In the accompanying etching, Mr George Cruikshank represents the droll scene where Mr Duncan Macwheeble is informed by Waverley of his present fortune and future expectations, and of his intention to share all with Miss Rose Bradwardine. Waverley had found the Bailie (Macwheeble) in his office, and before him a large bicker of oatmeal porridge, with a horn spoon and a bottle of twopenny, "while a potbellied Dutch bottle of brandy which stood by, intimated that this honest limb of the law had taken his morning already, or that he meant to season his porridge with such digestive." At the instant Waverley revealed the secret of his attachment to Miss Rose, he almost deprived the Bailie of his senses. He started from his three-footed stool, like the pythoness from her tripod; flung his best wig out of the window, because the block on which it was placed stood in the way of his career; chucked his cap to the ceiling, and caught it as it fell; whistled "Tullochgorum," danced a Highland fling with inimitable grace and agility, and then threw himself, exhausted, into a chair, exclaiming, "Lady Wauverley!-Ten thousand a-year, the least penny!—Lord preserve my poor understanding!"
GUY MANNERING.
GUY MANNERING, the second novel of the author of "Waverley" was composed during six weeks preceding Christmas 1814. It appeared in the following February in three small volumes, at the price of one guinea. The edition, consisting of 2000 copies, was sold the day after publication, and within three months, 5000 copies were circulated. The novel was founded on a tale which Scott had received from an old Highlander, a servant of his father, who related how that a grave and elderly person being benighted while travelling in Galloway, had experienced the hospitality of a country laird whose wife was on the eve of her confinement. The stranger being informed of the exact minute of the birth, made, by astrological signs, a remarkable augury respecting the fortunes of the young stranger. Though based on the supernatural, "Guy Mannering" embraces an interesting portraiture of Scottish life during the early portion of the eighteenth century. One of the more conspicuous characters is Dandie Dinmont, of Charlie's Hope, with his breed of terriers, Auld Pepper, Auld Mustard, Young Pepper, Young Mustard, Little Pepper, Little Mustard, and the others. From the fireside of the little inn of Mumps Ha', Dandie carried away some uncomfortable surmises. These were not removed by the several tall figures that appeared advancing towards him. He advised Brown (Harry Bertram) not to wait for their arrival, but to jump behind him on Dumple's back, and deprecated any declinature under the circumstances. "Dumple could carry six folk," said Dandie, "if his back were long enough; but, God's sake, haste ye, get on, for I see some folk coming through the slack yonder, that it may be just as weel no to wait for." Brown was of opinion that this apparition of five or six men, with whom the other villains seemed to join company, coming across the moss towards them, should abridge ceremony. He therefore mounted Dumple, en croup, and the little spirited nag cantered away with two men of great size and strength, as if they had been children of six years old. The rider, to whom the paths of these wilds seemed intimately known, pushed on at a rapid pace, managing with much dexterity to choose the safest route, in which he was aided by the sagacity of the Galloway, who never failed to take the difficult passes exactly at the particular spot, and in the special manner by which they could be most safely crossed. The scene of this adventure is graphically delineated in the engraving.
