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WATLIN John
in London
To be had at his house No. 17 Princes Street;" and he returns his most grateful thanks to the Subcribers to the Book, &c. He next announces by advertisement, in November 1792: «J. Watlen will open a New Music Warehouse in North Bridge after being seven years in the employment of Corri & Co.»
This latter statement implies an earlier settlement in Edinburgh than 1788.
Again, in 1793, the following appears: «J. Watlen opened
this day January 10th No. 13 North Bridge formerly possessed by Messrs Corri
& Sutherland,»
Shortly afterwards he removed to No. 34-«
Organ over the Door.»
In 1794, he advertises Piano Fortes, Harpsichords, &c. also Trumpets for the
use of the Cavalry, several collections of dance music, and among them is
found Donald M'Laren's Collection, &c. In pushing his business, Watlen seems to have advertised frequently, and apparently quoted lower prices than others in the trade. On the 27th of January 1798, Messrs Broadwood published in the Edinburgh newspapers as follows : - « Messrs Broadwood & Son Grand and Small Piano-Forte Makers of Great Pulteney Street London. Having seen an advertisement of Mr Watlen Music Seller, Edinburgh stating that he has instruments of their making J. B. & Son think it necessary to acquaint their Friends, that they have not the least connection with him. London Jan. 20, 1798.» John Watlen takes notice of this in his advertisement of February 15th : «The Celebrated Circus Music. The Author begs leave to inform his respectable and numerous subscribers that the Second Volume of the above Book will be published the latter end of next week, when the price to non-subscribers will be raised. Subscriptions taken in and the names of subscribers will be published with the Book. Mr Watlen takes this opportunity of informing his Friends and the Public, that an advertisement has lately appeared in all the Edinburgh papers, from John Broadwood and Sons Piano Forte Makers in London which has injured his reputation, credit and business in a very great degree as the matter will be directly brought before a Court of Law, he will now only trouble his friends with a real state of the case. When Mr Watlen left his Majesty's Navy, he commenced business as a Music and Instrument Seller some years since in Edinburgh; among other Makers of Piano. Fortes in London he wrote to Mr Broadwood to send him a few instruments and directed him to draw on him for ready money. His answer was as follows : that he had agreed with two other music dealers in Edinburgh not to serve any other tradesman with instruments. By this the Public will see that Mr Watlen never had any connection with Mr Broadwood nor what is more, never said he had any. Mr Watlen from time to to time has sold a number of Broadwood's Piano Fortes since he had been in that line of business but he was always obliged to employ a correspondent in London to purchase them, for which he has letters and receipts to show any of his friends, who will please to call at No. 34 North Bridge. - N.B. Those Ladies and Gentlemen who have for these twelve years past been in the habit of promoting and patronizing Mr Watlen's Musical Works, will please look into his advertisement of the 14th December 1797, and will there be convinced that he never said he had the least connection with Mr Broadwood.— North Bridge Street Feb. 12. 1798.» The advertisement of the date referred to, simply states: - «Broadwood's Piano Fortes, which are in general sold at Twenty-two Guineas only Nineteen Guineas, and every other article proportionably low -Mr Watlen is aware of the Public saying, How is he able to sell lower than his contemporaries ? the reason is obvious -as he is a Teacher himself he has no other Teachers to pay for recommending his Instruments.»
Whether or not Mr Watlen's averments were correct, and that he raised an
action against Messrs John Broadwood & Son, and its result, has not been
ascertained. However, the following appears on the 14th July: «Music and Musical
Instruments To be Sold by Roup, and Notice to the Debtors and Creditors. To
be Sold by Public Roup for behoof of Creditors at the Music Shop of John
Watlen No. 34 North Bridge Edinburgh The whole Stock &c. The sale to begin
on Tuesday the 24th July curt. &c. To be Let till Whitsunday the two Shops
on the North Bridge lately possessed by said John Watlen also his Dwelling
House in St Ann's Street.» This indicates that he had either a business or an agency in London. After his failure he went to London, and settled there. A notice to his Creditors appears in the Edinburgh papers of September 1806 : «To Creditors-Mr John Watlen's Creditors are requested to call on Mr Watson, No. 90 South Bridge, to receive their second and last dividend any Wednesday convenient. »Another advertisement, in June 1807, is as follows : - «London No. 5 Leicester Place Leicester Square. Grand, Horizontal, Upright and Square Piano Fortes, Harp, Military Instruments &c. of any maker, fifteen per cent under the shop price. Mr Watlen who lived many years in Scotland and having received considerable favours from the Nobility, Gentry and Public has now, an opportunlty, in some degree, of shewing his gratitude. From his extensive dealings with the manufacturers of the above Instruments, he is enabled to serve his Friends and the Public, with the very best at the discount mentioned, and, if not approved of, may be exchanged. Mr W. has chosen and sent to various parts of the united kingdoms upwards of One Thousand Instruments which have all given satisfaction. Orders addressed to his house, will be punctually executed. His celebrated 'Battle of Trafalgar' by Wother, and all his other compositions may be had at all the Music Shops N.B. Ladies and Gentlemen who are not immediately in want of Piano Fortes, &c. will please take down his address-No. 5 Leicester Place, Leicester Square.» Watlen was the first Secretary of the Edinburgh Musical Fund, instituted 1790. Watlen's attempts at the composition of Scottish melodies were, to say the least, far from being successful, but his set of the air «Comin' thro' the Rye» is the most popular one." The Glen collection of Scottish dance music: strathspeys, reels, and ..., 1895, p. 14
For references see page
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