[351] Right Hon. David Boyle.
[352] 5 The familiar name applied to Sir William Knighton, sometimes
also the Great Unseen.
[353] For list of the members of _The Club_, which was formed in 1788,
see _Life_, vol. i. p. 208.
[354] Some little time before his death, the worthy Sheriff-substitute
of Roxburghshire received a set of his friend's works, with this
inscription:--"To Robert Shortreed, Esq., the friend of the author from
youth to age, and his guide and companion upon many an expedition among
the Border hills, in quest of the materials of legendary lore which have
at length filled so many volumes, this collection of the results of
their former rambles is presented by his sincere friend, Walter
Scott."--J.G.L.
[355] Who had died on the 22d June 1829.
[356] See p. 329 _n._
[357] Mr. Skene in his _Reminiscences_ records that--"Tom Purdie
identified himself with all his master's pursuits and concerns; he had
in early life been a shepherd, and came into Sir Walter's service upon
his first taking up his abode at Ashiestiel, of which he became at last
the farm manager; and upon the family removing to Abbotsford continued
that function, to which was added gamekeeper, forester, librarian, and
henchman to his master in all his rambles about the property. He used to
talk of Sir Walter's publications as _our_ books, and said that the
reading of them was the greatest comfort to him, for whenever he was off
his sleep, which sometimes happened to him, he had only to take one of
the novels, and before he read two pages it was sure to set him asleep.
Tom, with the usual shrewdness common to his countrymen in that class of
life, joined a quaintness and drollery in his notions and mode of
expressing himself that was very amusing; he was familiar, but at the
same time perfectly respectful, although he was sometimes tempted to
deal sharp cuts, particularly at Sir Adam Ferguson, whom he seemed to
take a pleasure in assailing. When Sir Walter obtained the honour of
knighthood for Sir Adam, upon the plea of his being Custodier of the
Regalia of Scotland, Tom was very indignant, because he said, 'It would
take some of the shine out of us,' meaning Sir Walter. Tom was very fond
of salmon fishing, which from an accordance of taste contributed much to
elevate my merits in his eyes, and I believe I was his greatest
favourite of all Sir Walter's friends, which he used occasionally to
testify by imparting to me in confidence some secret about fishing,
which he concluded that no one knew but himself. He was remarkably
fastidious in his care of the Library, and it was exceedingly amusing to
see a clodhopper (for he was always in the garb of a ploughman) moving
about in the splendid apartment which had been fitted up for the
Library, scrutinising the state of the books, putting derangement to
rights, remonstrating when he observed anything that indicated
carelessness."
[358] Blank in original
[359] _Abbotsford Notanda_, p. 175.
[360] Eldest daughter of David, sixth Earl of Leven and fifth of
Melville, and widow of Sir John Wishart Belsches Stuart, Bart., of
Fettercairn. See _ante_, vol. i. p. 404; vol. ii. pp. 55, 62.
1830.