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IT has long been a just and general Complaint, that among all the Music Books of SCOTS SONGS that have been hitherto offered to the Public, not one, nor even all of them put together, can be said to have merited the name of what may be called A COMPLETE COLLECTION; having been published only in detached pieces and parcels; amounting however upon the whole, to more than twice the price of this Publication; attended moreover with this further disadvantage, that they have been printed in such large unportable Sizes, that they could by no means answer the purpose of being pocket-companions; which is no small incumbrance, especially to the admirers of social Music.

To remedy these, and all other complaints and inconveniencies of the kind, this work, now before the public eye, has been undertaken, and carried on, Under the Patronage, direction, and Review of a number of Gentlemen of undisputed taste, who have been pleased to encourage, enrich, and adorn the whole literary part of the Performance. The Publisher begs leave only to say, that he has strenuously endeavoured, and will persevere to exert his utmost skill and assiduity in executing the mechanical part of the work. And he flatters himself, that his laudable unremitted emulation to gain the public esteem, will meet with the favourable regard of his obliging friends and generous Subscribers. The Subscription will be kept open, at least, to the publication of the Second Volume: which was all originally intended; and which will be published as soon as the work can be executed, which is already in great forwardness. Each Volume contains ONE HUNDRED Songs, with the original Music, embellished with Thorough Basses by one of the ablest Masters. And besides these hundred Songs, under the Music and Song inserted in the respective titles at the tops of the page, the performer will frequently find two or three additional Sets of apposite words to the same tune; adapted to the VOICE, HARPSICHORD, and PIANO-FORTE, &c.

It was intended, and mentioned in the Proposals, to have adopted a Considerable Variety of the most Musical and Sentimental of the English and Irish Songs; But this Scheme, not happening to meet with the general approbation, after several plates had been engraved for the purpose, it was determined, in compliance with what seemed to be the almost universal inclination of the Subscribers, to postpone it for the present, with a full intention to resume it afterwards, if it shall yet appear to be desired and encouraged, in a third, or a fourth Volume.

In the meantime, it is humbly requested, if any Lady or Gentleman have any meritorious Song with the Music (never hitherto Published) of the true Ancient Caledonian strain, that they would be pleased to transmit the same to the Publisher, that it may be submitted to the proper Judges, and so be preserved in this Repository of our National Music and Song, by their most

Edin^r. Bell's Wynd, May 22. 1787. ​

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