although he was sometimes tempted to deal sharp cuts, particularly at Sir Adam Ferguson, whom he seemed to take a pleasure in assailing.  When Sir Walter obtained the honour of knighthood for Sir Adam, upon the plea of his being Custodier of the Regalia of Scotland, Tom was very indignant, because he said, ’It would take some of the shine out of us,’ meaning Sir Walter.  Tom was very fond of salmon fishing, which from an accordance of taste contributed much to elevate my merits in his eyes, and I believe I was his greatest favourite of all Sir Walter’s friends, which he used occasionally to testify by imparting to me in confidence some secret about fishing, which he concluded that no one knew but himself.  He was remarkably fastidious in his care of the Library, and it was exceedingly amusing to see a clodhopper (for he was always in the garb of a ploughman) moving about in the splendid apartment which had been fitted up for the Library, scrutinising the state of the books, putting derangement to rights, remonstrating when he observed anything that indicated carelessness.”

[358] Blank in original

[359] Abbotsford Notanda, p. 175.

[360] Eldest daughter of David, sixth Earl of Leven and fifth of Melville, and widow of Sir John Wishart Belsches Stuart, Bart., of Fettercairn.  See ante, vol. i. p. 404; vol. ii. pp. 55, 62.

1830.

MAY.

May 23, [Abbotsford.]—­About a year ago I took the pet at my Diary, chiefly because I thought it made me abominably selfish; and that by recording my gloomy fits I encouraged their recurrence, whereas out of sight, out of mind, is the best way to get rid of them; and now I hardly know why I take it up again; but here goes.  I came here to attend Raeburn’s funeral.  I am near of his kin, my great-grandfather, Walter Scott, being the second son or first cadet of this small family.  My late kinsman was also married to my aunt, a most amiable old lady.  He was never kind to me, and at last utterly ungracious.  Of course I never liked him, and we kept no terms.  He had forgot, though, an infantine cause of quarrel, which I always remembered.  When I was four or five years old I was staying at Lessudden House, an old mansion, the abode of this Raeburn.  A large pigeon-house was almost destroyed with starlings, then a common bird, though now seldom seen.  They were seized in their nests and put in a bag, and I think drowned, or threshed to death, or put to some such end.  The servants gave one to me, which I in some degree tamed, and the brute of a laird seized and wrung its neck.  I flew at his throat like a wild cat, and was torn from him with no little difficulty.  Long afterwards I did him the mortal offence to recall some superiority which my father had lent to the laird to make up a qualification, which he meant to exercise by voting for Lord Minto’s interest against poor Don.