Before beginning the preparation of this edition, the head of the department having it in charge made a visit in person to the scenes of the novels and poems, determined to explore all the localities referred to by the author, so far as they could be identified.  The field proved even more productive than had been at first supposed, and photographs were obtained in sufficient quantity to illustrate all the volumes.  These pictures represent the scenes very much as Scott saw them.  The natural scenery—­ mountains, woods, lakes, rivers, seashore, and the like—­is nearly the same as in his day.  The ruins of ancient castles and abbeys were found to correspond very closely with his descriptions, though in many instances he had in imagination rebuilt these ruins and filled them with the children of his fancy.  The scenes of the stories extend into nearly every county in Scotland and through a large part of England and Wales.  All of these were thoroughly investigated, and photographs were made of everything of interest.  One of the novels has to do with France and Belgium, one with Switzerland, one with the Holy Land, one with Constantinople, and one with India.  For all of these lands, which Scott did not visit in person, and therefore did not describe with the same attention to detail as in the case of his own country, interesting pictures of characteristic scenery were secured.  By this method the publishers have hoped to bring before the reader a series of photographs which will not only please the eye and give a satisfactory artistic effect to the volumes, but also increase the reader’s knowledge of the country described and add a new charm to the delightful work of the author.  In addition to the photographs, old engravings and paintings have been reproduced for the illustration of novels having to do with old buildings, streets, etc., which have long since disappeared.  For this material a careful search was made in the British Museum, the Advocates’ Library and City Museum, Edinburgh, the Library at Abbotsford, the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, and other collections.

It has been thought, too, that the ideal edition of Scott’s works would not be complete without an adequate portrayal of his more memorable characters.  This has been accomplished in a series of frontispieces specially painted for this edition by twenty of the most distinguished illustrators of England.

4 Park street, Boston.

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE WAVERLEY NOVELS

It has been the occasional occupation of the Author of Waverley, for several years past, to revise and correct the voluminous series of Novels which pass under that name, in order that, if they should ever appear as his avowed productions, he might render them in some degree deserving of a continuance of the public favour with which they have been honoured ever since their first appearance.  For a long period,