70 THE BORDER ANGLER. 



a few miles by Melrose Bridge, and during the time this occu- 

 pied, his woods and house being within prospect, it required 

 occasionally both Dr. Watson's strength and mine, in addition 

 to Nicolson's, to keep him in the carriage. After passing the 

 bridge, the road for a couple of miles loses sight of Abbotsford, 

 and he relapsed into his stupor ; but on gaining the bank im- 

 mediately above it, his excitement again became ungovernable. 

 " Mr. Laidlaw was waiting at the porch, and assisted us in 

 lifting him in. He sat bewildered for a few moments, and then 

 resting his eye on Laidlaw, said, * Ha ! Willie Laidlaw! — man, 

 how often have I thought of you ! ' By this time his dogs had 

 assembled about his chair — they began to fawn upon him and 

 lick his hand, and he alternately sobbed and smiled over them 

 until sleep oppressed him." 



He died on the 21st of September 1832, and five 

 days afterwards a stream of mourners followed his body 

 across the Tweed and over the hill of Berne rside to 

 Dryburgh. Wordsworth thus fitly lamented him — 



" A trouble, not of clouds or weeping rain, 

 Nor of the setting sun's pathetic light * 



Engender'd, hangs o'er Eildon's triple height ; 

 Spirits of Power, assembled there, complain 

 For kindred power departed from their sight, 

 While Tweed, best pleased in chaunting a blithe strain, 

 Saddens his voice again and yet again." 



We shall not encroach upon the domains of our brother 

 inditers of guide-books by giving the oft-repeated de- 

 scriptions of the curiosities that may be seen at Abbots- 

 ford. But the house may be visited, and a few hours' 

 good angling at the same time be obtained, in a single 

 day from Edinburgh. Leaving Edinburgh by the first 

 train, and taking the Selkirk train from Galashiels, the 

 angler will be set down at Boldside, close by Abbots- 

 ford, a little after nine o'clock, with nine hours before 



