwick. - The travellers established them- soon as they were released from selves in the Palazzo C'araiuanico as (luarantinc. 1831.] JOURNAL. 865 meet Mr.^ and Mrs. Laing-Meason of Lindertis, and liave their advice and assistance and company in our wanderings almost every day. Mr. Meason has made some valuable remarks on Baia^ where the villas of the middle ages are founded on the lava shores, at least upon the ancient maritime villas of the Romans, — so the boot of the moderns galls the kibe of the age preceding them ; the reason seems to be the very great durability with which the Romans finished their domestic architecture of maritime arches, by which they admitted the sea into their lower houses.^ We were run away with, into the grotto very nearly, but luckily stopped before we entered, and so saved our lives. We have seen the Strada Nuova — a new access of extreme beauty which the Italians owe to Murat. The Bay of Naples is one of the finest things I ever saw. Vesuvius controls it on the opposite side of the town. I never go out in the evening, but take airings in the day-time almost daily. The day after Christmas I went to see some old parts of the city, amongst the rest a tower called Torre del Carmine, which figured during the Duke of Guise's adventure, and the gallery of as old a church, where Masaniello was shot at the conclusion of his career.^ I marked down the epitaph of a former Empress,* which is striking and affecting. It would furnish matter for my Tour if I wanted it. ^ A brother of Malcolm Laiiig, Foreign Quarterly Review, vol. iv. the historian. pp. 3o5-403. , , ... , o- ■* ^ee Appendix iv. : "A former ^ An account is given by Sir ^ ,, r.. ^t- ,, ■, , . i^r-iv /-< 11 r -1 Empress. Sir Walter no doubt William (^ell oi an excursion l)y ^ , ,, . ^ t ^ ,. . r 1 T-. means the mother oi Conradin ot sea to the rums ot such a Koman ,, , . ^, t^ i- n .,, ., i i- T. •!• Suabia, or, as the Itahans call villa on the promontory ot Posilipo, , . ^ ,. , ,, i , . , , 1 1 , , c- -.T- it. liim, Corradino, — erroneously called to whicli he liad taken Sir Walter ^^' „ , , , , , , , , ,, ,^,.^, ;; ^ " hmpress, thougli her liusband m a boat on tlie libth oi Januarj'. , , ' . ° . ^ . , T .J. , , --r o had pretensions to the imperial —Life, vol. X. pp. l.)7-8. TV 1- .1 1 11- dignitj', disputed and abortive. •* For a picturesque sketch of For the whole affecting story see Naples during the insurrection of f/istoire de la Conqnrfe dc XaplcK, 1()47 see Sir Walter's article on Mas- St. Priest, vol. iii. pp. l.'iO-lSo, aniello and the Duke of Guise. — especially pp. lC'2-;{. 31 866 JOURNAL. [Di:c. 1831. " Naples, thou 'rt a gallant cit}', But thou hast been clearly bought " — ^ So is King Alphonso made to sum up the praises of this princely town, with the losses which he had sustained in making himself master of it. I looked on it with some- thing of the same feelings, and I may adopt the same train of thought when I recall Lady iSTorthampton, Lady Abercorn, and other friends much beloved who have met their death in or near this city. ^ A variation of the lines on Alphonso's capture of the city in 1442 : — " And then he looked on Naples, that great city of the sea, ' O city," saith the King, ' how great hath been thy cost, For thee I twenty years — my fairest years— have lost.'" — Lockhart's Spanish Ballads, ' ' The King of Arragon. " 1832 JAXUAEY. January 5. — "Went by invitation to wait upon a priest, who almost rivals my fighting bishop of Malta. He is the old ]3ishop of Tarentum/ and, notwithstanding his age, eighty and upwards, is still a most interesting man. A face formed to express an interest in whatever passes ; caressing manners, and a total absence of that rigid stiffness which hardens the heart of the old and converts them into a sort of petrifaction. Apparently his foible was a fondness for cats ; one of them, a superb brindled Persian cat, is a great beauty, and seems a particular favourite. I think we would have got on well together if he could bave spoken English, or I French or Latin ; but lielas ! I once saw at Lord Yarmouth's house a Persian cat, but not quite so fine as that of the Bishop. He gave me a Latin devotional poem and an engraving of himself, and I came home about two o'clock. January 6 to 12. — We reach the 12th January, amusing ourselves as we can, generally seeing company and taking- airings in the forenoon in this fine country. Sir AVilliam Gell, a very pleasant man, one of my chief cicerones. Lord Hertford comes to Naples. I am glad to keep up an old acquaintance made in the days of George iv. ' Sir William Gell styles him the pleasant tale of the i^^jy q/"G'oW, "Archbishop," and adds that at and is immortalised by the pencil of this time he ^Vc•^s in his ninetieth Landseer seated at table enfamille year. Can this prelate be Rogers's ^vith three of his velvet favourites? "Good Old Cardinal,"' who told 'Sao Italy, fcp. Svo, 1838, p. 302. 870 JOURNAL. [Jan. He has got a breed from Maida, of which I gave him a puppy. There was a great crowd at the Palazzo, which all persons attended, being the King's birthday. The apartments are magnificent, and the various kinds of persons who came to pay court were splendid. I went with the boys as Brigadier-General of the Archers' Guard, wore a very decent green uniform, laced at the cuffs, and pantaloons, and looked as well as sixty could make it out when sworded and featliered cominc il faut. I passed well enougli. Very mucli afraid of a fall on the slippery floor, but escaped that disgrace. The ceremony was very long. I was introduced to many distinguished persons, and, but for the want of language, got on well enough. The King spoke to me about five minutes, of wliicli I hardly understood five words. I answered him in a speech of the same length, and I '11 be bound equally unintelligible. We made the general key-tone of the harangue la hcllc languc ct h heme cicl of sa majeste. Very fine dresses, very many diamonds. . . . A pretty Spanish ambassadress. Countess da Costa, and her husband. Saw the Countess de Lebzeltern, who has made our acquaintance, and seems to be very clever. 1 will endeavour to see her again. Introduced to another liussian Countess of the diplomacy. Got from Court about two o'clock. I should have mentioned tliat I had a letter from Skene ^ and one from Cadell, dated as far back as 2d December, a monstrous time ago, [which] yet puts a period ^ This is the last notice in the her "I have had such a great Journal by Sir Walter of his dear ])lcasure ! Scott lias been here — friend. James Skene of Riibislaw he came from a long distance to sec died at FrewenHall, Oxford, in 18G4, me, he has been sitting uitli mc in his ninetieth jear. His faculties at the fiicside talking over our remained unimpaired throughout happy recollections of the past. ., " his serene and beautiful old age, Two or three days later he fol- until the end was very near— tlien, loMcd his Avell loved friend into the one evening his daughter found unseen world— gently and calndy him with a look of inexpressible like a cliilil falling asleej) he passed delight on his face, when he said to away in perfect peace. 1832.] JOUKNAL. 871 to my anxiety. I have written to Cadell for particulars and supplies, and, besides, have written a great many pages of the Siege of Malta, which I think will succeed. [January 16-23].^ — I think £200 a month, or thereby, M'ill do very well, and it is no great advance. Another piece of intelligence was certainly to be ex- pected, but now it has come afflicts us much. Poor Johnny Lockhart ! Tlie boy is gone whom we have niade so much of. I could not have borne it better than I now do, and I might have borne it much worse.^ I went one evening to the Opera to see that amuse- ment in its birthplace, which is now so widely received over Europe. The Opera House is superb, but can seldom be quite full. On this night,however, it was; the guards, citizens, and all persons dependent on the Court, or having anything to win or lose by it, are expected to take places liberally, and applaud with spirit. The King bowed much on entrance, and was received in a popular manner, which he has no doubt deserved, having relaxed many of his father's violent persecutions against the Liberals, made in some degree an amnesty, and employed many of this character. He has made efforts to lessen his expenses; but then he deals in military affairs, and that swallows up his savings, and Heaven only knows whether he will bring [Neapolitans] to fight, M'hich the Martinet system alone will never do. His health is undermined by epileptic fits, which, with his great corpu- lence, make men throw their thoughts on his brother Prince Charles. It is a pity. The King is only two-and-tweuty years old. The Opera bustled off without any remarkable music, and, so far as I understand the language, no poetry; and except the coni-) cVccil, which was magnificent, it was poor work. It was on the subject of Constantine and Crispus — ■ ^ John Hugh Lockhart died December 15, 1831. 872 JOURNAL. [Jan. iiiarvelloiis good matter, I assure you. I came home at half-past nine, without waiting tlie ballet, but I was dog- sick of the whole of it. Went to the Studij to-day. I had no answer to my memorial to the Minister of the Interior, which it seems is necessary to make any copies from the old romances. I find it is an affair of State, and Monsieur can only hope it will be granted in two or three days ; — to a man that may leave Naples to-morrow ! He offers me a loan of what books I need, Annals included, but this is also a delay of two or three days. I think really the Italian men of letters do not know the use of time made by those of other places, but I must have patience. In the course of my return home I called, by advice of my fald clc place, at a bookseller's, where he said all the great messieurs went for books. It had very little the air of a place of such resort, being kept in a garret above a coach-house. Here some twenty or thirty odd volumes were produced by an old woman, but nothing that was mercantile, so I left them for Lorenzo's learned friends. And yet I was sorry too, for the lady who showed them to me was very [civil], and, understanding that I was the famous Chevalier, carried her kindness as far as I could desire. The Italians under- stand nothing of being in a hurry, but perhaps it is their way.^ January 24. — The King grants the favour asked. To be perfect I should have the books [out] of the room, but this seems to [hurt ?] Monsieur Delicteriis as he, kind and civil as he is, would hardly [allow] me to take my labours out of the Studij, where there are hosts of idlers and echoes and askers and no understanders of askers. I progress, however, as the * Sir W. G ell relates that an old The transcript is now in the English manuscript of the Romance Library at Abhotsford, under the of .Sir Bevis of Hampton, existing title, Old Enylish Romances, trau- in Naples, had attracted Scott's scribed from Mss. in tlie Royal attention, and he resolved to make Library at Naples, by Sticchini, a copy of it. 2 vols. sm. 8vo. 1832.] JOURNAL. 873 Americans say. I have found that Sir William Gell's amanu- ensis is at present disengaged, and that he is quite the man for copying the romances, which is a plain black letter of 1377, at the cheap and easy rate of 3 quattrons a day. I am ashamed at the lowness of the remuneration, but it will dine him capitally, with a share of a bottle of wine, or, by 'r lady, a whole one if he likes it ; and thrice the sum would hardly do that in En2;land. But we dawdle, and that there is no avoiding. I have found another object in the Studij— the language of Naples. Jan)/. 2[5 ?]. — One work in this dialect, for such it is, was described to me as a history of ancient Neapolitan legends — qiiitc in my way ; and it proves to be a dumpy fat 12mo edition of Mother Goose's Tales,^ with my old friends Puss in Boots, Bluebeard, and almost the whole stock of this verv collection. If this be the original of this charming book, it is very curious, for it shows the right of Naples to the authorship, but there are French editions very early also ; — for there are two — whether French or Italian, I am uncer- tain — of different dates, both having claims to the original edition, each omitting some tales which the other has. To what common original we are to refer them the Lord knows. I will look into [this] very closely, and if this same copiator is worth his ears he can help me. ]\Iy friend Mr. D. \\\\\ aid me, but I doubt he hardly likes my familiarity with the department of letters in which he has such an extensive and valuable charge. Yet he is very kind and civil, and promises me the loan of a Neapolitan vocabu- lary, which will set me up for the attack upon Mother Goose. Spirit of Tom Thumb assist me ! I could, I think, make a neat thing of this, obnoxious to ridicule perhaps ; — what then ! The author of Ma Sceur Anne Avas a clever man, and his tale will remain popular in spite of all gibes and flouts so- ever. So Vamos Caracci ! If it was not for the trifling and ^ See Appendix \'. for Mr. Aiiclrew Laughs letter on this subject. 874 JOURNAL. [Jan. dawdling peculiar to this cuuntiy, 1 should have time enough, but their trifling with time is the devil. I will try to engage Mr. Gell in two researches in his way and more in mine, namely, the Andrea Terrara and the Bonnet piece.^ Mr. Keppel Craven says Andrea de Ferraras- are frequent in Italy. Plenty to do if we had alert assistance, but Gell and Laing Meason have both their own matters to puzzle out, and why should they mind my affairs ? The weather is very cold, and I am the reverse of the idiot boy — " For as my body's growing worse, My luind is growing better." ^ Of this 1 am distinctly sensible, and thank God that the mist attending this whoreson apojDlexy is wearing off. I went to the Studij and copied Bevis of Hampton, about two pages, for a pattern. From thence to Sir William Gell, and made an appointment at the Studij with his writer to-morrow at ten, when, I trust, I shall find Delicteriis there, but the gentleman Avith the classi- cal name is rather kind and friendly in his neighbour's behalf.^ January 26. — This day arrived (for the first time indeed) answer to last post end of December, an epistle from Cadell full of good tidings.^ Castle Dangerous and Sir Bobert of Paris, neither of whom I deemed seaworthy, have performed ^ The forty-shilling gold piece ^ Sir W. Gell records that on the coined by James v. of Scotland. morning he received the good news - Sword-blades of peculiar excel- he called upon him and said lie lence bearing the name of this felt quite relieved by his letters, maker have been known in Scot- and added, "I could never have land since the reign of James iv. .slept straight in niy coffin till I luid ^ Altered from Wordsworth. .satisHed every claim against me ; * 1\\e eAiiov ol ReUquke Antiqua' and now," turning to a favourite (2 vols. 8vo, London, 1843), writing dog that was Avith tiiem in the ten years after this visit, says, that carriage he said, ' JNly poor boy, 1 "The Chevalier de Licteriis [Chief shall have my house and my estate Librarian in the Uoyal Library] nmnd it free, and 1 may keep my showed him tiie manuscript, and dogs as big and as many as 1 choose well remembered his drawing Sir without fear of reproach." — Life, Walter's attention to it in 183'2." vol. x. p. IGO. 1832.] JOUKXAL. 875 two voyages — that is, each Gold about 3400, and the same of the current year. It proves, what I have thought ahnost impossible, that I might right myself. But as yet my spell holds fast. I have besides two or three good things on which I may advance with spirit, and with palmy hopes on the part of Cadell and myself. He thinks he will soon cry ridoria on the bet about his hat. He was to i^et a new one when I had paid off all my debts. I can hardly, now that I am assured all is well again, form an idea to myself that I could think it was otherwise. And yet I think it is the public that are mad for passing those two ^'olumes ; but I will not be the first to cry them down in the market, for I have others in hand, whicli, judged with equal favour. Mill make fortunes of themselves. Let me see what I have on the stocks — Castle Dangerous (suj^posed future Editions), £10UU Piobert of Paris, „ „ „ 1000 Lady Louisa Stuart, „ „ „ 500 Knights of Malta, „ „ „ 2500 Trotcosianas Eeliquia?, „ „ 2500 I have returned to my old hopes, and think of giving Milne an offer for his estate.^ Letters or Tour of Paul in 3 vols. . . 3000 Peprint of Bevis of Hampton for lioxburghe vvlub, -, , , . , . . Essay on the Neapolitan dialect, . ^ A^iz. , Faldonsiele, an estate ad- land between me and the lake jaceiit to Abbotsford ■\vliich Scott whicli lies mighty convenient, but had long wished to possess. As far I am mighty determined to give back as November 1817 he Mrotc nothing more than the value, so a friend: "My neighbour, Nicol that it is likely to end like the old ililne, is mighty desirous I should proverb, Ex Nichilo Niddljit." buy, at a mighty high rate, some FEBEUAEY. February 10. — We went to Pompeii to-day : a large party, all disposed to enjoy the sight in this fine weather. We had Sir Frederick and Lady Adam, Sir William Gell, the cory- pha3us of our party, who played his part very well. Miss de la Ferronays,^ daughter of Monsieur le Due de la Ferrouays, the head, I believe, of the constitutional Eoyalists, very popular in France, and likely to be called back to the ministry, with two or three other ladies, particularly Mrs. Ashley, born Miss Baillie,- very pretty indeed, and lives in the same house. The Countess de la Ferronays has a great deal of talent both musical and dramatic. Fehrimry 16. — Sir William Gell called and took me out to-night to a bookseller whose stock was worth looking over. We saw, among the old buildings of the city, an ancient palace called the A^icaria, which is changed into a prison. Then a new palace was honoured Avith royal residence instead of the old dungeon. I saw also a fine arch called the Capuan gate, formerly one of the city towers, and a very pretty one. We advanced to see the ruins of a palace said to be a habitation of (^ueen Joan, and where she put licr lovers to death chiefly by potions, thence into a well, smothering them, etc., and other little tenderly trifling matters of gallantry. ' Probably Paidine ; married to - Daughter of Colonel Hugh Hon. Augustus Craven, and author Duncan l>aillie, of Tarradale and of Rccit (VuHt Suiur. Kcdcastlc. S76 M A Pt C H. March. — Embarked on an excursion to Paestuni, with Sir William Gell and Mr. Laing-lMeason, in order to see the fine ruins. We went out by Pompeii, which we had visited before, and which fully maintains its character as one of the most striking pieces of antiquity, where the furniture trea- sure and household are preserved in the excavated houses, just as found by the labourers appointed by Government. The inside of the apartments is adorned with curious paint- ings, if I may call them such, in mosaic. A meeting between Darius and Alexander is remarkably fine.^ A street, called the street of Tombs, reaches a considerable way out of the city, having been flanked by tombs on each side as the law directed. The entrance into the town aflbrds an intei'esting picture of the private life of the Ptomans. We came next to the vestiges of Herculaneum, which is destroyed like Pompeii but by the lava or molten stone, which cannot be removed, whereas the tufa or volcanic ashes can be with ease removed from Pompeii, which it has filled up lightly. After having refreshed in a cottage in the desolate town, we proceed on our journey eastward, flanked by one set of heights stretching from Vesuvius, and forming a prolonga- tion of that famous mountain. Another chain of mountains ' Of this visit to Pompeii Sir W. He examined, however, with more Gell says — " Sir Walter viewed the interest the "splendid mosaic re- whole with a poet's eye, not that presenting a combat of the (Treeks of an anticiuarian, exclaiming fre- and the Persians." — Life, vol. x. quently, ' The city of the Dead ! " "' p. 159. 877 878 JOUENAL. [March seems to intersect our course in an opposite direction and descends upon the town of Castellamare. Different from the range of heights which is prolonged from Vesuvius,this second, which runs to Castellamare, is entirely composed of granite, and, as is always the case with mountains of this formation, betrays no trace of volcanic agency. Its range was indeed broken and split up into specimens of rocks of most romantic appearance and great variety, displaying granite rock as the principal part of its composition. The country on which these hills border is remarkable for its powers of vegetation, and produces vast groves of vine, elm, chestnut, and similar trees, which grow when stuck in by cuttings. The vines produce Lacryma Christi in great quantities — not a bad wine, though the stranger requires to be used to it. The sea-shore of the Bay of Naples forms the boundary on the right of the country through which our journey lies, and we continue to approach to the granite chain of eminences which stretch before us, as if to bar our passage. As we advanced to meet the great barrier of cliffs, a feature becomes opposed to us of a very j)ronounced character, which seems qualified to interrupt our progress. A road leading straight across the branch of hills is carried up the steepest part of the mountain, ascending by a succession of zig-zags, which the French laid by scale straight up the hill. The tower is situated upon an artificial eminence, worked to a point and placed in a defensible position between two hills about the same height, the access to which the de- fenders of the pass could effectually prohibit. Sir William Gell, whose knowledge of the antiquities of this country is extremely remarkable, acquainted us with the history. In the middle ages the pasturages on the slope of these hills, especially on the other side, belonged to the rich republic of Amalfi, who built tliis tower as an exploratory "azeeboo from which thev could watch the motions of the 1832.] JOUEXAL. 879 Saracens who were wont to annoy them with phmdering excursions ; but after this fastness [was built] the people of Amalfi usually defeated and chastised them. The ride over the opposite side of the mountain was described as so un- commonly pleasant as made me long to ride it with assistance of a pony. That, however, was impossible. We arrived at a large town situated in a ravine or hollow, which was called La Cava from some concavities which it exhibited. We were received by Miss Whyte, an English lady who has settled at La Cava, and she afforded us the warmest hospi- tality that is consistent with a sadly cold chilling house. They may say what they like of the fine climate of Naples — unquestionably they cannot say too much in its favour, but yet when a day or two of cold weather does come, the inhabitants are without the means of parrying the temporary inclemency, which even a Scotsman would scorn to submit to. However, warm or cold, to bed we went, and rising next morning at seven we left La Cava, and, making something like a sharp turn backwards, but keeping nearer to the Gulf of Salerno than in yesterday's journey, and nearer to its shore. We had a good road towards Paestum, and in defiance of a cold drizzling day we went on at a round pace. The country through which we travelled was wooded and stocked with wild animals towards the fall of the hills, and we saw at a nearer distance a large swampy plain, pastured by a singularly bizarre but fierce-looking buffalo, though it might maintain a much preferable stock. This palace of Persano was anciently kept up for the King's sport, but any young man having a certain degree of interest is allowed to shoot in the chase, which it is no longer an object to pre- serve. The guest, however, if he shoots a deer, or a buffalo, or wild boar, must pay the keeper at a certain fixed price, not much above its price in the market, which a sportsman would hardly think above its worth for game of his own killing. 880 JOURNAL. [March The town of Salerno is a beautiful seaport town, and it is, as it were, wrapt in an Italian cloak hanging round the limbs, or, to speak common sense, the new streets which they are rebuilding. We made no stop at Salerno, but continued to traverse the great plain of that name, within sight of the sea, which is chiefly pastured by that queer-looking brute, the buffalo, concerning which they have a notion that it returns its value sooner, and with less expense of feeding, than any other animal. At length we came to two streams which join their forces, and would seem to flow across the plain to the bottom of the hills. One, however, flows so flat as almost scarcely to move, and sinking into a kind of stagnant pool is swallowed up by the earth, without proceeding any further until, after remain- ing buried for two or three [miles?] underground, it again bursts forth to the light, and resumes its course. When we crossed this stream by a bridge, which they are now repairing, we entered a spacious plain, very like that which we had [left] and displaying a similar rough and savage cultivation. Here savage herds were under the guardianship of shepherds as wild as they were themselves, clothed in a species of sheep- skins, and carrying a sharp spear with which they herd and sometimes kill their buffaloes. Their farmhouses are in very poor order, and with every mark of poverty, and they have the character of being moved to dishonesty by anything like opportunity ; of this there was a fatal instance, but so well avenged that it is not like to be repeated till it has long faded out of memory. The story, I am assured, happened exactly as follows : — A certain ]\Ir. Hunt, lately married to a lady of his own age, and, seeming to have had what is too often the Englishman's characteristic of more money than wit, arrived at Naples a year or two ago eii famille, and desirous of seeing all the sights in the vicinity of this celebrated place. Among others Paestum was not forgot. At one of the poor farmhouses where they stopped, tlie inhabitant set 1832.] JOUKNAL. 881 her eyes ou a toilet apparatus which was composed of silver and had the appearance of great value. The woman who spread this report addressed herself to a youth who had been [under] arms, and undoubtedly he and his companions showed no more hesitation than the person with whom the idea had originated. Five fellow.'?, not known before this time for any particular evil, agreed to rob the English gentleman of the treasure of which he had made such an imprudent display. They were attacked by the banditti in several parties, but the principal attack was directed to Mr. Hunt's carriage, a servant of that gentleman being, as well as himself, pulled out of the carriage and watched by those who had undertaken to conduct this bad deed. The man who had been tlie soldier, probably to keep up his courage, began to bully, talk violently, and strike the valet dc place, who screamed out in a plaintive manner, "Do not injure me." His master, hoping to make some impression, said, " Do not hurt my servant," to which the principal brigand replied, " If he dares to resist, shoot him." The man who stood over Mr. Hunt unfortunately took the captain at the word, and his shot mortally w^ounded the unfortunate gentleman and his wife, who both died next day at our landlady's. Miss Whyte, who had the charity to receive them that they might hear their own language on their deathbed. The Neapolitan Govern- ment made the most uncommon exertions. The whole of the assassins were taken within a fortnight, and executed within a week afterwards. In this wild spot, rendered unpleasing by the sad remembrance of so inhuman an ac- cident, and the cottages which serve for refuge for so wretched and wild a people, exist the celebrated ruins of Paestum. Being without arms of any kind, the situation was a dreary one, and though I cau scarce expect now to defend myself eftectually, yet the presence of my pistol would have been an infinite cordial. The ruins are of very great antiquity, which for a very long time has not been 3k 882 JOUKNAL. [March suspected, as it was never supposed that the Sybarites, a luxurious people, were early possessed of a style of archi- tecture simple, chaste, and inconceivably grand, which was lost before the time of Augustus, who is said by Suetonius to have undertaken a journey on purpose to visit these remains of an architecture, the most simple and massive of which Italy at least has any other specimen. The Greeks have specimens of the same kind, but they are composed not of stone, like Paestum, but of marble. All this has been a discovery of recent date. The ruins, which exist without exhibiting mucli demolition, are three in number. The first is a temple of immense size, having a portico of the largest columns of the most awful species of classic archi- tecture. The roof, which was composed of immense stones, was destroyed, but there are remains of the Cella, contrived for the sacrifices to which the priests and persons of high office were alone [admitted]. A piece of architecture more massive, without being cumbrous or heavy, was never invented by a mason. A second temple in the same style was dedicated to Ceres as the large one was to Neptune, on whose dominion they looked, and who was the tutelar deity of Paestum, and so called from one of his Greek names. The fane of Ceres is finished with tlie greatest accuracy and beauty of pro- portion and taste, and in looking upon it I forgot all the unpleasant feelings which at first oppressed me. The third was not a temple, but a Basilica, or species of town-house, as it was called, having a third row of pillars running up the middle, between the two which surrounded the sides, and were common to the Basilica and temple both. These sur- prising public edifices have therefore all a resemblance to each other, though also points of distinction. If Sir William Gell makes clear his theory he will throw a most precious light on the origin of civilisation, proving that the sciences have not sprung at unce into light and lifo, but rose gradually 1832.] JOURNAL. 883 with extreme purity, and contiuvied to be practised best by those who first invented them. Tull of these reflections, we returned to our hospitable INIiss AYhyte in a drizzling evening, but unassassinated, and our hearts completely filled with the magnificence of what we had seen. ]\Iiss Wliyte had in the meanwhile, by her interest at La Trinita with the Abbot, obtained us permission to pay a visit to him, and an invitation indeed to dinner, which only the weather and the health of Sir William Gell and myself prevented our ac- cepting. After breakfast, therefore, on the 18th of March, we set out for the convent, situated about two or three miles from the town in a very large ravine, not unlike the bed of the llosslyn river, and traversed by roads which from their steepness and precipitancy are not at all laudable, but the views were beautiful and changing incessantly, while the spring advancing was spreading her green mantle over rock and tree, and making that beautiful which was lately a blighted and sterile thicket. The convent of Trinita itself holds a most superb situation on the projection of an ample rock. It is a large edifice, but not a handsome one — the monks reserving their magnificence for their churches — but was surrounded by a circuit of fortifications, which, when there was need, were manned by the vassals of the convent in the style of the Feudal system. This was in some degree the case at the present day. The Abbot, a gentlemanlike and respectable-looking man, attended by several of his monks, received us with the greatest politeness, and conducted us to the building, where we saw two great sculptured vases, or more properly sarcophagi, of [marble ?], well carved in the antique style, and adorned with the story of Meleager. They were in the shape of a large bath, and found, I think, at Paestum. The old church had passed to decay about a hundred years ago, when the present fabric was built ; it is very beautifully arranged, and worthy of the place, which is eminently beautiful, and of the community, who 884 JOUKNAL. [March are Benedictines — the most gentlemanlike order in the Koman Church. We were conducted to the private repertory of the chapel, which contains a number of interesting deeds granted by sovereigns of the Grecian, ISTorman, and even Saracen descent. One from Roger, king of Sicily, extended His Majesty's protection to some half dozen men of con- sequence whose names attested their Saracenism. In all the society I have been since I commenced this tour, I chiefly regretted on the present occasion the not having refreslied my Italian for the purpose of conversation. I should like to have conversed with the Churchmen very much, and they seem to have the same inclination, but it is too late to be thought of, though I could read Italian well once. The church might boast of a grand organ, with fifty- seven stops, all which we heard played by the ingenious organist. We then returned to Miss Whyte's for the even- ing, ate a mighty dinner, and battled cold weather as we might. In further remarks on Paestum I may say tliere is a city wall in wonderful preservation, one of the gates of which is partly entire and displays the figure of a Syren under the architrave, but the antiquity of the sculpture is doubted, though not that of the inner part of the gate — so at least thinks Sir William, our best authority on such matters. Many antiquities have been, and many more probably will be, discovered. Paestum is a place which adds dignity to the peddling trade of the ordinary antiquarian. March 1 9. — This morning we set off at seven for Naples ; we observed remains of an aqueduct in a narrow, appar- ently designed for the purpose of leading water to La Cava, but had no time to conjecture on the sul)ject, and took our road back to Pompeii, and passed through two towns of the same name, Nocera dei [Cristiani] and Nocera dci Pagani.^ In the latter village the Saracens obtained a place * The places are now known as Nocera Superiore and Nocora Inferiors. 1832.] JOUPtN'AL. 885 of refuge, from whieli it takes the name. It is also said that the circumstance is kept in memory by the complexion and features of this second Nocera, which are peculiarly of the African caste and tincture. After we passed Pompeii, where the continued severity of the weather did not permit us, according to our purpose, to take another survey, we saw in the adjacent village between us and Portici the scene of two assassinations, still kept in remembrance. The one I believe was from the motive of plunder. The head of the assassin was set up after his execution npon a pillar, which still exists, and it remained till the skull rotted to pieces. The other Avas a story less in the common style, and of a more interesting character: — A farmer of an easy fortune, and who might be supposed to leave to his daughter, a very pretty girl and an only child, a fortune thought in the village very considerable. She was, under the hope of sharing such a prize, made up to by a young man in the neighbourhood, handsome, active, and of a very good general character. He was of that sort of person who are generally successful among women, and the girl M'as supposed to have encouraged his addresses ; but her father, on being applied to, gave him a direct and positive refusal. The gallant resolved to continue his addresses in hopes of overcoming this obstacle by his perseverance, but the father's opposition seemed only to increase by the lover's pertinacity. At length, as the father walked one evening smoking his pipe upon the terrace before his door, the lover unhappily passed by, and, struck with the instant thought that the obstacle to the happiness of his life was now entirely in his own power, he rushed upon the father, pierced him with three mortal stabs of his knife, and killed him dead on the spot, and made his escape to the mountains. "What was most remarkable was that he was protected against the police, who went, as M'as their duty, in quest of him, by the inhabitants of the neiohbourhood. who afforded him both shelter and such food 886 JOURNAL. [Mahch as he required, looking on him less as a wilful criminal than an unfortunate man, who had been surprised by a strong and almost irresistible temptation. So congenial, at this moment, is the love of vengeance to an Italian bosom, and though chastised in general by severe punishment, so much are criminals sympathised with by the community. March 20. — I went with Miss Talliot and Mr. Lushinoton and his sister to the great and celebrated cliurch of San Domenico Maggiore, which is the most august of the Domi- nican churches. They once possessed eighteen shrines in this part of Naples. It contains the tomb of St. Thomas Aquinas, and also the tombs of the royal family, which remain in the vestry. There are some large boxes covered with yellow velvet which contain their remains, and whicli stand ranged on a species of shelf, formed by the heads of a set of oaken presses which contain the vestments of the monks. The pictures of the kings are hung above their respective boxes, containing their bones, without any other means of preserving them. At the bottom of the lofty and narrow room is the celebrated Marquis di [Pescara], one of Charles v.'s most renowned generals, who commanded at the battle of Pavia. . . . The church itself is very large and extremely handsome, with many fine marble tombs in a very good style of architecture. The time being now nearly the second week in Lent, the cluirch was full of worshippers. [While at Naples Sir Walter wrote frequently to his daughter, to Mr. Cadell, Mr. Laidlaw, and Mr. Lockhart. The latter says, " Some of these letters were of a very melancholy cast; for the dream about his (h^l)ts being all settled Avas occasionally broken." One may ])e given here. It is undated, but was written some time after receiving the news of the death of his little grandson, and shows the tender relations which existed between Sir Walter and his son-in-law : — "My DKAii LocivHART, — I have written with such regularity that ... I will not recur to this painful sul)ject. 1832.] JOUEXAL. 88 C<( I hope also I have found you both persuaded that the best thing you can do, both of you, is to come out here, where you would find an inestimable source of amusement, many pleasant people, and living in very peaceful and easy society. I wrote you a full account of my own matters, but I have now more complete [information]. I am ashamed, for the first time in my life, of the two novels, but since the pensive public have taken them, there is no more to be said but to eat my pudding and to hold my tongue. Another thing of great interest rec|uires to be specially mentioned. You may remember a work in which our dear and accomplished friend Lady Louisa condescended to take an oar, and which she has handled most admirably. It is a supposed set of extracts relative to James Yi. from a collection in James vi.'s time, the costume (]) admirably pre- served, and, like tlie fashionable wigs, more natural than one's own hair. This, with the Lives of the Novelists and some other fragments of my Avreck, went ashore in Constable's, and were sold off to the highest bidder, viz., to Cadell, for himself and me. I wrote one or two fragments in the same style, which I wish should, according to original intention, appear without a name, and were they fairly lightly let oft' there is no fear of their making a blaze. I sent the Avhole packet either to yourself or Cadell, with the recjuest. The copy, Avhich I conclude is in your hands by the time this reaches you, might be set up as speedily and quietly as possible, taking some little care to draw the public attention to you, and consulting Ladj- Louisa about the proofs. The fun is that our excellent friend had forgot the whole affair till I reminded her of her kindness, and was somewhat inclined, like Lady Teazle, to deny the butler and the coach-horse. I have no doubt, however, she will be disposed to bring the matter to an end. The mode of publication I fancy you will agree should rest with Cadell. So, providing that the copy come to hand, which it usually does, though not very regularly, you will do me the kindness to get it out. My story of Malta Avill be with you by the time you have finished the Letters, and if it succeeds it will in a great measure enable me to attain the long projected and very desirable object of clear- ing me from all old encumbrances and expiring as rich a man as I could desire in my own freehold. And when you recollect that this has been wrought out in six years, the sum amounting to at least £1 20,000, it is somewhat of a novelty in literature. I shall be as happy and rich as I please 888 JOUPvNAL. [Makch 1832. for the last clays of my life, and play the good papa with my family Avithout thinking on pounds, shillings, and pence. Cadell, Avith so fair a prospect before him, is in high spirits, as you "will suppose, but I had a most uneasy time from the interruption of our correspondence. However, thank God, it is all as well as I could wish, and a great deal better than I ventured to hope. After the Siege of Malta I intend to close the [series] of JVaverley with a poem in the style of the Lay, or rather of the Lady of the Lake, to be a L'Envoy, or final postscript to these tales. The subject is a curious tale of chivalry belonging to Rhodes. Sir Frederick Adam will give me a cast of a steam-boat to visit Greece, and you will come and go with me. We live in a Palazzo, which with a coach and the supporters thereof does not, table included, cost £120 or £130 a month. So you mil add nothing to our expenses, but give us the great pleasure of assisting you when I fear literary things have a bad time. We will return to Europe through Germany, and see what peradventure we shall behold. I have written repeatedly to 3'ou on this subject, for you would really like this country extremely. You cannot tread on it but you set your foot upon some ancient history, and you cannot make scruple, as it is the same thing whether you or I are paymaster. My health continues good, and bettering, as the Yankees say. I have gotten a choice manuscript of old English Romances, left here by Richard, and for which I know I have got a lad can copy them at a shilling a day. The King has granted me liberty to carry it home with me, which is very good-natured. I expect to secure some- thing for the Roxburghe Clul). Our posts begin to get more regular. I hope dear baby is getting better of its accident, poor soul. — Love to Sophia and Walter. Your affectionate Father, Walter Scott.] APEIL. Ajjril 15, Naples. — I am on the eve of leaving Naples after a residence of three or four months, my strength strongly retnrning, though the weather has been very un- certain. What M'ith the interruption occasioned by the cholera and other inconveniences, I have not done much. I have sent home only the letters by L. L. Stuart and three volumes of the Siege of INIalta, I sent them by Lord Cowper's son — Mr. Cowper returning, his leave being out — and two chests of books by the Messrs. Turner, Malta, who are to put them on board a vessel, to be forwarded to Mr. Cadell through Whittaker. I have hopes they will come to hand safe. I have bouoht a small closing carriacje, warranted new and English, cost me £200, for the con- venience of returning home. It carries Anne, Charles, and the two servants, and we start to-morrow morning for Eome, after which we shall be starting homeward, for the Greek scheme is blown up, as Sir Frederick Adam is said to be going to Madras, so he will be unable to send a frigate as promised. I have spent on the expenses of medical persons and books, etc., a large sum, yet not excessive. ]\Ieantime we [may] have to add a curious journey of it. The brigands, of whom there are so many stories, are afloat once more, and many carriages stopped. A curious and popular work would be a history of these ruffians. Washington Irving has attempted something of the kind, 8S9 890 JOUENAL. [Apkil ]»ut tlie person attempting tliis should be an Italian, per- fectly acquainted with his country, character, and manners. Mr. E , an apothecary, told me a singular [occurrence] which happened in Calabria about six years ago, and whicli I may set down just now as coming from a respectable authority, though I do not [vouch it]. Death of II Btzarko. This man was called, from his wily but inexorable temper, II Bizarro, i.e. the Bizar. He was captain of a gang of banditti, whom he governed by his own authority, till he increased them to 1000 men, both on foot and horseback, whom he maintained in the mountains of Calabria, between the French and Neapolitans, both of which he defied, and pillaged the country. High rewards were set upon his head, to very little purpose, as he took care to guard himself against being betrayed by his own gang, the common fate of those banditti who become great in their vocation. At length a French colonel, whose name I have forgot, occupied the country of Bizarro, with such success that he formed a cordon around him and his party, and included him between the folds of a military column. Well-nigh driven to submit himself, the robber with his wife, a very handsome woman, and a child of a few months old, took a position beneath the arch of an old bridge, and, by an escape almost miraculous, were not perceived by a strong party whom the French maintained on the top of the arch. Night at length came without a discovery, which every moment might have made. When it became quite dark, the brigand, enjoining strictest silence on the female and child, resolved to steal from his place of shelter, and as they issued forth, kept his hand on the child's throat. But as, when they began to move, the child naturally cried, its father in a rage stiffened his grip so relentlessly that the poor infant never offended more in 1832.] JOURXAL. 891 tlie samfi manner. This horrid [act] led to the conclusion of the robber's life. His wife liad never been very fond of him, though he trusted her more than any who approached him. She had been originally the wife of another man, murdered by her second husband, which second marriage she was compelled to undergo, and to affect at least the conduct of an affection- ate wife. In their wanderings she alone knew where he slept for the night. He left his men in a body upon the top of an open hill, round which they set watches. He then went apart into the woods with his wife, and having chosen a glen — an obscure and deep thicket of the woods, there took up his residence for the night. A large Calabrian sheep- dog, his constant attendant, was then tied to a tree at some distance to secure his slumbers, and having placed his carabine within reach of his lair, he consigned himself to such sleep as belongs to his calling. By such precautions he had secured his rest for many years. But after the death of the child, the measure of his offence towards the unhappy mother was full to the lirim, and her thoughts became determined on revenge. One evening he took up his quarters for the night with these precautions, Init without the usual success. He had laid his carabine near him, and betaken himself to rest as usual, when his partner arose from his side, and ere he became sensible she had done so, she seized [his carabine], and dis- charging [it] in his bosom, ended at once his life and crimes. She finished her work by cutting off the brigand's head, and carrying it to the principal town of the province, where she delivered it to the police, and claimed the reward attached to his head, which was paid accordingly. This female still lives, a stately, dangerous-looking woman, yet scarce ill thought of, considering the provocation. The dog struggled extremely to get loose on hearing the shot. Some say the female shot it ; others that, in its rage. 892 JOURNAL. [April it very nearly gnawed through the stout }' oung tree to which it was tied. He was worthy of a better master. The distant encampment of the band was disturbed by the firing of the Bizarro's carabine at midnight. They ran through the woods to seek the captain, but finding liim life- less and headless, they became so much surprised that many of them surrendered to the government, and relinquished their trade, and the band of Bizarro, as it lived by his ingenuity, broke up by liis death. A story is told nearly as horrible as the above, respect- ing the cruelty of this bandit, which seems to entitle him to be called one of the most odious wretches of his name. A French officer, who had been active in the pursiiit of him, fell into his hands, and was made to die [the death] of Marsyas or Saint Polycarp — tliat is, the period being the middle of summer, he was flayed alive, and, being smeared with honey, was exposed to all tlie intolerable insects of a southern sky. Tlie corps were also informed where they might find their officer if tliey thought proper to send for him. As more than two days elapsed before the wretched man was found, nothing save his miserable relics could be discovered. T do not warrant these stories, but such are told currently. [Tour from ]^cq)lcs to Rornc\ April IG. — Having remained several months at Naples, we resolved to take a tour to Eome during the Holy AVeek and view tlie ecclesiastical shows which take place, although diminished in splendour liy the Pope's poverty. So on the 15 th we set out from Naples, my children unwell. We passed througli the Champ de Mars,^ and so on by the Terra di Lavoro, a rich and fertile country, and breakfasted at St. Agatha, a wretched place, but we had a disagreeable experience. I had purchased a travelling carriage, assured that it was Euf^lisli-built nnd ^ Paese del Marsl or Marsica, 1832.] JOURNAL. 893 all that. However, when we were half a mile on our journey, a bush started and a wheel came off, but by dint of contrivances we fought our way back to Agatha, where we had a miserable lodging and wretched dinner. The people were civil, however, and no bandits abroad, being kept in awe by the escort of the King of "Westphalia,^ who was on his road to Naples. The wheel was effectually repaired, and at seven in the morning we started with some apprehension of suffering from crossing the very moist marshes called the Pontine Bogs, which lie between Naples and Eome. This is not the time when these exhalations are most dangerous, though they seem to be safe at no time. We remarked the celebrated Capua, which is distinguished into the new and old. The new Capua is on the banks of the river A^olturno, which conducts its waters into the moats. It is still a place of some strength in modern war. The approach to the old Capua is obstructed by an ancient bridge of a singular construction, and consists of a number of massive towers half ruined. "We did not pass very near to them, but the site seems very strong. AVe passed Sinuessa or Sessa, an ancient Greek town, situated not far from shore. The road from Naples to Capua resembles an orchard on both sides, but, alas ! it runs through these infernal marshes, which there is no shunning, and which the example of many of my friends proves to be exceeding dangerous. The road, though it has the appearance of winding among hills, is in fact, on the left side, limited by the sea-coast running northward. It comes into its more proper line at a cele- brated sea-marsh called Cameria,- concerning which the oracle said " Nc viovcas Camarinam," and the transgression ^ Jerome Bonaparte, ex-Kiug of Bogs had recalled to Sir Walter Westphalia. the ancient proverb relating to - The sea marsh " Cameria " is Camariua, that Sicilian city on the not indicated in the latest maps of marsh " which Fate forbad to Italy, but it would appear that drain." — Conington's Virfjil {^En. some such name in the Pontine iii. 700-1). 894 JOURNAL. [April of which precept brought on a pestilence. The road here is a wild pass bounded by a rocky precipice; on one hand covered with wild shrubs, flowers, and plants, and on the other by the sea. After this we came to a military position, where Murat used to quarter a body of troops and cannonade the English gunboats, which were not slow in returning the compliment. The English then garrisoned Italy and Sicily under Sir [John Stuart]. AVe supped at this place, half fitted up as a barrack, half as an inn. (The place is now called Terracina.) Near this a round tower is shown, termed the tomb of Cicero, which may be doubted. I ought, before quitting Terracina, to have mentioned the view of the town and castle of Gaeta from the Pass. It is a castle of great strength. I should have mentioned Aversa, remarkable for a house for insane persons, on the humane plan of not agi- tating their passions. After a long pilgrimage on this beastly road we fell asleep in spite of warnings to the contrary, and before we beat the reveille were within twenty miles of the city of Iiome. I think I felt the efiects of the bad air and dam}) in a very bad headache. After a steep climb up a slippery ill-paved road A^elletri received us, and acconnnodated us in an ancient villa or chateau, the original habitation of an old noble. I would have liked much to have taken a look at it ; but 1 am tired by my ride. I fear my time for such researches is now gone. ]\Ionte Albanu, a pleasant i)lace, should also ha mentioned, especially a forest of grand oaks, which leads you pretty directly into the vicinity of Iiome. My son Charles had requested the favour of our friend Sir William Gell to bespeak a lodging, which, considering his bad healtli, was scarcely fair. My daughter had imposed the same favour, but they had omitted to give i^recise direction how- to correspond with their friends concerning the execution of tlieir commission. So there we were, as we had reason to think, possessed of two apartments and not knowing 1832.] JOUENAL. 895 the [way] to any of them. We entered Eoiiie by a gate ^ renovated by one of the old Pontiffs, but which, I forget, and so paraded the streets by moonlight to discover, if possible, some appearance of the learned Sir AVilliam Gell or the pretty Mrs. Ashley. At length we found our old servant mIio guided us to the lodgings taken bv Sir "VVilliiun Gell, where all was comfortable, a good fire included, which our fatigue and the chilliness of the night required. AVe dispersed as soon as we had taken some food, wine and water. We slept reasonably, but on the next mornin< ig FINIS. ^ Porta S. Cliovamn, rebuilt liy (Jregory xiii. in lo74. A P P E N L) I X. Scott's letters to Ersktne. — P. Gl. Sir Walter was in the habit of consulting him in those matters more than any of his other friends, having great reliance upon his critical skill. The, manuscripts of all his poems, and also of the earlier of his prose works, were submitted to Kinnedder's judgment, and a considerable correspondence on these subjects had taken place ])etwixt them, which would, no doubt, have constituted one of the most interesting series of letters Sir ^Y alter had left. Lord Kinnedder was a man of retired habits, but little known except to those with whom he lived on terms of intimacy, and by whom he was much esteemed, and being naturally of a re- markably sensitive mind, he was altogether overthrown by the circumstance of a report having got abroad of some alleged indiscretions on his part in which a lady was also implicated. Whether the report had any foundation in truth or not, I am altogether ignorant, but such an allegation affecting a person in his situation in life as a judge, and doing such violence to the susceptibility of his feelings, had the effect of bringing a severe illness which in a few days terminated his life. I never saw Sir Walter so much affected by any event, and at the funeral, which he attended, he was c^uite unable to suppress his feelings, l)ut wept like a child. The family, suddenly bereft of their pro- tector, were young, orphans, their mother, daughter of Professor John Robertson, having previously died, found also that they had to struggle against embarrassed circumstances ; neither had they any near relative in Scotland to take charge of their affairs. But a lady, a friend of the family. Miss M , was active in their service, and it so happened, in the course of arranging their affairs, the packet of letters from Sir Walter Scott, con- taining the whole of his correspondence with Lord Kinnedder, came into her hands. She very soon discovered that the correspondence laid open the secret of the authorship of the 89r 3l 898 APPENDIX. Waverley Novels, at that period the subject of general and intense interest, and as yet unacknowledged by Sir Walter. Considering what under these circumstances it was her duty to do, whether to I'eplace the letters and suffer any accident to bring to light what tlie author seemed anxious might remain unknown, or to seal them up, and keep them in her own custody undivixlged — or finally to destroy them in order to preserve the secret, — with, no doubt, the best and most upright motives, so far as her own judgment enabled her to decide in the matter, in which she was unable to take advice, without betraying what it was her object to respect, she came to the resolution, most un- fortunately for the world, of destroying the letters. And, ac- cordingly, the whole of them were committed to the flames ; depriving the descendants of Lord Kinnedder of a possession which could not fail to be much valued by them, and which, in connection with Lord Kinnedder 's letters to Sir Walter, which are doubtless preserved, would have been equally valuable to the public, as containing the contemporary opinions, prospects, views, and sentiments under which these works were sent forth into the world. It would also have been curious to learn the unbiased impression which the different Avorks created on the mind of such a man as Lord Kinnedder, before the collision of public opinion had suffused its influence over the opinions of people in general in this matter. — Skene's Reminiscences. No. 11. Letter from Mr. Carlyle referred to on page 574.^ Edinburgh, 21 Comely Bank, IWi April 1828. Sir, — In February last I had the honour to receive a letter from Vou Goethe, announcing the speedy de})arture, from Weimar, of a Packet for me, in Avhich, among other valuables, should be found " two medals," to be delivered " tnit ver- hindlichsten Grilssen " to Sir Walter Scott. By a slow enough conveyance this Kiistchen, with its medals in perfect safet}^, has at length yesterday come to hand, and now laj's on me the enviable duty of addressing you. Among its multifarious contents, the Weimar Box failed not to include a long letter — -considerable portion of which, as it virtually belongs to yourself, you will now allow me to transcribe. Perhaps it were thriftier in me to reserve this for another occasion ; but considering how seldom such a Writer obtains such a Critic, I cannot but reckon it pity that this friendly interview between them should be anywise delayed. " Sehen Sie Herrn Walter Scott, so sagen Sie ihm auf das verbindlichste in meinem Namen Dank fiir den lieben heitern Brief, gerade in dem schonen Sinne geschrieben, dass der Mensch 1 It is much to be regretted that have seen Scott subsequently, as Scott and Carlyle never met. The he depicts him in the memorable probable explanation is that the words, "Alas! his fine Scottish admirable letter now printed in face, with its sliaggy honesty and extenso, coming into a house where goodness, when \ve saw it latterly there was sickness, and amid the tur- in tlie Edinburgh streets, was all moil of London life, was carefully laid worn with care — the joy all fled aside for reply at a more convenient from it, and ploughed deep with season. This season, unfortunately, labour and sorrow." never came. Scott did not return Mr. Lockhart once said to a friend to Scotland until June 3d, and by that he regretted that they had that time Carlyle had left Edin- never met, and gave as a reason the burgh and settled at Craigen- state of Scott's health, piittock. lie must, however, 899 900 APPENDIX. (lem Menschen werth seyn miisse. So auch habe icli (lessen Leben Napoleon's erhalten unci solches in diesen Winter- abenden und Nachten von Anfang bis zu Ende mit Aufmerksam- keit durchgelesen, "Mir war hochst bedeutend zu sehen, wie sich der erste Erziihler des Jahrhunderts einem so ungemeinen Geschaft unterzieht und uns die iiberAvichtigen Begebenheiten, deren Zeuge zu seyn wir gezwungen "wurden, in fertigem Zuge A'or- iiberfiihrt. Die Abtheilung durch Capitel in grosse zusammen- g'ehorige Massen giebt den verschlungenen Ereignissen die reinste Fasslichkeit, und so wird dann auch der Vortrag des Einzelnen auf das unschatzbarste deutlich und anschaulich. " Ich las es im Original, und da wirkte es ganz eigentlich seiner Natur nach. Es ist ein patriotischer Britte der spricht, der die Handlungen des Feindes nicht wohl mit giinstigen Augen ansehen kann, der als ein rechtlicher Staatsbiirger zu- gleich mit den Unternehmungen der Politik audi die Forderun- gen der Sittliclikeit befriedigt wiinscht, der den Gegner, im frechen Laufe des Crliicks, mit unseligen Folgen bedroht, und auch im bittersten Verfall ihn kaum bedauern kann. " Und so war m.ir noch ausserdem das Werk von der grossten Bedeutung, indem es mich an das Miterlebte theils erinnerte, theils mir manches Uebersehene neu vorfiihrte, mich auf einem unerwarteten Standpunkt versetzte, mir zu erwiigen gab was ich fiir abgeschlossen hielt, und besonders auch mich befiihigte die Gegner dieses wichtigen Werkes, an denen es nicht fehlen kann, zu beurtheilen und die Einwendungen, die sie von ihrer Seite vortragen, zu wiirdigen. Sie sehen hieraus dass zu Ende des Jahres koine luihere Gabe hiitte zu mir gelangen konnen. Es ist dieses "Werk mir zu einem goldenen Netz geworden, womit ich die Schattenbilder meines vergangenen Lebens aus den Letheischen Fluthen mit reichem Zu2:e heraufzufischen mich beschaftis-e. " Uugefahr dasselbige denke ich in dem niichsteu Stiicke von Kiinst unci AUerilmm zu sagen, wo sie auch einiges Heitere iiber " With regard to the medals, which are, as I expected, the two well-known likenesses of Goethe himself, it could be no hard matter to dispose of them safely here, or transmit them to you, if you required it, without delay : but being in this curious fashion appointed as it were Ambassador between two Kings APPENDIX. 901 of Poetry, I would willingly discharge my missiou with the solemnity that beseems such a business, and naturally it must flatter my vanity and love of the marvellous, to think that, by means of a Foreigner Avhom I have never seen, I might now have access to my native Sovereign, whom I have so often seen in public and so often wished that I had claim to see and know in private and near at hand. — Till Whitsunday I continue to reside here ; and shall hope that some time before that period I may have opportunity to wait on you, and, as m^' commission bore, to hand you these memorials in person. Meanwhile I abide your further orders in this matter ; and so, Avith all the regard which belongs to one to whom I in common with other millions owe so much, — I have the honour to be. Sir, most respectfully your servant, Thomas Caklyle. Besides the tivo medals specially intended for you, there have come four more, which I am requested generally to dispose of amongst " JFohhcoIIendenJ' Perhaps Mr. Lockhart, whose merits in respect of German Literature, and just appreciation of this its Patriarch and Guide, are no secret, will do me the honour to accept of one and direct me through your means how I am to have it conveyed ? Translation of the Letter from Goethe. " Should you see Sir "Walter Scott, be so kind as return to ' him my most grateful thanks for his dear and cheerful letter, — a letter written in just that beautiful temper which makes one man feel himself to be worth something to another. Say, too, that I received his Life of Napoleon, and have read it this winter — in the evening and at night — with attention from besinnina; to end. To me it was full of meaning; to observe how the first novelist of the century took upon himself a task and business, so apparently foreign to him, and passed under review with rapid stroke those important events of which it had been our fate to l)e eye-witnesses. The division into chapters, embracing masses of intimately connected events, gives a clearness to the historical sequence that otherwise might have been only too easily confused, while, at the same time, the individual events in each chapter are described with a clearness and a vividness quite invaluable. I read the work in the original, and the impression it made upon me was thus free from the disturbing influence of a foreign 902 APPENDIX. medium. I found myself listening to the words of a patriotic Briton, who finds it impossible to regard the actions of the enemy with a favourable eye, — an honest citizen this, whose desire is, that while political considerations shall always receive due weight, the demands of morality shall never be over- looked ; one Avho, Avhile the enemy is borne along in his wanton course of good fortune, cannot forbear to point with warning finger to the inevitable consequences, and in his bitterest disaster can with difficulty find him worthy of a tear. The book was in yet another respect of the greatest import- ance to me, in that it brought back to my remembrance events through which I had lived — now showing me much that I had overlooked, now transplanting me to some unexpected stand- point, thus forcing me to reconsider a question which I had looked upon as settled, and in a special manner putting me in a position to pass judgment upon the unfavourable critics of this book — for these cannot fail — and to estimate at their true value the objec- tions which are sure to be made from their side. From all this you will understand hoAv the end of last year could have brought with it no gift more welcome to me than this book. The work has become to me as it were a golden net, wherewith I can recover from out the AvaA'es of Lethe the shadowy pictures of my past life, and in that rich draught I am finding my present employment. I intend making a few remarks to the same purpose in the next nnmhev o{ Kunst und AlterthuinJ ... No. III. Contents of the Volume of Irish Manuscript referred to on page 703, 1. The rudiments of an Irish Grammar and Prosody: the first leaf wanting. 2. The Book of Bir/hts; giving an account of ye rents and ^ This purpose Goethe seems to page GGS), the following entiy is have carried out, for in tlie "Chrono- found: — "1S27. Uel)er neuei'e logic" wliich is printed in the two- franzosische Literatur. — Ueber chi- volume edition of his -works, pub- ncsischeCedichtc. — Ueber dasLehen lished at Stutt^'art 18.37 (vol. ii. Xapoleon^s von Waller Scott." APPENDIX. 903 subsidies of the kings and princes of Ireland. It is said to have (been) written by Beinin MacSescnen, tlie Psalmist of Saint Patrick. It is entirely in verse, exce2)t a few sentences of prose taken from ye booke of Glandelogli. 3. A short ]ioem giving an account of ye disciples and favour- ites of St. Patrick. 4. A poem of Eochy Flyn's ; giving an account of the followers of Partholan, the first invader of Ireland after the flood. 5. A poem written by Macliag, Brian Boruay's poet Laureat. It gives an account of the twelve sons of Kennedy, son of Lorcan, Brian's father ; and of ye Dalcassian race in general. G. A book of annals from the year 976 to 1014, including a good account of the battle of Clontarf, etc. 7. A collection of Historical poems by different authors, such as Dugan, etc., and some extracts, as they seem, from the psalter of Cashill, written by Cormac-mac-Cuilinan, Archbishop and King of Leath Mogha, towards the Ijeginning or middle of the ninth century; Cobhach Carmon and Heagusahave their part in these poems. In them are interspersed many other miscellaneous tracts, among which is one called Sgeul-an-Erin, but deficient, wherein mention is made of Garbh mac Stairn, said to be slain by Cuchullin ; a treatise explaining the Ogham manner of writing which is preserved in this book ; the privileges of the several kings and princes of Ireland, in making their tours of the Kingdom, and taking their seats at the Feis of Tara ; and an antient moral and political poem as an advice to princes and chieftains, other poems and prophecies, etc., chronological and religious, disposed in no certain order. 8. The last will and testament of Cormac-mac-Cuilinan in verse. 9. The various forms of the Ogham. 10. The death of Cuchullin, an antient story interspersed with poems, which, if collected, would contain the entire sub- stance of the composition, which is very good (except in one instance) and founded on real fact. 11. The bloody revenge of Conall Cearnach for the death of Cuchullin. This may be considered as the sequel of the preced- ing story, and of equal authority and antiquit3^ It is written in the very same style, and contains a beautiful elegy on Cuchullin by his wife Eimhir. 904 APPENDIX. 12. The death of Cormac Con luings, written in the same style with the foregoing stories. 13. The genealogies of all ye principal Irish and Anglo Norman families of Ireland to the end. 1 4. A very good copy of the Cath-Gabhra. " The above table of contents is in the handwriting of Dr. Mcatthew Young, late Bishop of Clonfert, a man possessing the highest talents and learning, and who had been acquainted with the Irish language from his infancy. J. B. " No. IV. "^ Former Empress." — P. 865. The Church of fSanta Maria del Carmine contains relics dear alike to the romance of democracy and empire. It was from this church that Masaniello harangued the fickle populace in vain ; it was here that he was despatched by three bandits in the pay of the Duke of Maddaloni ; and here he found an honourable interment during a rapid reflux of popular favour. In this church, too, lies Conradin the last prince of the great house of Suabia, Avith his companion in arms and in death, Frederic, son of the Margrave of Baden, with pretensions, through his mother, to the Dukedom of Austria. The features of the mediieval building have long since been obliterated by reconstructions of the 17th and 18th centuries, while round the tomb of Conradin a tissue of fictions has been woven by the piety and fondness of after times. The sceptics of modern re- search do not, however, forbid us to believe that there may be an element of truth in the beautiful legend of the visit and benefactions of Elizabeth Margaret of Bavaria, the widowed mother of Conradin, erroneously dignified with the title of Empress, to the resting-place of her son. Her statue in the convent, with a purse in her hand, seems to attest the tale, which was no doubt related to the Scottish Poet, and may well have stirred his fancy. What the epitaph was which he copied we cannot now determine. It is not pretended that the unhappy lady was buried here, but two inscriptions commemorate the ferocity of Charles of Anjou, and the vicissitudes of fortune which befell his victims. One, believed to be of great antiquity, is attached to a cross or pillar erected at the place uf execu- APPENDIX. 905 tion. It breathes the insoh nee of the conqueror mingled with a barbarous humour embodied in a play on words — for " Asturis " has a double reference to the kite and to the place "Astura," at which the fugitive Princes were captured : " Asturis ungue Leo Pullum rapiens Aquilinutu Hie deplumavit, acephalumque dedit." The other lines, in the Church, of more modern date, are con- ceived in a humauer spirit, and may possibly be those which touched the heart of the old worshipper of chivalry. Ossibvs et memorite Conradini de Stovffen, vltiini ex sva progenie Sveviaj dvcis, Conradi Rom. Regis F. et Friderici li. imp. nepotis, qui cvm Siciliie et Apvlias regna exercitv valido, xti hereditaria vindicare proposvisset, aCarolo Aiidegavio i. hvivsnominis rege Franco cseperani in agro Palento victvs et debellatvs extitit, deniqve captvs cvm Frederico de Asb\Tgli vltinio ex linea Avstrise dvce, itineris, ac eivsdeni fort^Tite sotio, liic cvm aliis (proli scelvs) a victore rege secvri percvssvs est. Pivm Neap, coriariorvm coUegivm, hvmanarvm miseriarvm niemor, loco in a-dicvlam redacto, illorvm memoriam ab interitv conservavit. (For the details of the death of Conradin and the stories connected with his memory see Summonte, Storia di Napoli, vol. ii. Celano, Notizie di Ncqyoli Giornata Quaria, and St. Priest, Hisioire de la Conquete de Ncqjles, vol. iii.) N. No. Y. " Mother Goose's Tales," p. 873. The folloicing note ly a distinguished cmthoritij on Nvrsery Tales, will he read loiih interest. " It is unfortunate that Sir Walter Scott did not record in his Diary the dates of the Neapolitan collection of ' Mother Goose's Tales,' and of the early French editions with which he Avas acquainted. He may possibly have meant Basile's Lo Cunto de li cunti (Naples, 1637-44 and 1645), Avhich contains some stories analogous to those which Scott mentions. There can be no doubt, however, that France, not Italy, can claim the shapes of Bhie Beard, The Sleeping Beauty, Puss in Boots, and the other ' Tales of Mother Goose,' which are known best in England. Other forms of these nursery traditions exist, indeed, not only in Italian, but in most European and some Asiatic and African languages. But their classical shape in literature is that which 906 APPENDIX. Charles Perrault gave them, in his Conks de via Mere VOie., of 1697. Among the 'early French editions' which Sir Walter knew, probably none Avere older than Dr. Donee's copy of 1707, now in the Bodleian. The British Musenm has no early copy. There was an example of the First Edition sold in the Hamilton sale : another, or the same, in blue morocco, belonged to Charles Nodier, and is described in his Melanges. The only specimen in the Public Libraries of Paris is in the Biblio- theque Victor Cousin. It is j^robable that the 'dumpy duo- decimo ' in the Neapolitan dialect, seen by Scott, was a transla- tion of Perrault's famous little work. The stories in it, which are not in the early French editions, may be LAdroite Frincesse, by a lady friend of Perrault's, and Peuu d'Ane in prose, a tale which Perrault told only in verse. These found their way into French and Flemish editions after 1707. Our earliest English translation seems to be that of 1729, and the name of 'Mother Goose ' does not appear to occur in English literature before that date. It is probably a translation of 'Ma Mere I'Oie,' who gave her name to such old wives' fables in France long before Perrault's time, as the spider, Ananzi, gives his name to the 'Nancy Stories' of the negroes in the West Indies. Among Scott's Century of Inventions, unfulfilled projects for literary work, few are more to be regretted than his intended study of the origin of Popular Tales, a topic no longer thought ' obnoxious to ridicule.'" — A. L. No. VI. " The Journey Home," from Mr. Lockhart's Life, vol. x. pp. 198-218. " The last jotting of Sir AValter's Diaiy — perhaps the last specimen of his handwriting — records his starting from Naples on the 16th of April. After the 11th of May the story can hardly be told too briefly. " The irritation of impatience, which had for a moment been suspended by the aspect and society of Rome, returned the moment he found himself on the road, and seemed to increase hourly. His companions could with difficulty prevail on him to see even the falls of Terni, or the church of Santa Croce at Florence. On the 1 7th, a- cold and dreary day, they passed the Apennines, and dined on the top of the mountains. The snow and the pines recalled Scotland, and he expressed pleasure at the sight of them. That night they reached Bologna, but he would see none of the interesting objects there — and next day, hurrying in like manner through Ferrara, he j^roceeded as fcir as Monselice. On the 19tli he arrived at Venice; and he remained there till the 23d ; but showed no curiosity about anything except the Bridge of Sighs and the adjoining dungeons — down into which he would scramble, though the exertion was exceedingly painful to him. On the other historical features of that place — one so sure in other days to have inexhaustible attractions for him — he would not even look ; and it was the same with all that he came within reach of — even with the fondly anticipated chapel at Inspruck — as they proceeded through the Tyrol, and so onwards, by Munich, Ulm, and Hei- delberg, to Frankfort. Here (June 5) he entered a bookseller's shop ; and the people, seeing an English J^arty, brought out among the first things a lithographed print of Abbotsford. He said — 'I know that already, sir,' and hastened back to the inn Avithout being recognised. Though in some parts of the journey they had very severe weather, he repeatedly wished to travel all the night as well as all the day; and the symptoms of an approaching fit were so obvious, that he was more than once bled, ere they reached Mayence, by the hand of his affectionate domestic. 907 908 APPENDIX. "At this town we embarked, on the 8th June, in the Rhine steam-boat ; and while they descended the famous river through its most picturesque region, he seemed to enjoy, though he said nothing, the perhaps unrivalled scenery it presented to him. His eye was fixed on the successive crags and castles, and ruined monasteries, each of which had been celebrated in some German ballad familiar to his ear, and all of them blended in the immortal panorama of Childe Harold. But so soon as they had passed Cologne, and nothing but flat shores, and here and there a grove of poplars and a village spire were offered to the vision, the weight of misery sunk down again upon him. It was near Niraeguen, on the evening of the 9th, that he sustained another serious attack of apoplexy, combined with paralysis. Nicolson's lancet restored, after the lapse of some minutes, the signs of animation ; but this was the crowning blow. Next day he insisted on resuming his journey, and on the 11th was lifted into an English steam-boat at Rotterdam. "He reached London about six o'clock on the evening of Wednesday the 13th of June. Owing to the unexpected rapidity of the journey, his eldest daughter had had no notice when to expect him ; and fearful of finding her either out of town, or unprepared to receive him and his attendants under her roof, Charles Scott drove to the St. James's hotel in Jermyn Street, and established his quarters there before he set out in quest of his sister and myself. When we reached the hotel, he recognised us with many marks of tenderness, but signified that he was totally exhausted ; so no attempt was made to remove him further, and he was put to bed immediately. Dr. Ferguson saw him the same night, and next day Sir Henry Halford and Dr. Holland saw him also ; and during the next three weeks the two latter visited him daily, while Ferguson was scarcely absent from his pillow. The Major was soon on the spot. To his children, all assembled once more about him, he repeatedly gave his blessing in a very solemn manner, as if expecting immediate death ; but he was never in a condition for conversation, and sunk either into sleep or delirious stupor upon the slightest effort. " Mrs. Tliomas Scott came to town as soon as she hearJ of his arrival, and remained to help us. She was more than once recognised and tlianked. Mr. Cadell, too, arrived fiom Edin- burgh, to render any assistancfl in his power. I think Sir Walter saw no other of his friends except Mr. John Richardson, and him only once. As usual, he Avoke up at the sound of a familiar voice, and made an attempt to put forth his hand, but it dropped powerless, and he said, Avith a smile — ' Excuse my APPENDIX. 909 hand.' Richardson made a struggle to suppress his emotion. and, after a moment, got out something about Abbotsford and the woods, Avhich he had happened to see shortly before. The eye brightened, and he said — ' How does Kirklands get on '? ' Mr. Eichardson had lately purchased the estate so called on the Teviot, and Sir ^Valter had left him busied Avith plans of building. His friend told him that his new house was begun, and that the Marquis of Lothian had very kindly lent him one of his own, meantime, in its vicinity. ' Ay, Lord Lothian is a good man,' said Sir Walter ; ' he is a man from Avhom one may receive a favour, and that 's saying a good deal for any man in these days.' The stupor then sank back upon him, and Richardson never heard his voice again. This state of things continued till the beginning of July. " During these melancholy weeks great interest and sympathy were manifested. Allan Cunningham mentions that, walking home late one night, he found several working-men standing together at the corner of Jermyn Street, and one of them asked him, as if tliere was but one deathbed in London — ' Do you know, sir, if this is the street Avhere he is lying 1 ' The inquiries both at the hotel and at my huuse were incessant ; and I think there was hardly a member of the royal family who did not send every day. The newspapers teemed with paragraphs about Sir Walter ; and one of these, it appears, threw out a sui^gestion that his travels had exhausted his pecuniary resources, and that if he were capable of reflection at all, cares of that sort might probably harass his pillovr. This paragrapli came from a Aery ill-informed, but, I daresay, a well-meaning quarter. It caught the attention of some members of the Government ; and, in consequence, I received a private communication, to the effect that, if the case were as stated. Sir Walter's family had only to say what sum would relieve him from embarrassment, and it Avould be immediately advanced by the Treasury. The then Paymaster of the Forces, Lord John Russell, had the delicacy to convey this message through a lady with whose friendship he knew us to be honoured.^ We expressed our grateful sense of his politeness, and of the liberality of the Government, and I now beg leave to do so once more ; but his Lordship Avas of course informed that Sir Walter Scott Avas not situated as the journalist had represented. "Dr. Ferguson's memorandum on Jermyn Street Avill be acceptable to the reader. He says : — ^ The Honourable Catherine Arden — daughter of Sir Walter's old friend Ladv Alvanley. 910 APPENDIX. " ' When I saw Sir "Walter, he was lying in the second floor back-room of the St. James's Hotel in Jermyn Street, in a state of stupor, from Avhich, however, he could be roused for a moment by being addressed, and then he recognised those about him, but immediately relapsed. I think I never saw anything more magnificent than the symmetry of his colossal bust, as he lay on the pillow with his chest and neck exposed. During the time he was in Jerm}^ Street he was calm but never collected, and in general either in absolute stupor or in a waking dream. He never seemed to know Avhere he was, but imagined himself to be still in the steam-boat. The rattling of carriages, and the noises of the street, sometimes disturbed this illusion, and then he fancied himself at the polling booth of Jedburgh, where he had been insulted and stoned. "'During the whole of this period of apparent helplessness, the great features of his character could not be mistaken. He always exhibited great self-possession, and acted his part with wonderful power whenever visited, though he relapsed the next moment into the stupor from which strange voices had roused him. A gentleman stumbled over a chair in his dark room; — he immediately started up, and though unconscious that it was a friend, expressed as much concern and feeling as if he had never been labouring under the irritability of disease. It was impossible even for those Avho most constantly saw and waited on him, in his then deplorable condition, to relax from the habitual deference which he had always inspired. He expressed his will as determinedly as ever, and enforced it with the same apt and good-natured iron}^ as he was wont to use. " ' At length his constant j^earning to return to Abbotsford induced his physicians to consent to his removal ; and the moment this Avas notified to him, it seemed to infuse new vigour into his frame. It was on a calm, clear afternoon of the 7th July that every preparation was made for his embarkation on board the steam-boat. He was placed on a chair by his faithful servant Nicolson, half-dressed, and loosely wrapt in a quilted dressing-gown. He requested Lockhart and myself to wheel him towards the light of the open window, and Ave both re- marked the vigorous lustre of his eye. He sat there silently gazing on si)ace for more than half an hour, apparently wholly occupied with his own thoughts, and having no distinct per- ception of where he was or how he came tliere. He suffered himself to be lifted into his carriage, which was surrounded by a crowd, among Avliom A\ere many gentlemen on horseback, who had loitered about to gaze on the scene. " * His children Avere deeply affected, and Mrs. Lockhart APPENDIX. 911 trembled from liead to foot, and wept bitterly. Thus surrounded b}^ those nearest to him, he alone Avas unconscious of the cause or the depth of their grief, and while yet alive seemed to be carried to his grave.' "On this his last journey Sir Walter was attended by his two daughters, ]\Ir, Cadell, and myself — and also by Dr. James Watson, who (it being impossible for Dr. Ferguson to leave town at that moment) kindly undertook to see him safe at Abbotsford. We embarked in the James Watt steam-boat, the master of which (Captain John Jamieson), as well as the agent of the proprietors, made every arrangement in their power for the convenience of the invalid. The Captain gave up for Sir Walter's use his own private cabin, which was a separate erection, a sort of cottage, on the deck ; and he seemed uncon- scious, after laid in bed there, that any new removal had oc- curred. On arriving at Newhaven, late on the 9tli, Ave found careful preparations made for his landing by the manager of the Shipping Company (Mr. Hamilton) ; and Sir Walter, prostrate in his carriage, was slung on shore, and conveyed from thence to Douglas's Hotel, in St. Andrew's Square, in the same com- plete apparent unconsciousness. Mrs. Douglas had in former days been the Duke of Buccleuch's housekeeper at Bowhill, and she and her husband had also made the most suitable provision. At a very early hour on the morning of Wednesday the 11th, we again placed him in his carriage, and he lay in the same torpid state during the first two stages on the road to Tweed- side. But as Ave descended the vale of the Gala he began to gaze about him, and by degrees it Avas obvious that he was recognising the features of that familiar landscape. Pre- sently he murmured a name or tAvo — ' Gala Water, surely — Buckholm — Torwoodlee.' As Ave rounded the hill at Ladhope, and the outline of the Eildons burst on him, he became greatly excited, and Avhen turning himself on the couch his eye caught at length his own towers, at the distance of a mile, he sprang up Avith a cry of delight. The river being in flood, Ave had to go round a few miles by Melrose bridge ; and during the time this occupied, his Avoods and house being Avithin prospect, it required occasionally both Dr. Watson's strength and mine, in addition to Nicolson's, to keep him in the carriage. After passing the bridge, the road for a couple of miles loses sight of Abbotsford, and he relapsed into his stupor ; but on gaining the bank immediately above it, his excitement became again un- governable. " Mr. LaidlaAv AA-as Avaiting at the porch, and assisted us in lilting him into the dining-room, AA'here his bed had boon pre- 912 APPENDIX. pared. He sat bewildered for a few moment-^, and then resting his eye on Laidlaw, said — 'Ha! Willie Laidlaw ! O man, how often have I thought of you!' By this time his dogs had assembled about his chair — they began to fawn upon him and lick his hands, and he alternately sobbed and smiled over them, until sleep oppressed him. " Dr, Watson, having consulted on all things with Mr. Clark- son and his father, resigned the patient to them, and returned to London. None of them could have any hope, but that of soothing irritation. Recovery was no longer to be thought of: but there might be Euthanasia. " And yet something like a ray of hope did break in upon us next morning. Sir Walter awoke perfectly conscious where he was, and expressed an ardent wish to be carried out into his garden. We procured a Bath chair from Huntly Burn, and Laidlaw and I wheeled him out before his door, and up and down for some time on the turf, and among the rose-beds, then in full bloom. The grandchildren admired the new vehicle, and would be helping in their Avay to push it about. He sat in silence, smiling placidly on them and the dogs their com- panions, and now and then admiring the house, the screen of the garden, and the flowers and trees. By and by he conversed a little, very composedl}^, with us — said he Avas happy to be at home — that he felt better than he had ever done since he left it, and would perhaps disappoint the doctors after all. " He then desired to be wheeled through his rooms, and we moved him leisurely for an hour or more up and down the hall and the great library : ' I have seen much,' he kept saying, 'but nothing like my ain liouse — give me one turn more!' He was gentle as an infant, and allowed himself to be put to bed again, the moment we told him that we thought he had had enough for one day. " Next morning he was still better. After again enjoying the Bath chair for perhaps a couple of hours out of dooi'S he desired to be drawn into the library, and placed by the central window, that he *might look down upon the Tweed. Here he expressed a wish that I should read to him, and when I asked from what book, he said — ' Need you ask 1 There is but one.' I chose the 1 4th chapter of St. John's Gospel ; he listened with mild devotion, and said when I had done — ' Well, this is a great comfoi't — I have followed you distinctl}'-, and I feel as if I were yet to be myself again.' In this placid frame he was again put to bed, and had many liours of soft slumber. " On the third day Mr. Laidlaw and I again wheeled him APPENDIX. 913 about the small piece of lawn and shrubbery in front of the house for some time; and the weather being delightful, and all the richness of summer around him, he seemed to taste fully the balmy influences of nature. The sun getting very strong, we halted the chair in a shady corner, just within the verge of his verdant arcade around the court- wall ; and breathing the coolness of the spot, he said, ' Eead me some amusing thing — read me a bit of Crabbe.' I brought out the first volume of his old favourite that I could lay hand on, and turned to what 1 remembered as one of his most favourite passages in it — the description of the arrival of the Players in the Borough, He listened with great interest, and also, as I soon perceived, with great cui'iosity. Every now and then he exclaimed, ' Capital — excellent — very good — Crabbe has lost nothing ' — and we were too well satisfied that he considered himself as hearing a new production, when, chuckling over one couplet, he said — 'Better and better — but how Avill poor Terry endure these cuts ? ' I went on with the poet's terrible sarcasms uj)on the theatrical life, and he listened eagerly, muttering, ' Honest Dan ! ' — ' Dan won't like this.' At length I reached those lines — '&■• " ' Sad happy race ! soon raised and soon depressed, Your days all passed in jeopardy and jest : Poor without prudence, with afflictions vain. Not warned by misery, nor enriched by gain.' 'Shut the book,' said Sir Walter — 'I can't stand more of this — it will touch Terry to the very quick.' ^ " On the morning of Sunday the 1 5th, he was again taken out into the little ^j/ea.saw??ce, and got as far as his favourite terrace-walk between the garden and the river, from which he seemed to survey the valley and the hills with much satisfaction. On re-entering the house he desired me to read to him from the New Testament, and after that he again called for a little of Crabbe ; but whatever I selected from that poet seemed to be listened to as if it made part of some new volume published while he was in Italy. He attended with this sense of novelty even to the tale of Phcebe Dawson, Avhich not many months before he could have repeated every line of, and which T chose for one of these readings, because, as is known to every one, it had formed tlie last solace of Mr. Fox's deathbed. On the contrary, his recollection of whatever I read from the Bible appeared to be lively ; and in the afternoon, when we made his grandson, a child of six years, repeat some of Dr. Watts' hymns ^ Terry, as the reader is aware, had been dead for more than three years. 3m 914 APPENDIX. by his chair, he .seemed also to remember them 2)erfectl3'. That evening he heard the Church service, and Avhen I was about to close the book, said — ' Why do you omit the visitation for the sick ? ' — which I added accordingly. " On Monday he remained in bed, and seemed extremely feeble ; but after breakfast on Tuesday the 17th he appeared re- vived somewhat, and was again wheeled about on the turf. Pre- sently he fell asleep in his chair, and after dozing for perhaps half an hour, started awake, and shaking the plaids we had put about him from off his shoulders, said — ' This is sad idleness. I shall forget what I have been thinking of if I don't set it down now. Take me into my own room, and fetch the keys of my desk.' He repeated this so earnestly that we could not refuse ; his daughters went into his study, opened his writing- desk, and laid paper and pens in the usual order, and I then moved him through the hall and into the spot where he had always been accustomed to work. When the chair was placed at the desk, and he found himself in the old position, he smiled and thanked us, and said — ' Now give me my pen, and leave me for a little to myself.' Sophia put the pen into his hand, and he endeavoured to close his fingers upon it, but they refused their office — it dropped on the paper. He sank back among his pillows, silent tears rolling down his cheeks ; but composing himself by and by, motioned to me to wheel him out of doors again. Laidlaw met us at the porch, and took his turn of the chair. Sir Walter, after a little while, again dropt into slumber. When he was awaking, Laidlaw^ said to me — ' Sir Walter has had a little repose.' ' No, Willie,' said he — 'no repose for Sir Walter but in the grave.' The tears again rushed from his eyes. * Friends,' said he, * don't let me expose myself — get me to bed — that 's the only place.' " With this scene ended our glimpse of daylight. Sir Walter never, I think, left his room afterwards, and hardly his bed, except for an hour or two in the middle of the day ; and after another Aveek he was unable even for this. During a few days he was in a state of painful irritation — and I saw realised all that he had himself prefigured in his doscrii)tion of the meeting between Crystal Croftangry and his paralytic friend. Dr. Koss came out from Edinburgh, bringing Avith him his wife, one of the dearest nieces of the Clerks' Table. Sir Walter with some difficulty recognised the Doctor — but, on hearing Mrs. Ross's voice, exclaimed at once — ' Isn't that Kate Hume "? ' These kind friends remained for two or three days with us. Clarkson's lancet was pronounced necessary, and the relief it afforded was, I am happy to say, very effectual. APPENDIX. 915 "After this he declined daily, Init still there was great strength to be wasted, and the process was long. He seemed, however, to suffer no bodily pain, and his mind, though hopelessly ob- scured, appeared, when there was any symptom of consciousness, to be -dwelling, with rare exceptions, on serious and solemn things ; the accent of the voice grave, sometimes awful, but never querulous, and very seldom indicative of any angry or resentful thoughts. Now and then he imagined himself to be administering justice as Sheriff; and once or twice he seemed to be ordering Tom Purdie about trees. A few times also, I am sorry to say, we could perceive that his fancy was at Jedburgh — and Burk Sir Walter escaped him in a melancholy tone. But commonly Avhatever Ave could follow him in was a fragment of the Bible (especially the Prophecies of Isaiah, and the Book of Job) — or some petition in the litany — or a verse of some psalm (in the old Scotch metrical version) — or of some of the magni- ficent hymns of the Romish ritual, in Avhich he had alwaj's delighted, but which probably hung on his memory now in connection with the Church services he had attended while in Italy. We very often heard distinctly the cadence of the Dies Irce ; and I think the very last stanza that we could make out was the first of a still greater favourite : — " ' Stabat Mater dolorosa, Juxta crucem laclirymosa, Dum pendebat Filius.' " All this time he continued to recognise his daughters, Laidlaw, and myself, whenever we spoke to him — and received every attention with a most touching thankfulness. Mr. Clark- sou, too, was always saluted with the old courtesy, though the cloud opened but a moment for him to do so. Most truly might it be said that the gentleman survived the genius. "As I was dressing on the morning of Monday the 17th of September, Nicolson came into my room, and told me that his master had awoke in a state of composure and conscious- ness, and wished to see me immediately. I found him entirely himself, though in the last extreme of feebleness. His eye was clear and calm — every trace of the wild fire of delirium extinguished. ' Lockhart,' he said, ' I may have but a minute to speak to you. ]\Iy dear, be a good man — be virtuous — be religious — be a good man. Nothing else Avill give you any comfort when you come to lie here.' He paused, and I said — ' Shall I send for Sophia and Anne 1 ' — ' No,' said he, * don't disturb them. Poor souls ! I know they were up all night — God bless you all.' With this he sunk into a very tranquil 916 APPENDIX. sleep, and, indeed, lie scarcely afterwards gave any sign of consciousness, except for an instant on the arrival of his sons. They, on learning that the scene was about to close, obtained anew leave of absence from their posts, and both reached Abbotsford on the 19th. About half-[)ast one P.M., on the 21st of September, tSir Walter breathed his last, in the presence of all his children. It was a beautiful day — so warm that every window was wide open — and so perfectly still, that the sound of all others most delicious to his ear, the gentle ripple of the Tweed over its pebbles, was distinctly audible as we knelt around the bed, and his eldest son kissed and closed his eyes." 6 O O III o o m P5 w H ^ « ^ ^", O-i' r— ( K >, H ? HS O H-!^ <5 O c-i Q « I— I -00 -Pi (M < . =0 CO CO 00 w --1 ^5 <1> ^ a^co 03 P^OO a ^; « <3 00 f- >o r-i 00 K r^ < . a ■^ :5 o Ed • - Eh CO > « O o ►-3 6 - CO -►J -go o in -pj -■ a -< tt CO CO w D .w 1— t c « a: O ►-3 o -« o 2; o Hi! 1^ -CO O 05 » 00 >H « CD < 00 ^ 00 1— 1 H 3 CO 1—) <»-] c5 -.o rt 00 i^OC cl , ^ X f— ^ -0 >* 00 00 PS t^ 00 -< - 00 rl c — a Cd ^'E[ -^ E S -d -SI >- £ o • - -!< — S t^ •^ " I— _ PS ,^2 K - — , . =- =- T- i;i -; i; s 1^ INDEX. INDEX. Abbeville, 284, 300. Abbotsford labourers, 156. Abercorn, Lady, 866. Abercrombie, Dr., 1.59, 400, 770, 814. — — Miss, 695 11. Abercromby, James (afterwards Lord Dunfermline), 740 and n. Lord and Lady, 24-25, 109, 225, 226, 418, 419, 500, 503, 538, 728. Aberdeen, Lord, 477 n., 727, 728. Abud & Sons, bill-brokers, London, 268, 471 seq., 476 «., 479, 493. Academy, Edinburgh, Examination, 418. Acland, Sir Thomas, 577, 582. Adam, Right Hon. William, Lord Chief Commissioner, 140, 203, 209, 323, 357-8, 369, 483, 488,ser/., 500, 532, 547, 550, 740, 769, 778, 780, 789 ; sketch of, 86 ; at Abbotsford, 509 ; Scott's visits to Blair-Adam, 215, 246, 403, 621, 722, 750. See Blair-Adam. Admiral Sir Charles and Lady, 61, 140, 247, 357, 369, 621, 722, 750. Sir Frederick and Lady, 246, 697, 876, 888 ; on Byron and the Greeks, 251, 252. John, 86 n. Adam's class, High School, Edin- burgh, 688. Addington, Dr., 602. Adolphus, John, 583, 600, 601. John L., Lftlers to Ifeber,AS8 and n., 583, 687 «. Advocates' Library, plans, 122, 498. African travellers, 170. Ainslie, General, 549. Robert, 671. Ainsworth, W. H., 273 n. Airaines, 300. Aitken, John, 840. Albums, suppression of, 1. Ahlihoronti, 104. Alexander, Emperor, 292, 46.'>. Alexander, Eight Hon. Sir W., Chief Baron of Exchequer, 580 n. Mrs. , of Ballochmyle, 588. Algiers, consular establishment at, 851-853. Allan, Thomas, 490. Sir William, P.R.A., 45 and n., 119, 403, 438 seq. ; "Landing of Queen Mary," 225. Allans, the Hay (.John Sobieski and Charles Edward Stuart), 710 *(. , 713 w. AUoway, Lord, 482 n., 626. Almacks, a novel, 370. Alnwick Castle, visit to, 461 ; Abbey, 462. Alvanley, Lady, 196. Lord, 583. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs., 485. "Andrea de Ferraras," 874. Annadale claim, 210. Anne o/Geierstein, 639, 660, 681. Anstruther, Philip, 405. Antiquarian Society of Scotland, 488, 703. Appleby Castle, 270. Arbuthnot, Sir William, 96, 318, 661, 700. ■ ■ Mr. and Mrs., 305, 306 and n., 310, 591, 593. Arden, Misses, 583, 765. Argyle's stone, 447. Argyll, John, Duke of, projected life of, 683. Arkwright, Mrs., 461, 584, 587, 591, 592, 594. Arniston, old oak room at, 508. Ashboiirne, 566. Ashestiel visited in 1826, 168. Ashford criminal case, 309 and ?;. Ashley, Lord, 292. . Mrs. , 876, 895. Ash worth, Mr., 441. Auchinraith, 634. Audubon, John James, the ornitho- logist, 343-45, 354 n. Augmentation cases of stipend, 759. Austen's, Miss, novels, 155, 451. 922 INDEX. Aylesbury, 570, 571. Ayton, Miss, prima donna of the Italian Opera, 504. Baillie, Charles, afterwards Lord Jerviswoode, 499 and ?;. , 772. Baillie, Mrs. Charles, Mellerstain, 523. Joanna, 150, 303, 492, 576, 587 n., 679 n., 822 and n. ; tragedy and witchcraft, 424. Bainbridge, George, of Liverpool, 190, 233, 252, 262, 338, 381, 382, 384, 390, 423, 453, 467. ' Balaam,' 184 and n. Balcaskie Manor-house, 404. Balfour of Balbirnie, 646. ■ Charles, 782. Ballantyne & Co., 51-53 ; stop pay- ment, 83 ; liabilities, 99 n. , 574. Alexander, 192, 428, 563, 672, 713, 726 ; skill as a violinist, 398 ; assumed as a partner, 651. James, meeting with Cadell and Constable, 13 ; calls at Castle Street, 57 ; dinner and guests, 58 ; on Scott's style, 75, 81, 83 ; on Devorgoil, 95, 96 ; ' False Deli- cacy,' 99 ; Woodstock, 103 ; as "Tom Tell-truth," recollections of Lord of the Ides, 128 ; Malachi, LSO, 132 ; mottoes, 161 ; opinion of Woodstock, 167 ; press correc- tions, 174, 191 ; ' roars for chi- valry,' 222 ; opinion on Napoleon, 239, 251 ; illness, 257 ; at Abbots- ford, 263-264 ; Napoleon, 374, 398 ; on Bride of Lammermoor and Legend of Montrose, 408, 409 n. ; prospect, 418 ; Tlte Drovers, 425 ; commercial disasters, 426 n. ; Chronicles, 428. 495, 504, 526 ; at Abbotsford, 429, 670-671 n., 809 ; the copyrights, 452 ; criticism, 492 ; Scotfs consideration for, 550; on " Ossianic " character, 536, 572 ; Scott's handwriting, 618 ; wife's illness and death, 648- 650 ; names his trustees, 652, 654, 680, ()81 ; letter from Scott, 684, 686, 726, 729 ; visit to Preston- pans, 754 ; objects to a new epistle from Malachi, 771 n. ; ap- proves of an amanuensis, 785 ; a motto wanted, 788 n. Ballingray, 623. Baluty Mount, 854. Bankes, William, 12 and ?;., 306, 309,587?;., Bank of Scotland, 658. Banking Club of Scotland, 660. Bank-note business, 144. Bannatyne Club, 350, 351, 370, 491, 503, 535, 651, 728, 752. Bannatyne, George, Memorial of, 501 and n. Sir Wm. MacLeod, 543. Barhani, The, 828 seq. Barnard Castle, 611. Barrington, Mrs., 461. Barrow, Sir John, 21, 381, 841. Bathurst, Earl, 362 n., 465, 586. Lady, 306. Colonel Seymour, 859, 860. Bauchland, 428. Bayes in the Rehearsal, 205 and n. Beacon newspaper, 323 and n. Beard's Judgments, 493. Beauclerk, Lady Charlotte, 18, 19. Beaumont and Fletcher's Lover's Progress, 46 ; Knight of Bii-rning Pestle, 639 n. Beaumont, Sir George, 111 ; anec- dote of, with Wordsworth, 334 ; death, 358. Beauvais Cathedral, 285. Bedford, Duke and Duchess of, 487. Belhaven, Loi-d and Lady, 547. Bell, Mr. London, 584. 'Mr., 639-640. George, 487, 652. Miss E. , of Coldstream, 533 and n. Miss Jane, of North Shields, 101, 416-417. Belsches, Miss W., afterwards Lady Forbes, 404 n. Beresford, Lord, 644. Admiral Sir John, 457 and n. Berlingas, 845. Bernadotte, 385. Berri, Duchess of, 296. Bessborough, Lord, 464. Bethell, Dr., Bishop of Gloucester, 461 and n. Beds of Hampton, 874. Big bow-wow strain, 61, 155. Binning, Lord and Lady, 492, 500. Birmingham, 313. Bishop, Dr. , 408. "Bizarro, death of," 890. Black, A. & C, publishers, 522 n. Captain, R.N. , 405. Black, Dr., account of David Hume's last illness, 418, 419. Black Dwarf scene of the, 720 n. Black-fishing Court at Selkirk, 771. Blackwood, William, and Malachi, 130, 179, 222, 233. INDEX. 923 Blackwood's Marjazine, 680, 800 ri. Blair, Captain, 810. Sir D. Hunter, 650. Colonel, and Mrs. Hunter, 647, 650, 652, 653. Blair-Adam, 246 ; meetings of Blair- Adam Club, 215, 403, 621 ; 12th anniversary, 722 ; 13th, 750. Blakeney, Mr., tutor to the Duke of Buccleuch, 321. Blomfield, Bishop, 26, 577. Bloomfield, Lord, 411. Boaden's, James, the Garrick papers, 497 n. Bonaparte. See Napoleon. Bonnechose, Emile de, 287. Bonnie Dundee, air of, 60, 64, 65. Bonnington, Mr., at Kenilworth, 567 n. Bonnymoor conflict, 849. Boothby, Sir William, 51. Borgo, Count Pozzo di, 266, 286, 289, £97. Borthwick Castle, 506, 507. Borthwicks of Crookston, 359, 395. Boswell, Sir Alexander, duel with Stuart of Dunearn, 58 and n., 646. James, 58?;., 671. Bothwell Castle, motto, 606. Boufflers, Madame de, 299 and n. Boulogne, 300. Bourgoin, Mademoiselle, a French actress, 287. Bourmont, General, 852. Boutourlin's Moscow Campaign, 318. Bouverie, Mr., the English Com- missioner, 626. Boyd, Mr., Broadmeadows, 242. Boyd, Walter, of Boyd, Benfield & Co., 580, 581 and «. Boyle, Right Hon. David, Lord Justice-Clerk, 10, 14, 27, 57, 109, 409, 538, 643, 728. Brabazon, Lady Theodosia, 486. Bradford, Sir Thomas, 264, 748. Brahan Castle, 617 «. BrambJetye Hoitse, 273 and v. Bran, Scott's deerhound, 786 7i. Braxfield, Lord, 27 n. Brewer's Merry Deril, 424 and ii. Brewster, Dr. (afterwards Sir David), and Mrs., 233 and n., 241, 416, 439, 404, 467, 560, 673, 674, 689, 693, 785. Bride of Lamm'ermoor, Ballantyne on, 408 n. ; letter from William Clerk, 714 ?f. Bridge, Mr., the jeweller, 589. Brinkley, Dr. .John, Bishop of Cloyne, 704. Brisbane, Sir Thomas M., 249 and n., 318,422. Bristol riots, 833 n., 849 and n. Brocque, Mons., of Montpelier, 148. Brougham, Lord, 619, 828. Bi'own's {CvaAg-) Selkirkshire quoted, 46, 183, 356, 722 n. Brown, Launcelot, 461 n. Brown, Misses, of George Square, Edinburgh, 449, 486. Brown's, Mrs., lodgings, St. David Street, 191, 226. Bruce, Professor John, 723 and n. Bruce, Tyndall, 723. Bruce, Mr., from Persia, 250, 251. Bruce, Mr. and Mrs. , 560. Brunei, 839. Brunton, Rev. Dr., 175 n. Brydone, Mrs. (widow of Patrick Brvdone), 61 and n. Buccleuch, fifth Duke of, 110, 244, 265, 326 n., 336, 485, 510, 534, 591, 637, 638, 646, 795, 806, 829. Buccleuch, Dowager Duchess of. See Montagu. Buchan, Earl of, 255, 328; death of, 686. Buchan, Dr. James, 14. Buchan, Peter, Peterhead, 438. Buchanan, Hector Macdonald, 6 n., 31, 209, 326, 359, 412, 483, 499, 550, 614. Buchanan, James Macdonald, 615. Buchanan, Miss Macdonald, of Drummakill, 3, 106, 343, 361. Buchanan, Major, of Cambusmore, 503, 539. Buchanan, Mr., Scott's amanuensis, 758, 763. Buckingham, Duchess of, 277. Buckingliam's assassination, 840. Bugnie , Signer, 490. Burchall, Captain, 382. Burke, Edmund, 591, 603. Biu'ke, trial of, 632 n. ; execution, 639, 641, 659; Patterson's "col- lection of anecdotes," 677. Burleigh House, visit to, 272. Burn, Mr., architect, 490, 491 ?;., 507, 817, 818. Burnet, George, funeral of, 758. Burney, Dr., anecdote regarding, 309, 604 and n. Burns, Col. James Glencairn, 825. Burns, Robert, 202, 270 ; Scott's admiration for, 321 ; his " ilaria of Ballochmyle," 381 ; skill in patch- ing up old Scntcli songs, 439. Burns, Tom, Coal Gas Committee, 553. 924 INDEX. Burrell, a teacher of drawing, 137. Bury, Lady Charlotte (Campbell), 277, 703, 713. Butcher, Professor, 113 n. Butler, Lady Eleanor, 566 n. Byers, Colonel, 443. Byron, Lord, notes, 1 ; memoirs, 8-9; characteristics of, 11-13; lunch at Long's in 1815, 59; views of the Greek question, 252; Moore's request for letters, 630, 717 ; allu- sion to early attachment, 755 ; MSS., 816. Cadell, Francis, 755. Cadell, Robert, of Constable and Co., meeting with Ballantyne and Constable, 13 ; on affairs in London, 18 ; sympathy for Scott, 56 ; advice to Scott, 83 ; estrange- ment from Constable, 88 ; the sanctuary, 105, 109, 121, 218; promised the Chronicles, 219, 248 ; second instalment on Chronicles, 268 ; eighth volume of Napoleon, 343 ; Tales of a Grandfather, 401 ; second edition of Napoleon, 417 ; equally responsible with Con- stable and Ballantyne, 426 n. ; General Gourgaud, 440 ; copy- right of novels, 449 ; Scott's opi- nion of, 452 ; visits London, 475, 479, 480 ; copyright, 481 ; second series Chronicles, 482, 489 ; copy- rights, 494 ; dissatisfied with the Chronicles, 495, 496, 498; plans for acquiring copyrights, 500 ; their purchase, 503-505 ; new edition of Tales of a Grandfather, 510, 520, 524, "526, 531 ; the Magnum, 533, 534, 537 ; proposals for tliree novels, 560 ; third edition of Tales of a Grandfather, 561 ; plans for the Magnum, 563, 572 ; success of Fair Maid of Perth, 614, 615 ; trustee for Ballantyne, 652 ; Heath's letter, 655 ; pro- spectus of Magnum issued, 657 ; Scott's efforts in behalf of, 658 ; and reciprocation, 659 ; opinion of Anne of Geierstein, 660, 663, 688, 697 ; prosjiects of Magnum, 699, 701, 70S, 709; in treaty for Poetical Works, 710, 713; Mng- num, 715, 710, 717, 721, 727, 7.v') ; a_ faithful pilot, 742 ; twelfth vol- ume of Magnun), 745, 753 ; Pres- toiipans, 751 ; new copyrights, 765, 768 ; at Al)l)otsford, 770 n ; remonstrates a^^ainst a new Ma- lachi, 111 ; Scott's visit, 788 copyrights, 797 ; bad debts, 809, 826, 832, 847, 870, 875, 886-887. Caesarias, Sir Ewain, grave, 565. Calais, 283-284, 300. Cambridge Master of Arts, anec- dote of, 610. "Cameria," 893. Cameron of Lochiel, 431. Camilla, a novel, 604 n. Campbell Airds, 550. Saddell, 550. ■ Sir Archibald, of Succoth, 14, 528. General, of Lochnell, 499. Sir James, of Ardkinglas, Me- moirs, 176 n., 319. Colonel, of Blythswood, 446, 447. — Thomas, at Minto, 62 ; char- acterised, 217-218, 394; in great distress, 585. Walter, 547. Canning, George, 26, 267, 307, 310, 381, 382, 383, 393, 420, 470, 575 ; his death, 433-434. Canterbury, Archbishop of (Howley) , 576 n. ; (Tait), 418 n. Capua, 893. Caradori, Madam, 708, 713. Carlisle, 564, 565, 604. Carlyle, Thomas, 574 n., 899-902. Carmine Church of Santa Maria, 904-5. Carnarvon, Lord, 424, 449. Carr, Mr. and Misses, 679, 680. Carthage, 855. Caruana, Don F. (Bishop of Malta), 863. Cashiobury, 607. Cassillis, Ayrshire, 621. Castellamare, 878. Castle Campbell, 621. Street, "Poor 39," 122, 136- 137, 155, 218. Castlereagh. See Londonderry. Cathcart, Captain, 650. Cauldshiels, 228 ; Loch, 241. Cay, John, 22, 31. Cayley, Sir John, 494. Celtic Society, present of a broad- sword, 98 ; dinner, 529, 662. Ceuta, 850. Chalmers, Dr., on Waverley Novels, 175 n. Chambers, Robert, 481, 047. William, 491 n. Chantrey, Sir Francis, 119, 590 n, ; Scott sits for second Inist, 596, 601. INDEX. 925 Charlcote Hall, 569. Charles V. and Algiers, 851. Edward, Prince, and the '-45 at Culloden, 114-115, 809. Charpentier, Madame (Lady Scott's mother), 188. Chatham, Lord, 602. Chaworth, Mary, 8.32 and n. Cheape, Douglas, 32.3-324 and n, George, 724, 752. first pro- 472 Chessmen from Lewis, 836 and n. Cheltenham, 312. Chevalier, M., 290. Chiefswood, summer i-esidence of Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart, 170, 238, 262, 438, 685. Chiswick, 596. Christie, Mr. and Mrs., 311. Chronides of the Canonfiate, series : commencement, 200 ; grass, 213, 214, 416, 4.30 n. n. ; completion and publication, 473 n., 495-8 ; second series, in progress, 476, 477, 482, 490; finished in April 1828, 572 and n. Chroniques Nationales, Jacques de Lalain, 127. Civic Groion, the, 10. Clan Ranald, the, 121. Clanronald's story of Highland credulity. 485. Clarence, Duke of, 261, 419. Clarendon's collection of pictures, 606. Clarkson, Dr. James, 64, 381, 779. Dr. Eben., 563 and n., 787. Cleasby, Mr., 675, 677. Cleghorn, Hugh, 405 and n. Clephane, ilrs. and Miss Maclean, 116, 446, 747. Clerk, Sir George, 393-394. Miss E., death of, 83. Lieut. James, 728. William, prototype of Dur.-iie Latimer, 2, 46, 61, 106, 124, 133, 140, 215, 221, 223, 225, 320, 343, 357, 366, 369, 395, 402, 403, 41S, 486, 489, 512, 538, 546, 547, 614, 615, 621, 625, 638, 643, 713, 714, 722, 728, 788 n; sketch of, 2; chambers in Rose Court, 134; as a draughtsman, 138 ; dinner party, 368 ; Gourgaud, 440, 444 ; on the judges' salaries, 702 ; letter from, 714 n. Clerk, Baron, 402, 626, 719. Clerk's, John, Naval Tactics, 2 n. Clive, Lord, 584, 595. Cloyne, Bishop of, 902-3. Club, the, 135 n., 759. Clunie, Rev. John, 506 and n. Coal Gas Co., 398, 400, 546, 553. Coalston Pear, 696 and n. Cochraue, Mr., of the Foreign Re- view, 688. Cockburn, Lord, 320 ; the poisoning woman, 361 n., 481, 632 «. Sir George, 278 ; his journal, 281. Robert, 16. Cockenzie, 341, 755. Codman, Mr., of Boston, 700. Cohen. See Palgrave. Coke of Xorfolk. See Leicester. Colburn, Mr. Henry, and the Garrick Papers, 497 ; Huntly Gordon and the Religious Disco^Lvses, 528. Coleridge, Sir John Taylor, 21, 26 n. S. T., 578, 600 11., 863 and n. Collyer, tutor to Count Davidoff, 15, 45, 561. Colmau, Mr., 497, 498, 590. Colne, the, 607. Colquhoun, John, of Killermont, 750. Commission on the colleges in Scot- land, 256. Composition, mode of, 117. Compton, Ladj', 439and7i., 444, 446. Conjuring story, 833-34. Conradin, 865 and n., 905-6. Constable & Co., position in Nov. 1825, 9; bond for £5000 for relief of H. and R., 30; confid- ence in London house, 60 ; the origin of the Mag mi in, 03, 64; anxiety, 68, 75 ; mysterious let- ter from, 81 ; H. and R.'s dishon- oured bill for £1000, 82; the consequences of the fall, 85 ; Malachi, 130 ; affairs, 99,109, 207, 379 ; " Did Constable ruin Scott ? " 426 71. ; creditors, 452, 499 ; debts, 701, 887. 7 Archibald, confidence in H. and R., 13, 57; in London, 81; interview with Scott on Jan. 24th, 1826, 02, 93 ; and on Feb. 6th, 107 ; and on March 14th, 154 ; power of gauging the value of literary property, 267 n. ; death, 425, 426. Constable, George, 720 «., 754. Constable's Miscellany, dedication to George iv. , 58 n. Contemporary Club, 226. Conversation, English, Scotch, and Irish, 2, 247. Conyngham, Lady, 278. 926 INDEX. Cooper, J. Feniinore, Tht Pilot at the Adelphi, Loudon, 280 ; meets Scott at Paris, 295 ; publisliiug in America, 295, 296, 298 ; letter to Scott, 523 n. ; Scott reads Red Rover, 525 ; and Prairie, 530, 586; Mme. Mirbel's portrait of Scott, 670 n. Mr. , an actor, 400. Copyrights of Waverley Novels, purcliase of, 494, 496, 499, 500; • bought, 503, 504, 505. Corby Castle, 565. Corder's trial, 752. Coreliouse, 447, 448. Cork, freedom of, to Scott, US. Cornwall, Barry. See Procter. Corri, Natali, 616 and n. Coulter, Provost, 172 and n. Count Robert of Parity, origin of, 128 71. ; condemned by Cadell and Ballantyne, 819. Court of Session, new regulations, 207, 208. Coutts, Mrs., afterwards Duchess of St. Albans, 18, 19, 93, 278; letter from, 414 7i. (/Ovenanters, Scott and the, 818 ?i. Cowan, Alexander, 98, 499, 652, 809. Charles, Reminiscences, 839 n. Cowdenknowes, visit to, 262. Cowper, Mr., 889. Crabbe, Mr., 334, 576 ?i. Craig, Sir James Gibson, 426 n., 481 n. Craigcrook, 706. Cramoml Brig, 368. Crampton, Sir Philip, 242 n. Cranstoun, George, Lord Corehouse, Dean of Faculty, 206 and n. , 223, 357, 369 ; Scott's visit to Core- house, 447, 544 ; Mauh v. Maule, 63L • Henry, 237 and n., 381, 672. Craven, Mr. Keppel, 874. Mrs. Augustus, 876. Crighton, Tom, 245. Cringletie, Lord. See Murray, J. W. Crocket, Major, 364. Croker, Crofton, 278, 282, Croker, J. Wilson, 26, 158, 309, 385, 577, 581, 587, 640, 670, 671, 718 n. , 8.30 ; on Mulachi, 573, 578 ; Duke of Clarence, 675, 676 n. 692, 716, 719, 720; dinner at the Admiralty, 721. Culross, excursion to, 750, 751. Cumlierland, Richard, 79. Cumbraes minister, prayer of, 451. Cumnor Hall, 642. Cuulitfe, Mr., 574. Cunningham, Allan, 278, 282, 588 ?l, 598, 601, 605; Scott's opinion of, 305. Curie, James, Melrose, 69, 196. Mrs. , funeral at Kelso, 78. Cutler, Sir John, 73 n. Daily Routine, 793, 799. Dalgleish, Sir Walter's butler, 65, 135. Dalhousie, George, ninth Earl of, sketch of, .507 ; Bannatyne Club, 651, 673 ; public dinner to, 700. Dalkeith House, pictures at, 490 ; visit to, 636. Dallas, Mr., 636. Dairy mple, David, Westhall, 755 and n. Sir John, 395, 494, 650. • Lady Hew Hamilton, 266. Dandie Dinmont terriers, 166 ; Ginger, 379 ; Spice, 802. Danvers, by Hook, 8 n., 422. D'Arblay, Madame, 308-9, 604. D'Arcon, Chevalier, 848 n. ' ' Darsie Latimer." ^^ee Clerk, W. Dasent, Sir George, 677 n. Dauphine, Madame la, 296. Daveis, Chas. S., 756 and n., 757. Davidoff, Count, 15, 45, 63, 212, 220, 437, 443, 482, 490, 499, 561, 712 «. Denis, the Black Captain, 176, 482. Davidson, Prof., of Glasgow, 728. Davy, Lady, 575, 579, 595, 837 ; sketch of, 107-109 and n. Dawson, Captain, 636, 857. Dead friends to be spoken of, 195. " Death for Hector !" 466. Dee, Dr. , 833. Defoe, criticism, 387 n., 390. Delicteriis, Chevalier, 872, 874. Demonolofjy, The, 740-41, 747. Dempster, Geo., of Dunnichen, 669. • George and Mrs., of Skibo, 395 and ti. , 665 and n. , 669. Dependants at Abbotsford, 525 ?(. D'Kscars, Duchess, 281. Descendants of Scott, 917. De. Vere, 416. Devonshire, Duke of, 297, 595, 597. Diary, custom of keeping, 517 ; Boswell on, 671. Dibdin, Dr., 582. Dickinson, John, of Nash Mill, 445, 745. _ . . Disraeli, Benjamin, 21, 22; Viviaii Grey, 402 and n. INDEX. 927 Distance! \\ hat a Magician ! 17"2. Dividends, declaration of, 491, 767. Dixon's a airlock, 486 n. Dobie, Mr., 543. Dogs take a hare on Sunday, 264. Don, Dowager Ladj-, 98. Sir Alexander, 62, 116; sketch of, 175-6 ; death, 177 ; funeral, 179. . Doom of Devorgoil, 94, 95 n., 614?!., 689. Dorset, Mrs., 599. Douglas, Archibald, first Lord, 26 and n. • second Lord, 634 and n. Captain, E.N., 634. Charles, 244, 312. David, Lord Restou, 133. Dr. James, of Kelso, 456. ■ Sir John Scott, 177, 179. Hon. Thos. See Selkirk. Donstersivivel, a, 222. Dover, Baron, 596 and n. Dover Cliff, 301. Dragut's Point, 858 and 7i. Drumlanrig, visit to, 242-246. Drummond, Mrs., of Auteuil, 292, 294. Hay. See Hay. Dry burgh Abbey, 513 n. Dudley, Lord, 303, 488 ?;., 573, 837-8. Dumergue, Charles, 581, 598. Miss, 277, 283, 571, 572. Duncan, Captain Heury, 830, 837-8. Dimdas, Henry, 49, 669. Robert, of Arniston, 57, 323, 399, 487, 506-8, 665, 669, 805. Sir Robert, of Beechwood, 6 and 11., 24, 146, 148, 203, 399, 539, 6.39, 640, 663, 693, 695, 696, 697, 742. William, the Right Hon., Lord Register, 465, 487, 506, 651. Dundas, Sir LaAvrence, 335. Hon. Robert, son of second Lord Melville, 261. Robert Adam, 259, 506. Dunfermline, Lord. See Aber- cromby. Duras, Mr., 297. Durham, Bishop of. 5'ee Van Mildert. Baronial Hall, 457. Mr. and Mrs., of Calderwood, 506. Duty, 168, 178, 197, 203, 205, 235, 236, 2.37, 238, 260, 265, 375, 379, 410, 413, 429, 436. EcKFORD, John. 605, 672. " Economics," 19. Edgcumbe, Hon. Mrs. George, 596 >i. Edgewell Tree, 696 and n. Edgeworth, Henrv King, 431. Miss, 236, 426 ?i. Edinburgh Academj% discussion on flogging, 322 ; pronunciation of Latin, 346. Life Assurance Company, 48. Revieiv, editorship of, 706 and 11. Edmonstoune, James, 728. EdM-ards, Mr., 537-38. Eleho, Lord, and Prince Charles Edward, 114-15. Eldin, Lord, 350. Election expenses, 271, 460 ?i. Elgin, Lord, 635, 808 ; imprison- ment in France, 150, 319. Elibank,Lord, on English and Scotch lawyers, 153. Elizabeth de Bruce, 344, 347. Elliot, Sir Gilbert, 483. Sir William, of Stobbs, 177, 179. Lady Anna Maria, 1.33 and n., 238, 441, 466, 720. Ellis, Lady Georgiana, 596, 598. Mr. Agar. See Dover. Charles, Lord Seaford, 27, 292, 452. George, 247, 434, 517. Mrs. George, 508, 517. Colonel, 509. Rev. William, missionary to Madagascar, 721. Elphinstone, Mountstuart, 264. SirR. H. D.,714«. Emus, 422, 423. " Epicurean jdeasure," 10. Erskine, Lord, 288, 686. David, of Cardross, 550. Henry, 686. William, Lord Kinnedder, 61 11., 79, 95 v., 580 ; destruction of Scott's letters, 897. the Mis.ses, 411, 527, 636, 811. ■ H. David, 688. Erdody, Count, 827. Ensay on Highlands, 413, 415. Essex, Earl of, 607. Euthanasia, instances of : Dr. Black, Tom Purdie, 827-28. Evelina, 604. Exeter, Lady, 272-73. Exhibition of pictures, 132, 535-46. Expenses, 524-25. Fair Maid of Perth commenced, 476, 499 ; progress, 538 ; publica- tion, 572 n. ; success of, 614. 928 INDEX. Falkland Palace, 723. Fancy Ball, 551. Fauconpret, M., 450. Featherstone, Mr., 353. Felix, Colonel, 833, 834. Fellenburg, E. de, 74S and n. ^^FergUKon, Prof. Adam, 680, 779. '^ Sir Adam, 45, 188, 189, 329, 333, 338, 357, 364, 367, 415, 416, 464, 466, 467, 470, 471, 472, 625, 644, 673, 714 n., 727, 728, 731, 732 «., 747, 750, 752, 754,773, 792; Bonnie Dundee, 65, 69; New Year's Day dinner, 74 ; fall from horse, 362 ; dinner at W. Clerk's, 369; tonr in Fife, 403; at Blair- Adam, 722. Colonel, 164, 168, 174, 187, 189, 229, 238, 240, 241, 250, 252, 260, 264, 357, 376, 387, 389, 391, 422, 443, 449, 466, 491, 555, 651, 676, 688, 693, 717, 731, 772, 792 ; Hogmanay dinner, 69 ; notes about Indian affairs, 450, 451 ; meet of the hounds at Melrose, 470. Captain John, 376, 391, 509, 523, 654, 772 ; return from Spanish Main, 373 ; dines at Abbotsford, 451. — Miss Isabell, death, 772-3. — Miss Margaret, 69, 162 and n., 264, 639, 693. Miss Mary, 69 ; death of. 638. the Misses, 49, 69, 162 and n. Fergusson, James, 359, 685, 728. Sir James, 141. Dr., 582. Ferrars of Tamworth, 566. Ferrier, James, 103 n. , 342 ; death of, 635, 637. Miss, 757 ; visit to Abbots- ford, 820. Ferronays, Miss De la, 876. Feversham, Lord (Duncombe), 457. Fiddle or Fiddle-stick, 154. Fielding's farce, Tumhle-doion Dick, 118 ?i. Fine Arts, poetry and painting, 118-120. Fitzgerald, Vesey, 306. Fitz-.James, Duke of, 297. Flahault, Count de, 291. Fleas are not LoJ>sfers, 390. Fletcher, Rev. INIr., 721. Fleurs, 441. Flocci-paiici, etc., 146. Flodden field, 443. Foley, Sir Thomas, 839. Foote, Aliss, 410. Foote's Cozeners, 589. Forbes, Viscount, saved by his dog, 16. Baron, 700 and n., 701, 758. Hon. John, 835. . Captain, 843. Sir John, 37. John Hay. See Lord Medwyn. Sir William, 476, 550; oflers of assistance, 86 and n. ; sketch of, 96, 97. George, 397, 652. William, of Medvi^yn, 675 and n., 677, 678. Foreigners at Abbotsford, 13-15, 255. Forest Club, Scott dines with, 468. Fortune, a mechanist, 789 and n. Foscolo, Ugo, sketched, 14. Fouch<5, Baron, 292. Fox, Charles J., anecdote of, 589, 590. Foy's book, and the Duke of Wel- lington, 458, 459. Francklin, Colonel, 721. Frankenstein, 174; dramatised, 400. Franks, Mr., 148. Freeling, Sir Francis, 582. French Press, censors of the, 467. Frere, J. Hookham, 860 and n., 861-63. Fuller, John, M.P. for Surrey, 590 and w. Funerals, dislike to, 172-173, 180. Fushie Bridge Inn, 474 and n. Future Life, speculations on, 43-45. Gaeta, 894. Galashiels Road, 774. Galignani, Mr. , Paris, 286 and n. ; ofl'er for Napoleon, 298. Galitzin, Princess, 294, 295, 299, 432, 670 and n. Gallois, M., 286 and «.. 288, 290, 296. Gait's Omen, 132 ?i., 203, 215; Spae- wife, 733; Lawrie Todd, 762. Gardening, ornamental, essay on, for the Quarterly, 476. Garrick, David, Private correspond- ence of, 248, 497 n. Mrs., anecdote of, 213 n., 836. Garstang, 566. Gateheugh, 470. Gattonside, 237 and Jt. Gell, Sir William, 865 «., 869, 872 «., 874 ,sw/., 882-884, 894-5. Genie and author, a Dialogue, 667-8. George ii., anecdote of, 593. INDEX. 929 George iii., anecdote of, 465. IV. , Scott at Windsor, '21H -. Scott dines with, 592 ; statue, 698 ; death, 756. Prince, of Cumberland, 598. Gibraltar, 848 and h., 850. Gibson, John, jr., W.S. , 83 and «., 124, 125, 248, 265, 348, 367, 396, 444, 445, 452, 474, 475, 479, 553, 614, 653, 675 ; creditors agi-ee to private trust, 96 ; meeting with Scott, Cowan, and Ballantyne, 99 ; creditors' approval, 1U4 ; lends Scott £240, 107 ; Constable's af- fairs, 164-5 ; Constable's claims, 203, 206 ; sale of 39 Castle Street, 218 ; Miss Hume's trust, 347 ; Scott's travelling expenses, 394 ; Lord Newton's decision, 470; Abud & Son, 471 ; value of the Waverley copyrights, 481, 505 ; St. Honan's Well, 521; Coal Gas Co., 547; plans for the Magimm, 563 ; pre- parations for a second dividend, 752, 757, 826. GiflFord, William, 26 ; funeral of, 340-342. Baron, 208 and n. Lady, 829, 830. Giggleswick School, captain of, 42. Gilbert, Dr. Davies, 587. John Graham, 636, 638, 639, 641, 642, 715, 716 ; portrait of Scott, 631 and n. Gillespie, trial of, aird sentence, 4S2 and n. Gillian, the clan, 466. Gillies, Lord, 225, 487, 489, 530, 552, 650. Robert Pierce, 225, 378, 388 and n., 389, 430, 494, 518, 523, 524, 557, 576, 582, 681, 685, 687, 715 ; chai-acterisation of, 32, 33 ; difficulties, 50; Scott offers Chiefs- wood, 51 ; in extremity, 53 ; writes a satire, 221 ; a cool request, 262 ; 268 ; Foreign Beview, 269. Gilly, Rev. William Stephen, 421 and n. , 456. Gipsies of the Border, 474 n. Gladdies W^iel, 601 and ?t. Glasgow, visit to, in September 1027, 447. Glengarry's death, 527. Gleuorchy, Lady, 594. Gloucester, Bishop of (Dr. Bethell), 461 and it. Goderich, Lord, 444, 455 n., 505, 506 n. Godwin, William, 575, 596. Goethe, letters from, 359 and n., 574 71., 899-900. Goldsmith, Oliver, 591. Gooch, Dr. Robert, 154, 280, 727. Gordon, Alexander, fourth Duke of, 487 11. Duke and Duchess, 702. Lady Georgiana, 487 and n. ■ J. Watson, 535, 812 and n. Sir Wm. Cumming, 712 n. Major Pryse, PersonalMemoirs, 430 and a. George Huntly, amanuensis, 69 and n., 81, 100, 149, .339, 430, 433, 436; sermons, 501, 528 and n., 547. Gourgaud, General, 298 ?;., 397, 440 and 11., 444, 448, 450, 465, 467, 472. Gower, Lord Francis Leveson, Poetry, 13 and n. ; Tale of the Mill, 356, 449, 574, 586, 598. Lady Frances Leveson, 584, 592, 594, 598. Graeme, Robert, 395. Graham, Sir James, 839, 842, 843. John. See Gilbert. ■ • Lord William, 823. • • of Clavers, 487. Miss Stirling, 489, 553, 696 ; Mystifications, 552 and n. Graham's Island, 855. Grahame of Airth, 153. Grange, Lady, 636. Grant, Sir Francis, 353 and n. ; sketch of, 802-803 ; portrait with armour, 804. Sir William, 592 and n. Mrs., of Laggan, 28, 29, 41 and n., 821. Granville, Lord and Lady, 289, 291, 292, 295. Gray, Lord and Lady, 409, 410. Greenshields, John, 634 and //., 635. Grenville, Right Hon. Thomas, 304 and «., 602. Greville, Lady Charlotte, 591. Charles, 584 n. Grey, Lord, 505. Grey Mare's Tail, 246. Griffin's Tales of the Munster Festi- vals, 557 and n. Grosvenor, Lord, 606. Grove, The : Clarendon's pictures, 606 and n. Guise's, Duke of, Expedition, — review of, in the Foreign Quarterly, 145, 692. Gurney, Mr., 600. Guthrie's J/emo//>', 524 Ji. 3n 930 INDEX. Guyzard, M., 407 and n. Gwydyr, Lord, 310. Haddingtox, Lord, 647, 676. Haigs of Bemerside, 256 n., 390, 439, 467, 616. Hailes, Lord, 664, 679. Haliburton, David, 229, 232, 605. Hall, Captain Basil, 149-150, 237 «., 318, 343, 646, 700, 717, T20 n., 812, 839, 842. Sir James, 347. Halliday, Sir A. , 697. Hamilton, Sir William, 29, 443, 649. Lady Charlotte, 599. Robert, 203, 361, 369, 487, 547, 626, 695, 697, 755. Captain Thomas, and Mrs., 220 and ?;., 231, 238, 241, 262, 423, 437, 438, 443, 467, 499, 717, 718, 734 ; Cyril Thornton, 392. Bailie, 634. Hampden, Lady (nee Brown), 449, 486. Hampton Court, 576, 577, 603 and n. Handley, G., 161, 188, 307. Harper, Mr., 595 ; gift of emus, 422. Harris, Mr., 842. Harrison, Colonel, 582. Harro^vby, Lord, 505. HsLTtshorue's Ancient Metrical Tales, 651 and n. Haslewood, Mr., 453. Haunted Glen in Laggan, 821. Hawthorne, N. , on the English, 757 n. Hay, Mr., Under-Secretary of State, 303. E. W. Auriol Drummond, 253 and n., 554, 556, 639, 646, 650, 652, 653, 656, 657, 703, 846. Hay, Sir John, 42, 355, 548, 655 ; Banking Club dinner, 660 ; meet- ing of theatre trust, 707. Robert, Colonial Office, 283. Haydon, B., 413, 586 and n., 740. Heath, Charles, engraver, 532, 547, 580, 654, 745. Heber, Reginald, 312 ; Journal, 664 and n. —^ Richard, 21. Hedgeley Moor, 464. Hemans, Mrs., 731, 733, 734. Henderson, Mr., Eildon Hall, his funeral, 546. Henry's History of England, 646. Hermitage Castle, sketch of, 138. Herries, Mr., 444. Hertford, Lord, 385, 869. Hertfordshire lanes, 606. Higliland credulity, 485. "Highland Society," and Miss Stirling Graham's Bees, 696. Highland Piper, 206. Hill, Right Hon. Mr., 864 and n. Hinves, David, 600 and n. History of Scotland, in the Cabinet Cyclopoidia, 692 and n. Hobhouse, John Cam, and Moore, 9, 12. Hodgson, Dr. F., 312. Hofi'mann's Novels, reviewed for Foreign Quarterly, 389, 430. Hogarth, George, 83, 428, 429, 606. Hogg, James, breakfasts with Scott, 46; in dithculties, 123, 192, 344?;.; loses his farm, 352 ; Royal Literary Society, 390, 391, 448 and n. ; his affair of honour, 454 ?i., 510, 601?;.; Six-Foot Club, 658 n. ; the Nodes Ambrosiance, 800 ; Scott's interest in him, 800 ?;. Robert, 398 and ?i. Hogmanay dinner at Abbotsford, 69. Holland, Lady, 597. Dr. , 282 and ?;. Holyrood, an asylum for civil debtors, 472 and n. Home, Earl and Countess of, 212 n., 244. John, 475; his Works reviewed, 372 and?;., 384. Hone's Every Day Book, 758. Hood, Sir Samuel, 617 ?;. Hook, Theodore, 302 ; John Bxdl, 302 ?;. , 305 ; Sayings and Doimis, 542, 578 n. Hoole's Tasso, 204. Hope, General the Hon. Sir Alex- ander, 449 n. Right Hon. Charles, 27, 57 and?;., 532, 693. Dr., 444, 626. James, W.S. , 14, 444 and n. John, Solicitor- General for Scotland, 51, 136, 357, 407, 492, 636, 661, 701 ; chairman to Lock- hart's parting entertainment, 33 ; characterised, 49 and n. — Sir John and Lady, of Pinkie, 16, 84, 697, 703; dinner at Pinkie, 532 ; "Roman " antiquities, 533. — Lady Charlotte, 57. Hopetoun, Earl of, 407. Countess of, 661, 662, 713. Home, Donald, 529. Horner, Leonard, 345 and n. INDEX. 931 Horton, Wilmot, 278, 280 and ?;., 283, 581. Hotham, Lady, 861. IIoti.se of Aspen, G54. Howden, Mr., 141. ■ factoi- for Falkland, 723. Howley, Archbp. See Canterbury. How to make a critic, 67. Hughes, Dr. and Mrs., 106, 277, 282 and ?j., 595, 637. John, 312. Mr., printer, 652. Hulnc, Carmelite monastery of, -1:62. Hume, Baron, 343, 356, 399, 41S, 499. 618, GoOand ?(., 707. David, burial-place, 94 ; death- bed, 418 and ». ; U^orki of, 565. Lady Charlotte. See Lady C. Hamilton. Sir John, of Cowdenknowes. 262. Miss, 347. Joseph, M. P., 160, 161, 303. Mrs., "Warwick Castle, 567; 568 and ■». Hunt, Leigh, The Liberal, 11 and )!., 533; "anecdotes of Byron," 544; "Byron," 549. Hunt, Mr., an English traveller, murdered, 880. Hu)-st and Robinson, 9, 20, 53, 82, 96, 475 7(., 504, 505. Huskisson, Hon. W., M.P. , 267, 307, 310, 581. Hutchinson, Mr., 547. Huxley, Colonel, 401. Imauinatiox, wand of, 66. "Imitators," 273-276. Immortality of the soul, 43-45. Impey, Mr. and Mrs., 247, 248, 251, 2.->2. Inchmahonie, 622. Inglis, Dr., 347, 553. Sir R. H., Bart, 283, 576, 585, 829. Inues, Mr. Gilbert, 707. Invernahyle. Sec Stewart. Ireland, Mr., 699. Irish Tour, 1-2. Anecdotes, wit, good-humour, . absurdity, 4, 5. Irving, Piev. Edward, 581, 700 andi)., 701. Mr. (Lord Kewton), 248. Jolin, 643. 728. Washington, 569, 889. Itterl)urg, Count, ex-Crown Prince of Sweden, 385 and n. See Baillie. 253, 315, 316, 604, 641, Erelina, 665, 309; Ivanhoe dramatised, 289 and n., 719. Jacoe, William, 574, 575 and ;;. James, 6. P. P., letter from, 696 M.,782. Jamieson, Dr. John, 230 and )K, 232, 652. Jardine, Sir Henry, 84, 358, 719. Mr. and Mrs., 335. J''anie Deans. See Walker, Helen. Jedburgh election, 189, 822. Jeffrey, Lord, 364, 399, 619, 706: address on the condiination of workmen, 16-17, 320 ; on Words- worth, 333 ; dinner and guests, 353 ; the poisoning woman, 362. Jekyll, J., 575. Jerviswoode, Lord. Jobson, Mrs., 240, 343, 395, 397, 475. Johnson, Dr., 591, 669, 671, 691 ; epitaph on C. Phillips, 428. Johnstone of Alva, 774, 796, 808. Johnstone, Mr. Hope, 246. Mrs. J. , 344 and n. Johnstone, Mr. and Mrs., of Bor- deaux, 727. the Border family, 210. Jollie, James, trustee, 83 n., 98, 221. Jones, Mr., 300. Miss, 547. Journal, reflections, 1, 31 ; begins to tire, 468 ; Johnson's advice, 671, 691. Ka'ui and Carriages, 140 and v. Katrine, Loch, scenery of, 503 and n. Keeldar, people of, 462. Keepsake, The, 495 ;/. 580, 654. Keith, Sir Alex., 485. William, 29. Mrs. ]\Iurray, Tin Widow, 200. Kelly's Reminiscences , 187. Kelso, visit to, 441. Kemble, Charles, 552. Stephen, 461. Fanny, 749, 754. Kendal, 313. Kenihvorth, visit to Kennedy, Rt. Hon. 424 and n., 752. Kent, Duches.s of, 598. Kerr, Mr. and Mrs. Abbotrule, 561, 749. 530, 547, Jliijliland reviewed. 567 and n. F. , of Duntire, Charles, of 932 INDEX. Kerr, Lord and Lady Robert, 16. the Misses, 431, 480, 490, 506, 509, 519, 637, 702, 745._ of Kippielaw, 256, 270, 337. Kinloch, George, of Kinloch, on Malachi, 224. Kiuloch's Scottidh Ballads, 309 aud n. Kinnaird, Douglas, 596. Kiimear, Mr., 96, 548, 671. Kinnedder, Lord. See Erskine. Kinniburgh, R., 257-58. Kiru Supper, 469 and n. Knight, Charles, 567 n. J. Prescott, 76, 79, 85 and 7;. Gaily, 585. Payne, 556. Knighton, Sir William, 142, 276 and 71., 304, 481, 588, 727 aud n. ; letter on Constable's iliscellnny, 37 ; dedication of Magnum, 592. Knox, Dr. Robert, 631, 632 and n., 633, 639, 677. William, a young poet, 39, 40, 431. "Kubla-Khan" and Hastings, 76. Laidlaw, James, 264. William, 229, 264, 289, 320, 335, 382, 389, 613, 657; Scott's letter to, 97 n. ; summoned to town, 105, 110 and n. ; death and funeral of child, 171 ; on sale of Napoleon, 414 n. ; adventure in Gladdies Wiel, 601 n.; walk with Scott, 693 ; as amanuensis, 781, 783, 784, 785, 791, 792, 793, 794 ; opinion on Scott's Essay on Reform Bill, 796, 799 ; at Count Robert, 808 ; smites the Rock, 812; Scott's illness, 824, 886, 911. Laine, M., French Consul, 729. Laing, David, 401, 502, 588 n. Laing, Malcolm, 427, 865. Laing-Meason, Mr. and Mrs. Gil- bert, 865 and n., 877. Laird^s Jock, 495 ?i. Lambeth, 830. Landseer, Edwin, 637 ; picture of dogs, 119, 488; "Study at Abbotsford," 532, 535. Lang, Andrew, Shcritf-Clerk for Selkirkshire, 539, 796 and n. Lang, Andrew, ll.d. , 796 71., 905- 906. Lausdowne, Marquis of, 385, 444, 505 ; Scott dines with, 579. Lardner, Dr., 687, 691, 698, 717, 719, 720, 732. Latin, Scottish pronunciation of, 392. Latouche, Mrs. Peter, 753, 703. Lauder, Sir T. Dick, 645, 710, 711 and n. Laughter, natural aud forced, 59. Laurie, Sir Peter, 582. Lauristou, near Edinburgh, 299, 490, 491 «. Marquis de, 299. Law as a profession in Scotland, 35, 36. Lawrence, Captain, 842. Sir Thomas, 277, 281, 282, 283, 303, 456, 585 ; portrait of Scott, 310, 388. Lebzelteru, Countess de, 870. Leicester, Earl of, 601 and n. Le Noir, M., 15. Leopold, Prince, 598, 599. Leslie, C. R., 119; his portrait of Scott, 77 and ;;. Lessudden House, 739, 763. Letters, arrangement of, 433. Levis, Duke de, 679 and 71. Lewis, M. G., 7, 585; Lewis and Sheridan, 95 n. ; Journal, 468 n. Lewis, Mr., method of improving handwriting, 224. Leyden, John, 218, 349. Uhomme qui cherche, 183, 372. Library, enchanted, 312, 666. Liddell, Dr., 850, 862. Hon. Henry, 456. 807, 827. Misses, 461. Liglit come, light go, 106. Lilliard's Stone, 388 aud n. Lions in Edinbui-gh, 222, 354 ; "Lions," 624. Lister, Thomas Henry, Granhy, 164. Liston, Sir Robert, 618. Literary Society, 585. Litigation in the Sheriflf Courts, 460, 461. Liverpool, Lord, 267, 309, 361. Livingstone, Rev. IMr., 634. Llandaff, Bishop of, 595. Loch, Mrs., 247. John and James, 601, 605, 672. Locker, E. H., 267 and n., 268, 283 and n. Lockhart, John G. , 1, 31, 379, 381, 401, 417, 448, 458, 476 h., 482, 493, 497, 544, 550, 571, 574, 582, 591, 593, 594, 605, 619, 629, 631, 6.36, 697, 716, 727, 743 and n., 744, 827, 833, 886 ; the Quarterly Review, 20-24 ; IMaekwood's Ma- (jazine, 25-26 ; parting entertain- INDEX. 933 ment, 33 ; London, 3-4; Scott's con- fidence in and affection for, 39 ; Malachi, l-i2, 171; on 8ir Walter's style, 181 ; Hook, 302 and n. ; Scott's letter, home politics, 383 )i. ; Hogg, 391 ; account of Gillies, 402 ; Portobello, 411 and n. ; Abbots- ford, 432, 435 ; Kelso, 441; Garrick papers, 497 and n. ; Brighton, 595 ; Life of Biirii-i, 6C9 ; Auchinrath, 634; Edinburgh, 635; Dalkeith, 637 ; Stewart papers, 643 ; letter from Scott regarding illness, Feb. 1820,641 ; Chief swood, 746 ; Hogg, 800, 801 7h ; accompanies Scott to Douglas, 824, 825. Lockhart, Mrs., 22, 23, 31-33, 48, 50, 1.54, 157, 196 ; birth of a son Walter, 182; Abbotsford, 428, 513; birth of a girl, 518; Brighton, 578, 837. J. Hugh (the Hugh Littlejohn of the Tales of a Gran Jf either), .32, 157, 217, 274, 306, 416, 579, 599, 600, 617, 716, 719, 720, 731, 743, 746 ; death, 871 and n. Walter Scott, 182 ; death, 196 and n., 731. Charlotte, 743 and n. Dr. and Mrs. , 762. Lawrence, 446. Hichard, 36, 37 ; death of, 394. William, 33, 272, 281, 634, 647. • William Elliot, 607 n. Logan's Sermons and Poems, 19 and n. , 169. Londesboroiigh, Lord, 836 n. London, Scott's visit to, in October 1826, 273-283; in JS'ovember 1826, 301-311; in April 1828, 571-606; in September, 827 ; October 1831, 828. Londonderry, second Marouis of, 291, 434; Memoirs, 470. Third Marquis of, 456, 457, 458, 460, 470, 591, 830. Fourth Marquis of, 465. Lady Emily, 587. Longman & Co., Woodstock, 177; American Coj^yright, .307 ; A^a- poUon, ,343, 348, 417 ; St. Bonan's Well, 521, 522; Encydopcedia, 682 ; copyright of poetry, 701 ; agrees to sell poetry, 709 ; sale completed, 72.5. Lothian, Marquis of, 457, 461, 463, 465, 546, 636. Louvre, the, 287. Lovaine, Lord, 693. Low, Alexander, History of Scotland, 749 and n. Lowndes, 604. Lucy, Sir Thomas, 569. Luscar, 750. Lushington, Mr., 886. Luttrell, Henry, 277. Lyndhurst, Lord, 267, 383. Lyons of Gattouside, 669. Lyttelton, W. H., 595. ]SI'Allister, General, 422. Macaulay's History of St. Kilda, 636 and n. MacBarnet, Mrs., 564. M'Cormick, Dr., 754. M'Crie, Dr. Thomas, on Old Mortal- ity, 818 n. 31.3. David, of Ardwell, Macclesfield Macculloch, 237, 342. James, 698. L., sculptor, 782, 78.3. jNIacdonald, Macdonald, Marechal, 120 «., 295, 298. Macdonell of Glengarry, 120 and «., 121. Macdougal, Celtic Society, 98. Macduff Club, 722. See Blair- Adam. Macduff's Castle, 406. Mackay, Mr., froni Ireland, 539, 541, 542. Mackay, Rev. Dr. Macintosh, 537 n., 538, 620, 646, 702, 703, 708, 820, 821 ; Cluny ]Macpherson's papers, 537 ; Irish MS. , 704 and n. MacKenzie, Captain, 72d Regiment, 466. Mackenzie, Colin, of Portmore, 6 n. , 14, 84, 88, 125, 134, 1.39, 148, 177, 412, 413, 467, 749 ; character, 31 ; family, 217 ; son of, 312 ; new Academy, 418 ; iUness, 499 ; De- puty Keeper of Signet, retirement from office, 525, 648; death, 760 and n.; lines by, 827. Hay, of Cromarty, 807. Henry, 41 ; sketch of, 35 ; his edition of Home's Works, 372 ; death, 784. Lord, 207 and n., 258, 617. ■ Sutherland, 484. WiUiani, 406. Mrs. Stewart, 616-17- Mackenzie's Hotel, Edinr. , 788. Mackintosh, Sir James, 114, 574, 676, 682, 684. Maclaclian, Mrs. and ]Miss Bell, 791. M'Laurin, Colin, 749. Macleod, Lord, 837. Alex., advocate, 54,3. Mrs., 837. 934 INDEX. M'Nab of that Ilk, 368 and v. Macplierson, Captain, ot]4. Cluny, papers, i]31, 550, 551 ; visit to Edinburgh Castle, GGl, 671, 702. Macqueen, Robert. See Braxfield. ilacturk. Captain, of *S'^ Ronan^s Well, 479. Maqmim Opus, prospectus issued, 657-65S ; printing of the, 687 ; success of, 695, 7U6, 707 "., 708 ; twentieth vol. issued, 768. Malion, Lord, 587 n. Maida, the deer-hound and the art- ists, 77, 166, 593 5?., 870. Maitland, Frederick, capture of Bonaparte, 145, 149 and nn. ■ Miss, 714 n. Club, 658. Makdougall, Ladj' Brisbane, 249. .Malachi Malagrowther, lettei's, 126- 127, 130and«., 136, 139-153, 160. Malcolm, Sir John, 308, 836, 837 and n. Malta, 835, 855, 863. Maltby, Dr., 582, 592. Manchester, 313, 849. ■ Duke of, 597. Mandriu's J\lemoirs, 104 and n. Mansfield, 362. Mar, Earl of, 453. Marjoribanks, Mr. and Mrs. C, 605. Marmion, copyi-ight of, 710, 715. Marmont, Marshal, 299 Marshall, Mr., 843. Marshniau, Dr., .Seranipore mission- ary, 348 and?;., 349. Martin, Davie, 634. i\Iary Queen of Scots, portraits, 4 ; and Elizabeth, 46. Masaniello, 692, 865 and n. ; 904. Matheson, Peter, 227 and /'. Mathews, Charles, Comedian, 47, 58 Abbotsford, 78, 79, 80, 81 and n. -C. J., 78 and?;. Matutinal inspiration, 113, 793. Maxwells, the, 210. Maxpopple. . Roxburghe Club, 453, 454, 584, 595. Royal Academy, London, .585. Literary Society, 390-391, 863 and 71. 938 INDEX. RoyalSociety,Edinburgh, dinner, 34, 35, 318, 354, 491, (531, 633; new rooms, 647, 649, 656. Ruling passion, 216-217. Russel, Alexander, anecdote told by, 344 n. Russell, Claud, 14. Russell, Dr. James, 35 and ?i., 491, 549. Lord John, on Moore, 8 n. , 575. John, 345 ?i., 537. Major-General Sir James, of Ashestiel, 29 n., 30, 45, 74, 76, 164, 230, 321, 381, 390, 391, 435, 560, 672, 777, 782, 795, 813. Lord Wriothesley, 490. Misses, 73, 97, 449. Rutherford, Rev. John, of Yarrow, 559. Dr., 683. Lord, in the Bride of Lamnur- moor, 714 n. Captain Robert, 147. Robert, 29, 320, 449. William, 446. MissC, 90. Riitherfurd, John, of Edgerstouu, 534. Ruthven, Lord and Lady, 61 : 804, 805 n. Rutty, J., diary, 68 and n. St. Agath.\, 892. St. Andrews, visit to, in 1827, 403. St. Boswell's Fair, 229. St. Cuthbert's remains at Durham, 421. St. Giles, Edinburgh, 491 n. St. Mary's Loch, 243. St. Monans, 405. St. Paul's, Dean of, 576. St. Honcui's Well, Scott's opinion of, 231 ; Macturk in, 479, 483; new edition required, 521 ; dramatised, 715. St. Roque, 848. St. Thomas Aquinas, tomb of, 886. Saladin's shroud, 485 h. Salerno, 880. Samotliracian Mysteries, 578. Sanctuary, the, 472 and n., 474. Sanders, George L. , miniature of M. G. Lewis, 7 and n. San Domenico Maggiore, 886. Sandford, Mrs. Professor, 636. Sandie's well, 163. SaiiH Culhtidcs, April mornings, 184, 185. Savary, H., 59 and n. Scarlett, Sir James Y., 57. Schutze, Mr., 729, 730. Schwab, Gustavus, 412. Schwartzenberg, 292. Scott, Lady, 47, 130 ; removal from Castle Street, 143, 152 ; illness, 159, 161, 166, 178-191 ; death, 193, 564. Scott, Miss Anne, Scottish songs, 38, 39 ; characterised, 55 ; retro- spect, 56-57, 116, 194, 19.5, 197, 481, 532, 560 ; London, 565, 612 n.; Milburn Tower, 618; Hopetoun House, 656 ; castle, 662, 671 ; Blair-Adam, 750, 779, 889. Walter, 144, 183, 197-99, 479- 481, 513, 519, 546, 571, 030, 815, 832, 840 ; choice of a soldier's life, 37 ; 15th Hussars going to India, 73 ; generous offer from, 101 ; lines on Ii-ish quarters, 232 ; re- visits Abl)otsford, 240, 242; at Blair-Adam, 246, 249 ; Ireland, 250, 315 ; Dalkeith, 321, 322, 325 ; Christmas at Abbotsford, 3"i9, 335 ; dinner and guests at Hamp- ton Court, 577 ; inflammatory attack, 697, 698, 700, 736, 716; wishes topreservethe library, 779. Charles, choice of profession, 179; arrives at Abbotsford, ]9(), 201, 202, 228; Drumlanrig, 242; Ireland, 250; return, 200, 260; Scott's visit to Oxford, 311, 369, 488, 490, 495, 506, 513; Foreign Office, 536, 571, 582, 6,30; Edin- burgh, 719, 726, 778, 889. — -Thomas and Mrs., 7 ii., 180, 312, 597 n. Anne, niece of Sir Walter, 188, 227, 237. — Walter, nephew, 103, 116, 264, 748 and n. — Sir W., of Ancuum, 822, 837. — of Bavelaw, 671. of Gala, 59, 252, 253, 532, 536, 555, 56(5, 646, 703, 740, 743, 740. — of Harden, 105, 163, 168, 170- 179, 181, 188, 205, 214, 2.38, 259, 337, 35S, 390, 425, 434, 4.37, 442, 443 and ».. 46(5, 4(58, -1,S6, 499, 518, 585, 593, 614, 615, 618, 748, 773, 774, 777, 779, 780, 785, 796, 801, 822. John, Midgeliopc, 431. Charles, of Nesbit, Mill, 259, 679. of Raeburn (Maxpopple), 159 and n., 187, 238, 255, 2(59, .388, .389, 4,39. 473 v., 495, 688 and «., (589, 693, 695, 728, 739, 763, 809. INDEX. 939 Scott, of Scallowav. 705. of WoU, 740/746, 811 and n. Charles, gi-andson of Charles of Woll, 431. Dr., of Haslar Hospital, 705. James, 695. Keith, 694. James, a young painter, .308. Scottish Nationality, 153. Scottish Songs v. Foreign music, 38. Scrope, William, 75, 78, 111, 121, 174, 328, 336, 338, 377, 378, 390, 421, 423, 427, 535, 560. Seafieid, Lord Chancellor, 208 n. Seaford. See Ellis, C. Seaforth, Lady, funeral, 65S. Search for sealing-wax, 1 84. Selkirk, lifth Earl of, 575 ii. 7-28. Lady, 575. Club, 254. election, 779, 822. Sheriff-court processes, 47. the March fair at, 808. Selkirkshire Yeomanry Club dimier, 558. Seton, Sir Reginald Steuart, of Staffa, 544 n. Seymour, Sir Michael, 842, 843. Shakespeare's house, 569. Shaudwick Place, No. 6, takes pos- session Nov. 6, 1827, 475. Shap fells, di-ive over the, 314. Sharp, Sir Cuthbert, 5C3. Richard, 247, 277, 283, 674, 575. ol:^. Sharpe, Charles Kirkpatrick, 121, 122, 221, 412, 490, 574, 615, 618, 646, 753, 836 n. ; sketched, 2-4 ; alterations in Edinburgh, 336 ; restoration of " Mons Meg," 662. Shaw, Dr., 217, 280. Christian, 559. of Sauchie, 559. ShaiC'!, mi!)-(ler of, 4.54. Shelley, Lady, 479, 596, 601. Sir John, 593. ■ Percy B., 11-12. Mrs., Frunkenateiu, 174m. Shepherd, Sir Samuel, Lord Chief Baron, 51 and 7i., 192, 207, 358, 395, 487, 492, 509, 512, 580, 626, 719, 750; sketch of, 57-58; Blair- Adam, 21.-). 217, 621 3; Ciiarlton, 403 ; at Colvin Sniitlis, 530, 532. Sheridan, Rich. B., dull in society, 80 ; price of Drury Lane Tlieatre, 81; review of Life, 173; and Sharp, 572. Sheridan, Tom, 673. Sheriffmuir trumpeter, 185. Shortreed, Robert, 178, 257, 387, 693, 730 and 7i. (junior), 466, 720. Andrew, 388, 39i), 602, 605. Pringle, 93. Shortt, Dr., 355, 357 Siddons, Mrs. H., 534, 707, 715. Sidmouth, Lord, 602, 830. Sievvvright, Sir John, 587. Silver tir, rapid growth, 239. Simond's S>iu'(.~('i-la7Hl, 626. Simson, William, R. S. A., 37 Sinclair, Sir John, 8.5. • Lady, 555. Misses, 450. 364. as Belvidera, Master of, 454, Robert, 552. 360. Singleton, Archdeacon, 463 and 7i. Six-foot-high Club, 658. Skelton, Mr., 724. Skene, James and Mrs., 31, 42, 319, 325, 335, 350, 355, 393, 395, 397, 403, 407, 412, 605, 637, 646, 652, 658, 674, 702, 705; the Boswells, 59 n. ; sketch of, 75 ; recollections of Mathews, 80 ii. ; recollections of financial crisis, 82- 84 ;;. ; walks in Princes Street Gardens, 91 n., 94, 95 n., 118, 626 ; proposal that Scott should live with him, 129, 154 ; letter from Scott on Lady Scott's death, 197-198 ?i.; the wlialing captain, 210 I). ; note from Scott, 394 n. ; atAbbotsford (1827), 4,33; (1818- 19), bWv.; (1829), 676, ^ff/.; Lady Jane Stuart, 476 n. ; the good Samaritan, 712, 719; sketches for Waverl.y, 720 and v., 753, 759 ; Raeburn's portrait of Scott, 782 «., 788 «., 789, 813; death, 870 and n. Professor George, 713 n. William F., Historiographer- Royal for Scotland, 813 and ii. Skirving, Archibald, artist, 1.38 and n. Smith, Colvin, 529. .5.32 and v., 5,35, 543, 546, 615, 636, 698, 748. Mrs. Charlotte, Denmoiid, 156 and 11. , 342, 599. Horace, Bramhletye House, 273, 275, 5.33, 841. • John, builder, 782, 811 and n. Sydney, 362. 364, 369, 544, 593. 940 INDEX. Smith, Mr., Foreign Office, 278. Mrs. , case of poisoning, .355, 361 . Smoking, 11. Smollett, Captain, 27. Smythe of Methven, 22.3. Solitude, love of, v. Confinement, 163, 168, 177. Somerset, Lord Fitzroy, 583. Somerset House, 587. Somerville, Lord, Life of, 356. Somerville, Dr. Tlios. , 258, 259 and n. Sotheby, 283, 571„j5I2, 578. " Sour sillocks," 706. Southey, Robert, the Quarterly, 21, 25, 26, 38, 214; Peninsular War, Til, 582 n., 604, 645 n. ; Piltjrim's Progress, 758, 764. Soutra, Johnstones of, 210. Souza-Botelho, Madame de, 290-291 and n. Spectral illusions, 47. Spencer, Lord, 584, 595. Hon. W. R., 292, 295, 393 n. Spice, a terrier, 423-4, 802. Stafford, Lord and Lady, 47, 304, 406, 581, 594, 596, 601, 837. Stainmore, 271. Stanhope, Spencer, 267. Stanhope's Notes, 463 n. Steuart-Denham, Sir James, of Colt- ness, 114 and n. Sir Henry Seton, 454, 504, 635. Stevenson, John, 148, 413, 438. Patrick James, 620 n. Stewart, Sir Charles and Lady Elizabeth, 281. Dugald, 488 n. ; death of, 615, J. A., 617 ?i. Sir J., of Murthly, 758. James, of Brugh, 20. Sir M. Shaw, 319. General David, of Garth, death 431 and n. Thomas, 389. of of Dalguise, 518, 519. younger of Invernahyle, 648. Mrs., of Blackhill, 168. Stirling, General Graham, 98. Stirlings of Drumpellier, 423, 718. Stoddart, Dr., 527. Mr., 835 m. Stokoe, Dr. , 325. Stopford, Lady Charlotte, 244 and n. , 534. Stowell, Lord (Sir 'William Scott), 602 and H., 844. Strange, Mr. and Mrs., 750, 758. Strangford, Lord, 610. Stratford-on-Avon, mulberry tree from, 404 and n. , 508. "Strict retreat," 111. Stuart, General, of Blantyre, 418. Charles, Blantyre, 225, 418. Hon. Mr., 98. Mr. , grand-nephew of Lady Louisa, 640, 669. Sir John, of Fettercairn, 404 n., 735 ?(. — Sir John, 894. James, of Dunearn, 58 n.. 638 ; sale of pictures, 646. — Sir James, AUanbank, 412, 629, 638, 639, 643, 646. Lady Jane, letter to Scott, 469 and n. ; an affecting meet- ing, 474 and n. ; old stories, 478, 486, 494, 631 ; illness, 654, 715 and n. ; death of, 735. Lady Louisa, 107 and n.. 204, 311, 669, 830, 832, 837, 887, 889 "Stuiko,"803and?i. Style, solecisms in, 181. Sunderland, 460. Hall, 437. Surtees, Mr., 240, 242, 250, 260, 266, 311, 312, 563. Sussex, Duke of, 582. Sutherland, Mr., Aberdeen, 692. Sutton, Right Hon. Charles Man- ners, 305 and n. Swanston, John, 160, 238, 437, 778, 780. Swift's handwriting, 453. Swinton, Archibald, 250 ; dinner and guests, 322, 432, 485, 546, 552, 556. Mr. and Mrs. George, 76, 394, 432, 527, 645, 806. John, 205-206, 224, 403, 418. Harriet, 761. Mrs. Peggie, 29, 432. S. W. S., 112h. "Tace is Latin for a candle," 375 and n. Tait, Archbishop, 418 n. Craufurd, 418. Talbot, Miss, 886. Tale of Mysterious 3rirror, 572. Tales of Crusaders, 793. Tales of a Grandfather first thought of, 396 ; arranged with Cadell, 398, 413; progress of, 422, 452; first volume finished, 428 ; last proof corrected, 482 ; i-equest to revise, 510 ; new edition, 561 ; second series begun. 573, 682; third series in hand, 083 ; France, 773. INDEX. 941 Talleyrand, 281-282, 838 n. Tamworth, 566. Tangiers, 846. Tanneguy du Chdtel, 209. Tarentum, Bishop of, 869. Taschereau's Li/e of Moliere, 518, 524. Taylor, Sir Herbert, 807. Jemmy, 706. Watson, 587. "Teind Wednesday," 37 n. Temple, Sir William, 606, 766 n. Terracina, 894. Terry, Daniel, 192, 223; visit to Abbotsford, 230, 234, 251, 278, 280, 352; ruin, 573, 574, 605; illness, 719 ; death, 730 and n. The Great Twalviley, 8. Theatre of God's Judgments, 493 n. Royal, meeting of tnistees for, 707. Theatrical Fund Dinner, 362 and n. , 363, 364. " The grave the last sleep ?" 393. Theobald, Mr. and Mrs., 561, 562. Thomas, Captain, 721 and n. Thomson, David, on Moore, 46. David, W.S., 442. Rev. George, tutor at Abbots- ford, 67 and n., 328, 336, 764 n., 773. Mr. , Mi's. , and Miss Anstru- ther, of Charlton, 376, 403, 509, 512, 621, 623. Rev. John, of Duddingston, 111, 223, 379, 535, 547, 621, 623, 750, 823. Thomas, Deputy Clerk-Regis- ter, 61, 133 and n., 140, 205, 223 andn, 225, 357, 369, 400, Todd, Thomas, 260 and n. "Tom Tack," 382. Tone, Wolfe, 431. Torre del Carmine, 865. Torphichen, Lady, 552. "Touch my honour, touch my life," 153 and ?i. Townshend, Lord Charles, 566. Trafalgar, 847. Train, Joseph, 684. Tranent, riots at, 849. Travelling expenses, 1790, contracted with 1826, 314. Treuttel & Wurtz, 518, 557. Tripp, Baroji, 459. Trotter (Coal Gas Co.), 553. Sir Coutts, 586. Tuilleries, 296. Tunis, 854. Turner, Rev. Mr., and Lord Castle - reagh's Memoirs, 470. -Dr., 783. Messrs. , Malta, 889. Turner, J. W,, illustration to Poetical Works, 809, 813. Tweeddale, Marquis of, 494, 650. Tytler, Alexander Fraser, 236 n. Mrs. , of Woodhouselee, 236, 238. 403, 653 407, 418, 424, 427, 486, 538 11. , 788 n. Thomson's Tales of an Antiquary, 562. Thornhill, Mr., 464. Colonel, 265 ; hawks, 266. Sir James, 606. Thrale, Mrs. , 309, 604 and n. Thurtell & Co. at Gill's Hill, 228 n., 608 and n. Ticknor, George, of Boston, 77 n., 448 n. , 756 n. Tighe, Usher, 642. " Tiled haddock," 755 and n., 759. "Time must salve the sore," 100. Timing ane's turns, 820. Tod's, Colonel, Travels in Western India, 653 n. Tod, Miss, 267. Todd, Miss, 432. Patrick Fraser, 354 and n., 678 ; his History of Scotland, 664, 678, 681. Union Scottish Assurance Co., meeting of, 483, 484. University Commission, 256, 257, 326 and ??., 477 ?«. Upcott, William, 248. Uprouse ye then, my merry, merry men, 640. Utterson, 582. Vandenhoff, Mr. , as Jaffier, 534. Van Mildert, Bishop of Durham, 457 and n. Vasa, Prince Gustavus, 385, 386 74. Veitch, James, 680. Velletri, 894. Venice Preserved, 534. Ventriloquism, 79. Vere, Hope, of Craigiehall, 494, 650. Lady Elizabeth Hope, 494, 650. Verplanck, Mr., 400. Vesci, De, 462. Vesuvius, 840, 864. Vicaria, the, 876. Victoria, Princess, 598. Vienna, congress of, 463. 942 INDEX. Views of Gentlemen' s Seats, 518. Vilhena, dou ]\laiuiel, Fort 856 and »., 858. Volturno, 893. of, Edinburgh Waldie, Mr., of Henderland, 253. Walker, Mr., engraver of Rae- burn's portrait of Scott, '21 '2 and n., 398. teacher of drawing, 137, 138 and n. H., 447. of Muirhouselaw, 388 and n. Lieut, (afterwards Sir Bald- win), 853 and n. Sir Patiick, 658. Miss A. , 447. Helen, tombstone at Irongray, 817 and «. Walker Street, No. 3, (from Nov. 27, 1826 to June 30, 1827), 315?;., 414. Wall in "Pyramus and Thisbe," 18. Wallace's sword, 43. Walpole, Horace, Jlifloric Doubts, 366, 518. Walton and Cotton's Angler, 602 n. Ward, R. Plumer, 384 ?j., 416 u. Mr. (Dover), 300. Warkworth, 462, 463. Warroch, Mr., 754. Warwick, Lord and Lady, 568. Castle, 567. Water-cow, in the Highlands, superstition, 485, 486 and n. _ Watson, Capt., 712 «., 812. Wauchope, Air., 484. ^Vaverley novels, plans for buying copyright, 481, 499, 500, 503, 709; continued demand for, 521-22 n. Weare's murder, 228 n., 607-8. Weatherby, 271. Weber, Baron, 190. Henry, amanuensis, 149, 339, 574. Wedderburn, Sir David, 486. Lady (ne'e Brown), 409, 486. AVeir, Major, 346, 347 ii. Wellesley, Marqtiis, 505. AVf^lington, Duke of, 267, .",05, 362, 367, 379, 383, 506 ?t., 513, 518, 524, 581, 586, 593, 595, 596, 634, 613, 676 n., 703, 828 ; dinners and guests, 306 ■''^7. ; Scott's interviews with, in London, 310, .348; Scott's letter to, 359-360 //. ; Canning, 420, 435 ; Ravensworth Castle, 455 and ii., 449. 302, 411, 456 ; Baron Tripp, 459 ; and Earl of Meath, 486 ; Lord Mahon, 587 n. ; Catholic Bill, 644 and n. Wemyss, Captain, 406. Westphalia, King of, 893 and ?t. Whistlecraft, 863. White, Lydia, 283, 305 ; death, 351-52 and 9i., 624, 837. Whitlaw Kips, 266. Whitmore, Lady Lucy, 262. Whittingham, 456, 461, 463. Whyte, iMiss, 879, 881. Widow-burning in India, 30. Widow ladies' requests, 163. Wilberforce, 577. Wilkie, Sir David, picture of king's arrival at Holyrood, 77 ; at Somerset House, 119, 637 ; portrait for Magnum, 655 ; and letter from, to Scott, 655 n. Williams, Archdeacon, 413, 414, 418, 441, 537, 545, 619, 622, 626, 787 H. W. ("Grecian"), 138 and?!., 377. Williamson, W. of Cardrona, 131 n. Wilson, Adam, 325, 721. Professor John, letter from Lockliart, 26 n., 448 and n., 492, 544. Mr., of Wilsontown, 225, 283. Sir Robert, 434. R. Sym, 50. Harriet, Mtmoh's, remarks on, 41-42. Wilton nuns, "go spin you jades," 110, 157, 372. Winchelsea, Lord, and Wellington, 672 n. Windsor Castle, 279. ^Vishart's Montrose, 524 n. " Wishing-cap," power of, 66. Witchcraft, Joanna Baillie, 424. Withers, Pope's epitaph, 125. W., 601. Wolcot, Dr., 341 ; "Fleas are not lobsters," 390. Wood, Sir Alexander, 550. John Philip, 755 and 7i. Woodstock, in progress, 10, 68, 74, 100, 114 ; 2d vol. ended, 117, 123, 127, 131, 146. LIS; finished, 162, 165; Longman buys, 182; copy- right, 202 ; price of, 407 n.; anno- tated, 773. A\ooler, 456, 463, 464. Worcester, 313. Worcester, Marquis of, 583. IXBEX. 943 Wordsworth, William, 268, 333 anecdote of, 334 ; Hues on Hogg, 448 n. , 593, 595, 598, 603, 604 ; at Abbotsford, 825, 827 and n., 828 and n. Miss, 827, 828 and ?i. Bishop, 827 and n. Wrangham, Archdeacon, 600. Wright, Sir John, 439. Rev. Thomas, of Borthwick, 506 and ?;. W., Lincoln's Inn, 26, 308 and n ,311. Wyatville, Mr. , 279. Wynn, Charles, 598. Y ARROW, excursion in August 1826, 242; in December 1827, 509; in May 1829, 693 ; in July 1829, 734; in September 1831, 827. Yates, Dr. , 280, 599. Yelin, Chevalier, 90, 94. Yermoloff, General, 431-32. Yester, pictures at, 494. York, Duke of, 302, 308, 310 ; death, 337 ; funeral, 343. York, Cardinal Duke of, 727. Young, Alexander, of Harburn, 148 and n. Charles Mayne as "Pierre," 534, 536 and n. ^Dr., and Miss, Hawick, 574, 761, 769. Yountf Lochinvar written at Both- well Castle, motto, ii. Zetland, 705. Printed l.y T. and A. Con.stabi.k, Printer.s to His Majesty at the Edinburgli University Press. 24 90 '3' » UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 305 De Neve Drive - Parking Lot 17 . Box 951388 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. 4 ^lowa Mi m JAN m T UNIVEr LTFORNtA Al' LOS :.ES LIBKAKY PR 5334 A2 1910 1666 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 374 577 TTpTuB