_Thomas Linley_ received his musical education from Chilcott, the organist at Bath. One of his daughters, Eliza, married Sheridan, and, soon after the production of his first theatrical essay, "The Duenna," he became joint patentee, with his son-in-law, in Drury Lane Theatre, and, leaving Bath, went to reside in London. There, he wrote for the Stage, and composed many operas, besides songs, madrigals, &c. He received a severe shock, when his son was drowned, in 1778--and, although he lived till 1795, he never recovered from it. William Jackson (whose _Te Deum_ is, or was, such a favourite), was born, at Exeter, in 1730, and was afterwards Organist to the Cathedral of that city. He did not write much for the Stage, preferring sacred music, songs, and canzonets. The following paragraph shows a curious state of things at the Opera:-- "When the Gallery at the Opera House, on Saturday night, expressed its disapprobation of the crowded stage, _Sir John Gallini_!!![9] who was part of that crowd, _very modestly_ declared, that, unless the gentlemen behind the scenes left the House, there would be no Opera.--But, upon being asked where the _half guineas_ should remain, if the gentlemen retired, this _shark for words_ recanted his former assertion, and, very composedly, swallowed the gilded pill."--(_Morning Post, Apr. 10, 1788._) [Footnote 9: Sir John Gallini, was connected with the Theatre. It was to him that "The Monster," was sent to learn dancing.] [Illustration: The Operatical Finale to the Ballet of "Alonzo e Caro."] The same paper (15 Ap. 1788) in its Notice "to Correspondents" rather injures him with its forbearance. "The various articles sent to this paper against Mr. Gallini, previous to his Benefit, we have uniformly refused to insert, being unwilling to injure a POOR MAN, at so important a period." "How we are ruined! Bruni, the new singer, has 1400 guineas, Mara 1000, and a benefit, and Millerd, 1000 for the present Opera season."--(_Times, Febr. 16, 1793._) * * * * * "Haymarket Opera. Almost all the subscribers, in Town, graced the Boxes, with the Prince of Wales, and Duke of Clarence, at the head of the list. The Pit had some pretty, as well as well dressed, women; but we were sorry to observe several of the gentlemen in round hats, and many of them slovenly to a degree, descending even to boots. This ought not to be permitted."--(_Times, Jan. 13, 1794._) * * * * * OPERA.