[ 'Thomson's National Melodies, harmonised by Haydn & Beethoven. The Poetry chiefly by Burns.' ] Prospectus for 'the Third and Concluding Volume of Select Welsh Melodies'; and 'Select Scottish Melodies', 4 vols; and 'Select Irish Melodies', 2 vols.

Thomson's friend Burns worked with him on the Scottish and Welsh melodies, which were arranged by Haydn and others. As Haydn's health was failing, Thomson turned to Beethoven for the arrangements of the Irish melodies, the first group of which were sent to him in 1809. 4pp., 8vo. Paginated 1-4. Unbound bifolium, stabbed as issued. In good condition, lightly-aged. Beneath the drophead title on the first page: 'On the 30th of May 1817, will be published the THIRD and CONCLUDING Volume of | Select Welsh Melodies; | [...]'. The volume has 'characteristic ENGLISH VERSES' by Mrs Opie, Joanna Baillie, Monk Lewis, Samuel Rogers, Walter Scott and others, 'And SYMPHONIES and ACCOMPANIMENTS to each Melody, for the Piano-Forte, Violin, and Violoncello, composed chiefly by HAYDN and BEETHOVEN, who have also harmonised many of the Melodies for Two Voices.' The two middle pages concern the 'Select Scottish Melodies' ('Lately Published, in Four Volumes, each Volume containing Fifty Melodies, a new and improved edition, being the Fifth'), with quotations from Haydn ('I boast of this Work, and by it, I flatter myself, my name will live in Scotland many years after my death.') and Burns (certifying that his songs are published by Thomson by his authority). States that 'The FIFTH or concluding Volume of the Scottish Work, with Symphonies and Accompaniments, composed by Haydn and Beethoven, is in great forwardness, and will be found fully as interesting as any of the preceding Volumes.' The last page concerns the 'Select Irish Melodies' ('Lately Published in Two Volumes, each Volume containing THIRTY MELODIES,'), 'With Symphonies and Accompaniments for the Piano Forte, Violin and Violoncello, composed by BEETHOVEN; and interesting Songs by Joanna Baillie, Robert Burns, A. Boswell, Esq. J. P. Curran, Esq. Walter Scott, Esq. William Smyth, Esq. &c. | The Symphonies and Accompaniments of Beethoven for these Irish Melodies, will be found characteristic and beautiful, in the highest degree, full of matter perfectly original, and diversified in the most ingenious manner, according to the plaintive, spirited, or playful character of the Melodies for which they were composed.' No other copy traced.