Hewins, James M. Hints Concerning Church Music, the Liturgy, and Kindred Subjects. Boston: Ide & Dutton, 1856. First Edition. [10811]
Black blind stamped cloth, chipped at the spine ends, 1 inch worming to the front joint, 7 3/4 x 5 inches, corner tips worn through, tight. Early 20th century private bookplate, 1856 inscription on the ffep. 180 generally clean pp., a few pencil marks in the margin; last endpaper hinge partly open. Good. Hardcover.
An interesting analysis of church music as it was mid 19th century, with focus upon the practice of it in the Protestant Episcopal church.
Topics discussed include Value of Church Music; Bad Poetry induces bad Music; The pernicious Style now in vogue throughout America; Abuse of Music in the Episcopal Church; Of Organs and Organ-playing; The Church not a house of Entertainment; The bad Influence of modern Italian Music; Transcendental Nonsense; Reformation and Restoration of Church Music; Of Congregational and Choir Singing.
We believe the author to be James Monroe Hewins (1816-1891), b. & d.at Medfield, Massachusetts. He was a druggist by trade, and the son of a physician.
