The Faults in Singing insinuate themselves so easily into the Minds of
young Beginners, and there are such Difficulties in correcting them,
when grown into an Habit that it were to be wish'd, the ablest Singers
would undertake the Task of Teaching, they best knowing how to conduct
the Scholar from the first Elements to Perfection. But there being none,
(if I mistake not) but who abhor the Thoughts of it, we must reserve
them for those Delicacies of the Art, which enchant the Soul.

Sec. 2. Therefore the first Rudiments necessarily fall to a Master of a
lower Rank, till the Scholar can sing his part at Sight; whom one would
at least wish to be an honest Man, diligent and experienced, without the
Defects of singing through the Nose, or in the Throat, and that he have
a Command of Voice, some Glimpse of a good Taste, able to make himself
understood with Ease, a perfect Intonation, and a Patience to endure the
severe Fatigue of a most tiresome Employment.

Sec. 3. Let a Master thus qualified before he begins his Instructions, read
the four Verses of _Virgil_, _Sic vos non vobis_, &c.[5] for they seem
to be made[4] on Purpose for him, and after having considered them
well, let him consult his Resolution; because (to speak plainly) it is
mortifying to help another to Affluence, and be in want of it himself.
If the Singer should make his Fortune, it is but just the Master, to
whom it has been owing, should be also a Sharer in it.

Sec. 4. But above all, let him hear with a disinterested Ear, whether the
Person desirous to learn hath a Voice, and a Disposition; that he may
not be obliged to give a strict Account to God, of the Parent's Money
ill spent, and the Injury done to the Child, by the irreparable Loss of
Time, which might have been more profitably employed in some other
Profession. I do not speak at random. The ancient Masters made a
Distinction between the Rich, that learn'd Musick as an Accomplishment,
and the Poor, who studied it for a Livelihood. The first they instructed
out of Interest, and the latter out of Charity, if they discovered a
singular Talent. Very few modern Masters refuse Scholars; and, provided
they are paid, little do they care if their greediness ruins the
Profession.

Sec. 5. Gentlemen Masters! _Italy_ hears no more such exquisite Voices as
in Times past, particularly among the Women, and to the Shame of the
Guilty I'll tell the Reason: The Ignorance of the Parents does not let
them percei