[526] It is much to be regretted that Scott and Carlyle never met.  The probable explanation is that the admirable letter now printed in extenso, coming into a house where there was sickness, and amid the turmoil of London life, was carefully laid aside for reply at a more convenient season.  This season, unfortunately, never came.  Scott did not return to Scotland until June 3d, and by that time Carlyle had left Edinburgh and settled at Craigenputtock.  He must, however, have seen Scott subsequently, as he depicts him in the memorable words, “Alas! his fine Scottish face, with its shaggy honesty and goodness, when we saw it latterly in the Edinburgh streets, was all worn with care—­the joy all fled from it, and ploughed deep with labour and sorrow.”

Mr. Lockhart once said to a friend that he regretted that they had never met, and gave as a reason the state of Scott’s health.

[527] This purpose Goethe seems to have carried out, for in the “Chronologie” which is printed in the two-volume edition of his works, published at Stuttgart 1837 (vol. ii. page 663), the following entry is found:—­“1827.  Ueber neuere franzoesische Literatur.—­Ueber chinesische Gedichte.—­Ueber das Leben Napoleon’s von Walter Scott.”

No.  III.

Contents of the Volume of Irish Manuscript referred to, vol. ii. p. 289.

1.  The rudiments of an Irish Grammar and Prosody; the first leaf wanting.

2.  The Book of Rights; giving an account of ye rents and subsidies of the kings and princes of Ireland.  It is said to have (been) written by Beinin MacSescnen, the Psalmist of Saint Patrick.  It is entirely in verse, except a few sentences of prose taken from ye booke of Glandelogh.

3.  A short poem giving an account of ye disciples and favourites of St. Patrick.

4.  A poem of Eochy O Flyn’s; giving an account of the followers of Partholan, the first invader of Ireland after the flood.

5.  A poem written by Macliag, Brian Boruay’s poet Laureat.  It gives an account of the twelve sons of Kennedy, son of Lorcan, Brian’s father; and of ye Dalcassian race in general.

6.  A book of annals from the year 976 to 1014, including a good account of the battle of Clontarf, etc.

7.  A collection of Historical poems by different authors, such as O Dugan, etc., and some extracts, as they seem, from the psalter of Cashill, written by Cormac-mac-Cuilinan, Archbishop and King of Leath Mogha, towards the beginning or middle of the ninth century; Cobhach O Carmon and O Heagusa have their part in these poems.  In them are interspersed many other miscellaneous tracts, among which is one called Sgeul-an-Erin, but deficient, wherein mention is made of Garbh mac Stairn, said to be slain by Cuchullin; a treatise explaining the Ogham manner of writing which is preserved in this book; the privileges of the several kings and princes of Ireland, in making their tours of the Kingdom, and taking their seats at the Feis of Tara; and an antient moral and political poem as an advice to princes and chieftains, other poems and prophecies, etc., chronological and religious, disposed in no certain order.