rom the Instrument,
(_i.e._, the Harpsichord)--Very well. I asked farther, in what _Tone_
have you composed the Introduction of your Opera?----What _Tone_! what
_Tone_! (breaking in upon me abruptly) with what musty Questions are you
going to disturb my Brains? One may easily perceive from what School
you come. The _Moderns_, if you do not know it, acknowledge no other
_Tone_ but one[77]; they laugh, with Reason, at the silly Opinion of
those who imagine there are two, as well as at those who maintain, that
their being divided into _Authentick_ and _Plagal_, they become Eight,
(and more if there were need) and prudently leave it to everybody's
Pleasure to compose as they like best. The World in your Time was
asleep, and let it not displease you, if our merry and brisk Manner has
awakened it with a Gayety so pleasing to the Heart, that it incites one
to dance. I would have you likewise be lively before you die, and,
abandoning your uncouth Ideas, make it appear, that old Age can be
pleased with the Productions of Youth; otherwise you will find, that
you will be condemned by your own Words, that Ignorance hates all that
is excellent. The polite Arts have advanced continually in Refinement,
and if the rest were to give me the Lie, Musick would defend me Sword in
Hand; for she cannot arrive at a higher Pitch. Awake therefore, and, if
you are not quite out of your Senses, hearken to me; and you will
acknowledge that I speak candidly to you; and for a Proof be it known to
you----

Sec. 28. That our delicious Stile has been invented to hide with the fine
Name of _Modern_ the too difficult Rules of the _Counterpoint_, cannot
be denied.

Sec. 29. That there is an inviolable Rule amongst us, to banish for ever
the _Pathetick_, is very true; because we will have no Melancholy.

Sec. 30. But, that we should be told by the old _Bashaws_, that we strive
who can produce most extravagant Absurdities never heard before, and
that we brag to be the Inventors of them ourselves, are the malign
Reflections of those who see us exalted. Let Envy burst. You see, that
the general Esteem which we have acquired, gives it for us; and if a
Musician is not of our Tribe, he will find no Patron or Admirer. But
since we are now speaking in Confidence and with Sincerity, who can sing
or compose well, without our Approbation? Let them have ever so much
Merit (you know it) we do not want Means to ruin him; even a few
Syllables will suffice: It is only s