Lewis, Freeman. The Beauties of Harmony; containing The Rudiments of Music on an improved Plan; Including, With the Rules of Singing, an Explanation of the Rules and Principles of Composition. Together with An Extensive Collection of Sacred Music, consisting of Plain Tunes, Fuges, Anthems, &c. Some of which are entirely New. To the whole is added An Appendix, containing Explanations of Musical Terms, Characters, &c. original and selected. Pittsburgh: Printed and Published by Cramer and Spear, 1818. [Third Edition]. [9501]
Leather spine, unprinted paper over card, lacks the top (front) cover. 13.5 cm (5 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches), (i)-(iv.), 5-12, [1 - engraved tables], [1] blank, 13-26, [1 - engraved Scale of Transposition], [1 blank], 27-200 pp. TEXT & MUSIC COMPLETE. Contemporary owner's signatures to the end papers, some stains, foxing, some leaf corners creased. Two leaves of manuscript music in shape notes laid in, signed by Zachariah Reynolds, with the date of 1814. Good. Hardcover.
Stanislaw 135: This is the third edition; the first edition was issued in 1814. A four-shape shape-note music system.
"In this third edition there will be found ten pieces not published in the first, also some additions to the Appendix, with other valuable improvements in the body of the work." - postscript to the Preface.
The two leaves laid in present three pages of tunes written in shape-notes, the tunes being Morrallity [sic], The Indian Philosopher, New Canaan, Lion, Friendship, Happiness, and Hallelujah.
Freeman Lewis (1780-1859), b. Basking Ridge, NJ; d. in Knox Co., Ohio. Lewis spent most of his adult life in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and was a surveyor by trade. He was an amateur musician and a member of the Uniontown Presbyterian Church. "He compiled a book of sacred music, entitled 'Beauties of Harmony,' including his own compositions. His hymn 'Redeemer of Israel' remains popular today." David Hardin, entry at Find A Grave online.
