This book is not in the remotest sense a history of piano building or development, and it should not be so considered; in fact it has been deemed wise to dip into historical matters only to the extent of showing the application of an enduring principle rather than to give credit to a number of deserving inventors who have worked along special lines. A treatment of worthy inventions would require a much large volume than this; and while there are many inventors who have given to the world special devices of value, it has not been considered timely to describe them in this volume or to enter into an expose of their merits of demerits. We may say that his is not a critical work but rather one which we trust may be eminently practical in its mission as an instructive and an educational force.
We may add that the "Theory and Practice of Pianoforte Building" is the only work of its kind ever put forth in the English language, and we have every confidence that it will find a growing demand among music trade people everywhere.
