New-York daily tribune., 1845-02-06


a stated exercise, was introduced into our schools
in Boston and do not think it would be posi-.
HE 10 abolish it. Il was frs, tired as an expen.
rnent. and perhaps nobody, bu, one, then our mn.
sic-loying Mayor, Mr.. Elliott, could have over.
come the prejudice agains, it. Butnow, noteven
n music-hating Mayor, could Danish il;
You need no apology fer asking mysopinop
on this subject | only wish its value were in
proportion 10 It's strength.
Very truly and sincerely yours.
H. The Influence OF Vocal Music on The .Healh
and. Temperament Of Scholars.
The Committee beg leave to mention r con-
rection with this branch oil the enquiry, that
learning from the Committee OF. the North-W
Grammar School, that for several months scicn.
ufic instruction, on the Pes,alozzi system, had
been given in that school, by q gentleman who
had al one time been colleague OF Mr.. Lowell
Mason. and who came with the very highest re.
concentrations, they thought /, advisable with
the consent OF that Committee, 20 attene upon
one of the lessons there given, and TO invite the
attendance also, at the same time, OF several
medical Gentlemen who had been distinguished
for the attention they had paid 10 the branch OF
medical science within which the subject prop
ery fell. The Committee subsequently received,
from the gentlemen in question, the following
opinion
The undersigned having witnessed the e1er-
cjses in Vocal Music, At one OF the pubic schools
and having attentivcly examined the bearing OF
such music. when scientifically taught on the
physical and moral health OF the Children are OF
opinion
The vocal music, properly restricted and regu
lated is an exercise OF great value TO the energy
and healthy condition OF the vocal organs
That lis beneficial action on the body is much
improved by the accompanying mental exclta'lon
the animal economy being known TO derive. most
advantage from exertions which have a sufficient
object, and which are agreeable as well as sumu-
latins.
That although we believe that some benefit
accrues from irregular musical exercises, we are
of opinion that higher and better moral stimulus,
and of coarse more saIuiary physical influence,
results, when the pupils are at the same time in
tellectually engaged US happens when the rules
of the art and the principles OF the science are
taught and observed.
The unusual pleasure which was felt by US
when we heard large and well-ordered school
passing. with obvious enjoyment and commend
able skill, through well-d directed vocal exercises
entities us TO believe that those who were SO wen
taugh, could not TAIL 10 derive from such eSerci-
ses so attended. not only useful and agreeable
knowledge, but cnviabie physical improvement
]. h. MrrcmgLI, NJ. d. T. ID. MurrER, NJ ID.
Wu PyrprR. NJ. D. w L. HoRNER, NJ. d.
5. G. MoRroS, NJ. d. IonN BELL, NJ. d.
CASPAR MoRRIs, VI. d.
The Committee beg leave, also, to call II
ton to the following notes:
PHIEADELrnIA, December 10, 1874.
My DEAR SIR-ln reply TO your letter OF the
18th inst asking 1t ii would be agreeable 10 me 10
give you an opinion on the influence OF music sci
enliticay taught, on the spirits and health
have great pleasure in stating my conviction that
it is well calculated 10 elevate both. Even where
the lungs are delicate proper exercise of them
cannot tail 10 communicate strength; and dstln-
guished individuals have uscrbed their exemption
from consumption, TO the invigorating effects OF
public speaking. This was the case with the cell
ebrated Cuyicr When appointed to professor
ship, it was believed by many OF his friends, that
he would tall n sacrifice To that fell disease; but
the exercise of lecturing gradually strengthened
the pulmonary organs. and his health experienced
so much improvement, that he was never after
wards weakened by any serious disease OF the
lungs.
Ii such be the good effects of proper exercise
of the voice in speaking, how much more eiiec-
tive must that cadenced movement be, which Is
executed in singing-exercisiug fully tho organs
directly and indirectly concerned in voice. whilst
it is unaccompanied by fatigue, and agreeobly
occupies the attention; and II IN addition 10 these
hygicnic, we take into consideration the social
advantages that may aud must result from the
OF scientific instruction IN music into
our public schools, all those who are Interested
in institutions of such vital importance to this
community and To the country, must feel thank
IL. hoI atpn
it TO be admitted into the scheme OF popular in
struction. am, my dear sir, &c.
RoELEY DUNGLlSoN.
The late Dr. Rush, thon whom there was no
man more qualified to speak authoritauvely, said
in one OF his lectures
'' A fact has been suggested to me by my pro-
tessi0n which is, that the exercise OF the organs
OF the breast by singing contributes very much TO
defend them from those diseases to which the cli-
mate and other causes expose lhem."
The following passage, extracted from the Bull
letin of Medical Science for January, ls45, Is
much 10 the purpose, exhibiting the views oi
the medical profession more in detail:
OF the good effects OF singing as part of ee-
menrary education, there cannot, 1t seems 10 US,
be any difference OF opinion. Ii Is heathlul cx-
erclse, by which the voice acquires strength and
ilexlbiilty, OWING 10 the Increased capabllity OF
vibration ol the vocal cords, and Increased reso.
nance by greater expansion OF the lungs and walls
of the chest. To weak, pulmonary apparatus,
not affected by Inflammation other organic dis
ease, singing affords OF impartiDs present
strength and future power 10 resist minor causes oi
arrangement from any casual strain upon II, ana
logous 10 that which regulated gymnastics afford
TO the general muscular system. Appropriately
enough may we designate by the title OF vocal
gymnastics, the exercise OF defamation, recliauyc
and song, and playing OH wind Instruments; and IN
this view OF the subject must acknowledge
new proof OF the fine perceptions OF the Greeks TO
the relations of the physical and moral faculties 3f
the physical and moral faculties OF man TO each
other, when they appended IN their Olympic
games, musical contests to the gymnasuc ones;
In lis moral bearings, source OF pure pleas
ure recreation from intellectual or bodily toll, an
aid TO religion, and incentive TO patriotism, yo-
cal music comes 10 us under the most imposing
sanctions. il is recommended both in sacred and
protane writ; and by none haye It's merits, IN
cluding music in general, been more strenuously
insisted on than BY those intlexbe republicans,