The evening times., 1896-08-19
SKETCH oE HIS LIEE.

Prof. Crouch was born July 81, 1908.
anduntii the last year enjoyed robusthealth.
Up to about Il month ago the old composer
took his daily turn at the piano and re-
hearsed the meiodious numbers which the
genius Of his youth and prime created.
Nor was his talent for composition i'm
paired by age. He recently produced the
most dashing martial air he ever wrote.
This last production was arranged for the
words OF Mrs Una Ford's ballad, THE
Green and Gold" 1t was sung on March
at the Grand Central Palace in New York
on the anniversary of Robert Emmets
birth.
Prof. Crouch descended from family of
musicians his father and grandfa thcr crhaying
become noted i'll England, where the author
OF Kathleen Mavournceu'' was born. Be-
fore he was ten years old he played bass at
the Royal Coburg Thenter. When twelve
he got place in His Matcsty's Theater and
Created a sensation as a yiolincelio soloist.
winning high tribute from tie immortal
Rossini. He subsequently joined Down &
Faulsner's travelling troupe and aftcrward
the Caledonia Thcater.
On the failure OF the Caledonia. young
Crouch SHIPPED as n sailor, and worked
on coasting vessels TWO years Then, re-
turning 10 London. he Joined Evaus' Cider
Cellar Convent Garden Theater troupe.
HIS FIRST BALLAD.
The young musician entered the Drury
Lane Orchestra and was soon the leading
violinist. 1t was then he composed his
first ballad, 'Zephyrs of Love-" for the
songstress, Annie Tree. 1t was but a little
while when he entered the Londen Royal
Academy OF Music. With other students Of
the Academy. young Crouch was in frequent
attendance at Buckingham Palace, Brighton
and Windsor Castle.
The youthful composer received the
honors OF the Ancient and Philharmoaic
concerts, Kings Band and Italian opera.
He pla yed at the coronation OF William "
and Adelaide, in 1927, and was appointed
member OF their majesties' private or
chestra. He was also present at the coro-
nation OF Queen Victoria.
His third composition, Kathleen Mavour-
neen,'' was produced when Mr.. Crouch was
but nineteen years of age. The song was
successful from the start and the author
also became a great favorite, his music
being sung in many parts of the English
speaking world. Among the mos familiar
OF his songs were "0'Donneis FAREWELL "
1.-The Emigrant's LAMENT" Sing TO Ne.
Nora and "Dermot Asthore."
WENT TO AMERICA
In ls49 Prof Crouch left England for
A America. He went first to New York,
thence to Boston and next to Portland, Me. =,
where he produced Rossini's '.Stabat
Mater He also visited other cities, teach
ing and lecturing. When the war broke
out he was in the heighth OF his prosperity
in America. Givingupalithis heshouldcred
q musket and marched to the front in
the service of the Confcderacy with the
Richmond Howitzers.
He could fight as well as sing ard play.
and was one of the men who caused the
destruction of the Portsmouth, navy yard
and the naval vessels there He was in
almost every struggle Of the Army of
Northern Virginia until after the sur
render at AppomattOx-
Returning to Richmond after the war,
he found his home broken up, his books,
manuscripts, aud almost everything else
lie possessed destroyed. He taugst music
for a few years. and fifteen years ago
took up his residence here. He was mar.
ried four times and was the father OF
twenty-seven children.