degree accomplished. We are sensible of many defects and shortcomings. These may, to a considerable extent, have been caused by the fact that we have only had snatches of time at our disposal to devote to the very heavy correspondence frequently required before one of the many hundreds of introductions to individual selections could be drawn up. Not to speak of the selection of representative pieces, the task of preparing authentic biographies out of so vast and so heterogeneous materials has been no light Keen perceptive effort as well as conscientiousness was constantly needed; but we would desire to have our readers recognise conscientious effort on our part rather than mere humble plodding industry.

one.

In most instances special research has been required, and a vast amount of labour and an extensive correspondence have thus been necessary. The biographical notes, we have repeatedly had reason to believe, have enhanced the interest and usefulness of the work. Although we have made the selections according to the best of our judgment, without partiality regarding subject or writer, and with true integrity of motive, we found it impossible to give a place to every composition approved of. After much anxious thought, we were often reluctantly compelled to lay aside many a poem and song of distinct merit, so as to secure variety of theme in each representation. Nearly all the pieces are given by special permission, and the great majority of them have never before been published. Our warmest thanks are due to the writers for the courtesy with which they placed their productions at our disposal, and also to publishers and editors of works, as well as to many literary friends, whose frank and ever ready assistance in the matter of facts and material has during these years been invaluable and gratefully prized. Alas! not a few of those

writers who have thus ably given their assistance and advice are now separated from us by "the dividing river," and their letters, with words of cheer and encouragement and wisdom, are treasured by usLetters, whose authors, a shining band Have passed to the unseen Spiritland.

They have left the little Now for the great Hereafter. Some of them may have lived and written in advance of their time, and, like others, have yet to gain the regard they deserved

Others, I doubt not, if not we,

The issue of our toils shall see ;
Young children gather as their own
The harvest that the Dead have sown-
The Dead, forgotten and unknown.

We also desire to thank the Press for very generous approval, and we can never repay our indebtedness to the Public-at home and abroad-for their longsuffering patience. Without their countenance and faithful support we should have failed in our efforts to supply, in a cheap and commodious form, an exhaustive anthology of our modern national poetry. We began where the Rev. Charles Rodgers, LL.D., in his "Minstrel," and General Grant Wilson, in his "Poets and Poetry," left off; and to show that the same field of literature is interesting present-day workers, we might remark that, since the greater number of our volumes have been issued, at least five different County anthologies have been published.

Who that loves our native bards or their writings. has not seen or heard of the "Poets' Corner" in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow? In no other country, could such a collection of native poets be made. The late Bailie Wilson, who took such a warm and intelligent interest in our efforts, and to whom the credit of the inspiration of the "corner" was mainly duej

once said "The poetical literature of Scotland has long been recognised to be of quite unexceptional extent and richness; and probably no country is more rich-possibly so rich-in local or rural, or, as it is sometimes called, peasant poetry." The writings of these local poets over all the country, in addition to their literary value, preserve, in many cases, local dialects, and local customs and local memories which are fast passing away. Their poetry is no unmeet reflection of national feeling, and cannot be accounted unworthy the notice of any one who would study the habits and manners of the Scottish people. It stirs the feelings of national pride, and can melt the heart by strains of tenderness-kindling emotions, alike generous, gentle, and noble. songs and poems of English writers do not possess the homely pathos and heart-touches of our Scottish lyrical poets. The imagination of English poets is less lively. It is surely worth while, therefore, that in one public library in Scotland there should be set apart a storehouse for these treasures, where they will be carefully kept and preserved for future generations of readers.

The

To whatever mysterious cause may be assigned the origin and growth of the poetic sentiment, we see that there have been real poets in almost every position and situation of life. Experience proves that extraordinary talent is the exclusive possession of no single class of men, just as no position in life or profession in business prevents real ability coming to the front. And although it must be allowed, apart from the advantages of education and favourable influences of position, that there are positions and professions more or less congenial to the formation and cultivation of the poetic mind, still we have the "witchery of song" from almost every station in life.

A warm humanity melts all hearts, and so long as this is the essence of our national poetry-so long as Scotland retains one shred of its individuality, its memory of the past, its generous one-sidedness of attachment to its own history, to its own scenery, to its sons and daughters-so long will it love and cherish its poets and poetry. A galaxy of poetic stars has shone upon these realms, and though many of them have been eclipsed by death, they have gloriously bequeathed to the world an imperishable radiance.

The Pall Mall Gazette, in a kindly notice of one of our early volumes, said-" A gathering of the best poems by lesser-known poets is a real boon to a busy public which has little time or inclination for sifting the chaff from the wheat." In the volume referred to we said that, although we meet at times with verses which seem to have been "manufactured as mechanically and systematically as some conscientious people keep their diaries," we have many poets who have sung themselves into popular affection; and all amply vindicate for Scotland the proud title of "The Land of Song." The line that lightens a heart, dries a tear, and makes a burden easier to bear, has a right to live. D. H. EDWARDS.

SINCE the Index of Names was printed, we have received information of the deaths of the following writers, the date following the name being the year of their demise :

Anderson, John (vol. 7, p. 329), 1897; Anderson, John (vol. 7, p. 308), 1890; Barker, A. C., 1892; `Bennoch, Francis, 1890; Blackburn, C. F. O., 1896; Calder, R. M., 1896; Carnegie, David, 1891; Chapman, Jas., 1888; Cock, James, 1822; Currie, James, 1890; Dalrymple, C. E., born 1817, died 1891; Fraser, Gordon, 1891; Grant, Robert, 1895; Hardy, Robina F.. 1891 Hyslop, John, 1892; Innes, Robert, 1895; Kennedy, J. C., 1894; Knox, Wm., born 1789, died 1825; Moffat, James C., 1890; Murdoch, A. G.. 1891; Norval, James, 1891; Robertson, Wm. (vol. 7), 1991; Rogers, Chas., 1890; Shelley, Wm., 1885; Still, Peter, jun., 1809; Walker, Wm. (vol. 8), 1891; Young, John (vol. 1), 1891.