THIS highly interesting and popular romance was published on the 30th
May 1822. Next day Constable wrote from London to the author as follows:
"I learn with astonishment, but not less delight, that the press is
at work again. A new novel, from the author of Waverley, puts aside-in
other words, puts down for the time-every other literary performance.
The smack 'Ocean,' by which the new work was shipped, arrived at the
wharf on Sunday; the bales were got out by _one_ on Monday morning, and
before half-past _ten_ o'clock, 7000 copies had been dispersed from
90 Cheapside."* Though chiefly connected with the fortunes of George
Heriot, the benevolent Scottish jeweller, who founded the Hospital at
Edinburgh which bears his name, the novel fully depicts the habits of
English court life during the reign of James I. The character of that
weak and vacillating prince, and the corrupt manners which he introduced
or countenanced, are skilfully set forth.
* Constable's London Agents, Messrs Hunt, Robertson, & Co.,
had their premises in Cheapside.
The accompanying illustration represents the meeting of King James
and Nigel Olifaunt When the king had leisure to take a view of his new
companion, he exclaimed, "Ye are nane of our train, man; in the name of
God, what are ye?"
"If your majesty will look on me," said Nigel, "you will see one whom
necessity makes bold to avail himself of an opportunity which may
never occur again." The king looked-his face became pale-he dropped the
_couteau de chasse_ from his hand, and exclaimed, "Glenvarlochides, as
sure as I am christened James Stuart: this is a bonnie spot of work,
and me alone and on foot too!" The prince meanwhile came up, and seeing
Nigel, thus accosted him, "Sir, you knew yourself to be accused of a
heavy offence, and instead of rendering yourself up to justice, you are
found intruding yourself upon his majesty's presence, and armed with
unlawful weapons."
"Hear me, hear me, noble prince!" said Nigel, eagerly, "hear me;
you-even you yourself-may one day ask to be heard, and in vain."
"How am I to construe that, my lord?" said the prince, haughtily. "If
not on earth, sir," replied the prisoner, "yet to heaven we must all
pray for patient and favourable audience."
"Well, sir," said the prince, "we will ourselves look into your case."
[Illustration: 089]
[Illustration: 090]
Mr Cruikshank represents the encounter between the citizen and the
soldier. The citizen took his ground in the midst of the bowling alley,
brandishing his blade, as if he were to measure cambric with it; while
the captain stood at the distance of twelve paces, having looked over
his shoulder to secure a retreat. Perceiving that the man of war did not
advance, the citizen rushed at him, beat down his guard, and thrust, as
it seemed, his sword clean through his body, when he, with a deep
groan, fell lengthwise on the ground. A score of voices exclaimed to the
conqueror, as he stood utterly overcome by his own feat, "Away with you!
Fly to Whitefriars', while we keep off the constables." While the hero
was flying with all speed, they raised the fallen swordsman, and
opening his vest to search for a wound which did not exist, he suddenly
recovered his senses; and concluding "that the ordinary was no longer
a place or stage on which to display his valour, took to his heels,
pursued by the laughter and shouts of the assemblage."