All these, and many more, are faults which musicians really commit; but a connoisseur will make them guilty of others, by way of compliment, which the composers never dreamt of. The introduction of the Coronation anthem, Zadok the Priest, is an arpeggio, which Handel probably took from his own performance at the harpsichord; but a great judge says, it is to express the murmurs of the people assembled in the abbey. “All we like sheep are gone astray” in the Messiah is considered as most excellently expressing the breaking out of sheep from a field.—— But out of pity to the connoisseurs, virtuosi, and the most respectable Conoscenti, I will not increase my instances—God forbid I should rob any man of his criticism!
Lest I should encroach upon your premises, I will quit such dangerous ground, and leave you with more celerity than ceremony.
LETTER IX.
I Like every part of your poem except the parenthesis towards the conclusion. In the midst of a rapid description, or tender sentiment; or any thing that commands the attention, or attaches the heart; what is more disgustful than to have the image cut in two, for the sake of explaining a word, or removing an objection, which the reader may possibly make?
Milton and Shakespeare frequently interrupt the most lively and ardent passages—take some instances as they occur.
Their arms away they threw, and to the hills
(For earth hath this variety from heav’n
Of pleasure situate in hill or dale)
Light as the lightning’s glimpse they ran, they flew.