eputation of a middling Singer, and destroying That of one who had
acquired one by Merit? That Musick, which is composed by one of Judgment
and Taste, instructs the Scholar, perfects the Skilful, and delights the
Hearer. But since we have opened the Ball, let us dance.

Sec. 25. He that first introduced Musick on the Stage, probably thought to
lead her to a Triumph, and raise her to a Throne. But who would ever
have imagined, that in the short Course of a few Years, she should be
reduced to the fatal Circumstance of seeing her own Tragedy? Ye pompous
Fabricks of the Theatres! We should look upon you with Horror, being
raised from the Ruins of Harmony: You are the Origin of the Abuses, and
of the Errors: From You is derived the _modern_ Stile and the Multitude
of Ballad-makers: You are the only Occasion of the Scarcity of judicious
and well-grounded Professors, who justly deserve the Title of
Chapel-Master[74]; since the poor Counterpoint[75] has been condemned,
in this corrupted Age, to beg for a Piece of Bread in Churches, whilst
the Ignorance of many exults on the Stage, the most part of the
Composers have been prompted from Avarice, or Indigence, to abandon in
such Manner the true Study, that one may foresee (if not succoured by
those few, that still gloriously sustain its dearest Precepts) Musick,
after having lost the Name of Science, and a Companion of Philosophy,
will run the Risque of being reputed unworthy to enter into the sacred
Temples, from the Scandal given there, by their Jiggs, Minuets, and
Furlana's[76]; and, in fact, where the Taste is so deprav'd, what would
make the Difference between the Church-Musick, and the Theatrical, if
Money was received at the Church Doors?

Sec. 26. I know that the World honours with just Applause some, tho' few
Masters, intelligent in both Stiles, to whom I direct the Students in
order to their singing well; and if I confine the Masters to so small a
Number, I do beg Pardon of those who should be comprehended therein;
hoping easily to obtain it, because an involuntary Error does not
offend, and an eminent Person knows no other Envy but virtuous
Emulation. As for the Ignorant, who for the most part are not used to
indulge any, but rather despise and hate every thing they do not
comprehend, they will be the Persons from whom I am to expect no
Quarter.

Sec. 27. To my Misfortune, I asked one of this sort, from whom he had
learned the _Counterpoint_? he answered immediately f