a
is alone with these young dogs, he throws gravity aside, and
plays the boy as much as any of them; but he is ashamed to
do so in our company, and seems to say--Ha' done with your
nonsense, youngsters: what will the laird and that other
gentleman think of me if I give way to such foolery?'

"Scott amused himself with the peculiarities of another of
his dogs, a little shamefaced terrier, with large glassy
eyes, one of the most sensitive little bodies to insult and
indignity in the world. 'If ever he whipped him,' he said,
'the little fellow would sneak off and hide himself from the
light of day in a lumber garret, from whence there was no
drawing him forth but by the sound of the chopping-knife, as
if chopping up his victuals, when he would steal forth with
humiliated and downcast look, but would skulk away again if
any one regarded him.'

"While we were discussing the humors and peculiarities of
our canine companions, some object provoked their spleen,
and produced a sharp and petulant barking from the smaller
fry; but it was some time before Maida was sufficiently
roused to ramp forward two or three bounds, and join the
chorus with a deep-mouthed _bow wow_. It was but a transient
outbreak, and he returned instantly, wagging his tail, and
looking up dubiously in his master's face, uncertain whether
he would receive censure or applause. 'Ay, ay, old boy!'
cried Scott, 'you have done wonders; you have shaken the
Eildon hills with your roaring: you may now lay by your
artillery for the rest of the day. Maida,' continued he, 'is
like the great gun at Constantinople; it takes so long to
get it ready, that the smaller guns can fire off a dozen
times first: but when it does go off, it plays the very
devil.'

"These simple anecdotes may serve to show the delightful
play of Scott's humors and feelings in private life. His
domestic animals were his friends. Everything about him
seemed to rejoice in the light of his countenance.

"Our ramble took us on the hills commanding an extensive
prospect. 'Now,' said Scott, 'I have brought you, like the
pilgrim in the Pilgrim's Progress, to the top of the
Delectable {p.186} Mountains, that I may show you all the
goodly regions hereabouts. Yonder is Lammermuir, and
Smailholm; and t