Death of Sir George Macfarren.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 234, 24 December 1887, Page 7

Death of Sir George Macfarren.

Sir George Macfarren, the eminent composer and Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, died suddenly last month, at the age of 74. He was born and educated in London. From an early age he laboured with an impaired eyesight, which soon termiuated in total blindness. But nature in his case, as in those of Handel and of Bach, made up for the loss of one sense by the increased efficiency of another. His acuteness of hearing was remarkable. In 1834 he was appointed Professor of the Academy, and in tho same year produced his symphony in F minor at the Society of British Musicians. It was followed in 1336 by the Overture "Chevy Chase," one of his most spirited compositions, and two years later by a dramatic work entitled " The Devil's Opera" (libretto by his father), produced at the Lyceum Theatre with much success. In subsequent years he produced several other operas, but none of them has permanently kept the stage. It was in oratorio that he did his best and most permanent work. His best work, "St John the Baptist," was produced at the Bristol Festival, October, 1873; the "Resurrection," at the Birmington Festival in 1876; "Joseph," at the Leeds Festival in 1877; and "King David," at the Laeds Festival in 1883. He also produced church servicss, anthems, and a vast number of part songs, ballads, and other vocal compositions. In 1875 he succeeded Sterndale Bennett as Professor of Music at Cambridge. In April, 1876, his University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Music, and in tho same yeaf he was appointed Principal of the Royal Academy of Music. He received the honour of knighthood along with Sir George Grove and' Sir Arthur Sullivan in 1883.

had provided for them : and the same afternoon he brought them along to call on, Mrs Wygram and Sabina. He seemed a little anxious and nervous. But if he was at all concerned about the impressions likely to be produced on the old lady, by tho young girl, or vice versa, he must have been speedily re-aSsured. At the very first glance — while as yet, this tall, thin elegantlooking woman, with the short white curls, and apple-tinted cheeks, and soft grey eyes, had hardly entered the room — Sabina had formed a liking for her : and that was only confirmed by the singular air of refinement and graciousness of manner that seemed to surround her as she came forward. And on her side ? She took the girl's hand in hers, and held it ; apparently she was unable to utter a word : but as she read all that the clear, beautiful face had to say to her, her eyes quickly filled with tears. Sabina wasfrightened, she scarcely knew why ; she managed to say a few commonplace words of welcome ; and then she turned to give a bimilar greeting to the old gentleman. As for him, he considered the whole proceeding a bore. As soon as he decently could he withdrew from the lot of them ; and went to the window, and stared out theie, with his hands behind him, over the tails of his highly respectable black frock coat. But the old lady was sitting next Sabina ; and had drawn her chair very close; and she seemed unable to keep her eyes— which were kind and effectionate eyes— away from the girl. And she said that she knew her quite well already, so much had Fred written home about her ; and how wa» she to thank Miss Zembra for all her goodness to him when he was shut up a prisoner in Lancaster Gate ?— and how fortunate it was for him to have so much of her companionship during his stay at the seaside. There was a great deal to talk about ; but all through it the old lady's glances were gently scrutinising the various points of the girl's appearance, and her costume too —the beautiful lines of the neck and shoulders, her hair, the trimnc&b of her enffrt, the neatness of her brooch and collar, the blender, tapering, but large hand, the gracious arch of the eyebrow -and the more that old Mrs Foster looked, the more and more did pleasure sit beaming upon her own face. Once or twice she touched Sabina's arm ; and her fingers seemed to linger there. Siie followed her every word cagerlv ; she laughed when there was the least occasion ; delight and tenderness shone in the soft grey eyes. The old gentleman came back from the window, and rather brusquely remarked that it was a pity to waste so line an afternoon within doors, as he had ne\er seen Brighton, and there seemed to be plenty to sec." His wife rose reluctantly. And now &he held Sabina by both hands : and seemed loth to leave her. " Good-bye, dear," she said ; and still she held her hands a little ; and, then, with an impulse of affection, she kissed the girl kissed her on both cheeks— and said good-bye again, and went away. When they had gone, Sabina walked once or twice up and down the room, in a curiously agitated manner j and then came back. " Mrs Wygram, tell me— tell me what I have said or done— oh, )ou may say any harm of me you like !— but luuoldoncor said anything wiong ?— -what do they mean ?" Mrs Wygram was not one to seek a cheap triumph. "I think it is quite clear they came to Brighton to make your acquaintance, Sable," she said, gently. "Yes, but why? Why did she kiss me like that ?— a stranger ! Why did she talk about their home in Buckinghamshire, a« if she expected me to be there at any time ?" And then Sabina's cheeks reddened angrily. " What has Mr Foster been saying about me to thorn ? What right has he to speak about me ? If 1 have done anything —if I have done anything I should not have done — I— l will apologise— but they have no rio-ht— they have no right — to speak about me." And here she burst out crying, which was an unusual thingfor her todo ; and of course the next moment Mrs Wygram's arms -were round the frill's ne«k, and she was being soothed and pacified with all kinds of endearing phrases. " Sabie, darling, be sure he said nothing about you but what was perfectly kind — pei haps too kind. And if there has been any mistake it can easily be put right. Perhaps the mistake is ours— l hope it is. You see, you do make people affectionate towards you. Perhaps* she did not mean anything." " Any way," Sabina said, quickly, " I am going up to London to-night," "You cannot do that !" her friend said instantly. " Why, it would be a confession ! It would look as if you were ashamed, and had run away !" And then the little woman's courage rose. " And what has my beautiful Sabie to be ashamed of ? I saynothing ! Haven't I been with you all the time ? Let them come to me if they like — but you are not going to run away for anybody." All doubts, however, as to the meaning of the old people's visit to Brighton, were set at rest next morning. Mrs Foster called about eleven, and asked to be allowed to see Sabina alone. Mrs Wygram went upstairs. And very gently, and skilfully, and affectionately did this ambassador disclose her mission. Her "poor boy," as she called, him, had something of great importance to say to Sabina, but in his present crippled state he had never a chance of seeing her by herself, and would she take it amiss if he had asked his mother to come and plead for him. "And for myself, dear," said this softvoiced diplomatist. "If you knew how proud I should be to call you my daughter !" Sabina had grown very white. " Dear child, are you ill ?" the other exclaimed, " shall I get you some water?" " No, no, no," the girl said ; and she was striving to be quite calm. "I am very, very sorry, but there has been some mistake. I feared it. After you came yesterday I asked Mrs Wygram if I had done anything " "It's not what you have done, it's what you are," the old lady said, and she took the girl's hand. " You are pretty and are good ; can you wonder at the rest ?"' Sabina withdrew her hand. " I see you are afraid of me," Mrs Foster said, smiling. "Perhaps it was foolish of the boy to send me here to do his wooing for him. You think I should make a harsh mother-in law to you." "I am sure you will be very kind to whoever your son marries," Sabina managed to say, and with truth she said it. " Then may I tell him that when he can come and speak for himself there will be some hope for him? I; think he would be satisfied even with that." " Oh, no, no, no; say any thing but that !" Sabina said,, but she seemed scarcely tp understand :tho meaning of her words. "No, no, that is impossible. It was not, that I was thinking of. Tell him lam ,So sorry for this dreadful mistake. I hope I was not— too— thoughtless ;* but, yes* ,1 suppose that t was it<; a,nd now ( >#rhst',ean I do t i Xam very,, very sorry— teUhimlhope he will forgive nic " I " I see, I distress you," the old lady said, 1 and she rose from her chair, "But re-