"He took a particular Marxist approach to the Victorian collectors."
Not particular
As far as I know, Marxists never had an approach to Sharp (I've read enough Marx to come under that description - not strictly true)
Dave' hatchet job was all his own
"The quotation attributed to Margaret Hogg (nee Laidlaw) was actually written by James Hogg, "
The quotation is reported in Walter Scott's journals as being said to him by Mrs Laidlaw - her son may well have repeated it - I'm sure he did - I would have done.
Our folk songs are based around the firesides, not the pubs
Try singing a twenty verse ballad in a crowded pup sometime and see how welcome you are made.

"if you cannot then your opinion counts for little."
If you persist in your bad manners I suggest you go elsewhere Dick - you and yours have just managed to close a thread by attacking a dead man
Jim Carroll