OXFORD, CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL SCHOOL.--Boys are all sons of clergymen or other professional men. Eight choristers educated, boarded, and lodged free of expense. Eight probationers, who, if approved, become choristers as vacancies occur. Probationary period usually from 2 to 2-1/2 years. Probationers pay 25 a year. A few extras, and fee of 3 3s. on election of probationer to choristership. Every boy is, if possible, pa.s.sed through the Oxford Local Examinations. Month's holiday in summer, and short leave of absence either at Christmas or Easter, if particularly desired. Election by compet.i.tion after trial of voice and ear.

WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL.--Sixteen choristers sing in the services. These receive education free, a clothing gratuity of 5 a year, and a leaving gratuity of from 5 to 20, according to merit and length of service.

There are four boarding scholarships, which leave the parents only 5 a year to pay. Six of the choristers are foundation boys. Of these, the two seniors receive 4 a year, and the two juniors 2 a year, but boarding scholarships and foundation money are not given to the same boys. There are also four to eight probationers who supply vacancies, if on second trial their voices are approved. These receive free education.

There are sixty boys in the school.

TENBURY, ST. MICHAEL'S COLLEGE.--Founded by the late Rev. Sir Frederick Gore-Ouseley in 1856. There are eight choristers, boarded and educated free. Also eight probationers, from whom the choristers are selected, who pay 40 guineas a year. Commoners, _i.e._, boys who do not hold scholarships, and are not probationers, pay 60 guineas a year; two or more brothers 55 guineas a year. Preference is given in all elections to the sons of clergymen. Thirteen weeks' holiday in the year. Sound cla.s.sical and mathematical education, to fit for scholarships and the higher forms at public schools. Healthy situation, in country.

EDUCATION ONLY.

BRISTOL CATHEDRAL.--Boys attend Cathedral Grammar School, where there are 100 boys.

GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL.--Boys educated and paid up to 10 per annum.

ST. ASAPH.--Boys educated at Grammar School.

WELLS.--Boys educated at Cathedral Grammar School.

YORK.--Boys sent to Archbishop Holgate's School.

TRURO.--Probationers, after serving at least three months, may be admitted choristers, and receive small quarterly payment. From these are elected the "choir scholars," of whom there are now ten. These receive free education and a quarterly gratuity. One boy, with remarkable contralto voice, comes from a distance, and is boarded and educated at expense of Dean and Chapter. Enlarged number of boarders contemplated.

ST. PETER'S, EATON SQUARE, LONDON, W.--Special day school with master.

Boys have midday dinner, with tea on practice and late service nights.

Boarding school formerly existed, but is given up.

DURHAM CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.

ELY CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.

BANGOR.--Choristers brought up in National or Grammar School.

TEMPLE CHURCH, LONDON.--Boys attend Stationers' School.

PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL.--Boys educated at King's School.

CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL.--Boys taught at Prebendal School.

INVERNESS CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.

ARMAGH CATHEDRAL.--A day school for the choir boys.

HAMPTON COURT, CHAPEL ROYAL.--No boarding school.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.

MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL.--A special day school for the choir boys, taught by a lay clerk. Eighteen to twenty boys receive education free, and four foundation boys receive 20 per annum. The Precentor likes to have the boys at nine.

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL.--Day school taught by a deputy lay clerk, the succentor taking Latin, English, and Divinity.

DUBLIN, ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.

PERTH CATHEDRAL.--No school.

LINCOLN'S INN.--Choristers educated, but not boarded.

NORWICH CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.

CARLISLE CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.

ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL.--Boys live at home, and attend Cathedral School, which is not especially for choristers.

LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.

SOUTHWELL MINSTER.--No boarding school.

ST. ALBAN'S CATHEDRAL.--No boarding school.

From these particulars it will be gathered that the prevailing custom is for chorister boys to live at home and give their voices in return for free education. The various boarding schools described differ much in the terms they offer, and it may be said generally that only an exceptionally good voice and a personal introduction are likely to succeed in those cases where free board and education are given. The number of candidates is so large that selection is difficult.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

CHAPTER XV.

CONCERT SONGS FOR BOYS.

In this list I have included songs with innocent, hopeful, joyous words such as boys may honestly sing. Words dwelling with sadness on the past, or speaking of life as bitter, I have excluded. Convivial and amatory sentiments have also been ruled out. As to the music, I have excluded songs with difficulties of vocalisation. The keys chosen are those best suited to treble boys, bringing the melody as nearly as possible between F and F{1}, with an occasional G{1}. The list is by no means exhaustive, and must be regarded merely as a dip in the ocean of ballads. I shall be much obliged to correspondents who will suggest suitable additions.