Chapter 22

SIR WALTER'S LAST YEARS

South American speculation--Captain Head, R.E.--His rapid rides across the Pampas--His return home and publication of his work--Results of his mission--Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Powles--Letter from Mr. B. Disraeli--Irving's "Life of Columbus"--His agent, Col. Aspinwall--Letter of warning from Mr. Sharon Turner--Southey's opinion--"The Conquest of Granada"--Lockhart's and Croker's opinions--The financial result of their publication--Correspondence between Irving and Murray--"Tales of the Alhambra"--Murray's subsequent lawsuit with Bonn about the copyrights--Review of Hallam's "Constitutional History" in the _Quarterly_--Mr. Hallam's remonstrance--Letter from Murray--Letter from Mr. Mitchell--Southey's discontent--Sir W. Scott and Lockhart--Scott's articles for the _Quarterly_--Sir H. Davy's "Salmonia"--Anecdote of Lord Nelson--The Duke of Wellington--Murray's offer to Scott for a History of Scotland--Sale of Sir W. Scott's copyrights--Murray's offer for "Tales of a Grandfather"--Scott's reply--Scott's closing years--Murray's resignation of his one-fourth share of "Marmion"--Scott's last contributions to the _Quarterly_--His death--Mr. John Murray's account of the Theatrical Fund Dinner