Ossian Collection > Ossian, his principal poems

340 THE HARP IN THE HIGHLANDS.
On this point Ave have most satisfactory evidence, from a
woik entitled " Remarkable things of Ireland," by Giraldus
Cambrensis,* a native of Wales. When speaking of the
musical performances of the Irish, he says, " The cultivation
of instrumental music by this people I find w^orthy of com-
mendation ; in this, their skill is, heyond all comparison,
superior to that of any nation I have ever seen ; for their
music is not slow and solemn, as is the instrumental music
of Britain to which we are accustomed, but the sounds are
rapid and articulate, yet at the same time sweet and pleasing.
It is wonderful, how, in such rapidity of the fingers, the
musical proportions are preserved, and by their art, faultless
throughout, in the midst of the most complicated modulation
and most intricate arrangement of notes, with a velocity so
pleasing, a regularity so diversified, a concord so discordant, the
melody is preserved harmonious and perfect." To this ani-
mated account of the harpers of Ireland this writer subjoins
the following remarkable observation, which brings it home
to the harpers of Caledonia, their neighbouring nation, of the
same stock, having the same language, manners, and customs,
who, until that period, had mantained an intercourse with
Ireland, and had ever in the arts of poetry and music, kept
up with it at least by an equal pace. " It is to be observed,"
says Giraldus, " that both Scotland and Wales, the former
from intercourse and afiinity of blood, the latter from
instruction derived from the Irish, exert themselves with
the greatest emulation to rival Ireland in musical excellence.
* In the year 1185, Giraldus was appointed by Henry II. pre-
ceptor to his son, Prince John, with whom he was sent to Ireland,
as sfc'cretarv.