he most notable organs of the
world, all of which have been built or rebuilt since the year 1888, and
embody modern ideas in mechanism, wind pressures, and tonal resources.
First in the writer's estimation comes the

ORGAN IN ST. GEORGE'S HALL, LIVERPOOL, ENG.

This noble instrument was built by Henry Willis to the specification of
Dr. S. S. Wesley, by whom it was opened on the 29th and 30th of May,
1855. The writer made its acquaintance in 1866, when it was tuned on
the unequal temperament system. In 1867 Mr. Best succeeded in getting
it re-tuned in equal-temperament, several improvements were made, and
the wind pressure on four of the reed stops on the Solo organ increased
from 9 1/2 inches to 22 inches. In 1898 the organ was thoroughly
rebuilt with tubular pneumatic action in place of the Barker levers.
The compass of the manuals was changed from GG--a|3| to CC--c|4|,[1]
five octaves, and the pedals were carried up to g--33 notes. A Swell
to Choir coupler was added (!) and various changes made in the stops,
the Vox Humana transferred from the Swell to the Solo organ, and two of
the Solo wind-chests were enclosed in a Swell-box. We note that the
Tubas are still left outside. The cast-iron pipes of the lowest octave
of the 32-ft. Double Open Diapason on the Pedal organ were replaced by
pipes of stout zinc, and four composition pedals added to control the
Swell stops.

[Illustration: Keyboards of Organ, in St. George's Hall, Liverpool.
Two Rows of Stops at Left Omitted]

The following is the specification of the organ as it now stands, in
its revised form:

FIRST MANUAL (CHOIR), 18 STOPS.

FEET. FEET.
Double Diapason 16 Gamba 4
Open Diapason 8 Twelfth 2 2/3
Clarabella 8 Fifteenth 2
Stopped Diapason 8 Flageolet 2
Dulciana 8 Sesquialtera, 3 ranks
Viol da Gamba 8 Trumpet 8
Vox Angelica 8 Cremona 8
Principal 4 Orchestral Oboe 8
Harmonic Flute 4 Clarion 4

SECOND MANUAL (GREAT), 25 STOPS.

FEET. FEET.
Dble. Open Diap. (metal) 16 Twelfth 2 2/3
Open Diapason, No. 1