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Abbotsford and Newstead Abbey

by Washington Irving (1783–1859)

  • Free to read
  • 3 hours to read
  • 12 chapters
  • Reading level: 10th to 12th grade

"Abbotsford and Newstead Abbey" by Washington Irving is a travelogue-style narrative written in the early 19th century. The book recounts Irving's visit to the renowned Abbotsford estate belonging to the famous Scotch author Sir Walter Scott, and includes detailed observations about the landscape, its history, and the illustrious figure who inhabited it. The narrative sets the tone for a journey into the past, intertwining details of Scott's life with the romantic essence of Scotland's heritage. The opening of the book describes Irving's arrival at Selkirk and his eagerness to visit Scott at Abbotsford. He provides a vivid depiction of the cottage, still under construction, and introduces the reader to the welcoming personality of Scott himself, who invites Irving to stay for breakfast and explore the surrounding area. As they head towards Melrose Abbey, Scott's son accompanies them, sharing anecdotes and enriching the journey with local lore. The narrative blends personal encounters with Scott's family, engaging conversations about history and nature, and insights into Scott's character, displaying his warmth and humor, as well as his deep connection to Scotland’s mythos and tradition.

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  • Abbotsford (Scotland)
  • Newstead Abbey

Read the opening

Abbotsford

BY

By WASHINGTON IRVING.

I sit down to perform my promise of giving you an account of a visit made many years since to Abbotsford. I hope, however, that you do not expect much from me, for the travelling notes taken at the time are so scanty and vague, and my memory so extremely fallacious, that I fear I shall disappoint you with the meagreness and crudeness of my details.

Late in the evening of August 29, 1817, I arrived at the ancient little border town of Selkirk, where I put up for the night. I had come down from Edinburgh, partly to visit Melrose Abbey and its vicinity, but chiefly to get sight of the "mighty minstrel of the north." I had a letter of introduction to him from Thomas Campbell, the poet, and had reason to think, from the interest he had taken in some of my earlier scribblings, that a visit from me would not be deemed an intrusion.

On the following morning, after an early breakfast, I set off in a postchaise for the Abbey. On the way thither I stopped at the gate of Abbotsford, and sent the postilion to the house with the letter of introduction and my card, on which I had written that I was on my way to the ruins of Melrose Abbey, and wished to know whether it would be agreeable to Mr. Scott (he had not yet been made a Baronet) to receive a visit from me in the course of the morning.

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Contents

  1. Abbotsford
  2. Historical Notice
  3. Arrival at the Abbey
  4. The Abbey Garden
  5. Plough Monday
  6. Old Servants
  7. Superstitions of the Abbey
  8. Annesley Hall
  9. The Lake
  10. Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest
  11. The Rook Cell
  12. The Little White Lady

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About this edition

This free edition of Abbotsford and Newstead Abbey by Washington Irving comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #7948, released 2005-04-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Biographies, Travel Writing.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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