PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVEELEY NOVELS PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAYEELEY NOVELS HON. ALBERT S. G. CANNLNG AUTHOR OV 'POUTICAL PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY" 'INTOLERANCE AMONG CHRISTIANS' 'RELIGIOUS STRIFE IN BRITISH HISTORY' 'BALDEARO O'DONXELL' ETC. LONDON SMITH, ELDER, & CO., L5 WATERLOO PLACK 1879 [All rights reserved] , CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGR I. Waverley 1 II. Guy Mannering 21) III. The Antiquary 42 IV. Rob Roy 52 V. Black Dwarf G7 VI. Old Mortality 7.') VII, Heart of Midlothian- .... 92 VIII. Bride of Lammermoor . . . Id.T IX. The Legend of Montrose . . llt^ X. Ivanhoe 125 XI. The Monastery 151 Xll. The Abbot 162 XIII. Kenilworth 182 XIV. The Pirate 2i:> XV. Fortunes of Nigel .... 242 XVI. QUENTIN DURWARD 2.")^ WS'.'J^Mi VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGK XVII. Redgauntlet 280 XVIII. Talisman 296 XIX. Woodstock 309 XX. Fair Maid of Perth . . . . 330 XXL Anne of Geierstein .... 344 XXII. Concluding Remarks . . . . . 352 PHILOSOPHY WAYEELEY NOVELS. CHAPTER I. ' WAVEULKY.' Whex Sir Walter Scott wrote these eelebnitod '^ novels, the fierce religious and p(.)litical di.^sen- sions which had so long distracted Great. Britain and Ireland had comparatively ceased. The reigning Ixoyal Family were acknowledged as lawfully supreme by all classes tlirouglioiit the British Empire. The final defeat of ihc Scottish Jacobites at Culloden (1740), and the suppression of the United Irisli llebellion in 1798, had ahke contributed to ensure general B 1 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. peace, if not contentment, tlironghont the three Kingdoms. After the death of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, no rival claimant to the British Throne remained, and the only opposition to the established English monarchy within its ac- knowledged dominions was from the Eepub- licans, who, however, except in Ii'eland during the brief struggle of '98, never ventured to declare open war against the existing Govern- ment. The religious dissensions, also, which had so long distracted and divided the three king- doms had in a great measure subsided, at least in appearance. English Prelatists, Scottish Presbyterians, and Irish Eoman Cathohcs voluntarily enlisted under the British flag to wage war against the French Emperor, Napo- leon, wlio, though a nominal Eoman Catholic, and heading a Eoman Catholic nation, was regarded by the Pope and most of the Eoman Catholic Governments of Europe as their dangerous enemy. WAVERLEY. It was after the surrender of Napoleon and tlie restoration to political power of the Pope and the French King, both of whom were pre- viously dethroned by Napoleon, tluit the power of England was at its highest point, not only in military and naval supremacy, but in tlie estimation of European Governments ; for they all knew that England liad chiefly, if not mainly, occasioned Napoleon's final overthrow, and, except the vanquished French army, that extraordinary man had few sympathisers in defeat.^ For by his wars or intrigues lie luid alienated nearly all tlie European Monarchies. He had crushed the French Eepublicans, and discouraged Eepubhcanism throughout Eu- rope ; last, though not least, he had dee[)ly injured and offended the Pope, and, of course, all tlie Eoman Catholic clergy. He had thus united against himself nearly all the religious and political divisions of Euroi)e, and at the head of this victorious combination was I'ro- ' See Lanfiey's Life of Xaj>u/eon. b 2 4 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. testant England, assisted by Eoman Catholic allies and Eoman Catholic soldiery. Peril aps never before or since was there such a complete union in action, feeling, and sentiment throughout Great Britain and Ire- land, as at the final defeat of Napoleon.^ Thus a common enemy seemed to unite all opposing rehgiousandpohtical parties, at least for a time, though after this event their former animosi- ties have again occasionally revived. However, during this period of triumphant peace in Great Britain, after the battle of Waterloo, Sir Walter Scott's works appeared at a time wdien the political and religious dissensions of Great Britain and Ireland had at least comparatively yielded to foreign interests, anxieties, and apprehensions. This period, therefore, was especially favourable to the reception of his novels, wdiicli described the former religious and political wars of his country. The British people, ahke enlightened and influ- enced by the state of the Continent, and the ^ Alison's Ilistonj of Europe, vol. i. WAVERLEY fearlul perils "vvliicli not onl}^ their religious and political institutions, but even their na- tional existence, had narrowly escaped, were better ])repared than ever before to hear tlie past conduct of religious and ^Dolitical partisans described with fairness. For in times of reli- gious and political warfare, Scott's calm impartiality would have probably aroused some indignation among his fellow-country- men, owing to his consistent fairness and love of truth, which in a more enlightened peacefid age caused the most judicious men of all par- ties to publicly avoAv or secretly own the accuracy of his views and the justice of his sentiments. For, although this great writer is chiefly admired for the amusing and exciting interest of his works, lie evidently had deep earnest objects in view, whicli, through the medium of fiction, he sought to impress upon the reading public Scott, though so well acquainted with the worst qualities and mo- tives which can disgrace humanity, was a man of high and conscientious character, and his b PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. evident design was to improve as well as interest his readers. Of all Scott's works, his Waverley Novels are the best known, the most popular, and most talented, for they certainly display the great powers of his wonderful mind more than all his other writings. Of course a man of his wisdom and varied knowledge would write sensibly upon any subject he studied, yet those who have only read his biographical and his- torical works, and other prose essays, or even his poems — beautiful as they are — would still have an inadequate idea of his abihties.^ Perhaps his work on ' Demonology,' and ' Essay on Chivalry ' foreshadow, more than any of his earlier writings, his pecuhar genius and turn of mind which are so fully developed in ' Mr. Button observes, in liis Life of Scott (ch. x.) : — 'In writing history and biogi-apliy Scott has little or no advantage over very inferior men. Ilis pictures of Dryden, Swift, and Napoleon are in no way very vivid. It is only when he is working from the pure imagination, though imagination stirred by historic study, that he presents a picture which follows us about as if with living eyes instead of creating for us a mere series of lines and colours.' WAVERLEY. tlie Waverley Novels.^ In ' Waverley ' itself, the first of tliis admirable series, he succeeded in making the Scottish Highlanders extremely attractive and interesting to English readers. Yet, in former times, and even in the memory of those then living, they were regarded with intense aversion, fear, and dislike by the English, and even by many of their Scottish fellow-countrymen. About sixty years before Scott wrote this famous novel, the Highlanders were more de- tested than ever throughout England, owing to their two successive rebellions for the cause of the Pretender, whose crushinjy defeat at 1 As the Rev. Mr. GilfiUan {Life of Scott, p. 352) says :— * In the Waverley Novels the poetic element which was in him so strongly is held quite subordinate to that of the noble humanity, and the wide reflection of all that swept across his universal soul. To scholars every page teems with recondite lore ; to the students of human nature he unbares the deepest secrets of the heart. Readers of history find his writings nearly as true, and far more delightful, than the works of Robertson and Hume. In all countries, too, and in most" ages, he is at home, as strong among the lilies of France \^Quentin Duruiard and Anne of Geiersteiri], the sands of Syria [Talis- man], on the green turf of Sherwood Forest [Ivanhoe], as on the heather of Caledonia [ Waverley and liub Itoi/].' PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. Cullodeii may be considered the last actual l)attle fought on British soil.i The abhorrence with Avliich the Scottish Highlanders were viewed by the Enghsh was only too well proved by the unnecessary cruelties inflicted on them after Culloden by the Duke of Cum- berland, and without much apparent objection or remonstrance on the part of the British pubHc.2 For many years after the Culloden battle the Highlanders were both viewed and treated witli harsh injustice by the Enghsh Government, and apparently with tlie approval of many of their Scottish fellow-countrymen.^ » 3Ir. Hallam observes of the different feelings with which the deposed Royal Family were regarded m England and Scot- land—' It is certain that Jacobitism in England, little more after the reign of George I. than an empty word, the vehicle of indefinite dissatisfaction in those who were never ready to encounter peril or sacrifice advantage for its affected prmciple, subsisted in Scotland as a vivid emotion of loyalty a generous promptitude to act and suffer in its cause, and even when all hope was extinct clung to the recollection of the past long after the very name was only known by tradition, and every feehng connected with it had been wholly effaced to the south of the T^eed.'—Consiitutional Histcn-y, vol. iii. -^ See Lord Mahon's history of the last Jacobite Rebellion ot 1745, m which the author dwells forcibly upon this subject. Lord Macaulay observes {Ilutory of England) that ' WAVER LEY.' 9 When Scott, therefore, composed ' Waverley,' some fifty or sixty years later, he resolved to do all in his power to remove British preju- dices against the Scottish Highlanders, without, however, arousing any mutinous feeUngs in the latter against the British Government. His twofold object clearly was to draw the con- querors and conquered together ; to appeal to the best and wisest feelings of their respective natures by jireventing either party considering themselves wholly in the right, or wholly in the wrong. For a task so equally difficult, wise, and truly patriotic, few men were so well fitted, and perhaps none has ever been, through the peaceful medium of hterature, so eminently and permanently successful. Many men Avho pitied tlie Jacobites as much as Scott would have written with passionate zeal about tlieir wrongs and sufferinc^s, describing them as in- the Scottisli Highlanders were regarded by the Lowlanders much as the North American Indians were by the European colonists. 10 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY JS'OVELS. jurecl innocents, and their conquerors as cruel merciless tyrants. But Scott's knowledge of human nature and steady love of truth forbade any such foolish enthusiasm. He knew and painted both parties as they really were ; he ' nothing extenuated nor set down aught in malice.' Accordingly, he scrupulously describes both good and evil men in each party, animated by similar passions, and ahke capable of the same virtues and vices. Even the national preju- dices of England and Scotland which, though apparently of little importance, often actuated men's minds, Scott notices with a good-hu- moured ridicule, far more effectual for their suppression than either anger or bitter sar- casm.^ The hero Waverley, though amiable and pleasing, is a less interesting character than either the Highland chief, Fergus M'lvor, or * For instance, the brave Engrlish Colonel Talbot, who detests the Scottish Highlanders, both men and women, is made to admit ' he could not admire Venus herself if intro- duced as Miss MacJupiter/ &c. — Oh. lii. ' WAVERLEY.' 11 the English Colonel, Talbot. These two men well represent the two parties then engaged in civil war. Fergus, though very interesting in his Highland home, surrounded by devoted vassals and clansmen, appears to far more ad- vantage in adversity than in power. It is evi- dently Scott's object, while making the de- feated Highlanders worthy of pity and admira- tion in their misfortunes, yet to show how totally unfitted they would have been for poli- tical supremacy had their rebellion for Prince Charles Edward succeeded. Thus, while de- scribing the courage and generosity of M'lvor, as well as his heroic firmness at execution, he yet liints with unmistakeable clearness how dangerous he would have been in political authority.^ But, as the Highlanders were soon utterly defeated, Scott does not dwell long upon this subject, but hastens to describe this ' The reckless fury of M'lvor against Waverley for re- linquishing all hopes of marrying his sister Flora, after her decided rejection of him, is thus forcibly described — 'Gladly would M'lvor have put their quarrel to a pei-sonal arbitre- ment ; his eye flashed fire, and he measured Waverley as if to choose where he might plant a mortal wound.' — Ch. Ivii. 12 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAYERLEY NOYELS. chief when in Carhsle prison, awaiting execu- tion, with his faithful adherent, Evan Dhu, for tlieir active share in the Jacobite Eebelhon of 1745. While the heroism of these two noble victims is most affecting, it is only too probable that, had the fortune of war been reversed, they would have inflicted the same cruelties upon the Whig or Hanoverian rebeh which they themselves suffered at their hands. At the trial Scott describes their judge with admirable good sense, not as severe or unfeel- ing, though compelled to enforce the merciless laws of the period against those convicted of high treason, and which had been so rigidly enforced by the Pretender's own father. He endeavours to save Evan Dhu, who proudly rejects his intercession except on the impos- sible condition of his chief's liberation.^ There ^ 'For you, poor, ignorant man,' the judge said, addressing Evan, after passing sentence of death on him and his chieftain — ' For you I feel ao much compassion that if you can make up your mind to petition for grace I will endeavour to procm-e it for you.' ' Grace me no grace,' said Evan, * since you are to shed the chief's blood ; the only favour I would accept from you is, to bid them loose my bauds, and gie me my claymore, 'WAVERLEY.' 13 can be little doubt from tlie extreme even slav- ish devotion of this faithful follower, that had M'lvor enjoyed political power Evan would have been his obedient, unscrupulous instru- ment in executing his tyrannical orders with- out hesitation or remorse. The character of tlie Highland youth, Galium Beg, is hkewise described as faithful to death for his chief, but as willing to commit crimes as to perform exploits for his sake alone. He escorts Waverley througli the Lowlands at his chief's command with devoted fidehty, and Waverley is delighted with him ; but soon after, when M'lvor and Waverley quarrel, the young bravo tries to murder, in the most cowardly manner, the same man whom lie would previously have risked his own life to save ; yet even this young desperado Scott makes interesting, like most of the Highlanders, by dwelling upon their heroism in adversity. and bide yfni just a minute, sitting where you are.' TIu- humane judge has no alternative but to rejoin — ' Remove the prisoners ; his blood be on his own head.' — Ch. Ixviii. 14 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. and only slightly alluding to their fierce reck- lessness when in any position of authority. But these allusions have deep and valuable meaning. They clearly reveal that, though the Scottish Highlanders were treated with great and wanton cruelty, they were utterly unfit for power ; and had their rebellion for the Pretender succeeded, and he rewarded such adherents by giving them any power over com- paratively civihsed Enghsli subjects (which, perhaps, would have been inevitable), the con- sequences would have been fearful indeed.^ Thus, although Scott is often considered rather favourable to the Jacobites, he certainly in ' Waverley ' makes the Whigs (Colonel Talbot, Mr. Morton, &c.), wiser men than the impe- tuous M'lvor or the pedantic Baron of Brad- wardine, or even the generous but fanciful old Sir Everard Waverley, who, though very in- ' Scott's description of the Scottish Highlanders rather re- sembles Macaulay's account of the native Irish — {History of England, vol. i.) — ' distinguished by qualities which make men interesting rather than prosperous — an ardent and impetuous race, easily moved to tears or to laughter, to fury or to love.' ' WAVERLEY.' 15 teresting characters, are all deficient in jndg- ment and good sense, for which the others are pre-eminent. Flora M'lvor, also, who greatly influences her brother in his political conduct, is described as an enthusiast, and somewhat dictatorial and pedantic in prosperity ; but when in the hour of adversity she receives Waverley at Carhsle, just before her brother's execution, then, and not till then, do her superior qualities appear to their best advantage. She is then a heroine in the highest sense of the word, and Fergus himself, in his last moments, so firm and self- controlled, seems almost a different man from tlie insolent, unscrupulous character of his prosperous days. He dies like Shakespeare's famous rebel in Macbeth ^ — a nobler man than he ever was before, to all appearance. His arrogance, pride, ambition, and violence dis- ^ ' Nothing- in his life Became him like the leaving it ; he died As one that had been studied in his death, To throw away the dearest thing he owed As 'twere a careless trifle.' — Act i. 16 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. appear while the better quahties of his nature are all displayed, and probably exalted, by adversity. In reviewing the novel of 'Waverley' the characters of the two M'lvor's, brother and sister, with their devoted follower, Evan Dhu, are perhaps the most interesting of all ; but it is only in adversity that they are so. Scott shows them at first in brief triumph, when it is evident that in power Fergus and Evan would have been tyrannical and unscrupulous, while even Flora fully shares their political principles, which, though they support her in adversity, would surely not have rendered her so admirable or amiable in pohtical triumph. Colonel Talbot, on the other hand, is dignified, noble, and perfectly self-controlled in both situations, and yet he is less interesting and romantic than the M'lvors. Although o-ene- rous and sincere, he is perhaps a cooler friend than M'lvor, though a more steady one, but he is a more placable enemy. He would evi- dently have died with the same firmness as ' WAVEKLEY.' 17 M'lvor, though not with his enthusiasm, while in prosperity and power his judgment always controls his feelings. When plead- ing for Waverley's Hfe with his relentless commander, the Duke of Cumberland, his behaviour is a striking contrast to that of M'lvor, when requesting from his leader, the unfortunate Pretender, the dignity of an Earl- dom for his services, because Charles Edward merely hesitates without actually refusing, the impetuous chief declares to Waverley that he felt inclined to transfer his services at once to the devil or to reigning king ; and though he only says this in great excitement, it yet shows the reckless vehemence of the man, who is however in many ways both shrewd and crafty. But Talbot, when sternly refused his re- quest by the Duke of Cumberland, never for a moment loses calmness, dignity, or self- respect, but coolly offers to leave the service if denied the favour which, upon this threat, he immediately obtains. There can be no c 18 rHILOSOPIIY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. doubt that Colonel Talbot is the superior man of the two, both in head and heart ; yet so admirably has Scott described the M'lvors in adversity, that they are far more interesting, chiefly from their misfortunes, than any of the other characters. The novel seems, in fact, almost a tragedy, notwithstanding the hero's happy marriage with the rather uninteresting Rose Bradwar- dine, and the release of Colonel Talbot. Thus Scott accomphshes his noble purpose in this novel. The defeated and unfortunate obtain the chief sympathy, without the reader's mind being the least embittered against those who politically triumphed, so that by studying 'Waverley' the reader is made to admire and pity the Jacobites without be- coming one of them, to sympathise with the sufferers without preferring their cause. ^ It ^ Lord Macaulay declares that the Scottish Highlanders were viewed with great contempt by the English till their last rebellion in 1745, when, he says : — ' England, thoroughly alarmed, put forth her whole strength. The Highlanders were subjugated rapidly, completely, and for ever. During a short time the English nation, still heated by the recent conflict, WAVERLEY.' 19 is by this means that Scott himself, writin^r some sixty years after the Culloden battle, strove, and most successfully, to heal tliose bitter animosities occasioned by a rebellion, or rather a civil war, which, though waged by Christian men, was certainly disgraced by the most wanton and unnecessary cruelty.^ Scott says that he was charged with describ- ing Prince Charles Edward too favourably, but in his later novel, ' Eedgauntlet,' where this Prince is again introduced when middle- breathed nothing but vengeance. The sight of the tartan in- flamed the populace of London with hatred. The power of the Highland chiefs was destroyed, the people were disarmed, the use of the old national garb was interdicted, the old pre- datory habits were effectually broken, and scarcely had this change been accomplished when a strange reflux of public feeling began. Pity succeeded to aversion. The English nation execrated the cruelties which had been committed on the Highlanders, and forgot that for those cruelties it was itself answerable. Those very Londoners who, while the memory of the march to Derby [described in Waverley] was still fresh, had thronged to hoot and pelt the rebel prisoners, now fastened on the Prince [Duke of Cumberland], who had put down the rebellion, the nickname of Butcher.' — History of England, vol. iii. ^ Lord Mahon states that 'the cruelties inflicted by the Duke of Cumberland on the vanquished Highlanders were such as hardly ever, before or since, disgraced a British army.' — History of the Rebellion of 1745. 20 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. aged, this statement can hardly be maintained. It should be remembered that during the campaign of '45 he was very young, in a most interesting position, and naturally anxious to appear to the best possible advantage. It is also evident that Scott's favourable descrip- tion by no means exceeds, but rather falls short of, the account given and recorded of liim by his partisans at this period of his hfe. In describing the Duke of Cumberland, the ' Culloden butcher,' as he was termed by his foes, and even in Whig or Eadical histories of the present day,^ Scott indulges in no violent invectives ; he says little about him, but that little is significant, and is chiefly contained in the account of Colonel Talbot, his valued officer, when pleading for Waverley's life. A more relentless, un- feeling man could hardly be imagined, yet such severity iU became the near relative and champion of a king, having no legal title * CasselVs History of England. ' WAVERLEY.' 21 to the British throne, except that of the nation's free choice to maintain their Uberties, so reck- lessly violated by the deposed royal family.^ Both Cromwell and William III., when placed in somewhat similar positions to these first Hanoverian princes, generally behaved with more clemency and moderation after their wonderful triumplis towards defeated adver- saries. If the historical student compares Cromwell's conduct after his decisive victories of Naseby and Worcester, and that of Wil liam III. after his complete triumph in both Great Britain and Ireland, he will perceive that neither of these two great men sanc- tioned the same dehberate cruelties as were inflicted by the Duke of Cumberland upon helpless foes. Yet both Cromwell and Wil- liam were always exposed to far more personal danojer from their defeated enemies, besides ^ See Mr. Hallam's remarks, althoush a thorough anti- Jacobite, upon the extraordinary severities of George I. and George II., and their extreme unpopularity in consequence. — Constitutional History, vol. iii. 2'? PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVEL?. being loaded with most vehement personal abuse. The triumph of the Duke of Cumberland over retreating and dispirited Highlanders was comparatively an easy matter ; for, indeed, the rash enterprise of Charles Edward had vir- tually failed before the Culloden battle by the refusal of the English Tory party to join it.^ There could hardly be a position in which a merciful policy would have been safer than that of the ruthless victor of Culloden ; for the Jacobites were utterly defeated, their chiefs mostly slain or captured, and Charles Edward a lonely fugitive. All England and a great part of Scotland were in favour of the reigning family, while Ireland may be said to have taken no part whatever in this civil war.^ To extend mercy to Jacobite prisoners, many ^ Mr. Hallam sarcastically mentions the difference be- tween Scottish and English Jacobitism in the risings of 1715 end '45 — 'The Highland chieftains gave their blood as freely as their Southern allies did their wine for the cause of their ancient kings.' — Constitutional Ilistori/, vol. iii. ch. xvi. ^ See Macaulay's remarks on this subject. — History of England, vol. i. WAVERLEY.' 23 of them men of the highest character, whose names had been illustrious in British history, ■would have been as pohtically safe as honour- able, and consistent with the first principles of Christianity.! But the two first sovereigns of the House of Hanover, even by the subsequent admis- sions of their partisans, acted in a spirit worthy of James H., whose tyranny had been the original cause of their elevation, when advised by Judge Jeffries. It is, indeed, a humiliating reflection that the British nation endured, without remonstrance, the oppressive severitj^ 1 ' A wilder or more hopeless enterprise [than the rising of '45] never convulsed a great empire. The Highlands, where alone the Pretender could count upon warm support, con- tained at this time about one-twelfth of the population of Scotland. In the Lowlands the balance of opinion was pro- bably hostile to Jacobitism. In England, as the event showed, not a single step had been taken to prepare an insurrection. The Hanoverian army, and the Duke of Cumberland, who commanded it, displayed in their triumph a barbarity which recalled the memory of Sedgemoor and of the Bloody Assize [reign of James II.], while the courage, the loyalty, and the touching fidelity of the Highlanders to their fallen chief cast a halo of romantic interest around his cause.' — Lecky's EiujJand in th& Eightetnth Venturtj, vol. i. 24 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAYERLEY NOVELS. of two princes, who owed their regal autliority entirely to its own free choice. Scott, whose object is always to observe historic truth, describes one conversation, founded on fact, to the Duke of Cumberland, and then leaves the subject.^ He evidently has no wish to irritate his readers against the Hanoverian Government, while he arouses • Colonel Talbot, though devoted to the reigning' family, writes to Waverley, whose pardon he obtained, the sentiments of the Duke of Cumberland towards the old Baron of Brad- wardiue, who had fallen by the fortune of war into his power : — ' Would you think it, Talbot ? Here have been half-a- dozen of the most respectable gentlemen and best friends to Government, who have fairly wrung from me by their down- right importunity a present protection and the promise of a future pardon for that stubborn old rebel whom they call Baron of Bradwardine. They allege that his high personal character, and the clemency which he showed to such of our people as fell into the rebel's hands, should weigh in his favour, espe- cially as the loss of his estate is likely to be a severe enough punishment. But it is a little hard to be forced in a manner to pardon such a mortal enemy of the House of Brunswick.' Let the reader observe that Scott purposely ascribes to Brad- wardine, and makes the Duke of Cumberland admit, almost every quality and circumstance which could morally and poli- tically render the former worthy of the latters mercy. Brad- wardine is old, has spared the lives of his prisoners, is a man of high character, and about to lose his estate; yet it is only the fear of alienating his intercessors that wrings a reluctant pardon from this implacable prince. ' AVAVERLEY.' sympathy for the Jacobites, more for their misfortunes than for their cause, as shown in tlie able reasoning of Colonel Talbot and Mr. Morton, with the brave, amiable, but rather weak hero, Waverley. Thus, though some who have read this novel considered Scott rather on the Jacobite side, those who care- fully study it will surely come to another con- clusion. The Jacobite M'lvors, Baron of Bradwardine, Evan Dhu, &c., are all brave and interesting, worthy in every way of the clemency if not respect of generous con- querors, which neither these fictitious charac- ters nor unhappily their historical prototypes ever obtained, yet none of these appear fitted for pohtical power, or even much influence. Colonel Talbot, the Eev. Mr. Morton, even the merciful judge, reluctantly compelled to en- force the cruel laws of the period, are all men of more judgment, wisdom, and consistent humanity. It should be remembered, also, that when M'lvor so pathetically declares that honour- 26 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. able and loyal blood lias been poured forth like water, meaning tlie executions of his fellow-pri- soners, yet that these savage laws against high treason or rebellion were highly approved and sanctioned by the Jacobite party themselves, as proved by the conduct of James II., whose deposition all true Jacobites deplored and re- gretted. Thus, when the arrogant and tyranni- cal, though generous M'lvor, denounces the execution of his partisans, it is more from party spirit than pure humanity. It is not the execu- tion of noble men for their pohtical opinions that he deplores, but rather that of pohtical coadjutors and partisans. For there can be little doubt, had the Pretender's enterprise suc- ceeded, both Fergus M'lvor, and most of the Jacobite leaders would have advocated shed- ding rebel blood as vehemently and probably as successfully as the loyal Jacobite Judge, Jeffries, when suppressing the rebelhons of Monmouth and others against Charles Ed- ward's grandfather. Thus the chief excuse for the extraordinary severities of the Duke WAVERLEY, of Cumberland, or for the apathy of the British pubHc in permitting them without remonstrance, hes in the historical fact that the cruelties previously sanctioned by the de- posed Stuart family had sunk so deeply into the minds of the nsually calm and humane Enghsh people, that they were led to permit similar cruelties being inflicted upon the un- fortunate adherents of a detested cause. Yet, from the immense popularity of this excellent novel, and the general sympathy for the op- pressed Jacobites which it ehcited, it is cer- tain that Scott, through the quiet medium of fiction, greatly contributed to soften those bitter party prejudices which historical recol- lections had bequeathed, and induced his fel- low-countrymen to view each other's opinions and motives with a fairness previously un- known. Towards the end of his work Scott em- phatically exclaims — 'Let us devoutly hope we shall never see the scenes or hold the sen- timents that were general in Britain sixty years since.' — (Ch. Ivii). And he concludes a 28 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVEELEY NOVELS. work referring to times then within hving memory, describing with rare impartiahty the good and evil among both contending parties, by eUciting pity for the conquered side with- out irritating his readers against the conquer- ing one, and thus accomphshes a task, the wise and true patriotism of which it woukl be difficult to over-estimate. For, by arousing pity for the advocates of a fallen cause, while confirming adherence to the victorious one, Scott accomplishes the double object of healing party animosity by inducing political oppo- nents to do justice to each other, and of re- uniting his divided fellow-countrymen by a mutual recognition of generous and noble quahties. In this great work of moral recon- ciliation through the peaceful medium of lite- rature, no writer, perhaps, has ever been more signally successful than Sir Walter Scott, even in his first novel of ' Waverley.'^ • Mr. Thomas Arnold observes : — 'In the historical novel Sir Walter Scott, the inventor of the style, remains unap- proached. Out of twenty-seven novels (omitting short tales) which compose the Waverley series, twenty are historical,' — Manual of English Literature, p. 487. ' GUY MANNERING.' 29 CHAPTER II. 'GUY MANNERING. ' This deliglitful story, unlike its predecessor, has nothing to do with rehgious or pohtical history. Its main interest depends on fictitious characters and incidents, some of which, according to Scott's notes and references, have a shght foundation in fact. Although there are two heroes and two heroines, none of them are very interesting or attrac- tive. Thus Henry Bertram, the chief hero, placed in a most romantic situation, and both amiable and intelligent, is by no means a very remarkable or interesting personage. The other, Charles Hazlewood, is still less so, and very seldom mentioned. Julia Mannering, although clever and sprightly in her letters, 30 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAYERLEY NOYELS. takes little part in the story, while Lucy Bertram, like her lover Hazlewood, is seldom introduced. The chief interest of the book depends on the sayings and doings of the four original and remarkable characters, Meg Merrilies the gipsy, Dominie Sampson the tutor. Dirk Hatteraick the Dutch smuggler, and Dandie Dinmont, the Teviotdale farmer. These are all master-pieces in their different ways, per- fectly consistent and natural throughout.^ The gipsy, Meg Merrilies, though treated and viewed with contempt, harshness, and suspicion, to which her unfortunate, degraded, and scattered race has always been exposed, even in Christian lands, conceives and pre- serves a most extraordinary attachment to the Bertram family, from whom, indeed, she never received much benefit, but on whose lands * ' Scott himself tells us tliat lie took more interest in his mercenaries and moss-troopers, outlaws, gipsies, and beggars than he did in the fine ladies and gentlemen under a cloud, whom he adopted as heroines and heroes.' — Hutton mi Scott, eh. xi. GUY MAXXERIXG. she and some of her tribe were for a time allowed to Hve in peace. Her intense devotion to the Bertrams, though natural in an old ser- vant or tenant, seems almost unhkely in Meg's situation ; for gipsies have rarely showed, or indeed been in a position to show, any feeling of the sort ; but Scott has taken her character from a certain Jean Gordon, whom he mentions in notes, but who was placed in a very different situation from Meg Merrilies. Scott's object probably was to show in this woman, though hving among desperate asso- ciates, and if not a thief herself, certainly the associate of thieves and vagabonds, despised and ill-used by everyone, yet a person capable of the deepest gratitude to any who showed her the least kindness. Her devotion to the ruined Bertrams, and her efforts to restore the young heir to his ancestral rights, cause her chief misfortunes, sufferings, and death ; yet she clings to her purpose with indomitable resolution, and her exertions, aided of course by others, are successful at last, tliough at 32 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. the cost of her hfe. Her ill-usage even by the comparatively respectable, who consider her a dangerous vagrant, and by her own associates, who suspect her of betraying them, are alike powerfully described, exciting the reader's interest in, if not admiration for, Meg Merrilies to the highest point. Her last Avords when hearing the cheers of the EUangowan tenantry greeting the young heir, whose right- ful restoration had been both the object of her life and cause of her death, are perhaps the most affecting and pathetic in th6' whole of this novel ^ Dominie Abel Sampson, the eccentric, worthy tutor to young Bertram, though a most amusing oddity, constantly doing foolish things, awkward, shy, and often unconscious 1 ' When I was -in life I was the mad, randy gipsy that had been scourged and banished, that had begged from door to door, and been branded like a stray tike from parish to parish — wha wad have minded her tale ? But now I am a dying woman, and my words will not fall to the gi'ound any more than the earth will cover my blood.' Then hearing the exult- ing shouts of the EUangowan tenantry, she utters her last words : ' Dinna ye hear, dinna ye hear ? lie's owned, he's owned. I lived but for this.' — Ch. Iv. ' GUY MANNERING.' 33 of all around liim, is yet an excellent and in some respects even a noble character. His absurdities and failures, kind heart, deep gratitude, and utter unselfishness, are not unhke the great hero of Cervantes, and, indeed, the expressions of Dr. Johnson about Don Quixote may be applied, without im- propriety, to Dominie Sampson also.^ For, had Dr. Johnson Hved to read and enjoy ' Guy Mannering,' he would probably have thought that, in describing the Dominie, Scott had shown a ' dexterity ' equally ' matchless ' to the celebrated Spanish writer. In fact, the cha- racter and conduct of Dominie Sampson are usually ' ridiculous ' both in words and deeds, but ' never contemptible ' in either motive or spirit. • Scott thus describes a man utterly de- ficient in those quahties of sagacity, prudence, and common-sense, usually essential to worldly ' 'However Cervantes embarrasses Don Quixote with absurd distresses, he gives him so much sense and virtue as may preserve our esteem, wherever he is, or whatever he does; he is made by matchless dexterity commonly ridiculous, but never contemptible.' — Lives of the Poets : Life of Butler. D 34 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. prosperity, and generally so requisite to obtain the esteem and respect of others. Sampson is destitute of these quahties, and yet the wisest man of honour and principle who ever read a book cannot study this character without some admiration for it, and of which he would owii that many infinitely superior to the poor Dominie in sense and shrewdness were totally unworthy. This story abounds with striking scenes and situations, and is divided into two parts. The first leaves Mannering a young unmarried man, and the Laird of Ellangowan with Dominie Sampson his companion, ahke mourning for the death of Mrs. Bertram, who leaves an only daughter, and describes the strange dis- appearance of the young heir, suspected to have been stolen by gipsies and smugglers, who in this part of the Scottish coast were in \eao:ue to defeat or evade the laws. The description of the despairing father and tutor, vainly seeking their lost son and pupil, is remarkably affecting and natural. GUY MANNERING.' 35 So far the tale seems like a tragedy, but in the second part, after a supposed interval of seventeen" years, great changes have taken place. Mannering, now a Colonel and a widower, with an only daughter, returns to Scotland from India. He arrives in time to witness the poor laird's death, and the sale of his estate, both hastened, if not caused, by the knavery of a lawyer, named Glossin, whom he had trusted with the management of his affairs. This man purchases the EUangowan property, and the unfortunate laird reproaches him just before his death with being the chief cause of his ruin. Mannering generously gives a home to the desolate orphan, Miss Bertram, with his own daughter, Juha, who is in love with a certain Lieutenant Brown, afterwards proved to be the young heir of EUangowan. This young man follows the Mannerings to Scotland from India. He re- members a httle of his past history, and fortunately much reserabhng his late father, is D 2 36 PHILOSOPHY OP THE WAVEELEY NOVELS. soon recognised by Dominie Sampson, who with Miss Bertram shares Mannering's hos- pitahty, and also by the old gipsy, Meg Merrilies. But a far more useful friend appears in the shrewd, honest lawyer, Pley- dell, who well remembers the whole story of the child's disappearance, and has the worst opinion of Glossin, whose fortune had been chiefly made by the ruin of his late employer and patron. Young Bertram, therefore, soon finds himself well supported by judicious as well as sincere friends in recovering his patrimony, which could not have been sold had his existence been known for certain. Glossin, however, is apprised by the outlawed smuggler. Dirk Hatteraick, his former instru- ment in kidnapping the young heir, of Bertram's return to Scotland, and these worthies now consult how to get rid of their young victim, while the faithful Meg Merri- lies endeavours to thwart their machinations by betraying Hatteraick to Bertram and Dinmont, who arrest him while lurking in a ' GUY MAXXERING.' 37 cave. This scene of Hatteraick's arrest, who, mortally wounds Meg Merrihes before his capture, is remarkably dramatic and exciting ; yet notwithstanding many affecting incidents, this story is on the whole a very cheerful one. For the gloomy scenes of Glossin's murder by Hatteraick in the jail, and the latter's suicide are immediately after varied by the general rejoicing at the recovery of the EUangowan property by the rightful heir, the joy of the worthy Dominie, Pleydell, and Dinmont, and the final happiness of all the most amiable personages in the book. The two characters of the gallant Colonel Guy Mannering and the shrewd, honest lawyer, Pleydell, are ably contrasted with the bold ruffian, Hatteraick, and the knavish lawyer, Glossin. Thus when the two last- named are detected and brought to trial, after a long course of successful cunning, Man- nering expresses sympathy for Hatteraick, and Pleydell for Glossin.^ It is Scott's con- ^ ' Aud yet,' observed Pleydell, after the two villains are 38 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAYERLEY XOVELS. stant habit to describe good and bad men of the same rehgious profession, poUtical prin- ciples, and worldly position for the sake, doubtless, of the reflections which their com- parison naturally suggests to the reader. For it is evidently his paramount object in all his writings to diminish, and, if possible, over- come all feelings of prejudice, except against sin and vice, whicli he steadily reveals and exposes in all religious disguises, and in all ranks and positions of life. Yet in this story neither Glossin or Hatteraick are totally devoid of conscience or remorse. Indeed, few, if any, among Scott's villains are, and in this respect he is unhke many other great committed to prison, ' I am sorry for Glossin.' ' Now, I tliink,' says Manneriug, ' he is the least worthy of pity of the two. The other is a bold fellow, though hard as a flint.' ' Very natural,' returns Pleydell, ' that you should be interested in the ruffian, and I for the knave — that is all professional taste. But I can tell you Glossin would have been a pretty lawyer had he not had such a turn for the roguish part of the profession.' ' Scandal would say,' returned Manneriug, * he might not be the worse lawyer for that.' ' Scandal would tell a lie, then,' replied the lawyer, ' as she usually does. Law is like lauda- num — it's much more easy to use it as a quack does, than to ■learn to apply it like a physician.' ' GUY ifANNERIXG.' delineators of human character. Glossin is made to wish himself dead, through remorse, even when successful (ch. xxxiv.), and Hatte- raick, even after committing two murders, pro- tests against being described as having ' spent a life Avithout a single virtue.' He immediately exclaims, in moral self-defence — ' Virtue ! I was always faithful to my ship-owners ; always accounted for cargo to the last stiver,' Yet these two men are described so naturally, and their crimes are so detestable, that their wretched fate ehcits no sympathy. Unlike some writers, who attempt to make criminals attractive and interesting as well as wicked and dangerous, Scott in this respect, like Shakespeare, describes them as they really are,^ as the dreadful experience of magistrates and police detectives confirms, and according to which, the generality of criminals, without being positive monsters of iniquity, incapable of occasional remorse, are usually unworthy ^ See Mr. Dickens's remarks upon this subject in bis pre- face to Oliver Twist. 40 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAYERLEY NOYELS. of that sympathy, interest, and compassion which should be alone reserved for the inno- cent and unfortunate. Scott gives a curious and graphic descrip- tion of the sale of EUangowan Castle, in which his keen observation and dehcate sympathy for distress and misfortune are strikingly dis- played.^ The ruin of the Bertram family and the subsequent recovery of their property are narrated with amazing skill and power, but the main interest of this story is centred in a few remarkable characters, who, though in subordinate positions to the young heroes and ^ 'There is something melaucholy in such a scene, even under the most favourable circumstances. The confused state of the furniture, displaced for the convenience of being easily- viewed and carried off by the purchasers, is disagreeable to the eye. Those articles vphich, properly and decently arranged, look creditable and handsome, have then a paltry and wretched appearance ; and the apartments, stripped of all that render them commodious and comfortable, have an aspect of ruin and dilapidation. It is disgusting also to see the scenes of domestic society and seclusion thrown open to the gaze of the curious and vulgar, to hear their coarse speculations and brutal jests upon the fashions and furniture to which they are unaccus- tomed, a frolicsome humour, much cherished by the whisky ■which in Scotland is always put in circulation on such occa- sions.' — Ch. xiii. ' GUY MAXNEKIXG.' 41 heroines, yet claim and engross the reader's attention from first to hxst, and are certainly some of the happiest efforts of Sir Walter's genius. These may be considered as almost pure inventions, for though he says that Dominie Sampson and Meg Merrilies were to a slight extent drawn from Hfe, yet so httle was evidently known, even to Scott, of their prototypes, that their characters and language, like their course of action in the novel, are chiefly due to the consistency and vigour of his imagination. 42 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. CHAPTER ni. 'THE ANTIQUARY.' This work, as Mr. Shaw observes,^ is an ad- mirable novel of familiar Scottish life. It is remarked by another admirer of Scott's,''^ that though it has not the historic character of ' Waverley,' or the varied charm of ' Guy Man- nering,' yet in some scenes and characters it surpasses both its predecessors. It certainly is one of the most cheerful, sensible, and pleas- ing of his novels, though not so exciting or deeply interesting as many of them. It must be owned, however, that the hero and heroine — Lovel and Miss Wardour — the last especially, are rather uninteresting, yet neither are fail- ^ Student's English Literatiire. 2 Rev. Mr. Giifillan's Life of Scott. 'THE AXTIQUARY iires. There is nothing inconsistent or unna- tural in their conduct ; but Scott apparently cares httle about them himself. They are seldom introduced, and take a very secondary part in the story. The main interest hes in ]\Ir. Oldbuck, the shrewd and worthy antiquary, the old bedesman, Edie Ochiltree, the melan- choly Lord Glenallan, the penitent old crone Elspeth, the German swindler Dousterswivel, and his pettish dupe. Sir Arthur Wardour. This last character, though weak, silly, and irritable, is wonderfully natural from first to last. The sympathy which his misfortunes ex- cite, and the pleasure the reader feels at his relief, are remarkable proofs of Scott's genius, considering poor Sir Arthur's foolish conduct and character. Edie Ochiltree is certainly one of the most interesting characters in this story, and the scene which, above all, first captivates and en- grosses the reader, is the grand description of the sea storm (ch. vii.), from the effects of which Sir Arthur, Miss Wardour, and himself have 44 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. such a narrow escape.^ But though this is the most exciting scene in the book, the most amusing are the comic disappointment of Old- buck in his antiquarian fancies, and, above all, the long conversation in Fairport Post-office between the roguish postmistress and her two gossiping friends.^ ' ' It was, indeed, a dreadful eveuiug. The howling of the storm, mingled with the shrieks of the sea-fowl, sounded like the dirge of the three devoted beings who, pent between two of the most magnificent yet most dreadful objects of nature— a raging tide and an insurmountable precipice — toiled along their painful and dangerous path, often lashed by the spray of some giant biUow, which threw itself higher on the beach than those which had preceded it. They struggled forward, however ; but when they arrived at the point from which they ought to have seen the crag, it was no longer visible — the signal of safety was lost among a thousand white breakers, which, dash- ing upon the point of the promontory, rose in prodigious sheets of snowy foam as high as the mast of a first-rate man-of-war, against the dark brow of the precipice.' — Oh. ix. ^ In describing poor Mr. Oldbuck's chagrin at being told by Edie Ochiltree that a supposed Roman camp, or Praetorium, was a very modern construction indeed, buUt within old Edie's recollection, Scott thus playfully appeals to the reader, which he rarely does : — ' Gentle reader, if thou hast ever beheld the visage of a damsel of sixteen, whose romance of true love has been blown up by an untimely discovery, or of a child of ten years, whose castle of cards has been blown down by a mali- cious companion, I can safely aver to you that Jonathan Old- buck, of Monkbarns, looked neither more wise nor less discon- certed.' THE ANTIQUARY.' 45 The interest of the curious scene where Lovel and Edie Ochiltree overhear Sir Arthur Wardour and Dousterswivel, when hunting for hidden treasure amid the ruins of St. Euth monastery, is rather marred by the provoking success of the swindler in duping his unlucky patron. The distress of the Mucklebackits at their son's death, and the remorseful confes- sions of old Elspeth to Lord Glenallan, succeed each other in a remarkable manner. For, as a rule, tlie changes in fiction are from cheer- fulness to melancholy alternately, but in this instance the reader is still sorrowing for poor drowned Steenie and his afflicted parents, when his interest is swiftly but completely transferred to old Elspeth's revelation of her plot with Lady Glenallan to prevent the marriage of her son. Lord Geraldin. This transition is effected with great skill, and these two scenes, with the death of Elspeth, form almost the only gloomy ones in this otherwise cheerful novel. For, though poor Sir Arthur Wardour's troubles witli his creditors occur at the end of the book, 46 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLET NOVELS. tliey are rather amusing than sad, at least when the happy result is known. The trials of her father might have made the heroine, Miss Wardour, somewhat interest- ing ; but Scott apparently feels httle interest in her himself; so no wonder his readers can- not, for she is, in fact, perhaps the most unat- tractive of all his heroines, while the hero, Lovel, though his situation is eminently inter- esting, is one of the least attractive of his heroes. Even the Highlander, Hector M'Intyre, Olbuck's nephew, though hot-tempered and passionate, is almost equally interesting to the reader, and apparently to the author also ; but Jonathan Oldbuck, the antiquary, is himself the real hero of this story. Although caustic and censorious to all about him, often sarcastic, but never ill-natured, his kindness and gene- rosity on all occasions of real distress remind the reader of Dr. Samuel Johnson, whom, indeed, in many respects he somewhat resem- bles, and of whom it was said ' he had nothing of the bear about him but his skin.' It is THE AXTIQUARY, 47 remarkable, however, that though Scott was himself an antiquary,^ he rather ridicules Mr. Oldbuck's taste for antiquities, by making him generally deceived by his own eager imagina- tion, or by the cunning of others, despite his usual prudence and shrewdness.^ He hves a quiet, retired life, with his sister and niece, both very different from him in tastes, yet a strong mutual affection exists between the three. Oldbuck had once loved a Miss Neville, who rejected him and privately married the Earl of Glenallan, whose mother, dishking the proposed marriage, and not knowing it had actually taken place, made a false statement ^ Lockhart's Life of Scott. ^ For instance, chapter iv. refers to the supposed Roman Praetorium, about whicli Oldbuck is so cruelly enlightened by old Edie Ochiltree, while chapter xvi. describes Mr. Oldbuck tempted by the town clerk of Fairport to allow a watercourse through his lands by promising him some carved monumental stones in return for the concession : — ' They parted mutually satisfied, but the wily clerk had the most reason to exult, since the whole proposal of an exchange between the monuments (which the council [of Fairport] had determined to remove as a nuisance, because they encroached three feet upon the public road), and the privilege of conveying the water to the burgh through the estate of Monkbarus, was an idea which had originated with himself upon the pressure of the moment.' 48 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. that Miss Neville was too nearly related to him to authorise their union by any Christian church. Miss Neville, who nearly lost her senses at this revelation, soon after died, appa- rently by suicide, though this is not very clearly explained, leaving an only child, a son who was taken abroad by a foreign nurse^ without the father's knowledge. lie is after- wards brought up, or at least supported, by an uncle, who, however, does not tell him his whole history, under the name of Lovel. He falls in love with Miss Wardour, whom he meets in England, and follows her to Scotland, little knowing that the Wardours are near neighbours to his own lawful patrimony of Glenallan Castle. His father. Lord Glenallan, depressed and melancholy ever since his wife's death, has hved for many years alone with his guilty mother in this solitary castle. The stern Countess dies without making any posi- tive confession of the odious falsehood by which she had ruined the happiness of her son's life, though she uttered occasional hints THE ANTIQUARY.' 49 to her son, tending to throw some doubt on the story she had herself invented ; but slie had a guilty though faithful confederate in her old servant, Elspeth, who on hearing of her mistress's death reveals the whole trans- action to Lord Glenallan, and he immediately exerts himself to find his lost son and heir, whom he had hitherto beheved had perished in infancy. Soon after Lady Glenallan's death, and the subsequent confession of her servant, Elspeth, Lovel, who finds a warm friend in Mr. Oldbuck, whose antiquarian tastes he shares, is introduced by him to Lord Glenallan, and both are greatly struck by Lovel's strong likeness to his unfortunate mother, for whose love they had been rivals. Lovel knows enough of his past history to confirm the belief and hope of Lord Glenallan that he is his long-lost son ; and, after this change in Lovel's position, it certainly seems that Miss War- dour's coldness to him also changes with great rapidity, and their marriage is announced, though not described. 50 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. This pleasant story ends well and happily for all its chief characters, and is, in the whole, the most amusing and cheerful of all the Waverley Novels ; its incidents and interest are all of a domestic character ; the scene is laid entirely in a retired part of Scotland, during a time of profound peace. Perhaps on this account, therefore, this book, as Scott admits in the preface, was not so popular at first as its two predecessors, but it soon became equally if not more so with many readers, than either of them. This cool reception was doubt- less owing to its not containing any very ex- citing scenes or incidents which at first might produce disappointment, though a more care- ful examination entirely removed this feeling. For the work abounds with admirable pictures of Scottish fife and character, as well as wise and valuable reflections.^ Although there are ^ Among ttese may he noticed the reply to Miss Wardour's inquiries, when visiting a ruined monastery with a party of friends, why so little was known to posterity about the former inmates of the ancient edifice, when many legends of free- booters and robbers were carefidly preserved by tradition among the Scottish peasantry. The sensible answer to this ' TPIE ANTIQUARY.' 51 a few scenes of distress and sorrow most pathetically described in the middle of the story, it yet ends so happily and satisfactorily that the reader cannot fail to be cheered and gratified as well as interested by its delightful perusal. question Scott assigns to Lovel, and it doubtless conveys his own opinion : — ' The eras by which the vulgar compute time have always reference to some period of fear and tribulation, and they date by a tempest, an earthquake, or burst of civil commotion. "When such are the facts most alive in the memory of the common people, we cannot wonder that the ferocious warrior is remembered, and the peaceful abbots are abandoned to forp:etfulness and oblivion.' — Ch. xvii. E 2 52 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVEKLEY NOVEL?. CHAPTER IV. 'ROB EOY.' This story, like ' Waverley,' is laid chiefly in the Scottish Highlands, with an English hero and Scottish heroine. It hkewise introduces the political history of the time. The ruling Whigs and insurgent Jacobites re-appear, but the period is some forty years previous to that of ' Waverley.' It is the first Jacobite rising of 1715 against George I. which is here described, though not at such length or with such inter- esting details as the subsequent rising of 1745 in ' Waverley.' In all Scott's novels this is the only one where the hero relates the story througliout, and most successfully ; for, though not free from conceit and obstinacy, Frank Osbal- 'ROB ROY.' 53 (listone is an interesting, generous, and very- natural character, possessing more firmness than Waverley, and more sense and spirit than ascribed to either Henry Bertram or Loveh He positively refuses to obey his rather harsh father in entering his banking-house, and is therefore sent in a sort of disgrace to his uncle, Sir Hildebrand, on the Scottish border, whose youngest son, Rashleigh, takes his place in the London bank. The displeasure of Frank's father, and vexation of his faithful head clerk, Mr. Owen, at this change are for- cibly described. But this separation between the imperious father and obstinate son has a good effect on both. Frank fully gratifies his love of adventure by his romantic visit to the Scottish Highlands, while his father, who is shamefully deceived and robbed by his nephew, Rashleigh, is considerably softened towards his son, who never disobeyed him save in refusing to enter his profession, and they become com- pletely reconciled. The heroine, Diana Ver- non, has been thought rather wild and 54 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. masculine by some readers, but at the close of tlie story this impression of her character is lessened, while her sense and courage under great trials make her one of the most interest- ing, as well as one of the most original of Scott's heroines. The Highland Chief Eob Eoy, in some respects resembles Fergus M'lvor, daring and impetuous, yet plotting and crafty. Few peo- ple would wish to be his near neighbour, yet he is made very interesting ; even his fierce wife, Helen M'Gregor, and his Highland fol- lowers, though little better than freebooters, are yet rendered attractive and romantic ; for, in the defeat of the English troops by these Highlanders, even the English reader's sym- pathies almost incline to the latter. Yet, as in ' Waverley,' the English officer. Captain Thorn- ton, who much resembles Colonel Talbot, is not only brave and honourable, but civilised and enlightened, compared to Eob Eoy and his adherents.^ Scott thus again accomplishes ^ After the capture of Captain Thornton, the Highlanders ROB ROY.' 55 his favourite object of making Scottish High- landers interesting and attractive to Enghsh readers, while doing ample justice to the cha- racteristic honour and generosity of the Eng- hsh character. It would almost appear from these half-Enghsh half-Scottish novels that Scott on the whole preferred the Enghsh even to his own fellow-countrymen, although often credited with a strong partiality for Scotch- men ; for he usually makes his heroes and heroines either English or closely resembling them, and devoid of any other national cha- racteristic. The character of Bailie Jarvie is one of the most amusing and original in this novel. So threaten to murder him and his fellow-prisoners if Rob Roy, previously captured, is not released. Thornton, who hears their savage threats, nobly addresses Frank Osbaldistone, who, himself a prisoner, is sent by the Highlanders to negotiate with the English troops for Rob's release — ' Present my compliments — Captain Thornton's, of the Royals, compliments — to the commanding officer, and tell him to do his duty and secure his prisoner, and not waste a thought upon me. If I have been fool enough to have been led into an ambuscade by these artful savages, I am wise enough to know how to die for it without disgracing the service. I am only sorry for my poor fellows,' he added, ' that have fallen into such butcherly hands.' 56 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVEELEY NOVELS. popular has this eminently Scottish charac- ter become, that he is often represented in London theatres by the chief actor in the com- pany in the dramatic version of ' Eob Eoy.' He immediately detects his knavish country- man, Andrew Fairservice, who successfully imposes upon the English hero, Frank Osbal- distone, and even upon his shrewd father. The worthy Baihe is a steady friend to Frank tliroughout, but he takes httle active part in the story. The hunting family of Osbaldistone, cousins of the hero, are admirably described in their country home. The kind but reckless old Sir Hildebrand, and his five sporting sons, all hke each other, 3'et with distinctive peculiarities, are clearly though rapidly sketched ; but the sixth son, the villain of the story, Eashleigh Osbaldis- tone, with his powers of dissimulation, pleas- ing manners, yet repulsive look and malignant temper, rather reminds the reader of King Richard III., as described by Shakespeare. Frank Osbaldistone once mentions this resem- ROB ROY.' 57 blance as occurring to himself, but does not recur to it. Altliough this story is rather less poUtical than 'Waverley,' yet the fate of the cliief characters is finally determined by the Jaco- bite rebellion of 1715. Rob Eoy M'Gregor and liis clan, though sympathising with the Pretender, James III., are chiefly influenced by the Argyll family, who steadily adhered to the existing Government. They, therefore, abstain from open insurrection and conse- quently escape the penalties of high treason, so sternly inflicted on many of the Scottish High- landers, who being chiefly Eoman Cathohcs, naturally esj)oused the cause of a Eoyal Family, who had been deposed partly at least for that reason. Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone and his six sons eagerly enter the Jacobite ranks, but the youngest, Rashleigh, probably foreseeing the hopelessness of that cause, soon turns traitor, and is therefore disinherited by his father, whose property, however, being confiscated for treason, Eashleigh, ujion the 68 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVEELEY NOVELS. deaths of Sir Hildebrand and liis brothers, chiefly in prison or in battle, claims by right of inheritance. This claim is opposed by the hero, Frank Osbaldistone, whom his uncle had made heir, in the event of his five sons dying vs^ithout issue. The severity of the Enghsh Government against Sir Hildebrand and other Jacobite pri- soners is related by Frank Osbaldistone, who, doubtless, expresses Scott's own opinion and feelinf^s in a most affectino; manner.' It is diffi- ' 'It was in vain that I endeavoured, by such acts of kind- ness as their situation admitted, to conciliate the confidence of some distant relatives among the [Jacobite] prisoners in New- gate. The arm of the law, also, was gradually abridging the number of those whom I endeavoured to serve, and the breasts of the survivors became gradually more contracted towards all whom they conceived to be concerned with the existing Govern- ment. As they were led gradually and by detachments to execution, those who survived lost interest in mankind and the desire of communicating with them. I shall long remember what one of them, Ned Shaftou by name, replied to my anxious inquiry, whether there was any indulgence I could procure him — " Mr. Frank Osbaldistone, I must suppose you mean me kindly, and, therefore, I thank you. But, by G — d, men can- not be fattened like poultry, when they see their neighbours carried oti day by day to the place of execution, and know that their own necks are to be twisted round in their turn.'" — Ch. XXX vii. 'EOB ROY.' 59 cult to explain and impossible to justify such relentless cruelty of a victorious Government, wliicli claimed to advocate the principles of liberty, and was, indeed, established by revo- lution against the tyranny of the Stuart family, whose conduct it now seemed inclined to imitate rather than avoid against helpless prisoners.^ The most reasonable explanation seems to be that fear was the real cause of such dehberate cruelty being inflicted by the British Government without apparently shock- ing the public opinion of an enlightened and civihsed country. This feeling was certainly founded on historical recollection ; it was the apprehension of pohtical severities on a yet more extensive scale being inflicted by the de- posed family upon their triumphant restora- ' * The measures of the Government were marked with great energy, promptitude, and severity. A reward of 100,000^. was offered for the apprehension of the Pretender alive or dead. Of the Jacobite prisoners great numbers were brought to trial. Two peers and thirty-four commoners were executed. Lord Nithsdale and Winton, who were reserved for the same fate, succeeded in escaping.' — Lecky's Eiujland in the Eighteenth Century, vol. i. 60 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. tion, and, when animated by vindictive feelings against the nation united to that spirit of obsti- nate tyranny which seemed inherent in the Stuart kings. As usually the case in all pohtical and religious dissensions, the excesses of the one party occasioned similar crimes in the other. For probably the recollection of James II. 's reign, and of the Bloody Assize under the cruel Judge Jeffries, whose dreadful atrocities were approved, or at least not condemned, by that King and his Government,^ now effectually hardened the usually generous English people against showing mercy towards those endea- vouring to restore a Eoyal Family whose name was associated with relentless oppression. Although Frank Osbaldistone is a zealous sup- porter of George I., he yet censures and de- plores the stern cruelty of that King and his Government towards the Jacobite prisoners. This disapproval was doubtless felt by many ; but, unfortunately, political power was in ^ See Macaulay's History of James II, 'ROB ROY.' 61 the hands of very different men from the amiable and sensible Frank Osbaldistone, who probably expresses Scott's own sentiments throughout. The general effect of this stirring and most original story is, like ' Waverley,' to make Scottish Highlanders and Jacobites highly in- teresting to English readers of opposite feelings and views, without in any way arousing hos- tihty either to the English people or the reigning Eoyal Family ; for, while Scottish Jacobites would doubtless enjoy this book greatly, as favourably describing their ances- tors and partisans, they could never be the least prejudiced by it against their English conquerors. On the contrary, the members of each party, Hanoverian and Jacobite, if not altogether bhnded by prejudice, cannot fail to tliink better of each other's motives and principles by its careful perusal ; and there is little doubt that both this book and ' Waverley ' had a greater effect than perliaps ever fiction exercised before or since in miti- 62 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. gating as well as enlightening public opinion in Great Britain respecting the two Jacobite rebelhons of 1715 and '45. There are, indeed, few men who, with Scott's warm heart and brilHant imagination, could always preserve that calm, steady love of truth for its own sake, which, when allied with his wonderful genius, and alike devoted to the public service, made him perhaps one of the most useful writers that ever Uved. For how easily could such a writer have made any rehgious or pohtical party unjustly attractive and interesting at the expense of opponents ! How easily he could have described the Highland Jacobites as faultless heroes, and their successful foes as all equally cruel, or vice versd ! But any such injustice, founded on party spirit, Scott always avoided, and with pecuhar care.^ Although he dehghted to describe men's actions and pas- sions in the excitement of the bitterest and keenest rehgious and political dissensions, and ^ See Sir Archibald Alison's remarks on this subject. — History of Europe, vol. i. ROB ROY. during times when, according to history, the best and wisest men have acted unfairly, Scott's calm good sense never leaves him. As if ever aware of the great moral responsibility attached to his wonderful talents by his Crea- tor, he steadily devotes them in all historical reflections to stating the unbiassed truth for the moral benefit of those who trust him. In this story, therefore, while we cannot help rejoicing at Eob Eoy's daring escape from his captors, and are throughout most interested in that brave chief and his faithful followers, we admire still more the noble con- duct of Frank Osbaldistone, and also of the Enghsh Captain, Thornton. The dangerous traitor, Eashleigh, is alone made the object of our thorough aversion, being himself the incarnation of baseness, whatever political principles he may profess. At the end of the story Frank Osbaldistone connives, as most humane men would have done, at the escape of the condemned Jacobite, Sir Frederick Vernon, from the vengeance of the Govern- 64 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. ment, to which he is himself so loyal ; yet, perhaps, he could hardly have done so in reality without incurring legal penalties at such a period. The book, though it ends well and happily for hero and heroine, is saddened by the mis- fortunes of many of its characters, as well as by sundry dark ghmpses of the real state of Scotland at this time, which is, indeed, well expressed in the words of worthy Justice Inglewood himself, a Jacobite in heart, though too old and prudent to incur personal danger — ' I say it is a gracious and a just Government, and if it has hanged half of the rebels, poor things, all will acknowledge they would not have been touched had they stayed peaceably at home.' These words are sadly expressive of the historic reality, and the chief consolation the reader can lay to heart for the extraordi- nary severity of the English Government, is the reasonable behef, judging from the past, that had their Jacobite victims triumphed they would have been even more merciless than ROB ROY.' 65 their successful foes. This behef is surely warranted by the teaching of history. For it has been stated on good authority that tlie cruelties of the deposed Stuarts, even during the single reign of James II., the Pretender's father, had exceeded both in atrocity and in the number of victims all the severities inflicted on Jacobites after both rebellions of 1715 and 1745.^ This is evident from the accounts pub- lished and verified of all that suffered for high treason in Great Britain during the respective reigns of James II. and of the first two Georges. In fact, the abhorrence and terror with which James 11., the worst enemy to his family's interests, had inspired the British nation, alone explains both the severity of the Hanoverian Government, and the apathy of the Enghsh people in permitting it without remonstrance. Thus, in comparing the last Stuart king to the first two Georges, while punishing political offenders with their respec- ^ See Macaulay's History of England. P 66 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. tive satellites, Judge Jeffries and the Duke of Cumberland, a civilised English Christian will be almost inchned to exclaim, in the words of Shakespeare — ' Not to be worst stands in some rank of praise.'^ ^ King Lear, BLACK DWARF.' 67 CHAPTER V. 'BLACK DWARF.' It is remarkable that two men of such genial and social natures as Shakespeare and "Walter Scott should yet havewritten upon misanthropy with indulgence, and made the victims of that dangerous mental malady interesting at least, if not attractive. It is true that neither Shake- speare's Timon nor Scott's Dwarf, Elshender, are pure inventions. Both are to some extent founded on real characters, the first on an Athenian, of whom httle is recorded in Grecian history, and the second on a certain Scottish dwarf named Eitchie, described in the preface to the novel. Yet both Greek and Scotchman of reality were probably less interesting cha- racters than those of the poem and novel. Of F 2 68 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. the Athenian, so little is known that an opinion should hardly be hazarded.^ But it is evident that Ritchie, as described by Scott, was far in- ferior, both in sense and generosity, to the creature of his imagination. Although there may be some resemblance between the Timon of Shakespeare and the Elshender of Scott, the latter is of far ' softer mould,' and, despite his passionate abuse of the whole human race, he retains not only most benevolent feelings, but finally rescues the heroine. Miss Yere, from a hated marriage. Like Timon, when calhng his steward. Flavins, at last ' a singly honest man,' Elshender alone trusts his confidential agent, Ratclifie, througli- out ; and this man seems almost the only Hnk between the recluse and the outer world. The scene of this story is laid in Scotland, close to the Enghsh border ; the plot is slight, ^ He is mentioned in Plutarch's Life of Alcihiades as ' famed for his misanthropy,' and as urging Alcihiades to destroy Athens, and ruin his fellow-countrymen in much the same language, and from similar motives as those ascribed to him by Shakespeare. 'BLACK DWARF.' 69 and the whole story very short. The charac- ter of Mr. Vere, Laird of Ellislaw, seems hardly natural. He connives at his daughter being carried off by the robber, Westburnflat, in- tending her to marry a certain Sir Frederick Langley, whom she had previously rejected. Vere's whole conduct appears not only mean and selfish, but vacillating and inconsistent. He was formerly the successful rival of the Dwarf, Sir Edward Mauley, who recognises in Miss Vere a strong Hkeness to her late mother, whom he had once loved, and by whom he was rejected. The heroine is rather an interesting, though not very original character ; the hero, Earns- clifTe, though spirited and sensible, is seldom introduced ; the young farmer, Hobbie Elhott, and the moss-trooper, Westburnflat, are drawn with great care, the last especially. The period is Queen Anne's reign, and a half-formed Jacobite conspiracy is faintly described, which never comes to maturity. The villains of this book, however, are chiefly on the Jacobite 70 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLBY NOVELS. side, viz., Miss Vere's treacherous father, and the odious Sir Frederick Langley, from whom Miss Vere has so narrow an escape. But the chief interest of this pleasing and characteristic httle story hes in the mis-shapen figure and noble nature of the Black Dwarf, Elshender, alias Sir Edward Mauley, who, though looking and speaking like an evil spirit, is in fact the good genius of the book. Like Shakespeare's Richard IIL, he often pathetically deplores his own deformity, but though he tries to harden his heart against his fellow-creatures, he cannot do so with the same success as the Richard both of Shakespeare and reahty.^ Shakespeare's Timon of Athens * See Hume's account, and also Gairdner's recent History of Richard III. The soliloquies with which Scott and Shake- speare inspire their two characters have a certain resemhlance, though their respective conduct is so different. Richard ex- claims, Act I.: — ' I that am curtailed of this fair proportion. Cheated of feature by dissembling nature, Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time Into this breathing world, scarce half made up, And that so lamely and uufashionably, That dogs bark at me as I halt by them. Why, I, in this weak, piping time of peace, * BLACK DWARF.' 71 and Scott's Black Dwarf alike seek in their state of misanthropy a delusive relief in utter solitude — the first completely hardened against all men, save one, by the ingratitude he has experienced ; the latter by rejected love, to- gether with the disgust and ridicule which his bodily deformity generally inspires. Yet both these men at one time possessed kind hearts and generous feelings. But Eichard III.'s misanthropy, though fiercer and sterner with increasing age and ambition, has apparently always been the same. He has no idea of seeking rehef in seclusion ; the idea is hateful to him ; on the contrary, action, excitement, even danger are welcome to one who devotes Have no delight to pass away the time, Unless to spy my shadow in the sun And descant on mine own deformity : And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover, To entertain these fair, well spoken days, I am determined to prove a villain,' &c. Scott's melancholy dwarf reveals somewhat similar feelings to this fierce king : — ' What have my screech-owl voice, my hideous form, and my mis-shapen features to do with the fairer workmanship of nature ? And why should I interest myself in a race which accounts me a prodigy and an outcast, and has treated me as such ? ' — Ch. vi. 72 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. all his bodily and mental energies to the grati- fication of ambition and revenge. Scott's Elshender, even during fits of despair and rage, never utterly forgets rehgion and his God.^ Shakespeare, it is true, once, but only once, makes Eichard III. appeal to Jesus in bewildered terror, when waking from h'is last dream, but — neither before or after — to address his God.'^ The Pagan Timon, in his last sad address to his only faithful servant, certainly appeals to his deities, but only as witnesses to his emotion, and, though with some fear and admiration of their superior powers, yet without expressing either devotion or gratitude.^ But the last words of the Black ' Thus he exclaims (ch.vii.) — ' All [mankind] are of a piece — one mass of wickedness, selfishness, and ingratitude — wretches who sin even in their devotions, and of such hardness of heart that they do not, without hypocrisy, even thank the Deity him- self for his warm sun and pui-e air.' ^ ' Have mercy, Jesu — Soft ! I did but dream. O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me ! ' — Act v. ' ' Forgive my general and exceptional rashness. You perpetual sober gods ! I do proclaim One honest man — mistake me not — but one. No more, I pray.' — Act iv. BLACK DWARF. Dwarf to ^liss Vere beautifully express his mind, which is noble and generous, though hopelessly saddened by his disappointed life, preying upon a naturally proud and sensitive spirit. It must be remarked, however, that all through this story the sentiments and actions of the Black Dwarf are quite at variance. He storms and rages at human nature generally, while he strives to benefit, and even morally improve, all whom he knows. Even the reck- less robber, Westburnflat, he tries to wean from his crimes,^ while to Miss Vere and the Elliotts he is both a friend and benefactor. That a man retaining so many human sympa- thies should voluntarily lead a life of utter ^ ' So,' said the Dwarf, ' rapine and murder again on horse- back.' ' On horseback ? ' said the bandit. ' Ay, ay, Elshie ; your leech-craft has set me on the bouny bay again.' ' And all those promises of amendment which you made during illness forgotten ? ' continued Elshender. ' All clear away with the water-saps and panada,' replied the unabashed convalescent. ' Ye ken, Elshie, for they say ye are well acquaint with the gentleman — When the devil was sick, the devil a monk would be ; When the devil was well, the devil a monk was he.' — Ch. vi. 74 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. seclusion, when not bound by any religious vow, seems scarcely probable, though such a judge of human nature as Scott would not have so described him unless he knew of simi- lar instances either within his own experience or that of others, on whose statements he could rely. OLD MORTALITY. 7o CHAPTER YL. ' OLD MORTALITY.' This work is ably described as ' one of the vastest, completest, and most vivid pictures of an historical epoch that Scott has produced.'^ The scene is laid entirely in Scotland during the reigns of Charles II. and Wilham m., the intervening and troubled reign of James II. being purposely passed over (between chapters xxxvi. and xxxvii.). This story describes the rebelhon of the Scottish Covenanters ; and the two heroes, Henry Morton and Lord Evandale, are not only rival suitors for Miss Edith Bellenden, but are opposed also in this civil war or rebellion. Each, however, endeavours, as doubtless Scott ^ Shaw's Enylish Literature. 76 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. himself would have done, to calm the violence of their respective partisans. Each saves the other's hfe alternately from the fury of their separate factions, and are alike severely blamed for doing so by their respective leaders, Claverhouse and Balfour of Burley. These two last characters are historical, but though the first is better known to posterity, it is difficult, owing to the prejudices of historians, to decide what he really was. In ' Old Mor- tahty ' he is described as almost the hero of the book ; yet on careful examination, despite his bravery, courteousness, and occasional generosity, Scott's respect for historic truth compels him to describe his cruelty and in- tolerance towards rehgious and political oppo- nents. He and Balfour are contrasted by Morton as being fit specimens of the fiercer spirits in their respective parties. At this period the strife in Scotland was between Enghsh and Scottish EpiscopaHans, allied with Highland Roman Cathohcs, against Scottish Presbyterians, divided between some OLD MORTALITY. who were loyal to the restored British mo- narchy, though they rejected Episcopacy; and others who declared Charles II. had forfeited claim to their allegiance by violating the solemn league and covenant which he had certainly agreed to when young and in their power. This strange enactment, however, de- nied even toleration to either Eoman Cathohcs or Prelatists ; and that Charles ever meant to adhere to it, if he could avoid it, may well be doubted. However this may have been, when he found himself on the British throne, he not only refused to enforce this odious agree- ment, but, guided by unscrupulous advisers, he, though considered a good-natured prince, sanctioned a cruel persecution against the Scottish Presbyterians, and endeavoured to establish Episcopacy among them by means which made that system more detested than ever.^ Scott mentions tlie dehberate murder ^ ' The Presbyterian Church, of course, fell by the Act which annulled the Parliament wherein it had been established. Episcopacy revived. The new Prelates were odious as apos- tates, anil soon gained a still more indelible title to popular 78 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. of Archbishop Sharp by the insurgent Cove- nanters ; with the ferocity of Balfour on one side and of Claverhouse and Lauderdale on the other, his chief aim in this admirable, in- structive work being to show clearly the prac- tical resemblance between the good and bad of the contending parties. He accordingly makes his rival heroes, Morton and Lord Evandale, ahke utter just sentiments and per- form acts of mercy which it is to be feared were seldom either heard or known at this period of Scottish history. The beginning of the story describes the ill-usage and revolt of the unfortunate Covenanters, their cruel suf- hatred as persecutors. Then began the preaching in Conven- ticles, and the secession of the excited and exasperated multi- tude from the churches, and then ensued the ecclesiastical com- mission, with its inquisitorial vigilance, its fines and corporal penalties, and the free quarters of the soldiery. Then came the fruitless insurrection, and the fanatical assurance of success, and the certain discomfiture by a disciplined force, and the consternation of defeat, and the unbounded cruelties of the conqueror. And this went on with perpetual aggravation, at Tery rare intervals, through the reign of Charles II. No part, I believe, of modern history for so long a period can be com- pared for the wickedness of Government to the Scots' adminis- tration of this reign.' — Hallam's Constitutional History, vol. iii. 'OLD MORTALITY.' 79 ferings, and no less cruel and dangerous fana- ticism. Morton first incurs suspicion of treason by- concealing and relieving his late father's friend, Balfour, directly after his murder of Archbishop Sharp. Morton shelters him for a night in his uncle Milnwood's house, who knows nothing about it. Milnwood himself is a mean old miser, who, with a faithful house- keeper, Mrs. Alison Wilson, keep house to- gether, and Morton lives with them. After Balfour's flight, Morton is arrested by Sergeant Bothwell, despite the terrified entreaties of old Milnwood and Mrs. Wilson. This whole scene is most natural, and probably just what would have occurred under the circumstances. Ser- geant Bothwell is a strange character, brave, dissipated, reckless, yet not ungenerous ; he only appears in the beginning of the story, as he is soon killed in a fearful encounter with the rebel Balfour. The contrast between these two fierce warriors is forcibly expressed in their last words of defiance during their fatal struggle. 80 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. The remarkable character of the fanatical young preacher, Macbriar, though apparently Scott's invention, is probably founded on some original. His ardent yet simple enthusiasm is unlike that of his associate, Balfour, who, be- sides being subject to fits of insanity, is at other times shrewd and even crafty.^ In fact, Balfour rather resembles the regicide, General Harrison, as described by Burnet and Claren- don, and of whom Scott himself draws a slight sketch in 'Woodstock.' But Ephraim Macbriar is a masterpiece in his way of perverted en- thusiasm and fanaticism, which make him, * Balfour, first in sleep, and at the end of the story in a fit of insanity, reveals his share in the murder of Archbishop Sharp, which was historically true. On the first occasion he thus alludes both to the apostacy and murder of his victim : — ' Thou art taken, Judas, thou art taken. Cling not to my knees. Hew him down — a priest. Ay, a priest of Baal — to be bound and slain, even at the brook Kishon.' — Ch. vi. Again, in his cavern of refuge, Balfour, with Bible in one hand and sword in the other, thus defies the tempter of evil, who he really be- lieves is there, reminding him of the Archbishop's murder and other crimes : — ' Come in all thy terrors. Come with mine own evil deeds, which render thee most teri'ible of all. There is enough betwixt the boards of this book to rescue me. What mutterest thou of grey hairs ? It was well done to slay him. The more ripe the corn, the readier for the sickle.' OLD MORTALITY.' 81 though naturally a mild, gentle character, the most relentless of persecutors, and most heroic of martyrs. Probably such a character has not been uncommon among various religious persuasions during the fearful religious wars of Christian Europe. Scott describes him as eager and anxious to slay his brave associate, Morton, whom he distrusts ever since he dared to advocate tolerant views (ch. xxi.) after his own impassioned address to the in- surgents, who with Morton were driven to rebeUion by the cruelty of Charles II. 's Go- vernment. In ch. xxiii., after the final defeat of the insurgents, Morton, who had bravely commanded them, falls into the power of this dangerous enthusiast, who, with some fanatical comrades, takes refuge accidentally in the same house. Macbriar and his friends now imagine, because Morton's rehgious opinions are not sufficiently intolerant, that he has be- trayed their common cause, despite his heroic exertions for it, and are about to murder him forthwith, when he is rescued from them by G 82 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. their victorious enemy, Claverliouse, from whom Morton had before so narrowly escaped with his hfe, through the generous interces- sion of Lord Evandale.^ The terrible scene before the Scottish Privy Council in Edinburgh soon follows, where Morton receives a conditional pardon, while the unfortunate Macbriar, after suffering torture, is publicly executed, and dies with 1 The youug fanatic, Macbriar, after accusing Morton of saving some prisoners, which he proudly admits, thus pro- ceeds : — ' You have acknovsrledged enough of sin and of carnal defection to draw down defeat on a host, were it as numerous as the sands on the seashore. And it is our judgment that we are not free to let you pass from us safe and in life, since Pro- vidence has given you into our hands at the moment that we prayed with godly Joshua, saying, " What shall we say when Israel turned their backs before their enemies ? " Then earnest thou, delivered to us as it were by lot, that thou mightest sus- tain the punishment of one that hath wrought folly in Israel. Therefore mark my words. This is the Sabbath, and our hand shall not be upon thee to spill thy blood upon this day, but when the twelfth hour shall strike it is a token that thy tim« on earth hath run.' Then upon the captive Morton muttering an extract from the book of Common Prayer of the English Episcopal Church, Macbriar's bigoted fury becomes uncontrol- lable. ' There lacked but this to root out my carnal reluctance to see his blood spilt. Let him go down to Tophet with the ill-mumbled mass which he calls a prayer-book in his right fi^nd.' — Ch. xxxiii. 'OLD MORTALITY.' 83 heroic firmness.^ Wlien Macbriar is con- demned to death, after bravely enduring tor- ture for refusing to reveal the refuge of his murderous associate, Balfour, even Morton, who had so narrowly escaped from him, can- not help expressing admiration for his firmness and gallantry, to which Claverhouse sarcasti- cally replies with truth — ' You mean his reso- lution to put you to death.' It is right at this part of the story to recall the scene where Macbriar so nearly murders the innocent Henry Morton, to pre- vent feehng more sympathy for such a dan- gerous yet heroic enthusiast than he deserves. Scott, however, in this, as in most other instances, displays his usual sound judgment. He describes Macbriar's cruel fanaticism in power, and devoted heroism in adversity, with a fairness which convinces the reader of the ^ As Mr. Hallam indignantly observes — ' The Scottish Privy Council was accustomed to extort confessions by torture, that grim divau of [Episcopalian] bishops, lawyers, and peers, sucking in the groans of each undaunted enthusiast, in hope that some imperfect avowal might lead to the sacrifice of other victims.' — Constitutional Histot-y, vol. iii. g9 84 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. general truth of statements evidently founded upon the records of impartial history ; ^ yet, mindful of his readers' amusement as well as instruction, Scott gives a comic side to this story also ; while the brave and the fanatical of both contending parties are done justice to, the absurd loyalty of old Lady Margaret Bel- lenden, and of the drunken Harrison and Gudyill, and the equally absurd treason of old Mause Headrigg and the Eev, Gabriel Kettle- drummle, &c., are also fully described. The latter's sermon to the victorious rebels after the Drumclog battle is, perhaps, one of the most admirably effective rebukes to rehgious bigotry to be found in fiction, though Scott writes it in perfect good humour, making every allowance for the preacher's well-mean- ing inconsistency.^ ^ An able writer in the Contemporary Revie^o (Oct. 1873) observes : — ' Scott's picture of the Scottish Covenanters has been censured for irreverence, quite unjustly in our opinion, and we regard his picture of the torture and death of one of them [Macbriar] as his finest contribution to the history of his country.' ^ ' Some parts of the Rev. Mr. Kettledrummle's discourse ' OLD MORTALITY.' 85 The character of the bUnd widow, Mackire, though seldom introduced, is a beautiful and affecting picture. Her strong religious pre- judices do not prevent her reheving her ene- mies ; even the cruel execution of her son, which she describes with such exquisite pathos, cannot harden a heart or embitter a spirit so eminently Christian in the highest sense of tlie word.^ Old Mause Headrigg is an amusing con- trast ; for, while sharing Widow Maclure's might be called sublime, and others sunk below burlesque. Occasionally he vindicated, with great animation, the right of every man to worship God according to his conscience, and presently he charged the guilt and misery of the [Scottish] people on the awful negligence of their rulers, who had not only failed to establish Presbytery as the national religion, but had tolerated sectaries of various descriptions — Papists, Prela- tists, Erastians, assuming the name of Presbyterians, Indepen- dents, Socinians, and Quakers, all of whom Kettledrummle proposed by one sweeping Act to expel from the land, and thus re-edify in its integrity the beauty of the sanctuary.' — Ch.xviii. ^ The Widow Maclure tells Morton how she was blamed by the zealots of her party for not betraying Lord Evandale. ' They said I should hae been to him what Jael was to Sisera ; they said I wanted natural aftection to relieve one that be- longed to the band that murdered my two sons. But, alas I betraying Lord Evandale's young blood to his enemies' sword wud ne'er hae brought my Niniau and Johnie alive again.' 86 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. religious opinions, her absurd fanaticism and misapplication of Biblical passages are most amusingly described. Her son, an honest, brave, shrewd fellow, though no theologian, is a far better Christian than either his enthu- siastic old mother, or the violent preachers whom she constantly entreats him to follow and obey. These and many other admirably drawn fictitious characters are evidently intro- duced to animate and enUven a story founded on historic truth, and describing a pecuharly painful period of Scottish history ; for Scott, as was said of another great writer, was well aware that 'history, to be truly useful and serious, must look at the society which it depicts.'^ But the chief interest of this book, espe- cially at its close, is in the two opposing characters, Claverhouse and Balfour. Morton himself compares these ruthless leaders toge- ther, teUing Claverhouse openly that he and Balfour have alike shed blood without pity or ^ M. Guizot's Preface to Gibbon's Roman History. OLD MORTALITY. remorse. This Claverhouse calmly admits, but in the true spirit of a relentless partisan haughtily compares the valuable lives of his party to the worthless ones of religious and political opponents. Morton, in rejoinder, utters doubtless Scott's own sentiments, that God gives every spark of life, and that those who destroy His work recklessly or carelessly must answer in either case. — (Ch. xxvii.) At lirst Claverhouse appears as a brave, severe, yet not ungenerous officer, zealously executing the orders of his Government, and eager to avenge the cruel murders of his kinsman and friend. Cornet Grahame and Archbishop Sharp, by the insurgent Covenanters. His fierce loy- alty makes him, together with General Dalzell and Lord Lauderdale, blame their nominal superior, the Duke of Monmouth, for wishing to treat the defeated Covenanters with some degree of humanity. Four eminent British writers of this cen- tury have described Claverhouse very differ- ently. Hallam and Lord Macaulay condemn 88 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVEKLEY NOVELS. him utterly, while Scott and Professor Aytoim, without denying his cruelties, to some ex- tent palHate them by describing the fearful injuries he and his family had received from the Covenanters, many of whom unfortunately fell into his power afterwards. But no one can deny his courage and enterprise, and these high qualities were especially displayed at the close of his career. When Morton returns from banishment he finds WilUam III. on the British throne, and James II. a deposed exile. This great change gratifies and relieves (even according to such different writers as Hallam, Macaulay, and Scott) the moderate and reason- able of the contending parties in Scotland ; ^ while the more violent of the Jacobites and Covenanters, who before Morton left Scotland were wilhng to exterminate each other, now attempt an extraordinary alhance against the 1 AVhile the Tory novelist, Scott, admits (ch. xxxvii.) that, 'owing to King William's prudent tolerance, Scotland had escaped the horrors of a protracted civil war,' the Liberal his- torian, Mr. Hallam, declares (^Constitutional History, vol. iii.) — ' King William was perhaps almost the onlj consistent friend to toleration in his kingdoms, at least among public men.' OLD MORTALITY.' 89 new Government, each hoping to deceive and outwit the other in case of success. For this object the two mortal foes, Claverliouse and Balfour, meet together in peace, and propose a united rising. But few Presbyterians, even of the Covenanters, are induced to join their ruthless exterminator, and follow the example of the half-mad enthusiast Balfour. But over many brave impetuous High- landers Claverliouse, created Lord Dundee by James II., acquired supreme command, and he was killed in the moment of victory over King William's forces at Killiecrankie. This victory, however, when purchased at the price of Dun- dee's hfe, proved as fatal to his cause as the most crushing defeat.^ No leader took or ^ Scott makes Claverliouse express to Morton wliat were probably bis real feelings. 'When 1 think of death, Mr. Morton, as a thing worth thinking of, it is in the hope of press- ing one day some well-fought and hard-won field of battle, and dying with the shout of victory in my ear, that would be worth dying for ; and more, it would be worth having lived for.' At this moment one of the dying Covenanters, shot by his order, thus foretells his fate and that of the Stuart family, to whom he is devoted : — ' And shall not the Lord judge thee ? Behold the princes, for whom thou hast sold thy soul to the Destroyer, 90 PHILOSOPHY OP THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. could take his place, though Lord Evandale in the novel wishes to do so, and soon after all Scotland submits to the new Government. Although Scott is often said to favour the Jacobites, he cordially praises William III. throughout this story. For the hero, Morton, who probably represents Scott's feehngs and sentiments, returns to Scotland to find a new Government almost after his own heart, by which no party was allowed to persecute the other, and which certainly had the real honour and credit of numbering among its foes the implacable and intolerant of all parties.^ sbgill be removed from their place and banished to other lands, aiid their names shall be a desolation, and an astonishment, and a hissing, and a curse. And thou who hast partaken of the wine cup of fury, and hast been drunken and mad because thereof, the wish of thy heart shall be granted to thy loss, and the hope of thy own pride shall destroy thee.' — Oh. xxxiv. ^ 'The Scottish non-jurors made it one of their charges against William III. that he had sinfully suffered James II. to escape instead of bringing his head to the block. For nearly a generation the Scotch ministers habitually denounced the toleration of Episcopalianism, and other Protestant sects, with a vehemence quite as unqualified as that with which they had previously denounced the persecution directed against them- 'OLD MORTALITY.' 91 Nearly all the pleasing characters of this story, except poor Lord Evandale, end much as the reader would wish, and the chief impres- sion derived from it is certainly to view the Revolution which substituted William III. for James II. as beneficial to Scotland in every respect. selves; and when the Associate Presbytery seceded from the Establishment they announced in their testimony that the in- stitution of religious toleration was among' the foremost causes of God's wrath against sinful and backsliding Scotland,' — Lecky's Evgland in the Eighteenth Century, vol. ii. 92 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAYERLEY XOYELS. CHAPTEE VII. ' HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN.' This simple yet powerfully written story is, like ' The Antiquary,' one of Scottish domestic life ; the scene being chiefly in Scotland, though a few chapters refer to the South of England. It is not, however, entirely a work of fiction, the heroine, Jeanie Deans, having had her original in a certain Helen Walker ; yet, though there is some resemblance be- tween them, but little seems known of Helen, except that she actually obtained her innocent sister's pardon for alleged child murder from Queen Carohne, wife of George H., having walked from Scotland to London for that purpose. Her sister, Isabel Walker, is slightly mentioned in the notes, but nothing is said of ' IIEAKT OF MIDLOTHIAN.' 93 her bearing any resemblance to the EfFie Deans of the novel. All the other charac- ters, except the noble Duke of Argyll and the cruel Captain Porteous, are imaginary, though described in Scott's most effective manner. Of all Scott's heroines, Jeanie Deans is apparently his favourite, as he himself calls her so, which he never does in any other instance. She is, indeed, an admirable and superior character ; her courageous piety, simphcity, good sense, and deep affection combine to make her such ; for her whole conduct towards all she knows — father, sister, lover, friends, and enemies — comes as near the ideal standard of Christian duty as human nature is perhaps capable of Her old Pres- byterian father, David Deans, seems rather a greater favourite with Scott than he deserves, for, though a conscientious, worthy man, he is self-righteous and obstinate to a provoking degree. Only those few who share his own theological views, which are certainly not de- 94 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. rived from education, possess liis confidence or good opinion.^ In real life old Deans would probably be extremely disagreeable, but Scott, who doubtless knew many rather hke him, places him in such an affecting and interesting position, that the better part of his nature appears, while his ignorant bigotry is amusing instead of dangerous, owing, perhaps, to his powerless situation.^ The book opens with ^ When old Deans is urged by a neighbour to employ a skilful lawyer to defend bis accused daughter, Effie, he objects to one after another as follows : — ' What say ye to the old Lau'd of Ouftabout ? He whiles thumps the dust out of a case gey and weel.' ' He ! the fause loon,' answered Deans, ' he was in his bandaliers to hae joined the ungracious Highlanders in 1716.' ' Weel, Arniston ? there's a clever chield for ye.' * Ay, to bring Popish medals in till their very library from that schismatic woman in the north, the Duchess of Gordon.' ' What d'ye think of Kettleput ? ' ' He's an Arminian.' ' Woodsetter ? ' * He's, I doubt, a Oocceian.' ' Auld Whillie- whaw ? ' * He's anything ye like.' * Young Noemmo ? ' ' He's iiaething at a'.' ' What say ye to young MacKenzie ? ' ' T\Tiat, sir ; wad ye speak to me about a man that has the blood of the saints [Presbyterians] at his fingers' ends ? If the life o' the dear bairn that's under a suffering dispensation, and Jeanie's, mv ain, and a' mankind's depended on my asking sic a slave o' Satan to speak a word for me or them, they should a' gae down the water thegither for David Deans.' — Oh. xii. 2 Old David's ' Lecture on Dancing,' addressed to his two daughters, is amusing in the highest degree. * Dance, dance, said ye ! I daur ye, limmers that ye are, to name sic a word at * HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN.' 95 the Edinburgh riot and execution of Captain Porteous by the mob : an liistorical event which is described in a most interesting and graphic manner. Scott makes George Staun- ton, Effie Deans' lover, lead the rioters, but escape the consequences. He is the only son of a worthy Enghsh clergyman, a wild, dissi- pated, handsome youth, though possessing many generous qualities. He has an illegiti- mate child by his nurse's daughter, Madge, whose mother, Meg Murdockson, destroys it to conceal her daughter's shame. After the murder poor Madge becomes insane, and she, with her wicked mother, become the associates of the highway robbers, Frank Levitt and Tyburn Tom. Young Staunton, after desert- my door-cheek ! It's a dissolute, profane pastime, practised by the Israelites only at theii' base and brutal worship of the golden calf at Bethel, and by the unhappy lass wha danced aff the head o' John the Baptist, upon which chapter I will exer- cise this night for your further instruction since ye need it sae niuckle, nothing doubting that she has cause to rue the day, lang or this time, that e'er she suld hae shook a limb on sic an errand. Better far to hae been born a cripple, and carried frae door to door, like auld Bessie Bowie, begging bawbees, than to be a king's daughter, fiddling and flinging the gate she did,' &c. — Ch. X. 96 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAYERLEY NOVELS. ing Madge, seduces EfRe Deans, by whom he has a son, who is stolen directly after its birth by the vindictive hag, Meg Murdockson, in revenge for her own daughter's desertion ; and general suspicion is then directed against the unfortunate Effie of having either murdered or secretly made away with her stolen child. The chief interest of the story is centred in the extraordinary trial of Effie Deans for supposed child-murder, her strange conviction, without any proof of guilt (also a fact), and her heroic sister's dangerous journey to Lon- don, where, through the influence of the Duke of Argyll, she sees Queen Carohne, and ob- tains Effie's pardon for a crime of which she is innocent. The scene between the Duke of Argyll and Jeanie must be partly true, though evidently no details of his real interview with Helen Walker have been preserved. The admiration of Scott for the Duke of Argyll and his family, rather contradicts the idea that he favours Jacobitism. He even says (ch. XXXV.) that the Duke, the chief Scottish ' HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN.' 97 nobleman who opposed that party, did all he could during the rebellion of 1715 'to soften its consequences ' to those whom ' a mistaken sense of loyalty had engaged in that affair.' The hero, Reuben Butler, a quiet sensible country schoolmaster, seems hardly worthy of Jeanie Deans. He is, of course, a thorough invention of Scott's, as the real Jeanie (Helen Walker) never married. One strikingly sad episode in this interest- ing story must painfully affect all readers of sense and feehng — the wanton murder of the harmless maniac, Madge Wildfire, by the brutal mob at Carhsle. These wretches think the poor mad woman is a witcli, and tlierefore try to drown her ; and though she is rescued from them at the time, she dies from the effects of their brutality. This sad case, it is to be feared, is no invention, thougli tin- character of Madge Wildfire may be so ; foi- it is a fact that absurd and intense horror of supposed witchcraft long influenced some H 08 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAVERLEY NOVELS. of the English, and many of the Scottish peasantry.^ It is remarkable that the Irish peasantry, though guilty to such a fearful extent of agrarian crimes, when under a sense of real or supposed wrong, have been comparatively free from this brutal prejudice against sus- pected witchcraft, which appears to be founded entirely on vague, superstitious fears. One of the most exciting scenes in this novel is the strange interview between Jeanie and George Staunton, her sister's lover, at Muschats Cairn, where he threatens her hfe if she refuses to swear a falsehood to save her accused sister. It is here that Jeanie first displays that high courage which, united with strong common sense and warm affections, makes her so superior and interesting a cha- racter. In a previous interview with Eeuben ^ ' The last execution for witchcraft in the British Empire took place in Presbyterian Scotland, The associated Presby- tery in 1736 left a solemn protest against the repeal of the laws against witchcraft.' — Lecky's England in the Eighteenth Century, vol. ii. ' HEART OF MIDLOTIUAN.' 99 Butler, young Staunton, who, though reckless and dissipated, retains some noble qualities, is described in a very singular manner, for the popular superstition of a fiend assum- ing an attractive human form, evidently strikes Scott's fancy, as he again mentions it in ' Nigel,' in the case of the villainous Lord Dalgarno, who, however, has much more of the fiend about him than young Staunton.^ It is remarked by Sir Archibald AHson in his ^ Staunton vehemently tells Butler, who does not know him, that he himself is the devil, an admission which effectu- ally confounds the young schoolmaster. ' Was this, indeed, the roaring lion, who goeth about seeking whom" he may devour?' This was a question which pressed itself on Butler's mind with an earnestness that cannot be conceived by those who live in the present day. The fiery eye, the abrupt demeanour, the occasionally harsh, yet studiously subdued tone of voice — the features handsome, but now clouded with pride, now disturbed with suspicion, now inflamed with passion — those dark hazed eyes which he sometimes shaded with his cap as if he were averse to have them seen, while they were occupied with keenly observing the motions and bearing of others — those eyes that were now turbid with melancholy, now gleaming with scoru, and now sparkling with fury —was it the passions of a mere mortal they expressed, or the emotions of a liend who seeks, and seeks in vain, to conceal his fiendish designs under the bor- rowed mask of manly beauty? The whole partook of the mien, language and port of the ruined Archangel, — Oh. xi. 100 PHILOSOPHY OF THE WAYERLEY NOVELS. brief notice of Scott's works ^ that he cared httle for the pathetic ; but when he does write in that strain, few if any writers can surel}' equal him in beauty of expression or intensity and purity of thought. For one of the most moving scenes in this excellent novel is when Jeanie, after her sister's condemnation, deter- mines to go to London to plead for her hfe at a moment when her aged father, broken down and stupefied by distress of mind, gives no assistance, and she is left entirely to tlie guidance of her own firm, resolute spirit.'"' ' Ilisfo?-!/ of Europe^ vol. i. * ' Jeanie had reached the door of the apartment, -when sud- denly tinning she came back and knelt down by her father's bed- side. " O father,