ST. KILDA. HIGHLAND MUSIC. 37 



of proof which has been brought forward for that purpose, 

 conviction does not easily follow. The instrument has 

 doubtless existed, but it may still be questioned if it was 

 common. An ancient harp is now to be seen at Lude in the 

 possession of General Robertson, which is said to have 

 been brought from Argyleshire in 1460. But if it be 

 ancient, it is also the most recent instrument of this 

 construction existing in the Highlands ; and since that time 

 at least, the use of the harp has been unknown. It may 

 perhaps more properly be regarded as an exception than 

 a rule. Had it been common, it could not have been 

 so difficult to find, either specimens, or indisputable traces 

 of its use. The specimen in question is said to resemble 

 that of Brian Boromhe, well known to musical antiqua- 

 ries ; and it is, not improbably, also of Irish origin. The 

 other direct evidence which has been adduced for this 

 purpose, is perhaps sufficient also to prove that this 

 instrument was known, but by no means that it was 

 universal, or even common. The opinions of Gunn de- 

 serve respect ; but the evidence supposed to be deducible 

 from the poems of Ossian is, for many obvious reasons, 

 nothing. Nor can any argument be derived from the 

 terms Clear, Clearsach, Tiompan, or Cruit. The real 

 nature of the instruments to which these names were 

 applied, is unknown : the latter, indeed, would rather 

 appear, from similarity of sound, to have been the Crwth 

 or Crowd ; a variety of the rebec or violin, and an inven- 

 tion of no very ancient date. The evidence derived from 

 terms is of little avail, unless their precise meaning could 

 be ascertained. The Harper's window is pointed out at 

 Duntulm castle, and the Harper's field in Mull, while si- 

 milar memorials are not wanting in many other places : but 

 there is little doubt that the term was of a generic nature 

 and signified cither a bard or a musician ; even the dis- 

 tinct offices of the poet and the musician being known 

 by one name. The opinions of Giraldus Cambrensis seem 

 only to show that the Scots were considered better musi- 



