แ WITH A SUPPLEMENT, CONTAINING THE INVENTORY OF THE GABIONS," AND THE MUSES THRENODIE," BY HENRY ADAMSON. PERTH: JOHN FISHER, 25 HIGH STREET. G. GALLIE, GLASGOW; C. ZIEGLER, EDINBURGH; AND TO BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. - MDCCCXLIX. PREFACE. It has been matter of much surprise that a History of Perth, worthy of the name, was not executed long ago. Whether I have supplied such desideratum must be left to the public to determine. If, however, industry, research, and a desire to be impartial, are constituent parts of the qualifications necessary to do so, then I consider myself so far qualified to draw up an account of the past and present condition of the "Fair City." A cursory glance at the following work will enable the reader to judge whether it bear the marks above stated. I do not wish the history now offered to the world to be regarded, on the one hand, as a mere compilation, nor, on the other, as wholly an original work. It partakes, I conceive, of both characters; and to be candid, I confess to have freely used the labours of others, in so far as they bear upon the History of Perth; whilst, at the same time, I have spared no pains to search out, in multifarious books, records, and archives, for such additional matter as might give to it the impress of originality. In this latter walk I flatter myself to have been somewhat successful. It requires to be stated, also that for the opinions expressed on controverted historical questions, I am altogether responsible. I advocate no partizan views-no attempt is made to represent political or religious parties in any other light than that truth imperatively demands. I differ indeed on some points from my predecessors; yet, I hope not without sufficient reasons being shown for so doing. I beg leave to return my sincere thanks to those who have rendered me any assistance in the prosecution of my labours. To many I have been so indebted. No where have I met with a refusal to aid me in seeking for information. In fact all parties have shown an urbanity and kindness in this respect for which I shall ever feel grateful. My thanks are especially due to the Lord Provost, in allowing me free access to the Town Council Records; to Bailie Dewar, for the use of his name in procuring books from the library of the Literary and Antiquarian Society of Perth, and the privilege of perusing tho manuscripts belonging to that institution; to the curators of the Perth Library, for at all times allowing me such books as I wished to consult in preparing the History of Perth; to Mr Robert Buist, session clerk, for the trouble he has taken in procuring such extracts from the Parish Registers as I have required; and to Mr John Ferrier, for the use of the valuable manuscript notices relating to the history of Perth in his possession. One word in reference to a work entitled "A New History of Perth," and announced nearly twelve months ago as preparing for publication. In two of the local newspapers it has been stated, that the work now submitted to the public would be an imitation of the one I refer to. Now, in perusing the prospectus issued by the projectors of that publication, it will be found that their New History of Perth is, "in its principal features," to be "a reprint of the Muses Threnodie," with a digest of Mr Cant's notes; and one thing is obvious that "The History of Perth" compiled by me is altogether on a different plan from that. It yet remains to be seen which history is the imitation. 1 |