96 Mary Somervilie. 



within five miles of Edinburgh, which he after- 

 wards regretted, and bought the property on the 

 Tweed he then inhabited. 



There was great intimacy between the three 

 families, and the society was often enlivened by 

 Adam Ferguson and Willie Clerk, whom we had 

 met with at Raith. I shall never forget the charm 

 of this little society, especially the supper-parties at 

 Abbotsford, when Scott was in the highest glee, 

 telling amusing tales, ancient legends, ghost and 

 witch stories. Then Adam Ferguson would sing 

 the " Laird of Cockpen," and other comic songs, 

 and Willie Clerk amused us with his dry wit. 

 When it was time to go away all rose, and, stand*' 

 ing hand-in-hand round the table, Scott taking the 

 lead, we sang in full chorus, 



Weel may we a' be, 

 Dl may we never see ; 

 Health to the king 

 And the gride companie. 



At that time no one knew who was the author 

 of the Waverley Novels. There was much specu- 

 lation and curiosity on the subject. While talking 

 about one which had just been published, my son 

 Woronzow said, " I knew all these stories long ago, 

 for Mr. Scott writes on the dinner-table. When he 

 has finished, he puts the green-cloth with the papers 



