“Your letters came both together this morning, and
relieved me from a disagreeable state of anxiety about you, for the winds have
been tremendous since you sailed; and no news arriving from the Continent,
owing to their sticking in the west, I was really very uneasy. Luckily mamma
did not take any alarm. I have no news to send you save what are agreeable. We
are well here, and going on in the old fashion. Last night Mathews the comedian was with us, and made
himself very entertaining. About a week ago the Comptesse Nial, a lady in the service of Princess Louisa of Prussia, came to dine here
with the Lord Chief Commissioner and
family, and seemed to take a great interest in what she heard and saw of our
Scottish fashions. She was so good as to offer me letters for you to the
Princess Louisa; General
Gneissenau, who was Adjutant-General of Blucher’s army, and formed the plan of
almost all the veteran’s campaigns; and to the Baroness de la Motte Fouquè, who is
distinguished in the world of letters, as well as her husband the Baron, the
author of many very pleasing works of fiction, particularly the beautiful tale
of Undine, and the travels of Theodulph. If you find an
opportunity to say to the Baroness how much I have been interested by her
writings and Mons. de la Motte
Fouquè’s, you will say no more than the
| 176 | LIFE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT. |
“Having the advantage of good introductions to foreigners of distinction, I hope you will not follow the established English fashion of herding with your countrymen, and neglecting the opportunity of extending your acquaintance with the language and society. There is, I own, a great temptation to this in a strange country; but it is destruction of all the purposes for which the expense and trouble of foreign travel are incurred. Labour particularly at the German, as the French can be acquired elsewhere; but I should rather say, work hard at both. It is not, I think, likely, though it is possible, that you may fall into company with some of the Têtes échauffées, who are now so common in Germany—men that would pull down the whole political system in order to rebuild it on a better model: a proposal about as wild as that of a man who should propose to change the bridle of a furious horse, and commence his labours by slipping the headstall in the midst of a heath. Prudence, as well as principle and my earnest desire, will induce you to avoid this class of politicians, who, I know, are always on the alert to kidnap young men.
“I account Sir George
Rose’s being at Berlin the most fortunate circumstance
which could have befallen you, as you will always have a friend whom you can
consult in case of need. Do not omit immediately arranging your time so as to
secure as much as possible for your studies and exercises. For the last I
recommend fencing and riding in the academy; for though a good horseman, it is
right you should keep up the habit, and many of the German schools are
excellent. I think, however, Sir George Rose says that of
Berlin is but indifferent; and he is a good judge of the art. I pray
| MAY, 1822. | 177 |
“The Lockharts are well; but baby has a cough, which keeps Sophia anxious: they cannot say whether it be the hooping-cough or no. Mamma, Anne, and little Walter* send kind love. The little fellow studies hard, and will, I hope, be a credit to the name he bears. If you do not take care, he may be a General before you. Always, my dear Walter, most affectionately yours,
“P.S.—The Germans are a people of form. You will take care to learn the proper etiquette about delivering the enclosed letters.”
