It is the intention of the publishers to give, in addition to the likeness of the author engraved from a painting by Newton, which accompanies the first volume, a beautiful medallion portrait to preface the seventh and last volume. Of the present edition more than a hundred and sixty thousand parts have been issued, being equal to three hundred thousand volumes of the English edition. The publication price affixed to this work is less, in reference to the quality of materials and style of execution, than that of any other production of the press in Europe or America. The investment and expenditures connected with this undertaking are much greater than usually attend a republication; and it will be apparent that the publishers must rely on an extensive sale for their remuneration. They appeal with entire confidence to the American public, for a just and liberal support in their endeavours to disseminate the means of an enlightened and rational enjoyment. New York, July, 1834. CONNER AND COOKE. Two volumes of the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border were published in 1802;-a third followed in 1803; and, in the course of subsequent editions, the arrangement of the ballads underwent various changes, and numerous additions were made to the Notes. Sir Walter Scott drew up, in March, 1830, the "Introductory Remarks on Popular Poetry," which appear at the head of the present volume, and an "Essay on Imitations of the Ancient Ballad," which will be given at the close of the Border Minstrelsy. He kept by him, as long as his health permitted him to continue his literary pursuits, an interleaved copy of the Collection by which his name was first established, inserting various readings as chance threw them in his way, and enriching his annotations with whatever new lights conversation or books supplied. The Work is now printed according to the. copy thus finally corrected, with some notes, distinguished by brackets, in which the Editor has endeavoured to compress such additional, information concerning the incidents and localities mentioned in the Minstrelsy, as he could gather from the private correspondence of Sir Walter Scott, now in his hands, or remembered to have dropped from his lips in the course of his rides among the scenery of Border warfare. One of the Reviewers of the Minstrelsy, when it first appeared, said, "In this collection are the materials for scores of metrical romances." This was a prophetic critic. In the text and notes of this early publication, we can now trace the primary incident, or broad outline, of almost every romance, whether in verse or in prose, which Sir Walter Scott built in after life on the history or traditions of his country. The Editor has added references by which the reader will find it easy to compare the original detached anecdote, or brief sketch of character in these pages, with the expanded or embellished narratives and delineations of the Author's greater poems and novels. The airs of some of these old ballads are for the first time appended to the present edition. The selection includes those which Sir Walter Scott himself liked the best; and they are transcribed, without variation, from the MSS. in his library. According to Mr. Motherwell, the Editor of " Minstrelsy, Ancient and Modern, 1827," the Old Ballads, which appeared for the first time in this collection, are forty-three in number, viz.: Auld Maitland, The Song of the Outlaw Murray, Lord Ewrie, The Lochmaben Harper, Jamie Telfer of the fair Dodhead, Kinmont Willie, The Death of Featherstonehaugh, Bartrame's Dirge, Archie o' Ca'field, Johnny Armstrong's Good Night, The Douglas Tragedy, The Lament of the Border Widow, The Dowie Dens of Yarrow, Clerk Saunders, The Demon Lover, Rose the Red and White Lilly, The Wife of Ushor's Well, And Thomas the Rhymer. Mr. Motherwell adds-" Fortunate it was for the heroic and legendary song of Scotland that the work was undertaken, and still more fortunate that its execution devolved upon one so well qualified in every respect to do its subject the most ample justice. Long will it live, a noble and interesting monument of his unwearied research, curious and minute learning, genius, and taste. It is truly a patriot's legacy to posterity; and much as it may be now esteemed, it is only in times yet gathering in the bosom of futurity, when the interesting traditions, the chivalrous and romantic legends, the wild superstitions, the tragic songs of Scotland, have wholly failed from the living memory, that this gift can be duly appreciated. It is then that these volumes will be conned with feelings akin to religious enthusiasm, that their strange and mystic lore will be treasured up in the heart as the precious record of days for ever passed away-that their grand stern legends will be listened to with reverential awe, as if the voice of a remote ancestor from the depths of the tomb, had woke the thrilling strains of martial antiquity."-p. lxxix. J. G. L. LONDON, March 12, 1833. |