But, in case children should sometimes begin in their sixth year, you must remember what is said, in the first chapter of this work, with regard to the prevalent false method of teaching beginners.

You, however, are supposed to have had better and more sensible teachers.

Let me nevertheless quote for your amusement the remark which I have heard so frequently in the course of my long life as a piano-teacher: "In the beginning, a poor, rattling piano, that is forty years old, and that is tuned regularly once a year, and a cheap teacher, will do well enough.
As soon as the children learn to play really well, then we will have a better piano and a better teacher." Yes; but that time never comes, and the parents soon conclude that even the most gifted children have no talent, and take no pleasure in music; and so they stop learning, only to regret it when they are older.

But the parents console themselves, and after a while the old piano is never tuned at all.

But, as I have told you, I do not refer here to _your_ teachers, for whom I have a personal regard, and who teach on excellent pianos.
3.