ows
to the north, and one to the south,--the last to be Gothic,
and filled with stained glass. Besides these commodities,
there is a small conservatory or greenhouse; and a study for
myself, which we design to fit up with ornaments from
Melrose Abbey. Bullock made several casts with his own
hands--masks, and so forth, delightful for cornices, etc.
[Footnote 43: A cast from the monumental effigy at
Stratford-upon-Avon--now in the library at
Abbotsford--was the gift of Mr. George Bullock, long
distinguished in London as a collector of curiosities.
This ingenious man was, as the reader will see in the
sequel, a great favorite with Scott.]
Do not let Mrs. Terry think of the windows till little
{p.123} Wat is duly cared after.[44] I am informed by Mr.
Blore that he is a fine thriving fellow, very like papa.
About my armorial bearings: I will send you a correct
drawing as I can get hold of Blore; namely--of the
scutcheons of my grandsires on each side, and my own. I
could detail them in the jargon of heraldry, but it is
better to speak to your eyes by translating them into
colored drawings, as the sublime science of armory has
fallen into some neglect of late years, with all its
mascles, buckles, crescents, and boars of the first, second,
third, and fourth.
[Footnote 44: Mrs. Terry had offered the services of her
elegant pencil in designing some windows of painted
glass for Scott's armory, etc.]
I was very sorry I had no opportunity of showing attention
to your friend Mr. Abbot, not being in town at the time. I
grieve to say that neither the genius of Kean nor the charms
of Miss O'Neill could bring me from the hillside and the
sweet society of Tom Purdie. All our family are very
well--Walter as tall nearly as I am, fishing salmon and
shooting moor-fowl and blackcock, in good style; the girls
growing up, and, as yet, not losing their simplicity of
character; little Charles excellent at play, and not
deficient at learning, when the young dog will take pains.
Abbotsford is looking pretty at last, and the planting is
making some show. I have now several hundred acres thereof,
running out as far as beyond the lake. We observe with great
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