[526] It is much to be regretted that Scott and Carlyle never met. The
probable explanation is that the admirable letter now printed _in
extenso_, coming into a house where there was sickness, and amid the
turmoil of London life, was carefully laid aside for reply at a more
convenient season. This season, unfortunately, never came. Scott did not
return to Scotland until June 3d, and by that time Carlyle had left
Edinburgh and settled at Craigenputtock. He must, however, have seen
Scott subsequently, as he depicts him in the memorable words, "Alas! his
fine Scottish face, with its shaggy honesty and goodness, when we saw it
latterly in the Edinburgh streets, was all worn with care--the joy all
fled from it, and ploughed deep with labour and sorrow."
Mr. Lockhart once said to a friend that he regretted that they had never
met, and gave as a reason the state of Scott's health.
[527] This purpose Goethe seems to have carried out, for in the
"Chronologie" which is printed in the two-volume edition of his works,
published at Stuttgart 1837 (vol. ii. page 663), the following entry is
found:--"1827. Ueber neuere französische Literatur.--Ueber chinesische
Gedichte.--_Ueber das Leben Napoleon's von Walter Scott_."
No. III.
_Contents of the Volume of Irish Manuscript referred to_, vol. ii. p.
289.
1. The rudiments of an Irish Grammar and Prosody; the first leaf
wanting.
2. The Book of _Rights_; giving an account of ye rents and subsidies of
the kings and princes of Ireland. It is said to have (been) written by
Beinin MacSescnen, the Psalmist of Saint Patrick. It is entirely in
verse, except a few sentences of prose taken from ye booke of
Glandelogh.
3. A short poem giving an account of ye disciples and favourites of St.
Patrick.
4. A poem of Eochy O Flyn's; giving an account of the followers of
Partholan, the first invader of Ireland after the flood.
5. A poem written by Macliag, Brian Boruay's poet Laureat. It gives an
account of the twelve sons of Kennedy, son of Lorcan, Brian's father;
and of ye Dalcassian race in general.
6. A book of annals from the year 976 to 1014, including a good account
of the battle of Clontarf, etc.
7. A collection of Historical poems by different authors, such as O
Dugan, etc., and some extracts, as they seem, from the psalter of
Cashill, written by Cormac-mac-Cuilinan, Archbishop and King of Leath
Mogha, towards the beginning or middle of the ninth century; Cobhach O
Carmon and O Heagusa have their part in these poems. In them are
interspersed many other miscellaneous tracts, among which is one called
Sgeul-an-Erin, but deficient, wherein mention is made of Garbh mac
Stairn, said to be slain by Cuchullin; a treatise explaining the Ogham
manner of writing which is preserved in this book; the privileges of the
several kings and princes of Ireland, in making their tours of the
Kingdom, and taking their seats at the Feis of Tara; and an antient
moral and political poem as an advice to princes and chieftains, other
poems and prophecies, etc., chronological and religious, disposed in no
certain order.