The present practice of musick vindicated against the exceptions and new way of attaining musick lately publish'd by Thomas Salmon, M.A. &c. by Matthew Locke ... ; to which is added Duelium musicum, by John Phillips, Gent. ; together with a letter from John Playford to Mr. T. Salmon by way of confutation of his essay, &c.

A LETTER of THANKS To Mr. THOMAS SALMON For the Vindication of his Essay, &c.

SIR,

To the Favours formerly acknowledged by me, and since repeated by you, you have obligingly added in the Vindication of your Essay so many others (though of far different Nature to them, yet doubtless with the same, if not greater heartiness) that I was at a loss how to put my self into the least Capacity of manifesting the thankfulness they deserve, without looking back, and endeavouring (if possible) to find out their true Rise; wherein if I fail, I shall willingly acknowledge my fault, and beg your pardon.

Sir, In your Essay (pag. 10) you are pleas'd to affirm, That the dark and tedious Principles of Musick, the bugbear Terms and confused Cliffs, hindred the access to it. Pag. 11. That the long discourse of Gibberish, a fardle of hard Names and fictitious Words, call'd the Gam-vt, to be learn'd back∣wards and forwards by heart, as though a Man must

be exact in the Art of Conjuring before he learn'd Musick, terrified the Beginner. Pag. 15. That you cann't tell any thing that perswades Musick-Masters to trouble their Scholars with an impertinent difficulty, but a pernicious humour in some Men still to do what hath once been done, howsoever useless and unprofitable; and that though the Gam-vt be retain'd, they think it insufficient. Pag. 16. That they are to be blamed for not beginning the Naming of their Notes with Mi. Pag. 19. That intollerable per∣plexity which arose from the Alteration of the Cliffs, caus'd some charitable but lazy Wit, to invent Ta∣blature, whereby the Notes are Mechanically clouded in Letters, and so darkly, that the most quick sighted Musick-Master cann't tell what they mean, till he find out the Tuning, and the Scholar, so in∣structed, condemn'd ever to be ignorant of the ratio∣nal part of his Musick, &c. for the Voyce and In∣struments, not capable of that literal Expression, People learn by rote, and quickly forget what like Parrots they ignorantly prated. Pag. 22. A Musick∣Master cann't trust to the Observation of Intervals in passing from one Cliff to another. Pag. 24. Mu∣sick-Masters will be loath to consent to a Way, wherein every young Practitioner may rival them. Pag. 25, 26. Some Musick-Masters return'd me such Ob∣jections, as betray'd their misapprehension of my de∣sign, and their unwillingness it should come into practice; upon which account I have put my self to the trouble of writing these Papers, that they might the more clearly perceive the conveniency of our Hy∣pothesis: And if afterwards they should remain peevish, and obstinate against the use of it, their

Scholars might be able to right themselves, and de∣mand a remission of more than half their slavish Task, for to learn the Notes and con their places, is the very drudgery of Musick, &c. which, when once Men find it will save them half the trouble, they will embrace it as readily, as if I were Emperour of the World to command it. Pag. 27. But if after all this, Musick-Masters shall double the time in teaching their Scholars, in hopes of double Gain; or their Scholars be such Fools to undergo that expence of time and trouble; give me leave to laugh▪ and let them have their labour for their pains. Pag. 32. I will make a wild Comparison to shew how madly Custom perswades Musicians to reckon. Pag. 36. By how much Musicians have been wanton in their various Cliffs for Singing, they bring in Evidence of the Mischief it makes. Pag. 47, 48. I should think this unworthy my pains, unless the difficulty were so great which demands redress, and necessity required me to answer the perverse obstinacy of some, who would oppose even the justest Alterations; Vitio malignitatis humanae vetera semper in laude, prae∣sentia in fastigio esse. But if any shall contemn this because Easie and Natural, let them remember what a grave company of such Contemners were baffled in setting an Egg upright, till they were shewed how. Pag. 74. If there be a nearer and an easier way (than the Old Scale) why should not those Guides be so honest to lead us in it? &c. Truely if Mu∣sick-Masters will continue obstinate, to maintain such needless difficulties, they may like some (Musici∣ans) be left to play by themselves in Fidlers Island. Pag. 78. Pity me ye confounded Sons of Nimrod,

that I must still suffer the Curse of my old confu∣sed disorders. Pag. 88. I have heard many Scho∣lars in vain importune their Masters for some Di∣rections to this purpose (viz. to Play or Compose an Air or Consort) whose Charity notwithstanding has been so straight, or else their Ignorance so obstinate, that their just intreaties were frustrated. For which Pag. 90. Now a Master is ranked in the same order with those Empyrical Traders, who have a parcel of Musical Receipts, but understand not one Note of their Composure.

These, Sir, These bold and untrue Aspersions thrown on All Masters of Practical Musick, and All Gentlemen and others that have learn'd their way, as if your taking a Degree had authorized you to abuse Men; together with the perpetual magnifying your self, and the Brat your Essay, were the Motives of my inserting a Merry Proverb or Simily here and there in my Observations; and those if I mistake not of your doubty manner of Vindicating it.

Sir, I have been told, that Generosity is a con∣stant Attendant on Noble and Heroick Spirits, and should have believ'd it, had I not heard of many Great Ones that abhorr'd the found of the very word; but you, Sir, by those showers of Bounty heap'd on me in the Vindication of your Essay, have made so absolute a Convert of me, that I hold it a Duty necessary to let the World know, how admi∣rably your Tongue speaks your Heart. Sir, you have prevented a long Journey and much trouble for its discovery in your Title Page, by slily con∣cealing the Titles of those real Favours their Ma∣jesties

have been graciously pleas'd to confer on me in both their Services, that thereby you might take advantage to render me contemptible to all that know me not, and all other your tender-hearted Proselites, who believe you are already in possession of some Infallible Chair, and consequently can speak or write nothing but Truth: As fair an Introduction for your following Discourse as Heart could wish! In your Advice to the Reader, you tell him Moor∣fields and the Bear-Garden are Entertainments only for the Rabble, your old Cronies; to prevent there∣fore my being drawn into the Lists of their Active and Martial Atchievements, you, to render me im∣pudent as well as ignorant, have plac'd me on the Grand Theatre of the World, bidding Defiance, first, to your Learned Patron Dr. Wallis; then, to the Royal Society and all Mathematicians that have been, are, or shall be; andlastly, to Modesty, Honesty, Piety, and whatever else relates to God or Good Men.

Behold, Sir, an Abbreviate of your transcendent additional Favours! Favours indeed! and when re∣ally considered, such as in all probability could not proceed from any but your self, your Epistoler, or that Great Prince who pretends Right to all that's donable in this World.

But of their Particulars hereafter. At present give me leave, if you please, to admire that so much Prodigality should be used to so little purpose; especially when I reflect on that great and extraor∣dinary Call which necessitated you (as your self confess) to this Act of Reformation: for no sooner can I cast my Eye on the Vindication, but I lose the Essay; this proposing a nearer and easier

way to the attaining of Practical Musick; that running quite from it to what either we have al∣ready past, or to what is meerly speculative, or at most insignificant to us: So that upon a true account, when your jingling with, and playing on my words, with your perpetual wresting or falsifying them, are laid aside, there's not one word in the Vindi∣cation makes good the Title and Contents of the Essay, but your own bare affirming you have de∣monstrated it; which how true it is, I appeal to all Masters of Practical Musick, who are, and ought to be Judges in this Case of Practice.

Yet, Sir, left your Whirligig Members should think me too severe, and judge that I write rather out of spite and malice to your Person, than against your Opinion (which you and your Dearly Be∣loved have already proclam'd though Heaven knows for what!) be pleas'd to remember, that from Pag. 10. to Pag. 27. in my Observations, I demonstrate, by the Old Scale, by the brief Expla∣nation of it, and by the several Examples there inserted, the Conveniency and Necessity of the Cliffs, as they are universally received, on the one side; and the intricacy and perplexity which per∣petually attends your B M T's mutability (with∣out which you cannot advantagiously write any thing according to your own Rule that has the extent of a well-design'd Composition) on the other. But what's your Answer to this? not one word, though it be the Hinge on which the whole Discourse depends, as to Practical Musick, and which was your Task; but (after a long Digression from it, inter∣mix'd with all kind of abusive Language) an old

stoln Cycle, to tell us, an Octave is an Octave, that Musick is part of the Mathematicks, which no Man yet ever doubted of that pretended to Musick; and an Argument (if any one will take it for such) back'd with such a Scheme, as being truly applied, undeniably destroys all you pretend to build, and confirms what so furiously you would destroy; notwithstanding your desperate threatning to pull down (Sampson-like) the Observer in your ruin, and crush him with five times the weight of his own Objection: For, those absurdities which you charge the Old Scale with, are really none, but evi∣dent Fortifiers of its certainty; being that where∣ever the C sol favt Cliff is placed, the second Space below is perpetually G sol re vt.

[illustration] music

Example. Unisons

And that one absurdity, which you confess to be in your New Way, by the assistances of your Lieger Line and Exoticks, multiplies on every Note throughout your whole Scale.

[illustration] music

Example. Unisons

Or thus:

[illustration]

[illustration] music

&c.

[illustration] music

&c.

This, Sir, is so evident in it self, that it needs neither Argument nor Scheme to maintain or de∣monstrate it to any Person indued with Common Sense. And truly, Sir, according to this Rate, this excellent Method of Proving, you may Write and Answer Books, with as much ease as you pretend you could Command the World; for nothing can come amiss to so great a Mind; the Examples of ruin'd Monarchs touch you not; the Infamy at∣tending Libellous Scriblers holds not your hands; what you will, must be; what not, not: And this is that, and only that, which I can any way perceive the World is ever like to have from you, excepting your new invented Wheel of Seven Spokes for a Tyler or Carpenter to reach the top of a House with, instead of his old Ladder; your New Way of Account, to tell a Farmer Paul's Fair will be D in the fourth Octave, instead of the Twenty fifth of Ianuary; and the incomparable B M T for a fair Lady to Learn (with all Expedition) the singing of a Base in Confort: which Posterity may admire you for, though the present Age be not so good natur'd. But to proceed:

In my Observations (Pag. 33. & 34.) I men∣tion the ridiculousness of confining the Viol to a Tuning, incapable of being used well in more than one Key, whereas the Old Way injoyed all; and particularly do manifest your contradicting your own Rule of keeping every Octave and Part within the System of Four Lines, by planting the first Note of an Example taken from Mr. Simpson in a Sixth Line, and putting the same Note that is to be Plaid on the same String and Fret, here in the Line, there in the Space, then again in the Line, after that in the Space, and so forward to the End of the Lesson. This, Sir, to any Mans thinking might have deserv'd some Answer! but 'tis put off with a bare imploying your Conjuring Exoticks, and telling the World I understand not the Viol; which how true 'tis, and how much to your pretended relieving the Fland, Eye, and Understanding from those troublesome and needless perplexities you charge the Old Scale and Tuning with, I leave to your self to judge▪ being very much assured, that if you are insensible or the ••on-performance of what you have so boldly undertook, you are unfit to be taken farther notice of than as an unskilful im∣pertinent Wrangler. But, Sir, whether I do or do not understand the Viol, it matters not; 'tis evident I did not abuse your Publisher in asserting 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that he knew the impossibility of it. And that you may do so to if you please, take for an Experiment the ••ollowing Example, and when you have tried it ••he Old Tuning, apply it to your New call'd Vni∣••ersal One, as in the first Example in the following Page.

First Example for the Violl Tuning 〈♫〉〈♫〉 Almond 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉

The Second Example for the Harpsicord An Entry. 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉 〈♫〉〈♫〉

This, Sir, though you are resolv'd not to be Confuted, may at long run Convince you, that I do understand the Viol; that 'tis impossible to perform it on your new confin'd Tuning; and that you have undertook what you understand not; nor are ever likely to bring to pass, the way you go to work. And indeed, no one that does understand Musick can expect other: For while we must be one while in the Line with a Note, another while in Space with the same Note; one while condemn the Mo∣nosyllables for Gibberish, Conjuring, and the learning of them the very drudgery of Musick; another while command the use of them, then eat them; here to fix Mi in one of two places only, there in any place; here obliged to the use of four Lines only, there to fourteen, or as many as you please; here tied to the use of Notes as the most easie and intelligible way, thare to the lazy-witted Invention of Tablature; here to express Musick in the most familiar words, there to abandon the plain English of a great or lesser Third, Fourth, Fifth, &c. to im∣brace the old Heathen Greek Terms, and what not? while I say we are brav'd from our own fixedness to those pitiful shilly-shally's, and altogether in∣significant and impertinent pretences; what, Sir, can be expected? Truely nothing that I can any way imagin; except perhaps that thereby we might be made instrumental to proclame to the World. That a young Graduate had lately Published Two Books, as exactly agreeing with their Titles as a Pretended Gospel-Minister's Sermon in the late Civil Wars did to his Text (the one being Fear God, Honour the King; the other, an impudent Per∣swasion

to carry on the begun Schism and Rebellion:) but not to so ill an End, though in all probability with as much Pride and Contempt. Proportionably you go on, trifling with the Harpsichord and Lute, as if the One were previously made for the sole use of your unbarb'd Jews-Trump, the Cycle, and your Servants B M T; or the Other most elo∣quently Harmonious when untouch'd. For to what end the first is made a Phanatick; the last, when used, silent (for so, by a wilful mistake both of my words and meaning, you have made them) ex∣cept to keep up the laudable custome of swelling your Book, and amusing the Reader, I know not.

I must confess, Sir, I have not the Practical Use of the Lute; yet have Composed several things for it; and from thence am sufficiently convinced, that the way of Tablature is much easier and properer for that Instru∣ment, and the expression of its excellency, than the way of Notes; however I shall not judge, but refer it to those to whom it properly belongs, viz. such Lute-Masters as are qualified in both Capacities. But as to the Harpsichord, I could smile at your idle Imaginati∣on, that a Man must have two Heads for the using two Staves of Lines, for his two Hands our Cliff-way; and but one Head for the use of a like two Staves and two Hands your BMT way, did I not fear there might be a more than ordinary Mystery in it; that is to say, One great Loggerhead with huge great Saucer-Eyes, like those in the Turkish Pa∣radice, to be Champion in the Cause; and then, Woe and well-a-day! but I hope better things. In confidence whereof, I shall boldly affirm, that among the many ways of Writing for that Instru∣ment,

the most intelligiblest to the Understanding, and easiest to the Eye, is that which divides the Staves of Lines, and Hands, on the middle Key there∣of; and so gives occasion to ascend and descend (generally) without the least alteration of Cliffs.

[See the second Example in Pag. 10.]

This, Sir, your Four Line BMT way, is wholly incapable of; and so incapable of, that in the Example you took from Mr. Thetcher, and in∣serted in your Essay, you were forced to acknow∣ledge, by several times chopping and changing your signifying Letters in that short Lesson.

To object, some things may notwithstanding be done that way, is short of your Glorious Pre∣tences, where you undertake All, Easier, and in half the Time; the contrary whereof is so noto∣riously known, that, besides the Masters, several Lovers of Novelties, after a little experience, have with scorn laid it aside. Among others, a Person of Honour, Educated, in a School near this City, had your Essay presented her piping hot, with such Commendation as the Presenter thought it really deserved; the Lady, with as much thank∣fulness received it, thinking every Minute a Day till the presence and assistance of her Master might make her happy in the injoyment of this new in∣vented Benefit. The Hour came, and to work they went; but, O the fickle state of Lovers! e're many days was expired, the heat was so abated, that there was not Charity enough left to keep it out o'th' fire, had not the Masters earnest intreaty preserv'd it from that cruel Death: but all in vain▪ for the thing being heartless, after a short time,

consum'd by that lingring Disease which Squire Ralpho long before Prophecied would be the end on't; and so farewel it; but not, Sir, to your Vin∣dication of it: For there you promise such Advan∣tages, as the World was ignorant of before; there, the Reasons of what it Acted by; and there, that All Compositions should with Ease be Tran∣sposed from one Key to another, &c. Very prety! if a Man would believe it. Sir, the Advantages you so perpetually boast of, are already sufficiently manifested and known to be Mistakes, onely to abuse the Masters and delude the Ignorant; and consequently need no more taking notice of: Your assuring the Dr. of the now easiness of transposing Compositions from one Key to another, is a thing so frequent, that no one is esteem'd a Master who cannot do it Proper; and he the contrary, that does it no better than you have done your Aurelia in in your Essay. But, that Men should Act and Teach Rationally, and not understand the Reason of their so Acting and Teaching, till you peep'd into the World; is to make them Beasts, and too too subtle for any but your self to unriddle, who have stock enough to say any thing.

For my own part, Sir, I never pretended to more of the Mathematicks than what was practicable in Musick, and that I have so evidently demonstrated (if you can but give credit to your self) that I stand amazed at the confidence of Contradicting ••no one till now, ever being so mad, after he had seen a Man do a thing, to teach him how he should do it; yet this is our Case; and this no Person can be ignorant of, that is capable of apprehending,

that all Creatures that have Ears are apprehensive of Sounds, but not of distinguishing them; those, whose Ears Nature hath prepared for Practical Musick, by dividing and sub-dividing a String (for Example) come to experience their difference and distances; and from thence, by comparing them, to Tones, which (the Ear having distinguished into Consonants and Dissonants) they Arithmetically divide to the greatest quantity Practicable (viz. 32.) and thence, by Harmonical Proportion of whole, half, and quarter Tones (altogether sufficient for use) advance to That we call Composition, the Mo∣ther of all Vocal and Instrumental Musick. More of the Mathematicks than this, Sir, (excepting what belongs to the Mechanical Pant thereof for the Making Instruments) signifies nothing to us; This, and not the poring after idle and unpracticable No∣tions, being that which the Schools deservedly ho∣nour with the Degrees of Batchelor and Doctor, above or equal to all other Sciences. The rest therefore if you please (for you are infinitely free) you may bestow on your unprofitable Speculators; who, so long as they can think of lengthening a String, or adding to Number, will never want imployment. This I mention, not in the least to contradict those Honourable and Excellent Persons, whose very Recreations, by their diving into the Bowels of Nature for the Improvement of Art, prove daily advantagious to the World; or to prove that Musick has got the whip-hand of her Sister Sciences, and already arrived to the utmost of Practical Excellency; and so needs none; but to show, that after all your Hectorish Bravadoes▪

you have most manfully, like your self, quitted the Field of Practical Musick, and run for shelter to the Nature and Causes of Sounds, which properly belongs to Philosophy, and which you, in confi∣dence perhaps that all Men would greedily swallow your imaginary Gudgeon the Essay, particularly waved in the last Page thereof.

And now, Sir, I might with very much reason finish my Letter; but least many of your admiring Readers may be ignorant of the Subject you under∣took to write on, it will not be amiss I think to give them an Example or two within their own Spheres, of the wild Consequences you draw from the plain Words in my Observations; as also, to make a particular inspection into some few (amongst ma∣ny) of those obliging Favours, you, and your Goodman, Mr. Sr. Min Heer, Monsieur, Senior Don, Dominus sine Nomine de Norwich (that Grand Master of Grammatical Criticism and Cocorism) have so graciously Complemented me with, and so conclude.

Where, in my Observations, I give an account of the timely check I took, when I thought my self to be more than ordinarily knowing (a fault Youth is too subject to) you infer All young Men must be Fools.

When I instance the continued Ignorance of the Bear-Garden-Usher at the end of his Annual Pro∣cession, you come out with your, Ergo, I turn all those venerable Ancestors into Great Bears.

When I wonder, that throughout your whole Discourse of Musicks Advantages over other Re∣creations, you mention nothing of the Divine Use

thereof, notwithstanding the many Commands and Examples recounted in Holy Writ to that pur∣pose, you roundly conclude, I am ignorant that God is a Scripture-Name.

When I prove the Old Scale to be the most cer∣tain and easiest way, yet proposed, for the attain∣ment of Musick, by the regular ballancing the ex∣treme Parts thereof with removing the C Cliff, and the impertinency of yours, you cry out, I'd build a Ladder to reach the Triple Tree of Prefer∣ment.

When I insert a Physicians probable ℞ for the Explanation of the super-abundant Excellencies of your B M T, you infer, I deter all that under∣stand or profess Physick from the Study of Musick.

These, and the like Patterns, your Northern Hector has been exactly careful to conclude by; for from the Exceptions I have made in some of my Writings against the ill performance of some, and needless Mathematical impositions of others, he stoutly avers, I am the only Confounder of all Musick; though almost in the same Breath, he commends me for my Ability in that Art, and se∣riously perswades me to continue my Studies there∣in. Which I'le assure you, Sir, I take for no small Favour, seeing that, by his Exception against Mood, Time, and Prolation, without which, no Musick ever was or can be made, he bountifully manifests his wilful or real ignorance of the Subject he pre∣tends to vindicate.

But Trim Tram, 'tis all could be expected; the whole business being as it seems, rather to write, than what, or how? And truely, Sir, had I affected

such kind of Fooling (to speak no worse on't) I might with as much shew of reason conclude thus from your Discourse and manner of Writing:

Guido lived in an ignorant Age, But T. S. stands on Guido's Shoulders: Ergo, Those Venerable Ancestors T. S. has studied are Great Bears.

And in all probability, might have given the World as much satisfaction in that profound way of Arguing, as either of you.

But, Sir, you are not contented to let me escape thus; my Heart as well as Opinion you dissect, and there make such a discovery of Venome, if the unble∣mished Fame and sacred Credit your Epistoler gives you, prove true; that I should wonder how I lived, did not Experience give a better account of my Vitals.

The first Viper you meet with, is Malice, which doubtless is a Grand Imp of Iniquity wherever found; but, Sir, that a bare opposing an Opinion concerning Practice, should be that Beast, is a thing no ingenious Man can imagin; and for your prety Person, I do assure you, I never saw any thing that could beget more than pity towards it, in preten∣ding to so much Learning, and having so little Ci∣vility.

The second, is Lying; wherein, bating Childish Excuses, and artificial Stories to pass the time with now and then, I never knew my self for∣mally guilty of; but truly, Sir, were the Saddle set on the right Horse, an Acquaintance of mine would have a great Burthen; for he cannot be content to belye his Neighbors, but himself too. Who,

but he, Sir, do you think would have affirmed, That the Observer would have approv'd the Essay (and render'd himself a Knave to Posterity) for a good Fish-Dinner souc'd in Wine? Who, but he, would protest that he never required or used more than one ascititious Line over or under the five, when in the Plate of his Diagram he adds another, and both contrary to his first Principle, for Four Lines only? Who▪ but he▪ that the Observer was forced to quit, the Places of his Obligations at Hackney for his ill behaviour? (the contrary whereof will with Truth and Modesty, be testified by all the Persons, from the Mistresses to the Servants, during his Con∣verse there.) And who, but he, or Old Nick for him, That those excellent Young men of His Majesties Chappel, did many of them perfectly understand the Rudiments of Musick before His Majesties happy Return? The contrary being so evident, that for above a Year after the Opening of His Majesties Chappel, the Orderers of the Musick there, were necessitated to supply the superiour Parts of their Musick with Cornets and Mens feigned Voices, there being not one Lad, for all that time, capable of Singing his Part readily.

Prophaneness and Immodesty advance next: Con∣cerning which, I have not as yet attain'd to that Phari∣saical Sanctity (or rather Hypocrisie) to justifie every Word or Action of my Life, I am more sensible of the Defects of Humane Nature, and hope, shall be more and more, till my happy Change come. But to write prophanely, is a thing I ever abhorr'd, and in confidence I never was guilty of that Sin, I challenge you, and your Brother Trum∣peter,

to produce one Word that any rational Man shall judge to be so. And for Immodesty, 'tis pleasant to see, how, after you, and your angry Admirer's detesting that Paw ℞ in my Observation, and cry∣ing out against it, 'tis such stuff as a Man would not touch with a pair of Tongs (as if you were of that Sect who pretend to have found an Art for Propagating Mankind without Females) that nei∣ther of you can keep it out of your Mouths, you are so in love with it: A cunning way to correct Vice, doubtless! and not much unlike those Bre∣thren of iniquity, who could quickly espy a Mote in their Brothers Eye, but not take the least notice of the Beam in their own, planting themselves into the Row of the Just, with this misapplied Salvo, To the clean all things are clean. This is Prophane∣ness too, Sir, is it? If it be, 'tis only to those whose straight-laced Consciences will permit them to strain at a Gnat, and swallow a Camel; not to those who endeavour to walk by that great Law of Doing as they would be done to. And so farewel Prophaneness, and your never to be honoured Apo∣cryphal Beast.

Ignorance succeeds; which I heartily acknow∣ledge my self to be stored sufficiently with, espe∣cially in the Scholastick way of Railing, wherein you, and your Honourable Hand-man are excellent: But, that after the spending most part of my Studies in Composing Divine Hymns and Psalms, both in Latin and English, taken out of the Holy Scripture, either immediately as they lie, or collected as oc∣casion requir'd, to remain ignorant that God is a Scripture-Name; this, Sir, is a Favour above all

Favours, and which through my sides darts at all the Lay Catholicks in the World, but I'le leave them to answer for themselves. The reason of this Charge was, because I said, you mention'd not a word of the Divine Vse of Musick in your Essay; which under favour, Sir, I must say, and say again; for, for you to urge that God was the Author of it, is short of the purpose, he being the Author of every good and perfect Gift, whether used in or out of his Divine Service; or, to say that 'twas used as a means to allay Saul's Anger; for the care of his Courtiers, whether Priests, Prophets, or o∣thers, were to find a Cunning Harper to quiet him, not to procure an Act of Devotion in him; no more than what is done in the Case of one bitten by a Tarantula.

But the Case is thus: That as you begun your Book with the Advantages of Musick above other Recreations; so, after you had spun out your Dis∣course, and waved even Philosophy to mix with it, which you know, Sir, is but the Hand-maid to Divinity and Divine Worship; you conclude it, without so much as taking notice of either, thus: But this is so far from our Practical Proposal, that it may suffice to have given these hints, and so with∣draw, lest while I plead for Musick, as a noble and lawful Divertisement, it should be found guilty of encroaching upon those more serious Studies, to which it is to be only a Recreation.

By what hath hitherto been said, I hope, Sir, the indifferent Reader will be satisfied, that the Malicious, Lying, Ignorant, Immodest, Prophane Parts of your Charge against me, are not on my

side; but have with as much Modesty as their na∣ture would permit, return'd from whence they came; though from your self, nothing is to be ex∣pected, being you have long since declared your resolution, never to be convinced. There remains now, one only little Favour, which you have been pleased to bestow upon my Person, that Mind and Body might be equally Habited, which is, your rendering me Squint-Eyed; and truly, Sir, 'tis of the same Tincture with the former.

Had I been Purblind, Copper-Nos'd, Sparrow∣Mouth'd, Goggle-Ey'd, Hunch-Back'd, or the like, (Ornaments which the best of my Anta∣gonists are adorn'd with) what work would there have been with me? but, thanks be to Heaven, Nature has done her part, and so prevented your farther Liberality on this poor Body of mine, and consequently saved me the Labour of following your Tract into such unfrequented Paths▪ as you have been forc'd to run through, from the Subject you first undertook, to Make a Book, that whosoever shall put himself to the trouble of a serious perusal of, will not at all wonder, that Books are Pub∣lished of the Contempt of the Clergy, when such as you, who have undertaken the Cure of Souls, should spend that Precious Time, in vilifying and detracting those Persons, especially Musicians, who have been so favourable in their frank Instructions and Assistances to your self; the due reward where∣of in many grave Mens Opinion, being rather a P—than a P—

And so, Sir, with the like Advice you were pleased to give me, from the good Example of

Mr. Chr. Simpson (referring the Piquant Part of your Book to the Man in Buff) I take my leave, remaining,

Sir,

Your very thankful Servant, M. L.

From my Lodgings in the Strand, July 24, 1672.