Blackheath, June 9. 1851.
_On the Lay of the Last Minstrel, &c._ (Vol. iii., p. 364.).--In reading
A Borderer's interesting note on _The Lay of the Last Minstrel_, it
occurred to me, whether there may not have been (perhaps unconsciously)
in Walter Scott's mind a link of connexion betwixt his own "elvish
page," as an agent in bringing about the nuptials of Lord Cranstoun with
the Lady Margaret; and the part played by Cupid, in regard to Dido,
after he had been transformed into Ascanius, as described in the first
Æneid. Indeed the beautiful "Song of Robin Goodfellow" (Vol. iii., p.
403) suggests a similar speculation; for in the gambols of Puck there is
something analogous to the freaks of Cupid after his metamorphose. But
other and closer parallels will probably occur to your learned readers,
and show that some of what are commonly esteemed the most original
modern creations owe much to classical invention.