Now fitted the halter, now traversed the cart, And often took leave,—but seemed loath to depart!
—Prior.

INTRODUCTION TO IVANHOE.

The Author of the Waverley Novels had hitherto proceeded in an unabated
course of popularity, and might, in his peculiar district of
literature, have been termed _L’Enfant Gâté_ of success. It was plain,
however, that frequent publication must finally wear out the public
favour, unless some mode could be devised to give an appearance of
novelty to subsequent productions.

Scottish manners, Scottish dialect, and Scottish characters of note,
being those with which the author was most intimately, and familiarly
acquainted, were the groundwork upon which he had hitherto relied for
giving effect to his narrative. It was, however, obvious, that this kind
of interest must in the end occasion a degree of sameness and repetition,
if exclusively resorted to, and that the reader was likely at length to
adopt the language of Edwin, in Parnell’s Tale:

“‘Reverse the spell,’ he cries,
‘And let it fairly now suffice.
The gambol has been shown.’”

Nothing can be more dangerous for the fame of a professor of the fine
arts, than to permit (if he can possibly prevent it) the character of a
mannerist to be attached to him, or that he should be supposed capable
of success only in a particular and limited style. The public are, in
general, very ready to adopt the opinion, that he who has pleased them
in one peculiar mode of composition, is, by means of that very talent,
rendered incapable of venturing upon other subjects.

The effect of this disinclination, on the part of the public, towards the
artificers of their pleasures, when they attempt to enlarge their means
of amusing, may be seen in the censures usually passed by vulgar criticism
upon actors or artists who venture to change the character of their efforts,
that, in so doing, they may enlarge the scale of their art.

There is some justice in this opinion, as there always is in such as
attain general currency. It may often happen on the stage, that an

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