re must he
admire the industry and tact of Scott's biographer.

The Editor has also put together some examples of contemporary published
criticism which it is now not uninteresting to glance over. In selecting
these he has been aided by the kindness of Mrs. Ogilbie. From the
Abbotsford manuscripts and other sources he has added notes on points
which have become obscure by lapse of time. He has especially to thank,
for their courteous and ready assistance, Lady Napier and Ettrick, who
lent him Sir Walter's letters to her kinswoman, the Marchioness of
Abercorn; Mr. David Douglas, the editor and publisher of Scott's
"Journal," who has generously given the help of his antiquarian
knowledge; and Mr. David MacRitchie, who permitted him to use the
corrected proofs of "Redgauntlet."

ANDREW LANG

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE WAVERLEY NOVELS

It has been the occasional occupation of the Author of Waverley, for
several years past, to revise and correct the voluminous series of Novels
which pass under that name, in order that, if they should ever appear as
his avowed productions, he might render them in some degree deserving of
a continuance of the public favour with which they have been honoured
ever since their first appearance. For a long period, however, it seemed
likely that the improved and illustrated edition which he meditated would
be a posthumous publication. But the course of the events which
occasioned the disclosure of the Author's name having, in a great
measure, restored to him a sort of parental control over these Works, he
is naturally induced to give them to the press in a corrected, and, he
hopes, an improved form, while life and health permit the task of
revising and illustrating them. Such being his purpose, it is necessary
to say a few words on the plan of the proposed Edition.

In stating it to be revised and corrected, it is not to be inferred that
any attempt is made to alter the tenor of the stories, the character of
the actors, or the spirit of the dialogue. There is no doubt ample room
for emendation in all these points,--but where the tree falls it must
lie. Any attempt to obviate criticism, however just, by altering a work
already in the hands of the public is generally unsuccessful. In the most
improbable fiction, the reader still desires some air of vraisemblance,
and does not relish that the incidents of a tale familiar to him should
be altered to suit the taste of critics, or the caprice of the