Sir Walter Scott wrote "Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft" for Murray's Family Library (a series of books on diverse topics to be published in cheap five shilling volumes) at the request of his son-in-law, J.G. Lockhart. The books does indeed take the form of letters covering areas of demonology and witchcraft from biblical times to current day. Scott's approach to the subject is one of skepticism and rational thought -- superstitions and beliefs are often the cause of a lack of understanding of strange cultures and religions. He ends the book with an fervent hope for his countrymen that...
Sir Walter Scott wrote "Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft" for Murray's Family Library (a series of books on diverse topics to be published in chea...
In "The Antiquary" (1816), written by Sir Walter Scott, the character of the title, a collector of antiques, is not the hero, instead he provides the narration and commentaries on the story of a man known as Major Neville, who seeks knowledge of his birth and the love of Isabella Wardour. Like all of Scott's historical fiction, this novel is an accurate and fascinating portrayal of the time in which it was set. From the author's introduction: "The present work completes a series of fictitious narratives, intended to illustrate the manners of Scotland at three different periods. Waverley...
In "The Antiquary" (1816), written by Sir Walter Scott, the character of the title, a collector of antiques, is not the hero, instead he provides the ...
Scott's approach to the subject is one of skepticism and rational thought -- superstitions and beliefs are often the cause of a lack of understanding of strange cultures and religions. He ends the book with an fervent hope for his countrymen that ." . . the sense of humanity is too universally spread to permit them to think of tormenting wretches till they confess what is impossible, and then burning them for their pains."
Scott's approach to the subject is one of skepticism and rational thought -- superstitions and beliefs are often the cause of a lack of understandi...
The Abbot revolves around the escape of Mary Queen of Scots from imprisonment in Loch Leven Castle and her flight to England following the battle of Langside. Her page, Roland Graeme, has been instructed to spy on her -- but his sense of honor, his loyalty to Mary (instilled by his Catholic grandmother, Madgalen Graeme) and his love for one of Mary Stuart's attendants, prevent him from betraying her. When it comes to it, in fact, he will aid her cause. . . .
The Abbot revolves around the escape of Mary Queen of Scots from imprisonment in Loch Leven Castle and her flight to England following the battle o...
Scott's 1824 "Redgauntlet" is the final novel in his series about the doomed Jacobite cause. The problem, in Scott's view, was that the royal Stuart dynasty was inherently feudal -- and the time in history for feudalism was past. This is a place and a time where deception and lies have become accepted for the preservation of peace -- a peace that is only skin deep. . . .
Scott's 1824 "Redgauntlet" is the final novel in his series about the doomed Jacobite cause. The problem, in Scott's view, was that the royal Stuart d...
In 1807 Scott practiced maneuvres with the Light Horse Volunteers (formed to defend an invasion from France) in order to polish his description of Flodden. Archibald Constable offered as publisher to pay at once a thousand guineas for the copyright, when he heard that the new poem was begun, though he had not yet seen a line of it. Scott, thirty-five years old, had the impulse upon his mind of a preceding great success, took more than usual pains, and thoroughly enjoyed the writing. Scott continued work while practicing with the Light Horse Volunteers (in preparation for a planned invasion...
In 1807 Scott practiced maneuvres with the Light Horse Volunteers (formed to defend an invasion from France) in order to polish his description of ...
