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Updated: May 16, 2025
Thomas Shortreed, a young gentleman of elegant taste and attainments, devotedly attached to Sir Walter, and much beloved in return, had recently died. See Act III. Sc. 1. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Somerville, minister of Jedburgh, author of the History of Great Britain during the reign of Queen Anne, and other works, died 14th May 1830, in the ninetieth year of his age, and sixty-fourth of his ministry.
The signal he gave was, "Another for Hector!" The youths replied, "Death for Hector!" and were all successively killed. These words make the sign and countersign at this day of the clan Gillian. Young Shortreed dined with us and the two Fergusons, Sir Adam and the Colonel. We had a pleasant evening. October 19. Wrought out my task, and better as I have done for these several days past.
Waked after a restless night, in which I dreamed of poor Tom Shortreed. Breakfasted with the Rev. Dr. Somerville. This venerable gentleman is one of the oldest of the literary brotherhood I suppose about eighty-seven, and except a little deafness quite entire.
Shortreed, an intelligent observer of the manners of the people. In these researches, Sir Walter evinced a most retentive memory: he is stated to have used neither pencil nor pen, but to have made his own memoranda by cutting notches on twigs, or small sticks.
The former gave me his promise for a cadetship to Allan Cunningham's son; I have a similar promise from Lord Melville, and thus I am in the situation in which I have been at Gladdies Wiel, where I have caught two trouts, one with the fly, the other with the bobber. I have landed both, and so I will now. Mr. Loch also promised me to get out Shortreed as a free mariner. Tom Grenville was at dinner.
There is obviously a great alteration in strength and features. At dinner we had our family chat on a scale that I had not enjoyed for many years. The Skenes supped with us. June 20. Corrected proof-sheets in the morning for Dr. Lardner. Then I had the duty of the Court to perform. As I came home I recommended young Shortreed to Mr.
Shortreed of Jedburgh raids which completed the information for Guy Mannering, which gave him much of the material for the Minstrelsy, and the history of which has, I think, delighted every one of his readers and biographers, except one or two who have been scandalised at the exquisite story of the Arrival of the Keg.
Coutts has got the cadet-ship for Pringle Shortreed, in which he was peculiarly interested. I went to the Court for the first time to-day, and, like the man with the large nose, thought everybody was thinking of me and my mishaps. Many were, undoubtedly, and all rather regrettingly; some obviously affected.
I have succeeded in helping to get a commission for James Skene. 5th. I have got two cadetships for the sons of Allan Cunningham. 6th. I have got leave to Andrew Shortreed to go out to India. 7th. I have put John Eckford into correspondence with Mr. Loch, who thinks he can do something for his claim. 8th. I have been of material assistance to poor Terry in his affairs. 9th.
Some little time before his death, the worthy Sheriff-substitute of Roxburghshire received a set of his friend's works, with this inscription: "To Robert Shortreed, Esq., the friend of the author from youth to age, and his guide and companion upon many an expedition among the Border hills, in quest of the materials of legendary lore which have at length filled so many volumes, this collection of the results of their former rambles is presented by his sincere friend, Walter Scott."
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