Norwich bulletin., 1909-10-22
JEWETT CITY
D. A. R. Chapter Hears Paper on National Patriotic songs-SociaI of Congregational Society.

Anne Brewster Tanning chapter D. A. R., held its regular meeting in the room in Slater library on Wednesday afternoon. The interesting and in- structive paper read was regarding several patriotic songs and their com posers, being read by Miss Ida Foster. She stated that colonial music scarce ly had a voice before the time of William Billings, who was born in Boston in 1764. Although he was de- formed in person. blind in one eye, un- tidy and one leg shorter than the other, his music always inspiring to the colonists and the strains were heard from every pipe in the New England ranks and led the way to victory on many a hard fought field. His Lamentation Over Boston, appro- priated boldly the beautiful 127th psalm. Others of his compositions were Retrospect, Independence and Columbia. Dr. Louis Elson said of him that he broke the ice which was congealing New England music, and America owes him a great debt of gratitude in spite of his few thou sand errors in harmony.
 She next told of Oliver Holden. au thor of Coronation. He was born in Shirley, Mass, in 1765. The fine man. sion he built on Pearl street, Charles town, Mass, in which he wrote Coro- nation, is still standing. His first book of harmony was published in 1793. The Worcester Collection of Sacred Harmony in 1797, and the Massachu- sets Compiler in 1795. His Corona tion is probably the best known Am erican hymn ever written. The chief glory of his own day came to him because he wrote the words and music of the hymns sung by the Independ- ent Musical society. of which he was the director, when General Washing ton visited Boston in 17S9. This ode was performed a second time at the Worlds Columbian exposition at Chi cago in 1893.
 The chief American tribute of love must go out to John Howard Payne, who wrote Home, Sweet Home. He was born in New York city in 17S2.
 She gave a graphic description of his precocity as a child. He was sent to college, and later went on the stage. Home, Sweet Home was turned off in rush order on a dull October day in 1923, to be sung in Clari, the Maid of Athens lives. The particular house Payne describes in his verses was the old home of his family in Easthampton, l.. I. More than 100000 copies were sold by the publishers during the first year. but Payne was not only cheated out of the price he was IO TcC6lNG, Dul HIS 4ldlilC AcAAtQ as well to appear on the title page. He was liberally honored thereafter, however, for once in a theater at Washington Jenny Lind turned di- rectly to him and sang the song. He died in Tunis, where he was consul, and a monument stands in the ceme- tery of St. George there to his mem- ory. But in 1883 his body was brought to Oak Hill cemetery in Washington,
 oil rrrIi I'd a large chorus sang his immortal song of home.
 The National Melody
 Francis Scott Key, author of The Star Spangled Banner, was born in Maryland in 17SO. The opening stan gas of the song were jotted down on the back of a letter on seeing the stars and stripes still flying over the American fort at Fort McHenry, the key to Baltimore. after being unsuc- cessfully bOmbarded by Vice Admiral Cochrane on September 13, 1874. The piece was first called the Bombard- ment of Fort McHenry. The tune to which it is sung is Anacreon in Heav- en.
 Honored by Army and Navy.
 The secretary of the navy in 1903 promulgated the order to the sailors of this country that not America, but the Star Spangled Banner is our na- tional song, and wherever it is sung officers and men are commanded to stand at attention. Key died in 1S43 and 40 years later James Lick be- uueathed the sum of s6O.0O0 for a monument to his honor. to be placed in Golden Gate park. San Francisco.
 Mrs. F. S. Leonard sang several of the songs as each one was discussed.
 Mrs. William R. Burdick was hostess and served refreshments.
 Congregational Society Meets.
 The ladies' society of the Congre- gational church were entertained by Mrs. G. H. Jennings on Thursday aft ernoon. Thirty ladies were present, and enjoyed the social. Mrs. Jennings was assisted by Mrs. Charles F. Spi- cer, Mrs. E. H. Hiscox. Miss S. K. Ad- ans, Mrs. Carl Jennings. Miss Lila Jennings and Miss McNamara, and Mrs. F. D. Ballou.
 Notes.
 Arnold Brown had COW choked to death by getting an apple in it's throat.
 Mrs Avery of Colchester is a guest at Dr. G. H. Jennings.
 .EIINEPAI