Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 4.djvu/66

 50 NOTES AND QUERIES. [io» s. iv. JULY is, 1905. only a duet or air) assisted in the choruses' Crosdill, too, the celebrated English violon- cellist, was principal 'cellist at the first in- stitution of the Ancient Concerts. In 1800 Francois Cramer was appointed leader; and in 1803 among the vocal performers, who were " always of the first class, and liberally paid," were Mrs. Billington; Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, the former being considered the most finished singer of his age or country, or perhaps of Europe: Madame Bianchi; Mr. Bartleman, the celebrated bass (see The Quarterly Musical Review, vol. i. p. 325); Mr. W. Knyvett, an airy and elegant writer of glees, and eminent counter-tenor; and Mr. Sale (? J. B. Sale, an eminent bass). See fur- ther the ' Dictionary of Musicians,' 1827, and the ' Picture of London ' for 1803 and 1818. J. HOLDEN MACMlCHAEL. These concerts were held at the theatre in Tottenham Street. Mr. George Clinch, in his 'Marylebone and St. Pancras,' states that the theatre was built by Francis Pasquali in the year 1780, at the suggestion of the Earl of Sandwich, and_ that it was first known as " The King's Ancient Concert Rooms." The following advertisement from The Morning Chronicle of 16 February, 1776, points to an earlier date, and perhaps to an earlier building:— " Pasquali's New Room for Concerts and AssenT blies in Tottenham Street, near Rathbone Place- At the particular request of several ladies and gentlemen, a subscription is opened for four assem- blies, once a fortnight on Tuesdays, viz., February 22, March 12 and 26, and April 9. Conditions: A sub- scriber pays two guineas, for which he will have three tickets each night for the admission of him- self and two ladies ; and the company will (besides music) be entertained with different refreshments, such as are generally used on like occasions, without any further expense. Subscriptions are received at the above music room, and timely notice will be advertised when the tickets are to be delivered." EVERARD HOME COLEMAN. [The dates of the Tuesdays do not agree.] These concerts were established in 1776, and were first conducted by Joah Bates. "Up to 1795 they were held in the new rooms in Tottenham Street, but in that year they were removed to the concert-room in the Opera-house, and in 1804 to the Hanover Square Rooms." See Grove's ' Dictionary of Music,' 1879, vol. i. pp. 64-5. G. F. R. B. 1 THE STREETS or LONDON ' (10"> S. iii. 428, 476).—The reply of our friend MR. J. T. PAGE settles most completely the query asked at the first reference, and leaves nothing further to be said upon the matter, it being a verit- able last word. I would, however, point out that the querist has confused the names of two plays of a somewhat similar character, 'The Streets of London' and ' The Lights o' London,' both of which were produced at the Princess's Theatre. The first play, written by Mr. Boucicault. was produced on 1 August, 1804, and, as Mr. E. L. Blanchard informs us in his sketch of this theatre, "was played every night during the rest of the year, and remained on the bills until 20 March, 1865, having had a consecutive run of 209 nights." It was revived in March, 1866, and enjoyed another run until May ; and was again in the bills at Christmas, 1867. This was during the time the theatre was in the hands of Mr. George Vining, which commenced on 27 March, 1863, and terminated on 18 October, 1868, there having, however, been in addition several short seasons by various actors and actresses during that time. The other play, 'The Lights o' London,' described as a drama in five acts, was written by Mr. George R. Sims, and produced on 10 September, 1881, Mr. Wilson Barrett being then the sole lessee and manager. That gentleman played the part of Harold, while the character of Bess was taken by Miss Eastlake. The last night of the "old" Princess's Theatre was 19 May, 1880, so that the first-named play was produced in the old house, while the other piece first saw the light in the new one, the last lessee of the old house being, I believe, Mr. Walter Gooch. The data here given may be of interest to many besides the contributor who first brought the subject forward. I would add that Louis Diehl, who set to music the words given by MR. PAGE, had a great vogue some years ago, many of his songs being justly very popular. W. E. HARLAND-OXLEY. Westminster. [See ante, p. 45.] JOHN ROLT Nixox (10th S. iv. 29).—"Farn- sham " is a misprint for Favenham. I have been informed that it was the grandfather of J. R. Nixon who lived here, and that the father of the poet did not take the business of Thiselton in this town, but probably re- moved to Stepney much earlier, perhaps in the twenties. CHARLES SMITH. Favershara. "RESP." (10th S. iv. 9).—The contraction resp. as used by German writers has puzzled many people. It is short for respective, and it means "or under similar circumstances." It is not the same as "in other words." Germans can often not explain the word, as it does not strike them that there is DO