The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-06
SIR WALTER SCOTS HONOR
AND HONESTY

Sin WAL CT SUI l y HONOR
AND HONESTY.
Sir Walter Scott was q man who was
honest to the core of his nature; and his
strenuous and determined efforts to paw
his debts, or rather the debts of the firm
with which he had become involved, has
appeared to us one of the grandest things
in biography. When his publisher and
printer broke down, ruin seemed to stare
him in the face. There was no want of
| sympathy for him in his great misfortune,
and friends came forward who offered to
raise money enough to enable him to ar.
range with his creditors. "Nol'' said he,
proudly, 'this right hand shall work it all
OFF, "If we lose everything else" he
wrote to friend, 1--WE will at least keen
our honor unblemished." While his health
was already becoming undermined by
overwork, he went on writing like a
| tiger as he himself expressed it, until
no longer able to WELD pen; and though
he paid the penalty of bis supreme efforts
with his life, he nevertheless saved his
honor and his self-respect.
Everybody knows how Scott threw off
Woodstock" the "Life of Napoleon"
which he thought would be his death
articles for the ''Quarterly," "Chronicles
of the Canongate," "Prose Miscellanies,"
and "Tales of Grandfather" all written
III the midst of pain, sorrow and ruin.
The proceeds of those various works went
to his creditors. II could not have slept
sound" he wrote, "as [ now can, under
the comfortable impression of receiving
the thanks of my creditors and the con-
scious feeling OF diecharging my duty as
man of honor and honesty. I see be-
fore me long, tedious and dark path, but
it leads to stainless reputation. II die
in the harrows, as is very likely, shall
die with honor. If l achieve my task, /
shall have the thanks of all concerned,
and the appreciation of my own con-
science"
And then followed more articles,
memoirs, and even sermons, "The Fair
Maid of PERTH a completely revised edi-
ton of his novels, "Anne Geierstein," and
more "Tales Of Grandfather" until he
was suddenly struck down by paralysis.
But he had no sooner recovered sufficient
strength to be able to hold pen than we
find him again at his desk writing the
Letters on Demonology and Witch
craft, volume of Scottish history for
"Lardner's Cyclopedia," and fourth
series of "Tales of Grandfather" in his
French history. In vain his doctors told
him to give up work; he would not be
dissuaded. AS for bidding me not
work" he said to DIR. Abecrombie, "Mol-
ly might as well put the kettle on the fire
and say, Now, kettle, don't boil;'" to
which he added, eff were to be idle,
should go mad"
By means of the profits realized by
these tremendous efforts, Scott saw his
debt in course of rapid diminution, and
he trusted that after few more years'
work, he would again be free man. But
it was not to be. He went on turning
out such works as his " Count Robert of
Paris" with greatly impaired skill, until
he was Frustrated by another and severer
attack OF palsy. He now felt that the
pillow was nearing the end of the fur
row; his physical strength was gone; he
was mot quite himself in all things" and
I yet his courage and perseverance never
failed. II have suffered terribly" he
wrote in his diary, "though rather in
body than in mind, and L often wish I
could lie down and sleep without waking.
But l will fight it out if can"
He again recovered sufficiently to be
able to write "Castle Dangerous" though
the cunning of the workman's hand had
departed. And then there was his last
tour to Italy in search of rest and health,
during which, while at Naples, in spite of
all remonstrances, he gave several hours
every morning TO the composition of
new novel, which, however, has not seen
the light.
Scott returned to Abbotsford to die. ST
have seen much" he said on his return,
"but nothing like my own house; give me
one turn more" One of the last things
he uttered in one of his lucid intervals,
was worthy of him. 81 have been," he
said, "perhaps the most voluminous au-
thor of my day, and it is comfort to me
to think that 1 have tried to unsettle no
mans faith, to corrupt no mans princi-
pies and that 1 have written nothing
which on my death bed I should wish
blotted out" His last injunction to his
son-in-law was: Lockhart, may have
but minute to speak to you. My dear,
be virtuous, be religious, be good man.
Nothing else will give you any comfort
when you come to lie here"