4 ADVERTISEMENT TO VOLUME SIXTH.
having furnished them with many of the wild flowers gathered from the hills and
valleys of his pastoral district, — and they assure him, that they prize his thymy
sweets more highly than the cultured plants of a regular parterre. To several of Mr
Smith's pei?onal friends the Minstrel is likewise under no inconsiderable obligations ;
and the Editors have much pleasure in offering their best thanks to Mr Mother-
well of Paisley, for the permission he has so obligingly granted them, of publish-
ing several choice pieces from his scarce and valuable MSS., amongst which they
beg particularly to notice the fine Jacobite song, " Ye bonnie Haughs" (page 77,
vol. 5), and the interesting ballad of the Mermayden (page 80 of the present Vo-
lume), with their original melodies. They have also to present thanks to Mr Ro-
bert Allan of Kilbarchan, who favoured them with many excellent original songs,
as well as old fragments recovered by him from among the peasantry in the West
of Scotland; and, in like manner, to Mr Daniel Weir of Greenock, and Mr
William Chalmers of Paisley, from both of whom they have received several songs
of considerable merit.
The Editors must now take leave of the Scotish Minstrel, having used their
best endeavours to render the volumes worthy of a place in the library, as well as
to appear in the drawing-room. In attempting to form an extensive collection of
the national airs of their country, the task has been a source to them of no incon-
siderable degree of pleasure ; and they have the satisfaction of considering, that
the principles upon which they have uniformly proceeded, and in conformity with
which the work was originally projected, are such as entitle them, at least, to the
approbation of those who join a regard to morality and virtuous enjoyment with the
desire to encourage the exertions of native genius.
■
Epinburgh, January 1824.