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In this year, 1745, Arne was appointed composer to Vauxhall Gardens, for which fashionable place of amusement he wrote a considerable number of songs, ballads, and a dialogue "Colin and Phoebe," which was sung every evening throughout the season by Mrs. Arne and Mr. Lowe. Engagements of a similar character at Marylebone Gardens and Ranelagh gave great scope for his talents, and must have kept him fully occupied.

Another interesting letter from Mrs. Cibber to Garrick, dated 8th of April, 1746, contains several references to her brother:--"My brother is to thank you for my playing for him.... Tom Arne sends his service: he is forced to put his pit and boxes together, which I reckon will be no advantage to him, ladies' hoops taking up more room than the difference of price."

Arne had a son, born in 1740 or 1741 , who inherited some of his father's gifts for music. These were encouraged and developed, and we find, amongst Arne's compositions, songs composed for the youth, who was introduced to the public by his father at Marylebone Gardens. Two excellent printed examples are "Ianthe and Iphis, sung by Master Arne, at Marybon Gardens"--and "An thou wert mine own Thing, sung by Master Arne at Marybon Gardens." The youth became well known as a composer and performer in London and Dublin. One of his songs, popular to-day, "The lass with a delicate air," is sometimes ascribed in error to his father.

Hark! hark! what notes enchant my Ears, Sweet as the musick of the Spheres? 'Tis ARNE--the Gods' Vicegerent comes, Now vanish Rackets, Routs, and Drums; And with him come the Muses Hand in Hand, To see fulfilled Apollo's great command.

See Taste with Joy its Head uprears, Rais'd by Arne's heav'nly Airs; Skill'd with equal Pow'r t'inspire Irene's youth with martial Fire, And lull to Rest, with Soul-delighting Sounds, The Pains of Grief, and heal Love's bleeding Wounds.

Not he that charm'd the Thracians' Plains, E'er tun'd his Lyre to softer strains; Nor does the warbling Bird of Night More than his sweet-song'd Spouse delight. O say! what Price or Gifts can both engage Here to remain, to save a sinking age?

In the following January, 1759, Mrs. Arne and Miss Young were residing together in Dublin, at Mrs. Rowe's, in Drogheda Street. A Grand concert of Vocal and Instrumental Musick, followed by a Ball, was given for Mrs. Arne's Benefit at the Fishamble Street Music Hall on the 6th of March, when both appeared and sang; another benefit performance for Mrs. Arne was given on the 17th of April, when "Much ado about Nothing" was performed. Miss Young, Mrs. Storer and Mr. Wilder were the vocalists. A benefit concert and ball, for Mrs. Arne, was given on the 10th of December; she had then removed to "Mrs. Lee's, in William-street." It is significant that she did not sing on this occasion, nor is there any evidence of her appearing again before the Dublin public; a Grand Ball was announced for the Benefit of Mrs. Arne and Miss Young at the Fishamble Street Music Hall on the 25th of November, when it was stated: "Before the Minuets Miss Young will sing some capital Songs, accompanied by herself on the Harpsichord."

Mr. Arne had been fully engaged in the various gardens and theatres in London. At Covent Garden "Cymbeline" was produced, with songs by him. His pupil, Miss Brent, had appeared at Drury Lane Theatre, in his opera "Eliza," on March the 3rd, 1758, and at Covent Garden on the 10th of October, 1759, as Polly, in the "Beggar's Opera." On the 6th of July, 1759, the University of Oxford conferred upon Arne the degree of "Doctor in Music." It is said that he composed an Ode which he submitted to the authorities; but no copy of it is known to exist.

In 1760, on the 28th of November, Dr. Arne's musical entertainment "Thomas and Sally," written by Bickerstaff, was produced at Covent Garden Theatre. Miss Brent made a great success both as singer and actress; the other vocalists included Mr. Beard, Mrs. Vernon, and Mr. Mattocks. The piece obtained immediate and lasting popularity. The music was published with the following title: "Thomas and Sally, or the Sailor's Return, a Dramatic Pastoral, with the Overture in score, songs, dialogues, duettos and dance tunes, as performed at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden by Mr. Beard and Miss Brent, Mr. Mattocks, Mrs. Vernon, and chorus. The music compos'd by Doctr. Arne. London Printed for J. Walsh, in Catherine Street, in the Strand. Enter'd at Stationers' Hall."

Let Tommy Arne, with usual pomp of style, Whose chief, whose only merit's to compile, Who, meanly pilfering here and there a bit, Deals music out, as Murphy deals out wit; Publish proposals, laws for taste prescribe, And chaunt the praise of an Italian tribe; Let him reverse Kind Nature's first decrees, And teach e'en Brent a method not to please: But never shall a truly British age Bear a vile race of eunuchs on the stage: The boasted work's called national in vain, If one Italian voice pollute the strain. Where tyrants rule, and slaves with joy obey, Let slavish minstrels pour th' enervate lay; To Britons far more noble pleasures spring In native note, while Beard and Vincent sing.

Arne's Italian proclivities induced him to translate Metastasio's drama "Artaserse," and to transform it into an Opera on the accepted Italian mode, without dialogue. This he did successfully; the recitatives, however, are long and dreary, and the poetry is by no means of a high order. For instance, a very favourite air reads:

Water parted from the sea, May increase the river's tide; To the bubbling fount may flee Or thro' fertile valleys glide: Yet in search of lost repose, Doom'd, like me, forlorn to roam, Still it murmurs as it flows, Till it reach its native home.

"The Translator of this Opera has no Merit, but from his Endeavour to follow the Author in all these Particulars. He therefore submits this first Attempt of the Kind to the Favour and Indulgence of the Publick, not doubting that they will rather peruse it with an Eye of Favour than Severity."

On the 8th of December, 1762, "Love in a village," by Bickerstaff, with music by Dr. Arne, and Beard in the principal character, was brought out at Covent Garden Theatre. Arne was at the time not on friendly terms with Garrick, the manager of Drury Lane, to whom he addressed the following letter:

"SIR--The occasion of my troubling you with this arises from a wicked report made by some busy Argus, who having an hundred eyes, and but one of them honest, had ninety-nine too many. Mrs. Cibber not a little amazed me, when she told me I was charged by you with hissing Master Norris, or, at least, with holding my head down, in an odd position, whenever he was hissed.--Sir, I cannot remember whether my head was up or down, or inclining to one side or the other, but take upon me positively to swear, that I never was so mean a rascal as to hiss the greatest enemy I ever had in the world, much less a young lad who never offended me; who, I then thought, as I now think, deserved the kindest treatment imaginable; being surprised, as well as shocked, to hear and see the best singer in your company , though with some material defects, treated in so base and undeserving a manner. I was so far from inclining to any such unbecoming behaviour that I was the only advocate he had, and kept all quiet about me, except a young boy of an officer, who said he did not care for the lad's understanding music, that he squalled, and he would hiss him. I would not have gone to the performance, for fear of some scandal from these observing Pickthanks, had I not a friendship for Mr. Stevens, the lawyer, and an intention to serve the lad; and was so unhappy, when I came home, that I could not eat my supper on his account. Whoever told you that I showed any signs of disapprobation is a busy lying scoundrel, which I am ready to assert to his face, and answer the consequence. Yet, though neither I, nor my small abilities in my profession, nor those of any person belonging to me, or in my interest, have ever received the smile of your favour, but, on the contrary, have been greatly overlooked and discouraged upon my account, I have never failed in my respect to you, and still continue an admirer of your extraordinary talents, and, SIR,

"Your real humble servant, "THOMAS AUGUSTINE ARNE.

"Nov. 10th, 1762."

"I am, SIR, "Your obedient servant, "D. GARRICK."

In 1764, on December 12th, the oratorio "Judith" was repeated, and a new opera with Arne's music, "The Guardian Outwitted," was produced at Covent Garden Theatre. The libretto was also the work of Arne. The music of this opera has disappeared, probably in the fire which consumed the theatre in 1808. His "Arcadian Nuptials"--a Masque introduced into "Perseus and Andromeda"--was also played, with Mr. Beard and Miss Hallam in the principal parts. In 1765, on the 30th of October, Mr. William Mawhood, an intimate friend of Arne's, proposed him as a member of the Madrigal Society, founded in 1741, a worthy assembly of musicians and amateurs who met regularly to practise the best examples of old English and Italian madrigals. The books of the Society, which still exist, show that Arne paid six shillings and sixpence subscription, and that his son, Michael, was elected a member shortly after. In this year Arne composed an Italian opera, "Olimpiade," to a libretto by Metastasio, with a special part for the male soprano Manzuoli. This was performed at the King's Theatre, in the Haymarket, twice only; we may therefore conclude it was not a success. Arne composed a considerable amount of music for male voices, unaccompanied, chiefly Glees and Catches. He obtained three prizes for pieces he sent in competition to the Noblemen and Gentlemen's Catch Club . His Glee, "Come, shepherds, we'll follow the hearse," was for many years sung after the announcement of the death of a member. The proceedings of the Society were frequently of a highly convivial nature, and it is to be feared that Arne found them greatly to his liking; in one instance he outraged good taste and becoming reverence by composing a burlesque on a most solemn religious rite, to the words "Poculum elevatum."

He deserves credit for his endeavours to popularise vocal concerted music in the theatre and at garden entertainments; he took care not to present his musical programmes without due rehearsal. A letter of his, without date, probably written about 1766, is evidence of this. "Dr. Arne's compliments to W. Smith desiring him not to fail meeting the other gentlemen concern'd in the new Catches and Glees, at the Dr.'s house, on Thursday evening next, exactly at 7; having reason to hope for some continuance of them; if perform'd with a requisite spirit and humour; besides another material employment for him on the Anvil. West Street, near Litchfield street, Soho. Pray don't forget to bring the part." It may be necessary to explain that the Mr. W. Smith to whom the above reminder was sent was not only a singer, but also the engraver of many of Arne's publications, and therefore familiar with the use of the anvil; evidently the composer had music waiting publication.

On the 4th of February, 1767, we learn from a note in a private diary kept by Mr. Mawhood that he "call'd on Dr. Arne and Mic. Arne, and was at the Madrigal"; probably the Arnes accompanied him. On the 4th of April Mr. Mawhood attended "Mrs. Arne's and Mr. Pemberton's Benefit: took 3 Pit tickets at 3s. each"; on the 9th of May he "was at Dr. Arne's and heard y^ Catches perform^"; on the 29th of December "Perform^ Dr. Arne's mass at Church."

O'er William's tomb, with love and grief opprest, Britannia mourns her hero, now at rest; Not tears alone; but praises too she gives, Due to the guardian of our laws and lives; Nor shall that laurel ever fade with years Whose leaves are water'd with a nation's tears.

Those who are acquainted with Braham's popular song, "The death of Nelson," will recognize the unacknowledged annexation of the above lines by Mr. S. J. Arnold, who is credited with the authorship of the words.

In 1769 Arne composed an Ode for the Shakespeare Jubilee at Stratford-on-Avon; the words of the Ode were written by Garrick, who paid the composer sixty guineas for the music, which was published with the following title: "An Ode upon dedicating a building to Shakespeare, which was erected by the subscription of the Noblemen and Gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Stratford upon Avon, the music composed by Dr. Arne. London, Printed and Sold by John Johnston, at No. 11, York Street, Covent Garden." There are nine pieces of music; one Air became popular, "Thou soft flowing Avon," which was sung by Miss Weller; the other singers were Mrs. Barthelemon, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Champness, Mrs. Baddeley, and Master Brown. A semi-chorus in the work is entitled "A strict Fuge for 4 voices. Chapel Time." This was evidently sung unaccompanied, and although short must have made a good effect. At the same Jubilee festival, Arne's oratorio "Judith" was performed at the Church. In 1770, Garrick determined on reviving Dryden's "King Arthur" at Drury Lane Theatre, and engaged Arne to superintend the musical part of the performance, who seems to have suffered at the time from an overdose of self-importance, and addressed the following letter to:

"DAVID GARRICK, ESQ. SIR,--A due attention to your Commission having gone hand in hand with what fancy and judgment I may be thought to possess in my profession, I thought it necessary to lay before you a true state of the merits and demerits of the Musical Performance, you are about to exhibit in King Arthur. To attain a certain rectitude, in judging of this matter, I have not only, with the utmost care and candor, inspected the Score of Purcell's composition; but attended two rehearsals of it; the result of which, is, as follows:

"The long Scene of the Sacrifice, in the 1st Act, necessary to be deliver'd in, as being written for Music, may have a solemn and noble effect, provided that the last Air and Chorus--'I call you all to Woden-hall'--be perform'd as I have new compos'd it; the introductory Air to be sung by Champness, which being highly spirited, will carry off with an eclat, an, dull, tedious, antiquated suite of Chorus: Besides which, that Song, as set by Purcell, is intirely out of Mrs. Baddeley's compass, very indifferent, and no way proper for a woman, where a troop of warriors are assembled, to bribe their idols for a success in battle.

THO^ AUG^ ARNE."

Happily Garrick did not accede to Arne's requests, and much of Purcell's music was left in the Masque. Arne composed a new Overture in which he introduced an imitation on the flute of the call of the "Cuckow." The whole of the first Act, including the famous "Come, if you dare," was left with Purcell's music untouched. In the second Act there were several changes; a new recitative, both words and music, "Alas, the horrors of this bloody field," was sung by Mrs. Baddeley. This, and a new air, "O peace descend," were composed by Arne; "the music ill match'd" that of Purcell. Before the chorus, "Come follow me," Arne introduced a solo "on the subject of Purcell's chorus, in which he took care to write a goodly number of runs to show off Mrs. Baddeley's execution." A new song by Arne, "How blest are the shepherds," was substituted for Purcell's solo and chorus, and Mrs. Baddeley was provided with a recitative, "We must work, we must haste," followed by an air, "To virtue with rapture," and also "Thus I infuse these sov'reign dews." Mrs. Wrighten had new music composed for her, a recitative, "Oh sight," and an air, "'Tis sweet the blushing morn to view." It may be noted that the words of these pieces were written by Garrick. The third Act, with Purcell's masterly "Frost Scene," was left intact. In the fourth Act Purcell's lovely duet, "Two daughters of this aged stream," also the solo and chorus, "How happy the lover," were retained. The music of the fifth Act included Purcell's "Fairest Isle all Isles excelling." The final air and chorus, "Saint George the Patron of our Isle," had new music by Arne.

There are some entries in the "Mawhood" diary referring to Dr. Arne in 1770: "13 June, Call^. on Dr. Arne who will compose some music for Mr. Pemberton's Diurge." "23^. Call^. on D^. Arne had a small practtice of the Service, for Mr. Pemberton." "28. Was at Church, perform^ Dr. Arne and Webb's Burial for my poor friend Franc^. Pemberton."

A manuscript copy of the Dirge is to be found in the British Museum. It was presented in the year 1849 by Vincent Novello to the Musical Antiquarian Society. His father, Giuseppe Novello, in 1770 resided in Oxford Road, and probably worshipped in the Sardinian Chapel, where Vincent, born in 1781, became a chorister boy; this may account for his possession of the manuscript of the Dirge. It is in the handwriting of a copyist, not an autograph, and has many errors. It is not complete; at the commencement there should have been ten bars of instrumental introduction, which are only indicated in the manuscript by rests. The pencil marks of figured bass are in the handwriting of Vincent Novello; there are also pencilled names of solo singers--Swiney, Fitz, Lanza, Guich^, Novello. The music is admirable, and opens with a chorus for treble, alto, two tenors, and bass, to the words "Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna." The pathos of this quintet, admirably expressive of the text, cannot be praised too highly. The words "Tremens factus sum ego" are set as a solo for a bass voice, in the style of many cathedral anthems of the period. The manuscript, evidently intended for the organist, gives the necessary organ-bass part; this solo, in the key of A minor, leads into a short chorus in C major to the words "Quando Coeli morendi sunt." A solo for a tenor voice to the words "Dies illa, Dies irae," exhibits Arne's skill in writing vocal music, and is a very touching and effective piece of work; it is followed without a break by a chorus, "Dies Magna"; the next movement is a soprano solo, "Requiem aeternam," in E major, a charming melody, with Italian fiorituri. A short chorus, "Requiescat in pace," concludes a composition which is a very fine example of Arne's genius, quite worthy of publication and performance. The British Museum possesses another manuscript of the composer to Latin words, "O salutaris hostia," which looks like an exercise in fugue writing, not intended for Church performance. It may have been sent to the "Catch Club" in competition for a prize.

It has already been stated that Arne deserted his wife in 1756; what their relations were in the succeeding years can only be surmised. She was regarded by her contemporaries as a good and injured woman, and her husband was notoriously a profligate. Some few years ago a number of autograph manuscript documents came into the possession of the present writer, which throw a light on the unhappy condition of things as they existed in 1770. On the 22nd of November in that year, Mrs. Arne's Attorney sent the following letter to Dr. Arne:

"SIR,--I am employed to institute a Suit in the Commons on the Complaint of your wife against you.

"The small pittance you gave her for Maintenance falls greatly Short of Supplying her with Common Necessaries, and not only so but this Small allowance which is but ?40 a year is now ?10 in arrear. You must be sensible Mrs. Arne could not Subsist without Running you in Debt, those Debts must be paid very soon by you. Mrs. Arne has a right and expects to be maintained by you Suitable to your Circumstances. I must request an explicit and immediate answer; Or I shall take the necessary Steps to procure Mrs. Arne that justice which she has an Undoubted Right to."

This called forth the following reply from Dr. Arne. It will be noted that Arne did not address the Attorney, but wrote direct to his wife:

"A.D. 1770.

"MRS. ARNE,--After the affectionate note I sent you yesterday, with 5 Guineas, which was from the first money I reciev'd, how great was my surprize, when I reciev'd in return a threatening letter from one Rennett an Attorney, on your account!

"Cou'd I possibly have suppos'd that after my being so long in no way of earning a Guinea, which was ever since the end of last March, and being involv'd in debts on that account that you--my Wife, shou'd be the only person who sought to distress me? If other people had been as inhuman, what must have become of a Man, who is a laborious Slave to support his necessary Dependants; insomuch that he does not enjoy three days' ease and pleasure the whole year round?

"As peace and quiet are all the enjoyments which a man of my age can hope for, if he is in his senses, which, in spite of base and wicked minded people, I thank God I have not yet lost, I shall not fly in a passion at your very ungenerous treatment; but with the temper of a Philosopher explain to you the consequences of your following the ill advice, which may have been given you, and I know from whom.

"When Mr. Tyers refus'd to engage Polly Young, unless you cou'd produce a Bond sign'd by me, whereby we were both impower'd to live and act seperately, did not I directly on your express solicitation, enter into such Bond, impowering you to recieve her whole income? Did I ever desire a shilling of all she got before and after or wish otherwise than that it had been ten times as much for your sake?

"Well, after this, you having married your Niece to Mr. Bartelmon, which threw you out of a good income, having besides impoverish'd yourself, by lending your Money in large Sums to an extravagant, unprincipled Whore, and to others, who only meant to defraud you of that and other valuables, you applied to me by Mr. Forest, to pay you an annual allowance for your support: I, who was ever desirous and ready to do all within my power, ent'red immediately into an Agreement to pay you ?40 a year, though I had no certain income of my own to do it with, and through years of distress, for want of something weekly coming in, made up my payments to you, in one week, fortnight, or month, whenever I cou'd scrape your money together, till lately, meeting with no employment for a considerable time,--encumber'd with an expensive house at Chelsea, which I have prudently quitted, and being robb'd by an abandon'd infamous Whore and Thief of a Servant, my Necessities oblig'd me to be behindhand in my payments; yet you very well know that whenever I had two, three, or five Guineas, I never fail'd to give them to you, in part of payment, and that but a trifle now remains due.

"Is this a Man to recieve the treatment you now give me? Fie, fie, Mrs. Arne! don't drive me to resentment, when I am willing to act conformable to the laws of religion, peace and love; if you do, by Heaven you'll have terribly the worst of it; for I can prove that having no regular income, whenever I recieve any money, it is always consum'd in debts, and that I am actualy not in a capacity to allow you ?20 a year.

"If, on the contrary, you chuse to continue in love and friendship, send a line immediately to Mr. Rennett, that the affair is amicably accommodated, and though I may be never so distress'd, I will cheerfuly pay your allowance, and remain,

Your affect^ Husband, "THO^ AUG^ ARNE.

"Saturday Morn^. "One o'clock "Nov^.-y^-23^."

Evidently Mrs. Arne left the matter in the Attorney's hands; accordingly he wrote a reply as follows:--"Mrs. Arne is Extremely sorry to hear of any Distresses of Dr. Arne's and wishes 'twas in her power to Avoid calling on him, for a subsistence. Her loss of Doctor Arne's affections has been a misfortune she has labour'd under too many years and that without doing him ye least injury but on the Contrary behaved with that affection and Justice that will give her Satisfaction in her last Moments. She hopes Doctor Arne has not so little humanity as to add to her Misery by refusing her a Necessary Subsistance if not Equal to Dr. Arne's wife yet Sufficient to provide her with Common Necessaries which 'tis impossible for her to do for less than a Guinea a week. If that is paid into Mr. Rennett's hands Weekly who will have the Receipts ready Mrs. Arne must Content herself with wearing out an Unhappy Life depriv'd of that Comfort which She had a right to expect from her Husband. Doctor Arne threatens to proceed to Extremities with his wife she is sorry to hear it But must be Contented with her fate and rely upon the justice of her case."

No further correspondence is available, nor is there any record of proceedings at common law; it is therefore reasonable to suppose that an arrangement was concluded.

"This requires no other answer, than just whether you can, with advantage to your undertaking, make use of my new composition or not. I am, Sir, with due respects, ever your friend and humble servant,

"THOMAS AUGUSTINE ARNE."

There is another letter from Arne to Garrick, without date; it reads as follows:

"THOMAS AUGUSTINE ARNE."

This letter is endorsed by Garrick, "Dr. Arne, about bill for 'May Day.' I gave him the ?50 desired."

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