was cast in a few separate parts, which were put together by means of bolts and screws, a plan which is still used to a considerable extent in Europe.  By his plan of casting the frame and its supporting bars in one solid piece, Mr. Chickering not only prevented the frame from yielding to the pull of the strings, thus securing permanence and purity of tone, but was enabled to use larger frames and more strings, which greatly increased the capacity of the instrument.

Several other improvements were made by him, the most important of which was the invention, in 1845, of the circular scale for square pianos, which is now in general use in this country and in Europe.  “This consists in giving to the row of tuning pins and wrest-planks—­previously straight in these instruments—­a curved disposition, answering nearly to an arc of a circle, the advantage being that the strings become less crowded, larger hammers, and a more direct blow can be secured, and the tone is both strengthened and improved.”  With a rare generosity, Mr. Chickering declined to patent this improvement, which would have enabled him to drive competition out of the market.  He regarded it as so necessary to a good piano that he declared that all makers ought to have the use of it, as it would thus be within the power of all persons able to purchase a piano to avail themselves of it, whether they bought a “Chickering” or not.  Such generosity is too rare to fail to receive the praise it merits.

Mr. Chickering did not continue long in business with Mr. Stewart.  The latter withdrew in a few years, and Mr. Chickering carried on the business alone.  In 1830 he formed a partnership with Captain John Mackay, a retired ship-merchant.  In the new firm Captain Mackay took charge of the finances and the office business, while Mr. Chickering devoted himself entirely to the mechanical department.  The operations of the new house were very successful.  The improvements made by Mr. Chickering from the first created a demand for their instruments which was sometimes so great that it was difficult to supply it.  This demand continued to increase, until the house was perfectly easy as to money matters, and able to enlarge its facilities very greatly.  It was Mr. Chickering’s design that each separate instrument should be an improvement upon those which had preceded it, and he was careful that this plan should not miscarry.  In a few years the firm was enabled to import the foreign materials needed, by the cargo, thus saving the profit which they had hitherto been compelled to pay the importer.  Besides this saving, they were enabled to keep on hand a large stock of the woods used in the instrument, and thus it was allowed to become more thoroughly seasoned than that which they had been compelled to purchase, from time to time, in small quantities.  In 1841, Captain Mackay sailed from Boston for South America, for the purpose of obtaining a supply of the woods needed by the firm; but he never returned, and as no tidings of him or his ship were ever received, it is supposed that the vessel went down at sea with all on board.