Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
Sir Walter Scott to Lord Montagu of Boughton, 24 May 1822
“Edinburgh, 24th May, 1822.
“I do devoutly grieve for poor Lady Louisa. With ![]()
| 186 | LIFE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. | |
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a mind
and indeed a bodily frame which suffers so peculiarly as hers under domestic
affliction, I think she has had a larger share of it than any person almost in
my acquaintance. Perhaps, in her case, celibacy, by extending the affections of
so kind a heart through the remoter range of relationship, has rendered her
more liable to such inroads upon her happiness. I remember several accidents
similar to that of the Archbishop of
Armagh. Henderson’s
(the player) was one. His wife, who administered the fatal draught, was the
only person who remained ignorant of the cause of his death. One of the
Duke’s farmers, some years since, showed extraordinary resolution in the
same situation. His father had given him a quantity of laudanum instead of some
other medicine. The mistake was instantly discovered; but the young man had
sufficient energy and force of mind to combat the operation of the drug. While
all around him were stupid with fear, he rose, saddled his horse, and rode to
Selkirk (six or seven miles); thus saving the time that the doctor must have
taken in coming to him. It is very curious that his agony of mind was able to
suspend the operation of the drug until he had alighted, when it instantly
began to operate. He recovered perfectly.
“Much obliged by the communication of the symbols
adopted by the lady patronesses at the ball for the Scottish Corporation. Some
seem very apocryphal. I have somewhere two lists of the badges of the Highland
clans, which do not quite correspond with each other. I suppose they sometimes
shifted their symbols. In general [it] was a rule to have an evergreen; and I
have heard that the downfall of the Stuarts was supposed
to be omened by their having chosen the oak for their badge of distinction. I
have always heard that of the Scotts was the heath-flower,
and that they were some-![]()
| LETTERS TO LORD MONTAGU. | 187 |
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times
called Heather-tops from that circumstance. There is a
rhyme in Satchells or elsewhere, which
runs thus:— “If heather-bells we’re corn of the best, Buccleuch-mill would have a noble grist.” |
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In the Highlands I used sometimes to put heath in my hat, and was always
welcomed as a kinsman by the Macdonalds, whose badge is
freugh, or heather. By the way, Glengarry has had an affair with a cow, in
which, rumour says, he has not come off quite so triumphantly as Guy of Warwick in an incident of the same nature.
Lord pity them that should mention Tom
Thumb.—Yours ever,
W. S.”
John Henderson (1747-1785)
English actor called the “Bath Roscius” who excelled in Shakespearean roles.
Walter Scott of Satchells (1613-1688 fl.)
In his youth he served in the Netherlands under Walter Scott, earl of Buccleuch; in his
old age he published, in rhyme,
True History of several honourable
Families of the right honourable Name of Scot (1688).
Lady Louisa Stuart (1757-1851)
The youngest child of John Stuart, third earl of Bute; she corresponded with Sir Walter
Scott. Several volumes of her writings and memoirs were published after her death.
William Stuart, archbishop of Armagh (1755-1822)
The son of John Stuart, third earl of Bute and brother of Lady Louisa Stuart; he was
educated at Winchester College and St John's College, Cambridge and was archbishop of
Armagh (1800).
