The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-08-05
THE "GREAT UNKNOWN. -

THE "GREAT UNKNOWN"
The Minerva "a literary periodical work
printed IN New York; attempts 10 show
| that Sir w. Scott is not, aud thai DR.. Green
| field il, the author Of the Wayerly novels.
Tie writer of This article processes To have
known DIR. q. when be filed professor
| chair, and preached ia the High Church Of
Edinburgh, rs The colleague OF Dr. Blair.---
From some infamous crime, which il is not
suitable 10 name, he was compelled To
leave Edinburgh, in disgrace, to wander
about almost in disguise and assume the
fictitious name Of williamson fer n
residence Of sumo years on the Continent,
he returned 10 London, and employed
himself as the teacher of an academy
and IN writing essays, &c. for the maga-
Zines and reviews !, was according To-
this writer, while living in this precarous
| manner, that fc determined 10 make u
greater .Xertion, and to cmbody some OF
| the more remarkable events in the history
his country, in series Of noie els. Here
follows the writer's Lending fact:
Gle offered the Ms. of Wayesly to q
bookseller IN London, with whom we are
| well acquainted II was shown 10 Us, and
from our previous knowledge of DIR. Grecn-
| field, ana having frequently seen bis hand
wiring, we feel perfectly satisfied that he
WAS the author The disclosure intimida-
ted the bookseller, who declined the publ
cation f; but the novels were, shortly after,
published by Constable and Company OF
Ednburghn
Now, follows "A circumstance, if thu
that would reflect infinite Disgrace on W
Scott:
"Those who knew DIR. Greenfield, being
convinced that he WIS the person, became
alarmed lest his name should go abroad
N that character, aud thus prove fatal
10 the success Of the works. Tie publish.
ers IN particular, were greatly afraid of this
and having consulted with Walter Scott
and a lumber of other leading men at T.
dinbnrgh, d plduwas arranged and adopted,
which till Of late, WAS steadily adhered 10,
by which Scott, ia consideration Of recciy-
ins certain share Of the profits, agreed to
rountenancc the idea, that he was the aIi-
thor. The novel appeared, as usual, with
ont name but il was indnstriously given
oni, partly from motives Of interest, and
partly foln an anxious desire la" save The
h'ii'u VI NV 'bWtifgJ thaL lofDtt WIS
really the writer. With what success TIN,
project was attended, and how long The de-
ception WAS practised, our readers are well
acquainted
We learn that Greeniicld's family, from
being poor aud nccessitous, has risen to
comfortable circumstances. But il ia also
a fact that Scott himself has become very
rich.
The part assigned to w. Scott IN this
story Is against lis truth. Uouid he, for
money, Or any other cause, have lent his
name Ia such a Jrand2 Besides, what has
he beer about, it not engaged In the COM
position 0f these novels lis is ready
and prolific pen. He used to pour out po-
ems with astonishing rapidity. II not en-
gagged on these novels, how has he been
employed PAS 10 the disclaimer in the
introduction of Quentin Dnrward we re
gard ii as mere dramatic device.
IL is possible, Greenfield may have as
sisted him--and that their labours may
have been united in SOME way or other
For, II alnoH seems beyond the talents Of
amy one man to pour out such fresh and
beautiful pictures in such rapid succession
X. Compton.