426 RECOLLECTIONS OF Sill WALTER SCOTT. 



eminence as would secure adequate pecuniary remuneration for their 

 works, and thus enable them to live by their literary labours, the 

 circumstance would be the more agreeable that it was unexpected. 



Sir Walter Scott did much to inspire a correct literary taste in 

 others, by his private criticisms and advice to young and old, as well 

 as by the example of chaste and elegant composition which he set in 

 his own works. Were it not that it would be a digression, I could men- 

 tion many such instances within my own personal knowledge, but I shall 

 only give that of my late respected friend, Mr. Thomas Atkinson, of 

 Glasgow — a gentleman who, considering the early age at which he 

 was snatched from us by the hand of death, has done more for the 

 literature of his country than any other Scotchman he left behind 

 him. When he published his maiden production — The Sextuple 

 Alliance, I think, was the name — he sent an early copy to Sir Walter 

 Scott, and in a few days after he received from the distinguished 

 novelist a letter full of the soundest criticism on his work and the 

 best advice as to the way in which he should pursue his future 

 literary studies. The commendation given in this letter — the kindly 

 feeling it breathed while pointing out the errors the author had com- 

 mitted — and the suggestions it contained for the future, formed, as 

 Mr. Atkinson always afterwards delighted to admit, the ground work 

 of the literary eminence he afterwards obtained. 



It would extend this article to too great a length to notice the va- 

 rious other topics on which we conversed on this occasion. Suffice 

 it to say that Sir Walter entered into them all with much seeming 

 zest, and in every instance appeared quite at home in them. 



Our little party broke up at a late hour, but met again at break- 

 fast next morning. The top'cs then introduced related chiefly to 

 matters connected with Abbotsford. In doing the honours of the 

 table — and none could personate " mine host" better than the worthy 

 baronet — Sir Walter remarked that he was under great obligations 

 to his friend Mr. Hogg for several valuable hints, or rather examples, 

 as to what constituted the component parts of a good breakfast. The 

 breakfast struck me as much better than any thing of the kind to 

 which I was accustomed in England. I made an observation to that 

 effect. " Ye're nae far wrang," answered Sir Walter; " but ye have 

 Jamie Hogg, and nae me or Lady Scott, to thank for it." He then 

 mentioned that some considerable time previously he and Sir A. 

 Fergusson had breakfasted with the Ettrick Shepherd, when there was 

 laid before them ampe supphes, in addition to the usual fare of tea, 

 eggs, &e. of broiled salmon, broiled ham, mutton, ham, &c. " Before 

 that time," said Sir Walter, "I had just the plain tea, roll, and egg, 

 and nothing more, to breakfast." On the table before us, in addi- 

 tion to these, were reindeer, tongue, ham, corned beef, &c., to do jus- 

 tice to all of which we were well pressed both by precept and ex- 

 ample. 



I was strongly urged to prolong my visit for at least a few days, 

 but, being limited as to time on that side the Tweed, I was unable to 

 accept the invitation, which, under other circumstances, I should 

 have had infinite pleasure in doing. After a second survey of the 

 exterior of the mansion-house and the adjoining pleasure-grounds, I 



