Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-07-07
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THE WAYERLEY NOVELS: NEW SERIES.
he Preface to the .Neio Series IF the JVdUsylcy no.
refs-the origin of those beautiful toors-tAe eariy
life Of The .4unb0T.
The Preface and the Introductory Notice to Wayor.
ley, we'll each of the other separate Tales con-
tain account Of such circumstances as appear TO Sir
Walter Scott to be worthy OF being communicated TO
the public; and every syllable which have yet seen,
authorizes to say that the public viii gratefully ap-
preciate the favour The various legends family trad
tons obscure historical facts, which have formed the
ground works OF these celebrated novels; ancient
TOMS supersons and descriptions OF the places whore
their many laid to finish the design and
will, wo sure, from tue first example, be equally
vel relished.
OF his juvenile days we are presented with some de-
iigifuliy naive memorsRda:"l must (he ssys) refer
90 very early period OF my life, to point out
my first achievements tale ,eller--but 1 believe
of my old scbOol.fellows car still bear iinoss
that had distinguished character for that talent, al
time when the applause OF my companions was my
reeompsnse for the disgraces aud punishments which
The future romance writer incurred for being idle him
SELF aud keeping others idle during bours hat should
have been employed on cur tasks. The chief enjoy
inent OF my hoy-days 10 escape with chosen friend
who had the taste with myself and alternately 10
TeEe TO each other such wild adventures as we were
e to devise We told, each in turn, nerninabe tales
Of knight and battles aud entertainments which
were continued from day 10 another opportunity
offered without thinking of bringing ten 10
conclusion. AS We observed strict secresy on the
subject OF this intercourse, IL acquired all the charac-
ter OF concealed pleasure and used TO select, for
ne scenes OF our indulgence long walks through the
scltATy and romantic entirons OF ATthur's Seat Sails
bury Crags, Braid Hills, and similar places n the vi
cbGy 81 Edinburgh and the recollection of those holy
Says still forms oasis in the pilgrimage which have
% LOOK back upon. have ouiy TO add. tina, my friend
stl lives, prosperous gentleman; but too much occu
pied with grayer business, to thank for indicating
him plainly confident Of my childish myste.
r."
To childhood, thus impressed succeeded lopr IN.
ness and weakly constitution; during two years Of
which the principal occupation Of tho Invalid was the
peusal OF the miscellaneous tones Of fiction from The
f5Os Of Cyrus and Casssndra down the most approved
works Of modern times furnished by Edinburgh cir.
plla,ing library. "hccordingly," he tells u.s. al be.
lBYe read almost all the romancss old plays and epic
y1euy, IN that formidable collection, and, no doubt
vas uneOnsc0usly amsssng materials for the task in
~dich II has been my LOT TO be much employed"
From this period, renovated health and sire NTH and
syere professional studies occupied our author i'm the
GSnal manner OF young men entering upon the busy
scene Of the world. lie goes o-It roajes " ,srt n
he present stcy detail how the success Of eTT baI
Ids had the effect Of changing all te purpose and tenor
Of my life, and Of converting pains.tikng lawyer of
some yeaT3' standing into follower Of literature n L.
enough 10 say, that had assumed the latter charao-
ter Tor several years before seriously thought Of al
tempting work Of Imagination In prose, allleugh one
0r two Of my poecal attempts cid differ from roman.
ees Otherwise than BY being written in verse. Bat vet
may observe that about this time (now alas thirty
years since) had nourished thc ambitious desire OF
Composing tale Of chivafy, which was 10 be in the
sye OF the Castle Of OtraDo, with plenty Of Border
Sharaciers and supernatural incident Hsving found I'm
sfFctsdy chapter Of tile intended work among some
Oh papers, have sujoned II TO this Introductory es.
saL thinking some readers may account as curious the
"8s s'srT' 81 'eTric cor position by an su,hor uho