THE PURCELL CLUB.
THE yearly dinner of the Purcell Club took place on Saturday last, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern ; when its members assembled in great force, and with undiminished spirit. The chair was filled by the Pre- sident of the Club, Professor TAYLOR; who was ably supported by Messrs. TUSSLE, HOBBS, HAWKINS, BENNET, T. COOKE, SALE, KING, BRADBURY, MOXLEY, and other professional gentlemen. The sacred music consisted of the "Gloria Patri" from the Jubilate in D, the Cantata "Jehovah, quam multi," and the Anthem "Blessed are they." The " memory of Henry Purcell" was introduced by an appropriate address from the President ; who remarked that the versatility of the great composer's genies was evidenced from the different classes of musical professors who composed the members of the Club. The Organist of Westminster Abbey and the members of its choir were there, to do homage to the genius of their illustrious predecessor ; while the Manager of Drury Lane Theatre and its Musical Director were present, to pay honour to the memory of him who in that theatre had founded and built up the fabric of the English lyric drama. The value of such an association of English musicians for such a purpose would be felt, not only in the high gratification which attended the proceedings of the evening, but in perpetuating the style which PURCELL'S music de- manded. The older members of the Club had enjoyed the advantage of having heard this displayed by the unrivalled talents of MAILA, Buzurtrrox, and BARTLEMAN ; and the knowledge they had early acquired would, by means of such periodical meetings, be transmitted to their successors. Such an association of English musicians would also lead them for a time to lay aside the unworthy rivalries and con- tentions by which musical society was too much agitated, and fix their attention on the character as well as the labours of one whose devotion
to his art was as disinterested as it was unceasing, and who, amidst difficulties and discourageruents such as no artist of equal eminence ever encountered, held on his bright and steady course almost to the last hour of his brief existence.
To this sentiment succeeded the beautiful Chorus from Dido and .2Eneas,
With drooping wings. ye Muses, come And scatter roses on his tomb ! "
The selection from PURCELL'S dramatic music was from King Arthur; of which another portion had been performed at a previous anniversary. The beautiful style in which Hozins sang "0 sight, thou mother of desire," was the theme of deserved admiration ; and the spirit and correctness with which the choruses and other concerted pieces were sung gave the highest delight to the assembled company.
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