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PREFACE
The only duty which now devolves upon
the Author, is to offer a few brief observations respecting a work
which, after three years’ uninterrupted progress, he has now the
satisfaction of laying before the public. The illustration of Scotland
was first suggested by the very flattering reception given to its
predecessor, “Switzerland Illustrated;” and the result has been a
similar manifestation of public favour. To secure this patronage, and to
give the work every recommendation which the highest professional talent
could bestow, no expense has been spared, no encouragement withheld on
the part of the Proprietors. In its now complete form, the work
comprises one hundred and twenty-one highly finished engravings on
steel, from original drawings, chiefly by Mr. Allom and Mr. Bartlett,
whose united talents are too widely known and appreciated to require
further mention in this place. With the exception of Dunrobin Castle,
and Cape Wrath, every view was taken on the spot, and transferred to the
steel plates with a force and fidelity which reflect the greatest credit
on the engravers.
With respect to the literary department, the Author has only to observe,
that he is far from insensible to the more than common indulgence with
which, in its detached portions, the work has been already received.
Like the sculptor, who should undertake to reduce a colossal statue into
infantine proportions—and yet preserve the force and expression of the
original—he undertook the task of reducing the gigantic features of
Scotland into a miniature resemblance of the whole ; and, whatever may
have been his success, he has at least spared no labour to surmount the
difficulties it involved, and will be the first to congratulate his more
successful competitors in the same field. Scotland has still innumerable
scenes to engage the best services of the pen and pencil, and she has
those, also, among her own sons who have done, and will continue to do,
her justice.
The beautiful view of Dunrobin, — including the recent additions, and
the newly erected Monument on Benbhraggie, — was obligingly furnished by
Her Grace the Duchess-Countess of Sutherland, by whom it had also the
advantage of being seen, and revised, during its progress through the
hands of the painter and engraver. The view of Cape Wrath was painted
from original drawings in the possession of James Loch, Esq. M.P.
In the mean time, both Author and Artist will think themselves fortunate
if, by their own united labours, they have here opened a path by which
her Lowland and Celtic landscapes may be more full explored and
illustrated.
In the text which accompanies these illustrations, the reader is not to
expect a mere artificial description of every particular scene
represented. In Scotland, as in Switzerland, the most “classic” ground
is not always the best suited for pictorial display, and vice versa. In
travelling, therefore, over the same district, it has often been found
impossible for the pen and the pencil to keep pace with each other; for
the same field that is barren of every picturesque feature, may be rich,
nevertheless, in every patriotic recollection: and thus, where the
engraving has been allowed to speak for itself, the text has been
occupied in filling up the moral picture from history and tradition.
Restricted, however, to certain limits, the Author has been studious to
condense his materials; and, where he could not introduce the entire
picture, to avail himself of those particular features to which it was
chiefly indebted for its peculiar tone, colour, and character. Under the
frowning precipice, the shattered fastness, or on the battle heath —
wherever, in short, the scene spoke most loudly of the inborn feelings
and sympathies of the people — he has lingered with pardonable fondness
for the shadowy existence of former days, but still, he hopes, with
becoming regard to the picturesque character of the work.
In acknowledging the merits and services of his foreign coadjutors, the
Author is bound to offer his testimony in favour of the German and
French translations by John Von Horn, D.D., and Monsieur De Bauclas, who
have transferred this, and his other Works, into their respective
languages with taste, spirit, and fidelity. In conclusion, there is
still one fact connected with these Works that can hardly fail to
interest the public — namely, that, for the completion of “Scotland”
alone, nearly forty thousand pounds have been already expended; and it
cannot be otherwise than gratifying to know that, in their various
departments, these Volumes have been the means of stimulating native
talent; of bringing obscure merit into notice; and of providing, during
the progress of publication, upwards of a thousand families and
individuals with regular employment. The fact cannot be too generally
known, that the patronage bestowed on illustrated works of this class,
is not so much calculated to benefit the few who are responsible, as the
many through whose hands they must necessarily pass before they are in a
condition to meet the public eye.
Tenterden Street, Hanover Square,
October, 1837.
Volume 1
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