Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-09-11
ORIGIN OF GUY MANNERING.


ORIGIN OF GUY MANNERING.
The novel or romance Of Waverly. (says Sir
Walter Scott made It's way 10 the public slow e.
". but afterwards, with much accumulaling Po'
pulari,y, so as TO encourage the author to Sc
cond attempt He looked abou, for a name and
subiec,; and the manner in which the novels
were composed cannot be better illustrated than
bv reci,ing the simple narrative on which Guy
Mannering was originally founded, but 10 which
in the progress Of the work. The production ceas-
ed 10 bear any, even the most distant resem
blance. The tale was originally told me by an
old servant Of thy fathers, an excellent old High
lander. wi,hou, fault, unless preference 10
mountain-dew over less potent liquors br ac-
counted one. He believed as firmly in the sto-
nv a. in apv par, Of his creed. A grave and ell
DERBY person, according TO old John Mac Kim
ley's account, while travelling in the wilder
parts OF Galloway was benigh,ed. With ditti-
Gully he found his way TO- country seat, where
will he hospi,ali' Of the time and country, he
was readily admitted The owner oi the house,
gentleman of good fortune, was much struck
by the reverend appearance OF his guest, and a.
poloeisrd 10 him for cer'ain degree OF confu-
sion which must unavoidably attend his recep>
ZION, aud could not escape his eye. The lady
Of the house was, he said, confined 10 her apart
menl, and on The point OF making her husband
q father for the first time, 'hough they had been
ten years married. At such an emergency, the
laird said he feared his guest might meet with
some apparent Neglect. "Not So sir" said the
stranger; my wants are few and easily suppl
ed. and trush the present circumstances may
iitudefoF your HOSPITALITY. Let me only request
that may be informed Of he exac, minute Of
the birth, aud hope TO be able put you in
possession Of some particular which may infu-
ence il an important manner the fu'ure pros
2ecls of the child now abou, to come into ,his
busy and chang-ful world | will no conceal
from you that am skiful in understanding and
inlerprt ting the movement of those planetary
bodies which exert their influence on the desti-
ny Of mor,als Ii is science which do not
pIa,tice like others who call themselves astro>
iogers, for hire or reward; for have compe-
tent estate, and only use the knowledge pos
SEES for the benefit Of those in whom feel an
interest"
Tine laird bowed in respec. and gratitude, and
the stranger was accommodated with an apart-
mont which commanded an ample view Of the
astral regions. The CUES sPen, part OF his
light in asoertaioing The position Of the h. av d.
emily bodies and calculating their probable in
huence; until length the result Of mis- obser-
,ations induced HIM 10 send for the father, and
CO njure him In The most solemn manner TO
cause The assisr ants 10 re'ard the BIRTH ifprac-
icable, were il for FIVE minutes. The answer
declared this 10 be impossible; and almost in the
inst ant tina, the message was returned, the ia
her and the guest were made acquainted with
he birth Of boy. TIE astrologer on the NOR
row met the party who gathered around he
breakfast table with looks so grave and omi-
nous, as 10 alarm the fears of the father, who
had hitherto rxulted in the prospects held GU,
- the birth Of an heir 10 his ancient properly
failing which event, it mus, have passed TO a
distant branch Of the family. He FASTENED TO
draw the stranger INFO private room. 81 tear
from your looks" SAID the father. "lhat you
have bad tidings to tell me Of my young s,rang.
er; perhaps God VIII resume the blessing hr has
bestowed ere he reach the age Of manhood, or
perhaps he is destined TO be unworthy of the
affection which we are naturally disposed TO de-
vote 10 our offspring" Mi her the one or The
other" answered the stranger:-"uuless my
Judgment greatly err, the infant will survive
thu years Of minority, and IN temper and dis
position will prove all tina, his parents can
wish. Bur with much in his horoscope which
promises many blessings, there is one evil inhu-
ence strongly PREDOMINANT, which threatens 10
subject him 10 unhallowed and unhap temp
tarion about the lime when he shall attain the
age Of twen,y-ope, which period, The consle la
tons intimate, will be the crisis Of his faIe In
what shape, and with what peculiar urgency,
this temptation may beset him, my ar, cannot
discover" Your knowledge, then, Can afford
us no defence," said the ANXIOUS father, "agalnst
the threatened evil Pardon me-" answered
the stranger, sit can. The influence Of the
consultations is powerful: bu, he who made
the heavens Is more powerful than all, if his
aid BE- invoked in sincerity and truth. You
ought 10 dedicate this boy to The immedia ser
vice OF his Maker, with as much sincerity as
Samuel was devoted 10 the worship in the tenn.
pie bv his parents Y"u must regard him as a
being separated from the rest OF the world. In