The invention of the _serpent_ (Fig. 74) is attributed to Edme Guillaume, a canon of Auxerre in France, anno 1590. It was, however, no new invention, properly speaking, but merely an improvement upon the old _Basszinken_, the management of which was rendered more convenient by giving a serpentine winding to the tube. This instrument subsequently became rather popular. It was used in military bands and in processions until about the middle of the last century. The French made use of it also in church to support the voices. Towards the end of the eighteenth century it appears to have still been a common substitute for the organ in France. Dr. Burney, in his “Journal,” London, 1773, states that he frequently met with it in the churches of that country, and he expresses a more favourable opinion of its suitableness for promoting edification than might have been expected from a refined musician:――“It gives the tone in chanting, and plays the bass when they sing in parts. It is often ill-played, but if judiciously used would have a good effect. It is, however, in general overblown, and too powerful for the voices it accompanies; otherwise, it mixes with them better than the organ, as it can augment or diminish a sound with more delicacy, and is less likely to overpower or destroy, by a bad temperament, that perfect one of which the voice only is capable.” [Illustration: FIG. 73.――BASSOON, species of. English. Late 18th or early 19th century. L. 48¼ in. No. 637-’72. Victoria and Albert Museum.] [Illustration: FIG. 74.――THE SERPENT. Made by Gerock Wolf, in London. English. Early 19th century. L. 28 in. No. 286-’82. Victoria and Albert Museum.] [Illustration: FIG. 75.――SERINETTE OR BIRD ORGAN. French. Period of Louis XIV. H. 8⅛, L. 11⅛ in., W. 9 in. No. 629-’68. Victoria and Albert Museum.] [Illustration: FIG. 76.――ORGAN (Positive). Bears the arms of John George I., Elector of Saxony (b. 1585, d. 1656). German. Dated 1627. H. 45½ in., W. 27½ in. No. 2-’67. Victoria and Albert Museum.] The _serinette_, or bird organ (Fig. 75), was formerly used in France by ladies to teach airs to little singing birds, especially to a kind of siskin or canary, called in French _serin_; hence the name of the instrument. The _organ positive_ (Fig. 76) is distinguished from the _organ portative_ in so far that the former was a larger instrument, generally placed on a table and blown by an attendant, while the latter was carried about by the performer in religious processions and on such-like occasions.