“And these are my points that I place at the foot, That you may put stops that I can’t stop to put.” It will surprise no one, to observe that the author of Waverley had as little leisure for punctuation. “SIR WALTER SCOTT has to make thankful acknowledgments for the copy of the Odes to Great People with which he was favoured and more particularly for the amusement he has received from the perusal. He wishes the unknown author good health good fortune and whatever other good things can best support and encourage his lively vein of inoffensive and humorous satire. _Abbotsford Melrose 4th May_” The first time I ever saw the Great Unknown, was at the private view of Martin’s Picture of “Nineveh,” when by a striking coincidence, one of our most celebrated women, and one of our greatest men, Mrs. Siddons and Sir Walter Scott, walked simultaneously up opposite sides of the room, and met and shook hands in front of the painting. As Editor of the Gem, I had afterwards occasion to write to Sir Walter, from whom I received the following letter, which contains an allusion to some of his characteristic partialities:-- “MY DEAR MR. HOOD,--It was very ungracious in me to leave you in a day’s doubt whether I was gratified or otherwise with the honour you did me to inscribe your Whims and Oddities to me I received with great pleasure this new mark of your kindness and it was only my leaving your volume and letter in the country which delayed my answer as I forgot the address. I was favoured with Mr. Cooper’s beautiful sketch of the heart-piercing incident of the dead greyhound which is executed with a force and fancy which I flatter myself that I who was in my younger days and in part still am a great lover of dogs and horses and an accurate observer of their habits can appreciate, I intend the instant our term ends to send a few verses if I can make any at my years in acknowledgment. I will get a day’s leisure for this purpose next week when I expect to be in the country. Pray inform Mr. Cooper of my intention though I fear I will be unable to do anything deserving of the subject. I am very truly your obliged humble servant, WALTER SCOTT.” _Edinburgh 4 March._