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FAMOUS SONGS
As with Ireland, the poetic genius of Scotland has long been acknowledged to be chiefly lyrical, and the multitude of her minor bards, known and unknown, is marvellous to contem-plate. One remarkable thing that strikes even the casual observer is that the large majority of the most popular Scottish songs were written by women. For example, Joanna Baillie is responsible for " Saw ye Johnnie CominV* " Woo'd and Married and a'," and " Poverty parts Good Companie." Lady Anne Barnard gave us " Auld Robin Gray," whose history I have already related; Lady Carolina Nairne penned the inimitable " Land o' the Leal," the ever-green " Caller Herrin'," and the " Laird o' Cockpen," the song of the attainted Scottish nobles which induced George IV. to sanction the restitution of the forfeited title of baron to her husband. Bishop Percy of Dromore, who has earned the gratitude of all ages by the publication of his " Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," deserves first and honourable mention for his charming song, " O Nanny wilt thou gang with me?" The ballad is not such a favourite as it was at one time, though it still receives considerable attention north of the Tweed. It was occasioned thus. In 1771 Mrs. Percy was summoned to the Court of
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