[ 3 02 ] 



for an experiment on little Crotch ', and that he would go with 

 me to hear what that very extraordinary child was capable of. 

 Crotch was not in good humour, and Matter Wefley fubmitted, 

 amongfh other things, to play upon a crack'd violin, in order to 

 pleafe him ; the company however having found out who he was, 

 prefled him very much to play upon the organ, which Sam con- 

 ihmtly declined. As this was contrary -to his ufual readinefs in 

 obliging any perfon who had curiofity to hear him, I alked him 

 afterwards what might be the occafion of his refufal ; when he 

 told me, " that he thought it would look like wijhing to Jhine at little 

 " Crotcti 's expence" 



Every one knows, that any material alteration in the conftruc- 

 tion of an organ, which varies the pofition of certain notes, mult, 

 at firit, embarrafs the player, though a moil expert one. I car- 

 ried Sam, however, to the Temple organ, which hath quarter 

 notes, with the management of which he was as ready, as if he 

 had made ufe of fuch an inftrument all his life. I need fcarcely 

 fay how much more difficult it mull: be to play paflages which 

 muft be executed, not by the fingers, but the feet. Now the 

 organ at the Savoy hath a compleat oclave of pedals, with the half- 

 notes ; on which part Sam appeared as little a novice as if he had 

 been accuftomed to it foryears. Nay, he made a very goodand regu- 

 lar (hake on the pedals, by way of experiment, for he had too much 

 tafte and judgement to fuppofe that it would have a good effect. 



He was able to ling at fight (which commonly requires fb 

 much inftruftion with thofe even who are of a mufical difpofition) 

 from the time of firft knowing his notes ; his voice was by no 

 means, ftrong, and it cannot yet be pronounced how it may turn 



1 An account of the fuccefs of this experiment will be given in what I 

 /hall hereafter fay about that other mufical prodigy. 



I out; 



