Guy Mannering

Guy Mannering, or The
Astrologer, Complete,
by Sir
Walter Scott

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Title: Guy Mannering, or The Astrologer, Complete, Illustrated
Author: Sir Walter Scott
Release Date: October 25, 2006 [EBook #5999]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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MANNERING ***

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GUY MANNERING
BY SIR WALTER SCOTT

GUY MANNERING
OR
THE ASTROLOGER

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
VOLUME I. THE DEPARTURE OF THE GYPSIES----Drawn by
Clark Stanton, Etched by C. de Billy
ELLANGOWAN CASTLE----Drawn by John MacWhirter, Etched by
Alex. Ansted
CARLAVEROCK CASTLE----Photo-Etching by John Andrew and
Son
"PRODIGIOUS!"---Original Etching by George Cruikshank
THE CURE OF MEG MERRILIES----Drawn and Etched by C. O.
Murray
DOMINIE SAMPSON IN THE LIBRARY----Drawn and Etched by C.
O. Murray
DANDIE DINMONT AT HOME----Drawn by Steel Gourlay, Etched
by H. Macbeth Raeburn

VOLUME II. THE PARTY AT COLONEL MANNERING'S---Drawn

by Herdman, Etched by H. Manesse
THE ATTACK OF THE SMUGGLERS---Drawn and Etched by H.
Moyer Smith
PLEYDELL AS KING----Original Etching by R. W. Macbeth
ON THE SOLWAY FRITH----Original Etching by F. S. Walker
"GAPE, SINNER, AND SWALLOW!"---Original Etching by George
Cruikshank
MEG MERRILIES DIRECTS BERTRAM TO THE CAVE----Etched
by C. O. Murray
THE CAPTURE OF DIRK HATTERAICK---Drawn by MacDonald,
Etched by Courtry

VOLUME I
'Tis said that words and signs have power O'er sprites in planetary hour;
But scarce I praise their venturous part Who tamper with such
dangerous art.
Lay of the Last Minstrel.

INTRODUCTION
The Novel or Romance of Waverley made its way to the public slowly,
of course, at first, but afterwards with such accumulating popularity as
to encourage the Author to a second attempt. He looked about for a
name and a subject; and the manner in which the novels were
composed cannot be better illustrated than by reciting the simple
narrative on which Guy Mannering was originally founded; but to
which, in the progress of the work, the production ceased to bear any,
even the most distant resemblance. The tale was originally told me by

an old servant of my father's, an excellent old Highlander, without a
fault, unless a preference to mountain dew over less potent liquors be
accounted one. 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 travelling in the wilder parts of Galloway, was benighted. With
difficulty he found his way to a country seat, where, with the
hospitality of the time and country, he was readily admitted. The owner
of the house, a gentleman of good fortune, was much struck by the
reverend appearance of his guest, and apologised to him for a certain
degree of confusion which must unavoidably attend his reception, and
could not escape his eye. 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, though they had been ten years married. At such an
emergency, the laird said, he feared his guest might meet with some
apparent neglect.
'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; and I hope to be able
to put you in possession of some particulars which may influence in an
important manner the future prospects of the child now about to come
into this busy and changeful world. I will not conceal from you that I
am skilful in understanding and interpreting the movements of those
planetary bodies which exert their influences on the destiny of mortals.
It is a science which I do not practise, like others who call themselves
astrologers, for hire or reward; for I have a competent estate, and only
use the knowledge I possess for the benefit of those in whom I feel an
interest.' The laird bowed in respect and gratitude, and the stranger was
accommodated with an apartment which commanded an ample view of
the astral regions.
The guest spent a part of the night in ascertaining the position of the
heavenly bodies, and calculating their probable influence; until at
length the result of his observations induced him to send