With a new introduction which explains the importance of Maclaren's writing in literary and religious debates of the period, readers can now view afresh a work which remains a vital part of the Scottish literary tradition.

Andrew Nash holds degrees from the universities of Dundee, Edinburgh and St Andrews and now teaches at the University of Reading. He has written widely on nineteenth and twentieth century publishing history and various aspects of Scottish literature. His books include: Kailyard and Scottish Literature and the edited volumes The Culture of Collected Editions and Literary Cultures and the Material Book.