Langres,
from whom Monsieur
Feuillet,
in his Preface, supposes this Art to date its first Rise and Birth, tho’ he could never procure a Sight of it, as not to be found in
Paris.
But this very Book falling into my Hands, I took Care to peruse it with some Attention, but found it far short of that Expectation, which such Recommendation had rais’d in me: For tho’ it might perhaps have given the Hint to Mr
. Beauchamp;
yet it is nothing but an imperfect rough Draught, nor if it confin’d to Dancing, since it treats besides of beating the Drum, playing on the Pipe, and the like.
But notwithstanding this blind Hint of Arbeau, to do Justice to Mons. Beauchamp, we must attribute to him the Invention of this Art, who in all Probability, could no more see the former Book, than Mons. Feuillet. But as no Art was ever invented and perfected at once; so it remain’d for Mons. Feuillet, to raise the compleat and finish’d Superstructure on Mons. Beauchamp’s Foundation; and it must be allowed, that Mons. Feuillet has carry’d this Art to a very great Perfection, and taken a great deal of Pains in the Improvement of the Character, and given Rules so just, and a Method so proper, that I cannot imagine any Man can flatter himself with an Ability of designing a better, or more regular manner. For this Reason I chose rather to follow his Method entirely, than attempt any Alteration of my own, which I have done with that Care and Diligence, that I think I may assure the Reader I have omitted nothing that he has deliver’d. I have also made it my Business to bring the Reader acquainted with the Meaning of my Author, as well as his Words, which is a Happiness every Translator has not the Power of arriving at, as generally either ignorant of the Subject or Language he translates from, or into, or both.
Another Fault of our common Translators I have avoided with all the Industry I could: Some of them pretending to meddle with Books of Art, and not understanding the Terms of Art, give us such an odd Jargon, that we can never understand it without the Interpretation of a Master, or having Recourse to the Original itself. I have therefore render’d all the French Terms into English, but with so much Caution of doing Justice to the Author, and the Art, that I would not defend on my own Judgment, but let none pass without the Approbation of the best English Masters.