246 = Whether Music is necessary to the Orator,— 
friends whether the orator could with any prospect of utility, pro- 
ceed, All the songs within their recollection, or to which re- 
course could in any way be had, were decidedly reyected—with 
the exception of those two so frequently mentioned, “ God save 
the King ” and “ Hope, thou Nurse.” Even these were consi- 
dered by no means faultless; and yet, as examples of extremely 
chaste modulation, and containing the sub-semitone of their re- 
spective keys, they were nevertheless hazarded—and fortunately 
with advantage. ‘The time too, which is the simplest of our 
Z, and most analogous to the imperfect Cretic — ° 9% so com- 
mon in our language, was an additional inducement. For the 
prevention, however, of inarticulate or ranting habits, these songs 
were in some degree modified: and, for accustoming the Speaker 
to an elevated command towards the closing of his periods, the 
triplet or grace on the penultimate bar of ‘* God save the King,” 
though objectionable in every other sense, was reluctantly intro- 
duced. 
These two pieces being composed in triple time and in the 
major mode, a minor exercise* in common time was also sug- 
gested. Of this nature not an eligible song could be procured. 
Our sacred melodies were therefore examined; and one which 
the Speaker had frequently heard sung in one of our churches 
(and most sublimely indeed) was chosen for the purpose. The 
time and intervals of these three pieces, in their original form, 
ran thus, 
sr zee reso beencaeateaseait 
epBe SS ae tea e bese ee ace =: 
ia. 
Se prema Sa 
Be Seneraeieea 
* For the excitement of the softer passions, the minor mode is infinitely 
superior to our national one the major. In chaste recitation it is also less 
munotonous, 
