tory of our literature was so much neglected that
even those who should have been well informed knew no better than
others. The chief modern example is the well-known case of that most
important and valuable book entitled _An Etymological Dictionary of
the Scottish Language_, by John Jamieson, D.D., first published in
Edinburgh in 1808. There is no great harm in the title, if for
"Language" we read "Dialect"; but this great and monumental work was
unluckily preceded by a "Dissertation on the Origin of the Scottish
Language," in which wholly mistaken and wrongheaded views are
supported with great ingenuity and much show of learning. In the
admirable new edition of "Jamieson" by Longmuir and Donaldson,
published at Paisley in 1879, this matter is set right. They quite
rightly reprint this "Dissertation," which affords valuable testimony
as to the study of English in 1808, but accompany it with most
judicious remarks, which are well worthy of full repetition.

"That once famous Dissertation can now be considered only a notable
feat of literary card-building; more remarkable for the skill and
ingenuity of its construction than for its architectural correctness,
strength and durability, or practical usefulness. That the language
of the Scottish Lowlands is in all important particulars the same
as that of the northern counties of England, will be evident to
any unbiassed reader who takes the trouble to compare the Scottish
Dictionary with the Glossaries of Brockett, Atkinson, and Peacock.
And the similarity is attested in another way by the simple but
important fact, that regarding some of our Northern Metrical
Romances it is still disputed whether they were composed to the
north or the south of the Tweed.... And to this conclusion all
competent scholars have given their consent."

For those who really understand the situation there is no harm in
accepting the distinction between "Scottish" and "English," as
explained above. Hence it is that the name of "Middle Scots" has been
suggested for "the literary language of Scotland written between the
latter half of the fifteenth century and the early decades of the
seventeenth." Most of this literature is highly interesting, at any
rate much more so than the "English" literature of the same period, as
has been repeatedly remarked. Indeed, this is so well known that
special examples are needless; I content myself with referring to the
_Specimens of Middle