DINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS.
THE origin of this excellent institution was purely accidental. About a century ago a celebrated oboe-player, of the name of KAITCH, came to England from Germany. Like many other men of talent, he was improvident, sunk into poverty, and was found one morning in St. James's market, dead. Soon after his death, FESTING, the violinist, WEIDEMANN, the flute-player, and VINCENT, the oboe-player, were standing at the door of the Orange Coffeehouse in the Haymarket, when they observed two boys driving mulch. asses, whose appearance led them to inquire who they were. They proved to be the orphans of the unfortunate KAITCH. With a feeling that reflects honour on their memories, they entered into a subscription to rescue the children of their departed brother professor from such a degrading situation ; and on consulting Dr. GREEN and several other eminent composers on the necessity of a fund to relieve the distress of indigent musicians, their widows and orphans, they established in 1738 this society. Its funds have been augmented by the liberal donations of members of the pro- fession, and particularly by those of HANDEL, Signora STORACE, and CROSDILL, for 1000/. each. It has always numbered among its members the most distinguished professional men, and its affairs have been conducted with singular discretion. The sum paid last year to aged musicians, thetr widows, and orphans, amounted to 18354 The annual dinner was, as usual, on Whitsun-eve. The Earl of DARNLEY presided ; but we observed with regret that he was unsup- ported by any of those noble personages who afkct to be the patrons of music. It is beneath the dignity of their "order" to sit at the same table With HairseEv, BISHOP, and ATTWOOD. As they please. Meanwhile, let us honour those who know how to respect the nobility of genius. The glees selected for the occasion were— "-When fools their time," J. S. Smith.
" Cold is Cadwalla's tongue," flur,./ey. " Nymphs of the forest," Ditto " Queen of the valley," Callcott. In this fair vale Attwood, They were sung by TERRAIL, VAUGHAN, E. TAYLOR, Holm, and BELLAMY ; and, we hardly need add, well sung. An excellent mili- tary band played some marches, composed for the society by HAYDN, BISHOP, and WINTER. Mr. MENDLESSOHN most kindly gave his assistance in an extempore fantasia on the pianoforte, in which he in- troduced, successively, subjects from Sinfonias of MOZART, HAYDN, and BEETHOVEN; treating them with the skill and science of an accomplished musician. Mr. HORSLEY, in proposing the health of the chairman, recommended the society to the patronage of the company, in a speech of great good sense and of real eloquence. May we be allowed to ask the Stewards, why they fix upon a place to hold their annual dinner at which it seems impossible to have it well served ? We advise them, if they expect their anniversary to be well attended, to visit Mr. CUFF or Mr. KAYE.
Previous page
