Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-21
A Maine Girl In Europe---IV.

it WAS passed, i'll fact, Finished
things. as the waiter tells you when
he means "all served" The Door lit
Tie Keeper of the inn was quite dis
courage d. In talking with an English
lady, who had most interestedly OBJ
served us from the time of our ar
rival. she said: you Americans are SO
funny, at breakfast you cat jam be-
fore the fish, with the fish and after
the fish" And somebody added: ITO
say nothing Of its being funny to have
Jan and fish for breakfast anyhow"
All too soon We were obliged to leave
attractive Inversnaid. for a five mile
sail across Losh Lomond-"the bonnie
bonnie banks of Loeb Lomond :"
There are many lofty mountains
cr"wding around on all sides of the
lake. and one nearly falls over back
ward i'll trying to find the tops. Sew
eral "Bens' are here, all covered with
beautiful green, most restful to the
eye. There is something wild and
rugged about the scenery, which
makes one feel he would prefer to get
home before dark
Who can wonder that the Scotch
reared among the healthy, inspiring
surroundings, their lungs filled with
the invicoratng air. should develop
into such sturdy. honest race. The
Scotch with their bright tartans, their
Shrill bagpipCS. their fine. fresh faces
and vigorous figures. their love for
everything out-Of- doors. their great
contribution to litcrature-I can give
them no greater compliment than to
place them next to Americans in my
temnlc Of fame.
Our party passed ono night in q
graveyard, that is the tombstones
came 50 near our windows that many
declared they saw ghosts wandering
around during the wee small hours.
Sc that as it NAV, it was a strange
sensation 20 awaken and by the clear
light of the moon look out on the ruins
of Mclr"Sc Abby. surrounded ny shiny
white monuments. and almost read the
inscriptions thereon.
The { ID guide who shows the beauties
If the wondrnus old ruin. repeats pas
sagcs from tho Lay of the Last Min
Strcl as if it were 4 psalm. and 50 il
seems as one stands within the ivy
covered walls and looks at the grand
old windows and fallen arches. There
is certainly much that is sacred about
it all. We are familiar with the pic
turc of the ruined Abbey. with its
graceful outlines.
one ENJOYS wandering along the moss
covered paths and admiring the beau
ties of the grounds. The heart of
Robert Bruce is buried here, and it Is
also the last resting place of many no
ted in Scotch history. In wandering
around. I noticed the grave Of the man
who invented the bcwildcring kaleideo-
scope.
The history Of the Abbey dates back
to tho twelfth century. when it was
founded by David ISt. 1t has since had
successive reservations and distinctions
until it has reached its present condi-
ton the finest ruin in Scotland. 1t is
surely Il picturesque and beautiful spot
\ visit to Abbotts ford, the former
home If Sir Walter Scott, was natu-
raj scIucnc" to tho two trips outlined.
1t was d delightful ride by drag OF
a few hours from Mclrosc. in the early
MORNING. ere tho dew was hardly Of
the grass. The house is Il most attract
i've ma aston. built in 1911. and still ir
possession Of the family. Tho grounds
NII'l dlt SuiItu1'it'i DN Al nigh 11thSt
are very fine. broad paths leading
Trough gardC ms, and groves, to the
river Tweed, which placiily flows along
one part of the estate. The interior is
wonderfully interesting, containing rs
it does so Etany things intimately as
SoCiatch with the great author. The
study, library and drawing room. from
all Of hich. rCStful views are obtained
each and all hold the attention. The
-trmory. where is displayed a large col
lection Of swords, weapons Of all kinds
AMI other warikc paraphernalia, from
all lands, is quite fascinating. We were
allowed TO sit in Sir Walters chair, no.
fore his desk. where so much OF his
work was done. We also inspected MS
pest suit of Clothes" including a
white top hat.
1t was not difficult to imagine the
cOUrtly gentleman amid such sur
roundings as these. They seemed quite
in keeping with the man and the litera-
ture he has left for us all to enjoy The
title. gentleman and scholar. GER
tainly belongs to Sir Walter Scott.
Eva L. Shorey.