Masonic Poets Of Scotland—No. Ii.

took themselves to the wild desert ancl solitary moor , that they made shipwreck of fortune , and perilled even life itself . But , while making such deductions , as little does it become us to forget that we have -quoted the name of the greatest literary man—as to the amount of labour accomplished , and the felicit y

aud genius with which most of it Avas executed—that the nineteenth century has produced . On the biography of Scott it were foreign to our purpose to divell . Under certain aspects , it was not remarkable ; under others , it Avas noticeable enough , and worthy of consideration . Unlike Burns , the

muse did not summon Scott while following the plough . Unlike Chatterton , he attempted not , in antique guise , to give , in unripe youth , tlie productions of his genius to the world . Unlike Byron , he sinned not against the laws of society ; matle not his name a " scorn and hissing" to the public ; nor like

a stricken eagle , vainly endeavouring to pluck out tlie arrow that transfixed his breast—forsake the scene of duty , that he might mourn , pine , revel , and die at last , on an inhospitable shore . In Scott's case , none of the aberrations for which genius has frequently been p led as an excuse , Avere indulged . A literary

profession he never viewed as the mainstay of life ; on the contrary , if he became Avrecked upon the shoals of monetary speculation , and sacrificed life in retrievins the ruin caused by haste to be " rich OA'ermuch , "

for the purpose of " adding field to field "—of enriching his baronial home ; if he valued more than the applause and honour of his countrymen , the idea of becoming founder of the Scotts of Abbotsford—an idea which the stern hand of death has rendered all but nugatory , sons , daughter , and son-in-law having

been swept away—never has there been a nobler spectacle of its kind exhibited , than when weary , worn , and heart-sore , Scott set himself to Avipe off the mighty load of incumbrance , and worked unceasingly with that end in view , till the spirit Avas found , after repeated trials , fairly to have overmastered the

tenement of cla }' . To this latter epoch we are indebted for not a few of Scott ' s most laboured , if not most successful , works . When his romances—the once Avorld-renowned Scotch novels—Avere in progress , his son-in-law and biographer has told us how thoroughly congenial the

occupation seemed to be ; how , though Abbotsford Avas frequented by guests , the morning hour or two sufficed for completing the chapter for the day , and thereafter , hunting , hawking , or the care of policies , occupied Scott ' s attention ; how , as he penned passages of humour , or of sparkling , vivid , description ,

the subdued smile often played about his lips ; for it was to him no effort , but the efflux of a fountain then exuberant . There came a darker and sadder time , narrated by Lockhart in most vivid and touching

language . Comparatively dreary taskAvork was undertaken . The free glad smile sank into the expression of anxiety . The pages of the Moniteur were searched by spectacled eyes for particulars regarding Napoleon ' s life . Other compilations followed , more or less un-Avorthy of Scott's genius ; yet

" Still m then- ashes liven the wonted fire / though burning fitfully . "Tales of a Grandfather , " in their exquisite flow of narrative ,. Avere penned all the more congenially when thought upon as addressed to a much-loved grandson , soon to be taken from the Avorld , tbe object of a loved daughter ' s care . Iu that

portion of the work , more particularly Avhich treats of the Jacobite risings , there is much which SIIOAVS us the feelings and spirit of the author ; the romantic enthusiasm which makes Flora Macivor lead Waverley , even when wavering in his allegiance , to the edge above which , feathered with pine aud birch , the

mountain stream dashes—the blue sky above and the sanctity of nature round—the bee humming in its flowery cup—tlie heather glancing with its deep purple hue—the ferns rejoicing in their congenial position—Avhere she strikes the Highland harp , and wakes up all his sensibilities ( being romantically

disposed ) , by telling of the standard uplifted in the gleam of morning—of the marching feet that rounded promontory ancl lake—of the gallant hearts of Highlandmen beating—of the tossed-np bonnets and lifted claymores , Avhich proclaimed that they Avould " Do or die for Charlie . "

A few words Ave may say regarding Scott ' s personal history . Scott ' s childhood Avas not distinguished by striking marks of genius , a case not uncommon among those who have afterwards occupied deservedly a large place in the public eye . "Weeds and runners spring up rapidly ; splendid floAvers may as quickly fade ;

but the oak ancl p ine grow up slowly , and are many years in reaching full development and proportions . Yet the lame boy , when little beyond an infant , we read of as at Sandy knowes , clapping his hands as the vivid lightning flashed by the old tower , and lit up the neighbouring hills , exclaiming , "Bonnie ! bonuie !"

The delicacy of Scott's health in early life Avas favourable to studious musing and contemplation . Within , the spark of genius Avas Avaxing to a flame ; nor did physical weakness check a restless spirit of inquiry , which was gratified by constant locomotion , so far as opportunity permitted . Boyhood Avas

passing away : that sunny period when hearts are guileless ancl expression frank , Avhen all nature is fair and pleasing to the eye , and its melodies charming to the ear . Vanished period ! with its loves and caresere wo begin to struggle Avith life ' s responsibilities or to suffer under its sorroAvs ; " Life ' s morning march , when the bosom was young ;" when all things seemed to be invested with a roseate