The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

332 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
to make amends for it, by a libation of reverence and respect to the memorj
of SHAKSPEARE. He was a man of universal genius, and from a period
soon after his own era to the present day, he has been universally idolized.
When I come to his honoured name, I am like the sick man who hung up
his crutches at the shrine, and was obliged to confess that he did not walk
better than before. It is indeed difficult, gentlemen, to compare him to any
other individual. The only one to whom I can at all compare him, is the
wonderful Arabian dervise, who dived into the body of each, and in this
way became familiar with the thoughts and secrets of their hearts. He
was a man of obscure origin, and, as a player, limited in his acquirements,
but he was born evidently with a universal genius. His eyes glanced at all
the varied aspects of life, and his fancy portrayed with equal talents the
king on the throne, and the clown who crackles his chestnuts at a Christmas
fire. Whatever note he takes, he strikes it just and true, and awakens a
corresponding chord in our own bosoms. Gentlemen, I propose "the memory of William Shakspeare."
Glee, -" Lightly tread,'tis hallowed ground."
After the glee, Sir Walter rose, and begged to propose as a toast the
health of a lady, whose living merit is not a little honourable to Scotland.
The toast (he said) is also flattering to the national vanity of a Scotchman,
as the lady whom I intend to propose is a native of this country. From the
public her works have met with the most favourable reception. One piece
of hers, in particular, was often acted here of late years, and gave pleasure
of no mean kind to many brilliant and fashionable audiences. In her
private character she (he begged leave to say) is as remarkable, as in a
public sense she is for her genius. In short, he would in one word name
- "Joanna Baillie."
This health being drunk, Mr. Thorne was called on for a song, and sung,
with great. taste and feeling, " The Anchor's Weighed."
W. MENZIES, Esq. Advocate, rose to propose the health of a gentleman
for many years connected at intervals with the dramatic art in Scotland.
Whether we look at the range of characters he performs, or at the capacity
which he evinces in executing those which he undertakes, he is equally
to be admired. In all his parts he is unrivalled. The individual to whom
he alluded is (said he) well known to the gentlemen present, in the characters of Malvolio,,Lord Ogleby, and the Green Man; and, in addition to his
other qualities, he merits, for his perfection in these characters, the grateful
sense of this meeting. IIe would wish, in the first place, to drink his health
as an actor; but he was not less estimable in domestic life, and as a private
gentleman; and when he announced him as one whom the Chairman had
honoured with his friendship, he was sure that all present would cordially
join him in drinking " The health of Mr. Terry."
MR. WILLIAM ALLAN, banker said, that he did not rise with the intention
of making a speech. He merely wished to contribute in a few words to the
mirth of the evening - an evening which certainly had not passed off without some blunders. It had been understood -at least he had learnt or
supposed, from the expressions of Mr. Pitchard -that it would be sufficient
to put a paper, with the name of the contributor, into the box, and that the
gentleman thus contributing would be called on for the money next morning.
lie, for his part, had committed a blunder, but it may serve as a caution to
those who may be present at the dinner of next year. He had merely put
in his name, written on a slip of paper, without the money. But he would
recommend that, as some of the gentlemen might be in the same situation,
the box should be again sent round, and he was confident that they, as well
as he, would redeem their error.
SIR WALTER SCOTT said, that the meeting was somewhat in the situation
of Mrs. Anne Page, who had ~300 and possibilities. We have already got,
said he, ~280, but I should like, I confess, to have the ~300. Ile would