A Musical Grammar, in Four Parts: I. Notation, II. Melody, III. Harmony, IV. Rhythm

London: Printed by B. Macmillan...for Robert Birchall..., 1806. FIRST EDITION. 8vo, 178 x 91 mms., pp. xxii [xxiii blank, xxiv, Errata], 308 [309 - 312 adverts], contemporary half calf, dark red morocco label; small ink-stain on half-title, which is bound after contents, small piece torn from blank margin of I6, just touching text and repaired with translucent paper, slight wear to binding, but a good to very good copy. Callcott (1766 - 1821) began composing and playing as a young boy, and in 1782 he played the oboe in the orchestra of the Academy of Ancient Music. He compiled materials for a dictionary of music, but it was never published. The above work was often reprinted in the 19th century. A Musical Grammar was noticed in The Eclectic Review, with the reviewer asserting that the work would not disappoint the expectations of the public: "The author evinces a thorough knowledge of the science of music, and has certainly taken great paints to give correct and satisfactory information.... The work will prove a valuable acquisition to the student, and even to the proficient, in this interesting branch of human knowledge." The music theorist Augustus Frederic Christopher Kollmann (1756-1829) also reviewed two later editions of Callcott's book at length in the first issue of The Quarterly Musical Register in January, 1812.