£250
SOLE EDITION, 12mo, pp. xii, 348 + frontispiece. Contemporary sheep. Rather toned and soiled in places, some foxing, a few short edge-tears. Binding rubbed and worn, leather cracking in places, joints reinforced with glue, rear hinge relined and front endpapers renewed. Ownership inscription of A. McLaren Young dated 1951 to half-title.
The dedication is signed 'Tim Broadgrin' and dated 1786, while the title-page refers to the compiler as 'His Merriness's Secretary'. 'In order… to present to the Public a Collection on a more extensive and liberal plan, [the compiler] has blended with the productions of the best English Authors, a Selection of Rare and Excellent Pieces, written in the Scottish Dialect, which, though not universally understood, is nevertheless expressive and pleasing to that class of Readers who are acquainted with it' (Preface). The text opens with selections from Chaucer and goes on to include poems by Ferguson and Ramsay among the sketches, jokes, and songs. The sole surviving edition of this text (other publications adopted the same or similar titles, including an 1809 Philadelphia printing), it was apparently published in parts and ESTC records just 5 copies each in the British Isles and North America.
