Asia; that the genius of Scotland, instead of a poor Complaint, and an address in the style of Navis, quæ tibi creditum debes Virgilium — reddas incolumem, precor,' should not interfere to prevent his loss. I wish to hope that we should, as Sterne says, manage these matters better' in England; but now, as regret is unavailing, to the main point of my letter.

6

"You will not, of course, expect that I should as yet give you anything like an opinion, as a critic, of your volumes; first, because you have thrown into my throat a cate of such magnitude that Cerberus, who had three throats, could not have swallowed a third part of it without shutting his eyes; and secondly, because, although I have gone a little farther than George Nicol the bookseller, who cannot cease exclaiming, What a beautiful book!' and is distracted with jealousy of your Kelso Bulmer, yet, as I said before, I have not been able yet to digest a great deal of your Border Minstrelsy.' I have, however, taken such a survey as satisfies me that your plan is neither too comprehensive nor too contracted; that the parts are properly distinct; and that they are (to preserve the painter's metaphor) made out just as they ought to be. Your introductory chapter is, I think, particularly good; and I was much pleased, although a little surprised, at finding that it was made to serve as a recueil des

pièces justificatives to your view of the state of manners among your Borderers, which I venture to say will be more thumbed than any part of the volume.

"You will easily believe that I cast many an anxious look for the annunciation of Sir Tristrem,' and will not be surprised that I was at first rather disappointed at not finding any thing like a solemn engagement to produce him to the world within some fixed and limited period. Upon reflection, however, I really think you have judged wisely, and that you have best promoted the interests of literature, by sending, as the harbinger of the Knight of Leonais,' a collection which must form a parlour-window book in every house in Britain which contains a parlour and a window. I am happy to find my old favourites in their natural situation—indeed in the only situation which can enable a Southern reader to estimate their merits. You remember what somebody said of the Prince de Condé's army during the wars of the Fronde, viz." that it would be a very fine army whenever it came of age." Of the Murrays and Armstrongs of your Border Ballads, it might be said that they might grow, when the age of good taste should arrive, to a Glenfinlas or an Eve of St John. Leyden's additional poems are also very beautiful. I meant, at setting out, a few simple words of thanks, and behold I have written a letter; but no matter.

I shall return to the charge after a more attentive perusal. Ever yours very faithfully,

G. ELLIS."

I might fill many pages by transcribing similar letters from persons of acknowledged discernment in this branch of literature; John Duke of Roxburgh is among the number, and he conveys also a complimentary message from the late Earl Spencer; Pinkerton issues his decree of approbation as ex cathedrâ ; Chalmers overflows with heartier praise; and even Joseph Ritson extols his presentation copy as "the most valuable literary treasure in his possession." There follows enough of female admiration to have been dangerous for another man; a score of fine ladies contend who shall be the most extravagant in encomium-and as many professed blue stockings come after; among, or rather above the rest, Anna Seward," the Swan of Lichfield," who laments that her “bright luminary," Darwin, does not survive to partake her raptures; observes, that "in the Border Ballads the first strong rays of the Delphic orb illuminate Jellon Graeme ;" and concludes with a fact indisputable, but strangely expressed, viz. that the Lady Anne Bothwell's Lament, Cowdenknowes, &c. &c., climatically preceded the treasures of Burns, and the consummate Glenfinlas and Eve of St John." Scott felt as acutely as any malevolent

critic the pedantic affectations of Miss Seward's epistolary style, but in her case sound sense as well as vigorous ability had unfortunately condescended to an absurd disguise; he looked below it, and was far from confounding her honest praise with the flat superlatives either of worldly parrots or weak enthusiasts.

CHAPTER XI.

Preparation of Volume III. of the Minstrelsyand of Sir Tristrem — Correspondence with Miss Seward and Mr Ellis-Ballad of the Reiver's Wedding - Commencement of the Lay of the Last Minstrel Visit to London and Oxford Completion of the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border.

1802-1803.

THE approbation with which the first two volumes of the Minstrelsy were received, stimulated Scott to fresh diligence in the preparation of a third; while "Sir Tristrem"-it being now settled that this romance should form a separate volume-was transmitted, without delay, to the printer at Kelso. As early as March 30th, 1802, Ballantyne, who had just returned from London, writes thus: