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Summary of the Speech:

Professor George Gordon opened with thanks and wry humour about being “forgiven” for living in England. He acknowledged the daunting legacy of past Presidents and expressed regret that his recent appointment as President of Magdalen College, Oxford, had limited his preparation time.

He reflected on Scott’s enduring legacy, noting that although Scott’s books are no longer publishing "events" as they were in the early 19th century, they have become embedded in cultural consciousness, like the works of Homer or Shakespeare. He cautioned against modern anxieties about Scott’s declining popularity with younger generations, arguing instead that Scott's lasting value lies in his deep, slow-burning literary influence.

Gordon critiqued the modern intellectual disdain for Scott, comparing such critics to "Mrs Partingtons" trying to sweep away the tide with a broom. He defended Scott’s "Border prejudices," contrasting him with Francis Jeffrey and others who failed to grasp the romantic potential of Scottish history and identity.

A major theme was the cultural crossroads at which Scotland stood in Scott’s time: whether to reject its past for modernisation or to embrace its heritage. Scott, Gordon argued, chose the latter and thereby helped Scotland retain its individuality in the modern world.

He praised Scott’s prose style—often criticised for being rough—as instinctive and powerful, citing Dr Verrall’s scholarly analysis of its structural strength and emotional resonance. He dismissed the preoccupation of earlier Scottish writers with avoiding Scotticisms and celebrated Scott’s confident, unapologetic use of Scottish language and identity.

Gordon revisited Scott’s influence on perceptions of Scotland, recalling how Lord Meadowbank credited Scott with elevating Scotland’s global reputation. He contrasted this with the haughty tone of Dr Johnson’s visit to Scotland, suggesting Scott transformed the literary relationship between England and Scotland from one of condescension to mutual respect.

He welcomed the gift of Scott letters by Sir Alfred Law to the National Library of Scotland and suggested further centenary initiatives, such as a new edition of Scott’s letters and a revised edition of Lockhart’s biography.

Finally, he lamented the recent closure of the Sir Walter Scott Quarterly and the Scottish Historical Review, suggesting it was ironic and regrettable in a time of renewed celebration of Scott.

Interesting Points Worth Highlighting

1. Literary Permanence: Gordon places Scott in the literary pantheon alongside Homer and Shakespeare, calling him part of the “natural forces of the world,” beyond the reach of literary fashion.
2. Scott’s Response to Critics: Gordon relishes how Scott ignored critics like Jeffrey, maintaining his romantic vision even when others pushed for Enlightenment rationalism.
3. Defence of Style: Despite accusations of carelessness, Gordon argues that Scott’s prose, especially in key moments, reveals masterful instinct and structural integrity.
4. Language and Identity: He mocks 18th-century efforts to eliminate Scotticisms and lauds Scott and Burns for normalising and celebrating Scots language and culture.
5. Cultural Transformation: Gordon reflects on Scott’s role in shifting Scotland from a provincial backwater to a source of global literary fascination.
6. Appeal for Preservation: The talk ends with an urgent plea to continue preserving Scott’s legacy through scholarly publishing and archival work.

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Subsidiary Toasts Summary

1. Toasts to the King and Royal Family
   These were honoured in the traditional manner.
2. Toast to the Imperial Forces
   Proposed by: The Honourable Lord Mackay
   Replied to by: Rear-Admiral Cameron
   Cameron noted Sir Walter Scott’s patriotism and involvement in the Scottish Yeomanry during the Napoleonic Wars. He referenced Scott’s enthusiasm for military life, his son Major Scott’s serious military interests, and Scott’s final voyage aboard H.M.S. Barham to the Mediterranean. He also mentioned Scott’s connection with earlier naval excursions, including the trip that inspired The Pirate, and noted Captain Maxwell Scott’s later military service. Though aviation was not part of Scott's world, Cameron highlighted Scott’s scientific curiosity, particularly regarding steam and gas power.
3. Toast to the City of Edinburgh
   Proposed by: Mr David Cleghorn Thomson
   Replied to by: Bailie Nasmyth
   Thomson, a returned native son, gave a witty and richly referenced tribute to Edinburgh. He compared the city to the Phoenix—always thought to be fading but constantly renewing itself. He playfully critiqued Edinburgh’s urban development and lamented the decline of its literary centrality, calling it “the most northerly town in England” as a dig at its perceived anglicisation. Quoting from old works about Edinburgh society and Sir Walter Scott himself, he made a passionate case for preserving the city’s unique identity. He emphasised Scott’s belief in education that values national history alongside classical learning.
4. Reply by Bailie Nasmyth
   Nasmyth spoke with heartfelt civic pride. He described his favourite views of the city—from Blackford Hill, from the west, and from the Cullalo Hills during a celebration of King Edward’s marriage. He stressed the city’s historic, scenic, and strategic importance, and underlined its growing role in agricultural education and scientific research. He made a plea for better promotion of Edinburgh’s industrial and educational potential while praising its enduring beauty and the responsibilities of those entrusted with civic stewardship.
5. Toast to the Chairman (Professor George Gordon)
   Proposed by: Mr E. A. Savage
   Savage praised Gordon’s scholarly address and reflected on Scott’s year of 1828—one of personal and financial strain, but also of remarkable literary output, including The Fair Maid of Perth and Tales of a Grandfather. He lauded Gordon’s critical insight, wry humour, and wartime service, calling him a literary champion who reminds us of the enduring solace and vitality of books. He concluded by congratulating him on his recent appointment as President of Magdalen College, Oxford.

Interesting Points

• Rear-Admiral Cameron’s reflections offer a rare glimpse into Scott’s naval connections and his interest in practical science.
• Thomson’s speech is particularly lively, full of historic satire and social commentary. His use of archival references (e.g., the “Castes of Edinburgh” and old legal customs) is both humorous and revealing.
• Bailie Nasmyth’s imagery—especially his recollection of the illuminated city from the Cullalo Hills—is both nostalgic and evocative, tying civic pride to the grandeur of nature and history.
• The evening contained a subtle tension between preserving tradition and embracing progress, especially regarding architecture, education, and cultural identity.
• Thomson's quote from Scott—“If you unScotch us... you will find us damned mischievous Englishmen!”—encapsulates the night’s recurring theme of cultural fidelity.

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