Some time after the publication of the method just mentioned, the Messrs. Brainard engaged Mr. Holland to write a somewhat similar one, but smaller in size, for them. This they issued in 1876, it being styled "Holland's Modern Method for the Guitar." Although smaller in size than the first one, it is regarded as the best method for beginners that has as yet been produced. It may perhaps be interesting to those possessing a scientific acquaintance with the guitar, as well, indeed, as to the general student of music, to learn how this accomplished author acquired the power to so clearly--more clearly than it was ever before done in guitar books--explain the method of producing on the guitar the _harmonic tones_. Writing a friend, Mr. Holland thus speaks of this:-- "When, in writing my first book, I came to the subject 'Harmonics,' I found myself at a loss as to how to explain these tones; not as to how to produce them myself, but to give a correct _theory_ of their production. I searched in vain through a multitude of musical works, not knowing or thinking of anywhere else to look. I stopped for several weeks, and began a series of observations on the vibrations on the strings of my guitar; having nothing to aid me but my eyes, fingers, and ears, and a knowledge of the fact that the vibrations of a string were doubled in number for every octave of ascent in pitch of tone. I thus discovered the true theory of the harmonic tones to be the vibrations of a single string in a number of equal sections, more or less, and all at the same time; and that their production was at the pleasure of the operator as he desired higher or lower tones. Having fully verified my discoveries, I then corrected the erroneous theory on this subject of the great guitarist, F. Sor. I learned afterwards that the subject was discussed and explained in some scientific works that treated on acoustics." I have before referred to the pecuniary disadvantages under which Mr. Holland had to labor in the beginning of his career. These followed him for a long period. It seems that much time must nearly always elapse ere even genius becomes acknowledged, and its possessor receives that pecuniary reward so necessary to his support. This acknowledgment, and, to an encouraging extent, this substantial reward, came to Mr. Holland after a while, but not until after he had passed through many very trying scenes. One of the latter has been thus described:--