On the world, he is as sure to encounter abuse and ridicule as he who gallops furiously through a village must reckon on being followed by the curs in full cry. Experienced persons know that in stretching to flog the latter, the rider is very apt to catch a bad fall; nor is an attempt to chastise a malignant critic attended with less danger to the author. this principle, I let parody, burlesque, and squibs find their own level; and while the latter hissed most fiercely, I was cautious never to catch them up, as schoolboys do, to throw them back against the naughty boy who fired them off, wisely remembering that they are, in such cases, apt to explode in the handling. Let me add that my reign 1 (since Byron has so called it) was marked by some instances of good-nature as well as patience. I never refused a literary person of merit such services in smoothing his way to the public as were in my 1 "Sir Walter reigned before," etc. Don Juan, canto xi. st. 57. power; and I had the advantage—rather an uncommon one with our irritable race to enjoy general favor without incurring permanent ill-will, so far as is known to me, among any of my contemporaries. W. S. ABBOTSFORD, April, 1830. List of Illustrations. HALF TITLE TO CANTO FIRST. Saint Fillan's Hill "The wild heaths of Uam-Var". "In the deep Trosachs' wildest nook " [Benvenue, from the Trosachs' road.] ELLEN'S ISLE . 86 'In listening mood, she seemed to stand, The guardian Naiad of the strand" "His stately mien as well implied A high-born heart, a martial pride' "At length, with Ellen in a grove 55 He seemed to walk and speak of love" xxxvi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. HALF TITLE TO CANTO SECOND. - Loch Katrine: "Soothing she answered him: 'Assuage, Mine honored friend, the fears of age'”. 85 91 "Bracklinn's thundering wave” "And near, and nearer as they rowed, Distinct the martial ditty flowed". [Brianchoil Point.] 'And, at her whistle, on her hand 96 The falcon took his favorite stand" 100 "Then plunged he in the flashing tide" 114 HALF TITLE TO CANTO THIRD.-In Leny Pass . . 119 "Brian the Hermit by it stood, Barefooted, in his frock and hood” "Ben-an's gray scalp the accents knew" [Ben-an, from Loch Katrine.] HALF TITLE TO CANTO FOURTH. — Achray Water: |