The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-12

that town in 1866 SIR Walters writing
desk was made Of pieces VI wood from
the ships OF the Spanish Armada, and IL
was highly priced by him on account Of
this association. A chair on the north
side Of the room Is called the Wallace
chair. because # is made OF wood taken
from the house OF Royrobston, the scene
OF Wallace's betrayal.
The library contains more than zD'OD
volumes collected by Sir Walter himself,
and IS a beautiful room, with richiy
carved ceiling copied from the ROOF OF
Rosslyn chapel.
A glass table in the bow window con-
tains many valuable curiosities, ana az
one stands and examines them all, the
wonder grows how In the space OF one
lifetime Sir Walter had leisure 70 make
such valuable and extensive collections OF
books, weapons and curi0sties, and yet
be so prolific an author.
At the east end OF the room there Is
bust Of Sir Walter by Sir Francis Chan-
trey. During the poets life time a bust
OF Shakespeare occupied this place, but
upon the day Of his funeral, young Sir
Walter effected this change. A beautiful
fac-simile Of the Warwick vase is also In
this room.
Some Of the most important Of the
EuilOEltltN III lllt glass Athlt may w AttN-A
toned briefly: Napoleon the Firsts blot
ting book, Napoleon the Firsrs pen-tray
and gold bee clasps These were taken
from the EmperOr's carriage after the
battle OF Waterloo. gold snuf-boX'
presented 10 Sir Walter by George ~;
a bog snuff-bOx, presented 10 him by
Miss Edgeworth; a toadstone amulet set
In silver. (Thls stone belonged TO Sir
Walters mother, and IL was supposed TO
be a sovereign charm against the fairies;
therefore II was in constant demand by
the mothers Of the neighborhood, 20 be
worn by their young infants) A small
knife and fork used by Sir Walter when
a child: a miniature Of Sir Walter al the
age OF five or six years 2 piece OF queen
Marys dress, and Prince Charles quaigh.
This quaigh. or drinking cup. had a glass
bottom so that the person drinking from
10 could guard himself against "a murder
Gus surprise. There are many quaighs Of
celebrated characters. and snuff-b boxes
galore. but time fails 20 repeat the list,
or even TO linger over them long enough
10 tx them in ones memory. We fol-
low the guide into the drawing which
is hung with old Chinese paper given To
Sir Walter by his q, usin. Hugh Scott, OF
Raeburn. There az many paintings ut
interest i'm this 70 u. and bust of
Shakespeare. made from the monument
at Standardization. one Of the most
interesting Of the portraits is that Of Sir
Walter himself. copies Of which are doubt
less familiar 10 many readers This pOr-
trait was painted i'm 1909, and represents
Sir Walter i'm fun length, seated by a
ruined wall. with one Of his pet DOGS,
a greyhound. Percy. looking into his face.
The background suggests the valley NJ
the Yarrow. marking the period Of Ashe-
stiel and MarmiOu.
A glimpse through an open window
shows a green lawn. with two chubby.
rOsy-cheeked children disporting them
selves with a dog, descendants OF the great
man whose genius has made Abbotstord
a place 10 be remembered
One looks back at the delightfuHy ir-
regular house, and the charming surround
ings with a feeling Of tenderness for IT,,
because il was so dearly loved by it's
owner, who truthfully called II his DE
lIlah."