1727
Jan 3
|
The
Court of Directors of the Royal Academy of Musick have appointed a Call of
5l. per Cent. which is the 16th Call, to be made payable on all the
Subscribers to the said Royal Academy on or before the 18th Instant: Notice
is hereby given, that the Deputy-Treasurer will attend on Monday, Tuesday,
and Wednesday, the 16th, 17th, and 18th Instant, at the Office in the
Hay-Market, from Nine a-Clock in the Morning till Two in the Afternoon, in
order to receive the same.[1] |
Jan 7
|
On Saturday Night a Pair of Stairs
broke down at the Opera-House in the Hay-Market, but did no other Damage,
than a little discomposing the Gentlemen of the Shoulder-Knot.[2] |
Jan 9
|
Those that are Lovers of MUSICK, are desired
to read this Advertisement thro’. Next Week
will be Publish’d, Twelve
Overtures in the Opera’s of Camilla, Rinaldo, Thomyris, Hydaspes, Clotilda,
Croesus, Rodelinda, Radamistus, Julius Caesar, Mutius Scaevola, Otho and
Scipio. This Work is Engraved on Copper Plates, in a much neater Character
than that publish’d last Saturday; and for the En[c]ouragement of Gentlemen
who will stay but a few Days to see the Difference, This will be sold 2s. 6d.
cheaper than the other. Engrav’d, and sold at Cluer’s Printing-Office in Bow
Church-Yard, and at the Musick Shops.[3] |
Jan 12/23
|
[Owen Swiney, Venice, to Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond, 23 January 1726/7 N.S.] ’Tis now, very near Three years that I have been Employed by Messrs. de L’academie, as may appear, from their Secretary’s first letter to me, dated April 23d 1724. And Ime sorry to tell your Grace, Ime very much affraid they have forgotten that I am in their Service. Ever since they have employed me I have done my utmost to Serve ’em; and to my great satisfaction, I have more than once, received their acknowledgment for some Services. I declare, before God, that I have spent about £100 every year (on their account) since they have Employed me: and ’twill be impossible for any body to spend lesse, if they have a Mind to be served well. I, never, received more than £150 from the Academy on my own account. Fifty pounds of which, your Grace told me, was a present for the opera of Elpidia, which (by the way) cost me £40 sterling, for copying the Score, and Vinci’s Regalo. Besides this I am out of pocket above £40 sterling more than the Money received on account of the operas of [373] Hannibal, Ormisda, and Sesostri. The person Employed in the station that I have been in for these three years past, is lyable to, many, unavoidable Expences, which (however trifling & insignificant they might look, at first View) amount, yearly, to such a Summe, as might make a Man in my circumstances uneasy: viz. Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, Treats, Dozen’s of Canary, English Hats &c. For there is no treating with Italians on any other Foot: These things I mention, as so many Trifles, But my stay at Vienna six weeks’ longer than my own affairs required: on purpose to hear the Signora Laurenzani &c. The Journey to Bologna, & Back again, to Venice, about the Signora Marchesina. Another Journey to Leghorn & back again, about Signor Antinori &c. Two Journeys to Parma--the first to close the bargain with the Signora Faustina, & the last to hear the Farinelli &c. amount to Summes that are pretty considerable, to me. I take no Notice of the Money I have laid out (during this time) for my seeing Opera’s, copying Musick &c. I, only, Mention these things to your Grace, that you may be apprized of my pretensions, whenever you think it proper to move for any gratification on my account at the Board. I shall conclude my Letter with giving your Grace two advertissments, worth Messrs. de L’academies Notice: the First is, that there is a young Woman (sprouted up) who is Extreamly, fit, for the Academy’s Service. And ye 2d. That I can send ’em an opera, which (with some small alterations) will, I believe, answer Messrs. de L’academies Ends, as well as any one, that has been acted, since their Establishment. The copying of this opera cannot come to above 5 or 6 pounds, & Mr. Haym & Padre Attilio [Ariosti] may fit it up (in Ten days time) for the Meridian of London. [374] There is a most Excellent part, in it for Senesino & two very good ones, for the Lady’s. Mr. [John] Smith [banker] has given me a bill for postage of letters &c. on account of the Academy, amounting to £11.17.5 which I hope your Grace will order to be paid.[4] |
Jan 17
|
This Day is publish’d, Six
Solos for the German Flute and Violoncello, collected and contrived by a very
eminent Performer of that Instrument; Price 3s. Also twelve Solos with a
thorough Bass for the Harpsicord, by Mr. Thomas Roseingrave, for the same Instrument;
Price 6s. Likewise Four Overtures in Seven Parts for two Hautboys, two
Violins, a Tenour, and two Basses o[u]t of the latest Operas, viz. Elpidia,
Tamerlane, Scipio and Alexander. Price 4s. Where may be had, all the Favorite
Songs out of all the late Opera: Also Six Concertos in Seven Parts, being the
first six Solos of Corelli, as they are made intoConcertos, by Geminiani, all
in very beautiful Characters, engraved by Tho. Cross. Printed for and sold by
Benj. Cooke at the Golden Harp in New-street, Covent Garden.[5] |
Jan 21
|
On Saturday last [21], the Directors of the Royal
Accademy of Musick had a Meeting, in which it was proposed to desire Signior
Bonocini to compose an Opera, the Animosities against that Great Master being
worn off; the Minority is like to become the Majority, and at the next
Meeting the Directors will resolve, whether they will entertain the Publick
with the Compositions of only one, or of several Masters.[6] |
Jan 26
|
[Mrs.
Pendarves to Mrs. Anne Granville] […] Mrs. Legh is transported with joy at living once
more in “dear London,” and hearing Mr. Handel’s opera performed by Faustina,
Cuzzoni and Senesino (which was rehearsed yesterday for the first time) that
she is out of her senses. To add to
her joys, somebody has presented her with a pelican crane and a little St.
Anthony in wood: I design to get her a
pig. She has enquired after you. The Countess and her little one
continues well; the babe is to be made a Xtian next Sunday. Miss Legh is
fallen in love with the Basilisk,
and says he is the most charming man of the world; he happened to commend
Handel, and won her heart at once.[7] |
Jan 31
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Tuesday, being the 31st of January, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. Tickets will be deliver’d at the Office in the Hay-Market,
this Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given out at Half
a Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket,
will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His
Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. To
begin at Six a-Clock.[8] |
Jan 31
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, on Thursday
next, being the 2d of February, will be a BALL. Tickets will be deliver’d to
the Subscribers To-morrow, at Mrs. White’s Chocolate-House in St.
James’s-Street. A
sufficient Guard is appointed within and without the House, to prevent all
Disorders and Indecencies; and to oblige Persons guilty of ’em, immediately
to quit the Place. Whereas
all the Apartments are to be intirely furnish’d New, besides the Sett of New
Furniture to be put up in the House, and the Time being short from Tuesday
Night after the Opera, to Thursday; No Persons whatsoever can be admitted to
see the House before the BALL begins.[9] |
Feb 4
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Saturday, being the 4th of February, will be perform’d a New Opera call’d,
ADMETUS. Tickets will be deliver’d at the Office in the Hay-Market, this Day,
and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given out at Half a Guinea
each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket, will be
admitted without producing it at the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His Majesty’s
Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. To begin at
Six a-Clock.[10] |
Feb 11
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Saturday, being the 11th of February, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. Tickets will be deliver’d at the Office in the Hay-Market,
this Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given out at Half
a Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket,
will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His
Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. To
begin at Six a-Clock.[11] |
Feb 11
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, on Monday
next, being the 13th of February, will be a BALL. Tickets will be delivered
to the Subscribers this Day, at Mrs. White’s Chocolate-House in St.
James’s-street. A
sufficient Guard is appointed within and without the House, to prevent all
Disorders and Indecencies; and to oblige Persons guilty of ’em, immediately
to quit the Place. Strict Orders are given not to deliver any Bottles and
Glasses from the Side-Boards, and to shut them up Early. Whereas
the Time is very short to prepare the House from the Opera to the Ball, No
Persons whatsoever can be admitted to see the House before the BALL begins. If
any Subscriber or others have any Tickets to spare, they are desired not to
give them to their Servants, but to send them to the Office in the
Hay-Market, where the Money they cost shall be returned, to prevent their
falling into bad Hands.[12] |
Feb 14
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Tuesday, being the 14th of February, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. Tickets will be deliver’d at the Office in the Hay-Market,
this Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given out at Half
a Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket,
will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His
Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. To
begin at Six a-Clock.[13] |
Feb 18
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Saturday, being the 18th of February, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the
Hay-Market, this Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given
out at Half a Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a
Subscriber’s Ticket, will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar.
Gallery 5s. By His Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted
behind the Scenes. To begin at Six a-Clock.[14] |
Feb 20
|
The Titles of the Statutes. Private Acts. Anno 13 Georgii I. [...] 2. An Act for naturalizing Louis Sekehaye, George Frederic Handel, and others.[15] |
Feb 21
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Tuesday, being the 21st of February, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the
Hay-Market, this Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given
out at Half a Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a
Subscriber’s Ticket, will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar.
Gallery 5s. By His Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted
behind the Scenes. To begin at Six a-Clock.[16] |
[Feb 24/] Mar 7
|
[Owen Swiney, Venice, to Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond, 7 March 1726/7 N.S.] […] My advice, about Theatrical affairs, is not (I know) of any consequence: however I shall (next week) give you my opinion of some things, that may be for Messrs. de L’academie’s Interest &c. tho’ ’tis Ten thousand to one but that I shall be laughed at by ’em for my pains.[17] |
Feb 25
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Saturday, being the 25th of February, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the
Hay-Market, this Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given
out at Half a Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a
Subscriber’s Ticket, will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar.
Gallery 5s. By His Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind
the Scenes. To begin at Six a-Clock.[18] |
Feb 27
|
A Good-natur’d writer is always better pleas’d with an opportunity of recommending virtue than of reprehending vice; but in either case, if he would be agreeable to his Readers, at the same time that he proposes to be useful to the world, it will be proper for him to pitch upon some Great Man to be, as it were, the vehicle of his Instructions
to the publick, by making him the Subject
of either of his Panegyrick or his Satire. I do not hold it
always needful for an Author to be searching into Antiquity, in order to
retail out some musty Hero of former Days, and recommend
him as a Pattern to the present Age; if our own
Times furnish us with Examples of Men laudable for any
remarkable virtues, I cannot see any reason why an
impartial writer should not set forth such Persons in their
true Lustre, publickly avowing them as ornaments of the
present Age, and exhibiting them as Examples to
Posterity. But if such truly worthy men are to be met with in
lower Life, it will be still better, and have much more
weight, since Flattery in such a Case, or mercenary Views (to the Imputation of which we Authors are often
liable) can never be laid to his Charge. I have in my
Eyes a Man, and will venture to name him to the Publick, whom, when I have drawn
his character, all mankind must agree to be an
illustrious model of virtue and Integrity for after Ages. He
is One, that has long had the management of a Publick
Revenue, and yet all the world is convinc’d that he has
not improv’d his Circumstances, nor added one Shilling
to his Fortune by it. The Subjects pay their voluntary
Taxes into his Hands with Pleasure, because they are
satisfy’d that what they do pay, for the publick Service,
will be employ’d to no other purpose, and that no Calls
will, at any time, be made on the Proprietors, but when there
shall plainly appear to be an absolute necessity for so
doing. Every Body has a sanguine Confidence in his
Integrity, being satisfy’d that he is uncorrupt
himself, and will never suffer his inferior Officers to plunder by his
Authority or Connivance. The publick Treasure is
expended with Prudence and man[a]ged with Frugality. He carefully
looks into every Branch of his office and will not
permit any, who are under him, to embezzle the publick
Money, or run away with any part of the Revenue; much
less with the WHOLE Revenue; as, by letting it lie
long neglected in any under officer’s hands, They
might possibly be tempted to do. He is not only free from
Corruption, but guards himself against all neglects
in the Discharge of his Duty, and looks on Crimes of Omission, in such a Case, to be full as unjustifiable as
crimes of Commission, since, if the publick is defrauded,
or loses a considerable Sum of Money, it is of but
little Consequence to them, whether the Treasurer puts
it in his own Pocket, or lets any of his Deputies put it
into theirs, or squander it away. He gives fair, regular, and distinct
Accounts of every Farthing which he expends for the Publick
Service, and has always shewn the utmost Readiness to
supply Those, who have a Right to ask for them,
with any Papers, or Vouchers, that may be judged necessary for the explaining any part of his Account.
He is, in short, a Man of undoubted Integrity, of
consummate Wisdom, and of exemplary Gravity. He is compos’d and sedate in his Conduct, rigid in his Morals, and
tall in his Person; slow in his Speech, yet using many
words; and, to conclude all, a TREASURER with
clean and empty Hands! I am persuaded,
that every Reader must, by this Time, perceive that I can mean no body, in
my Description of the fore-going character, but that very
worthy and excellent man Mr. KIPLIN, Treasurer to
that Honourable Corporation, the Royal Academy of MUSICK. This Great,
able, and honest Minister has of late had two very formidable Powers to contend with;
I mean the Companies of Drury-Lane and Lincolns-Inn
Fields; who have enter’d into an Alliance, which
seems very unaccountable, in two Powers, who were but lately such mortal Enemies, that they
could hardly be kept within the Bounds of common Decency towards one
another, by all the Address and Mediation of the Town, and yet at the same Time, privately run into
one another’s Arms, and unite in Designs destructive
to the Rights of the ACDEMY, with all the Marks of cordial Affection and a resolute Friendship. But
notwit[h]standing all these Difficulties (to his Honour be it spoken) He has not yet put us to one
Farthing Expence on the Account of secret Service;
and I am confident that He will always scorn to shelter
any Sum under that Head. If He cannot conquer, He will
not corrupt; and as he has veteran Troops in the Opera
Service, He thinks them sufficient for his Servrce, without
hiring or standing in need of mercenary Auxiliaries. Friends,
who are to be had for Money, and Enemies,
who are to be subdu’d by it, are, in his Opinion, equally
despicable. The Italian
Comoedians, in this warfare, were willing to have acceded; but He wisely discover’d
that they were very likely to become an expensive Ally, and so dexterously got rid of them. Happy is it
for this Society (of which I have my self the Honour
to be a Member) that we have so worthy and
uncorrupt a Man in the management of the Treasure of
it! with what Contempt do I look down on the Greatest
men, when I compare them with Mr. KIPLIN, and find them
inferior to him in virtue and integrity? The Earl of Leicester
in Queen Elizabeth’s Time, was a very Great Man; but you will find this said
of Him in the Memoirs of his Life, (p. 78.) ROBIN playeth
the BROKER in all his affairs and maketh the uttermost penny of her Majesty
every Day. Happy, thrice
happy Mr. KIPLIN, of whom this cannot be said with any Justice, even by
your Enemies[.] [2] I remember another unlucky Application made
to a late Treasurer (I mean in Queen Anne’s Reign) from
one of Sir John Suckling’s plays. There’s
little ROBIN, in
Debt within these few Years, grown FAT and FULL. But who can
impute it to Mr[.] KIPLIN, that He is either FAT or FULL? I could produce a thousand Foils
out of History to illustrate the character of this
upright Great Man; but one more shall suffice. When the Earl
of CLARENDON was impeached, the Largeness of
his Fortune and the sudden Acquisition of it was made
an Article against him. In his Answer, He acknowledges
that if the Fact could be proved, the consequence of Guilt
would be undeniable; and, in his Defence, He
urged that he was not really possess’d of the Wealth, which the World
suppos’d him to be. The only Inference,
which I shall draw, in behalf of Mr. Kiplin, is, that if immense
Riches be alone a sufficient Proof of Guilt, Poverty ought
certainly to be allow’d a mark of the utmost Honour and Integrity.
Such a Man I will pronounce Mr. KIPLIN to be, and do hereby
recommend him as an Example and Pattern to all
TREASURERS, present and to come.[19] |
Feb 28
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Tuesday, being the 28th of February, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the
Hay-Market, this Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given
out at Half a Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a
Subscriber’s Ticket, will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar.
Gallery 5s. By His Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted
behind the Scenes. To begin at Six a-Clock.[20] |
February
|
The editor of the Flying Post observes in February
1727: “The directors of the Royal Academy of Musick have resolved, that after
the excellent Opera, composed by Mr. Handel, which is now performing, Signior
Attilia shall compose one; and Signior Bononcini is to compose the next after
that. Thus, as this Theatre can boast of the three best voices in Europe, and
the best instruments, so the town will have the Pleasure of hearing these
three different styles of composing.”[21] |
undated
|
[“To Mrs. Cooper, at Gunton near Norwhich”] What tho’ I am a London lass And handsome am as can be And to set off my pretty face I dress my head like Denbigh—who
is a foreigner. At operas I constant shine, By toupees so surrounded That with pulville and speeches fine My verces are confounded. In Masquerades I go well dress’d And talk so very pretty That by the crowd I am confess’d Like Lady Mary witty—my Lady
Mary Wortley. I at Assemblys play Quadrille But not like Bristol storming Like Dorset I can lose and smile, My visage not deforming. At Court I go but there I frett And ruffle every feature To be push’d out by Nanny Brett A little silly creature. Like Manchester I grace the ball And move with Harvey’s air—a That ’tis confessed by one and all I am a graceful fair—a. At Leicester Fields I give my vote For the fine-piped Cotzoni At Burlington’s I change my note Faustina, for my money. Ottilio’s musick I dispise For none can please like Hendall But the disputes which hence arise I wish and hope may end well. [...][22] |
Mar 4
|
To the
Author of the British
Journal. SIR, THE Italian Opera is now grown the universal Entertainment of the polite Part of the World. Men of the finest Parts and best Understandings frequent it with Pleasure. Every one is delighted with it but the Criticks, who still keep up
their antient Enmity against it: They make no Scruple of arraigning the Taste of Persons of the best Sense; and continue to pronounce with their usual Positiveness
their rigorous Decrees against every Man who dares to differ from them in this
Particular. It would be
endless to repeat the Witticisms this Subject has given Birth to. There is not an Author (how barren soever he may be upon other Occasions) but can shine upon this; let him fail ever so much on other Things, here he is sure of Success. The Italian Opera is (as the Romans
said of Africa) a Harvest of Triumphs; and if any one has condescended to write or speak against it, without saying a thousand
pretty Things, he must have taken a great deal of Pains to miss ’em, since they have been so often pointed
out by every little Genius. While these
Gentlemen gave into that Vein of Talking, only as an Amusement, and to shew their Wit, it would have been very unjust to deny ’em the Liberty of entertaining themselves with Raillery on a Subject that is far from sacred. But from Jest they proceed to Earnest: They have so often repeated to themselves pretty Things upon the Opposition between Sound and Sense, that they begin now to consider it as a real and solid Truth. I don’t know any Assertion oftner to be met with; and however such Discourse might be indulg’d at first as an innocent Way of Trifling, it
begins to have such serious Influence, that
a Man in some Companies runs the risque of forfeiting his Understanding, who confesses a Love for the Opera. It
is a solid Affliction for a Lover of Musick, to find himself for no other Reason thus stripped
of Rationality, and rank’d among Brutes; and after he has been indulging the most innocent Gratification of the Mind, to be represented as an Animal who has sate without any Symptoms of Reason for three or four Hours only for the Sake of giving Pleasure to the Organs of Hearing. Nothing can be
more unjust, than to imagine that the sole Pleasure in hearing good Musick consists in the Sound, or that it is nothing but the Tickling of the Ear, (as the Phrase is) and a mere Delight of Sense. The Truth is, that altho’ the Ear is
the Vehicle of the Sounds in Musick, as the Eye is of the Colours in Painting; yet the Pleasure of the one as well as of the
o- [sic] other, does not consist in the Perception
of Sounds or Colours, but in the Perception of
Harmony, Beauty, or Symmetry, arising from them. The hearing of two or more Sounds is the Operation of Sense, but the perceiving of Harmony between them is the Act of the Mind. To call Musick therefore a Pleasure of the Ear, is no less improper,
than it would be to stile Reading the Pleasure of the Eye, or Writing the Pleasure of the Hand: The Ear, the Eye, and
the Hand, furnish the Materials; but it is the Operation of the Mind upon those Materials that gives the Delight. This Power of
perceiving Harmony in Sounds, is what is generally call’d an Ear for Musick. Those who are possess’d of it, will enter into the Remark I am making: As for those who have it not, it would be
as impossible to give them any Notion of the Pleasure arising from Harmony, as to convey to a blind Man an Idea of Colour. They must never expect it. I would
therefore advise them when they find themselves unmov’d by Harmony, to look upon Musick as a Thing out of their Province; and I warn them from intermedling with it in any Manner whatsoever, for fear of making that foolish Figure, which is so
well described in the
old Proverb, Asinus ad
Lyram. Perhaps it will
be urg’d against Musick, as a Proof of its Irrationality, that it is
only an Amusement. I should be very sorry to be rational, if to maintain that Character,
I were to renounce the Enjoyment of innocent Amusements. Recreations and Diversions are as essential to the Preservation of Health and Vigour in the Mind, as Exercise is to the Body; the one would be no more fit for Thinking, than the other for
Motion, without the due Refreshments of the
Spirits. Chearfulness is the Life of Business; and a
Man that despises the proper Means of
sustaining That, however rational he may take himself to be, will find in Effect that he is only dull. Were Musick therefore nothing but a mere Amusement, that very Qualification (especially when at the same Time innocent)
ought to render it acceptable to a
reasonable Man; but it has this farther to say for itself, that no one can enjoy this Pleasure
compleatly, without that Habit of Attention
and Clearness of Head, which is universally
useful in every Thing a Man has Occasion to apply to. To consider the Opera
as a meer [sic] dramatical Entertainment, is requiring of it what it does not profess: The austere Rules of the Critick are here quite misapplied: Let him keep all his Magazine of Precepts
concerning Dictions, Sentiments, and Unities for the Stage whose Business it is to observe them; at the Opera, a good Ear has
infinitely more Right to form a Judgment on the Matter in Hand, than a Man who has spent a Life in Rapin, Aristotle, or Bossu[et],
without it. A squeamish Critick, with no Ear for
Musick, when present at the Opera, is out of
his Element, and makes the drollest of Figures:
He is dying at the Impropriety of an Incident, while the Rest of the Audience
are charm’d with an Air; and while every one is listening with Attention to a beautiful Symphony, he is inconsolable for the Want of a Sentiment. I do not therefore see any Reason for degrading Musick, by ranking it amongst irrational Pleasures; since all the nobler
Passions and Affections of the Mind are capable of being expressed by it with equal Force
and Delicacy, as by either of its Sister Arts, Painting or Poesy: Nor is its being only conversant in Sound any Objection to its furnishing a proper Employment to the Understanding; the several Objects of the
Senses, as Figures, Lights, and Colours, being the Subjects of so many different Sciences. I am, Yours, &c.[23] |
Mar 4
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Saturday, being the 4th of March, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the
Hay-Market, this Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given
out at Half a Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a
Subscriber’s Ticket, will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar.
Gallery 5s. By His Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted
behind the Scenes. To begin at Six a-Clock.[24] |
Mar 7
|
For the
Benefit of Signora Faustina. AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Tuesday, being the 7th of March, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. With several New Additions. Tickets will be delivered out at
the Office in the Hay-Market, this Day, at Half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. By
His Majesty’s Command, for the better Convenience of the Audience, the Stage
will be laid quite Open. To begin exactly at Six a-Clock. N.B. The Court of
Directors have resolved not to make use of their Tickets as Subscribers this
Night.[25] |
Mar 11
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Saturday, being the 11th of March, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. With several New Additions. Tickets will be delivered out at
the Office in the Hay-Market, this Day, and no more than Three Hundred and
Forty will be given out at Half a Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other
Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket, will be admitted without producing it at
the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to
be admitted behind the Scenes. To begin at Six a-Clock.[26] |
Mar 11
|
Whereas
some villainous and evil-minded Persons, did, on Saturday Night last, very
much abuse and deface the Statue of his present Majesty on Horseback, lately
set up in Grosvenor-Square, by tearing off the Left Leg at the Thigh, and
cutting the Neck of the said Statue, and also the Rein of the Bridle, and by
wrenching off the Sword and Truncheon, (both which they carried away). Now
this is to give Notice, that if any Person shall discover the Person or
Persons concerned in the same Fact (so as such Person or Persons shall be
convicted thereof) to Mr. Robert Andrews, near the Blue-Boar in Great
Russell-Street, Bloomsbury, the Party making such Discovery, shall, on such
Conviction, receive from Sir Richard Grovenor, Bart. The Sum of One Hundred
Pounds, to be paid by the said Robert Andrews. March 16, 1726[7] Robert
Andrews[27] |
Mar 14
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Tuesday, being the 14th of March, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. With several New Additions. Tickets will be delivered out at
the Office in the Hay-Market, this Day, and no more than Three Hundred and
Forty will be given out at Half a Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other
Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket, will be admitted without producing it at
the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to
be admitted behind the Scenes. To begin at Six a-Clock.[28] |
Mar 15
|
Wednesday in the Afternoon, Mr. Salisbury, late servant to the celebrated Mr. Green, Organist of St. Paul’s, was chosen Organist of Alhallows in Breadstreet in the Room of Mr. Stanley the blind Youth, who being promoted to St. Andrew’s in Holborn, has resign’d the former.[29] |
Mar [17/]28
|
[Owen Swiney, Venice, to Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond, 28 March 1726/7 N.S.] I return you Ten thousand thanks for as many Signal favours done me lately. I hope you’l make my acknowledgments to Messrs. de L’academie, for their generous and, very, necessary Supply: I shall always study to deserve their favour And hope in a very short time, to give ’em, Some, hints that may be usefull to ’em. I have drawn, this day, on Mr. [James] Bruce [treasurer of the Academy], for £150 at Two Months’ after date. And so, from Musical affairs, I proceed to pitoresque &c. […][30] |
Mar 18
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Saturday, being the 18th of March, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. With the same Additions that were in Signora Faustina’s
Benefit. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the Hay-Market, this
Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given out at Half a
Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket,
will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His Majesty’s
Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. To begin at
Six a-Clock.[31] |
Mar 18
|
The Court of Directors of the
Royal Academy of Musick having ordered a Call of Five per Cent. which is the
17th Call, to be made payable on all the Subscribers to the said Academy on
or before the 30th Instant: These are to give Notice, that the Deputy-Treasurer
will attend at the Opera-Office in the Hay-Market, on the several Days
following, viz. the 28th, 29th, and 30th Instant, from Nine a-Clock in the
Morning till Two in the Afternoon, in order to receive the same.[32] |
Mar 21
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Tuesday, being the 21st of March, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. With the same Additions that were in Signora Faustina’s
Benefit. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the Hay-Market, this
Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given out at Half a Guinea
each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket, will be
admitted without producing it at the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His Majesty’s
Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. To begin at
Six a-Clock.[33] |
|
To Mr. HANDEL, on his Admetus. HAIL unexhausted Source of Harmony! Thou Chief of all Apollo’s tuneful Sons, In whom the Knowledge of all Magick Numbers, Or Sound melodious, is concentred! The Envy, or the Wonder, of Mankind May terminate, but never can thy Lays: For, when absorb’d in Elemental Flame, This World shall vanish, Music will exist; Then Thine, first of the Rest, shall mount the Skies, Where, with its Heav’n born Parent soon commixing, It breaks through Trumps of Teraphims and Angels; And fills the Heav’n with endless Harmony.[34] |
Mar 25
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Saturday, being the 25th of March, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. With the same Additions that were in Signora Faustina’s
Benefit. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the Hay-Market, this
Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given out at Half a
Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket,
will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His
Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. To
begin at Six a-Clock. Being the last Time of performing before Easter.[35] |
Mar 25
|
Notice
is hereby given, That the Governour and Court of Directors for the
Corporation of the Royal Academy of Musick have appointed a General Court to
be held at their Office in the Hay-Market, on Monday the 17th of April next,
at Eleven a Clock in the Forenoon; when the several Subscribers to the said
Corporation are desired to be present. The
Court of Directors of the Royal Academy of Musick having ordered a Call of
5l. per Cent, which is the 17th Call, to be made payable on all the
Subscribers to the said Academy on or before the 30th Instant: These are to
give Notice, that the Deputy Treasurer will attend at the Opera Office in the
Hay-Market, on the several Days following, viz. Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday, being the 28th, 29th and 30th Instant, from Nine a-Clock in the
Morning till Two in the Afternoon, in order to receive the same.[36] |
[...] he [i.e. Swift] got into his old Knack of Raillery, and begins to run upon all Mankind: In this Mood he falls upon C—— J——n, and Sir R—— Bl——re, a Pair of twin Poets, who suck’d one and the same Muse. After [27] this he has a Fling at Handel, Bononcini and Attilio, the Opera Composers; and a severe Sneer on the late High-Church Idol, Sacheverel.[37]
Apr 4
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Tuesday, being the 4th of April, will be perform’d a New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. With the same Additions that were in Signora Faustina’s
Benefit. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the Hay-Market, this
Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given out at Half a
Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket,
will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His
Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. To
begin at Six a-Clock.[38] |
Apr 15
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Saturday, being the 15th of April, will be perform’d A New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. With the same Additions that were in Signora Faustina’s
Benefit. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the Hay-Market, this
Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given out at Half a
Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket,
will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His
Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. To
begin at Six a-Clock.[39] |
Apr 18
|
AT the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, this
present Tuesday, being the 18th of April, will be perform’d A New Opera
call’d, ADMETUS. With the same Additions that were in Signora Faustina’s
Benefit. Tickets will be delivered out at the Office in the Hay-Market, this
Day, and no more than Three Hundred and Forty will be given out at Half a
Guinea each. No Subscriber, or any other Person with a Subscriber’s Ticket,
will be admitted without producing it at the first Bar. Gallery 5s. By His
Majesty’s Command, no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes. To
begin at Six a-Clock.[40] |
May 20
|
NEW MUSIC. Mr.
Handel’s Opera of ADMETUS, transposed for the Flute; the Songs, Symphonies
and Overture connected and fitted for that Instrument in a proper Manner by
the same Hand that transposed Radamistus. Also, Six
Overtures, viz. in Otho, Rodelinda, Elpidia, Tamerlane, Scipio, and Alexander;
being Concerto’s in 7 Parts for Bases, Violins and Hautboys; the favourite
Songs in those Operas; six Solos for a German Flute collected by an eminent
Master; twelve other Solos for the same Instrument by Mr. Roseingrave; and
Mr. Geminiani’s late Concertos. All
printed for and sold by Benjamin Cooke at the Golden Harp in New-street,
Covent Garden.[41] |
|
On Tuesday-night
last, a great Disturbance happened at the Opera,
occasioned by the Partizans of the Two Celebrated Rival Ladies, Cuzzoni and Faustina. The Contention at first was only carried on by Hissing on one Side, and Clapping on the other; but proceeded at length to Catcalls, and other great Indecencies: And notwithstanding the Princess Carolina was
present, no Regards were of Force to restrain the Rudenesses of the Opponents.[42] |
|
On Tuesday Night
last, a great Disturbance happen’d at the Opera, occasion’d by the
Partizans of the two celebrated Rival Ladies, Cuzzoni
and Faustina. The Contention at first, was only carried on by Hissing, on one Side, and Clapping, on
the other; but proceeded, at length, to the
delightful Exercise of Catcalls, and other Decencies,
which demonstrated the inimitable Zeal and
Politeness of that Illustrious Assembly. N. B. The Princess Carolina was present; but no Regards were of Force to restrain the glorious Ardour of the
fierce Opponents.[43] |
|
Tuesday Night there was a great Uproar at the Opera-House; a new and great Quarrel being arisen between the Allies of Cuzzoni and Faustina; but, we hope, for the Good of the Nation, it will be soon amicably composed, or, at least, a Cessation agreed on for seven Months.[44] |
|
N. B. We have received a
Letter in the Nature of a Remonstrance, sign’d by several who stile themselves the Gentlemen of the Brass Button; and also by
others who frequent our Theatres, and commonly see Plays and Operas from the upper Gallery. They complain,
that being lately at the Opera-
House in the Haymarket, several rude and disorderly
Persons who
appear about the Court End of the Town in
several ridiculous Habits, and who distinguish them- selves by the Nicknames of Faustina’s and Cuzzoni’s Mobs, having found Means to get into the Pit and Boxes of the said Theatre, disturbed the Diversion, and insulted the Company in a riotous Manner, by several lewd Noises, to the great Scandal of the said Gentlemen of the upper Region. Therefore they expect that
the Directors of the said Opera, as also the Managers of both our Theatres, will
take Care that such rude and disorderly Persons shall
no more be admitted into any of our Theatres, that the upper Gentry, who are more civilized, may no more be disturbed in their Diversions.[45] |
Jun 6 <
|
[Mary,
Countess Pembroke to Charlotte Clayton] DEAR MADAM, I hope you will
forgive the trouble I am going to give you, having always found you
on every occasion most obliging. What I have to
[230] desire is, that if you find a convenient
opportunity, I wish you would be so good as to tell her Royal Highness, that every one who wishes
well to Cuzzoni is in the utmost concern for what happened last Tuesday at the Opera, in the Princess Amelia’s presence; but to show
their innocence of the disrespect which was shown to her Highness, I beg you will do them the justice to say, that the Cuzzoni had been
publicly told, to complete her disgrace, she was to be hissed off the stage on Tuesday; she was in
such concern at this, that she had a great mind
not to sing, but I, without knowing anything that
the Princess Amelia would honour the Opera with her presence, positively ordered her not to
quit the stage, but let them do what they would: though not heard, to sing on, and not to go
off till it was proper; and she owns now that if she
had not that order she would have quitted the stage when they cat-called her to such a
degree in one song, that she was not heard one
note, which provoked the people that like her so
much, that they were not able to get the better of
their resentment, but would not suffer the
Faustina to speak afterwards. I hope her Royal Highness would not disapprove of any one preventing
the Cuzzoni’s being hissed off the stage; but I
am in great concern they did not suffer anything
to have happened to her, rather than to have failed
in the high respect every one ought to pay to a
Princess of her Royal Highness’s family; but as they
were [231] not the aggressors, I hope that may in some measure excuse them. Another thing I beg you would say is, that I, having happened to say that the Directors
would have a message from the King, and that her
Royal Highness had told me that his Majesty had
said to her, that if they dismissed Cuzzoni they
should not have the honour of his presence, or what
he was pleased to allow them, some of the
Directors have thought fit to say that they neither
should have a message from the King, and that he
did not say what her Royal Highness did me the honour to tell me he did. I most humbly ask
her Royal Highness’s pardon for desiring the
Duke of Rutland (who is one of the chief amongst
them for Cuzzoni) to do himself the honour to speak
of it to her Royal Highness, and hear what she
would be so gracious to tell him. They have had
also a message from the King, in a letter from Mr. Fabrice, which they have the insolence
to dispute, except the Duke of Rutland, Lord Albemarle, and Sir Thomas Pendergrass. Lady Walsingham having desired me to let her know
how this affair went, I have written to her this
morning, and, at the Duke of Rutland’s desire, have sent an account of what was done at the
Board, for her to give his Majesty. As I have
interested myself for this poor woman, so I will not leave anything undone that may justify her; and if you will have the
goodness to state this affair to her Royal Highness,
whom I [232] hope will still continue her most gracious
protection to her, I shall be most extremely obliged to you, that am, Dear Madam, With the most
sincere friendship, Your most
affectionate humble servant, M. PEMBROKE.[46] |
|
To CALEB D’ANVERS, Esq; SIR, SInce our publick Quarrels are in
so fair a way of being adjusted, I am sorry to see our private
ones increase; and as you are deservedly the most popular Writer we have, I think you the most proper one to apply to, on so serious an Occasion. I was last night
at the Opera, and, in the middle of one of the finest Songs, was surprized
at an Instrument, I had never heard before. As it
was new to me, it was likewise disagreeable; I
looked upon it as an awkard [sic] Design to improve
and fill up Bononcini’s Musick, which is condemn’d by some of our very fine Gentlemen for its too great Simplicity;
I observed that it was intended to accompany Cuzzoni’s
Voice; but thought it very ill judged to single out hers, which has too much sweetness in it,
to want so untuneful and harsh a Pipe: Besides, the
Performers on it were wretched ones, being as much out
of time, as they were out of tune. Indeed they were
only some of the Gentry of the upper Gallery or
the Pit, whose merit is a Tupee—Ex praeterea
nihil. I apply’d at last to one, who sat by me for
Information, who told me it was a Cat-call; that it
never was design’d as an Instrument to give any Pleasure, but
made use of only martem accendere cantu, as a
sound to Battel between the Rival Queens and
their mighty Parties. As I have
always, from the natural indolence of my Temper, kept myself
a stranger to all disputes between Sovereigns, whether real or imaginary, I [3] was at a loss to know what he meant, till
he let me into the secret of the Quarrel,
which it seems is the right of Pre-eminence: Each pretends
to it: The Adherents on both Sides are very numerous; Faustina’s
are the most powerful, but Cuzzoni’s
the most judicious. As great numbers of either Party have no
taste of their own to judge by, so they have no
temper to dispute with; they applaud or condemn, as
their affection, or spleen, or the fashion
directs them; by which means, these two Singers, who
are perhaps the most excellent in their different Ways,
of any in the Universe, are denied by some of
their Opposites to have any merit at all. I have ever
looked on Musick as an Amusement only (though indeed ’tis a fine one) and
was therefore surprized to hear that it was the
Business of so many; but since it is so, and a Rupture
seems so near, in which both the Rivals may
suffer, I think it expedient, Mr. D’Anvers, that you
propose a Congress for adjusting their Rights, and beg leave to offer some Preliminary Articles. 1. That Senesino
be desired to assist as Mediator, and to use his well-known Abilities to lay
the Passions of these fair Antagonists. 2. That as in all other Congresses the longest
Heads are thought the most proper for Plenipotentiaries,
the longest Ears shall carry it here, being the best qualified for so important a Charge. 3. That it shall
be debated in the Congress, whether Cuzzoni has a Voice
or not; and if she has, whether the Property of it is in herself,
or in the Academy. 4. That it be decided in the Congress,
whether the first Part in the Opera, which has been for
some Years in possession of Cuzzoni, and
of which no Singer cou’d ever justly dispossess her (tho’ she has been warmly attacked this Winter)
shall remain with her, or be given up to the Faustina,
either for or without an Equivalent. 5. That all Rights
and Possessions in the Academy shall remain on the Foot of the former Treaties
and Conventions between the contracting Parties; unless either of them hath departed from her Right, by any secret Engagements, which shall be decided at the Congress proposed. 6. That from the first meeting of the Congress there shall be a Cessation of Cat-calls. 7. That within four Days after the said
Parties have signed the Preliminaries, the Congress
shall be opened at the Opera-House in the Hay-market,
and the Ratifications shall be returned,
if possible, in two Days afterwards. 8. That the Conferences shall be carried on
with Harmony on both Sides, who shall mutually abstain from all frivolous Disputes, which
can only tend to prolong Debates, and obstruct the good Design
of the Congress. I have here
given you, Sir, in these Preliminary Articles, a faint Sketch of a Plan for the ensuing Congress; if you have no Objection to them, I have as many to add, as will make the Number twelve,
all equally conducive to the Interest
and Glory of the Academy. I doubt not but they
will prove acceptable; for I believe every Man, who
has the Musick and Good of his Country at heart, will agree with me, that it is a pity such Dissentions
shou’d arise in a Christian Country, and that any Discord
shou’d prevail in the House of Harmony. I am, SIR, Your humble
Servant, PHIL—HARMONICUS.[47] |
Jun 20
|
Just Publish’d, A curious Metzotinto Print of Seigneur SENESINO, the famous Italian Singer; done from the Original Painting by Mr. Jos. Goupy. Sold by Mr. Regnier in Newport-street the End of Long-acre, at Mr. Moat’s the new Toy and Print-shop near St. James’s Coffee-house in St. James’s-street, and by the Printsel- lers of London and Westminster. Price One Shilling. [...][48] |
[Admetus]
|
A LIST OF THE SUBSCRIBERS. B. THE Honourable Mrs. Benson Francis Brerewood, Esq; Thomas Brerewood, Jun. Esq; Mrs Lowesa Baudin Mr David Boswillibald 5 Books Mr Robert Boulton Mr Boughton Mr Barret C. Mr Cole, Organist Mr Cook, at Newyork Mr J—— S—— Coussar Mr Henry Carey D. Obstrapus Danby, Esq; E. The Right Honourable the Earl of Essex The Right Honourable the Lord Erskine Mary Eyles, Jun. F. The Lady Essex Finch William Freeman, Esq; Mrs Charlotte Fox Mr Michael Festin Mr John Forsyte H. Hewer Edgley Hewer, Esq; Henry Harrington, Esq; 2 Books Marianna Hays Mr Hare 12 Books I. Ralph Jenison, Esq; Mr Thomas Jackson Mr Jennens Mr Charles Jennor Theodoro Jacobson L. Mrs Legh of Ablington in Cheshire Mr La Porte N. Sir Clobery Noel Mr William Neale, at Dublin 6 Books P. Edward Pennant, Esq; Philip Percival, Esq; Philarmonica Club 3 Books Q. Mr Quanz R. His Grace the Duke of Richmond Her Grace the Dutches of Richmond ———— Rich, Esq; Mr Robinson, Organist 6 Books Mr de Reichenbach S. Baron de Sohlenthal, Envoy Extraordinary of Denmark Otto Henry von Schlabrendorff Mr Schnider Sgr. Sandoni 6 Books Mr John Seaers Mr Smith 3 Books Mr Charles Steward, Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin Mr John Stones, Harpsicord-Master, Dublin Mr John Philip Smith, Organist, 2 Books T. Mr John Travers, Organist of St. Paul Covent Garden, and Sub Organist of St. Paul’s Cathedral Mr Tompson W. Mr Thomas Walton, Mathematicus Mr Warner Z. Mr Zollman.[49] |
Jul 11
|
To CALEB D’ANVERS, Esq; ————
CONCORDIA DISCORS. The Hay-market,
July 11th, 1727. SIR, YOU seem to have the Royal Academy of
Musick so much at Heart, that I cannot forbear
troubling you, a second time, with some farther
account of the melancholly declining State, in which
that Society is at present involved. The dispute
between the two celebrated Rival Singers, concerning the first part in the Opera, is so far from being accommodated, that although
the Preliminaries for a Pacification (which I sent you some time ago) are since sign’d by both Parties
and a Congress is agreed on, yet most People are very
uneasy for the Event, because one of the most material
Articles is worded in such a dark and mysterious
manner as gives too much Ground to suspect that it was done
on purpose, in order to conceal a Difficulty,
which it will be hard to get over. The Case, it seems,
stands thus. The Right of Possession is certainly
in Cuzzoni, which she hath enjoy’d, without molestation, for
some years, and is confirm’d to her by diverse Treaties
between her and the Academy. Faustina, on the
other hand, insists that Cuzzoni hath consented
and promised to yield up that Right to her, by a secret
Stipulation, under her own hand, which she is
ready to produce. Cuzzoni seems to prevaricate a little in this Affair; for as she cannot well deny her own hand
writing, she would persuade the World that it is
only a sort of a Promise; or, as she terms it amongst her Friends, an artful Finesse and Expedient
to make Faustina easy for the present. But as much as all true
Judges of Musick desire that Cuzzoni may maintain her Preheminence, yet this rash and inadvertent Step hath
given such a manifest advantage to her
Antagonist, that even her Friends are in pain for the
Consequence and are almost ashamed to countenance the Evasion.
Besides most of the Foreign Singers, whom we
have brought over to us at so great an Expence, as well as some of our Directors at Home are suspected,
for what Reasons I know not, of being secretly in the
Interest of Faustina; and it is even said that Senesino,
who has offer’d himself as Mediator in this Affair,
is too much inclined to her demand; so that nothing, in
all human probability, could have given Cuzzoni
the least hopes of success at the ensuing Congress,
but a late unexpected and important Incident, which is
supposed to be very much in her Favour. In the mean time
the Clamours against some of the late Managers increase daily; whose profuse and vainglorious Administration of our Musical Affairs,
hath put the Opera-State to so great an
expence, under the pretence of supporting its Dignity,
and providing for its Safety, that the Contributors
are quite wearied out with paying to no purpose, as may be seen
by an Advertisement in the daily [sic]
Courant of Thursday last. At the same time, tho’ vast sums have been
raised, and very little seems to have been applyed, yet
the publick Coffers are almost empty; our Tradesmen at
home complain of bad payment, and the Foreign
Singers threaten to leave us, unless their
Arrrears [sic] are immediately satisfied. It is also said,
that let either Cuzzoni or Faustina prevail in the Dispute, the Academy will be a great sufferer by the Bustle,
which hath been already made about it. This is the more
surprizing, when we consider the frugal Management and unblemished Integrity
of Mr. Kiplin, the Treasurer, whom every
Man acquits of any bad Design, who hath read your
Character of him, and throws the Blame upon another
Gentleman in the Direction, whom I need not name,
because every Body’s Mouth is open against him, and
it is said that he hath been, of late, publickly
insulted by the Populace in the Street. In short, Sir,
so universal is the Resentment grown against this Gentleman (whether he
deserves it or not, I shall not determine) that it is thought, nothing will pacify the true Friends of the Opera
and redeem their Affairs, till They see him removed and the
management put into other Hands; which is so true,
that They have, for some time, fix’d their Eyes
upon a certain worthy Gentleman, who is said to have declined it, through a Modesty and Diffidence,
peculiar to great Minds. In the mean time, the late
Plunderer (for so he is publickly call’d) makes an
advantage of this Backwardness, and it is feared,
will strengthen himself so much by the Receipt of the next Contributions
(if they should come into his Hands) that
it will be afterwards very difficult to remove
him; upon which the well-being of the Society and the
honour of the Directors so essentially
depends, that I hope every honest Man and Lover of
Harmony (whose Eyes must be now open) will join his Hand, his
Heart and his Voice in the Defence of our common
Cause. I am, Sir,
&c. PHIL-HARMONICUS.[50] |
|
Whereas several Persons stand indebted to the Royal Academy for Calls and otherwise, the Court of Directors do hereby order Notice to be given, That they will pay or cause to be paid, at the Office in Hay-Market, or to the Person attending them in that Behalf, such Sum or Sums as they are owing, on or before Wednesday the 19th Instant, otherwise they shall be obliged to cause Process to be made at Law against them, in order to recover the same.[51] |
Jul 24
|
One Thing I had forgot in my last, and in all Probability should have omitted in this; but that I beg Leave to mention it, now it comes into my Head, which is the Wonderful Flying Ass at Bellsize. This Ass, the most intelligent of his Species, is a Prodigy of Nature, it being almost incredible to recount his many Excellencies: But, one [11] Thing I take very ill at Mr. Violante’s Hands, is, that he very unkindly denies his Ass to be our Country-man; and, in order to enhance our Esteem, has confidently given out he is of Foreign Extract. This is a manifest Piece of Injustice to the English Nation, who are robb’d of the Glory of producing such an Ass, which Italy must run away with. But, to explode so foul a Practice, the Person who sold him, has sign’d an Affidavit, which shall be inserted in the Publick Papers as soon as possible, specifying the Origin of the Ass, by whom begot, upon whom; with the how, when, where, wherefore, and every other particular Circumstance of the whole Affair, from the Beginning to the End. However, various are the Opinions of the Learned on this Head; Dr. Swift avers it to be a young Houyhnhnm; but how it got here, there’s the Mystery. Dr. Anodyne, who is a great Stickler for the Pythagorean System, positively affirms, it is no other than Jacob Hall the late famous Rope- Dancer, transmigrated on Purpose to beat this vain-glorious Italian at his own Weapons. Which latter seems to carry more of Weight, and I believe, will more generally be credited. He further informs us, that this Soul has possessed two other Bodies between that of Jacob Hall and this Ass, namely, the one that of the late Jonathan Wild; the other a Bastard-Infant begot by a Jew on an Orange-Wench, and starv’d to Death by a Parish- Nurse. To prove which, the Doctor is writing a [12] Treatise, illustrated with proper Cutts, in Defence of the Transmigration of Souls; which Treatise he generously proposes to give gratis, as usual. In short, more is to be expected from this Ass than from Peter the wild Youth, he having much brighter Conceptions; and there is no Room to doubt but he will get first into his Psalter. He cannot yet speak, ’tis true; but then he converses with a great deal of Delicacy, by the Help of his Interpreter, a decay’d Gentleman, who, for many Years past has assisted at a Pharoah-Bank, and is acknowledged by all Hands to be a most excellent Master of the Asinine Language. I cannot leave my dear Ass, without assuring my Readers, he is an excellent Judge of Musick and Painting, and will, no doubt, be the same in Poetry, when he has made some Improvement in the Belles Lettres. As for Painting, the Titian of the Age has already dubb’d him a Connoisseur; and for Musick, he has a most critical Ear, even in the enharmonick Scale. His Voice is a deep Bass of the Pitch of Palmerini’s, but he sings more after Boschi’s Manner, excepting when he attempts to sing through the Nose, like Senesino; then indeed, he strains a Pitch above his natural Voice, which makes it somewhat disagreeable. He is not yet Master of Words; but runs Division on the five Vowels, and attempts at sundry Syllables, not much unlike Do, re, mi, fa, sol, la. One wou’d swear, to hear him at a Distance, he was a worn- [13] out Singing-Master, who had crack’d his Voice with Solmization: But, as it is a Kind of good Deed to mean well, so I guess his Meaning by his Gaping; and dare be positive, if he had been castrated in his youthful Days, he would have had a most excellent Voice. If so, what need we be at the Expence of importing Eunuchs from Italy? Had not we better find a Mate for this Gentleman- like Ass? If he should impregnate her, we may have a new Breed of Musical Asses of our own, who may be put young under the Surgeons Hands, and brought up to Singing from their Infancy; so that we may have Opera’s among ourselves, and Asses enow [sic] of our own Growth, without importing any from Italy, or elsewhere: And no doubt, they will make as much of a Drama, and be as plainly understood, as the best Italian of ’em all.[52] |
Aug 5>
|
But to return to the present taste in Poetry. —— If this Corruption of the Age cou’d excuse a Writer for what he composes now, must it be carried dows as far as Homer’s Days? must his Heroes love, and talk, and fight a-la-mode? must his strong, sententious lines, be set to the new polite airs of Handel and Bononcini? Yet, were what you wou’d alledge of any force, it wou’d carry the matter thus far; and the whole Iliad and Odyssey ought to be enervated down to the present taste. No, whatever may be allow’d to any of the proper genuine productions of this [23] Age, it ought not to make an inrode upon all others: let Homer’s energy and pathos be violated as little as is possible; Nature ought to rule in his Works, and those of the Antients: as ornament, and surprize, and elevation, have in their turn the Empire of the Modern World.[53] |
Aug 23
|
[Cassandra Brydges to the Dutchess of Buckingham, 23 August 1727] Madam To deny my self the pleasure of waiting upon your Grace to the musick this night grieves me more trouble than I can express, but my state of health makes it necessary for me. The same complaint which I had coming upon me when I had the honour of attend [sic] you at the musick upon Monday, has been yesterday & to day more troublesome to me than the pain then made it, for which reason I dare not venture to goe to any place which I can’t easily move from. I am ashamed to trouble you with this account of such a disorder but a less pressing case would not have kept me at home when I might have had the honour of your Grace’s company. I am Madam Your Grace’s most obedient humble servant.[54] |
The Musick composed for the Coronation by Mr. Hendel is to be performed by Italian Voices and above 100 of the best Musicians; the Rehearsal was this Week and is allowed to [be] the best performance of that kind that ever was.[55]
|
[11 October 1727] During the whole ceremony a band of the most skilful musicians, together with the finest voices in England, sung admirable symphonies, conducted by the celebrated Mr. Handel, who had composed the Litany. [...] When the King and Queen entered the [Westminster] hall the light was beginning to fade. About forty chandeliers, in shape like a crown, hung from the ceiling, each carrying about thirty-six wax candles. On the King’s appearance all these candles were suddenly lighted, and everyone in the room was filled with astonishment at the wonderful and unexpected illumination. Little cords of cotton- wool, almost imperceptible to the eye, saturated with sulphur of saltpetre, with spirits of wine, and other ingredients, had been prepared and arranged so as to carry the flame rapidly from one candle to another. This arrangement had been so skilfully prepared that hardly a single candle failed to take fire. The King seated himself on his throne, the Queen on hers, and were at once waited on by the grand officers of the Crown. The three young princesses sat with their parents, but at a certain distance.[56] |
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[Mrs. Pendarves to Mrs. Ann Granville, the day after the Coronation] [...] The room [Westminster Hall] was finely illuminated, and though there was 1800 candles, besides what were on the tables, they were all lighted in less than three minutes by an invention of Mr. Heidegger’s, which succeeded to the admiration of all spectators; [...][57] |
Oct 24 N.S.
|
[Owen Swiney, Venice, to Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond, 24 October 1727 N.S.] You’l upon a View of my other letter (which is design’d for Messrs. de L’academie) see whether ye things I propose, are for their Service or noe: And accordingly, I desire you may back ’em or not. I suppose, there will be no difficulty about Nicolino, since the only objection to him, was his not being liked by his late Majesty, on an information that he was grown worse &c. I think him a very Valuable Man, or, I shou’d not recommend him, and he’l mend any opera that he acts in, at least Cent per Cent. The affair of the cloaths will appear so plain, on computing the Expences of those made in London against those made in Italy that Messrs. de L’academie will be determined by the best penny-worth. Ristorini & the Signora Rosa Ungarelli are two Excellent performers, in the Comick-style; and they wou’d bring in, a great part of their Money, if they were play’d off, in an Old opera or Two, on their arrival, at [375] the beginning of the Season: or shou’d any of your performers be taken ill, an Entertainment of this kind, wou’d make some attonement to the audience, for the reading a part, or some other lamenesse, that accidents may draw upon a company of Canary-birds. The fourth & last article relates to the Signori Valeriani: all that I can say for ’em is, that they are the two greatest Men in their profession. I wou’d not have Messrs. de L’academie be alarmed at an Extraordinary Expence, which (at first View) may seem to be too heavy for ’em to bear: I dare swear, when things are maturely weighed, they’l find (if the project about the cloaths is accepted) That, with the addition of Nicolino & the Valeriani to their company, they’l not be at more Expence than in the year that Borosini, & Andrea Pacini sung in London: Tho’ they have (toss’d into the bargain) the first Singer in the world (I mean of a Lady) viz. the incomparable Faustina. An estimate of an intire sett of New-cloaths (made in London) will immediately, shew, whether any thing will be gained by having ’em, from Italy. The same thing, may be done about the Scenes, by drawing out an account of all particulars in any one year, when the Scenes were made new: If Im’e informed right, there is a good deal of Money laid out this way to people who are ignorant of this businesse, & who are forced (underhand) to have some Miserable designs from hence. I dare swear (shou’d Messrs. de L’academie resolve to have these two Brothers, at a Salary of six hundred pounds a year) that by their Management and Skill, in their profession, they wou’d save ’em Money. Ignorance or Roguery, or both together, makes great waste, & the businesse will be always ill done: I’ll answer for their integrity. I wou’d fain have these Men, once, in England--were it, only, to do something (in Fresco) towards the Embellishing Goodwood &c. For they are Excellent, this way, [376] and in all manner of ornaments for cielings &c. A tryal of one year, cou’d never make any Material difference for the worse, and the Theatre, by these Men’s Management wou’d be put into very good order.[58] |
Oct 31 N.S.
|
[Owen Swiney, Venice, to Charles Lennox, 2nd Duke of Richmond, 31 October 1727 N.S.] […] This afternoon I was called, upon, to goe & see the Habits which are for the Theatre of Turin this Winter: They are very Noble ones, and are made by the persons I recommended to Messrs. de L’academie. Such persons as I recommend to the Service of ye academy your Grace may back with courage, for I’ll stake my reputation, in the knowledge of Theatrical affairs, Nay what is more, my Interest in the Duke of Richmond, that I never disappoint Messrs. Les Directeurs by any false recommendation in the Execution of my office. P.S. Faustina makes, heavy, complaints, of her not being paid the remainder of her, last, years Salary. She threatens, prodigiously, (but I fancy she’s not in earnest) to return to us, here, immediately after the opera’s End in London. She says Senesino resolved to doe soe too. If she has not reason to complain, She does, Mighty ill, in writing such letters as I have, lately, seen of her, to some Friends, here, relating to academical affairs. Whether She and Senesino resolve, or not resolve to leave England, ’twill be the academy’s Interest, I think, to know who stays and who goes, before it may be too late, to be served, from hence. Nicolino will be of vast use.[59] |
Nov 10
|
[Mrs.
Pendarves to Mrs. Ann Granville.] Somerset
House, 11th Novr. 1727 I
was yesterday at the rehearsal of Mr. Handel’s new opera called King Richard
the First—’tis delightful. There I saw Captain Elliot. I was in Lady
Sunderland’s box, Mrs. Dashwood and Miss Peyton with me, and he came and sate
behind me. I reminded him of his promise about the poor man, and he said he
had spoke about him and would try further; he goes to quarters next Tuesday
to Warwick. You ask me if the Lady Mayoress was young or handsome?—she was
neither. Masquerades are not to be forbid, but there is to be another
entertainment barefaced, which are
balls. Twelve subscribers, every subscriber pays ten guineas a night, and [145] is to have three tickets to
dispose of, two of them to ladies and the other to a gentleman, that will make
up four-and-twenty couple. There is to be a handsome collation, and they will
hire Heidegger’s rooms to perform in. Some prudes already have attacked the
reputation of those ladies that will accept of the tickets, but as all the
subscribers are men of the first quality, and most of them married men, I
don’t see what scandal can ensue, only spiteful people make harm of
everything. There are to be no spectators, nor tickets to be sold, and there
are to be twelve of these balls. [146 …] I go to-night to the opera
with Lady Oxford.[60] |
Nov 22, 25
|
[Mrs
Pendarves to Her Sister, Ann Granville] [Somerset
House,] 25th November, 1727. Last Wednesday [22] was [149] performed the musick in honour of St. Cecilia at the Crown
Tavern. Dubourg was the first fiddle, and everybody says he exceeds all the
Italians, even his master Geminiani. Senesino, Cuzzoni and Faustina sung [sic] there some of the best songs out
of several operas, and the whole performance was far beyond any opera. I was
very unlucky in not speaking to Dubourg about it, for he told me this morning
he could have got me in with all the ease in the world. […] I
doubt operas will not survive longer than this winter, they are now at their
last gasp; the subscription is expired and nobody will renew it. The directors
are always squabbling, and they have so many divisions among themselves that
I wonder they have not broke up before; Senesino goes away next winter, and I
believe Faustina, so you see harmony is almost out of fashion. I have been
making up some packets of musick for Dublin. Our friends are certainly safe
there, but the wind continues contrary for the return of the packet boats.[61] |
A musical festival, probably the first held in Bristol, took place in the Cathedral on the 22nd November, 1727. The programme consisted of “a fine Te Deum, Jubilate, and Anthem, composed by the great Mr. Handell, in which above 30 voices and instruments were concerned.” In the evening of the same day two “consorts,” conducted by musical rivals, took place in the Merchants’ Hall and the Theatre on St. Augustine’s Back, “the gentlemen of the Musick Society” taking part in the former.[62]
Nov 28
|
The Governour and Court of
Directors of the Royal Academy of Musick do hereby give Notice, that a
General Court will be held on Monday the 4th of December next, in order to
elect a Deputy Governour and Directors for the Year ensuing. NB. It was
ordered at a General Court held the 27th of May, 1724, that no Member of this
Corporation should have a Vote in the Choice of a Deputy Governour or
Directors, v/ho have not paid the several Calls made by the Royal Academy at
the Time of such Election.[63] |
|
The Court of Directors of the Royal Academy of Musick have appointed a Call of 5 l. per Cent. which is the 19th Call, to be made payable on all the Subscribers to the said Royal Academy on or before the 23d Instant. Notice is hereby given, that the Deputy-Treasurer is to attend on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the 21st, 22d, and 23d Instant, at the Office in the Hay-Market, from Nine in the Morning till Two in the Afternoon, in order to receive the same.[64] |
MUSICK Engrav’d and Printed for J. CLUER and B. CREAKE.
And Sold by A. CAMPBELL at the Printing-Office in Westminster.
A Pocket Companion for Gentlemen and Ladies: Being a Collection of the finest Opera Songs and favourite Airs out of the most celebrated Operas, compos’d by Mr. Handel, Bononcini, Attilio, &c. in English and Italian: To which is added, several choice Songs of Mr. Handel’s, never before printed (in two Volumes) carefully corrected and figur’d for the Harpsicord [sic], also transpos’d for the Flute in the most proper Keys. Price 1 l. 5 s.[65]
If a Man has a bright Genius, he will excel, if he follows his Genius; but where the Genius is either poor or constrain’d, the best Instructions will never bring it to bear good Fruit; one might as well suppose it possible to make a RAPHAEL, a POPE, or a HANDEL, in Painting, Poetry, and Musick, by Education only.[66]
[1] The
London Gazette, nr. 6543, Saturday 31 December – Tuesday 3 January 1727,
[1].
[2] The
Daily Journal, nr. 1868, Monday 9 January 1727, [2].
[3] The
Daily Journal, nr. 1868, Monday 9 January 1727, [2].
[4] West Sussex Record Office, Goodwood Ms 105/416: Elizabeth Gibson, The Royal Academy of Music, 1719-1728: The Institution and Its Directors (New York and London: Garland, 1989), 372-74.
[5] The
Daily Post, nr. 2283, Tuesday 17 January 1727, [2].
[6] The
Flying-Post, 31 January 1727: Händel
Handbuch, 146.
[7] The Autobiography and Correspondence of
Mary Granville, Mrs. Delany, ed. by Lady Llanover, 3 vols (London: Richard
Bentley, 1861), 1:129.
[8] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7892, Tuesday 31 January 1727, [2].
[9] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7892, Tuesday 31 January 1727, [2].
[10] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7896, Saturday 4 February 1727, [2].
[11] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7902, Saturday 11 February 1727, [2].
[12] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7902, Saturday 11 February 1727, [2].
[13] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7904, Tuesday 14 February 1727, [2].
[14] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7908, Saturday 18 February 1727, [2].
[15] An Exact Abridgment of all the Statutes in Force and Use, from the Beginning of the Eleventh Year of King George I. to the Fourth Year of His present Majesty’s Reign. Vol. VII. (London: his Majesty’s printers and the assigns of Edward Sayer, 1732), no pagination; repr. The Statutes at Large, from the Twelfth Year of Queen Anne to the Sixth Year of King George the Second, inclusive. To which is prefixed, A Table of the Titles of all the Publick and Private Statutes during that Time. Volume the Fourth (London: Thomas Baskett, the Assigns of Robert Baskett, and Henry Lintot, 1758), no pagination.
[16] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7910, Tuesday 21 February 1727, [2].
[17] West Sussex Record Office, Goodwood Ms 105/417: Elizabeth Gibson, The Royal Academy of Music, 1719-1728: The Institution and Its Directors (New York and London: Garland, 1989), 374.
[18] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7914, Saturday 25 February 1727, [2].
[19] The Craftsman, no. xxiv, Friday 24–Monday 27 February 1727, [1-2]; repr. Elizabeth Gibson, The Royal Academy of Music, 1719-1728: The Institution and Its Directors (New York and London: Garland, 1989), 390-92.
[20] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7916, Tuesday 28 February 1727, [2].
[21] James Peller Malcolm, Anecdotes of the Manners and Customs of London during the Eighteenth
Century (London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1808, 342. [Note: The
following text, reprinted in Deutsch, 201–2, from a “Copy in Bodleian” does not
appear in Malcolm’s volume: “And, as Musick is a part of Mathematicks, and was
always both by the Ancient Jews, and the Heathens, in the most Polite Courts,
&c. esteemed a very rational and noble Entertainment; this Polite and Rich
Nation will by Collecting what is perfect out of various Countries, become the
Place where all Travellers will stay to be diverted and instructed in this
Science, as well as in all others.”]
[22]
The Manuscripts of the Duke of Beaufort, K.G., the Earl of Donoughmore, and
others (London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1891), 188.
[23] The British Journal, no. ccxxxii, Saturday 4 March 1726-7, [1]; repr. Elizabeth Gibson, The Royal Academy of Music, 1719-1728: The Institution and Its Directors (New York and London: Garland, 1989), 392-94.
[24] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7920, Saturday 4 March 1727, [2].
[25] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7922, Tuesday 7 March 1727, [2].
[26] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7926, Saturday 11 March 1727, [2].
[27] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7932, Saturday 18 March 1727, [2].
[28] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7928, Tuesday 14 March 1727, [2].
[29] The Weekly Journal: Or, the British Gazetteer, no. 97, Saturday 18 March 1727, [3].
[30] West Sussex Record Office, Goodwood Ms 105/418: Elizabeth Gibson, The Royal Academy of Music, 1719-1728: The Institution and Its Directors (New York and London: Garland, 1989), 374.
[31] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7932, Saturday 18 March 1727, [2].
[32] The London
Gazette, nr. 6564, Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 March 1727, [6].
[33] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7934, Tuesday 21 March 1727, [2].
[34] The British Journal, no. 235, Saturday 25 March 1726-7, [3]; repr., Deutsch, 206.
[35] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7938, Saturday 25 March 1727, [2].
[36] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7938, Saturday 25 March 1727, [2].
[37] [Henry Carey], Pudding and Dumpling burnt to Pot. Or, A Compleat Key to the Dissertation on Dumpling (London: A. Dodd, and H. Whitridge, 1727), 26-27.
[38] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7946, Tuesday 4 April 1727, [2].
[39] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7956, Saturday 15 April 1727, [2].
[40] The Daily
Courant, nr. 7958, Tuesday 18 April 1727, [2].
[41] The
Daily Post, nr. 2389, Saturday 20 May 1727, [2].
[42] The British Journal, no. 246, Saturday 10 June 1727, [3]; repr., Deutsch, 210.
[43] The London Journal, no. 410, Saturday 10 June 1727, [3]; repr., Deutsch, 210.
[44] Mist’s Weekly Journal, no. 112, Saturday 10 June 1727, [2].
[45] Mist’s Weekly Journal, no. 113, Saturday 17 June 1727, [1].
[46] Memoirs of Viscountess Sundon, Mistress of the Robes to Queen Caroline, Consort of George II, ed. Mrs. Thomson, 2nd edn., 2 vols. (London: Henry Colburn, 1848), 1:229-32.
[47] The Country Journal: Or, The Craftsman, no. 49, Saturday 10 June 1727, [2-3]; repr. Elizabeth Gibson, The Royal Academy of Music, 1719-1728: The Institution and Its Directors (New York and London: Garland, 1989), 394-96.
[48] The Daily Post, no. 2415, Tuesday 20 June 1727, [2].
[49] Admetus, An Opera, Compos’d by Mr. Handel (London: J. Cluer, [?1727]); advertised in The London Journal, no. 412, Saturday 24 June 1727, [3].
[50] The Country Journal: Or, The Craftsman, no. 54, Saturday 15 July 1727, [2]; repr. Elizabeth Gibson, The Royal Academy of Music, 1719-1728: The Institution and Its Directors (New York and London: Garland, 1989), 396-98.
[51] The Daily Courant, no. 8032, Thursday 13 July 1727, [2].
[52] A little more of that Same: Or, A Recollection of sundry Material Passages omitted in a late Treatise, entituled, The Devil to pay at St. James’s. Particularly, […] A most surprizing Account of the Miracles perform’d by the Flying Ass at Belsize. A Proposal for the Improvement of Musick, by manufacturing Eunuchs in England [...] (London: A. Moore, 1727), 10-13; advertised in The Daily Journal, no. 2036, Monday 24 July 1727, [2].
[53] [Joseph Spence], An Essay on Pope’s Odyssey: In which some particular Beauties and Blemishes of that Work are consider’d (London: James and J. Knapton, R. Knaplock, W. and J. Innys, J. Wyatt, and D. Midwinter / Oxford: S. Wilmot, 1726), 22-23; Part II advertised in The Evening Post, no. 2814, Thursday 3–Saturday 5 August 1727, [2].
[54] Cassandra Brydges, Duchess of Chandos, 1670-1735: Life and Letters, ed. Rosemary O’Day (Woodbridge: Boydell, 2007), 216 (no. 240).
[55] The Country Journal: Or, The Craftsman, no. 66, Saturday 7 October 1727, [3].
[56] A Foreign View of England in 1725-1729: The Letters of Monsieur Cesar De Saussure to his Family, transl. ed. Madame van Muyden (London: Caliban, 1995; orig. edn, 1902), 161, 163.
[57] The Autobiography and Correspondence of Mary Granville, Mrs. Delany, ed. Lady Llanover, 3 vols. (London: Richard Bentley, 1861), 1:138.
[58] West Sussex Record Office, Goodwood Ms 105/422: Elizabeth Gibson, The Royal Academy of Music, 1719-1728: The Institution and Its Directors (New York and London: Garland, 1989), 374-76.
[59] West Sussex Record Office, Goodwood Ms 105/423: Elizabeth Gibson, The Royal Academy of Music, 1719-1728: The Institution and Its Directors (New York and London: Garland, 1989), 376.
[60] The Autobiography and Correspondence of
Mary Granville, Mrs. Delany, ed. by Lady Llanover, 3 vols (London: Richard
Bentley, 1861), 1:144–46.
[61] The Autobiography and Correspondence of
Mary Granville, Mrs. Delany, ed. by Lady Llanover, 3 vols (London: Richard
Bentley, 1861), 1:148–49.
[62] John Latimer, The Annals of Bristol in the Eighteenth Century (Bristol: [the author], 1893; repr. Bath: Kingsmead Reprints, 1970), 161.
[63] The
London Gazette, nr. 6627, Saturday 25 – Tuesday 28 November 1727, [3].
[64] The Daily Courant, 8162, Thursday 7 December 1727, [2].
[65] R[ichard]. Bradley, Ten Practical Discourses concerning Earth and Water, Fire and Air, as they relate to the Growth of Plants (Westminster: B. Creake, 1727), back matter.
[66] Noel Chomel, Dictionaire Oeconomique: Or, The Family Dictionary, edited by R. Bradley, 2 vols. (Dublin: J. Watts, 1727), 1:Preface.