OLD CHURCH BANDS AND VILLAGE CHOIRS. l8l 



Feb. i, 1823." They are similar and quite equal to the large 

 Martinstown book described above. 



The old players, not without serious misgivings, vacated the 

 gallery on the introduction of a barrel organ about the year 

 1845. The case of this instrument was made in the village, and 

 still serves for the covering of the present small organ, which 

 was placed in the church in 1852, when the internal works of its 

 predecessor were sold to the churchwardens of Bere Regis. A 

 new two-manual organ is now to be erected, though some of the 

 old mellow pipes which have done duty for more than half-a- 

 century are, I am glad to say, to be retained. 



" So mote it be." Yet, notwithstanding the defects and 

 deficiencies of the past, I am inclined to believe that, after 

 all, the suppression of these bands as relics of a barbarous 

 age and the introduction of organs, often far too large 

 for our village churches, has not been an unmixed good. 

 Reformation, no doubt, was needed, but not extinction, for the 

 practice of these wind and stringed instruments gave occu- 

 pation and recreation to the peasant folk ; their performances 

 brightened village life ; they added gaiety to the rustic wedding ; 

 they cheered the long Christmas evenings. But more than that. 

 By this means those who had no vocal gifts took their part in 

 the music of God's House, and with their quiet and unsustained 

 accompaniment invited the people to support and swell the 

 strain of praise. 



