NOTES. Page 5, line 11 from top; the reading in the text is: "She fled as frae a shellycoat or kow." This is the reading in the 8vo and 4to editions of 1721; (and also in the 12mo edition of 1761;) where was published the first scene of the Pastoral, as a separate poem, under the title of "Patie and Roger." But, in all the editions of the Gentle Shepherd that we have seen, the reading stands thus: "She fled as frae a shellycoated kow." We think the first reading is the true one; and that the second is, probably, a typographical error. We have come to this conclusion after an inquiry into the meaning of the words " Shellycoat" and "Kow." The definitions of these words, from the best authorities we know of, are subjoined; which will enable such of our readers as have any curiosity in the matter to judge for themselves. "Shellycoat, a spirit, who resides in the waters, and has given his name to many a rock and stone upon the Scottish coast, belongs also to the class of bogles. When he appeared, he seemed to be decked with marine productions, and in particular with shells, whose clattering announced his approach. From this circumstance he derived his name.--Shellycoat must not be confounded with Kelpy, a water spirit also, but of a much more powerful and malignant nature.” [Scott's Minstrelsy, vol. i., Introd. civ. cv. “Shellycoat. One of those frightful spectres the ignorant people are terrified at, and tell us strange stories of; that they are clothed with a coat of shells, which make a horrid rattling; that they'll be sure to destroy one, if he gets not a running water between him and it: it dares not meddle with a woman with child, &c.” [Ramsay's Poems, vol. i., 4to edition, 1721. "Kow or Cow," a hobgoblin; also, a scarecrow, a bugbear. Cow-man, the devil.” “Wirrikow,” the devil. [Jamieson's Scottish Dictionary. [Hogg's Mountain Bard. The above definitions of Shellycoat are very precise: that of Kow is less so. Both are spirits, and frightful in character ; yet apparently of distinct habits. Hence the first of the readings given above, the oldest and that adopted in the text- "She fled as frae a shellycoat or kow,” is quite natural and proper: the second, (though susceptible of explanation,) seems much less so. At page 57, a variation from the text given in the present edition, is found in nearly all the more modern editions: it is as follows: "Enter BAULDY [singing]. SANG XVI. Jocky said to Jenny, Jenny, wilt thou do't? Mause.* Well liltit, Bauldy, that's a dainty sang. I have gowd and gear, I have land eneugh, I have a good ha' house, a barn, and a byre; A peat-stack 'fore the door, will mak a ranting fire ; ye be. Jenny said to Jocky, gin ye winna tell, In "Ramsay's Poems," published in London, by Millar, Rivington & Co., 2 vols. 12mo, 1761; (three years after the author's death;) there occur several variations from the text of the present edition. As the more important of these changes, with one exception, have been adopted in the edition edited by George Chalmers, published by Cadell & Co., London, 2 vols. 8vo, 1800; (usually considered the "best edition" of Ramsay's collected works;) and as they have been again adopted in the recent reprint of Cadell's edition by Fullarton & Co., London, 3 vols. 12mo, 1850, it has been thought best to present them here in the form of notes. The following, therefore, are to be understood as the readings in the editions just referred to: Page 5, line 13 from bottom : ""Till he yowl'd sair she strak the poor dumb tyke:" This is the reading in the 8vo and 4to editions of 1721, before referred to. In the 4to subscription edition of 1728, the * In some editions, Madge. author rejected the above reading, and substituted that given in the text. This would seem to be conclusive; and produces a considerable degree of suspicion as to the authority for the other alterations which we find in the editions of 1761 and 1800. Page 11, line 4 from bottom: "We soon will hear what a poor feightan life" [Edition of 1800. The editions of 1761 and 1850 give the reading in the text. Page 19, line 8 from top: "To shine, or set in glory with Montrose." Page 25, line 8 from bottom: "Bauldy. Well vers'd in herbs and seasons of the moon, [Edition of 1761. The editions of 1800 and 1850 give the reading in the text. Page 27: MAUSE her lane. "This fool imagines, as do mony sic, That I'm a witch in compact with Auld Nick, To speak and act aboon their common thought. Their gross mistake shall quickly now appear, Soon shall they ken what brought, what keeps me here. A shepherdess is daughter to a lord. The bonny foundling that's brought up by Glaud, Her infant life I sav'd, when a false friend She's now in her sweet bloom, has blood and charms Page 29, line 7 from top: "I darna stay,-ye joker, let me gang, Or swear ye'll never tempt to do me wrang." Page 29, line 15 from top:- "Shall do thee wrang, I swear by all aboon." Page 36, line 4 from top: "No Jaccacinths or Eglantines appear. Here fail'd and broke's the rising ample shade, Where peach and nectrine trees their branches spread, Fruit fair to view, delightful in the use; And from what stands the wither'd branches fly." Page 47, line 10 from bottom : "With equal joy my safter heart does yield, Page 62, top line: "But love rebels against all bounding laws; Page 63, line 15 from bottom: "Fine claiths, saft beds, sweet houses, sparkling wine, Rich fare, and witty friends, whene'er ye dine, Submissive servants, honour, wealth and ease," Page 64, line 14 from bottom: "Roger. And proud of being your secretary, I |