The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-02-07 00:00:00

TONIC SOL•FA DEMONSTRATION.

Another very pleating exhibition of the success of the
Tonic Sol-fa system of teaching singing was given at
the New Assembly Rooms, Marketeitront, on Friday
evening last. There was no very public announcement
of the matter; no tickets were sold, the oujeot being
simply to give the parents of the little people, who have
been se kindly taught through the interest of Mr. T.
Andenoe, an opportunity of judging of their proficiency.
The singers, to the ritualist of over 60, were ranged In
rows on a platform at the end of the room, and their
bright and cheerful fens, and trim but modest attire,
were in themselves a sight worth seeing. For Mr.
Anderson's pets are by no means drilled to • stiff
uniformity, they are full of life, and variety, and
cheerful to merriment, though at once ho 'hod when
thou !dad eoaductor wanted Althea In sooth, one of
the most pleasing features was the evident self-posses-
sion ead leariessnem of even tb• youngest child. and all
under astirol in the most orderly way. Mr. Anderson
initiated the preemidinp by a few words to the compacy,
expressing his desire and belief that the evening would
not only be pleasant but satisfactory to the parents.
The clean then sang "Hope the guiding sthr of life,"
(Gaeta), rendering the parts that inculcate courage
very impressively and determinedly, the firmness
Increasing as they prormeded, end then breaking out
Into a sprightly movement "Trust tomorrow's happy
smile," which was rendered with wonderful clearneos,
every sy liable being distinctly pronounced. This was
followed by "My Mother's Bible." (Owen), and here
the class well londorod the subdued joy which under-
lies the apparent sadness of the words, and though
deep emotion was manifest in the allusion to tee dying
mother, yet the happiLees that trust in the Word of
God inspires roes again to the surf woe, and bnghteued the
whole. Local feeling and ,yeszninp were next expressed
in
."On the stormy ocean' (Weber),• piooe deeply appro.
prise) to a seaport, and tending to inspire or express
sympathies proper not only to a neighbourhood along
miles ofwhielogrin the fearful Chesil Beach or Kim:cleric's.
Ledge, but to the whole of our sea-girt isle. 'fee
solemn prayer "God befriend thee," was repeated in a
subdued tone, as if echoed from • hollow stave by the
shore. Though all the pieces are filled with purest
feeling, more distinetly religions was the piece "When
Israel of the Lord beloved," teaching a child-like trust
In an ever present Guide; it was Mightily sung, and
very pleasing. " The Emigrant Ship" was enjoyed
by every one, oommingling as it does the dancing
hyenas= of the waves and an earnest prayer to
God for safety.. One could not but notice the com-
mendable attitude of the children, though keeping •
bright look-out on the baton of the leader, they were
not bound to • slavish attention, but their delighted
eyes gave their looks partly to their friends whose
*ems they were prodd of. partly to the leader,
with auftielent referees* to the book to prevent wan-
dories and mistakes. "The gushing rill," a water-
drinkers seas, followed- it was spark as • iliztom
denting ever pebbies,aud every new and then we came
to • smooth and dear pima, where "still waters run
deep." All the indigoes eajoyed this, and all the
singers too, the tall steady Oelles who followed the
conductors aid= intently, the spestaeled little dams
that had se much Inn as the rest, the bright watraliot
with honours beyond her age gathering to her, aed
the round-faced little one in merles that laughed all
over her time. This eon& like all the others, was
applauded ; but the tiesanallers especially seemed
enchanted. "Work I for WI night is amine was
nag by • molest party; it was most attractively sang,
end likely to de as Nile good le the young people as
semen ermtneas, when limy ass being " looked after" '
in • separable pUery. " Battering, sad daisies"
(Liowilit) a single sink smog by all tbs Sleek was so