Charles Burney

The Present State of Music in France and Italy (2nd, corrected edition)

London: T. Becket and Co., 1773

Introduction

much fatigue, expense, and neglect of
other concerns.

But these books are, in general, such
faithful copies of each other, that he
who reads two or three, has the sub-
stance of as many hundred. In hopes,
therefore, of stamping on my intended
History some marks of originality, or at
least of novelty, I determined to allay
my thirst of knowledge at the source,
and take such draughts in Italy, as Eng-
land cannot supply. It was there I deter-
mined to hear with my own ears, and to
see with my own eyes; and, if possible,
to hear and see nothing but music. Indeed
I might have amused myself agreeably
enough in examining pictures, statues,
and buildings, but as I could not afford
time for all this, without neglecting the
chief business of my journey, I deter-
mined not to have "my purpose turned
awry" by any other curiosity or enquiry *.