Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-03-15
\ popular eturp.
LOVES MIRACLE; OR,
THE CHARM OF MUSIC.
BY J. W. BRYCE.

That man that hath no music in himself
Nor is not moved with concord ofsweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils
The motions of his spirit are as dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted.
MERCHANT OF VENICE
Are the blessings of music, in its in
huence upon our social comfort and our
happiness, sufficiently well understood -?
| have thought not, albeit a most unmu-
steal person myself, at least so far as tai
ent and cultivation in the science are con-
cerned. Who, that has felt its charms
when doubts perplexed and cares gather
ed thick around him, but must acknow-
ledge his gratitude to the Soother and the
Comforter Who that has known its in
SEPARATION at some. moment when the la
tent fire slumbercd, waiting only magi-
cal breath to wake it into fame, but must
own himself tributary to its power? Yet
how few of US cultivate closer intimacy
with the angel who so often visits us |
know there are thousand reasons for
the neglect of music, and yet not one of
them which is valid 1t is the one talent
which we hide in the earth, and the Mas
ter might justly condemn us therefor to
outer darkness. II is no excuse to say
that we lack capacity, opportunity, means,
or that so-and-so plays or sings better,
or that we have not the time to spare. -
1t is all wilful closing of the eyes aud
hardening of the heart. No house should
be uithom music. The simplest strain
has its mission and its influence the
humblest song awakes emotion in some
heart and tends to good
That music excites true and honest
enthusiasm, quells the darker passions,
and exerts a purifying influence over the
human mind, there can be no doubt
All that is heroic in the soul, all that is
soft and yielding in the heart, all that is
generous and noble in human nature
yields its treasure to music's magic touch,
as freely as the rock of Horeb did It's re-
freshing waters to that of the prophets
wand. A bad man may love music, but
no man is bad while under its influence.
1t may be said that music has often lent
its charms to immortality and vice, that
ribald glees and Bacchanalian songs have
too often contributed to the downfall Of
youth; but the fault was only that the
bad ministers at her shrine perverted her
ravished beauties to unholy purposes. =
1t chastens the impulses in the hearts of
a thousand where it degrades them in
one. 1t is the universal language of
emotion, which needs no translation,
since it is everywhere understood and
appreciated. Its eloquence SURPRISES all
other modes Of expression, and draws the
most certain tribute to its appeals; and
while prosperity reveals in its unrivalled,
but Innocent enjoymcnts, poverty may
draw not only comfort, but sustenancc
from its treasures. Oliver Goldsmith,
the most charming of English poets, ira
yelled through Europe, with his flute for
a letter Of credit, and the little foreign
ers who almost dcsecrate the art by their
crude efforts in our streets gather pen
mics even where avarice rcigns. Let me
rive an interesting reminiscence Of my
student life, while talking Of music.
when ] was at B College, Ken
lucky. i,ad 2 friend who drew as large
ly on my love ard esteem as ever did
mortal man, and vel yas he worthy Of
confidence, for nobIer you:h than Al
bert Kline ] never knew. lie was OF
German extraction, and there was 2 Gig.
nifty and reserve in his manner, but
depth Of feeling and enthusiasm in his
nature Characteristic of his origin. lie
was as true and devoted as night of the
olden chivalry, and as generous as prince;
and he was prince, monarch, for in
one fair bosom he reigned supreme.
How shall describe Hetty Buford,
with her blue laughing eyes, and the
shower Of golden curls that fell around
her proud little head, the syIphlike form
that floated in graceful undulation through
the dance, and her bewitching smile, that
beamed with delight! A bright and
Joyous creature was IIe.ty, and If she
loved Albert Kline, with bis manly beau
ty and bis noble disposition in the depths
Of his great heart was her image shrined
and worshiped. Hetty Buford was be-
ing Of exquisite scnsihlities her soul
vas a;.sncd to poetry ami music. How
often have seen her hang on bis arm,
in some evening WIKI, listening in rapt