its higher departments, such as
composition, harmony, and counterpoint, develops the mind as
much as the study of mathematics or the languages. It
teaches us love, kindness, charity, perseverance, patience,
diligence, promptness, and punctuality."

And a writer in "Chambers's Journal" remarks, that

"In society, where education requires a submission to rule
singing belongs to the domain of art; but, in a primitive
state, all nations have their songs. Musical rhythm drives
away weariness, lessens fatigue, detaches the mind from the
painful realities of life, and braces up the courage to meet
danger. Soldiers march to their war-songs; the laborer
rests, listening to a joyous carol; in the solitary chamber,
the needlewoman accompanies her work with some love-ditty;
and in divine worship the heart is raised above earthly
things by the solemn chant."

Happily for the world, this beautiful art is one, the delightful forms
of which nearly all may enjoy, the inspiring, soul-elevating
influences of which nearly all may feel. I say, nearly all; because it
is a sad truth that there are some persons who have no ear whatever
for music, and to whom the harsh, rattling noise of the cart on the
stony street affords just as much melody as do the sweetest tones that
may issue from a musical instrument. Again: there are those, who,
although possessing to some extent a faculty for musical discernment,
are yet so much governed by what is called a sense of the "practical"
in life as to avoid all opportunity for the enjoyment of melody,
considering such indulgence as a waste of precious time. It is,
however, pleasant to know that the number of all such persons--who
must, I think, be regarded as really unfortunate--is but a small one,
and that almost every one has a born capacity for musical appreciation
and enjoyment.

It is true that the mighty genius of Mozart and Beethoven soared far
above common musical minds. With a love for the noble art of music
almost sacred in its intensity, these great composers penetrated far,
far into its depths, finding their greatest enjoyment in so doing.
Starting with the simpler forms of the art left by their predecessors,
they deepened, they broadened and varied those forms; while, with
every intricacy created, they experienced the sweetest of pleasure.
And one of the most fitting tributes that can be paid to these and
others of the