[ Rev. John Dixon Hales, anti-Catholic polemicist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. D. Hales') on church psalmody, 'Hullah's System' and Lady Katherine Halkett.

Author: 
J. D. Hales [ John Dixon Hales ] (c.1800-1879), Perpetual Curate of St John, Richmond, Surrey, and anti-Catholic polemicist [ John Pyke Hullah (1812-1884); Lady Katherine Halkett (1790-1848) ]
Publication details: 
Richmond, Surrey. 24 January 1842.
£50.00
SKU: 19964

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. The recipient's name, at the foot of the last page, has been scored through. The letter begins: 'My dear Friend, | A note from our mutual friend Sawyer received this Evening informs me that he had transmitted to you some enquiries from me on ye. subject of Church Psalmody - & ye. best mode, & books, for acquiring a knowledge of it - & teaching of it in infant & national Schools - | I have induced one of Mr Hullah's ablest Assistants to lecture every Wednesday & Saturday to two Classes (Male & Female) in my Schools - I have had frequent connections, & some correspondence, with my neighbour Lady Katherine Halkett on Hullah's system - she is a very clever person - a pupil, I am told, of Dugald Stewart, & reputed to have considerable knowledge of Music, in which I desire to be instructed'. He is sorry to say that music played no part in his education, but he has now put himself 'into ye. Class of Schoolmasters - Parish Clerks - Chorister boys - &c held in my School room - & have been practising ye. Diatonic Scale - & Chord Do, Mi, Sol, Do - & intervals as far as Octaves in Hullah's book'. He wants to be able to 'sing from notes without an instrument a good old simple Psalm tune fit for a village Congregation', but finds that his 'two dear boys' - one seven and the other eight, 'have attained to somewhat greater skills' than he has.'Lady K. H.' has read the recipient's letters on music 'with very great delight', and has lent them to him: 'I read every word & I fear I sinned in envying . . at all events I longed for ye. like power of singing Praises to my Redeemer'. He concludes in similarly obsessive style.