The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-08-31

ing refectively the places made memor
able by these striking and bloody events
in the history of this most unfortunate
Scottish Queen. remember how her
sad history impressed me when a boy
read its terrible story, and now nearly
fifty years since ] first read that story,
l read it anew, on the spot on which
some of its most memorable events
transpired. Outside the Palace Gates
there is curious old building appar-
emily intended as lodge to the Palace,
and known as Queen Mary's Bath.
She is traditlonally reported as having
enhanced her personal charms by bath
ing in wine. 1t was by this lodge that
Rizzio's assasins made their escape, and
it is singular that in executing some
repairs to this Lodge in 1889, richly
lnlaid dagger was found sticking in the
inner sheathing of the roof. 1t was OF
antique shape and corroded with rust.
The presumption is, that it had been
concealed there by some one of the
conspirators.
The noble University Building. the
famous College of Surgeons, the Mu-
scum of Science and Art, the Martyrs
Monument in Greyfriar's Churchyard,
Heriot's Hospital, Nelson's Monument
on Calton Hill, Burns Monument, the
unfinished National Monument, the
Wellington Statue, the National Gallery,
the Antiquarian Museum, The Albert
Memorial, and last but not the least,
the Monument to Sir Walter Scott, are
all elegant and costly evidences of the
wealth, culture and refinement of this
attractive centre of modern civilization.
The spirit of the great Wizard of the
North pervades the very atmosphere OF
this Scottish capital. The name OF
Waverly is emblazoned everywhere. 1t
confers grace and character upon the
buildings that it adorns, and makes
structures respectable that were other
wise ordinary and commonplace. 1t
was natural therefore that should turn
my steps towards Abbetsford where the
author of Wavery dwelt in the flesh,
and which, alike with the pages he has
written, he has adorned with the tails
manic wand of his genius. Abbotsford
is about two miles from the little village
of Melrose made memorable by the
grand old Abbey that bears its name.
The drive from Melrose to Abbotsford
a delightful one, being over beautifully
shaded roads, opening now and then
charming vistas of richest landscape.
The homestead is located in a most
picturesque location on the north bank
OF the river Tweed. Sir Walter began
the building of Abbotsford in 1871 and
added 10 it year after year, until it at
tanned dimensions not at first contem-
plated by him. The great charm of it
consists in the regularity of its irregu-
larity, if such term be admissible, its
additions having made on the inspira,
ton of the moment, and not in accor-
dance with set design at the outset.
And so it presents in splendid confu-
sion, its gables and plnnacles, Its bal
comics and turrets, its walls being dec
ocrated with curious old sculptured
stones gathered from ancient buildings
and ruins in nearly every part of Scot
land. You enter it from the east through
a porch copied from one in Linlithgow
Palace. The number of visitors at
Abbotsford was unusually large the day
| was there, there being an agricultural
show near Melrose. We were shown
into Sir Walters private study, and
which is most closely identified with
him in his literary work. 1t is small
apartment lighted by single window,
the other three sides of the room being
occupied by book shelves, around
which runs light gallery of open iron
work. 1t contains now all the furniture
used by Sir Walter, consisting of his
writing table, the black leather arm
chair he generally used and one other
chair. In small cabinet or closet
opening into the study stands glass
case which contains the suit of clothes
he wore Immediately before his death.
From the study you pass into the L.
brary, the largest apartment of Abbots-
ford, and most magnificent room.
The ceiling is elaborately carved in old
oak, while twentv thousands of rare
volumes of books cover the walls. In
a niche at one end of the room stands
white marble bust Of Sir Walter. From
a wide recess window on extensive view
of the river is commanded. The Ii
brary connects with the drawing room
the walls of which are hung with a
bright green decorated paper, while
over the mantel piece hangs picture
of Sir Walter and his two faithful dogs
executed by Sir Henry Reyburn. On
the walls hangs number of portraits
the most noticeable one 10 me being a
portrait Of Hogarth painted by himself.
the cornice of this room is decorated
with design of Scotch kale copied
from Melrose Abbey. In this room
there IS a portrait of the head of Queen
Mary after her decapltation, and in the
library the cross which she held in her
the moment before her execution. The
armoury runs to the furthest end of the
house, and with openings right and left