When Handel went through Chester, in his way to Ireland, in 1741, he
applied to Mr. Baker, the organist, to know whether there were any
choirmen in the cathedral who could sing _at sight_, as he wished
to prove some books that had been hastily transcribed, by trying
the chorusses, which he intended to perform in Ireland. Mr. Baker
mentioned some of the most likely singers then in Chester; and, among
the rest, a printer, of the name of Janson, who had a good bass voice,
and was one of the best musicians in the choir. A time was fixed,
for the private rehearsal, at the Golden Falcon, where Handel was
quartered: but, alas! on trial of the chorusses in the Messiah, “_And
with his stripes are we healed_,” poor Janson, after repeated attempts,
failed so egregiously, that Handel let loose his great bear upon him;
and, after swearing, in four or five different languages, cried out, in
broken English, “_You schauntrel!_ did not you tell me _dat_ you could
sing at _soite_?” ‘Yes, Sir,’ says the printer, ‘and so I can, but not
at _first sight_.’