"Wie gehet's doch zu, dass wir in carnalibus so manch fein Poema und so manch schön Carmen haben, und in spiritualibus da haben wir so faul kalt Ding?" -MARTIN LUTHER'S Tischreden. PREFACE An inquiry into the antiquarian movement of the second half of the eighteenth century would unquestionably be of fundamental importance for the literary history of that period. Considering the intrinsic importance of the subject, it is surprising that so little has been done in this respect. The most vivid light is thrown upon the social and literary aspects of the time by many manuscript collections and letters, which have never been published or even adequately catalogued. The old life-and it was an exceptionally vigorous and spirited life-lives again in their pages, but they remain neglected and almost unknown. David Laing's collections form at present an unsurveyable chaos; of George Paton's extensive correspondence comparatively few specimens have been published by the literary epicure James Maidment; and important collections of Thomas Percy's letters-e.g. those exchanged with William Shenstone-remain unused in the Manuscript Department of the British Museum. I refrain from enlarging upon the unpleasant causes of this neglect, the more so as in the following pages I contribute but little towards the remedy. For I am far from overrating the importance of the present subject. I do not agree with the statement that "Herd did for Scottish Song what Bishop Percy had done for English ballads." 1 The honour of having revived English and Scottish popular poetry remains for ever and unreservedly with Thomas Percy, Robert Burns, and Walter Scott, whose knowledge and art lent adequate expression to the vivid emotions of the time. It is, however, both just and, from a historical point of view, necessary to consider the share due to their collaborators, and as a collaborator David Herd for one has deserved ample praise. The value of David Herd's collections of songs and ballads has never been contested. Their comprehensiveness and apparent accuracy of reproduction secure them a distinguished place among the many publications of a similar kind. To the student of Scottish songs prior to Burns they are indispensable. But the original editions, as well as Sidney Gilpin's reprint of 1870, have become bibliographical rarities. The Glasgow reprint of 1869 may perhaps be more easily accessible. Yet both reprints lack satisfactory statements as to the history of the particular songs, as well as any reference to the tunes 1 Chambers's Cyclopædia of English Literature, new edition, vol. II, p. 797. |