Today in the year 1832 Sir Walter Scott died.

That infallible source will refresh our memories, if needed. Scott himself is so good I’m giving him all of the space today.

Daily Reading September 21

• Sir Walter Scott [GDR directs to a few autobiographical letters, etc. See below.]
• The Maid of Neidpath [poem]
• Pibroch of Donald Dhu [poem]
• Wandering Willie’s Tale [short story]

This is some great stuff right.

In a letter written June 4, 1826– which the editors of the Pocket University (1926) have titled, “Moods in Composition”– Scott is talking about writing and being productive. Some snips…

People are always crying out about method, and in some respects it is good, and shows to great advantage among men of business, but I doubt men of method, who can lay aside or take up pen just at the hour appointed, will ever be better than poor creatures. Lady LS used to tell me of Mr. Hoole, the translator of “Tasso” and “Aristo,” and in that capacity a noble transmuter of gold to lead, … he did exactly so many couplets day by day, no more no less; and habit had made it light to him, however heavy it might seem to the reader.

[my emphases]

A letter dated February 10, 1826

This morning I had some good ideas respecting “Woodstock,” which will make the story better. The devil of a difficulty is, that one puzzles the skein in order to excite curiosity, and then cannot disentangle it for the satisfaction of the prying fiend they have raised.

One more, December 27, 1825, writing about the pleasure of being alone

I cannot [say] that in the imaginary scenes in which I have acted a part I ever prepared myself for anything which actually befell me; but I have certainly fashioned out much that made the present hour pass pleasantly away, and much that has enabled me to contribute to the amusement of the public. Since I was five years old I cannot remember the time when I had not some ideal part to play for my own solitary amusement.

“… the present hour pass pleasantly way…”

Stay well. Stay safe. Keep reading the good stuff.