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DESULTORY OBSERVATIONS ON SOME
OF THE CAUSES OF THE WANT or

PATRONAGE FOR MUSICAL PER-
FORMANCES IN EDINBURGH; WITH
HINTS FOR THE FORMATION OF A
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.

MR EDITOR,

THE Scotch have obtained a degree of reputation for being musical, to which, in fact, as a nation, we have as yet very little pretension. For our simple melodies we profess and feel the most sincere attachment; but it may be doubted whether we are much alive to music, properly so called. That this doubt is not altogether unfounded, may be proved by appealing to the fate of almost every able professor who has settled among us. Not one of them has been substantially benefited by the exercise of his talents in this country; and many of them have died in a state of absolute wretchedness, leaving their families in a state of abject poverty and misery. It may be said, that this was owing to their own folly and dissipation; and I am not inclined to attempt to wipe away a charge which in too many instances is true. But dissipation is often the result of despair arising from neglect; and of neglect we must accuse ourselves, and of the display of empty benches on almost every occasion of musical performance. Regular concerts have never succeeded in Edinburgh; and, although there exist other causes of failure, beside the want of knowledge of music, yet this last is clearly the reason why patronage is so sparingly bestowed on professors.

The exertions of a few amateurs, towards the end of last century, established regular concerts at St Cecilia's (now Freemasons') Hall. Foreign professors were encouraged to settle in Edinburgh; and, for a time, that is, while the impression of novelty remained, the concerts were well attended. After a few years, how ever, they began to droop; and, if I recollect well, the last appearance of a crowd in St Cecilia's Hall, was on the occasion of the performance of the celebrated violin player Giornovichi. Since that period every attempt to carry on regular concerts has failed; and, unless when some great singer, or instrumental performer, was announced, whose fame had

reached us from London, and excited curiosity, we continued almost in a state of apathy with regard to music, till the year 1815, when the public attention was roused by the project of a Musical Festival. The success attending this was quite astonishing, and would probably have been the same, even without the skill and judgment with which the whole was conducted;-curiosity would have done the business. It was quite a new thing in Scotland, and we wish to see it repeated. Since the Festival, we have heard that all the Misses who possess piano-fortes, (and what Miss, from the village ale-house to the palace, has not her piano?) have been thrumming away at the skeletons of Handel's overtures and choruses, without understanding them in the least. Among ignorant pretenders to musical knowledge and taste, fashion possesses an irresistible sway; and their enjoyment of it does not proceed from the music itself, but from the self-gratulation of being able to play (as is fondly believed] what is new or in vogue, without the possibility of deriving pleasure from the beauties of what is before them.

It is not supposed that musical ta lent is more rare in Scotland than in other countries; but it is apprehended that musical education is by no means what it ought to be. Teachers, in general, are required only to instruct their pupils in the art of reading and moving the fingers; but we very seldom find that the pupils are taught to understand music. We frequently listen to brilliant, and, sometimes united with it, accurate, execution on the piano-forte; and are mortified to find that the player moves her fingers with mere mechanical dexterity, following implicitly what is set down, without seeming to feel the beauties, or to be aware of any defects in the piece. The taste of a composer leads him to put down the marks F. P. Cr. Dim. &c. where his judgment directs; but it is no unfrequent occurrence to find a good musician display his own feeling in opposition to that of the composer. For those who are not good musicians, it is indeed very dangerous to attempt this. The rules of harmony are scarcely ever understood, even by ladies whose performance on the pianoforte is greatly admired. Few of them

can take up a piece in score, and study its harmony at the fire-side; they can do nothing but strike the keys referred to by the notes on the paper; nay, few can tell whether a simple bass is good or bad. Not that they are incapable, but they have not been taught what should be the very foundation of musical education. Any one who will take the trouble to inquire, will find, that not one lady in a hundred can tune her own pianoforte; and this, because she does not know the relative sounds of what is required in common tuning, of fifths, and octaves. The consequence is, that we are shocked every day by hearing pieces played on piano-fortes out of tune, and by observing that the players are not at all aware of the state of their instruments. If the ear be not sufficiently good to perceive the distinction of sounds in a scale, and when two or more sounds harmonize, it cannot enable its possessor to enjoy music. But I believe that the ears of almost all who can play are sufficiently good for the purposes of tuning, and only require to be drilled a little in the practice of it. If teachers of music would attend to this, they would save themselves much trouble, by enabling their pupils to correct themselves the instant when, by ac cident, or carelessness, they strike a wrong key; and, by teaching the ear to be offended when an instrument or a voice is out of tune, their pupils will gradually feel their natural talents developed, and insensibly their taste will become not only correct, but refined. The defect in practical instruction, to which I have alluded, must tend greatly to injure young ears naturally good; and, I believe, it has been objected to Logier's system, that the pupils are constantly in the habit of hearing discord from a great number of pianofortes, which cannot be kept in concord, and the effect of which is but ill disguised by the artful introduction of

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vation reminds me of an anecdote, which may not be altogether out of place here. I happened one morning to visit the manufactory of Messrs Muir, Wood, and Company,* for the purpose of examining the large organ which was built by them for the Roman Catholic Chapel of Glasgow. I found there a party of gaily dressed women, young and old, listening to the Hallelujah chorus. When it was finished, one asked another, "What's that he played ?"-"I dinna ken.” The performer told them, and they stared. One of the young ladies, who appeared not the most bashful of the party, brushed up, and seated herself at the key-board. She seemed somewhat puzzled by the triple row of keys, and aspiring to the highest, expressed her surprise loudly, when she found the bass cliff absolutely immoveable. However, she got sound at last on the great organ, and began to play a reel when it was full. I was much pleased to observe that the horrid effect staggered the whole party; though they could not probably tell just at the moment, what it was that caused their surprise and disgust. Only a single voice exclaimed, "What's the use o' an organ if yin canna play reels on't?" It was evident that the contrast between the rich harmony

There is nothing more worthy of the attention of the curious, than this manufactory. The extent of the operations carried on, and the spirit with which the whole is conducted, do infinite credit to the projectors, and to our city; and there here will soon rival those manufactured in can be no doubt that the instruments made

London.

and Wood nearly equal the London makIn piano-forte making, Muir ers already; and a little more attention to the seasoning of the materials, on which depends very much the length of time during which an instrument will keep in tune, will probably render us independent of the English metropolis. In organs, all the stops without reeds are generally good; though, as yet, not so equally voiced as those made in London. Reed stops require very great skill and attention; and, Elliot, whose reed stops are remarkable for. even in London, there is but one maker, standing a long time in tune. We have no doubt, however, that the enterprising manufacturers we have named will exert themselves in this department. No instru ment is so well adapted for teaching harmony as the organ.

they had previously been listening to, and the effect of the attempt to play a reel, without the skill necessary for touching such an instrument, had roused feelings which these city dames and damsels had not been accustomed to; and I have little doubt that they have since discovered for themselves a new pleasure in true music, which, but for this accident, they might never have enjoyed.

That the inhabitants of Edinburgh are not insensible to music of the highest class, is evident from the numerous attendance at the public performances of the Institution for the Improvement of Sacred Music. Some may be inclined to attribute this to the cheapness of admission, which enables the citizens to appear in a public place, on the same bench with persons of rank and fashion. But, granting that this frailty operates in full force, I cannot believe, that, unless there was something to be enjoyed superior to such silly gratification, the attendance would be so great. This Institution has done much to open the ears, and I hope too the eyes, of the Edinburgh public. It has contributed to convince us that we were ignorant of what true music was, and has unquestionably roused a desire to be well acquainted with much of the most impressive music that has ever been composed. The origin of the Institution, however, is to be found in the Festival of 1815; and I have been informed that it owes its existence to an observation of Mr Ashley, that Mr Mather, being fully competent to the task of instructing chorussingers, ought to make Edinburgh independent of foreign assistance. The public, I understand, are in expectation of a second Festival this year; but I have not heard that any of those gentlemen who took so active a part in promoting the first, have it in contemplation to undertake the labour a second time. When we consider the vast benefit which was conferred by the Festival in 1815 on many charitable Institutions, the managers of these may probably exert themselves to gratify the public; or the magistrates, who are the guardians of all the public charities, may promote the undertaking.

Besides to the want of musical knowledge, other causes of the little patronage bestowed on musical per

formances have been alluded to. Among them, the most powerful opponent to the success of professors, and to the formation of a good orches tra, is the inclination for that species of warfare, which unfortunately pervades other professions as well as that of music. We know enough, in this good town, of medical and of spiritual warfare; and the demons of hatred, envy, and contention, are well known to be no lovers of harmony. Could we establish a Philharmonic Society in Edinburgh, somewhat similar to the one in London, and convince our professors that their talents, in combination, could effect more towards their being esteemed, and their substantial benefit, than perpetual wrangling, we should have it in our power to produce concerts to please the most fastidious. But, while so much jarring subsists among the professors, as I have heard of, it will be impossible to form a tolerable orchestra. Were the nobility and gentry resident, or occasionally resident, in Edinburgh, to promote the establishment of a society both for the benefit of the professors, and for the entertainment of the public, we might indulge some hope of extensive patronage being bestowed on regular concerts. In a communication of this kind, it is impossible to give an entire plan for such a society; an outline, however, may be given.

I would propose, that the society should be formed by the professors in the first instance; and that the nobi lity and gentry should be invited to subscribe a certain sum annually, for a certain number of years, for the purpose of defraying the expences of concerts, in so far as regards the use of rooms, lighting, and attendance. The president, vice-presidents, and the majority of directors, to be chosen from among the subscribers. Whatever sum may be collected for tickets of admission, together with what may remain of the annual subscriptions, to be divided, at the end of the season, among the professors, by a scale previously prepared, according to the abilities of each. This may be done in a way similar to the division of naval or military prize-money. The society might occasionally speculate on the exhibition of London performers. Such is the outline of a scheme which ap pears, to me at least, calculated to quiet all the jealousy which at present

1818.

On the Employment of Watson's and Thomson's Funds.

hinders the musical talent of Edinburgh from having its full effect, and from reaping its full reward. I have only further to say, that, should this meet the eyes of any professors or amateurs who may be inclined to promote the plan, they must themselves set the matter agoing; for I have not the least intention of interfering in any way, but by cheerfully subscribing to the society, if established. I conclude by earnestly entreating the musical professors of Edinburgh to banish envy and jealousy, and their patrons to abstain from encouraging such feelings.

January 1818.

PHILHARMONICUS.

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Mr Watson himself now alive, and could have seen such an increase to arise from the reversion of his small fortune, he would have most cheerfully acceded to the suggestion.

In this view, therefore, there are three important objects which I would take the liberty earnestly to recommend to the attention of the respectable body with whom Mr Watson was connected, and who have been appointed his trustees for employing the money agreeable to his views, in the formation of a bill, to be submitted by them to Parliament.

The first is the completion of the great central building in the new Lunatic Asylum at Morningside, for the accommodation of the poor patients, and also of a sum to aid the means of support of these unfortunate people.

The second object would be to dis

FUNDS, IN REPLY TO THE INQUI- encumber the Charity Work-House
RIES OF AMICUS PAUPERIS, JU-
NIOR."

MR EDITOR,

In your Number for December, I observe a very judicious paper relative to the employment of the two great funds many years ago bequeathed by two respectable citizens of this metropolis, for charitable purposes, namely, the mortification by Mr John Watson, writer to the signet, and that by Mr Joseph Thomson, saddletreemaker, the value of the former of which, according to your correspondent Amicus's estimation of the present rate of Royal Bank stock, in which the money was most wisely vested, is no less than L. 100,000 Sterling; and he hints at the proprie ty of the keepers, commissioners, and society of clerks to his Majesty's signet, applying for an act of Parliament, enabling them to alter the destination of this great fund to other charitable objects.

It is very doubtful, however, whether the Legislature would so far interfere in this matter as to disappoint wholly Mr Watson's favourite object of a Foundling Hospital, whatever opinion his fellow-citizens of the present day may have formed of that measure. But it is humbly thought that Parliament would not refuse to lend their powerful aid towards the alienation of at least a part of the now great capital to which this legacy has accumulated, for other purposes not unsimilar, especially as it is believed, were

VOL. II.

of this city of the present sum of debt owing for it, by which its exertions are cramped, and which burden has been unavoidably contracted in consequence of the late long war, and the pressure of the times, while it is well known that this important institution has been, for these several years, under the most judicious management.

And, thirdly, to aid the fund of Mr Thomson, already mentioned, for purchasing meal for the poor of this city at a reduced price, next to be spoken to; for, whatever differences of opinion may exist as to the propriety of Mr Watson's Foundling Hospital, it is believed that there will be but one sentiment as to the excellent scheme of the application of Mr Thomson's funds, as pointed out by him.

Supposing, therefore, that the sum to be taken by authority of Parliament from Mr Watson's L. 100,000, for the above three important charities, was only L. 20,000, there would still remain the great surplus of L. 80,000 for building and endowing his Hospital, or any other benevolent purpose which the Society of Writers to the Signet might think proper to recommend to the Legislature.

With regard to Mr Thomson's mortification, the writer of this paper is happy to have it in his power to inform Amicus and the public, that, in consequence of the laudable endeavours of a lady to whom it happened to be known, every prudent step (besides other measures connected with

this important object) has been taken of late to let that gentleman's Roxburghshire farm upon a lease to the best advantage, for the benevolent purpose appointed by the donor; and there can be no doubt that his tenement in this city has experienced the same attention, so that matters are now in a proper train for realizing a considerable sum, to be applied as directed by this benefactor of the poor of the capital.

Before concluding, I wish to say a single word in defence of the clergy of Edinburgh, to whose superintendence, it would appear, from Amicus's paper, Mr Thomson had wished the distribution of his charity to be submitted. The truth is, that, by the death of the donor himself, of his man of business, and of some of the trustees named in his deed of settlement, his highly meritorious intentions have been altogether overlooked for a long period, and, indeed, it is believed the bequest was almost wholly unknown, until the circumstance attending the discovery of it already alluded to, so that, in fact, neither the ministers nor the magistrates are to blame in their supposed neglect to carry Mr Thomson's views into effect; for it is well known, that there are many active individuals in both of these bodies who would have gladly lent their helping hand in the proper application of a fund for the purchase of oatmeal, to be sold at a reduced rate to hundreds of poor families in the city who stood in need of it, at different periods since the testator's death, in which the price of this necessary article had a risen to a much greater height than, it is believed, was ever contemplated in his days; and it is not doubted that these gentlemen will now give all the assistance in their power to the hands into which the management of this patriotic legacy has at last happily, but unexpectedly, fallen.

Your inserting the above hints in your well-conducted Miscellany will much oblige, Sir, your most obedient Z. servant,

ON THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF JAMES

HOGG.

(Continued from page 40.)

In an age when men, eminently endowed, spend their lives in the most minute researches into inanimate na

ture,-when they traverse unknown continents to discover a new plant or animal, and with a zeal that success alone can satisfy, devote years to the' analysis of a gas, and with a mathematical exactness describe the fracture of a stone, or the angles of a crystal, -we trust we shall be excused if we enter at some length into the literary history of a man who has attained to great intellectual eminence, in a way so extraordinary as to be, perhaps, without a parallel in the annals of genius, full, as they have often been, of deviations from the common current of events. Terence, whose comedies are so justly celebrated for the delicacy of their wit, and the beauty and the purity of their style, was an African slave; but among the Romans, these slaves who displayed any superiority of talent, were trained to literature; and, in the family of an indulgent master, who gave him his freedom on account of his genius, he enjoyed all the means of intellectual cultivation which Rome then afforded, and mingled on terms of easy intimacy with the best society of that renowned city. The men who most nearly resemble Hogg in their early history, are Bloomfield, and Ramsay, and Burns.

The circumstances of Bloomfield were certainly not the most favourable for the growth of genius; yet we happen to know that there exist at this moment, in many of the workshops of this end of the island, a thirst for knowledge, and an acquaintance with the lighter branches of science, and the popular literature of the day, which is, in many instances, read with a feeling of its beauties, and criticised with a correctness and discrimination of taste, which those who have not had an opportunity of observing the fact, could not easily imagine. He, notwithstanding, overcame great difficulties by the native vigour of genius, and has certainly looked on nature with the eye of a poet, and has sometimes painted such of her forms, as fell under his obser vation, with considerable felicity. On the first appearance of the Farmer's Boy, an attempt was made, rather injudiciously, we think, to exalt him to the rank of Burns; yet not even the Colossal shoulders of Capel Loft have been able to sustain him at that elevation, and he has long ago sunk to his own level, in a region very far beneath

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