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 malarial fever in Rome. While still in a weak state he ventured on a voyage to Naples, where he died on 18 Oct. 1842. He enjoyed the intimate friendship of William Etty, R. A., who writes of him: 'His sketches of scenery, antiquity, and architecture are in taste, facile elegant execution, and correct detail of the first rank.' David Roberts and Clarkson Stanfield were among his friends, and the latter painted a fine picture from one of Harper's sketches. During his short career he made many clever sketches, nearly all of which belong to his brother, Mr. Edward Harper of Brighton. His portrait by Etty is in the same collection.  HARPER, THOMAS (1787–1853), trumpet-player, was born at Worcester on 3 May 1787. As early as 1798 he was in London, where he studied the trumpet and the horn under Eley (, i. 687), and soon joined the East India Company volunteer band, of which his master was director. Harper was afterwards appointed inspector of musical instruments to the company, and held this post until his death. He played in small London theatre orchestras until, in 1806, he was engaged as principal trumpet at Drury Lane and at the Lyceum English opera. In 1820 he distinguished himself at the Birmingham Festival, in 1821 he succeeded Hyde at the Ancient Concerts and at the Italian Opera, and from this time it may be said that he took part in every important orchestral concert or musical festival in town and country. Harper was an active member of the Royal Society of Musicians, and was first trumpet at the Philharmonic Concerts till 1851. His aid could always be counted upon for charitable concerts.

Harper was a very fine instrumentalist. 'For purity and delicacy of tone and for wonderful facility of execution no rival has approached him. His imitation of the voice part in "Let the bright Seraphim" may be pronounced one of the greatest achievements in the whole range of musical executive art' (Musical Times, i. 133). He used the slide trumpet, and has left a book of instructions for 'the Trumpet (with the use of the chromatic slide), the Russian Valve Trumpet, the Cornet and Keyed Bugle' (1836). Harper was seized with illness at Exeter Hall during the rehearsal of the Harmonic Union, 20 Jan. 1853, and died a few hours later at a friend's house in the neighbourhood (cf. Musical World, 29 Jan. 1853, p. 83).  HARPER, WILLIAM (1496?–1573), lord mayor of London, son of William Harper of Bedford, was born at Bedford, probably in 1496, as he is stated to have been seventy-seven years old at his death. He came to London, and, having served his apprenticeship, was admitted a freeman of the Merchant Taylors' Company in 1533. After passing through the various grades of office, he became master of the company in July 1553. On Midsummer day 1552 he was excused serving the office of sheriff, to which the lord mayor. Sir George Barne, nominated him, because 'his substance and goodes were out of his handes,' but he promised to undertake the office another time, if elected (, Diary, Camden Soc., new ser. xx. 73-4). He succeeded Sir John Ayloffe on 14 Nov. 1553 as (second) alderman of the ward of Bridge Without, which then comprised the borough of Southwark, and on 12 Nov. 1556 he removed to Dowgate ward (City Records, Rep. 13, ff. 95 b, 447 b). He was elected sheriff for the second time on Midsummer day 1557. On 29 Sept. 1561 he was chosen lord mayor ; the Merchant Taylors' Company celebrated his entry into office on 29 Oct. with a costly pageant, of which a detailed description exists in a contemporary manuscript preserved among the company's records. The land pageant, made by John Shute at a cost of 12l., represented, in reference to the lord mayor's name, David surrounded by Orpheus, Amphion, Arion, and Iopas. Among the 'wifflers' appointed to protect the pageant was John Stow, the historian. Nine short poetical addresses, of unknown authorship, prepared for the pageant are printed by Mr. Clode in his 'Early History of the Guild of Merchant Taylors' (ii. 267-9). On 1 Nov. the feast of All Saints, Harper went in state to St. Paul's to hear a sermon by Grindal, bishop of London (, p. 271). In January the young Duke of Norfolk came ta Guildhall to be made free of the Fishmongers' Company, and was entertained by the lord mayor (ib.) Harper was knighted by the queen on 15 Feb. at Westminster (, Book of Knights, p. 118). Towards the end of July he raised a band of soldiers for service in Normandy. Harper helped to found the Merchant Taylors' School, which was established during his mayoralty, chiefly through the liberality of Richard Hilles. He contributed in 1565 10l. to the purchase of a site for Gresham's Exchange.

On 22 April 1566 Harper and his wife Alice granted by indenture to the mayor and corporation of his native city of Bedford a piece of land with school buildings upon it. For the support of the school and other 