It has long been the ambition of the present publishers to offer
to the public an ideal edition of the writings of Sir Walter
Scott, the great poet and novelist of whom William Hazlitt said,
'His works are almost like a new edition of human nature.' Secure
in the belief not only that his writings have achieved a permanent
place in the literature of the world, but that succeeding
generations will prize them still more highly, we have, after the
most careful planning and study, undertaken the publication of
this edition of the Waverley Novels and the complete poetical
writings. 

It is evident that the ideal edition of a great classic must be
distinguished in typography, must present the best available text,
and must be illustrated in such a way as at once to be beautiful
in itself and to add to the reader's pleasure and his
understanding of the book.  As to the typography and text, little
need be said here.  The format of the edition has been most
carefully studied, and represents the use of the best resources of
The Riverside Press.  The text has been carefully edited in the
light of Scott's own revisions; all of his own latest notes have