EDUCATION The education of our hero, Edward Waverley, was of a nature somewhat desultory.

In infancy his health suffered, or was supposed to suffer (which is quite the same thing), by the air of London.

As soon, therefore, as official duties, attendance on Parliament, or the prosecution of any of his plans of interest or ambition, called his father to town, which was his usual residence for eight months in the year, Edward was transferred to Waverley-Honour, and experienced a total change of instructors and of lessons, as well as of residence.

This might have been remedied had his father placed him under the superintendence of a permanent tutor.

But he considered that one of his choosing would probably have been unacceptable at Waverley-Honour, and that such a selection as Sir Everard might have made, were the matter left to him, would have burdened him with a disagreeable inmate, if not a political spy, in his family.