Village books

Morell we determined to write an oratorio that should
attempt to supply the want. In order to make our libretto as
plausible as possible, we adopted the dictum of Monsieur Jourdain's
Maitre a danser: "Lorsqu'on a des personnes a faire parler en
musique, il faut bien que, pour la vraisemblance, on donne dans la
bergerie." Narcissus is accordingly a shepherd in love with
Amaryllis; they come to London with other shepherds and lose their
money in imprudent speculations on the Stock Exchange. In the
second part the aunt and godmother of Narcissus, having died at an
advanced age worth one hundred thousand pounds, all of which she has
bequeathed to her nephew and godson, the obstacle to his union with
Amaryllis is removed. The money is invested in consols and all ends
happily.
In December, 1886, Butler's father died, and his financial
difficulties ceased. He engaged Alfred Emery Cathie as clerk, but
made no other change, except that he bought a pair of new hair
brushes and a larger wash-hand basin.


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