in the
library of the University of Edinburgh). Carruthers, in publishing
Laidlaw's reminiscences, omitted the following passage. After Scott
had read Auld Maitland aloud to Leyden and Laird Laidlaw, the three
rode together to dine at Whitehope.
"Near the Craigbents," says Laidlaw, "Mr. Scott and Leyden drew
together in a close and seemingly private conversation. I, of
course, fell back. After a minute or two, Leyden reined in his horse
(a black horse that Mr. Scott's servant used to ride) and let me come
up. 'This Hogg,' said he, 'writes verses, I understand.' I assured
him that he wrote very beautiful verses, and with great facility.
'But I trust,' he replied, 'that there is no fear of his passing off
any of his own upon Scott for old ballads.' I again assured him that
he would never think of such a thing; and neither would he at that
period of his life.
"'Let him beware of forgery,' cried Leyden with great force and
energy, and in, I suppose, what Mr. Scott used afterwards to call the
SAW TONES OF HIS VOICE.
Pages:
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30