23 Sep 1773:21 (1156)
Virginia Gazette-Williamsburg (Hu)   
VGW(HU.773.129                                                          
23 Sep 1773:21 (1156)                                                   
London, July 9.  Extract of a letter from Oxford.  The very             
numerous and polite company at present here gives an                    
uncommon splendour to this city, . . . Among the number of              
gentlemen admitted to degrees on this occasion, you will                
hear with pleasure the name of the composer Arnold, who is              
now Doctor in Musick.  The University offered him an                    
honorary degree, which he very properly declined; and                   
performed, as an exercise, a new composition, which did him             
more honour than even his new dignity.  All the musical                 
world are here: Mrs. Sheridan, Miss Linley, Sig. Galli,                 
Giardini, Fischer, Eichner, Crosdeil, &c.  I am just                    
preparing to go to The Prodigal Son, which is to be                     
performed this evening.  It is pretty extraordinary, that,              
although through Royal partiality this admirable production             
never brought its author a saving house last spring, yet the            
first minister should do so much justice to English genius              
as to choose that in preference to any of Handel's                      
productions on this extraordinary occasion.