Ann Radcliffe - Delphi Complete Works of Ann Radcliffe

The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne: A Highland Story was Ann Radcliffes first novel, published in 1789 by Thomas Hookham. Radcliffe was an immensely successful and popular writer who garnered both commercial and to a certain extent, considering the low regard in which novels were held, critical plaudits. She began exploring her theories of the sublime and of viewing the landscape as a character and work of art. Her novels were a skilful interweaving of the romance genre with works of sensibility.

Her first Gothic tale centres on two opposing clans in feudal Scotland : Athlin and Dunbayne. Malcolm the Lord of Dunbayne has recently murdered Earl Osberts father in a cowardly ambush and left Osbert, his sister Mary and their mother Matilda bereft. This calculated killing results in Osberts burning desire to seek revenge on Malcolm while he simultaneously worries over leaving or endangering his mother and sister by any reckless acts. They encourage Osbert to calm his vengeful passion and not to pursue any retribution against his fathers murderer. However, they fail in this quest and Osbert is assisted in his attempt to destroy Malcolm by the peasant, Alleyn when they launch an attack on Malcolms castle. Apart from the theme of revenge, the novel also contains the romance elements of many Gothic tales; Osbert is torn between vengeance and the love he bears his family and his sister Mary is divided over her love for Alleyn and the duty, obedience and honour she owes her family.

Mary becomes the object of desire for three very different men but her ability or opportunity to choose is constrained by the expectations and responsibilities that a woman in her position faced in protecting the family name and acceding to male familial wishes. Malcolm and Osbert appear as opposites in the feudal world of morality they inhabit, although it is not difficult to uncover similarities in their codes of conduct regarding their behaviour to power. Radcliffe weaves a gothic tale of usurpation, imprisonment and romance into a seemingly conservative text, which conforms to the chivalric code and restores the correct dynastical and patriarchal order.

The first editions title page

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

ON the northeast coast of Scotland , in the most romantic part of the Highlands, stood the Castle of Athlin ; an edifice built on the summit of a rock whose base was in the sea. This pile was venerable from its antiquity, and from its Gothic structure; but more venerable from the virtues which it enclosed. It was the residence of the still beautiful widow, and the children of the noble Earl of Athlin, who was slain by the hand of Malcolm, a neighbouring chief, proud, oppressive, revengeful; and still residing in all the pomp of feudal greatness, within a few miles of the castle of Athlin . Encroachment on the domain of Athlin, was the occasion of the animosity which subsisted between the chiefs. Frequent broils had happened between their clans, in which that of Athlin had generally been victorious. Malcolm, whose pride was touched by the defeat of his people; whose ambition was curbed by the authority, and whose greatness was rivalled by the power of the Earl, conceived for him that deadly hatred which opposition to its favourite passions naturally excites in a mind like his, haughty and unaccustomed to controul; and he meditated his destruction. He planned his purpose with all that address which so eminently marked his character, and in a battle which was attended by the chiefs of each party in person, he contrived, by a curious finesse, to entrap the Earl, accompanied by a small detachment, in his wiles, and there slew him. A general rout of his clan ensued, which was followed by a dreadful slaughter; and a few only escaped to tell the horrid catastrophe to Matilda. Overwhelmed by the news, and deprived of those numbers which would make revenge successful, Matilda forbore to sacrifice the lives of her few remaining people to a feeble attempt at retaliation, and she was constrained to endure in silence her sorrows and her injuries.

Inconsolable for his death, Matilda had withdrawn from the public eye, into this ancient seat of feudal government, and there, in the bosom of her people and her family, had devoted herself to the education of her children. One son and one daughter were all that survived to her care, and their growing virtues promised to repay all her tenderness. Osbert was in his nineteenth year: nature had given him a mind ardent and susceptible, to which education had added refinement and expansion. The visions of genius were bright in his imagination, and his heart, unchilled by the touch of disappointment, glowed with all the warmth of benevolence.

When first we enter on the theatre of the world, and begin to notice its features, young imagination heightens every scene, and the warm heart expands to all around it. The happy benevolence of our feelings prompts us to believe that every body is good, and excites our wonder why every body is not happy. We are fired with indignation at the recital of an act of injustice, and at the unfeeling vices of which we are told. At a tale of distress our tears flow a full tribute to pity: at a deed of virtue our heart unfolds, our soul aspires, we bless the action, and feel ourselves the doer. As we advance in life, imagination is compelled to relinquish a part of her sweet delirium; we are led reluctantly to truth through the paths of experience; and the objects of our fond attention are viewed with a severer eye. Here an altered scene appears;frowns where late were smiles; deep shades where late was sunshine: mean passions, or disgusting apathy stain the features of the principal figures. We turn indignant from a prospect so miserable, and court again the sweet illusions of our early days; but ah! they are fled for ever! Constrained, therefore, to behold objects in their more genuine hues, their deformity is by degrees less painful to us. The fine touch of moral susceptibility, by frequent irritation becomes callous; and too frequently we mingle with the world, till we are added to the number of its votaries.

Mary, who was just seventeen, had the accomplishments of riper years, with the touching simplicity of youth. The graces of her person were inferior only to those of her mind, which illumined her countenance with inimitable expression.

Twelve years had now elapsed since the death of the Earl, and time had blunted the keen edge of sorrow. Matildas grief had declined into a gentle, and not unpleasing melancholy, which gave a soft and interesting shade to the natural dignity of her character. Hitherto her attention had been solely directed towards rearing those virtues which nature had planted with so liberal a hand in her children, and which, under the genial influence of her eye, had flourished and expanded into beauty and strength. A new hope, and new solicitudes, now arose in her breast; these dear children were arrived at an age, dangerous from its tender susceptibility, and from the influence which imagination has at that time over the passions. Impressions would soon be formed which would stamp their destiny for life. The anxious mother lived but in her children, and she had yet another cause of apprehension.