About a fortnight ago we had a great football match in Selkirkshire, when the Duke of Buccleuch raised his banner (a very curious and ancient pennon) in great form. Your friend Walter was banner-bearer, dressed, like a forester of old, in green, with a green bonnet, and an eagle feather in it; and, as he was well mounted, and rode handsomely over the field, he was much admired by all his clansmen. I have thrown these trifles together, without much hope that they will afford you amusement; but I know you will wish to know what I am about, and I have but trifles to send to those friends who interest themselves about a trifler. My present employment is watching, from time to time, the progress of a stupid cause, in order to be ready to reduce the sentence into writing, when the Court shall have decided whether Gordon of Kenmore or MacMichan of Meikleforthhead be the superior of the lands of Tarschrechan and Dalbrattie, and entitled to the feudal casualties payable forth thereof, which may amount to twopence sterling, once in half a dozen of years. Marry, sir, they make part of a freehold qualification, and the decision may wing a voter. I did not send the book you received by the Selkirk coach. I wish I could have had sense enough to send anything which could afford you consolation. I think our friend {p.093} Lady Louisa was likely to have had this attention; she has, God knows, been herself tried with affliction, and is well acquainted with the sources from which comfort can be drawn. My wife joins in kindest remembrances, as do Sophia and Walter. Ever yours affectionately, Walter SCOTT. This letter is dated the 22d of December. On the 26th, John Ballantyne, being then at Abbotsford, writes to Messrs. Constable: "Paul is _all_ in hand;" and an envelope, addressed to James Ballantyne on the 29th, has preserved another little fragment of Scott's playful doggerel:-- "Dear James--I'm done, thank God, with the long yarns Of the most prosy of Apostles--Paul; And now advance, sweet Heathen of Monkbarns, Step out, old quizz, as fast as I can scrawl." {p.094} CHAPTER XXXVII. Publication of Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk. -- Guy Mannering "Terry-fied." -- Death of Major John Scott. -- Letters to Thomas Scott. -- Publication of the Antiquary. -- History of 1814 for the Edinburgh Annual Register. -- Letters on the History of Scotland Projected. -- Publication of the First Tales of My Landlord by Murray and Blackwood. -- Anecdotes by Mr. Train. -- Quarterly Review on the Tales. -- Building at Abbotsford Begun. -- Letters to Morritt, Terry, Murray, and the Ballantynes. 1816.