[Thomas Cooper has spent years studying, during his apprenticeship and early working life as a shoemaker, and, subsequently, as a schoolmaster]

But a new attraction arose at last; and all resolves about study, and purposes of intellectual progress, and interests however important, were sacrificed for my new passion.  A few young men wished to form a Choral Society, and asked me to allow them the use of my school-room for rehearsals.  I consented readily, and became a member of the new society―taking my stand, weekly, as a tenor singer in the choruses.  My heart and brain were soon on flame with the worship of Handel’s grandeur, and with the love of his sweetness and tenderness.