Hew Morrison Collection > Original songs and poems in English and Gaelic

PREFACE.
ììlt the earnest, and repeated, instances of several particular
and partial friends, the Author of the present Volume of
Miscellaneous Original Trifles, has ventured to lay them
before the public. Tremblingly alive to their imperfections,
and to his inability to do justice to many of the subjects he has
undertaken, he bespeaks the amplest indulgence in their be-
half. Anxious to afford pleasure and entertainment to his rea-
dèrs, his paramount object has been, to diversify his topics as
far as his circumscribed capabilities would permit, and his hopes
of success are only exceeded by the earnestness of his wishes.
The productions of an individual denied the ordinary advan-
tages of education, demand, above all others, the most liberal
inspection ; and experience has always shewn, that the candour
of an enlightened public is ever ready to encourage the pre-
tensions of the unassuming. The Author, availing himself of
this protection, most humbly takes leave now-to place his little
Volume in the hands of his numerous and highly respectable
Subscribers. To please the candid is his highest ambition ;
and if he secure but a tithe of the approbation bestowed on
even the humblest of his Celtic ancestors, fortunate indeed will
he consider his poetic attempt. It must be admitted, however,
that the labours of the Poet, in modern days, furnish examples
of severer remark than any other effusions of the human mind,
whilst none deserve better, of have a fairer claim to, partial con-
sideration. Prosaic writers— who may have new doctrines to
inculcate, or theories to promote, and hence have an in