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or not, it is very evident that it was very popular so far back as 1730. Dr. Shuckburgh, it is true, has been credited with originating the air, but in all probability he only wrote the words, and as he was a surgeon in the army (1737) he no doubt suggested its adoption by the troops. There are so many versions of the "lyric" extant that it is almost impossible to fix the date of the birth of the first. But no matter what may be said for or against the song, beyond all question it belongs to America and the Americans by long possession. And as the Hon. Stephen Salisbury said, in an address delivered before the American Antiquarian Society, October 21st, 1872:/Yankee Doodle is national property, but it is not a treasure of the highest value. It has some antiquarian claims for which its friends do not care. It cannot be disowned, and it will not be disused. In its own words,
" ' It suits for feasts, it suits for fun, And just as well for fighting.'
It exists now as an instrumental and not as a vocal performance. Its words are never heard, and, I think, would not be acceptable in America for public or private entertainments. And its music must be silent when serious purposes are
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