CHAPTER VII.
A MUSICAL TEA-PARTY AT THE HOUSE OF JOHN SPRIGGINS.
I once more introduce my readers to the scenes of my active, musical life, with an invitation to accompany me to a musical tea-party.

My object is, in a short and entertaining manner, to remove very common prejudices; to correct mistaken ideas; to reprove the followers of mere routine; to oppose to malicious cavilling the sound opinions of an experienced teacher; to scourge dogmatic narrow-mindedness; and in this way to advance my method of instruction.
* * * * * DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
JOHN SPRIGGINS _( jovial and narrow-minded, a member of an ancient musical family)._ MRS.

SPRIGGINS _( irritable, envious, and malicious)._ LIZZIE, _their daughter, 13, years old (lively and pert)._ SHEPARD, _her piano-teacher (very laborious)._ DOMINIE, _a piano-master (very stern)._ EMMA, _his daughter, a pianist (silent and musical)._ MRS.

SPRIGGINS (_to Dominie_).

So this is your daughter who is to give a concert to-morrow?
She is said to have less talent than your eldest daughter.