The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-02-16
1xus1c>AHD TIE dnunoH

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Those;,vho have read chstea ubriand's eel !
etrated work, M,Fhe Beauties Of Christiani-
~" vii remember his eloquent remarks re-
gafding the Church rs a patron of the arts.
In every age, the Church has encouraged
whatever elevates thought, promotes deyo-
ton. and binds the creature to the Creator,
by appealing to the senses and compelling
them TO perform their highest function in
paying tribute to the Inspirer of every good
gift. 1t is a singular fact, that with few ex-
ceptions all great composers were Catholics
some of them remarkable for devotion
and piety.ZIt would seem that the cold
and repulsiye system of Professionalism can
not reach that sympathetic chord that vi
brates in every thing, Catholic. The follow
ing, as coming from nom Catholic scource,
will be- read with interest.
Among the early Christians the simplest niu-
sic prevailed. Origen says Z" We (the Christians)
sing hymns to noIie but the Supreme Being and
(the pagans) sing to tho sun, moon, stars, and
all the host Of heaven;" evidence of its early
adoption as On auxiliary in the worship OF q
whom Austin arrived n England to convert tho
people, in the reign Of Gregory the Great, A. u.
S06, he was attended by singers; and the choral
Church of Canterbury, and was for some time
confined to Kent.
Itis the earliest, as it is tho most universal of
the arts, and its sphere of usefulness and plea
sure is most extensive Grand, imposing, attrac-
tive, instructive, soothing OF exciting, it can
adapt itself to all times, all places, all conti-
notes the sounds of victory and joy, whilei can
| moan in notes Of deepest woe, and sound III
unison with the sad and measured thread OF
death. 1t lends u charm to the brightest scenes
| and throws q harmony around the most brilliant
! pictures; it can soothe the deepest sorrow, and
| excite to the fiercest strife.
About the throne and in the court, before the
altar, in tho quiet camp, or amid tho thundsrs
of battle, it strikes chord that appeals grandly
and sensibly to the soul ana aids it in its every
| effort In the most brilliant capitals, where
| education and culture have developed the
finest polish and most winning graces, and in
the rough caves and under nuts of semi -barba-
rism it reigas supreme, and Is woishiped as an
idol CT reSerGnccd as god.
4 Even tie Chinese pessess-zsn= almost nnlXer-
sal taste for melody if not for music Their pop
ular songs is one of much sweetness and express
sion-''the Moh-i Hwa, or Jasrnin Flower. :"
They have always possessed q variety of mu-
steal instruments, such guitars, flutes, and
many purposes, that Yields such power, that
is often invoked, and is 30 satisfactory IN its
results; and there is no study, no art, that can
be SO easily appreciated without being under ,
not distinguish the Marseilles Hymn from Yam
kee> Doodle, thrilled by eitherdir
l<When Handel and Hogarth were talking
about the composers great work, tho Messiah,
which Handel had>not as yet been able to get
), represented, Hogarth urged en- application to
4 tho Duke of Bedford. Handel, Disguised ut his
want of success hitherto, reluctant to sue
T for the favor of any patron to have his best
work Ercught before the public. If his grace
, only comprehended a note of it!o he exclaimed
petulantly, but he knows no more of music
than that 1out of n linen weaver in Yorkshire"
"Whom you corrected with your fist, when
he blunde. ID with your Saul 7" cried the pain.
Eter. 81 You should have learned better policy my
, good master, from your eight and twenty years
t III England! stupid, great hoffman can dc
no harm to q work of art! II dealt only Gitt
those ,rho understood mig cork ,cie and children
might starre." But happily for the composer OF
the Messiah, and for US, he SOON found the truth
. and weight of the great painters experience
, and all time has thought how true this is o
y the arts, but particularly of music; else how
o little that is old and valuable would remain
r | with us to-day
It is related of Christian Urban Ga very piou
- nan) who died not long since in Paris, tina
h falling to get an enga cement to perform sacred
:, music, he forced by his necessities to accep
, u position in an orchestra at the thcater, slher
he played for thirty years without eyer seein:
}. the face of an actor or aetressSs--~
IS Social CONDITION OF LoNDoN-The Londol
II Berc,c devotcs leading article for the new
;, Year to a retrospectand confession. The con
. tession la certainly candid: AT this timo ther
how poor, in which there is so much pressin
LON do infil r,ny Gn