tation from abroad: Their Images are native, and their Landskips domeftick; copied from thofe fields and Meadows we every day behold.

The Morning rifes (in the Poets deSciption) as he does in the Scotifh Horizon. We are not carried to Greece or Italy for a fhade, a Stream or a Breeze. The Groves rife in our valleys; the Rivers flow from our own Fountains, and the Winds blow upon our own Hills, Ifind not Fault with thofe things, as they are in Greece or Italy: But with a Northern Poet for fetching his Materials from thefe Places, in a Poem, of which his own Country is the Scene; as our Hymners to the Spring and Makers of Paftorals frequently do.

This Mifcellany will likewife recommenditfelf, by the Diversity of Subjects aud humour it contains. The grave

Defeription and the wanton ftory, the moral Saying and the Mirthful Jeft, will illuftrate and alternately relieve each other.

The Reader whofe Temper is fpleen'd with the Vices and Follies now in Fashion, may gratific his Humour with the Satyres he will here find upon the Follies and Vices that were uppermost two or three Hundred Years ago. The Man, whofe inclinations are turned to Mirth, will be pleased to know how the good fellow of a former Age told his jovial Tale; and the Lover may divert himself with the old fashioned Sonnet of an amorous Poet in 2. Margaret and 2. Mary's Days. In a word, the following Collection will be fuch anther Profpect to the Eye of the Mind, as to the outward Eye is the various Meadow, where Flowers of different

Hue and Smell are mingled together in a beautiful Irregularity.

I hope alfo the Reader, when he dips into thefe Poems, will not be difpleafed with this Reflection, That he is stepping back into the Times that are past, and that exift no more. Thus the Manners and Customs then in Vogue, as he will find them here defcribed, will have all the Air and Charm of Novelty; and that feldom fails of exciting Attention and pleafing the Mind. Befides the Numbers, in which thefe Images are conveyed, as they are not now commonly practifed, will appear new and amufing.

The different Stanza and varied Cadence will likewife much footh and engage the Ear, which in Poetry especially must be always flattered. However I do not expect that these Poems mould

pleafe every Body, nay the critical Reader must needs find several Faults; for I own that there will be found in thefe Volumes two or three Pieces, whofe Antiquity is their greatest Value; yet Still I am perfwaded there are many more that fhall merit Approbation and Applaufe than Cenfure and Blame. The best Works are but a kind of Mifcellany, and the cleanest Corn is not without fome Chaff, no not after often Winnowing: Befides, Difpraife is the eafieft Part of Learning, and but at beft the Offspring of uncharitable Wit. Every Clown can fee that the Furrow is crooked, but where is the Man that will plow me one straight?

There is nothing can be heard more filly than one's expreffing his Ignorance of his native Language; yet fuch there are who can vaunt of acquiring a toler

able Perfection in the French or Italian Tongues, if they have been a fortnight in Paris or a Month in Rome: But he w them the most elegant Thoughts in a Scots Drefs, they as difdainfully as stupidly condemn it as barbarous. But the true Reafon is obvious: Every one that is born never foüittle fuperiour to the Vulgar, would fain diftinguish themselves from them by fome manner or other, and fuch, it would appear, cannot arrive at a better Method. But this affected Clafs of Fops give no Uneafiness, not being numerous; for the most part of our Gentlemen, who are generally maf ters of the most useful and politeft Languages,can take Pleasure (for a Change) to fpeak and read their own.

It was intended that an account of the Authors of the following Collection Should be given; but not being furnished