Zechariah Buck

                                    Mus. D., Cantuar

                            Organist and Master of the Choristers

                           Norwich Cathedral 1817 - 1877

Just a century ago, when that illustrious Norfolk hero, Nelson, had attained the pinnacle of Fame, there was born in the ancient city of Norwich one destined to achieve a unique position in the Musical world ; indeed the joy-bells had hardly ceased ringing in honour of the Battle of the Nile when the subject of these pages first saw the light. At this time, too, that distinguished Norwich artist, "Old" Crome, the founder of the "Norwich School," ** had just begun delighting his friends with the products of his pencil.

Zechariah Buck was born on the ninth of September, 1798. According to certain documents in the possesion of the family, it would appear that he claimed descent on the male side from Sir John Buck, Kt., who resided in Bedfordshire in 1634, and many of whose ancestors were clergymen ; evidence of this connection , however is not conclusive, but there can be no doubt that on the female side Zechariah Buck was descended from Randle de Astbury, nephew of Randle de Blunderville, Earl of Chester,whose successors (the Astburys) were Lords of the Manor of Astbury, in the County of Cheshire.

Coming to more recent times, we find that Zechariah Buck's grandfather was in poor circumstances and unable to provide effectually for his large family, , who consequently "came down in the world." His father, indeed was but a poor tradesman, residing in the parish of St Peter-per-Mountergate, in a street (called, I believe, Common Pump Street) which has long since been demolished ; his immediate antecedents, therefore, were in respect like those of Crome, who, it will be remembered , was the son of a poor Norwich weaver, but whose works nevertheless, now adorn the walls of the National Gallery ! Like most boys of a similarly humble birth, Zechariah loved to play with boon and companions in the neighbouring thoroughfares, and might often be seen enjoying games in the adjacent "Castle ditches," as the locality was then designated. One day -- a memorable day for him --while singing in the street , a dignified figure approached , and , putting his hand upon the lad's shoulder, said, " My boy, who are you ? You must come and be my choir-boy." This was none other than Thomas Garland , the then organist of Norwich Cathedral, who, charmed by the remarkable sweetness of young Buck's voice, intuitively saw in the lad the making of a chorister, and a chorister he became. At all events, such is the legend concerning the origin of Buck's musical career -- a career which he followed with such brilliant success that his name will ever remain on the Norwich Roll of Fame, coupled with Crotch, Crome, Elizabeth Fry, Harriet Martineau, and other worthies who claim that City as their birthplace.

NORWICH CATHEDRAL              photo A.E. COE Young Buck was admitted as a Choir-boy of Norwich Cathedral on September 10th, 1807, that is when he had just completed his ninth year. A few months months later his patron, Thomas Garland, died, being succeeded, on August 12th, 1808, by Dr. John Christmas Beckwith, a native of Norwich, and an organist of such genious, from whom the young Chorister received that early training which laid the foundation of his future success as an intructor of boys, both as to the formation of the voice, and the art of singing. The lad remained a chorister for seven years, becoming first solo-boy in the Cathedral, and it is recorded that his singing voice was so exceptionally good that it attracted the attention of Dr. Pretyman, a Canon of the Cathedral, who munificently provided for his welfare upon condition that such benevolence was a secret until after the Canon's death. A short time subsequent to the boy's admission as a chorister, Dr Beckwith was seized with a paralytic stroke, which proved fatal, death taking place very suddenly on June 3rd 1809; those who knew him best always declared he was one of the most competent musicians and genial men that ever lived. Thus young Zechariah Buck did not long enjoy the instruction of this skilled and amiable tutor; his musical education was continued by the Doctor's son, John Charles Beckwith, who was appointed organist of the Cathedral on September 4th 1809. In after years Buck used to say that John Beckwith was his "father," Dr. Beckwith his "grandfather" and Thomas Garland his "great grandfather" --- this meant, of course, in a musical sense. After ceasing to be a chorister, young Buck was articled to John Beckwith, and presently acted as assistant organist. In 1817 Mr. Beckwith became incapacitated through illness, in consequence of which the whole of the Cathedral organ - work developed upon his apt pupil, who had made rapid strides in acquiring knowledge of the organ during his five years' experience as assistant. The duties which now fell to him involved not only the playing of that difficult instrument, but the training of the choir-boys and private pupils of Dr. Beckwith and his son, and so keenly did he realize the responsibility of his position that he determined to curtail his hours of sleep in order to devote as much time as possible to study and practice. He was throughout life an early riser, and during the period now referred to he would ensure his awakening at the desired hour by attaching to his wrist a string of sufficient length to hang out of the window within reach of the night - watchman, who had received instructions to pull away at it until the requisite object was effected.

The year 1819 was a most important one for our young musician. Mr Beckwith, through continued ill-health, never resumed his official duties, and his death took place on October 19th of that year, whereupon Buck was elected organist in his stead. An entry in the Chaptor records reads thus: " 1819, October 15th. --- Zechariah Buck, Master of Music, to be admitted into the office or place of Organist of the Cathedral Church of Norwich, subscribed to the articles of religion." Having only just attained his majority, the appointment of so youthful a man to such a high and honourable position as Cathedral Organist and Master of the Choristers must have excited considerable comment among his professional brethren; but it must be remembered that Buck had already made his mark both as a musician and as a teacher of boys, having, indeed, so distinguished himself that the Precentor of Norwich Cathedral, the Rev., Peter Hansell, unhesitatingly recommended him to the Dean and Chaptor for the office rendered vacant by the death of Mr Beckwith.

In a brief unpublished account of Dr. Buck's career, recorded by the late Rev. Precentor Symonds at the request of Dean Goulburn, it is stated as a proof of his ernest enthusiasm that one of the young Organist's first proceedings after he acceded to the office was to make a tour of most of the Cathedral's in England at his own expense,in order to have the opportunity of hearing other choirs, and so acquire knowledge and experience which he knew would prove invaluable; indeed, throughout the whole of his life he made a point of going to hear new musicians or singers who had earned fame, in order that he might study their systems and utilise to the best advantage the knowledge thus attained. "He has told me ," writes Precentor Symonds, " that he seldom failed to gain something by this custom of his." In the early part of his career, Dr Buck initiated a novel method of obtaining good voices for the Choir. He was ever keenly on the look-out for boys whose voices were likely to prove, with proper care and training, to be of more than ordinary quality, and whenever he met of heard of such a lad (it mattered not how poor and ragged he might be ) no trouble was spared in endeavouring to secure him. These lads, who were musically trained at his own expense, exactly in the same manner as the choristers, were termed "Trial -boys," or "Triers," and as soon as a vacancy occurred in the Choir the "Trial-boy" who had the best voice was selected to fill it, the election being in the hands of the Precentor; in this manner, therefore the full strength and quality of the juvenile portion of the Choir were maintained. The "Trial-boys" were not remunerated, but were sent to school with the choristers in order that , by receiving a kind of secondary education, they might be enabled to earn a trifle during the intervals when musical instruction was in abeyance. There were usually about a score "Trial-boys" in training, and the Doctor was often requested by incumbents of the smaller churches in Norwich to supply some of these boys for their choirs, the lads being paid a small sum annually for their services.

PORTRAIT OF DR.BUCK  From a painting by J.P. Davis, circa 1825 Dr. Buck's system of teaching boys the art of singing was based upon the methods of the best contemporary Italian masters, and directly one of those famous exponents arrived in England, Buck would call upon him for the purpose of ascertaining his particular system of instruction; indeed, he would actually take lessons himself, in order to discover the special means employed. From every aspect he acquired ideas which proved advantageous, adopting for his own purposes whatever seemed to him likely to produce the most favourable results. There were many who passed through Buck's regime ( which was a very severe one ) that have related the various plans favoured by their old singing master in his endeavour to attain perfection in singing, some of which ought to be described as " eccentric, " but were none the less effectual. For example, in order that boys should open their mouths, he resorted to the use of beans, marbles, nuts acorns, coffee berries, etc, the nuts proving a decided failure, as the boys were always cracking them. At length the excellent idea occurred to the ingenious Doctor to experiment with a neat wooded mouthpice, in the exact shape of the mouth, and to fit it with the teeth. These mouthpieces resembled, both in size and form , the segment of an orange; they were hollow, and the exterior surfaces had grooves for the teeth. The mouthpieces , which answered the desired purpose admirably, were made of boxwood by B.W. Spaull, an ecclesiastical builder in the Cathedral Close, and were sold at sixpence each; some of the Doctors private pupils had theirs produced in silver. These contrivances, with penny looking-glasses, were handed round to the boys at their morning practice for the exercise work, which was superintended by Buck himself , or in his absense, by one of his Articled pupils . An important matter was the " tongue -exercise," which was gone through regularly before any other work was taken up; while other very troublesome exercises were the vocal "shake" practice, the latter so well described by Mr George Gaffe as a kind of " vocal treadmill," A writer in The Musical Standard alludes to Dr Buck's method of developing the "head register" in boys and woman, by making the pupil shut the mouth and singing in the head; after practising a note in this way, it was attempted with open mouth. " Its wonderful." adds the writer, " how much higher some pupils can sing with the mouth shut: one boy, who could not sing well above F sharp with natural voice, reached up to C with closed mouth " Dr Buck, however, did not begin the head notes till upper G. " It is extraordinary," observes a grandson of the Doctor, the Rev. Edmund Plume, " how many extra head-notes are obtainable by the practice of those notes in Dr Buck's method, four times a day, where the voice is favourable. But of course no legitimate Alto undergoes this The Doctor was more than particular in insisting that his Choir-boys should sing with proper expression; another Articled pupil , Mr H. de la Haye Blacksmith, remembers that once, Dr Buck could not get a certain boy to realise the full meaning of the words, " Without Thee, all is dark" ( from Mendelssohn's " Hear my prayer" ), so in order that the lad might comprehend what absolute darkness darkness inplied, the Doctor placed him in a large music-cupboard, and, closing the door, said triumphantly, " Now, my boy, can you realise better the darkness ?" Whereupon the young urchin unexpectedly replied, " Please sir, No sir; there's a crack in the door ! " Precentor Symonds was probably more familiar with Dr. Buck's methods than anyone outside the choir, and ( in referring to them ) he makes particular mention of the Doctor's determination that every boy should thoroughly understand the words he had to sing; in such passages as the cxxxvii Psalm he would tell a boy the story of captivity of the Jews and their being forced to "sing the Lord's song in a strange land," relating the facts so forcibly that the little fellows would sometimes, if they were sensitive, start to cry ! It was only by immense labour that such a high class of singing was attained, for his boys sang with a feeling and expression which was really marvellous as coming from singers so young. Mr A M Edwards , a choir boy at Norwich Cathedral from 1849 to 1857, informs the author that the Doctor was extremely vigilant in seeing that the boys put in practice, in rendering their part of the Cathedral music, the drilling which they received in " The Studies." " He was wont ( writes Mr Edwards ) to impress upon them the importance of producing ' good tones ' and would often pay 'surprise' visits to the Cathedral, during service, to listen to our singing. If he was not satisfied, he would make his appearance under the gallery, between the Dean's and Canon's stalls, and make signs to us. We knew, then, that something was wrong. If he held up his left hand it was an indication that we were singing ' bad tones,' and if both hands went up the tones were ' very bad,' and we heard more about it after service. He adopted various methods to keep his boys in ' good voice.' If any were a little hoarse, gum arabic or cloves would be served out to them; and I recollect that in some instances phials of port wine were put into the pockets of the solo-boys , to be inbibed shortly before the solo's came on. The Doctor could sing himself, as well as teach singing. He possesed a rich alto voice, and I shall never forget the pathos with which --- in the old drawing room where so many lessons were given -- he once sang to some of us , ' He was despised.' Perhaps others will recall the incident; they will certainly do so if it impressed them as forcibly as it did me. He liked the boys to know that he could sing, and this was his way of demonstrating the fact." With Dr. Buck the musical welfare of his choristers was paramount. It therefor happened, unfortunately , that their education in "the three R's" was terribly neglected, only two hours daily being reserved for the purpose. Even this brief spell in the schoolroom was sometimes curtailed in the case of particular boys, who, requiring extra training for solos, were ordered to the Doctor's study for practice. It will readily be imagined how imperfect their general education must necessarily have been, and , when their voices broke (thus rendering them useless as choristers ), how ill equipped were the boys for fighting their way in the world. In the matter of educating choir-boys, however, the authorities of Norwich Cathedral were not singular in their neglect; indeed, it seems to have been the usual state of things at every Cathedral in England, and , as early as 1816, this fact was so firmly imprinted upon the mind of a certain Miss Hackett ( a charitable lady who won the affection of choir boys by periodical gifts of buns and cake ) that she never relaxed her efforts to raise the standard of education in our great Cathedral choirs. In an unpublished letter, dated 1825, and addressed to one of the Canon's of St Paul's Cathedral, Miss Hackett endevoured to prevail upon him to give his own "kind and personal attention to the children, and occasionally to make personal enquiries as to their attainments and their prospects," and suggested that the Dean and Chaptor should institute a half yearly examination of the senior boys. Apropos of this esteemed lady, who was a well known figure at St Paul's, an amusing jeu d' esprit is recorded. She always delighted by the sound of rolling thunder which the organ would sometimes give forth, and at such times she invariably looked up at the instrument and smiled. Sydney Smith, the witty Canon of St. Paul's, observing this, remarked to Mr. ( afterwards Sir John ) Goss, the organist, " Have you noticed, Mr Goss, that whenever your organ thunders, Miss Hackett's face always lightens?" Reverting to the scholastic work of the Choir-boys of Norwich Cathedral, it is interesting to note that the school was first held in the room over the picturesque Ethelbert Gateway, in the Upper Close, this chamber having once been a Chapel; in later years the school was transferred to an old cottage beyond the lower Close, and near the Water Gate now know as Pulls Ferry. Today ( late 1800's) the education of the boys is carried on in an ancient vaulted chamber situated at the south west corner of the Cathedral, formerly the locutory of the convent founded by Bishop Herbert de Losinga ( in the 11th century) for Benedictine monks ; in a paper read before the British Archaeological Society, the late Dean Gouldburn observed of this noble chamber that "in process of time it became the kitchen of a Canon's house, from which were served up dinners as dainty as Canon's dinners either are or are popularly supposed to be. At present (late 1800's) it performs the less agreeable, but more useful, function of a school for Choristers, where fourteen little lads, who are the chief contributors to what our services have of beauty and attractiveness, are instructed in the three R's, and in such other elementary subjects as their musical and vocal training leaves time for." Happily, more educational welfare of the Choir-boys, nowadays, is regarded in a more serious light than it was in the (mid 1800's) . There is still in existence one of the School Registers, being a record of the attendance of the Trial-boys and Choir-boys during 1860-62, supplemented by sundry remarks upon their conduct, etc. Some of the names appearing in the list are those of Choristers who afterwards became Articled Pupils, and have since attained eminence in the musical profession; so it will probably afford some amusement if I (the author) quote one or two "asides," placed by the conscientious pedagogue against certain familiar names. For example, under the date April 2nd, 1860, we read Mann and Butler were "naughty at church" ( Mann eventually became Director of Music at King's College Cambridge) April 7th Page talking -Butler writing [during service]"; November 30th, 1861," On this evening White and Page tried to injure the gas fittings" ; February, 1862, " John Gidney was very sick"; April 26th " Gaffe and Fiddy behaved very ill "; May 5th, " Mann gave much trouble this evening." Besides these reflections upon the behaviour of the boys, there are duly entered events which doubtless gladdened the hearts of those who participated in the fun ; for example, on February 15th, 1862, there was " Mr Dean's great party," while a few months previously we find the announcement, " Service at 2pm -- afterwards went to Blondin, " Dr. Buck is acknowledged to have been a very exacting master, and, when occasion demanded, could be rather severe. One of his pupils, who venerates his memory, candidly admits that the Doctor frequently resorted to the use of the cane, with which he administered upon the palm of the delinquent's hand what are locally known as "custards." It was Dr. Buck's habit to listen, unknown to the boys, outside " The Studies,"   while they were practising, and if it happened that one of them was helping to ruin his voice by what he termed " street singing," he would suddenly appear in the doorway, umbrella in hand, and opening his somewhat large mouth, would yell as loudly as possible in imitation of the offending voice, concluding this performance with, " Now, boys, what do you think of that ?" Sometimes, instead of this, he would rush into the room, and mimicking the obnoxious tones, would vigorously thrust the muddy ferrule of his walking stick or umbrella into the culprit's mouth. Instances of this kind, however , were somewhat rare, for his was by no means a cruel disposition; occasionally, when zeal outran discretion, he momentarily forgot himself, and those who offended ( while resenting his method of correction ) really reverenced the man whose sole object was to perfect them in their work. Dr. Buck possessed great determination, and thoroughly believed in the motto " All things come to those who wait" ; he also had such wonderful tact that he could mould anybody to his own wishes and requirements. A curious form of punishment for dereliction of duty, either in the Study or the Choir, was for the offending boy to be temporarily imprisoned in a little summer house ( now demolished ) which stood in the garden at the rear of the Doctor's residence, the unfortunate lad's sole refreshment consisted of hollow biscuits and water. Mr. W.H. Alden tells the author that when he was master of the Choir-boys School ( 1866 -- 1874 ), he sometimes considered it necessary to complain to Dr. Buck of special cases of insubordination, and once observed that it would be necessary to administer a sound birching ; whereupon the Doctor, with horror depicted on his countenance, implored him to refrain from resorting to such extreme measures, for the reason that the boy in question was a solo boy, and screaming would injure his voice ! It has been remarked that the Master of the Choristers at Norwich Cathedral, in training his boys, adopted every conceivable plan likely to be productive of good results. That the end justified the means can hardly be disputed, for it is acknowledged on all sides that the Choir under his command reigned supreme, taking precedence whenever the leading Cathedral Choirs gathered together for special services of thanksgiving and other celebrations. Such a condition of perfection in singing was only arrived at by excessively hard work in the form of constant practice and rehearsal. The late James Valentine Cox, who was admitted as a Chorister of Norwich Cathedral in 1821, and remained in the Choir about sixty years, makes reference ( in his unpublished Recollections) to Dr Buck's "weakness" for rehearsals, supporting his statement by presenting the following Table, denoting the number of rehearsals for Choristers and Lay-clerks during each month of the year 1867 :

	VIEW IN THE UPPER CLOSE      showing Entrance to        "THE STUDIES"  The Ethelbert gate beyond       photo C.L.Holden

	"THE COTTAGE"        formerly the   Choristers' School House                 photo  C.L. Holden

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DR.BUCK'S RESIDENCE              in the Upper Close            photo Dr. W.T. Bensly One of the greatest triumphs ever secured by Dr. Buck was the tribute with which that world famous prima donna, Jenny Lind ( Madame Goldschmidt ), honoured him when she visited Norwich in 1847. Arther Penrhyn Stanley ( a late Dean of Westminster) , had recalled of  her visit; " At the last concert, when she appeared for the second time on the platform, and just before the beginning of her song, the fixed look of vacancy, seeing nothing, and looking at nobody, was suddenly exchanged for one of those enchanting smiles which she cast below. It was the little boys of the Cathedral Choir, whom she had seen at our house, and whose upturned faces she caught sight of, at that moment, and she looked upon them, with this delightful smile, till the song began,"  During her brief stay, the " Swedish Nightingale" attended service in the Cathedral, and heard three of the Choristers ---E. Bunnett, G Cartright, and Archibald Mann -- sing the trio, " Jesus, Heavenly Master," from Spohr's " Crucifixtion."  with a purity of expression which moved her exceedingly. " So great, indeed, was the effect produced upon her by the fresh young voices, that she afterwards told the Precentor that she ' could never forget the boys' singing,' and delighted Mr. Buck the organist, by saying that she had ' never heard children sing so well ; ' and , in return for the pleasure they had given her, she begged that places might be reserved for all the little Choristers, at the morning performance on the following day. On arriving at the Hall, her first care was , to ascertain that the places accorded to them were satisfactory, no slight privilege, at that time when members  of the general public were thankful to pay for places from which seeing was impossible, and hearing extremely problematical. But this was not the only privilege the little Choristers enjoyed.They were more delighted still with another, which excited the envy of of everyone present ; for when she came on the platform , she greeted them with a smile of recognition , ' which' stated the Norwich Newspaper, 'will not be readily forgotten, either by the boys, or those who saw the passing brightnest,' "  One of the three youths whose singing at the Cathedral so favourably impressed Jenny Lind, viz e, Bunnett eventually became a Doctor of Music. Dr Buck's " dear little choristers " ( as, according to Dr Mann, the ladies used to call them)  were  particularly fond of various forms of diversion of an unauthorised kind. Indeed the boys were sometimes irreverently termed " Dr. Buck's devils," by those , probably, who had been subjected to mischievious pranks. One of their adventures that might have had serious consequences, is thus recorded by  Mr Cox " Dean Pellew , in the early years of his official life at Norwich ( 1828-1866 ) had a great propensity at all times for rambling about the Cathedral, and especially for mounting the spire ; but he had given strict orders that the Choristers should not be allowed to ascend. They, however, disobeyed the command, and one Saturday afternoon before service four of the boys had ascended to the highest sound hole, when someone was heard coming up the ladders. This proved to be the Dean himself, at which the boys were greatly frightened ; but, remembering the lightning conductor which runs from the top of the spire to the tower and so to the ground, they one by one  slid down the rod, much to the Dean's astonishment, who never discovered the identity of the trespassers." The most belligerent members of the Choir were not averse to a bout at fisticuffs when events seemed to justify such a luxury, and the present writer may, I hope be pardoned for recalling a little personal reminiscence of some thirty years ago when he himself entered into conflict with one of Dr. Buck's " best boys" . One day . while two small lads were playing marbles in a bye street , the Chorister in question ( who rather "bullied" the juveniles in that neighbourhood, and consequently was feared by them) came suddenly upon the scene, whereupon the marbles were quickly scrambled into the pockets of the respective owners. Observing this, and feeling indignant at the interruption, I induced them to proceed with the game, heroically offering to protect them from interference. The unwelcome intruder , resenting my championship, at once challenged me to fight, and, nothing loth, we were soon in the thick of a fray, until at length, regardless of the rules of " the ring "  and being determined to punish my opponent, I got his head  " into Chancery," and industriously pummelled away at it. On releasing him, he quickly seized a large stone and hurled it at my legs with considerable effort, which I suppose I deserved. That was my first and last encounter with a Norwich Cathedral Choir-boy. - - -

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Dr. Buck's complimentary degree of Doctor of Music was conferred upon him by Dr John Bird Sumner, Archbishop of Canterbury, in August 1853. Mr F.C. Burton, retired Lay-clerk of the Cathedral, states that the Degree was obtained through Professor Sedgwick, and that it rendered it unnecessary for the subject of this Memoir to avail himself of the kindness of the ladies of the Cathedral Close who were endevouring to raise a fund sufficient to enable him to go to Cambridge for the purpose of obtaining a Musical Degree there. Another account says that Dr Buck's Lambeth Degree was conferred on him at the request of one of the Chaplains of the Archbishop of Canterbury, after hearing with much gratification the Doctor's anthem, "Come hither, angel tongues invite."

The year 1873 was notable for a very interesting incident in Dr. Buck's career. In the early part of that year a gathering of his old pupils took place for the purpose of presenting him with a testimonial, as a mark of their esteem, the ceremony being performed in the Maid's Head Hotel (Norwich) after a convivial dinner, at which, naturally, the veteran musician was the principal guest. The presentation was made by Mr F. Fearnside, organist of St James's Parish Church in Bury St Edmunds, who in the course of an appropriate speech, observed that the pupils of Dr. Buck felt that he was worthy of such recognition, as it was through his great painstaking care that each and every subscriber had obtained something like distinction in the musical world, and concluded his remarks by expressing a hope that the Doctor would accept the gift " as proceeded from a pure and grateful feeling on the part of his pupils who regarded him with affection." The testimonial consisted of a beautiful silver centre-piece for a dining-table, supported by two female figures emblematic of Music, and bearing the following inscription : This silver centre-stand was presented to Z. Buck, Esq., Mus. Doc., by his Articled Pupils, in grateful recognition of his kindness. -- Alfred R. Gaul, Hon. Treasurer, F. Fearnside, Hon Secretary. 16th January, 1873." Great was the applause which greeted the presentation, and, when it had subsided, Mendelssohn's trio, " Hearts feel that love thee," was capitally rendered. In returning thanks for the handsome gift from "his old and deeply-esteemed pupils," the gratified recipient admitted that he could truly say it was "the proudest day of his existence," and while he was happy in the thought that his old pupils were prospering, it was his "most heartfelt wish that increasing prosperity might attend them." On another occasion the Doctor received from his pupils a valuable silver salver, accompanied by a purse of a hundred-and-sixty sovereigns. In 1860, a large body of the friends and private pupils of Dr. Buck presented him with his portrait, painted for the subscribers by Signor Gambadella at a cost of a hundred and sixty guineas. The presentation was undertaken by the Rev. Precentor Symonds, who alluded to the readiness and interest with which the project, when first promoted, was welcomed, and to the agreeable remembrance retained by the Doctor's pupils of his kindness and excellence as a master. The portrait (now in the Dean and Chapter Library) is a half-length presentment, but , although in some respects well executed, it hardly succeeded in doing justice to the subject. I may here mention that two very interesting early portraits of Dr. Buck, painted by J.P.Davies (a Norwich artist) about the year 1828, are still in the possession of the family ; also a painting by F. Cruikshank (dated 1852) and another, painted con amore by Miss Hawkins, depicting him after his retirement, with the semblance of a beard upon his hitherto clean-shaven chin

In 1876, a cleverly-drawn portrait in coloured chalks,by Mr J.C. Brewer, formerly of Norwich, was exhibited during that year at the Royal Academy ; and Mrs Brewer possesses and excellent replica , in water-colours, of the painting by F. Cruikshank. The photographic presentments of the Doctor were not always successful, the most satisfactory being a half-length portrait by Brewer, from a negative taken in 1871, where he is seated at a table, reading, and in a full-length representation by J.G. Barrable of an earlier period (1859), in which he is depicted wearing the familiar brown wig. The last-mentioned portrait is reproduced in this Memoir, together with the drawing by Mr Brewer, who has kindly lent the work for that purpose.

In 1877, Dr. Buck resigned his appointment of Organist and Master of the Choristers. The announcement of his intention caused a feeling of sorrow throughout the City and County, especially when it became known that he intended permanently to leave Norwich, where his face and figure had been so long familiar, in order to spend his final years of a busy life with his son, Dr Henry J. Buck, then resided at Newport, Essex. At the next ensuing General Chapter of Norwich Cathedral a letter from the Doctor was read, in which he said: "I have just completed my seventieth year of service in this Cathedral (on the 9th September) as a Chorister, then as Master of the Choristers and Organist, and I now desire to retire to my son's house in Essex, as I really feel that I absolutely require rest." This letter was ordered to be entered in the Chapter book, and a copy of the official notification of the resignation has been placed at my disposal by Dr.W.T. Bensly, as follows :

"Norwich Cathedral. "At a General Chapter held on the fifth day of June, 1877, "A letter from Dr. Buck having been read proposing to retire in September next at the expiration of his seventieth year of service, and soliciting a retiring pension, it was agreed "1st. That the Dean should convey to Dr. Buck the Chapter's high appreciation of his long ,faithful and most efficient services, and their regret that those services must be now discontinued, and "2nd. That one hundred and twenty-five pounds per annum be given to him as a retiring pension.                                                    "W. T. Bensly, LL.D.                                                          "Chapter Clerk."

Several sympathetic letters were received by Dr.Buck with reference to the relinquishment of his duties, including sincere exprssions of regret from dignitaries of the Cathedral. The Rev. Canon Nisbet (writing from 16 Bedford Square, on May 30th, 1877) said:

"My dear Dr. Buck           "I am sorry ---- very sorry --- it might be gratifying to you to know how sorry--to think of your resignation.           " Is it too late to reconsider the step? Norwich Cathedral will not be the same without you. If I had heard that a portion of its walls had fallen, they could be rebuilt ; but you have been so long the mainspring of the ceaseless song within its walls, that it will be indeed a sad day when you cease to train the voices of its Choir. I wish the tie between you and your work, into which you have thrown the energies of a vigorous life, had not been severed -- until by the hand of your God, to takepart in that better song, which shall be ' all faultless, all in tune.'            "Whatever is to be the issue of this matter, you have my best and warmest wishes. Mrs Nisbet is in Monmouthshire.I have forwarded your very kind and touching letter to her. I am sure she will be equally distressed with myself at the thought of losing our old neighbour and friend.                                                              "Believe me,                                                                   "Yours most sincerely,                                                                             "T.M. NISBET."

A few months later the Doctor was the recipient of the following letter from Canon Hansell, M.A. Oxon; who was a connection by marriage:

"My dear Dr.Buck.        "With mingled feelings of regret and satisfaction, I write a few lines upon your retirement from the dear old Cathedral of Norwich --regret that the Choir can no longer have the advantage of your unrivalled training, satisfaction that your long and unwearied labours are substantially acknowledged, and that in the evening of lfe you find the rest you have so well earned. No choristers that I have heard equal those whose notes used to make the old Cathedral ring, and I can truly say that for many years, whenever I was able to visit Norwich, the services where a real refreshment to me; what they may be in the future, the future alone can determine ; equalled they may possibly be, but certainly not surpassed.       "Beatrice, who, with myself, retains a lively sense of all your kindness, begs to join me in heartiest good wishes for your continued health and happiness. . . That God's blessing may attend you to the end of your laborious life is the earnest prayer of                                                               "Yours very truly,                                                                         "E.H. HANSELL."

The allusion here to "future" services gives me the opportunity of quoting from the Notes of the Lay-Clerk to whom I have already referred, Mr. Cox, who thus compares the musical services of fifty years ago with those of a period some thirty years later: "About 1840-50, the music of the Cathedral was rendered very differently from the way in which it is at the present time [1880]. Then everything was done in the most florid style, viz., grace notes, cadenzas, 'shakes' (single, double, and triple), while time was not much considered. Indeed some of the treble solos were nearly sung ad libitum . . . . In the anthems I have heard three boys making 'shakes' simultaneously, and not only the boys but the Lay-clerks used to 'shake' most extensively. There was one lay-clerk ---- Mr. William Smith ----who had a good 'shake,' so he was requested not to forget it at the service, as the ladies so much admired it. I have known him begin a solo with an elaborate 'shake' and end with one --- besides introducing two or three in the middle of an anthem.In fact, the 'shakes' were so numerous that they must have skaken the Cathedral to its very foundation ! Such things are not allowed now."

DR. BUCK AND HIS CHORISTERS.   Photo circa 1876 For several years previous to his retirement, rheumatism in the fingers prevented Dr. Buck from playing the organ, this part of his labours being undertaken for him by his Articled Pupils. Up to the last moment of leaving, the Doctor remained "in harness," as if loth to lose an atom of the pleasure his duties afforded him. He took his farewell of the Cathedral on Sunday, September 17th, 1877, attending Divine Service in the afternoon of that day, when his popular service in A was appropriately sung, the Nunc Dimittis having on that occasion a most significant and touching reality, the Doctor himself being very much overcome. On the following day he left his native City, and when the time came to say "Good-bye," his friends found it difficult to realise that the venerable Organist's retirement was an accomplished fact, and that his directing hand would no longer control the musical services at the Cathedral with which he had so long associated.Prior to his departure, he gave a memento of his friendship to the humbler Officials connected with the sacred edifice. It was hinted at the time that his fellow citizens might be glad to join in some movement to testify their appreciation of his good work in the Cathedral, and it seemed a most fitting suggestion that such recognition should assume the form of a new organ, which, with a suitable inscription thereon, might incite future organists to like faithful and honourable service. This admirable proposal, however, was never carried out, and it is only quite recently that active steps have been taken to replace the organ, so familiar to frequenters of the Cathedral, by an instrument more worthy of the glorious fane and its musical associations. As I write, the old organ is being removed, and the new one, a larger and finer instrument (built by Messrs. Norman and Beard of Norwich,at a cost of £3,000 ), will soon reign in its stead.

While residing with his son at Belmont House, Newport, where he ended his days in quiet seclusion, the Doctor gave daily lessons to his little grandson, Arthur Buck, and it was interesting to witness the octogenerian teaching the boy of eight years, who proved so apt a pupil that, thanks to such expert training, he was enabled at this early age to sing, with accuracy and feeling (while accompanying himself on the piano), such difficult airs as Handel's "Rejoice greatly" and "Angels ever bright and fair," and it may be mentioned, in further proof of the lad's ability, that he came out easily first in the ensuing competition for Choristers at King's College, Cambridge. On hearing of the boy's success,the Rev. J.W. Heaviside (Canon of Norwich Cathedral, and formerly tutor to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales) dispatched the following kind letter of congratulation to the old Doctor :

"The Close, Norwich,                                                                     "June 28th [1878].  "My dear Dr.Buck,        "I am sorry to have a good call to write to you, for you have now been long away from Norwich, and though I frequently hear of you no letter has passed between us, and this ought not to be. However, I read in our newspaper that your grandson has been elected first for the place of chorister at King's College, Cambridge, under the new system of open competition. You always took a great interest in the success of your pupils and justly prided yourself on their numerous triumphs, but in this case the near relationship of the boy must make it doubly gratifying to you. We are both delighted at it, for Mrs Heaviside, you know, took as great an interest in what concerned you as myself.        " I trust you are well and happy, and thoroughly reconciled to your change of life, and mean accordingly to make a long lease of it. We miss you here in much in regard to the Cathedral music --- our boys were never in my recollection so feeble as now, but this casts no blame on our Precentor or Organist, for they have hardly had time to make a new Choir. We are to have many changes in our organ, I hope for the better ;granting, what all tell me, there is much scope for development, I do trust that the old tones will be left, and that the new stops will harmonise with them. The Dean [Goulburn] is under a severe discipline of diet, but it has not killed him yet ; indeed, I must confess it seems to be setting him up.Rememberme to your son.                                                  "Yours, my dear Dr. Buck,                                                                   "Very sincerely,                                                                        "J.W. HEAVISIDE."

Dr. Buck never really suffered from ill-health. The most serious illness of which he was the victim was the result of an accident during his sixtieth year, when he slipped and fell into the interior of the Cathedral organ during alterations, fracturing his ribs and sustaining other injuries which prostrated him for more than two months. The sad effects of this calamity, however, had entirely passed away before he went to Newport; but it soon became evident to those who love him and tenderly cared for him that the end was now approaching. Senile decay made itself apparent, both mentally and physically,and when the spirit took flight, those around him, sorely grieved though they were, accepted the inevitable with resignation. Dr.Zechariah Buck passed peacefully away at mid-day on August 5th, 1879, having nearly attained the ripe age of eighty-one years.

PORTRAIT OF DR. BUCK.   From the original Drawing by J. C. Brewer                        1876 Dr. Buck's numerous pupils and friends in Norwich experienced keen disappointment when it was announced that the mortal remains of him whose name will be ever synonymous with that of the Cathedral would not be interred in the City of his birth. For some sufficient reason this was found impracticable, and when the decision of the relatives was made known, some astonishment was expressed in the local Press that the Doctor's body was not allowed to rest whwre he had lived all of his life, and where he had conscientiously worked. The funeral ceremony took place at Newport on August 14th, the interment being in the churchyard of Newport Church, the latter a conspicuous object from the railway, and easily visible to passengers travelling towards London, about five minutes after leaving the tunnel at Audley End. As many of the Doctor's old Pupils desired to pay a last tribute of affection and respect for their dear old Master, special arrangements were made to enable them to do so. The Choir of Norwich Cathedral, accompanied by the Rev. Precentor Barrett and the Rev. Canon Heaviside, were joined at Cambridge by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, under ther charge of Mr. (now Dr.) A.H. Mann, the party reaching Newport at noon. The united Choirs then proceeded to the Church for practice, and at three o'clock the melancholy service commenced. It is worthy of remark that, by the Doctor's express wish, no crape,scarves, or long hatbands were worn on the occasion, and that (also by desire of the deceased Organist) the coffin was of plain elm, having a simple brass plate thus inscribed.

ZECHARIAH BUCK, Mus. Doc.                               Born September 9th, 1798.                                 Died August 5th, 1879.

RECOLLECTIONS OF DR. BUCK Mr Alfred R. Gaul, Mus. B. Cantab "I will preface my reminiscences of the 'long ago' by remarking that I commenced my musical career, so far as Church music is concerned, by blowing the organ of St. Clement's Church, Norwich , where my sister was organist , during the young lady's weekly practice. I was then about eight years old, and, after serving for a brief space as chorister at St Clement's , I entered the Choir of Norwich Cathedral. Here, from the age of nine , I underwent the discipline of Dr. Buck. During this probationary period I had the honour of singing for Miss Agnes Strickland, author of ' The Queen's of England,' and enjoyed a like privilege on behalf of Jenny Lind, for whom I acted as ' understudy ' in certain parts of ' Elijah ' -- such as the great eight-part , 'Holy, Holy,' and the like. My voice breaking when I was about fourteen, I was apprenticed to Dr. Buck, and became an Organ pupil. "It is of my chorister-days , however , to which I desire mainly to refer , and concerning which I avail myself of this opportunity of recording two or three incidents that even now I cannot recall without a smile. First , I will always testify to the fact that Dr. Buck's talent for training boys ' voices was simply outstanding and that he devoted himself to their instruction with unceasing and untiring energy. It is no exaggeration to say that his desire to attain perfection in the Choir-boys became paramount -- indeed , it was his obsession. Everything had to give way when the interests of the boys were in question ; as , for example , when two or three of the lads were to have special practice in the singing of a solo , and the usual room or ' Study ' happened not to be available at the moment , the dining-room , or drawing-room , or even Mrs Buck's sitting-room , would be invaded for the purpose , and poor Mrs Buck would say that there was no room she could call her own , unless it was her bedroom ! It was not an unusual thing to postpone the dinner-hour , or to upset any kind of domestic arrangement , if the Doctor considered such a proceeding necessary for any particular musical practice. "As might , perhaps , be expected , Dr. Buck was a very strict disciplinarian -- a martinet in everything appertaining to the Choir. We boys were compelled to work very hard , and so continuously that no tea was ever had till the labours of the day were over. Our working hours were from 8.30 a.m. until 7 p.m. (up to 5 o'clock for music) , with an interval for dinner. Knowing that I was a delicate boy , the Doctor took special notice of me , and at his invitation I went to his house after morning service , regularly for years , to partake of slight refreshment , consisting of a quarter of a pint of stout and some bread - and - butter ; and dozens of times I have known him to save three or four oysters for me from his own table as a tasty and nourishing relish. "Our educational school-hours were from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. That our education (save the mark !) was of a most rudimentary character may be realised when I say that the worthy pedagogue who presided at our studies would sometimes fall asleep in his chair , being thoroughly exhausted with his ordinary daily avocation elsewhere , and you may be sure that we boys took advantage of this by playing all sorts of pranks , such as rudely awakening the schoolmaster from his peaceful slumbers by projecting candle-ends at the window , or throwing at the ceiling little effigies of men having a piece of string through the head , the other end well worked into a compound which would stick -- and so well did the boys do this that at length very little of the ceiling was visible , and it was a tradition that some of these curious figures had been dangling for half-a-century.

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DR. BUCK'S RESIDENCE,     CHAPTER LIBRARY,                    and      "THE STUDIES"   as seen from the rear      photo A.E. COE ******************************************************* "During the thirteen years I remained at the Cathedral I did not have a month's holiday , all told . For , be it remembered , we chorister-boys were engaged seven days a week , and thus we had no interval for recreation . I sometimes remind my young pupils, when the subject of holidays is broached , of my early experiences ; looking back upon them now , the constant grind was a terrible thing , however much we may admire the zeal which prompted it . Then , as regards the kind of education we received from the schoolmaster , I ask , How is a boy , when his voice breaks and he is rendered musically useless -- how is he to fight the battle of life , with such imperfect educational equipment ? "There can be no doubt that , as a trainer of boys' voices , Dr Buck held a unique position. That this was generally recognised is testified by the fact that on great occasions , such as the funeral of the Duke of Wellington , a boy from the Norwich Cathedral Choir was selected to sing the soprano solos ;indeed , whenever an important service was held in the Metropolitan or Provincial Cathedrals, Norwich boys were invited to take a prominent part. "I can fully corroborate the statement that Dr. Buck was exceedingly particular regarding the diet of those boys whose voices were eminently serviceable in solo-singing. I can recall an instance of this in my own experience . A Norfolk clergyman (well known in musical circles of that day) desired to favour a party of friends at his own house with a rendering of Mendelssohn's ' Elijah,' and he asked Dr. Buck if he would lend him a boy to assist in the solos. The wish was complied with , and I was the boy selected for the occasion ápropos of which I vividly remember , as though it happened yesterday , an incident which covered me with confusion. The dinner came before the music , and the guests had taken their seats , a place being found for me at a small side-table ; presently , while the first course was being served , a note arrived for the host , who , observing its nature , proclaimed his intention of reading it aloud to those assembled around the festive board , and , amid breathless silence , he announced the contents of the brief missive , which ran thus :