The following outline of the Evolution of Musical Art was undertaken, at the invitation of Mr. Kegan Paul, somewhere about the year 1884. Its appearance was delayed by the constantly increasing mass of data and evidence about the music of savages, folk music, and mediaeval music; and by the necessity of exploring some of the obscure and neglected corners of the wide-spread story of the Art. And though the subject was almost constantly under consideration, with a few inevitable interruptions, the book was not completed till 1893.

Obligations in many directions should be acknowledged–especially to Mr. Edward Dannreuther, for copious advice, suggestions, and criticisms during the whole time the work was in hand; to Miss Emily Daymond, of Holloway College, for reading the proofs; to Mr. W. Barclay Squire, for untiring readiness to make the resources of the Musical Library of the British Museum available; to Mr. A. J. Hipkins, for advising about the chapter on Scales; and to Mr. Herbert Spencer, Mr. H. H. Johnston, and many others for communications about the dancing and music of savage races.