Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-10-05
MUSICAL Education IN va.hington.

1 Musical Education I'm Washtn 2tons =
| We all vaguely acknowledge the influence Of
music But what is that influence? al have never
SEEM, said an intelligent gentleman to us, "the
interior of gaming house. A musical instru-
ment ana the society Of other devoted amateurs,
have always endeared TO me the domestic hearth,
and such social delights as kept far from me, in
the days of my youth, the temptations that dis
sipaton present to the vacant mind!"'
To render home agreeable, to keep around US
the children of our love, and to attract to that
home the innocent and improving companions of
their choice, should be objects dear to every pa
rents heart; and by what means can these
things be SO surely effected as by the cultivation
Of taste for pure and elevated music?
Perhaps in no country in the world are the
temptations to extravaganza, to folly, and to
crime more numerous or potent than in our own.
Young men find plea for such things in their
desire to rise in popularity, and to prosper in the
acquisition of honors or profit. Young women
hope by parade ostentation, and other arts, to
make similar advances in lfe No walls or par
tons of society are presented to impede the
course of the humblest to the highest position
Yet i. such pursuits disappointment and unhap-
piness forever surround u.s. The contented home
and the cheerful family circle are more frequent
ly visited by the smiles of prosperity and success
than these smiles are won by those who are in hot
pursuit of them.
1t matters little in what calling one is engaged
in our country-economy, prudence, patience,
and cheerful industry always bring wholesome
increase. To avoid the too eager grasping, to
disregard exciting pleasure, while the mind rests
quietly upon the present means rather than the
object desired, are the ways Of the good and
wise.
AS promotive of this condition Of mind, and
this way of life, we know of nothing more salu-
tary than the rational cultivation Of music, in its
mere pure and refined characteristics.
Music may be cultivated as an accomplishment
or as profession. 1t is inrespect to the former
we would especially urge attention to it. The
professional musician has other and more inpera-
tive motives for application. But even he may
well be reminded that forgetfulness of what is
due to the dignity of science is culpable dis
regard Of an important responsibility. The pro-
fessional musician who stoops SO far to crafty
the popular will as to fatter depraved and vi
tiated taste, is uilty of base prostitution Of an
honorable occupation--of pandering to an evil it
should be his mission in life to rebuke and cor
rect. The professional musician owes much to
his calling that is but too often wholly disre-
garded; and it is hard for an uneducated public
to hold in high esteem a science many of whose
special deFotees do so little either in the pursuit
of it or in their walk in life, toward elevating in
popular respect. This complaint is not Of gen.
eral application, however, though the exceptions
are numerous.
But we address our remarks to the pubic-to
the people of our city; and we would urge upon
every family the cultivation Of vocal and instru-
mental music-the Improvement Of the popular
taste, the refinement of our appreciation of the
beauties of this science, that social evil may be
prevented, and that positive good may be eff
fected. Refined music ministers to intellectual
as well as to moral Improvement to the healthful
and rational enjoyment of life; but how exceed
ingly desirable is it as an auxiliary in the ser
vices of sacred worship!
In some of the countries of Europe the sooth
ing and modifying influences of music are sppre.
ciated by the governing powers. The people arc
QUOTED and kept in willing, if not in happy SUBJ
iectien. How much moro highly should we prize
its power in giving utterance 10 the truthful
timents of freedom and salutary progress 1t
is an expressive language. 1t is the language Of
sorrow, of wo, and despair; il is the language Of
love, of hope, and contentment; it is the Ian
guage of triumph and rejoicing it is the Ian
guage Of praise and alteration. II is q language
that intelligibly expresses sentiments aud emo
ITEMS so deep and so exquisite that even our own
rich, expressive, beautiful, and powerful vernsO-
ular has no words Cor their utterance.
We perhaps cannot more appropriately con-
clude these impromptu remarks than by Masking
allusion to IN advertisement to be found in the
columns of our city papers. 1t is that Of the
Columbia Musical Association. By this associa-
ton an earnest honest, hearty, and disinterested
effort is being made for the improvement Of the
musical taste of our city. That association have
provided means by which every family in our
midst can contribute their aid in furtherance Of
this effort They will give concert at Carusi's
on Monday evening next Let us testify our
approval of their exertions by our presence on
that evening and thus unite pleasure and duty
in the promotion Of so good cause.
|
Senator Bright at HomeI
We see it stated that fracas occurred in the