Guy ManneringThe tale was originally told me by an old servant of my father's, an excellent old Highlander, without a fault. He believed as firmly in the story as in any part of his creed. A grave and elderly person, according to old John MacKinlay's account, while traveling in the wilder parts of Galloway, was benighted. With difficulty he found his way to a country seat, where he was readily admitted. The owner of the house was much struck by the reverend appearance of his guest, and apologized to him for a certain degree of confusion which must unavoidably attend his reception. The lady of the house was, he said, confined to her apartment, and on the point of making her husband a father for the first time. Not so, sir, said the stranger; my wants are few, and easily supplied, and I trust the present circumstances may even afford an opportunity of showing my gratitude for your hospitality. Let me only request that I may be informed of the exact minute of the birth. I will not conceal from you that I am skillful in understanding and interpreting the movements of those planetary bodies which exert their influences on the destiny of mortals. competent estate, and only use the knowledge I possess for the benefit of those in whom I feel an interest... |
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Page iii
... a proportion of coast , it was , a century ago , peculiarly suited to be the resort of lawless characters . Dues and customs were very high , both on account of the heavy expenses of the wars of George II . , and because it.
... a proportion of coast , it was , a century ago , peculiarly suited to be the resort of lawless characters . Dues and customs were very high , both on account of the heavy expenses of the wars of George II . , and because it.
Page iv
... characters could not be pursued thither . The English crown endeavoured to repress this traffic by means of vessels watching the coast , and officers of excise , commonly called Gaugers , from their duty of gauging or measuring the ...
... characters could not be pursued thither . The English crown endeavoured to repress this traffic by means of vessels watching the coast , and officers of excise , commonly called Gaugers , from their duty of gauging or measuring the ...
Page v
... characters . As Scott tells us in his introduction to the later editions , the original of his Meg Merrilies was one Jean Gordon , whom his father well remembered as haunting the Border farms . She showed the same fidelity as Meg , and ...
... characters . As Scott tells us in his introduction to the later editions , the original of his Meg Merrilies was one Jean Gordon , whom his father well remembered as haunting the Border farms . She showed the same fidelity as Meg , and ...
Page vi
Walter Scott Charlotte Mary Yonge. the characters and destinies of mankind were affected by the heavenly bodies predominant in the skies at the time of a birth . The adjectives , mercurial , martial , jovial , and saturnine are word ...
Walter Scott Charlotte Mary Yonge. the characters and destinies of mankind were affected by the heavenly bodies predominant in the skies at the time of a birth . The adjectives , mercurial , martial , jovial , and saturnine are word ...
Page 7
... character which pervaded his life . I will give the reader some in- sight into his state and conversation , before he has finished a long lecture to Mannering , upon the propriety and com- fort of wrapping his stirrup - irons round with ...
... character which pervaded his life . I will give the reader some in- sight into his state and conversation , before he has finished a long lecture to Mannering , upon the propriety and com- fort of wrapping his stirrup - irons round with ...
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Common terms and phrases
Allonby answered appearance auld Aweel bairn better called Captain castle character Charles Hazlewood Charlies-hope Colonel Mannering counsellor Dandie dear Derncleugh deyvil Dinmont Dirk Hatteraick Dominie Sampson door e'en Ellangowan eyes father favour fear feelings fellow frae gentleman gipsy Glossin gude Guy Mannering hand head heard honour hope horse Julia justice justice of peace Kennedy Kippletringan Laird land lawyer Liddesdale light look Lucy Bertram lugger Mac-Candlish Mac-Guffog Mac-Morlan mair Mannering's Matilda maun Merrilies Mervyn's mind Miss Bertram Miss Mannering morning muckle never night occasion ower person Pleydell poor Portanferry postilion prisoner replied round ruin Sampson scene Scotland Scottish seemed Singleside smugglers stranger supposed tell there's thought tion turned Vanbeest Brown voice Warroch weel window woman wood Woodbourne ye'll young Hazlewood young lady younker