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Story
January 16, 1880
The Ouachita Telegraph
Monroe, Ouachita County, Louisiana
What is this article about?
In Hempstead, England, a lady's shrill, off-key singing disrupts church services, tormenting the congregation and Rev. Mr. Burnaby. After failed remonstrances, magistrates warn her to stop or face a £5 fine, giving her a month to comply.
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Full Text
VOCAL PIETY.
[New York Times.]
There are, perhaps, few church-going persons who have not on some occasion or other been troubled by the performance of a neighbor who insists on joining in the musical services with wonderfully pious energy, but with a detestable disregard of time and tune. It may seem that there is no proper remedy for these objectionable vocal orisons, but according to a decision of the Bench of Magistrates at Hempstead, England, this is not really so.
The Rev. Mr. Burnaby is the minister of a congregation at that place, and he has of late been much persecuted by a lady who has not a proper estimate of her own vocal ability, which does not appear to be commensurate with her pious sincerity. The offender is in other respects an excellent gentlewoman, of culture and education. She is, however, decidedly in error as to the quality of her voice, which is very shrill, very high, and very attenuated, and which she exercises with a complete independence of the other worshippers. The result is that she has inflicted upon them untold tortures, and has so completely unstrung the nerves of the clergyman that he finds it impossible to continue the service.
The choir has also been much afflicted by the lady, whose irrepressible vocal piety has frequently rendered nugatory its best intentioned efforts. Remonstrance with the offender has only evoked an expression of regret that her voice was not pleasing to the congregation, accompanied, however, by a strongly-expressed determination to perform a duty which she believes to be incumbent upon her. Under such provocation, the Rev. Mr. Burnaby recited the grievances of himself and congregation to the Hempstead Bench of Magistrates.
"Troubling, vexing, and disquieting the congregation" is the formula which expresses the offence of the defendant. The magistrates have given her a month to consider whether she will not forego her vocal performance, and have decided, in case of her refusal, to inflict a penalty of £5. There is no definite statement as to whether, during the month, she may not sing with unabated energy.
[New York Times.]
There are, perhaps, few church-going persons who have not on some occasion or other been troubled by the performance of a neighbor who insists on joining in the musical services with wonderfully pious energy, but with a detestable disregard of time and tune. It may seem that there is no proper remedy for these objectionable vocal orisons, but according to a decision of the Bench of Magistrates at Hempstead, England, this is not really so.
The Rev. Mr. Burnaby is the minister of a congregation at that place, and he has of late been much persecuted by a lady who has not a proper estimate of her own vocal ability, which does not appear to be commensurate with her pious sincerity. The offender is in other respects an excellent gentlewoman, of culture and education. She is, however, decidedly in error as to the quality of her voice, which is very shrill, very high, and very attenuated, and which she exercises with a complete independence of the other worshippers. The result is that she has inflicted upon them untold tortures, and has so completely unstrung the nerves of the clergyman that he finds it impossible to continue the service.
The choir has also been much afflicted by the lady, whose irrepressible vocal piety has frequently rendered nugatory its best intentioned efforts. Remonstrance with the offender has only evoked an expression of regret that her voice was not pleasing to the congregation, accompanied, however, by a strongly-expressed determination to perform a duty which she believes to be incumbent upon her. Under such provocation, the Rev. Mr. Burnaby recited the grievances of himself and congregation to the Hempstead Bench of Magistrates.
"Troubling, vexing, and disquieting the congregation" is the formula which expresses the offence of the defendant. The magistrates have given her a month to consider whether she will not forego her vocal performance, and have decided, in case of her refusal, to inflict a penalty of £5. There is no definite statement as to whether, during the month, she may not sing with unabated energy.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Church Singing Disturbance
Vocal Piety
Magistrates Warning
Hempstead Congregation
Poor Singing Penalty
What entities or persons were involved?
Rev. Mr. Burnaby
The Lady
Where did it happen?
Hempstead, England
Story Details
Key Persons
Rev. Mr. Burnaby
The Lady
Location
Hempstead, England
Story Details
A cultured lady's shrill, independent singing disrupts church services, torturing the congregation and minister Rev. Mr. Burnaby. Despite remonstrances, she persists in her pious duty. Magistrates charge her with troubling the congregation, granting a month to cease or face a £5 fine.