battle, ever set about preparing himself for a more successful contest
than did this distinguished man. Work succeeded work with unheard of
rapidity; the chief of which was, "The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte,"
in nine volumes--a production of singular power, and an almost perfect
work, with the exception of the parts which treat of the French
Revolution, and the captivity of the great prisoner. I had the
curiosity, on seeing one of the reviews praising Hazlitt's description
of the Battle of the Pyramid's, to turn to the account of Scott. I
need not say which was best: Scott's was like the sounding of a
trumpet. The present cheap and truly elegant edition of the works of
the author of "Waverley" has, with its deservedly unrivalled sale,
relieved the poet from his difficulties, and the cloud which hung so
long over the towers of Abbotsford has given place to sunshine.

Of Abbotsford itself, the best description ever given, at least the
briefest, was "A Romance in stone and lime." It would require a volume
to describe all the curiosities, ancient and modern, living and dead,
which are here gathered together;--I say living, because a menagerie
might be formed out of birds and beasts, sent as presents from distant
lands. A friend told me he was at Abbotsford one evening, when a
servant announced, "A present from"--I forget what chieftain in the
North.--"Bring it in," said the poet. The sound of strange feet were
soon heard, and in came two beautiful Shetland ponies, with long manes
and uncut tails, and so small that they might have been sent to
Elfland, to the Queen of the Fairies herself. One poor Scotsman, to
show his gratitude for some kindness Scott, as sheriff, had shown him,
sent two kangaroos from New Holland; and Washington Irving lately told
me, that some Spaniard or other, having caught two young wild
Andalusian boars, consulted him how he might have them sent to the
author of "The Vision of Don Roderick."