1 Daniel Rootham (1837–1922), well-known Bristol musician (singer and organist). Conductor of Bristol Madrigal Society, 1865–1915 (father of Dr. Cyril Rootham of Cambridge).Google Scholar

2 For further particulars of the Ellacombes see Henry Nicholson Ellacombe—a Memoir, edited by Arthur W. Hill, ‘Country Life’, 1919. Chapter II is entitled ‘Pearsall and the Ellacombes’.Google Scholar

3 It has not been possible to identify the houses on Clifton Hill and in Paul Street, and much of the latter street was destroyed in World War II. 6 Somerset Street, however, still clings to the side of the steep hill behind Bristol Infirmary.Google Scholar

4 MS in the author's possession.Google Scholar

5 Published in 1830 and dedicated to Panny. The use of these words may have been suggested by a setting (as a round) by Atterbury in A Collection of Duets, Rotas, Canons, Catches and Glees, selected and arranged by Robert Broderip, Bristol 1804, a copy of which was in Pearsall's library.Google Scholar

6 Paper read to the Society of Antiquaries on 12 January 1837, and published in Vol. 27 of Archaeologia (1838).Google Scholar

7 Mrs. Hughes stated that her grandmother died in July, 1836. In view of the statement that the funeral was delayed a month the death must have been earlier, as Pearsall wrote in one of his common-place books: ‘Note I was at Carlsruhe the 30th May 1836 … at Willsbridge whither I came by the Bristol Mail 9 June.’ According to this she probably died about the middle of May, Pearsall setting out on receipt of the news.Google Scholar

8 The words of ‘All ye nuns of Halliwell’ which Pearsall set (tried out by the Bristol Madrigal Society on 10 May, 1837) are to be found on p. 240 of Peacham's book.Google Scholar

9 The first compositions to be published as by ‘R. L. de Pearsall’ appeared after the composer's death. My father came to the conclusion that it was Mrs. Hughes who liked the idea of calling her father ‘de Pearsall’ and inserted the ‘de’ in the MSS before publication. Pearsall's son adopted the ‘de’ and probably regarded it as a way of showing his noble descent and possession of Schloss Wartensee.Google Scholar

10 Willsbridge was sold to a Captain Straton (or Stratton) who later (in 1842) added the castellations which give the house the nickname of ‘the castle’ among the locals. The author is indebted to Mr. C. P. Kitchley of Bitton for various items of local information.Google Scholar

11 These six letters in the style of Cobbett appeared in the Bristol Journal in 1839. Their satire is directed mainly against either Meyerbeer or Rossini.Google Scholar

12 Eventually published without acknowledgment of authorship in the Gentleman's Magazine 1860. Ellacombe immediately recognised it as Pearsall's work and wrote to the editor who had forgotten from where the MS had originated!Google Scholar

13 Philippa studied painting with Liberat Hundertpfund (1806–1878). After her father's death she married John Hughes Esquire of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-law, of the family of Hughes of Gwerclas and Kynner-yn-Edeirnion, Merionethshire.Google Scholar

14 See Annette von Droste-Hūlshoff in der Schweiz by Dr. P. Otmar Scheiwiller of Einsiedeln (Benziger & Co., Einsiedeln, n.d.).Google Scholar

15 In The Musical Quarterly, April 1919 and April 1920, and in The Musical Times, October 1920, May 1922, May 1923 and January 1924.Google Scholar

16 Add. MS 38548.Google Scholar

17 Add. MS 38551.Google Scholar

18 Novello, Ewer & Co., n.d. [1876].Google Scholar

19 Edward Bull, Holies Street, London, 1829.Google Scholar

20 Add. MS 38561.Google Scholar

21 An authentic edition of ‘Who shall have’ and other works has been published by the Year Book Press (A. & C. Black).Google Scholar

22 The Montagu Inn, which was regularly used for the meetings until the 1920s, was damaged in World War II and has been pulled down.Google Scholar