Sir Walter Scott

The Surgeon's Daughter Sir Walter Scott

'The Surgeon's Daughter' is set in the mid- to late 1770s between the First and Second Mysore Wars. It is the story of Menie Gray, daughter of Dr Gideon Gray (who is thought to have been modelled on Scott's own doctor, Ebenezer Clarkson of Selkirk). Menie falls in love with Richard Middlemas, an illegitimate child brought up in the surgeon's household. Richard has been educated to the medical profession, and the couple are betrothed with the blessings of Menie's father. Scorning his prospects as a country doctor, however, Richard leaves Scotland to seek his fortune in India. Here he becomes the paramour of an adventuress Adela Montreville who concocts a plot to lure Menie to India and hand her over to the Vice-Regent of Bangalore, Prince Tippoo Saib (whose passions have been aroused by a picture of the young girl). Bribery and hope of advancement lead Richard to go along with the scheme, and Menie, who has been reduced to poverty following her father's death, answers Richard's call to join her in India as his wife. The hero of the story turns out to be Adam Hartley, a student friend of Richard's and his unsuccessful rival for Menie's hand. Adam secures the help of Hyder Ali, Tippoo Saib's father, who assures Menie's safety and punishes Richard by having him crushed to death by an elephant. Shortly afterwards, Adam contracts a fatal disease leaving Menie as his principal heir. Out of respect for his memory, she remains unmarried.