PREFACE HIS book axes its origin to a request made a year or two ago by the editor of the Hull Church Porch that I would write a series of weekly articles dealing with old Hull organists and the instruments on which they played. A number of these had duly appeared, when I found myself obliged to discontinue them, not from lack of material, but from lack of time. I have been repeatedly requested to complete the work, and to issue it in a more permanent form and at odd moments of a busy life, I have now been enabled to do so. It has often been asserted, as a reproach against organists generally, that their artistic outlook is apt to be narrow, and that it is too often regarded from the particular aspect of their own instrument. The record of these pages, hovever, will shew that all the movements connected with music in Hull-the Musical Festivals, the formation of the various musical societies and other institutions for the advancement of the art- have been inaugurated or developed by organists and whatever interest the book may possess, will perhaps be found in the tale they tell of these efforts. The form in which the articles were originally prepared will account for some discursiveness in the text, and occasional instances of overlapping of matter. But while no literary merit is claimed for the book, it is hoped it may be the means of keeping from oblivion the names and work of many who have done good service for music in Hull, and may also prove an incentive to others to follow their example. I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness for assistance in the preparation of the work to the late Mr. John Robinson, who sang in the choir of Holy Trinity Church in 1828, and whose memory embraced a period of over eighty years to Mr. Joseph Iienningham, who has an intimate knowledge of musical matters in the town in the middle of last century to Nrs. H. Cooper Gleadow, for many interesting particulars concerning the time when her father, the late BIr. G. J. Skelton, was the organist of Holy Trinity Church to Messrs. Forsier and Andrews, and other firms of organ builders, for copies of organ specifications and to scores of organists and other musical friends who readily complied with my requests for information among them I must specially mention my friend Dr. A. H. Mann, the organist of Kings College, Ca.mbridge, who has given me very valuable advice and help. I much regret to say that while these pages were being prepared for the press, the death occurred of Mr. F. G. Edwards, the Editor of the musical Times, who was the first to suggest the publication of the book, and who had most kindly offered to read the proof sheets.....