hem and witnessed some of the things I shall
tell you. The story will take some little time, but if you will come
across to my house you shall hear it and also see the proofs I hold in
my possession."

II.

We went direct from the cathedral into the library of Dr. F.'s house,
where, without wasting any time, he produced a roll of manuscript and
gave it me to read.

It was tied up neatly with tape and enclosed in another sheet of paper,
which bore the date January, 1862, and a note in the Doctor's
handwriting stating that he had discovered it in an old chest in the
cathedral library.

The document itself was yellow with age and was headed:

"Certain remarkable passages relating to the death of the late
Ebenezer Jenkins, sometime organist of this cathedral, obiit April
3, 1686; related by John Gibson, lay clerk."

Enclosed within it was also a fragment of music. Unrolling the
parchment, I proceeded to decipher with difficulty this narrative.

"On the Wednesday evening before Easter, A.D. 1686, I, John Gibson,
was called to the bedside of Master Jenkins.

"He had manifested a wish to hold converse with me, and to see me
concerning some matters in which we had both been engaged. He had
suffered grievously for many days, and it was plain to all his
friends that he had not long to tarry with us. A right skilful
player upon the organ was Master Jenkins, and a man beloved of all.
He had written much music for the Glory of God and the edification
of his Church, wherein his life seemed mirrored, for his music
appealed to men's hearts and led them to serve God, as did also the
example of his blameless life and conversation among us. He had
been busied for some time in the writing of a Service for Easter
Day, in the which he designed to express the thoughts of his waning
years. I had been privileged to hear some of these sweet strains,
and do affirm that finer music hath never been written by any man
in this realm of England. The Italians do make much boast of their
skill in music, and doubtless in their use of counterpoints,
fugues, and divers other devices they have hitherto excelled our
nation; but I doubt if Palestrina himself could have written more
excellent music, or have devised more cunning harmonies than those
of Master Jenkins.

"The work had of late been hindered by the pains of sickn