The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-21
ABBEY BOYS" IN THE OLDEN
TIME,

Az Westminster Abbey boy OF eight
years standing, it may be worth while
to relate my experience, and contrast
the state of things at that period with
that which obtains at the present day.
The life of an old Westminster Abbey
boy in 1888 was not particularly hap
by one. Hard work from morning to
night, services twice a day all the year
round. frequent practices. engagements
at night. city companies, concerts, and
seldom home till II or l in the morning.
We received no Education" but we're
merely taught to sing; and when our
voices "broke" we we're cast on the
world to do the best we could for liv
ing, without any prospect for pension
or advancement in life-such was the
life of an Abbey boy in the olden time.
The Abbey boy is now well cared for,
we'll clothed, we'll educated, and possess
es all the outward attributes of the gen
tleman, whereas we poor unfortunates
we're allowed to run wild. unkempt, me-
elected. forlorn; and the "cane" admin
istered by our musical master. reigned
supreme. Scarcely day passed but
boy was punished. This might lead
people to infer that we must have been
an "ungodly lot" but l distinctly deny
it. We were not treated properly,
hence our discomfort and perhaps care
lessness. Happily for the present gene
ration of choirboys the cane is I'M
known. and woe be to the master who
uses it, l think this change is for the
better. Too much clicking" will some
times make boy morose, sullen, and
possibly affect his moral temperament
in afterlife. Yet. in spite of all this
harsh treatment, the boyish nature will
"out" and assert ITSELF
Many can recall to mind; two or
three must suffice. In my time it was
customary for each boy to take in turn
the giving out" of the anthem, and
some heartrending mistakes occurred
A boy gave out "Oh, Where Shall Wis
dom Be Found?' p. "A in the Anthem
Book" This delivered with great ra-
pidity) led one to infer that the only
place in the world to find wisdom" was
p. ii in the Anthem Book. Another
boy gave out the anthem, 10 Lord,
Grant the King Long Life" (Dr. Child)
The best thing can remember was the
singing of the anthem I'VE Will Rejoice
in Thy Salvation" (Dr. Croft. There
was at that time certain venerable
gentleman. Richard Clark Told Dick.
Now, this worthy man never said put
in his life. but putt" The last move
ment of the anthem have quoted is a
fugue in G minor. the subject being led
off by the bass. OF course, old Dick
said putt; tenors led off with put"
altos ditto; but when it come our turD,
I'VE girded up our loins" and came out
with "double-y" "trebley" accent on
the word putt" There was no mis-
take about it. AS this unfortunate
word has to be repeated many times
during the treatment" of the fugue, the
effect can be imagined-a regular
pitched battle, put" versus Putt"
Turtle was furious. We could tell by his
playing that he was in foaming rage,
and we looked at each other as though
to say, Another licking in store" At
the conclusion Of the anthem Turtle de-
cended from his perch, armed him self
with the inevitable cane, and awaited
our return to the vestry or robing room,
under the clock in Poets Corner.
He ordered us to take off our surpli-
ces, placed US in row, and raising his
cane NEARLY as long as himself was
about to operate on No. l, when young
imp of mischief "stood forth and said in
that peculiar squeaky voice common to
boys who have got into "mess":
please. sir, the last movement of that
anthem is a fugue." "Of course it is,
sir; what them" "Well. sir. we know
fugue is all points, kind of game Of
follow my leader, sir. Mr.. Clark led
off, and said Putt and we thought it
right to say Putt cos it's fugue sir
Please, sir. it's Mr.. Clark ought to be
licked, not u.s." Turtle seemed so i'm
pressed with this novel mode of argu-
ment that he withheld the punishment.
and, lowering his cane, babe US BECOME
and do it no more. whereupon we es-
corted our champion to the pastrycook's
lover the way" and RECALLED him with
stale. THE London Telegraph.
En.a1A..f Dsnaoe.