Crossword-Solution: UNCHEERY 8 letters, 1 clue 🏆 scrabble score: 16

From whatever reason, the fact remains that his letters are by no means uncheery reading; his books and study, most of all his friendships (with one fellow-captive especially), seem to have kept him contented and even happy.

The science of war--what little I learned of it in the Low Countries with gentlemen esteemed my betters--convinces me that if a big enough horde fall on from the rim of our ashet, as I call it, they might sweep us into the loch like rattons.” I doubt MacCailein Mor heard little of this uncheery criticism, for he was looking in a seeming blank abstraction out of the end window at the town lights increasing in number as the minutes passed.

The prospect was, notwithstanding, yet sufficiently uncheery; a steep hill lay in front, having a road that looked like a river of black mud meandering about one side of it--the other side was seamed with various tracks made by the vehicles of bold explorers, who, like ourselves, had been doubtful about facing the regular road--the counsel of a well-mounted countryman, who reported that he had just passed the wrecks of two coaches on the turnpike, decided us to eschew it, and boldly try across country.

Oft falling, Oft waking, And bawling, And aching, And sprawling, And quaking, And crawling, And shaking, His hand is unsteady: his stomach is sore, He's railing, Uncheery, And failing, And dreary, And ailing, And teary, Bewailing, And weary, Groaning and moaning, His selfishness owning.

The gloom of the chateau, its desert site and uncheery aspect, were all forgotten; the conversation was general and well sustained; the health of the lady of the castle--the fairy whose presence converted the crazy old edifice into an enchanted palace, was drunk by all present.