This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This volume - first published in Edinburgh in 1868 - contains a set of four Ballad books, each originally circulated privately among friends and collectors of literary rarities. Their publication in this format was in response to an expansion of interest in Ballads in the nineteenth century. Three Editors of Ballads are featured, each of whom devoted much time and labour to gathering, and thus rescuing, unwritten Scottish traditional, romantic and political songs and tales. Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe (1781-1851). A Ballad Book (1823) contains forty-three ballads, from Sharpe's definitive versions of known ballads and songs to others presented for the first time, including 'Glasgow Peggie' and 'Fair Margaret of Craignargat'. The original preface notes that some were, however, 'suppressed on account of their grossness'. James Maidment (1793-1879) is represented by two collections. A North Country Garland (1824) of sixteen ballads is described as a slim, but 'considerable addition to our catalogue of Ancient Ballads', among them 'Bonny John Seton' and 'Eppie Morrie'. A New Book of Old Ballads (1844) recovered early versions of ballads first transcribed by William Hamilton of Airdrie, Allan Ramsay, and others as well as 'fragments from scarce Broadsides'. There are twenty ballads in all. George Ritchie Kinloch (1796-1877). The Ballad Book (1827) is noted for focussing on accurate transcription from recitation rather than editorial criticism, and for the biography of Charlie Lesly - 'Mussel Mou'd Charlie' - which prefaces the thirty songs and ballads. This reprint includes the original ilustrations and portraits of Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe and of Charlie Lesly, 'the celebrated Ballad-Singer in Aberdeen'.