PREFACE. THE Poems of Robert Fergusson have generally appeared in the most common style of printing. The present edition is offered to the public, as the first effort that has been made to do typographic justice to the excellence of his genius,—an excellence, which Burns, his more celebrated competitor for fame, perceived with delight, and praised with ingenuous magnanimity,—an excellence, which he unquestionably outshone, but on which he gazed with a feeling of inferiority, "to kindle at the blaze." If the publishers, by their humble exertions, shall be able, in any degree, to secure for the Works of Fergusson a place in the libraries of those who are distinguished in society and literature, they will regard their attempt with much satisfaction. A Sketch of the Poet's Life is prefixed to this edition of his works. The writer of that Sketch was seduced to undertake the task by a strong feeling of indignation. He had read the different and contradictory accounts of Fergusson's life with a deep interest: and while he made some private inquiries in consequence of the discrepancies thus presented to his view, he was led to think, that the public were egregiously deceived with regard to some important features in the character of Fergusson, which had been abominably distorted. The following biographical Sketch was the result : -it is but a Sketch, faint and imperfect: and the only apology that is offered for the production of it, is the fact, that no genuine picture of the character of Fergusson seemed likely to appear. It was originally intended for a periodical publication, in which a part of it was printed a few years ago; but that work having been relinquished ere the whole was published, the manuscript was laid aside until it was wanted as an appendage to the present edition of the Poems. It has been corrected considerably since it was written; but still it requires amendment and much indulgence. Some readers of taste may be dissatisfied with the composition of the Life: it is hoped, however, they will not consider a juvenile error as inexpiable. It will be some atonement for the present fault, if the sinner cease in future to present his thoughts to the public eye; and if he knows his own purposes, he thinks this is the last time he will ever expose himself to the condemnation of criticism. To that condemnation, should it be his fate, he will silently submit. He is placed in a situation of life where it can only produce a momentary uneasiness, and where he is required by duty to exile from his bosom all the hopes that can be inspired by literary ambition. He therefore withholds his name from this publication; not, however, without considering himself bound, when rationally required, to support, by personal responsibility, his assertions in point of fact, or should his reflections of a moral nature be challenged, to welcome any consequences that can follow the public avowal of his name. If any individual shall conceive himself injured by the language that is used in some of the following pages, (and one person, it is perhaps to be regretted, will be in this predicament), the writer of this is ready to give all expedient redress. But he is not afraid to speak his mind freely and decidedly. He admires that urbanity which is the characteristic of a gentleman; but he despises the sneaking dissimulation of real opinion, which is masked in the guise of politeness, or seeks shelter for its weakness in seeming deference to public prejudices. He thinks that Robert Fergusson's memory, for which he feels an ardent reverence, has been |