"DEAR SIR AND MADAM.--Having been in Norfolk a considerable time, the melancholy news of my old and worthy friend did not arrive at my knowledge till a few days ago, otherwise we should certainly have been more early in communicating our condolence. Except yourselves, whose anxious care and benevolence have been so uninterruptedly manifested for such a series of years, no one of the friends or acquaintances of _the good Mrs. Arne_ could wish to be of some use to her more heartily than I have constantly done, ever since I first saw her at Chester, on her way from Ireland, in the Autumn of 1744; and it has of late years been a matter of real affliction to me that it has not been in my power to give more proofs of my zeal. I never had forgotten the good soul's kindness to me during my residence with Dr. Arne; when, it is not too much to say, I profited more in my studies by the advantage of accompanying her in her vocal exercises than by any instructions which the Doctor had leisure to give me. She was indeed, not only desirous of my professional improvement, but had a parental attention to my morals and conduct. As long as I remained under the same roof, I tried everything in my power, and not unsuccessfully, to contribute to domestic harmony, so necessary to the welfare of the whole family, as well as the comfort of individuals; and I did flatter myself, if I had continued longer with them, the union would have been of longer duration. "The Doctor, rest his soul! with all his genius and abilities, was too _volage_ at every period of his life, to merit the title of a good family man; and soon after I quitted him, I heard with grief that our late _dear worthy friend_ was no longer under the same roof. During a residence of nine years in Norfolk, I lost sight of her, but never forgot the goodness of her heart, or the talents and professional merits of her younger years. There was a time when her voice, shake and manner of singing, were superior to those of any female performer in the country. "I always respected that benevolence of heart which inclined you both to afford the poor soul an asylum after age and infirmity had deprived her of those talents, and however inconvenient it may have sometimes been, I am certain you will always think of it with the pleasure which reflecting upon good actions constantly affords to minds capable of performing them. "It gave me great satisfaction to hear that our well disposed and virtuous friend had the comfort of religion in her last moments. _She was always attentive to the duties of a sincere and worthy member of her church_; a disposition to be honoured and had in reverence among Christians of every denomination. Mrs. Burney sincerely joins in condolence and best compliments, and I beg you will believe me to be with unfeigned regard, dear Sir and Madam, "Your affectionate friend and faithful Servant, "CHAS. BURNEY.