street.]

When you see Mr. Atkinson, will you ask him how far he is
satisfied with the arch between the armory and the
ante-room, and whether it pleases him as it now stands? I
have a brave old oaken cabinet, as black as ebony, 300 years
old at least, which will occupy one side of the ante-room
for the present. It is seven feet and a half long, about
eighteen inches deep, and upwards of six feet high--a fine
stand for china, etc.

You will be sorry to hear that we have lost our excellent
old friend, Mrs. Murray Keith. She enjoyed all her spirits
and excellent faculties till within two days of her death,
when she was seized with a feverish complaint, {p.232}
which eighty-two years were not calculated to resist. Much
tradition, and of the very best kind, has died with this
excellent old lady; one of the few persons whose spirits and
cleanliness, and freshness of mind and body, made old age
lovely and desirable. In the general case, it seems scarce
endurable.

It seems odd to me that Rob Roy[103] should have made good
fortune; pray let me know something of its history. There is
in Jedediah's present work a thing capable of being woven
out a _bourgeoise_ tragedy. I think of contriving that it
shall be in your hands some time before the public see it,
that you may try to operate upon it yourself. This would not
be difficult, as vol. 4, and part of 3d, contain a different
story. _Avowedly_ I will never write for the stage; if I do,
"call me _horse_." And indeed I feel severely the want of
knowledge of theatrical business and effect: however,
something we will do. I am writing in the noise and babble
of a head-court of freeholders; therefore my letter is
incoherent, and therefore it is written also on long paper;
but therefore, moreover, it will move by frank, as the
member is here, and stands upon his popularity. Kind
compliments to Mrs. Terry and Walter.

Yours very truly,

Walter SCOTT.

[Footnote 103: A drama founded on the novel of _Rob Roy_
had been produced, with great success, on the London
stage.]

On the morning that Mr. Terry received the foregoing letter in London,
Mr. William Erskine was breakfasting with him; and the chief subject
of the