The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-05-03
Che Impre$sivenes$ Of music.

fell on their knees, and joined
Stradella in the prayer. This may
sound commonplace in prose; but
when one hears Flotow's grand and
impressive air rendered by a great
lyric tenor, then one feels inclined to
believe in the possibility of such an
occurrence.
Just previous to, and during the
First Revolution, France produced
more great thinkers than ever before
or since that time Like Voltaire,
most all these men were rank atheists,
and it was largely due to their doc
trines that religion was officially dis
avowed by the republican government.
During the Directorate, most of these
savants were in the habit of meeting
every week for the purpose of scien-
tific discourse and interchange of
opinions. At one of these meetings
the question was put: "What book
would you choose If, condemned to-
life imprisonment, you we're allowed
to read but one book ?" Some chose
encyclopedias, others Roman and
Greek classics, etc.; but it seemed as
if no general agreement could be OBJ
tanned. Then it was noticed that the
most learned of the savants, their
greatest thinker, but whorwas also the
most pronounced atheist, had not ex-
pressed an opinion, and all presel t
crowded around him and solicited his
advice. After thinking few minutes,
the savant declared that he would
choose the Bible, as that book would
afford him the greatest consola-
ton during lifelong solitude.
Ever ybOdy was surprised to hear the
great scoffer at religion express such a
preference, and all wanted to know
his reasons. "Messieurs," said the
savant, "you know 1 have been very
ill during the last three weeks, and
while lying restlessly in bed, listened
to the beautiful music coming through
the open window from the convent
opposite my home, and found that il
soothed my mind as nothing had ever
done beforep'
There are not many people
in this world who have not beer
favorably impressed by music 81
least once in their lives. Unfortunate
indeed, is the person who has never
enjoyed such an experience. AS th'
circumstances surrounding it are O
considerable interest, the writer feel
warranted in relating the following in
cident of his life:
"In October, 1869, spent the vaca
{ tion of my last semester at Bonn ii
l journey to Italy, and timed it SO a
!. to be in Rome on the occasion Of tn
!, epoch-making declaration of infallibi
t ity by Pope Plus TX. 1t is very doubt
8 full whether the world has ever before
4 or since, witnessed ceremony so i'm
8 posingly spectacular as that performe
Q in St.-Peter's on that memorable da!
f The highest prelates of the Roma
:. church, including all the cardinal
|. hundreds of archbishops and bishop
f the superiors of all monastic order
: the temporal princes Of the catholi
g world, and special ENJOYS from a
: nations and potentates, had followe
n the invitation of Pho Mono. Even tt
b largest cathedral of all Christendol
l. was not able to hold all those WI
>, clamored for admittance
: 81 hadcome very early and manage
to secure standing room in niche {
e one of the gigantic front pillars, fro
s where l. enjoyed an unobstructed ar
r, close view The high dignitaries
It the church, clothed in their gorgeo,
n supplies, and with all the insignia
r. their Office, were grouped on the rigl
n of the enormous altar. Here all colo
iss and shades of colors were numerous
ID represented; from the sombre black
ID the followers of Ignatius of Loyola,
Is the pure white of those of Francisc,
Id of Assist; but white, gold and carmil
1t were largely predominant. To the lie
h we're the princes and ambassadors
N their gala uniforms, and both win
IS, were surrounded by the Pope's mob
s, guard and by the Swiss halIebardiel