38 ST. KILDA. HIGHLAND MUSIC. 



cians than the Irish. In truth, all the evidence respecting 

 music that can be obtained from those who were not musi- 

 cians, is of no value. Cicero has long since told us, that 

 those who will talk of music or of mathematics, without un- 

 derstanding these sciences, must necessarily talk to little 

 purpose. Such opinions may answer the purposes of 

 general history, or may serve for popular currency, but 

 they will not satisfy musicians. The remark in John 

 Major's annals, is unquestionably decisive respecting the 

 existence of a harp with strings of brass ; but Buchanan's 

 testimony in this and similar matters, is of no avail. On 

 these subjects, his information is all at second hand, and, 

 like his geography of the Highlands, and his account of 

 their produce and antiquities, is unworthy of attention. 

 But an essay of a very different nature would be required 

 to compare and examine the imperfect evidence of all 

 kinds, external and internal, necessary for the illustration 

 of this subject; instead of the accidental sketch which 

 has here, I scarcely know how, found its way into the 

 account of St. Kilda. 



Whatever may be judged the truth on this subject, 

 it appears a remarkable circumstance that the harp should 

 have entirely disappeared from the Highlands for so long 

 a period, when among the Welsh and Irish it has conti- 

 nued in use to this day. It is still more singular that no 

 marks of its existence as the national instrument, more 

 decided and stronger, should remain ; when the constant 

 communication between the Irish and the Highlanders ' 

 at one period is considered, and when even a certain 

 degree of community among the two nations undoubtedly 

 existed. 



With respect to the internal evidence on the subject, 

 it appears to militate against this supposition. There 

 is undoubtedly, in many instances, a community of cha- 

 racter between the airs of the Irish and the Highlanders ; 

 while there are numerous melodies equally claimed by 

 both. Such a joint claim must be expected ; yet, in 



