VI PREFACE. 



hunt would be a bore, and he would probably treat it 

 with the same contumely that one of this redoubted body 

 did hare-hunting, by riding to the hounds in morocco 

 slippers, and carrying an open umbrella to protect him 

 from the sun. 



As I have casually named " an honoured name/* I 

 lament that it was not his fortune to have visited those 

 interesting scenes, where I have been so long a useless 

 wanderer. The wild features and wilder associations of 

 that romantic and untouched country, would have offered 

 him a fresh field whereon to exercise his magic pencil 

 and many a tale and legend still orally handed down, but 

 which in a few years must of necessity be forgotten, would 

 have gained immortality from the touch of " the mighty 

 master." But alas ! the creations of his splendid imagi- 

 nation will no more delight an enchanted world. The 

 wand is broken, the spell is over, the lamp of life is nearly 

 exhausted and even now, Scotland may be mourning for 

 the mightiest of her gifted sons. 



As a votive offering, these Volumes are inscribed to that 

 matchless genius, by an humble, but enthusiastic admirer 

 of SIR WALTER SCOTT. 



SYDENHAM, 

 SEPTEMBER 12, 1832. 



