d being (if I succeed) to give farther
Insight to the Master, the Scholar, and the Singer.

Sec. 9. I will in the first Place, endeavour to shew the Duty of a Master,
how to instruct a Beginner well; secondly, what is required of the
Scholar; and, lastly, with more mature Reflections, to point out the way
to a moderate Singer, by which he may arrive at greater Perfection.
Perhaps my Enterprize may be term'd rash, but if the Effects should not
answer my Intentions, I shall at least incite some other to treat of it
in a more ample and correct Manner.

Sec. 10. If any should say, I might be dispensed with for not publishing
Things already known to every Professor, he might perhaps deceive
himself; for among these Observations there are many, which as I have
never heard them made by anybody else, I shall look upon as my own; and
such probably they are, from their not being generally known. Let them
therefore take their Chance, for the Approbation of those that have
Judgment and Taste.

Sec. 11. It would be needless to say, that verbal Instructions can be of no
Use to Singers, any farther than to prevent 'em from falling into
Errors, and that it is Practice only can set them right. However, from
the Success of these, I shall be encouraged to go on to make new
Discoveries for the Advantage of the Profession, or (asham'd, but not
surpriz'd) I will bear it patiently, if Masters with their Names to
their Criticism should kindly publish my Ignorance, that I may be
undeceiv'd, and thank them.

Sec. 12. But though it is my Design to Demonstrate a great Number of
Abuses and Defects of the Moderns to be met with in the Republick of
Musick, in order that they may be corrected (if they can); I would not
have those, who for want of Genius, or through Negligence in their
Study, could not, or would not improve themselves, imagine that out of
Malice I have painted all their Imperfections to the Life; for I
solemnly protest, that though from my too great Zeal I attack their
Errors without Ceremony, I have a Respect for their Persons; having
learned from a _Spanish_ Proverb, that Calumny recoils back on the
Author. But Christianity says something more. I speak in general; but if
sometimes I am more particular, let it be known, that I copy from no
other Original than myself, where there has been, and still is Matter
enough to criticize, without looking for it elsewhere.

CHAP. I.

OBSERVATIONS _for one who teaches a_ Soprano.[3]