Waverley | Page 7

widely as in the first of the
series.
Among other unfounded reports, it has been said that the copyright of
Waverley was, during the book's progress through the press, offered for
sale to various book-sellers in London at a very inconsiderable price.
This was not the case. Messrs. Constable and Cadell, who published the
work, were the only persons acquainted with the contents of the
publication, and they offered a large sum for it while in the course of
printing, which, however, was declined, the Author not choosing to part
with the copyright.
The origin of the story of Waverley, and the particular facts on which it
is founded, are given in the separate introduction prefixed to that
romance in this edition, and require no notice in this place.
Waverley was published in 1814, and, as the title-page was without the
name of the Author, the work was left to win its way in the world
without any of the usual recommendations. Its progress was for some
time slow; but after the first two or three months its popularity had
increased in a degree which must have satisfied the expectations of the
Author, had these been far more sanguine than he ever entertained.
Great anxiety was expressed to learn the name of the Author, but on
this no authentic information could be attained. My original motive for
publishing the work anonymously was the consciousness that it was an
experiment on the public taste which might very probably fail, and
therefore there was no occasion to take on myself the personal risk of
discomfiture. For this purpose considerable precautions were used to
preserve secrecy. My old friend and schoolfellow, Mr. James
Ballantyne, who printed these Novels, had the exclusive task of
corresponding with the Author, who thus had not only the advantage of

his professional talents, but also of his critical abilities. The original
manuscript, or, as it is technically called, copy, was transcribed under
Mr. Ballantyne's eye by confidential persons; nor was there an instance
of treachery during the many years in which these precautions were
resorted to, although various individuals were employed at different
times. Double proof-sheets were regularly printed off. One was
forwarded to the Author by Mr. Ballantyne, and the alterations which it
received were, by his own hand, copied upon the other proof-sheet for
the use of the printers, so that even the corrected proofs of the Author
were never seen in the printing office; and thus the curiosity of such
eager inquirers as made the most minute investigation was entirely at
fault.
But although the cause of concealing the Author's name in the first
instance, when the reception of Waverley was doubtful, was natural
enough, it is more difficult, it may be thought, to account for the same
desire for secrecy during the subsequent editions, to the amount of
betwixt eleven and twelve thousand copies, which followed each other
close, and proved the success of the work. I am sorry I can give little
satisfaction to queries on this subject. I have already stated elsewhere
that I can render little better reason for choosing to remain anonymous
than by saying with Shylock, that such was my humour. It will be
observed that I had not the usual stimulus for desiring personal
reputation, the desire, namely, to float amidst the conversation of men.
Of literary fame, whether merited or undeserved, I had already as much
as might have contented a mind more ambitious than mine; and in
entering into this new contest for reputation I might be said rather to
endanger what I had than to have any considerable chance of acquiring
more. I was affected, too, by none of those motives which, at an earlier
period of life, would doubtless have operated upon me. My friendships
were formed, my place in society fixed, my life had attained its middle
course. My condition in society was higher perhaps than I deserved,
certainly as high as I wished, and there was scarce any degree of
literary success which could have greatly altered or improved my
personal condition.
I was not, therefore, touched by the spur of ambition, usually

stimulating on such occasions; and yet I ought to stand exculpated from
the charge of ungracious or unbecoming indifference to public applause.
I did not the less feel gratitude for the public favour, although I did not
proclaim it; as the lover who wears his mistress's favour in his bosom is
as proud, though not so vain, of possessing it as another who displays
the token of her grace upon his bonnet. Far from such an ungracious
state of mind, I have seldom felt more satisfaction than when, returning
from a pleasure voyage, I found Waverley in the zenith of popularity,
and public curiosity in full cry after the name of