It is the fashion now-a-days amongst the members of that class of society to whom the term of musical amateur belongs to express the greatest admiration for the folk-songs and melodies of the people. Unlike many of their tastes, this is one which, if rightly used, is worthy of great commendation, for nowhere can the characteristics and feelings of a nation be better read and understood than in the songs of their people. It is in their music that their real selves stand revealed, and it is in music that their inmost thoughts and feelings are expressed.