Chronicle of Scottish Poetry; from the thirteenth century, to the union of the crowns: to which is added, a glossary, by J. Sibbald. In four volumes.

Notes

The first edition of this collection of Scottish Poetry edited by Scottish bookseller and publisher James Sibbald (c.1745-1803). In a review of the work attributed to Walter Scott, he is underwhelmed by Sibbald's notes, stating 'Where elegance has not been attempted, no censure is due, because it has not been attained', but he does praise 'the diligence and attention of the editor' for the fact that 'the poems in the Chronicle are, in general, accurately printed from the original manuscripts'. Scott goes on to declare that the glossary is 'by far the most valuable part of the work', where 'Mr Sibbald displays a great advantage over all late glossarists, from his intimate and habitual acquaintance with the Scotish dialect as spoken at present' (The Edinburgh Review, Oct. 1803-Jan. 1804, vol. III, pp. 200-210).
Sometime handsomely rebound, this copy belonged to Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee (1747-1813), professor at the University of Edinburgh and Judge Advocate of Scotland, who made a number of marginal annotations amounting to nearly 450 words. From factual corrections and queries, remarks on good passages ('this is a fine picture'), to catty criticisms of Sibbald's editorial capacities, Tytler's notes hold nothing back, and are a delight to read. A full transcription of all annotations is available upon request, but a flavour of his opinions can be gained from the following response to a passage of the dramatic piece 'Philotus' in volume three: 'Sibbald has here thrown two stanzas into one and made some castrations for decency's sake. Pinkerton is not so squeamish'. Tytler has only made one comment in the final volume housing the glossary, indicating he is in accordance with Scott on its value and execution.
This set later belonged to Edinburgh physician Ernest George Salt, whose armorial bookplates adorn the pastedowns.