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142 ETON AGAIN, AND HOLIDAYS, 1882-1890 [cHAl'. x
and as for the conductor, it was for him exactly like singing
with 209 voice-power. I have known exhilarating moments
in life, especially the opening of a run with the foxhounds
on a fine day, and the sensation on a high glacier in the
Alps at 8 a.m. on a bright moonlight night with congenial
companions ; but for the kind of co-operative joy which
causes a real forgetfulness of self, give me the conducting
of a chorus of high-spirited youngsters sufficiently drilled
to follow the beat with real attention, and with really good
music to sing. The delight is not only in the sensation
of vigour, rhythm, and corporate effort, but in knowing
that the chorus are being nourished for all their lives
long by food for wholesome emotion which will never
be forgotten or grow stale.
Meantime, sporadic efforts were made by individuals.
The project of some chamber music was mooted to
Barnby. He hinted at the considerable expense involved.
We quoted Oscar Browning's gallant efforts
at introducing classical music into Eton circles in 1878,
when a quartette of obscure local talent was hired and
Brahms was perfonned on Saturday evenings without
rehearsal. Ba.rnby admitted that the performance was
cheap ; but it should be borne in mind that " cheapness "
is a word with more than one meaning. Many of the
listeners found Brahms a new name in 1878---somewhat
obscure, and made that the ·criterion of . his greatness,
like the East Anglian rustics who rated their vicar as a
" rale fine preacher" because he quoted Greek ; but the
explanation lay in the singular fact that "not unfrequently
the instruments were twentY: bars apart" I The· projeet'
was dropped.
Towards the end of these years (1882-90) there was
given in College Hall. a noble performance of the Elijall
as a treat to the boys, certainly one of the best things of
the kind ever heard in Eton: .The great Santley was still
in his prime and most kindly gave his services, singing,
of c_ourse, the principal part with superb finish and intense
emotion, but in depth of interpretation, Barnby used to