“I have desired Longman to send you a copy of Palmerin of England, knowing that you,
who love to read as well as to sing of knights’ and gentle ladies’
deeds, will not be dismayed at the sight of four volumes more corpulent than
volumes are wont to be in these degenerate days. The romance, though not so
| 110 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 33. |
“I rejoice to hear that we are to have another Lay, and hope we may have as many Last Lays of the Minstrel, as our ancestors had Last Words of Mr. Baxter. My own lays are probably at an end. That portion of my time which I can afford to employ in labouring for fame is given to historical pursuits; and poetry will not procure for me anything more substantial. This motive alone would not, perhaps, wean me from an old calling, if I were not grown more attached to the business of historical research, and more disposed to instruct and admonish mankind than to amuse them.
“The Chronicle of the Cid is just gone to press,—the most ancient and most curious piece of chivalrous history in existence,—a book after your own heart. It will serve as the prologue to a long series of labours, of which, whenever you will take Keswick in your way to or from London, I shall be very glad to show you some samples. I am now settled here, and am getting my books about me; you will find a boat for fine weather, and a good many out-of-the-way books for a rainy day.
“I beg to be remembered to Mrs. Scott. Yours very truly,
