Page:Pocock's Everlasting Songster.djvu/9

 INTRODUCTION.

��JL H E prefixing an Introduction to a Song-Book, is certainly more a novelty, than the feleftion now prefented to the public ; wherein no s ong, Toaft, or Sentiment is inferted, but upon the mod allured pre- fumption that the fame will be always acceptable and in fafhion among every defcription of perfons

��The natural behaviour of mankind is rude, until by degrees it is civilized : but what contributes more to the happinefs and civilization of fociety in their leifure hours, than to be entertained with tinging ! In the melody of this art the Italians have excelled all other Nations; but the Englifli have had and now have Writers of Poetry, and Compofers of Muficv equal to thofe of the Italians, who undoubtedly frr many years have greatly had the advantage of the Britiih, by their vivacity and actions. In thele points a the

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