Second Edition: The Celebrated Water Witch Quadrilles. With the Grand finale of the Patriot King. Arranged for the Piano Forte with Accompaniments (ad lib) for harp, flute, Violin & Violincello. By George Weippert.This is a c.1831 collection of Quadrilles issued by Z.T. Purday in London. It consists of 5 separate Quadrille dances named: True Blue, or The National Flag La Belle Barberie The Water Witch The Skimmer of the Seas The Finale of The Patriot KingThe Water Witch Quadrilles were first issued in London in December 1830, this particular copy is an c.1831 2nd Edition published by Z.T. Purday of High Holborn. The music is composed by George Weippert. Weippert was the son of John Michael Weippert (1776-1831) and the nephew of John Erhardt Weippert (1766-1823), both celebrated musicians and composers in early 19th century London.The title "Water Witch" alludes to the 1830 novel of the same name by the American author James Fenimore Cooper. It was advertised in London's newspapers from 1830. The London Evening Standard (15th of October 1830) wrote of the novel: "Few books, before appearance, have ever excited so much curiosity as the forthcoming tale of the great American Novelist. Is this to be attributed to Cooper's increasing fame or to the curious title which he as prefixed to his new romance? Several well known writers for the stage are actively striving for that coveted advantage - the first copy". A stage production appeared at the Theatre Royal, Adelphi, in November of 1830; it's probable that Weippert's Quadrilles are adapted from the score composed for this production. The Morning Herald newspaper published a scathing review of the burletta on the 16th of November 1830, it concluded that "Mr Yates announced the piece for repetition amid loud applause", the public evidently enjoyed the spectacle. The Weekly Times also published a bad review (21st of November 1830): "We expected nothing from the production, and were not disappointed ... We do not think it likely that the Water Witch will become an established favourite, unless, indeed, some expedient be hit upon to lighten its present heaviness. The House was well filled.". The "Water Witch" itself was a ship, as depicted on the cover of the Quadrilles.The novel was a success, the dramatisation less so. And yet Weippert's Quadrille set was also a success. The Age newspaper for the 26th of December 1830 announced initial publication through Cramer, Addison and Beale of Regent Street: "The Water Witch Quadrille for the present Season, containing 'True Blue,' 'La Belle Barberie,' 'The Water Witch,' 'The Skimmer of the Sea,' and 'The Patriot King.' This favourite finale has the grand chain figure adapted by George Weippert, and which may be danced at the end of any set of Quadrilles as well as the set to which it is attached." Weippert's quadrilles included something a little unusual - a new set of dance figures for the finale of the set. It is likely that this novelty, combined with a little luck, caused the set to be especially enjoyed for dancing. The Morning Herald newspaper for the 13th of January 1831 added: "its grand chain figure by G Weippert, enlivens the ball rooms of our fashionable elegantes, combining melody, harmony, and loyalty". It sold well enough for a second edition to be advertised in the John Bull newspaper for the 27th of March 1831.Quadrille Sets of the 1820s and early 1830s tend to be highly formulaic, they were almost always arranged to be danced to the figures of the "First Set" (the set of Quadrilles that had risen to prominence in London back in 1816). Dancers of the 1830s would memorise this set of figures, then dance them to an endless variety of different musical arrangements. Back in the late 1810s there had been many different sets of Quadrille figures to dance, as time passed the interest in novelty waned such that little variety was to be encountered. And yet Weippert arranged an alternative set of figures for his finale to the Water Witch Quadrilles, his new finale evidently proved popular with the Quadrille dancing public. His music remained compatible with the First Set figures, yet dancers were encouraged to enjoy his new Finale if they were willing. Indeed, they might even dance his Finale to any other Quadrille music of their preference.Weippert's figures to the Finale were nothing particularly special, dancers of the 1810s would not have been surprised. Indeed, cotillion dancers of the 1770s wouldn't have been surprised either; but the public in 1830 evidently enjoyed the novelty sufficiently for several editions of the Water Witch Quadrilles to be published.Purday continued to advertise the Water Witch Quadrilles for sale (for 3 shillings) as late as 1834. They were advertised in The Age newspaper for 2nd March 1834, Purday added: "The publisher begs to assure purchasers that the patronage bestowed on these popular quadrilles shall continue to be merited by an undeviating attention to their arrangement and production.".