was brought out at Dublin. It was followed by "Samson," "Joseph,"
"Semele," "Belshazzar," and "Hercules," which were also successful; but
even in the midst of his oratorio work his rivals did not cease their
conspiracies against him, and in 1744 he was once more a bankrupt. For
over a year his pen was idle. In 1746 the "Occasional Oratorio" and
"Judas Maccabaeus" appeared, and these were speedily followed by "Joshua,"
"Solomon," "Susanna," "Theodora," and "Jephtha." It was during the
composition of the last-named work that he was attacked with the illness
which finally proved fatal. He died April 14, 1759, and was buried in
Westminster Abbey. During the last few days of his life he was heard to
express the wish that he "might breathe his last on Good Friday, in hopes
of meeting his good God, his sweet Lord and Saviour, on the day of his
resurrection." The wish was granted him; for it was on Good Friday that
he passed away, leaving behind him a name and fame that will be cherished
so long as music retains its power over the human heart.

Israel in Egypt.

"Israel in Egypt," the fifth of the nineteen oratorios which Handel
composed in England, was written in 1738. The Exodus, which is now the
second part, was written between the 1st and the 11th of October, and was
superscribed, "Moses' Song, Exodus, Chap. xv., begun Oct. 1, 1738;" and
at the close was written, "Fine, Oct. 11, 1738." It is evident from this
that the work was at first written as a cantata, but that Handel on
reflection decided that the plagues of Egypt would not only be a good
subject, but would also prove a logical historical introduction to the
second part. Four days later he began the first part, and finished it on
the 1st of November,--the composition of the whole of this colossal work
thus occupying but twenty-seven days. It was first performed as "Israel
in Egypt," April 4, 1739, at the King's Theatre, of which Handel was then
manager. It was given the second time April 11, "with alterations and
additions," the alterations having been made in order to admit of the
introduction of songs. The third performance took place April 17, upon
which occasion the "Funeral Anthem," which he had written for Queen
Caroline, was used as a first part and entitled, "Lamentations of the
Israelites for the Death of Joseph." During the lifetime of Handel the
oratorio was only performed nine times, for in spite of its excellence,
it