[390] An amusing illustration of the difficulty of seeing ourselves as
others see us may be found written twenty-five years later by Nathaniel
Hawthorne, where the author of the _Scarlet Letter_ expresses in like
manner his surprise at the want of refinement in Englishmen:--"I had
been struck by the very rough aspect of these John Bulls in their
morning garb, their coarse frock-coats, grey hats, check trousers, and
stout shoes; at dinner-table it was not at first easy to recognise the
same individuals.... But after a while, 'you see the same rough figure
through all the finery, and become sensible that John Bull cannot make
himself fine, whatever he may put on. He is a rough animal, and his
female is well adapted to him.'"--_Hawthorne and His Wife_, vol. ii. p.
70. 2 vols. 8vo. Cambridge, U.S.A., 1884.
[391] Architects style it Elizabethan, but Sir Walter's term is not
inappropriate.
[392] An amanuensis who was employed by Scott at this time.
[393] British Hotel, 70 Queen St.
[394] See _Winter's Tale_, Act IV. Sc. 2.
[395] See _ante_, January 15, 1828, p. 111. Mr. Mackenzie of Portmore
died in September 1830, when Sir Walter wrote Mr. Skene the following
letter:--
"DEAR SKENE,--I observe from the papers that our invaluable friend is no
more. I have reason to think, that as I surmised when I saw him last,
the interval has been a melancholy one, at least to those who had to
watch the progress. I never expected to see his kind face more, after I
took leave of him in Charlotte Square; yet the certainty that such must
be the case is still a painful shock, as I can never hope again to meet,
during the remaining span of my own life, a friend in whom high talents
for the business of life were more happily mingled with all those
affections which form the dearest part of human intercourse. In that
respect I believe his like hardly is to be found. I hope Mrs. Skene and
you will make my assurance of deep sympathy, of which they know it is
expressed by a friend of poor Colin of fifty years' standing.
"I hope my young friend, his son, will keep his father's example before
his eyes. His best friend cannot wish him a better model.
"I am just setting off to the West for a long-promised tour of a week. I
shall be at Abbotsford after Monday, 27th current, and I hope Mrs. Skene
and you, with some of our young friends, will do us the pleasure to come
here for a few days. We see how separations may happen among friends,
and should not neglect the opportunity of being together while we can.
Besides, _entre nous_, it is time to think what is to be done about the
Society, as the time of my retirement draws nigh, and I am determined,
at whatever loss, not to drag out the last sands of my life in that
sand-cart of a place, the Parliament House. I think it hurt poor Colin.
This is, however, subject for future consideration, as I have not
breathed a syllable about resigning the Chair to any one, but it must
soon follow as a matter of course.[C]
"Should you think of writing to let me know how the distressed family
are, you may direct, during the beginning of next week, to Drumlanrig,
Thornhill, Dumfriesshire.
"My kind love attends my dear Mrs. Skene, girls, boys, and all the
family, and I am, always yours,
"WALTER SCOTT.
"ABBOTSFORD, _18th September_ [1830]."
[C] Sir Walter had been President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh for
some years; his resignation was not accepted, and he retained the office
until he died.
[396] _Much Ado about Nothing_, Act III. Sc. 5.
[397] 1 _King Henry IV._, Act III. Sc. 1.
[398] The biography here spoken of was not published.
[399] Sir Walter had seats placed at suitable distances between the
house and Chiefswood.
[400] _Titus Andronicus_, Act IV. Sc. 2.
[401] For an account of these "miracles" see _Peace in Believing_--a
memoir of Isabella Campbell of Fernicarry. Roseneath, 8vo, 1829.
[402] _Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft_, addressed to J.G.
Lockhart, Esq., was published before the end of the year in Murray's
_Family Library_.
[403] _School for Scandal_.