Note 15 — XIX. SCHOOLS OF MUSIC, OBJECTIONS THERETO, AND ANSWERS.

The objector will not have Handel’s school to be called an English school, because he was a German. Handel in a great measure found in England those essential differences, which characterise his music; we have already shown that he had them not upon his arrival. Had Rubens come over to England but moderately skilled in his art: had he learned here all his excellency in colouring, and correctness of designing; had he left several scholars excellent in his manner behind him; I should not scruple to call the school erected by him, the English school of painting. Not the country in which a man is born, but his peculiar style, either in painting or in music—that constitutes him of this or that school. Thus Champagne, who painted in the manner of the French school, is always placed among the painters of that school, though he was born in Flanders, and should consequently, by the objector’s rule, be placed among the Flemish painters. Kneller is placed in the German school, and Ostade in the Dutch, though born in the same city. Primatice, who may be truly said to have founded the Roman school, was born in Bologna; though, if his country was to determine his school, he should have been placed in the Lombard. There might several other instances be produced; but these, it is hoped, will be sufficient to prove that Handel, though a German, may be placed at the head of the English school.