Edinburgh Bookshelf

Kay's Originals Vol. 1

Search

INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. .-. vlll furnished by Ray and his assistant having been found exceedingly meagre and inaccurate, the difficulty of collecting materials may be conceived ; yet I would be wanting in courtesy did I not acknowledge-and I do so with pleasure-how much the labour has been lessened by the efforts of voluntary contributors. Indeed, the liberality I have experienced in this respect, and the disinterested manner in which many of the literary and antiquarian gentlemen of Edinburgh have vouchsafed their countenance and aid, is such as to call forth the warmest expressions of gratitude. DifEcult as the task may have been, a few years’ delay would have rendered it much more so. The events to which many of the Engravings, allude were fast receding into oblivion, and are only to be traced in the remembrance of a few old citizens, whose memories-uninterested by the daily occurrences around them-cling tenaciously to the past. It has been urged by some that a stricter attention to chronology ought to have been observed. I am perfectly aware of the force of this observation ; but a strict adherence to dates would have occasioned interminable delay in the progress of the Work, without producing any corresponding advantage ; while, by the plan adopted, greater variety has been afforded than could otherwise have been obtained. Besides, a classed Index will be given at the conclusion of the Work, which it is hoped will supply any supposed defect of arrangement. H. PATON. EDINBURGNHo, uemh 1837.
Volume 8 Page viii
  Shrink Shrink   Print Print