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MUSIC.

To enter into an elaborate investigation or a philosophical discussion of the principles of musical science, is altogether foreign to our present purpose. The few loose and desultory remarks we may make will refer principally to its effects.

Poets have sung the reeds of the Nile, the flute of Pan, and the lyre of Apollo, as the first attempts at musical instruments, but we are inclined to believe that to no fortuitous circumstance, or instruction of heathen god or goddess, can be ascribed the origin of the art. That man from his very creation employed his vocal powers in the production of musical sounds, we think cannot be doubted. The complaints of pain and the exclamations of joy, required no other instructor than the feeling, to be developed; the heart furnished the "to be expressed" music the means of expression. Although our knowledge of ancient music is necessarily very limited, yet from all we are able to learn of it, we must infer that it was extremely unlike that of modern date, both in nature and effects. Many of the accounts which are transmitted to us, concerning its almost miraculous influence in olden time, are quite incredible, though there are many considerations which should have their weight in our decisions respecting their truth, which are usually unappreciated. We do not find diseases now obedient to its power as they are reported formerly to have been :-the melody of the lyre, in these days of architectural improvement, would scarcely be an efficient power for raising the walls, not of a second Thebes, but even of a common dwelling:-and Paganini himself, we imagine, would be unwilling, Amphion-like, to cast himself into the sea, relying upon the power of his harmony. Though there is doubtless much of poetic fiction mingled in these singular tales, yet we cannot but believe that ancient music did actually produce effects which we never witness as its result.

In order to produce the greatest impression, music had not to await that comparative perfection at which it has arrived in modern times; nay, this very improvement has weakened, rather than increased its power. The mind in its comparatively simple state was better fitted to receive strong impressions from the sounds, and the taste was as yet unhampered by that fastidiousness which has characterized it since. The ear uninstructed, unmodelled, received and conveyed at once the music to the heart, being entirely unoccupied with the considerations of the complicated and intricate mazes of harmony, which are at present the "sine quâ non." Science has exerted her influence upon music, and now, although the feelings

awakened are perhaps of a more delicate and higher cast, yet we have at the same time lost the power of communicating and receiving those intense and transporting emotions, which in earlier years lay within its province. We are inclined to smile at the stories of diseases cured, maniacs restored to reason, and the power of the deadliest poisons rendered ineffectual by the influence of musical incantation; at the same time there may be more of truth than we are apt to imagine even in such tales.

We know that if any note of the musical scale be sounded, a vibration will take place in the corresponding string of any musical stringed instrument which may be near, and we shall hear the same note swelling like an echo from the vibrating string. By what mysterious sympathy this is effected, we cannot tell; but upon the same principle may we not suppose that there are certain nerves or fibres of the human system, which may receive an impulse from musical sound causing their vibration?

There is not only a possibility, but we think an exceeding probability, that the effect of music in certain disorders may be favorable; if not directly affecting the nerves, yet operating by its soothing influence upon the mind, and through the mind upon the nervous system; and we think it by no means difficult to conceive that a combination of poetry and music might produce extraordinary effects; that as the poetry stimulated the mind, and the musical sounds gave motion to the nerves, the fervid conceptions in the one, and the powerful intonations of the other, were sometimes capable of influencing both intellect and sensation, and that transient changes in the mental and corporeal economy might result. We see even in our own time the influence of the combination of poetry and simple music in exciting the passions of the human heart. The Marseilles Hymn, when sung in grand chorus by a French populace, is said to arouse them to fury; here the music simply does not exert the influence, but as connected with the spirited appeal of the poetry. It is doubtful whether music by itself, without the assistance of its sister art, would ever attain its highest power, and gain that command of human feeling which even we sometimes witness. It is true that all the music of particular regions is frequently characterized by peculiarities to such a degree, that we immediately recognize it without the aid of language: the Scottish music, for instance, is noted for its singular wildness and melancholy; this may in a measure be accounted for, by the nature of the country and habits of the inbabitants among the highlands the scenery is picturesque, but rather of a gloomy character; long tracts of mountainous desert, covered with dark heath, and frequently wreathed in mists, the mournful dashings of the waters along the numerous friths and lakes, the unearthly sounds which every change of wind calls forth in such a region of cliffs, caverns and echoes:-these and various other circumstances may contribute to produce that peculiar and mournful wild

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ness with which their music abounds, and being of such a nature, it less requires the aid of poetry, though even here it is a great advantage. Mysterious as is the "modus operandi" of musical sounds, it is very evident that with them nature has connected powerful emotions. They are the keys which free from their confinement the passions of the soul, and call them forth at will. Sounds judiciously arranged and varied, and united with suitable words, can melt to pity, depress with sorrow, transport with joy, or excite to bloodthirsty revenge. The experience of every one will testify to the power of gentle and gliding harmony, which by its liquid tones and soft, soothing expression calms the heart when distracted by grief, and subdues the fury of human passion. Music of this latter nature has a peculiar power in cherishing the tender emotions of the soul, and calling up from forgetfulness past scenes of interest, and their attendant circumstances. How often when at evening some plaintive air comes floating by upon the mild summer breeze, have we drank in its witching melody; and perchance it be one which we have heard in former days, how vividly does it bring the image of the past before the mind: forms of those we loved seem once again to surround us, and murmuring voices whose low, sweet tones once filled our bosoms with ecstatic joy. We are in the spirit-land, and until the spell is broken, bid farewell to the dull cares and realities of life, and to the tide of woe which is perhaps rolling its dark waves over our brightest prospects. Thus the Swiss peasant, when in other lands, far from the home of his youth, will weep at the sound of some simple, national air, so touching is it in its very nature, and in this case rendered peculiarly so from association. It recalls the white cliffs, dark ravines and thundering torrents of the noble Alps, amid which, when a youth, he roamed in all the wild freedom of nature, the green sward of his own peaceful valley, the home of his childhood, rise as by magic before him, and perchance the thought of one united to him by no common tie, awakens a still deeper interest; all these fond remembrances thick-coming, surcharge his swelling heart, and produce a melancholy, which nothing but the enjoyment of their reality can dissipate.

There is yet another kind of music, concerning which, gentle reader, while we say a few words, we beg your indulgence. Although constantly surrounded by the music of nature, from its very continuity we are not so much affected by it. Go forth into the fields at early dawn, when the morning breeze is gently stirring among the whispering leaves, and dislodging the glittering dew drops, when animated nature is just shaking off her slumbers, and here and there is heard the sweet carol of some solitary feathered warbler-by degrees, as morn advances, other voices join the swelling chorus all in perfect harmony; soon the busy hum of man mingles in the melody, and the breeze, freshening as it sweeps along, calls forth from its various harps their full and mellow tones.

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This is not music of the imagination; it exists, and will exert a sensible effect upon our animal spirits: we shall feel the blood bounding more joyously along its channels, unless we are of that class for whom there is no melody in nature, whose hearts are a prey to remorse or uncontrolled passion. Go forth again when the bright orb of day has left the western sky bathed in a flood of glory, and evening begins to draw her sable mantle over this lower world;-you will still listen to nature's harmony, but sensibly changed, and emotions unlike the livelier feelings which her matinsong excited will be produced:-the voice of the sky lark as he goes careering upward to catch the first ray of the glorious sun, is no longer heard; the busy hum of preparation for the active duties of life has ceased; every thing seems to speak of labor ended, and invite to quiet repose:-the nightingale breathes forth her touching lay, the chirpings of the innumerable inhabitants of the fields ring mournfully, and even the breeze seems to draw forth from its harp of thousand strings, a plaintive melancholy music, the effect of which is to bring a pleasurable sadness over the feelings. * Once more, go forth;-the demon of destruction is abroad, the storm is raging in its fury, and shrieks unearthly come bound upon the tempestuous blast; the thunder peals, and the roar of the mighty ocean sends forth its deep tones; all the elements seem in commotion, yet there is no discordant sound, all is perfect harmony.

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From the time when first from chaos, at the command of God, this earth sprang into being and was peopled with its numerous habitants, the grand anthem of nature has unceasingly rolled on, and for ages yet to come, until our planet shall again reassume its original form, will it continue to swell forth His praises.

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THE College clock was tolling forth its slow and dismal notes for nine, now rendered still more dismal, accompanied as they were by fierce and fitful blasts of wind dashing the falling snow furiously against the window-the watchful guardians of each hall had just completed their customary round of stealthy visits to the key-hole of each door-the dozer over mathematics was just commencing a

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