Yorkshire Ditties, Second Series To which is added The Cream of Wit and Humour from his Popular Writings

"Yorkshire Ditties, Second Series" by John Hartley is a collection of poems from the late 1800s, showcasing a mix of funny and sincere poems that honor the culture and daily lives of working-class people in Yorkshire. Through the use of local dialect, it captures the experiences of people living in this region. The collection is both a statement on society and a recognition of everyday people's strength and humor, expressing their happiness, sadness, and challenges. The book begins with a dedication and a preface, with the author expressing his belief that reader's will appreciate the homegrown dialect. The first poem, "Th' Better Part," describes a discussion between an old man and a young man about how people view wealth. The old man talks about how challenging riches can be compared to the peace and joy he gets from modest living, ultimately setting the stage for the subsequent mix of humor, wisdom, and memories of the past.