The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-04 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

THE SINGING BOOK. By James Turk, Organist
of Westminster Abbey,. and Edward Taylor, Gresham
Professor of Music.

This is the best book on the art of singing at
sight that has yet been published, and:that, because
it is the most simple. The authors in their pre-
face say :

" Let no one delude himself with the notion that
there is any "short cut" by which the power of
singing at sight can attained, or that he can arrive at
it by any other method or device than practice. But ii
this be true, it is most desirable that the time of elemen-
tary exercise should be rendered as attractive and agree-
able as possible, that no needless difficulties should be
opposed, and no gratuitous obstacles be thrown across
the pupil's path. One of these, in our estimation, is the
addition to the regular musical alphabet of a number of
arbitrary and unmeaning syllables, Sol, La, Mi, &c.
This is usually called, and often supposed to be, " the
Sol-fa system,' as if it were one and uniform ; whereas
no description of it can be more incorrect. Scarcely any
'two writers, in modern times, have used this plan in the
same way, or for the same purpose."
The " sol, fa" is, therefore, entirely rejected by
Messrs. Tarle and Taylor es a gratuitous obstacle
thrown across the pupil's path, and the alphabetical
notation is substituted for it.
" The alphabetic notation must be known by every
musician, because it is of universal employment. No
other is used in any choir or orchestra in the kingdom.
The student may add to it some other, but he must learn
this. If he learn the names by which the notes aro univer-
sally called, the addition of another set of names is a
needless addition to his labour. Tho preliminary exer-
cises in the following work, therefore, are either upon
the names of the notes—A, B, C, &c.—or, more corn•
monly, upon the numbers which, of themselves, tell their
several distances. In each way, a correct ides. of dis-
tance is connected with the scale. The same element--
sequence—is attached to all. The notes ascend or de-
scend as the letters and the numbers ascend or descend."

The general arrangement of the exercises in this
book is progressive, begining with an explanation of
the various notes and their value, followed by exer-
cises in the diatonic major scales ; then come exer-
cises on the intervals for one or more voices, until
at length the learner is taught, in the section on
modulation, how to attain the power and the plea-
sure of

"Untwisting all the chains that tie
The hid.' en soul of harmony."
The system upon which this work is constructed
has been tried and proved in Prussia. Messrs. Turle
and Taylor, at the conclusion of their preface, say :
" Our own conviction of the utility of a work like the
present, Is strengthened by the fact 9f 9ne constructed on

.

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a similar principle having been long in use throughout
the Prussian dominions, where every child is taught to
sing from notes. The work to which we refer is the
" Musikalisches Schulgesangbuch," (the Musical School
Singing Book), in which no use is made of the syllabic or
Sul-fa system, under any form or modification. Every
exercise is sung to words. The principle on which we
have worked has therefore been subjected to the best
possible test—it has been tried on a very large scale for
many years, and it is found to answer. It has been sada:
factorily proved, that the power of singing at sight is
daily acquired without the use of either the English,
French, or Italian method of solmization.
"It appeared to us, however, that a work on a similar
principle might be constructed with a more systematic
division, and a more clearly defined course of practice,
than the Prussian Singing Book presents. To this point
our endeavours have been directed, by fixing the lea: ner's
attention upon one thing at a time, and advancing an on-
ward step only, when the preceding one has become firm
and sure."

FINE ARTS.

ROYAL GEMS FROM THE GALLERIES OF

EUROPE.—Part X.
The numerous excellencies which have been
hitherto perceptible in the publication of this splendid
serial, are as conspicuous in the tenth number as they
were on the commencement of the undertaking.
Each of the plates is the counterpart of some paint..
ing judiciously selected from one or other of the
costly collections enshrined in the different European
galleries. One in the present part is a copy from
the work of Carl Sohn, entitle) " The Sisters," and
engraved by Peter Lightfoot. And an exquisite spe-
cimen is this of the modern German school
of genre painting ! The engraving itself is
drawn with remarkable truth, delicacy, and
firamcss. The proportion and graduation of depth
in the shading are admirable. " Adoration," taken
from the original of Murillo, in the Louvre, is copied
with great care, by the graver of G. Paterson. The
grouping of the Cherubims, and the disposition of
the drapery, are rendered very happily, and without
anything approaching to stiffness. In the expression
imparted to the face of the Virgin, there is a ma.
nifest deficiency. A charming composition, painted
and engraved by F. W. Topham, and entitled " The
Wayfarers," completes the number. It is sparkling
and animated. Throughout, the engravings are
creditable evidences of the progress of art in England.

THE CHRISTIANS IN PALESTINE. Part IX.

Everything indicates enthusiasm both in the artist,
W. H. Bartlett, and in the editor, Dr. Stebbing, in
the= manner with -whkh the wesent publication is
pursued from month to month. In sketchisstrThe
various portions of scenery in the Holy Land, the
former has evinced an admirable discrimination in his
selection of " the point of sight." This characteristic
is conspicuous in the different engravings headed
" Tombs in the Valley of Jehoshaphat," " Mount
Gerizim and the Vale of Nablous," and " Gibeah from
Michmash." Each of them is a panorama; each
extends before the gazer with the most beautiful
undulations of the earth, and with the most serene
canopying of the skies. The delineation of the fair
near Mount Thabor is a contrast not altogether un-
pleasing. When completed, the series will be an
invaluable addition to every historical and theological
library.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
The eminent PANTOMIME THEATRE, and the FIRST PANTO-

MIME coNtrAy,

THIS EVENING
Will be performed Balfe's Opera. entitled TIIE BONDMAN.
Marquis de Vernon, Mr. Weiss ; Floreville, Mr. Rafter ; Morliere,
Mr. Horncastle ; La Valliere, Mr. Galli ; Ardenford, Mr. D. %V . Ring ;
Mal-a-Propos, Mr. Harley; Madame Corinne, Miss Romer; Grisette,
Miss Rebecca Isaacs.
After which will be produced the Grand Comic Christmas Panto-
mime, be:ng a mixture of the historical and legendary, entitled
IVRLEQCIN AND ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON. The
Overture and Music composed by Mr. It. Hughes ; the new and ex-
tensive Scenery by Mr. Grieve, Mr. Telbin, and numerous as-
sistants ; the Tricks and Transformations by Mr. Blamire ;r the Ma-
chldery by Mr. It. Sloman ; the Dresses by Mrs. Bovey, Ms. Balls,
and a host of auxiliaries. The whole produced under the superin-
endence of Mr. W. West.
Scene 1. ABODE OF KALIBA, THE ENCIIANTRFS9.—Date and lo-
cality not exactly known, but considered by the Antiquarian Society
to have been discovered " somehow or other," " some time or other,"
near " somewhere or other " Kalyba (the Enchantress, not by Balfe,
mistress of all the elements, except those of " Arithmetic," having
quite miscalculated her power), Mr. H. Honicastle ; Fiends and Fu-
ries (illustrating a common expression of speech, with anything but
a common expression of countenance), Messrs. J. W, Morgan, Burt,
Connell, and li. Payne; Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. (the four Ele-
ments, with a strong love of mischief), by Dealers in each ; the
March of Intellect (travelling " incog." as " Young England," a tnte
bit of British blood, by Intellect out of Industry, dam by Science,
ont of Perseverance, has never been beaten, and can be matched
against anything}, Miss Annie Payne.—How the March of Intellect
pays a " flying visit" to Kalyba ; and how, being empowered by the
Committee on National Education, he gives the old lady sudden no-
tice to quit, by as suddenly changing the premises to
Scene 2. INTERIOR OF INFANT SCHOOL.—Schoolmaster, Mr. Big-
wig,
who, at the request of his " Illustrious Visitor," gives the boys
a half•holiday on tha occasion.

Scene 3. EXTERIOR AND BARBACAN OF COVENTRY CASTLE.
The,Earl of Coventry (Lord High Steward of England, and his own
Into the bargain), Mr. Mazzoni ; the Countess of Coventry (a good
housewife, and supposed to have been the inventor of the ce'ebrated
" Coventry Cake"), Miss Haines ; Head Nurse (with a good character
from her last place), Mr. Cheel ; Master George (afterwards cele-
brated for a battle he fought with a dragon, but at present without
any knowledge of" arms," except his nurse's), Miss Marks; Masters
Andrew, David. Patrick, Denis, James, Anthony (very youthful
knights, but destined, with their " cousin George," to astonish the
natives by and by as " The Seven Champions of Christendom"), Mas-
ters Coyle, Savell, Dix, Webb, Desborg, Francis.—How the youthful
St. George is feted on his birth-day—how he makes his" first," and
nearly his " last " appearance hi public on the occasion—how his
" cousins " Andrew, David, Patrick, Denis, James, and Anthony
come to a ish him many happy returns of the day—and how Kalyba
shows her " love of children" by taking the " whole brood under
ker wing." .

NOTICE.—" Nothinge material to our historic" occurring during
a period of fifteen years, the author trusts that the audience will al
Jew him to cut it, and come again to
Scene 4. KALYBA'S HOUSE or CORRECTION !—St. George of Eng-
land (a rum'tzn to look at, but a rare'un to go), Mr. W. H. Payne;
St. Andrew of Scotland, St. David of Wales, St. Patrick of Ireland
St. Denis of France, St. James of Spain, St. Anthony of Italy (all
pretty much of the same kidney !) Mr. Heath, Mr. Douglas, Mr.
Marks, Mr. Chapino, Mr. Sanger, Mr. J. Haynes.—llow St. George
and his brother champions (considerably grown since their last ap-
pearance in public) are kept in durance vile, and on " very short
commons" by Kalyba—how Kalyba pops her affections on St. George
who " can't abide her"—in short, how—but we won't anticipate—
merely observing, that the upshot is the Downfall of Kalyba, and
the Emancipation of the Seven Champions of Christendom!
Scene 5. DOVER lioans.—llow the Seven Champions of Christen-
dom set out for their respective destinations—" the management
having, in the handsomest manner," made special arrangements for
that purpose with the various " Metropolitan Conveyance Com-
panies."
Scene G. BANKS OF TILE _NlLE.—Almanzor, King of Morocco (his
own Lord High Admiral, Commander-in-Chief, &e., on his way to
King Ptolemy's Court, to court King Ptolemy's daughter), Mr. T.
Matthews ; Ptolemy, King of Egypt (rather a remote ancestor of
Ibrahim Paella, better known as Abraham Parker), Mr. Priorson.
Moorish Sailors, Attendants on King Ptolemy, &c. How Almanzor
came to Egypt to he married—the Princess having a decided objec-
tion to their being " bound in Morocco ;" and how St. George, not
Laving even " dipped" into the question of " lights," runs his
steamer on shore, and saves himself on the funnel.
Scene 7. GRAND HALL IN TILE PALACE OF PTOLEMY VIE FIRST,
KING OF EGYPT.—The Princess Sabra, Mr. Hance, about to be mar-
ried to the King of Morocco, but patriotically devoting herself to the
digestive organs of the Dragon (a gentleman, whose prodigious
allowance of jaw enables him to speak for himself), Mr. Wiellnd.
How this " marriage in high life" is suddenly interrupted by the
Dragon, who, not only forbids the banns ; but elopes with the bride ;
thereby plunging " I,r illustrious parents and several families of dis-
tinction at the west-end of the town into the deepest affliction," &c.
(vide Morning Papers).