among the Scotch and Irish, the custom of singing at funerals, anciently prevalent in those countries, and still practised in several parts. Of this custom Mr Pennant gives the following account. "I had not the fortune to be present at any in North Britain; but formerly assisted at one in the south of Ireland, where it was performed in the solemnity of horror. The cries are called by the Irish the ulgach, and bullula; two words very expressive of the sound uttered on these occasions; and, being of Celtic stock, etymologists would swear to be the origin of the ulugos of the Greeks, and ululatus of the Latins. Virgil is very fond of using the last, whenever any of his females are distressed; as are others of the Roman poets, and generally on occasions similar to this. It was my fortune to arrive at a certain town in Kerry at the time that a person of some distinction departed this life: my curiosity led me to the house, where the funeral seemed conducted in the purest classical form.

Quaequeque afflaret luctus, gemitusque sonabant, Formaque non taciti funeris intus erat.

In short, the conclusion was set up by the friends in the same manner as Virgil describes that consequential of Dido's death;

Lamentis gemitisque & feminis ululato Tetla fremunt.

Immediately after this followed another ceremony, fully described by Cambden in his account of the manners of the ancient Irish; the earnest expostulations and reproaches given to the deceased for quitting this world, where she enjoyed so many blessings, so good a husband, and such fine children. This custom is also of great antiquity, for Euryalus's mother makes the same address to her dead son.

Tune illa fenera Sera me requies & potius reliquere solam Crudelis?

But when the time approached for carrying out the corpse, the cry was redoubled,

Tremulis ululatibus athera complext.

A numerous band of females waiting in the outer court to attend the hearse, and to pay in chorus the last tribute of their voices. The habit of this sorrowing train, and the neglect of their persons, were admirably suited to the occasion; their robes were black and flowing, resembling the ancient Palla; their feet naked, their hair long and dishevelled: I might truly say,

Ut qui conduli plorant in funera, discunt Et faciunt prope plura dolentibus exanimis.

The corpse was carried slowly along the verge of a most beautiful lake, the oblation was continued, and the whole procession ended among the venerable ruins of an old abbey."