Maida (dog)

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The Sir Walter Scott statue designed by John Steell, located inside the Scott Monument.

Maida (1813–1824)[1] sometimes called a Deerhound, was a crossbreed from a Pyrenean Wolfdog and a Highland Deerhound,[2] belonging to Sir Walter Scott,[3] and reported to be his favourite dog. Named after the Battle of Maida, which took place in 1806, he was a gift from Alexander Macdonell of Glengarry (Alexander Ranaldson Macdonell), a friend of Scott, and whose brother led the 78th Highlanders in the battle, a victory for the British against the French in the Napoleonic Wars.

Scott wrote to his son Charles that "Old Maida died suddenly in his straw last week, after a good supper, which, considering his weak state, was rather a deliverance; he is buried below his monument, on which the following epitaph is engraved in Latin [Maidae marmorea dormis sub imagine Maida / Ante fores domini sit tibi terra levis],[4] thus Englished by an eminent hand : -

'Beneath the sculptured form which late you bore,
Sleep soundly Maida at your master's door.'"[5]

The monument mentioned is a statue of the dog at the hall door of Scott's home, Abbotsford House.[5]

A statue of Scott at the Scott Monument in Edinburgh includes Maida gazing up at the seated figure.[6] William Allan painted "Sir Walter Scott with His Dog 'Maida'" in 1831.[7] Alexander Nasmyth painted the dog alone.[8]

The part of Scott's statue in Perth featuring Maida was stolen, for a second time, in 2020.[9]

Gallery[]

  • Statue of Scott and Maida at the South Inch, Perth, Scotland, dating to 1845

References[]

  1. ^ Graham p231
  2. ^ Landseer's painting of Maida and a Deerhound
  3. ^ Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
  4. ^ "Sir Walter Scott's dog, Maida". Edinburgh City of Literature. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  5. ^ a b Abbotsford and Sir Walter Scott. Mabbott and Co. 1854. p. 218. Retrieved 28 November 2014. Sir Walter Scott Abbotsford Maida.
  6. ^ "Scott Monument: About". Edinburgh Museums and Galleries. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  7. ^ "Sir Walter Scott in His Study with His Dog 'Maida'". Art UK. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  8. ^ "Alexander Nasmyth (Edinburgh 1758-1840) Maida, Sir Walter Scott's Dog 22 x 27 cm. (8 11/16 x 10 5/8 in.)". Bonhams. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  9. ^ "Police hunt as Sir Walter Scott’s faithful hound goes walkies in Perth" - The Courier, 6 July 2020
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