“I have your kind letter. Whenever I heard that Constable had made a cessio fori, I thought it became me to make public how far I was concerned in these matters, and to offer my fortune so far as it was prestable, and the completion of my literary engagements—(the better thing almost of the two) to make good all claims upon Ballantyne and Co.; and even supposing that neither Hurst and Co. nor Constable and Co. ever pay a penny they owe me, my old age will be far from destitute—even if my right hand should lose its cunning. This is the very worst that can befall me; but I have little doubt that, with ordinary management, the affairs of those houses will turn out favourably. It is needless to add that I will not engage myself, as Constable desires, for L.20,000 more—or L.2000—or L.200. I have
* A gardener, by name James Scott, who lived at a place called popularly Cock-a-pistol, because the battle of Melrose (A.D. 1526) began there. |
| LETTERS TO MR J. G. LOCKHART. | 217 |
“I have made my matters public, and have had splendid offers of assistance, all which I have declined, for I would rather bear my own burden than subject myself to obligation. There is but one way in such cases.
“It is easy, no doubt, for any friend to blame me for
entering into connexion with commercial matters at all. But, I wish to know
what I could have done better; excluded from the bar, and then from all profits
for six years, by my colleague’s prolonged life. Literature was not in
those days what poor Constable has made
it; and, with my little capital, I was too glad to make commercially the means
of supporting my family. I got but L.600 for the Lay of the Last Minstrel, and it was a price that
made men’s hair stand on end—L.1000 for Marmion. I have been far from suffering by
James Ballantyne. I owe it to him to
say, that his difficulties, as well as his advantages, are owing to me. I
trusted too much to Constable’s assurances of his
own and his correspondents’ stability, but yet I believe he was only
sanguine. The upshot is just what Hurst
and Co. and Constable may be able to pay me; if 15s. in
the pound, I shall not complain of my loss, for I have gained many thousands in
my day. But while I live I shall regret the downfall of
Constable’s house, for never did there exist so
intelligent and so liberal an establishment. They went too far when money was
plenty, that is certain; yet if every author in Britain had taxed himself half
a year’s income, he should have kept up the house which
| 218 | LIFE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. |
“I have had visits from all the monied people, offering their purses—and those who are creditors, sending their managers and treasurers to assure me of their joining in and adopting any measures I may propose. I am glad of this for their sake, and for my own—for although I shall not desire to steer, yet I am the only person that can cann, as Lieutenant Hatchway says, to any good purpose. A very odd anonymous offer I had of L.30,000,* which I rejected, as I did every other. Unless I die, I shall beat up against this foul weather. A penny I will not borrow from any one. Since my creditors are content to be patient, I have the means of righting them perfectly, and the confidence to employ them. I would have given a good deal to have avoided the coup d’ eclat; but that having taken place, I would not give sixpence for any other results. I fear you will think I am writing in the heat of excited resistance to bad fortune. My dear Lockhart, I am as calm and temperate as you ever saw me, and working at Woodstock like a very tiger. I am grieved for Lady Scott and Anne, who cannot conceive adversity can have the better of them, even for a moment. If it teaches a little of the frugality which I never had the heart to enforce when money was plenty, and it seemed cruel to interrupt the enjoyment of it in the way they liked best it will be well.
“Kindest love to Sophia, and tell her to study the song† and keep her spirits up. Tyne heart, tyne all; and it is making more of money than it is worth to grieve about it. Kiss Johnnie for me. How glad I am fortune carried you to London before these reverses happened, as they would have embittered parting, and made it
* Sir Walter never knew the name of this munificent person, † “Up with the bonnets of Bonnie Dundee.” |
| LETTER TO MR MORRITT. | 219 |
