"Nov. 17. SIR,--As you have causelessly dropped the friend, I have sense enough to write at a becoming distance. You will undoubtedly hear, by the freshest advice, the _tête-à-tête_ alteration between your brother and me. How could it happen otherwise, when the first salutation I received was 'Dr. Arne, we have considered of the farce, and PROTEST AGAINST IT'; which nearly led me into a mistake; for how could I suppose he meant the farce you had first promised to do, and after the last rehearsal concluded on? But on his warm repititions, I found that I should have protested against the farce that has been so long acting ex-parte managers, and tragedy on the composer's part. I answered, 'I am not surprised, it tallies exactly with the treatment I have all along received,' (meaning not only on account of the farce, but the discharge of two young women,[25] handsome, perfect figures, and possessed of better talents than most on either stage have set out with:) I scorn to retract my words, and think Mr. G. Garrick[26] will equally scorn to aggravate them. The young women brought three very good houses for the opening of a season, and met with more public applause than I have ever heard; and though inexperience, mixed with sensibility, might intimidate Miss Weller so as sometimes to exceed the exact sound, it was so little that the audience were not susceptible of it. If you had no intention to retain them, one night's performance had surely been sufficient for their condemnation; but they had not then been supplanted by my son's application;--permit me to give you joy of the acquisition. As to singing in tune, by my salvation! not above three in both theatres can do it, though several have had nearly twenty years' experience. I did not, _as has been done to you more than once_, impose my young pupils on you as finished singers; why then should they be discharged for what you knew before their appearance, especially after three warm receptions? Your public declaration this morning appeared as meant to complete the many shocks which I and mine have received--it was ineffectual: I shall think myself happy to be mistaken. If you are willing to show a friendship which I shall deem an honour to receive, it will not be sufficient that you perform the piece; I shall have the presumption to hope that you will further its success; though I fear that the cold breath of the manager, like a wintry blast, has chilled the hearts of his dependents; it is a distemper as catching as the itch. There has been but one decent rehearsal which was in your presence; though, even then, two principals were absent; nor can I expect any better, till the manager will either graciously appear, or at least send his general mandate: and, but for the respect due to the author, I had long since withdrawn the prettiest music, in the light style, that I ever wrote; but I will not, uncompelled, incur the resentment of a gentleman, a man of fortune