The "romanza" is now at an end, and certainly "Boldness, Spirit, and Power" have worked in union.

The task is executed the better, because a rude accompaniment has probably sustained the singer in a most striking manner, and has completed the total effect.
By such management, to which I must emphatically add the continual holding of the tones, even in the _forte_, voices are expected "to come out," to be developed, inspired, and made beautiful.

What healthy ear can endure such enormities in tone formation, such tortures in singing?
These, then, are the modern contributions for the embellishment of art! A curse on these evil spirits! If my feeble pen shall assist in bringing such singing-teachers to their senses, and shall help to save only a few of our fine voices, I shall consider my mission fulfilled, and the aim of this book, so far as it concerns singing, accomplished.
* * * * * I have heretofore combated many prejudices, both in earnest and in sport, successfully and unsuccessfully; but one I find very obstinate,--it has pursued me incessantly for years.

A piano-player, with a rigid, strained, and vicious touch, proceeding from the arm, may play a great deal, but his playing is thoroughly vulgar and without beauty.

He feels this himself, and the playing of my pupils pleases him better.