"The Innkeeper’s Tales" review by Walter Scott, summary Automatic translate

This is a critical review, written in 1817, in which the author anonymously analyzes his own works published in the "Tales of an Innkeeper" series ("The Black Dwarf" and "The Puritans"). The work is unique in that the author acts as an outside critic, impartially examining the flaws of the composition, discussing the historical prototypes of the characters, and defending his views on religious conflicts in Scotland.

Anonymity and principles of plot construction

The author begins by acknowledging that the "Stories" are undoubtedly the work of the creator of "Waverley" and "Guy Mannering." The writer maintains anonymity, but his style betrays it. The key feature of these novels is the use of real-life prototypes to create characters. The reader intuitively senses the difference between a fictional image and one drawn from life.

The critic points to a weakness in the plot structure: the author sacrifices logic for the sake of dramatic scenes. The novels resemble a thread strung with vivid but disjointed episodes. Another significant flaw is the passivity of the protagonists. Waverley and Bertram do not control events, but merely submit to circumstances and the intervention of secondary characters. This approach allows the writer to describe the surrounding environment in detail through the perception of the character-observer, but deprives the central character of the audience’s interest. The author admits that he often sacrifices characterization for historical flavor.

The story "Black Dwarf"

The first part of the cycle begins with a preface by the fictional teacher Jedediah Cleishbotham. The story revolves around an encounter between two hunters — Laird Earnscliff and farmer Hobbie Eliot — and a mysterious creature on the moor. This is the Black Dwarf, a misanthrope who rejects all help. He builds himself a hut of stones, possessing unnatural powers.

The text cites a real-life prototype for the hero — the hermit David Ritchie, who lived by the River Tweed. His ugliness and reclusiveness inspired superstitious terror among the locals, despite his remarkable intelligence. In the novel, the dwarf becomes involved in the fate of Isabella Vere, whose father wants to marry her to a man he doesn’t love, in the name of Jacobite political intrigue.

The plot is replete with kidnappings and battles. The outlaw Westburnflat burns down the farmer Eliot’s house and abducts Hobbie’s fiancée. Ultimately, the dwarf, who turns out to be a wealthy nobleman disillusioned with humanity, disrupts Isabella’s wedding, uncovers the plot, and disappears. The critic calls the ending rushed and the story melodramatic, though he notes the successful genre scenes from the lives of border farmers.

The Puritans: Historical Basis and the Old Man of the Cemetery

The second novel in the series, "The Puritans" (originally "Old Mortality"), is considered by the author to be more significant. The title derives from the nickname of a real person, Robert Paterson. This religious enthusiast wandered Scotland for over thirty years, restoring the grave markers of Presbyterians who died fighting the Stuart government. His stories allegedly served as the basis for the book.

The action takes place during the reign of Charles II, when Presbyterians were persecuted. The plot begins with a military review ("wappenshaw"), where Lady Margaret Bellenden’s servants attempt to impersonate a military detachment. A comical incident involving Goosey Gibbie, who loses his horse, sets off a chain of tragic events.

Conflict between Henry Morton and John Belfour

The protagonist, Henry Morton, accidentally finds himself drawn into the rebellion. A skirmish breaks out in an inn between Sergeant Bothwell, a soldier of the Royal Guard, and a grim-looking stranger. The stranger defeats the sergeant in a struggle. It is later revealed that this stranger is John Belfour of Burley, one of Archbishop Sharpe’s assassins, a fanatical Covenanter. Morton, remembering his father’s friendship with Belfour, provides him with lodging for the night, for which he is arrested.

The critic dwells at length on the scene of the search of Milnwood’s house. The old servant Mose Hedrig, a religious fanatic, thwarts an attempt to buy off the dragoons with her denunciations of the "Philistines" (soldiers). This episode demonstrates the author’s mastery of conveying the vernacular and mores of the time.

Civil War: Drumclog and Bothwell Bridge

Morton is saved from execution by the intervention of Lord Evandale and Edith Bellenden. However, the hero soon finds himself in the rebel camp. The Battle of Drumclog is described, where the royal forces under the command of John Graham Claverhouse are defeated. The central episode is the duel between Sergeant Bothwell and Belfour. Bothwell dies, refusing to beg for mercy.

The author of the article analyzes the historical accuracy of the description of the Covenanters. He acknowledges that he portrayed them as cruel fanatics who killed prisoners, believing it to be a godly act. He cites historical records confirming that the real rebels believed in a divine command to destroy the enemies of the faith ("Achans").

Discord reigns within the rebel camp. Moderate Presbyterians clash with extremist Cameronians. Morton attempts to bring the army to order, but to no avail. The rebels are routed at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge. Morton goes into exile.

Images of historical figures

Particular attention is paid to the portrait of Colonel Claverhouse (Viscount Dundee). In the novel, he is depicted as a man with a good-looking appearance worthy of a female portrait, but with an iron will and cruelty. The critic notes that this image is contradictory: for some, he is a hero and loyal servant of the king, while for others, he is a bloody executioner. Evidence is presented that the real Claverhouse could be merciful, but often acted cruelly when carrying out government orders.

John Belfour (Burley) also has a historical prototype. The author emphasizes that the real Belfour was not so much a religious fanatic as a cruel soldier, but in the novel, he is given the traits of a dark enthusiast for greater drama.

The ending of the novel

Years later, Morton returns to his homeland. The political situation has changed. His rival, Lord Evandale, who spared the lives of Lady Margaret and Edith, plans to marry the heroine. However, Morton’s arrival disrupts the wedding. Belfour, driven completely mad by fanaticism, ambushes and kills Evandale. Belfour himself dies in the fight. Morton marries Edith.

Religious controversy and justification of style

In the final section of the article, the author responds to accusations of profaning scripture. Critics accused him of putting biblical quotations into the mouths of comic or villainous characters. The writer argues that he is not satirizing religion, but hypocrisy and fanaticism. He draws a clear distinction between moderate Presbyterians (the forerunners of the modern Church of Scotland) and the Cameronians — sectarians who rejected all secular authority.

The satire is aimed specifically at those who used biblical quotations to disguise personal ambition and cruelty. The author insists that historical truth required demonstrating the folly of religious wars, when the ignorance of preachers led people to destruction. The article concludes with the assertion that such fanatics have long since disappeared, and the modern church should not take this criticism personally.