I would not use the liberty of
transcribing it into my manuscript copy of Mrs. Brown's ballads, but
if you will signify your permission, I shall be highly gratified."
{25} "Your ancient and curious ballad," he styles the piece.
Thus Scott had Auld Maitland in May 1802; he sent the original MS. to
Ritson; Ritson received it graciously; he had, on 10th April 1802,
sent Scott another MS., The Wee Wee Man: and when Scott wrote to
Ellis about his surprise at getting "a complete and perfect copy of
Maitland," he had but lately received The Wee Wee Man, sent by Ritson
on 10th April 1802. He had made a spring, not an autumn, raid into
the Forest.
We now know the external history of the ballad. Laidlaw, hearing his
servant repeat some stanzas, asks Hogg for the full copy, which Hogg
sends with a pedigree from which he never wavered. Auld Andrew Muir
taught the song to Hogg's mother and uncle. Hogg took it from his
uncle's recitation, and sent it, directed outside,
TO MR. WILLIAM LAIDLAW,
BLACKHOUSE,
and Laidlaw gave it to Scott, in March 12-May 12, 1802.
Pages:
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60