Wood's Edition of the Songs of Scotland. Edited by George
Farquhar Graham.
Having reviewed this work at an earlier stage of its publication, we mention it again chiefly for the purpose of informing our readers, that having brought it to the length originally intended, (namely twenty num- bers or two volumes,) the publishers have been induced by its favourable reception to continue it for ten numbers more; thus adding a third volume. By this extension of its plan, the work will acquire a satisfactory com- pleteness; for the prospective list of the contents of the additional volume shows that few really fine melodies and songs will be omitted. The Ap- pendix to the second volume contains a great deal of new and curious in- formation, especially respecting Burns, the heroines of several of his songs, and the circumstances attending their composition. It appears that the poet knew a great deal more about music than has been generally supposed, and that he even played tolerably on the violin; attainments which account for what has always seemed the surprising felicity with which he adapted his verses to the rhythm, as well as the character and expression of the taelediea.
Previous page
