Other editions of book Rob Roy

Rob Roy Sir Walter SCOTT (1771 - 1832) Rob Roy is a historical novel by Walter Scott. It is narrated by Frank Osbaldistone, the son of an English merchant who travels first to the North of England, and subsequently to the Scottish Highlands to collect a debt stolen from his father. On the way he encounters the larger-than-life title character of Rob Roy MacGregor. Though Rob Roy is not the lead character (in fact the narrative does not move to Scotland until half way through the book) his personality and actions are key to the development of the novel.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

“Rob Roy” is set in 1715-16, yet it concerns not the conduct of the Jacobite Rising, but the economic and social conditions which gave rise to it. It celebrates the freebooting capitalism of the hero’s father in the City of London, and the actual freebooting of Rob Roy, the “Robin Hood of Scotland, the dread of the wealthy, but the friend of the poor”. And through Baillie Nicol Jarvie, one of Scott’s most lively creations, it explores the delicate balance of generosity and selfish calculation that is required in all successful enterprise.

You have requested me, my dear friend, to bestow some of that leisure, with whichProvidence has blessed the decline of my life, in registering the hazards and difficultieswhich attended its commencement. The recollection of those adventures, as you arepleased to term them, has indeed left upon my mind a chequered and varied feeling ofpleasure and of pain, mingled, I trust, with no slight gratitude and veneration to theDisposer of human events, who guided my early course through much risk and labour, thatthe ease with which he has blessed my prolonged life might seem softer from remembranceand contrast. Neither is it possible for me to doubt, what you have often affirmed, that theincidents which befell me among a people singularly primitive in their government andmanners, have something interesting and attractive for those who love to hear an old man'sstories of a past age.Still, however, you must remember, that the tale told by one friend, and listened to byanother, loses half its charms when committed to paper; and that the narratives to whichyou have attended with interest, as heard from the voice of him to whom they occurred,will appear less deserving of attention when perused in the seclusion of your study. Butyour greener age and robust constitution promise longer life than will, in all humanprobability, be the lot of your friend. Throw, then, these sheets into some secret drawer ofyour escritoire till we are separated from each other's society by an event which mayhappen at any moment, and which must happen within the course of a few—a very fewyears. When we are parted in this world, to meet, I hope, in a better, you will, I am wellaware, cherish more than it deserves the memory of your departed friend, and will find inthose details which I am now to commit to paper, matter for melancholy, but notunpleasing reflection. Others bequeath to the confidants of their bosom portraits of theirexternal features—I put into your hands a faithful transcript of my thoughts and feelings, ofmy virtues and of my failings, with the assured hope, that the follies and headstrongimpetuosity of my youth will meet the same kind construction and forgiveness which haveso often attended the faults of my matured age.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

“Rob Roy” is set in 1715-16, yet it concerns not the conduct of the Jacobite Rising, but the economic and social conditions which gave rise to it. It celebrates the freebooting capitalism of the hero’s father in the City of London, and the actual freebooting of Rob Roy, the “Robin Hood of Scotland, the dread of the wealthy, but the friend of the poor”. And through Baillie Nicol Jarvie, one of Scott’s most lively creations, it explores the delicate balance of generosity and selfish calculation that is required in all successful enterprise.