In the accompanying etching, Mr George Cruikshank represents the droll
scene where Mr Duncan Macwheeble is informed by Waverley of his present
fortune and future expectations, and of his intention to share all with
Miss Rose Bradwardine. Waverley had found the Bailie (Macwheeble) in his
office, and before him a large bicker of oatmeal porridge, with a horn
spoon and a bottle of twopenny, "while a potbellied Dutch bottle of
brandy which stood by, intimated that this honest limb of the law had
taken his morning already, or that he meant to season his porridge with
such digestive." At the instant Waverley revealed the secret of his
attachment to Miss Rose, he almost deprived the Bailie of his senses. He
started from his three-footed stool, like the pythoness from her tripod;
flung his best wig out of the window, because the block on which it was
placed stood in the way of his career; chucked his cap to the ceiling,
and caught it as it fell; whistled "Tullochgorum," danced a Highland
fling with inimitable grace and agility, and then threw himself,
exhausted, into a chair, exclaiming, "Lady Wauverley!-Ten thousand
a-year, the least penny!--Lord preserve my poor understanding!"
GUY MANNERING.
GUY MANNERING, the second novel of the author of "Waverley" was composed
during six weeks preceding Christmas 1814. It appeared in the following
February in three small volumes, at the price of one guinea. The
edition, consisting of 2000 copies, was sold the day after publication,
and within three months, 5000 copies were circulated. The novel was
founded on a tale which Scott had received from an old Highlander, a
servant of his father, who related how that a grave and elderly person
being benighted while travelling in Galloway, had experienced the
hospitality of a country laird whose wife was on the eve of her
confinement. The stranger being informed of the exact minute of the
birth, made, by astrological signs, a remarkable augury respecting the
fortunes of the young stranger. Though based on the supernatural, "Guy
Mannering" embraces an interesting portraiture of Scottish life during
the early portion of the eighteenth century. One of the more conspicuous
characters is Dandie Dinmont, of Charlie's Hope, with his breed of
terriers, Auld Pepper, Auld Mustard, Young Pepper, Young Mustard, Little
Pepper, Little Mustard, and the others. From the fireside of the little
inn of Mumps Ha', Dandie carried away some uncomfortable surmises. These
were not removed by the several tall figures that appeared advancing
towards him. He advised Brown (Harry Bertram) not to wait for their
arrival, but to jump behind him on Dumple's back, and deprecated any
declinature under the circumstances. "Dumple could carry six folk," said
Dandie, "if his back were long enough; but, God's sake, haste ye, get
on, for I see some folk coming through the slack yonder, that it may be
just as weel no to wait for." Brown was of opinion that this apparition
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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