The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott (1810) Illu. Howard Chandler Christy

The Lady is a joy to read; the words drift and swirl off the tongue.
As with any of prose from so long ago I go to summaries and modern interpretations to help get the the story.
I saw this book online and discovered that it was in Providence, turns out I was going there and so I was able to pick it up in person.
It is not listed as a 100th anniversary publication but it certainly was that, I suppose by then it was beginning to loose its hold on the reading audience. Certainly after WWI I think people were looking for "Modern" writing.
In its day it helped propel Scott to Rock Star proportions,Scott was a genius.

The cover has some unfortunate blotching on it however internally it is in good shape.

The signature maybe the 1st owner, Mary Jane Glenn?

Ellen and Lufra with the Title page.

Ellen goes across Loch Katrine to find the mysterious bugler and meets James.

An interesting outline of Clan conscription; the small cross is consecrated with an oath and then carried around to every hill and dale demanding allegiance. In this instance a marriage is interrupted with the command.

Roderich, who has open wishes for Ellen, secretly sees her as she prays, he is over come with the realization that this is the last time he will ever see or hear her.

 It is important to note that the Prayer that Ellen recites is in fact the inspiration to Robert Schumann for his incredible Ave Maria.

Smitten after their 1st meeting James returns to the island to woo Ellen. Christy's work is so theatrical!

Roderich and James meet without knowing whom each other is at first.

Ellen realizes in a flash that James is King James and falls to her knees.