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IN the dread campaigns of
war it must be a soul strengthening and invigorating relief to the young
soldier, who has been marching dauntlessly on in the path of duty, to
fling off his travel-stained accoutrements when the bugle sounds the
"Halt!" and to seek rest in some sequestered spot, where the warbling of
birds and wafted perfume of flowers make him forget his weary limbs, and
mellow his reflections. So it is with me, the continuous and stern
campaign of life- I find a hallowed and sweetening solace, after each
day's march is over, when I revel in my peaceful flower-garden ie by "my
ain fireside, amang the bairns." Flinging aside the habiliments of
business, and liberating my mind from the luring gyves of practical
science, I am virtually lost in bliss; so great, indeed, is my joy and
pleasure that I at times (for the delectation of my bairnie flowers)
give expression, while under their exhilarating and benign influence, to
hamely screeds 0' verse. Hence this volume, which I have called
"Heather-Bells." Should it be received with the same favour· that has
been accorded to my former volumes-"Rough Castings" and "Hame-spun
Lilts"-all I can say is, that I shall have been nobly encouraged in my
Song-efforts, and will have no reason to complain of the public
appreciation of my Doric strains.
WILLIAM ALLAN.
SUNDERLAND, July, 1875.
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