Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1853-03-31
courses, in letter 10 the National Era,
about the home Of sir Walter Scott:

courses, in letter 10 the National Era,
abou. the home Of sir Walter Scott:
ABBoTsFoRD We stopped at the Nell
rose station, and, taking carriage, drove
over to Abbo,sford, some three miles. The
country, though exceedingly pleasant, did
no, strike US as remarkably picturesque, and
before we dreamed Of such a thing we were
q, Abbotsferd, which lies low, on the banks
Of the Tweed, hidden from the road by a
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 ,ha, he, the immortal
master, planned and planted end found his
pures', riches, pleasure in sdorning Them.
The house itself is superb bsrona-
looking residence, sirikingly picturesque in
effect, and wonderfully in keeping with The
mind and taste of The noble builder. !. is
one of the most natural productions Of his
genius. You could almost fancy it in all
lis varied forms of antique beauty, quaint
and strange, yet ever graceful and impos-
ing-his light enchanting poetry and his
glorious romance resolved into stone. 1t is
a curious pIIe-an odd yet not inharmon-
Gus assemblage. Of architectural ideas, hal
religious, half feudsl, simple ye, stately
the charming conceils and bold fancies Of
poetry and the spiri, Of oIden romance, re-
vealed IN towers and turrets. arches and win
dows, gables and chimney tops.
The entrance hall at Abbolsford is no,
very large, bu. is exceedingly beautiful, and
tastefully hung with armor, anlers, weapons
and interesting relics from many lands
But alter the guide pointed 10 glass case,
which contained The sui. Of clothes last
worn bv Sir Walter, saw nothing besides
in this apartment. These brought the pic
ture Of the grand old man, worn down and
broken before his time, with wondrous vi
vidness before me. ] see him as he totler-
ed about his grounds, or sat in the shade of
some iavorIie tree, with his faithful Willie
Laidlaw-,he great soul-light in his eye,
dimmed with deepening mis-. and gigantic
genius shrunken into babes bounded end
bewildersd capacity could sec on his
worn brow the troubled struggle Of memo
~ and thought, in his eyes the faint mo-.
mcnIary cleaning Of the old nspirs,ion-
but by the sweet, mournful smile of his wan
lips, ] could see, oh nothing more, for the
real tears which rained from my ewes SEEM
ed to hide the unreal picture Of my fancy.
In the beautiful lillle study in which The
great novelist wrole many Of his works, the
air seemed surcharged with living magnet
ism of genius. So near he seemed, SO
strangely recent his presence, so inevitable
his speedy return, my mind grew bewilder-
ed and my hear, beat hurriedly and hall
expec,aniIy. My very senses obeyed the
strong illusion of my excited imagination
looked toward the door by which be used
TO enter. listened, and spoke low.
dared not approach his wiring table, and
cit in his chair; for fear he nigh, surprise
me when he came in. But oh how soor
passed over my heart the chill returning
wave of'recollec,ion, Of reason-gone, gone
forever! dust, dust these twenty years!
The library, drawing and dning-room
are very elegant apartments, commanding
some charming views. There are severa
fine pictures, by foreign artists, collected BY