with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

tyre,* Ritson,f and above all, by Burns himself, who,
besides the observations in the present work, has scat-
tered among his prose writings the most judicious re-
flections on the subject. It will be equally superfluous
to prove the eminent qualifications of Burns for un-
derstanding and relishing whatever relates to Scotish
Song; they have been clearly elucidated in the follow-
ing elegant and concise testimony by Mr. Walter Scott.
" The Scottish songs and tunes preserved for
Burns that inexpressible charm which they have ever
afforded to his countrymen. He entered into the
idea of collecting their fragments with all the zeal of
an enthusiast ; and few, whether serious or humorous,
past through his hands without receiving some of
those magic touches, which, without greatly altering
the song, restored its original spirit, or gave it more
than it had ever possessed. So dexterously are these
touches combined with the ancient structure, that
the rifacciamentOf in many instances, could scarcely
have been detected, without the avowal of the Bard
himself. Neither would it be easy to mark his share
in the individual ditties. Some he appears entirely to
* This gentleman has written an excellent Essay on Scotish
Song, which originally appeared in the second volume of " The
Bee" p. 201, under the signature of J. Runcole.
+ In the Appendix (e) will be found an account of the last
days of this antiquary.