Guy Mannering or The Astrologer Author:Walter, Sir Scott 1890. The Novel or Romance of Waverly made its way to the public slowly, of course, at first, but afterwards with such accumulating popularity as to encourage the author to a second attempt. He looked about for a name and a subject; and the manner in which the novels were composed cannot be better illustrated than by reciting the simple narrativ... more »e on which Guy Mannering was originally founded; but to which, in the progress of the work, the production ceased to bear any, even to the most distant, resemblance. The tale was originally told to the author by an old servant of his father's, an excellent old Highlander. He believed as firmly in the story as in any part of his creed. Illustrated.« less