THE WAVERLEY NOVELS
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“Waverley,” the first of a series of novels unsurpassed for power,
picturesqueness, and variety, as well as healthy sentiment and morality,
was published anonymously in three volumes on the 7th July 1814. This
edition of 1000 copies was sold within five weeks. A second of 2000
followed immediately, and a third and fourth, each of 1000, appeared
in October and November of the same year. The mystery in which the
author had chosen to shroud himself, and the high literary character
of the work, had meanwhile given rise to an intensity of interest and
speculation hitherto unparalleled in the history of literature. Scott was
pressed by his few friends who were in the secret to own the authorship,
and take to himself the laurels which were being freely handed about.
He steadfastly refused, and wrote the following humorous reply to one of
John Ballantyne’s expostulations:—
“No, John, I will not own the book—
I won’t, you _Picaroon_!
When next I try St. Grubby’s brook,
The A. of Wa—— shall bait the hook,
And flat-fish bite as soon,
As if before them they had got
The worn-out _wriggler_—Walter Scott.”
About 40,000 copies of “Waverley” were sold previous to the publication
of the first uniform edition of the novels, with introductions and notes
by the author, in 1829.
“The Lord of the Isles,” which Scott alludes to as closing his poetic
labours upon an extended scale, appeared on the 18th January 1815. This
poem, the title of which was originally intended to be “The Nameless
Glen,” was received with perhaps less favour than former ones. Regarding
“The Lord of the Isles,” James Ballantyne had a somewhat delicate task
to perform, of which he left the following account: “‘Well, James,’ said
Scott to his printer, ‘I have given you a week; what are people saying
about “The Lord of the Isles”?’ I hesitated a little, after the fashion
of Gil Blas, but he speedily brought the matter to a point. ‘Come,’ he
said, ‘speak out, my good fellow; what has put it into your head to be
on so much ceremony _with me_ all of a sudden? But I see how it is, the
result is given in one word—Disappointment!’ My silence admitted his
inference to the fullest extent. His countenance certainly did look
rather blank for a few seconds; in truth, he had been wholly unprepared
for the event; for it is a singular fact that, before the public, or
rather the booksellers, gave their decision, he no more knew whether he
had written well or ill, than whether a die thrown out of a box was to
turn up a ‘size’ or an ace. However, he instantly resumed his spirits,
and expressed his wonder rather that his poetic popularity should have
lasted so long, than that it should now at last have given way. At length
he said, with perfect cheerfulness: ‘Well, well, James, so be it;—but,
you know, we must not droop, for we can’t afford to give over. Since
one line has failed, we must just stick to something else,’ and so he
dismissed me, and resumed his novel.”
The interest taken in the growing success of the mysterious “Waverley”
was greatly heightened, and the curious public were somewhat bewildered,
by the simultaneous announcement with the publication of “The Lord of
the Isles” of another prose work of fiction by the A. of W——, nearly
ready for issue. This work, “Guy Mannering”—the result of six weeks’
labour of the Christmas recess—appeared on the 24th February 1815, and
was pronounced by universal consent to be worthy of its author. The
first edition, consisting of 2000 copies, was sold out the day after
publication, and within three months second and third editions, amounting
to 5000 copies, were also disposed of; and before 1837 the total sale
reckoned up to 50,000.
The poem of “The Field of Waterloo” was issued in October 1815, the
profits of the first edition being Scott’s contribution to the fund
raised for the widows and orphans of the soldiers slain in the battle.
Lockhart’s “Life” (v. 99-104) contains a list, much too lengthy to
reproduce here, of the Ballantynes’ suggestions on this poem, with
Scott’s objections and admissions. One or two instances of those by James
may, however, be given:—
“Stanza I.—‘Fair Brussels, thou art far behind.’
_James Ballantyne._—I do not like this line. It is tame, and
the phrase _far behind_ has, to my feeling, some associated
vulgarity.
_Scott._—Stet.
Stanza VIII.—‘Nor ceased the _intermitted_ shot.’
_James._—Mr. Erskine contends that _intermitted_ is redundant.
_Scott._—‘Nor ceased the _storm of shell and shot_.’
Stanza XII.—‘Nor was one forward footstep _stopped_.’
_James._—This staggering word was intended, I presume, but I
don’t like it.
_Scott._—Granted. Read _staid_, &c.
Stanza XV.—‘Wrung forth by pride, _regret_, and shame.’
_James._—I have ventured to submit to your choice—
‘Wrung forth by pride, _and rage_, and shame.’
_Regret_ appearing a faint epithet amidst such a combination of
bitter feelings.
_Scott._—Granted.
Stanza XXI.—‘Through his friend’s heart to _wound_ his own.’
_James._—Quære—_Pierce_, or rather _stab_—_wound_ is faint.
_Scott._—_Pierce._”
Constable (iii. 84) says regarding this revision: “No better evidence of
Scott’s constitutional good nature could be given than will be found
in the strictures on this poem by James and John Ballantyne when it was
passing through the press, and the genial manner in which he either
agrees or declines to give effect to them.” And Mr. Andrew Lang in his
“Life of Scott”[26] testifies: “The emendations made by John Ballantyne
on the proof-sheets of this effort show considerable intelligence and
taste, and in several cases were approved of and accepted by the author,
though he once said that he was ‘The Black Brunswicker of literature, who
neither took nor gave criticism.’”
“Paul’s Letters to his Kinsfolk,” a series of letters describing a visit
to Belgium and the field of Waterloo, appeared in January 1816 as an
octavo volume,—the first edition consisting of 6000 copies, followed
in the course of a few years by second and third editions of 3000. The
work, avowedly by Scott, was hailed as a specimen of his prose writing,
suggesting a comparison with that of the “Great Unknown.” The last of the
“copy” of these letters reached James Ballantyne on the 26th December
1815, and contained a few lines of Scott’s playful doggerel, having
reference also to his next novel:—
“DEAR JAMES,
I’m done, thank God, with the long yarns
Of the most prosy of Apostles—Paul;
And now advance, sweet Heathen of Monkbarns,
Step out, old quiz, as fast as I can scrawl.”
“The Antiquary,” begun towards the close of 1815, was issued in May 1816.
Six days sufficed to exhaust the edition, which consisted of as many
thousand copies. This work attained a popularity not inferior to that of
its predecessors. It was while correcting the proof-sheets of this novel
that the author took to fabricating mottoes for the chapter headings. One
day John Ballantyne, who was sitting beside him, was asked to hunt for
a certain passage in Beaumont and Fletcher, and as he did not succeed,
“Hang it, Johnnie,” said Scott, “I believe I can make a motto sooner than
you will find one.” From that time he had recourse to his own invention,
attributing the mottoes to “old ballad” or “old play.”
The same year, October 1816, saw the publication of another volume of
the _Edinburgh Annual Register_, containing an historical sketch of the
year 1814 by Scott, sufficient of itself to form the contents of a large
volume.
On the 1st of December 1816 the First Series of the “Tales of My
Landlord,” containing “Old Mortality” and “The Black Dwarf,” appeared,
but minus the talismanic words “By the Author of ‘Waverley.’” This
work, published by John Murray, was received with undiminished favour;
and all doubt as to whether these “Tales” proceeded from the pen of
the author of “Waverley” was set at rest in a week, and within two
months three editions of 2000 each were printed. Murray and Blackwood
had still in stock a large number of copies of this book, when John
Ballantyne advertised a new edition, in disregard of arrangements with
the publishers. He was expostulated with, and threatened with an action
for damages; but as this would have revealed the author, who was still
the “Great Unknown,” the matter was compromised and the books were
transferred to Constable.
“Harold the Dauntless, by the Author of ‘Triermain,’” was published in
January 1817. The “History of the Year 1815,” by Scott, appeared in the
_Register_, published in August 1817; and time was also found to prepare
an Introduction to a richly illustrated quarto edition of the “Border
Antiquities,” which was issued a month later.
“Rob Roy,” projected in May and arranged for by Constable, was issued in
December 1817. It started with a first edition of 10,000, and within a
fortnight a second of 3000 more was required. While the manuscript of the
novels was usually transcribed by the Ballantynes, this one was copied
by George Stillie, a clerk at Paul’s Work. He died a few days after
James Ballantyne in 1833. His brother James was in the service of John
Ballantyne in Hanover Street, and, on the failure of that business, was
employed at Paul’s Work. James Stillie was afterwards a bookseller in
Edinburgh for many years, and his shop in George Street was the resort
of book-collectors from all parts of the kingdom—including Mr. Gladstone
when he came to Edinburgh. He lived to a great age, and died in August
1893.
Scott had scarcely completed “Rob Roy” when he projected the Second
Series of the “Tales of My Landlord,” in which was comprised “The Heart
of Midlothian,” to be ready by the 4th June 1818, at which date it duly
appeared. The Third Series of the “Tales” came out on the 10th June
1819. This Series included “The Bride of Lammermoor” and the “Legend of
Montrose.” Scott had suffered severely in health for some time previous,
and the work was received with a sad presentiment that it might be the
last from its author’s pen; but, except in a few errors, the result of
his inability to correct the proof-sheets, no one could perceive the
slightest indication of his illness.
On the 18th December 1819 the romance of “Ivanhoe” appeared. The work
was hailed in England “with a more clamorous delight than any of the
_Scotch novels_ had been.” It came out in three vols., post 8vo, price
30s., and in this original form 12,000 copies were sold. “Mr. Ballantyne
the printer, who is a good judge, speaks very highly of this romance”
(“Scott’s Letters,” ii. 63).
“The Monastery” was published by Longman & Co. in March 1820. It
appeared in three vols. 12mo, like the earlier works of the Series. Its
popularity was enhanced by “The Abbot,” which followed in September,
published by the same firm, in conjunction with Constable.
“Kenilworth” appeared in January 1821, three vols. post 8vo, similar to
“Ivanhoe,” and this form was adhered to in all the subsequent volumes of
the Series. “Kenilworth” was one of the most successful of all at the
time of publication, and will probably continue to hold a place in the
highest rank of prose fiction.
The splendid romance of “The Pirate” was published in the beginning of
December 1821; and “The Fortunes of Nigel” on the 30th May 1822, followed
in June by the dramatic sketch of “Halidon Hill.” For the copyright of
the last Constable paid Scott the sum of £1000. “Nigel” took its place
amongst the first of Scott’s romances, and on publication was eagerly
sought after. According to a letter of Constable, “so keenly were the
people devouring my friend _Jingling Geordie_” (George Heriot, one of
the leading characters in the story), “that I actually saw them reading
it in the streets” (of London) “as they passed along.”
At this time the profits of the author’s works were estimated at from
£10,000 to £15,000 a year, and Ballantyne’s presses were taxed to their
utmost. In addition to the ordinary work of the office, he had also
in hand for Constable a reprint of Scott’s Poetical Works, miniature
edition, ten vols., 5000 copies; Novels and Tales, twelve vols.,
miniature edition, 5000 copies; Historical Romances, six vols., 5000
copies; Poetry from “Waverley,” &c., one vol., 5000 copies—equal to
145,000 volumes; to which from thirty to forty thousand may be added as
the result of Scott’s daily industry within the space of twelve months.
“Peveril of the Peak” appeared in January 1823. The work was at first
rather coldly received, but was finally pronounced not unworthy of
Scott’s pen. “Quentin Durward” followed in June, and attained great
popularity. In this novel he had, for the first time, ventured on foreign
ground, and the French public were seized with a frenzy of delight,
to find that Louis XI. and Charles the Bold had started into life
again under the wand of the Northern Magician. The excitement in Paris
equalled that of Edinburgh under the influence of the first appearance of
“Waverley,” or that of London under the spell of “Ivanhoe.”
Constable during this year completed the purchase from Scott of the
copyright of the Waverley Novels, for which he had paid up to this time
the sum of £22,000, in addition to Scott’s half-share of profits of the
early editions. The novel of “St. Ronan’s Well” was published in December
1823.
Immediately on the conclusion of “St. Ronan’s Well,” Sir Walter began
“Redgauntlet,” which was published in June 1824. It was originally called
“Herries,” until Constable and James Ballantyne persuaded the author to
choose the more striking name. This fascinating work contains more of
the author’s personal experiences than any of his previous fictions,
or even than all of them put together,—not to mention the incomparable
legend of “Wandering Willie’s Tale.” It was the only novel Scott produced
during this year, but he was abundantly occupied in preparing for
press the second edition of his voluminous Swift, the additions and
corrections to which were numerous and careful. Towards the end of the
year the “Tales of the Crusaders” were begun, and were issued in June
1825. “The Betrothed” found little favour with James Ballantyne, and his
remonstrance weighed so much with the author that he resolved to cancel
it altogether. Meanwhile, spurred by disappointment, he began another
story, “The Talisman.” The brightness of this new tale dazzled the eyes
of the public; and the burst of favour which attended the brilliant
procession of Saladin and Cœur-de-Lion considerably modified Scott’s
literary plans, and “The Betrothed” was issued under its wing.
“The Letters of Malachi Malagrowther,” written against the Government
proposal to interfere with the Scottish banking system,[27] appeared on
the 1st of March 1826; and on the day following Scott writes: “The First
Epistle of Malachi already out of print.” These Letters—of which there
were three—first appeared in Ballantyne’s _Edinburgh Weekly Journal_, and
were afterwards collected into a pamphlet and published by Blackwood.
This ran into numerous editions, the Scottish banks taking hundreds of
copies for gratuitous circulation. It was often referred to in subsequent
discussions in Parliament, and is believed to have had considerable
influence in causing the abandonment of the measure. A fourth Letter was
written in December 1830, but, in deference to the opinions of James
Ballantyne and Cadell the publisher, the essay, though put in type, was
never issued, and manuscript and proof were finally consigned to the
flames.
“Woodstock,” written during a period of great commercial distress, was
finished in April and issued in June 1826. This most successful novel
realised the large sum of £8228.
The “Life of Bonaparte,” which had been in progress during two years of
deep affliction, was published in June 1827. Its contents are equal to
thirteen volumes of the Waverley Novels in their original form. The first
and second editions produced the enormous sum of £18,000. Regarding
the “Life of Bonaparte” there is a characteristic entry in Scott’s
“Journal,” dated September 6, 1826, referring to some suggestions of
James Ballantyne:—
“I had a letter from Jem Ballantyne—plague on him!—full of remonstrance,
deep and solemn, upon the carelessness of ‘Bonaparte.’ _The rogue is
right, too._ But as to correcting my style to the ‘Jemmy jemmy linkum
feedle’ tune of what is called fine writing, I’ll be d——d if I do.”
Scott also at this time superintended the first collection of his
Prose Miscellanies, published in six vols. 8vo, several articles being
remodelled and extended to adapt them for a more permanent existence than
had been originally thought of.
The First Series of “Chronicles of the Canongate” was published in
November 1827, but the work did not meet with the favour awarded to his
previous writings, and Sir Walter was much discouraged. Yet the wondrous
power and fertility of his genius remained undiminished, and the First
Series of “Tales of a Grandfather” followed in December. It met with
a heartier reception than any other of his works since “Ivanhoe,” and
years only add to its popularity. The “Chronicles of the Canongate,”
Second Series, three vols. 8vo, and “Tales of a Grandfather,” Second
Series, three vols. 18mo, were both published in 1828. In this year
was also published “Religious Discourses by a Layman,” being signed by
“W.S.” These were originally written by Sir Walter Scott to aid a young
candidate for the ministry in the Kirk of Scotland.
“The Fair Maid of Perth” was finished in March, and published in April
of the same year. “Anne of Geierstein” appeared about the middle of May
1829. The Third Series of “Tales of a Grandfather” appeared this year;
and Scott’s remaining labours were: In 1829—“History of Scotland,”
Vol. I.; Waverley Novels, Vols I. to VIII., with new Introductions and
Notes (monthly). In 1830—“Doom of Devorgoil” and “Auchindrane”; “Essays
on Ballad Poetry”; “Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft”; “Tales of
a Grandfather,” Fourth Series; “History of Scotland,” Vol. II. In
1831—“Count Robert of Paris” and “Tales of My Landlord,” Fourth Series.
When the publishing of the Waverley Novels passed into the hands of
Cadell, about 1825-26, and the issue of the author’s own edition
commenced in 1829—this being playfully distinguished by Scott himself
as “the _Magnum_”—the sale again proved large. The legends, family
traditions, and historical facts which formed the groundwork of the
novels were now added by the author himself, and attracted anew the
public attention. Cadell began this edition with 7000, raised the
estimate to 10,000, and then to 12,000, while the ultimate circulation
rose to about 35,000 a month—a figure then unprecedented. This, it
should be remembered, was probably done on the hand-press, as the
printing-machine was making slow headway, and must have greatly taxed
the resources of the printing-house. The publication arrangements of
the novels and other works mentioned in this chapter were variously and
sometimes jointly made by Constable, Blackwood, Longman, Murray, John
Ballantyne, and latterly by Cadell.
Since that time many editions of Scott’s Poetical and Prose Works have
passed through the Ballantyne Press. One of the most important is the
Border Edition of the Waverley Novels in forty-eight volumes, edited with
additional Introductions and Notes by Mr. Andrew Lang, illustrated with
many etchings, and published by John C. Nimmo, London. This edition has
now passed into the hands of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.