Original Letters and Biographic Epitomes | Page 5

of decorative or Æsthetic art, as understood by me,
had so curiously been cajoled or interwoven into the very sanctuary of
Classic Music. Every phrase appeared eloquently to illustrate and tell
aloud the great burst of passionate fervour, felt to be with serious
activity glistening, sparkling around, in painting and in decorative
device. It was, as it were the unition, the brazing together of these
serious impinging forces, and re-fusing them with fresher melody,
newer vital ecstasy. (Sir) Edward Burne Jones, Oscar Wilde and W.S.
Gilbert had all not dubiously striven nor for shallow effect. They had,
though labouring incessantly apart, built up a ghost which was in no
fear of glimmering or dissolution; and now Berthold Tours, spright of
another element of sentimental, I should say continental mythical music,
upon the scene springs with his amazing apparatus of staves and
octaves, aiding the _chef-de-musique_ and his trained voices to make
sound within the very presence chamber of Divine Worship this
phantasmagoria of Teuton intellectualism!
Be it understood that this Classic exercise is not to be ceremoniously
regarded, nor classified, nor by me upheld as an example of Creative
Art, but as the brightest pledge of homage æsthetically offered to a vital
movement, essentially fundamental and wise; furthermore, must be
allowed to occupy a position subsidiary to the works of the artists
enumerated who evidently inspired it; unique and decidedly without an
exact parallel in the inspired annals of modern phonetic literature;
prefering at a more intimate examination to classify with it Professor C.
Villiers Stanford's setting of the Te Deum and Jubilate in B flat--works,
easily gracing the "Summus Mons" of co-spiritual achievement; that
impulse which selects, confirms, and then unites all the fair fibres of
Art.
Berthold Tours personally possessed the evident characteristics of a
musician. No doubt could be entertained whatsoever, by any who once

saw him or his large meditative form, that music was his calling. The
duties inherent to the post of "music taster" to the house of Novello,
Ewer, & Co., he hopefully acquitted for many years, succeeding to that
office on the retirement of my once, in a choral sense, esteemed
conductor, Sir Joseph Barnby. The pianoforte accompaniment to many
of the classical works of continental composers he transcribed and
carefully arranged for his employers, whose confidence he completely
enjoyed, whether in addressing them on matters relative to prospective
treaties with contemporary composers, or in regard to works tendered
to them for publication, or on recommending them upon the pianoforte
arrangement of orchestral scores. Personally, I participated in the
satisfaction of frequently dining in his company. Amongst the personal
memories which I might in passing allude to, being my entire
deferential attitude towards him of reverence, ere ever being acquainted
with his patronymics, although already largely conversant with, and a
sincere admirer of his music. To have been spoken amiably to by this
distinguished "virtuoso" is a not unnoteworthy reminiscence to be
recorded. He evinced much concern in the early rehearsals of his choral
works; being individually present at the moment of their preparation;
but it not infrequently appeared to me ambiguous, that unless
accounted for by the responsibility of vast calls, he with frequency
turned his back upon the musical conservatories wherein his choral
works were performed; a custom due evidently to his innate modesty,
and perhaps to his susceptibilities as a foreigner. Berthold Tours was a
famous violinist of the first class, besides being a recognised composer
of music, and edited with Natalia Macfarren a superb edition of the
Italian, the German, and the French Operas.
JOHN ATWOOD.SLATER,
4, Hill Side, Cotham, Bristol.

_ARCHITECTURE._
From the BRISTOL TIMES AND MIRROR,
_April 18th_, 1902.

BRISTOL SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS.
The Annual General Meeting of this society was held in the Fine Arts
Academy, Queen's Road, Clifton, on Monday, Mr. Frank W. Wills
(President) in the chair. After the confirmation of the minutes of the
last Annual General Meeting, the annual report of the council was then
read by the Hon. Secretary, and the audited accounts presented, and,
upon the motion of the PRESIDENT, were adopted.
A highly interesting lecture devoted to architectural research was
delivered by Mr. J. ATWOOD SLATER, first silver medallist and
premium holder in design in the Royal Academy of Arts, London, and
Sharpe Prizeman of the Royal Institute of British Architects, London,
describing an architectural tour undertaken in 1880, and detailing
picturesquely the architecture and incidents of personal concern
dependent on travel met with in the departments of Seine Inférieure,
Seine and Oise, and Seine, penetrating into the heart of France as far as
Auxerre. The course of the Seine, with its diverse monuments, was
topographically followed from Harfleur to Paris, and subsequently in
its considerable ramification the stately River Yonne, Melun,
Fountainebleau, Sens, and finally the rich town of