once said " The poetical literature of Scotland has long been recognised to be of quite unexceptional extent and richness; and probably no country is more rich-possibly so rich-in local or rural, or, as it is sometimes called, peasant poetry." The writings of these local poets over all the country, in addition to their literary value, preserve, in many cases, local dialects, and local customs and local memories which are fast passing away. Their poetry is no unmeet reflection of national feeling, and cannot be accounted unworthy the notice of any one who would study the habits and manners of the Scottish people. It stirs the feelings of national pride, and can melt the heart by strains of tenderness-kindling emotions, alike generous, gentle, and noble. songs and poems of English writers do not possess the homely pathos and heart-touches of our Scottish lyrical poets. The imagination of English poets is less lively. It is surely worth while, therefore, that in one public library in Scotland there should be set apart a storehouse for these treasures, where they will be carefully kept and preserved for future generations of readers. The To whatever mysterious cause may be assigned the origin and growth of the poetic sentiment, we see that there have been real poets in almost every position and situation of life. Experience proves that extraordinary talent is the exclusive possession of no single class of men, just as no position in life or profession in business prevents real ability coming to the front. And although it must be allowed, apart from the advantages of education and favourable influences of position, that there are positions and professions more or less congenial to the formation and cultivation of the poetic mind, still we have the witchery of song" from almost every station in life. A warm humanity melts all hearts, and so long as this is the essence of our national poetry-so long as Scotland retains one shred of its individuality, its memory of the past, its generous one-sidedness of attachment to its own history, to its own scenery, to its sons and daughters-so long will it love and cherish its poets and poetry. A galaxy of poetic stars has shone upon these realms, and though many of them have been eclipsed by death, they have gloriously bequeathed to the world an imperishable radiance. The Pall Mall Gazette, in a kindly notice of one of our early volumes, said-" A gathering of the best poems by lesser-known poets is a real boon to a busy public which has little time or inclination for sifting the chaff from the wheat." In the volume referred to we said that, although we meet at times with verses which seem to have been "manufactured as mechanically and systematically as some conscientious people keep their diaries," we have many poets who have sung themselves into popular affection; and all amply vindicate for Scotland the proud title of "The Land of Song." The line that lightens a heart, dries a tear, and makes a burden easier to bear, has a right to live. D. H. EDWARDS. SINCE the Index of Names was printed, we have received information of the deaths of the following writers, the date following the name being the year of their demise : : Anderson, John (vol. 7, p. 329), 1897; Anderson, John (vol. 7, p. 308), 1890; Barker, A. C., 1892; Bennoch, Francis, 1890; Blackburn, C. F. O., 1896; Calder, R. M., 1896; Carnegie, David, 1891; Chapman, Jas., 1888; Cock, James, 1822; Currie, James, 1890; Dalrymple, C. E., born 1817, lied 1891; Fraser, Gordon, 1891; Grant, Robert, 1895; Hardy, Robina F.. 1891 Hyslop, John, 1892; Innes, Robert, 1895; Kennedy, J. C., 1894; Knox, Wm., born 1789, died 1825; Moffat, James C., 1890 ; Murdoch, A. G.. 1891; Norval, James, 1891; Robertson, Wm. (vol. 7), 1991; Rogers, Chas., 1890; Shelley, Wm., 1885; Still, Peter, jun., 1869; Walker, Wm. (vol. 8), 1891; Young, John (vol. 1), 1891. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH DAVID OF HERSCHELL EDWARDS, BY ANDREW JAMES SYMINGTON, F.R.S.N.A., Author of "Harebell Chimes;" "The Beautiful in Nature, Art, and Life;" "Pen and Ink Sketches of Faröe and Iceland;" Editor of "Men of Light and Leading;" "Some Personal Reminiscences of Carlyle ;" "Poems," &c. EEMING that this national work on "Modern Scottish Poets" would be incomplete without some notice of its gifted author and compiler, Mr D. H. Edwards, various friends have repeatedly urged him to allow a few personal details to be inserted in the last volume of the series. Diffidently yielding to their request, the present writer, with the aid of these friends, has prepared the following brief and inadequate sketch of a laborious and exemplary life; for, surely, "a life of such steady purpose is not without its lessons for young men who would be useful, and do good work in the world." David Herschell Edwards, who, with good reason, has been called "the friend of Scottish Poets," was born in Brechin in 1846. His father was, for a long series of years, managing engineer to a well-known firm of paper-makers in that ancient city. David was |