PREFACEI. 
 
tha ~a~nnA Vnlnma nf tha flA~TATI~ t~nntaInhio thA 
 
IF"~       ~~ ......  Seon ... .. ... ..   of the  CANAv ........no
the..... 
Evening Service, the Author wishes to make a few introductory 
remarks. 
The main part of this volume consists in the Vespers, and con- 
tains all the Psalms, Hymns, Versicles and Responses that are 
needed for the whole year.  Nothing is wanting to make it a 
complete Vesperal, but the Antiphons, and their insertions would 
have made this volume altogether too bulky and expensive. 
The Vesper Tones are arranged in the most simple harmony, 
without the use of any dissonances. This is done in accordance 
with the practice of the great church composers of the sixteenth and 
seventeenth centuries, which has been readopted in Germany, as 
was stated in the Preface to the Morning Service. 
The Psalms are so arranged that they may be sung in four parts.; 
chanting in unison is however preferable, and should be the regular 
practice of a choir. Occasionally every second verse might be sung 
in harmony, or when the whole Psalm is sung in unison, the Gloria 
Patri may be sung in harmony with striking effect. In some choirs 
one verse is sung as a Solo, and every other by the whole choir. 
Male voices are the best adapted for this purpose, and the Into- 
nation of the Psalms should always be made by a male voice. 
It is extremely difficult to convey a correct idea in words as to 
the style in which the Vespers should be chanted. But this is less 
possible than in other music, and can be better learned by example 
than by description. The rules for good singing in general are 
also applicable in chanting. More attention must here be given to 
a plain and correct pronunciation of the words, and as there can 
be no beating or counting of time, taste and experience can be the 
only guide regarding the movement. Singing too slow will make 
the service tedious, and singing too fast will impair its dignity and 
solemnity. Much less should some of the words be dragged and 
others hurried. In the longer verses these lines I are to indicate' 
a very short rest. to enable the singers to take breath at the same 
 
time. Persons who are not learned in Latin should be careful to 
observe the marks of accent. 
The Vespers in figured music will, it is thought, be found accept. 
able; they may be used occasionally on great festivals, and will 
adld more variety tn the eveninr  oevvin* 
 
The Vesper Hymns of one and the same metre are all 
by the same Roman number; thus the same melody may 
to different Hymns of corresponding metre or number. 
Hymns of rare occurrence are given without music, but i 
easy for the organist to choose the proper music for thes 
 
The organist or leader of a choir would do well to have an Ordo, 
so as to be able to ascertain the Vespers proper for each Sunday 
or Festival. 
Compline is sung in Europe at a later hour in the evening than 
Vespers, and frequently forms a distinct service from the Vespers. 
Compline should be sung instead of Vespers on festivals in Lent, 
when these fall on a week day; as in that case the rubric prescribes 
that the Vespers should be sung in choir before dinner. 
The music for the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is all 
of a simple and devotional character. Music of a more showy 
 
kind seems to be exceedingly ill adapted to this part of the serN 
We are expected to bow down befor9 our Saviour exposed on 
altar for our adoration, and the feelings we should have at 
a moment are better inspired and expressed by music of a sob 
 
It is hoped that the selection of Litanies and other pieces in honor 
of the Blessed Virgin Mary will he frenientIu ni .d t +-;,,,lv,, ;, 
 
the month.of May. 
The melodies and words of the EnglishHymns, and o 
others, will be soon published separately in a small book, 
use of Congregations, Confraternities, Sodalities and 
Schools. 
 
May God bless this work, the fruit of arduous lal 
it serve the oan~e of' fli~ o lnlv. anI n~mnt  nm.. ,l 
 
Schools. 
 
it serve the cause of His irlor and romote wo -1, 
.ry   r 
 
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