PREFACE. T is well-nigh an hundred years since MICHAEL. BRUCE closed, in little beyond his twentyfirst year, as fine an example of 'The Gentle Life' as can be found anywhere. About three years afterwards a little volume of his 'Poems' was published under the anonymous editorship of his college associate, JOHN LOGAN, subsequently known as the Rev. JOHN LOGAN of Leith. I tell the story of this publication in its own place,—a story than which, as there is in relation to Bruce no more pathetic, so in relation to Logan there is no more dishonourable, chapter in the history of Literature. Apart from his impudent theft of the Ode to the Cuckoo' and the Hymns and Paraphrases, we have to lament the loss of BRUCE'S Correspondence, which, in order to carry out his afterclaims, this 'friend' took all care to secure, even to single letters, as shown in our Memoir. The scanty original materials for a 'Life' were thus in the outset made scantier; for JOHN LOGAN deliberately DESTROYED every scrap of the Bruce Letters and other Mss. ' wyled ' into his possession, over and above the quarto volume of his transcribed Poems,' on which the young Poet worked so yearningly when he knew that All that tender bloom about his eyes Was Death's own violets, which his utmost rite Since the original edition of the Poems in 1770, there have been at least other twelve editions. The worthiest was edited by the late DR MACKELVIE in 1837,-fully one-half of the volume consisting of a Life of the Author from Original Sources.' The 'Life' won for its right-hearted and manly author the praise and gratitude of all the leading literary authorities. Long 'out of print,' a new edition of the 'Poems' has been a desideratum, as witnessed by the enhanced price fetched by chance-occurring copies of Dr Mackelvie's edition, and by the immediate sale, so as to put it also 'out of print,' of a humble little edition published in Belfast. Had Dr Mackelvie's health not failed him, he would in all probability have re-issued his edition with revision. Now that he is gone, I have undertaken the labour of love; and while awarding the original Biographers (Drs Anderson and Mackelvie) all honour and all acknowledgment when quoted or in any way used, it will be found that our Memoir and handling of the Logan controversy concerning the 'Ode' and Paraphrases, are based upon independent researches that have resulted in the recovery of new data, and in placing what was already known in new lights. In some passages of the Memoir I cherish an hope of having spoken words of cheer to young men now battling with Bruce's difficulties, or sorer. In Part I. I bring together the facts of the Life' of Bruce; and in Part II., in an Introduction to the 'Poems,' I establish his claims to the Ode to the Cuckoo' and the Hymns and Paraphrases. brings the truth to light.' ❝ Interdum vitia prosunt hominibus 'Time Sed tempore ipso tamen apparet veritas.'-[PHÆDrus.] The Notes explain local allusions and other points. I have to acknowledge the kind interest shown in our undertaking by many correspondents, who will find some of their information and suggestions used. To David Laing, Esq., LL.D., of the Signet Library, Edinburgh; Henry Flockhart, Esq. of Annafrech; and Robert Arnot, Esq. of Portmoak, I return special thanks. FIRST MANSE, KINROSS, December 26th, 1864. ALEXANDER B. GROSART. |