MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS. 345 



After the children can sing a simple air without much practice, 

 and not till then, the author proposes to teach the rules of the sci- 

 ence. We are inclined to doubt whether any good end would be gained 

 by the study of these rules, and whether the pupil should not be in 

 ignorance of them till he can find them out by himself. This, with 

 ordinary musical talent, he will not fail to do, from the study of the 

 classical works of great composers ; if not, they can be of no use to 

 him. In this work the easy tirability and limited comprehension 

 of the inmates of nurseries and infant schools, for whose use it is 

 principally intended, is judiciously consulted, in the selection of 

 songs short, easy, and amusing. In reply to objections on this score, 

 he well remarks, — " there are persons who deem this application of 

 music a degradation to the art. The author has no sympathy with 

 them. The learned professor, with his head full of Beethoven and 

 Sebastian Bach, would feel his dignity compromised by amusing 

 little children with simple and lively melodies, instead of tor- 

 menting them with ingenious modulations and profound harmonies. 

 May little children never fall into his hands." — Towards the con- 

 clusion are some pieces of a more scientific character, culled from 

 the works of Callcott, Webbe, Cooke, &c. Let us hope that this 

 work will be instrumental — and in good hands it assuredly will be — 

 in diffusing a knowledge and love of this most delightful of the fine 

 arts, amongst the labouring classes of this country, who form so large, 

 yet so very inadequately cultivated, a portion of the community. 



MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS. 



We understand it is in contemplation to establish a society in London for 

 the especial purpose of promoting the cultivation of the several branches of 

 British Natural History — to make collections of the various natural produc- 

 tions in this country — to form a Library of Works to elucidate the science 

 and aid the student — to correspond with, and mutually assist the numerous 

 provincial Natural History societies— in fact, to form a nucleus for the con- 

 centration of the labours of the British naturalist. We most sincerely hope 

 that all who feel an interest in the laudable objects the promoters of this 

 society have in view, will at once come forward and exert themselves to pro- 

 mote the success of so desirable a project. 



A new institution for the promotion of the fine arts has just been esta- 

 blished at Newcastle, which is to be called " The North of England Society 

 for the Promotion of the Fine Arts," intended for the advancement of draw- 

 ing, painting, sculpture, engraving, engineering, &c, by the purchase of casts 

 and books, &c, and procuring an adequate place where students may work 

 under the same roof. 



Method of Catching the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and 



VOL. V. NO. XVIII. 2x 



