MADRIGAL SOCIETY.
TROUGH the Madrigal Society knows nothing of "seasons," and its venerable and unaltered code ordains a meeting during every month in the year, the migratory habits of the present generation have occasioned a temporary and brief suspension of its sittings to be winked at. To alter any thing, woreld form a fearful precedent, and endanger the im- mutable puipbse atd pern.anent character of the Society. " Pear of change perplexes " madrigalians as well as " monarchs." The affair is thus adjusted, ands due regard is had to " tender consciences." Twelve meetings are paid for ; those of August and September being held by a fiction of law—that is, by a congregation of the spirits without the corporal presence of the members. Or it may be, that, like the House of Commons, the Society is represented by its officers ; and that in these months as well as the rest the worthy Librarian, finding the association of the third Thursday (in his case one of nearly fifty years) with a Madrigal meeting too strong to be resisted, is still found at his post in company with the Treasurer. But herein we speak only conjectur- ally, and with proper hesitation. The third Thursday in October, however, reassembles the truant members ; and accordingly they were congregated on Thursday last. The absence of the President (Lord Saimoubr) was the subject of regret with all, and of wonder with some,—especially when it was announced that he was gone on a martial expedition to China, a place of which the position and extent was but vaguely known to the musical subjects of Queen F.r.rranexii, and therefore but faintly shadowed out in the imaginations of genuiue Madrigalians of succeeding ages. It was sug- gested, that perhaps China was included in those "hot climates " of which Joan Wn.BYE sung ; and hereupon the wonder grew that the President of the Madrigal Society should not have adopted the counsel of that eminent composer and prudent adviser- " What needeth all this travail and turmoiling,
Shortening the life's sweet pleasure, To seek this far-fetch'd treasure,
In those hot climates under Phoebus broiling ?
" 0 fools ! can you not see a traffic nearer, In my sweet lady's face ? where Nature showeth
Whatever treasure eye sees or heart knoweth ; Rubies and diamonds dainty, And orient pearls such plenty; Coral and ambergris, sweeter and dearer Than which the South Seas or Moluccas lend us, Or either Indies, East or West, do send ns."
The members were welcomed by the Vice-President with his ac- customed courtesy : perhaps the interchange of greetings was more cordial than usual, and the Treasurer had somewhat more than his ac- customed occupation ; but these were the only outward and visible signs of the reassembly of the members—the vacation, as we have hinted, being rather winked at than acknowledged. If any notice was taken of it, it was in a whisper, and with an evident degree of caution on the part of the speaker. Dinner being despatched, tie music-books were placed on the table, and the following composition , formed the musical dessert. Many of them are only found in the library of the Society, and in the rare original sets ; but we especially commend to those Madrigalians who possess the first set of WILBYE, published by the Musical Anti- quarian Society, his "Unkind, 0 stay," as one of the most beautiful compositions of that delightful writer.
" Almighty God" FORD.
" Die, hapless man," W mem " You'll never leave still tossing" FARMER.
" Bright 'Imbue greets " KIBBYE. " Now is my Chloral." WEELRES.
" Sister, awake! " BATESON.
" Dum esset sumtnus Pontifea " PALESTRINA.
" Veggo deice mio bene " LIMA MARENZIO.
" Unkind, 0 stay," WILBYE.
" Sleep, wayward thoughts," DOWLAND.
" Those dainty daffedilies," Mostimr.
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