The ancient manners, the habits and customs of the aboriginal race by whom the Highlands of Scotland were inhabited, had always appeared to me peculiarly adapted to poetry. The change in their manners, too, had taken place almost within my own time, or at least I had learned many particulars concerning the ancient state of the Highlands from the old men of the last generation. I had always thought the old Scottish Gael highly adapted for poetical composition.... I had also read a great deal, seen much, and heard more, of that romantic country where I was in the habit of spending some time every Autumn; and the scenery of Loch Katrine was connected with the recollection of many a dear friend and merry expedition of former days. This poem, the action of which lay among scenes so beautiful and so deeply imprinted on my recollections, was a labor of love, and it was no less so to recall the manners and incidents introduced. The frequent custom of James IV, and particularly of James V, to walk through their kingdom in disguise, afforded me the hint of an incident which never fails to be interesting if managed with the slightest address or dexterity.--Introduction to the Edition of 1830.
The Lady of the Lake was first published in 1810. This edition has many notes by Mr. Rolfe.
Scott, Walter.
The Lay of the Last Minstrel.
Edited by W.J. Rolfe.
Houghton. .75
The Poem, now offered to the Public, is intended to illustrate the customs and manners which anciently prevailed on the Borders of England and Scotland.... The date of the Tale itself is about the middle of the sixteenth century, when most of the personages actually flourished. The time occupied by the action is Three Nights and Three Days.--Original Preface.
The Lay of the Last Minstrel was first published in 1805. This edition has many notes by Mr. Rolfe.
Scott, Walter.
Marmion.
Edited by W.J. Rolfe.
Houghton. .75