Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

PREFACE.

THE Songs contained in WHISTLEBINKIE were published in distinct Series throughout a period of fifteen years, the first having been issued in 1832.

The Publisher has confidence in asserting that so large a body of original Songs has never before been offered to the public in one volume.

Although, as might be expected, the Songs are of different degrees of merit—a few exhibiting more marked felicities than others-it will be found that most of them express some feeling or sentiment which the heart delights to cherish.

Looking to the number of contributors, it will readily be conceded, it is presumed, that the work, taken altogether, presents a remarkable instance of the universality of that peculiar talent for Songwriting for which Scotland has always been distinguished, and that it will be considered a favourable specimen of the national genius in that pleasing department of literature.

A WORD AT PARTING.1

IT has been often objected to this work, that it was too squat and cube-like in appearance—the publisher resolved, in consequence, to make two volumes of it. This has been done, and is largely supplemented by Biography and new pieces. Each volume is complete in itself; the only connection is the running title.

The memoirs of deceased contributors are supplied by parties who personally knew the individuals whose history they give; the Memoirs may therefore be implicitly trusted. The new pieces introduced are those left over of the last issue, series fifth, of this work, and which had the editorial imprimatur of the lamented editor, from the last edition of Motherwell's Poems, which underwent the critical inspection of the poet's friend, William Kennedy.

A large number also are from the prolific pen of that Son of Song, James Ballantine, one of the original staff of Whistlebinkians, and who is now

Preface to volume second of the previous edition of "Whistlebinkie."

the only one remaining among us who wrote expressly for this work at its starting; he is by far the largest contributor of any of his gifted brethren. The lion's share of the labour and honour is his, in giving material, and also critical advice in the selections and prunings to which the compositions were subjected.

In taking farewell, the publisher cannot refrain from wishing that this highly-gifted child of song may long be spared to the public. He and his publisher, greatly his senior in years, are only left to cherish the memory of those whose “Lyres lie silent now and sad."

He who gave publicity to this work has followed the remains of many of these minstrels to "The dusty house of Death," and felt the wheel working at life's cistern, troubled when that hollow booming key-note of death was struck, as the soil fell on the casing which contained the unconscious remains of those whom he loved, reflecting that he soon, too, must return to mix with kindred dust.

GLASGOW, June 1853.

[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
« VorigeDoorgaan »