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question at rest, by an accumulation of critical evidence which no sophistry could evade; and yet produced in a style of such high-bred delicacy, that it was impossible for the hitherto "veiled prophet" to take the slightest offence with the hand that had for ever abolished the disguise. The only sceptical scruple that survived this exposition, was extinguished in due time by Scott's avowal of the sole and unassisted authorship of his novels; and now Mr. Adolphus's letters have shared the fate of other elaborate arguments, the thesis of which has ceased to be controverted. Hereafter, I am persuaded the volume will be revived for its own sake. I have it not in my power to produce the letter in which Scott conveyed to Heber his opinion of this work. I know, however, that it ended with a request that he should present Mr. Adolphus with his thanks for the handsome terms in which his poetical efforts had been spoken of throughout, and request him, in the name of the Author of Marmion, not to re-visit Scotland without reserving a day for Abbotsford; and the Eidolon of the author of Waverley was made a few months afterwards, to speak as follows in the introduction to the "Fortunes of Nigel." "These letters to the member for the University of Oxford show the wit, the genius, and delicacy of the author, which I heartily wish to see engaged on a subject of more importance."

An old lady, who lived not far from Abbotsford, and from whom the "Great Unknown" had derived many an ancient tale, was waited upon one day by the author of Waverley On endeavouring to give the authorship the go-by, the old dame protested, "D'ye think, sir, I dinna ken my ain groats in ither folks kail?"

Scott is known to have much profited by Constable's bibliographical knowledge, which was very extensive. The latter christened "Kenilworth," which Scott had named “Cumnor Hall." John Ballantyne objected to the former title, and told Constable the result would be "something worthy of the kennel;" but the result proved the reverse. Mr. Cadell relates that Constable's vanity boiled over so much at this time, on having his suggestions gone into, that, in his high moods, he used to stalk up and down his room, and exclaim, "By Jove, I am all but the author of the Waverley Novels !"

POETRY AND PROSE.

One fine day in spring, Sir Walter Scott strolled forth with Lady Scott, to enjoy a walk around Abbotsford. In their wanderings they passed a field where a number of ewes were enduring the frolics of their lambs. "Ah!" exclaimed Sir

Walter, "tis no wonder that poets, from the earliest ages, have made the lamb the emblem of peace and innocence." "They are, indeed, delightful animals," returned Lady Scott, "especially with mint-sauce."

SCOTT'S DIVISION OF HIS TIME.

Division of time is the grand secret of successful industry. Lockhart, in his Life of Scott, shows how effectually the illustrious subject of his memoir found opportunity for unequalled literary labour, even while enjoying all the amusements of a man of leisure. "Sir Walter Scott rose by five o'clock, lit his own fire when the season required one, and shaved and dressed with great deliberation; for," says his biographer, "he was a very martinet as to all but the mere coxcombries of the toilet, not abhorring effeminate dandyism itself so cordially as the slightest approach to personal slovenliness, or even those 'bed-gown and slipper tricks,' as he called them, in which literary men are so apt to indulge. Arrayed in his shooting-jacket, or whatever dress he meant to use till dinnertime, he was seated at his desk by six o'clock, all his papers arranged before him in the most accurate order, and his books of reference marshalled around him on the floor, while at least one favourite dog lay watching his eye just beyond the line of circumvallation. Thus, by the time the family assembled for breakfast, between nine and ten, he had done enough (in his own language) 'to break the neck of the day's work.' After breakfast a couple of hours more were given to his solitary tasks, and by noon he was, as he used to say, 'his own man.' When the weather was bad, he would labour incessantly all the morning; but the general rule was to be out and on horseback by one o'clock at the latest; while, if any more distant excursion had been proposed overnight, he was ready to start on it by ten; his occasional rainy days of unintermitted study forming, as he said, a fund in his favour, out of which he was entitled to draw for accommodation whenever the sun shone with special brightness."

MISS EDGEWORTH AND SIR WALTER SCOTT.

In the autumn of 1823, Miss Edgeworth, accompanied by two of her sisters, made a visit to Sir Walter Scott, at Abbotsford. She not only, he said, completely answered, but exceeded the expectations of her which he had formed, and he was particularly pleased with the naïveté and good-humoured ardour of mind which she united with such formidable powers of observation. "Never," says Mr. Lockhart, “did I see a brighter day at Abbotsford than that on which Miss Edgeworth first arrived there; never can I forget her look and accent when she was received by Scott at his archway, and exclaimed, 'everything about you is exactly what one ought to have had wit enough to dream.' The weather was beautiful, and the edifice and its appurtenances were all but complete; and day after day, so long as she could remain, her host had always some new plan of gaiety."

Miss Edgeworth remained a fortnight at Abbotsford. Two years after, she had an opportunity of repaying the hospitalities of her entertainer, by receiving him at Edgeworth-town, in the county of Longford, Ireland, where Sir Walter met with as cordial a welcome, and where he found "neither mud hovels nor naked peasantry, but snug cottages and smiling faces all about." Literary fame had spoiled neither of these eminent persons, nor unfitted them for common business, and enjoyment of life. "We shall never,” said Scott, "learn to feel and respect our real calling and destiny, unless we have taught ourselves to consider everything as moonshine compared with the education of the heart." Maria did not listen to this without some water in her eyes, her tears were always ready when anything generous was touched—(for, as Pope says, "the finest minds, like the finest metals, dissolve the easiest ") but she brushed them gaily aside, and said, "You see how it is: Dean Swift said he had written his books, in order that people might learn to treat him like a great lord. Sir Walter wrote his in order that he may be able to treat his people as a great lord ought to do."

SIR WALTER SCOTT'S EMBARRASSMENTS.

The utterly unexpected bankruptcy of Scott fell on Edinburgh like a thunderbolt at the opening of the year 1826. "Well," says Cockburn, in his Memorials, "do I remember

his first appearance after this calamity was divulged, when he walked into court, one day in January. There was no affectation, and no reality, of facing it; no look of indifference or defiance; but the manly and modest air of a gentleman conscious of some folly, but of perfect rectitude, and of the most heroic and honourable resolutions." [Scott says, in his Diary, "I felt rather sneaking as I came home from the Parliament House-felt as if I were liable monstrari digito in no very pleasant way."] "It was on that very day, I believe, that he said a very fine thing. Some of his friends offered him, or rather proposed to offer him, enough of money, as was supposed, to enable him to arrange with his creditors. He paused for a moment, and then, recollecting his powers, said proudly-No! this right hand shall work it all off!' His friend William Clerk supped with him one night after his ruin was declared. They discussed the whole affair, its causes and probable consequences, openly and playfully; till at last they laughed over their noggins at the change, and Sir Walter observed that he felt 'something like Lambert and the other regicides, who, Pepys says, when he saw them going to be hanged and quartered, were as cheerful and comfortable as any gentlemen could be in that situation.""

SCOTT'S POWER OF OBSERVATION.

Mr. Goodrich, (Peter Parley,) in one of his visits to England, dined at Mr. Lockhart's, where the following curious instance of Scott's accuracy and power of minute observation was related by Sir Walter himself.

"The most remarkable thing about the American Indians," said Blackwood, "is their being able to follow in the trail of their enemies, by their footprints left in the leaves, upon the grass, and even upon the moss of the rocks. The accounts given of this seem hardly credible."

"I can readily believe it, however," said Sir Walter. "You must remember that this is a part of their education. I have learned at Abbotsford to discriminate between the hoof-marks of all our neighbours' horses, and I taught the same thing to Mrs. Lockhart. It is, after all, not so difficult as you might think. Every horse's foot has some peculiarity—either of size, shoeing, or manner of striking the earth. I was once walking with Southey-a mile or more from home-across

the fields. At last we came to a bridle-path, leading toward Abbotsford, and here I noticed fresh hoof-prints. Of this I said nothing; but pausing and looking up with an inspired expression, I said to Southey-'I have a gift of second sight; we shall have a stranger to dinner!'

"And what may be his name?' was the reply. 'Scott,' said I.

66 6

"Ah, it is some relation of yours,' he said; 'you have invited him, and you would pass off, as an example of your Scottish gift of prophecy, a matter previously agreed upon !'

66 6 'Not at all,' said I. 'I assure you that till this moment I never thought of such a thing.'

"When we got home, I was told that Mr. Scott, a farmer living some three or four miles distant, and a relative of mine was waiting to see me. Southey looked astounded. The man remained to dinner, and he was asked if he had given any intimation of his coming. He replied in the negative: that indeed he had no idea of visiting Abbotsford when he left home. After enjoying Southey's wonder for some time, I told him that I saw the tracks of Mr. Scott's horse in the bridlepath, and inferring that he was going to Abbotsford, easily foresaw that we should have him to dinner."

Mrs. Lockhart confirmed her father's statement, and told how, in walking over the country together, they had often amused themselves in studying the hoof-prints along the roads.

Lady Hester Stanhope used to relate the following instance of minute observation in her grandfather, Lord Chatham. His memory of things, even of a common nature, was very striking. On passing a place where he had been ten years before, he would observe that there used to be a tree, or a stone, or a something that was gone, and on inquiry it was proved to be so; yet he travelled always with four horses at a great rate.

"SAY SOMETHING CLEVER."

Sir Walter Scott used to relate, that a friend of his once met in a stage-coach, a man that utterly baffled all efforts at conversation. Yet, this friend piqued himself on his conversational powers; he tried his fellow-traveller on many points, but in vain, and at length he expostulated; "I have talked to you, my friend, on all ordinary subjects-literature, farming, merchandize-gaming, game-laws, horse-races-suits-at

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