"WIZARD OF THE NORTH."

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 22 October 1927, Page 9

"WIZARD OF THE NORTH."

MEMORY OF Sill WALTER SCOTT. SCOTTISH SOCIETY’S NIGHT. In honour of the wonderful contributions to the world’s literature by the “Wizard of the North,” Sir Walter Scott, the Hawera Scottish Society devoted a social evening last night to the memory of the great novelist. The feature of the social was a sketch of the Scottish writer’s life given by Miss D. Corrigan, whose remarks revealed marked appreciation of the many gems which sprang from the facile pen of the great master. Ballads and poems from Scott were rendered during the evening by members of the society, giving an ensemble effect much appreciated by students of the writer’s works.

Miss Corrigan said Sir Walter Scott was a contemporary of Goethe, Burns, Beethoven, and Schiller, some of the men who did much in the early part of the nineteenth century to change the civilisation of Europe. Scott came between the two periods, but he was related more to the older, which was marked by a closer relationship among the men of all grades of society than exist at present. His youth had been spent, on account of ill-health, with an aunt, who delighted him with stirring stories of the border raids and border folk-lore. At an early age he was apprenticed to his father, who was an attorney, and at .18 held the position of sheriff-depute. The quiet period of Scott’s early married life was briefly reviewed by Miss Corrigan, who spoke of his strenuous efforts at poetry when he produced the border minstrelsy. After moving to Ashenstiol he produced many of his great poems, including the Lady of the Lake, Marmion, and the Lay of the Last Minstrel.

■Then came one of the most important/ events in the lire or tiie great Avriter —Ins break Avith poetry _ rUiss Corrigan advanced the somewhat novel theory that, having reached the topmost peak of poetic fame., Scott stepped aside to leave a free course open to the rising English poet, Byron. It was fortunate that he took this action, as he was destined to produce a great feast of prose., in his poetry lie had shoAvn remarkable ability in the portrayal of the rural scenes, but in prose he displayed a wonderful treatment of character, being Lsccond only to Shakespeare in this respect. The speaker compared Thackeray and George Elliot Avith Scott, and said the latter .showed a remarkable spontaneity. The powerful deathbed scene of Elspeth of Craig Burn Foot Avas referred to at this -stage. ALiss- Corrigan spoke of Scott’s removal to Abbotsford, Avhe-re he gave rein to his ambition to live as a. feudal lord. He transposed the large Melrose mansion into a A r eritable palace. Air. D. McCormick then rendered Scott’s description of Alelrose Abbey by moonlight, giving a feeling recital of the powerful word picture of the writer.

Resuming her address, Aliss Corrigan revieAved the habits of Scott ; his early rising to complete his writing before the morning meal, and liis Avont to among his many guests in a most hospitable manner being referred to. Scott Avas at this period one of the happiest and most fortunate of men, but his great ambition proved his doing, and on account of his reckless expenditure he' was not only ruined as a result of a financial depression, hut became a heavy debtor. Then followed for the great man _ a period of six years of unremitting toil, at the end of which he became again solvent. His health failed, howeA’er, and he was taken by l>is family to Italy, where he revived, for a time. Returning to his mother country, he reached London in an almost comatose condition, and it Avas feared that he Avould not again see his beloved Abbotsford. After an anxious period, during Avliich much interest and sympathy was displayed by his many admirers, including the Royal family, lie Avas able to continue his journey, and on reaching his home revived among the happy surroundings until the ena came peacefully. Aliss Corrigan said that Scott’s misfortune Avas probably a useful occurrence. as it gave him the opportunity of leaA’ing behind him a valuable example of fortitude and courage oA-er hardship. “We feel that lie has gone much wept, much honoured and much sung,” she concluded. Air. D. G. Smart- A-oiced the hearty appreciation of those present for the interesting address of Aliss Corrigan, and at his request a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation.

Appropriate- items given during the eA’ening were recitation by Airs-. Twaddle (‘‘Pibroch o’ Donald Dhu”), songs by Alessrs. L. A. Taylor (“The Border Ballad”), Lanpsknv (“McGregor’s Gathering”), and part songs by the choir (“Land of the Free” and “Jock o’ Hazel dene”). During the evening, the veteran South African at present on a visit- to Hawera, Air. W. H. Andrews. rendered a number of humorous- songs, being compelled to respond to long and insistent encores. Other contributors to the programme were Airs. J. C. Robb (recitations) and the Boys’ Club Orchestra. Airs. L. A. Taylor daved the- accompaniments. « After supper had been served, the floor ivas l cleared, and -dancing occupied the remainder of the- social. Avliich was the last for the current season. The Boys’ Club Orchestra supplied the music.