"Sir,--I would long ere now have answered your very obliging letter
with the medals. That representing our Sovereign seems most
beautifully executed, and is a striking resemblance. I have very
little turn for imagining mottos, it being long since I read the
classics, which are the great storehouse of such things. I think that
a figure or head of Neptune upon the reverse, with the motto round the
exergue, _Tridens Neptuni sceptrum mundi_. I think this better than
any motto more personally addressed to the King himself than to his
high kingly office. I cannot, of course, be a judge of the other
medal; but such of my family as are with me think it very like. If
there is any motto to be added, I should like the line

"Bardorum citharas patrio qui redidit Istro.

"because I am far more vain of having been able to fix some share of
public attention upon the ancient poetry and manners of my country,
than of any original efforts which I have been able to make in
literature.

"I beg you will excuse the delay which has taken place. Your obliging
communication, with the packet which accompanied it, travelled from
country to town, and from town to country, as it chanced to miss me
upon the road.

"I have the honour to be, sir, your obliged, humble servant,

"WALTER SCOTT.

"Edinburgh, 29th May.