PURCELL, HENRY, a justly celebrated master of
music, began early to distinguish himself. As his ge-
nius was original, it wanted but little forming, and he
rose to the height of his profession with more ease than
others pass through their rudiments. He was made or-
ganist to Westminster abbey in the latter end of the
reign of Charles II. In that of William, he set several
songs for Dryden's Amphytrion and his King Arthur,
which were received with just applause. His notes in
his operas were admirably adapted to his words, and fo-
echoed to the sense, that the sounds alone seemed ex-
plicable of exciting those passions which they never failed
to do in conjunction. His music was very different
from the Italian. It was entirely English, and perfect-
ly masculine. His principal works have been published
under the title of Orpheus Britannicus. He died in 1695,
in the 37th year of his age, and was interred in Wes-
tminster abbey, where a monument is erected to his me-
mory.