Saint Mary's beacon., 1881-02-17
{ Written for tie Beacon)
B R r IA.
CHAPTER XIV.
BY ERIE.

CHAPTER XIV.
From the earliest records, we have
mention of Jubal, "lhe father Of all such
as handle the harp and organ" and as
far back as history and myths can car
ry us, music seems to have been known
and loved, though the primitive dwell
ers knew no "Home, sweet Home, or
"Last Rose Of Summer" Not only the
harmony produced by certain contrivan-
ces, aptIy termed musical instruments,
but also that oinature, the crash, roll aud
Ieverberation Of the thunder; the low
signing the Summer wind ortle grand
solemn anthem Of an autumnal forest,
swayed by wind, which keeps such
regular time among the massy tree tops,
that it seems dead march played for
the departure of Summers glorious
train: the tinkIing Of a noisy little brook,
the thunder OF cataract; the whrr OF
busy machinery; the striking clock; or
even the cl.Tp OF a cricket; man deems
himself : musician indeed If he can
successfully catch and reproduce from
an artificial medium. A musician is
aforementioned; he has a paradise
within HIMSELF and when sad and de-
pressed, bis sklillul lngers can evoke
sounds that will whisper sweet conso-
lation to him. They will sing legends
strange % tell, aud the weird, witch
music will sink deep INTO bis soul, and
coursing through his veins, will light his
eyes with a lambent flame aud gilt his
touch with thought soul He burns
and is inspired. Tie true artist is
creature OF another world when swayed
with the sublime passion OF his genius.
We gaze al hum with awe, listening
with fearful eyes or subdued breath, as
his master hand wakes to lie some soul
subduing passage. We feel that a spir-
it is breathing its melody into the AIR
around US. What was the strange pow
er of the Tyre of Orpheus that over
mastered even the stern god of the IN
fernal regions, or Of the pipe Of Pan
that charmed beasts making them at
tentive TO an influence that thralled their
senses, we can imagine, since in our
own day, we possess such a range aud
delicacy of instruments, that all may be
filled with delight, from the lover Of the
grand organ TO that of the melodlous
Jew harp?
One forgets, while listening TO Ru-
bernstein, that we are citizens of this
mundane sphere, and till the shaggy
artist hits his hands from the keys that
respond magnetically to his touch do
not recognize an existence outside Of
the music aud the conceptions it engen-
ders. No wonder the children run at
the sound of hand-organ; a monkey is
not necessary accompaniment; the or
gan-grinder can collect a little group
without such an accessory. The squeak
lest old instrument that has a musical
twang TO it is appreciated by some one
in this world.
The sound of drum will bring the
small part Of the population on winged
feet in search Of ''the music, and long
er limbs and manly faces can be seen
seeking for nearer hearing of sweet
sounds.
Ours would be forlorn life without
music; our religious ceremonies, pro-
cessions, parades, marches, trlumphal
entrances, and above all the dance,
would want the zest that now belong
to them. The life would be gone and
only the dead body of the show would
remain. This is well understood by
showmen, and even a parading mena-
gerie is attended by band 10 attract
and arrest crowd Of spectators A
yeast powder advertisement is accom-
panied by few musical instruments,
so sure is noise to attract attention.
Very sorely was Roe tired at having to
conceal our commonest actions, so it
was with vexed heart that she care
fully hid note sent to me and waited
for my return to deliver ii.
81 knew there would be trouble if