Transcribed from the 1911 T. N. Foulis edition , email
THE LIFE OF
MANSIE WAUCH
tailor in dalkeith written
by himself and edited by
D. M. MOIR
illustrated in colour by
charles martin hardie, r.s.a.
t.n.foulis
London & Edinburgh
1 9 1 1
Turnbull & Spears,Printers, Edinburgh
p. vto
JOHN GALT, Esq.,
author of “annals ofthe parish,” “theprovost,”
“ayrshire legatees,” etc.
the followingsketches,
principally of humblescottish character,
are dedicated,
by his sincere friend andadmirer,
the editor.
p.viiPRELIMINARIES TO THIS VOLUME
Having, within myself, made observation of late years, that all notablecharacters, whatsoever line of life they may have pursued, and to whateverbusiness they might belong, have made a trade of committing to paper allthe surprising occurrences and remarkable events that chanced to happen tothem in the course of Providence, during their journey throughlife—that such as come after them might take warning and bebenefited—I have found it incumbent on me, following a right example,to do the same thing; and have set down, in black and white, a good fewuncos, that I should reckon will not soon be forgotten, provided they makeas deep an impression on the world as they have done on me. To thisdecision I have been urged by the elbowing on of not a few judiciousfriends, among whom I would particularly remark James Batter, who has beenmost earnest in his request, and than whom a truer judge on anythingconnected with book-lear, or a better neighbour, does not breathe thebreath of life: both of which positions will, I doubt not, appear as clearas daylight to the reader, in the course of the work: to say nothing of theapproval the scheme met with from the pious Maister Wiggie, who has nowgone to his account, and divers other advisers, that wished either thegeneral good of the world, or studied their own particular profit.
Had the course of my pilgrimage lain just on the beaten track, I wouldnot—at least I think so—have p. viiibeen o’ercomeby ony perswasions to do what I have done; but as will be seen, in thetwinkling of half-an-eye, by th