“This acknowledgment was forced from him, I believe, contrary to his own wish, in this manner.  Lord Meadowbank, who sat on his left hand, proposed his health, and after paying him many compliments, ended his speech by saying that the clouds and mists which had so long surrounded the Great Unknown were now revealed, and he appeared in his true character (probably alluding to the expose made before Constable’s creditors, for I do not think there was any preconcerted plan).  Upon this Sir Walter rose, and said, ’I did not expect on coming here today that I should have to disclose before 300 people a secret which, considering it had already been made known to about thirty persons, had been tolerably well kept.  I am not prepared to give my reasons for preserving it a secret, caprice had certainly a great share in the matter.  Now that it is out, I beg leave to observe that I am sole and undivided author of those novels.  Every part of them has originated with me, or has been suggested to me in the course of my reading.  I confess I am guilty, and am almost afraid to examine the extent of my delinquency.  “Look on’t again, I dare not!” The wand of Prospero is now broken, and my book is buried, but before I retire I shall propose the health of a person who has given so much delight to all now present, The Bailie Nicol Jarvie.’

“I report this from memory.  Of course it is not quite accurate in words, but you will find a tolerable report of it in the Caledonian Mercury of Saturday.  This declaration was received with loud and long applause.  As this was gradually subsiding, a voice from the end of the room was heard [Footnote:  The speaker on this occasion was the actor Mackay, who had attained considerable celebrity by his representation of Scottish characters, and especially of that of the famous Bailie in “Rob Roy.”] exclaiming in character,’ Ma conscience! if my father the Bailie had been alive to hear that ma health had been proposed by the Author of Waverley,’ etc., which, as you may suppose, had a most excellent effect.”

CHAPTER XXVII

NAPIER’S “PENINSULAR WAR”—­CHOKER’S “BOSWELL”—­“THE FAMILY LIBRARY,” ETC.

The public has long since made up its mind as to the merits of Colonel Napier’s “History of the Peninsular War.”  It is a work which none but a soldier who had served through the war as he had done, and who, moreover, combined with practical experience a thorough knowledge of the science of war, could have written.

At the outset of his work he applied to the Duke of Wellington for his papers.  This rather abrupt request took the Duke by surprise.  The documents in his possession were so momentous, and the great part of them so confidential in their nature, that he felt it to be impossible to entrust them indiscriminately to any man living.  He, however, promised Napier to put in his hands any specified paper or document he might ask for, provided no confidence would be broken by its examination.  He also offered to answer any question Napier might put to him, and with this object invited him to Stratfieldsaye, where the two Generals discussed many points connected with the campaign.