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Thackeray, William Makepeace, 1811-1863

"The Newcomes"

The ladies of the family gave us music after the domestic
muffin--and then, sir, a great idea occurred to me. You know how
magnificently Miss Sherrick and the mother sing? Thy sang Mozart, sir.
Why, I asked of Sherrick, should those ladies who sing Mozart to a piano,
not sing Handel to an organ?
"'Dash it, you don't mean a hurdy-gurdy?'"
"'Sherrick,' says I, 'you are no better than a heathen ignoramus. I mean
why shouldn't they sing Handes Church Music, and Church Music in general
in Lady Whittlesea's Chapel? Behind the screen up in the organ-loft
what's to prevent 'em? By Jingo! Your singing-boys have gone to the Cave
of Harmody; you and your choir have split--why should not these ladies
lead it?' He caught at the idea. You never heard the chants more finely
given--and they would be better still if the congregation would but hold
their confounded tongues. It was an excellent though a harmless dodge,
sir: and drew immensely, to speak profanely. They dress the part, sir, to
admiration--a sort of nunlike costume they come in: Mrs.


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