312 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



kel's words : — " This admirable work did not appear till after the 

 author's death in 1752, but was, for the most part, engraved by one 

 of his sons during his life-time. Marpung, then at the head of the 

 musical writers in Germanj% accompanied this edition with a pre- 

 face, which contains many just observations on the utility of works 

 of this kind. This work,' however, was too high for the world in 

 general ; it was forced to withdraw into the narrow circle occupied 

 by a few connoisseurs. It consists of variations, on a great scale. 

 The intention of the author was to show clearly what can possibly 

 be done with the theme of a fugue. The variations are all com- 

 plete fugues upon the same theme, and are here called counterpoints. 

 The last but one has three subjects, and in the third the composer 

 discovers his name by Bach,* This fugue was, however, inter- 

 rupted by the disorder in the author's eyes, and, as the operation did 

 not succeed, was not finished. It is said to have been his intention 

 to take in the last fugue four themes, to reverse them in all the four 

 parts, and thus to close his great work. To make up for what is 

 wanting to the last fugue, there is added to the end of the work the 

 four-part choral,t Wenn wir in hochster Nothen sind. Of the 

 art displayed in this choral I will say nothing ; but the expression 

 of pious resignation and devotion in it has always affected me when 

 I have played it : and I can hardly say which I would rather miss, 

 this choral or the end of the last fugue." 



We hope that our notice of this sublime work will induce some 

 enterprising and patriotic publisher to bring out an edition of it, 

 and to give English musicians an idea of what a fugue really is in 

 the hands of a great master. 



PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



ST. JAMES'S ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The first general meeting of this Society for the present session 

 was held at the rooms of the Society, 57, Pall ]\Iall ; N. A. Vigors, 

 Esq. M.P., in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting having 

 been confirmed, the secretary proceeded to read the report, which 

 was highly satisfactory and unanimously adopted. On the motion 

 of Mi. IMacleay, seconded by the Rev. John Jennings, Charles 



• The note which with the Germans is called H, is the B of English nota- 

 tion. , . , , , 



t This choral is omitted in the French edition, and we have never been 

 so fortunate as to see a copy of it. How much have we yet to learn of this 

 mighty rider of tones. 



