BURIENSIS.
328. Musical Compositions of Matthew Dubourg.
—I am induced, while preparing for the press a new edition of my opusculum on the violin, to seek your kind mediatorial aid in behalf of an object which some one or other of your correspondents, acquainted with Irish matters of the last century, may possibly enable me to attain. I am desirous of learning whether there be extant any of the musical compositions (especially the violin solos and concertos) of my progenitor, Matthew Dubourg, who held the post of director and composer to the king's band in Ireland, from 1728 until, I believe, his death in 1767.
As I do not know that any of these compositions (which appear to have been called forth by immediate occasions) were ever printed, my hope of now tracing them out is perhaps more lively than rational. If they have existed only in a manuscript state, it is but too possible that the barbarian gripe of the butterman may long ago have suppressed what vitality was in them. I cannot, however, relinquish the idea that a dusty oblivion, and not absolute destruction, may be the amount of what they have undergone; and that they may still exist in such condition as to be, at least, more susceptible of resuscitation than disinterred mummies. I have the honour to be, Sir, yours wistfully,
G. DUBOURG.
Brighton.
329. Collodion, and its Application to Photography.
—May I ask for information as to the first discoverer of Collodion, and the origin or derivation of the name? I should also be glad to know by whom it was first applied to photogenic purposes.
A PHOTOGRAPHER.