But it was, in every point of view, right to take this more favourable tone, and to throw a Claude Lorraine tint over our northern landscape. We cannot bear the actual bare truth, either in conversation, or that which approaches nearest to conversation, in a work like the Doctor's, published within the circle to which it refers. "For the rest, the Doctor has fully maintained his high character for force of expression, both serious and comic, and for acuteness of observation-rem acu tetigit-and his scalpel has not been idle, though his lenient hand has cut sharp and clean, and poured balm into the wound. What an acquisition it would have been to our general information to have had such a work written, I do not say fifty, but even five-and-twenty years ago; and how much of grave and gay might then have been preserved, as it were, in amber, which have now mouldered away. When I think that at an age not much younger than yours I knew Black, Ferguson, Robertson, Erskine, Adam Smith, John Home, &c. &c., and at least saw Burns, I can appreciate better than any one the value of a work which, like this, would have handed them down to posterity in their living colours. Dr Morris ought, like Nourjahad, to revive every half century, to record the fleeting manners of the age, and the interesting features of those who will be only known to posterity by their works. If I am very partial to the Doctor, which I am not inclined to deny, re member I have been bribed by his kind and delicat account of his visit to Abbotsford. Like old Cumberland, or like my own grey cat, I will e'en purr and put up my back, and enjoy his kind flattery, even when I know it goes beyond my merits. "I wish you would come and spend a few days here, while this delightful weather lasts. I am now so well as quite to enjoy the society of my friends, instead of the woful pickle in which I was in spring, when you last favoured me. It was, however, dignus vindice nodus, for no less a deity descended to my aid than the potent Mercury himself, in the shape of calomel, which I have been obliged to take daily, though in small quantities, for these two months past. Notwithstanding the inconveniences of this remedy, I thrive upon it most marvellously, having recovered both sleep and appetite; so when you incline to come this way, you will find me looking pretty bobbishly. Yours very truly, WALTER SCOTT." On the same day, Scott wrote as follows, to John Ballantyne, who had started for London, on his route to Paris in quest of articles for next winter's auction-room-and whose good offices he was anxious to engage on behalf of the Cornet, in case they should happen to be in the metropolis at the same time: "To Mr John Ballantyne, care of Messrs "Dear John, "Abbotsford, July 19th, 1819. "I have only to say, respecting matters here, that they are all going on quietly. The first volume is very nearly finished, and the whole will be out in the first or second week of September. It will be well if you can report yourself in Britain by that time at farthest, as something must be done on the back of this same Ivanhoe. "Walter left us on Wednesday night, and will be in town by the time this reaches you, looking, I fancy, very like a cow in a fremd loaning.* He will be heard of at Miss Dumergue's. Pray look after him, and help him about his purchases. "I hope you will be so successful in your foreign journey as to diddle the Edinburgh folk out of some cash this winter. But don't forget September, if you wish to partake the advantages thereof. "I wish you would see what good reprints of old books are come out this year at Triphook's, and send me a note of them. Yours very truly, W. SCOTT." Anglice a strange pasture. John Ballantyne found the Cornet in London, and did for him what his father had requested. "To Mr John Ballantyne. "Dear John, "Abbotsford, July 26, 1819. "I have yours with the news of Walter's rattletraps, which are abominably extravagant. But there is no help for it but submission. The things seem all such as cannot well be wanted. How the devil they mount them to such a price, the tailors best know. They say it takes nine tailors to make a man apparently, one is sufficient to ruin him. We shall rub through here well enough, though James is rather glumpy and dumpy-chiefly, I believe, because his child is unwell. If you can make any more money for me in London, good and well. I have no spare cash till Ivanhoe comes forth. Yours truly, W. SCOTT. "P. S.-— Enclosed are sundry letters of introduction for the ci-devant Laird of Gilnockie." "To Miss Edgeworth of Edgeworthstown. "Abbotsford, July 21, 1819. "My Dear Miss Edgeworth, "When this shall happen to reach your hands, it will be accompanied by a second edition of Walter Scott, a tall copy, as collectors say, and bound in Turkey leather, garnished with all sorts of fur and frippery-not quite so well lettered, however, as the old and vamped original edition. In other, and more intelligible phrase, the tall Cornet of Hussars, whom this will introduce to you, is my eldest son, who is now just leaving me to join his regiment in Ireland. I have charged him, and he is himself sufficiently anxious, to avoid no opportunity of making your acquaintance, as to be known to the good and the wise is by far the best privilege he can derive from my connexion with literature. I have always felt the value of having access to persons of talent and genius to be the best part of a literary man's prerogative, and you will not wonder, I am sure, that I should be desirous this youngster should have a share of the same benefit. "I have had dreadful bad health for many months past, and have endured more pain than I thought was consistent with life. But the thread, though frail in some respects, is tough in others; and here am I with renewed health, and a fair prospect of regaining my strength, much exhausted by such a train of suffering. "I do not know when this will reach you, my son's motions being uncertain. But, find you where or when it will, it comes, dear Miss Edgeworth, from the sincere admirer of your genius, and of the |