MY LIBRARY 

Owen Dudley Edwards’s father said he owed his career to a librarian and the former Edinburgh University history lecturer gets his point

OWEN DUDLEY EDWARDS love A HYMN OF

A familiar voice on the PA system at closing time leads Owen Dudley Edwards, who marks this year as his 50th as a National Library of Scotland reader, on a walk along the shelves of memory, featuring past librarians. Each exudes patience, inspires academics, talks in eloquent tones – or excludes undergraduates

SUMMER 2019 | DISCOVER | 11 MY LIBRARY

t is 6.40pm on Monday to Thursday, of authoritative Irish historiography or else 4.40pm on Friday or established in the academic journal Irish Saturday, and a voice is telling us to Historical Studies. Father was giving a draw our work to a conclusion. In 10 striking proof of what academics should minutes’ time it will tell us to finish know to be a truism, that behind every Iall work and hand in any of the property scholarly enterprise is one or more of the National Library of Scotland which librarians without whom it would have we may be using. been written on water. The Library is my home away from Richard Ellmann, master-biographer home, my best beloved public workplace of Joyce and Wilde, and David Krause, since I retired from lecturing in history at critic and editor of Sean O’Casey and his the University of Edinburgh 14 years ago, Letters, told me of their own debts to but cherished by me for a half-century. the National Library of Ireland. And it is Yet I meet this particular closing time perpetually happening in the National with an affectionate smile. Library of Scotland. It’s not that I’m glad to be interrupted: Look at that massive, authoritative and I always need about two hours more for ubiquitous pursuer of the texts of Walter whatever I may be doing. But the voice Scott’s novels, the Edinburgh Edition, a stamped, self-addressed envelope. is the recorded voice of musician Dougie scrutinise its apparatus criticus and Thank God he didn’t: if it had been Mathieson, now retired from the Library, realise the innumerable ways in which our returned he would almost certainly have yet to so many of its readers the spirit of librarians rescued its individual editors. destroyed it – well, how would you like it if its humanity, who taught us all so much the world saw your first short story? about the best way to work the Library There is a paradise of ghosts, some and to understand the Scottish culture it The Library is personally remembered, some not. houses. And as I look up, I seem to see his my home away Having been enriched by the National half-smile in which kindness, knowledge, Library’s material on Burke and Hare, and irony are so happily blended. from home, my I enjoy insisting that the old ‘Libberton A week before my father, Professor Lock-Up’ where Burke was hanged in Robert Dudley Edwards, died, we said best beloved public January 1829 donated the space of its goodbye in our native Dublin. He may former existence to our Library building have suspected it really was goodbye, workplace since a century later, and if ever an unwary because he told me almost as a final I retired from reader is locked in for the night, he may be blessing that he would not have become able to tell us if the murderer for medical a historian if his father had not given him lecturing in history science is among those present. HG Wells’s The Outline of History when There is Denis Roberts, Librarian he was 10, and would not have become a at the University here after Trinity College Dublin and his professional historian if it had not been of Edinburgh native Belfast before that. His “we can’t for a librarian in the British Museum. break a rule, but we can bend one” as An attendant in the Reading Room 14 years ago. he arranged for a Library custodian to walked up to his desk in 1930 and said it bring a rare volume for my colleagues had been noted that Father was ordering Look at the discoveries, acquisitions, Paul Addison, Tony Aldgate and me to many titles on Tudor Ireland, and so “our gifts, awards and competitions with star in our Edinburgh University History Mr Wilson would like to speak with you”. which the National Library has played so Department film The Spanish Civil War; And so Father went into the hallowed grand a part in the declaration of Robert and Denis 17 years later, in 1990, on mysteries where he was welcomed by Louis Stevenson’s place among the crutches, dying, but still coming in to an elderly scholar, Philip Wilson, whose foremost writers of the world’s history. work with a cheerful grin. work he knew but whose survival he Look at the John Murray Archive telling us There is Donald Dewar, First Minister of had not realised, and who now opened how so many Scottish writers from Byron Scotland, reopening the National Library an Aladdin’s cave, including proofs of onward, adrift in a sometimes cordial of Scotland on 8 October 1999 (after we forgery of works up to now taken as sometimes treacherous London, found had finished our exile in the Map Library authentic, deposits of manuscripts as their (usually reliable) protector. on Causewayside), destined to die a year yet unreported, and unknown means of Look at the manuscript of the late and three days later. We were old sweats access to archives still jealously guarded Sherlock Holmes story The Illustrious on the student debating circuit and saw by governmental authorities. Client, crowning our Conan Doyle each other now and again, enemies in He was telling me that to a librarian holdings whose earliest in time the Scottish politics, friends in English. he owed his University of London PhD, unreturned first surviving short story He was eloquent in the National Library his first published monograph Church The Haunted Grange at Goresthorpe was above all, speaking as a bookman more and State in Tudor Ireland, his chair in found in the Blackwood collection when than a politician, one whose reviewing Modern Irish History at University College given to the National Library because the for the Herald won much regard, and Dublin, and his place as co-founder inexperienced author had failed to include who now spoke with deep affection for

12 | DISCOVER | SUMMER 2019 the National Library but said firmly that he could not call it his library since that Undergraduates reading this should not was the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, but be discouraged from entering the National that he hoped the National Library would become the library of his children. He Library today, it welcomes all. But they should grinned warmly enough when I told him on the way out that it had been a great know that quietness at the Reading Rooms speech but that the National Library still needed much more money. remains sacrosanct. There is Alison Harvey Wood whose I remember a scholar arriving for the hence for a time undergraduates were beautiful, if carrying voice, gave a funeral of the Library’s Max Begg, saying excluded: even Dougie’s seemingly endless polished mastery to her introduction to he could hardly realise Margaret was the patience had reached the end of its tether. the bibliography of Edinburgh’s master schoolgirl starting work in the Library We worked out a compromise by which historian of the Renaissance, the brilliant whom he remembered. Max had been an undergraduates were permitted to consult and beloved Denys Hay in the Map Assistant Keeper who left the Library his books not in the University Library on and Science Library on his retirement, rich collections of books and manuscripts the basis of which the National Library followed by a full essay in Renaissance on Caithness as well as his vast range of admitted them: having had to work their Studies in 1998: it was a beautiful symbol pirated editions of Kipling: I had brought a passage, they then valued the silence to of university and library partnership at university external examiner who wanted which it admitted them. When they had its most inspiring. to see him, but he was mysteriously progressed so far, they too realised what There is Margaret Deas, whose absent and no answer came from his door mines of information the librarians could eloquent Scottish tones were moderately a few doors down. We had to turn away open for them, guiding them through the if authoritatively orchestrated in her disappointed, and later discovered he had demands of past and present. benevolent and deeply resourceful rule been dead inside the flat for two days. Undergraduates reading this should of the Reading Room, though I sometimes Inevitably some edginess existed not be discouraged from entering the seem to hear her supreme commination between university and Library. At one National Library today, it welcomes all. calling down the fires on the head of the stage students would freeze staff and But they should know that quietness at miscreant who put his shod feet on a table. readers by the volume of their voices, and the Reading Rooms remains sacrosanct.

Owen, right, is reunited with one of the voices of the Library, Dougie Mathieson

SUMMER 2019 | DISCOVER | 13 CURATOR’S CHOICE

SOARING ABOVE THE OTHER STARS though the most minute particle of the comets tale – yet I rise & fall with it, & my interest in your soaring above the other stars – & continuing to create wonder even in your aberrations is past calculation John Murray to Lord Byron, 16 July 1819

hese words were written by famously describe him as “mad, bad and publisher John Murray to his most dangerous to know”. He was the first of the Tfamous author, Lord Byron, the day after publication of the first instalment of PARTYING ON THE CONTINENT rock star poets, his Byron’s Don Juan. Byron’s celebrity continued to keep the name a byword for The comparison Murray chose to reading public buying and talking about make between the author and a comet his works. However, his extravagant louche living. Now, was motivated by a recent sighting, lifestyle led to his ancestral home, reported in newspapers, of a comet over Newstead Abbey, being put up for sale. there is a glimpse Britain. In fact one of Murray’s marketing His marriage to the heiress Annabella into the life and strategies was to place adverts in Milbanke ended with a separation the London newspapers declaring ‘Don Juan following year amid rumours of infidelity, works of Lord Tomorrow!’ just as the comet had been madness, cruelty and sexual deviancy. announced. In 1816, Byron left his wife and young Byron as working A star of the Georgian literary world – daughter Ada behind in London and manuscripts for the fast, flashy, dazzling, fiery – Byron and travelled on the Continent, later settling in his poetry provoked extreme reactions Italy. Byron wrote to his friends in England epic Don Juan go on from his readers and critics. Both Murray describing his nights partying during and Byron had anticipated that Don Juan the Venice Carnival and of the numerous display – along with would create a sensation – whether women he fell in love with. his publisher John this sensation would secure Byron’s “It is the height of the Carnival and I am reputation as one of the great poets of in the estrum & agonies of a new intrigue Murray’s archive – the age or lead to his downfall, neither – with I don’t exactly know whom or at the National could predict. what – except that she is insatiate of Lord Byron is often regarded as the first love – & won’t take money – & has light Library of Scotland British celebrity. George Gordon Noel, 6th hair & blue eyes – which are not common Lord Byron, was born in London in 1788 here – & that I met her at the Masque to an English father, Captain ‘Mad Jack’ – & that when her mask is off I am as Byron, and Scottish mother, Catherine wise as ever.” Gordon. He unexpectedly inherited the Given Byron’s provocative nature it is title Lord Byron at the age of 10. not surprising that his friends back in WORDS: Byron’s 1812 poem Childe Harold’s London were nervous when they received Kirsty Pilgrimage, a tale of a young nobleman the first part (or ‘canto’) of his new work McHugh, John Murray travelling through Europe, was an Don Juan in December 1818. Archive and overnight success. As a dashing young Byron’s close friend John Cam Publishers aristocrat, Byron was suddenly in great Hobhouse told him that he had read his Collections demand at society parties. Women new work, and after consulting others, Curator clamoured to obtain an introduction to decided it was “impossible to publish”. the poet whom they identified with the The poem is full of the exotic locations, romantic hero of his poem. One such adventure, romance, wit and dazzling woman, Lady Caroline Lamb, would language which his public loved. But it

14 | DISCOVER | SUMMER 2019 also laughed at religion and attacked fellow poets and public figures. While Byron’s London friends thought the poem was wonderful, they were concerned about several aspects of it. Over the next few months, Hobhouse and Murray negotiated with Byron to try to remove or alter passages which they thought readers would find distasteful, controversial or lewd. A major concern was the character of Donna Inez, which was (although Byron denied it) clearly based on his estranged wife Annabella. Attacks on public figures were to be expected from Byron, as was the racy content, but taken together with this mocking portrait of his wife, it seemed to them to be going a bit too far. Above: First edition, annotated proofs and working Byron, however, resisted manuscript of Don Juan changes, writing to Murray: Left: Changes and additions made by Byron “You shan’t make canticles of my cantos. The poem will please increasingly strained. In 1822, after cantos if it is lively – if it is stupid it will I-V of Don Juan had appeared in print, fail – but I will have none of your Byron broke with Murray, and cantos damned cutting & slashing.” He VI to XVI were published by radical wanted his work to be judged publisher John Hunt. on its literary merits and did The poem was unfinished when Byron not care what the critics said, died in 1824. After Byron’s death, Murray telling Murray: “I will battle my way purchased the rights to all 16 cantos. against them all – like a porcupine.” politically volatile England. Later editions restored the dedication A compromise was reached that Against a background of economic and printed the text as Byron had the work was published with neither depression, increasing social unrest, and intended. Today many scholars consider author nor publisher’s name on the title discontent about the Prince Regent’s Don Juan one of the great long poems in page. The dedication attacking the poet lifestyle, Byron’s anti-establishment the English language. laureate Robert Southey was therefore views might not be received as the cut because Byron thought it unfair to necessary exposure of the hypocrisies of Well—well, the world must turn “attack the dog in the dark”. British society which its author intended. upon its axis, Hobhouse, writing to Byron on On 16 August 1819, a month after the And all mankind turn with it, publication day, 14 July 1819, reported: publication of the first two cantos of Don heads or tails, “Don Juan is this day published, and three Juan, tensions would come to a head at And live and die, make love and pay handsome copies are come down to me the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester our taxes, by the coach. It is in quarto very superb. with local militia firing on protesters And as the veering wind shifts, shift In order to increase the mystification demanding parliamentary reform. our sails; there is neither author’s name nor The king commands us, and the doctor publisher’s name – only T. Davison – PIRATE PUBLISHERS, quacks us, Printer – White Friars – London. This DEATH AND REPUTATION The priest instructs, and so our will make our wiseacres think that there The scandal surrounding the work might life exhales, is poison for King, Queen, & Dauphin have boosted Murray’s sales, but they A little breath, love, wine, ambition, fame, in every page and will irritate public were damaged by cheaply produced Fighting, devotion, dust,—perhaps a name. pruriency to a complete priapism.” pirated editions. One pirate publisher, As expected, the critics of respectable William Benbow, named his bookshop Don Juan, canto II middle-class publications such as ‘The Byron’s head’, thereby cleverly Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine placing Byron’s name on the title page.  The Library’s collections, including denounced Don Juan as “filthy and Associations with Benbow, whose the archive of his publisher John Murray, impious”. But perhaps more damaging shop Robert Southey described as are a rich research source for the study of was their accusation that Byron had “a preparatory school for the brothel Byron’s life and works. The Library turned on his readers “Love–honour– and the gallows, where obscenity, holds the working manuscripts of cantos patriotism–religion, are mentioned only sedition and blasphemy are retailed in I, II and V of Don Juan in its collections, to be scoffed at and derided, as if their drams for the vulgar”, did no good for which are on public display at George IV sole resting-place were or ought to be, Byron’s reputation. Lacking any official Bridge until 27 July. Viewers can see the in the bosoms of fools”. association with the publisher, John changes and additions made by the poet, Whilst Byron liked to portray his Murray’s name could not lend his works giving an insight into his creative process. publisher as a stuffy conservative respectability. Digitised versions of the manuscript motivated by profit, perhaps Murray Throughout the 1820s, the relationship are also available for viewing on our better understood the public mood in a between publisher and poet had become website, www.nls.uk

SUMMER 2019 | DISCOVER | 15 SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT A BRILLIANCE THAT RADIATES 300 YEARS ON During the middle of the 18th century an intellectual revolution took place in Scotland that still has resonance and impact today

WORDS: Stewart McRobert

16 | DISCOVER | SUMMER 2019 he Scottish Enlightenment It coincides with a meeting of the was an outburst of ideas International Society for Eighteenth- covering an array of Century Studies which takes place in disciplines, from geology and Edinburgh in July. engineering to architecture, This sees 1,500 academics from A BRILLIANCE philosophy, medicine, around the world discuss the wider Age Teconomics and the law. They were of Enlightenment, which encompasses developed by people whose thoughts and developments in Europe and the United achievements are still celebrated around States. As part of this congress, the the world – Adam Smith, David Hume, Library is undertaking a joint event with Robert Burns, James Hutton, James Watt the Society and has commissioned THAT RADIATES and many others. work by postgraduate students who will A major National Library of Scotland further explore Library collections that exhibition – Northern Lights, beginning relate to the Scottish Enlightenment. on 21 June and running through to One of those curating the main April 2020 – celebrates the Scottish exhibition, Ralph McLean, Manuscripts 300 YEARS ON Enlightenment and its key figures. Curator (Long 18th-Century Collections),

FIGURES OF HISTORY: From left: David Hume, Robert Burns, Adam Smith and James Watt

SUMMER 2019 | DISCOVER | 17 SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT

revealed that the Library has been observed: “Here I stand at what is the was vital. They include Alison Cockburn. collecting material relating to the Scottish Cross of Edinburgh, and can, in a few She was a literary hostess and writer – Enlightenment since the movement was minutes, take 50 men of genius and her version of the Scots song The Flowers in progress. learning by the hand.” of the Forest was played at the funeral of Indeed, the Faculty of Advocates The Scottish Enlightenment’s most Queen Victoria. Library – predecessor to the National renowned figures, and their interconnections, Cockburn was great friends with Library of Scotland – was at the heart of underpin the exhibition. David Hume, William Robertson and the Scottish Enlightenment. However, there is space to other Scottish Enlightenment figures. “We have significant collections related acknowledge individuals who have been Often they would meet at her house in to important individuals, including the overshadowed but whose contribution Edinburgh to socialise and exchange world’s biggest collection of David Hume ideas. And she wrote back and forth manuscripts, thanks in part to the Hume to these individuals, again passing on Papers on deposit from the Royal Society The Scottish thoughts and notions. of Edinburgh,” said Ralph. “There are Cockburn’s position as one of the few extensive papers from figures such as Enlightenment’s women associated with the Scottish Lord Monboddo and Lord Hailes, who both most renowned Enlightenment highlights its male held the post of curator at the Faculty of domination. At that time, the professions Advocates Library. And, of course, we still figures, and their most closely associated with the actively seek to add to our collections.” Enlightenment – the law, the clergy and On occasion, it can be easy to overlook interconnections, university professorship – refused entry Scotland’s contribution to the Age of to women. Enlightenment. However, at the time underpin the They could gain entry to some clubs the country was seen as a hotbed of exhibition. and societies, and were always welcome intellectual fervour and achievement. to accompany men to the theatre or John Amyatt, an Englishman who concerts, but there were no widespread would be appointed the King’s Chemist, opportunities to take part in intellectual

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: The exhibition features a wide array of material

18 | DISCOVER | SUMMER 2019 or scientific activity. More positively, Curators Ralph McLean and Robert Betteridge although there has been a tendency to Below: James Hutton associate the Scottish Enlightenment with Edinburgh and its professional classes, the movement wasn’t restricted to those strata of society or one location. Robert Betteridge, Rare Books Curator (18th-Century Printed Collections), is also curator of the exhibition. He said: “The Scottish Enlightenment took place in many different places where ideas could be proposed, debated, and assessed by the Scottish citizenry. These included universities, churches, debating societies, salons, libraries, and laboratories, to clubs, coffee shops, taverns, town houses, and printer’s workshops. “These forums were not exclusive to the middle classes and landed gentry. In fact, Robert Burns helped establish a debating society in Tarbolton in 1780. On a very local level people were discussing ideas with the same passion as those sitting in metropolitan clubs.”

HIGHLIGHTS with his own thoughts, particularly The exhibition content is drawn from ’The Natural History of Religion’. It’s a Library collections, including printed fascinating insight into their relationship books, manuscripts, and maps. Ralph and the ideas that were being discussed picked one highlight – an unpublished passionately.” letter written by Hume in 1755 that was purchased by the Library only in 2018. DEPTH AND BREADTH “It’s written to the Reverend Robert The exhibition showcases the depth Traill, a minister in Aberdeen who would and breadth of Scottish Enlightenment go on to become a member of the city’s achievements. For example, it illustrates Wise Club, a nickname for the Aberdeen how James Hutton became the effective Philosophical Society,” said Ralph. founder of modern geology and “The letter is a response transformed thoughts about the age of the to Traill who had Earth by studying rocks in Jedburgh, Arran, criticised Hume’s Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland. scepticism and attacks Similarly, James Watt may be more on the clergy. Hume associated with the industrial revolution writes that he enjoyed but worked at the University of Glasgow Trail’s arguments but where he attended open clubs and was couldn’t agree. treasures Robert highlighted was the involved in literary and scientific debates. “Traill’s response to copy of Hume’s book, Four Dissertations Ralph said the exhibition provides rare Hume’s letter is on the from the collection of Sir David opportunities: “It represents a chance to see same sheet. It’s notable Dalrymple, Lord Hailes. a huge amount of material that you don’t that both men write in a Robert said: “Hailes was a often get to see in one place. civil, friendly and warm tone, contemporary of Hume, but they had a “Visitors can find out more about a high especially since at that time difficult relationship. A pious Christian, point in Scottish history and a movement Hume was being denounced Hailes was another who did not that made a substantial impact across as a heretic by hard-line appreciate Hume’s scepticism.” the world.” elements in the Church The book’s physical condition reveals He believes the people of the Scottish of Scotland.” that it was not destined to take pride Enlightenment did not set out to cause a Ralph believes that the need of place on the shelves of Dalrymple’s revolution. They simply had the freedom, for civil discourse is one of the home. It has not been properly bound licence, attitude and conditions that main messages of the exhibition. and some pages remain unseparated and allowed them to put forward new ideas “Today, too many people become in the same condition they came from that would be discussed and argued over. entrenched in particular positions, the printer. As a result, they came up with refusing to expose themselves Robert added: “Although Hailes has thoughts that were fresh, new and to different viewpoints, opinions completely ignored some sections ground-breaking – and shine as brightly and ideas.” Meanwhile, one of the of the book he has annotated others today as they did nearly 300 years ago.

SUMMER 2019 | DISCOVER | 19 SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT

Seven sections of sparkling thought

The Northern Lights exhibition is earned international reputations for tourists such as Samuel Johnson and made up of seven sections, each their works on Scotland, England, James Boswell to embark on tours illuminating a different aspect of Spain, America, and India. of the Highlands. William Smellie the Scottish Enlightenment. brought together the Encyclopaedia SCIENCE AND MEDICINE Britannica, a physical manifestation THE ROOTS OF THE SCOTTISH Colin MacLaurin was of the eclectic knowledge gained ENLIGHTENMENT the most important during the Enlightenment. Some people say Scotland was a mathematician Philosophers such as Lord feudal backwater until Union with in Britain since Monboddo and George Campbell England in 1707. Others believe the Newton and did wrote on the history and roots of the Scottish Enlightenment much to promote development of language, helping to were established in the late Newtonian ideas. create the study of comparative 17th century through the foundation James Hutton Colin MacLaurin linguistics. The exhibition of institutions such as the Faculty greatly enhanced explores the complex of Advocates Library and the the study of geology, while relationship Scots had with Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh; James Watt laid foundations for the their own language, and how Lord education Acts, and the education of industrial revolution to build on. In the Scottish Enlightenment Monboddo Scots at continental universities. medicine, Edinburgh became the was expressed through Scots, world’s premier destination to study English, Latin and Gaelic. PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION and work under figures such as the Adam Smith, David Hume and Monro family and William Cullen. SOCIABILITY AND SOCIETY Thomas Reid all made Clubs and societies were hubs for significant contributions ART AND ARCHITECTURE enlightened discussion and Scotland to the understanding Scots who made major contributions had a multitude of them at all levels of of human nature. ‘The to the world of literary aesthetics society. Women, who were excluded Science of Man’, to and artistic judgment include Francis from the universities, could join some use Hume’s phrase, Hutcheson, who wrote the first major clubs to make their own contribution sought to explain the work in English on aesthetics. Key to Enlightenment discourse. Clubs actions, behaviours, and figures such as Gavin Hamilton, Allan could be held in grand surroundings, Thomas Reid functions of humankind Ramsay and Henry Raeburn used attended by the cream of society, or and dominated intellectual the philosophical concepts of the they could take place in small, dark discourse in Scotland. Enlightenment in their own art to rooms in taverns and pubs, but Unlike its European counterparts, examine personalities and many with the common the Scottish Enlightenment was, in present the science of goal of improvement. many respects, driven by members man in artistic form. The National of the Church, rather than as Robert and James Library of Scotland a reaction against it. However, Adam gained is built into the there was a tension between the an international fabric of the Moderate and Evangelical factions. reputation for Scottish The exhibition addresses these James Adam their architectural Enlightenment tensions, and examines David Hume’s works that are still through its sceptical philosophy, which raised visible around Scotland and history as the awkward questions for the Church. other parts of Britain. Architecture is Faculty of especially important to the Edinburgh Advocates Library. SOCIAL SCIENCE AND story of the Scottish Enlightenment, Many of the great Adam Ferguson ACADEMIC INNOVATION particularly in relation to the creation figures of the Scottish The Scottish Enlightenment of the city’s New Town. Enlightenment including helped create and establish many Hume, Lord Monboddo, Lord Kames, theories and disciplines that are LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE Thomas Ruddiman and recognisable in the 21st century, There was an incredible range of Adam Ferguson worked such as sociology, political economy, Scottish literary achievements there during their geology, anthropology and literary in the 18th century generated careers. The Library’s criticism. The exhibition investigates by writers like Allan Ramsay, collections were the formation of these Robert Fergusson, and Robert heavily used by the concepts. Meanwhile, Burns. The poems of Ossian lawyers, philosophers, historians like William (supposedly written by the historians, and others William Robertson Robertson 3rd century bard) swept to produce their and David Hume across Europe and encouraged Enlightenment works.

Robert 20 | DISCOVER | SUMMER 2019 Burns EXPLORING

We asked our counterparts at the National Trust for Scotland – the charity which protects Scotland’s national and natural treasures – to tell us about their top five spots to further explore the Scottish Enlightenment. Communications Manager Sarah Cuthbert-Kerr kindly agreed EnlightenmentEXPERIENCING THE

enturies on, the impact of the textiles and furniture. Evidence of this humble home. Now part of the Robert Enlightenment can still be attention to design and detail are seen in Burns Birthplace Museum, visitors can seen all over Scotland. From the estate with period features including learn all about the bard’s life, works and the grand and planned design the ladies’ walk and shell grotto. For world view, and enjoy exhibits from the of Edinburgh’s New Town younger visitors, the Enlightenment world’s foremost Burns collection. Cto the impressive creations of the era’s theme is explored in Weehailes – the With original manuscripts and personal architects. It is also in the texts left by bespoke playpark that nods to the library effects on display, it’s a chance to see pioneering writers who pushed forward and history of the house. the evolution of his writing and personal bold new ideas that are as relevant today beliefs which gave him rock star status. as when they were committed to paper. CULZEAN CASTLE, AYRSHIRE Scotland’s heritage is full of reflections of GLADSTONE’S LAND, this bright and dynamic time. EDINBURGH To contrast all of this with life in the pre- THE GEORGIAN HOUSE, Enlightenment, go to the Royal Mile to see EDINBURGH how merchant Thomas Gladstone lived. In the prime real estate of Charlotte Like his neighbours, the ground floor was Square, No 7 is the perfect place to given over to business, with a hotchpotch experience a life influenced by the of accommodation on top. The small Enlightenment. Designed by the architect rooms, narrow stairs and wee windows Robert Adam, the house is a statement in give the place a warren-like feel and it’s luxury. Created for the Lamont family, it easy to imagine it bustling with life. is filled with fine art and furniture and has Culzean Castle One of the most evocative exhibits are bright, open views over the landscaped the pattens, or Jimmy Poos as they have square. It’s a far cry from the cramped Another stunning Robert Adam creation, been dubbed – platform overshoes that and towering streets of the Old Town. Culzean Castle is a super-charged residents of the Royal Mile wore to avoid version of his Edinburgh commission in sewage in the street. Thankfully, this is NEWHAILES HOUSE AND Charlotte Square. one tradition we’ve left behind. ESTATE, MUSSELBURGH Perched on a clifftop on the Ayrshire This grand estate was once home to the coast, the castle’s design, ambition and  The National Trust for Scotland is Dalrymple family, a dynasty of well- impact are on a whole other level. Its the charity that celebrates and protects connected lawyers and politicians who silhouette stands dramatically against Scotland’s heritage and encourages spent time with the prominent thinkers the backdrop of the Firth of Clyde, with people to connect with the things that of the day. The library was said to views to Ailsa Craig and Arran. Arguably make Scotland unique. To plan your visit, be “the most learned room in it’s the interiors that are remarkable – head to nts.org.uk Europe” in its 18th century the oval staircase is an impressive feat heyday. Nowadays, these of engineering and creates an impact Gladstone’s Land books are in the care of the for anyone entering the castle, as is National Library for Scotland. the round drawing room with its light A trip to the house gives and views. a glimpse of life in this rarefied atmosphere, ROBERT BURNS with its ornate rococo BIRTHPLACE interiors and eclectic MUSEUM, ALLOWAY collection of art Still in Ayrshire, the including portraits cottage where Burns by Allan Ramsay, Sarah Cuthbert-Kerr was born is a simple,

SUMMER 2019 | DISCOVER | 21 THE HOPKINSON COLLECTION

22 | DISCOVER | SUMMER 2019 A MASTER OF FRENCH MUSIC REMEMBERED

The Library’s collection of composer Hector Berlioz’s works is one of the most important in the world. On the 150th anniversary of his death, Almut Boehme explores our archive

his is a significant interest in Berlioz and his work. prestigious music prize, the year for followers of She said: “While music was his Prix de Rome, with the honour Hector Berlioz, one of passion, it wasn’t seen as a suitable coming in 1830. France’s greatest ever career for him, so in his childhood Although he did not have a composers – it is now music was regarded as a hobby. WORDS: great deal of success early in his T150 years since his death. The “In fact, his father had ambitions Stewart career, he eventually became musician is also a special figure for Hector to become a doctor McRobert an internationally renowned for the National Library – the and Berlioz obliged by enrolling composer and prolific writer on Hopkinson Collection we hold is as a medical student. However, music, remaining highly regarded recognised as the most important after only two years he ended his to this day. collection of Berlioz-related medical studies to devote his time Berlioz’s most famous material held outside France. to musical studies at the Paris composition is his Symphonie Hector Berlioz was born in Conservatoire.” Fantastique. Other high-profile south-eastern France in December He was independently minded Left: Berlioz was a works include Roméo et Juliette, 1803 and died in 1869 in Paris after and from an early stage in his composer, writer, L’enfance du Christe, La damnation a long musical career. musical career developed new critic and theorist de Faust and the famous large- and the Library has Almut Boehme, Music Curator musical ideas. It took him four examples of the scale opera, Les Troyens. Notably, at the Library, has a passionate attempts to win France’s most extent of his work Berlioz was also a valued musical

SUMMER 2019 | DISCOVER | 23 THE HOPKINSON COLLECTION

Some German composers, such as Schumann, admired his music. Berlioz did have a positive influence on one major contemporary, Franz Liszt, who acknowledged his debt to the Frenchman. Wagner adopted some Berlioz innovations, but followed a different compositional path. Berlioz’s ideas were embraced by Russian composers such as Tchaikovsky and Rimsky- Korsakov. Other composers showing influences by Berlioz include his fellow countrymen, Saint-Saëns and Massenet, as well as the German, Richard Strauss. Over time, Berlioz’s music has inspired numerous musicians, but his individualistic approach prompted discussion from the start. It was not long after his death that the first full-length biographies were published in the 1880s. There was a resurgence of interest in Berlioz in the latter half of the 20th century, culminating in the 1969 centenary of his death which saw Les Troyens performed, published and recorded on a fuller scale than earlier performances, such as the Mottl production in Karlsruhe in Germany in 1890. theorist with an immense Above: treatises on orchestration and Scores annotated output of theoretical as well as in Berlioz’s own conducting. ABOUT THE COLLECTION critical writings. hand are among The collection of Berlioz’s Among his influential works the treasures musical and literary works held that make up INFLUENCES the following stand out: his Traité the Hopkinson In musical terms, though he had his by the Library was gathered by d’instrumentation (1843), the Collection at own distinct ideas, he drew on the the music bibliographer Cecil Voyage musical en Allemagne the Library work of others. He was influenced Hopkinson, who was born in Neath, et Italie (1844), Les soirées de in some ways by predecessors Glamorgan, in 1898. l’orchestre (1852), Les grotesques such as Spontini, Gluck, Méhul and Hopkinson was a civil engineer de la musique (1859) and A travers Le Sueur, who was his composition until 1931, when he founded the chants (1862). teacher at the Conservatoire. He First Edition Bookshop. In 1934. The memoirs which he learned from Weber, Beethoven, his firm began issuing catalogues started in the late 1840s were and Rossini. of antiquarian music editions, published in 1870. However, his contemporaries did manuscripts, and books on music. His opinion on significant not have a great influence on him. His connection with Scotland musical events was always keenly anticipated. He reviewed concerts, wrote The collection provides a great about new instruments and musical novelties, gave his illustration of the breadth and depth impressions of international music and musicians, wrote biographical of Berlioz’s output both in terms of notices of Gluck, Beethoven, Spontini, and Méhul, and wrote compositions and writings. fiction and fantasy, as well as ALMUT BOEHME

24 | DISCOVER | SUMMER 2019 began when a branch of First Edition was opened in Edinburgh. Subsequently, he wrote A Bibliography of the Musical and Literary Works of Hector Berlioz, 1803-1869 with Histories of the French Music Publishers Concerned. It was published in 1951 by the Edinburgh Bibliographical Society. His Berlioz collection was donated to the National Library in 1952, and Hopkinson continued to add items after this date. It includes editions of Berlioz’s music, proof copies, and presentation copies with inscriptions by the composer. The literary part of the collection consists of editions and translations of Berlioz’s memoirs, letters and critical works, including copies of his own libretti for Béatrice et Bénédict and Les additions continue to be made. LES such as the works of Sir Walter Troyens, and works of music It is not the only collection that TROYENS Scott. The collection provides a criticism on the composer. There the Library acquired from Cecil SET DESIGNS great illustration of the breadth are also autograph letters, several Hopkinson as his Verdi Collection (Above and below) and depth of Berlioz’s output both Very little is known minor manuscripts, and associated was purchased in 1972. about the designs in terms of compositions and material, including portraits, Almut said: “Berlioz himself for the staging of theoretical and didactic writings. the opera in Paris photographs, playbills and posters. has few musical connections in 1863 - a mystery “For me, the highlights of the The collection now numbers with Scotland, although he was Almut aims to solve collection are the early editions more than 700 volumes and inspired by Scottish literature and proof copies, as well as the manuscripts. “One item that really stands out is the set of stage and costume designs for the complete opera of Les Troyens. This opera, at five acts and five hours long, was an extremely ambitious project and there was no single production during Berlioz’s life. “He divided it into two parts, Le prise de Troie and Les Troyens a Carthage, the second of which was eventually performed in Paris in 1863. “Intriguingly, the designs we hold are shrouded in mystery. They are superb illustrations, but, even although we have the designer’s name – A. Casse – very little information about the designs is known. I am hoping that I can solve this mystery before I retire!” Meantime, lovers of Berlioz’s music, and those with a keen interest in the musical world of the 19th century, can gain greater knowledge, insight and inspiration by studying the Hopkinson Collection.

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