d with old gilt; others were relieved in colours.
Some were classic in design; others were like the little French clocks
of the Empire period. Some were shaped like musical instruments, and
others of more elaborate forms of decoration represent Mercury and
Hercules supporting the watch stand. Some of the most beautiful are made
of French lacquer and ornamented in the Vernis Martin style. To these
may be added watch stands of marble, and curious inlays, of papier-mache
and japanned wares, and some of brass and bronze.

XV

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

CHAPTER XV

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Early examples--Whistles and pipes--Violins and harps.

There are few homes without some old musical instruments, indicating
that at one time or other one or more members of the family have been
musical. There is a sadness about the discovery of a long-neglected
instrument, telling of the breaking up of the old home or of an absent
one whose instrument has been cherished in memory of happy moments when
harmonious sounds and beautiful music were drawn from the now
long-neglected piano, harp, or violin. To its owner a simple flute or
bugle is probably of as much value as an old piano, although the more
important instrument may be more valuable as a curio and antique. There
are some old instruments which increase in value, such, for instance, as
violins made years ago by masters of constructional art, for they have
become mellow with age, and, like the bells of some old parish church,
now give out rich and yet soft notes when handled by a master hand. The
story of the development of the piano from the very early prototypes is
an enchanting theme to the lover of music, for there is a far remove
from the modern pianoforte, and still newer player piano to the
virginal, harpsichord, and spinet which may occasionally be found among
the curios of the household.

Early Examples.

In the eleventh century, when musical notation came into being, a
monochord was used to teach singing. The clavichord followed in due
course, and by a rapid process of development regals, organs, and
virginals evolved. The virginal, although distinct, was associated with
the spinet, which with the later harpsichord may be found in houses
which have been but little disturbed since the middle of the eighteenth
century. It was in that century that the piano came, but not until it
was well advanced, for in an old playbill of Covent Garden Theatre,
publishe