the
trampling of the horses with all that vividness for which the composer is
famous. It is succeeded by a passage which is very stately, particularly
in the basses ("Fate overtook Xerxes"), leading up to the grand climax
("All around, the Waves with Delight"), when the orchestra and voices are
in splendid accord. After a short repetition of the opening allegro the
hymn closes. It would be hard to find a more admirable musical setting of
a poem than this, whether in the strength and beauty of its vocal parts,
or in the color, vigor, and general effectiveness of the instrumentation.

Fair Ellen.

The heroic defence of Lucknow by its British garrison in 1857, during the
Sepoy rebellion, is one of the most memorable events in the English
administration of India. The world is familiar with the story of the
disaffection of the native troops, the failure of Sir Henry Lawrence, who
was in command, to overcome the mutiny, the stubborn defence which the
brave little garrison made against the repeated assaults of the native
troops, their temporary assistance from Outram and Havelock, who cut
their way into the city, and the final relief which was brought to them
by Sir Colin Campbell. Of all the stirring incidents of the siege,
however, not one has made such a strong impression as the fanciful story
of the Scotch girl who heard the slogan of the MacGregors far away and
knew the Highlanders were coming to their rescue.

It is this incident which Bruch has used as the theme of his cantata
"Schoen Ellen" ("Fair Ellen"). The story is identical with the one so
often told in prose and poetry, but the _dramatis personae_ differ.
Instead of General Lawrence we have Lord Edward, and instead of familiar
Jessie Brown we have "Fair Ellen." The text of the libretto is weak and
spiritless as compared with that of the poetical versions. The salient
point of the story is thus versified in the former:--

"The Campbells are coming, I told you true;
I hear the bugle blowing:
The pibroch is borne adown the wind,
The tones on the breezes quiver;
'Neath the tread of battalions that hurry along
Afar the plains do shiver."

Compare the above with the corresponding verses from Robert Lowell's fine
poem:--

"The Highlanders! O dinna ye hear
The slogan far awa?
The MacGregors? Ah! I ken it weel;
It's the grandest of them a'.

* * * * *

"Then Jessie said