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INTRODUCTION
Scottish list, but they are now naturalized and reckoned our own good subjects. Indeed, we have ?wne better."
For the rest, I have been impartial and given honour where I have honestly believed or dis-covered it to be due.
In treating of the history and origin of these Famous Songs, not only of our own country but of other lands, it has seemed inevitable that I should begin with " Home, Sweet Home," and end with the much-discussed " God Save the King." It also seems imperative that I should refer to that frequently quoted Fletcher of Saltoun. and his well-worn aphorism about making the ballads of a country. " Poets," as Emerson has finely said, " should be lawgivers; that is, the boldest lyric inspiration should not chide or insult, but should commence and lead the civil code and the day's work." It was in reference to this class of song that Fletcher of Saltoun, in his "Account of a Conversation concerning the right Regulations of Govern-ments for the common good of mankind," ut-tered his famous dictum, or rather repeated it, to the Earl of Montrose, in 1703 : " The poorer sort of both sexes," he exclaimed, " are daily tempted to all manner of wickedness by infa-mous ballads sung in eveiy corner of the streets.
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