the bards, the heroes, the maidens, and the upper classes of society: for such it seems there were, in the days of Druidism, and of Fingal. This instrument is, certainly, intitled to attention, from its vivacity and sweetness, as well as to respect, on account of its antiquity. It might be one of the first musical instraments advanced to perfection; as the pro the employment of three strings, in pro-) ducing varieties of tone, to the increas& of their number to a dozen or a score. Indeed, we doubt whether on this instra living there without thinking it a miracle; they had no want, but plenty of every thing they desired, and much contentment, and always declared it the most pleasing part of her life, though they were not without their little distresses; but to them they were rather jokes than grievances. The professors and men of learning in the place came often to see my grandfather; and the best entertain. ment he could give them was a glass of Alabast beer, which was a better kind of alegress is simple and natural enough from than common: he sent his son Andrew, the Fate Lord Kimmershame, a boy, to draw some for them in the cellar; he brought it p with great diligence, but in the other hand the spicket of the barrel. My grand-ment, modern skill has effected any reak father said, "Andrew what is that in your hand?" When he saw it, he ran down with speed, but the beer was all run out before he got there: this occasioned inuch mirth, though perhaps they did not well know where to get more. It is the custom there to gather money for the poor from house to house, with a bell to warn people to give it. One night the bell came, and no money was there in the house, but an orkey, which is adoit, the smallest of all coin. Every body was so ashamed, no one would go to give it, it was so little, and put it from one to the other. At last my grandfather said, Well, then I will go with it; we can do no more than give all we have. Is any further proof necessary of the authenticity of this paper? improvement. The compass of a harp! delineated in the sepulchral grottoes of Thebes in Egypt, is equal to that of the harps in present use: and for vigour of tone we see no reason why they should be inferior to those of our own day. We suppose, however, that it would not be an easy task to fit them up properly (and of this opinion from incidents related by we derive some proof of the correctness Mr. Gunn)-and we think it likely, thit the more powerful instruments of later invention, (the organ, &c.) may have rendered our ears somewhat fastidious to the performance of an ancient master, could we be indulged with such a gratifi cation. The harp has been so long in disuse in Scotland, that its former popularity was milies the office of harper subsisted till nearly the middle of the last century: and some places have derived names from that attendant on a great chief. Nevertheless, even the learned had no know. ledge of the attachment of their ancestors to this instrument. The Highland society having been informed that there were two old harps in the house of Lude, in the Highlands of Perthshire, which had been for several centuries in that family, applied to General Robertson for a description of them: the General favoured the society, An Historical Inquiry respecting the Per-intirely forgotten; although in some t formance on the Harp in the Highlands of Scotland; from the earliest Times, until it was discontinued, about the Year 1734. To which is prefixed an Account of a very Ancient Caledonian Harp, and of the Harp of Queen Mary. Illustrated by three elegant Engravings. Drawn up by Desire of the Highland Society of Scotland, and published under its Patronage, by John Gunn, F. A. S. E. Author of a Treatise on the Origin and Improvement of stringed Instruments; an Essay on thorough Bass, adapted to the Violoncello, &c. 4to. pp. 112. Price £1.58. Edinburgh, Constable and Co. 1807. IN reporting on Sir John Carr's Caledonian sketches Panorama, Vol. VI. p. 66] we hinted at that writer's dislike of the bagpipes, to which he denied the character of heaven-descended; and his recommendation of the harp, an instrument, once popular in Caledonia: among with the loan of these instruments; and this publication is the essay composed to illustrate them. of The work opens with a description the instruments, accompanied by several well engraved plates, from which we ob tain a sufficient knowledge of their form and construction. The attention of Mr. G. and the society to the subjects of their examination does them credit; and the history of these harps should be ascertained and preserved. We cannot render Mr. G's account of them intelligible, without the plates; and therefore must content ourselves with recording the learnd writer's diligence, by a few specimens of a more general nature. The effects intended to be produced by music in former ages, appear to have een of a more soothing character, than flate: the instruments therefore might e more delicate and sweet, than those in resent use, though not so powerful. This may account for the feeble tone of the >wer notes in Queen Mary's harp; and at the voice accompanied this instrunent is inferred from a remarkable decliation of the upper arm, in the Caledoan harp, which is turned sideways to how the performer to sing before the 1strument, and his voice to be, in conquence, the better heard. Some of the Is anciently played on the harp, are il extant in Scotland, though adapted to her instruments. great care, and forming them somewhat like land more than once, and was, within the The shortest string, or highest note, of Queen Mary's harp, we found to be the upper C, or highest note of the modern piano forte, with additional keys; and proceeding by the descending scale, it has exactly a compass of four complete octaves, terminating in C, the notation of which, in our music, is placed on the second space of the bass stave. The importance and value of a good If it should be doubted, that the old harpers strament of this description, was, no of Caledonia and Ireland did actually tune Jubt, at all times considerable: this may harps, of the above number of strings, by count for the transmission of such from the diatonic scale, which contains only two and to hand, with commemorations of intervals of semitone in the compass of an e feats they had performed, says Mr. G. octave, it may be answered, that if they did not tune them upon that system, how can I have been favoured with a copy of an we possibly ascertain in what degree or respect cient Gaelic poem, together with the mu- their scale differed from it? All the music : to which it is still sung in the Highlands, still extant in Ireland and the Highlands is which the poet personifies and addresses a reducible to that scale.-O'Kane, the last ry old harp, by asking what had become of Irish harper that has been heard in Scotland, former lustre? "The harp replies-that it is said to have had his harp tuned exactly on d belonged to a king of Ireland, and had that system; and Mr. Bunting, who has har zen present at many a royal banquet; that monized and published a well known collec had afterwards been successively in the pos- tion of the ancient Irish music, which was ssion of Dargo, son of the Druid of Baal taken down by him from the performance of -of Gaul-of Filan-of Oscar-of O Duine a number of itinerant harpers, who were -of Diarmid-of a Physician-of a Bard-assembled by the gentlemen of Belfast on id, lastly, of a Priest, who, in a seclud- the 12th of July, 1792, informs us, that I corner, was meditating on a white book." "these harpers were collected from parts far We presume, also, that the ancient "distant from each other, and were taught arpers valued themselves not a little on "by different masters, and that they all heir skill: they thought, as many mo"tuned their instruments on the same prinern musicians think, that those who do "ciple, yet totally ignorant of the principle "itself, and without being able to assign ot practice music, practice nothing good: uch a one we suppose was O'Kane, of hom Mr. G. relates the following aneclote. Galileo, father of the celebrated mathemaClau, in his "* Dialogue on Ancient and lodern Music," 1582, says, the performer n the harp suffered his nails to grow to a onsiderable length, trimming them with any reason for this mode of tuning, or of their playing the bass." This diatonic, scale appears, in reality, to have been produced by what Mr. Kollinan, in his "New Theory of Musical Harmony," 1806, calls the lucky chance of transposing the ancient tetrachord of the Greeks, which was taught in the universities of Europe. In what way the Irish and Caledonian harpers came to the knowledge of such a tetrachord, and had the same lucky chance of transposing it into a regular diatonic octave, does not fall within the limits of the present inquiry. This conjecture has much the air of unwillingness to allow the proficiency of the ancient masters, in science. The chance was too lucky, to be a mere chauce; and we see no reason for supposing that skill had no share in it. We are of opinion, that generally speaking, Fortune favours no discoverers but those who merit such lucky chances. Mr. Gunn proceeds to trace the harp, through Wales, Ireland, and Scotland: in the songs of the bards, and in traditional stories. The history of Queen Mary's harp, is, that it was left by that sovereign (when on a hunting excursion in Athol) with Beatrix Gardyn, ancestor of the family which now possesses it. That Queen herself was probably no skilful performer on the harp; as the lute was then the fashionable instrument in France, where she had been educated. We dismiss the immediate subject of this essay, which manifests the inquisitive mind of its author, by observing, that Mr. G. proposes to publish a copious work on the history of the harp, especially in Caledonia; in which undertaking we wish him success. But we take the opportunity before us of transcribing an account of Queen Mary's hunting in Athol above alluded to: which has so much of a Tartarian spirit and character: that it might be suspected of an oriental origin: were it not found in a Scottish writer of acknowledged veracity. ness. I shall give it in the words of an eye-wit"I had a sight of a very extraordinary sport: in the year 1563, the Earl of Athol, prince of the blood-royal, had, with much trouble, and vast expence, provided a hunting-match for the entertainment of our most illustrious and most gracious queen. Our people call this a royal hunting. I was then a young man, and was present on that occasion. Two thousand Highlanders were employed to drive to the hunting-ground all the deer from the woods and hills of Athol, Badenoch, Marr, Murray, and the countries about. As these Highlanders use a light dress, and are very swift of foot, they went up and down so nimbly, that, in less than two months time, they brought together two thousand red deer, besides roes and fallow deer. The queen, the great men, and a umber of others, were in a glen, or narrow valley, when all these deer were brough before them; believe me, the whole bo moved forward in something like battle orde This sight still strikes me, and ever will str ne; for they had a leader whom they lowed close wherever he moved. This lead was a very fine stag, with a very high heat The sight delighted the queen very much but she soon had cause for fear, upent Earl's (who had been from his early da accustomed to such sights) addressing thus: Do you observe that stag woo foremost of the herd?-There is danger frog that slag; for if either fear or rage showe force him from the ridge of that hill, every one look to himself, for none of will be out of the way of harm, as the will all follow this one; and having thro us under foot, they will open a passage to hill behind us.' What happened a mome for the que after confirmed this opinion; ordered one of the best dogs to be let lo upon a wolf;-this the dog pursues leading stag was frightened-he flies by same way he had come there-the rest ra after him, and break out where the thick body of the Highlanders was. They nothing for it now but to throw themsel flat on the heath, and to allow the deer pass over them. It was told the queen, several of the Highlanders had been woun ed, and that two or three had been kille got off, had not the Highlanders, by the outright; and the whole body of deer skill in hunting, fallen upon a stratagem, cut off the rear from the main body. It of those that had been separated, that queen's dogs, and those of the nobility, ma slaughter. There was killed that day th hundred and sixty deer, with five wolve and some roes."* This incident deserves notice as an ticle of Natural History: the obedience the deer to their leader, and their fore when called into action; together with the courage and skill of their chief she no little intelligence in these inhabitant of the forest. This volume is printed in a capital style: we have heard it described as the c d'oeuvre of Caledonian typography. * Barclay de Regno et regali potestate, p. 279, 280. The writer who has transm ted to us this interesting and lively account, was William Barclay, a native of Aberdeen shire, and a learned civilian. He spent the early part of his life, and much of his fortune, at the court of queen Mary, and accompanied her on this excursion to the Highlands, at the age of twenty-two. In the latter part his life he married a French lady, lived a France, and was Professor of Civil Law in the university of Angers, where he died in the year 1004. of 1 Reply to the Pamphlets lately published in Defence of the London Female Penitentiary: with further Remarks upon the dangerous Tendency of that Institution. By William Hale. 8vo. pp. 143. Price 2s. 6d. Conder, London, 1809. ced by one who lived in the house where she left her. When she could not conceal her was a servant; she became pregnant, and he situation any longer, she was turned away, and came to Spitalfields Workhouse. Her conduct, during her continuance there, was highly becoming, and plainly bespoke the deep contrition of her heart. Her seducer was not suffered to escape: but made to con THIS is a melancholy pamphlet. tribute to the support of her child. The genWhenever the subject of female prostitu- tleman alluded to as Mr. Hodgson's acquaintion is presented to us, we feel a gloom tance was also my intimate friend; and I come over our minds, like a dense cloud, recommended him to take this young woman through which the sight labours in vain to into his family: he did so; and her subsepenetrate. We are convinced, that pros-quent conduct as a servant has now, for seven utation is an evil; natural, moral, poli- years, proved her to be one of the most mo tical; evil in every sense: yet still it dest and discreet women.-But let it be remembered, that this exists, and has existed from the very been a prostitute. No; such were her moral young woman had never dawn of society. The arrogance of the and physical feelings," that neither a human mind even ventures to arraign workhouse, prison, nor, I believe, death the conduct of Providence in suffering itself, could ever have induced her to be so. this crime in every climate, in every state Had this been the case, I never should have of society, at all times, and under all cir- dared to have placed her in a safe and restumstances. The thought must be re-pectable station in society," where there were pressed; but the agony of that heart in which it could arise, will meet with sympathy in those who have deeply considerid the subject. children; but upon her manifesting a becom would have been provided for her, by which ing conduct, some kind of employment she might have worked for her living. a This fact we highly value: it proves that a workhouse may be rendered saluta ry, in affording an asylum to distress; and relief to unhardened guilt: Such cases, however, we fear, are rare; much more common occurrence is that of obstreperous vice demanding with oaths and effrontery the support, of which those who must administer it have the mortifying persuasion that it will do no good. For this we have Mr. H's. authority. We do not approve of the manner of conducting this debate: we would rather it had more of fact for its basis, and less of inference and deduction from argument. But, as the writers may justly claim the privilege of Britons, and assert their right to discuss the question as they think best, we shall only hint that their allusions to histories in the gospel, to the Jewish economy, &c. do not tend to simplify the inquiry.-Further: Mr. Hale will indulge us in the remark, that there Where disputes have arisen between parishare two words in Hebrew, understood by officers and paupers, they have almost uniour translators to signify prostitutes;versally been in consequence of the latter Kedesha and Zonah: these must not be demanding pecuniary relief, whilst the formconfounded; but until this distinction, er insisted upon their going into the workwith some others, of a like nature, be observed, arguments are like random shot: they may hit; but at point blank distance they would be more effectual. Having stated our predilection for facts, we shall insert one which we deem to the purpose. Mr. Hodgson relates the case of a young woman, who "having fallen into sin, was reclaimed, and now does credit to a religious profession." Mr. Hale says Unfortunately for Mr. Hodgson, he never knew where this woman came from, or he would have omitted the circumstance altogether. This young woman had been sedu house. Knowing, therefore, that these abandoned creatures would only apply the money given to the worst of purposes, they very properly deny them; but then they are obliged to offer to take them into the workhouse. This is generally refused, with oaths and cursing. They again return to the sinks of prostitution; and if the question is put to them, they will tell the first inquirer, that they are longing to escape from a life of such infamy but are, nevertheless, constrained to pursue it for their daily support ! Mr. Hale justifies his representation by the opinion of Mr. Moser, a magistrate of the Police Office, in Worship Street. This surely is bad enough; but the writer further affirms, that Is it possible, after perusing these paragraphs, that we can attend to the con troversy between Mr. Hale and Mr. Blair, or suffer Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Clarke, Juvenis, or any body else, to interpose between us and our view of the main question? We zealously call on every well-wisher to society, to individuals, to immortal souls, we appeal to the establishment, to sectaries, to churchmen to methodists, to catholics, to every heart not callous to moral feelings or dead to sentiments of humanity, to every soul softened by Divine grace,-we con The great mass of prostitutes (whatever may be their outward appearance) are chiefly composed of women who were once in servitude; many of them are married, whose husbands are in the army or navy; whilst thousands of them have broke the conjugal tie, and driven their partners from them by their infidelity. Another description, and which compose by far the greater part, are single women, who work at various trades during the day; such as the silk-manufactory, the straw-hat business, slop-making, and in short every species of employment which women are in the practice of working at injure them by the most solemn of invoca their own habitations. Others of them are employed, during a part of the day, in selling fruit, and various things not necessary to mention here; some live entirely in brothels; and not a few of the female servants, left in the care of great houses, go out an hour or two in the evening for this vile purpose, and make up the melancholy list! : tions to strive together to remove this guilt from us: by every tie of national affinity; by every feeling of honest patriotism by every hope of being eventually preserved from the yoke of tyranny; let a powerful and lasting effort demonstrate, that, however the cynics There are many thousands of women who of our age may affect to degrade their work in the day-time at the various employ-contemporaries, there is yet virtue enough ments I have just enumerated, who frequent- among us to remove this most dreadful ly go out in the evening, and offer theniselves of evils! for prostitution! This is a lamentable truth, known to every magistrate. Women of this description have frequently been taken before them: it has been discovered that they worked at a trade, and when questioned as to the criminality of their conduct, they have patched up a frivoLous tale, by saying that they had been out of employment for a week, or that they owed a little rent, and so went upon the town just to get that money....... In discussing the question, whether the London Female Penitentiary will lessea or increase the sum of prostitution? let it be seriously remembered, that for every one taken into that Asylum, another, who is now prevented, will immediately become a prostitute. I repeat the solemn truth: the streets are already overstocked with them, so that half the abandoned prostitutes are under the urgent necessity to work in the day for part of their maintenance! I know there are thou sands who at this time have plenty of work, that are often what they call ** trying their chance" they frequently attempt the horrid deed for a few nights, and then give over their wicked pursuit, because the public walks are glutted with prostitutes. The experience I have had of the lower orders of society, and which has been acquired from practical observation, makes me confident of the truth of what I now assert; and I here declare, without fear of contradic tion, that for every prostitute now upon the town, let their numbers be what they may, there are two ready to take their places! Mr. Hale demands from the virtuous part of the community their endeavour by personal assistance to render the erist ing laws effectual: to reduce to practice the preventions already enacted; and to repel from the resources of sin those who would prefer idleness and misery to insecond his demands, and to charge it as a dustry and honour. Is it not our duty to crime on those whose knowledge, zeal, and integrity can be active enough, on some occasions, that they suffer this truly benevolent mode of exertion to pass by them unnoticed? It is true, the barden of parish-offices is very great: is there no possible mode of diminishing this? Is there no corps of volunteers which will step forward, and relieve this great city from this dire disgrace! Has there at any period been a visible difference from the present prevalence of this calamity? To what cause was that difference owing? We care not from what distinction of persons, from what sect, or party, or denomination, a happily devised plan for preventing the continuance of this evil should originate, nor whether it be the effect of old laws or of new laws. Certain we are, that a statue of gold would be too little honour for the man who should be the happy instrument of this most salutary reformation. This subject we hope |