Provost Pawkie of Gudetown tells, in his own words and with complete self-satisfaction, how he rose to be chief magistrate and what he did with the office — every stroke of it corrupt and every word of it plausible. Galt failed at business on three continents, founded the Canadian town of Guelph, was recalled in disgrace and did time for debt; he invented the political novel in Scots, and Pawkie is a permanent contribution. Thirty-seven plates, from Wilkie to Turner, catch the weather of G...

Fifty years in a Scottish parish told year by year by its minister, who notices the coming of the cotton mill, the road and the newspapers without ever quite understanding what they mean. Galt invented the form and Scottish fiction has been borrowing it ever since. This edition binds fifty-nine plates of painting with the text, among them works by David Wilkie, Edvard Munch and John Jones.

Three generations of a covenanting family from the Reformation to the killing time, told by the grandson who believes he fired the shot that killed Claverhouse at Killiecrankie. Galt wrote it in the voice of the man himself and it is the strongest thing he did. This edition adds fifty-nine bound plates after paintings by Munch, McCulloch, Gainsborough and others, with an introduction and glossary.

A Glasgow merchant entails his estate on the wrong son out of pure obstinacy and destroys three generations doing it. Byron is said to have read it three times, and the Leddy Grippy, the laird's garrulous widow, is one of the great comic figures of Scottish fiction. This edition pairs the novel with a gallery of 55 plates, among them paintings by David Wilkie, Edvard Munch and Thomas Gainsborough, and includes an introduction and glossary.

The Provost is an ironic look at the career of a small town merchant and politician. Set in Irvine, Scotland, it follows the life of James Pawkie, the Provost of the title. Starting as a humble apprentice, he progresses to owning his own shop and eventually acquiring a large portion of Irvine. Simultaneously, he begins involvement in local politics with a seat on the town council. Eventually, he is elevated to the supreme position of local power, the Provost, where he uses his position and...

The Scottish author John Galt achieved instant fame with his 1821 novel ‘Annals of the Parish’, winning him the distinction of being the first novelist to deal with issues of the Industrial Revolution. A close friend of Lord Byron, Galt wrote novels that are memorable for their endearing depiction of Scottish rural life, tinged with ironic humour and reminiscent of his contemporary Sir Walter Scott. Galt is also notable as a political and social commentator, as exemplified by his l...

"The Life of Lord Byron" by John Galt is a compelling biography that delves into the life and character of the enigmatic poet Lord Byron. Galt, a contemporary of Byron, provides an intimate portrayal of the poet's tumultuous life, exploring his relationships, passions, and the societal influences that shaped his work. The narrative captures Byron's brilliance and contradictions, revealing the man behind the myth. Galt's insights into Byron's personality and creative genius offer readers a ...

"Ringan Gilhaize, or, The Covenanters" is set during the 17th century in Scotland, a tumultuous period known for religious and political strife. The novel follows the story of Ringan Gilhaize, a devout Scottish Presbyterian who becomes involved in the Covenanters' struggle against religious persecution and government oppression.As the plot unfolds, readers are immersed in the religious and political conflicts of the time, including the signing of the National Covenant in 1638 and the battl...

The Life, Studies, and Works of Benjamin West is a fascinating and richly detailed biography of one of the most influential painters of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Through careful research and engaging narrative, John Galt traces the remarkable journey of Benjamin West from his early years in colonial America to his rise as an internationally celebrated artist and a central figure in the British art world. The book explores West's artistic development, creative methods, ...

The novel is presented in the form of a series of letters and journal entries, which were a popular narrative technique during the 18th and 19th centuries. It tells the story of the Pringle family, who are the beneficiaries of a substantial inheritance left to them by their deceased relative, the Reverend Doctor Pringle of Garnock. The Pringle family includes various colorful characters, each with their own unique quirks and personalities.The Pringles embark on a journey from Ayrshire, Sco...

The novel is often categorized as a "domestic novel" or a "regional novel" because it focuses on the everyday lives and affairs of the townspeople of Dalmailing. It provides a detailed and vivid portrayal of the social, economic, and political aspects of a small Scottish community in the early 19th century.The character of Nicol Jarvie is a key figure in the novel. As the provost, he plays a central role in maintaining order and justice in the town. The story follows his interactions with ...

David Ramsay: The protagonist, David is a character who finds himself at odds with the inheritance rules of the Grippy estate. His personal struggles and moral dilemmas drive much of the narrative.Sir Matthew Ramsay: David's father, who is deeply invested in the fate of the Grippy estate and its legal implications.Miss Margaret Ramsay: David’s sister, who plays a key role in the family dynamics and the inheritance issues.Various Other Characters: The novel features a range of secondary cha...