Haym, Nicolas Francis

, a native of Rome, appears to have come to London in the early part of the last century, as a musical professor, and engaged with two others, Clayton and Dieupart, in an attempt to establish an Italian opera here. This scheme had some success until 1710, when the superior merits of Handel’s “Rinaldo” diverted the public attention from Haym and his colleagues. Haym appears afterwards to have tried various literary projects, one of which was his “II Tesoro Britannico,” Lond. 1719 20, 2 vols. 4to, in which he proposed to engrave and describe all the coins, statues, gems, &c. to be found in the cabinets in England, and not before made public. In the execution of this work, however, he committed so many egregious blunders, and advanced so many ignorant and rash conjectures, that it has ever been thrown aside with contempt by able antiquaries. His most useful publication was his “Notizia de Libri rari nella Lingua Italiana,” which appeared first in 1726, in an 8vo volume, printed at London, and was several times reprinted with additions. The edition of Milun, 1771, 2 vols. 4to, appears to be the best.

He likewise wrote two tragedies, “La Merope,” and “La Dernodice,” and edited an edition of Tasso in 2 vols. 4to. In the last years of his arrive life, he published proposals for a History of music, upon an admirable plan; but it was not encouraged, which Dr. Btirney thinks is much to be lamented, as far as Italy was concerned; as he was not only a good practical musician, but a man of extensive learning, and perfectly acquainted with the history of the art in his own country, and its progress in England during his residence there. He had not only knowledge in | counterpoint, but genius for composition, as he published at Amsterdam in 1713, two sets of sonatas for two violins and a bass, which are little inferior to the sonatas of Corelli. There is more variety in them, though less grace. He died in March 1730, and his effects were sold by auction soon after his decease. ¹