IN the romance of "Waverley," the gifted author depicts the manners of
Scottish Highlanders at the period of the '45. The tale was sketched
out, and one-third written in 1805. Laid aside till 1811, it was then
resumed; it appeared anonymously in 1814. For the copyright, Constable
tendered £700, but the offer was declined on the ground that the sum
was too much should the novel prove a failure, and too little if it were
successful. The success exceeded the utmost expectations both of the
author and the publishers.
In MacMurrough's Chant, Mr Daniel Maclise, R.A., represents a scene in
the twentieth chapter. Waverley is entertained at Glennaquoich by Fergus
Maclvor in the hall of his ancestor, _Ian-nan-Chaistel_, "John of the
Tower." The hall occupied all the first storey of the original erection,
and a huge oak table extended through its whole length. The company
was numerous, even to crowding. At the head of the table sat the
chief himself, with Waverley, and two or three Highland visitors
of neighbouring tribes; the elders of his own tribe, wadsetters and
tacksmen, who occupied portions of his estate, as mortgagers or
lessees, sat next in rank; beneath them, their sons and nephews, and
foster-brethren; then the officers of the chief's household, according
to their order; and lowest of all, the tenants.... Beyond this long
perspective, upon the green, to which a huge pair of folding doors
opened, might be seen a multitude of Highlanders of a yet inferior
description, who, nevertheless, were considered as guests, and had their
share both of the countenance of the entertainer and the cheer of the
day. In the distance, and fluctuating round the extreme verge of the
banquet, was a changeful group of women, ragged boys and girls, beggars
young and old.
[Illustration: 028]
[Illustration: 029]
The banquet was approaching its close, when the chief signalled the
piper to cease, and then exclaimed, "Where is the song hidden, my
friends, that MacMurrough cannot find it?" The _bhairdh_ took the hint,
and began to chant, with low and rapid utterance, a profusion of
Celtic verses. As he advanced in his declamation, his ardour seemed to
increase: he had at first spoken with eyes fixed on the ground; he now
cast them around, as if beseeching, and anon as if commanding attention;
and his tones rose into wild and impassioned notes, accompanied with
appropriate gestures. The poet's ardour communicated itself to the
audience; their wild and sun-burnt countenances assumed a fiercer and
more animated expression; all bent towards the reciter, many sprang up
and waved their arms in ecstasy, and some laid their hands upon their
swords.
*****
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!"