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The Annotated Edition

Scott's Lady of the Lake. Edited by W.J. ROLFE. With by James Russell Lowell

Summary, meaning, line-by-line analysis & FAQ.

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This text isn't a poem by James Russell Lowell; it's actually a piece from a publisher's catalogue or advertisement showcasing editions of Sir Walter Scott's *Lady of the Lake*, edited by W.J.

Poet
James Russell Lowell
Themes
art, home, identity
The PoemFull text

Scott's Lady of the Lake. Edited by W.J. ROLFE. With

James Russell Lowell

copious notes and numerous illustrations. (_Double Number, 30 cents. Also, in Rolfe's Students' Series, cloth to Teachers, 53 cents._) Also, bound in linen: [33] 25 cents. [34] 29 and 10 in one vol., 40 cents; likewise 28 and 36, 4 and 5, 6 and 31, 15 and 36, 40 and 69, 11 and 63. [35] Also in one vol. 40 cents. [36] 1, 4, and 30 also in one vol., 50 cents; likewise 7, 8, and 9, 33, 34, and 36.

Public domain

Sourced from Project Gutenberg

§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

This text isn't a poem by James Russell Lowell; it's actually a piece from a publisher's catalogue or advertisement showcasing editions of Sir Walter Scott's *Lady of the Lake*, edited by W.J. Rolfe, along with pricing and binding choices. There's no lyrical or narrative verse to analyze in the usual way. It probably remains in Lowell's collected works because he contributed a preface or introduction to one of these school editions.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

  1. Scott's Lady of the Lake. Edited by W.J. ROLFE.

    Editor's note

    This entry in the school-edition catalogue features Sir Walter Scott's well-known narrative poem *The Lady of the Lake* (1810) and acknowledges W.J. Rolfe as the editor. Rolfe was a prolific American editor in the 19th century, known for creating annotated school editions of classic English poetry.

  2. With copious notes and numerous illustrations.

    Editor's note

    A typical example of Victorian educational marketing. The phrase 'copious notes' indicates that this edition targets students who might struggle with Scott's outdated language and Scottish historical context. The mention of 'numerous illustrations' was a major draw at a time when affordable photography was not yet available.

  3. (_Double Number, 30 cents. Also, in Rolfe's Students' Series..._)

    Editor's note

    This parenthetical provides the retail price and series branding. 'Double Number' describes the pamphlet-style format that was typical in 19th-century American school publishing, where texts were released in numbered parts. 'Rolfe's Students' Series' was a recognized classroom imprint.

  4. Also, bound in linen: [33] 25 cents.

    Editor's note

    The numbers in brackets are catalogue item numbers, not line numbers. "Bound in linen" refers to a more durable cloth binding that costs a bit more than the paper pamphlet. The prices (25–50 cents) indicate that the series is aimed at the budget-conscious school market.

  5. [34] 29 and 10 in one vol., 40 cents; likewise 28 and 36...

    Editor's note

    This section lists combination volumes, which are two or three catalogue items bound together for cost-effectiveness. Publishers often bundled shorter texts, allowing teachers to assign multiple works while students only needed to purchase one volume instead of several separate pamphlets.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

There’s no literary tone in a poetic sense. The style is strictly commercial and utilitarian—reflecting the concise, list-heavy language of a 19th-century American educational publisher's catalogue. Prices, binding options, and item numbers take center stage. If anything, it conveys the era’s genuine belief that classic literature should be affordable and available to every schoolchild.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

The bracketed numbers
These are catalogue reference codes, not literary symbols. They correspond to individual titles in Rolfe's Students' Series, illustrating how a single publisher's list can cover an entire school curriculum.
Linen binding
In 19th-century publishing, a cloth or linen binding indicated sturdiness and a slight increase in status compared to paper wrappers. For school editions, it also suggested that the book could withstand a semester of use by students.
The price points (25–50 cents)
These figures show the democratic goal of the American school-text market: classic English literature made affordable for working-class families to ensure their children have the necessary materials for class.

§06Historical context

Historical context

James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) was a prominent figure in 19th-century American literature, known as a poet, critic, and editor of *The Atlantic Monthly*. He also served as the U.S. Ambassador to Britain. Lowell played a key role in advocating for a serious literary education in American schools and colleges. W.J. Rolfe (1827–1910) was a Massachusetts schoolmaster who became a professional editor; his annotated series of English classics — including works by Shakespeare, Milton, Scott, and Tennyson — became essential texts in classrooms across the U.S. in the latter half of the 19th century. This fragment of a catalogue likely appeared in a publisher's advertisement at the end of one of Lowell's books or in a book that featured an introduction by him. It highlights the robust 19th-century American demand for accessible, annotated editions of British Romantic poetry for students.

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

No. This is an advertisement from a publisher's catalogue, not a poem. It lists the school editions of Sir Walter Scott's *The Lady of the Lake*, which were edited by W.J. Rolfe. It shows up under Lowell's name in archival collections because it was included in a volume linked to him — probably one for which he wrote a preface or a critical introduction.

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