CHAP. I.] Early Recollections. 25 



parties, but by the time I had set my heart upon this 

 change in niy situation, Jacob began to turn the whole 

 scheme into ridicule, and, of course, he never heard the sound 

 of my voice except in speaking, and yet I was left in the 

 harassing uncertainty whether I was to go or not. I resolved 

 at last to prepare, as far as lay in my power, for both cases, 

 by taking, in the first place, every opportunity when all were 

 from home to imitate, with a gag between my teeth, the solo 

 parts of concertos, shake and all, such as I had heard them 

 play on the violin ; in consequence I had gained a tolerable 

 execution before I knew how to sing. I next began to knit 

 ruffles, which were intended for my brother William in case I 

 remained at home else they were to be Jacob's. For my 

 mother and brother D. I knitted as many cotton stockings 

 as would last two years at least." 



Jacob remained with his family until the following 

 July, when lie returned to Bath, this time taking 

 Alexander with him for two years' leave of absence, 

 the young Dietrich being deemed competent not only 

 to supply his place in the orchestra, but also to attend 

 his private pupils. 



Nothing is recorded in the interval between Jacob's 

 return to Hanover in the autumn and the long ex- 

 pected arrival of William in April, 1772, except one 

 of the changes of abode, which were of such frequent 

 occurrence, involving abundance of employment in 

 making and altering articles of household use, which 

 afforded some relief to the conscientious daughter, 

 who was sorely troubled by uncertainty as to her 

 duty in the matter of going to England or staying 



