< A Dictionary of Music and Musicians

​ROUSSEAU'S DREAM. A very favourite air in England in the early part of this century. Its first appearance under that name is presumably as 'an Air with Variations for the Pianoforte, composed and dedicated to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Delaware, by J. B. Cramer. London, Chappell' [1812].


But it is found (with very slight changes) a quarter of a century earlier, under the title of 'Melissa. The words by Charles James, Esq., adapted to the Pianoforte, Harp, or Guitar. London, J. Dale, 1788.' Whether the air is Rousseau's or not the writer has not ascertained. It is not in his 'Les Consolations,' etc. (Paris, 1781).

[ G. ]

App. p.776:

​For the last two sentences of the article read as follows:—The melody occurs in the 'Pantomime' in Scene 8 of the 'Devin du Village,' where its form is as follows:—


The origin of the title 'Dream' is not forthcoming.

[ M. ]

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