THE FAIR MAID OF PERTH was published in April 1828, and became popular at once; it commenced a second series of the "Chronicles of the Canongate." The narrative is founded upon an interesting event in Scottish history. Two clans who were at variance deputed thirty champions to fight out a quarrel of old standing in the presence of King Robert III., his brother the Duke of Albany, and the whole Scottish Court, at Perth, in the year 1396. Two characters in the novel, the glee-maiden and Conachar are regarded as among Scott's very best conceptions. The accompanying illustration represents an interesting scene. The Fair Maid and the Carthusian monk are seated at the foot of Kinnoul hill, which commands the beautiful vale of the Tay. The monk, who wore his white gown and scapular, sat for some time with his eyes fixed on the glorious prospect, of which even the early and chilly season could not conceal the beauties. At length he addressed his proselyte: "When I behold this rich and varied land, with its castles, churches, convents, stately palaces, and fertile fields, these extensive woods, and that noble river, I know not, my daughter, whether most to admire the bounty of God or the ingratitude of man. He hath given us the beauty and fertility of the earth, and we have made the scene of His bounty a charnel-house and a battle-field. He hath given us power over the elements, and skill to erect houses for comfort and defence, and we have converted them into dens for robbers." "Yet surely, my father, there is room for comfort," replied Catherine. "Yonder four goodly convents, and their inhabitants, who have separated themselves from the world for the service of Heaven, bear witness that if Scotland be a sinful land, she is yet sensible to the claims of religion." "Verily, daughter," answered the priest, "what you say seems truth, but it is to be feared that the love of many has waxed cold." *****