Unfortunately, little is known about Joseph Williams. According to the title page of the edition, he was ‘Première Clarinette solo de la chapelle de S. Majesté la reine de l’Angleterre‘ (first clarinet soloist in the Chapel of Her Majesty the Queen of England). We also know that Williams also frequently appeared as a basset horn player in London. The two ‘fleeting pieces‘ with the titles Mélodie – Caprice and Bolero were published in 1859 (plate number 14621).