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superiour in their performance to most
others that I have heard on the continent.
But, in general, the best organists in
Italy are the monks and friars, many of
whom I have heard play in the churches
and chapels of their own convents, not
only in a masterly, but a brilliant and
modern manner, without forgetting the
genius of the instrument. And some of
the girls of the Venetian Conservatorios,
as well as the nuns in different parts of
Italy, play with rapidity and neatness in
their several churches; but there is al-
most always a want of force, of learning,
and courage in female performances,
occasioned, perhaps, by that feminine
softness, with which, in other situations,
we are so enchanted.
Having heard the most eminent per-
formers, conversed with the principal
theorists and composers, found many of
the books, manuscripts, and antiquities
which I had sought, and explained my
wants with regard to the rest, to several
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