The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1877-07-05
The MisfortuHcS Of the Descendants OF Sir
Walter Scot.-Abtpttsfori.

The MisfortuHcs of the Descendants OF Sir
Walter Scott-Abhottsf0rd
In some portions OF the world May IS
considered an unpropiuous month Tor
inatrimouy, and this opinion is strongly
held IN Scotland. Waiter Scott was a
very sensible man, and yet be could not
resist the power OF such notion. This
was shown in the marriage
of his daughter Sophia 10
John q. Lockhart. The auth
or had important engagements IN Lon
don while the wedding was in prepare
tion, and it was appointed the last day
(bu; one) IN April. Scott left his Lon
don business unfinished at time when
a delay of week would have been of
great value, merely in obedience TO
national superstition. This union, how
ever, was not fortunate in the general
result. The Lockharts had but one SON,
"A sickly boy, who died at the age Of 10
years, and Sophia did not long survive
him. She left = daughter who married
John Hope. He took the namo of
Scott, and became proprietor OF Abbotts.
ford.
Walter Scott was married on Christ
mas eve, 1877, the bride being Miss Jane
Carpenter Cor Carpenter), an hciress OF
French birth. The marriage was not
felicltous, especially in view of her men
tai infcriority, which was lifelong an
noyance TO the author. This feature
was inherited by their four children, all
of whom were far below mcdlocrity in
point of brain activity. The eldest son
had noble figure, which is all that can
be said of him. The second son was
glad TO get clcrkship under the govern
ment, which was bis highest attainment.
Tho oldest daughter, Sophia, was the
brightest, but never left any thing On re-
cord TO suggest that she was the daugh-
ter ola genius. The youngest daughter,
Anne, like her brother Charles, died IN
married She gas fra:l creature, and
was drcadfully shattered by the rum
which fell upon her fathers fortunes.
After his death she went 10 Lon
don, became 4 member OF Lock harris
family, and died there, less than year
after her father. A pension from the
king gave her Il support, and thus the
daughter Of the greatest author OF the
age died an o;%ject of royal charity.
The fact that the widow Of the second
Walter has recently died in London, sug
gcsts brief aIlusion 10 her name and
character. Tho second Walter Scott
was of noble form and vacant head.
His father placed him in the army, and
the youth made the most of the family
name and personal appearance by marry
ing AN keiress. The latter was Miss
Jenny Johnson, proprietor of the estate
of Lochore. She was inferior in stature
and also in personl appearance, but her
wealth was sufficient attraction. The
wedding took place on Feb. 3, 1926, and
the "happy PAIR" went TO Dublin, where
tho husbands regiment was qCartercd.
Soon afterward the latter began 70 flirt
with the ladies, and as this came to his
fathers knowledge, he sent him some
sensible advice. The jealousy of the
bride became awakened, and tho union,
according TO report, was never harmon
ious. We thus see that these three mar
riages, one of which date in this unfor
tunato month, wero decidedly unsuc-
cessful.
The second Sir Walter Scott died child
less, and the solo representative of the
authors line is his great grand daughter
Monica, who was born in 1852, and who
still lives at Abbotsford. Her mother,
Mrs. Hope Scott (Lockhart's daughter),
died in 1853. 1t is sad to see how Wal
ter Scott was disappointed in all his
and also in his grand residence,
Abbottsford. He was twelve years per-
fectng this establishments and failed two
years after II might have been called a
finished palace. Only twice was Abbotts-
ford opened to its full capacity during
his life. Tho first Of these occasions was
tho entertainment gwen in honor of his
sons marriage; the second was the fun
craI of kis wife, which took place soon
after.