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STORIES OF
music first. The melody was taken down in 1792 by Edward Bunting (though already a variation of the same had been secured by Lyons in 1702) who has done so much to preserve the music of Old Ireland, from the playing of a famous harper, Denis a Hampsy, or Hempson. Hempson was born in 1695, and lived to the great age of one hundred and twelve years, having died in 1807. He was a well-known character, sober and respectable (unlike some of the itinerant harpers) and was greatly respected. Lord Bristol, when "the minstrel was infirm and old," gave a ground rent free, and paid for a house to be erected for him; and in his declining days Hempson was looked after and literally fed by the Rev. Sir H. Harvey Bruce, who was with him at his death. Hemp-son died with the harp in his hand after having struck a few notes on one of his best pieces— in all probability the ravishing, soul-breathing "Eileen." From first to last this player's life was full of interest and is worth penning. The dates which I have given should be borne in mind, in order that the nationality of the air may be settled once for all.
At the age of about eighteen, having been a harper from the age of twelve (he lost his sight at three through small-pox) Hempson com-
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