other.

T. Haynes Bayly was a prominent song-writer some seventy
years ago (1797-1839). His most popular ballad was 'I'd be
a Butterfly.' It came out with a coloured title-page, and
at once became the rage, in fact, as John Hullah said, 'half
musical England was smitten with an overpowering, resistless
rage for metempsychosis.' There were many imitations, such as
'I'd be a Nightingale' and 'I'd be an Antelope.'

_Teachers and Composers_

Although we read so much about singers, the singing-master
is rarely introduced, in fact Mr. M'Choakumchild (_H.T._),
who 'could teach everything from vocal music to general
cosmography,' almost stands alone. However, in view of the
complaints of certain adjudicators about the facial distortions
they beheld at musical competitions, it may be well to record
Mrs. General's recipe for giving 'a pretty form to the lips'
(_L.D._).

Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes, and prism are all
very good words for the lips, especially prunes and
prism. You will find it serviceable in the formation
of a demeanour.

Nor do composers receive much attention, but amongst
the characters we may mention Mr. Skimpole (_B.H._),
who composed half an opera, and the lamp porter at Mugby
Junction, who composed 'Little comic songs-like.' In this
category we can scarcely include Mrs. Kenwigs, who 'invented
and composed' her eldest daughter's name, the result being
'Morleena.' Mr. Skimpole, however, has a further claim upon
our attention, as he 'played what he composed with taste,' and
was also a performer on the violoncello. He had his lighter
moments, too, as when he went to the piano one evening at 11
p.m. and rattled hilariously

That the best of all ways to lengthen our days
Was to steal a few hours from Night, my dear!

It is evident that his song was 'The Young May Moon,' one of
Moore's _Irish Melodies_.

The young May moon is beaming, love,
The glow-worm's lamp is gleaming, love,
How sweet to rove
Through Morna's grove
While the drowsy world is dreaming, love!

Then awake--the heavens look bright, my dear!
'Tis never too late for delight, my dear!
And the best of all ways
To lengthen our days
Is to steal a few hours from the night, my dear!

_Silas Wegg's Effusions_

We first meet Silas Wegg in the fifth chapter of _Our Mutual
Friend_, where he is introduced to us as a ballad-monger. His
inte