A Tour in the Midlands, 1789

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

141–142

text excerpt

     At most Cathedrals, under the Eye of a Bishop, Six o'clock Prayers are left off; Here they are Continued, and there is Regular Service performed 3 times a day all the year round.

     The Bell now ringing for Evening Service carried me to The Church, where I was met by Dr. Marsden, a Prebend, who offer’d me, as a Stranger, every civility, as a Choice of Anthem, etc., and I then enter’d a Stall.―If I commonly find fault, I shall selldom be wrong; and if I sometimes praise, you may suppose it right: Therefore let me now express my astonishment of Pleasure at hearing this Service.―The Prebend was attended in due Form;―The Prayers were read most leisurely, and devoutly, by Mr Houlson, one of The Vicars; The Organ was excellently play’d; and four Singing Men, and Eleven Boys, sang as carefully as if at the Antient Concert!―The Anthem of 3 parts, ‘Sing O Heavens,’ by Mr Kent was capitally perform’d; and I was told that one of The Boys was reckon’d to have the finest voice in England, and that the men has been sent for to The Abbey-Musick.―The Service being concluded, I waited upon Dr. M., to thank him for his Politeness; and to express my Astonishment at the decency, Regularity, etc., etc.

excerpt from 'A Tour in the Midlands, 1789' pp. 141–142 (222 words)

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