"Sir Walter Scott was the Luther of literature. He reformed and he regenerated. To say that he founded a new school is not saying the whole truth; for there is something narrow in the idea of a school, and his influence has been universal. Indeed, there is no such thing as a school in literature; each great writer is his own original, and "none but himself can be his parallel." We hear of the school of Dryden and of Pope, but where and what are their imitators? Parnassus is the very reverse of Mont Blanc. There the summit is gained by treading closely in the steps of the guides; but in the first, the height is only to be reached by a pathway of our own. The influence of a genius like Scott's is shown by the fresh and new spirit he pours into literature."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Letitia Elizabeth Landon, The New Monthly Magazine (1837-1), 'Female Portrait Gallery, No. I. — Flora M'Ivor and Rose Bradwardine.'
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Walter_Scott
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (August 15, 1771 – September 21, 1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, poet, playwright and historian popular throughout Europe during his time. He had a major impact on European and American literature. As an advocate, judge and legal administrator by profession, he combined writing and editing with daily work as Clerk of Session and Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire. He was prominent in Edinburgh's Tory establishment, active in the Highland Society, long a presid
173 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Walter Scott →
Related Quotes
"The Knight’s bones are dust, And his good sword rust;— His soul is with the saints, I trust."
"You whirled them to the back of beyond."
"Thou and I are but the blind instruments of some irresistible fatality, that hurries us along, like goodly vessels dr…"
"Chivalry!-why, maiden, she is the nurse of pure and high affection-the stay of the oppressed, the redresser of grieva…"
"Women are but the toys which amuse our lighter hours-ambition is the serious business of life."
"When Israel, of the Lord belov'd, Out of the land of bondage came, Her fathers' God before her mov'd, An awful guide …"
"Look to a gown of gold, and you will at least get a sleeve of it."
"Saint George and the Dragon!-Bonny Saint George for Merry England!-The castle is won!"
"What remains?" cried Ivanhoe; "Glory, maiden, glory! which gilds our sepulchre and embalms our name."
"Scott’s novels are the great source of the paralysing ideology of defeatism in Scotland, the spread of which is respo…"