the collection of miniatures at some of our artists' doors, where a group of patrons are made into one family of ruby lips and pinched noses. If there be any thing striking in such productions, it is the likeness they bear one to another. On the subject of altering old tunes, and reducing them to modern taste, I would remark, there are some "ancient specimens," confessedly too good to be abandoned, (we will make "Old Hundred" the representative,) that have been subjected to almost as many changes, as editions of a work have been ventured on. These changes have generally been in the harmony, but not always; I lament to say, the air has been touched. Luther has been re-formed. And what reason has been assigned for these alterations? Very few persons, I suspect, have heard a satisfactory one. If it is not too late, do let me plead. Call not the patriarchs antiquated in their own dresses: insist not that they shall doff the mantle and assume the buttoned coat; at least change not the fashion of the coat, each time you lead the good old men abroad. in this vicinity. The interest excited by these PUBLICATIONS. Another measure which the Academy contemplate as an important auxiliary in their operations, is the publication of such works as shall lead to the more general cultivation of music, and at the same time furnish facilities for the learner, and examples of chaste musical composition for the practitioner. They have, the past year, published a work adapted to assist teachers in communicating instruction in the elements of vocal music, called the "Manual of the Boston Academy of Music." This book contains the system which the professors have adopted and introduced into their schools. It has been prepared with great care, and embodies the method pursued in Germany, with such modifications as experience has suggested. It is believed, that it will supply what has long been a desideratum in this branch of education. It is perfectly intelligible to the capacity of a child, while it communicates all the elementary principles which are necessary to make a finished musician. Any individual who can sing, and has a knowledge of the common rules of music, can, with the aid of the Manual, successfully introduce it as a branch of education into common schools, or even into the family. The demand for this work since its publication, has been very great; its circulation extensive; and the principles there developed have been adopted and practised upon by a considerable number of teachers. They have universally expressed their approbation of the system; and give their testimony in favor of it, after having successfully tried it with a large number of pupils. It To do justice, however, it must be said, that some sweet and original compositions have appeared among us, and from sources too that ought ever to furnish good melody. The fact that they sometimes do, I attribute to "an original mind and creative fancy;" that they often do not, I impute to the analyzing of "ancient and modern specimens." Not that the latter should necessarily lead to such a result, nor that familiarity with a great number and variety of compositions, may not render one more scientific; but let the author thus scientific be particular, (using words in their ordinary acceptation,) that he composes rather than compounds. The "modest reserve and self-proceeds upon a strictly analytical method, and diffidence" were probably not added as a part of the definition of Composer, however much for the interest of their owner they may prove. It would be like saying, that one trait in a successful physician is kindness and urbanity of manners: now such a trait every one values, but there are physicians, and successful ones too, who are devoid of it. That addition was no doubt designed to do good, and, I trust, it will be duly applied. D. F. EXTRACTS FROM THE THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOSTON ACADEMY OF MUSIC. LECTURES. One of the methods by which the Academy propose to influence the public upon the subject of music is, by giving lectures, calculated to awaken attention and correct the errors and prejudices which exist in the community in relation to it. There is an ample field to be cultivated here. Wrong ideas as to the importance and object of music, prevail to a great extent. These require to be eradicated, before any great progress can be made in musical education. The ground is to be prepared before the seed can be sown. In pursuance of this object, lectures have been given in several places. Among others, in the church in Brattle-square, in this city, accompanied with illustrations of different styles of music by the choir; in the city of Hartford in Connecticut, in the city of New York, and in many of the towns presents the subject in such a view to the pupil, The Academy have likewise published a composers, and new tunes composed, many of tion. PROGRESS OF THE CAUSE. It is gratifying to the friends of music, and especially to the members of this Academy, to know, that the cause which they have espoused is gaining strength in the United States. The apathy which has heretofore existed in relation to it, is gradually giving way in proportion as information is disseminated. The influence which this institution is exerting at the present time upon the subject of musical education and taste, is extensively felt. Their Reports have been much sought after, and read with avidity. The works which they have put forth for the promotion of the art, have met with a ready sale. Inquiries have been made respecting the mode of our operations, from various quarters. Letters have been received from persons in Georgia, S. Carolina, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, besides many from individuals and societies in our own State, asking for information relative to measures which they ought to adopt, in order to introduce music as a branch of education into the community where they live. In Portland they have formed an Academy for this purpose, which is doing considerable for that object. Mr. Ilsley, the professor, has had under tuition, during the past year, 500 children and 200 adults. In Cincinnati, another has been formed, which seems to be in active operation. Mr. T. B. Mason, the professor connected with the last named institution, has several hundred children under his instruction, besides a number of adult classes, one of the latter consisting of students connected with the theological seminary in that place. The professor writes, that the subject of music is rising in estimation in Cincinnati, and the influence of that city on the western country is, as we all know, very extensive, and it is important among other things, that the inhabitants should set a just value upon all branches of education. Another proof of awakened interest in the community, is to be found in the numerous applications which have been made for properly qualified teachers, to take charge of classes; and leaders of choirs and organists to conduct the music of religious societies. A number of instructors might be supplied with situations, who could present satisfactory testimonials of ability and good moral character, and would be devoted to their profession. MUSICAL HALL. The Academy have for some time past, felt the want of suitable accommodations for their operations. Their school-rooms have been too crowded, and in other respects, are unfitted for instruction. The need of a large hall for oratorios, concerts and other exhibitions, has likewise been felt. The importance of having a building so much devoted to their use, as that they could exercise an exclusive control over it, has been apparent. A more central situation, and one more easy of access than that which they have hitherto occupied, is desirable. These inconveniences, we are happy to say, are in a fair way of being remedied, and the wants of the institution amply supplied. Nearly a year ago, a committee was appointed with full power to act upon this subject, who entered immediately upon the duties of their office. While they were engaged in examining different sites about the city, drawing plans, and taking the preliminary steps to accomplish their designs, an opportunity occurred of procuring the Boston Theatre. After proper deliberation, the committee thought that this building would answer the purposes of the Academy, and in process of time obtained a lease of it for a term of years. The society of Free Inquirers, who formerly occupied the building, have vacated it, and it is now being altered and fitted up under the auspices of the Academy. The body of the house formerly used for dramatic representations, will be turned into a large and commodious hall, with a powerful organ, intended for the accommodation of various societies and meetings as well as for the Academy. In addition to this, there will be smaller rooms, which may be occupied for lecture rooms, school rooms, &c. A religious society have already engaged the hall for divine service on the Sabbath, and there is a prospect that other parts of the building will be used as vestries, or appropriated to Sabbath schools. In taking this step, the Academy have incurred a heavy pecuniary responsibility, which they must look to the public for aid to enable them to sustain. And they are happy to acknowledge, upon this occasion, the valuable donations which they have received from several benevolent gentlemen, as contributions towards the object. But after all that is done in this way, or is likely to be done, there will still remain a deficiency of funds, which we must depend upon the patronage of the public to supply. [We understand, that this building, (now designated "The ODEON,") having been altered and fitted up, as contemplated above, is to be open to the public on Wednesday evening, Aug. 5, when an Address will be delivered by SAMUEL A. ELLIOT, Esq., President of the Institution,-and other appropriate exercises will take place.-ED.] [The following lines by a member of the "Amherst Rosseaunian Society," we insert at the request of a friend, who feels a particular interest in the event referred to. By a compliance with this request, however, we must not be understood to warrant the supposition, that our pages are open to the recital of what is of mere local interest. We have, for this reason, omitted the names contained in the caption of the lines, as sent to us.-ED.] TO A FATHER, ON THE DEATH OF HIS SON. And is thy morning sky o'ercast, Which shone so bright and clear, And speak to us thy loneliness, The branch now from the vine is torn, The sighing winds around us mourn, Bright was the sun which shone on thee, Sunk is that eye that on thee shone, And cloudless skies around him shine, Amherst, July 10, 1835. JUDD. THE MINSTREL. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Our very attentive correspondent, "W. N.'s" additional favors have been received. The volume containing the "Transactions of the Fourth OFFERS TO PATRONS AND CONTRIBUTORS. Our prosperity has already tempted us to make an offer, which we are now happy to renew. In return for the highly valued influence of the CLERGY, we will send a copy of the MINSTREL, gratis, to every one of them who may Annual Meeting of the Western Literary Institute and furnish us with the NAMES OF THREE SUBSCRIBERS. College of Professional Teachers," has come to hand. The "Ranz des Vaches," as arranged by Mr. Warren, Organist of Christ Church and St. Patrick's, Dublin, shall soon appear. Our friends, "A Subscriber," at Milford, Ct., "Justice," and "A Subscriber," whose communications relating to the "New York Academy of Sacred Music," were all received during one day last week, shall have a hearing in our next. The first of a series of papers, entitled "Difficulties and defects of Church Music in the country," by "E. E." has come to hand. It shall be inserted in our next number. We have also received the first number of a series of ar ticles, on "The influence of a Musical Education." We thank "Amicus" for his contribution, and hope that his promised essays will be forwarded to us regularly. A Review of "Mason's Manual of Instruction," shall shortly appear. CIRCULAR. Encouraged by the patronage which has been extended to the MINSTREL, we propose adopting some material improvements, which we hope will secure for us a yet greater share of public favor, and enable us more fully to execute our plans. OUR EXPERIENCE. The experience of six months has given us no cause to alter our views, as expressed in the first number which we issued. The want of such a work as we are engaged in, is very generally felt, and very readily acknowledged. We have received, from almost every section of our country, the most flattering assurances, that we shall be sustained in our undertaking. Our liberal policy and independent course have been commended in strong terms, and our friends are multiplying, to a degree even beyond the sanguine hopes which we entertained. EXTENDED OPERATIONS. Our present purpose, therefore, is to extend our operations, and look for a suitable return of public liberality. We have accordingly secured the services of competent assistants, both in the musical and literary departments of our work. We have induced several of our friends also, who are eminently qualified for the duties which they have respectively assumed, to promise us their valuable labors. Several suggestions which have been made by our editorial brethren, and by others, we have adopted; and the MINSTREL, it is believed, will be thought much improved, by the new aspect which it presents. IMPROVEMENTS. In future, there will be an average of four pages of Music in each number; and suitable measures have been taken, to provide, in addition to our usual vocal harmonies, Instrumental Music, for the piano-forte, the flute, violin, violoncello, &c. An amount of printed music will be thus afforded to our subscribers, of more than a hundred pages during the next twelvemonth, at less than one third the rate at which printed music, according to the present reduced prices, is to be had at our music stores. Extra Copies also of any piece will be cheerfully furnished to subscribers, on the most reasonable terms. It is thought, that schools and seminaries may thus be greatly accommodated. And any contributor of one or more pieces of ORIGINAL MUSIC, (making at least one page of our work,) that may be deemed by us to be suitable for insertion; and also any contributor of ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS, (occupying at least two pages,) shall receive, gratis, a complete set of the MINSTREL for a year. We are, moreover, willing to receive proposals, from authors who would prefer pecuniary compensation for their services. Our ambition is to be quite up with the liberal and enterprising spirit of the age. OUR VIEWS AND MOTIVES. MUSIC, we are convinced, is among the conservative principles, of all that is most estimable in the proper cultivation of the mind and heart, for time and for eternity. We would, therefore, have it introduced, far more extensively than it has been, into our schools and colleges; we would have it made a constituent part of every individual's and every family's enjoyments; and we would have it, with its best and holiest harmonies, become every where the medium of devout communings with the MOST HIGH. Our editorial contemporaries, we trust, will lend us a helping hand in our enterprise. The friends of music, throughout our country, we encourage the fond hope, will not be backward, in sustaining our efforts by their good offices. We have in hand, and, we can truly say, we have at heart, the best and most enduring interests of our fellowmen; and we are desirous to afford them, to the utmost of our ability, the various and rich blessings which are afforded by the "concord of sweet sounds." As has been well observed by a distinguished writer, "Music is natural to man ;" and it is univer sally admitted, to have the power of dispossess. ing the soul of its disquietudes, and of fitting it for the appropriate exercise of all its noblest attributes. It can wake the most bland, the tenderest, the loftiest emotions. It can cheer up and exhilarate. It can become, what its Divine Author has commissioned it to be,-a companion for man, in all his joys and sorrows, to bless him throughout his pilgrimage on earth, and consecrate the best affections of his soul to heaven. All our subscribers who have not already complied with the terms on which the Minstrel is published, are now expected, (according to our original proposals,) to pay $2,50. After the first of October next, delinquent subscribers will be charged $3. Persons who have continued to receive our work, and not signified their being subscribers, will in all cases be considered so, as they are in law. TIMELY CAUTION.-The designing person in the employ of a rival publication, is informed, that, his low cunning, in relation to the "Minstrel," has come to our knowledge,and he may rest assured, that we shall, if we hear of a repetition of similar conduct, appeal to the proper tribunal for redress. [This piece has been arranged by Mr. Firmbach for his friend J. SEIXAS, who has kindly presented it to us for publication. Instead of the Hebrew as sung in the Synagogues, we have adapted the Music to English words.-ED.] FIRST. SECOND. BASS. PIANO. FORTE. 1. FLUTES. 2. 3. "JESUS, MY STRENGTH, MY HOPE." A Hymn. MUSIC ALTERED AND HARMONIZED FOR THE MINSTREL, BY R. B. TAYLOR; FROM BEETHOVEN. I want a heart to pray, 5. I want a true regard, A single, steady aim, Unmoved by threat'ning or reward, To thee and thy great name; A jealous, just concern A pure desire that all may learn 6. I rest upon thy word, The promise is for me; |