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Summary of the Speech:

Sir Herbert Maxwell began his speech by acknowledging the difficulty of saying anything new about a figure as scrutinised and admired as Scott. Yet he insisted that Scott’s memory remains as vibrant and meaningful as ever—not something diminished by repetition, but as enduring as "guinea gold".

He focused more on Scott the man than Scott the writer, describing his warmth, tolerance, humour, and lack of cynicism. Unlike many authors, Scott did not see himself or his peers as superior beings. He valued humility, heart, and common humanity above artistic or literary affectation. Maxwell illustrated this through anecdotes, including Scott’s mild reproof to his daughter Anne about the meaning of the word "vulgar", and his disdain for pretentious writers like Maturin.

Maxwell highlighted Scott’s profound sympathy with the past, but also his generous spirit toward the present and confidence in the future. As an antiquary, Scott's love for the past wasn’t cold or academic—it was full of romantic feeling and humanity.

Scott was also described as a man of action at heart, who longed for a military life, though prevented by lameness. His insights into military leadership were praised as strikingly prescient, especially his early support of Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) when few others in government had faith in him.

The speech concluded with poignant imagery of Scott’s final pilgrimage to Douglas Castle, and the emotional power of his work in transforming even modest landscapes like the Lammermuir Hills and the Tweed into places of deep poetic resonance. Maxwell invited the gathering to raise a silent toast to “The Memory of Sir Walter Scott”.

Interesting and Notable Points:

1. “Guinea gold” metaphor: Maxwell asserts that unlike something overhandled, Scott’s legacy retains its full worth and shine—unchanged at its core.
2. Critique of literary egotism: Scott disdained authors who expected reverence. He valued humility, conversation, and duty to society over the mystique of "genius".
3. "Education of the heart": A standout quote where Scott distinguishes between knowledge and emotional wisdom. He valued heartfelt simplicity in everyday people more than literary sophistication.
4. Support for Wellesley (Wellington): Scott’s early letters praising Wellesley’s potential show political insight and courage against public opinion—Maxwell noted this as prophetic.
5. Legacy as romantic nationalist: Maxwell credits Scott with having done more to enrich Scotland’s identity than any general or statesman could. He made the landscape and its stories sacred.
6. Reflections on mortality and honour: The closing story of Scott visiting the Douglas tombs shortly before his death, quoting the ballad of Otterburn, was deeply emotional and resonant.
7. Anglo-American friendship: The presence of the American Ambassador was celebrated. Maxwell argued that Scott's legacy belongs equally to Americans due to shared language and values.

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Subsidiary Toasts Summary:

1. The Queen
Proposed by the Chairman, this toast acknowledged Queen Victoria’s deep emotional investment in her subjects during a time of national trial. It was delivered with warm loyalty and received with applause.

2. The Navy, Army, and Reserve Forces
Proposed by Sir Charles Dalrymple, M.P., this speech reflected pride in Britain’s military forces, especially those heading to war. He emphasised the unity of the Empire and the professionalism of the services, especially the Navy. There was admiration for the volunteers of the reserve forces, and regret that he, due to age, could no longer serve.

3. General Chapman’s Reply
General Chapman linked military values to Sir Walter Scott’s literature, claiming Scott inspired martial spirit and ideals of loyalty, honour, and self-sacrifice. He reported that Scott’s works had uplifted soldiers even in distant campaigns like Abyssinia and Afghanistan. He made a rousing call for 4,000 Scotsmen to enlist in the coming year to meet military needs.

4. Literature
Proposed by Mr Joseph Choate, American Ambassador, this was a stirring speech that celebrated the shared democratic spirit, humour, and ambition of Americans and Scots. Choate jokingly noted their mutual "modesty" and tendency to settle in each other’s lands. He praised Scott’s unique position in the hearts of both nations and lamented reports that schoolboys in Edinburgh needed coaxing to read him. He elevated Scott above all others in Scottish letters, comparing his fame favourably to Wellington’s and commending his humanity, cleanliness, work ethic, and patriotism.

5. Response by Andrew Lang
Lang reflected humorously on literature’s current “back seat” during times of action, but defended its lasting power. He spoke of how great authors like Scott and Stevenson longed for action, while great soldiers like Wolfe longed for literary immortality. Lang endorsed the idea that literature and heroism were two sides of the same noble human impulse.

6. The City of Edinburgh
Proposed by Sir Ralph Anstruther, celebrating the city as a cradle of Scottish national life, science, and letters. It was lauded as ever-beautiful and thriving.

7. Response by Treasurer Cranston
Standing in for the Lord Provost, he welcomed Ambassador Choate warmly and claimed Edinburgh was now among the best-run cities in Britain, despite some local humour at the expense of its critics (“they had never been beyond Portobello”).

8. The Chairman
The final toast, proposed by Sheriff Vary Campbell, praised the Chairman as a rare blend of soldier, legislator, antiquarian, and writer. The evening concluded with “Auld Lang Syne”.

Noteworthy Highlights

• Scott’s influence on military morale: General Chapman credited Scott’s novels with strengthening the courage of British troops abroad.
• Choate’s wit and diplomacy: His humorous comparison of Americans’ pursuit of the dollar to Scots’ pursuit of the pound, and his celebration of shared values, was a masterclass in gentle satire and cultural bridge-building.
• Lang’s tribute to Stevenson and Wolfe: His reflection on literary men yearning to be warriors, and warriors yearning to be poets, was both touching and insightful.
• Endearing self-deprecation: Multiple speakers used humour to soften grandeur—Dalrymple on his age, Choate on national character, Cranston on municipal government.
• A call for cultural renewal: Both Choate and Lang voiced concern that Scott’s relevance was fading among young Scots, despite his continued popularity in America.

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