The large sums received by Sir Walter for the copyright of his earlier
works had enabled him to expend nearly one hundred thousand pounds
upon Abbotsford, so as to make it his "proper mansion, house, and
home, the theatre of his hospitality, the seat of self-fruition, the
comfortablest part of his own life, the noblest of his son's
inheritance, a kind of private princedom, and, according to the degree
of the master, decently and delightfully adorned."[12] Here Sir Walter
lived in dignified enjoyment of his well-earned fortune, during the
summer and autumn, and was visited by distinguished persons from
nearly all parts of the world. He unostentatiously opened his treasury
of relics to all visitors, and his affability spread far and wide. He
usually devoted three hours in the morning, from six or seven o'clock,
to composition, his customary quota being a sheet daily. He passed the
remainder of the day in the pleasurable occupations of a country
life--as in superintending the improvements of the mansion, and the
planting and disposal of the grounds of Abbotsford; or, as Walpole
said of John Evelyn, "unfolding the perfection of the works of the
Creator, and assisting the imperfection of the minute works of the
creature;" so as to render Abbotsford as Evelyn describes his own dear
Wotton, "large and ancient (for there is an air of assumed antiquity
in Abbotsford), suitable to those hospitable times, and so sweetly
environed with those delicious streams and venerable woods, as in the
judgment of strangers as well as Englishmen, it may be compared to one
of the most pleasant seats in the nation, most tempting to a great
person and a wanton purse, to render it conspicuous: it has rising
grounds, meadows, woods, and water in abundance."[13]
[12] Sir Henry Wootton's _Elements of Architecture_.
[13] Evelyn's _Diary_.
In 1820, the poet of _Marmion_ was created a baronet, by George IV.,
but a few weeks after his accession--it being the first baronetcy
conferred by the King, and standing alone in the _Gazette_ which
announced the honour. In 1822, Sir Walter distinguished himself in the
loyal reception of the King, on his visit to Scotland; and soon
afterwards the Baronet was appointed a deputy-lieutenant for the
county of Roxburgh.