The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-28

rod of nearly eighteen years ne was actuated by no
selfish OF mefcenary motive; enthusiastic admiration
IF his transcendant genius alone prompting to the
toll His first interview with Sir Walter at Ed
nLurg, in 1916, when, after cordial reception and
entertainment, Mr.. Train says-"Having to leave
tow IA next day, Sir Walter said might rice early
and amuse myself in his library ill breakfast which
accordingly did. His library then very extern
siye but he made large additions to il Afterwards
His pictures on canvass then consisted chiefly OF
fu-ength portrait of himself fine view of the island
of Staa with original painting of the celebrated
Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee. | examining
his picture with much attention. when Sir Walter
tered the room "Clayerhouse said l. appears much
more mild and gentle than could suppose, from
reading the accounts of his actions detailed by
Woodrow, Cruickshanks or any other ecclesiastical
historian who has treated of the period in which he
lived mo man. replied Sir Walter, has been
traduced by his historians by following the super
stilious beliefthat he rode goblin galloway, was
| proof against shot, and in league with the devil!
asked Sir Walter, If he might not, in good hands
be made the hero OF national romance Interesting
| as either Wallace or the Pretender.' He might,
was the reply 'but your loestern seaiots would re-
quire be faithfully portrayed, to make the picture
complete Seeing that the subject pleased him, /
addet-'A nd ifthe story delivered as if from the
| mouth of 'Od Mortality" in manner somewhat
| similar to the clay of the Last Minstrel" it would
| certainly heighten the effect of the tale odd Nor
tally man; acho he? said Sir Walter hastily, bis
| eve Frightening tie time. And shall never
forget the intense anxiety ne evlDced whilst relaeu
briefly all the particulars of that singular individual
could then recollect. Proud of the kind reception ]
| had met with, returned to Galloway, resolving TO
use every in my power to serve him, by collect
ing Evolutionary stories Of every description, but
particularly what related to the Covenanters and 10
| 'Old Mortality"
Mr.. Train, speedily fulfilling his promise, trans
| mtted an interesting account of "Old Mortality
and several other matters Of value to the author OF
6 Waveiley; :" in return for which, Sir w alter, wit
n.,I
| thanking him for "the very curious COMMUNICATIONS,
from which he had derived both instruction aud amuse
| ment "You will be surprised to find Old Mortality
| has got into print As trIhing return for your at
lention, and presumne that the tales will interest you,
| | send copy for your acceptance and shall be glad
| if they afford you some amusement" Such was the
| origin OF the Tales OF my Landlord" In acknow-
| ledgmen, Of kind communications, Sir
| Walter in 1929, says in letter, "Your valuable
| communication arrived in clipping tme and adds
highly to the obligations which your kindness has SO
often conferred upon | shall hardly venture to
mention the extraordinary conneron betloeen the Bo-
naparte family and that Of Old Mortality till learn
from you how 1t made out; whether by continued
ack acknowledgement and correspondence between the a-
| miles of the two brothers, or otherwise. A strain OF
genius (too highly toned in the old patriarch seems
| to have run through the whole family What pity
| Old Monality's grave cannot be discovered would
| certainly erect monument to his memory at my own
| expense" In reply, Mr. Train stated that he had
Mr. Paterson not having drawn up the account of his
family so early as promised. 81 thought it would be
more satisfactory to you," adds Mr. Train, "to have
| an account of his relations in America written by
himself than any thing could say on the subject
Although you will that what is stated in the en-
closed communication does not amount positive
prof of the Queen Of WestphaHa's father being The
son Of Old Mortality, l. for my part, have no
doubt that he was" The document here referred to
furnished by Robert Paerson, Dairy Krcudbrlght-
SHIRE son Of Old Mortality, then in his 18th year, and
who yet alive, Q829) gives distinct account of his
brother, John, sailing in vessel called The Golden
| Rule of Whilehascn," from the Water of Cree, in
Galloway, for America, in the year 1774; of his
king considers bic fortune duiing the American var
and of his afterwards settling at Baltimore where he
improved his fortune, married. and became highly
| spectacle. He had named Robert after Old
Mortality, his father, and daugh' named Eliza
| BETH after bis mother whose maiden name was Grey.
Robert married an American lady, who cutliving
| hm; has become Marchioness w eles!ey. Elizabeth
was married to Jerome Bonaparte and after her sepa
ration from him, welded Mons SerIurier the French
Consul at Baltimore Extraordinary these circum-
stances may appear, Sir w alter convinced of the
trdlh of the statement, and declined publishing it
solely IN Difference to the Duke of Weington-a
fastidious delicacy his partas there nothing
degrading in being descended from pous enthusiast,
and as it is well known that the present Marchioness
of Wellesley was Mrs. Paterson 1t may be ne ces-
sary to add that Mr. Train is still living in the neigh
borhood of Castle Douglas in acottage pleasantly ST.
| tuated on the banks of lake.
The above account of the liaSons of the descend
ants of Old Mortality will it is hoped, interest all
those who feel any delight in perusng the splendid
fctiuns of the Northern Magician"
C. P. j., Court Journal.