The Philosophy of Sound, and History of Music #251293

How vast and unbounded are the pleasures derived from music! All the passions are under its control. Now it wakens the latent courage in the breast of the soldier; and now administers to the pensive sorrow of the weeping mother at one moment it inspires the soul with sublime and hallowed awe, and at the next gives life to unbounded mirth. It is suited to stimulate the feeling of devotion, and to increase the boisterous pleasures of a village harvest-home. We listen with equal delight, but with different sensibilities, to the rich and overpowering strains of the organ, and the soft luxuriant tone of the flute. In all its variety of intensity, time, and style, it pleases; for it is harmony still, and leads the mind a willing captive to its power.