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Powers and Progrefs of Mufic.

by Bellarmine, and a few other writers, they are confounded with Lector, of readers, yet they are by the canonits accounted a feparate and diftinct order. The reason for their inftitution was, that whereas in the apoftolical age the whole congregation fang in divine fervice, and great confusion and diforder followed therefrom, it was found neceffary to fettle what the church calls a regular and decent fong, which, as it was framed by rule, and founded in the principles of harmony, required fkill in the performance; and accordingly we find a canon in the council of Laodicea, held as early as the beginning of the fourth century, forbidding all, excepting the canonical fingers, that is to fay thofe who were ftationed in the Ambo, where the finging defk was placed, and who fang out of a book or parchment, to join in the pfalms, hymns, and other parts of mufical divine fervice. We may well fuppofe that this order of men were endowed with all the requifites for the difcharge of their function, and that that particular form which the council of Carthage directs to be used for the ordination of pfalmifa, or fingers, (fee vol. I. p. 284, n.) was in effect a recognition of their kill and abilities.

The order of men abovementioned can be confidered in no other view than as mere practical musicians, the principal object of whofe attention was to make themfelyes acquainted with the fongs of the church, and to utter them with that decency and gravity, and in fuch a manner as tended molt to edification. From the frequent repetition of the fame offices it must be fuppofed that in general they fang by rote: at least we had no better reafon to affign than that they muft have fo done, for the establishment of a íchool by St. Gregory for the inftruction of youthfa church mufic, as reform. ed by himfelf, and for that fedulous attention to their improvement in it which he manifefted infundry inftances.

At the fame time as we applaud the zeal of this father of the church, we fannot but wonder at that of his pre

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deceffors, which is not more apparent in their commendations of mufic, as affociated with religious worship, than in their fevere cenfures of that which was calculated for private recreation. As to the fongs of the ftage, in the ages immediately fucceeding the Chriftian æra, we know little more of them than, in general, that they were fuited to the corrupt manners of the times; and thefe, by reafon of their lewdnefs, and perhaps impiety of fentiment, might be a juft fubject of reprehenfion; but against the mufic, the founds to which they were uttered, or the particular inftruments that affifted the voice in finging them, an objection can fcarce be thought on; and yet fo frequent and fo bitter are the invectives of the primitive fathers, Clemeus, Alexandrinus, . and St. Chryfoftom, who were lovers and promoters of mufic againft wicked meafures and effeminate melodies, the noise of flutes, cymbals, harps, and other inftruments of deceit, feducing the hearers to intemperance and even idolatry, that if credit be given to their opinions of the nature and tendency of fecular mufic, we must be inclined to believe, as they in good earnest profefs, that it was the invention of Satan.

The cultivation of mufic, as a science, was the employment of men in whom all the learning of the times. may then be faid to have centered: thefe were the regular clergy, of fuch of whom as flourished in the eleventh century and afterwards, it muft, in juftice be faid, that what they wanted in knowledge, they made up in induftry; and that thofe frequent barbarifms which occur in their writings were, in no fmall degree, atoned for by the clearnefs and precifion with which, on every occafion, they delivered their fentiments. Nor was the concifenefs and method of the monkifh treatifes on mulie a lefs recommendation to them than their perfpicuity. They confifted either of fuch maxims as were deemed of the greateft importance in the fludy of the science, or of familiar dialogues between a mafter and his difciple, in which, in an order

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tacks of the fpiteful and fplenetick, and cleared of the accufation of being altogether weaker veleis, as fome wouldbe-wits have endeavoured to prove them; the poem I refer to is the fecond in the book, and may afford no small entertainment and inftruction on the reading of it, to either sex-but however the author may have taken pains to ingratiate himself into female favour, by efpoufing the caufe of the injured and unfufpecting fair, against the op

had driven a great number of learned Greeks thence, who bringing with them an immenfe treasure of manufcripts, took refuge in Italy. Being fettled there, they opened their ftores, took poffeffion of the public schools, and became the profeffors and teachers of the mathematical and other feiences, and indeed philofophy, cloquence, and literature in general, in all the great cities. Of the many valuable books of harmonies that are known to have been written by the mathema-probrious and unmanly afperfions of the ticians and other ancient Greeks, fome had efcaped the devastation which learning is fure to experience from the ravage of conqueft, and the contents of thefe being made public, the principles of the science began to be known and understood by many, who, till then were fcarcely fenfible that it had any principles at all.

conceited coxcomb or the opinionative fool, yet he cannot but acknowledge there is too much reafon for cenfure and unpleafing reflections refpecting the conduct and behaviour of those of whom he writes; tho' he seems to be most defirous of commending and expreffing his approbation, wherever the leaft opportunity is given him of fo doing, and justly concludes the poem a

This communication of intelligence was propitious to mufic, as it deter-bove-mentioned, with the following mined many perfons to the ftudy of the feience and harmony.

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pertinent remark, which I would recommend to the regard of all, in attention to which, both fexes may find real benefit, and be taught to difpife that love of scandal and defamation so unhappily encouraged by the gay, fafhionable and polite part of mankind, in the prefent day, to the reproach of good nature, benevolence and philanthropy. Imperfection and errors to each fex belong, Men as well as the women may often be wrong; They both have their failings we all of us own, Let him that is perfect then, throw the fir

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The Matron No. LXVI.

THE MATRON.

By Mrs. GREY.

NUMBER LXVI.

Publish the following letter to let let Augufta's guardian fee how favourably the speaks of him.

To Mrs. GREY.
MADAM,

"Permit me to folicit your advice and attention in an affair that concerns my prefent peace, and future happiness. A year is now elapfed fince I countenanced the addreffes of a gentleman, who is earnest in his intreaties with me to give him my hand, which I can fee no objection to, but the want of my guardian's confent. He is a very worthy man, and, this particular circumftance excepted, has done every thing confiftent with his fituation, to promote my happiness ; and has difcharged the truft repofed in him with great integrity. It would give me great pain to act contrary to the will of fuch a friend, who has told me, with great ferioufnefs, that he. never will confent to my marriage with Auguftes. When I begged to know his objection, he told me he believed the gentleman deferved the amiable character he bears, and acknowledged his fortune fuperior to mine, and faid, if I could difpenfe with the promise I made to my late indulgent parent, which was, not to marry without the confent of my guardian, I was at liberty to purfue my marriage with Auguftes. Now, Madam, I fubmit to your fuperior knowledge, whether I must relinquish all thoughts of a man, who is diftinguished by many virtues, or give him my hand, as nothing but whim and caprice appears to prevent our union. I muft beg the favour of an answer as foon as poffible, and am,

Madam,

Your most humble fervant,
AUGUSTA."

With regard to the contents of the above letter my opinion is, that AuVOL. X.

17

Pro

gufta ought to infift upon knowing
what objection her guardian can have
to her marrying a gentleman whofe
merit he fo candidly acknowledges,
and whofe fortune is fuperior to her's.
I fhould imagine there can be but one,
a defire of being united to her him-
felf: fhe best knows how far that may
be agreeable to her, and whether her
acting contrary to his will may be at-
tended with any lofs of fortune. If
the really promifed her deceased pa-
rents never to give her hand without
his confent, the will most probably
be unhappy by breaking her word,
especially if fuch a marriage should
not anfwer her expectations.
mifes of this kind are ferious things;
yet if they are made at a tender age,
when the perfon hardly understands
the nature of fo folemn an engage-
ment, they cannot be fo binding, as
if he was differently circumstanced,
and if any undue influence is used,
the infringement of them muft be
deemed allowable. For though a
young lady's promifes of the matri-
monial kind may be very proper at
the time the makes them, the may,
in confequence of unforeseen changes
in her fituation, be authorized, by
the strictest moralift, to discover a
change in her conduct; and even the
parents of a daughter, in fuch cir-
cumftances, would ratify that con-
duct by their approbation, could they
be witneffes to the condition in which
the finds herself. However, as a
guardian has, and ought to have
great power, it is incumbent in Au-
gufta to confult fome other real, dif-
interefted friend, one who may have a
fufficient degree of weight with her
guardian, to prevail on him to listen to
reafon, and to induce him to confent
to the completion of her wishes. As
he feems to have a good plea, indeed,
for withholding his confent; but let
him confider, that by continuing to
refufe his approbation, his ward may
be tempted to make the man who has
fecured her's, happy, even at the ex-
pence of breaking her promife: let'
him confider too, that by oppofing'
her choice from jealou y, caprice, or

D

any

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to leffen herfelf; adding, that I was afraid that her fortune was the only object of her lover's attention, and that he would not have beftowed a thought upon her without the operation of lucrative profpects.

She started at my fuppofition, which hurt her, I perceived, not a little, as fhe took no fmall pains to affure me that I was mistaken; telling me at the fame time, with much earneftnefs, that the gentleman who had made addreffes to her, was perfectly difinterested, perfectly fincere in his attachment to her.

any finifter views, he acts a very unjust part, and may drive her into a fituation, originating from her difobedience, for ever to be deplored. Young people are too apt to be thoughtless; but are not old people frequently obftinate in a very reprehenfible degree? I am called off from the purfuit of this fruitful fubject by the reflexions rushing into my mind with regard to Mifs Partlet, who, in the most fanguine manner, ftill hopes to rank with the beft married women in the kingdom. I am afraid, I may fay, that Pen has long lived terrified at the thoughts of being branded, by Well, my dear Pen, faid I, we will the tittering girls of the age, for an admit what you fay, and to fatisfy old maid, and that he has, confe- you, allow the gentleman in question quently, been too ready to listen to to be the moft ardent of lovers; bat overtures from any man who had it will all his ardor leffen the risque you in his power to make them; he has, must run in giving up your little all, indeed, like many of her fex, both with a view to improve his business ? old and young, fancied men in love fhould he prove unsuccessful and newith her, who never had any thoughts ceffitous, will not that all be entirely of her and I fuppofe fhe muft con- loft, and will you not be reduced to a tinue to enjoy the pleasure of imagi- diftrefsful fituation? The warmeft nation. She herself, however, is of love, trust me, foon grows cold, when a different way of thinking, efpecial- there is hardly any thing to keep it ly of a man in, what is called, a gen- alive; and a woman who is not young, teel wholefale branch of trade, who has makes an appearance particularly deoffered his name for her fortune, plorable, in fuch a condition, as evewhich, tho' small, may, he fuppofes, ry body will be ready to throw out ferve to extricate him out of fome fome farcaftic reflections at her, for difficulties he labours under from the launching, in the autumn of life, into prefent univerfal fcarcity of money. a fea of trouble. Such a mode of be But though the lady is wonderfully haviour in a young woman, continued pleafed to find herfelf, at laft, the I, is not to be defended; but there object of a tender paffion, yet, as the are many more apologies to be made bas alfo a little pride, as the comes for her than for you, who cannot from a family who pique themselves really frame one admiffible excuse for upon being all gentlemen, fhe has the commiffion of fo flagrant a folly as had doubts whether fhe fhall conde- the expofure of yourself to the neglect fcend to fuch a degradation. She ac- and ill treatment of a man younger tually called upon me this very morn- than you are, and whofe ftyle of life ing for my fentiments upon fo ardu- is fo oppofite to your own, that you ous an affair. I could not help fmiling cannot poffibly put happiness in an to fee her in fo whimfical a dilemma: alliance with him, to fay nothing of I was glad, however, to find an op- your giving up a decent competency, portunity to put her out of conceit and throwing yourself upon a man for with a negociation, which would, I fupport and protection, who does not clearly, faw, come to a very difagree-care a fingle farthing for you; and able conclufion; and therefore, halily falling in with her train of ideas, defired her to obferve that a woman ought to be, particularly careful not

who would not caft the lightest glance
at you, but for your money.

Here Pen's face was in a high
glow; it had rather an inflamed ap-

pearance

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The Governess.

pearance-fhe was almoft ready to fy into a violent paffion; the bit her lips, bridled, and could scarce retrain herself, while I painted, in the liveliest colours I could employ, the mifery of that woman who is married merely for her money. I told her indeed, very plainly, that few women were married for any thing elfe, after a certain age; and that as the perfon, under confideration, had not offered to make a fettlement, his views were obviously of the interested kind, and that, confequently, his propofals ought to be rejected.

To this the replied, that he had no doubt of his confenting to make a fettlement, if a fettlement was required.

And can you have fo little delicacy, aníwered I, as to think of forming an alliance with a man to whom fuch a hint is neceffary? Had he any real af fection or esteem for you, would he not have immediately offered it of his own accord ?

THE GOVERNES S.

(Continued from p. 692, Vol. IX.)

HE

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[E, therefore, wrote to his tutor, to defire him to confine him more clofely, if poffible, to his ftudies, that he might have fewer opportunities to wafte his time or his money. He wrote to my brother alfo, telling him, that as fo bad a ufe had been made of an allowance, by which he had injured his other children, he was under a neceflity, out of prudence, to flop any further remittances; at leaft, till he heard a better account of his conduct. This step, however, taken with the greatest propriety, had not the desired effect: for my brother left his college, one night, without acquainting any perfon with his de fign, and nobody could give the fmalleft information concerning him. This proceeding made my father more uneafy than ever: he was not only anxious about his fafety, but fearful of his being driven, for want of money, to commit a criminal action, which might be attended with very difagreeable, if not fatal confequences: he was alfo particularly difturbed when he thought that he might, himfelf, have occafioned the behaviour he fo much lamented and con-' demned, by writing so sharp a letter to him."

This laft reply startled her -fhe red dened a fecond time, from fhame, and beginning to be more than half convinced that he had been sporting in a fool's paradife, wanted few more arguments to awaken her thoroughly from her delufive dream, aud to render her perfectly fenfible of her error in judgment, though it is certainly a very arduous talk to make fome old The reflections which this affair maids believe themselves paft the fa- occafioned, and the fufpenfe in which fon made for joy. Pen, however, who he remained, after all his moft diliis not deficient in understanding upon gent enquiries, gave my father fuch other fubjects, now faw the danger difquiet, that it brought on his former to which he was expofed, fairly con- diforder, which raged with a violence fened, at length, that the found I was that excluded all hopes of his recove in the right, and concluded with a ry. In vain did I, every hour in the quetion, with the naive of which I day, endeavour to administer confowas very much diverted-" But my lation to him, to make him eafy with dear Madam," faid the mortified refpect to my brother, whom it was fpinter,fhould I refufe this offer, not in his power to recall; to make I don't know when I may have a bet-him fatisfied with himself, as he had ter." To this apprehenfion I readily fubfcribed: the confultation of the morning ended, and we adjourned.

(To be continud.)

thoroughly done his duty, by attempting to render a beloved child fenfible of his errors: a duty which had cost him his life, and left me the moft miferable of human beings. I cannot pretend to deferibe, nor do I D 2 with

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