Vn RYTHMIC AL MEASURES. 91 



more variety and extent to the compofition, a part may be made 

 to confift of three, four or fix of thofe combinations ; or, by 

 occafionally adding two bars, combinations of fix may be form- 

 ed. All this may be done, without lofing the diftinguifhing 

 characleriftic of the minuet. But if either the rythm is fo 

 contrived, or the mufical cadences are fo placed, as at any time 

 to form combinations of three or of five bars, the piece then 

 ceafes to be a minuet. It may, however, notwithftanding this, 

 be a pleafing compofition. The modern mufician6, efpecially 

 thofe of the German fchool, often fubjoin to the minuets of 

 their inftrumental pieces, airs of the fame time and meafure, 

 which they fometimes call fecond minuets, but more frequently 

 trios. In compofing thefe trios, they fometimes take an oppor- 

 tunity of difplaying their learning and invention, and of fearch- 

 ing for novelty, without eonfidering themfelves as under obli- 

 gation to adhere to the elegant fimplicity of ftyle, or the regular 

 rythmical ftruclure of the minuet. By this means, the hearer 

 is for a while very agreeably entertained, and the beauty and 

 peculiar qualities of the minuet, which is always repeated after 

 the trio, are rendered more finking. In thefe airs, combina- 

 tions of three bars are frequently to be found *. As, however, 

 two of thefe combinations often occur in fuccefTion, and the other 

 parts of the piece proceed commonly by pairs, the number of 

 bars in the complete ftrain or air is in moft cafes even, or divifi- 

 ble by two. 



In pieces of confiderable extent, fuch licences, when ufed 

 with moderation, frequently pafs without being greatly ob- 

 ferved. They may even at times produce a very happy efFect, 

 They ferve to roufe the attention of the hearer, which is apt to 

 flag in a long piece, when the rythm uniformly proceeds by 

 equal combinations ; and they often give a more emphatic in- 



M 2 troduction, 



* Trio of firft minuet in third quartetto of EUydn, firft fet. Trio of fecond minuet 

 in fecond quartetto of the fame author, fecona fet. 



