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had given such universal satisfaction. (Loud laughter and applause.) Before he sat down he begged to propose, the lord Provost and the city of Edinburgh.'

"Mr. PAT. ROBERTSON gave Mrs. Henry Siddons, and success to the Theatre-Royal of Edinburgh.'

"Mr. MURRAY returned thanks for Mrs. Siddons.

"Mr. MACKAY here entertained the company with a pathetic song.

"Sir W. ScoTT apologized for having so long forgotten their native land. He would now give Scotland, the land of cakes. He would give every river, every loch, every hill, from Tweed to Johnnie Groat's house-every lass in her cottage and countess in her castle; and may her sons stand by her, as their fathers did before them, and he who would not drink a bumper to his toast, may he never drink whiskey more.

"Sir WALTER SCOTT here stated, that Mrs. Siddons wanted the means, but not the will, of beginning the Theatrical Fund. He here alluded to "Sir W. ScoTT-Gentlemen, I crave a bumper the great ability of Mr. Murray's management, all over. The last toast reminds me of a neglect and of his merits, which were of the first order, of duty. Unaccustomed to a public duty of this and of which every person who attends the thea-kind, errors in conducting the ceremonial of it tre must be sensible; and, after alluding to the em- may be excused, and omissions pardoned. Perbarrassments with which the Theatre was threat-haps I have made one or two omissions in the ened, he concluded by giving the health of Mr. course of the evening, for which I trust you will Murray, which was drank with three times three. grant me your pardon and indulgence. One thing "Mr. MURRAY-Gentlemen, I wish I could be-in particular I have omitted, and I would now wish lieve that, in any degree, I merited the compli- to make amends for it by a libation of reverence ments with which it has pleased sir Walter Scott and respect to the memory of Shakspeare. He was to preface the proposal of my health, or the very a man of universal genius, and from a period soon flattering manner in which you have done me the after his own era to the present day he has been honour to receive it. When, upon the death of universally idolized. When I come to his honoured my dear brother, the late Mr. Siddons, it was pro- name, I am like the sick man who hung up his posed that I should undertake the management of crutches at the shrine, and was obliged to confess the Edinburgh theatre, 1 confess I drew back, that he did not walk better than before. It is indoubting my capability to free it from the load of deed difficult, gentlemen, to compare him to any debt and difficulty with which it was surrounded. other individual. The only one to whom I can at In this state of anxiety I solicited the advice of one all compare him is the wonderful Arabian dervise, who had ever honoured me with his kindest re- who dived into the body of each, and in that way gard, and whose name no member of my profes- became familiar with the thoughts and secrets of son can pronounce without feelings of the deepest their hearts. He was a man of obscure origin, and respect and gratitude-I allude to the late Mr. as a player, limited in his acquirements. But he John Kemble. (Great applause.) To him 1 was born evidently with a universal genius. His plied; and with the repetition of his advice 1 shall eyes glanced at all the varied aspects of life, and cease to transgress upon your time. (Hear, hear.) his fancy portrayed with equal talents the king on My dear William, fear not; integrity and assi- the throne, and the clown who cracks his chestduity must prove an overmatch for all difficulty, he strikes it just and true, and awakens a correnuts at a Christmas fire. Whatever note he takes, and though I approve your not indulging a vain confidence in your own ability, and viewing with sponding chord in our own bosoms. Gentlemen, I respectful apprehension the judgment of the au- propose the memory of William Shakspeare.' dience you have to act before, yet be assured that "Glee, Lightly tread, 'tis hallow'd ground.' judgment will ever be tempered by feeling that you are acting for the widow and fatherless. (Loud applause.)

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“Mr. J. MACONOCHIE gave the health of Mrs.

Siddons.'

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"After the glee, sir Walter rose, and begged to propose as a toast the health of a lady, whose living merits are not a little honourable to Scotland. The vanity of a Scotchman, as the lady whom I intend toast (said he) is also flattering to the national to propose is a native of this country. From the public her works have met with the most favourable reception. One piece of hers, in particular, was often acted here of late years, and gave pleasure of no mean kind to many brilliant and fashionable audiences. In her private character, she (he begged leave to say) is as remarkable as in a public sense she is for her genius. In short, he would in one word name-Joanna Baillie.'

"Sir W. SCOTT said, that if any thing could reconcile him to old age, it was the reflection that he had seen the rising as well as the setting sun of Mrs. Siddons. He remembered well their breakfasting near to the theatre-waiting the whole day -the crushing at the doors at six o'clock-and their going in and counting their fingers till seven o'clock. But the very first step, the very first word which she uttered, was sufficient to overpay him "W. MENZIES, esq., advocate, was sure that all for all his labours. The house was literally elec-present would cordially join him in drinking' the trified; and it was only from witnessing the effects health of Mr. Terry.' of her genius, that he could guess to what a pitch "Sir W. SCOTT Mr. Baron Clerk-the court theatrical excellence could be carried. Those of exchequer.' young fellows who have only seen the setting sun of this distinguished performer, beautiful and serene as that was, must give us old fellows, who have seen its rise, leave to hold our heads a little higher.

"Mr. MACKAY announced that the subscription for the night amounted to 2801.; and he expressed gratitude for this substantial proof of their kind

Bess.

"Mr. Baron CLERK regretted the absence of his learned brother. None, he was sure, could be more generous in his nature, or ready to help a Scottish purpose.

"Sir W. ScoTT-There is one who ought to be remembered on this occasion. He is indeed well entitled to our great recollection-one, in short, to whom the drama in this city owes much. He succeeded, not without trouble, and perhaps at

some considerable sacrifice, in establishing a theatre. The younger part of the company may not recollect the theatre to which I allude; but there are some who with me may remember by name the theatre in Carrubber's Close. There Allan Ramsay established his little theatre. His own pastoral was not fit for the stage, but it has its own admirers in those who love the Doric language in which it is written; and it is not without merits of a very peculiar kind. But, laying aside all considerations of his literary merit, Allan was a good jovial honest fellow, who could crack a bottle with the best. The memory of Allan Ramsay.'

mand, but actually pledging future labours akin to former ones, for the liquidation of his debts. These, and a variety of other particulars are to be found in the excerpts of the sederunt book of the meetings of Messrs. Ballantyne's creditors, a copy of which has lately been in private circulation. Hence the sudden, and, it must be added, rather awkward avowal of the authorship on the part of sir Walter. As he was well aware that the circumstances would soon make their way through the press, he determined to catch at some little eclat, while yet there was time--some little credit for disclosing that himself, which all the world were soon to learn from others.

"These are items from the accounts.

Value of sir Walter Scott's literary property. 1. Copyright of published works, estimated at the rate obtained from Constable and Co. for similar works.

St. Ronan's Well
Redgauntlet
Crusaders

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1,300%.

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1,300

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2,000

4,6002.

"Mr. P. ROBERTSON-I feel that I am about to tread on ticklish ground. The talk is of a new theatre, but wherever the new theatre may be erected, I trust we shall meet the old company. "Sir WALTER SCOTT--Wherever the new theatre is built, I hope it will not be large. There are two errors which we commonly commit-the one arising from our pride, the other from our poverty. If there are twelve plans, it is odds but the largest, without any regard to comfort, or an eye to the probable expense, is adopted. There was the college projected on this scale, and undertaken in the same manner, and who shall see the end of it? 2. Eventual rights to works sold to Constable It has been building all my life, and may probably and Co. for which bonds to the extent of 7,8007. last during the lives of my children, and my chil-are granted, but for reasons above stated, no value dren's children. Let it not be said, when we com- can be rated in this state.† mence a new theatre, as was said on the occasion 3. Works in progress. As none of these are of laying the foundation stone of a certain building, 'behold the endless work begun.' Play-going folks should attend somewhat to convenience. The new theatre should, in the first place, be such as may be finished in eighteen months or two years; and, in the second place, it should be one in which we can hear our old friends with comfort. It is better "In the debtor and creditor account of Constathat a theatre should be crowded now and then, ble and Co. with Ballantyne and Co., the following than to have a large theatre, with benches con- item occurs on the credit side:-Sums advanced tinually empty, to the discouragement of the actors, by Constable and Co. to sir Walter Scott, being and the discomfort of the spectators. (Applause.) their two-third shares of sums stipulated to be "Immediately afterwards he said, Gentlemen, paid in advance for two works of fiction not named, it is now wearing late, and I shall request permis- and not yet written, as per missives, dated 7th and sion to retire. Like Partridge, I may say, 'non 20th March, 1823.

completed, no value put on them at present beyond what is before stated as due to Ballantyne and Co. for printing works in progress, and on the value of Messrs. Constable and Co.'s paper on hand; but ultimately will be very valuable. See Appendix as to these works.

sum qualis eram.' At my time of day, I can agree "These works being undelivered, it is consiwith lord Ogleby as to the rheumatism, and say,dered the author has an undoubted right to retain "There's a twinge.' I hope, therefore, you will them, and impute the sums paid to account in excuse me for leaving the chair. (The worthy the general balance owing to Constable and Co. baronet then retired, amid long, loud, and rapturous cheering.")

"In Appendix, No. II, being estimates of funds that may accrue to Ballantyne and Co. within a year, occur several curious particulars relative to Woodstock and the Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Produce of New Works by sir Walter Scott at present in the course of publication. 1. Woodstock, 3 volumes, 9,500; shop-price 318. 6d. boards. Deduct one-third, to reduce to trade-price, and cover expenses of sale 4,987 10

Cost of paper and print-
ing (same as Red-
gauntlet)

L. 8. d. 14,962 10 0

"When sir Walter had thus declared, à propos to nothing, that he was the man who had so long concealed his features under the mask of the author of Waverley, all the world stared, not so much at the unexpectedness of the disclosure, for it was virtually well-known before, but that the declaration should be made at that particular moment, when there appeared no reason for revealing the quasi secret. A document which we have lately seen, however, explains the circumstance, and puts to flight many sage conjectures. The unfortunate position of the affairs of Constable and Co., and of Ballantyne and Co., with the latter of which firms sir Walter Scott was connected, has rendered it necessary that their accounts should not only be looked into, but exposed to the creditors. The transactions recorded there show explicitly enough who was the author of Waverley; we not only find sir Walter Scott receives payment for these works, but we find him stipulating for the purchase-tion is not to be delivered against his will; a legal process money of works then unconceived, and of yielding to force sir Walter Scott to produce a couple of novels, up every stiver, or its worth, which he could com- would be the Cæsarean operation in literature,"

2,225 0

"This price is that given for the subsequent editions, after the first of 10,000,"

"It is a condition of these bonds, that if they are not paid, the copyrights revert to the author; so that, in spite of the failure of the granters, it is supposed they will be paid."

"This alludes to the Life of Napoleon."

"Were the right the other way, it would be a very difficult matter to enforce it. An author of works of fic

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Add value of copy-right after first edition

Produce of Bonaparte's Life . .

3. Literary productions by sir Walter Scott already finished, but not yet published, though in the course of publication, which may be safely stated at

8,212 10

6,750 0 1,300 0 8,050 0

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this work. The remainder of the impression had been sold to Constable and Co.'s trustee at 188. 6d. each copy, at a credit of ten months from de0 livery, with five per cent. discount for any earlier payment,' of which the trustees approved. In O consequence of advice from sir Walter Scott and Longman and Co., it had been thought advisable 0 to restrict the first edition of the Life of Napoleon to 6,000, instead of 8,000 copies, as originally in0 tended.

"The excerpts contain a great number of items, which lay open the precise state of sir Walter's private affairs: a hundred years hence they may be 21,000 0 0 a great curiosity, and their publication may then be correct; at present it would certainly be indelicate and unhandsome, not only to the admirable writer himself, but also to several other private individuals. Every thing belonging to a great national genius is public property, and in the course 0 of a short time these excerpts will be sought for with avidity, and published with as little hesitation 0 as Mr. Todd lately printed Milton's pecuniary squabbles with his mother-in-law."

11,906 0
9,094 0
2,166 13 4

The last, but not the "last best work" of sir Walter Scott, is his LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONA11,260 13 4 PARTE, a production of which neither our limits, nor our inclinations, will allow us to say much. In an historical point of view it possesses few merits, and, we are constrained to admit, is equally unworthy of the extraordinary character it treats of, as of its author's splendid literary reputation. 1,000 0 0 The extent and importance of the subject were "At the second meeting of creditors, held 3d calculated to afford an ample scope for the display February, 1826, a resolution is entered, that the of the very highest ability. A more exciting theme printing establishment should be continued, both of narration—a fairer field of philosophical conas a source of profit, and as necessary for the pub-templation, was never before given to kindle the lication of sir W. Scott's works; who had requested eloquence, to exercise the wisdom and skill, or to of Mr. Gibson to communicate, that he was to use stimulate the intellectual ambition of the histoevery exertion in his power on behalf of the creditors; and by the diligent employment of his talents, and adoption of a strictly economical mode of life, to secure, as speedily as possible, full payment to all concerned.

"The cause of the delay in the publication of the Life of Napoleon will be found in the following

minute:

rian. Yet, notwithstanding the unquestionable powers of the celebrated author--notwithstanding the fame which he had "set upon the cast"-the magnitude of the occasion, and all the inspiring circumstances of the undertaking, it would be vain to deny that the work, upon the whole, is a failure. The book has, evidently, been written in haste and with negligence; the author has given himself "The circumstances connected with the two no time either for the well-digested arrangement literary works, entitled Woodstock, and the Life of facts, or profound reflection on the great combiof Napoleon Bonaparte, having been considered; nations of political action. He has not, in simple the trustees expressed their opinion, that so far as language, studied his subject; but has put tothey understood the nature of the bargain between gether an immense mass of materials, as rapidly sir Walter Scott and Constable and Co., the latter as they accumulated under his hands, with little had no claim in law for the proceeds of either of care in the selection, and no thought for their rethese books; but think it desirable for all parties lative importance and measurement. It is, in short, that they should be finished, which should be com- a voluminous compilation, executed indeed with municated to sir Walter; and also, that he should wonderful celerity, and adorned with brilliant pasbe requested to give his aid to the sale of them to sages, but nothing worthy either of the genius of the best advantage.-Mr. Gibson was instructed Walter Scott or the true dignity of history. But to endeavour to concert some arrangement with the real cause of his failure in writing the history Constable and Co. for consigning in some bank of our eventful times must not be traced either to the price of the works, until all questions concern-ignorance or incapacity. It is too visible that lower ing them were decided.' considerations than the generous love of fame inOn the 26th May, 1826, a meeting was held, spired the author. Hence, only, the haste, the when Mr. Gibson reported particulars of sale of negligence, the prolixity of the composition, the Woodstock, 7,900 copies of which had been sold want of compression, of reviewing, of deliberate to Hurst and Robinson, at 6,500.; but they being arrangement.-At the same time, we should be unable to complete the bargain, they had been guilty of great injustice if we failed to remark the transferred to Longman and Co. on same terms. extraordinary skill displayed by sir Walter Scott "The money had been paid, and was deposited in the relation of military events. Not only are with sir W. Forbes and Co. to wait the issue of the shifting alarums of the battle-field exhibited the decision as to the respective claims of Consta- with all the eager animation, all the picturesque ble and Co. and sir W. Scott's trustees, regarding and dramatic energy of description, which were to

be looked for from the "author of Waverley," to notice an unpleasant epistolary discussion, which has but the plans of campaign, and the movements of arisen between general Gourgaud and sir Walter Scott, in consequence of some passages in the latter's "Life of armies, are explained in a clear and methodical Napoleon," in which the general's fidelity to his late exstyle, which evinces a perfect acquaintance with iled master is more than called in question. To this charge the principles of strategy.-Finally, of the third the general, in a long letter inserted in the Paris journal, volume we are bound to speak in terms of unqua-has given the "lie direct," and termed the whole work a lified commendation. It forms the most exciting in the English newspapers, and produced copies of the romance. Sir Walter has since published a spirited reply and delightful fragment of heroic biography with official documents, &c. on which the passages in discuswhich we are acquainted.

It is with much regret that we feel ourselves obliged

sion were founded.

THE POETICAL WORKS

OF

SIR WALTER SCOTT

The Lay of the Last Minstrel.

Dum relego, scripsisse, pudet, quia plurima cerno,

Me quoque, qui feci, judice, digna lini.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES, EARL OF DALKEITH,

THIS POEM IS INSCRIBED, BY THE AUTHOR.

THE Poem, now offered to the public, is intended to illustrate the customs and manners, which anciently prevailed on the Borders of England and Scotland. The inhabitants, living in a state partly pastoral and partly warlike, and combining habits of constant depredation with the influence of a rude spirit of chivalry, were often engaged in scenes, highly susceptible of poetical ornament. As the description of scenery and manners was more the object of the author, than a combined and regular narrative, the plan of the ancient Metrical Romance was adopted, which allows greater latitude in this respect, than would be consistent with the dignity of a regular Poem. The same model offered other facilities, as it permits an occasional alteration of measure, which, in some degree, authorizes the change of rhythm in the text. The machinery also, adopted from popular belief, would have seemed puerile in a poem, which did not partake of the rudeness of the old Ballad, or Metrical Romance.

For these reasons, the Poem was put into the mouth of an ancient Minstrel, the last of the race, who, as he is supposed to have survived the Revolution, might have caught somewhat of the refinement of modern poetry, without losing the simplicity of his original model. The date of the Tale itself is about the middle of the sixteenth century, when most of the parsonages actually flourished. The time occupied by the action is three nights and three days.

INTRODUCTION.

THE way was long, the wind was cold,
The minstrel was infirm and old;
His withered cheek, and tresses gray,
Seemed to have known a better day;
The harp, his sole remaining joy,
Was carried by an orphan boy.
The last of all the bards was he,
Who sung of Border chivalry;
For, well-a-day! their date was fled,
His tuneful brethren all were dead;
And he, neglected and oppressed,
Wished to be with them, and at rest.
No more, on prancing palfrey borne,
He carolled, light as lark at morn;
No longer courted and caressed,
High placed in hall, a welcome guest,
He poured, to lord and lady gay,
The unpremeditated lay:

Old times were changed, old manners gone;
A stranger filled the Stuart's throne;
The bigots of the iron time

Had called his harmless art a crime.
A wandering Harper, scorned and poor,
He begged his bread from door to door;
And tuned, to please a peasant's ear,
The harp a king had loved to hear.

He passed where Newark's stately tower
Looks out from Yarrow's birchen bower:
The minstrel gazed with wishful eye-
No humbler resting-place was nigh.
With hesitating step, at last,
The embattled portal-arch he passed,
Whose ponderous grate and massy bar
Had oft rolled back the tide of war,
But never closed the iron door
Against the desolate and poor.

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