The original Scottish chap-books attributed to the pen of Dougal Graham are so decidedly superior, that a sketch of his life, containing all that is known of him, has been considered the most fitting introduction to the present issue. The earliest literary inquiry into his history was made by Motherwell, the poet, who contributed a sketch of him and his writings to the _Paisley Magazine_ of January, 1829, based upon information derived from George Caldwell, bookseller, Paisley, who knew Dougal well, and was the chief publisher of his “penny histories.” Some further information regarding him, and corrections of mistakes in Motherwell’s article, are given in an appendix to the 1830 edition of M’Ure’s History of Glasgow, very possibly from the pen of M’Vean, its publisher, who was a collector of Dougal’s tracts. A more recent life of him--chiefly based on those already mentioned--forms chap. iii. of _Scottish Chap-books_, by John Fraser--a dissertation which brings into one view the gist of what has been written on this subject by Scott, Motherwell, Strang, Strathearn, and others. That any other chapmen contributed to the series is not known, nor very probable, if we except two or three pieces that have been adopted from the writings of Wilson the ornithologist. That the calling afforded excellent opportunities for observing country life and manners is amply testified by those sketches of Graham’s, which in their graphic pictures of low life and morals are unsurpassed, unless in the _Jolly Beggars_. That a chapman’s opportunities may be employed in observing the finer traits of humble life is exemplified in the case of Alexander Laing of Brechin, whose _Wayside Flowers_ contain touches of pathos, delicacy of sentiment, and refinement of feeling that rank him as high above Dougal in these respects as he is surpassed by him in force, breadth, and keenness of wit and humour. The present issue of the Chap-books is printed from plates that have been used in producing the texts of chap circulation, and are the veritable impressions of these, with “all their imperfections on their heads.” The classification is an innovation, which, it is expected, will at least please the studious collector; and the extra margins, the want of which is the great difficulty in binding stray collections, should be welcomed by all who dislike to see the text stitched into the back of the binding. THE LIFE OF DOUGAL GRAHAM.