An Anthology of Musical Criticism

"The introduction of a new kind of music must be shuned as imperilling the whole state; since styles of music are never disturbed without affecting the most important political institutions. The new style gradually gaining a lodgment, quietly insinuates itself into manners and customs; and from these it issues in greater force, and makes its way into mutual compacts; and from compacts it goes on to attack laws and constitutions, displayingthe utmost impudence, until it ends by overturning everything, both in public and in private. --Taken from the introduction.