The Life of Mansie Wauch

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The Life of Mansie Wauch, by David Macbeth

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Title: The Life of Mansie Wauch Tailor in Dalkeith, written by himself
Author: David Macbeth Moir

Release Date: March 7, 2007 [eBook #20767]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF MANSIE WAUCH***
Transcribed from the 1845 William Blackwood and Sons edition by David Price, email [email protected]

THE LIFE OF MANSIE WAUCH TAILOR IN DALKEITH WRITTEN BY HIMSELF
A NEW EDITION
WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS EDINBURGH AND LONDON M.DCCC.XLV
TO JOHN GALT, ESQ. AUTHOR OF "THE ANNALS OF THE PARISH," "THE PROVOST," "THE AYRSHIRE LEGATEES," &c. &c. &c. THE FOLLOWING SKETCHES, PRINCIPALLY OF HUMBLE SCOTTISH CHARACTER, ARE DEDICATED, BY HIS SINCERE FRIEND AND ADMIRER, THE EDITOR.

ADVERTISEMENT.
Between the first and last genuine Editions of the following biography, it has been repeatedly reprinted both in America and France; and portions of it, pirated in the shape of cheap pamphlets, have, for two or three years bypast, formed a staple article of commerce with the Peripatetic Bibliopoles in this country. Popularity to an author must be always gratifying; but it were well that it came through the proper channels.
* * * * *
The present Edition has been carefully revised, and it embodies all the additions made to the book since its first appearance. Sixteen years have now passed over since Mr Wauch joined his name to those of Rousseau and Franklin as an autobiographer; and it must be pleasing to him in his venerable old age to learn, that he is still a favourite with the Public. Nay, more, it is to be hoped that the accommodating moderation in the rates of charges anent his present fashions and furnishings, may be the means of yet further enlarging the circle of his literary acquaintances.

PRELIMINARIES.
Having, within myself, made observation of late years, that all notable characters, whatsoever line of life they may have pursued, and to whatever business they might belong, have made a trade of committing to paper all the surprising occurrences and remarkable events that chanced to happen to them in the course of Providence, during their journey through life--that such as come after them might take warning and be benefited--I have found it incumbent on me, following a right example, to do the same thing; and have set down, in black and white, a good few uncos, that I should reckon will not soon be forgotten, provided they make as deep an impression on the world as they have done on me. To this decision I have been urged by the elbowing on of not a few judicious friends; among whom I would particularly remark James Batter, who has been most earnest in his request, and than whom a truer judge on any thing connected with book-lear, or a better neighbour, does not breathe the breath of life: both of which positions will, I doubt not, appear as clear as daylight to the reader, in the course of the work: to say nothing of the approval the scheme met with from the pious Maister Wiggie, who has now gone to his account, and divers other advisers, that wished either the general good of the world, or studied their own particular profit.
Had the course of my pilgrimage lain just on the beaten track, I would not--at least I think so--have been o'ercome by ony perswasions to do what I have done; but as will be seen, in the twinkling of half-an-eye, by the judicious reader, I am a man that has witnessed much, and come through a great deal, both in regard to the times wherein I have lived, and the out-o'-the-way adventures in which it has been my fortune to be engaged. Indeed, though I say it myself, who might as well be silent, I that have never stirred, in a manner so to speak, from home, have witnessed more of the world we live in, and the doings of men, than many who have sailed the salt seas from the East Indies to the West; or, in the course of nature, visited Greenland, Jamaica, or Van Diemen's Land. The cream of the matter, and to which we would solicit the attention of old and young, rich and poor, is just this, that, unless unco doure indeed to learn, the inexperienced may gleam from my pages sundry grand lessons, concerning what they have a chance to expect in the course of an active life; and the unsteady may take a hint concerning what it is possible for one of a clear head