BANNATYNE CLUB, a literary club its name from George Bannatyne, to whose industry we are indebted for the preservation of 'finch of poetry of the loth and 16th centuries. The B. C. was instituted in Edinburgh in 1823 by Sir Walter Scott, with the assistance chiefly of Mr. David Laing of the Signet library, Mr.„Archibald Constable, and Mr. Thomas Thomson. The object of the institution was to print rare works Illustrative of Scottish history, topography, poetry, miscellaneous literature, etc., in a uniform and handsome manner, either at the.expense of the club, or as the contribu tions of individual members. As a general rule, the number of copies of printed was limited to the number required for distribution among members, but in some instances a few were printed for sale. The club:originally consisted of 31 members only, who paid an annual contribution of five guineas; but, owing to the anxiety of eminent men to become members, the number was gradually extended to 100, where it was definitively fixed, tho same annual paytneat being stilt required. Its first president
was Sir Walter Scott, who was succeeded by Mr. Thomas Thomson, and lords Cockburn and ilutherfurd; and its first secretary was Mr David Lahig, who continued to its close to discharge the duties of the office. The club had annual meetings in Dec., which were of a very convivial character, so far as can be judged from an account of their first meeting published iu the Elinbargh Literary Gazette of Feb., 1824—afterwards reprinted by the club itself—which suggestively says that the Bannatyne Garland, No. 1, a sung composed by one of the members, was sung "to the tune of Four Bottles more." These however, were given up, and the club itself, which, in 1S59, numbered about 80 members, was tinally dissolved on the 27th Feb., 1861. Since its commencement it nuim bored among its members many of the most distinguished Scotsmen, and printed 116 works, some valuable as they are rare, and all bringing high prices at sales.