684 APPENDIX. 



Weljh one, called Morva Rhydland *, which is com- 

 pofed in a flat third ; and if the mufic of the 

 "Turks and Chinefe is examined in Du Halde and Dr. 

 Shaw, half of the airs are alfo in the minor third. 



The mufic of two centuries ago is likewife often 

 in a flat third, though ninety-nine compofitions out 

 of a hundred are now in the fharp third. 



The reafon, however, of this alteration feems 

 to be very clear : the flat third is plaintive, and 

 conlequently adapted to Ample movements, fuch 

 as may be expedted in countries where mufic hath 

 not been long cultivated. 



There is on the other hand a mod (hiking bril- 

 liancy in the fharp third, which is therefore proper 

 for the amazing improvements in execution, which 

 both fingers and players have arrived at within 

 the laft fifty years. 



When Corelli's mufic was firft publifhed, our 

 ableft violinifts conceived that it was too difficult 

 to be performed 4 it is now, however, the firft com- 

 pofition which is attempted by a fcholar. Every 

 year alfo now produces greater and greater pro- 

 digies upon other inftruments, in, point of execution. 



I have before obferved, that by attending to a 

 nightingale, as well as a robin which was educated 



* Or Rhydland Marjb, where the Weljh received a great 

 defeat ; Rhydland is in Flintjkire. We find alfo, by the Or- 

 pheus Britannicus, that even fo late as the time of Puree!, 

 two parts in three of his compofitions are in the flat third. 



under 



