| Citation |
BNL.771.009
31 Jan 1771:11 (3513)
To the printer, Sir, As I take you to be a public-spirited
man, and a well-wisher of the innocent amusements of your
neighbours, I flatter myself that you will give room in your
paper to the annext address. The writer of it has been
careful to censure things only, and not persons; therefore
he hopes it will give no just offence. Sure I am, that many
of your readers here will receive it with approbation.
I am your very humble servant.
An address to the subscribers to Mr. Hartley's concert.
Gentlemen and ladies,
The Following queries are with all due respect, offer'd to
your consideration, viz.
1. Whether the original intention of your Society was not
to procure for yourselves and friends, by a private
subscription, a rational and well-regulated entertainment of
music ?
2. Whether a perpetual talking among some of the audience
is consistent with our usual ideas of such an entertainment;
as every foreign sound is utterly destructive of all the
purposes of harmony ?
3. Whether it is consistent with the respect which every
gentleman owes to himself, as well as the company, to
interrupt the pleasure of number, by an unseasonable
attention to any private business, or pleasure of his own.
4. Whether a lady would not with greater propriety, defer
the usual animadversions on fidlers, manteau-makers,
milleners, high friz'd-heads, and sword-knots, 'till she
retires home to supper with her friends ?
5. Whether, when under an irresistible impulse to converse,
the two sexes should not content themselves (only during the
performance of each piece) with the usual eloquence of the
eye, assisted by certain languishing attitudes of body, and
half a dozen's Psalms with tunes and without heart-melting
sighs ?
5. Or, if this is insufficient, whether they may not
without censure, on such emergencies, withdraw into the
card-room, and give vent to their thoughts ?
6. At a concert, all sounds are, or should be musick.
Therefore, should not all volunteer vocal performers, mount
the orchestra to exhibit themselves, as the band do not
think themselves obliged to accompany any recitative, unless
deliver'd at the side of the harpsichord ?
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