ABBOTSFORD 109 



that cottage converted into a picturesque mansion, 

 with every luxury and comfort attached to it, and 

 have partaken of its hospitality : the unproductive 

 hills I have viewed covered with thriving planta- 

 tions, and the whole aspect of the country civilised, 

 without losing its romantic character. But, amidst 

 all these revolutions, I have never perceived any 

 change in the mind of him who made them, " the 

 choice and master-spirit of the age/' There he dwelt 

 in the hearts of the people, diffusing life and happi- 

 ness around him : he made a home beside the border 

 river, in a country and a nation that have derived 

 benefit from his presence, and consequence from his 

 genius. From his chambers he looked out upon the 

 grey ruins of the abbey, and the sun which set in 

 splendour beneath the Eildon Hills. Like that sun, 

 his course has been run ; and though disastrous 

 clouds came across him in his career, he went down in 

 unfading glory. 



These golden hours, alas ! have long passed ; but 

 often have I visions of the sylvan valley, and its 

 glittering waters, with dreams of social intercourse. 

 Abbotsford, Mertoun, Chiefswood, Huntley Burn, 

 Allerley when shall I forget ye ! 



But, to our humble business. The swell of the river 

 had been trifling, and it would be fit to fish on the 

 morrow. The later in the day, said Walter the Bold, 

 the better ; so I fidgetted away the early part of the 

 morning, and hauled over my London tackle, which 

 proved unseemly to the sight of the Scotchman. 

 The flies, he said, were dressed like dancing dogs ; 

 but my rod, he owned, was fine. 



