HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN, The. Sir Walter Scott's novel, published in 1818, takes its title from the Old Tolbooth prison in Edin burgh, the scene of the Porteous riots of 1737, with a description of which the story opens. The narrative involves a varied group of well drawn figures, English and Scottish, but it is on the family of the uncompromising old Came ronian, Douce Davie Deans, that Scott dwells with the most loving care, producing a portrait of the Scottish national character which is per haps his very greatest achievement as a novelist.
Effie, the somewhat wayward but not deeply vicious daughter of Davie, has allowed herself to be seduced by George Staunton, alias Robert son, a young Englishman of good birth, dark and turbulent in spirit, but not without virtue, who has led a wild life among the Scottish smugglers. In order to rescue her from prison, where she is awaiting trial for child-murder, Robertson becomes leader of the revengeful mob which broke open the Tolbooth to seize and execute the unpopular Captain Porteous, but Effie, who has the keenest sense of her dis grace, refuses to escape. The real heroine of the story is Jeanie Deans, half-sister of Effie, a plain woman of sterling worth, firm in the Calvinistic faith for which her father has fought and suffered. She is told by Robertson that she can save Effie's life by affirming that her sister had informed her of her condition before the birth of her child. Though she is convinced of Effie's innocence, her conscience will not permit her at the trial to speak aught but the truth. The application of the Scottish statute hinges on this point and Effie is sen tenced There is but one way left to save her, and Jeanie resolves to take it. Alone and mostly on foot, she journeys, a simple Scottish peasant girl, to London, to seek a pardon from the hng. Escaping, on the way, from the clutches of the terrible Meg Murdockson and her insane daughter, Madge Wildfire, she presents her case in person to the Duke of Arfryle and later through his assistance to Queen Caroline, who, moved by Jeanie's simple eloquence, commutes the sentence to banishment. Returning she
finds that the good Duke has provided a home for herself and her father and a living for her excellent lover, Butler, on one of his High land estates, and that Effie, on her release, has eloped with Staunton. From this point the deeper interest of the story slackens. Years pass. Staunton falls heir to a great estate and Effie becomes a lady of fashion. Jeanie, com ing by chance on a copy of the dying confes sion of Meg Murdockson, learns that Effie's child is still alive. Staunton, after tracing him into the hands of the Highland maurauder, Black Donacha, is attacked by the outlaws and slain by the hands of his own son. The latter is sent to Virginia where he meets a violent death. Effie spends some time with her Sister and returns to London, carrying with her the sorrow of soul which has always been the pun ishment for her sin.
The Heart of Mid-Lothian' is remarkable among Scott's novels in that the local, histori cal and romantic elements, though present throughout the story, are outweighed in in terest by the true and beautiful portrayal of a simple human personality. Jeanie Deans com mands the deepest affection and admiration of all Scott's characters. Her fortitude, her right eousness, her self-sacrificing loyalty and her indomitable will, combined with the shrewd ness and good sense of the Scottish peasant, make her a heroine of an entirely different stamp from the pale Rowenas of romantic fic tion. Simple and modest as she is, she has the courage, born of love, to surmount all obstacles •and to stand unwed before dukes and kings. More after Scott's usual manner but scarcely less memorable is the historical portrait of the Duke of Argyle, that noble friend of Scotland, in whom the love of country and a keen relish for the simple virtues of its inhabitants have not been dimmed by rank and power. For references, consult article IVANHOE.