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PREFACE
THIS volume has a
two-fold aim firstly, to interest the general reader in the Scotland of
yesterday; and secondly, to give intimate glimpses of life in Scotland
during the period from 1550 to 1746, and to shed the light of
contemporary observation and knowledge on certain historical personages
and events.
Many passages of great historical value have been omitted simply because
they are entirely lacking in general interest; but, on the other hand, I
have inserted several paragraphs for the very selfish reason that a turn
of phrase or a peculiar point of view has appealed to my sense of
humour. Perhaps, indeed, personal considerations have affected my choice
rather too often, but I hope that part at least of what has attracted me
will interest and amuse every reader.
The arrangement of the book has been determined by the periods of time
covered by the extracts from the various authors. In several instances,
however, the advisability of keeping in close proximity passages dealing
with the same subject has necessitated slight departures from strict
chronological order.
Though the spelling of a few of the earlier authors has been modernised,
there are many extracts in Scots dialect. These will present little
difficulty, however, for obscure words are annotated, and when a
seemingly unknown word is encountered an attempt at phonetic
pronunciation will generally solve the problem.
Several narrations of
events and criticisms of men have been given from different points of
view. The more important of such passages are linked by
cross-references, but the index must be the guide to what the book
contains on any particular subject.
I wish to acknowledge my gratitude to Professor Rait, not only for
writing a delightful introduction, but also for the invaluable help and
kindly encouragement which he has given me. I have also to record my
thanks to the Hon. Evan Charteris for permitting me to quote from his
edition of Lord Elcho's Short Account of the Affairs of Scotland in the
years 1744, 1745, and 1746; to Captain M. J. Erskine-Wemyss for placing
at my disposal the manuscript of the Journal of the 2nd Earl of Wemyss;
to Dr. George Pratt Insh ior allowing me to make extracts from two
journals in his volume of Darien Papers: and to the Scottish History
Society for permitting me to make use of its texts of Lauder of
Fountainhall's Journal, the Diary of Erskine of Carnock, the Diary of
Clerk of Penicuik, The Darien Papers, and The Lyon in Mourning.
For permission to reproduce the illustrations in this volume, I am
indebted to The Church of Scotland, The Scottish National Portrait
Gallery, Messrs. John Swain & Son, Ltd., and Messrs. T. & R. Annan &
Son.
J. G. F.
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Scottish Diaries and Memoirs 1550 - 1746 |
