Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-03-13
rHE INFLUENCE or Music.

The thoughts, which follow, on the influ-
ence ofmusic win, we trust, BE- appreciated
by our readers. The extract is taken from
q charming volume, entitled Counsel and
Cheer tWt the Battle Qf Lite, written by the
Rev. DIR. Blaikis, and recently issued by a
London publisher:
'iiap liy it does not require q highly
cultivated taste, it does not even need q
musical ear, TO be able to find certain en-
joYmcut in music Men like John Foster,
who had no ear and no scientific aequain-
tance with music, have often fouRd it ex-
quisitely pleasing Certain it is that, Of the
minor solaces Of toll, nothing is more gen
orally popular, or more eftectga, when pro-
perly used, IN keeping up or restoring the
tone OF the system. The servant girl who
nuns tune as she sweeps she floor OF
washes the dishes, the ploughman who
Ehlstlesa favonte air to cheer the monoto-
uy OF the plough, the carpenter who makes
has plane so TO the music of q popular song,
are all deriving benefit from the refreshing
power of music. 1t was, perhaps, the high
est triumph OF this restorative faculty, that
attended the harp of David, when it dis
pelied the awful depression Of King Saul,
and for time restored his prostrated facul-
ties to the vigor Of his better days Similar
instances Of The regiving power Of music are
scattered over history: as, for example, IN
the case OF Philip ", OF Spain, whose ener-
gle9, utterly prostrated and paralyLed, were
restored to vigor by the stratagem Of his
courtieTs, who sending fol accelerated muI-
elan, c0ntriyed that in the apartment next
to the King s. he should sing some Of his
most popular songs, which he did With such
effect that the King sprang from his lethar-
gy, summoned the artist into his presence,
loaded him with thanks, and presently re-
turned to the duties of his office.
The restorative power of music being
so great, 1t Is just what might be expected
that in our great centres Of industry, where
toll is heaviest and most exhaustipg, musi-
cal entertainments should hold avery pr0mi-
neHt place among popularrecreationF There
seems to be something in its sweet strains
peculiarly adapted to repair some part at
least Of the exhaustion caused By close ap-
plicatiOn to work or business. 1t is peeu-
iarly an evening enjoyment, not only be-
cause IN the early part Of the day most per
sons are otherwise engaged, but because it
is naturally adapted to follow labor rather
than 60 before If, To recruit rather than
contribute strength 1t is a touching thing
as one walks along a street IN a large town
of an evening, aud passes a house where
the piano or The organ, with the aecompani-
ment Of the human voice, is sending forth
its eloquence, to find a wayfarer or two loi-
tering at this corner and at that, unwilling
to lose the chance that has come IN their
way of gratifying the hunger for music
which a long day work has wheGed into
unusual keenness.
The grieyous pity is, chat musical enter
tainmeuts are ofteH-happily not always
so conducted as not only TO neutrllze the
good effect Of music, but to become perni-
cious in high degree The excitement
with which it Is often connected. the drink
ing, the rollicbiug, the excited dancing, the
heavy atmosphere, and the late hours, con
tribute TO exhaus, the mind and body far
more than the music goes to revive them.
1t win be a happy day, not only when, by
musical instruction becoming universal in
schools, the taste for music shall be more
highly and more generally cultivated, and
the power OF producing it more widely diff
fused, but when its whole surroundings shall
in every case be in harmony with itself,
when full scope shall be given il for produ
ciug It's proper effect, aud when il shall be
gratefully recognized everywhere as one Of
the means provided by Divine Wisdom for
recruiting exhausted energies, and keeping
up a buoyant youthful feeling through the
hardest struggles OF life.