The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-11-18
For tho National Era.
lcopYRIeur SECURED ACCORDING TO Law
GREENWOOD LEAVES FROM OVER THE SEA
BLAcKHrATH PARK, LONDON,


October u.s. 1852.
My DEAR NJ: An unfortunate indispo-
sitiou has prevented my finishing in due sea-
sou the account of my little tour in Scotland
an indisposition which, though now past, has
left lingering lassitude which will, fear,
exclude all freshness and vigor from my pres
ant writing
The morning of our leaving Edinburgh,
though far from brilliant, was not stormy, or
chill, and we were sincerely thankful for ces-
saton in the pelting rain which had made
Aud Reekie," with all her modern beauties
50 thoroughly dismal for the days of our visit
alton We stopped at the Melrose station, and
taking carriage drove over to AbbOtsford,
some three miles. The country, though ex-
ceedingly pleasant did not strike us as re-
markably picturesque, and before we dreamed
of such thing we were Mt Abbotsford which
res low, on the banks Of the Tweed, hidden
from the road by thick plantation. The
grounds are very beautiful, and have, need |
say peculiar mournful charm in all their
lovely lights and shades of greenery, and leafy
luxuriance, from the recollection that he, the
immortal master, planned and planted, and
found his purest, richest pleasure in adjoining
them.
The house itself is superb, baronlal-look-
ing residence strkingly picturesque in effect,
and wonderfully in keeping with the mind and
taste of the noble builder. II is one Of the most
natural productions of his genius. You could
almost fancy it in all its varied forms of an
tique beauty, quaint and strange, yet ever
graceful and imposing-his light enchanting
poetry and his glorious romance resolved into
stone. 1t is a curious pile-an odd, vet not in
harmonious assemblage of architectural ideas,
half religious, half feudal, simple yet stately
the charming conceits and bold fancies of
poetry and the spirit of oden romance, revealed
IN towers and turrets, arches and windows,
gables and chimney-tops
The entrance hall at Abbotsford is not very
large but is exceedingly beautiful, and taste,
fully hung with armor, antlers, weapons, and
the guide pointed to glass case, which con-
tanned the suit of clothes last worn by Sir
Walter, saw nothing beside in this apart
ment. These brought the picture Of the grand
Old man, worn down and broken before his
time, with wondrous vividness before me- |
could zee him as he tottered about his grounds,
or sat in the shade of some favorite tree, with
his faithful Willie Laidlaw-the great soul
hight in his eye dimmed with deepening msts,
and his gigantic genius shrunken into babe q
bounded and bewildered capacity could see
ON ms worn brow the troubled struggle of
memory and thought in his eyes the faint mo-
nen.ary cleaning Of the old inspiration-but
~ ,he sweet mournful smile of his wan lips, |
cauiI sec, OH nothing more, for the real tears
Nhicn rained from my eyes seemed to hide the
unreal picture Of my fancy
In Z
III 'he beautiful little study in which the
great novelist wrote MANY of his works, the
ar seemed surcharged with the living magnet
isin OF ms genius. SO near he seemed 40
strangely recent his presence 80 inevitable his
speedy return my mind grew bewldered and
my heart beat hurriedly and half expectantly
wy very senses obeyed the strong illusion Of
my excited imagination. looked toward the
Wor by which he used to enter. | listened
ana spoke low. dared not approach his wri..
ung,table and sit in bis chair, for fear he
mght surprise me when he should come in.
pu, oh how soon passed over my heart the
chlLi returning wave Of recollection, of reason
gone, gone forever dust dust these twenty
inc library drawing and dining -rooms, are
Try elegant apartments, commanding some
EARNING views There are several fine pic
, py foreign artists, collected by Sir Wal
~ out OF more interest to me were the fam
~ portraits OF these, there are two of the
I Ill., taken IN his early boyhood, wonderfully
TSs u'cse painted in his manhood and old age.
,h nere IS handsome full.length likeness OF
~. o ias' Dir Walter and several portraits of
n 40 SISTER Airs. Lockhart, whose son is the
present. master OF Abbotsford OF all the weap-
an curious and memorable in the armorv, of
81 Tue valuable relics was most moved by
g1' v 's", OF the pistols of Napoleon, Rob Royis
gu" ~, ana the sword Of Montrose.
INC wet state of the grass preventing orr
,"anuerng about the grounds, we were Obliged
~ return much sooner than we would have
chosen, to ielrose.
GA S'elrOse Abbey, we were disappointed TO
~ '' 10 The midst Of the little town, not far from
~. railway station; but we soon forgot this
sIroac circumstance, when We found our.
f. wandering under its grand pillared arches.
nn 'oity extensive, magnificent ruin, retain.
bse.I i'ucn OF the architectural splendor. seulp.
GIo" ana decorative beauty, of its time of pride.
co,n Jas "a II was to US, seen under dun sky.
ma;aa. u not conceive of anything more awfulIy
Gl ,h more surprisingly relieiously beauti.
moonlight ''0"0u oy the pale
tho from S Melrose we drove to Drybursb. where
oom sun made ample amends for siI abort.
en- py beaming upon us in mellow gold.
puhG. shtness Dryburgh Abbey liss az the
smha road, within noblemsu's park ds.nIv
ned IN noble treea amocs wh;oh