pt, and also the date when the organ was heard by the Dean.
We considered these facts of sufficient importance to warrant our making
further investigation; and decided, when the time came round again, to
go ourselves into the cathedral; meanwhile we kept our own counsel.

"The time soon passed on and the week before Easter again arrived, and
on the Wednesday evening, about 11.45, we entered the cathedral by the
transept door. The moon shone brightly and we easily found our way into
the nave; and sitting down, awaited the development of events. The
shadows cast by the moonlight were very weird and ghostly in their
effect; and had we been at all impressionable, we should doubtless have
wished ourselves back again. After remaining some time, however, we came
to the conclusion that we had come upon a foolish errand, and had just
risen to go, when an exquisite strain of very soft music came from the
organ. We listened spell-bound, rooted to the spot. The theme was
simple, almost Gregorian in its character, but handled in a most
masterly way. Such playing I had never before heard; it was the very
perfection of style.

"We were listening evidently to what was an opening prelude, for several
different subjects were introduced and only partially worked out.

"Several times I fancied a resemblance to the old Credo, and once
distinctly caught a well-known phrase; my doubts were soon solved,
however, for in a few moments we heard it in its entirety.

"You know how difficult it is to put one's impressions of music into
words; language never fully expresses them. Music can be easily
described in dry technical language, the language which deals in
'discords and their resolutions,' but that does not express its
influence upon ourselves. No language can do that, for it is an attempt
to fathom the infinite.

"As the varied harmonies echoed through the vaulted nave, flooding it
with a perfect sea of melody, it appeared as if we were listening to the
story of a man's life.

"There were the uncertain strains of youth, the shadowing forth of vague
possibilities, the expression of hope undimmed by disappointment. A
nameless undefined longing for greater liberty. The desire to be free
from the restraints of home, and to mingle with the busy world in all
the pride of early manhood. Soon the voyager puts off from the shore,
and at first all seems smooth and alluring. He drifts along the ocean of
life, wafted by favourable winds, delighting