THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE. JULY, 1825. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. SIR WALTER SCOTT AND THE SCOTTISH NOVELS. Mr. URBAN, tale was written, is absurd, because it bears a relation to the tale itself, and A dentally mentioned in the John is a cunning sneer on the conduct of Bull" newspaper, that Sir Walter Scott had twice publicly declared himself, not to be the Author of Waverley. As this intimation may have "staggered the faith" of many true believers, I think it my duty to contribute all I can to clear up their doubts, and prove that the chivalric poet is the writer of the Scottish Novels. The two anecdotes referred to are these. Our present Monarch, when Regent, directed a plate of fruit to be carried from his table "to the Author of Waverley." They were instantly taken to Sir Walter Scott, then in London, who culled a few of the inferior fruits, and declared himself unworthy of more. From this it is, forsooth, inferred that he merely wrote the poetry which is scattered here and there in the tales, and had no connection with the other part. But may not this anecdote rather intimate that he is so modest as to consider himself unworthy of any great reward, and thus refuse the valuable gift so sent him. Besides, the poetry of the novels is so inseparably connected with the text, that the two authors (if there are two) must evidently be near and intimately acquainted with one another. Yet report ascribes no such constant acquaintance to any writer whom it has named as the Author of Waverley, bat rather places them at a distance from Sir Walter, even so far off as beyond the waters of the Atlantic. Could two persons thus separated write the "Bloody Vest" in "The Talisman," just published, and the text which environs it? To suppose that the poem was sent over to America before the the heroine, Lady Edith Plantagenet, as she herself informs us directly after. And yet can we suppose that Sir Walter would so servilely follow the text, as to change the verse, metre,_ length of the feet, &c. according, as Richard remarks, to these changes. We must then suppose that Sir Walter wrote both the prose and poetry of that chap ter. Yet it is connected with all the others, and is extremely well written. Why then cannot he who writes a part, write a whole?-That chapter preserves the character, &c. of Cœur de Lion, and all the characters introduced, as well as any of the others. But, perhaps, it may be objected that there may be coadjutors more near to Sir Walter Scott than those above mentioned. Let us examine. Report ascribes the authorship to three different persons,-a Bishop of the Church of Scotland, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Scott, whom it states to be residing in America. We have already examined the claims of the two latter. Let us now consider the "right and title" of the episcopal dignitary. "The Bishop" seems to exist merely in imagination; for bis diocese is never mentioned, even by those who pretend to know much about it. But let us ask, would one of the clerical character describe such ferocious brutes as we find in the third volume of the Pirate, or use such language as that of Triptolemus Yellowley in the same work, when he is found by Magnus. Troil in a wretched hut? Certainly not. Who is this Bishop? If any one can tell me, I will peruse his sermons (if published), and can then easily decide by the Sir Walter Scott, and the Scottish Novels. the style if he be or be not the "GREAT UNKNOWN." The same objectious which apply to the Bishop apply to Mrs. Thomas Scott, supposing her to be near enough to write the Novels. Let us now proceed to the second anecdote. At a meeting at which Sir Walter Scott took the chair, a member proposed the health of the Author of Waverley. The chairman observed that he "had not the honour of knowing that gentleman, but that as he came to him so strongly recommended, he would willingly drink his health." This is by a great many regarded as a flat denial of the Authorship. However it may be to their minds, that it is not in the writer of the Scotch Novels' opinion, can be easily proved, and it will thus be made an additional proof FOR and not against me. In Ivanhoe, vol. I. when the hero is asked concerning Ivanhoe, he replies, that he "does not know him." Ivanhoe, as all the readers of that excellent romance must know, is a mirror of honour and knighthood, consequently, the author, in assigning him this speech, means no blot upon his character, and thus the sentence merely intimates that he 'did not know himself, as a man is commonly said not to know himself. Ergo -Since the Author of Waverley thinks an evasion not dishonourable, which Sir Walter Scott afterwards publicly uses (who is strongly suspected to be the Author of Waverley), that is an additional proof that he is so. As we have now (we flatter ourselves) successfully answered the objections raised by these two anecdotes, we shall proceed to more general proofs that Sir Walter Scott is the "Great Unknown." One of the strongest is the resemblance of the style, phrases, &c. used in the Poems to those found in the Novels. The singular and ungrateful word "undid" is common in both, as well as the curious phrase "louted" for "bowed.” "To Rokeby next he louted low, This is used in the excellent poem [July, ordinary publications are produced; but this circumstance, which is no proof at all for them, is one of the greatest in favour of the general opinion. For they assert it impossible that one man should in so short a time write so much and so well,-and so indeed it is to all but one author of the day, and that author is Sir Walter Scott, who in one year edited Sir Ralph Sadler's State Papers, and all the Poetical Works of the voluminous Anue Seward, and wrote the admirable poem of "The Lady of the Lake." Two arguments still remain, the last of which must convince every one who has not determined not to be convinced. In 1823 appeared "Military Memoirs of the great Civil War, being the Military Memoirs of John Gwynne," &c. avowedly edited by the Bard of Marmion. In this work, before unpublished, we find several incidents detailed which are met with nowhere else but in the notes to Sir Walter Scott's Poems, and (alluded to en passant) in the Waverley Novels !! Sir Walter had been a long time their sole possessor. My last argument has been anticipated in a note to "WALLADMOR." If Sir Walter be not the real author of these Novels, most certainly, knowing them to be generally ascribed to him, he would ere now, as a gentleman and a man of honour, have disavowed the connection. If he is not the author, and still suffers the public to believe the contrary, he is one of the meanest men that ever breathed. The only argument that can be brought against this is, that he is bound by some promise not to reveal what he knows of the matter. Indeed, if this had never been asserted, I should have rested my cause on this single part of my present letter. I should be much obliged, Mr. Urban, if you would insert any arguments that can be brought against this letter, and remain YOUR CONSTANT READER, AND NEW CORRESPONDENT, Mr. URBAN, Ω. July 2. purest source of intellectual enjoyment, and of the highest pleasure ITERATURE is to me the that 1925.] On Cheap Periodical Literature. that sweetens life; therefore I read, with a feeling of deep interest, the valuable article in your Part i. p. 483, on the "Minor Periodicals of the Day."-" Writers of genius," says the Abbe Raynal," are born magistrates of their country;" and your Correspondent has done well to direct the attention of that worshipful body to a matter so peculiarly within their jurisdiction as the nature and present state of a department of literature which promises to influence the general aspect of society, and to effect, more immediately, an important alteration in the character, moral and intellectual, of the working classes. The utility of their particular vigilance in this case is forcible and obvious. When the cultivation of Literature is extended into districts which have laid fallow since the origin of letters, it is rational to expect that the product will be gross and redundant, and that the tares will demand a laborious and persevering eradication. It is well known that the hordes of Parnassus have always "pressed against the means of subsistence," as Malthus would say; but, of late, the excess of population, notwithstanding the vast increase of demand, has become truly awful. Indeed I am sometimes inclined to think that the converse of Pope's position, that "Ten judge wrong for one who writes amiss," would hold good at the present time, But we are nearly all writers and critics now, and the temptation to cupidity is proportionably strong. The Children of the Muses," I fear, are too often driven to unworthy means for the support of themselves and their offspring. I will not now enter into the state of criticism which would lead me beyond the compass of your pages; but I cannot help remarking that the identity of critic and author is not very favourable to the growth of intellect; and that the facility of meeting with a "friend in the line," ready, with a view to an "interchange of civilities," to give the literary bantling favourable introduction to the world, is not likely to promote the increase of good taste and sound judgment. a The besetting sin of the cheap publications appears to me to be a desire to pander to that appetite for novelty and the marvellous, which is the univer 5. sal characteristic of the uninformed. It may be urged that strong excitement is necessary to create a taste for reading, which will afterwards subside into a more rational channel. But I am old enough to remember the effect which followed the publication of that daring and erratic production of genius, "The Monk;" and I know that it gave birth to an insatiable thirst for that dangerous species of composition, which was met by an immense, supply from the circulating libraries and pamphlet shops. The chief consumers of this kind of manufacture were the fair sex; and sad was the havoc which it made upon the nervous system, The hapless maiden would banquet upon these supernatural horrors, till she became as tremblingly alive to every breath of sentiment as was the flame of the midnight taper, by which she consumed her health and time, to the slightest impulse of the air. Like the effect of ardent spirits upon the phy sical powers, they enervate instead of enlarging and strengthening the mind. Imaginative and supernatural tales. of terror are not the only staple of our current Literature. The "horrible realities," the revolting facts, which stain the history of our species, are set forth in all their ghastly attraction. The Newgate Calendar has not only been ransacked, but republished entire, in a cheap form, for the edification of the young student in the "proper study of mankind." I think I need not point out the pernicious consequences of thus bringing forward in so promi nent a manner, uncontrasted, unrelieved, and unsoftened, the most disgusting traits of humanity. Another error in these works, very inimical to correct thinking, is a con tempt for authority and authenticity, which generally marks their selections. Forgotten legends, old wives' tales, established history, impudent imposture, and fanciful invention, are all indiscriminately mixed together, and "sent forth without a name:" thus affording the reader no means of judging and comparing, and storing his memory with real and with correct information, A splendid exception to this complaint is to be found in Mr. Hone's Every-Day Book," which is, in fact, no every-day book. Your Correspondent justly observes, that he has not scrupulously adhered to the plan laid down in his prospectus; but his book Original Letter of Mr. T. Amory. is replete with diversified reading, the direct tendency of which is to improve the habits of thinking, taste, and knowledge, of its readers. Had he confined himself strictly to the plan originally proposed, he would have much circumscribed the utility of his publication. As it is, I believe it to be very popular, and it deserves to be so, as well calculated to lead to a profitable exercise that impetus which the general mind has received from perhaps a variety of causes. It would be hypercritical to enlarge upon the defects of such a work, amongst which might perhaps be mentioned a certain degree of affectation in the style of composition. But who can criticise on an author who quotes and praises every body? The natural consequence is, that every body quotes and praises him. It is Hone's millenium. ་ Your Correspondent who signs himself PAN (but who plays upon no "oaten reed,") appears to be mistaken in supposing The Mirror' to have been the precursor of all the twopenny publications. That respectable work (conducted, I have heard, by a literary gentleman, without any view to remuneration) cannot claim the merit, if there be any, of priority. It was preceded by many which have long since been consigned to the "tomb of all the Capulets:" among others, by The Déjeuné,' and 'The Gossip.' And perhaps all of them were originated by the elegant and ingenious Mr. Leigh Hunt's Indicator,' although not published at so low a price as twopence. And so impressed with this opinion were the coadjutors of one of the abovenamed publications, who were a knot of young literary aspirants, that they thought it necessary, with a delicacy of principle not peculiarly characteristic of the craft, to solicit his gracious consent to their speculation, although the Indicator' had then ceased to appear, but with an intimation that it would some time or other be resumed. This will probably excite a smile from those who are more hackneyed in the ways of letters; and perhaps the answer which this singular application received will not appear much less diverting. The worthy Editor of the Ex-Indicator, far from expressing any surprise at the extraordinary deference and attention shown him, received it with much grace and dignity, acknowledged the propriety of the feeling (July, Tuesday, London, April 30, 71. YOUR letter bearing date Sat. 27 of this month, came safe to hand yesterday morning. I am obliged to you for the trouble you have been at in the houses, and suppose that situated in Newton may be to the purpose,— that it has every thing requisite to the kind of life I chuse,-some sensual bliss, but more of that which sense does not bestow. I have but one objection I can think of, and that is the rent commencing at Midsummer, and my not being there till next November, or perhaps later. I must so order matters here, as to leave no occasion for a return to town;-a place where, exclusive of iniquity and folly of every kind in all ranks of people, even learning and reason are prostituted to the vilest purposes. A Redderburne turus. apostate for wages; and the Pomposo of Churchill, Dr. Samuel Johnson, for five hundred a year, becomes a hireling, and betrays his country to his master. -Witness his two infamous pamphlets, the False Alarm,' and 'Thoughts on Falkland's Islands,' among many other writings (the philosopher who with dry eyes beheld his daughter Irene dead, with the same philosophy smiles ghastly on his country's ruin)—where . . . where . . . where . . . I never desire to come any more, when once I go to the North. Now this ordering of matters cannot be till the beginning of winter; and it may happen I must be here till after Christmas 1825.] Surrey Refuge for the Destitute. Christmas next, which subjects me to two rents, heavy to me, for half a year. I think, however, as there is nothing like the thing at Newton to be had for the same price any where else in the country, that I had better submit to that weight, and take it from Midsummer. Particulars may in the mean time be the better placed; the gardens in more order for use, coal laid in, and some drink stored. My bed may be put up (which I had rather have than one of the landlord's for my own lying on), and several other considerations arise. If you then think it best to do so, proceed; if not proper in your judgment, let it melt into thin air. I am a cosmopolite, and shall never shed many tears on account of the part of the globe I happen to be stationed on. He has almost danced his dance, then goes behind the curtain; and what does it signify where he falls asleep? But if in Yorkshire, where shall I get one to attend me? I do not like an old woman, and had rather have some honest woman's daughter, who has been taught by her mother to make a pudding. That's the girl that pleases I am, me. Dear Sir, seriously your's, Mr. URBAN, T. A. July 6. IT is a subject of no small cause for rejoicing, that the houses of Refuge for the Destitute have been recommended in several counties of England. That established near London in the Hackney Road, has been found of great benefit to the distressed objects themselves, and in proportion to the community,-for it is a manifest evidence of a repentant conviction, that their past errors will become inevitable ruin, unless they are entirely reformed, and that the punishment which they have already incurred has been a wholesome discipline;-the sorrow of a mind thus disposed to take a moral retrospect of past conduct, is a godly sorrow not to be repented of, but cherished till the latest hour, when it will afford its purest fruits of consolation. The public Magistrate undertakes a hard duty to administer the severity of the law, and this is in fact all that he can do. If the punishment which he commands does not affect a hardened offender, the case seems to be hopeless, and he will return to his former courses, until he is overtaken at last by untimely and ignominious death! But if a spark yet remains which can be fed during the discipline of temporary privations, and the separation from bad companions, until it lights up in his mind a conviction of the sense of shame of the offence committed against. God, of ingratitude to his Providence, and of dread that his all-seeing eyemay be for ever averted from him,the culprit may be brought to that state of penitence, which, while it corrects his heart, saves him from despondence; he then not only feels what he suffers himself, but he is deeply disgusted with the unfeeling and untameable profligacy and wicked resolutions of future retaliation, which he hears among his fellow prisoners; and perhaps he rejoices more at the moment of his discharge from their association than at the expected cessa-, tion of his own discipline. But still he has learnt a lesson, the very reverse in its effects to that which they mean to adopt; his first reflections turn to the great difficulty of the step to be. taken for his self-preservation, for his recovery from the discomforts of his imprisonment, and for his avoiding the danger of meeting with his companions. He expects nothing from society; if he becomes a beggar, he incurs the return to confinement; yet he sees no one of whom he can ask bread, and having lost his character, he dare not offer his services to any, for he deserves not confidence, and has no character to introduce him. He looks back to the former years of his life, when he was under the care of his parents, or of the magistrates, or of the laws of his country, and could claim their united protection; nay, he reflects that he was then one of the great family of the earth, and could cast up his thoughts with humble hope to Heaven! He now feels that he has offended all these; therefore he dare not appeal to them, but represents a rude unserviceable trunk upon a barren mountain, shorn of its leaves and branches, and left to the horrors of every pitiless storm! "If we consider (says Bp. Sherlock, IV. 379) the nature and disposition of mankind, we shall easily perceive that two things are especially necessary to guard the practice of virtue and religion,-instruction and correction; one a proper remedy for the weakness of the understanding; the other for the perverseness of the will. The power of |