quality in the playing of Mell. One would much like to know whether the king took any part in chamber concerts, or only played his viol da gamba as a solo instrument. It was used sometimes as an accompaniment for the voice, and was occasionally played by women. Mary Ruthven, who became the wife of Vandyck, is represented holding one in her portrait; but it was thought by some 'an ' unmannerly instrument for a woman.' The study of the theory of music had hitherto received but scant attention. Before the publication of Morley's 'Introduction, the precepts of musical composition were 'known to few, existing only in MS. treatises, which, 'being looked upon as inestimable curiosities, were trans'mitted from hand to hand with great caution and diffidence; so that for the most part the general precepts " of music and that kind of oral instruction which was communicated in schools belonging to cathedral churches ' and other seminaries of music, were the only foundation 'for a course of musical study.'1 Morley's work was followed by Ravenscroft; but the greatest impetus given to the study was by the foundation, towards the end of James's reign, of a Music Lecture in the University of Oxford by Dr. William Heyther. He was an intimate friend of the famous Camden, who, having a few years before his death determined to found a History Lecture, sent his friend Heyther with the deed of endowment to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Piers. He and Mr. Orlando Gibbons, wishing to take degrees in music, were suffered to accumulate both degrees, and having been made bachelors, were both created musical doctors the next day. There was an ancient professorship of music in Oxford founded by King Alfred, but the chair had not been filled by practical musicians till 1626, when it was new constituted, and certain monies to be employed in paying a music reader who should lecture on the theory once every term at least. 1 Hawkins's History of Music. Musical discussions seem to have been the fashion of the day, and a public debate was proposed between Heyther and Dr. Nathaniel Giles:-'First: Whether discords may be 'allowed in music?-affirm. Second: Whether any arti'ficial instrument can so fully and truly express music as 'the natural voice ?-negat. Thirdly: Whether practice be 'the more useful part of music or theory ?-affirm.' Just before the close of the preceding century, Sir Thomas Gresham's College had been established in the city, and in it provision was made for the teaching of music. John Bull, the favourite organist of Queen Elizabeth in her latter days, and reputed composer of 'God save 'the Queen,' was appointed first professor of music. The passage from the constitutions relating to music ran thus: -The solemn music lecture is to be read in the manner ' following; that is to say, the theoretic part for one half'hour or thereabout, and the practical part, by the help of ' voices or instrument, for the hour.' The requirement that all lectures should be in Latin was waived in the case of Bull, who was no scholar. He was succeeded in his professorship by Byrd. The musicians were, almost to a man, loyal, though one, John Hingston, of the King's Music, was tempted by the offer of a hundred a year to become organist to the Protector and instructor of his daughters. He used to give concerts at his own house, which were attended by Cromwell himself and his family. For though the Puritans showed themselves such enemies to church music and also to music at merry-makings, many of them were assiduous in the private practice of it-Milton, Bulstrode Whitelocke, and Colonel Hutchinson were all notable lovers of the lute. But the two Lawes, the Gibbon family, Wilson the lutenist, and many another preferred following the fallen fortunes of the king to the loaves and fishes which awaited turncoats. Edward Gibbon, brother of the more famous Orlando, who was organist of Salisbury at the outbreak of the war, assisted the king with a thousand pounds, for which he afterwards paid dearly when the town fell into the hands of the Parliament; for they thrust him out of his house with his three grandchildren, being then above eighty years of age, and he died in extreme penury. Another brother was Christopher, the distinguished organist of Winchester Cathedral. He threw up his appointment in 1644, being succeeded by John Silver, that he might join the Royalist forces. Whether he lost his life or met so sad a fate as his brother we do not learn. . Both the Lawes brothers were entirely devoted not only to the royal cause but to the person of the king. Of William, Fuller says, 'He ingaged in the war, and by his ' venturesomeness was shot at the siege of Chester where 'Lord Bernard Stuart lost his life. . . Nor was the King's soul so ingross'd with grief for the death of so near a kinsman and so noble a lord but that hearing of 'the death of his dear servant William Lawes he ordered a particular mourning for him when dead, whom he had 'loved when living, and commonly called the Father of 'Musicke.' His brother Henry, in spite of his early association with Milton, was no less loyal; indeed betwixt the two brothers-to quote again from Fuller-' was no 'difference, either in eminency, affection, or otherwise.' F |