to collect. When he happened to be in good spirits and at leisure, a solitary old spleuchan, or matchlock, would serve as the text for an almost complete history of the Highland clans. Or if you had in view any literary pursuit requiring investigation, and were consulting a book in the library, he would immediately weave together a mass of evidence, remind you of every author whose works deserved attention, and throw more light on the subject in ten minutes than, if left alone among books, you could have obtained for yourself in as many months. I have used, above, the words unoidable consciousness, because, whether the said Magician were actually present, or shut up in his own sanctum, or wandering in his favourite woods, you were reminded every moment, in one shape or another, of his benign sway through the whole establishment, and all the "goings on" of the household. I cannot explain myself better on this point than by observing, that at Abbotsford there was an utter absence of all those petty annoyances which, less or more, exist elsewhere in the best-regulated families; while to visitors, whose pursuits or dispositions were in any degree analogous with those of their kind host, every wish was not only met but anticipated. According to Rousseau's axiom, our "best virtues depend on trifling precautions;" and I am half-inclined to illustrate my present position by the mention of some outward trifles in the nuge, which the reader may perhaps think absurd and ludicrous; for example, gas-light, writing materials, and the conduct of servants! But I do this on the principle, ex uno disce omnes. Never, perhaps, was any one more lenient to domestics than Sir Walter, and yet no one was ever better served. His own conduct ensured such profound respect and attention, that, moving with noiseless though rapid tread, they seemed intuitively conscious of whatever he or his guests required. Even good old John (who by this time was superannuated), although by nature inclined to hard drinking, was scarcely ever known to indulge in his favourite propensity unless when entirely off duty, and his aberrations could not possibly interfere with his master's comfort or interest. Now for the second illustration of domestic arrangements on Rousseau's principles; though VOL. XIII. NO. LXIII. for this I shall probably be laughed at. Elsewhere, when on a visit, you may wish to write a letter or commence an epic poem, and (should you have forgotten your own writing implements) are referred to my lord's library-table, where he is perhaps himself occupied, or to my lady's writing-desk in the drawing-room; with the exception of which, perhaps, the whole establishment, though supported by fifty or a hundred thousand per annum, could not afford any better means and appliances than the loan of a blackingbottle from the servants'-hall (the steward's ink-pot being nailed to his desk). At Abbotsford, on the contrary, not only each table in the recesses of the library, but in every sleeping apartment, had its portefeuille, with store of paper, pens, ink, and sealing-wax. Match-box and taper, to those who knew the ways of the house, were unnecessary, for it was a practice to keep the oil-gas burning; though at so very low a degree, that, unless the stop-cock were touched, the consumption was insignificant and the flame imperceptible. In the large antique dining-room there hung a very beautiful lustre, which, in spring and autumn, was always lighted (though invisibly) before dinner; and on the approach of darkness, instead of the usual interruption and parade of servants bringing candles, the full blaze of light could be produced, as if magically, by a single touch, or moderated to any degree. With regard to the mansion itself, the room that always seemed to me the most imposing and effective is the front hall, or armoury; so faithful are its imitations (or, I should say, renovations) of genuine old models, so massive and sombre is the style, and so rich the collection of objects delightful to an antiquary. A whole morning might be well employed in examining this one apartment, with a cicerone who knew all its history. It is about forty feet long, has a tessellated pavement of black and white Scotch marble, and a noble roof in rich Gothic arches. Here, as in the rest of the mansion, though the general plan was of course original, Sir Walter adopted the system of forming details that is to say, roofs, fire-places, windows, and doors, by precise copies from the veritable antique; and wherever it was possible to obtain actual portions of old buildings, either in wood or stone, they were of course used in preference. In the hall, if I mistake not, the richly carved panels of black and imperishable oak were brought from the ruins of Dunfermline Palace, or Abbey; and the immense fire-place is exactly modelled after that of an existing old castle. I cannot imagine a scene more poetically impressive than this room, especially when viewed by summer-moonlight. But the grounds were far more interesting to Scott than his castle, for (as already often mentioned) no amateur of landscape-gardening ever followed that pursuit with more enthusiasm ; and supposing that he had been born poor, or been at a loss for a profession, certainly that of land-designing might have afforded an income, and perhaps led him on, as it has led others, to affluence. Soon after my arrival, I met Sir Walter returning from his usual ramble through the woods, attended by his dogs, and with a weeding-hook in his hand; for the favourite amusement of pruning trees was not recommenced till October, when the leaves fall. At this time, not the slightest apprehension was entertained by his friends of an unfavourable change in his constitution; nor were there decided any marks of "tear and wear.' But although his reception was, as usual, kind and cordial, yet it scarcely appeared to me as if he were in his wonted spirits, nor so cheerful as during his residence at London during the spring of the previous year. His health was good, but there were occasional clouds of anxiety on his brow; and almost a shade of irritability occurred late in the evening, when he was reminded of his promise to answer some London letters. "I wish," said he to Mr. Lockhart, "6 you would put me in mind also what those people wanted, for truly I have forgotten: I cannot now read the letters over again." At dinner, however, he was in the utmost good humour, and disposed, as of yore, to talk only on subjects fitted to promote mirth. There was no difference, excepting that his voice was pitched in a lower key, and his laugh was neither so hearty nor so long. Whilst writing these words, I reflect involuntarily on numberless attempted any record in this brief sketch, but where his unaffected high spirits, unconquerable good-nature, gentleness of manner, and intense perception of the ludicrous, gave a tone and vivacity, otherwise unknown, to the whole party, and often protracted conviviality to a late hour. One trifling example occurs to me, which happened not long before the period of his changed fortune. I was placed next to Sir Walter at an ill-assorted dinner assemblage, in the house of a mutual friend; but the dinner and wine were good: and on such occasions (so long as he retained health) Scott would be joyous and happy, in spite of all blunders, and however uncongenial might be the society into which he was thrown. Some foreigners were present, who, almost immediately after dinner, were called on to sing, and having once begun their performances, could not be induced to stop; which proved an enormous bore. All of a sudden Scott turned to me, and in his rough borderaccent said: "These gentlemen have kindly favoured us with so much of their country's music, that really it is full time we should compensate the obligation, and let them hear some of ours." With an irresistibly comic expression, he gave me the corner of a table-napkin to hold, and struck up "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?" &c. It was like setting the spark to a train of gunpowder. All serviettes were instantly joined en cordon, all voices raised, all hearts roused; and so powerful and harmonious was the chorus, that for the rest of the evening we were not troubled with any more foreign cantatas. But to return. A long interval had elapsed since I had been at Abbotsford, and he seemed amused with my great admiration of the magical changes that had taken place there, especially in regard to the museum of antiquities and the pictures; though, in this last department, his expenditure was always very limited. "After all," said he, "I am not sure that I value any part of my graphic collection more than this very old acquaintance of yours, which you praised five-and-twenty years ago." He pointed to a pen-and-ink sketch, by Mr. Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, of Queen Eliza e production," he added; "for, though I have laughed at the old lady a thousand times, I can scarcely see her without laughing now. What excellent books, illustrated by his own pencil or burin, our friend Sharpe might have given to the world, had it not been for mere laziness-that besetting sin of independent gentlemen, which opens the door for blue devils, and brings down the greatest talents and acquirements to a level with emptiness and folly; only with this difference, they are no doubt a source of enjoyment to the possessor: and in that respect Sharpe is fortunate.” Mr. Robserved, that if all those independent gentlemen who have cultivated minds were to become authors, we should have too many books; and if they wrote for fame instead of profit, booksellers would have their shelves so amply stocked for nothing, that henceforward the trade of authort ship would be at an end. "I rather think," replied Sir Walter, "it would turn out like playing on the fpiano-forte or violin. Every one does so who can; but the number of performers worth hearing is very limited, and they alone can either make much money or command much applause. Reflect on the number of your independent acquaintances, and tell me how many of them are in reality qualified, either from acquired knowledge, or what is called genius, to write a good book; and I think you will agree, that there is no chance of our being overstocked in that department. After all, there not only has been, but must always be, a demand for books in this world, which, to some people, are as indispensable as hot rolls for breakfast; though I remember poor Signor Corri telling me, with the gravest possible aspect, that, were he to commence business as a baker, all the world would immediately give up eating bread." After dinner, he laughed heartily at the interest excited by his "quaichs," a basketful of which was usually sent round with whisky and liqueurs; from which collection, every guest who liked a dram selected a cup, according to his fancy. For the information of my Southron, or foreign readers, I must observe, that queichs are a species of small drinking-cup, with two handles, sometimes cut out of a solid piece of wood, marble, agate, or ivory; and sometimes constructed in mosaic, of which the most estimable specimens are those containing the greatest number of component parts. The value of those used at Abbotsford consisted in their antiquity, and the traditions attached to each; according to which, one was named "Prince Charles ;" another, "Rob Roy," and so forth. The conversation that day turned partly on politics a subject which, with me, never makes any lasting impression; on the strange malady of John Clerk (Lord Eldin), who, in his old age, had become ungovernably insane; on the character of Sir Egerton Brydges, for whom Scott had a great regard; on the Baron de la Motte Fouqué, in whose writings he descried merit, which, I suspect, was more the production of his own imagination than of the baron's genius. But, in truth, Sir Walter had now no time to study the works of others; and was so habituated to original composition, that reading no longer afforded him sufficient excitement. Like Napoleon, he never willingly sat long at table, but removed about eight o'clock to the large and beautiful library; where ample resources of amusement for company were afforded by the musical performances of Mrs. Lockhart and Miss Scott, and the boundless collection of prints and illustrated works of every description. About ten o'clock, refreshments, in the form of supper, were brought in; when usually he asked for a "tankard of porter," and about eleven o'clock he retired for the night. In this hasty memoir, I have aimed principally at giving a faithful account of Scott's character and daily habits of life; in regard to which, I shall probably not incur blame for having noticed even the merest trifles. I have also explained, perhaps at more than sufficient length, the nature of those involvements that proved ultimately the direct cause of his illness and death; which, though unsuspected, Next now fast approaching. winter, in the month of December, I waited on him, at his house in Shandwich Place, Edinburgh, to take my leave before setting out on a long journey, and was more than ever impressed with the idea that his habits of unremitting application must prove destructive. I did not venture e any were remarks on that point, however, but inveighed against the Court of Session, and asked whether a principal clerk, like a judge, was not entitled to his full salary, without performance of duty, after a certain number of years' service? "I am sure," said he, "your suggestion is kindly meant, and yet I am half-inclined to scold a little; because it seems as if you adopted the principle, that people may recoil from duty whenever it becomes not quite convenient or agreeable. Now, setting aside the question of honour, the truth is, that, to have what we like in this world, we must often do what we dislike: a maxim which I recommend to your However, as serious consideration. to my own case, I have become so perfectly habituated to attendance in court, that, as long as health continues, I am not entitled to tax my country for pay without working. Again, as to the trade of scribbling, which has devolved on me to a rather unusual extent, are there not times when I must ask myself the question, Were it not for this, what else should I do?' What resource should I have, when off duty in the winter-days, unless, like our friend Robert Hamilton, to play whist without intermission? Rely on it, the pains or pleasures of this life depend mainly on the animus — the volition with which our acts are accompanied; and were a man doomed to play whist for seven hours a day, you would soon hear him grumbling as if he were condemned to the treadmill. Our duties would seldom be disagreeable, if we did not perversely Reflect on resolve to think them so. this doctrine, for it may be of use where you are going." 6 At this meeting, I perceived an entirely new shade in Scott's character, from which I augured no good. Formerly, he would attach less importance to fifty pounds than a more rigid arithmetician to five; but now he appeared anxious and fretful about pecuniary affairs, even in regard to small sums. The next year was one of heavy tasks; not merely those which were published, but those which he partly wrote, and which his literary executor will of course commemorate. But in his favourite season of autumn, 1830, he began to experience bodily disorders, wore not as before, attended by organic derangement and decay. The In the course of the winter, it became too obvious to all his friends that, although it was impossible to judge how long he might survive, or how much literary toil he might still undergo, yet all hopes of his restoration to perfect health must be abandoned. In the year 1819 he had to contend with disease, but now he struggled with decay. The principles of life were then strong within him, and the light of his mind was unquenchable; but now, the functions of nature were disordered, and his mind almost perpetually clouded. Frequently in the course of these pages I have mentioned his unalterable good temper; but this was not natural to Scott, any more than it has been to other men of genius, but an effect of good sense and strong moral discipline. With acute feelings and forcible conceptions, irritability follows as an inevitable consequence. Now, alas! those acute feelings remained, and the strength to control and govern irritability was lost. His friends justly looked on it as the worst symptom of his disorder, when, instead of appearing always cheerful me peevish and bill haunted him like a spectre; and he conceived, that if Earl Grey's measures were carried, a revolution, like that of France in 1790, would follow in this country as a matter of course; whereas, in his better days, he certainly would have been the first to express perfect confidence in the powers of the Conservative party to avert whatever evils might threaten to rise out of the self-interested machinations of the Whigs. His last public appearance in Scotland (at a Roxburgh county-dinner, in March, 1831) has been so frequently commemorated, that it is needless to dwell on the subject here. His object in attending was to enter his most solemn and energetic protest against Lord John Russell's bill, and he concluded an impressive speech in those most affecting words: "I must now take leave of you, and I shall do so in the well-known words of the Roman gladiator to his emperor Moriturus vos salutat!" Notwithstanding his evident illness, and the obviously heartfelt sincerity with which he delivered his sentiments, let it be recorded to the disgrace of human nature, and the infamy of a popular faction, that, during his speech, he was occasionally assailed with hisses. Yet the extreme lowness of spirits which he shewed after this meeting, certainly need not be ascribed to the impression of having been treated with disrespect by individuals, for whose voices (in his own words) he "cared no more than for the braying of the beasts in the field," but rather to the conviction of his own exhausted powers, which he painfully felt on this occasion, and the consequent reflection that, as he had now taken leave of public life, he must ere long part also from those relatives and friends whom he held most dear, and without having accomplished the plans in which they had all been led to confide. There is hardly any stage of decline or disease under which the constitution may not for a limited time rally, so as to afford hope to friends, if not to the patient. From this day onwards, I scarce think that Scott had any hopes of his own recovery; but as before, in 1819, he struggled nobly, and had lucid intervals (if I may use the expression), during which he resumed his literary efforts, and wrote or dic To his tated letters to his friends. surviving relations it must be consolatory to reflect, that in Dr. Abercromby he had the most skilful, the most ingenious, and kind-hearted of physicians; but at length it became apparent that medical treatment, in this case, could be of no avail. The only chance left was from an entire change of scene and a very long journey, the fatigues of which would serve for employment; thus absolutely precluding him from those labours and anxieties which had engendered his malady. It was not without great reluctance that he acquiesced in this plan; and at last. he yielded, not on conviction, but on principles of duty, because an invalid is bound to follow the injunctions of his confidential physician. At London, however, in the autumn, he certainly rallied; but it was the mind only that rallied, in like manner as it sometimes triumphs even within the hour of dissolution. Yet his heart was cheered by the kind attentions, the deep respect, and sympathy shewn to him from all quarters; and having in former years always derived benefit from a sea-voyage, he rejoiced at least in the mode of his conveyance abroad, namely, a king's ship (the Barham), bound for Malta. He did not embark till the very end of October, but, notwithstanding the advanced period of the season, had a pleasant and prosperous voyage; which he bore so well, that, on his first arrival, sanguine hopes were again entertained of his recovery. These expectations strengthened during the depth of winter, which he spent at Naples; the only place, I believe, where, during his residence on the Continent, he made any attempt to resume his literary employments. Here he not unfrequently tried to write with his own hand; but any specimens that I have seen are in a scrawl so wretched, that the character of his autograph, once fluent, firm, and rapid, is entirely lost. At Naples he was watched over, not only by his daughter, but both his sons, and received the utmost attention and kindness from the king and all the beau monde of this capital. But the romantic features of nature, the interesting remains of antiquity, and even the most intelligent variety (to use, for a moment, the language of German philosophy), are but outward phenomena, of which the in |