The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

318 WAVERlLEY NOVELS.
mean to take any undue state on myself, when I observe, that this interview was marked with circumstances in some degree more formally complaisant than those which attended your meeting with him in our worthy
publisher's; for yours had the appearance of a fortuitous rencontre, whereas
mine was preceded by the communication of a large roll of papers, containing a new history, called PEVERIL OF THE PEAK.
I no sooner found that this manuscript consisted of a narrative, running
to the length of perhaps three hundred and thirty pages in each volume, or
thereabouts, than it instantly occurred to me from whom this boon came;
and having set myself to peruse the written sheets, I began to entertain
strong expectations that I might, peradventure, next see the author himself.
Again, it seems to me a marked circumstance, that, whereas an inner
apartment of Mr. Constable's shop was thought a place of sufficient solemnity for your audience, our venerable senior was pleased to afobrd mine in
the recesses of my own lodging, intra parietes, as it were, and without the
chance of interruption. I must also remark, that the features, form, and
dress of the Eidolon, as you well term the apparition of our parent, seemed
to me more precisely distinct than was vouchsafed to you on the former
occasion. Of this hereafter; but Heaven forbid I should glory or set up
any claim of superiority over the other descendants of our common parent,
from such decided marks of his preference - Laus propria sordel. I am
well satisfied that the honour was bestowed not on my person, but my cloth
-that the preference did not elevate Jonas Dryasdust over Clutterbuck, but
the Doctor of Divinity over the Captain. Cedant arma toge - a maxim
never to be forgotten at any time, but especially to be remembered when
the soldier is upon half-pay.
But I bethink me that I am keeping you all this while in the porch, and
wearying you with long inductions, when you would have me properare in
mediam rem. As you will, it shall be done; for as his grace is wont to say
of me wittily, "No man tells a story so well as Dr. Dryasdust, when he has
once got up to the starting-post." —Jocose hoc. But to continue.
I had skimmed the cream of the narrative which I had received about a
week before, and that with no small cost and pain; for the hand of our
parent is become so small and so crabbed, that I was obliged to use strong
magnifiers. Feeling my eyes a little exhausted towards the close of the
second volume, I leaned back in my easy-chair, and began to consider
whether several of the objections which have particularly urged against our
father and patron, might not be considered as applying, in an especial manner, to the papers I had just perused. " HIere are figments enough," said I
to myself, " to confuse the march of a whole history - anachronisms enough
to overset all chronology! The old gentleman hath broken all bounds —
abiit - evasit - erupit."
As these thoughts passed through my mind, I fell into a fit of musing,
which is not uncommon with me after dinner, when I am altogether alone,
or have no one with me but my curate. I was awake, however; for I remember seeing, in the embers of the fire, a representation of a mitre, with the
towers of a cathedral in the background; moreover, I recollect gazing for a
certain time on the' comely countenance of Dr. Whiterose, my uncle by the
mother's side — the same who is mentioned in THE HEART or MIID-LOTHIAN
— whose portrait, graceful in wig and canonicals, hangs above my manjtelpiece. Farther, I remember marking the flowers in the frame of carved oak,
and casting my eye on the pistols which hang beneath, being the fire-arms
with which, in the eventful year 1746, my uncle meant to have espoused the
cause of Prince Charles Edward; for, indeed, so little did he esteem personal
safety, in comparison of steady high-church principle, that he waited but the
news of the Adventurer's reaching London to hasten to join his standard.
Such a dose as I then enjoyed, I find compatible with indulging the best
%nd deepest cogitations which at any time arise in my mind. I chew the