This is the charming story of David Laidlaw, a young Scotsman who 'comes to Bawbylon' (which is actually London) and becomes unwittingly embroiled with criminals and blackguards of a mercenary sort. (Goodreads)
Robert Michael Ballantyne (24 April 1825 – 8 February 1894) was a Scottish author of juvenile fiction who wrote more than 100 books. He was also an accomplished artist, and exhibited some of his water-colours at the Royal Scottish Academy. (Wikipedia)