Remarks by Lady Nairne | V2Melody Quotations

“The air of Mordelia is surely old. The second part especially seems to me to have the genuine pathos of the ancients.”

Showing her sensitivity to the emotional character and historical texture of traditional music · Letter to editor Robert Archibald Smith, during the Scottish Minstrel period

“I have only acknowledged the authorship to a single other person, except at your bidding.”

Further evidence of the extraordinary secrecy she maintained around her writing · Letter concerning the authorship of The Land o' the Leal

“I wrote it merely because I liked the air so much, and I put these words to it, never fearing questions as to the authorship.”

A rare first-person explanation of how one of her best-known songs came into being · Letter recalling the origin of The Land o' the Leal

“I am low in funds, but still wish to do good to Ireland with what I have left. Tell me what will be of most use.”

Her concern for practical usefulness persisted even during her final illness · Letter to Alicia Mason, 25 June 1845

“My money is not yet exhausted, and I want you to tell me if you have any object to promote before it is all gone.”

A vivid example of her determination to use her remaining resources for others · Letter to Alicia Mason, 22 April 1845

“I am weak as a child, and can do nothing, but I rejoice in whatever is done, whoever may be appointed to the work.”

Finding satisfaction in worthwhile work even when she could no longer contribute directly · Letter to her Edinburgh friend, 2 January 1845

“Life is a perpetual repetition of resignation and submission. I hope it will soon be over. It is a mercy to be spared great bodily pain, which many suffer. We should try to count our mercies.”

A late-life reflection balancing weariness, compassion and gratitude · Letter to her Edinburgh correspondent, 12 May 1844

“I have been carefully weaned from this world, and do delight to think of the happy land that cannot be far off now.”

Facing mortality with a strong sense of spiritual anticipation · Letter to her Dublin correspondent, 1 May 1844

“There is a pleasure in being convinced that this is not the place of my rest.”

An expression of the religious consolation she found while approaching death · Letter to her Dublin correspondent, 1 May 1844

“We have long punished crime; let us now act on wise principles, and try prevention.”

A remarkably modern argument for preventing social harm rather than relying only on punishment · Letter to her Edinburgh correspondent, 26 January 1844

“I have always felt a deep interest in music, as a divine art, too often made a vehicle of evil, but which, when properly learned, might produce most important results.”

Expressing her conviction that music carries significant moral and spiritual power · Letter to her Edinburgh correspondent, 26 January 1844

“There is so much high talent, truth, and simplicity, that when I put it all together, it left the impression of sublimity on my mind.”

Her response to reading the life and character of Hannah More · Letter to a relative, Baden-Baden, 6 June 1836

“Had I, like the rest, gone through the trouble of being presented at court, there would have been no plea for enjoying this retirement that I love and require.”

An unusually direct expression of her preference for privacy over fashionable society · Letter to her niece, Mannheim, 27 February 1836

“I delight in seeing all merely human anticipations contradicted by the high and gracious power that overrules all. What is to come we know not, but surely much praise is due for the present.”

Combining uncertainty about the future with gratitude for the present · Letter to her Dublin correspondent, 1834

“I never was for concessions of the kind, nor indeed for retaining silly nonsense, though ever so old.”

A concise statement of her unwillingness to preserve tradition merely because it was old · Letter to her Edinburgh correspondent, 1834

“Time makes no difference with regard to some feelings. I once imagined a change of place and other circumstances might, but it is not so with me.”

Reflecting on emotions and attachments that survive both time and distance · Letter to Alicia Mason, 1834

“We cannot expect to do all that could be wished for the good of others.”

A humane recognition that goodwill must coexist with realistic limits · Letter to her niece, August 1829

“My own opinion has always been that devoting a proportion is the best way. This, in case of anything urgent, may be enlarged.”

Practical advice on making charitable giving a regular habit · Letter to her niece, August 1829

“Burns comes on at a snail's pace. What a mixty-maxty it is, and sometimes very puzzling.”

Her lively assessment of the difficulties involved in editing Burns · Letter to her Ravelstone correspondent

“You can try what is to be made of Burns. Some of his greatest efforts of genius won't do. Yet there is enough passable for a considerable volume.”

A strikingly unsentimental judgement on a poet she nevertheless admired · Letter to her Ravelstone friend

“If Mr. Purdie will in some way obliterate that drinking song of Burns', the work will do credit to all parties.”

Expressing her strong moral standards as an editor of traditional song · Note to the publisher of the Scottish Minstrel

“I was present when it was asserted that Burns composed the 'Land o' the Leal' on his death-bed, but the parties could not decide why it never appeared in his works. I never answered.”

Showing the extraordinary restraint with which she guarded her literary identity · Letter to a friend on the authorship of The Land o' the Leal

“I cannot help, in some degree, undervaluing beforehand what is said to be a feminine production.”

A revealing observation on the prejudice she expected towards women's writing · Letter to a Ravelstone acquaintance, during the Scottish Minstrel period

“As you observed, the more mystery the better: and still the balance is in favour of the 'Lords of the Creation.”

Reflecting on anonymity and the assumptions surrounding female authorship · Letter to a Ravelstone acquaintance, during the Scottish Minstrel period

Pronunciation

Also Known As

Definition

Detailed Definition

Example

Additional Notes

Related Terms