In the private narrative of an historian of the musical art, it
may not be improper to insert some account of the concerts, which
he occasionally gave to invited friends and acquaintances at his
own house; as they biographically mark his style of life, and the
consideration in which he was held by the musical world.
The company was always small, as were the apartments in which it was
received; but always select, as the name, fame, and travels of the
Doctor, by allowing him a choice of guests, enabled him to limit
admission to real lovers of music.
He had never any formal band; though it is probable that there was
hardly a musician in England who, if called upon, would have refused
his services. But they were not requisite to allure those whom the
Doctor wished to please or oblige; and a crowd in a private apartment
he thought as inimical to harmony as to conversation.
It was, primarily, to gratify Mr. Crisp that, while yet in
Poland street, he had begun these little musical assemblages; which, in
different forms, and with different parties, he continued, or renewed,
through life.
The simplicity of the entertainment had, probably, its full share in
the incitement to its participation. A request to or from the master
of the house, was the sole ticket of entrance. And the urbanity of
the Doctor upon these occasions, with the warmth of his praise to
excellence, and the candour of his indulgence to failure, made his
reception of his visitors dispense a pleasure so unconstrained, so
varied, so good-humoured, that his concerts were most sought as a
favour by those whose presence did them the most honour.
To style them, however, concerts, may be conferring on them a dignity
to which they had not any pretension. There was no bill of fare: there
were no engaged subalterns, either to double, or aid, or contrast, with
the principals. The performances were promiscuous; and simply such as
suited the varying humours and desires of the company; a part of which
were always assistants as well as auditors.
Some details of these harmonical coteries, which were written at the
moment by this memorialist to Mr. Crisp, will be selected from amongst
those which contain characteristic traits of persons of celebrity; as
they may more pointedly display their cast and nature, than any merely
descriptive reminiscences.
No apology will be pleaded for the careless manner in which these
accounts are recorded; Mr. Crisp, as may have been observed in the
narrations that have been copied relative to Mr. Bruce, prohibited
all form or study in his epistolary intercourse with his young
correspondent.