Old Scots March (Vol. v., pp. 104. 235.).
—Your correspondent E. N., after quoting a passage from Mr. Tytler's Dissertation on Scottish Music, says he has "never yet been able to meet with any of the ports here referred to." I have the pleasure to inform him that several curious ancient ports have been preserved, and may be found in the Skene MS., and in Gordon of Straloch's Lute Book.
Port, in Gaelic, signifies an air, either sung or played upon an instrument. Mr. Tytler correctly describes this species of composition as of the plaintive strain, and modulated for the harp. All the existing specimens answer to this character.
The Ports which are contained in the above-named MSS., are named as follows: "Rory Dall's Port," "Port Ballangowne," "Jean Lindsay's Port," &c.
It may be necessary to say, that these tunes are written in an obsolete notation called tablature. Translations, however, are in my possession, and if E. N. wishes for copies, he is quite welcome to have them if he will favour me with a communication.
EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.
29. St. Mark's Crescent, Regent's Park.
Periwinkle (Vol. i., p. 77.).
—The following note, from Withering's Arrangement of British Plants, vol. ii. p. 341. ed. 1830, will perhaps be acceptable to MELANION:—
"VINCA. PERIWINKLE. (From vincio, to bind; its runners trailing round other plants. Or to those who prefer a more interesting association, we would intimate that of such was formed in ancient times the bridal zone, which none but the bridegroom was privileged to untie. In modern Italy it is said to be appropriated to a far different usage, that of enwreathing deceased infants; and is hence called Fior di Morto.—E.)"