Guy Mannering in Edinburgh: The Evidence of the Manuscript By JANE MILLGATE Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/library/article/s5-XXXII/3/238/959530 by guest on 27 September 2021 HE manuscript of Scott's second novel, Guy Mannering, in the Pierpont Morgan Library is quite close in substantive matters to Tthe first edition. It does, however, include a section, just over three of Scott's holograph pages in length, which was omitted from the text as published in 1815. The passage occurs in volume two, pages 116-19, of the manuscript, at a point corresponding to the break between the two para- graphs on page 329 of the second volume of the first edition, just after Mannering has been supplied by Pleydell with introductions to a number of prominent Edinburgh figures, 'some of the first literary characters of Scotland'.1 The names listed are those of David Hume, John Home, Dr. Ferguson, Dr. Black, Lord Kaimes, Mr. Hutton, John Clerk ofEldin, Adam Smith, and Dr. Robertson. The narrator goes on to express regret that 'it is not in our power to give the reader an account of the pleasure and information which he [Mannering] received, in admission to a circle never closed against strangers of sense and information, and which has perhaps at no period been equalled, considering the depth and variety of talent which it embraced and concentrated'.2 In the first edition this is immediately followed by an account of the venison dinner given by Mannering to Pleydell on the following Thursday. But in the manuscript the narrator supplies four fragmentary and unidentified character sketches supposedly derived from Mannering's letters to his friend Mervyn, and only then goes on to the venison dinner. The omitted section opens in the manuscript as a continuation of the paragraph ending in the first edition with 'embraced and concentrated', and reads as follows:3 It is true he kept a journal of these golden days but as it afterwards passd through the hands of Mr Dominie Sampson it is to be feard his indiscreet zeal mutilated Mannerings account of some of diese philosophers whose acute talents were more to be admired than their speculative opinions One or two scraps I have been able to extract from some mutilated letters to Mr Mervyn found in an old cabinet at Mervyn hall Langberthwaite but as the room looked out upon the lake they have sufFerd much from damp & what is very provoking I have not been able to assign to the fragments those names which are necessary to expound and to illustrate them. So that I hesitated for some time whether or not I should insert them in this 1 Guy Mannering; or the astrologer, Edinburgh 1815, ii. 328. 2 Guy Mannering, ii. 329. 3 This transcription follows exactly the text, spelling, and punctuation (including asterisks) of the original. I am grateful to the Director and Trustees of the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York, for permission to reproduce these pages from the manuscript. Plates omitted from The Library, September 1977: see page 221 PLATE I Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/library/article/s5-XXXII/3/238/959530 by guest on 27 September 2021 Sir LiiiiiK-rldt (iivavcji. ^ liix »Si]iiir«','l'inmlliv t'i-:i!)lli:iw. ^ Engraved plate for .Sir Laimcelot Greaves, facing p. 57 of the British Magazine, vol. I Reproduced by courtesy of London University Library PLATE II / frr //if-L/fln/ '. (taf. Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/library/article/s5-XXXII/3/238/959530 by guest on 27 September 2021 'l/'j/tratr ran,///(.> <fy«t'rt'.'S. /:>fi<rn> Engraved plate for Sir Laimcelot Greaves, facing p. 449 of the British Magazine, vol. I Reproduced by courtesy of London University Library The Evidence of the Manuscript 239 place. At length upon the oeconomical consideration that they will go far to compleat this volume without giving me any other trouble but that of a copyist I will transfer two or three of these characters to this narrative. Fragment first * * * You my dear Mervyn who are a worshiper of originality should come a pilgrimage to Edinburgh on foot to see this remarkable man—that is you should Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/library/article/s5-XXXII/3/238/959530 by guest on 27 September 2021 do so rather than not come at all. I found him with his family around him—a house full of boys & girls labouring at an abstracted proposition in mathematics as if he had been in the solitude of the most quiet & secluded cell in our old college. The table at which he sate was coverd with a miscellaneous collection of all sorts—pencils paints and crayons (he draws most beautifully) clay models half finishd or half broken, books letters instruments specimens of mineralogy of all sorts, vials with chemical liquors for experiments, plans of battles ancient and modern, models of new mechanical engines maps and calculations of levels sheets of music printed and written in short an emblematical chaos of literature and science. Over all this miscellany two or three kittens the genii loci apparently gambold not only without rebuke but apparently much to the amusement of the philosopher. His countenance is singularly expressive of sagacity and acuteness. Light eyes deep sunk under a projecting brow and shaded by thick eye lashes emit an uncommon light when he is engaged in discussion. Frank liberal & communicative his extensive information is at the service of every stranger who is introduced and it is so general and miscellaneous that every one must find a subject of entertainment and information. He does not embarass you with the manner I have sometimes remarked in men of genius who expect to be incensed with praise and yet affect to dispise or disavow the tribute when it is offerd. This gentleman seems frankly and with good faith to receive the homage frankly & willingly paid to him and takes without affectation or assumption the conscious feeling of superiority quaesitam meritis—Of his great discovery we have already had a happy illustration in the late naval success—another generation may carry it further—it has the great recommendation that it can serve no nation but our- selves unless British tars & British oaks lose their superiority—I am told there is littleness of mind shown by some naval officers who even go so as to deny ***** (hiatus) * Columbus & the egg—if known before why was it not carried into execution * * * Fragment Second * * * at supper time: for such is the hour when this close imitator of the ancients holds his symposion. A man of his eccentrick opinions in philosophy can scarcely be without peculiarities in private life and accordingly he may be truly stiled an original Our table was strewd with flowers & garlands were hung upon the necks of the bottles of claret which circulated freely to the memory of sages dead and living and to the prosperity of learning and literary institutions. Our enter- tainer was alternately eloquent and jocose but equally original in his mirth as in his philosophy. The Quixotry which has introduced him to prick forth in defence of the batterd standard of Aristotle when deserted by all the world besides is gilded over and renderd respectable by such high feelings of honour and worth that you cannot help respecting & loving the enthusiasm which abstractedly is sufficiently ludicrous. It seems to be the soul of a Knight errant which has by strange transmigration been put in possession of the pineal-gland of a scholiast. 240 Guy Mannering in Edinburgh To amuse me he enterd upon some of his favourite topics—the gradual degeneracy of the human race—the increase of luxury—the general introduction of wheel carriages—(he always rides on horseback you must know) and sundry other consolatory topics—He questiond me closely about sundry tribes in the east which I endeavourd to answer with great caution as I have no ambition to be quoted in a new edition of the Origin of* * * Fragment Third Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/library/article/s5-XXXII/3/238/959530 by guest on 27 September 2021 ** * and possesses in reality that stern and self-relying cast of philosophy which the other rather imitates than attains. A Roma[n] soul despising in the prosecution of his his [sic] literary carreer the imperfections of a feeble frame and the blandish- ments of indolence to which it so readily disposes us. He is generally known as the most chaste clear and luminous historian who has undertaken to guide us through the paths of antiquity but he has also evinced in the cause of his country powers of Satire worthy of Swift or Arbuthnot. He has adopted for the sake of health the severe diet of our Indian Bramins and it may be reasonably from his powers of perseverance and the progress he has already made towards recovery that his life may be long preserved to his country* - - Fragment Fourth * * * Full of anecdote which his acquaintance with the great men who flourishd at the beginning of this reign has afforded him. He has also extensive information respecting the unfortunate war of 1745 and as might be expected from his genius he gives his stories with attention to the striking & picturesque points of the narrative. I saw him shed tears while he commemorated the gallantry high principle and personal worth of some of the unfortunate chiefs against whom he had himself borne arms. He is proud of his family for men of fortune & no fortune have alike family-pride in Scotland and the manner in which his namesake the philosopher spells his namejoind to his preference of port to claret are the only secular opinions on which they differ.