340 APPENDIX. VI. 



Savoyards, contribute likewise to this improve- 

 ment of musical faculties in the Londojiers. 



If the singing of the ploughman in the coun- 

 try is therefore compared with that of the Lon- 

 doti blackguard, the superiority is infinitely on 

 the side of the latter ; and the same may be 

 observed in comparing the voice of a country 

 girl and London house-maid, as it is very un- 

 common to hear the former sing tolerably in 

 tune. 



I do not mean by this, to assert that the in- 

 habitants of the country are not born with as 

 good musical organs ; but only, that they have 

 not the same opportunities of learning from 

 others, who play in tune themselves. 



The other reason for the inhabitants oi London 

 judging better in relation to the song of birds, 

 arises from their hearing each bird sing dis- 

 tinctly, either in their own or their neighbors' 

 shops ; as also from a bird continuing much 

 longer in song whilst in a cage, than when at 

 liberty ; the cause of which I shall endeavour 

 hereafter to explain. 



They who live in the country, on the other 

 hand, do not hear birds sing in their woods for 

 above two months in the year, when the confu- 

 sion of notes prevents their attending to the 

 song of any particular bird ; nor does he con- 



