Report states that there are in the library of Abbotsford, unfinished
manuscripts and letters, which will compose ten volumes of
correspondence of Sir Walter with nearly all the distinguished
literary characters of his time. These will, of course, be given to
his creditors, as directed by his will. His son-in-law, Mr. Lockhart,
has likewise a great number of letters from Sir Walter; and Mrs. Terry
possesses the baronet's correspondence with the late Mr. Terry, who
was one of Sir Walter's intimate friends. This lady has likewise in
her possession a tragedy written by Sir Walter for her eldest son,
Walter Scott Terry, and intended by the author as a legacy for
Walter's first appearance on the stage.
With such materials, and the poet's autobiographical sketches prefixed
to his works, a competent biographer will, doubtless, be found among
Sir Walter's personal acquaintance. Mr. Allan Cunningham's "Account"
is, perhaps, the most characteristic that has yet appeared: it is full
of truth, nature, kindly feeling, and tinged throughout with a
delightfully poetic enthusiasm. Mr. Ballantyne, the intelligent
printer of nearly the whole of Sir Walter's works, and whom the Poet
much respected for his taste and good sense, has promised a memoir of
the deceased. Public expectation, however, points more decidedly to
Mr. Lockhart; although the Ettrick Shepherd will, doubtless, pay his
announced tribute to the talents and virtues of his illustrious
contemporary. In his Reminiscences of Former Days, prefixed to the
first volume of the _Altrive Tales_, published a few months since, is
the following striking passage:--"There are not above five people in
the world who, I think, know Sir Walter better, or understand his
character better than I do; and if I outlive him, which is likely, as
I am five months and ten days younger, I shall draw a mental portrait
of him, the likeness of which to the original shall not be
disputed."[18]
[18] Hogg is indebted to Sir Walter for many valuable
suggestions of subjects for his ballads, &c. There is
touching gratitude in the following lines by the
Shepherd, in his dedication of the _Mountain Bard_ to
Scott:
Bless'd be his generous heart for aye;
He told me where the relic lay;
Pointed my way with ready will,
Afar on Ettrick's wildest hill;
Watch'd my first notes with curious eye,
And wonder'd at my minstrelsy:
He little ween'd a parent's tongue
Such strains had o'er my cradle sung.