Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
Walter Scott to Adam Ferguson, 13 May 1819
“My dear Adam, I am sorry to say I have had another eight days’ visit
of my disorder, which has confined me chiefly to my bed. It is not attended
with so much acute pain as in spring, but with much sickness and weakness. It
will perhaps shade off into a mild chronic complaint—if it returns frequently
with the same violence I shall break up by degrees, and follow my dear
Chief. I do not mean that there is the
least cause for immediate apprehension, but only that the constitution must be
injured at last, as well by the modes of cure, or rather of relief, as by the
pain. My digestion as well as my appetite are for the present quite gone—a
change from former days of Leith and Newhaven parties. I thank God I can look
at this possibility without much anxiety, and without a shadow of fear.
“Will you, if your time serves, undertake two little
commissions for me? One respects a kind promise of Lord Montagu to put George
Thomson’s name on a list for kirk preferment. I
don’t like to trouble him with letters—he must be overwhelmed with
business, and has his dear brother’s punctuality in replying even to
those which require none. I would fain have that Scottish Abr. Adams pro-![]()
| THIRD TALES OF MY LANDLORD. | 273 |
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vided for if possible. My other request
is, that you will, if you can, see Terry, and ask him what is doing about my diningroom chairs, and
especially about the carpet, for I shall not without them have the use of what
Slender calls ‘mine own great
parlour’ this season. I should write to him, but am really
unable. I hope you will soon come down—a sight of you would do me good at the
worst turn I have yet had. The Baronet*
is very kind, and comes and sits by me. Every body likes the Regalia, and I
have heard of no one grudging their hog†—but you
must get something better. I have been writing to the Commie‡ about this. He has been
inexpressibly kind in Walter’s
matter, and the Duke of York has promised an
early commission. When you see our friend, you can talk over this, and may
perhaps save him the trouble of writing particular directions what further is
to be done. Iago’s rule, I
suppose—‘put money in thy purse.’ I wish in passing you
would ask how the ladies are in Piccadilly. Yours ever,
William Adam (1751-1839)
Scottish barrister, Whig MP (1784-1812) and ally of Charles James Fox (whom he once
wounded in a duel); he was privy councillor (1815) and a friend of Sir Walter Scott.
William Clerk (1771-1847)
Edinburgh lawyer, the son of John Clerk of Eldin and brother of Lord Eldin (1757-1832);
he was Clerk of the Jury Court (1815) and a friend of Sir Walter Scott. He is said to be
the model for Darsie Latimer in
Redgauntlet.
Sir Adam Ferguson (1771-1855)
Son of the philosopher and classmate and friend of Sir Walter Scott; he served in the
Peninsular Campaign under Wellington, afterwards living on his estate in
Dumfriesshire.
Frederick Augustus, Duke of York (1763-1827)
He was commander-in-chief of the Army, 1798-1809, until his removal on account of the
scandal involving his mistress Mary Anne Clarke.
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.”
Daniel Terry (1789-1829)
English actor; after a career in provincial theater made his London debut in 1812. A
close friend of Walter Scott, he performed in theatrical adaptations of Scott's
novels.
George Thomson (1792-1838)
The son of George Thomson (1758-1835), clergyman at Melrose; he was the wooden-legged
tutor and chaplain in the family of Sir Walter Scott. He was the model for Dominie Sampson
in
Guy Mannering.
