In 1768 he seems to have increased his music business, as the following notice shows:
“A Variety of violins at different prices; the best kind of fresh fiddle strings: guitar and spinnett brass and steel wire: a fine pair of very good ivory German flutes. He spins all sorts of bass strings with silver wire.”[140]
Most of this business seems to have been in the hands of the English for with the exception of one more German Conrad Batis, who advertises among other things “a quantity of violins and violin strings,”[141] no other German music dealer has been discovered.
There is, however, one more event of importance to chronicle, before leaving the music dealers. It has been already stated that harpsichords and spinets were made in Philadelphia at an early period. It remained for John Behrent, a German, to add to the renown of Philadelphia in the realm of music. In 1775 he advertised:
“John Behrent, Joiner and Instrument Maker living in Third street continued in Campington, directly opposite Coate’s Burying-ground, Has just finished for sale, an extraordinary fine instrument, by the name of Piano Forte, of Mahogany, in the manner of an harpischord, with hammers, and several changes: He intends to dispose of it on very reasonable terms: and being a master of such sort of work, and a new beginner in this country he requests all lovers of music to favour him with their custom, and they shall not only be honestly served, but their favours gratefully acknowledged, by their humble servant, John Behrent.”[142]
Evidently the War of the Revolution interrupted any further progress in musical development, as nothing more of importance is found during this period.
FOOTNOTES:
[130] See above, p. 29.
[131] Pa. Gaz., Dec. 13, 1759.
[132] See below, p. 48.