Cheltenham, England, March 1st. 1899
Buckingham Lawn, Wellington Street
My dear Sir,
I think Messrs. Novello and Co. have recently asked your opinion respecting an example of counterpoint which was copied in the „Musical News“ and was originally taken from my „Handbook of Examinations in Music“. Some young men who possessed the proverbial „little knowledge“ ventured to write to that paper, and declare it to be „full of bad errors“ and I am glad to find of now your opinion given at the request of our great music publishing firm in London, and published in the March number of „The Musical Times“ that you are not in agreement with so sweepingly adverse a criticism. I can only say that some of our greatest English writers and thinkers on the subject are quite in accord with your opinion, and regard the criticism in the „Musical News“ as a decided exaggeration.
I am taking upon myself to send you a copy of my Handbook, and trust you will do me the honor of accepting it. I also hope that you will approve of the scheme of my work, and regard it as useful to the purpose for which it was written.
Believe me to remain
Yours faithfully
Ernest A. Dicks.
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