A considerable portion of this eighth number is devoted to texts from Abbotsford. Many of these were used by Sir Walter Scott in the compilation of the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border; many, again, not less important than the others, did not find a place in that collection. They are now printed either absolutely for the first time, or for the first time without variation from the form in which they were written. All of them, and others which were obtained in season for the Seventh Part, were transcribed with the most conscientious and vigilant care by Mr Macmath, who has also identified the handwriting, has searched the numerous volumes of letters addressed to Sir Walter Scott for information relating to the contributors and for dates, and has examined the humbler editions of printed ballads in the Abbotsford library; this without remitting other help.
Very cordial thanks are offered, for texts or information, or for both, to the Rev. S. Baring-Gould, the Rev. W. Forbes-Leith, Mr Andrew Lang, Dr George Birkbeck Hill, Mr P. Z. Round, Dr F. J. Furnivall, Mr James Barclay Murdoch, Dr Giuseppe Pitrè, of Palermo, Mr William Walker, of Aberdeen, Mr David MacRitchie, of Edinburgh, Mr James Gibb, of Joppa, Mr James Raine, of York, Rev. William Leslie Christie, of London, Mrs Mary Thomson, of Fochabers, and Mr George M. Richardson, late of Harvard College; for notes on Slavic popular literature, to Mr John Karłowicz, of Warsaw, and Professor Wilhelm Wollner; and for miscellaneous notes, to my colleague, Professor G. L. Kittredge.
So far as can be foreseen, one part more will bring this book to a close; it is therefore timely to say again that I shall be glad of any kind of assistance that will make it less imperfect, whether in the way of supplying omissions or of correcting errors, great or small.
February, 1892.
