Part 1 (1/2)
The Proverbs of Scotland
by Alexander Hislop
PREFACE
The gathering together of the Proverbs of Scotland has occupied the attention of several collectors The earliest work on the subject which has been traced is that of Beaton, Archbishop of Glasgoho, about the time of the Reformation, made a small collection The definite inforht, however, that it has been of little or no value to subsequent collectors and writers on the subject The first collection of iusson, minister of Dunferusson's collection, which numbered 940 proverbs, was, all circumstances 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 volued, 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 coree with Motherwell, when he says that this writer's rendering of the Scottish dialect is ”most barbarous;” nor do onder that it excited the profound contee of the Scottish vernacular, was openly indignant at the reputation gained by Kelly's work, and h in 1763 In a sensible but pedantic preface, which he addressed to the ”Tenantry of Scotland, Farmers of the Dales, and Store a work on the subject, and strongly recoricultural portion of the coe book of theoes on to say:--”As naething helps our happiness ht 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 shi+ne ail'd sense, and will as lang as the world wags Gar your bairns get the your fah 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 co 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 coather 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, ht out to supply the de public In 1832, the collection forow It is based upon the previous books, and is a very extensive one, although in arrangement it is defective This collection, which is e of an elaborate historical and literary disquisition on the general subject, in the form of an introduction by the poet Motherwell, which is allowed to be one of theand comprehensive papers on proverbs which has yet appeared
The present collection of Scottish Proverbs, the first edition of which appeared in 1862, while it is the most extensive and systematic that has yet appeared, claims to be little ested by the work of Henderson, and has been carefully collated with it, and also with the previous collections of Fergusson, Kelly, and Rae additions have been made from various sources, such as the works of Sir Walter Scott, Galt, Hogg, and other national writers, while not a few have been picked up and registered as they fell froers hohout the volume, a considerable number of notes are introduced
These notes the co that many of them were enerally but a very poor idea of the deeper ; and also in deference to opinions which have been expressed as to the propriety of adding notes to a collection of proverbs at all, as every reader of intelligence is competent to put an individual construction upon each, suited to circumstances; while the very wide inferences and applications which can be extracted fro of a brief and satisfactory note, in many cases, an impossibility As it is, however, little merit is claimed for the an interpretation, they will, at least, tend to relieve the ue effect, so to speak, which is apt to be felt by ed in alphabetical order In all cases where the compiler could adapt a quotation or parallel proverb, he did so in preference to inserting an original note
To apply a proverb from the collection, it is hoped that, after all, the notes will be found no worse than ”Like a chip aude, little ill” A si and explaining theof the Scottish words to be found in the book
Of course, in a work of this nature, it is impossible to prevent redundancies and repetitions; and when it is ement of the first edition of this little work occupied the leisure hours of six years, and a si the preparation of the present, it will be readily understood that th of ti its cos to state that the present edition of this little work differs very considerably from its predecessor Upwards of 2000 additions, alterations, and corrections have been made upon it, most of which he is of opinion are i, a new one He has also to thank thereception accorded to the first edition, and hopes that the new one will be found equally worthy of their commendation To several private friends, and very ments for many valuable hints and important additions As he is anxious that this collection should be as coestion or addition which may occur to readers, and would respectfully solicit such with a view to their incorporation in a subsequent edition, should such be required
EDINBURGH, _May 1868_
[Illustration]
SCOTTISH PROVERBS
A' ae oo'
Literally, ”_all one wool_” ”A proverbial phrase, equivalent to all one, all to the same purpose”--_Jaude lasses, but where do the ill wives coood maids, but whence come the bad wives?”--_Spanish_
A' are no friends that speak us fair
”All are not friends who ss bark at