MUSIC AND FRIENDS;

OR,

PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS, &c.

CHAPTER I.

INFANCY-EAR FOR MUSIC-DAME SCHOOL-VAUGHAN-JANE MR. BURGESS TELESCOPE CHIME CLOCK

GLOVER

SHAKSPERIAN JUBILEE.

I have stated in the first volume, that I was born on the ides of March (the 15th), 1770, the memorable day on which Brutus stabbed Cæsar. I mention this, because all men are fond of associating themselves with great names, even those whose origin is no higher than my own.

There are images impressed upon my mind, which I conceive to have existed there from the very commencement of my being, which ever and anon start up into remembrance more visibly, as it were, than any ideas acquired by the mere observation of the senses. These pictures in the chambers of fancy were not imprinted by external objects-they existed before I had actually learnt to see. Glimpses of these sensations I

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still retain, which I consider as undivided threads connected with a former existence-not a creation, but a developement of impressions-not to be attributed to anything in this outer world. On a close observation of children we may be led to suspect that some of their startling inquiries and rapid thoughts arise from no other source than these in-born visions.

Before I was a twelvemonth old, my ear caught a tune from my father's flute; it was so strongly impressed upon my mind, that on meeting with it sixty years afterwards, I found every note was perfectly retained in my recollection. Another air which he played on the violoncello, I have inserted as a curiosity, vide page 20.

The early use of our faculties sharpens the perceptions of the senses, and this quickness is often erroneously ascribed to genius.

DAME SCHOOL.

1772. In my second year I was sent to a dame school, kept by Mrs. Loseby, who lived in the house now converted into Payne's fish shop, in High-street, Leicester. There was only one other male youngster in the school besides myself, Master Welby Vaughan (third son of Doctor Vaughan, an eminent physician). This cherub knight, a year older than myself, was regarded by me as a Don Quixote,

to whom I played the part of Sancho Panza. We were made to sit on a small form by ourselves, distinct from the little girls, who filled the school. When breeched for the first time, I well recollect the display I made with my jacket interlaced with silver sugar-loaf buttons. The glitter produced in me the first sensations of pride, and evidently the first feeling envy in my schoolfellow.

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Mrs. Loseby was a little sharp old woman, so crooked and lame that she could not move from her chair. She was the horror of my waking and sleeping thoughts. How often have I dreamed that she hobbled after me, frightful figure as she was, and when upon the point of being caught, I have started from my sleep, miraculously escaping from her grasp. My young Doctor led me into many a scrape, for which we were called up to the judgment seat, to be punished by a smart slap upon the hand, with a small mahogany battledore which she kept by her side-which gave the fingers a tingling sensation for some time. When the old lady was ill we were turned over to the maiden government of her niece, Jane Glover, a good-tempered, and pleasing young person, who I then supposed was the heroine of the following verse, which I had often heard sung, to very pretty music :

Go to Jane Glover,

And tell her I love her,

And by the light of the moon

I will come to her.

In the summer time we were treated with a tea

drinking at the Bath gardens. were all dressed in our best; and powdered, and what was

Upon this gala-day we our heads were curled very showy, the girls

were all clad in white, with a pink sash, and red morocco shoes. We walked hand-in-hand, without hats or caps, to the great admiration of the people who lined the streets to look at us.

MR. BURGESS.

1773. Our nearest neighbour was Mr. Burgess, an eminent manufacturer. His house was situated at the end of an alley leading from the upper part of the Market-place into the Horse-fair, a narrow passage where only two could walk abreast. When the Assembly Rooms were built, the present Hotel-street was made, as an outlet for carriages, over the foundations of the ancient town wall. From Mr. Burgess's house there was an open view over the fields as far as the Marquis of Granby-not an object intervened, except the Recorder's house, which stood in a large garden. The whole district has since been built upon, and this house now finds itself standing in Belvoir-street, at the corner of Bowling-green-street. At Mr. Burgess's I was a constant visitor, and among many treats bestowed upon me, none gratified me more than being permitted to look through a telescope. How surprised was I to