Memoirs of Myself, begun many Years since, but never, I fear, to be completed

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

25–26

text excerpt

Among the guests at my mother’s gay parties and suppers, were two persons, Wesley Doyle and the well known Joe Kelly (brother of Michael), whose musical talents were in their several ways of the most agreeable kind. Doyle’s father being a professor of music, he had received regular instructions in the art, and having a very sweet and touching voice, was able to accompany himself on the piano-forte. Kelly, on the other hand, who knew nothing of the science of music, and at that time, indeed, could hardly write his own name, had taken, when quite a youth, to the profession of the stage, and having a beautiful voice and a handsome face and person, met with considerable success. He and Doyle were inseparable companions, and their duets together were the delight of the gay supper-giving society in which they lived.  The entertainments of this kind given by my joyous and social mother could, for gaiety at least, match with the best. Our small front and back drawing-rooms, as well as a little closet attached to the latter, were on such occasions distended to their utmost capacity ; and the supper-table in the small closet where people had least room was accordingly always the most merry. In the round of singing that followed these repasts my mother usually took a part, having a clear, soft voice, and singing such songs as “How sweet in the woodlands,” which was one of her greatest favourites, in a very pleasing manner. I was also myself one of the performers on such occasions, and gave some of Dibdin’s songs, which were at that time in high vogue, with no small éclat.

excerpt from 'Memoirs of Myself, begun many Years since, but never, I fear, to be completed' pp. 25–26 (279 words)

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