TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
This book was limited to a printing of 250 copies; this etext is
derived from copy #187 (the number in the book is handwritten).
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
The 3-star asterism symbol is denoted by ***.
Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been
placed at the end of the book.
The four battle-plan illustrations have each been moved to the end
of the Chapter in which they appear.
Some other minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book.
COLLECTED WRITINGS
OF
DOUGAL GRAHAM.
_Impression strictly limited to 250 copies, of which this copy is
No. 187_
_Types taken down._
[Illustration: PORTRAIT OF DOUGAL GRAHAM
_From Woodcut in 1774 (3rd) Edition of ‘History of the Rebellion.’_
_Frontispiece to Vol. I._
]
THE
COLLECTED WRITINGS
OF
DOUGAL GRAHAM
‘SKELLAT’ BELLMAN OF GLASGOW
EDITED WITH NOTES
_Together with a Biographical and Bibliographical Introduction, and
a Sketch of the Chap Literature of Scotland_
BY
GEORGE MAC GREGOR
_Author of ‘The History of Glasgow’ and Member of the Glasgow
Archæological Society_
_IN TWO VOLUMES_
_VOL. I._
For Subscribers and Private Circulation
GLASGOW: THOMAS D. MORISON
MDCCCLXXXIII
_PREFACE._
Sir Walter Scott and William Motherwell, it has been recorded, both
intended to do something towards the preservation of the works and
fame of the literary pedlar and bellman of Glasgow: the former by
reprinting the first edition of _The History of the Rebellion_,
and the latter by a history of the Chap Literature of Scotland,
in which, of course, Dougal Graham should have been a prominent
figure. Neither of these eminent Scotsmen, however, found fitting
opportunity to carry their intentions into effect. This is all the
more to be regretted when it is considered that few men were better
able to undertake the task they had proposed for themselves. In
the fifty years that have elapsed since Scott and Motherwell made
the world acquainted with their abandoned projects, no serious
attempt has been made to preserve the writings of Dougal Graham.
These works have been floating about the country in unconsidered
fragments, and, notwithstanding the efforts of a few gentlemen of
the past and present generations, have ever been in danger of utter
destruction.
The Editor of these volumes has endeavoured to combine the
intentions of Scott and Motherwell. After long and careful search,
he has been able to bring together extremely rare and unique
editions of Graham’s chap-books. Many of these works are rich in
illustration of the manners and customs of the people during the
period of their first publication; and the Editor, by foot-notes,
and otherwise, has tried to explain obscurities, or trace the
origin and development of peculiar customs. He has also noted
many passages containing valuable contributions to the folk-lore
literature of Scotland. The various editions that have come under
his notice have been carefully collated; and while the oldest
editions are here given, any important differences between them
and subsequent issues have been marked. The Editor considered it
no part of his duty to ‘improve’ his author, for he believed that
to the extent he sought to effect such so-called ‘improvements,’
the work would cease to be that of Graham. Every production has
been given, as far as could be found, in the condition in which
it proceeded from his pen; and by doing this the Editor thought
he would best perform his duty to his author and to the public. A
glossary of obsolete, or imperfectly understood, words, has been
given at the end of the second volume.
In the prosecution of his labours, the Editor laid himself under
obligation to George Gray, Esq., Clerk of the Peace, Glasgow,
whose unequalled collection of the popular literature of Scotland
(many of the most valuable specimens having once been in the
possession of the late Dr. David Laing) has been laid under heavy
contribution; to Alex. Macdonald, Esq., Lynedoch Street; Matthew
Shields, Esq., Secretary of the Stock Exchange, Glasgow; John
Wordie, Esq., Buckingham Terrace; Prof. George Stephens, LL.D.,
F.S.A., Copenhagen; Thomas Gray, Esq., Ashton Terrace; and John
Alexander, Esq., West Regent Street. His thanks are also due to J.
Whiteford Mackenzie, Esq., W. S., Edinburgh; J. T. Clark, Esq.,
Advocates’ Library, Edinburgh; Bailie William Wilson, Glasgow;
George W. Clark, Esq., Dumbreck; and James Richardson, Esq., Queen
Street, Glasgow.
GLASGOW, _June, 1883_.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
PAGE
PREFACE 5
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION:
I.--_Biography of Dougal Graham_ 9
II.--_The Writings of Dougal Graham_ 28
III.--_The Chap-Literature of Scotland_ 68
HISTORY OF THE REBELLION:
PREFACE 83
CHAPTER I.--_Introduction and Origin of the War, Charles’
landing in Scotland and march to Tranent_ 85