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son's, possibly—imagination. Mr. Turner die-purchase the song, but it was from George Linley, who wrote the words, and Foley Hall, who composed the music. The song, it is true, was sung by James Lawson, a tenor, during the years 1856 and later, and it was published in October, 1859. Curiously enough, both Foley Hall and James Lawson were very erratic and extraordinary men, and very likely, after the death of Foley Hall, Lawson, broken down and ruined through too great a fondness for the bottle, thinking to raise some money when stranded in New York, invented and related the above fiction. Though the publishers de-clare the story to be without foundation, I am inclined to the belief, supported by certain facts communicated to me by those who were acquainted with both Foley Hall and James Lawson, that the latter, or some other hard up singer, did tell the above fable to the unsus-pecting New York scribe, especially as Foley Hall gave MS. copies of the song to several singers of the day, in order to get it known to the public. And it was sung at several music halls, including the Trevor, Knightsbridge, during 1856 and onwards. Mr. Beaumont Read, then singing as " Master Beaumont," was presented with a manuscript copy of the song
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