* 
H. W. Poole on Perfect Musical Intoi 
who profess to treat the natural sciences, to charge mn 
imperfections, but rather, if possible, to discover order and system, 
where only apparent imperfections were visible. Per 
tific writers on music are the only exception to this rule. These 
imperfections, however, belong entirely to their theories, and have 
no existence in the nature of music. No science—not even the 
mathematics—can be more perfect and harmonious than music, in 
the department which relates to intonation. © 
39. But melody and harmony do not produce all the effect of 
music, for much depends on the quality of tone, rhythm, expression, 
¢. Itis therefore possible that tempered music may be ple 
ing, if good in these last particulars, although its melody and 
harmony be imperfect. But it is certain that, eeleris paribus, the 
more perfect the intonation, the more pleasing will be the music. 
The importance of absolutely perfect harmony is not equally felt 
in all kinds of music. In dance music, for example, the rhythm 
stands prominent, and although even here the music would be 
best if performed in tune, still, in quick movements, and in the 
rapid flight of notes, the attention is diverted from the imperfec- 
tion in the intervals. 
_ 40. Church ‘music, perhaps more than any other, depends, for 
its excellence, almost entirely upon its harmony. From church 
beyond the power of the organist to improve it ; in this respect, 
in the organ and instruments of this class. In the tempered organ, 
the tuner leaves no chord, except the octave, in perfect tune, and 
