Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-03


WMERLY NOVELS, By Sir Waiter Scott.
SO far back as the year 1900, Sir WALTER ScorT
lad planned, aud even commenced, prose work OF
hctou; the only completed chapter of which lac has
given in the Appendix to the General Preface. His
debut novelist did not take place till fourteen
years aflef although Udreriy was III part written in
t305-The history OF this admirable tale Is too curl
o,rs to be omitted or abridged.
"My early recollcctiOns of the Highland scenery
and customs nude favorable an impression in the
poem called the Lady of 'hc Lake, that was ndu
ced TO THINK of something of the same kind in prose
had been good deal iii the Highlands at time
when they were much less accessible and much less
visited than they have been OF la years; and wis
acquainted with many Of the old warriors OF l745
yhe were. like most veterans easily induced TO fight
Their battles over again, for the benefit of willing
listener like myself II naturally occurred to me, that
The ancient traditions and high spirit OF people, who
living III civilized age aud country, retained so
strong a tincturc OF manners belonging to an early
eriod OF society must afford subject favorable for
TomauSe II 1t should not prove curious tale married
IN the telling.
1T was With some idea of this kind that abou. the
year 1905, threw together about onc-thrd part of
The frSt volume OF Waverly 1t was advertised to
be published by the late Mr. John Ballantyne, book
seller in Edinburgh under the name of Waverlev,
or Tis Fifty Years since'-a title afterwards altered
10 Iis Sixty Years since, that the actual date of
publication might be made to correspond with the
period in WHICH the laid. Having proceed
ed as far, think, the Seventh Chapter, | showed
my work to critical friend, whose opiuon va; IN
favorable; and having then poetical reputation,
| was unwilling to risk the loss Of it by attempting
new style OF composition. / therefore threw aside
the work had commclced, without either reluctance
or remonstrancc. ought TO add, that Though nv
Ingenious friends sentence afterwards reversed,
on an appeal to the public ii cannot be considered
any lmputation on his good taste for the specimen
subjected to his cticism did extend beyond the
departure of the hero for Scotland, and Consequently
had not entered upon the part of the story which was
finally found most interesting.
BE that it may, this lortiou OF the manuscript
was laid aside III the drawers OF an old writing desk:
which, On my first coming to reside Abbotsfurj Ia
1911, was placed in lumber garnet, and entirely
forgotten. Thus, though sometimes, among other
literary ayocalons turned my thoughts 10 tie con-
tinuaiion OF the romance which | had commenced,
yet, as could not find what had already written,
after searching such repositories wepe within my
reach and was too INDECENT 20 attempt write it a.
new from memory, as often laid aside al thohrhts
of that nature"
The first circumstance that awakened in Sir Wal
ter desire to finish Ware,ly was the splendid
success OF his frie-i. Miss EdTeworth's Novels
lie was DESTROYS, IN the spirit OF nationality so hon
durably cherished by our northern brethren,
----':5or poor Gsil Scotdpfs sake,
Some uscfif plan ar JuHs 10 make -
70 DO something (which might introduce her natives 10
those OF her sister kingdom in more favourable
light than they lad been placed hitherto, and tend to
procure sympathy for their virtues, and INDULGENCE
Tor their fobles.' TINS L,udahle wish was further
stimulated by circumstance that occurred in 1907
when Sir Walter was requested by Dir. Murray, the
publisher, to Correct and complete the posthuutous
work OF Mr.. J3sEPH STRL-F, Queen Hoo I1X Of
That work Sir Walter wrote the concludnr chaoter
IN manner so satisfactory gave him hopes that he
might in time become free from the craft of romance
writing" Queen .lloo-IlOll We have not seen for
Uany years. Sir Walter, attributes its fiilurc to q
superintendent display OF antiquarian lore. IL APP
pearcd to us, when perused that Strut did not
SO much fail from abunda- Of knowledge as from
the lack Of power. However that may be, our au-
thor Imagined he saw tic possibility OF avoidp, the
tnl &, ~. !
ana weneed not add that hc correctly.
My thoughts, therefore, returned more than once
TO the tale which had actually commenced, and nc
cidcnt at length threw the lost sheets IN my way.
~ happened to want some fishing -iacklc for the
use OF guest, when It occurred TO TO search the
old writing desk already mentioned I'm which used
10 keep articles Of that nature. got access 10 it
with some difficulty; and IN looking for lines and flies
Inc long lost manuscript presented itself. / imme-
daiey set to work 10 complete il, according TO my
original plrpoyc. And here must frankly confess
That the mode III which conducted the story scarce
" deserved the success which the romance nGer
wards attained The tale of Waverly was nut To-
gether with so little care, that cannot boast Of ha
wing skctched any distinct plan Of the work The
Whole adventures Of Wayerly, in hs movements M
and down the country, with tho ITiolland cotcrsn
Bean Lean, managed without much skill II suited
best, however, the road / wanted to travel and nor
united me TO Introduce some description Of scenery.
and In1nners, 70 which tlc reality gave an interest
which the powers OF the author might have other
wise failed 20 aitUin for them. And thOupli [ Lovo
Deen IN other Instances, yuuor in this sort do not
Tccoliect any Of These novels m which have tr1o-
crossed 80 widely as in tho frst OF tlc scsics."
Wavery was published in 1917. n.nc ysars ar.ril.
had been begun The copyriri' Nas moi, "a. I.sI
been roppTl 20, offered 10 l5g London bookseller nor
Va fact ~ nny hooksgiigr, tie author b.ing dr.orln
cd to keep IL n his own hands 10 wss pib..1ad
without name: L. Gun hardly. however, b. said
that II was loft 90 Hu ifs way ,g nyui any o. tho ~
NJ recommendations DO was reviewed by SIR Jcf
frey. ~nd eloquen'iy aud warmly eulocized and tho
not immediately eivcn ,o Sir Wutor by general read.
crs there could DC tttc doubt from the tenor Of one
led Il should've.
OF The motives aud means Sr concps'i1c lis natnc
from, hs reader. SIR Walter gives an n.,Tcs and
amusing account.
s'My0ri9iual motive Or pnhhsninr lo ,yort sao,
ynously, tie consclOusuess ti,at q was ui .xrs