severe cold for a few days before, but on the memorable
night the physical annoyance yielded to the energy of
his mind. 'He was,' he said in the Green-room,
immediately before the curtain rose, 'determined to
leave behind him the most perfect specimen of his art
which he had ever shown;' and his success was complete.
At the moment of the tyrant's death, the curtain fell by
the universal acclamation of the audience. The applauses
were vehement and prolonged; they ceased--were
resumed--rose again--were reiterated--and again were
hushed. In a few minutes the curtain ascended, and Mr.
Kemble came forward, in the dress of Macbeth (the
audience by a consentaneous movement rising to receive
him), to deliver his _farewell_." ... "Mr. Kemble
delivered the lines with exquisite beauty, and with an
effect that was evidenced by the tears and sobs of many
of the audience. His own emotions were very conspicuous.
When his farewell was closed, he lingered long on the
stage, as if unable to retire. The house again stood up,
and cheered him with the waving of hats and long shouts
of applause."]

Shortly before this time, Mr. William Laidlaw had met with
misfortunes, which rendered it necessary for him to give up the lease
of a farm, on which he had been for some years settled, in
Mid-Lothian. He was now anxiously looking about him for some new
establishment, and it occurred to Scott that it might be mutually
advantageous, as well as agreeable, if his excellent friend would
consent to come and occupy a house on his property, and endeavor,
under his guidance, to make such literary exertions as might raise his
income to an amount adequate for his comfort. The prospect of
obtaining such a neighbor was, no doubt, the more welcome to
"Abbotsford and Kaeside," from its opening at this period of
fluctuating health; and Laidlaw, who had for twenty years loved and
revered him, considered the proposal with far greater delight than the
most lucrative appointment on any noble domain in the island could
have afforded him. Though possessed of a lively and searching sagacity
as to things in general, he had always been as to his own worldly
interests simple as a child. His