The Festival of 1891 saw the production of two important new works, namely, Stanford's dramatic oratorio "Eden" and Dvorak's "Requiem Mass." With respect to these compositions, they have scarcely been heard, I think, since their initial performances.

The principal oratorios of Handel may be purchased for as many shillings each as they cost pounds years ago.

Nothing but the reflectionthat is, if you happen to be a philosopher, which, thank God, I am notthat not one note of all this rural oratorio is without its intention; and thus we always satisfy ourselves.