taste, and neutralize the heart to all those finer feelings and impressions, which a less faulty association would strengthen and improve. To remedy these various defects in the character of Irish song, several laudable attempts have lately been made. It was for this purpose that MOORE composed his Irish Melodies, and that Mr. THOMSON, of Edinburgh, provided new verses for all the Irish airs published in his musical work. But as the labours of these Gentlemen have not yet become the property of the public, the Editor of this work, in his Irish department, more than in any other, has been frustrated in his original objects. From the paucity of other materials to select from, he has often been obliged to admit pieces, which otherwise would not have met with his approbation. Circumscribed, however, as he was in this respect, he nevertheless trusts that he has been sufficiently careful to distinguish between those of a grossly immoral tendency, and those which, though not wholly unexceptionable, have yet something like the freshness of nature about them. It is now matter of regret with the Editor, that he did not sooner think of making some attempts himself to reform the department of Irish song. From the specimen of ability for this purpose given by two of his poetical friends, he has no doubt but, with their assistance, a good deal might have been done in this respect. But the work was too far advanced ere the thought occurred to him; and he was obliged to rest satisfied with having made a very humble effort to present the public with a collection of songs, that should comprise the best of those pieces that now lie scattered throughout a great variety of collections, and that cannot be obtained without purchasing much trash along with them. On the general merits of this selection it would ill become the Editor to say any thing. Of this the public are the proper judges. He may be allowed to mention, however, that although he is conscious of not having succeeded in all that might have been accomplished, yet his leading object has been to render the work as unexceptionable as possible. Well aware of the powerful influence of poetry, when associated with agreeable music, it has been his constant study to exclude every thing that had a tendency to deteriorate public morals, or private virtue. Trusting, therefore, that his humble exertions in this respect, added to the general neatness of the typography, the many valuable original pieces he has had the happiness of bringing to light, and the information he has collected in the form of notes, will, on the whole, render it, in some degree, acceptable to the lovers and admirers of song, he commits it to the judgment of the public, expecting no other indulgence of its faults, than candour and charity can warrantably bestow. Glasgow, 22d October, 1816. THE POCKET ENCYCLOPEDIA, &c. Scottish Songs. CALEDONIA. TUNE-" Humours of Glen." THEIR groves o' sweet myrtles, let foreign lands reckon, Where the blue-bell and gowan lurk lowly unseen; Tho' rich is the breeze, in their gay sunny valleys, What are they?-the haunt o' the tyrant and slave! The slave's spicy forests, and gold-bubbling fountains, The brave Caledonian views wi' disdain: He wanders as free as the wind on his mountains, Save love's willing fetters-the chains o' his Jean. * * This panegyric on his much-loved Caledonia by our immortal Bard, is justly entitled to the highest rank among the lyric ef fusions of the Scottish Muse, and therefore forms a very appropriate introduction to a select collection of these pieces. It is so exquisite as to be above all praise. Dr. CURRIE, the Editor of |