Chapter I: Front Matter

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._

_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: