The bee., 1883-12-15
In Essay on Music.
IT'S 1Nn JEscz, DELIGHTS AND sEsxxrrx

when tortured with mental anguish, on
when in his happiest hours fortune smiles
upon him with laughing eyes, music is
ever welcome. 1t is one of those heay-
emily muses. which in compassion for the
human race was wiling from the begin
ming to share the nsfortunes of man,
to enliyen his pleasures, to be, in fact, a
constant source of enjoyment in his
hours of repose, to give expression alike
to his sorrow and Joy. 1t dates its
antiquity to the remotest period, even
though it had net attained that encour.
agement and development and perfect
ion which only an enlightened nature
could bestow upon it. Before the seulp-
tor employed his chisel to ometamorphose
the rude block or the cold marble into
living human forms; before seeEes of
nature were transferred to the canvas by
the skillful artist, or the mighty pen
welded by eminent geniuses; even be-
| fore the more useful domestic arts were
attended to, music had already insinu-
ated, and was engaging itself with the
affections and passions of man.
1t is directly an expression of mans
thoughts, and Of those tender feelings
and imaginations which also give rise to
poetry, its sister art. Music is sister or
parent of poetry, and both are invariably
linked together. Although it may owe
much of its attractions to the senses, vet
it essentially originates In the mind. The
former may be entirely wanting in an
appreciation of It's boundless effects,
whilst the latter may breathe all that
can be said to apply to the most beauti-
full strains. Alexander Pope, who had
such great powers of versifcation, could
not appreciate music, and Garrick, the
great actor, and friend of Goldsmith, was
quite Indifferent either to simple melo-
dies or the most enchanting strains; not
even in the jolly cnoruses which his
friends INDUCED in did he delight. Thus
should the effects of music, It's source
and expression, be judged, not by prac-
ticed ear, but rather by the rude and
untutored mind. 1t is by examining and
referring to all classes of men that we
conclude it to De appreciated by all, if
not by senses only, at least by the al
fsctions.
The 0ackwoodsnan or farmer wnL
from day to day tolls in the sweat of his
brow-but who in his rural home,
breathing the pure, unad1lterated air,
and admiring the works of an omnipo-
tent God, would not exchange his lot fof
that of a king-gives expression alike to
nis 10y and sorrows by means of musiL.
The chirping of the cricket, the endless
variations of the mocking-bird. or tke
sweet melodies OF the nightingale, are
appreciated best by him. He sings
while he works: he drives away useless
care with song. It is the songs of the
rural homes which our poets have so
delighted TO imitate,-songs in which all
the expressions of the human heart ara
expressed in the most humble, tender
and attractive form.
Music is not ashamed to enter the low.
est bowel where fond mother sings hel
lullaby to her darling with as much love
and affection as the queen in her palace.
What indeed would this world be if mu-
sic were absent, if man could not breathe
in more delicate expressions his inmost
feelings, than III the cold words of Ian
guage? When nothing can please or
bring consolation to the soul that is
overburdened with sorrow, when even
tears can bring no relief, song can still
comfort it. Music, in truth, accompan-
les man through life. from his very
birth even unto death. Children scarce
ly able to lisp, already delight to Imi-
tate some pleasant strain heard before.
What pleasure is there not in the chorus
of the schoolroom?-the sweet melodies
that ever remind us when we too were
among those happy, careless children,
unacquainted with the realities of life.
What sweet recollections of home and
friends and boon companions can we
bring back to our memories without
music and song being associated with
them? Truly, what is home without a
mother? but, likewise, what is home
without music-a home where never the
joyous, ringing laughter of children is
heard, where never musical strain
seeks abode? Truly such a home is
lacking the attractions of one that we
picture to ourselves. Finally, when
Shat wonted vIgor of manhood's years
has left us, when on the verge of the
grave, music regrets not our acquaint
ance. And then, after the soul has de-
parted for other than earthly realms,
the sad, solemn and slow strains of the
dirge, together with the intermingling
beats of the muffled drum, do homage
to tho cold. lifeless remains of man. and
pespeak the anguish and sorrow which
the departure of friend or relative has
caused in the hearts of those left behind.
Thus the effect on man Individually, and
when considering mankind in general,
It makes Itself equally prominent. How
could we celebrate national festivals in
manner befitting the occasion without
fP Would not spirit of Joy, emotion
and rapture be wanting, which lend
such magic effect to public entertain
ments? How the audience in the opera
listen with breathless awe to the endless
and varied melodies of the orchestral
What enchantment is there not in all
national music2 What feeling of love
md patriotism?
The noble national music, if not GER
tain is yet probable indication ofmany
national virtues. The general diffusion
of beautiful traditional melodies i'm
plies people of refined taste, and exalt-
ed feelings; they go hand in hand with
popular poetry. The love of a country
"a love which is a concentration of all
socil and domestic feelings-appears to
be powerfully moved by national music.
A few notes from rude reed, or a few
strains sung even by an unpracticed
voice, will recall to those, distant from
their native land images of feelings in a
more pathetic manner than the most
elaborate description. Thus music,
auxiliary to virtue and happiness, is an
inestimable blessing. At home, it in
vests every spot with the light of poetry,
enchantment, and charms sofrecollection.
In peace, it binds the ties of affection;
in war, it nerves the bone of victory, or
the soul for death. The effect which
martial music has osl men before battle
cannot be comprehended by any but
such as have actually witnessed a battle
scene. Even the quick rattling of the
drum excites lightness of step, firm