The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-02
SIR WALTER SCOTS OWN ROMANCE.

The true story of Sir Walter SCOTS love
for williamina Stuart. os told in the July
Century by descendant Of one Of his init
mates. shows how far astray Ruskln went
wien he said that the romancer had never
known the passion OF love.
| We come now to the year 1876. the most
momentous period In the history Of this sad
| first love OF a noble mind. and 1t is also the
point from which may be said to date the
caumnies that have darkene1 the memory
| of beautiful Willamna Stuart. These were
two fold. 1t has been asserted. both in pub
lished statements and by the easily deceived
yox ropui. first, that after having given
Walter Scott the utmost possible encourage
ment. and virtually engaged herself TO him,
she then DELFT erately threw him over when
more welcome lover appeared; secondly. that
she did this dlshonorable and cruel act from
the most unworthy motives-bccause the
worldly position Of the new suitor heir to
the title and wealth of the baronets Of Pit
sligo. was indefinitely superior to that Of the
Young and as vet unknown advocate. Now,
the first OF these calumnies is mainly founded
on false Interpretation of a letter written
by Williamna to Walter Scott. in answer to
one from him. After three years OF silent
longing and devoted love. he had at last been
unable to resist the temptation to tell her
openly tho real nature and depth OF his feel
ings towards her. and had written all mat
was in his heart for her. without reserve.
They were. as we have seen. In the habit OF
corresponding, and therefore reply TO THIS
letter Was no proof OF any intention, on her
part. to allow of change In their relations
Scot. writing on the subject at the time 10
an intimate friend. admits that shc distinctly
urged upon him the prudent line of con-
duct" which would leave their intercourse
to he conducted. as before. on simple terms
of friendship; and then he adds:
II read over her episte about 10000 t!mes.
aud always with new admiration OF her gen
crosby and candor. : 1t would be very
difficult to describe the mixed feelings her
letter occasioned. which, entire nous. ter
minated in very hearty ft Of crying.
Wiliamina had written with the gentlenesA
and sweetness which were her prevailing
characteristics, and probably from this fact
Scott does seem to have unfortunately de-
rived come hopes which had no real founda-
ton. as II is plain that, although they met
freut entity afterward in Edinburgh. there was
no change whatever in the footing on which
they had always stood, and Scott apparently
did not ATTEMPT any further avowai OF hls
attachment. Just at this time he brought
out bis first poem. splendid translation OF
the wild German ballad OF "Lenore" and
friend OF his prepared for him beautifully |
bound and ornamented COPY to be by him
presented TO Miss Stuart. The Gift could |
not be refused from the young author. and |
Wiilamina intmated that she had appreciated |
and admired it: but the matter went no
further and the fatal climax of his unre-
turned affection was at hand In the autumn |
of that year Walter Scott went TO stay for a |
few days with Sir John and Lady Jane Stuart
mt their country seat. where he had frequently
been received before with the friendlness and |
hospitality which were natural to them. 1t |
was the last visit he ever paid 70 them. for
their daughter let him see at once that bis
hopes were finally IN vain. and that the eff
lection he so long had tried to win had been
given unreseryedly 10 william Forbes.
who was emphatically her frst as well as
her last love. II Is probable, as we have
seen. that Scott In his hnxious hopefunass.
had misinterpreted some expression In VIII
written answer 10 Lis ayowal OF
his love for her; but apart from all other
proofs that there never was any engagement
between them. william Forbes was far too
as well as too proud man 10
have sought her had he known that any such
existed. Scott was his own intimate friend,
and The fact OF his betrothal could not have
been concealed intimate as they were had II
ever taken place.
The fact that Williamina had never known
a feeling save that OF friendliness TO any
save the man who became her husband IS
clearly shown in n letter from Lady Jane
Stuart to her future son-in-law. Sir William
Forbes Apparently this lover also had been
iinident and doubtful Of winning tho prize
30 many coveted. and had applied 10 the
mother of his lady-loye to tell him without
-esarve haw far he had gained her affections