...I grant in Barnes [William Barnes, the Dorset dialect poet] an unusual independence and originality, due partly to his circumstances.... His rhythms are charming and most characteristic.... I have set tunes to two of them which appear to me very suitable to the words and as if drawn out of them, and one I have harmonised and got today played; but I can never succeed with piano music, for the piano cannot really execute independent parts, as I make mine; indeed my pianist said to me, Your music dates from a time before the piano was invented. However two schoolboys sang the air; which went well. << less