A considerable portion of this eighth number is devoted to texts from
Abbotsford. Many of these were used by Sir WALTER SCOTT in the
compilation of the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border; many, again, not
less important than the others, did not find a place in that collection.
They are now printed either absolutely for the first time, or for the
first time without variation from the form in which they were written.
All of them, and others which were obtained in season for the Seventh
Part, were transcribed with the most conscientious and vigilant care by
Mr MACMATH, who has also identified the handwriting, has searched the
numerous volumes of letters addressed to Sir WALTER SCOTT for
information relating to the contributors and for dates, and has examined
the humbler editions of printed ballads in the Abbotsford library; this
without remitting other help.
Very cordial thanks are offered, for texts or information, or for both,
to the Rev. S. BARING-GOULD, the Rev. W. FORBES-LEITH, Mr ANDREW LANG,
Dr GEORGE BIRKBECK HILL, Mr P. Z. ROUND, Dr F. J. FURNIVALL, Mr JAMES
BARCLAY MURDOCH, Dr GIUSEPPE PITRÈ, of Palermo, Mr WILLIAM WALKER, of
Aberdeen, Mr DAVID MACRITCHIE, of Edinburgh, Mr JAMES GIBB, of Joppa, Mr
JAMES RAINE, of York, Rev. WILLIAM LESLIE CHRISTIE, of London, Mrs MARY
THOMSON, of Fochabers, and Mr GEORGE M. RICHARDSON, late of Harvard
College; for notes on Slavic popular literature, to Mr JOHN KARŁOWICZ,
of Warsaw, and Professor WILHELM WOLLNER; and for miscellaneous notes,
to my colleague, Professor G. L. KITTREDGE.
So far as can be foreseen, one part more will bring this book to a
close; it is therefore timely to say again that I shall be glad of any
kind of assistance that will make it less imperfect, whether in the way
of supplying omissions or of correcting errors, great or small.