[from an informally-bound document passed down through the family]

PAROCHIAL LIBRARY AND READING ROOM
Dr Selle gave his lecture on the life of Beethoven to a crowded audience of upwards of 700 persons, and we find from the numerous disappointments in procuring admission, the committee prevailed upon him to give another on Tuesday last, when he was assisted by several vocal and instrumental performers, and attended with like results. Dr Selle was listened to with marked attention, and we were pleased to find that so many persons appreciated the works of the immortal composer. The specimens he played from the sonatas of Beethoven (on a fine piano of Broadwood's) showed that he was equal to the task; indeed, he really felt every note of those sublime works.

RICHMOND PAROCHIAL LIBRARY AND READING ROOMS
Dr Selle gave his second lecture on Tuesday evening last, to a large and influential audience, including the Princess of Courg [sic: maybe 'Coburg' is intended?] and suite, and the gentry of Richmond and its vicinity. The lecturer took on this occasion the chief compositions of Beethoven, viz. his grand Trio in C minor, his Sonata in D op. 10, his trio in B flat op. 101, besides several duets for piano and violin, and piano and violoncello. After explaining the peculiarities of Beethoven as a composer, he dwelt at considerable length upon pianoforte productions of the day, and pointed out to the audience that they belonged to the 'ornamental school,' which he described as the ' lowest walk of the art.' He then showed what was the 'true and beautiful' in music, and illustrated his remarks by playing movements from the Sonatas. We must not overlook the playing of Herr Ries and M. Taubert, the former on the violin, the latter on the violoncello. The performances of these gentlemen excited general approbation, in short, the proof that all parties engaged in the illustrations were musicians of no ordinary stamp.

The close of the lecture was accomplished by the lecturer with great feeling and emotion, and it was with great difficulty that he could proceed when speaking of the privations and hardships the immortal composer had to encounter throughout life.

H Tripp, Esq, proposed a vote of thanks to Dr Selle for his gratuitous lecture, which was seconded by T K Heath, Esq., who remarked that if in every town there were similar lectures delivered, the taste and style of music would be raised to the pitch so ably laid down by the lecturer.

Dr Hawtrey's lecture was announced for the following Tuesday.