TO THE
GOVERNORS of the HOSPITAL for the Maintenance and Education of exposed and deserted young Children.
GENTLEMEN,
While I was extracting the following sheets from my voluminous Journal, and connecting them together as accurately as I was able, in order to present the Public with a Specimen of my laborious investigation of the present state ofMusicin this my native country, I was somewhat at a loss to whom I could with most propriety inscribe my work. Whether toDoctor Burney, as the original inventor of this species of composition, and the first musical traveller of our nation, to whom I stand so much indebted for the plan, and conduct of my book, and of whom I might truly say in his own words, “thathe has long been mymagnus Apollo:”—or whether I was in duty bound to pay homage to the King ofPrussia, as the greatestDilettanteperformer of the age; who, I suppose, at this present writing, like anotherNero, is playing his newSolfeggito the dying groans of the obstinateDantziggers;—or whether I ought not to call forth from his obscurity that venerable Judge, who contented with less ambitious pleasures, cultivates the fine arts by humbler and modester, but not less curious experiments, and amuses the leisure hours of a long vacation incaponizing blackbirds[1]; or whether I should not do well to express my gratitude, and that of the nation, to the honourable Directors of our Opera, for having at last condescended to permit anEnglishwomanto be calledSignora, and by virtue of that title to share some of the princely incomes which have been hitherto lavished onItalians, and which, I dare say, those worthy Noblemen and Gentlemen would as readily bestow uponEnglishMEN, if they would but consent to be properlyqualified.This dilemma, however,was at an end, as soon as I learnt, that Dr.Burney, and SignorGiardini, had, under your authority, just founded a school for music (in imitation, I suppose, of the ItalianConservatorios) in theFoundling Hospital, where about an hundred of such poor children, as have hitherto been placed out to trades and services, in which they had no opportunity of makinga noisein the world, are, in future, to be trained to harmony from their infancy, and constantly employed in the study of music; ’till in process of time they take their regular degrees asDoctors, andDoctoressesof music, and come forth, sufficiently accomplished (as they must be under such masters,) to form the national taste, by the trueItalianstandard. When I was informed of this event, I hailed the happy omen, the dawn of anAugustan æra; and resolved to offer my tribute of congratulation and applause, and to dedicate this work to a set of gentlemen, who have so distinguished their zeal for the interest and advancement of music. Perhaps it will at first appear a bold undertaking in the guardians of deserted orphans, chiefly supported by parliamentary grants of public money, to declare, that theycannot be maintained by the public for a more useful purpose, than to be taught to sing and playItalianairs. For men of narrow and contrasted minds, who have neitherear, norvoice, norhand, will still imagine, that it might prove of more national utility, to breed these adopted children of the public, to Husbandry, Navigation, &c. the objects of their original destination; than to convert one of the noblest of our public charities into a nursery for the supply of musical performers at our Theatres, gardens, and hops.—But this is a vulgar prejudice. The improvement of the fine arts ought to be the first object of public attention in an age of luxury,PEACE, and plenty, like the present; when we have rivalled theItaliansin music, it will be time enough to think of our navy, and our agriculture. We have already (to our shame be it spoken,) better sailors than fiddlers, and more farmers thancontrapuntists. But as I take this circumstance to arise entirely from the different degree of encouragement those occupations have hitherto received; I do not despair of seeing the reverse take place, when gentlemen of your rank deign to stand forward, and correct the errors ofthe public, by the influence and sanction of your example. Should any obstacles arise to impede the immediate execution of your plan, from some obsolete but unrepealed parliamentary restrictions, doubtless the same legislators who so readily expended the public money in the purchase of SirWilliam Hamilton’scollectionof antique vases, andEtruscanrarities, will not only repeal any former act which may stand in your way; but rejoice in a fresh opportunity of displaying their fine taste and love of the arts, by laying an additional tax upon such of the necessaries of life as are not already overloaded, in order to raise a competent sum for the purchase of the bestCremonas, and other instruments which can be procured on the continent, for the service of yourAcademia. I have only to add, gentlemen, that if upon a perusal of the following sheets you shall find, as I am persuaded you will, that my travels are also[2]in some measure, a matter of national concern; I hope you will be kind enough to second my intended application to parliament, that the charges of my future expeditions may be defrayed at the public expence. This, gentlemen, may be done by a very short clause; and as it will enable me to pursue my enquiries with spirit, credit, and success, will lay a lasting obligation upon,
Gentlemen,
Your very obedient,
and devoted humble Servant,
JOEL COLLIER.
[1]Vide the last Vol. of thePhilosophical Transactions.[2]—“He was the first who seemed to think my journey was, in some measure, a matter of national concern.”Tour to Germany, &c.
[1]Vide the last Vol. of thePhilosophical Transactions.
[1]Vide the last Vol. of thePhilosophical Transactions.
[2]—“He was the first who seemed to think my journey was, in some measure, a matter of national concern.”Tour to Germany, &c.
[2]—“He was the first who seemed to think my journey was, in some measure, a matter of national concern.”
Tour to Germany, &c.