The Harp, by Brinley Richards ... continued

page 5

In Scotland, the harp appears to have been in use until the sixteenth century, and in Ireland until the eighteenth century. Indeed, the list of Irish harpers almost rivals that of Wales, though it may be questioned if the harp was ever as generally popular among the Irish as among the Welsh; or if it was, it is singular, that with the exception of Carolan's compositions, there are so few remains of its music as compared with those possessed by the Welsh. But, as Carolan died in 1738, and, as we learn that he was ambitious of imitating Corelli's style, his compositions can hardly be considered examples of ancient Irish music.

That Scotland was indebted to Ireland, is highly probable; since the music itself and the manner of stringing and playing the harp, were alike in both countries; and, as this was not the case with regard to Wales, it is of itself sufficient for rejecting the theory of the imputed Irish origin of the Welsh harp.
James I (Scotland) is said to have excelled in the use of many instruments, and, among others, of the harp. "He was richt crafty in playing baith of lute and harp" (Bellenden). In the Houlate we read of the 'Psaltery' and 'Citholis' (a kind of dulcimer), the 'Crowde', the 'Recorder' (a small flageolet), but not of the 'Harp', unless it be the one signified by the word Cithill, a quaint term for Cythara, a harp.

But we are still puzzled to know how far it resembled what we call 'a harp'. "Probably the Highland music at first, as with all rude nations, was of a warlike kind; and the harp may only have been introduced in the course of a barbarous civilisation" (Robertson's Inquiry into the Fine Arts). "In fact", says Mr. Walker, "the Scots have never affected extraordinary skill on the harp"; adding, "their princes and nobility were content to invite harpers from Ireland". Yet another historian (Gunn) asserts that "Scotland surpassed Ireland in music". In one respect, Scotland has an advantage over Ireland and Wales; as the oldest collection of national music is that in the famous Skene Manuscripts (between the years 1615 and 1650). These, however, only serve to prove that the popular instrument at that time was not the harp; as the music was composed either for the lute or viol. Nevertheless, there are undoubted proofs that harps similar to those in Ireland and Wales, were known at an early date in Scotland.

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