James Cuthbert Hadden

“ In 1876 he was appointed professor of the violin at the National Training School for Music, and in 1881 he began giving violin recitals, which practically ended with a tour in South Africa (1890–1) . For some time he was a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and at Trinity College, London, In February 1895 the freedom of Keighley was presented to him in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of his first public appearance there. He was a splendid teacher, and in that capacity largely influenced the younger generation of violinists. ”

“ The Gaelic poems show force and some fancy, but the English pieces, through which there is an undertone of sadness, are of no merit. She also wrote 'The Tourist's Handbook of Gaelic and English Phrases for the Highlands' (Edinburgh, 1880) , and her translation of the queen's second series of Leaves from our Journal in the Highlands 'has been described as 'a masterpiece of forcible and idiomatic Gaelic.' A 'Guide to Lochaber' by her gives many traditions and historical incidents nowhere else recorded. ”

“ In 1855 he was chosen the first organist of Christ Church, Lancaster Gate, being at the same time organist of Clapham grammar school, and in 1864 he became organist of Lincoln's Inn Chapel, where he remained till his death, though for the later years his son, William Reginald Steggall, usually discharged the duties. Between 1850 and 1870 he frequently lectured on musical subjects in London and the provinces. ”

“ The development of the English taste for choral music during the last forty years may be said to have been created by the cheap publications of the house of Novello, the idea of which, though due to J. Alfred Novello, was entirely carried out by the energy of Littleton. He brought forward many well-known composers, and in some cases bore the cost of their education. ”

“ He wrote a large number of songs and pianoforte pieces, besides 'Instructions in the Art of Singing' (London, 1853) , and a series of 'Music Copy Books' (London, 1871) . In February 1877 he produced at the Crystal Palace a farce called 'The Three Years' System,' and a three-act drama, 'A Shadow on the Hearth;' an operetta, 'An Easter Egg,' was produced at Terry's Theatre in December 1893. His autobiography, 'The Light of other Days as seen through the wrong end of an Opera Glass,' was published in 2 vols., London, 1890. He died at Gipsy Hill on 3 Oct. ”

“ After being educated privately Charles gave early evidence of musical talent, and had his first lessons on the piano from his mother. In 1824 he was awarded second place in the competition for studentship at the new Royal Academy of Music, but preferred to study the pianoforte independently, first with Stephen Francis Rimbault and then (1826-1831) under Charles Neate, the friend of Beethoven. Meanwhile in 1828 he studied under Henri Herz in Paris, and to him and to Neate his earhest compositions were dedicated in the same year. ”

“ Mearns, 'The Scottish Sacramental Sabbath,' 'The Scottish National Melody,' and 'The Child's Dream' have also attained considerable popularity in Scotland. Most of Hyslop's poetry published during his lifetime appeared in the 'Edinburgh Magazine' from 1819 onwards. He wrote a good deal in prose, chiefly upon the persecution of the covenanters. Two essays in the 'Edinburgh Magazine,' 1820, 'A Defence of Modern Scottish Poetry,' and 'An Account of an Apparition in Airsmoss,' are worthy of note. ”

“ OAKELEY, Sir HERBERT STANLEY (1830–1903) , musical composer, born at Ealing on 22 July 1830, was second son of Sir Herbert Oakeley, third baronet [q. v.] . Educated at Rugby and at Christ Church, Oxford, he graduated B.A. in 1853 and proceeded M.A. in 1856. Oakeley showed an early taste for music, studied harmony with Stephen Elvey while at Oxford, and later visited Leipzig, Dresden, and Bonn, having organ lessons from Johann Schneider, and theory and piano lessons from Moscheles, Plaidy, and others. In 1865 he was elected Reid professor of music in Edinburgh University. ”

“ Lynch himself replied to his opponents in 'The Ethics of Quotation,' and in a pamphlet of doggerel verse, entitled 'Songs Controversial' (both London, 1856, and issued under the pseudonym of 'Silent Long') . A full account of the controversy is given in his 'Memoirs.' Lynch had undoubtedly a cultivated mind and the true poetic spirit; but the hymns in the 'Rivulet' express too exclusively an admiration for nature to be suitable for Christian worship. Nine of his hymns are included in the new 'Congregational Church Hymnal' (London, 1887) ; but none of them are popular in the churches. ”

“ In 1838 he visited the Continent, played at Vienna, Munich, Homburg, and other places, and made the acquaintance of Schumann, of Mozart's widow and son, of Thalberg, and of Czerny. At Mainz he pubhshed his popular pianoforte romance, 'Cloelia.' From 1846 to 1848 he resided in Rome, conducting Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 for the first time there and composing his 'Saltarello' and several songs with Italian words. He was elected an honorary member of the Academy of St. Cecilia. Returning to London, he resumed his teaching, and founded the first Amateur Choral Society in 1849. ”

“ Most of the prefaces to the different volumes were written by Burns, and it may be said that he edited the work. ‘Perhaps you may not find your account lucratively in this business,’ Burns wrote to Johnson, ‘but you are a patriot for the music of your country, and I am certain posterity will look on themselves as highly indebted to your public spirit.’ In another letter the poet describes Johnson as ‘a good, worthy, honest fellow.’ In the Edinburgh subscription list, opened after Burns's death for the benefit of his family, the name of ‘James Johnson, engraver,’ is set down for 4l. ”

“ In 1907 he collaborated with the duke of Argyll in ' The Scottish Tribute to France,' not as yet (1912) performed, for chorus and orchestra; and at his death he had practically finished a grand opera provisionally entitled 'Fionn and Tera,' to a libretto by the duke; the orchestration was completed by Mr. David Stephen. Many other works were left in MS., including 'The Oracle' and other light operas, a romantic opera, 'Flora Macdonald,' several cantatas, orchestral, piano and violin pieces, and songs. He died prematurely, unmarried, at Edinburgh on 18 June 1909. ”

“ A rendering by Kethe of the 94th psalm was published in 1558, attached to a tract called ‘The Appellation of John Knox.’ Kethe's 100th psalm appeared in the appendix of the first complete English metrical Psalter (1562) , but was admitted into the text of the edition of 1565. Warton describes Kethe as ‘no unready rhymer;’ and if regard be had to the different elements of variety, fidelity, energy, and elegance, he is entitled to a high place among the psalter versifiers. His ‘long’ and ‘peculiar’ metres are superior to most of his day. ”

“ In 1821 his father started business in Canterbury, and Longhurst began his seventy years' service for the cathedral there when he was admitted a chorister in January 1828. He had lessons from the cathedral organist, Highmore Skeats, and afterwards from Skeats's successor, Thomas Evance Jones. In 1836 he was appointed under-master of the choristers, assistant-organist, and lay clerk. He was the thirteenth successful candidate for the fellowship diploma of the College of Organists, founded in 1864. In 1873 he succeeded Jones as organist of Canterbury Cathedral, and held the post until 1898. ”

“ He was appointed singing-master to the college at Trèves, for which he wrote a ‘Singschule: oder Praktische Anweisung zum Gesange,’ Trèves, 1831. He had to leave Germany on account of his political opinions, and in 1833 he went to Brussels, where he wrote an opera, and acted as musical editor of ‘L'Artiste.’ Proceeding to Paris he taught popular singing classes and contributed musical articles to various journals. He came to England in 1839, and in 1841 competed unsuccessfully for the music chair in Edinburgh University. He was in Edinburgh till about 1848, when he left for Manchester. ”

“ RAMSAY, ALEXANDER (1822–1909) , Scottish journalist, son of Alexander Ramsay, sheep farmer, was born in Glasgow on 22 May 1822. In 1824 his family removed to Edinburgh, where he was educated at Gillespie free school, and where, in 1836, he entered the printing office of Oliver and Boyd. The years 1843-44 he spent in London in the government printing office of T. and J. W. Harrison. Returning to Edinburgh in 1846, he engaged in literary work of different kinds until, in 1847, he was appointed editor of the 'Banffshire Journal,' a post which he filled for sixty-two years. ”

“ His father, who died 15 July 1881, was organist forty-one years, according to the epitaph on his tombstone in the graveyard, so that the office of organist at Beverley was held by father and son for the almost unprecedented period of ninety-eight years. The younger Lambert was not only an excellent organist, but a fine violoncello and violin player. ”

“ JEMIMA (1813–1906) , hymn-writer, daughter of Thomas Thompson, was born at Islington, London, on 19 Aug. 1813. Her father was one of the pioneers of the Bible Society, assisted is the formation of the Sunday School Union, and helped to support the first floating chapel for sailors. In 1843 she married Samuel Luke, a congregational minister, who died in 1873. After his death she resided at Newport, Isle of Wight, where she died on 2 Feb. ”

“ AGNES (1762–1840) , Scottish poetess, eldest daughter of John Ramsay L'Amy of Dunkenny, Forfarshire, was born at Dundee early in 1762. In 1786 she became the wife of the Rev. Dr. James Lyon of Glamis, Forfarshire, and died 14 Sept. 1840. She was a woman of some talent and fancy, and wrote poetry, filling four manuscript volumes, which she directed at her death to remain unprinted, unless the family needed pecuniary assistance. ”