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THE HEART OF MID LOTHIAN.
No. 11.— JEANNIE DEANS.
Sir Walter, in his happiest moment, when memory furnished materials that genius worked out in invention, was never more fortunate than in the character of "Jeannie Deans." She is a heroine, in the highest and best sense of the word, though without one of the ordinary characteristics—she is neither romantic, picturesque, nor beautiful. Scott seems to have delighted in scorning the usual accessories of interest—and yet how strong is the interest excited!—it is the very triumph of common sense and of rigid principle.
"We recognise
A grandeur in the beatings of the heart,"
though that hearts beat neither for love, fame, nor ambition; whose echo is like the sound of a trumpet, startling men into pleased sympathy with the triumph its stately music proclaims. Nothing can be more quiet than what seems likely to be the
