Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
Walter Scott to Charlotte Scott, 27 March 1820
“March 27, Piccadilly.
“I have the pleasure to say that Lord Sidmouth has promised to dismiss me in all
my honours by the 30th, so that I can easily be with you by the end of April;
and you and Sophia may easily select the
28th, 29th, or 30th, for the ceremony. I have been much feted here, as usual,
and had a very quiet dinner at Mr
Arbuthnot’s yesterday with the Duke of Wellington, where Walter heard the great Lord in all his glory talk of war and
Waterloo. Here is a hellish—yes, literally ![]()
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a hellish
bustle. My head turns round with it. The whole mob of the Middlesex blackguards
pass through Piccadilly twice a day, and almost drive me mad with their noise
and vociferation.* Pray do, my dear Charlotte, write soon. You know those at a distance are always
anxious to hear from home. I beg you to say what would give you pleasure that I
could bring from this place, and whether you want any thing from Mrs
Arthur for yourself, Sophia, or Anne; also what would please little Charles. You know you may stretch a point on
this occasion. Richardson says your
honours will be Gazetted on Saturday; certainly very soon, as the King, I
believe, has signed the warrant. When, or how I shall see him, is not
determined, but I suppose I shall have to go to Brighton. My best love attends
the girls, little Charles, and all the quadrupeds.
“I conclude that the marriage will take place in
Castle Street, and want to know where they go, &c. All this you will have
to settle without my wise head; but I shall be terribly critical so see you do
all right. I am always, dearest Charlotte,
most affectionately yours,
Charles Arbuthnot (1767-1850)
Educated at Westminster and Christ Church, Oxford, he was Tory MP for East Looe
(1795-96), Eye (1809-12), Oxford (1812-18), St. Germans (1818-27), St. Ives (1828-30), and
Ashburton (1830-31). He was ambassador to Constantinople (1804-07) and a friend of the Duke
of Wellington.
John Richardson of Kirklands (1780-1864)
Scottish lawyer and parliamentary solicitor in London from 1806; he was Thomas Campbell's
legal advisor and a friend of Sir Walter Scott.
Anne Scott (1803-1833)
Walter Scott's younger daughter who cared for him in his old age and died
unmarried.
Charles Scott (1805-1841)
The younger son of Sir Walter Scott; educated at Oxford, he pursued a career in diplomacy
and died in Tehran.
Sir Walter Scott, second baronet (1801-1847)
The elder son and heir of Sir Walter Scott; he was cornet in the 18th Hussars (1816),
captain (1825), lieut.-col. (1839). In the words of Maria Edgeworth, he was
“excessively shy, very handsome, not at all literary.”
