THE PHYSICAL BASIS OF MUSICAL HARMONY. 359 



theory of von Helmlioltz as to tlie nature of timbre has been over, 

 thrown. The corrections introduced into lunar theory by Hansen and 

 Newcombe have not overturned the splendid generalizations of New- 

 ton. What we can and must confess is that we now know that the 

 acoustic theory of von Helmholtz is, like the lunar theory of Newton, 

 correct only as a first approximation. It has been the distinctive merit 

 of Dr. Koeuig to indicate to us tiie magnitude of the correcting terms, 

 and to sup})ly us not otdy with a rich store of experimental facts but 

 with the means of prosecuting the research synthetically, beyond the 

 point to which he himself has attained. 



In thanking Dr. Ko'nig for the courtesy wiiicli he has shown to this 

 society in bringing over his apparatus and in demonstrating its use to 

 us, we must join in congratulating him on the i>atience, perspicacity, 

 and skill with which he has carried out his researches. We know that 

 bis exceptional abdities as experimentalist and constructor have done 

 more than those of any other investigator to make the science of experi- 

 mental acoustics what it is to-day ; and we must unite in wishing him 

 long life and prosperity to complete the great work on which rlready 

 he has advanced so far. 



