PREFACE. THE present Work does not pretend to be a scientific History of Music, but a popular account of the progress of the art, for the use of the many thousand individuals who now take an interest in musical subjects, but to whom a learned and elaborate treatise would offer few attractions. It was my purpose, at one time, to have devoted my labours more especially to the elucidation of the history of the science in England, subsequently to 1789, when Dr Burney closed his invaluable work; but, for reasons which it is unnecessary to mention, I have, in the meantime, abandoned this design, which had received the countenance of many of the most influential persons, both in rank and in musical knowledge. I still think, however, that the history of music in this country demands more attention than has here been bestowed upon it; and it is not improbable but that, eventually, the project I originally contemplated may be completed, abundance of materials for the purpose being already collected, and in my possession. From its nature, this volume can aspire to very little merit beyond what is due to a welldigested compilation; but, from the number of works, both ancient and modern, which have been consulted, a mass of information has been collected and condensed, greater, it is presumed, than will be found in any one work on the subject, however high its pretensions. I shall only add, that, in availing myself of the labours of others, I have freely acknowledged the sources whence information has been derived; and to several gentlemen who have afforded me valuable hints, I beg leave to tender my most cordial thanks,--which are due, especially, to the talented editor of the Quarterly Musical Magazine and Review, for the kind manner in which he directed my attention to works which otherwise might have escaped my notice. W. C. S. YORK, March, 1830. CHAPTER CONTENTS. PAGE I.-The Origin of Music traced to natural causes ----- II. Antediluvian Music-Traditional Account of the Origin of Music in Egypt-Ancient and Modern state of the Art in that Country VIII. —Oriental Music. The Music of the Hebrews X.-African Music. - The Music of Abyssinia, Ash- antee, and Fantee, Empoöngwa, Timannee, 110 THE HISTORY OF MUSIC. CHAPTER I. THE ORIGIN OF MUSIC TRACED TO NATURAL CAUSES IT is almost lost time to search for the origin of "Sha any of those arts which have been handed down to us from the remote ages of antiquity. dows, clouds, and darkness, rest upon" their first beginnings; and the names of their inventors, with their personal histories, are obscured by fables and traditions. This is the case with music; the invention of which, the ancients, unable to fix upon the mortal who conferred such a blessing upon mankind, ascribed to their gods. Natural causes, however, may sufficiently account for its origin, without referring to a miracle for the event. The elements of music are in every thing around us; they are found in the chirpings of the feathered choristers of nature; in the voices or calls of various animals; in the melancholy sound of the A |