expected--it being pretty generally
understood that that fascinating poet, Moore, was employed in the
pursuit of them. He had promised them for sometime. "It is intended,
says the editor, to form a collection of the best Irish melodies, with
characteristic symphonies and accompaniments, and with words containing
as frequently as possible, allusions to the manners and history of the
country;" and in a letter of Mr. Moore's which appears in the
publication, he says, "I feel very anxious that a work of this kind
should be undertaken. We have too long neglected the only talent for
which our English neighbours ever deign to allow us any credit. While
the composers of the continent have enriched their operas and sonatas
with melodies borrowed from Ireland, very often without even the honesty
of acknowledgment, we have left these treasures in a great degree
unclaimed and fugitive. Thus our airs, like too many of our countrymen,
for want of protection at home, have passed into the service of
foreigners. But we are come I hope to a better period both of politics
and music: and how much they are connected, in Ireland at least, appears
too plainly in the tone of sorrow and depression which characterizes
most of our early songs. The task which you propose to me of adapting
words to these airs, is by no means easy. The poet who would follow the
various sentiments which they express, must feel and understand that
rapid fluctuation of spirits, that unaccountable mixture of gloom and
levity which composes the character of my countrymen, and has deeply
tinged their music. Even in their liveliest strains we find some
melancholy note inhere, some minor third or flat seventh which throws
its shade as it passes, and makes even mirth interesting. If BURNS had
been an Irishman (and I would willingly give up all our claims upon
Ossian for him) his heart would have been proud of such music, and his
genius would have made it immortal."

A London reviewer speaking of the first number, says, "the idea is
excellent, and the twelve vocal airs which this first number of the work
contains, are tastefully arrayed by sir John Stevenson, and happily
provided with language by Mr. Moore.

"We are happy (continues the reviewer) to find that even where Mr.
Moore's subject is amatory, his poetry is very little in the style of
those baneful effusions which are undergoing so rigorous an examination.
His verse is here fanciful and gentlemanly, full of his subje