“It has not yet come our length; those [to] whom you allude ought certainly to be served, but the D. is best judge how they may be best served.  If the D. says nothing on the subject you can slip your Derwentwater greyhound if you like.  I write hastily, but most anxiously. ...  I repeat that I think it possible to put the Catholic Question as it now stands in a light which the most zealous of their supporters in this country cannot but consider as fair, while the result would be that the Question should not be granted at all under such guarantees; but I think this is scarce to be done by inflaming the topic with all mutual virulence of polemical discussion.”

[250] Henry VI.  Act I. Sc. 4.

[251] John Gilpin.

[252] The Picture of Scotland by Robert Chambers, author of Traditions of Edinburgh, etc., 8vo, 1829.

[253] Mr. Skene remarks that at this time “Sir Walter was engaged in the composition of the Novel of Anne of Geierstein, for which purpose he wished to see a paper which I had some time before contributed to the Memoirs of the Society of Antiquaries on the subject of the Secret Tribunals of Germany, and upon which, accordingly, he grounded the scene in the novel.  Upon his describing to me the scheme which he had formed for that work, I suggested to him that he might with advantage connect the history of Rene, king of Provence, which would lead to many interesting topographical details which my residence in that country would enable me to supply, besides the opportunity of illustrating so eccentric a character as ‘le bon roi Rene,’ full of traits which were admirably suited to Sir Walter’s graphic style of illustration, and that he could besides introduce the ceremonies of the Fete Dieu with great advantage, as I had fortunately seen its revival the first time it was celebrated after the interruption of the revolution.  He liked the idea much, and, accordingly, a Journal which I had written during my residence in Provence, with a volume of accompanying drawings and Papon’s History of Provence was forthwith sent for, and the whole denouement of the story of Anne o/Geierstein was changed, and the Provence part woven into it, in the form in which it ultimately came forth.”—­Reminiscences.

[254] This learned gentleman died in his house, 34 Moray Place, Edinburgh, on the 30th August 1838, aged eighty-two.  He had filled various important situations with great ability during his long life:—­Sheriff of Berwick and West Lothian, Professor of Scots Law in the University, and afterwards a Baron of Exchequer, which latter office he held till the abolition of the court in 1830.  He is best remembered by his work on the Criminal Law of Scotland, published in 1797.  He bequeathed his uncle the historian’s correspondence with Rousseau and other distinguished foreigners to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

[255] Published in four volumes, 8vo, 1829.  Fauche-Borel, an agent of the Bourbons, had just died.  The book is still in the Abbotsford library.