New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-03
A CLEU TO BYRON RELICS.

FfOTn The Baltimore Herald
The discovery of Lord Byrons screen few days ago
among the lumber OF Obscure collector, which was
noted in European and American journals, has called
attention to the fact that many years ago an extraord
Professor Ma% f w Fses Il ard Fs Sss was made
harmonic Society OF England aud rst vionlst oil her
Maestys Theatre orchestra, London. Efforts are now
being made by English historical societies 20 discover
the whereabouts OF this collection, on which watts
spent for many years. every cent he could raise OBJ
tanning photographs autographs and relics Of all kinds
connected with ByroIs life IL was learned recently
that William Watts was the father-in-law oil Professor
f. Nichols Crouch, author OF Kathleen havour,
neen and other popular songs, now resident Of
Baltimore Professor Crouch was seen by a " Morning
Herald reporter yesterday at his home No O2 Pafkn
at When q clipping from THE Nkw-iORk TRIBUNE
oas shown him referring TO the efforts being made TO
locate the Watts collection he became very much M
erested stating that about forty volumes oil thework
passed through his hands Professor Crouch gives the
following history of Watts's iie-abor . When tho
Philharmonic Society OF London was in its prime my
fatherin-law the secretary and was his assistant
We lived together in London and had the pleasure of
entertaining all the musicians of note in that day.
Nv in law began b. make collection OF drawings
portraits and engravngs OF Byron's writings. As the
collection increased Watts began to realize that he had
begun an hercucan undertaking; but II became his
hobby, and all the money he could spare be spent to
complete the work. From the day my iather-in-aw
started the collection it understood that at his
death would tall heir to the work, and with that idea
constantly held before my eyes worked hard and
compiled volume after volume for Murray Co.. the
London publishers When left London in 1919 forty
volumes wers completed. went first 10 Washington:
where held government position. While there l
often heard from my fathcr-in-aw, who informed me
OF the progress Of the work. just before leaving
Washington for this city received letter stating
that Watts and his wife had left London for the Isle OF
Guernsey, France. After living there Tor about two
wears his wife died, leaving him alone Watts then
engaged midde-agcd housckeeper. year
later heard that Watts and his bOusekeeper were
man and wife. Watts did not live long after his
second marriage but at the time Of his death he had
completed over fifty volumes Of his work. the greater
part of which bound. Since the death of Watts
have had no authentic information to the where
ab0uts of his collection, but believe il TO be still in
the hands of his second wife her relatives feel
positive that the work Is still in France. and that
number OF the volumes are still unbound, a. Murray,
the publisher had the sole right TO do the work is
my opinion that this woman does not know the value
of the collection The volumes compiled IN the
most elaborate manner and bound in good strong
material They very large and filled the shelves
ON one side OF Watts's immense library"
Professor Crouch Is engaged in writing his HE
entitled. " Life Before aud Behind the Scenes" The
contains the work Of all the leading musicians who
lived during the past sxtyfye years. Crouch in this
volume tells very interesting story about Mendels-
sohn as follows: watts and myself were at break
fast one morning, when very small but handsome
Jew was ushered into the ROOM drew up chair tor
him and the young man sat down, and after telling
that his name was Mendelssohn, said that he had an
overture for the Philharmonic TO look at trial
night and saying he put on the table the of
Midsummer Nights Dream have Just finished
the work., said Mendelssohu, and have not had tne
to have transcription made OF the score Watts
told the young musician that IL customary for the
society to have that work done at its expense,
and ne turned the rough outlines If the now popular
piece of music to me. My pleased Men
dessohn that he asked 10 make of the sepa-
was the first work written by Mendessohn played in
London"