e does not know, that in the best
Schools the second and fourth were not permitted, when these two Vowels
are pronounced close or united.

Sec. 16. There are many Defects in the _Divisions_, which it is necessary
to know, in order to avoid them; for, besides that of the Nose or the
Throat, and the others already mentioned, those are likewise displeasing
which are neither mark'd nor gliding; for in that Case they cannot be
said to sing, but howl and roar. There are some still more ridiculous,
who mark them above Measure, and with Force of Voice, thinking (for
Example) to make a _Division_ upon _A_, it appears as if they said _Ha_,
_Ha_, _Ha_, or _Gha_, _Gha_, _Gha_; and the same upon the other Vowels.
The worst Fault of all is singing them out of Tune.

Sec. 17. The Master should know, that though a good Voice put forth with
Ease grows better, yet by too swift a Motion in _Divisions_ it becomes
an indifferent one, and sometimes by the Negligence of the Master, to
the Prejudice of the Scholar, it is changed into a very bad one.

Sec. 18. _Divisions_ and _Shakes_ in a _Siciliana_ are Faults, and
_Glidings_ and _Draggs_ are Beauties.

Sec. 19. The sole and entire Beauty of the _Division_ consists in its being
perfectly in Tune, mark'd, equal, distinct, and quick.

Sec. 20. _Divisions_ have the like Fate with the _Shakes_; both equally
delight in their Place; but if not properly introduced, the too frequent
Repetition of them becomes tedious if not odious.

Sec. 21. After the Scholar has made himself perfect in the _Shake_ and the
_Divisions_, the Master should let him read and pronounce the Words,
free from those gross and ridiculous Errors of Orthography, by which
many deprive one Word of its double Consonant, and add one to another,
in which it is single.[44]

Sec. 22. After having corrected the Pronunciation, let him take Care that
the Words be uttered in such a Manner, without any Affectation that
they be distinctly understood, and no one Syllable be lost; for if they
are not distinguished, the Singer deprives the Hearer of the greatest
Part of that Delight which vocal Musick conveys by Means of the Words.
For, if the Words are not heard so as to be understood, there will be no
great Difference between a human Voice and a Hautboy. This Defect, tho'
one of the greatest, is now-a-days more than common, to the greatest
Disgrace of the Professors and the Profession; and yet they ought to
know, that the Words only giv