The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1889-07-18
The Satui al Result Of the Manner OF Lie
of IA PeopIs.

The Sasu, al Result Of the tanners Of iif'
of "a People.
The national song Of o country Il
the natural result OF the manners o
the people; and Just as these vary II
different nations, so does the music
which has grown with these nations
vary in its peculiarities and effects
Not a country in the world is without
a national music Of its own Rude
and barbarous it may be, but 1t viii
have its own distinct characteristics,
and it will appeal as no other music
can TO the nation or tribe TO which II
owes its existence. The power OF
national song has indeed been long
recognized and admitted. Linking
itself with objects and events that are
cherished aud memorable, 1t has
become the depository OF all
that is interesting to human
feeling or dear TO national
pride; and by tho iunumerable recol-
lections which 1t involves, united with
its natural power TO excite emotion, it
acquires IA magic influence over the
heart which no other art a lay claim
TO-" 1t has frequently been unlimited
and sneered at as a low form OF musical
creation, unworthy of serious often
tion, and incapable Of e~leyating the
mind. But surely tho place OF music
is TO please as well as to ennoble; and
it is at least not surprising that the
people should find a special charm in
that which is of their W production
and belongs to themselves. Nature
has always proved stronger than art,
and here we have further evidence OF
her superiority. In musical compost
ton the admiration and applause of
the cultured few may be gained for that
which is scientific and abstruse; but 1t
is only by simple strains that the ordl-
nary hearer Is captivated md the finer
feelings of his heart + stirred. The
critical musician may, If he will. decry
the national music Of a country as
being devoid of expression and beauty,
but the people to whom it belongs will
assuredly feel that it is lacking in
neither Of these qualities. For our
part, we think the music Of every ma
tion--cvery civilized nation at least
has charms which any one can appre-
If It's true spirit is entered into
without prejudice; and there is GER
something wrong with the heart
Of that mar who, loving his country,
does not also love his couatry's music.
there is any truth at all in
S~hakespeare's lines, surely he, of
all men, is "it for t~reasons, STRATA
gems, and spoils; let no such man
be trusted" The term national mu-
5ic' has sometimes been m%isunder-
1t is properly applied to that
aboriginal or self-sown music which Is
"eferablo to no individual author, or
school OF authors, but seems to be the
Of the very soil ITSELF 1t desig-
mates any music which, boing written
IN the peculiar taste Of the nation TO.
which it appertains, appeals more
powerfully than other music to the
Of that nation. 1t may be
considered as one Of the leading pc.
ouliarities of national music that the
names of those who have combined
o make it are seldom known. This
3 the case with every col
ecti0n Of national song with which we
ire acquainted. The only satisfactory
Is that which regards tho peo-
lle themselves as the originators OF
he national tunes. A national air is
'cumposed' at all, in the ordi.
nary sense Of the term; it is more fre-
oxtemporizcd in a moment OF
extraordinary emotion, by some one
gifts superior to his fellows, II
impressive it is soon taken up by 9TH
RS, further diffused, and thus ira
litionally preserved, Like an inven-
ion making toward perfection, it may
BASS through many hands, he who had
he first idea of it seldom completing
t, but transmitting it on to others
Who enlarged upon it until 1t reached
is final state.-Scottish Review.