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PREFATORY NOTICES. |
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the chief corruptions of which we have to complain arise from the unskilful performance of our own itinerant musicians, from whom^ too frequently, the airs are noted down, encumbered by their tasteless decorations, and responsible for all their ignorant anomalies. Though it be sometimes impossible to trace the original strain, yet, in most of them, " auri per ramos aura refulget*," the pure gold of the melody shines through the ungraceful foliage which surrounds it—and the most delicate and difficult duty of a compiler is to endeavour, as much as possible, by retrenching these inelegant superfluities, and collating the various methods of playing or singing each air, to restore the regularity of its form, and the chaste simplicity of its character.
I must again observe, that in doubting the antiquity of our music, my scepticism extends but to those polished specimens of the art, which it is difficult to conceive anterior to the dawn of modern improvement ; and that I would by no means invalidate the claims of Ireland to as early a rank in the annals of minstrelsy, as the most zealous antiquary may be inclined to allow her. In addition, indeed, to the power which music must always have possessed over the minds of a people so ardent and susceptible, the stimulus of persecution was not wanting to quicken our taste into enthusiasm ; the charms of song were ennobled with the glories of martyrdom, and the acts against minstrels, in the reigns of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, were as successful, I doubt not, in making my countrymen musicians, as the penal laws have been in keeping them Catholics.
With respect to the verses which I have written for these Melodies, as they are intended rather to be sung than read, I can answer for their sound with somewhat more confidence than for their sense. Yet it would be affectation to deny that I have given much attention to the task, and that it is not through want of zeal or industry, if I unfortunately disgrace the sweet airs of my country, by poetry altogether unworthy of their taste, their energy, and their tenderness.
Though the humble nature of my contributions to this work may exempt them from the rigours of literary criticism, it was not to be
description,) has avoided that puerile mimicry of natural noises, motions, & c, which disgraces so often the works of even Handel himself. D'Alembert ought to have had better taste than to become the patron of this imitative affectation. See Djs-court Prdliminaire de V Encyclopedic. The reader may find some good remarks on the subject in Avison upon Musical Expression ; a work which, though under the name of Avison, was written, it is said, by Dr. Brown * Virgil, .Eneid, lib. vi. verse 204. |
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