Sir Walter Scott

Sir Walter Scotts "Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft" were his contribution to a series of books, published by John Murray, which appeared between the years 1829 and 1847, and formed a collection of eighty volumes known as "Murrays Family Library." In these "Letters upon Demonology and Witchcraft," addressed to his son-in-law, written under the first grasp of death, the old kindliness and good sense, joined to the old charm in story-telling, stand firm yet against every assault; and even in the decay that followed, when the powers were broken of the mind that had breathed, and is still breathing, its own health into the minds of tens of thousands of his countrymen, nothing could break the fine spirit of love and honour that was in him. When the end was very near, and the son-in-law to whom these Letters were addressed found him one morning entirely himself, though in the last extreme of feebleness: his eye was clear and calmevery trace of the wild fire of delirium was extinguished: "Lockhart," he said, "I may have but a minute to speak to you. My dear, be a good manbe virtuous, be religiousbe a good man. Nothing else will give you any comfort when you come to lie here."

The plans of Edgar, Master of Ravenswood to regain his ancient family estate from the corrupt Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland are frustrated by the complexities of the legal and political situations following the 1707 Act of Union, and by his passion for his enemy''s beautiful daughter Lucy. First published in 1819, this intricate and searching romantic tragedy offers challenging insights into emotional and sexual politics, and demonstrates the shrewd way in which Scott presented his work as historical document, entertainment, and work of art. Published in 1819 and 1824, respectively, these titles are typical of Scott''s historical soap operas involving revenge, kidnapping, love, political turmoil, and what have you. To help readers understand the Scottish dialect in Scott''s writing, these include glossaries as well as scholarly introductions. Both books are based on Scott''s original texts. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. The Edinburgh Edition respects Scott the artist by ''restoring'' versions of the novels that are not quite what his first readers saw. Indeed, it returns to manuscripts that the printers never handled, as Scott''s fiction before 1827 was transcribed before it reached the printshop. Each volume of the Edinburgh edition presents an uncluttered text of one work, followed by an Essay on the Text by the editor of the work, a list of the emendations that have been made to the first edition, explanatory notes and a glossary ! The editorial essays are histories of the respective texts. Some of them are almost 100 pages long; when they are put together they constitute a fascinating and lucid account of Scott''s methods of compostion and his financial manoeuvres. This edition is for anyone who takes Scott seriously. Times Literary Supplement The Edinburgh Edition respects Scott the artist by ''restoring'' versions of the novels that are not quite what his first readers saw. Indeed, it returns to manuscripts that the printers never handled, as Scott''s fiction before 1827 was transcribed before it reached the printshop. Each volume of the Edinburgh edition presents an uncluttered text of one work, followed by an Essay on the Text by the editor of the work, a list of the emendations that have been made to the first edition, explanatory notes and a glossary ! The edi

King Richard I, of England, known as Lionheart, leads the Third Crusade to the Holy Land. A truce is declared between his forces and those of the Saracens under Saladin, just prior to the abandonment of the Crusade; and during this trucethe events of the present story take place. The "Talisman" itself is a pebble of wonderful healing powers carried by Saladin. Sir Kenneth, a Scottish Crusader, rides alone through the Dead Sea desert of Syria, when he is suddenly attacked by an Emir of the Saracens. The Scot is victorious and the two warriors declare a friendly truce. They ride together to the cave of Theodorick, a fanatic monkish recluse, who at first lays violent hands upon the Saracen, but finally receives them both hospitably. The Crusader is charged with a secret message to the hermitfrom the Council of Princes; and while the Saracen sleeps, the knight and monk go to a neighboring chapel and witness a mass. Among the veiled worshippers is Lady Edith Plantagenet, whom the knight loves and under whose colors he has fought. She recognizes him by dropping a rosebud at his feet. The Saracen, who calls himself Ilderim, an Arabian physician, has heard that King Richard lies ill of a fever; and he thereupon states that he can heal the royal invalid ...

Scotts extensive biography of John Dryden is essentially the first of eighteen volumes that were published as "The Works of John Dryden". There are many biographies like this on the market, but there is hardly any that offers such an in-depth and healthy knowledge about the author.

In a historical sense " Redgauntlet" is a sequel to Waverley. It takes up the action some eighteen years later, at "that point of time when the Chevalier Charles Edward, though fallen into the sere and yellow leaf, was yet meditating a second attempt, which could scarcely have been more hopeless than his first."Mr. Alexander Fairford, a worthy advocate of Edinburgh, has received into his home, for his son Alans sake, an impulsive young man known as Darsie Latimer. Darsie has an ample income and is assured of a legacy upon reaching the age of twenty-five; but meanwhile knows nothing of his family history and is warned not to venture into England. The two young men have a David and Jonathan affection, although Mr. Fairford eyes Darsies harum-scarum tendencies with disapproval. Alan enters the law, while Darsie sets forth on a jaunt to Dumfries, writing back chatty letters to his friend, who replies in kind.At Solway Firth, Darsie escapes the dangers of tide and quicksand by the intervention of a taciturn stranger, who conducts him grudgingly to an out-of-the-way and mysterious home, where Darsie is sheltered for the night ....

Although a stated sequel to "The Monastery,""The Abbot" deals with a wider field and more exalted personages than its predecessor. A few of the old characters are continued, but interest in the deeds of any abbot or his monks gives way to the troubled chronicle of Queen Mary of Scotland, from the time of her imprisonment at Lochleven Castle, to her flight into England after the Battle of Langside.Nearly ten years have passed since the union of Halbert Glendinning and Mary of Avenelyears in which the Protestant soldier proves his worth to the Earl of Murray, now Regent of Scotland, and is knighted and given increasing responsibilities. But the life of Sir Halbert and his lady, otherwise serene, has a cloud in the fact that no children have been born to them. The lonely lady is attracted to a child whom her dog saves from drowning, and she takes him into her household as page, with the further design of adopting him. The lad, Roland Graeme by name, becomes spoiled and overbearing through petting, and thus incurs the dislike of the household, among them the stern old chaplain, Henry Warden. Roland finally attempts to stab Adam Woodcock, the falconer, and is sent away in disgrace to seek his own fortunes ...

The second novel written by Scott turned aside from the path of history, so successfully followed in "Waverley," and dealt no less happily with private scenes and characters. Some of the most enduring and popular types in the authors entire gallery are to be found in "Guy Mannering."Godfrey Bertram, the easy-going laird of the Ellengowan estate, whose hearth-stone is open to vagrant and gentleman alike, shelters a young Englishman of good family during a night when an heir is born to Ellangowari. The vistor, Guy Mannering, knows the rudiments of the discredited science of astrology, andpartly out of curiosity, partly to gratify the fathers whimcasts the horoscope of the infant. The prediction shows three periods of baleful influence upon the child, beginning at five years and ending at twenty-onethe last period strangely coinciding with a storm-centre prophesied for Mannerings promised wife. Disturbed by these coincidences, Mannering absolves astrology henceforth, and in order to avoid the possibility of influencing his hosts son, he writes and seals the prediction, with instructions that it be left unopened until after the childs fifth birthday. The next day he departs, and soon after enters military service in India, where he attains the rank of Colonel...

Rob Roy MacGregor was a historical figurean outlaw who "owed his fame in a great measure to his residing on the very verge of the Highlands, and playing such pranks in the beginning of the eighteenth century as are usually ascribed to Robin Hood in the Middle Ages,and that within forty miles of Glasgow." He was implicated in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715 which is the period of this storybut from motives of self-interest.Francis Osbaldistone, the ostensible narrator of this tale, is a young Londoner whose father is a successful merchant and naturally wishes his son to succeed him in the business. But Francis has other ideas, and a quarrel results, in which his father sets him adrift in the world to make his own way, and threatens to disinherit him in favor of Rashleigh Osbaldistone, a Scottish cousin. Francis rides northward on a visit to Rashleighs father, Sir Hildebrand of Osbaldistone Hall. On his way thither he falls in with a nervous traveller named Morris, who afterwards accuses him wrongly of the theft of his bag; but is cleared on the intervention of a supposed cattle-dealer, Campbell ...

In point of time, this romance follows close upon "Quentin Durward," Charles the Bold being a leading figure in both. Here, however, the scene is largely Switzerland, while the characters are drawn from several countries. An idyllic romance between a Swiss maiden and an English refugee has for background the gathering cloud of the battle of Nancy.John Philipson, an English "merchant," and his son Arthur, are travelling with a guide through Switzerland, when Arthur narrowly escapes death over a cliffs edge. He is rescued by Anne of Geierstein, a mountain maiden, who conducts him to the home of her uncle, Arnold Biederman. Arthur distinguishes himself at archery and thus arouses the jealousy of Annes suitor, Rudolph Donnerhugel, who challenges him to a duel with swords. This is frustrated by the maiden, who has overheard the quarrel. Arthur and his father are invited to join a deputation of Swiss who are on their way to lay a grievance before Charles the Bold, on account of excessive taxation. The travellers are denied admittance to Basle, although provided with food by its citizens. They take refuge in the ruins of a castle, and while Arthur is on guard he fancies he sees an apparition resembling Anne of Geierstein ...

"Waverley" is noteworthy not only in being the authors first novel, but also because it gives a fine panorama of an important historic period. The story is written around the Jacobite insurrection of 1745, led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart in the endeavor to place his exiled father upon the English throne. It deals closely with Scotch people and customs. Edward Waverley, the hero, is a young English gentleman, prospective heir to his uncles large estate. As a means of completing his education, he is sent with a captains commission to join the regiment of Colonel Gardiner, stationed in Scotland. Affairs in camp not being of warlike nature at this time, he obtains an extended leave of absence, to visit his uncles friend, Bradwardine, baron of an estate at Tully-Veolan. Several weeks are spent with the worthy old Scotch veteran and his pretty daughter, Rose. At this juncture the barons cattle are driven off by Donald Bean Leans band of freebooters, and a "go-between" visits the baron to obtain "blackmail" for their return ...

The period of "Ivanhoe" is a few months subsequent to "The Talisman." Richard I has abandoned his Crusade, and, after an incarceration in an Austrian prison returns to his English throne to find plots against him headed by his brother John, and also a general state of unrest. Normans and Saxons still quarrel, and the story as a whole gives an admirable picture of feudal times.Ivanhoe is the only son of Cedric the Saxon, and has been disinherited by his father on account of his love for Cedrics ward, the Lady Rowena. lie thereupon goes with King Richard to Palestine and wins renown in the Crusade. He returns to England disguised as a Palmer. Meanwhile his father maintains the ancient Saxon state at his manor of Rotherwood, at odds with the Norman "interlopers." Cedric therefore accords but grudging hospitality to a Norman knight, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, when the latter seeks shelter from a storm, being guided thereto by a pilgrim. During the evening repast, Lady Rowena inquires news of the Crusade and is informed that Ivanhoe has gained fame and the favor of the King. Bois-Guilbert thereupon boasts that he himself would like to meet him at a pending tournament; at which the pilgrim takes up the gage forthe knight ...

"The Betrothed" is a picture of the troublous times at home, while English knights were away upon the Crusades. The scene is laid upon the borderland of Wales, during the reign of Henry II, and the action clusters around the person of a young Norman heiress beset by Welsh and English alike.The venerable Archbishop of Canterbury makes it his chief business to preach the Third Crusade; and to this end he exhorts Normans, settled in England and Wales, to lay aside all private feuds with their neighbors. Moved by his teaching, Gwenwyn, a Welsh chieftain, and Sir Raymond Berenger, a Norman knight, exchange friendly courtesies; and Gwenwyn even goes so far as to make plans to divorce his wife in order that he may wed the Normans daughter Eveline. When he makes this proposal, however, an answer is returned that the lady is already betrothed to Sir Hugo de Lacy, an accomplished soldier, but a man of mature years. The fiery Welsh consider this in the light of an affront, and make war upon Sir Raymond in his stronghold of Garde Doloureuse ...

Although France is the scene of this romance, the hero and several other characters are members of the Scottish guard to the French King. The period is that when chivalry and feudalism are passing away, and the governments becoming centralized, Louis XI of France is, in fact, warring against his most powerful vassal, Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.Quentin Durward, a Scotch youth, comes to Tours, where his uncle is a member of the celebrated Scottish bodyguard, and seeks military service. First, however, he meets the pretended merchant, Maitre Pierre, who is actually King Louis himself; and next the young adventurer narrowly escapes hanging for interfering with a public execution. He is enrolled among the guards and finds favor in Louiss eyes by aiding him against the attack of a frenzied boar, in a hunt.On the same day of the hunt, the Count de Crevecoeur, on behalf of his master, openly renounces allegiance to Louis, and also demands the surrender of Isabelle de Croye, the Dukes ward, who has fled from Burgundy to escape a political marriage ...

Although the period of this tragedy of Lammermoor is placed within the reign of William and Mary, the story (unlike most of the others) has little historical connection. It tells, instead, of the feud of two Scotch families, whichas in "Romeo and Julietbrings woe to two lovers who have dared plight their troth despite the ancestral hatred. Scott states that it is based closely upon fact.Edgar of Ravenswood is the last of a noble house which has formerly been rich and powerful; but his father, having been involved in the Jacobite cause, is ousted from the family estates by Sir William Ashton. After the old lords death, nothing remains to Edgar save the dilapidated Tower of Wolfs Crag, and the fidelity of two ancient servants Mysie and Caleb. Shortly after his fathers funeral, the young man rescues Sir William and his daughter Lucy from the charge of an infuriated bull, and thus wins the respect of his ancient enemy and a warmer interest on the part of the maiden ...

One of Sir Walter Scotts most celebrated and accessible works, The Lay of the Last Minstrel was a huge publishing phenomenon when it first appeared in 1802, with six editions appearing in three years years and sales of 27,000 in a decade. Its impact on Border tourism was vast, as countless people, moved by Scotts evocative description of the moonlit Melrose Abbey, flocked to the area. Painters too were inspired by the scene, and such was its fame that even prime minister William Pit recited sections from it in front of dinner guests. Told by an ageing minstrel to Ann, Duchess of Buccleuch in return for hospitality at Newark Castle, The Lay of the Last Minstrel is a powerful and dramatic tale concerning love, murder and kidnapping. A strong supernatural element lies at its heart, making it one of the most significant gothic tales ever written. This edition features an introduction by the Duke of Buccleuch.

Ivanhoe, ambientada a l’Anglaterra del segle XII, quan el príncep Joan conspirava per desposseir del tron el seu germà Ricard Cor de Lleó, mentre era a Terra Santa en la Tercera Croada, narra les ave

The term "Castle Dangerous" was applied to the feudal home of the Scotch Douglases, because of the many fierce fights for its possession which raged between the English and the Scotch lords, during the struggle of Kobert Bruce against King Edward I.Sir James Douglas, popularly called the Black Douglas, chief supporter of Bruce, has sworn that Douglas Castle shall not remain in the hands of the English. More than one English lord has attempted to hold it against attack or trickery, but in every case has come to a violent end. At last Lady Augusta de Berkely promises her hand and large estates to Sir John de Walton on condition that he hold the "Dangerous Castle" for a year and a day. He accepts the task and is made governor of the stronghold; but as the months slowly go by, Lady Augusta is overcome by misgivings and resolves to go to the castle and shorten the probation. Disguising herself as a youth, she goes in company of her fathers minstrel Bertram as his son. They meet the deputy governor, De Valence, who agrees that the supposed boy shall be left at the convent of St. Brides, near by, until formal permission to enter the castle has been secured, while the minstrel obtains entrance upon pretext of examining ancient songs ...

Count Robert of Paris is a knight of the First Crusade (1096-1099), and the story is chiefly concerned with his insult to a Greek ruler and its reparation. In order to protect his domain from invasion, Alexius Comnenus, Greek emperor of Constantinople, hires a bodyguard of warriors from other nations, who are termed Varangians. Jealousies arise between these and native soldiers, and Hereward a Saxon is attacked by a Greek, but escapes and afterwards becomes a valuable retainer for the imperial family.The armies of the First Crusade approach the city, and the Emperor, knowing himself powerless to check their progress, consents to allow them to pass through his country. On their part, the Crusaders acknowledge his sovereignty in a public review, though many of the arrogant nobles deem themselves his peers. One in particular, Count Robert of Paris, shows his contempt for the imperial authority by seating himself upon the throne for a moment, with his dog at his feet. Alexius feigns to overlook the insult but secretly plots vengeance, and thereafter the Counts stay in Constantinople is full of peril. He is separated by trickery from his wife, Brenhilda, a handsome Amazonian who had followed him to the wars, and is cast into a dungeon with a tiger which he slays ...

The Porteous Riot, which occurred in Edinburgh during the reign of George II, is the historical rallying point of this story of Scotch middle life. The narrative, however, harks back several months and also extends forward some years; the present argument, therefore, will be more intelligible if it gives the facts in their proper order, rather than as set forth in the opening chapters of the novel.David Deans, an honest but stern old Scotch Covenanter and farmer, marries twice in the course of his life, and by each wife has a daughterJeanie being some ten years older than her half-sister, Effie. Jeanie has two suitorsa childhoods playmate, Reuben Butler, now a university graduate and candidate for the ministry; and the dull Laird of Dumbiedikes, who is content to come month in and month out and merely look his admiration. Effie grows up into beautiful girlhood, being called the "Lily of St. Leonards," but is willful and spoiled. Her sister Jeanie has little control over the motherless girl, who secretly frequents dances and other gatherings abhorred by her father ...