better quarter than Plato has done, who banishes it out of his
commonwealth.

At present our notions of music are so very uncertain, that we do
not know what it is we like; only, in general, we are transported
with anything that is not English: so it be of a foreign growth,
let it be Italian, French, or High Dutch, it is the same thing. In
short, our English music is quite rooted out, and nothing yet
planted in its stead.

When a royal palace is burnt to the ground, every man is at liberty
to present his plan for a new one; and, though it be but
indifferently put together, it may furnish several hints that may be
of use to a good architect. I shall take the same liberty in a
following paper of giving my opinion upon the subject of music;
which I shall lay down only in a problematical manner, to be
considered by those who are masters in the art.



LAMPOONS.



Saevit atrox Volscens, nec teli conspicit usquam
Auctorem, nec quo se ardens immittere possit.
VIRG., AEn. ix. 420.

Fierce Volscens foams with rage, and, gazing round,
Descry'd not him who gave the fatal wound;