of Abbotsford has become indelibly associated with his name. The soil was wet and unpromising, but by a course of agricultural appliances the place began to display considerable amenities. The mansion, a curious amalgamation of different styles of Scottish manorial architecture, was partly built in 1811, and gradually extended with the increasing emoluments of the owner. By successive purchases the Abbotsford property was increased till the rental amounted to about £700 a year, a return not too great for an expenditure of at least £50,000. * See Letter from Archibald Constable to Mr Hunter's son, David Hunter, Esq., now of Blackness, dated "Edinburgh, 26th March 1825: Century of Scottish Life, Edinb. 1871, pp. 82, 83." Mr A. G. Hunter of Blackness died on the 9th March 1812, aged forty-one. His remains were interred in the Greyfriars Churchyard. At Abbotsford Scott maintained the character of a country gentleman. He was visited by distinguished persons from the sister kingdom, from the Continent, and from America, all of whom he elegantly entertained. Nor did his constant intercourse with his visitors interfere with the regular prosecution of his literary labours: he rose at six, and engaged in composition till breakfast, and afterwards till one o'clock. While in the country he devoted the rest of the day to exercise on horseback, the superintendence of improvements on his estate, and the entertainment of his guests. In March 1820, George IV., to whom he was personally known, and who was a warm admirer of his genius, created him a baronet, the first titular honour which he bestowed after his accession. Besides the works enumerated, he had already given to the world his romances of "The Black Dwarf," "Old Mortality," "Rob Roy," "The Heart of Midlothian," "The Bride of Lammermoor," "A Legend of Montrose," and "Ivanhoe." The attainment of the baronetcy stimulated him to increased literary ardour. "Ivanhoe" appeared early in 1820, and during the same year he produced "The Monastery" and "The Abbot;" and in the beginning of 1821, the romance of "Kenilworth," being twelve volumes within twelve months. "The Pirate" and "The Fortunes of Nigel" appeared in 1822; "Peveril of the Peak" and "Quentin Durward" in 1823; "St Ronan's Well" and "Redgauntlet" in 1824; and the "Tales of the Crusaders" in 1825.