W. Hawes, Esq. Rev. W. J. Hall. W. B. Higgins, Esq. J. Hamilton, Esq., 2 copies. J. Howell, Esq. J. D. Jones, Esq. J. King, Esq. Miss King. Miss C. King. Miss A. King. Rev. H. Legge. A. Lodge, Esq. G. Lewis, Esq. B. Lancaster, Esq., 2 copies. Hon. A. Macdonald. J. W. Morgan, Esq., 2 copies. E. Mackintosh, Esq., 2 copies. Mrs. Oliphant, 4 copies. Mrs. Potter. R. Paterson, Esq. J. Parry, Esq. Cip. Potter, Esq. C. S. Packer, Esq. Sir J. L. Rogers, Bart., 6 copies. M. J. Rippingham, Esq. T. W. Rankin, Esq. The Lord Saltoun, 2 copies. The Lord Segrave. C. Stirling, Esq., 2 copies. South, Esq. J. P. Street, Esq. H. Sikes, Esq., 2 copies. R. Salter, Esq. Messrs. R. Stuart and Co. The Viscount Templetown. W. Tudor, Esq. Miss Thomson. R. Taylor, Esq., 2 copies. E. Taylor, Esq. D. Thomson, Esq. Sir Giffin Wilson, 10 copies. Major Wood. J. Wetenhall, Esq. T. Welsh, Esq. W. Wilson, Esq., 2 copies. Miss Wilson. Miss A. Wilson. W. Wilson, Jun., Esq., 2 copies. Mrs. Wilson, 2 copies. J. Wilson, Esq., 2 copies. Mrs. Wilson, 2 copies. ΤΟ SIR JOHN LEMAN ROGERS, BART., OF BLACHFORD, IN THE COUNTY OF DEVON, PRESIDENT OF THE MADRIGAL SOCIETY. "I was aye telling you "Auld sangs would ding* the new." (Scottish Ballad of “ Luckie Nancie".) My dear Sir John, WHEN I look back upon the few years that have elapsed since first I had the pleasure of "conferring our notes together" at the meetings of the Madrigal Society, I am almost surprised to find how soon our predictions with regard to the superior merits of "auld sangs over new have been verified. At our private meetings, few except members could have an opportunity of hearing Madrigals; * Beat. but no sooner were they for the first time properly performed before a public audience at the Concerts of the Vocal Society, than their perfection as specimens of musical art, and their truth in regard to a just expression of nature, were immediately felt and acknowledged. Thinking that it would add to the interest which is gradually attaching to this kind of music, I have been induced to make a collection of the words or (to use an old expression) ditties, which were wont to be sung, not only by the "Citizens of famous London town," but by the gay and gallant Essex, the valiant Sidney, the most noble Baron Hunsdon, the rare and accomplished Lady Pembroke, the beauteous Lady Arabella Stuart, the most virtuous Lady Periam, and even by royalty itself. I should be wanting in gratitude did I not express my sincere thanks to you and my other friends, whose names are in the annexed list, for the kind interest they have taken in these my small labours. The constant occupation has beguiled many an hour that might have been much less advantageously spent, and banished many a thought of a far less agreeable nature. Having a peculiar aversion to laudatory dedications, I shall eschew any further individual compliment; more especially as I just happen to recollect an old couplet which runs thus; "He that commends a man before his face, which charge Heaven forbid that I should incur ! Allow me therefore to conclude with the wish that this little book were more worthy of the honour of being inscribed to you, by Yours, my dear Sir John, Ever faithfully, THOMAS OLIPHANT. London, Nov. 1, 1837. |