LETTERS

ΤΟ

SIR WALTER SCOTT, BARONET.

LETTERS

TO

SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART.

ON THE

MORAL AND POLITICAL CHARACTER

AND EFFECTS

OF THE

VISIT TO SCOTLAND

IN AUGUST 1822,

OF

HIS MAJESTY

KING GEORGE IV.

"The King's name is a tower of strength." -SHAKS.

EDINBURGH:

PRINTED FOR

WAUGH AND INNES, HUNTER SQUARE;
G. & W. B. WHITTAKER, AVE MARIA LANE,
AND W. SAMS, ST. JAMES'S STREET,

LONDON.

1822.

CONTENTS.

LETTER I.

Introduction-The retirement of the Sovereign an

error in state policy,-corrected by his present Ma-

jesty;-it mistook the age and nation ;-analogy

between the King's resolution to visit his people

and Lord Rodney's naval tacties.-Regrets of the

British patriot that his country was so long un-

visited by its King.-Evils consequent on this ab-

sence of the Sovereign;-his power, by coming

out, to remedy them.-Experiment in Ireland sa-

tisfactory;-but Ireland a less instructive subject

than England or Scotland.-Extent of the success

of the demagogue in the two latter countries;-

antisocial sentiment in the lower orders;-a great

evil, although far short of a revolutionary principle;

-its particulars.-Better feelings will countervail

this habit of mind.—Scotland most calculated to try

the moral power of royal presence ;-Scottish

character.-Prejudices against the royal person,

and their cause.-Hesitations respecting the royal

Page 1.

visit.

LETTER II.

The King's visit announced to Edinburgh ;-instant
effect of the news.-Preparations, and their regu-
lating principle.-Feelings of the populace on the