Statements concerning Sir Walter Scott 279 



nor about Byron. Cromwell has it in a considerable degree, 

 especially in Scotland ; while he and Dr Johnson are said 

 to be the notabilities popularly remembered in London. 

 Wallace has it in the highest degree ; he is credited with 

 hurling boulders and splitting rocks in such a way that one 

 wonders what the people really did believe about him. Bruce 

 has it not ; while Arthur has nearly disappeared behind it. 

 What all these worthies have most in common is geniality, 

 and this has probably something to do with it. 



So far had the mythical element appeared in his own 

 lifetime, that Sir Walter himself was shown Fergus Maclvor's 

 dungeon in Carlisle Castle ; though the warder had the grace 

 to be much startled when he was told who the visitor was. 



A house which Lockhart had for his children at Porto- 

 bello one summer, has become that in which Sir Walter 

 wrote several of his works, at least that is the only house 

 at Portobello which he seems to have had anytliing to do 

 with. That pointed out is nearly opposite the parish church, 

 with a narrow lane on the north side of it. 



The same story, of his having written several of his 

 novels there, has arisen regarding Langleyford, in North- 

 umberland, which must apparently be the farmhouse in the 

 heart of Cheviot, where he and his uncle went for goat's 

 whey quarters, as it used to be called. It is rather to be 

 regretted that he does not name it ; but, drolly enough, he 

 says in his letter that there was not a pen in the house till 

 he shot the crow whose quill he was writing with. 



His faithful retainer, Tom Purdie, seems to be fully 

 included in the same ever-widening interest, and statements 

 of the same kind appear about him. 



It is a curious question whether Sir Walter knew, or at 

 least took in, that CaddoTilee — a triangular rising ground on 

 the Torwoodlee property, in sight from Ashiesteel on the 

 other side of the river — seems to have been the gathering- 

 place of the Scotch army before the time of Robert Bruce. 



The chronic war with England, which only began with 

 Edward I., necessitated a different system. 



According to Jordan Fantosme, William the Lion assembled 

 his army at this place — by its old spelling of Caldenlee— 

 for the disastrous invasion of Northumberland, in which he 

 was taken prisoner. 



