The Homes and Haunts of Sir Walter Scott, Bart (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897. Excerpt: ... Castle Street 'When dark December glooms the day, And takes our autumn joys away; When short and scant the sunbeam throws, Upon the weary waste of snows, When silvan occupation's done, And o'er the chimney rests the gun, 'When such the country cheer, I come, Well pleased, to seek our city home; For converse, and for books, to change The Forest's melancholy range, And welcome, with renew'd delight, The busy day and social night." v CASTLE STREET The Sheriff usually quitted his lodge in the Forest about the middle of November, to fulfil his duties, on the meeting of the Law Courts in Edinburgh, as one of the principal clerks of the First Division of the Inner Court of Session. This billet was easy and the salary was large. The Court sat some six months in the year, and the business was usually despatched in a few hours. During his attendance Scott had ample leisure to write many a letter, and doubtless also many a page of the Waverley Novels, as all the work he frequently had to do was (as he laughingly described it) the signing of his own short name. "The moment I entered the Court of Session," writes Dr. Hedderwick, "I recognized him at once. He sat as one of the clerks of Court in front of the judges' bench. With what awe did I contemplate the hand that had taken the 'Harp of the North' from its witch-elm and struck immortal music from its chords; yet that hand was now engaged putting past vulgar papers. I even declare that I beheld Scotland's greatest living son repeatedly yawn like an ordinary mortal, as if weary of his drudging occupation. In a little while up he rose, found his hat, and made for the door." A narrow vestibule separated the court-room where Scott acted as clerk from the great hall of Parliament House. This hall was erected in 1639 for ...