The celebrated Mr. Smith (or Schmidt) was Handel’s private friend, and amanuensis. This said Mr. Smith was presented by Handel with his favourite fine double-keyed harpsichord, made by the best makers of the day, Andreas Ruckers of Antwerpia, 1651. This said instrument you have heard repeatedly Mr. Smith play on. Mr. Smith was father-in-law to you as well as your sister, the late Dowager Lady Rivers; and at his death, the said harpsichord, together with a large collection of Handel’s oratorios, etc., etc., MSS., came into the hands of the Dowager Lady Rivers. This instrument was parted with to a Mr. Wickham, surgeon, who parted with it to the Rev. W. Hawtrey, Prebendary of Winchester Cathedral, upon the death of whom I purchased it at the sale of his effects; and in my possession it still remains. Is not this the identical instrument now spoken of? Your early answer to these queries, as the only living witness, will oblige. Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, G. W. CHARD. _P.S._――Will you oblige me by certifying on this sheet of paper, and returning it? _Answer._ I certify that the above statement is correct, as far as my knowledge goes. GEORGE COXE. Twyford, _May 13th, 1842_. Witness to the above signature, SUSANNA GREGG. JAMES HARRIS. [1] Figured and described in Lartet & Christy’s _Reliquiæ Aquitanicæ_, London, 1865-75, Pl. B. v., p. 48. [2] The best instance is to be found in Lepsius’ _Denkmäler_, III. 106a., where a music-school of the Akhenaten period (about 1400 B.C.) is depicted. [3] For coloured plate after this painting see Wilkinson’s _Ancient Egyptians_, Vol. I., Pl. xii. (facing page 480). [4] See _Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh_, Vol. xx., Part I (1850). [5] _See_ E. Aldis, _Carvings and Sculptures of Worcester Cathedral_ (IV). [6] _See_ illustration in _Ann. Arch._, IV., p. 37. [7] _See_ illustration in _Ann. Arch._, iv., p. 98. [8] For a more complete list of lute-makers see Von Lütgendorff, _Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart_, Frankfort, 1904. INDEX