THE HARMONY OF MAINE, 1794

ASMI 81 

The Harmony of Maine: being an original composition of psalm and hymn tunes, of various metres, suitable for divine worship. With a number of fuging pieces and anthems. Together with a concise introduction to the grounds of musick, and rules for learners. For the use of singing schools and musical societies. By S. Belcher, of Farmington, county of Lincoln, district of Maine.

"Awake! thou everlasting lyre! / That once the mighty Pindar strung, / When wrapt with more than mortal fire, / The gods of Greece he sung.' [printed beside these lines:] "Awake! arrest the rapid foot of time again / With liquid notes of joy, and pleasure's tow'ring strain. / O praise ye the Lord, prepare your glad voice. - Psalm cxlix.

Published according to act of Congress. Printed, typographically, at Boston, by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews. Sold by them at Faust's statue, No. 45, Newbury Street; and by said Thomas in Worcester. Sold also by the booksellers in town and country. -1794-

103, [1] p. 13 x 22 cm.

Preface dated Farmington, Nov. 1794; announced as just published, Boston Columbian Centinel, 3 Dec. 1794.p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], poem, 'On Musick,' in a decorative border, with a cut; p. [3], 'Preface'; p. [4], 'Musical Terms'; p. [5]-16, 'An Introduction to the Grounds of Musick'; p. 17-103, music; p. [104], 'Index' & 'Errata. As the encouragement of Arts and Sciences is beneficial to all countries, and especially where the settlement is new, the Author presumes that the propagation of Sacred Musick will answer a valuable purpose-that it will not only be a means of forming the people into Societies, but will be ornamental to civilization. He therefore presents the following Work to the Public-not that he expects it would stand the test of rigid criticism; but as his design is to subserve the interest, and promote the innocent pleasures of the community, he hopes to meet the approbation and patronage of the candid judges of Musick. [New par.] He has aimed at originality in his composition, as much as possible-has set a number of easy and natural Airs, for the benefit of learners, and a variety of others, for the amusement of those who have made some proficiency. To please every one would be something new, and to please no one, would be as new. He hopes that no piece will be condemned without a fair trial. [New par.] Those who have encouraged this work by subscription are respectfully thanked.' (Extract from Preface.)

          63 compositions, incl. 1 anthem & 5 set-pieces, for 4 voices; full text. T-p. attribs. all to Belcher.62 1st pr. identified (all except APPEARANCE). T-p. indicates all are American; 1 possibly traceable to non-American source (see note). No Core Repertory. 

          E26636 (MWA). CLU, CSmH, CtY, CHC, DLC, ICN, MB, MH, MHi, MSaE (2; 1 b.w. 'Mus. Miscell' I), MWA, MIU-C*, NN, NNUT, NRU-Mus, NcWSM (lacks t-p.; music inc.), NJPT, PPIPT, RPB, RPJCB.

NOTE: Belcher's DAN is printed as WESTMINSTER ABBEY, attrib. to Madan, in Huntington, The English Extracts (Northampton, 180g; No. 280). It does not appear, however, in any issues of Madan's 'Lock Hospital Collection' (No. 156) seen by the author.

A facsimile reprint has been issued (New York, 1972).