Old Mortality by Sir Walter Scott, Bart

Old Mortality

by Sir Walter Scott, Bart

James Nisbet & Co., c1910, illustrated frontispiece, stamped and embossed illustrative cover and spine, green cloth hardcover

Fair Condition, cracked hinge, tears to spine edges, general edge and shelf wear with rubbing and bumping to edges and corners and covers in general, previous owners inscription and gift inscription to front fly-leaf, (see photographs)

Forward:
"The remarkable person, called by the title of Old Mortality, was well known in Scotland about the end of the last century.  His real name was Robert Paterson.  He was a native,it is said, of the parish of Closeburn, in Dumfries-shire, and probably a mason by profession - at least educated to the use of the chisel.  Whether family dissensions, or the deep and enthusiastic feeling of supposed duty, drove him to leave his dwelling, and adopt the singular mode of life in which he wandered, like a palmer, through Scotland, is not known.  It could not be poverty, however, which prompted his journeys, for he never accepted anything beyond the hospitality which was willingly rendered him, and when that was not proffered, he always had money enough to provide for his own humble wants.  His personal appearance, and favourite, or rather sole occupation, are accurately described in the preliminary chapter of the following work."