294 
instead of the usual half a guinea, although this latter was the 
actual London price except for a leader or first violin.* In Nov 
1761 Passarini came and tried again, but seems to have managed 
only one concert at Wiltshire’s Rooms “by command of the 
Duke of York.”t Perhaps the lull in concert giving which 
followed this trouble gave Herschel and Linley their 
chance; the lead eventually falling to Linley. In Nov 1762 
Linley sang at a concert at Wiltshire’s Rooms, { and in May 1763 
he played on the harpsichord at Mr. Derrick’s concert. § In March 
1765 he played a concerto on the harpsichord and sang in the 
duet,—Lovely peace &c from Judas Machabeus, || and in May 
1765 heagain took a vocal part. 1 
These notices so far refer to engagements for a wage in a 
subordinate position, for other people’s concerts. There comes 
next the event which made him master, which made the great 
change in his life. Of his large family of now ten children the 
elder were growing up, and under constant and severe pressure— 
poor little things — had shown or developed great musical 
capabilities. No advertisement appeared, so presumably by 
private effort and patronage Linley got up his own first 
concert with his young children as the attraction or 
novelty. The first notice of this concert comes from 
his own announcement of 14th May 176794 when he 
returned his “most grateful acknowledgments to the company 
for the great honour and encouragement his children had received 
at their concert. ‘To merit their future favour it shall be his 
constant study by every effort in his power to promote their 
improvement.” No address is given with this, neither was there 
any notice or remark on these infant wonders in either of the 
local papers. The date of the thanks here, the Chronicle of 
* Journal, 18 Dec 1758, p 4, col 1. + Journal, 2 Nov 1761, p 4, col 2. 
+ Chronicle, 11 Nov, p 4, col 2. § Chronicle, 19 May, p 4, col I. 
|| Chronicle, 2 May, p 4, col I. 9 Chronicle, 2 May, p 4, colt. 
Q§ Chronicle, p 4, col 3. 
