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Show THE COMPOSITION OF BALLETS. 239 taste, which should never be offended. In order to secure universal approbation, let the beauties of nature shine throughout your productions. Never forget that the sound critic is generally sitting and ready to pass judgment on your production. D' Alembert says, reason is a severe judge and ought to be respected ! A man of the lowest class and the least enlightened would cry down a piece in which neither consistency nor true imitation appears ; and the author of the Metromania has justly observed-• " Le bon sens du maraud, quelquefois m' epouvante." But although it is indispensable that we should respect the acknowledged rules of art, we need not be enslaved by the dogmas of mere pedants; pay no attention to the maxims of those who, without talent and void of invention, seek only to fetter genius and encumber its progress. The writer of Sulmone observes, that envy is never so severely punished as when it witnesses the glory and success of another. Although nothing should be thrown hastily out of hand, and improvements may be 'made on reviewing our productions, yet it is a fault to be incessantly retouching; for too elaborate a finish often destroys expression. Apelles reproaches Protogenes with this error. The latter was ever by the side of his pictures, endeavouring to give them a finish that frequently degenerated into affectation. This failing must be avoided, and the example of the Grecian painter may become useful to artists of every class. W e are sometimes content to see in the productions of art a certain carelessness and easy negligence, which serve to conceal the labour and study which the artist has undergone. A suitable and appropriate subject should be fixed on; on this the success of a piece in a great measure depends. A n interesting plot, cleverly treated by the author, and |