Intended for the general reader, this two-volume work, first published in 1819, is a concise, popular interpretation of musical history.

Preface; 1. Origin, and early progress of music; 2. The ancient melopoeia; 3. Disputed counterpoint of the ancients; 4. Reputed effects of the ancient music; 5. Egyptian and Hebrew music; 6. Ancient music, as connected with the Grecian mythology; 7. Musicians and poets, subsequent to Hesiod and Homer; 8. The Grecian games; 9. The ancient musical theorists, and their works; 10. Practical view of the ancient music, vocal, and instrumental; 11. Music of the ancient Romans; 12. Music of the early Christians to the time of Guido; 13. State of music from the time of Guido to the formation of the time table; 14. Invention of the time table; 15. Minstrels, troubadours, etc.; 16. General state of music, from the beginning of the fourteenth century to the time of Hambois; 17. State of music, from the time of Hambois to the invention of printing; 18. State of music, from the invention of printing to the time of Josquin del Prato; 19. Josquin del Prato; 20. State of music from the early part of the sixteenth century, to the reign of Elizabeth.