Rcvieivs. 127
country, a task in which it deserves all possible support. Though, owing to the illness and death of Mrs. Kate Lee, the original and much lamented Honorary Secretary, the work of the Society was checked in 1903, its future progress is assured, for her mantle has fallen on the shoulders of Miss L. E. Broadwood, who needs no introduction to the Folklore Society.
The F. S. S. has also the valuable help of Mr. F. Kidson, whose wide learning and fine library are at the disposal of mem- bers. In fact, it seems now to be suffering rather from want of outside interest than from any internal cause. From the Annual Report, it appears that the funds are in good case, and the fifth annual number ol the Jou7-na I, now before us, contains forty airs, hitherto unrecorded, of which one only is Scottish, and two Irish, while all the others have been recovered in England itself, and include fifteen songs from Yorkshire, five from Sussex, three from Hamp- shire, two from Westmoreland, one each from Lancashire, Notts, Salop, Worcester, Somerset, Herts, and Kent, besides five others not referred to any particular county. This is tolerable testimony to the possibilities of the harvest, and to the energy of the little band of collectors, but to use a somewhat clerical formula, '* Workers are urgently needed in our country districts." For, as the Annual Report very justly says : •' No time must be lost, for every day carries off some old singer, with whom some precious tunes may die for ever unrecorded. . . . For this purpose we shall warmly welcome all contributions, not only of traditional songs, words and music, but also of correspondence on matters connected with Folk Song, together with notices of publications bearing on the subject."
" Those who do not feel themselves competent to note down the music may still do useful work by discovering singers, making a list of the songs that the latter can sing, and communicating with the Hon. Secretary of the Society, who will then, if possible, send an expert to note down the songs," says the leaflet of " Hints to Collectors."
"Although folk-music is to be found in all strata of society, the classes from which the most interesting specimens are most readily to be obtained are gardeners, artizans, gamekeepers, shepherds, rusLic labourers, gipsies, sailors, fishermen, workers at old- fashioned trades, such as weaving, lace-making, and the like,
