WATSON, Henry Cood, musical critic, born in London, England, in 1816; died in New York city, 2 December, 1875. His father was conductor of the orchestra at Covent Garden theatre, and his sisters were well-known oratorio-singers. He had a fine voice, and made his debut in the first performance of Weber's opera "Oberon" at Covent Garden, in November, 1829. Subsequently he achieved success in London as a composer and musical critic, came to this country in 1840, and was art-critic for the New York "World," in which he published several poems. He became connected with the "Musical Chronicle " in 1843, and contributed to various periodicals. In 1844 he was art and musical critic for the New York "Albion," and in 1845 was associated with Charles F. Briggs and Edgar Allan Poe in founding the "Broadway Journal." He founded the "Musical Guest," a monthly magazine, separate editions of which were devoted to sacred and operatic music, and published in it many of his own compositions. For several years previous to 1861 he was editor-in-chief of Frank Leslie's "Illustrated Newspaper and Ladies' Magazine." In 1862 he founded the "Art Journal," and in 1863 became musical critic of the New York " Tribune." He was a founder of the New York Philharmonic society, of the American Musical fund association, and of the Vocal society (afterward called the Mendelssohn union), and was associated with William Vincent Wallace and Carlos D. Stuart in organizing the famous Mendelssohn concert at Castle Garden. Mr. Watson wrote the libretto for Wallace's opera "Lurline" (1854).