The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1873-01-26
MILTON AND MUSIC.


father who knew what IL was to suffer in
position and estate, for opinions sake
The youthful John absorbed with every
boyish breath, the love Of liberty fol-
which his father paid so dearly. But the
training of the home circle was not en-.
tirely acrimonious. John Milton, senior
found time TO give himself TO the study oil
the noble science music. He attained tc
such degree Of skill that he composed an
II Nomcne of forty parts, which gained
for him gold medal from an European
prince. Several Of his compositions found
place in Why's selections, and also in
Ravencroit s psalms.
With such an exsmplar in tho house.
hold, it is not surprising that young Mil
ton became an adept in tho art Of music.
1t is not difficult to imagine the domestic
circle, with the father at the instrument
singing bass, while John carried the mel.
ody, Christopher tho tenor and Ann the
alto If Cambridge gave the bent to Mil.
tons mind in the direction of letters,
those family concerts in the house of the
| London scrivoner did no less for him in
the science of music.
In all the experience OF Millions stormy
manhood, this sweet comfort of n wearid
mind never failed him. If he appeaes
more prominently in history as states
man and a poet than as musician, it is
only because the world gives more atter-
ton to the inviting streams than to tie
quiet springs which supply them.
After receiving his degree Of Master OF
Arts, he bid adieu to his home and made 9
tour through the land of song. Already
the name which, with that Of Shakespeare
was to shine in English literature, found
nobility and literati waiting 10 confer the
highest honor. Artists and titled digni.
tares recognized In him q genius worthy
Of their homage. The treasures of ducsl
palaces were laid open to his inspection l..
Galleries of art and ancient libraries invited
his thoughtful study. But amid all the
scenes Of artistic glory and princely mag.
niacence be carried with him the training
of the scriveners Areside. After reaching
Venice he spent month in collecting the
works Of the master musicians Of Italy.
Luca Marcnzo, Monte Verde, Horatio
Veccbi, Caba, the prince of Venosa, and
others Of the best composers Of the time,
furnished him with rich treasury Of ltal-
ian song. Two chests of music book
were shipped to England.
At the age Of ,hirty-one, he returned X
his native land. At once he ADDRESSED
himself to those political and social pro.
ec,s whose audacity was equaled only b,
the vigor with which he discussed then,
His "Trac,a,s on Education" was q colo,.
sal in its conception as it was imprac,i.
cable in its execution. lie was 90 far in
advance Of his own age as to appear
visionary. 1t is only in our own time
that his broad views have
been appreciated, and many of
his principles adopted. He maintained
that tho education of youth should be
physical as well as mental; that their
minds should be occupied with the
whole cycle Of human knowledge; and
that, among the arts music should have a
conspicuous place. He saw in music not a
mere establishment to Sc. off sterner
things, but profound science and the
most inspiring Of arts.
Milton never speaks of music without
peculiar and impressive enthusiast IN.
The depths and virtues Of music are glow.
ing themes under his pen. His verses
sing, because his spirit sings in taem. No
poe. revels more luAuriously in the swell.
ing waves of music He scars into the
very empyrean Of lofty song. Coleridget
calls him the "musical poet" paradise
Lost throbs with the echoes that rang, in
ineesssnt anthem, in his musical soul.
Music was his only recreation. In the
intervals of severe study, he gave himse
10 inspiring song. When he stopped tc
breathe amid the fierce ard acrid contro
versies Of active manhood, he refreshed
himself with the grand harmones of tn,
organ or the gentler tones Of the flute
He could turn from the "Areopagitica" e
a soothing choral from q state paper O
the commonwealth to an anthem. An,
when, in his old age, blindness and pov
erty and royal ban were on him, and tn,
hopes Of lifetime were shattered forever
he felt his way back to the keys of the in
strument, and found consolation in tn,
harmony OF sweet sounds. And out from
the musical soul whose heavenly harmon
les neither violence nor neglect could
destroy, rolled the measures of the immor
tai epic that will sing its way on to tn,
gates of pearl College Herald.
|
| CHARLES DICKENS ON DEATH
From the encyclopedia of tho Bes
Thoughts of Charles Dickens" we cul
the following mourning flowers which
bloom upon the page, Of the dead
novelist
dead, your majesty. Dead, my lords
and gentlemen. Dead, right reverend.
and wrong reverends, of every order
Dead men and women, born with heay.
emily compassion in your hearts. And
dying thus around us every day.
Bleak House, chapter CT.
"rhe golden ripple on the wall came
back again, and nothing else stirred in
1