The Journal of Sir Walter Scott: From the Original Manuscript at Abbotsford ... |
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Abbotsford Adam Ferguson affairs afterwards amused Anne April Boney breakfast Byron Cadell called Castle Charles Clerk Colin Mackenzie Colonel Constable Constable's Court December died dined dinner Duke Duke of Wellington Edin Edinburgh fear February feelings Ferguson finished Gattonside Gibson give half-past heart honour hope hour humour Huntly Burn James Ballantyne January John Journal June kind labour Lady Scott Laidlaw last night late letter Lockhart London look Lord Lord Advocate Lord Melville Malachi March mind morning Murray never o'clock old friend pain party person pleasant pleasure poor proofs Prose Saint Helena Scotland Scottish seems Selkirkshire Sir Walter Sir Walter Scott Skene society Sophia sort spirits suppose sure talent task Teind things thought tion to-day to-morrow Tom Purdie volume walk Waverley Novels Whigs wife William wish Woodstock write wrote wrought yesterday young
Popular passages
Page 155 - I can do myself like any now going but the exquisite touch which renders ordinary common-place things and characters interesting from the truth of the description and the sentiment is denied to me.
Page 89 - But I find my eyes moistening, and that will not do. I will not yield without a fight for it. It is odd, when I set myself to work doggedly, as Dr Johnson would say, I am exactly the same man as I ever was — neither low-spirited nor distrait.
Page 374 - There is a touch of the old spirit in me yet, that bids me brave the tempest — the spirit that, in spite of manifold infirmities, made me a roaring boy in my youth, a desperate climber, a bold rider, a deep drinker, and a stout player at single-stick, of all which valuable qualities there are now but slender remains.
Page 93 - I went to the Court for the first time to-day, and, like the man with the large nose, thought everybody was thinking of me and my mishaps. Many were, undoubtedly, and all rather regrettingly ; some obviously affected. It is singular to see the difference of men's manner whilst they strive to be kind or civil in their way of addressing me. Some smiled as they wished me good-day, as if to say, ' Think nothing about it, my lad ; it is quite out of our thoughts.
Page 213 - I am sensible, that if there be anything- good about my poetry or prose either, it is a hurried frankness of composition, which pleases soldiers, sailors, and young people of bold and active disposition.
Page 18 - Coutts's parties, and to abuse her. I have always found her a kind, friendly woman, without either affectation or insolence in the display of her wealth ; most willing to do good, if the means be shown to her.
Page 8 - His countenance is plain, but the expression so very animated, especially in speaking or singing, that it is far more interesting than the finest features could have rendered it.
Page 44 - ... it. With the belief of a Deity, that of the immortality of the soul, and of the state of future rewards and punishments, is indissolubly linked. More we are not to know ; but neither are we prohibited from all attempts, however vain, to pierce the solemn, sacred gloom.
Page 106 - But, were we sure of the quality of the stuff, what opportunities for labour does this same system of retreat afford us! I am convinced that in three years I could do more than in the last ten, but for the mine being, I fear, exhausted. Give me my popularity (an awful postulate ! ) and all my present difficulties shall be a joke in four years ; and it is not lost yet, at least.
Page 43 - Alas ! it is not so : there is a curtain to be withdrawn, a veil to be rent, before we shall see things as they really are. There are few, I trust, who disbelieve the existence of a God ; nay, I doubt if at all times, and in all moods, any single individual ever adopted that hideous creed, though some have professed it.