The Argosy — page 59: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

46 Lhe Spirit Organs o Seville. See, the hero of this performance is coming! Come in; for the Archbishop has already arrived, and the mass is about to commence. Come, for it appears to me that the events of to-night will give us plenty to talk about.” Saying this, the good woman pushed her way into the church of | Santa Inéz. The service had already commenced. ‘The church was brilliantly lit up, as in former years. ‘The new organist, after kissing the Arch- bishop’s ring before commencing to play, ascended the gallery, and swept his hands over the notes of the organ in an affectedly grave manner. The long expected moment at last arrrved—the moment when the priest elevates the Host. ‘The bells began to ring, sounding like a shower of crystal notes; clouds of incense arose, and the organ note was heard. The first note was harsh and discordant; but the second chord was powerful, magnificent, rising from the metal tubes of the organ, and swelling out like a cascade of harmony, inexhaustible and sonorous. Celestial songs that greet the ear during moments of rapture ; songs perceived by the spirit, yet which the lips cannot repeat; stray notes of some distant melody heard at intervals, as it is brought in the cust of the winds; murmur of leaves as they kiss each other, liquid and soft, like gentle rain; trills of larks rising from amongst the flowers like a dart shot up to the skies ; resounding blasts without number, imposing and awe-inspiring, like the booming of thunder ; winged hymns, falling from and re-ascending to the throne of God like a mighty torrent of light and sound—all this was expressed by the hundred voices of the organ, yet with more power, more mys- terlous poetry, and a more fantastic colouring than it had ever expressed before. When the organist descended from the gallery, the crowd on the stairs who wished to see and congratulate him, was very great, and one of the attendants was obliged to clear a way through them to lead him up to the high altar, where the Archbishopwas awaiting him. “You see how I have come from my palace only to hear your playing,” the Prelate said, when he was brought to him. ‘‘ Will you be so cruel as Maese Perez, who never would save me this journey on Christmas night by coming to play during midnight mass in my cathedral? ” ‘Next year, your Eminence,” replied the organist, ‘‘ I promise to fulfil your request. Not for all the gold of the globe would I again perform on this organ.” * And why not?” demanded the Archbishop. * Because,” added the organist, as he endeavoured to master the. emotion which was clearly manifested in the deathly pallor of his countenance, ‘‘ because it is old and worthless, and cannot express all that is required.” A strange answer ! ECORNIE OOO KS.EO© m