Transcriber's Note: Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. LEARN ONE THING EVERY DAY SEPTEMBER 15 1916 SERIAL NO. 115 THE MENTOR WALTER SCOTT By HAMILTON W. MABIE Author and Editor DEPARTMENT OF LITERATURE VOLUME 4 NUMBER 15 FIFTEEN CENTS A COPY The Wizard of the North [Illustration] The causes of Sir Walter Scott's ascendancy are to be found in the goodness of his heart, the integrity of his conduct, the romantic and picturesque accessories and atmosphere of his life, the fertile brilliancy of his literary execution, the charm that he exercises, both as man and artist, over the imagination, the serene, tranquilizing spirit of his works, and, above all, the buoyancy, the happy freedom of his genius. [Illustration] He was not simply an intellectual power, he was also a human and gentle comforter. He wielded an immense mental force, but he always wielded it for good, and always with tenderness. It is impossible to conceive of his ever having done a wrong act, or of any contact with his influence that would not inspire the wish to be virtuous and noble. The scope of his sympathy was as broad as are the weakness and need of the human race. He understood the hardship in the moral condition of mankind and he wished and tried to relieve it. [Illustration] His writings are full of sweetness and cheer, and they contain nothing that is morbid--nothing that tends toward surrender or misery. He did not sequester himself in mental pride, but simply and sturdily, through years of conscientious toil, he employed the faculties of a strong, tender, gracious genius for the good of his fellow-creatures. The world loves him because he is worthy to be loved, and because he has lightened the burden of its care and augmented the sum of its happiness. From "Over the Border" by William Winter [Illustration: FLORA MACIVOR--"WAVERLEY" COURTESY, THE PAGE COMPANY FROM A DRAWING BY R. W. MACBETH] Waverley ONE "Waverley" is a story of the rebellion of the chevalier Prince Charles Edward, in Scotland, in 1745. Edward Waverley, the central figure of the tale, was a captain of dragoons in the English army. He obtained a leave of absence from his regiment and went to Scotland for a rest, staying at the home of Baron Bradwardine. During his stay a band of Highlanders drove off the Baron's cattle, and Waverley offered his assistance in recovering them. Fergus MacIvor was the chief of the band which stole the cattle. Waverley met his sister, Flora, and fell in love with her, but she discouraged him.