probably be used for reference long after his finger-exercises have been supplanted by more modern ones. As the object is to supply the lover of music with an historical survey, similar to that of Czerny, but on a smaller scale,--it may be useful to notice the plan adopted by Czerny. He has divided his work into two Sections. The first Section records the ancient traditions respecting the origin of music, and gives an account of the music of the nations before the Christian era, of the music of our forefathers during the Middle Ages, and of the rise of our modern tone-art. This Section is arranged in eighteen Periods, thus:-- _First Period._--The primitive Music of the Greeks until the time of the Trojan War (B.C. 2000-1200). Mythic and mythic-heroic Age. Beginning of the public games and contests. _Second Period._--From the Trojan War until Pythagoras (B.C. 1200-584). Gradual development of singing associated with poetry. Invention and improvement of different Stringed Instruments, Wind Instruments, and Instruments of Percussion. Encouragement given to artists by the bestowal of great honours. _Third Period._--From Pythagoras until Aristoxenus of Tarentum (B.C. 584-340). Highest development of all the Arts in Greece. The Art of Music founded on fixed rules. _Fourth Period._--From Aristoxenus until the Birth of Christ (B.C. 340-A.D. 1). New Musical System. Decay of the Arts. _Fifth Period._--From the Birth of Christ until Hucbald (A.D. 1-900). Gradual decay of the Ancient Music. Origin of the Christian Church-song. _Sixth Period._--From Hucbald until Franco of Cologne (A.D. 900-1200). The first attempts in Polyphonic Harmony. Invention of Musical Notation and Measure of Time. _Seventh Period._--From Franco of Cologne until Dufay (A.D. 1200-1380). Invention and development of Counterpoint. _Eighth Period._--From Dufay until Ockeghem, or Ockenheim (A.D. 1380-1450). The elder Netherlandish School. Developed Regular Counterpoint. Musical Notation fixed. Composers according to the new system of Harmony. _Ninth Period._--From Ockeghem until Josquin des Pres (A.D. 1450-1480). The newer or second Netherlandish School. Artificial Counterpoint. Beginning of the reputation of the Netherlandish masters. In Italy and Germany executive artists on the Organ, Clavichord, and other instruments, make their appearance. _Tenth Period._--From Josquin des Pres until Willaert (A.D. 1480-1520). Commencement of the flourishing, state of the Netherlandish masters, and their influence upon all European countries. Masters in Counterpoint arise in Germany. Meritorious teachers in Italy. French musicians attain reputation in other countries besides in France. _Eleventh Period._--From Willaert until Palestrina (A.D. 1520-1560). The Netherlandish masters institute Schools in Italy and develop the art of music with great success in that country. The Madrigal becomes the favourite kind of composition of the Venetian School.