ÆT. 59.] SCOTTISH HISTORY. 429 was more interesting to the lad; and confessed that "there is no harm, but, on the contrary, there is benefit, in presenting a child with ideas somewhat beyond his easy and immediate comprehension. The difficulties thus offered, if not too great or too frequent, stimulate curiosity, and encourage exertion." In March, 1830, a few weeks after the paralytic seizure above mentioned, Sir Walter commenced writing a fourth series of "The Tales of a Grandfather," being stories taken from the history of France: at the same time, he was composing the volume on "Demonology and Witchcraft." The annals of France were brought down to A.D. 1413, when Charles VI. had reigned thirty-four years, and Henry V. of England had just ascended the throne. The intention was to continue them to the close of the French Empire in 1815; but this purpose was never carried out. The dedication to his eldest grandson by name, as 66 a young person who wears masculine garments and will soon be nine years old," is dated July, 1830; and the work was published that autumn. The first volume of "The History of Scotland," for Lardner's "Cyclopædia," was written and published towards the close of 1829. The second, closing in 1603 with the accession of James VI. to the British crown, appeared in May, 1830. Mr. Lockhart confessed that these historical works 66 can hardly be submitted to a strict ordeal of criticism: there is in both a cloudiness both of words and arrangement." It can scarcely be true, however, what Dr. Lardner told Thomas Moore when talking of Sir Walter's rapid and careless manner of writing, that, in sending him the manuscript of his "History of Scotland," he begged he would be so kind as to "throw in a few dates and authorities." It cannot be true; for Scott was so familiar with the subject, that he could almost have written a history of Scotland from mere recollection. There is something ludicrous, from its utter absurdity, in Sir Walter Scott relying on Dr. Lardner for " dates and authorities" on a subject which he (Scott) certainly knew more intimately than any other man of that time. "The Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft," written in 1830, was published in December of that year. Sir Walter appears to have lost his patience over it; probably feeling that the subject was one to which he could have done justice in former days, when health and hope were strong. In the opening sentence, he spoke of it as "the history of a dark chapter in human nature; "the book itself being the chapter, and not a history. In his diary it is more than once mentioned as "that infernal Demonology." Nevertheless, it is a very entertaining volume, containing many anecdotes and stories, told in the racy old manner. CHAPTER XXVI. Retirement from the Court of Session. - Presentation of Library and Museum. - Maltreated at Jedburgh." Count Robert of Paris" and "Castle Dangerous."- Capt. Burns at Abbotsford. - Voyage to Italy. - Graham's Island.- Malta. Naples. Rome.- Last Tales. Return to Abbotsford.-Death.Funeral.-Autopsy. --- 1830-1832. HE year 1830 witnessed great mental labor, in spite of more than one severe attack of illness. His father and elder brother having died of paralysis, he had ample cause for alarm; and, indeed, had repeatedly declared, long before his health failed, that he had no fear of death, but was afraid of outliving his faculties; which, indeed, had been the case with his father, who, for two years before he died, had been entirely unconscious. He often alluded to Swift's simile of a tree apparently flourishing, but with its top withered; and would sadly repeat Johnson's forcible lines: "From Marlborough's eyes the oars of dotage flow, It was resolved by the Wellington government, in the summer of 1830, that two out of the six principal Clerks of Session in Scotland should be reduced; and, apparently with his own consent, Sir Walter Scott was superannuated upon an allowance of eight hundred, instead of one thousand three hundred pounds per annum. He believed that he could save considerable by giving up town residence, and gain health and time. Intimation was made by the Home Secretary (his old friend Peel) that ministers were ready to grant him a pension covering the large reduction in his income. He scrupled to accept it, but submitted the subject to his creditors, who, with the kindness they had exercised throughout, enjoined him not on their account to do injury to his own feelings in a matter so delicate. Thus authorized, he respectfully declined the proffered pension. In July, 1830, he attended the court for the last time. He was a little alarmed, however, at the idea of changing the habits of a long life all of a sudden and forever (he had been Clerk for twenty-four years); and did not like to feel, with Othello, that his occupation was gone. In June he heard of the death of George. IV., who, almost immediately before, had suggested that he should be placed at the head of a commission to examine the Stuart Papers which had been bequeathed to George III. by Cardinal York. An offer to elevate Sir Walter to the position of privy councillor, made at the same time, was declined, on the plea that diminished fortune and failing health must prevent his accepting such a high distinction. During that summer, during which the Revolution of July, 1830, occurred in Paris, his daughter Mrs. Lockhart, with her husband and children, were again at Chiefs wood. Sir Walter passed much of his time with them, or rather with their children, being much out of doors for the advantage of their health, and to the manifest improvement of his own. He visited around a little also, and was much oppressed by visitors; the idea having become general, that he had worked through his difficulties. To say nothing of the expense, which he could ill bear, there were the occupation of his time, and the fatigue, mental and bodily, from the task of entertaining them. Some of his ÆT. 59.] CHARLES THE TENTH. 433 old friends came; but with them it was different. There was assurance from Mr. Cadell, that, in October, the debt would be reduced one-half. Sixty thousand pounds produced in little more than four years! This assurance, it was hoped, would induce him to limit his work to the composition of prefaces and notes for the new edition of the Waverley novels, -the Opus Magnum, as he generally called it,the large sale of which continued, despite the strong political excitement of the time. But he had resolved to return to historical romance, and commenced "Count Robert of Paris," which, with " Castle Dangerous," was published in November, 1831, after its author had sailed for Italy. Following the accession of a new monarch, there was a general election, as usual. Sir Walter, residing in the county of Roxburgh, went to Jedburgh, where the eldest son of his friend, Mr. Scott of Harden, was re-elected without opposition. His nomination was seconded by Sir Walter; and Mr. Adolphus, who was with him, reported, that, at the dinner which followed, he made a charactistic speech, rich in humor and feeling. He was not, however, what is called "eloquent;" but, when his feelings were touched, spoke with energy and expression. The French Revolution having exiled Charles X., who once more found an asylum in Holyrood House, Sir Walter Scott wrote an appeal to the inhabitants of Edinburgh, entreating them, whatever their political sentiments, to respect the "gray, discrowned head" of an unfortunate sovereign; and the effect of this admirable and affecting address was to secure more than tolerance for the French exiles from the people of the Scottish capital. Ere winter set in, the Lockharts had returned to London; and except his daughter Anne, his friend. |