The Harp, by Brinley Richards ... continued

page 4

If we admit that the harp was as popular in Ireland as in Wales, what are we to believe of Scotland, "which excelled even Ireland"? Giraldus, after describing the wonderful skill of the Irish harpers, says, "In the opinion of many, however, Scotland has not only attained to the excellence of Ireland, but has, even in musical science and ability, far surpassed it; insomuch that it is to that country they now resort as to the genuine source of art". This evidence is of no value whatever. Giraldus never visited Scotland, and merely wrote from hearsay. Whether the Scotch were really familiar with the use of the harp or not, the old historian, John Major, states that it was a royal accomplishment (Annals of Scotland, 1521).

In enumerating the talents of King James, he says; "Musicus artificiosus, nulli secundus, in Cytharâ. Tanquem alter Orpheus, Hiberenses aut Silvestres Scotos, qui in illa arte praecipui erant, exsuperabat". (He was a skilled musician; second to none on the Cythara. As though he had been another Orpheus, he excelled the Irish or Highland Scots, who are esteemed the best performers on that instrument.) In a work called Certaine Matters concerning the Realme of Scotland, 1597, we learn something of the manner of stringing and playing: "They (the Scotch) delight much in musicke, but chiefly in harpes and clairschoes of their own fashion." The harps were strung with sinews, as in Wales, and the clairschoes with brass wire, "which strings they stryke with their nayles growing long". This at once proves the use of two distinct kinds of harp; but what these really were, it is difficult to imagine. Probably there was as great a difference between ancient and modern harps as between the old Citole and a modern 'Broadwood'.

In former days it was the custom in Scotland, as in Wales, to have harpers at the head-quarters of the army; and the Earl of Argyle had his own harper with him at the battle of Strathaven, October 3rd, 1594. On that occasion, we learn the army "was accompanied by a sorceress or witch, who prophesied that on the following Friday, the day after the battle, Argyle's harp should be played in Buchan, and the bagpipe should sound in Strathbogie". The chronicler adds, "both prophesies were fulfilled".

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