1754
Jan 26
[Saturday 26 January 1754]
We may also boast an equal Excellence in Music; for though Mr. Handell is not an Englishman, it is however a convincing Proof of our national Taste, that we have made it worth his while to fix his Residence among us, and that we have shewn a due Sensibility to manly Melody, where the Sound is expressive of the Sense, and where no unnatural Divisions, nor idle insignificant [93] Quirks mislead the Ear in a thrilling Maze of wild and random Notes. It is owing to the Encouragement we have afforded this Gentleman, that we can now boast the noblest and most rational Music in the World. [...] I am proud to have an Opportunity of saying that we are likely to have an English Opera set to Music by the last mentioned Gentleman [i.e. Arne], which, I persuade myself, will do Honour to him and his Country.*[1]
Feb 9-10
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Saturday 9 – Sunday 10
February 1754, income 4-17-6] [...] Hampden: Artaserse: Operetta’s, all for K. Charles. [...][2] |
Feb 11
Mr.
William Howard is appointed by his Grace the Duke of Grafton, Lord Chamberlain,
one of the Gentlemen of his Majesty’s Band of Musicians, in the room of Mr.
Valentine Snow, who has resigned.[3]
Feb 11
For
the Benefit of Signora GALLI,
AT
the New Theatre in the Hay-Market,
on Wednesday next, the 13th instant, will be perform’d, ACIS
and GALATEA, composed by Mr. Handel.
Between the two Acts will be a Solo on the Violin by Mr. Hallandall; a
Solo on the Violoncello, by Signor Lanzetti; and, by Desire, Signora Galli to
sing an Italian Song. Pit and Boxes to
be laid together at Half a Guinea each, Gallery Five Shillings. To begin at half an Hour after Six
o’Clock. Tickets to be had at Signora
Galli’s, in Broad-Street, facing Duford’s Court, Carnaby-Market.[4]
Feb 11
On
Monday Night Mr. Hunter, an eminent Dyer in Fashion-Street, Spittlefields, was
knock’d down in Shore-ditch, and robb’d of a Guinea and some Silver.[5]
Feb 14
The
Concert for the Benefit of the two Signors Pla, which was to have been on
Wednesday next, at the Great Room in Dean-Street, is put off till further
Notice, by Reason they cannot have the whole Band of Musick that Night.[6]
Feb 21
This Evening will be performed at the Great Room in Dean-Street, the Concert for the Benefit of Mr. Solinus and Mr. Leander; the First Violin by Signor Degiardino. There will also be introduced the Clarinetts and French Horns.[7]
Feb 27
This Day is publish’d, (Price 6 d)
A Humorous Print, call’d, The Club of Artists; or, Mr. Hogarth vindicated: Being a Burlesque on all those Pretenders to Merit, who have shewn their Sense and Skill in striving to ridicule so well-known a Genius.
Sold by J. Smith, Map and Print Seller, at Hogarth’s Head, Cheapside; and by the Printsellers of London and Westminster.[8]
Mar 1
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden, This Day, will be perform’d an Oratorio, call’d ALEXANDER BALUS. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered that Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[9] |
Mar 2-3
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Saturday 2 – Sunday 3
March 1754, income 3-7-6] [...] Artaserse prais’d: [...][10] |
Mar 6
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden, This Day, will be perform’d an Oratorio, call’d ALEXANDER BALUS. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[11] |
Mar 8
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent Garden, This Day, will be perform’d an Oratorio, call’d DEBORAH. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[12] |
Mar 13
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent Garden, This Day, will be perform’d an Oratorio, call’d DEBORAH. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[13] |
Mar 15
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent Garden, This Day, will be perform’d an Oratorio, call’d SAUL. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[14] |
Mar 17
On Sunday, the 17th instant, at Lynn Regis, a new Organ, built by Mr. John Snetzler, of Oxford-Road, London, was opened by Mr. Charles Burney, and is allowed by Judges to be as complete an Instrument in every Particular as is to be found in the Kingdom.[15]
Mar 20
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden, This Day, will be perform’d an Oratorio, call’d SAUL. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[16] |
Mr. Arne is obliged to inform the Public, that whereas a Paragraph was inserted in one of the Daily Papers, intimating that his new English Opera, so much expected by them, would not be performed this Season: In consequence of which, several Persons have imagined that Alfred the Great was meant: On the contrary, his new English Opera is call’d Eliza, and the Performance was stopt by a Prohibition from the Lord Chamberlain; but Alfred the Great will (by Desire of several Persons of Quality) certainly be performed at the Theatre Royal in Drury-lane on Wednesday the 27th instant.[17]
Mar 22
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden, This Day, will be perform’d an Oratorio, call’d JOSHUA. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[18] |
[dedication: 22 March 1754]
[…]
My ORATORIO was written three or four years ago, without regard to that distribution of Airs and Chorus’s, which the voices, to have been employ’d in it, would have required; so that I soon found there was no prospect of bringing it upon the Stage; nor should I have thought of it, but that it was too far advanced, before I met with an ingenious performance on the same subject, by Dr. Hoadley, Chancellor of the Diocese of Winchester, set to Music by Dr. Boyce.
[Note: Probably The Force of Truth. An Oratorio. Set to music by Dr. Greene (London: 1744).]
[ix]
|
VERSES TO THE AUTHOR. […] Strong as the *theme they paint, thy vary’d lays With recent honours crown thy latter days. And well may Truth with holy charms engage The serious pen of moralizing age. […] JAMES MARRIOTT. [xvii][19] |
Mar 23-24
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Saturday 23 – Sunday 24
March 1754, income 3-6] [...] Mr. Arne’s Eliza applauded [...][20] |
Mar 27
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden, This Day, will be perform’d an Oratorio, call’d JUDAS MACCHABAEUS. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[21] |
Last Night was acted, at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane, Alfred, an Oratorio, new composed from Mr. Thomson and Mr. Mallet, by Mr. Arne, to a polite and crouded Audience. The Demand was such, that there were not Books sufficient to supply it; but a New Edition will be published To-morrow.[22]
Last Night ALFRED the Great, in a manner of an Oratorio, new [sic] composed by Mr. Arne, was performed at Drury-lane Theatre, to a Polite Audience, with universal Applause. The Book of the Entertainment being quick sold off at the House, a new Edition will be published To-morrow.[23]
On
Wednesday last Alfred the Great, composed by Mr. Arne, was perform’d to a
numerous and polite Audience, when Mrs Arne display’d, in the Part of Eltruda,
all the Charms that could arise from Voice, Judgment, Taste, and
Execution. Miss Isabella Young, but
thirteen Years of Age, lately taught by Mr. Arne, surprized and charm’d the
Audience. Signor Degiardino perform’d a
Concerto on the Violin in so masterly and pleasing a Manner, as excited Shouts
of Applause: And the Signors Pla
perform’d on the Hautboys a Piece wherein their surprising Imitations of each
other, and equal Merit, when uniting, was thought to exceed any Thing of the
Kind. In short, the Composition and
Performance is esteem’d one of the highest Entertainments ever exhibited in
this Kingdom.[24]
Mar 29
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent Garden, This Day, will be perform’d an Oratorio, call’d SAMSON. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[25] |
Mar 30
This Day is publish’d, Price 6 d. plain, 1 s. colour’d,
A Humorous Print in Charactura. Done with a View to cultivate and improve the connected Science of Musick and Etching. According to the Reception of this Piece, the Proprietor will proceed to the Publication of several Characturas in high Reputation, and worthy the Notice of the Curious.
Sold by J. Smith, at Hogarth’s Head, opposite Wood-Street, Cheapside.[26]
Mar 30-31
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Saturday 30 – Sunday 31
March 1754, income 3-6] Mr. Arne’s K. Alfred prais’d: Late P. of
Wales: Westmr Electors Proclamation: Samson, an Oratorio; [...] Defense of S. Frasi: Judas Maccabeus: [...][27] |
Apr 2, 4
Mr.
Handell’s new Te Deum, and Coronation Anthem, with a new Anthem by Mr. Boyce,
were rehears’d on Tuesday before the Trustees of the Westminster-Infirmary, and
others; and a considerable Collection was made at the Church Doo<r>s, for
the Benefit of the Charity: ’Tis
expected that many Persons of Distinction will be present at the Performance
this Day, as the Church is properly adapted for the Purpose; and the Band consists
of upwards of 100 of the most capital Performers in England.[28]
Apr 3
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden, This Day, will be perform’d an Oratorio, call’d JUDAS MACCHABAEUS. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[29] |
Apr 5
|
AT the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden, This Day, will be perform’d a Sacred Oratorio, call’d MESSIAH. Being the Last This Season. Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day at the Office in the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. 1st Gall. 5 s. 2d Gall. 3 s. 6 d. Galleries to be open’d at Half an Hour after Four, Pit and Boxes at Five o’Clock. To begin at Half an Hour after Six.[30] |
Apr 6
|
To
VISCONTI and SERAFINI, on their Singing the Duet in
the Opera of Artaserse, composed by Signor Hasse. As,
plaintive, in a shady Grove, Two
rival Nightingales shall sing; From
Spray to Spray melodious rove, And
charm where’er they spread their Wing. So,
by fam’d Hasse’s Genius fir’d, Ye
lull us with your blended Strains; With
Pity ev’ry Breast’s inspir’d, Whilst
sweetly you disclose your Pains. O
wondrous Power of tuneful Wind, Which
swiftly thus pervades the Heart! – Bless’d
Antidote! – By Heav’n design’d, Kindly
to heal Affliction’s Smart Still
with each other (warbling Pair!) For
the bright Palm of Musick vie: Protected
by the British Fair, The
Shafts of Envy you’ll defy.
L[ockman?].[31] |
Apr 8
This
Day is publish’d, (Price 2 s.)
THE Alliance of Musick and Comedy. A Print, engrav’d after Watteau, representing the Muses
Patronesses of each Art.
Sold
by J. Jackson, at Griffin’s Printshop in Fleet-Street; and to be had of all the
Printsellers.[32]
Apr 11
|
On some modern
Burlesque Prints. The mighty Handel figur’d in Grotesques! The Soul of Musick slander’d by Burlesques! And
Hogarth’s Genius, fav’rite Son of Nature, Traduc’d in bald, unmeaning, dirty Satire! Down to your native Hell, ye Daubers, haste; There damn that Merit which you cannot taste.[33] |
Apr 13
Ec.
17. 23. This Sunday before Westminster
Election.
At
the ORATORY K. CHARLES’s CHAPEL,
ORatorystreet, Tomorrow, half after Six, [...] Handel,
Hogarth, Lowe, Benefits [...][34]
[13 April 1754]
Mr. Manly. Sir, I am against Operas, for this capital Reason; viz. because most of them are composed by People ignorant of the first Principle of Composition, which is Counterpoint, or the Art of placing different Notes, sounding together in true harmonic Order. Musick, Sir, consists of Melody and Harmony. Melody is the regular Progression of a single Part; and Harmony, of different Parts united. Now the Melody of all the Songs in our late Italian Operas is extravagant and unnatural, consequently unpleasing, and fitter for Instruments than Voices. Their Singers are constantly endeavouring to surprize, by which Means, their Songs are all Quirks and Divisions, and the Performers are [167] sometimes squeaking like Cats at the Top of a House, and sometimes growling like Dogs in a Cellar. The Energy of the Words is totally neglected, and the Passion is entirely lost; and therefore I cannot help wondering, that, while we have Handel, Arne, Boyce, and Smith, &c. the English will lavish Sums upon a false and depraved Taste, merely to be thought Judges of what they do not understand. I shall finish, Sir, with asserting, that an elegant Drama, by a good Author, and the Music composed by either of the Masters mentioned already, might be a high and rational Entertainment; it would certainly save an immense Sum to the Nation, and would excite some new Genius’s to study, and excel all other Nations, in manly, sensible Compositions, where the Sound would be an Echo to the Sense, and the Passions would be agitated by the joint Power of Poetry and Harmony.[35]
Apr 13
Sandwich, April 13. Sir George Oxenden, our old Member, having desired Leave to retire from Parliament, and to recommend Mr. Amyand in his room, the Town agreed to accept his Recommendation, and accordingly John Clevland [sic] and Claudius Amyand, Esqrs. were this Day unanimously elected Members. [...][36]
Apr 13-14
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Saturday 13 – Sunday 14
April 1754, income 1-6-6] [...] Sussex rising: Delaval, Nugent: Jackson’s Journal: Handel, Hogarth, Lowe, Benefits: [...][37] |
|
Hearing the Opera of Attilio Regolo, writ by Metastasio, Poet to the Emperor; and set to Musick by the celebrated Jomelli. Jomelli, with fam’d Metastasio join’d, Pour, thro’ the Ear, Instruction o’er the Mind. Here all Things great in Tragedy, are found: Improv’d the Patriot SENSE, by Pomp of SOUND.[38] |
Apr 27
Saturday Evening her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales went to the Opera-House in the Hay-Market, and we hear that next Friday her Royal Highness will remove to Kew for the Summer.
[...]
On Saturday there was a very crowded Audience at the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market, and, the Weather being warm, one of the Ladies of Honour to her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales fainted away, as did one of the Soldiers on the Stage.[39]
Apr 27-28
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 April
1754, income 1-10] Attilio, an Opera: L’Allegro! Newmarket; [...][40] |
[Fr. H. Williams to her father, Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, London, 9 May 1754]
We were at Ls Grey’s last night where we saw Poniatowski [...] We endeavour’d to persuade him to go to the Messiah at the Foundling Hospital, but he cannot bear Handel’s Oratorio’s & tells us “Si Monsieur votre Pere etoit ici vous n’oserai pas dire cela.”[41]
May 15
|
Yesterday in the Chapel of the Foundling Hospital the Sacred Oratorio of Messiah was perform’d for the Benefit of that Charity, under the Direction of George Frederick Handel, Esq; who opened the second Act with a Concerto on the Organ, and perform’d himself with the universal Applause of a numerous and polite Audience, whose Esteem for the great Skill and Benevolence of that eminent Master can neither be increased nor expressed.[42] |
May 16
|
[Mrs. Delany to Mrs. Dewes, 16 May 1754] [...] D. D. [Dr. Delany] gave Miss Mulso a ticket for the “Messiah,” and I took her with me — my brother [Bernard Granville] called for us both; the music was too fine, I never heard it so well performed. The chapel is fine, and the sight of so many poor children brought up (I hope to good purpose), was a pleasant sight. [...][43] |
May 24
|
On Friday last an excellent Anniversary Sermon, in Support of the Middlesex Hospital for Sick and Lame, and for Lying-in Married Women, in Windmill-Street, Tottenham- Court-Road, was preach’d at St. Ann’s Church, Westminster, by the Rev. Thomas Church, D. D. Vicar of Battersea, and Prebendary of St. Paul’s, to a numerous and polite Congregation; at which were present, the Right Hon. the Earl of Northumberland, President, the Vice-Presidents, Stewards, and Governors of that Hospital; when Mr. Handel’s Te Deum, and Coronation Anthem, with a new Anthem, compos’d by Dr. Boyce, were vocally and instrumentally perform’d; the Musick was under the Direction of Dr. Boyce, and the Organ was play’d by Mr. Butler, to whom, with Mr. Beard, the grateful Thanks of the Governors are due, for their several excellent Performances. After Sermon, the Right Hon. the Earl of Northumberland, and the Right Hon. the Earl of Plymouth, Sir William Beauchamp Proctor, Bart. and the Hon. Col. Cornwallis, two of the Vice-Presidents, Sir John Croffe, Bart. Capt. William Miles, Daniel Bayley, Esq; and many other Gentlemen, were pleas’d to dine with several of the Governors of that Hospital, at the great Concert Room in Dean-Street, Soho[.] The Collections at Church and Dinner, for the Benefit of that Charity, amounted to the Sum of 237 l. 10 s. 1 d. and the new annual Subscriptions to 59 l. 17 s. and, among several other Donations then made, towards the intended Building, the Right Hon. the Earl of Plymouth was pleas’d to give a Sum of 30 l.[44] |
May 27
|
An Italian Opera, and Nonsense, have usually been thought synonymoys Terms; but the Auditors of Attilio Regolo are convinc’d, that that [sic] the noblest Sentiments (heighten’d by correspondent musical
Sounds) are sometimes found in Operas; and very frequently in those of Metestasio [sic]. Of this the following Lines are a Proof, supposed to be spoke by Regulus at his leaving
Rome; and which the Audience have honoured with an Encore two Nights successively: Romans, farewell! — Be this last Separation Worthy of Romans. — Such (thank Heav’n) I leave ye.— O keep, unsullied, that auspicious Name! You then will be the World’s high Arbiters, And ev’ry Nation pay glad Homage here! — Great Deities, who guard this blissful Land! Ye, who protect AEneas’s Descendants, To you, this People (Heroes all) I trust— Be this lov’d Spot, these Walls, your darling Care! Be Regulus your Victim: — May your Wrath, Your Vengeance fall on this devoted Head! But O! be Rome unhurt.—They Weep!—Farewell.[45] |
Last Night the New English Opera, called Eliza, wrote by Mr. Rolt, and set to Music by Mr. Arne, was most elegantly performed with uncommon Approbation and Applause, to a very polite Audience, at the New Theatre in the Hay-Market; where, we hear, it will be performed again on Tuesday Evening next.[46]
Jun 5
Haymarket 5th of June.
Last Night the new English Opera of Eliza was suppressed by an Order from superior Power, by which Means many Persons of Taste were deprived of a very elegant Entertainment, as it was universally acknowledged that this musical Performance has very extraordinary Merit, being a sensible Composition, calculated to convey the liveliest Ideas to the Fancy, and to awaken the Passions of every feeling Heart. It is said, that instigated by this Disappointment, Mr. Arne will apply to P————t for a Bill to unnaturalize him, that he may then have the Privileges of an Englishman, as well as any Foreigner of them all.[47]
Jun 29-30
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Saturday 29 – Sunday 30
June 1754, income 1-5-6] [...] Heidegger not in Hell, why? [...] Oxfd and Cambridge Musick this Week Mr. Collier’s: [...][48] |
Jul 5
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Friday 5 July 1754] [...] Messiah prov’d by 100 Fiddles at Oxfd: [...][49] |
Jul 12
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Friday 12 July 1754] [...] Inspiration demonstrated at the
Oxford Act, and the most surprising Entertainment that ever was given: [...][50] |
Jul 13-14
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 July
1754, income 0-11-6] [...] Inspir’d Doctors at the Oxford Act: A miraculous Entertainment! [...][51] |
|
The LINNET and the JAY. 1. Mona, by nature, form’d a Jay, Observ’d a little Linnet, Warbling
melodious on a spray, Like Handel on his spinnet.[52] |
Nov 23-24
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Saturday 23 – Sunday 24
November 1754, income 2-6] [...] 500 Members Grand Concert; [...][53] |
Nov 28-29
|
[Henley
Manuscripts, Saturday 28 – Sunday 29
December 1754, income 4-11] [...] Opera house Battles: [...][54] |
Whoever pretends by a servile imitation to shew the merit of an author of genius, will be, at best, but an indifferent copy of a good original. [... page ...] When I say model, I mean as to his manner; genius is the gift of heaven; but taste may be refined, and elegance acquired, by reading over and over such ancients as have stood the test of ages, and such moderns as will be transmitted to Posterity. [...] by conversing with the best writers, you catch their spirit, which grows habitual, and becomes your own. Nothing so dangerous as to assume the character of another; for it often happens you are neither your self, nor any body else. Should an actor pretend to [page] copy those imitable touches of nature so conspicuous in the ROSCIUS of this age, which seem to slow as much from the sensations of his heart, as from the perception and reflection of his mind: Such a one, I say, must make but an idle figure; when perhaps he might appear to advantage, by answering to the impulse of his own feeling, according to his alloted [sic] talent and peculiar manner. HANDEL is equally true and harmonious, whether his sweet notes are played upon the flute or the violin, by a compleat master of either instrument. Nature is the only model for imitation; who there can copy truly, is original.
[no pagination.]
|
FABLE LXIII. The CAT and the BAT. A Favourite Bullfinch, as some people tell, That vied
with FARINELLI’s throat, And quaver’d HANDEL’s charming note, To Puss’s jaws a victim fell. The rav’nous beast had seiz’d the time, The careless wench had open left the cage, Then falls upon him with remorseless rage, And perpetrates the horrid crime.[55] |
|
[“REBUSSES.”] XII. The King and the Prince, And what points out Time, With the Measure of Cloth, Is a Man’s Name sublime. [148] And fam’d throughout th’ harmonious Throng For Note melodious, and the tuneful Song. [...] SOLUTIONS to the REBUSSES. [...] XII. Mr. Geo. Fred. Handel.[56] |
[“At a publick Place.”]
|
Miss Fash[ion]. |
[...] Mr. Bookly you seemed to [51] pay a great deal of Attention to that Piece of Musick. It is more the Fashion to listen to the Songs. |
|
For[ward]. |
I beg to be excused for that, Madam, for in my Opinion it is not a Fashion to listen to any thing. |
|
Miss Fash. |
There is too much Truth in what Mr. Forward says, but of the People who do mind the Entertainment, you shall see five hundred croud round the most trifling Ballad, while the noblest Harmony that is only instrumental is performed to the Trees and Benches. This Piece is Mr. Handel’s; and after some of the old Masters, for I do not set any of the Italians of the present Time in Competition with him, I think him the greatest Composer the World has known. |
|
Book[ley]. |
The Piece struck me extremely, I am glad to find you countenance the Attention I thought it deserved.[57] |
[…] At other times her Ladyship would desire her fair Chaplain to play on the Harpsichord and sing to her; if she chose the Music, it was the most languishing she could think of; but when she left Leonora at her Liberty, to avoid the tender Scenes this created, she would stun her with martial Tunes, or lull her to sleep with Funeral Anthems. Lady Haines’s Taste for Music arose from the Fashion, not from her own Judgment; for she had neither Voice nor Ear, though she would often desire Leonora to play some light French Airs, while she accompanied the Instrument with her Voice, which soon turned all Harmony to Discord; for the Sounds which she called Singing, more resembled the shrill Pipe of a squeaking Pig, than any Tune that was ever composed; and she understood so little of Music, that if Leonora played a solemn Air of Handel’s, while she was warbling a [52] French Chanson à boire, she Thought [sic] they made most melodious harmony.[58]
[“THE PAPER MILL.”]
[...] I mentioned my doubts [...] concerning the transmutation of this paper into gold: and who, indeed, unless they had seen it, would believe the possibility of such a marvellous change? [... 61 ...] MOSES MONCECA, sirnamed Magus, [...] answered very courteously, that he would immediately gratify our curiosity; [...] He then sent for two of his underoperators, and having opened a closet, which he called his Museum, he drew out a wheel, about half as large as one of our lottery wheels, but made exactly in the same shape. This was placed in the middle of the room. [...] He then unlocked an iron chest, and took out as much paper as, I judged, might make a common quire. This he put into his wheel, without strewing upon the sheets any powder of [62] projection, or using any form of incantation. [...] As soon as the paper was in the wheel, he ordered his engineers to turn it round with a pretty quick motion, which they did for the space of half an hour. All this while he beat time, as exactly as HANDEL would do during the performance of an oratorio. He knew by the rattling noise in the wheel, when the transmutation was effected. The wheel was then stopped, and opened, and about 200lb. weight of gold dust taken out, which was immediately sent away to be melted into ingots.[59]
|
[“The ATTORNEY’S CLERK. An ECLOGUE.”] Have I for thee th’ Attorney’s Guide forsook; And conn’d the Gamut o’er instead of Cook; Thrown careless all my Precedents aside, And to my Fiddle with such Warmth apply’d! Not soft Corelli’s Air, nor Handel’s Strain, Can move her Heart, or mitigate my Pain.[60] |
|
[...] For ’tis Religion or true Virtue only, That yields a present, and an endless Peace. Religion or true Virtue no Estate Incumbers, weakens no one’s Constitution, No Family disquiets; nor disturbs The Peace, th’ internal Peace of any Kingdom. [Exeunt Omnes. |
Let the Audience be dismissed with the most grave and solemn Part of an Oratorio.[61]
* Since the Time, when the above Essay was wrote, Mr. Smith, a Pupil of Mr. Handell’s, has displayed a noble Genius for musical Composition, and the Success, which his Opera, called the Fairies, met with on Drury-Lane Stage, at once gives lustre to his Merit, and is a Proof of the public Taste.
[1] [Arthur Murphy], The Gray’s-Inn Journal. Vol. II (London: P. Vaillant, 1756), 92-93; Chrissochoidis, 834.
[2] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 20.
[3] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7199, Monday 11 February 1754, [1].
[4] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7199, Monday 11 February 1754, [2].
[5] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7202, Thursday 14 February 1754, [1].
[6] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7202, Thursday 14 February 1754, [1].
[7] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7208, Thursday 21 February 1754, [1].
[8] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7213, Wednesday 27 February 1754, [4].
[9] The Public Advertiser, no. 6035, Friday 1 March 1754, [1]; The Daily Advertiser, no. 7215, Friday 1 March 1754, [2].
[10] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 23.
[11] The Public Advertiser, no. 6039, Wednesday 6 March 1754, [1]; The Daily Advertiser, no. 7219, Wednesday 6 March 1754, [2].
[12] The Public Advertiser, no. 6041, Friday 8 March 1754, [1]; The Daily Advertiser, no. 7221, Friday 8 March 1754, [2].
[13] The Public Advertiser, no. 6045, Wednesday 13 March 1754, [1]; The Daily Advertiser, no. 7225, Wednesday 13 March 1754, [2].
[14] The Public Advertiser, no. 6045 [duplicate number], Friday 15 March 1754, [1]; The Daily Advertiser, no. 7227, Friday 15 March 1754, [2].
[15] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7240, Saturday 30 March 1754, [1].
[16] The Public Advertiser, no. 6049, Wednesday 20 March 1754, [1]; the corresponding page is missing from The Daily Advertiser, no. 7231, Wednesday 20 March 1754.
[17] The Public Advertiser, no.6050, Thursday 21 March 1754, [2]; and The Daily Advertiser, no. 7232, Thursday 21 March 1754, [2]; repr. in The Public Advertiser, no.6051, Friday 22 March 1754, [2]; and no. 6052, Saturday 23 March 1754, [2];
[18] The Public Advertiser, no. 6051, Friday 22 March 1754, [1]; The Daily Advertiser, no. 7233, Friday 22 March 1754, [2].
* The Triumph of Truth, an Oratorio […]
[19] George Jeffreys, Miscellanies, in Verse and Prose (London: the author, 1754); Chrissochoidis, 834.
[20] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 26.
[21] The Public Advertiser, no. 6055, Wednesday 27 March 1754, [1]; The Daily Advertiser, no. 7237, Wednesday 27 March 1754, [2].
[22] The London Evening-Post, no.4115, Tuesday 26 -- Thursday 28 March 1754, [4]; repr. The Whitehall Evening-Post; Or, London Intelligencer, no. 126, Tuesday 26 – Thursday 28 March 1754, [1].
[23] The Public Advertiser, no.6056, Thursday 28 March 1754, [2].
[24] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7239, Friday 29 March 1754, [1].
[25] The Public Advertiser, no. 6057, Friday 29 March 1754, [1]; The Daily Advertiser, no. 7239, Friday 29 March 1754, [2].
[26] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7240, Saturday 30 March 1754, [4].
[27] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 27.
[28] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7244, Thursday 4 April 1754, [1].
[29] The Public Advertiser, no. 6063, Wednesday 3 April 1754, [1]; The Daily Advertiser, no. 7243, Wednesday 3 April 1754, [2].
[30] The Public Advertiser, no. 6065, Friday 5 April 1754, [1]; The Daily Advertiser, no. 7245, Friday 5 April 1754, [1].
[31] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7246, Saturday 6 April 1754, [1].
[32] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7247, Monday 8 April 1754, [4].
[33] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7250, Thursday 11 April 1754, [1].
[34] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7252, Saturday 13 April 1754, [2].
[35] [Arthur Murphy], The Gray’s-Inn Journal, 2 vols. (London: W. Faden, 1756), 2:166-67; Chrissochoidis, 835.
[36] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7254, Tuesday 16 April 1754, [1].
[37] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 29.
[38] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7264, Saturday 27 April 1754, [1].
[39] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7265, Monday 29 April 1754, [1].
[40] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 31.
[41] Sir Charles Hanbury Williams’ Papers, vol. 59 (10908: “Private correspondence, 1754”), f 32r; Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University; Chrissochoidis, 835.
[42] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7280, Thursday 16 May 1754, [1].
[43] The Autobiography and Correspondence of Mary Granville, Mrs. Delany, ed. Lady Llanover, 3 vols. (London: Richard Bentley, 1861), 3:272.
[44] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7289, Monday 27 May 1754, [1].
[45] The Daily Advertiser, no. 7287, Friday 24 May 1754, [1].
[46] The Public Advertiser, no.6110, Thursday 30 May 1754, [2].
[47] The Gray’s Inn Journal, no. 37, Saturday 8 June 1754, 222.
[48] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 40.
[49] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 41.
[50] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 42.
[51] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 42.
[52] The London Magazine: Or, Gentleman’s Monthly Intelligencer 23 (1754): 37; reprinted, [Patrick Delany], Observations upon Lord Orrery’s Remarks on the Life and Writings of Dr. Jonathan Swift (London: W. Reeve, and A. Linde, 1754), 67; and [Patrick Delany], Observations upon Lord Orrery’s Remarks on the Life and Writings of Dr. Jonathan Swift (Dublin: Robert Main, 1754), 46; Chrissochoidis, 835.
[53] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 51.
[54] Houghton Library, Harvard University: MS Eng 1399, p. 58.
[55] Charles Denis, Select Fables (London: J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, 1754), 231; Chrissochoidis, 836.
[56] Ferdinando Killigrew, The Universal Jester: Or, A Pocket Companion for the Wits (London: R. Whitworth, et al., 1754), 147-48; reprinted as no. 19, Ben Johnson’s Jests: Or the Wit’s Pocket Companion, 6th edition with great additions and improvements (London: [?], 1760), 99, 112; Chrissochoidis, 836.
[57] The Book of Conversation and Behaviour. Written by a Person of Distinction (London: R. Griffiths, 1754), 50-51; reprint, The Art of Conversation; Or, the Polite Entertainer: Calculated for the Improvement of both Sexes, and recommended as a genteel Help in Modern Discourse (London: R. Withy and J. Ryall, 1757), 50-51; Chrissochoidis, 837.
[58] [Sarah Scott], A Journey through Every Stage of Life, Described in a Variety of interesting scenes, drawn from real Characters. By a Person of Quality, 2 vols. (London: A. Millar, 1754), 1:51-52; Chrissochoidis, 837.
[59] [William King], The Dreamer (London: W. Owen, 1754), 60-62; Chrissochoidis, 837-38.
[60] The Muses Choice: Or, The Merry Fellow. Being a Collection of Wit and Humour (London: R. Whitworth, et al., 1754), 52; Chrissochoidis, 838.
[61] Edward Lewis, The Italian Husband: or, The Violated Bed Avenged. A Moral Drama (London: M. Cooper, 1754), 56; Chrissochoidis, 838.