| Citation |
PC.769.053
1 May 1769:11 (120 Postscript)
To the Gentlemen concerned in the late Serenades.
Gentlemen,
Though it was, in all probability, your intention to
entertain your fair acquaintances by your musical
performances, yet give me leave to say, it was not fully
excusable to disturb their peaceful slumbers, and the
tranquility of the public in general, unless it were to
amuse them with a more agreeable entertainment than that of
which you lately exhibited as sample. For, I presume there
is not one of you who can pretend to think that those
performances could lay the least claim to the name of
harmony, as they were not only utterly disagreeable to their
fair hearers, and truly shocking to every musical ear, but,
in the opinion of every disinterested person, justly merited
the censure bestowed on them by a famous poet:
Or serenade, which the starv'd lover sing
To his proud fair, best answer'd by disdain. [signed]
Milton.
Therefore, as I make no doubt but that it is your
greatest ambition to render yourselves agreeable to the fair
objects of your cares, and as I am conscious of the heart-
felt pleasure imparted to every lover of melody, by the
enchanting harmony of a well conducted concert, in the calm
hour of midnight serenity, I beg leave to submit it to your
serious consideration, whether you are not under an
indispensable obligation to atone for your past mistakes, by
your future conduct, and thereby to wipe away the stain you
have unhappily given to the delightful practice of
Serenading--In which, that you may have all possible
success, shall be ever the unfeigned wish of all your
acquaintances, and especially of, Gentlemen, your assured
friend and humble servant, [signed] Harmonica. Philad.
April 26, 1769.
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