ght action. This firm, whose product is considered the
acme of perfection, makes nothing but actions. Most manufacturers of
pianos, of the present day, build the wooden frame, the sound-board
and the case only; the action, metal plate, strings, tuning-pins,
etc., being purchased from different firms who make a specialty of the
manufacture of these parts. A few concerns, however, make every piece
that enters into the composition of the instruments bearing their
names.

[Illustration]

_Ky_, is the Key in its resting position.

_c_, wherever found, represents a cushion of felt or soft leather upon
which the different parts of the action rest or come in contact with
each other. Their purpose, as is readily seen, is that of rendering
the action noiseless and easy of operation.

_Bnc R_, shows the end of the balance rail, extending the entire
length of the keyboard.

_B P_, is the balance pin. This is a perfectly round pin driven firmly
in the balance rail. The bottom of the hole in the key fits closely
around the balance pin; at the top, it is the shape of a mortise,
parallel with the key, which allows the key to move only in the
direction intended. The mortise in the wooden cap on top of the key at
this point is lined with bushing cloth which holds the key in position
laterally, and prevents looseness and rattling, yet allows the key to
move easily.

_L_, is the lead put in this portion of the key to balance it, and to
insure uniformity of "touch," and quick and certain return of key to
its rest position. As there is more or less difference in the length
of keys, and also in the weight of the hammers operated by them, some
keys are leaded much more heavily than others. In some cases the lead
is inserted in the extreme back end of the key; in others it is put
near the balance rail according to the requirement. In some actions
the lead is omitted entirely; but in the best actions it is almost
invariably present. In the action of the grand piano the keys are
leaded in front of the balance rail instead of back of it. This is due
to the fact that in the grand piano the hammer rests in a horizontal
position and its whole weight must be actually lifted and the force of
gravity overcome, while in the upright, the hammer rests in a
vertical position, only requiring to be thrown forward.

_G P_, is the guide pin, generally of oval shape, with the longest
diameter in line with the key. The hole in the lower portion of the
k