Cirrus@Austlit

Author's Preface: 'In reference to my poem on the 'Creation', I wish to state I composed the subject whilst a resident in Warrnambool in the year 1872....I have re-written the work as a 'Cantata', with an addendum on the Millennium, and submitted the same for the criticism and opinion of Mr. Montague, one of Ballarat's accomplished and talented teachers of music, who approves the sentiment of the poem, and offered to compose the music for me free of charge, but it would take too much time to wait. He has very kindly selected the words herein contained for the music from our great musical composers as a substitute for what he may perhaps hereafter compose. I have added to the poem a short addendum on the subject in verse, being the promised Millennium as spoken of by the prophecies recorded in the Bible, in which I am a firm believer, and, which, I believe, will take place at the close, or before the lapse of the coming century - 1999, hypothetically speaking.'