The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-09-24
Mnsin of Tn-nau

EDITOR CITIZEN There is a right
eous wrath, and mine has been recently
aroused. l hear parents say, 81 studied
music and know nothing. | do not
care for my children to waste time and
money" Who is to blame for this
state of affairs-such a state that gener-
atoms past and present must. suffer?
Sometimes teacher, sometimes parent,
sometimes student; perhaps somewhat
the fault of the past age.
Music tgds taught as an art alone, dis
regarding altogether that which would
have made of fleeing accomplishment
an enduring joy; but it has been revo-
lutionized in the past few years. In
stead Of being recognized as an art
alone, it is now acknowledged and
taught as a science also. In music SCI
ence is the rock foundation and art a
fairy superstructure, both essential,
each incomplete without the other.
Music is an art, high and holy, but it is
also a science, vast and limitless.
Having studied music nearly nineteen
years, from my sixth birthday, having
spent the night vigils in pursuit of my
beloved study, am prepared TO speak
in condemnation of those who, treating
music as an art alOne-vieWing it as q
species of leger-d de main or finger calls
themes, have made those crOakers OF
to-day, who 'have given up their mu-
sic since MARRIAGE" Let US suppose a
case: You send your daughter to
school. She is taught to recite few or
many "'pieces" ever so beautifully, but
will you say to me that she is educated,
and that as years roll on she will ring
/ the same meaningless changes on themes
grown haCkneyed? OF course not,
/ nd 81 yEyill N tanpht Tnncia n
that wav fail to keep it up" Suppose,
again, that in addition to these grand
recitations she is even taught to read
with some degree OF fluency. Is she
yet educated? Has she won right to
the title of scholar? Without gram
mar, geography, writing, mathematics,
| history, and at least a few isms and
ologies, you would scarce call her so /;
and yet music has in transpOsitions, in
versions, thorough bass and harmony
a grammar, geography, history, a
rhetoric, and even higher and grander
! "A soul. No mathematical laws are
more perfect than those of music. In
deed, the true mathematician revels in
the eXactness of musical science. Black
stone discOurses of justice and equity,
and music illustrates both. Industry
| builds home and music clothes it in
sunshine. The Bible tells of our God,
and music glOrifies Him.
! In the new light that has come to us,
let us grasp our opportunities as pre-
ciOus jewels. The true musician is a
musician forever. Educate your daugh-
ter properly and she will no more for
get her music than she will forget how,
even in rare moments, to read the pa
pers and books which are finding their
way to rich and poor.
In this communication l have said
nothing OF the bread and butter side OF
the question; nothing of the fact that
music is ''Shibboleth" in that society
OF which each would be gladly MEM
Der; nothing of the thousand and one
practical things which are so rapidly
rendering an organ or piano as essen
tial in family as kitchen. 1 think
these things are known, but | do I'M
hesitatingly say that old superstitions
should be cast aside and music recog-
nized according to its merits.
After years of study l say that fields
so vast that L thirst at behOlding them,
are presenting themselves to my view
that with a true appreciation of the
grandeur of the theme, with coming
years the watchword shall be Coward
March," and l would that many should
turn their faces toward the goal.
L. C., 3.