"Ex. pr. WARWICK." In 1672 Thomas Purcell was appointed a "composer in ordinary for the violins" in conjunction with Pelham Humphries, the warrant which is extremely curious runs thus:-- "Charles R., by the Grace of God, &c., to our trusty and well-beloved Sir Edward Griffin, Knight, Treasurer of our Chamber, now being, &c. Whereas we have been pleased to take into our service as Composer in Ordinary for the Violins, Thomas Purcell and Pelham Humphreys, Gents., in the room of George Hudson, deceased, and for their entertainments in consideration of services done, and to be done, unto us, we have given and granted, and by these presents do for us and Our Heirs and Successors, Wee do give and grant unto the said Thomas Purcell and Pelham Humphreys for their wages and fee, the sum of fifty-two pounds fifteen shillings and tenpence, by the year, during their natural lives, and the life of the longer liver of them, the first payment to commence from the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, 1672. Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster, the Eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred and seventy-two (1672). "Ex. JOHN NICOLAS." Thomas Purcell and Pelham Humphries were also associated as masters of the King's band of "four-and-twenty fiddlers;" but Purcell was chief and leader, either by virtue of seniority or special appointment. A curious document in Thomas Purcell's autograph is preserved by the "Royal Society of Musicians," which gives the names of the gentlemen of the band and other interesting particulars; it reads as follows:-- "The names of the Genᵗ of his Maᵗᴵᵉˢ Private Musick who are to attend his Maᵗᴵᵉ at Windsor paid out the Excheker: £ _s._ _d._