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"THE WORTH OF ART APPEARS MOST EMINENT IN MUSIC, SINCE IT REQUIRES NO MATERIAL, NO SUBJECT-MATTER, WHOSE EFFECT "" IT IS WHOLLY FORM AND POWER, AND IT RAISES AND ENNOBLES WHATEVER IT EXPRESSES - Göthe

MUST BE DEDUCTED:

SUBSCRIPTION-Stamped for Postage-20s. PER ANNUM

Payable in advance by Cash or Post-Office Order to BOOSEY & SONS, 28 Holles Street, Cavendish Square, London, W.

VOL. 38-No. 37

V.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1860

R.

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PRICE 4d. Unstamped 5d. Stamped

EASTERN OPERA HOUSE-PAVILION

THEATRE, Whitechapel Road. Sole Lessee, Mr. JOHN DOUGLAS. Entirely re-decorated and re-constructed. Open every Evening with a Grand Opera Company. First-class artistes. Band and Chorus of over One Hundred Performers. In consequence of the immense success and applause bestowed on the Opera of FRA DIAVOLO, it will be repeated on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, to commence at a quarter past Seven, the Opera of FRA DIAVOLO, in which Messrs. A. BRAHAM, W. M. PARKINSON, EDMUND ROSENTHAL, O. SUMMERS, R. MORROW, J. W. MORGAN, Mad. LANCIA, and Miss ANNIE LENG will ap pear. On Wednesday (by desire), LA SONNAMBULA, Elvino, Mr. W. M. PARKINSON; Amina, Mad. LANCIA. Friday and Saturday, A GRAND OPERA. To conclude each Evening with a COMEDIETTA. Prices of Admission, Centre Boxes, 2s.; Lower Circle, Is. 6d. ; Pit Stalls, Is.; Amphitheatre Stalls, 6d. Parties can secure Private Boxes, from 10s., 15s., or 3s. each.

THE ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY (Established 1857),

WEEKLY MEETINGS on Monday evening, October 1.

The Annual General Meeting will be held at the above Club on Monday evening, September 24, at 8 o'clock. Qualified Amateurs desirous of joining the Society are requested to communicate with STANLEY J. BALCOMBE, Hon. Sec. No. 32 Moorgate Street, E. C.

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Mr. DOWLING.

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Mr. RUSSELL.

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Mr. POWELL.

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Dr. MARK begs to inform young ladies and gentlemen who are preparing for the profession that he affords opportunities of introducing them to the public by performing at his concerts.

Orphans of the musical profession, and poor children possessing musical talent, are admitted free, and receive a general and musical education, together with board, lodg ing, and clothing, until the age of fourteen years, when they are either apprenticed to a trade or trained for the profession.

Little Boys, from five to nine years of age, apprenticed for three, five, or seven years by paying a moderate entrance fee to cover the expenses of instrument and books.

For Prospectuses, apply direct to the Royal College of Music, Manchester. Visitors are admitted from Nine to Eleven, a.m., and Two to Four, p.m. every day, Saturdays and Sundays excepted.

ment on Sunday. Full Choral Service preferred Audress, W. A., Brook's Office, 24 Old Cavendish Street, W.

MUSIC TRADE.-Wanted, an ASSISTANT for the

Country, of good address and experience in the above trade. Liberal salary.Apply, by letter only, to A. B., Messrs. Cramer's, 201 Regent Street.

MUSICAL EDUCATION.

AYOUNG GENTLEMAN, of good education and

address, who can command a premium of £100, may be received for Five Years into a first-class Musical Instrument Establishment, of thirty years' standing, in the West of England. He would be instructed in the Organ, Pianoforte, and Singing, and a Salary would be given in the latter three years. Apply to S., care of Messrs. Boosey & Sons, 28 Holles Street, Cavendish Square, London.

NOTICE to the TRADE.-The BUCKLEY'S

SERENADERS' AMERICAN MELODIES are COPYRIGHT, and can only be obtained of the Publishers, Messrs. Hopwood and Crew, 42 New Bond Street, London, W. The Second Edition of "I'd choose to be a Daisy" is now ready. The Buckley's Serenaders will make their first appearance in London carly in October. Full particulars will be duly announced.

LIVERPOOL.

MANAGERS and ARTISTES visiting LIVERPOOL

will find it advantageous to engage the services of

LEE, NIGHTINGALE, & CO.

USIC TRADE.-Wanted, an ASSISTANT of good (for many years connected with the Liverpool Times, Liverpool Mail, and Liverpool

MUSIC

address, who thoroughly understands the business. Apply by letter to Mr. James Russell, 125 High Street, Oxford.

Albion Newspapers), PRINTERS, LITHOGRAPHERS, ADVERTISING AGENTS, and NEWS PAPER CORRESPONDENTS.-Swift Court, 13 Castle Street, Liverpool

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BOOSEY & SONS' SHILLING MUSIC.

ELEMENTARY WORKS.

Boosey's Shilling Pianoforte Tutor. Founded on the best Works extant, and including the Theory of Music, and a large variety of Exercises, Lessons, and Studies. 36 pages.

Czerny's 50 Best Exercises. Selected from the 101. 24 pages. 1s. Czerny's Etude de la Velocite. In 3 Books, 1s. each; or com plete, 2s. 6d.

Czerny's 101 Exercises. In 2 Books, 1s. each, or complete, 28. Herz's Exercises and Scales. 18.

Bertini's Celebrated Studies. Op. 29, in 2 Books, 1s. each. Boosey's 100 Exercises, Studies, and Extracts, for the VIOLIN. Selected from the Works of the Great Masters. Is.

Boosey's Shilling Violin Tutor. An entirely new system. Edited by George Case. 24 pages.

Boosey's Shilling Flute Tutor. Edited by Clinton and Pratten. 24 pages.

Boosey's 100 Exercises and Studies for the Flute. Selected from the Works of the great Flute Composers. Edited by R. S. Pratten. Is. Boosey's Shilling Cornopean Tutor. Edited by Stanton Jones, and including selections from the Works of Caussinus, Forestier, and Carnaud. 24 pages.

Boosey's Shilling Concertina Tutor. Edited by George Case.

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Violoncello, Double Bass, and Viola...

Flute, Clarionet, Oboe, and Piccolo
Cornet and other Brass Instruments
Concertina (German and English)]
Vocal Classes

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Dr. MARK is open to Engagements either for

THE FIRST ORCHESTRA,

Consisting of 30, 40, or 50 Performers, and conducted by Dr. Mark, is composed of the Advanced Pupils of the Royal College of Music, and some of the" Little Men," who perform Sacred, Classical, Operatic, and Popular Music. Also a Vocalist, Solo Harpist, Solo Pianist, and Organist-or

THE SECOND ORCHESTRA,

Conducted by Mr. Wrigley, which consists of 30 Performers, and is composed of the "Little Men," who play Operatic and Popular Music, and sing favourite Airs and Choruses. Also a Vocalist, and Solo Instrumentalists.

Dr. MARK begs to inform young ladies and gentlemen who are preparing for the profession that he affords opportunities of introducing them to the public by performing at his concerts.

Orphans of the musical profession, and poor children possessing musical talent, are admitted free, and receive a general and musical education, together with board, lodging, and clothing, until the age of fourteen years, when they are either apprenticed to a trade or trained for the profession.

Little Boys, from five to nine years of age, apprenticed for three, five, or seven years by paying a moderate entrance fee to cover the expenses of instrument and books.

For Prospectuses, apply direct to the Royal College of Music, Manchester. Visitors are admitted from Nine to Eleven, a.m., and Two to Four, p.m. every day, Saturdays and Sundays excepted.

Boosey's 100 Dances.

Second Series. 1s.

Boosey's 100 Dances. First Series. 1s.

Boosey's 100 Reels, Country and other Dances.
Boosey's 100 Ballads for the Violin.
Boosey's 100 Operatic Airs for the Violin.
Boosey's 10 Standard Overtures for the Violin. 18,
GERMAN CONCERTINA.
Boosey's 100 Dances and Songs for the German Con-
CERTINA. 1s.

18.

1s.

1s.

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CONCERTINA.

Boosey's 100 ̊Operatic Airs for the Flute. Boosey's 100 Dances for the Flute. 18.

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Boosey's Complete Operas for the Flute. Price 1s. each. 1. Les Huguenots-2. Robert le Diable-3. Masaniello-4. Ernani-5. Rigoletto6. Puritani-7. Sonnambula-8. Norma-9. Lucia-10. Lucrezia-11. 11 Trovatore -12. Don Juan.

Boosey's Complete Operas for the Violin. Price 1s. each. 1. La Sonnambula, Bellini-2. Lucrezia Borgia, Donizetti-3. Norma, Bellini4. Elisire d'Amore, Donizetti-5. Lucia di Lammermoor, Donizetti-6. Ernani, Verdi-7. Masaniello, Auber-8. Don Pasquale, Donizetti-9. I Puritani, Bellini10. Les Huguenots, Meyerbeer-11. Il Barbiere, Rossini-12. Don Juan, Mozart13. Il Trovatore, Verdi-14. The Bohemian Girl, Balfe-15. La Traviata, Verdi16. Rigoletto, Verdi-17. Maritana, Wallace-18. Le Prophète, Meyerbeer-19. La Fille du Régiment, Donizetti-20. Luisa Miller, Verdi-21. Martha, Flotow22. Satanella-23. Dinorah. Boosey's Violin Classics.

Printed by GEORGE ANDREW SPOTTISWOODE, of No. 10 Little New Street, in the Parish of St. Bride, in the City of London, at No. 5 New-street Square, in the said Parish. Published by JOHN BOOSEY, at the Office of BOOSEY & SONS, 28 Holles Street.-Saturday, September 8, 1800,

"THE WORTH Of Art appears MOST EMINENT IN MUSIC, SINCE IT REQUIRES NO MATERIAL, NO SUBJECT-MATTER, WHOSE EFFECT MUST BE DEDUCTED: IT IS WHOLLY FORM AND POWER, AND IT RAISES AND ENNOBLES WHATEVER IT EXPRESSES"— Göthe

SUBSCRIPTION-Stamped for Postage-20s. PER ANNUM

Payable in advance by Cash or Post-Office Order to BOOSEY & SONS, 28 Holles Street, Cavendish Square, London, W.

VOL. 38-No. 37

V.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1860

R.

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Dr. MARK begs to inform young ladies and gentlemen who are preparing for the profession that he affords opportunities of introducing them to the public by performing at his concerts.

Orphans of the musical profession, and poor children possessing musical talent, are admitted free, and receive a general and musical education, together with board, lodging, and clothing, until the age of fourteen years, when they are either apprenticed to a trade or trained for the profession.

Little Boys, from five to nine years of age, apprenticed for three, five, or seven years by paying a moderate entrance fee to cover the expenses of instrument and books.

For Prospectuses, apply direct to the Royal College of Music, Manchester. Visitors are admitted from Nine to Eleven, a.m., and Two to Four, p.m. every day, Saturdays and Sundays excepted.

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ASTERN OPERA HOUSE.-PAVILION THEATRE, Whitechapel Road. Sole Lessee, Mr. JOHN DOUGLAS. Entirely re-decorated and re-constructed. Open every Evening with a Grand Opera Company. First-class artistes. Band and Chorus of over One Hundred Performers. In consequence of the immense success and applause bestowed on the Opera of FRA DIAVOLO, it will be repeated on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.-On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, to commence at a quarter past Seven, the Opera of FRA DIAVOLO, in which Messrs. A. BRAHAM, W. M. PARKINSON, EDMUND ROSENTHAL, O. SUMMERS, R. MORROW, J. W. MORGAN, Mad. LANCIA, and Miss ANNIE LENG will ap pear. On Wednesday (by desire), LA SONNAMBULA, Elvino, Mr. W. M. PARKINSON; Amina, Mad. LANCIA. Friday and Saturday, A GRAND OPERA. To conclude each Evening with a COMEDIETTA. Prices of Admission, Centre Boxes, 2s.; Lower Circle, Is. 6d.; Pit Stalls, Is.; Amphitheatre Stalls, 6d. Parties can secure Private Boxes, from 10s., 15s., or 3s. each.

THE
THE ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY (Established 1857),

WEEKLY MEETINGS on Monday evening, October 1.

The Annual General Meeting will be held at the above Club on Monday evening, September 24, at 8 o'clock. Qualified Amateurs desirous of joining the Society are requested to communicate with STANLEY J. BALCOMBE, Hon. Sec. No. 32 Moorgate Street, E. C.

AD. LAURA BAXTER begs to announce that she

MAD.

will give a SERIES of PERFORMANCES of SACRED and MISCELLANEOUS VOCAL MUSIC during the ensuing Season. Mad. LAURA BAXTER will be assisted by eminent artists, and also by her Amateur and Professional Pupils. Communications to be addressed to Mad. LAURA BAXTER, at her Residence, 155 Albany Street, Regent's Park, N. W.

ISS AUGUSTA THOMSON begs to announce that she will remain in Town for the Winter.-All letters for Town and Country Engagements, Oratorios, &c., to be addressed 24 Holles Street, Cavendish Square, W.

Conductor, Mr. ALFRED GILBERT. -The Members are informed that the next Meeting will take place at 13 Berners Street, on Thursday, October 4th, at 8 o'clock precisely.Prospectuses of the Society may be obtained on application to the Conductor, F. F. REILLY, Hon. Sec.

THE ARION (Eight-Part Choir).

O CHOIRMASTERS and ORGANISTS.-A BASS ment on Sunday. Full Choral Service preferred. Audress, W. A., Brook's Office, 24 Old Cavendish Street, W.

MUSIC TRADE.-Wanted, an ASSISTANT for the

Country, of good address and experience in the above trade. Liberal salary.Apply, by letter only, to A. B., Messrs. Cramer's, 201 Regent Street.

MUSICAL EDUCATION.

A YOUNG GENTLEMAN, of good education and

address, who can command a premium of £100, may be received for Five Years into a first-class Musical Instrument Establishment, of thirty years' standing, in the West of England. He would be instructed in the Organ, Pianoforte, and Singing, and a Salary would be given in the latter three years. Apply to S., care of Messrs. Boosey & Sons, 28 Holles Street, Cavendish Square, London.

NOTICE to the TRADE. The BUCKLEY'S

SERENADERS' AMERICAN MELODIES are COPYRIGHT, and can only be obtained of the Publishers, Messrs. Hopwood and Crew, 42 New Bond Street, London, W. The Second Edition of "I'd choose to be a Daisy" is now ready. The Buckley's Serenaders will make their first appearance in London early in October. Full particulars will be duly announced.

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LEE, NIGHTINGALE, & CO.

MUSIC TRADE-Wanted, an ASSISTANT of good (for many years connected with the Liverpool Times, Liverpool Mail, and Liverpool

address, who thoroughly understands the business. Apply by letter to Mr. James Russell, 125 High Street, Oxford.

Albion PRINTERS, LITHOGRAPHERS, ADVERTISING AGENTS, and PAPER CORRESPONDENTS.-Swift Court, 13 Castle Street, Liverpool

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"The Harp of Wales' (sung for the first time) is a very graceful song, admirably NEW

adapted for Mr. Sims Reeves, and sung by the distinguished tenor with a refinement of expression which produced a magical effect on the audience, and raised demands for repetition which were not to be denied."-Daily Telegraph.

The Harp of Wales,' beautifully sung by Mr. Sims Reeves, was unanimously redemanded."Morning Post.

"The other was new and sung for the first time by Mr. Sims Reeves. It is called the Harp of Wales,' and is a lovely and expressive melody. It was enthusiastically encored." Daily News.

"Mr. Richards did honour to his fatherland by introducing a new song, The Harp of Wales,' which is sure to become a favourite of the Cymri, who are justly proud of their bards. So admirably was this sung by Mr. Sims Reeves, that an encore was inevitable, and the ballad was as warmly applauded the second time as the first."Musical World.

London: DUNCAN DAVISON & Co., Dépôt Géneral de la Maison Brandus, de Paris; 244 Regent Street, corner of Little Argyll Street, where may be obtained"THE SULIOTE WAR SONG," sung by Mr. Santley, price 38.

"THE BLIND MAN & SUMMER," sung by Miss Palmer, price 2s. 6d. "ETHEL," Romance for the Pianoforte, price 2s.

"LEOPOLD," Mazurka Favourite, price 2s.

Composed by Brinley Richards

[EW SONGS by BALFE.—"I LOVE YOU," sung by Mr. SIMS REEVES with such immense success at Mr. Martin's (Exeter Hall), Mr. Lindsay Sloper's, and Miss Susannah Cole's Concerts (St. James's Hall), and at Mr. Balfe's benefit concert at the Royal Surrey Gardens before 10,000 persons, 38.; as well as Balfe's two charming Ballads, "Oh! take me to they heart again," 28., sung by Miss KATE RANO (mezzo soprano) at Mad. de Vaucheran's Concert; and "I'm not in love, remember," 2s. 6d., sung by Mile. SEDLATZEK at the fashionable Concerts at Campden House, are published by Duncan Davison and Co. 244 Regent Street, corner of Little Argyll Street, W.

"I LOVE YOU." By EMILE BERGER.

SIMS REEVES'

popular Ballad, composed expressly for him by Balfe, arranged for the Pianoforte by the above popular author, is now published, price 3s., by Duncan Davison & Co. 244 Regent Street, W.

I LOVE YOU."

“I

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popular Ballad, composed expressly for him by Balfe, transcribed for the Pianoforte by I. Liebich, is now published, price 2s. (forming No. 1 of Two Popular Melodies for the Pianoforte by the above author), by Duncan Davison & Co., 244 Regent Street, W.

66

ANTA LUCIA, by WILHELM GANZ. A brilliant "I NEVER KNEW HOW DEAR THOU WERT.”

SANT

Price 3s.

and effective Transcription for the Piano of this Popular Air. London: Ashdown and Parry (successors to Wessel and Co.), 18 Hanover Square.

New Song, by H. K. MORLEY, composed expressly for and sung by Miss LASCELLES (the Poetry by CATHERINE WARFIELD) is just published, price 2s. 6d., by Duncan Davison and Co. 244 Regent Street, W.

JOHN FIELD'S SIX CELEBRATED NOCTURNES, RAMSGATE SANDS QUADRILLE. - The most

edited by Franz Liszt

Price 2s. each. London: Ashdown and Parry (successors to Wessel & Co.), 18 Hanover Square.

KULLAK, LES ARPEGES.-This celebrated piece, NOTRE DAME.

played by Mr. Charles Hallé with immense success, is published by Ashdown and Parry, 18 Hanover Square, London.

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B. ALLEN'S New FANTASIA on "OBERON," composed expressly for and dedicated to Miss ARABELLA GODDARD, is now published, price 5s. by Duncan Davison and Co. 244 Regent Street, W.

OD SAVE THE QUEEN,"

popular set of the day. Founded on favourite and well-known melodies, iilustrating a visit to Ramsgate, in characteristic music. By BURCKHARDT. With a most superb Frontispiece, by Brandard, in Colours. Boosey & Sons, Holles Street. Romance for the Pianoforte, by EMILE BERGER. Founded on a very beautiful subject by Pergolesi. Price 3s. Illustrated by Laby. Published this day by Boosey & Sons, Holles Street. CHLOESSER'S BRILLIANT DUETS for Pianoforte, on Oberon, Dinorah, Traviata, and Rigoletto. 5s. each. All effective, brilliant, and moderately difficult. Boosey & Sons, Holles Street.

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"G as sung by the Choir of 300 PHENON " for Four Male Voices, BOOSEY'S SHILLING PIANOFORTE TUTOR.

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F I COULD CHANGE AS OTHERS CHANGE," THE "IF

composed by M. W. BALFE expressly for Madame LAURA BAXTER, and sung by her with distinguished success at St. James's Hall and the Royal Surrey Gardens, is now published, price 2s. 6d. by Duncan Davison and Co. 244 Regent Street, W.

ELLIOT GALER'S NEW SONGS, composed expressly

for him by W. MEYER LUTZ, are just published, viz. :-"Under the Linden Tree" and "Merry little Maud," price 2s. 6d. each, by Duncan Davison and Co. 244 Regent Street, W.

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DAVISON, Complete in One large Volume, music size (100 pages), with Preface by the Editor, and Portrait of Chopin, price 8s., or superbly bound in crimson cloth, gilt edges, price 10s. 6d,;. Rossini's Stabat Mater, for Pianoforte, by Smart, complete, 3s.; Mozart's Twelfth Mass, do. 3s.; Moore's Irish Melodies, for Pianoforte, by Nordmann, 2s. 6d.; Mendelssohn's Songs without Words, complete, with Portrait and Introduction by J. W. Davison, cloth, 7s. 6d. ; Meyerbeer's Dinorah, complete, for Pianoforte Solo, 7s. 6d. ; the Juvenile Pianoforte Albuni, 12 pieces, illustrated and bound, 3s. 6d. ; the Operatic Album, 100 gems from the newest Operas, for Pianoforte, in cloth, 12s.; Boosey's 100 Reels and Country Dances, for Pianoforte, 2s. 6d. ; Boosey's 100 Waltzes, by Strauss, Lanner and Labitzky, for Piano, 3s.; Czerny's Etude de la Velocité, 2s. 6d.; Czerny's 101 Exercises, 25.; Boosey's Part-Song Miscellany, 18 Original Compositions, handsomely bound, 58.; the Harmonium Museum, 100 Sacred and Secular Subjects for Harmonium, with Instructions, 7s. 6d.; Engel's Harmonium Operatic Album, 60 Gems for Harmonium, 7s. 6d.; Christy's Minstrels' Album, 24 Songs in One Book, 2s. 6d. ; the Verdi Album, 25 Songs, in English and Italian, 4s.; Dinorah, for Voice and Piano, complete, 12s. Boosey & Sons, Holles Street.

WORCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

(From our own Correspondent.)

WORCESTER, Sept. 10, 1860.

THERE is a charm about the meeting of the Three Choirs which is almost sufficient to reconcile the London critic to the infringement upon the already sufficiently brief respite from his labours between the close of the summer and opening of the winter musical campaign. There are the nice, pleasant, quaint, clean old cities, redolent of historical memories and associations, each overshadowed with its cathedral more or less beautiful, with their quiet "closes" and "college greens," their cool cloisters, their rich deaneries, suggestive of easy living and good cheer, and, added to all this, the healthy and unusual excitement of the towns' folk; the streets all alive with people gaily dressed wending their way festival-wards; the serried line of spectators watching their progress, seeming to think that the next best thing to enjoying yourself is witnessing the enjoyment of others; the frequent glimpse of a well-known face, familiar in the London orchestras, also hieing to the central point of attraction; and then the delightful neigh bourhood of Worcester, with its bold range of Malvern hills; Gloucester with its Cotteswolds, and the lovely ride to Birdlip; Hereford with its no less agreeable vicinage, hardly inferior in beauty, if not altogether as well known. Again, the rivers; who that has ever eaten of Severn salmon can fail to associate that king of all fish with the gently winding stream on which stand Worcester and Gloucester? The Wye, too, most picturesque of all English rivers--the "Rhine of England"-with its glorious Tintern Abbey, Symmon's Jut, Wyndcliffe, boasting a view in no way inferior to the famous "Ehrenbreitstein;" the Caldwell Rocks; Goodrich Court and Castle (now, alas, closed to the public); Ross with its "Prospect," its "Man," whom Pope has immortalised, its grandly situated Royal Hotel, with the not inappropriate motto in the garden, "Ici on se rajeunit ;" and Wye salmon, also not to be forgotten, much less despised; and all three counties rejoicing in their cider and perry, excellent in draught, superb in bottle; indeed, in the latter form far superior to champagne, when taken with the salmon aforesaid. All these things being considered, we feel mollified, and to a great extent reconciled to the prospect of four morning and three evening performances (to say nothing of two balls) which characterise these triennial gatherings.

As this is the one hundred and thirty-seventh meeting of the three choirs, the reader will have no difficulty in fixing the date of commencement of the festivals, which have gone on increasing in magnitude and importance year after year. It is perhaps almost needless to reiterate the fact that charity is the primary object, the relief of the widows and orphans of the poorer clergy in the three dioceses being the purpose of the collection at the doors, and whatever surplus may accrue from the receipts of the Festival, after payment of all expenses; but as a deficit is the general result, and the difference is not taken from the voluntary contributions, a certain number of gentlemen accept the office of stewards, and from their own pockets make up the balance which ordinarily occurs between receipts and expenditure, leaving the collections intact for the fund. The idea of making a collection at the doors originated in 1724, with Dr. Thomas Bisse, chancellor of Hereford, and brother of the Bishop; £31. 10s. was the amount obtained. The following year at Worcester, £48. 10s. was subscribed. In 1729, Dr. Bisse in his Festival sermon, rejoiced that the meetings had already assumed the highest importance, but £38 was all that was collected. At Gloucester the following year, it sunk to £28. 3s. It is needless to pursue the monetary part of the question farther, but for the purpose of comparison it is sufficient to say that at Gloucester last year £1,143. 3s. was subscribed (being the largest collection ever known), and that Worcester has a sufficient sum invested in the funds to contribute her yearly quota of some £60 to the charity. When the meetings were originally established, the members used to assemble the first Tuesday in September, and choral services were performed in the cathedral the two following days, on the last day a service and collection. For many years past the collections have been made every day, and the service held on the first. Worcester has made a change in the arrangements this year, devoting the whole of the

four mornings to oratorios, and giving the sermon at an earlier hour-half-past eight, substituting Croft in A in place of the Dettingen Te Deum, and one anthem only in place of the two which were usually given, and making no charge whatever for admission. In point of fact, divesting the strictly religious portion of the week of all appearance of or pretence to a grand musical performance, the members of the choirs alone, without the stars, band, chorus, &c., sustaining the services throughout. This we take to be a sensible step, as it not only disarms the objections of the captious, who did not like the association of a sermon with the names of London concert-room singers and opera-house players, but also affords an opportunity for enlarging the programme by the addition of another clear morning for sacred music in the cathedral. A wonderful contrast is suggested between the humble gathering of what was then literally the meeting of the choirs and the vast assemblage now -a band of some seventy or eighty performers, most of them selected from the Philharmonic, Royal Italian Opera, &c., and chorus, making up with the instruments upwards of 300-all the leading talent of the metropolis engaged as principals, the railway facilities bringing people in thousands where they formerly scarcely mustered in hundreds. In the important item of stewards, too, there is a remarkable difference. In 1754 the stewards were reduced from six to two, at which number it continued till 1798, when it was augmented to four, and afterwards to the original number. During this period the fortunes of the festivals fluctuated considerably. In 1774 the collection at Hereford amounted to £622. 5s. 9d., while at Worcester, nine years afterwards, it fell to £384. 12s. city, in 1794, it was still further reduced to £266. 2s. 2d.; but in 1809 Worcester redeemed itself by subscribing £810, a sum which would not be considered a bad average at the present time. Apart from the sums collected at the doors, the success (pecuniary) of the festivals has been very varied, so much so that even within the last four years it has been more than doubtful whether or not the music meetings would be brought to a final close. For this the clergy are in some degree to blame. At Hereford the Bishop is absent the Dean proclaims himself a violent enemy to the proceedings, and shuts up the Deanery, flying the city as if it were plague-stricken. The Archdeacon, who formerly was one of the most active supporters, goes off in a huff, and but for the energy and public spirit of some few gentlemen, there would have been no Festival in '58. Some years previous a serious hitch occurred at Gloucester, and to the late Rev. Dr. Evans, for so many years one of the most active supporters of the Festival, the credit is mainly due of having persisted, at all sacrifices, in carrying out the original design, and preventing Gloucester being the first to break through the time-honoured observance of the music meetings.

At the same

It would be curious and interesting were it possible to investigate the balance-sheet of the early festivals as compared with these of present times. We have, however, but little information on this head, beyond the fact that the members chiefly belonged to the college, their performances being gratis, with an exception in favour of the leader, whose pay was 5s. nightly, the members being refreshed with ale, cider, and tobacco. To induce regularity of attendance, a fine of 6d. was inflicted on each absentee. The Te Deum of Purcell and that of Handel, composed for the peace of Utrecht, were given alternately for many years, until the latter was superseded for the well-known Dettingen, which has held its place until the present year. The original price of the concert tickets was 2s. 6d. --they are now 10s. 6d.—the leader's pay being one guinea for the whole meeting. Mr. Woodcock, of Hereford, who then filled that important office, was famous for his performance of the fifth concerto of Vivaldi, whose Cuckoo Concerto may be known to a few amateurs of this generation. In 1733, the "famous Mr. Powell, of Oxford" was the great star of the Gloucester meeting. Of this gentleman we know nothing at the present day; but that he occupied a position of great eminence in his time may be gathered from an extravagant rhapsody in the Gentleman's Magazine of 1744, where the obituary pathetically exclaims :— "Is Powell dead? Then all the earth Prepare to meet its fate :

To sing the everlasting birth,

The choir of Heav'n's complete."

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