Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/326

 to hear an Instrument played true to a fine Voice, when the one does not so far drown the other, but that they can readily understand what is sung, and can, without previous Skill, perceive that the one exactly answers the other throughout; and their Passions will be effectually moved with sprightly or lamentable Compositions: In all which Things the Ancients, probably, were very perfect. To these Men, many of our Modern Compositions, where several Parts are sung or played at the same Time, would seem confused, intricate, and unpleasant: Though in such Compositions, the greater this seeming Confusion, the more Pleasure does the skilful Hearer take in unravelling every several Part, and in observing how artfully those seemingly disagreeing Tones joyn, like true-cut Tallies, one within another, to make up that united Concord, which very often gives little Satisfaction to common Ears; and yet it is in such sort of Compositions, that the Excellency of Modern Musick chiefly consists. For, in making a Judgment of Musick, it is much the same Thing as it is of Pictures. A great Judge in Painting does not gaze upon an exquisite Piece so much to raise his Passions, as to inform his Judgment, as to approve, or to find