concerto for
violin and orchestra; and sonatas for piano-forte alone, and in
combination with other instruments. As lecturer, writer, and critic, Sir
George Macfarren also holds a high place, among his important works being
"Rudiments of Harmony" (1860); six Lectures on Harmony (1867); analyses
of oratorios for the Sacred Harmonic Society (1853-57), and of orchestral
works for the Philharmonic Society (1869-71); and a "Musical History,"
being a reprint of an article on this subject contributed by him to the
Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Christmas.

"Christmas," the poem by John Oxenford, was written in 1859, and was
first performed at one of the concerts of the Musical Society of London,
on the 9th of May 1860. The poem itself contains no story. It is merely a
tribute to the season; but at the same time it is not destitute of
incident, so that it possesses considerable dramatic interest.

After a short instrumental introduction the cantata opens with a double
chorus in antiphonal style, in which both the bright and the dark sides
of winter are celebrated. The second choir takes up the theme:--

"The trees lift up their branches bare
Against the sky:
Through the keen and nipping air
For spring's return they seem to cry,
As the winds with solemn tone
About them sadly moan;"

and the first choir replies:--

"Old Winter's hand is always free,
He scatters diamonds round;
They dart their light from every tree,
They glisten on the ground.
Then who shall call the branches bare,
When gems like those are sparkling there?"

The two then join and bring their friendly contest to a close:--

2nd Choir.--"Come in, and closely shut the door
Against the wintry weather;
Of frost and snow we'll think no more,
While round the fire we sit together."

1st Choir.--"Rush out from every cottage door,
'Tis brave and bracing weather;
A madder throng ne'er met before,
Than those which now have come together."

This double number, which is very effective, is followed by a soprano
recitative and romance ("Welcome, blest Season"), tender and yet joyous
in character, which celebrates the delight of friendly reunions at
Christmas tide, and the pleasure with which those long absent seek "the
old familiar door." In the next number, an old English carol ("A Blessing
on this noble Ho