Marmion had been published at the very commencement of the year 1808; within a few weeks thereafter appeared "The Works of John Dryden, in eighteen volumes, illustrated with Notes, Historical, Critical, and Explanatory, and a Life of the Author, by Walter Scott, Esq." 'n 1809, he assisted in editing "The State Papers and Letters of Sir Ralph Sadler," which appeared in two expensive volumes, in 4to. In the same year, Sir Walter contributed like assistance to a new edition of lord Somers's invaluable collection of tracts, which appeared in twelve volumes, 4to. He also became a contributor to an Annual Register, on a more ambitious principle than any hitherto attempted a work at first edited by Mr Southey.

Fortunately for all the lovers of poetry, the mountain-harp was not yet set aside amidst these more severe studies in prose, and in "The Lady of the Lake," Sir Walter Scott appeared to have produced the finest specimen of which his genius was capable. In 1811, appeared "Don Roderick," a dreamy vaticination of modern Spanish history; and in 1813, he published "Rokeby," in which he attempted, to invest English scenery and a tale of the civil war, with the charm which he had already thrown over the Scottish Highlands, and Borders, and their romantic inhabitants. Rokeby met with a decidedly unfavourable reception, which only excited him to a more strenuous effort; and, in 1814, he published "The Lord of the Isles." Even the name of Bruce, however, could not compensate the want of what had been the most captivating charm of his earlier productions the development of new powers and styles of poesy. He afterwards published anonymously two smaller poems in succession, named "The Bridal of Triermain," and " Harold the Dauntless;" but they made a very slight impression upon the public.

From these instances of want of success, it now became evident to Sir Walter, that he must "change his hand," if he wished to continue in favour with the public. Waverley was, therefore, published in 1814; and, as the title-page was without the name of the author, the work was left to win its way in the world without any of the usual recommendations.

Its progress was for some time slow; but, after the first two or three months, its popularity increased in a degree which must have satisfied the expectations of the author, had these been far more sanguine than he ever entertained. To Waverley succeeded, in 1815, Guy Mannering; in 1816, the Antiquary, and the First Series of the Tales of my Landlord, containing the Black Dwarf and Old Mortality; in 1818, Rob Roy, and the Second Series of the Tales of my Landlord, containing the Heart of MidLothian; and, in 1819, the Third Series of the Tales of my Landlord, containing the Bride of Lammermoor and a Legend of Montrose.

Having now drawn upon public curiosity to the extent of twelve volumes under two incognitos, he thought it necessary to adopt a third; and, accordingly, he intended Ivanhoe, which appeared in the beginning of 1820, to come forth as the first work of a new candidate for public favour; namely, Lawrence Templeton. From this design he was diverted by the publication of a novel at London, pretending to be a fourth series of the Tales of my Landlord. It was therefore judged necessary that Ivanhoe should appear as a veritable production of the author of Waverley. To it succeeded, in the course of the same year, the Monastery and the Abbot, which were reckoned the least meritorious of all his prose tales. In the beginning of the year 1821 appeared Kenilworth, making twelve volumes, if not written, at least published, in as many months. In 1822 he produced the Pirate and the Fortunes of Nigel; in 1823, Peveril of the Peak and Quentin Durward; in 1824, St Ronan's Well and Redgauntlet; in 1825, Tales of the Crusaders; in 1826, Woodstock; in 1827, Chronicles of the Canongate, first series; in 1828, Chronicles of the Canongate, second series; in 1829, Anne of Geierstein; and, in 1831, a fourth series of Tales of my Landlord, in four volumes, containing two tales, respectively entitled, Count Robert of Paris, and Castle Dangerous. The whole of these novels, except where otherwise specified, consisted of three volumes, and, with those formerly enumerated, make up the amount of his fictitious prose compositions to the enormous sum of seventy-four volumes.

Throughout the whole of his career, both as a poet and novelist, Sir Walter was in the habit of turning aside occasionally to less important avocations of a literary character. He was a contributor to the Edin burgh Review during the first few years of its exis tence, and to the Quarterly Review he was a considerable contributor, especially for the last five or six years of his life, during which, that excellent periodical was conducted by his son-in-law, Mr Lockhart. To the Supplement of the Sixth Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, he contributed the articles "Chivalry," "Romance," and the Drama."

In 1814, he edited "The Works of Swift," in 19 volumes, with a Life of the Author; a heavy work, but which, nevertheless, required a reprint some years afterwards. In 1814, Sir Walter gave his name and an elaborate introductory essay to a work, entitled "Border Antiquities," (two vols., 4to,) which consisted of engravings of the principal antique objects on both sides of the Border, accompanied by descriptive letter-press. In 1815, he made a tour through France and Belgium, visiting the scene of the recent victory over Napoleon. The result was a lively traveller's volume, under the title of "Paul's Letters to ais Kinsfolk," and a poem styled "The Field of Waterloo." In the same year, he joined with Mr Robert Jameson and Mr Henry Weber, in composing

quarto on Icelandic Antiquities. In 1819, he published "An Account of the Regalia of Scotland," and undertook to furnish the letter-press to a second collection of engravings, under the title of "Provincial Antiquities and Picturesque Scenery of Scotland." In 1822, Sir Walter published "Trivial Poems and Triolets, by P. Carey, with a Preface;" and, in 1822, appeared his dramatic poem of "Halidon Hill." In the succeeding year, he contributed a smaller dramatic poem, under the title of Macduff's Cross," to a collection of Miss Joanna Baillie. The sum of his remaining poetical works may here be made up, by adding "The Doom of Devorgoil," and "The Auchindrane Tragedy," which appeared in one volume in 1830. It cannot be said of any of these compositions, that they have made a deep impression upon the public. In consequence of these high literary achieve

ments, his Majesty George IV. was pleased, in March, 1820, to create him a baronet of the United Kingdom, being the first to whom he had extended that honour after his accession to the crown.

This

In 1825, Mr Constable having projected a cheap series of original and selected works, engaged Sír Walter to compose a "Life of Bonaparte.' work was in progress, when, in January, 1826, Messrs Constable & Co., became bankrupt. For many years before, Sir Walter had been in the habit of drawing bills, at long dates, upon his publishers, as payment of the copy-right of his works; and, as he occasionally was obliged with their acceptances on the strength of works not yet written, he was in some measure compelled, by a sense of gratitude, to give his name to other obligations, which were incurred by the house, for the purpose of taking up the original engagements. Thus, although Sir Walter appeared to receive payment for his literary labours in a very prompt manner, he was pledging away his name all the while, for sums perhaps not much inferior in amount to those which he realized; so that, in the long run, he stood engaged to certain banks, in behalf of Messrs Constable & Co., for, it is said, about £60,000; in other words, a great portion of the earnings of his literary life.

The blow was endured with a magnanimity worty of the greatest writer of the age. In the marriage contract of Sir Walter's eldest son, the estate of Abbotsford had been settled upon the young pair, and it was therefore beyond the reach of his creditors. By this legal arrangement, indeed, Sir Walter had hardly any property to present against the immense amount of his debts. There was one asset, however, which greatly surpassed the worldly goods of most debtors his head. “Gentlemen," said he to the claimants using the Spanish proverb, "time and I against two. Let me take this good ally into company, and I believe I shall be able to pay you every farthing." He further proposed, in their behalf, to insure the sum of £22,000 upon his life. A trust deed was accordingly executed, in which he was considered a member of the printing firm of James Ballantyne & Co,; and it appeared that the whole debts, including what inust