CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY

REMARKS.

SECTION

1. What are Chap-books?

2. The objects and limits of this book.

3. Previous writings on the subject.

4. The character and value of chap-books.

5. Political aspects of Scotland in the eighteenth

century.

6. Social aspects.

7. Want of roads and conveyances.

8. Insecurity of life.

9. Popular superstitions.

10. Severity of the penal code.

11. Tyranny of the Kirk Session.

12. Tyranny in the domestic circle.

13. One-sided administration of law.

14. Intemperance of the age.

SECTION

15. Popular games.

16. General features.

CHAPTER II.

BALLADS AND CHAP BOOKS.

SECTION

1. Early literature of Scotland.-Minstrelsy in

the olden time.

2. Minstrelsy and the Reformation.-Origin of

the literary chap-man.

3. Origin of the Humorous Chap-books.-Scot-

tish literature from Ramsay to Burns.

4. Character of the chap-books.-Chap-books

historically valuable.-Stationery stores in

the Saltmarket in the eighteenth century.

5. Qualifications of a successful chap-man.—

Peter Duthie.

6. Classification of chap-books.-Humorous chap-

books.

7. Instructive chap-books.

1. His birthplace, parentage, and childhood.
2. The '45.-Dougal declares for Charlie, but
maintains a politic neutrality.-He escapes
from Drummossie Muir, and writes his
famous History.

3. Metrical History of the Rebellion of 1745-6,

4. Third edition of Graham's History.-Its liter-
ary and historical qualities. Illustrative
quotations.

5. Dougal settles in Glasgow. He lays down

the ell-wand, and takes up the pen.

SECTION

6. The 'Glasgow bell-man' in the olden time.—

Dougal, after a fierce struggle, is appointed

the "skellat bellman " of Glasgow.

7. Dougal's writings.

8. His death and Elegy thereon.

9. His minor poetical effusions.-"John High-

landman's Remarks on Glasgow.”—“ Turn-

imspike."

10. His personal character.

11. His position as a Scottish Humorist.

1. "Jockie and Maggie's Courtship."-Critical

remarks.-Curious Scotch custom of 'bed-

ding.'

2. "The Coalman's Courtship."-Critical re-

marks.

3. "The Art of Courtship."

SECTION

66

4. "Silly Tam" alias Simple John.”—Other

versions of same.

5. "History of the Haverel Wives."

6. Brief notice of some poetical chap-books.

8. "The Pleasures of Matrimony."-Other ver

sions of same.

CHAPTER V.

II.-Simple Prose Narratives.

Introductory Remarks :-The heroes of vulgar romance. The Scottish'natural.'-Character of the Fools of Roadside Fiction.-General classification.

SECTION

1. "George Buchanan."-Different versions of same. Analysis of the History.-Critical remarks.-Connection between Scholarship and Sorcery.-The wise fools of history.The original of the George Buchanan of fiction.-Source of the various stories.Brief notice of the English chap-book entitled "Tarlton's Jests."