Read Ebook: The Collected Writings of Dougal Graham Skellat Bellman of Glasgow Vol. 1 of 2 by Graham Dougal Mac Gregor George Editor

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"You Papists are a cursed race,"' &c.

The lines, of which the one quoted is the first, have already been given in the biography, and there is no need for their repetition here. But it is worthy of note that M'Vean states, to a certain extent indirectly, that they formed part of the matter in the second edition, and if that is the case they, it must be admitted, fully confirm his statement as to that edition containing passages in which Graham talked of the rebels with a great deal of virulence; and, possibly, they may be taken as specimens of many others of a like nature. Some writers have suggested that Graham may have learned the printing trade while this edition was passing through the press, and it has been suspected that he may have had something to do with the printing of it himself. That is not likely, or M'Vean, who appears to have had a somewhat intimate acquaintance with the work, would have mentioned it.

'From brain and pen, O virtue drope, Vice fly as Charlie, and John Cope.'

'In Glasgow freedom sounds in every mouth; And if I could but deign to tell the truth, Not since the day I first saw Paradise, Did earth maintain such a respectful race.'

It is a matter of some interest to notice that while many of Graham's most popular chap-books have been issued to the public subsequent to the period to which literature of this class is assumed to belong, these modern editions, if they may be so called, have for the most part been greatly mutilated. Nearly all of them have been cut down, not apparently because of a desire to keep out the indelicate allusions which most of them contain--for comparatively few of these have been taken out--but on account of the exigencies of printing. In some cases a chap-book, originally of twenty-four or thirty-six closely printed pages, has been compressed into twenty-five, sixteen, or even eight pages of much larger print. The consequence is, that most of the modern editions are utterly useless for all practical purposes, and, like most other abridgments, the souls of their originals have been driven from them. The truth of this remark will be indicated in the following pages; but it will be borne out to its fullest extent by a comparison between the early editions the editor has been able to reprint in these volumes, and those now in circulation.

'As I was a walking one morning in the spring, I heard a young plowman so sweetly to sing, And as he was singing, these words he did say, No life is like the plowman's in the month of May. The lark in the morning rises from her nest, And mounts in the air with the dew on her breast, And with the jolly plowman she'll whistle and she'll sing, And at night she'll return to her nest back again.'

It is interesting to notice that Cromek has attributed lines almost identical with these to Robert Burns, and the most eminent editors of the works of the Ayrshire Bard have followed him. The lines as given by Cromek read thus:--

'As I was a wand'ring ae morning in spring, I heard a young ploughman sae sweetly to sing, And as he was singin' thir words he did say, There's nae life like the Ploughman in the month o' sweet May-- The lav'rock in the morning she'll rise frae her nest, And mount to the air wi' the dew on her breast, And wi' the merry Ploughman she'll whistle and sing, And at night she'll return to her nest back again.'

In a foot-note Cromek remarks--'It is pleasing to mark those touches of sympathy which shew the sons of genius to be of one kindred.--In the following passage from the poem of his countryman, the same figure is illustrated with characteristic simplicity; and never were the tender and the sublime in poetry more happily united, nor a more affectionate tribute paid to the memory of Burns.

The obvious suggestion from what has been said is, that Burns was not the author of the 'Lines on a Merry Ploughman,' which his editors, after the dogmatic statement of Gilbert Burns, have more or less insisted upon attributing to him; and, as a corollary, that the verses having been found among others at the end of one of Dougal Graham's chap-books, as a consistent finish to the exploits of his hero, Lothian Tom, in an edition published when Burns was a youth, their authorship may be more clearly traced to Graham. With a due admiration for the talents of Graham, we must submit that the character of the verse, even as given in a slightly polished state by Cromek, was not worthy of Burns, who said himself that his work was all the result of careful revisal. Graham's verses often display false quantity; his rhyme is often far from true; and his grammar is frequently lame: but these are faults which the greatest detractor of the genius of Robert Burns would find it difficult to lay to his charge. It might be urged, of course, that this may have been a youthful production of Burns's pen; but it is more probable, from his known habit of noting down any remnant of song he found among the people, that he wrote out what he had heard sung from his infancy. In support of this idea, there is Gilbert Burns's assurance 'that the little song was sung by every ploughman and ploughman's mistress in Ayrshire before the poet was born.' To us it seems conclusive that Burns was not its author, and that, from its position in an early--not by any means the first--edition of one of Graham's most popular chap-books, to Graham must be attributed its composition, with all the praise or blame that may attach to it.

'Never to drink ae drop of tea, But stout brown ale and whisky bare'--

''Twill please the bairns and keep them laughing, And mind the goodwife o' her daffing.'

Many editions of this chap-book have been published, and it promises to have the longest life of any of its race, for it is still being issued. The copy reprinted in this work was published in Falkirk in 1799. Among the other editions we have seen are the following:--One issued in Edinburgh bears 'to be printed in this present year,' a somewhat indefinite intimation, consisting of 47 duodecimo pages; and one in two numbers of 24 pp. each, printed in Newcastle by G. Angus, without date, and apparently complete. The earliest edition mentioned is one published by A. Robertson, Coalhill, Leith, in 1765. It was an octavo, in six parts of eight pages each, with a title-page to each part. Another was printed by W. R. Walker, Royal Arcade, Newcastle-on-Tyne, but it bears no date. The Robertsons, of the Saltmarket, Glasgow, also issued several editions of this chap-book, among the rest of their 'Standards.'

Having thus gone over, with as much detail as possible, the various works attributed to Dougal Graham, it will be proper to give the list of them, with the dates of the editions reprinted in these volumes:--

Such is the catalogue of Graham's works--works with which it is believed he had something more or less to do--and which we have been able to find. Of the others attributed to him, but unfound, are:--

There are probably others of which even the names have been lost; but it seems likely that very few, if any, of those classified as not found, will ever be traced. It is a pity that this should be so; and every lover of the literary antiquities of Scotland must fondly hope that in the course of time, by some happy accident, the lost chap-books of Dougal Graham may again see the light of day.

Dr. Strang's judgment is similar:--'Of the vulgar literature to which we have referred, and of so much of which Dougal Graham was the author, it is enough to say that it really contributed the chief literary pabulum enjoyed by the bulk of our countrymen in the humbler walks of life; and though the jokes therein promulgated certainly were broad, and sometimes even grossly indecent, they were not untrue portraitures of Scottish life and Scottish manners.'

Professor Fraser thus discusses the same matter:--'He possessed this advantage over the ordinary historian; that the latter from his superior height and position seldom condescended to enter the huts of the poor, and when he did enter, the inmates were frightened into their "Sunday clothes and manners" by his stately and majestic presence. But Dougal, being himself one of the poorest, introduces us into the most secret, domestic, and every-day life and thoughts of the lower classes of last century. Nothing is hidden from him. He is treated with a familiarity which shows that his hosts have no wish to hide anything. Then, too, he made his reader familiar not only with their mode of life, but with the peculiarities of their dialect, and in this way shed a not unfrequent light on philology. Add to these virtues that Dougal is never out of humour, always laughing and gossiping, drinking and telling old tales. His laughter, also, is contagious; we cannot contain ourselves. All his stories are full of people who laugh "like to burst," and one cannot help but join them in their cacchinations. Nor are his sketches wanting in dramatic power. The characters are full of individuality and life, rendered more significant by a local flavour of demeanor and dialect. More than one of them might have afforded models for some of the raciest of Scott's creations, and all of them are instinct with genuine humour and vitality.'

Such were the opinions regarding the writings of Dougal Graham, given expression to by four men who had studied them, and saw their value. It is difficult, and almost unnecessary, to add anything further to what they have said; but in bringing this account of Graham's works to a close, we may be permitted to supplement the judgments quoted, by a few additional speculations.

Much has been said about the value these writings possess, because they are, for the most part, truthful descriptions of the life of the Scottish people of last century. In what other works, or series of works--even those professedly dealing with the subject--can there be obtained such a knowledge of how the common people lived a century or two ago? We venture to affirm that such cannot be found. The life of the people is the life of the nation; and if it be a virtue to write personal biography like Boswell, it is surely more so to record the inner life of a nation, like Graham. Both, differing widely in many and important respects, have attained success by the same means--by placing before their readers sketches of private life, of the life which is most natural and least artificial, and which gives the best notion of the feelings and motives that guided either individuals or nations to success or failure. To understand thoroughly the history of Scotland in the eighteenth century, the ordinary historical works, dealing principally with great movements and events, must be read in the light, and by the aid, of the popular literature of that period; in the same way as the resident of the twentieth century, desiring to know the true history of the present age must, while looking to its great religious, philanthropic, scientific, commercial, political, and military achievements, also take into account the criminal records, the proceedings of the courts, the annals of the poor, and the ephemeral literature of all kinds.

Another line of thought is suggested by the indelicacy of expression so frequently to be found in Graham's works. That such indelicacy exists in his works must be admitted; but in this respect they are no worse than, and will compare favourably with, the writings of many of the most prominent Scottish authors, such as Sir David Lindsay, and others. Indeed, it is worthy of notice, that men such as Fielding, Sterne, Swift, and Smollet, highly educated, and moving in a better circle of society in the same age with Dougal Graham, have tainted their writings with the grossness which has been noticed, and which, in their case, is less easily excused. The fault was in the time when plain speaking took the place now occupied by inuendo. Notwithstanding this, it cannot but be noticed that in his writings there is a native manliness not often discovered in works having greater pretensions; that there is no mawkish sentiment or sickly prudishness; and that in the presentation of pictures of life, they have no artificial draperies more suggestive than nature itself. There is a tendency on the part of those who have written upon this subject, to deplore the indelicacy of many passages of Graham's works. We do not feel ourselves under any obligation to do so, for had the author toned down the colouring of some of his chap-books, they would have been untrue to nature to the extent of the suppression. What should be regretted was the immorality and coarseness so prevalent among the lower classes in Scotland during last century; and he who wishes to further the improvement and condition of the people will welcome Graham's chap-books as showing distinctly what required reformation a century ago. It would hardly be too much to say, that in some parts of Scotland a state of matters very little different from what Graham frequently describes, may still be found. Any one who is at all acquainted with life among the lower classes, must admit that these descriptions are true to nature, and that a study of them is necessary before we can know thoroughly upon what the present superstructure of Scottish civilisation has been built. Graham, perhaps unintentionally, has held 'the mirror up to nature,' has shown 'virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure.'

How far the genius of Dougal Graham would have been affected by an education superior to that which he obtained, it would be difficult to say. Possibly greater culture might have raised him to the rank of a Scott; perhaps it might only have left him in the ranks of mediocrity. In the one case he would have produced works of greater literary value; in the other, possibly, none at all. One thing is evident, however, that a series of writings which discover the under-currents of Scottish life in a busy century, would have been lost to literature, and that whatever gain there may have in one direction, it could hardly counter-balance the loss another way. Taking Dougal Graham all in all, his uncultured energy, his 'hameliness,' and his ready wit, have won for him a place in Scottish literature it would be difficult to supply, and which no one but himself was qualified to occupy. What that place was we shall endeavour to show in the following pages, when dealing with the chap-literature of Scotland.

'Our fathers have told us,' could the mediaeval Scot say as well as the ancient Israelite, for the traditions of former days in ballad, song, and story, were handed down from generation to generation. In the good old times, the gaberlunzie man would rehearse, by the peat fire of some remote farm-house, tales of the present and the past; or the discredited minstrel of the 'iron time' would tune--

From these, celebrated by royal and knightly poets, and encircled by the halo of romance, we must descend to the more prosaic, because better known, chapman, who, in a latter age, filled their places. Travelling over the country with a pack composed of haberdashery goods of the most varied kind, and with coarsely printed specimens of the literature to which his profession has given a name, he retailed at each farm-house the news he had heard on his journeys; and on a winter's evening, by the kitchen fire, he could make the time seem to pass swiftly, as he drew upon his experience for stories of the most wonderful description, or recalled the days of chivalry by his old-world tales. He was thus admitted to the inner circle: he mixed with the people as one of themselves.

Great activity in the publication of chap-books is known to have been displayed by printers in the various cities and towns in Scotland for the next decade or two; though, as far as can be judged from the few remnants of their productions still to be found, there was no author who, in any way, marked the literature with his individuality. Small collections of songs seem to have been in great request; old ballads were reprinted, and extracts were made from the writings of many of the poets; and the chap literature of England, which by this time had attained to some maturity, was beginning to make an impression on the Scottish people. Dream-books, and small works relating to astrology, palmistry, physiognomy, foreign travel, and such like, had become common, and were hailed by the people with manifest delight. These publications, issued at a price which put them within the reach of all classes, served to keep alive the superstitious beliefs which to this day are by no means eradicated from the popular mind, and which occasionally show themselves in most unlooked for quarters, and under the most extraordinary circumstances. Even the semi-religious chap-books had a tendency in this direction; and the so-called prophecies of the leaders in the Covenanting movement were regarded as certain of fulfilment, each change being eagerly watched and noticed as having a bearing upon the utterance of some martyr to the unholy zeal of the persecutors. As the general prophecies of Thomas the Rhymer, the seer of Ercildoune, were regarded as finding their fulfilment in the political events of the time; as the prophecies of Mother Shipton have recently been scanned, and even caused agitation among a nervous few, on account of the prediction--

'The world to an end shall come, In eighteen hundred and eighty-one';

'The place old Rhymer told long before, "That between Seaton and the sea, "A dreadful morning there should be, "Meet in the morning lighted by the moon, "The lion his wound here, heal shall not soon." In Thomas' book of this you'll read, Mention'd by both Merlin and Bead.'

'The wittiest fellow in his time, Either for Prose or making Rhyme.'

The varied character of his works gave to the literature of which they were a part a native strength that otherwise would not have belonged to it; and while they may have, to some extent, deepened the taint of coarseness which before found a place within its ranks, they added to its value as illustrating the tastes and manners of the common people. To convince himself of the truth of this statement, all that the reader requires to do is to note carefully the chap-books written by Graham, either in contrast with others, or by themselves. There is enough in them, without considering their relation to others, to prove that statement, for their truthfulness to human nature, and especially Scottish human nature, appeals to the heart and convinces the judgment.

It would be impossible in this place to give a note of the printers who assisted in the issue of the chap literature of Scotland, though to do so would be highly interesting. Their name is legion. Of the work of the earlier printers very few specimens remain; but towards the end of last century some of the printers in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Falkirk, and other large towns, attained to quite a celebrity for their efforts in this direction. James and Matthew Robertson, whose shop was in the Saltmarket, between the Cross and what is now known as St. Andrew's Street, and who were in business at the end of the eighteenth, and beginning of the nineteenth, century, made about ?30,000 off them. They published all Dougal Graham's booklets in their most complete forms, besides everything of the chap-book kind then in circulation. At their death their money went to the only daughter of Matthew, and her reputation for benevolence to the poor long survived her. Two other Saltmarket printers were Thomas Duncan, at No. 159, and R. Hutchison, at No. 10, both of whom flourished in the early years of this century. The headquarters of the chap-book printers in Edinburgh were in Niddery's Wynd and the Cowgate. Some most valuable pieces were issued from the Wynd about the middle of last century; and, in the Cowgate in the early years of this century, Morren printed all and sundry, scattering chap-books broadcast over the east coast. About 1760, A. Robertson, Coalhill, Leith, did an extensive business in this way. Falkirk, again, occupies a high position in this respect, for during the last few years of the eighteenth, and the early years of the present, century, T. Johnston issued a large number of chap-books, most of them valuable because they do not seem to have been much, if any, abridged. C. and M. Randall, of Stirling, about the same time were engaged in a similar work. Without further detail, this list of these eminent printers may be closed by the mention of the name of George Caldwell, Paisley, who flourished in both centuries, and who is believed to have been the original printer of many of Dougal Graham's chap-books. Few, if any, of his early productions can now be found.

'So said or sung "Makkar" Barbour in his "Quhair" of the Bruce. Chap-beuks and Ballats occupied a "far-ben corner o' the heart" of our Fathers and Grandfathers; indeed we have a "doubill pleasaunce" in these "auld storyss" when "tauld in gude manner."' Such is a true estimate of their position in the hearts and minds of the Scots of the eighteenth century. The opinions Sir Walter Scott and William Motherwell had of Dougal Graham's writings have already been shown, and their estimate of the value of the literature for which he wrote has been clearly brought out.

AN IMPARTIAL

HISTORY

of the

RISE, PROGRESS, and EXTINCTION

of the late

REBELLION

I TOO have my Reasons, which I will candidly own: I shall not say they are as weighty as others are; but I will venture to affirm, they are as common, and such as have introduced into the World ten thousand BRATS OF THE BRAIN, besides mine.

The Public's most obedient Servant,

DOUGAL GRAHAM.

THE

HISTORY

OF THE

REBELLION

IN BRITAIN in the years 1745 and 1746.

The Duke of Perth and great Lochiel They chus'd for ground, that rising fell West from Tranent, up Brislie brae, A view both South and North to ha'e. A few were left on Arthur's Seat, Thinking the king's army to cheat.

The poor foot, left here, paid for all, Not in fair battle, with powder and ball; But horrid swords, of dreadful length, So fast came on, with spite and strength, Lochaber axes and rusty scythes, Durks and daggers prick'd their thighs: Fix'd bay'nets had but little share With the long shanked weapons there; Although they kept together fast, Their en'mies close upon them prest; And back to back long did they stand, Till lost was many a head and hand. Then after Gard'ner's party's beat, The whole of's horsemen clean defeat, Himself on foot rejoic'd to see The brave lads fight so valiantly, With no commander on their head, To join that party swift he gade: Although some wounds he'd got before, To lose the field his heart was sore. Then all around he was enclos'd, Behind, before, fiercely oppos'd, With sword in hand he hew'd his way, While blood in streams did from him fly. Ere him down on the field they got, His head was clove, his body shot, And being sep'rate from the rest, The battle sore upon him prest, Ev'n after he lay on the ground, No mercy was unto him shown, I mean by the rude vulgar core, Yet gentlemen lamented sore; Because he would no quarter have, While they endeavour'd 's live to save.

One man he had, who by him staid, Until he on the field was laid, And then he fled to the Meadow-mill, Where he acquainted was right well, Thence in disguise return'd again, And bore him off, from 'mongst the slain. His stately dwelling was near by; But now he could not lift an eye, His speech was laid, all hopes were gone No signs of life, except a groan. Of hours he liv'd but very few, "A good Christi'n and soldi'r too," This character he's left behind Military men there's few of 's kind.

The poor foot, on field, I can't forget, Who now were caught as in a net, From 'bove Cow-canny to Preston-dyke, About a mile or near the like, They were beat backward by the clans, Along the crofts 'bove Preston-pans, Till the high dyke held them again, Where many taken were and slain; Although they did for quarters cry, The vulgar clans made this reply, "Quarters! you curst soldiers, mad, "It is o'er soon to go to bed." Had not their officers and chiefs Sprung in and begg'd for their reliefs, They had not left one living there: For in a desp'rate rage they were, 'Cause many clans were hack'd and slain; Yet of their loss they let not ken: For by the shot fell not a few, And many with bay'nets pierc'd thro'. 'Bove three hundred lay on the field, Fifteen hundred were forced to yield, The rest with Cope got clear away. And so ended this bloody fray, Since call'd the battle of Preston-pans, Fought by John Cope and Charlie's clans, September the twenty-first day, Below Tranent a little way; From Gladsmoor church two miles and more, The place old Rhymer told long before, "That between Seaton and the sea, "A dreadful morning there should be, "Meet in the morning lighted by the moon, "The lion his wound here, heal shall not soon." In Thomas' book of this you'll read, Mention'd by both Merlin and Bead.

Now, the field tents and warlike store And cannons, which they'd not before, All fell into the conq'rers hand, Of arms many a hundred stand.

To Edinburgh then he did return, His great triumph made many mourn. Through Lothian then it was the way, Whose man ye was ye durst not say. Nor to what side you'd wish good speed; So critical were times indeed. To Holyrood-house, great Charles then, Went in with all his noblemen, Being low out of the castle's view There to him flocked not a few, Who were in dread to come before; But now they thought the conquest o'er, Rich presents were unto him sent, And much time in gallanting spent. His army here strove to recruit, Large collections were contribute, Taxes, cess, and all king's dues, His orders no man durst refuse. The whole country and neighbouring towns Obediently sent in their pounds: Horses and carts they did provide, And men likewise these carts to guide. Yet when of all he was prepar'd, Another hardship was declar'd, As they were 'bout to leave the land, Six weeks cess before the hand, They gave a charge for all to pay Who dealt into the malting way, Forthwith to raise this contribution On pain of military execution.

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