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Summary of the Speech:

Sir David Edward’s toast was a witty, deeply personal, and insightful tribute to Sir Walter Scott, focusing on Scott’s literary genius, historical insight, and enduring influence. It combined personal anecdotes, reflections on Scott’s works, and a discussion of his legal and political impact.

1. A ‘Scottish Superstition’ and His Journey Back to Scott

• He humorously opened with a reference to The Bride of Lammermoor, saying that Scottish tales require a “tinge of superstition.”
• While reading The Antiquary on a train to Luxembourg, he wondered about the Edinburgh Sir Walter Scott Club—only to find an invitation to become President waiting at home.
• Scottish superstition made it impossible for him to refuse the role.

2. Stanley Baldwin’s 1930 Tribute to Scott

• He quoted Stanley Baldwin, a former British Prime Minister, who called Scott the “gateway to poetry, history, and romance.”
• Baldwin’s first love was Di Vernon (Rob Roy), and Scott’s novels instilled in him a belief in justice.
• In contrast, Sir David humorously admitted that he was given the wrong book at the wrong age—being forced to read A Legend of Montrose at 12, which put him off Scott for ten years!

3. Rediscovering Scott and the Edinburgh Edition

• His return to Scott came when he picked up The Antiquary as a young adult—he was instantly hooked.
• As President, he made a commitment to read 11.5 Scott novels in 15 months, which he found immensely rewarding.
• He praised the Edinburgh Edition for restoring vivid details and recommended the Penguin editions for ease of reading (especially in bed and on trains).

4. Scott’s Presence in Parliament House

• Having spent 25 years working in Parliament House, he felt as if he had “met” Scott, whose presence looms large in Scotland’s legal world.
• Scott’s statue sits informally in the Advocates’ Library, reflecting how his peers saw him—not as a grand figure, but as a lawyer they knew personally.
• He quoted Lord Cockburn, who recalled Scott’s voice, laugh, limp, and storytelling, lamenting that they hadn’t cherished him enough while he was alive.

5. Scott’s Humour and the Legal World

• Scott’s novels are filled with legal and Parliament House references, including a joke in St. Ronan’s Well, where Mrs. Dods reacts to news of a visiting Lord:
  “Maister Touchwood, it’s my mind he will only prove to be a Lord of Session!”
• In The Heart of Midlothian, Scott pokes fun at lawyers reading novels in secret, suggesting they hid Scott’s books under legal tomes in their chambers.

6. Scott as a Defender of Scottish Institutions

• Scott was deeply concerned about preserving Scottish institutions and feared Anglicisation.
• He once broke into tears at the thought of Scotland losing its identity, saying:
  “Little by little, whatever your wishes may be, you will destroy and undermine, until nothing of what makes Scotland Scotland shall remain.”
• He was not blindly conservative, however—he sided with reformers when he felt change was necessary.

7. Scott’s Psychological Insight in Fiction

• Sir David highlighted Scott’s exceptional ability to understand human psychology, particularly in political and religious fanatics.
• Cromwell’s self-doubt in Woodstock—Scott portrays him as both a powerful leader and a man haunted by his decisions.
• Balfour of Burley’s zealotry in Old Mortality—a terrifying depiction of religious extremism, showing how faith could drive men to violence and madness.
• Madge Wildfire in The Heart of Midlothian—her madness is poetic, and her songs (including Proud Maisie) reveal Scott’s skill in blending tragedy and humour.

8. Scott’s Influence on Scottish Humour

• He compared Scott’s Cuddie Headrigg and Mause Headrigg (Old Mortality) with Compton Mackenzie’s Whisky Galore—suggesting that Scott pioneered Scottish humour in literature.
• A line from Whisky Galore mirrors Mause Headrigg’s righteous but misplaced moralising—a sign of Scott’s lasting comedic influence.

9. The Timeless Joy of Scott’s Characters

• He doesn’t reread Scott’s novels for the plot, but to revisit beloved characters:
• Wandering Willie
• Baillie Nicol Jarvie
• Dandie Dinmont
• Meg Merrilees
• Mause and Cuddie Headrigg
• Greenmantle
• He admitted that Scott’s English-speaking heroes and heroines are sometimes “pretty limp” but argued this is true in Jane Austen and Dickens too!

10. Final Toast to Scott

• He thanked the Club for rekindling his love for Scott, making him read more deeply than ever before.
• He ended with genuine admiration and enthusiasm, inviting all to rise and toast the memory of Sir Walter Scott.

Interesting Points

• Scott and Superstition: Sir David’s own “Scottish superstition” (reading The Antiquary and immediately getting a Club invitation) set a charming tone.
• Scott’s Impact on the Law: His novels, speeches, and legal career preserved Scottish identity and shaped debates on reform.
• Scott’s Psychological Depth: His portrayals of Cromwell, Burley, and Madge Wildfire reveal a deep understanding of fanaticism and human nature.
• Scott’s Humour: He influenced later Scottish humorists, including Compton Mackenzie.
• Scott’s Re-readability: His characters feel like old friends, making his novels timeless.

Final Thoughts

Sir David Edward’s toast was a brilliant mix of humour, personal reflection, and scholarly insight. His deep affection for Scott was clear, and his speech served as both a tribute to Scott’s genius and an encouragement to rediscover his works.

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