"To George Dalham, for tuning the organ this year, 40s.[6]

"To John Hill,[7] for playing on the cornett in the church this year, £4.

"To the organist for rent of his house, £8.

"Given to the organist[8] out of the rents at the taking of his degree, £5.

"Given by order to the christened Turke—nil.[9]

"Jan. 11, 1664—"J. Dolben, Decanus.
Wal. Jones, Sub Decanus.
H. Killigrew.
S. Bolton.
Charles Gibbes.
Robt. South.
Ric. Perrinchief."

In addition to the before-mentioned appointments at the Chapel Royal and Westminster Abbey held by Purcell, senior, we find that he was also a member of the Royal band. The old cheque-book of the Chapel Royal in recording his death places the matter beyond doubt:—

"These are to certify that Mr. Henry Purcell, who succeeded Segnor Angello in his place of the private musicke; that the said Mr. Henry Purcell took possession of his place in the year 1663, upon St. Thomas's day; deceased the 11th August, 1664. These are to certifye the death of Mr. Henry Purcell.

It is clear from the foregoing account of the numerous important musical posts which the father held, that he was a man of considerable ability, and fully equal to the task of guiding and fostering the musical predilections of his infant son; and there can be no doubt that Henry Purcell received his earliest instructions in the art of music from his father. When the latter died he was buried in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey; his age has not been ascertained, but presumably he was but a young man—perhaps he was naturally weak in constitution—and from him the boy Henry may have inherited the seeds of consumption. The elder Purcell died in 1664, at which time the young Henry was just six years old, and with his natural genius he had doubtless already acquired some considerable skill in music. It is certain that he was immediately admitted as a chorister of the Chapel Royal. Happily for him he had been left by his father to the guardianship of his uncle Thomas Purcell, who most warmly and affectionately endeavoured to supply the place of the lost parent by adopting the orphan as his own son.

Thomas Purcell's abilities and professional qualifications well fitted him for the task which had fallen to his lot. He was a gentleman of the Chapel Royal and had been associated with his brother Henry at the coronation of Charles II.; he must have been held in high favour and regard by the king, for court appointments in various musical capacities fell to him in rapid succession. Amongst other honourable positions we find him holding the post of lutenist as described in the following warrant:—

"Charles R., by the Grace of God, &c., to our trusty and well-beloved Sr Edward Griffin, Knight, Treasurer of our Chamber, &c. Whereas wee have made choice of Thomas Purcell to serve us in the office and place of one of our musitians in ordinary for the lute and voyce, in the roome of Henry Lawes, deceased, and for this service and attendance in that place, are pleased to allow him the wages and livery of six-and-thirty pounds two shillings and sixpence by the year during his life. Our will and pleasure is, and We do hereby will and command you to pay, or cause to be paid, unto the said Thomas Purcell or his assigns, the said wages and livery, &c. The first payment to commence and begin from the birth of our Lord, next ensuing the date hereof, and to continue the same during the natural life of him, the said Thomas Purcell. Given the 29th of November, in the 14th year of our reign (1662).

"Ex. pr. Warwick."

In 1672 Thomas Purcell was appointed a "composer in ordinary for the violins" in conjunction with Pelham Humphries, the warrant which is extremely curious runs thus:—