The First Series of “Chronicles of the Canongate” was published in November 1827, but the work did not meet with the favour awarded to his previous writings, and Sir Walter was much discouraged. Yet the wondrous power and fertility of his genius remained undiminished, and the First Series of “Tales of a Grandfather” followed in December. It met with a heartier reception than any other of his works since “Ivanhoe,” and years only add to its popularity. The “Chronicles of the Canongate,” Second Series, three vols. 8vo, and “Tales of a Grandfather,” Second Series, three vols. 18mo, were both published in 1828. In this year was also published “Religious Discourses by a Layman,” being signed by “W.S.” These were originally written by Sir Walter Scott to aid a young candidate for the ministry in the Kirk of Scotland.
“The Fair Maid of Perth” was finished in March, and published in April of the same year. “Anne of Geierstein” appeared about the middle of May 1829. The Third Series of “Tales of a Grandfather” appeared this year; and Scott’s remaining labours were: In 1829—“History of Scotland,” Vol. I.; Waverley Novels, Vols I. to VIII., with new Introductions and Notes (monthly). In 1830—“Doom of Devorgoil” and “Auchindrane”; “Essays on Ballad Poetry”; “Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft”; “Tales of a Grandfather,” Fourth Series; “History of Scotland,” Vol. II. In 1831—“Count Robert of Paris” and “Tales of My Landlord,” Fourth Series.
When the publishing of the Waverley Novels passed into the hands of Cadell, about 1825-26, and the issue of the author’s own edition commenced in 1829—this being playfully distinguished by Scott himself as “the Magnum”—the sale again proved large. The legends, family traditions, and historical facts which formed the groundwork of the novels were now added by the author himself, and attracted anew the public attention. Cadell began this edition with 7000, raised the estimate to 10,000, and then to 12,000, while the ultimate circulation rose to about 35,000 a month—a figure then unprecedented. This, it should be remembered, was probably done on the hand-press, as the printing-machine was making slow headway, and must have greatly taxed the resources of the printing-house. The publication arrangements of the novels and other works mentioned in this chapter were variously and sometimes jointly made by Constable, Blackwood, Longman, Murray, John Ballantyne, and latterly by Cadell.
Since that time many editions of Scott’s Poetical and Prose Works have passed through the Ballantyne Press. One of the most important is the Border Edition of the Waverley Novels in forty-eight volumes, edited with additional Introductions and Notes by Mr. Andrew Lang, illustrated with many etchings, and published by John C. Nimmo, London. This edition has now passed into the hands of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.
CHAPTER VII
THE “GREAT UNKNOWN”
The Waverley Novels long continued to be spoken of as the works of the “Great Unknown,”—the titles of the successive novels simply showing that they were by the “Author of ‘Waverley.’” The designation was first conferred upon Scott by James Ballantyne. It was never publicly discarded until the Theatrical Fund dinner on February 23, 1827, when the author, in reply to the toast of his health, in which the secret was divulged,[28] uttered these memorable words: “I certainly did not think, in coming here to-day, that I should have the task of acknowledging, before three hundred gentlemen, a secret which, considering it was communicated to more than twenty people, has been remarkably well kept.... I am willing, however, to plead guilty—nor shall I detain the Court by a long explanation why my confession has been so long deferred. Perhaps caprice might have a considerable share in the matter. I have now to say, however, that the merits of these works, if they had any, and their faults, are all imputable to myself.”
THE “GREAT UNKNOWN”