ives us Pain, in not being able to shew his Ability in
publick; disgusts the Hearer, and ruins the Compositions in such a
Manner, that they are not known to be what they are. A timorous Singer
is unhappy, like a Prodigal, who is miserably poor.

Sec. 29. Let not the Master neglect to shew him, how great their Error is
who make _Shakes_ or _Divisions_, or take Breath on the _syncopated_ or
_binding_ Notes; and how much better Effect the holding out the Voice
has. The Compositions, instead of losing, acquire thereby greater
Beauty.[45]

Sec. 30. Let the Master instruct him in the _Forte_ and _Piano_, but so as
to use him more to the first than the second, it being easier to make
one sing soft than loud. Experience shews that the _Piano_ is not to be
trusted to, since it is prejudicial though pleasing; and if any one has
a Mind to lose his Voice, let him try it. On this Subject some are of
Opinion, that there is an artificial _Piano_, that can make itself be
heard as much as the _Forte_; but that is only Opinion, which is the
Mother of all Errors. It is not Art which is the Cause that the _Piano_
of a good Singer is heard, but the profound Silence and Attention of the
Audience. For a Proof of this, let any indifferent Singer be silent on
the Stage for a Quarter of a Minute when he should sing, the Audience,
curious to know the Reason of this unexpected Pause, are hush'd in such
a Manner, that if in that Instant he utter one Word with a soft Voice,
it would be heard even by those at the greatest Distance.

Sec. 31. Let the Master remember, that whosoever does not sing to the
utmost Rigour of Time, deserves not the Esteem of the Judicious;
therefore let him take Care, there be no Alteration or Diminution in it,
if he pretends to teach well, and to make an excellent Scholar.

Sec. 32. Though in certain Schools, Books of Church-Musick and of
_Madrigals_ lie buried in Dust, a good Master would wipe it off; for
they are the most effectual Means to make a Scholar ready and sure. If
Singing was not for the most part performed by Memory, as is customary
in these Days, I doubt whether certain Professors could deserve the Name
of Singers of the first Rank.[46]

Sec. 33. Let him encourage the Scholar if he improves; let him mortify him,
without Beating, for Indolence; let him be more rigorous for
Negligences; nor let the Scholar ever end a Lesson without having
profited something.

Sec. 34. An Hour of Application in a Day is not