Sir Walter Scott, Williamina Stuart, John Sheriff cm740

Oriental Rug Review is pleased to offer two original articles from Century Magazine: "Unpublished Portraits of Sir Walter Scott, Sketched by a Contemporary, John Sheriff of Edinburgh" by John Thomson, "Sir Walter Scott's First Love, Williamina Stuart," by F. M. F. Skene. Century Magazine, Vol. LVIII, No. 3, July, 1899, 11 pp. (loose), 5 illustrations. 6 1/2" x 9 1/2".

About the Subject and/or Author:

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet, (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832) was a prolific Scottish historical novelist and poet popular throughout Europe during his time. In some ways Scott was the first English-language author to have a truly international career in his lifetime, with many contemporary readers all over Europe, Australia, and North America. His novels and poetry are still read, and many of his works remain classics of both English-language literature and of Scottish literature. Famous titles include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, The Lady of The Lake, Waverley, The Heart of Midlothian and The Bride of Lammermoor.

Willamina Stuart, a young and beautiful lady, the only child and heiress of a cadet of the ancient family of Invermay, who afterwards became Sir John Wishart Belches Stuart of Fettercairn, Bart., went one Sunday morning to Greyfriars' Church, Edinburgh. When she came out, at the conclusion of the service, she found to her mortification — for she wore a pretty green mantle — that rain was falling, and that she had left her umbrella at home. In her agitation, she glanced eagerly round, and her glance was as eagerly returned by a tall young man, who remained spellbound at the sight of so much beauty in distress. It suddenly occurred to him that he possessed exactly what she needed, an umbrella, so, although he did not know her, he stepped forward and gallantly offered her the shelter she required. She accepted the proffered kindness, and Walter Scott saw the lady with the green mantle to her home, which was not far from his father's house, No. 25, George Square. What went on under that umbrella lovers only know, but long, long afterwards Scott remarked in an article in the Quarterly Review : "There have been instances of love-tales being favourably received in England when told under an umbrella, and in the midst of a shower.' Of course, Scott fell desperately in love with the fascinating lady with the green mantle. He was not a man to do things by halves. The giant who could afterwards throw off with ease romance after romance which all Europe read with avidity, must have been, especially when young, an ardent lover. Besides, his inamorata united to a bewitching presence a qualification which, to a mind like Scott's, was peculiarly seductive.

Nor was the fair Willamina unkind. She did not repulse the young man, who said so many delightful, and looked such unutterable, things. She even consented to walk home from church with him when the skies were clear and there was no need for an umbrella. Scott unbosomed his passion to his mother, and the latter discovered that she and Willamina's mother were old friends. The two mothers renewed their acquaintance, the young couple met at church and in society, Scott even visited the Stuarts at Invermay, and all went merry as a marriage bell.

The Reverend John Thomson (1 September 1778 - 28 October 1840) was the minister of Duddingston Kirk near Edinburgh, Scotland and a distinguished amateur landscape painter. The youngest of eight children, Thomson was born in Dailly, Ayrshire, the fourth son of the local parish minister. From an early age, he displayed an aptitude for drawing and painting and, inspired by the Ayrshire countryside, developed a love for landscape painting. In 1791 he enrolled at Glasgow University to study law and theology, and in 1793 he transferred to Edinburgh University to continue his studies for the ministry. Whilst there, he met many people who were prominent in Edinburgh artistic circles, including Sir Walter Scott, and Alexander Nasmyth, the latter of whom who gave him art lessons. After graduating, Thomson returned to Ayrshire and was licensed as a preacher of the Gospel, and subsequently ordained as minister of Dailly in 1800. He later moved to Duddingston near Edinburgh and became the most famous minister of the local Kirk, holding the post from 1808 to 1840. Whilst at Duddingston a very fine portrait of him was painted by Robert Scott Lauder.

Felicia Mary Frances Skene (1821-1899), Anglo-Scottish writer and prison reformer, resident in Oxford.

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