THE MISTRESS OF ABBOTSFORD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2181, 19 December 1895, Page 32

THE MISTRESS OF ABBOTSFORD.

By no means the least interesting article in the Cosmopolitan is that contributed by Nina Larre Smith, entitled "A House Party at Abbotsford," of which she formed on of the guests, " Sir Walter's daughter Sophia," says Ihe writer, " married John Lockhart, the historian. They had three children, the youngest of whom, Charlotte, married James Hope, Esq., who by act of Parliament took the name of Hope-Scott. They also had three children, the eldest of whom, Mary Monica, my hostess, was sole heiress of Abbolsford and other large estates, the other two children having died. In 187' i she married the Hon. Joseph Maxwell, a younger brother of Lord Herries, of E veringham Park, whose title and estates he will inherit, as Lord Herries has no son. Mr Maxwell also legally took the name of Maxwell- Scott, and the rirst cliild born was named WAITER SCOTT. "Mis Maxwell-Scott's mother died while she was still a child, and her father married in ISGO, for bis second wife, Lady Victoria Howard, eldest sister of the present Duke of Norfolk. Mr Hope-Scott having been a warm fiiend of the late Duke, was, upon the death of the latter, made joint guardian with the widowed Duchess for tho present Duke and bis sisters. Thus, Mary Monica was much at Arundel Castle, the ancient seat of the Dake of Norfolk, and there- grew to girlhood. Mr Hope- Scott became a convert to the Roman faith, and Mary Monica was also trained in his belief, enjoying with those about her the companionship of the most distinguished men of the religious world. Cardinal Manning and Cardinal Newman were her childhood friends. "To this interesting girl all England looked to DciDetuate a famous name. Ql>