After the publication of "Marmion," Mr Alexander Gibson Hunter of Blackness, partner in the publishing house of Constable & Co., a gentleman of superior culture, entreated the author to dedicate his talents to prose fiction, with the prediction that he would in this department attain an eminence unrivalled in literature.* Scott did not readily accept the proffered counsel; he dreaded that by sailing in unexplored waters he might make shipwreck of his poetical laurels. A prose tale which he had commenced in 1805, was on this account laid aside; and when it was again taken up and completed, and under the title of "Waverley" given to the world, it was without the authors name. This was in 1814, when Sir Walter was in his 43rd year. "Waverley" sold slowly at first, but after some favourable criticisms the demand steadily increased till twelve thousand copies were put into circulation. Having attained such an earnest of success as a writer of fiction, he chose in this department to maintain his original _incognito_, abundantly content to rest his personal distinction on his celebrity as a poet. The author of "Waverley" accordingly soon passed into "The Great Unknown;" and the rapidity with which this mysterious character produced a succession of entertaining romances became one of the marvels of the age; while attempts to withdraw the curtain which concealed his individuality proved comparatively unavailing. Each year gave birth to one-often two-novels, of a class infinitely superior to the romances of the past age, and all having reference to the manners and customs of the most interesting and chivalrous periods of Scottish or British history. Subsequent to the publication of "Guy Mannering" and "The Antiquary," in 1815 and 1816, and as an expedient to sustain public interest, a series of novels was commenced, under the title of "Tales of my Landlord," these being professedly written by a different author; but this resort was afterwards abandoned. Every romance by the author of "Waverley" awakened renewed enthusiasm, and commanded a universal circulation throughout Britain and America. In 1814 Scott published an edition of Swift's works in nineteen octavo volumes. For some years after his marriage he occupied a cottage at Lasswade; in 1804 he removed to Ashestiel, a mansion situated on the banks of the Tweed, near Innerleithen, where for several years he continued to reside during the vacation of the Court. His ruling desire was, to acquire an ample demesne, and thus to realise in his own person, and by his representatives, somewhat of the territorial importance of those old barons, whose wassails and feuds he delighted to celebrate. To attain such a distinction he was prepared to incur many sacrifices; nor in comparison did he value the highest literary honours. In 1811 he purchased, on the south bank of the Tweed, near Melrose, the little farm of _Clarty Hole_, the first portion of that estate which under the name