The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-07-28

''Play that little piece, again." said a |
tired man to his daughter, ss he was
resting after Q ha d days work. 81
should think you would lie tired hearing
it," petulantly replied the daughter, but |
she played it with more care and feeling
than before. SIT always rests me-" said
the weary man. SIT brings before me q
picture of willows by a brook, peace
full landscape where cattle Craze. AT t6e
second part the scene changes, but the
willows are there, always waving gently
in the summer wind. Ii is beautiful"
Never again did that daughter think it
not worth while to play for her father.
There is no soul not susceptible to the
influence Of music and those to whom
God has given any talent, however small,
should be sure that it is used and in
creased so that we may bring more Joy
and happiness into other lives.
Many interesting incidents might be
related showing the effect Of music on
animals. The elephant appears delighted
with it, and readily learns to beat time,
to move in measure and even to join his
voice to the sound of drum sand trumpet.
Snakes can be alarmed ard trained by
music. Dogs, horses, stays, sheep end
goats have all been known 10 be affected
by its power
A gentleman who was confined in the
Ba tile, begged the govt rnor TO permit
him the use of his Lutte, hoping the har-
monies CT his instrument would soften
| the rlgors of his prison. At the end of
| few days he was greatly astonished,
| when playing on his lutte, to see great
numbers Of mice peeping from their
holes, and descending from their webs,
crowds of spiders formed q circle about
him, while he continued playing. When
| the music ceased this curious asse mbly
at once broke up. He had such an ip-
tense dislike to spiders that it was two
days before he ventured ID touch his in
strument again, but when he did recon-
mence the music, the assembly was by
far more numerous than at first.
Here is an item that will be of psrtic-
ular interest to the unilkmen of the
Grange. IL is sobe1ly stated that in
Switzerland, a milkmaid or milkman get
better wages il they have good voices,
because the shrewd Swiss know that q
COW will yield much more milk il soothed
with pleasant song during the process
of milking. In fact, it is true, that we
get more out of everything in this world
il we approach it with song in our
heart and on eur lips.
The value of music as a healing agent
ffeis a wide and unexplored field for
scientific research. How glad we shall
drugged, carved and vivisected, shall bt
tuned, like a fiat toned piano, to health
and life. 1t is not at all unlikely that
this will prove to be one of the wondrous
things which the twentieth century will
bring to US.
Perhaps the most remarkable instance
of the efficacy of music as healing
power, occurred during the celebrated
Farinelli's visit to Spain. The queen de-
termined to try the effect of his beautiful
voice upon the king, who was passionate
ly fond of music. He was then, unfor
tunately, lsboripg under a serious form
of melancholis which baffied all mediea
treatment. Neither pleasure nor busi
ness could rouse him from his depressed
spirits. Incapable of managing public
affairs, or of enjoying domestic inter
course, he remained in a deplorable state
of sadness and apathy. Farriuelli was
placed in a room adjoining that where
the king sat. He sang some of his pathetic
songs with all the charming expression
for which he was famed. The queen
snxious1y watched the effect; nor was
she disappointed. The king seemed sur
prised; as he listened he became affected
tears filled his eyes, and the pent-up
feelings pushed forth without restraint
Another sopg land he ordered the attend.
snce of the singer. Farinelli appeared
the king expressed his delight, and de-
sired bims to say how he wished to be
rewarded for the qualification his won
derful talent had given. Farineli, who
had been instructed how to act, entreated
that his majesty would permit his attend
ants to dress him, and that he would
appear in court as usual. The king com
piled, his spirits returned and thus
Farinelli in some minutes effected a cure
which the ablest medical men in Spain
had been unable to bring about. Many
years before this, eomely shepherd boy.
by his exquisite playing, exercised the
evil spirit which tormented King saul.
Some one has said that all nature is
tuned to music, and that music is the
language of Heaven" Who can wonde'
then at les influence upon frail humanity
| And now / ask your attention to the
especial value of vocal training, and the
end which we have in view in such study.
There is no instrument which can sur
pass in beauty the human voice. 1t is a
misfortune that the culture of the voice
has come to be looked upon as 9 great
and serious undertaking and of such
magnitude that but few have time for it,
and only those should attempt it who
have exceptionally fine voices. This is 8
mistake. Nearly every one can sing and
Ii all would take the small amount Of
few common sense rules, 1t would be
Surprising how many good voices would
/ soon appear and how much those who
/ now sing could add to their own comfors
and Others pleasure. Singing.is but the
speaking voice extended, and it is true
as anything In science that correct vocal
exercise will give any person with pleas
ant speaking voice. good singing
voice. Some one will ask, uIf this is all
that is needed, why are there not more
good singers?" For this, there are two
causes:
LIST. Lack of patience and persistence
on the part of the st dent.
2nd. Vocal science has been made, in
the past, q mystery, many vocal teach
ers themselves having no clear idea of
what was to be accomplished, much less
being able to make 1t clear to q pupil.
But to-day vocal science is made clear
and plain by both good teachers and
good books.
The foundation of all good method
must be correct breathing. On any other
foundation voice culture becomes q
doubtful IL not dangerous thing. The
art OF singing il the art of breathing.
The value Of this part of vocal training
has already been touched upon in connrc-
tion with public school work, but much
more might be said. A New York Jour
nal of large circulation recently pub
lished an editorial ON general health,
containing these words. "Pay great at
tention to breathing. In that Is the
secret of long life and energy. If every
body would take one hundred good deep
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