And
as we have a brain wave on about Womanhood you may like, as much as I
have, V. Rosen's sketch of English women (to whom he gives the palm
over those of other nations). Speaking of some others--"very nice to
look at perhaps, and very charming in their ways perhaps, but not
sensible, honest, frank like the English woman, _and not familiar with
the seriousness of the world, and not ready to see the troubles of
other people_. But your English-woman _who is very frank to be
amused_, and can enjoy herself when there is a time for that, who is
_generous in time of trouble and is not afraid_, and can be firm and
active and yet very gentle, and who does not think always of herself,
but is ready to help other people, and can look after a house and
manage affairs--that is a better kind of woman I think--more to be
trusted--more of a companion--oh, there is no comparison!"

It is very good, isn't it?--and he is mending the fire during this
outburst, and keeps piling coal on coal as he warms with his subject.

I must also just throw you two quotations from Macaulay's most
interesting _Life and Letters_. Quotations within quotations, for they
are extracts.

"Antoni Stradivari has an eye
That winces at false work and loves the true."

(BROWNING.)

"There is na workeman
That can both worken wel and hastilie
This must be done at leisure parfaitlie."

(CHAUCER.)

By the bye, the italics in Black's quotations are _mine_. Good wording
I think.

But how one does go back with delight to Scott! I confess I think to
have written the _Heart of Midlothian_ is to have put on record the
existence of a moral atmosphere in one's own nation as grand as the
ozone of mountains. WHAT a contrast to that of French novels
(with no disrespect to the brilliant art and refreshing brain
quickness of the latter); but Ruskin's appeal to the responsibility of
those who wield Arts instead of Trades recurs to one as one under
which Scott might have laid his hand upon his breast, and looked
upwards with a clear conscience....

March 16, 1880.

* * * * *

I quite agree with you about an artlessness and roughness in Scott's
work. I thought what I had dwelt on was the magnificent _tone_ of the
_H. of Midlothian_. Also he has two of the first (first in rank and
order if not first in degree) qualifications for a writer of
fiction--Dramatism and individuality amongst his