OF SIR WALTER SCOTT INCLUDING INTRODUCTION AND NOTES THE "ALBION" EDITION LONDON FREDERICK WARNE & CO AND NEW YORK INTRODUCTION. IN the "Albion" edition of SCOTT the publishers have the pleasure of offering the public a collection of all his poems, from every source, including the posthumous verses and fragments published in Lockhart's “Life” of the poet. The Dramatic Poems of "Halidon Hill," "Macduff's Cross," "The Doom of Devorgoil," and "Auchindrane," render this edition absolutely complete. Scott's chequered story is as familiar as his works in almost every British household; nevertheless, whenever the bequest of his genius is presented to us in a new form, a few memorial words seem due to him who has given so much delight. Walter Scott, the son of Walter and Anne Scott, was born at Edinburgh on the 15th of August, 1771. He was of good family, being descended from the Scotts of Harden (of the noble race of Buccleuch), and was by profession a lawyer, being called to the Scottish Bar in 1792. Literature, however, became his real profession. Two translations from the German, and some contributions to Lewis's "Tales of Wonder," were his first literary productions. These, however, were but the preludes to the future "Lay." "The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border" followed; but in 1805 the full swell of the "Harp of the North" was first heard in the "Lay of the Last Minstrel." This poem was followed in quick succession by "Marmion," "The Lady of the Lake," &c The successful rivalry of Byron, however, turned the poet's thoughts towards an even more congenial development of his genius, and, in 1814, he gave the world the first of those wonderful novels, which at once placed him near to the throne of Shakspeare himself. Fortune showered her favours both on the Poet and Novelist. He was created a Baronet, made a large fortune, and lived in a sort of fairytale prosperity, amidst the scenes of his earliest fancies and affections. This prosperity, however, proved evanescent. Scott was a partner in the publishing firm of Constable and Ballantyne, and by its failure, in 1826, he lost everything. Nobly and bravely, however, did the old Author struggle to redeem his honest fame, and pay off his liabilities, and so well were his labours rewarded that, in 1830, his creditors presented him with his library, paintings, furniture, plate, and linen, in acknowledgment of his honourable conduct. In the midst of his pecuniary difficulties, Scott's wife-a French lady by birth, Mdlle. Charpentier died. Four years afterwards he was seized with apoplexy. His physicians ordered him abroad, and a ship of war-the Barham-placed at his disposal by the Government, conveyed him to Malta and Naples. But the change of climate and scene proved of no avail, and yearning for his native land, the Poet insisted on returning to Abbotsford. His last wish was fulfilled. He gazed once more on his home, and surrounded by his children, he fell gently asleep on a golden September afternoon; lulled to that last peaceful slumber by the ripple of his beloved Tweed, which was audible through the open windows of his chamber. Life "chimed to evensong" early for him. He died at the age of 61, leaving four children, all of whom are since dead; but Scott's name can never perish while the language he has enriched remains to preserve the works which are the Poet's true representatives. |