bt, the product of Italy, as during
this time the Italians led all Europe in the arts. At a later period the
clavichord was copied by the Germans and Belgians. It was used by them
for centuries on account of its simple construction and low price.
Mozart always carried one with him as part of his baggage when
traveling. The virginal, spinet, and harpsichord followed the clavichord
in rapid succession, considering that the last named instrument had been
in favor for such a long time, with seemingly no attempt at improvement.
All of these three instruments had strings of brass, with quill plectra
attached to pieces of wood. These were called "jacks"--a name still used
today in making up the action of the piano.

[Illustration: Double Spinet or Virginal made by Ludovicus Grovvelus
Flanders, 1600]

The virginal and spinet were almost identical with each other, but the
harpsichord was larger and occasionally was built with two keyboards.
There are several explanations as to why the virginal was so called.
One is that it got its name from its association with hymns to the
Virgin. Another is that it was thus called in honor of Elizabeth, the
Virgin Queen. We may accept whichever theory best suits us, but history
records that both Elizabeth and Mary of Scotland were proficient in its
use and that it was the favorite instrument of Henry VIII. Items for
repairs and for instruction in playing the virginal appear frequently in
the royal expense book, showing conclusively that His Majesty was not
unmindful of such accomplishments. Four octaves was the range of these
old instruments, from the second added line below in the bass to the
second added line above in the treble. There was but one string to each
note, and one can well understand why a writer of that period describes
the tone as "a _scratch_ with a _sound_ at the end of it." Queen
Elizabeth's virginal is still preserved at Worcestershire. It is a most
elaborate creation, having a cedar case ornately covered with crimson
velvet and lined with yellow silk. Its weight is only twenty-four
pounds. Gold plate covers the front. Thirty of its fifty keys are of
ebony with tips of gold. The semitone keys are inlaid with silver,
ivory, and various woods, each key being composed of two hundred and
fifty pieces. The royal arms are emblazoned upon the case. The Queen's
virginal instruction book is also carefully kept, one of the many silent
records of the accomplishments of this gifted an