Mrs. Eddy Mentioned Them May 12, 1956 Issue

Sir Walter Scott, 1771—1832

[Mentioned in Science and Health, p. 566, and Retrospection and Introspection, p. 2]

Sir Walter Scott was the first of the great historical novelists and the founder of the nineteenth century romantic school in fiction. However, he won his first success in poetry. His pride in belonging to an old Border family and his delight in Border history and traditions led to his collecting and publishing in "The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border" ballads that had been handed down orally from one generation to the next. He followed this with an entirely original work, "The Lay of the Last Minstrel." It marked the beginning of his great popularity, no other poem ever having sold so well. "Marmion" and "The Lady of the Lake" added to his fame, and the latter brought hundreds of travelers to Scotland.

"Waverly," the first of Scott's novels, was published anonymously because he was not sure that it would be thought proper for him as a member of the bar to write novels. For the same reason he kept his partnership in a publishing firm secret. He wrote openly for the Quarterly Review and edited the works of Dryden and Swift, preparing biographies of both poets. "Ivanhoe" marked a turning point in his writing, for instead of relying upon his experience, he drew upon his reading and research, reconstructing medieval times and drawing his characters from England and the Continent. "Quentin Durward" was a great success in France, and from there his fame spread to Germany and Italy.

From his profits Scott purchased part of the lands and an old house which had once belonged to Melrose Abbey. His love of his home. which he called "Abbotsford," was reflected at the time of the failure of his publishing firm. He said, "To save Abbotsford I would attempt all . . . my heart clings to the place." He refused bankruptcy as well as all offers of help and depended upon his writing to pull him through. Besides a long list of novels, he wrote a life of Napoleon (9 volumes). In appreciation "of his most honest conduct, and in grateful acknowledgement for the unparalleled and most successful exertions he has made and continues to make," his creditors gave him Abbotsford.

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Sir Walter Scott, 1771—1832

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