The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1893-08-29
TIE INFLUENCE OF MUSIC.
By DOCTOR wALDTERN PEGG.
(Asaociate and Pupil Of the AGt'
LiszL)

Ina previous article in the columns
of this paper / pointed ont that med
ical investi. ations have frequently di-
rected attention to the powerful lndu'
enco that music exercises, through the
mind upon the body, by increasing
mental energy, or by depressing the
feelings even to the point Of despond-
encv. Music affects the health to an
amazing and startling extent. Many
instances might be quoted. A gentle
man I met in St. PET Nrsburg, in
formed me quite recently that med
ical friend Of his has been studying the
effects of musical sounds on the ailing
ones, and has learned that they modify
the circulation of the blood, and the
activity of the heart, in direct ratio
TO the pitch and tortjsSineo of sound;
this is technically styled "Tone
Color"
In ancient history, anl the sacred
works of verious nations one finds
numbers ofincideEts of the influence of
musical sounds and their incalculably
beneficial OBJECT upon sick people.
There is record OF songs devoted in
ancient Egypt to the promotion OF vir.
tue and morality in the education OF
youth. These records attribute the
bqr rDarlsm or CN uuethe to the gross Et-
glect Of Music, aud the refinement aad
purity Of tho manners and customs OF
the Arcadisrs to a natural love and
reverence for the divine art From the
Hebrew Scriptures We learn that
cnre was sought for the arrangement
of Saul in the harp playing OF David.
Pythagoras, highly commended music
IL the treatment Of the insane, and
Thales found 10 music his most power
fai ami ettectual means of combating
pestilance wuich once ravaged Sparta.
Nenocrates snothed insane people by
musical sounds. and Theophrastus de-
clared, and held, that even the VEN
cmous bites Of reptiles were rendered
less mlschievous by subjectlng the VIC
tins to the influence of melody. When
physicians in the dark ages thought
they recognized evil spirits as the
cause of disease, Music was declared
to be the curative; and again Lnther
expressed the same belief; or, rather,
had strong faith when he wrote that
ssAlus1c is one of the most beautiful
and glorious gifts of God, to which
Satan is bit 'er and Implacable foe. >"
One of the Kings Of Spain was at one
time IN such a weak and morbid condi-
ton of health that his devoted consort
almost despa1red of seeing his Majesty
in scuLd health again. In fact, he was
so despondent that he completely
neglected his person, and refused to
see or be seen by his courtiers and
loyal subjects, and great grief and con-
sternation prevailed over all the nation.
In the midst of their dismay happy
thought passed thorugh the mind, de.
voted and faithful, Of the Kings beau
tiful consort. Farirelli was then a
most famous singer, and him she COM
manded to az pear at the Palace, and
also several other artists, together with
the private orchestra which only per-.
formed in the Palace, but which now
had been long inactive, owing to tie
mental alienation Of the King.
The Queen desired Farlnelll 10 sing,
and the other artists to perform, which
they did, alternately of course-the
performance tnking place in large
chamber adjoining he suite occupied
by the King. lie effect was almost
magical. His Majesty remal ed quiet,
listening, for two or three hours, and
al last, during an interval Of the per
formance, sent an attendant command
in the presence OF the artists who had
taken part. When they appeared be.
fore him, he babe them 10 ask him for
any favor in reason and he would grant
1t. Farinelli simply b=sought the King
to permit his attendants to dress and
shave him. After this was done the
royal evidently felt better, and then
Farineli implored his Majesty to allow
his loyal subjects to SEE INN out in the
great gardens daily. The favor was
heartily granted, and from that day
dated the rapid convalescence of King
Philip OF Spain.