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 was obtained at Oxford. Unfortunately the manuscript has been lost, and as there is no entry of his name on the graduates* list (from which the names of musical graduates were formerly often omitted), the evidence on this point must at present remain unsettled. In 1680 Blow resigned his appointed as organist at Westminster Abbey to his great pupil, Henry Purcell. It was probably a few years later that he wrote his only composition for the stage, the little masque of 'Venus and Adonis,' in three acts and a prologue. This charming work, Which has never been printed, was composed for Mary Davis, the mistress of Charles II, who sang the part of Venus on its production before the king, that of Cupid being taken by her daughter, Lady Mary Tudor. The original manuscript is preserved in the Chapter Library at Westminster, and copies are in the British Museum (Add. MSS. 22100) and the Christ Church collection, Oxford. For New Year's day, 1681, he composed an ode beginning ^ Great Sir, ye joy of all our hearts, one of several similar compositions called forth by his connection with the court. In 1685 Blow was appointed a member of the roval band, and composer in ordinary to James II, at whose coronation in Westmmster Abbey he sang among the basses ; of the choir.- From 1687 to 1693 he was almoner and master of the choristers at St. PauFs Cathedral, in which appointments he succeeded Michael Wise ; but in 1693 he resigned them in favour of his pupil, Jeremiad Clarke. Towards the close of James II reign Blow is said to have written his celebrated anthem, 'I beheld and lo !' in connection with which the following anecdote is related on the authority of his pupil, Samuel Weeley, a vicar choral of St. Paul's. An anthem by an Italian composer having been performed at the Chapel Royal, James II was so pleased with it, that he asked Blow whether he could produce anything so good. The following Sunday Blow's 'I beheld and lo !' was sung, and at the close of the service Father Petre was sent by the king to express his approval of it to the composer. Father Petre, however, added as his own opinion that the anthem was too long, to which Blow replied, 'That is the opinion of one fool — I heed it not.' This retort so incensed the priest, that he persuaded James to remove Blow from his office ; but before this could be accomplished the revolution of 1688 took place, and Blow retained his appointments until his death. About 1697 he was living at an estate he had bought at Hampton, where he wrote (15 Oct. 1697) an anthem,' I was glad when they said unto me,' for the opening of St. Paul's Cathedral. In the same year he wrote an anthem, 'Praise the Lord, O my Soul,' to celebrate the peace of Ryswick. In 1699 a new establishment was founded in the Chapel Royal, and Blow was admitted into it as composer at a salary of 40l. per annum, which sum was afterwards raised to 73l. In the following year he published his 'Amphion Anglicus,' the full title of which is 'Amphion Anglicus. A work of many compositions for One, Two Three, and Four Voices : with several accompaniments of Instrumental Musick ; and a Thorow-Bass to each Song : Figured for an Organ, Harpsichord, or Theorboe-Lute. By Dr. John Blow. London : Printed by William Pearson, for the Author ; and are to be Sold at his House in the Broad-Sanctuary, over against Westminster-Abby, and by Henry Playford, at his Shop in the Temple-Change, Fleet-Street, 1700.*^ In the dedication addressed to the Princess Anne he expresses his intention of publishing his church compositions — 'To those, in truth, I have ever more especially consecrated the Thoughts of my whole Life. All the rest I consider but as the Blossoms, or rather the Leaves ; those I only esteem as the Fruits of all my Labours in this kind. With them I began my first Youthful Raptures in this Art. With them I hope calmly and comfortably to finish my days.' In accordance with the custom of the day, the collection is introduced by a number of laudatory verses. These are by William Pittis, Tom d'Urfey, Henry Hall, Jeremiah Clarke, an anonymous writer who dates from Whitehall, William Crofts, J. Phillips, 'H. P.,' John Barrett, William Luddington, Richard Brown, Ed. Langbridge. S. Akeroyd, William Pearson, and 'Mr. Herbert.' Many of these men were Blow's own pupils, and their effusions breathe a more genuine spirit than is usual in such productions, and show in what high esteem the amiable composer was held. Blow died at Westminster on 1 Oct. 1708, and was buried on the 7th of the same month in the north aisle of the abbey. His will, dated 3 Jan. 1707, when he was sick, in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory,' shows him to have been possessed of considerable property. To his daughter Katharine he left two leasehold houses in Great Sanctuary ; to his daughter Elizabeth a leasehold house in Great Sanctuary, and two leasehold houses in Orchard Street ; and to his daughter Mary three houses in Turk Lane. His copyhold estate at Hampton was directed to be sold for the benefit of his daughters, and he also left to Elizabeth Luddington, his 'true and faithful servant,' sums of 100l., and 10l. for mourning, befiidea 'my rings which I weare — all my wearing cloaths, 