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MEMOIR
Rev. Thomas Helmore, M.A.,
Late Priest in Ordinary and Master of the Children of Her Majesty s
Chapels Royal; Precentor of S. Mark's College^ Chelsea ;
Hon. Precentor of the Motet Choir^ and of the
London Gregorian Choral Association.
BY
FREDERICK HELMORE.
LONDON :
J. MASTERS & CO., 78, NEW BOND STREET.
189L
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LONDON :
PRINTED BY J. MASTFRS AND CO.,
ALBION BUILDINGS, S. BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.
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TO
MISS HELMORE,
IN REMEMBRANCE OF A BELOVED
JFati^er antr ISroti^er,
THESE MEMOIRS ARE DEDICATED
BY HER AFFECTIONATE UNCLE,
FREDERICK HELMORE.
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PREFACE,
It is with mingled feelings of love and deep humility that
I essay the work of recording reminiscences of my late
brother's life.
Right gladly would I have resigned the honour of doing
so to some one more worthy of the task and more skilled
in authorship.
At the same time I cannot hide from myself the fact
that none knew him as I knew him from boyhood to the
last.
Trusting to brotherly love to fill up other deficiencies,
I have therefore ventured upon writing this memoir to
supply a tolerably full account of my brother's work, in
which his numerous friends must feel a deep interest.
In childhood he was my teacher, and in manhood I
have had so much to do in conjunction with him that I
could not very well avoid saying perhaps more about
myself than some of my readers may consider necessary.
If I have, pray forgive me, and bear in mind that when
I commenced writing, my dear brother had only just left
us ; and at such times above all others the memory of joys
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VI PREFACE.
and sorrows shared with the lost one are more vividly
brought to mind than at less painful moments.
I have to thank my friends for their assistance in supply-
ing interesting matter for insertion, especially my niece,
Miss Helmore ; R. A. Turner, Esq., Hon. Sec. L. G. C. A. ;
Sir Arthur Sullivan; Frederick Walker, Esq., S. Paul's
Cathedral ; T. Hepworth, Esq. ; and, for the Appendix,
Miss Olive and Miss Emily Helmore.
Frederick Helmore.
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CONTENTS.
CHAP. PAGE
I. His Parents . . i
II. Stratford-upon-Avon 4
III. Reminiscences 9
IV. Instrumental Music 12
V. Church 15
VI. Farewell 20
VII. Oxford 23
VIII. Lichfield 27
IX. S. Mark's 29
X. Frederick Helmore 34
XI. Helpmates 39
XII. Gregorians 42
XIII. Motets . .47
XIV. Children of the Chapel Royal . . . . . 50
XV. The Psalter Noted 58
XVI. The Hymnal Noted 64
XVII. Chartists . . . 69
XVIII. CheyneWalk 72
XIX. Handel Festival 80
XX. Lectures 85
XXI. Hereford 90
XXII. Marriage of the Prince of Wales • • • • 93
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VIU CONTENTS.
CHAP. PAGE
XXIII. Recovery of the Prince of Wales .... 97
XXIV. S. Gall . 99
XXV. London Gregorian Choral Association . . . no
XXVI. The Townshend Trust . .114
XXVII. Hospital 117
XXVIII. Resignation 120
XXIX. "Boys will be boys'' 123
XXX. The last Chapter 128
Appendix. Note A. Holloway Helmore . . 139
Note B. Magdalen Hall 141
"The Pioneer of Gregorian Music" . . 142
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MEMOIR
OF THE
REV. THOMAS HELMORE, M.A.
CHAPTER I.
HIS PARENTS.
The late Reverend Thomas Helmore, M.A., Priest in Ordi-
nary and Master of the Children of Her Majest/s Chapels
Royal ; sometime Vice-Principal, and (for thirty-six years)
Precentor of S. Mark's College, Chelsea, &c., was born at
Kidderminster on the 7th May, 181 1.
His father — also Thomas Helmore — was a native of
Titchfield in Hampshire. He had been baptized and con-
firmed in the Church of England ; but in common with
many earnest-minded men of that period, being himself
strongly imbued with religious feeling, and of a highly en-
thusiastic temperament, became a Nonconformist, went to
a dissenting college at Gosport, and was there trained under
Dr. Bogue to the duties of an Independent Minister.
During the course of his studies there, Mr. Helmore was
sent to assist at a little meeting-house which had been
6
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2 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
lately built for a young lady who was to be his future wife,
and the mother of the subject of these memoirs.
Olive HoUoway was a daughter of Capt Joseph Holloway,
R.N., one of a well known family in Hampshire. As a girl
she was remarkable for her piety, which so far from dimin-
ishing the liveliness of her disposition, seemed — from the
innocent thoughts it engendered — ^to increase her happiness.
An old gipsy who "told her fortune" predicted that "she
would never have any troubles in her head, which she could
not kick out at her heels."
The writer of these pages has heard elderly people who
were present in Chichester Cathedral on the occasion of
Miss Olive HoUoway's Confirmation, speak frequently of
the impression produced on all who saw her. Her mod-
est demeanour, and " the angelic expression which lighted
up her beautiful features as she returned from the Altar
with the Bishop's blessing upon her head, was a vision to
dream of."
From that time forth and throughout her saintly life this
devoted woman laboured for the love of her Lord. Her
sweet winning ways, her cheering voice, and her earnestness
of purpose were first brought to bear upon the lower orders
in her native place ; where the careless, the dissolute, or the
drunken were drawn by cords of love to repentance and
reformation.
That she might carry out her work more thoroughly, Miss
Holloway hired a room in which she instructed a number
of girls. The children, delighted with their charming
teacher, induced their mothers to ask leave to come ; and
soon, applications from the fathers being accepted, the
crowded state of the room rendered it desirable to build the
small meeting-house mentioned above, in which to assemble
her converts for admonition and prayer.
This gradually led to sermons, and soon Olive Holloway
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HIS PARENTS. 3
was talked about as the " lady-preacher." In after life she
expressed to her husband the regret she felt for having
exposed herself to such celebrity.
On one occasion a number of young officers came over
from Portsmouth to hear and see the "lady-preacher,"
whose appearance and manner, when preaching, must have
been singularly impressive. The author was told by a lady
who resided at Emsworth that one of the mess when dining
at her house said, " We came, just for a lark, expecting
to hear a ranting fanatic, but found an angel, who spoke
heaven-inspired words which none of us will forget as long
as we live."
Olive Holloway was married to Thomas Helmore at
Warblington Church, where she had been baptized, and
within and around whose Saxon walls so many generations
of her family sleep.
The newly married couple went to reside at Kidder-
minster, to which place the bridegroom had been "called"
to minister to a congregation.
After ten years' labours at Kidderminster, Mr. and Mrs.
Helmore removed to Stratford-upon-Avon. Here their zea-
lous efforts were crowned with remarkable success. He,
with his generous open heart, strength of constitution,
energy of purpose, and love and charity to all men, set to
work to improve the education and to refine the manners
and feelings of the inhabitants; at the same time Mrs.
Helmore, in a quiet, undemonstrative way, was occupied in
untiring ministrations to the sick and needy, which, in these
days, would have placed her at the head of the most de-
voted sisterhood.
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4 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
CHAPTER II.
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON.
When Mr. Helmore came, as mentioned in the former
chapter, to reside at Stratford, not more than forty children
were being educated at the only National School, which was
situated in Bull Lane. Finding such a lack of opportunities
for teaching the poor, Mr. Helmore founded and organized
British Schools, in connection with the Independent Meet-
ing, in the Rother Market, of which he was the Minister.
Nonconformists had not at that time begun to call their
houses of meeting " chapels." The only chapel in Stratford
was that of the Corporation, in connection with the ancient
grammar school and almshouses, and known as the " Guild
Chapel." It is hard by New Place, where Shakespeare
resided.
The active founder of the British Schools not only visited,
but taught daily in them, until he trained his schoolmaster,
Mr. William Pardoe, to take sole charge. He drilled the
boys, taught them to sing, drew and coloured large maps
which he mounted on frames, crossed with a network of
twine and pasted over with several layers of paper. When
complete, these " blank" maps could be seen at the other
end of the schoolroom. Then there was a band of fifes,
which Frederick Helmore, his youngest son, led at the
early age of seven.
An infant school — quite a novelty in those days, if we
except the good old-fashioned dames' schools — was a source
of great delight to those who watched its development under
the loving care of good littie Mrs. Corbett, directed by the
indefatigable minister, who taught the tiny creatures to sing
and act their school songs and to do a variety of useful
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STRATFORD-UPON-AVON. 5
exercises which have now become familiar to education-
alists.
It is well to mention here, as a proof of Mr. Helmore's
indefatigable industry, that on finding his children had a
talent in that direction, he set to work at forty years of agei
and learnt music that he might teach them.
The minister had a great dislike to all cant or affectation.
A young man of his congregation called on him one day,
and began to talk with drooping head and sanctimonious
whine, which so irritated Mr. Helmore, that he took him
by his coat-collar and shook him violently, exclaiming at
the same time, " Hold up your head, sir, and talk like a
man!"
Mr. Helmore had a keen sense of the ludicrous. A
certain Baptist, who lived at Stratford, seized every oppor*
tunity of intruding his notions about baptism, much to Mr.
Helmore's annoyance. This Baptist had an enormous nose
of great length. " Now, Mr. Helmore," said he, thinking
he had caught an adversary in a snare, '' if, as you acknow-
ledge, there is any cleansing efHcacy in baptism, how can it
be effectual unless the whole body be immersed ?" " Well,
Enoch," was the rejoinder, " I am led to believe that when
you were dipped your nose never went under." Enoch
took his hat, and never again offered to argue the subject
of immersion.
The good man hated cruelty above all things. It had
been the custom to "billet cocks" on Shrove Tuesday.
The dastardly game was like the modem "Aunt Sally,"
only that instead of a wooden effigy of a respectable relative,
a live cock was tied to a post by its leg with a string, apiece
of cloth being bound round the bone lest the string should
break the foot off in the fluttering efforts of the unfortunate
bird to escape the blows of the billets thrown at him.
Maiden Head Lane adjoined Mr. Helmore's house, and
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6 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
a post near his garden gate was chosen one year for this
Shrovetide sport. The brave man went out amongst a set
of ruffians, with a knife severed the string, and, before they
had time to recover from their amazement, brought in the
poor bird under his arm and fastened the garden gate.
An attack was made upon the garden and yard gates,
and Tom, his eldest son, was sent out over the fence to
fetch the constables. An attempt to summon the minister
for theft was made without avail, and billeting cocks has
never since been attempted; that was about the year
1824.
The great strength, energy, and power of endurance
which enabled the eldest son, the modem pioneer of Gre-
gorian music, to get through such an enormous amount of
work, is in a great measure due to the existence of similar
qualities in the father, and to the early training, by which
he and his brothers became great walkers, good runners,
and adepts at the popular sports of that time, in which the
Either joined with the enthusiasm of a boy.
The youngsters' muscles were further developed by gym-
nastic exercises on horizontal and parallel bars, dumb-bells,
clubs, singlesticks, by leaping-poles with which they would
run steeplechases, clearing hedges, ditches, gates, and pa-
lings, and by rowing on the Avon, in which river they all
learned to swim. An hour every day was devoted to music.
On Satiurdays there was usually a walk of eight or ten miles ;
and once a year the ever-active man took his pupils, and
such of his children as were at home, to the top of Broad-
way Hill, distant fifleen miles from Stratford, carrying baskets
of provisions with them for a picnic dinner in the Earl of
Coventry's tower. This thirty miles walk was of immense
value to the boys in many ways. It taught them to endure
and to enjoy endurance, and to face long distances with a
fearless confidence in their ability to conquer them. Mr,
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STRATFORD-UPON-AVON. ^
Helmore's enthusiastic love of scenery was infectious, and
made his pupils incipient artists.
Inspired by such feelings as those mentioned above, his
two eldest sons, Tom and Porter, walked on one occasion
from their schpol, near London, to Stratford, to their Christ-
mas holidays. They marched up to the house with a firm,
demonstrative stamp, having accomplished the ninety-three
miles in three days, and told with no little pride how that it
had snowed all the first day, rained on the second, and
frozen on the third, so that on the final day they skated
rather than walked along the slippery roads.
As a proof of the genuine kindness of heart and utter
disregard of self on the part of the father, the following in-
cident, selected from many others, will suffice. He was
returning from a country house with some of his children
on a dark night, when one of them espied something indis-
tinctly on the side of the road, which turned out to be a
farmer, known only by sight to Mr. Helmore, and who re-
sided three or four miles away. Having sent the children
home, on ascertaining that the farmer was helplessly drunk,
and could only be kept on his legs by the aid of a powerful
man, and no one appearing on that lonely road to assist,
he half dragged, and half carried him to his home, over
gates and stiles which separated the numerous fields they
had to traverse.
Mrs. Helmore, it is needless to say, continued her
charitable works of mercy and love with untiring energy.
In her visits to some of the old people it was the occasional
privilege of her youngest son to accompany her. Pleasant
memories recall sick beds, literally as well as metaphorically
softened by her presence, patients given up by doctors
restored to health by careful nursing and judicious, common-
sense treatment.
A singular instance of animal magnetism, spiritual com-
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8 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
munion, or some wonderful influence of which we are
ignorant, was manifested in the case of a woman at the
village of Luddington, who was blind, deaf, dumb, and had
lost the use of her limbs. This poor helpless mortal showed
evident signs of joy at the approach of Mrs. Helmore. As
soon as her foot touched the stair which led to her bed-
room, her face lighted up, and during the visit showed
manifest appreciation of the kind presence of the visitor,
who, while she clasped the poor lifeless hand in her own
gentle grasp, offered up fervent prayers for the soul of the
helpless one.
Another interesting reminiscence is visiting an old lady
who was bom in 1719, (a hundred and seventy-two years
ago,) and whose mother had been presented at the Court
of Queen Anne.
Frederick visited this ancient dame in company with his
mother, who had greatly comforted her by little luxuries,
and still more so by her weekly visits — ^so truly welcome to
one, who, although now reduced to the refuge of an alms-
house, had at one time enjoyed the delicacies and refine-
ment of society. She died at the age of one hundred and
four.
A young woman afflicted with dropsy had been given up
by the medical men as incurable. Mrs. Helmore hearing
that the case was hopeless, asked the physician what the
patient might take to soothe her on her death-bed. " Oh,
anything for which she takes a fancy, — she cannot live
long."
The poor dying woman had a great longing for onions.
Mrs. Helmore accordingly prepared for her a basin of the
tasty vegetable. The patient ate them with great relish.
A similar dish was prepared on the following day, which
being equally successful, her delighted nurse set to work to
invent all kinds of onion delicacies, under which judicious
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REMINISCENCES. 9
treatment the woman recovered and became healthy and
active.
But it was not only in the dwellings of the poor that this
excellent lady was welcomed. She carried sunshine with
her everywhere. Her most intimate friend was Mrs. For-
tescue Knottsford, who lived at the Manor House, — that
nice old house across Sir Hugh Clopton*s bridge, beyond
the lawn shaded by the tall elms.
This lady's husband held the living of BiUesley, and was
the father of Edward Fortescue, at that time a handsome
boy in a broad white shirt collar bordered with a frill, who
subsequently became Dean or "Provost" of S. Ninian's
Cathedral, Perth.
Provost Fortescue often spoke of Mrs. Helmore as " the
most saintly woman he ever had the privilege of knowing."
The two mothers, who were devoted to their families,
agreed mutually to set apart a certain portion of every day
in which they might at the same hour offer up prayers for
their children.
CHAPTER III.
REMINISCENCES.
The Author's first musical reminiscence is sitting at a
table with a large music-book before him, playing an
imaginary accompaniment, on a round ruler, to his fsither's
and brother's — Tom Helmore's — struggles on their flutes.
As soon as his little finger was long enough to stretch to
the key of an octave flute the ruler was abandoned for a
piccolo, and he was taught by his father until his eldest
brother left school.
Frederick remembers with great pleasure playing duets
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lO MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
with Tom on Welcombe Hilk, while the sheep and cattle
stood round them listening. He was always called Tom
as a boy, and he will be so called in these memoirs till his
ordination, when he will be spoken of, as he has been known
for so many years, as the Reverend Thomas Hdmore.
But as a boy it would be a misnomer to call him anything
but "Tom."
"Tom" is a hearty name, and it suited him.
You may pretty well judge the character of a boy by the
name he bears at home and at school. A sedate, mealy-
mouthed boy, without exuberance of spirits, may be ad-
dressed as Thomas; an effeminate or silly boy will be
known as "Tommy;" but a resolute, generous athlete, like
young Helmore, must be called " Tom."
In like manner you might judge between Sam, Samuel,
and Sammy ; Jack, John, Johnny ; Bob, Robert, Bobbie ;
Will or Bfll, William, and Willie or Billy.
Very well, then. Tom, who inherited the energy, strength
and generosity of his father, gave a convincing proof of
what he would dare for friendship's sake in an unfortunate
fracas which took place at Mill Hill School, where he was
educated till the age of sixteen.
Dr. Evans, the head-master, was a gentleman, a scholar,
and an able and popular tutor. As such he was beloved by
the boys. Dr. Evans fell in love with Mrs. Riddiford the
lady-housekeeper, whom, on being engaged, he was in the
habit of handing into the hall at prayers, and tea-time, and
whenever her presence there was expected.
Mischievous reports having been spread relating to these
polite attentions, which in the minds of the head-master
and the boys were perfectly harmless and innocent, resulted
in a communication of an insulting character from the Secre-
tary of Committee to Dr. Evans.
This letter determined the head-master to instant resig-
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REMINISCENCES. II
nation. At the same time he confided to Helmore, and
through him to the others of his form, that he intended to
vindicate his character on ** Public Day," on which occasion
it was customary in the presence of the boys' friends, to re-
ceive reports from masters and secretary, and hear speeches
from members of committee.
On the appointed day the boys, marshalled by their Cap*
tain, Tom Helmore, formed in the corridor outside the
small door of the hall. At the moment Dr. Evans rose to
* speak, the boys, forty in number, marched to the front of
the platform, and gave three hearty cheers for the head-
master. An attempt was made by some of the committee
and one or two of the masters to turn them out, upon which
they mounted to the platform amidst the screams of the
ladies, who fled precipitately, pitched into the committee,
some of whom they pommelled severely, and finally cleared
the hall.
Coachmen, footmen, and school-servants were summoned
to turn the rebels out This they did without coming to a
fight ; most of them admiring the pluck of the lads, to whom
they touched their hats as they retired from the battle-field.
Dr. Evans having married Mrs. Riddiford, opened a school
at Hampstead, whither several of the Mill Hill boys followed ;
Helmore went as an assistant, and continued to read with
his old master. Mrs. Evans proved an excellent wife and
manager, contributing much to the comfort and happiness
of the household.
After some two years' teaching in Dr. Evans' school at
Hampstead and Kilbum, to which place it was removed,
Tom joined his father, who had been induced first to take the
son of an old Kidderminster friend as pupil, and thereupon
had been besieged by a host of applicants, whose children
by this time formed a good-sized school.
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12 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
CHAPTER IV.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.
When Tom Helmore returned to Stratford, there existed
only one violin-player in the town, Mr. Edmond Payne,
who was a great lover of the old school of music. He
hailed the arrival of the young and talented musician who
had been practising the violoncello in London, and was now
greatly improving under the valuable instruction of William
Marshall — who ranked as a 'cellist only second to Lindley.
If they could now find a second violin they might play
Corelli's Sonatas, old Payne's delight. None however being
forthcoming, Frederick Helmore, then nine years old, had
to fill up the trio on his flute; the enjoyment of which by
the little boy, although great, was limited, through the im-
possibility of " double stopping" or of playing the notes
below middle C, which he was obliged to play an octave
higher. He longed for a fiddle, but did not Hke to ask his
father for one, as he had so lately bought him an expensive
eight-keyed flute. He therefore played on, and profited by
practising such good music. It made him a good timist,
and at the same time cultivated his taste.
But one day, at the beginning of the midsummer vacation,
Fred's father returned from a sale with an old fiddle, which
he had purchased. It may well be imagined with what
gratitude Fred received it as a present, and with what eager
haste he flew to old Edmond Payne, who, almost as delighted
as the boy, drew out from his box of stores, tail piece,
bridge, strings, and bow, of which the skeleton instrument
was otherwise destitute, and sent Fred home rejoicing.
The young musician took his instrument to bed with him,
and at four o'clock in the morning he repaired to a loft by him-
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INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. 1 3
self, where he practised till he could stop in tune all the scales
up to four flats and four sharps. He then set to work at
Challonet^s Tutor^ which he mastered to the end, and after
fourteen hours' diligent practice he played the GaVotta at the
end of the first Sonata in the second book of Corelli's Trios.
Tom Helmore was away for the holidays, and was not a
little surprised at the end of six weeks, to find his little
brother taking lessons of Mr. Gittings, of Leamington, and
able to take the second violin part in the trios, when the
passages were not very difficult.
Tom Helmore now formed a regular school of music,
Fred had a large class of violin-players, to whom he retailed
the lessons he received from Gittings, while his eldest brother
trained and conducted all the other instrumentalists. As
soon as the violinists were sufficiently advanced, an orches-
ttal band was formed, with Mr. Edmond Payne as leader,
of about twelve violins, two violas, two violoncellos, two
double basses, any number of flutes, one clarionet, two
bassoons, a French horn, and several other brass instruments.
Valve instruments were not known then.
From the time of his son's return, Tom Helmore's father
had put the singers under his superintendence : the speedy
result of which was a very fine choir, and the introduction of
a great deal of singing into the service. A proof of the
fondness of the father for the Services of the Church from
which he had dissented, was the introduction of chants.
The Venite was always sung. Moreover at the funerals
which he conducted, Mr. Helmore always used the Burial
Service as contained in the Book of Common Prayer. A
few years later he spoke in raptures of the Choral Services
which he had attended when visiting his son at S. Mark's.
The minister, who was now anxious to introduce instru-
ments into the service, preached a sermon on the duty of
so doing, and on the following Sunday, flutes, violins, violon-
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of -n-i
ear tJ
14 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
cello, double bass, two bassoons, and a French horn were
added to the very efficient body of singers. The eldest
son's beautiful tenor voice, and Edward Adams' lovely
alto especially gave sweetness and fulness to the middle
parts, while the basses and trebles were good. In answer
to his brother Frederick's greetings on the seventy-fifth
anniversary of his birth, the subject of these ./Ql
memoirs writes, May 7th, 1886 : Some few
my most pleasant reminiscences of you are your
splendid voice, and singing as a boy your clear
Helmore and his choir were greatly encouraged by fre-
quent visits from Frederick Marshall, the oi^anist of the
parish church at Leamington, one of a numerous family of
musicians of whom we have already mentioned William,
Senr., the violoncellist. William Marshall, Junr., Mus. Doc,
Oxon, we shall have occasion to refer to further on.
The four brothers Helmore formed a unique quartet of
three flutes and a bassoon, for which the eldest brother ar-
ranged a number of pieces ; the most popular of which were
sequences of choice airs linked together by short interludes.
Mr. Ransford, the music-publisher and baritone singer,
declared, twenty years after he had heard the brothers play,
that it was, "without exception, the sweetest and most per-
fectly executed chamber music he had ever heard."
The eldest and youngest brothers were at length left
alone in England, Porter, the second, having emigrated to
Adelaide, and founded the colony of Encounter Bay; and
HoUoway having braved the hardships of an African Mission
in which his life was sacrificed.^
Besides the four brothers there was. a sister, the youngest
surviving child, Emily Sophia. Emily was the constant
companion of her mother through life, and her indefatigable
nurse on her death-bed, during which time she never un-
* See Note A.
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CHURCH. 15
dressed except for her bath or change of clothes ; the little
sleep she indulged in being snatched from her arduous
duties as she rested in an easy chair at the bed-side. She
did not lie down for ten weeks or more. William, the second
son, died in infancy. Olive HoUoway died at the age of
six, leaving a gap of four years between Hollowa/s and
Frederick's ages. The three elder brothers therefore had
men's voices when Frederick's was a soprano — a great ad-
vantage in their part singing. They also formed for a short
time before they separated a very fair string quartet It
was a dangerous thing to invite the Helmores at this time
to a musical party unless they were requested to leave fiddles
or flutes at home. If this precaution were neglected, very
little time would be left for others to perform. Indeed it
very often happened that no one else was asked to sing or
play when the Helmores were present.
CHAPTER V.
CHURCH.
On Good Friday every year Mr. Helmore's family went
to Billesley Church, four miles from Stratford. They
never were prevented by rain from going, and it has been
noticed by the author, from that time to this, that there
has seldom been any rain fall on Good Friday. Once,
about fifteen years ago, after a lovely morning there was a
thunderstorm, but never rain throughout a Good Friday.
This year it was very fine and sunny, as was also Easter
Monday for a wonder.
These and other occasional visits to church were looked
forward to with pleasure, and no doubt influenced the. son^
in early life, to an inquiry into the Catholic authority of the
English Church.
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1 6 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
He did not blindly — as others have done — say to himself,
"Which is the Catholic Church?" and^ because at that
time only Romanists were called " Catholic," and members
of the English Church " Protestants," give himself no more
trouble, and so become a Romanist.
He found in the Anglican Creed, " I believe one Catholic
and Apostolic Church," and by anxiously seeking informa
tion and advice, and by diligent study, chiefly in Hooker's
Ecclesiastical Polity, he became thoroughly convinced of
the catholicity of the English Church.
As soon as he had arrived at this conclusion, it was not
for one of his honourable and determined disposition to
hesitate. Still it was a delicate and painful duty to give up
at once the great work he had accomplished in Rother
Market, and to separate himself from further assistance in
the genuine work of an honest, sincere, and self-den)dng
minister, — and that man his own father.
But the difficulty was considerably lessened by the large-
hearted liberality of his father's notions, which led him to
say, " If your conscience bids you go, you will be wrong to
stay." He was therefore confirmed, after having been re-
baptized with the "conditional" form.
Shortly after this Stratford Church had to be reseated.
During the repairs and consequent closing of the nave, the
service was held in the chancel, and Helmore undertook
the formation and superintendence of a choir.
Most of the singers at his father's meeting had been
brought up in the Church, and had joined the singing there
from love of music and the inability to satisfy their musical
longings elsewhere. Now that their leader had left, they
were only too glad to assist him in the establishment of a
choral service in the hallowed chancel of their own dear
church, in which portion of the building the service was
conducted during the repairs.
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CHURCH. 17
Helmore's previous study and practice of instrumental as
well as vocal music had eminently prepared him for the
important task he had now undertaken.
The management of his father's choir had given him con-
fidence in conducting ; and the study of the fine old sonatas
and concertos of Corelli had formed his taste for good solid
harmony and simple diatonic progressions.
Armed with such efficient qualifications, he now essayed
what may be considered his greatest and most impor-
tant work; inasmuch as it formed the solid foundation
upon which were built up the notably fine services of the
early days of S. Mark's College Chapel, which spread its
happy influence throughout the land ; the establishment of
the Motet Society, which brought to light the buried trea-
sures of the best period of Polyphonic writing ; and lastly,
the completion of the great work commenced by Marbeck
at the time of the Reformation, — and so reviving the study
of Plain Song, — and adapting it to those portions of the
Anglican Service which had been omitted in the noting of
the first English Book of Common Prayer. This had been
" in some sort expeditiously, not to say hastily prepared and
published a.d. 1550, the very next year to that in which
King Edward VI.'s first Prayer Book appeared; and was
rather an exemplar of what was to be the reformed use than
a full directory of its various component parts." (" Plain
Song," pp. 54, 55.)
It must be remembered that our young choir-master had
not been brought up where he could attend cathedral ser-
vices, or even in a town in which was good church singing.
It would seem therefore to have been simply the inspira-
tion of genius which guided him in his choice of anthems
and services. The fact of his choosing such a service as
Gibbons in F for one of the early efforts of his choir, and
bringing it to a successful issue, without the aid of an in-
c
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1 8 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
strument; either in its preparation or performance, speaks
volumes for his indomitable courage, irresistible command,
talent in teaching, the efficiency of his singers, and their
implicit confidence in him as a conductor.
Members of choirs and choral societies of the present day
can scarcely realize the fact that fifty years ago they would
have had to get every chorus copied out before they could
begin its practice.
Helmore's father had taught his pupils and children the
art of "pricking" music — the old term for what is now
called "copying" was common in those days. This was a
very valuable accomplishment Now-a-days a copy of
HandeFs Messiah can be purchased for a shilling; then it
cost fifty shillings. The author has more than once copied
all the choruses in that and other oratorios.
There were no three-halfpenny anthems, or twopenny
services. These were published in expensive folio, or in
many instances could only be procured from MSS. in
cathedral or college libraries. There was no help then but
to copy the parts, which was accordingly done in manu-
script music-books provided for that purpose.
During the time of these services the choir became re-
markably efficient ; and after their leader had left for Oxford
University, Mr. Edward Adams succeeded him, and con-
ducted Uie choir with great spirit and care for some
years.
During the reseating of the nave, a very fine oigan was
built, and eventually placed in the western gallery, in which
the choir, though facing east, continued to chant the Psalms,
and sing the "services" antiphonally — as they had done in
the chancel previous to their removal to the nave.
Mr. John Reid, the best man of his year at the Royal
Academy of Music, (known there as "little Jack Rdd,")
was appointed organist He was an accomplished musician,
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CHURCH. 19
and entered most heartily into the choir-work. He was an
invaluable assistance to Mr. Helmore and Mr. Edward
Adams.
The services on Sundays were at ii o'clock and 3.
In the evening the choir studied oratorio music. Many
members of the congregation occupied seats in the pews,
to listen to solos and choruses, accompanied by Reid on
what was, when built, one of the finest parish church organs
in the country.
The choir was for years the most celebrated in the Mid-
lands, and since its removal to the east end of the
church has under various choir-masters, with the assistance
of their talented and amiable organist, Mr. Caseley, re-
tained a good reputation. When the writer last visited Strat-
ford, several of the original members were in the choir,
Tom Helmore presented the church with a new font,
copied from the ancient and original one, which at that
time was lying in a very dilapidated condition in Major
Stretton's garden. It had a very picturesque appearance,
bright flowers growing from its broken basin, creepers twin-
ing round its sides as it lay stemless on its grassy bed.
Strangers were taken to see it as ''the font in which
Shakespeare was baptized." Many had made strong re-
marks in deprecation of its desecration ; but it was not till
after the presentation by Mr. Helmore of an attempted re-
production that it was taken from the garden and placed in
the transept as a sample of desecration and " Shakespeare's
font."
Tom Helmore, although much occupied in reading for
the University, continued his duties in his Other's school
with unabated zeal. Those pupils whose parents were dis-
senters attended the '' meeting," and the others went with
him to church.
On his going to Oxford the school was broken up.
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20 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
Porter and HoUoway were abroad ; Frederick was living
with his uncle William HoUoway, at Rye, where he was
confirmed; Emily therefore, being the only one of the
children at home, retired with her parents to a smaller
house.
CHAPTER VI.
FAREWELL.
We must now say farewell to dear old Stratford ; dear to all
for love of the " immortal bard f dearer to us than even that
great love. Dear to us for loved ones gone before us, whose
voices haunt every path through clover-field or cowsliped
meadow ; through the " dingles" and woods of Welcombe,
where the violets grew; to Ingon, Hyde Hill, and Hamptdh
Lucyj down by the mill and across the picturesque old
bridge^ — now only a memory— over the " cross of the hilP'
to Clifford ; or the still more favourite walk across Sir Hugh
Clopton's bridge by the manor-house, over whose entrance-
door the passion-flower grew ; by the gate where the snow-
drops were the first in the spring, through Tiddington,
Alveston, on to the Avenue in Charlecote Park where many
a glee was sung, (" Foresters sound the cheerful horn,*' or
"What shall he have that killed the deer?'') by the statue
of Diana, which looks down on herds of deer and flocks of
curious sheep, crouching in the shade, or browsing on the
sunny glade beyond which shine the gilded vanes of the
stately mansion of the Lucys. They haunt us in the walk
along the river-side opposite the Weir brake to Luddington :
in the little rush-built summerhouse by the water where we
^ It was washed away in a flood, 1867.
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FAREWELL. 31
sang " A boat ! a boat ! haste to the ferry !" while we wait
for the man with the key of the ferry-boat ; across, and away
through Weston to Welford Church, where the parishioners
built up a buttress to keep the church from falling when the
yew-tree, which grew on the top, split the wall with its
powerful roots.
Farewell to the mellowed sound of sweet flutes as the
boat glides down through the narrows, far above the wooden
steps, where the punt lies hidden by the dark green " sags,"
near the basket-maker's hut which stands on the bank by
the osier-bed. The reed-sparrows peep out with curious
eye, as they listen to the strange notes, from their pretty
little vibrating nests. The kingfisher casts his ultramarine
image in the water as he flits from the bushes at the side.
The sound of the flutes dies away, and rich voices are
wafted through the branches of the willow-trees overhanging
the Ham, and further on from the Lench where the Hel-
mores all learned to swim. Presently the flutes are again
heard across the Bankcroft as they suddenly become reso-
nant beneath the arches of the old bridge, and the boat
swings round into its mooring-place.
Farewell to the boat-songs on moonlight nights, heard as
the brothers return from the moated old farmhouse at
Milcote ; now echoed from Avon-Cliff up the steep rugged
banks of the Stour ; passing whose mouth the sweet music
floats on till beneath the dark shadows of the Weir brake
the voices cease and the nightingales take up the antiphon,
and chant their service of song under the silvered branches
of their rustic church.
As they near the mill, the dismal lock resounds and the
singers' boat rises higher and higher, till, arriving at the
level, they emerge on a wider expanse, in which, far, far
beneath the surface is seen the brilliant disc of the full moon,
shining a hundredfold brighter from its contrast with the
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22 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
deep mourning shadows cast by the black trunks and sable
foliage of the dismally reflected churchyard elms.
Farewell, dear Avon ! farewell, dear friends I No ! together
let us come to that far grander stream — the sacred stream
that rises on the Hill of Sion, and on whose hallowed
banks the "sweet singer of Israel'' penned his immortal
Psalms. Further down the stream we hear a sound of holy
voices as the Lord and His Apostles sing the Paschal
Hymn. And with the echo of " In exitu Israel'* still linger-
ing on the ear, let us descend the stream till we seek
the guidance of S. Ambrose, by whose aid we at length
reach the pilotage of S. Gregory and follow the way indi-
cated by that inspired guide, till with Palestrina, Vittoria,
Giovanni Croce, Marbeck, Tallis, Bird, Tye, Farrant, Or-
lando Gibbons, and all the host who have drunk of the holy
stream, we pause beneath the grey walls of our ancient
Church, and gazing into the solemn waters at its base see
reflected on its bosom clustered columns surmounted by
richly carved capitals, intersecting arches, groined and
fretted roofs, while over its tesselated floor, brilliant in
varied tints from richly mullioned windows, march mitred
bishops, stoled priests, and white-robed choristers. Again,
as the hallowed stream flows on, we view it expanding its
waters between the widening banks till it merges into the
vast ocean of eternity, and with prophetic eye gaze into
the glorious distance and see its crystal waves, illumined
by the Light of lights, bursting, breaking, and mingling
with the song of ten thousand times ten thousand and thou-
sands of thousands who are hymning ceaseless alleluias on
the shores of everlasting harmony.
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OXFORD. 23
CHAPTER VII.
OXFORD.
Helmore matriculated at Magdalen Hall in the University
of Oxford in 1837. Visitors, who have a taste for Gothic
architecture, will be struck with the picturesque beauty of a
small gable-ended building, with quaint truthful windows of
varied sizes and shapes, which tell the beholder plainly
whether they admit light to rooms of larger or smaller di-
mensions, to a staircase or to a turret.
It stands near the entrance-gate to Magdalen College,
and is a little model of mediaeval art to be studied by archi-
tects with advantage. It is the truthfulness — already as-
cribed to it — which is the characteristic of all good buildings
in that style of art. If the Houses of Parliament had been
designed with attention to truthful expression, one would
be able to recognize from the outside which grand window
lights the House of Lords, and which the House of Com-
mons, where the members find refreshment, and on a fine
day get a mouthful of fresh air ; one could see which are
windows in staircases, passages, offices, or Committee-rooms.
But all the windows being carefully made to match, the
river-front, in spite of an enormous amount of minute ex-
ternal decoration, presents a fagade soulless and utterly
destitute of truthful expression.
Leave it then, and pardoning the digression, return to
the more truthful little building outside the gate of Mag-
dalen College, and know, if you have not yet been told,
that it is old Magdalen Hall.
But it is not the Hall at which Helmore graduated. The
building known at that time as Magdalen Hall stands at
the comer of New College Lane, from which, entering by a
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24 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
low doorway, you find yourself in a Quad with the Chapel
facing you, beyond which stands Queen's College.
Before this building was appropriated to the use and
called by the name of Magdalen Hall, it was Hertford
College, founded 1602; by which title it has again been
known since 1874.^
During Helmore's residence Dr. McBride was Principal,
and Dr. Jacobson, afterwards Regius Professor of Divinity,
and Canon of Christchurch till appointed to the Bishopric
of Chester, was Vice-Principal.
Helmore went up late to the University. Circumstances
and constitution had made a man of him at sixteen. At
that age he had attained his full height, and had a very
respectable pair of whiskers. For ten years after that time
he had been engaged in the work of tuition.
In addition to the steadying eflfect of such employment, he
had battled through a fiery ordeal, and having triumphantly
surmounted all difficulties, had now a great object in view ;
one for which his mother had longed and prayed — " that he
might be a messenger, watchman, and steward of the Lord."
Thoroughly honest in the appreciation of the great respon-
sibilities for which he was preparing, and for which he con-
tinued conscientiously to work, he had an immense amount
of animal spirits and physical energy which served to keep
up bodily as well as mental activity.
He had always been fond of boating. He soon learnt
the Oxford swing, grip of the water, quickness of feather,
and all the other necessary scientific accomplishments, which
since Harry Clasper's invention of outriggers have been
considerably modified. In 1837, and until 1844, the races
were in " tubs," very much like captains' gigs used at sea.
Helmore was a capital oar, and a great favourite not only
with the crew but with all who knew him.
* See Note B.
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OXFORD. 25
He was a famous walker, and visited all the villages and
churches for miles round Oxford. Edward Fortescue was
one of his walking companions, with whom he kept up the
friendship which had commenced at Stratford and continued
constant to the end.^
In addition to his regularity in reading for lectures and
his degree, he found time to study thorough-bass and coun-
terpoint under Dr. William Marshall, Organist of Christ
Church Cathedral.
Dr. Marshall's sister had married a clergyman, one of the
chaplains of New, at whose house Helmore spent many
musical evenings. He advanced considerably in the study
of Church and other music, in the Bodleian and Christ
Church libraries, and by constant attendance at the choral
services at Magdalen, New College, and the Cathedral.
Although of a thoroughly social disposition, he spent
much time in the thoughtful abstraction afforded by the
retired nooks and hallowed walks in College gardens and
by the side of the Cherwell where Addison left his name.
How many aching hearts, troubled with doubts and diffi-
culties, have been soothed and rested in the " sacred quiet"
of Magdalen walks,
** Far removed from maddening noise and riot
And the busy hum of men."
Helmore had completed the struggle which was agitating
the minds of all thoughtful members of the University. By
careful study, diligent inquiry, and religious conviction, he
* Edward Fortescue, Provost (Dean) of S. Ninian's, Perth, was god-
father to Helmore's youngest son, Arthur Fortescue Helmore, famous
during the last few years for originating the character of " The Private
Secretary ;" a wonderfully clever and amusing conception, and by the
powerful individuality given to the part by his inimitable personation,
a most admirable lesson to young, weak-minded, affected, or effeminate
curates.
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26 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
had, before coming to Oxford, accepted the Catholic doc-
trine and authority of the English Communion. His visits
to Addison's walk were rather for the sake of moderating
the exuberance of his happiness in the present, by thoughts
of the serious responsibilities of the future.
Stirring spirits were beginning to shake the Church of
England out of its lethargic apathy. Almost all vitality
was stagnant within its pale, but was now being roused into
activity by the earnest devotedness of a body of zealous
reformers.
In spite of opposition, persecution, obloquy, and mis-
representation, the authors of the Tracts for the Times led
on a small band of heroes, whose ranks gradually swelled
to an irresistible army before whom ignorance and bigotry
were doomed to fall.
This glorious reformation was initiated in Oxford Univer-
sity by a number of its members — men of gigantic intellect
and unconquerable energy, holy, self-denying men, men of
learning and culture, men who were to fight an unequal fight
with their opposites in refinement and Christian charity.
Men calling themselves " English Churchmen" had roared
" no popery," till in their muddled excitement of protesting
they had somehow come to look upon Catholicism and popery
as synonymous terms. Those who had been brought up in
this anomalous opposition to the doctrine and words of
their creed — and were honest — left the communion of the
Church as soon as they found out their false position, and
like Helmore's father, and his friends, Angell James of Bir-
mingham, Rowland Hill and Binney of London, Parsons of
York, and others, became Nonconformist ministers.
Others, not so honest, although Nonconformist in regard
to doctrine, held tight to the emoluments of the " Catholic
and Apostolic Church ;" in which, at every service, they ex-
pressed their belief, and in their sermons their disbelief.
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LICHFIELD. 27
Such men as these naturally opposed a movement which
was likely to interfere with their position, or force them to
a practical recognition of certain solemn promises made by
them at their ordination. They were not satisfied with
neglecting their own duties, but where strenuous efforts were
being made to restore proper order in other churches they
would stir up churchwardens or others — glad to make them-
selves conspicuous — to oppose everything decent and de-
sirable in the way of reformation.
Preparations for this holy war were being carefully or-
ganized when Helmore took his B.A., which he did in
1840.
CHAPTER VIII.
LICHFIELD.
Mr. Helmore on leaving Oxford was oflfered a title at
Lichfield, and was ordained Deacon and Priest in the same
year. He was made Priest — by special dispensation — by
the Bishop earlier than is usual, and appointed to a priest-
vicar's stall in the Cathedral.
As curate of S. Michael's, he soon became a favourite
both with rich and poor. As a proof of the thoroughly
honest way in which he had formed his catholic views and
carried them out practically, it is worthy of notice that
.twenty years after his ordination he was able consistently to
preach sermons which he wrote at his first curacy.
In Lichfield Cathedral he had better opportunities of
making himself familiar with " the beautiful harmonies of
the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and their admirable
fitness for religious worship ;" motets and anthems founded
upon the old Gregorian modes of which he was to become
the popular exponent.
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28 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
The beautiful voice of the new priest-vicar was here
brought to perfection by systematic practice, and frequent
union with such a refined and finished singer as Fearsall,
who was principal tenor in the Cathedral, while Machin
was -leading bass.
In intoning the service, his now highly cultivated voice
soon placed the Rev. Thomas Helmore at the head of the
list of cathedral vicars or minor canons in England.
His unaffected, melodious, and impressive method of
rendering Tallis's Litany will never be forgotten by those
who heard him. The " Agnus Dei" especially was a mas-
terpiece of vocalization, and a model of reverential de-
livery.
During his stay at Lichfield Mr. Helmore had the ad-
vantage of enjoying the society of the Rev. W. Gresley, Pre-
bendary of the Cathedral, author of " The Siege of Lichfield,"
and many other valuable works. By him he also made the
acquaintance of the Rev. F. E. Paget, who wrote those very
pretty " Tales of the Village," and a host of books, which,
like those by Gresley, were exceedingly popular and did
great work in helping on the Tractarian movement
The works of these useful men were published by Bums,
and after his secession by Masters & Co., 78, New Bond
Street. The writer cannot refrain from quoting a passage
from a letter just received from one of the partners in that
justly celebrated house ; —
" I myself was there in the midst of it all, and 1 some-
times look back on those things and think of the giants
whose whole hearts and souls were given to the cause, and
who consequently had to suffer for it. Men of the present
day have no conception how much they owe to their pre-
decessors for the courage and sacrifice they exhibited at
that time."
At the end of about two years, the priest-vicarship and
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s. mark's. 29
the curacy of S. MichaeFs had to be resigned, for the post
of Vice-Principal and Precentor of S. Mark's Training Col-
lege for Schoolmasters, at Chelsea — then in the course of
formation.
It was with mingled feelings of regret and hopeful anxiety
that he left the beautiful Cathedral, its quiet precincts, and
the friends he had made at Lichfield.
He had completed another epoch in the years of pre-
paration for the important work before him. His cathedral
life added the last touch of artistic delicacy and refine-
ment to that already acquired at Stratford^n-Avon and
Oxford.
Never was man better fitted for the work before him by
such a providential succession of appropriate positions than
the newly elected Vice-Principal, whether as a teacher or
ecclesiastical musician.
CHAPTER IX.
s. mark's.
One of the principal objects in founding S. Mark's Training
College was to raise the class of national schoolmasters to
a higher standard. To further this desirable intention it
was necessary to select a man of refinement, as well as of
intellectual attainments, to occupy the important position
of Principal, and the Rev. Derwent Coleridge — son of the
poet — ^was wisely -selected as Head of the College.
Dr. Blomfield, the Bishop of London, who took a lively
interest in the new institution, hoped by its means to revive
the ancient office of sub-deacon, so that schoolmasjters being
in orders might more efficiently^ — especially in country pa-
rishes — ^help the clergy in parochial work, not only in their
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30 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
schools but in or out of church. His lordship hoped by this
means to lessen the arduous work of many an overwrought
vicar, and to give the ordained schoolmaster increased in-
fluence over the grown up school-children in after life. He
wished them moreover to be trained efficiently in music, and
well instructed in the duties of choir-masters, for the manage-
ment and direction of choral services in their churches.
To further these good intentions, it was necessary to find
a man, experienced in the management of choirs, a good
musician, and at the same time one who, by his attainments
and qualifications as a teacher, would be able to assist Mr.
Coleridge in the important work they had in view.
The Rev. Thomas Helmore was selected, and soon proved
to the National Society and all who took an interest in its
welfare that the right man had been appointed Vice-Prin-
cipal and Precentor of S. Mark's Training College.
On assuming his duties, the new Precentor, after selecting
his choristers from the model school, informed the Principal
that it was necessary to give them an hour's practice every
day.
Mr. Coleridge objected to the boys' losing an hour daily
from their school-work, as it would be impossible for them
to keep pace with the others. Mr. Helmore however
pressed its importance and actual necessity so persistently,
that at length he was permitted to try the experiment for six
months. At the end of that time, the Principal reported
to the Committee of Council on Education, as follows;
" The boys of the choir, although they have had one hour
a day less than the others in their ordinary school-work,
have so far shot ahead of them in everything, that the differ-
ence is perfectly fearful."^
> Apropos to this, Frederick Helmore remarks in "Church Choirs,"
'< It has been proved beyond all doubt, that the judicious introduction
of music, properly taught as a branch of education, so far from hinder-
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s. mark's. 31
As soon as it was generally known that so much attention
was to be paid to singing, young men of musical talent
flocked from all parts of the kingdom to study at a college
where they could continue their musical education, and
enjoy the privilege of daily choral service. Among a num-
ber of boys from other Cathedrals several followed the Pre-
centor from Lichfield.
At this period we were very much in the dark about
Gregorian music. The chants selected for the service were
from a book entitled '^ Gregorian and other Ecclesiastical
Chants," published by Bums.
In this publication the so-called Gregorians were put into
the form of "Anglican Chants.'' In so doing, the tradi-
tional rule of ordinary recitation which gives accented sylla-
bles to " rising" notes was ignored. The rising note in the
second, fifth, and eighth tones, being placed in the unac-
cented part of the bar, were very ridiculous, and created a
great prejudice against Gregorians generaUy, of which they
were supposed to be a correct version.
Those however who believed in them, loved them histo-
rically, and by associating them with holy " functions" which
marked the rapid progress of reformation, grew to like them,
they knew not why. Thus these spurious versions were
persevered in with reverential diligence, in the conscientious
belief that they were the genuine music of the Church.
Most of the other " Ecclesiastical Chants" in Bums' book
were really more enjoyed by the choir, although they had
not discovered at the time, that many of them were literally
more Gregorian than the others— for they had the trae
melodies running through one or other of the parts, chiefly
the tenor oxalto^ having been so arranged by great musicians
ing the progress of a school in the more ordinary subjects of study,
actually assists in many ways to develop the intellect and prepare the
mind for the easier reception of other instruction."
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32 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries ; who, " Let it
never be foigotten, . . . were content with the ancient
melodies of the Plain Song Chant, which they enriched
with their immortal harmonies." ("Plain Song Primer,"
p. 66.)
Mr. Helmore's experience in the chancel of Stratford
Church had proved to him the grandeur and effectiveness
of unaccompanied services and anthems. It also had shown
him their superiority in training singers. This was a very
important consideration in the musical education of men
who were themselves to become trainers of choirs, per-
haps in village churches where there were no organs or
other instruments. But whether or no, they could not
be efficient teachers if they depended on the help of an
instrument
But the greatest satisfaction to the Precentor was the
knowledge that the absence of an instrument would preclude
the possibility of introducing any but purely vocal compo-
sitions; and that for that reason the services and anthems
of the grand old composers of the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries were best adapted for the glorious service he was
about to inaugurate.
The services were performed at first in the octagonal-
shaped schoolroom close to the Fulham Road. Here the
singing went on improving day by day, and month by month,
while the beautiful chapel was in course of erection.
The day of consecration at length arrived ; the choir had
by this time grown into a noble body of well trained singers.
No one present could ever forget the solemn grandeur of
the Confession poured forth in unison from so many trained
voices ; or the grand burst of harmony at the words " And
our mouth shall show forth Thy praise;" or the skilful
delivery of all the more elaborate portions of the service
culminating in the " Gloria in excelsis."
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S. MARK'S. 33
Dr. George Elvey,^ hearing from Mr. Helmore's brother
a glowing description of the unaccompanied services at S.
Mark's, went upon a Good Friday to hear the choir.
Frederick expressed his regret that the Doctor should have
gone on a day when there was no singing. " No matter,"
said Elvey, " I am ready to believe all, and more than you
have told me. 1 never in my life heard anything to ap-
proach the grandeur and solemnity of that monotone service."
The Organist of S. George's, Windsor, said on another
occasion to Frederick Helmore that the best thing for
Church music would be to shut up all the organs for ten
years.
The Service of Consecration was only a type of the ordi-
nary Festive Services. Every day, in the less elaborate
portions, two hundred voices were engaged ; while for the
anthems, sixty picked singers were retained, a most effective
arrangement, and highly appreciated by those who flocked
to hear such compositions as " Hosanna," Gibbons^ " Bow
Thine ear," Bird^ or one of the sublime motets of Falestrina,
Vittoria or Ltua Marenzio,
A great deal of drudgery in teaching notation and the
elements of music was alleviated by the able assistance of
Mr. HuUah and his clever assistants, who were engaged by
the Committee of Council on Education to teach the stu-
dents to read music. Through the auxiliary help of these
eminent teachers, Mr. Helmore's work was reduced princi-
pally to smoothing down roughness, sweetening quality, and
attending to phrasing and appropriate expression of words
and music. In this he was peculiarly gifted : he was more
than an artist, he was a genius.
Helmore's brother once asked him, in his dressing-room,
some question relative to the help he received from Hullab.
* Afterwards Sir George Elvey, Oi^nbt of S, George's Chapel
Royal, Windsor.
D
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34 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
He answered — as he sharpened his razor preparatory to
shaving, " Hullah grinds them, and I strop them."
CHAPTER X.
FREDERICK HELMORE.
In 1843 the Rev. Thomas Jackson, of S. Peter's, Stepney,
formerly tutor in Bishop Blomfield's family, and after-
wards Rector of Stoke Newington, was in search of an
assistant master for his school '' who would teach the boys
to sing," Mr. Jackson said, " Gregorian chants." Mr. Hel-
more recommended his brother Frederick, who after an
interview was appointed, and next day began the work of a
schoolmaster. There were some capital voices in the
school, from which Frederick Helmore selected sixty
sopranos, and forty mezzo-sopranos. The owners of the
said voices, with the help of some of the masters and the
men of the church choir, were able in a short time to sing a
number of madrigals, in addition to Gibbons' service in F,
and a few anthems for week-day Festivals, on which occa-
sions they formed the choir of S. Peter's Church.
Mr. Jackson was proud of his boys, and boasted that he
could pick out three choirs of choristers from his school, fit
for any cathedral in the country.
On the occasion of a large gathering of singers under the
direction of Mr. Hullah, including the S. Mark's choir and
others, in Mr. Page's church (Holy Trinity), Broadway, West-
minster, Frederick Helmore in the south gallery, and May
in the north, acted as sub-conductors, Frederick bringing
a large contingent from S. Peter's, Stepney. The Rev.
Thomas Helmore intoned the service, and thus the two
brothers met in church to take an active part together in
anything like an official capacity for the first time.
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FREDERICK HELMORE. 35
After this, Frederick was engaged to give lessons on
Wilhelm's system at Westminster; and in a short time
Hullah offered him a lucrative appointment as director of
singing classes at Calcutta. This he rdiised, in consequence
of his dislike to Wilhelm's (Hullah's) system, — a. system
which Hullah himself, after many years' trial, had the
honest manliness to modify.
To increase his acquaintance with church music, and to
enjoy the services, Frederick visited his brother at S. Mark's
as often as possible, renewing brotherly intimacy, and con-
firming his taste for good old music.
About this time, 1843, it was feared that S. Mark's was
about to lose its Precentor. He was in the. habit of
going once a week to the Normal School, at Westminster,
and there practising singing with the whole staff of teachers
and scholars.
On one of these occasions, during the short choral ser-
yice with which he was wont to conclude his lesson, a boy
behaved so irreverently, that at the close Mr. Helmore felt
bound to call him out and admonish him. As the boy
refused to come, he naturally looked about, expecting
pupil-teachers and masters to support his authority, but
in vain. He accordingly walked to the boy's desk, brought
him to the middle of the room, and gave him a sound
caning.
A very exaggerated report of this was sent to the Com-
mittee, and Mr. Helmore received a letter through their
secretary couched in such harsh and unmerited terms, that
he at once sent in his resignation.
The Rev. Henry Wilberforce, who had been recently
appointed to the living of East Farleigh, hearing of this,
wrote a letter to Mr. Helmore expressing his deep regret
that S. Mark's was likely to lose the valuable services of
its Precentor ; at the same time telling him that he found
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36 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
considerable talent for music among some of his rustic
parishioners, and would he, till he could get something
better, come as his curate, and help to organize a choir for
his church?
Helmore gladly accepted the offer, and arrangements
were made for his migration to the banks of the Medway at
Christmas, 1843.
But before that time arrived, good Bishop Blomfield,
having returned from a continental tour, called on the
Vice-Principal at S. Mark's, and begged him, as a personal
&vour to himself, to withdraw his resignation.
" I have inquired," said his Lordship, " into the merits of
that affair at Westminster most carefully, and I find that
you acted exactly as I should have done had I been in
your place. I am only sorry that I was not at home at the
time, as you would not then have been subject to such
annoyance, nor the Committee disgraced themselves by
sending such a letter."
Of course Helmore was only too glad to accept so grace-
ful a compliment, from his Bishop, as ample apology for
the mistaken severity of the Committee. He was fond of
S. Mark's, loved its service and its surroundings, and at the
same time felt how difficult it would be to find any one to
supply his place in the event of his leaving.
Having complied with the Bishop's request to withdraw
his resignation, the question arose of what to do about
East Farleigh ? He sent over to Stepney for his brother,
explained the awkward position in which he was placed,
and asked him if he would go and spend his Christmas
vacation at Mr. Wilberforce's, and drill a choir for him.
Frederick declared he knew nothing of choir-training.
His brother however combated his objections, and after
hard pressing, induced him to agree to go and try his
best.
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FREDERICK HELMORE. 37
He accordingly arrived in due time at East Farleigh
Vicarage on Dec. 28th, where, shortly after his arrival, there
assembled a number of smock-frocked, hearty-looking men,
and a few boys. After trying and arranging the voices, he
taught them a few chants, which ^e wrote on a black board.
At the end of two hours' practice, it will be interesting to
hear that they were regaled with hot plum puddings, bread
and cheese, and home-brewed beer.
On every subsequent day for a month, Saturdays ex-
cepted, the boys met for two hours in the morning, two in
the afternoon, and two more, in conjunction with the men,
in the evening.
On the last Sunday of Frederick Helmore's stay, the
choir appeared, for the first time, in the chancel, where
temporary seats had been placed for their accommodation.
Although there was a strong feeling roused, by a disap-
pointed would-be curate, among a few of the parishioners,
against placing the choir at the east end of the church,
they acquitted themselves so well in the choral parts of the
service, which it had been deemed advisable to introduce,
that, on the whole, the change was popular.
Old Master Seers — the clerk — was perhaps the least
pleased with the new arrangements, but his protest was
mild and resigned : '^ I wouldn't mind their singing so
much," said he, "if they wouldn't interfere with my
AmensP
Soon after Frederick's return to school-work, he received
from the Vicar a letter, in which he wrote, " You show such
talent for choir-training, that you ought to make it your
profession."
An offer was made and accepted, and at Easter, while
the Vice-Principal of S. Mark's was preparing choir-masters,
his brother started as a kind of " Musical Missionary," — ^by
which appellation he was known for years.
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38 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
So the good work, which had been commenced at Strat-
ford-on-Avon, and continued at Chelsea, now began to
spread its influence from one end of England to the other.
While the elder brother was keeping alive the fiery ardour
of S. Mark's men, the younger was kindling the love for
church music, church arrangement, and church decoration
throughout the land.
For the first year or two hardly any of the numerous
churches which he visited had made any attempt at ar-
tistic decoration. In a few churches in Sussex the practice
had been kept up of decorating with yew at Easter, and
beech houghs at Whitsuntide, the leaves of the latter drooping
soon after being gathered, and representing to the simple
minds of the rustics the " cloven tongues." But these, like
the little sprigs of holly used at Christmas, were only stuck
upright, like little trees, in gimlet holes bored into the tops
of the pews all over the church.
On the first Christmas at Farleigh after the formation of
its choir, the arches were all decked with evergreens;
Henry Roberts, a thatcher, being the first to show the way
to fix the interior of an arch firmly, by bending two poles
covered with foliage having their points meeting at the
apex of the arch, and their bases resting on the tops of the
capitals.
The carol singing, this year and in after years, is worth
recording. On approaching the Vicarage at midnight and
other houses at which they sang, the choir chanted Psalm
cxxxii. from the entrance gate. When arrived at the house,
books were opened, lighted by lanterns and candles, and
then the farmers and others who were listening to Maid-
stone bells, were startled by hearing across the waters of
the Medway, a body of forty voices rolling out in massive
fugue and sohd harmony Vittoric^s six-part motet, " Behold I
bring you glad tidings." On marching away the choir
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HELPMATES, 39
sang, "May God bless All friends here With a merry
Christmas And a happy new year," set by their choir-
master to the music of an ancient " round. "^
CHAPTER XI.
HELPMATES.
On entering the grounds of S. Mark's from the King's
Road, a nice old house meets the view. It stands in a
garden in which grow some remarkably fine acacias. This
house was, and probably still is, the residence of the Prin-
cipal. At the period of which we write, a peculiar air of
refinement reigned within its walls, due not only to the
presence of the accomplished son of the poet Coleridge, but
also to that of his handsome wife, whose charming presence,
lively conversation, and silvery laugh, rendered the hospi-
talities of the Principal's lodge doubly grateful.
Not less pleasant were the amiable and cheerful qualities
' The unexpected burst of voices aroused Mr. Wilberforce from a
nap into which he had fallen in his drawing-room. The window shut-
ters being closed, he hurried through the hall, where he slipped on a
pair of galoches and a college-cap, opened a side door and joined his
choir in the garden : the door slanmied after him as he came out,
half dazzled by the lights.
Rather than wake up the servants, he accompanied the singers to the
diflferent houses at which they sang. Returning with them to the
Vicarage about 4 o'clock, by which time the cook was busy with
Christmas preparations, he regaled them with a hearty meal of cold
beef and home-brewed beer.
In the next issue of the Maidstone Gazette, a paragraph appeared,
headed "Popish doings at East Farleigh," and stating that **the
Vicar had done penance on Christmas Eve, by walking barefoot round
his parish, accompanied by his choir, who carried tapers, though the
moon was high."
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40 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
of Mrs. Coleridge's sister, Miss Kate Pridham, a clever,
sensible girl, who when on a visit to S. Mark's won the
admiration and love of the Vice-Principal.
One day Mr. Helmore, with characteristic earnestness led
his future bride through the quiet gardens into the otherwise
deserted chapel, and there, upon the altar-steps of S. Mark's,
they plighted their troth.
The marriage of the Rev. Thomas Helmore to Miss
Kate Pridham was celebrated at S. Andrew's, Plymouth, on
Jan. nth, 1844.
Mr. Helmore's choice of a wife was a wise one. Mrs.
Helmore possessed the very qualifications which tended to
make their home the perfectly deUghtful house it was. Few
houses of call were so popular as that of the Helmores.
The husband's guileless simplicity was set off advantageously
to both characters by the wife's quickness of perception ;
his matter-of-fact utterances by her shrewdness of wit, which
no one more thoroughly appreciated than her husband. If
the diligent pursuit of his favourite studies left little room
for more general reading, the judicious way in which Mrs.
Helmore made herself acquainted with the popular litera-
ture of the day made up the deficiency.
The happy couple, after their honeymoon, were received
with affection, on their return to S. Mark's, by the Coleridges
and Frederick Helmore, who was at the Principal's house to
receive them. The reception was attended with unwonted
glee. On their entrance Mrs. Coleridge flew down the
stairs with open arms and rippling loving laughter to clasp
her sister to her heart ; while the bridegroom, seizing his
brother by the hand, exclaimed, with a face radiant with
happiness, " Fred, she is such a brick /" At this — the first
slang word he had ever heard from the speaker's lips — Fred
opened his mouth with an astonished gasp, which termi-
nated in an amused laugh, in which his brother joined.
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HELPMATES. 4^
The maid who had opened the door caught the infection
and made a precipitate retreat cackling hm's inwardly as long
as she was in sight. Mrs. Pridham, who appeared at the
head of the stairs just as the laugh was at its height, struck
with the drollery of the scene, caught the infection also, and
the house echoed with peals of laughter till they reached
the drawing-room.
As long as Mr. Helmore continued Vice-Principal of the
College he occupied a house in Devonshire Terrace, in the
Fulham Road. Mrs. Pridham, the mother of Mrs. Hel-
more, occupied a house in the same terrace, having come
there to reside that she might be near her three daughters,
who — although as girls they had declared they never would
marry schoolmasters — were respectively the wives of the
Principal and Vice-Principal of S. Mark's and of the Rev.
William O. S. Du Sautoy, who was Chaplain to the Duke
of York's school at Chelsea.
On the 4th of March, 1844, Helmore's mother ended a
life of piety and usefulness. Frederick was summoned
from Kent, where he was engaged with his choirs, but did
not arrive in time to witness the departure of her whom he
loved so dearly.
The eldest son, being in orders, did not feel that he could
conscientiously attend the funeral, as it was to take place
at his father's meeting-house in Rother Street. But in the
presence of his father, brother, and sister he said — beside
the coffin of the holy woman who was now at rest — ^all that
was appropriate of the Burial Service.
The four mourners chanted the psalm to the Peregrine Tone,
Unmusical people and others unused to mingle their
voices on all occasions, whether of mirth or sadness, will
scarcely realize the feelings of a widower, a bereaved
daughter, and two sons singing beside the corpse of a wife
and mother.
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42 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
But to them it was the sweetest tribute of afTection they
could pay to the memory of the loved one. Still, it was
difficult occasionally to check the rising sob, as one or other
glanced at the placid face of the dead. Each however in
turn was strengthened by the others' weakness; and as
their beautiful voices — softened to exquisite pathos by the
solemn surroundings — mingled in the hallowed strain, the
tone gradually steadied, till with firm united distinctness
they sang as with one voice :
"And the glorious Majesty of the Lord our God be upon
us : prosper Thou the work of our hands upon us, O prosper
Thou our handiwork."
The widowed husband survived his loss for barely a
year. He died on the i8th of February in the following
year (1845).
As upon the occasion of Mrs. Helmore's funeral, so on
that of the zealous husband, an unusual tribute of respect
was paid by the inhabitants of Stratford-on-Avon. All the
shops were closed. A procession of high and low, rich and
poor, foUowed the hearse in great numbers.
It will be long before the good deeds of that remarkable
couple will be forgotten.
Lord, all pit3ring, Jesu blest,
Grant them Thine eternal rest.
Amen.
CHAPTER XII.
gregorians.
The Rev. Thomas Helmore went to Oxford in the summer
to keep his Master's Term, accompanied by Mrs. Helmore
and their firstborn, a baby girl.
It was delightful to see the boyish pleasure with which
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GREGORIANS. 43
the happy priest renewed his acquaintance with Alma Mater,
It was with no little pride that he lionized his wife and his
brother Frederick who had recently matriculated at Mag-
dalen Hall.
On the day after their arrival, after visiting Christchurch
Cathedral, Great Tom, the Hall, and the Staircase, they
descended the steps to the meadows, where the lively par-
son, to the delight and surprise of his wife and brother,
commenced leaping into the air like another Sirion, at the
same time exclaiming frantically, " The boats 1 the boats !"
The Bishop of Borneo had been bow in the Oxford boat
when with Bob Menzies as stroke it beat the Cambridge in
spite of a broken oar. That celebrated victory is always
spoken of as the seven-oar race. In 1845 the Bishop steered
the Magdalen Hall boat, and with a very inferior crew,
saved it from being bumped by his clever steering and
vigorous shouting.
Frederick Helmore had not been long in residence before
he was waited upon by a deputation of undergraduates re-
questing him to conduct a Gregorian Class. It was in vain
that he protested his utter ignorance of the subject ; they
continued to press him, till at length, finding it impossible
to enlist him as a conductor^ he was asked to come and
uni|e with them in the study of Gregorian music To this
he readily assented.
The first meeting was to be early in the following week,
so by way of preparing himself Fred went to S. Peter's in
the East, on Sunday morning, and there heard the Te Deum
sung as it never has been chanted since.
The Te Deum was set to the Second Tone. The choir,
with an amount of perseverance and a power of long sus-
tained endurance worthy of a better cause, drawled out that
grand hymn to such an extent that it occupied nearly half
an hour in its performance.
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44 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
So far from prepossessing young Helmore in favour of
this solemn attempt to make Gregorian music popular, he
declared that had it not been for his " cap and gown" he
must have rushed out of the church. The agony he suf-
fered was intense. He broke into a cold sweat aggravated
by the persistent dragging out of every syllable to a period
of about four seconds, thus (all on one note, mind, except
the last) :—
I234|i234|i234|i234|i234
We I praise | Thee, | O | God:
This in slow common time, beating four to each syllable.
Thus in their anxiety to do what they believed right — ^in
spite of any absurd feeling which it might create — ^they
persevered in their misguided zeal. In the same way some
ritualists of the present day introduce into small churches
the Sarum Ritual; which in a large cathedral, with its nave
filled with worshippers, would be grand and effective. Each
step in the service is marked on a broad scale, so that the
most distant person in the congregation can see what por-
tion of the service is being performed. But to bring such
a service into a church of moderate dimensions is at once
fidgety and distracting.
A similar mistake was made by some of the revivalists of
ecclesiastical architecture, when they commenced building
small models of cathedrals. Ornamentation was crammed
in where there was not proper room for its display, and
flying buttresses were introduced where no buttresses were
required.
The only consolation Frederick Helmore could derive
from the exaggerated prolongation of the syllables in the
Te Deum was that he now felt that he really was one step
in advance of his Gregorian friends, in that he at least
understood its notation.
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• ' GREGORIANS. 45
Accordingly on the day appointed Frederick entered the
roofti with a feeling of confidence which he had not at first
anticipated. He at once complained of the unnecessary
and preposterous tediousness of the Canticles as sung on
Sunday.
They were down upon him at once about breves and
setnibreves, and the necessity of singing them as they were
written. One of them spoke learnedly about Archbishop
Cranmer who ordered one note for every syllable, and most
of those breves.
Having allowed them time to ventilate their knowledge
of the subject, their " would-not-be" conductor asked them
quietly, —
"Did it ever occur to you that breve or brevis means
short? and, if so, semibreve very short?" and then he went
on to explain how the development of " measured music,"
and the division and subdivision of the duration of one note
after another, till we had arrived at " semidemisemtquavers"
had left what were at one time the shortest symbols of time
to become the longest, although their ancient names had
been retained
This display by Helmore of his knowledge of simpje ele-
ments unfortunately gave the impression that he not only
knew all about the notation of Gregorians, but must be an
authority on the subject generally, and that he knew a great
deal more than he was willing to acknowledge.
The evening's practice commenced with the Te Deum
as noted by Heathcote, in which Helmore conducted in
order to show the real value of breves and semibreves.
The book which they used as their text-book adopted a
simply syllabic adaptation, i.e., one note to each syllable ;
and the Latin rule, without any exceptions, for the rising
inflection on a monosyllable, and the falling inflection on
dissyllables or polysyllables.
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4^ MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
The first verse went oflf very well " We praise Thee, O
God: we acknowledge Thee to be the LordJ^ The second
tone was used.
In the second verse the accent came in the wrong place
at the second portion of the verse, "the Father e-VER-
lasting." In the third Hebnore was staggered by, "To
Thee all angels cry A-loud," and in the fourth, " To Thee
Cherubim and Se-RA-phim." By the time the sixth verse
introduced them to *' Heaven and earth are full of the
Ma-jES-ty," he had decided that it was all wrong.
The others argued that the division was in accordance
with strict rules. " If so," said Helmore, "/A^ accent of the
music must be ignored. The question is— cannot the accent
of words and music be made to coincide? If it cannot^-
which is of the most importance, the words or the notes ?"
The verdict was given in favour of the words. The effect
was tried, and the dear old Gregorian, with its rising note
of emphasis and its rhythmic cadence, was stripped of its
noble characteristics and sacrificed to the all-important
emphasis of the words.
Not that Frederick Helmore for one moment thought
that they were on a right track ; but as the Club had de-
termined to use Heathcote's setting, it was impossible to go
on with them without some compromise to the proper
accent of the words.
On the other hand, Helmore's explanation of the ancient
notation had induced great respect for his knowledge of the
subject, which — ^added to what he had done throughout
the country as a trainer of church choirs— led them to
look upon him as an authority. When therefore they went
off, radiant at having discovered a solution to the difficulty,
and with their books accented in defiance of musical rhythm,
the suggester little thought that in a very short time Heath-
cote's Psalter would appear with the erroneous accents,
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MOTETS. 47
which he, to save trouble in using the first edition, had
unfortunately originated.
When the Plain Song Primer appeared, the unlucky
originator of the accented Psalter was pained to find that
the confiding adapter had been humiliated by the blunder,
and had taken all the blame upon himself.
The Rev. Thomas Helmore — little dreaming, or forget-
ting, that his brother was responsible in a measure for the
mistake — says, " The amiable author of the Oxford mistaken
arrangement openly expressed to me, some time before his
death, his belief that the pointing of my book was right in
principle and his own wrong.*' (" Plain Song," p. 72.)
CHAPTER XIIL
MOTETS.
It is only fair to observe that although Frederick made a
mess of Heathcote's Psalter, he had remedied the dismal
long-drawn groans in the execution of breves at S. Peter's in
the East. He was moreover the founder and first conductor
of the Oxford University Motet and Madrigal Society, which
has done good work.
The Society commenced in an unobtrusive way in his
own rooms. John Goss (son of Sir John Goss), Exeter^
Stair Douglas, Oriel, Howard, Lincoln^ Almeric and Lacy
Romsey, Exeter and Brasenose, and three or four choristers^
from Christchurch and Magdalen formed the nucleus of a
Society which became so large that before the end of the
term its members were glad to ask and obtain permission to
meet in the hall at Corpus.
It will be seen that this and other similar digressions are
' Toby Hill, Malham, and Cook were the first.
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48 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
necessary — not only to give an insight into the difficulties
and mistakes which attended the attempts to restore Gre-
gorians, but to show how Frederick Helmore was an hon-
oured instrument in advancing the good work which his
brother had originated.
Frederick's first engagement in the formation of church
choirs was simply carrying into the country the spirit of the
work going on at S. Mark's. Nor must it be forgotten that,
but for the interposition of Bishop Blomfield in the reten-
tion of the Rev. Thomas Helmore at S. Mark's, he, and
not Frederick, would have gone to Henry Wilberforce at
Farleigh, and have become, like his brother, "The Mis-
sionary," instead of remaining in his musical episcopate.
The Society inaugurated so auspiciously by Frederick at
Oxford was the outcome of the London Motet Society, of
which his brother was Honorary Precentor.
Some who only connect the name of Thomas Helmore
with the Psalter and Hymnal Noied^ are apt to fancy him
a sort of mediaeval, black-letter, square-note ascetic, whose
only joy was in chanting Gregorian melodies from a rubri-
cated missal.
On the other hand, those who had lived with the author
of the Plain Song Primer^ and for years had been in the
habit of joining with him in glee, duet, part-song, madrigal,
opera, oratorio, Flemish, Italian, or English motet, knew
full well that his deep sense of duty in attempting the pre-
servation of Church plain song, as founded upon the eccle-
siastical modes, was the induction of a life's study and
practice in every style of sacred and secular music. So had
he learnt, in common with all diligent, conscientious, and
therefore unprejudiced students in the art and practice of
vocal music, that the ecclesiastical modes are the basis of
the finest musical compositions in the world.
The varied beauty and simple grandeur of these inspired
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MOTETS. 49
modes, shine like a rich seam of gold through the immortal
works of Orlando di Lasso in the Flemish school ; of Pales-
trina and his contemporaries in the Roman school ; of Tallis,
Bird, Tye, Morley, Weelkes, Dowland, Wilbye, Benet and
Ford in the English school of Motet and Madrigal, in the
works of Purcell of later date ; in the Oratorios of Handel and
Mendelssohn, and the sublime compositions of Beethoven
and Sebastian Bach.
"No vocal music," the author of the Primer remarks,
"has ever surpassed in Ecclesiastical dignity and artistic
skill the counterpoint alia Palestrina.''^
Thomas Helmore was a " bom musician." His taste was
natural from his boyhood, when on Welcombe Hills the
sweet notes of his flute mingled with those of his brother's,
not with the mechanical execution of an ordinary player,
but emanating from a soul imbued with a love of all that is
beautiful, and in deep sympathy with the pastoral beauty of
the sunoundings ; when with old Edmond Payne he revelled
in the quaintly beautiful fancies of Corelli, and welcomed
with simple delight the "Cradle movement," from which
Handel took his " Pastoral Symphony," and the air " He
shall feed His flock like a shepherd ;" when, with Adams
and Pardoe he threw heart and voice into the delicacies of
finished glee singing ; and in all the incidents of his musical
life, he was always sustained by the honest dictates of natural
genius.
The enjoyment of this musical enthusiast was pure and
^ Let it never be forgotten that Palestrina, the authorized reviser of
the Latin Plain Song, prevented the banishment of the Canto Figurato
from the Church at a time when the introduction of popular airs of the
most secular character— interwoven with fragments of the old plain
song— both in Mass and Motet had made church music scandalous.
Nothing equal to the above desecration of sacred words has probably
been witnessed till the profane exhibition of the Salvation Army in our
public streets.
E
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50 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
natural. He had formed an affection, on purely aesthetic
grounds, for the style of music which he upheld — as the
most effective and truly beautiful — until with overpowering
effect the truth burst upon him that it was founded on the
inspired music of the Church of Christ. And then, with
heart and voice he called aloud on all the faithful to realize
the importance of the Church's Plain Song " as a part of
necessary Christian education," " further, that in //, or no-
where, we have the stream of sacred song, still flowing, which
issued from the primeval fountains of Hebrew Music f and,
to quote the closing words of the Primer, to remember, " that
the least response, as well as the greatest of our choral com-
positions, requires a collected mind, an honest and full inten-
tion that * what we utter with our lips we should believe in
our hearts, and practise in our lives,' and that to every
prayer assented to, in the communion of our souls with the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the believing response of
our lips brings down from Heaven a blessing now ; and ac-
cording to an ancient Hebrew saying, * A hearty Amen opens
the Gates of Paradise,' an eternal blessing hereafter^ when all
our earthly songs are over, through Him Who, * when He
had overcome the sharpness of death, opened the Kingdom
of Heaven to all believers.' "
CHAPTER XIV.
CHILDREN OF THE CHAPEL ROYAL.
In 1846, the Bishop of London, ex-offido Dean of the
Chapels Royal, appointed Mr. Helmore to the Mastership
of the Children of the Chapel Royal, S. Jame§'s, vacant by
the death of Mr. Hawes.
Bishop Blomfield did many admirable things during his
Episcopate : the appointment of a clergyman to the care of
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CHILDREN OF THE CHAPEL ROYAL. 51
the ' Chapel boys' was one. It was the first instance of the
appointment of a Master in holy orders since the Reforma-
tion, and was not acted upon now without due conside-
ration.
The domestic arrangements made for the boys, previous
to the new Appointment, had been anything but satisfactory.
The way in which they had been left without proper super-
vision had brought about a most deplorable state of things ;
productive of incidents, painful, but advisable to relate as a
warning to others, who having the charge of young people
may be tempted to leave them too much to their own
devices.
The miserable condition of the younger " children" left
to the * tender mercies' of their seniors, * which were cruel,'
called aloud in most pathetic terms for protective reform.
. Some of the cruelties exercised were of too disgusting
a nature for publication in these pages. Among many
others of a less revolting, though equally heartless character,
a few specimens will suffice. In the perusal of these it will
be well to bear in mind that the poor persecuted children
had been selected from many applicants, on account of
their superior qualifications for the office of choristers.
This implies " a highly nervous temperament," quoting fi*om
** Church Choirs," " which, while it makes him (the chorister)
peculiarly sensitive to beautiful sounds, exciting him to ad-
miration of everything that is grand, glorious, or lovely, at
the same time makes him equally sensitive to, and propor-
tionately averse to everything of an opposite character.
As he is charmed with the delicate atten-
tions of kind friends, so is he pained by the slights of thought-
less acquaintances." Being thus constitutionally of sensitive
natures, with imaginations easily wrought upon, they were
more susceptible of pain, whether mental or physical, than
ordinary boys.
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52 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
One of the cruelties frequently exercised, was that of
turning a poor little urchin out of the window on a frosty
night with nothing on but his night dress, leaving him
shivering on the leads for hours with a bitter wind blowing
across the Thames, freezing the very marrow in his bones,
till reduced to such a helpless condition, that he had not
strength to throw himself, as he would gladly have done,
from the parapet, to end his bodily sufferings.
The following is extracted from a letter written by one of
the sufferers, Mr. Frederick Walker, of S. Paul's Cathedral :
" I entered the Chapel Royal on September 15, 1844
After I had been there a year and six months, my father
thought of removing me on account of the dreadful cruelties
practised on the junior boys by their seniors ; but about this
time Mr. Hawes died; and, fortunately for the bo)rs, the
Reverend Thomas Helmore was appointed his successor.
The boys went from the Adelphi Terrace, Strand, to live
with Mr. Helmore, at Robert Street, Chelsea."
" Much had to be done by our new master, and it was
entirely to his loving kindness (I have seen him in tears
at our describing the mode of living at Adelphi Terrace)
that the dreadful cruelties ceased.
" I will mention two instances which will suffice. Two
seniors would seize a junior and hold him down on his
back, whilst a third would take hold of his nose and slit it
upwards with a penknife !"
The reader is reminded that these are not solitary in-
stances, but specimens of oft-recurring favourite amusements
of those boy savages. But to continue. —
" Another act of cruelty : —
" A junior boy was * buried,' that is, a sort of coffin was
made with bolsters, pillows, blankets, &c., and tied fast with
sheets, so that the air was entirely excluded : this being
done, he was hoisted upon the shoulders of his school-fellows.
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CHILDREN OF THE CHAPEL ROYAL. S3
and tumbled into a large copper, and then, after dancing on
the ' coffin' for about ten minutes, they dragged him out,
generally in a fainting condition ; but a copious supply of
cold water brought him round. This I have seen re-
peatedly." (The poor boys prayed in their misery that they
might die.)
" These terrible acts, for they were so to little boys, were
done away with, owing to the watchful care and good teach-
ing of Mr. Helmore.
" Everything was done by Mr. and Mrs. Helmore to bring
about a different tone amongst the boys, who soon re-
sponded to such gentle influence.
" During the five years I was with my dear master, I
received such kindness at his hands, that when my voice
broke and I left the school, in September, 1850, the friend-
ship continued to the last It is entirely owing to him and
his brother Frederick that I hold my present position in
the musical profession."
It was not long before Mr. Helmore realized the degraded
state of brutality to which the boys intrusted to his care
had sunk. His first act on discovering the way in which
seniors abused their vested power over their fags, was to
do away with the fagging system entirely.
This involved an extra amount of attention : but Mr.
Helmore persevered until he had prepared another set of
seniors in place of those who had left, for the re-establish-
ment of the fag system.
Each boy, as formerly, in the senior division had a
junior, for whose conduct, cleanliness, attention to his sing-
ing, and preparation of other lessons, he was responsible.
If, as was frequently the case, they had to attend concerts,
rehearsals, or any other engagements in London or else-
where, each senior had to take charge of his fag, and bring
him home in safety.
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54 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
In return for these attentions the juniors had certain
duties to perform for their masters in the same way as Eton
fags have to work for theirs.
This system carefully watched to the prevention of abuses
was perfectly successful for many reasons. The seniors in
governing, learned the value of obedience; trifling irregu-
larities were arranged without the intervention of the master,
which made his intercourse with the whole school to be less
restrained and consequently more friendly. Thus, a system
(or rather want of system) of fagging without proper sur-
veillance, which had been a fearful curse, became under
judicious management a great blessing.
The boys were taken, on leaving Adelphi Terrace, to
Robert Street, Chelsea, until some of the houses in Onslow
Square were built, when on the completion of No. i Mr.
Helmore became its first occupant.
In the hands of a layman the mastership of the boys had
been made a very lucrative office by his letting out the boys
for concerts and other musical engagehaents. Under a
clergyman the office could not be made so much of a busi-
ness, and it was only for special duty, consistent with their
position as choristers of the Chapel Royal, that they could
now be engaged.
There being no regular daily service at S. James's, it was
an advantage to the boys to be taken to S. Mark's, the
precentorship of which Mr. Helmore still retained.
Attendance at the Motet Society was in perfect keeping
with choir-work. They attended also the meetings of the
Madrigal Society, a useful means of instruction, as showing
the marked difference with which sacred and secular sub-
jects were treated by the Ecclesiastical writers of the Motet
and Madrigal period.
On special occasions they attended the rehearsals and
performances of the Sacred Harmonic Society, and some are
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CHILDREN OF THE CHAPEL ROYAL. 55
now living witnesses of Mendelssohn's reading of his own
work "Elijah." For, having rehearsed under his baton,
they are able to correct some of the false readings of more
modem conductors.
The anxiety attendant on this work of reformation, and
the fatherly care so judiciously exercised in saving the
younger boys especially from the moral ruin which threat-
ened them, drew the master and his first set of choristers
together in a bond of no ordinary affection. The following
letter kindly lent to me by Mr. Walker speaks for itself.
" Onslow Square,
''^thSepL, 1851.
" My dear Walker,
" I am very glad you have written to me ; although I am
always fully occupied, yet the interest I feel in the progress
of my first set of Chapel R. boys is so great, that I should
be sorry for any of them to suppose that I grudged them a
line now and then, both for old acquaintance' sake, and that
I may have an opportunity of encouraging them to persevere
in the paths of wisdom and of peace."
Mr. Helmore had undertaken the duties of " Master of
the Children," as a duty he owed to his musical talents,
and to the wishes of his Bishop. The office was not re-
munerative ; he had not at that time become acclimatized
to London, and would have gladly exchanged for a quiet
country living. But to proceed with the letter : —
" Although (to speak in hyperbole) I am myself as poor
as Job, I shall be happy to give you some small sum to-
wards your tower-clock — only give me as long credit as
possible ; for I have had great pulls upon me lately, and
shall have more soon, in the wa^ of paying out of my income
moneys due to my brother in Africa, which I have held as
his attorney till he could tell me how to dispose of them for
him to the best advantage. In starting my new vocation of
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56 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE,
Master of the Chapel Royal boys I have already sunk
;£'i,ooo, and the income derivable from the Chapel has
been less than my annual expenditure by about ;^i5o
every year. I do not hesitate to tell you this, because an
impression is abroad that I am very well off, and this may
prevent persons of influence from thinking that any living,
or other post in the Church, would be acceptable to me ;
this is far from being the case. I sigh for green fields, open
country, hills, and water, and I also think that parochial
work would not be less suited to my tastes, and the gifts
God has given me, than my present employment.
** Mrs. Helmore and the children are all well. Mr. Fred-
erick and R. Mann have been here lately. The latter is
much grown, and seems to be going on just as I could
wish. I fear S is going on very badly. T is not
at present a credit to any one. Dear old C. C works
away at the organ, and although not in any way a strongly
demonstrative character, is, I believe, a very sterling one.
" It gives me the greatest satisfaction to hear of and see
your improvement; persevere, my dear Frederick, in all
that is holy and praiseworthy, and may God bless you and
make you a blessing.
" Your very affectionate friend,
" Thomas Helmore.
" Present my kind regards to Mr. Boyle."
Since the Reformation Chapels Royal have been nurseries
for musicians. Mr. Helmore, sensible of this fact, gave the
boys every opportunity in his power of enlarging their
musical ideas, and at the same time of meeting without
surprise the surroundings of a professional life in town.
It is to be feared that many of these advantages will be
lost, now that the present Bishop of London has limited
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CHILDREN OF THE CHAPEL ROYAL. 57
the musical education of the Chapel boys to their school
and Chapel.
By such an arrangement their intellect — instead of being
enlarged by an intimate acquaintance with different styles
of composition, and the varied management of large or
small musical societies under their respective conductors —
is liable to be narrowed into a groove. Moreover, the lads,
instead of becoming gradually acquainted, from childhood,
with London life, and as they grow up exposed to its
dazzling glare, becoming accustomed to its artificial light,
will, by such strict confinement, be no better prepared,
when they leave school, to guard against moral blindness
and its fearful concomitants, than the unfortunate greenhorns
who — afresh from the country or their mothers' apron-strings
— fall, with very few exceptions, like silly moths beneath
the unwonted lustre and blinding flame of the consuming
temptations of London.
A very delightful means of ventilating the minds and
bodies of the choristers was afforded by occasional visits to
Mr. Frederick Helmore, then engaged in training choirs, in
various parts of the country, on which occasions they would
assist in village concerts and choral services.
These visits were especially welcome and exceedingly
useful to the London boys, whose knowledge of country
life was necessarily limited. The refreshing simplicity of
the rustics who formed the choirs was a wholesome and
picturesque contrast to the precocious sharpness of the
smart Londoners; while the knowledge possessed by the
former in all that appertained to the country — birds, birds'
nests and eggs, wild and domestic animals, trees, plants,
farming operations, and field sports— gave them in return
a healthy superiority over the town boys, who were not
slow in picking up, by their help, much useful and interest-
ing information.
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58 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELM ORE.
An additional advantage connected with these visits was
the coming in contact with so many great and good men^
men whose zeal for reform in church services had brought
the "Musical Missionary'' to their parishes, and through
him the " Children of the Chapel Royal." It was indeed
a privilege to have been brought into daily contact, and
under such pleasant circumstances, with men like the Wil-
berforces, the Kebles, Dr. Mill and (his son-in-law and
curate) Benjamin Webb, Henry Newland, John Mason
Neale, Beresford Hope, and others whose names and works
live in our loving remembrance.
Some of the most interesting and delightful country visits
made by the boys were to Withyham, to which we shall
have to refer presently. It is necessary now to return to
the growth and progress of Gregorian music.
CHAPTER XV.
THE PSALTER NOTED.
A MIGHTY Struggle, of such vehemence that men of the pre-
sent day can have but a faint idea of it, was shaking the " dry
bones" of the Church when Dyce's "Book of Common
Prayer with Plain Song" appeared. Active spirits in the
Church were forcing upon her members diligent inquiry
into her doctrines and rubrics, legal rights and ceremonies,
and, as a natural sequence, into the " fitting artistic appli-
ances auxiliary to true religion."
Hence arose a diligent search among the ecclesiastical
chants used after the Reformation, and the sources from
which they were derived, viz., those used before the trans-
lation of the Latin service into English. A reprint of
Marbeck's Book of Common Prayer by Pickering, and a
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THE PSALTER NOTED. 59
less expensive edition by Rimbault, followed by Dyce's
Book, (Bums,) were the first contributions of value.
Diligent inquiry established the feet that, "Up to the
present day, plain song is the only music ordered (by any
recognized authority) in the Church of England." (" Plain
Song," chap, viii., p. 48.)
Frequent and earnest were Helmore's conversations with
his Mend Dyce on the incompleteness of Marbeck's book.
This was easily explained by the hurried manner in which
it had to be prepared. Not that the work done was com-
pleted in a slovenly way, but that the time allowed for
"noting" Edward VI.'s Prayer Book after its publication
in 1549 was extremely limited. Marbeck's Book appeared
in the following year.
The most important section left untouched was the Psal-
ter. One verse only of the Venite was noted, followed by
the brief direction, —
" anti 90 fon() inpt^ tiftt rest of ^t ^salmes as t^tp be appointexr."
To rectify this omission, and to be the honoured means
of completing "The Book of Common Prayer Noted," was
now Helmore's great ambition.
In order to lead up to so desirable an end, it was neces-
sary to educate church choirs and congregations in the
accurate reading of the original plain song — ^authorized by
the Church as absolutely necessary.
To this end Helmore brought out the Brief Directory in
a cheap form. " The text of the Directory is taken fi-om
that of John Marbeck's Book of Common Prayer Noted,
1550." See Preface to "Accompanying Harmonies to the
Brief Directory."
A considerable time was taken up in the selection of the
Gregorian chants for the Canticles and Psalter. In making
his selection the conscientious collector confined his choice
to the simple melodies used regularly in the Latin services.
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6o MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
Whfle his brother was thus busily occupied, Frederick
was engaged in choir work at Withyham. The Rector had
recently returned from a continental tour, in the course of
which he had collected some very valuable books on the
subject of Gregorians.
One especially attracted Frederick's attention. It was
by the Rev. N. A. Janssen, entitled "Vrais Principes du
Chant Gr^gorien." In this work he found simple directions
for adapting words to the music in accordance with his
brother's and his own common-sense views.
With the assistance of Janssen's rules, Frederick set to
work and set the Canticles to Gregorian tones ; and when
his brother came down with some of the " Chapel boys" to
assist at a festival, they were used in the services. They
received the approval of the great authority on the subject,
who retained the setting of the Magnificat to the seventh
tone, fourth ending, with very slight alteration.
This was the first occasion that Frederick began to feel
that he had in any measure atoned for the unfortunate
mistake into which he had unwittingly led Mr. Heathcote,
when at Oxford, as related in the twelfth chapter.
The Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal was
delighted with what he saw at Withyham, and inspected
with great interest the valuable books collected by the
Rector; and so pleased was he with the kindred spirit
evinced, that when he commenced the setting of the Psalter
he sent proof sheets to his brother, and received in return
one or two valuable suggestions from the Rector.
The services in Withyham Church were greatly assisted
at this time by the able accompaniment of Captain Ottley,
then a guest at Buckhurst, an accomplished amateur, who
caught the enthusiasm of the Rector and the two brothers
for Gregorian music.
Frederick had prophesied to Fred Walker and Dick
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THE PSALTER NOTED. 6 1
Mann (two Chapel boys who came to Withyham before the
others) that his brother and Captain Ottley would become
great friends, — which prophecy was fulfilled to a remarkable
degree. The Captain became a useful ally and a powerful
champion when the time came for popularizing and defend-
ing the Psalter Noted ; and when Helmore removed from
Onslow Square to Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, Ottley came to
live with him, and occupied two of the rooms in that
spacious and charming old house.
In 1849 the Psalter was published, to the delight of those
most deeply interested in the Catholic movement, and to
the horror of those who, by early training and constant
habit, had become accustomed to the modem barred chants,
and could not see the absurdity of dissyllabic and trisyllabic
terminations, which are held to be extremely comic in cer-
tain ditties sung by the old street ballad-singers, or by
peasants in country places, who, to remedy the difficulty
of singing tunes which have not a sufficient number of
notes for the words, sing two or three syllables to the
last note.
Those who have become accustomed to the more melo-
dious method adopted in the Psalter Noted, are as much
annoyed by the chattering polysyllabic terminations as
they would be amused by the funny endings of the mis-
fitted words of the country ballads.
In the autumn succeeding the publication of the Psalter
Noted, partly for the sake of being introduced to some
good fishing, and partly to assist in popularizing the Gre-
gorian chants. Captain Ottley accompanied Frederick Hel-
more in one of his missionary visits to choirs in the north
of England and Scotland.
They halted at many places on their way, — among others
at York, Durham, and especially Morpeth, where Admiral
Mitford gave Ottley some good angling in the Wansbeck.
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62 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
In the evenings the Rector, the Hon. and Rev. Francis
Grey, joined with his choir in the practice of the Gregorians,
accompanied with grand harmonies by the energetic Captain.
There was good fishing too in the Till, on Lord Frederick
Fitz Clarence's estate at Etal, and the Marquis of Water-
ford's, at Ford. Here the tourists sojourned for several
weeks, and heartily the family of the good old Rector, the
Rev. Thomas Knight, adopted the Gregorian chants, the
choir singing them in harmony without instrumental ac-
companiment.
From Ford the Gregorian missionaries went to Edinburgh
and Glasgow, and down the Clyde to the Isle of Cumbrae,
where, under the auspices of the late Earl of Glasgow — then
the Hon. George F. Boyle, the Psalter was adopted in the
little chapel in the garden of the Garrison, before the beau-
tiful College and Chapel were built.
At Trinity College, Glen Almond, the tourists were not
so successful The Vice-Principal bestowed compliments
on the singers at the expense of the Gregorians, declar-
ing that such singing and pla3dng would make anything
sound well.
Arrived at Perth, Canon Chambers and his companions.
Canons Humble and HaskoU, received the deputation with
open arms, the first with his sonorous voice making the
mission-room resound and vibrate, being assisted heartily
by the less powerful notes of his brother Canons.
In the course of time S. Ninian's Cathedral was conse-
crated, on which occasion one of the grandest Gregorian
services of modem times was performed. The Very Rev.
Edward Fortescue was appointed Dean. Frederick Hel-
more having lost his most beloved and influential friends
by their secession to the Church of Rome, took up his
abode in the College of S. Ninian, bringing with him two
choristers from the south besides Dick Mann, who had
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THE PSALTER NOTED. 63
left the Chapel Royal — his voice having sunk into a deep
contralto.
Shortly after the issue of the Psalter, Captain Ottley was
involved in a paper war with the organist of a country
town on the merits of the publication. Amongst other
objections urged and combated on either side, one was
that " the printing the verses continuously, instead of com-
mencing each verse with a fresh line, was confusing, for if
the eye was taken off the book it was difficult to find the
place again." To this the- Captain replied, that such an
arrangement " was of great advantage, inasmuch as it in-
sured that strict attention to the text which the Psalms of
David demanded." The controversy ended by a complaint
of the great expense of supplying copies for the choir, and
a remarkably cool challenge that " if the writer was so very
anxious that they should use the Psalter Noted, he had better
present them with copies;" on which Captain Ottley at
once went to Novello's and ordered a sufficient number to
be sent down as a present to the choir.
Many of the London churches adopted the new Psalter
and Book of Canticles, which in 1850 were published in
connection with the Brief Directory, forming, as the title of
the combined work intimated, " A Manual of Plain Song."
This arrangement added much to the popularity of the
work, all naturally preferring a complete book to a number
of separate books or pamphlets.
Among the London churches in which the Manual was
first used, S. Barnabas' was probably tl>e one in which Mr.
Helmore took the greatest interest It was the church in
which his wife and family worshipped. He was not only
Precentor, but he was instructor of the whole congregation,
whom he formed into a class, the members of which he
drilled thoroughly to the use of the Manual, and subse-
quently in the Hymnal Noted, which was for a number of
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64 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
years the Hymn-book used in the church, making S. Bar-
nabas' interesting as a place where the grand old Catholic
Hymns and Tunes might always be heard in its services.
At Dr. Irons' church, Brompton, a very hearty service
was performed every Saturday evening, conducted by Mr.
Helmore, and at which the Chapel boys were always pre-
sent Zealous amateurs with good voices assisted, and
whenever Frederick Helmore was in London, his voice
might be heard joining with his brother's, as in the happy
days of boyhood they had mingled sweet notes of voice or
instrument in loving concord by the ** soft flowing Avon."
CHAPTER XVI.
THE HYMNAL NOTED.
A GRAND function was to be held at Withyham. The
Master and Children of the Chapel Royal, S. James', were
to be there, also picked singers from Frederick Helmore's
numerous choirs in Kent and Sussex; Murray, once a
Curate at Withyham, now a Minor Canon at Exeter, was to
bring his best chorister, Stone ; Frank Brain was to come
from Westminster, and little Lempriere from S. Andrew's,
Wells Street. Sir W. Cope, Captain Ottley, and other musical
amateurs were to be entertained by the Earl and Countess
De la Warr, at Buckhurst There was to be in addition to
special services of unwonted grandeur, a grand Oratorio in
the schoolroom.
What the services were when the time arrived may be
imagined from the remark made by a musical valet, that there
had not been " such singmg in Withyham since — since —
since the Flood !"
" And then," said Henry Wilberforce, " they sang out."
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THE HYMNAL NOTED. 65
Dr. Mill, his son-in-law and Curate, Benjamin Webb,
and Frederick Helmore were singing Latin Hymns, Mrs.
Webb played the accompaniments as arranged by Vincent
Novello. Mrs. Mill poured out the tea into dainty little
cups, in the cosy drawing-room of Brasted Rectory.
Dr. Mill was a great tea-drinker, the enjoyment of the
luxury was consequently spun out for a considerable length
of time, especially when Frederick Helmore was staying
there, on which occasions the Latin Hymns were frequently
sung.
The Doctor on hearing the opening notes of one of his
favourite melodies would leave his cup on the table, and
approach the piano with hands clasped, his grand old
sculptured face lighted up with holy fire, like a mediaeval
saint out of a church window, and there lift up his voice in
O lux beata^ Vexilla Regis, or Sterna ChrisH munera.
The three singers were silent at the end of a hymn, when
one. of them exclaimed : '^ What a thousand pities it is
that we cannot utilize these glorious hymns for our own
service !"
The Doctor, after a few minutes, set down a fresh cup of
tea, and rising suddenly from the table, shouted : ^' I have
it ! I have it ! Helmore ! here's your brother coming down
in a few weeks to Withyham. You must take him over
and introduce him to Mason Neale. We'll bring them
together! We'll make Neale translate the hymns, and
your brother shall arrange the music 1"
The suggestion was taken and acted upon when the time
came, with what success the existence of the Hymnal Noted
has proved. The excursion to East Grinstead was an event
in the course of the festival week.
Nobles, clergy, singers, and minstrels were assembled.
The Master of the Chapel boys had brought with him his
wife and chUdrenj who revelled among the wild flowers.
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66 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
surprised and delighted that no Onslow Square gardener or
other ruffian prevented their plucking any amount of nose-
gays. The Rev. Derwent and Mrs. Coleridge too were
attracted thither by their brother-in-law's account of the
pretty village and its lordly surroundings.
At length the day arrived for the momentous visit to
East Grinstead. A general invitation had been given to
the strangers assembled from a distance by Dr. Neale. A
formidable party therefore accompanied the hymnal deputa-
tion, filling a variety of carriages with priests, singing men
and boys from town and country.
The picturesque villages through which they passed were
roused from their wonted quietude by a chorus of voices
such as had never before greeted their ears.
In one of these, " God save the Queen" was sung. An
American clergyman, who had been brought thither by
Henry Wilberforce from East Farleigh, happened to be
seated in a carriage with several of the Chapel Royal boys.
To the horror and disgust of these Palace ducklings, the
American remained covered during the greater part of the
first verse of the National Anthem till, apparently by mere
accident, one of the boys' trenchers — ^gold-buttoned and
bordered — flourished with loyal zeal, happened to strike the
brim and send the hat of brother Jonathan skying away
far into the road. A chorister jumped down and returned
with the hat, which required an amount of dusting and
brushing that occupied the time till the last loud notes of
loyalty had died away, when the covering was politely
handed lo its owner. He looked more than astonished,
but said nothing.
This unfortunate scene was all that occurred to mar the
pleasure of the day. To the boys probably the opportunity
of asserting their nationality was a source of amusement
The day was delightful, the high hedgerows were sweet with
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IHE HYMNAL NOTED. 67
honeysuckle and dog-roses, the elder-trees were in full
bloom, and the fields were promising a bountiful harvest.
At length the line of carriages drew up in front of Sackville
College, where the Warden received the inmates of the
several conveyances and ushered them into the fine old
hall, the panelled walls and timber roof of which in a short
time resounded with the glees, madrigals, and part-songs,
with which the musical visitors delighted the old bedes-
men and women and the friends assembled to welcome
them.
In the course of the proceedings the main object of the
visit was not lost sight of, and by the mutual persuasion of
Dr. Mill, Benjamin Webb, and others, the translation and
adaptation of the ancient hymns of the Catholic Church—
preserved by S. Basil, S. Gregory Nazianzen, S. Ephraim,
S. Hilary of Poictiers, and S. Ambrose in the fourth cen-
tury, and subsequently by S. Gregory the Great — ^was un-
dertaken by Neale and Helmore, and so from suggestions
thrown out at Brasted and acted upon at East Grinstead
emanated the invaluable addition to the authorized music
of the English Catholic Church soon to be known as the
Hymnal Noted.
Those unacquainted with the rhythmic beauty of plain
song, and the natural laws on which it is founded, can-
not at all estimate the difficulties and feelings of responsi-
bility which men like Mason Neale and Helmore had to
encounter. One of the chief trials was to so arrange the
English syllables that a sufficiently important syllable and
its vowel should occur at the neumes^ or " rhythmical ex-
pansions of the melodies which occur on the stronger
accents of the poetry." See " Plain Song Primer," p. 85.
The reader must excuse the writer for a slight digression
to remark, that much confusion would be avoided if, in
laying down rules for quantity and accent in English words,
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68 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
a different set of terms were employed iox pronunciation and
iox prosody.
The difficulty is principally due to the want of phonetic
accuracy in the English alphabet.
The same character {a) is used in fate as in fan; the
same {e) in me as in/^« ; the same {o) in no as in on.
Grammarians and lexicographers distinguish the former
and latter of each of these as long and shorty which are
entirely misguiding terms : take an example, — the word
be-holdm a pronouncing dictionary has each syllable marked
( — ) long, which is erroneous j the first is ^hort, otherwise
the second would not be accented; for prosody — Trpos-wBrj —
and accent — ad-cantus — or quantity are equivalent terms,
or in other words long and short as applied to prosody are
synon)rmous with accented and unaccented, and therefore
should not be applied to the pronunciation of vowels.
If the words grave and acute were substituted the confu-
sion would be remedied, e.g., the acute e in me-lo-dy is
long rhythmically, the grave o is short, and the acute y is
also short. In other words, me-16-dy is a dactyl. See
Frederick Helmore's "Method No. 11." p. 17 — 124.
The translator and the arranger fortunately agreed in the
theory of accent being prosody, albeit the confusion of
terms made it necessary in the opinion of the author of
" Plain Song," to remark that " accent in English (and also in
ecclesiastical Latin) especially in singing, overrules quantity."
The necessity of fitting the more important or emphatic
syllables to the neumes brought the indefatigable compilers
into frequent contact ; both had to work diligently in their
search not only after authentic words, but the original set-
ting of their appropriate melodies.
In less than three years of conscientious labour the first
edition of the Hymnal was completed. But the former
work begun by Mr. Helmore — "The Psalter Noted" — ^was
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CHARTISTS. 69
not neglected, the accompanying harmonies to which ap-
peared in 1849, *^d the complete " Manual of Plain Song^'
in 1850. The "Accompanying Harmonies to the Hymnal
Noted," 2 parts 8vo. were published in 1852.
During the search after hymns, the attention of Neale
and Helmore was frequently attracted by the discovery of
quaint old carols, and on the completion of the Hymnal
no time was lost in setting about the work of collecting a
number of genuine specimens of those time-honoured melo-
dies which for centuries past and still in our time attract
the willing ear, like the annual return of singing birds who
come with the leaves and the flowers, as carols in the winter
come with mistletoe and hollyberries, filling our hearts with
joy, and telling us that Christmas has come again to gladden
the heart of every Englishman, woman, and child, of whatever
age or rank.
Ia 1853 Novello added the folio edition of the Christmas
Carols to Mr. Helmore's other works, and in the following
year the i2mo. edition of the melodies only, and another
containing the condensed vocal parts of the same appeared,
to be followed in 1855 by similar editions of the Easter
Carols. In the same year he produced a translation of a
"Treatise on Choir and Chorus Singing," by F. J. Fetis.
CHAPTER XVII.
CHARTISTS.
An instance of the interest Mr. Helmore took in his cho-
risters after leaving their choir was exemplified in a striking
manner on the occasion of a mother coming to him in great
distress.
The poor woman's son — an ex-chorister of S. Mark's —
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70 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
had become a kind of Simon Tappertit ; and, in spite of his
mother's entreaties to keep away from seditious meetings,
was out night after night attending the private meetings of
a Chartist association.
By-the-by most of these seditious meetings, it is said,
were carried on under the cloak of Teetotalism. See Miss
Sewell's "Hawkstone."
Mr. Helmore accompanied the mother to her house,
where he remained till the return of the culprit, who by that
time had grown as tall as his former precentor.
The latter had taken with him a formidable horsewhip,
with which he thrashed the young chartist till he promised
not to attend any more of the meetings.
In 1848 the great chartist demonstration took place, when
a terrible riot was expected. If that vast concourse of dis-
satisfied and — ^many of them — lawless men had been allowed
to enter London, they would at once have been joined by
thousands of ruffians in the shape of the burglars and pick-
pockets who form the " swell-mob," and it is impossible to
calculate the result of such a gathering.
The protection of the city was fortunately placed in the
hands of the Duke of Wellington, by whose command the
Bank of England was prepared to receive attack. On the
roof was piled a parapet of sand-bags, with loopholes for
firing on the mob, if necessary, and a strong military force
placed within the Bank.
Detachments of soldiers were quartered in appropriate
places. One strong body of infantry was placed in the
subterranean guard-room at Hyde Park Corner.
Every gentleman and respectable tradesman turned out
as special constables to protect the town.
Cannon were placed in position to sweep the bridges,
over which no groups of more than two or three persons
were allowed to cross.
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CHARTISTS. 71
Captain Ottley, Mr. Frederick Helmore, and others, pa-
raded Onslow and other squares and streets in the neigh-
bourhood, armed with constables' staves. Prince — subse-
quently the Emperor — Louis Napoleon was among the
specials.
In this same year (1848) a gathering of carefully selected
voices assembled in Exeter Hall and gave a very fine per-
formance of " Elijah" on the evening of December 15th.
The proceeds of this concert were devoted to a fund for
providing a lasting monument to the memory of the composer
of that most poetic and dramatic oratorio.
The monument took the appropriate form of what was
afterwards known by the name of " The Mendelssohn Scho-
larship."
Jenny Lind, who had never before sung the soprano
solos, was the chief attraction.
A hitch took place in the engagement of some of the
other principals, and finally Machin took the part of Elijah,
Lockey his original part of Obadiah, and Miss M. Williams
— afterwards Mrs. Lockey — was the contralto. Julius Bene-
dict conducted.
Mr. Helmore — whose brother Frederick with the children
of the Chapel Royal was in the chorus — ^was present at the
rehearsal. He was deeply affected, partly by the occasion
and the excellent singers who had volunteered for the
chorus, but specially by the sympathetic tones of that won-
derful soprano. He sat facing the platform shedding silent
tears till his eyes were red.
The chorus had not been sufficiently subdued in accom-
panying the angelic quartet. Benedict desired the chorus
to repeat it more softly, and turned to Jenny Lind to request
her to sing it again ; but seeing her in tears he began saying,
"Nevair mind," when with marvellous self-command she
rose, clenched her little hands, straightened her arms, and
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72 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
with a Steady voice, as clear as a silver bell, burst forth like
an angel, " Holy, Holy, Holy, is God the Lord."
The whole orchestra was touched, and for the first and
only time the writer's tears started simultaneously with those
of six hundred.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHEVNE WALK.
In 1854 on Lady Day Mr. Helmore removed from Onslow
Square to No. 6, Cheyne Walk, with his large family of
" children,*' including — ^besides his own — the ten " of the
Chapels Royal."
To him came Captain Ottley, who lived with the Hel-
mores till his death, which occurred at the house in S.
George's Square to which they went in 1871.
Cheyne Walk was called by the servants, " China Walk,"
to avoid what they considered a vulgar pronunciation of the
name, which they supposed bore reference to the " Chelsea
ware" for which the place was so famous.
The fine old houses to which the servants applied the
Chinese title, had a very different fironting, when the Hel-
mores lived at No. 6, firom its present aspect.
A row of fine old elms stood on the river side of the road,
against which boat-oars and masts rested in readiness for
use by the watermen who strolled or lolled about by the
railing till hailed by some one requiring a wherry.
Where the embankment now stands — with its smart little
gardens and prim walks — ^floated at high water, or rested
on the mud at low water, gaily painted lighters and barges,
with their tan-coloured sails and bright little pennons at the
top of yellow masts, dripping in the fog or drying in the sun.
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GHEYNE WALK. 73
Across the Thames were Battersea Fields, soon to be
transformed into Battersea Park, beyond which glittered
the shining roof of the distant Crystal Palace.
Among other eminent men who were near neighbours
were Carlyle at No. lo, and at 5 Mr,, afterwards Sir John
Goss, organist of S. Paul's Cathedral, a good and amiable
man, an accomplished musician, and one of the best anthem
writers of modern times.
The river was a lively object, with its boats plying for
pleasure or profit. At times flitted about small yachts, their
white sails contrasting with the dark sails of the barges ;
steamers loaded with passengers sped away to the upper
Thames or brought pleasure-seekers in crowds to Cremome
Gardens, from which an occasional balloon would ascend,
while at night showers of brilliant stars fell from hissing
rockets on the dark trees which surrounded that place of
amusement
In less than three weeks after the removal to Cheyne
Walk, Arthur Sullivan was appointed one of the Children
of the Chapels Royal — a position for which he had longed
for years.
Arthur Sullivan had at a very early age a great desire to
be a chorister in one of the celebrated choirs. His father
was opposed to this. Arthur had heard of great musicians
who had emanated from Westminster and the Chapels
Royal. His schoolmaster had told him of the gold-em-
broidered coats of the Queen's choristers. One morning,
in a tone which ought to have carried conviction with it,
the anxious boy exclaimed, " Father, Purcell was an Abbey
boy."
At length, after long delay, during which the future great
musician was sent to school in London, where he was
miserable, he induced his master to take him to Sir George
Smart.
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74 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
This celebrated organist of the Chapel heard the boy
sing, and saw at once that he would be a prize worth secur-
ing. " Now," said l\e, " you must go and see Mr. Helmore."
Delighted with this successful commencement, Arthur and
his master went to Onslow Square. Arrived there they
were disappointed at finding the Helmores had gone ; nor
could the new tenants give their address.
Being at a loss where to inquire, Sullivan judiciously ob-
served, ** They must have eaten when they were here; let
us ask at the butcher's shop." This they did, and were not
long in reaching Cheyne Walk.
Mr. Helmore heard the new candidate sing " With ver-
dure clad," and play his own accompaniment ; after which
performance he was told that he would be written to in a
few days.
Two days after a summons came, and on the 12th April,
1854, Arthur Sullivan became a "Chapel boy."
The following day being Maundy Thursday, and the
choir in attendance in the Chapel Royal, Whitehall — on
which occasions the Queen's almoner distributes Her Ma-
jesty's ** maunds" — the new chorister made his d^but in the
duet of Nares' anthem, " Blessed is he that considereth the
poor and needy."
Being now firmly established in his new abode, the future
Sir Arthur found himself in an atmosphere of music in ac-
cordance with his own spiritual longings, and of infinite
service — as one in which he could revel among the works
of great composers, and come in contact with the cele-
brated artists of the day.
Mr. Helmore's enthusiastic passion for music, and his
deep, conscientious feeling of responsibility in the training
of the rising generation of musicians, led him to give the
boys every available opportunity of hearing and practising
good music.
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CHEYNE WALK. 75
Sir Arthur speaks with pleasure of the capital practice he
had in playing the accompaniments at the musical *' mati-
nees" given by Mr. Helmore at 6, Cheyne Walk.
These matindes were very enjoyable, not only on account
of the excellent selection and artistic rendering of the music,
but also by the peculiar fitness of the quaint old house for
the picturesque arrangement of the visitors.
Ample doors and windows opened into hall, drawing-
rooms, and garden, where seats pleasantly shaded were
within hearing of voice or instrument.
As we have said already, Arthur was the chief accom-
panist at these performances, at which amateurs of high
social position took part with the members of the C. R.
choirs and other professional artbts.
Charles Lockey was a frequent attendant — welcome for
his amiable disposition as well as for his exquisite singing.
This charming tenor sang the Obadiah solos in " Elijah"
on its first performance in this country.
Mendelssohn wrote to him a letter — ^which he framed —
thanking him for "his lovely singing, especially" — here
follow the notes of a bar or two of " If with all your hearts."
The recitative which precedes this first solo in the oratorio
has never been sung so well since Lockey sang it.
Mr. Sims Reeves will, I hope, forgive me for saying that
he sang " Ye people, rend your hearts," as if he were sus-
taining the part of the bold, uncompromising Elijah^ instead
of that of the gentle, loving Obadiah, He commanded the
people to "rend their hearts and not their garments," —
Mr. Lockey entreated them to do so.
Machin, who had been at Lichfield in Mr. Helmore's
time, was sometimes at the matinees. Montem Smith,
Lewis Thomas, and others came there; Frederick Helmore
too on several occasions took a prominent part.
On one occasion Sir Frederick Ouseley came and con-
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76 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
ducted his oratorio " The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp."
Frederick Helmore took the principal part, and the trio
was sung by the same boys who had sung it at the first
performance at Oxford — Arthur Sullivan being one of the
three.
The preparation for these pleasant concerts, and their
final performance, was one of many means taken by Mr.
Helmore to expand the intellect and prevent the musical
taste of his pupils being narrowed into one groove.
Attendance at the Madrigal Society's meetings was ano-
ther. Sir Arthur speaks with pleasure of the privilege of
singing when a boy at all Jenny Lind's concerts at Exeter
Hall.
The solid groundwork upon which the compositions of
Sir Arthur Sullivan are based, and which gives them a
superior character, even in his lighter operas, over all other
modem attempts of the kind, is mainly due to the method
of study pursued during his residence in Cheyne Walk.
Mr. Helmore published Arthur's first song, "O Israel,"
without correcting the few technical errors, so that it might
appear in the truthful garb of a boy's work.
The original MS. of this early effort is still preserved
among a hoard of juvenile sketches at i. Queen's Mansions.
It is written in a yellow book. In this same book is to be
seen a beautiful little madrigal, " O lady dear," at the head
of which is the following interesting note, —
"Written while lying outside the bed one night, un-
dressed, and in deadly fear lest Mr. Helmore should
come in."
In two years after his appointment at the C. R., Arthur
having barely attained the requisite age (fourteen) for com-
peting, went in for the Mendelssohn Scholarship, which he
brought off with flying colours, and so became the " First
Mendelssohn Scholar."
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CHEYNE WALK. 77
After this, the renowned "Scholar" appeared at the
matinkes in the smart midshipmanlike uniform of the R. A.
In similar costume came Charley Isaacs, who played
violin solos with a dash very rare at that time among
English violinists.
A sad history connected with the career of this clever
but unfortunate artist contains a moral which induces the
writer to record briefly a few of its leading incidents.
The fine-toned Amati on which Charley Isaacs delighted
the audiences at Cheyne Walk had been presented to him
as the prize for the best violinist of his year in the R. A.
Frederick Helmore on hearing his admirable playing in-
vited him to Ely, where he played to a large audience of
musical people, including Bishop Turton, and the Dean and
Canons of the cathedral.
In the following year Charley appeared again at Ely,
not in his R. A. uniform, — but, to the distress of Frederick,
and all the friends he had made at his first visit, in a
swallow-tailed coat, his face blackened, among a troupe of
Ethiopian serenaders.
After the nigger concert, Charley went to F. H.'s rooms,
and there gave an account of the wonderful transform-
ation.
It appeared that soon after the winning of the first prize
for violin playing, a vacancy had occurred in the Italian
Opera, of which his master, Mr. Blagrove, was leader.
Instead of Isaacs being appointed to the vacant post, a
young man, second to him in point of merit at the examina-
tion, was given the seat.
This apparently unfair selection was probably owing to
the extremely boyish look of Charley Isaacs. (When he
came to Ely on the first occasion at sixteen years of age,
he was thought to be not more than thirteen.)
Whatever were Blagrove's reasons, the poor little fellow
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78 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
felt aggrieved, slighted, and unfairly dealt with, and in a fit
of wounded pride and cruel disappointment left the Academy,
and set out to seek a living.
The outcast, carrying his Amati under his arm, wan-
dered into every place of amusement in which he was
likely to find an appreciative audience, and collect means
for providing food and shelter.
In this he was tolerably successful, until one day a
military gentleman, whom he had met at Cheyne Walk,
entered a fighting crib, which Charley had found an amusing
and at the same time lucrative resort. " Then for the first
time," said Charley, " I felt ashamed of my mode of life."
He at once left the boxing establishment unobserved, and
started on the road for Exeter, his original home.
With a few shillings he had earned in London, and trifles
picked up by occasional performances on the road, the
wanderer managed to reach Exeter, where he obtained an
engagement in the orchestra at the theatre.
This the foolish fellow threw up in a short time. The
few months of fast London life, and the gipsy-like wander-
ings that followed, had completely unfitted him for any
steady occupation, and he joined the troupe of minstrels
with whom he appeared at Ely.
Frederick Helmore and others at Ely tried every argu-
ment to induce him to leave his degrading position, but
in vain.
Again at Cardiff F. H. met Charley in another troupe,
engaged at Joe Holbrook's Music Hall. He sang alto or
falsetto treble in the harmonized melodies, and played solos
on his prize violin, which had been valued at two hundred
guineas. The back was now partially unglued, but he would
not have it meddled with until he could get it put to rights
by a capable man whom he knew in London.
The writer spoke to Henry Blagrove, who wrote to Isaacs,
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CHEYNE WALK. 79
begging him to come back to him, and he would place him
" in the foremost rank of English violinists."
But the vagabond life which Blagrove's best pupil had
adopted had a strange fascination which prevented his
accepting an offer that would have led to respectability,
emolument and renown.
To return to Charles Lockey and tell, in a few words, the
end of his very successful, though brief career.
Lockey lost his voice through want of that moral courage
by which Sims Reeves has been able to refuse to sing at all
times when he found his voice unequal to the occasion.
Lockey, on the other hand, conscientiously kept engage-
ments in spite of colds or hoarseness, and gallantly — ^by extra
exertion to produce difficult notes — strained the muscles of
the larynx, and sang his voice away.
The ex-tenor retired to the Falcon, at Gravesend, whi-
ther his friends repaired to enjoy his celebrated whitebait
dinners, to talk of old times, and read Mendelssohn's com-
plimentary letters to the once sweet singer.
The last few years of Locke/s life were spent at Hastings,
where he died last year.
One more well known and much respected visitor and
assistant at the matintes must not be forgotten. In the
comer of the music room — as in other rooms where good
singing was performed with the assistance of accomplished
amateurs — the following curious appearance occurred fre-
quently.
At the approach of a chorus, a large folio score would be
seen to rise slowly above the heads of those in front, going
up and up, and you wondered if it ever would stop, until
the tome being slightly lowered by the towering figure,
the genial face of Sir William Cope appeared, waiting for
the conductor's beat.
Mr. and Mrs. Helmore's matinks were highly appreciated
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8o MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
by their guests as by far the most agreeable method of
returning the compliment of their receptions or dinner-
parties.
As to the boys — these gatherings were invaluable; not
only from the refining influence of good society, but also by
introducing them to many of high standing, either socially
or artisticadly, who might be of service to them in after life.
CHAPTER XIX.
HANDEL FESTIVAL.
In 1857 great excitement was caused among the Chapel
boys, in which Mr. Helmore shared, by the intimation that
a monster chorus and orchestra were that year to assemble
in the Crystal Palace for the performance of Handel's
great works.
Under the auspices of the London Sacred Harmonic
Society with the co-operation of the Crystal Palace Com-
pany, this gathering was intended as a kind of trial, or
preparation for the due celebration of the Centenary of
HandeFs death in 1859.
To render the management of such a host of performers
possible, it was necessary to insure individual competency.
To this end a strict examination of all the principal Lon-
don societies, choirs and classes was instituted, and much
astonishment was consequent on the failure of many who
had hitherto been considered good readers.
Mr. Helmore took great interest in the grand essay, and
enlisted in the service not only his chorist.ers, but several of
his own children.
In the country, Mr. Piddock visited the cathedral choirs, ,
from each of which he selected an agent who should choose
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HANDEL FESTIVAL. 8 1
a certain number of efficient singers, and rehearse the music
to be performed.
Mr. Frederick Helmore was appointed agent for the Isle
of Ely.
The Bradford and other Yorkshire and Lancashire choirs
gave the principal tone of grandeur to the chorus.
The London voices at that time were comparatively thin
and wiry. Those who recollect their tone then, listen with
delighted wonder at the immense development of their
choral power and efficiency.
This is displayed most signally in the two seasons
which intervene between the Triennial Handel Festivals, at
which times the London chorus, unassisted by provincial
contingents, give an annual performance of some great
work.
The London Sacred Harmonic Society, for some mystic
reason, did not admit boys as sopranos. All the choristers
therefore were placed among the altos,
Mr. Helmore regretted this, — knowing how superior the
tone would have been, and how much more bravely the
attack would have been made if a good body of picked
sopranos had been selected from the London and provincial
cathedrals and church choirs.
The quality of the alto was much mellowed by the mix-
ture. This is never so good as when in addition to the
ladies' contralto quality, whose tone places the part audibly
below the treble, and the men's counter-tenoTy whose tone
places it so distinctly above the tenors and basses, is added
the mezzo-soprano quality of the boys.
The mixture then is perfect, and those who have the
selection of voices for large choirs will do well to bear this
in mind.
During the week of the Festival, the two hundred
cathedral men who took part at the Palace were invited to a
G
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82 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
dinner given by the Madrigal Society at the Freemasons'
Tavern.
After the meal was sung "Non nobis Domine." This
was led off by sixty cathedral altos, producing a thrill-
ing effect which was perfectly electrifying. One bass voice
at least was silenced by its unexpected sweetness and
intensity. None but those who heard it can form the
slightest idea of the brilliancy of that body of trained
altos — each in the habit of singing the solos in his cathedral
service. The amazing mellowness of that delightful min-
gling of rare voices, all real altos, was overpowering.
Some madrigals were conducted by Cipriani Potter in his
old-iiaishioned style. After sounding the key on the large
wooden pitch-pipe, he held out a roll of brown paper by
way of baton, on which a well known Yorkshire bass,
Hemingway, asked, " Whafll thou take for yon sauceage?"
The note was sounded once more on the venerable pitch-
pipe, one bar was beaten with "yon sauceage," and the
madrigal was commenced by voices seldom equalled in
such a number.
The arrangements at the Crystal Palace for accommodating
and managing such an unprecedented number of vocalists,
instrumentalists, and audience, were wonderful for the time.
The credit of the excdlent arrangements was due prin-
cipally to the extraordinary talent for method and order
possessed by the late Mr. Bowley, of the Exeter Hall Sacred
Harmonic Society.
Costa's noble appearance and admirable coolness proved
him to be quite equal to the command of the formidable
force which he had to conduct.
Refreshments for the performers were prepared in tents
outside the building, and there the undisciplined, uncouth,
pushing roughness of many of the country singers — especially
those from Yorkshire and Lancashire— caused great con-
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HANDEL FESTIVAL. 83
fusion and annoyance to the Londoners, who, being more
accustomed to crowds, had learnt the value of patience.
The confusion was aggravated by the want of space, the
paucity of attendants, and scarcity of provisions. The ex-
perience of a few years remedied these inconveniences.
The caterers learnt how to provide, and how by the ticket
system to prevent confusion at the bars, while the crowds
of visitors learnt how to take care of themselves without
annoying other people.
The names of five or six Helmores, for this and several
of the subsequent Handel Festivals, appeared in the list of
performers, — that of Mr. Helmore, sometimes among the
tenors, sometimes as a 'cellist. Captain Ottley also played
the violoncello at several of the performances.
In 1858 the works of other composers were attempted,
but with less effective results than those of Handel.
This failure was due to various causes. First, HandePs
music was more generally known, and is easier from its
massive simplicity ; next, the acoustic arrangements, which
now exist, had not been made ; but it was principally owing
to the want of precision, which has since been secured
through watching the conductor, and never trustmg for one
second to the ear.
The careful and untiring zeal with which Mr. Manns
now drills both choir and orchestra have produced remark-
able results. The performances of "Elijah" in 1889, and
of "S. Paul" in 1890, under the sway of his all-powerful
baton, may be considered among the greatest musical feats
in the history of conducting.
The delicate handling of the gigantic chorus and orchestra
in the soft passages was perfectly marvellous.
In 1858^ when harps were employed, the appearance of
the orchestra is worthy of record.
A line of harps extending the whole height of the orches-
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84 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
tra, from foot to top, formed a golden chain between the
dark and light dresses of the tenors and sopranos on one
side, and of basses and contraltos on the other. At the
upper part on either side were placed the Guards' bands in
full uniform, the glittering line of harps forming connecting
links between the trumpets, horns, and trombones of the
orchestra, and the shining brass instruments which lighted
up the scarlet tunics of the soldiers.
The front of the orchestra was decorated then as now
with statuary artistically arranged among beautiful foliage ;
behind which the sweet face of Clara Novello and the other
principals completed a very pretty picture.
Nor must we forget the magic beauty of the view from
the orchestra. There was then no false roof as now used
for acoustic purposes. The sun shone in all its brilliance
on the great assembly of auditors, who being mostly ladies,
held parasols of delicate hue, — the recently discovered
mauve softening and harmonizing with the pale tints of
green, pink, blue, and amber, so exquisitely blended in the
distance as to have the effect of a vast sea of mother-o'-
pearl.
The increased proportion of gentlemen to ladies since
the early festivals is a fact worth noticing.
But to return to Cheyne Walk. In the year of the first
Handel Festival, 1857, Mr. Helmore had to part with
Sullivan, of whom he was so proud, and for whom he had
so great an affection.
In some respects it would have been impossible to supply
his place. All that could be done was to find a good voice
to succeed Arthur's, which was now breaking.
Just at this time Alfred Cellier presented himself as a
candidate for admission to the choir. He, curiously enough,
chose the same solo at his trial as his predecessor had done,
and sang "With verdure dad" in such capital style, that
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LECTURES. . 85
Mr. Helmore returned to his family in great spirits, ex-
claiming, " I have found a successor for Arthur."
It is needless here to recount what every one knows, of
the successful career in the Conservatorium at Leipsic, and
elsewhere, of one who has done so much for music, in all
its branches, — for the church, the drawing-room, the operatic
or dramatic stage, and the concert-hall ; but it is as pleasant
to remember that Sir Arthur Sullivan was a Chapel boy, as
to say, in his own words to his father, "Purcell was an
Abbey boy."
CHAPTER XX.
LECTURES.
The Reverend Thomas Helmore's name appearing on a
poster announcing a lecture, in any part of the country, was
almost sure to secure a full house.
The subjects of these lectures varied considerably, but all
more or less pointed to the necessity and Christian obligation
of making the service of the Church essentially choral
"The rationale of Divine worship, as ordered by the
Church, presupposes and demands, in every place of wor-
ship, as full, complete, and solemn service as the means,
ability, and zeal of the ministers and people, together with
a choir, will allow." (Swansea, 1879.)
Mr. Helmore's success as a lecturer was due not only to
the honest heartfelt enthusiasm which he threw into all he
said or sang, but also to the interesting way in which he
made his audience the illustrators of his subject.
The Christmas Carols formed a most popular theme for
lectures, and were enthusiastically received, especially in
Yorkshire and the North of England.
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86 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
Mr. Helmore lectured on Carols several times at Man-
chester. The boys who there, as at other large towns, had
taken the part of the Pc^e in * Good King Wenceslas,* speak
with pleasurable pride to this day of having sung the part
with Mr. Hehnore.
This carol was an original conception of John Mason
Neale, written to suit the music of " Tempus adest floridum,"
a spring carol of the thirteenth century. It was harmonized
by Mr. Helmore, and introduced as one of the twelve An-
cient Melodies selected for Helmore and Neale's book of
Christmas Carols.
All the twelve carols are good, some being most popular
in one locality and some in others : Dies est Icetitimy " Royal
day that chasest gloom," as the preface to the folio edition
states, is a great favourite all over Europe : In dulcijubilo^
" Good Christian men, rejoice," is also a great favourite, and
Resonet in laudibuSy " Christ was bom on Christmas Day,"
is sung every Christmas by those who know it.
Other collections of carols have since appeared, ruined by
numerous modem attempts at carol writing. They are
mostly pretty drawing-room hymns, but neither words nor
music have the ring of the old ones, which tell of days gone
by with good old customs which mellow by their preserva-
tion the garish newness of the present.
" It is impossible at one stretch to produce a quantity of
new Carols of which words and music shall alike be original.
They must be the gradual accumulation of centuries, the
offerings of different epochs, of diflferent countries, of diflferent
minds, to the same treasury of the Church. None but an
empiric would venture to make a set to order." — See Preface
to Neale and Helmoris Christmas Carols, Folio.
In Cathedral towns the object of the lecture was mostly
to urge upon precentors and organists the duty of preserving
the grand old music of the early composers of the reformed
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LECTURES. 87
Church, and of using and cultivating the study of Plain
Song, and such works as are actually founded upon that
sacred basis, such for instance as the Motets of Palestrina
and his contemporaries.
Some of these would be used as illustrations, as well as
some of Handel's choruses which are founded on the Gre-
gorian chants, as " Let their celestial concerts all unite."
In the rehearsal of motets which the lecturer wished to
be sung without accompaniment, the weakness pf the Cathe-
dral training was often detected to the surprise 6f precentors
and organists.
Bojrs and men who have always been trained with an
instrument will perhaps read new music with such assist-
ance with considerable facility, who, directly they are set to
do so without the support of organ or piano, are almost
utterly at a loss.
The recent practice in some choirs of having unaccom-
panied services on Wednesda3rs and Fridays, and during
the forty days of Lent, has wonderfully improved their
efficiency.
All vocal music should be practised first without any
instrument, for several reasons. First, it makes good readers.
Secondly,* it teaches the singer to produce and sustain
his notes without flattening. Thirdly, it induces precision,
accuracy, and bold "attack.'* Lastly, it is more likely to
insure good "phrasing" than when dependent upon an
accompaniment, probably played by one of the organist's
apprentices.
This remark applies to solos as well as to concerted
music whether for church or for secular purposes.
To insure free, unfettered, natural phrasing in chanting,
Mr. Helmore had strong reasons for urging the retention of
the square notation.
When the Psalter Noted was first introduced, the writer
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88 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
was much struck by the frequent remarks of musical people
who had not had much practice in reading.
"Ah," said they, "I can read this, there is a note for
every syllable !"
The appearance of square and diamond shaped notes
without the intervention of bars gives the singer untram-
melled license in preserving the rhythm of the words.
In barred music this is more complicated : and when
used as a vain attempt to represent ancient melodies like
the Ambrosian Te Deum or the Nicene Creed, the result is
lamentable. Instead of the easy natural and solemn flow of
the words, you hear stiff stilted affectation mingled with
chattering cacophony.
In lectures to congregations and choirs of parish churches,
Mr. Helmore would probably arrange his choir antiphonally
in the lecture-room, as nearly as possible as they are placed
in church.
If it were the first of a course, or only a single lecture, the
Champion of Plain Song would give a preparatory address
pointing out the special duties of Priest, Choir, and People
in the musical performance of Church Service, and suggest
practical rules for their guidance, " with special reference to
the joining of all the people in sacred song."
At the same time he would " offer a few remarks on the
choir-singing, not to be joined in, but properly to be listened
to by the rest of the people, and perhaps in some cases by
the clergy themselves."
"I fear," says the lecturer at Wolverhampton, 1867,
" many pious persons have not fully realized the fact that it
is as possible, and as right (abstractedly considered,) to stand
before the altar in worship silently, while a choir is raising
some solemn or joyous strain to the praise and glory of
Almighty God, as it is to stand silent while the Scripture
Lessons or the Epistle are read."
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LECTURES. 89
To those who have musical ears, the best sermon they
can hear, for impressing a text or passage in the Bible, is an
anthem, in which every sentiment of which it is capable is
set forth in artistic variety by a devotional composer and a
devout choir.
What words, however eloquent from a preacher, can con-
vey the intense humility and sorrowing repentance in which
the prodigal returns to his home, as Creighton's touching
little anthem " I will arise and go to my Father ?"
What words of hope and comfort could be preached to
touch the heart like Sir John Goss's setting of " If we believe
that Jesus died?"
If we required further evidence of the teaching influence
of music, let us think what books have we ever read, what
sermons have we heard, that have impressed us so vividly
with the circumstances connected with the birth, life, suffer-
ings, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord as
listening to HandeVs " Messiah ?*'
Having completed his preliminary remarks Mr. Hdmore
then made his audience — Priests, choir, and people — re-
hearse the main portions of a choral service, beginning with
the monotone, then explaining the simple rules of intonation
in versicles and responses, practising Gregorian chants to
Venite and psalms, and so on as the capabilities of his audi-
ence would admit.
This never tiring Priest read two papers before the Church
Congresses ; one in 1867 at Wolverhampton, and another in
1879 ^t Swansea.
These papers have since been published together by
yohn Hodgesy 24, King William Street^ Charing Cross^
entitled "The Sacrifice of Praise."
On the title-page are inserted these two quaintly expres-
sive and appropriate texts.
"... Turn unto the Lord : say unto Him . , . receive
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90 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
US graciously : so will we render the calves of our lips,'" —
Hos. xiv. 2.
"... Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God con-
tinually, that is, the/r«// of our lips,** — Heb. xiii. 15.
CHAPTER XXL
HEREFORD.
In 1 86 1, in the month of March, the Royal Household
were in mourning for the death of our beloved Queen's
excellent mother.
The late Duchess of Kent was very dear to all the people
of England, as being Her Majesty's mother ; but the elders
had a personal affection for her, engendered by her numerous
visits to all parts of the country with the dear little Princess
Victoria — ^as we all called at that time our future sovereign.
When the Princess was about seven or eight years of age,
she was brought, in company with her illustrious mother,
on a visit to Stratford-on-Avon. While the carriage with
the royal tourists was waiting at the White Lion Hotel, the
elder Mr. Helmore held his son Frederick (who had the
presumption to be born in the same year as the Queen) in
his arms, while the little fellow led off lustily " God save
the King."
In that same sad year (i 861), on the 14th December, the
great bell tolled for the bitterest grief of Her Majesty — the
loss of her Royal Consort — in which great sorrow all the
country mourned, and no one more sincerely than the truly
loyal Priest in Ordinary, Thomas Helmore.
The year 1862 saw the second Exhibition to that which
had been inaugurated by the Prince Consort in 185 1.
While the young people were admiring the grandeur of
the new structure, with its valuable and gorgeous contents.
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HEREFORD. 9 1
the elders were contrasting it disparagmgly with the gloiy
of the former temple.
That glorious temple had again become famous, not only
as the noblest and most commodious show-place in the
world, but as the only place in which the great works of
the immortal Handel could be heard to advantage on the
grand scale which triennially brings so many thousands to
the Festivals.
The Handel Festival held this year was the third really,
but the second of the triennial celebrations.
In the 1862 Exhibition one of the most prominent, and,
to the subject of these memoirs, perhaps the most interest-
ing object was the splendid screen which was exhibited,
designed, and executed for erection in Hereford Cathedral.
The ceremony of consecrating the new screen by a solemn
service, in which Mr. Helmore and his brother took part,
occurred in the following year.
The Precentor— the Rev. Sir F. A. G. Ouseley— selected
his friend of undergraduate days — Frederick Helmore — to
start the processional chant.
The procession consisted of eight hundred surpliced
members of the three cathedrals and other clergy of the
diocese. It was not only for " auld acquaintance,'' but also
for the power of his voice, that Frederick was appointed to
the honour of giving out the chant — so that it might be
heard through the whole length of the extensive line.
Both brothers would have preferred a grand Gregorian —
say the eighth tone, the intonation and mediation of which,
as in the sublime simplicity of the opening of the chorus
mentioned above, " Let their celestial concerts all unite,"
would, by the natural swelling of the voice on the rising
note, be heard through the extreme length of a procession
of ten times the number.
The service was very grand, and its effect much enhanced
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92 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
by brilliant sunshine which lighted up the new screen, the
architectural beauties of the choir, the surplices of priests
and singers, and the noble congregation.
After the very hearty service, visitors were most hospi-
tably entertained by the Dean and Canons in their several
residences.
The day was exceedingly hot. The reader is assured in
confidence that when Canon Powell's butler poured the
most delicious sparkling beverage of the county into cham-
pagne glasses, no wine could have been so acceptable to
the guests as Herefordshire perry.
On the following day the two Helmores visited Malvern.
They had many a time, when playing their flutes on Wel-
combe, looked with delight on the distant Malvern Hills ;
but on this occasion they ascended to the summit for the
first time.
In descending, the path they had chosen brought them
to a gravel-pit on the extreme verge of the hill.
Frederick went round the pit, but Mr. Helmore ventured
along a narrow path between the pit and the hillside. His
weight was too great for the insecure passage, along which
he was stepping jauntily in the buoyancy produced by bra-
cing air and the renewal of early associations ; the gravel
gave way beneath his feet, and he was precipitated to the
bottom.
Fortunately the pit was not very deep ; still the fall was
sufficient to cause a very severe sprain of the ankle.
His brother helped him with considerable difficulty up
the crumbling side of loose gravel.
Arrived at the top the question was how to get down the
hill. The sprain was too violent to allow the slightest pres-
sure with the foot ; so they decided that the better plan
would be to effiect a descent by the steep side in a less
formal manner than walking.
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MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. 93
Thereupon the two sat down side by side on the summit
of the grassy precipice with their arms entwined as in boy-
hood's days — only that now the supporting arm was that of
the younger, not of the elder brother. So by gentle degrees
the painful descent was accomplished to the high road,
where the first empty fly was hailed, and Malvern was soon
reached.
Arnica was applied by a kind friend who was staying in
the town, but it was evidently so bad a wrench that it was
determined to proceed to London at once.
Frederick, instead of returning to his home at Gloucester,
accompanied and supported to the best of his ability his
helpless brother to Cheyne Walk, where his injuries were
carefully attended to; but it was many weeks before a cure
was effected.
CHAPTER XXII.
MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.
The marriage of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales was celebrated
in S. George's Chapel Royal, Windsor, on March lo, 1863.
Mr. Helmore and his brother, with the choirs of the
Chapels Royal and a few selected singers, among whom was
Jenny Lind, occupied the rood-loft on the south side of
the organ.
Continuous with this a gallery in the south transept con-
tained the members of Her Majesty's private band.
It would be needless to describe the unwonted grandeur
of a scene which has been described so frequently, were it
not that this position in the organ-loft gave the singers a
better view of the ceremony than could have been obtained
from any other place in the chapel.
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94 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
This building is almost unique in its perfect preservation
and delightfiil cleanliness.
On this occasion it was seen to great perfection, and
assumed a mediaeval appearance of unexpected page-
antry.
At each of the columns in the nave stood a gigantic yeo-
man of the guard in his uniform of the Henrys, firm as a
statue, halberd in hand.
On either side of the gate of the rood-screen was a group
of guardsmen, with shining cuirasses and plumed helmets,
knightly-looking.
To meet each procession, the heralds in their tabards and
the trumpeters in cloth-of-gold, with the royal arms sus-
pended firom their silver trumpets, marched to the western
entrance and thence preceded, first, the Prince and his
royal attendants ; next, the friends of the bride, led by her
noble sire, the stately King of Denmark; last came the
bride's procession.
A pretty and very interesting sight was the Princess Royal
leading in her little son (the present Emperor of Germany)
without fiuther escort. As Her Royal Highness acknow-
ledged the courtesies of those who occupied the side aisles,
so too the dear little prince, who was in Highland costume,
bowed in concert with his beloved mother with all the ease
and grace of an emperor.
During the progress of each procession the trumpeters
played traditional marches which vibrated with thrilling
sweetness through the building.
When the curtains of the western door were drawn for
the entrance of the third procession, a white doud was seen
in the distance which floated on through the entrance, and
as it approached, the beautiful faces of the bride and brides-
maids budded forth; and still the white cloud sailed on till
lost beneath the choir arch. During its progress there was
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MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. 95
not the slightest apparent rising or falling or swaying right
or left, but the wonderful tread of those graceful girls was
perfect in its steady approach.
The face of the Princess will never be forgotten by those
who saw its calm, thoughtful, elevated, responsible expres-
sion, accompanied a3 it was by the happy looks of her
trainbearers.
Mr. Helmore naturally felt the melancholy contrast to
all the gorgeous trappings and official robes of the laity in
the scanty, ill-conditioned, episcopal magpie clothing of
the officiating ministers and loft-hidden surplices of the
choir.
It is to be feared that the rood-loft was not calculated to
inspire feelings of reverence, especially during the excite-
ment caused by the constant influx of illustrious guests.
One of the smgers, perfectly out of his ordinary element,
asked such absurd questions that they elicited ironical
answers; e.g., when the Duke of Argyle appeared in full
Highland costume, and the inquiry was made, ^^ Pray, sir,
can you tell me what costume that is ?" he was informed
that it was "the order of the bath^^ which interesting fact
he communicated to others near him.
In this year was published the Alleluiatic sequence —
Cantemus cunc/i— "The strain upraise," with the ancient
and " only appropriate melody."
About this time appeared a collection of Short Graces,
before and after meals — by the Rev. Thomas Helmore and
his brother — most useful for colleges and schools ; both in
folio and cheap octavo editions. (Novello, Ewer, and Co.)
In Lent, 1865, our musical Priest gave to the Church an
English setting of the Te Deum, "from a MS. of the late
Giuseppe Baini, Maestro di Capella Sistina." (vii.)
This is a very effective treatment of the Ambrosian hymn,
where the choir is good and the congregation hearty and
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g6 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
willing to be taught, or to be led by a portion of the trained
singers.
The uneven verses are harmonized for the choir to sing
alone, and the alternate even verses are sung in unison by
the congregation.
Also another, in which the people take the uneven verses
in unison, and the choir the even verses arranged in four
parts from the original organ accompaniment by Pietro
Alfieri. (viii.)
The accompaniment to the congregational unison was by
the arranger.
The pleasing melody on which the composition is based
is the Gregorian chant of Te tefemum Patrem,
A second edition of the evening hymn t^v rifiipav hi^^wv
" The day is past and over," was published this year. The
original translation by Dr. Neale, with Helmore's music,
first appeared in 1862. This Greek hymn was written by
S. Anatolius, cir. a.d. 450.
A note in " Hymns of the Eastern Church," states that
it is a great favourite in the Greek Isles.
In 1842, the early days of S. Mark's College, the Vice-
Principal and Precentor adapted easy cadences to the
Gloria in excelsis^ for use in the Chapel service.
In 1866 Mr. Helmore, to complete the design of the
simple harmony which he had adapted to the angelic hymn,
set the whole of the Communion Office to similar ca-
dences.
These cadences have been found invaluable in country
places where choirs or congregation have not been quite
prepared for an elaborate choral communion.
Those who have not yet been able to perform the highest
service of the Church of England musically will do well to
introduce these simple settings till they can attain to some-
thing more elaborate and more strictly ecclesiastical.
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RECOVERY OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. 97
The cattle plague, rinderpest^ raged fearfully at this time.
So great was the plague that a special prayer was said in
churches praying Almighty God to stay the pestilence.
The special prayer was dreadfully unrhythmical, so much
so, that the clergy had great difficulty in saying it.
The Archbishop who wrote it had evidently received an
imperfect musical education, or His Grace could not have
strung words together with so little attention to rhythmic
accent.
John Mason Neale wrote an appropriate hymn for the
occasion, which his " Hymnal" coadjutor set to music. It
was very generally sung throughout the churches.
In February the third edition was issued of Helmore's
music to Neale's translation of f o0€/)a9 TpiKVfila^ — '* Peace,
it is I" — a hymn of the Eastern Church.
The composer dedicated this deservedly popular setting
of the hymn to the Motet Choir, of which he was the
honorary precentor.
CHAPTER XXIII.
RECOVERY OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.
During several years much time was occupied in collecting
and arranging a liberal addition of tones for the canticles
which form the second set.
This set added to the original book a variety of chants,
which amount to twenty-two for Venite^ eight settings of the
Te Deum^ which include (No. i) Marbeck's version, made
from the ancient Ambrosian melody in the Brief Directory ;
(No. 5) the traditional Ambrosian melody from the Sarum
Antiphonary in the British Museum, Salisbury Cathedral
H
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98 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
Library, Christ Church and the Bodleian Libraries, Oxford.
No. 6 is entitled " The Song of SS. Ambrose and Augustine ;
from Marcus Meibomius's Seven Ancient Authors." No. 7
from a MS. of Giuseppe Baini for Choir and People alter-
nately. No. 8 from Accompagnamento de' Toni Ecclesi-
astici di Pietro Alfieri, for People^nd Choir alternately.
There are fourteen settings of Benedkite^ omnia Opera^
fourteen of Benedictus, with directions for other endings,
two Miserere met, DeuSy for the Commination, twelve Qui-
cunque vulty sixteen Magnificat y and eighteen Nunc dimittis.
It is thought well to give this list for the sake of those
who — ^not having had an opportunity of seeing the more
recently published sets of Canticles noted and the Appen-
dices to the Psalter — ^are not aware of the great variety of
Church melodies they contain.
In 1870 the second set of the Canticles Noted was pub-
lished, followed in the next year by the Accompanying Har-
monies to the second Appendix to the Psalter.
The year 1872 brought trouble and anxiety to the whole
world. Never in the history of man was such a thing
known as that bending of the knee by all kindreds and
nations under the sun, individually and collectively, as when
we all prayed so earnestly for the recovery of the heir to
the throne of the British Empire.
Never was a more hearty recognition of the goodness of
God in answering that universal prayer, than when the
Prince of Wales with his royal mother, accompanied by
thousands of worshippers in S. Paul's Cathedral, and by
millions of loving hearts all over the world, lifted up one
sublime offering of praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty
and Merciful Father of all.
No one in that vast assemblage carried in his heart more
genuine appreciation of the wonderful resurrection from the
jiaws of death, or had more beseechingly pleaded for the
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S. GALL, 99
restoration of the dying prince, than the Master of the
Children of Her Majesty's Chapels Royal, Priest in Ordinary
to the Queen, her late most loving and loyal subject, the
good Thomas Helmore.
CHAPTER XXIV.
S. GALL.
In 1875 the author of the Plain Song Primer visited S.
Gall for the express purpose of examining an ancient MS.
which to him was probably the most valuable of all existing
MSS. He had already carefully studied Lambillotte's fac-
simile of the precious record of Gregorian chant, which,
according to M. Lambillotte, was copied from S. Gregory's
autograph MS. chained to the altar of S. Peter at Rome.
In the Stiftsbibliothek at S. Gall Mr. Helmore feasted his
eyes with the examination of this interesting document, of
which he wrote in the first edition of his Plain Song Primer,
^* This most ancient record of Gregorian chant was copied
from S. Gregory's autograph," &c, as stated above by M.
Lambillotte.
Our Plain Song explorer spent a most enjoyable time at
the monastery, dividing his time between the perusal of the
treasures carefully preserved in the library, and genial inter-
course with Dr. Otto Zardetti and other accomplished
members of the monastic body.
So impressed was Helmore with the kind attentions he
had received from the curators of the library and the amount
of information he had gained, that he not only paid a second
visit, but made a very interesting water-colour drawing il-
lustrating the history of the MS. as related by Eckhart, a
monk of S. Gall in the eleventh century. The picture re-
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lOO MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
presents Romanus, who had fallen ill and been left behind
near the Lake of Constance, being taken into the hospitable
care of the good monks of S. Gall.
This large picture is a clever composition, and interesting
to his surviving friends as a record of the artist's indefati-
gable researches in the cause of true catholic music and his
reverence for those who from time to time had been the
means of its careful preservation.
It is perhaps necessary to remind the reader that Romanus
was a companion missionary of Petrus. They had been
sent by Adrian I., at the request of Charlemagne, to teach
the Gregorian chant at Metz ; to which place Petrus went
after his friend's unavoidable detention.
By the Emperor's direction, Romanus stayed in the mon-
astery after his recovery and taught the " Roman use" from
the MS. which Helmore had made an express pilgrimage
to examine.
Again, in the following year, the acquaintance with the
good monks of S. Gall was renewed. Mr. Helmore records,
in the Primer, the hospitality he received at both visits as
follows : —
" I take this opportunity of bearing my testimony, not
only to the great accuracy and faithfulness of this important
print" [Lambillotte's fac-simile] " of the nineteenth century,
but also to the cordial welcome afforded me by the Rev.
the Curators of the Library, on both occasions ; nor can I
forego the pleasure it affords me to mention the urbanity of
the venerable Bishop, and the amiable attentions of the
Rev. Chanoine Otto Zardetti, D.D., to whom I was fa-
voured with an introduction, which secured me not only the
honour of his acquaintance, but also one of the highest
gratifications of my life, in the careful inspection of this
most ancient record of the earliest-written traditions of the
Catholic Plam Song."
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S. GALL. lOI
In 1877 "Plain Song," by the Rev. Thomas Helmore,
M. A., was added to the list of Novello's valuable " Musical
Primers," edited by Dr. Stainer.
Helmore's veneration for the MS. of Romanus was to
receive a painful shock. In 1878 Lambillotte's assertions
began to be questioned relative to the date of the MS.
On March the 24th, 1878, the late Mr. William Chappell,
one of the most careful and truth-searching musical anti-
quarians, wrote : —
. ..." I enclose an extract from a letter of De Cousse-
maker to me, dated 7th Feb., 1870."
" Le Graduel public en fac-simile par le Pbre Lambillotte
n'est nullement I'autographe apport^ k S. Gall par Roma-
nus. Le R. P. Schubiger a prouv^ cela clair comme le
jour dans une lettre public en 1857. L'ecriture des neumes
du texte est du X"" sibcle, ou tout au plus de la fin du IX""
sibcle.
" La preuve la plus convainquante se trouve k la page
43," [62 of the printed copy,] " oh on lit le commencement
d'une sequence de Notker, * Laus tibi Christe.' " — " You
know," continues Mr. Chappell, "that Notker, the writer
of sequences, was of S. GalJ, and of the tenth century."
On March 27 Mr. Chappell again writes: "The good
Father Lambillotte is evidently unskilled in palaeography.
At p. 226 he has headed in fac-simile 'IX"** Sibcle,' and it
is of the twelfth century ! His supposed Antiphonaire de
S. Gr^goire is of the tenth century, and in the handwriting
of one of the English or Irish monks of S. Gall," &c., &c.
These, and letters of doubt from others as to the date of
the MS., were a source of great disappointment to Mr.
Helmore. Mons. F. P. de Prins was most sympathetic and
at the same time energetic in his own correspondence on
the subject, and in suggesting names of those who might be
useful, if written to by Mr. Helmore. Mons. de Prins wrote
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I02 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
to his friend Monsieur le Chevalier Van Elewyck in Bel-
gium. "He knows/' writes Monsieur de Prins, "nearly
all those who will be able to give an opinion. I will let
you know as soon as I hear from him.
" I am also writing to the following : —
" Dr. Witt, Habert, Haller, Carl Greith, and Dr. Benz.
It is the uncle of Herr Greith who is the Bishop of S. Gall.
" Monsieur I'Abb^ Janssen, whose works on Plain Song
you must know, was my first master in Gregorian music ;
it is from him I learnt the first principles of that sublime
music.''
* * * * *
" I enclose names with addresses of men well versed in
Plain Song."
Mr. Helmore wrote on 3rd June, 1878, "I take it very
kind of you to give yourself so much trouble on my behalf.
Thank you very much for writing to Herr Carl Greith about
my antiquarian disappointment
" Yes, I use the term advisedly ; for until the critics put it
into my head to doubt, I had the most thorough belief that
I had seen with my own eyes a MS. next best to an auto-
graph of the great S. Gregory.
" I have the Sangerschule S. Gallens of Father Schubiger,
and have made use of it in my Primer of Plain Song, though
from my not reading German with facility I am dependent
on a daughter's knowledge of the language to get at its
contents, and (as every one knows) this is not like reading
it ad lib. for yourself.
" A few years ago I paid a visit to Einsidlen, and was
shown over the buildings, library, &c., with great courtesy
by one of the brethren who (fortunately for me) spoke
English. He, I remember, was very anxious to get presents
of valuable English books. I mention this only as one
link in the golden chain of happy reminiscences binding
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S. GALL. 103
me very much in heart and affection with all that have a
real love for things catholic whether here or abroad.
" It has been necessary for me as a truthful author to
alter the text of my little book now in the printer's hands
except a final chapter or two. I send you the passage as it
stood at first, and as I have altered it I fear no sufficient
answer to the critics who deny the date, 8th century, to this
famous MS. is likely to reach me in time to unsay my
altered statement
'' You will I am sure sympathize with my anxiety, and still
help me if you can, as you have already done.
*' My interpreter's notion about P. A. Schubiger is, that he
writes in the same belief as expressed in my first statement ( i )
" I am, dear Sir,
" Yours faithfully and obliged,
"Thomas Helmore.
'•' P.S. I wrote to the Librarian of the Stiftsbibliothek, S.
Gall, and Dr. Otto Zardetti, to tell them of the doubt— but
have as yet received no answer."
" From the Primer of Plain Song, as I first wrote.
" The MS. S. Gall which is presented in fac-simile by R.
Pfere Lambillotte, (R. I. P.)
"(i) This most ancient record of Gregorian Chant was
copied from S. Gregory's autograph MS. chained to the
Altar of S. Peter at Rome," &c.
" Altered in consequence of the objections of Palaeograr
phists, as follows : —
" (2) This is certainly a most ancient record of Gregorian
Chant, and has been generally believed to be the actual
MS. which was copied from S. Gregory's autograph MS.
chained to the Altar of S. Peter at Rome. From the style
of writing however, it is probably a later copy made in the
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I04 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T HELMORE.
ninth or tenth century, which is the earliest date to which
in the judgment of the most skilful palxographists it can
undoubtedly be assigned."
On the back of the sheet containing the above notes ar€
written the following : —
" There are other historical difficulties cropping up coty-
tinually in ray investigation of the History of Plain Song, e^.
"In Sir F. Palgrave's 'Normandy,' Vol. i. p. 234, there is
an account of the sack of the Abbey of Jumibges, near
Rouen, by the Danes, 841, and a consequent dispersior of
the Brethren; one of whom is said to have taken *N<us-
trian Sequences' to S. Gall, where there was a young npnk
Notker who imitated them.
" A similar story is told elsewhere of Norman atrocity md
a similar use of sequence importation by the famous Al±)ot
Notker who died the early part of the eleventh centtry,
1020.
"Are there then two Notkers? Were there two SLch
events, or only one, and error in detail ?"
Shortly after this correspondence, Mr. Helmore recei^d
answers to his letters to S. Gall.
That of the Librarian is so characteristic, and with all its
kind intention, so hopelessly encouraging to the disap-
pointed Plain Song explorer, that I am tempted to give ii
in extenso. One cannot but admire the ample list of autho-
rities given to poor Mr. Helmore, by which to upset his
"opinion concerning the age of (his) darling S. Gall MS."
" Stiftsbibliothek,
*'S. Gallen.
''Mayi\, 1878.
"Dear Sir,
" If I make bold to answer upon your kind letter, dated
22nd inst., I first of all beg to excuse me for saying that your
present opinion concerning the age of your darling S. Gall
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S. GALL. 105
Manuscript, the so-called Antiphonarium S. Gregorii, is per-
haps not quite perfect in every respect : but I may and will not
prevent your own final judgment in this matter. I only make
use of the liberty you bestowed on me to give you some
hints, how to arrange your researches in order to be able
finally to arrive at your own perfect judgment. Now I think
that you ought to read the description of our cod. 359 in
our * Verzeichniss der Handschriften der Stiftsbibliothek S.
Gallen,' p. 124. I am sure that you will get this book in the
library of the British Museum. But as it might, even for a
German, be difficult to understand all the abbreviations occur-
ring in that description, I must draw your attention to the ex-
planation of those signs and abbrevifttions at the beginning of
the same book, p. vii. — ^xii. (Erklarung der Zeichen und Ab-
kiirzungen.) To lessen your trouble, let me here quote the
works which you ought to compare according to the refer-
ences, cited in that description : Monumenta GermanicB
historica (fol.) tom. ii. page 102 &c. SchubigeVy Sdngerschule
S. Gallens, page 78 &c, (note 6) and of the * Monumenta'
(in the same book) No. 7 & 11 (page 8 & 13.) Raillardy
Explication des NeumeSy page 90. P. Lambillotte's work you
know already. If you intend perhaps to say in your work
something about the ivory diptychs of the chest wherein
the MS. is kept, you are advised to read Rahtiy Geschichte
der bildenden Kiinste in der Schweiz, page no & in.
I finally add, that our MS. cod. 615 Ekkeharti (iv.) casus
S. Galli, is now printed and for the first time published
by G. Meyer v. Knonau (S. Gallen, Huber and Co., 1877,)
with many critical notes. The chapter concerning your
inquiry is cap. 47 (page 186 & ff.) Perhaps your re-
searches will lead you still further; but after having read
and studied what I have mentioned here, I hope that you
will be able to form and fix a competent judgment for
yourself. If the one or the other of the books here as-
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I06 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
signed should not be to your disposition in the British
Museum, I beg to let me know, and I will send it to you
immediately.
" I am, dear Sir,
" Your obedient Servant,
" Idtensohn.
"To the Rev. Thom. Helmore, Esq.— London."
In 1880 the indefatigable author of Plain Song appeared
at S. Gall, where he again visited the Stiftsbibliothek on
Aug. 5, 6 and 7, "aided by the most kind and cordial sug-
gestions and help in translating German and decipha-ing
difficult writing in the^MSS. of the Rev. Idtensohn the
Librarian.
" The first visit was mostly spent in searching catalogues
for the books most useful to be consulted ; and I was also
anxious to verify, if possible, a reference in my Primer.
Hence the number here quoted of places to be searched for
the words wanted.
"The printed Catalogue of Music, No. 199, and p. 297,
has the following references."
Then follows a list that would have determined a less
earnest or strong man to give up the search and order his
portmanteau ; or else to take lodgings in the Monastery for
six months.
But Mr. Helmore occupied himself for three days in search-
ing, taking notes, copying curious diagrams illustrative of
the science of music from a MS. by Cassiodori (No. 199)
of the tenth century, studying " Notker's sequences from page
325 to 498 of a thick little square volume, XI. cent. (381),
copying from the same book the Lord's Prayer in Greek and
Latin, the former having neumes. (Notker Balbulus died
April 6, A.D. 912.)" He describes No. 376, "Parchment
Q° xi. cent. Handsome gold-illuminated initials, contain-
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S. GALL. 107
ing Hymns 5 to 38, Kalendar 13 to 30 ; one leaf from a
Pontifical, the anointing of a Metropolitan, 39 Incipiunt
Tropi Carminum : In diversis festis canendi. The book is
full of neumes beautifully clear — Graduale — Notker's Se-
quentiae with neume notes in the margin — See Gerbertus de
cantu, I., 413 to 415, note. — See also Schubiger's Sanger-
schule, p. 44 to 46, Daniel's Thesaurus Hymnol. Tom. V.
p. 38."
These extracts are given to show with what diligence
the devout searcher went about his work. They do not
occupy a third of one page of the ten, which are closely
written.
The Plain-Song Primer, on p. 87, explains the Neuma
in the words of John Tinctor, to be "a song or chant
which hangs on to the end of a word without a word.'' The
fervour of primitive devotion was thus considered to have
a means of uttering transports of heavenly gratitude, joy,
and love, far beyond what words could tell.
" Note. — ^Jubilus sonus quidem est significans cor par-
turire quod dicere non potest. It is indeed a jubilant
sound, signifying that the heart conceives what it is unable
to express." [S. Augustine on Ps. xxxii.]
"The Sequence was an attempt to substitute a calmer
devotion, more suitable to * common prayer,' &c."
The late Mr. William Chappell in one of his numerous
letters to Mr. Helmore writes, " .... I find canto fermo to
have been introduced by Pope Vitalian, and that after his
death the teachers of it were called Vitaliani."
"The motive for the introduction I conceive to have
been because he considered too much made of tune, and
that it disturbed devotion rather than aided it. We have
the same feeling betrayed now in another branch of music.
Because operas have had tunes in them which attracted
more than the stage business, Herr Wagner would have
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Io8 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
dramas accompanied by harmony onlyy — rejecting rhythm,
the head of music ; form, the arms ; and melody, the legs ;
thus leaving only harmony, the trunk."
Neumes are still occasionally sung in the Jewish services.
Go to the Great Synagogue some Sabbath day, when it is a
high day, and the Rev. M. Hast is officiating, and you will
have a very good sample of the outpouring of a beautiful
voice in vocalizing a neuma.
So many Gentiles are apt to confound the Lord's day of
the Christians with the Sabbath, which is on Saturday, that
it is perhaps as well to call attention to this fact to prevent
mistakes.
The Jews appear to have retained none of the traditionary
music of the Temple in any of their services. It was only
those Jews who were disciples of our Lord who continued
to sing the songs of Zion, from whom they were learned by
the early Gentile Christians, and found, collated, arranged,
and preserved by S. Ambrose of Milan.
Pray that the Jews may soon regain the " land of pro-
mise," and once more sing " the Lord's song," which the
Christians have preserved.
Pray that their Rabbis may have the courage to restore to
their Bible the disused portion of the Prophecies of Isaiah.
(Ch. liii.) Then will every Jew and Jewess see that the
Messiah Whom they expected to come in all the pomp of
earthly majesty, was to be a suffering Messiah, " a man of
sorrows and acquainted with grief."
Once realizing this great meaning of prophecy, all who
are honest will compare the words of Isaiah with the four
biographies written, and as duly authenticated as any history
ever penned — known as the four Gospels ; and they will see
how perfectly the life of the lowly Jesus tallies with the
prophetic words, — even to His being brought "as a lamb
to the slaughter," and offered at the Feast of the Passover,
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S. GALL. 109
the very Paschal Lamb Who was to " take away the sins of
the world." " He was cut off out of the land of the living :
for the transgression of My people was He stricken."
On Mr. Helmore's return to London, the ancient trea-
sures of the British Museum were examined with the same
care and industry as he had displayed in the Library of
S. Gall.
With regard to the famous MS. in the Stiftsbibliothek at
S. Gall being the genuine copy of S. Gregory's, brought
thither by Romanus, the principal argument against its
authenticity seems to be that it contains "le commence-
ment d'une sequence de Notker," who was of the tenth
century.
This proves nothing. It seems quite possible that Not-
ker, when writing his sequences, should have copied the
commencement of one of them from the old MS. to which
he would have access.
Notker's sequences in any case were not all original, but
copied from " Neustrian Sequences," brought to S. Gall —
either, as some say, by the brethren at the sack of the
Abbey of Jumi^ges by the Danes, 841, or at a later date.
Not having much knowledge of palaeography, and not
having seen the MS. in question, the writer withholds his
opinion on that part of the argument. He however begs to
record his conviction that critics, however amiable their
characters may be, and however anxious they are to put
people and things to rights, manage somehow to make folks
very uncomfortable.
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no MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
CHAPTER XXV.
LONDON GREGORIAN CHORAL ASSOCIATION.
Twenty years ago a society was inaugurated which has
done most important service in the cause of ecclesiastical
music.
The London Gregorian Choral Association was founded
by Mr. Turner in 1871, and by his enthusiastic devotion
and that of his colleagues has been kept alive with consider-
able success to the present time.
Mr. Helmore, it is needless to say, took the deepest in-
terest in the welfare of the Society.
Mr. Turner, writing to the author of this memoir, gives
the following interesting account.
** London Gregorian Choral Association.
"51, Mount Pleasant Road,
"Ladywell, S.E.
*' 2,0 July, 1891.
" Dear Sir,
* * # * *
" As Founder of the L. G. C. A. I acknowledge with
heartiest gratitude the immense support and help the Rev.
Thomas Helmore ever most readily gave. Regular at Com-
mittee and other meetings, and always anxious to do all he
could for the cause.
" I remember well his saying to me at one of our meet-
ings, * Yes, I am perhaps the Father of the movement in
England, but you are its firstborn.'
" Until his death he continued a firm friend to the Asso-
ciation, and was ever a most ready friend and adviser.
"At Committee Meeting held in Chapter House, S.
Paul's, in July, 1890, a sincere and hearty vote of sympathy
with his family was unanimously agreed upon.
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LONDON GREGORIAN CHORAL ASSOCIATION. Ill
" I enclose with this some few memoranda of his more
prominent work for us.
" Of course for some few years before his death his health
prevented his taking an active part in the work.
" Should it occur to you that I can answer any questions
in this matter I shall be happy to do so.
" I am, yours truly,
" Rob. Alderson Turner,
''Hon. Sec.
" Fred. Helmore, Esq."
From notes kindly sent by" Mr. Turner, Hon. Sec.
L. G. C. A.
• "At the First Annual Meeting of the L. G. C. A. held in
the Vestry Room, S. Lawrence Jewry, on 2fst October,
1 87 1, R. A. Turner, Esq., in the Chair, Rev. Thomas Hel-
more was unanimously elected Precentor of the Associa-
tion."
"At a Committee Meeting in March,, 1872, it was re-
solved — ^That before the Society engage in any public
work the Members should unite in an early choral Celebra-
tion of the Holy Communion, with special intention for the
success of their undertaking. This Service was held in S.
Lawrence Jewry on the Feast of S. Ambrose (4 April), the
Rev. Thomas Helmore acting as Celebrant."
"On June 19, 1872, Rev. T. Helmore gave a lecture on
Gregorian Church Music, at the Queen's Concert Rooms,
Hanover Square, with musical illustrations by the Choir of
the Association.
" Tke Morning Post of Friday, June 2rst, 1872, gives the
following report of the lecture.
" On Wednesday evening a public meeting of the London
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112 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
Gregorian Choral Association was held in the Queen's Con-
cert Rooms, Hanover Square, when an inaugural lecture
was delivered by the Rev. Thomas Helmore, M.A., Hono-
rary Precentor of the Association. The Rev. Lecturer said
that the subject of the plain song of the Church, though
appearing to many to be a barren ground for exploration,
was in fact a rich field for inquiry, which he hoped to be
enabled to stimulate to some extent. It was very difficult,
and it was not desirable, to separate the subject from its
ecclesiastical character. When he had first obtained an
appointment in Lichfield, he had been led to look a little
into the system in operation, which he had found in fact to
be no system. There had been in truth a general neglect
or ignorance of the rules for the musical celebration of
Church Services. There had been since then a great
change, but he thought it desirable that such a movement
as that in which the Association was engaged should com-
mence from a Church point of view, considering the music
subservient to the worship of God. Many of those ac-
quainted with music were aware that the best writers dis-
tinguished between Church music and other music, and the
Gregorian music was divided into canto fermo, or plain
chant, and canto figurato, or counterpoint. Mr. Helmore
read extracts from the writings of Dr. Crotch and other
musical authorities, French, Italian, and- German, as to the
value of the ancient plain song, the disuse of which they
regretted. It was not now necessary to define to an English
audience what the Gregorian plain song was. Although it
had been in use almost from the foundation of Christianity,
it had almost fallen into disuse in England until a few years
since. It was whilst he was an undergraduate in Oxford
that Mr. Denison and Mr. W. K. Hamilton, who afterwards
became in succession Bishops of Salisbury, introduced the
Gregorian Psalm tones in S. Peter's in the East, Oxford,
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LONDON GREGORIAN CHORAL ASSOCIATION. II5
and in the same year they were also employed at Margaret
Street, where now stands the Church of All Saints. In the
year 1844 two books appeared which had a great effect in
reviving the old church music. One was Marbeck's Prayer
Book and the other the Book of Common Prayer by the
late Mr. William Dyce. Plain song, Gregorian music, and
the canto fermo were convertible terms, denoting plain
songs sung in octaves with or without instrumental accom-
paniments. Let no one suppose that this was a subject at
issue between the Church of England and the Church of
Rome. Reformers in the Protestant section, as well as
Roman Catholics, had alike demanded a return to the
ancient Church music and a discontinuance of what was
of too operatic a character. The Gregorian chant had
been called Popish, but the same had been said of the
Bible, and in the days of the Commonwealth it had been
proposed to do away with the Lord's Prayer as savouring
too much of Popery. Plain song might be more properly
called Jewish, while much of the same character was to be
found in the Mohammedan mode of chanting the Koran.
The lecture was interspersed with illustrations which were
sung by the Choir of the Association, &c., &c."
" Rev. T. Helmore conducted at Gregorian Festival in S.
Paul's Cathedral in Feb., 1873."
"In 1875 Mr. Helmore preached at the Festival in the
Cathedral."
" The following is by Rev. T. Helmore — written for cir-
cular for general use.
" * No one acquainted with the history of ecclesiastical
music will doubt the important and essential character of
the ancient plain song of the Catholic Church. The whole
I
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114 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
nature and growth of the sacred art will be misunderstood
and most likely perverted without it. This is well known
and practically asserted by continental musicians. Igno-
rance and prejudice in some cases, as well as enmity to all
Catholic uses in others, have led too many of our English
organists and choir men, as well as of the clergy themselves,
(every one of whom ought to be at least * moderate doctors
in piano cantu'), to underrate the importance of plain song,
to depreciate the revival of its study, and to oppose its
more ample infusion into the services of our own Church.' "
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE TOWNSHEND TRUST.
On the death of Mr. Chauncey Townshend in 1870, Mr.
Helmore was left executor of his estate in conjunction with
the Baroness Burdett-Coutts.
This involved much additional work in carrying out the
important charitable bequests mentioned in the will; and
in looking after property on the continent.
The last of the benevolent works left for the execu-
tors* superintendence was the building of the Chauncey
Townshend Schools in Rochester Street, Westminster, the
building of which was not commenced till 1875.
In spite of all this extra labour, Mr. Helmore gave to the
Church in 1870 his second set of the Canticles Noted, in
the next year the Accompanying Harmonies to the second
Appendix to the Psalter Noted; in 1873 ^^^ Magnificat on
the I St Tone, with his arrangement of the concerted music
of Orlando di Lasso; and in 1875 and 1876 paid two visits
to S. Gall. In 1876 he brought out an Appendix to the
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THE TOWNSHEND TRUST. II5
Accompanying Harmonies to the Brief Directory. In 1877
the celebrated Primer was completed and published, and
added to the other valuable Primers, for which the musical
world is so much indebted to Messrs. Novello, Ewer, and
Co., and the able editor. Dr. Stainer.
In 1878 Mr. Helmore brought out an excellent little
Catechism of Music for Ijie use of his pupils — ^the Children
of the C. R. It is admirably adapted for school or private
use, whether for instrumental or vocal instruction.
Unfortunately the author, having taken some hints from
the many excellent points in the late Mr. Hullah's adapta-
tion of Wilhelm's system, paid him the compliment of
affixing to the title of his Catechism — " based on HuUah's
Manual."
This was an unfortunate act of civility — as at the time of
the publication, HuUah's system had become so unpopular
that the very mention of any work "based" upon his
" Manual" was sufficient to condemn it
The absurdity of such a catastrophe is most palpable,
inasmuch as all works on "musical notation" are more or
less the same in principle ; and each might be as reasonably
said by its author to be based on any Manual he chose to
select. The only way in which Mr. Helmore's Catechism
may be said to be based on the Manual mentioned above,
is in its methodical sequence of instructions. His own
long experience extended over more than half a century;
during which his method was always successful.
It is absurd therefore to imagine for one moment that
the Rev. Thomas Helmore required any manual on which
to base his instructions. It was only one of his graceful
acts of generous feeling to an old friend, that coupled the
name of HuUah to his own excellent little work.
The author of the Catechism wrote to his brother on the
subject as follows: "It is quite usable with teaching of
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H6 MEMOIR OF THE REV* T. HELMORE.
a Tonic-Sol-Fa system." He had no strong predilection
for any special style of teaching. He knew in common with
all experienced teachers that constant practice is the best
system for learning the art of " reading at sight."
As in Arithmetic, so in Music, you may give special
methods of calculation, but in the end every one calculates
in the way most convenient to himself, frequently without
being able to explain to others how he does it.
Mr. Helmore in his letter to his brother put a dash under
a Tonic-Sol-Fa system, as, of course, the Tonic-Sol-Fa sys-
tem (as it is called), is altogether out of the pale of music as
an art, and is therefore not referred to.
During the summer of 1880, our dear depsgted friend
took the English Chaplain's duty at Silva Plana in the
Engadine.
To suit the requirements of the service there, the Chaplain
pro tern, arranged for three voices an Appendix to his
Simple Cadences for Holy Communion, written long before
in the early days of S. Mark's. They include the Benedictus
qui venit and the Agnus Dei,
These were first sung — quoting from the tide — at Silva
Plana, in the Engadine, at the service of the English Chap-
laincy, in the Parish Church, August i, 1880. "Inscribed,
with sincere respect, to the Catholic Sisterhoods in all Eng-
lish speaking countries, by their faithful servant in Christ,
Thomas Helmore." It was published in 1882.
The ever industrious worker for the Church added to his
numerous list of publications, — in 1880, the third Appendix
to the Psalter Noted; in 1881, A Fuller Directory of Plain
Song of Holy Communion; and Responses, Psalms and
Canticles for Evensong on Eastei Day; in 1882, in addi-
tion to the Benedictus and Agnus Beiy written in the Enga-
dine, Miserere mei Deus from the Appendix to Accompany-
ing Harmonies to the Brief Directory. In 1883 he was
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HOSPITAL. 117
Still at work on the Plain Song Primer, still hoping to find
further information with regard to the MS. at S. Gall, or
anything which might be valuable in the next edition of the
Primer.
CHAPTER XXVII.
HOSPITAL.
About Christmas, 1883, Mr. Helmore, in the course of
conversation with Dr. , of S. Thomas's Hospital, hap-
pened to mention the frequent attacks of gout to which his
brother was subject.
The Doctor recommended his friend to send Frederick to
S. Thomas's. Forms of application for admission were sent,
and on Jan. 3, 1884, the gouty patient was helped into
** George" ward of the hospital.
An interesting volume might be written from the patient's
diary during the ten weeks of unsuccessful treatment which
he underwent.
One circumstance is worthy of note, and not inapplicable
to the memoirs of a musician. It is the wonderful efficacy
of music on the drooping spirits of the patients. One, on
leaving, thanked the gout patient for saving his life. " I
had quite made up my mind," said the man, ''for death,
till you came and sang to us ; from that moment I began to
amend ; I should never have left the hospital alive but for
your singing."
After leaving the hospital, and having in a great measure
recovered from the weak state to which he had been re-
duced, when carried out of S. Thomas's, the convalescent
writes : —
" It was indeed a fearful ordeaL Still I look back to it
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Il8 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
with pleasure and gratitude when I remember the kindly-
intentioned treatment I there received. They certainly
utterly failed in their experiments in my case. But on the
other hand, I should never have experienced the luxury of
a return to generous diet, &c., &c., had I not been debarred
for so long a time from the enjoyment of those great
blessings.
" I am thankful — very thankful for having had an oppor-
tunity of cheering the sick and dying. The effect which
music has upon those in pain or trouble, whether to soothe
or invigorate, is quite marvellous.
" If medical men would study a little more the influence
of externals^ they would be more successful oftentimes with
their patients, than in the treatment of internals.
" I speak especially of hospital practice. In the treat-
ment of well-to-do people, change of scene or other means
of enjoyment and recreation are prescribed and adopted."
" It is not of such I write, I refer to patients like those in
'George' ward, where very few nights pass by without a
corpse lying near one ; and where sometimes there are three
or four deaths in less than twenty-four hours ; from witness-
ing which there is no escape, — no recreation, — no enjoy-
ment, — no change of scene.
"Cheerful music should be provided in all the wards.
We had an harmonium in the ward, and the Sister played
daily upon it, and those who could, joined in hymns. But
the harmonium is not an inspiriting instrument, and rather
too much in unison with the groans of the dying.
" This I thought was perhaps the reason that the favourite
hymns were funereal ; those most frequently called for being,
*A few more years shall roll,' and 'Days and moments
quickly flying.'
"A piano, as being more bright and lively, should be
substituted, and one kept in every ward. It should be
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HOSPITAL. 119
played upon at intervals every day, and not to dreary airs.
A fiddler would be a great acquisition."
During Frederick's ten weeks' treatment, Mr. Helmore
visited him frequently ; fortunately, at times when the ward
was prepared for visitors, with nothing to make him aware
of the melancholy experiences to which his poor gouty
brother was introduced.
Dr. , who was a kind of caterer for the Hospital
Doctors and Medical Students, was probably glad to get a
case of gout into one of the wards, as being a comparative
curiosity, and at the same time — in itself— an interesting
study. Nor was he less anxious to get rid of the case —
when experiments had failed — in order to make room for
others of more educational importance.
The extra labour of mounting the high flights of stairs
which communicated with " George" ward, after a busy day
at the British Museum, (whither the author of the P. S.
Primer resorted almost daily,) was trying ; added to which
the irregularity of meals — that injurious practice common
to antiquarians — doubtless told upon his otherwise strong
constitution, and at last resulted in a break down.
On Tuesday, March 18, 1884, the diary contains the
following remark, — "My dear brother has had a slight
stroke, — Arthur came to see me and brought the intel-
ligence."
"Slight" as this attack appeared, it was the commence-
ment of the breaking up of the stalwart frame of that over-
wrought, never-resting, musical Nimrod. Apparently he
recovered, — but those who at home watched and marked
the changes, knew that he would never again be the strong
man of the past, — not the continuously, never-tiring, mas-
terful champion. But at times, for some years, he cheated
the expectations of his dearest friends, and was as powerful
as ever.
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120 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
A second paralytic stroke, followed by a long and serious
attack of bronchial troubles, laid low for a time the
venerable Priest who had now passed the allotted age of
modem men.
The patient however recovered health and strength, and
was mercifully prepared for the bitter trials which awaited
him in the early part of 1886.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
RESIGNATION.
This year was indeed a severely trying one to the family.
In 1886 Mr. Helmore lost his eldest son, Charles Thomas
Helmore. He had suffered from a series of colds caught
one upon another till consumption set in, to which he suc-
cumbed on the loth of January.
Charlie was endeared especially by great sufferings in
childhood, which — when such exist — intensify love. The
poor boy was quite blind for a time, and had to be
operated on for cataract. This affliction excited a s)nii-
pathetic tenderness in the love of parents land of friends, —
not forgetting Uncle Fred, who was oftentimes summoned
to the nursery to sing Master Charlie to sleep with " Bonnie
Prince Charlie," or " Charlie is my darling."
Uncle Fred was highly honoured, amused, and delighted by
Charlie when a schoolboy at Sir Frederick Ousele/s, Ten-
bury. Charlie invited his uncle, with a schoolbo/s enthu-
siastic hospitality, and introduced him, as a highly favoured
guest, into a summer-house, in a fagot-stack, the secret
habitation of himself and Charlie Corfe. What a happy
afternoon they spent in that exceedingly rustic abode !
What jokes they cracked, and what tales they told of young
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RESIGNATION. 121
and old experiences, — all in an under tone, laughing pain-
fully inwardly, lest any passers by should discover their
retreat.
Dear, good-natured Charlie ! beloved sincerely by those
who knew him as Charlie Helmore ; but with a romantic
affection — known only to roving artists — ^by those who had
travelled, lodged, and acted with him as " Charlie Carew."
Simple and natural were Charlie's tastes in childhood,
boyhood, and manhood. May he rest in peace !
But how approach the bitter trial which was to re-open
the scarcely healed wounds caused by Charlie's death ?
On March 4th, in that same sad year (1886), the bereaved
father had to mourn the loss of his invaluable wife, — a loss
of no ordinary character, — not only felt by the widowed
husband, but by every one of the many who knew and
loved her.
The pleasant reminiscences of the comfortable drawing-
room at the Helmores* are associated with a certain chair,
conveniently placed for light or warmth, in which sat the
delightful lady of the house; her busy fingers deftly en-
gaged in the embroidery of some useful piece of church
furniture, rich in colour and of artistic design.
On the work-table is a book, which is read by the worker,
without in the least interfering with the progress of her com-
plicated stitching.
The remembrance of the picture is very pleasant, ani-
mated as it was by the conversational powers of the hostess.
Most women can talk — few can converse.
Mrs. Helmore was one of the few, who, by grafting com-
mon sense upon highly intellectual and social attainments,
could, and did converse.
The first thought, on hearing that Helmore was a widower,
was — how can the poor fellow bear to look on that empty
chair ?
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122 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
Thank God, love filled it.
On calling, after dear Mrs. Helmore was gone, we found
the mother's chair filled by a thoughtful and affectionate
daughter. Surrounded by familiar objects, hiding, as far
as love could hide, her father's loss.
The Master of the Children of the C. R. was urged by
his family to give up his charge of the boys. The last
severe blow had given him a fearful shaking. The result of
his friends' desire that he should retire from the mastership
is given in the following extract : —
"72, S. George's Square, S.W.
^* 2''ith Marchy 1886.
" My dear Brother,
" Events follow each other rapidly just now with me.
I had hardly given my consent, and sent in my resignation
at Midsummer, before our Dean — cries out, ' Why not
at once ?' And so, to cut a long story short, it seems likely
that on the ist April, [absit omen] 1886, I shall retire from
the appointment I received in 1846, April ist.
" Thank you for your kind offer of help : . . . . thank
God, although I still cough a good deal at times, I am
much better, and begin to get about again. I went by train
and omnibus to Drummond's to-day, walked into the Strand
to the American hair-cutting place, back again to the bank,
and all the way home again through the park, &c., and am
not too tured.
" I cannot well arrange for you to come here just yet —
we are so unsettled, and no one can tell what may turn up
next. To-day I have arranged temporarily with Mr. T.
Cross for the boys to come to his school to-morrow —
whether for a quarter or for a few days uncertain.
* » « « »
" I shall keep the Priest in Ordinary's post, and so with
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"BOYS WILL BE BOYS." 1 23
my small private income shall be able, as my son Fred says,
to rub along.
" You may suppose that all this worries your poor old
brother. ' Deus providebit.'
"T. H/'
On June 20th (1886) he wrote : —
" . . . . My own health is very much restored. But I
am going to try the effect of passing the autumn and winter
in warmer climates, and shall most likely go abroad in the
middle of August next and work my way down to Naples
and Sorento^ returning so as to spend some time before and
at Easter, 1887, at Rome.
" Dr. Troutbeck has most kindly undertaken any C. R,
* Warts^ which may fall to my lot this and next year ; and
as the C. R. boys leave me on July ist, I am quite free
from professional ties in England till May, 1888 ! ! ! but I
hope to come home m June next year.
" Your loving brother,
"Thos. Helmore."
CHAPTER XXIX.
"boys will be boys."
On July ist, 1886, the Children of the Chapel Royal left
the worthy priest who for forty years had with conscientious
care and highly gifted ability superintended the religious,
social, and artistic education of an interesting succession
of royal choristers.
The early days of Mr. Helmore's management of the boys
involved much painful anxiety. Mr. Helmore's predecessor
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124 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
was a good musician, and trained the boys' voices carefully
and well ; and although very far from a judicious education-
alist in other respects, fulfilled all the duties required by
his employers in those days of shameful and heartless
neglect.
In the preface to the fourth edition of " Church Choirs"
it is remarked, " Much reason have cathedral boys to re-
vere and bless the name of Miss Hackett, who spent her
life in inquiring into and striving to ameliorate their wretched
position, and in stirring up the authorities to a sense of
their responsibilities towards the humbler members of the
collegiate body."
Sad and shameful that a woman should find it a duty to
call the members of the highest religious bodies of deans,
canons, archdeacons, and priests, to the fact that the poor
little choristers of their cathedrals, whose singing they were
listening to daily, criticizing their voices and — perhaps —
their behaviour in service, but caring nothing for them indi-
vidually — ^were being reared under the venerable shadow of
those sacred walls with no more attention to their morals
or social training than unprotected children in the back
slums of London.
The moral change necessary to the Chapel Royal boys
on the appointment of Mr. Helmore was much advanced
by the refining influence of his talented and judicious wife.
The rapid improvement in the demeanour of the choristers
was soon remarked and spoken of wherever they went.
The Gentlemen of the Chapel, who were at first a little
jealous of the appointment of a clergyman to the office,
were loud in their praises of the boys' behaviour.
Members of the Madrigal and other societies saw and
mentioned the welcome change.
Ladies in particular were wont to say that the Chapel
Royal boys were thorough little gentlemen.
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"boys will be boys." 125
Think not, reader, that this gratifying change was pro-
duced to the detriment of boyishness.
Oh dear no. They were as full of mischief as all boys
can be who are worth anything.
Beware oi good boys ! They never make good men.
If a boy is always apparently good and never gets into a
scrape, you may be sure he is either a fool or a knave.
He either has not brains enough to invent mischief, or he
is a sneak who throws the blame on others, and makes a
" cat's-paw*' of his schoolfellows to keep his own monkey
fingers from the fire.
The practical study of music quickens perception. A
singing boy is keenly sensitive of a joke — Choristers espe-
cially, from the great contrast between the solemnity of
Church service and the comic element.
The young rascals of the Chapel were sometimes, from
their exquisite relish of anything fimny, tempted into
unkind tricks, if the cruelty were veiled by irresistible
drollery.
In Piccadilly, on their way back to Cheyne Walk, they
often noticed the curious appearance of the head of a man
appearing above a decapitated pyramid on whose four sides
were printed advertisements.
The opportunity offered by the poor helpless man's con-
dition was irresistible. His body was imprisoned in the
pyramidal-shaped advertising box. His head alone appeared
above the small aperture at the apex, while his arms and
hands were occupied inside with the two handles by which
he carried his advertisements from street to street.
Having provided themselves with feathers, the giggling
young tyrants gathered round their victim and tickled his
nose and ears, which he could neither hide nor protect
with his hands.
If he attempted to rid himself of his quadrilateral encum-
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126 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
brance they were out of sight before he could free himself
or discover in which direction they had vanished.
This feathery ordeal was annoying enough, but when one
night, by way of variety, the tormentors thrust into the
man's mouth a hot potatoe just out of the oven of a neigh-
bouring stall, I am afraid strong language was splutteringly
elicited from the unfortunate prisoner.
As this freak never reached the ears of their master, the
difficulty, which would have undoubtedly arisen in treating
the case, never occurred.
Mr. Helmore had been brought up with his father's ideas
of discipline, which were strictly military, or rather,
naval.
While taking Solomon's directions on this subject literally,
his good sense and kindness of heart modified their adoption
within judicious limits. While very severe in the punish-
ment of disobedience, untruthfulness, or other vices, he
made allowance for boyish frivolity and exuberance of animal
spirits.
In a street leading into Cheyne Walk was a fish shop, the
proprietor of which was not so scrupulously clean as suited
the notion of the boys, whose nostrils were frequently of-
fended — especially in hot weather — ^by the "ancient fish-
like smell" which issued firom the obnoxious premises.
One night when returning from a concert the young
vocalists, who occupied two or three cabs, prepared to give
the fishmonger a royal salute. They had provided them-
selves with pea-shooters and an ample supply of ammu-
nition.
The boys were well practised in the use of this very eflfec-
tive weapon. Not contented with firing single shots, they
would discharge a whole mouthful of peas in one volley.
As the first cab was passing the fish shop, a perfect storm
of peas roused the startled inmates and brought them to
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"BOYS WILL BE BOYS." 127
the door, just in time to receive a similar rattling discharge
in their faces from the second cab.
The cabs were pursued to the door of No. 6, and on the
following morning a formal complaint of assault and battery
was brought against the boys by the head of the piscatory
establishment.
Having received from the complainant a full and direful
account of the vigorous manner in which his castle had
been besieged, Mr. Helmore sent for all the boys and ques-
tioned them on their conduct.
Tom Hepworth was chosen to be spokesman on the
occasion — probably because he had already shown symp-
toms of the talent which has since made him so popular as
a lecturer.
Tom stepped forward, and in a manly, straightforward
way pleaded guilty to the charge on behalf of the boys.
Being asked what motive had induced the dire attack,
Tom replied, " Sir, we did it by way of lodging a protest
against the villainous stench which proceeds from the shop
and often reaches the garden."
Every pea-shooter in possession of the boys had to be
produced ; and as each had a stock of at least half a dozen,
some long, some short, and of diverse bore, a very numerous
and varied collection was laid on the table. " They looked,"
as Mr. Tom Hepworth remarked when relating the story,
" like the pipes of a young organ laid out in readiness for
future erection."
All the tubes were confiscated, and the culprits heard no
more of their " tuba mirabilis" stop.
Mr. Helmore himself had a keen sense of the ludicrous,
and could therefore make allowance for many mischievous
acts which came under his notice. Still, there had neces-
sarily been much to vex and worry during his forty years of
office.
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128 MEMOIR OF THE ^EV. T. HELMORE.
Rest from these, and absence for a time from the scene
of the widower's late bereavements, were highly necessary
to one so severely shaken both in mind and body ; and in
the latter part of August Mr. Helmore commenced his year
of wandering through the most beautiful scenery in Europe.
The traveller was a most industrious artist, and in spite
of all the work he did for music and the Church, he found
time not only to bring home, after his repeated visits to
Italy and Switzerland, a large collection of sketches, but
also from them to make very elaborate water-colour drawings.
Some of these are framed, but many more fill a goodly
collection of portfolios now in the possession of Mr. Walter
Helmore.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE LAST CHAPTER.
The summer of 1887 saw the return of the wanderer after
nearly a year's absence. His health was decidedly improved
and for a time he retained much of his wonted strength ;
but only for a time — towards the end of the following year he
was obliged to give up long walks and vigorous exertion.
In consequence of medical advice, Mr. Helmore had given
up flute playing before his departure for Italy. He had
sent for Frederick and committed to his care the same dear
old flute that sixty years before had mingled with his
brother's notes and floated through the summer woods on
Welcombe Hills.
It is a handsome cocoa-wood eight-keyed Rudall andRose^
still in excellent preservation, a valuable relic to its present
possessor; who gazes on it with fond affection, as it lies
with its bright silver mountings in the selfsame box in which
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THE LAST CHAPTER. 1 29
it had originally come from the makers, and in which it had
been kept at school and college, and carried in pocket, boat,
and carriage, to many a musical party and concert during
three-score years, without having sustained any perceptible
injury.
The invalid suffered much from bronchial attacks, and he
was obliged to discontinue climbing the stairs to his studio,
and have his artist materials brought into the front dining-
room, in which he slept — sitting on one easy chair, with his
feet in another, the two being made into a " sit-up bed" by
his devoted nurse, Mrs. Adams.
During the day the active mind and industrious habits of
the energetic Priest kept him engaged in writing, reading
(probably some Greek or Latin author) or in his favourite
occupation of painting.
In the early part of 1889, Mr. Helmore occasionally
showed symptoms of weakness. On his birthday he wrote :
**72, S. George's Square, S.W.
"My dear Brother,
" Your welcome and perennial greeting was as usual, one
of the most interesting of my numerous birthday letters.
** I cannot as fully return thanks, nor express my grati-
fication as I could wish. My state is one of feebleness,
mental and corporeal. It is no consolation that you have
also afflictions to make you an excellent sympathizer. I
could go on as far as matter and sentiment are concerned
and fill in many a page in this vein, 'sed non omnes
omnia possumus,' and I am really too low now — 9.40 p.m.
to write up to my beginning ! so pray pardon an abrupt
close to this — which I intended to work up a little to the
' height of this great argument,' my gratitude for your birth-
day greeting. I am getting a little fresh air now, as our
K
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130 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
days here are so much warmer and the Square Garden is
very pleasant to sit in, and well supplied with seats.
******
" The Psalter Noted is now used in some Services in S.
Paul's Cathedral, F. Baker has lately conducted a fine P. S.
Service in which the old Marbeck Te Deum was so admi-
rably rendered as to call forth expressions of great gratifi-
cation from the Archbishop of Canterbury. N.B. I want
some kind friends to help to sell off my Catechism of Music.
" I know you have your own books to look after, but you
may possibly glance occasionally on mine.
" Ever your loving and appreciating brother,
"Thomas Helmore."
In reply to some inquiries about the Gregorian " Dies
Irse," which Frederick's friend, Tom Leggatt of Edinburgh,
had failed to procure from Novello^ — he writes on 30th of
August, 1889 :
"My dear Fred,
"The Gregorian ^Dies Jrce* was published years ago
with Dr. Irons' English version . . . and, I believe, is still
sold at Novello's, in a separate form. The ' Miserere' was
also printed and sold separately. . . .
" I must come to the rescue of Novello's shopmen. You
must remember that they know nothing more than the selling
name of any music in their catalogues ... No other des-
cription is intelligible to them. Thus, to ask for the Gre-
gorian setting of 'Dies Irse' or the Miserere from the
Requiem is to ask for unknown things in a tongue also
unknown.
" I have no doubt you can put Mr. Leggatt on the right
scent by these hints I am quite behind the world at
present, and read little of what I know is written.
* It was published by J. Masters and Co.
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THE LAST CHAPTER. I31
" There is in the Universal Review (for June last) a paper
of great pretension on the desirableness of reducing all the
clefs to one^ viz., G.
" You may be sure of my concurrence in your strictures on
ordinary organ accompaniments in churches. I am sorry
that your eyes are giving you trouble. I have the same
cause of regret, though my sight is wonderfully good. I use
a salve like the old golden ointment — and a lotion ....
" Finally, write as much as you can by day and not by
gas-light Another thousand of my Primer of P. S. is just
called for at Novello's and I send you a copy. There is no
essential change, but an excision of my Lichfield tradition
as to Crotch's chant, which I find is not to be relied on . . .
" I am getting on pretty well. People tell me I am won-
derfully better ! Thank God ! and pray still for your invalid
brother T. H. May God Almighty bless you, soul ! spirit !
and body /"
In 1890 the hand-writing of the veteran Priest was still
beautifully firm and distinct. A letter penned on Feb. 3rd,
1890, bears not the slightest symptom of failing health or
strength in the appearance of its beautiful, steady pen-
manship.
It is well to publish a portion to show the progress of the
disorder : —
"My dear Fred,
" .... I have not your last letter at hand, and so am
out of joint with our recent correspondence.
" At all events I have, I know, to thank you for kind
words and kind wishes which, I need not add, I heartily
reciprocate.
"lamnot a/<?//yet! Shalll ^^rbe? I am however rather
better, and my good doctor encourages me by saying that I
am going on very favourably. My disorder is Emphysema.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
132 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
" I Still sleep in my two arm-chairs made up into a very
comfortable bed ; and lie, or rather sit up, reclining on my
back from 11 p.m., till 8 or 9 a.m. Glass of brandy and
milk hot at 1 1 p.m. ; gin and milk also hot at 4, or rather
some time between 4 and 6 a.m., (sometimes later ;) cup
of bread and milk about 9 a.m. ; breakfast, toast and bacon,
or a poached egg about 10 or 1 1 ; luncheon at 2 p.m. ; a cup
of tea and a little hot toast, or plum-cake at 4.45 p.m. ; and
dinner at 7.
'^ I can read, but suffer some days from sleepiness. I am
not just now doing much (as I did in the summer) in my
painting, &c. I am not much up to business .... It is
like asking Newcastle to sell coals for me, to ask whether
you can in any way help the circulation of my Catechism.
It is quite usable . . . [See p. 115], and when it did not in-
terfere with the sale of your own book, I should be so much
obliged if you could get it used. I fear this is rather too
cool, but your boundless love will pardon much from your
old brother,
"Thomas Helmore."
From an answer to a letter respecting the formation of the
Helensburgh Motet and Madrigal Society, the following
extracts are made. N.B. The writing is beautiful.
"72, S. George's Square, S.W.
''Stk March, 1890.
"My dear Fred,
" .... I am indeed glad to hear of your change of
abode for so paradisaical a lodging. Rhododendrons in
bloom ! You have quite changed my view as to the scenes
in Scotland. I had no idea of such spring-like bloom.
# « « « 41^ »
" I cannot send you a copy of the Motets, as mine is
handsomely bound as a Library book. Bums told me after
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THE LAST CHA1>TER. 1 33
joining the Roman Communion that he had published (or
was going to publish) some of the Motets to their original
Latin words. But I have not seen them. Roman copies are
(of course) to be found in Libraries. I don't think Novello
has done any. Giovanni's Motet to which you refer is set
to English in the publication of the Motet Society, 3rd
Division, page 150. 'Behold now, praise the Lord.' Ps.
cxxxiv. I, 3.
". . . . I have a notion that in your love of music you
expend much energy which might be more profitably turned
to the cultivation of pupils. The anxiety of classes and
societies is I apprehend rather exhaustive of teaching health
and strength. ... I have stood the cold of the last week
very well, I hope you will write me one of your nice letters,
and be able to speak of a retreat of your foe the gout.
Thank God we axe all fairly well.
" Your loving brother,
"T. H.
" P.S. There is a book printed by Bums — ^Anthems and
Services from Ancient Authors arranged to English words.
They were, and I fancy are still sold by the Music Pub-
lisher, Cox, (or Coxe) and I had, many years ago, some
correspondence (vt'vd voce chiefly I believe) with him on the
propriety of reprinting them. But nothing of that kind
seems to take the public taste. The belief and the taste
is set so decidedly to the modern tonality. This has been
somewhat the fault of our over-dosing the ancient perhaps.
" Yet it is hard when you come to know the difference to
be obliged to exchange the i6th and 1 7 th centuries harmonies
for the latter part of the i8th, and beginning of the 19th.
" The Bach Society happily holds its own, and has been
very successful in its last concert; my dear Katie is a
member of it — ^as also of Barnby's Royal Choral Society."
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134 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
In the following week another letter reached Helensburgh,
dated loth March, 1890:
" My dear Fred,
" In hungry expectation of the ' more anon' promised
in yours of the 9th inst, I write as soon as ever I can, not
to delay the feast of good things you have begun to serve
up, and that the dishes and plates may not grow cold for
the coming sequence of the very interesting accounts you
give of the ins and outs, the city and the country lodgings
of your present Scotch * habitat' .... My excellent nurse,
Sarah Adams {nee Sumpster) has just brought me my single
draught of medicine which I take every morning, (as I do
a Tamar lozenge every night) and she said, 'Why you are
writing without your spectacles ! I wish I could.'
" I dare say you recollect her. She was the first boy^-
maid when I took the C. R. Children. She is now a widow
with two girls and a boy, step-children by her late husband's
former wife. She lives in the same room with me, and
helps me to dress, &c., and is most useful.
» « » « «
" Your loving brother,
" Thomas Helmore.
" How very good your writing is !"
The author cannot restrain the vanity of quoting the last
line. No doubt his brother's very much better writing stirred
up Frederick to additional painstaking. This sort of thing
is of common occurrence. An ordinary player at any game
will play better with a good player, whether at billiards,
chess, or whist. One sings better to good singers, walks
better with good walkers, speaks better to good speakers,
and gives pleasanter looks to pleasant people than to their
opposites.
During the two following months the patient's health
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THE LAST CHAPTER. 135
varied very much, but in June his strength began to fail.
This was chiefly perceptible in his voice.
On the night of June i8th Frederick Hehnore went up
from Scotland to pay a visit to his brother, whom he found
much changed ; he looked very aged, and had lost much
of his wonted masterful look; but the most noticeable
change was in his speaking. The sweet musical ring of his
dear voice had softened into that of an Qld man ; not into
the piping weakness common amongst aged people, but
slightly tremulous and rather indistinct.
He was much delighted at seeing his younger brother,
and the nurse said the visit had done him good.
It is wonderful how he retained vigour of mind, in spite
of all his ailments, to the last " A very short time before
his death," writes Miss Helmore, " he had a copy of the
Ion of Euripides sent him, and he made me read this new
translation, he following with the original. He was fond
of this kind of thing. We oflen used to read bits of Lord
Derby's Homer to him."
The visits were repeated during Fred's short stay in
London ; the last was on Sunday 22nd. In his diary is the
following entry, " Tom seemed to forget I lived so far away.
He asked me to bring the old flute round ; he would like
to hear its tones again."
On the following day is written in the diary — June 23,
Monday — " I do not expect to see my dear brother again
in this world." And (within a fortnight) on July 6, Sunday,
"My dear brother fell asleep. R. L P."
Frederick was laid up in the north at the time of the
funeral. He was much comforted by a letter from his niece.
" My dear Uncle Fred,
" Thank you for your kind letter. I did not for one
moment expect you to come up again so soon for the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
136 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
funeral. What good could it have done him ? None, and
possibly very much harm to yourself, for it was a very wet
day.
** The service was perfect of its kind Some people were
angry and surprised at the music not being Gregorian, but
when the C. R. people offered to sing the psalms to Gre-
gorian tones, I refused, as I think nothing is more dreadful
than any uncertainty at such a time.
" I have wondered if you were glad or sorry you saw him
in his weakness. I am thankful that after death his face
regained its old power, and, to use an old woman's expres-
sion, he was * a grand corpse.' ....
" Yours affectionately,
" K. O. Helmore."
Frederick wrote in approval of his niece's refusal of the
offer on the part of the C. R. choir. He said, " They came
to pay respect to the deceased as one of the clergy of the
C. R., not as the pioneer of Gregorian music Indepen-
dently therefore of any 'uncertainty' which might have
occurred, it was a much more truthful act of sympathy to
retain the style of music used in the C. R."
Miss Helmore again wrote at her uncle's request :
"There is little to tell you about the last days. He
remained just as you saw him in June till the morning of
July 4. That day he was asleep when I paid my first visit,
and as Mrs. Adams did not come out of the room, I did
not hurry to go in again. About 10 o'clock, however, she
came and fetched me, saying the master had awoke in a
shivering fit and had asked for me. I went to him imme-
diately, and he was as nice and considerate as ever, saying
it was nothing, but would I hold his hands and try to warm
him. I saw at once that it was rtgor^ and the beginning of
the end, and sent for the doctor, who administered strong
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE LAST CHAPTER. I37
restoratives. He came three times that day^ and again
about II p.m., when he said he thought he would live
through the night. Sarah and I sat up, and we had a
tolerable night. The next day he appeared better, but was
not able to move himself; the doctor's verdict was that he
might live a few days. Walter and Sarah sat up on Satur-
day and I went to bed. They had a very good night, and
he was quite sensible and knew them, and was so happy at
having his beloved Walter with him. The next morning I
was told he was better, but still asleep. I went down, and
for the first time had no greeting. He did not look such a
bad colour in the face, but I looked at his poor 1^ and
saw that mortification had set in. We gave him a spoonful
of strong coffee and milk and brandy, which he swdlowed,
but still seemed to sleep. Walter and Arthur went to the
high celebration at 12.15 ^^ S. Saviour's. Daisy, Sarah,
and I sat by him. His breath, which had been hurried
and laboured, became slower and more peaceful, and at
about I p.m., just as the service was over, he passed away.
It was so calm and peaceful, we did not know it was his
last breath, until we waited, and no more came."
The funeral took place on Wednesday, July 9th, 1890.
The first part of the Burial Service was said at S. Saviour's,
in S. George's Square, Pimlico. The Sub-Dean of the
Chapels Royal, its priests-in-ordinary, and gentlemen and
children of the choir sang the office. A numerous assem-
blage of friends clerical and musical were present, and fol-
lowed the mortal remains of the "Pioneer of Gregorian
music" to his grave in Brompton Cemetery.
The "Church Review" of July 11, 1890, concludes an
article headed " The Pioneer of Gregorian Music," in these
words, " The best way in which respect can be shown for
the memory of Thomas Helmore is to take such pains with
the singing of Gregorian chants that the old and hallowed
Digitized by VjOOQIC
138 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
music of the Catholic Church may once more regain its
popularity and prosper in its mission of elevating the moral
tone of English Church people."
In S. Mark's College Chapel, near the spot occupied for
so many years by the late founder of the choir and originator
of the choral services which made that Chapel famous, is a
brass tablet bearing the following inscription :
IN MEMORIAM
VIRI REVERENDI THOMi« HELMORE, A.M.
PRIM I HUJUS COLLEGII VICE PRINCIPALIS
NECNON
HUJUS CAPELLiE TRIGINTA ANNOS CANTORIS
HOC MONUMENTUM POSUERE
AMICI ET DISCIPULI.
NATUS MAL 7, 181I ; OBIIT JUL. 6, 1890.
Digitized byCuOOQlC
APPENDIX.
NOTE A, p. 14.— HOLLOW AY HELMORE.
At the request of Dr. Livingstone, Holloway Helmore was sent to
establish a mission among the Macololo on the banks of the Zambesi
River, 1000 miles beyond Kuruman.
After Kama Kama, they traversed an unexplored region, in which
for 300 miles no water could be obtained for the large party of men,
women, and children, or for the bullocks, except from occasional rain-
pools.
The journey occupied four weary months of fatigue and privation ;
battling with hostile nature and savage men ; misled by guides bribed
to hinder the white men, lest they should interfere with or stop the slave
traffic.
For three days in September, 1859, water was doled out in tea-
spoons.
Holloway walked 38 miles to search for and obtain water, which he
carried fifteen miles from the spring he had discovered ; after which
relays were sent in succession every night to bring a supply on the
following day.
Feb. i860 found the party at Linyanti, where Dr. Livingstone was ta
have met them.
Whether the Doctor miscalculated the pluck and ability of Helmore
to bring his party through such difficulties or not — for some unaccount-
able reason he did not keep his appointment, nor did he arrive until by
fever or poison Mr. and Mrs. Helmore and most of the party were
dead, and the great chief Sekeletu had robbed the survivors of food,
clothing, furniture, and bullocks.
Four months after the time when Livingstone ought to have ap-
peared, saw them all dead ! master, teachers, servants, all except Mr.
and Mrs. Price who were at length allowed to depart with little Lizzie
and Wilfie Helmore.
A month after the death of Mrs. Helmore and two of the children,
Holloway Helmore "recovered rapidly," says Mr. Price, "and was
Digitized by VjOOQIC
14© MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
able to b^n his house, but Sekeletu sending back immediately the
messengers who had brought letters from Matabele Land, he went to
him, (to expostulate,) returned quite ill, and till his end could not be
sufficiently roused to see his danger or to form any plans for the sur-
vivors. As with the others, the usual fever remedies took no effect, he
fell into a stupor, and so passed away.
" According to the testimony of some of the Macololo and that of our
servants who have been questioned not only by myself, but by other
missionaries in this part (Kuruman) Helmore received a fresh adminis-
tration of poison from Sekeletu."
Lizzie fortunately disliked the native beer and only just touched it
with her lips. She ** always said, that those who had no object what-
ever in telling lies on the subject, declared that poison had been given
in the beer and with the meat ; and those of them who were obliged for
form's sake to share in the ceremonial (eating or drinking) took an emetic."
Livingstone imputed all the deaths to fever. He never expressed any
r^et to the family for not keeping his tryst. He blamed Helmore
for his rashness in venturing so far without a doctor — a precaution per-
fectly unnecessary in any case if Livingstone and his staff had been at
Linyanti to meet them, and even then a doctor would not have been
required if fever had been the only deadly enemy to contend with ; for
Holloway Helmore had studied medicine before leaving England as a
missionary, and had moreover the experience of ten years to guide him
in the treatment of the diseases peculiar to that climate.
Livingstone was much blamed by his sister, Mrs. Vavassour. He
never attempted, on his return to London, to see Helmore's chil-
dren, who were there at school. He tried to throw doubt on the
waggons and their contents being stolen, and finally fell back on the
excuse **that Mr. Helmore being dead, Sekeletu considered his goods
were his by right,"— truly a most amiable and justifiable reason for
murdering him !
*• By setting a musical-box going on one occasion, and on another by
fastening a large wax doll to the waggon, the marauders were kept off
for a few days. They thought them evil spirits," HoUowa/s daughter
(Miss Emily Helmore) remarks. "Whatever mistakes were made^ it
should be remembered by those who boast that the desert can be tra-
versed in much less time, papa was the forerunner, later ones profited
by his experience. Others did not take up the work till GoD had
scattered the Macololo as a tribe, confounded the enemy, and made
the work easy."
This brief account of Holloway Helmore*s successful and heroic pas-
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APPENDIX. 141
sage of an unknown region, and his sad end, are told not to injure
the reputation of Dr. Livingstone, but to defend that of the brave
missionary, his family and friends, who were murdered by the King of
the Macololo.
Dr. Livingstone had, doubtless, political reasons for defending Seke-
letu which he considered of more importance than the failure of the
mission which at his ''advice and request'^ had been undertaken by
HoUoway Helmore.
NOTE B, p. 24.— MAGDALEN HALL.
About the year 1282 Elias de Hertford converted into a Hall for
Students certain premises in Oxford, which were thereafter known by
the name of Hertford, Hert, or Hart HalL
In 1740 Dr. Richard Newton, then Principal of Hart Hall, obtained
a Charter of Incorporation for the Society, under the title of "The
Principal and Fellows of Hertford College in the University of Oxford ;**
but, the endowments proving insufficient, the Collie was in consequence
dissolved in 1805. A part of the property of the dissolved College was
transferred to the University, and the Hertford Scholarship was endowed
therefrom. The remainder was transferred to Magdalen Hall under
the following circumstances : —
Magdalen Hall, originally designed by Bishop Waynflete for Students
previously to their admission into Magdalen Collie, and governed by
one of the Fellows of that College, became in 1602 an independent
Hall. In 1816 the President and Fellows of Magdalen College, being
desirous of recovering the site of the Hall, obtained an Act of Parlia-
ment (56 Geo. III. c. 136), enabling them to acquire for Magdalen Hall
the site and buildings previously occupied by Hertford College. The
Principal and other Members of the Hall were accordingly removed to
those premises in 1822, and received, as stated above, the residue of
the property formerly held by Hertford College.
In 1874 an Act was passed (37 and 38 Vict. c. 55) by which Magda-
len Hall was dissolved, and the Principal and Scholars thereof, together
with certain Fellows mentioned in the Act, were incorporated as a
College of the University of Oxford under the name of " The Principal,
Fellows, and Scholars of Hertford Collie in the University of Oxford,"
and were invested with "a// stuh rights and privileges as are possessed
and enjoyed or can be exercised by other Colleges in the University of
Oxford:'—''' Oxford University Calendar," 1875.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
142 MEMOIR OF THE REV. T. HELMORE.
From *' The Church Review,'' July 1 1, 1890.
"THE PIONEER OF GREGORIAN MUSIC.
**The death of the Rev. Thomas Helmore on Sunday last in his
eightieth year recalls to mind the early days of the CathoUc revival,
and what he did for the restoration of the Church's ancient song. It
was in 1850 that he brought out his * Manual of Plain Song,' with its
Brief Directory for Morning and Evening Prayer, Litany, and Holy
Communion ; the Canticles Noted, and the Psalter Noted. ....
"After a lapse of forty years that Psalter still holds its own, and,
with one or two exceptions, the chants which Helmore selected retain
their supremacy for congregational singing
"There is no doubt that in earlier days Gr^orians owed much to
the exquisite way in which Helmore sang them, and few who have
heard the mellow tones of his beautiful voice are ever likdy to forget
the impression which they produced. So true an ear had he that,
when he chanted the daily service at S. Mark's, Chelsea, he always
began, without the help of fork or pitchpipe, on the same note ; and
on being asked how he always managed to hit it so exactly, he said
that the bell which tolled for service gave him the note, and that he
carried it in his head until the time came for him to begin the
office. ....
**For our own part we are quite sure that the English character
needs the chastening influence of Gr^orian music In these days of
popular melodies, of which the Salvation Army's songs are the most
vulgar development, people require to be recalled to the refined and
sturdy, beautiful and manly, inspiriting and devotional strains conse-
crated by the use of centuries of Christian worship "
J. MASTERS AND CO., PRINTERS, ALBION BUILDINGS, S. BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE, E.C.
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SPEAKEES, SINGEES, AND STAMMEEEES. With
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** We know many manuals of elocution, and we are bound to say that this is
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For the use of Clergymen, Barristers, Lecturers, Singers, &c. Sd.
FEEDEBICK HELMOEE'S SINGING METHOD. No. 1.
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Wonderland,** and ** Through the Looking-Glass.** Also the Nursery Rhymes,
Easy Rounds, &c., used in his "Little Ones* Classes.*' Fcap.4to., is.
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siderable help from this admirable selection.*'— Church Timet.
** The name of Mr. Helmore Is of itself a guarantee for the excellency of this
work. This little book only requires to be known to be valued.*' — English
iChurehman,
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The First Reading Book. Containing a Catechism on the Art of Singing
Music firom Notes, followed by Scale and Chord Exercises, by the practice of
which Pupils rapidly acquire the Knowledge and Feeling for Harmony, so ne-
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THE ITALIAN EEGISTEES. Voce di Petto. Voce di
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London : J. Masters & Co., 78, New Bond Street.
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calf or morocco, 4s. 6d. ; German calf, round comers, Ss. Cheap edition, limp cloth,
is. ; roan, 2s. ; Persian calf, 38. ; calf or morocco boards, 4s.
THE MANUAL : a Book of Devotions, containing Prayers for every
necessity, and Instractions for a Devout Life. By the Rev. W. E. Hbyoatb, M.A.
2Srd edition. Royal 32mo., cloth limp, is. ; boards, is. 3d. ; roan, is. 6d. ; French mor.
28. ; calf, 38. 6d. ; cheap edition, 6d.
An edition in larger type, Fcap. 8vo., cloth, is. 6d.
THE PATHWAY OF FAITH ; or, a Manual of Instractions and
Prayers, for those who desire to serve God in the station of life in which He has
placed them. Limp cloth, is. ; cloth boards, is. 3d.
SHORT DEVOTIONS FOR THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR.
By the Rev. W. H. Clravkr. Third edition. 4d.
DIVINE SERVICE. A Complete Manual of Worship for Assisting and
Commnnicating at the Holy Sacrifice. 664 pages, cloth boards, red edges, fcap. 8vo.,
78. 6d.
THE DIVINE LITURGY. A Manual of Devotions for the Sacrament
of the Altar. Fourth Edition, revised and enlarged. Imp. 32mo., i s. 6d. A Superior
Edition printed on toned paper. Cloth boards, red edges, 8s. 6d. ; calf, 6s.
DEVOTIONS FOR HOLY COMMUNION. Edited by the Rev.
W. U. Richards. 32mo., cloth, is.
GUIDE TO THE EUCHARIST, Containing Instructions and Direc-
tions, with Forms of Preparation and Self-Ezamination. 4d.
MANUAL FOR COMMUNICANTS; being an Assistant tea Devout
and worthy reception of the Lord's Supper. Paper cover, 6d. Largetype, 6d.
MANUAL ON THE HOLY COMMUNION. Part IV. of Manuals of
Devotion for Sisters of Mercy. Edited by the Rev. T. T. Cartbb. 28.
THE CHURCHMAN'S ASSISTANT AT HOLY COMMUNION.
By the Rev. Robbrt F. Laurbncb, M.A. Fcap. 8vo., cloth, 28.
THE CHURCHMAN'S GUIDE TO FAITH AND PIETY. A
Manual of Instruction and Devotion. Compiled by Robirt Brbtt. Fifth Edition,
revised. In i vol., doth, Ss. 6d. ; cmlf or morocco, as. 6d. In 9 voIb.» cloth, 4s. ;
calf, lis.; morocco, I2s.
LONDON: J. MASTERS & CO., 78, NEW BOND STREET.
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