Page:The Early English Organ Builders and their work.djvu/107

 information furnished by these discoveries, I avail myself of the following particulars.

In the latter part of the year 1682, the treasurers of the Societies of the Temple had some conversation with Smith respecting the erection of an organ in their church. Subsequently Harris (who had some warm supporters among the Benchers of the Inner Temple) was introduced to their notice, and both these eminent artiste were backed by the recommendations of such an equal number of powerful friends and celebrated organists, that the Benchers were unable to determine among themselves which to employ. They therefore (as appears by an order in the books of the Temple, dated February, 1682) proposed that:

"If each of these excellent artists would set up an organ in one of the halls belonging to either of the societies, they would have erected in their church that which, in the greatest number of excellencies, deserved the preference.

Smith, believing that he had received the order for the organ, felt, of course, much annoyed at the introduction of Harris on the scene. He accordingly obtained from five of the tradesmen in the employment of the Temple a memorial or memorandum, which was presented to the Benchers of the Middle Temple, and is as follows:

", That I, Wm. Cleave, of the Parish of the Savoy in ye Strand, Surveyor,