Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-06-06
GaSies' department.
The seienase aflMnsin.

Few persons are to be found who do not
admire good music. Its power over the
feelings, all have experienced, and as a source
OF innocent pleasure nothing else comes in
competition with it. In late years, the cul-
nvation Of instrumental music in the South,
has grown rapidly. Every one seems TO
consider 1t a necessary ingredient in the
selection Of an accomplished lady, nor is it
esteemed a disparagement to a young gen.
tleman to be a good performer on any in
strument. There is no objection to offer
against the due cultivation Of instrumental
music; yet it will hardly be thought desira-
bic that every man and woman should be
a musician. In the first place this would be
Impossible Few persons, comparatively have
q natural talent for instrumental music. ard
there are fewer still, among those who have
little OF no talent who have the necessary
patience and ability to learn the science
And secondly, the waste Of time and money,
would be enormous
Il cannot be doubted that the idea which
is obtaining so generally, that eieEU young
lady should learn instrumental music, is an
error. But few, comparatively, lean It well,
hence, whatevSG. amopst of money, tine and
labor have been expended in its acquisition,
are thrown away, by those who make q fail
ure, so soon as they become occupied with
more necessary and pressing duties. A pas
sion for instrumental music affects injurious
ly any one, but especially a young man, who
either has the leisure or the determination to
devote his time to it. 1t necessarily produces
Idle habits, or indispcsition to engage in
more important occupations, and is an open
door to vicious association. A fddling, pr
ping young man, will seldom content him
self at any regular, useful employment
The chief object, however, in penning this
article, was to throw out some suggestions
especially in reference to vocal music
There is no science perhaps more easily mas.
tered and nope which can be made to contrib.
ute so much to our rational pleasure, as this
IL acquired in the proper way and at a prop
or time. Singing, is considered a very higt
accomplishment, and it should not be consid
cred the less so, because it may be acquires
and greatly improved by the masses. It i
perhaps, the most universal talent whicl
men and women possess. 1t is the naturs
method by which we give expression to tn
feelingof the heart when under the ~infuenC
Of cheerfulness or sadness. When thes
rise higher and approach to levity or sorrow
then our songs give place to other modes
expression. We believe, therefore, that tt
science Of vocal music should be general
cultivated. Whether for social purposes
for divine worship, it is of the first impo
lance. But we are not very strong advocat
for singing schools or itinerant singing ms
tiers. We in the South have had suffice
evidence Of the inutility, and the waste
time and money, occasioned by these expe
ments, not to be very favorable to them.
Sinsi"" % a science, to be learned VIZ
should uc rcarneu 1t scIUvI, just IN inc sal
way that other things are learned. Nev
until this science is taught in our schools
our children, not as a pastime, an accomp
iment or accomplishment, but as a neces
ry part Of a child's education, will the sou
ern people at least, acquire any properkn
edge of il. Nor until then, can we ever h
to sec the profit or the pleasure of the scie
properly appreciated by the people, either
social circles or our solemn assemblies.
attempts inthe South at n choir syst
as it is usually p~ractised in the Churches,
complete failures. Choirs in most cases
come monopolics, and most offensive one
destroying congregational worship, and
the power and vitality of sacred music T
can it be otherwise, when the principles
design OF sacred music are ignored entir
10y transferring the artistic mannerisms of
opera and the concert, to the solemn Sc
ces of the house of God? Were the ma
taught vocalmusict thoroughly at school,
wemight hope for abetter day in this reg
but without il, il will never come.