CHAPTER VI
THE WAVERLEY NOVELS
“Waverley,” the first of a series of novels unsurpassed for power, picturesqueness, and variety, as well as healthy sentiment and morality, was published anonymously in three volumes on the 7th July 1814. This edition of 1000 copies was sold within five weeks. A second of 2000 followed immediately, and a third and fourth, each of 1000, appeared in October and November of the same year. The mystery in which the author had chosen to shroud himself, and the high literary character of the work, had meanwhile given rise to an intensity of interest and speculation hitherto unparalleled in the history of literature. Scott was pressed by his few friends who were in the secret to own the authorship, and take to himself the laurels which were being freely handed about. He steadfastly refused, and wrote the following humorous reply to one of John Ballantyne’s expostulations:—
“No, John, I will not own the book—
I won’t, you Picaroon!
When next I try St. Grubby’s brook,
The A. of Wa—— shall bait the hook,
And flat-fish bite as soon,