Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-30
MISC ELLANEOUS
Anecdotes Of Sir Walter scott.
By WASHINGTON IRVING.

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4
The following anecdotes, illustrative Of
the character Of the great wizard OF the
North. are taken from an old volume pub.
lished by Lea & Blanchard, of PHILADELPHIA
They will be found very Interesting:
SIT down to perform my promise ofgiv.
ing you an account of my visit made man,
years since to Abbotsford. l hope, how
ever, that you do not expect much from
me, for the travelling notes taken at the
time are scanty and vague, and m,
memory so extremely falacious, that feal
| shall disappoint you with the meagernes.
and crudeness of my details.
Late in the evening of the 29th Of Au
gust, 1916, | arrived at the ancient littl,
border town of Sekirk, where put up fol
the night. | had come down from Edin
burg, partly to visit Melrosc Abbey anc
its vicinity, but chiefly TO get a sight of til,
"mighty minstrel of the North" / had i
letter of Introduction to him from Thoma.
Campbell, the poet, and had reason to think
from the interest he had taken in some o
my earlier scribbings, that a visit from mt
would not be deemed an intrusion.
On the following morning, after an ear
ly breakfast, | set off in post chaise foi
the abbey. On the way thilher stoppcc
at the gate Of Abbotsiord, and sent tht
position to the house with the lctter o
introduction and my card, on which l hac
written that | was on my way 10 the ruin.
Of Melrosc abbey. and wished TO know
whether it would be agreeable 10 Nh.
Scott (for he had not yet been made baro
nett to receive a visit from me in the cours,
of the morning.
While the position was on his errand
| had time 10 survey the mansion. 1t stooc
a short distance below the road, on tho
side Of a hill sweeping downto the Tweed
and was as yet but snug genflenan's cot
tage, with something rural and picturesqu,
in its appearance. The whole front wa.
overrun with evergrccns, and immediatel,
above the portal was "A great pair of ell
horns, branching out from beneath the 70
hage, and giving the cottage the look of
hunting lodge. The huge baronial pile, tc
which this modest mansion in manner
gave birth, was just emerging into existenc,
part of the walls, surrounded by scafiold
ing, already had risen TO the height of tn,
cottage, and the court yard in front was en-
numbered by masses Of hcwn stone.
The noise of the chaise had disturbed
the quiet ofthe establishment. Out salict
the warder of the castle, black gre,
hound. and, leaping on one Of the block,
of stone, began furious barking. His a
larm brought out the whole garrison o
dogs:
Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound,
| And ours of low degree;
all open mouthed and vocifcrous. sloulc
correct my quotation;-not cur was to b,
seen on the premises; Scott was too true d
sportsman, and had too great a vcneratior
for pure blood, TO tolerate mongrel.
In a little while the "lord of the castle
himself made his appearance. knew hin
at once by the descriptions | had read and
heard, and the likenesses that had beer
published of him. He was tall, and Of &
large and powerful frame. His dress wa:
simple, and almost rustic. An old greer
shooting coat, with dog whistle at the
button hole, brown linen pantaloons, stout
shoes that tied at the ancles, and white
hat that had evidently seen service. FL,
came hmping up the gravel walk, aiding
himself by stout walking stick, bpt mo
wing rapidly and with vigor. BY his side
logged along a large iron-grey staghound
of most grave demeanor, who took nc
part in the clamor of the canine rabhle, but
seemed to consider himself bound, for the
dignity of the house, to give me cour:eou.
reception.
Before Scott had reached the gate he
called out in hearty tone, welcoming me
TO Abbotsford, and asking news of Camp
bell. Arrived at the door of the chaise, he
grasped me warmly by the hand; Come
drive down, drive downt to the house, said
he, "ye're just in time for breakfast, and af
tcrwards We shall see all the wonders o.
the abbey
would have excused myself on the
plea of having already made my breakfast
'Hout, man, cried he, "a ride in the keen
air Of the Scotch hills is warrant enough for
a second breakfast
l was accordingly whirled to the portal
of the cottage, and in few moments found
myself seated at the breakfast table. There
was no one present but the family, which
consisted of Mrs. Scott her eldest daughter
Sophia. then fine girl about seventeen
Miss Ann Scott, two or three years young
er, Walter. we'll grown STRIPPING, and
Charles, lively boy, ten or twelve years
Of age. I soon felt myself quite at home
and my heart in a glow with the cordial
welcome | received.-I had thought to
make mere morning visit, but found
was not to be let off so easily. "Y ou must
not think our neighborhood is to be read
in morning, Ikea newspaper, said Scott
'It takes several days Of study for an OBJ.
servant traveller that has a relish for auld
world trumpery. After breakfast you shall
make your visit to Melrose abbey, / shall
not be able to accompany you, as / have
some household affairs to attend TO, but
will put you in charge Of my son Charles
who il very learned in all things touching
the old ruin and the mel eighborhood it stand.
in, and he and my friend, Johnny Brewer
will tell you the whole truth about it with
a good deal more that you are not called
upon to believe--unless you be q true and
nothing doubling anii9uary When yor
come back, III take you out on arambls
about the heighborhood, Tomorrow we