Landscape - historical illustrations of Scotland, and the Waverley novels ... - George Newenham Wright

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BALMER, BENTLEY, CHISHOLM, HART, A.R.A., HARDING, Mc.CLISE, A.R.A., MELVILLE, &c. &c.

Comic Ellustrations by G. Cruikshank.

DESCRIPTIONS BY THE REV. G. N. WRIGHT, M. A., &c.

"O CALEDONIA! STERN AND WILD!
"MEET NURSE FOR A POETIC CHILD,

"LAND OF BROWN HEATH AND SHAGGY WOOD,
"LAND OF THE MOUNTAIN AND THE FLOOD."

VOL. I.

FISHER, SON, & Co.

LONDON, PARIS, & AMERICA.

THERE is no class of society in civilized Europe on which the writings of Sir Walter Scott have failed to produce a lasting impression. In Scotland his memory is cherished with a lover's fondness; in England, with the highest respect and admiration. Foreign countries so fully appreciate the rational and virtuous tendency of his works, that they have caused the whole series of the Waverley Novels to be translated into their respective languages: universal applause cannot be more unequivocally expressed. Amongst the peculiarities of these inimitable fictions are, the delineation of national character with a fidelity the most exact, and the description of scenery with a picturesqueness almost unequalled. Many of the characters and incidents of his tales are derived from real life: others are the legendary offspring of minds darkened by ignorance and superstition; while obsolete codes of belief furnished fragments still capable of contributing to the beauty of a greater structure. These characters and incidents have supplied the subjects of our Historic Illustrations.

Perhaps Scott's greatest powers are displayed in scenic descriptions-his haunted glen, his ruined. abbey, and deserted hall, are all sketched with the hand of a master. The originals of these he studied, from early life, in his native land: and whenever it was possible to ascertain the precise locality which constituted the original of the Novelist, our Landscape Illustration has been designed from it; exhibiting, therefore, at the same moment, a true and characteristic View in Scotland.

A reference to the Illustrations will supersede the necessity of laudatory language here: in speaking of Scottish scenery, our author has evinced the most unconfined topographical knowledge, and wandered, with the most varied fancy, over the romantic portions of every county in Caledonia; so that Illustrations of Scott may be considered identical with those of Scotland. To borrow the language of one of his countrymen, our author has touched on every place that derives an interest from historical associations, or enjoys a reputation from poetry and song. Wherever man has fought or loved-where human nature has appeared in circumstances of extraordinary pain or peril, innocence or degradation-where talent has shone, virtue flourished, magnificence dwelt, or misery endured the fanes of religion, the scenery of passion, the graves of the good." All these spots in the picturesque chart of Scotland, he has touched with a pencil of light, and imparted to them a brightness that will continue undiminished for ages yet to come. Higher authority may yet be added, to confirm the resolution of those who either doubt the fidelity of the poet or the painter, or distrust the compensation a tour in Scotland would afford :-" I have no dearer aim," says Burns, "than to make leisurely journeys through Caledonia; to sit on the fields of her battles—to wander on the romantic banks of her streams-and to muse by the stately towers of venerable ruins, once the honoured abodes of her heroes."

The Publishers assume the merit of having been the first to illustrate the scenes of mirth, of merriment, of humour, that often sparkle on and relieve the calm and beautiful narratives of human life which fill the pages of the Waverley Novels; and of having insured the success of the attempt by the quality of the talent employed in its execution. Some of Mr. Cruikshank's Interiors may suggest rather strange notions of Highland hospitality, but in this representation he does not stand alone.