ANCIGNY YYISIL Sy GA 4 ip LAB D&E! Arranged for the PIANO FORTE, A DISSERTATION On BY EDWARD BUNTING. Wasblin s HODGES AND SMITH. 1840.CONTENTS. Prot. PREFACE, 7 eee ae s 1 Cuarren 1. OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF 18SH MELODY, +3 It, OF THR METHOD OF PLAYING, AND MUSICAL VOCABULARY OF THE OLD IRISH PARP ERS, : - 18 Il, OF THE ANTIQUITY OF THE HARP AND BAGPIPE IN IRELAND, - 7 IY, OF THE VARIOUS EFFORTS TO REVIVE THE ISH HARD, oo V, ANECDOTES OF THE MORE DISTINGUISHED MARPERS OF THE LAST TWO CENTU. RIES, ‘| @ Vi, NOTICES OF THE MORE REMARKABLE MELODIES AND PIECE: TION, 8 INDEX 70 THE AIRS, ‘ ANCIENT [RISH MELODIES ADAPTED TO SHE PIANO FORTE,Wauarever differences of opinion may exist as to the high degree of carly civilization and national glory laid claim to by the Irish people, it thas never been questioned that, in the most remote times, they had at least « national musie peculiar to themselves, and that their ards and harpers were eminently skilful in its performance. ‘The investigation of ovr civil and militar antiquities, notwithstanding all the doubts which beset the inquiry, has always been esteemed an honowrable and patriotic employment, and many ingenious and worthy mien have in this way obtained the applauses of the learned, and the approbati ion of their own countrymen. It is submitted then, that if such rewards ist debateable ‘ors, some 9 attend speculations on the uncertain, or at | atters connected with the early condition of socicty among our ances wire of public approval and engouragement may fairly be expected for am attempt to elucidate a subject which, of all those involved in Inish history, is the one most expable of being handled with certainty ana precision, Povnns and histaties, wh n orally delivered, will, from time to time, be corrupted and interpolated. ‘Thus, of all the pocms attributed tw Ossian, it is now imposible ta say whethior any, oF any part ov », be undoubtedly genuine. So als, but in a her degree, with regard to songs. ‘The words of the popular songs of every country vary according to the several provinces and districts in which they are sung : as, far example, to the popular air of Aileenu-Roon, we here find us many different sets of words as there are counties in ‘one of our provinces. But the case iy totally diff t with music. A strain of music, onee impressed on the popular car, never varies, It may he made the vehicle of many different sets of words, but they ure adapted ta if, not it to (em, and it will no more alter its character on their account than a ship will change the number of ity masts an account of an alters on in the nature of its lading. Yor taste in amu ¢ is so universal, especially among country people, and in a pastoral age, and airs are so easily, indeed, in many instances, so intuitively