The Journal of Sir Walter Scott eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,191 pages of information about The Journal of Sir Walter Scott.

The Journal of Sir Walter Scott eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 1,191 pages of information about The Journal of Sir Walter Scott.

December 10.—­I corrected proofs and forwarded copy.  Went out for an hour to Lady J.S.  Home and dozed a little, half stupefied with a cold in my head—­made up this Journal, however.  Settled I would go to Abbotsford on the 24th from Arniston.  Before that time I trust the business of the copyrights will be finally settled.  If they can be had on anything like fair terms, they will give the greatest chance I can see of extricating my affairs.  Cadell seems to be quite confident in the advantage of making the purchase upon almost any terms, and truly I am of his opinion.  If they get out of Scotland it will not be all I can do that will enable me to write myself a free man during the space I have to remain in this world.

I smoked a couple of cigars for the first time since I came from the country; and as Anne and Charles went to the play, I muddled away the evening over my Sheriff-Court processes, and despatched a hugeous parcel to Will Scott at Selkirk.  It is always something off hand.

December 11.—­Wrote a little, and seemed to myself to get on.  I went also to Court.  On return, had a formal communication from Ballantyne, enclosing a letter from Cadell of an unpleasant tenor.  It seems Mr. Cadell is dissatisfied with the moderate success of the First Series of Chronicles;[91] and disapproves of about half the volume already written of the Second Series, obviously rueing his engagement.  I have replied that I was not fool enough to suppose that my favour with the public could last for ever, and was neither shocked nor alarmed to find that it had ceased now, as cease it must one day soon; it might he inconvenient for me in some respects, but I would be quite contented to resign the bargain rather than that more loss should be incurred.  I saw, I told them, no other receipt than lying lea for a little, while taking a fallow-break to relieve my imagination, which may be esteemed nearly cropped out.  I can make shift for myself amid this failure of prospects; but I think both Cadell and J.B. will be probable sufferers.  However, they are very right to speak their mind, and may be esteemed tolerably good representatives of the popular taste.  So I really think their censure may be a good reason for laying aside this work, though I may preserve some part of it till another day.

December 12.—­Reconsidered the probable downfall of my literary reputation.  I am so constitutionally indifferent to the censure or praise of the world, that never having abandoned myself to the feelings of self-conceit which my great success was calculated to inspire, I can look with the most unshaken firmness upon the event as far as my own feelings are concerned.  If there be any great advantage in literary reputation, I have had it, and I certainly do not care for losing it.

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The Journal of Sir Walter Scott from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.