mstances considered, a very
commendable one; and it has served as a foundation to the labours of
subsequent workers in the same field. The next is that of James Kelly,
published in London in 1721. This volume contains nearly 3000 proverbs,
and is very carefully arranged, with notes and parallel illustrations.
The collection of Kelly is an able and valuable one, as he was perfectly
conversant with the subject of proverbs generally; but we are compelled
to agree with Motherwell, when he says that this writer's rendering of
the Scottish dialect is "most barbarous;" nor do we wonder that it
excited the profound contempt of Allan Ramsay, who, from his thorough
knowledge of the Scottish vernacular, was openly indignant at the
reputation gained by Kelly's work, and made a collection himself, which
was published at Edinburgh in 1763. In a sensible but pedantic preface,
which he addressed to the "Tenantry of Scotland, Farmers of the Dales,
and Storemasters of the Hills," he states his reasons for issuing a work
on the subject, and strongly recommends the use of proverbs,
particularly among the agricultural portion of the community. After
alluding to the work of Kelly as a "late large book of them, fou of
errors, in a style neither Scots nor English," he goes on to say:--"As
naething helps our happiness mair than to hae the mind made up with
right principles, I desire you, for the thriving and pleasure of you and
yours, to use your een and lend your lugs to these _guid auld says_,
that shine with wail'd sense, and will as lang as the world wags. Gar
your bairns get them by heart; let them hae a place among your family
books; and may never a window-sole through the country be without them.
On a spare hour, when the day is clear, behind a rick, or on the green
howm, draw the treasure frae your pouch and enjoy the pleasant
companion. Ye happy herds, while your hirdsels are feeding on the
flowery braes, you may eithly mak yoursels maisters of the hale ware!
How usefou it will prove to you (wha hae sae few opportunities of common
clattering) when you forgather with your friends at kirk or market,
banquet or bridal! By your proficiency, you'll be able, in a proverbial
way, to keep up the soul of a conversation, that is baith blythe and
usefou."

Nearly a hundred years elapsed before a new collection appeared,
although, during that period, many editions of the works which we have
mentioned were brought out to supply the demands of a pro