First published at Heidelberg in 1825 this is a study of moral purity in music, particularly church music. "The fact that this Essay was first published more than half a century ago, might seem, at first sight, to render its translation now a work of doubtful utility. But, inasmuch as it is still in demand in Germany, as is proved by the publication of the Fifth Edition as recently as in 1875, and looking to the great extension of the study and practice of music in our own country, I am persuaded that it will be read both with interest and with profit in England."-Preface