To this conciliatory epistle Dr. Arne replied in the following month: "Sept. 3rd 1775. DEAR SIR.--I received the favour of your reply to my letter, which I could not doubt of, you never being deficient in politeness. You are certainly in the right to suppose that, if I wrote the word apathy, I meant antipathy. Did I make the blunder or is it a joke, like Mrs. Cibber's asking you how you could possibly spell King with a Q? I must beg your permission to assure you that you are greatly mistaken in two points. First, when you imagine that I have the least partiality either in favour of the other theatre or its patentees: next in saying that the music in 'Elfrida' is much superior to the music I composed for you in 'King Arthur.' The principal songs, which for air and mastership I have never excelled, have _not_ been performed. They were written for the late Mrs. Arne,[23] and fashioned to her sweet voice, and glaring abilities. Mr. Arne expected, from the music and her performances of it, that they would be productive of the highest pleasure, that a judicious audience ever received from either of our endeavours, and several eminent masters thought as he did: but when those _coups de maître_ came out of the mouths of persons who could neither sing in time nor tune, nor turn out one _jeu de la voix_ in them, the result was much the same as if an approved author had written a fine part for ----. I was near hurting your delicacy, in nominating a gentleman, with whose acquaintance I am honoured, and this part, through an unfortunate event, should be acted by Jemmy Raftor, or Dagger Marr. Champness's songs, the chorus in the first scene of Mr. Vernon's 'Come, if you dare,' and several other things that employed my utmost efforts, were laid aside, in favour of Purcell's music, which (though excellent in its kind) was Cathedral, and not to the taste of a modern theatrical audience. But never was my surprise greater than when I perceived that a drama so fertile of invention and elegant in poetry, which brought so much to Harry Gifford, and lately in Dublin should (though strongly performed at a vast expense at Drury-lane) fail in making that impression on the public, which the managers had an undoubted right to expect. You frankly say that you have not engaged any of my pupils, because you have not the same opinion of them that I have. Be pleased to remember that I did not recommend Miss Weller as an accomplished singer; but as a young girl, with a good person, who would be useful in musical pieces; but whose talents in speaking and acting, might, with your friendly encouragement, in a little time bring so pretty a figure to be a shining object. Had you seen her play Mrs. Cadwallader in Foote's farce at Covent Garden, your candour would induce you to think with that company, who all declared that no young actress ever did better. When I offered you this girl, you wanted an accomplished singer. When I recommended Miss Jameson as such,