WHY NOT SEND SCOTT'S MONASTERY? 265 I have received Ivanhoe;-good. (1820, June 7. Letter 802, to John Murray, Vol. V., p. 37.) Thanks for books--but as yet no Monastery of Walter Scott's, the ONLY book except Edinburgh and Quarterly which I desire to see. (1820, September 7. Letter 824, to John Murray, Vol. V., p. 72.) By land and Sea carriage a considerable quantity of books have arrived; and I am obliged and grateful. But Medio de fonte leporum surgit amari aliquid, etc., etc.; which, being interpreted, means I'm thankful for your books, dear Murray; the only book in four living volumes I would give a baiocco to see-abating the rest by the same author, and an occasional Edinburgh and Quarterly, as brief Chroniclers of the times. Instead of poetry if you will favour me with a few Soda powders, I shall be delighted; but all prose (bating travels and novels NOT by Scott) is welcome, especially Scott's Tales of my Landlord, and so on.. I am in a very fierce humour at not having Scott's Monastery. You are too liberal in quantity, and somewhat careless of the quality, of your missives. (1820, October 12. Letter 836, to John Murray, Vol. V., pp. 93, 95, 96.) The Abbot has just arrived: many thanks; as also for the Monastery-when you send it!!! (1820, October 16. Letter 839, to John Murray, Vol. V., p. 98.) W. Scott's Monastery just arrived: many thanks for that Grand Desideratum of the last Six Months. (1820, November 4. Letter 843, to John Murray, Vol. V., p. 109.) Read the conclusion, for the fiftieth time (I have read all W. Scott's novels at least fifty times), of the third series of Tales of my Landlord-grand workScotch Fielding, as well as great English poetwonderful man! I long to get drunk with him. (1821, January 5. "Extracts from a Diary," Vol. V., p. 151.) Read the fourth vol. of W. Scott's second series of Tales of my Landlord. "Extracts from a Diary," (1821, January 7. Before dinner had read Walter Scott's Rob Roy. I have found out the seal cut on Murray's letter. It is meant for Walter Scott-or Sir Walter-he is the first poet knighted since Sir Richard Blackmore. But it does not do him justice. Scott's particularly when he recites is a very intelligent countenance, "SCOTT... CALLED FORTH A NEW CREATION" 267 and this seal says nothing. Scott is certainly the most wonderful writer of the day. His novels are a new literature in themselves, and his poetry as good as any—if not better (only on an erroneous system)— and only ceased to be so popular, because the vulgar learned were tired of hearing "Aristides called the Just," and Scott the Best, and ostracised him. I like him, too, for his manliness of character, for the extreme pleasantness of his conversation, and his good-nature towards myself, personally. May he prosper !-for he deserves it. I know no reading to which I fall with such alacrity as a work of W. Scott's. I shall give the seal, with his bust on it, to Madame la Comtesse G. this evening, who will be curious to have the effigies of a man so celebrated. (1821, January 12. "Extracts from a Diary," Vol. V., p. 167.) At nine went out at eleven returned. Beat the crow for stealing the falcon's victuals. Read Tales of my Landlord wrote a letter-and mixed a moderate beaker of water with other ingredients. (1821, February 16. "Extracts from a Diary," Vol. V., p. 203.) Give my love to Sir W. Scott, and tell him to write more novels: pray send out Waverley and the Guy M., and the Antiquary. It is five years since I have had a copy. I have read all the others forty times. (1821, March 1. Letter 876, to John Murray, Vol. V., p. 255.) Send me some Soda-powders, some of "Acton's Corn-rubbers," and W. Scott's romances. (1821, May 19. Letter 894, to John Murray, Vol. V., p. 294.) Send . . . any novels of Scott, or poetry of the same. Ditto of Crabbe, Moore and the Elect; but none of your damned commonplace trash,-unless something starts up of actual merit, which may very well be, for 'tis time it should. (1821, October 9. Letter 947, to John Murray, Vol. V., p. 391.) You must recollect, however, that the letter, on the British review, signed Clutterbuck, must have a note stating that the name of Clutterbuck was adopted long before (a year I think) the publication of the Monastery and Abbot. If you don't do this, I shall be accused (with the usual justice) of plagiarism from Walter Scott. (1821, November 12. Letter 956, to John Murray, Vol. V., p. 473.) I don't like to bore you about the Scotch novels, (as they call them, though two of them are wholly English, and the rest half so), but nothing can or could ever persuade me, since I was the first ten minutes in your company, that you are not the man. To me those novels have so much of "Auld lang syne (I was bred a canny Scott till ten years old), that I never move without them; and when I removed from Ravenna to Pisa the other day, and sent on my library NOVEL SCOTTS AND SCOTT'S NOVELS 269 before, they were the only books that I kept by me, although I already have them by heart. I delayed till now concluding, in the hope that I should have got The Pirate, who is under way for me, but has not yet hove in sight. I hear that your daughter is married, and I suppose by this time you are half a grandfather a young one, by the way. I have heard great things of M Lockhart's personal and mental charms, and much good of her lord: that you may live to see as many novel Scotts as there are Scott's novels, is the very bad pun, but sincere wish of Yours ever most affectionately, etc. P.S. . . . Pray, present my respects to Lady Scott, who may, perhaps, recollect having seen me in town in 1815. I see that one of your supporters (for, like Sir Hildebrand [in Rob Roy], I am fond of Guillim,) is a mermaid; it is my crest too, and with precisely the same curl of tail. (1822, January 12 and 27. Letter 969, to Sir Walter Scott, Bart., Vol. VI., p. 4.) I have to thank you for a parcel of books, which are very welcome, especially Sir Walter's gift of Halidon Hill. (1822, November 23. Letter 1041, to John Murray, Vol. VI., p. 142.) There is one part of your observations in the pamphlet which I shall venture to remark upon;-it |