Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Russell in Ghent - 13 June, 1742
from Dropmore Papers, pages 10r:
Letter from Charles Russell to Mary Joanna Russell, 16th June 1742
in my last I told you I was to hear some fine musick as last Sunday, but was disappointed, it being but very indifferent: it was, according to New Stile, St John’s Day, & a very great Festival here, many solemn processions being carried about the Town wth St John’s Head finely wrought in Silver in a Charger.
Dropmore Papers. In British Library, number Add MS 69381, p. 10r. https://led.kmi.open.ac.uk/entity/lexp/1707847154452 accessed: 24 November, 2024
Listeners
Listening to
hide composers| music at a religious procession |
Experience Information
| Date/Time | 13 June, 1742 |
| Medium | live |
| Listening Environment | in the company of others, outdoors, in public |
Notes
The religious festival of St John's Day falls on 24th June. At the time when Charles Russell wrote his letter, Belgium followed the 'new style' Gregorian calendar, whilst England still followed the 'old style' Julian. Russell clearly dated his letter according to the 'old style' calendar, which at the time was eleven days behind the 'new style'.