Event Comment: Having for a Series of Years received
the greatest Obligations from
the Nobility and Gentry of this Nation, I have always retained a deep Impression of
their Goodness. As I perceived, that joining good Sense and Significant Words of Musick, was
the best Method of recommending this to an
English Audience; I have directed my Studies that way, and endeavour'd to shew, that
the English Language, which is so expressive of
the sublimest Sentiments, is
the best adapted of any to
the full and solemn Kind of Musick. I have
the Mortification now to find, that my Labours to please are become ineffectual, when my Expences are considerably greater. To what Cause I must impute
the Loss of
the Publick Favour, I am ignorant, but
the Loss itself I shall always lament. In
the mean time, I am assur'd that a Nation, whose Characteristic is good Nature, would be affected with
the Ruin of any Man, which was owing to his Endeavours to entertain
them. I am likewise persuaded, that I shall have
the forgiveness of those noble Persons, who have honour'd me with
their Patronage, and
their Subscription this Winter, if I beg
them Permission to stop short, before my Losses are too great to support, if I proceed no far
ther in my Undertaking; and if I intreat
them to withdraw three Fourths of
their Subscription, one Fourth part only of my Proposal having been perform'd. I am, etc.
G. F. Handel. Attendance will be given at Mr Handel's
House in
Brook's St.,
Hanover Square, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next, in order to pay back
the Subscription money. [Two poems in honor of Handel in
the 21 Jan. issue of
the Daily Advertiser. A letter in
the 25 Jan. issue indicates that
the subscribers would not accept
the proferred refund; Handel announced he would resume performances in view of this response.