Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-29
THE WAyERLEY NoyEIs-


the toioins article on the f,bcomns s,;
OF the Waverey Novels copied from the Spectator t
weekly spaper recently established which, from the b,gh
and varied interest OF its coalens as well as the So
tone OF MS principles, has already confirmed 70,
SONAR notce As they may be termed the celebrated auhor
I'll a ny .eil navieie and originality; and ca,i
sdeS say farther, for their extraordinary fidelity OF likeness
Eastern .4rgus
This edition is to consist Of forty volumes. If will
contain all the novels of Sir Walter Scott from wa
very down to Woodstock; and will cost only TO-,
pounds. 1t will be ornamented with -pum.rous ati
nney executed plates, by tie most expert cnorovers
from designs by the best artists and it will be en-
Lloneu Win What ITS Possessors cannot fail deem
decoration of infinitely higher value-numerous not
ana Illustrations by the author. These additions !,
Is calculated, will be equal to two volumes III
W1iK VIII not be mere reprint; numerous passages
winch the hurry of composition or the accidentnI
carecssness oFprintcrs and corrcctors had le in an
imperfect state, will receive the high alyontppe Of
the finishing touches of the same pencil that fir,
sketched them. The edition, there fore will b
at once the cheapest and the most correct tba, ~
issued from the press. So much for the work i,
general. WIZ ~
ere 1t possible for moment 10 envy lot Of aro
'cHcity purchased by the noblest deserts we should
OF all the men that at present live and breathe nn
the earth envy That OF the great Author of the Wa
very Novels Ills fame sprang up in q NIGHT 7,
burst forth, as was said with far less truth of w;,
ike the irish rebellion, fifty thousand strono yJc,
no mortal expected it. The Lay placed him st one
IN the rank OF the first poets, and Waverly in the ran
fthe hrst novelss, that Britain had produced No
author OF the past ages Of the present time bas
written so much and so wei; none ever drew so
largely on the afsclonate regard of his contcmnora
Ties-for that Is the proper designation of tho fee,
ing entertained towards the excellent Barnne non,
ever promised to live longer in the appreciation OF
Posterty Partly -fnOm the vein OF exquisite sip,nI
city, and of true and generous feeling that runs
through all his acknowledged works and m rtv for,
thu high and honorable and unmpoacLod cboraoIs.
Oh the man. no author exists, perhaps ever existed
hat has been less exposed to the attacks of naleyo
Ience Criticism srnoothed her brow aud dipped her
pen III milk instead of gall, when she set herself to
examine his labors. Yet though every endcavor has
been made to spoil him, land the 1.-THE of such udul.
gence has ruined hundrcds Sir Walter Scott was of
the stuff that would not spoil He has moved auor
his fellows, as kindtcmpcrcd man moves in fnnu
y of little children, that beset his path hang bv he
coat tails play with his watch chain, aud court his
notice in a thousand winning wavs-all very pleas
ing, but not whit moro calculated 10 excite bis "a
nifty than the gainbols of his avorite spaniel
vi the present edition of the Novels III has been
printed, although not publshodl~ the most iiteres-
ting part IS the General PretHcc. ia which Sir Wal
tor gives brief outline of ms history and tho eau.
scs that as he supposes decru med the peculiar bent
of his genius. We have our doubts BO;withsiand-
iug the dictum Of Johnson of the principle Of acct.
dental direction Of talent. We would rather saw
that Sir Walter read bocause his vigor. If
fancy and quckncss of observation had fitted him IL,
frame and therefore to rcalisc, such forms of ern-
tuTc, than that the perusu Of ronances led him A.,
their composition But VIC are not writing a t,oa,i.,
on metaphysics Sir Walter. besides lns lamcucs..
was delicate boy. and exhibited little prom . az
that bodily vigor aud sound healih winch ncSt 20
such an understanding ms his, the greatest pJ 81
This 80, oorc ,bsn s,,,, volume sr, ,yn r
9u Is projecting 50 rlpn 'lai delay c.o IA iar, ~
he publication.