THE ABBOT was published in September 1820, as a sequel to "The
Monastery," which appeared in the preceding March. According to Mr
Lockhart, it arose in Scott's mind during a visit to Blair-Adam. The
beautiful localities of that estate are distinctly alluded to, while the
virtues of the amiable owner, Mr Chief Commissioner Adam, are admirably
portrayed.
In the accompanying illustration, the artist represents an apartment in
Holyrood Palace, in which the Regent Murray has just held a meeting
of the Privy Council. In the room is a long open table, surrounded by
stools of the same wood. In front of a large elbow chair covered with
crimson velvet, the Regent is standing. The usher has marshalled Roland
Græme into the apartment, and the Regent, who had been laughing with the
Lords, now assumed a deep and even melancholy gravity. He was dressed in
black velvet after the Flemish fashion, and wore in his high crowned
hat a jewelled clasp which looped it up on one side, and formed the only
ornament of his apparel. He had his poignard by his side, and his sword
lay on die table. Roland presented himself with a feeling of awe, and
with an abashed manner placed in his hand the letter of Sir Halbert
Avenel. The Earl paused before he broke the silk with which the letter
was secured, to ask the page his name, so much was he struck with his
handsome features and form.
*****
Mr George Cruikshank depicts the entrance of the Abbot of Unreason to
the church of St Mary's. The door was thrown open with a shout which
brought up the Abbot and his brethren, when the Abbot of Unreason
entered. Then was a scene of ridiculous confusion. Boys shrieked and
howled; men laughed and hallooed; women giggled and screamed; and the
beasts roared; and the dragon walloped and hissed; and the hobby-horse
neighed, pranced, and capered; and the rest frisked and frolicked,
clashing their hob-nailed shoes against the pavement till it sparkled
with the marks of their energetic caprioles. The Abbot seemed at a
stand. He made a gesture of his hand as if commanding silence, which was
at first only replied to by redoubled shouts and peals of laughter.
[Illustration: 076]
[Illustration: 077]