PREFACE.

IN presenting a new edition of the Poems of Fergusson, the Editor may be allowed to state in what respects it may be considered superior to any that has preceded it.

(1) In preparing the Life of the author he has left no source unexplored: and any reader at all acquainted with preceding biographies will at once perceive that his success has not been small. Let it be remembered that half a century ago, Dr. Irving (assisted by Dr. Anderson), "with all his endeavours" was only able to procure the very meagre details which compose his Life of the Poet. The present Memoir is enriched with various interesting Letters and other (hitherto) unpublished MSS.

(2) The Poems are now for the first time fully collected and chronologically arranged. The text, which has been grievously corrupted in all existing editions, is formed from the author's own volume of 1772-3, so far as it extends, with various readings from the different poems as they were originally published in the "Weekly Magazine or Edinburgh Amusement.”

The volume of 1772-3, however, only contained nine Scottish poems. For the other and more numerous pieces, while he adheres strictly to the text of the 'Weekly Magazine or Edinburgh Amusement,' the Editor has, by a careful collation, supplied many interesting

various readings from the early editions [1779 and 1782]. It might appear invidious to point out the errors in matter and variations in orthography, which appear in even the more ambitious reprints of the Poems. The Editor requests those who are interested in such matters, to compare the present with the text of Morison and Son, Perth, 1789; of Chapman and Lang, Glasgow, 1801; of Deas, Edinburgh, 1805; of Peterkin, London, 1807; of the Rev. James Gray, Edinburgh, 1821,—the only editions at all pretending to accuracy.

(3) The Notes and other peculiar features may be allowed to recommend themselves. It is hoped that the Portrait and other Illustrations will prove acceptable.

It only remains with the Editor to return to many kind friends his very grateful thanks and acknowledgments for the interest which they have manifested in his "labour of love:" and he proceeds to specify names, not ostentatiously as may at first appear, but in certitude of every little particular in the Life and Notes. To John Forbes, Esq., of Old Meldrum, and James Inverarity, Esq., London, cousins of the poet, he is indebted for all the family papers, mentioned and cited, in whole or in part, in the Life. He entertains a high sense of the confidence and courtesy of these worthy representatives of Fergusson.

To his late venerated friend, Miss Ruddiman, only daughter of Mr. Walter Ruddiman, the senior publisher of the Magazine, in which nearly all the poems of this volume originally appeared, he owes the sincerest gratitude: and equally so to the present Misses Ruddiman of this city. To those ladies he is indebted for the various Ruddiman MSS. with which the Memoir is enriched. He

need only particularly specify the three MS. Sketches of the Life of Fergusson by Mr. Thomas Ruddiman. Miss Ruddiman died on the 13th of April, 1849, when she had nearly completed her ninetieth year.

To Leonard Schmitz, Esq., the present accomplished Rector of the High School of Edinburgh, the Editor is obliged for interesting memorabilia concerning the poet's attendance at that academy. To Christopher Kerr, Esq., Writer, Dundee, in like manner, he returns his best thanks for the invaluable documents concerning Fergusson's attendance at the Grammar School of Dundee and St. Andrews University.

To J. A. Campbell, Esq., Sheriff Clerk, and Hutton Wilson, Esq., Deputy Clerk, he is indebted for researches into the Records of the Sheriff and Commissary Clerks' Offices, for the period during which Fergusson was employed in those situations: and to James Wilson, Esq., and Alexander Goodsir, Esq., of the British Linen Co., for similar researches in respect of Fergusson, senior.

The Life and Notes will show how much the Editor is obligated to the venerable Principal Lee of the University of Edinburgh, and to one who is not more able than willing to assist, David Laing, Esq., Keeper of the Writers to the Signet Library.

His best acknowledgments are likewise due to Captain James Hay of North Belton; to James Fergusson, Esq., of Balledmund; to James Samuel, Esq., of Broomhouse; to Mr. John Robertson of Moulin; to Peter Cunningham, Esq., of Somerset House; to Joseph Robertson, Esq., of the Courant, Edinburgh; to Charles Mackay, Esq., LL.D. late of Glasgow, now of London; to W. F. Mayne, Esq., and S. C. Hall, Esq., of the same city; to Robert Cham

bers, Esq.; to Daniel Wilson, Esq., Acting Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland; W. F. Watson, Esq., all of Edinburgh; to Robert Carruthers, Esq., of Inverness; to David Chalmers, Esq., of Aberdeen; to John Buddo, Esq., Writer, and John Buist, Esq., Banker, St. Andrews; to Professors Gregory and Innes, and Blair Wilson, Esq., of Edinburgh University; to Dr. Taylor of Archibald Place; Alexander S. Logan, Esq., Advocate; John Shand, Esq., W.S.; and Charles Kirkwood, Esq., Accountant, all of Edinburgh.

The volume will show too, how much the Editor is indebted to the late lamented Professor Tennant of St. Andrews; to the late Alexander Peterkin, Esq., S.S.C.; to the late respected Simon Sawers, Esq., of Dunbar; to the late W. S. Briggs, Esq., Her Majesty's Accountant to the Navy; and to the late James M'Cosh, Esq., of Dundee.

The Editor must offer his thanks to the Press of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dublin, London, New York, and Boston, for the ready insertion which they gave to his various inquiries.

To America's favourite poets, W. C. Bryant, Esq., and Professor W. H. Longfellow, he would waft his special gratitude for the manner in which they promoted his researches in respect more especially of the brother of the poet.

With reference to Dr. Irving, the Editor must duly acknowledge his uniform courtesy and interest. He has not spoken, as otherwise he should have done, of his Life [or Lives] of Fergusson, because it has long since slumbered innocuously in adust shelves: a circumstance that must in one respect be somewhat consola

tory to the writer, seeing that having been brought out in his earlier life, they contain details precipitate and errant.

Finally, in the preparation of the Notes and the completed Glossary, the Editor is anxious to express his obligations to his friends, Mr. Robert Burns, secundus, of Dumfries; and Mr. Peter Mitchell of Bentend, near Falkirk.

The Volume now presented to the public (with other similar Doric researches), has occupied the leisure hours of several years, during more weighty and serious studies, -and it is now sent forth in the modest hope that it may be found to possess the quality of being in some degree a conclusive edition, not unworthy of the memory of the poet, and of the long established popularity of the

poems.

EDINBURGH, 1851.

A. B. G.

N. B.-The reader may ask why the Work is issued anonymously? The Editor replies in the words of good

Dr. Cotton.

"Authors, you know, of greatest fame,
Thro' modesty suppress their name;
And would you wish me to reveal
What these superior wits conceal?
Forego the search, my curious friend,
And husband time to better end;

All my ambition is, I own,
To profit and to please unknown,

Like streams supplied from springs below
Which scatter blessings as they flow."