3gS THE THREE UNITIES. Ch. XXIII.
passion that is to succeed in the next a&. The mu-
sie and the representation would both of them be
gainers by their conjunction; which will thus ap-
pear. Music that accords with the present tone of
wind, is, on that account, doubly agreeable; and
accordingly, though music singly hath not power
to raise a passion, it tends greatly to suppoit a pas-
sion already raised. Further, music prepares us
for the passion that follows, by making cheerful,
tender, melancholy, or animated impressions, as
the subjecft requires. sake for an example the fii st
scene of the J/oww/zg Bride,, where, soft music, in
a melancholy (train , prepares us for Almeria’s deep
distress. In this manner, music and representation
support each other delightfully: the impreffion
made upon the audience by the representation, is
a fine preparation sor the music that succeeds;
and the impression made by the music, is a fine
preparation ' for the representation that succeeds.
Is. appears to me evident, that, by some such con-
trivance, the modern drama may be improved, so
as to enjoy the advantage of the ancient chorus
without its ssavissi limitation of place and time.
And as to music in particular; 1 cannot sigure any
means that would tend more to its improvement:
composers, those for the stag.e at le st, would be
reduced to the happy necessity of studying and
imitating nature; instead of deviating, according
to the present mode, into wild, fantastic, and un’
natural conceits. But we must return to our sub«