In the two items which will be given now, may be detected, perhaps, the incipient germs of musical criticism, or at least the idea, which most people probably had of what a professor of music should know and be able to do: “Elocution is not unlike Musick; there is scarce a Soul so rustick as not to admire both in their Excellency, altho’ the Masters of those Sciences may lose their proper Share of the Praise. He that having laid before him the several Parts of a Musical Instrument, can Unite them in their Places, and tune them to Harmony, merits the appelation of a Master in Musick and should be distinguished as such, as he that disposes Words into grammatical sentences, and eloquent Periods, is a Master of Language.”[95] This quotation may argue for the popularity and respect in which music was held at that time by at least some of the people. We find in this crude statement, that music was thought worthy of a position by the side of elocution, which has always held a high place in the minds of every people, and so we may be safe in believing that music had a place, and an important place, in Philadelphia, in the early history of that city. Another correspondent states that: “Women, like Instruments of Musick, require to be long used before their Sweetness or Discord are certainly discovered.”[96] Unless the writer of the above knew something about music, and unless music was an object of interest or pleasure, so that this comparison would be appreciated, he would not likely have ventured to use such a simile. In 1733 there is a record of a “ball”[97] while, in the next year under the heading “London news,” there is a notice concerning the marriage of the Princess Royal to the Prince of Orange, which gives the following information: “A fine anthem compos’d by Mr. Handell was perform’d by a great Number of Voices and Instruments.”[98] This latter item proves nothing except that the name of Händel was introduced into the colonies at an early date, and may have remained in the memories of some of the people, since he was connected with such an important event. This may possibly have helped to increase the popularity which his works, later in the century, attained in America. It has been seen that there was music and dancing at this time, and it is now interesting to learn what kind of musical instruments were used. It has been shown already, that there were Jew’s harps,[99] that Kelpius had clavichords,[100] and assuredly there were some virginals, although probably few. In the fifth decade the various instrument makers mentioned above,[101] probably had quite a number of customers. In 1729 Andrew Bradford, proprietor of the _American Weekly Mercury_, advertises: “A well-strung Virginal to be sold; being in good Order. Enquire of Printer hereof.”[102]