The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-24
v T..

Tho frst reference to Waverley which we
find In this CORES pondence occurs In letter
to Merritt dated July 8. 1914. two days after
the novel was published. Beyond Erskine. the
Ballantynes and Constable. Merritt appears to
have been the only friend entrusted with the
secret at this date. Scott writes. Now must
account for my own lazlness. which do By
referring you to Q small anonymous sort OF a
novel In three volumes which you will receive
By the mail OF this date 1t was a very old at
tempt Of mine to embody some traits OF those
characters and manners peculiar to Scotland
the last remnants OF which vanished during
my own youth. so that few or no traces now
remain. ! had written a great part OF the first
volume and sketched other passages when
mislaid the MS. and only found II BY the merest
accident MS / was rummaRinR the drawers OF
an old cabinet; and took tho fancy OF finish
ing 1t. which did so fast that the last.two vol
umes were written In three weeks. had
great deal OF fun IN the accom- plishment ofthls
task. though do not expect that It will be
popular in the South. as much OF the humor.
II there be any is local. and some OF it even
professional You. however. who are an adopt
ed Scotchman. will find some amusement in 1t.
1t has made very strong impression here.
aud the good people OF Edinburgh are busted
in placing the author. and In finding out origl-
nails for the portraits It contains. In the
first case. they will probably find It difficult to
convict the author. although he Is far from
escaping suspicion. for jeffrey has offered to
mako oath that It Is mine. and another great
critic has rendered his affidavit to the con-
trsry; SO that these authorities have divided
the good town. However. the thing has sue
ceeded very well. and Is thought highly OF.
don't know II 1t has got to London yet l In
tend you to maintain my incognito." In
letter written to Merritt little later. Scott
adds. "As to Wayerley will play Sir Fretful
for once. and assure you that m cant the story
In tho nrst volume to flag on purpose; the sec
ond and third have rather more hustle and
interest wished with what success heaven
knowsl to avoid the ordinary error OF novel
writer's. whose nrst volume 10 usually their
best; but. since 1t has served to amuse Mrs.
Merritt and you. even from the outset have
no doubt you will tolerate IT, even unto the
end. IL may really boast OF being o tolerably
faithful portrait of Scottish manners. and has
been recognized as such In Edinburgh. The
first edition OF . thousand Instantly dis
appeared. and the bookseller informs me that
the second OF double the quantity will not sup
ply the market for long" Merritt wanted
Scott TO acknowledge the novel Il wish. he
writes. with all my heart. l could persuade
you to own It at once. II you could be sup
posed. at hrst from ditfidencs OF success In .
style OF com position hitherto untried. to be uu-
willing to stake the fame you have acquired In
a different branch OF literature on the event
OF q novel. your original coneealment IL Ac-
counted for; but really. It Is now worse than
useless. for the volumes We have just read will
add TO the fame OF the best poet in our lam
RuARe By the extent and diversity OF narrative
and Imagination they display. and your name
would procure them readers who, without II.
are Justly Averss 10 opening blue backed book
after the thousand and one annual abortions
OF the circulating library have terrified them
At unknown authors. Besides this amongst
the reading world. you are. find. named A.
the author. not merely at Edinburgh, for
have heard here about Mr.. SCOTS novel boldly
pronounced. and the unknown author begins
to be accused OF trick. which really think
will berather preiudlciAl than advantageous to
your fame Pray reconsider this. and reflect
Whistler It Is not worth while TO descend from
FOUR ambush into the open neld where you
will nnd more friends than enemies, and
where your name aud cognizancs are already
\ host In themselves" SCOTS answer was
h at he would not own WAverley," his chief
reason being that. BY doing 80. he would de-
prlVe himself OF the pleasure OF writing again.
TO which Merritt replied Your reasons for
rot owning Wayerley are indeed eoEsnt and
have had the success which seldom attends
'eAson In this world, for thsy have convinced
ne that y0u are right and that was wrong"