of a song of any consequence whatever, seeing that they were at best only a species of pegs, for the more convenient suspension of crotchets and quavers. This remark drew on him a very severe reprimand from Mr. Mac Laurel, who said to him: "Dinna ye ken, Sir, that soond is a thing utterly worthless in itsel, and only effectual in agreeable excitements, as far as it is an eecho to sense? Is there ony soond mair meeserable an' peetifu' than the scrape o' a feedle, when it does na touch ony chord i' the human sensorium? Is there ony mair divine than the deep note o' a bagpipe, when it breathes the auncient meelodies o' leeberty an' love? It is true, there are peculiar trains o' feeling an' sentiment, which parteecular combinations o' melody are calculated to excite; an' sae far music can produce its effect without words: but it does na follow, that, when ye put words to it,
