It may perhaps appear presumptuous that an Ignoramus, who knows nothing at all about music, ventures to compose. This applies to me, as I send you herewith eleven Motetts and other pieces, which I have composed myself. I have achieved this in a strange way, since I am not acquainted with the notes; nor have I the slightest understanding respecting the art of music. I am, therefore, compelled, when anything musical enters my head, to sing it to a musical composer, and he commits it to paper. However, I must have a good ear and good taste, because the public, when they hear my music, always applaud it. The method which I have prescribed to myself in composing is that of the bees, which extract the honey from the most beautiful flowers, and mix it together. Thus also I. Everything I have composed I have taken from only good masters whose works pleased me. I candidly confess my theft, while others deny theirs, as they want to appropriate whatever they have taken from others. No one, therefore, dares to be vexed if he hears old airs in my compositions; for, as they are beautiful, their antiquity cannot detract from their value. I have determined to present this work to the church Sti. Michaelis Archangeli, with the P. P. Societatis Jesu, wherein my grandparents founded a Seminarium Musicale; and I desire that this memorial of myself shall be preserved there for eternity, especially for the reason that I have composed most of this music in the time of my persecution. The causes which induced me to compose the several pieces I herewith add, thus:-- No. 1. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini;--I made when I had to suffer the greatest persecution, anno 1706. No. 2. Ne nobis Domine;--on account of obtained victories. No. 3. Tempus est;--on leaving the two towns, Ruessel and Valencien, in gratitude for the many kindnesses which I and my kindred received from the inhabitants of those towns. No. 4. Victoria;--after the battle of Belgrade against the Turks, in 1717. No. 5. Per hoc vitae spatium;--when I was debating with myself what pursuit I should follow, whether I should become spiritual or remain secular. No. 6. Quare fremuerunt gentes;--for my own consolation at a time when I was unjustly persecuted to the utmost. No. 7. Quem vidistis Pastores;--for Christmas. No. 8. Parce Domine!--at Lent. No. 9. Maria Mater gratiae;--to the honour of the ever-blessed Mother of God. No. 10. When my brother-in-law, the Dauphin, died, anno 1711. No. 11. On the death of the nephew of the Dauphin and his consort, in 1712; which composition I request the Seminary to have sung also for me after my death.