Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-08-13
"reminiscences of q Visit 10 AbbOts-
f0Fd

iUIu
A friend, who had the privilege of
seeing and talking with Sir Walter
| Scott at AbbOtsfOrd, relates the fol-
lowing "reminiscences in the August
number OF old and Nel0:
"ScOtt had been, from my child
hood, my wonder and delight; and it
was not without sensibility that /
| found myself in his presence. / had
| only time, however, to receive the
impression that he was more lame
and stout than 1 expected, when mis-
| cherry voice and cordial greeting took
possession of us, and we felt at ease
and at home.
1.-THE hall into which be led Ia,
/ about forty feet long by about halt
/ that breadth and hight, vas paved
/ with black and white marble, lighted
by two tall windows OF painted glass.
WainscOted high up in oak, the cor
/ nice above, as also the framework of
| oak that passed in shallow arches
| across the ceiling, were adorned with
| emblazOned shields of his own pro-
genitOrs, and other border families.
| On one side of the huge fireplace OF
dark sandstone, opposite the entrance
from the courtyard, opened a door
into the drawing-rOOm, and further
along on that side another into the
great library. AT the west end of the
hall, between two inches, was a door
to the staircase, dining-TOOm, bOudOir
and small aImOry. Sir Walter led Us
along the hall, trampiGg, as he went,
with cane and iimping gate, toward
the other end of il, where, between
two figures in complete steel, n IN
chain and the other in plate mail, we
| followed him into his sanctum.
Throwing himself into a chair, of
dimensions sufficiently ~capaciOus for
his full, burly frame, after first prOyid-
/ ing his guests with seats as attractive
if not as spacious, his large hound,
/ which had followed him into the
/ house, stretched himself at his feet.
| Scott removed the purple plaid cap
from his head, and we saw in all its
grandeur that remarkable face, which
displayed the characteristics familiar
to US through portraits. His tower
ing forehead was displayed in all its
amplitude; while mis- expression, "a
dent with courtesy and kindness,
brimmed over with good humOr.
One could not but be impressed with
the WOndrOus Vitality of the man,
not only in intellectual vigOr and
kindness of heart, but in a magnet
ism imparting its intensity to who
ever approached.
"He read with attention our cre-
dentials, the letter of Introduction
from his friend Mr.. Ticknor, after
whom he inquired with affeetiOnate
warmth, as also after many other
American acquaintance. In reply to
some inquiry as to his own health, he
spoke ~favOrably of its general cOndi-
ton, adding, however, that he began
to feel thesymptOms of the failures of a
strong man. His age was far short of
the average limit OF life, and he
looked as if he might have in store
many years of enjoyment and COM
fort. But this was not to be. His
severe mental labor, that ~hereulean
task, which in six years paid OF
nearly q million of debt, had already
made sad inr0ads on his constitution;
and, two years later, his life was
brought to a premature close.
"F0r about an hour conversation
fitted from topic to topic, when he
told us that the dinner hour was APP
preaching, and that after our drive,
we might need repOse and refresh
ments. He rang the bell, summoned
an elderly servant TO show Vi to our
apartments, and we left him. As we
passed out of the door, we saw him
ascending the stairs to the gallery
which connected with his own sleep
ing room. Night or morning he could
pass at once without delay between
couch and desk.
''SOme illusions to the beautiful
creature which during the interview
had kept an eye on his master, led to
his mentioning that the animal slept
on a rug by his bedside. When the
sun was up, or at some other early
hour at which it was his habit, when
weather permitted, to go forth, the
dog placed his paws heavily on his
masters breast to intimate that the
time had come, and he must be up
and away to his fields and woods.
"He said he had long wished to
visit America, but had been pre-
vented. He told US that during the
war of 1872 he came near being
taken there against his will. He was
cruising round the Hebrides in A
Yacht, with the Lighthouse Commits
sion. when one of our cruisers chased
them several hours; and they would
have been taken, but that they ran
into shoal water where the cruiser
could not follow.
"The conversation was generally
brisk and animated. Another incl
dent gave it a turn. At a certain sea
son in a Scotch dinner, certainly at his
table, small cups of raw whisky were
handed round, and drunk of by the
experienced without a difficulty. The
sip 1 took, not knowing what it was,
burnt my throat. The cups were Of
different forms and material, each
having its story. The one given to
nv companion was made Of a tree
under which Wellington stood at the
battle Of Waterloo. Scott, having
baen for some time busily engaged on
his Life of Napoleon had much to
saw about him and his battles. After
the ladies withdrew, cigars were
brought; and having acquired the
accomplishment at Harvard, Of which
institution / was then a student, / Waa
glad to think afterWard Ihad had my
puff with the great wizard.
sat that season, so far north as
Scotland, il was not sunset when we
left the dining-rOom and as we passed
into a long and narrow hall, extend
ing through the house from front to
rear, about sixteen feet in width, our
attention was directed by our hospita-
bic host to swords and spears, dagges
and pistols, and q vast number o.
other fighting implements that COW
cred the walls. Each had attached to
it some special association and though
time was wanting for thorough exam
ination, where all were 30 deserving
of study. the most remarkable were
pointed out TO as"