The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-11
Charles Machay ON the Songs OF Scotland and
Ireland.


Dr. Mackay delivered the last Of his course last
night ct Mozart Hall, the subject being 1.-THE Songs Of
Scotland and Ireand'-rsther misnomer the lecturer
almost ignored the songs and song writer's Of the latter
country albeit il is universally known the land Of song
and liz very name has become synonymous with melody
and ballad.
The lecturer said that there was little known of the pop
ular ballads OF Scotland before the invention Of printing
the though the Highlands had their bards and Lowands
their scads and minstrels. The earliest allnson
we find 70 Scottish songs was after the battle Of
Bannockburn, when they were SING greatly TO
the annoyance Of Engishmen. or all others at that
period, only fragments left. The first poet OF
Scotland was King James Stuart of Robert ILL.,, who
lived 452 years ago On his way to France James
captured by English vessel and confined in England
years during which time he received the education
of accomplished gentleman Here he fell in love with
beautiful English lady, and described his love in poem
much in the style Of Chaucer. Love with him, with
Burns and almost all poets the origin Of poetry
To this unfortunate scion Of unfortunate race Scotland
much Of her literature. After he became James l.
of Scotland he composed many Of those beautiful ballads
for which his country Is so famous Among them
"Well gang Rowing; at least tradition has
it hut that song was also attributed TO James father Of
Mary Stuart. James V. did much 10 make songs fashion
able at court. Drummond, himself poet admired his
compositions greatly Indeed Rare Ben johnson esteemed
him excellent poet that he walked from London TO
see him. The lecturer then mentioned many old songs Of
era Mary Stuart he said inspired songs than any
woman since Helen al Troy Chaetait, her secretary
the first TO give TO Scottish popular song that easy
musical flow Of the French style; and the unhappy Rzzo
impaired TO much Of the soft tone Of the Italian school,
The Reformation had deterioratng influence on Scottish
music Many Of the finest old chaunts Of the Catholic
church adapted by the Reformers TO comic in
derison Of the Catholic church and the Catholic clergy
that distinguished of remarked that
the music seemed to be made by angels and the words
by devils The poetic legends OF Scotland were revived
in song by Spence Scott and many others but il had
hal
were not older than the seventeenth century. In
deed, it difficult to trace the authorship of
when remember that Moore charged
by Francis Mahopy (better known Father ProuD
Latin and Greek ballads which Mr. Mahony introduced
into his book The RelGues of Father Prout II was be-
lieved TO he Campbell was also charged with having
stolen " The Exile Of Erin" from some hedge school
master Of whom ever heard before since Cd.
woe's poem, I" The Burial Of Sir John Moore" said
to have been stolen from Irish lawyer; just as if
lawyer and that Irshman, would allow anything to be
stolen from him without prociaming his grievance With
M 70 sr.n T h ha b. o n no
lest he might blush the authorship considered doubt
full enough An Edinburg paper and Notes and Queries
gave the credit Of it to lady who wrote parody on it,
but the original en 1S49 and the lady's
did appear till 1854 But people farther
into milestone than their neghbors. The lecturer then
alluded TO the fact that the best songs came from men
sprung from the people Allan Ramsay, the barber, Fer
gusson the sailor Burns the ploughman, Hogg the shep
herd, Moherwe the vagrant, and Tannah the
these the masters of song Of whom many noble la
dies. like the authoress OF "Auld Robin Gray were
mere imitators Ramsay, he said, except Burns was
the highest song writer Of Scotland After time there
three and three writers that deserved special
mention VIM julius Nicho author of There's nae
Luck about the House, Rev. John skinner, author of
1.-The Veil Of Tullachgorum and Hector Mcneil author of
Wee Boy Tammy These songs stood the test OF hundred
years, and they would stand the test of hundred
Next these might be cassed the acoote songs and IL
strange that the losing in politics always in
spred the nobest and sweetest music But in the glory
Of Burns all minor stars paed their Intellectual rays Flo
at the head OF all the song writers the world yet pro-
duced He dwelt at great length the influence Burns
exercised his countrymen and even on all races of
men, this side Of the well the other lie in
spired Allen Cunningham and Horp, Tannah and Hugh
Miller. The lecturer then referred the of Ireland.
He said they were distinctive those Of England
Scotland "Patrcks Day" and "Paddy Careyp were
written by Englsbmen and represent the Irishman the
stage, not In nature. Moore songs written in ee.
giant and beautiful English but he could not be placed
equality with Burns. He wrote for the drawing room,
for the resde Of the poor He the poet of
the people but Of the upper section who could subscribe
two three guneas for copy Of the Melodies he wrote
plenty of servants and gave good dinners. When he
assembled TO treat Of the wrongs OF Ireland his flight
steady that Of the small BIRD Of the eagle
His best songs were essentially English; OF such
The last Rose of summer ~" Come Rest in this Bo
som, !" and The Meeting of the Waters" These all
beautiful but they not Irish. The genuine Irish bal
lads equally susceptible Of funny and tender in
depreciation. Thus, when Moore down play The
Groves OF Barney" he found that il suited The Last
Rose Of Summer, and The Boys OF Kilkenny no set
TO The Vale Of Avoca-" Lover and Lever, in his est
nation had written the best Irish songs They were as
much Irish Irish whiskey the brogue of the emgran
inst landed in New York Levers song Of Micky Free
he thought perfect model Of military song, better
than anything produced in England Scotland In
cusion the lecturer said that the greatest honor
could aspire 10 10 he good English American song
writer for though tho Spaniards and the French
had noble language, they enslaved and IL
impossible for people without freedom
to produce good songs OF wholesome i'cra-
ture, az build n house without foundation or TO salt a
ship without water Mr. Mackay then read two original
ballads, and the chairman announced that Mr. Mackay
would deliver an original poem called The Picture on the
Wall !" in that room, on Monday night next.