Guy Mannering

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

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Illustrated, by Sir Walter Scott This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
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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Produced by David Widger. Liberal use made of an earlier PG edition by Robert Rowe, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.

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 for the father and conjure him in the most solemn manner to cause the assistants to retard the birth if practicable, were it but for five minutes. The answer declared this to be impossible; and almost in the instant that