1776–1780

Abstract

[1776] Soon after I had left, Mr. Savage; I heard that the Organist of Ely Cathedral, of the name of Rodgers, (Son of Rodgers a Singing Man of St. George’s Chapel Windsor) had given himself up so dreadfully to drinking, that the Bishop of Ely, was determined to get rid of him. I thought the Place of organist to Ely Cathedral, might be an eligible situation for me; and I accordingly, applied for the Appointment. I performed the Cathedral Service one morning at the Chapel Royal St. James’s, where Doctor Nares was to judge of the Abilities of the various Candidates for the situation. I played Tallis’s service: and I call and cry, Tallis, was fixed for the Anthem: but I was afraid to perform it at sight; (as I had never played it,) and it was changed to Out of the deep, Dr. Aldrich, and which I exhibited. I fancy that Doctor Nares’s report was by no means favorable to me. However, I understood, sometime after my exhibition, that the Bishop of Ely had determined to give Rodgers a trial for another year. I confess that this disappointment vexed me.