Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-04-02
loousilsr It both as 40 art and a sci.

leonsiler il both a. 40 art and a sell
euce. As an art, it depends upon the
powers, abilities, and genius, of the
writer. As an art, it cannot be Ii.
mitei, or restricted with any par
|ticular rules. The genius, the feel
|iugs, and the improved taste Of man
kind ; must regulate every good
writer, Like the painter, the sculP.
tor, the architect, and the poet ma
turc and propriety must direct the
etfdsions Of his mind. Asa science,
|it is regulated by measure, harmony,
cadence, accent. mode, &c. Science
nay invent good harmony, agreeable
measure, flowing and easy cadence ;
bu. seaia' only, can give force and
energy TO music.
We shall consider the essential
par, or divisions Of music, as con.
s;stins Of melody, harmony, expires
sion, and accent
Melody consists in placing q sim
pie series IF notes, at such intervals
in the musical scale. as to please
the ear and captiva;e the heart. No
rules can be prescribed fir this part
OF 'ausio. Il is the genuine feeling
of the heart, regulated and directed
by the ear AMI the understanding. La
this. nature alone can be our guide.
Reduce melody to certain rules, and
it becomes a body without animation.
Oar 5eneliceut Cresior,has impiant-
ed within US certain aptitude TO he
pleased or dispIeased, With particular
ensihle objects This innate prin-
lcigle. when matured by Judgment,
reason and experience. is nur only
guide. in judging ofthe perfection or
IimperfectioD, OF melody, The wri-'
ter of melody may initiate nature /;
but the moduiatio.'s mast be the eli.
Illusions of bis own mind. The painter
takes the proportions of his picture
from nature; but the expressions Of
the couutenance are from his own
mind.
As all men have similar feelings,
similar passions aud similar propeu
sites; that which will be agreeable
Ito any individual, whrn well inform
ed, will be acceptable TO every per.
soa. in proportion to the cultivation
Of the mind and the improvement of
the taste. Hence standard for
melody is formed from which no
man OF information will dare appeal.
The effects of melody on the mind
and feelings. are variOns and exieR-
siyc. IL sooths our sOrrOws, reuses
our passions. exeites our sympathy,
caIms our fears, and inspires US with
devotion.
If these observations on melody
be correct. we infer, that the perfec-
ton OF music does not depend upon
the number Of parts; but upon the
perfection Of the part or parts writ
ten. On this subject, unskilled wri.
tiers have made many mistakes. Sup
posing music imperfect. unless con-
sistiRg Of several parts, they have
added counterpart, bases, and Sc
conds. TO many pieces OF music, ut-|
terIy incapable oil receiving any such
"Resuess man knows mol
golden mean, but will be atteBptinsI
innovations without end" When an,
particular passion Is to be excited,
great musical writers have uniform
ly attempted it by simple air. i
Here the writer has full latitude for
using every appropriate expression
"Melody reaches the heart; aod itisl
by this chiefly that sentiment IS IN.
forced, or a passion soothet." The
writer's accompaniment! will. there
lore, be nothing more than an aux
Hilary. 10 supporting the voice OF the
performer.
As examples and Illustrations OF
simple melody, with light accom-
paniment, we will mention that mimi
table air of HANDEL, in ais CratorIo
of Sa,apsoa "Rcturn y God Of Hosts,
return"; likewise the air Total f.
cIipse! No sun, no mooo," 10 the
same OratOrio. Such is iho melody,
such The expression Of theSs airs, that
even the author cOHld not hear them
performed without tears. They pene-
trate the deepest recesses OF our
hearts, nor can we hear them with
out feeling sympathetic emOtion.--I