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Show ANCIENT HARPS OF IRELAND Two Instruments, Each Having a Distinct Dis-tinct Purpose, Were In Use In Olden Times. The ancient Irish harp was of two kinds a small instrument used chiefly for religious purposes, first by the old Druids in their rites, and later by the Christian bishops and abbots. The other harp was large, and was used in public assemblies and In battles. The bagpipes were introduced Into Ireland from Caledonia. ' They had the same use in the Irish armies they now have in the Highland regiments. But the Irish made, In the course of time, an improvement, using bellows to fill the chanter, Instead of the mouth, and continued improving the Instrument untTl the union-pipes of today to-day are the result. As to early Irish harpers and thetr music there Is little known, but at Queen Elizabeth's court, Irish tunes were popular. Of late huge books of ancient Irish melodies have been collected col-lected and arranged. Petrie has attracted at-tracted attention to this field by his thorough investigation of Irish folk music. |