Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-11-08

IN this simplicity Of book learning and comprc-
hensive knowledge with regard 20 her nwn coun-
try. remember to have met much OF the same
amongst most of the Scotch Ut the lower Orders
with whom, whether as a child or in later years,
| became acquainted. | do not say that did
not hear of the doughty deeds OF her taVourite
heroes from the lips Of our revercd school.instruc
tor, Mr.. Fulton. of Niddry's Wind, whose les
sons were always chosen from the nob'est subjects;
nor. indeed, from occasional references, made oy
several accomplished scholars s. esteemed ftlends
who visited my hunored mothers unpretenuins
tea. taLle:-but must avOw, that to LucRie
Forbes's familiar, and even endearIng manner OF
narratins the lives of William Wallace and his
dauntless ollowers-her repreSention I" their
heart sacrifices for the good Of their country, NIL
inc me with an admiration IA reVereBtiai amaze
ment. like her own-and calling forth my tears
and sobs. when she told of the deaths OF some,
and of the cruel execution of the virtuous lead.
or of them ALTO her | must date my early ana
continued enthusiasm in the character OF SIR Will
liam Wallace, and IN the friends his truly hero
soul delighted to bopor.
although my earliest associations, 1T may be
seen. were ali in favor of the Scottish Chiefs
being the first of my writings; yet, having quit.
ted Scotland while still a child, eager to read
books. and little dreaming of ever writing one
the Fairy Qaeen.' Sidncy's Arcadia and 9TH
e, tales of English chivalry. soon took their share
in dividing my admiration with the Scottish he
roes, whom almost deifying traditions had taught
me to worship. Sober history came in in good
time to silt the wheat in this mingled growth OF
weeds and harvest; and my late preface to the
Standard Edition Of sThaddeus OF warsaw
shows how the time. honored names OF S"blesKi
and his followers wrought on me tlrst to dare be-
coming myself a narrator OF heroic deeds. lhat
work was written in London, surrounded by II
, inc characters. whose corresponding military
fame seemed to hold me examples | need only CO.
nv. 70 produce all l wanted to portray. But { the
Scottish Chiefs was composed under very differ
emf circumstances. Our reyered paren, had re-
tired with us into the countryside wisely took
us from a world that might have presented too
MANY charms for young and ardent spirits, and
which was then opening in many ways before US:
IN the quiet s~eclusion she chose, where we hau
then few acquaintance, recollections OF the past
could not but be our frequent amusement; and
those of our dear Scotland often presented them
selves. We talked Of our great walks on the
Cation Hill, then a vast green slope, with no 9th.
er buildin IS breaking the line OfLts smooth anu
magniiicent brow. but Humc's monument on one
part. and the astronomical observatory on anOtli-
err; then Of our climbing the sleeper height" l Ar
thurs Seat, and of our awed visits to st. Anton
" ell!--all haunted BY the ever inspiring images
of William Wallace and his brother heroes; or,
the not less interesting, though more modern re-
membranes. attached TO the mi>fortunes OF the
house of Stuart, from unhappy Mary to her expa,
| ,riated descendant. Charles Edward. In these
| discourses | often found myself again by the side
of Luckir Forbes and her spinning wheel. listen
ing 10 tho delightful hum of her legendary lore;
aud while J ~ eli IL recollection on all she hal
told On. ~ the champion of Scotland. and on all
| subsequently, had read of him and hisassociates.
whether IN history, or in the old native poems OF
Blinde Harrie' and : Barbuur's Bruce some OF
the earliest friends Of my youth excessively died
persons descended from the bravest and the
best of those honored associates; and. under the
impulse nj a yo,iye sorrow, | conceived the idea
IF writing the Scottish Chiefs"