d in 1767, it was announced that "Miss Brickler will sing a
favourite song from _Judith_, accompanied by Mr. Dibdin on a new
instrument called the piano forte." Of such instruments and of earlier
types there are many fine examples in the Victoria and Albert Museum at
South Kensington, in the Royal Scottish Museum, and in the Crosby-Brown
Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In Fig.
89 is seen a beautiful spinet in excellent condition.

Whistles and Pipes.

It is said by the exponents of artistic furnishing and decoration that
no home can be complete without music, for it gives an atmosphere of
art which nothing else can impart; and certainly a collection of
household curios cannot be complete without some musical instrument,
although but a humble example. It may be a moot point among collectors
whether the insignificant whistle or primitive call can be regarded as
sufficiently musical to rank in this category. It is certain, however,
that it is one of the commonest of sound producers; if there is a boy in
the home there is almost sure to be a whistle in the house. Few trouble
about the scientific explanation of the sound produced by this common
instrument, but experts tell us that the sound comes because
condensations occur by the collision of air against the cutting edge
placed in its path. Of antique whistles there are many types, those
shown in Fig. 90 being the most frequently met with. The one marked "D"
is said to be an attempt to increase the volume of sound by the
extension of a cutting edge. A double sound is produced by that marked
"F," whereas "A" is of the more familiar type, the example illustrated
being an ivory whistle used upwards of a hundred years ago.

From the whistle came the tin pipe capable of producing tunes in the
hands of a skilful player. The whistle and pipe were in olden times
associated with coaching days and inns. At one time it was customary for
a whistle to be attached to the handles of spoons used on inn tables.
Thirsty travellers blew the whistle when refreshment was required, and
from that custom we get the common expression, "You may whistle for it."
The horn, too, was a favourite instrument, and very necessary in days
gone by, when it served many useful purposes.

The horn is probably the most ancient of all wind instruments. It was
used at the Jewish feast of the Atonement, and the Romans used it for
signalling purposes, their infantry carrying circul