Page:The Early English Organ Builders and their work.djvu/22

 is of the highest importance in the history of the organ. It has never been pointed out by any musical writer, and I may fairly take to myself the credit of giving it a place in our musical history.

An enigmatical description of the organ by Julian the philosopher—or, as some call him, the Apostate—first noticed by Ducange, has frequently been cited by modern writers. Burney misunderstood it, and Fétis has given it quite a wrong meaning. The enigma is this: "I see a row of reeds; surely from another and a brazen soil have they quickly sprung. Nor are they agitated by our winds, but a blast rushing from a cavern of bull’s-hide makes its way from below the root of reeds with many openings; and a highly gifted man with nimble fingers handles the yieldling rods of the pipes, while they, softly vibrating, press out the sound."