Page:Headlong Hall - Peacock (1816).djvu/191

 it becomes a matter of indeeference what they are; for a gude strain of impassioned poetry will greatly increase the effect, and a teessue o' nonsensical doggrel will destroy it a' thegither. Noo, as gude poetry can produce its effect without music, sae will gude music without poetry and as gude music will be mair pooerful by itsel' than wi' bad poetry, sae will gude poetry than wi' bad music: but when ye put gude music an' gude poetry thegither, ye produce the divinest compound o' sentimental harmony that can possibly find its way through the ear to the saul."

Mr. Chromatic admitted, that there was much justice in these observations, but still maintained the subserviency of poetry to music. Mr. Mac Laurel as strenuously maintained the contrary, and a furious war of words was proceeding to perilous lengths, when the Squire interposed his authority towards