"_Mrs. Billington_ who is solicitous for musical distinction in any respect, as far as her talents can extend, is now applying, with very great diligence, to the _violin_; and, from the present state of her progress, it is supposed she will hereafter figure amongst the most shining performers on that instrument."--(_Morning Post, Feb. 16, 1788._) Judging by this illustration, the ladies of 1799 were not at all restricted in their choice of instruments. _Apropos_ of Concerts, we get several paragraphs about them from one Newspaper, the _Morning Post_ of Jan. 15, 1789. "Since the illness of a certain Great Personage,[12] Lady Young has entirely surmounted her _religious qualms_, and is determined, once more, in defiance of the proclamation, to fix her Concerts on the Sabbath Day. Thus, Politics and religion, and music, go hand in hand." [Footnote 12: The King's first attack of insanity.] "Lord Hampden, Lord Cholmondeley, the Duke of Queensbury, Lady Petres, the Duchess of Bolton, Lady Bridget Tollemache, &c., &c., will have their alternate concerts, as usual." "The dissensions continually subsisting between the different performers and directors of the Tottenham Street Concert,[13] added to the present indisposition of its Royal Patron, and the daily decrease of subscribers, will, it is feared, reduce that _light_ amusement to its primitive obscurity." [Footnote 13: Ancient Music.] "Should Cramer quit the above Concert, it will be a loss not to be repaired, as they might as well attempt to proceed without Harrison, as without that incomparable leader. Mr. Bate may conduct, but he cannot lead; every man may _blow the bellows_, but it is certainly more difficult to _play the organ_." "Lord Uxbridge's new Music Room in _Vigo Lane_, will be opened in the course of this season; the time is not yet fixed, but it is supposed it will be as magnificent a _Gala_, as music can afford. The extreme care taken that nothing should obstruct the sound, has nearly answered every purpose, and it certainly promises to be the best _private_ room for music in London;--we hope, when filled with company, the small reverberation at present remaining, will be entirely dispelled." It is sad to read of such a case of reverse of fortune as the following:-- "A French Marchioness, who a few years since, possessed a fortune of £5000 a year, is engaged to sing before their Majesties at the Concerts of Antient Music, which commence on Wednesday next."--(_Times, Feb. 1, 1794._) [Illustration: Savoyards of Fashion--1799.] Of Pictorial Art, we hear but little in Old Times--but the Art Critic of the _Morning Post_, May 20, 1788, did not fear to speak out, and give his opinion freely. "Royal Academy.