'stanzas for music by the ettrick shepherd' [transcribes 2 stanzas] 'my sweet little...'
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Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elisabeth or Eliza Duncan
William Wordsworth to R. P.Gillies, 23 November 1814:
'I thank you for the Queen's Wake; since I saw you in Edinburgh I have read it. It does Mr. Hogg great credit. Of the tales, I liked best ... the Witch of Fife, the former part of Kilmenie, and the Abbot Mackinnon.'
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Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth
??And whom do you estimate after Crabbe??
?I am disposed to say Hogg. His ?Queen?s wake? is splendid and impassioned work. I like it for its varieties and its utter simplicity? Take my word in what I say of Crabbe and Hogg. They have struck the cord of my taste, but they are not, perhaps, the first men of the day.?
Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Robert Maturin Print: Book
"Another favourite of his was Hogg, whose ballad of "Bonny Kilmery" he had by heart."
Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Robert Maturin Print: Book
'In Mr Tait's warehouse I read Hogg's "Shepherd's Calendar" and some of his poems also, while, at various times, many opportunities of hearing much about him.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: James Glass Bertram Print: Book
'In Mr Tait's warehouse I read Hogg's "Shepherd's Calendar" and some of his poems also, while, at various times, many opportunities of hearing much about him.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: James Glass Bertram Print: Unknown
'I allude to my old friend, and your acquaintance, the Ettrick Shepherd (for I will not mention him by the unpoetical name of Mr James Hogg) who is now, you will perceive by the enclosure, venturing upon the public with a collection of ballads. Some of them, if I (myself a ballad-monger) may be permitted to judge, have a very uncommon share of poetical merit'. [Walter Scott goes on to tell Charlotte Bury that he is attempting to raise a subscription for Hogg and he hopes she will use her influence to gain subscribers].
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Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Walter Scott
'I am not a little proud of the approbation you have been pleased to bestow upon a mountain Bard'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Surtees Print: Book
'Many of my friends are of the same opinion with you at least with regard to the tales of the Spy. Mr Walr. Scott says in a letter "If I may judge from my own feelings and the interest I took in them the tales are superior at least in management to any I have read: the stile of them is likewise quite new".'
[this letter to Bernard Barton discusses publishing Hogg's tales from the periodical The Spy in book form]
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Walter Scott Print: Serial / periodical
'I had a note from Mr Jeffery [sic] on the very day after [Hogg's The Pilgrims of the Sun] was published who is not going to review it till he get another to join with it which makes me think it is no peculiar favourite with him, I copy his own words from the note he sent which was an invitation to sup "I have run slightly over your new published poem - It unquestionably shows great powers of imagination and composition but I am afraid it is too [italics] stretchy [end italics] and desultory - the public estimation of your powers will lose nothing by it of your judgement it may but of this we shall have a long crack".'
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Jeffrey Print: Book
'I have laughed at least as heartily at the continuation of "Daniel" as you did at the original the conceit is excellent indeed I see that mine was quite an imperfect thing without some description of the forces on the other side - the third chapter however is very faulty - the characters are made too plain and the language of scripture compleatly departed from. I have remedied that in proof in great measure but alas it is out of time! - As it is it will create great interest I am certain of its popularity as well as its being blamed. "Maggy Scott" is likewise a good fancy it has no faults but one the name should not have been "Dinmont" else he should have spoken [italics] Scotish [sic, end italics]'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: James Hogg Manuscript: Unknown
'It so happened that you were the very first man in England that testified approbation of my rude genius after the publication of the Mountain Bard, which you did to Mr Scott in very warm and friendly terms'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Surtees Print: Book
'To my utter mortification and dissappointment I have this day received a letter from my Bookseller refusing my new work on his usual terms of publishing with me. For what? Because forsooth I copy his own words "Though it displays great originality of thought and a good deal of fancy it is of that cast that must draw down comparisons with the romances of the author of Waverly [sic] and manifestly to its disadvantage these being made the criterion of judging of merit therefore he is sorry &c." but the truth is I believe he found I was going to press too hard for money at too early a date'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: George Boyd Manuscript: Unknown
'Mrs Hughes insists on the Confessions of a Sinner being republished with my name as she say it is the best story of that frightful kind that ever was written'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mrs Hughes Print: Book
'My two articles in your work has [sic] been very much praised in this country. Prof. Wilson said in a very large public company that "The Cameronian's Tale" was "not only better than any of Sir Walter's in the Keepsake but that it had ten times more merit than them all put together"'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: John Wilson Print: Book, Serial / periodical
'Robert has in several instances spoiled the effect of the tales at the close by winding them too abruptly up The Marvellous Doctor is quite ruined for though previously shortened one half to suit Maga that was no reason the other half should now have been withheld'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: James Hogg Print: Book
[Hogg is enclosing his 'Adventures of Colonel Peter Aston'] 'No body ever saw it but Dr Moir (Delta) who read it and will recognize it at first sight but as it is likely he will be of the fraternity I hope this will be no objection' [Hogg wants the story to appear in The Club Book]
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: David Macbeth Moir Manuscript: Unknown
'[on receiving the first printed copies of his poems] no sooner did the first copy come to hand, than my eyes were open to the folly of my conduct; for, on comparing it with the MS. which I had at home, I found many of the stanzas omitted, others misplaced, and typographical errors abounding in every place'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Hogg
'I wrote another musical drama of three acts, and showed it to Mr Siddons. He approved of it very highly, with the exception of some trivial scenes, which I promised to alter'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Siddons Manuscript: Unknown
'I was very anxious to read it ['The Queen's Wake'] to some person of taste; but no one would either read it, or listen to my reading it, save Grieve, who assured me it would do. As I lived at Deanhaugh then, I invited Mr and Mrs Gray to drink tea, and to read a part of it with me before offering it for publication, Unluckily, however, before I had read half a page, Mrs Gray objected to a word, which Grieve approved of and defended, and some high disputes arose; other authors were appealed to, and notwithstanding my giving several very broad hints, I could not procure a hearing for another line of my new poem. Indeed, I was sorely disappointed, and told my friends so on going away; on which another day was appointed, and I took my manuscript to Buccleugh Place. Mr Gray had not got through the third page when he was told that an itinerant bard had entered the lobby, and was repeating his poetry to the boarders. Mr Gray went out and joined them, leaving me alone with a young lady, to read, or not, as we liked'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Grieve Manuscript: Unknown
'I was very anxious to read it ['The Queen's Wake'] to some person of taste; but no one would either read it, or listen to my reading it, save Grieve, who assured me it would do. As I lived at Deanhaugh then, I invited Mr and Mrs Gray to drink tea, and to read a part of it with me before offering it for publication, Unluckily, however, before I had read half a page, Mrs Gray objected to a word, which Grieve approved of and defended, and some high disputes arose; other authors were appealed to, and notwithstanding my giving several very broad hints, I could not procure a hearing for another line of my new poem. Indeed, I was sorely disappointed, and told my friends so on going away; on which another day was appointed, and I took my manuscript to Buccleugh Place. Mr Gray had not got through the third page when he was told that an itinerant bard had entered the lobby, and was repeating his poetry to the boarders. Mr Gray went out and joined them, leaving me alone with a young lady, to read, or not, as we liked'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Gray Manuscript: Unknown
'I was very anxious to read it ['The Queen's Wake'] to some person of taste; but no one would either read it, or listen to my reading it, save Grieve, who assured me it would do. As I lived at Deanhaugh then, I invited Mr and Mrs Gray to drink tea, and to read a part of it with me before offering it for publication, Unluckily, however, before I had read half a page, Mrs Gray objected to a word, which Grieve approved of and defended, and some high disputes arose; other authors were appealed to, and notwithstanding my giving several very broad hints, I could not procure a hearing for another line of my new poem. Indeed, I was sorely disappointed, and told my friends so on going away; on which another day was appointed, and I took my manuscript to Buccleugh Place. Mr Gray had not got through the third page when he was told that an itinerant bard had entered the lobby, and was repeating his poetry to the boarders. Mr Gray went out and joined them, leaving me alone with a young lady, to read, or not, as we liked'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Gray Manuscript: Unknown
'I was very anxious to read it ['The Queen's Wake'] to some person of taste; but no one would either read it, or listen to my reading it, save Grieve, who assured me it would do. As I lived at Deanhaugh then, I invited Mr and Mrs Gray to drink tea, and to read a part of it with me before offering it for publication, Unluckily, however, before I had read half a page, Mrs Gray objected to a word, which Grieve approved of and defended, and some high disputes arose; other authors were appealed to, and notwithstanding my giving several very broad hints, I could not procure a hearing for another line of my new poem. Indeed, I was sorely disappointed, and told my friends so on going away; on which another day was appointed, and I took my manuscript to Buccleugh Place. Mr Gray had not got through the third page when he was told that an itinerant bard had entered the lobby, and was repeating his poetry to the boarders. Mr Gray went out and joined them, leaving me alone with a young lady, to read, or not, as we liked'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Hogg Manuscript: Unknown
'[George Goldie] earnestly requested to see my MS. I gave it to him with reluctance, being predetermined to have nothing to do with him. He had not, however, well looked into the work till he thought he perceived something above common-place; and, when I next saw him, he was intent on being publisher of the work, offering me as much as Mr Constable, and all the subscribers to myself over and above'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: George Goldie Manuscript: Unknown
'[having written an imitation of Byron, Hogg got] a large literary party together, on pretence, as I said, of giving them a literary treat. I had got the poem transcribed, and gave it to Mr Ballantyne to read, who did it ample justice. Indeed, he read it with extraordinary effect; so much so, that I was astonished at the poem myself, and before it was half done all pronounced it Byron's. Every one was deceived, except Mr Ballantyne, who was not to be imposed on in that way'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Ballantyne Manuscript: Unknown
'I mentioned to Mr Blackwood that I had two tales I wished to publish, and at his request I gave him a reading of the manuscript. One of them was "The Brownie", which, I believe, was not quite finished. He approved of it, but with "The Bridal of Polmood" he would have nothing to do'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: William Blackwood Manuscript: Unknown
'I mentioned to Mr Blackwood that I had two tales I wished to publish, and at his request I gave him a reading of the manuscript. One of them was "The Brownie", which, I believe, was not quite finished. He approved of it, but with "The Bridal of Polmood" he would have nothing to do'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: William Blackwood Manuscript: Unknown
'Some of the fine madams pointed out to him [Mr Sym] a few inadvertencies [in Hogg's "The Spy"], or, more properly, absurdities, which had occurred in the papers; but he replied, "O, I don't deny that; but I like them the better for these, as they shew me at once the character of the writer. I believe him to be a very great blockhead; still I maintain, that there is some smeddum in him".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Sym Print: Serial / periodical
From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. C.M.G. transcribes, under title 'The Ettrick Shepherd, Queen Hynde' poem beginning 'As when, in ages long agone,/ The Sons of God before the throne / Of their almighty Father came...'. At end of poem is written 'Queen Hynde. Ettrick Shepherd - J. Hogg - Died 21 Nov 1835.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon] Print: Book
[Branwell Bronte to the Editor of Blackwood's Magazine, asking to be considered as a
contributor, [7] December 1835:]
'It is not from affected hypocrisy that I commence my letter with the name of James Hogg; for the writings of that man in your numbers, his speeches in your "Noctes," when I was a child, laid a hold on my mind which succeeding years have consecrated into a most sacred feeling. I cannot express, though you can understand, the heavenliness of associations connected with such articles as Professor Wilson's, read and re-read while a little child [...] when a child "Blackwood" formed my chief delight, and I feel certain no child before enjoyed reading as I did, because none ever had such works as "The Noctes," "Christmas Dreams," "Christopher in his Sporting Jacket" to read [goes on comment further, and to quote passage concerning the
death of its narrator's "golden-haired sister," with the remark that he had read it at the time of his own sister's death]'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Branwell Bronte Print: Serial / periodical
