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guard, the fuperiority is infinitely on the fide of the 
latter ; and the fame may be obferved in comparing 
the voice of a country girl and London houfe-maid, 
as it is very uncommon to hear the former fing tole- 
rably in tune. 
I do not mean by this, to afiert that the inhabitants 
of the country are not born with as good mufical or- 
gans ; but only, that they have not the fame oppor- 
tunities of learning from others, who play in tune 
themfelves. 
The other reafon for the inhabitants of London 
judging better in relation to the fong of birds, arifes 
from their hearing each bird fing difiindtly, either in 
their own or their neighbours fhops ; as alfo from 
a bird continuing much longer in fong whilfi: in a 
cage, than when at liberty ; the caufe of which I 
fhall endeavour hereafter to explain. 
Thofe who live in the country, on the other 
hand, do not hear birds fing in their woods for' above 
two months in the year, when the confufion of notes 
prevents their attending to the fong of any particular 
bird ; nor does he continue long enough in a place, 
for the hearer to recolledt his notes with accu- 
racy. 
Befides this, birds in the fpring fing very loud in- 
deed j but they only give fhort jerks, and fcarcely 
ever the whole compafs of their fong. 
For thefe reafons, I have never happened to meet 
with any perfon, who had not refided in London, 
whofe judgement or opinion on this fubjedt I could 
the leaft rely upon; and a fhonger proof of this can- 
not be given, than that moll people, who keep Ca- 
nary 
