BIB_ID
131284
Accession number
MA 7604
Creator
Scott, Walter, 1771-1832.
Display Date
[1813 Sept 4].
Credit line
Gift of Mrs. Donald F. Hyde, 1978.
Description
1 item (3 p.), bound ; 25 cm
Notes
Date of writing from the Millgate Union Catalogue of Sir Walter Scott Correspondence (no. 7657).
Provenance
Bookplate of A. Edward Newton; bookplate of Donald and Mary Hyde; gift of Mrs. Donald F. Hyde in 1978.
Summary
Saying that he has received a letter from Stanier Clarke offering Scott, on behalf of the Prince Regent, the Poet Laureatship. Enclosing his reply to Clarke and discussing his reasons for refusing the honour, noting that "I should do the thing ill and to do justice to the Prince's recommendation and credit to myself it would be necessary to do it capitally;" further noting that his public offices provide him an an income of £1600 per annum and that he fears "it would have a selfish and engrossing look to snatch at one of the very few offices which seem destined to men of literature who have no means of attaining to professional offices or emoluments." Recommending Robert Southey for the Laureatship instead, noting "he has neither my reasons of incapacity or of situation for declining it."
Catalog link
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