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.
[Illustration: 032]
[Illustration: 033]
In his present etching, Mr George Cruikshank is eminently
characteristic. Dominie Sampson, as entreated by Mrs Bertram, had
undertaken the task of watching little Harry in his rambles. The worthy
Dominie was devoted to his charge, and was delighted with his success
in having brought him so far in his learning as to spell words of three
syllables. He dreaded the idea of the child being seized by gipsies; and
though the occupation essentially differed from his former mode of life,
he stalked about with young Harry, who, being only of five years, was
constantly rambling into awkward situations. Twice was the Dominie
pursued by a cross-grained cow, and at another time he plunged into a
brook in crossing it at the stepping-stones. At length he fell into the
peril depicted by the artist. In seeking to pluck a water-lily for the
young laird he fell into the slough of Lochend, in which he was bogged
up to the middle. In his plight he exclaimed as usual "Pro-di-gi-ous!"
amidst the laughter of the village matrons, one of whom offered her hand
to help him out. Another declared that "the laird might as weel trust
the care of his bairn to a potato-bogle."