CHAPTER 9 



LAST YEARS 



As we have seen before, Hogg was never quite satisfied with 

 his condition as a farmer. So now, when everything pointed 

 directly towards a happy settlement for life at Altrive Lake, 

 he must needs ruin himself again by embarking upon more 

 expensive ventures. 



In 1822 the Shepherd turned his cottage over to his father- 

 in-law, and himself removed to the adjoining farm of Mt. 

 Benger. In order to stock it he called in all his literary debts 

 and proceeded to attempt with a thousand pounds a task that 

 required thrice the amount. Ill luck seemed to follow him. 

 During the next few years he sank all that he made in the 

 new farm. Seven years later, when he left it, the market 

 price of sheep had fallen to such an extent that he was left 

 penniless. He says: 



Altogether I find I lost upwards of two thousand pounds on Mt. 

 Benger lease — respectable sum for an old shepherd to throw away. 



Hogg as usual exercised his own stubborn will in regard to 

 Mt. Benger. He leased it against the advice of his best 

 friends, and in spite of the fact that it had ruined two skilful 

 farmers in the preceding six years. Scott writes in his Diary, 

 December 27, 1827 : 



I have a letter from James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, asking me 

 to intercede with the Duke of Buccleugh about his farm. He took this 

 burden upon himself without the advice of his best friends, and cer- 

 tainly contrary to mine. From the badness of the times it would have 

 been poor speculation in any hands, especially in those of a man of 

 letters, whose occupation as well as the society in which it involves 

 him, are so different. 



Hogg's life at Mt. Benger, however, was not without inter- 

 est. He was busy at literary occupations during this period 

 of seven years ; and his house was the center of Yarrow hos- 

 pitality. 



Then the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Hogg was of the most liberal 

 and genial kind. And it being known that the regime at Mt. Benger 

 was according to the old Irish rhyme, "Hospitality, no formality, all 

 reality", there was no lack of visitors to take advantage of it. As 

 everyone was made welcome, whatever his errand or degree, we can 

 well believe there were some who went merely to gratify curiosity. 



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