The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1865-08-25


advocate he 'esolved to quit it and devote
himself to literary pursuits. lie was dis
appointed in his earl y and first love, and
we have often thought that it might be
owing to this circumstance that he has
been enabled to give US the best sketch of
disappointed love on record-I mean that
of "Rebeckah," in mvauhoo." He, how.
ever, did not "bctray his manhood to u
myrtle shade,' but married the daughter
of French refugee. 1t was not till after
his marriage that he composed his first
poem, "The Lay of the Last Minstrel"
1t was Sir Walter SCOTS ambition to
acquire baronial estate, and to lead the
life of country gentleman. Within four
years appeared "Rokeby,' Gone of his
best,) "The Vision of Don Rodcrick,n
"Ths Lord of the Isles," "Marmion,"
''The Lady of the Lake." and several of
that series of novels called "The Waver-
ly." BY these great works Scott was
enabled to purchase one hundred acres OF
land on the banks of the Tweed, and to
build the princely mansion of Abbottsford.
Here he delighted to dispense that gene
rous and graceful hospitality, of which 50
many poets, and princes, and peers have
delighted to describe. He was u capital
horseman, and delighted in leapiug over
perilous bitches and fences, and was SO
fond OF dogs that he always kept a pet
hound. So we cannot wonder at the
beautiful description of ''the Chase" in
the "Lady of the Lake" 1t was written
by one who had seen what he so wildly
portrayed.
"fhe Ettrick Shepherd" in his 'Fa-
miliar Anecdotes of Sir Walter Scott
says of him: "Though more social COM
panion never Yves born, he never filled
himself drunk. He was moderate in
eating aud drinking" "All who knew
him Intimately, loved him nay, many of
them worshiped him. He was the only
man | ever knew whom no man, either
poor or rich, held at ill-will.' These en-
comiums are given by one wEo seems more
DESTROYS in his work to laud himself than
his subjcct--Sir Walter Scott.
Hitherto we have dwelt upon the pleas
ant picture Of this amiable man, crowned
with success and all the PLEASURES of pros
perity; but for him was reserved an or.
deal, so severe and unexpected, that it
would have utterly overwhelmed and bro.
ken the hearts Of most men. SCOTS early
works were published by his friend, John
Ballantyne, and in an unfortunate hour
he entered into secret partnership with
him. Ballantyne failed, and SCOTS liza
bilitics amounted to the large sum of
$4,000. The English law would have
in great measure relieved him FROM this
debt; but with that chivalrous spirit,
which has no parallel in literary history,
he conceived the mighty project of paying
this debt. He abandoned his happy
home, and in an humble house in Edin-
blrgh, in his old age, resumed his labors.
The first novel written was Woodstock,
and the memory of Scott's noble sacrifice
mlusles in our thoughts as we read its
immortal pages. Sir Henry Lee of Ditch
ley is splendid representation of Sir
Walter Scott of Abbottsford. The same
touching embodiments of high-born loyal
ty, of prosperity and adversely. In six
years it was almost accomplished the
debt was almost paid, but this Hercuean
task left this great man wreck. He
was struck down by paralysis, and con-
veyed to Abbottsford ruin in body and
mind, yet around which the memory of
his great commercial martyrdom, like the
ivy, still rendered him an object of admi-
ration. Here at his "ain house" he lin
gcred for short while, never abiding to
those great works which have immortal
lied his name. Here, at that home which
he SO dearly loved, and from which he had
been voluntary exile, the greatest Scotch
man breathed his last. His on-in-law
tells US: at was beautiful day, so warm
that every window was wide open, and so
perfectly still, that the sound of all others
most delicious to his ear, the gentle ripple
Of the Tweed over its pebbles, was dis
tinotly audible as we knelt around his bed,
and his eldest son kissed and closed his
eyes"
1t is, perhaps, superfluous to add that
Sir Walter Scott added this "greater hon
or to bis life than man could give him"
he cleared and loved God" He was
a consistent member and died in the COM
muuion Of the English Church. No man
could have been what Scott was, who was
not animated by that religion which is
the greatest ornament of great man.
We are told that his favorite part of the
Bible was the l4th chapter Of st. John.
The tone of Scott is elevated and eleva-
ting. He addresses and arouses all that
is noble, and chivalrous and good, and his
works may be read without injury by the
most jealous Of protesting Christians.-
We have always lively remembrance Of
this great man when we read of the ex
lied Douglas III the hidden isle; of the
brave, gallant and pedantic Baron Brad
wardine; the noble and naughty figure of
Vich Van Vohr! Who that has ever
read the burning of Rokeby, or the mes