'_Et audiverunt Vocem Domini deambulantis in horto._'
Within, and guarded with jealous care, is the last survivor of the fruit-trees planted by Sir Walter himself.
The exterior of Abbotsford abounds in relics and inscriptions, woven here and there throughout the masonry. At the western side of the main entrance, and high up in the wall, is the door of the old 'Heart of Midlothian' (see p. 37), with the words:
'THE LORD OF ARMIS IS MY PROTECTOR: BLISSIT AR THAY THAT TRUST IN THE LORD, 1575.'
The arched entrance-porch was copied from Linlithgow Palace. The arms of the family with the legends--
are conspicuous above it. Near by are the grave and stone effigy (cut by Smith of Darnick) of Maida, Scott's favourite deerhound, with Lockhart's famous 'false-quantity' lines:
'Maidæ Marmoreâ dormis sub imagine Maida ad januam domini sit tibi terra levis,'
'Beneath the sculptured form which late you wore, Sleep soundly, Maida, at your master's door."
There is apparently only one date, 1822, on the south front, on a stone below the staircase window. Eastward is the Study, with Scott's bedroom above, and the tower from which he looked out on the Eildons. A long stone near the visitors' entrance carries the inscription:
'By Night by Day Remember ay the goodness of ye Lord: And thank His name whos glorious fam is spred Throughout ye world';
whilst another, showing a rudely-carved sword, has the words:
Over the great bay-window of the Library, the first of the principal rooms facing the Tweed, is a lintel from the Common Hall of the old Edinburgh College, with a quotation from Seneca:
'Virtus Rectorem Ducemque Desiderat; Vitia--sine--Magistro Discuntur.' Anno 1616.
Next the Library is the Drawing-Room, then the Armoury, and Dining-Room, with the motto:
And, lastly, the Breakfast Parlour, once Scott's sanctum, in which Lockhart died.
Now turn we to the interior. Be it at once said that Mrs. Maxwell Scott's excellent little 'Catalogue of the Armour and Antiquities at Abbotsford' is absolutely indispensable. A previous study of its pages will enable the visitor to know exactly how he is to be piloted, and the whereabouts of the 'gabions' he is most bent on seeing. The attendants are always ready to point out objects of special interest to individuals, and there need be no hesitancy to ask questions. For the sake of convenience, we follow the order which has been in force for years. All we plead for in the public interest is a little more leisure, if that be possible, for seeing what is to be seen.
