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

from the next village as Martin Grubb
called them, were as gay as SO many larks;
there was such display Of blue coats and
yellow buttons as never was seen before.
The singing gallery was full to sullocation,
and the church itself was crowded. The
squire of the parish was present, and his
family also were with him, and the singers
were so happy that they could hardly con-
tain themselves. They did not mind the
prayers; they heard them before, and did
not think them half SO well worth hearing
as the Halleluiah Chorus. There was such
a rustling of leaves ofmusic books, and such
buzz of wispering voices, thatthe worthy
minister could hardly be heard. The cho-
risters had arranged that the Halelujah
Chorus should be sung Immediately before
the sermon, and they thought that the pray
ers would never be over: they were as impa-
tient as young horse in harness.
AT length the prayers were finished, and
the merciless choristers let loose upon the
congregation to in1ct whatever musical tor
tire they pleased. Away they burst with
relentless and resstless fury. There was
such scraping, AMI blowing, and roaring,
and growing, and screaming, as was nev-
er heard; the powers of every instrument
were exerted to the utmost of their capabi-
| ity;--there was such an infinite variety Of
articulation of Hallelowya, Eolleluyear,
Allyluger, and Ahmen, and Awmen, and
Ameen; that none but initiated could form
guess what the singers were about. The
patient snd afflicted minister sat still in the
pulpit, waiting till the storm should be over:
he knew that it could not last for ever, and
that they must soon sing themselves hoarse
or out of breath. There is an Irish proveib
which says "Single misfortunes never come
alone;" this was verified in the present case;
for misunderstanding occurred which
produced double inhiction of the music.
Messrs. Grubb, Gripe, Crabbe, Bang,
Crack, and their friends, when performing
at the cathedral; had observed that one or
two parts of the performance had been en-
countered.
Now, unfortunately, just as the band
was bringing its mighty performance TO a
close, the squire of the parish most inno-
Gently drew his handkerchief out Of his
pocket; but happening TO draw it forth with
peculiar grace, or with what Mr.. Grubb
and his friends thought peculiar grace,
they were most graciously pleased to take
it for granted that it must be signal for q
repetition Of the chorus, and therefore, just
at the moment when the good minister,
was pleasing himself with the thought tha
the absurd display was over, they all burs
forth again with renewed vig6r. lie
thought that they were absolutely mad; he
| looked, but he was only answered by Hal
leluyear, Allyluger; and when they hat
, finished lie second time, he was half afrait
that they would begin again, and sing i
the third time. When the service was
: over the good man took the liberty to hin
: to his musical parishioners that he though
i they had performed work of sdperogatioI
e in performing the chorus twice. They
f themselves leltthat they had somewhat en-
croached, but they laid the blame upon tn,
squire, whose slighte.. wish, they thought
J., should be obeyed. The squire was yer,
G sorry when he found what mischief he ha,
If inadvertently done, and promised that h
would take care, in future not to pull OF
e his handkerchief again in singing time.