ON THE SINGING OF BIRDS. 353 



TFelsh one, called Moi'va Khydland^^ which is 

 composed in a flat third ; and if the music of 

 Xh^Turlis and Chinese is examined in Du Halde 

 and Dr. Shazv, half of the airs are also in the 

 minor third. 



The music of two centuries ago is likewise 

 often in a flat third, though ninety-nine compo- 

 sitions out of a hundred are now in the sharp 

 third. 



The reason, however, of this alteration seems 

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

 consequently adapted to simple movements, 

 such as may be expected in countries where 

 music hath not been long cultivated. 



There is on the other hand a most striking ^ 

 brilliancy in the sharp third, which is therefore 

 proper for the amazing improvements in exe- 

 cution, which both singers and players have 

 arrived at within the last fifty years. 



When Corellis music was first published, 

 our ablest violinists conceived that it was too 

 difiicult to be performed ; it is now, however, 

 the first composition which is attempted by a 



• Or Tthydland Marsh, where the Welsh received a great de- - 



feat ; Rhydland is in Flintshire. We find also, by the Orpheus 

 Britannicus, that even so late as the time oi Purcel, two gartsJA.. 

 three of his compositions are in the flat third. :!>-<'4't^' 



VOL. ir. 2 a 



