We have here at hand that which makes our Paradise--the gift of song. Let us no longer disregard this fundamental possession, but use it well, and with it enter into the peace that song can give to all who have ears to hear its wondrous message. It is the Evangel that has for so long been knocking at our doors. Let us open wide and welcome this friend and comrade whose voice goes throbbing through the aisles of the vast Temple of Music--that structure not made with hands; heard, not seen, present only to the spirit of mortals, place of worship and refreshment for all generations. DAVID BISPHAM. August, 1914. CONTENTS OF VOLUME FIVE PAGE INTRODUCTION BY DAVID BISPHAM vii PART I. THE VOCAL MECHANISM CHAPTER I. THE VOCAL ORGANS, THEIR OPERATION AND HYGIENE 1 The vocal instrument; anatomy of the vocal organs; the healthy mechanism--The larynx; the laryngoscope; operations of the laryngeal muscles--Tone production; the resonating cavities; vowel formation; articulation--Vocal hygiene; incorrect tone production; throat stiffness and its cure. II. VOCAL CULTIVATION AND THE OLD ITALIAN METHOD 24 Historical aspect of vocal cultivation--The modern conception of voice culture; the mechanical and psychological methods--Ancient systems--Mediæval Europe--The revival of solo singing; the rise of coloratura--The old Italian method--The _bel canto_ teachers: Caccini; Tosi and Mancini; the _Conservatoire_ method; the Italian course of instruction; theoretical basis of the Italian method. III. MODERN SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF VOICE CULTURE 55 The transition from the old to the modern system; historical review of scientific investigation; Manuel García; progress of the scientific idea; Helmholtz, Mandl, and Merkel--Diversity of practices in modern methods; the scientific system; breathing; laryngeal action; registers; resonance; emission of tone; the singer’s sensations; correction of faults; articulation--General view of modern voice culture. PART II. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ART SONG IV. THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF SONG 70 The origin of song--The practical value of primitive song--The cultural value of primitive song--Biography of primitive song--The lyric impulse--Folk-song and art-song--Characteristics of the art-song; style, the singer and the song. V. FOLK-SONGS 100