The Abbot Read online

  INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE.

  FROM THE AUTHOR OF "WAVERLEY," TO CAPTAIN CLUTTERBUCK, LATE OF HISMAJESTY'S ---- REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.

  DEAR CAPTAIN:

  I am sorry to observe, by your last favour, that you disapprove ofthe numerous retrenchments and alterations which I have been under thenecessity of making on the Manuscript of your friend, the Benedictine,and I willingly make you the medium of apology to many, who havehonoured me more than I deserve.

  I admit that my retrenchments have been numerous, and leave gaps in thestory, which, in your original manuscript, would have run well-nigh toa fourth volume, as my printer assures me. I am sensible, besides, that,in consequence of the liberty of curtailment you have allowed me, someparts of the story have been huddled up without the necessary details.But, after all, it is better that the travellers should have to stepover a ditch, than to wade through a morass--that the reader should haveto suppose what may easily be inferred, than be obliged to creep throughpages of dull explanation. I have struck out, for example, the wholemachinery of the White Lady, and the poetry by which it is so ablysupported, in the original manuscript. But you must allow thatthe public taste gives little encouragement to those legendarysuperstitions, which formed alternately the delight and the terror ofour predecessors. In like manner, much is omitted illustrative ofthe impulse of enthusiasm in favour of the ancient religion in MotherMagdalen and the Abbot. But we do not feel deep sympathy at this periodwith what was once the most powerful and animating principle inEurope, with the exception of that of the Reformation, by which it wassuccessfully opposed.

  You rightly observe, that these retrenchments have rendered the titleno longer applicable to the subject, and that some other would have beenmore suitable to the Work, in its present state, than that of THE ABBOT,who made so much greater figure in the original, and for whom yourfriend, the Benedictine, seems to have inspired you with a sympatheticrespect. I must plead guilty to this accusation, observing, at the sametime, in manner of extenuation, that though the objection might havebeen easily removed, by giving a new title to the Work, yet, in doingso, I should have destroyed the necessary cohesion between the presenthistory, and its predecessor THE MONASTERY, which I was unwilling to do,as the period, and several of the personages, were the same.

  After all, my good friend, it is of little consequence what the workis called, or on what interest it turns, provided it catches the publicattention; for the quality of the wine (could we but insure it) may,according to the old proverb, render the bush unnecessary, or of littleconsequence.

  I congratulate you upon your having found it consistent with prudenceto establish your Tilbury, and approve of the colour, and of yourboy's livery, (subdued green and pink.)--As you talk of completingyour descriptive poem on the "Ruins of Kennaquhair, with notes by anAntiquary," I hope you have procured a steady horse.--I remain, withcompliments to all friends, dear Captain, very much

  Yours, &c. &c. &c.

  THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY.

  THE ABBOT.