The Sun.
London, England, 1829-04-30 00:00:00

AUTHOR'S ADVERTISEMENT.

It has been the occasional occupation of the Author of
Waverley, for several years past, to revise and correct the
voluminous series of Novels which pass under that name ;
in order that, if they should ever appear as his avowed
productions, he might render them in some degree deserv-
ing of a continuance of the public favour with which they
have been honoured ever since their first appearance. For
a long period, however, it seemed likely that the improved
and il:ustrated edition which he meditated would be a post-
humous publication. But the course of events, which oc-
casioned the disclosure of the Author's name, having, in a
great measure, restored to him a sort of parental control
over these Works, he is naturally induced to give them to
the press in a corrected, and, he hopes, an improved form,
while life and health permit the task of revising and illus-
trating them. Such being his purpose, it is necessary to
say a few words on the plan of the proposed Edition.
In stating it to be revised and corrected, it is not to be
inferred that any attempt is made to alter tho tenor of the
stories, the character of the actors, or the spirit of tho
dialogue. There is no doubt ample room for emendation
in all these points, but where the tree falls it must lie. Any
attempt to obviate criticism, however just, by altering a
work already in the hands of the public, is generally un-
successful. In the meat improbable fiction, the reader
still desires some air of " vraisemblanee," and does not
..-7;0- _l4 L.,
altered to suit the taste of critics, or the caprice of the
Author himself. This process of feeling i® so natural,
that it may be observed even in children, who cannot en-
dure that a nursery story should be repeated to diem dif-
ferently from the manner in which it was first told.
But without altering, in the slightest degree, either the
story, or the mode of telling it, the Author has taken this
opportunity to correct errors of the press and slips of the
pen. That such should exist cannot be wondered at,
when it is considered that the Publishers found it their in-
terest to hurry through the press a succession of the early
editions of the various Novels, and that the Author had
not the usual opportunity of revision. It is hoped that
the present Edition will he found free from errors of that
accidental kind.
The Author has also ventured to make some emenda-
tions of a different character, which, without being such
apparent deviations from the original stories as to disturb
the reader's old associations, will, he thinks, add something
to the spirit of the dialogue, narrative, or description.
These consist in occasional pruning where the language is
redundant, compression where the style is loose, infusion
of vigour where it is languid, the exchange of less forcible
for more appropriate epithets—slight alterations, in short,
like the last touches of an artist, which contribute to
heighten and finish the picture, though an inexperienced
eye can hardly detect in what they consist.
The General Preface to the new Edition, and the intro-
ductory Notice to each separate work, will contain an ac-
count of such circumstances attending the first publication
of the Novels and Tales, as may appear interesting in
themselves, or proper to be communicated to the public.
The Author also proposes to publish, on this occasion, the
various legends, family traditions, or obscure historical
facts, which have formed the groundwork of these Novels,
and to give some account of the places where the scenes
are laid, when these are all together, or in part, real ; as
well as a statement of particular incidents founded on fact ;
together with a more copious Glossary, and Notes expla-
natory of the ancient customs, and popular superstition.,
referred to in the Romances.

Upon the whole it is hoped that the Waverley Novels,
in their new dress, will not be found to have lost any part
of their attractions in consequence of receiving illustra-
tions by the Author, and undergoing his careful revision.
Abbotsford, January, 1829.
This Edition will not only be improved in the manner
just stated, but also enriched by the pencils of the eminent
Artists who have bean engaged to embellish it; among
these may be named David Wilkie, ILA. ; Edwin Land -
seer, R.A. ; C. R. Leslie, R.A. ; Abraham Cooper,
R.A. ; A. E. Chalon, R.A. ; G. S. Newton, A.R.A. ;
F. P. Stephanoff, H. Corbould, William Kidd, J. Stan-
field, John Burnet, and R. P. Bonnington.
The Engravings will be executed on steel, by Charles
Heath, William Finden, Charles Rolls, James Mitchell,
F. Engleheart, Ambrose Warren, Robert. Graves, J. C.
Edwards, W. J. Cooke, W. Ensom, Davenport, Shenton,
Duncan, Miller, and other eminent Engravers.