Page:The history of Mendelssohn's oratorio 'Elijah'.djvu/23

 THE LIBRETTO.

��containing an English ' text ' for an oratorio of

Greville (i8, Vineyards, Bath, Somersetshire), in the name of the poet, with a strange letter. Do you know this gentleman, or the name of the poet,. J. Barry, a clergyman? I have never heard of them. . . . I should like to know how they fixed on 'Elijah,' and on this way of treating the subject, which certainly resembl.'s our 'sketch' very closely. . . . They have already dedicated their ' Elijah ' to the Duchess of Kent, and no doubt will make much ado about it ; and if I do not compose it, Neukomm, or some one else may do so. Therefore — you see what is coming — I beg you for two things : ist, make our
 * Elijah,' which was sent to me by a Mr. Charles

may take Bible words to help you, or whatever you like), so that I may compose it forthwith ; and secondly, send me, in any case (even if you will not comply with No. i), our 'plan' or 'sketch,' as we made it when last we met (with all remarks) copied,. and write to me at the same time."
 * sketch ' into verse and send it to me at once (you

The Rev. Mr. Barry's libretto of " Elijah," above referred to, was not published till i86g. A copy of the little book, now "out of print," is before me. Its title is : —

" Elijah, or the Baalim in Israel : a Metrical Libretto, in four parts, dedicated in the year 1838, by express permission, to Her late Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. By the late Rev. James Barry, M.A., curate of Bratton Clovelly, Devonshire. Oxford and London : James Parker & Co., iS6g." ( 7 )

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