At a public dinner in Edinburgh, for the benefit of the Theatrical Fund, on the 23d of February 1827, Sir Walter first publicly avowed himself author of the Waverley Novels-an announcement which scarcely took the public by surprise. His physical energies were now suffering a rapid decline, and in his increasing infirmities, and liability to sudden and severe attacks of pain, and even of unconsciousness, it became evident to his friends that in the praiseworthy effort to liquidate his obligations he was sacrificing his health. Those apprehensions proved not without foundation. In the autumn of 1831, his health became so lamentably broken, that his medical advisers recommended a residence in Italy, and entire cessation from mental labour, as the only means of restoring his energies. This counsel came too late; the patient proceeded to Naples, and afterwards to Rome, but experiencing no benefit from the change, he was rapidly conveyed home in the following summer, in obedience to his own express wish, that he might close his eyes at Abbotsford. The wish was gratified; he arrived at Abbotsford on the 11th of July 1832, and survived till the 21st of the ensuing September. As he had desired, his remains were interred in an aisle of Dryburgh Abbey, which had belonged to his ancestors, and had been specially granted him by the Earl of Buchan. A massive block of marble rests upon the grave, in juxtaposition with another which has been laid on that of Lady Scott, who died in May 1826.