In most respects the January number of The Argosy (that
least variable of the magazines) may be regarded as an average one, the fiction in particular being of the usual excellent kind, and Mr. Charles W. Wood continuing his descriptive geo- graphical papers ;—on this occasion he deals with South Africa. There is one article, however, of a decidedly out-of-the-way kind, giving, as it does, "Personal Recollections of Sir Walter Scott." The writer signs her paper with the letters "F. M. F. S.," and says that she was eleven years of age when "I heard how my father, always previously a strong, robust man, had fallen down in a fainting fit by the side of that open grave at Dryburgh, in which his dearest and most intimate friend was about to be laid, and hid for ever from his sight." Not only was Sir Walter Scott an intimate friend of the writer's father, but she also tells that the young lady to whom he was passionately attached, was married to her mother's brother, Sir William Forbes. The paper bears loving testimony to Sir Walter's geniality and his kindness to children, not unallied, however, with dignity. We have in it also glimpses of Sir Walter's second son, Charles, who died in Persia, where he held a diplomatic appointment. He is described as "brilliant in conversation, animated and witty, with a charming countenance, brightened by keen flashing eyes that were often sparkling with amusement."
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