CHAPTER V - 1878–1887

Summary

“All the choicest music of the kingdom.”

Henry VIII., Act iv., Sc. 1.

IT is scarcely necessary further to trace, step by step, the publications of the house in order to show either its influence or its tendency; it continued to hold the unique position it had gained in the trade, and was also duly recognised as a power in Art. During the long course of years in which the firm had existed and laboured, it had never sought to interfere with others, it had preferred to work harmoniously with those who were apparently moving on parallel lines. Its labours had been imitated by many. It was its business to originate. When success was won, and the new paths were opened, others were free to enter upon them if they chose to do so; but the musical world was not insensible to the fact that they who had found out the way were the best guides in that way. Therefore, trust and confidence were continued to those who were proved to be best worthy. One by one many who entered the field as antagonists were compelled to retire from want of support on the part of the public. The favour with which the initial attempts of the house had been received had developed into confidence in, if not of affection for, the later publications. Not only in Great Britain, but in the Colonies, in America, in every place on the habitable globe where English was spoken or music practised and cultivated, Novello's publications were always certain of a welcome, due not only to their cheapness, but to their accuracy, beauty, and superior quality of production.