musical associations, finding in the
same much to compensate them for what they lost by being debarred from
entering those circles of culture and amusement, the conditions of
entrance to which were, not a love of and proficiency in art, but that
ignoble and foolish one, the mere possession of a white face.

* * * * *

And thus has been briefly and (as the writer fears) imperfectly told
the story of these highly musical people of New Orleans. Bearing in
mind the great and manifold difficulties against which they ever had
to struggle,--not only such difficulties as all must encounter who
study the science of music, but also those far, far greater ones that
are caused by color-prejudice, the extent of whose terrible, blighting
power none can ever imagine that do not actually meet it,--bearing in
mind, I say, all these obstacles, and their triumphs over the same, it
will be seen that much has been accomplished that may be considered
really wonderful. As better opportunities for culture, and that
fulness of recognition and appreciation without which even genius must
languish and in many cases die,--as these come to them, as come they
surely will in this new era of freedom,--then will such earnest
votaries as have here been mentioned, with

"No fears to beat away, no strife to heal,
The past unsighed for, and the future sure,"--

attain to even greater degrees of proficiency and eminence in that
noble art of which Pope thus beautifully sings:--

"By Music, minds an equal temper know,
Nor swell too high, nor sink too low.
If in the breast tumultuous joys arise,
Music her soft, assuasive voice applies,
Or, when the soul is pressed with cares,
Exalts her in enlivening airs;
Warriors she fires with animated sounds;
Pours balm into the bleeding lover's wounds;
Melancholy lifts her head;
Morpheus rouses from his bed;
Sloth unfolds her arms, and wakes;
Listening Envy drops her snakes;
Intestine war no more our passions wage;
And giddy factions bear away their rage....

Music the fiercest grief can charm,
And Fate's severest rage disarm;
Music can soften pain to ease,
And make despair and madness please;
Our joys below it can improve,
And antedate the bliss above."

APPENDIX.

MUSIC.

PREFACE TO THE MUSIC.

It is deemed necessary to offer a f