Abstract
Burlesques, or what the French call Travesties of classical and even of sacred subjects, had a vogue in France during the reign of Louis XIV; sometimes they are funny, sometimes vulgar and profane. It is a matter of taste. It is probable that this early Scottish example has some French inspiration; it will be observed that Dr. Geddes cites Boileau. Its date is soon after 1778. Similar squibs and pasquils had a vogue in Edinburgh too, and especially in Parliament House, where in certain circles there was an atmosphere of irreverence towards the Kirk and a delight in shocking the godly; David Hume was Keeper of the Advocates' Library from 1752. James Maidment (1795-1879), an indefatigable editor and antiquary who collected Pasquils, published in 1839 the Court of Session Garland (re-issued in 1888). It contains three similar Old Testament burlesques, Book of the Chronicles of the City, A Chapter from the Book of Kings and Book of the Proclamations, the last much later and concerning Dr. Thomas Chalmers and the General Assembly of 1837. But by far the best known is The Chaldee Manuscript, preserved in the Library of Paris (Salle 2nd No. 53, B.A.M.M.) which launched the new series of Blackwood's Magazine in October 1817, for it contains the picture of Walter Scott as the great magician who dwelleth in the old fastness hard by the river Jordan, which is by the Border.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
