From Handy Andy by Samuel Lover:


When Augusta saw the lines she was charmed. She discovered her Furlong to be a poet! That the lines were his there was no doubt—they were found in his room, and of course they must be his, just as partial critics say certain Irish airs must be English, because they are to be found in Queen Elizabeth's music-book.


The "lines" are of course someone else's. I'm wondering if someone here can explain the significance of the Irish airs/Queen Elizabeth's music-book remark. Thanks.

And if you'd like to read the "lines" in question (not that they're related to the music-book remark) and/or see the context of the above excerpt:

Handy Andy (page 261)