The reader should be fairly warned that these poems abound in words, phrases, suggestions, and even couplets, borrowed to such an extent from old ballads and other sources, as to make acknowledgement in many cases seem affectation. Where this has appeared to be worth the while, it has been done. The lyrics were written for a laugh -- without anticipating publication, so far as a number of the principal ones in the first volume were concerned, and certainly without the least idea that they would be extensively and closely criticised by eminent and able reviewers. Before the compilation the "Barty" had almost passed from the writer's memory, several other songs of the same character by him were quite forgotten, while a number had formed portions of letters to friends, by one of whom a few were published in a newspaper. When finally urged by many who were pleased with "Breitmann" to issue these humble lyrics in book form, it was with some difficulty that the first volume was brought together. The excuse for the foregoing observations is the unexpected success of a book which is of itself of so eccentric a character as to require some explanation. For its reception from the public, and the kindness and consideration with which it has been treated by the press, the author can never be sufficiently grateful. CHARLES G. LELAND London, 1871. CONTENTS HANS BREITMANN'S BARTY BREITMANN AND THE TURNERS BALLAD A BALLAD APOUT DE ROWDIES THE PICNIC I GILI ROMANESKRO STEINLI VON SLANG TO A FRIEND STUDYING GERMAN LOVE SONG DER FREISCHUTZ WEIN GEIST SCHNITZERL'S PHILOSOPEDE -- I. PROLOGUE II. HANS BREITMANN AND HIS PHILOSOPEDE DIE SCHONE WITTWE -- I. VOT DE YANKEE CHAP SUNG II. HOW DER BREITMANN CUT HIM OUT BREITMANN IN BATTLE BREITMANN IN MARYLAND BREITMANN AS A BUMMER SECOND PART