328. _Musical Compositions of Matthew Dubourg._--I am induced, while
preparing for the press a new edition of my _opusculum_ on the _violin_,
to seek your kind mediatorial aid in behalf of an object which some one
or other of your correspondents, acquainted with Irish matters of the
last century, may _possibly_ enable me to attain. I am desirous of
learning whether there be _extant_ any of the musical compositions
(especially the violin _solos_ and _concertos_) of my progenitor,
Matthew Dubourg, who held the post of director and composer to the
king's band in Ireland, from 1728 until, I believe, his death in 1767.
As I do not know that any of these compositions (which appear to have
been called forth by immediate occasions) were ever _printed_, my hope
of now tracing them out is perhaps more lively than rational. If they
have existed only in a manuscript state, it is but too possible that the
barbarian gripe of the butterman may long ago have suppressed what
vitality was in them. I cannot, however, relinquish the idea that a
dusty oblivion, and not absolute destruction, may be the amount of what
they have undergone; and that they _may_ still exist in such condition
as to be, at least, more susceptible of resuscitation than disinterred
_mummies_. I have the honour to be, Sir, yours wistfully,