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Eb, but yet fell short of their aim, and this caused the sinking of the pitch, so that at the end of two stanzas it was something like a tone below its starting point. It was well that but two stanzas were sung; for a new pitch would have been necessary if the number had been much greater. Here, then, is a specimen of congregational singing without a choir or organ.

After the hymn had been sung, a prayer was read, and a lesson from the Bible followed. At the close of this, there was a chorus of seats, reminding one of half a century ago in New England; a chorus, which has long been discontinued with us, and which, certainly, I never expected to hear again. Every man let his seat fall at its own discretion. It brought vividly to mind the time when the boys in adjoining pews used to vie with each other in the slamming of the seats at the close of the prayer.

man.

At the dinner table at the hotel, I was much amused at a conversation between two persons who seemed to be GermanAmericans, and another whom I supposed to be an EnglishThe conversation was in English, and related to the improvement of Americans in things pertaining to the fine arts, music and amusements. The theatre, the opera and concerts, were alluded to. Sunday concerts were especially spoken of, and the fact was mentioned that concerts on the Sabbath-day were more frequent.

"But," said the Englishman, "they call them Sacred Concerts, do they not?"

"No, not now," was the reply; "they used to call them Sacred Concerts although they performed overtures, waltz and dance music; but the word is no longer needed; it is pretty generally dropped; and now they simply call them concerts."

This is the progress of which they told; and they told of facts. We have often been surprised at the virtue of that word

Sacred; when thus applied, it has great power to control the actions of many, and serves often to relieve the mind, or to calm and quiet a disturbing conscience. If the word Sacred were taken away from many concerts to which it is attached, it would be favorable to truth; even although the words sung are from David, Watts or Wesley; since the words are too often a mere apology for the song.

While at Zurich we had the pleasure of meeting the distinguished theorist, X. SCHNYDER VON WARTENSEE. He resides at Frankfort-on-the-Main, but usually spends his summers in his native Switzerland. He is not only a scientific musician, but is also a learned man. He was the intimate friend of Näyeli, and we believe also of Pestalozzi. He is the author of symphonies, quartets, &c., and has written one opera, but is better known as a profound theorist than as a popular prac tical composer.

LETTER XXXIII.

University-Castle-Singing Conventions-Wine Casks-Duels-Jerome of Prague. HEIDELBERG, June 12, 1852.

THERE are quite a number of things here which cannot fail to interest the traveler. The University is very celebrated. There are usually some seven or eight hundred students attending the various lectures. Once a year there is a grand musical festival, many hundreds of voices uniting in chorus in one of the large open spaces found amongst the ruins of the old castle, a mile above the town. It was omitted this year on account of the death of

one of the royal family. On such an occasion all amusements are suspended, and as the singing convention was regarded in no higher view than these, it shared the fate of the theatres and the dance parties. We saw the place were the meetings are usually held, and could easily imagine that the effect of a multitude of voices, under such circumstances, amidst the old towers and walls, would have been very imposing. We wandered about amongst the ruins and apartments of the castle, one of the most interesting in Germany. It was built and destroyed several times before the year 1764, when it was struck by lightning. The fire burned for eight days, and consumed most of the interior of the vast building. The grounds around are owned by the University. They are well laid out, and are kept in a fine state of repair. One cannot turn in any direction without seeing the most beautiful flowers and shrubbery, and these shady groves afford most delightful promenades. Fine views of the surrounding country are obtained from different points on the castle. A cellar contains a famous tun or wine cask. It was made in 1751. It is thirty-six feet long, and twenty-four feet wide. It is capable of holding eight hundred hogsheads, or upwards of 280,000 bottles. It has only been filled three times; the last time in 1769; and if the Maine temperance law should be adopted here, there will probably never be occasion to fill it more.

In a valley not far distant, our guide pointed out the place where the students of the University fight their duels. It is not an uncommon thing to have five or six of these gentlemanly combats in a day. There is not often a death, for the sight of blood is usually regarded as satisfactory.

The old church of St. Peter is visited with some interest, for it was here that Jerome of Prague, who, with Huss, was burnt at Constance, proclaimed the doctrines of the Reformation, and

on the door he posted the thesis which, together with his bold preaching, resulted in his martyr death. One does not fear the stake now, but the spirit of persecution has not yet been entirely subdued; and uncharitableness is not a rare thing in the churches, even in the nineteenth century, and in our own happy country.

We need more of music's influence in the family, in the school, in the social circle, and in the church; for a man cannot hate his brother whose heart is filled with the true spirit of sacred song.

LETTER XXXIV.

Abbe Vogler-Rinck--Music in Schools-The Kappelmeister's Wife and her Rose.

DARMSTADT, June 19, 1852.

To the scientific musician, and to the lover of church music, Darmstadt is a place of interest. Here the АBBE VOGLER-a name well known to every musician-lived, and produced some of his greatest works; and here, too, he died and was buried. A plain monument of black marble, erected to the memory of "the excellent, learned musician, and talented composer," by Ludwig, Grand Duke of Hesse Darmstadt, stands in the old cemetery. It attempts to tell his fame, but his various theoretical works, and compositions, known to all the musical world, do it much more effectually. He was born in Würtzburg, June 15, 1749, and died in Darmstadt, May 6, 1814.

The organist, too, must be interested in Darmstadt, for here lived RINCK, a name better known in England and America than any other organ composer. He was for many years the organist to the Grand Duke, and was universally esteemed as

a learned and accomplished musician, an elegant and tasteful organist, a worthy citizen, and an excellent man. His only son, Rev. George Rinck, is now a clergyman in Darmstadt, and his only unmarried daughter occupies the dwelling where the parents formerly lived, and which during their lifetime was a happy home. The editor of the Musical World* can tell of the excellence of Rinck, and of the happy domestic circle that surrounded him, for he was intimate with the family, and is still remembered by the surviving members with great affection.

Rinck's works, or many of them, have been re-published in America; especially his Organ School, and much of his organ music. They have circulated in every part of the land; so that wherever there is an organist, Rinck is known in his works, and studied. Whoever studies his organ music, with a tolerable musical ability, cannot fail to form a good style. We have for many years been accustomed to say, in answer to the question, "How shall I acquire a good style of organ-playing, and especially of voluntary playing?" "Study Rinck, for he is a sure guide." He is not great, like Bach, but he is ever beautiful and elegant. It was said long ago, that one who desired to acquire an elegant style of writing the English language, must spend his days and nights with Addison; and it is equally true that he who would acquire the most tasteful style of organplaying, must spend his days and nights with Rinck.

We visited Darmstadt with especial reference to the library of Rinck, which we knew was for sale. The lover of music and of its progress amongst us will be glad to know that it is already packed, and will be on its way to America in a few days. If it arrives safely, it must be useful to some of the young men who are looking forward to the musical profession. There are now many young men who are beginning to feel the necessity * R. STORKS WILLIS, Esq.

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