Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-09-19
W o re e S T E R:
SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, 1863.


is completed, stand first in the world for its
concert organs. England can only, at most,
claim equality in number and size, while in
power, beauty and artistic excellence, the or
gans of Massachusetts will stand unrivalled,
The largest organ in London is in the
Royal Panopticon of Science and Art, Leices-
ter Square 1t was built in 1858 by Hill of
London, and has four manuals, sixty regis
tiers, four thousand and four pipes, and six
bellows, of different pressures, worked by
steam. 1t has pedal which brings out the
drawstops in gradual succession to the full
power, afterwards reducing them in a similar
manner, thus producing a perfect crescendo
and diminuendo. 1t has duplicate manuals of
the swell, choir and solo organs on each side
of the chief tier of manuals, to allow of sever
al performers playing upon the instrument at
the same time, if ever thought desirable.
This is the only instance of so many manuals
ten in all-being applied to one instru-
ment.
There is an organ in the Colosseum, Regents
Park, which has three manuals and forty-sev-
en- registers, with a set OF kettle drums, Gym
balls, trianges, and effects for storm, the
whole being controlled by one performer
The drums are those used at the great COM
memoration of Handel about seventy years
ago. and are very large.
Thank heaven that the noble Music Hall
organ, and its American brother in our own
Mechanics Hall, are to be free from snch pro-
fanations.
The organ in the Birmingham town hall was
butby Hill, The case is forty feet high, and
thirty-fve feet wide, and fifteen deep, which
snot as large as ours will be. The bellows
have three hundred square feet of surface and
require nearly three tons weight upon them to
give the necessary pressure. The entire
weight of the organ is estimated at forty tons.
1t has four manuals and fifty-three registers 3;
but unlike ours, the fourth manual has no
pipes, but by an ingenious contrivance, plays
its solos from the other organs without inter
tering with their previous arrangements. 1t
cost about $4,000.
The magnificent organ in St. Georges hall
in Liverpool, is nominally the largest concert
organ in the world, although the Music Hall
organ may be its superior both in power and
beauty. 1t was built by Willis of London,
under the direction of DIR. Wesley, and has
four manuals, each over five octaves in COM
pass, one hundred registers, two and a half
octaves fpedals, eight thousand pipes, and
mechanical appliances exceeding in number
'a--s--ssAS.Ss s.S-..--,s.,art-.
eighths Of an inch in length distance of ten
octaves apart. The grand source of wind is
from two immense bellows, each having three
feeders placed below the floor of the hall.
These are blown by steam-engine, consist
ing of pair Of oscillating cylinders. There
are, besides, twelve other bellows each Civ
ing its own appropriate pressure to the regis
ter which it supplies.
The pneumatic register, which makes the
pressure OF the keys easier, is applied to each
of the manuals, and to the manual compters
separately.
For the pedals there is a double set of
these levers; but the most wonderful and
elaborate use of this power is found in its APP
plication to making combinations of registers,
it being applied in compound form to each
organ individually, and to the whole collec-
lively, whereby by one movement the player
is enabled to produce a combination upon the
entire instrument at once-the effect being
almost marvellous.
ms movement appears in series of six
gilt knobs, placed Immediately under each
set Of manuals, in the centre, about two KEYS
distance from each other, always in reach of
one or the other of the performers thumbs,
thus placing the immense instrument perfect
ly under the players control, who by an i'm
perceptible movement of his thumb can ar
range the organ precisely as he wants it, and
produce any effect desired. All great concert
organs should be so, as an organ having these
appliances would be increased in value many
times, and in no way can money be better ex-
pended on concert organ.
st. Georges Hall is one hundred and sixty
one feet long, seyenty-fivc high and seventy
wide, and is one Of the most noted halls in
Europe 1t was first intended to build a
music hall by subscription, but for some rea-
son the city corporation Of Liverpool super
seeded the subscribers and erected this hall
the organ afterwards being built to furnish the
people with cheap, regular, and elevating
means Of entertainments
Mr.. William Best is hired by the CORPORA
ton at salary of $780, or about Sl75O a
year, and gives two concerts a week, and
more when there is an unusual number of
people in the city, to crowded audiences. He
plays all kinds Of organ music at these con-
certs, SO that each one of the audience is sure
to have his taste gratified, and be instructed
by the whole. The usual price of admission
is about sixpence, or twelve cents, some times
as low as threepenee. The result is that the
corporation makes money by it, Mr.. William
Best Is enabled 10 fully develop his talent. the
people are supplied with cheap, regular and
ehhoohng amusement, and all are the richer
wiser, happier, and better, for having listened
10 the voice OF the noble organ, the omnipo-
tent OF Instruments
HOME INFLUENCES FOR OUR ARwy ,v,
NAvY.-Ihe American Temperance ITn;or 10
engaged in promoting the cause of ter,,o-
ance in our army and navy. Under tho -
sponsible lead of Gov. Buckingham. H.
Tvng and others tho 81 Tnion" hoe ,,.l -,