Page:An Essay on the Opera's After the Italian Manner.pdf/18

 ame Influence on France, it is becaue the French Muick is by no means o meltingly moving as the Italian, and that the effect of the Charm has been in ome meaure retarded by the whole Nation’s having been in Arms for o many Years together.

There is one Obervation which naturally occurs here, and with which we hall conclude this Preface; and that is, that the Alterations which have been made in the Entertainment of the Stage for thee lat Ten Years, eem to have had ome influence ev’n upon Common Society. For as Sene upon the Stage eems to have given place to Sound, the ame thing appears to have happen’d in familiar Converation, which is reduc’d to uch a Level among all orts of People, as perhaps never was known in the World before. For go where you will, either among Citts or Courtiers, among Men of Sene or Blockheads, the Converation rolls mot upon Two Points, which are News and Toating. Now this is Certain, that a very olmen dull Fool makes a very pretty Newsmonger; and a very empty, errant Coxcomb, a very accomplih’d Toater. Eay