Chapter VIII: {p.227} (2)

Has it never happened to you, my dear Miss Christy, in the course
of your domestic economy, to meet with a drawer stuffed so very,
so _extremely_ full, that it was very difficult to pull it open,
however desirous you might be to exhibit its contents? In case
this miraculous event has ever taken place, you may somewhat
conceive from thence the cause of my silence, which has really
proceeded from my having a very great deal to communicate; so
much so, that I really hardly know how to begin. As for my
affection and friendship for you, believe me sincerely, they
neither slumber nor sleep, and it is only your suspicions of
their drowsiness which incline me to write at this period of a
business highly interesting to me, rather than when I could have
done so with something like certainty--Hem! Hem! It must come out
at once--I am in a very fair way of being married to a very
amiable {p.253} young woman, with whom I formed an attachment
in the course of my tour. She was born in France--her parents
were of English extraction--the name Carpenter. She was left an
orphan early in life, and educated in England, and is at present
under the care of a Miss Nicolson, a daughter of the late Dean of
Exeter, who was on a visit to her relations in Cumberland. Miss
Carpenter is of age, but as she lies under great obligations to
the Marquis of Downshire, who was her guardian, she cannot take a
step of such importance without his consent--and I daily expect
his final answer upon the subject. Her fortune is dependent, in a
great measure, upon an only and very affectionate brother. He is
Commercial Resident at Salem in India, and has settled upon her
an annuity of £500. Of her personal accomplishments I shall only
say that she possesses very good sense, with uncommon good
temper, which I have seen put to most severe trials. I must
bespeak your kindness and friendship for her. You may easily
believe I shall rest very much both upon Miss R. and you for
giving her the _carte de pays_, when she comes to Edinburgh. I
may give you a hint that there is no _romance_ in her
composition--and that, though born in France, she has the
sentiments and manners of an Englishwoman, and does not like to
be thought otherwise. A very slight tinge in her pronunciation is
all which marks the foreigner. She is at present at Carlisle,
where I shall join her as soon as our arrangements are finally
made. Some difficulties have occurred in settling matters with my
father, owing to certain prepossessions which you can easily
conceive his adopting. One main article was the uncertainty of
her provision, which has been in part removed by the safe arrival
of her remittances for this year, with assurances of their being
regular and even larger in future, her brother's situation being
extremely lucrative. Another objection was her birth: "Can any
good thing come out of Nazareth?" but as it was _birth merely
and solely_, {p.254} this has been abandoned. _You_ will be
more interested about other points regarding her, and I can only
say that--though our acquaintance was shorter than ever I could
have thought of forming such a connection upon--it was
exceedingly close, and gave me full opportunities for
observation--and if I had parted with her, it must have been
forever, which both parties began to think would be a
disagreeable thing. She has conducted herself through the whole
business with so much propriety as to make a strong impression in
her favor upon the minds of my father and mother, prejudiced as
they were against her, from the circumstances I have mentioned.
We shall be your neighbors in the New Town, and intend to live
very quietly; Charlotte will need many lessons from Miss R. in
housewifery. Pray show this letter to Miss R. with my very best
compliments. Nothing can now stand in the way except Lord
Downshire, who may not think the match a prudent one for Miss C.;
but he will surely think her entitled to judge for herself at her
age, in what she would wish to place her happiness. She is not a
beauty, by any means, but her person and face are very engaging.
She is a brunette; her manners are lively, but when necessary she
can be very serious. She was baptized and educated a Protestant
of the Church of England. I think I have now said enough upon
this subject. Do not write till you hear from me again, which
will be when all is settled. I wish this important event may
hasten your return to town. I send a goblin story, with best
compliments to the misses, and ever am, yours affectionately,

WALTER SCOTT.

THE ERL-KING.[140]

(_The Erl-King is a goblin that haunts the Black Forest in
Thuringia.--To be read by a candle particularly long in the
snuff._)

O, who rides by night thro' the woodland so wild?
It is the fond father embracing his child;
And {p.255} close the boy nestles within his loved arm,
To hold himself fast, and to keep himself warm.

"O father, see yonder! see yonder!" he says.
"My boy, upon what doest thou fearfully gaze?"--
"O, 't is the Erl-King with his crown and his shroud."--
"No, my son, it is but a dark wreath of the cloud."

(_The Erl-King speaks._)

"O, come and go with me, thou loveliest child;
By many a gay sport shall thy time be beguiled;
My mother keeps for thee full many a fair toy,
And many a fine flower shall she pluck for my boy."

"O father, my father, and did you not hear
The Erl-King whisper so low in my ear?"
"Be still, my heart's darling--my child, be at ease;
It was but the wild blast as it sung thro' the trees."

_Erl-King._

"O wilt thou go with me, thou loveliest boy?
My daughter shall tend thee with care and with joy;
She shall bear thee so lightly thro' wet and thro' wild,
And press thee, and kiss thee, and sing to my child."

"O father, my father, and saw you not plain
The Erl-King's pale daughter glide past thro' the rain?"--
"O yes, my loved treasure, I knew it full soon;
It was the gray willow that danced to the moon."

_Erl-King._

"O, come and go with me, no longer delay,
Or else, silly child, I will drag thee away."--
"O Father! O father! now, now keep your hold,
The Erl-King has seized me--his grasp is so cold!"

Sore trembled the father; he spurr'd thro' the wild,
Clasping close to his bosom his shuddering child;
He reaches his dwelling in doubt and in dread,
But, clasp'd to his bosom, the infant was _dead_!

You see I have not altogether lost the faculty of rhyming. I
assure you, there is no small impudence in attempting a version
of that ballad, as it has been translated by _Lewis_.--All good
things be with you.

W. S.

[Footnote 140: From the German of Goethe.]

TO {p.256} WALTER SCOTT, ESQ., ADVOCATE, EDINBURGH.

LONDON, October 15, 1797.

SIR,--I received your letter with pleasure, instead of
considering it as an intrusion. One thing more being fully stated
would have made it perfectly satisfactory,--namely, the sort of
income you immediately possess, and the sort of maintenance Miss
Carpenter, in case of your demise, might reasonably expect.
Though she is of an age to judge for herself in the choice of an
object that she would like to run the race of life with, she has
referred the subject to me. As her friend and guardian, I in duty
must try to secure her happiness, by endeavoring to keep her
comfortable immediately, and to prevent her being left destitute,
in case of any unhappy contingency. Her good sense and good
education are her chief fortune; therefore, in the worldly way of
talking, she is not entitled to much. Her brother, who was also
left under my care at an early period, is excessively fond of
her; he has no person to think of but her as yet; and will
certainly be enabled to make her very handsome presents, as he is
doing very well in India, where I sent him some years ago, and
where he bears a very high character, I am happy to say. I do not
throw out this to induce you to make any proposal beyond what
prudence and discretion recommend; but I hope I shall hear from
you by return of post, as I may be shortly called out of town to
some distance. As children are in general the consequence of an
happy union, I should wish to know what may be your thoughts or
wishes upon that subject. I trust you will not think me too
particular; indeed I am sure you will not, when you consider that
I am endeavoring to secure the happiness and welfare of an
estimable young woman whom you admire and profess to be partial
and attached to, and for whom I have the highest regard, esteem,
and respect.

I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant,

DOWNSHIRE.

TO {p.257} THE SAME.

CARLISLE, October 22.

Your last letter, my dear sir, contains a very fine train of
_perhaps_, and of so many pretty conjectures, that it is not
flattering you to say you excel in the art of tormenting
yourself. As it happens, you are quite wrong in all your
suppositions. I have been waiting for Lord D.'s answer to your
letter, to give a full answer to your very proper inquiries about
my family. Miss Nicolson says, that when she did offer to give
you some information, you refused it--and advises me _now_ to
wait for Lord D.'s letter. Don't believe I have been idle; I have
been writing very long letters to him, and all about you. How can
you think that I will give an answer about the house until I hear
from London?--that is quite impossible; and I believe you are a
little out of your senses to imagine I can be in Edinburgh before
the twelfth of next month. O, my dear sir, no--you must not think
of it this _great while_. I am much flattered by your mother's
remembrance; present my respectful compliments to her. You don't
mention your father in your last _anxious_ letter--I hope he is
better. I am expecting every day to hear from my brother. You may
tell your uncle he is Commercial Resident at Salem. He will find
the name of Charles C. in his India list. My compliments to
Captain Scott. _Sans adieu_,

C. C.

TO THE SAME.

CARLISLE, October 25.

Indeed, Mr. Scott, I am by no means pleased with all this
writing. I have told you how much I dislike it, and yet you still
persist in asking me to write, and that by return of post. O, you
really are quite out of your senses. I should not have indulged
you in that whim of yours, had you not given me that hint that my
silence gives an air of mystery. I have no reason that can
detain {p.258} me in acquainting you that my father and mother
were French, of the name of Charpentier; he had a place under
government; their residence was at Lyons, where you would find on
inquiries that they lived in good repute and in _very good
style_. I had the misfortune of losing my father before I could
know the value of such a parent. At his death we were left to the
care of Lord D., who was his very great friend; and very soon
after I had the affliction of losing my mother. Our taking the
name of Carpenter was on my brother's going to India, to prevent
any little difficulties that might have occurred. I hope now you
are pleased. Lord D. could have given you every information, as
he has been acquainted with all my family. You say you almost
love _him_; but until your _almost_ comes to a _quite_, I cannot
love _you_. Before I conclude this famous epistle, I will give
you a little hint--that is, not to put so many _musts_ in your
letters--it is beginning _rather too soon_; and another thing is,
that I take the liberty not to mind them much, but I expect you
mind me. You _must_ take care of yourself; you _must_ think of
me, and believe me yours sincerely,

C. C.

TO THE SAME.

CARLISLE, October 26.

I have only a minute before the post goes, to assure you, my dear
sir, of the welcome reception of the stranger.[141] The very
great likeness to a friend of mine will endear him to me; he
shall be my constant companion, but I wish he could give me an
answer to a thousand questions I have to make--one in particular,
what reason have you for so many fears you express? Have your
friends changed? Pray let me know the truth--they perhaps don't
like me _being French_. Do write immediately--let it be in better
spirits. Et croyez-moi toujours votre sincère

C. C.

[Footnote 141: A miniature of Scott.]

TO {p.259} THE SAME.

October 31.

... All your apprehensions about your friends make me very
uneasy. At your father's age, prejudices are not easily
overcome--old people have, you know, so much more wisdom and
experience, that we must be guided by them. If he has an
objection on my being _French_, I excuse him with all my heart,
as I don't love them myself. O how all these things plague
me!--when will it end? And to complete the matter, you talk of
going to the West Indies. I am certain your father and uncle say
you are a hot _heady_ young man, quite mad, and I assure you I
join with them; and I must believe, that when you have such an
idea, you have then determined to think no more of me. I begin to
repent of having accepted your picture. I will send it _back
again_, if you ever think again about the West Indies. Your
family then would _love me_ very much--to forsake them for a
_stranger_, a person who does not possess half the charms and
good qualities that you _imagine_. I think I hear your uncle
calling you a hot heady young man. I am certain of it, and I am
_generally right_ in my conjectures. What does your sister say
about it? I suspect that she thinks on the matter as I should do,
with fears and anxieties for the happiness of her brother. If it
be proper, and you think it would be _acceptable_, present my
best compliments to your mother; and to my old acquaintance
Captain Scott I beg to be remembered. This evening is the first
ball--don't you wish to be of our party? I guess your answer--it
would give me infinite pleasure. En attendant le plaisir de vous
revoir, je suis toujours votre constante

CHARLOTTE.

TO THE SAME.

THE CASTLE, HARTFORD, October 29, 1797.

SIR,--I received the favor of your letter. It was so manly,
honorable, candid, and so full of good sense, that I {p.260}
think Miss Carpenter's friends cannot in any way object to the
union you propose. Its taking place, when or where, will depend
upon herself, as I shall write to her by this night's post. Any
provision that may be given to her by her brother, you will have
settled upon her and her children; and I hope, with all my heart,
that every earthly happiness may attend you both. I shall be
always happy to hear it, and to subscribe myself your faithful
friend and obedient humble servant,

DOWNSHIRE.

(ON THE SAME SHEET.)

CARLISLE, November 4.

Last night I received the enclosed for you from Lord Downshire.
If it has your approbation, I shall be very glad to see you as
soon as will be convenient. I have a thousand things to tell you;
but let me beg of you not to think for some time of a house. I am
sure I can convince you of the propriety and prudence of waiting
until your father will settle things more to your satisfaction,
and until I have heard from my brother. You _must_ be of my way
of thinking.--Adieu.

C. C.

Scott obeyed this summons, and I suppose remained in Carlisle until the Court of Session met, which is always on the 12th of November.

TO W. SCOTT, ESQ., ADVOCATE, EDINBURGH.

CARLISLE, November 14.

Your letter never could have come in a more favorable moment.
Anything you could have said would have been well received. You
surprise me much at the regret you express you had of leaving
Carlisle. Indeed, I can't believe it was on my account, I was so
uncommonly stupid. I don't know what could be the matter with me,
I was so very low, and felt really ill: it was even a trouble to
speak. The settling of our little plans--all looked {p.261} so
much in earnest--that I began reflecting more seriously than I
generally do, or _approve of_. I don't think that very thoughtful
people ever can be happy. As this is my maxim, adieu to all
thoughts. I have made a determination of being pleased with
everything, and with everybody in Edinburgh; a wise system for
happiness, is it not? I enclose the lock. I have had almost all
my hair cut off. Miss Nicolson has taken some, which she sends to
London to be made to something, but this you are not to know of,
as she intends to present it to you.... I am happy to hear of
your father's being better pleased as to money matters; it will
come at last; don't let that trifle disturb you. Adieu, Monsieur.
J'ai l'honneur d'être votre très humble et très

Obéissante

C. C.

CARLISLE, November 27.

You have made me very _triste_ all day. Pray never more complain
of being poor. Are you not ten times richer than I am? Depend on
yourself and your profession. I have no doubt you will rise very
high, and be a _great rich man_, but we should look down to be
contented with our lot, and banish all disagreeable thoughts. We
shall do very well. I am very sorry to hear you have such a _bad
head_. I hope I shall nurse away all your aches. I think you
write too much. When I am _mistress_ I shall not allow it. How
very angry I should be with you if you were to part with Lenore.
Do you really believe I should think it an _unnecessary expense_
where your health and pleasure can be concerned? I have a better
opinion of you, and I am very glad you don't give up the cavalry,
as I love anything that is _stylish_. Don't forget to find a
stand for the old carriage, as I shall like to keep it, in case
we should have to go any journey; it is so much more convenient
than the post-chaises, and will do very well till we can keep
_our carriage_. What an idea of yours was that to mention where
{p.262} you wish to have your _bones laid_![142] If you were
married, I should think you were tired of me. A very pretty
compliment _before marriage_. I hope sincerely that I shall not
live to see that day. If you always have those cheerful thoughts,
how very pleasant and gay you must be.

Adieu, my dearest friend. Take care of yourself if you love me,
as I have _no wish_ that you should _visit_ that _beautiful_ and
_romantic_ scene, the burying-place. Adieu, once more, and
believe that you are loved very sincerely by

C. C.

[Footnote 142: ["I had a visit from Mr. Haliburton to-day,
and asked him all about your brother, who was two years in
his house. My father is Mr. Haliburton's relation and chief,
as he represents a very old family of that name. When you go
to the south of Scotland with me, you will see their
burying-place, now all that remains with my father of a very
handsome property. It is one of the most beautiful and
romantic scenes you ever saw, among the ruins of an old
abbey. When I die, Charlotte, you must cause my bones to be
laid there; but we shall have many happy days before that, I
hope."--Scott to Miss Carpenter, November 22,
1797.--_Familiar Letters_, vol. i. p. 8.]]

December 10.

If I could but really believe that my letter gave you only half
the pleasure you express, I should almost think, my dearest
Scott, that I should get very fond of writing merely for the
pleasure to _indulge_ you--that is saying a great deal. I hope
you are sensible of the compliment I pay you, and don't expect I
shall _always_ be so pretty behaved. You may depend on me, my
dearest friend, for fixing as _early_ a day as I possibly can;
and if it happens to be not quite so soon as you wish, you must
not be angry with me. It is very unlucky you are such a bad
housekeeper--as I am no better. I shall try. I hope to have very
soon the pleasure of seeing you, and to tell you how much I love
you; but I wish the first fortnight was over. With all my love,
and those sort of pretty things--adieu.

CHARLOTTE

P. S.--_Étudiez {p.263} votre Français._ Remember you are to
teach me Italian in return, but I shall be but a stupid scholar.
_Aimez Charlotte._

CARLISLE, December 14.

... I heard last night from my friends in London, and I shall
certainly have the deed this week. I will send it to you
directly; but not to lose so much time, as you have been
reckoning, I will prevent any little delay that might happen by
the post, by fixing already next Wednesday for your coming here,
and on Thursday the 21st--Oh, my dear Scott, on that day I shall
be yours forever.

C. C.

_P. S._--Arrange it so that we shall see none of your family the
night of our arrival. I shall be so tired, and such a fright, I
should not be seen to advantage.

To these extracts I may add the following from the first leaf of an old black-letter Bible at Abbotsford:--

"_Secundum morem majorum hæc de familiâ Gualteri Scott,
Jurisconsulti Edinensis, in librum hunc sacrum manu suâ
conscripta sunt._

"_Gualterus Scott, filius Gualteri Scott et Annæ Rutherford,
natus erat apud Edinam 15mo die Augusti, A. D. 1771._

"_Socius Facultatis Juridicæ Edinensis receptus erat 11mo die
Julii, A. D. 1792._

"_In ecclesiam Sanctæ Mariæ apud Carlisle, uxorem duxit
Margaretam Charlottam Carpenter, filiam quondam Joannis
Charpentier et Charlottæ Volere, Lugdunensem, 24to die Decembris,
1797._"[143]

[Footnote 143: The account in the text of Miss Carpenter's
origin has been, I am aware, both spoken and written of as an
uncandid one: it had been expected that even in 1837 I would
not pass in silence a rumor of early prevalence, which
represented her and her brother as children of Lord Downshire
by Madame Charpentier. I did not think it necessary to allude
to this story while any of Sir Walter's own children were
living; and I presume it will be sufficient for me to say
now, that neither I, nor, I firmly believe, any one of them,
ever heard either from Sir Walter, or from his wife, or from
Miss Nicolson (who survived them both) the slightest hint as
to the rumor in question. There is not an expression in the
preserved correspondence between Scott, the young lady, and
the Marquis, that gives it a shadow of countenance. Lastly,
Lady Scott always kept hanging by her bedside, and repeatedly
kissed in her dying moments, a miniature of her father which
is now in my hands; and it is the well-painted likeness of a
handsome gentleman--but I am assured the features have no
resemblance to Lord Downshire or any of the Hill
family.--(1848.)]

END OF VOLUME ONE