“ . . . . . Should the possession of this sum, and
the certainty that you must, according to the course of nature, in a short
space of years succeed to a similar sum of L.3000 belonging to our mother,
induce you to turn your thoughts to Scotland, I shall be most happy to forward
your views with any influence I may possess; and I have little doubt that,
sooner or later, something may be done. But, unfortunately, every avenue is now
choked with applicants, whose claims are very strong; for the number of
disbanded officers, and public servants dismissed in consequence of Parliament
turning restive and refusing the income-tax, is great and increasing. Economy
is the order of the day, and I assure you they are shaving properly close. It
would, no doubt, be comparatively easy to get you a better situation where you
are, but then it is bidding farewell to your country, at least for a long time,
and separating your children from all knowledge of those with whom they are
naturally connected. I shall anxiously expect to
8 | LIFE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. |