Annotation:Recovery (1) (The)

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X:1 T:Recovery [1], The M:2/4 L:1/8 R:Country Dance Tune B:William Cahusac – The German Flute Preceptor (c. 1814, p. 12) Z:AK/Fiddler’s Companion K:D AdAd|(e/d/e/f/) ee|agec|(d/c/d/e/) dd|AdAd |(e/d/e/f/) ee|agec|df d2!fine!!fermata!:| |:agec|dfdA|GG (G/F/G/A/)|(G2F)z|agec|dfdA|GF/G/ A/G/F/E/|D2z2:| |:ff/f/ ff|f3g|fedc|(d/c/d/e/) f2|ee/e/ ee|e2 zf|edcB|A2 z2:|]

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RECOVERY [1], THE. AKA and see "March (35)." English; March, Country Dance Tune (2/4 time). F Major (Raven): C Major (Burks, Howe): D Major (Barber, Callaghan, Riley, Wilson). Standard tuning (fiddle). One part (Raven): AB (Riley): ABCA (Wilson): AABBCA (Howe): AABBCC (Barber, Callaghan). Barry Callaghan (2007) notes that in Manuscript 36 in the Vaughn Williams Music Library of EFDSS a handwritten note accompanying the tune suggests the recovery referred to one of George III's (1738-1820) 'recoveries' from his bouts of mental disability [1]. The last two decades of George’s life contained periods of ‘madness’ and remission--one episode was so severe that he considered abdicating in 1783--but his health continued to decline. Another episode in 1788 saw him to Cheltenham Spa in the Midlands to take the medicinal waters, but his condition worsened. In November of that year he became seriously ill, sometimes speaking continually for many hours, foaming at the mouth, and repeating himself. Treatment for mental illness even for a king was very basic. It consisted of forcible restraint and chemical poultices to draw out "evil humours".

His bad health led to a political crisis and a debate about who should be Regent. However, prior to any action being taken George III recovered and the issue was shelved. It was the King's own idea to have a public celebration although his own government was not keen. The ceremony was intended to be like a coronation service and the king planned part of it himself. The main event was held at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on 23rd April 1789. In an effort to get a cure he went to a Midlands town called Cheltenham Spa to take the medicinal waters but his condition worsened. In November he became seriously ill, sometimes speaking continually for many hours, foaming at the mouth, and repeating himself. Treatment for mental illness even for a king was very basic. It consisted of forcible restraint and chemical poultices to draw out "evil humours".

His bad health led to a political crisis and a debate about who should be Regent. Fortunately George III recovered and the issue was put to one side. It was his idea to have a public celebration although his own government was not keen. The ceremony was intended to be like a coronation service and the king planned part of it himself. The main event was held at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on 23rd April 1789.

The melody appears in the music manuscript book of fiddler John Burk, dated 1821. Unfortunately, nothing is known of Burk, although his ms. has an English provenance. The tune also appears in the large early 19th century music manuscript of British military fifer John Buttery, and in many other fiddlers’ manuscripts: John Clare (Helpston, Northants, 1820), Robert Hughes (Whitchurch, Shropshire, 1823), the Rev. Robert Harrison (Brampton, Cumbria, 1820), James Winder (Wyresdale, Lancashire, 1835), Lawrence Leadley (Helperby, Yorkshire, c. 1840's), George Spencer (Leeds, west Yorkshire, 1831), a manuscript from Carlisle (Cumbria, 1810), James Haslingden (Midlands, 1827), a manuscript from Aston-on-Carrant (Gloucestershire, copy of 1770 MS) and Miss Best (unknown, c. 1850).

Researcher Conor Ward finds a cognate tune as an untitled march (see "March (35)") in County Leitrim musician Stephen Grier's 1883 music manuscript collection.

Published versions appear in Wilson’s Companion to the Ball Room (London, 1816, p. 109) and William Cahusac's German Flute Preceptor (c. 1814, p. 12). In America the melody was contained in Riley’s Flute Melodies, vol. 3 (New York, 1820-1825, p. 19).

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