ON THE PRESENT STATE OP THE OPERA IN LONDON. 45 



sonSj to familiarize the pupil with the application of the rules pre- 

 viously studied, and, instead of the idle practice usually adopted of 

 correcting individual notes^ were he to take the trouble of saying 

 " harmony of the 6th," " resolution of the discord of the 4th," &c., 

 the learner would recognize in the music she was playing an organ- 

 ized plan, not an arbitrary succession of notes, which she is at liber- 

 ty to alter at pleasure. The laws of rhythm, accent, emphasis ac- 

 companied by rules for proper phrasing, if judiciously and familiar- 

 ly explained and illustrated, could not fail to produce a beneficial 

 and lasting impression. Dry detached rules may be learned as an 

 irksome task, and speedily forgotten ; it is the application and pro- 

 perly-demonstrated practical utility of the rules which will uncon- 

 ciously take hold of the mind, and remain there ready for future 

 use. 



A knowledge of the scales of instruments most commonly em- 

 ployed in modern music, as well as the passages best adapted to 

 them, and their use in the orchestra would not only prove in itself 

 a highly interesting and pleasing study, but would give to the stu- 

 dent the additional advantage of being able to understand and to 

 appreciate orchestral music — a department too much neglected in 

 this country, although Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Spohr have 

 clothed some of their finest conceptions in the sinfonia for a full 

 band, and in the quartet for stringed instruments. 



The study of intonation and the rules of singing, has been recom- 

 mended even to those who have no, intention of pursuing that de- 

 lightful art practically, solely with the view of improving the ear, 

 and giving a correct idea of the manner in which slow movements 

 ought to be performed on the piano-forte ; this knowledge is also 

 indispensable to the critic of vocal compositions and performances. 



These remarks, although slight and hasty, may prove not wholly 

 unsuccessful in directing attention to the errors and defects of mu- 

 sical education as at present conducted ; under a proper system it 

 would embrace a wide extent ; indeed, it may be affirmed that a 

 perfect acquaintance with each particular department of this little 

 understood and, therefore, lightly-esteemed science would suffice to 

 occupy a life : ray desire is to persuade those who consume time 

 and money solely on the gilded toy execution, to add to flexibility of 

 finger and manual dexterity an acquaintance with the principles on 

 which the art is founded, and thus to increase largely their own 

 enjoyment, while the taste of the public will be raised to a higher 

 standard, and our performances no longer remain, as at present, 

 subjects of derision to foreigners. Conceiving that it may prove 



