A GREAT SCOT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 335, 23 September 1932, Page 6

A GREAT SCOT

HIS CENTENARY ROTORUA CELEBRATES LIFE OF SjlR WALTER SCOTT. OUTSTANDIN G LITERARIAN. Scottish in its character and attainments, a good attendance celebrated the centenary of the Scottish figure, Sir Walter Scott, under the aegis of the Rev. A. Miller, relieving minister to the Presbyterian Ghurch on Wednesday evening. The function was held in St. John's Hall. In his opening renxax'ks, Mr. Miller said: "This evening we honour the memory of Sir Walter Scott, poet, novelist, historian, biographer and literary critic, the greatest lit xrary figure that Scotland has produced and one of the greatest literary figures the world has ever seen, withal a fine type of character and a true Christian gentleman." Subsequently Mr. Miller gave a series of lecturettes on the life and works of the noted author, including extracts from his novels. The speaker remarked that Scott, who was born in Edniburgh on August 15, 1771, was the son of a Writer to the Signet, and his mother had been the daughter of a leading doctor, both sides of the family being of Border extraction. Delicate in his youth, Scott became lame for life as the result of an illness, but he did not allow this to handicap him for in later life he would tramp his 30 miles a day through the Border country which he loved so well. Educated at Edinburgh High School and its University, he chose the Bar as his profession, being called in 1792. Though he had some legal talent, the call of the pen was insistent and he specialised ni ballads, legends and folk-lore of his land. Hi» first important attempt was produced in 1802, when he wrote "The Minstrels of the Scottish Border." Subsequently he wrote "The Lay of the Last Minstrel" (1805), "Marmion" (1808), "The Lady of the Lake" (1810). Thesc were the best of his poetical works. He then drifted to journalism, contributing a series of articles to the Edinburgh Quarterly mainly biographi cal, amongst which may be mentioned his Life of Dryden and of Swift. Prospering in 1811, he purchased the estate of Abbotsford, which has ever since been associated with his nanxe. It was here in 1814 that Scott commenced the series of novels ever afterwards known as "The Waverley Novels," which kept coming out untii 1831. There were 27 of these and in 1819 his genius was recognised by his elevation to the baronetage by George IV. In 1825, the slump after the Napoleonic wars involved Scott in disaster, for the firm of Constable and Ballantyne, which published his works, failed, and Scott assumed the liability of the firm, which amounted to £117,000. By 1826 he had paid olf £70,000 and in 1830 the creditors returnxd to him his library, plate and linen. Tho effort had been too much for he had a complete breakdown in 1831 and despite the fact that the Government sent him on a sea voyage to Malta in a warship, he never recovercd, and died on September 21, 1832. The speaker added further biographical details and also paid a tribut 1 to the character and works of th » author. The following programme was given and enthusiastically applauded: — Pianoforte solo, "Fantahia on Scottish -xirs," r.Iis ', I -.vo izv kvt'.iv ; o. Pare I. . ^ -uo/. A Miiler; song, "Blue Bonne«.s over the Bord ay Mr. Buchan; recitation, "Breathes There a Man . Mrs. Rowley; part song, "Hail to the Chief," Quartette Party; recitation, "Young Lochinvar,' Miss C. Johnston; song, "Macgregor's Gathering," Rev. A. Miller; recitation, "Marmion's Farewell to Douglas," Mr. F. Newmarch; lecturette, Part II, 1814 — 1832, Rev. A. Miller; recitation, "The Death of Marmion," Mrs. Walsh; song, "Jock o' Hazeldean," Miss J. Worrall; recitation, "The Combat," Rev. A. Miller; lecturette, Part III, "The Waverley Novels," Rev. A. Miller; reading, "Jamie Deans and Queen Caroline , Mrs. Rowley; song, "Pilbroch of Donil Dhu," Rev. A. Miller; reading, "Rebecca and the Wounded Ivanhoe," Miss Betty Keane.