"He
(Sir Walter Scott) had purchased Abbotsford in
1811, and used the magic wealth that now flowed in
upon him to add room to room and field to field. It
pleased him to think that he was laying the foundations of a family estate, and he rejoiced in the thought
of his children and his children's children carrying on
the traditions of the place. There was at least one part of his nature which was more flattered at the
thought of being a Scotch laird than at the fame which
proclaimed from all quarters that since Shakespeare
there had been no greater name in English literature." Extract from "Scott" (Open
Library)
