It appears, from Dugdale's Warwickshire, that Pursglove assented to the suppression of Gisburne in December, 1540, and became a commissioner for persuading other abbots and priors to do the same. It is doubtful at what time he was appointed to the see of Hull; whether in the last year of Edward VI. or in Queen Mary's reign, though it is certain, in 1559, he refused to take the oath of supremacy to Elizabeth.
The hospital and schools mentioned in the epitaph are Gisborough and Tideswell.
R. J. Shaw.
THE GREGORIAN TONES.
(Vol. vi., pp. 99. 178.)
I have neither time nor inclination to expose all the errors and fallacies of Mr. Matthew Cooke's article on "Gregorian Tones;" but I cannot resist pointing out certain statements which are calculated to mislead the readers of "N. & Q." in no trifling degree. The writer says:
"The most ancient account we have is, that St. Ambrose of Milan knew of four tones in his day, and that he added four others to them; the former being those termed authentic, the latter the plagal modes."
Now the fact is, that St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (A.D. 374 to 397), chose from the ancient Greek modes four series or successions of notes, and called them simply the first, second, third, and fourth tones; laying completely aside the ancient heathen names of Doric, Phrygian, Lydian, Ionic, &c. St. Gregory the Great, who governed the Christian Church from A.D. 591 to 604, added the four additional tones. These eight ecclesiastical successions or scales, which still exist as such in the music of the Roman Liturgy, are called Gregorian after their founder. Thus the old Ambrosian chant is known at present only through the medium of the Gregorian.
The writer continues his statement in these words—