Read Ebook: Notes and Queries Index to Ninth Volume January-June 1854 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men Artists Antiquaries Genealogists etc. by Various Bell George Editor

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Editor: Charles Rogers

Illustrator: George Cruikshank, and other Artists of Eminence

THE CENTENARY GARLAND

In Their Order Of Publication.

With Descriptions, Memoir, Etc.

Edinburgh:

William P. Nimmo.

Who comes, alone, with soul of fire, And in his hand the Border lyre? He sweeps the strings, and in his strain Old times and manners live again; 'Tis Scott! great Master of his art, He fires, subdues, or storms the heart! Rapt by the magic of his rhymes, I seem to live in feudal times; I hear the swelling bugle's call, And see the warder on the wall; And many a squire, and many a knight, In mail and gloves of steel bedight, Impatient for the fiery fight.

Captain Charles Gray.

The land was charm'd to list his lays; It knew the harp of ancient days. The Border chiefs, that long had been In sepulchres unhearsed and green, Passed f rom their mouldy vaults away, In armour red and stern array, And by their moonlight halls were seen, In visor helm, and habergean. Even fairies sought our land again, So powerful was the magic strain.

The Ettrick Shepherd.

PREFATORY NOTE,

BY THE EDITOR.

CHARLES ROGERS.

Snowdoun Villa,

Lewisham, Kent,

June 1871.

MEMOIR.

Sir Walter was born in a house which has long ago disappeared; it stood at the head of the College Wynd, and was removed to make room for the northern front of the University buildings. On his father's side he was descended from the Scotts of Harden, the elder branch of the great Border sept of that name. In his personal aspects he much resembled his paternal ancestry, his features being of the Saxon type, rugged, massive, heavy,-almost stolid. Through his paternal grandmother, he traced an old lineage in the Haliburtons of Newmains, a considerable family of Berwickshire landowners. Of the Haliburtons he printed for family use a volume of "Memorials," and he rejoiced, through his descent from that sept, to possess a right of sepulture in Dryburgh Abbey. On his mother's side, his progenitors were likewise respectable; his maternal grandfather, Dr John Rutherford, was Professor of the Practice of Physic in Edinburgh University, and his mother's brother, Dr Daniel Rutherford, an eminent chemist, occupied the Chair of Botany. His mother possessed a vigorous intellect, which she had successfully cultivated. Of a family of twelve, six of whom survived infancy, Walter alone evinced the possession of genius. Born a healthy child, he became exposed to serious peril by being intrusted to a consumptive nurse. When under two years old, he was seized with an illness which impaired the use of his right limb, a misfortune which continued during his life. With the view of restoring his strength, he was placed with his paternal grandfather, Robert Scott, who rented the farm of Sandyknowe, near Smailholm Tower, Roxburghshire. At Sandyknowe, he narrowly escaped destruction through the violence of a servant who had become insane; but he had afterwards to congratulate himself on having formed an early acquaintance with rural scenes. No advantage arising to his lameness, he was, in his fourth year, removed to Bath, where he remained some time without experiencing benefit from the thermal waters. The three following years were chiefly spent at Sandyknowe. In his eighth year he returned to Edinburgh, with his mind largely stored with Border legends derived from his grandmother, a person of romantic humour and sprightly intelligence. At this period, Pope's translation of Homer, and the songs of Ramsay's "Evergreen," were his favourite studies; he took delight in reading aloud the more striking passages. In 1779 he was sent to the High School, where he had the advantage of being taught by Mr Luke Fraser, an able scholar, and Dr Adam, the erudite Rector. His scholastic progress was not equal to his talents; he was devoted to romance, and experienced greater pleasure in a country ramble, than in giving due attention to the business of the class-room. As he became older, his love of miscellaneous literature amounted to a passion; and as his memory was singularly retentive, he accumulated a store of knowledge.

On the completion of his High School attendances, he was sent to reside with relatives at Kelso; and in this interesting locality his early attachment to legendary lore experienced a revival. Returning to Edinburgh, he, in October 1783, entered the University. Here his progress was even less marked than it had been at school. Mr Dalzell, the Professor of Greek, spoke of his hopeless incapacity. The Professor survived to make reparation for prophesying so rashly.

The aspirations of the future poet turned to a military life; but his lameness interposed a barrier. At length he adopted a profession suitable to his physical capabilities; in his fourteenth year he entered into indentures with his father.

To confinement at the desk, irksome to one of his peculiar tastes, he was reconciled by the consideration that his fees enabled him to add to his library.

Rapid growth in a constitution which continued delicate till his fifteenth year, led to his bursting a blood-vessel. While precluded from active duty, being closely confined to his bed, and not allowed to exert himself by speaking, he was yet permitted to read, a privilege of which he largely availed himself. To complete his recovery, he was recommended exercise on horseback; and in obeying his physician, he gratified his own inclinations by visiting localities famous in history or tradition. When his health was restored, he engaged in the study of law, which he did seriously. After passing the requisite examinations, he was on the 10th July 1792, called to the Bar. At the age of twelve he had composed some verses for his preceptor, Dr Adam; but he seems in early life to have written little poetry, while his prose compositions lacked force of thought and ease of diction. As an advocate his manner was not very attractive, and both suitors and their agents had obtained the notion, not quite unfounded, that the young barrister was more inclined to literary than legal pursuits. Scott was not unconscious of the popular judgment, and began to dream of independence in other spheres. He thought of marriage. He courted unsuccessfully Miss Williamina Stuart, whose mother had been his own mother's early friend, and who was personally an heiress. She refused him, and with a heart stung by disappointment, and ready to seek relief on the first fitting opportunity, he at the rising of the Court in July 1797, joined a little party of friends in a tour to Cumberland. Not long after, a charming brunette at Gilsland Spa arrested his fancy and stole his affection. She was an attractive young Frenchwoman, a ward of Lord Downshire, and under the temporary protection of a respected English clergyman. After a short acquaintance Scott proposed and was accepted. He was married in St Mary's Church, Carlisle, on the 24th December 1797. With less haste he might have married more advantageously. As it was, he was now free from any apprehension about the means of living, for his wife, Charlotte Charpentier, possessed an annuity of ?200. His own finances were materially increased in 1800, when he became Sheriff of Selkirkshire, with a salary of ?300.

The ballads and songs of the south of Scotland, preserved among the peasantry, had at an early period occupied his attention. He now made excursions to Liddesdale in quest of these interesting remains; and the fruits of his research, along with much curious information, he gave to the world in 1802, in two octavo volumes, entitled "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border."' He afterwards added a third volume, consisting of imitations of ancient ballads, composed by himself and others. These volumes were issued from the printing press of his early friend, James Ballantyne of Kelso, who had already begun to indicate his skill as a typographer.

Scott's prosperity rose with his reputation. In 1806 he was appointed a principal clerk in the Court of Session, an office which afterwards yielded him ?1200 per annum. To literary work he henceforth dedicated the intervals of leisure. In 1808 he produced "Marmion," his second great poem, which brought him ?1000, and materially increased his fame. During the same year he edited the works of Dryden, in eighteen volumes. In 1809 he edited the "State Papers and Letters of Sir Ralph Sadler," and became a contributor to the "Edinburgh Annual Register," conducted by Southey. "The Lady of the Lake," the most happily-conceived of his poetical works, appeared in 1810; "Don Roderick," in 1811; "Rokeby," in 1813; and "The Lord of the Isles," in 1814. "Harold the Dauntless," and "The Bridal of Triermain," appeared subsequently.

At a public dinner in Edinburgh, for the benefit of the Theatrical Fund, on the 23d of February 1827, Sir Walter first publicly avowed himself author of the Waverley Novels-an announcement which scarcely took the public by surprise. His physical energies were now suffering a rapid decline, and in his increasing infirmities, and liability to sudden and severe attacks of pain, and even of unconsciousness, it became evident to his friends that in the praiseworthy effort to liquidate his obligations he was sacrificing his health. Those apprehensions proved not without foundation. In the autumn of 1831, his health became so lamentably broken, that his medical advisers recommended a residence in Italy, and entire cessation from mental labour, as the only means of restoring his energies. This counsel came too late; the patient proceeded to Naples, and afterwards to Rome, but experiencing no benefit from the change, he was rapidly conveyed home in the following summer, in obedience to his own express wish, that he might close his eyes at Abbotsford. The wish was gratified; he arrived at Abbotsford on the 11th of July 1832, and survived till the 21st of the ensuing September. As he had desired, his remains were interred in an aisle of Dryburgh Abbey, which had belonged to his ancestors, and had been specially granted him by the Earl of Buchan. A massive block of marble rests upon the grave, in juxtaposition with another which has been laid on that of Lady Scott, who died in May 1826.

Desirous that these brief memorials might contain some additional testimony to the religious earnestness of one who occupies so prominent a place in national and literary history, we requested our venerated friend Dean Ramsay to state his impressions of Sir Walter's personal bearing during his residence at Abbotsford after Lady Scott's death, and before her funeral. To our request the Dean, with his usual courtesy, acceded. He writes thus:

"You ask me the impression left on my mind by my visit to Abbotsford on the occasion of Lady Scott's death. It is indeed a very easy and a very pleasing office to give you that impression. I could not but feel all the time I was there that our great Sir Walter was as much to be loved for the qualities of his heart as he had been admired for the high gifts of his intellect and his genius. He displayed throughout the whole time the subdued and calm spirit of a Christian mourner. There was manifest an entire acquiescence in the wisdom and goodness of his heavenly Father, who had bereaved him of the wife and companion of his early years. His kind, gentle manner to his domestics; his devoted attention to his daughter, who was in deep distress; his serious appearance during the funeral service; his own proposal in the evening to have domestic worship, and his devotional manner at the time, have left a deep and pleasing impression on my mind--the impression that I had witnessed so much gentleness and so much right feeling, which, I could not but perceive, were the genuine emotions of his heart. Sir Walter Scott was one of the good and the great of his race and country."

During his last illness, Sir Walter desired portions of the New Testament and of the Church Service to be frequently read to him, and when free of pain he repeated portions of the Scottish version of the Psalms and of evangelical hymns. To Mr Lockhart, his son-in-law, he said: "Be a good man-be virtuous-be religious-be a good man! Nothing else will give you any comfort when you come to lie here." These were among his last words.

For sterling integrity, Sir Walter Scott requires no eulogy from his biographer. To the effort to cancel his pecuniary obligations he fell a martyr; while to his survivors it was a source of satisfaction to know that, by his extraordinary exertions, the policy of life insurance payable at his death, and the sum of ?30,000 given by Mr Cadell for copyrights, his debt was fully discharged.

The object of his original ambition, Sir Walter did not attain: no family of his descent and name has been planted at Abbotsford to point to him as their founder. His children, two sons and two daughters, died young. His eldest daughter, Sophia, married to Mr Lockhart, gave birth to several children, all of whom are dead. Her only daughter married Mr James Hope, Q.C., who has added to his patronymic the name of Scott, and made Abbotsford his autumnal residence. Mrs Hope Scott died at Edinburgh on the 26th October 1858, leaving three children. One child, a daughter, Mary Monica, survives, Sir Walter's only living descendant.

But Sir Walter has obtained posthumous honours far exceeding those of establishing a landed family in Tweedside. His name is imperishable in his works-of which the popularity is steadily on the increase. Nor have his fellow-countrymen lacked in evincing their vigorous appreciation. Besides several local memorials of respectable construction, the most graceful monument ever raised by human instrumentality, has been dedicated to his memory.

In the market-place at Selkirk, a statue in freestone, by Handyside Ritchie, commemorates Sir Walter in his capacity of Sheriff of "The Forest."

In November 1833, the Edinburgh committee had collected ?5534, a sum sufficient to insure the construction of a substantial cenotaph. The question of a site arose next. Among those suggested were the space in the Lawn Market, bounded on the east by St Giles' Church; the west end of Princes Street opposite to St John's Church; the foot of St David Street near Queen Street Gardens; the open space at Picardy Place; the rocky angle at the north-east corer of the Calton Hill; Charlotte Square, Moray Place, and Randolph Crescent. The committee suspended their decision, and in thirty-two newspapers advertised for designs. These were lodged with the secretary on the 1st September 1836. Fifty-five were offered. For each of the three best the committee adjudged prizes of fifty guineas. One of these bore the signature "John Morvo," the name of a master mason, commemorated in the abbey of Melrose. It was assumed by George Meikle Kemp, then a working joiner. Kemp had studied the peculiarities of Gothic architecture in different parts of the kingdom, and latterly added to his emoluments by architectural sketching.

The committee, not quite satisfied with any of the designs received, advertised a second time. Among those who joined in the new competition were Sir William Allan, David Roberts, R.A., and William H. Playfair, the well-known architect. Kemp lodged his former design, considerably amended. It was adopted by the committee on a majority of twenty-one to ten, in April 1838. At the same time Mr John Steell, the distinguished sculptor, was commissioned to prepare a marble statue of Sir Walter, to be placed under the canopy of the structure. The site was fixed in Princes Street, opposite to South St David Street. The architect had designed the monument to reach the height of 180 feet, but the committee's funds did not justify their proceeding on so large a scale. In May 1840 an auxiliary committee undertook to procure the balance.

An Act of Parliament securing the site having been obtained, the foundation stone was, on the 15th August 1840, laid by Sir James Forrest of Comiston, Bart., Lord Provost of the city, and Grand Master Mason. A metallic plate deposited in the foundation stone bore the following inscription, composed by Lord Jeffrey: "This graven plate, deposited in the base of a votive building on the 15th day of August 1840, and never likely to see the light again till all the surrounding structures are crumbled to dust by the decay of time or by human or elemental violence, may then testify to a distant posterity that his countrymen began on that day to raise an effigy and architectural monument to the memory of Sir Walter Scott, part., whose admirable writings were then allowed to have given more delight and suggested better feeling to a larger class of readers in every rank of society, than those of any other author, with the exception of Shakspeare alone, and which were therefore thought likely to be remembered long after this act of gratitude on the part of the first generation of his admirers should be forgotten. He was born at Edinburgh, 15th August 1771, and died at Abbotsford 21st September 1832."

The monument was, at the cost of upwards of ?1500, founded on the solid rock, fifty-two feet under the level of Princes Street. It assumes the form of a Gothic spire, and may be thus described. From each corner of a raised platform of masonry rise elegantly clustered columns, from which spring four grand Early English arches, which converge into a vaulted roof crossing each other by ribbed groinings with beautifully-carved bosses, and terminating in a richly ornamented pendant or drop centre. The arches are successively supported by projecting buttresses also arched upon clustered columns, and after ascending to the first gallery spring into the open air to the height of ninety-eight feet, and terminate in pinnacles carved with crockets and crowned with richly ornamented finials. The connecting buttresses are decorated with large niches adorned with brackets and canopies, and each of the abutment towers at the height of the first gallery has two chaste and tastefully-wrought gargoyles in the form of grotesque griffins. The pilasters which separate the different clustered pillars that support the roof of the structure, are crowned with finely-ornamented capitals, containing likenesses of sixteen Scottish poets.

The lateral towers are connected with the central one by means of flying buttresses, and with spandrils and crockets. The four principal arches and buttresses sustain an open trellis, which extends round the building in front of the first gallery. On a level with this gallery is an apartment used as a Waverley Museum. From the gallery rises the principal tower. On each side is an arched window. A flying staircase leads to the third gallery. Around are towers, buttresses, pinnacles, arches, crockets, corbels and finials-in all the rich profusion of Gothic architecture. On reaching the fourth gallery the view is grand in the extreme. At each successive stage are elegantly-sculptured niches, intended for statues illustrative of the poet's works. The height of the Monument is two hundred feet six inches above the level of Princes Street. It is ascended by 289 steps.

The monumental statue under the canopy represents Sir Walter in a sitting attitude, with the ample folds of a Scottish plaid hanging loosely about him, and his favourite hound Maida at his feet. Mr Steell has seized the moment when the great novelist has just recorded some of his imperishable thoughts in the volume which is in his hand, and he has communicated to the features a look of complete abstraction, while the dog, as if startled by the closing of the book, is in the act of lifting up its head to catch the expression of its master's countenance. The statue was inaugurated in 1846. The block of marble from which it was chiselled, contained 200 cubic feet, and weighed upwards of 25 tons. The monument is constructed of sandstone from Binny Quarry. The funds raised by the original and auxiliary committees amounted to ?17,243, 4s. The sum of ?1871, 12s. 8d., was expended in procuring subscriptions. For the statue, Mr Steell received ?2000-eight small statues cost ?179, 5s. 10d. a sum of ?460, 3s. 5d. was lost by a contractor, and a railing was constructed at the expense of ?147, 13s. 6d. The balance, amounting to ?13,584, 8s. 6d., was expended in the monumental fabric.

Persevering as were their labours, the auxiliary committee were unable to procure funds sufficient to provide statues for all the niches. Thirty niches are still unoccupied, but Mr James Ballantyne, the esteemed Scottish poet, is now exerting himself to complete the work. The sum of ?2000, Mr Ballantyne believes, will suffice to provide the remaining statues.

On the memory of Sir Walter Scott is to be conferred a new honour. There is to be a centenary celebration of his birth. All classes, including the most illustrious, have resolved, on the hundredth anniversary of his natal day, co testify their hearty appreciation. His praise will be celebrated in every town--descanted on in every hamlet His poetry will be rehearsed in scenes which his poetical descriptions have rendered famous; and in every spot celebrated by his pen, flying banners and an assembled population will testify to the potency of his' enchantment. The keenest trader will for a time sacrifice before the shrine of genius; abandoning his counting-house and his ledger to do reverence to the memory of one whose writings have cheered his home circle, and amidst corroding cares awakened within him pleasurable emotions.

Nor may the ordinary caviller begrudge the tribute. Of these centenary honours three Britons only have been deemed worthy; Shakspeare, Burns, and Walter Scott. All these have exalted and purified human nature, and, by the force and splendour of their genius, fitted mankind more fully to appreciate and enjoy the forthgivings of a higher and nobler inspiration.

THE CENTENARY GARLAND.

WAVERLEY.

In the accompanying etching, Mr George Cruikshank represents the droll scene where Mr Duncan Macwheeble is informed by Waverley of his present fortune and future expectations, and of his intention to share all with Miss Rose Bradwardine. Waverley had found the Bailie in his office, and before him a large bicker of oatmeal porridge, with a horn spoon and a bottle of twopenny, "while a potbellied Dutch bottle of brandy which stood by, intimated that this honest limb of the law had taken his morning already, or that he meant to season his porridge with such digestive." At the instant Waverley revealed the secret of his attachment to Miss Rose, he almost deprived the Bailie of his senses. He started from his three-footed stool, like the pythoness from her tripod; flung his best wig out of the window, because the block on which it was placed stood in the way of his career; chucked his cap to the ceiling, and caught it as it fell; whistled "Tullochgorum," danced a Highland fling with inimitable grace and agility, and then threw himself, exhausted, into a chair, exclaiming, "Lady Wauverley!-Ten thousand a-year, the least penny!--Lord preserve my poor understanding!"

GUY MANNERING.

In his present etching, Mr George Cruikshank is eminently characteristic. Dominie Sampson, as entreated by Mrs Bertram, had undertaken the task of watching little Harry in his rambles. The worthy Dominie was devoted to his charge, and was delighted with his success in having brought him so far in his learning as to spell words of three syllables. He dreaded the idea of the child being seized by gipsies; and though the occupation essentially differed from his former mode of life, he stalked about with young Harry, who, being only of five years, was constantly rambling into awkward situations. Twice was the Dominie pursued by a cross-grained cow, and at another time he plunged into a brook in crossing it at the stepping-stones. At length he fell into the peril depicted by the artist. In seeking to pluck a water-lily for the young laird he fell into the slough of Lochend, in which he was bogged up to the middle. In his plight he exclaimed as usual "Pro-di-gi-ous!" amidst the laughter of the village matrons, one of whom offered her hand to help him out. Another declared that "the laird might as weel trust the care of his bairn to a potato-bogle."

THE ANTIQUARY.

"Ha, ha!" she replied, "I aye thought it would come to this; it's but sitting silent when they examine,-there's nae torture in our days; and if there is, let them rend me. It's ill o' the vassal's mouth that betrays the bread it eats."

"Speak to her, Edie," said the Antiquary, "she knows your voice, and answers to it most readily."

"We shall mak naething mair out o' her," said Ochiltree; "when she has clinkit herself down that way, and faulded her arms, she winna speak a word, they say, for weeks thegither. And besides, to my thinking, her face is sair changed since we came in. However, I'll try her once more to satisfy your honour. So you canna keep in mind, cummer, that your auld mistress, the Countess Joscelin, has been removed?"

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