Arne’s “Comus” was again performed on the 22nd of December. In 1744, on the 2nd of January, at the Theatre Royal after “Amphitryon,” with singing and dancing between the acts, the farce “Miss Lucy in Town” with Arne’s music was performed. Special attention was directed to Mr. Lowe’s singing of “the Part of Cantileno”

We have become familiar with Arne’s skill as composer, violinist, conductor, and harpsichord player; we now find an interesting notice of his first essay, and probably his last, as an actor. The Journal of Jan. 24-28 announced, “By the real and absolute Command of their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, for the benefit of Mrs. Arne, at the Theatre-royal in Aungier-street, on Saturday, the 28th Instant, will be performed the Second Part of Henry IV. With the Humours of Sir John Falstaff. The Part of Henry Prince of Wales by Mr. Arne, being his First attempt of that Kind.” The Shakespeare play was followed by some vocal music by Mrs. Arne and Mr. Lowe, and the whole concluded with Lampe’s “Dragon of Wantley.”

We now come to an important event, the performance of the Oratorio, “The Death of Abel,” which was first produced in Dublin, and not in London, as is generally stated. The following curious advertisement appeared in the Journal, Feb. 11-14, 1744: “By subscription. At the Theatre-royal in Smock Alley, on Saturday next, being the 18th of this Inst. Feb. will be performed A new Oratorio, called The Death of Abel. Set to music by Mr. Arne. The Principal Characters to be performed by Mr. Lowe, Mrs. Arne, and Mademoiselle Chateauneuf. The stage will be disposed in the same manner as at Mr. Handel’s Oratorios in London. As but 12 more subscribers can be admitted, such gentlemen and ladies as intend to honour Mr. Arne by subscribing, are greatly desired immediately to send their names to his house in Aungier-street. where tickets are ready to deliver to the subscribers. N.B. Attendance will be given at the Theatre on each Day of Performance, when Subscribers, on sending their Subscription Tickets, will have three delivered on each of the four Nights of Performance. Pit, Boxes, and Lattices, Half a Guinea. First Gallery, 2s. 8d. halfp. Upper Gallery, 2s. 2d. Ladies are requested to sit in the Pit, as well as Boxes, as is the Custom at the Operas and Oratorios in London, for which purpose the Pit seats will be made thoroughly clean. To begin exactly half an Hour after Six. The Printer made a mistake in the last bills; but the Subscribers may depend that (according to Mr. Arne’s proposal) no Person (except Subscribers) will be admitted into Pit, Boxes, or Lattices under Half a Guinea. Mr. Arne begs Leave to acquaint the Public, that he has been credibly inform’d by several worthy Families that the Gentlewomen who keep the Saturday Nights Assembly, or some one concern’d with, or commission’d by them, have made it their business to complain of his performing the Subscription Oratorios on that Night, alledging that it was done on purpose to prejudice them. Now, so far was that from being thought of, much less intended, that the Gentlemen Proprietors of the Theatre, as well as Mr. Arne, endeavoured their utmost to fix another Night, but could not, for the following Reasons; The Mondays and Thursdays are taken up with Benefits for six Weeks. On Tuesdays are Vicars-street Consort, and the Bear on College green, which take up all the best Hands. On Wednesday are the Phil Harmonic Society, and Crow-street, where they are likewise engaged. And on Friday is Fishamble Consort, where they are obliged to perform.” “The Death of Abel” was repeated on the 25th of February. This early oratorio of Arne’s was never published, and no manuscript copy of it is known to exist. One song, however, became very popular, and was in great request—“The Hymn of Eve”:

How cheerful along the gay mead,
The daisy and cowslip appear,
The Flocks as they carelessly feed,
Rejoice in the Spring of the year.
The Myrtles that shade the gay bow’rs,
The Herbage that springs from the Sod;
Trees, plants, cooling fruits, and sweet flow’rs
All rise to the praise of my God.

The music, very simple and melodious, but without striking evidence of genius, has been frequently reprinted, and arranged in various forms.

A comedy, “The Rehearsal,” with Arne’s music, was played on the 1st of March, at the Theatre in Aungier Street, for the benefit of Mr. Basdin; the singing parts were performed by Mr. Lowe and Mr. Worsdale. The Journal, Feb. 28-March 3, 1744, contained the advertisement announcing the first public performance of “Alfred,” and the “Judgment of Paris,” which took place on the 10th of March; and on the 29th of the same month “Comus” was again performed, for the last time in the season, Mrs. Arne, as a matter of course, representing Sabrina and the Pastoral Nymph, and singing the song “Sweet Echo.” Lowe was the Bacchanal and Attendant Spirit; and Miss Davis, Euphrosyne. This performance was given at the Theatre in Aungier Street, and shortly afterwards “Rosamond” was revived at the Theatre Royal in Smock Alley. It must have been well received, as there were five performances, on the 2nd, 5th, 9th, 10th, and 19th of April. Mrs. Arne represented Queen Eleanor; Lowe, King Henry; Layfield, Sir Trusty; Miss Davis, Grideline; Madame Chateauneuf, Rosamond. On the 2nd “The Merchant of Venice” was also performed “with the songs proper to the Character,” sung by Mr. Lowe. Faulkner’s Journal, 7-10 April, contained a Song, “The Scene a Bower,” addressed to Mrs. Arne, which may be taken as evidence of her popularity. There are nine verses, commencing:

From yonder Bow’r, where blowing sweets
Perfume the vernal Air,
I hear the music of a voice
Peculiar to the tuneful Fair.

On the 26th of April a performance was given of the tragedy “Theodosius, or the Force of Love.” This play, written by Lee, was printed in 1680 with five songs and two choruses composed by Henry Purcell. The libretto was revised for the Dublin performance. The announcement ran, “At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality, for the Benefit of Mr. Barry, at the Theatre-royal in Smock-alley on Thursday the 26th Inst. will be acted a Tragedy called Theodosius or the Force of Love. The Part of Varanes to be performed by Mr. Barry, being the first Time of his appearing in that Character. Tickets to be had at Mr. Barry’s in Skinner-Row.—As the original Songs, and Chorus’s of the Play were never performed in this Kingdom, for want of Musick and Performances equal to such an Undertaking; Mr. Arne has been prevailed upon to set the same to new Musick.” Purcell’s music was published in 1680; copies of it are now very rare. It consisted of five songs and two choruses. Arne’s music was never printed, and only one manuscript score of it is known.[12] An examination of that copy shows that Arne wrote music for nine pieces—four airs and five choruses, very short movements. The words are not those set by Purcell, excepting one air and one chorus. The solos are written for soprano and contralto voices; the orchestration for strings, two oboes, and two horns.

The last appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Arne in Dublin, during the year 1744, was at the Great Room in Fishamble Street on Wednesday, the 30th of May, when “The Judgment of Paris” and “Alfred” were performed for their joint benefits. Particulars respecting this event will be found on [page 124]. The season being ended, Arne and his wife returned to England, by way of Parkgate and Chester. During their stay in the last named city the youth Charles Burney was introduced to Arne, and having exhibited his skill as a performer on the harpsichord became an articled pupil of the popular composer, with whom he journeyed to London. Upon his arrival in the Metropolis, Arne resumed his connection with Drury Lane Theatre as composer, and obtained an engagement there for his wife as “Serious Singer.” The year 1745 was a prosperous one for both Arne and his wife—they were in constant employ at the Theatre and in concerts.

On the 20th of March, Mrs. Arne had a benefit at Drury Lane Theatre, when “Alfred” was performed for the first time in London. The details of this interesting and memorable occasion will be given in connection with “Rule, Britannia.”