The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 20, No. 571 (Supplementary Number) by Various
page 19 of 50 (38%)
page 19 of 50 (38%)
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voluminous, laid his claim to be considered as an original author." We
thus see that Sir Walter Scott was in his 34th year before he had published an original work. MARMION. Sir Walter's second poem of consequence appeared in 1808, he having published a few ballads and lyrical pieces during the year 1806. The publishers, emboldened by the success of _the Lay of the Last Minstrel_, gave the author 1,000_l._ for _Marmion_. Its success was electric, and at once wrought up the poet's reputation. In his preface to the last edition, April, 1830, he states 36,000 copies to have been printed between 1808 and 1825, besides a considerable sale since that period; and the publishers were so delighted with the success, as "to supply the author's cellars with what is always an acceptable present to a young Scotch house-keeper--namely, a hogshead of excellent claret." CLERK OF SESSION. Between the appearance of _the Lay of the Last Minstrel_ and _Marmion_, hopes were held out to him from an influential quarter of the reversion of the office of a Principal Clerk in the Court of Session; and, Mr. Pitt, having expressed a wish to be of service to the author, of _the Lay of the Last Minstrel_, Sir Walter applied for the reversion. His desire was readily acceeded to; and, according to |
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