We know that music, either vocal or instrumental, and in many cases the two combined, has for many centuries been considered necessary for the proper worship of God. The harmony that issues in grand and melting tones from the noble organ subdues the heart, and fills it with solemnity, sweetness, and hope: the sacred chant, the prayer or thanksgiving, uttered in melodious song by the choir or by all the congregation—these cause the sordid world with all its cares and wild passions to be for the while forgotten, and the soul, charged with the influences of divine harmony and most holy aspiration, is lifted to heaven. And so music, with its gentle, its ever-winning power, has constantly been used by the churches to secure the attendance of those who without it had been indifferent. This has been especially the practice of the Roman-Catholic Church for inducing the attendance of Protestants, and is after the custom of olden times, when the Gentiles were thus drawn into the Christian churches, coming at first through motives of curiosity. They were, however, often so captivated by the music as to submit to baptism before departing. In most of our large cities, a considerable number of wealthy Protestants are induced, by the superior musical attractions of Catholic churches, to attend for a while, renting pews, and finally, in some cases, to become members; and Protestant churches, to sustain the interest in their services, and to insure the attendance of members and others, have been obliged to recognize this love among the people for the divine art.
The German race is remarkable for the intelligence, steadiness, and industry of its members, and their love for and cultivation of the art of music—these latter characteristics prevailing to a most pleasing degree among all classes of the race. Indeed, it is rare to find a German not, in some sense at least, a musician. And in what beneficent uses do they employ the art, especially in their social relations! Their children are inducted into its charming beauties and helpful uses from their very earliest years. Of a steady-going, rather practical life, the Teutonic race yet seeks relief from care, and finds delightful rest and recreation, in united song, or in some other form of pleasing harmony; thus wisely uniting the practical with the poetical in life. How in keeping is a musical love so warm, and a musical proficiency so general, with a nation which has given to the world a Mozart, a Haydn, and a Beethoven!
Most persons have remarked the superior affability, the polish of manners, that distinguishes the people of France. It is also observable that this nation is much devoted to music; that which is produced by their own composers, and most in use by the people, being usually of the graceful, brilliant style. An eminent French writer states, that, for the possession of these pleasing characteristics, this nation is indebted to that ancient order of musicians, the troubadours, whose musical qualities, politeness, and other winning graces, laid the foundation of the same.
It is said that the ancient Egyptians held music in such high esteem that they employed it as a remedial agent, believing it a sure cure for certain kinds of disease. While such a belief—that is, in its entirety—may not be held in modern times, yet this notion of the curative qualities of music does not seem so very fanciful or mysterious after a little reflection. We know that nothing so generally conduces to recovery from sickness as those influences that inspire feelings of cheerfulness, and that serve to divert the mind of the patient from a contemplation of his bodily sufferings—it being almost a proverb, that "a pain forgot is a pain cured,"—and that one of the chief of such agencies is the soothing, inspiriting charm of music. It is not meant by this, of course, that music is of itself and specifically a cure, but that it may be often employed as a powerful aid in effecting the same. We know, moreover, that this delight-affording art may be profitably used to "minister to a mind diseased," and that its aid is often invoked by those physicians who are most skilful, if not in curing, at least in ameliorating the condition of, persons afflicted with that terrible malady, insanity. Perhaps Saul of olden times, who is said to have been once possessed with an "evil spirit," was then simply insane; and, taking this view of his condition—which is, after all, the one that seems the more correct—the statement in the Bible, that David drove away this evil spirit by his skilful playing upon the harp, becomes easy to understand, since the occurrence is thus divested of its miraculous character.
But I must not fail to notice here the remark sometimes made, that the study and practice of music do not always give to those engaged in the same the graces of a true refinement; that even persons highly skilled in the art are sometimes unamiable in manners, and coarse in habits. To this I reply, that no art nor human agency is capable of elevating every character to perfection; and that the exceptions above mentioned become very noticeable, and cause surprise, because of the known good influence upon the heart and mind generally exerted by the study and practice of good music. Besides, all great musical "stars" must not be classed with the conscientious, loving student of the art. Some among the former, gifted with phenomenal voices or with rare powers for instrumental performance, having reached, perhaps, with a few easy strides, their high positions, and caring but little for music save as it ministers to their vanity, conceit, or cupidity—these have missed that gradually unfolding culture of the mind and heart that belongs to the progress of one who conscientiously seeks to know music's manifold beauties, and who with real appreciation for the beautiful in art, loving music for music's sake, feels and exhibits in his deportment towards his fellow-men its delightful and elevating power.
And here I cannot forbear to remark, that the musical education of the youth of our country is not being pushed towards that state of thoroughness so necessary to a real comprehension and enjoyment of the art. Nearly all intelligent parents are frequent, and even fulsome, in their praises of music; and, when they speak or write of it, the laudatory exclamation is often brought into use. And yet they seem to be satisfied, generally, when their children obtain, by a mere skimming over its surface, but a peep into the realities and refining beauties of the science; when the favorite daughter in the use of the piano-forte, for instance, becomes only the most wearisome of "thrummers."
"The London World" is none too severe on the "accomplished" young lady of the period, when it says—
"The ordinary young lady can only play set pieces on the piano that she has learned at the price of Heaven knows how many valuable hours' practising. She never remembers any thing by heart; could not compose two notes to save her life; and cannot repeat by ear the simplest melody out of an opera, though she has heard it a hundred times. She is perfectly ignorant of the history of music; hates classical works; knows few of the masters' names save Verdi, Donizetti, Offenbach, and Mozart, the latter only as the composer of 'Don Giovanni.' Gregorian or Latin chants convey no especial meaning to her mind: all she can tell you about them is that they are used in church. As for orchestration, scoring, and such like, they are only fit matters for professionals. She will call Wagner horrid, Gounod lovely, Mendelssohn dull, and Beethoven pretty, without knowing why she likes or dislikes any thing. She yawns at an oratorio, is bored at a concert, and only enjoys opera because she knows everybody that sits in the boxes."
Besides, I think a mistake is made in compelling girls to learn to play only the piano-forte. There are other instruments, for performance upon which many of them have talents. Nor need such performance detract from a graceful, ladylike appearance. I mention, for example, the harp, the violin, and, indeed, all the stringed instruments, and even others. But on this point another says—
"A recent number of the London 'Queen' contains an article recommending the violin as an instrument peculiarly appropriate for the use of ladies. It protests against the custom of teaching girls to play the piano-forte only, arguing that they should have a larger field in music. There is