A more ambitious cantata, requiring eight soloists, is “The Marsh King’s Daughter” (Cocks, 2s. 6d.); the words adapted poetically from Hans Andersen’s tale by May Gillington, set to music of a suitable and romantic character by Angelo Mascheroni. This is a very interesting little composition indeed, and well worth working at thoroughly by older girls. It is full of abundant possibilities of pleasing an audience.
A cantata by Arthur Page, called “The Snow Queen” (Forsyth), is very clearly printed and prettily bound for 1s. 6d. only. This is much easier and for much younger girls; the libretto, by Bernard Page, is suggested by another story of Hans Andersen’s, and the characters are two children, Gerda and Kay, the Snow Queen, White Rose, Red Rose, and chorus of Snowflakes and Roses, all pretty and simple to dress effectively. These choruses are so bright and lively. We could weave long stories of the plots and descriptive music of these recent little works, but space only permits of our pointing out some of the best, which any girls wanting to find a special kind for performance, could ask to look at and try over from their music-sellers.
Mary Augusta Salmond.
THREE GIRL-CHUMS, AND THEIR LIFE IN LONDON ROOMS.
By FLORENCE SOPHIE DAVSON.
CHAPTER IX.
THE PROSPECT OF A CHANGE.
week before Jane and Ada returned to town, a letter came from Marion which filled Jane with dismay and showed Ada’s prognostications to be true. In this letter Marion announced her engagement to Mr. Tom Scott and the consequent breaking up of the household of “The Rowans.” Mr. Scott was returning to India in November and Marion was to accompany him. In the meanwhile she was with Mrs. Holden at Oban; in the course of a week or two she was to go to her own home until her marriage, which was to take place the last week in October.
“Dear Marion, how we shall miss her! Jennie, how will you and I get on without her?” said Ada.