-should be, to give a thorough knowledge of the science; and then they may direct or adapt it according to the pupil's disposition, which often in a great degree influences the taste."

"But does taste indeed depend on disposition?" said Evelyn. Then, after a short silence, "Now, tell me, Mrs. Manvers, what is your favourite kind of music?"

66

"Of all the different styles of national music," she replied,

none touches me so powerfully as the Irish: it may be partiality in me; but I think no music expresses the meaning so forcibly. And yet, I must say, there are some Scottish melodies which awaken the deepest feelings of my soul !"

"Do you not think," said Evelyn, "that there is a great resemblance in the music of these two nations?"

"Yes, in the general characteristics of each there certainly is; and some very sweet airs are common to both. It is possible that they were carried into Western Scotland in ancient times, when the Irish, or Scots as Bede calls them, formed settlements there, imparting the name of Scotia to that country, though they have since lost the name themselves."

"I am ready to share with the Scotch," remarked Evelyn, "in our music; but I am sure no other nation has any claim to it."

"I fear," said Mrs. Manvers, "that I must rob you of the pleasure of that idea, for there are several Spanish tunes, of which I have a good collection, which so much resemble the Irish, as to have been mistaken, when I played them, for our own national airs."

"I should like to hear some of them; but how comes it, Mrs. Manvers, that lively Spanish airs should resemble the plaintive Irish ?”

“Because, though lively, they are in minor keys,” replied Mrs. Manvers, "which gives that peculiar mixture of gaiety and pathos which forms one of the marked characteristics of our Irish music."

"But still I think the resemblance is extraordinary," said Evelyn.

"Not quite so extraordinary as would at first appear; for it is said that a large body of people from Spain came to

Ireland in former times; they may have brought that music with them; and as afterwards, you know, a close connexion certainly subsisted between the two countries, they may perhaps have acquired it from us.

"How agreeably surprised a traveller must be at hearing his own national airs, or even something like them, in a distant land!" said Evelyn.

“Ker Porter, in his entertaining Travels,' mentions a remarkable circumstance of that kind," said Mrs. Manvers. "When among the mountains of Kurdistan, benighted, and overtaken by a violent storm, and refused shelter in the village of Yeltomar, he and his companions gladly took refuge in a sort of half-cave, half-hut, already nearly filled with wandering mountaineers. Though rude in aspect, they charitably drew closer together to make room for the strangers near a fire of wood, which blazed at the upper end of the cavern. His description of these Asiatics, with the fire-light gleaming on their fierce countenances, and dressed in something like the tartan plaid, and entertaining him with their songs, is very interesting. One of these people afterwards produced a small pipe, similar in shape and tone to a flageolet, and played some beautiful airs, which strongly reminded the travellers of our Irish melodies, both in slowness of movement and tenderness of expression, and with that peculiarity of strain which seems to belong to the Irish lays. It was played with the utmost precision, the rest of those rude Kurds listening with the deepest interest, and their hard features relaxing into the expression of sympathy."

"What a remarkable proof," exclaimed Evelyn, “of the power of music; and how delightful to the travellers !"

"Yes," said Mrs. Manvers, "it was altogether a singular scene; and if the attention of the English travellers was not too much occupied by their own situation, it must have been a fine study to watch its power in gradually softening the wild countenances of those people."

"Oh! yes, Mrs. Manvers, and the flickering blaze which showed their features, and danced on their glittering arms, and then revealed the ruggedness of the cave. Would it not have been a scene for Salvator Rosa? But now,

to go back

to Scottish music, pray mention some of the airs which you consider as belonging equally to both countries."

"Robin Adair' is one which I can give you as an example," replied Mrs. Manvers. "No true Scotchman would part with it; and yet our 'Aileen a Roon' is the same, but we think far more beautifully arranged."

"I know that air, it is one of my favourites," said Evelyn. "I suppose, then, you know an interesting legend attached to it?" said Mrs. Manvers.

"No, indeed; but I should like much to hear it; for I am as fond of old legends as of old ballads.

"Two tribes," said Mrs. Manvers, or rather septs, as they are called, had been long at feud—that is, bitter enemies to each other; notwithstanding which, the son and daughter of the two chieftains, having met, became attached, and, having made a solemn engagement to marry, no arguments that her father could urge had any effect in dissuading the young damsel from fulfilling her promise. At length, however, the lover was suddenly sent by the king upon some distant mission, which was to detain him away for a year; during which period another suitor, approved of by her father, offered himself; and after many struggles poor Aileen was forced to promise that, if her own lover did not return in a year, she would yield to her father's command.”

"Ah! unfortunate Aileen!" exclaimed Evelyn; "her lover does not return in time; and she submits to her tyrant father! I know I would not!"

"In those remote times," returned Mrs. Manvers, " parents were rather absolute. But to continue: On the day which completed the year the old chieftain had resolved that the wedding should take place. Magnificent preparations had been made for its celebration, the company were collected, and dancing formed part of the amusement of the evening. After some time, Aileen, over-heated, went to an open window which looked directly on the sea, immediately over which stood the castle. She heard the distant sound of a harp, and, as a well-known melody came floating on the sea-breeze to her ears, she exclaimed that there was but one person who could so play that air. She still listened, the sounds became

more distinct; she perceived a boat nearing the castle, and soon recognised the figure of her lover. It came still nearer and nearer, till the boat was directly under the window, and her lover standing in it with outstretched arms. She boldly sprang from the window—was safely received-and, instantly rowing away, they were beyond the reach of pursuers before her father was aware of her flight. And from her that song has since been named 'Aileen a Roon,' which signifies Aileen my darling."

"Thank you for that pretty tale," Mrs. Manvers, "which does indeed give us a right to the air. I am so glad that you are fond of music! I will play for you as much as you like; and perhaps you will sometimes sing with me; it would be very pleasant to have some mutual employment."

"I shall be very glad to sing with you," said Mrs. Manvers, 66 though sometimes when nervous my voice is weak; it is, as you say, always desirable for those who live together to have some pursuit or interest in common. People then become really acquainted, and the old are often found companionable even by the young."

Evelyn coloured as Mrs. Manvers spoke, conscious of having too hastily decided upon the impossibility of their being companions; and Mrs. Manvers soon afterwards withdrew to her own apartments.

Sunday

CHAPTER XXI.

Suitable Employments - Subject for Scripture Search Scattered Predictions of Our Lord The Promise to Abraham.

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"I Do not know how it is, but Sunday appears a much longer day here than it ever did at G," said Evelyn, laying down a book of sermons she had been reading on Sunday afternoon.

"Did you spend the sabbath in a different manner there?" Mrs. Manvers asked.

"Not quite-yes-rather. You know the interval between breakfast and church was short, as the service begins there at eleven. And after service I frequently went with Violet Stanley to the Sunday-school, and then we afterwards sauntered in the garden, either together, or with grandpapa. We dined early: a part of the evening was passed at church, and the remainder was occupied with walking and with conversation-and bedtime soon came."

"And thus the day passed easily away," said Mrs. Manvers; "but what trace of it remained? Except attending public worship, which was very right, what else was there among your employments to mark the day?"

"Oh! I always read a sermon to myself in the morning, and another in the evening to grandpapa."

"Well, that too appears to have been very right so far; and I like good sermons very much; but still I think that something more is requisite for the proper employment of the sabbath."

"I know what you mean-the teaching at a Sunday-school: I did do so at G- but there is no school near this, you know. I intend to establish one, and to teach as many as I can persuade to come, and then I suppose the day will not seem so long but the want of evening service leaves a great blank."