MASTER WILLIAM CROTCH, THE MUSICAL PHENOMENON.
This very extraordinary child, who now (in June 1779,) daily attracts the notice and attention not only of persons of the first distinction, but of all lovers of natural genius, is the son of Michael and Isabella Crotch: he was born at Norwich, on the 5th of July 1775. His father being an ingenious carpenter, built an organ for his own amusement; and it was owing to this incidental circumstance that the musical talents of his little son William were discovered so early: they might have lain dormant for years, if Mrs. Lullman, who teaches music at Norwich with great reputation, and was intimately acquainted with his parents, had not played upon this organ, and accompanied it with her voice before the child.
One evening in particular, about the beginning of August 1777, he sat in his mother’s lap while Mrs. Lullman played and sung a considerable time. After that lady was gone, the child cried, and was remarkably fractious: his mother attributed it to a pin, or some inward pain; she undressed him, and endeavoured to find out the cause, but in vain: however, as she was carrying him to bed, she passed near the organ, and he stretched out his little hands towards it: upon which Mrs. Crotch set him down to the keys, and he instantly struck them, seemingly in great ecstasy: he played a few minutes; but imagining it to be only the humour of an infant, she paid no regard to his manner of touching the instrument, and he was soon put to bed, to all appearance perfectly satisfied.
The next morning, after breakfast, while Mrs. Crotch was gone to market, his father, willing to indulge his own curiosity, put the child to the organ, and was astonished to hear him play great part of the tunes of God save the King, and Let Ambition fire thy Mind. The first Mr. Crotch had attempted several times in the child’s hearing, but was not perfect in it. The last, Mrs. Lullman had performed in his presence. Upon his mother’s return, this surprising event being related to her, she could hardly credit it: but Billy did not keep her long in suspence, and Mrs. Crotch communicating the intelligence to their friends, she was advised to let him play according to his own fancy, whenever he expressed a desire for it.
He was now two years and three weeks old, and, from this time, all persons who had any taste for music, and all the performers in Norwich, resorted to the house: he played almost every day, and acquired more tunes; and, in the midst of performing them, would strike out little airs of his own in harmony; for it is remarkable, that he never plays discord, neither will he bear it in others, without expressing disgust.
He performed before full assemblies at different places and at sundry times, at Norwich, till the beginning of November, when he was carried, by his mother, to Cambridge, where he played on all the College and church organs, to the astonishment of the gentlemen of the University.
About the middle of December, he arrived in London, but no public exhibition was made of his performance, till they had been heard by their Majesties, to whom he and his mother were presented, by Lady Hertford, at the Queen’s Palace, on the 7th of February, when he played on the organ in the presence of their Majesties and the Royal Family, who were graciously pleased to express their approbation.
On the 13th of the same month they waited on their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and performed to their entire satisfaction. On the 26th he played on the organ of the chapel royal of St. James’s, after morning service was over, their Majesties being present.
From this time he has continued playing every day, between the hours of one and three, in public, at Mrs. Hart’s, milliner, in Piccadilly, opposite Dover Street.
Master William Crotch is now three years and nine months old: is a lively, active child, has a pleasing countenance, rather handsome, having fine blue eyes and flaxen hair. A large organ is placed about the centre of the room, against the wainscot: it is raised upon a stage about two feet from the floor, and a semicircular iron rod is fixed so as to secure him in his seat, and separates him from the company. An arm chair is placed upon this stage, and in it a common, very small matted chair, which his mother fastens behind with a handkerchief to the other, that he may not fall out, for he is wanton and full of tricks, in the short intervals from playing. A book is placed before him, as if it was a music book, and strangers in a distant part of the room may mistake it for such; but it is no more than a magazine, or some other pamphlet, with an engraved frontispiece: this, he looks at, and amuses himself with the figures in the plate, while he is playing any tune, or striking into his own harmony. In short he laughers, prattles, and looks about at the company, at the same time keeping his little hands employed on the keys, and playing with so much unconcern, that you would be tempted to think he did not know what he was doing.
He appears to be fondest of solemn tunes, and church music, particularly the 104th Psalm. As soon as he has finished a regular tune, or part of a tune, or played some little fancy notes of his own, he stops, and has the pranks of a wanton boy: some of the company then generally give him a cake, an apple, or an orange, to induce him to play again; but it is nine to one, if he plays the tune you desire, unless you touch the pride of his little heart, by telling him he has forget such a tune, or he cannot play it: this seldom fails of producing the effect, and he is sure to play it with additional spirit.
After playing more than an hour, he desired to be taken down, and to have a piece of chalk. He then entertained himself, and the company, with drawing the outlines of a grotesque head on the floor: his mother said it resembled an old grenadier he had seen in the park that morning. He seems to have strong imitative powers; and, as every trivial incident of such a child ought to be noticed, the following instance of an apt idea, uncommon to his age, is mentioned, as it struck the writer.
A lady gave him a remarkable large orange: after looking at it a moment, with admiration, “Ah! (says he,) this is a double orange.” Some have reported that he is humoursome: it is true, he will not always continue playing on in a regular manner during the time allotted for company to see him; nor can it be expected, he is not of an age to be reasoned with, and humanity forbids compulsion: it is, in fact, rather surprising that he can be brought to play everyday, without growing tired, and disappointing the company.
We forgot to observe, that if any person plays a tune he never heard, with the right hand on his organ, he will put a bass to it with his left hand. He will also name every note that is struck on an organ, or any other instrument, and always knows if any person plays out of tune.
Literary Miscellany, for June, 1779.