with critical observations and biographical notices, by Robert Burns

PREFACE.
1 HE following Remarks from the pen of Burns
appeared in the publication of The Reliques; and
as it might reasonably be presumed that whatever
exercised his judgment and gratified his taste, would
excite the curiosity of the public, and be worthy of
their attention, they are now presented, detached
from his other works, accompanied by the Songs
which met the Poet's decided approbation. In per-
forming this task, the Editor conceives he shall ac-
complish a two-fold object ; for while the Songs ac-
quire additional interest from the criticisms of so
eminent a Poet, the Remarks themselves will be
better appreciated when prefixed to the subjects on
which they are grounded. The nature of the under-
taking would render it unnecessary for him to enter
into a general disquisition on Scotish Song, even if it
had not been fully illustrated by the able pens of
Ramsay, Lord Hailes, Tytler, Ramsay of Ochter-
VOL. I. b