- 1798.] 
which had hitherto been held by difftrent 
matters, became united in the perfon of 
this great mufician. In the fame year 
in which he fucceeded Dr. Greene as maf- 
ter of the king’s band, he alfo became his 
fucceflor as conduétor of the mufic an- 
nually performed at St. Paul’s for the be- 
nefit of the charity inftituted in favour of » 
the Sons of the Clergy; which honorary 
fituation he filled through the remainder 
of his life, with that eminent credit which 
he derived from all his profeffional avoca- 
tions ; and compofed an excellent in{tru- 
mental anthem exprefsly for that mecting, 
which ftill continues to be annuaily per- 
_ formed. 
At the coronation of his prefent majef- 
ty, Dr. Boyce, as organift of the chapel, 
and the firft Englifh compofer of his age, 
was appointed to fet to mufic an anthem 
in honor of that folemnity, and the words 
felected for the occafion, were ‘* Zadoc 
the prieft, &c.” The Doétor requefted 
‘that he might be allowed to decline the 
tatk ; pleading, in excufe for his reluc- 
tance to comply with the appointment, 
that Mr. Handel having already fet thofe 
words fo fublimely, it would be a highly 
xeprehenfible prefumption in him to at- 
tempt the fame fubject. This mode/t and 
laudable apology was admitted, and the 
anthem fet by Handel was pertormed in- 
ftead of a new compolition. 
The Doétor during the latter -part of 
‘his life was greatly iubjeCt to the gout, 
-of which cruel diforder, after many fevere 
attacks, he died on the 7th of February, 
1779. _He was interred with that {o- 
lemnity due to his virtues and genius, in 
one of the vaults of St. Paul’s cathedral ; 
his funeral being attended by the fingers 
of the choir, and many eminent protef- 
fors and amateurs, who were willing to 
-aflitt in paying the laft fad duties to him, 
-whom they jultly confidered as one of the 
principal improvers and ornaments of the 
#nelith harmonic fchool. 
-On his tomb is the fallowing infcription: 
William Boyce, M.D. 
Organift, Compofer, 
and 
‘Matter of the Band-of Mufic 
to their Majetties 
King George If. and III. 
Died February 7th,.1779, 
Aged 69. 
Happy in his compofitions, 
much happier 
in.a conftant Flow of Harmony: 
Through every Scene of Life, 
Relative or Domettic, 
“The Huiband, ‘Father, Friend! 
QIONTHLY Mac. No. X¥xVII, 
Memoirs of the late Dr. Boyce. 
genius early difcovered itfelf. 
253 
Dr. Boyce, as a man, was juftly refpect- 
ed for his demettice and focial virtues, and 
theie traits in his character, added to his 
genius and confummate mutical learning, 
procured him the friendfhip and patronage 
ot the dukes of Newcaftle and Devonthire 
and other powertul families, as well as 
the love and refpecét of all who enjoyed 
his perfonal acquaintance. Huis perion 
Was rather above the common height, and 
his features afforded a ftriking exception 
to the general rule, that the countenance 
is the index of the temper! His face, 
perhaps, indicated a difpofition fomewhat 
referved and auftere; but all who knew 
him intimately, received conftant proofs 
of his unaffected affability, frank commu- 
nication, and pure benevolence. 
His compofitions arenumerous, Only 
a {mall portion of them has yet been 
publithed; but they will remain laft- 
ing monuments of his rare abilities as 
a mulical compofer. The fongs in his 
“© Lyra Britannica’? are remarkable for 
the frength and clearnefs of their me- 
lodies. His mufic to the dramatic paf- 
torals of “* The Chaplet,” and “ The 
Shepherd’s Lottery,’ contain fome of the 
{weetef{t and moft characteriftical airs that 
have ever been produced on the Englifh 
ftage: his anthems, fymphonies, and over- 
tures, are alfo uncommonly fine in their 
kind; and his ‘* Serenata of Solomon,” 
in originality, expreffion, fweetnefs, and 
high-finifhing, yields to no vocal produc- 
tion whatever. In a-word, the merit of 
Dr. Boyce as a mufical author, though 
univerfally admitted, is very fuperior even 
to the general eftimation. In his com- 
pofitions we find a ;mjxture of the ancient 
and modern manner: he unites all that 
richnefs of iarmony, artful combination, 
and intimate intermixture of parts, which 
ccharacterizethe beft mutic of former times, 
with the vivacity, gracetulnefs, and me- 
lody of later days; and feems, in refpeét 
of ftyle, to place himfelf between the gay 
and flowing iuavity of Arne and the rich 
and energetic fublimity of Handel. But 
ftill the prominent feature in his mufic is 
its entire originality, in which refpeét his 
‘The va- 
rious excellencies, which he fo fkilfully 
blended, were literally his ‘own. A dif- 
‘tinétion of character pervades almeft every 
thing he has written, and evinces a ftrong 
and inventive mind. His many valuable 
productions which are {till in marmfcript, 
will, when publifhed, corroberate the 
evidence here given of his abundant ta- 
Jents ; will add to the number ot his pre- 
fent admirers ; and extort new applaufe 
from the republic os mufic, 
K 
