86 SIB WM. AND CAROLINE HERSCHEL. 



his new friend at Mr. Cropley's concerts. The 

 first violin was resigned to him, ' and never/ says 

 the organist, ' had I heard the concertos of Corelli, 

 Geminiani, and Avison, or the overtures of Handel, 

 performed more chastely, or more according to the 

 original intention of the composers, than by Mr. 

 Herschel.' 



" ' I soon lost my companion ; his fame was 

 presently spread abroad ; he had the offer of pupils, 

 and was solicited to lead the public concerts both 

 at Wakeh'eld and Halifax. A new organ for the 

 parish church of Halifax Avas built about this time, 

 and Herschel was one of the seven candidates for 

 the organist's place. They drew lots how they 

 were to perform in succession. Herschel drew the 

 third ; the second fell to Dr. Wainwright, of Man- 

 chester, whose finger was so rapid that old Snetzler, 

 the organ-builder, ran about the church exclaiming, 

 " He run over te keys like one cat ; he will not (jive 

 my piphes room for to shpeak." 



" ' During Mr. Wainwright's performance,' says 

 Miller, 'I was standing in the middle aisle with 

 Herschel. " What chance have you," said I, " to 

 follow this man ? " He replied, " I don't know, I 

 am sure fingers will not do." On which he as- 

 ceiiofed the organ loft, and produced from the organ 

 so uncommon a fulness, such a volume of slow, 

 solemn harmony, that I could by no means account 

 for the effect. After this short extempore effusion, 

 he finished with the Old Hundredth psalm-tune, 

 which he played better than his opponent. 



