JWC-MAC, [15 Dec.]. Addr: Scotsbrig / Ecclefechan. MS: NLS, 601.16; longhand copy with TC's Notes: Berg Col., New York Public Lib. Quot: Froude, Carlyle, II, 102. Carlyle wrote “Craigk, jany 1830(?)” on the copied letter, a date which someone else has questioned immediately after Carlyle's date. The four lines of verse for Ottilie are incorrectly dated 14 Dec. 1829 in Norton, GC, p. 157; the date on the MS is 15 Dec. The verses for Goethe accompanying a lock of Jane's hair are also dated 15 Dec. in the MS, now in the Goethe-Schiller Archiv, Weimar; moreover, it seems clear from TC to MAC [18 Dec.] that little Jane was to return home on the next day, Wednesday 16 Dec., but was prevented by bad weather. It appears safe therefore to date this letter 15 Dec.

1. Nevertheless, the verse in Jane's best hand found its way to Ottilie in Weimar. Addressed “To / Madame von Goethe,” it reads as follows: Scotland prides her in the “Bonnet Blue,” That it brooks no stain in Love or War: Be it, on Ottilie's head, a token true Of the Scottish Love to kind Weimar!

Craigenputtoch
15th December 1829

The manuscript is in the Goethe-Schiller Archiv, Weimar.

2. Dr. John Aitken Carlyle.

3. Carlyle refers to him as Joe Elliott.

4. Dated at Weimar, 13 April 1830 (in Norton, GC, pp. 173–84). In Norton's translation the letter reads as follows: “The precious casket, after a long delay in reaching the Continent owing to the extreme severity of the winter, at last arrived safely about the middle of March.

“As to its contents, I will mention first the incomparable lock of hair, which one would indeed have liked to see along with the dear head, but which, when it came to light by itself here, almost alarmed me. The contrast was too striking; for I did not need to touch my skull to become aware that only stubble was left there, nor was it necessary for me to go to the looking glass to learn that a long flight of time had given it a discoloured look. The impossibility of making the desired return smote my heart, and forced thoughts upon me which one usually prefers to banish. In the end, however, nothing remained for me but to content myself with the reflection that such a gift was to be most thankfully received without hope of any adequate requital. For the rest it shall be kept sacred in the portfolio which is worthy of it, and only the most cherished objects shall bear it company.

“The elegant Scotch Bonnet, I can assure you, has given much pleasure. For many years we have been visited by inhabitants of the Three Kingdoms, who like to remain with us for a time, and enjoy good society. Among these, indeed, there are comparatively few Scotchmen; yet there cannot fail to be preserved in some fair heart here so lively an image of one of your countrymen that she must regard the splendid national head-dress, including the thistle, as a most pleasing ornament; and the kind donor would certainly be delighted to see the most charming face in the world peering out from beneath it. Ottilie sends her most grateful thanks, and will not fail, as soon as our days of mourning are over [for the Dowager Grand Duchess, who died in Feb. 1830], to make a glorious appearance in it.”

The letter ends: “I beg you and your dear wife to hold us in kindliest remembrance, and to accept our repeated and cordial thanks for your beautiful gifts.”

5. See also TC's notes to JWC to MAC, Nov. 1831.