a pointed yet easy expression, or by some
humorous peculiarity in the singer. . . .
It appears to be a first principle among
those who understand good breeding, and
it is, indeed, a very necessary one, not to
need much entreaty to sing. There is no
person who has been at all in the world,
but must remember the frequent chagrin
he has seen a whole company thrown into
by the ill-mannered obstinacy of an
individual. If we go into society it is our duty
to be conformable and good-humoured;
and let a person's voice and ear be ever so
indifferent, it is very possible to choose a
short song to sing as a specimen, which may
at once put an end to entreaty and controversy,
by proving a want of ability . This disposition
to oblige establishes the reputation
of cheerfulness, good sense, and propriety;
the reverse must, consequently, have the
contrary effect. It should be remembered,
likewise, that to sing without being
requested, is equally improper, as it always
makes a person appear vain, and sometimes
contemptibly so." This worthy and
very judicious mentor of the social board,
gave nine rules for singing, on each of
which he dilated at considerable length;
and all of which, if properly studied by
the young ladies of the present century,
would be as useful now as they were to
the gentlemen of the early days of George
the Third. First, to pronounce the words
articulately and with a proper emphasis;
second, to open the mouth and give the
sounds free utterance; third, not to
pronounce words that begin with a vowel as
if they began with a consonant; fourth,
not to sing beyond the natural power and
compass of the voice; fifth, to sing from
the chest and not from the throat; sixth,
not to sing through the nose; seventh, to
avoid vulgarity of manner; eighth, not to
be too fond of trills and graces; and ninth,
to sing naturally and without affectation
of any kind. This last rule he considered
to be the summing up of every rule in one.
"To be simple and unaffected in voice,
manner, and expression, to fall naturally
into the passion of the song, let it be of
what kind it will, and to execute it feelingly
without affectation, grimace, or any apparent
efforts, but such as are proper to
the passion; this is to be an excellent
singer."

Those who could not, or would not
sing, were exonerated, if they would either
tell a story or an anecdote, or, as we
have said, would favour the company
with a toast or sentiment. These toasts,
to our modern way of thinking, were
not always very decorous, though
sometimes they were so moral and pious that
they might have been delivered from
the pulpit. A few of those most in favour
at the convivial parties, where politics were
not allowed to be mentioned, may be cited,
as showing the spirit and the manners of
the time:

The honest fellow that speaks his mind
as freely when he is sober as when he is
drunk.

        The lass and the glass, and the merry good fellow,
        Who's always good company when he gets mellow.

May we breakfast with Health, dine
with Friendship, crack a bottle with Mirth,
and sup with Contentment.

A hearty supper, a good bottle, and a
soft bed to the man who fights the battles
of his country.

The honest fellow that loves his bottle
at night, and his business in the morning.

A good horse, a warm house, a snug
estate, and a pretty wife to every man that
deserves them.

May we draw upon the Bank of Content
to supply the deficiencies of Fortune.

Among the political toasts (in 1782)
that "were drunk at some late convivial
and patriotic meetings," and were " the
production of some of the most celebrated
characters in the country," were several
that would not be inappropriate at the
present time, if it were the fashion to
propose them. Half a dozen of them will
suffice.

May Great Britain, like a tennis-ball,
rebound the more the harder she is
struck.

The friends of religious toleration,
whether they are within or without the
Establishment.

May the people of England always
oppose a bad ministry, and give vigour to
a good one.

May the tree of British liberty be
fructified by American independence.

The memory of our brave ancestors
who brought about the glorious revolution,
and may a similar spirit actuate their
descendants.

May the armies of Great Britain always
be successful in a good cause, and never
employed in a bad one.

The Americans, who, in some social
respects, retain the English manners of a
hundred years ago, have not yet wholly
parted with the custom of proposing
sentiments. They carry it, in fact, much further
than the English ever did; for they bring