The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-11-04


quence of which they underwent much
musical drilling; nor were they little
pleased at the honor thus thrust upon them.
They of course distinguished themselves,
though | must say the wisest thing singers
can do is not to distinguish themselves; but
the Snatcham choir, it is said, actually did
distinguish themselves, especially in the
Hallelujah Chorus, and so fascinated were
they with that chorus, and their own dis
tinguished manner of singing it, that they
resolved unanimously to perform it at
Snatcham church. This was bad enough;
but this was not the worst, for nothing
would serve them but they would have it,
Of all days in the Year, on Good Friday!
On the evening of the day before, the
whole body of the choristers, vocal and in
strumental, went up TO the vestry room,
and demanded an audience of their worthy
pastor. The good man trembled at their
approach, and his heart sank within him at
the announcements that they had something
very particular to say to him. He thought
Of harp, flute, psaltery, dulcimer, sackbut,
and all kinds of music, and his ears tingled
with apprehension of some new enormity
about tn be added to the choir, in shape of
some heathcnish instrument. 1t was lu-
dcrous sight, and enough to make the pas
tor laugh, had he been at all disposed to
merriment, to see the whole choir seated in
his parlour, and occupying, after fashion,
every chair in the Toorf; for they were
never harmonious in any thing else; as to
their mode of sitting, they were all precisely
in the same attitude, and that attitude was
sitting ON the very outward edge of the
chair, with their hats carefully held between
their knees, theil mouths wide open, and
their eyes fixed upon vacancy. At the en-
trance of the clergyman they all rose, bow
ed with simultaneous politeness, and look
ed toward Martin Grubb as their hiouth-
piece. Martin GIubb, with his broad hea-
Wy hand, smoothed his locks over his fore
head, and said-"Hem!'
"Well, Mr.. Grubb," replied the minis
ter, "you and your friends, understand,
have something particular to say to me-"
"Why yes, SIR said Mr.. Grubb, "we
have called upon you by way of deputation
like, just to say werd or two about singing
o,J r.. ,ba ,,,o,,a. Af ,b,t ,yo boxa haan
practising a prettyish bit of music out of
Handel, what they sung at the musical fesl
tival, called the Hallelujah Chorus; and as
our choir sung it so well at the festival as to
draw all eyes upon us, we have been think
ing, sir, with your leave, if you please, and
if you have no objection, that we should
just like to sing it at church."
"At Church,"
"Yes, Sir, if you please, at Church., to-
morrow. The Hallelujah Chorus, you
know, Sir, being part of the Messiah, we
thought it would be particularly appropri-
ate, and we are all perfect in our parts, and
there's two or three Chaps out Of the next
| parish that are coming over to Snatcham to
see their friends, and they'll help US you
know, Sir, and every thing is quite ready
and rehearsed and all that; and we hope,
Sir, you won't have no objection, because
we can never do it so proper as with them
additional voices what's coming tomorrow
and there will be such lots of people come
to church on purpose to hear us, that they
will be all so disappointed if we don't siul
it."
Here James Gripe, somewhat jealous o
his rivals eloquence, and taking advantag'
of Martins pausing for moment to recov
er breath, stepped forward, saying-"No
Sir, we hope you won't refuse your leave
because all the people so calculate upol
hearing it, that they will go away in dudg
con, if so be as they are disappointed, an
mayfrap they will never come to churc
again, but go among the methodishes O
some of them oudandish sexes; and it woul
be pity TO overthrow the estabIishe
, church just for the matter of stave or tw
OF music"
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