R. H. Stevens' "Breeches" Bible

1895

A well preserved edition of the "Breeches" Bible, published in 1586, by Christopher Barker, printer to Queen Elizabeth, is in the possession of R. H. Stevens of 44 Clinton place, this city. The volume has come down through successive generations from his ancestor.

This celebrated translation of the Bible owes its name to the use of the word "breeches," instead of "aprons," in the seventh verse of the third chapter of the book of Genesis. The work is printed in old English black letter type and is still in its ancient binding, with brass bound corners. In addition to the Old and New Testament, with references and foot notes, it contains a calendar, printed in red and black, a complete prayer book, summary, catechism, "two right profitable concordances," dated 1578, and all the Psalms set to music.

The music for the Psalms was composed by Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins. The staff notation was printed in a primitive way. The "Solefaying" system is referred to in an introduction to the Psalms as "a system intended for the more perfect reading and rendering of music." — New York Herald.


Pyrophone

A musical instrument, the pyrophone, has been invented, which extracts all the tones of the scale from gas flames.