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.