hese Observations, (which in Justice ought not to be charg'd on the
_Modern_ Stile) were once almost all Faults I myself was guilty of; and
in the Flower of my Youth, when I thought myself to be a great Man, it
was not easy for me to discover them. But, in a more mature Age, the
slow Undeceit comes too late. I know I have sung ill, and would I have
not writ worse! but since I have suffered by my Ignorance, let it at
least serve for a Warning to amend those who wish to sing well. He that
studies, let him imitate the ingenious Bee, that sucks its Honey from
the most grateful Flowers. From those called _Ancients_, and those
supposed _Moderns_, (as I have said) much may be learn'd; it is enough to
find out the Flower, and know how to distill, and draw the Essence from
it.

Sec. 34. The most cordial, and not less profitable Advice, I can give you,
is the following:

Sec. 35. Remember what has been wisely observed, that Mediocrity of Merit
can but for a short time eclipse the true Sublime, which, how old soever
it grows, can never die.

Sec. 36. Abhor the Example of those who hate Correction; for like Lightning
to those who walk in the Dark, tho' it frightens them, it gives them
Light.

Sec. 37. Learn from the Errors of others: O great Lesson! it costs little,
and instructs much. Of every one something is to be learned, and the
most Ignorant is sometimes the greatest Master.

_FINIS_.

PLATES

Pl. I

Chap. 1.st

[Illustration: Sec. 11 Page 17 N