Harp

(hah rp.) [A.S. hrarpa.] (Mus.) A triangularly shaped musical stringed instrument, held in high esteem among the ancients. It stands upright, and when used is placed between the knees of the performer, who produces its tones by the action of the thumb and fingers of both hands on the strings a wires. Of the 3 kinds of H. known to exist-the most useful are those called the double and pedal. This instrument is manifestly of high antiquity, for it appears (in various forms) to have been used by the Egyptians, A yrians (Fig. 380), Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans. Among the Anglo-Saxons and Celts it was also a favorite instrument; and with the Anglo-Normans it was equally popular. The harp was long a favorite instrument for the drawing room; but its use has greatly declined since the introduction of the pianoforte. [s. 440] IMG:p0485_0.jpg:Gravür IMG:p0485_1.jpg:Gravür