JOHN CROSDILL, born in London in 1755,[135] whom Gerber mentions as an extraordinarily clever Violoncellist, and Fétis as distinguished, notwithstanding the presence of Mara in England, had a high reputation in his time. He was educated in the choir of Westminster Abbey under Robinson and Cooke; on leaving the choir he studied the violoncello under his father, and is said to have had instruction from Jean Duport. He soon acquired a considerable proficiency, and in 1768 he was elected a member of the Royal Society of Musicians. In the following year he played at the Gloucester Festival, and was appointed first cellist, an appointment which he held until his retirement. In 1776 he was engaged as first Violoncellist at the Concerts of Ancient Music, and in 1778 as Violist of the Chapel Royal. He probably went to Paris 1778-9, and remained nine months, studying under the elder Janson. In 1782 he was appointed chamber musician to Queen Charlotte, and he also gave lessons to the Prince of Wales. About 1788 he married a lady of fortune, and retired from the practice of his profession, appearing publicly for one day only, in 1821, at the coronation of George IV. He died at Escrick, in Yorkshire, leaving a considerable fortune to his son, who, by his father’s desire, presented a donation of £1,000 to the Society of Musicians. Four other English Cellists of the second half of last century are--Hardy, Reinagle I. and II., and Gunn. Little is known of HARDY, Henry (of Oxford), beyond the fact that about 1800 he published an instruction book with the title, “The Violoncello Preceptor, with a compleat set of Scales for fingering in the various keys,” &c. JOSEPH REINAGLE, born in 1762, at Portsmouth, was the son of a German music teacher who emigrated to England. He was originally intended for the navy, but gave it up after his first voyage. He was apprenticed then to a goldsmith in Edinburgh, but neither in this did he persevere, and his father resolved to let him be a musician. He at first chose the trumpet as his instrument, on which he acquired some skill, and entered the service of the king as trumpeter. He was obliged to give up the wind instrument on account of his health, and was then Violoncellist, Violinist, and finally Violoncellist again. For a while he was Concert Director in Edinburgh. In 1789 he went to Dublin, and in 1791 to London, where, besides obtaining a good position in the best orchestras, he was principal cello at Salomon’s concerts. He finally settled at Oxford, where he died in 1836. He published, for the Violoncello, thirty Duos in four books, as Op. 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as a School “Concise Introduction to the Art of playing the Violoncello,” which went through four editions.