PREFACE. UNTIL very lately, materials for a Life of the Poet Drummond were singularly scanty; but since the interesting facts which Mr. David Laing of Edinburgh has laid before the antiquaries of that city, from manuscripts in their keeping, a Life of some interest ought to be expected-I can call mine no more than an attempt. His Poems are numerous: some are written on subjects of temporary interest, many are unsuitable to the taste of the present day, and others have less of inspiration than could be desired: I have made a selection of such as I reckon most worthy of being widely known. Since the Life has gone to press, I have been favoured with much fresh information concerning the antiquity of the family of Drummond, by my friend Mr. David Laing of Edinburgh, who unites extensive knowledge with elegant taste, and is in all points and matters an accomplished antiquary. By these papers it appears that Sir John Drummond the Poet's Father, who married Susannah Fowler, sister to Sir William Fowler, Secretary of State to Anne, Queen of Great Britain, had by her "a son and two daughters;" not four sons and three daughters, as is stated in the note at page 2. P. C. London, July, 1833. |