Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 4.djvu/406

 336 NOTES AND QUERIES, tio* s. iv. OCT. 21. ISXK. volume on good paper and well printed, bound in red calf, with gold pattern running round the edge, was presented to the sub- scribers each year. Following the title-page came this:— "The Performances of Ancient Music, for the Season 1848, published by permission of the Royal and Noble Directors, are most humbly presented to the Subscribers by their respectful and most obedient servant, Henry Field, No. 12, Carburton Street, Fitzroy Square. June, 1848." The exact number of these volumes I do not know ; I have sixty-one—the first I have being for the year 1779, and the last for 1848. They are interesting volumes, as showing what was regarded as the best music of the time. Handel's music was the favourite. Generally half of the programme was devoted to him, and sometimes the whole. There were generally twelve concerts in the year; the exception would be to have eight. They were given under the direction of one or two noblemen, differing at each concert. The concert on 7 June. 1848, was under the direction of the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of Westmorland. The fourth concert of that year was given "under the direction of H.R.H. the Prince Albert," and when he took an interest in the concerts the music was more varied and comparatively modern. Thus at this concert part i. was devoted to 'The Mount of Olives'—Beethoven. The concert in March of this year was under the direction of the Duke of Cambridge. At the beginning of each volume is printed the list of the directors, varying in number from six to ten, and most of them noblemen— one or two of the number taking the direc- tion of each concert. Then follows the list of the solo singers. In 1848 there are the great names of Caradori Allan, Castellan, Pauline Viardot Garcia, Alboni, Grisi, Miss Dolby, the two Miss Williamses, Miss Bird • and of men, Mario, Gardoni, Sims Reeves, Lablache, Tamburini, Ac. The names of the chorus-singers follow these, then the solo players, and the names of the orchestra. At one of the concerts in 1847 Mendelssohn played a solo on the organ. For the years 1804 to 1810 inclusive there is a print before the title of the volumes of Handel being crowned with a wreath of laurel—" engrav'd by J. Swaine." Then follow the names of the subscribers, about 600 to 700 in number. Lovers of old music might pick out some delightful pieces from these volumes which are well worthy of being heard again. Perhaps the allusion in your pages to these concerts may jnduce some musician to give a short se~' ' ^ t examples of pieces and names of writers would go beyond your space. H. A. W. , GEORGE Ill's DAUGHTERS (10th S. iv. 167, 236, 291).—Respecting the Princess Elizabeth in the account of the above royal ladies, I note in the 'Visitation of England and Wales,' vol. v. p. 4, the following reference to her:— "Maria Martha, daughter of James Money, by Eliza his wife, daughter of George Ranius. page to George III., by the Princess Elizabeth, hia trife, daughter of George III. ; married in India, 1828, George WynyardBattye." I do not find this marriage (?) of George Ramus and the Princess Elizabeth mentioned in any of the royal pedigrees. If I remem- ber rightly, the said George Ramus was dis- missed from the Court of George III. for his irregularities. W. G. RICHARDS. Plymouth. "FOUNTAIN" TAVERN (10th S. iv. 289).— MR. J. E. HOLLAND will find much interest- ing information in Thornbury's ' Haunted London,' 83 et seq., and Timbs's ' Curiosities of London,' 696-7. There are numerous other references to the site, but these will perhaps be sufficient. Simpson's Cigar Divan suc- ceeded "Ries" Strand Cigar Divan," which was built partly upon the site of the "Foun- tain " Tavern. The " Coal Hole," at the back of this building, was entered by a doorway on the right in a court adjoining. I shall be pleased to show MR. HOI.L,ANT> a small plate of the interior of Ries' Divan (1830), and can direct him to other sources of information if he wishes to make farther inquiry. ALECK ABRAHAMS. 39, Hillmarton Road, N.W. NOTES ON BOOKS, &c. Handbook of Homeric Study. By Henry Browne, B.J. (Longmans & Co.) TROT. BROWNE has supplied a manual of Homeric research which, besides being of profound mil:" to the academic student, may be consulted with advantage by those whose memories have begun to rust. In certain respects the conditions of scholar- ship have altered little, and some of the Homeric problems remain where they were a century ago. In other respects great advance has been made, and what the Professor calls the "Triumph of the Spade " has exercised a potent influence. Fantastic views, for which Englishmen are responsible, still prevail, and the visionary theories of Mr. Gladstone find a qualified assent from some modern scholars, even from Mr. Andrew Lang, who all bat accept* Mr. Gladstone's view as to the virtues of Helen. Th» authorities most closely followed are the late Prof. Geddes, whose ' Problem of the Homeric Poems * the author calls the most inspiring work on the sub-