The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-12-20

To soften ROOFS, or Oend the knotted oak %
so- [ooNGREvE.
Music can
.t.-ravi h savage ears, sgB
An plant in tyraAts mild humility
sHAKsPBARE
| Both ancient and modern history abundant-
ly-show the power of music on both mind and
body. An ancient philosopher of the Pytha-
gorean school was accustomed to play upon
his harp when he felt angry passions rising in
7 his breast, with a view to compose himselfr
Eventthe fiereeness Of Achilles was allayedsby
playing on the harp.
1t is told Of Jesuit missionary, in the ear
ly history ofAmerica, that the feelings of
fierce Indians were softened, and the spirit of
anger and jealousy exercised from their minds
by few notes upon a stringed instrument.
Napoleon well knew the power of music.
| His orders were very strict CONCERNING the
use of mucic. Some tunes were prohibited +;
others were prohibited except on the most ex-
traordinary occasions; others were reserved
Tor the final charge of the reserve corps. 1t
is stated that in making the passage of the
Alps, under circumstances the most appalling
oud NACdOiui3 IL UAO cOtuiCIo db any bluu6
hesitated in their march, he ordered the bu-
giles to sound their liveliest notes, and if the
obstacle was so great as to bring them to
a dead halt, the whole band were ordered to
peal forth the charge to battle, which never
failed to bear them over the most formidable
difficulties. ~ hsaasisnga4z aoaq
Luther's soul-stirring hymns and ehorals
were a chief element of the success Of the
reformation, D'Aubgne relates concerning
the effect of music upon Luther: "One day,
overcome with sadness, he shut himself up in
his cell, and for several days and nights suffer-
ed no one to approach him. One of,his
friends, uneasy about him, took with him
some young boys, choral singers, and went
and knocked at the door of his cell. No one
opened or answered. Hs broke open the door
and found Luther stretched on the floor, with
out any signs of life. His friend tried in vain
orecall his senses. Then the young choris-
tiers began to sing sweet hymn. Their clear
voices acted like charm on the poor monk
to whom music had always been source of
deiight,and BY degrees his consciousness re-
turned"
AS striking an instance extant of the pow
er Of music on the body, is the following,re
lated by venerable American Judge, and cop
led by Arvine in his cyclopedia The morning
following the battle of Yorktown, had the
curiosity to attend the dressing of the wound
edo. Among others whose limbs were SO much
injured as to require amputation was q mu-
sician, whoohad received a musket ball in the
knee. As is usual in such cases preparations
were making to lash him down to the table
to prevent the possibility of his moving Says
the sufferer
"Now, Doctor, what would you be at?"
"My lad, am going TO take off your leg,
and it is necessary you should be dashed
down."
IN subsait to no such thing; you may
pluck tile heart from my bosom, but you'll not
eonfine me. Is there fiddle in the camp?
II SO bring it to me-" .ss4..
4 violin was furnished, and after tuning it
he said,-- lE'gsassa isosi eaI
"Now, Doctor, begin.v And he continued
toplay until the operation, which took about
iorty minutes, was completed, without miss
ihg note or moving muscle. alossS9si1
faGa kWu4 PUBLIcoLA.