The Works of the Ettrick Shepherd. New Edition. With illustra-
tions. 2 vols. (Blaokie.)—These two handsome volumes containing the one Hogg's prose tales and the other his poetry, originally published in twenty-six shilling parts, are marvellously cheap. The illustrations, thirty-four in number, are very pleasing, and do great credit to the engravers ; they include a good deal of interesting Scotch scenery. Mr. Thomson, the editor, has done his work carefully and with evident interest in the task, and has had the co-operation of the author's widow and the surviving members of his family in the preparation of the ela- borate memoir which is prefixed to the volume of the poems. We are glad to hear from him that every year that has elapsed since the publi- cation of Hogg's works has only added to their reputation. We had almost fancied that the prevailing idea with people nowadays is that Ettrick Shepherd had something to do with the Noctes, and that they had quite forgotten what is certainly true, that the "social and domestic joys and sorrows of the Scottish peasantry, their daily occupa- tions and festivals, their legends and superstitions, had found in him an able, faithful, and sympathizing recorder ;" in other words, that he had taken high rank as a prose writer. It is not desirable that so notable an instance of the triumph of mind over circumstances should be forgotten. We rejoice to hear that in the publisher's opinion this handsome edition is wanted, and we trust that it will obtain the success that it deserves.
Previous page
