Lag's Elegy and Other Chap Books. 203 



25th A2)rilf 1902. 



The Rev. AVilliam Andson in the chair. 



Donations ixnd Exchanges. — Boletiudel Institute Geologico de 

 Mexico, Num. 15, 2nd part. 



The Chairman referred to the recent death of Mr Arthur 

 Bennett, F.L.S., Croydon, a distinguished botanist, who was an 

 honorary member of the Society, and he moved that an expression 

 of the Society's regret at his loss be recorded in the minutes, 

 which was unanimously agreed to. 



Communication. 



" Lags Elegy and other Chap Books'' By Mr FRANK MiLLER, 



Annan. 



Mr Frank Miller, Annan, read a lengthy and valuable paper 

 on Scottish Chap-Books, giving special prominence to the question 

 of the authorship of " Lag's Elegy," and bringing under notice a 

 number of other tiny volumes issued from the press of Dumfries 

 and Galloway at a time when the population depended largely for 

 its literature on the stores of the pedlar or " chapman." A most 

 interesting series of the chap-books was shown, most of the copies 

 being lent by Mr William Macmath, P.S.A., President of Edin- 

 burgh Bibliographical Society, who possesses an extensive and 

 unique collection. Mr Macmath contributed the following note 

 of stall songs and ballads from the Dumfries press seen by him : 



Title-page of an 8-page pamphlet : " Garland of New Songs : 

 Star of the East, Banks of Doon, Beautiful Hill of Dromore, Come 

 sit down mj Cronies, Anna. (Symbols of the sun, moon, and 

 stars.) Printed for John Sinclair, Dumfries." 



Title-page of another 8-page pamphlet : " The Bride's Burial, 

 or The Affectionate Lovers, a True Love Story. Printed by C. 

 M'Lachlan, for John Sinclair, bookseller, Dumfries." 



Title-page of a third 8-page pamphlet : " The Duke of 

 Gordon's Daughters. Printed for John Sinclair, Dumfries." 

 " Duke of Gordon's Daughters " (page 2nd). (On 8th page — end) 

 " Finis. Printed at the St. Michael Press, by C. M'Lachlan, 



