SIR WALTER'S LAST YEARS
Owing to the intimate relations which were now established between
Murray and Lockhart, the correspondence is full of references to Sir
Walter Scott and to the last phases of his illustrious career.
Lockhart had often occasion to be at Abbotsford to see Sir Walter Scott,
who was then carrying on, single-handed, that terrible struggle with
adversity, which has never been equalled in the annals of literature.
His son-in-law went down in February 1827 to see him about further
articles, but wrote to Murray: "I fear we must not now expect Sir W.
S.'s assistance ere 'Napoleon' be out of hand." In the following month
of June Lockhart wrote from Portobello: "Sir W. Scott has got 'Napoleon'
out of his hands, and I have made arrangements for three or four
articles; and I think we may count for a paper of his every quarter."
Articles accordingly appeared from Sir Walter Scott on diverse subjects,
one in No. 71, June 1827, on the "Works of John Home "; another in No.
72, October 1827, on "Planting Waste Lands "; a third in No. 74, March
1828, on "Plantation and Landscape Gardening "; and a fourth in No. 76,
October 1828, on Sir H. Davy's "Salmonia, or Days of Fly-Fishing." The
last article was cordial and generous, like everything proceeding from
Sir Walter's pen. Lady Davy was greatly pleased with it. "It must always
be a proud and gratifying distinction," she said, "to have the name of
Sir Walter Scott associated with that of my husband in the review of
'Salmonia.' I am sure Sir Humphry will like his bairn the better for the
public opinion given of it by one whose immortality renders praise as
durable as it seems truly felt."
With respect to "Salmonia" the following anecdote may be mentioned, as
related to Mr. Murray by Dr. Gooch, a valued contributor to the
_Quarterly_.
"At page 6 of Salmonia," said Dr. Gooch, "it is stated that 'Nelson was
a good fly-fisher, and continued the pursuit even with his left hand.' I
can add that one of his reasons for regretting the loss of his right arm
was that it deprived him of the power of pursuing this amusement
efficiently, as is shown by the following incident, which is, I think,
worth preserving in that part of his history which relates to his
talents as a fly-fisher. I was at the Naval Hospital at Yarmouth on the
morning when Nelson, after the battle of Copenhagen (having sent the
wounded before him), arrived in the Roads and landed on the Jetty. The
populace soon surrounded him, and the military were drawn up in the
marketplace ready to receive him; but making his way through the crowd,
and the dust and the clamour, he went straight to the Hospital. I went
round the wards with him, and was much interested in observing his
demeanour to the sailors. He stopped at every bed, and to every man he
had something kind and cheering to say. At length he stopped opposite a
bed in which a sailor was lying who had lost his right arm close to the
shoulder joint, and the following short dialogue passed between them.
_Nelson_: 'Well, Jack, what's the matter with you?' _Sailor_: 'Lost my
right arm, your Honour.' Nelson paused, looked down at his own empty
sleeve, then at the sailor, and then said playfully, 'Well, Jack, then
you and I are spoiled for fishermen; but cheer up, my brave fellow.' He
then passed quickly on to the next bed, but these few words had a
magical effect upon the poor fellow, for I saw his eyes sparkle with
delight as Nelson turned away and pursued his course through the wards.
This was the only occasion on which I ever saw Lord Nelson."
In the summer of 1828 Mr. Lockhart went down to Brighton, accompanied by
Sir Walter Scott, Miss Scott, Mrs. Lockhart and her son John--the
Littlejohn to whom Scott's charming "Tales of a Grandfather," which
were at that time in course of publication, had been addressed. It was
on the boy's account the party went to Brighton; he was very ill and
gradually sinking.
While at Brighton, Lockhart had an interview with the Duke of
Wellington, and wrote to Murray on the subject.
_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_. _May_ 18, 1828.
"I have a message from the D. of W. to say that he, on the whole, highly
approves the paper on foreign politics, but has some criticisms to
offer on particular points, and will send for me some day soon to hear
them. I have of course signified my readiness to attend him any time he
is pleased to appoint, and expect it will be next week."
That the Duke maintained his interest in the _Quarterly_ is shown by a
subsequent extract:
_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_.
AUCHENRAITH, _January_ 19, 1829.
"Sir Walter met me here yesterday, and he considered the Duke's epistle
as an effort of the deepest moment to the _Quarterly_ and all concerned.
He is sure no minister ever gave a more distinguished proof of his
feeling than by this readiness to second the efforts of a literary
organ. Therefore, no matter about a week sooner or later, let us do the
thing justice."
Before his departure for Brighton, Mr. Lockhart had been commissioned by
Murray to offer Sir Walter Scott £1,250 for the copyright of his
"History of Scotland," a transaction concerning which some informal
communications had already passed.
_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_.
MY DEAR _SIR_,
Sir W. Scott has already agreed to furnish Dr. Lardner's "Cyclopaedia"
with one vol.--"History of Scotland"--for £1,000, and he is now at this
work. This is grievous, but you must not blame me, for he has acted in
the full knowledge of my connection with and anxiety about the Family
Library. I answered him, expressing my great regret and reminding him of
Peterborough. I suppose, as I never mentioned, nor well could, _money_,
that Dr. Lardner's matter appeared more a piece of business. Perhaps you
may think of something to be done. It is a great loss to us and gain to
them.
Yours truly,
J.G.L.
After the failure of Ballantyne and Constable, Cadell, who had in former
years been a partner in Constable's house, became Scott's publisher, and
at the close of 1827 the principal copyrights of Scott's works,
including the novels from "Waverley" to "Quentin Durward," and most of
the poems, were put up to auction, and purchased by Cadell and Scott
jointly for £8,500. At this time the "Tales of a Grandfather" were
appearing by instalments, and Murray wrote to the author, begging to be
allowed to become the London publisher of this work. Scott replied:
_Sir W. Scott to John Murray._
6, Shandwick Place, Edinburgh,
_November _26, 1828.
My Dear Sir,
I was favoured with your note some time since, but could not answer it
at the moment till I knew whether I was like to publish at Edinburgh or
not. The motives for doing so are very strong, for I need not tell you
that in literary affairs a frequent and ready communication with the
bookseller is a very necessary thing.
As we have settled, with advice of those who have given me their
assistance in extricating my affairs, to publish in Edinburgh, I do not
feel myself at liberty to dictate to Cadell any particular selection of
a London publisher. If I did so, I should be certainly involved in any
discussions or differences which might occur between my London and
Edinburgh friends, which would be adding an additional degree of
perplexity to my affairs. I feel and know the value of your name as a
publisher, but if we should at any time have the pleasure of being
connected with you in that way, it must be when it is entirely on your
own account. The little history designed for Johnnie Lockhart was long
since promised to Cadell.
I do not, in my conscience, think that I deprive you of anything of
consequence in not being at present connected with you in literary
business. My reputation with the world is something like a high-pressure
engine, which does very well while all lasts stout and tight, but is
subject to sudden explosion, and I would rather that another than an old
friend stood the risk of suffering by the splinters.
I feel all the delicacy of the time and mode of your application, and
you cannot doubt I would greatly prefer you personally to men of whom I
know nothing. But they are not of my choosing, nor are they in any way
responsible to me. I transact with the Edinburgh bookseller alone, and
as I must neglect no becoming mode of securing myself, my terms are
harder than I think you, in possession of so well established a trade,
would like to enter upon, though they may suit one who gives up his time
to them as almost his sole object of expense and attention. I hope this
necessary arrangement will make no difference betwixt us, being, with
regard,
Your faithful, humble Servant,
Walter Scott.
On his return to London, Lockhart proceeded to take a house, No. 24,
Sussex Place, Regent's Park; for he had been heretofore living in the
furnished apartments provided for him in Pall Mall. Mr. Murray wrote to
him on the subject:
_John Murray to Mr. Lockhart_.
_July_ 31, 1828.
As you are about taking or retaking a house, I think it right to inform
you now that the editor's dividend on the _Quarterly Review_ will be in
future £325 on the publication of each number; and I think it very hard
if you do not get £200 or £300 more for your own contributions.
Most truly yours,
JOHN MURRAY.
At the beginning of the following year Lockhart went down to Abbotsford,
where he found his father-in-law working as hard as ever.
_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_.
_January_ 4, 1820.
"I have found Sir Walter Scott in grand health and spirits, and have had
much conversation with him on his hill-side about all our concerns. I
shall keep a world of his hints and suggestions till we meet; but
meanwhile he has agreed to write _almost immediately_ a one volume
biography of the great Earl of Peterborough, and I think you will agree
with me in considering the choice of this, perhaps the last of our
romantic heroes, as in all respects happy. ... He will also write _now_
an article on some recent works of Scottish History (Tytler's, etc.)
giving, he promises, a complete and gay summary of all that controversy;
and next Nov. a general review of the Scots ballads, whereof some twenty
volumes have been published within these ten years, and many not
published but only printed by the Bannatyne club of Edinburgh, and
another club of the same order at Glasgow.... I am coaxing him to make a
selection from Crabbe, with a preface, and think he will be persuaded."
_January_ 8, 1829.
"Sir Walter Scott suggests overhauling Caulfield's portraits of
remarkable characters (3 vols., 1816), and having roughish woodcuts
taken from that book and from others, and the biographies newly done,
whenever they are not in the words of the old original writers. He says
the march of intellect will never put women with beards and men with
horns out of fashion--Old Parr, Jenkins, Venner, Muggleton, and Mother
Souse, are immortal, all in their several ways."
By 1829 Scott and Cadell had been enabled to obtain possession of all
the principal copyrights, with the exception of two one-fourth shares
of "Marmion," held by Murray and Longman respectively. Sir Walter Scott
applied to Murray through Lockhart, respecting this fourth share. The
following was Murray's reply to Sir Walter Scott:
_John Murray to Sir Walter Scott_.
_June_ 8, 1829.
My Dear Sir,
Mr. Lockhart has at this moment communicated to me your letter
respecting my fourth share of the copyright of "Marmion." I have already
been applied to by Messrs. Constable and by Messrs. Longman, to know
what sum I would sell this share for; but so highly do I estimate the
honour of being, even in so small a degree, the publisher of the author
of the poem, that no pecuniary consideration whatever can induce me to
part with it. But there is a consideration of another kind, which, until
now, I was not aware of, which would make it painful to me if I were to
retain it a moment longer. I mean, the knowledge of its being required
by the author, into whose hands it was spontaneously resigned in the
same instant that I read his request. This share has been profitable to
me fifty-fold beyond what either publisher or author could have
anticipated; and, therefore, my returning it on such an occasion, you
will, I trust, do me the favour to consider in no other light than as a
mere act of grateful acknowledgment for benefits already received by, my
dear sir,
Your obliged and faithful Servant,
JOHN MURRAY.
P.S.--It will be proper for your man of business to prepare a regular
deed to carry this into effect, which I will sign with the greatest
self-satisfaction, as soon as I receive it.
_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_.
EDINBURGH, _June_ 12, 1829.
My Dear Sir,
Nothing can be more obliging or gratifying to me than the very kind
manner in which you have resigned to me the share you held in "Marmion,"
which, as I am circumstanced, is a favour of real value and most
handsomely rendered. I hope an opportunity may occur in which I may more
effectually express my sense of the obligation than by mere words. I
will send the document of transference when it can be made out. In the
meantime I am, with sincere regard and thanks,
Your most obedient and obliged Servant,
WALTER SCOTT.
At the end of August 1829 Lockhart was again at Abbotsford; and sending
the slips of Sir Walter's new article for the next _Quarterly_. He had
already written for No. 77 the article on "Hajji Baba," and for No. 81
an article on the "Ancient History of Scotland." The slips for the new
article were to be a continuation of the last, in a review of Tytler's
"History of Scotland." The only other articles he wrote for the
_Quarterly_ were his review of Southey's "Life of John Bunyan," No. 86,
in October 1830; and his review--the very last--of Pitcairn's "Criminal
Trials of Scotland," No. 88, in February 1831.
His last letter to Mr. Murray refers to the payment for one of these
articles:
_Sir W. Scott to John Murray_.
ABBOTSFORD, _Monday_, 1830.
My Dear Sir,
I acknowledge with thanks your remittance of £100, and I will be happy
to light on some subject which will suit the _Review_, which may be
interesting and present some novelty. But I have to look forward to a
very busy period betwixt this month and January, which may prevent my
contribution being ready before that time. You may be assured that for
many reasons I have every wish to assist the _Quarterly_, and will be
always happy to give any support which is in my power.
I have inclosed for Moore a copy of one of Byron's letters to me. I
received another of considerable interest, but I do not think it right
to give publicity without the permission of a person whose name is
repeatedly mentioned. I hope the token of my good wishes will not come
too late. These letters have been only recovered after a long search
through my correspondence, which, as usual with literary folks, is sadly
confused.
I beg my kind compliments to Mrs. Murray and the young ladies, and am,
yours truly,
WALTER SCOTT.
Scott now began to decline rapidly, and was suffering much from his
usual spasmodic attacks; yet he had Turner with him, making drawings for
the new edition of his poems. Referring to his last article in the
_Quarterly_ on Pitcairn's "Criminal Trials," he bids Lockhart to inform
Mr. Murray that "no one knows better your liberal disposition, and he is
aware that £50 is more than his paper is worth." Scott's illness
increased, and Lockhart rarely left his side.
_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_.
CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 16, 1831.
"Yesterday determined Sir W. Scott's motions. He owes to Croker the
offer of a passage to Naples in a frigate which sails in about a
fortnight. He will therefore proceed southwards by land next week,
halting at Rokeby, and with his son at Notts, by the way. We shall leave
Edinburgh by next Tuesday's steamer, so as to be in town before him, and
ready for his reception. We are all deeply obliged to Croker on this
occasion, for Sir Walter is quite unfit for the fatigues of a long land
journey, and the annoyances innumerable of Continental inns; and, above
all, he will have a good surgeon at hand, in case of need. The
arrangement has relieved us all of a great burden of annoyances and
perplexities and fears."
Another, and the last of Lockhart's letters on this subject, may be
given:
_Mr. Lockhart to John Murray_.
CHIEFSWOOD, _September_ 19, 1831.
DEAR MURRAY,
In consequence of my sister-in-law, Annie Scott, being taken unwell,
with frequent fainting fits, the result no doubt of over anxieties of
late, I have been obliged to let my wife and children depart by
tomorrow's steamer without me, and I remain to attend to Sir Walter
thro' his land progress, which will begin on Friday, and end, I hope
well, on Wednesday. If this should give any inconvenience to you, God
knows I regret it, and God knows also I couldn't do otherwise without
exposing Sir W. and his daughter to a feeling that I had not done my
duty to them. On the whole, public affairs seem to be so dark, that I am
inclined to think our best course, in the _Quarterly_, may turn out to
have been and to be, that of not again appearing until the fate of this
Bill has been quite settled. My wife will, if you are in town, be much
rejoiced with a visit; and if you write to me, so as to catch me at
Rokeby Park, Greta Bridge, next Saturday, 'tis well.
Yours,
J.G. LOCKHART.
P.S.--But I see Rokeby Park would not do. I shall be at Major Scott's,
15th Hussars, Nottingham, on Monday night.
It would be beyond our province to describe in these pages the closing
scenes of Sir Walter Scott's life: his journey to Naples, his attempt to
write more novels, his failure, and his return home to Abbotsford to
die. His biography, by his son-in-law Lockhart, one of the best in the
whole range of English literature, is familiar to all our readers; and
perhaps never was a more faithful memorial erected, in the shape of a
book, to the beauty, goodness, and faithfulness of a noble literary
character.
In this work we are only concerned with Sir Walter's friendship and
dealings with Mr. Murray, and on these the foregoing correspondence,
extending over nearly a quarter of a century, is sufficient comment.
When a committee was formed in Sir Walter's closing years to organize
and carry out some public act of homage and respect to the great genius,
Mr. Murray strongly urged that the money collected, with which
Abbotsford was eventually redeemed, should be devoted to the purchase of
all the copyrights for the benefit of Scott and his family: it cannot
but be matter of regret that this admirable suggestion was not adopted.
During the year 1827 Mr. Murray's son, John Murray the Third, was
residing in Edinburgh as a student at the University, and attended the
memorable dinner at which Scott was forced to declare himself the author
of the "Waverley Novels."
His account of the scene, as given in a letter to his father, forms a
fitting conclusion to this chapter.
"I believe I mentioned to you that Mr. Allan had kindly offered to take
me with him to a Theatrical Fund dinner, which took place on Friday
last. There were present about 300 persons--a mixed company, many of
them not of the most respectable order. Sir Walter Scott took the chair,
and there was scarcely another person of any note to support him except
the actors. The dinner, therefore, would have been little better than
endurable, had it not been remarkable for the confession of Sir Walter
Scott that he was the author of the 'Waverley Novels.'
"This acknowledgment was forced from him, I believe, contrary to his own
wish, in this manner. Lord Meadowbank, who sat on his left hand,
proposed his health, and after paying him many compliments, ended his
speech by saying that the clouds and mists which had so long surrounded
the Great Unknown were now revealed, and he appeared in his true
character (probably alluding to the _expose_ made before Constable's
creditors, for I do not think there was any preconcerted plan). Upon
this Sir Walter rose, and said, 'I did not expect on coming here today
that I should have to disclose before 300 people a secret which,
considering it had already been made known to about thirty persons, had
been tolerably well kept. I am not prepared to give my reasons for
preserving it a secret, caprice had certainly a great share in the
matter. Now that it is out, I beg leave to observe that I am sole and
undivided author of those novels. Every part of them has originated with
me, or has been suggested to me in the course of my reading. I confess
I am guilty, and am almost afraid to examine the extent of my
delinquency. "Look on't again, I dare not!" The wand of Prospero is now
broken, and my book is buried, but before I retire I shall propose the
health of a person who has given so much delight to all now present, The
Bailie Nicol Jarvie.'
"I report this from memory. Of course it is not quite accurate in words,
but you will find a tolerable report of it in the _Caledonian Mercury_
of Saturday. This declaration was received with loud and long applause.
As this was gradually subsiding, a voice from the end of the room was
heard [Footnote: The speaker on this occasion was the actor Mackay, who
had attained considerable celebrity by his representation of Scottish
characters, and especially of that of the famous Bailie in "Rob Roy."]
exclaiming in character,' Ma conscience! if my father the Bailie had
been alive to hear that ma health had been proposed by the Author of
Waverley,' etc., which, as you may suppose, had a most excellent
effect."