Scott's Lady of the Lake. Edited by W.J. ROLFE. With by James Russell Lowell: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
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.
The poem
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.
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.
Line-by-line
Scott's Lady of the Lake. Edited by W.J. ROLFE.
With copious notes and numerous illustrations.
(_Double Number, 30 cents. Also, in Rolfe's Students' Series..._)
Also, bound in linen: [33] 25 cents.
[34] 29 and 10 in one vol., 40 cents; likewise 28 and 36...
Tone & mood
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.
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.
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.
FAQ
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.
*The Lady of the Lake* (1810) is a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott that unfolds in the Scottish Highlands. The poem weaves a tale of love, hidden identities, and clan disputes, focusing on the enigmatic Ellen Douglas, who resides on an island in Loch Katrine. It gained immense popularity and played a significant role in boosting 19th-century tourism in the Scottish Highlands.
William James Rolfe (1827–1910) was an American educator and editor from Massachusetts. He created numerous annotated editions of works by prominent English-language poets and playwrights, with a particular focus on Shakespeare, but he also edited texts by Scott, Tennyson, and Milton. For many years, his editions served as the standard classroom materials in American high schools.
In 19th-century American educational publishing, texts were frequently released in numbered pamphlet parts. A 'Double Number' indicated that the text was lengthy enough to occupy two standard pamphlet units, which explained the slightly higher price of 30 cents compared to the usual 15 cents for a single number.
School publishers of that time fiercely competed on price and flexibility. Teachers needed affordable solutions to equip entire classrooms, so publishers provided paper wrappers, linen bindings, and combo volumes that bundled two or three texts together. This range of options directly addressed the budget limitations faced by public school systems.
They are catalog item numbers that identify specific titles in Rolfe's Students' Series. This allows a teacher or school board to order by number instead of writing out the full titles. It's like a SKU code from the 19th century.
Publishers often included ads for their other titles on the last pages of books. If Lowell wrote an essay or introduction for one of Rolfe's editions, the publisher would add their complete catalogue in that same book. Later, when the book was digitized or catalogued, the ad was sometimes incorrectly credited to Lowell as the author.
Absolutely. Catalogs like this serve as primary sources for the history of reading and education. They reveal which poems were deemed essential for American students, what families typically spent on their children's schoolbooks, and how publishers marketed the British Romantic canon to a wider audience. This context is genuinely valuable for understanding how poems like *The Lady of the Lake* influenced 19th-century American literary culture.