From the numerous expletives which abound in Scott’s letters, such as are not now considered in good taste among gentlemen, I infer that like most gentlemen of his social standing in those times he was in the habit of using, when highly excited or irritated, what is called profane language.  After he had once given vent to his feelings, however, he was amiable and forgiving enough for a Christian sage, who never harbored malice or revenge.  He had great respect for the military profession,—­probably because it was the great prop and defence of government and established institutions, for he was the most conservative of aristocrats.  And yet his aristocratic turn of mind never conflicted with his humane disposition,—­never made him a snob.  He abhorred all vulgarity.  He admired genius and virtue in whatever garb they appeared.  He was as kind to his servants, and to poor and unfortunate people, as he was to his equals in society, being eminently big-hearted.  It was only fools, who made great pretensions, that he despised and treated with contempt.

No doubt Scott was bored by the numerous visitors, whether invited or uninvited, who came from all parts of Great Britain, from America, and even from continental Europe, to do homage to his genius, or to gratify their curiosity.  Sometimes as many as thirty guests sat down to his banqueting-table at once.  He entertained in baronial style, but without ostentation or prodigality, and on old-fashioned dishes.  He did not like French cooking, and his simple taste in the matters of beverage we have already noted.  The people to whom he was most attentive were the representatives of ancient families, whether rich or poor.

Scott was very kind to literary men in misfortune, and his chosen friends were authors of eminence,—­like Miss Edgeworth, Joanna Baillie, Thomas Moore, Crabbe, Southey, Wordsworth, Sir Humphry Davy, Dr. Wollaston the chemist, Henry Mackenzie, etc.  He was very intimate with the Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Montagu, and other noblemen.  He was visited by dukes and princes, as well as by ladies of rank and fame.  George IV. sent him valuable presents, and showed him every mark of high consideration.  Cambridge and Oxford tendered to him honorary degrees.  Wherever he travelled, he was received with honor and distinction and flatteries.  But he did not like flatteries; and this was one reason why he did not openly acknowledge his authorship of his novels, until all doubt was removed by the masterly papers of John Leycester Adolphus in 1821.

Scott’s correspondence must have been enormous, for his postage bills amounted to L150 per annum, besides the aid he received from franks, which with his natural economy he made no scruple in liberally using.  Perhaps his most confidential letters were, like Byron’s, written to his publishers and printers, though many such were addressed to his son-in-law Lockhart, and to his dearest friend William Erskine.  But he had also some admirable women