Many thanks to those who have answered my question on valve gap.  In his
paper Mr. Stephenson has many graphs showing the relationship of orifice
bleed to repetition rate.  He seems, however, to completely ignore the
relation of valve gap to repetition rate.  That is probably the heart of
the matter.  In spite of these criticisms the paper contains a wealth of
information that I have never seen before.

If any one is interested Mr. Stephenson's address is The Mines House,
Corony Bridge, Ramsey, Isle of Man, UK.

On a completely different note I can relate to Brian Chesters' experience
in listening to the piano in an unheated house.  I once went to a Player
Piano Group meeting in London in mid-winter where the only sources of
light and heat were a couple of Victorian fishtail gas lamps -- original
equipment in the house.  I have been to houses with "million dollar"
collections but where the inhabitants live one step removed from street
people.

My wife claims that mechanical music brings out the latent eccentricity
in people.  The British we know love and cultivate their eccentrics.
Here in North America we still have our fair share.  Long may it remain
so!

Phil Dayson