Ashestiel. 



273 



forwards to Selkirkshire upon little pieces of business, 

 just important enough to prevent my doing anything to 

 purpose. One great matter, however, I have achieved, 

 which is procuring myself a place of residence, which 

 will save me these teasing migrations in future, so that 

 though I part with my sweet little cottage on the banks 

 of the Esk, you will find me this summer in the very 

 centre of the ancient Reged, in a decent farm-house 





overhanging the Tweed, and situated in a wild pastoral 

 country." 



Could a more desirable residence have been found 

 for the Magician of the North ? Within sound of the 

 romantic Tweed, with its scores of ballads and legends ; 

 with its beautiful and suggestive associations, and its 

 health-giving air. The house in which Scott lived is 

 approached through an old-fashioned garden, with holly 

 hedges and broad green terraced walks. Close under 

 the windows, on the one side, is a deep ravine, well 



