Life and Letters of Sir Charles Halle; Being an Autobiography (1819-1860) with Correspondence and Diaries (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV By Charles E. Hall 1865-1805 The last thirty years--Refining influence of music--An anonymous correspondent--A token of gratitude from a working man--Letter from an old member of the Manchester Choir--My father's respect for his audiences--The training and recruiting of his band--Achievements in the cause of music--Editorial work--' Practical Pianoforte School'--Royal Manchester College of Music--Indomitable industry--Railway travelling: amusing incidents--Chelford accident--Alfred de Musset--Stephen Heller Testimonial--A touching incident--A faithful cabman--Love of children and animals--A poor sportsman--Summer holidays at Cowes--Little Holland House--Interesting letter from Ruskin--Projected farewell series of Beethoven Recitals--Berlioz's Faust: first performance in England--A wonderful memory--Business capacities--An unfounded report--A good whistplayer--Love of Reading--Religion--Death of his first wife--Second Marriage--Children--A staunch Conservative---Knighthood--LL.D. of Edinburgh--Royal Favours--Visits to Australia and South Africa--The End. It has been left to me to record the last thirty years of my dear father's life, to take up the pen which dropped from his hand the day before he died, and to conclude the task he left uncompleted. It will be a labour of love to recall and chronicle those events in his life at which I either personally assisted, or of which he spoke to me in the intimacy of our friendship--a friendship which never from my earliest childhood to the day of his death suffered the slightest break, or was marred by even the most transient misunderstanding on either side. The readers of the preceding chapters will have formed an estimate of my father's character, of his indefatigable industry, his entire devotion...