RARE - A Book of Scottish Verse by George Burnett 1937

A Book of Scottish Verse by George Burnett

I have here an old hardcover book by George Burnett, titled, ‘A Book of Scottish Verse’, with a frontispiece by Jessie M. King. Published in 1937 (Second Edition) by Methuen & Co. Ltd., London.

PREFACE:

The first pieces, which I decided to include in this collection, were selected from those, which pleased me as a boy. One or more of these appear at the beginning of each book, and serve as an introduction to the wider range of verses which one became aware of only gradually.

It is impossible for the adult to make sure that his choice will meet with general approval. Boys and girls know what they like as soon as they meet it, but they con by no means be persuaded to like something merely because the adult wants them to. In making his selec­tion the latter cannot recollect with certainty when he fist began to enjoy a particular poem, and he is apt to claim for himself a precocity which fact does not warrant. And so the anthology for the young tends to include a number of poems, which the compiler thinks a boy, and girl ought to know. I have guarded against this tendency as best I could by taking pains to discover the opinion of boys and girls themselves.

It follows as a result that the verses now brought together are unequal in literary quality. This does not matter very much. The first requirement is pleasure. Given that, the path to appreciation is made easier, and the teacher soon finds that there is little more he can do. The ten books contain poems more or less of a type, but this arrangement was adopted more as one of convenience than of absolute propriety.

Adult readers may deplore the exclusion of their childhood’s favourites, and the inclusion of strange pieces, which stir no happy recollections. Is it too much to hope that by way of compensation they will make the acquaintance of some poems, which they will regret not having read until now?

- G. B.

This wonderful old (208-page) hardcover book is in good condition for its age, neat inscription, and very light browning on edges of the book; unfortunately it doesn’t have a dust jacket. The covers have hints of shelf wear being the odd ding and bump and fading, overall, a wonderful read and should form part of your poetry book collection.

Postage cost within Australia $5.40. I do not charge a packaging fee and will do my best to get you the cheapest postage that will get your item to you safely. Combined postage possible, email me if you have any questions, good luck with your bidding.