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Summary of the Speech:

Lord Sands delivered a passionate and witty tribute to Sir Walter Scott, focusing on Scott’s legacy as a poet rather than as a novelist. He began by comparing modern poetry unfavourably with Scott’s work, suggesting that contemporary verse lacks both clarity and broad appeal. Citing school anthologies and modern criticism as examples of "precious" and inaccessible poetry, Sands championed the more direct, vivid, and emotional works of Scott, Byron, Tennyson, and others. He contended that modern critics overly influence public taste, often alienating the average reader.

Sands defended Scott’s metrical romances such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel, Marmion, and The Lady of the Lake, praising their universal appeal, musicality, and rootedness in Scottish geography and history. He contrasted them with more obscure and intellectual poetry, arguing that Scott’s gift lay in combining storytelling, nationalism, and lyrical power.

He offered a detailed, animated tour through Marmion, highlighting its humour, psychological insight, dramatic battles (especially Flodden), and enduring lines. He also reminded the audience of how phrases from Scott’s poetry have entered common usage, and how Scott’s works remain emotionally and culturally central to Scottish identity.

Lord Sands closed with a powerful affirmation: if Scott’s poetry ever ceased to stir Scottish hearts, Scotland would have lost its soul.

Notable and Interesting Points:

1. Popular vs. Precious Poetry:
   Sands makes a compelling argument about the divide between poetry that moves the general public and poetry lauded only by critics. He suggests that the poetic elite of the 1920s had lost touch with the emotional and narrative accessibility that made Scott’s poetry so powerful.
2. Critique of Critics:
   His satirical comparison of art criticism to literary criticism was a witty interlude, ridiculing critics’ verbose and convoluted language. The fictitious portrait review of “Lord Provost Sleigh by Mr Oilbrush” is especially memorable and sharply satirical.
3. Defence of Scott as a Poet:
   Sands tackled head-on the longstanding dismissal of Scott as a "minor poet." He defended Scott not just with statistics (e.g., 20,000 copies of The Lady of the Lake sold in one year), but also by asserting Scott’s unmatched capacity to evoke place, romance, and emotion.
4. Scott’s Role in Shaping Scottish Identity:
   Sands claimed that Scott turned Edinburgh into the “romantic capital of the British Empire,” and credited him with shaping the worldwide image of Scotland.
5. Quotability and Lingering Influence:
   He emphasised the number of Scott's lines that had become “current coin” and how deeply embedded they were in national consciousness—even for those unfamiliar with the poems themselves.
6. Passages from Scott’s Work:
   The speech is peppered with excerpts from Scott and others (Tennyson, Macaulay, Campbell), comparing their memorable vigour to the allegedly dreary offerings of the modern day. This not only supports his argument but makes the toast entertaining and lyrical in its own right.
7. Flodden Battle as Pinnacle of Poetic Drama:
   The descriptions of the Battle of Flodden in Marmion are treated as among the greatest in world literature. His extended quotation of this section reinforces its power.

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Subsidiary Toasts Summary

1. “The Imperial Forces” – Proposed by Professor Basil Williams

Professor Williams offered a heartfelt tribute to the British Imperial Forces, tying their spirit of courage and loyalty to the legacy of Sir Walter Scott. He praised Scott’s portrayal of Scottish martial valour—particularly through characters like Dugald Dalgetty—and drew a comparison with the ideals of Lord Chatham, who celebrated Highland soldiers for their loyalty and bravery.

Williams highlighted the distinguished service of General Sir Walter Braithwaite, coupling his name with the toast. Braithwaite had served in numerous theatres (India, Burma, South Africa, the Mediterranean) and led the Army of Occupation in Cologne post-WWI. He was also recognised for shaping future officers at the Staff College in India.

2. Reply by General Sir Walter Braithwaite

General Braithwaite, speaking with warmth and humility, reflected on the honour of replying to the toast—a duty he had now undertaken many times. He spoke eloquently of the enduring traditions of service, responsibility, and the indomitable spirit of the British forces.

• He cited the Charge of the Light Brigade and the raid on Zeebrugge as examples of British tenacity, quoting the Navy’s motto: “There is nothing the Navy cannot do.”

Braithwaite concluded with a personal expression of gratitude for the kindness shown to him in Scotland, stating how proud he was to have held command in a country he had come to deeply respect.

3. “The City of Edinburgh” – Proposed by Mr R. H. Maconochie

Maconochie described Edinburgh as the "second City of the Empire," extolling its royal heritage, historic architecture, and cultural treasures. He celebrated the recent gift of the Advocates’ Library—a priceless national treasure—by the Faculty of Advocates to the Scottish nation, noting that this gesture exemplified Edinburgh’s enduring commitment to intellectual and civic excellence.

4. Reply by Lord Provost Sir William Sleigh

Sir William Sleigh expressed his pride in Edinburgh’s heritage and literary history, particularly the city’s association with Sir Walter Scott. He praised Lord Sands’ speech as so beautiful and memorable that it required no further comment, choosing instead to end with a simple and sincere thank you.

5. “The Chairman” – Proposed by Mr Stair A. Gillon

Mr Gillon paid tribute to Lord Sands (the Chairman and Club President), praising his broad intellectual gifts and the excellence of his address on Scott. The room expressed deep appreciation for Lord Sands’ speech.

Interesting Points and Observations

• High Literary Quality: The speeches, particularly by Braithwaite and Williams, demonstrate a command of rhetoric, classical references, and historical analogy. They’re not mere formalities, but thoughtful, well-constructed orations.
• National Pride & Identity: Both Williams and Braithwaite emphasized the unity and martial legacy of Scotland and England, aligning Scott’s literature with imperial identity.
• Edinburgh as a Cultural Beacon: The gift of the Advocates’ Library was not just a cultural milestone, but a symbolic gesture reinforcing Edinburgh’s role as a centre of learning and patriotism—deeply intertwined with Scott’s legacy.
• Scott’s Ongoing Influence: Every toast, whether to the Forces or the City, was implicitly or explicitly linked to Walter Scott’s enduring influence—whether in shaping national character, romanticising Scottish identity, or enriching public culture.
• Personal Touches: The inclusion of a musical programme, with songs by Miss Margaret Stewart and Mr Philip Malcolm, and the menu card featuring the President’s portrait, underscores the sense of ceremony and social warmth of the evening.

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