MY DEAR FRIEND,
I hope you have been blessed with your usual share of good health since I heard from you. I am now going to beg of you, as a very particular favour, that you would send me, as soon as you can, any fine Irish airs of the singing kind which you may chance to know. I don't mean any of those already very common, such as “The Lakes of Killarney,” “Shannon's Flowery Banks,” &c. What makes me so importunate with you is, that if I can accomplish songs worthy of being attached to them, I shall have the pleasure of seeing them printed in perhaps the most respectable work of the kind that ever has been published in Britain. Now, dear Jamie, as this is placing me on my very soul's hobby, do try to oblige me. Should you favour me with any, they must be rare natives of the dear country, for I believe there are many imitations composed on this side of the water. I am sure I have heard some very pretty Irish airs played as retreats. Try to recollect some of them.