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.]]