s music to charitable institutions, and also agreed to give an
oratorio "for the benefit and enlargement of poor distressed prisoners
for debt in the several marshalseas of the city of Dublin." He left
London early in November, arriving in that city, after many delays, on
the 18th. On the 23d of December he began a series of six musical
entertainments, which was completed February 10. His success was so great
that he was induced to begin a second series February 17, a fortnight
before the close of which appeared the following advertisement:--

"For the Relief of the Prisoners in the several Gaols, and for the
Support of Mercer's Hospital, in Stephen's Street, and of the
Charitable Infirmary on the Inn's Quay, on Monday, the 12th of April,
will be performed at the Musick Hall in Fishamble-street, _Mr.
Handel's_ new Grand _Oratorio, called the Messiah_, in which the
Gentlemen of the Choirs of both Cathedrals will assist, with some
Concertos on the Organ by Mr. Handel."

The first rehearsal took place on the 8th of April, in the presence of "a
most Grand, Polite, and Crowded Audience," as we are informed by
"Faulkner's Journal." The same paper, referring to the first public
performance, which took place on Tuesday, April 13, 1742, says:--

"At the desire of several persons of distinction, the above performance
is put off to Tuesday next. The doors will be opened at eleven, and the
performance begins at twelve. Many ladies and gentlemen who are
well-wishers to this noble and grand charity, for which this oratorio
was composed, request it as a favor that the ladies who honor this
performance with their presence would be pleased to come without hoops,
as it would greatly increase the charity by making room for more
company."

Gentlemen were also requested to come without their swords. "In this
way," it is said, "the stewards" were able to seat seven hundred persons
in the room instead of six hundred. The principal parts in the
performance were assigned to Signora Avolio, Mrs. Cibber, and Messrs.
Church and Ralph Roseingrane; and Mrs. Cibber's delivery of the aria "He
was despised" is said to have been so touching that Dr. Delany, the
companion of Swift, exclaimed, as she closed: "Woman, for this be all thy
sins forgiven."

The "Messiah" was performed thirty-four times during the composer's life,
but never upon a scale commensurate with its merits until the Handel
Commemoration at Westminster