Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
Sir Walter Scott to Lord Montagu of Boughton, 27 March 1822
“Abbotsford, 27th March, 1822.
“My dear Lord,
“I should be very unworthy of so great a proof of your
regard, did I not immediately assure you of the pleasure with which I will
contribute the head you wish to the halls of Ditton. I know no place where the
substance has been so happy, and, therefore, the shadow may be so far well
placed. I will not suffer this important affair to languish so far as I am
concerned, but will arrange with Raeburn
when I return to Edinburgh in May. Allan
is not in the ordinary habit of doing portraits, and as he is really a rising
historical painter, I should be sorry to see him seduced into the lucrative
branch which carries off most artists of that description. If he goes on as he
has begun, the young Duke may one day
patronise the Scottish Arts, so far as to order a picture of the
“Releasing” of Kinmont
Willie* from him. I agree entirely with your Lordship’s
idea of leaving the young chief to have the grace of forming his own ideas on
many points, contenting yourself with giving him such principles as may enable
him to judge rightly. I believe more youths of high expectation have bolted
from the course, merely because well-meaning friends had taken too much care to
rope it in, than from any other reason whatever.
There is in youth a feeling of independence, a desire, in short, of being their
own master, and enjoying their own free agency, which is
![]()
![]()
| 166 | LIFE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. | |
![]()
not always attended to by guardians and parents, and hence
the best laid schemes fail in execution from being a little too prominently
brought forward. I trust that Walter, with the good sense
which he seems to possess, will never lose that most amiable characteristic of
his father’s family, the love and affection which all the members of it
have, for two generations, borne to each other, and which has made them
patterns as well as blessings to the country they lived in. I have few happier
days to look forward to, and yet, like all happiness which comes to grey-headed
men, it will have a touch of sorrow in it, than that in which he shall assume
his high situation with the resolution which I am sure he will have to be a
good friend to the country in which he has so large a stake, and to the
multitudes which must depend upon him for protection, countenance, and bread.
Selfish feelings are so much the fashion among fashionable men—it is accounted
so completely absurd to do any thing which is not to contribute more or less
directly to the immediate personal eclat or personal enjoyment of the
party—that young men lose sight of real power and real importance, the
foundation of which must be laid, even selfishly considered, in contributing to
the general welfare,—like those who have thrown their bread on the waters,
expecting, and surely receiving, after many days, its return in gratitude,
attachment, and support of every kind. The memory of the most splendid
entertainment passes away with the season, but the money and pains bestowed
upon a large estate not only contribute to its improvement, but root the
bestower in the hearts of hundreds over hundreds; should these become needful
he is sure to exercise a correspondent influence. I cannot look forward to
these as settled times. In the retrenchments proposed, Government agree to
diminish ![]()
![]()
their own influence, and while
they contribute a comparative trifle to the relief of the public burdens, are
making new discontents among those who, for interest’s sake at least,
were their natural adherents. In this they are acting weakly, and trying to
soothe the insatiate appetite of innovation, by throwing down their outworks,
as if that which renders attack more secure and easy would diminish the courage
of the assailants. Last year the manufacturing classes were rising—this year
the agricultural interest is discontented, and whatever temporary relief either
class receives will indeed render them quiet for the moment, but not erase from
their minds the rooted belief that the government and constitution of this
country are in fault for their embarrassments. Well, I cannot help it, and
therefore will not think about it, for that at least I can help. ‘Time and the hour run through the roughest day.’ |
![]()
“We have had dreadful tempests here of wind and rain,
and for a variety a little snow. I assure you it is as uncommon to see a hill
with snow on its top these two last seasons as to see a beau on the better side
of thirty with powder in his hair. I built an ice-house last year and could get
no ice to fill it—this year I took the opportunity of even poor twenty-four
hours and packed it full of hard-rammed snow but lo, ye the snow is now
in meditatione fugæ, and
I wish I may have enough to cool a decanter when you come to Abbotsford, as I
trust your Lordship will be likely to be here next autumn. It is worth while to
come, were it but to see what a romance of a house I am making, which is
neither to be castle nor abbey (God forbid!) but an old Scottish manor-house. I
believe Atkinson is in despair with my
whims, for he cries out yes—yes—yes—in a ![]()
| 168 | LIFE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. | |
![]()
tone which exactly signifies no—no—no—by
no manner of means. Believe me always, my dear Lord, most gratefully
yours,
Sir William Allan (1782-1850)
Scottish painter who traveled in Russia and exhibited at the Royal Academy to which he
was elected in 1835; he was president of the Royal Scottish Academy (1838).
William Armstrong [Kinmont Willie] (1709-1603 fl.)
Scottish border reiver whose daring escape from Carlisle Castle in 1596 was the subject
of the ballad of “Kinmont Willie.”
William Atkinson (1774-1839)
English architect who worked at Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford; he published
Views of Picturesque Cottages (1805).
Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823)
Scottish portrait painter and friend of Sir Walter Scott.
