XXXVI
It is worth recalling that at one time Walter Scott attributed this gallant lyric, which he printed in the Minstrelsy, to a 'greater Graham'—the Marquis of Montrose.
XXXVII, XXXVIII
Of these, the first, Blow High, Blow Low, was sung in The Seraglio (1776), a forgotten opera; the second, said to have been inspired by the death of the author's brother, a naval officer, in The Oddities (1778)—a 'table-entertainment,' where Dibdin was author, actor, singer, musician, accompanist, everything but audience and candle-snuffer. They are among the first in time of his sea-ditties.
XXXIX
It is told (Life, W. H. Curran, 1819) that Curran met a deserter, drank a bottle, and talked of his chances, with him, and put his ideas and sentiments into this song.
XL
The Arethusa, Mr. Hannay tells me, being attached to Keppel's fleet at the mouth of the Channel, was sent to order the Belle Poule, which was cruising with some smaller craft in search of Keppel's ships, to come under his stern. The Belle Poule (commanded by M. Chadeau de la Clocheterie) refusing, the Arethusa (Captain Marshall) opened fire. The ships were fairly matched, and in the action which ensued the Arethusa appears to have got the worst of it. In the end, after about an hour's fighting, Keppel's liners came up, and the Belle Poule made off. She was afterwards driven ashore by a superior English force, and it is an odd coincidence that in 1789 the Arethusa ran ashore off Brest during her action (10th March) with l'Aigrette. As for the French captain, he lived to command l'Hercule, De Grasse's leading ship in the great sea-fight (12th April 1782) with Rodney off Dominica, where he was killed.
XLI
From the Songs of Experience (1794).
XLII
Scots Musical Museum, 1788. Adapted from, or rather suggested by, the Farewell, which Macpherson, a cateran 'of great personal strength and musical accomplishment,' is said to have played and sung at the gallows foot; thereafter breaking his violin across his knee and submitting his neck to the hangman.
spring = a melody in quick timesturt = molestation
