Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 3, 1892.djvu/560

 552 Correspondence.

a small contribution ; Sussex Songs, embodying the collec- tion made by the Rev. John Broadwood about fifty years ago, with additions from myself; and Dr. Barrett's English Folk-So7igs are others ; besides the admirable volume of Traditional Tunes published by Mr. F. Kidson of Leeds^ which deserves to be far better known than it is.

But there still remains very much to be done in the way of systematically and accurately collecting and recording the old ballads, songs, and rhymes of the peasantry. Unless one questions the country people, old servants, or local antiquaries very closely, one has no chance of getting at material which may really be most valuable to the col- lector, though mere "doggerel and rubbish" in the estima- tion of the person questioned.

I have now for a year been rescuing as much traditional music as I can ; and, through the very kind help of friends and strangers alike, I have received a great many very interesting contributions. These I compare and trace, when possible, in the British Museum, etc. ; and my wish is to publish them at some future time, adhering with the utmost faithfulness to tunes and words as they have been noted by others and myself.

If any members of the Folk-lore Society should wish to help in this work, any contributions will be most wel- come if sent to Miss Lucy Broadwood, Lyne, Rusper, Horsham. May I make the following suggestions to in- tending helpers ?

1. In cases where the collector has no knowledge of music, a local organist or schoolmaster can usually be found to note down the simple air.

2. A country person may often not grasp the idea of the kind of song wanted ; it is therefore a good thing to suggest — " Did you ever hear a May-Day song? a harvest- supper ballad ? a ploughing-song ? a carol ? a children's game-song? etc., in the parts?"

3. The utmost accuracy is essential in these cases ; therefore the name, age, and profession, and place of