'From grave to gay, from lively to severe,'

from the moral poem and the religious dialogue, -

'The scrolls that teach us to live and to die,' -

to the legendary, the historical, or the domestic ballad; from the
strains that enliven the harvest-home and festival, to the love-
ditties which the country lass warbles, or the comic song with
which the rustic sets the village hostel in a roar. In our
collection are several pieces exceedingly scarce, and hitherto to
be met with only in broadsides and chap-books of the utmost rarity;
in addition to which we have given several others never before in
print, and obtained by the editor and his friends, either from the
oral recitation of the peasantry, or from manuscripts in the
possession of private individuals.


The novelty of the matter, and the copious resources disclosed by
the editor, acquired for the volume a popularity extending far
beyond the limited circle to which it was addressed; and although
the edition was necessarily restricted to the members of the Percy
Society, the book was quoted not only by English writers, but by
some of the most distinguished archaeologists on the continent.

It had always been my intention to form a collection of local
songs, illustrative of popular festivals, customs, manners, and
dialects. As the merit of having anticipated, and, in a great
measure, accomplished this project belongs exclusively to Mr.
Dixon, so to that gentleman I have now the pleasure of tendering my