Waverley · Chapter
XXXV: Comparing of Notes explained
The Baron of Bradwardine recounts his misfortunes after the Jacobite defeat, including the loss of his estate to his ungrateful heir-male Malcolm Bradwardine.
What happens
The Baron of Bradwardine recounts his misfortunes after the Jacobite defeat, including the loss of his estate to his ungrateful heir-male Malcolm Bradwardine. He and Waverley share a humble supper in a hidden hut, tended by old Janet and her simple son Davie, who once cleverly misled soldiers searching for the Baron. Waverley learns that Rose is safe at Duchran and contemplates his own future, possibly joining the Baron in exile.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Hierarchy
The Baron's loss of his estate to a grasping heir-male highlights the fragility of aristocratic status and the injustices of inheritance law.
Loyalty and Allegiance
Janet and Davie's steadfast loyalty to the Baron, risking their safety to hide and protect him, contrasts with the selfishness of the new laird.
Change and Transition
The Baron and Waverley face an uncertain future, contemplating exile and the end of their former lives in Scotland.
Characters to notice
- Baron of Bradwardine
Relates his story of loss after Culloden, the seizure of his estate by his heir-male, and his current life in hiding.
- Edward Waverley
Listens to the Baron's tale, hopes for Colonel Talbot's intercession, and considers accompanying the Baron to France.
- Janet Gellatley
Provides hospitality in the hut, praises her son Davie's cleverness in protecting the Baron, and recalls past kindnesses from the Baron.
- Davie Gellatley
Roasts eggs by the fire and is credited with fooling soldiers by impersonating the Baron.
- Rose Bradwardine
Mentioned as safe at Duchran, with the Bailie trying to salvage something from the estate for her.
- Fergus MacIvor
Discussed with anxiety by the Baron, who quotes Horace to describe his fiery temper.
- Flora MacIvor
Receives the Baron's sympathy for her misfortunes.
- Bailie Macwheeble
Helps the Baron secretly by providing meal and small luxuries through Janet.
Key passages
“The matter did not coincide with the feelings of the commons of Bradwardine, Mr. Waverley; and the tenants were slack and repugnant in payment of their mails and duties; and when my kinsman came to the village wi’ the new factor, Mr. James Howie, to lift the rents, some wanchancy person—I suspect John Heatherblutter, the auld gamekeeper, that was out wi’ me in the year Fifteen—fired a shot at him in the gloaming, whereby he was so affrighted, that I may say with Tullius In Catilinam, ‘ Abiit, evasit, erupit, effugit. ’ He fled, sir, as one may say, incontinent to Stirling.”
The tenants were disloyal to the new laird, and someone shot at his factor, scaring him away to Stirling.
The Baron describes the local resistance to his successor.
“Davie’s no sae silly as folk tak him for, Mr. Wauverley; he wadna hae brought you here unless he had kend ye was a friend to his Honour; indeed the very dogs kend ye, Mr. Wauverley, for ye was aye kind to beast and body.”
Davie is smarter than people think; he only brought you here because he knew you were a friend.
Janet defends her son's intelligence and loyalty.
“I wish one Prince, at least, of our acquaintance may be no worse off,”
I hope Prince Charles Edward is faring as well as we are.
The Baron expresses concern for the Prince's safety.
