he had engaged himself for any
long period to the Durham militia. The answer was, 'Only from month
to month.' 'Leave them, then,' said the organist, 'and come and live
with me. I am a single man, and think we shall be happy together;
and, doubtless, your merit will soon entitle you to a more eligible
situation.' The offer was accepted as frankly as it was made, and
the reader may imagine with what satisfaction Dr. MILLER
must have remembered this act of generous feeling when he hears
that this young German was HERSCHEL, the Astronomer. 'My humble
mansion,' says MILLER, 'consisted, at that time, but of two rooms.
However, poor as I was, my cottage contained a library of
well-chosen books; and it must appear singular that a foreigner who
had been so short a time in England should understand even the
peculiarities of the language so well as to fix upon SWIFT for his
favorite author.'

"He took an early opportunity of introducing his new friend at
Mr. CROPLEY'S concerts; the first violin was resigned to him; 'and
never,' says the organist, 'had I heard the concertos of CORELLI,
GEMINIANI, and AVISON, or the overtures of HANDEL performed more
chastely, or more according to the original intention of the
composers, than by Mr. HERSCHEL. I soon lost my companion; his fame
was presently spread abroad; he had the offer of pupils, and was
solicited to lead the public concerts both at Wakefield and Halifax.
A new organ for the parish church of Halifax was built about this
time, and HERSCHEL was one of the seven candidates for the
organist's place. They drew lots how they were to perform in
succession. HERSCHEL drew the third, the second fell to Dr.
WAINWRIGHT of Manchester, whose finger was so rapid that old
SNETZLER, the organ-builder, ran about the church exclaiming:
'_Te tevel! te tevel! he run over te keys like one cat; he will
not give my piphes room for to shpeak._' 'During Mr. WAINWRIGHT'S
performance,' says MILLER, 'I was standing in the middle aisle with
HERSCHEL. 'What chance have you,' said I, 'to follow this man?' He
replied, 'I don't know; I am sure fingers will not do.' On which he
ascended the organ loft, and produced from the organ so uncommon a
fulness, such a volume of slow, solemn harmony, that I could by no
means account for the effect. After this short _ex tempore_