In this same year Purcell wrote music for a grand civic festival, "The inauguration of the truly loyal and right honourable Sir William Prichard, Knight, lord Mayor of the city of London, president of the honourable Artillery Company, and a member of the worshipful company of Merchant-Taylors. Perform'd on Monday, September xxx. 1682." In the following month he composed another "Ode or Welcome Song to the King on his return from Newmarket, Oct. 21."
The old uncle, Thomas Purcell, must have been well pleased to witness his adopted son's happiness and success; of the intercourse and friendship which continued to exist between them we have evidence. When Thomas became too old to go himself to the Pay-office for his salaries he executed a power of attorney authorizing his son Matthew to act for him, and this document was witnessed by Frances Purcell—Henry's wife.
The quaint deed is worthy of reproduction here.[28] The original is in my possession.
A few months afterwards, July 31st, 1682, the old man died, and on the 2nd of August his mortal remains were laid to rest in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey. We can easily imagine the grief of Purcell who had to mourn the loss of one who had been more than a father to him.
A few days after the funeral of the uncle Thomas, Purcell had occasion to rejoice in the birth of a son and heir; the child was baptized in Westminster Abbey, receiving the names of John Baptista, probably a mark of friendly regard for the well-known musician, John Baptist Draghi,[29] but the infant survived only a few months and was buried with his kindred in the Abbey cloisters. There is a volume of music in the handwriting of Henry Purcell in the Fitzwilliam Library at Cambridge, containing an entry which is worthy of note in this place as showing the serious tone of his mind at that period: at the end of an anthem he has written, "God bless Mr. Henry Purcell. September ye 10th, 1682."
In the following year Purcell ventured on his first publication, for which he solicited subscribers. His prospectus or proposals are lost, but the following advertisement from the London Gazette, May 24th, 1683, throws much light on the subject:—
"These are to give Notice to all Gentlemen that have subscribed to the Proposals Published by Mr. Henry Purcell for the Printing his Sonata's of three Parts for two Violins and Base to the Harpsichord or Organ, that the said Books are now completely finished, and shall be delivered to them upon the 11th June next: and if any who have not yet Subscribed, shall before that time Subscribe, according to the said Proposals (which is Ten Shillings the whole Sett), which are at Mr. Hall's house in Norfolk-street, or at Mr. Playford's and Mr. Carr's shop in the Temple; for the said Books will not after that time be Sold under 15s. the Sett."
Again on the following June the 7th, another advertisement appeared in the London Gazette:—