It is a characteristic attitude of the human mind to suppose that what is removed from the actual generation by some few centuries is necessarily either primitive, childish, or antiquated. To the student the fallacy of such a point of view is at once apparent, and he discovers that neglect and disuse are often the result of changed ideals and customs. The unaccompanied polyphony of the sixteenth century is an instance of this indifference to bygone things; a form of music so beautiful that it has never been surpassed, but sufficiently ancient for its construction to be generally misunderstood and its evolution forgotten. Yet, intended for a certain purpose, it has lost none of its old power; and this very noble and pure art contains a regenerating force which was never more needed than at the present time.

The explanation is a very simple one. Like some stream, flowing age-long through its deepcut channel -- to be diverted, later, by sluice or . . .