Chester and Its Author(s): Dotted Crotchet Source: The Musical Times, Vol. 45, No. 731 (Jan. 1, 1904), pp. 10-19 Published by: Musical Times Publications Ltd. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/903291 Accessed: 02-11-2015 13:01 UTC

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This content downloaded from 142.103.160.110 on Mon, 02 Nov 2015 13:01:11 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions IO THE MUSICAL TIMES.-JANUARY I, 1904. Scotland, and Wales; and of him was called CHESTER Samothes, and this Samothes was son to Japhet,the AND ITS CATHEDRAL. third son of Noah; and of this Magus, who first builded a city even in this place or neer unto it, as it is supposed, the same was called Neomagus. This I find observed out the learned And Dee, Britonslong ygone conjecture Knight, following wzhicd Sir Thomas Elliott, who saith directly, that Did ' lend. call divine,'talt dolh by Chester Neomagus stood where Chester now standeth. SPENSER.

Picturesqueantiquity is a strongcharacteristic of With all due respect to this gentleman, any Chester. Its picturesquenessnever fails to charm suggestionof Ark-liketimes cannot conscientiously those who visit and re-visitthe old city,while in be dovetailed into the ancient historyof Chester. regard to its antiquity,one historian carries us The Roman Period finds us on surer ground. One has only to visit the Grosvenor Museum at Chesterfor proof thereof. Fortunateindeed be he who is favouredwith so well-informeda cicerone as Mr. Robert Newstead, the able Curator of this interestingInstitution. Therein he will see a fine collection of Roman altars and tombstones -'::..- of the second century.These relics of a bygoneage were taken fromthe Roman cemeteryof Deva, and used in building the city walls; they were discoveredin recentyears when repairswere found to be necessary. By the courtesyof Mr. Newstead we are enabled to give a photographof one of these ancient tombstones, still in a wonderful state k:y of preservation. The inscription(translated) is as follows: To the memoryof Caecilius Avilus of Ementa Augusta,optio of the TwentiethLegion, who served AIMC 15 years and died at 34. His heir had this erected. This tombstone-50 inches high by 25 inches wide-bears a full-lengthfigure of the optio(a rank a little below thatof a centurion),with a long staff in his hand and a bundle of tickets(?) in his left hand. Anotherinteresting relic in this fascinating ...... Roman collection is some leaden water-piping, 4 inches in diameter, bearing this inscription, countersunkon a raised panel 48 inches long:- (This lead pipe was made) when Vespasian and Titus were consuls for the ninth and seventh times respectively and when Cn. Iulius Agricola was Governorof Britain.

This ancient pipe - which would astonish any modern plumber-takes us back to the year 79, when the famous Agricola was Governor of Britain.: Many other treasuresand objects of interest- especially the beautiful ornithologicalspecimens prepared by Mr. Newstead-might be described if space permitted; mention must, however, be made of the fine set of Chester Recorders-not A ROMAN TOMBSTONE. bewigged gentlemen,but a quartet of instruments back to the instruments (Photo by Mr. Robert Newstead, A.L.' ., Curator of the dating iT7th century, GrosvenorMuseum, Chestcr.) immortalized by Shakespeare. This Chester set, comprising soprano, alto, tenor, bass- as back to a great-grandsonof Noah! Writingin the shown in the photograph-has been fullydescribed year 1611 this chroniclerof Chestersays :- by Dr. J. C. Bridge, who is hardlyless zealous as The firstname thatI findthis city to have been to have borne was and this * See the 'Catalogue of the Roman inscribed and sculptured stones supposed Neomagus; in the Grosvenor Museum, with one hundred illustrations.' By derivefrom the sonof who F. Haverfield, M.A., F.S.A. Chester: Printed for the Chester and they Magus, Samothes, most North Wales Archaeological and Historic Society. 1900oo. A was thefirst planter of inhabitantsin thisisle, after valuable contribution to the literature of this interesting old-world Noah's floud,which now containethEngland, subject.

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(Photoby Mr. Frank Simpson,Chester.) Cbeter atberal.

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an antiquarythan he is in his duties of Cathedral whichintersect at equal distances fromthe ancient organist. gates of the city. And what shall be said of its To returnfor a momentto the Roman period, famouswalls ? No moreinteresting 'constitutional' it should be noted that the ancient city on the could be taken beforebreakfast-or at any time- Dee has the proud distinction of being called than the two-mile tramp which this old-world Chester(from Castra, or the Anglo-SaxonCeastra), city-girdleaffords. Here, in defianceof old Father Time, the ravages of war and tumult,these city walls, with their ancient towers,have stood fora thousandyears. As one paces thatpaved promenade ?-?'~'r.???-::-::::::::::::::::::...... :.: ??- one compares Chester with the Zion of the ????-??-?-...... ??-?~ Psalmist,and recalls the familiar words: 'Walk :.-. :::::::::::?:?::::::::::::::?:::::::::-:-:?::::::::::?::?'::I~:i~~i~i:::...... :::: about Zion, and go round about her; tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, ...... consider her palaces: that ye may tell it to the generationfollowing.' With the bare mentionthat Chesterwas ravaged ...... by the Danes in 980, thatit was the last place to hold out to the Conqueror (in 1070), we may now pass on to the Siege of Chester in the year .... 1645. Standing on the walls is a mouldering old tower, part of the mediaeval fortifications ...... of the city,now known as the Phoenix Tower, of sti?xxI ::;~::: which we give a photograph(p. 14). Here King FO-i~::~':.:r::: Charles I. stood and saw his soldiers defeated on Rowton Moor in a smart cavalry action in which William Lawes, the brother of Henry Lawes- Milton's 'Tuneful Harry'--was slain. Fuller says ...... IR~ that he 'was respected and beloved by all such .....):.....:? towards virtue and 44?::- persons as cast any looks --- ...... honour,' and further,that 'the King (tho' he was xmmxs in forhis Lord Bernard ...... already mourning kinsman, ...... n:::~.::~ Stuart,killed at the same siege) put on particular mourning for his dear servant, William Lawes, whom he commonlycalled the Father of Music.' fg ::::~::~:~~:The body of the soldier-musicianis said to have been buried in the Cathedral, but there is no record of the interment,nor any trace of a monument. The following quaint epitaph, probablyinscribed on a monument,has, however, fortunatelybeen preserved: Concordis conquered--inthe Urn there lyes The masterof great Music's mysterys: Andin it is a Riddle,like their Cause, Will Laws was slainby those whose Wills were Laws.

Bishop Creighton has well and truly said that 'Chester itself contains almost an epitome of English History,' and proofs are not lacking in supportof that statement. In addition to what has been alreadysaid in the course of this article, some further historical referencesmay be made beforewe proceed to speak THE CHESTER RECORDERS IN THE of the Cathedral. King Henry III. not only made GROSVENOR MUSEUM. Chestera CountyPalatine, but settledthe Earldom (Photo by Mr. Robert Newstead, Curator.) of Chester on the heirs apparent of the Crown, wherebythe Princeof Wales is also Earl of Chester. without towns like Like unto Coventry,Chester is celebrated for its any prefix-e.g., Colchester, been the Winchester,&c. Moreover,it retains MysteryPlays, said to have composed by JManchester, a monk of to this day the characteristicsof a Roman townin celebrated Ranulph Higden, Chester, and authorof the famous These the regularityand precisionof its fourmain streets 'Polychronicon.' dramas,all foundedon sacred subjects,were acted at Whitsuntideby the various trade companies of * See 'Proceedings of the Musical Association,' 1900-190o, p. 1o9. Chester. We give a list of those performedon A paper on 'The Chester Recorders' read on February 12, 19o0, by Dr. Joseph C. Bridge, M.A. Whit-Monday.

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PERFORMINGCOMPANIES. TITLES OF MYSTERYPLAYS. The Rows formone of the most attractiveand interestingfeatures of Chester. They should be The Barkersand Tanners .. Fallinge of Lucifer. seen and walked along rather than described. Drapersand Hosiers .. Creation of ye World. Drawers of Dee and As quaint old Thomas Fuller (1608-i66i) in 'The of Water-leaders . . Noe and his Shippe. History the Worthiesof England' says, Barbers, Wax- 'Here is a propertyof buildingpeculiar to Chester, Chaundlers, and called The Rows, beinggalleries wherein passengers Leeches ...... Abraham and Isaacke without into the streets the Cappers, Wire- go dry coming [i.e., drawers and roadways],having shops on both sides and under- Pinners ...... Kinge Balack and Balaam neath, the fashion whereofis somewhat hard to with Moyses. conceive. It is worththeir pains, who have money Wrights, Slaters, and leasure to make theirown the Tylers, Daubers eyes expounders and Thatchers .. The Natiuitieof ourLord. of the mannerthereof, the like being said not to be Paynters, Boother- seen in all England; no, nor in all Europe again.' ers and Glaziers .. The Shepperdes' Offeringe. are divided in as to the Vintners and Mer- Antiquaries opinion origin of these Rows, some claiming for them Roman chants ...... Kinge Harrald and ye Mounte Victoriall. origin. But therethey are to this day, and anyone Mercersand Spisers .. Ye 3 Kinges of Collen. with an eye for the picturesquewill revel in their

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A CHESTER MISERERE. (Photo by Mr. Frank Simpson,Chester.) Music played no unimportantpart in these old curious constructivenessand also in the many plays,for instance, in 'Noe and his Shippe' there beautifulspecimens of timberhouses of the 'black is a veryfine drinking trio for Mrs. Noah and her and white' style of architecturewhich abound two 'gossips' which was doubtless performedby in variousparts of the city. Admirersof Norman the professionalmusicians from the monastery.architecture will not fail to visit the noble church The followingitems of expenditurerelating to the of St. John,wherein strength and dignifiedbeauty ChesterPlays are taken from the Harleian MSS., are manifested. It may be mentionedin passing as quoted in Morris's valuable book that the organ specially built for and used at the 'Chesterin thetime of the Plantagenets and Tudors.' Coronation of Queen Victoria in Westminster is embodied in the instrumentnow in 1561. Abbey forthe ist reherseat St. John's Church. It was the firstC organ in Payed Here also wereheld the services Jo: Huntington's house .. - vid. England. yearly Drink in barkers after the re- connected with the great Guild of Minstrels in hearse ...... - xviiid. Chester. For the long period of 500 years the For beaffeagainst the generall of Dutton of Duttonexercised over all rehearse ...... vis. viid. family rights 3 ouldcheeses ...... iiiis. the minstrelsof Chester, and the 'lay of the last Spent in Sir Rand. Barnes minstrel'-as the Vicar of St. John'saptly expresses Chamberto gettsingers .. - iiid. it-was heard in the church on St. A crocke of small ale and John-the- Baptist's Licences were 2 gallons . ... - xxd. day, 1756. originally To Wm. Lutter at * (minstrell) See THE MUSICAL TIMES of January, 1902, p. 21, and February, generallrehearse .. .. - iiiid. 1902, p. 102.

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issued to fiddlersin the cityand countyfor a fee of St. Oswald's Church, is very much longer and 4-d., afterwardsraised to half-a-crown. more spacious than the NorthTransept; the latter, The Cathedral. Chester Cathedral cannot by-the-way,is practicallynon-existent from a distant perhaps claim to be in the frontrank of English point of view,as it is entirelyshut off by the organ mother-churchesin regard to externalbeauty-for case (see the illustrationon p. 18). example, the West fronthas been spoiled by the The gloryof ChesterCathedral is its Choir, one erection of modern buildings. In the year 907 of the most beautifulin England. It belongs to Ethelredfounded a house of secular canons named the brief period of transitionbetween the Early afterthe Mercian saint Werburgh. The abbey of English and Decorated styles. The curious and St. Werburgh, one of the richest in England, elaboratelydecorative Triforium, equally with the became a cathedral after the dissolution of the delicate stall work, cannot fail to impress those monasteries. The sacred edifice is an irregularwho come under the spell of this combinedbeauty. The Misereres are interestingand oftenamusing. ~;~~Bi:i.~--.::_?---::--i-:--:i-~i--:ii-i-il:iiii?--i)ii::-~~~_::,;:?:-:-::-:: :::::::: o~i:~O~b~~~~b-: '''?'-'---''::--:-:'--''i-:--:: ?::?I-_~,W_;~_~~ --:;:''i''$~~':-::-:z;'' -:::--:-::-:--:----::-:--:-::i-i-i-~:i-i-i~iii~i We a of one which '-'-'"-'-'~--'----ia:9ii~-~is give photograph (on p. 13) w~~:-~~,~gg~~~-i:,-~~~-i:~--"1'--~~~~~~ '-:-:::i::::::~~_g :8:c~~a~ a ~:~~~:~:i?:::::-?l~:j~s:i.~-~~~,ii-eLiil:i~i:i.:---: i:;:""-~l~:?~~ll:-X::::::'-: -~~:l:i:~~~~i::iniiii~:~- represents lady beating her husband with some __::-__:::: : --_::---~--:--i:i:iiiii.ii:_i~::_-:__ _:::_: ~i~4iiiii:i.i:i?----:---:::::::--::-:-:-::i'l'i'ji'i i-::?: ~B-2:~~~~t''''''?'-'-''': :--:-~-:i'i'isii i'''i'-':'':'i'i'';''i'ii~ii~-iiiii i-i-iii'ioii.i:i-i-i-l~i:i~_i-i-i-iii~--:::::-::-::::::-:-:: i-::- __-_i~~iiiiiiii~i~iii~ii-iil domestic The man is on his i-i?~i-i:iiiiiisii-i-jiii::.-:: :::::-- weapon. poor ~~~se~~~~g~~ai ai:~ii~:~-~~ii~~:~iiiiiiiiiii his 'better-half'is him the :i ::,ii-~-i-~-'--gg~~~-~~~~iiii~i:,i~:jliiiiil:iii~i i~____:i_::___:_:::_::___:__::~~~1J knees; holding by tip ::_:_:::::j:::::-:-:~i?-:-:? of his hood -----~_:~~-i4~:~.-::-.---.ii-__:----~~i;i-i~~i~~i.i-l_:$ii~ii~ii~~fii_ while she administers vigorous iq~,~-i--~~ ~~: ?-l;iii-i~i~~i~~-:1::::::-::-::::: ?:-:-----i:n~-::i-i-~l?i:i:-iiiiiii~iiii-.iii:iii~:i-~~i^i;--i-i-.-.- ::i--:--i-ai~i-li~~i~:::::::::-:-:::l-~iixiiiiii-3~-~ chastisement. Her costume should be noted. ~-lii:~~:l-~i~ii;%-~i~~i--iiiU~:~:*-::::::j::::ii ii:i-~iciis:~-iiiiiiii-i:i-iiili~ZC~i~~~R~i~'--:~.la:-?-:~:: Another of our is that of a in-i-:i::iiSiii~iiiiil~- .: photographs(p. 15) ~ii-i-iii-:::::i:ii:il~i-~:i~~~ii'i'i'i'i remarkablyfine Bench End of the 14th century, :::?-:::~:::-::':~~i~`"D,~--~~k~~ :lii~~~ii~i- immediatelyunder the 's stall. It represents ii:~ii~ii,:i-i-i-ii-~-:ii:i:-- a a favourite with ia~la~~i:~i~?~::::::--~~_-_ _-:-i-i-:- Jesse Tree, subject mediaeval workers. There are no fewerthan twenty-seven ~i_:i-i---ai figurescarved on the panel. The Poppy Head is I~ veryfine, quite equal to anythingin the Choir. The elbow representsthe Palmer and his staff. ~i~Bl--''-::-:"'?-':i:''-:::::::~::a~~_~Xh:Si~.~ pilgrim a~Pa~~Z:~:i i~aa~~-' '''''B''?13i-^:-:-:i6~~il We may now pass on to the consideration of ~i~_i~~~i~~ si~~4~~~ the organsin the Cathedral. The inventoryof the .:-:::::-:?i~,,iii:~i,:'~8~:_-monastery shows 'a paire of organs.' The old -:_-:-:-:j:::::W-: ::::::::::~?wi-: historianalready quoted fromthus quaintlyrecords s~~~~5 :~i"a:-~~--?~ian organ early in the I7th century: 'The Quire : :-::::i::i. ::: ...-.:-." ;1 itselfis most finelybeautified, first over the entry ~~i~~d~i -:i::'::::::-:-?-:j:::? a :::: . :.... thereof,with most statelyGallary furnishedwith a verydeep and Tuneable Organ, servingfor the daily Church-Musickat Divine Service.' Father Smith built the next organ. 'This instrument originallyhad but one set of keys. The Choir organ was added by Snetzler,who also put in a new trumpet.' Thus wrote the late Dr. E. J. Hopkins, under the headings 'Father Smith' and 'Chester Cathedral,' in his manuscriptcollection of organ specifications now in the possession of the present writer. It may not be without interestto give thespecification of the FatherSmith- Snetzlerorgan-originally of one manual and without pedals-in orderthat it may be compared withthe presentfour-manual and pedal instrument: GREAT ORGAN (IO stops). Built Father Smith. by , Pipes Pipes i. Open diapason .. 52 7. Sesquialtera, b to cl 2. Stopped diapason.. 52 (3 ranks).. .. 78 3. Principal .. .. 52 8. Sesquialtera treble Flute . . 4. .. 52 (2 ranks). 52 THE PHCENIX, OR KING CHARLES'S TOWER, 5. Twelfth .. 52 9. Cornet,to cl(3 ranks) 78 ON THE WALLS. 6. Fifteenth .. .. 52 IO. Trumpet (by Snetzler) 52 (Photo by Mr. T. Chidley, Chester.) CHOIR ORGAN (4 stops). structure built of red sandstone, crowned by Added by Snetzler. a massive central tower 127 feet in height. Like I. Stoppeddiapason.. 52 i 3. Flute .. .. 52 2. .. .. 1 Fifteenth.. .. most of its fellows,its stylevaries fromNorman to Principal 52 4. 52 Compass,GG, shortoctaves, to d3 in alt,52 notes. Late Perpendicular,one of themost striking features being the fine Perpendicularwindow of the West This organ-and its successor, or successors- front. The Nave, whichis considerablybelow the stood on the Choir Screen; but at the restoration level of the street, has to yield to the Choir in of the Cathedralin I876--with whichthe name of attractiveness. The South Transept,long used as Dean Howson is worthilyassociated-was placed

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by Sir Gilbert Scott in the North Transept, as The Dean and Chapter have since expended the shown in the photographon p. 18. In order, sum of ?6oo on mechanical improvementsto the however,to keep up the traditionof the Choir- organ,which were carriedout by Messrs. Gray and Screen position, some of the choir organ stops I)avison. are there located, with the practical advantage of The Roll of Organists of Chester Cathedral being convenient for accompanimentpurposes by contains some distinguishednames. It begins reason of theirclose proximityto the singers. The withthe year 1541, when one John Byrcheleywas following is the specification of the present appointed. To him succeeded respectivelyThomas four- manual organ, designed and built by Barneys and one White (or Whyte). Concerning Mr. Charles H. Whiteley,of Chester,in 1875-6 : GREAT ORGAN (17 stops). Feet Feet Double Open Diapason 16 Harmonic Flute ...... 4 Bourdon ...... 16 Twelfth ...... 2J Open Diapason (major) ... 8 Fifteenth ...... 2 Open Diapason (minor) ... 8 Fourniture (5 ranks) Gamba ...... 8 Mixture (4 ranks) Flute d Pavillon ...... 8 Contra Posaune ...... 16 Stopped Diapason ...... 8 Tromba ...... 8 Harmonic Flute ... .. 8 Clarion ...... 4 Principal ...... 4 SWELL ORGAN (13 stops). Bourdon ...... 16 Mixture (4 and 5 ranks) Open Diapason 8 Contra Fagotto ...... 16 Viola di Gamba ... 8 Cornopean 8 Stopped Diapason ...... 8 Trumpet ...... 8 Suabe Flute ...... 4 Oboe ...... 8 ,I Principal ...... 4 Clarion ...... 4 Fifteenth ...... 2

CHOIR ORGAN (12 stops). Double Dulciana ...... 16 Principal ...... 4 Open Diapason 8 Piccolo ...... 2 Clarabella ...... 8 Clarinet ...... 8 Stopped Flute ...... 4 (The following stops are placed on the Choir Screen.) I: Pierced Gamba ...... 8 Gemshorn ...... 4 F Dulciana ...... 8 Hohl Flute ...... 4 Stopped Diapason ...... 8 ECHO ORGAN (7 stops). i:Jik Lieblich Bourdon ...... 16 Lieblich Flute ...... 4 Viola ...... 8 Flautina ...... 2 Lieblich Gedact ...... 8 Vox Humana ...... 8 Vox Angelica ...... 8 :,sop SOLO ORGAN (4 stops). Harmonic Diapason. ... 8 Orchestral Oboe ...... 8 Harmonic Flute ...... 4 Tuba Mirabilis ...... 8 The Echo Organ and Solo Organ stops are acted upon by the same (the uppermost) manual. PEDAL ORGAN (1o stops). Double Open Diapason ... 32 Violoncello ...... 8 ...... Open Diapason . . 6 Fifteenth .... 4 Violone...... 16 Mixture (2 ranks) Sub-Bass ...... 16 Trombone ...... 16 Octave ...... 8 Bombarde ...... 8 Manual compass CC to A. Pedal compass CCC to F.

COUPLERS (9'. Solo to Swell Octave. Solo to Pedal. 4w7-,'jk-, Swell Sub-Octave. Swell to Pedal. Swell to Great. Great to Pedal. Swell to Choir. Choir to Pedal. Solo to Great. ACCESSORIES. Five Composition Pedals to the Great Organ. Four Composition Pedals to the Swell Organ. Pedal to bring on and take offGreat to Pedal Coupler. Tremulant to Swell Reeds. Tremulant to Echo Organ. SUMMARY. 72 stops. 3,917 pipes.

The bellows are blown by steam power, a six horse-power engine being employed for the purpose. There are separate wind reservoirs with differentpressures to each THE BENCH END BENEATH THE DEAN'S STALL. manual, ranging from 21inches to 7 inches. (Photo by Mr. Frank Simpson, Chester.) The Pneumatic Lever is applied to the Great, Swell and Pedal Organs--the Swell to Great Coupler, and also to the drawing of all the latter,the Harleian MSS. contain this item of the and Echo the stops, except Choir Organs. expenditureconnected with a representationof a The Echo Organ is in a swell box and voiced to a very light pressure of wind. The Solo and Echo Organs are controlled from ChesterMystery Play : manual. the same (uppermost) 1568. To Mr. Whyte for singinge .. iiiis. Every stop, except the Lieblich Bourdon, Viola, Vox Angelica on the Echo Organ and the Orchestral Oboe on the Solo Organ, extends Following Mr. Whyte came a Robert Stevenson, throughout the full compass of the manuals. The stops draw at an fora in music at angle of 45 degrees, and the stop jambs and key fittingsare splendidly who, in i583, supplicated degree fitted up in polished oak, beautifully carved, and with solid ivory Oxford,stating that he had been 'thirty-threeyears draw knobs. till four The Couplers are arranged in a row over the Upper Manual. a student.' It was not, however, years

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ONE OF THE ROWS. (Photo by Mr. T. Chidley, Chester.) later (in 1587) that he was granted the degree of In his 'Second Set of Madrigalsand Pastorals' Mus.B., while nine years elapsed ere he obtained (1624) Pilkingtonsets himself forth as 'Lutenistand that of Mus.D. Upon the death or resignationof Chaunterof the CathedrallChurch of Christand Stevenson a very distinguished man became blessedMary the Virgin, in Chester.' As a matter Chester's 'chief musician' in theperson of Thomas of facthe came to Chesteras a Conduct,or Lay Bateson, the madrigal composer. Bateson was Clerk,and, upon his ordination,he subsequently organist from 1599 to 16o08, when he became became a Minor Canon and Precentorof the organistof ChristChurch Cathedral, Dublin. The Cathedral. followingextracts fromthe Treasurer's accounts It is not necessaryto give a detailedlist of during this period of his organistshipat Chester ChesterCathedral organists, as are they not all are interesting:- notedin Mr.John E. West's'Cathedral Organists' ? 16oi01.Dec. 12 -Payd to Mr.Bateson for But special mentionmay be made of one Peter new ye OrganBooke belonginge Stringer--nota violinist,as his name might to o'r Quier xls but at varioustimes a 1602. Nov. 3.-For a Sheep skynne to suggest, chorister,Conduct, mendeye Bellowesof ye Organs vjd MinorCanon, , Organist and Treasurerof Nov. 3.-For neiles& smallribbes the Cathedralin the I7th century.In a letter ofwodd for ye said Bellowes iijd addressedby the Dean of Chesterto 'Mr. Subdeane Beedle& hisman for Nov, 3.-To Bispham and Mr. ChanterStringer,' these two twodayes& half about ye Organs iijs are describedas Nov.I7 -For a little Deske for gentlemen 'the most antient Mr.Bateson his Organbooke vjs stagersnow resident in thisChurch.' Here is the letter,as printedin Mr. West'sbook : Concurrently with Thomas Bateson another eminentmadrigal composer held officein Chester There is an hon'ble Maid lately deceased at Cathedral-Francis Pilkingtonby name. In the Mr. JohnAnderson's, being the Hope and Anchor in titleof his firstpublication (1605) he thusdescribes our NorthgateSt., withinthe City of Chester,viz. : himself.: The Lady Jane Montgomery,sister to the Right Hon'ble Hughe, Earle of Mount Alexander in the The First Booke of Songs or Ayresof 4 parts: of Ireland; who, a lover of with Tableture for the Kingdome being great Lute or Orpherion,with the the ceremonyesof our Church while shee lived, Violl de Gamba. F. Newly composed by PILKINGTON, desired to bee buried in our Church whenshee dyed. Bachelor of iMusicke,and Lutenist, and one of the And since shee had the so much in her heart Cathedrall Church of in the quire Christ, Citie of Chester. living, I adjudged it fittto bury her in the heart of London : Printed by T. Este, dwelling in Alders- our quire now shee is dead, her Executors paying to gate-streete,and are ther to be sould. 16o5. the Cathedrall all customaryedues and justifyable

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fees which belong unto us. Now, by reason of the Festivals. The firstof these music-makingswas late distraction in this Kingdome and my frequent held in the 1772, when three oratorios were absences from this Church, my memory not well year serving mee in every particular thereof,and the 'performedin the Broad Isle ofthe Cathedral,'and R't. Reverend John,Lord Bishop of Chester,having 'a Concert of Select Musick' was given in the a great kindness for her family,as well as a great Exchange Hall, the proceedings terminatingwith love unto Justice, desiring that shee may not bee a Masked Ball it is to kind of exaction: You two which, satisfactory learn, imposed upon by any was conducted 'with being the most antientstagers now resident in this the greatest elegance and Church,I doe requireyou, upon virtueof youroathes decorum.' formerlytaken, y't you declare unto mee in writing Before saying a few words in conclusion what the formerfees and customeshave been in the the Dr. C. like that as I not such concerning present organist, J. Bridge, case; may impose upon we him in a walk the hon'ble persons, so neitherpraejudice our Successors may accompany through in this Church ; etc., etc. beautifulcloisters to the Choir School, of whichthe head master is the Rev. J. M. New, M.A., one of From I699 to 1704 one John Demonticall was the Minor Canons of the Cathedral, and formerly chief-musician at Chester, a gentle,*an of whom Vice-Principal of St. Mark's College, Chelsea. absolutely nothing is known. Can any of our Here are some twenty-sixyoung gentlemenhard at readers furnishsome informationconcerning this work--thecurriculum including Latin, the ordinary fiendish-namedorganist? Mention must of course English subjects and shorthand,special attention be made of Edmund Baker, a pupil of Dr. Blow being given to mathematics. Ex-choristerscan and the teacher of Dr. Burney, as he held the attend the King's School at half-fees,and several of organistshipat the time Handel was weather-boundthose who have availed themselvesof thisprivilege at Chester on his way to Dublin (in 1741) to have greatly distinguished themselves in their produce his oratorio of the 'Messiah.' Mr. Baker mathematicalstudies, due to the excellentgrounding supplied Handel with Mr. Janson, one of the theyreceived at the Cathedral Choir School. The Cathedrallay-clerks, the gentleman who could 'sing boysboard at home,yet Dr. Bridge-an ex-chorister at sight,but not at firstsight'! Handel doubtless himself, but of the time when semi- barbarism visitedthe Cathedral,and probablyplayed on Father prevailed in English -looks well after Smith'sorgan. To Edmund Baker succeeded (in his littlemen. Every morningafter service, milk the year I764) Edward Orme. He was a prominentwith bread and butter is supplied before school- Freemason, and held the post of Deputy Herald work is begun: 'You can't expect boys to do of the city; he also served the officeof Sheriff.good work on an empty stomach,' he very truly Moreover,Mr. Orme originatedthe ChesterMusical observes.

THE CATHEDRAL FROM THE SOUTH-EAST. (Photo"byMr. T. Chidley, Chester.)

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Again, let us go with Dr. Bridge, just before 19th century; the presentthree-manual instrument the hour of Evensong, to the Refectory,formerly was erected by Mr. C. H. Whiteleyabout thirty used as the King's School. Here Charles Burney, yearsago. Randolph Caldecott, and doubtless many other The Refectoryis now used as the practice-room boys withartistic tastes were educated. The beams of the choristers,and here they drill and perform of this ancient and spacious apartmentused to their dumb-bell exercises. Although Dr. Bridge be covered withpaper darts,thrown up by formeris a strict disciplinarian,he is one of the most

THE CATHEDRAL ORGAN. (Photo by Mr. Frank Simpson, Chester.) scholars. The choristershave knocked them down kind-heartedof men. Immediately before every by throwing up indiarubber balls, and one of service each choristeris obliged to ' clean up '-no these darts bore the signature of Randolph dirtyhands or faces; moreover,the boys walk in Caldecott, who was a native of Chester. The step as theymake their way to their places in the miscellaneous concerts of the early Chester Cathedral. The serviceis veryreverently performed Festivals were held here,and manyother concerts -we do not rememberto have heard Stainer's have also been given withinthese walls. It has Sevenfold Amen more devotionally rendered. contained an organ since the beginningof the Sufficeit to say that the singing of these simple

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strainstypified the reverenceand orderlinesswhich spontaneous 'appreciation' of Chester's genial so eminentlycharacterize the musical services of organist: Chester Cathedral. Organist, assistant-organist, How was Freedom acquired ? Was it by sloth or choristers,and lay-clerksunitedly seem to realize by self-indulgence? We all knew that the answer the sacrednessof their officein so commendably must be quite the contrary. It was by self-discipline; dischargingtheir important duties. Dr. Bridge has it was by going into training; it was by self-control. an able assistantin Mr. J. T. Hughes, an ex-chorister That was the way the athletewon his freedomin his and his formerarticled pupil. Mr. Hughes, who bodily powers. Let us go to the artist in any of the succeeded the late W. T. Best as organistof Derby branches of art. Let us go for example to the Parish Church, Liverpool, and who conducts the organist of this Cathedral, who for a quarter-of-a- ChesterOrchestral Society, is an excellentall-round century,as they knew,had been serving splendidly musician. the cause of music not only in this Cathedral, but Dr. Joseph Cox Bridge, M.A., is the present ministeringmusical delightand cultureto thecity and organistof Chester Cathedral. The son of John neighbourhood. Let us ask him how we were to masters of of how Bridge, a lay clerk, and younger brotherof Sir become song or instrument; we were to win our freedomin music. Was it Frederick he was born at Rochester, by Bridge, ? Was it ? August 16, 1853, and became a choristerin the takingthings easily by neglectingpractice Cathedral there. He is therefore one of the Was it by the conceit which thoughtthat because we had a natural taste,because we were bornmusicians, distinguishedquintett - the others being Philip Armes Frederick thereforewe could become consummatesingers and (Durham),J. Bridge(Westminster), have freedomof voice and freedomof instrument? Daniel Wood and the late J. (Exeter), Joseph We knew he would tell us a verydifferent tale. Maas,--all of whom were Rochester choristers. Mr. H. E. Ford, of Carlisle,the doyen of English Cathedral organists,and Dr. Crow, late organist of Cathedral, are also 'old Rochester boys.' Dr. Bridge officiatedas assistant organist at Rochester, and, like his brother Frederick, was for a short time organist of Shorne Church, Kent. He then became a pupil of and assistant to his brother at Manchester,and subsequently held the organistship of Exeter College, Oxford (1871-6), where he graduated in Arts and Music. In 1876 he became assistant organistof ChesterCathedral, and in the following year succeeded to the full officeon the retirement of the late Mr. Frederick Gunton. His com- positions include 'Daniel' (an oratorio), 'Rudel' (a cantata), a Requiem Mass, church music,part- songs,&c. Special mentionshould be made of a veryagreeable Symphonyin F, composed for the Chester Triennial Musical Festival of 1894, of which the various movementswere suggested by historicalincidents connected withthe City. The whole idea is most ingeniouslycarried out, the final movement-' The Abbey of St. Werburgh'-being founded on the Cathedral bells, which, as might be expected at Chester, play the Westminster chimes. Dr. Bridge-who is a member of the Chester ArchaeologicalSociety and a man having various interests-has done splendid workfor the cause of music in Chesterduring the twenty-sevenyears of DR. JOSEPH C. BRIDGE, M.A. his officialconnection with the ancient city. He FROM A BUST EXECUTED BY MISS ROSA CARTWRIGHT, OF CHESTER, founded the Chester Musical which he AND PRESENTED TO HIM AT THE CHESTER Society, MUSICAL FESTIVAL OF 1897. has conducted and financed for twentyyears---a Society which is still in a flourishingcondition. For the use of the photographs illustrating this Moreover, he not only revivified,in 1879, the article, acknowledgment is due to Mr. Frank ChesterMusical Festivals,which had been dormant Simpson and Mr. T. Chidley, of Chester; also to for half-a-century,but in many ways he has Mr. Robert Newstead, A.IL.S., Curator of the earned the respect and esteem of not a few Grosvenor Museum, Chester; to Mr. W. Wheeler, Cestrians. In the course of a sermonpreached in the well-informed head verger of the Cathedral; the Cathedral on 'Mayor's' Sunday, November 9, and for help in various ways special thanks are 1902, before the Mayor and Corporation of the tendered to Dr. J. C. Bridge, Organist and Master city,who attended in state, the Bishop of Chester of the Choristers of the Cathedral. (Dr. Jayne) uttered the followinggratifying and DOTTED CROTCHET.

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