North Walsham, Norfolk, March 8th, 1833. SIR, As I wish to avoid all communications with Mr. Z. T. Purday, music-publisher; and any further with Mr. J. H. Cross, music-arranger, (having written one letter to that gentleman, to which he has given no reply,) I shall deem it a great favour if you will give this a place in your Harmonicon. About eighteen months since, in consequence of some unintentional offence I gave Mr. Purday, (the particulars of which are not worth relating,) that gentleman sent me word he could prove my melody of ‘Alice Gray’ to be borrowed from other compositions. This message, with some accompanying impertinence, I had nearly forgotten, till, on the cover of the Harmonicon of January last, appeared the following notice: ‘Just published, by Z. T. Purday, &c. &c., a French air, on which is founded the popular ballad of Alice Gray, &c. &c.’ Through some mistake of my publisher, I did not receive a copy of this French air till yesterday, otherwise I should have taken the liberty of addressing you earlier on the subject. A copy of the French air in question will accompany this, from which you will see that the theme is truly ‘a French air,’ being no other than that of Rode’s, modified in different passages, to render the accidental resemblance between it and my melody the greater. You will also perceive that the variations have not such an appellation for nothing, as they have little to do with the theme; but are as clearly and entirely formed on the melody of my ballad, as those of Mr. Knapton’s or Mr. Valentine’s. These facts need no comment, as they must speak for themselves much more than will be desirable, either to the arranger or publisher. Before I conclude, I beg leave to say, that at the time I composed my ballad, I had never (strange as it may appear) heard Rode’s melody, nor was I at all aware of the existence of any thing which bore any resemblance to mine. I am, Sir, |
|
