Page:Great Men and Famous Women Volume 7.djvu/191

 SIR WALTER SCOTT 136 The following letter was written by him to his son Walter, in 1819, soon after the young man had entered the army. It illustrates at once his strong affections and his knowledge of the world. " . . . I shall be curious to know how you like your brother officers, and how you dispose of your time. The drills and riding-school will, of course, oc- cupy much of your mornings for some time. I trust, however, you will keep in view drawing, languages, etc. It is astonishing how far even half an hour a day, regularly bestowed on one object, will carry a man in making himself master of it. The habit of dawdling away time is easily acquired, and so is that of putting every moment either to use or to amusement. " You will not be hasty in forming intimacies with any of your brother offi- cers, until you observe which of them are most generally respected and likely to prove most creditable friends. It is seldom that the people who put themselves hastily forward to please are those most worthy of being known. At the same time you will take care to return all civility which is offered, with readiness and frankness. The Italians have a proverb, which I hope you have not forgot poor Pierrotti's lessons so far as not to comprehend ' Volto sciolto e pensieri stretti.' There is no occasion to let any one see what you exactly think of him ; and it is the less prudent, as you will find reason, in all probability, to change your opinion more than once. " I shall be glad to hear of your being fitted with a good servant. Most of the Irish of that class are scapegraces drink, steal, and lie like the devil. If you could pick up a canny Scot it would be well. Let me know about your mess. To drink hard is none of your habits, but even drinking what is called a certain quantity every day hurts the stomach, and by hereditary descent yours is delicate. I believe the poor Duke of Buccleuch laid the foundation of that disease which occasioned his premature death in the excesses of Villar's regiment, and I am sorry and ashamed to say, for your warning, that the habit of drinking wine, so much practised when I was a young man, occasioned, I am convinced, many of my cruel stomach complaints. You had better drink a bottle of wine on any particular occasion, than sit and soak and sipple at an English pint every day. " All our bipeds are well. Hamlet had an inflammatory attack, and I began to think he was going mad, after the example of his great namesake, but Willie Laidlaw bled him, and he has recovered. Pussy is very well. Mamma, the girls, and Charlie join in love. Yours affectionately, "W. S. M P.S. Always mention what letters of mine you have received, and write to me whatever comes into your head. It is the privilege of great boys when distant, that tbey cannot tire papas by any length of detail upon any subject"
 * * Dear Walter.