ARNOLD, SAMUEL, a celebrated composer of music, was born in the year 1739, and received his musical education at the Chapel-Royal St James's. He first brought himself into notice by the beautiful little air of, " If 'tis joy to wound a lover," which was followed by other pieces, which established his professional reputa tion. In the year 1760 he was introduced to the public as musical composer for Covent Garden theatre; and in 1776, he was engaged by Mr Colman to superintend the music in the Haymarket theatre. About the year 1767, Mr Arnold set to music the " Cure of Saul," which was followed by the oratorios of " Abimelech," the " Resurrection," and the " Prodigal Son ;" compo sitions wnich increased his fame, and were reckoned worthy of the disciple of Handel. When lord North was installed Chancellor of the university of Oxford, the oratorio of the Prodigal Son was performed under the direction of Mr Arnold; and on this occasion the de gree of doctor of music was conferred upon him, agree ably to the statutes of the university. In the year 1783,
Dr Arnold succeeded Dr Nares as organist and com poser to his majesty's chapel at St James's; in 1789 he was appointed director and manager of the Academy of Ancient Music ; and in 1796 he was chosen the succes sor of Dr Hayes in the management of the annual per formances of St Paul's for the feast of the sons of the clergy. This celebrated musician died on the 22d of October 1802, and left behind him two daughters and a son.
Besides the compositions already mentioned, Dr Ar nold was the author of the music in the " Maid of the Mill," " lnkle and Yarico," the " Agreeable Surprise," the " Surrender of Calais," " Peeping Tom," and the " Shunamite Woman." In 1786 lie began an uniform edition of the works of Handel, of which he published 118 numbers, adorned with beautiful engravings. About the same time he also published four volumes of cathe dral music, as a continuation of Dr Boyce's splendid and select work on the same subject. (j)