as then invested with the degree. Handel's latest biographer, Mr W. S.
Rockstro, says that the Oxford fees would have cost Handel 100 pounds.
Haydn's note of the expense is not so alarming: "I had to pay one and
a half guineas for the bell peals at Oxforth [sic] when I received the
doctor's degree, and half a guinea for the robe." He seems to have found
the ceremonies a little trying, and not unlikely he imagined himself
cutting rather a ridiculous figure in his gorgeous robe of cherry and
cream-coloured silk. At the concert following the investiture he seized
the gown, and, raising it in the air, exclaimed in English, "I thank
you." "I had to walk about for three days in this guise," he afterwards
wrote, "and only wish my Vienna friends could have seen me." Haydn's
"exercise" for the degree was the following "Canon cancrizans, a tre,"
set to the words, "Thy voice, O harmony, is divine."

[figure: a musical score excerpt]

This was subsequently used for the first of the Ten Commandments, the
whole of which he set to canons during his stay in London. Three grand
concerts formed a feature of the Oxford Commemoration.

The "Oxford" Symphony

At the second of these a symphony in G, written in 1787 or 1788, and
since known as the "Oxford," was performed, with the composer at the
organ. He had taken a new symphony with him for the occasion, but owing
to lack of time for rehearsals, the earlier work was substituted.
Of this latter, the Morning Chronicle wrote that "a more wonderful
composition never was heard. The applause given to Haydn was
enthusiastic; but the merit of the work, in the opinion of all the
musicians present, exceeded all praise."

Holiday Relaxations

The London season having now come to an end, Haydn proceeded to recruit
his energies by paying visits to distinguished people at their country
quarters, taking part in river excursions, picnics, and the like. Prince
Esterhazy had sent him a pressing summons to return for a great fete
which was being organized in honour of the Emperor, but having entered
into new engagements with Salomon and others, he found it impossible to
comply. A less indulgent employer would have requited him with instant
dismissal, but all that the prince said when they afterwards met was,
"Ah, Haydn! you might have saved me 40,000 florins." His longest visit
at this time was spent with Mr Brassey, a Lombard Street banker, and
ancestor of the present peer. "The banker," he says, "onc