Chapter I: Preface

To the very probable remark that 'Another little book about Scott is not wanted,' I can at least reply that apparently it is, inasmuch as the publishers proposed this volume to me, not I to them. And I believe that, as a matter of fact, no 'little book about Scott' has appeared since the _Journal_ was completed, since the new and important instalment of _Letters_ appeared (in both cases with invaluable editorial apparatus by Mr. David Douglas), and especially since Mr. Lang's _Lockhart_ was published. It is true that no one of these, nor any other book that is likely to appear, has altered, or is likely to alter, much in a sane estimate of Sir Walter. His own matchless character and the genius of his first biographer combined to set before the world early an idea, of which it is safe to say that nothing that should lower it need be feared, and hardly anything to heighten it can be reasonably hoped. But as fresh items of illustrative detail are made public, there can be no harm in endeavouring to incorporate something of what they give us in fresh abstracts and _aperçus_ from time to time. And for the continued and, as far as space permits, detailed criticism of the work, it may be pleaded that criticism of Scott has for many years been chiefly general, while in criticism, even more than in other things, generalities are deceptive.

CONTENTS

PAGE
CHAPTER I

LIFE TILL MARRIAGE 9

CHAPTER II

EARLY LITERARY WORK 20

CHAPTER III

THE VERSE ROMANCES 38

CHAPTER IV

THE NOVELS, FROM _WAVERLEY_ TO _REDGAUNTLET_ 69

CHAPTER V

THE DOWNFALL OF BALLANTYNE & COMPANY 104

CHAPTER VI

LAST WORKS AND DAYS 118

CHAPTER VII

CONCLUSION 139

SIR WALTER SCOTT