In the next note he acknowledges a copy of Destiny, sent him by the author:—
Sir Walter Scott to Miss Ferrier.
DEAR MISS FERRIER—If I had a spark of gratitude in me I ought to have written you well-nigh a month ago, to thank you in no common fashion for Destiny, which by the few, and at the same time the probability, of its incidents, your writings are those of the first person of genius who has disarmed the little pedantry of the Court of Cupid and of gods and men, and allowed youths and maidens to propose other alliances than those an early choice had pointed out to them. I have not time to tell you all the consequences of my revolutionary doctrine. All these we will talk over when you come here, which I am rejoiced to hear is likely to be on Saturday next, when Mr. Cadell [1] will be happy to be your beau in the Blucher, [2] and we will take care are met with at the toll. Pray do not make this a flattering dream. You are of the initiated, so will not be de trop with Cadell.—I am, always, with the greatest respect and regard, your faithful and affectionate servant,
WALTER SCOTT.
[1] Destiny was published by Cadell through Sir Walter's intervention, and by it the author realised £1700.
[2] Name of the Stage-coach.
In 1832, the year after the birth of his godchild Destiny, poor Sir Walter began to show signs of that general break-up of mind and body so speedily followed by his death. Of this sad state Miss Ferrier writes to her sister, Mrs. Kinloch (in London):—
"Alas! the night cometh when no man can work, as is the case with that mighty genius which seems now completely quenched. Well might he be styled 'a bright and benignant luminary,' for while all will deplore the loss of that bright intellect which has so long charmed a world, many will still more deeply lament the warm and steady friend, whose kind and genuine influence was ever freely diffused on all whom it could benefit. I trust, however, he may be spared yet awhile; it might be salutary to himself to con over the lessons of a death-bed, and it might be edifying to others to have his record added to the many that have gone before him, that all below is vanity. But till we feel that we shall never believe it! I ought to feel it more than most people, as I sit in my dark and solitary chamber, shut out, as it seems, from all the 'pride of life'; but, alas! Worldly things make their way into the darkest and most solitary recesses, for their dwelling is in the heart, and from thence God only can expel them."
Her first visit to the author of Waverley was in the autumn of 1811, when she accompanied her father to Ashestiel. The invitation came from Scott to Mr. Ferrier:—
Walter Scott, Esq., to James Ferrier, Esq.