Reparation for the Time they think they have lost during the Course of
the _Air_. In the following Chapter, on the tormented and tortured
Cadences, we shall shortly see the good Taste of the _Mode_; in the mean
while I return to the Abuses and Defects in _Airs_.

Sec. 21. I cannot positively tell, who that _Modern_ Composer, or that
ungrateful Singer was, that had the Heart to banish the delightful,
soothing, _Pathetick_ from _Airs_, as if no longer worthy of their
Commands, after having done them so long and pleasing Service. Whoever
he was, it is certain, he has deprived the Profession of its most
valuable Excellence. Ask all the Musicians in general, what their
Thoughts are of the _Pathetick_, they all agree in the same Opinion, (a
thing that seldom happens) and answer, that the _Pathetick_ is what is
most delicious to the Ear, what most sweetly affects the Soul, and is
the strongest Basis of Harmony. And must we be deprived of these Charms,
without knowing the Reason why? Oh! I understand you: I ought not to ask
the Masters, but the Audience, those capricious Protectors of the
_Mode_, that cannot endure this; and herein lies my Mistake. Alas! the
_Mode_ and the Multitude flow like Torrents, which, when at their
Height, having spent their Violence, quickly disappear. The Mischief is
in the Spring itself; the Fault is in the Singers. They praise the
_Pathetick_, yet sing the _Allegro_. He must want common Sense that does
not see through them. They know the first to be the most Excellent, but
they lay it aside, knowing it to be the most difficult.

Sec. 22. In former times divers _Airs_ were heard in the Theatre in this
delightful Manner, preceded and accompanied with harmonious and
well-modulated Instruments, that ravished the Senses of those who
comprehended the Contrivance and the Melody; and if sung by one of those
five or six eminent Persons abovementioned, it was then impossible for a
human Soul, not to melt into Tenderness and Tears from the violent
Motion of the Affections. Oh! powerful Proof to confound the idoliz'd
_Mode_! Are there in these Times any, who are moved with Tenderness, or
Sorrow?----No, (say all the Auditors) no; for, the continual singing of
the _Moderns_ in the _Allegro_ Stile, though when in Perfection That
deserves Admiration, yet touches very slightly one that hath a delicate
Ear. The Taste of the _Ancients_ was a Mixture of the _Lively_ and the
_Cantabile_ the Variety of which could not fa