To follow on from a recent blog regarding unexpected gems revealing themselves among the collections in M&ARL, today’s installment is based on a letter from the famous historical novelist, playwright and poet Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). This revealed itself during the transcription of the letters between James Stopford, 5th Earl of Courtown and his fiancée Charlotte. Her second name was Scott, and we may assume a distant family connection sufficient to make it necessary for Charlotte to inform him of her marriage plans. Scott was the author of some of the earliest historical novels such as Rob Roy, Ivanhoe and the Lady of the Lake; he was a friend and fan of Maria Edgeworth whom he called the ‘Great Maria’. Those fortunate enough to be able to claim an association with a writer of Sir Walter’s ilk, would have had bragging rights to the company at high society dinners.
Sir Walter writes to Lady Charlotte from his country home at Abbotsford in the Scottish borders, wishing her well on her forthcoming marriage to James Stopford, and thanking her for the gift of a pair of gloves, which he, in complimentary style, designates ‘gauntlets’. He writes that he was ‘duly honoured with your Ladyships kind letter and your splendid pair of gauntlets for they do not deserve the vulgar application of gloves’. He said they were so lovely, he would ‘certainly never venture to draw them on [his] clumsy hands’. He clearly approves of the marriage as he writes that he ‘rejoices to see you enter life with as fine a prospect of domestic happiness as this motley world permits. Make my compliments of sincere congratulations to Lord Stopford’.
The letters can be consulted in the Manuscripts & Archives Research Library, and the full transcription of TCD MS 11183/V/119a-b can be consulted on our online catalogue.
From a personal point of view, another ‘Great Scott!’ moment which caused some amusement occurred during the transcription of a letter from Maria Edgeworth, written circa 1831. She introduces her recipient to the ‘handsome and most presentable’ Lieutenant Lockhart, a brother of John Gibson Lockhart (1794-1854), son-in-law and biographer of Sir Walter Scott. One claims no family connection.
Aisling Lockhart