Readings from the Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels

This novel was much changed by Scott's contemporary editors. It is now newly to be appreciated in The Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels where it is edited by J. B. Ellis, J. H. Alexander, and David Hewitt. Scott wrote two types of introduction: late in his career he wrote prefaces that gave the history of his composition and of the stories he told. These were designed to lend authority to the New Edition also known as the Magnum. Yet, as he wrote his novels in the first place, he wrote much more lively introductions featuring the fictive antiquarians and narrative personae behind which he played as anonymous "Author of Waverley". The introduction to The Betrothed jokingly enacts the meeting of these personae, each sure of their great importance. They are horrified to discover that through Dousterswivel, the villain from The Antiquary, the author contemplates producing novels by steam. And they debate the possibility of setting up a joint-stock Company to produce further novels. The introduction takes the form of a newspaper article written by a reporter hidden under the table - at least until he is discovered and summarily ejected.

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Harlech Castle, Merionethshire: A steel engraving made in 1891 by W. Richardson based on a drawing by R. K. Penson. Used with the permission of the Walter Scott Digital Archive Image Collection.

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The Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels. Volume Eighteen [A]. The Betrothed by Walter Scott.
Edited by J. B. Ellis, J. H. Alexander and David Hewitt. Published in 2009 by Edinburgh University Press.
© The University Court of the University of Edinburgh www.euppublishing.com/series/EEWN
Permission has been granted to The Edinburgh Sir Walter Scott Club for usage here until Dec.2012.

The Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels. Volume  tbc. The Betrothed by Walter Scott.
Edited by J. B. Ellis, J. H. Alexander and David Hewitt. Published in 2009 by Edinburgh University Press.
© The University Court of the University of Edinburgh www.euppublishing.com/series/EEWN
Permission has been granted to The Edinburgh Sir Walter Scott Club for usage here until Dec.2012.

Read more about this Edition on the EUP website

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