ing them sung, or played by old harpers in north Wales; and reckons it a piece of great good fortune he did so, because most of them are since dead. He represents some of the Welsh music cheerful, some of a sentimental cast. Songs of the descriptive, imitative, and of the rural kind, are often heard round the hearths of the rustics. Epigrammatic stanzas, traditional love-sonnets, and pastorals, enhance the innocent delight of these people. Nor at their weddings, wakes, and rural evening assemblies, are wanting exhilarating lays. In Ireland, where music was carried to a still higher degree of perfection,* most of the ancient songs are irreparably lost. Bunting, who, at a meeting of harpers purposely F ἐσ * Powel, a Welsh historian owns, that "Gruffydh Ap Conan brought over with him from Ireland, divers cunning mu"sicians into Wales, who devised in a manner all the instru"mental music that is now there used as appeareth, as well "by the books written by the same, as also by the name of the "tunes and measures used among them to this date." The learned Selden corroborates this fact. Notes on Drayt. Polyalb. Song. posely convened, has published all that could be collected, assures us; the speci mens he has given, "of better times." are only the wreck And afterwards re marks, that several of the airs were not taken from the harp, but from songsters, and could not even be adapted to that in strument. On For many years past, in the Highlands, the harp has given place to the bagpipe. The sound of the latter is better suited to war; and the music composed for that purpose, bolder and more martial. this instrument, a skilful performer can describe the noise of a quarrel, the sounding to arms, the rage of a battle, and the broken discord of a flight; and conclude the whole with a solemn dirge, or lamentation for the slain. The Highland Chiefs resided mostly at home. All the Clan, and even strangers, found there a welcome reception. The dwelling, though void of grandeur, and superb decorations, was provided with a numerous numerous band of adherents. These passed their time in such amusements, and such exercises, as delighted an active warlike people. Large round stones were placed near the gates. The robust generally tried their skill in throwing them. Wrestling was another favourite pastime. There were declared champions of this profession, who went about, and challenged all that would not own their superiority. Leaping and running were other common diversions. If, to these manly exercises, we add the fatigues of hunting, it is plain they were sufficiently inured for a military life. And indeed, from their manners, habits, and the hardships they underwent, we may class them among the strongest, most active, and indefatigable men in the world. From the barrenness of their mountains, and severity of their climate, it is hardly necessary to observe, that luxury was utterly unknown to them. They had no appetites of their own creation to satisfy. Happy in their ignorance of refinements, and by nature temperate, they rested contented F 2 tented with a mere competency. When their fare proved coarse, it was made palatable by hunger and custom; when scanty, the deficiency was rendered easy by parsimony and patience. Their food was the natural produce of a wild, rugged, ill-cultivated country; such as its hills, forests, rivers, lakes, and seas supplied. Even when feasted by the chief, trunks of trees, covered with moss, served for seats, while large portions of beeves and deer, boiled or roasted, were placed before them on rough boards, or hurdles made of twigs wove together. During the repast, the piper played, and silence was observed. When all were satisfied, the sligácrehin, or drink shell, went round, while the bards celebrated those of their ancestors, most renowned, not only for military achievements, but for generosity and virtue. These rude traces of ancient heroism and hospitality exist no longer. Of all the officers that formerly composed a Chieftain's household, the piper is the only one who still maintains his situation. The of fice of bard hath ceased above half a century. Besides men of this profession, many others could repeat a number of ancient poems. But of these, few, or none, are now to be found. Almost a total change has taken place in the habits and manners of the Highlanders. Ever since the attempt made from that quarter, towards the middle of last century, to put the Stuart line on the British throne, government, to prevent any thing similar in future, dissolved the bonds that bound the people to their Chiefs; and, resolving to destroy all marks of distinction, prohibited the natives wearing their ancient dress. Schools for teaching English were established, in order to introduce that language, and to eradicate, if possible, the Gaelic. But what proved most ruinous to the country was the introduction of sheep, in the place of black cattle. By this mode, one man, and two dogs, is sufficient to occupy a tract of land, that formerly maintained many families. Thousands, consequently, have emigrated, and more are |