Halidon Hill; A Dramatic Sketch, From Scottish History.

SCOTT, SIR WALTER. Halidon Hill; A Dramatic Sketch, From Scottish History. 8vo. Original printed wrappers, untrimmed. Printed for Archibald Constable and Co., Edinburgh; And Hurst, Robinson, and Co. London, 1822. First Edition. Presentation copy inscribed on the front free endpaper, "To Sir Alexr Keith Knight Marischal Ravelston from His Affectionate Kinsman The Author." Sir Alexander Keith, a close friend of Scott, was founder of the Keith Prize, a biennial prize for the most important discoveries in science made in any part of the world.

Although this lesser-known work is written as a dramatic sketch, Scott tells us in the preface that it is not intended to be produced on the stage. Halidon Hill tells the story of the reconciliation between two feuding Scottish chiefs before they die valiantly in the fight against Edward III of England. The Eclectic Review of September 1822 says, "This is a 'sketch,' but it is from the hand of a master; and there is a chasteness and simplicity in the poetry, such as are displayed in our ancient ballads, which might have suffered from elaboration." Slight wear to wrappers; o/w a fine copy with wide, untrimmed margins. Scott presentation copies are Rare.