Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-06-09


which dedicated to the author bbo,s
ford and its late .llustrous inmate:
have thus given, in rude style, my main recoec
tons OF what occurred during soiourn Abbotsord
and feel mortified that l give but such mcagre,
scattered and coouress details of what copous
rich and varied. During several DAYS that passed
there Scott admirable From early until
dinner time, he rambling about wing the neigh
bourhood, and during dinner and until late night
gagged in social conversation. No time for
HIMSELF he seemed SIT his only occupation
tain me; and yet almost entire stranger him,
of whom he knew nothing but idle book had writ.
ten, aud which, some years before had amused him. Blu,
such was Scotthe appeared to have nothing to do but
lavish his time, attention. and conversation those
around 1t was difficult to imagine what time nc found
to write those volumes that issuing
the press; all of which, too, of a nature require
reading and research could not find that this lf, was
otherwise than life of leisure and haplazard re-
creation, such it during my visit He ever
banked party OF pleasures sporting excursion and
rarely pleaded his own concerns for reject
ing those of others. During my visit heard of other vi
sitors who had preceded me, and who must have kept
nun occupied iof several days ana nave had an opporu
ny OF knowing The course OF his daily life for time
subsequently,. Not long after my departure from Alb
botsiord, my friend Wilke arrived there paint pic
ture of the Scott family. lie found tho house full of
guests. Scots whole time taken up in riding and
driving about the country, social conversation at
home. All this time :" said Wikic to me- did no,
presume To ask MIR Scott 10 sit for his portrait for
saw he had not moment to spare: | waited for the
guests to go away, but fast went another
arrived, and continued for days and with
each he completely occupied At length all went
Oft and we were quiet. ] thought, however, Mr. Scott
viii now shut himself up among his books papers for
he has To make up for lost uc won't for me to ask
HIM now TO sit for his picture. Ladlaw, who managed
his estate, came in, and Scott turned him. as sup
posed to consult business sLadlaw' said he st
morrow morning wei 90 the and take the
dogs with us-hcre place where think shall be
able to find a hare
business he thinking only of amusement as if he
had nothing in the world occupy him. so no longer
feared TO intrude upon him..
| The conversation of Scott was frank hearty nic
turesque, and dramatic. During the time of my visit he
inclined to the comic rather than the grave his ancc
dotes and stories; and SUCH told was his GENERAL
inclination lie rcshed Joke, trait of humour in
social intercourse and laughed with right good will He
talked not Tor effect display but from the flow of his
spirits the stores of his memory and the vigour of his
imagination lie had natural for narration and
his narratives and descriptions without effort yet
wonderfully graphic He placed the before YOU
like picture he gave the dialogue with appropriate
dialect or pecuhartes, and described the appearance
ana characters OF his personages with that spirit
hcity evlnced in his writings Indeed his conversation
reminded nae continually OF his novels and it seemed to
me, that during the whole time with him. he talked
enough 10 fill Volumes and that they could not have
filled more delightfully."-.
He good listener talker appreciated every
thng that others said, however humble might be their
rank or Petensions and was quick TO testify his percep
ton OF any point in their discourse He arrogaed no.
thing to himself, but was perfectly unassunng and un-
pretending, entering with heart and soul into the bust
ness or peasure or had almost said folly of the hour
and the company No one sconcerns no thoughts
no one opinions, no one tastes and pleasures seemed
Dcneath hiin he made himself thoroughly the com
Panion OF those with whom he happened be- that the
forgot foi time his superiority and only rrcolleci
ed and wondered, when ali was over that was Scott
"ith whom they had been on such familiar terms and in
whose society they had felt perfectly at their ease
1t was delightful 20 observe the generous mode in
winch he spoke of all his literary coienporares quoting
the beauties of their works. and this too with respec
to persons with whom he have supposed to be-
al variance IN literature or politics. Jeffrey, it was
thought, had RULED his plumes of his reviews vet
scout spoke oil him in terms of high and eulogy
both as an author and man.
fils humour in versation, i'm his works was oe
lie had uicL
cepuon OF faults and iobes but he looked upon poor h
man nature with an ndulgent eye relishing what was
good ana pleasant, toeratng what fra plying
what evil 1t is this benefcen spirit which gives
such an air OF bonhomme SCOTS humour throu
all ms works lie played with the fobes and
hls fellow beings, and presented them in thousand
whimsical and characteristic lights but the kindness and
generosity OF his nature would not allow him be sa
urlst do not recolcct throughout his CONVEX
taton any more than there is throughout his works
Such is rough sketch of Scott as | saw him in pr.
vate life, not merely the time of the visit here narra
ed but In the casual intercourse of subsequent
vi his public character and merits, all the world can
Judge his works have incorporated themselves with
the thoughts and of the whole civilized world
or quarter OF century, and have had controlling
huence over the age in which he lived But when did a
human neing ever exercise influence salutary
ana behignanG Who is there, that, looking back
over great portion of his life, find the genius
oil scott administering TO his pleasures bepuilnr his
cares and soothing his lonely sorrows? Who does NOT
sui guard his works treasury of pure enjoyment an
armoury TO which 10 in time of need to find wen
pons with which to fight oil the evils and the grcis Of
detection,
nave nailed the announcement of new work from
his pen of certain pleasure in store for
me, and have looked forward TO il az a traveller in
waste looks 10 given spot at distance, where he
feels assured of sulace and refinement When
consider how much he has thus contributed TO the
better hours OF my past existence, ard how ndepend
ent ms works still make me- times OF all the world
Tor my enJoymeRt Hy-etars that cast my lot in
lsuay, To be thus cheered and gladdened by the out
Poufngs OF the genius consider it of the greatest
advantages that have derived from my literary career
that 1t has elevated me into genial communion with such
spirit and attribute of gratitude for his friendship
and veneraon for his memory cast this humble sone
upon his cairn, which will soon. trust be piled aleft
with the contributions Of ADLER hands.
We regret with Washington Irving that his rnateri.
ais concerning Scott abundant for there
few writer's who could them more skifuiy I'm
perfect as his details are however they will be- perused
with interes-tor who grows weary ofhearing anec
dotes OF Scott amiabc in his disposition lie was
superemnent in his talents the object alike of unbound
ed love and admiration.
SPAIN BY PROFESSOR LoSerEl1ow
1t s'a beautiful morning in June-so beautiful that
almost fancy myself in Spain. The tesselated shadow
OF the honey-sucke lies mooness upon my floor AZ if
were figure ia the carpet and through the open win
dow comes the fragrance of the wild and the mock
orange reminding of that soft, sunny cline where
the very is aden like the bee, with sweetness and
the south wind
Come over gardens, aud the flowers
That kissed it are betrayed"
The birds caroling in the trees, and their shadows
Hit across the window they dart TO and fro the
sunsiine while the of the bee, the cooing of
the doves from the caves, and the whirring Of a little
hummingbird that has its nest in the h0ney-suck L.
send up sound Of Joy 70 meet the rising How