Berthold Tours personally possessed the evident characteristics of a musician.  No doubt could be entertained whatsoever, by any who once saw him or his large meditative form, that music was his calling.  The duties inherent to the post of “music taster” to the house of Novello, Ewer, & Co., he hopefully acquitted for many years, succeeding to that office on the retirement of my once, in a choral sense, esteemed conductor, Sir Joseph Barnby.  The pianoforte accompaniment to many of the classical works of continental composers he transcribed and carefully arranged for his employers, whose confidence he completely enjoyed, whether in addressing them on matters relative to prospective treaties with contemporary composers, or in regard to works tendered to them for publication, or on recommending them upon the pianoforte arrangement of orchestral scores.  Personally, I participated in the satisfaction of frequently dining in his company.  Amongst the personal memories which I might in passing allude to, being my entire deferential attitude towards him of reverence, ere ever being acquainted with his patronymics, although already largely conversant with, and a sincere admirer of his music.  To have been spoken amiably to by this distinguished “virtuoso” is a not unnoteworthy reminiscence to be recorded.  He evinced much concern in the early rehearsals of his choral works; being individually present at the moment of their preparation; but it not infrequently appeared to me ambiguous, that unless accounted for by the responsibility of vast calls, he with frequency turned his back upon the musical conservatories wherein his choral works were performed; a custom due evidently to his innate modesty, and perhaps to his susceptibilities as a foreigner.  Berthold Tours was a famous violinist of the first class, besides being a recognised composer of music, and edited with Natalia Macfarren a superb edition of the Italian, the German, and the French Operas.

JOHN ATWOOD.SLATER,

4, Hill Side, Cotham, Bristol.

ARCHITECTURE.

From the BRISTOL TIMES AND MIRROR,

April 18th, 1902.

BRISTOL SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS.

The Annual General Meeting of this society was held in the Fine Arts Academy, Queen’s Road, Clifton, on Monday, Mr. Frank W. Wills (President) in the chair.  After the confirmation of the minutes of the last Annual General Meeting, the annual report of the council was then read by the Hon. Secretary, and the audited accounts presented, and, upon the motion of the PRESIDENT, were adopted.