THE ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA. 675 



seeing, that if the musician obtains employment, and the interests of 

 the science are secured by the limitations of the patent, under which 

 he performs, all will have been done that a reasonable man can pre- 

 tend to ask for. Mr. Rod well, more generous but less judicious, 

 would not only procure employment for the musician while young and 

 in health, but would devote all the emoluments which that employ- 

 ment might produce to provide charity for him when aged, decayed, 

 and distressed. This were a premium against economy the conclu- 

 sive inducement to extravagance and dissipation, in a profession 

 which has always been sufficiently surrounded by temptations to im- 

 prudence. The English musician, we believe, will be content (we 

 are sure 'he ought to be), when he shall be assured of those means 

 and facilities for acquiring fortune and distinction, which the fo- 

 reigners who carry away thousands from us yearly, enjoy in their 

 native homes, and by which, fostered and improved, they are enabled 

 to surpass and overcome the unsupported Englishman beneath his 

 own roof. The English musician wants, and he has every title to, a 

 certain theatre for the exhibition of his talents: give him that, and, 

 like other men, he will take care of his own fortune give him that, 

 and should he, notwithstanding, come a creeping beggar-man to our 

 doors in old age, it will at least be a consolation to reflect that he will 

 not have a claim upon our charity. We shall already have done our 

 duty to him. 



In looking forward to such a state of things, our eyes are steadily 

 fixed upon Mr. Barnett's plan. In all the Arts and Sciences, useful 

 and liberal, we stand, with the exception of music alone, if not supe- 

 rior, at least equal, to the present generation of our fellow-men. A 

 theatre for the sole encouragement of English music would go far to 

 remove this solitary stain upon the national character, and, if pru- 

 dently devised, such a theatre would certainly be obtained. The ob- 

 ject is one for which every educated Englishman must feel an interest. 

 In that capacity we recommend Messrs. Barnett, and Bishop, and 

 Rodwell to unite together, and select a good committee to forward 

 their designs. But let not men of rank and influence only be sought 

 for. Their' s is a matter of business ; and practical men are indispensable 

 to its success. Let the scheme of a joint stock company, with a capital 

 of sixty thousand pounds, in shares of fifty pounds each, be laid before 

 the public. Petitions to the King may be easily obtained in its favour, 

 and should his Majesty be advised to reject its prayer, let the com- 

 mittee apply for an Act of Parliament. A cause at once so popular 

 and so just, could hardly fail, we should imagine, of the desired 

 success. 



