A Bachelor, In My Opinion, Is Only

You Know That I Become Quite Powerless Whenever I Am Obliged To Write For An Instrument Which I Cannot Bear.

Now There Is Music From Which A Man Can Learn Something.

I Write [music] As A Sow Piddles.

Melody Is The Essence Of Music. I Compare A Good Melodist To A Fine Racer, And Counterpointists To Hack Post-horses; Therefore Be Advised, Let Well Alone And Remember The Old Italian Proverb: Chi Sa Più, Meno Sa— Who Knows Most, Knows Least.

Nevertheless The Passions, Whether Violent Or Not, Should Never Be So Expressed As To Reach The Point Of Causing Disgust; And Music, Even In Situations Of The Greatest Horror, Should Never Be Painful To The Ear But Should Flatter And Charm It, And Thereby Always Remain Music.