one flagrant absurdity.

{p.266} CHAPTER XLII.

Publication of the Heart of Mid-Lothian. -- Its Reception in
Edinburgh and in England. -- Abbotsford in October. --
Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh, etc. -- Lion-hunters from America.
-- Tragedy of the Cherokee Lovers. -- Scott's Dinner to the
Selkirkshire Yeomen.

1818.

Hoping to be forgiven for a long digression, the biographer willingly
returns to the thread of Scott's story. The Heart of Mid-Lothian
appeared, as has been mentioned, before the close of June, 1818, and
among the letters which he received soon afterwards from the friends
by this time in the secret, there is one which (though I do not
venture to name the writer) I am tempted to take the liberty of
quoting:[112]--

[Footnote 112: [This letter was written August 11, by
Lady Louisa Stuart, and it appears in its original and
complete form in _Familiar Letters_, vol. ii. p. 18. To
the end of her long life, the writer was somewhat
influenced by the feeling prevailing in her youth as to
the loss of caste suffered by women of good social
position who appeared in print. Writing to Mrs. Lockhart
after her father's death, and enclosing some of his
letters, Lady Louisa says: "If Mr. Lockhart wishes to
insert any of these, I will beg not to be named. It is
not that I am not proud enough of having been honored
with _his_ regard, but I never yet saw my name in print,
and hope I never shall." Mr. Lockhart evidently in part
overcame this objection.]]

"Now for it, dear Mr. Scott. I can speak to the purpose, as
I have not only read it myself, but am in a house where
everybody is tearing it out of each other's hands, and
talking of nothing else. So much for its success--the more
flattering, because it overcomes a prejudice. People were
beginning to say the author would wear himself out; it was
going on too {p.267} long in the same key, and no striking
notes could possibly be produced. On the contrary, I think
the interest is stronger here than in any of the former
ones--(always excepting my first-love Waverley)--and one may
congratulate you upon having effected what many have tried
to do, and nobody yet succeeded in, making the perfectly