Queenhoo-Hall was not, however, very successful.I thought Iwas aware of the reason, and supposed that, by rendering his language too ancient, and displaying his antiquarian knowledge too liberally, the ingenious author had raised up an obstacle to his own success.Every work designed for mere amusement must be expressed in language easily comprehended; and when, as is sometimes the case in Queenhoo-Hall, the author addresses himself exclusively to the Antiquary, he must be content to be dismissed by the general reader with the criticism of Mungo, in the Padlock, on the Mauritanian music, ``What signifies me hear, if me no understand?''
I conceived it possible to avoid this error; and by rendering a similar work more light and obvious to general comprehension, to escape the rock on which my predecessor was shipwrecked.But Iwas, on the other hand, so far discouraged by the indifferent reception of Mr.Strutt's romance, as to become satisfied that the manners of the middle ages did not possess the interest which I had conceived;and was led to form the opinion that a romance founded on a Highland story, and more modern events, would have a better chance of popularity than a tale of chivalry.My thoughts, therefore, returned more than once to the tale which I had actually commenced, and accident at length threw the lost sheets in my way.
I happened to want some fishing-tackle for the use of a guest, when it occurred to me to search the old, writing-desk already mentioned, in which I used to keep articles of that nature.I got access to it with some difficulty, and in looking for lines and flies the long-lost manuscript presented itself.I immediately set to work to complete it according to my original purpose.And here I must frankly confess that the mode in which I conducted the story scarcely deserved the success which the romance afterwards attained.The tale of Waverley was put together with so little care, that I cannot boast of having sketched any distinct plan of the work.The whole adventures of Waverley, in his movements up and down the country with the Highland cateran Bean Lean, are managed without much skill.It suited best, however, the road I wanted to travel, and permitted me to introduce some descriptions of scenery and manners to which the reality gave an interest which the powers of the author might have otherwise failed to attain for them.And though I have been in other instances a sinner in this sort, I do not recollect any of these novels in which I have transgressed so widely as in the first of the series.
Among other unfounded reports, it has been said that the copyright of Waverley was, during the book's progress through the press, offered for sale to various booksellers in London at a very inconsiderable price.This was not the case.Messrs.Constable and Cadell, who published the work, were the only persons acquainted with the contents of the publication, and they offered a large sum for it while in the course of printing, which, however, was declined, the author not choosing to part with the copyright.
The origin of the story of Waverley, and the particular facts on which it is founded, are given in the separate Introduction prefixed to that romance in this edition, and require no notice in this place.
Waverley was 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 had increased in a degree which must have satisfied the expectations of the author, had these been far more sanguine than he ever entertained.
Great anxiety was expressed to learn the name of the author, but on this no authentic information could be attained.My original motive for publishing the work anonymously, was the consciousness that it was an experiment on the public taste which might very probably fail, and therefore there was no occasion to take on myself the personal risk of discomfiture.For this purpose considerable precautions were used to preserve secrecy.My old friend and schoolfellow, Mr.James Ballantyne, who printed these Novels, had the exclusive task of corresponding with the Author, who thus had not only the advantage of his professional talents, but also of his critical abilities.The original manuscript, or, as it is technically called, copy, was transcribed under Mr.Ballantyne's eye by confidential persons; nor was there an instance of treachery during the many years in which these precautions were resorted to, although various individuals were employed at different times.Double proof-sheets were regularly printed off.One was forwarded to the author by Mr.
Ballantyne, and the alterations which it received were, by his own hand, copied upon the other proof-sheet for the use of the printers, so that even the corrected proofs of the author were never seen in the printing office; and thus the curiosity of such eager inquirers as made the most minute investigation, was entirely at fault.