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His lord's imperial thirst for spoil and blood:

For full in view the promised conquest stood,

And Lisbon's matrons from their walls might sum

The myriads that had half the world subdued,

And hear the distant thunders of the drum

That bids the bands of France to storm and havoc come.

Mr. Morritt, to whom Scott dedicates Rokeby, and in whose beautiful estate the scene of the poem is laid, was introduced to the poet in the early summer of 1808, and an intimacy began which was one of the most agreeable elements in Scott's life. Twenty years later when paying him a visit, Scott recorded in his Journal (ii. 195): 'He is now one of my oldest, and, I believe, one of my most sincere friends, a man unequalled in the mixture of sound good sense, high literary cultivation, and the kindest and sweetest temper that ever graced a human bosom.' The intimacy led to a long correspondence and to frequent interchange of visits. Mr. Morritt's own recollections of Scott form a delightful contribution in Lockhart's Life. He visited Scott in Edinburgh when he first made his acquaintance, and Scott returned the visit a year later. The beauty of Rokeby made a great impression upon him, as may be seen by his letter to George Ellis, July 8, 1809, and it is most probable that in taking the step which led to the purchase of Abbotsford, and removal from Ashestiel, Scott was influenced by his admiration for his friend's estate. At any

rate, Scott palpably connected the writing of the poem Rokeby with the enlargement of his domain, and asked eagerly Morritt to aid him in his poetical venture.

'I have a grand project to tell you of,' he writes December 20, 1811. "Nothing less than a fourth romance, in verse; the theme, during the English civil wars of Charles L., and the scene, your own domain of Rokeby. I want to build my cottage a little better than my limited finances will permit out of my ordinary

income; and although it is very true that an author should not hazard his reputation, yet, as Bob Acres says, I really think Reputation should take some care of the gentleman in reimprinted in my memory, and moreover, be it turn. Now, I have all your scenery deeply known to you, I intend to refresh its traces this ensuing summer, and to go as far as the shire, and so perhaps on to Derbyshire. I borders of Lancashire, and the caves of Yorkhave sketched a story which pleases me, and I am only anxious to keep my theme quiet, for its being piddled upon by some of your Readyto-catch literati, as John Bunyan calls them, would be a serious misfortune to me. I am not without hope of seducing you to be my guide a little way on my tour. Is there not some book (sense or nonsense I care not) on the beauties of Teesdale-I mean a descriptive work? If you can point it out or lend it me, you will do me a great favour, and no less if you can tell me any traditions of the period. By which party was Barnard castle occupied? It strikes me that it should be held for the Parliament. Pray help me in this, by truth, it be picturesque. What the deuce is the or fiction, or tradition, I care not which if name of that wild glen, where we had such a clamber on horseback up a stone staircase? -Cat's Cradle, or Cat's Castle, I think it was. I wish also to have the true edition of the traditionary tragedy of your old house at Mortham, and the ghost thereunto appertaining, and you will do me yeoman's service in compiling the relics of so valuable a legend. Item-Do you know anything of a striking ancient castle, belonging, I think, to the Duke