TRURO.--Probationers, after serving at least three months, may be admitted choristers, and receive small quarterly payment. From these are elected the "choir scholars," of whom there are now ten. These receive free education and a quarterly gratuity. One boy, with remarkable contralto voice, comes from a distance, and is boarded and educated at expense of Dean and Chapter. Enlarged number of boarders contemplated.
ST. PETER'S, EATON SQUARE, LONDON, W.--Special day school with master. Boys have midday dinner, with tea on practice and late service nights. Boarding school formerly existed, but is given up.
BANGOR.--Choristers brought up in National or Grammar School.
TEMPLE CHURCH, LONDON.--Boys attend Stationers' School.
PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL.--Boys educated at King's School.
CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL.--Boys taught at Prebendal School.
INVERNESS CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.
ARMAGH CATHEDRAL.--A day school for the choir boys.
HAMPTON COURT, CHAPEL ROYAL.--No boarding school.
NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.
MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL.--A special day school for the choir boys, taught by a lay clerk. Eighteen to twenty boys receive education free, and four foundation boys receive £20 per annum. The Precentor likes to have the boys at nine.
LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL.--Day school taught by a deputy lay clerk, the succentor taking Latin, English, and Divinity.
DUBLIN, ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.
LINCOLN'S INN.--Choristers educated, but not boarded.
ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL.--Boys live at home, and attend Cathedral School, which is not especially for choristers.
LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.
ST. ALBAN'S CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.
From these particulars it will be gathered that the prevailing custom is for chorister boys to live at home and give their voices in return for free education. The various boarding schools described differ much in the terms they offer, and it may be said generally that only an exceptionally good voice and a personal introduction are likely to succeed in those cases where free board and education are given. The number of candidates is so large that selection is difficult.
In this list I have included songs with innocent, hopeful, joyous words such as boys may honestly sing. Words dwelling with sadness on the past, or speaking of life as bitter, I have excluded. Convivial and amatory sentiments have also been ruled out. As to the music, I have excluded songs with difficulties of vocalisation. The keys chosen are those best suited to treble boys, bringing the melody as nearly as possible between F and F{ 1}, with an occasional G{ 1}. The list is by no means exhaustive, and must be regarded merely as a dip in the ocean of ballads. I shall be much obliged to correspondents who will suggest suitable additions.