The Antiquary
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1816 |
| Founder | Walter Scott |
| Products | Historical novel |
The Antiquary (1816), the third installment in Walter Scott's Waverley novels, focuses on an antiquary—an enthusiast of history, archaeology, and a collector of artifacts whose authenticity is often questionable. This character, who lends the novel its title, serves as the central figure and protagonist, while Lovel and Isabella Wardour fulfill the traditional romantic roles.[1] Scott considered The Antiquary his preferred work among his novels,[2] and it continues to be highly esteemed by critics; H. J. C. Grierson observed that few authors aside from Shakespeare have so skillfully merged elements of truth, poetry, realism, and romance.[3]
In a public notice, Scott explained that his objective, consistent with Waverley and Guy Mannering, was to portray Scottish society during a defined historical era—in this instance, the final decade of the 18th century.[4] The narrative unfolds in July and August of 1794.[5] Primarily a novel of social customs, it examines how history impacts contemporary life.[6] The overall mood is largely humorous, interspersed with dramatic and poignant scenes.[7]
To aid readers unfamiliar with regional dialects, Scott included a glossary of Scots vocabulary.
Composition
In January 1815, Scott agreed to produce The Antiquary, targeting a publication date of 4 June. However, much of that year was devoted to other pursuits, notably his tour through Belgium and France, which inspired works such as The Field of Waterloo, The Dance of Death, and Paul's Letters to His Kinsfolk. Writing commenced late in the year and was nearly complete by mid-April 1816, except for the glossary.
Editions
The Antiquary first appeared in three volumes published in Edinburgh on 4 May 1816 by Archibald Constable and Co., followed by a London release on 8 May through Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown. As with all Waverley novels prior to 1827, the author’s name was withheld. The initial print run comprised 6000 copies priced at £1 4s (£1.20), succeeded three months later by a revised second edition. Evidence of Scott’s direct involvement in this or later editions is limited except for the 1823 18mo Novels and Tales and the 'Magnum' edition. Some textual revisions in 1823 are attributed to him, though that edition did not continue further. In October 1828, Scott contributed an introduction, annotations, and edited text for the Magnum edition, where it appeared as Volumes 5 and 6 in late 1829.
The authoritative modern version edited by David Hewitt was released as Volume 3 of the Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels (1995), primarily based on the first edition corrected against manuscript sources and incorporating second edition alterations; content from the Magnum edition is included in Volume 25a.
Plot summary
At the outset, Lovel encounters antiquary Jonathan Oldbuck aboard a coach traveling from Edinburgh. Oldbuck carries a copy of Gordon's Itinerarium, a volume detailing Roman ruins, which captivates Lovel. Their mutual interest fosters friendship. Oldbuck invites Lovel to his estate at Monkbarns where he displays his antiquarian expertise and unveils an expensive parcel inscribed with "A.D.L.L," which Oldbuck interprets as "Agricola Dicavit Libens Lubens". The local beggar Edie Ochiltree humorously challenges this interpretation.
Oldbuck introduces Lovel to his acquaintance Sir Arthur Wardour. Lovel also meets Sir Arthur’s daughter Isabella; although they recognize one another, Isabella fears her father’s disapproval due to Lovel’s illegitimate birth. When Lovel attempts to converse with her, she persuades her father to take a longer path along the shoreline. Edie perceives impending danger as the tide rises and alerts them; Lovel arrives just in time to assist their escape onto a rocky cliff until Oldbuck rescues them using ropes.
Subsequently, Oldbuck leads Lovel along with the Wardours, his niece and nephew, Dousterswivel, and a clergyman to visit Saint Ruth ruins on Sir Arthur’s property. They discuss legends of hidden treasure. Captain M'Intyre competes for Isabella’s favor but loses to Lovel, inciting jealousy. M'Intyre challenges Lovel to a duel over disputes concerning military rank; Lovel wounds M'Intyre and escapes with Edie to avoid arrest. While in hiding, they observe Dousterswivel tricking Sir Arthur with counterfeit magical acts aimed at locating treasure; Dousterswivel "discovers" a small pouch beneath a stone before their departure. Lovel then leaves aboard a military vessel.
Oldbuck exposes Dousterswivel’s fraudulence and returns with Sir Arthur to investigate without him. Excavating beneath the same stone uncovers a chest filled with silver coins which Sir Arthur takes home. Edie lingers behind convincing Dousterswivel there is an additional chest containing gold nearby. They dig during the night but find nothing before Steenie Mucklebackit knocks Dousterswivel unconscious.
Steenie and Edie retreat to Steenie’s residence where he finds Dousterswivel’s pocketbook; Edie secures his promise to return it before departing. Shortly after, Steenie dies in a fishing mishap; during mourning rites, Elspeth—Steenie’s grandmother—regains consciousness briefly enough to entrust Edie with delivering a ring and message to Lord Glenallan. Oldbuck assists with funeral preparations.
Edie meets Lord Glenallan and hands over the ring; Glenallan visits Elspeth who reveals his true background: Eveline Neville—his wife—was mistakenly believed by Glenallan’s mother to be his sister after pregnancy. Eveline died following an attempted suicide after childbirth; their son was secretly raised by Glenallan’s brother as illegitimate—unknown to Glenallan—who has since been burdened by guilt over this misunderstanding. Elspeth clarifies Eveline’s legitimacy, prompting Glenallan to search for his son.
Meanwhile, Edie is arrested on charges of assaulting Dousterswivel but is released when Oldbuck proves Dousterswivel is a thief. Sir Arthur faces potential arrest due to debts; Edie returns with financial assistance from Wardour’s son preventing legal action.
A false alarm triggers the national invasion warning system; Oldbuck arms himself alongside his nephew who assumes command duties. Lord Glenallan arrives accompanied by troops; Lovel and Captain Wardour join leadership roles as it is revealed that Lovel is Major Neville—Glenallan’s son—thus reuniting family ties. Major Neville becomes heir apparent to Lord Glenallan and gains freedom to wed Isabella Wardour.
Characters
Key figures are highlighted in bold
- William Lovel, who later becomes Lord Geraldin, Earl of Glenallan
- Mrs Macleuchar, owner of the Edinburgh-Queensferry coach service
- Jonathan Oldbuck, resident of Monkbarns
- Miss Griselda Oldbuck, his sister
- Mary MacIntyre, his niece
- Jenny Rintherout, his maidservant
- Captain Hector MacIntyre, his nephew
- Mr Lesley, a military acquaintance of Hector
- Jacob Caxon, a barber by profession
- Jenny Caxon, his daughter
- Lieutenant Richard Taffril, Jenny’s fiancé
- Edie Ochiltree, a licensed beggar
- Sir Arthur Wardour, lord of Knockwinnock Castle
- Captain Reginald Wardour, Sir Arthur’s son
- Isabella Wardour, Sir Arthur’s daughter
- Ringan Aikwood, estate manager
- Herman Dousterswivel, a fraudulent charlatan
- Mrs Mailsetter, postmistress at Fairport
- Davie Mailsetter, her son
- Mrs Heukbane
- Mrs Shortcake
- Mr Blattergowl, minister at Trotcosey
- Miss Rebecca Blattergo, his sister
- Elspeth Mucklebackit, from Craigburnfoot
- Saunders Mucklebackit, her son
- Joscelind, Countess of Glenallan
- William, Earl of Glenallan, her son
- Eveline Neville, his deceased wife
- Francie Macraw, the Earl’s porter
- Baillie Littlejohn
Chapter summary
Volume One
Ch. 1: Two gentlemen—one elderly and one young—travel separately by coach from Edinburgh to South Queensferry.
Ch. 2: The narrator provides an introduction to Jonathan Oldbuck. Oldbuck and William Lovel share a meal at the Hawes inn before proceeding to Fairport.
Ch. 3: Oldbuck shows Lovel his antiquarian 'sanctum sanctorum' located at Monkbarns.
Ch. 4: Edie Ochiltree, a licensed mendicant, informs that the Roman praetorium Oldbuck assumes is actually of modern origin.
Ch. 5: Oldbuck (a Whig) invites his Tory neighbour Sir Arthur Wardour and daughter Isabella to join Lovel for dinner.
Ch. 6: During dinner Sir Arthur and Oldbuck debate antiquarian matters; afterward the Wardours walk home along the sands to avoid Lovel. Barber Jacob Caxon expresses concern for their safety.
Ch. 7: On the sands Edie warns the Wardours about impending danger but they become trapped by the tide; Lovel rescues them by descending a cliff.
Ch. 8: The rescue operation concludes successfully.
Ch. 9: Lovel lodges in the Green Room at Monkbarns, reputedly haunted by the spirit of printer Aldobrand Oldenbuck.
Ch. 10: While in the Green Room Lovel dreams about Aldobrand.
Ch. 11: At breakfast Oldbuck and Lovel discuss Aldobrand and later buy fish at the shore.
Ch. 12: Isabella offers Edie accommodation; he refuses, preferring his wandering lifestyle. He remarks on her recent rejection of Lovel and advises kindness toward him.
Ch. 13: Isabella tells Lovel she cannot reciprocate his affection; Oldbuck cautions about charlatan Dousterswivel’s scheme to deceive Sir Arthur.
Ch. 14: Lovel allows Oldbuck to believe he is an aspiring poet.
Ch. 15: At the post office Mrs Mailsetter and local gossips inspect mail; an urgent letter for Lovel is handed to Davie Mailsetter for delivery.
Volume Two
Ch. 1 (16): Oldbuck visits Lovel who claims to be mourning a friend’s death.
Ch. 2 (17): During an outing to St Ruth's priory ruins, Dousterswivel performs water divination.
Ch. 3 (18): At St Ruth's Lovel reads Isabella’s version of Martin Waldeck’s German tale.
Ch. 4 (19): Oldbuck’s nephew Hector MacIntyre arrives, courts Isabella, and has a dispute with Lovel.
Ch. 5 (20): Mr Lesley arranges a duel between Hector and Lovel; Edie tries unsuccessfully to prevent it; Hector is injured.
Ch. 6 (21): Edie hides Lovel at St Ruth's; they overhear Dousterswivel tricking Sir Arthur. Lieutenant Taffril escorts Lovel away afterward.
Ch. 7 (22): Sir Arthur shows Oldbuck coins unearthed by Dousterswivel at St Ruth's while promising more treasure.
Ch. 8 (23): Guided by Edie, Oldbuck, Sir Arthur, and Dousterswivel discover silver ingots at St Ruth's.
Ch. 9 (24): Dousterswivel agrees to continue digging after Edie assures him treasure exists there.
Ch. 10 (25): While digging Dousterswivel is confronted by a mysterious figure; witnesses Countess of Glenallan’s Catholic burial; Ringan Aikwood offers him lodging.
Ch. 11 (26): Elspeth Mucklebackit learns about Countess’ death; Steenie and Edie arrive pursued by a funeral party member—Steenie claims he assaulted Dousterswivel.
Ch. 12 (27): Elspeth sends Edie with a token ring to summon Earl Glenallan; he is admitted by porter Francie Macraw.
Ch. 13 (28): Edie delivers Glenallan’s summons message.
Ch. 14 (29): Edie discovers Steenie Mucklebackit drowned; he is arrested for attacking Dousterswivel.
Volume Three
Ch. 1 (30): Oldbuck and Hector attend Steenie’s funeral with lighthearted spirits.
Ch. 2 (31): Steenie’s funeral ceremony takes place.
Ch. 3 (32): Glenallan arrives to confer with Elspeth.
Ch. 4 (33): Elspeth reveals her involvement in the death of Glenallan’s wife Eveline during childbirth and disappearance of their infant son; both she and the late Countess harbored animosity toward Eveline.
Ch. 5 (34): Glenallan recounts Elspeth’s story to Oldbuck, who had unknowingly vied for Eveline’s affection.
Ch. 6 (35): At Monkbarns Glenallan and Oldbuck devise plans to find the Earl’s missing son.
Ch. 7 (36): Caxon reports village reactions to Glenallan’s unexpected arrival; Glenallan bonds with Oldbuck’s family over breakfast.
Ch. 8 (37): Edie resists questioning by Baillie Littlejohn; Oldbuck persuades magistrate to assign interrogation to himself instead.
Ch. 9 (38): After hearing Edie's narrative, Oldbuck grants bail.
Ch. 10 (39): Oldbuck takes Hector and Edie to visit Elspeth.
Ch. 11 (40): Elspeth passes away without revealing further details; Oldbuck receives a summons to Knockwinnock.
Ch. 12 (41): Sir Arthur faces financial collapse; Isabella meets Edie who hints at secret assistance for her family.
Ch. 13 (42): With Hector’s help Edie secures transport to Tannonburgh post town; Sir Arthur is arrested over debts.
Ch. 14 (43): Edie returns bearing Reginald’s letter revealing that a 'matchless friend' settled Sir Arthur’s debts.
Ch. 15 (44): Edie and Oldbuck share laughter as the plot unfolds: Lovel arranged for burying ingots at St Ruth’s benefiting Sir Arthur.
Ch. 16 (45): Local militia assemble following a false alarm of French invasion; Major Neville arrives—Glenallan’s lost son—and marries Isabella one month later.
Reception
Critics largely concurred that The Antiquary maintained the distinguished quality found in Waverley and Guy Mannering, especially through its keen observations of human behavior, social customs, and key moments such as the tide rescue and the fisherman's funeral. The character Edie Ochiltree was particularly commended for his authentic depiction, drawing comparisons to Meg Merrilees from Guy Mannering. Oldbuck also received favorable attention, although The European Magazine considered his portrayal excessively detailed. Some criticism was directed at Lovel's minor presence, Isabella Wardour's lack of impact, and an overall narrative viewed as poorly structured, notably due to its sudden ending. Various publications, including The Monthly Review, The Quarterly Review, and The New Monthly Magazine, regarded the author's assertion of a planned trilogy as a retrospective justification.