I, pp.

167-8.] [Footnote 50: The matter may be traced in Child's collection of ballads, or more easily in the latest edition of the _Minstrelsy_, edited by T.F.Henderson and published in four volumes in 1902.

Mr.
Henderson's views of ballad origins are quite in accord with Scott's own, but he notes the points at which Scott failed to follow any originals.

There seems to be some reason to believe, however, though Mr.Henderson does not say so, that Scott wrote _Kinmont Willie_ without any originals at all, except the very similar situations in three or four other ballads.

See the introduction by Professor Kittredge to the abridged edition of Child's ballads, edited by himself and Helen Child Sargent.
It is unnecessary to give here any detailed account of Scott's procedure, as the matter has been thoroughly worked out by students of ballads.