Dr. Arne had a very high opinion of his own talent as a poet, and some of his theatrical pieces are said to have suffered comparative failure in consequence of the poor quality of the words. But there was one piece of his, never performed nor ever published, which, while exhibiting his skill as a composer of music, shows also that he was at times wholly wanting in good taste and discretion. There are two copies of the libretto in existence, printed by Arne for publication, but never issued: the title-page is: "Whittington's Feast, a new Parody on Alexander's Feast written by a College Wag. The Overture, Songs, &c., with all the grand chorusses, new composed by Thomas Augustine Arne. Doctor of Music. Risum teneatis amici? O what is Music to the ear that's deaf; Or a goose pye to him that has no taste? London: Printed for the Author." In the preface, Arne says: "The fairest apologies I can offer in excuse for this Parody on Alexander's Feast, which, by its ludicrous turn, may be thought an attempt to depreciate one of the noblest poems in the English, or perhaps any other language, are, First, that the impossibility, in any degree, to lessen the value of so perfect an ode was a capital motive. The second was an irresistible propensity (which perhaps I may have mistaken for genius) to the comic muse." The preface ends with an intimation that the author hopes the "oddity of the attempt, with the intense application bestowed on the music, and the great expence at which it is performed, will compensate for any defects in the parody, and invite a good-humoured audience to support it." "April the 10th, 1776. From my Garret, in Cat and Harp Alley."--"The Scribbler." The libretto is printed in double columns, the left giving Dryden's text, the right the College Wag's parody. It may suffice to say that there are seventeen pages of vulgarity and sometimes indecency. The music, which extends to two hundred and fifty pages in the manuscript score, is superior to the poetry. There is no Overture; the various songs and choruses are palpably meant to be in imitation of Handel, but like the words they fail to detract from the value of the originals they vainly burlesque. There is evidence that Arne intended to have a public performance of "Whittington's Feast"; but circumstances, probably indifferent health, prevented it. [Illustration: ARNE, BY ZOFFANY.]