nection between the beauties in the mufic, and those of the poetry. I would have fuch therefore informed, that, in dramatic mufic, the greatest beauty lies in the expreffion; which, whether effected by the movement of the parts, or by the modulation of the harmony, is that in mufic which affects our paffions, when juftly adapted and applied to words impreffing ideas on the imagination which are apt to raise them. And thus the united force of poetry and mufic, exerting itself on the imagination, produces in the hearer a ftronger perception, than would arise from the ideas raised fingly by the mufic. If, therefore, the mufic demands at least words of known fignification, whereby it may display its greatest beauty, it is evident, that in the Italian operas we do not hear that in its perfection, for the fake of which alone we introduced them. And let us confider now what a strange defcription it would be of a public diverfion of the polite part of a whole nation, to say that it was fuch that the mufic in it was the only entertainO 2 ment,

ment, the poetry being in an unknown language, whereby the great beauty of the mufic too lay concealed. The reason that fo few have had any taste of the recitativemufic, may be eafily collected from what I have faid, fince it had nothing to recommend it but the expreffion of the mufic, which I have fhewn was loft to us. But were we once made acquainted with this particular style, by having it fet forth to us with all the charms of English verfe, we fhall, no doubt, as commonly hear a tunecatcher humming over to himself a piece of recitative as he now does an air.

Thus far in anfwer to those who place the fole entertainment of an opera in the mufic; but, for my part, I think we ought to expect fomething from the poetry too, and I cannot but think, that an English opera, well written, and agreeable to the rules of dramatic poetry, would be no fmall addition to the entertainment.

My

My intention is not to enlarge in praise of this new opera of "Calypfo and Telema"chus," nor to engage you to recommend it farther to the town, than that they would, without prejudice, give it as fair a hearing as they are used to give to a new Italian opera, fince thus much, at least, we owe, in common juftice, to the gentleman of a foreign nation, who has been at fo much pains to reconcile us to our own language, as to present us with an opera in it. And upon that condition I fhall gladly leave his performance to shift for itself.

When I confider that I am writing to a man of your philosophy, I cannot but obferve, on this occafion, how much more invincible are the prejudices of our advanced years than those of our youth. These are only the wrong notions of our education, which, upon better information, wę are ready to give up, no one judging it an imputation to have it thought he wanted

* Mr. Galliard,

judg

judgment to make a right choice when he was a boy. But thofe are the acquirements of our manhood, which our vanity fecures against all attacks, and renders impregnable for, in this particular, fuch is its dominion over us, that, even after conviction, we would seem ftill to entertain the false opinion, vainly flattering ourselves, that while we appear not to be confcious of our error, the world therein can never discover our folly,

LETTER XXIII.

Mr. ADDISON to Mr. HUGHES.

DEAR SIR,

Apr. 24, 1713.

THIS is to acquaint you that I am

forced to practise a great piece of felf-denial. In fhort, I muft deprive my play* of the noble ornament you defigned for it. My friends, who all of them concur with

*. Cato."

me

me in admiring your beautiful copy of verses, are however of opinion, that it will draw upon me an imputation of vanity; and as my play has met with an unexpected reception, I must take particular care not to aggravate the envy and ill-nature that will rife on courfe upon me. Befides, to tell you truly, I have received other poems on the fame occafion, and one or two from perfons of quality, who will never pardon me if I do not give them a place at the fame time that I print any other. I know your good fenfe and friendship towards me will not let you put a wrong interpretation on this matter; and I am fure I need not tell you with how much fincerity and esteem, I am, Sir,

Your most obliged and

moft faithful humble fervant,

J. ADDISON.

LETTER