Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-10-15
MISCELLANY.
From fhe Poriisaa .idrerhssr.
BRookS'S LSITERs.-sIR WALTER
SCOTT.
Mr,Ro,E, Scotland, y June aith, 1885.

lS"SNN'eu ISiudiiN iOT IRE, we
once more took our fee, and started for
Abbotsiord, the residence of Walter
Scott, or of Sir Walter Scott. as every
body calls him. or Sir Walter Scott.
Bart. as every body writes il, as il
title could dignity such man as Wal
ter Scott BY the way, however, it is
necessary to look out for titles in Eng
land, for Eng:ishnen amuse themselves
at our expense, neglecting, as we Of
ten do all titles. calling a Lady,
Mrs, as Lady Blessington, Mrs.
Blcssington for example. and Duke.
duck. as Goblet, used TO call them.
.hr. perhaps. instead of His Grace, it
being quite a mouthful for Us 10 grace
or majesty flesh and bones like our own
poor selves. But it is we'll when among
the Romans 10 do as the Romans do,
though what a state of society" is an
exclamation ever popping into ones
brain. ! hate these denominations and
seldom call man Honorable at home
If he rs honorable. ever taking care,
however, 10 give him the title when ne
is not. As for Esquires, and Generals
and Majors, they are no titles at all
now, So common are they. that ii is no
violation of the principle TO dub every
man you see with chem. But 10 return
we started on foo, to Abbotsford,
three or four miles from Selkirk-We
lost our way, misled by the answer of
a Scotch woman, who either misuuder-
stood our English. or We her Scotch
and with great difficulty we got right
again after fresh directions from another
Scotch woman, who lived in lone
place, and talked vet thicker Scotch
She knew Scott, however, told us he
was "cannic man" and said She
never saw sic long burial as his. -
But on the main road again, after quite
a wandering through little wood, we
saw the gothic pinnacles or SUBMITS OF
Abbotsford peering through the trees, a
lodge and fine path, or road indicating
the entrance.
had never read description of Alb
botsford, nor had ! been within Ba-
ronial hall or castle not in ruins. when
entered the Baronial hall of Walter
Scott, and he alone among the Ameri-
cans, who remembers his first feelings
on such an entrance, can understand
mine. was instantly thrown back
into the past full five hundred years.
The shining suits of armor, as of men
in steel. were in my fancy real men,
saw SCOTS novels all aiirc-thc very
knights, the very barons, the carved
roofs of oak-the gothic pannellings-
the horns of animals-the targets, he'll
NETS, shields-aye the verv men, the
very stories, the very things-I read
them all again, in but minute or
more. here embodied all the fancies
OF years. had ideas of what were
I only dreams before. seemed To see
the scene where Scott drew all his in
( spira,Ion, when this very scene was
but another creation of his IN matter in
stead Of Words. | should rave if at
tempted 10 describe what felt,-and |
should be mad in fact to attempt 10 de-
scribe what the most brilliant pens oi
America and Europe have so often
!. touched, so very often indeed, in every
manner and IN many tongues. Ii has
indeed been well said that for this
singular building, Scott has drawn out
lines and ornaments from every part OF
Scotland; and it may well be added,
that the tributes which all the world
have gwen him have filled the house
with curiosities from every part Of The
world. So too the taste of the poet has
sought every thing which could add
4 interest TO bis home, such relics" for
iexample, as Bums's graf" in the Ba-
ronIll ball or the old pulpit from which
Rolph Erskine preached, with many
other Of the like. In building this odd
.ly formed, and yet perfectly con-
siructed dwelling. Scott seems 90
have had prcscience Of the interest that
would attach 20 his name. and, As il
that would not be- enough 20 draw the
traveller from every country, he has
,concentered relics enough Of other
times. and other men. which Of itself
would make it worthy q a pilgrimage
and thus adding TO the inspiration
everto be felt in the abode Of genius
the other inspiration Of yet more IN
spring scenes.
No man who ever looks upon this
spot and who IS permitted 20 enter
within iis walls, and view its Gothic
+ ornaments. its Gothic furniture m Goth
&c ball. - hanging cabinets, as miuors.
Iits portraits alone. will not admire
Walter Scott The more as a mere man
e his taste What then are The emo
i.pns ol hiu, VI o knew the name Of
Scott ihe ffst among az distant names.
and " DO dwcl eyon hls pictures Of
Scottish iie a. hrst among his reading
ahcn as now, he stands in his very Ia
brary. reads the books he has thus
I ihumbcd--siis IN bis chair-leans upon
his dcsk-and then ends his view 10
Z ihc little recess near bis study where
( .. BIS last suit % clothes that be vote
his highland dress the claymore and
purse. belt. his coat. bis plntaloons 81
plaid has vest. his shoes his whitc bat