The Portland daily press., 1896-08-21

At the private services held over the
remains of Prof. Crouch Wednesday
evening, Rev. J. Carroll Perkins spoke
as follows:
"The setting sun, and music at the
Close"
The sun has set upon life that has
devoted itself TO music even to its close.
The name OF Prof. r. Nichols Crouch
is familiar to the world as one who
would express in music certain sent1
meuts and emotions of the heart so as to
compel response from thousands or lives.
There are few names Of English BALLAD
writer's of u half century ago more ropu-
larly known than his among the lovers
of that kind of music so expressive of
sentiment and sympathy. And partlou-
larly he had genius fol interpreting the
softer spirit of the Irish race. Associated
with that people, growing out OF the
worldwide sympathy for their peculiar
misfortunes in the century that-has gone,
there was ever strain of sadness, of
doubt, of tragic emotion, that gave a
strange power to them who knew how
to interpret it, There was i'll the nature
of Prof. Crouch just that com bination
Of tender feeling, of responsive emotion,
TO appeal to the popular mind. Thus his
name has gone from land to land, and
his songs have been universally sung.
There was in his career and in the kind
Of genius that was his something to g.
mind one of The Minnesinger Ministries
Of the Middle Ages, who went from place
to place, from castle to castle, singing
their love songs, songs OF the tender SEN
timents.
Few of us of this generation are much
familiar with his face. His growing age
with the physical weakness that natur
ssa1l tSit nf npoacsi {
limited the circle of his acquaintance
But his yearly visits to Portland have
come to be looked upon as part OF Onl
calendar, as filling one of the spaces in
our yearly round. And we have asso-
ciated him ever with "Social Corners
the home of genial hosts, OF ardent friend.
ships. OF sJrikingly honest and demo
cratic generosities. In the hearts that
have built up this home of hospitality,
Prof. Crouch found ever welcome. 1t
came TO be his custom to spend here his
birthday. This habit he was still in.
dulging when the end came SO quickly
and unexpectedly upon him.
Prof. Crouch .aa, was born in England,
July 81. 1898. He mad passed the
years and ten. yes, even
the foursoore years, which the old Hebrew
writer allotted to men-and yet it was
not all labor and sorrow. For the spirit
kept young, and the temperament was
happy one, and many days of the old
age knew moments of joy and the pleas
IRE Of kind friendships. This long life
vas,full of changes. and varied assooia-
Jions and experiences, in many lands,
among different people and with host
Of compositions. But the key to his whole
life was his love Of music. To It's
study, it's enjoyment, its teaching, Itt
composition, ha gave his life. The world
hac n inn of nd fo
for the man who gives his mind and
heart TO music. 1t turns not SO readily
TO
Nor is not moved with concord of swee
sounds"
ling in an orchestra at tho Royal Cobure
heatre in London. He found favor
with his associates and was con nected, az
he rose in his profession, with many Of
tle musical organizations of his time.
He came TO this country in 1S49, and
soon afterwards found his way to Port
land. Here he gave himself to teaching
AMI leoturing and inspiring those of oul
people who then gave thoughts to music
Through several years of residence iI
Portland, he left strong impression Of
his devotion to his art, upon the minds
OF them who came in contact with him
He was constantly composing songs
Often stirred within his heart by som'
ferVid words that came to his notice, hi
would try to express the sentiment NOR
strongly in tie plementing power OF
music. Thus it was in song called
THE Green and Cold" which man,
havs looked upon as his masterpiece. In
both words and sounds, the song is al
eager espousal of the cause of Ireland
In circniar printed in England, he is
spoken of as Prof. Crouch, the Composer
author Of Kathleen Mayourneen, der
mot Astor" ard over two thousand
songs; member OF the Royal Academy
of Music, The Philharmonic Society, He
Majssty's Opera, London.
The song most familiar to the public
and by which he is most widely know
J.. is Kathleen Msyourneen. Although
he did not himself consider this his bes
work, yet it has found it's way into tn
popular mind far deeper than anythin,
else Of his composition. 1t touches
note nf sadness, and carries with it
tragic meaning Of such simple and gen