ham is, in fact, Rochester. However this may be, we have only further to say of the book before us that it is, after all, not such a fragment as it looks. In itself it is really complete. If it pauses in mid-story, it is exactly at the point where the stop, if inevitable, could best occur. Speculation may weary itself with conjectures as to how the Mystery was to be unravelled; incipient novelists may lawfully try their mettle at developing it, if they only commit the results of their labour to the flames when they have done; the public will be at once sad and satisfied to take the story of 'Edwin Drood' as it is, -grateful to the author and his memory for what he achieved, and with implicit faith in him. as to what he intended."

'The Life of Charles Dickens,' by John Forster, Vol. I., 1812-1842, is reviewed on December 9th and 16th, 1871; Vol. II., 1842-1852, on the 16th of November, 1872; Vol. III., 18521870, on the 7th of February, 1874.

Forster's 'Life of Dickens.'

HENRY FOTHERGILL CHORLEY.

Henry Fothergill Chorley was born on the 15th of December, 1808, at Ashton-le-Willows. His parents were members of the Society of Friends. The sudden death of his father, who dropped down dead in his counting-house on

Henry Fothergill Chorley.

the 15th of April, 1816,* left the family in narrow circumstances. John Rutter, of Liverpool, his mother's half-brother, stood between them and Early life at want. Chorley at an early age was taken from Liverpool. school, and placed in the office of Messrs. Cropper, Benson & Co., of Liverpool; but the occupation was not to his liking, and he was transferred to Messrs. Woodhouse with the same result, all his heart and soul being given to music. Herr Hermann was his friend and instructor, besides which he was encouraged by the sympathy of Mr. Benson Rathbone. In 1827 he and his elder brother John set on foot an annual called The Winter's Wreath.' This brought them into communication with several of the literary personages of the time, among them being Mrs. Hemans. This friendship continued until her death. Chorley's memorials of Mrs. Hemans was his first published book. It was towards the close contributions of 1830 that Chorley first contributed to the Athenæum. Athenæum occasional musical criticisms. Among

'The Winter's Wreath.'

First

to the

* He was buried in the graveyard of a meeting-house belonging to the Society of Friends at Penketh, “a small still resting-place, in which the separate tenements were distinguished only by turfed mounds. Time has softened the usages of the Society of Friends in this respect. They have now tombstones in their graveyards, simply inscribed with name, age, and date of decease” (“Henry Fothergill Chorley: Autobiography, Memoir, and Letters' compiled by Henry G. Hewlett).

these was a letter he wrote from Liverpool, which appeared on the 5th of May, 1832: "Music in the Provinces-The Chevalier Neukomm's Oratorio at Manchester." The opening paragraph shows the position he sought for music, and to promote this end it may be said that he devoted his life :

"The circumstance of a great musical work having been brought out with credit in a provincial town, and that too without the instrumental assistance usually derived from London, argues such an advance in the art amongst us, that it has seemed to me not altogether unworthy of a notice in your columns; and I furnish this, in the pleasant conviction, that that same delightful art has passed through one stage of its transformation from the state of a costly exotic, nourished and possessed as a luxury by the few, to that of a household delight and public recreation of the many who compose the middle class."

Chorley left Liverpool for London on the last day of the year 1833, Mr. Dilke having invited him to his house till he could establish himself in London. He shortly afterwards became the musical critic of the Athenæum, and so continued until June, 1868, when he retired owing to ill health. On giving his last proofs to Mr. Edward Francis he took the pin from the scarf he was wearing, and presented it to him; and on the Ist of August he gave a farewell dinner at Wembley Hill to the employés of the printing and pub

Becomes musical critic.

His

retirement.

Death.

lishing offices. His health did not allow of his being present, but he sent to Mr. John Francis the following kindly words of parting :—

"I entrust to my friend, and your chairman, Mr. Francis, a few words of welcome, expressing my feelings in regard to this meeting. I wish my guests, and fellow workers in the Athenæum, to recollect that during the thirty-five years of my service not a single angry word or doubtful transaction has passed on either side, and that I feel myself largely indebted to their prompt and courteous punctuality, which has made not the easiest of tasks a comparatively light one. Better supported I could not have been. I thank you with all my heart most cordially, and wish you and yours health and prosperity for many a long year to come. I would have said this in person, but do not feel equal to it.

"HENRY F. CHORLEY."

Mr. Chorley died suddenly on Friday morning, the 16th of February, 1872. Mr. Francis had called upon him the day previous, and was with him for some time, when he spoke with much cheerfulness of his plans for the year, although he dwelt on the uncertain hold he had of life. He was buried beside his brother John in Brompton Cemetery, being followed to the grave by many musicians, literary and scien

tific celebrities, and a deputation from the Athenæum printing office.

The Athenæum, in its obituary notice of the 24th of February, says: "Critics ought to reverence his memory, for he fought a stout and Services as a critic. determined battle in vindication of their independence. In the conflict which took place at a period of our operatic history, when an impudent attempt was made to silence all expression of opinion except that which suited the views of Impresarios, Mr. Chorley stood almost alone in opposition to obsequiousness and corruption. And in the unequal combat truth ultimately prevailed over numbers-over those who weakly gave way to intimidation or to more disgraceful influences. The true nature of a critic's functions, so difficult to exercise and so often misunderstood and misrepresented, was thoroughly comprehended and acted upon by Mr. Chorley. Of the confraternity of journalists he was a distinguished ornament, one whose conduct and career can be cited as thoroughly honourable and consistent. He was the steady advocate of the cause of good music, and he was the firm supporter of rising talent, whenever and wherever it could be found. Always fearless in the exposure of ignorance and incompetency, he was ever kind-hearted and generously extended the helping hand to novices