{ 3H ] 



judges moll accurately of what are called extremes b on the violin^ 

 which feems to be ftill more aflonifliing, as the child hath fcarcely 

 ever heard any other inftrument but the organ, which is defective 

 in thefe quarter-tones. In other words, it feems to prove* that 

 Crotch's ear is fo very exquifite as to diftinguim quarter tones., 

 whilfr. the notes of the organ are Only fubdivided into half-tones ; 

 all of which are fo a certain degree imperfect, and the ability of 

 the tuner is fhewn by diftributing this defect, as equally as pof- 

 lible, amongft them all. Surely therefore this great refinement 

 may be pronounced to have been almoft innate in the child ; for 

 though perhaps he might have heard a Norwich fiddler, yet it is 

 highly improbable that fuch performer mould have flopped with 

 this great precifion. 



Dr. Burney indeed mentions, that Crotch was prefent at a con- 

 cert in London where Pachierotti fung, and where undoubtedly 

 there might be fome able muficians. 



I once happened to be prefent when he. was playing a well- 

 known air, called Minuet de la Cour, in the greater third and key 

 of A, which he afterwards repeated in that of B. Obferving this 

 readinefs in the child to tranfpofe, I defired him to try it 

 in C ; which he not only complied with, but proceeded re- 

 gularly through the whole octave, whilft. he fometimes looked 

 back with great archnefs upon me, inquiring whether I knew in 

 what key he was then playing ; and having anfwered him once or 

 twice wrong on purpofe, he triumphed much in fetting me 

 right. 



h Thefe notes are marked in fome compositions for violins with a 

 double lharp ; and to exemplify, when F fharp occurs, in the greater 

 third and key of E, it mould be flopped by the performer perhaps 

 nearly a quarter of a note more fharp than it is upon the harpfichord, or 

 approaching to an intermediate quarter tone between F fharp and G natu- 

 ral. Fifcher executes fuch quarter tones with great precifion on the 

 hautbois. 



I muffc 



