The _flauto dolce_ (French, _flûte douce_, and _flûte à bec_), much in use some centuries ago, was made of various lengths (Fig. 70). The Germans called it _Pflockflöte_, _i.e._, a flute with a plug in the mouth-hole. The most common _flûte à bec_ was made with six finger-holes, and its compass embraced somewhat more than two octaves. Several of the finger-holes required to be only partly covered in order to produce the desired tone. There was often a key on this instrument in addition to the finger-holes. This flute was much in favour in England; hence it was called in France “Flûte d’Angleterre.” It has gradually been supplanted by the “Flûte traversière,” or “German Flute.” The _flageolet_ (Fig. 71), the smallest _flûte à bec_, was formerly played in England even by ladies. Pepys, in his Diary (March 1st, 1666), records:――“Being returned home, I find Greeting, the flageolet-master, come, and teaching my wife; and I do think my wife will take pleasure in it, and it will be easy for her, and pleasant.” The flageolet was made of various sizes. Pepys (Diary, January 20th, 1667) records:――“To Drumbleby’s, the pipemaker, there to advise about the making of a flageolet to go low and soft; and he do show me a way which do, and also a fashion of having two pipes of the same note fastened together, so as I can play on one and then echo it upon the other, which is mighty pretty.” The _double flageolet_ was invented by Bainbridge about the year 1800. The _triple flageolet_ (Fig. 69) is less common but equally useless for musical performances of the present day. The “Harmonicon,” London, 1830, records:――“Within these few years Mr. Bainbridge has added a bass joint to his double flageolet and the tone resembles the lower notes on a German flute. The effect produced by the combination of three notes is very good and mellifluous. The bass joint is fixed at the back of the double flageolet, and the breath is conveyed by means of a tube; and by the introduction of what are termed stop-keys, a solo, duet, or trio may be instantaneously performed. The bass notes are produced by keys pressed with the thumb of the left hand.” The writer remarks that “this instrument being purely English, I consider it deserving of being recorded as a very ingenious invention.” The _hautboy_ or _oboe_ (Fig. 72) came into more general use about the year 1720. [Illustration: FIG. 71.――FLAGEOLET. Italian. Middle of 18th century. L. 20 in., Diam. of mouth, 1⅞ in. No. 1124-’69. Victoria and Albert Museum.] [Illustration: FIG. 72.――OBOE. Made by Anciuti of Milan; formerly in the possession of the composer Rossini. Latter half of 18th century. L. 21½ in., Diam. of mouth, 2½ in. No. 1127-69 Victoria and Albert Museum.]