PRINCIPALLY RELATING TO SCOTTISH MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. BY PETER LIVINGSTON, DUNDEE, "A wish-I mind its power; A wish that to my latest hour Shall strongly heave my breast: That I, for poor auld Scotland's sake, Fourth Edition. DUNDEE: PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR, TO BE HAD OF WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, 63, MURRAYGATE. 1847. PREFACE. AUTHORS generally seem to think it necessary to write a preface when they offer to the world anything in the shape of a book. I confess that it is more from custom than cause or necessity that I have been prompted, on the present occasion, to write an introductory notice. Robert Nicoll, a young, fine poet, whose works were and are appreciated, now that he is no more, said that in his poems he had written his heart;-I may say the same, with this little addition, that I feel I have not yet written all my heart. Should I appear before the public a second time, I hope that I will still be able to produce something worthy of their perusal. The reader will observe that many of the songs in this volume are composed, and can be sung, to the most popular airs of the day. From this some may imagine that I wrote my songs, believing that our justly-celebrated music was wedded to unworthy words. This is not the case: I love and revere the great originals, and wrote my songs "rather with a view to kindle at their flame than for servile imitation." When first I entertained the notion of publishing, I thought it would be well to collect together all the pieces which I had written at a very early age; but in preparing for the press, I found that most of the poems here presented were written two, three, and four years ago, when I was sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen years of age. I mention this fact merely that the critics-the gods in literature— should they consider this volume worthy of a review, may bear it in mind. At the same time, I beg to state, that, whatever any of them may say by way of condemnation, it will not be to me a matter of so great moment as it has been to many. The mind, that very fiery particle, Sha'nt let itself be snuff'd out by an article. I take this opportunity of returning my sincere thanks to those kind friends who have favoured me with their patronage. If in this volume there be a single sentiment calculated to make them love their fellow-men-a sentiment fitted to make them seek the better world, or to love and remember Him who suffered for their sake,-if, indeed, after reading this little book, they rise with any degree of pleasure If on them swell A single recollection not in vain then have I reaped my reward. Such are a few of the principles I have endeavoured to impress upon my readers. I sincerely hope that they will never have cause to regret affording me aid and encouragement. MURRAYGATE, DUNDEE, Dec., 1844. PETER LIVINGSTON. |