The Lion of this season becomes the Boar of the next

Walter Scott was known for helping many less successful authors, and people he liked.  As an example, today's post comes from Scott's journal; a note associated with an entry from March 18th.  The note references a letter dated March 23, 1832, which contains an observation appropriate for all:

'As this is the last reference to the Ettrick Shepherd in the Journal [on March 18th], it may be noted that Sir Walter, as late as March 23d, 1832, was still desirous to promote Hogg's welfare. In writing from Naples he says, in reference to the Shepherd's social success in London, "I am glad Hogg has succeeded so well. I hope he will make hay while the sun shines; but he must be aware that the Lion of this season always becomes the Boar of the next.... I will subscribe the proper sum, i.e. what you think right, for Hogg, by all means; and I pray God, keep farms and other absurd temptations likely to beset him out of his way. He has another chance for comfort if he will use common sense with his very considerable genius."....'

James Hogg Passes

The Ettrick Shepherd, who helped Walter Scott collect ballads for "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border", and became a friend, died on November 21, 1835.  Hogg's work is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance in the past twenty years or so.  His novel "The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner" is believed to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's writing of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".  Hogg also authored "The Domestic Manner and Private Life of Sir Walter Scott".

The Ettrick Shepherd advises with the Wizard of the North

February 15 (1826).—...Poor James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, came to advise with me about his affairs,—he is sinking under the times; having no assistance to give him, my advice, I fear, will be of little service. I am sorry for him if that would help him, especially as, by his own account, a couple of hundred pounds would carry him on.

From Scott's Journal.

Like Scott, James Hogg was caught up in the financial meltdown of 1825/26.  Hogg had debt outstanding, though not to the same extent as Scott.  In a letter dated March 19, 1826, Hogg writes to William Blackwood about getting work published in Maga, a Tory publication.

"...I would send you plenty of things to Maga provided they were either inserted or returned which they never are.  Worse encouragement cannot be than that...I think it is high time you were beginning some publication of mine to liquidate my debt...

James Hogg

"Hogg came to breakfast this morning, having taken and brought for his companion the Galashiels bard David Thompson as to a meeting of "huzz Tividale poets"..".

From Scott's Journal, December 12, 1825. James Hogg, the self-taught "Ettrick Shepherd" contributed to Scott's Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border.