Sir Walter Scott, página 2 de 5

"Old Mortality" was the familiar title of an actual personage, Robert Paterson, a harmless itinerant hermit who received this nickname because of his habit of visiting the tombs of Scotch Covenanters. His daily labor of love was to care for these stones and deepen their lettering with his chisel; doing this in honor of the martyrs for the cause, who had fallen in their struggle against the state. He died about the beginning of the 19th century. The incidents of the present story are supposed to be based on reminiscences which he related to a friend. They deal with the Covenanters insurrection during the reign of Charles II of England.At a general muster of troops and volunteers, in Lanarkshire, Henry Morton, a young man of Presbyterian stock, wins a victory over Lord Evandale in a target-shooting contest. Morton stops with friends at a neighboring tavern where he meets John Balfour, a Covenanter or Whig, and also is party to a quarrel with Sergeant Bothwell of the Kings troops. Balfour escapes from the sergeant and is sheltered for the night by Morton. The next day the young man is arrested by the trooper, for aiding the insurgent, and is carried to Lady Bellendens castle, where Colonel Graham of Claverhouse is stationed temporarily ...

The last of the "Waverley Novels" in point of time reaches a period only a few years prior to its day of writing. It is also "upon a plan different from any other that the author had ever writtenthat of depicting contemporary social life. The chief thread of the plot, relating to the victimizing of an unfortunate young woman, is somewhat involved (and perhaps weakened by the authors subsequent change in his original MS.) and can be explained more clearly at the outset than by following the development of the story.Clara Mowbray, the only daughter of a wealthy landowner in southern Scotland, is at sixteen the romantic comrade of an older and more unprincipled cousin, Hannah Irwin. Together they roam the countryside and read exotic works of fiction. In the course of these jaunts Clara meets a handsome young stranger, Francis Tyrrel, whose birth is under a cloud. They declare a mutual passion which is fostered by Hannah. Franciss half-brother, Valentine Bulmer, the ostensible heir of their father, the Earl of Etherington, acts as go-between for the young people and arranges a secret marriage at night; but at the ceremony Bulmer substitutes himself as the bridegroom ...

The scene of "A Legend of Montrose" is laid "during the period of that great and bloody Civil War which agitated Britain during the 17th century," and which finally cost Charles I his kingdom and head. In the Scottish Highlands the struggle lay between the Covenanters who adhered to the Royalist cause, and the Presbyterians; the field being further complicated by private feuds and the presence of outlaw clans.Dugald Dalgetty, a boastful soldier of fortune, meets the Earl of Menteith, who persuades him to join the Royalist army. They remain overnight at Darnlinvaroch Castle, where Dalgetty is told the story of Angus and Allan McAulay and their troubles at the hands of outlaws. Allan, who is of gloomy nature, is soothed by the harp-playing of Annot Lyle, a girl whose birth is enshrouded in mystery. The next day several heads of clans arrive; whereupon the Earl of Montrose, who has been in disguise, takes command of the troops in the Kings name ...

The historical gap between The Abbot and "Kenilworth" is very slight. The latter deals with Queen Marys sister and foe, the celebrated Elizabeth," says Scott. "The interest of the story is thrown upon that period when the sudden death of the first Countess of Leicester seemed to open to the ambition of her husband the opportunity of sharing the crown of his sovereign." The story gives a fine picture of the haughty Queen surrounded by her courtiers and men famous in history.Edward Tressilian, a young gentleman who has loved Amy Robsart, a maiden of good family, is distressed to hear that she is living sequestered in a country villa near Oxford. Believing her dishonored, he makes his way thither and entreats her to return to her father. She refuses, throwing out hints of a high and honorable alliance. Leaving in despair, he fights with Richard Varney, whom he suspects of base dealing toward Amy, but Varney is saved by the intervention of Lambourne. Varney is, in fact, only the tool and lieutenant of "Englands proudest earl," Leicester, who, having become enamored of Amy Robsart, has recently persuaded her to enter into a secret but lawful marriage with him. The earl has fitted up the country nest of his brideCumnor Placein truly regal style, but Amy is guarded by Varney and a surly steward named Foster, whose daughter is her sole maid ...

With the coming of James I to the English throne, as successor to Elizabeth, the union of England and Scotland was at last effectedoutwardly at leastalthough the inner cementing required a generation or two longer. The story of Nigel and his fortunes is really a story of life in general, during the early years of the Scotch Kings reign, as well as a careful portrait of the monarch himself.Nigel Olifaunt, a young Scotch nobleman who has succeeded to his fathers title of Lord Glenvarloch, with very little of an estate to bolster up his name, comes to London to press a claim owed by King James himself. His servant, Monoplies, gets into a street brawl and is brought into the watchmaking shop of David Ramsay. The latters friend, George Heriot, the Kings jeweler, thus learns of Nigels presence in the city, and having been a friend of the young lords father, he visits Nigel and lends him money to make a proper appearance at court. Heriots good offices do not end here, for he lays the case before the King, who promises a part settlement of the claim. Heriot also invites Nigel to a dinner at his home, where the Scot meets Margaret Ramsay, the pretty daughter of the watchmaker ...

"The Surgeons Daughter" is chiefly remarkable for its disregard of the unities of time and place. Though one of the shorter novels, its action extends through more than a quarter of a century, involving a great variety of characters and scenes widely remote, in all of which action the "Daughter" herself is little more than a lay figure.Dr. Gideon Gray, an estimable Scotch village surgeon, gives professional attention in his home to a masked lady, to whom a son is born. The lady proves to be Zilia de Mongada, daughter of a proud Portuguese Jew, who soon after reclaims her, but leaves her illegitimate child in the care of the surgeon. He is christened Richard Middlemasthe last being the name of the villageand grows up under the good practitioners roof with more or less exaggerated ideas of his obscure parentage. The surgeons only daughter, Menie, is his constant playmate, and when the two young people are barely grown they plight their troth ...

"The Fair Maid of Perth," the daughter of a sturdy glover of that city, is the central figure of a romance of the time of Robert III of Scotland. Prince David, his dissolute son, is the connecting link between court and people, and the story is likewise concerned with the feuds of warring elans which stained so many pages of Scottish history.The best swordsman in all Perth is the doughty armorer, Henry Smith. Brave in other quarters, however, he is easily frightened by the mere presence of Catharine Glover, the "Fair Maid," whom he loves devotedly. His devotion is soon put to good service in beating off a party of roystering courtiers who have placed a scaling ladder underneath her window with evil intent. He cuts off the hand of Sir John Ramorny in the melee, and the party take to flight. As this is St. Valentines Eve, Smith is rewarded by being chosen the valentine of Catharine for the ensuing twelvemonth, according to a local custom. Citizens indignant at the attack of the courtiers lay the matter before the provost who in turn brings it before the King. The King learns that his son David, Duke of Rothsay, has been among the roysterers, and he orders that Ramornywho has been the princes master of horseshall be dismissed from his service ...

"Peveril of the Peak" is an elaborately constructed tale dealing with a pretended Popish plot against Charles II of England, but introducing a great variety of figures and interests, only a few of which can be given in a brief outline.Sir Geoffrey Peveril, currently known as "Peveril of the Peak,"the popular title of all his ancestors from the time of William the Conqueror their natural father, because of their mountain castle in Derbyshire,is an old friend of Major Bridgenorth, a neighbor. Peveril is a Royalist and Bridgenorth a Puritan, but their personal friendship is undisturbed during the troubled days of Civil War; and in fact the Major is able to render his friend great service at this time. It is requited when the Majors wife dies, leaving an infant daughter, Alice, whom Lady Peveril rears like her own; the little girl being the childhoods comrade of Julian Peveril, only heir of the Peak estates.When Alice is in her third year the two families become estranged, in this wise. The Countess of Derby, feudal sovereign of the Isle of Man, having suffered imprisonment at the hands of the Roundheads, causes one of their leaders, William Christian, to be executed ...

"The Antiquary" is an intimate picture of Scotch neighborhood life in its varied phases, from the fishermans hut to the noblemans castle, at the close of the eighteenth century. The popular tumult over the threatened French invasion, following upon the Revolution in that country, is the only hint of historical connection. Jonathan Oldbuck, a gentleman past middle life and of pronounced antiquarian tastes, takes a great liking to a young man known as Lovel, whom he meets on a short journey. Lovel is an army officer, but both his actions and his antecedents are somewhat of a mystery to the curious villagers of Fairport, a seaport town, near Oldbucks country estate. Oldbuck, however, recognizes him to be a gentleman, and invites him to dinner, where he is presented to Sir Arthur Wardour and his daughter, Isabella. The two young people greet as strangers, although they have met before. In fact, Lovel is then in Fairport to urge his suit for the young ladys hand, but a cloud upon his parentage renders him unsuccessful ...

In The Monastery we find ourselves in Protestant England. So widespread has been the Reformation, that the monks are not only alarmed about their prestige, but their property as well. The country has been in a general state of unrest from the beginning of Queen Marys reign until the year 1550; when peace is restored and the monks repair their ravaged shrines. "The Monastery of St. Mary" (Melrose Abbey) has been untroubled for several years, at the commencement of this tale.Father Philip, sacristan of the monastery, goes to confess the Lady of Avenel on her death-bed, and discovers a Bible in her possession. He confiscates it, but on his return meets a spectral White Lady who causes him to lose the book. The sub-prior disbelieves his strange tale and goes to Glendearg to see Lady Avenel, when he learns that the Bible has been mysteriously returned. He obtains it, in turn, and starts back to the monastery, only to have it seized by the same weird apparition. A follower of Julian Avenel is held on suspicion of complicity, but is released. Meanwhile young Halbert Glendinning, whose mother lives in Glendearg Tower, invokes the spirit of the White Lady and is conducted by her to an underground cavern where he finds the charmed volume in the midst of magic flames ...

This edition includes the essential poetical works by Sir Walter Scott. These are:The Lay of the Last MinstrelMarmion: A Tale Of Flodden FieldThe Lady Of The LakeThe Vision of Don RoderickRokebyThe Bridal of Triermain: Or the Vale of St. JohnThe Lord Of The Isles

(See also #2034)

Note: two tales from The Keepsake Stories

(Note: from Tales of My Landlord, 3rd Series)

Translator: Albert Mont?mont / Corrections made and illustrations added to the html file.

Editors Name: Thomas Bayne (With notes.) / (See also: #4010)

(Note: from Tales Of My Landlord, 1st Series)