[ 11 ]
TOC
|
are taught it by the Gregorian notes, and
that no others are used by the ecclesiastics.
In the French churches there is an in-
strument on each side the choir, called
the serpent, from its shape, I suppose,
for it undulates like one. This gives
the tone in chanting, and plays the base
when they sing in parts. It is often ill-
played, but if judiciously used, would
have a good effect. It is, however, in
general overblown, and too powerful for
the voices it accompanies; otherwise, it
mixes with them better than the organ,
as it can augment or diminish a sound
with more delicacy, and is less likely to
overpower or destroy by a bad tempera-
ment, that perfect one, of which the
voice only is capable.
The organ in this church is double and
very large, consisting of four rows of keys,
sixty-four stops, and an immense front of
thirteen columns of pipes: it has been
made about sixty years. The case is
finely carved and ornamented, and the
|
.jpg)