Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1875 — Walter Scott’s First Love. [ARTICLE]

Walter Scott’s First Love.

Writing of the love disappointments of literary lights, a correspondent says: *• His early disappointment was very bitter and, although its lull details cannot lx; given, it may be said that when he xvas a poor young barrister, living still under the paternal roof at Edinburgh, he fell in love with a maiden whose rank was above his own and whom he could not expect to win. Still he hoped against hope. His father heard of the affair and, with sober sense of mature years, informed the lady’s friends of Walter’s weakness, and they'at once removed the girl from the city. Scott never knew the cause of this change till years afterward, but, as the income of his profession for five years averaged only £IOO a year, he could not expect to encounter the expense of a domestic establishment. The girl married soon afterward. and one of Scott’s friends was much alarmed for fear of the consequences. He writes as follows: ' This is bad news to our romantic friend, and I now shudder at the violence of his. most irritable and ungovernable mind. It is said that “ men have died and worms have eaten them, but not for love.” 1 sincerely hope it may be verified on this occasion.’ Scott did nothing worse than to pen a few stanzas, which are worth reading in this connection. They are addressed to the violet, and close thus": Though fair her gems of azure hue. Beneath the dew-drop's weight reclining, I've seen an eyt'of lovelier blue, More sweet through watery luster shining. The summer sun that dew shall dry Ere yet that sun be past its morrow;? Nor longer in my false love's eye Remained the"tear of parting sorrow! “ Before six months had expired this dis appointed lover was as deeply enamored of another girl whom he met while on an excursion into the north of England. ’ She was of French birth, and is described as very fascinating. One of his friends said: ‘Scott was sair beside himself about Miss Carpenter. We toasted her twenty times oyer, he. rating aboHt her until it was one in the morning.’ The next Christmas

they wen* married. It may be added tliat the match was not felicitous on the part of the husband, for, although their married life was harmonious, the wife wasdeficient ih that mental strength which such a union required. Scott never outlived the influence exercised on hub by his first love, and in his latter years he wejit at the mention of her name and the memory of old associations.”