respecting Sound and Light. 145 



used ; since the aggregate sum of all the imperfections which 

 occur in playing, must by this means be diminished in the greatest 

 possible degree, and the diversity of character at the same time 

 preserved. Indeed, in practice, this method, under different 

 modifications, has been almost universal ; for, although many 

 have pretended to an equal temperament, yet the methods which 

 they have employed to attain it have been evidently defective. 

 It appears to me, that every purpose may be answered, by 

 making C : E too sharp by a quarter of a comma, which 

 will not offend the nicest ear; E : G*, and A* : C, equal; 

 F* : A* too sharp by a comma ; and the major thirds of all the 

 intermediate keys more or less perfect, as they approach more 

 or less to C in the order of modulation. The fifths are perfect 

 enough in every system. The results of this method are shown 

 in Table xn. In practice, nearly the same effect may be very 

 simply produced, by tuning from C to F, B^, E*, G*, C*, F* 

 six perfect fourths ; and C, G, D, A, E, B, F*, six equally im- 

 perfect fifths, Plate VI. Fig. 52. If the unavoidable imperfections 

 of the fourths be such as to incline them to sharpness, the 

 temperament will approach more nearly to equality, which is 

 preferable to an inaccuracy on the other side. An easy method 

 of comparing different systems of temperament is exhibited in. 

 Plate VII. Fig. 53, which may easily be extended to all the sys- 

 tems that have ever been invented. 



mdccc. U 



