Churchyard in the early part of the last cen- the rule, from the palace on Fifth Avenue to the tury. She sang, as I have said, very charm- cow-boy's shanty in Colorado! ingly, told stories in such a way as to have The much-beloved canon, my grandfather, them worked into his novels by Scott and into who was the kindest and most genial of men, his “Legends” by Barham, and drew about went to his rest in 1833. The living of Uffingher many other men distinguished in the world ton passed into other hands, and two years of letters, art, and music, who valued sprightly afterward my father bought and moved to talk and genial ways. She also rendered her- Donnington Priory, in the Vale of the Kennett, self agreeable to her intimates by the attention a livelier part of the county, to the south of the which she paid to their creature comforts. White Horse range of hills. My grandmother, This may be read between the lines of the fol- however, could not persuade herself for many lowing anecdote, which she used to tell with years to leave her beloved country-side, with its delight, as showing how, high and low, all broad meadows and stiff clay soil, and the simloved and almost worshiped the “Wizard.” ple peasants who had been cared for by her Scott was staying in London at the time, some- family for so many scores of years. She moved

hane in pullary enche tu noles of therreturrch of 20

.

Harlunch pushups you werulegur ne teduh ke our cumbry I should

. hintale about us for fere of gellene a dick on my warme for lucking awal luquiel naum & au hinue guruly but juu are not I Merike se lonely

kerkoshuis I beggen well make my last respecte acceptable to

. Mis kegles the infant Done Qualtare and bleni me

qur biely obleged

wrungen

Escurto Decembrie

FACSIMILE OF PART OF LETTER TO JOHN HUGHES, DATED DECEMBER 9, 1829 where in the West End. One evening he ad- to Kingston Lisle, a pretty village, nearer the mired some fish at her table, which she had, as northern foot of the hills than Uffington. Here was usual with her, bought at a famous stall in she lived till she was nearly eighty, taking exBillingsgate Market and carried home herself. cellent care of successive Mustards and PepThe next morning she included in her pur- pers of the true Dandie Dinmont breed (the chase some of this particular fish, and asked ancestors of whom had been given her by Sir the stall-keeper if he could deliver it at the Walter), and exchanging, as her teeth grew West End. Taking a very decided “No” for scarce, with the little boys of the neighboran answer, she observed regretfully, “Sir Wal- hood, marbles for the fresh eggs of small ter will be much disappointed.” “Sir Walter, birds, which latter she treated in such a way mum! You don't mean Sir Walter Scott?" as to make impossible for her grandchildren “Yes, indeed, I do.” “Why, mum, I'd send it the presumptuous impertinence (to judge

, to him free of charge if he was in Hedinboro'!” from the proverb) common among English

Also, between the lines of this fish story children. may be read the strict economy and hatred of When I revisited the Vale of the White unnecessary expense which, with all her lavish Horse eight years ago, I found friends still livgiving, became, as it seemed to her friends, al- ing who remembered her in her Kingston Lisle most a craze later in life. Only the other day days. Two of these, whose home was three I came across the envelop to one of her letters miles from that place, told how she would walk to me (written soon after the invention of that across to their house to early breakfast, accomuseful article), which had been carefully turned panied by Mustard and Pepper, and knitting all by her and redirected, after having made its the way there and all the way back, and start first journey as cover to a letter from one of them on their day's work refreshed by her gay her London correspondents. Dear lady! how talk and amusing stories. must her true-blue-Tory soul be vexed if she is This reminds me that knitting and netting aware of her only surviving grandson having were a passion with her, and that, for many turned out a radical, and “citizenized” in a years, all the worsted socks on the feet of seven country in which extravagance and waste are active grandsons, and all the fish-nets where

with we were wont to clear our trout-stream at still with their parents were living. Here she Donnington of the so-called “vermin," - dace died in 1853, carefully and lovingly attended and chub and roach,-were the product of her to the last by a faithful old servant, who, it needles.

was found, had been for years married to a During those years at Kingston Lisle she worthy butler of the neighborhood, on condimade frequent trips to London, so as not to tion that she should retain her maiden name lose touch of her old friends there; and, and not leave her mistress so long as she shortly before 1850, removed to a small house should need her services. in Reading, the capital of Berkshire, nearer

I remain, etc., both to London and to the part of the county

William Hastings Hughes. where her son and those of his family who were Milton, Massachusetts.

THE HUGHES LETTERS OF SIR WALTER SCOTT

a

QUITE accidentally my notice was directed Walter Scott. Indeed, Lockhart himself, in to these letters of Sir Walter's, of which his preface, includes Mrs. Hughes of UfLockhart does not seem to have suspected fington in a list of those to whom he is inthe existence, although probably he was debted for “the kind readiness with which aware that at one time a considerable cor- whatever papers in their possession could respondence was maintained between Mrs. be serviceable to my advantage were supHughes and his father-in-law. That this plied.” But in this recognition “Mrs. was so he implies clearly (vide “Life of Hughes of Uffington " appears only as Scott," page 524. Any quotation I make one among very many others; and I canfrom this source comes from the edition not but think that Lockhart, had he known published by Black in 1881):

of the extent of the correspondence and

its exceedingly interesting character, would Among Scott's visitors of the next month, not have left it, as he did, wholly untouched. first in Edinburgh, and afterwards on Tweed- The dates of the letters which have been side, were the late amiable and venerable Dr. committed to my hands to put before the Hughes, one of the Canons-residentiary of St. public extend over a great period of years, Paul's, and his warm-hearted lady. The latter had been numbered among his friends from an

but there is a big gap. There is a letter or early period of life, and a more zealously affec

two of 1808 or 1809 or earlier. The great tionate friend he never possessed. On her way

man was careless in the dating of his letto Scotland she had halted at Keswick to visit

ters, and often the contents are the only Mr. Southey, whom also she had long known guide to the date if, as happens, the postwell, and corresponded with frequently. marked date is undecipherable.

After 1813 there is no letter in the colOne of the results of this visit was the lection that has been handed to me till reuniting of the bonds of friendship be- 1821, an eight years' interval. And it is tween these already distinguished men, noticeable that this first letter of 1821, first which had been interrupted for some years of the series that has regularly been preby one of those miserable and petty mis- served, denies in pretty direct terms the understandings that not even the friend- authorship of the novels. Now it is hardly ships of the greatest souls always escape. to be believed, I think, that there was no Scott's conciliatory letter is quite charming, correspondence between these two very in his own manner. For the moment I close and mutually appreciative friends bewould wish merely to point out that in the tween 1813 and 1821. There is no reasonsentence, “whom also she had long known able doubt that many letters were well, and corresponded with frequently," changed and destroyed, more 's the pity. the “also " seems to imply on the writer's But then, in 1821, I will venture to surmise part a knowledge of the fairly frequent that it suddenly dawned on Mrs. Hughes correspondence steadily maintained over that this delightful correspondent and lifea length of years between her and Sir long friend of hers was an even greater man

ex

than she had suspected him of being. She of his fame; the period of the zenith and knew him, of course, as one of the most also of the nadir of his financial fortunes. charming of men, most delightful of com- Naturally the letters are of very unequal panions, most perfect of gentlemen, and length and interest. A few are no more most gifted of all whom she had met. than mere notes. But the great majority There seems to have been a really marvel- are such letters as Sir Walter was likely to ous consensus of opinion on the part of all write to a friend who was in full appreciawho knew him to this effect. She knew tion of the literary and other tastes that him as the acknowledged author of the appealed to him, with a considerable acpoems, “The Lay" and the rest. But only quaintance among the most interesting now, perhaps, did it dawn upon her with people of the day,—the literary, artistic, anything like conviction that he was indeed musical world, -and of the sex that can the “Great Unknown," the author of those give man the most perfect sympathy and delightful novels that were making the understanding. Anglo-Saxon nations young again; only Besides Sir Walter's letters to Mrs. now did she begin to suspect him of being Hughes, there is one from him to “Miss what we know him to be.

Hayman,” there are one or two from Mrs. But having realized (in spite of his un- Lockhart to Mrs. Hughes, and there is an blushing denial of the authorship) or hav- account, in form of a long letter, by Mr. ing at least possessed herself of a good John Hughes (son of the canon and Mrs. working faith in his authorship of the nov- Hughes) of a visit to Abbotsford and of the els, and perceiving that her correspondent's life there in 1825. There are also journals letters would be of interest not only to the by Mrs. Hughes herself descriptive of life one to whom they were addressed, but to at Abbotsford on the occasion of two difall the world that was filled with his fame, ferent visits, the first in 1824, the second from that time forward she seems to have four years later. I do not in the least know begun to keep the letters regularly; and I how it is that this “Miss Hayman,” as do not think that we have one missing until Scott writes of her, turns into “Mrs. Haythe last, written in 1831, when the outlook man” in Lockhart's“ Life," but it is not of of his great intellect was already clouded much consequence how it happens. Howby the darkness that closed in on it so pre- beit, as I find this letter here, so I give it; maturely. By 1826 it is quite certain that but first, in order to make things clear and the interest of the correspondence had re- save the reader the trouble of referring elsevealed itself, for in that year she began to where, I may as well give a very short make copies of the letters, prefacing the chronological table of Sir Walter's literary collection with a note to her grandson, to productions up to the year 1821. At the whom she bequeathed the originals, in date of this letter to Miss Hayman”. which occurs the following passage: November 9, 1806—he was engaged, as I “These letters will, I am persuaded, be gather, on the third canto of “Marmion.” valuable in future as literary curiosities." Previously to "The Lay of the Last MinShe also annotated them with many notes, strel " he had published things compara

, throwing light on obscure allusions. Most tively little known: "Ballads after Bürger," of these notes I am quoting in their place, “Götz of Berlichingen, ' Ballads," " Minat the foot of the letters to which they refer. strelsy of the Scottish Border," "Sir Tris

Over these ten years, from 1821 to 1831, tram," and so on-a goodly show. But of the letters, between forty and fifty in num- course all were forgotten, consumed, in the ber, extend; and they are written in the blaze of fame which greeted the publication, main at fairly regular intervals, so as to in the very first days of 1805, of “The Lay cover the period without leaving gaps. By of the Last Minstrel.” After that he was no covering the period I mean that no very longer the lawyer with the law as his crutch particular event is likely to have been and literature as his stick, but the writer with omitted in consequence of any long lapse the strongest crutch, most gold-weighted, between one letter and the next; and it is that any writer has ever had in his writings, fortunate that the period which this corre- at liberty to do a little law for his pleasure, spondence thus embraces is perhaps the as a way of meeting old friends and movmost interesting period of Sir Walter's life- ing in the world, if he so pleased. the period of the zenith of his powers and But still he did not publish again till

“Marmion” came out in February, 1808. Miss "Hughes" here is evidently a slip Perhaps the interval is not long, considering for “Hayman." Miss or Mrs. Hayman was the character of the work, considering, too, the friend who introduced Mrs. Hughes to that the writer was still busy with law work Sir Walter Scott in the year 1806, as deof various kinds and had so many outlooks scribed a little later. She was one of the on the world; but it is long in consideration ladies attached to the establishment of the of the rate of production of his novels later. unhappy Queen Caroline when Princess of Perhaps, too, his breath was a little taken Wales. The letter, though not dated as to away by the reception of “The Lay.” Also the year, must have been written in 1807, he was at work all the while at his Dryden. for “Marmion” was published in 1808. In November of 1807 he wrote this letter: The poem to which Scott purposes to

give honorable distinction is the ballad of MY DEAR Miss HAYMAN Whatever you the “Spirit's blasted Tree,” in the fifth admire will I am sure add greatly to the value

canto of “Marmion," and the “doleful of the work in which you are pleased to request ditty" the ballad sung by Fitz Eustace in a place for it. I am just now finishing my ro

the third canto; the notes were afterward mantic poem of Marmion, a tale of war and wonder with notes like Noah's ark, an ample sent to Mrs. Hughes by Sir Walter, and are receptacle for every thing that savours of affixed to the letter with which they were romantic lore. I will take care to distinguish sent. the poem in all honourable fashion of type The occasion of his writing thus was that and introduction but I must beg the favour the princess had already shown much inthat you will forward it as soon as possible, terest in a ballad that he had recited from as I am printing rapidly, & must drive a peg “The Mountain Bard" by way of obtainsomewhere into my own poem to hang your ing her patronage for the Ettrick Shepherd. friend's ballad upon. You do me but justice in believing that I

Of course the princess had begged his reciwas quite delighted with Mrs. Hughes; I have

tation of one of his own poems; and, achieved a doleful song to an ancient Gaelic air equally of course, he had preferred to do and intend as soon as I can get it arranged to a good turn to a friend. the music to send it as a little tribute of grati- It was to Mrs. Hayman (for thus it probtude for the pleasure I received from her mel- ably is right to speak of the lady) that Mrs. ody. I have destined a copy of Marmion for Hughes owed her introduction to the great you, and the promised ballad will give it double Mr. Scott-as he then was; and the acinterest. Shall it be sent to Berkley Street or

count of the introduction is pleasantly given how? I have also one with some ornaments which I should wish to reach Blackheath some

by Mrs. Hughes in a note to her Abbotsford time before the work is public, which may I journal: think be in February. Will you be so good as to inform me who will be in waiting on the My first introduction to Sir Walter Scott was Princess about that time. I should be happy given me by my friend Mrs. Hayman in the if it happens to be your time of duty. I visited year 1806- when Sir W. S. was in town enjoyBothwell Castle this summer and returned in ing his first fame after the publication of “The the most dreadful storm that ever was raised Lay of the Last Minstrel." by Charlotte Smyth or Mrs. Ratcliffe. We Queen Caroline invited him, immediately on narrowly escaped drowning more than once. his arrival in the Metropolis, to visit her at I sincerely hope that I may have leisure (which Blackheath; by which means he became intiaccording to the best definitions includes time mately acquainted with Mrs. Hayman, who and money) to visit Wales this next summer; was a very superior person both in intellect and it is a scheme I have long had at heart and the information, and singularly agreeable. When pleasure of your acquaintance.

not in immediate attendance on the Queen, I have just abandoned my own hills and Mrs. Hayman lodged in Berkeley Square, in glens for this city to which Mr. Wynn (to order that she might have a little home of her whom present my compliments) will be so own, and relaxation from her most disagreegood as to address the communication which able duties. Behind her house there was a I expect with impatience.

mews, which opened into Hay Hill, at the enBelieve me Dear Miss Hughes

trance of which mews I always saw a halfwith sincere respect

starved dog-a fac-simile of that in Hogarth's and regard

6th print.--I had such a feeling of compassion Castle Street

Yours Walter Scott. for the poor, forlorn, halfstarved creature, that Edinburgh

I always carried in my muff a parcel of bones Toth Novb

Hayman generally twice a week, the dog was he again makes reference to the ballad by my gifts kept alive; his gratitude was ex- which he purposes to introduce into “Martreme; I always found him watching for me, mion." The quizzing article" is a pamand his expression of delight on seeing me is phlet called “Hints to Young Reviewers," not to be described; but my friend Mrs. Hay- by Dr. Copplestone. man, whose only fault was a dislike to dogs, always quizzed me unmercifully, and told everybody to whom she introduced me, of my

MY DEAR MRS. HUGHES I was very much

diverted with the quizzing article which you folly and greasyness as she called it. On the morning when I went to meet Sir

were so kind as to send me and particularly Walter Scott he had arrived and was sitting delighted as it was a mark of my retaining á with her, and immediately on my entrance, she place in your memory. I had the pleasure of cried out-“Well! have you been pampering shewing the critique to our great Judge Jeffrey your nasty, mangy cur!” and when I an

[sic] who considering the strength & sharpswered in the affirmative-she turned to Sir

ness of his claws is the tamest lion you ever Walter and said — “I don't know, Mr. Scott, saw in your life. He was extremely delighted

with the imitations of his style and proposes to whether you will thank me for the introduction, unless she wi you over by her singing; but write to the author, without of course being supI must tell you that this simpleton lives in the posed to know his name, inviting him to conCloisters of Westminster and comes here twice

tribute to the Edinburgh Review as he seems or thrice a week, bringing with her a parcel of so well to understand the rules of criticism. dirty bones, with which she fills her nice new

I heard from Miss Hayman some time ago muff, for a nasty half starved cur and feeds the

with an elegant Welsh tale, a contribution to creature with them.” He made no reply for a

Marmion, for so is called the new ditty about minute or two, but leaned back in his chair which you express such flattering curiosity. gazing hard at me under his shaggy brows, but

The said doughty knight (for a knight is he with the most benevolent smile -- then thrust

and of merry England) is to sally forth in Janing out his hand, he caught hold of mine with

uary– the printing is going on rapidly, but a grip which I can only compare to a black

my time is so much occupied with the dissmith's vice, exclaiming “You and I must be charge of my official duties that I have hardly friends ! ” which, during his remaining life, he

time to keep up with its exertions. verified.

My motions in spring are uncertain. I In the year 1824, when on a visit to Abbots

am always easily dragged up to London, but ford we were walking through the Huntly

the expense of the journey is an object to a Burn, he turned short round upon me and said, is only a prudential I am greatly afraid it will

bard with four small children; but as this “Do you know what made me take such a fancy to you?” to which question I could only add the charms of Amen Corner (where Canon

as usual give way to inclination. I need not reply that I had not an idea, but that, whatever it was, it was a most fortunate circum

Hughes then resided) will be a great additional stance. He paused and said — “Why the dog temptation. There is in the 3rd Canto of Marand the muf!”– I, who had forgotten the cir

mion a certain doleful ditty adapted to a curicumstance, thought he was demented and then

ous Gaelic air literally picked up from the he said, “ the dog in Berkeley Square ; " (which to reaping in Scotland that the Irish have to

Highlanders who have the same attachment recalled it to my mind) “from that moment I was sure that we were in perfect sympathy for making hay with you ; & always descend to the I should have done just the same myself.”

low country (low comparatively speaking) in

great bands to get down the harvest. I will That his request, proffered through Mrs. endeavour to get a noted copy of this same air Hayman, was well received by the princess which I think has some interest in itself and is shown by Lockhart (page 144):

to which I am certain you could give a great

deal. It has much the character of the beauAs early as the 22d February 1807, I find tiful Welsh airs to which you give so much Mrs. Hayman acknowledging, in the name of interest but is quite irregular in comparison. I the Princess of Wales, the receipt of a copy of beg my best compts. to Mr. Hughes & am with the Introduction to Canto III, in which oc- great regard curs the tribute to Her Royal Highness's My dear Madam heroic father, mortally wounded the year be

your obliged humble servant fore at Jena-a tribute so grateful to her feel

Edin :

Walter Scott ings, that she herself shortly after sent the poet an elegant silver vase as a memorial of her thankfulness.

Mrs. Hughes, I ought to say, was a perIn the next letter, the first to Mrs. fectly trained musician, with a charming Hughes, of date December 15, 1807, voice. All these first two or three letters,

15 Dec