Abbotsford

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Adam and Charles Black, 1905 - Abbotsford - 224 pages

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Page 24 - IF thou would'st view fair Melrose aright, Go visit it by the pale moon-light ; For the gay beams of lightsome day Gild, but to flout, the ruins gray.
Page 55 - Tom Purdie and his subalterns had preceded us by a few hours with all the greyhounds that could be collected at Abbotsford, Darnick, and Melrose; but the giant Maida had remained as his master's orderly, and now gambolled about Sibyl Grey, barking for mere joy like a spaniel puppy. The order of march had been all settled, and the sociable was just getting under weigh, when the Lady Anne broke from the line, screaming with laughter, and exclaimed, " Papa, papa, I knew you could never think of going...
Page 117 - Sir Walter breathed his last, in the presence of all his children. It was a beautiful day — so warm, that every window was wide open — and so perfectly still, that the sound of all others most delicious to his ear, the gentle ripple of the Tweed over its pebbles, was distinctly audible as we knelt around the bed, and his eldest son kissed and closed his eyes.
Page 56 - He tried to look stern, and cracked his whip at the creature, but was in a moment obliged to join in the general cheers. Poor piggy soon found a strap round...
Page 87 - I have been for some time in the rich scenery about Edinburgh, which is like ornamented garden land, I begin to wish myself back again among my own honest grey hills ; and if I did not see the heather at least once a year, I think I should die!
Page 122 - I shall be well enough presently, if you will only let me sit where you are, and take my chair; for there is a confounded hand in sight of me here, which has often bothered me before, and now it won't let me fill my glass with a good will.
Page 104 - Yet not the landscape to mine eye Bears those bright hues that once it bore, Though evening, with her richest dye, Flames o'er the hills of Ettrick's shore. With listless look along the plain I see Tweed's silver current glide, And coldly mark the holy fane Of Melrose rise in ruined pride.
Page 116 - ... have but a minute to speak to you. My dear, be a good man — be virtuous — be religious— be a good man. Nothing else will give you any comfort when you come to lie here." — He paused, and I said, " Shall I send for Sophia and Anne ? " " No," said he,
Page 76 - To have done things worthy to be written, was in his eyes a dignity to which no man made any approach, who had only written things worthy to be read.
Page 188 - ... influence on the mind of Scott, who may be said to have lived upon love. No man cared less about popular admiration and applause ; but for the least chill on the affection of any near and dear to him he had the sensitiveness of a maiden. I cannot forget, in particular, how his eyes sparkled when he first pointed out to me Peter Mathieson guiding the plough on the haugh : " Egad," said he, " auld Pepe (this was the children's name for their good friend) — auld Pepe's whistling at his darg.

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