New-York tribune., 1902-08-25
THE sIJNDIAL AT ABBOTsFoRD.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: So much interest has been taken at home
and abroad by a statement with regard to the sun
dial in the garden at Abbotsford which published
some little time ago in THE Newark Sunday Call"
sending copies friends. that L venture to send 1t
10 you. the wider circulation that your columns
would give 1t was suggested by an article on
'Sundlals'' in the previous number. and was as
follows
Your notice of sundals reminded me OF a most
interesting one which l just about year ago
in the garden at Abbotsford. where, thanks to the
owner whom have the pleasure OF knowing had
the enree Davd Douglas S n6 the p a6 snaa In hd IN
burnt M to 5ed 4 me rhaJ pan ne d0 the ounds md as It had
fallen down and been taken away. It was replaced
daughter of Lockhart and great granddaughter Of
Sir Walter Scott When he published the journal
George Reid president of the Royal Scottish Acad-
egete wh0@ of the met snnda n for 3hs book His idea
was to have the sundal represented standing erect
IN one volume. before misfortune overlook the
owner and PROSTATE in the second, after the blow
had fallen. Sir George Reid. a true artist and
in the first volume. standing in the sunlight sur. %
other in the gloom night. with branches stripped
of their leaves and exposed to the wintry blast
his life of Sir Walter in following wise: Sir Walter
had been visiting at Milton-Lockhart. and had met
iaany years and who like himself. suffering
fT9m the hat t6e friend had had pa4atc
in the night and that his life was despaired OF
though he had intended to remain two days, Sir
Walter drew my brother aside and besought him to
lend him horses as far as Lanark: for tnat ne
would listen TO perSuaSionS- NO, William he
said; this is a sad warning. must home TO Work
while il is called day for the night cometh when no
man can work put that text, many a year ago,
on INV dial stone: but it often preached in vain. u"
In a note II is stated: This dial which used to
stand in front of the old cottage, and is now IN the
centre of the garden at Abbotsford. Is inscribed
'Nux erketa1 IN Greek lnoSe "oIuS hediI
There is another sundial I have heard OF, and
7 have never been able to find out where II is,
which bears a Latin inscription, HoraS non
numero nisi serenas" q only number the shining
hours.
Only Yesterday I received a letter from a friend
well known in the world of letters. Alexander
Times Shand in which he refers to this conf
munication in very kindly terms. | rather think
that the facts state are generally known, and
thev certainly interesting, as is everything
connected with the memory of Sir Walter Scott
Mr. Shand goes on to tell about the dinner 10
the members of the new Order of Merit given re-
Gently; bv the Athennum Club. II is feather in
the can of that club that almost all the members
or the Order of Merit belonged to the Atheneum
He says:
There was a great night at the Athenaum when
thew entertained the members or the Oruei OF
Merit Perhaps the most amusing speech was tnat
or Admiral Seymour in returning thanks Tor MINI
self and KeppeI It strange coincidence
that brought them together again on such an + oo
cason. In the Crnean War RUSSIAN sn9t
knocked their boat to pleces.Seyln01dr d hntb u,are
shipman and Keppel his capta1n-and ooth were
only saved by the skin of their teeth
This seems to be too interesting 10 be kept to
A4'''' ~ ~ G. H DOANE.
North East Harbor Me Aug 16. 1907.