The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-17

Sir Walter Scott's novel of waverley Is one of the best known---and least read---of all his works. It's publication marked new era in English prose literature. and its title gave a name to that remarkable series of rornances with which he followed it. and which not only astonished his own age, but have been the delight of subsequent tfmes--the Waverley Novels Waver- ley possesses. in a rather exaggerated degree. all those characteristics which are prominent in Scotts novels; the long prefaces, the languid beginning and abrupt ending. the display of an- tfquarian lore the loving description of Scottish scenery and the vivid re- production of the characters and man. ners of other times.
 The following fs relation within a limited space of the narrative com tained in Waverley and is given with a hope that it will induce those who read it to perusal of this too-much neglected masterpiece of the Wizard of the North"
 cosmo Comyne Bradwardine Esq, commonly called In Scotland the Baron Bradwardine because of his possession of an ancient barony bestowed on his ancestors by King Duncan, was enter- tainig at his feudal mansion of Fully yeolan. in Perthshire. Captain Ed ward Waverley, the nephew and heir of his old friend and fellow Jacobite Sir Everard Wayerley of Waveriey- Honour.
 The Baron dispensed the rude but bountiful hospitality characteristic of the landed gentleman of the period. and had as his guests to meet the young captain at dinner his two neigh bors. the Laird of Balmawhapple and the Laird of Killancureit, rustic squires whose feats of eating and drinking astonished the more temperate Eng lishman.
 When the Baron's daughter. moth erless girl whose simple and unaffect- ed beauty had made Q strong impres. F sion on Waverley, had left the dinner table the wine circled freely, and, when 1t seemed to Waverley as If all hands had already drunk as much as was possible, the Baron's chief treasure an antique drinking cup of preposter- ous, size, in form like bear and called .sThe Blessed Bear of Bradwardtne,' given to the house of Bradwardine centuries ago, was brought forth. filled and sent circling around the board.
 Then the guests departed, walking down the long avenue to the park gates, the Baron insisting upon escort. Ing the two Iairds as far as the village tavern, where they had left theil horses and where they would have q stirrup cup.
 The stirrup cup proved simply ar excuse for a prolongation of the fes' tivities. The stout old Baron sang French hunting songs, for his pollti
 cal principles had made him for some time an exile in France; interspersed his talk with scraps of Latin, for h' had been educated for the law, ant told interminable stories of Field Mar shal the Duke of Berwick, under whicl commander he had made several cam paigns in foreign service. Balma whapple roared out Scottish ballads and talked of hunting, and the Lart if Killancureit discoursed on agricul ture.
 Sometimes they sang and talked b! turns, and sometimes all together, bu in high good humor until Balmawhap
 pie, raising his glass; called out toast insulting to the reigning famil, and all who served 1t.
 Waverley was clear headed enough for he had passed the cup as often a he could do so undiscovered, to reaIiz that his uniform had been insulted, bu before he could resent the affront tn Baron had taken the quarrel upon him self and his sword clashed against tha of the ill-bred laira. The laird wa young and stout, but the Baron wa d celebrated master of fence and would no doubt, have soon "pinked" his ad versary had not waverley created
 diversion by rushing to interfere. an the mistress of the inn at the sam time appeared with plaid which sh threw with the skill of experience owe the clashing swords. The servant rushed in and the combatants wer
 separated. The two lairds mounte