could have been avoided) as those to which Kent, their Handel, and others of the same class have put masterly strains. And it need not excite surprise, if people who have been accustomed to their music, should hesitate a little in giving him his just due. The piece opens well, yet not floridly; and the interest in the main, increases with its progress. But by and by, the ear perceives a repetition of passages of similar construction. This is felt most in the former part, which is chiefly I believe in the minor key. But this defect considered in connexion with the general character of the piece, and the magnitude of the undertaking, will be almost lost in the surprise, that it is not much greater. In matter of course, imitative strains, there is no wonder excited at the recurrence of the same undiversified passages, because of the commonness of the practice; but in music of an original character, to which this Oratorio may lay no feeble claims, it is widely different;-but it is premature to criticise the piece, as no doubt before its publication, (which it is understood will not be delayed long, if the composer meets with proper encouragement,) it will undergo a severe revision. And that genius which could strike out such a continuous variety of melodies, and wake up such a compass of harmonic combinations, will not fail to make the Oratorio still more worthy of public reception. END OF PART I, HEBREW MUSIC, PART II. CHAPTER I. The importance of Hebrew music in connexion with their other customs and rites--difficulty of ascertaining the precise character of their music from want af proper symbols-the song of Moses on having crossed the Red Sea-the music employedJewish instruments described. THE music of the Hebrews cannot but be interesting to every reader, at all anxious to fill up the sketch of its general history. This interest will be greatly deepened if the events of their history be thoughtfully considered ;-considered, not merely as exhibiting music as one of the pictures in their civil and political character; but as associating itself with those bright displays of redeeming mercy, "When life and immortality should be brought to light by the gospel :" as broken interludes to that full and thrilling chorus, which was performed by a company of the heavenly host," who sang to the astonished shepherds, "Glory to 66 God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men." It is a settled article in the christian faith, that the laws, customs, and ceremonies of the Jewswhether political, civil, or religious, were not instituted by the caprice, or ambition, or even the wisdom of their rulers; but that they were mainly given under the special direction of God, and in connexion with the revelation of his will; and may therefore be looked upon as labels to those glorious mysteries which should be unfolded to the world, by the successive triumphs of the gospel dispensation. The music of the Jews, along with many other branches of their arts and sciences, is involved in much obscurity. To this conclusion we may safely come, from the various, and even contradictory opinions, given upon it by those writers, who, with eminent qualifications, have paid great attention to the subject. One cause of the loss of their music is doubtless to be found, in the want of definite and precise characters, by which to fix its type on paper, or some other endurable substance. We know this reason will apply to the music of other ancient nations, as well as to that of the Jews. But considering the exclusive character of the Jews; the sanguinary wars in which they were engaged; the various dispersions to which they were at several times subjected; and the recklessness of their successive conquerors, in seeking to |