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Summary of the Speech:

Lord Ardwall delivered a passionate and eloquent toast honouring the literary genius and moral influence of Sir Walter Scott, focusing particularly on Scott's contributions as a poet. He began by noting the club's growth and its mission to preserve Scott’s legacy. Ardwall defended Scott’s poetic achievements against critical dismissal—particularly from the Edinburgh Review—arguing that Scott’s work belongs to a noble tradition of popular epic and ballad poetry, akin to Homeric storytelling.

He emphasised Scott’s role in preserving and dignifying Scottish chivalry, heroism, and romantic tradition, contrasting this with Lord Byron's lament about Spain’s loss of chivalric ideals following Don Quixote. Ardwall hailed Scott’s patriotism, moral depth, and lyrical beauty, especially in portraying loyalty, love, and martial courage—most notably in Marmion, The Lady of the Lake, and The Lay of the Last Minstrel.

He praised Scott's unique ability to blend the supernatural, the heroic, and the historical with vivid natural description—calling him “one of Nature’s high-priests.” Scott’s profound love for the Scottish landscape, evident in both his poetry and prose, was portrayed as heartfelt rather than performative.

The speech closed with the famous lines:

“One crowded hour of glorious life
Is worth an age without a name.”*

Ardwall concluded by proposing “The Immortal Memory of Sir Walter Scott” to thunderous applause.

Notable and Interesting Points

• Critique of Jeffrey and the Edinburgh Review: Ardwall sharply dismisses Francis Jeffrey’s critiques, accusing him of lacking poetic feeling and misunderstanding Scott’s genre and genius.
• Scott as a 'ballad poet': He likens Scott not to classical epic poets but to the oral tradition of popular epic or balladry, rooted in folk memory and cultural myth.
• Moral and national value: Scott’s work is lauded for embedding honour, chivalry, patriotism, and virtue, countering modern decadence and cynicism.
• Comparison to Cervantes and Byron: Ardwall reflects on Don Quixote’s impact in “smiling away” Spain’s chivalry, and warns that sneering at ideals like honour and sacrifice can weaken a nation.
• Poetic excerpts throughout: The toast is richly interwoven with long and moving quotations from Scott’s poetry, including Marmion, Rosabelle, and The Lady of the Lake.
• Visual imagery: Ardwall draws attention to Scott’s unmatched gift for evoking landscape—Ettrick, Tweed, Roslin, Flodden, the Highlands—conveying both emotional resonance and scenic detail.
• Defence of Romanticism: The speech defends medieval and romantic elements in literature against modern trends of excessive subjectivity and bleak realism.
• Call to remembrance and inspiration: Ardwall sees Scott’s works as a moral refuge and source of national identity, especially valuable in times of change and disillusionment.

*Whilst originally credited to Scott (used as a Title of a Chapter in Old Mortality) it is actually from the poem "The Call" by Thomas Osbert Mordaunt.

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Subsidiary Toasts Summary:

1. Opening Toasts
   Traditional loyal toasts were offered and warmly received.
2. “The Navy, Army, and Reserve Forces” – Dr. Kerr
3. Mr. R. Macaulay, R.N. highlighted advances in naval armaments and the importance of maintaining a strong navy.
4. Major-General Boswell, C.B. criticised the linked battalion system and praised the heroism of the Chitral campaign.
5. Colonel Cranston praised the Volunteer forces for their role in the Empire’s defence.
6. “Literature and the Press” – Mr. Turnbull Smith
7. Criticised modern literature for undermining appreciation of great authors.
8. Celebrated the Club’s role in promoting “true literature.”
9. Welcomed Professor George Saintsbury, newly appointed at Edinburgh University.
10. Praised Mr. Charles A. Cooper, a leading journalist and former Club president.
11. Professor Saintsbury’s Reply on Literature
12. Acknowledged recent literary losses, notably Robert Louis Stevenson.
13. Urged against pessimism by drawing a parallel with 1795, a bleak time which preceded a literary golden age.
14. Emphasised literature’s enduring and regenerative power.
15. Mr. Charles A. Cooper’s Reply on the Press
16. Reflected on the retirement of Professor Masson, honouring his legacy.
17. Drew a humorous contrast between literature as “Her Majesty’s Servants” and journalism as “rogues and vagabonds.”
18. Defended the press as honest, vital, and committed to liberty and the protection of the weak from the strong.
19. “The City of Edinburgh” – Professor Masson
20. Hailed Edinburgh as unmatched for history, character, and literary culture.
21. Praised the city’s governance and Lord Provost M‘Donald.
22. Celebrated the Scott Monument as the finest tribute to a literary figure.
23. Reply from the Lord Provost
24. Joked about public grumbling vs. civic satisfaction.
25. Encouraged citizens to compare Edinburgh favourably with cities worldwide.
26. “The Walter Scott Clubs over the World” – Dr. Scott Dalgleish
27. Paid tribute to expatriate Scots who carry their love of Scott and Burns wherever they go.
28. Compared them to Hebrews in exile, united by shared culture and literary heritage.
29. Response by Dr. Ross (Glasgow Walter Scott Club Vice-President)
30. Followed by a vote of thanks and conclusion of proceedings.

Interesting Points & Highlights

• Professor Saintsbury’s historical perspective is particularly insightful. By comparing 1895 to 1795—a time of apparent literary barrenness—he emphasised that cultural blooms often follow periods of perceived stagnation.
• Mr. Cooper’s witty remarks on the press vs. literature (“rogues and vagabonds” vs. “Her Majesty’s Servants”) highlight a longstanding tension, but he defends journalism's vital role in social justice.
• The toast to “The City of Edinburgh” reveals great civic pride and positions the city not just as Scotland’s capital, but as a global centre of literary and historical importance.
• Dr. Dalgleish’s tribute to expatriate Scots is moving. He draws a line from Scottish emigrants’ cultural identity to a shared emotional connection with Walter Scott and Robert Burns, invoking a powerful metaphor of unity across the diaspora.

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